nest feathering

New this year -  an entry table.

The amaryllis opened today!

Monday weigh in: 136.4

~♥~

back to the garden

Each Monday, I receive an email from the Meatout Monday folks. Honestly, I don't always open them but I did this morning because the word "kale" caught my eye. Just happens I have some kale that needs to be used today. This email offered a recipe for White Bean & Kale Stew. Sounded good except for the fennel bulb. Did a quick search of the internets for other recipes with kale and white beans as main ingredients. What I found is they are mostly a variation on a basic theme. Going to try my own variation tonight and see what happens. May even make some kale chips.

Guess what?! I have a renewed interest in trying new clean eating recipes. Do you have a current favorite? I'm also putting together a list of blogs focused on clean eating. Do you have one or know of one to suggest?

For those of you catching the "back to the garden" reference: click here.

Monday weigh in: 137

~♥~

another milestone reached

Belle during a brief stop along the banks of the American River.

My New Year's Day bike ride yesterday put me over the 4,000 miles mark. Yippee-ki-yay!

Monday weigh in: 135.6

~♥~

back on track

It seems my weight may be drifting down toward the goal weight range ever so slowly. This is with a lot of effort on my part. So, I've been thinking, maybe I shouldn't be so number-on-the-scale focused. I'm doing what I can to address metabolic issues and really, it is what it is. I could focus more on fitness goals and the overall goal of feeling good. Does it really matter if I'm wearing a size 6 pair of jeans or an 8?

I'm feeling pretty good these days and appreciate that I'm able to walk briskly for 6 miles and ride my bike for 30. Maybe it's time to add some yoga to the mix.

~♥~

what it is

Howdy, folks. It's weigh in Monday. And, what did I find this morning...? Why it's a two pound gain. Thank goddess I'm working out, decreasing alcohol, drinking more water and exercising just about every day or who knows how much weight I would have gained. Yep, suspect I'm in the midst of a metabolic meltdown. Fun times.

~♥~

droopy

It's Monday so this morning's weigh in results are duly noted. I'm down a few ounces. Mind you, this is a week where I exercised quite a bit and also fasted for a colonoscopy. It's also the week I've been on a lower dose of thyroid medication. Don't think it's working out for me. But, how long do I give it? I feel droopy this morning.

~♥~

Monday weigh in - I'm a lucky guy

Yesterday, after fixing the flat on byka's back tire, we headed out for a 20 mile ride. The weather was perfect. During the ride, we decided to stop and drink some water, stretch etc. at this spot by the river that we always go to. The only thing different this time was that I sat on top of the picnic table and called my dad to wish him a happy Dad's day. While I was talking with him, the oak tree next to the table split in two and fell across the table I was sitting on. It was shocking! I screamed and flung myself forward off the table just in time! All I got was a deep bruise on my right shoulder along with several scratches and cuts. Ouch! The seat on my bike was also cut. We were able to get our bikes out from under the tree only with the help of three rafters who heard and saw what happened.

I was pretty shaken. At first I was thinking, "Good lord, I was not supposed to be on this trail today. First a flat tire and then a tree falls on me. OK, I get the message." Felt like I was born under a bad sign. My husband on the other hand, thought I was lucky. The way the tree crashed there was only one small open area where I was sitting. If I had been sitting anywhere else on that table who knows the injuries I would have sustained. But at the time, I could only think, "I don't feel too damn lucky." But, this morning I'm counting my blessings. I have a different perspective and feel like I'm a lucky guy after all.

But when I wake up
Tomorrow is a new day
I'm a lucky guy
Hey, I'm a lucky guy
Real, real lucky guy
Hey, I'm a lucky guy
~ Rickie Lee Jones

Oh, yeah, scale this morning: 133.8.

So, how was your weekend?

~♥~

Monday weigh in

Today I see the beginning of a period of stability again. My parents just left and things seem to be stable with my husband's family for the moment so no emergency trips to so cal on the horizon (I hope!). I've officially reached the maintenance phase of this journey and am managing to do it (so far) even with road trips and a lot of family visiting and drama. It's time for my number-related goals to shift to fitness and strength training instead of my weight on the scale -- although I'll continue to monitor closely. For example, I've been doing 16 mile bike rides and have a goal to work up to 20 miles as my minimum ride.

Today: 135.4. Now, I feel like it's OK to shop for shorts and summer things that really fit. I seem to be between a size 8 and 6. A great place to be -- not complaining! I have to try everything on because I have some weird perceptions of my size sometimes.

Thanks for all the positive, funny and encouraging comments from last week's weigh in and for all the support during this journey. This really is a super community in blogland.

ADDED: More potentially great news about the Almighty D -- "Could vitamin D be a key to successful dieting?"

~♥~

Monday weigh in & the Cadbury Flake

Since the last Monday weigh in, I took a trip to London with my husband and my parents who are in their 70s. Of course we needed to have fish & chips. We did. Twice. The first time didn't count because we were essentially zombies due to jet lag. Why was your jet lag so bad, you ask? Because our first flight had a medical emergency and was diverted back to Chicago. The airline rounded us up and gave us a hotel at 4:30 a.m. I, of course packed books & blueberries (eccentric, I know, well maybe more like dumb) in my carry on bag and did not have my thyroid med with me or stuff for my contacts. When they say it's impossible to get to your luggage in this situation -- it's true. Little to no sleep. Flight leaves later that day. Same crew; same meals served. It was a weird Ground Hogs Day situation. It took two days and three flights to get to London.

Of course we needed soft ice cream cones with flakes (OMG - how could I have been living without knowledge of the Cadbury flake? Geebus, it has its own wikipedia entry!) while relaxing in St. James's park on a warm, sunny afternoon. So, how'd I fare weight-wise after a week in jolly ol' Cadburyland? Great! Because we walked, and walked, and walked some more (none too quickly at this point). And also because despite the looming presence of Cadbury (I confess, the flake in the ice cream was not my only indulgence), it's not hard to eat healthy in London if you stay away from eating in pubs. The cafes inside the museums and other attractions like the London Tower offered a lot of healthy choices and the food was good with appropriate portion sizes.

So, this is about the scale right? The last weigh in was: 137.4. Today: 135.8. Zowie!

~♥~

Monday weigh in

I lost exactly one pound this week and really had to work hard for it. My eating was phenomenal (except for the late dinner with two glasses of wine last night) and my exercising (mostly bike riding*) was great. Last week: 138.4. This morning: 137.4.

We're leaving on a trip to London with my parents tomorrow, so I have a lot to do today. For this trip my goals are: to keep under 140; to have a fantastic time; and to not lose my mind!

Happy Memorial Day! See you in about a week.

* BTW - I don't know what it is exactly, but either I've toughened up or biking shorts are the answer -- or both -- but I love riding my bike, especially now that it's no longer uncomfortable. Funny that.

~♥~

Monday weigh in

This week is memorable in that I ate a real dessert. Think my last dessert was a piece of birthday cake back in early March when we were visiting Sara in Austin. BTW - I'm not counting pieces of dark chocolate every now and then after dinner. Mainly because, I don't really like dark chocolate (however, it does work to satisfy that craving for something that is nothing like steamed broccoli). The great dessert caper happened at the neighborhood book club Friday night. OK, we're talking cream brulée in a chocolate cup with fresh raspberries. I ate every molecule on the plate. Plus some wine, naturally. I can scarcely remember the book we discussed, but here I am remembering everything about that treat in vivid detail!

Now for some scale talk...Last week I ventured into the 130s -- barely! -- at 139.8. This morning the scale said: 138.4. This is my lowest weight in a long, long time. Feels great!

I'm feeling good about the start to this week. Hope you're having a good start too. I'm trying a strength training class with a friend tomorrow. Are you going to try something new this week?

~♥~

Monday weigh in

Looks like I've finally made it into the 130s - just barely! Last week: 142. Today: 139.8. This week the weather was much improved so exercise happened outside. There were a couple six mile walks and a full afternoon of biking in Yosemite. But probably most importantly, I ate well with the exception of Cinco de Mayo (and only dinner was iffy). That's what I'm learning: you can still make progress without being perfect. And the flip side is you can work hard and not see the results you expect -- at least not right away. It is what it is. In the overall scheme of things, life is good.

Have a great week & watch out for the three amigos!

Added: Top 10 Saltiest Meals in America - one bad ass, sneaky amigo, that salt!

~♥~

Monday weigh in - up on a tightwire

Remember that song by Leon Russell?

Last week: 142.8. Today the scale read: 142. Whew! I really am inching toward my goal weight range.

Pretty sure I've hit another stall so it's time again to mix things up a bit. I'm excited by the possibilities in the week ahead. Going to try at least two new recipes for dinner and hopefully, the weather will clear up and I can get back on my bike. And...I'm finally going to sit down and read Tosca Reno's "The Eat Clean Diet" once and for all.

Happy Monday everyone & may you see progress toward your goals!

~♥~

Monday weigh in

This has been the first week in a while where we haven't gone somewhere for an overnight trip (Berkeley and last week San Francisco). Although we went wine tasting locally on Sat., this week saw some satisfying results on the sometimes capricious and fickle scale. Last week: 144.6. Today: 142.8. Just about two pounds. Yaay! This week also marked the addition of bike riding into the exercise repertoire. We had back to back rides on the American River trail of 10 & 14 miles. The biking was great although it's become clear that it's time to invest in either cycling shorts or a different type of bike seat. Or both. Yikes.

Here's to a great week ahead! Be well...

~♥~

Monday weigh in

Well, let's get right to it. Last week: 145.8. This morning: 144.6. It was a hard fought loss. It amazes me that many can lose a pound overnight. It took a lot of effort to get the scale to move from seven consecutive days in the 145 area. Whew. I don't know if this means the plateau has been broken or if it will continue to be a very slow and challenging crawl to lose the next five pounds and reach my goal. Stay tuned.

BTW - thanks so much for all your support and encouragement over the past several weeks. It has been a big help.

~♥~

Monday weigh in

I'm going to consider this week a place holder week as I didn't really lose weight and didn't gain any. It's almost as if I can sense my body taking its time and adjusting to its new weight & size. What I hope isn't happening is that my body is determining 145 to be its set point. Last week on the scale: 146. This morning: 145.8. I know 144 is lurking just out of sight because I saw it on the scale two days ago (playing hard to get is so annoying). I'm going after it with all I've got this week - so watch out scale!

~♥~

Monday weigh in

A cheery start to the morning and week: I'm at my lowest weight in a long time. Last week the scale said: 148.2. Today: 146. I'm happy with this as it seems our little weekend trip to Berkeley didn't derail progress toward my goal. As I already mentioned, I brought a funny, irreverent weight loss memoir for my sister (and a bottle of that salad dressing I'm obsessed with). My sister brought chocolate (milk & dark) to go along with some very good red wine. It's all good.

Here's to a great week ahead. Remember to have fun!

~♥~

Monday, Monday

I experienced some unexpected hormonal turbulence this week so I figured my weigh in this morning would be disappointing despite the clean eating and exercise. I suppose if I had not continued to eat well and exercise I'd be looking at even more disappointing results. As it is, I know this is just water retention. Last week: 147.8. This morning: 148.4. Onward!

~♥~

Monday weigh in

Slow, steady progress toward my goal continues. Last week I dipped into the 140's: 149.2. Today: 147.8. Noticing that my tops fit & look better and that my formerly snug jeans are baggy. I've moved into my transitional jeans (jeans given to me last year by a 20 - something friend). Had them hemmed last week. I have another transitional pair of jeans from the same person. They are just a bit too small -- a little muffintop action happening. I'm going to take them in to be hemmed because I think the time is near. Feels good!

Happy Monday!

~♥~

Monday weigh in

After I got back from New Orleans/Austin this past week, I weighed in on Wednesday morning to see what happened. The result: 152. Five days later: 149.2. This is exactly where I wanted to be today. Yaay!

Ten pounds away from Happy Weight!

Yesterday's exercise:

Walking: 3 miles on treadmill
Yoga: 28 minutes Wii Fit
Step: 5 minutes advanced step Wii Fit

Have a great week everyone!

~♥~