The Continuing Saga of CherylB's Weight Loss Journey (part 2)

[CherylB]

Thanks Debby. I'm looking forward to the next chapter of my life. I thank God this drug exists. My sister said, "I wish they made a pill that would do that when I ate more than 2000 calories." I would want that pill to kick in around 1500.

[Cruzcrzy]

Cheryl, another thing I eat almost daily is a tablespoon of peanut butter on an english muffin. This helps with my sweet tooth which is STILL a struggle. Just recently they had peanut butter on sale for 99 cents a jar. My dh likes to have sugar free jelly on his, and I do too, sometimes. I eat a lot of fresh green beans cooked up...usually when they are 99 cents a pound. I realize food prices are a bit lower where I live. I find that I can get a lot of food for my calories if they are whole foods. For maintenance I eat between 1500-1700 a day. I love to eat, and eat every few hours it seems until my calories run out. Another good question when contemplating a purchase is "is this a want or a need".

Good luck with the Antabuse. I'm so happy for you!!! Prayers for your meet up with the lady today about a possible job.

[CherylB]

I LOVE PB on English Muffins. I used to like them with a drizzle of honey on top, too. Messy but so good! I've never been much on Jelly but Orange Marmalade is nice. I think we ALL love to eat, Marie. That's our problem!

I did the meet and greet today. The lady is young and has a one-year old son who is apparently teething or coming down with a cold. She forgot our noon appointment and showed up around 12:40. I was there a little before 12 and when I saw the place, I didn't have a clue where to meet her.

I parked up at the house, which had the number that she gave me (street number.) I opened the door and walked it but it was more like someones personal home and I called out and no one answered. I left and drove down the hill to the barns. I parked and went inside what I thought was the office but once again, nobody's home. I called her and got her voice mail. Sat in the car and scratched my head. Started the car and drove around back.

There was a lady long-lining a horse in the outdoor arena so I parked the car and asked her where I could find the lady. She thought she might have gone to pick someone up who needed a ride. So I drove around to the front of the barn and parked again.

I put my keys and my phone in my pocket but left my purse in the car. I decided to go meet some of the horses that were outside alone in their individual paddocks. Most of them were friendly and came right up to me when I stood at their gate. Some of them are massive! The first one I went up to see was, anyway. It would take both of my hands cupped together to wrap all the way around his muzzle.

He was very into snuggling and I was just soaking it up. He had his chin resting heavily on my right shoulder for a long time and I didn't know what he was actually doing. I let it go on and then after a while I pulled away and saw a big slobber mark on the back of my sweater. "Thanks! Way to make a first impression" I said to him.

I just walked around to each of the horses and looked around the place to keep from going stir crazy. Finally she drove up and parked and she felt really bad about forgetting me. I didn't care. I don't think I would have waited around once an hour had passed, but she did show up so that's all that matters.

I will see how things develop. She said they would be needing someone in about a month and that she'd call me when she knew more. She asked what questions I had and the only one I really did have was about the schedule. She said that mornings were pretty-much covered ("YES!!!") but didn't actually give me a definite answer to my question.

It takes about 30 minutes to get there and although it's a pretty drive, I'm hoping she isn't looking for someone to come on 6 days a week. I'd prefer to work a few days and more hours so I'm making fewer trips. It's 33 miles round trip. But like I said, I'm desperate so I don't care!

The facility is gorgeous! It's everything that the therapeutic riding center hopes to have in the future. Working there would definitely put me in a position to be someone in-the-know when things start to really ramp up at the therapy place. But I'm wondering how much time I'll have (or want) to spend as a volunteer there. I'll know as things develop.

So I got a much bigger horse-fix than I expected to get today. It's all good.

[DebbyL]

Sounds great Cheryl! Hope you get the "part-time" position you're looking for. It does sound like a long commute, but its a start. I think once you get back to working it gets easier to find jobs, for some reason. (was for me).

I had a good day. My neighbor came over with her pup & we all had a good hike through the trees & snow. Shelby's done tuckered out!

It was a good day at home for me. Hope yours was too!

Blessings,
Debby

[CherylB]

Well, they are looking for someone who wants to be "in it for the long haul" and become part of their team. If I get the job, I will be staying with it. No matter how much it ends up costing me in gas, I'll still come out much better off than I am right now. I just put a thank you card in the mail. I got a lot of encouragement to do that on the horse lover's thread. So long as the mail man picks it up, she should get it Monday.

Sounds like you had a lovely time out there, romping in the snow! I love to look at the pictures you posted. Glad you put them on my journal. I can check them out whenever I want to. I saw that you posted them on FB, too. So good that they need to be shared!

I'm "going in," as they say. I took my last sip of my last beer at 9 pm. I am going to do a little more research and if it truly is only 24 hours you need to abstain before taking the Antabuse, I'm going to take my first dose at 11 tonight. Wish me luck!

Now I need to do more research to be sure I find out where alcohol lies sneaking. For instance, Vanilla extract has alcohol in it so I won't be able to use that. O'Douls has a trace amount, so that's out too. (I didn't plan to drink those. I want to stop wasting money!) I need to find out about all the products that contain "sugar alcohols." I do NOT want to find out the hard way.

I'm doing some much-needed housework and then I've got farm chores later on. (The usual place I volunteer.) It's lovely and sunny and it's wonderful to finally be stuck in a nice weather pattern! We have a massive high pressure area that is keeping all the yucky weather away. Thank you, God!!!

Have a great day, ladies. Turkey day is coming up fast! Tammy, you still out there? You haven't chimed in in such a long time. I hope you're okay.

[DebbyL]

Hi Cheryl,
I put a few more pics on my facebook of the horse-ride.
Hope you're able to accomplish your goals & get the job!

My poor puppy got sick. She's been lethargic all day & not eating. We think its the grease she ate after my bbq fire last night. Took her in & got shots, hoping & praying she pulls through.

[CherylB]

Oh, no! I will pray for her. When I adopted Cisco, she got super ill soon after, too. They took her into the vet and started an IV but even before that, they were giving her those fluid boluses under her skin (where they get this ginormous bulge until the fluid infuses their tissues.) She wasn't able to eat or drink and they could only say that it was some generalized virus. She was negative for parvo, etc. I hope your baby gets well soon. God bless and comfort you in the process. A sick baby is a terrible thing. Fur or no fur.

I did see the new pictures on FB. Someone commented "Jealous" and I said, "Me too!" Which one of the people in the pics is you? I found it hard to recognize you with all the winter garb on. It looks so cold but also so incredibly beautiful. I wish I could come over!

Off to pray for your dear, sweet dog. I hope you all get some rest and peace tonight.

PS: Took my first Antabuse tonight. It was 25.5 hours since that last sip of beer and I was afraid it was not really going to be okay that soon afterward, but the literature says 24 hours. I feel very mildly icky but at least I'm not heaving and headachey. I may be okay! And now I can just take that pill every night and the ability to cave to temptation to drink when life gets frustrating or I get angry over something is out the window. I can't! That's that. No going back and forth with "should I or shouldn't I?" The answer is HELL NO!

[DebbyL]

Oh good. Yeah, I'm not in any of the pics of the horses. I was behind the camera.

Good for you! glad you didn't get sick. I was just watching a Dr Oz show that I'd PVR'd. It talked a lot about the effects of stress. One thing they suggested was Valerian Root. Supposed to take it at night & what I didn't know is it gives a calming effect for 24 hrs. Might be worth a shot. Also helps sleep. Actually, exercise does both those things too! It was also on Sensa. Ever heard of it? sprinkle on food to make you satisfied sooner.

Thanks for the prayers, she is still lethargic.

[CherylB]

Oh, that's why! Someone commented on FB: "You look good!" So that's why I wondered which one was you.

She's lethargic but is she eating and drinking? How is her stool? If she's dehydrating, it's very dangerous. She might need those subcutaneous fluids. I just hope she's much better soon.

I will look into the Valerian Root. I'm not really in need of it, I guess. Exercising did nothing for my insomnia for the solid month that I did it religiously. Maybe it takes longer than that, and maybe I have to work out even longer each session. I'm not ready to go back yet. I weigh even more now than I did when I rejoined the gym and was going.

In fact, yesterday I really stuck to the 1200 calories and logged everything into the online tracker. Took the first Antabuse, felt a tiny bit queasy for a while but it passed (a 1 out of 10). Got up today and weighed and to my horror, I'm back in the 200's. I wish to God I hadn't weighed. I was 195.8 just on Thursday! I didn't weigh yesterday so maybe I should have. This Antabuse stuff better not make weight loss harder!

Well, today is another 1200 calorie day. I will soldier on. I hope everyone has a nice day. Debby, take good care of your baby.

[DebbyL]

Thanks Cheryl,
She looks very thin, but better. Only taking small amounts of water. I'm going to try to feed her later today. Might give her some turkey. Not interested in food yet. Still sleeping curled up (sore tummy).

That weight gain is most likely from the carbs you added. I would think that it will even out soon. I used to get that "carb" gain when I switched from low carb. Its just water weight. Hang in there! Soon you'll have a job & can afford to go back to low-carb!

Have a great day!

[Cruzcrzy]

Cheryl - did you read the literature that came with the medicine? I hope weight gain is not a side effect. Try not to freak out too much. Keep tracking. Try to limit your carbs to early in the day versus evening, jmo.
You could be retaining for whatever reason. Does it seem like you are?

[CherylB]

Trust me. I read everything I could get my hands on before swallowing that first pill. I'll be fine. And I'll get in the groove with calorie counting. I'll weigh again this time next week and see where I'm at. This is going to take some serious time, apparently.

[Cruzcrzy]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Trust me. I read everything I could get my hands on before swallowing that first pill. I'll be fine. And I'll get in the groove with calorie counting. I'll weigh again this time next week and see where I'm at. This is going to take some serious time, apparently.

[CherylB]

Actually ladies, I've been doing some thinking. I'm in the midst of making some big changes these days and I think LCF needs to be one of them. So often I check in here to find that nobody's around (not my journal but all my threads I keep up with.) I wonder where everyone is and get frustrated when I return again a while later and there's still no sign of life. It just shows me that I really do need to change my focus.

So, don't be worried about me but I'm going to take some time off from the forum. I need to do something other than type and be stationary. I need to get back to the gym, do more domestic things around here, walk the dog, actually set aside some time to spend with God, etc. I think I've been on here way too much, telling way too many intimate things. Seems every thought, feeling, fear or concern I have gets plastered where anyone with Google can find it. Maybe I shouldn't be so transparent all the time.

Not signing off forever, but for a while. Maybe we should all take a look at our lives and see if there isn't something that needs more of our attention these days.

Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings to all of you. Be safe and be well.

[Cruzcrzy]

Cheryl,

I GET what you are saying. Thanks for letting us know. I'll be on here a whole lot less until after the 1st of the year. We hit the road tomorrow! Wishing you a blessed Thanksgiving.

[CherylB]

HAVE A FABULOUS TIME!!!!! Love you, honey!

[Cruzcrzy]

Thanks, Dear!! Wishing you a wonderful time of reflection and refreshment.

[DebbyL]

Hope things go well for you as you seek God & balance.
Blessings,
Debby

[KOO]

Originally Posted by CherylB

Actually ladies, I've been doing some thinking. I'm in the midst of making some big changes these days and I think LCF needs to be one of them. So often I check in here to find that nobody's around (not my journal but all my threads I keep up with.) I wonder where everyone is and get frustrated when I return again a while later and there's still no sign of life. It just shows me that I really do need to change my focus.

So, don't be worried about me but I'm going to take some time off from the forum. I need to do something other than type and be stationary. I need to get back to the gym, do more domestic things around here, walk the dog, actually set aside some time to spend with God, etc. I think I've been on here way too much, telling way too many intimate things. Seems every thought, feeling, fear or concern I have gets plastered where anyone with Google can find it. Maybe I shouldn't be so transparent all the time.

Not signing off forever, but for a while. Maybe we should all take a look at our lives and see if there isn't something that needs more of our attention these days.

Happy Thanksgiving! Blessings to all of you. Be safe and be well.

Hi Cheryl, I totally get what you are saying. I think this place can be an addiction just like anything else. Will miss you in the word games. Happy Thanksgiving to you!

[lola001]

Hi Cheryl

Take care. Come around when you are feeling better. It is important to find a balance between staying online and getting active.

[baileygirl3]

Hi Cheryl! I can relate to what you are saying. I had to take a break from my virtual life for a while. I still come back to check on things but it was all becoming to overwhelming and I was forgetting things in my real life. Facebook can do that people too, thats why I don't have an account. Its good though to have a support group, but I had to learn that people in my life I see everyday can be just as helpful to me.

[CherylB]

Hi, ladies. I'm missing y'all and I really am tempted to come back but for now, I know I need to do this. HOWEVER, I had to change my Avi in the meantime. I found this stunning picture online and it takes my breath away. To see it as a computer background is truly amazing. You'll have to use your imagination when looking at the Avi.

Love you all and will be back soon.

[TerriMM]

Just stopping by to wish everyone a wonderful and joyous Thanksgiving.
I feel truely blessed to have found the friends and support I have found here!

[lola001]

Hi Cheryl

Hope that you are having a good Thanksgiving.
Enjoy your break.
Love you and miss your chatter on the atkins 72 thread.

[julieboolie]

Hey Cheryl-just checking on you! I agree a balance is a good thing. I'm sure you'll find the right balance and be able to pop in but keep your healthy lifestyle going too. I'm heading back to the gym too! I am so in need of healthy exercise.

[CherylB]

Just waving hello to my friends! Been laying low but today was an unusual day for me. Things are starting to show signs that they're changing for the better. I'm getting validated! How wonderful when that happens.

That's all I want to say for right now. Still no word about that job but it's still too soon for that. I hope this is the beginning of a wonderful winter. Peace and love to each of you tonight.

[DebbyL]

Hi Cheryl!
I'm so happy to hear things are going well for you! PTL!!
Thanks for checking in.

[CherylB]

Praise the Lord is right! I feel the tide starting to turn. I will hang onto this feeling and try to have faith. I'll be back periodically to let you all know I'm still around. Thanks for all your support, ladies.

[CherylB]

I'm back! I can't leave this site for very long. It's like it's a part of my very DNA now. We're "fused together."

It's snowing right now and it's so pretty! I should go grab my Christmas tree and set it up while the snow is falling. That would be lovely. Maybe I will! Put on some Christmas tunes and do the tree. If I do, I'll take a pic and post it.

[TerriMM]

That sounds like a lovely day! So happy you're back and things are looking up!