Making better choices

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I joined Medical Weight Loss Clinic. The program officially started on Monday, Feb 16. I've lost 10 pounds so far. I've had a few slip ups (half and half in my coffee, 1/4 piece of pita bread, some hummous, tabbouleh, all of which are no nos.) I haven't had any candy, snacks, cookies, chips or pizza. I went to the grocery store the other day and noticed all of the Easter candy was out, and I literally had to un-focus my eyes and turn off my smell to get past it. But, what a great feeling it's been to be able to do that. It's going to be hard, I'm not going to "sugar" coat it, but at least I'm doing something about it.

Some tricks I'm trying..

• eating on smaller, prettier plates
• drinking a lot of water before I eat
• not skipping any meals
• looking at the calorie information on packaging (although most of the food is fresh or frozen)
• avoiding the snack aisle
• visualizing...better health....better body.....better health....better body!!
• telling myself I deserve this
• parking further away so I have to walk
  

I don't mind exercising. Two years ago I was a walking fool. How I used to love to ride my bike! I rode it to work several times and that was 9 miles one way! However, I now have a bone spur behind my knee that is very painful if I walk too long. But, I've noticed, when I rest it/ice it, I can continue to walk. So, as soon as the weather breaks, I'm going to walk around the block, rest my leg, and walk again. When I lose enough weight, I'll see if the Dr. can remove the spur. Then I can ride my bike again!

I know I can do this. With the help of the clinic, the support of my friends, family and all of you who read my blog, I'll get there. Don't worry. This isn't going to shift from a creativity & clay blog to a weight loss blog, but periodically I'll let you know how it's going.

Contest...ends March 5!

Comment, Comment, Comment..the more you do, the better chance you have of winning my little clay angel on a canvas. (Rules and picture are linked in the upper right hand corner.)

Oh Woe is me...

When I was in my thirties and I would listen to older folks complain about their aches and pains and medications, I vowed I wouldn't have those kinds of conversations. I would keep my meds and my tummy aches and my arthritis to myself. Or so I thought.

I've been absent for almost a week and, I have to admit, it's because I haven't been feeling too well.

If you want to hear what my troubles have been, keep reading. If you'd rather not, now is the time to leave. Come back tomorrow because I'm planning on posting something creative.

My biggest problem over the past year has been the arthritis that has taken over my knee. (knees, but mostly the left).. I think I could live with that pain without complaining, but it's the bone spur behind the knee that is causing me awful pain. Because the body is such a marvelous creation, it knows that my knee has lost most of its cartilage. So, it has been manufacturing new material. Only, it is depositing it on a bone (called a spur) and it is a constant problem. It hurts all of the time. I can't bend my leg more than a few degrees. I can't ride a bike anymore. It's hard to get in and out of a car. I hate this! The orthopedic surgeon didn't really give me much hope of any relief in the near future, but I think I'm going to go get another opinion.

To add to my distress, I'm taking Naperson for the swelling and it is tearing up my stomach. I get bad heartburn and discomfort. If I switch to Tylenol, I don't get heartburn anymore, but it doesn't help with the swelling, making it even more difficult to maneuver.

I also need to get to the ophthalmologist because lately, my right eye won't open when I wake up in the morning. Well, it hesitates. It is about 3 beats behind the left eye. It feels like there is pressure behind my eye. I have noticed that if the heat is below 60 during the night, it's not so bad. If it is 65 or higher, that is when I have a problem. Either it's my imagination or that has something to do with it. It doesn't really bother me during the day, so that helps lessen my fears.

Finally, I have a cold. I felt kind of hot and funny earlier today and after school stopped and bought a thermometer. But my temp was perfect. I have been sneezing and sniffling and coughing for days. I bought some kind of flu and cold medicine and am going to try it tonight.

So, that being said, I apologize for neglecting the blog. Sometimes, if you just don't feel good, you just don't feel good!

The giveaway...

I've heard from the following people and will be mailing their items tomorrow.

Polymer clay chick
Silverhart girl
Stacy
Jennifer

I still need to hear from "South""Diane H" and "Rachel"

I'll keep looking for them.

Also, I'm planning on a February contest. Working on something decorative with a canvas. I just got 48 canvases in the mail from Dick Blick..I'm very excited!