Christmas is over....

Now that the Christmas season is over, we need to remember to stick with our journey's.  Even though I stuck like made I didn't lose or gain and stayed the same.  I also weighed in in different clothing which were heavier than usual, so maybe I did lose. Christmas season is a hard time to be on a journey.

My diabetes though has been under control and I haven't had a spike in ages.  I have gone low a couple of times but no highs!

I am also down a size in clothing.  I think everything has shifted to my feet but my shoe size is the same.

As Fawn puts it a New Year a New You!  Can't wait till that happens, even though it has already started!

Reason I am doing this....

In all of our lives bad things just happen to walk into it and this has been one of those weeks!  I have though stuck to my journey because I want to change.

My husband has not been able to keep things down now since Monday.  Today he has been sleeping a lot.  He is getting sick just from the smell of things cooking.  I had hummus and veggies for a snack and he thought that I was eating seafood and you guessed it-he ran to the bathroom!

Money seems to be a challenge also.  I think as adults we wish that it grew on trees and could get everything our children and grandchildren wanted, but we don't have endless pockets.  They forget what Christmas is all about and the stores don't help by commercializing it so much.  Don't get me started on our government or I won't stop!

On Monday when I was supposed to weigh in, I was sick in bed with aches, headache and you name it I had it.  I am still trying to get over that.  I also went to see the surgeon regarding my hernia, boy what great news I got.  The hernia is too large to be operated on.  It extends from the bottom of my rib cage to the top of my hip bone, about 1/2 way across my stomach area and 1/2 across my back.  IT IS HUGE!  The doctor said he could operate but my left side would not be able to move, it would be like a board put in there.  My quality of life would be zippo and I could lose my life also!.. It would be a dangerous surgery!

Well, sorry for all the bad news but the good news is that I am doing my journey and I am looking forward to my first goal  to loose 15 more pounds.  Christmas is a hard time to be on a journey but I know that all of us will prevail and make it to our goals!
To everyone a Merry Christmas and look for ward to the new year!!

another party

All of these parties are starting to get me down.  All the food today it is lasagna, salaDs
, Italian bread and tons of soda and deserts.  I will journey forward THOUGH.  i AM GOING TO BLOG MORE LATER.

Sister in law invite to dinner...

Well, my sister in law just called and has invited Joe and I to go out to dinner with them at their expense.  So a challenge arises.  Before when they took us out I did fine (they love a local Chinese buffet) I just had crab legs, fresh shrimp and salad.  Oops, forgot the Chinese tea!  I like this place but there are a lot of temptations.
Tomorrow is the trip to Rochester to see the surgeon for my head.  I do know that I have a brain I have pictures of it.  Hopefully he will say that I do not need surgery.  I don't have that many brain cells left as it is!!!
Well, off I go to dinner.  I'll let everybody know how I do.  Joe will be my spy!!

I am back....

What a terrible week I have had, even though I lost another 1/2 pound.  Found out I am drinking too much milk.  The weather here in Elmira has been frigid and I just can't seem to get my walks in.  I would become a Jack Frost.
Been partying but watching what I eat.  Under the guidance of Fawn I am getting there.  Last night we had a local board party at Pastor Larry's and Marcy's and I got to eat lots of (1 slice) of roast beef, lots of fruit and about a teaspoon of coleslaw.  My cup of green tea and water were of an excellent vintage!
I have found with my journey that I rely on others to help me along.  When I had my lap band surgery in 2007 I received no nutritional help and wasn't really told how to eat.  Then the stupid thing gets all twisted and I can have it fixed now if I want too.  But first I have to have a hernia repaired.  I had a little scare that they thought the pain was from Pancreatic Cancer but all it is is a stupid HERNIA!
Friday I am scheduled to see the neurosurgeon in Rochester but it might be a no go if the weather continues the way it has.  Tuesday I see the surgeon for my hernia--yuck!!
Well, I am going to get ready for bed--oh wait a minute I forgot to tell everyone that I am having the best blood sugar control I have ever had thanks to my journey.  I give lots of praises for that.  Insulin makes you gain weight and I am hardly putting any into my body.  Maybe this old lady will journey all the way and maybe wear a bikini some day--NO WAY!  I would need duct tape to hold up all my extra skin.  So I am signing off as a changed woman and having a great time on this journey.  I will blog again tomorrow if I haven't frozen to my bed.  (we don't heat our upstairs!)

better late than never......

Well, I was going to post last night but came home and went right to bed.  Had a Christmas gathering last night at the parsonage and I ended up eating real well.  Carolyn brought Chili (I still say that God had a sense of humor when he created beans) and a pasta salad that was to die for.  There were plenty of other fruits and vegetables.
I do have a confession to make--On Tuesday night when we were taking orders for Angel Food, Pastor Larry brought over gingerbread cookies--no icing-- and I ate one, just one.  They hardly have any sugar in them and boy was it good.
This journey has taught me a lot about myself.  Sure I have tons of health problems but maybe this journey, not maybe I know, will help aleve some of them and help me get better.  I am learning how to control myself when it comes to food and how to help myself and my husband to better eating.  Let's face it we are a generation of fast food and we want it right then and not have to wait.  Wouldn't it be nice if we could snap our fingers and it would happen.  That is why I am glad I am on this journey!
Christmas is coming and a lot more parties are going to be happening but I am learning to say NO and I can eat a peanut butter sandwich if I have too.  Everybody keep on keeping on the journey!!!

Weigh in....ugh!!!!

Had a weigh in yesterday and only lost 1/2 a pound--but that is all right I feel better except right now I am on the downside of a migraine.
There is so much food to eat and water to drink that sometimes I honestly do not know if I can get through it.  I eat what I can and either saved the rest for snack or for the next meal.
Remember when I said Let it snow..I wish it was snowing and then it wouldn't be so bitter cold out.  Went for my walk this morning and nearly froze my booty off!  It is only 24 out.
Made chili last night for supper and as I told Carolyn, God must of have  a sense of humor to create BEANS!!  They are disgusting even though I love hummus!
Going to a party on Thursday night (Wesleyan Women) and I need a healthy dish to pass so if anyone has a recipe for something healthy--pass it on.  Have another party next Tuesday and then one of Saturday night.  So pass them on everybody!!!!

Sunday dinner isn't like it used to be.....

Well, Sunday is here and cooking Sunday dinner just isn't like it used to be.  I remember cooking a roast, smashed potatoes, macaroni and cheese, a salad, yorkshire pudding, gravy the whole nine yards.  Now it is a protein, 2 veggies and a carb but so what if I am feeling better!  (I think Joe is too!)
Joe sang today and it was great--he has been fighting a cold.  Wish I had the guts to stand up there and sing--just let me talk and I will be alright!
Made brownies for the packages tonight and didn't lick the bowl.  They sure did smell good though.  Well, Joe has Cantata practice and I have to go and type out some labels for the packages-I am out of ink.  Thank you to all for your encouraging words and once I figure out how to do it I hope I can be encouraging to you.  Love and Blesses--Keep on keeping on!!

Cookies galore.....

I have been baking up a storm today for the soldier boxes that we send out and I haven't eaten one cookie or licked my fingers!!!!  I am so happy that I resisted!!  Can't wait though to get them out of the house.  My granddaughter decorated them with tons of frosting.  Got company I will finish later.

Wendy's and eating there.....

Went To Wendy's last night with my husband and had a side salad no dressing and a water.  Boy did it feel good to order that and not want their wings.  I am getting control over my cravings and loving it.
Have a couple of things that I am stressing about but I am dealing with them.  Hopefully and with the grace one of them will be taken care of.  Getting in my walks and exercising with the wii.
I never thought that a journey like this could be exciting but when you see what is being accomplished by YOU it is exciting!

the weather outside is frightful...

I guess that is what we get for living in New York..this morning wake up and it is 50 degrees out and raining and by noon it is 34 degrees out and it is snowing..
Yesterday and today have been struggles but I have kept to my journey and I am really looking forward to my weigh in on Monday.  When I was walking in the rain this morning, I got refreshed in my heart and loved the walk.  It was very invigorating.  Tonight Joe and I are going to walk the Mall maybe twice!
If you haven't guessed by now I am not that much of a computer person and really don't like the computer but I will post hopefully every day or at least every other day.  Have to get ready for my walk--see you all soon!

Hope and encouragement

Went for an "official" weigh in at Carolyn's doctor and weighed in at 216 pounds and that is what my scale said when I started the journey.  So I am a little disappointed and just a little discouraged!
Yesterday went shopping for Christmas and I kinda had Wendy's boneless chicken wings and boy am I paying for it today.  My stomach is really churning and don't stand behind me you will get gassed away!!!
Right now I am making a very healthy turkey soup.  I have been stewing the carcass since noon and the meat has fallen right off.  I am going to add fresh cauliflower, fresh broccoli and whole wheat rotini.  I have added some Mrs. Dash to the broth and this house smells like Thanksgiving all over again.
My journey has been hit with some u turns and wrong turns (the wings) but you learn from your mistakes.  I do know this that my blood sugars have been fantastic and taking in less insulin (which is a growth hormone).  My walking is getting better--still with a walker or cane--but getting better.
I am glad that I started this journey and looking forward to hitting my first goal!

Thanksgiving or Bust!!!!!

It has been a while since I have blogged but  I have been sick--yuck!
Wednesday I cooked Thanksgiving dinner for my children, grandchildren and my husband.  We had roasted turkey, whole wheat bread stuffing (which disappeared, no leftovers), green beans, Brussels sprouts, sweet potatoes, regular mashed potatoes and relish tray.  All the good food went within minutes and I still have regular mashed potatoes left.  No one realized that I had cooked a "healthy"meal.(except the regular potatoes)  On Thursday we went to my daughter-in-laws parents house and I only ate turkey.  There was plenty of food but I think that is when the worst migraine in the century started.  Woke up Friday still in bed but everything spinning.  The migraine had hit--all day I tried eating-nothing stayed down-tried reading-light hurt my eyes. So I lived in the dark ages all day.
My journey is working, I can feel a difference in my moods, energy levels and just about everything.  Those blogs that I peeked in on have given me the inspiration and I am learning to take small steps in the right direction.  I still think I am eating to much food but it is working.  Well, right now I have my youngest grandson, RJ, and mischief seems to follow him so I had better go see where he is at.  Love and Blessings to all!

Slowly but surely......

A new journey is a hard journey, its like when you are going somewhere  and you don't know how to get there and you go on mapquest and there are the directions for the taking--that's what my journey is Fawn gave me-my mapquest directions.
Have been out to dinner since starting-at a Chinese buffet.  Had salad (no dressing), crab legs (no butter) and fruit for dessert.  Came home and had a toasted whole wheat English muffin.  Think I did pretty good.
What is the scariest part of this new journet is the food amounts I am required to eat--I do my best.  Sugar or even just getting rid of Splenda has been hard.

6 days and still surviving.....

Well, here is my sixth day and a weigh in has happened.  I weigh two pounds less than I did last Wednesday--216 to 214!!!!  Feel real good but I am really pining for so chocolate!!  None in house thank God!  Made cookies and brownies  yesterday with CLC and didn't even lick the bowls, didn't even want to.

Kinda of Lost!!!

Haven't been on in a couple of days because it has been pure hectic!  Lost a step-aunt to suicide (suffered from severe depression).  I do know that she is not hurting anymore.  Depression is a serious disease and no one should be afraid to ask for help plus we must be willing to guide them to the help they need.  Okay, no more soap boxing!  I have been going through the detoxing of my body--so it is a little hard to sit down sometimes.(you that have been through it know what I mean) (no laughing Fawn).  I am also learning a new way to cook and create things.  When I had the lap band surgery in 2007, it was liquids for weeks on end but you learn how to cheat!  This journey is so much better because I am not starving my self.  I have learned to eat more calories than I have ever eaten and I think I have lost at least one pound (one pound at a time.  Today at Angel Food, my youngest grandson laid his beautiful eclair right in front of me-I ignored it.  I had a rice cake with hummus and blueberries plus water.  I am learning!!!

Hi!

Come meet Dawn and join her on her journey

What a wonderful time I am having.  Went shopping and bought tons of good nutrious food for my journey!

Second day (not that I am counting or anything)

Today has been a good!  Carolyn came over and had an official weigh in and she took pictures (even of my back, I have a big butt) and even a video.  We had a nice lunch of whole wheat rotini, cauliflower, shrimp and sauce.  I love almonds and have been having them along with fruit for snacks.  My blood sugars have been a little low but I will get that straightened out next week.  Did I tell everyone that I am going to be a grandma again--Stacey, Stefani's sister, is pregnant.  Her daughters are two precious girls who have called Joe and I grandpa and grandma since they started speaking.  Can't wait.  Well, I have to go and make "nutritious" Spanish Rice (don't tell Joe).

1 day of new journey

This is my first day of my new journey.  Starting at 219 pounds and at 5 foot 3 inches is a little too much for me.  This is going to be exciting and challenging.  Being a diabetic and changing things up is going to be hard but I have a great support system.  Yesterday was Joe's birthday and I did have a diet soda, cooki and ice cream but that was yesterday, today is a new day!!!