Monday, May 31, 2010

And the winners are ..........

Well it was an exciting 11 weeks and I must say that Byron and Tina stayed the course.  Congrats to both of you  -  - - - - - -  and I have a surprise for you all.

Bryron - you lost a total of 15.2 pounds and that puts you in first place

Tina - you lost a total of 13.4 pounds for a second place finish

You are both going to receive $50.00 just for hanging in there and finishing the race.  Yes, I know that you did not lose the 24.75 lbs but the point of it is you did your best and no matter what you followed the rules.  I need you both to e-mail me your postal addresses at hhtessa@hotmail.com along with you full names so I can get the money orders.

Once again, congrats on an awesome job!!!!!!!!

Day 241 - End of the Challenge

Well today's weigh in ends an 11 week challenge.  Congrats to Byron and Tina for hanging in there.  I had a good day today, work was organized and nothing out of the ordinary happened at home so all is well.

Breakfast
4 oz yogurt
8 oz grapefruit sections w/juice

Lunch
1 pepper
3 oz steamed potatoes & carrots
4 oz roasted pork tenderloin
1/2 cup applesauce

Dinner
garden salad
8 oz mexican lasgana

Sunday, May 30, 2010

Day 240 - I'm back on line..........

Wow, that was some experience.  Apparently, I hit a wrong button when I blogged last and locked myself out of my site.........lol, and all my sites I follow as well..  Not sure how I did that but I did, I have never professed to be a techie so just goes to show what happens when you don't know what your're doing.  I am very glad to be back in more ways than one.

We have had horrible weather here the past two days.  Yesterday we got close to 3 inches of wet, heavy snow..........yes, you heard right snow.  It has been dreary and dismal, it has stopped snowing but now the wind is blowing.  I know Alerta weather is unpredictable but this is getting a little on the ridiculous side.

How is everyone?  I weighed in at 279.6 this morning.  I'm not gaining a lot so am happy that I am holding my own.  Trying not to let events get me down as I don't want to start using food as a crutch.  When you are an emotional eater it seems that you tend to use every emotion as an excuse to eat.  Not gonna happen here, I've got a long road ahead till all this settles down so it is one day at a time.

Breakfast
1 Tassimo Latte (100)
8 oz grapefruit sections w/juice (100)
4 oz yogurt (25)

Morning Coffee
1 Tassimo Latte (100)

Lunch
1 raw pepper (25)
1/2 english cucumber (25)
2 cheese sticks (120)
1/2 cup applesauce (50)

Afternoon Snack
1 Life bar (100)
1 cup Earl Grey tea

Dinner
5 oz roasted pork tenderloin (275)
4 oz steamed potato (80)
6 oz steamed carrots (35)
1 raw pepper (25)
1/2 english cucumber (25)
1 tablespoon Russian dressing (60)

Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Day 236 - Some good news ...

Well Kirsten got let out of the hospital today after a mirad of tests, no internal injuries.  They also found that she has two broken bones in her back.  They didn't see them on the main x-rays but they showed up on the CAT scan.  She will have to take it easy for a while but she is going to be ok.

My dad called tonight and said they have him scheduled for his heart tests on Friday, so they put a rush on that as well.  So it looks as if life may be getting back to some form of normal.  We can't do anything about getting hubby in to the surgeon any faster so for now we wait.

I've totally not been watching my diet, one minute I'm not hungry and the next I'm starving.  Still not binging but definitely overeating at times.  Going to try and get back on track tomorrow and start posting meals again.

Thank you all for your thoughts, comments and prayers, they mean a lot to me.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Challenge Results - Week 10

                                      Last Week                       This Week                     Lbs Lost/Gained

Byron                               306.2 .                           306.8                            .6 gain

Tina                                 282.2                              282.8                            .6 gain


Pounds lost to date: last week 35.8 lbs lost minus 1.2 gain this week = 34.6 pounds lost

Day 235 - Does it never end.....

My life is now starting to sound like a soap opera.... oh woo is me.  Had to take my dad to ER yesterday.  Sometime ago they gave him a pace maker because they thought he needed it.  He's been having chest pains, sweats and shaking ever since.  Regular visits to the ER has not turned up anything.  Now they suspect he may have a blockage. 

I just now received a call from my son that his fiancee is on her way to the UofA hospital in Edmonton by ambulance.  She went out for a horseback ride this afternoon and got bucked off.  She has blood in her urine so they are rushing her in suspecting internal bleeding. 

The icing on the cake - hubby called the specialist's office in Calgary today to see about his appointment.  He's been classified as a Priority 2 (no one would explain what that means), and he has to call back in mid July to make an appointment to make an appointment for mid to late August. 

Is my life crazy or what?  Seems like it just never ends.......all this waiting is definitely taking it's toll on me.  I can't eat, I can't sleep and I don't have any thing good going on right now.

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Day 233 - Another windy day......

I'm beginning to think I live back in southern Alberta where the wind never stops blowing.  It is a typical May long weekend in Alberta - cold, windy, rainy and snowing, you gotta love it.  Yesterday morning the sun was shining and it was fairly nice but by the time everyone arrived it was cold and miserable.  We still had an awesome time (sorry, I was too busy to take pictures), had 20 people to feed all together (almost thought I was going to run out of food).  We had burgers, hotdogs, potato salad, baked beans and watermelon.  I was so intent on making sure that everyone got feed that I forgot to eat.  By the time I realized it it was too late so I basically went all day on 3 latte's and a hotdog.  And the funny thing was I didn't snack even though I had chips and dip set out.  That is totally unlike me, usually when there is that much food I am the first and last one in line.

Hubby had an awesome day, even though he got totally played out.  My son and his fiancee stayed overnight so that was nice.  Kirsten helped with the cleanup, she's such a sweet girl.  I do realize today that all this extra weight is not good for me.  My legs, ankles and feet are killing me from being on them all day.  I just want to lay down and not get up for the rest of the day.  That is not going to happen, I am going to get up and get moving.  I'll take some Tylenol and keep on trucking.

I totally took the day off today.  Trevor and Kirsten came back from shopping with breakfast from MacDonald's.  I had a bacon egger with hash browns.  I can't tell you how many years it's been since I had MacDonald's for breakfast.  It was a nice treat but of the calories.  I was good for the rest of the day, had a nice afternoon nap.  I even dug out some cross stitching and started on a wedding sampler.  Mind was busy thinking of something besides food.  Around 5:30 decided I was hungry so had a little snack of some leftover baked beans, half a hotdog, hamburger bun and watermelon.  Watched some TV and now heading to bed, it has been an awesome day!!!!

Saturday, May 22, 2010

Day 232 - Alberta medical system is a joke ........

Yesterday was a total write off as far as life was concerned.  Got to work and there was water everywhere.  It had poured rain overnight and this brand new building we are in was leaking.  Due to an engineering flaw (or stupidity, not sure which), they forgot that when you leave half of the roof open (for some type of new ventalation system), rain will get in and follow the path of least resistance, even I know that.  So it was a day of dripping water and cranky people.

Get home and hubby has gotten a call from the disability company telling him that because he has lost 20 pounds he can go back to work.  Never mind that he still has major chest pains when he over does it, his legs buckle sometimes and he has a soft tissue tumor in his head.  But he lost some weight and his blood sugars have improved so back to work you go.  Then on top of it, the company that he works for no longer has a contract at the gas plant where he was working so there is no job to go back to.  This will be interesting to see how this plays out.  We know that he can go back to work and within 3 hours he will probably be in the ER because he's fallen off a ladder or gotten hurt because he can't hear.  You gotta love stupidity.  For the first time in our lives we are actually thinking of a major lawsuit.

Today is the day of our annual Victoria Day BBQ.  I am so excited, it will be nice to have a house/backyard full of company and just forget about all the medical stuff for a day.  Hubby has asked everyone to just come and have fun and not turn it into a pity party for him.  I'm up real early doing a bit more cleaning and gettig my potato salad done.

How has my food been, doing good, no binging and getting all the right foods.  I stepped on the scale this morning and I'm down nearly 3 pounds this week.  Of course that is not an official weigh in but I am happy to see the scale sliding in the right direction.

Thursday, May 20, 2010

Day 230 - I'm here ..........

Sorry for having been missing in action.  Tuesday we had a wicked storm roll through and it kept knocking out my internet so could not  post.  Yesterday I had another wicked migraine so didn't even want to think about looking at the computer screen after working at one all day.  I am taking the day off work today due to still having a bit of the migraine and I need a bit of a break.  With work being really busy and hubby's situation I'm not coping real well.

Food has been really good the past couple of days, lots and lots of fruit and veggies (think I am addicted....lol).  Hubby took me to Edo's on Tuesday night.  We don't normally eat out but we had been out shopping for new bathroom fixtures and it was late when we got done.  It was a new place and we also had a 2 for 1 coupon.  The food was really good, lots of veggies, but so much that I couldn't eat it all.  Now it is extremely rare that you will not find me cleaning off my plate when we eat out.  The reason for this is when we were kids we taught that eating out was a treat and if you ordered it, you ate it because we did not waste food.  I still don't like to throw food away but am getting better at giving myself permission to do so.  It was only some rice and sauce so nothing I would want to take home in a doggie bag.

My breafast and lunches are pretty much the same every day.  This doesn't bother me and if I need some variety I can add or subtract as I like.  Dinner's can sometimes be a challenge but I find that with having the snack bar around 3 p.m. I am not eating as much at dinner as I used to.

Breakfast
4 oz yogurt
1 orange
1 Tassimo Cappichino

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Challenge Week 9

                    Last Week                            This Week Lbs                     Lost/Gained


Byron           306                                       306.2                                  .2 gain

Tina              287.6                                    282.2                                  5.4 loss

Pounds lost to date: last week 30.6 lbs lost plus 5.2 lost this week = 35.8 lbs lost

Monday, May 17, 2010

Day 227 ..........Down .8 from last week

Well tonight was weigh in and I did better than I thought, I was down .8, it isn't that much in the scheme of things but considering what the past week has been like I'll take it.

Things did not progress as we thought they should today for hubby.  He went to the walk-in clinic and the doctor confirmed that this needs to be tended to as soon as possible.  Duh, we already knew that, but then on the other hand he said this is Alberta.  So even though we have a supposedly great health care system you are just a number and you have to wait till you get called.  The fluid that is draining has now changed from off white with red streaks to an almost dull orange.  Yes, there is infection there....no, they are not in a hurry to stop this thing from advancing to the brain, if it hasn't already.  Hubby wants to wait till the end of the week to see if we hear from the surgeon and if not then I will be placing a call to his office on Tuesday.  We did find out that it won't do any good to go to Edmonton to the ER as apparently there is only one surgeon in the province that does this type of thing .... you guessed it, he's the one we are waiting on.  This is totally maddening.

As for the rude receptionist, I haven't decided what to do there.  That also may come to a head on Tuesday.  I may have to make an office visit so I get the point across. 

Enough with the on going saga, I am sure you are all tired of hearing about it by now.  Tina, our BBQ is this weekend coming up and sounds like everyone is going to come that was invited so it should be fun.  Will mean some extra work for me but it will take my mind off of things.

Breakfast
4 oz yogurt
1 banana
1 orange

Lunch
1/2 english cucumber
1 pepper
1 tablespoon low cal dressing
4 oz cottage cheese
1 orange

Dinner
1 bunless burger
2 cups ceasar salad

Sunday, May 16, 2010

Day 226 - Where did the weekend go..........

Oh my, here it is Sunday already as well as the middle of May.  Time goes by so quickly the older we get.  We went to church this morning, it was an excellent service.  It is a very small congregation, less than 40 people, but the love is overwhelming. 

Breakfast
1 orange
1 banana
4 oz yogurt

Lunch
1 pepper
1/2 english cucumber
1 tablespoon low cal salad dressing
3 small pieces california sushi
4 oz cottage cheese
1 cup mixed fresh berries (strawberries, raspberries, blackberries)

Dinner
1 cup homemade potato soup (made with low sodium chicken broth, small amount of 1% milk and lots and lots of veggies)
1 cup mixed berries
1 banana
1 cheese scone

Well back to work tomorrow, hubby is headed to ER first thing in the morning to get his ear looked at.  Please keep your fingers crossed that someone will actually do something about it.  We have been organizing a backyard BBQ for this coming Saturday.  Hubby says he just wants to have a good time and forget all about his health issues.  Have about 24 people coming so it should be lots of fun.  It is so difficult to try to go about life normally knowing what is going on in the background but we have to keep plodding along.  Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers, they have been a great comfort to me.

Saturday, May 15, 2010

Day 225 - 278.8 lbs

Sorry, I've been missing in action for a couple of days.  Things kinda went rocky with hubby, still no positive solution but looking at different options.

On Thursday as he was cleaning some of the drainage from the outside of his ear he noticed blood in the discharge.  Friday he placed a call to the specialist and got "you've probably just irritated it from digging at it with a Q-tip, but we'll note it on your chart".  He does not go into the ear when he cleans the discharge so knew that could not be it.  I decided to take him to ER last night but when we got there the waiting room was packed, there were cops all over the place and the air ambulance had just came in.  He did not want to sit there for hours waiting.  By this time he was totally stressed and worn out. 

I held my husband in my arms last night while he cried and said he did not want to die from a brain infection.  You have to have read up on this tumor in order to understand that if the infection eats trhough a thin bone plate that protects the brain there is no stopping it.  It will destroy the brain.  He is hurting, discouraged, severely stressed and doesn't know what to do.  The receptionist at the doctor's office treated him like a child instead of taking seriously what was going on.  The doctor had even said that if he noticed a change in anything that he should call right away.  Well as you can see it did no good as he could not get past the receptionist.

So have made the decision that he will go to the local ER on Monday morning and if he gets no assistance I will be taking him to Edmonton on Wednesday to the U of A hospital and I will not be leaving until someone has done something.  All the literature points to the need for fast action with this tumor and still it has been 10 days since the file was sent to the ear specialist in Calgary and not a word.  No more........now I am very angry.  My husband is a strong man and has a deep faith in God but does not want to die from an infection eating away his brain.  I can't blame him, I can only imagine how horrible that would be.

As for me, I'm not sleeping well and having major migraine headaches.  I just keep telling myself I need to be strong for him.  Eating has been ok, I am remembering that it's a day to day thing and I have not been allowing myself to binge.  I think I may have over eaten at a couple of meals but no binging, so holding onto that as a good thing right now.

Went to Costco this morning and loaded up on fresh fruits and vegetables.  I did make one mistake though.  A co-worker told me about a frozen hot chocolate drink that they make at Second Cup so on the way home I stopped to get one.  Bad choice, 750 calories according to thier website.  Won't be making that mistake again.  I can probably make them at home with less than a 100 calories.  Even worse was I didn't even stop to really think about the calories that could be in it.  It was a slip, and I will make up for it for the rest of the day with lots of fruits and veggies.  I need to learn to be more concious of the choices I make at these places.  Sometimes I wonder where my brain is.....

I sent hubby off to his biker buddy's this morning so they could have some quality time together.  They have been best friends for years.  I wanted to get my shopping done this morning and then had a funeral to attend this afternoon so was a good way to get him out from under foot without making him feel like I didn't want him around.

Wednesday, May 12, 2010

Day 222 - 279.6 lbs

Wow, thanks for all the comments on my "There's always tomorrow" posting.  I love reading all the different points of view.  And it is always healthy for me when someone disagrees with me, thanks Tina.  Tina made a really good point, what will I say when I have an oops.  I never really thought about that and at this point I don't know.  My main thing is going to be trying to live in the moment, one day at a time.  Sometimes I get to focused on the future and don't do enough today.

Tina, thank you for your input, I can definitely see where it is a step forward for you and if it works then keep on doing it.  I think what set me off on the train of thought was when I was cleaning up my blog list of sites that I follow.  As I stated in a previous posting if there is no posting for 2 weeks (providing there are extenuating circumstances such as illness or vacation) then I delete the blog from my list.  I do this for 2 reasons: 1) it means that the person was not serious about making a lifestyle change and 2) I get no encouragement if there are no postings no matter how negative.

A lot of us started blogging for different reasons, but the ultimate goal was weight lose.  I go back and read some of the entries to see where things might have gone wrong for them and see if there are things that I am doing that mirror their actions.  The one comment that I have been reading over and over on the blogs that are now not posting was "there's always tomorrow".  Remember Stacey, wonder where she has gone, how she is doing and obviously she has not found her tomorrow.  We all kind of connected off of her blog but that is all we have in common with her now because we are still going strong.

Breakfast
4 oz yogurt
8 oz grapefruit sections

Lunch
1 yellow pepper
1/2 cucumber
1 tablespoon low cal dressing
1/2 cup canned madarine oranges
2 cheese sticks

Dinner
3/4 cup Thai shrimp
1 cup cucumber slices
1 banana

Thanks Tina for your words of wisdom.  You are right that when we get down at the end of the day it's ok to say there's always tomorrow.  But I think when it comes to using it as an excuse to fill one's face with food it's an easy out.  At least I know for me it is.  I can always justify my eating by thinking I can start over again tomorrow.  Problem is it sometimes takes me a long time to get to tomorrow.  I want to start on a day divisable by 5, I'll start at the beginning of the month, on a birthday, a holiday, the middle of the month, Sunday is always a good day to start.........and so on goes the million and one reasons why I can't start today.  What the heck is wrong with starting today and sticking with it.  Sounds like something I need to do.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

There is always tomorrow ...........

I don't normally post twice in the same day but I have had something on my mind since yesterday and thought this is a good place to air it.  Please remember that I am not wanting to intentionally say anything that can be miscontrued as a negative critisim of anyone but myself.  The following topic maybe sensitive to some people so please remember it is only my opinion and directed more at myself than anyone else.

I went back and read through some of my blog entries and those of others that are struggling with weight lose.  Do you know what the most used phrase is?  Tomorrow is another day........how many times have I said those very words.  Every time I have a bad day or fall off the wagon for a few days it is always the same.....don't worry about it tomorrow is a new day.  When am I gonna stop using that thinking to justify killing myself, and believe me that is what I am doing.  Today I forgot my blood pressure medication and could hear my heart pounding in my head most of the day plus my ankles swole up to twice their size.  No big deal right, tomorrow is another day.  What if I don't wake up tomorrow because sometime during the night my heart gives out due to my being 130 pounds overweight?  I won't get a chance to say tomorrow is a new day. 

I was 110 pounds exactly 40 years ago today, since that day I wonder how many times I have said, it doesn't matter, tomorrow is a new day.  How many new days am I going to need till I get it right?  I reflect back on those 40 years and can see all the reasons why I put the pounds on but not too many for why I should take them off.  Let's look at some of them:

I got pregnant, couldn't get rid of the baby fat, that was an additional 70 pounds.  Then along came baby number 2, another 30 pounds.  Ok, took some time to get in shape and lost 40 pounds.  Then started having marital problems, gained 50 pounds, lost 30, gained 60, lost 20, gained 10, and so the yo-yo dieting began.  Yes, I could diet with the best of them and I could lose for a little while and then gain it all back plus a few extra pounds.  Sound familiar to you, of course it does.  It's the story behind so many who have been struggling with weight gain. 

We can always find something or someone to place the blame on, whether it be pregnancy, a bad marriage, poor family relations, lose of lifestyle, etc.  But maybe instead of blaming others I should be blaming the one responsible for putting the food in my mouth........ME!!!  I should have stood up and taken responsibility for my actions right from the beginning instead of letting life get to me.  I once had a boss that told me to never sweat the little things and life is made up of a whole lot of little things.  Hubby also keeps telling me that SH__ happens, it happens daily so get over it.

I went to my 12 step program tonight, I haven't been to a meeting in weeks, and all during the meeting all I could think of was tomorrow is a new day and what does that actually mean.  Well to me it means giving myself a licence to go ahead and eat all I want, fall off the wagon when I want, gain a few pounds cuz guess what "THERE IS ALWAYS TOMORROW". 

Well for me there will be no tomorrows, it is going to be all todays from here on out.  No longer am I gonna let myself think that filling my face full of food is ok cuz there is always tomorrow.  Tomorrow is not going to exist for me any more, it is going to be the here and now that I concentrate on.  One day at a time but no backsliding.  It's to easy to justify failure with there's always tomorrow.

I know this is  lot of rambling and probably doesn't make one bit of sense to anyone but me.  If you do get it please think about what I have said and see if it applies to you..........Today is when we want to take action, not tomorrow, because really tomorrow never comes.

Day 221 - A New Dawning.............

Last night's weigh in was a reality check for me.  It shows how quickly the pounds can go back on when you do mindless eating.  Today dawns a new beginning, one where I really have to work hard at this or I will be right back where I started.  I cannot let life events get to me, and I have to stop using them as an excuse to stuff my face. 

Breakfast
8 oz grapefruit sections
4 oz yogurt

Lunch
2 cheese sticks
1 pepper, 1/2 english cucmber cut in chunks w/1 tablespoon low cal dressing
8 oz V8 juice

Challenge Results - Week 8

                          Last Week                         This Week Lbs                  Lost/Gained


Byron                 307.2                                 306                                   1.2 loss

Tina                   284.8                                  287.6                                2.8 gain


Pounds lost to date: last week 32.2 minus 1.6 pound gained this week = 30.6 lbs lost

Monday, May 10, 2010

Day 220 - 280.8 lbs

Yep, you read it right, a gain of 4.8 pounds in one week.  Didn't think it was possible, believe me it is.  I'll post challenge results tomorrow as I am waiting on Tina to post tonight.  It's been a long day and I am heading to bed.

Sunday, May 9, 2010

Day 219 - Mother's Day

Every year for many years I have dreaded Mother's Day.  There have been instances over the years that took the joy out of looking forward to this day.  Last year was a great year and this year was even better.  I don't think I'll ever forget all the missed Mother's Days but at least I can go forward from here.

Went to Trevor's today and had a lovely lunch of lasgana, salad and banana cream pie.  Portions were watched and calories forgotten about.  They even got me driving the quad and all I could hear was Trevor saying "Look at you, you can do it."  I have a great bunch of kids, and they all called or facebooked me.  The time spent at Trev's was worth the 4 hours of driving time.  I hope everyone had a wonderful day, I'm back on track starting tomorrow cuz I have a whole lot of Mother's Days to make up for.

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Day 218 - Fell of the wagon .........

Yesterday afternoon I feel off the wagon and have been on a binge ever sense.  Evertything and anything that looks the least bit like food has found it's way into my mouth.  I have eaten so much that I am physically ill.  I am really annoyed with myself right at this moment.  I was doing so good, and even today I climbed back up and did real well till after lunch and then the devil took over.  I don't even remember what all I have had the displeasure of consuming.  Why?  I have no idea.  I can see myself reaching for things, telling myself I shouldn't and still doing it.  It is totally insane. 

I'm exhausted, emotionally and physically.  I'm not sleeping well at nights and I just want to sit down and have a good cry but that is not possible as hubby is always around and I don't want him to see me like that. 

Spent all day doing laundry and not much else.  Hubby had a good friend stop by and they worked on the chop bike for a couple of hours.  BBQ'd for supper and now just doing my blog entry before I go and watch a little TV.  Tomorrow we are going to Trev's for the day so that should be nice.  I made a banana cream pie to take.  Was going to make a coconut one as well but thought no because if I do, I'll be tempted to eat more than one piece and I really need to get back on track and fast.

Friday, May 7, 2010

Day 217 - CAT Scan Results

Ok, seen the doctor this morning and the diagnois is CHOLESTEATOMA, which is a soft tissue tumor filled with infection. He has to see an ear surgeon in Calgary that is being set up as quickly as possible due to the concern of the infection eating through the plate between the ear and the brain. At this point it does not look as if that has happened and they do not want it to. It's all very technical so if you want more info go to earsurgery.org and you can read up on it. So we are back to waiting for another appointment but it sounds as if Dr. Pabbies is going to call in a favor and see if he can make it happen soon. The ear surgeon is a personal friend of his. We just have to keep praying that all will turn out ok.

I didn't think we would get away with just seeing the doc and getting the results, so really we aren't much farther ahead other than knowing it is there and what it is called.  So now we sit and wait again till the doctor's office in Calgary calls with an appointment.

Breakfast
1 cup corn bran cereal
2 oz milk
4 oz yogurt
8 oz grapefruit sections

Lunch
1 kaiser bun w/2 oz ham, 1 cheese slice and mustard
2 small california sushi rolls
1 orange

Thursday, May 6, 2010

Day 216 - Where did yesterday go.....

I totally forgot to post yesterday.  I came home with a screaming headache and went straight to bed.  Had good intentions of getting up and blogging but slept right through to 6 this morning.  Haven't been sleeping all that well, even though I am trying hard to think positive, so many negative thoughts going through my head.  What if the doc says to get his affairs in order; it's attached to the spinal column; it's inoperable; and on and on it goes.  Even worse is wondering if there will be another delay because this doctor doesn't know what to do, etc, etc.

I know I have to keep upbeat for him but I can't stop my brain from working overtime.  Not sure how he is doing, he's not saying much right now, other than he is not feeling very well.

Breakfast
8 oz grapefruit segments
1 pkg instant oatmeal
2 oz milk
4 oz yogurt

Lunch
1 red pepper
1 orange
1 pkg chicken with veggies (370 calories)

Dinner
3 egg omelette w/mushrooms, green onions, cheese
2 Pilsbury whole wheat biscuits (90 calories each)

I have such a craving for soft ice cream tonight.  If I didn't have to go out in the cold to get it I'd be there already.  Instead munching on microwave popcorn.  Definitely not the same but it will do for now.  Probably better for me in the long run.

Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Day 214 - Finally some word .....

It isn't much, but at least hubby has an appointment with the doctor on Friday morning.  I am going to take a vacation day and go with him cuz I know I won't be able to concentrate at work wondering what is going on.

Breakfast
1 cup corn bran cereal
2 oz milk
4 oz yogurt
8 oz grapefruit sections

Lunch
2 cups chopped cucumbers/peppers with 2 tablespoon low calorie dressing
1.5 cups homemade beef vegetable soup
1 cup blackberries

Dinner
3 oz lean pork chop
1/2 cup mexican rice
1.5 cups steamed brocolli


I came home with a screaming migraine so am going to go to bed early tonight.  We had a snow storm settle in this morning and I'm pretty certain that the headache is from the weather change.  I haven't been sleeping all that well so have to take something to calm the headache before I settle in for the night.  Thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and support.  You will never know how much it means to me.

Monday, May 3, 2010

Day 213 - 276 lbs

Well I actually had a lose tonight, only 1.6 pounds, but a lose just the same.  Guess eating all those fruit and veggies has paid off.

Breakfast
1 pkg instant oatmeal
2 oz milk
4 oz yogurt
1/2 cup fruit cocktail

Lunch
1.5 cups cucmbers & peppers chopped up w/1 tablespoon low calorie dressing
2 cups homemade beef vegetable soup
1 cup watermelon

Dinner
1 cup beef vegetable soup
1/2 club snadwich

Still no word from the doctor...........grrrrrrrrrr

Challenge Results - Week 7

                      Last Week                                       This Week                               Lbs Lost/Gained



Byron             305.8                                                307.2                                     1.8 gain

Tina               285.6                                                 284.8                                       .8 lost


Pounds lost to date last week 33.2 minus 1 pound gained this week = 32.2 lbs lost

Sunday, May 2, 2010

Day 212 - Wishin' and a hopin' ......,

Hubby felt well enough to go to church today so that was nice.  We got to see a lot of people who are praying for us and care a great deal.  I am wishing and hoping that we hear from the doctor tomorrow.

Breakfast
2 shredded wheat biscuits
2 oz milk
4 oz yogurt
1 cup blackberries (my absolute favorite food)

Lunch
4 oz lean ground beef w/ 1 oz shredded cheese, 1/4 cup salsa and 1 tablespoon sour cream
1 cup fresh peppers and cucumbers
1 cup blackberries

Dinner
2 cups homemade beef vegetable soup
1/2 cup raspberry crumble w/lite cool whip

Trying really hard to get my fruits and veggies in.  I find it really hard to keep fighting the stress.  Guess weigh in tomorrow night will tell the tale.  I think I did ok this week but I have no idea.  I know it is a struggle not to allow myself to head to the fridge or cupboard all the time.  Thank God for water, as I have been drinking lots of it, especially when I get the cravings.

Again, thank you all for your support and comments.  I look forward to coming to my blog each day and seeing if anyone has left any messages.  The love and caring of strangers is no less important than that of family and close friends.  Thank you my friends for being there.

Saturday, May 1, 2010

Day 211 - Life is busy but not rewarding ..............

Been a busy day today as is almost every day. I sent hubby out to have breakfast with his biker bud's so that he could relax a little and be among people that are concerned about him and give him some much needed support.  My dad dropped by this morning and dropped off some pictures that my son had left with him.  Then I went grocery shopping at Costco's.  They have the freshest fruit in town as well as the best meat.  Came home and had a 2 hour nap, obviously the good sleep I had last night was not as good as I thought it was.

Breakfast
1 pkg instant oatmeal
2 oz milk
4 oz yogurt
1/2 cup canned peaches

Lunch
1 Michelina's Chicken Quisada Flat Bread (280 calories)
1 Life snack bar

Dinner
3 oz lean ground beef BBQ'd patty
1 cup homemade potato salad
1 cup green beans

I kinda messed up on my fruit and veggies today. By the time I got home from shopping and putting everything away it was almost 2 p.m. so I just grabbed something quick and didn't fix my veggies.  Tomorrow will be back on track with them.