Developing Imperfection

Aloha! The week is almost over!  It's been the first week of school for me and it's BUSY! I'm teaching this semester, so things have been hectic.  It's a good thing I love organization, because it has the possibility of becoming overwhelming with assignments, quizzes, and everything else that goes with my regular office job. Source Source At this week's weigh in, I came in at 234.3.  It's down about a pound from last week in spite of many stresses.  My mom broke her ankle in three places - the same three places seven years ago- on Monday!  So, today she goes in for surgery.  :(  Please send good thoughts to the surgeon and the team.  Let them be rested and focused, put in the hardware they need to and take out all of the equipment, gauze, and bandages, and a quick and complete recovery. This weekend is about pampering and helping my mom.  I'll also be running a four mile race to benefit the local firefighter foundation...

Aloha dearies!  I know that if I had any followers...they're probably gone with my lack of posting. ;) For anyone that cares or wants to see how I have been progressing - I have been, but I've also been relapsing.  A few things have happened that I don't really want to share, but I figured I would show some of my progress since the beginning of the year and Optifast. As you can see - I am doing well in 2013.  I have been struggling the past few weeks, but that's okay.  I'm back on the horse and in control of the reins.  In 2012, you can tell that life was literally filled with ups and downs. I'll be back weekly (on Thursdays) to post my accountability on all fronts of what my goals were at the beginning of 2013.  I hope you all are doing well! Cheers! L

Aloha! I'm on Week 13 and have been run over several times by the Optifast wagon.  I've had success with the weight loss (down 35 pounds), but it is a daily struggle with my behavior and routine tasks.  It's hard to give up the typical comforts that I have relied on for so many years, but it has to happen for financial, emotional, and physical reasons. Financially, this program is damaging my savings and debt repayment plans.  For example, I have spent $2405 dollars.  I still have more to lose and more to do... Remember, this program is 20 weeks long for a session.  Sometimes it takes more than one session/term/round to eradicate fat and poor health habits.  All told, I think it will cost another $1,000 to finish this round.  So, if you are considering pursuing Optifast with Kaiser Permanente as a member, you are looking at spending around $3,500.  It's worth the investment, considering the alternative... Emotionally, I'm breaking down w...

Long time, no blog.  I apologize for this, but things have been a little hectic... However, I'm seeing a little more page views, so does that mean it is people looking at my wee page of the world? The Rock I can only hope! I'm officially on Week 5 of the Optifast experience.  So far, I've lost on average of 5 pounds per week. Emotional Sacks of Flour I think my favorite flour expression is the "tantrum."  :) I'll be back with the activities and journaling exercises that we have been doing - very emotionally draining, but freeing in an oxymoronical way. (yes, I made up that word...) Cheers! (with a glass of water - no alcohol allowed.) L

Source: National Geographic This week has been difficult so far.  Right now, I am fighting the dragons.   I'm fighting with my thoughts.  I'm fighting with my emotions.  I'm fighting with the urge to feed those emotions (literally, not figuratively).  I'm fighting with my colleagues on a project.  And, finally, I'm fighting with my family. But, is it truly "fighting"?  Or, is it establishing boundaries and expectations?  Am I finally identifying what I need for my sanity and health?  Am I finally only accepting responsibilities for what is within my control? Last night was the sixth meeting as a group for Optifast and "Boundaries" was the topic du juor. We talked about physical and emotional boundaries that are put up in positive and negative situations.  The major theme that came bubbling out of the discussion was "fear."  Three main ideas were the fear of disappointing others, the fear of hurting others, and...

So, the first and second class were mainly informative and reiteration of the rules. Rules: Make sure to drink at least 96 ounces of water outside of the water used with making the shake.  The goal would be to hit 120 ounces. Be sure to take the potassium pill twice a day - with a shake. Don't take too hot of showers and sit in saunas or spas. The reason for the rules is to prevent heart issues and a dip in blood pressure.  Nothing like having heart palpitations due to dehydration or overheating of the body.... The first week required me to keep a food journal that asked me the following: What time did you eat? Was it a meal or snack? What did you eat? Portion sizes? How hungry were you? Where were you? Who were you with?  What were you doing? What were you thinking while you were eating?  Feelings? What did you learn about your eating habits? The interesting part of the food journal was that I tend to eat in front of my computer at work...

It's Starting! On Monday I had my first group meeting.  After taking a couple of months to do the medical testing and body analysis process, I walked into the Positive Choice Wellness Center in San Diego to pay my weekly group fee and weigh in.  I collect my bag filled with my water and the classroom resources, the notebook "A Way In Guidebook" and the program text book Maximize Your Body Potential: Lifetime Skills for Successful Weight Management (3rd ed.)  by Joyce D. Nash, PhD .  I settled in their wide cushy seats and chatted with another member.  It's the same lady I connected with while waiting to do the body assessment and review my medical tests.  She's done the program before but things have happened in her life and she's back to get on track. At the medical appointment with the PA, I discovered that I AM pre-diabetic now with a risk factor for gout. Both of these medical issues run in my family, both sides of the illustrious genetic tree....