KCCC's check-in

[kccc]

Saturday was a bit over-the-top. Ate normally until just after lunch, then perma-snacked the rest of the day. Not into discomfort territory, but I know it's an issue when (1) I genuinely can't remember all the stuff I ate and (2) I found myself casting about for "something good" when I wasn't hungry. That second one is enlightening - I think it's at the core of binge eating, going through a lot of unsatisfying stuff looking for something that feels comforting/satisfying/whatever. It's that terribly mis-guided attempt at self-nurture after a long day...

So at that point, I quit and got out my knitting.

S-day, and done. I am holding on to the positives - the fact that recognizing patterns is good, and the fact that I did NOT eat to discomfort.

No exercise yesterday, and no time this morning (I usually exercise in the morning). Hoping to get something in later today. I'd like a walk, but I'll take 15 minutes of stretching.

[kccc]

Sunday

Br - bagel with cream cheese
Snack - bread (around lunchtime)
Lunch (late) - tuna melt, grapes
Snack/Dessert - WAAAAYYY too many cookies. Did.Not.Feel.Good.
Supper - chicken with barley, stir-fried peppers and onions
Dessert - Mint ice cream. I had seconds. :0

A little more contained (I can at least remember it all). Still a bit much with sweets. (I will note that 2 servings of ice cream - which genuinely feels like a lot to me - is les than what one used to be.)

I did fit in a walk, with short bursts of running, along the usual 2+ mile route. My hips are very painful today. This has been going on for a while, but not this intense - maybe time to see a doctor.

Monday
Exercise - Pilates routine (CD version)
Br - oatmeal, raisins, nuts
L - leftover chicken, barley, and peppers, plus an apple
D - TBD. The choices are pasta with pesto (if I get by the store for garlic) or pork tenderloin (thawing). Whatever we don't have today we'll have tomorrow.

[kccc]

Dinner was pork tenderloin, corn, broccoli. Very good.

Br - oatmeal w/nuts & raisins, an apple (a bit more b/c I know lunch will be late)
L - out for a work meeting. Oh well. Chinese, I think.
S - Today is pasta w/pesto made with basil from my garden, and a BIG salad. I may get a baguette when I pick up garlic.

Exercise was 35 minutes on the elliptical, doing intervals, plus some stretches. Haven't really gotten back into running yet since I've been sick. Another issue... I walked/ran the "normal route" on Sunday, and yesterday could barely walk. Something with my hip, and I'm not sure if it's muscle or joint or what. Maybe time to see a doctor. Anyway, the elliptical seemed to be okay - impact is what seems to bother me most.

Lunch update: Chinese restaurant. Boy, there's a lot of food that comes before your entree! I ate my egg drop soup and (small) spring roll, plus half a veggie roll (the kind in thin rice paper) ordered for the table by our host. So, when my shrimp-and-snow-peas arrived, I asked for a to-go box right away and loaded it up with a little more than half of my entree and most of my rice. I think the space left on my plate would have held the pre-meal appetizers. At any rate, I am comfortably full but not over-stuffed, so that's a good indicator... and I have a nice lunch tomorrow already prepared as a bonus.

[kccc]

Ended up working late last night. Since son was eating at a friend's, I decided not to cook. Gave hubby my Chinese leftovers, which he appreciated, and I raided the fridge. Leftover barley (which I loooove and the rest of the family tolerates) and a huge salad with good stuff in it. Perfect!

Br - bagel w/pb
L - tbd (working at home, but may meet hubby for lunch)
D - I will finally make that pesto, lol!

Exercise so far: 20 minutes yoga

==
Yoga was all I got today - too bad, because the weather would have been lovely for a walk. I love fall, especially the beginning when the air is just starting to turn crisp.

Lunch was out with hubby - a "calendar date." I had a piece of "lemon grilled" chicken and steamed mixed veg, plus a few bites of the Spanish rice until I decided I didn't really like it. All fine.

Dinner was pasta with homemade pesto (finally!), salad, and sliced peaches. Plus a slice of homemade bread. The pesto was a little garlicky, and whole wheat is not what is usually served with Italian... but I thought it was all wonderful.

[kccc]

October already! How can this be?

Exercise - cardio on the elliptical, stretches. Hip is still wonky, but not as bad. I think sitting on my exercise ball at work helps a lot.

Br - Oatmeal, raisins, nuts
L - brought it, but then realized that I have a working lunch provided today. Goodness knows what it will be...
D -Fish planned, and whatever veg I have in the house. Plus homemade bread, which makes me happy.

One of the things I love about No-S is that I don't panic about working lunches the way I used to. When I did calorie-counting diets, they'd throw me into a tizzy as I tried to shoehorn them into my allotment for the day. I'd often skimp elsewhere until I couldn't maintain the deprivation level, at which point I'd totally break down. Now, I simply eat one plate of the best choices I can make. And if all the choices are awful (sandwich and chips or the like), I don't sweat it or let it derail me. It's just one plate.

[kccc]

Yesterday's lunch was pizza. Oh well. I had two slices (medium), and let it go, even though I really missed my veg. If I'd been going back to my office after, I'd have had a container of apple sauce, but I had another meeting and by the time that was over, eating more would have felt like a snack. I can't explain - emotionally, lunch was "done." Compensated at dinner - salad AND peas'n'carrots AND bell peppers (as well as fish and bread).

Today...
Exercise: Muscle strength class
Br - oatmeal, raisins, nuts
L - PBJ on homemade bread, yogurt, apple, bell pepper strips
D - TBD. If we don't go out, it will probably be grilled cheese.

[kccc]

Last night was not the best. (I started to write "a fiasco," then laughed at my over-the-top language and edited. It wasn't the best, but "a fiasco" is really hyperbole!)

We went out to eat at Chik-Fil-A. I got a grilled chicken sandwich, water, and waffle fries... hey, it would fit on one plate.

But... there's something about fast food. It really doesn't satisfy me, no matter how much of it I eat. Chik-Fil-A is better than most, b/c the sandwiches are better, but still... if I'd gotten fruit instead of fries I would have probably been okay. Maybe. As it was, I ate everything and didn't feel "done."

So, because I wasn't satisfied I decided to start my S-day on Friday at 6:00. I sometimes allow that when we're doing something "special," and this was intended to be. (Then I end early on Sunday.) And I split a milkshake with my son.

But milkshakes really aren't that wonderful to me... so I ate chocolate when I got home. Good chocolate, that I normally eat one square at a time... but I ate six squares.

At that point, I realized I wasn't tasting my food, and it wasn't a treat, and I quit. S-evening or not, it was time to do something else.

This morning, an official S-day, has been sane thus far just because I still feel full and don't want to feel bloated. Ate one slice of homemade bread with butter for breakfast, and I have my walk/run in.

I think I'll make a pie today, or something else that I truly like. And I want GOOD meals, of food I like. Doesn't need to be super fancy, but something I genuinely like.

So there.

[NoelFigart]

There is so much to be said for good, tasty, satisfying REAL FOOD.

I'm sorry your S evening wasn't the satisfying event you wanted. Definitely time to make yourself something delightful!

[buttercreampillow]

KCCC, I know exactly what you are talking about. I want each eating occasion to be something satisfying, and when it isn't, I tend to keep looking for that special something. Unfortunately, the longer I look, the less likely I'll be satisfied with anything, even things that normally would be satisfying. It's a no-win situation.

I hope your pie will be just what you are looking for. Homemade goodies are the most satisfying of all, which is odd for me to say because I so love going out. However, since I've been doing No S, I'm realizing that a lot of restaurant food is less satisfying than I've thought.

Have a good weekend, KCCC. Keep on truckin'.

[Dandelion]

I find it's a bit of a toss-up with fast food. Sometimes if it is what I *really* want, it does satisfy me. But then again, we eat 'real', whole, traditional high quality, cooked from scratch food 90% of the time, so the occasional meal out has a different niche to fill. It's not going to leave a nutritional 'hole' in our diet like it would if it were a staple for us.

On the other hand, if we eat out and it isn't something I like, then it does leave a 'hole' in another way - that of 'enjoyment'. I will feel like I 'need' something else after that, because though I may have eaten, I did not enjoy it.

I also like eating out for the sake of eating out. I like the experience even though the food itself is not as satisfying as home cooked. I know with the possible exception of Indian (I'm not that good at that yet) there is nothing out there I could not do better. It's certainly healthier since my goal is nutrition and quality not profit. I use real ingredients; whole milk yogurt and cheese; grass-fed meat and dairy; lots of traditional fats, not cheap vegetable oils (and never anything 'low fat'; good quality chocolate, raw honey, real maple syrup. I soak grains, nuts and seeds and there is always something I'm culturing, fermenting, brewing or dehydrating. So when we do go out, it is almost never about the food, but for other things we get from going out.

What kind of pie are you making? I made chocolate chip pie a couple of weeks ago which is kindof a toss-up with fudge brownie pie as to which is my favourite

[kccc]

Thanks for the visits and words of encouragement, everyone!

My pie never did get made - it was just a busy weekend, and there wasn't a good "slot." I got a lot of other-things-that-needed-to-be-done finished, but the pie wasn't on the list. (I did some committee work, exercised both days - even though Sunday was just yoga - and did a LOT of yardwork on Saturday. And bills, which I hate... some shopping for my son. Etc.)

Maybe connected to not getting my pie (or the bad start), it was one of the least-satisfying S-weekends in a long time. Not so much over-the-top eating (though there was some of that), but too many things-that-didn't-satisfy. My "best" meal was the black-bean soup I made Sunday night. I think that a lack of veggies was part of the problem - we didn't have much in the way of fresh on hand during most of the weekend.

And I took Friday as "red," because I didn't stop at 6PM on Sunday. Just forgot. (Thta's one of the reasons I quit doing Fridays, come to think of it.) But I'm back to the normal routine, and glad to be here.

Monday
Exercise - Pilates class
Br - oatmeal, cashews, banana
L - 1/2 chicken quesadilla, salad, canteloupe, apple
D - sausages, corn, cinnamon apples, and some other veg TBD

Dandelion - I had planned a cherry pie, which I make from canned unsweetened cherries. The chocolate chip one sounds divine, though!

I did make a coffeecake for Sunday breakfast, because I had a church meeting before the service and I usually take something to share. It was an old recipe of my mother's, back from the day when moms drank coffee at each other's kitchen tables all the time. Took 30 minutes from start to finish, and was easy-peasy... Ingredients: 1 c. flour, 1 t. baking soda, 1/4 t salt; 2 eggs, 1 c sugar, 1 t each cinnamon and vanilla, and a cup of scalded milk with one T butter melted in it (that's all the fat). Beat eggs with sugar until lemony, add dry ingredients and spices, pour in milk quickly and stir. Bake in an oiled pan 8x8 for 20-25 minutes. No topping (though it would be good with one). Mildly sweet. Full of memories - I think I ate most of it.

[kccc]

Monday I forgot to make the cinnamon apples... pity, we like them. We had corn and broccoli and leftover bread.

Tuesday

Exercise - Elliptical, 30 minutes, stretches. Tried running and clearly can't do that yet; the impact hurts. I think I need to see a doctor. Sometime.

Br - oatmeal, nuts, raisins
L - PB and banana on homemade bread, peaches canned in juice
D - grilled cheese and cinnamon apples (I'll have them tonight!). We have "Math Night" at the school, so it has to be fast. If they have pizza there, that may be dinner instead.

[masher]

Hi KCCC

How do you make your cinnamon apples? The farmers market is full of great russets and cox orange pippins now, so I would like to try something new. I think, like me, you do not like really sweet things so am keen to know your "recipe".

I am still cooking, following NoS, but only posting on HabitCal now due to abnormally high work load.

Hope your hip is better soon. Do you know a good specialist in your area? Might be time to talk to friends (runners?) who have had a similar problem. Hate to think of exercise causing you pain.

Thanks for your apple ideas,
Masher

[kccc]

No real recipe... they're just cut up and sauteed in a little butter until soft, then sprinkled with cinnamon. I use a bit of honey too - as little as I can get away with (the family likes "sweet"). Maybe half a tablespoon (at most) to 2-3 apples? If using, add right at the end, let it melt in and coat, and you're done. But I'd try it first with no honey, and if they get gobbled up that way, never bother with it.

I used to not eat this on S-days, because it does taste a bit sweet. But almost all of the flavor is due the natural apple sweetness, brought out by cooking and the addition of cinnamon, with just the littlest bit of honey per serving, so I decided it was okay if not too frequent. It's especially good with pork/sausage type entrees.

[masher]

No real recipe... they're just cut up and sauteed in a little butter until soft, then sprinkled with cinnamon. I use a bit of honey too - as little as I can get away with (the family likes "sweet"). Maybe half a tablespoon (at most) to 2-3 apples? If using, add right at the end, let it melt in and coat, and you're done. But I'd try it first with no honey, and if they get gobbled up that way, never bother with it. quote]

Thank you! I will leave out the honey.
Sounds perfect for a weekend breakfast with toast. Also leftovers would be tasty on oatmeal. Simple things made with seasonal fruits are often the best. I cannot wait to try this!

Masher

[kccc]

Enjoy, Masher! Forgot to say it works best if the apples are sliced/chopped rather thin, and it's okay for them to brown a bit.

Yesterday was at an all-day meeting, one where I didn't have my computer out (rarity of rarities). So, catching up...

Wednesday
Exercise - minimal, and I mean minimal. 15 minutes of low-energy stretches. It does count, because that DID meet the minimum goal.
Br- one egg, one slice ham, canteloupe, grits, 1/2 biscuit. I left the second part of the biscuit b/c I was full.
L - salad, roll, chicken breast, green beans, part of mashed potatoes. I left most of the mashed potatoes b/c I was virtual plating the salad and roll. Skipped the dessert.
D - "Tower of Tortilla," salad, strawberries. So happy to get to the grocery and have salad!

Th
Exercise - 30+ minutes on the Elliptical (3.10 miles). Definitely counts!
Br - oatmeal, nuts, banana
L - Salad with cherry tomatoes, leftover TofT
D -TBD - out with friends

I know that actually writing down what I ate is a bit much on No-S, but it always strikes me how EASY it is when you're only eating 3x/day. I can remember that. I can't remember days when I eat bits and bites all day.

[kccc]

I've got a "holiday feeling," but don't want to take S-days.

I'm off work today, and Monday too. My son is out of school, because of Fall Break. He and I are going to the Mountain (near Highlands NC). Hubby is going to work today, then doing house projects over the weekend. (We'll miss each other, but we think it's okay to want to do different things sometimes.)

Last night, I left the office early to meet about a project with colleagues near where I live - still technically work, but didn't feel like it. These people are both workmates and friends, and I haven't seen them a while, so after we did our work we went to dinner and then to have a glass of wine. Lovely. I managed to keep it to a No-S evening (one "plate," one glass of wine), but the FEELING of being "off" is strong. So last night felt like Friday, and today feels like Satruday.

I don't want to take extra S's for this little vacation, so I'm trying to do "extra-special N's" today. We'll see how that goes. I'm also keeping in mind that doing No-S today is MY CHOICE.

Exercise - T-Tapp short form (not a favorite, but a decent workout in little time)
Br - omelet (2 eggs, cheese, lots of mushrooms - yum)
Other meals will be "out."

The Mountain is a retreat center. We've been there before. They have an awesome cook - healthy, delicious food. And they serve (ba-bing!) three solid meals a day with no snacks. They do leave a fruit bowl out for kids, but there are no vending machines or other sources of junk food except for what people bring themselves. Now, there are plans for a munchies at the "social hour" with my group, and I'm taking cookies, but there's still that strong 3-meal structure that I like. I will enjoy being there - and enjoy an environment that supports sane S-days.

[frugaltexan]

Sounds like a great place to spend a few days at.

[Dandelion]

How cool

[kccc]

The Mountain was lovely, and I could write a long list of why I'm glad I went.

But adherence to No-S wouldn't be on that list... there were a lot of snacks brought in, and I did overeat - starting Friday night. Sigh. Today is Monday, and it's a hard Monday - we're still off work (child is out of school) and coming off a long weekend. I feel very off-track.

Off, off, off... I need to get back ON. On track, on target. Whatever.

At any rate... it's raining. We're meeting the extended family for a buffet lunch. That will be a bit hard in terms of pulling out of this downward spiral I feel I'm on (with respect to eating habits), but socially it's what we need to do.

I need to remember that what I eat is MY CHOICE and take ownership of those choices, even when the environment isn't the most supportive. Sometimes it's easier, sometimes harder. No retribution for the past - mark it and move on - but be aware of choices moving forward.

And this bit of a bump reminds me why I stick with No-S. It provides a clear structure for me to come back to when I feel out of control, and it highlights "what needs attention" at any given time. There are times when maintenance is hard for me, even on No-S. But when I struggle, I think about how I'd be doing without it... a bit of a scary thought.

(For the record, I don't mind the official S-days as much as I do the "slop-over" on either side of the real weekend. And that's what I want to stop.)

[kccc]

Update for Monday... did much better than expected. Some of our family plans changed, which helped a bit.

Br - one egg, 2 sl bacon, biscuit
L - Subway ham sandwich (6") with LOTS of veggies and baked chips (The buffet plans changed. This worked better for me, I'll admit)
D - Tortellini with pesto, salad, apple slices.
Glass of wine

I did taste some of my parents' dried figs, but I don't think that's a big deal for today. It was genuinely a taste, not a snack. (These are local figs that they dried themselves, not the big sugary ones I'm used to. Not much bigger than a big plump raisin - smaller than most prunes. Rather hard... but when you chew them, the flavor is very good. I liked them a lot, and was sent home with a bagful. They're in the oatmeal I just packed for tomorrow, and in my lunch salad.)

No exercise yet, but that may change. I could fit in some stretches, and would probably sleep better for it.

[kccc]

Tuesday - back on track!

Exercise - Elliptical. About 35 minutes.

Br - oatmeal, nuts, figs (the ones from my parents, which had softened wonderfully as they soaked overnight)
L - salad, apple, two biscuits with cheese (leftover stuff).
D - TBD. The guys are on their own b/c I have PTO during suppertime, so, I'm going to have to figure out what I'll have just for me. Something easy.

Of course, as I was eating my lunch (which included about 1.5 ounces of hard cheddar plus about another .5 ounce of feta on my salad), I pull up an article on nutrition talking about how cheese is a major source of saturated fat, even more than red meat. I don't eat much red meat, but I DO eat a lot of cheese. Their recommendations were up to 1.5 oz of low-fat natural cheese per day. Not quite sure what fits that description - mozzerella? or only soft cheeses, like ricotta or farmers? - but I'm pretty sure my sharp cheddar wouldn't qualify. Dang.

[Dandelion]

I don't worry about saturated fat - all that stuff about how bad it is for us is so outdated and disproven.

[kccc]

Thanks for the info you PM'd me, Dandelion. I'm not sure what to think about that... I'd like to see some of the actual research on which the claims are based, I think. But it's good to know that there's a different take on the "accepted wisdom."

[kccc]

Br - 1/2 Bagel w/PB, figs (the local ones)
L - at my favorite restaurant/deli. A 10" plate, very well-filled. Mostly salad with all the goodies on top that I'd never have at the same time at home, a bit of chicken (2 wings and a "finger"), and some roasted potatoes and cauliflower. Yum!
D - Working on that now (mentally). I have some ground lamb I need to use... probably chili.

Haven't managed exercise yet... need to fit that in.

Update:
Exercise, 20 minutes of Pilates. Minimal, but okay.
Dinner - lamb meatballs, barley, roasted butternut squash, sauteed bell pepper, onion, and mushrooms, and homemade bread. (I worked at home, so had time to cook.)

[kccc]

Packed a lovely lunch and breakfast... which I left at home.

Making do...

B: Bagel (whole) w/cream cheese, banana (best I could manage from Starbucks)
L - Kashi Pilaf and Applesauce (These are "desk foods" that store well. Will need to replace them.)
D - TBD. Will include canteloupe. Maybe Egg-in-a-Hole or Tuna Melts.

Exercise - 38 minutes on Elliptical (3.5 miles)

[kccc]

Dinner last night was egg-in-a-hole, canteloupe, and peaches. Very sunny. However, I feel a need to get back on track with menu planning.

Br - oatmeal, nuts, figs (yum!)
L - leftovers - barley, lamb meatballs, stir-fried veg, and an apple. (I found out this morning that I'm in a meeting where they're serving pizza. I'll wait for my lunch, after looking forward to it for 2 days!)
D - soup night! I'm going to make butternut using the leftover roasted squash, and will make something else as well since that won't make enough for the family. Maybe broccoli...

Exercise - Muscle strength class. Good workout!

==
I made the butternut soup, plus cream-of-broccoli, and served the soup-of-choice with cheese toast and some canteloupe.

I loved the butternut soup. No one else would touch it. Fine. They did eat the broccoli, but it obviously wasn't something they particularly want in the regular rotation. Oh well... I enjoyed experimenting, and I truly do love the butternut. I think that whenever we have butternut squash, I'll serve one round for dinner and make soup from the rest for my lunches. If they don't like it, there's more for me!

[la_loser]

The squash sounds delicious.

I'm back--I hope consistently! Thanks for checking on me while I was doing my "self-imposed" staying off the site so I could get caught up on everything else I was in the middle of!

Reading your posts about the cinnamon apples reminds me that today I cut up a large apple, sprinkled a little Splenda and ground cinnamon on it and microwaved it for about two minutes. Yum-quick and delicious. I have to force myself to eat fruits for some reason so this may become my new means of getting in my quota!

Take care!

[kccc]

Hi, LA_Loser, and welcome back! I'm glad to see you.

Saturday was the type of day I describe as "happy chaos." I had a friend over to help me can apple pie filling, along with her two kids. Hubby had a group over to play in his workshop, and there were two more kids added from that bunch. Fortunately, the kids played nicely, picked up after themselves (eventually - the house was a wreck during the day), and we managed to can 14 jars of apples despite interruptions to change batteries on a toy or get drinks/snacks for kids.

I was really pleased that it turned out so well. It was supposed to be clear and cold that day, and was rainy instead, and I woke up with a splitting headache from the sudden pressure change. We'd already planned the events, and I could see it being a cranky "I've-got-to-do-this" type of day. And I really wanted it to be FUN. Last year, this same friend and I canned apples and we had a great time, and so did our kids. Every time we opened a jar of apples, we'd not only enjoy the delicious food but remember that wonderful day. It was as if we'd canned memories as well as apples. And I wanted that again. (As opposed to the canning/freezing we did when I was growing up... we got the products of our labor, but the process was generally not a good memory. Harried and ill-tempered...I did not want to be like my mother and set that tone, even though I felt so grumpy when I woke. )

Anyway, I journaled that morning before everyone arrived, and realized I really wanted those good memories as much as the apples. So... I accepted the help I got from the kids and said thanks, and didn't nag for more. I answered them calmly even when I felt a bit frazzled because so much needed attention all at once. I allowed the house to become messy, and just asked for a pickup at the end of the day (which they complied with nicely). And it was a good day.

I really think "setting my intention" early in the day made all the difference. And I'm so grateful for such a wonderful day.

==
Edited to add the stuff this daily thread is officially about...
While doing everything else, I made two apple pies for the group. My S-treats were a slice of pie, two squares of dark chocolate, and an extra slice of pizza for supper (we ordered in for the crowd). Other than that, very N-ish. I'm pleased with that. Non-idiotic.

Exercise was absolutely minimal... I was getting ready for bed and realized I'd not exercised, and because I'd used my exemptions, it would be a red. But I was tired... so I did slow stretches for 15 minutes, beginning and ending with child's pose. My body thanked me, and I think I slept better for it. Minimal counts.

[Grammy G]

KCCC..your autumn "fun" day really brought a smile to my face because it reminded me of a time when my kids were young and a friend and I planned to do some canning and freezing together . they day went so well, we decided to run out and get pumpkins and let the kids (5 of them) carve pumpkins after dinner (isn't take out pizza a great invention for times like these??). the fathers were in charge during our absence..we came back..guys watching TV telling us the kids had been great. when we looked a little closer we noticed there were self-stick sanitary napkins plastered all over the walls of the house..as high as the kids could reach! They had located a giant sized box under the bed and that was now an empty box. We thought we had found them all until a plumber came a few days later and opened the doors to the cabinet under the sink in the powder room. greeting him were several pads stuck to the inside of the doors! That story ran through my mind and made me smile the entire winter when I used any of the fruits of our labors!! Sharing times together..what can be better???

[Starla]

GrammyG, that was hilarious! It reminds me of the time I brought a friend home to discover my cat had opened up a tampon and thought he'd found himself a white mouse, which he was batting around the house!

KCCC, I love reading your posts, because you're very analytical, and I frequently see things in new ways. It's very helpful.

[buttercreampillow]

KCCC, your day sounds wonderful. It makes me nostalgic for when my mother and grandmother used to get together to can pickles and tomatoes and freeze veggies from the garden. My sister and I used to play around nearby and just generally get in the way. It was a happy time.

I wish I had been able to give those memories to my own kids, but we did do other fun things, like carving pumpkins and making gingerbread houses at Christmas.

buttercream

[kccc]

Grammy G, what a hysterical story! Thanks for sharing. Starla, glad my posts are useful to you... I am analytical, and sometimes it's an asset and sometimes I over-think things. Buttercream, any way you make memories is good. We've never done the gingerbread house thing.

Sunday was more erratic. Good breakfast, but lunch got waylaid by a church reception that filled us up too much (mostly with junk). Then there were errands, and a kid's birthday party... That evening, I found myself doing "gotta get something good in before the end of the day" eating, and realized I'd eaten way too much junk and too little "real food" during the day. Borderline idiotic. But an S-day, and done.

One wonderful treat... the b'day party was at Chuck E Cheese, and the noise level there just frays my nerves. However, the hosts were old friends, and said "you don't have to stay - just come back when it's over." So I walked down to the coffeeshop at Barnes and Nobles, ordered a latte and a biscotti, and sat and read for an hour. Absolute heaven. I went back to CEC with serenity.

[kccc]

Forgot my actual check-in, lol!

Exercise - Pilates class.

Br - oatmeal, nuts, figs
L - PB&J on whole wheat, apple, canned peaches
D (planned) - Chicken and chard, brown rice, salad, strawberries

[kccc]

Today...

Exercise - 3.5 miles on the Elliptical (41 minutes)

Br - oatmeal, nuts, figs. I shall miss these little figs when they're gone (still working on the ones from my parents' tree that they dried)
L - Leftover chicken/chard/brown rice, apple, succotash. A new trick: if I put frozen veg into my lunch the night before, it thaws to a slightly crispy texture by the time I eat if. If I heat the dish, it's cooked enough, or I can eat it "raw" for a sort of salad-y taste.
D (planned) - Canteloupe, carrots, shrimp and grits. Maybe broccoli with it - needs a green veg, I think.

Noticed I wrote that I "over-thing things" instead of "over-thinK things" above, and HAD to go back and fix it. Is that compulsive or what?

==
Update... Due to time constraints, ended up having tuna melts instead of shrimp and grits. Dang.

[kccc]

Wednesday

Br - Bagel w/PB
L - PB&J and 1/4 cup nuts
D - roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, broccoli, apple slices. Yum!

I had a hard time with seconds last evening, b/c I love homemade mashed potatoes and gravy and hardly ever make it. I wanted more! But... I didn't have them.

However, I fell down on "bites, licks and tastes" while putting stuff away, and I snitched some raw pie crust cuttings when I made an apple pie last evening. (I did not eat the pie itself.) So, Failure there. So be it.

No exercise, either. What a day. I am going for a walk this morning, though.

Today
Br - egg in a hole
L and D - To be determined - I'm traveling. But I am going to get a walk in before I leave. So there.

[kccc]

Been a while since I've posted. Won't try to re-cap meals since then, but will just say that I did okay while traveling, but was deeply disappointed that there was no opportunity for seafood (was in Savannah, and missed that).

Had a bit of an over-the-top weekend, partly from rebound effect, I think... that "I didn't have what I really wanted, and I stayed in control when it was hard... so now I'm eating everything in sight."

I really hope I get over those kinds of reactions someday. For now, I'll be grateful that No-S keeps me from doing it very often, and keeps my weight in check. Even if I lose during the week and gain during the weekend, that form of maintenance works for me. Certainly better than the alternative!

And it wasn't JUST rebound effect. Saturday I attended a memorial service and the reception was lunch - mostly snacky food. Dinner was at a pumpkin-carving party (very fun, btw), also snacky/potluck. Then Sunday we had buffet at the church, and my monthly bookclub met in the afternoon... the only meals I had at home were breakfasts!

At least I managed to exercise while traveling, and this weekend. And I'm ready to be back on track. I take it as a sign of progress that I actually welcome Mondays after an over-the-top weekend, recognizing the normal No-S structure as a return to sanity and the way I genuinely prefer to live.

[Dandelion]

I have to comment on the rebound thing. I learned years and years ago that that would happen to me - but it took me years to act on it It's also a good example of how sad it is that so many of the special moments in my life are marred by diets.

It was Christmas and I remember absolutely nothing about it except that I did not eat one bite of any of the I decided was 'bad'. I had 'healthy' turkey (I don't even like turkey) and vegetables, no gravy, no pie, no fudge no nothing. I felt very virtuous. Until the backlash the following week when I made pretty much *everything* I missed out on and instead of eating a reasonable serving as I would have at Christmas...well..we won't go there.

[kccc]

Dandelion, that's a sad Christmas story... but I can relate. That's one reason I think No-S works so well for me, because I can eat the foods I really want even on N-days (except for sweets) as long as I choose to make them part of a meal. That choice is so important!

Monday
Exercise - Pilates
Br - oatmeal, nuts, figs (the last, alas)
L - bread (artisan-type, not mine but good), cheese, bell pepper slices, banana
D - Not good... grabbed a chicken thigh and a banana and some bread on the way to Cub Scouts. Later, ate raisins "because I didn't have enough fruit/veg" and succumbed to some BLTs as I de-boned the chicken. I managed to stop there, but it's technically a red. Dang it.

Tuesday
Exercise - 3.5 miles on Elliptical
Br - oatmeal, nuts, raisins
L - repeat of yesterday
D - This will be hard. I have food to cook, but no time to cook it given the evening plans. Not sure what I'll end up doing... I hate nights like this.

I'm feeling very short of time right now, and that is an issue for meals - when my evenings are too crammed up, I can't get the cooking done that I need to. Fast food often sets me up for rebound eating, because I find it unsatisfying. At least I see this coming, so perhaps will figure out something reasonable.

== Edit
Evening plans melted in the rain, so I cooked up a satisfying dinner. Meatballs with sweet/sour sauce, cous-cous, stir-fried peppers and onions, and canteloupe. Delish! (And I used food that needed to be cooked, so didn't waste... the one downside of "real" food is that it WILL go bad if not used in time!)

[kccc]

Wednesday

Exercise - yoga, about 20 minutes. Minimal, but worth doing.

Br - bagel w/cream cheese
L - Ate out, at my favorite grocery-store deli. (Sounds weird, but it's sort of a whole-foods place and they have a hot bar and I LOVE it. All healthy food, and I am so glad on No-S that I can just have a plateful and enjoy without trying to deconstruct my plate to count calories!) One plate, over half salad/veg. Delish.
D - made homemade chicken pot pie, and had that with two dried apricots for "dessert." Another yum.

Th
Elliptical, 3 miles
Br - oatmeal, nuts, apricots
L - leftover chicken pot pie, cantaloupe, clementine.
D (planned) - quesadillas with chicken and peppers and onions, with mushrooms on the side.

[kccc]

Been a while... I'm detoxing from Halloween, and from the birthday party that preceded it and the dinner out with a friend-who-rarely-visits after...

I am glad it's Monday. Not the usual reaction to Monday, but I'm glad to be eating SANELY again.

The sleepover birthday party went well. My son loved his cake - white with chocolate icing as requested, and shaped like a bat. The other food fun was mostly to please me - "Blood" (tomato) soup, "mummies" (hot dogs wrapped in biscuit dough, with mustard eyes), eyeballs (dried apple rings topped with dried apricots and raisins) and "critters" (centipedes and bugs created from fresh/dried fruit), and "grins" (apple slices held together with PB and marshmallows to look like teeth). The soup and hot dogs went over well, the fruit-based items less so - nine year olds just aren't big on fruit/veg, no matter how cute! Some of it got eaten, but not a whole lot. (I had actually bought a veggie tray, to my husband's great amusement. "Too optimistic?" I asked, "hon, there's a difference between optimism and foolish naivete." He said, laughing. He was right, and I kept it for grownups later.)

Saturday was Halloween candy all over the place. Need I say more? I really felt ill by the end of the day. Sunday, I ate toast for breakfast, then we met a friend for a late lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (her choice). I had a salad, because I was still too full. Alas, that night I fell back into the candy...

Monday
Exercise - Pilates
B - oatmeal, nuts, craisins
L - leftover "mummy", clemintine, carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes
D -(planned) - broccoli and potato soup, bread

Back on track...

== Edited to add - I made the soup and bread, and they were GREAT!

[Kevin]

Halloween candy comes straight from Satan.

Been a while... I'm detoxing from Halloween, and from the birthday party that preceded it and the dinner out with a friend-who-rarely-visits after...

I am glad it's Monday. Not the usual reaction to Monday, but I'm glad to be eating SANELY again.

The sleepover birthday party went well. My son loved his cake - white with chocolate icing as requested, and shaped like a bat. The other food fun was mostly to please me - "Blood" (tomato) soup, "mummies" (hot dogs wrapped in biscuit dough, with mustard eyes), eyeballs (dried apple rings topped with dried apricots and raisins) and "critters" (centipedes and bugs created from fresh/dried fruit), and "grins" (apple slices held together with PB and marshmallows to look like teeth). The soup and hot dogs went over well, the fruit-based items less so - nine year olds just aren't big on fruit/veg, no matter how cute! Some of it got eaten, but not a whole lot. (I had actually bought a veggie tray, to my husband's great amusement. "Too optimistic?" I asked, "hon, there's a difference between optimism and foolish naivete." He said, laughing. He was right, and I kept it for grownups later.)

Saturday was Halloween candy all over the place. Need I say more? I really felt ill by the end of the day. Sunday, I ate toast for breakfast, then we met a friend for a late lunch at the Cheesecake Factory (her choice). I had a salad, because I was still too full. Alas, that night I fell back into the candy...

Monday
Exercise - Pilates
B - oatmeal, nuts, craisins
L - leftover "mummy", clemintine, carrot sticks and cherry tomatoes
D -(planned) - broccoli and potato soup, bread

Back on track...

== Edited to add - I made the soup and bread, and they were GREAT! :)

[kccc]

Lol, Kevin, ain't it the truth! And the sad thing is that most of it isn't even that good! (And I still eat it... and I'm not alone.)

Back to normal... except I start traveling today, which is always a challenge. I packed a lunch to stave off restaurant food as long as I could. So, thus far...

Exercise - 30 minute walk. Not a lot, but the best I could do.

B - bagel w/cream cheese
L - PB on whole wheat, small yogurt, clementine, dried apricots. The yogurt is a little extra, but I think dinner will be very late.

[Grammy G]

KCCC..We had the same mummy dogs at our house! I let the 6 year olds wrap the hot dogs after I had cut the strips of dough...all I can say is we had some interesting mummies! Next year, I've already decided..we will have vampire dogs in coffins...hot dog roles with some of the inside fluff removed...maybe a cheese lining or blanket??? I tried a veggie tray too, even tried calling it a tray of body parts!..and offered "ground ghost" (dip)..the cucumbers and carrots went.. the adults had the rest with some great Bloody Mary cocktails that I deemed appropriate for the night. We had neat "eyeball" deviled eggs one of the guests brought. she cracked the shells of the hardboiled eggs and soaked them a bit in beet juice so that when she removed the shell, there was a red mosaic pattern on the egg white... and an olive slice added a nice touch as well as taste to the deviled yolk. What fun!! ..and now into November...with accent on the Berrr in my part of the USA! Always enjoy reading your check-ins..I leave inspired!!















'

[kccc]

Grammy G, thanks for stopping by! I love the Halloween treat ideas you shared. I'm thinking that I'll need them for the next few years, since we'll be doing Halloween birthday parties for a while!

Traveling...
Tuesday dinner was a blackened-chicken salad at the airport. Expensive, but decent.

Wed - Yoga in room, and LOTS of walking! Big conference center.
Br - omelet, toast, fruit
L - roast beef sub, chips (boxed lunch, minimal choice)
D - chicken tortilla soup and harvest salad (a "combo" at the Corner Bakery).

Th -
Br - oatmeal with fruit and nuts, large slice raisin-bread toast.

No time to exercise this morning, but I'm getting my walking in. And I may do some evening stretches.

Meals are decent in content, but a little larger than normal - that's always an issue with "restaurant meals." However, I'm two hours off my normal time zone, and a little worried about having enough when I'm hungry, so I'm letting it go. Also, I'm fighting a cold, which is complicated by how dry it is here. Drinking a lot of water helps, so I'm working on that. And keeping early hours, despite my partying colleagues. Oh well. I'm a "socially-adept introvert," (a newly-learned phrase that I think describes me to a "T") and I need the evening downtime to be able to cope with all the people during the day.

[Kevin]

Eating while traveling is the worst. You do the best you can...

Grammy G, thanks for stopping by! I love the Halloween treat ideas you shared. I'm thinking that I'll need them for the next few years, since we'll be doing Halloween birthday parties for a while! :)

Traveling...
Tuesday dinner was a blackened-chicken salad at the airport. Expensive, but decent.

Wed - Yoga in room, and LOTS of walking! Big conference center.
Br - omelet, toast, fruit
L - roast beef sub, chips (boxed lunch, minimal choice)
D - chicken tortilla soup and harvest salad (a "combo" at the Corner Bakery).

Th -
Br - oatmeal with fruit and nuts, large slice raisin-bread toast.

No time to exercise this morning, but I'm getting my walking in. And I may do some evening stretches.

Meals are decent in content, but a little larger than normal - that's always an issue with "restaurant meals." However, I'm two hours off my normal time zone, and a little worried about having enough when I'm hungry, so I'm letting it go. Also, I'm fighting a cold, which is complicated by how dry it is here. Drinking a lot of water helps, so I'm working on that. And keeping early hours, despite my partying colleagues. Oh well. I'm a "socially-adept introvert," (a newly-learned phrase that I think describes me to a "T") and I need the evening downtime to be able to cope with all the people during the day.

[kccc]

Kevin, you're right about traveling. At least I didn't have to do the big meal my colleagues went to last night - sounded awful. Too much food, going too late...I'm glad my cold got me off the hook on that one!

Lunch was a ham sub - another box lunch. I didn't want the cookie or potato salad, but wasn't really full, so decided I would allow myself to virtual plate some chips or something at snack time (my normal dinner time). Didn't happen - all that was available was sweets. Interesting to walk the exhibit hall... Every vendor had a bowl of candy out. Wall-to-wall chocolate! Good thing I've learned to regard that stuff as "just for decoration"!

Dinner was another soup/salad combo. Good, though I know a bit much. They use bread liberally - on top of the tomato-basil soup, as croutons. Probably a good way to use up leftover bread from their bakery section...and too yummy to leave. Still, could have done worse. It's hard to eat decently on the road.

Good conference, though.

[kccc]

Back in my home state, though not yet home. Staying overnight with a friend/colleague to do work, because my guys are on a camping trip with Cub Scouts.

Eating going okay, I guess. Too much restaurant food, which has a lot of hidden calories as well as being over-large portions. I have chosen as well as I can, and gotten in exercise. So be it.

One thing I want to work on... breaking the "clean my plate" habit. I have always done it, and it's kind of okay with No-S at home, because I take only what I ought to eat. But when I'm not controlling what's initially on my plate, it's an invitation to overeat. I'm noticing that this week.

Today is an S-day... and I don't really care.

[kccc]

Hard day. I'm going to whine a little, because writing helps me to think.

First, a major work project ran into unexpected problems. I met a colleage today to get set up for a session early next week, and we ran into technical difficulties. I ended up rousting a programmer out on the weekend to fix something that shouldn't have been broken in the first place. (My colleague asked me to handle the conversation because she was too furious. Ongoing issue.) I *think* it's fixed, but there's a lot of work to be done now that I'd blocked for earlier.

Second, my car was in the shop for about $1000 worth of repairs while I was in Denver...which meant they had ample time to work on it. When I picked it up, the "check engine" light went on... needless to say, the repair needed further attention. (They were polite, it didn't take long... but I'm already unhappy that a vehicle with only 80,000 miles on it needed engine work.)

Third, a church event that I'm co-leading with someone else is in dire straits. Part of that is my fault - I didn't get to it quite early enough, because I was slammed by work. But part of it isn't - I asked other people to do things and they said they would... but... Some of the "but" is for very good personal reasons, but I didn't follow up soon enough because I was away, and I'm now in panic mode about being able to pull this off. And since I pride myself on being an organized person, this hits me hard. I am working on it now, but the key issue is getting enough volunteers.

On a larger scale in the grand scheme of things... while I was in Denver, I learned that a former colleague (whom I liked) just died unexpectedly. There was a history of heart trouble in his family, on both sides, but 49 is young for that. I'm stunned and saddened, even though we hadn't been in touch for years. And I regret that.

And my family isn't here to welcome me home... they're at a Cub Scout Camp Out. I miss them.

Okay. Deep breath. This is a stack of "big and little things", not at all at the same level, and I'm letting them overwhelm me. One thing at a time.

The car is okay now. Let it go. I am grateful that the final tweak really didn't take long, that the major repairs fell when I didn't need to use my car, and that the still-needs-attention situation was handled with courtesy on both sides. Let go. It is done.

The program does seem to be fixed. I will block time on Monday to do the work I'd meant to do. On the calendar. The "what-if" scenarios that my colleague and I worked out will not be needed. (It was good that we had considered a "plan b," but sometimes that kind of planning feeds anxiety. Like that quote "there have been a lot of bad things in my life, most of which didn't happen.") Again, let go. Do the work that's in front of me, but don't stew.

The event... there's a few things I can do tonight to help that along. A few emails. So, I'll do that as soon as I post. And I will ask for help on it, much as I hate to, and accept the responsibility for the situation. (My inner kid wants to make excuses. My inner adult - I do have one! - says that's not productive. The rule is to share credit, but not blame. I have to admit that this is getting under my skin more than it ought because it threatens my self-image as a good organizer/manager. Facing that is hard.)

My friend... decide whether I can make it to the visitation/funeral. Send a card to the family. Acknowledge sadness. Make time to reach out to my friends that I have not been in touch with. Something at this level makes me feel that all my whining about other stuff is tremendously petty, even though the other stuff is consuming me right now. So, recognize that I need to gain a little perspective.

And I will see my guys tomorrow. I miss them, but they'll be back soon, and we'll all be so glad to see each other. The more I can work through some of this now, the more time I'll have with them tomorrow.

Okay, this is INCREDIBLY bloggy and self-indulgent. I'm tempted to erase it... but I won't. It helps to write sometimes. Then I can see what's happening, and put my energy into dealing rather than worrying - what a former mentor called being "future-focused."

And dealing is better than using food as an avoidance mechanism. Which is how it all sort-of-connects to here.

Off to send those emails. And then I will take a deeeeeep breath, and let go of it all for the rest of the evening.

[hilly6000]

Don't feel bad about writing your thoughts! Your worries are your worries, and no-S is about dealing with things, food and OTHERWISE. And your life ties into your other aspects of your life.

I'm sorry about your friend... in a way, though... it could help to motivate you to keep up the good changes in your life. And right now it might be tempting to eat the troubles away, but they won't go away... I'm sure you know that, regardless.

Sorry for being a random voice, but I just want you to know I am guilty of rabbling... but I say to heck with it, because if it's what you think, it's what you think. And that's how it is.

-=hugs=- Good luck with everything!

[Dandelion]

We seem to have had a similar week. Mine was a family death, a near car accident and an annoying work problem.

Here's to a better week for both of us.

[mimi]

Here's to a better week with brighter days...for all of us.
Hugs to you KCCC.

Mimi

[kccc]

Hilly, Dandelion, and Mimi, many thanks. It's always nice to get a word of encouragement. I appreciate it. Hope things are going well for you three at this point. Mimi... you mentioned on your thread that your red days came after disappointments... I've noticed that I deal well with 1-2 things, but have a hard time when multiple things hit me in a row. It's like I run out of resilience.

At least I didn't try to eat my way out the problems this time.

I worked hard while my guys were away, and I think the event is under control at this point, which was the thing that had me most frantic. So, I'm back to my normal life, at only it's regularly-scheduled level of craziness.

Got in some exercise this morning. I've been taking a Pilates class in the AM on Mondays for a while now, and it's always just me and one other friend. Our instructor just left because of life changes... new baby, move, etc. I doubt they'll replace her - honestly surprised they didn't cancel the class before. But the good news is that the room is still available, so my friend and I just did a routine ourselves. And I'm pleased that we can keep going on our own.

Br - oatmeal, nuts, cranberries, plus a clementine
L - PB&J, applesauce, yogurt
D - New recipe, sort of a chicken enchilada (okay, not awesome); peas and carrots, cinnamon apples.

[kccc]

Tuesday was a long erratic day, with no exercise. I missed that. I did do some evening stretches just b/c my shoulders hurt so much from sitting at a computer all day, but didn't time them, so am not counting. (It still helped and was good to do.)

My mindset about exercise has changed from something I HAVE to do to something I WANT to do, to the extent that I don't feel right without it.

Eating was okay... even though I worked VERY late.

Br - oatmeal, craisins, almonds
L - Local burrito place - the usual. Essentially a "salad with a bit of chicken in a tortilla," plus a few chips.
D - 15 bean soup, slice WW bread, 4 dried apricots. About 9PM!
I had a "steamer" (milk plus flavoring) about the time when I'd normally have dinner, because I was hungry and tired. It was the best I could manage at the coffeeshop where we were meeting, and I don't think much sweeter than a normal coffee (but it too late for caffeine). I don't plan to make that a regular thing, but this was an irregular day and I think it was okay.

I was VERY glad I'd put the soup in the crock-pot that morning! So nice to come home too, especially since it was so cold and rainy. Family liked it too.

Today...
Gym workout on the elliptical - 3.5 miles
Br - oatmeal, craisins, almonds
L - Leftover chicken enchilada, apple, clementine
D - TBD. Am not on top of meal planning this week, and need to get back on track! Options... pasta, egg-in-a-hole, grilled cheese... something fast.

[kccc]

My hubby did mac and cheese, broccoli, and peaches for dinner. Not my fave, but nice that he did it. My son LOVED it, lol! (Dad's one specialty.)

Exercise this am - 15 minutes on the Elliptical (1.3 miles) and 20 minutes yoga.

Br - oatmeal, raisins, nuts
L - more leftover chicken enchilada, clementine, applesauce, sm bag of chips
D - TBD. Will be out, because I have a late meeting. This week is not the best for planning meals.

I took a "failure" for yesterday - bites, licks, and tastes as I was prepping lunches. I recognized it as such... and defiantly ate about 6 Wheat Thin crackers since it was red anyway. Then I stopped, recognizing how silly that was. I've been doing well on the BLT habit, and don't want to regress, so I'm marking it... and listening to this signal that I'm still stressed out and need to regroup a little.

[FarmerHal]

Hi KCCC, sounds like you are doing pretty well... I've been thinking about you all the time, still have your note you sent me

I am back and going to post more often, I have a GPS clause now LOL for no Grains, Potatoes, Sugar because I've discovered I am really intolerant of most of them.

So I thought I'd say hello and keep plugging along (hugs)

Tiffani (shamrockmommy)

[kccc]

Glad to see you. Tiffani! Sounds like the elimination diet is really helping you. Hope things are going well overall.

NO exercise this weekend, which I'm not happy about. Actually took a "red" on exercise for the first time in a very long time. (My rule is at least 15 minutes for "5 of 7 days.") The last two weeks have been very difficult as professional and personal obligations collided, but I think I'm seeing light at the end of the tunnel. The church event I was worried about came together (after I put in some hard work), and went off beautifully on Saturday. So, that's done. I only have one late work session this week, and the other project will be done... and life will be better.

Eating has suffered as well as exercise. A lot of eating out because of travel and time constraints, and as I know all too well (a) restaurant food, even when it's not fast food, just is more caloric and less healthy than my home-cooking and (b) my choices aren't as careful when I'm stressed. Even when I'm technically within No-S, it's outside of "No-S for me" and I'm feeling the difference... and it's showing on the scale. I don't like starting the holiday seasaon with my weight already higher than I like.

At least I exercised this morning - 45 minutes of yoga/Pilates. And I'll have decent meals today. Here's what's planned:

Br - oatmeal with raisins and a tablespoon of PB (out of nuts, and someone mentioned this as an alternative. Not a bad "plan b.")
L - ham sandwich on homemade bread (one good thing I did this weekend!), salad with bleu cheese crumbles, clementines
D - Tuna melts and tomato soup, salad or fruit (TBD).

One day at a time... I think the root problem is being stretched a bit too thin, so I need to look at my life and see where I can pull back a bit and restore calm.

[kccc]

Tuesday

Exercise - 32 minutes on the elliptical (3 miles)

Br - oatmeal, raisins, nuts
L -PB&J on homemade bread, salad, 2 clementines. (Need to use UP those clementines! I love them, but a box is too much.)
D - chicken quesadillas, broccoli
Glass of wine

[kccc]

No exercise on Wednesday.

Today (Th), I planned to do the elliptical, but found I didn't feel well when I got on. The stats confirmed my feeling - my heart rate was higher and my speed lower than normal. I bailed after a mile and did some stretches instead. Still feel icky - slightly nauseated. Not sure what's going on. And I have a long day today...sigh.

Foodwise, doing fine.
Wed
Br - PB&J on homemade bread
L - one-plate at my favorite healthy place
D - stew. I tried a crockpot version, and it was disappointing. Too many potatoes for the meat/carrot ration, and just.... dull. And some of the things that were up against the side of the crock-pot actually burned! I didn't have much liquid, and think that was part of it. Sigh. There's a lot left to eat up, so I'm wondering if I can doctor it in some way. Maybe pull out some of the potatoes and add some broth and spices...

Th
Br - oatmeal, nuts, figs
L - chicken enchilada, broccoli
D - some of the disappointing stew, clementines
Not all meals are wonderful. At least I like lunch a good bit.

[kccc]

Well, instead of the disappointing stew, my colleague and I went to dinner between sessions. Longhorn's Steak Salad, which I love. A nice treat.

Strength session this morning. Made it through okay - whatever was the issue yesterday seems to be over, knock on wood.

Br - oatmeal, nuts, figs
L - brought salad, still have my stew. But I have a lunch meeting where I expect they will serve pizza. If so, I will dump my stew!
D - out. We have a family event tonight.

Weight is still up a bit (148 instead of my usual 145). I don't like that, especially heading into my "gaining season" (winter). But when I look at my diary and habitcal, it's clear to see why - too much eating out, and some over-the-top S days.

One good thing about No-S is that I can see patterns without micro-managing on calorie-counting... Which is good, because focusing on calories is mentally not good for me. For some reason, calorie-counting kicks me into deprivation-mode, which is a recipe for failure. After years of dieting, I have a good sense of how many calories are in foods and can adjust almost unconsciously... it's only if it becomes a conscious focus that it's a problem. While I accept that other people not only CAN calorie-count but even LIKE to, it's not a good solution for me.

[kccc]

Two reasonable S-days... some special things, but not over-the-top. Good deal.

Not enough exercise, though. Took kids geocaching on Saturday, so we walked a bit, but I'm not sure how much.

[Kevin]

What's geocaching?

Two reasonable S-days... some special things, but not over-the-top. Good deal.

Not enough exercise, though. Took kids geocaching on Saturday, so we walked a bit, but I'm not sure how much.

[kccc]

www.geocaching.com

Sort of a high-tech treasure-hunt... or a sneaky way to get kids out for a walk. This was actually a class our local parks service held to introduce the concept to newbies. I've been wanting to try it for a while, so dragged my son and a friend along. We were lucky enough to have a glorious day, and in addition to the thrill of locating the caches, there were sticks and a stream... all good.

==
Did some stretches late on Sunday - just barely enough to earn a "green" for the day on exercise.

==
Exercise on Monday - Pilates/yoga, 40 minutes
Br - oatmeal, raisins, nuts
L - leftovers from last night - broccoli, pasta with spinach and white beans, plus a banana
D (planned) - Black bean soup and cantaloupe

[kccc]

Dinner as planned yesterday.

For today...

Breakfast - PB & banana on whole-wheat bread
L - leftover pasta w/spinach and beans (much more garlicky as leftovers), canteloupe and banana
D - (planned) sausage, potato, and broccoli and cauliflower.
Also an extra coffee, and a glass of wine (going to start tracking those).

I have recently started "plating" the leftovers going into my lunch before I pack them, and am noticing the difference. (I just use my dinner plate, dish out another meal-size serving, then pack that up. Works great.) What looks like a pitiful amount in the box spreads out to cover half a regular plate, and vice-versa. Good to know, and act on.

Exercise is minimal - 30 minutes Wii aerobics in the evening.

[kccc]

Wednesday, Nov. 25

Exercise - 2+ mile walk.

Br - egg in a hole
L - PB&J, banana
D - will be with the folks, and thus a challenge by definition. But it's the last meal before an S-day, so I can deal.

[kccc]

Wednesday was just sammiches and fruit and such. Dad broke out a pumpkin pie early, but I resisted.

Thursday was total, indescribable, over-the-top eating. I did walk 2.5 miles early in the day (go, me!). Then I ate until my stomach hurt, so I have no desire to repeat the process.

Friday...
Br - yogurt and fruit (could have skipped, but know I do better on routine)
L (planned) - T-day leftovers... one reasonable plate!
D (planned) - Hoppin' John, using some leftover ham. (I like T-day food, but get tired of it.)

[Kathleen]

KCCC -
Remember -- you can have over the top eating without a side order of guilt! It seemed somewhat childish of me to relish pecan pie in front of my mother in law. I told her that seh'd see by next summer how I'm doing with this diet!
Kathleen

[kccc]

KCCC -
Remember -- you can have over the top eating without a side order of guilt! It seemed somewhat childish of me to relish pecan pie in front of my mother in law. I told her that seh'd see by next summer how I'm doing with this diet!
Kathleen

Kathleen, I enjoyed every bite - even those that made my tum hurt! But I think that managing to hold off until it was really truly an S-day made a real difference. That's what kept the guilt at bay! (And I understand the childish bit entirely... it's so satisfying to be right and show the doubters.)

Friday was back on track with an honest-to-gosh N-day, pretty much as planned in the last post I made. It actually felt good to allow myself to get hungry between meals. I got a walk/run in too, so am feeling pretty happy with myself. Today is another S-day, and I kind of don't care, lol! I expect I'll have leftover pumpkin pie after my meals - it's my favorite - but overall I really still want to eat decently. So I will... by choice. It's nice to feel I can choose either way.

[Kathleen]

KCCC,
After my disasterous tweak of trying to reduce number of S Days, I think that the frequency of S Days is what makes you think you can eat more moderately. I ate a lot on Thanksgiving but have no interest in eating so much today. There's almost a downward push to eat less because you don't want a stomach ache! No willpower whatsoever is involved in my not eating! I'm not sure I'm right about losing weight, but I'm sure that I have more control over my eating than I did when I was trying conventional diets! Enjoy today!
Kathleen

[kccc]

KCCC,
There's almost a downward push to eat less because you don't want a stomach ache! No willpower whatsoever is involved in my not eating!

I agree, Kathleen! I really did overeat on Thanksgiving, but I got it out of my system and am "done" for a bit. It really did feel good to be hungry yesterday, and to get exercise yesterday and today.

==
Editing to add tracking...
Exercise - 2+ miles walk/run. I'm starting to run again, because my hip seems better. But I'm taking it easy, and working my way back up the "couch to 5 K" ladder. Going up faster than the first time, but really not pushing - did "week 3" routine today. Think that at week 4, I'll start really giving myself a week to take it to the next level.

Br- oatmeal, nuts, banana
L - turkey quesadillas, broccoli, roasted squash.
S - Pumpkin pie for dessert
D - ham sandwich (with roasted red peppers and gorgonzola), more squash
S - Pumpkin pie for dessert

A very good S-day. Periodically I think "hey, it's an S day, I should have something!" and then the reality of being full kicks in and I remember that it's a choice not an obligation. Oh, okay.

[kccc]

Well, Sunday was a bit more over-the-top. We went out to eat at a buffet for lunch, and I had seconds/dessert. Then made cookies in the afternoon, and ate too many. Otherwise "normal"... but there were a LOT of cookies!

Back on track for Monday.

Exercise - Pilates/stretches
Br - oatmeal, nuts, raisins
L - Turkey soup, salad, canteloupe
D - More leftover turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, and salad. (I cooked another turkey over the weekend, because we didn't have enough leftovers and my guys LOVE mashed potatoes and gravy. I'll eat a little, but honestly would rather have salad at this point.)

[Kathleen]

KCCC,
My body is in full scale revolt after the last few days of eating! With this diet, your body revolts against overeating. With most conventional diets, your body revolts against starvation dieting! I think there's a little bit of "reverse psychology" in this diet -- go ahead, eat all you want, you'll find out... My steel cut oatmeal tasted wonderful this morning!
Kathleen

[kccc]

Weighed this AM and am at my pre-Thanksgiving weight. Still a bit high (because it was then), but I'm satisfied with where I am for a Tuesday morning.

Exercise
30 minutes walk/run (Couch to 5 K week 3)
Yoga stretches for 10 minutes

Br - oatmeal, nuts, raisins
L - turkey soup, salad, mandarin oranges
D (planned) - squash soup, grilled cheese sandwiches, salad

Reflecting back... this has been a very difficult year for me in terms of maintenance, which is why I've been here so much.

Despite my efforts to focus on multiple ways to nurture myself, eating is definitely one form of self-comfort still...and this year has involved a lot of change/stress. Last October, I was sick with worry over my disappearing job. The new-and-better job I ended up with in January entails a much longer commute, which means I sit more and have less time to cook healthy meals (plus it's got its own stresses). I've also had a good bit of travel, which always gets me (restaurant meals). Final count: I'm up to 148 (was 145 on my last check in; 143 was my WW goal weight).

However... it could have been much worse. I could have easily packed on 10-15 pounds or more under these kinds circumstances in the past. No-S has helped me identify my trouble-spots and work on them, over and over. The bites, licks, and tastes habit I fell into. Restaurant meals. Just too many red days. S-days gone wild. Each time I started to get REALLY out of control, I was able to figure out the problem and address it - there was always a key leverage point.

Still intend to get those few pounds off, though! However, I'll be happy with holding steady on my habits through the holidays. If that translates to just holding steady on the scale as well, that's success enough for now.

==
Decided that the previous few paragraphs would make a good addition to my testamonials page, so re-edited and posted.

No one but me liked the squash soup, and I liked the other recipe better. I was trying this one in an effort to get my family onboard... but I think I'll just give up on them and freeze lunch-sized portions for me.

[kccc]

Wednesday

Rainy icky day here, and I'm so happy to be working at home in my fuzzy slippers.

Br - egg in a hole
L - squash soup, 1/2 cheese sandwich, salad
D (planned) - spaghetti with clam sauce, salad, other veg. Maybe bread if I get my act in gear fast enough.
One extra coffee already... and I'd dearly love another, but am holding off.

Exercise - 30 minutes of Wii aerobics - enough to work up a sweat.

[mrsj]

KCCC, what is egg in a hole? Is it easy to make?

You are doing really well, and are an ispiration to me.

[kccc]

Hi Mrsj
Egg in a hole is called by a number of names - toad in a hole, egg in a basket, etc. It's essentially an egg fried inside a hole cut in a slice of bread; the bread gets toasted at the same time. I make it on a non-stick griddle, with whole wheat bread lightly buttered on one side. I cut out a circle with a glass, put the bread and cut out circle on the griddle butter-side down, put a tiny bit of butter in the hole and crack an egg in it. When the egg is set on the bottom, I flip it and the toast circle and cook to desired level of doneness. My son LOVES this - he likes to dip the circle in the egg yolk. I consider it as the equivalent of an egg and a slice of buttered toast, which is a reasonable breakfast. (I eat one; hubby eats two.) It's fast enough for a school morning when I'm home, or sometimes a quick supper with fruit salad on the side.

I've been doing this a long time. Sometimes I do very well, other times less so... but I keep coming back to the basics, and they keep working for me. It does get easier over time - the "falls" are not as far.

==

Yesterday was so nasty I punted on the pasta and made black-bean chili instead. So dinner was chili, a biscuit, and canned peaches. Yum! (I really wanted another biscuit, but was good.)

Today
Exercise - 30 minute run/walk (week 4 of Couch to 5K) plus 15 minutes stretching

Br - oatmeal with raisins and nuts
L - leftover chili, a biscuit, salad
D - out. We're going to the holiday parade! Will keep it reasonable.

[kccc]

Ate stir-fry last night, with brown rice. It was good, but I honestly didn't get enough. (We ordered 2 dishes for 3 people, which usually works out well, but my son is evidently in a growth spurt...) Had an after-parade decaf latte, which helped.

Friday!!

Exercise - Strength training class. I can tell I'm going to be sore.

Br - oatmeal, nuts, raisins
L and D are both out - Lunch is a Holiday lunch with colleagues and Dinner is a holiday party with a different group of colleagues. Of the two, dinner will be harder, and I am debating making it a NWS or taking "one S event." I will decide when I get there and see if it's worth either!

[kccc]

On Friday, lunch ended up being a crab cake sandwich and salad. I ate only 1/2 of the kaiser roll it was on. One plate, with some leftovers. Good.

Dinner was the holiday party. I ate one plate, then chose to have one "S-event"... dessert. I had half-portions of two homemade items, one a peanut bar with chocolate topping (kind of like Reese's PB cup in flavor) and the other a custard-y dish that I heard someone call "buttermilk pie," even though it had no crust. I want the recipe for the pie - delicious! I found the bars too sweet, however, though everyone else was raving about them. (Aside: I've noticed I am gravitating toward different flavors than I used to. My choice of chocolate is now more intense and less sweet than it used to be.)

Anyway... I have decided that I'm going to split out one of my NWS days into "events" during the holiday season. This will STOP on January 1, but I think it's a reasonable accommodation for this month, so that I neither go overboard nor feel terribly deprived. I have determined that a "good" S-day has about 3 S-events in it. (For me. At this time. Would not have been true before.) So, I have had ONE S-event on Friday, plan to have ONE S-event on the 11th, and have one left over...which I do not have to use.

I'm also being more conscious of my S-days... it's funny how that feels. In the past, such a limitation would have been restrictive, and I would have internally rebelled against it - even though I technically set the limit myself. Now, it feels like less of a restriction. More as if I'm treading carefully around a pit I'm don't want to fall in, and simply being mindful of the slippery places. Like I'm doing myself a favor instead of punishing myself. I don't LIKE feeling bloated and over-full, or falling into perma-snacking. I am CHOOSING to limit my eating because I enjoy my treats more when I do.

So I'm being picky in a good way when it come to treats, and becoming more discerning about what I like and don't, and what's "special" and what's not.

Today thus far:
Exercise: 2.25 mile walk, 20 minutes yoga.
Br - Multigrain waffles topped with cinnamon apples.
L - Salad and a bagel with cream cheese and sardines (I know. I love that combination, but my family looks at me aghast. They had leftovers, and I treated myself. So there.)
S1 - Chocolate. Upscale bittersweet stuff, with orange notes, bought from the organic market I like. A bar is considered 2 servings. I had 1/2 serving (1/4 bar), plus two minatures of Special Dark that my son gave me (not as good - glad I had it first). So, about one full serving total.

[kccc]

Ah well... grand words, but the weekend got away from me. Good thing that an S-day is "failure-proof." The feeling of choice comes and goes... but I like when I feel it, and hope that celebrating it will encourage it to stick around.

Monday
Exercise - short run to warm up, followed by yoga sequence

Br - oatmeal, nuts, raisins
L - chicken enchiladas, little bit of salad, banana
D - TBD. Have not done well planning menus this week thus far. Hm.

[kccc]

Finishing up Monday... Tower of Tortilla, broccoli

Tuesday
Exercise - run and stretches. Week 5 of C to 5K

Br - oatmeal, raisins, nuts
L - blew it. Went out with the group from work, and we went to a Mexican place. I ordered a reasonable lunch, but ate too many pre-dinner chips. I cannot virtual plate them, nor can I ignore them. When it's just me, I ask the servers not to bring them, but can't do that with a group. Rest of lunch was blackened tiliapia and stir-fried veg, and I skipped the rice... but I think the chips were over the top.
D - honey-dijon shrimp, brown rice, cauliflower, tomato. Delicious
Extra coffee
Wine

I am pleased that I didn't "wreck the car" after lunch... but not happy about lunch.

Wednesday

B- bagel w/PB and banana
L - at my favorite restaurant... 1/2 plate salad, 1/4 roasted potatoes, 1/4 chicken. I love salads with all the stuff I normally wouldn't have all at once at my house. Someone always comments on how "pretty" my plate looks - it's because of all the colors!
D (planned) - bean soup (in the crockpot), bread, tangerines
Extra coffee (already!)
No exercise yet. Need to figure that out.

I did plan meals on Monday, once I realized how behind I was on that!

[kccc]

Wednesday as planned. No exercise.

Thursday

Exercise - 30 minutes on elliptical. I fell going to the car in the dark (tripped on a pile of wood I'd forgotten about) and landed on my knee on the concrete, so wanted low impact. The knee is a bit bruised, but I put ice on it after I exercised and I think it will be fine after a few days.

Br - oatmeal, banana, nuts
L - leftover soup, bread, tangerine
D - eating out, to support a Cub Scout's fundraiser. I'll be careful!

[kccc]

Thursday dinner was a grilled chicken salad with bleu cheese - probably "high" as salads go, but the best available.

Friday
Exercise: muscle strength class
Br -oatmeal, nuts, figs
L - Holiday party at work. To be announced.
D - Probably pasta or something else easy.

I did skip homemade cookies at the coffeehour (they looked lovely, too)... but since the holiday meal was coming up, better not to.

===Update
The Holiday party went well. They had decent food, and I had one full plate (half veggies) and didn't bother with dessert. So didn't need to use any "S's" - yay!

Planning dinner at home before we go out shopping. It'll be an "easy option," but I'll let the guys choose. (My easy options, off the top of my head: Tuna melts. Egg in a hole. Pasta with pesto. Tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwiches. Black bean chili - except we just had bean soup, so probably not. Chicken quesadillas.)

[kccc]

It's a bad sign when I stop updating. Two reds (Friday night and Tuesday night) in the last few days. Sigh.

Moving on... I AM exercising.

So... "dusting off the crumbs" and starting again. Monday was good, today was good. Take it from here.

[kccc]

Wednesday was good, and so is Thursday so far.

Broke out my old T-Tapp dvds, and like them a bit better this round than I did initially. May try a "boot camp" over the hols while the gym is closed. Did the "Instructional 1" and "Basic Workout Plus" on Wednesday.

Today was a running day - week five, session 3.

Don't feel like back-tracking on the meals, so from here...

Br - oatmeal, nuts, craisins
L - lovely salad with craisins, leftover rotisserie chicken, and goat cheese, plus crackers and a clementine.
D (planned) - chicken quesadillas, salad, fruit.

[kccc]

Ended up with just chicken quesadillas and applesauce. A bit bland. Oh well.

Today - Pilates and Yoga
Br - oatmeal/nuts/craisins
L - chicken quesadilla (1/2), broccoli, clementine
D - TBD. Grilled cheese and soup, probably.

[kccc]

Saturday

Ran - Week 6 session 1 of Couch to 5K.

Today was cookie-baking day - four varieties, with kid helpers. I told them at the beginning that they could have ONE of each batch (not pan, each kind of cookie) plus two "choice cookies" at the end... and I pretty much stuck to that too. I also planned to still have regular meals, even if they were casual/light.

There were plenty of bites, licks, and tastes, of course. But when I passed the cooling racks, I didn't automatically grab a cookie - I'd just recall that "I'd had one of those."

I count it as a major success that I wanted my dinner. Normally, when I bake cookies, I'm too ill from excess sugar by then.

Oh, and the bulk of the cookies are in the freezer for Christmas. There are a few out for the family (in containers thougn, not just sitting out), and a bowl of dough in the fridge to be baked today, but for the most part, they're DONE.

Sunday
Did the "T-Tapp Basic Workout" for exercise - not very long, but I think it helps my shoulders/neck a lot.

Br - egg in a hole
Other meals tbd...

[kccc]

Rest of Sunday included eating out at a Chinese buffet, and too much snacking on cookies. Don't remember supper, though I know I ate it.

Monday... knew today would be hard. I baked up the rest of the cookie dough and did NOT eat any. Had kids over all day (long story there) and had snacks out for them (mostly fruit, cheese, crackers, and juice drinks). And... I'm just at home, and it feels like a weekend/holiday even though it's not.

So, I compensated by allowing larger meals than I would normally eat. We fed the kids pizza for both lunch and dinner... and had the same, though I added salad to mine (they had fruit). I allowed myself two pieces instead of just one, and feel quite satisfied.

Br - oatmeal, craisins, nuts
L - 2 slices pizza
D - 2 slices pizza, salad

Exercise was 15 minutes of stretching.

[kccc]

Tuesday... more back on track.

I ran for exercise - week 6, session 2 of Couch to 5K.

Br - yogurt and banana
L - Leftover chicken and chard (that's what we had on Sunday!), salad, 2 figs
D - Lamb stew, couscous, canteloupe, 2 figs

I am working hard to stay on target this week. I'm at home, and baking and doing a lot of cooking.

Two things help: one is sticking to my normal meal times very strictly, and the other is planning what I call "N-day treats" - just including foods I like a lot. For example, I adore figs - always have. When I was a kid, I remember peeling the cookie layer off Fig Newtons because I liked the middle the best (that was my first exposure to figs). When Nabisco came out with Strawberry Newtons and the like, I found them totally uninteresting. The first time I had a dried fig, I realized THAT was the part I liked! So, figs are a major treat to me, but a perfectly N-day treat (in moderation). So I had them today.

[kccc]

Br - bagel, pb, banana
L - one slice leftover pizza, small helping chicken and chard (also leftover), salad, 2 figs.
D - (planned) Repeat of yesterday - lamb stew, couscous, canteloupe

No exercise yet... had dental appointments this morning, and that threw me off. Got a lot of gift-wrapping done, though.

[kccc]

Been a while since I've posted... just been busy.

However, I've been pleased with how well I've been able to follow No-S during the holidays at home. (TWO double-whammys!) Regular mealtimes are the KEY to eating properly, I've decided.

Exercise has been a bit spotty - time to get back on that. And I have certainly had blow-out holiday days. But they're over now.

Happy New Year to everyone!

[kccc]

Thinking about habits in general... here's a post from the main board that I want to save/keep.

have been thinking about S-days in general, especially in light of some of the discussion. I have some conflicting ideas...that are all true.

First, I think S-days are important, especially when first beginning. "Always" is too long for any restriction. For similar reasons, I'm leery of adding S-day restrictions, because they can backfire all too easily.

I also do think N-day habits can carry over (though a little active attention to helping that process along is not a bad idea). My "best" S-days reflect that. Even on "wild" ones, I do tend to keep to meal structures and try to remember to drink enough, both of which make a real difference.

However... habit is a powerful thing, and it cuts both ways. I think I've allowed myself to develop a habit of having wild S-days. There's still too much "eat it now because I can't after today" thinking.

This is a habit that I don't like. In the terms of my kid, it's "not my friend."

I know adding restrictions will also add stress/pressure that I probably won't manage well. (That may work for some of you, but I know myself well enough to know it's a bad idea).

What HAS been working (and it works well on N-days too), is to ask myself "is this a habit I want to build?" It's a good response to that little voice that says "it's an S-day, you're allowed." ("Sure I am. But this isn't a habit I want to build.") That internal rejoinder gives me a chance to step back and decide if I really truly WANT whatever-it-is... or if it's just... well... habit.

The nice thing about habits is that you can build the ones you want, and then they ARE your friends.

I don't do New Year's Resolutions (I do "Habits of the Month" instead), but the temptation is so strong. I want to set 20 different goals, all at once, and am restraining myself because I know that just leads to crashing and burning and feeling awful. One. Thing. At. A. Time.

But I would like to be more intentional about my goals. So, my first Habit for January is simply to think about what Habits I want to work on, and to select them thoughtfully for the rest of the year. And just re-instate my normal good habits that have gotten a bit spotty over the holidays - the usual No-S and exercise. That's good enough.

[kccc]

Back to an N-day, and enjoying it!

I'm at home today, so made home-made bread (the "5-minute" stuff, which really is fast IF you're at home anyway). Yum!

Br - yogurt, banana (fast b/c I had a dr's appt to get to)
L - Bread, white bean dip (homemade, from Mark Bittman's "Express Kitchen"), carrot sticks
D (planned) - Leftover strata, some sort of fruit/veg

Had a physical therapy appointment today - have various issues that are just beyond my level of self-management right now. Good start to the new year... though I was hoping for massage and ended up with a list of exercises to do for my neck and shoulders, lol! But they're helping, so I'm happy.

Tomorrow I get to go back to the gym on my way to work.

You know something is a real habit when you WANT to do it. That's a good feeling right there.

[kccc]

Tuesday...

Back at work, at least physically.

Exercise - Couch to 5K, session 6.1 (dropping back a bit), plus PT.

Br - oatmeal with craisins and nuts, banana. Actually heated the oatmeal because it was cold here this morning.
L - homemade artisan bread, cheese, tangerine, cup of mushroom soup. I'd brought an apple, but had to go to the store anyway so bought the box of organic mushroom soup so I'd have something hot, and subbed it out for the apple.
D (planned) - bean soup, more bread if I get home in time to bake it, fruit.

[Jammin' Jan]

What's in the white bean dip?

[kccc]

Can of white beans, drained, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, rosemary. I've done it with roasted garlic before too, but not this time. My kid loves it (and so do I).O

[Jammin' Jan]

Thanks!

[kccc]

My pleasure! Homemade bread with bean dip is delish - and reasonably healthy and satisfying.

Wednesday

Exercise - yoga series

Br - bagel (whole, I was hungry) with PB and banana
L - bean soup and homemade bread, tangerine
D - TBA. I had plans, but they've just gotten disrupted by additions to the dinner table. But I'll figure out something.

[kccc]

Dinner Wed was sausage balls, fried potatoes, homemade bread, and a big salad to balance. (Kept the non-salad portions smallish).

Thursday
Exercise - C to 5K, Session 6.2 plus PT
Br - oatmeal, craisins, nuts
L - salad w/ cranberries, feta, and a two tiny pork tenderloin rounds; small cup mushroom soup; a thick slice of homemade bread, and a tangerine. A bit much - I'm stuffed. All delicious
D (planned) - Spanikopita casserole and salad and fruit

Went back to PT for my hip this time. What I thought was an old hamstring injury turned out to be a mis-aligned SI joint that was causing the periformis muscle to irritate the sciatic nerve. I am astounded at how much relief one session gave me! Wish I'd done it years ago...glad I'm doing it now.

But boy, do I have a LIST of PT exercises to do each day. They don't take that long, but I have to get to them. Still... I recently saw a cartoon of a doctor talking to a patient that said "Which fits your busy schedule better - and hour of exercise a day, or being dead 24 hours a day?" That really puts exercise in perspective.

[kccc]

Forgot to add that I did my post-holiday weigh-in this AM. Exactly what I weighed before the holidays (148), which is good enough for now.

[kccc]

Thursday - ended up not having Spanikopita, because my husband accidentally took the filling I'd prepared for it in his lunch! He kept it in the fridge, so it was fine, but he got home too late for me to make it.

Soo... we had frozen ravioli with pesto, salad, and asian apple/pear slices. And a slice of homemade bread.

Fr
Br - oatmeal
L - soup, salad, bread and cheese, tangerine. I'm thinking I need to have soup and salad or soup and sandwich, but not all three.
D - tonight is the spanikopita! Also salad and canteloupe