Finding ONEderland

Did I fall off the end of the world? No but I did get put out of commission so to speak for several days. I seemed to have had some kind of allergic reaction. I am not sure to what unless it was a new flavor coffee I got from the coffee shop. I am not going to try it again to find out because I was miserable to say the least. I broke out from head to toe in hives, had to be put on 2 different types of antihistamines and dealt with swelling so bad that it hurt to just walk. This happened Thursday and I didn't start to recover from it till Sunday. If one thing I gained out of it, it was more compassion for those people that have allergic reactions to stuff....you can't understand how bad it is till you have it happen. I ended up missing my first WW meeting in a long time but I was just not up to trying to go and because of the medications I could not drive for the weekend either.

Saturday when I was at my worse I slept most of the day. I ended up so drowsy that I didn't even get to catch up on the reading that I have to do. My body needed to rest so that is what I let it do. The other strange thing was my appetite did not go away at all...in fact I think I was hunger at some points than normal...probably because of the way my body had all the chemicals going on in it.

So this week I am back at it. Work has been very busy due to an outage with one of our carriers. I am going to try and get to Curves this afternoon and get a work out. I feel like I could really use it to shake off all the stress of the day.

Posted by Annie at 10:30 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Some people love Italian suits...some people love Italian food.....me...I love Italian bowls. And canisters, and bread baskets, and well just about what ever Guzzini has in red for my kitchen. Yes I have been adding more red. It goes so nice with the shiny black and white in my kitchen. Too bad this old house has such a dated looking kitchen but hey I am set when I finally get to move into my own place with its very nice modern kitchen (when ever we finally find said house that is). Besides it even pretties up my current one.

Got my Ultrasonic Nebulizer today. Brought it home...hooked it up...put 5 drops of "Immune Support" oils in it (blend of lemon, peppermint, niaouli, pine, thyme and patchouli) in it. Plugged it up and turned it on and.....nothing...it wouldn't power on. *grrrrrr* Took a volt meter and checked, best I can tell I got a bum power supply on the thing. I think I should have used the "Emotional Rescue" oil (orange, lavandin, cedarwood, geranium, coriander, cardamom, vetiver and immortelle)...least I would have felt better...maybe. *sigh* The health food store is holding another one that they have checked and made sure works. I'll probably go pick that up in the next few days and get sushi at a little place near there.

Also speaking of health things I bought a couple of products to try. One is Activia and the other is DanActive. Both are suppose to be good for you. I think one is for regularity, which I am not having a problem with but still thought it might be good for the digestive system which I have had some rough tummy pains recently. The other for helping the immune system with healthy bacteria in the digestive system. I am all for anything that boost my immune system as I am so sick of being sick. Another reason I got these is after being sick several times I think it is possible that the antibiotics I was on could have weakened the good bacteria in my system making it easier for me to get sick.

On the weight front this week...I gained 2 pounds. That is going to be coming right back off though. I was able to get to Curves on Friday and work out. My back has been okay till tonight, doing the dishes (by hand...no dish washer here *frown*), the sweeping and mopping of the kitchen....plus doing several loads of laundry got it where it is catching. That should be gone by in the morning...a good nights sleep always helps it. So on that note...I am headed to bed.

Posted by Annie at 11:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

One of the things I have been doing is looking back when I had my best success with loosing weight. Going over those things that helped me the most with doing well.
1. I followed the plan to the T. Getting in all the things that WW required at the time. They have added the oils now and I must admit I fail a lot on that one and really there is no reason too. Well other than I need to cook at home most the time. It's a goal I have.
2. I use to cook more at home. I use to love cooking, the chopping of the veggies...seeing what new things I could make. I know I will again, it's all a matter of getting back at it.
3. I had buddies that I shared/talked WW stuff with. One in particular, my friend Beth, was the most help to me. We would even switch off cooking WW meals at each others house once a week. After which we would relax with a glass of wine and play guitars. She's moved a couple hours away so that isn't an option now. However maybe I could "buddy up" with my husband and cook meals. I also have you all to share stuff with. My other friends at work that did the WW aren't really doing it right now, in fact the office as became an after Christmas candy trap which I am very proud to be avoiding successfully.
4. I kept a food journal all the time. This is one I am working with again. I love to keep my journal for the most part. It's fun to fill out and mark off the things in it. I do feel a little weird pulling it out when I am out eating but I still use it and I am working getting over that. Any one else experience that? This week I was inspired by another blogger to work even harder at keeping a good and accurate journal. If you want to read what Jack had to say, click here. I have realized that just as this journey will never end, I will also aways need to journal so that I keep myself truly aware of what I am doing.
5. I was active...very active. I walked, hiked, worked out at Curves, danced, rode my bike and used DVDs. I also took my work breaks and got in 2 ten minute walks there each day. I really do miss all that. Even more so I miss how it made me feel. This one is another current goal. I should be returning back to Curves tomorrow. Gym bag is packed and I am ready to go even if I have to pop some Advil to get through the work out. I realized that I could try the WATP DVDs, the 1 mile one during the times I am not feeling up to going to Curves. I beat the cold and will be in better shape once warm weather is here and hiking season begins for me.
6. I was active at the meetings. I brought recipes each week and shared them of something I had made that week. There were a few of us at the time that did that. We all sat together and had formed a group of friends. I haven't clicked like that with anyone that is going there now but hey there are tons of new people...(new year and all) and who knows what the future holds. Well other than me beating this thing and getting to goal. I KNOW that is going to happen because I AM going to get there.

Posted by Annie at 10:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I've not felt like doing much after work the last couple of days. TOM has kicked my butt big time. It's had my back hurting so much that I have taken it easy because I am afraid of flaring up the disk problems in my lower back. I am hoping once I get to working out regular again for a few months that I will feel well enough to exercise through this most months. I would have tried walking but it is too cold out. It's 34 degrees and I am not the outside type when the weather drops that cold. So much pretty much I am looking for this week to pass by and to be able to have some good days without having to take meds to relieve the back pain. I want to get back to my workouts at Curves.

Oh and I have figured out that dark chocolate covered almonds are not something I should bring in the house....least not this time of the month. They are a red light food for sure.

I did get some shopping done and all good for me healthy foods bought into the house. When I was checking out at the grocery store I ended up with a ton of coupons. Once I got home they were all also for healthy products. Made me feel that much better about my shopping and I put them up to use as there were some good items to try. I have lots of fruits, veggies, lean proteins and low fat milk products. And I bought a box of whole wheat couscous to try and see what I can make out of it.

Posted by Annie at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Another day of not getting enough sleep. I am going to have to set bedtimes and make myself stick to them because it is causing me to not do as well as I need to health wise. I am going to get in bed here in about 30 minutes so I can get a good nights sleep.

The salt lamp I got may be helping my ability to get stuff done. I got a lot of work done in the office tonight. A lot of volunteer work I do and cleaning out my email to where I can find the stuff I need to. I still have some email, and blogs, to catch up on and I will work on that tomorrow as I do need to get some sleep.

Posted by Annie at 09:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Today started out with a headache that keep me in the bed longer than I wanted to. Once it finally eased up some and I realized it wasn't going to go away I took some meds to make it go away. I'm not big into taking stuff for my headaches cause I had to take so many pills for the problems with my back in the past, and still do sometimes.

Thanks all for the suggestions on the ready packaged rice. I'll give the Uncle Ben's a try. I would do the Trader's Joe too if we had one. And as far as the suggestion for freezing some soup. I have done that but it had been bigger servings. I'll have to do some small ones that I can take. Any suggestions on what is the best freezing package...maybe the Glad wear? I been wanting some taco soup for a while...it would be a good one for me to try.

Now more about yesterday. I ended up not getting enough sleep the night before and had a very hard time getting out of bed. Due to this I got to the meeting well after the starting time so I just did a weigh and go. I peeked in and saw that the room was packed this week. Will be interesting to see what all new faces there are. Next week I am making sure I get to bed early. I have also explained to my DH that I don't sleep in like he does on Saturday mornings and therefore Friday nights are not a good time for us to talk till midnight or later.

Teresa, my best friend (we went to high school together), came over and we made a trip to the next city over about 30 minutes from us. They have a Michael's and she had got a gift card for there at Christmas. First we stopped at Barnes & Noble to have lunch and get a skinny latte. I grabbed a book by an author I like that just came out and then we hit the DVD area. We both got work out DVDs. She was wanting to tone up and I gave her a few suggestions. She got a pilates DVD and I grabbed Walk Away the Pounds. I already have this but it is on VHS and I never use it anymore because it's not on DVD. Purchases made we headed out and on to Michael's. She looked around for cross stitch stuff. I found a few things I was needing. And even found a cute little green beaded bracelet to match my sweater I got for Christmas.

Then it was on to Old Navy. This is the first time I had gone in since they originally built the store. Back then I was at least a 3x in stuff and they had nothing I could wear. I wear 2x right now, some 1x stuff fits but not much. We checked out a few of the cute sweaters there. I found a couple I liked but didn't pick them up till later today. I was so pleased to know that I can wear stuff from there. Mark and I had gone back today and he even got himself a couple of shirts too. They look really nice on him.

After getting out of Old Navy Teresa and I went to the health food store. They didn't have the brand of salmon burgers I was looking for, however they did have salmon burgers called Yukon burgers. I got a pack of them to try. I've never made salmon burgers before. I am trying to decide on how to do it. Maybe with one I will try a dill sauce and whole wheat pita. Anyway...once I do I'll write about it.

Also at the health food store I once again looked at the salt lamps. I have been thinking about getting one for a couple years now. They are suppose to do a lot to help clean the air. So today we had gone back and got one and I have it hooked up in my living room. I would have put it in here in the office but I have a fountain and didn't think the salt would do so good near the water. Plus I am looking into getting their nebulizer and putting it in my office. It isn't like the ones I have seen that you use to breathe in...it's more of a cool mister that you can use to put essential oils into the air. After as much as I have been sick the last couple of years I am ALL for trying out some things to help have a much healthier and happier home....one that keeps the bad buggies away.

Posted by Annie at 09:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Today has been a very busy day. I spent the day as a girls day out with my best friend and we had a good time. While we were out we ran by the health food store and found some things I was looking for. I will put more about that tomorrow. Mostly I am tired tonight and going to get some sleep soon. After the holidays were all said and done I ended up at 280 pounds. I did get to weigh in and I lost 1.5 pounds which has me down to 278.5. So that was good for me to see. I'll talk more about the things I am going to be doing and more about stuff I got today while out shopping.... but it will have to wait till tomorrow.

Posted by Annie at 11:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While reading blogs tonight the TV caught my eye....they were telling about salmon burgers made by Omega Foods. They look really good and I am going to have to keep a look out to see if I can find them some place local. I calculated the points for them and they are 2 points per patty. I am all about finding some simple but good for me stuff that I can fix. I could even take these to work and fix them.

I have been trying to decide on healthy lunches I could take to work. The soup I use to get has the sodium lowered and unfortunately that made it taste bland to me. I have been thinking of getting some veggie burgers and fixing them. I am lucky to have a full kitchen at work to make stuff. Trying to find some stuff to get me out of my frozen dinners. I have also thought of doing some stir-fries and using some packaged brown rice. Has anyone tried any of the rice in the pouches you just heat and eat? I am wondering if they are good.

Posted by Annie at 08:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

I didn't get my workout yesterday because of being so tired from not getting much sleep. I however used today to get to Curves and get a good work out. The new building looks great. Bee (the owner) did such a fantastic job on the place. The colors are a yellow and purple, there is much more room. There is going to be a new piece of equipment soon...one that is used for stretches.

I finally got my WW magazine...the meeting place has had theirs for two weeks and B&N had them in this weekend when I was there. It also said that my subscription was running out on the next issue but I checked my check book and seen where the check I wrote them cleared the end of November. I think they just have stuff way behind when it comes to sending them out to homes.

Posted by Annie at 09:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This is the end of the 3 day weekend. I won't see another holiday one off till May. I have decided to take some vacation way before that though...just not sure when yet. Ended up not getting as much done today as I had hoped to but what I did get done was some relaxation. That is good too...especially with going back to work tomorrow.

I ate very healthy today. Speaking of eating healthy...I set up my google personalized page tonight and it has a "daily nutrition" add on that is very cool. It helps you keep count how much of certain things you get in. It's worth checking out.

I am ready for tomorrow. I have my gym bag packed and ready to go. Healthy food to take to work. It's all in preparing for it. And I am on the road to success.

Posted by Annie at 10:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)