Sunday, November 30, 2008

Week 87 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Week 77: 136.4 (-5.2) - Week 78: 139 (+2.6)
Week 79: 138.2 (-0.8) - Week 80: 139.2 (+1)
Week 81: 139.4 (+0.2) - Week 82: 137.6 (-1.8)
Week 83: 137.8 (+0.2) - Week 84: 137.2 (-0.6)
Week 85: 137.2 (-0) - Week 86: 136.2 (-1)
Week 87: 140.6 (+4.4)
Total loss: -13.4

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Thursday was Thanksgiving so no calorie counting.
Weight Thursday morning: 129.2 (One week ago: 129.2)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 332

Calories eaten Friday: 1050
Fat: 8g (7%)
Carbs: 86g (34%)
Protein: 76g (30%)
Weight Friday morning: 133.2 (One week ago: 128.6)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 69

Weight Saturday morning: 133.8 (One week ago: 130.2)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 241

Calories burned in exercise today: 482

So I gained 4 1/2 pounds this week and am back over 140 again. Darn Thanksgiving! I went a little bonkers - okay, I spent both Thursday and Saturday going a lot bonkers. I'm totally ashamed. I hate my body and it hates me back. I'm re-addicted to sugar and have to do something about that. :-p I wish I could just almost totally stop eating and just have a little protein and carbs before and after my workout. I'm either not going to get this extra weight off ever or have to starve myself. I can't just cut 500 calories and lose a pound of week because I am already eating so few calories.

I'm committed to being on plan until the bi-annual department staff dinner. That will be sometime in December and I will order something healthy such as a cheeseburger with no bun and a side salad or steak with veggies or something. After that is Christmas Day - will do a healthy dinner with Brad at work since we both have to work, and then New Year's Eve. After that is my b-day and THEN the holidays will be officially over.

But I am kicking myself over two days going overboard and gaining 4 1/2 pounds. It would have been worse, but I pounded the liquids. I feel so fat!

Got in some exercise this weekend at least. Walked with Brad for over an hour and a half yesterday on some local trails. Today I went to the gym and did an hour of weight training, then got on the treadmill and ran for 30 minutes (2.92 miles covered). Then Brad and I walked for over an hour in a local park. I'm wiped out and even a strong Venti Starbucks coffee did very little!

For breakfast this morning I did a protein shake (120 calories) and a serving of Cream of Wheat (124 calories including the Splenda). It seemed to help and I got through my workout well. If I have to eat Cream of Wheat for the iron, before a workout is great and the carbs actually get burned off.

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Saturday, November 29, 2008

Book review - In the Shadow of the Moons

In the Shadow of the Moons: My Life in the Reverend Sun Myung Moon's Family by Nansook Hong.

This was a good book. The last book I read Unification Church covered just theology from a Christian perspective. This book does cover some theology, but it is primarily the story of one woman's life in the Unification Church.

Ms. Hong was raised in the cult from the time she was born and new no other way of life. The Rev. Moon chose Ms. Hong to marry his eldest son. The eldest son turned out to be an abusive womanizer strung out on drugs and alcohol. Nevertheless, Ms. Hong felt it was her lot in life to live the way she did and did not seek to escape for 14 years and after having five children.

She talks about Mr. and Mrs. Moon, their lavish lifestyles, and how church donations were handled. Sun Myung Moon was even convicted of tax evasion and sentenced to 18 months in prison. The Moons felt they were above everybody else and lorded it over them. They neglected their own children, religious work being "more important." They were not the picture of sinless people, the "True Parents."

This is a very good book and I highly recommend it for anyone who's interested in an insider's view of the Unification Church.

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Thursday, November 27, 2008

My Thanksgiving - Working Out, Then Working

Calories eaten yesterday: 1230
Fat: 22g (17%)
Carbs: 119g (39%)
Protein: 134g (44%)
Weight this morning: 129.2 (One week ago: 129.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 332

Happy ThanksgivingHappy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope yours was a great one!

Here's what I am thankful for:

1) God's salvation.
2) God's Word, the Bible.
3) my friend Brad.
4) a job in this poor economy. My employer laid off a bunch of people just this past week right before the holidays. So I am thankful that I still have work.
5) my two cats Xena and Abby.

Yesterday was the first truly cold and rainy day of the season. It was freezing. I actually took hot tea with me on the bus, and had three cups of hot tea at work. Today it was 60 degrees like yesterday, but felt warmer.

I had a ton more energy today because I ate more. Breakfast was some of the veggie casserole I made, plus coffee with milk and Splenda, two of my healthy homemade oatmeal cookies (plus I ate one last night and one in the middle of the night), about a cup of unsweetened applesauce, and a small apple.

We live in a graceless world. I walked up to the Starbucks inside Safeway this morning and this one woman insisted that I had cut in front of her. I don't know if I did or not, but since that one minute was just so important to her I let her go ahead. As I said, a graceless world. The unsaved don't even know what graciousness really is. And I was the one on the tight schedule and working today. She was just picking up items for Thanksgiving dinner with her family. Gee, wish I could have Thanksgiving at home with my family. At the Starbucks I got a tall non-fat, sugar-free Cinnamon Dulce latte, a small bar of dark chocolate, and one petite vanilla scone.

I'm not sure that Starbucks got my latte order right (I wanted two shots), but I was too busy to check every detail. Then the bus didn't come. I had let the first one pass so I could get go up to Starbucks and get coffee, but the next one didn't show up. That made me late getting to the gym because the next bus didn't come for an hour. I wish I would have taken the first bus.

So I had a crappy morning, but things got better once I got to the gym. Like Emo Phillips said, "Some mornings it just doesn't seem worth it to gnaw through the leather straps."

The gym was busy this morning. It was open in the morning, but they were shutting down at 2 pm. When I came in a little before noon there were a ton of people in both and cardio and weight rooms. I had to do my weight training as machines were available. I did some leg work with my arms as I didn't get a leg day this week.

For cardio I did the pedal-type Stairmaster for 30 minutes. Sweat was literally dripping off me. :) I tried to wear my heart rate monitor so I could work hard enough to keep my heart rate up, but the Stairmaster doesn't have a heart rate feature on it! :-p

Brad and I had Thanksgiving dinner here at work. Turkey of course, and veggie casserole with coffee afterwords and homemade oatmeal cookies for dessert. I did eat bad on the way here. I walked to work from the train station. Burger King was open and I tried to assuage my chicken sandwich craving with chicken nuggets. Didn't work. I bought the six pack of cheesy tater tots. They were only so-so, so when I got panhandled outside I gave the woman the remaining three. I also got a crispy chicken sandwich, but with no mayo (dry sandwich). It was what I was craving and hit the spot. At the convenience store I bought a Snickers bar (was craving that, too), and a small bag of Doritos, but I split those with Brad.

So I didn't do as well as I could have food-wise, but things could have been much worse. My weight will majorly rebound tomorrow. :(

A word on my diet for those who don't know:
I am no longer doing a strict low-carb diet. As some of you may know, my calories were going too high so I had to switch to a low-fat diet to keep the calories down. I still watch my carbs. I don't like how the Cream of Wheat runs my carbs up higher than I'd like, but it's the lowest calorie way to get my iron up.

With my fat low and my carbs controlled, the rest of my calories come from protein. As some of you may know, I am a huge fan of protein and feel pretty good on a high protein diet. I try to get about 1g of protein for every pound I weigh. When I don't get the normal amount of protein my body is used to I start craving it.

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Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Random Acts of Kindness

Calories eaten yesterday: 1205
Fat: 24g (18%)
Carbs: 104g (35%)
Protein: 141g (47%)
Weight this morning: 130.6 (One week ago: 129.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 94

I must be up today because of eating one of the cookies I baked last night.

It's raining today so I didn't get much walking exercise. I had to walk down to the laundromat and back, but I took the bus all the way into work.

I came home last night to a very nice gift from Brad - a 12 cup coffee maker with a clock that allows you to set a time to brew so the coffee is ready when you get up. Along with this was a pound of Starbucks extra bold coffee, a package of coffee filters, a chocolate hazelnut biscotti from Stabucks (my favorite), and a card thanking me for my friendship. He also cleaned the stove, garbage can lid, the plastic mat under the dish drainer, took out the garbage (it was pretty full), and scooped the litter box. Wow! Thank you, Brad!

I didn't ask him to do any of this. In the past we have discussed a 12 cup coffee maker because my 4 cupper is not enough when he stays over. We have been using the pod coffee maker to make up the difference.

So I now have three coffee makers on my counter, lol! The pod maker is good for hot water for tea (I use it for that every night), my 4 cupper is great during the week when I'm making coffee just for me, and the 12 cupper will be perfect when Brad stays over, so I am keeping them all. :)

I hope to hit the gym tomorrow and then Brad and I are having Thanksgiving dinner at work. I baked the cookies last night, sampled one last night and another this morning, saved out four to eat before and after my workout tomorrow, and brought the rest into work. I asked Brad to hide them in his locked so I wouldn't eat any more.

Brad had all manner of fat and carby stuff when I walked in - a double cheeseburger with bacon from the burger joint next door, along with onion rings and fries, and a vanilla shake. I had way too many "bites" of the stuff and expect to show a gain tomorrow. After Thanksgiving of course I will show a huge gain.

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Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Weird Week

Calories eaten yesterday: 1111
Fat: 21g (17%)
Carbs: 106g (39%)
Protein: 120g (44%)
Weight this morning: 132.2 (One week ago: 131.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 194

Crap. I'm up a half pound from yesterday. I know why. There was a big potluck yesterday at work and my boss J. brought over a big doggie bag of food. It was for Brad, but Brad didn't want it and let me know that it was in the fridge. I admit I picked at it a bit, though I didn't eat anywhere near what I wanted to. I wanted the whole thing, but just settled for a few bites. I'm still paying dearly because I have no metabolism and my body wants to be fat. :(

Due to the water being off at my gym (I assume it's back on today) and Thanksgiving coming up, it's a weird week. Last night I mixed up the oatmeal cookie dough and the veggie casserole ingredients; this didn't help my weight either as I licked the bowls and also had a couple bites of the cookie dough. This morning I baked the veggie casserole and I will bring it into work tomorrow, saving a portion for Thanksgiving Day breakfast. I'll do the oatmeal cookies either tonight or tomorrow night. I made only a half batch of dough since I won't need 3 dozen cookies, lol!

Today's exercise was walking. I walked all the way to Southshore Center from my home. I found a Hallmark store on the way and bought the "New Home 2008" ornament, just as I did when I moved into my old apartment in 2003.

I assume the laundromat will be closed on Thanksgiving Day (better to be safe than sorry!) so I'll do laundry tomorrow and then hit the gym before work on Thursday. Their holidays hours say they will be open until 2 pm that day. I'll have the veggie casserole and a whey protein shake for breakfast, then another shake after my workout along with some of the cookies as my carb serving.

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Monday, November 24, 2008

More thyroid madness

Calories eaten yesterday: 1274
Fat: 22g (16%)
Carbs: 125g (40%)
Protein: 140g (45%)
Weight this morning: 131.8 (One week ago: 133.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 181

I called the gym this morning but they were still closed due to the water issue. They told me they were going to reopen sometime tomorrow, but didn't know when. So I went back to sleep and I'll call them tomorrow.

So my exercise today was just lots of walking - down the the BART station, and the BART station to work.

One step forward, two steps back on the thyroid issue. I don't know what I did yesterday to cause this, but I have bruises all over both my thighs - an entire section on each thigh is just covered in purple. I thought the thyroid meds were helping, so I don't understand this.

I still feel like crap. I am wiped out after my workouts. Why isn't the Cream of Wheat helping me get my energy back? I just want to feel better without this brain fog, exhausted feeling, and purple legs. I just want to lose the last few pounds and keep it off without starving myself. :(

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Sunday, November 23, 2008

Week 86 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Week 77: 136.4 (-5.2) - Week 78: 139 (+2.6)
Week 79: 138.2 (-0.8) - Week 80: 139.2 (+1)
Week 81: 139.4 (+0.2) - Week 82: 137.6 (-1.8)
Week 83: 137.8 (+0.2) - Week 84: 137.2 (-0.6)
Week 85: 137.2 (-0) - Week 86: 136.2 (-1)
Total loss: -17.8

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1339
Fat: 20g (13%)
Carbs: 112g (34%)
Protein: 136g (41%)
Weight Thursday morning: 129.2 (One week ago: 130.2)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 264

Calories eaten Friday: 1526
Fat: 20g (12%)
Carbs: 112g (30%)
Protein: 141g (38%)
Weight Friday morning: 128.6 (One week ago: 128.8)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 67

Weight Saturday morning: 130.2 (One week ago: 129.4)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories burned in exercise today: 419

I lost weight this week and I know why. Even though I was very bad yesterday, I pounded the water. I had four diet Cokes at Costco, and two cans of seltzer water before bed. I know that helped.

The weekend:
Friday I decided to go grocery shopping with my rollie cart and found most everything I needed. I bought chicken breast and cooked it up when I got home. Brad showed up around 4 and since I had gotten most of what I needed at Safeway, and the rest of the stuff could be found at WalMart, we just went there. Then we went to Costco and I got a flat of Diet Coke and some pajama pants for Mom's husband Bill. Then we came home and relaxed. Brad cut up some veggies for me for the coming week.

Saturday after church we went for a walk, but first we had to stop at Starbucks. I signed up for their new Gold Card Thursday, but didn't get my free drink at that time. So we stopped and told the barista that I never got my free drink and she said sure she could make one. This was a different Starbucks than the one I bought the card at. I got a nonfat Chocolate Banana Vivanno with a shot of espresso. The espresso kind of bulked it up a bit and she ended up having to put it in a venti cup.

We walked a trail we had before, though we got there a different way than usual. There were lots of other trails to explore and we'll probably do that next week.

Then we went to Costco and walked around looking at things. We both ended up buying a few items. I got a Diet Coke from a vending machine because the food line was long and I was very thirsty.

After we paid for our items I said I would wait in the food line while Brad went out to drop our stuff off in the car. It turned out that there was hardly any line and I decided to be nice and buy Brad's dinner and mine. I got pizza and a Diet Coke for me and a polish dog and Diet Coke for him. Then I sat down and waited at a table.

Brad showed up shortly after with two slices of pizza and a drink for himself. He wanted the polish dog but was in a rush and so just asked for the pizza (silly man - there was no rush). I chewed him out for not finding me before ordering because now we had so much food and three drinks. I ended up eating my slice of pizza and one of his slices, plus part of the polish dog. When I could see he wanted the polish dog more than me I gave the rest to him.

They allow one refill on the drinks so after drinking my Diet Coke plus a refill, I used the extra cup to get more, then we left and went to Applebees.

At Applebees I had two Mochatinis and a glass of Cabernet. Brad also bought me a slice of Weight Watchers cake and he ordered a whiskey sour and the sundae dessert shooter for himself.

We stopped at Strabucks and I had a skinny vanilla latte - my weekly treat. They didn't have any petite scones so I tried their oatmeal and got the nut topping. It was a bit watery and not to my liking. On the way out I decided to get a toffee bar and scarfed that down. I was out of control!

Then we went home. I asked Brad to stop at the convenience store on the way and he said no. I decided to be a bitch and after we parked and he had the box of Costco items in his arms I just kept walking past my driveway to the convenience store down the street. Brad didn't think I would do it. I didn't see him following me so I thought I was on my own.

Brad dropped the stuff at the house and came after me, driving down to the store he figured I was at. I ended up buying Hostess cupcakes (350 calories for the package and all carbs and fat), but they were yummy and hit the spot. I was craving chocolate cake something awful last night and the Weight Watchers cake just didn't do it for me.

Today Brad drove me to my gym, but they were closed. The Kaiser Center (where they are housed) had some sort of problem and turned the water off, so the gym decided to close. Brad asked if I wanted to do the lake and I said I wanted to go the the 24 Hour Fitness on High St. I can't get to it myself (no bus service to that area), but since Brad was driving we went.

Brad no longer has a pass so he went to McDonald's and had something bad to eat, then went to Home Depot (both are in the same complex as the gym) and bought a lamp. I did one hour of weights and 30 minutes of running. Brad picked me up and drove me to work, but we had some extra time and went for a walk in the local park, about 40 minutes.

So a lot of exercise and a busy weekend. Whew! I wasn't hungry so all I had for breakfast was a whey protein shake. It cost me. My energy died 18 minutes into my run. I backed the speed down to 5.8 and forced myself to keep going.

As I type this I am wiped out and drinking another diet energy drink. Weight training, running, and a walk. Whew! Brad did say that since he was driving me to the gym every Sunday that he could drive me to the High St. one. It's closer to my home and a much nicer gym overall because it's one of the ones with a pool and basketball court, and lots more weight and cardio equipment.

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Saturday, November 22, 2008

Recipe: Lower-Carb Chocolate Banana Vivannos

I am totally hooked on the chocolate banana Vivannos at Starbucks, so I decided to try my own version at home:

* 1 cup nonfat milk
* 3-4 tablespoons sugar-free Hershey's syrup
* 1 banana
* 1 scoop chocolate whey protein powder (I use GNC 100% Whey)
* 1 tray of ice

Put all items in blender and blend until all the ice is pulverized. Makes about two servings.

You can also use unsweetened chocolate almond milk and use one packet of Splenda. Due to the health dangers in soy I do NOT recommend using soy milk.

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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Christmas shopping, & more on Earthlink

Calories eaten yesterday: 1196
Fat: 25g (19%)
Carbs: 102g (34%)
Protein: 141g (47%)
Weight this morning: 129.2 (One week ago: 130.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 264

Lots of walking today! I walked down to the laundromat and back, then down to BART, then from my BART stop to work. Whew! Walker Tracker says I walked about 5 miles!

Today was payday. I had about 8 hours overtime on this check, plus I cashed in two more vacation days so I could buy Christmas gifts. I got on Amazon this morning and sent stuff to my Vickitim (kind of like a secret Santa thing) this year for the Vicki box, then sent some stuff to my sister and Renato. On my way into work I stopped at Starbucks and signed up for their new Gold Card, then went over to WalMart and bought more Christmas gifts, including a light jacket for Dad and a shirt and a scented candle set for my Vickitim.

I have my final Project 365 photos up so check out the whole collection!

As you may know, I have been having billing issues with my Internet company. I was advised to pay ahead of time, but I found out that that is more complicated than it looks. I can't pay online unless I have an outstanding balance, which will never happen due to the automatic billing. So I have to call or do a live chat each time I am ready to pay. I did make a payment that way today (live chat) so I should be good up through the end of December. The bill was higher than usual because it including the billing cycle change, so about 6 weeks instead of 4.

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Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Recipe: Healthy & Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

These are not low-carb, but they are lower-carb and low-fat and still taste great. The wheat gluten makes these high in protein and lower in carbs than using wheat flour. :)

Healthy & Chewy Oatmeal Cookies

* 3 cups Old Fashioned oatmeal
* 1 ½ cups "vital wheat gluten flour" Check the flour section of the grocery store for "Bob’s Red Mill" brand. May also use 1 cup wheat gluten and a ½ cup whole wheat flour.
* 1 ½ cups Splenda
* 2 cups unsweetened applesauce
* 3 egg whites (or equivalent Egg Beaters)
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 teaspoon baking soda
* 2 teaspoons cinnamon
* ½ teaspoon salt
* 1 cup raisins (optional)

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together. Drop by rounded tablespoonfuls onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 15-17 minutes or until golden brown. Makes about 3 dozen cookies.

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Week 86, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1212
Fat: 23g (18%)
Carbs: 113g (38%)
Protein: 133g (45%)
Weight this morning: 129.2 (One week ago: 131.6)
Calories burned in exercise today: 167

I was soooo hungry yesterday and I did not get away totally unscathed. I had to few too many bites of things. *sigh* At least the scale didn't hate me today.

Decided to sleep in when my alarm went off so my exercise today was walking to the train station and then walking from my stop to work - about 1 hour. Nothing much else today. Tomorrow is laundry.

Today was my last day of my 365 project! Woohoo! Here's my collection of photos over the last year. I should have the last couple of photos up in the next day or two. :)

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Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Week 86, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1352
Fat: 26g (17%)
Carbs: 130g (39%)
Protein: 144g (43%)
Weight this morning: 131.6 (One week ago: 131.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 181

Today is day 365 of my Project 365. I actually have to go one more day though, since this was a leap year. Day 1 was November 20th last year. I am not sure if I will do it again, but if I do it will not be until the new year.

Walked to BART, then took BART into the City. I got my mail and bought some Christmas presents and wrapping paper. Took the train back and walked to work from the station. I had some time to kill so I stopped at Starbucks and got some coffee and read a book.

That's about it for today. I may work out tomorrow if I am not too tired. I do seem to be having more good days and not being dog tired all the time, especially after a workout. That has to be because of the Cream of Wheat I've been eating.

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Monday, November 17, 2008

Calvinism, God, & I

Calories eaten yesterday: 1275
Fat: 22g (16%)
Carbs: 117g (37%)
Protein: 148g (47%)
Weight this morning: 133.2 (One week ago: 135)
Calories burned in exercise today: 332

Did lower body and core at the gym today - 1 hour. Then I got on the elliptical for 30 minutes. I wore my heart monitor and worked to keep my heart rate up.

Tomorrow is my bi-monthly mail run into the City.

Hmmm, okay, the God stuff I promised. I have been finding myself moving more and more toward Calvinism, primarily because of Dr. James Whites' You Tube videos, and also from talks with Brad. This scares me because I don't want a God like that. I want a God who lets us have a say in whether we are saved or not, a God who draws everyone, not just the elect. In my humanness, I want to have a say in my salvation.

The issue for me - the root of it all, if you will - is can I love a Calvinist God who elects some to salvation and damns others to hell? I know He doesn't have to save any of us - none of us deserve it and it is grace that He chooses to save anyone. But I am still struggling. I also know I need to take it up with God and talk to Him about it, but I haven't found the time thus far, mostly because I don't make finding the time a priority, though it clearly should be.

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Sunday, November 16, 2008

Week 85 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Week 77: 136.4 (-5.2) - Week 78: 139 (+2.6)
Week 79: 138.2 (-0.8) - Week 80: 139.2 (+1)
Week 81: 139.4 (+0.2) - Week 82: 137.6 (-1.8)
Week 83: 137.8 (+0.2) - Week 84: 137.2 (-0.6)
Week 85: 137.2 (-0)
Total loss: -16.8

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1317
Fat: 20g (13%)
Carbs: 113g (34%)
Protein: 138g (41%)
Weight Friday morning: 130.2 (Two weeks ago: 130.4)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 167

Calories eaten Friday: 1497
Fat: 24g (15%)
Carbs: 104g (28%)
Protein: 133g (36%)
Weight Friday morning: 128.8 (One week ago: 129.4)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 35

Weight Saturday morning: 129.4 (One week ago: 131.8)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories burned in exercise today: 322

No gain, no loss this week. Considering the pig I made of myself yesterday I can live with that.

I'm going to try to taper down on my Celexa. When I started thyroid medication I became really edgy and would cry over every little thing. The doctor raised my Celexa from the standard 40mg to the maximum 60mg and it worked like a charm - the edginess went away and I stopped crying.

But I wonder if maybe my body has adjusted to the thyroid meds. I've been on them since August and am now taking 100mcg a day. The bruises on my legs have practically disappeared! It's so good to see that the meds are working and my body is starting to heal. Anyway, I'm going to take just 40mg of Celexa this week and see how I do. If I get edgy again I can easily go back to 60mg a day.

Thyroid meds are natural hormone and a good thing to take, but I don't like having to take depression medication, especially more than I need. I take it because i need to, but if I can get by on 40mg I'd rather do that.

Okay, the weekend. Friday Brad and I went shopping. First I bought an large bag of the Innova Evo cat food. It's expensive, but is bar none the healthiest cat food on the market. I buy the dry food, and use regular wet food for them, but wet food is strictly a treat and not something they get daily. At any rate, Innova Evo is the best commercial cat food. The only thing healthier is feeding raw, but most people (myself included) don't want to hassle with that. I eat healthy, and so my cats should to.

I bought Alli and paper towels at Coctso, but they were out of cat litter. We went to Safeway and I got a couple of the large containers of their store brand litter.

Friday night I baked the oatmeal cookies using the wheat gluten. They came out chewier, but not bad at all. I'll use the wheat gluten again and post the recipe here soon.

Saturday we never did get around to walking. We took the back way and it ended up taking us an hour and a half to get back to where I live from church! Never again! Every time we take the back way it ends badly. I tried to communicate to Brad where I wanted to go, but I wasn't clear enough and he didn't ask specific questions to ascertain what I meant. We finally found where I wanted to go, but it was too late by then. Maybe next week.

Today Brad's health club pass was still good so we went to the health club together and he (mostly) just watched me work out. Then I ran on the treadmill for about 30 minutes (I accidentally pulled the emergency stop twice so I don't know the exact time or distance) and Brad walked on an adjoining treadmill. It's our last workout together because his pass runs out this week.

I have some "God thoughts" and confessions to share, but that will have to be tomorrow because today's entry is already too long. So stay tuned. :)

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Thursday, November 13, 2008

Week 85, Day 5

Calories eaten yesterday: 1325
Fat: 25g (17%)
Carbs: 127g (39%)
Protein: 143g (44%)
Weight this morning: 130.2 (Two weeks ago: 130.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 167

Laundry today. After that I walked to the bank since Dad's check came, cashed it, then walked to the store and bought some groceries. I found the vital wheat gluten and will hopefully work on the cookies tomorrow. I want to try the recipe the way I wrote it instead of using the special pancake mix that not everyone would have access to. Mostly, I want to see if the wheat gluten works or if I need to use some whole wheat flour.

By the time I did all this I didn't have time to even walk down to the BART station to catch the 50 bus through Alameda to work, so I had to take a bus to BART, and then transfer to the 50. So a lot less walking than I'd hoped for. :-p

Tomorrow I have to hit Costco for Alli and cat litter. The starter pack of Alli at Costco (the only Alli they carry) is 7 cents cheaper per pill than the refill pack at WalMart. I've stopped taking it during the week. My diet is very low in fat and so I need all that I get (and it saves money to take less!), but I still take Alli on Saturdays when I am eating a lot more fat.

So tomorrow is shopping and cooking, and then Saturday after church we'll walk and then relax at home. I plan to hit the gym again on Sunday.

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Wednesday, November 12, 2008

Working out, & the Earthlink Billing Saga Continues

Calories eaten yesterday: 1144
Fat: 20g (16%)
Carbs: 114g (41%)
Protein: 122g (43%)
Weight this morning: 131.6 (Two weeks ago: 132.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 332

I took too many "bites" yesterday; I was just so hungry. But too many bites add up to no weight loss. :( Bad Victoria! Bad, bad Victoria!

I felt pretty good today. My alarm woke me up so I got a full night's sleep instead of waking up early still low on sleep. I went to the gym and did an hour of weights and 30 minutes on the elliptical. I wore my heart rate monitor and kept it up in the 140-150 range most of the time.

I'm trying the post-workout shake again. I eat so many calories after my workout and then get so hungry later. So today I had just a scoop of whey powder in water (120 calories, 21g protein), and a 100 Calorie Pack for my high-GI carb (17g carbs). It makes my carbs higher because I still have to have the two servings of Cream of Wheat to get my iron up, but oh well. It's not every day. I hope 21g of protein post-workout is enough. Opinions anyone?

The saga with Earthlink continues. After canceling my credit card and getting a new one, they still somehow managed to charge me. I checked my account information, and for some unknown reason they had my new credit card number! Argh! The bank must have given it to them because I did not!

This time I did a live online chat with someone instead of calling. They can't undo the automatic billing until my contract is up (next July!), but the associate suggested paying before my bill cycle date to avoid the automatic charge. I asked if the bill cycle date could be changed and she said it could! She changed it to the 30th so that I have a reasonable chance of having the money and being able to pay before the charge goes through. She said I could undo the automatic billing and switch to check after the contract is up.

So hopefully this will resolve it as best as possible given Earthlink's stupid rule about having to have automatic billing. Grrrr...

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Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Week 85, Day 3

Calories eaten yesterday: 1386
Fat: 25g (16%)
Carbs: 120g (35%)
Protein: 169g (49%)
Weight this morning: 131.8 (Two weeks ago: 131.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 181

Slept in today and feel a little better, I don't know if I will go to the gym tomorrow or not or if I'll do cardio or not.

Today's exercise was walking from my apartment all the way to Southshore Mall - about 3.5 miles according to Walker Tracker.

Just putting this thyroid information down so I don't forget. When I started on 50mcg of Levothyroxine I became very edgy and would cry easily. The doctor upped my Celexa from 40mg to 60mg, and upped my thyroid meds to 75mcg. I spent the next few weeks extremely hungry - a horrible feeling! I am always hungry due to the Celexa, but this was even worse. I am now on 100mcg and have no noticeable side effects from it. My leg bruising seems to be getting better. I go back to the doctor the end of January and will go in for lab tests a couple weeks before that.

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Monday, November 10, 2008

More about Saturday

Calories eaten yesterday: 1055
Fat: 20g (17%)
Carbs: 98g (38%)
Protein: 117g (45%)
Weight this morning: 135 (Two weeks ago: 133.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 310

I think I pushed myself a little too hard a little too soon. I worked out today. I did 1 hour of weight training and 30 minutes walking, plus the walk to work from the train station. I think it was too much. I am totally bushed! I think I need more time to recover from the hike on Saturday. I think I will sleep in tomorrow and then try to hit the gym again on Wednesday.

A little more about Saturday. It was a very urban hike - a little paved trail and a lot of sidewalk and walking along the side of the road in the bike lane. Not terribly enjoyable. I much prefer Lake Chabot, as does Brad.

After our hike, we went to Applebee's and I ordered two Mochatinis. We were lucky and got two seats together at the bar. The guy working behind the bar recognized me and said something like, "Oh, it's the Mochatini lady."

I forgot to bring my camera in and asked Brad to go get it from the car. While he was gone I struck up a conversation with the guy sitting on the other side of me and we chatted a bit. The end result was that he bought both Brad and I a glass of wine. Tre cool!

After the Mochatinis and the wine I ordered a Caramel Appletini since I haven't had one in a long time.

We also ate at McDonald's and I had a plain scoop of Rocky Road ice cream at the ice cream shop.

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Sunday, November 09, 2008

Week 84 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Week 77: 136.4 (-5.2) - Week 78: 139 (+2.6)
Week 79: 138.2 (-0.8) - Week 80: 139.2 (+1)
Week 81: 139.4 (+0.2) - Week 82: 137.6 (-1.8)
Week 83: 137.8 (+0.2) - Week 84: 137.2 (-0.6)
Total loss: -16.8

Body fat on Tanita scale:
Year start: 26.6%
Last month: 24.4%
This month: 25.1%

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1401
Fat: 18g (12%)
Carbs: 116g (34%)
Protein: 149g (44%)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 153

Calories eaten Friday: 1493
Fat: 23g (14%)
Carbs: 108g (30%)
Protein: 130g (36%)
Weight Friday morning: 129.4 (Two weeks ago: 128.8)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 83

Weight Saturday morning: 131.8 (Two weeks ago: 133.2)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 911

Calories burned in exercise today: 0

Last week more or less didn't count, so here we are at Week 84.

Brad didn't get any exercise Friday. I cooked up a bunch of chicken breast, but still don't have it portioned out. Brad and I ran to Costco and WalMart to buy stuff, then came home and prepped veggies so stuff would be ready for this week.

I did okay on my weigh-in today. I ate a lot of bad food yesterday, but Brad and I also did that Moraga/Lafayette trail loop. We took an accidental shortcut, so my aerobic total came to 16.1 miles, and my total for the day was 18.3 miles. Not too shabby. And I made a new high step count of 41,422. :)


Today Brad and I slept in until 1 pm. We were both wiped out from yesterday. I gave him a little money (he covered the rest) and asked him to get me a Venti Americano from Starbucks with an extra shot of espresso. I would have just asked for a regular Venti coffee, but this Starbucks only blends the weak Pike's Place roast after noon.

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Thursday, November 06, 2008

Shopping

Calories eaten yesterday: 1234
Fat: 17g (12%)
Carbs: 103g (34%)
Protein: 159g (53%)
Calories burned in exercise today: 153

Walked up to Safeway for groceries since today is payday. After that I walked down to the BART station, but took the 50 through Alameda (decided to take it a bit easier on the walking since it's payday) and hit the Safeway there for salad. They didn't have the three pound bags I needed, though.

Tomorrow Brad and I have to prepare for our walk on Saturday, and then Saturday is the hike in the Lafayette/Moraga area.

Tomorrow we have to hit Costco to pick up my meds (Xanax is cheaper there than WalMart), and hopefully I can get some Diet Rock Star. I also still need some PowerAide Zero from WalMart to drink during next week's workouts.

All this won't leave me with any money for groceries next week, but I will cross that bridge when I come to it. Next week I'll just get the basic basics. I did stock up on veggies today (yellow squash was 99 cents a pound!) so I shouldn't have that expense next week.

I think all my bills are paid except my DSL. That comes through on the 10th and they will try to debit my account. Too bad for them I cancelled my credit card and got a new one. Heh heh. I'll pay it when I'm ready, not when they are.

I asked the guy who administers the Commuter Checks here to drop my amount from $110 a month (the max allowed) down to $80. Since I am no longer buying monthly bus passes and doing a lot more walking I simply don't need the whole $110 anymore.

Ok, I will see you all Sunday with my weigh-in!

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Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Obama - God's wrath upon our nation

Calories eaten yesterday: 1222
Fat: 24g (17%)
Carbs: 116g (38%)
Protein: 138g (45%)
Calories burned in exercise today: 278

Ok, how I voted. I voted for McCain of course, even though I knew he's probably lose (and he did). I fear for this county's future with Obama in the White House. I pray that in God's wrath against this nation, He remembers mercy, and those of us faithful to Him and His laws.

Obama supports abortion and partial birth abortion. Obama supports gay marriage. Ungodly leaders are one way God pours out wrath on an ungodly nation that shuns Him and His laws.

California Propositions I'll do like this: my vote (yes or no) and then P for passed or F for failed.

Proposition 1A - Safe, Reliable High-Speed Train Bond Act
NO - P

Proposition 2 - Standards for Confining Farm Animals
YES - P

Proposition 3 - Children's Hospital Bond Act. Grant Program.
NO - P

Proposition 4 - Parental Notification Before Terminating Minor's Pregnancy
YES - F

Proposition 5
- Nonviolent Drug Offense. Sentencing, Parole, Rehab
NO - F

Proposition 6 - Police, Law Enforcement Funding. Criminal Laws.
NO - F

Proposition 7 - Renewable Energy Generation
NO - F

Proposition 8 - Eliminates Right of Same-Sex Couples to Marry
YES - P

Proposition 9 - Criminal Justice System. Victims' Rights. Parole.
NO - P

Proposition 10 - Alternative Fuel Vehicles and Renewable Energy Bonds
NO - F

Proposition 11 - Redistricting
NO - P

Proposition 12
- Veterans' Bond
YES - P

I don't know how we as a nation ever got to the point where gay marriage is so accepted that we have to alter the California constitution to outlaw it here. This nation is on a downward slide and God's wrath is already being poured out. At least this time California voters did the right thing.

I'm upset that the parental notification proposition didn't pass, though I'm not really surprised. Farm animals (Prop. 2) are worth more than a baby in the womb. While I'm glad that Prop. 2 passed, I think that when farm animals are more important than human life there is a serious problem in our priorities.

I can't believe that I used to support abortion. What was I thinking? I would have been one of those people voting for the rights of farm animals while telling teens it's okay to have an abortion.

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Tuesday, November 04, 2008

Vote or die!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1308
Fat: 23g (15%)
Carbs: 116g (35%)
Protein: 166g (50%)
Calories burned in exercise today: 250

Did you vote?I hope everyone voted today!

I'll let everybody know tomorrow how I voted and what passed and failed on the Propositions here.

Today I voted - it's about a 15 minute walk to my polling place, then down to the BART station to check my mail in the City. The check from the mortgage company was there, so I deposited it, bought Mom a winter hat and scarf at Old Navy, and bought whey protein at GNC (on sale and I could use my Gold Card!). Took the train back and walked to work from the station - about an hour and a half total walking.

Tomorrow I hope to go back to the gym. Right now my butt and legs are sore and stiff from yesterday's lower body workout.

The first good rain of the season arrived right on time. We generally get the first good rain around Halloween, give or take two weeks, and sure enough, it started raining hard the day after Halloween.

Winter is here. With the sudden turn in the weather from warm and dry to cold and wet, I moved my sweatshirts to the front of the closet and moved my summer clothes to the back. I also dug out all my winter hats.

I also got my bed ready by stripping off everything except the fitted sheet and digging out my down comforter to sleep under. A blanket alone isn't enough; a blanket plus the comforter is too much.

I'm afraid the malted barley in the Malt O Meal may be bloating me. I know the signs; this is exactly what I experienced eating soy flour on a daily basis. I have a pot belly once again.

This didn't seem to happen with the Cream of Wheat, so it has to be the malted barley and not the wheat. I think I should switch back to the Cream of Wheat. At least I know it's bloating, though, and not real fat. It just looks (and feels) horrid. I prefer the taste and texture of the Cream of Wheat anyway.

I have two last servings of Malt O Meal that I already cooked up and I will have those today. Starting tomorrow it is back to the Cream of Wheat.

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Monday, November 03, 2008

So tired...

Calories eaten yesterday: 1282
Fat: 20g (14%)
Carbs: 122g (38%)
Protein: 156g (49%)
Calories burned in exercise today: 347

I still can't face the scale. I gained tons of actual fat from my hedonism on Friday and Saturday (especially Friday). No more binges until my birthday! I need to be super strict and do tons of exercise to get this new fat off. My body takes every calorie I eat and converts it to fat. Damn I wish I could follow a very low-calorie diet of no more than 1200 a day. But I get too hungry because my anti-depressants make me hungry and my thyroid disease makes my body a fat storing machine. :(

I took the blood donation very hard. I didn't eat enough before and didn't hydrate at all. Then I ate too much afterwards and tried to drink some Diet Coke but it was too little too late.

I am wiped out. I've been to the gym the last two days but I am very tired and I know it's my low iron levels from giving blood. Today was nasty. I struggled through an hour of lower body weight training, followed by 46 minutes of just walking on the treadmill. I was too tired to do any more than walk.

The weather is still nasty. I ended up walking to work in the rain, and the rain was coming it at nearly a 90 degree angle with howling wind. I had an umbrella which I carried straight in front of me, but that only protected my sweatshirt. My shoes, socks, and jeans all got wet. I had to dry my shoes and change back into my gym leggings at work.

The overcast and rain makes me depressed. I hope the weather clears soon. I can deal with cold as long as the sun is out.

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Sunday, November 02, 2008

Weekend of binging...

Calories eaten Thursday: 1410
Fat: 22g (14%)
Carbs: 116g (33%)
Protein: 147g (42%)
Weight Thursday morning: 130.4 (One week ago: 129)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 264

Gave blood and binged, so no nutrition stats today.
Weight Friday morning: 130.4 (One week ago: 128.8)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 0

Calories burned in exercise today: 302

I am cancelling today's weigh-in. I simply couldn't face the scale. I have spent the last two days binging. After giving blood Friday I pigged out on the snacks they offer - cookies and crackers - until I was full. Then I bought some groceries at Safeway, and a donut, and ate the donut. At Lisa's Halloween party I had a wine cooler, about 4 cupcakes, 2 1/2 donuts, 2 cookies, 3 slices of pizza, and some bread with spinach dip. I went to Applebee's with Brad and had 1 mini bacon cheeseburger (of the 4 in the appetizer) and 2 Mochatinis.

Saturday wasn't a whole lot better except that I ate a little less because I was stuffed from Friday.

No exercise all weekend. I haven't weighed myself since Friday morning. I am back on plan today and plan to be on plan all week.

I won't count this as Week 84 and just pick up next week with week 84.

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Busy, BIG weekend here.

Friday morning I had to be up early for my doctor's appointment. I was bumped up to 100mcg Levothyroxine and giving two prescriptions - one for the 100mcg thyroid pills, and a new Xanax prescription. He wrote it out for 0.5mg. I gave it back to the front desk after I saw it and got it rewritten for 1mg.

This doctor actually mentioned that he liked that I am taking such an interest in my own health care. Many doctor see that as bad - that if the patient does their own study it's because they see the doctor as stupid or something. This doctor seems happy with it and doesn't appear threatened; that's a good thing.

One thing I explained was that I had talked to someone with adrenal disease who knows a lot about it and she said my adrenal test numbers were good so I wasn't going to pursue that avenue any more. I guess he liked that I did that research. As a GP he probably doesn't know much about adrenals other than what the lab says is in range or not.

So the doctor appointment went well. After that Brad (he drove me to the doctor) dropped me off at the Red Cross and went back to work.

The phlebotomist who drew my blood had a hard time. I have good veins, but he said the needle went in at a funky angle. He had to move it around quite a bit which hurt like hell. Later he came back and repositioned it again! Leaning on my arm to do my stretches today hurt and there's some minor soreness. This has never happened before. Grrr...

At first after giving blood I felt fine. I even walked across the street to the Safeway and bought some groceries. Then I walked to the bus stop. On the bus I began to feel a bit lightheaded. I had to transfer busses and began to feel worse at the bus stop and worse still on the bus. The lightheadedness increased and I began to feel hot and sweaty.

I knew I was in serious trouble at that point. I called Brad to come get me and got off the bus. I was at Kaiser near where the health food store used to be. There was a bus shelter and a bench. I laid down on the bench on top of my stuff. If I passed out I wanted to make sure that no one stole my bags.

The longer I laid down the better I felt. The hot and sweaty feeling went away and the lightheadedness subsided. Eventually Brad found me and drove me home and I could do no more for a long time except lay down.

In the evening we went out to Applebee's. I had trouble getting them to make the Mochatini like I was used to. Evidently this woman put the chocolate syrup into the mix instead of putting it at the bottom of the glass like they are supposed to, so I assumed she hadn't put any syrup in because I couldn't see it.

The first time I had Brad take it back and she put chocolate syrup in the bottom. She also disappeared into the kitchen at one point. When I came back to the bar to ask for another one (so I could watch her make it vs. asking the waiter for another one), she again had to disappear into the kitchen. I can't prove anything, but it does make you wonder...

Friday night we went to Lisa's Halloween party where I binged some more (see above). We stayed for about an hour and then went home.

Saturday we went to church in the morning but I was not feeling well so we didn't stay for lunch, though I grabbed some bad food on the way out. We each had a beer to relax, then went to the 24 Hour Fitness on High St. It's closer to where I live than the one I go to, but has no bus service anywhere close.

Brad paid for a day membership ($15) and I have an all club membership. He liked this club much better than the one I go to. It's a Magic Johnson Sport club meaning it's much larger, has more equipment, and has a pool and basketball court.

We took our swimsuits. I jumped in the pool for just a few laps, and then we hit the steam room, then the whirlpool, and eventually the sauna before rinsing off the chlorine in the shower.

Brad was beat. I played the latest Dr. G episode I had recorded, but he was tired and had a migraine. He fell asleep very early. I stayed up a little later eating, drinking wine, and watching TV, but I was tired too and went to sleep fairly early.

I woke up this morning still not feeling 100% but Brad and I went to my gym. His trial membership is good for a month. He didn't do any weight training, but watched me as I did mine. I did the elliptical for cardio since I did not feel up to running. We managed to get two ellipticals together. I wore my heart rate monitor and was in the 130-145 range most of the time, which I am happy with.

He drove me into work and we got a very brief walk in before work (22 minutes).

It rained all weekend starting Friday night and went all day Saturday. Today it finally began to clear. Brad and I are hoping to do our long walk next Saturday.

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