175.6 Susan's Gainin' !

But it's okay, I'm telling myself. We spent ten days in Boston eating out often twice a day and so I'm actually experiencing a great sense of relief that I didn't gain more. And I feel like I know what to do to get back down in the 170 range. I think that this is how my life will be now...enjoying my vacations, and eating out with friends and family and then getting right back on track. Last night it was chicken and spinach and fresh berries. Not too shabby, and oh so healthy.

We had a great time in Boston, seeing our family and friends, many of whom we hadn't seen since Miranda's wedding. Today I'm feeling so much gratitude for the friends in my life and my dear family.

174.4 Back At It!

I just came home from the workout room at our community center. It's part of our homeowner's association which means it is about 2-3 minutes from our house by car. Now that's striking me very funny that I drive there. But anyway, the equipment is fine, it's clean, it is rarely crowded, so why in the world don't I go at least three or four times a week?

Laziness? Probably! I don't know. But I went over there this morning and hopped on the elliptical and we are best friends once again. Remember when I couldn't do more than a minute or so? Today I did twenty minutes and could have done more, but I sort of want to work up to doing 30 minutes over time so I don't shock my body too badly! It was fun, it felt great, and I'm so glad I got with the program once again.

184.4 Grand Honey Hits Six Flags!

We're back from Six Flags in St. Louis and the boys loved it, and of course, we had a great time watching them have so much fun. A lot of the time was spent at the water park there because it was REALLY hot, and REALLY humid which we are no longer used to.

Since I am not big on roller coaster type rides and spinning around for dear life, I did a lot of people watching, which was a lot safer and very interesting. I did gain a pound, but with the food choices available, I did okay. I was on a search for fruit in the park and that was not on any menu, and you couldn't take food in.

I think a little of the let down has set in after so much activity and fun with Ted and Lynsey and the boys. Now to get back into the world of healthy eating and exercise! We did have a great time!

What was so cute and fun was that Julien, the 4 year old, started calling me Grand Helper (instead of Grandma) and then he changed that into Grand Honey! So Grand Honey will get back on track and go for her goal!

191.4 Night Hunger Revisited

Boring! I am reaching the nudgey stage since I have been at this weight for the last 4 days. You'd think it would vary by at least 2 ounces. (That is the interval my scale is calibrated on.) I'm wondering if I will ever lose another pound. I know I will, but when? :) I'm ready now!

I don't know if any of you have this problem, but the hardest time during the day, everyday, that I have around food issues is about an hour or two after I finish dinner. It doesn't seem to matter what I have for dinner. I get really hungry. If I give into the hunger I feel like have have blown the whole day of being on track with everything. I've tried the gum chewing routine, which works sometimes, but not always, and then I wake up during the night feeling hungry. I often eat an apple, but sometimes I just go nuts and eat nuts, or peanut butter unconsciously or by becoming delusional and telling myself it is okay. And then I get really mad at myself for "falling off the wagon". I think this is basically a bad habit. I need to listen to my inner spirit for encouragement and just not eat anything after dinner for a couple of weeks and let this night hunger lose its hold on me.

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?