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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 June 2007 07:35 pm |
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Ok, I just can't do this strict part of the diet. I am not a functional person right now, I have such a bad headache and feel so weak and tired. I felt better when I was eating eggs for breakfast and I was losing weight too. I do think I need to eat more healthy and so does my family, but this Eat To Live plan is just too much for me, especially right now. I don't have the luxury of being ill and spending a week in bed to detox. And frankly even after the kids go back to school, I can't imagine wanting to do it then either, but at least now, I know I can eat better. And I will eat better. At the moment though, I just want to feel better.
Please Hisgal, don't be disappointed in me.
Last edited on 28 June 2007 08:54 pm by Sassykat
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 June 2007 08:54 pm |
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I read the book in the fall of 2005. I was on the strict version for about 8 weeks, and then had my annual physical. I was amazed that my cholesterol was down to 164 (from 230), my bad cholesterol was down to 95 (from 161) and my triglycerides went up a little to 60 (2 yrs. earlier, they were at 298!)
I added some whole grains back in, and coffee wasn't a problem, as I'd given that up a few years before (along with almost all caffeine products). I pretty much stayed on it, or incorporated many of the principals, until I read BFFM. I think that was the fall of 2006.
We are leaving for CO tomorrow! Our daughter and hubs lived there. Hope you are having nice weather? Did you get rid of that hot stuff?
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 June 2007 09:06 pm |
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Well, I live in southern CO in the San Luis Valley and it is much cooler here. Only on occasion do we have the same weather as the northern part of the state, such as Denver. Even Pueblo, which is 2 miles north of us is much hotter. Here in the Valley we just open our windows for the fresh air and breeze. There aren't many that have air conditioning. Do you ever check the weather on the internet? I like accuweather.com and you can type in whatever city you want to get a 15 day forecast, complete with wind and hour by hour weather.
I hope you have a good trip! It sounds like fun!
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 June 2007 09:45 pm |
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Hi Ladies!
I feel like we're sitting on a porch chatting! How fun!
Sas, I have tried diets before that made me feel that way and it didn't work for me. I was feeling yicky yesterday because I don't think I got enough balance or calories , and you're right, us Y2K women don't have time to sit around and get vapors!
You have incorporated some great things in your life. Focus on keeping those things going and don't let yourself get down, frustrated, or weak because, if you're like me, you'll feel deprived. Next thing you know, you're face down in a Pizza Hut Supreme and feeling even worse! Take the info, learn from it, but tailor your eating habits to YOUR needs. If everything worked for everyone, well, that would mean we're all alike, which we aren't, AND the whole world would be thin!
Something that has really helped me is working in a place where there are thousands upon thousands of people who are not from the US. Most of my colleagues and many of my friends are from Europe, Africa and Asia, where there are fewer problems with weight. I watch what they do and try to live like they live. I got a really nice compliment from someone the other day when they said I lived like a European. I do in that I don't have a car, I walk everywhere, I try to make my biggest meal lunch, take my time eating, always with lots of conversation and friendship, and I drink a lot of coffee. Now, I know the coffee isn't great, but it's a habit, along with smoking, that I need to taper off. I'm currently writing down times I open cig packs and trying to make packs last as long as possible. I also try to limit myself to 1 cup of coffee per day, but that sometimes fails. It's a social thing. Sometimes I just "go for coffee", but don't get anything.
Don't beat yourself up if you have a sandwich, just use good whole wheat bread, lean meat or some protein, and lots of veggies. That's not "blowing it", it adjusting. Now you know that good orange food=carrots; bad orange food=Doritos, good white food=cauliflower, bad white food=Wonder Bread. Run with it!
Be happy!
Kit
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 June 2007 10:07 pm |
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Thanks Semi! You're always making me feel better. I took 2 Advil, with a diet Pepsi and a sandwhich and I feel better now. Crazy, feeling like a drug addict over food! 
You're right though, we are all different and I do need to find what's right for me. I still want you to read the book. It will forever change the way you look at food, that's why I was willing to give the 6 week eating plan a try, but had I known the effect if would have on my body I would have put it off until the kids were back in school. There's got to be a compromise somewhere, so I can be healthier, lose weight and still get things done around here at the same time and! Not feel like a deprived lunatic! One thing that is going to stay with me is the eating of vegetables and fruits on a daily basis. I do like Dr Fuhrmans renovated food pyramid!
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 June 2007 10:12 pm |
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By the way, there aren't any cockroaches on this porch are there? (or grasshoppers! I've got a bunch in my yard that the boys feed to our ducks. They're only along one side of the house though.) Does anybody want any baby ducks? Our female duck, Diane is laying on a bunch of eggs and I am pretty sure I can't take them to the animal shelter.
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 28 June 2007 10:28 pm |
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Wow, you have grasshoppers AND pregnant ducks?
No roaches on the porch here. Just a nice imaginary breeze flowing over the grass I hardly see here, and plenty of well cared for ducks. Won't Diane (that slays me), take care of her babies? Are there zoning limits to how many you can have? Sorry I can't help out there, maybe someone on here will live near by and come get a duck from you though. I feed the sparrows at Starbucks, but that's about the extent of my bird-sitting capabilities.
I have a solution to the road rage in your area... I tell people that my theory on road rage involves assuming that it is perpetuated by men who are... unhappy with their physical selves, if you know what I mean... this makes them angry, and then they drive badly trying to make up for it by controlling something that they DO have control over. I figure if I spread this rumor (there is no fact and certainly no research that has gone into it), then men around the world will drive courteously and carefully assuming that others will think the opposite of them for doing so! 
Now, before all the men write in and point out that road rage can be perpetuated by women as well, let me clarify two things- it is more frequently men than women who are caught in this position, AND the women who drive aggressively are probably married to the men who are mad at nature for... well, you know. Hate if you will, but with enough people subscribing to my belief, we CAN eradicate aggressive driving in our lifetime! 
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 29 June 2007 01:07 am |
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Don't get upset over not being able to stick with the strict plan of Eat to Live. I'd have to go back and read my diary, but I think I started out slowly. I just wrote that I started out with the strict version, but thinking back, I did have 12 oz. of animal products a week, and some bread. It was for Lent of 2006 that I cut out all animal products and all breads. I think I allowed myself 2 bowls of oatmeal a week.
Semi is right, you have to find what works for you! This needs to be a life change! All of us here, have struggled through trying to figure out what works. Experiment and see what is the plan that you could live with for the rest of your life. I think what I will eventually end up with, is a combination of different diet plans........one customized to meet my needs.
My daughter lives NE of Denver, in the suburb of Thornton. We haven't seen it yet, as they just moved there in December. I am excited to be going!
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 29 June 2007 04:35 am |
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Thank you Hisgal for your kindness and encouragement. I think that idea of combining parts of several diets/plans is a really good one. That way the plan is tailored specifically for you and has all the great things that worked best for you. Your journal is an inspiration to me. You've worked so hard and you give God the credit for supplying your strength. I really admire you for doing that.
I will say a prayer for your safe trip. I hope you have lots of fun and enjoy your family!
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 29 June 2007 04:47 am |
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Oh and by the way we live out of town so there really aren't any zoning worries. But if 13 eggs hatch 13 little ducks, they will quickly grow into big ducks that will poop all over my sidewalk and front step and they will need to be fed extra food eventually, especially that many (ducks). Right now, Diane and David (the male duck) mostly eat bugs and grass (although they have been known to eat my flowers), but they do supplement their diet with dog food. Could you imagine 15 ducks under foot? 
I have decided that we could maybe have the kids give them away. Around here it would not be an uncommon sight.
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 30 June 2007 12:54 am |
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I am feeling better again and went for my walk this morning 2.6 miles. Now I am looking around at what a wreck my house has begun. Perhaps it would be better for me not to spend as much time on the computer visiting.
Cleaning house and doing yard work also would help me with my weight loss goals. I have learned so much. Now it is time to put some of that knowledge to use!
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 30 June 2007 01:01 am |
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Good to hear you're up and running again! As soon as you're done with your house, there's plenty to clean here too! You know, I'm just looking out for your exercise needs
Great job on the challenge too! I am actually excited about weighing in Sunday because I get to report it in TWO places!
Happy Friday!
Your pal,
Kit
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 30 June 2007 05:11 am |
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Very, very tricky Semi! If you lived out here in the country with me we could help each other with housework and projects. Since I gave myself permission to stop the ETL plan I have really indulged today. Funny how we do that. And I feel overly stuffed also, so that's not good. Gotta remember this challenge and at least think of setting a good example. lol I'll probably post a 9 pound gain instead of loss. My husband asked me if I wanted to have salad with dinner and I was like, "uh, no." I just wanted a break I guess.
Do you do any walking? Oh! I wanted to tell you I saw two wild coyotes on our country road this morning when I went for my walk. Apparently they were unaware of me at first and were heading my way. I've never seen coyotes before. Then I made the mistake of coughing and they quickly turned around and walked back the way they had come from, toward the hills/mountains. Every little bit they would turn around and look at me like they were making sure I was not in hot pursuit after them. It was an enjoyable surprise for me to have come across them. Just thought I would share that with you since you live in the big city.
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 2 July 2007 09:00 pm |
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Saturday morning when I got on the scale I weighed 144.2 lbs Sometimes our scale will give different readings if you get on it 3 times in a row so I do question it's accuracy. How can one day of eating cause a 2 lb weight gain? Yesterday we went fishing and I had not eaten breakfast so by the time we stopped at Wal-Mart for ice, I was not feeling well. I felt like I was going to get a migraine (this happens sometimes when it's too hot and I don't eat) so my husband said "we better get you something to eat so as to prevent the migraine. Wal-Mart has a Subway there so I got a meatball sandwich. We were away from the house all day and I know a lot of what I ate was unnecessary. A raspberry filled pastry, a sandwich for dinner, raspberry tea (with sugar), chips, and a small blizzard on the way home from fishing. We stopped at Dairy Queen and it had been such a hot day and we were all sunburned. Then we watched a movie we had rented and I ate a handful of potato chips.
Today I feel tired and it has become apparent that I need to watch how much time I spend in the direct sun on a hot day. It seems to have become too much for me. Because for a day or two after wards I feel tired and wore out. I will from now on be more careful about avoiding sunburn, overheating and dehydration.
Being careful about what I eat today so I can get back on track for the challenge, however I am planning a big family meal tomorrow as my older kids are coming over and shall light some fireworks for the younger kids. Then Weds is pizza and we are going to see a firework display. I shall at least watch my portions though. I am happy to spend time with my family.
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 2 July 2007 09:18 pm |
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Hey Sas!
Watch out that those coyotes don't enjoy duck a'laronge (sp?)!
I have most definitely never seen a coyote, except for Wiley (super-genius). That must have been neat! We have some funny looking dogs in our area, but not a coyote in the bunch that I know of!
Sounds like heat does the same thing to you that beer does to me... makes you lose all your inhibitions about dieting and eating the right stuff! I've been forgetting for the last several days too, and only a couple of days before the big weigh in for the 4th!! Yikes. I'm going to have to get a hair cut, clip my fingernails, take off my jewelry, get the callosus off my feet, anything to get that last 3 lbs off! I'd better keep drinking the water over the next couple of days and eat stuff with ZERO sodium.
Okay, I'm declaring the snarf fest over. Back on the wagon, both of us. Next year we should have 20 year old men watching us on the beach wondering how us middle-aged ladies stay so hot! Then of course, we'll tell their mothers! 
You asked about walking- I do walk, but mostly to get from place to place (no car), so most of it doesn't really count because I'm used to it. I just loaded up the iPod with books on tape though, so I'll get some extra walking in this week and next. My new job is far from the subway stop, so I will have the option to take a shuttle, or huff it about 3/4 of a mile or so each way. I guess on the nice days, I'm going to have to huff it... all uphill!!!
More later, this is my second to last day at this job, so I've got soooo much to do before I go! Blah!
Cheers!
Kit
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 9 July 2007 02:04 am |
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breakfast - peach, plum & 1 cup of coffee with sugar and milk
lunch - large salad and 1 cup of beans
snack - 2 pieces of dark chocolate one a Hersheys nugget (55 calories! ) and a Dove (45 calories)
snack - bag of baby carrots
dinner - bowl of salad, leftovers from the vietnemese restaurant we ate at yesterday. It was actually somewhat healthy- steamed broccoli, carrots, water cress, onions and small bits of chicken. I only had 2 small bites of chicken for dinner tonight.
The problem is now I just want to eat chocolate! And I am feeling deprived. Why can't the food we are having a love affair with be healthy and low calorie? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Ok enough of being annoying!
Notes/Feelings: I am doing some rereading of Eat To Live and there are a couple of chapters or sections rather, that I missed. I am still feeing outraged over the "food conspiracy" in this country.  I thought I was over it, but I'm not obviously. Read about partially hydrogenated stuff being basically poison and Dr Fuhrman's recommendation to throw it away. I went and read one of my slim fast bars which have become a basic staple for me because of the calorie content and the protein, it has the ability to help me feel full, while stabilizing my blood sugar and they taste great. I can eat one for lunch, hey it's only 220 calories and I'm good until dinner. Guess what folks?! It's poison! My kids have been eating them too! It just makes me wanna scream! Aaaahhhhhh!!!!!
I do want to be thin, I don't want to have disease! Why does it have to be so dang hard?!  The whole supermarket is filled with food that really isn't food at all.
What is left that I can eat?! Besides leaves that is.
So this is what I have decided, I am going to keep educating myself through reading material and this includes studying Eat To Live and perhaps taking notes and slowly moving my family in that direction. For instance, no more buying slim fast bars. No more buying hydrogenated foods. (We're talking wheat thins here guys!) Gosh that must entail countless food items. I had pretty much decided no more pop. I'd actually rather have the kids drink fruit juice, though I know fruit juice is not that healthy either, but it is better than pop. For me, it's easier to move things along little steps at a time. I still have pop in the house. I have Kool-Aid in the house. I am not going to make my kids cry and have them watch me throw it in the trash. It is better for us, for me to just quit buying it and buy fruit juice instead and V8 juice. Skim milk, and sun tea. We are eating less meat and actually less bread. We are eating more beans and tons more salad.
I hope to get back to exercising again this week, but I haven't been feeling well. My balance has been off and I seem to have that "positional vertigo" thing where I feel dizzy. It is soooo aggravating and I wish I could do something to make it go away.
Last edited on 9 July 2007 04:24 am by Sassykat
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 10 July 2007 03:03 am |
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Sas, you are so funny. You can't be annoying in your own diary! I doubt you've got it in you at all! You're too nice!
You are doing so well making the household changes and I think there's nothing wrong with doing it gradually. I also think there is a problem with throwing away food, so finish the stuff, and just replace it gradually with healthy stuff. If the kids like Kool-aid, they might like apple juice or orange juice mixed with club soda. It cuts the calories and sugar, and makes it fizzy! Just don't let them try club soda plain first or they're going to be suspicious... I love apple/orange juice all mixed together with club soda when I'm sick. It's my favorite "comfort drink" (besides beer).
Meanwhile, you said chocolate, and I just went and got some. Bad me! Bad US! Let's pretend we're using it for the seratonin benefits! God, that was good. Now I want more. I only have one cigarette left too, and I'm not in the mood to go out and get more. I'll just go to bed early. After today, I need that anyway.
Did I tell you I'm reading The China Study? It's very technical, and he spends a lot of time, like a lot of authors, promoting his self worth, which is unrelated and unnecessary to the subject. The premise, however, seems to tie in nicely with Fuhrman, who I've been listening to on those MP3s that Nir put up. I think I've listened to 4 of them now.
So, while I'm here, I'm having a major dilemma. It's time to renew with the trainer and it's a lot of money. The last batch of cash was my tax refund, and it bought 22 sessions (11 weeks). Now, he's willing to give me a discount if I buy another 20, but it's almost $1,000 and I don't have it right now. I'm sure he'd let me pay him in some kind of increments, but I don't know about shelling out this kind of money. The results have been great though, and I love the motivation and expertise. Also, he's always there for me when I don't lose, gain a pound, or just need to scream. I've offered to barter some of it (I do freelance editing/marketing), but he just doesn't have anything right now for me to do. I think I need to go to sleep with this on my mind so I wake up with the answer, but meanwhile, if you have any ideas about this, I'd love to hear them. You're pretty wise for a young woman (with 5 kids!).
Now, DROP THE CHOCOLATE AND WALK AWAY! I just finished off a chocolate cigar. There is no hope for me. SAVE YOURSELF!!! 
Kit
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 10 July 2007 03:31 am |
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I don't think I have good advice on this topic, but here are my thoughts...
For myself (and this is probably because I have 5 kids) It doesn't make sense for me to "pay" for exercise. Let's take a look at my situation though. It is a 1/2 hour drive for me to go to the closest gym. I live on this nice country road where there is plenty of free exercise. I can walk down it as far as the mountains if I like. Also we have free weights here at home with a bench (my husbands), but I haven't used them. I prefer to walk for now and my theory is to concentrate on just losing some weight before toning up. And there is also plenty of yard work, house work, I could even paint the walls if I could get around to it.
Your situation is completely different from mine. You have a small apartment (am I right?) and you live in the city. I don't know what to tell you. If you don't have the money - then let that be your decision.
Choices:
A) be creative and develope your own exercise plan
B)splurge on the trainer for the motivation and support
I can understand your dilemma. Ultimately you have to pick what is truly best for you. If splurging on choice B causes a financial hardship, it may not be worth it, but only you can decide that. If it's not that much of a financial burden to swing and you feel it's worth it, then do it. If you cringe at the money it will cost, then choose choice A. You can be creative and watch DVD's to exercise with, yes? Buying some hand weights at Wal*Mart isn't too expensive. I have a pilates video that has a killer workout. And I mean *killer* As in the first time I did it, I felt like I was going to die and I literally limped for a week.
I do splurge on vitamin supplements and fruit and veggies though. Whatever you choose, don't feel guilty!
Now I'm gonna go and chow down some unhealthy food or at least a compromise of healthy and unhealthy.
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 July 2007 01:04 am |
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I have decided that the Eat To Live plan may not be for me. It's way too extreme and it is not making me happy. I end up feeling deprived and eating junk because of the rebellious deprivation I feel.
I read an article that said about 80% of dieters develop eating disorders. I can see why. It makes us obsess over food. Then many gain even more weight.
This does not mean that I disregard the information I have learned in reading Eat To Live. In fact I have plans of occasionally re reading it to keep the information fresh in my life. I am going to return to cooking meals for my family. Now they will be lots healthier.
Today I loaded up on fresh fruit again and got quite a bit of frozen broccoli.
Also, I keep telling myself that my gift to myself is losing this extra weight. I really liked the idea someone else posted, maybe it was MNGuppyMom of purchasing an article of clothing for each weight goal achieved. What a fun idea. (If I can afford it, that is)
1st goal - 140 lbs
2nd goal - 135 lbs
3rd goal - 130 lbs
4th goal - 125 lbs (If I get down to this I am going to need new pants anyway!)
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 11 July 2007 04:53 am |
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Thanks for the chat Sas. That was good. I needed to weigh the pros and cons and I think I've solved the problem. I'm really motivated to continue and the professional expertise helps me a lot. I think 20 more sessions will be the end of it, but my folks have agreed to a no interest loan. This way, I have the money and I can pay it back a little each month without interest, which makes more sense. This way I'm investing, without paying Visa for the luxury!
I could walk plenty if I wanted to, but it's hot and humid and I just get burned out on it fast. Especially when there is no fun wildlife to look at or anything really more interesting than black squirrels, which I always think are cats at first...
Your goals look GREAT! I'm remotivated. I bought gobs of salad the other day and a bunch of frozen veggies too. I've been incorporating them into everyday and feel pretty good. I wouldn't want salad for breakfast, but for dinner tonight and last night I made big ones with beans and stuff (okay, a little cheese) and ate like it was going out of style!
Thanks for being such an awesome support to me. You're the best!
Kit
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 22 July 2007 09:49 pm |
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Had to get new ticker. I lost my past word. Life has been filled with overwhelming problems, but I am hoping they will get better. We have been having serious financial problems. I am praying that there will be more work for our business because we have mortgage payments to make and had to pay our income tax with a credit card. Not good, but we had no other choice. Most likely when school starts back up for the kids I will be looking for employment. I have always been proud that I was careful with our finances in the past and so this has been really upsetting for me. I've been doing lots of crying lately. I don't know if it's our circumstances or eating all this salad has been making me more emotional.
Last night I read Eat To Live to my husband for a while and read some more to him this morning. It's kind of nice to think about something other than finances for a while. Most days I have been managing to eat fruit for breakfast and salad and beans for lunch. I still am drinking coffee. I have been having 2 cups a day, but I should at least cut back to 1 and try not to drink any pop. When I do have pop, I usually pick diet, but I still feel it is not healthy.
I really wish I could get my mental health back to a positive state, but I am pretty scared about our finances at the moment. If anyone reads my journal, I sure would appreciate a prayer on our behalf. I need to have faith. I always had it in the past. I always knew that God would provide for us and he always did. I am such a creature of habit. It is the unknown that scares me. I wouldn't care if I didn't have kids.
I am also trying to enforce some healthy eating choices with my kids. Now I tell them they have to eat fruit for breakfast and salad for lunch. They are doing pretty good!
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 23 July 2007 09:28 pm |
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Sassykat,
I will keep you in my prayers 
When our kids were young, my husband was self employed. During certain times of the year, the money coming in was pretty scarce. I remember once I had a little over $20 for 2 weeks of groceries, for 3 little kids Looking back, I don't know how we managed! But, God brought us through it...........has blessed us abundantly, sometimes financially and sometimes we got rich in other ways
My husband has since gotten rid of the business and gone to work for someone else. He loves the regular hours, that he didn't have before.........and getting paid overtime when he works more than 8 hrs. He especially enjoys having an employer, who has to pay 1/2 of SS and medicare taxes (self employed persons have to pay the whole thing). We often couldn't pay estimated taxes at the required time, and ended up paying penalties. Not fun, but God did get us through it. He is faithful if we are. And I often had to remind myself that it is "His will, not mine"
Hang in there, and trust HIM
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 23 July 2007 10:09 pm |
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Thank you Hisgal! Your words mean more to me than you know. Yeah, that is a big part of our trouble right now is the IRS. We are paying penalties and interest. We owe last years taxes. My husband went 4 months without work and we lived off a credit card, not good. So we have this overwhelming debt of credit cards, house payments, IRS... and the economy has gotten bad here where we live. My husband does concrete construction and some small building, such as garages etc. There just isn't any work. Right now he is doing small jobs. (Thank goodness for these small jobs!)
You are right it is His will, not mine. I just hope His will does not include us losing our home. That is a big fear for me. I dearly appreciate your prayers and I am trying to be more faithful. Thank you for your words of comfort!
I am having a better day today. I feel better emotionally and I do feel much more appreciative than I have in a long time. I wouldn't be surprised if that is one of the reasons we are having problems...So I can wake up and remember who my God is.
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 24 July 2007 06:52 pm |
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Sassykat,
As I look back through my life of 52 years, and our marriage of 32 years, I can see how God has used the though times to make me grow in my faith and trust in Him. I don't know why he let those tough times happen, and I certainly didn't enjoy them while I was living them, but I can see the results of them. I held on to Him for dear life...........and He got me through, and my faith grew by leaps and bounds. It was at those times, that we had no one else to cling to. We don't know His will and at times it's so hard to remember that our ways are not always His ways. I am so glad to hear you are growing through this I pray your struggles will be short lived
I don't know what area of CO you live in, but while we were there, a few weeks ago, we drove down to Canon City to see the Royal Gorge. On the drive, I remember thinking about the people who lived there.......it seemed so dry and desert-like, I wondered what kind of work people did. Where I live in MN, there is a lot of farming..........green fields everywhere! (although if we don't get more rain soon, they will be turning brown) I saw a lot of contruction around the Denver area. Maybe it's something for you two to think about.........because it worked out for us, doesn't mean it would work for you.........but we are much happier, and more secure with my hubs working for someone else.......without the worry of when the next job will come or the next paycheck will come from. Once, right before our daughter's wedding, while we were still adjusting to a low-end income from the hubs starting over (so to speak), he was laid off of his construction job for 2 1/2 months. But at least, being he was no longer self employed, he could collect unemployment! It was something! It got us through! We are still working on paying off the credit card and home equity loans we needed to take for the wedding. But, God has provided abundantly........I just started full-time in May. It is nice to have paid vacations and time off! Never had that before!
My prayers for your situation and for your weight loss journey!
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 July 2007 12:58 am |
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Thank you so much for your heartfelt kindness Hisgal. It does help hearing about everything you have gone through. We live in a farming community and there aren't really very many jobs around here. We have been looking into what jobs there are and my husband asked me to check at the library next time I go shopping to see if they have a book to study for the postal exam. Our truck is in the shop also, the transmission is being repaired. Can you beleive it? When it rains, it pours. I also worry almost constantly about my oldest son. He is on his own, but he has been drinking and he has financial problems also. He struggles with being responsible.
This morning my husband's partner came to pick him up to take him to work and he said they may have a job to do for someone he knows, in building a garage. It would just be wonderful if they could get that job. That would at least be 2 weeks work. I had just been crying and worrying when he walked in to tell me that.
Another strange thing, we have quite suddenly made these new friends who helped us when our truck broke down. They came over today to help us decide what to do about the transmission. They are transmission mechanics. And the lady gave me a hug and told me that they consolidated their bills and that she had the number of a place I could try, and she also told me that for a period of time they made some money selling stuff on Ebay. These people are so kind and the cirumstance around meeting them has been so unusual, it can't just be a coincidence. I just wish God would have a little "sit down" with me and tell me specifically what I should be doing and what he wants because I hate figuring stuff out on my own.
I do feel much better now. We may have to look for jobs and we may have to do somethings differently, but I don't need to feel scared anymore. And I may look into selling something on Ebay, like homemade soap. It's a hobby I have and it wouldn't hurt to give it a try.
Thank you for being so kind and checking in on me and praying for me. I have been lucky to make some good friends here. Semi has been such a sweetheart and now with you praying for me...I really do feel fortunate. This world still has some good and awesome people in it!
What kind of a job do you have? Did you have a good visit out this way?
The Royal Gorge is about 2 1/2 hrs north of where we live.
Yeah, where we live it does look desertish on the prarie. Many people call it the desert. We have had a drought for so many years, maybe it is technically a desert now. We still have farms though, and some small towns surrounding us are of populations of about 1,000. And a there are couple of very small cities north of us. I don't know their populations, but they are growing. There is a mushroom farm, potatoe farms, and a big Wal*Mart, lots of restaurants and small businesses, but no factories or malls or anything like that. Pickings are slim and there is competition. I could look into doing secretarial work I suppose, if such a job opening became available. It has always been important to me to be home with the kids, but I will do what I have to so that we can make sure we get our bills paid. And I've been doing a good job at talking myself out of feeling scared and depressed.
Last edited on 25 July 2007 01:27 am by Sassykat
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voodoodoll
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 July 2007 01:24 pm |
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Dear sassykat,
my heart goes out to you and your family. i hope things pick up for you soon. you will be in my thoughts.
Take care of yourself and try and keep your chin up (as my dad used to say to me when i was a kid). Im sure things will work out in the end, you just need some luck to go your way
Love Bev xxx
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 July 2007 05:10 pm |
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Sassykat wrote:
These people are so kind and the cirumstance around meeting them has been so unusual, it can't just be a coincidence. I just wish God would have a little "sit down" with me and tell me specifically what I should be doing and what he wants because I hate figuring stuff out on my own.
He works in many ways, through many people! I know I've had the same thoughts many times..........and one time in Bible Study, our pastor reminded us that God speaks to us all the time, through His Word. It's just that so few people take the time to read it! It absolutely amazes me, how often I can flip open a devotion book or the Bible itself, and the words in front of me seem like they were written for me to read that day, at that hour! So, often when I'm troubled, I "hear" just what I need to when I get out my Bible and read. My other constant source is Christian radio. I love the songs, and also the talk radio programs on the AM station. I've heard some wonderful ones this week..........and often they are just the ones I needed to hear. NOT A COINCIDENCE, I'M SURE!
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seminakedcats
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 26 July 2007 05:54 am |
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Hey Sas,
You know, I'm not religious, but this poem still sticks with me all the time when I think about how bad things can get sometimes. I read this at a funeral of a friend once. That was one of the worst days of my life, but I got through it...
I don't know exactly why it does it for me, but it does and I think about it a lot.
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed I was walking along the beach with the Lord. Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand. Sometimes there were two sets of footprints, other times there was one only.
This bothered me because I noticed that during the low periods of my life, when I was suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat, I could see only one set of footprints, so I said to the Lord,
“You promised me Lord,
that if I followed you, you would walk with me always. But I have noticed that during the most trying periods of my life there has only been one set of footprints in the sand. Why, when I needed you most, have you not been there for me?”
The Lord replied, “The years when you have seen only one set of footprints, my child, is when I carried you.”
Mary Stevenson, 1936
Now stop crying and go make a salad!
Hugs,
Kit
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 27 July 2007 05:33 am |
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I didn't even see this until now! My internet has been messing up again- and it's not cheap either!
That poem is beautiful Semi! Thank you so much. I had salad for lunch and salad for dinner, and now I'm having ice cream. I got some for my son and it looked very refreshing and ... carefree somehow... So I helped myself to a bowel.
And thank you voodoodoll! You are so kind. You guys are doing a great job at making me feel better. I wish you all lived close by so I could give you guys a hug! I'd share some home made soap with you too. I feel lucky to have such kind people checking in on me.
I do believe you are right Hisgal, there have been times I have just flipped through the bible and whatever I read seemed to be exactly what I needed to hear. I really did not expect to be making any new friends this summer and between this forum and the new people I met who helped us when we were stranded, I've done pretty well! Now I need to say a prayer for each of you also!
THANK YOU!!!!!!
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trimB
Moderator
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Posted: 2 August 2007 09:26 pm |
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Sassykat wrote: So I helped myself to a bowel.
Hee hee!
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 7 August 2007 07:02 pm |
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Thank you for coming to my diary trimB! I appreciate your sense of humor!
I am still under loads of stress, but my outlook is more positive. I am still looking for a lender to help us consolidate our bills. Things have also been so busy, I haven't had time to cook or do anything else it seems.
I am hoping to still lose a couple more pounds by Sept 1st. I start each day out eating fruit for breakfast and I try to make a salad for lunch. The good news is, these are becoming permanent eating habits. So I actually am making lifestyle changes. The thing that makes it hard though is our family is experiencing some hardship. Making sure we don't lose our house is the most important thing right now.
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 7 August 2007 08:16 pm |
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Still praying for you SK
My hubs got laid off on Friday............however on Monday he found out it might only be for 2 weeks..........and he talked with another construction company, who might be hiring. Will have to wait and see what God has in store for us
One of the ladies in our office, when her hubs heard rumblings of being let go, consolidated all their debts. She was surprised at how they were going to be able to make payments with just her income. The inevitable happened, he got let go, but did get a severance check...........that helped them get through the year it took for him to find another job. We just never know, do we?
Hang in there! 
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 7 August 2007 08:32 pm |
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Thank you Hisgal. Your words mean the world to me right now. In fact, they made me cry.
I am remembering what you said, "It's His will, not mine." and I am trying to be hopeful and feel calm and faithful. I am also trying to do what I can and what I know to help. Most likely we will have to have our home appraised to get a second mortgage and so I am trying to get a couple of walls painted that have a lot of wear and tear on them from the kids. It helps to feel as though I am doing something to help.
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 August 2007 02:16 am |
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Ok! I have been rethinking my priorities to make my life a more peaceful happy one. I am going to simplify my life as much as possible.
I do still want to lose some weight though and since school will be starting up here soon I may actually get some time to myself to exercise and cut up vegetables!
So I have a new goal for myself. I would like to get down to 130 lbs by Christmas day. I weigh roughly 143 lbs now - by Monday I may even weigh more after a fun weekend spent with the family. I'm not worried about that though. Ok, so if I weigh 143 and want to lose 13 lbs by Christmas that comes down to losing .8 lb a week.
Sounds good to me! I shall endeavor to accomplish this with the help of my good friends... named...Fruits and Vegetables and I may throw in some protein shakes to give me enough energy to exercise this time around. I do think that a diet of mostly salad and fresh fruit is somehow lacking in... I don't know what, but I definately had some muscle cramps and muscle weakness, so I would like to get that figured out and have a better balance of well being.
Since Christmas falls on a Tuesday, it would be really great if I could report on Tuesdays and hopefully I will have some good news to report in. [I am afraid of failure - can you tell?] Oh well, I think I will officially fogive myself ahead of time if I don't meet my goal. That way I don't feel discouraged or bad about myself.
I also may join the new Halloween challenge, just for fun. I was really happy to see someone wanting to start a new one.
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 August 2007 03:37 am |
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Sassykat,
Don't quote me verbatim here, but I think I read in ETL, that there is some vitamin that the body can make and that you don't get from fruits and veggies. So, it is recommended that you take a good multi-vitamin. Maybe someone else can help me out here?
I am struggling with my eating, and feel so out of control right now. It's been years since I felt like this! I really think I feel at peace about my hubs being laid off, with not much hope of work soon, but maybe at some level I am worried?? And feeding that worry with bad foods? I just wish it would quit!
Sure wish my house was freshly painted and spruced up! That sounds so nice.......like I wouldn't need to clean so hard, and feel so behind!
My prayers for you and your family! Hang in there
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Scoobees
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 August 2007 04:16 am |
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I was checking my notes from ETL frantically and all I wrote down was: that he usually recommends a high-quality multivitamin; find one with natural mixed carotenoids in place of vitamin A and beta-carotene so that we don't consume excessive Vit A (of course he offers brands for sale on his website ), strict vegetarians need a B12 source or a multivitamin; sometimes also deficient in Vit D.
And SassyKat - I absolutely love your idea of forgiving yourself ahead of time; I totally have a fear of failure, too.
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 August 2007 05:12 am |
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Thank you both, my dears!
Hisgal, you have been such a source of comfort to me! I am feeling better now, less stressed. We had our home appraised and it looks like the bank that owns our 1st mortgage is going to lend us a loan for the 2nd to consolidate our bills and lower our monthly payments, which should help a bunch. If it doesn't go through I need to have faith that something else will work out. I have decided that I need to change myself so that I can be a happier person, more at peace. What truly makes me happy is my family. I need to learn to be very frugal and get back to the basics.
About your eating, I can understand that too. There are so many things that affect our eating habits. A big one for me, is my hormones. Is there any chance that could be a factor for you? My theory, is that when my estrogen is high, I just want to eat everything, and most of it is bad food. Stress does the same too. I will be praying for you also dear. There are more important things then how much you weigh. Believe that things will get better and all of us can practice at forgiving ourselves. Me, you and Scoobees.
And thank you Scoobees for your help too. Whenever I look at multivitamins I am in such a dilemma! Which one to choose! There are so many nowadays. I love the sun, so that is my favorite way to get the Vit D. Maybe I should check out Dr Fuhrman's website. I have never been there. (sounds like traveling doesn't it?) I don't want to pay a fortune for a vitamin though. Like I said, back to basics, got to be frugal and wise. I do have some B 12 drops. What else could cause those muscle cramps? I may do some searching into that after our loan closes (or if) and if I find any information I will definately share.
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Hisgal
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 25 August 2007 06:44 am |
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Sassykat,
Thanks so much............you are a source of comfort to me too! I just cried when I read your comments here and in my diary! THANK YOU! And that doesn't even begin to cover it.
I don't think it's hormones right now............give me another week and it will be! But, I most certainly do notice the cravings when my hormones are out of whack It could be stress.............my boss is in China for 3 weeks, and something has happened or had to be dealt with at work, almost every day that she's been gone. That takes away from my normal workload............which I am still adjusting too, after having just gone to full-time in May. Tonight I was there until 7:45........and came home feeling just beat. I have had a lot to deal with this year, with almost no "me" time! When we get the big cleaning job done in our new church building, which I've got planned for tomorrow (Sat.), that should be the end of the things I have to be responsible for. Unless the Stewardship meeting on Tuesday yields some new responsibilities??? Next weekend, we have a wedding and are going to make a weekend of it. We probably shouldn't, with hubs being laid off........but it's our anniversary weekend, and we've gone away that weekend every year, by ourselves, since we got married 32 years ago. We go on Priceline and bid for a really low price motel room. We've gotten rooms at a Hilton for $35 a night sometimes!
I too have been wondering about what God it trying to teach me here. I've been listening to some Christian money management programs on the radio, and had been determined to get bills paid off and get caught up, now that our son's wedding was over. So, I can't understand why God would take away that part of our income, when I wanted to use it to reduce our debt. But, maybe he's going to show us how little we really can live off of..........so when hubs does go back to work, we can use that extra to pay things down fast?
For now, it's in His hands..........and I thank Him very fervently for all my  cyber friends. Bless you all!
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Sassykat
Distinguished Member
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Posted: 27 August 2007 08:20 pm |
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Hisgal, you are still very much in my thoughts and prayers. I need to go visit your diary and check on you!
Today my kids had their first day back to school. Summer break is over. It sure went fast.
I strangely feel at peace now (no it's not because the kids are in school- I felt this over the weekend) I feel much more confident that | | |
