Getting Ready for Christmas, Wednesday WI

Hi All,

I'm back home and jumped right in with getting ready for Christmas.  I'd put up the pre-lit tree that I ordered, so when I got home Saturday evening, and I'd forgotten that we'd agreed to babysit that night, I let E unwrap ornaments and deck the tree.  Very cute--she decked it very deliberately all around the bottom foot of the tree, but couldn't reach any higher (our tree is on a piece of furniture).  DH came to her rescue and held her up while she put the others on.  Funny, I've been very territorial about being the one to decorate the tree and decide where things went, but I was quite happy, this time, to cede the responsibility to E (& DH).  While she was thus happily engaged, little J sat in his chair at the kitchen table and played with the new (to him) Fisher Price Nativity scene.  I used the time to make dinner and reflect on my many blessings.

I can't say that I've been at all "on program" this past 10 days or so, but I haven't gone "hog wild" either. Today at my WI I gained .2  After last week's 2.4 loss, I'm okay with that.  I really want to hop back into the new WW plan and did pretty well today.  I got out to run yesterday (dressed for the low 20s complete with ear muffs, scarf, mittens and layers).  Back to the gym tomorrow and easing back into my routine.  

My sister seems to be improving, but we've changed our plans and will rendezvous with my TX brother in GA and spend our Christmas together.  That will be good for us all, I think, in this first holiday season without our Dad.  We've found a lovely big rental house (thanks, Sharon, for the idea! ) and I'll cart food down there so we can do our own meals instead of eating out.  

Oh, another Christmas thing I did with the kiddos when they were here yesterday was making a gingerbread house.  I bought one of those kits from Michael's (I think) for less than $10.  What a deal--everything you need is in the box.  I put the house together the night before and, while J was taking his morning nap (that was his contribution to the effort--napping!), E decorated the house.  She was very precise and loved it.  It didn't tempt me a bit (though I did toss the leftover candy in the trash as soon as we finished) and I sent the house home with her at the end of the day.  Here are some pix:

E has a "thing" about having her photograph taken, so I had to take sneak pictures while she was otherwise occupied.  You can see how carefully she was putting the decorations on, though and the last shot captures her satisfied smile when she saw it sitting under the Christmas tree.

I'm weeks behind with my shopping, but my near and dear know I love them.  I'll try to have presents for the little ones, but am making no promises about cards or cookies for the neighbors.  I am holding together pretty well, but a couple of times a day something will make me realize how much I'm going to miss my Dad and I'll get a little teary.  I guess that's okay.  I'm keeping tissues in my pocket at all times.

Once again, I'm not doing a lot of blogging, but will get back to it soon because I MISS you all.

184.4

Friday Fly By, Hot 100 Update

Thank you all for your kind comments about my father's death this week.  I have been in Atlanta the entire week with my sister who is seriously ill.  Fortunately, she got a diagnosis today and will start treatment tomorrow.  As you can imagine, it's been a very difficult week for our family. Dad's funeral will probably be sometime in the spring.

As to my Hot 100 goals, I have failed all three, but still managed to go to a WI here and registered a 2.4 pound loss.  I need to get back to my routines and I'll do that when I return home tomorrow.

I'll be back next week.

Holding tight to the "reason for the season."
Tish

My Dad

Hi friends,

I wanted to let you know that my wonderful father died today.  I am with my sister in Atlanta, but when we got word that he'd taken a turn for the worse, I called DH and he and our son Johnny were with him when he died.  He was the best father I can possibly imagine and we'll all miss him so much.  That said, I'm glad this final suffering has ended and that he is with God in heaven and is reunited with my mom.

Tish

I did it!

You can just start calling  me Tech-Tisha!  I got my sister's new Mac wireless system up and running in less than 15 minutes.  I am on my computer which found her new network with no problem at all (easy when I know all the passwords!).  Now all I have to do is find the right cord so I can get her ancient PC and printer connected to the network.  She's asleep in that room right now, so I'll have to wait until tomorrow. I think I'm going to get myself one of those Airport Extreme routers --they are awesome.

I decided to check a bag on my flight down.  I usually travel with a 26 inch suitcase, but, because I was bringing the computer & router as well as a couple bulky boxes of Christmas presents, I decided to bring my huge suitcase.  I checked it and only managed to squeak under the 50 pound limit by decanting a few items to a carry-on bag.   My trip was otherwise uneventful.  Oh, I did finish the "difficult" level sudoku in the flight magazine that had apparently been attempted by several previous occupants of my seat.  That felt good.  I also started reading the book Unbroken, by the author who wrote Seabiscuit.  This one's a true story, but it's not about horses.  It's about a second-generation Italian boy who was on the fast track to becoming a delinquent until he discovered he could run.  Really run. He ran for the US in the 1936 Olympics and was on the way to breaking the 4 minute mile.  Then the war came.  His war involved flying, crashing into the Pacific, being a prisoner of war, and becoming an unsung hero.  I like this kind of book and it's so well written, it almost reads like a novel.

This is how I like 'em best, cut in wedges.

I think I'm going to do fine staying OP here.  We had baked fish, 1/2 of a potato, and green beans for dinner.  I'm going to run to the store tomorrow and stock up on a few of my staples.  I'm already missing the huge box of navel oranges I scored at Costco on Friday.  They were delicious.  I want some NOW.  :-)  Hmm, maybe it's time for a nice glass of water.  I always have trouble staying hydrated when I fly.

I brought along my running shoes and my Nike+ ipod thingie.  I'm going to try to get out for a run tomorrow.  I only have about 25 miles to run to reach 500 for 2010.  That sounds like a nice round number, no? It's supposed to dip down into the 20s here tonight, so maybe I'll wait to do that run until the sun has had a chance to warm things up a bit.

Okay, that's it for now.

Have you enjoyed the first northern hemisphere navel oranges of the season yet??

Friday Fly By, Hot 100 Update

Hi Everybody.  Is everyone else incredibly busy right now, or is it just me??  Whew.  Today I went to my Praise Moves Yoga class, paid bills, shopped at Costco, visited my Dad, took some homemade turkey soup to my neighbor who just got out of the hospital, and set up our Christmas tree.   I'll take this chance to relax a bit while I compose this post.

Just lights for now, decorations come later.

I didn't post yesterday, but I had a full day.  After a day of taking care of J&E, I made lemon-soy chicken for dinner.  WE also had brown rice and roasted butternut squash.  Yum.  I used 34 points yesterday, my daily 29 plus 5 of my weekly points.  I felt well nourished and satisfied and I managed to fit my oz of dark chocolate into that points packet.  I feel good that I haven't yet felt the need to use all of my quota of extra points for a day.  There are 49 weekly extra points, so the quota would be 7 per day.

We did our regular Thursday night strength training at the gym, but then we did something new and different.

A few weeks ago, when we were at the beach in NC, DH and I had several great talks while we took our daily walk along the beach.  The kind of talks that are memorable and where we come up with some of our best ideas about things we want to accomplish or do.  Anyway.  We were talking about how much we enjoy biking together and about running.  DH has 10 or so marathons under his belt and I like to run and have run a few races including a 1/2 marathon in the distant past and a 10 miler last year, but neither of us feels led to run long distance races any more.  But we both want to stay in shape and to pursue a variety of modes of fitness.  We got the idea that we might enjoy trying a tri.  Soooo, last night, we hit the gym 20 minutes earlier and after 45 minutes of lifting weights we went to the pool and swam laps.

I'm not a natural born swimmer.  In fact, I think I flunked the swimming classes my mom dutifully took me to when I was 6 or 7--it seems to me I never graduated from the "minnow" class.  I got to the point where I could tread water, do the breast stroke, side stroke, and an acceptable crawl.  I apparently passed the swim test necessary to go in the pool without an adult.  But, natural born swimmer--no.  So last night, I was pretty content with my 6 laps in 15 minutes.  Slow, but okay.  I was content until DH gently pointed out that a "lap" is swimming in two directions, not just across.  Okay, so 3 laps in 15 minutes.  At least I have a good baseline.  AND, I tried something new.  Good for me!  We're going to "train" in the pool twice a week for the winter and look for a tri in the spring.

Day four and my "streak" is on track.  I'm feeling good about the program and about my eating. I've stayed "on plan" and tracked every bite to make sure I'm keeping to the point allowances.  I'm already looking forward to switching to the Power Point plan (CORE) and not having to track daily points, but I'm still getting acquainted with the new point values, so this is good.

RATS!  I just managed to wipe out about 15 lines of this post.  Okay, so you'll get the concise version.

I want to spend some time with my sister and I found a great airfare, so I'm flying down on Atlanta.
Missy, if you happen to be reading this and you don't want to know what you're getting for Xmas, I suggest you stop reading right now, okay?
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Missy has an ancient PC and her house isn't set up for WiFI, so we took advantage of the Black Friday sale at Apple.com and are giving her a MacBook Air  and an Airport Express (router).  Setting that up for her will be my #1 priority.  I have a bit of a vested interest, because I can't imagine being "unplugged" for almost a week!

Okay,  Hot 100 Update

Goal 1: I think I have to admit that I'm not likely to reach my WW goal by Jan 1st, having taken a 7.4 detour in the wrong direction, but I have almost a month left and I'm going to do my best to lose and stick to my plan.  I'm excited about the new WW plan and think I'll do well.  I've rediscovered my motivation to stay on plan.  (and yes, I've found a WW meeting close to my sister's house in Atlanta).

Goal 2:  Yes.  I exercised 6/7 days and it was quality exercise.  Adding swimming and a goal of doing a tri is a fun extra.

Goal 3:  Finally.  The chocolate is now under control.  I have been able to eat well and treat myself to a mini-splurge of 1 oz per day.

I noticed Jack playing with the soccer ball yesterday.  He was sitting on it and then scooting around.  It looked like very good exercise--Bosu Ball?  He's all boy--he loves any ball he sees.

Have a great week end.  My next post will be from Atlanta (God and my computer-geek-skills willing!)

Two Good Days--Is that a streak??

I'm loving the new WW plan.  I looked it up online and followed it the best I could yesterday.  Today I went to my WW meeting and heard the official introduction.  It has come at the perfect time for me.  I'm feeling strong and confident about being able to stay on plan and reach my goal weight and I haven't felt that way for a month or two.  This is all good.

I think I mentioned that I'm going to do the new program "PointsPlus" as written for a few weeks at least, before I go back to my "CORE" (Simply Filling) variation.  This means that I can eat whatever I choose as long as I stay within the daily points allowed (29--everybody I've met has 29 which is the fewest number of points allowed--oh, except for guys--they get more--about 36 I think).  It also means I need to track points for everything I eat (as opposed to Simply Filling where I'll only need to track the non-power food points).  Power foods are what used to be called CORE foods and don't count against the 49 extra weekly points which they intend for you to use and I will use them.  Points on many of my go-to foods have increased a bit.  Fruit and veggies (except for starchy veggies--corn, potatoes, etc) are all 0 points.  Anyway, I'm looking forward to my favorite ever breakfast tomorrow--a soft boiled egg, and toast with ICBINBJ.  I'll have a nice cup of mint tea to round it out.  (2, 3, 1, and 0 points, respectively, for a total of 6 points.  I may splurge and have a nice chilled half pink grapefruit sprinkled with Truvia. (0 points!)    

I'm a convert to Truvia.  I had tried it once last year and found it bitter, but I read on a blog (one of yours?) that if it seems bitter it means you're using way too much.  I like it and it doesn't taste bitter at all. One packet is just right for the grapefruit though I usually like grapefruit without anything on it, too.  I especially like the way Truvia tasted "granulated" like sugar rather than powdery like Splenda.

For you viewing pleasure:  Laura with her three J,B&R and J&E

Tonight, for dinner, I made a new recipe:  Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Spring Vegetables.  I know, I know, it's not spring, but I was able to buy beautiful fresh ingredients at Whole Foods and, believe me, this was wonderful.  The recipe is from the brand new WW cookbook:  Weight Watchers Points Plus Cookbook.  

Roasted Pork Tenderloin with Spring Vegetables

prep time:15 min      cook time: 30 min      Serves 4 

1 pound pork tenderloin, trimmed  (power food)

1 T chopped fresh chives (I used 2 T of finely diced shallots)

3/4 t salt

1  pkg frozen artichoke hearts (9 oz), thawed

1 pound baby potatoes, cut in half  (my baby potatoes were large-ish so I cut them in quarters)

1/2  pound asparagus, trimmed

1 c baby carrots

2 c small fresh mushrooms (optional, but very good!)

2 t olive oil

1/4 t black pepper

1.  Preheat oven to 475.  Spray large shallow roasting pan with nonstick spray

2.  Sprinkle pork with chives (shallots) and 1/4 t of the salt.  Spray large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium high heat.  Add pork and cook until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.

3.  Transfer pork to roasting pan.  Combine artichokes, potatoes, asparagus,carrots, oil, and remaining 1/2 t salt and the pepper in large bowl; toss to coat.  Arrange vegetable mixture around pork.  Roast, stirring vegetables once, until vegetables are tender and instant read thermometer inserted into center of pork registers 160 F, about 25 minutes.  Let pork stand 5 minutes before slicing into 12 slices.  Serve with vegetables.

Per serving  (3 slices pork with 1 1/4 cups vegetables):

352 g, 293 calories, 6 g total fat, 1 g sat fat, 0 g trans fat, 62 mg Chol, 549 mg Sod, 31 g total carb, 3 g total sugar, 7 g fib, 28 g protein, 57 mg calcium.

Okay, today's WI.  I gained 1.6 from two weeks ago.  It's okay.  My morning weight this morning (after 1 day on the new plan) was down 1.4 from yesterday morning.  And it's going to be down again tomorrow and way down next week.  I'm very confident.  Do you remember this great post  from Charlie about the On/Off switch?  My switch has apparently toggled back to ON!  Two days may not constitute a streak, but just keep watching.  I'm going to DO this.

I put the turkey wings into my crockpot with an onion, some peppercorns, a bay leaf, celery, and a couple of carrots.  The beginnings of a(nother) good turkey soup that I'll have on hand for the next few days.  (broth--0 pts,  2 oz turkey--2 pts,  carrots--0 pts,  celery--0 pts, onion--0 pts, 1/4 c cooked barley--1 pt, mushrooms--0 pts)  Three points for a bowl of great turkey soup.  YES!  Did I mention that I cooked a 27 pound turkey???

I have been tagged twice with the question quiz.  I will work on that while the kiddos are napping tomorrow.  I am also really missing spending time on your blogs and that's the other thing I want to do tomorrow.

Thanks for your good wishes for my Dad.  I went to see him today and spent about an hour singing to him (Christmas hymns which I know he loves) while he slept--his pain meds keep him very sleepy.  I saw his leg and the site of the break doesn't have any bruising and the swelling has almost all gone. His pain is being well controlled and he seems comfortable and they report that his appetite is good.  

I had a short session with the exercise bike this morning--I don't love it, but it beats the rain, wind, and very chilly temps outside today.  I think I may go upstairs now and do my 10th kettle bell session.  I'm looking for those guaranteed results right after!  :-)

G'night.

186.4
hoping the light color makes the gain less noticeable!

New Beginnings

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving--full of kids and grandkids and family.  It really made me feel thankful for my many blessings.  Here are a couple pictures we took before everybody went home.

with our grandchildren

all our kids and grands!

All that thankfulness involved lots of food too and, as wonderful as it was, I'm most thankful that all the tempting calorific not-on-my-plan things are finally out of the house.  My weight has been drifting slowing upwards over the last two months so that I now have 7.4 pounds to lose get down to where I was at the beginning of October.  No more.  Did you notice the title of this post?  New Beginnings. That's because today is the day, now is the time that I rededicate myself to reaching my goal.

All this coincides nicely with WW's new program which was introduced yesterday.   The WW website must have been overwhelmed because it took all day before I could finally get to the site.  This is the first major change to their plan in a dozen years.  It is different because they have reconfigured the points system.  I like what they've done.  Most fruits and veggies are no points.  The new points calculator now looks at the carbs, fiber, protein, and fats.  The old one looked at just calories, fiber, & fat.  Things make more sense to me in the new plan.  And, wonder of wonders, they still allow me to follow my "CORE" plan.  They don't call it "Core" anymore, it's Simply Filling, but it's there and that's what I'm going to go back to.  For now, though, I'm doing to regular program.  I get 29 points per day plus the 49 weekly points.  I imagine I'll eat the same things that I'd eat with the Core/Simply Filling, but for now I want the reassurance that I'm eating correct portions.  After I get used to the new way, I'll switch over to the Core/Simply Filling plan, because I don't want to be tied to counting points for every single bite.

They now allow me 49 points per week over and above the 0 point Power foods (skim milk, lean protein, eggs, veggies, fruit, etc).  And they encourage you to use all 49.  My beloved Latte Bars which say 1 point on the box, are now worth 2 points.  So are the Strawberry Smoothie bars.  They will still be on my plan, but I'll save my points to include them.  I haven't been to my WW meeting yet to hear the official explanation, but this is what I'm thinking now.  I'll let you know more about it tomorrow when I understand more.

To go along with the new food plan, I'm revving up my exercise, too.  Back to my good 6 out of 7 days per week with solid exercise each day--half cardio, half strength.  Today I ran 3.5 miles (in the drizzle).  Tomorrow I think it will be the exercise bike.  

My sweet Dad fell yesterday and has a compound fracture of the hip (the top of his femur).  They were able to do the portable x-ray at his nursing home so that he doesn't have to go to the hospital which is always very upsetting to him.  It's hard to see that he's in such fragile health. I'm thankful for the good days we enjoyed with him a couple of weeks ago.

 J&E are napping right now and I need to go take advantage of this time to finish up my Bible study for tomorrow.

I'm feeling strong and confident about reaching my goals.  I'm excited about the new plan and motivated to use it to advantage.  The hardest hurdles (celebration-wise) are behind me.

How about you?  Are the T-giving temptations out of your life and your fridge now??