Oink, Oink

It's been a week since my flu symptoms began. I'm learning it's probably the swine flu. Several neighbors have had confirmed cases with their doctors saying that's pretty much the only strain they've seen lately.

Most symptoms are gone now. Cough lingers. My energy should increase as I move around more. As nice as it has been to investigate the blogging world for hours from my sick bed, it's time to get back on track, even if it's a slow track.

New goal: move more. I commit to a 10 minute walk each day and 10 minutes of moving my body rhythmically to music (I'd call it "dancing," except I don't think what I do could be defined as dancing).

Soon I will deal with my "other" swine flu...the kind were I eat like a pig...it has been a real sickness. I want to be cautious about this...nothing radical. I want the changes to stick.

What I've Learned while Being Sick

*My husband can take care of the house and the kids and the pets without me. Time to give up some control issues I have.

*My kids listen more to me when I whisper and respond in a whisper. (I had lost my voice and talking triggered coughing spells, so I had to speak softly and slowly. They looked at me very intently as I gave them direction and then would whisper back, "Okay.")

*My kids can be more self-reliant than I gave them credit. Time to stretch them a bit and let them grow up.

*Ice cream isn't fattening when you're sick. (Okay...so, maybe that's just wishful thinking).

*I have much to be thankful.

Which brings me to something that I had forgotten about: my thankful journal/to-do list. Everynight I would write down things about each person in my family that I'm thankful for and then write 3 things I want to accomplish the next day. It really helped my attitude.

Why did I stop? I probably became tired and didn't feel like writing...just wanted to sleep. Then maybe I was mad...not sure. Enough times like that then it's easy to slip out of the habit.

Time to start it up, again. As part of my fitness journey, I will begin my thankful journal.

Ugh, Still

Danny's home...thank goodness. No energy. Hopefully today was the worst of it. Danny bought me a container of vanilla Haagen-Dazs ice-cream. Ohh, it felt so soothing on my fire-hot throat.

My daughter brought me a plate full of fruit (grapes, apple slices, banana) and a glass of o.j. She even came and got the plate when I was done. Angel.

The cats are on me keeping me warm (and finding refuge from Hansi, our "puppy").

It's been great reading others' fitness blogs. Reading about it isn't going to get me fit, though, but it is motivating.

Ugh. Officially under the weather. {cue the violin} So tired. Hacking. Throwing up. Added bonus of my back going into spasms every time I cough. Motrin helps. Husband is on 3-day trip.

Don't have to worry about the extra Halloween candy...it's gone. Yeah, I ate it for breakfast. And it was soooo gooooood. Darnit. Maybe I'll care when I feel better. (Didn't eat the kids' stash...just the left-overs).

On the upside of being sick: I get to stop and be thankful for the kind gestures others offer me. My 8 yr old daughter surprised me with a hot water bottle in my bed last night. My friend brought over a herbal tea that really helps her. My neighbor picked up my kids from school and brought us chicken soup and rolls for dinner tonight. I'm thankful for their service and examples.

Bonus...blog time. I've been able to check out a couple of other weight-loss blogs and see their journey as I'm beginning mine. It's encouraging to see I'm not alone. I'll read an entry and think, "That's how I'm feeling!" etc

So Much For My word

I blew it. Ate several pieces of Halloween candy (KitKats, Crunch, whoppers). I was doing well...then...ugh. It's a blur...like I was a possessed crazy woman.

I'm trying to be aware of what I was feeling, etc. Tired because I couldn't sleep last night. Sick...have a tight chest and a cough that started during the night. Cramps (yeah, THAT started, too). And hungry. It's lunchtime, and I hadn't eaten anything since the egg this morning. I was also feeling unproductive.

At least I didn't buy any junk at the grocery store...cuz I didn't go.

Perspective...energy and resolve will return. Keep drinking water and eat real food.

Grocery Shopping Jitters

3:30 a.m. Can't sleep.

I managed to not eat any more candy yesterday. Had the melted marshmallows, though. I've been on the melted marshmallow kick lately.

I have to go grocery shopping...nervous about that. I habitually select something from the pastry section. My 4 year-old son asks for his free cookie and I am soooo tempted by the single serve items. Sometimes not just the single serve...I've been known to buy whole packages of eclairs or a cake or pie and eat the entire thing by the end of the day. It's aweful writing this down, but there it is.

Drug addicts in recovery are told to avoid areas where they use...areas that could trigger a relapse...areas like bars, certain streets, friends' homes, etc. How do I avoid the grocery store?

Okay...just for today...I will not buy anything from the bakery or cookie section. {It's weird, though, I've been sitting here for several minutes debating if I'm going to commit to no candy today. I'm now thinking about my new blogging friends and their struggles with the Halloween candy, too}...Okay...just for today...no candy, either. And lots and lots of water.

Day-After Halloween Report

I managed to not eat any candy. Yay! I still had hot cocoa with some marshmallows, though. Actually, it's more like I had marshmallows with some hot cocoa.

Today is another story. I had candy. But at least I didn't finish off the bag of candy before trick-or-treaters came to the door (I did that one year).

Here's today's goal...no more candy today. I wonder if I should put it in the freezer or a neighbor's freezer.