On Tuesday, November 10, I weighed in exactly the same, 174, and I'll take it. Especially after all those Ruffles. Finally - the bag is gone. Never again, will I have Ruffles Potato Chips in this house. I simply have no resistance.
Just now, I removed all the other snacks I bought, a huge mistake, to the basement. Last night, I started in on the Ritz crackers, also a fav. So I figure if they're down in the basement, I won't hear them calling me. I hope. Yes, I hear you saying I could just pitch them, but that action is not in me.
There is an article in this morning's Trib about TOPS, which I might check out. Decades ago, I did go to a couple of meetings, but stopped, for whatever reason I cannot now remember, probably five kids and stuff like that.
On Sunday, the 1st, I went to see a terrific flic, "The Damned United", down at Pipers Alley in the city, and then in the evening again out to College of DuPage to see the Thunder Drums of China, an amazing performance, all percussion instruments. Fabulous show. But no walking that day.
Monday I walked, and went to an evening movie, "District 9", probably the best sci-fi I've seen since "Star Wars", terribly under-rated. Walked again Tuesday, but Wednesday went to a Hindu temple in Lemont, rather tired looking if you ask me, and it is all about the architecture as far as I'm concerned, not being a Hindu. There is another one on Rte. 59 just north of North Avenue that is truly a wonder to behold. No expense spared there.
Thursday walked, and that's when I first weighed 174. Friday spent the entire day at SOFA on Navy Pier. SOFA being Sculptural Objects and Fine Art. Had walked to the train, about a mile, and did you know that that Jamba Juice chain serves organic steel cut oatmeal in the morning? Had some in the train station, bused to Navy Pier, walked the mile to the very end, and walked around the show til it was time for me to leave to catch the 8:40 train home. Long, long day. I was so pooped that I called my husband to come and pick me up.
Saturday, walked and babysat, which is exercise enuf in itself. Sunday another movie, this time a documentary about Afghanistan, in which I learned so much. I had driven in and parked at Wacker and Van Buren, then walked to State and Randolph. After the film, bused again to SOFA, and walked around til almost close, this time breaking down and buying a piece of abstract bronze sculpture which just caught my eye about the third time I passed it. Small, but I love it. Called "Quest" by Bruce Niemi, a sculptor who has much public art in and around Chicagoland and the nation. He had his own booth, which allows one to bypass gallery charges, nice.
Monday I walked around the cemetery in Woodlawn for an hour to my tapes, but a slower one, as I tend to ruin my feet walking fast on cement. All day babysitting, lots of movement, very little sitting. Yesterday, the start of another 5 day period, some friends and I walked around Waterfall Glen Forest Preserve for over two hours, although not at any rapid pace. Saw a guy rollerblading with ski poles.
Except for this after dinner snacking, I am in control of what I eat. Always a good breakfast, lunch and dinner. I'm not sure what's going on after dinner, because it's for sure I'm not hungry. I'l try again tonight. And still no wine and very little sugar. Smaller portions now, always.
101 days down and still trying.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Thursday, November 5, 2009
THE NEW ME
Well, now I'm getting worried. Weighed in this morning at 174!!!!!, another two pounds gone. This should not be happening. I only trooped down the Prairie Path twice in the six days since I weighed (have decided to go with the 5th, 10, 15th of the month, etc.), and have had a real bad problem with Ruffles Potato Chips. Granted they are the lower fat version, but I know now that I simply cannot have them in the house, and will not rest til they are gone. Last nite, I sat and watched episode two of "Star Wars", which I had never seen, and consumed just a ton of those chips. Which I have been doing every nite I'm not out. How can I have lost another two pounds in six days, especially with all the salt? It's unreal.
Will walk today, but that will be it til probably Tuesday (today's Thursday). Might get a walk around a cemetery on Monday, but the weekend will be spent at Navy Pier at SOFA, a sculpture and functional art show, with many lectures that I plan on attending, which means sitting.
I went to eight movies in the past two weeks too, more sitting. So what's going on? But I have come to realize that there is food for the body, and food for the soul, and movies, and art, and all things cultural I cannot live without. (I had not been to a flic in two months.) Exercise does get in the way of these things, as I probably consume 1 1/2 hours on it when I do do it. That's a big chunk out of my day. But I am so looking forward to this weekend. Exercise be damned.
Still no wine or sugar. Maybe that's the difference. I don't know, but I don't see how this can continue. I look in the mirror and see no difference, but my clothes tell me otherwise. I don't feel any different either.
I will bet money that on November 10th, I will have gained weight.
96 days down.
Will walk today, but that will be it til probably Tuesday (today's Thursday). Might get a walk around a cemetery on Monday, but the weekend will be spent at Navy Pier at SOFA, a sculpture and functional art show, with many lectures that I plan on attending, which means sitting.
I went to eight movies in the past two weeks too, more sitting. So what's going on? But I have come to realize that there is food for the body, and food for the soul, and movies, and art, and all things cultural I cannot live without. (I had not been to a flic in two months.) Exercise does get in the way of these things, as I probably consume 1 1/2 hours on it when I do do it. That's a big chunk out of my day. But I am so looking forward to this weekend. Exercise be damned.
Still no wine or sugar. Maybe that's the difference. I don't know, but I don't see how this can continue. I look in the mirror and see no difference, but my clothes tell me otherwise. I don't feel any different either.
I will bet money that on November 10th, I will have gained weight.
96 days down.
Friday, October 30, 2009
THE NEW ME
I'm going to make this one short. After a simply horrific five days of no exercise at all, and I think bad eating, I have lost another pound. Weighed in this morning at 176. I simply cannot believe it. In five days, another pound. Well, my husband comes back tomorrow, so that should get me back to exercise. And I have been having a terrible time with eating after dinner. That should stop too. I hope. I saw four movies this week, which helps explain the lack of exercise, although not completely.
I do normally see 52 movies a year, and I got so far behind that I was missing them like crazy. Yes, I am a real film buff. And I'm still four behind as I go into the next week, which runs from Friday to Friday. Today I plan to go back down to Landmark at Clark and Diversey. At least I do get in maybe 10 minutes of walking each way, and I always climb the stairs to the top level. Yesterday (yes, I was there) I finally counted them - 58. Of course, they are not all together, and some flights are only 3 risers each. But it's something, I figure.
I am hoping the next week will be better, both as far as eating and exercise go. And I'll probably gain weight.
90 days down
I do normally see 52 movies a year, and I got so far behind that I was missing them like crazy. Yes, I am a real film buff. And I'm still four behind as I go into the next week, which runs from Friday to Friday. Today I plan to go back down to Landmark at Clark and Diversey. At least I do get in maybe 10 minutes of walking each way, and I always climb the stairs to the top level. Yesterday (yes, I was there) I finally counted them - 58. Of course, they are not all together, and some flights are only 3 risers each. But it's something, I figure.
I am hoping the next week will be better, both as far as eating and exercise go. And I'll probably gain weight.
90 days down
Monday, October 26, 2009
THE NEW ME
Wow! Another pound! I can hardly believe it, especially as I only trooped down the Prairie Path twice in the five days. Now at 177, 15 pounds gone. And my knees are worse than they were at 192 pounds. Go figure.
I know that now I must get an alternative exercise program, as the outdoors becomes increasingly yucky. I have a zillion exercise videos, and will choose one soon. And I also see that I really should restart the weights and stretching stuff too. I just hate it so. But i am soooo flabby.
See, that's the difference between my skinny husband and me. He goes out, no matter what the weather. Runs five miles every other day, and walks about that in between. Rain, snow, sleet, no matter. He does it, Me, I figured humans built shelter to protect us from all that. Although I have heard the saying, "There is no bad weather, only bad clothes." But when it's raining, I'm sorry, I'm staying in. Period. So no exercise Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and now Sunday too. Although I did get in a little walking to The Music Box to see "Antichrist". Maybe 20 minutes tops.
Eating has been OK, but not terrific, and that's why I was so surprised to see another pound gone. It might come back on the next weigh, I wouldn't be surprised.
On another note, Friday nite I saw the legendary Arlo Guthrie at the Arts Center at the College of DuPage. It was hard to take in, that I was actually listening to a Living Legend, and in good seats to boot. He was terrific, storytelling and singing, and to my surprise, I learned that he is five years younger than I am. That was a real shock, he has been famous for so long, I guess. The audience was composed mostly of grey-hairs, like me. The original Woodstock crowd, aging. He was joined by his one son and three daughters, along with assorted grandkids and a long-time associate. Just a super show.
85 days down.
I know that now I must get an alternative exercise program, as the outdoors becomes increasingly yucky. I have a zillion exercise videos, and will choose one soon. And I also see that I really should restart the weights and stretching stuff too. I just hate it so. But i am soooo flabby.
See, that's the difference between my skinny husband and me. He goes out, no matter what the weather. Runs five miles every other day, and walks about that in between. Rain, snow, sleet, no matter. He does it, Me, I figured humans built shelter to protect us from all that. Although I have heard the saying, "There is no bad weather, only bad clothes." But when it's raining, I'm sorry, I'm staying in. Period. So no exercise Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and now Sunday too. Although I did get in a little walking to The Music Box to see "Antichrist". Maybe 20 minutes tops.
Eating has been OK, but not terrific, and that's why I was so surprised to see another pound gone. It might come back on the next weigh, I wouldn't be surprised.
On another note, Friday nite I saw the legendary Arlo Guthrie at the Arts Center at the College of DuPage. It was hard to take in, that I was actually listening to a Living Legend, and in good seats to boot. He was terrific, storytelling and singing, and to my surprise, I learned that he is five years younger than I am. That was a real shock, he has been famous for so long, I guess. The audience was composed mostly of grey-hairs, like me. The original Woodstock crowd, aging. He was joined by his one son and three daughters, along with assorted grandkids and a long-time associate. Just a super show.
85 days down.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
THE NEW ME
Back from The Big Apple, New York City, and miracle of miracles, I managed to drop a pound! Weighed in this morning (We did not get back until yesterday around 3pm) at 178. Isn't that something?
Of course, I walked my feet off, each and every day, plus the constant climbing and descending of the subway stairs. And let me tell you, there are very few overweight New Yorkers, and simply no really obese ones at all. They ride the subway, walk everywhere, and do not eat at chain fast foods. Because there are none. Only Starbucks has any presence at all. And they have to list the calorie count of every item on the board. The coffee of the month was 490 calories!!!
I was rather good with the eating until the last few days, when I just became exhausted and my control totally broke down. Even had some Baileys', which I dearly love, but which I'm sure is one of the most caloric things on the planet. But I never had any dessert of any kind, and tried to have fruit every day, which is easy in New York, as small grocers and fruitstand guys are on every corner. You really can eat healthy there, and it's not as expensive as you might think.
But on the way home, I actually had a Whopper, Jr, which is 370 calories without the cheese, which of course I had. I did have red wine most days, but not all, and only one glass til the very last nite, when I succumbed to two and that Baileys.
And today, I got out and trooped down the Prairie Path. Back to the ole routine, I hope. Chicken breasts for dinner, salad for lunch.
There is hope here, because, while I am berating myself for losing control (I could have lost more I think, if only I had not had wine and a few other things), I am also continuing on, falling back into the old ways, that is, the good new ways since August 1. Now it's been 81 days almost, and I have lost 14 pounds. I have great glucose and triglyceride levels, and terrific HDL cholesterol, but my LDL is high and I don't have enough Vitamin D in my system. Oh, well, I'm not 19 either.
80 days down.
Of course, I walked my feet off, each and every day, plus the constant climbing and descending of the subway stairs. And let me tell you, there are very few overweight New Yorkers, and simply no really obese ones at all. They ride the subway, walk everywhere, and do not eat at chain fast foods. Because there are none. Only Starbucks has any presence at all. And they have to list the calorie count of every item on the board. The coffee of the month was 490 calories!!!
I was rather good with the eating until the last few days, when I just became exhausted and my control totally broke down. Even had some Baileys', which I dearly love, but which I'm sure is one of the most caloric things on the planet. But I never had any dessert of any kind, and tried to have fruit every day, which is easy in New York, as small grocers and fruitstand guys are on every corner. You really can eat healthy there, and it's not as expensive as you might think.
But on the way home, I actually had a Whopper, Jr, which is 370 calories without the cheese, which of course I had. I did have red wine most days, but not all, and only one glass til the very last nite, when I succumbed to two and that Baileys.
And today, I got out and trooped down the Prairie Path. Back to the ole routine, I hope. Chicken breasts for dinner, salad for lunch.
There is hope here, because, while I am berating myself for losing control (I could have lost more I think, if only I had not had wine and a few other things), I am also continuing on, falling back into the old ways, that is, the good new ways since August 1. Now it's been 81 days almost, and I have lost 14 pounds. I have great glucose and triglyceride levels, and terrific HDL cholesterol, but my LDL is high and I don't have enough Vitamin D in my system. Oh, well, I'm not 19 either.
80 days down.
Monday, October 5, 2009
THE NEW ME
Monday October 5 - - 179 pounds - - still
I guess that's OK, but I was hoping for another pound. I knew that at some point I simply could not continue to lose at the rate of one pound every five days, no matter what I did. Now I think I have to reset my sights. So I'll be quite happy, if by the first of the new year, I am at 170. Because I have to get thru the NY trip, and all the holidays. Tough.
I did manage OK at the wedding, and that was really hard. No alcohol, and no appetizers at all. (That insidious glass of champagne sat in front of me for the whole meal.) Thank god I managed a cup of lite cottage cheese between the ceremony and the reception, because I bet we didn't actually eat until after 8 pm, and by then I was starving! Passed on the cream soup too. Had a mangy salad with no dressing and then the main course, which was basically meat and potatoes with a slight nod to some vegies. It was good, but heavy. So I decided to quit when I was not quite full. Left half of the mashed potatoes and some meat. Had maybe 1/4 cup of really good lemon sorbet, and coffee with cream, no sugar. No cake either. All this at the Westin Hotel near Schaumburg. Why am I detailing all this? So I can remember in the future. Life is in the details, they say.
Have been trooping down the Prairie Path too, along with that lunch out on Friday. At Sweet Tomatoes, which I dearly love. Had two salads and one fabulous baked potato soup. One of the things I like about the place is that the salads, which is their main thing, are not loaded with dressing. And you can always make your own.
And just to mention - yesterday a friend and I went to hear Sones de Mexico at College of DuPage. If you ever have the chance, don't miss them! They were so terrific, that I bought the CD sold in the lobby. Grammy nominated twice, deservedly so. Five men and one woman put on a solid two hour show, with all kinds of instruments. The dancing and costumes from the woman, especially the first number, an Aztec thing, were unbelievable. The violin player was a virtuoso. Rave, Rave, Rave. (a note: The lead singer was my oldest son's double. Really. One Juan Dies, heavier, but still) These people are amazing. Go see them.
Did not exercise at all on the 30th, and I could have. Should have marched around the cemetery, but no, this time I chose to have a cup of coffee. Bad. Dinner out Thursday nite was good too, but very pricey. Cost me upwards of $50 at 312 Chicago, a restaurant we both like at the corner of Randolph and LaSalle, that is so convenient to the Goodman. Again, no wine. But a nice piece of beef tenderloin, and I had to beg for a dish of plain Brusssels Sprouts, $5.00, Plus coffee, and a biscotti, no charge. I had asked for that too. Plus my friend and I split her salad, and I gave her some of my beef, and left a little. Where's a dog when you need one?
The play at the Goodman, "Animal Crackers" is another don't miss. It will be there til November 1, so go see it already. Joey Slotnik, who plays Groucho Marx, is dead-on. The nite we saw it one of the characters went up, stage talk for forgot his lines, and Mr. Slotnik ad-libbed and covered so well, that the character was hard put to get back to the script. We were laughing hard at many of the jokes and sight gags. Terrific evening. Kudos to the Goodman, and Robert Falls for choosing this production.
I know I marched on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Can't remember Friday.
Everything I read says I should be doing one solid hour of aerobic exercise every single day. That is hard to work in. Still have not been to a film in forever, one month now, no Art Institute Day either. I am suffering serious withdrawal here folks.
Although Sones de Mexico mad up for some of that.
I will not report in again until October 20th. We will be back before then, but I want to give my body some time to readjust. So I won't even weigh again before we go. I would like to lose some more but I think I will be grateful just to maintain.
65 days down.
I guess that's OK, but I was hoping for another pound. I knew that at some point I simply could not continue to lose at the rate of one pound every five days, no matter what I did. Now I think I have to reset my sights. So I'll be quite happy, if by the first of the new year, I am at 170. Because I have to get thru the NY trip, and all the holidays. Tough.
I did manage OK at the wedding, and that was really hard. No alcohol, and no appetizers at all. (That insidious glass of champagne sat in front of me for the whole meal.) Thank god I managed a cup of lite cottage cheese between the ceremony and the reception, because I bet we didn't actually eat until after 8 pm, and by then I was starving! Passed on the cream soup too. Had a mangy salad with no dressing and then the main course, which was basically meat and potatoes with a slight nod to some vegies. It was good, but heavy. So I decided to quit when I was not quite full. Left half of the mashed potatoes and some meat. Had maybe 1/4 cup of really good lemon sorbet, and coffee with cream, no sugar. No cake either. All this at the Westin Hotel near Schaumburg. Why am I detailing all this? So I can remember in the future. Life is in the details, they say.
Have been trooping down the Prairie Path too, along with that lunch out on Friday. At Sweet Tomatoes, which I dearly love. Had two salads and one fabulous baked potato soup. One of the things I like about the place is that the salads, which is their main thing, are not loaded with dressing. And you can always make your own.
And just to mention - yesterday a friend and I went to hear Sones de Mexico at College of DuPage. If you ever have the chance, don't miss them! They were so terrific, that I bought the CD sold in the lobby. Grammy nominated twice, deservedly so. Five men and one woman put on a solid two hour show, with all kinds of instruments. The dancing and costumes from the woman, especially the first number, an Aztec thing, were unbelievable. The violin player was a virtuoso. Rave, Rave, Rave. (a note: The lead singer was my oldest son's double. Really. One Juan Dies, heavier, but still) These people are amazing. Go see them.
Did not exercise at all on the 30th, and I could have. Should have marched around the cemetery, but no, this time I chose to have a cup of coffee. Bad. Dinner out Thursday nite was good too, but very pricey. Cost me upwards of $50 at 312 Chicago, a restaurant we both like at the corner of Randolph and LaSalle, that is so convenient to the Goodman. Again, no wine. But a nice piece of beef tenderloin, and I had to beg for a dish of plain Brusssels Sprouts, $5.00, Plus coffee, and a biscotti, no charge. I had asked for that too. Plus my friend and I split her salad, and I gave her some of my beef, and left a little. Where's a dog when you need one?
The play at the Goodman, "Animal Crackers" is another don't miss. It will be there til November 1, so go see it already. Joey Slotnik, who plays Groucho Marx, is dead-on. The nite we saw it one of the characters went up, stage talk for forgot his lines, and Mr. Slotnik ad-libbed and covered so well, that the character was hard put to get back to the script. We were laughing hard at many of the jokes and sight gags. Terrific evening. Kudos to the Goodman, and Robert Falls for choosing this production.
I know I marched on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Can't remember Friday.
Everything I read says I should be doing one solid hour of aerobic exercise every single day. That is hard to work in. Still have not been to a film in forever, one month now, no Art Institute Day either. I am suffering serious withdrawal here folks.
Although Sones de Mexico mad up for some of that.
I will not report in again until October 20th. We will be back before then, but I want to give my body some time to readjust. So I won't even weigh again before we go. I would like to lose some more but I think I will be grateful just to maintain.
65 days down.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
THE NEW ME
Wednesday morning, the 30th. 60 days of new eating and moving, and I have now lost 13 pounds, my lucky number. Weighed in at 179. And since I felt that I sort've lost my way these last 5 days, I am happy with that.
And 13 pounds in 2 months for someone my age is truly extraordinary. I would gladly have taken 1 pound a week.
Walked to the library twice, round trip two miles, but not at anything but a leisurely pace. Trooped down the Prairie Path twice, at a good clip, and one day just got away from me entirely.
I do always have a good breakfast at around 300-400 calories, but lunch and dinner are slipping away. Last nite I had two servings of reduced-fat Cheese-Its (nasty), just because I was tired of looking at the box. I will not buy them again. I also had 2 3/8 ounces of a lite swiss cheese, 1/2 cup of lite cottage cheese, and some gummy bears, about 6. Not very healthy at all.
I must do better if I am to lose even half of the weight I want to lose, and these upcoming days are going to be tough, both in terms of food and exercise. A dinner out, a lunch out, a wedding and reception, etc. Heaven help me!
I must think positive. 179. Who would have thunk. And on the 8th, we leave for Brooklyn. Oh, the temptation ahead of me. Here's where I must take each day as it comes.
60 days down.
And 13 pounds in 2 months for someone my age is truly extraordinary. I would gladly have taken 1 pound a week.
Walked to the library twice, round trip two miles, but not at anything but a leisurely pace. Trooped down the Prairie Path twice, at a good clip, and one day just got away from me entirely.
I do always have a good breakfast at around 300-400 calories, but lunch and dinner are slipping away. Last nite I had two servings of reduced-fat Cheese-Its (nasty), just because I was tired of looking at the box. I will not buy them again. I also had 2 3/8 ounces of a lite swiss cheese, 1/2 cup of lite cottage cheese, and some gummy bears, about 6. Not very healthy at all.
I must do better if I am to lose even half of the weight I want to lose, and these upcoming days are going to be tough, both in terms of food and exercise. A dinner out, a lunch out, a wedding and reception, etc. Heaven help me!
I must think positive. 179. Who would have thunk. And on the 8th, we leave for Brooklyn. Oh, the temptation ahead of me. Here's where I must take each day as it comes.
60 days down.
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