Lose 5 pounds a month November 2010 CHALLENGE

Good morning ladies. Ok, well, not so good morning, but that 's why I'm here. I need HELP!! The school / daycare drop-off thing is driving me so crazy that I am nearly in tears on my way to work. My 2 year old cries EVERY morning and I'm ready to pull out my hair (ok really, I'm ready to stuff my face with bad foods). And I'm not talking a sad boo-hoo feel-sorry-for-me kind of cry, this is a mad scream throw-herself-on-the-ground or daycare-worker-has-to-restrain-her kind of cry. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get her to stop, or on how to cope? I know it only lasts 30 seconds for her, but the effect it has on me lingers for hours!! I am actually thrilled that I am away for work overnight on Wed night, so I am not doing the drop-off on Thurs morning - how pathetic is that?!

Off to fill up my water, mix my protein powder into my rice milk and pray for serenity.

I am by no means an expert on this, but I do know that 2 year olds have tantrums, and I do know that they eventually outgrow them when they either 1. figure out it doesn't effect the outcome, and/or 2. they develope better communication skills. I'm not sure what you can do about it except reassure her that you love her and can't wait to see her when you get done with work. Remind her everyday. She will still throw a tantrum, but the last thing she will hear is that her mommy loves her and wants to come get her as soon as she can.

What I do know for sure is that nothing you eat or drink is going to make this situation any better. You can't really control your daughters behavior in this, but you can control yours. I know it isn't easy, but you can do it. Can you bring a travelers mug with hot tea or coffee to drink after you've dropped her off? Or maybe try chewing some gum. When I'm really stressed or anxious, I chew harder, but that doesn't hurt anything. The fruitier flavors are usually a little sweet tasting, so that can taste like a naughty treat, and the mint flavors usually leave me with not wanting to put other things in my mouth for a few minutes (many things don't mix well with mint). Keep reminding yourself that her reaction only lasts 30 seconds, and so should yours (you can handle anything for 30 seconds). After 30 seconds remind yourself your daughter is fine and playing happily, and has moved on with her day, and follow her example. At the end of the day you can't control her reactions only your own, but you can be very proud of yourself each day that you cope with something other than food. You will have the double benifit of not sabatoging yourself, and knowing you are mastering good coping skills to prevent later self sabatoge. I always give myself a pat on the back and some recognition to myself when I handle a situation that I want to handle with food, some other more healthy way. I know it is tough, but I have complete faith in you get though this part of each day in a healthy way.

I am actually doing prettty good this month. I started all over Nov. 1st, I hadn't weighed in who knows how long (way to long really) and was way off tract, eatting all wrong, Whey I dont' log my food on MFP I really don't pay attension to what I'm doing. I've actually lost 10 lbs this month, but that said, I have to acknowledge that it is probably skewed. I weighted in Nov 1st, (which almost caused a newvous breakdown, I hadn't seen numbers that high in a very long time), but on Oct. 31st I was at a halloween party, and too much garbage, and I'm sure too much sodium, I expect that some that number on the 1st was fluid. Even so, I have overall done pretty well this month, Most days I've been under my calorie goal, and making very healthy choices. On the days I've been off, I still haven't been off nearly as far as I was for the months preceeding November. I'm actually going to give myself credit for no falling into the once I'm off, I may as well chuck the whole plan, and eat whatever I want until next monday when I will (if I remember) get it under control again, trap. (I live in that trap let me tell you). I think that huge number on the 1st helped me stay focused. It's going to be tough trying to lose weight during Nov. and Dec. but so far I managed to refuse cake my nephews B-day party, and not eat the amazingly awesome tiramisu when my friend brought it to dance class. (social eating is a huge downfall for me too). So while my sucess is skewed on the scale, I'm really proud of some good choices in places I don't always make them, and not letting myself fall into some of the pits that usually do. Oh yeah, one of my goals is to not only log my food on MFP, but to engage in at least conversation, or comment on at least one thing a day, that way I have to stay engaged in the process. Today might have been enough engagement to the week. Sorry to length of it.

Just checking in:

Nov 1 - 199.2 SW
Nov 15 - 197.0 CW = 2.2 lbs loss

This has turned into a slooooww month and I'm not even to Thanksgiving yet. :grumble: But I'm going to keep on keeping on and do my very best to lose 3 lbs before 12/1.

Seems these past 2 weeks have been such a struggle for me. It's like I can't get my head and heart back into this 100%. First 3 months I was determined, focused and really enthusiastic but I've been slipping lately. I have to get my mo-jo back!!!!

11/01/10 : 207.4 lbs
11/08/10: 206.6 lbs
11/15/10: 206.0 lbs :grumble:
11/22/10:
11/30/10:

I just can't seem to get my mojo back! I didn't work out at all this weekend - unless you count cleaning yesterday, but I didn't log anything. I ate out all day on Saturday since I was out of town with my dad. I even had a few Amber Bock's with lunch....:drinker:
I did ok yesterday, however CJ wanted to go to A&W-Long John Silvers for lunch....I only had a cheeseburger & water. Dinner was at home last night & I made a pot roast with carrots & tomatoes & potatoes. Yummmmyyyy!!! I only ate about 3 oz of the meat & CJ ate the rest! :noway: :bigsmile: :laugh: He LOVED it!

Anyway - my plan for this week: Gym every night this week - yep...even Friday! AND first thing on Saturday!

The scale finally moved - 126 lbs! My last official weigh in was 127, but I was up to 128.5 when I rejoined this site about a month ago. I'm happy, happy, happy!

Day 4 sugar-free almost complete. I made it through a restaurant meal at lunch time, and stuck to my protein / veggie goal, however I did eat a limited amount of the carbs I had been avoiding, since I had dinner at my mother in law's tonight. Again forgive my "diary" post: protein shake with rice milk for breakfast, avocado salad with grilled chicken breast at Mexi's for lunch, a cheese string for afternoon snack, and fish, vinegar coleslaw, 10 homemade thick-cut french fries, and 2 digestive biscuits for supper. Still no cravings. Other than some water right now!! :drinker:

I tried not to let the daycare drop-off get to me today. I had a hot water with lemon waiting for me in the car, but I forgot my MP3 player with my dance tunes.

Beky - great loss!! How was the concert?!

Karin - congrats on your loss!

ifychudy - keep at it; don't give up! at least you're not gaining!

Tina - way to go on your loss! I always love getting to that 'new' number on the scale! Here's to seeing a 160-something on your next weigh-in!! :drinker:

Posting my weigh-in for November 15th. Total lost for November so far is 6.1. YAY!

Checking in. No weight loss for me

11/1/10 ===== 209lb
11/15/10=====209lb
11/29/10====

Wow congrats to everyone on their success this week!

I'm happy to report that so far I have made it to the gym every night! :bigsmile: I'm headed there again tonight & I'm hoping to get some more gym time. I gotta break it to my bestie that I'm not going to be picking her up any longer to go to the gym on Monday & Wednesdays for water aerobics. I told her Monday that I wouldn't be picking her up as I was going early & staying later after class so she would have to drive herself there. Guess what - she was a no show! REALLY? :noway:

I've decided that I need to continue with putting myself first and the last few weeks I've been really kinda bummed that I have to ride with her or pick her up in order for her to go. I need more of a workout than just the water aerobics and since she depends on us riding together....that's just not for me anymore. Does that sound selfish?

Kelly, not really selfish, you need more time to work out...I guess she wasn't for adding more time to her workout??? It is hard when you go to the gym with a friend because you are not always on the same page with what you wish to accomplish....maybe she will come around...

dmgaloha--reguarding the daycare situation....my son didn't go until he was 4 and he only went to attend the preschool there and he did fine at age 4....now my daughter was always the unsettled one and in the beggining I would send her with a blanket or shirt that I had slept with ( I know it sounds crazy but they say the smell calms them)....anyway that was over a year ago and now my daughter is pretty well adjusted at age 3, I just give her hugs and kisses then blow kisses goodbye (though she is a little clingy when we first arrive)...but hopefully it will get easier for you.....sending your strength (and usually when I sneak a peak back at her, she is off having fun with her friends)..:flowerforyou:

dmg Altho i never have had my kids in a daycare I havehad\ my family watch them and my son around a year old would do that same thing. he would cry sooo hard and when i left i was pretty stressed wondering how he was doing and after a few times of that i couldnt' handle it anymore and i would call about five minutes after i left and 99 percent of the time he was already playing and having fun. he cried like that from about 9 months untill about 2 years and still does rarely if i leave him with a friend ....He is 3 years old.

I really found that calling to find that he was already calmed down calmed my nerves pretty good. I always knew because my family had told me before that he was always fine after about five to ten minutes but it just helped to call ........

I wonder if the daycare would let you do that?

Today isn't my normal weigh-in day but I wanted to share my joyous moment on the scale this morning with everyone. I have been aiming to get into the 140's before my brother gets here (on Monday,) and I weighed 150 this morning! I am soooooooo close, and I just cannot believe that I am really doing this.

I have officially lost 25 lbs, and I have 20 more to go. I am more than halfway there! I just can't believe it. Thanks to all of you for the support you have given me along the way!

Good morning ladies. Ok, well, not so good morning, but that 's why I'm here. I need HELP!! The school / daycare drop-off thing is driving me so crazy that I am nearly in tears on my way to work. My 2 year old cries EVERY morning and I'm ready to pull out my hair (ok really, I'm ready to stuff my face with bad foods). And I'm not talking a sad boo-hoo feel-sorry-for-me kind of cry, this is a mad scream throw-herself-on-the-ground or daycare-worker-has-to-restrain-her kind of cry. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get her to stop, or on how to cope? I know it only lasts 30 seconds for her, but the effect it has on me lingers for hours!! I am actually thrilled that I am away for work overnight on Wed night, so I am not doing the drop-off on Thurs morning - how pathetic is that?!

Off to fill up my water, mix my protein powder into my rice milk and pray for serenity.

I currently work in a preschool of 3-5 yr olds. Something that we have for those children that have trouble seeing parents leave is a picture wall of all the families. If the kids get a little sad and missing mom/dad, we can go over and take a look a the picture....sometimes we even help the kids write a letter to the parents. Can she take a family picture with her to school to have to look at when she needs it? Also, have you tried the book "The Kissing Hand"? It is a book about a young raccoon who is afraid of going to school for the first time. His mom kisses the inside of his hand and then closes the fingers over it so that he will have the kiss when ever he needs it. Some kids can make a connection with the character when you kiss their hand. Do you go inside to drop her off or is there a drop off line? If you go in, a lot of our parents will take the child around the room to check out the activities for the day, help them get started, then do a final hug/kiss/goodbye. Don't ask her if it is okay to leave, just say "It's time for me to go", give hugs/kisses and leave. The big thing is developing a drop off routine that you stick to, which is soothing to the child...kids thrive on routine. Good Luck!!!!

Follow your motherly feelings...
I had a daycare (many moons ago) where my daughter cried and begged me not to go. She was there for three weeks and I just didn't get a great feeling. Once the school I work out closed early I went to pick her up early without calling first, no one came to the door for a long time. Finally when she did come to the door (looking like she had been sleeping) she tried to not let me in saying "I'll go get her, wait here" ummm... NOPE! Pushed my way in and my daughter was in the back room in a play pin she was way to big for, wet diaper, crying, and no room to move. I was so mad! We left and never went back. Not trying to scare you, but if she is not happy you might want to just show up and see how things are when mom is not expected. Some times kids just want mom and stop crying after a few minutes, but it is worth checking into IMO.

I've been a little tormented by 55tolose's post, so thanks Jenn for saying what you did. 55tolose, this is one of those training moments of Motherhood to listen to your own voice. If what I or others say to you doesn't resonate then keep listening to your child and searching yourself.

Sometimes kids are manipulative and we need to not get sucked in Sometimes they are working through a painful but necessary developmental step and we need to support and guide them forward. Sometimes they are genuinely suffering and trying to express something that they do not have the words for and we need to hear them and speak for them.

You'll regret some of your choices in hindsight - guaranteed. For me personally though, the choices I made when I didn't listen to my child are more painful today than the choices I made when I didn't listen to family, friends and experts.

Jenn offered good advice - to arrive unannounced. And maybe it's just not a good fit - it could be something as innocuous as there's a dog next door who barks alot - know what I mean? Adjusting to the bigger world is a process we must all go through and you will do your child no harm in being thoughtful about how that happens. If this is not the right situation, you will find other options.

Good luck.