30lbs to lose... Started AGAIN yesterday (Darn Lockdown Snacking)

I did not get back on plan and the scale gave me another pound. How exactly should I go about smelling those roses?
Anyway, there’s always the new day. I’ll report tomorrow.

OK, I might have had a bit of a comfort eat and gone over my calories by rather a lot.

Found out that someone I volunteered alongside has just died from Covid. I didn't know her well, but she was the sort of bubbly, outgoing person who would talk to anyone, anywhere, anytime and make you feel as if you'd been friends for ages. I think what struck me was just how nice she was, and how unfair that made it?

Silly, really. Like Covid cares whether you're a nice person or not. But she did so many kind things and society will be poorer without her contribution, and without her smile. She really was a good'un.

I'll pick myself up tomorrow. Because I can. Because I'm still here.

Catherine- I’m so sorry to hear about your friend; she made a big impression on you in a short time, so she was very much a friend. Sickness isn’t choosy or fair , but losing wonderful people hurts in a different and deeper way . Wish you were here, or us there.

I was not mad at the 5lb , I was mad because I know I can’t control much , but what reasonable explanation is there for not being able to control the spoon? You get me Barb, right?
It’s scary how fast things can go sideways. I have to think at this for a while.

Thanks, ladies. Just made a small donation to one of the causes she supported in her name, as it felt like the sort of thing she would have been pleased with. Feel a little bit brighter for it.

Ah, January in England. It is:

• Veganuary (where you go vegan all month)
• RED January (where you Run Every Day all month)
• Dry January (where you don't drink any alcohol all month)

There's nothing particularly wrong with the first and last one, but RED January can be a bit dangerous if you don't normally run and then increase your mileage without building it up.

I think technically I'm currently a "flexitarian", which I'm defining as I eat vegetarian food out of preference, and only eat non-vegetarian food where allergies/medical need comes into play. I could never easily go vegan due to allergies, and to an extent, the same thing applies to going veggie. The only animal products I'm consciously eating are cheese (I love it, and I'm allergic to vegan alternatives) and proteins (there are some derivatives in my protein bars, and I need to balance my macros every so often).

I made some more stew today. I think I'm going to make some carrot soup next, and maybe try reducing some of it into a stew base or pasta sauce. I'm quite taken with this new approach as there's very little I won't eat in a soup (it's the texture) and I think this is going to be how I up my veggie intake. It feels like the sort of life hack I bet my mom would have liked to know when I was a fussy child.

I'd never forget 2 cookies, Barb - were they not memorable? I hope you enjoyed them, cookies should leave more of an impression that that!

I've found a particular store-bought selection of biscuits which 'feel' Christmassy (for no other reason than they're the sort of biscuits my mom would buy at Christmas) and - and! - I'm not allergic to any of them, so I can eat any type I want, rather than studiously staring at the back of the box, trying to figure out which ones are safe and which ones are deadly. I suppose Christmas chocolates/biscuits have always been my own personal roulette.

Lack of sleep can really do a number on you, Gabi. Is there anything in particular making it difficult at the moment?

I haven't been trying lately, so that's on me (I need to make an effort tonight; back at work in the morning!) but some things that have helped previously:

• white noise (I quite like rain sounds and there are loads to choose from on Youtube)
• listening to Andy Puddicombe speak (he's got a new show on Netflix over here - he's the former monk behind Headspace - doesn't matter what he's saying, he could read the phone book, his voice is really calm and helps me zone out)
• listening to re-runs of television shows I know really well
• making sure I'm the right temperature (too cold and it can be hard to drift off, too warm, snap - there's a Goldilocks of temperature)

Of course, when I really can't sleep at all, it tends to be some kind of stress/worry that's been bothering me more than I thought. Anything like that weighing you down, Gabi?

Watched a couple episodes of Homeland tonight to take my mind off current events.

Definitely would’ve been stress eating if I didn’t have to be accountable!

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If you can't get yourself to stop overeating, overeating less is still very much a step in the right direction.

Struggled to sleep last night - mainly because like a small child I didn't want to go back to school work - so made some apple and parsnip soup. I was too tired to do much for lunch, so it was really nice having a portion of soup ready to just heat up. If I could get into the swing of prepping food, it would be a gamechanger.

I might bite the bullet and try making cauliflower soup next time. I don't think I've had it without cream before, but I reckon if I get my ratios right, the consistency should be reasonably creamy anyway.

Those scenes from the Capitol were something else, Barb. At least Biden has been officially certified now - not much longer and the transition has to happen. Things should hopefully feel more stable soon.

Time for a quick power nap...

Catherine, how was your first day back at work? You seem to be really organized with your meals lately! I’m so impressed! All those nourishing soups!
I made a nice vegan chili for dinner( with cornbread and big beautiful salad). I used some Impossible Burger in it and my husband LOVED it even though he’s a meat eater. Inspired by you, Catherine, I bought some cubed butternut squash to add in to the chili. Of course by the time I got it all going, I completely forgot about the butternut squash. I can bake some and add to the leftovers. ( conversations with my Mom are SO distracting. Distracting is not the right word but you know what I mean.

Catherine I was thinking about the Runuary. How about if you do intervals of fast walking in your walking routine? It’s supposed to be so much easier on the joints anyway.

Gabi, you had 2 restaurant meals today and managed to stay under!?! I’d call that a HUGE win! Of course, restaurant meals tend to be very high sodium so don’t expect the scale to move too much overnight. Just drink extra water and see if you can flush some of the retained water out.
Your struggle to get back on track after 4 days away is why vacations are so hard for me! Heck, just taking Christmas Day off made it hard to get back on track the next day. Of course, I didn’t have to do QUITE the frenzied eating I did on Christmas Day!
I was eating like I was preparing for execution!

Had a mammogram, ultrasound and dexascan today. All routine. Glad to have gotten it all done at once. But if men had to have their ‘jewels’ squeezed like we are squeezed having a mammogram, the process would be changed!

I’ve been sleeping later lately. It’s funny, for YEARS I got up between 4:30 and 5 am. Until recently I was finished my jogs by sun up. Now that it’s not summer and I don’t have to limit my sun exposure, I realized there’s no reason to wake up so early. I STARTED my jog as the sun was coming up today. I am officially LAZY!
I’m not working since we moved to TN. At first I was waiting to get a job until after we bought a house so I’d make sure my commute was short. Then the pandemic hit.
Won’t even think about a job until it’s over.

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Feel a bit out of sorts today - it's partly sleep-related but I think it's mostly TOM.

I was so tired I decided to skip dinner last night in favour of a nap which turned into bedtime. I'd had a really large breakfast so it didn't make me short on calories or anything, and the scales rewarded me this morning with a little whoosh. The trick is to see if I can make it to the end of the weekend whilst continuing to be good.

When I'm tired, I either want to eat and eat or go to sleep. One is definitely better for me than the other...

Well done on getting more sleep, Gabi. Definitely something positive!

First day back at work wasn't bad; just have another half day now and it's my weekend. Most people aren't back until Monday, so it'll get busier then.

I want to try a veggie chilli tomorrow - I have some Quorn mince and I want to test out whether that's nice or horrible before doing another shop. I'm mainly interested because it has fewer calories than beef, and I'm always willing to make a compromise if there's a big enough calorie saving to be made.

Glad the tests are out of the way, Barb. Mamograms sound really... well, clinical, cold (in all senses!) and undignified. I think there's an inbuilt assumption in the medical profession that by the time most women go for mammograms, they've had kids, and they're used to leaving their dignity at the door accordingly.

Your definition of lazy is very different to mine...

Buying a house is exciting stuff, Katrina! Well, exciting and frustrating. I remember how crazy the market was when I bought, but that was London pre-Covid. I'm amazed things are so busy right now!

Definitely aim for some more sleep too - there's a sweet spot. Too much sleep = headaches. Too little sleep = headaches. Are you at least getting Sunday off and having a nice quiet day then?

Time for a coffee, and to face the last half of my day... Have a good one!

Katrina, I’m sorry that you apparently lost out on a nice house. Hopefully, that just means there’s a house for you that you’ll like even better! I know what that frustration is like. As you know, we’ve been looking for a house for nearly a year and a half. The houses that we think we might like are swooped up before we even get to see them! But that’s okay, I’m actually very patient with buying a house. I’d rather wait and get exactly what I want, or as close as possible. At least all my nonnegotiables- big bright kitchen, primary bedroom on first floor( I worry how long my husband will continue to be able to climb stairs, good sized covered back porch that can be screened in, good closets, no vinyl siding( it’s big here), a view of mountains or lake, and not too big!
We had a contract on a new construction house that had all those( except it was too big, but nearly half the house was full basement so it didn’t seem like it was 3800 sq feet), but when we had it inspected, 6 trusses were broken in the roof. Didn’t see how it could possibly have structural integrity even after repair. Walked away from it.
Had a contract on another house with lake and mountain views and it was situated on a golf course. But the monthly social dues were steep. My husband was okay with it, but I was concerned if things really took a bigger turn for the worse economically. I told him I’d always worry so we didn’t buy it.
But in the meantime our apt is very nice, esp since we moved across the way to a 2 bedroom unit. I really can’t complain, being in an apt with granite countertops in kitchen and bathrooms and an island in the kitchen.
(And gorgeous Mountain Views)It’s very cozy! But I do miss my treadmill!
And the fitness center at the clubhouse. They are allowing workouts in there again, but I don’t feel safe doing that yet. But I do miss the elliptical there, the only kind I’ve ever enjoyed!
Back to you, Katrina. Just that you are at the place in your life where you are looking to build a future with someone(Mat!) and buy a house together is so thrilling! I’m celebrating that today! It’s awesome and sweet! And it’s making me emotional just thinking about it!
That’s another thing about perimenopause and menopause-everything makes me emotional! I can see someone do something kind for someone and it brings me to tears, happy tears! I was never a crier before really, unless a relative or pet died. It made it tough at school my last few years, trying to cover my tears in front of high schoolers when someone did something esp kind etc.

It’s snowing here today and for whatever reason I want to snack. So I immediately logged my mini Luna bar( love the lemon ones!) I’ve decided I will log every snack BEFORE I eat it, because I can see things going south quickly!

Catherine, do you all have Beyond Meat and Impossible Burgers there? I find both do really well in chili’s and as just burgers. I’m actually going to make tacos with Beyond Meat next week.

I do eat chicken and fish though. Just haven’t had beef or pork in years. Haven’t missed either. Didn’t eat chicken for a year once but it was very difficult. ( the only reason I did it was it was the ONLY thing my vegan daughter wanted for her birthday)I found myself overeating because I never really felt sated.
So I threw chicken and fish back into the mix, once or twice a week. I don’t feel deprived at all.

Catherine, you are right about the sweet spot with sleep! So far, I’ve not been able to get TOO much sleep, but until this past year, I’d never been able to sleep past 5:30 really, so all bets are off!

Okay my missive is over!

Have a great weekend Everyone!!

Barb

Catherine, grilled pineapple is delicious! Now I want some but I’ll have to wait on that.
I’ve been experimenting with recipes as well. I’ve made a couple of different Chinese recipes lately. They turned out delicious. But I tried a simple crock pot recipe for chicken Marsala this week that was almost inedible! Quite a disappointment. But then I had to remember all the other recipes I’ve tried over the years and I can’t complain about one or two failures. What are you watching on Netflix, Catherine? We are trying to get thru Homeland on Hulu.

Katrina, I’m so impressed how you can still stay under maintenance with all you’ve had going on.

Gabi, I’m glad you are sleeping a little better. Makes a big difference. Makes it a little easier to get back on track and/or stay on track!


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Catherine, I’m so glad you got to take a walk with your friend. That had to be good for your mental health as well as physical! And a long walk at that! Well done!
And look at you having soup all ready for when you were too tired to prepare anything! Victory! Keep that in mind as you food prep tomorrow.
Is How to Get Away with Murder good? It may be too scary for me to watch by myself. I can watch scary shows with my husband, but definitely not alone! I’ve only watched one cooking show really. Couldn’t quite get interested.

Today was a lazy day!

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Hello all, and Happy Sunday!
Catherine- you are right, soups are the best after a long walk in the cold. Some people say tea, but I vote for soup. You did a weekly meal plan before? That is amazing to me, because I am only capable to plan and follow through on 10 minutes increments, not 7 days 😁.
My long walk is planned for later today, when my husband wakes up- will see how it goes.
Boy, do I relate to the depleted energy issue! I have days with 5h cleaning sessions, and days with 4000 steps.
Hurray for getting back on the scale, and for conquering the eating habits.
Barb- I have vegetation around, but not lakes or mountain views. If there are the stakes for you, then of course you are waiting for this frenzy to stop/calm down- my neighborhood is 200k over the prices 2y ago. Build in 1970, serious no big deal or extra cute anything, just easy to commute to DC, MD or VA. Too much in my opinion.

Did not cook that butter squash yet, but made a vegetable soup yesterday and had bowl after bowl 😁 and that kept me under maintenance. It meant nothing on the scale as I had another 2lb finding me this morning, but I decided to ignore and just trust the process.

Shows I absolutely love as non violent, no gore : Lie to Me (Hulu), The Kominsky Method , Doc Martin, and I just got into 1000 Little Things.
That being said, I watched without much blinking lots of police/medical/crime including yours Catherine.

Catherine, I like your 5 pound goals, much more manageable and less overwhelming than say 25 pounds.

I only saw a couple of episodes of The Good Place and none of My Crazy Exgirlfriend( at least that I can recall!).

Gabi, you live in a very pricy part of the country. Where I live is not that expensive, but prices have really gone up here the past couple of years too. I don’t get it. But apparently TN is one of the main places New Yorkers are escaping to after beginning of pandemic. No state income tax.
Good for you for making some nourishing veggie soup. Could the scale change be due to extra sodium in the soup? If so, it will flush right out in a day or two with extra water.

I enjoyed Lie to Me. And A Million little Things as well. I like New Amsterdam, the Resident, S.W.A.T., Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, Chicago PD, and more recently Transplant. So I guess I like cop and medical shows.

Katrina, I’m impressed the scale is going down for you without meeting your steps goal. That must mean you are very aware of the number of calories you’re consuming even if you’re not logging them. Either that or you have a sixth sense about it!
I’m glad you’ve got some meals planned for this next week. ( now I’m wanting to buy green beans too!) Have you considered doing some meals in the crock pot, so they’re ready when you get back home? Mine has a warm feature, where it automatically turns itself to warm when the time is up. That way the food doesn’t overcook if I’m not back home when it’s set to be done. Love walking in the door and being greeted by the smell of dinner ready and waiting.
So how much acreage are you looking for? I grew up on a 112 acre farm. My Dad was a contractor( had his own construction co) but wanted a farm because he grew up in NY. It really was an ideal way to grow up. We kids had lots of responsibility and earned every penny we ever spent.
We are at the stage of our lives that we want only a small lot, the less maintenance the better.

Hope Everyone has a great start to the new work week!

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2+veggies❌ I’ve got to get back on it tomorrow!

Today I found about 2 deaths- one is my boss’ aunt: sudden with no warning, and the second is a 50 yo strong and very health oriented, guy from work: after battling Covid for couple weeks.
I didn’t know him well, but he was a very nice person, and to me it comes as an enormous shock because frankly I thought, outside of the risk demographic . Most of my colleagues are young to middle aged, very fit and had been fit all their lives. If anything, I thought they are safe. Not that it would matter, but it gave me a sense of peace, that I’m in this closed cocoon of healthy and strong people.

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