Blood drawn and I had a slice of really good banana bread and a glass of milk for breakfast. I actually don’t feel like eating poorly today after all. Maybe I will still get ice cream later if I want some.

I really don’t appreciate dog owners who do not leash their animals.

My doctor also said to go easy on any weight training for the upper body because women get injured so easily. So I’m going to back off a bit on increasing my weights which somehow I thought would be a good idea. She said the goal is just to maintain and I think I can do that with my 5 to 10 pounds.

Work is kicking my butt, too. Also wondering if I might need a change. Have a great day!

Kate

Hi Kate thanks for the encouragement and good luck with your blood work today!

I thankfully have always had beautiful bloodwork despite carrying 10-15 extra pounds, but I’m very aware that could change anytime. Lots of type 2 diabetes and since I work in a healthcare adjacent field I am constantly reminded what a miserable disease that is. I get so frustrated with myself though. I don’t crave junk all day, it’s usually a reaction to something like a stressful situation or exhaustion. But you can undo a whole day of great eating so fast! I have to find better coping mechanisms.

Alexandra

That sounds like a very yummy day, indeed. If the event was Father's Day related, it's hard to be a part of it and also be like no, no, no I can't eat that. How did you feel physically afterwards, though? When I've overindulged, I try to pay attention to how I felt and slept because it often motivates me to make better choices in the future. In any case, being mad at yourself is not helpful, but being aware that it might be a tricky week is good. See if you can make a plan for the day so things don't just "happen." For me, if I let myself get too hungry and have no plan, that's when things fall apart. Because I've been home and in a good routine, it's been way easier to maintain my good habits.

I don't know if this will help you but it (occasionally) helps me. I have to say no to myself like once or twice and it is really, really damn difficult. But then once I do that, somehow staying on the good side of things becomes so much easier. As you know, I fell off the good eating train a month or so ago and then it was like a switch turned on. I wanted all the treats all the time. I wanted to get candy from the store, have two pieces of cake, drink a soda, and so on. Saying NO to myself even once -- like no candy from the gas station -- resets my brain to remind me I can do it. No McDonald's even if I'm hungry, etc. I had the beach day and then the block party in the past two week and I didn't let that throw me off. You can do the same!

Ok, I am going to confess that I fully intend to eat poorly tomorrow after my bloodwork is drawn. I know it's stupid, but I am going to do it anyway. I am not going to go nuts, but I think I will do some ice cream. My DD is making banana bread so I will definitely have some of that. But I am reminded that I feel bad when I eat bad. It's a good lesson that even if I want to go crazy, perhaps one treat like indulgent ice cream is enough. I never really think like that. It's all or nothing with me. Brains are weird.

I have to fast after dinner tonight and my physical is at 9 AM. I should have my results by the end of the week. My very greatest wish is that my HDL has gone up and my LDL has gone down so that my total is somewhere in the 190's. We shall see. I will also get an A1C which I hope to be normal and not pre-diabetic.

Oh man, I ate a ton yesterday. We were at two different events during the day with amazing food and I ate little bits of a million things. Then my husband wanted these fancy sandwiches with my favorite chips for dinner and I ate waaaay too many. Then, the part I’m most upset about, I ate ice cream because I had already kind of blown it for the day with the chips. Ahhhh I have got to stop thinking like that! I definitely needed extra calories yesterday because we were super active (one event in particular was exercise based and long) but the chips and ice cream were so unnecessary after all the other yummy(but mostly healthy) food I ate the rest of the day.

I’m so mad at myself. Trying to set myself up for a good week but I already know it’s going to be emotional and busy (first week of camp for my kids, who’s always a big transition) and so so much work. I may need to make a change at work if things don’t improve. I can’t seem to take care of myself these days.

I ate even though I felt bad but it helped my stomach stop hurting and gave me some energy. I had sugar in my oatmeal and hot chocolate yesterday but that’s it. I’ll be fasting tonight for my blood work tomorrow at my physical. Wonder what it will show.

I’ve been so tired the last two days. Now my stomach is hurting. Not sure what’s going on but I guess I don’t have much of an appetite.

Kate

Hi Alexandra!

Ok, I had a busy week (last week of school) but did pretty well overall except for the block party. Definitely below sugar goals all other days. It's so wonderful not to have headaches and I can tell that sugar causes me headaches. Today I've had an apple with PB, some milk, a California Pizza Kitchen salad with avocado and chicken, two slices of cheese and two small chocolates. I feel like I may be finding a balance that works for me. I no longer crave going to Safeway and getting a sack of candy (at least for now). My weight is holding where I want it, too.

Hey, great job getting the exercise in. Sounds like your eating is pretty good, too. I think one of my downfalls has been thinking there will be "bad" days. It seems to be working better for me to have a bad day every now and then but to wake up every day thinking it will be a healthy one! Like I said, not sure how long it will last.

I hope life eases up for you a bit this week and you can relax and have some time to yourself.

Kate

I did better yesterday. Determined to exercise this weekend and enjoy time with my family.

Have a good day!

Alexandra

Hi hi! Still here. Doing good. Will write more later.

K

Ugh I’m here for confession. I ate ice cream AND a cupcake yesterday. It was definitely emotional eating, not a well planned treat, that’s what bothers me. Lots of feelings in our house around leaving a school and some other changes. But food never makes things better, wonder if I will ever learn. The scale isn’t budging though my pants are fitting better- I’ve lost an inch on my waist. But slipping up every 3-5 days is not going to help me make progress….

Alexandra

Yesterday I ate mostly healthy in the low sugar sense but probably relatively high calorie (did have chick fil with my kids, sandwich and a couple fries). Squeezed in two Pilates videos which I guess is better than nothing. Today I will be with my youngest a bunch since he doesn’t have school in the afternoon so I’m sure I will be active. But I didn’t sleep well last night so it’s going to be hard to resist sugar. Just do my best I guess.

Alexandra

Sorry Kate. The parties and things with a million choices are really hard for me too. One day won’t change all the hard work you have done.

Yesterday was pretty good. I had half a cupcake- baked goods are definitely my weakness. I am really noticing a trend between crappy meals (and a bunch of random things, some healthy some less so for dinner but not it nearly enough) and my sugar cravings. Not rocket science but it’s so so hard some days to eat well when it’s busy. I have a protein packed sandwich for lunch today so that is good but I had crackers and a granola bar plus milk for breakfast- not good! I know better! Ahh. Will eat some protein if I get hungry before lunch (which I will because that was a crappy breakfast).

PS I’m so impressed you hosted a block party. That’s awesome and I wish I was your neighbor!

Alexandra

Held the block party I put together each year last night. Ate 5-6 desserts and sweets. Felt like crud afterwards. Back on my normal diet today.

Kate

Awesome job! Good to be in a groove. I’m doing well. I’m not craving sugar. I’m eating meals and making good decisions. I’m in my weight green zone. I had a salad for dinner and one small brownie for dessert and didn’t even want any more ! My physical is next week. I’ll see if there is any changes in my blood work. Even if there aren’t, I’m happy with my current progress. I ran hard this morning and did a mile in 9:35. Second mile 10:58 but I had to walk for a bit to catch my breath. Sleeping well, too! So nice to be not overwhelmed by thoughts of candy and sugar all the time. Wonder when it will come back.

Kate

I did well again yesterday! A couple bites of leftover cupcake but not much else. Busy and active day at the pool but I snuck in some Pilates. I am going to try for no sweets and no chips again today since I’ve had a couple small treats lately.

Alexandra