The last week was about trying to get back on track -- I was mostly happy with my eating but I can still cut back some calories. I know I need to do this if I want to see significant losses in the months to come. I did not do as well with getting outside and active. I was able to take a short walk yesterday in a light rain but I don't think I was out more than 15 min-- but I was out!

One of the things I have noticed is that eating during the workday works much better when I have a small grazing plate and a large navel orange (they are my jam right now). My plate may include 2-3 of the following: couple of triscuits, a slice of (good) american cheese, maybe a couple of turkey rollups with pesto (sometimes not), turkey pepperoni, handful of orange popper tomatoes (also my jam lately), almonds, slices of cucumber and/or peppers. This gives me some variety and it is less calorically than a large salad. I am also enjoying it more than salads. Some days it is JUST the large navel orange but at least I have options in the fridge if I have time and need or want more.

I have some good dinner options for the week too ... I have a wegmans turkey meatloaf to make tonight. I am very picky about my meatloaves but I do really like this one. Also some white sweet potato and asparagus for sides and also use the asparagus with eggs for lunch or dinner. Closer to the end of the week, I will also order wegmans' ready to cook scallops and bokchoy (360 calories) or the citrus cod and bok choy (270 calories). I don't love buying "ready to cook" meals but with my schedule lately, this is what will keep me on track. If you live near a wegmans, they have a great variety of ready to cook meals. I don't like all of them but they do have plenty to choose from.

That's all from me today-- how are you doing? What is working for you?

Funky -sounds like you had a good week! I had to work more than usual at my desk last week and I thought of you. It's hard when you're so busy. You have definitely found some good options. All your food sounds yummy. I like grazing plates like that as well.

I didn't have a great week - I did ok with my morning water and did get to play pickleball twice, but my food choices weren't great. Let myself get a little too hungry a couple times and that always leads to bad choices for me. We also went out to dinner 3 times, and I have 3 more plans this week. Makes it hard for me. I have been slipping into some less healthy food choices for sure.

I have bloodwork and a drs appt tomorrow, so we'll see how I'm doing I guess :) My real healthy lifestyle goal is to get my colonoscopy on the books. It was scheduled last year and canceled by the drs office, and I never rescheduled. So I need to get that on the calendar again. The weather is looking up the next few days, so hopefully I can get some more exercise in this week.

Thanks for posting, Funky. Those are good snack ideas and have a good protein/fiber/fat combo. I wish we had Wegmans here. We might be going to Raleigh in May for a concert and it’s right by the Wegmans so that will be a must. Those meals look good. I’ve used Publix version, and some are better than others.

I decided to forego the Blue Apron for now because it turned out I had enough airline miles. But I still may consider it in the future.

Yesterday i had to miss Zumba since we had to take our one cat for a blood draw, and we need Saturdays since it takes two of us to take her, LOL. I got her in the carrier on the first try. I did 90 min on the treadmill while grading and got a lot done.

Today we have a play with MIL so that breaks up the day. So once again I need to get my work done before we go. Ugh. I’ll watch basketball later.

Another busy week before spring break but I have Pilates private session and group class scheduled as well as Zumba. Weather is warmer but we will have some rainy days.

Almost all last week I was helping care for our two GCs whowere sick with cold/ flu symptoms. We kept the three year old for three nights and getting him to bed was a nightmare! They moved him out of a crib far too early and as a result he doesn’t really know how to sleep in a regular bed by himself. We love having them but may not be keeping him overnight again until he has a more regular and reliably successful night time ritual!

DH and I are both taking very healthy doses of Vitamin C daily and so far I have not gotten sick from the GC’s many illnesses. DH has, which is to be expected with his compromised immune system, but his symptoms were relatively minor and we attribute that to the vit C.

I am exercising a lot (for me) and cooking less. That grazing plate you describe sounds wonderful, Funky, and I think I will make one for DH and see how he likes having more satisfying snacks right at hand. My weight continues to redistribute in ways that are confounding, not only to me but to the laws of physics. I weigh essentially the same but Ihave dropped another size. and I am always cold.— more to discuss with the endocrinologist at my next visit.

March is a busy month for us, I need to stay healthy and fit to make sure I can take care of all the people in my life who need it right now. Spring here in Georgia can be very gray and gloomy and I am really—really—- looking forward to green leaves and grass and flowers.!

I was distracted by too many things last week. One friend’s parent died, another friend was diagnosed with cancer, DH got sick (just some kind of bug), oh and the dog was sick too. I did ok with eating but sort of lost my exercise mojo. Then went to a wedding and enjoyed some cocktails, but probably burned them off by dancing…at least that’s what I’m telling myself.

I like your grazing plate, Funky! I have done a similar thing for lunch and enjoyed it. Cut up veggies, some nuts, sometimes a hard boiled egg…

Lots of rain coming this week but the temps are slowly creeping up. I’m feeling the urge to go on long spring walks!

Wow, Legomom, your numbers are fantastic! My doc would be doing the happy dance if I turned up with a fasting cholesterol under 300– that is with lower than the RDA of dietary fat for years and Crestor daily. And my A1c is down but still teetering on the very tippy top of the normal range. She knows I am doing everything in my power to reduce it, taking my medications and watching every mouthful of food I ingest; today is my 657th consecutive day of tracking. My weight is right in the middle of the BMI healthy range—- but my numbers STILL suck. I’d choose your profile any day……think of that as your silver lining. 🌤️

Thank you kswl- I appreciate that. I am sorry your numbers are being so stubborn. The human body is truly a mysterious thing.

I have to admit I got angrier as the night wore on:) Weight loss is so hard. You can do so many things right and it doesn't always reflect on the scales. I was really disappointed in her attention to my weight given all the other improvements. Weight should not be the only metric of health. Although I do agree, it is one. She generally isn't like that. I'm sure I'm projecting some of my own issues on to what was probably a throw away remark on her part. It's funny because I have been working with a functional nutritionist now for almost two years exactly and she has no idea how much I weigh. I credit her with most of my progress, but then again I have probably spent 10 plus hours personally with her, plus email support, and 20 minutes with my doctor. And I like my doctor. This just rubbed me the wrong way, obviously :)

I am a work in progress. Still way too much stress on my plate with my mom and some family issues. I’m down another pound but I am starting to do better about self-care. I went to my doctors last week for the first time in several years. It was for my physical. My weight and vitals were all fine. Since she hadn’t seen me in (gulp almost four years) my weight was only about 8 pounds less than it was then. In other words . Blood work is tomorrow, I’m hoping everything looks healthy because we’ve made a lot of healthy changes in our diets and lifestyles over the past few months due to a heart scare for DH. No red meat very few carbs, no dairy or fats (with the exception of olive oil) living on lots of fish, lentils, whole grains and chickpeas and salad. I stick to it, generally, but cheat now and again. (I’ve always been basically a vegetarian so much of this was easy for me.)
As far as additional self-care, I have a hair appointment today and peanut butter cookies in the oven.

Legomom, it's also likely that the *very slight* 4 lb weight gain includes muscle. Coupled with your numbers, I'd shrug off the doctor's comments.

I'm continuing to focus on building muscle, and am experimenting with higher caloric intake on lifting days. I've noticed my workouts being more productive as a result. Getting enough protein is an ongoing challenge because I typically only eat 2 meals a day. My workaround is that I have a high-protein meal around 11, a mid-afternoon protein shake, and then a high-protein dinner. And when I say "high protein," I'm also including vegetables, fats and carbs. I'm just focusing on protein because it's a struggle to get enough.

I had guests last weekend and ate horribly, thanks to a farmer's market that sold irresistable breads and cookies. But, I enjoyed the carbs and had 2 good workouts Monday and Tuesday. My weight is back to normal.

I'm going to increase the weights over the next few weeks. I'm also doing some exercises for balance and mobility, and I'm feeling some results that are encouraging.

Like everyone, I'm hopeful for nicer weather and longer days.

I don’t know if anyone saw this week there has been an OTC CGM (continuous glucose monitor) approved that should be available in summer. No word what the cost will be.

Also, Wegovy has been approved as a cardiovascular disease preventive, so hopefully this will increase access for people whose plans do not cover it for weight loss purposes. I would imagine Zepbound will also be approved. Of course, this doesn’t prevent insurance plans from continuing to restrict or deny them, but it’s hard to argue with cardiovascular disease prevention.

Had good workouts this week, both Zumba, weights, Pilates private session and group class. Next week is spring break , so I am looking forward to getting in more workouts and doing some purging of old clothes. I’m so tired and I need some downtime. I went for a manicure yesterday so I am at least all set on that.

We had a the free annual blood screening at work this week but I don’t have the results yet. It is always a bit more of a wait vs. going thorugh my hospital system which results generally come the next day to the patient portal. I have the weight management clinic the week after next so I will have it by then and I’ve asked my colleague if we can do a BodPod before then, too. My weight has really not changed this past month so it’s a little frustrating. After this week I can refill the Zepbound at 5 mg so increasing the dose.

Last night had grilled halibut with delicata squash so that was very good. 😊

Don’t like the darker mornings with DST, but more light in the evenings is worth it.

yum, GS! I so love halibut!

I haven't been keeping up with the thread this week, my apologies! I am doing ok-- keeping on, as they say. One major misstep was picking up an irish soda bread -- a fav. I was not as restrained as I thought I would be. Good thing it was a small one! Otherwise I have maintained a pretty healthy diet. The grazing lunch plates are working out well ... they are especially good when I would otherwise skip lunch due to meetings or the need to get something done. They are easy and I can eat them as I am working. A lot of people like to do meal prep and assemble them on Sundays but it works pretty well for me to assemble them as my coffee is brewing in the early morning... then they are just ready to grab come lunchtime.

I have been struggling a bit with body dismorphia ... probably because I have been basically maintaining since Sept. I look at myself and just don't see the losses I have accumulated... so when I ordered a pair of shorts recently, I ordered a higher size than I should have. No big deal, I can exchange them-- but it was a warning flag that my body image may not be accurate. I think maintaining a positive body image will always be a struggle for me and something I need to work on more actively.

Definitely looking forward to more light in the evening! It is rainy and dark today but need to get out and active. I've only done so once this week so far!

Sorry this is a delayed response but Jococo, glad to hear you are making time for self care! Hair appts always help me-- not only do I look better, but I love those 2 hrs at the salon that are all about me!

That's exciting about the OTC CGMs. I hope the price is reasonable. I really learned a lot from mine.

Unfortunately my weight gain was not from muscle - I could feel the waist of my pants getting tighter. Hopefully with better weather I'll be able to walk more and play more pickleball and get the pounds back off. I am considering again joining a gym. I know spring is kind of a strange time, but I am not good with the weight lifting workout at home and I think I might need more accountability and structure. They also have a sauna which has been on my wish list for awhile. So, that could be the carrot that gets me there :)

Now that the weather is a bit milder, I’m trying to incorporate walking more in my usual activities/errands. Yesterday, I had lunch with a friend and walked to the restaurant instead of driving. Today I had to pick up new glasses at the eye dr., and walked there too. Both walks were maybe 2 miles each so not a huge deal, but healthier than plunking my big arse into the car again and again.

This past week was a bit of a pigout for me, with 3 dinners out and 3 lunches out. Next week will be quieter and I’ve got a fridge full of good fruits and veggies! Armed for healthy choices.

I wish I lived somewhere walkable like that! Working it into your day is so key. I have a very walkable neighborhood, but I’m not close enough to walk with a purpose.

I can walk to the gym and my art classes and the golf club for meals out, otherwise it’s the car for us. But now that i am taking my mother to the gym twice a week to use the stationary recumbent bike I have been getting moderate to intense workouts on the elliptical.