Traveling while Dieting

I recently took a three- night trip with relatives. I know you are not surprised to hear me say (or see me write) that weight loss is extra hard when you are traveling.  I did manage to get a grilled chicken salad at Dairy Queen.  At IHop, I ordered the grilled tilapia but forgot to specify that it was the "Simple and Fit" version, similar to the grilled chicken in the same category.  Therefore, my tilapia was swimming in thick sauce and nestled beside something that resembled home fries.  It was my mistake for not specifying, so I sucked it up and managed.  Ninety percent of the sauce remained on the plate.  About two thirds of the potatoes were eaten, unfortunately.  One night at Chili's, I ordered a Caribbean salad with shrimp.  Then I discovered that it is worth 16 points on the Point Plus plan!

In a few days, I go on another short jaunt.  We plan to do a lot of hiking, and I am taking apples, bananas, and oranges for energy on the trail.  And I shall eat salads and things like that.  And I shall not order any desserts, such as the one I sampled off the plate of another, while in Chili's restaurant.

I weigh tomorrow.  I'm thinking it will be a small weight loss of about a pound and a half.  But--we'll see.

Sticking to the Diet at Applebee's.

Today I went Applebee's restaurant.  I wanted to stay the course, and not derail all my hard work or waste the money it cost to join Weight Watchers.  I did a little internet homework before leaving the house, and when in the restaurant, I chose a peppercorn steak meal for about 400 calories. I drank a Coke Zero and had no dessert.   I think I did well.  My stomach seemed to think differently. 

It seemed to be thinking, "Hey wait a minute, we're not done yet!"  That comes from being used to eating more, and having something sweet after the meal, even if it's just a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I ignored the stomach.  We had our drinks poured into Styrofoam cups and headed for the art show. 

I had a couple of small artworks in the show, but the most prominent thing to my eyes was the table of cookies, cake, dip, and more.  I had a small dish of fruit and that was all.  My prayer is that I can continue in this vein of good behavior. The Bible says to resist the devil and he will flee from you.  I can't remember reading anything in there about cookies. 

After One Week on Weight Watchers

I have been on Weight Watchers for one week.  At the beginning, I weighed myself, and the scale said 158 pounds.  It is hard to admit that.  When I tell people how much I weigh, they don't believe me, so I must hold the weight pretty well.  Still 158 pounds is noticeable if you are just under 5'1".  

Today I weighed myself and the scale is now at 150.  So during the first week, I lost eight pounds.  I realize that is a kick-off weight loss, and that I will not lose that much every week.  I also know that I should not lose that much every week.  But I'd like to lose an average of two and a half pounds a week.  If I lose less than that, it's still progress. Slow and steady wins the race.  Just ask the tortoise! 

I have begun to step up the activity.  I have lots of nice excuses for not doing that.  The road is too busy to walk.  It's too hot to walk outside; I'll get a heatstroke!  Gas is too expensive to drive to the mall to walk.  If I join a gym, it will just be somewhere else to have to go, and the money will be wasted, not to mention the aforementioned gas prices.  So what is a determined loser to do?

I have an indoor step ladder.  It's in the spare room.  I climb the first two steps and then back down, over and over.  And over.  Right now I'm only doing it for 10 minutes at a time, while listening to the Kindle's read-aloud feature or watching something on my netbook.  If you try this, make sure the ladder is locked into the open position.  Use a sturdy one, and carefully see how it reacts when you first try it.  I'm going to get on it right now.

Joined Weight Watchers

In this incredibly blessed land, it is really easy to overeat.  While some are worrying about getting a meal in the next few days, I'm stuffing myself with with indulgences such as the famous-to-cruisers Warm Chocolate Melting Cake and vanilla ice cream, complete with a chocolate "whale tail."  Of course like a good little girl, I ate my appetizer and main entree before digging into the dessert. 

When I downloaded the cruise pictures, I saw a picture of myself on the windy front deck of the Carnival Ecstasy, and I could not deny what the wind highlighted.  My loose-fitting blouse was plastered against the front of my torso, and I cringed.. After the cruise, I stepped on the scales  and learned that I had gained about 8 pounds, which I did not need in the first place.

I needed motivation, so a  few days ago, I joined Weight Watchers online.  The money spent is one of the motivations.  I don't like to waste money, and that will be strong incentive not to quit.    For these first 3 days, it has been quite easy.  I know that trials will come, but I am determined to do it.  I'm thinking of showing a before picture, but I am just not brave enough at this time. 

I am brand new to Weight Watchers, but I will say that they make it very easy to get started.  Within a few minutes, I knew enough to begin counting points. and I was into the program almost immediately.  If you are reading this and have any questions about it, put them in the comments section and I'll be happy to try to answer them, although I am still a newbie.

Jenna Janean James, Forever Young

Jenna, the anniversary is imminent. I'm talking about the anniversary of your leaving this earth. Right now, I'm thinking of you as a butterfly, beautiful, elusive, fleeting. It seems that you were never still for very long; how poetic that you would suddenly leave the earth at the age of 15. Sometimes the horror of your abrupt and tragic death attempts to stare me in the face. Then the grace of our merciful God takes over, reminding me that death is defeated, and you behold His presence. The dark sadness here is only temporary. The Glorious Reunion is coming.

Anger, Which Tries to Take Over

Some are easily angered; others know they can manipulate them into losing control and getting into trouble.  They think that by showing anger, they are taking control.  No--they are being controlled by those who make them mad.  Just one moment of anger could change such a person's entire life, and not for the better.  Do not let your anger do your thinking!

The Natural Life and Eternity

This life reminds me of a period at the beginning of a run-on sentence.  .The sentence runs on forever and ever and ever and ever and...