Hard as it is to believe, I had to postpone my Medifast Initial Consultation that was to be today at 4:30pm because of the weather. In Arizona! Which is known for the fabulous winter weather. Today, tonight and tomorrow are all due for hard freezing, and roads have been closed up in Northern Arizona, and while the sun is shining in Southeastern Arizona... the drive back would be later and colder and more dangerous.
Luckily, I was able to arrange to work earlier hours on Monday, and can make an appointment in the early afternoon... which will keep me on schedule for starting the program on Tuesday, January 4th!
* * *
20 years ago this month I graduated from Pepperdine University. I had an absolutely amazing college experience; I really really did. I still owe many dollars because of it, and I ponder often where I'd be financially without all the student loan debt. I would not have had some amazing experiences had I gone to a less expensive institution, and so I can't really be objective... Argh! What am trying to say?!
Not that long ago, I used to resent the debt and how (in hindsight I was feeling like) I'd had no real say in where I ended up for college. But, I think I've let that feeling of powerlessness go - and have accepted (like a real grown-up, I think!) my choice as my choice, no blame - and to absolutely be thankful and loving toward everything about that time of life.
Yay! This is kinda a big a-ha realization for me... Woot!! Always nice to let go of negative stuff.
* * *
In other news... my employers like me so much they gave me a $2 an hour raise... I don't work that many hours in a week, and it only gives me an additional $52 (pre-tax) extra per month... But Hey! It is a huge raise after only 6-1/2 months, and if I do end up having to move on to obtain a real full-time job, it is a nice percentage of my wage and will look good to possible future employers!
Since I'm going to beginning a new phase of eating and lifestyle -- which some might consider stressful (ya think?!!) ... maybe I can stay for another two months before really having to knuckle down and search for a higher-paying job... in the meantime, perhaps I'll market the singing for senior living facilities thing a bit more strenuously ♪ ♫ ♪ ....
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Feeling Groovy
Not really.
I'm in a mood. Fell asleep on the couch after eating cheese and crackers, which I shared with himself, and when he went to make dinner he didn't even offer to share what he was preparing. I didn't make it known that I wanted some, and no mind-reading going on in this house... and he's been working hard all day... and I still have dishes in the sink and haven't done much today in the way of house chores. And I know I'd feel better if I did something in the house.
But in my mind he should have offered. And the fact that he didn't upsets me. But will I do anything about it? Will saying anything do any good? Do I need to bring it up, because it'll only make him angry and won't change anything, and somehow I'll end up feeling bad (worse).
Not really hungry, but angry. No real reason to be angry, but it is a feeling I'm feeling and instead of eating, I think I'll go for a short, brisk, cold walk with Rascal, KOTH (King of the House), then put on comfy clothes and do some kitchen work.
Tomorrow I drive to Medifast Clinic for the initial appointment, which makes me feel better already.
I'm in a mood. Fell asleep on the couch after eating cheese and crackers, which I shared with himself, and when he went to make dinner he didn't even offer to share what he was preparing. I didn't make it known that I wanted some, and no mind-reading going on in this house... and he's been working hard all day... and I still have dishes in the sink and haven't done much today in the way of house chores. And I know I'd feel better if I did something in the house.
But in my mind he should have offered. And the fact that he didn't upsets me. But will I do anything about it? Will saying anything do any good? Do I need to bring it up, because it'll only make him angry and won't change anything, and somehow I'll end up feeling bad (worse).
Not really hungry, but angry. No real reason to be angry, but it is a feeling I'm feeling and instead of eating, I think I'll go for a short, brisk, cold walk with Rascal, KOTH (King of the House), then put on comfy clothes and do some kitchen work.
Tomorrow I drive to Medifast Clinic for the initial appointment, which makes me feel better already.
There's Nothing Like An Arizona Sunrise
I've been waking up around 6am pretty consistently since September-ish... I started in January of this year with a friend calling me in the morning to help me establish this new habit of getting up at the same time every morning; despite the time I went to bed. I had the thought in the summer that I should get up slightly earlier every morning, so that I would eventually get up early enough to see the sunrise... I really enjoy that pre-dawn show that is usually a slow, gradual glorious display of nature. It can be a time to sip a hot cup of tea, contemplate the day, give thanks for the blessings we have, and be intentional with what the day will be and accomplish.
So below is the range of sunrises for January through December, 2011... with a picture of this morning's sunrise from my backyard. My hope is that I'll be up early enough every morning to be dressed and go out in the street to better capture a particularly pretty morning (no neighbor's houses interfering)... and have the dog on a leash and we get our daily 15 - 20 minutes or more walk around the neighborhood in.
Jan 1, 2011 7:25 AM
Jan 31, 7:19 AM
Feb 28, 6:53 AM
Mar 31, 6:14 AM
Apr 30, 5:39 AM
May 31, 5:18 AM
Jun 19, 5:17 AM* Earliest of the Year
Jun 30, 5:20 AM
Jul 31, 5:38 AM
Aug 31, 5:58 AM
Sep 30, 6:17 AM
Oct 31, 6:40 AM
Nov 31, 7:06 AM
Dec 31, 7:25 AM
So below is the range of sunrises for January through December, 2011... with a picture of this morning's sunrise from my backyard. My hope is that I'll be up early enough every morning to be dressed and go out in the street to better capture a particularly pretty morning (no neighbor's houses interfering)... and have the dog on a leash and we get our daily 15 - 20 minutes or more walk around the neighborhood in.
Jan 1, 2011 7:25 AM
Jan 31, 7:19 AM
Feb 28, 6:53 AM
Mar 31, 6:14 AM
Apr 30, 5:39 AM
May 31, 5:18 AM
Jun 19, 5:17 AM* Earliest of the Year
Jun 30, 5:20 AM
Jul 31, 5:38 AM
Aug 31, 5:58 AM
Sep 30, 6:17 AM
Oct 31, 6:40 AM
Nov 31, 7:06 AM
Dec 31, 7:25 AM
This was at 7:21 this morning.
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
A Quick Post While It Is Still Today!
A good hint I got today... when I start craving... 'Not Now'
"Not Now" doesn't meant not ever... it just means not now. A good thing to remember.
Today was a procrastination day... which means tomorrow will be a frantic deadline day.
Ahhh.... the adrenaline of a deadline looming!
"Not Now" doesn't meant not ever... it just means not now. A good thing to remember.
Today was a procrastination day... which means tomorrow will be a frantic deadline day.
Ahhh.... the adrenaline of a deadline looming!
Monday, December 27, 2010
6 Changes in 2011
Inspired by this post here.
and the Method is Here.
It always frustrates me when I read blogs that don't tell you what the link is you're going to... so the first link is to an explanation of "The 6 Changes Method" at 6changes.com (by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits blog) and the second link is to the "how it works" simple explanation. There is a lot more on that website, and I think 2011 is a good time to create some better habits!
For Me, I like Leo's list for 2009 going into 2010...
This list can totally change as I go through the year. It totally helps thinking about only one at a time, focusing on one change for two months... my usual practice is too many things all at once and becoming completely overwhelmed and quitting everything.
My priorities may change after some more contemplation... the order of the list may certainly change. Losing weight won't stop after two months... but the habit of eating smaller amounts, being satisfied with small amounts every few hours... should be established... the habit of being healthier first by losing weight will not change, but I give myself permission to perhaps juggle priorities this year as I go through this process.
and the Method is Here.
It always frustrates me when I read blogs that don't tell you what the link is you're going to... so the first link is to an explanation of "The 6 Changes Method" at 6changes.com (by Leo Babauta of Zen Habits blog) and the second link is to the "how it works" simple explanation. There is a lot more on that website, and I think 2011 is a good time to create some better habits!
For Me, I like Leo's list for 2009 going into 2010...
- Daily exercise.
- Healthy eating.
- Waking early.
- De-cluttering and simplifying.
- Reading.
- Creating each day.
- [#1] Lose Weight (Medifast through the clinic and one-on-one counseling)
- Sing Every Day (practice, vocalize, learn a couple measures of new music)
- Daily Exercise (walking, using the bands I got, jumping rope, Tai Chi and using the elliptical once I'm down to 280 lbs are my thoughts at this time)
- Organizing/De-cluttering a piece of my life every day
- Waking up at the same time every day
- Keeping My House Presentable (I like Flylady's concepts and ideals - especially the one that you can do anything for 15 minutes)
This list can totally change as I go through the year. It totally helps thinking about only one at a time, focusing on one change for two months... my usual practice is too many things all at once and becoming completely overwhelmed and quitting everything.
My priorities may change after some more contemplation... the order of the list may certainly change. Losing weight won't stop after two months... but the habit of eating smaller amounts, being satisfied with small amounts every few hours... should be established... the habit of being healthier first by losing weight will not change, but I give myself permission to perhaps juggle priorities this year as I go through this process.
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Happy Boxing Day
It isn't that I haven't thought about blogging... I just have been preoccupied with other things... chorus was busy over the Christmas Season, I was catching up with chorus commitments I'd neglected, lots of little meetings and quite a bit of social time, too :-). My new quartet auditioned for the chorus (music team) and passed -- in order to be an official quartet of my chorus -- and therefore we can represent proudly Sweet Adelines around the community, and then December absolutely sped by!!
As this blog is meant to be about the journey of weight loss, fitness and self-improvement in general ~ the big thing on my mind has been the offer made by my step-dad in November to pay for the Medifast Weight Loss Program for me.
Before talking more about Medifast and what that means, I needed to speak to him and mom about expectations and how it would work between us. They have heard lots of ads on the radio station they listen to in their area; about how it is supervised by medical professionals (since I have not heard the ad myself, I don't know if the ad says doctors...) and when you do the program you have nutritional counselors and you check in once a week. So, in conversation with step-dad and mom, I told him when I'm having a hard time, I'm going to call him and rant/rage about it, and he can be one of my support people... and we agreed to see what progress I've made in 3 months. I told him I want to lose 150 lbs, and is he in for paying for it until that point? He said yes. Knowing the history of my family, I want to put something in writing or email stating as much, in order to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings and to also hold me as accountable as possible on my end of the bargain - which is to l.o.s.e. t.h.e. w.e.i.g.h.t. full stop. The End.
I found out that the Medifast website is something sort of different than the centers... it looks like you can do the program by ordering food and webtools, and the website doesn't seem to say anything about how the centers are run differently. Weight Watchers has the same thing, and I sucked at that website only thing. I know I need the one-on-one accountability.
I called the center that seemed to have the most convenient hours and closest location to me from where I'll be driving from... and the gal I spoke to said that I wouldn't be going through the website at all-- that I go to the center once a week (and that is an additional $8 a week), though I probably will be doing a phone check in once every other week, since driving up weekly is a little unrealistic with my schedule and budget. She said that the average website-only user sticks with the program only 5 weeks; that the centers have a higher success rate.
I know from my 25-lb weight loss experience back in the summer of 1988 with Diet Center and DAILY weigh-ins, I did really well with that outside accountability. (Examining why I can't keep a commitment to myself will be part of my emotional journey this year, I'm sure)
So, I made an appointment to go back up there on December 30th in the afternoon...mom will meet me there. There will be an hour spent with me by a Nutritional Counselor (will be interested to see what exactly that means) finding out more about me and which program of theirs would work best. The gal on the phone said I'd be sent for blood tests etc... and I'm sure a weigh in. I pick up my food from the center, and pay them there -- which is one main reason why mom is coming along. I plan to begin on Tuesday, January 4th, 2011. Starting a diet on a Sunday or Monday just basically sucks on all levels emotionally. I'm excited about it, and am very eager to meet with the person at the center to find out even more information.
In the meantime, I went and bought some elastic bands to work out with -- I want to be able to travel with them and they are light... and a jump rope. I have a tai chi DVD that I've not watched yet, a walking DVD that I want to also do, and I have an Oxycise DVD that I want to put in and take a look at too. Tomorrow morning I'll start walking the dog in the mornings again, and get back to getting up at a regular time despite the time I went to bed... and I need to restrict my television to one day a week. I never watched this much television before I got married, and 12+ years of bad bad habits need to be reversed.
2010 has been the year of epiphanies; 2011 needs to be the year of follow through.
As this blog is meant to be about the journey of weight loss, fitness and self-improvement in general ~ the big thing on my mind has been the offer made by my step-dad in November to pay for the Medifast Weight Loss Program for me.
Before talking more about Medifast and what that means, I needed to speak to him and mom about expectations and how it would work between us. They have heard lots of ads on the radio station they listen to in their area; about how it is supervised by medical professionals (since I have not heard the ad myself, I don't know if the ad says doctors...) and when you do the program you have nutritional counselors and you check in once a week. So, in conversation with step-dad and mom, I told him when I'm having a hard time, I'm going to call him and rant/rage about it, and he can be one of my support people... and we agreed to see what progress I've made in 3 months. I told him I want to lose 150 lbs, and is he in for paying for it until that point? He said yes. Knowing the history of my family, I want to put something in writing or email stating as much, in order to avoid misunderstandings and hurt feelings and to also hold me as accountable as possible on my end of the bargain - which is to l.o.s.e. t.h.e. w.e.i.g.h.t. full stop. The End.
I found out that the Medifast website is something sort of different than the centers... it looks like you can do the program by ordering food and webtools, and the website doesn't seem to say anything about how the centers are run differently. Weight Watchers has the same thing, and I sucked at that website only thing. I know I need the one-on-one accountability.
I called the center that seemed to have the most convenient hours and closest location to me from where I'll be driving from... and the gal I spoke to said that I wouldn't be going through the website at all-- that I go to the center once a week (and that is an additional $8 a week), though I probably will be doing a phone check in once every other week, since driving up weekly is a little unrealistic with my schedule and budget. She said that the average website-only user sticks with the program only 5 weeks; that the centers have a higher success rate.
I know from my 25-lb weight loss experience back in the summer of 1988 with Diet Center and DAILY weigh-ins, I did really well with that outside accountability. (Examining why I can't keep a commitment to myself will be part of my emotional journey this year, I'm sure)
So, I made an appointment to go back up there on December 30th in the afternoon...mom will meet me there. There will be an hour spent with me by a Nutritional Counselor (will be interested to see what exactly that means) finding out more about me and which program of theirs would work best. The gal on the phone said I'd be sent for blood tests etc... and I'm sure a weigh in. I pick up my food from the center, and pay them there -- which is one main reason why mom is coming along. I plan to begin on Tuesday, January 4th, 2011. Starting a diet on a Sunday or Monday just basically sucks on all levels emotionally. I'm excited about it, and am very eager to meet with the person at the center to find out even more information.
In the meantime, I went and bought some elastic bands to work out with -- I want to be able to travel with them and they are light... and a jump rope. I have a tai chi DVD that I've not watched yet, a walking DVD that I want to also do, and I have an Oxycise DVD that I want to put in and take a look at too. Tomorrow morning I'll start walking the dog in the mornings again, and get back to getting up at a regular time despite the time I went to bed... and I need to restrict my television to one day a week. I never watched this much television before I got married, and 12+ years of bad bad habits need to be reversed.
2010 has been the year of epiphanies; 2011 needs to be the year of follow through.
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