Just looked at the blog on a whim.  Apropos that it is New Year's Eve, yes.  I'm back with you, Sis. Here we go.  I was just saying to Mom today that I KNOW I HAVE to get back into the pool.

I'll take it

Well, I can see from my last entry which was about nine days ago and the holidays, I have been struggling a bit. This morning I was down to 149.5. All I prayed was to be down. Now, I am going to the gym today. I have started using an app on  my phone called lose it (free) follows my calories to my goal.
It's funny how nighttime is such a hard time for people who are fighting chronic disease and illness and I find it's also the time when grief strikes it's hardest. I think it's the quietness and the oneness or I guess you could say being alone with yourself and your thoughts.
I am back to my yogurt for breakfast just to keep my bod out of starvation and try those smaller portions and avoid that NIGHT food. We call this mindful eating.
I'm glad I started before the new year. This is not my New Year's resolution. It's the same plan I made a year or so ago, I just got off the track when I stopped loving myself AGAIN.
I must say though, I am looking forward to a new year and all the hopes that it can bring.
I'm guessing one of these days my sisters will come back to the homeland here.

What happened to day 5 because it's now day 6

Well, I missed yesterday. Not so much for lack of trying. I got up got my "workout" clothes on. Which by the way would not be considered in or probably stylish for the community center. I started chores. Really I was going until it came around 12 and I realized those kids all had a half day. I wasn't doing that again. So, I moved in front of the TV which lasted maybe 10 minutes on the fitness channel before my own kid came home.
Today the older kid has the car. So, I got all geared up, ipod in pocket to head for an outside walk. I am such a wuss it is toooo windy. I am going to scrub and clean the kitchen. Does that count?? 150 lbs. The most I have ever weighted not pregnant. I really don't know how I let myself get this way. It's a good thing I'm trying to be mindful now before all the holiday cookies.

Day 4

I made it to the gym again but in the nick of time.  I now know you must be walking out of the gym probably by 2:30.  It gets inundated with kids after school. My guess is stay clear from 2:30 to 6 on school days. I'm just glad I got there. I got the letter about col's probate. I hated seeing the word deceased. Tomm. is the last day of school whoo hooo but sadly my son needs to have a mole removed. This has been a tough month for that kid.
I went to Target and was so hungry. Out shopping and had my morning yogurt. I bought an apple. Can you imagine. I don't know if I have ever just bought an apple alone without groceries.  How novel.

Trust

Day 3 and I made it to the gym however I can't say much for my other habits. It's hard to work in a restaurant when it's slow and have the chef put out a veal chop with black truffle butter or even the couple bites of crispy bacon steak. I can hear a couple of you gagging but I love that fat. Then there's the cake for breakfast tradition. But, I swear I only had a sliver.
Camille's friend gave her these little angel talisman's I guess I would call it for us. I picked one that said trust.  I trust that things are how they should be. That we really don't have control over much. So, I will try to remind myself of that. It hangs in my car with my hummingbird from my sister bracelet.
Hope you guys get motivated soon. Miss you all.

What I now know

Well it's day 2. I went to the gym again and it wasn't until 12:15.  I used to think I had to get to that gym first thing in the morning or I just wouldn't have the energy to go or something. Today, I did a few errands, baked a cake and then I went. If I could run over to col's any which time of the day and find that time. Then, I can get myself to a gym at anytime as long as I get there and keep my health.
I'm also going to blow dry my hair for the 2nd day Ha what do you think of that.

I will blog alone

Okay sisters,
     I know we can't all be on the same page at the same time. But, I will blog alone until you can join me. I went to the gym for the first time today in forever.  I thought if I loved myself just half as much as I love Col then I will find some benefit. When I had my hair cut right before col's funeral, the woman cutting my hair (who by the way col sent me to) said what would Colleen want you to do? I said Yoga. I knew then that I would try Yoga which I intend to do. I have to get a mat. I'll let you know how it goes. I hope to see you soon. Also, back to skinny rules once more. #1 Drink that water!!Mindful Eating I know has always been and was the answer for me before.

Calling Kim . Do you read me? . Over . SOS . Do you copy? . Over . You're breaking up . Come in, Kim . Over . Kim? . Are you there? . If you don't check in soon, desperate measures may result like driving to the nearest store and hitting the ice cream aisle . Kim? . Born on October 28 . With curls . Last seen in Boston . APB . Amber Alert . All truckers keep an eye out . Oh dear . What can the matter be? . Will a spoonful of sugar help? . Oh, forgot . You're a salty . A bag of salt & vinegar potato chips then? . Calling kimmmmmm ?

Committing

I feel like I recommit every day, am pretty mindful.  Yet, my body remains stuck.  No gain.  Just stuck.  Getting moving seems to make my knee very unhappy.  Although I prefer to walk or ride bike, I think I will have to do chair work and get back to the pool.  The pool is doable now that the shoobies are gone!

TIPS FROM WEIGHT WATCHERS

Going through last year's notes, I came across this tip list, downloaded using Kim's WW account:

Brush your teeth after every meal and snack 
This will be a signal to your mouth — and your mind — that it's time to stop eating. Brushing will also give your mouth a nice fresh taste that you'll be disinclined to ruin with a random chip. At work, keep a toothbrush with a cover and toothpaste in your desk drawer.

Clean your closet
First, it's great exercise. Second, it's an important step in changing your attitude. Get rid of all the clothes that make you look or feel bad. Throw out anything that's too big — don't give yourself the option of ever fitting into those clothes again. Move the smaller clothes up to the front to help motivate you. Soon, you'll be fitting into those too-tight jeans you couldn't bear to part with.

Take your measurements
You might not like your stats now, but you'll be glad you wrote them down when you see how many inches you've lost. It's also another way to measure your success, instead of just looking at the scale. Sometimes even when the numbers on the scale aren't going down, the measurements on your body are.

 Get started with these four steps to better habits.

1. Identify the cue-- I call it a "trigger"--I can count on one of these pretty much every second of every day
What's driving your habit to mindlessly devour a box of cookies or pick at your cuticles? Is it a certain time of day (the 3pm snack attack), place (your office), person (in-laws or your “food pusher” friend), activity (watching TV) or an emotion (pick one)? Write down the triggers in order from strong to mild. Once you know why you’re hooked, you can work on strategies to counter those triggers.

2. Determine the reward-- A new body
What do you get out of this habit? When you hit the office vending machine, is it really the stale pastry you’re after? Do you have to keep walking by your coworker’s desk with the overflowing candy bowl? Think about what else is happening, or what you’re feeling, or really seeking. Could be you’re looking for a diversion from the mountain of paper on your desk. Or perhaps you’re craving a chance to hang with your peers. What other non-eating activities could provide a similar reward?

3. Insert a new behavior--Pick up the phone? Once you find an alternate way to nab the reward you seek, practice this new behavior to reinforce it. Instead of visiting your colleague with the tempting candy bowl why not invite her for a 15 minute brisk walk around your office building — since your true reward is taking a breather and socializing.

4. Be prepared for relapse-- No problem
Everything was going so well, and then you had a stressful situation so you cut yourself some slack. Now you're slipping back into old patterns. Don't go down the self-defeatist road of thinking, "Oh well, I messed up. I might as well throw in the towel." Regard your relapse as one small step back. Focus on the many forward steps you've taken — because that’s your evidence of success. You did it once; and you can do it again. Then start fresh immediately.

OK, so I ate a whole bag of Trader Joe's Multi-Grain Pretzel Nuggets this morning. Better than a whole pie, right? I believe--and that's the operative word--that I'm trending in the right direction.

Let me hear from you.
Begs & kisses.

Y'all listen to Bob Marley now

Wooooo! Oohhh Hoo!
Oh yeah! Oh yeah 

You gonna
Lively up yourself, and don't 

say no

You gonna lively up yourself, cause I

said so
You rock so, you rock so
You dip so, you dip so

You gonna lively up yourself 

                                                                       Come on, baby, yo

You rock so, you rock so

You dip so, you dip so

 Come on and lively up yourself,

 And don't say no

Oh, yeah!

U-TURN
You know that feeling, when you've reached slim or slimmer, when you then allow yourself a few indulgences, when the few indulgences grow into many, when you hope-against-hope it won't mean a weight gain, when inevitably it does, when the fear builds that it's only going to get worse, but you can't stop eating more than you know you should?

Oh, yeah.

So, I'm a week or so into a turnaround, into reversing direction, from pounds creeping back up incrementally, to ounces starting to come off incrementally. At least, it feels that way. Even if I'm only a single ounce lighter, there's relief in having made the U-turn, once again. After so much inner resistance. So much holding on tenaciously to my primary drug of choice. Not wanting to let go of the comfort food. But for a week or so now, I have managed to turn the tide.

I'd love to have my support group back, though. I need Kimsday. 

Please let me know how you're doing. It may help you. I know it will help me.

Love.

mindfulness come to me.........

I have forgot to get on the scale everyday. 146. Ouch. How did this happen. Why did I let this happen again? I know many of you have had this stuff for years. Yo Yo they call it right. Kim raised a good point on the beach today. We had goals first the party then our vacation. This could be key. Going to think about that and get back on board. Going for a walk this evening as I have a snow day. I will be returning frequently. Hold me to it.

calling all sisters
cannot resist posting these:

Remember summer pj's?

Hair all combed after a bath before bed?
What aspiring photographer directed these  two obedient subjects to strike this pose?

A "Thumbs Up"

Had a follow-up visit to my dr.  Pleased by weight loss, low blood pressure, improved HDL, LDL, and Triglycerides.  All good.  Slow and steady.   I like the idea of the flax seeds.  Although, today, I just started prep for colonoscopy tomorrow.   FUN.  But, has to be good for a few pounds.

CRAVING
Still comes and goes...when it comes it feels ravenous, relentless, a beast that demands feeding...if i do not knuckle under, if I do not feed the beast, if I hang steadfast, it subsides...simple but not easy...

i have rediscovered the 1-cup measuring cup and the relief of using it...
oh, and I just bought my first bag of flax seeds at Trader Joe's...1/8 cup of flax seed = 60 cups of broccoli or 100 slices of whole wheat bread

i have rediscovered celery 
...though organic only. Celery is one of those vegetables especially absorbent to toxins.

I am for SOOM

Wow, how I have sabotaged everything I worked for. Just thought to check the blog. I am greatful to see some activity. I hope I can get some tomorrow and get back to mindfulness. Thanks. And, scarey but I will weigh in tomm. Really don't have to hard to close the pants :(

I am all for SOOM.  Although I have been eating very mindfully, weight is dropping in ounces not pounds.  BUT, I am thankful for the downturn (slight though it is).

multiple bellies back . it's true . no sweets today . semper fi fi fi fi fi f



6 hours later
multiple bellies still here . but . after kim leaned and leaned and leaned on me via the telephone to go outside this afternoon, i agreed . took my bike with me, across the street to Perry's at the Beach bike rentals, put air in my two flat tires, had my derailleurs looked at, they got a perfect bill of health, and I got on . i was actually shaky . couldn't get my right shoe into the toe clip . finally succeeded . rode around the big beach parking lot to get my confidence back . it's Sunday at the beach so the lots and roads and beachwalk are jammed . came back home . cleaned up my cool crosstrainer bike . thanks, kim

SOOM
In our pink cloud phase--which went from May to Thanksgivingish last year--Kim would pepper her conversations about healthful cooking with the acronym "EVO." She'd say things like, "Add a little EVO and you're done!" EVO rolled off her tongue as if it were as common an initialism as OMG or LOL or IMHO. In other words, how could I not know what EVO means? Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Kim told me. The holy grail of healthful oils. She had to tell me a few times more before I could remember it. The holy grail of healthful oils. 

I suggest herewith to my blogmates our very own acronym, one that, at least for me, is apropos at the moment, for this, our grey cloud phase. The acronym is SOOM. Starting Over Once More. 

Yes, that's what I'm doing. This is SOOM III for me so far this year.

No sugary foods for 4-5 days now (I'm maximally squirming). Green drinks back. Building up to a quart of filtered water a day. Beginning to re-read my nutrition notebook from last year and getting excited again about gifting my body with high-nutrient foods. I'm particularly excited about two treats that are new to me and, thankfully, do not reside in the cake and cookie section: Goji berries and pomegranate seeds, which I want to add as a boost to my fruit protein smoothies. (Downside on the Goji berries: Whole Foods sells them for $33/pound!)

Any of you want to SOOM with me?

I am back to healthy eating.  I can only help I will feel the results in many ways.

Motivation is sleeping upstairs

I got out. I only walked 6815 steps so Ming I'm impressed. And, you got it only 254 calories. It's a start and I'm going to feel good about it. Stopped weighing myself. I should know that's not good. But, back to basics. AND SCHOOL IS OUT!! Maybe some sleep in the future. Kim's being here got me started again. It was this time last year we began. I'm wondering where I fell off and why.

Had No Idea

Leslie told me today that you guys were back on the blog.  I had no idea the name was changed--I like it!  I just looked that the last time I posted was January asking all of you where YOU were.  Eating healthy still but weight is up about 3 pounds.  I'm getting back, too.

14,458 steps today
Am I bragging? Not really. In addition to counting steps, my pedometer also estimates calories burned. I walked all those steps and burned fewer than 500 calories? I walked for 2 hours and 15 minutes for fewer than 500 calories? The same route I used to run in 50 minutes? 

So it was dispiriting. Alas.

Bumpy start

Okay so on Tuesday I did take a walk with Tina on the boardwalk- It was a slow pace so I don't think I can really count it for much. It was all I could do to not break out of the gait.  It could have been a regular night at work.
BUT TODAY, I finally got on my new cruiser. Although now I wish I got a regular woman's bike.  I rode to mom's and I trimmed the hedges and pruned some lilacs and roses then cruised back. I am having salad for lunch and every time  I walk in my door my phone tells me to drink a glass of water. I'm thinking about sisterland on the fence.
Why does it take time to take off weight but it jumps back on sooo quick. Keep it up Ming! Kim where are youuu??Camille? Col?

END OF DAY
12,700 steps. My feet hurt. No sweets today. Used my one-cup measuring cup today.

CHECK-IN
I didn't walk yesterday because it would have had to be a rush. I will walk today, however. I did eat sweets last night at a dinner. However, on a errand to Walgreen's an hour ago, I avoided all the dangerous aisles. I left with no chocolate and no Diet Coke. 
Slouching toward sane eating,
Mignon

8,700 steps 
on a walk today, if my iPod pedometer is accurate. No sweets today. Fairly good on water. Overate multigrain crackers.

SISTERLAND
How about this to rename the blog?

I'm back too
On Saturday I made a commitment to Kim that I would walk on Sunday, which was yesterday. As the day wore on I began to wonder if I was really going to do it, put on my walking shoes and head outside and down to the beach. For instance, I tried to lure myself out there with the promise of an audiobook to listen to walking. A little voice said, you're putting a possible obstacle between you and walking. The voice grew bigger and bigger during the two hours, the bulk of the afternoon, it took to successfully download an audiobook on the internet onto my iPod. (Chose Manil Suri's "City of Devi.")

So I did it. 7,700 steps according to my iPod pedometer. Near home I felt some hot spots on my feet but see no blisters today.

No sugar yesterday. None so far today. None in the apartment. I have my liter of filtered water at my side. And I'm in the process of making my Wild Rice and Cranberry recipe. 

Because of walking yesterday, I think, I feel the inclination to take out the tools that worked for me last time. A food nutrition chart. A modified Weight Watchers daily points log.

OK, Kim. Your turn to blog.

Heading for the boards

I can't believe it's been since april 9 since I wrote an entry and took a walk. Hooking up the ipod, sneakers on. Weigh in next Monday June 3rd. Not even looking today.

Love the New Bridge

I'm walking again! 6200 steps but I did fall short of that second hill.  A great beginning. The winter cost me 7 pounds. I'm not measuring till May 1.  It is a beach day today believe it or not 72 degrees out. Winter to Summer in 24 hours. I'm sure work will give me my other 3800. A great big glass of water too! Heading to the store for some fresh fruit and ingredients for the go to salads in the frig. Join me, Join me. :) even in spirit.

On Second & Third Thought

It's happened again. I no longer like the new name I proposed.  But thanks for seconding it, Leslie. We'll think of something. In the meantime, hoping none of you mind, I've simply got to retire "The Magnificent Seven." As a placeholder, until the right name comes along, I'm going to title the blog "SMCCKL" -- for Suzanne, Mignon, Camille, Colleen, Kim, Leslie. 

I'm contemplating crafting a SMCCKL credo of sorts, a kind of Do's and Don'ts (ala Al-Anon). For example:

                         SMCCKL                      
                      Do's & Don'ts

No Matter What:

Do treat yourself with respect 
Do eat fresh, whole foods abundant in nutriets
Do drink water - a minimum of 6 8-oz glasses a day



No Matter What:

Do not overeat or binge
Do not eat empty calories
Do not drink diet soda


So, if I do compose something, it will be a working draft only, so everybody's input gets it right.

In the meantime, I suppose you're all thinking:  she should be walking not talking.

I second NO MATTER WHAT

Okay guys, time to  re-energize, we change the name, we get on that skype and if we are capable we go for a walk or lift weights or do something. My target date for my walk is Sunday. I just wrote it on the calender.  I've been going down like the Titanic. Emails to read the blog forthcoming.

tossing out another name change...
NO MATTER WHAT

as in:

no matter what, we don't eat crap

no matter what, we don't binge

no matter what, we don't drink Diet Coke

no matter what, we don't self-medicate with food

no matter what, we don't eat for emotional relief

no matter what, we don't stuff feelings with food

no matter what, we don't calm anxiety with food

no matter what, we eat fresh, whole foods resplendent with nutrients

no matter what, we drink a minimum of 6 (8) 8-oz glasses of water a day

no matter what, we love ourselves

no matter what, we begin again if we have a slip

no matter what, we begin again in the middle of the day if we have to


you get the idea...it comes from my experience with no drinking alcohol...

no matter that i have cancer, I don't drink

no matter that my heart is broken, I don't drink

no matter that i have fear, I don't drink

no matter...

where am I?

right with you, leslie, emotionally eating big-time, self-medicating, addicted to the quick fix, the foods that release dopamine the fastest, the instant relief that also lasts but an instant and leaves tons of fatigue and regret and self-hatred in its wake (yes, it's that strong for me), starves my trillions of hard-working cells, and tramples over everything I know about empty calories and their opposite: fresh, whole, mega-high-nutrient food.

we need a meeting, we all know that. colleen is an acute concern for all of us, THE acute concern for some of us, but we've got to put our own oxygen masks back on. At least, I do. For sure.

Boston? Are you there?

Love,
Your slippin & slidin sister,
Mignon


PS:  Last night, it was 75-degrees in the apartment when I went to bed. Today, we're going up to 80-degrees. Walking weather? Yes. Here where I live, is it walking weather 365 days a year? Yes. Do I have walking shoes? Yes, new last year. Do I have an iPod? Yes. Do I have an entire ocean outside my door? Yes.
Inside, am I like a home-clinging child on the first day of school? I think so. Did Mom ever give us the option of staying home? Never. Mom, are you there? We could use a little help here.

Why?

Emotional eating. Why? It doesn't make it better. It doesn't change anything. So, why am I doing it. Spring is on the way! Walking weather. Put yourself on the top of the list so you can be there for the people you love :).

Don't give up on yourselves. You must keep on fighting!

I am 134.5 this is not the right direction. I have been bad lately- all emotional I might add. Where are you?

Girl scouts came knocking

I bought but I'm not indulging - thin mints no less. Just saying. And, of course one peanut butter.

Les Sszzz?

HOW ABOUT THIS?
Today I talked to Kim, and a few days ago to Camille, about having a Skype meeting when I'm in NJ in 3 weeks.   Do each of you want to "pencil in" Sunday, February 17, for a video conference? Those of us at the Shore can gather at Colleen's with one laptop (or more). Kim, you'll be beaming in from MA. If y'all like the idea, let's "ink in" the exact clock-time once I get to NJ.

Sound good?

Kim and I talked about how well a 10-week deadline worked for all of us before (from late May to mid-August; from mid-August to late October). Then we fell apart, sort of, the holidays arrived, and...

Want to think about setting a new common deadline?
10 weeks from mid-February would take us to May 1--and Spring. (Almost a year since we started our blog????)

Thoughts?

Love,
M

It will happen

Still trying to be mindful. Back to Skype investigation after visit to Col's

BY HOOKIE OR BY COOKIE
Dear Sisters, don't know about you but I can't hold on much longer, that is to say, I'm in danger of playing serious food hooky unless we have a face-to-face meeting soon via Skype. Only Leslie is attempting to get set up, unsuccessfully so far. Leslie, Kim, Camille -- if you call me, maybe I can help get you signed up and ready for a video conference?

In the meantime, you might want to look at this list of micronutrient-dense foods from Joel Fuhrman, MD, a northern New Jersey doctor specializing in nutrition whom Colleen and I keep tabs on:

by hook or by crook

For my english literates

by hook or crook

My goal by the end of this day is to have SKYPE up and working
weight 133.5
Waist 34 arrrghhh- sucking in at the belly button
Heading to the beach then painting the rest of the day. It's going to be walking warm by this afternoon here. I pod is charging.
Have a great day!

Hey

Where is everyone?  It's getting pretty bad when I am the only one posting lately.

NEW IDEA

I'm trying this new tactic I heard about.  Trying to do all eating within any 8-hour window throughout the day.  That gives your body 16 hours to do what it is supposed to do with what's in it--what you ate, what is stored, etc.  I had already adopted trying to eat nothing after 7 pm.  This, believe it or not, is a little easier.  After 4 days, my digestive system seems to like it.  Good day to all!

One entire bag of peanut-butter-filled unsalted pretzels yesterday, but no sweets.

RADICAL MEASURE REQUIRED
Yesterday, New Year's Day, I took the radical measure of an all-day water fast to cleanse myself of the prolonged orgy of sweets that began way back in November in the days before Thanksgiving when pumpkin pies went on sale. The orgy had crescendoed the night before when I accepted an invitation to a fine New Year's Eve Tuscan dinner that I topped off with a murderous dessert called "Tortino di Cioccolato Col Cuore Caldo" or Chocolate Volcano Cake. Thus ended 2012.

JANUARY 1, 2013

All right, girls.  It's the first day of the year.  We all made varying degrees of progress since we began.  But we DID make progress.  Let's continue.  Settle in for the winter haul.  Here's to a healthier us!

Happy New Year!

Just think where our weight was this same time last year! Back to basics!