Why is my body revolting?

I've been on Weight Watchers for 4 months... and I swear for the last month my body has been revolting against all my efforts....I have stuck to the plan the only thing that has changed is that I don't wait to exercise everyday or walk on the treadmill for 2 1/2 hours on Saturdays and Sundays...... I have run out of steam! The most I lost is 20.4 lbs, currently at 19 lbs lost..... I really dread weigh ins...... I did talk to the leader and she suggested that I use 1/2 of my exercise points that maybe my body is going in to starvation mode.... I don't know about that but I have eaten a couple of my exercise points. I selected my goal weight..... the max for my height.....I didn't realize that once you achieve Lifetime membership that you can go under your goal weight just not 2 lbs over it. So I'm about 2 lb's away from goal.... that is what I need to focus on! I am loving ATS belly dancing (American Tribal Style) an Instructor must have been trained/certified by Fat Chance Belly Dance ( Carolina N. the creator of ATS) to call yourself an ATS instructor. The ATS classes are taught at a Rec Center and there is currently 3 weeks in between sessions, my goal is to advance to the next level of class by November..... so I'm going to pay for private lessons..... I need the help... I'm nervous about the one on one factor....all eyes on me and what I'm doing in correctly...... I just have to keep my eyes on the goal.... I went to support Tribal Evolution my instructors troupe at Yaa Halla Y'all......it was exciting to see them perform......last year at YAY was the first time and the fire was starting in me! d

Just Now

Just now getting my exercise in for the day.....I slept until 11:00 not as bad as it sounds I wasn't in bed until 2:00. I was exhausted so I intended to sleep as long as my body needed.... I probably could have slept longer but my poor pug Miss Lucy Lu is crated at night....so I got up for her sake.... she is so undemanding! Anyway I did not want to exercise today .... in fact this feeling of dread began last weekend.I'm trying to work myself through it and just do it but I have to be able to give myself a day off with out quilt!
About 5 years ago a acquired a wonderful LuLu Parr wall hanging and a Lady of Guadalupe alter created by the wonderful artist KC Willis .... in the past at least once a year I would splurge a buy some type of creation by an artist.....for the last 4 years since my break up with Brett I haven't purchased anything....through Blogspot, twitter or facebook I ran across KC Willis again .... lo and behold she had a birthday (she turned 53) about a week ago and she sold her creations at 53% off the normal sale price..... I went crazy and bought 3 pieces and one is really large called Fallen Angels and 2 Annie Oakley pieces....I also bought her workshop on DVD so I too could attempt to create some terrific wall hanging.... of course I had to buy a ink jet printer for the photo transfers... a sewing machine with decorative stitches (I actually have bought 2 sewing machines is the last week.... one may go back...I haven't made my mind up ....I'm waiting for the 2nd one to arrive) This is my flaw....I go way over board when it comes to my passions, Art, Belly Dancing...Books....I do try to keep it in check but sometimes I just go haywire!
Well I have to go back and get another 30 minutes in (Leslie Sasone DVD) Ciao.... di

Besides re-emerging myself back into Belly Dancing, 10 weeks of working on losing weight and exercising everyday and now I'm feeling the need to express myself creatively.....not sure what form it will take but in the last 2 days I have made 2 trips to Fed Ex (making tons of copies for potentioal art projects) 2 trips to Michael's and a trip to Jo Ann's today....I'm also going to have to go through my boxes where I'm storing my art supplies.... I know I'm buying things that I already have....My inspiration is coming from artist KC Willis, Claudine Hellmuth, Sandra Evertson and Susan Shie...plus Somerset Magazines....they are fabulous!

Oh by the way this afternoon I was watching Mystery Diagnosis on TLC .......they were giving teasers about the story in the 2nd half of the program ...... I knew exactly what was wrong with him.... I had lived it myself less then 2 years ago... a living Hell.....it was Hemochromatosis.....too much Iron in your blood.... if it isn't found out in time you can actually die as the iron is deposited in your organs .....I feel exhaused much of the time....it is hard to continue with life as you knew it... Oh well ....at least when they put a name to what you have you can feel relieved that you are going crazy. Di

Guess what?

I actually have a 1st date Friday night..... that is the up side, the down side is sticking to my diet....he has asked to take me to dinner....plus there will be wine....Oh well I haven't allowed myself to pursue dating for the last 6 months... mainly due to my need to focus on work but I think I need to take the plunge...scared or not.
Diane

Not so Bad

Not so bad
I thought this weigh in would be hopeless..... but I just got back and I loss almost 1 lb.... not my best week but heck I didn't gain. Last week I screwed up taking my birth control on time so that may have thrown my body into havoc.....I will just party on and take each day as it comes, I have the tendency to be pretty crazy about dieting ..... as with my new approach to belly dancing I need to just be proud of myself for all I have accomplished and not get so upset when things don't happen on my time frame. I do want to challenge myself to continue to do more than just walking on the treadmill....Over the last 2 weeks I've gone to Latin Rhythm dance class, Aqua Aerobics, Belly Dancing, Lesile Sasone Walking Aerobics w/ weighted balls and Weight Watchers Aerobic DVD. I need to break out one of my 50 Belly Dancing DVD's and give myself a crash course on the basic moves of Belly dancing....it is amazing how much your brain can dump when you are not using the skill.....hopefully it is like other muscle a little fine tune up and it will bounce back into my brain (Massive Stress doesn't help with memory either)!I recently ordered 2 bathing suits from Lands End (for Aqua Aerobics class) the first one arrived and there was virtually no bar in it.....no way was I going to go to LA fitness in a light tangerine colored suit with no bra..... the cool thing was that you can return the items at Sears, no need to ship it back to Lands End..... so when they offer free shipping it off sets the Taxes and if it doesn't work out just head for the nearest Sears.....so Cool... now that is being customer friendly! Di

Wow..... I just wrote a long hard felt blog entry and poof it was gone......I'm not Happy. Up early trying to decide if I will get up early on a vacation day for my weekly weigh in at Weight watchers ...yesterday I weighed here at home and it wasn't good....up 3 lbs....how is that possible when I've been within my daily points and exercised everyday...granted not my banner week in the exercise dept. but really. I just weighed and I'm about what I was last weigh in may be with the help of some bodily functions between now and 9:30 maybe I will lose at least 1/2 lb. I just don't want there to be a weight gain.... I would be so disappointed. One area where I pushed myself last week was going back to Belly Dancing class at my old studio, I hadn't been in over 8 months ( I had kind of a MeLt DoWn......I was going overboard...pushing myself way too hard.....8 hours or more of classes a week, all the classes learning different dances....plus I had tested out within record time to another level and dealing with some really competitive dancers.....I began to lose confidence in my dancing abilities and it wasn't fun any more and then the Biggie was a huge lay off scare at work.....took every ounce of energy I had ...... trying to make sure I didn't have a huge screw up at work when they were in there decision making of the lucky few who would remain. Just too much Stress) I had recently also gotten rid of all the thousands of dollars worth of costumes, zills, shimmie scarfs, DVD's, Wigs and music but 2 friends asked me if I was still dancing (one blogger friend) and a friend from the studio asked me to come back.... I don't know something just clicked and the desire to dance began to work it way back into my heart (plus I missed the personal identification of being a dancer...silly I know but it was like the creative side of me was wasting away). Well, I took the plunge and called the owner of the studio to ask her #1 would she allow me to return #2 could I come back into the upper level class that I had tested out to be in...... to my surprise she said a big Yes and told me that she had missed me terribly.... Well, I went last Thursday night with the intention of doing it for the love of the dance and when to of the ladies in the class were making fun of others that weren't catching on as fast as they were..... I just thought how silly they were acting..... I may perform at the Huge event in mid August.... if I don't that is OK too. Diane

I found this fun activity on Senorita's fabulous blog (I took some ?'s out so the #'s are wrong)

1.What Time is it now? 9:52 am
2.What is your full name? Diane Marie
3.Single or taken? Single
4.What does your name mean? Must mean Love
5.Who picked out your name? parents I get to pick my nickname
6.What's your nickname? Di or Birdie
8.What colour are your eyes? Hazel change from green to brown and in between
9.Do you have an innie or an outie? Innie
10.What size are your shoes? use to be a 7 until I had 2 daugthers now 8 - 8 1/2
How tall (or short) are you? 5 ft 3.5 inches
.Honestly what do you like about yourself? My eyes and eyelashes
14.What do you always get complimented on? My hair
15.What is your worst quality? I get overwhelmed lately and need a lot of down time to myself/selfish with my time
16.Do you think you're cute? my personality is cute
18.Hair colour? Salt and Pepper
19.Do you wear contacts? No
20.Living Arrangements? Owned by a Pug and a Yorkie
FAVOURITES*~
21.Favourite Drink? Diet Coke or Iced Tea with a ton of lemons and splenda
22.Favourite month? December Ho Ho Ho
24.Favourite Food? Pizza, Ice Cream Cake, Pie Hamburgers and Chicken fried steak and mashed Potatoes .... no wonder I'm on Weight Watchers
25.Favourite Board Game? prefer card games
26.Favourite Web Site?
27.Favourite Clothing Brand?
28.Favourite day of the Year? Christmas
29.Favourite colour? Have a few Red/Pink/Fushia/Orange
30.Favourite Animal? Pugs
FAMILY AND FRIENDS*
~31.Do you have more girl or boy friends? Girls
33.Are your parents together? Not for a long time
34.How often do you get together with the family? Montly lunchs with my Mom and Aunt & Holidays
35.Do you tell your parents or your friends more? I can tell my Mom anything
36.Anything special about your parents? Mom is a terrific cook and my Dad is always knee deep in an interest....I get those attributes from them : )
40.You Mean? No
42.You can keep secrets? Yes
43.You dance in front of the mirror? Totally, at Belly dancing class
!44.Sing in the shower? no but I do in the car
46.You like Britney Spears? NO
47.You've liked a cousin? yup
48.You've been in the opposite sexes bathroom? by accident
49.You've seriously hurt someone? yes break ups are hard
50.You've been hurt seriously? a lot
53.r u willing to try new things? yes
57.What are you wearing? Pajamas
58.What are you listening to? My dog Lucy Lu chewing on a rawhide.
60.How are you feeling? I just woke up but I'm tired....not getting quality sleep I guess
61 .How's the weather? Hot as Hades
65.What's on your mouse pad? 2 cute Yorkies
66.What books are you reading? Harry Potter series
GIRLS ONLY*~ - down 2 da knitty gritty hey?
67.How many lip glosses do you have? none, I like lipstick glosses feel horrible
68.What perfume do you use? Aromatics
69.What's in your purse? too much to mention
70.Thong or regular panties? Panties
71.Tall or short men? prefer taller
72.Blonde or brown haired guys? Brown
75.Long hair or short hair on men? Normally short
76.What do you find annoying in a guy? always looking for your replacement
77.What's the first thing you notice about guys? smile
OTHER QUESTIONS*~
.What did you have for dinner? Lean Cuisene Parmsean crusted fish broccolli and steamed Mushrooms WW key Lime yogurt and Fat Free Cool Whip.
What are you hoping for? A great relationship, someone to share the ups and downs with
92.What movie do you really want to see? Broken up
95.Where is your favourite place to travel? Want to go to Canada
96.What did you last dream about? Men I've dated
.Last thing you ate? diet bread
98.If you were a crayon what colour what would you be? A swirl of barbie pink, red purple and orange
99.Who was the last person you talked to on the phone? My Daughter Robin and my DaddyO
102.Ever had a crush on a teacher? yes
103.Are you too shy to ask someone out? yes
104.Scary movies or happy ending? Must end happy or I won't watch it
105. Summer or winter? Spring
106. One night stands or relationships? relationships
107.Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate
108.Do you want your friends to write back?it would be fun
111.What did you do last night? Worked late, barn chores Walmart Home dinner and TV
112. What time is it now? 10:21 am

Wow.....I've been gone for a long time...sorry for that! My focus over the past 7 weeks has been Work of course and Weight Watchers & lots of walking.......I'm seeing a some progress.....15 lbs down since I joined 7 weeks ago. I'm not even sure what my weight loss goal is....my thought is I will know it when I see. The critical mass is gone......it's amazing how you can gain some additional weight and it is like a tipping point....you look huge....I could tell a big difference after I lost the 1st eight.......My first offical goal is 16 lbs and hopefully I should hit that at Tuesdays weigh in..... I want to be a MiNi me of myself.... diane

A Brand New Me

Well, I made the big step into my 50's, (Scary!). At the beginning of the week (Tuesday) I made the decision to join Weight Watchers.....I figure if I'm going to be 50 I might as well aim for being Fabulous! I have gotten rid of my bad choice foods and restock my pantry and refrigerator (about $350.00)...the good news although I haven't gone to my 2nd meeting I think I've already lost over 3 lbs. Committing to WW I have begun to work out again which is huge.....I haven't worked out since the beginning of December (when they announced the major lay offs at work and I freaked out) It feels better having a plan to take of the lbs. WW has great on line tools to support your weight loss and there is currently no sign up fee which was a plus! Also I have tried Healthy Choice Steamers for dinner and they are great!

Diane

Did I do something wrong?

Does anyone else out there in the land of blogging get excited when you log in and you have and new follower? How cool that someone would be interested in coming back to hear what I had to say......

Does anyone else out there in the land of blogging get sad when you log in and you have lost a follower? What goes through your mind.... boy I must be boring....I know I haven't been faithful in writing new entries....or did I offend them....I guess it is just one of those things that I will never know why!

Hootie hoo my daughter Robin ran her 1st half marathon at the Cowtown Marathon...it was crazy....there were over 17,000 runners.....I felt like a slacker stand on the side lines as a spectator and not participating......it gave me the same feeling as riding in bicycle rallies especially the Hotter than Hell with over 10,000 cyclist....what a rush!

Diane

I'm still here

Hi all,

It has been forever since I have had the umph to actually write a journal entry....sometimes just making it through what you are going through is difficult enough and to recount in writing is just too much to face.

About 2 weeks ago today I received a frantic phone from the emergency room, my Dad had had a heart attack and the Dr. didn't think he would make through the operation....(he was still recovering from an operation a week and half earlier) ..... come to find out my Dad had actually died in the emergency room but because it happened there they were about to bring him back to life....(Angels were differently looking after him that day!). Anyway the Dr was able to deal with one of the blocked arteries and will operate on the other blockage once he has fully recovered....(there is one blockage that they aren't even able to do anything with it).

Dad come home after nearly a week in the hospital......On Valentines Day Dad was sweet enough to invite me over to have a lovely meal with him and my Step Mother...it was wonderful since I haven't had a sweetie to celebrate Valentine's day with in years.

Up date on my knitting escapades.... when I begin a new hobby I go whole hog and want to have all the bell and whistles...knitting needles of all shapes and sizes, wonderful magically expensive yarns, and books ect. well it floors me in these bad economic times that those that work at small home owned shops would appreciate those people who are choosing to let go of some of their hard earned dollars. The Knitting shop that I have taken my class as is where I have purchase a great deal of items....well I have made a 40 mile trek twice a week to go there.....over the past 5 weeks I have observed that those that should be there to help you seemed to view customers as a burden/interruption in their day.....it really has made me have a bad taste in my mouth, as a newbie to knitting I probably have more questions than an experienced knitter..... I decided not to go yesterday because I didn't want to deal with attitude....I have been dealing with attitude at work by some of the coworkers that have been notified that they are being laid off but are still at work.....they are nice to some of the others that have been chosen to remain but they are icing me.....so I can only deduct that they don't feel that I deserve to remain.....the person who is icing me the most was a friend...so it really has made me feel horrible...
Well enough of my gripping....as of last night I have completed 2 scarfs.....my daughters have each put in request for a scarf.....it is a good thing they want a scarf because that is all I feel like I can do right I have attempted to make a shawl and a shrug and they flopped and I had to pull it out and put it away for a while.......
Anyone out there watching the Bachelor, American Idol, Top Chef, The Amazing Race or the Jockies? If you want to share your thoughts on the show or make prediction on the outcomes please share....I guess that I like a lot of reality shows.....

Diane

The results are in .....at least partially

Well I have been trying to buck up and sit down and write about last week....last week (Wednesday)it was D day.....thank goodness I wasn't there because my Dad had surgery and I was at the hospital with him. My cell was ringing off the wall with the causalities and all I can say is that it was massive. About 60% of my dept. were laid off...all my friends are impacted.....2 coworkers worked one additional day and the others are working for about 3 weeks to transition, only 2 of those impacted are even interacting with me.....I'm sure they are thinking that it should be them and not me that gets to remain. I'm happy that I'm still there but I also now know that the longer term plans are to move everything up to NY and moving me don't seen to be part of the plan (I will know for certain once the new manager is in place....there may be a slight chance that I could work virtually) so right now I have just been given a longer notice period....maybe up around 2 years...(I'm hoping for at least 2 years and 3 months so I can bridge to retirement and not lose it.....anyway I'm still depress with so many uncertainties. Oh by the way I know why I probably have a short shelf life....the people that have been moved into my friends jobs are at a higher grade level so I'm probably OK enough to help them get up and running but I probably don't cut the mustard long term.....it is so frightening.....it really shakes your confidence up .....I wasn't focused this week at work and felt like I was getting sick (run down and chills yesterday) so I decided to take a vacation day and sleep in....nip it in the bud so to speak.....needless to say I haven't been dieting or exercising at all and I'm afraid to step on the scales until I've returned to exercising....I'm trying not to beat myself up ..... I can only take just so much stress and disappointment. The one good thing is that I have been knitting ..... pulling out a lot of stitches but I'm sticking with it....I have one more class in the beginners series...I will probably wait to move on the the next level ....I need to concentrate on burning what I've been taught into my brain. I have come in contact with a local group a Knitting group (Stitch and Bitch group) I didn't go last night but I will go to the next get together. I would like to have some knitting friends....I've all but decided to bellydance anymore......I've reading a book about people who like to learn many new things and move on and I think I'm like that...we are called "Scanners" people who go full force into something.....learn it...and then move onto the next adventure......the one thing in my life that I have always kept as an interest is quilting......well enough for one entry....I hope all is well in your life : ) diane

Knit One.... Purl Two

Howdy y'all...as everyone knows I've been experiencing a Major case of the Blues due to the uncertainty at work....(they will probably be informing us who will be laid off and who get the honor of remaining) it is so real now.....I think the day will be next Tuesday or Wednesday.....after the notification occurs everything will change instantly ..... some of my coworkers I will probably never see again. I've been getting every one's personal emails, cell # and address......the day it hits it will be too late. I've taken some of my things home just in case..... I feel like I may putting Bad Mojo out in the universe....but I'm sure the decisions have already been made and gone through Legal review. I would appreciate any and all Prayers.... the anxiety is really getting too me, two years ago I was involved in major Policy Violation Investigation as an investigator....it really had an impact on me ..... so many peoples jobs on the line and all it went on for over 3 months.....after a month my heart was pounding so hard I could count the beats without touching my body......I could sleep ....I just couldn't shut it down....that is when all my other strange symptoms emerged.....about 5 specialists and no real answers other than having too much Iron in my blood and thank God it was caught before it destroyed my organs..... I'm being monitored on an ongoing basis.... Anyway almost 2 months into this Layoff situation my heart is pounding again and I can't sleep.....i do have med's for my stress/pounding heart but it puts on weight and I've had issues with Vertigo.....so I'm really not relying on it to solve my problem.....So recently I read a book about a gal who was going through a shocking divorce and the only thing that got her out of her major case of the Blues was learning how to Knit........she called it the New Yoga.....an activity that is creative and you can just get lost in it. So guess what I did tonight....I went to my 1st Knitting class.....so much fun....I need to be practicing right now ....next week we can elect to do a project, a shawl or a cool scarf.....I want to do the scarf.... any way I bit the bullet and spent the $ not knowing if I would have a job or not but I think it is just what I need with my Stress level being so High. I hope I haven't bored you....oh by the way I also did reactivate my LA Fitness membership....very little $ and it will help me shape up after I have been sitting around for almost 2 months.

Great recipe - Taco Soup

I found this recipe on someone wonderful on line journal but it has been about a week and I can't remember whose I got it from....so if it is yours please claim in a comment. I just made it and it is really yummy!

Taco Soup
1/2 pound ground beef (Lean beef)
1/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
one 8 ounce can tomato sauce
1-1/2 cup water
one 16 ounce can stewed tomatoes (I used a can of Del Monte Stewed Tomatoes -Mexican style
one 16 ounce can kidney beans ( I used a can of Ranch Style - Pinto beans with Jalapenos)
1/2 envelope taco seasoning
Corn chips
Grated cheese
Sour cream
aAvacado

Brown ground beef & onion and drain fat when finished. Add water, green pepper, tomatoes, undrained beans, tomato sauce & taco seasoning mix Simmer all ingredients for about 1 hour. Serve soup in bowls topped with grated cheese & crumbled corn chips. An additional topping that's good is a dollop of Sour cream and Avacado. Enjoy!

The Green Mile

I'm back at work with the rest of the walking dead.......news on the street is that the people being impacted by the layoff will be informed on January 28th....the stress is getting to everyone.....tonight I got home around 7:30 and I was so tired I dropped the groceries on the counter, put a few things in the fridge and I couldn't get to the bed fast enough......Boy I had a flash back to 2 years ago when exhaustion would hit out of no where and I would almost have to lay down where every I was...I'm sure this extreme stress is bringing it back on plus the fact that I took myself off Mirapex without talking to the Dr. (I have a Dr appt in about 2 weeks....maybe their is something that will help without all the horrible side effects...weight gain etc.)
Guy update (the guy from the great News Years Eve date) in his last email he asked me a question so I answered his question on what I did on Sat night and absolutely no response back....I can see that he is on the dating web site many times a day without sending me even an email ..... he obviously is pursuing his next catch..... online dating never ceases to amaze me......it is hard to compete with the ever non ending line of women standing in line for the same men... oh well I keep reminding myself that it just takes "1" .
night di

Happy New Year

Hi All,

Well back to the real world.....after 16 days off from work I'm heading back today...wouldn't you know that my sweet dog Teddy....(14 yrs old) has thrown up this morning and has the runs.....I can tell you I will make several trips home during the day to check on her!

As for my News Eve date it was FABULOUS......we supposed to meet at 7:00 but I had to change to 8:00 due to the apartment maintenance guys showing up to install a new dishwasher (I have been hand washing dishes for 21 days I wasn't about to turn them away....anyway I was an hour and a half behind schedule and hadn't even been to the stables to do my daily horsey chores....I called my date and it wasn't a problem at all ..... (good test to see how flexible he is and if he is a control freak so far so good.....
Well we meet in the parking lot around the downtown Main street area where there are a lot of restaurants and he was waiting in his truck.....when I first saw him I was thrilled that he was cuter in person Thank you Thank you Thank you!.....and I couldn't believe it but he brought me a bouquet of flowers (he had them in his truck and went back to get them....I'm sure he wanted to see me before he gave them to me, just in case I was uglier than my picture : )....that about knock me over! Our date was supposed to be a drink and dash date but we ended up having dinner and dancing the night away...we held hand and a smooch at midnight....we stayed until they closed the place down. He knew about every person in the place, I felt a little awkward but settled myself down and just went with the flow. He was so much fun and wanted to go to breakfast but I called it a night....I felt like I should end it on a good note and hopefully we would have a 2nd date. Well I got a terrific knock you off your feet kiss goodbye.....he asked me to call him to let him know I made it home ok... which I did. Over the weekend he went to his deer lease......I received 2 emails from him yesterday but no phone call.....I will have to wait and see if there will be a follow up date....I would be shocked if there wasn't...but I've been surprised in the past......he may just be playing the field...he is new to online dating and sometimes guys get the big head with how many woman are out their and ready to go out on a date.....(he dated someone over the summer and they broke it off with him and ended up dating a friend of his). Keep your fingers crossed that he actually calls me this week....if he doesn't I will have my answer!

Diane