Thursday, October 11, 2007

Feeling like I need more, but afraid it will mean less...

We're talking calories, of course. I feel like I should be taking in more calories, as CC suggests, but the moment I jump up from 1200, I have no weight loss. I haven't lost this week. Now I know this could be attributed to certain other factors (TTOM), but I still blame the extra calories. Plus...every time I go above 1200...I can't stop there. I end up at 1800-2000 for the day. My BMR is 2300 and I am burning about 400 extra a day from working out (walking or other cardio). That means it averages 2700 a day. So I understand I should be at 1700. But at 1700, nothing happens.

I don't want to enter the dreaded starvation mode and I don't want to adversely affect my metabolic rate. But being as obese as I am...won't it take a while for me to hit starvation mode and such anyways? I don't know. We'll see I guess.

Wednesday, October 10, 2007

Meal Planning Mondays...on Wednesday

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I know, I know. Late is better than never though.

Monday: Lavash wraps with ham and spinach salad

Tueday: Cabbage and Tomato soup with lentils

Wednesday: Tuna pasta with spinach

Thursday: Stuffed cabbage rolls with ground turkey and broccoli

Friday: Borlotti beans over rice

My lifestyle journey begins...and continues

I have decided to use this blog as the way to document my weight loss and fitness gains and to act as a reminder to me of "how things used to be" (at least I hope this will be the case in a couple of months).

That said, I have been using Calorie Count for just over a month, and I have lost just about 20 lbs to date. I started at 275 lbs and have hit my first plateau this week at 255 lbs. I have upped my calories from 1200 to about 1500, but I am wondering if I have made a mistake. I just worry that this increase is causing my weight to level out. Its either that or that its taken me a month to loss the excess water weight and glycogen stores.

The weather is turning cold and this is becoming a big concern to me. I don't have any workout stuff at the house (other than my worn out shoes and my legs) and won't be able to get anything anytime soon. Plus the car is broken and I know that I won't be able to get out to the park to walk on the trails any time soon. So I think I am going to have to force myself to get out there and walk these hills in an attempt to make a real difference in myself.

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Meal Planning Mondays...on Tuesday (I am improving!)

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Monday: Hamburger gravy and mashed potatoes with corn
Tuesday: Roast pork and sauerkraut with potatoes and green beans
Wednesday: Spicy black-eyed peas and rice
Thursday: Steak fajitas and rice
Friday: TBD...but possibly spaghetti and garlic bread

School starting and depression setting in...

Aidyn is officially starting school on Friday. I am so torn over the prospect of him going...will he be okay? What if he gets picked on? What if another child won't share and he is left alone? What if he gets embarassed? But then again, what if he has the time of his life and loves it?

I know I am projecting my fears and anxiety concerning socialization and inclusion on a child of five. I know that he will be fine. But being my only child, and considering our history, I feel that him leaving for school is to a degree him leaving ME. Why should he grow up? Why should he want to do all those things that boys do...without their mothers? For some reason I always, dillusionally, of course, assumed that he would want to stay with me, learn from me...generally remain the shadow that he has been since that hot summer back in 2002. I almost felt like he had defected when he said that he wanted to go to school. We (read that as ME) had such grand plans for homeschooling...

I am not ready to move on to this next step in parenting. Aidyn was never, ever meant to be my only. But with all my fertility issues, he is very likely it. So, at 28 I am supposed to hang up my baby-mommy hat and start seperating myself. I feel like I am just getting geared up into the whole mommy lifestyle. With Chas and I's decision for me to stay home, and the seperation from the sadnesses of years ago, I am finally at a place that I can concentrate on being a mom. I can be that cookie baking, crafty project mom that all of us kids from the "mom has to work to feed us" generation craved growing up. And, no one needs me to do it.

I know that many say I should start thinking about things I need and want for myself. Here's my chance to take back the life that motherhood interrupted nearly six years ago. I could go back to school, get a job, essentially carve out a niche for me...for myself. No more huge sacrifices necessary. No more sleepless nights filled with bottles or a little body "in-between" in case mommy is needed in the night. But, guess what? I WANT TO BE A MOM. I don't want to go back to a 9-5 existence, with family being secondary to everything else. That is the life that some want and it is certainly that life that some have to have to get by. But I want to have more babies and concentrate on that role in my life.

I know I am selfish. I know that Aidyn has every right to have a mom that doesn't sigh and sniffle over putting his toddler Wiggles comforter away and putting the new, older, more grown-up boy Transformers one on his bed (that secretly his father covets and would love to have if I would only let him). I know that by concentrating on missing him as a little boy I am actually missing his transition into a little man. I am sure that I will lament that loss only too soon as well, when grows into a man. But for now, I am going to get through this next week and spend Friday afternoon bawling my eyes out after I drop him off and watch him leave ME for the rest of the whole, wide, wonderful world.

Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Meal Planning Mondays...on Wednesday

Better late than never...

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Monday...Bean burritos with fresh tomatoes
Tuesday...Cornmeal pancakes and cantaloupe slices
Wednesday...Chicken and chilis over rice
Thursday...Spaghetti and garlic bread
Friday...Pierogie lasagna

A little change from the ordinary...

I think I am changing the entire make-up of most all those beliefs I held in my previous life. I have always been an independent thinking, feminist leaning woman. I have always believed in the rights of a woman concerning herself and her place in the world. But, I think that I am changing, whether or not for the better, I have yet to decide. I am becoming much more conservative, to the cheers of Chas and the chagrin of some of my oldest friends. I am becoming more modest, more reserved...more...less. Does that make sense? I am concentrating much more on just about everything outside of myself. My concern? Is this growth and maturity or a depressing attempt to justify what I have become? I want it to be maturity, but I still have doubts.

I thank you for stopping by my little version of Eden. I appreciate you kind thoughts and contributions to this page and look forward to seeing them in the future. However, I do reserve the right to remove any questionable content or anything that may detract from the overall nature of the page. Thank you for your continued support. Many blessings!