Well, the "episode" has pasted. My BP was 113/68 this morning....(Woo hoo!). Same old aches and pains but nothing noteworthy of a "systems check".

I took Leslie on for 3 miles this morning. She dragged my butt all over the living room but both of us survived. (Her perkiness level never seemed to waver....even though mine went from perky to pooped).

I'm sitting by the phone to hear from daughter number one on the sex of our baby. How is it that the phone never rings when you want it too?

The scale is finally moving in correct direction .....(down by 4 pounds so far!) I would do a happy dance but I've had the victory dance over these pounds before so it would just be a rerun dance.

I have some fabulous clothes from my sister. I have clothes I can wear right now, some the next size down and some smaller than that. Wow, something to look forward to!!

Her "leftovers" were a lot better than my "first overs!" She has lost 40 pounds now. I have too! (only my were yoyo pounds so they don't count!) But I digress.....looking fabulous certainly helps you self esteem.
I may have to get Mr. Wonderful to take me out on the town!

Daisy Dilemma: Life in Balance? Hmmm....now there's a concept.

Quote of the Day: Self delusion is pulling in your stomach when you step on the scales. - Paul Sweeney

Mood: excited! even more so when ever I hear about my new baby!

What's going on?

Woke up this morning (Thank you Jesus!) Just not feeling quite right. Kind of fuzzy headed, just a hint of a headache, and my ears ringing with a dull pain in my back. Old age....I tell myself.....get up, get going, get some coffee it will pass.

It didn't pass. So I tell myself, ignore it, do something else, don't dwell on it. So I start packing up a box for my pregnant Canadian daughter.

Then I start feeling "ishy" (don't just love my medical terminology?) Ok, I say to myself, I need to eat breakfast, it's just my body telling me it's out of fuel this morning.

So I have a lovely breakfast of garden vegetable egg beaters and a lovely dish of strawberries on the side. I drink my water, throw in a load of laundry and debate whether I want to tackle Leslie's perkiness this morning. Leslie lost.

I have my devotions and tell God it would be really nice if he could just take this "feeling of dread away", I put on praise music and sit down at the computer for some distraction.

I field several calls of friends having problems far worse than mine and causually mention not feeling very good with no real symptoms just "not quite right". After several lectures I call my doctor only to find out that he has Wednesday's off and the earliest appointment I can get is September 12th.

I talk myself into feeling better, take my cell phone and go gather tomatoes from the garden. (The cell phone was for calling 911 and letting them I'm in the back yard just in case!) I start feeling worse (do you think it has anything to do with standing on my head looking for tomatoes in the heat?.....I thought so to!)

I come back inside, drink more water, cool down, call Mr. Wonderful who is always great for calming me down. We start putting the puzzel pieces together. I have been to the doctor twice in the last month and both times my Blood pressure has been elevated. I had put it down to feeling lousy from the urninary tract infection and also "White Coat Syndrome" (I always get nervous right before seeing the gynoclologist!

Mr. Wonderful suggests I go to the fire station (literally just down the street) and have them take my BP. I have been on BP medication for 20 years. They take my pressure and it is 170/85. That's high for some one on medication. (Not stroke high.....but high!)

So I am starting to think that my BP has probably been on the rise for quite awhile and I just didn't know it. I did leave a message with the Doctor's nurse to see if she can work me in before Sept. 12th. My good friend is here "babysitting" me.

We are going through my sister's fat clothes, having a fashion show. She brought her bp monitior and I'm buying one this afternoon to keep track of it.

I'm feeling better.....isn't it remarkable what new clothes and friends will do for you?

Daisy Dilemma: Bought a monitor this afternoon and blood pressure is 130/80 now.

Quote of the Day: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets.

Mood: Definitely Confused

15 Weight-Loss Tips That Work
By Liz Zack 24/11/2004


Need some great suggestions on how to lose weight and keep it off for good? Few people know the road to weight-loss better than those who've already traveled it. We spoke to more than a dozen people, all of whom have lost between 26 and 94 pounds*, and asked them for their best tips on how to slim down.



If you've gotta splurge, splurge on veggies instead of chocolate. – Deena (lost 73 lbs*.)


I don't save too-big clothes anymore. If it's not a 10 or smaller, it goes to Goodwill! – Susan (lost 26 lbs*.)


A portion primer: Have half of what other people consider a "regular" serving. – Hilda (lost 45 lbs*.)


Weight management starts in the grocery store. Don't bring it home if you can't control it. – Stephanie (lost 35 lbs*.)


I love regular soda and hated the diet stuff until I started adding a lemon slice — instant taste! – Michelle (lost 65 lbs*.)


Try 94% fat-free microwave popcorn. If I'm in the mood for spice, I add Cajun seasoning. If I want sweet, I'll sprinkle one packet of sugar on it. – Helene (lost 94 lbs*.)


Rather than pouring dressing all over your salad, dip your fork into the dressing (which you order on the side) before spearing the lettuce. You'll be using 1/3 the dressing but getting a satisfying taste. – Diane (lost 50 lbs*.)


It's not about eating as little as possible but eating what your body needs. Eating too little may slow down your metabolism. – Amy (lost 35 lbs*.)


When you're at a party, split one portion in two. Then you can go back for seconds. – Karen (lost 91 lbs*.)


Look your best during the losing process. Don't wait to buy new clothes until you've reached your goal weight. Buy pants that fit you now. – Stephanie (lost 35 lbs*.)


I do a lot of self-talk. I keep telling myself, "I don't need this chocolate bar. I don't need this chocolate bar." – Caroline (lost 37 lbs*.)


Substitute a small spoon for the bigger one. That way you can enjoy the cereal, soup, whatever for a longer period of time. And keep a one-cup bowl handy so that you don't have to measure all the time. – Ricardo (lost 61 lbs*.)


Frozen dinners are a quick and easy way to watch your calorie intake and portion size — especially if you're working late and might otherwise order take-out! – Sandra (lost 44 lbs*.)


Don't give up your favourite high-fat recipes, just tweak them and make smart substitutions. – Michelle (lost 81 lbs*.)


My friends and I love to eat out socially — a lot. Still, I've found that if I bring a snack or eat before I join them, I set myself up for success. – Nicole (lost 56 lbs*.

Ok, I got through the day......I excercised, I ate well, I got a few tasks completed....so where is the promised endorphines? Where's the buzz, the elation, the BOY AM I EXCITED attitude?

I made myself do it today......and I will make myself do it tomorrow.

Does it ever get easier?

Fact: The average American adult comsumes three hamburgers and four orders of fries every week. Wow! That's hard to believe!

Fact: Our perception of our own attractiveness gets better with time. Women tend to think they look prettier now than they did a few months ago and they expect to get even better-looking in the future.

Researchers say this tendency to downgrade your old self and upgrade the person you are today helps you feel better about where you are right now. So.....here's to getting better looking tomorrow.

P.S. Think I just figured out why I'm so glum chum.....think I'll follow my own advice ...see soul stretch on Lazy Daisy Log.

Ok, I so understand. I realize that along with being sick last week I also inherited temporary insanity. I apparently can only deal with one crisis at a time and this is usually the weigh I deal with it.

It's Monday. All good diets start on Monday. So I am listening to the wake up call. Leslie Sansone forgave me for ignoring her last week and was her same perky self this morning during our two mile walk....(Did I ever tell you how much I hate perky in the morning?)

I talked with my new mommy-to-be and she slapped some sense into me too.

Sorry ladies.....I occasionally need a kick in the butt to get me going again. Yes, I am heading in the right direction now.

(Put down that spoon and slowly back away from the freezer and no one will get hurt.)

Daisy Dilemma: Where is the diet police when you need them?

Quote of the day: You see - in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know! Knowing is not enough! You must take action. (Author unknown.)

Mood: Feeling stupid, feeling small

Lately my life has been very much like this cartoon....what started out as a good thing is out of balance right now.

I started out well......

I just sort of lost it in the middle.

I really want to finish well, but in order to do that I have to be a lot better at the middle part.

I've discovered that the middle part is important.

What's an oreo without the creamy middle double stuff? (Just two hard chocolate cookies!)

What's a sandwich without the middle stuff? Just two dry pieces of bread.

What's a book without the "middle stuff? ( Just two scenes without a plot.)

So drop some bread crumbs that I can follow.....I'm lost right now looking for a path.

This is a SHOUT OUT......to my favorite floozie (as a matter of fact the only self- professed floozie I know.....my good friend Flip Flop (aka Sandy).

Sandy has been going through a really down time lately and occasionally forgets how special she really is to all of us who know her.

She recently did her count down of blessings and this was one of her entries!

"I am blessed with having lost 25 lbs. and 30 inches...lets not forget that!!"

Since this is my weight loss blog, I believe in celebrating life and applauding each other's victories. Weight loss may be a million dollar business but it is also a very long lonely personal journey. This journey has many set-backs and disappointments along the way and it is easy to get distracted or even quit. It is so encouraging to have cheerleaders and (butt-kickers) along the way to cheer us on or draw from their strength when ours have been depleated.

So the "Smelly Sneakers Award" goes to Flip Flop Floozie for her faithfulness in going to curves and for her incredible shrinking figure. You Go Girl.....You have always been my hero.

1. HUMOR BUTTON: CAUTION: HUNGRY DIETER, MAY BITE IF PROVOKED
2. DIETING IS WISHFUL SHRINKING
3. SKINNY PEOPLE TICK ME OFF!!! Especially when they say things like, "You know sometimes I forget to eat." Now I've forgotten my address, my mother's maiden name, and my car keys, but I have never forgotten to eat. You have to be a special kind of stupid to forget to eat.--SIOUXSIE Q
4. DIETING IS THE PENALTY FOR LIVING BEYOND YOUR SEAMS. --Daniel L. Worona
5. A diet is the modern-day meal in which a family counts its calories instead of its blessings.
6. Most people gain weight by having intimate dinners for two...alone.
7. The toughest part of a diet isn't watching what you eat. It's watching what other people eat.
8. EVERYONE had weighed in, and our diet-workshop leader began her lecture on the week's topic — the problems of dining out. She talked about alternatives, such as requesting diet sodas and dressings, and having meat broiled instead of fried. Finally she turned the question over to the group for discussion. "What is the greatest problem you encounter when going out to eat?" Replied one woman quickly, "Running into you!"
9. NEVER a good dieter, my mother was in the "on-again" phase of her "on-again, off-again" diet plan. She loves sweets, and one day I caught her pouring chocolate syrup into a cup. "What are you doing?" I demanded. "I'm saving calories," she insisted. "I'm eating it without the ice cream."
10. AFTER noticing how trim my husband had become, a friend asked me how I had persuaded him to diet. It was then I shared my secret: "I put our teenage son's shorts in his underwear drawer."
11. AFTER my husband asked me to help him shed some unwanted pounds, I stopped serving fattening TV snacks and substituted crisp celery. While he was unenthusiastically munching on a stalk one night, a commercial caught his attention. As he watched longingly, a woman spread gooey chocolate frosting over a freshly baked cake. When it was over, my husband turned to me. "Did you ever notice," he asked, "that they never advertise celery on TV?"
12. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst, for they are sticking to their diets.
13. Coffee, Chocolate, Men ... Some things are just better rich.

How's this for a healthy snack?

Just kidding!

Guess what I lost this week?

Hmmm.... my health, my mind, my sense of humor, my will to live, about 5 friends, my motivation, my temper, not to mention 7 days!

Yep, that just about covers it! The antibiotics are slowing getting rid of my urinary tract infection...( which made feel like I was peeing razor blades!) But the antibiotic make me feel bad too. So it's a trade off for now on "how bad do you want to feel?"

Good health is a blessing ( Thank you Jesus!) .......so on to bigger and better things.

Now a Motivational Momment from our Sponsor.................... my hero Melli!

I'm hoping to lose TEN pounds BEFORE Friday!!! LOL! Hmmmm... just 48 hours... okay - I'm off to pedal now!!! And then maybe do some walking with Leslie Sansone... and then I'll jog around the block, swim a couple of miles, take the dog for a run, play a few games of tennis, row from here to Solomon's Island and back and run the Marine Corp Marathon, just for good measure!

OY! Repeat after me... slow and steady wins the race... slow and steady wins the race... slow and steady wins the race... I will not beat myself up... I will not beat myself up... I will NOT beat myself up... DO YOU HEAR ME DAISY??? I will NOT beat myself up!!!

Author's Note: Try a different book Melli......Repeat after me...I think I can....I think I can....I thought I could....I thought I could.


Daisy Dilemma: Second verse, same as the first, a whole like louder and a whole lot worse.... I know the drill, get up, dust yourself off, start again.



Quote of the Day:There is no love sincerer than the love of food. - George Bernard Shaw


Mood:

Welcome to The Black Star Bistro......also known as my front porch. These cuties are my adorable daughter Suzy and handsome hubby Tim.

What a delightful but quick weekend we had. Suzy brought the star for me and I think we found the perfect place to display it.

We were able to do some fun things. (Like satisfy her craving for Chick-fil-a) it seems to just affect the female portion of my family. We were also able to go to the seasonal Green Valley Book Fair where I bought my new grandbaby to be some cardboard books (good for teething on) and the cutest stuff bear.

I did tell my Canadian cutie if this is a grrrl.....you know her very southern Diva well have to get her, her own stuffed flamingo! I doubt any of her Canadian grandparents will see the significance or necessity.

I'm almost back to the land of the living. Thank God for antibiotics! More later!

Don't mind me.....I'm sick as a dog and of course my doctor is on vacation this week. So it's off to Emergicare or what we affectionately call , " Doc in a Box". There usually a 2 hour wait (and that's on a good day!)

If I live I'll post about it! If not, I won't have to worry about over-eating.


Daisy Dilemma: How is it that I seem to get sick whenever my doc is out of town?

Quote of the Day: Enjoy life. Think of all the women who passed up dessert on the Titanic
. - Unknown

Mood: Just kill me now and get it over with!

Visualizing is a great thing to do when you are losing weight. One of my favorite games is to visualize what life will be like when I'm leaner. I like to visualize some things I will be able to do and enjoy again.

What's better than pretending what life will be like when you are leaner?....achieving a goal in real life! The goal can be wearing your skinny jeans again, being able to hula hoop, hike the Appalachian trail, or go out dancing.

The nominees for the lean cuisine award are:

Flip Flop Floozie for her role in "The Incredible Shrinking Woman"
Twisted Cinderella for her role in "Rella in One-derland"
My sister for "The Emperors New Clothes" (she sent me her fat clothes that fall off her now!)
Melli, for "Roller Coaster named Desire"

May I have the envelope please?.........(music begins to swell, camera sweeps to each of the nominees who are sitting at the edge of their seat in breathless anticipation)......and the Oscar goes to ........Melli, in her stirring rendition of "Roller Coaster named Desire" (Crowd goes wild, confetti falls from the ceiling, friends and family beginning hugging her, as Melli makes her way to the stage.

Melli speaks:
"When I started dieting one of my BIG GOALS was to BE ABLE to ride roller coasters again. The LAST time I was at Six Flags I could only ride ONE with the help of a seat belt extension - and I couldn't even SQUEEZE myself IN to ROAR - they would not have had to worry about harnesses or lap belts to keep me in if I had! Today I was able to ride ALL of the roller coasters -- and never needed a seatbelt extension for ANY of them. This was VERY exciting for me, because I truly AM a roller coaster enthusiast!

Congratulations Melli!!! YOU Rock! May all your goals come true.

This would be funny if it didn't look so much like me.




Thanks for the reminder my friend Floozie!










What do you think?



It could definitely be a cartoon character of me.



Should I be insulted?



Good thing we're such good friend!


I thought it was funny Sandy!

This is a special weekend as my baby girl is coming home....kill the fatten calf, break out the sparkling cider, and prepare to party.

Yesterday was her birthday (thanks to all of you who gave her a shout-out). They have been moving the last couple of weeks so are bringing home a bunch of Boy Wonder's things.
(His apartment is smaller so mom gets to store his things!)

Good News: Their apartment is bigger so they will be taking back many of the items they have stored here for the last two years. (Note: It will probably be an even trade....but I can dream can't I?)


Boy Wonder's birthday is Sunday the 20th ( he is turning 25 so be prepared to read 25 things about his wonderfulness over at the Log.) Melli: Do your kids read your blog and compare what you said about them compared to their siblings? Just wondered?

All bets are off this weekend.....but I will exercise and use portion control.....honest! (She says while crossing her fingers behind her back!)

I am what I eat ???
If it were true I am what I eat,
I'd have hamburgers instead of feet.
I'd have hot-dogs instead of toes,
bananas for fingers and a cucumber nose.

I'd have a cabbage in place of my head,
And I'd have no thighs, just two loaves of bread.
I'd have Jell-O arms that shake and jiggle,
And cauliflower ears that I could not wiggle.

I'd have drumsticks instead of legs,
And I'd have no eyes, just two boiled eggs.
I guess this big pizza on which I sit,
Is the reason my slacks don't fit.

I'd surely have oatmeal where my brain should be,
If I really believed this applied to me.
For I don't believe that saying is true,
I am not what I eat and neither are you.
~Author Unknown~

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind."

– Theodore Seuss Giesel

Here's What to Do:

• Check for those stress-overeating triggers and get help from a counselor if you need help assessing your current stress management.
• Prevent the problem from getting worse by integrating physical activity into your daily life. Walk two to three miles a day; it will help calm you down throughout the day and also curb your appetite.
• Get up and get busy. Rip a closet apart, clean your car or consider cleaning something that definitely won't make you want to eat — like your cat's litter box!
• Eat to prevent stress overeating by never skipping meals, and making sure you get that mid-afternoon mini meal-snack in — high quality protein, fat and carbs. How about a cup of soup and a piece of fruit, one-half of a sandwich of whole-wheat pita and chicken or turkey, or yogurt with sliced almonds in it?
• Try to have protein at every meal, as it's satisfying and helps when you feel vulnerable to stress overeating.
• Late-night overeating can be helped with appropriate substitutions, including low-fat energy bars. Jellos and nonfat puddings topped with nonfat whipped topping, or a piece of low-fat cheese and fruit also help.
• Look for things that give you joy — whether it's a painting, a funny book or a treasured paperweight. They can help to calm you down when you're stressed.

In the best of all worlds, it's best to address the stress and learn to stop chewing on it — with healthy food!

Busy day.....lots of activity. Exercised, moved 30 to 40 pound boxes all day.....ate well and would expect a big pay off.....

Is it reasonable to set up goals for the week if you are only going to be disappointed if you don't reach them?

Am I setting myself up for failure?

Are my goals realistic? Will my expectations affect my attitude if I can't meet them?

I know I didn't gain this weight over night and I won't lose it over night either so what gets you through the day? Faithfulness to the eating plan and exercise?

Do you have a goal in mind for how much weight you want to lose in a week?

Do you tend a higher goal than what you can resonable attain?

Daisy Dilemma: Some weighty questions

Quote of the Day: We never repent of having eaten too little. - Thomas Jefferson

Mood: questioning

For those of you like me who like big print, the poster reads as follows:

For Every Winner there are dozens of losers.
Odds are you are one of them!


Ok, if I were an alcoholic I would be checking into Betty Ford about now.

I have been stressed, lonely, frustrated, angry, and exhausted.


Any one of them is bad ......add them up and it's diasterous. Is it time for an intervention yet?



I'm back on track.....after all it is Monday right? One foot in front of the other.....head up, goal in sight, forgetting what lies behind I press on.

There is ground to reclaim. Shake off the dust, put on the track shoes, face to the wind. Yes, my ego is bruised and I am so tired of these self-inflicted wounds. (Floozie if you can find the switch in my head, feel free to turn it off!)

Confession is good for the soul.....the wretched scale says I've gained 7 pounds. So much for not weighing every day....back to being obcessive compulsive.

Daisy Dilemma: Was the momentary pleasure worth the price I'm paying now?

Quote of the Day: Never eat more than you can lift. - Miss Piggy

Mood: blue, blue, blue

Note to Melli: Just used my frustration and stress level to complete the 3 mile walk with Leslie. I've never gotten all the way through it before!!!.....(I didn't use the hand weights as I was already carrying extra weight. ) I yelled and whooped at the TV.....it might have looked like I was enthusiastic but it was great stress release and must not have been too loud as Fire and Rescue Team didn't respond.

Feature Article

10 Tips on how to keep motivated doing exercise
By SlimBody4Life™ | 19/03/2004

If you've been exercising for over a month, you're probably feeling pretty impressed with yourself - and so you should! On the other hand, perhaps you are feeling a little less motivated than you'd like to and are struggling to get going? Either way, to keep up or re-establish your motivation levels - here are 10 great tips that work! 1. Don’t push too hard If you push yourself too hard every time you exercise, you will get tired and sore and lose motivation very quickly. It’s important to moderate your exercise and vary the intensity and type of exercise you do.

2. Don’t beat yourself up if you miss a workout.
As soon as you miss a workout, re-motivate yourself. This is the danger zone, the time when most people start giving up.
So if you miss one workout, don't worry about it. If you miss one, you miss one. You can't bring it back, so just keep on going and don't beat yourself up about it.

3. Invite a friend to train with you
If motivation levels are falling; why not invite a friend to train with you? You will be surprised at how quickly time will fly. Motivating each other will also help encourage you to keep at it.

4. Stay active every day
Apart from your normal training schedule, try doing something active everyday, i.e. walking to work, climbing stairs instead of taking elevators or escalators, or try to do some gardening on the weekend.
You will feel so much better at the end of every day and more likely to get a good night's rest.

5. Treat yourself
Don't feel like you can't indulge or treat yourself now and then. Give yourself a reward for every successful week of training.

6. Believe in yourself
Even if you have never been one for exercise, or are one who always drops out of programmes, you must believe that you can change.
Be positive and know that you can do it, and that you will do it. It might be difficult most days, but just move forward and become the new fitter and positive you.

7. Don’t give up.
Are you one of those people who finds it easier to give up things than to take them up? Are you someone who would rather change their eating habits than to start exercising? Well remember that human beings were designed to eat as well as exercise. You can't do one without the other. You need to balance them both out so that you don't harm your body. So take it up and keep it up.

8. Be patient with yourself.
You will probably find that you have more time and motivation on some days than others. Try to do more when you can, and don't worry if you have to do less. If you injure yourself or get sick, don't feel guilty. A short period without exercise is not a
Some days you will be more motivated or have more time than other days. When possible, do more. When you can't, do less, or do something different. When you can't exercise for a while because of illness, injury, or demands on your time, back off without guilt. A brief period of not exercising is not a disaster.

9. Develop an exercise habit.
It takes weeks to form a habit. So keep at it, knowing the more consistent you are in the beginning, the more fixed your new activity will become.

10. Keep a record of your progress.
Sometimes it's hard to see or know how well you are doing. Try to keep a journal or diary of your workouts, as well as what you eat every day. By doing this, you will be able to compare results over time and you will see what is and what isn't working. You will see that as time goes on that you are really making progress.

The exercise for the day is to picture yourself thin. What activity will you enjoy more when you are leaner?

I have always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon but have always been scared to death to try it.

I have let my weight dictate what activities I will participate in and which ones I don't even dare think about.

The thought of soaring in the air in a little wicker basket at my current weight sounds really foolish right now.