Dental surgery

You would think that having dental surgery, and not being able to chew anything - well, my weight should be down. Nope. Up 1.2 lbs. How on earth did that happen?

It seems that consuming quantities of prepared, prepackaged, easy to swallow without chewing foods is not healthy. Go figure! The sodium content in the soups is ridiculously high, so naturally I am retaining water. I figure i'm not eating enough to get my metabolism going so I'm stalled....

I have decided I will not step on a scale again until after I can start eating once again. Why put myself through the self humiliation? Why torture myself. At least when I'm eating I KNOW why I gain. But this semi-liquid diet has me stumped.

Okay, I'm walking it off... all the way to the kitchen to eat some ice cream...

"Your call is important to us...."

If my call is so important, why is it that I stay on hold for 15 minutes? Maybe I'm so important that "they" need to get their top person to speak to me? Maybe it's because they didn't anticipate my call and had to scramble to find someone to answer it? Maybe it's just because.... they are understaffed and really don't give a flying fadoo.

Banks - they put you on hold forever. Of course, I did have the option of choosing one of several different touch tone options. That means I never get to speak to a real person. Do real people still exist?

Oh wait... my call was just answered.....

What's my voice recognition password? I have one? I don't know. Who cares? It's me!! Don't you remember - we spoke a while ago, we shared that story, we laughed.... oh, you don't remember me. Of course, what was I thinking. Well, it's me and this is the fourth time I've called you about the same issue. What issue? THE issue! Don't you people keep e-records so that when frustrated customers call back you can access the information and see all the issues at once? You don't. Of course not. Okay, so about two months ago.......


and so it goes.....

Thank you for calling, you call is important to us.....


I'm hanging up.

It's Friday but Sunday is coming!

Fridays. The name alone conjurs up images of frivolity, long weekends, sunshine and.... food.

Last weekend, we trekked to Kingston for a wedding, and between lunch at Lone Star with our daughter, son, and daughter-in-law, and the reception dinner at the University Club, and then a brunch at Ramekins (http://www.ramekins.ca/menus/breakfast/index.php) a wonderful little spot in Kingston - but make reservations if you plan to go on a sunday... the church crowd gets in and you can't budge!!..... well, we plum ate enough to feed a small african nation.

We didn't eat again until we arrived home from Kingston, and then just had toasted tomato sandwiches, which were divinely simple and delicious!

So, ya, it's Friday again. We have yet another wedding, this time on Sunday in Perth. How could people possibly break up a long weekend like that? Meh.

I had a bit of a health scare this week, nothing to joke about, so I won't. Suffice to say, it shook me up and I'm taking this thing seriously.

This will be my first Saturday morning in town for weeks, so I will be at WW for sure tomorrow. Sadly, I will have to confess the 2 pounds I lost, well, apparently I found them! They were hiding under a roll of fat on my gut.. but yep, found it! Whew, that was close - would HATE to lose something so close to me! I have to face 'The Terminator' on Satuday - Sue. I have sufficient pin pricks in my hands and arms to prove that I was not a well puppy this week. Hopefully she will have some pity on me - weep uncontrollably at my misfortune - and not say a word about the size of my 'assets'.

So, It's friday but Sunday is coming - and that's wedding time. Can I get through the day without blowing it? Yes.

YES YES YES.

Woohoo!

Monday Monday....

Well, I made it through the weekend!  I thought it would be awkward visiting with all the former 'in-laws' but it was not.  My former mother-in-law looked feeble and had aged greatly since the last time I saw her.  My brothers-in-law were genuine in their warmth.  It was good to see everyone, almost everyone.

The reception - I know you are waiting to hear how I did.  I had two 2 TWO small sandwiches.  Small triumph! Also had some veggies and fruit.  I felt I did great - until I got to the squares.  Oh my!  'Nuff said.

My husband and I had a quieter afternoon, being home alone for a while.  My daughter stayed in the city to visit with her dad and uncles.  We ended up going to a friend's place for dinner and had the most delicious corn, picked that morning.  It was also good to spend time with friends.

Sunday I was back on track and doing well. 

Tonight, I am hosting a fall/holiday partylite launch at my house.  I'm looking forward to it (please consider yourself invited!!)  I became a consultant several months ago, mostly to feed my partylite addiction - it's probably better that I have THAT addiction, rather than my FOOD addiction.

So, now I am sitting here at home updating this blog, while chocolate chip cookies are baking in the oven.  The smell is wonderful.  I'll try my hardest NOT to overdo the cookies today.

I'm working at home this week (most of this week, anyway).  It's a nice refreshing change.  Okay, so right now I'm technically NOT working - I'm baking.  But I've already put in a few hours of work, and now I'm taking a break.  

I didn't get to weigh in on the weekend - it was just too busy, and the time lines were just too tight - tight, kinda like my jeans!  TIGHT!

I started my day with a walk around the block - I was sweaty when I got home so I figured I had done a good workout.... or maybe it's just hot out today.  Whatever.  Its the idea of exercise!

okay, so I'm on track and exercising and watching what I eat... like the nice fresh hot cookie I just popped into my mouth. 

Walking sucks

No big news.... just the thought of walking... well, it sucks!

Funerals, and those little sandwiches!

My former father-in-law passed away this week. We've never had a close relationship, but I did like the man. He was a good man. In his later years, I found a new appreciation for him. My children will miss him dearly.

The funeral is saturday morning - which means I miss my saturday morning weigh-in for the second week in a row. and the next two saturdays I have weddings out of town...makes it four weeks! Ugh. I'll have to weigh-in tonight.

If my scales are right at home (honest, i have NOT adjusted the numbers!) I think I've lost 2 pounds this week. Woohoo! Okay, so I gained 13 over the summer, so I'm still UP 11, but hey, I'm down 2. Are you following me? Up down up down. Right now I'm down so let's just keep the trend going.

Funerals - as much as I really do not like attending funerals - and who does? I mean, does anyone actually say "Oh boy! A funeral!!!" - I always like the little reception afterwards. Those little sandwiches! I love those! I know, they are JUST sandwiches... but for some strange reason, they always taste so good after a funeral. Maybe it's because you really appreciate life at that point, and the taste of "life" is in everything you see and eat. Those little egg sandwiches? Oh yummy! Perhaps it's best if I skip the reception? I can't do that. It would be rude. Okay, so I'll go, with my husband and my children, and politely turn down the food. Ya, right! Okay, so I'll LIMIT myself to two of those wee sandwiches. TWO (that's like asking for a toothpick and a glass of water!) I can do this! I can stick to plan.

It's been a weird week for me. Edmonton, Niagara-on-the-lake, home, work, preparing for a funeral. Weird week.

It's almost lunch time, and I'm looking forward to my fresh cherries and my yogurt. The taste of life. The tastes of summer are so refreshing. I am appreciating taste today.

Hey, another thought to share. I was in Edmonton (like I already said) for work and I also took in the Partylite National Conference while I was there. Listened to Cassie Campbell (captain of the Canadian Women's Olympic Hockey team, saw them to 2 gold medals in 2002 and 2006). Cassie gave some interesting life lessons that she learned over her career as an olympian and a team player. There were several, I can only recall a few!
1. Choose to go the distance every day. Make the decision - make the choice.
2. Embrace challenges. Challenges give us motiviation, they keep us from being complacent.
3. WAR - We Are Responsible! As a team, we are responsible for pulling together.
4. Celebrate success!
5. Celebrate the hard work! No matter if you win or lose, you worked hard - CELEBRATE!
6. Do not underestimate the importance of appreciation. Accept it graciously. Give it abundantly!

There were several more and if I could find my notes, I will post them.

I'll look for my notes.... after I have a few of those little sandwiches!

Introducing.....

Introducing. It's an interesting word. Introducing - what? The new me? The new menu? The loser? Loser... THERE'S an interesting word. The only place LOSER is a good word is when you are intending to lose something - man, what a loser! She's a loser, he's a loser, wouldn't like like to be a loser too?

Okay, so I'm a loser at being a loser - I am probably the only person who can gain weight trying to lose it.

I digress... Introducing.... the new me, yes. Kind of like "The new adventures of the old Christine" - have you see that show? don't bother, it's not worth it. But here it is - the 'new adventures of the old Heather"... I want to win at losing. I want the GOLD MEDAL for being a loser.

I want to be slim again - not thin... just slim. I need to do all the cliche stuff... you know the words - "stay on course", put my nose to the grindstone (although that sounds painful), pull up my socks, suck it up buttercup, and of course "put on my big girl panties"... getter dun!

So, Introducing... the new improved Heather...

Now, if someone could just tell the scales to cooperate that would be very much appreciated.

Tracking

So, I just returned from a few days in Edmonton - and I must say I think I did not too bad in the food department. I made good breakfast decisions (I had the most amazing egg white only omlette, with broccoli... and a fresh fruit salad on the side! SUCCESS!!!) No lunch. Argh. No time. But I did have a more than adequate supply of caffeine in my system so I was pretty wired!

I was in Edmonton for two reasons - first, to meet with a certain hotel conference manager regarding a conference (didn't see that one coming did you?) this fall, making final arrangements, etc. The second reason was that my trip coincided with the annual Partylite National Conference which was SO good. I stayed really on track with my food.

Track... tracking... I hate that word. Makes me think that someone is stalking me - I have a tracker! Who/what is tracking me? Sue!!! It must be. She haunts my sleep! In rebellion - I order nachos and an iced tea at 11:00 p.m. and enjoyed every bite!

Track track track.... write it down... can I cheat and say I didn't have the nachos? I can... I did. I'm bad. Oh so bad.

Thankfully, the last day of the conference, Saturday, was good and I had appropriately slapped my self on my wrists - and had that mirror conversation. You know it. We've all had one. "Okay you, I see you, Ya, you there in the mirror. Look at you!! Are you proud of the way you look? Were the nachos worth it? (okay, maybe they were....) what are you doing to do about it?" So myself answered "leave me alone!!! Go track something!"

Saturday evening, I had dinner with my former brother-in-law, his wife, and their children. It was nice, relaxing, and oh so healthy! I felt good when I left there. I felt I could track without lying about it! Everything was "core" except the dessert, but hey, I only had a wee sliver!

Sunday - this is where I fell apart....
My husband picked me up at the airport in Toronto on Sunday morning (I was stupid enough to book a 6 a.m. flight home! ARGH! Stupid me!) He whisked me off from there to Niagara-on-the-Lake for a belated 5th anniversary celebration. He's so sweet. He packed a picnic lunch, all of which was reasonably healthy. It poured. We picniced in the car. sigh. Checked into a delightful bed & breakfast, Merlot House. Check it out... www.merlothouse.ca

Dinner was at the Hillebrand Vineyards - and after some sparkling wine, 2 appetizers, soup, and our main course (and wine, which I shouldn't have had!) we had a delightful and decadent dessert. The vineyard pastry chef wrote, in chocolate, across the plate "Happy 5th Anniversary"... As I stared at it I mummbled to myself "I can't believe I'm eating this". Believe it. I ate it. After our bill (just over $300 for the two fo us) we left for the B&B. I felt chubby, and so unattractive... but delighted still in the taste experience!

The B&B served a delicious breakfast - I won't get into details.... suffice to say, we had to do a fair bit of walking that day!!! Ooooh, fudge. I had to stop into the little Maple Leaf fudge place in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

Back home Monday evening, I had a toasted tomato sandwich (appropriately on WW bread) and a glass of water. I think I was still full. WW by the way, is Weight Watchers.

Now I'm at work, and I packed my lunch - or part of it. I left the fudge at home!

I wonder if I'm supposed to track the fudge?

What's for lunch??

Well, I'm at work, and blogging... a no-no. So fire me. Okay that might not be a bad idea!

I had breakfast today, woohoo!!! Success! Delicious cardboard tasting Shredded Wheat with, thankfully, a handful of fresh blueberries on top, and the required amount of skim milk. I've grown to love skim milk, weird.

Now it's lunch and I'm wishing I had brought my lunch with me. I have to desert my office, and head down the echoing hallways to the elevators (note to self: change from heels that click to runners for the daily food run!). I must admit the food court at the hospital scares me. Yes, the hospital! This is where I work. This is where the most unhealthy eating of my day takes place.

I stand and stare at all the food stuffs - fries, hot dogs, mystery meat, jello, ugh. I think I'll head to Burger King (also in the hospital)... wait, not the best idea (lesson 1: think before you purchase!) Okay, so I'll take another look in the cafeteria and pick out something (hopefully) appealing - like, salad. I think I am the only dieter that absolutely hates salad.

That brings me to my next point - the "D" word. Diet/Dieter/Dieting/DIE. As in DIE you stupid DIET! At WW, Sue doesn't let us use the "D" word. It's evil. Sue can be evil - those nasty phone calls, those little notes she sends you when you miss... Restraining order!!!! Okay, she's not evil, and those little calls/cards are much appreciated.

Okay, walk it off, walk it off....

I'm fine now, and I'm sitting here with some fresh veggies (carrots, celery), some fresh fruit, and two yogurts. I could use some protein... like a burger... but I'll settle for what I have right now and get some protein later... not the best idea.

Lunch - my most difficult meal of the day. But, so far, I'm still on track!

I think i'll find some tuna somewhere and eat it.

Baby steps, baby steps

Who cares about whether Brangelina had twins and whether they were conceived naturally or using IVF? Okay, they are adorable babies, but I'm a baby too!

Yes, I am. I am a big FAT baby.

I've been whining about losing weight for the past two years. I even signed up at Weight Watchers and went faithfully for two years (unless I was out of town, then I considered it a food holiday). It's not entirely my fault, you know! I attended conferences, meetings, vacations, weddings, showers, and the food was always wonderful! Never did I get to choose my own food. I can listen in the saturday morning class and hear Sue tell us to "make wise choices" and then that cheesecake just about jumps off the table and into my mouth! I try to forcefully fight it off, but it wins. It wins! IT is food. IT is my lack of willpower. IT is delicious!

So, with health issues looming, and my weight not changed in the two years of paying weekly to attend the pep rally... er, meetings, I decided I must take back control. The buck stops here. No more flirting with weight loss. No more affairs with chocolate. Bring it in to the light... expose my dirty deeds..... so here goes:

Hi, my name is Heather and I (gulp) am... a... Foodaholic, and it's been 2 weeks since my last binge.

There I said it.

Food-a-holic. One who is addicted to food! That's me.

I am taking baby steps now, each day is a new adventure. Each day an experience;.

I will attend my saturday meetings regularly (or as regularly as I can, since I travel a fair bit for work) and stay on track. So, if you see me on saturday morning - ask me how I'm doing... ask if I attended my meeting, ask if any food forced it's way into my body without my approval!!