200.0 One Bite At A time

This morning as I got ready to weigh myself after being without a scale for 5 days, I was talking to myself about how much I probably gained over the holidays. Whoa! I was so pleased and happily surprised to see that on this last day of the year, I weighed the least I have in probably 10 years! Yep, I did get off and on again just to make sure.

Since we were eating out, eating in, eating special holiday foods, I was sure that I had gained weight. My clothes didn't feel tighter, but in my mind I didn't see how I could NOT have gained weight. I ate mashed potatoes, I ate persimmon pudding with real whipped cream, I ate oyster dressing, I ate ham, I ate ice cream, I ate a little cake. In other words, I ate what was offered and enjoyed every bite. But here's where the truth lies...I ate each item one bite at a time. I really savored each bite, thought about whether I really wanted more before I took another bite, and I did start out with small portions.

I also had a time each day where I went inside myself to ask for help in making the best of each day and staying aware of all that I ate in the coming day. It is so powerful to know that we have this resource within ourselves, and it is really working for me. All I have to do is ask and believe.

So now, along with all of my readers, I face the New Year with hope, tools for success and the goal of losing at least another thirty pounds. Welcome 2010!

no scale Graceland, Tennessee

Graceland, Graceland in Memphis, Tennessee! I keep hearing that in my mind! I need a little grace right now and I am in Memphis, TN as I write. I don't have a scale, and I am in the throes of wondering how much damage I have done. Grace will allow me to take in stride wherever I am on the scale and allow me to continue this amazing adventure.

Being with my son's family has been such a gift. The boys are silly, active, brilliant and so sweet depending on the moment! I will never forget the 3 year old (Julien) thanking my sister and her husband for so seriously for the gifts they gave him. He wanted to get it just right and repeated his "thank you Uncle Phil and Aunt Prill" until he did. So adorable and heart felt and not that easy to say!

Last night I got another gift. My son said he was so happy to see me moving so easily and that I was just so much younger! When I started this program with my clinical hypnotherapist Jennifer Scott about a year and a half ago and about 50 pounds heavier she would tell me that I was getting stronger, more agile and younger. I wanted to believe her and I did a lot of work to make it happen, but to have Ted say that he was observing the results really meant so much.

Home tomorrow! I am so sad to be leaving these boys and so grateful that I had this time with them. I wish I could add some pictures of them to this post but I didn't bring the thingy to download pictures from my camera.

200.4 Have a Holly, Jolly Christmas!

I wasn't going to blog today, but since my weight is down another pound and I just did the elliptical for 11 minutes I just had to write about it.

We are headed to church with our daughter Alee, then we'll share some Chinese food, finish wrapping presents and we will be ready for tomorrow!

Hope you are all feeling merry and bright!

201.2 An Unexpected Gift

Here's my grandson Julien's Christmas stocking, finally finished. It has been 3 years in the making with me working sporadically every Christmas season hoping to get it done by that Christmas. Well, my son Ted asked about it about a month ago and reminded me that Julien would really notice this year if he didn't have a special stocking made by Grandma Sue. Phew! It took forever this year to finish it. I thought I had about 5 hours to go when Ted talked to me about it, but I think I have logged more like 12 to 15 hours. I am so glad it's done.

Today I received an unexpected gift about this blog. My nephew's wife Nicola took me aside and told me that she has read every post and that it has really touched her life. She said that the weight loss focus has been very helpful, but more than that, my sharing my view of life has meant a lot to her. I really liked hearing that this blog has become important to her and I hope it will continue to be a source of info, humor, and perhaps inspiration to many of you.

I am not sure if I will post a new blog everyday throughout the next week since we will be celebrating, traveling, and enjoying our family. But do check in every so often. With me in charge (I think the blog is the only thing I am truly in charge of :) ), you never know!

Happy Holidays to you all.

202.2 A Broken Record

Maybe I should say a broken CD, but since I grew up with the term broken record I think it sounds better. My current plateau is feeling like that. Being stuck is no fun, but I am trying to take it in stride. Weight is such a funny thing, or maddening, or frustrating thing! We all have it, but we all handle it differently, and it is very individual. Some folks don't have to deal with it at all, some heavier folks don't seem to deal with it at all (I was one of them for about 20 years), and some have watched their weight continually thereby keeping within about a 2-3 pound range most of their adult lives. I want to be in that third group eventually. Since right now I am proving to be so good at maintaining a certain weight that should be a piece of cake! Ouch! Bad phrase to use right now.

So as I approach the holidays and all that includes (read wonderful food) my goal is to stay steady, to use my inner voice to keep me present and careful, and enjoy my friends and family. That's not too tall an order!

202.2 A New Elliptical Record For Losin' Susan

In the midst of all the preparations for Christmas today, I went over to our community center's workout room to do the elliptical. Another record was set by Losin' Susan ~ 8 minutes and 3 seconds! Pretty soon, I won't bother with the seconds but I am still aware of each and every second! Tomorrow I head to PT for my last visit for a while. My physical therapist is hard to impress, but I would like to be able to hit the 10 minute mark tomorrow, for me as much as for her.

Food issues are going pretty well since we have been here at home over the last several days. Tonight, Dover sole and Brussel sprouts and I am really looking forward to it. I will probably go out on a limb (remember that book by Shirley MacLaine?) and add a salad! But truth be told, I can't think of what I would rather have for dinner. So, Bon Appetit as Julia would say!

202.2 Welcome Back Hip Bones!

Newflash! My hip bones are re-emerging! I am not sure where they have been and what they have been up to, but I am delighted to have them back!

I also want to say that the Christmas pictures I have posted with this blog over the past few days and today were taken at the Conservatory at The Bellagio. The designs are all made from flowers. The polar bears posted today were amazing - contemplating the work that went into creating them and bringing them to life takes my breath away! I have suggested to Jeff, who is feeling a little better today, that we make the trip to The Bellagio at Christmas time an annual event. It was just so beautiful and Christmassy! (By the way, you can click on the photos to enlarge them.)

202.6 Yikes!

And I didn't even eat anything special or salty or whatever. So today I have tried not eating much at all, and I am famished and head achy. I want those 6 ounces gone by tomorrow!

It has been a good day though. I got a call from a dear friend in Ohio, I got a lot of grocery shopping done for the coming week, and our Christmas card is finally coming together. That is my upbeat, positive self speaking. On the other hand, when I returned from the store, Jeff was on the phone talking to his doctor. Yesterday he had a very painful skin treatment and was in a lot of pain. During the night he developed chills and that happened again while I was gone. His dermatologist doesn't think his symptoms match any after affects of the treatment, so now we may be looking at a guy who has the flu. How can that be? He had a flu shot and is scheduled to get the H1N1 shot in mid-January. He's doing his part! And, our daughter Alee is arriving on Tuesday, and in a week we are heading to Memphis to see our grandsons. Excuse me, but we have no time for the flu!

I just read my friend Kathleen's blog, Among The Savages, and she is feeling sick. It is sort of like this blizzard that is hitting the east coast. Hello?? Doesn't Mother Nature know this is Christmas week? Blizzards do hit and people do get sick, but.... Oh, please Jeff, don't have the flu.

scale was under the bed.... Speaking of Which

A new excuse for not weighing myself this morning? No, honest, it's the truth. The scale is not just under the bed, it is way under the bed which has a big dresser with a mirror attached to it pushed up against it. The guest room is being painted (no more yucky yellow), and so everything is in a state of total chaos here. But it's exciting. The master bath is almost done and looks so much better. This is fun, except for the mess. I think I will be able to get to the scale tomorrow morning so that will be my next adventure on the scale.

Speaking of which, I hope you all read the comments as well as my blog. Some of them are very witty, others very helpful and supportive, and others, let's say, challenging! Rarely have I not posted readers' comments. I did get one about the joys of viagra that I didn't bother to post ;). I do see them and read them and love getting them, so keep the comments coming.

Today I had breakfast with three of my good friends from my neighborhood, and we exchanged gifts. I have to admit I gave them candy, but none are on the weight loss adventure! One of my friends is the most wonderful baker, candy maker, extraordinare and, besides a Christmas cinnamon "flavored" candle for me, she gave me 3 bags of goodies designated for Jeff. I am not sure he is going to see any of it as I have decided, probably in my wisdumb, to regift and give them to the relatives that are coming for dinner next Wednesday. As I am writing this it is becoming clear to me that maybe I should let him make that decision. Maybe wisdom is reigning over wisdumb? And, today he brought home a copy of the Bocelli Christmas CD I had wanted. Yep, the decision is his, but I hope he hides it well if he keeps it.

202.0 Reward System Revealed!

I finally went Christmas shopping. I have bought several things online, but today was the first day I faced shopping in stores. It was really quite eerie. I didn't have to wait long to get checked out, people were available to help me, and except for the Andrea Bocelli Christmas CD I wanted, I found perfect gifts for several people.

As I was waiting to get checked out my eyes fell upon all the candy bar choices (I was at Target) and I had a major flash back to the time when I would buy a candy bar every time I went to the grocery store. This was several years ago when I didn't want my kids to see me eating candy or Jeff, for that matter. It was a little reward system I set up for myself, sort of like a frequent flyer point system. The more times I shopped for the family, the more often I could have a candy bar. I am really aware of the addictive qualities of certain foods now and I know that an addiction to chocolate was well established. That chocolate that we had at the Bellagio triggered it all over again. I find myself thinking that I want some chocolate, after not having that message running around rampant in my mind for a long time. So, the next time I am tempted to take a piece of chocolate I am going to try to remember that it will be a little like uranium, having many half lives until I can get it completely out of my system.

By the way, I am delighted that Jeff's birthday dessert hasn't come back around to haunt me. I wonder why....

202.0 Wisdumb!

Here's what I wrote yesterday in all of my wisdumb. "I want to go out with him and I know exactly what I will order without even looking at the menu and it will all work out fine." Not...! I did order very carefully and had a delicious dinner and then life got in the way again! I should have known when the waitress set down a spoon at each of our places after clearing our dinner plates. But we were busy talking about how Jeff didn't want dessert and that we would stop at the grocery store on the way home and get him his favorite Weight Watchers Ice Cream Bars. And then the waitress reappeared with a platter, a huge plater containing a huge dollop of whipped cream, a huge scoop on vanilla ice ream with pecans in it, and a butter rum cake about 5" in diameter covered with caramel sauce, and bananas in a flaming liquor! My first mistake was to take one bite. This first mistake was followed by many more mistakes. OMG, it was so good.

And the irony is that I was down a pound from yesterday. I am afraid it will catch up with me tomorrow. We shall see. We don't have any events that include eating out for several days so maybe I can get back to home and healthy. That does make it easier, but last night was soooo good.

203.0 Happy Birthday, Jeff!

My son-in-law is a poet. I wish I were a poet. I would write a poem entitled How Life Gets In The Way! Today is Jeff's birthday and we are going out...again. I want to go out with him and I know exactly what I will order without even looking at the menu and it will all work out fine. But I make these proclamations to myself about home and healthy and then I find myself out and about. But honestly, I love my life and that we are together to celebrate his birthday so I will quit my complaining! I just realized we have celebrated 45 birthdays together! Now that's something to be very happy about.

I did face the scale this morning with some trepidation and it was barely okay, but it will go down. Today I went to my PT and, are you ready, I did the elliptical for 5 minutes and 16 seconds! How's that? She covered up the digital display so I couldn't see how long I was ellipticaling and when I finally stopped, I was really surprised, and happy, and I could hardly move! My PT told me that doing the elliptical is so much harder than the treadmill because the motion is more like running than walking. So, I was running for 5 minutes and 16 seconds??? No, but it is fun to think about.

Happy Birthday, Jeff! Let's go celebrate!

no scale Back to Home Cookin'

Driving from Las Vegas to Scottsdale is one of the most boring, beautiful, and longest 5 hour rides imaginable. The Hoover Dam and the new highway and bridge that are being constructed there right now are very interesting and are amazing engineering feats! But once we saw that, there was basically nothing to break up the desolation of the area. There is even a place to stop for snacks called Nothing! My daughter Alee and I stopped there once just so we could take her picture in front of the "Nothing" sign! There was nothing there.

This morning was the last challenge, but it actually wasn't as hard as it might have been. We didn't have time to go sit down at one of the restaurants in the hotel so we went to the John Philippe chocolate display where we could get coffee and "a little something" quickly. After studying each of the gorgeous pastries, including bear claws, my favorite, I ordered a vegetable quiche and ate just one-half. I really didn't want a bear claw or any of the other pastries so that was a good change. Before undertaking this weight loss, I probably would have had a big croissant or bear claw and ordered another one to eat in the car, ostensibly for lunch, but it never would have made it that long! We did stop at a Wendy's for lunch, and after a lot of thought, I ordered a baked potato with reduced fat sour cream and chives. It tasted fine and was so much better for me than any of the other choices. And, I just came home from the grocery store with fish and vegies.

Getting back on track after traveling is always accompanied with a welcome sense of relief now. But we sure did have a great time. Now I have to get my act together for Christmas, right?

no scale Bellagio Christmas

This is a very complex place to visit. I definitely have an ambivalent view of Las Vegas. Right now there is snow on the mountains that we look out at from our room, and it is simply gorgeous. But down on the street things are pretty gritty and grim. I have done surprisingly well with my gambling fortunes so that has been fun, and unexpected. And, I have been walking everywhere, very different from past visits. It means a lot to me that I can walk.

The Andrea Bocelli concert last night was absolutely fabulous. What is so phenomenal about seeing him perform is that he sings effortlessly, whether he is singing an aria or a Christmas Carol. I didn't realize this about his style and was struck by it throughout the performance. Whether it was an unusually high note or low note, it was sung effortlessly and beautifully. Can weight loss be effortless? I think that depends on the definition of effort. It does take discipline and practice, I can attest to that!

So, home tomorrow!

202.4 Viva Las Vegas!

Well, maybe it was just the salt, or at least I can blame some of the weight gain yesterday on the salt since I was down a pound this morning! I am munching on a delicious apple right now. We had breakfast at our favorite breakfast place after we dropped our dog off at the pet sitter. I had my standard spinach and feta omelette and one pancake and then didn't have lunch so now I am hungry. Also, it is an hour earlier here in Las Vegas than in AZ, so a lot of time has gone by since I ate.

I am laughing to myself about our room situation. Our room at the Bellagio is free because we got a special offer based on the fact I had a recent birthday. We have the room for two nights and it is beautiful. But, there is a but! When we checked in, the only non-smoking room that was available (read for free) was located in the new Spa Tower which is several miles by foot from the lobby.:) In the past I would have been ticked off about this, but now, with my change of mind, I am just looking at it as a great source of exercise. And, it is a lot further from all of the gambling activity than the rooms in the main building here, so that is probably a good thing, too.

So we are off to go get some dinner and then see Andrea Bocelli. I wonder if he has to worry about what he eats! Just as I am finishing this, a bell man just brought us a complimentary box of eight truffles! Oh, my!

203.4 "It's Just The Salt"!

OMG, I couldn't believe my eyes when I got on the scale this morning! I told myself it was the salt in the wonderful food I had at lunch yesterday. Then my sister Priscilla called and when I told her how upset I was, she said the same thing. "Sue, it's the salt more than how much you ate". And just a few minutes ago as I was complaining that I hadn't written my blog and we have to leave to go eat dinner with some friends, Jeff asked me what I was going to write about. I told him about my weight today and, you guessed it, he blamed it on the salt. Let's hear it for salt because if that is the culprit, I should be able to get those numbers back down soon.

Except..., we are leaving tomorrow for Las Vegas to see Andrea Bocelli perform, and gamble, and eat? Life is so good and yet I get upset and worried about handling everything. Well, I have had practice juggling social life, fun and food, so I will have to trust in myself, listen to my inner voice, and walk as much as I can. Wish me luck with the food and the slot machines! I know I will enjoy hearing Andrea Bocelli! :)

201.4 Pride Goeth Before The Gain

I guess I knew in my heart that my weight would probably bounce up a little once I made a big deal about reaching 200! But, if I look at the history of this weight loss, it is certainly not a straight line.

Today I taught my last ESL class until late January and the class members brought food that is typical of their country of origin for an end of semester party. Wow! What a wonderful buffet! There were frog legs and escargots from the French student, Pad Thai, Spring Rolls, and a Tofu dish prepared by the sister (and former restaurant owner) of a student from Thailand, there were several Middle Eastern dishes brought by folks from Iran, Morocco, and Pakistan, and more. Of course, they all wanted me to try everything, and have seconds, and it was very hard. I did take very small portions of each offering, and then I just took a deep breath and reassured myself that I should enjoy the delicious flavors and leave a little of each thing I put on my plate. And, that's what I did. I will have a very light dinner!

Yesterday when I blogged about being on the elliptical I forgot to write that my physical therapist likened working out on the elliptical to running rather than walking and that is why I get so winded so quickly. Tomorrow I see her again and I know she will want me to up my time on it. I can't exactly write "no problem", but I do know I will increase my time.

And now I have to get back to work on my grandson Julien's Christmas stocking!

200.4 Two Special Milestones

Did you see that? 200.4! I got off and on the scale a second time because I was surprised and so happy to finally reach that milestone. So, now I have lost 47 pounds since I started and 37 pounds since April. I do know that 200 is just another number in the downward slide on the scale, but seeing it this morning was just great!

I went to see my PT today and she really put me through my paces, reminding me that I initiated more visits to see her because I wanted to get in better shape. So we started with 2 and 1/2 minutes on the elliptical. She assured me I could do it, and I did! Then we did several core strengthening exercises, and then she challeneged me to do 2 more minutes on the elliptical and, guess what? I did!

And one more thing... It was one year ago yesterday that I had my first laser spine surgery, and that was life changing for me in the most positive sense possible. After that, I could walk without the horrible pain in my legs, and I could stand up straight. Being able walk has played a big part in my weight loss success. So, the surgery plus my determination to get the weight off using Jennifer's program has made me feel younger and definitely more agile and happy. What a couple of days!

Whose Thigh Is This?

After writing yesterday's blog, I received comments from 2 of my faithful blog fans. One supports me in staying true to the course I have set for myself because it has worked so well, and the other challenges me (she always does:)) to think about the fact that I don't really know how many calories my body needs to stay healthy and still lose weight. I know how many calories I need to eat to maintain my weight and I know that if eat about 500 a day less than that, I can lose a pound in about week, but how many calories do I need to sustain my health? Who knows? My inner voice, my inner spirit is suggesting that I not worry about calories in and out since we don't know that number, but to eat enough so I don't lose control due to hunger. I can do that, and I'll see how things go.

This morning as I was getting out of bed I looked down and saw my thigh. But I didn't recognize it because it's definitely gotten thinner. "Whose thigh is this"? to the tune of "What Child is This..." ran through my head. That started my day off with a smile.

(I didn't get weighed today because we were at a friend's home. Tonight we are going out to dinner with friends so I will need to take care to enjoy the meal with awareness!)

202.4 The 7,000 Calorie Question

202.4 The 7,000 Calorie Question

I am writing this in Tucson, AZ, which is located about 2 hours south of Scottsdale. We are visiting one of the couples who spent the week in Cortona, Italy with us about 9 weeks ago. One of the first things that JoAnne said when we arrived was that I looked like I had lost even more weight. I have lost almost 9 more pounds since that trip to Italy. It is really curious to me how I have fallen into the pattern of losing about one pound a week. That doesn’t sound like much, but to lose that pound means that I have to eat over 3,500 calories less than my body needs to maintain its current weight every week. I was trying to do the math in my head during a sleepless period last night to figure out how many calories I haven’t eaten that has allowed me to lose 45 pounds. So, 45 X 3500 = 157,500! Now that’s impressive!

Do I want to speed up the weight loss? Can I eat over 7,000 calories less than I need in a week so that I can lose 2 pounds a week? I am working on that question, as I have mentioned before. It sounds daunting, but by upping my exercise maybe I could whittle that number down a bit. Hmmm.

202.4 Keeping Compliments Compartmentalized

I just returned from the workout room at the community center and I have a mixed report to report! I did 12 minutes on the treadmill and I got my heart rate up to 131 which is close to death for someone of my age. Oh, no it's not, (silly me) because this morning on the Wii Fit my age was 45 after I did the evaluation which is optional every time you get on. I did get the treadmill up to 3 miles an hour. For some of you, you are wondering what the big deal is, but for me it is very big because the fastest I ever had gone was about 2.6. So, progress is being made on the treadmill front. However, the elliptical did me in again today. I see my PT tomorrow and maybe she will have some magical technique known only to experienced ellipticalists that she will share with me so I can spend some time on that *#^?/ machine.

But before I hit the machines I went to a magnificent Holiday Brunch. Several people ooohed and aaaahed about my weight loss, but mainly because they hadn't seen me in a while. I have to keep the compliments compartmentalized so I don't think I am done. I took a good hard look at myself in the mirror today before getting all la te da for the party and there is definitely lots of work to be done. It is good to get down to basics in this process of losing weight. After all, I had deluded myself for several years that I either couldn't or didn't need to lose weight and I don't want to fall into that trap again. Again, staying present, being aware of where I am and where I want to be is so important. Compliments are wonderful, but not the same as achieving my goal!

202.4 It's Beginning To Feel A Lot Like Christmas

I know it is only the 5th of December, but I have a husband who loves Christmas. The tree can't go up too early and it can't stay up too long! I was out doing errands and came home to a wreath on the door and the tree half-way put up in the living room. As I have said before, whadda guy!

While I was out, I went to get a pedicure and ran into a gal I have met and talked to about 3-4 times over the past 3 years. She did not recognize me! Once I told her who I was and explained about the weight loss, she knew me! I think that is one of those little things that mean a lot moments! (See 12/01.) What is really interesting for me as a big loser is that I can't imagine how I lugged around almost 50 pounds without realizing what I was doing to myself, and without understanding that I had the power to lose it. I can picture myself being much heavier, but I can't imagine living with all the weight.

So now I have just over 30 more pounds to lose to reach my goal. No problem!

203.0 A Green Tea Kind of Day

I am sitting here at the computer drinking green tea. The link that I sent yesterday in the blog about MUFA's also talks about how good green tea is for us. The article suggests 4 cups a day which seems like a lot, but now that it is cold, I am definitely up for hot tea at least a couple times a day.

My chiropractor confirmed what I thought about my extreme improvement on the Wii Fit following an adjustment. It is up to my muscles, not his technique or glue (!) to hold the adjustment, so I have my work cut out for me to strengthen those core muscles. I think I will go do the Wii Fit right now so I can score even higher than before. But before I do that, I think I will go over to the workout room and give the elliptical another chance. Challenges abound!

203.2 I'm Back Home

My college roommate from UCLA days, Barbara, sent me another article that she thought might be of interest to all of my blog readers. Is there a name for blog readers? If so, I don't know it, but think there should be. Anyway, the article features food that have been proven to help rid people of belly fat. Arrgh! Belly fat is almost as bad sounding as obese. These foods are called MUFAs, standing for mono unsaturated fat acids. I read through all 26 meal ideas and think some of them look good enough for me to try. Here's the link: http://www.aolhealth.com/healthy-living/longevity/flat-belly-shortcuts?icid=main%7Cmain%7Cdl3%7Clink3%7Chttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.aolhealth.com%2Fhealthy-living%2Flongevity%2Fflat-belly-shortcuts

I have no idea if this really will help and I don't often put up links like this one that touts fast weight loss. But hey, maybe this will help and I doubt if it can hurt. Let me know if eating these foods is a good thing (as Martha would say).

My physical therapist cancelled on me today because she is sick, so I didn't find out why the elliptical is giving me such a hard time. I walked briskly today, partly because it is cold here for a change and partly because I had missed real walks while we were in Boston. It was way too cold for this Arizona gal to relish walking outside there. My daughter Alee invited me several times to walk with her and her dog Paco, and I did walk twice around the neighborhood, all the while wishing I was in the house by the fire in the fireplace. So today I had a great walk, did the Wii Fit, and am wishing it were warm enough to go out and do my water therapy. I'm back home.

204.0 So, What's Goin' On?

Today I went over to my Community Center workout room and jumped on the elliptical after not being on it for over a week. I use the term jumped on lightly because I don't really jump on much except maybe a good idea. Anyway, I thought I was going to die and I had only been on it for 1 minute and 45 seconds. This time it was a total body revolt, not just my legs. So I stopped, waited about 30 seconds to regroup and give myself a pep talk about how I could do this, and then completed the last 15 seconds so I could claim that I did 2 minutes today. Can I blame it on jet lag? Who knows, but tomorrow I head back to my physical therapist and I'll ask her about it.

A funny thing happened last night. I had been on the plane all day and after dinner I decided to do the Wii Fit. I was awesome! I was so good that I thought I might be ready for the ski slalom event in the next Olympics. However, this morning when I got on it, I was terrible. What happened? Here's my take on this. After we got home from the airport yesterday, I went over to my chiropractor's office for an alignment. I think I was so good last night because everything was where it is supposed to be, but by this morning, I was already out of alignment. Maybe he should apply a little glue once he gets everything in place. I think that as I continue to lose weight and strengthen my core muscles, it may be possible to stay in alignment for at least 24 hours. It does have me thinking about how important my alignment is to my balance issues. Ah, motivation, motivation!

204.0 Little Things Mean A Lot

If you are old enough you will remember a song with that title. I think Dean Martin sang it, or maybe Perry Como. Sorry if I am dating myself, but it is fun to look back, way back for that one!

Sitting on the plane today, after sleeping for about 2 hours, I started thinking about some little things that have changed as I have lost the weight. For example, I don't have that sinking feeling that the seat belt is going to be too small to go around me. I never did have to ask for an extension, but sometimes it was nip and tuck to get it on. Another flight related change is that the arm rest doesn't ride on my thigh anymore, and my hips aren't snuggled up next to some stranger's as we fly through the air. These are little things in a way, but they are really huge in the overall picture.

And there are more little things. I can get up from a chair or sofa without it being a major effort, and I can get out of bed easily, too. For a while, I was afraid that I wouldn't be able to leave a restroom if I couldn't use the handicapped stall. Too low meant all sorts of maneuvers to get up and off the toilet. Now I don't even think about it. Maybe that was too much information, but when it was happening to me, it was a significant problem.

So now I am back home, missing my family very much and I know that my old way of handling my sadness would have been to eat. Instead I am blogging and I know that I'll be seeing my daughters again before too long. The spinach is ready to be cooked, the fish is thawing, and I am definitely back to my routine!