Like sands through the hourglass...

Anyone still there, still reading, still listening, still care?

I've recently found out that if one doesn't update one's blog, one's readers become bored and eventually stop checking in for updates. So, here I am ready to spew forth all that has been happening in my life since my last entry.

I find it difficult, sometimes, to come up with something to write about that (I think) anyone would find the slightest bit interesting. I guess I shouldn't think that way. This is a journal, right? A place for me to put down my thoughts, ideas, gripes, etc. It's not really here for anyone's entertainment pleasure...technically. I can't help but to think that no one really wants to read of my boring life unless there's some sort of drama going on, however.

So this is my excuse for not updating. I don't feel as if there's anything of interest to report. You be the judge:

I've been spending a lot of time working, studying for my class, and having the flu. I was sick for 2 weeks. I've still got some coughing and some sinus stuff going on, but am doing so much better.

Diet, you ask? Yea, well, that's been blown to smithereens. I'm trying to get back on track with the food and exercise. It's so hard to climb back on. Maybe if I'd stay on to begin with, I wouldn't have that problem, eh?

That's all for now!

Forever and a day

That's how long it's been since I've updated my blog, I think. I don't even know where to begin with updating what's been going on in my life. Let's see...

Diet and exercise wise, I'm doing very well. Hanging in there, avoiding cheats (for the most part) and have lost 12 lbs since October 1st. Yay me!

Mom had surgery at the beginning of the month. She's doing very well, recovering quickly, and driving me nuts, basically. I can't wait until she goes back to work. I love my mom but I also love my privacy and my alone time. I've had none of the latter since her surgery. She's constantly up my butt and seems to forget that I'm not a child and I don't need her to tell me how to wash the dishes, clean the house, bathe the dog, what day garbage day is, when the mail runs, what time I should go to sleep, what time I should get up, how strenuously I should exercise, what I should eat, why I'm fat, whom I should date, that I shouldn't drink, etc. etc. etc.

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!

Whew! Glad to get that out of my system. Anyway, she's doing well, feeling great, and should be back to work at the beginning of December. I think we'll both be more sane (and less in danger of violence) when that happens.

John and I are about the same. He's leaving tomorrow for a trip (for a week). He's going with his buddy from work. He won't be back until the day after Thanksgiving. I can't believe his mom isn't upset about it, but I guess they're all celebrating turkey day next Friday instead of Thursday.

We went to the Cavs game this past Monday together. Just the 2 of us. It was fun. After the game we stopped at a local bar where a friend of ours is the bartender and hung out for a couple of hours. It was like a real date, kinda nice. We should have more of those. *sigh*

Anyway, things are pretty much the same, like I said. *shrug*

Playing catch-up (not ketchup)

It's been a while since I've posted. I've had so much going on, it's hard to keep up with it all. I've sat down on many occasions to write it all down here, and one thing or another always manages to distract me from my task. Hopefully, that won't happen this time.

Work - the boss has been driving me crazy lately. You'd think being off for nearly 4 months would have been a big enough "refreshment" period for her. Apparently it wasn't because she's late almost every day and on the days that she's not late she takes long lunches and/or leaves early. We're so behind. My coworker and I have done as much as we can do on our own, more, really. She needs to help us. I'm frustrated. I think she has ADD. She's so easily distracted and bored. Maybe that's why she has so many degrees. I swear she's bipolar. What can I do?

Diet - I continue to sabotage myself for some reason. I wish I could figure out WHY I do it. I'm exercising again pretty regularly, but I can't seem to stay away from the sweets. Maybe it's time to do Induction again? I don't think that I'm in ketosis. Perhaps that's all I need. Ketosis = appetite suppressant extraordinaire and cravings are few and far between when I'm in full blown ketosis. Hmm. Perhaps after the holiday weekend, I'll give that a whirl.

Labor Day plans? Anyone have any good ones? A friend who lives by the lake is having a big "end of Summer" party. A bunch of us are going and bringing tents to camp out overnight. It should be fun. I just have to figure out what to do with the dog. I can't take him with us because the hostess has a dog and my dog doesn't really get along with other dogs. Plus, I think it would be rude to just show up with my dog. Mom can't babysit because she's going out of town. *sigh* I may have to kennel him. It's only for one night, but I hate to do it.

Low Carb Dieting

Diet and exercise-wise, I'm still hanging in there. Someone posted something on another forum I frequent about "who's still counting carbs?" and that made me think a bit. I used to be meticulous about documenting anything that went into my mouth, and obsessively adding the carbs, calories, fat grams, protein, etc. My diet doesn't vary much. It's kind of boring actually. I have practically the exact same thing for breakfast and lunch every day (M-F). Dinner is the only thing that changes. Anyway, I've gotten away from documenting everything. I haven't gained. Actually, I am still losing, but with the amount I still have left to lose, it should be going much faster especially since I've increased my exercise. I think what I need to do is find a balance between obsessively journaling my food and not counting at all. I seem to go one way or the other. I'll work on that.

I really do think exercise is the magic wand that many Low-Carbers forget (or maybe ignore). I literally had to force myself to move for months before it became routine. But now I've come to a place where I cannot allow myself to miss exercise for fear that I'll become a couch potato again. I enjoy it. I still have to force myself occasionally but once I start, I'm fine. I FEEL better, I sleep better, I am nicer. It's something that I must do. There's no question.

I think low-carbers tend to get a little lazy. The weight drops off quickly in the beginning (for most), with practically no effort at all. People forget that being skinny doesn't necessarily mean that you're healthy.

Philly

Well, I've certainly been neglecting my blog. Here it is almost the weekend again and I haven't blogged since right before last weekend. Tsk tsk.

Let's see, what's been happening? I spent the weekend in Philly with some internet friends. Leslie and I roomed together since we'd met before and since the hotel was so flippin' expensive. I felt extremely comfortable with the arrangement. I think she felt the same way. We had plenty of time for girl talk.

I got to meet Tiki. She's EXACTLY the person I thought she'd be. She has so much energy. I wish I had half of her energy. I mean that literally too. If I took half of her energy, maybe she'd be able to gain a little weight. She tries so hard. I think it's easy for people who struggle with losing weight to forget that there are people out there who are constantly struggling with maintaining their weight and/or gaining. I loved meeting her. I'm going to try to figure out a good time to visit New England for another visit.

Max joined us for the day on Saturday. She's a lovely person as well and so THIN! We had a good time (the 4 of us girls) wandering around downtown Philadelphia, seeing the sights, shopping, and enjoying a couple of meals together before we headed over to the good doctor's house for the BBQ.

What a feast! Doc really went all out. We had a lovely assortment of cheeses, meats, nuts, and crackers to munch prior to the big event. He covered his enormous dining room table with burgers w/LC buns, sausages, chicken, brisket, ribs, green beans almondine, broccoli, peppers, salad, and geez, other stuff that I can't even remember. We drank LC margaritas (not from mix, great recipe too, I need to write that down), the doctor's own wine and strawberry vodka, and probably some other stuff that I can't remember. It was all fabulous.

He and his wife were the most welcoming hosts. Leslie, Tiki, and I talked about this on the way back to the hotel. Normally, when I'm in someone's home for the first time, there's a bit of awkwardness. It's not completely comfortable at first. I think everyone has experienced that. There was none of that at their home. I felt welcomed from the moment I walked in the front door. They're a great couple. I'd love to visit again, anytime.

Leslie was a little freaked out by Dr. Spock though. *giggle*

Somehow, I spent the weekend exercising. Between getting up early two days in a row and going to the hotel gym to work out, and wandering around town for hours, I got a hell of a workout. My legs were screaming on the drive home from LACK of movement. I had to get out at a rest area and stretch at one point. I felt better after stretching and actually jogged around for a bit to get some blood circulating in my legs. I had a brisk walk on the treadmill when I got home and felt tons better.

I lost 2 lbs while I was on my mini-vacation. How the HELL does someone lose weight on vacation? Especially when they eat like a horse the whole time? Amazing.

I have Leslie and Tiki (the exercise goddesses) to thank, though, for my new routine. I've been getting up early since I got home and exercising in the morning. It feels so much better than waiting to get home from work and forcing my mentally exhausted body to work out. Thanks ladies.

I have so much more to talk about, but no time now. More later.