Slow and Steady Wins the Race

Thursday January 29, 2009 Phase Two Day 284:
Yesterday was so weird I never made it to the computer. I walked with friends, ate cereal and decided to stay home. I don’t know why but I just didn’t want to go into the office. First thing I puttered around the house putting away the January snowmen motif and replacing it with Valentines Day loveliness. It was fun to decorate. The previous day I purchased new garden flags for the front and was anxious to see how they looked. Next I got out the quilt fabric I am using for Tiffany’s forthcoming baby girl and started to work. That’s when things began to fall apart. I thought I’d have a lunch before getting started and planned to have leftover taco soup but reached for the tuna & crackers instead. I followed that with a granola bar then heated a big bowl of taco soup. While the soup was warming I ate chips that were meant for the soup. I loaded the soup with more of the chips and added cheese. Wow- what a huge lunch! That did not stop me from having a Skinny Cow. If I would have just got started on the quilt I would have been OK. Finally I made myself begin and then I was on a roll. Later that afternoon and into the evening, if I stopped for a phone call or some other distraction, I would grab a granola bar or Skinny Cow – crazy day!

Today I went to step class then home for cereal. It is my hair day so I left the house and headed across town. Sonnet had a dental procedure that required a driver so I picked her up and got her settled before going to work. I ate a granola bar on the way to work about 11:00. I find that when I eat my cereal early around 7:00, I get hungry earlier. Wanda & I had a date for lunch today – steak salad at the Sugar Mill! It was fabulous! Back home I went to work on the quilt. It is Ladies Night Out tonight. There were tons of sisters from the ward at Frugattii’s. I was not hungry so I just flitted around visiting until people started getting their food then I left. The evening was fun. All I had was a roll and water.

Friday January 30, 2009 Phase Two Day 285:
Good Morning! From the church we walked to my house this morning to make an accounting on ‘Friends through Thick & Thin’ (hereafter known as FTT&T). Everyone did pretty well. I think the $ and actual accountability to one another is a huge help. They were all in for another week. I threw in a few mixed berries to my cereal just to add a serving of fruit to my day. Now I am off to work. Not sure what I will take for lunch.

I snatched a granola bar from the cupboard before leaving and had it on the way to work. I stopped first at the farmer’s market at on of our sites. They offered an apple so I ate one – a Pink Lady, my favorite apple. When I got to the office there were a few leftovers in the break room. I ate some tri-tip and green beans. Sitting around chatting I had a roll then a chocolate bar. Very much an impulse munch. I should have brought in the fruit from the farmer’s market I had in the car to nibble as I talked but I didn’t think of it. I worked all afternoon then went home. After visiting with my Mom (no, I did not have ice cream while I was there. I told myself as I drove over there that I would not have anything to eat there but wait until I got home), I made it home and ate the last cup of Taco soup. I wanted something more so I had a bowl of cereal then topped it off with a Skinny Cow. (Don’t worry they are almost gone).

Saturday January 31, 2009 Phase Two Day 286:
What a fun day. I decided to get up and go to the dump this morning. The trailer is getting pretty full from the remodel and Stephen will have to pick up some sheetrock and other supplies soon, so, I thought I’d get the trailer empty for him. Before leaving I ate a bowl of cereal. Steph was up when I returned. I fixed scrambled eggs with salsa, toast and fruit. ( I only had a bit of eggs.) Sonnet came over and we set out on a few errands. When we returned Stephen had finished framing the wall and setting the door. We cleared out the rest of the room and Monday I think I will try and scrap the entire ceiling.

For lunch I had tuna and crackers and a tangelo. We continued working and puttering all afternoon until it was time to get ready for a friend at work’s wedding. I must say it was a beautiful wedding. The bride looked stunning. Talk about weight loss – here is a young person that had been a chunky little girl and heavy all her adult life. (I only know this because she told me) Now a mature woman of 26, she stands about 5 foot 8 or 9 inches. When we hired her two years ago she was large. Over a year ago she decided she’d had enough of being heavy and took control of the contour of her body. She put herself on Weight Watchers on the internet – she never went to meetings. Well, the rest is history. She began to melt before our eyes. She learned weight management and menu planning by the WW point system and followed it. I do not know the total weight loss in pounds but it would be somewhere around 50 pound I would guess. She has probably dropped about 6 dress sizes. Her wedding gown was shapely and elegant. Good for her!

We arrived early at the Petroleum Club for the reception. A full dinner was served. The place settings had a luscious chocolate ball filled with peanut butter at every plate. They were so delectable I was tempted to go around to empty tables and pilfer them before the unknowing occupants arrived – but I restrained myself. While waiting for the bridal party to arrive hor de’ vors were served. I had pulled pork and avocado on a cracker and a cheese brochette. The dinner began with rolls which were quite good and I did have several during the course of the meal. The entrée was delicious baked chicken, green beans and potatoes. For dessert we, of course, had wedding cake. Back at home I had a Skinny Cow before bed.

Sunday February 1, 2009 Phase Two Day 287:
Today is fast Sunday so nothing before choir. Now at home I am going to heat up the two chicken dinners we came home with last night. A couple at our table left early so we had their dinners boxed up to go. Anyway, I think even though I have a roast with veggies all prepared and sitting in a pot in the frig, we will have the chicken.

Stephen mentioned to me that he read last weeks Pigs to Twigs and thought I should read it not just write it. He said he noticed I indulge more than I adhere. I think he thinks that by reading, I would see that when I let up a little, I open a flood gate of poor eating choices that leads to carefree abandon. What – like that would be a revelation? I know this about myself. I write this about myself. To get a real grasp on the situation he would benefit by reading from the beginning. One week is not a microcosm of the total experience. Now, before I go any father – my husband is my biggest fan. He is more complementary and attentive to me than any husband I know of. He does not criticize my weight, in fact, quite the opposite; he praises me for my progress. He always makes me feel beautiful. I had to add that disclaimer lest any reader might misinterpret my sweetie’s comments.

Last week on my own, before he said anything, I reread week one and two just to remind myself what I was thinking and going through when we began this thing. I wanted to get a bit of strength from earlier days. It was good to relive it. My biggest asset is the exercise component. When I exercise regularly things go better – not perfect but at least I can work off my indulgences so they do not totally derail me. Sonnet is supposed to come over tonight for an evening stroll.

Sure thing we ate the leftover chicken with green beans and potatoes. I fixed a salad to go with. Before it was ready I shared a banana with Stephen. Wonderful dinner.

Monday February 2, 2009 Phase Two Day 288:
What a great day but oh am I pooped. I started today like most Mondays by walking with my friends. Came home and had cereal then I was off to pick up my Mom for swimming. When I got home I grabbed an apple and headed upstairs. For the next few hours I scraped the ceiling and moved furniture from Blake’s room and the new closet. The ceiling chore was very messy but I got the closet done and now have only to finish Blake’s room.

I packed a lunch of salad and tuna & crackers and got to the office just in time to eat it. I worked all afternoon then ran home to change into gym clothes. Sonnet & I planned to try a weight lift class at the 24 hour on this side of town. It was a killer and I know I’ll be sore. Three exercises in one day is more than enough for me. To top it off, when I got home, the last thing to be moved out of Blake’s room was a huge roll of carpet. Stephen & I picked that monster up and hauled it to the balcony. That was the final physical straw for me, I couldn’t believe how pooped I was.

For dinner I made Stephen & I steak salads and they were goooood. Last week when some of the ward girls had a Girl’s Night Out at Frugattii’s, my friend Ann had me try a salad dressing they make there. It was delicious – a subtle blend of creamy Italian and garlic. I bought some and lightly dressed our salads then topped them with steak pieces right from the broiler. I had the last Skinny Cow for dessert. Tomorrow is weigh in day and I am expecting good things. One last thing, today my Blakieboy left for the Army. Wow. I tiered up once when a solder song came on the radio. I sent flowers to Sara. I prayed for them both.

Tuesday February 3, 2009 Phase Two Day 289:
Boy was it hard getting up this morning. Stephen really likes the movie Ground Hog Day and yesterday being Ground Hog Day he wanted to watch it. So, when he finish working on the remodel we started the movie around 9:00. I had a hot chocolate and tried to stay awake, no that is not true. I don’t think I really tried to stay awake. I fell asleep more than half way through. After all the workouts yesterday I was just too tired. I started my period today so that might be another reason for my drained feeling. Anyway, I had a hard time getting up for step class but I sure am glad I did.

Weigh in - Yes, I was down another pound. Slowly but surely wins the race. I just ate cereal and now I need to go in and scrape the rest of the ceiling. Not a fun job but, I just keep thinking of the rooms when they get finished – glorious!

What should I take for lunch today……..the tuna and crackers yesterday was wonderful……maybe. Tonight I will put on the pot roast and veggies that has been waiting in the frig all put together since Saturday night.

.....Here it is 1:30 and I still haven’t had my shower. I have done so much around the house then Stephen came home and we ferried the Jeep into the shop to replace a flat tire. The crossing guard came over last night to let us know the tire was flat. Stephen aired it but it did not hold. Since Steph was in town on business he swung by and together we took care of it. Forget lunch at the office, I had tuna & crackers here but while I was fixing it I had a granola bar. Afterwards I wanted something else, so I treated myself to a banana cut into a bowl of cereal. Yum! Stephen just called to say he will be working a little late so I guess that leaves out the pot roast. I told him I would work late too because I won’t even get there until 2:30 or so. I guess we will be on our own for dinner tonight.

Late afternoon I had an apple and tonight after errands I ended up scrambling some eggs and topped them with salsa and having a tangelo – very good.