BINGE ENDERS CHALLENGE - Saturday, July 31st

C118D2, 17 purple points, 1277 calories, 77 grams protein, 47 grams fiber, Walked to and from clubhouse for pool and a 20 minute after dinner walk.

Ended the week with negative 3 weeklies. This was the week I tracked everything even the moronic over snacking. I am shocked to find my average daily calories for the week at 1346. I was expecting much worse. This encourages me to make a real effort to continue tracking no matter what. Tomorrow (Saturday) is our 58th anniversary. The kids will be here. We had the big fancy meal for my birthday. I think we're just going to get takeout from Boston Market for dinner. I plan to order freely for myself including dessert. The calories will be insane but c'est la vie.

Good Saturday morning! The trip was a lot of fun and the venue definitely different. Eating wasn’t horrible. I tracked everything yesterday until I opened the giant bag of kettle corn that a local church sells as a fundraiser. Ah well. My activity for the day more than made up for it. I got in 8 good miles with the dog this morning and will get out on the bike soon.

Nancy, happy anniversary! Thanks for the book recommendation. I have it on order from the library. I’ve been doing a lot of reading as well as listening to audiobooks lately. Yes, I suggested the Obama book. Be forewarned, the one that’s out now is only half of it. Loooong!

Lori, I’m so glad your mom is ok! I had no idea there’s a medication to counteract a stroke.

Meg, when does your husband go in for hip replacement? I hope you had a relaxing bike ride. Getting outside does so much for our health, both physically and emotionally.

Kathy, I’m sorry and I feel your pain. I watched DH walk right back a cat that was meowing for food in her usual spot last night. Of course that’s just the tip of the iceberg. We both have a house full of people with boy/man brains. Enjoy your lake time.

Day 165. Just a little update: tomorrow will be day 14 of tracking calories. I've been aiming for around 1500 calories/day and a little more on weekends. My blood sugar is excellent and the scale is moving down. I'm really trying to incorporate the mindset of changing habits, and not doing anything that I feel I can't do forever (i.e. not too restrictive). So far it's felt pretty easy, which is SO weird! I'm very grateful, though. I honestly do NOT know how people do this with a full-time job and/or with young children in the home. It takes a lot of mental energy and time. I do work part-time, volunteer, and help with the GKs, but I have a lot of "margin" on most days. I'm very proud of DD for staying the course for the last several months - not sure how she has done it, but she has. Proud of you working women, too!

Nancy: Yay for tracking this coming week, and for eating what you want for your anniversary!

Kathy: Good for your family in making the punishment fit the crime! Enjoy, breathe, read, nap, walk. Sounds lovely. Are you interested in spiritual disciplines/practices? If so, I highly (!) recommend Dallas Willard. (Your lake time of silence and solitude made me think of it.)

Jan: We never made it out for the bike ride. DD had to go pick up something she ordered, and the afternoon was nearly gone. But I did the rower this morning and a little yard work, so that's (not at all) the same thing, right? Tuesday is the big hip surgery! Praying all goes well and the pain is manageable.

Lori: Wonderful news about your mom. Wow. And is this the first time you've been thankful to have so many brothers, heh? Good for you for cooking healthy stuff! Re. your snack suggestion: I can't abide cucumbers, sorry, Except as dill pickles.

I appreciate all of you, your good examples and encouragement. God bless!