Better Second Life Diary

[RobertaLee]

Recovery Meditations ~ Letting Go ~ One Day at a Time ~ September 26, 2008
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RECOVERY MEDITATIONS
One Day at a Time
September 26, 2008

~ LETTING GO ~

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We must be willing to get rid of the
life we've planned, so as to have the
life that is waiting for us.

Joseph Campbell

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It's hard to give up old
habits. Although my former solutions to
dealing with stress and anger, as well
as emotional and physical pain, had
never worked and only made the problems
worse, they were familiar. I had high
hopes the results would be different
each time, that my eating would somehow
solve the problem of how to pay the
bills this month. I wasn't too surprised
when it didn't happen because this was
familiar ground.

Then I heard about this program,
half-heartedly joined, and began working
the Twelve Steps. It was scary! Things
began happening to me that I'd never
dreamed possible. I was given
abstinence! I had not planned for that
to happen. How could I, when I had no
idea what abstinence would really be
like?

At first I felt very anxious, sure the
abstinence would be snatched from me
just as I was beginning to feel
comfortable with it. While I enjoyed
abstinence and not having to focus on
the food and my eating disorder's
requirements anymore, I often felt like
I was in foreign territory without a map
or a clue. I couldn't plan my life like
I had before because my life was busy
evolving in ways I couldn't imagine.

But the longer I worked the program, the
happier my life became. To my utter
shock, I've recently discovered that I,
the control freak and ultimate detailed
planner of anything and everything, have
begun to enjoy and even relish the
unpredictability that my Higher Power
has so graciously put in my life.

Before the program, I never appreciated
spontaneity; I couldn't. Now, a day
without plans is an opportunity.

ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .

I will pray to let go of my will and
instead to be open to my Higher Power's
will for me.

 

[RobertaLee]

Thank you Reluctant Cabbie

Good luck!

Although luck can't beat determination, and you seem to have lots of that.

BTW, oatmeal, is top quality food and it sounds like you are taking care of business with the other methods of dealing with cravings and temptations. Good call on the 10,00 steps too.

And last but not least, another couple pounds on your mini goal is excellent news!!

Hey there!

Been a while since I've been here. It was nice to see you post in my diary while I was away! How have you been? You are so right, I have determination and this is actually day 48 of my abstinence from certain foods. I've been on this diet non-stop and I am beginning to make it part of my life.

You are right about the oatmeal. It keeps me full, and gives me a bit of brain power. I have not yet started the 10,000 steps because the program has not started. But I'm ready when it is. In fact, seeing this reminder, I think I will get ahead of the game and wear my pedometer from now on. It would be nice to get a feel for how much walking I do during the day.

Thank you so much for your encouragement and support. It is appreciated.

Hugs

Berta

 

[RobertaLee]

Hi there Lisa!!! Glad to see you!

Hey Berta So glad you're finding ways around stuff while going to school and so busy. I'll have to bug you for some of those creative tips when you have time. I'm very sorry I haven't been around to post...don't know if you saw when I was able to get online at the college that my internet was out. Actually still is...tree landed on our cable line and took out the pole with it. I have no idea when it's going to be up and got dial up today. Takes forever to post but at least I'm back online...and not a minute too soon. I'm not real happy with myself right now for some of the food I've been junking out on recently and need to be able to keep track. Anyway hope you're studying is goin good....soon as I catch up here I'm about to hit the books myself. *hugz* ~Lisa

How have you been? Are you back on-line now? Dial up can be a pain?

As to the creative ideas, when I find a bit of time, I will post some of them here. But I'll be glad to share with you until I do post them.

I hope this post finds you back on the wagon! I know you can do it! I just have that kind of faith in your determination to succeed.

Let me know how you are doing. Good luck with school! Wish me the same.

Love,

Berta

 

[RobertaLee]

Good to see you Lisa!

Hey Berta, I'm back on here with full internet now so I'll come by more. I'm in classes too and taking Chem and trig..bleh. Hope your classes are goin great...how's everything else? I'm good except I've been eating like crap lately...any tips for things I could have on hand when I'm on the go to classes?

Hey Lisa,

Sorry to hear you are off the wagon for a bit. I see you have a full school load though. The stress could be what is doing it. I know I was sorely tempted when I started school. It is still rough, don't get me wrong. I'm just taking a short break from homework right now and posting.

Do you take any high protein foods with you to class? Like pack a snack pack? I prepare mine the night before and put it in my backpack right before I go out the door. Since I get to school very early and I like to study during that time, I take instant oatmeal for breakfast. I also take almonds, cheese and even a bit of lunchmeat in the event I get a snack attack. If I crave sugar, I have sugar free Werthers or Sugar Free Nips, something of that sort on hand. I also keep sugar free gum. It is important for me to make sure that I have my snack pack before I leave out the door for school. My blood sugar level may drop and I might need to stop some cravings with high protein.

Do you prepare in advance any food for your classes? In OA we have to have a meal plan..planned in advance. That's what I go by. My meal plan is low carb, high protein, lowfat and of my own choosing. What I plan are my meals and snacks in advance. That helps. When cooking on weekends, I may also prepare some of my meat in advance. For dinner tonight I will have tacos...without the taco. I've found a way to make them very tasty. That's a plus. I also backed some marinated chicken for other nights in the week.

Every little bit helps. Keeps me focused is what it does.

Now back to the books. Hope I've helped a bit.

Love and hugs

 

[thecabbie]

Hey good to see you back! BTW, it looks like consistency is a strong suit with you. The longer I do this, the more I realize how important that is.
you are doing well, you're staying on it, and maybe it's me, but your tone in your posts is a little more upbeat. It seems like it is all becoming more natural for you. That is a good thing!!!

Wishing you the best!!

 

[RobertaLee]

Thank you on my day 49!!!

Hey good to see you back! BTW, it looks like consistency is a strong suit with you. The longer I do this, the more I realize how important that is.
you are doing well, you're staying on it, and maybe it's me, but your tone in your posts is a little more upbeat. It seems like it is all becoming more natural for you. That is a good thing!!!

Wishing you the best!!

Hey there friend!

It's been 49 days!! I'm very happy to be part of this forum. I've lost weight, gained friends and got my life back!

You are correct consistency is what I do well. That's why when I'm in the food, I do that very well!

I am a bit more upbeat. I'm more hopeful about my future and what it holds for me. There are limitless possibilities now that I'm not in the food. I don't feel as if I'm banging my head against a brick wall.

The more I blog, the clearer I am able to see myself. When I came here I did not care how I looked or even have a plan of how I would get on track. But slowly as I blogged here, I found ME, the ME I have been searching for.

Thank you again for your support and encouragement. It has helped me more than you know.

Hugs

 

[thecabbie]

Back 'atcha!

 

[douknowjello]

Hey Lisa,

Sorry to hear you are off the wagon for a bit. I see you have a full school load though. The stress could be what is doing it. I know I was sorely tempted when I started school. It is still rough, don't get me wrong. I'm just taking a short break from homework right now and posting.

Do you take any high protein foods with you to class? Like pack a snack pack? I prepare mine the night before and put it in my backpack right before I go out the door. Since I get to school very early and I like to study during that time, I take instant oatmeal for breakfast. I also take almonds, cheese and even a bit of lunchmeat in the event I get a snack attack. If I crave sugar, I have sugar free Werthers or Sugar Free Nips, something of that sort on hand. I also keep sugar free gum. It is important for me to make sure that I have my snack pack before I leave out the door for school. My blood sugar level may drop and I might need to stop some cravings with high protein.

Do you prepare in advance any food for your classes? In OA we have to have a meal plan..planned in advance. That's what I go by. My meal plan is low carb, high protein, lowfat and of my own choosing. What I plan are my meals and snacks in advance. That helps. When cooking on weekends, I may also prepare some of my meat in advance. For dinner tonight I will have tacos...without the taco. I've found a way to make them very tasty. That's a plus. I also backed some marinated chicken for other nights in the week.

Every little bit helps. Keeps me focused is what it does.

Now back to the books. Hope I've helped a bit.

Love and hugs

On the instant oatmeal I'm guessing it's not the flavored kind right? Do they make plain in packets? I'll have to look because having that on hand would be a good idea. What kinds of stuff do you put in snack packs besides nuts and cheese? I know I need to plan ahead because its going too long without eating or skipping meals thats causing me to overeat later...also it's causing me to have low blood sugar during important classes when I'm overly hungry which is not good.

 

[RobertaLee]

Hey Lisa!!!

On the instant oatmeal I'm guessing it's not the flavored kind right? Do they make plain in packets? I'll have to look because having that on hand would be a good idea. What kinds of stuff do you put in snack packs besides nuts and cheese? I know I need to plan ahead because its going too long without eating or skipping meals thats causing me to overeat later...also it's causing me to have low blood sugar during important classes when I'm overly hungry which is not good.

I had some marinated (teriyaki) chicken legs, I even had buffalo wings. Once I even had a baked hamburger with onions baked in and put colby jack cheese in the snack pack to microwave. But the chicken was very tasty at room temperature. The plain oatmeal is in the packets too. So is the plain cream of wheat. I've been doing well since I've begun to eat oatmeal before school starts.

How have you been otherwise my friend?

Love and hugs

Berta

 

[RobertaLee]

Recovery Meditation for my day 50!!! YaY!!!!

Recovery Meditations ~ Compulsions ~ One Day at a Time ~ October 2, 2008
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RECOVERY MEDITATIONS
One Day at a Time
October 02, 2008

~ COMPULSIONS ~

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"All human actions have one or more of
these seven causes: chance, nature,
compulsion, habit, reason, passion,
desire."

Aristotle

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When I was eating compulsively, it was
similar to taking nitrous oxide at my
dentist. Like a heavy anesthesia, the
food comforted me and gave me an
extraordinary sense of well-being. Like
many short-term cures for what is
bothering us, it took its toll. Any
resemblance to reality while in the fog
of compulsive eating is purely
coincidental. While there may be times
in my life I needed anesthesia, to use
it day in and day out to block emotional
pain is a burden only compulsive eaters
know about.

Compulsion is self-will gone berserk. I
try to think of it as the opposite of
effortless abstinence. Between the two
are miles and miles of varying
experiences. For me there was never
moderation ... only the two extremes. It
took several years of squeaky clean
abstinence to trust myself and begin to
try moderation in eating. At that point
I had learned to recognize and be aware
of the dangers of that first compulsive
bite. There have been times when this
cunning disease always waiting to pounce
has sent me straight back to hell as a
result of that one single compulsive
bite.

ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .

I will pray that my actions are caused
by anything except compulsions.

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Recovery Meditations are available in color and
calendar form below. Please feel free to print them
out.

 

[douknowjello]

I'm good Finally got my new work schedule so starting to get a decent routine going. My classes I'm starting to get a handle on as well. Just need to eat so I have brainpower to function during them, lol. I have to tell you, you are such an inspiration to me. The fact that you've stuck with this straight through, good days and bad, EVEN taking classes like me...well its awesome. Shows me it can be done and I have no excuses

 

[douknowjello]

So I went shoppin today I feel SO much better. I got lots of fresh fruit and veggies and frozen too. I still have to hit the meat sales but I got most everything else. I even found instant oatmeal...almost grabbed the regular until I saw the low sugar apple cinnamon That and a box of Kashi cereal and I'm good to go. Thanks for all your help Berta. Hope you're having a good day *hugz* ~Lisa

 

[douknowjello]

Just swinging by to say hi Hope you're having a good weekend

 

[RobertaLee]

Recovery Meditation for my day 53!!! Yay!!!

Recovery Meditations ~ Habits ~ One Day at a Time ~ October 5, 2008
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RECOVERY MEDITATIONS
One Day at a Time
October 05, 2008

~ HABITS ~

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"A habit cannot be tossed out the
window; it must be coaxed down the
stairs a step at a time."

Mark Twain

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How grateful I was when I read that
quote - even though I had to translate
it a bit. It has always been difficult
for me to start good habits. I've heard
all kinds of things about that - that it
takes 21 days, 40 days, or an x-number
of weeks to start a habit. It always
made me feel bad and different because I
swear for me, it probably takes at least
two years. Until then I¢d be biting my
nails, knowing that even if I did
practice good habits, they might
disappear at any time. It was supposed
to be so much faster, so much easier! A
few weeks of eating healthy, and
magically I would be cured! Well, that
never happened.

Now I can look at good habits - like
eating healthy, exercising, meditating,
paying my bills on time - as tender, shy
little animals that need a long time
before they can be coaxed up the stairs
of my life. They need patience, a lot of
quiet time, and a willingness to be
understood and studied. How do I feed,
nurture and care for this habit?

I cannot do it alone. I do not have the
patience, the willingness, nor the
nurturing to do this by myself. I need
the help of the fellowship and the help
of my Higher Power. This help is freely
given to me ~ all I need to do is accept
it, and together we can make my habits
more and more comfortable in the house
of my life.

ONE DAY AT A TIME . . .

With the help of my Higher Power and the
program, I can patiently learn to
practice healthy habits.

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[RobertaLee]

Lisa!!! You are beautiful!!!

I'm good Finally got my new work schedule so starting to get a decent routine going. My classes I'm starting to get a handle on as well. Just need to eat so I have brainpower to function during them, lol. I have to tell you, you are such an inspiration to me. The fact that you've stuck with this straight through, good days and bad, EVEN taking classes like me...well its awesome. Shows me it can be done and I have no excuses

Lisa!!! I can see your picture! You are beautiful! How are you? It's wonderful to see you in my diary.

Glad to hear you are able to get a good routine going. You really do need to eat a good breakfast to be able to think during classes. I know oatmeal and sometimes eggs are a lifesaver for me before classes.

Thank you for thinking I am an inspiration. I know you and others have inspired me on this journey. I'll do whatever I can to return the favor.

My dear friend, you can do anything in this world if you put your mind to it. I'm only abstinent 53 days because of my Higher Power, many friends like you and OA let me tell you.

I've got homework to do, I'll check in with you later. You keep your head up and remember this diet WORKS if you work it!!! Yay ATkins!!

 

[RobertaLee]

Lisa

So I went shoppin today I feel SO much better. I got lots of fresh fruit and veggies and frozen too. I still have to hit the meat sales but I got most everything else. I even found instant oatmeal...almost grabbed the regular until I saw the low sugar apple cinnamon That and a box of Kashi cereal and I'm good to go. Thanks for all your help Berta. Hope you're having a good day *hugz* ~Lisa

My dear friend,

The low sugar oatmeals are really, really good. The packets give you enough when they are finally cooked to give you an excellent start on your day. I'm full after I eat and have a cup of decaf with no sugar, french vanilla creamer. I eat so well that I become afraid that I'm having too good a time! I had asparagus-fresh the other day and took a few cooked in my snack pack to eat. They were good at room temp, and a nice snack.

You keep on this path. You can do nothing but succeed.

 

[RobertaLee]

This weekend is full of assignments

Just swinging by to say hi Hope you're having a good weekend

Thank you for stopping by my dear friend.

This weekend finds me swamped in homework. I have an essay due and tons of reading to get through. I have a quiz in one class on Wedneday. But it's ok, I think I can do it.

How are you and school these days? How are your classes going?

Hugs,

Berta

 

[minus86]

Hey there!
Wow, you are doing so very, very well. You are such a great inspiration to me as I try to get back and remain back on track. Cuz we started at the same time and you have just kicked my butt all over the place... (and back again!)

Well, I have some catching up to do... but I'm definitely up for the challenge now. So, here I come.... LOL!

 

[RobertaLee]

Low-Carb Meatloaf Recipe

Low Carb Meatloaf Recipe

Meatloaf is a great food to include in a low carbohydrate diet. This recipe is low carb and Atkin's diet friendly. Many low carb food don't appeal to me taste wise, but this particular meatloaf recipe tastes great-my kids even like it.
Ingredients

• 1 pound ground chuck
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/8 cup chicken broth (no sugar added)
• 1 tablespoon parsley, chopped
• 1 teaspoon paprika (Spanish)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

Warm oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl making sure to mix them well. Shape into a large loaf.

Place low carb meatloaf into a 9x5x2 inch baking pan.

Bake this Atkin's diet friendly meatloaf until an internal temperature of 160 degrees is reached. Time will vary according to oven make.





Cook's Note:

Make sure you pay close attention to the sugar content of your chicken broth. You want to purchase a broth that has no sugar added. Many low carbohydrate recipes can easily sidetrack your low carb or Atkin's diet if you don't pay special attention to the hidden sugar content of the recipe ingredients.




I made this for dinner and it was soooo good! I have packed a couple of pieces in my snack pack today for school. Wait until you try it. It is delicious!

Love, Berta

 

[RobertaLee]

Minus!!!!

Hey there!
Wow, you are doing so very, very well. You are such a great inspiration to me as I try to get back and remain back on track. Cuz we started at the same time and you have just kicked my butt all over the place... (and back again!)

Well, I have some catching up to do... but I'm definitely up for the challenge now. So, here I come.... LOL!

Friend,

You came into my life and helped me get through the hard times! What are you talking about? Had it not been for all of you I would have failed in those days the cravings were getting the best of me.

You can do this and I'll be cheering you on!!! You might end up getting to goal before I do! Who knows? But I'm in a place of serenity and I just want to see everyone who struggles with weight succeed.

Let me know if there is something I can do specifically and count it as done.

Love and Hugs!