Stairs

Count Your Blessings - Days 3, 4 & 5

Stairs is what I'm doing these days. We bought an antique home, built in 1898, that we call "The Stairmaster." I've lost ten pounds just going up and down all the stairs.

Front stairs into the house.

Stairs from the garage and outside to the back hall and kitchen.

Formal staircase from entry hall to second floor.

Second leg of main staircase from entry hall to second floor.

Top of second leg, with second landing, main staircase from entry hall to second floor.

Last leg of main staircase as it reaches the second floor.

Staircase to third floor attic, looking up I can't quite get it all in.

Looking down the stairs from the third floor attic.

And let's not forget the steep stairs to the grotty, unfinished basement where the laundry resides.

So with no other effort than "taking the stairs" day after day, the excess weight is coming off. I'd call that a blessing!

P.S. All that yucky carpet will soon be ripped up and gone. I left it on until we got all the furniture in and on the correct floor to avoid marring (any more than whatever is underneath is) the stairs.

Success at Last!

Looks like my eating habits are paying off--

Not really--April Fools!!!

NaNoWriMo-Chapter Ten

Once again, a reminder that this is a very rough draft of the book I'm writing for National Novel Writing Month. To up my word count I don't generally use contractions, after all I'm trying to write 50,000 words in thirty days. Not easy, but lots of fun.

Chapter Ten

Speaking of Books

In the preceding chapters I have referenced a few of the books I have read and use for reference. I would like to formally introduce you to all of my favorite books for this subject.

Change One – The diet & fitness plan, Lose Weight Simply, Safely, and Forever

The Official Diet of Reader’s Digest

Set for Life; Eat More…Weigh Less…Feel Terrific

Jane P. Merrill and Karen M. Sunderland

Low-Fat Lies, High Fat Frauds and the healthiest diet in the world

Kevin Vigilante, MD MPH and Mary Flynn, PhD

Flip the Switch, Proven Strategies to Fuel Your Metabolism & Burn Fat 24 Hours a Day

Robert K. Cooper, PhD, Recipes by Leslie L. Cooper

How to Help Your Man Lose Weight, A Guide for the Concerned Woman

Jerry C. Sutkamp, M.D. & Ted Mason

Healing through Exercise, Scientifically-proven ways to prevent and overcome illness and lengthen your life

Jörg Blech

The Sneaky Chef, Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals

Missy Chase Lapine

The Volumetrics Eating Plan, Techniques and Recipes for Feeling Full on Fewer Calories

Barbara Rolls, Ph.D

8 Minutes in the Morning for Extra-Easy Weight Loss

Jorge Cruise

You would think that with having read all of these books I would be slim and fit already. Well, surely you understand the problem: knowledge is not the same as action. I will defend myself in that I have adopted some of the knowledge that I have gained, I have resisted some temptation, otherwise, I would probably weigh three hundred pounds, like many other women who are stress eaters with no self discipline. I am just grateful that I have had only a 2.6 pound average weight gain over the years. I could have done much, much worse.

What I have learned from each book.

Change One, The Official Diet of Reader’s Digest

The Diet and Fitness Plan – Lose Weight Simply, Safely and Forever

The best thing about this book is all the success stories of real people who have used the diet. It is encouraging to see the before and after pictures of real people, male and female, and read their stories. I want to be one of those successes. I like the plan because it takes things slow and steady, changing one thing at a time, and addresses all the things that can derail a change of eating and exercising habits. There are meal plans and recipes and lots of great pictures. The exercises are basic and simple to begin with, increasing in complexity as the weeks go by.

Set for Life, Eat More, Weight Less, Feel Terrific

Jane P. Merrill, Karen M. Sunderland

The authors of Set for Life lay out three points for balancing life to bring success; those points are 1) Positive Living, 2) Regular Exercise, and 3) Good Nutrition. Much of the book is given to recipes for healthful foods. When I first got the book I tried many of the recipes and some have become family favorites and traditions. Others, well, let’s just say that our tastes differ from the author’s tastes and leave it at that. Some of the recipes my husband didn’t like while I did, but since I am not interested in fixing two meals I opted to fix things my husband will eat. I found early on that if he didn’t like something he would politely eat a little bit and later find an excuse to go somewhere, and while out he would stop of a fast food joint and fill up. Fast food is bad for the wallet as well as the body, so I try to fix things he likes.

I have struggled with positive living, having a happy attitude, since I went to Junior High. I do not remember being unhappy during childhood. I liked going to school, I had friends, and I felt good about myself. When it was time to go to seventh grade my parents made the decision to transfer me from the local school where we lived to the school where my father taught. I went to orientation on the Friday before school was to begin and was immediately plunged into despair. I do not even remember looking at the boys, but the girls were all well dressed in the latest mini-skirts (This was 1969), already knew each other from elementary school and wore nylons! I was dressed in a homemade dress (not that that was bad, my mother was an excellent seamstress) with bobby socks and lace up suede oxfords. I was a first class dork and totally embarrassed. Plus, I had curly red hair, freckles and fair skin (and still do, well except the freckles are much less now), and did not fit in, in any way shape or form. I became despondent and during ninth grade had stress headaches so often and bad that my parents decided to take me to the doctor. I believe those years were the cause of my continuous struggle with feeling inferior and unhappy. Even now, it is difficult to be optimistic and hopeful. But I keep trying. The authors are both slim and energetic so that says something, especially since they are both mothers of more children than me.

Low-Fat Lies, High-Fat Fraud and the healthiest diet in the world

Kevin Vigilante, MD, MPH and Mary Flynn, PhD

This book exposes the propaganda of the collusion of science and government, as well as teaching about a truly healthful way of eating. Dr. Vigilante (how’s that for a name?) has an engaging writing style and lots of well researched information. The recipes are good, a little on the high-brow side of things, but they are instructive as to what constitutes this healthy diet.

Flip the Switch – Proven Strategies to Fuel Your Metabolism & Burn Fat 24 Hours a Day

Robert K. Cooper, PhD, Recipes by Leslie L. Cooper

I’m still wading through this one. It is heavy on the science and research, but still manages to be readable. It explains how our bodies work, which is helpful to know. It has straightforward suggestions about what to do to rev up your metabolism. I know they work, because it is basically what trim, healthy people do. Like I said before, knowledge is not the same as action. But this book is motivating.

How to Help Your Man Lose Weight – A Guide for the Concerned Woman

Jerry C. Sutkamp, M.D. & Ted Mason

If you want ideas on how to change your man’s eating habits, this book is the one. He has some great stories and anecdotes from his patient’s lives. I don’t agree with all the non-fat, reduced fat ingredients used in the eating plan, but it can be a starting point.  One of the most valuable parts is his explanation into the male psyche; understanding the way men think about food and body size is really helpful to understanding strategies that will help them lose weight.

Healing through Exercise – Scientifically-Proven ways to Prevent and Overcome Illness and Lengthen Your Life

Jörg Blech

This is one of my favorites because it explains how beneficial exercise is for our bodies; not just exercise in a gym, but an active life versus a sedentary life. When I need motivation, this is the book I turn to. I want to live a long, healthy life and exercise is an important ingredient in achieving that goal.

The Sneaky Chef – Simple Strategies for Hiding Healthy Foods in Kids’ Favorite Meals

Missy Chase Lapine

This book is downright fun to read. Missy has the best ideas for hiding foods. I have tried them and they work! Even if you don’t use her exact ideas and recipes, the concept is easily transferrable to your own recipes and it is fun to get creative. Lots of nice pictures too.

The Volumetrics Eating Plan – Techniques and Recipes for Feeling Full on Fewer Calories

Barbara Roll, Ph.D.

This is a sequel to her original book The Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan. Dr. Roll is associated with Penn State and has done extensive research there on nutrition, diet, and eating habits. These books are wonderful! Solid scientific information in a readable format; good recipes, and in this book there are lots of pictures so you can actually see the difference her methods make in size of portions. It is astounding. Give it a look-see.

8 Minutes in the Morning for Extra-Easy Weight Loss.

Jorge Cruise

I had seen Jorge’s books for years before I bought one. I got this one because the premise is that you don’t need any equipment for the exercises. You can do them in your pjs in your bedroom first thing in the morning. He also includes an eating plan that is very generous and a buddy system plan that helps with accountability and encouragement. The book is a good one and I like to read his explanations for everything. He too has studied nutrition and exercise science and uses the latest findings to guide is advice. Another great feature is personal success stories from many participants. See real people succeed encourages me.

And there you have it. The books I refer to most for information, recipes, exercises, and encouragement.

Want to know something odd about me? When I have cravings for sweets, or food in general I can satisfy those cravings by reading a cookbook. Reading a cookbook does not induce cravings, it satisfies them, mostly. Sometimes the cravings are such that I end of making something, but generally I can find relief by simply reading yummy recipes. Weird, I know. Hand me that book with the pie recipes, will ya’?

NaNoWriMo and a Busy Woman

My daughter participates in an annual event called National Novel Writing Month, or NaNoWriMo (na-no-rye-mo, if that makes it easier to pronounce). She has encouraged me to participate also, and some years I have, most years I haven't. November is a busy month preparing for me what with preparing for winter and for upcoming holidays and such. I wasn't going to this year but as I woke up Sunday morning a thought flickered through my brain and took hold. I pondered it all day Sunday and by Monday I decided to give it a go.

This year I'm not writing a novel or work of fiction, but am doing a "memoir" of my efforts to change habits and lose weight and become physically fit. I began a day late but have managed to catch up to where I should be, word-count wise, to finish by the end of the month.

Yes, I'm still busy,but having a deadline is actually helping me to focus and get more done. I decided to share what I'm writing here so you can enjoy, get a laugh out of, or be disgusted, as the case may be, with my efforts.

The Light of a New Day

A Journal of Change and Discovery

Chapter One

The Beginning, A Very Good Place to Start

I read somewhere that those persons who are most successful at losing weight are alike in one important thing; that thing being a firm commitment to change no matter what.

I have tried numerous times to change habits and lose weight but have not been successful. Perhaps if I keep a journal of my journey in excruciating detail I will have a better chance of keeping my commitment to change eating habits and patterns, and adding regular exercise to my days in the form of cardio, strength training, and flexibility or stretching.

I know basically what to do, it is a matter of choosing to do it consistently, regularly, dependably, and whatever other adverb works in this context.

Yesterday was the first of November and I had moments of doing well and moments of doing poorly. I started the day fasting as it was the first Sunday of the month. I have not participated in a true fast for a long time and was not prepared to do so yesterday so I just skipped breakfast, but did take my aspirin, garlic and Omegas in the morning. After church I opted to have a “cutie” Clementine as a snack while preparing lunch. That felt pretty good. Lunch was leftover roast, boiled red potatoes, with gravy, and steamed broccoli. At least half of my plate was the broccoli so I did well there except I drizzled gravy on it instead of eating it plain. It was a little undercooked for my taste, but Steve likes vegetables crisp rather than soft.

After lunch I fell off the wagon and ate three double stuffed Oreos, left by James; and over the course of the day and evening a whole bunch (I did not count them) of mini boxes of Milk Duds left over from Halloween. Along the way I also scarfed down a bowl of chocolate ice cream, while sitting on the couch watching the movie, The Ultimate Gift. So much for exercise, my elbows sure got a work out, but nothing else.

Of course, it was Sunday and I do not usually exercise on the Sabbath, except perhaps a short walk with Steve occasionally. The weather was beautiful, but he had gone to school to work on some projects there.

One of the difficulties I regularly encounter is the difference in needs, tastes, and desires for food between Steve and I, and our children. Steve is not interested in eating less meat, and more vegetables. He will not eat lentils, or plain beans. His plate is two thirds meat and potatoes, and less than one third vegetables. So I either have to make two meals or adjust the serving portions to suit my needs. Neither option is optimal. Making two meals is more work; adjusting portions is more temptation. I have yet to find a balance point between those two options.

Other than the one meal all I ate yesterday was sweet carbohydrates. Not the optimal choices.

The other factor in my desire to change is the desire to be frugal. This morning for breakfast I served the rest of the bagels and cream cheese in an effort to use them up before they go bad. I cooked the last two slices of bacon and served them to Steve and Dan. But I had a whole bagel instead of just a half. I peeled and served a cutie to both Steve and I for a small serving of fruit with breakfast.

I had purchased bananas last week for Dan to eat, as it is one of the few fruits that he likes, but he has not eaten any and I will have to use them up in banana bread this week which means more temptation for me unless I give it all away.

On a positive note I have not bought any chips, either potato or corn or tortilla. When they are in the house they are a constant temptation to me because they are fast and easy to grab and eat. I need to concentrate on preparing vegetables and salads to eat rather than relying on fast junk food. When I do take the time to make a salad I am rewarded with great taste, texture and fullness without the calories.

I know I need to make a meal plan and stick to it. Planning meals in advance takes time initially, but uses less time because I do not have to think about what to fix when it is time to prepare a meal. I can simply look at the menu plan and get to work. Sticking to it is a bit more difficult as my emotions ebb towards the end of the day and I do not “feel” like putting in a lot of effort. However, I must remember that I want to save money as well as lose weight to be healthy. Planning meals and sticking to the plan will go a long way to achieving my goals.

Yesterday I weighed in at one hundred, ninety-eight pounds. YUCK! That is seventy-three pounds more than I weighed on my wedding day. And sixty pounds heavier than I was at my slimmest after all my children were born. I am ashamed to say that it is more than I ever weighed during any of my five pregnancies. I am not meant to be this heavy. It is uncomfortable; I do not fit my clothes; I do not look attractive; I am not fit and healthy. I must change if I am to reach my goal of being an attractive, fit and healthy woman, wife, mother, and grandmother. (Not that I am a grandmother yet, but I want to be ready.)

Last month I attempted to change habits but was not successful. I want to make another attempt this month and document, in excruciating detail, my efforts.

This morning I threw away the last of the Milk Duds; in the large trash can on the back porch where they will stay until taken away on Wednesday.

My plan for exercising today is to rake leaves this afternoon. That should be a good workout for my shoulders, arms, pectorals, as well as my back and waist.

When I return from my errand to Des Moines I will make a menu plan for the week, including lunches for me. I will make a brief mental inventory of the available foods in the freezer, pantry and fridge, then choose the meals based on what we have in the house. My other goal this month is to be frugal, and provident by using what I have available without going to the store.

Later –

I agonized for a few moments other whether to take something with me to eat or to buy something while out and about. Goal keeping won out and I took an apple sliced, six Ritz crackers, with six slices of hot pepper jack cheese, plus two bottles of water. It was plenty and I stuck to both of my goals.

However, I was so tired upon arrival at home that I chose to use the emergency pizza in the freezer for dinner for Steve and me. It was a supreme pizza anyway, which no one else eats, without picking things off of it.

I can say also that driving long distances gives the illusion of activity, but simply sitting in a car is not exercise. And the few trips carrying groceries in from the car to the kitchen does not exactly qualify as vigorous exercise either, although it is better than nothing, just barely. I used my tiredness as an excuse to not get outside and rake the leaves, however, tomorrow is forecast to be another gorgeous autumn day so I can get out there and do it.

After I took Dan to work I sat at the computer catching up on emails and such eating a handful of Sunsweet Prunes. These satisfy my sweet tooth while giving me some nutrition and fiber. I enjoy them!

I have a vision in my mind of what I want to look like. My arms hang straight at my sides, my waist is smooth and visible, while my hips are not wider than my shoulders.  My upper arms are firm and tapering from shoulder to elbow; my thighs do not rub, and my knees and ankles are trim and shapely. My behind is not a shelf and clothes hang neatly from shoulder to hemline. I have energy and endurance. I can rise from sitting without assistance or grunting. I can kneel gracefully for prayer. I can bend at the waist to tie my shoes without feeling squashed or my head denied of blood. Necklaces hang gracefully around my neck, my face is sculpted and youthful. I do not mind looking my age as long as I look fit and healthy. I know my skin will not look like it did during my twenties, but I have taken fairly good care of it and many people think I am younger than my age.

I have a wonderful wardrobe of gorgeous clothes just waiting for me to slim down and get into them. Many of these lovelies are linen, my favorite fabric; several are corduroy, a favorite of mine for winter. I will not have to buy new clothes if I can be faithful and diligent in eating healthfully and exercising regularly. I want to get back into my beautiful temple dress. The polyester muumuu I was given is serviceable but ugly. My cotton embroidered dress is lovely and I want to wear it again.

Each day is a new day. Each day I can do better than the day before. Each day I WILL do better than the day before. My patriarchal blessing admonishes me to keep the Word of Wisdom. I will endeavor to do so by increasing my intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, while decreasing or limiting my intake of meats. I will measure portions, eliminate sugary treats, eat mindfully and exercise regularly.

Sunday morning I woke up to sunshine through the window, and the phrase “the light of a new day” in my mind. I thought about the appropriateness of a new month, the change back to standard time, and another chance to begin again. What a blessing to be able to repent of past mistakes, and move forward with a clean slate.

Good Idea

JET came over for Easter and we got talking about what he's doing to look so good. He said he's lost 19 pounds since Christmas and the only thing he's done differently is when he feels hungry and it's not mealtime he drinks a 20 oz. bottle of water. I think I can learn from him!

Okay, Back to Blogging

Long time readers will remember that I originally began this blog as a public sharing of my weight loss, sort of an accountability project. Which, ahem, didn’t work. So . . .

In June of this year I joined TOPS, weighing about 193 lbs. I say about because I stopped weighing myself when I saw 192, and I know I went up a little bit from there. So far attending TOPS I've lost 26 ¼  lbs and regained 10 ¾ lbs for a net loss of 15 ½ lbs. The “loveliest” number I saw on the scale was 172.8 (which rounds to 172 ¾). I'm looking forward to seeing it again very soon.

October was really difficult to get through. If I believed in evolution, I’d be inclined to believe I descended from a bear. Every Autumn I feel the urge to bulk up on carbohydrates, then curl up and hibernate through the cold, dark winter until the weather warms up with the sun shining longer each day. Alas, I’m a human being and don’t get to hibernate. And I must overcome my cravings.

Attending TOPS really does help; the other women are empathetic and encouraging. And it helps to be accountable, even when I know I've gained weight. So onward and upward downward!

I’ll share a really yummy recipe I make for my lunches (because I’m the only one in the house who likes tomatoes).

Tomatoes and Black Beans
1 onion (tennis ball size, or more or less as you like) chopped and sautéed in 1 tablespoon oil (your choice, I like Olive)
When the onions are soft and translucent add 1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes and 1 15 oz. can of black beans (drained and rinsed), ½ tsp basil (or any favorite Italian spice) and ½ tsp garlic powder (not garlic salt). Simmer until heated through.
Serve over cooked brown rice. If you like, top with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese.

For me this is comfort food! Plus, it’s low calorie and high fiber, two things that help me in my quest to lose weight and be healthy.

Miss Alaineus

Miss Alaineus is a delightful children's book about a missed vocabulary assignment. (I love children's books.) Anyway, today's post is a bunch of stuff.

A friend gave me a bag of plum tomatoes from her garden. I ate as many as I could in salads (tomato, garbanzo beans, feta cheese) and then made the rest into some delicious soup. I made up the recipe and it turned out fabulous. I chopped up some onion and slowly cooked it in some olive oil (I don't use exact measurements) while I chopped up the tomatoes. Then I added them along with some basil and simmered it for an hour. I mashed it with a potato masher but that wasn't fine enough and I couldn't find my "ricer" so I put it by cupfuls through the blender and that worked great. It was DELICIOUS! Sprinkled a bit of Parmesan cheese on top, dipped in toasted homemade french bread and was in heaven.

The other day I cooked up some chicken quarters, de-boned it all, and put it into containers for the freezer, except one portion for dinner. After some pondering I decided to make a soup. This time Cream of Chicken and Vegetables. I chopped up a carrot, onion, two ribs of celery, and a few potatoes, added some frozen peas, a little bit of thyme and parsley, covered it all with water, brought it to a boil, turned the heat down and simmered it while I made the cream sauce (flour, butter, milk). When the veggies were done along with the sauce I added the chopped chicken, and the white sauce to the veggies, stirred it up and set the table while it was heating through. HEAVENLY! Even Dandylion liked it. Autumn and soup just go together.

We are moved into our new-to-us house. It has many advantages, one of which is the spacious kitchen and working oven. It has fewer rooms but they are larger. Still some work to be done but it's good to be in here before the snow flies. Next projects will be new curtains for my bedroom, the kitchen, and living room.

I began this blog as a way to document my weight loss, but that didn't work and I didn't lose any. In June of this year I joined T.O.P.S. (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) after reading a piece in the local newspaper about a man who had lost close to 100 pounds. TOPS was touted as encouragement and accountability, which is what I needed. I joined and have lost 15 lbs. so far. There is value in having to weigh in and report each week; not to mention the great women I've met there. I notice a difference in my body, but as I wear loose clothes anyway no one else has noticed. My first goal is another 15 lbs. (Doctor wouldn't approve any more than that) and when I reach that goal I'll set another, 20 lbs. lighter. When I was 42, after having had five children I weighed that much (or little) and looked and felt great. I want to get there again.

I haven't hit the thrift stores for a while, keeping my eyes on the goal of spending less. I did make Noble a cute skirt for her birthday this summer, which she really liked. I promised to make another one in wool for winter. (Still have to set up my sewing room.)

I know I've done some other frugal things, but my mind has gone blank and I don't remember what they were. You understand I'm sure!

Lastly, this Saturday I'm teaching a class at a church women's conference. The class is Cooking with Basic Commodities. I teach three sessions, each 25 minutes long. How am I supposed to cram 30 years of cooking knowledge and experience into 25 minutes? Not going to happen. What I will do is go over reasons why we (well not me) don't cook from scratch, good reasons for doing so, overcoming the obstacles, starting to cook from scratch (The Principles), and then give some resources and recipes to help them on their way. I'm looking forward to it.

I Walked to the Airport Today

This morning I checked the temperature, which at 37 degrees was deemed warmed enough to go for a walk. I headed out the door and walked through town, close a mile, to the T-Bone Trail. On the way there I said hello to my friend Albert, still wearing his Christmas wreath.

From Albert, it's just a hop, skip and a jump to the starting point of the trail. See the big zero in the lower right corner? 

It's a beautiful day and before I know it I'm at the first bridge:

Which overlooks a drainage ditch:

And just beyond that is the 1/4 mile mark:

Which is just before I get to the north end of the runway:

Continuing on I come to the BIG tree which is right across from the 1/2 mile marker:

Finally I get to the buildings of the Airport which lets me know where I am:

And of course the Airport Terminal:

Before I get the southern end of the runway I come to the second bridge:

Which overlooks a little creek, still frozen this morning:

And here at about the 3/4 mile mark I can look across the field and see the southern end of the runway:

Runway is the flat area underneath the green and red tractors

Next on my left are some quonset huts and an old brick building:

And finally, just before the 1 mile marker is the big steel building with the Ace Hardware sign:

On the way back I look across the fields and remember why I love living in Iowa:

Open spaces and big blue sky

On the south side of the bridges are benches for resting:

Today's walk was about 4 miles; one mile to the trail, one mile out, one mile back and one mile home.
I'm so grateful for this beautiful weather, the temp when I got home was 47! and the high is supposed to reach 59. Amazing for the first week of January, but perfect for jump starting my weight loss program.

I Changed My Mind

Just a quick post about what I'm doing to lose weight. I know my problem is overeating and eating the wrong things so I say to myself all day long "No, I don't want that, I want to be slender more than I want to eat that." I've discovered that I have strongly ingrained habits of just picking up a cookie each time I walk by the cookie jar, or popping into my mouth whatever candy is laying around. (True Confessions here) So I'm consciously changing my mind habits so I can change my eating habits. The month of January will be about changing habits--then, I hope the rest of the year will be easier (is mortal life ever easy?).

My two new habits are:
1. Reprogramming my mind to eat or not eat consciously
2. Measuring portions at mealtimes

My goal is to change my mind so I can change my body. (And wear all the pretty clothes I have stashed away!)

A Senior Moment

It's a good thing we live just half a block from the Post Office. I walked up there today to mail a package to our missionary and got all the way inside before I realized that I didn't have his address with me. I don't pack a box at home, I take a bag full of whatever I'm sending and have them weigh it and we look at which option is the cheapest then pack the box and address it. I got my exercise today walking there, walking back, walking back there; then it was on to the bank for some business with them. I've read that exercise is good for the brain as it build the synapses that prevent memory loss. Good news for me!

In other news, I weighed another pound less today than yesterday. My discipline is having an effect and it is so encouraging. One ounce, one pound at a time the weight WILL come off. I have faith.

First Task - GET ORGANIZED!

Despite my best (or more likely because of my worst) efforts my sewing room is always a disaster area. I get fabric out for a project, decide that's not the perfect one and get out a whole bunch to sample and then never get it put back again. I have leftovers, patterns, mending, ironing, filing, piles of donations, off season clothes, and anything else that doesn't have a place all stacked and stashed around my room. It is a mess! And I have the pictures to prove it.

View from the door

My sewing desk

Most of my fabric stash (with some stuff on top)

Just today I got the totes of fabric into the corner and sorted some piles of fabric back into the appropriate totes. I love fabric and have lots! And I plan to use lots this year. I'm so inspired by the many other bloggers that I'm committed to making my daughter and myself some wonderful new clothes for spring.

But first I have to get the room organized so I can set up a cutting table and work space that really allows me to work.  I'm also wanting to share some of my fabric with others who could put it to good use. I'll think some more on how best to do that, as I have only eight readers and two of them are family.

I'm excited to report that I have been a really good girl for the first two days of the new year and the bathroom scale is showing a lower number than on the last day of the old year. It is encouraging!

In other news, we got a wonderful email from Elder PW saying he received the Christmas package and enjoyed all the goodies. Dr. Hair and Dandylion don't go back to school until Wednesday so I don't have the house to myself just yet, but they helped take down all the Christmas decorations and tree today and get that all stowed away in the basement for another year. It's so nice to have strong (and willing) young men to help lift and carry heavy things.

How Much Does Stress Weigh?

I don't know about you, but I'm a stress eater.  Very bad for health.  I knew a woman a long time ago in Virginia who said "I eat three times a day, and my metabolism eats five times a day."  After age thirty-five I was lucky if my metabolism ate three times a week!  The only way I've found to jump start it and then keep it going is by walking briskly three to five miles EVERY DAY!  Well the every day is difficult enough without little children (and no stroller), but nigh impossible WITH.  And the stresses of life just add the wrong mix of hormones and eating.  Oh my!  I guess I use that as an excuse, but I ask you, what's a girl to do?  Watch for some major progress as my life settles down, stress is decreased and I'm free to do the best things to get healthy and fit.  And work on my long neglected projects.

I originally wrote this October 19, and then didn't post it and I can't remember why.  Well here it is.  My stress level is decreased somewhat, but I'm weak and undisciplined so haven't made so much progress.  TopDad and I have plans to help each other, but life keeps getting in the way.  Deep sigh.  Does anyone have wise counsel for us? What is the formula for success? What works as a motivation? How does one conquer self?  HELP!

Today I Am Serious

That is part of my new mantra:  "Today I am serious about being healthy, losing weight and being physically fit."  Like most others I want to exercise and diet for one day and achieve my goals.  Sort of like practicing the violin once and playing like Itzhak Perlman.  Like that's gonna happen.  So I finally got it through my aging brain that reaching my goal is going to take a whole lot of todays.  Each day that I consciously choose to exercise and eat correctly will bring me closer to my goal.  The more days I chose to be serious the faster I will reach my goal.  Therefore Today I Am Serious.

In other news:  Noble is doing great at school despite logistical challenges like not being at liberty to go off post; not having a mail box to receive mail; not having a working computer, etc.  She is, however, having the sweet experience of being liked by a guy whom she likes at the same time.  This is a new experience for her.  Learning the language is progressing; she feels ahead in some ways from all the time she spent listening to K-Pop, watching Korean Dramas, and other television shows; and learning the Korean alphabet ahead of time.

Elder PW's letter this week was more upbeat; with new people to teach and a baptism on the horizon he is encouraged and happy.

JET began school last week and likes college; he has a good job at a car dealership which he likes.  Next two steps is finding the right living situation close to school and work and then getting a new (to him) car.  He attended the Singles ward this week and was gratified to have been scoped out by all the girls as well as having two of the cutest sit by him during the meetings.  Can't get happier than that for an 18 year old boy.

Doc Brown (almost 15) and Dandylion (13) come home most days with good things to say about school.  They both like learning and enjoy the small classes and attention of the small school here.  Doc Brown is so named because of his penchant for coming up with ideas for inventions and innovations a la Back to the Future.

And there's the latest news from the Heartland.

Family Traditions - Conference Weekend

Watching General Conference is a tradition I've worked to establish in our home since we began our family.  We've experienced conference in Washington State, Virginia, Utah and now Iowa.  Each place has it's own set of challenges.  In Washington when our two oldest were tiny I think I took just Noble with me to the church to watch a session or two.  In those days I devoured the May Ensign when it arrived because I hadn't been able to watch all the sessions.  Also, TopDad wasn't a member of the church so I was sensitive about not forcing him to participate.  He was baptized the spring before we moved to Virginia.  Now we had three children under five and it was a circus attending the broadcast at the church building; but I persevered as best I could.  After a couple of years I got the brilliant idea to subscribe to cable for conference weekend and enjoy it at home.  The cable company usually had a special going around conference time so it cost less than thirty dollars for the weekend and I thought that a bargain for the blessing of watching conference at home.  I'd call on the Monday before conference and order the hook-up for Friday.  We'd enjoy all the sessions on Saturday and Sunday, and then on Monday I'd call and ask for the disconnect.  After a few times they knew me and didn't ask questions anymore.

Being able to watch conference at home was the beginning of the tradition of special foods for the weekend.  I wanted it to feel like a holiday and make associations in the minds of my children: Conference = good food.  It worked.  The foods have varied over the years but everyone knows that it is worth it to be home for conference weekend.

In Utah we were able to enjoy conference on the regular broadcast station and found that between sessions there were wonderful special documentaries about the church, it's history and people, put together by the religion correspondent on the television station.  They were fantastic and we looked forward to those as much as conference.  By this time, after about eight years of conference watching in Virginia the children didn't need to be reminded or called to the family room.  Conference watching, and taking notes, was a tradition.  Several times we got tickets to a session and were able to attend at the Conference Center, which was a special treat.  Once you've been there, watching the sessions becomes even more real.  The challenge during this time was that not all the others in the ward and neighborhood watched ALL the sessions of conference and would ask for this child or that child to come out and play.  We were firm, but loving, about insisting that our children stay inside and participate.  We'd invite the friend in also, but few took that offer.

Here in Iowa we watch conference online at lds.org.  Our little branch tried to have everyone attend the church and watch it together but few attended and so that was dropped.  I prefer to be away from the distractions and noise of others and in the comfort of my own home. 

What are our traditional foods?  Over the years we have had Breakfast Casseroles, Citrus Scones and omelets, lots of fruit, cinnamon rolls, a variety of cookies, hogie sandwiches with deli meats and cheeses, chips and more fruits, Swiss Steak, Ziti Casserole, Lasagna, Ham and Good Potatoes.  I try to make it as delicious and special as I can.  Sometimes we're flush with money and other times we've been "starving students."  I put on a Sunday tablecloth and napkins, use my best dishes and set things out as beautifully as I can.  I have wanted our family to associate Conference weekend with both physical and spiritual feasting.  My hope is that as our children move away from home, marry and establish their own families they will want to continue the tradition in their own homes.

When I struggled with little children during the early years in Virginia I would feel like giving up, thinking it would never work.  Now I am glad that I didn't give in to weakness and kept working to establish our traditions for Conference.  I know we are blessed for watching and listening and taking notes.  Our hearts are filled with encouragement and our resolves to live the gospel are strengthened.  The unity we feel as a family and the happy memories make it all worthwhile.

P.S. I managed to maintain my weight loss this weekend, in spite of all the delicious food, by taking small portions of the rich stuff and chewing very slowly to savor each bite.  I loaded up on veggies and fruit to feel full.

Mirrors and Miles

Last Saturday TopDad finally hung the full-length mirror in our bedroom as well as putting a large mirror in the downstairs bathroom.  And I finally got a glimpse of my full-width self for the first time in how many months?  Let's see we left Utah on July 30, 2010, and Saturday was March 25, 2011, so almost eight months.  Holy Hannah, I'm huge!  I admit to gaining ten pounds since leaving Utah (I was supposed to be losing for lots of reasons, but that's another story) and hadn't seen myself except in photos, which were exaggerating, I thought.  Well, no I guess there was no exaggeration, just cold, hard, I mean jiggly, facts.  So my current thinking is that a full-length mirror is a dieter's best friend.  It is totally motivating for me to catch a glimpse of my huge behind; the desire for the wrong foods dissipates faster than water drops on a hot griddle.  Since the installation of the mirror I've dropped five pounds!  Way to go!

Today Noble and I walked about five miles.  The sun is shining and the skies are mostly clear and I felt like a "very long walk."  We walked to the Library to return a video that Dr. Hair (son number three) had rented, then we turned around and walked to the edge of town where Albert, the Bull proudly stands, and got onto the T-bone trail and walked out a mile and a quarter.  It's about a mile from our house to the trail head so we walked a total of about 5 miles. On the way out (south) we enjoyed the wonderful tail wind and I was feeling great, hence the longer than normal distance.  Then we turned around.  I always feel like those mimes pushing against the wind.  Very strong head wind on the way north, well duh!  We got a fantastic workout pushing ourselves home.  Actually, other than a little stiffness in the joints I feel good, EXCEPT: my feet which have hot spots (not full blown blisters) on the balls.  I have really good shoes but need some cushy-er socks and a whole lot less weight to support!  But a girl can only do so much in one day. 

In other news, I'm making cinnamon rolls today for consumption during this weekend's General Conference. It's tradition! Noble and I planned the menu and are going shopping for the ingredients tonight.  Twice a year we have special foods to coincide with the Spiritual Feast of Conference.

Three steps forward and two steps back, Wanna Dance?

Last week we had some great weather here in Southwest Iowa.  Noble and I went walking twice and I even got my husband out once.  I ate great for two days, then went back to the "see-food" diet, you know, see food, eat it.  How are others consistent?  I'm constantly battling SAD, that pesky winter-time disorder of wanting to hibernate until spring.  When the weather is good, which means the sun is shining and the temps are about forty, I feel better and can stay on task.  When the sun hides behind a thick layer of clouds and the temps hover around freezing I just want to crawl back into bed (I have to get up to get breakfast for my family and see all the males off to school) and not get up until it's lighter and warmer.  Also this past week I've been malingering and blue because of some situations at church.  This is definitely a different kind of congregation.  But that is another blog.  So back to the problem of consistency.  I admit: I'm weak willed when it comes to changing my habits.  I did much better when I was single and living alone.  I didn't have anything in my house that I didn't want to eat.  I ate in more of a vegetarian style, and I walked everyday (living in So. California is so convenient).  How can I adapt for Iowa, with a husband and sons who demand MEAT at every meal and the winters are icy and snowy and impossible to navigate outside on foot?

Winter is the worst time to begin a program of change!  I'm going to wait for spring and the sunshine.

The Immutable Law of Gravity

Today is the one month mark so it's time for weigh in and measurements:
Weight - 175 (-3)
Neck - 14" (-1)
Bust - 40" (-1)
Waist - 34" (-1) (I stood up straight!)
Abdomen - 44" (no change)
Hips - 44 1/4" (+3/4)
Thigh - 25" (+1/4)
Calf - 15 3/4" (+1/4)
Ankle - 9" (no change)
Bicep - 13" (-1/4)
Wrist - 6 1/2" (-1/4)

As you can see the changes are mostly due to gravity.  Everything is moving down!!!  And the weight loss is simply water.  I was out and about yesterday and forgot a bottle of water so I am slightly dehydrated.  But truthful, always truthful. 

I didn't get any chocolates (or flowers or cards) for Valentines Day, unless you count the half of a Milky Way bar I shared with Noble while we were out shopping.  I fixed a Chicken Pot Pie for dinner, the top crust covered in little hearts cut from the leftover crust.  It looked really nice and tasted yummy. I used a red damask tablecloth and white linen napkins edged in red; made cranberry juice (from frozen concentrate) and served it is stemware, then we had ice cream with fresh strawberries for dessert.  Also at everyone's place I put a small box of conversation hearts.  And that was our Valentines Day. (My husband has never been big on holidays so I just do my thing and enjoy it with the children.)

So, back to gravity.  To counteract its effect I must strengthen my core muscles and remember what I learned a long time ago from a book called "Set For Life."  The author said "Remember, muscle curves, fat hangs."  And that just about describes me.  All hang.  As soon as the snow is gone I can begin to work in the yard again, which builds muscles; and I can walk, which tightens my tummy and butt better than anything I've tried.  Well, better in a natural and painless way.  I am not into pain, or sweat for that matter.  I've always felt that if I'm sweating I'm either working too hard, or it's too hot, or both.

I set a goal to change my breakfasts--Well, I took smaller portions, does that count?  Still trying to get organized.  Actually I'm very organized, after the sun comes up, it's this getting up in the middle of the night (anytime before the sun is up) that is difficult for me.  But hope, and spring, is on the way.  The days are lengthening and it won't be long before I can be awakened by the sun rather than my alarm.  I'll keep plugging away.  And I'm truly grateful I don't have cows to milk at 4:30 AM.

One last thing; I got a lovely letter from my missionary son in Argentina.  PAYDAY!  He said he'd trade his new hat for a mother's hug!  All the long hours of teaching and training and patience are paying big dividends.  I love being a mother

Habits and other Perversions

Habits are queer and perverse things.  No sooner do I begin to blog and think about changing habits then my mind begins to crave candy, cookies, cake, pie, chips, and all other manner of bad for me delights.  I believe conquering the mind is more difficult than conquering the body because one has to win the mind over first!  And to add insult to injury, as the saying goes, the weather has been overcast and depressing with temps in the negatives.  I thrive on sunshine!  And fresh air!  I NEED to walk outside and can do so for far longer than I can trudge on a treadmill.  My daughter and I have gone over to the hospital several times to do the treadmill thing and while it is better than nothing it is only barely better than nothing.  My husband thinks that we should just keep going and we'll overcome our aversion to the darn things and make good progress.  But he is of the "do as I say, not as I do" persuasion, and I don't see him over there exercising.  I've hinted and asked outright for a bicycle for my birthday and I think he is getting me one.  I hope, I hope!  A friend of mine back in Washington (state) began to ride a bike after her husband died and she lost a ton of weight (not literally) and looked fantastic.  I like to think that being out in the fresh air and sunshine will do wonders for my mind first and then my body. 

It's as if my mind goes into a reverse psychology mode whenever I decide to get healthy and lose weight.  Okay, I'm going to eat more vegetables (which I honestly like and enjoy eating) and less sugary things like candy and cookies (which I also enjoy eating, but not the effect they have on me) and my mind says, as if hypnotizing me, "Body, you are craving candy, you must have chocolate, you will die without something salty and crunchy."   Seriously!  A long time ago I told my children that I couldn't have candy anymore, that I was allergic to it.  Yes, honestly, it makes my hips swell something awful.  I pretend I'm diabetic and can't have sugar or refined carbs.  Ha ha, my mind knows differently and I fall into temptation and embrace the goodies like long lost friends. 

This is a struggle to conquer the natural (wo)man.  I want to, I know I need to, and I believe I can be successful.  I have grandparents who lived well into their nineties.  My parents are mid-eighties and healthy.  I went in for a complete physical last week.  The good news is that I am basically healthy.  Blood pressure is 110/70, pulse 58, temp 96.4 (it was a cold day outside and the examining room was freezing); all the lab work came back normal, except! my triglyceride level is elevated slightly.  Too much sugar and refined carbs in my diet.  Oh really?  Overall cholesterol is good and my HDL is 50, which is good.  So there is laboratory proof that I need, repeat NEED to cut down, if not eliminate sugar from my diet.  I can do it for a meal at a time, a day at a time, but then, BAM, somebody (usually a loving husband or son or daughter) will offer to share their treat with me and I succumb.  Will you stop tempting me? Please, stop tempting me!

Reader's Digest published a diet book that I thought approached things the right way.  It was called "Change One"  and used the premise that changing everything all at once was too hard and people were prone to failure.  So they advocated changing one thing at a time and when the one new thing became a habit, move on to the next thing.  They began with breakfast, then lunch, snacks, dinner, eating out, shopping for food, exercise, etc.  I can't remember all twelve things from the book.  (I had the book but gave it to a co-worker who needed it more than I did.) 

I'm going to begin again and change one thing at a time.  Breakfast:  I usually make a big breakfast to feed the men in my family.  They like meat (bacon or sausage) and eggs, or french toast, or pancakes (which I like too) or their favorite "Skillet Breakfast" which combines meat, potatoes and eggs in a tasty and filling meal.  BUT, those meaty kinds of breakfasts are too fattening for me.  I knew a woman in Maryland who was very thin and she said "I eat three times a day, but my metabolism eats five."  (I was always very envious of her and coveted her metabolism.) My situation is opposite: I eat three times a day and my metabolism eats about three times a week.  I just do not burn off as many calories as I take in.  So here's my plan:  I'll continue to make breakfast for the guys (and my daughter who is young and has a good metabolism) and I'll make myself a different breakfast.  I know that is more work but one of my favorite breakfasts is one that I can prepare ahead and just heat briefly in the microwave.  That is brown rice.  I love brown rice and it is filling and when I eat it I don't get hungry until lunchtime.  Another good for me breakfast is cracked wheat which can be cooking on the stove while I prepare the other stuff. So here's to my first CHANGE. (Everyone lift a toast with a glass of water!)

My goal for the week:  Change what I eat for breakfast. 
Second goal is to blog more frequently.  (Will be more specific when I get a rhythm going. I find that living a full life doesn't always include writing about it, but I'll do better.)

The Naked Truth

After a week of pondering, worrying, stewing, and such I think I'm ready to get going.  Here are my measurements at the beginning of this adventure.
Age - 53 years
Height - 5'7"
Weight - 178 lbs.
Neck - 15"
Bust - 41"
Waist - 35"
Abdomen - 44"
Hips - 43 1/2"
Thigh - 24 3/4"
Calf - 15 1/2"
Ankle - 9"
Upper arm - 13 1/4"
Wrist - 6 3/4"

Now you know the awfulness of my situation.  I look fairly proportionate overall.  Gravity, stress and overeating have taken their toll on my once beautiful body.  I can accept aging in the form of gray hair and wrinkles, just not a saggy, baggy, low energy body.

Today I went to the gym (a small affair at our local hospital consisting mainly of cardio machines such as treadmills and bikes, with some free weights to round things out) and used a treadmill to walk 30 minutes, 1.43 miles, burning 164 calories.  That's almost one third of the calories I need to reduce daily to reach a goal of losing a pound a week.  I actually want to do more than that but let's be realistic and start small.  Actually I hope to end small, but you know what I mean.

I live in a two story house and go up and down the stairs many times each day.  I don't count the times, maybe I should, anyway I know I burn off some calories that way.  For now that is the extent of my exercising.  When the weather turns to spring I will walk outdoors for longer and add bike riding for variety.  We have twenty miles of bike trail here and it is smooth and fairly level.  Currently the sidewalks are covered with ice and snow, not conducive to safe walking.

The other half of the equation of losing weight is cutting down intake.  Many tout the benefits of six small meals each day.  I have tried that and end up eating way too much.  Three nutritious meals and two well planned snacks are better for me.  This week's goal is to have a snack plan; I already have a meal plan. My husband is not interested in losing weight at this time so I'm still planning meals to satisfy him and our teenage sons.  I attempt to eat smaller portions and fill up on veggies, either cooked or raw or both.

One more component in losing weight is drinking adequate water.  I got in the habit of drinking ten (8-9 oz.) glasses of water each day when I was pregnant.  At first it was difficult because I wasn't used to it.  I told myself that I had to drink lots of fresh water to keep the swimming pool full.  After a while it was a habit and I could tell a difference when I didn't get enough.  I like my water "room" temperature.  We have lived in San Diego; Mount Vernon, Washington; Dale City and Stafford, Virginia; Provo and Midvale, Utah; and now Audubon, Iowa.  Only in Mount Vernon and here have I been able to drink the water from the tap.  Everywhere else I had to have "bottled" water because of the taste.  In San Diego I had water delivered in five gallon bottles; In Virginia I bought six gallon bottles at Sam's Club, exhanging the empties for full each month.  In Utah I bought five gallon bottles and filled them at the grocery store for 39 cents a gallon.  I tasted the water here and found it to be tolerable and decided to save money and not buy water.  The children didn't like it so Steve installed a filter on the tap and they drink filtered water from the tap. 

I keep track of how much I drink with a Post-it note on the wall and a pencil on the window sill near the kitchen sink making a tally mark each time I drink a glass of water.  I don't sip water, I fill the glass and drink it down.  I find that refreshing, fast and easy.  And I'm not lugging water around with me as I go about my day.  When I do go out for errands or such, I fill a store bought water bottle and take it with me.

Yes, drinking that much water makes me pee a lot!  But everything I've read about losing weight says to drink lots of water for a variety of reasons: facilitate movement of fat to cells for burning, carrying waste to blood to get rid of it, relieve headaches and joint aches, help control appetite (maybe you're just thirsty, not hungry), and such. I put up with the frequent bathroom visits as an acceptable side effect of reaching my goal.

My first GOAL is to see 170 on the scale for over a week.  I will report on my weight when I reach that goal.  I don't know about anyone else, but my weight can fluctuate three to five pounds over night depending on what I did or didn't eat and drink.  Hence I won't be reporting a day by day weight--too depressing for me.  When I reach a goal or once a month whichever comes first is when I'll report on weight.