NON WW & WW NEWBIES, OUR NEW LIFE, THE START OF SOMETHING WONDERFUL

@mswatson0777 That sounds wonderful, I'm glad you were enjoying yourself and enjoying life! Oh dear, that's too bad you can binge on anything. Even more important to get a handle on it. The HOA meeting is today at noon, so we'll see how it goes. I am going to try to remain calm. The chicken pot pie WAS delicious! How nice to surprise your Mom! That is so fun. It sounds like the weekend was perfect!

@RetiredAndLovingIt Oh dear, a blustery day sounds perfect for some chili or soup. But chicken pot pie would be good, too! It was great. I love Costco's pot pie, delicious. They are huge! Your nativity advent calendar sounds like it will be fun. I'd love to see a picture when you are done if you want to share. WholeFoodPlantBased sounds really healthy. Your DH and his peanut brittle!!!

Hello all. After spending a lot of time cutting out pattern pieces and fabric pieces and fusing the interface to each piece, I was finally able to do some sewing yesterday. I've got my bag almost done, it was fun but frustrating in some parts as the directions weren't very good for a beginner. I made something easy for dinner last night: Romanian Stuffed Peppers, but they were taking forever to get done so we ate more pot pie for dinner. Today's the day I attend the HOA meeting via Zoom. I'm worried I'm going to say something I'll regret...it's been nearly a year that our windows have been leaking and we are running out of patience.

COMMITTED.
Goals for Nov 15-Nov 21:
- track 90% of food intake
- drink 2 (26 oz) bottles of water a day
- meditate for at least 5 minutes a day

@RetiredandLovingIt that makes a lot of sense to wait a bit more before making concrete plans. You're absolutely right that a lot could change in that time! I'm so glad your family stayed healthy and had no symptoms. We're also going 100% remote due to the increased cases. I think it makes a lot of sense but I definitely feel for parents and students!

@trooworld Let me know how the HOA meeting went! It sounds like you've been super busy with sewing and cooking.

@TeresaW1020 Your decorations are fantastic! I am in awe of how many you have! We have one tree and I'm debating some outdoor lights this year. I think we all need a little extra cheer this holiday season. Picadillo sounds amazing!

Happy Monday All! I'm a little sad the weekend was over because it was so good. I also ended up accomplishing all my goals, it feels like a weight off my chest to have a rough draft of Chapter 2 out to my advisor, now to start Chapter 1!

I made a big batch of Whole 30 Zuppa Tuscana for our friend who's having surgery Tuesday (they're doing Whole 30 so that was a whole new learning experience for me!). I made extra so I can try it too, I've never had soup with coconut milk in it before that wasn't Thai or Indian based.

I got the dogs out for walks all three days this weekend even though I didn't feel like it and got a workout in two of the days so I'm calling it a win. I also splurged a little but didn't outright binge so I'm calling it a win!

@cbabie Yaaay on your walking. I'm making sweet potatoes today. It's skinnytaste recipe. Chunky roasted slices with a touch of cheese sprinkled on top. Germany has a great video out about being a hero in the covid war. Look at you with your negative thinking. Aren't you glad I'm back. "I know me and whole foods will never make it..so I don't even try." That's your perfectionism talking. You might think it has to be ALL whole foods. Just start with one and build on it.

@trooworld At least you did better than before. I did 25% again yesterday. Today I have in 50% so I'm already better. I'm glad you got some good news on the HOA.

Yellow- stayed OP 150/150
Intentional movement: 72 min walk
29 zone minutes minus 0 for inactivity 8/8

November goals:

Green dot day
Drink 6 glasses of water
Burn 300 calories
Preplan food
Thursdays: Reduce amount of French Toast and add Apple Walnut Parfait

@mswatson0777 Thanks! I have been collecting decorations for the last 14 years and my biggest secret is to put back some money and hit the stores the morning after Christmas. Last year because of the new house I knew I need more things. So, I went to Hobby Lobby and other stores and bought as much as my DH would allow. Of course, I’ve hit the stores several times this year too. Glad that you had such a nice weekend and how like of you to make your friend that soup. I bet it was very tasty!

@theslightedgeforever I missed your nagging!!! I know that it’s frustrating when we have people we love who need to lose weight and won’t try what we think will work for them. I’m hoping that when I see my sister in February, she will see my results and be more willing to give up all the junk that is in her diet. We will see!

@cbabie Yayyyy for the loss this week!! Bummer that you feel it was from stress but hopefully you can continue losing in a healthier way. Yeah, I can imagine how much Christmas you must have with all the gifts you get for your birthday. I’m pretty close to needing to stop buying Christmas too. Or, I’m going to have to start replacing things.

@trooworld OK, I love that you modified the skirt to be something you can still use and enjoy. Can’t wait to see your new grocery bag. Thanks! I do love decorating and have often thought that if I could go back I would go to school for design. Since I love shopping so much it would be fun to spend other people’s money. I’m so glad that the HOA meeting went well and I hope they don’t drag their feet and get stuff fixed.


Good morning! Yesterday, I had fun hanging out with my little friend, Walker. The child talks non-stop and is really good. He only forgot twice that we don’t throw things in my house. Today, I’m going to lunch with my children’s pastor to talk church stuff, and then tomorrow I’m having lunch with Walker’s mom who is married to our associate pastor and is my co-helper for our annual Christmas party that is on Dec. 6th. So, I’m going to have to be super mindful of what I eat so I can keep my plan to have a loss on Friday. It helped that this morning I was down to a new all-time low.

@trooworld Well I ended up with 60%. Is it a matter of resisting or just lack of focus or routine? Resisting sounds emotional versus focus which is mental versus routine which is hmmm.....I don't know. It's autopilot but what would that be? Have you heard of the term stacking habits? You pair one habit with another. Like when you get in the car, you put on your seatbelt. Most of us don't think about it anymore. We just do it. Imagine us telling each other oh I got 25% today on seatbelts. I drove 4 times and only put on my seatbelt once.

@teresaw1020 Yaaay someone missed my nagging. Remember it's always out of love. Throwing things. lol Just keep hitting those lows...... I keep hearing in my head, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot. One of my favorite songs.

@cbabie Block everyone else out. Sit on the toilet if you have to and lock the door. lol That's what I would do. Sorry, I'm busy right now. Use headphones loud so you can't hear them banging. It really does work. I've learned the art of tuning people out when I want to for some me time. Yaaay on your loss. I'll take any loss no matter how it comes. lol Well I wouldn't want it to come from chemo, but you know what I mean. Although I did have a good loss this week. I think my body was just hanging onto a bit of water. Play kickball with your ggd. I bet she would love that and the weather is probably good right now for it. Or put a laundry basket out and get a cheap ball and take turns throwing the ball into it. I do it with a tennis ball and a planter. It works and burns calories. Plus I miss and then have to go chase the ball which burns off more calories. Who knows, maybe one day you will be back into children's ministry. For everything there is a season. Think Au Gratin sweet potatoes. I normally eat mine plain but this was really good with some spices and a sprinkling of cheese. Plus it was so easy.

My internet got fixed this morning so no more frustration. Knock on wood.

Yellow- went over 182/150
Intentional movement: 15 min walk
24 zone minutes minus 3 for inactivity 5/8

November goals:

Green dot day
Drink 6 glasses of water
Burn 300 calories
Preplan food
Thursdays: Reduce amount of French Toast and add Apple Walnut Parfait

@TeresaW1020 Yeah, I'm glad I switched plans, too. BUT...I'm stuck at a step that I don't understand. I'm going to go to Joann's and see if they will help me figure it out. I'm so frustrated! You would make a great interior decorator, I think! That's good you had fun with Walker. Have fun eating out and congrats on being at an all-time low!!!

@cbabie That's good you got out of the house, I'm sorry about the tension. That must be uncomfortable. Yes, it will be a blessing to have the bathroom finally finished and we can see to brush our teeth! LOL Pot pie recipe was easy and really good. I baked mine for 35 minutes. Here's the recipe: https://www.lifeloveandsugar.com/easy-chicken-pot-pie/

@theslightedgeforever 60% is pretty good. I ended up with about 8% yesterday. I'm not sure what it is, I assumed it was resisting but maybe it's a lack of focus. I'm going to try something new today: I'm going to set reminders on my phone. I've heard of stacking habits. I think what happens now that I think about is that I get working (my job) and I focus so much, I don't think about drinking anything. After work, I think I get focused on something else. Yes, it would be very bad to only get 25% on seatbelt use. But I grew up in a time that we never wore seatbelts lol! I sure do now though. I'm glad your internet got fixed. Yay!

@mswatson0777 Yes, me too! I'm sick of brushing my teeth by desklamp and not having a mirror in there (couldn't hang the mirror until the lights got put back up). Yeah, the evaporated milk trick works pretty good but doesn't really thicken the soup, so if you want to thicken, you need to add cornstarch or flour. Oh gosh, 5 hours??? That's insane! re: working from home and not snacking...I just make sure that those items that I would get into are not in the house. That doesn't help you much though since you said you can binge on anything. If you feel like eating something, set a 15-minute timer, and do something to distract yourself for 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, ask yourself if you still want "x". If you still want it, then have a little bit of "x". But there is a good chance that you will not want it. Another thing: if you think you want to eat, ask yourself if you are hungry enough to eat an apple or some broccoli. If so, then eat that. If not, then you really aren't hungry. You can do this, I know you can!

Hi all. Well, today is the day the lights are going to get installed again and I can't wait. It's just in time, too, because the desklamp that we are using in there is going out.

COMMITTED.
Goals for Nov 15-Nov 21:
- track 90% of food intake
- drink 2 (26 oz) bottles of water a day
- meditate for at least 5 minutes a day

@trooworld I'm so excited for you! I feel like your house/bathroom has been under construction for way too long! Great idea about the self check-in. I'm definitely keeping as much crap as I can out of the house!

@cbabie lol I may have to invest in handcuffs then! I think I am going to set up my office downstairs this time as far away from the kitchen as possible and use the beer fridge as my work fridge so I can only eat the food in there until dinnertime. Here's to hoping that works, otherwise I'll have to do keto again which I don't want to do.

We got some really bad news today that my Grandpa tested positive and had to be sent by ambulance to the ER, so it's been a really emotional day and I've had a hard time focusing on anything.

I got a long dog walk in and may do another, but I didn't feel up to a workout so it'll have to do. On the bright side I didn't binge so at least there's that.

@cbabie That's great that you've been journaling again. I need to do that, too. I think you are right about accepting your weight/feeling good about where you are. I try to accept myself but sometimes have a hard time. re: the light...right??? I just can't win lol! I didn't go to Joann's yet, I was going to go yesterday but ended up taking a longer nap than I anticipated (my body must have needed it). Thanks for offering, I don't think you can help unless you see what I've done and the pattern, this step I'm on seems to not make sense. I'll see what help I can get from Joann's.

@mswatson0777 Me too!!! It is ridiculous. But...the bathroom is FINALLY finished, the lights are installed, we can see again to go to the bathroom! lol I'm so very sorry about your Grandpa, I hope he will be okay. Great job not binging during a tough time.

@TeresaW1020 Thanks! I'm happy the lights are re-installed. I drink out of a 25-oz metal/insulated bottle. I do have a fun tumbler maybe I'll switch to for a bit to shake things up. It has a straw. Wow, congrats on the loss, you are knocking it out of the park!!! Good luck at the nursery, I'm sure it will look nice, you have excellent taste!

@theslightedgeforever I got about 40% yesterday. I'm going to take @TeresaW1020's advice and switch to my fun tumbler to see if that helps.

Hello all! We have lights in the bathroom, yay!!! Now to just re-install the mirror we took down, that will happen this weekend. Tonight I'm watching a movie with my book club via Amazon Prime, they allow you to have "watch parties" over the internet where you can watch the same movie and make comments to each other while you watch. I am excited but nervous as I don't do well with new people and I don't know anyone in the book club. I'm going to make an alcoholic drink that might help loosen me up lol. It's called an Apple Cider Moscow Mule.

COMMITTED.
Goals for Nov 15-Nov 21:
- track 90% of food intake
- drink 2 (26 oz) bottles of water a day
- meditate for at least 5 minutes a day

@cbabie Thank you for your kind words. 2020 has definitely been a test in managing emotions. I'm so sorry to hear about your binge. I hope you're able to get out for a walk today and that you don't beat yourself up too much. Is it still family stress?

@trooworld Alcohol definitely helps lol. I hope you have fun at the Amazon movie night. Does it help that the interaction is over text to make it less stressful?

@TeresaW1020 Great tips for working from home! Have you had to deal with additional feelings of isolation or loneliness since I know you're a very social person through your church community! If so, do you have any tips for how to manage those?

Thank you all for your kind words. So far no new news. He's still at the hospital but he hasn't worsened which is good.

In other news, today is me and my SO's 8 year dating anniversary. Even though we got married this year, we are still going to celebrate with takeout and a movie night at home. Our state implemented stronger lockdown measures since our healthcare system is overloaded so we want to support our local restaurants as much as possible. Even though we're at home, I'm excited to celebrate with him