Elizabeth_V's Journal, 24 October 2017

So I read every one of my previous journal entries and then deleted them. (Nice to see that the comments remain, though; they were lovely to see again.) I needed a clean start, and I'm never short of thoughts to write about, anyway.

So why am I here again? Well...many reasons.

First of all, this place helped me so much. There's something about putting my food down that helps me stay mindful of what I'm eating, or about to eat. I like the immediacy of it, and I like being able to adjust as I need; like last night, when I had measured out a half cup of rice to go with my cod and salad, and upon tasting just a couple of grains, realized I really didn't want it. I just deleted it from my dinner menu. It's also kind of like spending money: do I want to spend that many carbs or calories? Yes? No? (Plus it's just fun to see how it changes throughout the day with exercise added or after each meal--the percentages of carb, fat and protein. It helps me switch it up if one percentage looks terribly high.)

Second, I am absolutely determined to hold off diabetes as long as possible. It's all through my family health history (and even more so through my husband's and daughter's, so they're eating this diet too!)To be absolutely blunt about this, I now weigh exactly twice what I did when I graduated high school....which was 40 years ago. That's right, I have an entire person to lose. My weight has gone up and down too many times to count; I'll have success long enough to meet a goal (a wedding or some such) or look and feel better, but I have never reached the ultimate goal, or learned how to maintain the loss. I also have many ways to incorporate exercise, including a Y membership...but I've got a lazy streak. I wish I didn't, but I do. So my exercising has been sporadic, too, when for many reasons, it needs to be regular and intense enough to do some good in all the ways I need. I mean...I used to be a diet counselor. I used to be an aerobics instructor. I KNOW how this all works, and why. I just have to DO it. Just DO it. (Gee, sounds like a commercial or something.)

Third, I've got some big things coming up next year. A 40th class reunion. A writers conference, which leads to my biggest working-toward-goal: selling my book. And that would mean dust jacket photos, right? Daughter's high school graduation, and I want so much to feel confident in all those family photos.

Fourth, it's time. PAST time. I'm closer to 60 now than 50 (no matter how often I hear that I look younger--and yes that profile picture is from earlier this year, professional headshot from my theatre group--the fact remains true. I have never lied about my age and I won't now, either.

Fifth, I like that I can be as involved--or anonymous--as I please here.

It works here, when I work it.

So just watch me. I am so on this, and I feel so good about that.

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1531 kcal

Fat: 68.77g | Prot: 101.44g | Carb: 142.98g.   Breakfast: Roma Tomatoes, Poached Egg, Pineapple, Butter (Salted). Lunch: Great Value Ripple Cut Potato Chips, French's Classic Yellow Mustard, America's Choice Thin Sliced Honey Ham, Kroger 100% Whole Wheat Sandwich Thins. Dinner: Del Monte French Style Green Beans, Succotash (Corn and Limas) (Frozen), Pork Chops (Center Rib, Bone-In, Lean Only, Cooked, Braised). Snacks/Other: Honeycrisp Apples, Jif To Go Creamy Peanut Butter, Celery. more...

3803 kcal

Activities & Exercise: Housework - 6 hours, Resting - 10 hours, Sleeping - 8 hours. more...