Almost a month. Christmas has come and gone. I returned to my weight loss group a week before Christmas, and after being away for 6 months, had a 3 pound gain. Not so bad, you may think, well not so. The weight gain was not the problem, the mindset afterwards was. Due to the holidays, my weekly yoga classes have been cancelled till after the first of the year. My limited mobility enjoys the classes, a gentle yoga class Wed evenings, and a seated yoga class Friday mornings. They not only help my mobility, but keep me focused, and spiritually uplifted. That being said, my reserve for remaining true to my program fell to the wayside. It all started with cookies. Attending a cookie exchange party is not really a good idea for a person like me, who has little self control when it comes to yummy homemade cookies. Of course I tried each and every one, and bringing home a platter with 3 each of all the amazingly delicious cookies, put me on a slide. Trying my best to control my eating was difficult to say the least.  Shorty after came Christmas Eve, and more eating of amazing food..seafood: shrimp, scallops, mussels, calamari, lobster, and of course pasta, bread and antipasto.  Many deserts followed and my control was shot. This happened even before Christmas Eve, as we were eating out, and my choices were not weight loss friendly. Drinking of alcohol also added to the slide. My journey has hit many a rocky path on the way, and this one was just full of boulders. So over them I rode, making my way into candies, and foods that just do not belong in my body. So, what is the answer? How do I refocus and loose whatever gain that got added on during this fall? Determination! Goal set and in place! Mini goals to help me accomplish this! A purge of junk food from the house. Shopping for what I need to remain on course. Not being swayed by others that may or may not have a similar problem. Thinking about and believing in a positive outcome. Working to accomplish movement and incorporate into my daily routine to the best of my ability. Planning, a really important aspect for weight loss, by knowing what I need, and making sure I have access to what I need. Now, I missed a meeting of my group, as my day is Thursday, which was Christmas Eve. Same problem this week, New Year's Eve being Thursday. So what can be done? I will attend another meeting. There is one on Saturday mornings, and I will be going to that one January 2nd come what may. I will be fully prepared to face the consequences of my slip and slide behavior. There will be support, and I will share and not be judged. This is my journey. Each of us have our own unique journey, and in the time that is correct we will accomplish what we have set out to do. But we must work at it, and realize it may take us longer than others. Do not give up, that is key. Never say never. Know in every fiber of your being that you will do this! Yay! I am doing this!

False starts lead to false hope........

It's been a while, and for good reason. So much happening. Totally overwhelmed. Thanksgiving came and went. There was a time that my Thanksgiving was embraced with and surrounded by love and sharing. Nowday's it seems it has become a day of eating with family. The best part of Thanksgiving Day has always been watching the Macy's parade. Love that it has become a showcase for the Broadway shows, and musical talents of High School Marching Bands. The magnificent balloons have always been so cool to see. Popular musical performances with the culmination of Santa making his arrival have always made my heart swell. I love to start the Christmas Holiday when Santa passes Macy's front door by hanging my first Christmas decoration. Black Friday for me, an avid shopper, means finding a wreath and hanging it on the front door. Shopping with crowds does not in the least appeal to me. A day of relaxation is much more alluring to me. So, what has Thanksgiving become? A day where Vin and I travel to his parent's house, and eat like pigs. There is so much food, it is downright sinful. The meal starts with a pasta dish. This year it was lasagna. The main course is not just turkey, but turkey and ham with all the trimmings. Yep, all calorie laden sides that will pack your tummy, and also your jeans the next day. Sweet potato casserole, homemade, amazingly delish mashed potatoes and gravy, corn, green beans, home made stuffing, applesauce, and more! EAT! EAT! EAT! Does this reflect the meaning of Thanksgiving? Deserts are an entire tableful of home made, pies, pudding, pastries, nuts, cookies and a homemade cheesecake with various toppings. Wow! Are we able to really eat all this? No need to answer, you know we can! Coffee, wine and whatever other beverage you may desire are also freely poured and enjoyed. O! at the end of the meal, salad is served! Why at the end? No idea, it is the way it's done, is all I know. But usually everyone is so full, the salad goes by the wayside. LOL

Now here is my version of how I would like to celebrate. A quite day of reflection upon what I am thankful for. Not saying I don't want to participate in the tradition of eating turkey. I love turkey, but there are so many healthful sides that can be prepared. I would love to dress as a pilgrim and eat fried corn, and whatever else was first enjoyed by the settlers, but in moderation. There are so many great veggies, and they can be cooked in ways that are healthy and tasty. Sharing conversation is also important to me. No one should have to do all the work. The idea of "pot luck", done thru sharing ideas and recipes would suit me. Entertaining is something I no longer do since  the house is small, and we are far from everyone. We always go to my inlaw's home and eat, visit and go home. It doesn't seem fair. There are others that should "take the reigns", or at least participate in the preparations. This seems to be happening to a certain extent, but exclusions exist.

Thinking that next year will be different. We are in the midst of spiffing the house for sale, as we will be relocating. A new house, with room to entertain. Yes, it's true, we will be even further away, but it is what it is. My journey took a sharp turn after Turkey day this year. Being off track for sometime now, I have become refocused, and am giving it my best. My sadness over the recent loss of my cat Sassy, has not lessened, and sometimes is even worse, but I am learning that this is acceptable. It is OK to be sad, it is OK to cry, but not OK to revert to eating sweets like they're going out of style! I have shopped for greens and fruits, and have an abundance available. These are so much better to grab when an emotional eating binge rears it's ugly head. I am not unaware there are ways to cope with emotional eating, but sometimes giving in satiates the need to overindulge. Having correct and healthy choices available is key. Thinking about goals, and consequences must stay in the forefront. Wanting to feel well, and good about yourself will keep you centered. Well, I have blogged, and hope that others may identify with my journey. We each have our own journey, and will accomplish our goals in our own proper and correct time, but there are many similarities that bind us together. Have a great weekend all! Do your best, and you will succeed!

Please share your thoughts, and great healthy recipes! I will do so next post. Thank you.

Here it is. Monday nite, and time for Blogging Class. The last one. Well actually not time. I got here early. LOL Thought I would be late, but had my time confused. Been so busy lately that everything seems to just be whirling and turning into a well blended mish/mash of confusion, forgetfulness and exhaustion. Why? Well prepping the house for sale, getting ready to relocate, is an overwhelming task for a horder/clutterbug, collection of this and that like me. And, that's just me. Hubbs is quite the contributor of mess and stuff as well. So cleaning, sorting, donating and dumping stuff for the past 2 weeks has consumed me totally. Hubbs doing the same, plus some renovation that's literally breaking his back. So there's a lot to tell about that, but that's really another story. what's been going on with my eating? It is too early to say "Bah Humbug? Have not had connectivity to computer all weekend. and am physically at class now. Time, as mentioned above I was a half hour early! So this is just to say HI, I AM STILL HERE! Will be back later, and have a great evening all! It's time for class, and I want to check the notes!

Blogging in class

The class really goes quick. We are learning a lot. A break was given, and what I really crave is a cup o coffee. However, here at SUNY Riverhead, the coffee is elsewhere. BUT, there is a vending machine. Healthy snack? Ha! U R kidding, right? So next best choice. fruit snacks...$1,50, not going for it! Plantain chips? Well they're a buck & a quarter, so that's what it is.  Here are the stats:
Serving size 1 packet
Calories 180
Total Fat 10g
Saturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 0
Sodium 85mg
Potassium 180mg
Total Carbohydrates 20g
Dietary Fiber 2g
Protein 1g
Vitamin 10%
Vitamin C 5%
Calcium 0%
Good news! I didn't eat the entire package. Too bad I couldn't check the pack first. So does that blow it for the day? Hopefully not. Drinking water........So we are to incorporate what we learned tonight, and I will. Have a good night all! :)

Today's news! A video

Blogging away........

At class 2 tonite, and learning a lot. The ride here was still a scary nightmare! Probably by the time I get used to the ride, class will be over. Blogging 101 is AWESOME! Today was a spinning, fast day. Did get some of my chores done, and managed to stay totally on point with meals.  Today was a veggie day, and I always feel better when eating well.
1.  Breakfast  - Green beans and 2 eggs whipped into an amazing omelet
2. Afternoon Meal - Cooked a mess of kale, added white
 beans and warmed a great corn cake. Another  filling, great meal.
So saying bye for now, at class. See ya later!

Veggies from a family celebration this summer

Busy, frustrating few days...

It's a week tomorrow since my first blogging class. It's been a wicked few days of spinning and really making no progress. Working on the house, trying my best to keep up. The house. Yep. A big mess.  Many years of neglect, overpacked, and just plain messy and dirty.  When you own a home, maintenance is a very important part of being a home owner. When none is done, other than repairs, when it's time to move, if you want a fair market price for your home, work must be done to bring it up to par, and make it presentable and saleable.  So for the past few weekends, we have been weekend warriors. Delving into the mess, sorting, packing, deciding what to keep, what to discard, and what to fix and replace. There is a lot of that going on. And boy is it ever an energy drainer. Details of what we have "fixed", replaced and cleaned are amazing for the time frame we are in. There is so much more to do it is totally overwhelming. I have limited mobility and health issues, so it is impossible to imagine that all will be done within the time frame set. Friday, I missed my most loved and helpful seated yoga class, to wait for the carpet person to come to estimate cost of replacing 15 year old, horrible condition carpeting. Well the price is doable, but again the time frame. Next Saturday? Are you kidding me? There are tons of small items to pack, so the furniture can be moved to install the carpet. Yikes! Too much! I have a HUGE bookcase, with glass doors that must be moved, so all the books must be removed and packed. Books are heavy. Did a few boxes last nite, and we took them to the storage facility. The upside is that they are packed and ready for the move. But that is just the tip of the iceberg. I will be doing my very best to get what needs to be done, done. So now how does this relate to my weight loss journey. A valuable lesson in each step taken towards moving. Mostly, take care of what needs to be done, be prepared, and stay positive. Letting things go is not the answer. Stay on top of the situation. As Mom always says "don't put off tomorrow what you can do today".  Neglecting your home, your body, your health does not pay off. To recoup the damages is so much costlier than having a well maintained life. I have been on track for 2 days, and doing my very best to remain so. Have a great evening!

A New Day, A New Start

Daily intake. A great starting point. Although my story is long going back in time, at this point does not serve a good purpose. Starting anew! Yay! This is what is important. The emotional eating binge of the past weekend? OVER! Yes, acknowledge, accept and release it! It is done! No sense to beat yourself up. Yesterday is also gone. It was not perfect, but after all what in life is? A rare occurrence, and to be fully celebrated when it does show up! Planning what to eat. Planning meals is key to the successful Weight Loss Journey. Today will be a totally on point day! Every morsel is planned, and will be consumed with gusto. How do we learn what and when to eat? There are so many different techniques, and ways offered, it is difficult to just realize that balance is what's required. The learning process comes from many sources. A fantastic nutritional outlook towards weight loss and well being is offered by a very well known organization. Weekly meetings and/or online participation is required. Goals are set, and the best information is shared. What is done with this depends on the individual. Many have joined and quit, Some have joined, quit and rejoined. Others have reached their goal weight and continue membership. What works for each of us may be different. I am feeling my way thru the process at this time. I lapse, and have not made progress in quite some time. I have lost a total of 40 pounds, and to reach my goal must lose at least another 60 pounds to be considered "normal". That being said, what the heck is "normal" anyway? A number on a chart, determined by medical professionals. But hey, we know what is normal for us! When we look good, feel good, and are enjoying better health. Maintaining the weight loss is another aspect of what must be accomplished in this journey. This is a journey that will never end as mentioned yesterday. A lifelong commitment is required. So are we ready? You betcha! So be the best you can be today, and do not let a slip or slide determine your feelings of making progress. Take it one meal, one hour, one minute or one second at a time, and go forward to success! Yay! You CAN do this!

A Journey Begins By Putting Yourself OUT THERE

Cooking Class Summer 2015

Greetings. This is my very first official blog. I will share my experience and everyday struggles. Emotions, choices, ramblings........what has been learned, and what may have been forgotten.  The torture of battling the scale, an inanimate object which can control and twist our self esteem to a sad state of affair. Why do we allow this? How can it be we do not treat our bodies as if they were the most precious, most expensive object we possess? Well, I have been years trying to figure that out, and I am finally getting a grip on the reality of losing weight successfully. This is a lifelong struggle for some of us, and a lifelong commitment to stay healthy, focused and determined can be accomplished. Staying positive, surround ourselves with the correct choices. This is what this blog will be about. My story is long, and may mirror some of the struggles others encounter. My wish is to help others and I am willing to takes the risk of opening myself up fully. This again is my first blog. My experience at my first blogging class, Blogging 101, at SUNY Eastern Campus, last nite was not a success. This has not stopped me! I am determined. I am focused and I will succeed! I have figured this out, after a sad start last nite, and I am jubilant! This will be another step in my journey, and this is a journey that will never end until I do! Looking forward to my next blog, Sincerely, PJ