Marge

came to visit me this week. Getting ready to go back to school and had to go to Dr. for checkup and shots as he lives in dorm. I had noticed he had been putting on weight for a couple of years. He is great in math and astronomy and has gone to a private college for four years. We always joked that some day he would be a giant head with no body because he never moved except to go from the car, to computer, to bed. Well, of course the opposite happened! He said,” I hate the BMI.”" I am 5# above overweight, I am obese!” He was truly shocked. His B/P was 140/90. I told him it was in the family and showed him my before picture. He was astonished, he kept saying I never saw you like that!! I had taken the weight off four years before he was born. I have been curvy, not thin, for 25 years. I asked him if he had a plan as he is leaving tomorrow. He is walking every day (wonders will never cease), drinks only water, only ice tea when out with friends, snacks on fruit he is keeping in his dorm. No more sodas, his biggest downfall. What makes us change our habits? His Dad has a whole gym in his basement. Now he and his son can work out together as my son has done for years. Just Do It, Sweetface. (my old name for grandson) Wouldn’t dare call him that for years, but that’s who he is in my mind. I don’t want to see him fighting the diseases obesity can cause as he ages. Been there. Hoping you all have a SUPER, GREAT weekend and do your very best to come back Tues. without a gain. Hey, I’ll take a “stayed the same”. I finally lost another pound!! Love ya, Buddies, Marge

about 9 a.m. and intented to be gone about 60 laboring minutes. On my way back from my adventure I was at an intersection with the light in my favor. I almost get whip lash everytime I am out because I am checking out alleys, drive ways, stop signs, etc, because I want to be sure drivers see me. I have an orange flag attached to my w/c on a pole for visability. I am very careful which means I can’t get a run at a ramp to make propeling my chair a little easier. I am in the middle of the intersection in my crosswalk when I see this car flying toward the red light and in the far right lane, petal to the metal and she screechs around the corner without pausing or slowing for the RED LIGHT and I am in her path. When I saw no sign of her slowing for the red light I stopped dead and began pushing my w/c with my feet and arms back toward the curb. She missed me by about 4 inches. Never looked back, and I was screaming a word at her I never learned from my mother just from my ex-Marine husband. I was shaking from fright and rage, when a 20 something young man jumped off his bike and came and pushed me up onto the curb. He said that woman tried to kill you,ma’am. I said Not really, she was just totally too old and impaired to be driving. She looked 80 to 85. Totally oblivious to her surrondings. Please, please, stop for a red light and look both ways and then proceed. I can’t wind down enough to even try to sleep. But I am going out tomorrow morning and pray drivers are alert and have all there marbles. Oh, I lost another pound and feel super. All those fresh greens and fruit. Will be answering blogs tomorrow if I get through the night and don’t scare myself to death with “might have beens”. Take care of youselves and each other. Hugs, Marge

pound off. Ten days at least. Really. It must be my age, or my handicap, or maybe that fat virus or my “round” friends. I am sure it has nothing to do with my behavior or that jar of peanuts I ate in four days last week. Well, I was stressed! Big deal. Life is stress! I should know how to handle it better than heading for my worst enemy, FOOD. We get  too soon old and too late smart. The excuses we can make to ourselves. Marge

This picture HAD to be taken as I needed I.D. for my job. Well, it was quite a shock to me because I had never seen myself the way others were seeing me. I stayed out of sight when the picture taking was going on at family events. I knew my blood pressure was sky high and I was so tired all the time. One picture is worth a thousand words. It took me 2 years to lose over 100 lbs, but I have kept the pounds off for 25 years. I am sure I would not be alive today if I hadn’t finally decided to cope with my problem. It is still hard to keep the weight down. But I will never give up the battle. Come on. We can do this. Love, Marge

I don’t care No need to know that When the moon is full and the world’s too close I just keep my smile and up my dose. Song in new C.D. my sister brought me yesterday. Written by Cheryl Wheeler. Great c.d. I certainly needed something to make me laugh. My little daughter-in-law is still battling her spreading cancer with all means possible. Last week was BAD. She developed pneumonia with few white cells to battle the infection. She just called me a few minutes ago and sounded like the Allison I know. She was on a step stool hanging curtains in the laundry room. She has come through another crisis. And of course, I have been moping around, frantic and thinking the worst. All I can do for her is pray and I do, without ceaseing. And I have missed all of you. I have kept up the exercising (kept me sane) and went a little overboard on carbs. Carbs are my Prozac. I’m back on plan as of yesterday and feeling so happy for Allison. Lots of hugs, Marge

do anything. Had to force myself to make the bed and get dressed. When I don’t sleep well I am a grouch. I was drinking my coffee and thinking I just don’t want to do this stuff anymore. At my age why can’t I just eat what I want and sit on the couch and zone out. Is the battle going to continue the rest of my life? Well, yes it is! If I want to continue to take care of myself and live on my own, not in a nursing home or assisted living. I am never going to be young and sexy again, but this life can still be good and I can enjoy my family and friends, IF I continue to take care of diet and exercise. I had a long, hard talk with myself and reminded myself how much better my life is because of all the improvements in controling diabetes. My mother was legally blind, had a leg off at 55, and died at the age of 60. From type 2 diabetes. Sure the finger sticks are be a minor inconvenince and keeping track of blood sugars boring, but I am 70 with all my parts (more or less). I want to urge all of you who have any of the signs of early diabetes, excessive thirst, fatigue, frequent urination to get your blood sugar checked. The earlier it is found, the better control of the disease you can get and keep. The Dr thinks I had it for about 8 years before it was found at age 45. I still miss my mother and wish her health could have been better with all the improvements in diabetic care we now have available. BUT you have to know you have it before too much damage occurs. I love you, Mama. I am serious, GET TESTED. Love, Marge

I have done something stupid as I am a newbie. Been using a computer about a year and it has truly saved my sanity.Within 2 weeks of my husband’s death a very kind neighbor heard me say I wanted to learn to use a coupl. I heard a knock on my door and he and wife were at my door with computer and desk. They installed it and gave me lessons and I have never looked back. I would get up in the middle of night when I couldn’t sleep and type in grief and I had instant help. Some neighbors, huh? When my son saw how much I loved using it he bought me a new one. I cannot snack near new computer and not allowed to use until I finish chores. Then I found Buddyslim while looking for weight loss sites. And I was ready to begin this journey. Thank all of you. You will never know how you helped. Have a great week. I intend to. Stay on plan. Love, Marge

This started yesterday and continues this morning. I have commented on several but some get through and some don’t. My poor old fingers are getting tired. Be back and try later. GGGGRRRRR Marge

chores I need to get done. Makes me feel so good to see 4 or 5 things get crossed off my list each day. Things I have usually been letting slide. Cleaned fridge and freezer, couple of spots on the carpet left by accident with pizza and a 5 year old.  My 5 year old great nephew last lost both grandads this past year. My sister said it’s a good thing she has a spare. (second husband) Jake looked at his pawpa, and said how old are you pawpa? My B-I-L said 72. Jake told him he really looked young for his age. Pause. Then Jake said “most of the people your age are dead”. I LOVE kids. They just come right out with it. Hope you are on plan and I am really working hard at this. Have a great day. Love, Marge

I WANT OUTTA HERE! Now I have had my little tantrum. Have been off my plan for 4 days. My sis called awhile ago and told me I sound awful, she said to crank up the music and get on the computer. I can’t change the weather, but I can change my attitude. Thank you, all the ones who left me messages this morning. I am smiling and having a long pep session with myself. I’m not going to weigh myself until next weekend. 8 days staying in the apartment and remember the Janis Joplin song about it all being the same ******* day. Well, that makes for a very long day indeed. Smile with me and I know better days are coming. Love, Marge