First, my weight is the same today as Monday. I know why.
Yesterday was just weird. I had not slept well Monday night, tossing and turning for no reason. Then I got up at 7 a.m., as planned, went through my usual morning breakfast and routine. Around 10 a.m. I had been watching TV waiting for Mark to get ready to head out for a 10:30 line dancing class. We used to do that weekly but fell out of the habit because of the shows we were in. Anyway, I got up from the chair to go bring in the trash and recycling bins and got dizzy. Really light-headed and feeling like I would pass out.
I have low blood pressure all the time, so this is not an unexpected feeling. I stood still for a minute and then proceeded to bring in the cans, but it didn't go away. By then it was time to head out for class. I gathered up my stuff and asked Mark to drive. I went out to the car and felt like I was going to fall over, so I leaned against the car until Mark unlocked the door and I got inside. I kept my eyes closed all the way to the Cove, where the class was held. When I got there, I was feeling nauseated, so I went to the bathroom right away. I had diarrhea there, but that never returned the rest of the day. I told Mark to go to class without me because I knew I could not do that, but we were so late by then that he decided to stay with me. I sat on a chair in the shade and started to drink some water. I started to develop a headache, and the queasiness lasted another hour or so.
Bottom line is that it took FIVE hours for that feeling to pass completely. When the restaurant opened at 11, we walked over and I got a Diet Coke, no ice. I sipped that for half an hour and felt better, but I did not feel 100% until around 3 p.m., the time my mani/pedi was over.
It was just so strange to feel so out of it all day.
So back to the weight....this is why I have lost no weight. I actually went down three pounds on Monday because I was excellent with lots of exercise. Tuesday morning I was 248, but I didn't write a blog because I never felt well enough. Then yesterday, because of the weird feeling, I did not exercise at all. I also felt like I needed extra sodium to raise my blood pressure, so I ate a kosher hot dog on a roll with fries, to which I added plenty of table salt. Lots of calories, lots of sodium. On the other hand, it was all for medicinal purposes, right? I calculated my calories yesterday as best as I could, and I think I had about 2200. Not going to lose any weight on that amount of calories and sodium, so I'm not surprised to put those three pounds back on and be the same as Monday morning. In fact, I'm okay with it.
Now it's a new day. I feel fine so far this morning. I had a good breakfast of Fiber One cereal with a 1/2 cup of fresh blueberries, a small amount of almonds, and some almond milk. Delicious and only 275 calories. Mark is finishing his breakfast and then we will take a 15 minute walk. Hopefully, at 10:30 we will be doing water aerobics. Later today we will do our weight routines in the gym and walk some more. Tonight I have a choir rehearsal at the synagogue, which means I'm out of the house for four hours, no time to eat any snacks! Dinner will be spaghetti squash with pasta sauce and cheese. Lunch will be tuna out of a can on some salad. I bet I'm back down those three pounds tomorrow morning.
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
A new start
It's Monday, so here's the official weigh-in number, 250.7.
I lost three pounds on Friday after the train, but they returned over the weekend. We had great weekend, but even though there was lots of walking and weigh-lifting, there was also lots of great food. Too much I guess.
OK, well...there are 11 weeks until the wedding. My year long goal of weighing close to 200 for the wedding was clearly abandoned months ago when that became physically impossible. In 11 weeks, I should realistically be able to lose 22 pounds and weigh 228. That would require being intensely careful with the calories every single day, no slip ups. Hm....not thinking that's going to happen. So my newly revised goal is to weigh between 230 and 240, and at least I should NOT weigh more than I did at Evey's wedding in 2011, which was about 245.
There are a ton of challenges, the very thing that I am the worst at, between today and the wedding. I just don't know how this is going to go. What has really happened in the last four years is that I am the same today as when we moved to Florida. Crazy, right? All this obsessing about my weight and writing about it, and here I am the same as the day we moved into this house in February of 2011. I have gone as high as 280 and as low as 232 in those years. I'm never staying the same on a day to day or weekly basis, but if you look at the big yearly picture, here I am at exactly the same weight as a bit over three years ago. Eye-opening in a way!
So here we go for the next 11 weeks. I shall continue to obsess about the weight, work on the weight, report the weight, and, honestly, probably cheat at restaurants and parties. Maybe I'm just too old to change.
Well, yesterday was awesome! We saw Herman's Hermits at Epcot. Basically, Peter Noone is the only original one left in this group, but they sound phenomenal. We also had lunch at the food kiosks, so that was probably part of the problem for this morning.
I lost three pounds on Friday after the train, but they returned over the weekend. We had great weekend, but even though there was lots of walking and weigh-lifting, there was also lots of great food. Too much I guess.
OK, well...there are 11 weeks until the wedding. My year long goal of weighing close to 200 for the wedding was clearly abandoned months ago when that became physically impossible. In 11 weeks, I should realistically be able to lose 22 pounds and weigh 228. That would require being intensely careful with the calories every single day, no slip ups. Hm....not thinking that's going to happen. So my newly revised goal is to weigh between 230 and 240, and at least I should NOT weigh more than I did at Evey's wedding in 2011, which was about 245.
There are a ton of challenges, the very thing that I am the worst at, between today and the wedding. I just don't know how this is going to go. What has really happened in the last four years is that I am the same today as when we moved to Florida. Crazy, right? All this obsessing about my weight and writing about it, and here I am the same as the day we moved into this house in February of 2011. I have gone as high as 280 and as low as 232 in those years. I'm never staying the same on a day to day or weekly basis, but if you look at the big yearly picture, here I am at exactly the same weight as a bit over three years ago. Eye-opening in a way!
So here we go for the next 11 weeks. I shall continue to obsess about the weight, work on the weight, report the weight, and, honestly, probably cheat at restaurants and parties. Maybe I'm just too old to change.
Well, yesterday was awesome! We saw Herman's Hermits at Epcot. Basically, Peter Noone is the only original one left in this group, but they sound phenomenal. We also had lunch at the food kiosks, so that was probably part of the problem for this morning.
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| We arrived at Epcot about 3:30 p.m. It was 93 degrees out! |
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| First course: salad and salmon tartare on a cheese biscuit. I had the salad without dressing and ate the top of Mark's biscuit. |
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| Second course: mushroom gnocchi and a vodka slushie. Delicious! |
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| Very refreshing. |
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| Dessert: Japanese Frushi, fruit inside a sushi rice roll with whipped cream Lightly sweet and delicious. |
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| Mark with the Woody topiary |
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| Peter Noone still sings great! |
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| He comes every year, and this was our third year hearing the group. This is one of the best shows of the spring concert series. |
Friday, April 25, 2014
Back home and ready to diet.
We are home, and it feels great.
I left on April 9 weighing 242.7, and it was only 239 the day before that! I returned yesterday and checked my weight this morning, 251. So in those 16 days, I gained 8.3 pounds, about a half pound a day average. Unfortunate, but not surprising. What's surprising is that I'm down .7 on the train day. I guess I should take comfort in that!
The train was relaxing, but extra long because there was a lot of track repair and freight trains. Sometimes they can make up lost time, but not this time. Instead of pulling in at 9 or so, we pulled in at 11:20 and got out of the train at 11:40, but our car was called by noon, which is pretty fast.
We drove straight to the new kosher deli in Maitland, Brown's NY Deli. It opened last July, but this was our first chance to try it out. Wow! It might be my new favorite restaurant. It was delicious, extensive, and not too expensive. We are definitely going back. In fact, we already have a lunch date with some friends for the end of May.
After lunch, we took a 40 minute walk around a nearby lake and discovered some Maitland history and museums. We hope to explore those museums in the future. Then we had to pick up Mark's comic books and do a little bit of shopping for last night's dinner and breakfast. By the time we got home from all of that, it was 4:30 and we were so tired! We both admitted we were running on empty as we unloaded the car and put everything away. By 6:30 we were done, eating dinner, and ready to sleep through some TV!
This morning I had a fasting blood draw for my medical oncology appointment next Friday. Now I'm home, yawning, typing, and drinking coffee.
Today I'm back on my diet plan. Clearly I abandoned it entirely on this trip. It's time to get serious now because the wedding is about three months away.
I left on April 9 weighing 242.7, and it was only 239 the day before that! I returned yesterday and checked my weight this morning, 251. So in those 16 days, I gained 8.3 pounds, about a half pound a day average. Unfortunate, but not surprising. What's surprising is that I'm down .7 on the train day. I guess I should take comfort in that!
The train was relaxing, but extra long because there was a lot of track repair and freight trains. Sometimes they can make up lost time, but not this time. Instead of pulling in at 9 or so, we pulled in at 11:20 and got out of the train at 11:40, but our car was called by noon, which is pretty fast.
We drove straight to the new kosher deli in Maitland, Brown's NY Deli. It opened last July, but this was our first chance to try it out. Wow! It might be my new favorite restaurant. It was delicious, extensive, and not too expensive. We are definitely going back. In fact, we already have a lunch date with some friends for the end of May.
After lunch, we took a 40 minute walk around a nearby lake and discovered some Maitland history and museums. We hope to explore those museums in the future. Then we had to pick up Mark's comic books and do a little bit of shopping for last night's dinner and breakfast. By the time we got home from all of that, it was 4:30 and we were so tired! We both admitted we were running on empty as we unloaded the car and put everything away. By 6:30 we were done, eating dinner, and ready to sleep through some TV!
This morning I had a fasting blood draw for my medical oncology appointment next Friday. Now I'm home, yawning, typing, and drinking coffee.
Today I'm back on my diet plan. Clearly I abandoned it entirely on this trip. It's time to get serious now because the wedding is about three months away.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Autotrain
Yesterday we had a great time at shul and a great time visiting Rudy and Georganne. Jen and baby Cadence even joined us for lunch. I loved cuddling five-month-old Cadence for a few minutes. What a cutie!
As we were driving home, we started to add up the costs. The price of gas is getting higher, so filling the tank is close to or just over $40. It takes almost four tanks to do the two day drive. We eat lunch and dinner on the road, which usually comes to about $100. LOL! We don't eat at fast food places for dinner. We like to splurge a bit, even in Florence, SC. Then there's the price of the hotel. The total came to about $300 for a one way trip.
Hm...my brain started clicking, and I asked Mark to check the price of the autotrain. Today it's $390. (I say today because Amtrak changes its prices on the atuotrain FREQUENTLY! If I had booked this a few months ago, it was only $320.) So I offered to kick in $100 to the nearly $300 Mark was already planning to spend if he would book that train! He did! Meals are included on the train, too, plus unlimited free coffee, fruit, cookies, and even a movie onboard tonight. Sweet.
YAY!! I absolutely LOVE train rides. Of course, this is sitting up in coach, but that doesn't matter. For one night, that's not hard. We will also be home by noon on Thursday instead of 8 p.m. Less wear and tear on the car AND less wear and tear on me! I'm planning to read a lot on my Kindle, which I never even turned on for this entire trip.
We finally had the chance to enjoy the sumptuous breakfast this hotel puts out every morning. I am always surprised that an extended stay type hotel like this puts out any breakfast at all. They are providing a kitchen for you. Isn't that why you're here? Well, whatever! We enjoyed the scrambled eggs, oatmeal, pancakes, and yogurt this morning. Yummy! It was the only morning we could eat it because of Passover. They also give you a free dinner Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. Crazy! Of course, we couldn't have that either because of Passover, plus mostly it was meat dinners. One night it was veggies, salad, and mac and cheese. We would have been all over that if it hadn't been Passover. LOL!
I'm starting the train ride this morning at 251.7 pounds. I'm attributing the gain of nearly two and a half pounds since Monday morning to sodium in the meals the last few days. Last night, to end Passover, we had flat bread pizzas, cheesy biscuits, and salad bar at Rudy Tuesday after 8:30 p.m. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to mention the big bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce and a shot of whiskey for dinner! LOL! I also finished off the 5 ounce bag of Passover potato chips that I bought, but forgot about. I ate half the bag Monday night and half the bag Tuesday afternoon with lunch. Lots of sodium in that, for sure.
This is a horrible weight, and it's the highest I have been since last spring when we came home on the train. I was hitting the low 270s that day, I think. Last year when I got home, I started the morning walking routine and started really watching the calories. I dropped nearly 40 pounds fairly quickly doing that. By early December I had hit 232. Well, clearly it's time to do that again. We are heading back up here on June 12 for a two month stay. The wedding is on July 12. I would really like to be in the 230s for that, if not lower. Well, lower probably isn't possible now, but I'm sure I can be in the mid 230s by July 12.
That's my new goal. It won't be easy. I have many challenges to face during the next two months: vacation at Vero Beach, NARFE convention in Orlando, a week's convention in the Poconos, a Fourth of July weekend that will include at least three days of festivities! All of that is before the wedding.
Wish me luck!
As we were driving home, we started to add up the costs. The price of gas is getting higher, so filling the tank is close to or just over $40. It takes almost four tanks to do the two day drive. We eat lunch and dinner on the road, which usually comes to about $100. LOL! We don't eat at fast food places for dinner. We like to splurge a bit, even in Florence, SC. Then there's the price of the hotel. The total came to about $300 for a one way trip.
Hm...my brain started clicking, and I asked Mark to check the price of the autotrain. Today it's $390. (I say today because Amtrak changes its prices on the atuotrain FREQUENTLY! If I had booked this a few months ago, it was only $320.) So I offered to kick in $100 to the nearly $300 Mark was already planning to spend if he would book that train! He did! Meals are included on the train, too, plus unlimited free coffee, fruit, cookies, and even a movie onboard tonight. Sweet.
YAY!! I absolutely LOVE train rides. Of course, this is sitting up in coach, but that doesn't matter. For one night, that's not hard. We will also be home by noon on Thursday instead of 8 p.m. Less wear and tear on the car AND less wear and tear on me! I'm planning to read a lot on my Kindle, which I never even turned on for this entire trip.
We finally had the chance to enjoy the sumptuous breakfast this hotel puts out every morning. I am always surprised that an extended stay type hotel like this puts out any breakfast at all. They are providing a kitchen for you. Isn't that why you're here? Well, whatever! We enjoyed the scrambled eggs, oatmeal, pancakes, and yogurt this morning. Yummy! It was the only morning we could eat it because of Passover. They also give you a free dinner Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday evenings. Crazy! Of course, we couldn't have that either because of Passover, plus mostly it was meat dinners. One night it was veggies, salad, and mac and cheese. We would have been all over that if it hadn't been Passover. LOL!
I'm starting the train ride this morning at 251.7 pounds. I'm attributing the gain of nearly two and a half pounds since Monday morning to sodium in the meals the last few days. Last night, to end Passover, we had flat bread pizzas, cheesy biscuits, and salad bar at Rudy Tuesday after 8:30 p.m. Oh, yeah, I almost forgot to mention the big bowl of ice cream with chocolate sauce and a shot of whiskey for dinner! LOL! I also finished off the 5 ounce bag of Passover potato chips that I bought, but forgot about. I ate half the bag Monday night and half the bag Tuesday afternoon with lunch. Lots of sodium in that, for sure.
This is a horrible weight, and it's the highest I have been since last spring when we came home on the train. I was hitting the low 270s that day, I think. Last year when I got home, I started the morning walking routine and started really watching the calories. I dropped nearly 40 pounds fairly quickly doing that. By early December I had hit 232. Well, clearly it's time to do that again. We are heading back up here on June 12 for a two month stay. The wedding is on July 12. I would really like to be in the 230s for that, if not lower. Well, lower probably isn't possible now, but I'm sure I can be in the mid 230s by July 12.
That's my new goal. It won't be easy. I have many challenges to face during the next two months: vacation at Vero Beach, NARFE convention in Orlando, a week's convention in the Poconos, a Fourth of July weekend that will include at least three days of festivities! All of that is before the wedding.
Wish me luck!
Monday, April 21, 2014
Monday, day 7 of Passover
This morning my official weight was 249.4, a smidge less than yesterday. I was okay with that.
We went to shul this morning in Columbia, where four other Mishkan Torah people were also. MT doesn't do services on the second or seventh days of big holidays, so we all went to another synagogue that does. I guess we'll do that next year, too.
After shul, we had lunch and then a 25 minute walk in the hotel neighborhood. The hotel porch has some lovely rocking chairs, so I just had to take some time to sit in them after the walk! They also have a fire pit and two huge grills with round tables and chairs. There's an outdoor pool, but, of course, it's not open in April.
We have had such a lovely time here, sharing the holiday with our family and friends, that we have already booked the exact same room for the holiday next year, April 2-12, 2015. They have locked in this same room for us, 417.
Next year is a "perfect storm" of a date. The first seder of Passover is on Friday, April 3. That is also Good Friday AND also Evey's birthday! I am hoping she and Eric will fly to the east coast to join us on her birthday and for the seder. The next day they can head up to NJ and enjoy Easter with his family. I'm sure Leslie and Marc G. would love that! It would also allow me to have BOTH of my kids at one seder, which has not happened for a very, very long time. In fact, I can't even remember the last time it happened. I bet it was either at the Pearlman's house or the Oresky's house. I hope it all works out, God Willing!
Here's a picture of me enjoying the rocking chair this afternoon. As Mark says, "Nobody can say Beck is off her rocker." LOL!
We went to shul this morning in Columbia, where four other Mishkan Torah people were also. MT doesn't do services on the second or seventh days of big holidays, so we all went to another synagogue that does. I guess we'll do that next year, too.
After shul, we had lunch and then a 25 minute walk in the hotel neighborhood. The hotel porch has some lovely rocking chairs, so I just had to take some time to sit in them after the walk! They also have a fire pit and two huge grills with round tables and chairs. There's an outdoor pool, but, of course, it's not open in April.
We have had such a lovely time here, sharing the holiday with our family and friends, that we have already booked the exact same room for the holiday next year, April 2-12, 2015. They have locked in this same room for us, 417.
Next year is a "perfect storm" of a date. The first seder of Passover is on Friday, April 3. That is also Good Friday AND also Evey's birthday! I am hoping she and Eric will fly to the east coast to join us on her birthday and for the seder. The next day they can head up to NJ and enjoy Easter with his family. I'm sure Leslie and Marc G. would love that! It would also allow me to have BOTH of my kids at one seder, which has not happened for a very, very long time. In fact, I can't even remember the last time it happened. I bet it was either at the Pearlman's house or the Oresky's house. I hope it all works out, God Willing!
Here's a picture of me enjoying the rocking chair this afternoon. As Mark says, "Nobody can say Beck is off her rocker." LOL!
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Happy Easter, aka Laundry Day at Cindy's
This morning is Easter, for those celebrate. I hope all who are celebrating have a wonderful day.
It is Passover Day 6 for us. Mark is making matzo meal pancakes, using a new recipe that swaps out finely ground almonds for a lot of the matzo meal, thereby cutting the carbs considerably. They taste great.
Soon we will be taking our laundry up to Cindy's house to do it. We got lucky and she is going to be home this afternoon. It will be nice to see her again.
Our time here has been fabulous. In fact, it's been so great and so busy that I have not taken the time to write a blog. Our seder in this little extended stay hotel was great. We had Lowell, Emily, and Cindy here. Emily and Cindy had never attended a full seder like this before, and I think it has been around 8 years or so since we had Lowell at a seder. Since he was the youngest one at the table, he sang the Four Questions. I have to admit it brought a tear to my eye to hear him do that!
We had the second seder at the Oresky's house, which had been our tradition. It was magnificent! it was so great to see all of his kids, his extended family, and even our old friend Neil. We stayed until after midnight just talking with Saul, Phyllis, and Neil after everyone else had gone home or off to bed. It even SNOWED that night! I went out and looked at the little bit on the cars. It has literally been four years since we saw or touched snow. Fun.
On both Shabbats, I had a chance to go play Mah Jongg after services in the home of good friend Robin. I forgot to take the camera the first time, but yesterday I did take a few pictures. Only Arlene, Robin, and I played, but we all won at least two games and had a great time.
Even though Mark and I tried to plan the healthiest Passover dinners ever and we have taken a 30 minute walk every day, I have gained a lot of weight. I love matzo with margarine, and we had leftover desserts from the seder that I finished off little by little. Tomorrow is Monday, so I will do an official weigh-in then, but I weighed 242.5 when I left a week ago Wednesday. This morning I was 251. I have undone everything I did a month ago. Can we all say Yo-Yo?
We have three more nights here and one night on the road, arriving home late Thursday night. I am sure there will be a few more pounds on by the time I weigh myself at home next Friday morning. Then I have to get back on track. As always, there will be many challenges facing me, even after we get home, including a trip to Vero Beach for four nights, a NARFE convention with two nights in a hotel, a flight back up to MD for the wedding shower, Mother's Day, Memorial Day weekend, and more. My plan is to do my best. I really don't want to show up at Lowell's wedding weighing more than I did at Evey's back in 2011. For her wedding I was 245. I had hoped to be 200 for this one, but that can't happen anymore. I'm hoping for something in the mid-230s, or at least 245! We shall see.
Here's a few pictures from this week.
It is Passover Day 6 for us. Mark is making matzo meal pancakes, using a new recipe that swaps out finely ground almonds for a lot of the matzo meal, thereby cutting the carbs considerably. They taste great.
Soon we will be taking our laundry up to Cindy's house to do it. We got lucky and she is going to be home this afternoon. It will be nice to see her again.
Our time here has been fabulous. In fact, it's been so great and so busy that I have not taken the time to write a blog. Our seder in this little extended stay hotel was great. We had Lowell, Emily, and Cindy here. Emily and Cindy had never attended a full seder like this before, and I think it has been around 8 years or so since we had Lowell at a seder. Since he was the youngest one at the table, he sang the Four Questions. I have to admit it brought a tear to my eye to hear him do that!
We had the second seder at the Oresky's house, which had been our tradition. It was magnificent! it was so great to see all of his kids, his extended family, and even our old friend Neil. We stayed until after midnight just talking with Saul, Phyllis, and Neil after everyone else had gone home or off to bed. It even SNOWED that night! I went out and looked at the little bit on the cars. It has literally been four years since we saw or touched snow. Fun.
On both Shabbats, I had a chance to go play Mah Jongg after services in the home of good friend Robin. I forgot to take the camera the first time, but yesterday I did take a few pictures. Only Arlene, Robin, and I played, but we all won at least two games and had a great time.
Even though Mark and I tried to plan the healthiest Passover dinners ever and we have taken a 30 minute walk every day, I have gained a lot of weight. I love matzo with margarine, and we had leftover desserts from the seder that I finished off little by little. Tomorrow is Monday, so I will do an official weigh-in then, but I weighed 242.5 when I left a week ago Wednesday. This morning I was 251. I have undone everything I did a month ago. Can we all say Yo-Yo?
We have three more nights here and one night on the road, arriving home late Thursday night. I am sure there will be a few more pounds on by the time I weigh myself at home next Friday morning. Then I have to get back on track. As always, there will be many challenges facing me, even after we get home, including a trip to Vero Beach for four nights, a NARFE convention with two nights in a hotel, a flight back up to MD for the wedding shower, Mother's Day, Memorial Day weekend, and more. My plan is to do my best. I really don't want to show up at Lowell's wedding weighing more than I did at Evey's back in 2011. For her wedding I was 245. I had hoped to be 200 for this one, but that can't happen anymore. I'm hoping for something in the mid-230s, or at least 245! We shall see.
Here's a few pictures from this week.
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| On the night we arrived in Maryland, we met Lowell and Emily at a vegan restaurant, Great Sage. Fabulous food! |
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| Outside of TownePlace Suites by Marriott, near the BWI airport. Our room is the window the one the right of the top floor with the brick front, just over the lobby entrance. |
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| Our lovely little kitchen that was so easy to make kosher for Passover. |
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| Breakfast at IHOP last Monday with Jeff and Armin Rosen, before Passover started that night. |
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| Six of us at IHOP |
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| The first seder night. |
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| During the week, we met Lowell one day after work. We enjoyed watching them play with their dogs. |
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| Yesterday at Robin's house for Mah Jongg |
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| Me and Arlene |
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| Robin is always a great hostess. |
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| After playing, I changed my clothes, and we walked the 1.5 mile path around Greenbelt Lake. It was finally WARM! |
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| Mark said he was going to use his dad's favorite pose! |
Wednesday, April 9, 2014
Heading north
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| Listening to Tom sing "You Make Me Feel So Young," |
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| Singing "At Last" |
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This morning I got on the scale. UGH! Today I am 242.7, so I'm a almost a pound up from yesterday. I have packed the scale, so I hope I can get through Passover without too much gained. Staying the same for the next 15 days would be perfect. I am taking the computer, and there will be time to write blogs now and then. I'll know and report what's going on..JPG)
Today we will go to the gym and do our weights and walking before we start driving. It's about 490 miles. We usually stop a lot, so it always takes about 10 hours to do that drive. I hope to get there by a reasonable dinner time if we leave by 9ish this morning.I hope everyone has a lovely day. I have to go eat breakfast and get ready to head up to the gym in about a half an hour.
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| Listening to Tom sing "You Make Me Feel So Young." |
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| Practicing with the wig and stole for lighting at a rehearsal. |
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| Posed picture at dress rehearsal in full costume, wig, and make up. |
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Doctor's Visit
This morning, I was up three pounds. Go figure. I have no real idea why because yesterday I walked and lifted weights and did the whole final performance of the show. I ate a few more calories than I was entirled to, 1600 instead of 1350. My sodium was about 2000 mg. So where did the three pounds come from? Who knows. Lunch was at a restaurant. I had a cup of vegetable soup, which was mostly squash and onions and seemed low sodium, plus a small piece of grilled salmon on salad greens for lunch. There's no way to know exactly how much sodium or how many calories, but it didn't seem too bad. I had a few extra foods for lunch and snacks, but I logged them all in. It just is what it is. One morning I'm 239 and the next morning I'm 242.
I wouldn't have felt too bad about it except that this afternoon I had my doctor's visit. On her scale I weighed 244.8, which was a drop of 3.2 pounds since I saw her last back in September. She was happy with that. She also said that all my blood work was astoundingly excellent. Her exact words were, "You are friggin' awesome!" Hey, that's a great check up! My BP in the office was 106/55, pulse was 60, and temp was 97.4. I didn't get a copy of the blood work, but clearly it was perfect. I will see her again on October 8.
I took an extra fast 30 minute walk in the indoor track this morning. I did a bit over a mile and a half in just under 30 minutes. That's amazing for me! The rest of the time we packed for the trip up north, which begins tomorrow.
Tonight we had dinner out at the Starliters cast party. Mark and I had grilled mahi mahi, salad, steamed veggies, and a small amount of pasta with marinara sauce. I also had the dessert which was hot apple slices with ice cream. I had a glass of white wine and a shot of whiskey. We danced about 20 minutes, on and off, as well. I hope I didn't do too much damage! I guess tomorrow morning will show me. I am packing the scale, so I'll keep tabs on everything.
The plan is to hit the road around 9 a.m. and get to Florence, SC by dinner time. Thursday we will leave Florence about the same time and arrive in Columbia, MD about dinner time. We are going to have dinner with Lowell and Emily at a vegetarian restaurant called The Sage. Should be fun! I'm really looking forward to seeing them. It's been nearly 10 months! Then we will go to Cindy's house for the first three nights of the trip. It's been over 11 months since we've seen her. I am looking forward to seeing everybody.
I wouldn't have felt too bad about it except that this afternoon I had my doctor's visit. On her scale I weighed 244.8, which was a drop of 3.2 pounds since I saw her last back in September. She was happy with that. She also said that all my blood work was astoundingly excellent. Her exact words were, "You are friggin' awesome!" Hey, that's a great check up! My BP in the office was 106/55, pulse was 60, and temp was 97.4. I didn't get a copy of the blood work, but clearly it was perfect. I will see her again on October 8.
I took an extra fast 30 minute walk in the indoor track this morning. I did a bit over a mile and a half in just under 30 minutes. That's amazing for me! The rest of the time we packed for the trip up north, which begins tomorrow.
Tonight we had dinner out at the Starliters cast party. Mark and I had grilled mahi mahi, salad, steamed veggies, and a small amount of pasta with marinara sauce. I also had the dessert which was hot apple slices with ice cream. I had a glass of white wine and a shot of whiskey. We danced about 20 minutes, on and off, as well. I hope I didn't do too much damage! I guess tomorrow morning will show me. I am packing the scale, so I'll keep tabs on everything.
The plan is to hit the road around 9 a.m. and get to Florence, SC by dinner time. Thursday we will leave Florence about the same time and arrive in Columbia, MD about dinner time. We are going to have dinner with Lowell and Emily at a vegetarian restaurant called The Sage. Should be fun! I'm really looking forward to seeing them. It's been nearly 10 months! Then we will go to Cindy's house for the first three nights of the trip. It's been over 11 months since we've seen her. I am looking forward to seeing everybody.
Monday, April 7, 2014
Hit it!
I am 239 this morning. Whoop, whoop, whoop, WHOOPEE!
Can you tell I did a happy dance when I got off the scale this morning?
Now to try to keep it for the next two weeks while we are out of town. That will be a challenge.
Two shows down, one to go. Tonight is the last night of the Starliters show. It's been fun, but it sure is time consuming. Mark got a seat in the second row, and he said he was proud of me and that I looked beautiful. That meant a lot! Thanks, Mark.
I ate just a bit over 1000 calories yesterday. Today will be more challenging because I'm having lunch at the Grille with some girlfriends from the theater group. I know that I can order a salmon salad, so that's the plan. My calories should be okay if I do that. I have programmed breakfast and lunch, and it leaves me about 700 calories for that lunch.
Tomorrow night is the cast party. Mark and I are having mahi mahi with veggies and salad. There will be a small dessert, but it should be a reasonable dinner anyway. Then comes the road trip. We will be heading north on Wednesday. So there will be 15 days of meals in restaurants or at friends' houses, not to mention two seders and lots of Passover food, including my favorite: matzoh with butter. I just have to be sure to watch how much of any of these things I eat. Portion control is the answer, plus long walks.
I do plan to take my scale and keep a check on things. I'll write blogs periodically, and I will definitely report my weight next Monday. I have a feeling it will be back up, but I hope not too far.
Meanwhile, I hope everyone has a lovely day today.
Can you tell I did a happy dance when I got off the scale this morning?
Now to try to keep it for the next two weeks while we are out of town. That will be a challenge.
Two shows down, one to go. Tonight is the last night of the Starliters show. It's been fun, but it sure is time consuming. Mark got a seat in the second row, and he said he was proud of me and that I looked beautiful. That meant a lot! Thanks, Mark.
I ate just a bit over 1000 calories yesterday. Today will be more challenging because I'm having lunch at the Grille with some girlfriends from the theater group. I know that I can order a salmon salad, so that's the plan. My calories should be okay if I do that. I have programmed breakfast and lunch, and it leaves me about 700 calories for that lunch.
Tomorrow night is the cast party. Mark and I are having mahi mahi with veggies and salad. There will be a small dessert, but it should be a reasonable dinner anyway. Then comes the road trip. We will be heading north on Wednesday. So there will be 15 days of meals in restaurants or at friends' houses, not to mention two seders and lots of Passover food, including my favorite: matzoh with butter. I just have to be sure to watch how much of any of these things I eat. Portion control is the answer, plus long walks.
I do plan to take my scale and keep a check on things. I'll write blogs periodically, and I will definitely report my weight next Monday. I have a feeling it will be back up, but I hope not too far.
Meanwhile, I hope everyone has a lovely day today.
Sunday, April 6, 2014
Successful Opening Night
Starliters opened to a full house last and was a rousing success. They were a great audience, very responsive, lots of applause, singing along, and standing ovation. What more could performers want!
Tonight Mark is coming. I hope he enjoys it. I'm in two scenes, Jazz Joint and Arcade. The Jazz Joint opens the show and is the single longest scene, taking place in the 1940s. I'm wearing a wig for the first time in my life, so that's an interesting experience. It's dark black, has a big bun on the back, and two big rolls on the top around a center part. It's weird looking. Everyone thinks the wig is ugly and cast mates have begged me not to wear it. I'm holding firm and have been wearing it because it makes me look so different. I'm also not wearing my glasses and have fairly heavy make up on. After last night's show, a lady I know very well saw me leaving the building and came up to say she had not recognized me as the one singing "At Last" until she checked the program book. GOOD! That's the object. I'm building a character up there, so it was nice not to be recognized. The Arcade scene takes place in the 1980s and is the next-to-last scene in the show. It's only about three minutes long, and I play a biker chick! Pretty fun to do.
Meanwhile, my schedule was quite disrupted Friday and Saturday, having to get up there so early. I had to be there 5:30 for Friday's dress rehearsal, but 4:30 for the three show dates. I get home abut 9 p.m. Both Friday and Saturday, Mark was gone from the early afternoon until about 10 p.m., doing his own thing at the Cove and having fun. I was glad he had something fun to do, but it left me home on Friday for a long time. I grazed and overate too much. Being alone in the house for a few hours is no excuse for losing control, but sadly that is what happened. At least I logged all the food into the app truthfully, so that is why I know my calories Friday were 2600. Yesterday I resolved to do better, and I did. I only went over a little bit, 1400 calories. So, of course, I'm up a pound and a half this morning. I just hope I can knock it off today and report an official weigh in number of 240 again tomorrow.
Today we are heading over to DTD (Downtown Disney) to see the new Captain America movie. It's at 11:15, which means being out of the house from 10 to about 2:30. I'll have a large, late lunch around 3 and that should hold me until I get home from the show. I think today's calories will go pretty well.
Tonight Mark is coming. I hope he enjoys it. I'm in two scenes, Jazz Joint and Arcade. The Jazz Joint opens the show and is the single longest scene, taking place in the 1940s. I'm wearing a wig for the first time in my life, so that's an interesting experience. It's dark black, has a big bun on the back, and two big rolls on the top around a center part. It's weird looking. Everyone thinks the wig is ugly and cast mates have begged me not to wear it. I'm holding firm and have been wearing it because it makes me look so different. I'm also not wearing my glasses and have fairly heavy make up on. After last night's show, a lady I know very well saw me leaving the building and came up to say she had not recognized me as the one singing "At Last" until she checked the program book. GOOD! That's the object. I'm building a character up there, so it was nice not to be recognized. The Arcade scene takes place in the 1980s and is the next-to-last scene in the show. It's only about three minutes long, and I play a biker chick! Pretty fun to do.
Meanwhile, my schedule was quite disrupted Friday and Saturday, having to get up there so early. I had to be there 5:30 for Friday's dress rehearsal, but 4:30 for the three show dates. I get home abut 9 p.m. Both Friday and Saturday, Mark was gone from the early afternoon until about 10 p.m., doing his own thing at the Cove and having fun. I was glad he had something fun to do, but it left me home on Friday for a long time. I grazed and overate too much. Being alone in the house for a few hours is no excuse for losing control, but sadly that is what happened. At least I logged all the food into the app truthfully, so that is why I know my calories Friday were 2600. Yesterday I resolved to do better, and I did. I only went over a little bit, 1400 calories. So, of course, I'm up a pound and a half this morning. I just hope I can knock it off today and report an official weigh in number of 240 again tomorrow.
Today we are heading over to DTD (Downtown Disney) to see the new Captain America movie. It's at 11:15, which means being out of the house from 10 to about 2:30. I'll have a large, late lunch around 3 and that should hold me until I get home from the show. I think today's calories will go pretty well.
Friday, April 4, 2014
"Another one bites the dust."
Another pound that is. This morning I am 240 even.
The last time I weighed 240 was on the my anniversary cruise back in December. I got on the cruise at 238 and off at 243. I guess I hit that 240 somewhere between December 18 and 23.
It's nice to be back, and I am hope to be in the 230s before Monday's weigh in. I'm not sure I can stay there for long though.
All my meals will be at home from now through Monday's weigh in, then there are many chalenges ahead for next week. I'll be eating lunch out on Monday at the Grille, but I know I can get a salmon salad and behave. It should be okay. Tuesday is the cast party for Starliters. On Wednesday, we drive up north for two weeks and a day in Maryland for Passover. That's never the best time of year for losing weight! LOL! I am going to do my best not to overeat the matzoh, but I absolutely LOVE matzoh and butter. OY! I will definitely have to watch that.
At 5:30 tonight I will be at the ballroom getting make up put on by our make up ladies. It's our one big dress rehearsal for the show. Tomorrow is opening night, and all three shows are sold out. It's pretty exciting because I really think this is a great show. My nose is running like a faucet today, so I hope whatever little virus is trying to take root in there can hold off until Tuesday morning! I have zinc lozenges, vitamin C, and non-drowsy formula pills to dry me up. I'm prepared!
The last time I weighed 240 was on the my anniversary cruise back in December. I got on the cruise at 238 and off at 243. I guess I hit that 240 somewhere between December 18 and 23.
It's nice to be back, and I am hope to be in the 230s before Monday's weigh in. I'm not sure I can stay there for long though.
All my meals will be at home from now through Monday's weigh in, then there are many chalenges ahead for next week. I'll be eating lunch out on Monday at the Grille, but I know I can get a salmon salad and behave. It should be okay. Tuesday is the cast party for Starliters. On Wednesday, we drive up north for two weeks and a day in Maryland for Passover. That's never the best time of year for losing weight! LOL! I am going to do my best not to overeat the matzoh, but I absolutely LOVE matzoh and butter. OY! I will definitely have to watch that.
At 5:30 tonight I will be at the ballroom getting make up put on by our make up ladies. It's our one big dress rehearsal for the show. Tomorrow is opening night, and all three shows are sold out. It's pretty exciting because I really think this is a great show. My nose is running like a faucet today, so I hope whatever little virus is trying to take root in there can hold off until Tuesday morning! I have zinc lozenges, vitamin C, and non-drowsy formula pills to dry me up. I'm prepared!
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Thanks to Dana C!
Yesterday I got a private message from one of Evey's girlfriends, Dana C, a faithful reader of this blog. She encouraged me to drink more water. She was right. I have not been monitoring how much water I drink, but I used to do that. Yesterday I made more of an effort. I drank 7 glasses of water, in addition to the 3 cups of caffeinated black coffee and one cup of decaf.
This morning I was down one pound to 241. Yay!
I ate what I was supposed to. I did everything I planned to do. It was a good day.
Today Mark and I went to the NARFE meeting at Outback. We always say no to the bread, but I'm sure the HUGE portion of tilapia and the steamed veggies were high in sodium and oil. They seemed to be swimming in something deliciously liquid on the plate. Even so, breakfast and dinner are at home and controlled. I have estimated the Outback calories as best I can, so I think today will be 1341 calories and sodium at least 1800 mg, but I really don't know what the Outback food had. It's probably going to be well over 2400 mg of sodium, best guess.
It's not looking good for exercise today either, but tomorrow will have weights and walking for sure.
Tomorrow night Starliters has its final dress rehearsal, with an audience. Then begins the four sold out shows. I have to be there early each night, so there will be little time for overeating! I am looking forward to a good weigh in on Monday!
Meanwhile, today is Evey's birthday! Happy 27th birthday, my dear Evey! I wish I could spend the day with you, but I'm sure you are going to have a great time no matter what. I see you have had lots of birthday wishes posted on Facebook already. It also seems that there will be nachos involved somehow tonight! LOL! I know you and Eric love those!
Happy, Happy Birthday, my darling daughter! See you in July.
This morning I was down one pound to 241. Yay!
I ate what I was supposed to. I did everything I planned to do. It was a good day.
Today Mark and I went to the NARFE meeting at Outback. We always say no to the bread, but I'm sure the HUGE portion of tilapia and the steamed veggies were high in sodium and oil. They seemed to be swimming in something deliciously liquid on the plate. Even so, breakfast and dinner are at home and controlled. I have estimated the Outback calories as best I can, so I think today will be 1341 calories and sodium at least 1800 mg, but I really don't know what the Outback food had. It's probably going to be well over 2400 mg of sodium, best guess.
It's not looking good for exercise today either, but tomorrow will have weights and walking for sure.
Tomorrow night Starliters has its final dress rehearsal, with an audience. Then begins the four sold out shows. I have to be there early each night, so there will be little time for overeating! I am looking forward to a good weigh in on Monday!
Meanwhile, today is Evey's birthday! Happy 27th birthday, my dear Evey! I wish I could spend the day with you, but I'm sure you are going to have a great time no matter what. I see you have had lots of birthday wishes posted on Facebook already. It also seems that there will be nachos involved somehow tonight! LOL! I know you and Eric love those!
Happy, Happy Birthday, my darling daughter! See you in July.
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| Evey and Eric on the way to the Magic Kingdom last summer. |
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| Mother and daughter at Magic Kingdom |
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| She baked me some cupcakes last summer at her house on my birthday. |
Wednesday, April 2, 2014
Waiting to drop
My weight is the same today as yesterday, 242. At first I thought I would have to report 243, but for some reason it was back to 242 after I showered, but before breakfast. I was surprised because my sodium was only 1383 mg yesterday and my calories were 1203. I had no special exercise because I didn't have time, but I was active at the rehearsal. I really thought that having low sodium for a day would take care of some weight that might have been water retention since the sodium was very high both Sunday and Monday. Guess not.
Today I will be a good girl again, and I will lift weights and walk, plus go to yet another rehearsal tonight. My calories are planned for 1068 so far, leaving room for a late night or afternoon snack if I want. Sodium should be 1146 pending any added snacks. Maybe tomorrow I will drop a pound. As long as two are gone by the next weigh in, I should be happy. I wanted to break under 240 by Monday. It could still happen. Who knows?
Today I will be a good girl again, and I will lift weights and walk, plus go to yet another rehearsal tonight. My calories are planned for 1068 so far, leaving room for a late night or afternoon snack if I want. Sodium should be 1146 pending any added snacks. Maybe tomorrow I will drop a pound. As long as two are gone by the next weigh in, I should be happy. I wanted to break under 240 by Monday. It could still happen. Who knows?
Tuesday, April 1, 2014
Still on track
Yesterday I ate what I planned, 1263 calories. I increased the weights on the machines and reps on some of the exercises, so the total time increased by five minutes. I walked faster for my 30 minutes, so I went a little farther. That means I burned a few more calories exercising, 192.
Even so, my weight is the same this morning, 242, because of the sodium. Yesterday's sodium count was the highest one that I know of recently, and it's accurate because all of the foods were at home and easily recorded. Are you sitting down? Sodium yesterday was, drum roll please....3891 mg, nearly two days worth. Yeah, hot dogs and chili aren't healthy! I had 97% fat free hot dogs and vegetarian chili, but it's very common that for a food that is low fat to be super high in sodium. There has to be something in there to add taste!
All my meals will be at home again today. The plan is to have 1133 calories with only 1348 mg of sodium. This is nearly perfect for dieting. And if I get hungry in the late afternoon, then there are still abut 200 calories unaccounted for.
This morning Mark and I have dental check ups. Then I'm eating a packed lunch in the car as I drive to my mani/pedi appointment. After that, I'll have a few hours at home to rest and eat dinner before going back to the ballroom for the second rehearsal of Hell Week! Last night's rehearsal went well.
The only wrinkle in today's plan is the lack of exercise. We do the weights on Monday-Wednesday-Friday (sometimes Saturday instead) and try to walk every day. I'm not sure I will get that walk in today, but it should be okay anyway with the rehearsal tonight and the low calorie day.
And the Orioles WON on opening day, 2-1 against the Red Sox. Goo start to the season.
Even so, my weight is the same this morning, 242, because of the sodium. Yesterday's sodium count was the highest one that I know of recently, and it's accurate because all of the foods were at home and easily recorded. Are you sitting down? Sodium yesterday was, drum roll please....3891 mg, nearly two days worth. Yeah, hot dogs and chili aren't healthy! I had 97% fat free hot dogs and vegetarian chili, but it's very common that for a food that is low fat to be super high in sodium. There has to be something in there to add taste!
All my meals will be at home again today. The plan is to have 1133 calories with only 1348 mg of sodium. This is nearly perfect for dieting. And if I get hungry in the late afternoon, then there are still abut 200 calories unaccounted for.
This morning Mark and I have dental check ups. Then I'm eating a packed lunch in the car as I drive to my mani/pedi appointment. After that, I'll have a few hours at home to rest and eat dinner before going back to the ballroom for the second rehearsal of Hell Week! Last night's rehearsal went well.
The only wrinkle in today's plan is the lack of exercise. We do the weights on Monday-Wednesday-Friday (sometimes Saturday instead) and try to walk every day. I'm not sure I will get that walk in today, but it should be okay anyway with the rehearsal tonight and the low calorie day.
And the Orioles WON on opening day, 2-1 against the Red Sox. Goo start to the season.
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