Lent

Lent is here, and I gave up cheese. It's my favorite food in the whole world. I've done it twice before, but I was much younger then! Three days cheese-free. I guess if it was easy, it wouldn't be much of a sacrifice!



A lovely long weekend in Florida with friends actually resulted in a few pounds lost. Current weight is 222 1/2.

I need my routine!

I clearly need my usual routine. Last week it was mostly cancelled due to teacher workdays and a snow day. What did I do with my unstructured time? I ate (and ate and ate and ate). I started the week at 220. My post-Super Bowl party weigh-in was 229. Good grief! It's truly amazing how much food I can eat, yet not feel full. I pray that this week is back to normal. I miss my Bible studies that we don't have when there is no school. I miss the fellowship and the learning, and I tend to eat when I'm bored. I need to come up with something to replace eating when I'm bored or stressed or whatever it is that's not real physical hunger. I love to read. I used to like to draw, and I am working on a crocheted baby blanket for a friend. I need to make a habit of going for those things and not the food. It may sound pretty hopeless, but I'm going to get there! I could clean my house. No, no, anything but that!

Just do it!

I've got to stop making big proclamations, especially those that revolve around "milestone" days. I know that there are no "magic" days that will turn my life around. A date on the calendar can't do that; only I can, with God's help, of course. And that help is there; all I have to do is listen for His word and obey it.

After my big speech on Friday, I had much stress with my parents on Saturday and plowed my way through the refrigerator. I lost the battle of trying to get my parents to do what the doctors prescribed, and gained two pounds in the process. I know I have to just let it go, what will be, will be, etc.; but I feel like I must help them, they won't let me, and things are going steeply downhill.

Anyway, after that, I did well until last night, when there was a little stress eating (same subject). But I did make some progress, and this morning I weigh 221 1/4. Yea! I tried to make good food choices, added a little protein, and, (except for last night), didn't eat after dinner. Now I need to work on exercise and sleep, battling laziness and nightmares! And to remember to breathe!

Why did I make those sticky-buns?

Well, my family wanted them. Fiber One doesn't excite them. Go figure.

I've had three good days and one bad one. Today is up for grabs.

Continued

How symbolic. Tech's coach handing out the oranges from the trophy. Healthy food! Orange cheese, orange oranges -- really, what's the difference? Seriously, the old season is over, and the new season is here. I'm going to get it all out in the open, for complete accountability. Right now I weigh 226 1/4. I have been as high as 232 1/2. This would be fine if I were 7 feet tall, but, alas I am barely over 5 feet. No more hiding. Not from cameras, nor from people who haven't seen me in 30 years.

Happy New Year!

I love the Christmas season; however, I'm glad the food part of it is winding down. I've cleaned out stuff from the fridge and pantry, and am looking forward to my holiday-related excuses going away. I had both good and bad diet days, so that really was a wash.

I think changing some other habits will also help with the food thing. I'm trying to form better sleep habits, which should help all-around health-wise. I also need to start walking again, both for exercise and for fresh air. They say that will also help with sleep, in addition to weight loss and blood-pressure reduction.

So, tonight is the last food-related event of the season. I'm referring, of course, to the Orange Bowl. Go Hokies!

Happy and Healthy and Blessed 2009, everyone!