Monday, August 12, 2013

One - Two - Punch

I had the opportunity to talk to a family friend this weekend. Someone I have known for just about my whole life. I wanted to get caught up on things and I was concerned about her Dad's health, so I found a moment to give her a call. The only thing I didn't expect is to have a question asked of me.

My friend, you see, told me that she has been losing weight. 80 pounds so far. I was very excited for her. She has a trainer and is doing bike rides, eating anything that is not considered a processed food (more fruits and vegetables). I am very glad that she on the road to a better weight.

But, just as I thought the conversation was turning to another topic I get this Punch in the Gut moment. She wanted to know if I needed any clothes? Now, I am all for offering up clothes to people, but at this moment in time it just didn't feel right. She had a lot of business clothes that I could use for work and would I be interested, as she used to be the size I am now. I was taken back, but tried to shrug it off. I do appreciate the gesture, but it really did feel like someone had just punched me in the gut - and punched me hard.

Made me realize that I don't want to have "hand me down" clothes, unless they are a size I haven't had in my closet for a very long time. Made me realize that I need to keep going with losing weight, because I want to be the one that says I don't need them - I have also lost a lot of weight, too!!!! I am grateful for the gesture, but my motivation has just jumped another 110% - here's to more success in the coming months!!!!


MO

Friday, August 9, 2013

Guess What???

What happens when you - 

Sleep longer
Eat Better
Drink more water
Exercise
Avoid snacks
Avoid soda

Did you guess yet?

I bet you did!!!

Yep - you lose weight!!

I am on the road to success - don't want to turn back!!

Saturday, August 3, 2013

Don't Sweat the Small Stuff

My post the other day was just me ranting and venting over something so silly. I had the reminder of it being a bit silly from Alan when he commented that I should "not let the little things get to me". You know what - he is right!!! I got so worked up about those pom poms, and it was a little thing. But, then I was thinking, I have been out of work for over 11 months and I think it just took a blow at my enthusiasm. However, I did take it too personal.

As I headed into the Bay Area to visit Mer, her schedule didn't sync with my arrival, so a detour to the book store was going to occupy my wait. I ended up in a book store and the first thing I saw on the bargain shelf was the book "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, because its all small stuff". It actually was a workbook that you can use. I found a chair and started to do the workbook - making notes in my handy dandy purse notebook. I was interested. I thought more about those pom poms and thought - why did I sweat that small thing? I need to change my attitude.

I am going to work in my new workbook - read and put those items into place. Because, sweating is something I need to be doing when I am working out, not because someone took down pom poms.

Thanks Alan for the reality check!!!!

Oh - and so excited to say that I have finally learned how to put songs onto my MP3 player that I have had for over 1.5 years - guess it has been in the drawer too long - or for the fact that I am finally finding time to take care of me!!!! Adding songs to the player and excited to use it in my weight loss journey (oh, and at work)

And looking forward to some BFF time with Mer, too!!!!

MO

Friday, August 2, 2013

Rough Day

Thursday was a really rough day for me. It wasn't supposed to be, but you know when you have a co-worker or someone close to you that is in a bad mood and sometimes you react to that bad mood - well, that happened to me today.

Then there was an issue at work that really hurt my feelings - and it was not done on purpose. Its silly - really, but it was something that effected me in an emotional way.

I have this new job. I am trying to get used to the fact that I not only am learning a whole new work  - going from a construction environment to dealing with wine and federal compliance issues - but I work in a room of 4 other women (and sure that it will grow to 6 other women at one point). Now, don't get me wrong, I get along with many and get frustrated when not everyone gets along with me. But, that is not the point - the point is I have worked with men for over 10 years, limited women interaction and my bosses have been men for the last 13 - so working with women is an adjustment for me. Especially when two of the women in my office have worked for the company for over 12 years - there is a certain way to do things, you can't tell them a new way to do something and oh my goodness, don't correct them on even the copier issue.

A few weeks ago I wanted to cheer up one of my co-workers. I bought some $1.00 pom poms and did a few cheers for her, one for each day for about three days. (she has been working long hours and had a huge air conditioner issue during the hottest time of the year), so I wanted to make her feel good, and our office is so quiet, a good laugh from time to time was nice.

One of my co-workers came back from vacation and saw those pom poms. Made a comment, made another comment and then another - and only once where I knew about it. I knew that this one co-worker said that those pom poms were an annoyance - you should not be doing that at work. (I did only do it once in the presence of this negative person, so I thought it was still okay)

Long story short - the pom poms were in plain site, and well, they came down today. The person I gave it to sent me a text message on my phone, because we just can't talk in person - and we would hate to have that message sent by email for fear someone would see it She had to take them down. No elaboration - thanks for the cheers, but no more pom poms. Now, I can sit and wonder if our supervisor told her to take them down, but to be honest I think she was feeling the pressure from this other worker.

This whole incident made me upset. It made the rest of my day drag and I could not wait to get home. But, wait - I had to go to two meetings tonight and didn't even want to go to any of them. This has also been the first full week of school for my son - dealing with forgotten homework, missed breakfast and two days of not taking his lunch to school took its toll on me today and for that I am sorry that I had to take my frustration out on my son. I was in a awful of awful moods!!!!

In the long run, I wish I could have just eaten away my frustration. I wanted to just eat away the pain. Even upon coming home tonight I wanted a Wendy's Frosty - but instead I only got one for my son. Yes, I did have a little something when I got home that was not a good idea, but the good part - I didn't open up the refrigerator a second, third or fourth time. I got on my blog and took a moment to ahhhhhhh - to read successes, struggles and triumphs.

The other night was Dance Fever on our Wii - tomorrow is a morning stretch wake up call, and there is more walking at work, too.

Bad Mood or Rough Day - don't let the food take you over!!!! Let the weight loss by your success!!!


MO

Thursday, August 1, 2013

Family Support

I am always in need of support in regards to my weight loss and this blog was created because Mer and I needed each others support on our journey. Now, my best friend Mer is a huge support in many more ways than just a new lifestyle change and I am there for, so I am grateful for what I have learned on this journey with Mer.

However, there are times I need support a little bit closer to home. I have even thought about getting online and going to those "dating online" sights just to look for a weight loss support system. (yes, I really have thought seriously about finding an online support closer to home - heck, I might find a new love - LOL)
In my "point of no return" moment last Friday I wanted to reach out to my sister and get her support.

She was on board all the way.

We went swimming on Sunday - okay, it wasn't much of an exercise moment, but it is a start. She made a great dinner for me that night as I struggled to finish up my weekend "to do" list and when she made me get off the computer to actually eat my meal I was grateful. Monday night was a walk at a local park - a good 45 minutes and we even got the chance to see a deer and her buck "friend" - it was so peaceful.

I am then sending my sister a Helpful Hint of the day item. Yesterday was water - water - water - drink your water. Today it was a reminder to meditate each day - or at least take 10 minutes (or 20) and spend it in silence, just you - no checking your phone, no reading the latest magazine - just time to yourself.

I am going to start passing that support over to Mer, because it is a good way to stay connected all the time.

I love support from many, and family support is always a helpful stepping stone.

Where do you get your support??


MO