Hi, ho, hi ho, it's back to work I go....not that I'm thrilled to be here!

I'm not going to weigh daily as I go nuts if the scale actually shows a weight gain. I have a hard time not taking a hammer to it. I'm convinced that the scale is a tool of the devil to cause discouragement!

Mr. Wonderful got back last night. It's good to have him home. I missed my coffee at the bedside every morning.

I didn't exercise yesterday so felt guilty about it. I did get a two mile "big burn" in before breakfast followed by a shower and a good breakfast. Most of the day I've been doing desk work....guess I'll have to get up and go run around the building a few times.

The day is going well. I just wish I was seeing a more dramatic weight loss.

Daisy Dilemma: What do you do when you start playing "mind games" on yourself?

Labels: Day 9 of 17

Lazy day for me. I had a hold on the book Water for Elephants for about 2 weeks now. Yesterday it came in and I went to the library to pick it up. So I pretty much spent the day in the circus during the 1930's. The movie came out several weeks ago and I decided I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book and read it in one day. Since I'm not an avid reader like Mr. Wonderful that's saying a lot for the book. I have enjoyed my time alone but am looking forward to my honey's return tonight.

This day 8 of 17.....I've not cheated or snacked so I'm quite proud of myself. I've exercised every day except today and will when I finish this post.

Thanks Sara Gruen for a most enjoyable read.


Daisy Dilemma: Do you ever read a good book for a non food reward? I think I like the idea more and more.

Labels: Day 8 of 17

Most diet books I've read talk about "Vision Casting"....dreaming about what you want and how it will be when you accomplish the task before you. So hear goes.

When I lose my weight I'll be able to wear cute clothes. I know this sounds so superficial but I've been a "big girl" most of my life. My hubby used to tell me he marveled that I could get dressed so quickly for an evening out. It really wasn't hard when you only have a few items of clothing that actually fit you. I have noticed that as I lose weight and have more clothing options it takes me longer as I keep changing my mind . I still don't like what I see in the mirror but my body is changing everyday.

When I lose my weight I'll be able to buy clothing off the rack. Again, this sounds so superficial but I've always hated going shopping with other people because nothing fit me at a "regular store". I was always the fat friend that held the bags while everyone else tried on clothing.

When I lose my weight I won't have seat belt anxiety and will feel more confident to get on an airplane. Seat belt anxiety...will the seat belt fit or will I have to ask for an extension. Will the pull down table have room to pull down? Will I "lap over" my seat allowance and crowd my seat mate? Will the airline insist that I buy two seats! All real anxieties I've faced.

When I lose my weight I'll be able to dance at my son's wedding without embarrassing either of us. My son is in love with a fabulous girl and there is a wedding somewhere in my future. I want to be able to dance with my son and celebrate with him as he starts a new future with his bride.

When I lose my weight I'll be able to have more energy and do more "living" and less observing. It seems like we are in a rut, eat, sleep, work. I would like to do more living and less existing. As much as I hate to exercise I want to be able to climb stairs and not be "winded". I don't want my joints to ache because of some physical exertion. They say for every pound you lose you take off 4 pounds of pressure off your joints.

When I lose my weight I'll be able to play on the floor with my grand-babies and not worry "Will I be able to get back up?" Little boys and girls like to play cars, build blocks, roll balls all on the floor. I can get down all right....getting back up is always a challenge.

When I lose my weight I'll be able to accomplish a life time goal and be more confident and carry myself with more poise and grace. For as long as I can remember I've always been the fat girl, I look around the room and try to find some one bigger than I am. Most time, I am the biggest person in the room. I feel awkward and self-conscious. Losing my weight would be a life time goal that I've never quite been able to accomplish.

Whew! Well there they are! Probably nothing new or great insight but mine nonetheless! I'm a week into the 17 day diet and so far it is going well. I'm hopeful, which is an emotion I haven't felt in a long time.

Yesterday went well. I cleaned out my closet of winter clothing, clothing that I'm sure I won't ever wear, and clothing I wouldn't wear even if I could. Needless to say it won't take me long to choose what I'm going to wear in the morning now. I boxed up clothing that is the next size down so I can get to them easily. I got 11,000 steps in just working in the house. I didn't "veg out" in front of the TV till yesterday evening and by then I was really tired and enjoyed the break. No snacking or grazing either.

Today has already started and I'm behind....speaking of behinds, I need to get mine in motion.

Daisy Dilemma: What do you dream of doing when your weight is no longer an issue?

Labels: Vision casting

Yep, you guessed it....me while exercising! Not a pretty picture I assure you but nevertheless it has to be done and so far I've been faithful at it.

Today Mr. Wonderful left to go to a conference in South Carolina. I had two options. A) Go off to work without him B) stay home and get some of my projects done. I choice option B. I have been very good about writing up a "To Do List" and crossing things off to make sure I use my time wisely. Otherwise I tend to veg out in front of the TV or curl up with a book and wonder why the house fairies didn't come to clean.

So far I've done 3 loads of laundry, put them away, did the BIG BURN workout with Leslie Sansone (and didn't die), changed the table cloth which led to cleaning out my cedar chest, vacuumed out the cedar chest and the entire house and now I'm looking for places to put the items I removed from the cedar chest. Seems like the more I clean the more mess I make! As you can see just another Monday Morning in Paradise!

The Big Burn workout was intervals and two miles. I liked the video because she warms you up, takes you through the intervals and cools you down. It really made me sweat without causing me physical harm! (always a good thing). I think I'll try doing the interval training at least 3 times a week.

No weight loss today....boo! No weight gain....Yay! I'm cooking up chicken and turkey on the grill for the next few days just to make sure I have something to snack on when I'm hungry that I can eat and still stay on program.

The new tennis shoes are getting broken in and they really are much better for exercising. I'm still looking for the exercise I enjoy. Till then I'm enduring (but not with a lot of grace!)

Daisy Dilemma: What's your favorite form of torture...ah, exercise?

Labels: Day 6 of 17

Well, I wondered how I would do over the weekend....no work schedule, plenty of opportunity to raid the refrigerator and lots of time to myself. I was pleased that I didn't cheat or make unscheduled trips to graze.

Mr. Wonderful and I set up my gym. He even set up a TV so I can watch TV while walking on the treadmill. I was quite pleased with the outcome. Bless his heart, it was lots of hard dirty work to run the cable!

We spent Saturday afternoon running around Waynesboro and Staunton doing errands. By the time we got home I wasn't in the mood to exercise so I only got about 5,000 steps in. I did get a new pair of sneakers to give me some stability while I exercise.

I was thrilled to find out I've lost 6 pounds this morning (Sunday). I got up at 6:30 and got my two mile walk in first thing. We also watched Charles Stanley on TV as well as Joel Osteen before I got ready for church.

The day has gone well, the weekend has gone well. My next big challenge is getting past the next 3 days while Mr. Wonderful is gone to a conference. In the past I've indulged myself with food. I need to get past this old way of dealing with my emotions.

So, here's to some new challenges!

Daisy Dilemma : How do you break old habits?

Labels: the weekend

Well, my 17 day diet is still going well but then I'm only 3 days into it. So far, I haven't had to resort to the picture on the left . We will see though, I guess it's a viable option!

I found a weight loss tracker and successfully put it on my blog. I know that doesn't sound like a big thing but with my limited computer skills I was quite pleased. I also found a printable weight loss tracker that advocates weighing yourself daily. I printed it, put it on a clip board and have it next to the scale now. I was very pleased to find I had a dropped a pound since yesterday. Yay me!!! So now I'm down 4 pounds! I did manage to get over 10.000 steps in yesterday too.

I tend to start well but not follow through.

Last night went well. I didn't snack or make my nightly pilgrimage to the refrigerator. I did get all my water in, but noticed I got a really bad headache after dinner. Some Advil, cup of coffee, and warm compress finally made it go away. I don't think it was the result of the diet but will see if it happens again.

So far this morning has gone well. I bring lunch so it will not be a problem. This is my first weekend on this diet and will be a good indicator how committed I am to this eating plan.

Daisy Dilemma: How do you motivate yourself to exercise?

Labels: Day 3 of 17

Well, I survived yesterday and today is looking pretty good too.

I'm eating grilled turkey burgers or grilled chicken. I loved grilled veggies especially with Vidalia Onions so eating non starchy veggies grilled with a little bit of Olive Oil and seasoned with Mrs. Dash and a little sea salt has not been a sacrifice at all.

This morning I had an omelet with southwest egg beaters and some onion. Our strawberries have finally gotten ripe so I had some strawberries fresh from the garden too. They are really small but oh so sweet.

I walked for 17 minutes on the treadmill yesterday....at 2.2 miles per hour and at a 50% incline. I survived but will probably have to have a TV in my gym to distract me while I walk. This morning I did a two mile walk with Leslie Sansone DVD. I need to incorporate some other DVD's into my routine for diversity. So far I've not found anything that I just love to do....I have to face it that I may never enjoy exercise but I definitely need to do it everyday.

My gym is starting to take shape. We will probably work on it some more this weekend. Every day we think of new ways to improve it.

I've wanted to go to Boston for the last 3 years and I'm thinking that if I make my goal of losing 30 pounds by September 1st that is what I would definitely enjoy. Usually our trips involve seeing relatives and have very little to do with just the enjoyment of travel....so this would be a trip to just enjoy Boston .

I didn't snack last night or make my nightly visitations to the refrigerator.

Daisy Dilemma: What do you do to reward yourself for meeting a big goal?

Labels: 2nd day out of 17

The doctor is IN....

It's been a while since I've blogged but I'm back with fresh insight and fresh enthusiasm.

After gaining 20 pounds I've decided I need to stop what I've been doing and regroup.

I started unofficially yesterday and officially today.

I'm doing the 17 day diet. The first phase is called the accelerated phase and is basically Atkins with the exception of two servings of fruit a day and one of yogurt. I love fruit and am crazy about yogurt so it seems like a good fit for me. I do need to get sugar and carbs out of my life and out of my system. I might not be able to do it forever but I can swing 17 days.

I learned that I need to set some goals. So my goal is to lose 30 pounds by September 1st....three months. I've already talk to Mr. Wonderful and told him my idea and that I need to have a great reward for reaching that first goal. He agreed!

Over the weekend he bought a treadmill and a recumbent bike for me for 30 dollars for both. We are repurposing our guest room into a gym. Our guest room only gets used maybe once a year if that so we have already taken down the bed and stored the mattress and box spring next to the wall. The guest room has an air conditioner so it won't be hot. The 17 day diet says you must exercise for at least 17 minutes twice a day. I think i can do that even though I hate to exercise.

I lost 3 pounds since yesterday....so Yay me....only 27 to go.

Daisy Dilemma: What motivates you?

Labels: The 17 Day Diet