I LOST...

Whoa, Cammy, you misunderstood (in your comment yesterday). I was referring to continuing with the once weekly weigh-in as to whether I'd stop or not. I most definitely wasn't referring to the healthy eating and the occasional exercise I get. Never fear girlfriend, I'm in this for the long haul. I certainly don't want you scouring all these mountains looking for me. You could get lost up here. I'd much rather give you directions so that I don't have to worry about you.

One and a half pounds gone this week! My experiment worked! You know what that means. I gotta keep doing it. Maybe this next week won't be as hard as the last one was. Those scales never stopped yelling at me when I walked past them, even with them covered up.

Since this is my weigh-in day it is also my splurge day and I haven't got a thing in the house I can splurge with (I don't think). The Orkin man is coming today so I won't be going to town for errands since I never know when he'll show up. Maybe I'll just splurge by eating more of the healthy stuff. That sure sounds boring, doesn't it?

Just got word through the grapevine that the ex-friend is on her way to her winter home. YAY! Now I can breath easier.

I never thought I'd be glad to be alone but these past few day have been heavenly without company. I've sure had a lot of it this summer. The only ones in the foreseeable future are a niece and nephew coming the 17th of October. And then Cara and her hubby may come sometime in October. At least that will give me some breathing room. And then the long, cold, hard, lonely winters will be here and I'll probably be wishing I had company coming. Never can please me.

Have a great day.

Cooking for One & Plenty of Water...

I've been wondering lately WHY water helps in losing weight. We all know that it does but me being me, I just had to know the WHY and the HOW of it. So I went searching. I found a really good article that explains it completely and in really simple terms. It's called Why Drinking Water Really is the Key to Weight Loss by Maia Appleby.

My paraphrased version is:

We all know that water is processed through the kidneys, right? Well, when the body doesn't get enough water it throws the metabolism out of whack. When the kidneys are deprived of the necessary water it causes the liver to take over and do some of the work that the kidneys are supposed to do. The liver is the place that gets rid of the fat. When the liver has to work for itself and the kidneys, it can't do it's job properly and it's not as productive. Therefore fat is stored where we don't want it.

The article also gives some guidelines of how much water is best for losing weight and how to get it all down. Basically it says that we need at least 64 ounces a day to be healthy...but...for those of us that are over weight we should add 8 ounces for every 25 pounds of excess fat we carry. It goes on to say that the extra potty breaks we take will subside once our body gets used to getting the proper amount of water.

There's a lot of good advice there so give it a read.

Now on to cooking for ONE. I'm reading on most weight loss sites that your body gets tired of eating the same thing day after day. And when it gets tired of that it stores fat or at least doesn't get rid of it like it should. (Haven't done the research on this one yet but I will and then report back to you as to the why and the how.) My problem is that it is difficult to cook for only one, especially if you've spent 40+ years cooking for a family. I already package my chicken breasts or other meats into one unit per package before freezing them. But my biggest problem is (being the lazy person hat I am) that I hate to dirty up the kitchen just preparing one little measly meal for one measly person. So when I do cook I prepare enough for at least two meals and pop one in the fridge for the next day. So as I was entering my foods last night, I just copied and pasted them into today's food journal to save me time today. I wonder if that makes a difference. Does it mean that having the same thing today as yesterday will hinder my weight loss or does it mean that it has to be day after day after day? Something to check in to and believe you me, I will.

I've been getting really tired of grilled chicken and decided to try something a little different. Here's what I did:

Sauteed one (diced) chicken breast in 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Added a half cup of mushrooms.
Sprinkled 2 ounces of (real) shredded cheddar cheese over it and allowed it to melt.
274 calories and approximately 5 WW points.

I served it over a cup of noodles (I hate rice but for those of you that like it, it would probably be better for you). It was just so yummy, and I've got enough for today! I used whole cheese since I just can't stand the FF stuff so if you like it you could change to the FF cheese and cut back on the calories and/or points. I had some Brussels sprouts and a whole tomato with it. It wasn't just good it was colorful too! When a meal looks good it makes it so much more fun to eat, doesn't it? Even if it is good for us.

Still haven't stepped on the scales yet but tomorrow is the day. This has been a really hard thing for me to do but I do know that it has kept me on target better than in the past when I was weighing every day. I'm so anxious to see what the outcome will be. The outcome will determine whether I will keep it up or not. So far my average calorie intake for this week has been 1267. One of those days I was way over because of my weekly splurge and one day I was way under because of the stress in my life.

Wish me luck on tomorrow's weigh-in.

Some Ups and Some Downs...

Another horrible day yesterday. AGAIN... The ex-friend started with the harassing phone calls again. You'd think this person was 15 instead of a senior citizen. Anyway it had me upset all afternoon and evening. On the bright side my calorie intake was low. Guess I'm one of those people that don't eat when REALLY stressed. That's a good thing, but I don't think I want to lose weight like this. She leaves the state in the winter time, usually by October 1st. Maybe it will be sooner this year.

Still haven't been on the scales and I am really wondering if there's a difference. This is so hard. I think one of my problems was that when I'd see a slight loss and sometimes a "staying the same" it would prompt me to eat a little more than I should. So if I can keep this up maybe the weight will come off quicker.

I didn't even think about measuring myself before I started this journey. Sure wish I had. I measured myself right after I started blogging and was disgusted that I didn't have a true starting point. So I got to thinking after reading a fellow blogger that I could go to a clothing store web site and look at their size chart for the sizes I was wearing. When I did that it all started to click. I remembered measuring myself when I would order clothes online a few years ago and I remember that the sizes on the chart weren't exactly like my measurements, they were smaller than me. So I still used what they said as my starting point and that has really amazed me. I knew it had to be a lot because of dropping 4 jean sizes and 3 shirt sizes but wow. Unfortunately my waist isn't getting much smaller. :o(Not in comparison with the other measurements.)o:

Have you checked out my daughter Cara's blog site lately. She has updated her before and "during" picture. Just look at the amazed look on her face in the during photo. That's the look I had when I first saw her last month. I hadn't seen her since she started on WW and up until last month all I had to go on were photos she'd post or send me.

I was just looking back at some of my previous posts and had to laugh at Saturdays post. I'm not a short and to the point kinda person but that post surely was. I was so distracted that day with my oldest being here that I didn't even think about posting until late in the afternoon and then my thought was that I'd be struck with some sort of horrible illness if I didn't post. I have this thing in my head that I HAVE to post every day or the world might come to an end or something. Now that's what I call commitment. Course this blogging stuff is a real blessing for me. I have someone to talk to every morning on here. And reading and commenting on your blogs gives me some conversation with people instead of dogs and cats. You, my friends, are a real blessing. Thanks bunches for being here for me.

See ya later...

Hidey Ho, out there...

Yesterday evening did not go as planned. When we decided to go to the Oktober Fest at Snowshoe we had to change clothes and put on something warmer. By the time we did that it had started to rain. And since all the activities are outside up there on that cold mountain we didn't want to walk around in the rain. So we headed to Lewisburg to catch a movie and have dinner. Well...the movies that were playing sucked. We decided we'd just eat dinner and come home and see what was on Pay Per View instead. So we walked around the little town (which pulls the sidewalks in after five) and window shopped. We did find one gallery opened and enjoyed a lot of beautiful and expensive craftsmanship. Then on to dinner. When we first got to the town we weren't hungry and stopped to see what time the restaurant closed. So we came back later only to find out that we needed a reservation. What? Why didn't they tell us that when we asked about their closing. So we put our names in and waited another 45 minutes. This is the same restaurant I took Cammy too and their food is well worth the wait.

I was so surprised last night when I entered my foods from Friday (I forgot to do that Friday night) and Saturday. Both days it was just a little over 1200 calories. WooHoo! I still haven't stepped on the scales since my Wednesday weigh-in so I don't know how I'm doing. But my personal challenge is going well. How have I managed to stay off them? I just threw a towel over the durn things so I couldn't hear them screaming for me to step on them. I can still hear their muffled cries but not as loudly as before. And the muffled cries, I have been able to resist...so far.

Sorry I haven't gotten to visit any of your posts and comment but I was a busy person yesterday and I'm sure you understand. Will get to all of you as soon as I'm finished here.

The kids have already left for home and I am back in my routine. Setting here typing while sipping my morning coffee. Yep, we all slept late this morning.

Hope your Saturday was as happy as mine.

Quick and to the Point...

Oldest is here.

Been busy today.

Eating was good yesterday and today.

Heading to Snowshoe Mountain for Oktoberfest events. (Eating won't be good there, I'll bet.)

More tomorrow...

YUCK...

Boy did I ever blow it yesterday. But I think I cured myself at the same time. Just had to buy some chips and dip when I went to the store. My excuse was that the "oldest" loves them. Was so down last night that I decided to go ahead and open the packages and have just a little. I had eaten good all day so I thought, what the heck, a little won't hurt. And a little probably wouldn't have. But I didn't have a little. I had a lot. I measured the dip and counted the chips and everything but still... I decided to get my fill. And I did. YUCK!!! By the time I'd finished what I had doled out I was sick to my stomach. And had to pop the tums in the middle of the night. (Still have some in the night stand drawer from my "fatty" days.) Why oh why do we do that to ourselves? And I know I'm not the only one 'cause y'all fess up at times too :o) It will be a long time before I want any more of that stuff. To beat it all, after adding it to my other food the calories didn't go above 1400. Just think what a wonderful food day I would have had if I hadn't grossed out. I know me, I probably would have had another kind of snack, but it would have been a healthy one at least.

Company didn't come yesterday and that's a good thing. They decided to drive to a town near the white water rafting place so they wouldn't have to get up so early here for the drive. It's about an hour and a half from here. Smart choice on their part. So they will be here this evening sometime after they are off the river.

I'm into a really good book right now. It's by James Rollins. He writes action books that delve a little into the historical, biblical stuff. They are usually set in present times but take place in biblical areas and have some biblical connotations in them. His books are a little slow for the first chapter but after that they are really hard to put down. Think I'll be reading a lot today, in between cooking, because I can hardly wait to see how the main characters are going to get out of their predicaments.

Later Y'all...

Stress in My Little World...

What a day yesterday was! I'm glad it's over! Had a problem with a friend (well now ex-friend) and I still can't figure out what I did wrong. After talking to a mutual acquaintance (who had talked to both of us) I was told that I did NOTHING wrong. It was all her. Her jealously. But I won't go into it here.

The stress from yesterday has my system all off whack. As I write this my tummy is growling but I feel that if I put anything in it, it won't stay there.

Waiting for company to come and I really don't need that today but maybe it will get my mind off my problems. Gonna cook a pork roast and turn it into barbecues. That way everyone can enjoy, no matter what time they arrive and I don't have to keep food warm and worry about it not being any good left over. Barbecues are always good warmed over.

I think I should close this "bed and breakfast" for the year. I hope I don't get anymore company that isn't closely related and doesn't mind if I don't get the sweeper run.

Later y'all...

Ramblings again...

More company coming. Not today I hope but maybe. Gotta check that one out. Oldest is coming tomorrow night but they are sending two guys ahead of them. I can't remember if they said that the two guys were coming Wednesday or Thursday. One of the guys I've met and the other I haven't. I just keep opening up my home to people this summer. And I only have one bedroom! Thank goodness for air mattresses. They are definitely gonna be in use tomorrow night. Think I will keep my bed this time, I usually give it up for company. But I'm sure two guys won't want to sleep together so one can have the couch and the other the twin sized air mattress. Then when oldest gets here with her fiance they can have the queen size one. I've got a plan.

Gotta go stock up on non-diet food for the hoard that's coming. I'm being selfish with this one. I don't want them eating all my skinless/boneless chicken. That's MINE!

Don't know what's gotten into my boy dog. He has gotten up in the middle of the night several times in the past two weeks and had a poopy good time on the rug in my bathroom. I sure am getting tired of getting up and having to clean that up before I have my coffee. He's only nine years old so he shouldn't be getting too old to hold it all night. I could understand it if he were a senior citizen but he's not. I know the problem the first time was the corn cobs I gave him after supper. He was looking at me with those that pretty blue eye of his (he lost the brown one in a scuffle over a bone with a big dog) and I didn't want to share anything else with him. I just don't feed them from the table. And really don't want to start that habit. Late hubby did and it took me a year to break them after he died.

Gotta get going just in case they are coming today. Got a lot to do before they get here.

Later y'all.

Blue Skies, Nothing but Blue Skies...

The sky is such a beautiful shade of blue this morning. This is one of my favorite things to do. When I'm upset or stressed I go out on the porch, set in the swing and look at the tree tops. I love watching them sway in the wind (no wind this morning though). It's such a peaceful experience. That small act gets my mind off things that are bothering me and settles me down. Give it a try sometime.

If I don't quit one of my bad habits I'm going to find myself on that swing a lot more often than usual. My bad habit? Stepping on the scale too much. I don't usually do it more than once a day but that is too much I know. Check out Donna B's last two posts. She's got some good points there. So that's my challenge for this week. I have to admit that I already stepped on them this morning (before I read Donna B). Tomorrow is my official weigh-in and that will be the last time I will do it until next Wednesday. I'm going to have a hard time sticking to that one. But I want to try it for one week and see if it makes me feel better about myself.

I haven't seen much of a change for the past couple of months on that horrible ole scale but when my oldest came to visit this past weekend one of the first things she said was that I'd lost more weight. I just saw her 3 weeks ago and she said that she could see a difference. Was she telling the truth or just blowing smoke up my butt? She insists she's truthful. I haven't noticed much difference in my clothes. Except that I put on a shirt last week that I had bought in March that was a little TOO snug through the middle and now I have enough room in it that I don't have to walk around sucking in my tummy. So maybe she's right.

Anyone else out there want to join me in staying off the scale for a whole week. Come on, give it a try and join me. Then we'll have blue skies all week no matter what the weather brings.

Laborless Day...

This was a labor less day for me. How about you? Spent the day at home alone. Big daughter and her entourage left early this morning to go home. They'll be back in the wee hours of Friday morning. Probably won't see them much since they have scheduled a white water rafting trip for Friday and will go home on Sunday morning. I would go rafting with them but they are going on the upper Gauley and it is treacherous. I love white water rafting but don't like to do the extreme ones that they like. I like to stay in the raft and they like to be thrown out. They even ask for a specific guide that will throw them out. NO THANK YOU. I guess age has finally caught up with me. I used to be a water dog. Any time I was near a body of water I was in it above my head having a blast. My late hubby was fair skinned and didn't like being out in the sun because he always got burned. So for 21 years I got away from the water. Now it kinda scares me when I'm not in control. And in a raging river I'm definitely never going to be in control.

Here's a picture of the little one. She just couldn't stand the dead moths that were on my porch from the porch light. She must have picked up the broom about every 10 minutes finding something else to sweep up after she had gotten all the moths. Can't remember if I ever did anything like that when I was little. I can't imagine wanting to sweep anything. House work is not one of my favorite things in the world.

You know I think Cammy may have hit the nail on the head about my exercise in her comment on my last post. It's not that I don't like to exercise, it's just that I don't like exercising alone. Yep, she's right. Any time I have someone here I'm really anxious to get out there and do something exerting. I might even like it by myself if it weren't so dangerous where I live to do it alone in the wild. Because the wild is where I like to be. Guess you could just call me a "wild child old lady." There is a new exercise/mini-gym that opened up in a town near me recently. It doesn't appeal to me at all, so I guess I'm just the kind of person that likes to be outdoors when I'm getting fit.

So I guess tomorrow is the new Monday for most of you, heading back to work. Hope your long weekend was what you expected and that your short workweek is productive and fun.