A picture

I was talking to a friend yesterday. We met about 8 years ago and worked together for 6 of those years. And there is a pic of me on the blog holding a baby. This happened during those years. Now there are 3 more grandchildren and that baby recently had her 5th birthday. She is really growing up fast and time is flying. I am so grateful to be around to see it.

Diet, no way

I have decided to not diet any more. I have decided that nothing less than a lifestyle change will do. The eating pattern I was into was raising the triglycerides to amazingly high levels. And my energy was at an amazingly low level.
So I am cutting down on the fat and upping the exercise. Sounds like a lifestyle change to me.

Love is where you find it

I love Spring. I love 60's and 70's music. I love trees. I love lakes, oceans, wind, dogs, cats, eating fish, colorful flowers, floral scents, green plants, mountains, streams, blue skies, the sounds of the ocean, learning, reading, making things, my children and grandchildren, my wonderful partner, big strong trucks, the 1961 E Jaguar convertible, the Volks bug convertible, finding a bargain, lots and lots of jewelry, handbags, shoes, good health, a beautiful smile(like Brian's), Forsythia, a ride in the country, going out to eat, having a good hair day, having a good day in general, my friends, and color, lots of color. I love being almost 65 years old. After all I am still alive to say it. I love being a mother. I love having lost 14 pounds. I love rain, in almost all forms. I love storms.

I love having a long list of things to enjoy in my life.

The diet

I am bombarded with diet info and ads touting a new, secret way to a flat belly, quick weight loss, getting into a size 2, etc. If I eat food that comes by delivery (no, not pizza) I can lose weight quickly and easily. If I just eat a bar, I'll be so full I can't eat much. If my total gym, works, I can look like a famous model.

Alas, I don't like exercise even to look like a model, (like that could really happen). I can't afford losing 20 lbs for $20 plus the cost of food. By the way the food is super expensive; I tried it. If there were a really good, easy way to get a flat belly someone would patent it and make millions.

The exercise equipment offered is unbelievable. There is one where you kneel on a machine and swing your butt around. There is one where you hold a limber stick and move it up and down. There is the rubber band machine, the walking machine, the climbing machine and I understand there is a push to bring back the vibrating machine. (Supposedly it breaks up fat.) And there is a machine you wear that stimulates muscle contractions. Now that looks great till I look at the 6 inches of belly fat that are laying over the small stomach muscles that I have. That would take a ton of electricity.

There are rubber bands, tubes, rubber balls, steps, weights, pulleys, straps, medicine balls, DVD's, etc. There is the Firm, Pilates, free weights, dance, and many more of the types of exercise programs.

The latest info from health and exercise magazines says that 50% of adults in the USA are obese. Many are morbidly obese. Billions are spent on clubs, and more on equipment. And half of us are obese.

I WENT ON A DIET 3 WEEKS AGO AND I HAVE LOST 8 POUNDS. And I don't own any of the things I have talked about. I cut out fast food and cut way down on fats. Ha!

Lots on the plate lately

I have been inducted into the group of folks who have spent time applying to the Social Security Administration for benefits. I found it interesting that they actually seemed fairly well organized and that they knew what they were doing. Anyway I had been told to apply on my former husband's number since I had been a stay at home mom and had a very spotty work record. I found I could apply before age 65 as long as he is 65. And I had to have been married to him for 10 years. I had that beat by 13 years. His wages were much higher than I have ever made and I will receive more benefits by using his earnings. At last I receive something from that union. At last.

Also I have been in the dentist office a lot lately. It seems teeth don't always age well even if you brush regularly. I am going to get a cantilever bridge made for my back tooth that was pulled. I thought cantilevers were only done on houses. OK I learned something.

My daughter and I are both doing the trying to lose weight thing. She is in Jacksonville and I am in Knoxville. So the phone is really going to get a workout. But I find myself much more dedicated to the diet because I will have someone to talk to about it and to answer to. I am such a nonstarter. Wish us luck!!!

Spring

This weekend we set the clocks forward by one hour. I am not losing sleep over it however. I am losing sleep over the coming shorts season. There are not many things that could get me outside to tan but hiding fat is one of them. I have heard that dark colors are slimming. So I figure that the darker I get the thinner I will look. Do you believe that? I thought not.

The doctor will be proud of me. I have not gained any more on the triglicerides scale. Sunday I will weigh on the bathroom scale. I am working with my daughter to lose some weight. I really need to do it even though the thought of dieting is totally abhorrent to me. I will not publish my weight but starting Sunday I will use this blog as a way to blow off steam, share trials, and recipes. And I'll not lie to the super folks who tune in. Damn, I wish I could get out of this. I am one of the folks that can focus for 2 minutes and then I chase butterflies. This will be a real challenge.

This old body

When the doctor checked my cholesterol the other day the nurse called and said the triglicerides were way out of whack. It is such a bummer to say goodbye to bacon and mayo and margerine/butter. And when I went on the internet to find out what is best to eat for the problem, the majority of sites want to sell me something and not tell me much. So I came to the only solution I could. I bought a Wii.