183.4 Does This Bother You, too?

I'm probably just being overly sensitive but the emails that are floating around aimed at older women telling them that they deserve to eat all the cookies, cakes, and pies that they want really bother me. It's sort of like giving us permission to throw in the towel and rejoice about being fat. I don't believe that everyone needs to be thin, but indulging in sweets or whatever just because you're older seems all backwards. What about the fact that issues of diabetes, heart disease, arthritis, etc., only get worse the older/heavier you are. I hope I haven't lost my sense of humor during this weight loss journey, but I really don't think these emails are helpful or thoughtful.

I'm still pondering the issue of there being a hormone (leptin) that gets out of whack and may be the reason so many big weight losers have trouble keeping the weight off. I'm not going to just give in and I hope the current evidence will be proven wrong. But if it is correct, I'm hoping before long I can pop a pill to even things out.

As Promised...

Here's the ID bracelet that I wear now whenever I exercise away from our home. I chose the interactive option which means that besides showing a phone number that can be called immediately, there is a serial number and pin that can be put into a computer and all my info including doctors, insurance, etc., is available. The reason I chose that is because if I have a simple fall, I'll be able to relate whatever information is needed. I'm really wearing this for an occasion where I would not be able to speak and paramedics would be called. I had my choice of style, color, type, etc., and I encourage everyone to wear one of these. It makes me feel safer, it is very comfortable, and if ever needed, wearing it may save my life.

Go to RoadID.com to learn more about it.

184.4 Some Good News!

I just learned that Boar's Head turkey breast contains no nitrites. Funny, the things that can make me very happy. I love to eat turkey for lunch but got all hung up because I had read that all deli meats contained high levels of nitrites. So today I asked about it at our local grocery store deli and, lo and behold, a Boar's Head rep was in the store. So we had quite a chat. She's now on my list of best friends. She told me that the turkey, chicken, and roast beef are all nitrite free. So there you go, another beautiful, great day out here in sunny Scottsdale. Maybe I'm also feeling happy because I got back on the elliptical this morning. It did feel good.

184.3 Good News Or Bad News?

I don't know if I am sad or glad about this item in the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/27/health/biological-changes-thwart-weight-loss-efforts-study-finds.html

On the one hand, I don't feel like such a failure because I have put some of my lost weight back on. On the other hand, it makes me really sad to think that there is this (albeit a small sample) evidence that there are factors out of my control that have played into this situation.

I know it's a long, wordy article that basically says our bodies want to return to our old habits and our habitual metabolism after weight loss, that that doesn't change, in addition to the fact that the hormone leptin wreaks havoc with our systems and therefore regaining the weight is somewhat inevitable.

For now my response is that I will fight to at the least stay at this weight, and at best, get rid of it all over again. Ah, let's hear it for the amazing weight loss adventure. Who knew it would end with this new knowledge?

Happy Birthday!

It's my birthday and I'm still like a little kid when it comes to that day. My husband knows it and my kids know it and always make it special for me. When I was very young I had a book called The Surprise Package. It was all about a beautifully wrapped box with a very special present inside. Just looking at that book made me so excited and probably fed into my turning my birthday into this very special day. I wish I could remember what was in the box in the book. I doubt that it had anything to do with weight loss :), but maybe it did have something to do with loving oneself. And that's a perfect gift to keep in mind as each birthday becomes more and more precious. Happy Birthday, Sue!

A Very Good Friend

Today I had a great conversation with my friend Barbara. She's followed my blog from the first post. She's been a wonderful inspiration for me because she never let her weight get out of control. In other words, she's always been very conscious about what she eats and how much and it's really paid off throughout her life.

After I shared the news that our daughter Alee is engaged :) to a wonderful guy, Barbara took charge of the conversation and told me that she had been wondering why I never talked about using hypnosis during this recent period of weight gain and my distress about it. She said that she was so happy to read yesterday that I was reintroducing it into my tool box! She also told me that her husband Fred lost weight after suffering some health issues and never veers from his diet. She suggested that perhaps that is the tack that I will have to take in light of my history of yoyo dieting. Much as I would like to be able to not be so obsessed with every bite, perhaps for me it is the only way I will be able to keep the lost weight at bay. I've been fighting having to live like that, but I'm beginning to understand that for me it may be the only way I am going to keep my weight under control.

Today I went out to lunch with friends and after leaving the house I went back home and filled up a little plastic bag with fat free ranch dressing. I wouldn't have bothered a week ago and would have trusted myself not to eat much of the dressing that was provided. But going through those "old" steps to insure that I stay aware really helped me. A lot of my life is not in my control, so having a few things that I can count on myself to control feels good.

Returning To The New

Sometimes it's the obvious that gets forgotten. Once I reached my goal weight, I quit listening to the weight loss hypnosis CDs that Jennifer Scott had made for me. And as I've been struggling to stop gaining weight and getting back somewhere near that goal weight, I've finally focused on the fact that I haven't been following some basic ideas that I took to heart with great seriousness as I was in the weight loss mode. So yesterday I made new signs that are now adorning the refrigerator and the interior of the pantry, and I've started listening to the CDs. I felt such a difference yesterday as I approached food, and this morning the old phase "eat half" was at play in my brain and it was automatic once again. I'm hoping that I've found some new/old ways to help me regain that courage and strength as I face what I am really understanding has been a truth all along and that is I really am addicted to using food to blot out emotional ups and downs.

Another ESL Moment

Today I was struck once again by the very special lessons I am learning from my ESL students. Locally and perhaps nationally there has been a big push called "Making a Difference". One of my students (from the Ukraine I believe) told the class today that she and her husband, who owns a construction company, wanted to make a difference so they replaced all the windows and doors in the home of a Vietnam War vet as their way of participating. I wonder how many of those who complain about immigration/immigrants have done anything to make a difference. Maybe you can tell I'm a little weary of all of the closed thinking that is alive and well in this nation of immigrants.

I also learned that one of my students from Mexico waited 9 years to get her green card to come to this country where sadly instant gratification has become a national value. It's all so strange.

650th post!

I'm definitely at a plateau and so it goes. So, I thought I'd share a great recipe that I first heard about on NPR and then made it a couple of nights ago. It sounded wonderful and it was divine and easy and it's good for us all. Enjoy!

Roasted Wild Mushroom Soup
(Use portabellas or shiitakes, cepes, or any wild mushrooms you can find for this earthy, creamy soup.)

1 pound fresh portabella mushrooms
2 teaspoons olive oil
3 medium onions, peeled and chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary
(I added some red pepper flakes for a little oomph!)
2 tablespoons dry sherry or red wine
5 cups vegetable, chicken, or beef stock
a touch of heavy cream, crème fraîche or yogurt, optional

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
Gently clean the mushrooms using a moist paper towel.
Cut the bottom 1⁄2-inch off the stem and then cut the mushrooms into chunks.
Grease the bottom of a medium to large roasting pan or ovenproof skillet with 1 teaspoon of the oil.
Add the mushrooms, onions, garlic, salt, pepper, thyme, rosemary, and remaining oil and stir well.
Roast on the middle oven shelf for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring once or twice, or until the vegetables are tender.
Remove the roasting pan from the oven and pour the sherry/wine into the pan, scraping up any bits clinging to the bottom of the pan.
Add the stock. Let cool a minute or two.
Transfer the soup to a blender or food processor and, working in batches, puree the mushroom mixture and all the juices, blending until smooth, but taking care when blending hot liquids.
Transfer to a medium-large pot and season to taste. Reheat and serve hot. Add a touch of cream, crème fraîche, or plain yogurt, if desired. The soup really doesn't need much! Serve hot with crusty bread.

Serves 4 to 6.
Recipe from Kathy Gunst’s new book, “Notes from a Maine Kitchen.” (Down East Books 2011)

183.6 Funny Ha Ha, Or Funny Peculiar?

So I'm so proud of myself, staying with the program, writing everything down like a real trooper, and recording my weight at the top of each day's entry. Now here's the issue...for three days in a row I recorded my weight as 283 (plus or minus a few ounces) rather than 183 and I didn't catch it until yesterday. What is up with that? I actually think it's quite funny. In my family we used to ask "funny ha ha, or funny peculiar?", and therein lies my quandary. It is both. But thank goodness I don't weigh 283 because just prior to starting on this amazing weight loss journey, I could have easily seen my weight go into the 280s, easily. Maybe I was just distracted, but truth be told, it is hard for me to become distracted when recoding my weight. It is still a big deal!

183.0 Can I Just Say...?

Can I just say that sometimes I am blown away by experiencing life, my life. I think that I "know what to expect", if not control much of it, and today I was reminded that things happen that I never expected.

Today is Thursday, my ESL teaching day, and as I was walking away from the classroom toward my car I was filled with such gratitude that I know these people and have a chance to interact with them every week. I wish I could introduce them to all those who might question why I do this.

I've written about having each of the students embark on a challenge of their choosing each week. Today I learned that one of the men with his two sons hiked down to the floor of the Grand Canyon and then back up all in the same day. He laughed as he told us that one of his sons still thinks he was crazy to want to do that. A woman in the class is a swimming instructor and is teaching a deaf 13 year old how to swim. The young girl is not only deaf but was terrified of the water, and my ESL student had her calmly floating in the pool. One of my challenges is trying to keep up with these magnificent folks!

I'm into my second day of writing everything down - so far so good!

183.4 Starting Again!

Sometimes I feel as if I am wandering in a maze and can't find the right direction to head in. I keep bumping into walls, or I go forever and then realize I'm totally lost and getting nowhere. So this morning I've started writing down everything I eat and I've got a new sign in my pantry reminding me that I do not want to undo all the work I did. Now I am great at putting things in place to help me, and then I turn a blind eye/mind to all of my efforts. But I woke up in the middle of the night and berated myself for my sloppy attitude and resultant weight gain. Then I remembered to love myself and my body for starters and I'm on a much better footing this morning. I'm going to find my way out of the maze.

182.5 A New Challenge Perhaps...

Speaking of challenges :), I may take on something that will definitely be a challenge for me. I've been approached by the head of the adult ed programs at our church about starting a weight loss group. I'm not sure what all it will entail, but I do know it will be up to me to design it. I would love to hear from any of you who read this blog about what might be important to include and what you've taken away from this blog about weight loss that has helped you, or been meaningful to you. The group won't start until after the first of the year so I have time to do this with thought and purpose. Any ideas you have will be welcome and appreciated.

183.2 Company's Comin'

This will be short. My sister Barbi and her husband Al are arriving momentarily. Even though they live about an hour and a half away, we don't see them very often so we are looking forward to their visit.

In response to my blogging about an ID to use while exercising, our son's partner Lynsey went on line and found me perfect ID. Once I get it, I'll post it so all can see. Lynsey's very clever. If she hadn't found one, she easily could have created and made one. Thanks so much Lynsey. And in her note she stressed that it wasn't for old people.:)

Do I Need To Know Why?

I really have a thing about celebraties and always wanted to be one. I've seen a fair number in my life, but not a lot. Today I was meeting with my ESL client at a local Starbucks where we talk for two hours a couple times a week. As we were leaving he told me that there was an actor sitting at a table outside. I looked over and saw an older, not too well put together guy and said that I didn't think that was anyone familiar. And then I took a second look and realized that it was Mel Gibson! No, I didn't acknowledge him at all, nor did anyone at that moment. I wonder if he cares either way. And, I wonder why he was sitting in a Starbucks in Scottsdale drinking coffee.

182.3 A Lot To Think About

My last post was about the man collapsing at the Y while working out. I walked in my neighborhood yesterday rather than returning to the Y - I know, I will get over it - and I realized that if I collapsed where I was walking (except very close to my house) not many people would know me. So I really do need to get some form of ID to wear when I exercise. But isn't that what old people do? Or, maybe it's what smart people do. As my 69th birthday approaches, I have lots to think about. I never really thought about all I'd have to think about as my age increases. But on the other hand, there are so many good things to think about. No matter, I should get an ID.

182.0 An Upsetting Day

Today I headed off to go shopping and turned around because I realized that if I didn't go work out then, I probably wouldn't get it done. So I came in the house, changed my clothes and headed over to the Y. I was doing the elliptical (what else?) when a guy ran into the big workout room and yelled that a doctor was needed. Everyone froze in their tracks including me as we all became aware that someone was in some kind of trouble. I really didn't feel like continuing but I also didn't really want to leave where I was because I didn't want to see what had happened. I know that my reaction may not be typical, but that's where I was. Finally, thinking the emergency must be over, I went into the locker room, got my stuff and headed out. There was a group of guys taking turns doing CPR on the fellow who had obviously collapsed. I could hear them counting. I went on outside and then heard folks saying that no one knew who the man was who had collapsed...which is why I am writing this. And it dawned on me that no one would know who I was if I collapsed there. I show my ID card when I enter and then put it back in my wallet and lock that up in my locker.

Two fire trucks and an ambulance finally arrived which is another upsetting story. Because the Y is in Scottsdale, emergency crews had to come from a Scottsdale fire station even though there were three stations closer to the Y but not in Scottsdale proper so it did take forever for help to arrive.

Maybe I'll work out at my community center workout room. I need to think about keeping an ID with me, also. A very upsetting day.

Dinner With Friends

Last night we had dinner with friends. They've known us for several years and Annis has been one of my faithful blog readers, cheering me on throughout the amazing weight loss adventure. She made a wonderful meal for us and I want to share it. I don't have a recipe since she made it up, but basically it was chopped tomatoes, chopped tomatoes in tomato sauce, kalamata olives (pitting them was the hardest part of the recipe), oregano, BASIL, and cooked, well drained spinach all mixed together, served over linguine. And, we sprinkled feta cheese on the top. It was filling, delicious, and very healthy. And we had great conversation and music to go with it! It was a special evening!