New Year, New You, New Me........

I realised to my shock that I'm now the heaviest I've ever been in my life (barring pregnancies, but only just). I do know that it's the steroids helping me along so I don't have any problems with feeling bad over this. My body's still going through a lot (I've just been told I'll need another scope soon to see the progress!) and I've never been greatly in favour of 'diets'. That said, I'm obviously going to have to be a bit more careful as long as I've hit the high end. I may well go higher yet, but my aim is to be careful and keep any further weight gain to a reasonable level. It doesn't help me to fit into my normal clothes if I have fat as well as bloating, and that costs me money and hassle, neither of which I feel like sparing.

Not sure what careful will involve though. I'm currently eating two breakfasts because the first one is before 6:30am, and there's no way I can get through till lunch without another little something. Mostly it has been the protein I missed out on the first time around (usually yoghurt), and it hasn't been junk food, not before lunch. That's one small virtue I can clng to - I very rarely start eating junk food before lunch. Lunch is eaten with one or other child - they eat at different times, so I pick whichever suits me best. I haven't YET eaten two lunches! Then there's dinner, where my portion is mostly a bit bigger than the amount I feed the kids, only mine goes lower on carbs and higher on protein. That leaves my junk food munching in the evening. The last couple of evenings I've been in bed really early (9pm and 10pm!) so that helped. I thik it's all down to the various jars of pineapple tarts that have entered the house in the last couple of weeks. I need to keep from testing them before CNY because otherwise the whole damn jar disappears. Sure, we've managed to test quite a few different ones this year, but I think we've overdone it. I don't open the jar if it comes in, but eventually somebody does, and then DS and I race to finish the most. They don't last more than a day, and there are about a couple of dozen pieces in each, about the size of a biscuit... some are pineapple jam in pastry and others are a dollop of pineapple jam on something more like a piece of shortbread. I've tried settling this by eating pineapple jam on bread, but it just doesn't work at all. All these tarts are handmade, and so is the pineapple jam they use.

So there's one area I can cut back. I'm drinking a fair bit of liquid, partly thanks to my huge ME mug. I highly recommend trying a bigger mug for getting more liquid down. I can't really add more fruits and vegetables very comfortably, because that's just causing more pain. I guess I can still work towards less carbs, since I know that works.

I'm walking to the car a LOT, and that involves stairs too since it's in a multi-storey car park 5mins away. I've walked to collect DS from school the last couple of days too since the weather was bearable. When DH is at home I'll be walking more because he'll have the car, so I'll have to walk both ways for DS' school.

I just realised, I'm not eating a second breakfast if I make it to about 11am before getting hungry, because then I eat lunch with DS before getting him ready for school. If I eat a second breakfast I usually wait to eat lunch with DD after she comes home from school.

Dontcha just love radical new routines!

The internal changes are still going on. It's been two months now since I started writing Morning Pages and I've done them every day. I also started, quite casually, a bit of a gratitude journal thingy at night a few days ago. It's a nice way to start and end the day with these things, because I don't start with lists of things I HAVE TO DO, and all the stresses that brings. I don't do the Morning Pages before I leave with DD though. I wait till we get back home at 7:45am and then DS is watching a video which gets him quietly out of my way. His idea not mine, but it fits perfectly.

At least I feel like I can face CNY with an equanimity I don't usually manage. Some of that is due to the holiday part of it, which is actually less intimidating than the usual CNY stuff.

Kerri.

I have, however, been making sure to do some kind of decent amount of exercise about twice a week. My eating has varied day to day, from very nutritious to very NOT! I have planned out some more consistently healthy meals for the rest of the month, now that I am cooking for myself. It was easy when I stayed with my grandparents at their assisted-living place and sometimes ate there, because of course the dining room there has extra-healthy options which were very good.

Kerri, for CNY: focus on fish (not fried fish! get some steamed, even with a sauce) and oranges.

I'm down to 4 mg of prednisone and am WAY less hungry now. That 5 mg threshhold makes a big difference.

Morning gals.

Glad to see everyones posting again. I have to try and get on here and post every morning again. It keeps me more accountable somehow.

I realized last night when I got home(about 6ish) that I had not eaten anything all day except for two small bite sized pieces of almond bark. Pretty sad eh? I made myself a roast beef sandwich, but that was it for yesterday.

Today I'll make sure I have my breakfast, and will make a beef pot pie and salad for supper. I don't know what I'll have for lunch, but I'll find something.

Question for those of you in the know. Can I freeze cilantro? I need to buy a fresh bunch, but it will be too much to use up. I only need it for cooking, like in soups.

I'm doing my ab and butt exercises faithfully. I just wish they'd show some results. I need to hop on my treadmill, so maybe I'll make that a goal for this week. I *can* say that I do alot of stairs, I must go up and down at least 30+ times a day.

Everyone around me seems to be sick. They are all stuffy and coughing and sinusy. There is no way to avoid all these folk so I'm just holding my breath and washing my hands alot . If the bug does hit me I have a supply of books to curl up in bed with, and a supply of meds and rum for hot toddys. Almost makes me wish I catch it .

Urine check says I need MUCH MORE water. I'll work harder on that. Now that life is settling back down it's easier to focus on all those little things. Like filling the water bottle and taking the vitamins etc. And vegetables....right....they're a food group. I'll keep that in mind.

I'm off to find some breakfast. Have a healthy day all.

Of course....the old ice cube tray trick. It would have taken forever for me to remember that one. See gals? See how handy I am in the kitchen? Darn I wish I had a personal chef! Thanx again for the reminder Rose.

I did much better yesterday. I had some breakfast, although it was abit late in the morning which meant I had no desire to eat lunch. I went for having an earlier supper instead. Made beef pot pie and a salad, which was all pretty yummy. I'm having leftovers for breakfast this morning.

I could use a grocery stop for some fresh produce, so will do that today when I'm in the city to visit MIL.

Have a healthy day all, and chug-a-lug some water why don't you.

I'd thought of that Killy. I've dehydrated herbs before, but it is another step. I'd be more apt to take the easy way out and freeze I think.

So???? What have you been eating that's so naughty? Leftover baking? Christmas goodies? Have you at least been drinking lots of water? Any vegies Killy? Time to get those lbs down. It will be bikini season before you know it .

Good Monday morning all .

This is the day I'm going to hop back on the treadmill. I will walk every other day for awhile until I get my legs back. I figure 20 minutes is a good start goal.

I did just fine with my eats yesterday until late at night. About 11pm the munchies hit me and I got into DH's chips and ate some with sour cream. I 'm not even a chip crazy gal.

I'll have cereal for breakfast this morning, and an orange later in the morning. Lunch might be some leftover pot pie to get it used up. DH is hankering for hot dogs(yuk) so I may just let him indulge at suppertime and make myself some Thai soup(yum).

Girly pampering missions will be posted twice a week on Mon and Thurs evenings. Since most of us are busy on Mondays with weekend cleanup I figured Tues would be a good day to sneak some time out for yourself. Pampering on Fridays is a wonderful plan since Fri is date night . Yes Honey....date night applies to you too. You can do it for the sheer pleasure of it. Tues mission will be smaller perhaps and Fridays a little more intensive. Plan pamper time for Friday for sure.

Have a healthy day all, and don't forget those vegies, water, and vitamins .

You know how doctors can be sometimes.

Called the nurse today to schedule a scope.

Still haven't gotten on the exercise bike yet. Guess I'll do that during the news, which is about to come on just about now.

Morning everyone .

I sure hope that chicken works out for you Honey. After I sent you the recipe I found another one for the same meal in the cupboard, so I hope I gave you the right one. I think I did. I can't really remember which one I used but I sent you the one that is easiest so I think that would have been the one I tried.

I'm going out for lunch with DIL today. She has a gift certificate she got for Christmas from someone that she's itching to use, so lunch will be cheap.

I got busy around the house here yesterday and totally forgot to get on the treadmill. It's going to take some doing to get back into the swing of that one again. Maybe if I start watching the craft show again in the mornings I'll remember to do it.

I'm going now to have breakfast, and that long leisurely shower and eyebrow pluck.

Ok, so I've been pretty much the "old me" for several months and I'm ready to be "new me" again! Today was my first day on campus...and Tuesdays are looooooong days. First class starts at 8:45 am and last one ends at 8:00 pm! YAWN! I'm whupped! I do have a long break between my last afternoon class and my evening class..but not really time to come home and accomplish anything, so I'm actually staying on campus. I'm looking into becoming a mentor for incoming "non-traditional" students (that's the U's nice way of saying "old." ) U of A has a large percentage(25) of "Adult Learners" and the "Adult Focus" office runs the mentoring program.

Anyways, back on topic...I've decided to work with Dr. Phil's food program. I'm on day 2 and doing great I also have enlisted an exercise buddy (real-life) to badger me into getting back to Curves. She and I will go on Mon. and Wed. mornings together and dd13 and I will do Thurs. and Fri. afternoons. Four days a week for me ought to show SOME results by spring!

My eyebrows are actually in pretty good shape. I had them waxed before our trip. One advantage to having a sister-hairstylist is that there is always someone in the salon who'll do them for me (free) when I pop in! I had a great "winter color" done, too, which is a bit darker than my natural brown, but I like it. (I go lighter w/ highlights in the summer and darker for the winter. (spring and fall, I'm just "mousy with streaks of gray!"

Becky, I'm sorry we couldn't get together while I was "out there." What a muck with your driver's liscense, huh?!

Now, one question...why is our "new you" thread under "Board business"??????? (Just wondering)

OK, DD13 is waiting for me to "tuck" her in (I don't really "tuck" any more, but the tradition continues)

Good night all, think healthy thoughts!

Lenora

That was me yesterday . I did have a facial, did pluck a few stary hairs, did put on some perfume and makeup, and then went out for lunch. I must admit I've plucked these brows for so many years they don't really grow anymore. A light plucking about every six weeks or so keeps them just fine.

Lenora, you are so lucky to have an "IN" at the stylists. Wish I did. Let us know how you like Dr Phils program.

Kerri, I know you have very sensitive skin that reacts badly to many products. Here's something you might want to try for your hands....diaper rash ointment!! I discovered by accident a while ago that it's really great for soothing my hands if they get irritated(usually from too much housework without rubbergloves). I just rub some in at night before I go to bed. It's gentle and it provides a protective barrier on the hands.

I'm glad you liked your chicken Honey. Did you take any skin off it before you cooked it? I forgot to tell you that step. You got me thinking I wanted some too so I threw it in the crock yesterday morning myself. We had ours with linguine. I love the smell of it in the house.

Lunch out yesterday was great. We went to a newly opened restaurant and I found a new fav dessert. Apple cheesecake. Now it might not sound all that special but WOW...you should just taste this stuff. At least DIL and I shared it. For eats I had a big salad and some brushetta(sp), it also being extremely good.

Now I must get going and have some breakfast before it turns into lunchtime. Don't forget to have some water today gals.....go fill a bottle right now to keep by your puter. You'll drink it without even thinking about it.

I'm so glad you got those eyebrows done Honey. Perhaps if we mission them more often they won't ever get to be such a chore.

I don't even feel like posting today. The sickos all around me have finally given me *something*. My sinus are driving me wild today. I'm pretty cranky about it too.

I've not had a thing to eat yet today so I need to do that right away. I'm feeling kind of sorry for myself so I want to eat junk. I'll have something healthy first though and see if that takes care of the naughty urge.

Then it's into the shower for a looong steamy soak to see if I can break this head up.

Sounds like you had a nice day pampering yourself Kerri . You'll be a step ahead of us on tomorrows mission.

I think my ab and butt exercises are beginning to pay off. Not visually maybe, but I have doubled the # I can do so I must be conditioning those muscles. It sure is alot easier to hold my tummy in now(in public).

I'm too cranky to be here...gotta go.

I almost forgot . I'm posting this quick this morning but you'll get the idea.

Todays mission: To get into the tub or shower for a good soaking. to take care of the coating of fur. Yup! Shave those legs and pits. Have a good rub with the loofah or a scratchy cloth , and use some of that product you got for Christmas(or still have from last Christmas). Give the feet a scraping. Dry off and give yourself an all over rub down with some kind of moisturizer of your choice.

You might want to go all out and wash and condition your hair while your at it. Or lounge in there with a book. Whatever you don't take the time to do on a regular basis.

It's Friday night. I won't call it date night because Honey might try and get out of the mission by saying she won't have a date. So we'll just call it Delight Night. Everyone needs a night each week they can set aside for pleasures. Make it what you want, whether it's curling up with movies at home, stepping out, or time with friends. Just do it feeling your best.

For me Friday nights mean curling up at home in my jammies, maybe a Martini or two, and comfort. What can be better than feeling clean to the bone, silky, and smelling great whilst I lounge. Enjoy !

Morning gals . I hope you got a good rest last night Honey. My sympathies on the "in your face kiddo". I won't scare you with my stories of years(entire teenage) spent with a "in your face" child who needed to debate every little thing with bang on logic. It started when he was about 5 or 6 actually. He's now outgrown that and resorted to agreeing with me all the time then ignoring it and doing his own thing. And I'm trying to outgrow my tendency to tell him what needs to be done, and learn to bite my tongue.

After all the yak about the need for a Delight Night I did not pull it off either. I also got home at 9pm and after a day of chasing baby around I was SPENT. I'm going to do my pampering this morning.

We ate pizza with the kids last night, and I had some chicken for lunch yesterday. I missed breakfast and cannot claim a fruit or vegie for the entire day.

Tonight I'll be having supper out with BIL and SIL, so won't know the score on that till it's done with. I can make an effort to have breakfast and a healthy lunch today.

We're going to indoor golf this afternoon, so that will be my exercise for today.

Is everyone getting a good supply of water?

Hi gals .

I'm glad to know you're in better spirits today Honey. "How do you clean a pipe with a pipe cleaner", , DS has never smoked a pipe obviously. Yeeuupp!! Makes you want to give them a job on the far side of the house after about 2 hours of it eh?

I had a wonderful time out yesterday. We golfed from 3-7, then headed to a new restaurant in the city for supper. Got there and found it was going to be at least an hour wait for a table. Even the bar was too full to wait in. We decided to go elsewhere. I had a wonderful meal FULL of garlic. I eat alot of garlic in my diet, and never really notice it. I had so much last night that this morning I am offending myself. I NEVER smell it on myself. . I'm going to have to have another long luxurious shower I suppose. Aw shucks!

I'm needing to make more effort with the water too Honey. I find it more difficult to remember it in the winter time. I think I'll put a sticky note up on the cupboard above the coffee maker to remind myself.

I've used a Brita water filter system for a few years now for my drinking water. It takes up alot of space so I recently bought one that attaches right onto the drinking water tap. I have not put it on yet because I still have filters to use up for the old one. Once the new one is on the tap it will be a real good visual reminder for me.

I have no idea what we're going to eat around here today. I'm in the mood for one of those "breakfast for supper" meals. If I had some fresh yummy bread I'd make clam chowder, but I don't so I won't. And I'm not about to go out in the cold just for bread.

First things first though, I need to eat some breakfast. Cereal sounds quick and easy . Later gals.