Anna -it helps me to read what you and so many others share on this forum. It's so affirming and supportive in the journals.
Letha - that cranberry chutney sounds delightful! I also love pineapple salsa and think that would be good with sweet potatoes. At the holidays I mash sweet potatoes with pineapple, pumpkin pie spice, crushed pineapple, and orange juice/zest, lemon juice. It's totally delicious. I think I'll try mashing them with your cranberry chutney. I may be totally unrealistic - but I hope I can lose enough weight by next summer to have my knee surgeries done.
Kirk - thanks for the good wishes. I haven't been down on myself so that's a good thing. Each time I got on my scale and saw E - I started wondering if I were gaining weight instead of losing, though, because I've been eating a lot! I'm sorry you and Jeanette have to deal with all the stresses you do. You will soon be at a weight and in health to do even more to help at home. I'm noticing the expenses of what I've been eating (convenience veggies from the overpriced salad bar, organic produce, canned items - it's really too expensive for my budget as well and I need to get down to simple basics). Hang in there, Kirk. We just keep putting one foot in front of the other (so to speak
![Smile :-)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
) and before we know it we are in a different, more positive place.
Sandra - did you buy that pineapple salsa from Trader Joe's? I love that salsa. I think I'll try that next on my yams. I'm glad you tested it out first for us.
Well, I CAN weigh on my scale now! This is good news. I didn't make it to the doctor's office to weight, but now my scale shows I'm at 398 - so I am officially in the 300s on my way to the 200s. I feel so fortunate that McDougalling is working well for me again. I was a little worried that being older and much less active due to the knees and having fluids on me - that I wouldn't be losing weight.
I decided not to put up ticker in my signature because it would show me how far I still had to go and I'm very visual - so it may have a more negative effect on my thinking. I'm trying to focus on the now as a way of getting to where I want to go. I've been telling myself positive messages to help retrain my brain, but could do a more consistent practice of positive thinking.
Yesterday I tried to purchase a mobility scooter but someone got there before me and the fellow sold it. At first I was disappointed because the price was so reasonable and I know I will need help moving longer distances due to the pain. If it didn't hurt so much, then I'd have no problem walking, walking, walking. Some hurt - not a problem. I tolerate a lot of pain - so that means this is hurting big time. Maybe there is a way to retrain my brain with regards to pain? I'd like that!
At the dentist yesterday I learned that I am grinding my teeth. I think I've been doing that at night and when I hurt standing/walking. I am going to have to get a mouth guard made as she (dentist) said I'd just chew up a "football mouthguard". Otherwise, the teeth are in dandy shape.
Couldn't get to see the knee doc until next week. They can inject "vegan" synovial(sp?) fluid in my knee again. It hasn't worked much in the past because he has a difficult time getting between the bones due to the bone on bone situation, but the numbing before the shot is awesome! Maybe I could inject novocaine daily in my knee and then get through everything without so much trouble. I declined the narcotics - I just hate that stuff and with my eating "addiction" I could easily get hooked on them anyway. Part of me says - hey, you did this to yourself so just live with the pain. But the truth is, I am avoiding walking so much due to it that it's not good. When I work, I have to get around quickly and walk a lot. So, the scooter for longer work distances and the cane for everywhere else will be the best. Exercising, exercising, and losing weight is my main focus now. My focus for now is - take care of yourself, heal yourself, be kind to yourself.
Okay - since last Thursday I've released 11 pounds. I will put my monthly weight in the signature - I think. If it feels weird, I might take it out. Just have to wait and see.