Need some quick support; about to blow this new lilfestyle to H...

Now is my time to see if this is going to work.  It started out a great day.  78 degrees in December?  Beautiful, sunny, etc.  I decided not to go to the gym but spend the day outside.  Went to the office to send in time sheets to Human Resources and came home.  Now the cold front is coming in and my spirits are going down with the temps.  Many stressors converging and maybe some moons too but I don't know about those things.  I've got a business that depends on the real estate market, which we know sucks; a marriage on the verge of collapse; Christmas is coming which I normally love all year round but it's really hard this year; not taking a paycheck so I don't have to lay anyone off right now - I'm not hungry but my normal thing to do at this point is just to eat myself to death in comfort food - mashed potatos, mac and cheese, anything that's starch related.  I've had 1333 calories today, which is okay for me.  Yesterday I actually was only a little over a 1,000 and I had thought I'd had more but left my journal at work.  Someone keep me on track here please!!!!!

Keep getting the minimum 1200F/1500M +300teen +exercise, more if you're taller than average, exercise a lot, or are heavier.  You can eat all the way up to your maintenance and still not blow the plan.  You don't have to be good all the time, but there are some good ways to be bad.  Make a batch of black bean brownies...they taste as good as regular brownies but don't have anywhere the calories and have fiber and protein.

For your stress, try taking a walk, maybe put on a set of headphones with some good music?

Marriage, well the only thing I can suggest is counseling.

$$ - maybe you can find a part time job for a bit, if you have time, one that has you standing and moving around like sales or waitressing and would give you a change of pace?  That would get you some exercise in addition to some extra cash which is always handy around the holidays. 

thanks smwhipple, tell me about these black bean brownies.  I think I actually have a can of black beans in the cabinet.  My husband would probably love them too!!  I planted twelve bushes to work out in the yard, but could probably have planted more if I'd had them and it didn't get dark so quick.  It's now pitch black out there and we live in the boonies so walking is somewhat out of the question unless I want to take a flashlight and scare off the deer - LOL.  Hey, I'm laughing, that's a good sign, isn't it????

yeah, the marriage thing is weird.  We've been married just over 12 years and he had a minor stroke this past July.  But I think that had very little to do with our "problems".  They have pretty much existed for most of our marriage - possibly because I didn't marry until I was 38 and pretty much independent and possible because he expects a millinnium (sp?) wife with a built in 50's wife who waits on him hand and foot.  Just not me...

I've actually thought about getting a part time job at the local Walmart or something for the holidays.  That way I could be at the office when needed and just work nights.  I think I'd like it, especially if I could work in the Xmas shop part of it.  Plus part of my problem is I get bored out here in the boonies.  We don't even have lines on the roads out here.  I was raised in the same environment but in my "later years" I'm looking for people to have fun with, communicate with, etc.  Sounding really "needy" here.  And it's not like we don't have enough money to survive on cause my husband makes good money but I want to keep my business going and he could pretty much care less if I lost it...  I've suggested counseling many times and he flat out refuses.   But I do appreciate that you answered and it lets me know someone is out there.  Have a great evening and if I don't "see you around" on the forum - have a Merry Christmas too!!

OK first - congrats on wanting to make healthy choices. That's obvious or you wouldn't be here now :). Don't stress over not being perfect if you slip! Do you have access to a gym? Have home exercise DVDs? I strongly suggest that you continue exercising even though it's getting cold where you are. That way, you are not as prone to becoming blue during the season.

and secondly - um... BLACK BEAN brownies?? Please give details. I love black beans and I love brownies (who doesn't??)

Hi Neese:  Yes, I joined a gym for that very reason.  There is  nothing to do in the winter, although during the summer I love being outside.  I've been going to the gym but because today was so beautiful - record setting heat for Virginia this time of year, I decided to come home and plant some plants that have been sitting in their containers for quite some time.  Maybe the blues have hit so hard BECAUSE I didn't go to the gym.  The endorphin thing really helps me, especially during the winter.  I have that seasonal affective thing.  Just being in a dark room gets me down - LOL.   However the gym is 20 miles away and I don't like driving at night out here because of all the deer, dogs and ditches.  No street lights, not even lines on the road.  VERY rural.  I do have an old exercise bike here that makes lots of noise and I might get on that later tonight and watch TV in my BR.  Nothing comes on Wed. night anyway.  I'll put a video in.  I've got some exercise videos but very little space to do them. I tend to kick things when I've tried them before.  And we live in an 1889 house that tends to bounce when you jump!  I really hope she gets back to us with the black bean brownies, although it might be on the receipe thingy.   I think they sound good too.  Thanks so much for responding and like I told whipple - if I don't see ya around on the forum - have a merry xmas.

:) sounds like you've got it all figured out, susan :)

we all get the blues sometimes. No need to worry. Keep up that exercise and get those endorphins flowing. It'll be spring before you know it! I'm in DE (pretty close to VA) and today was really nice too. It was kinda foggy though. Enjoy it before the snow hits again!!!

yum... black bean brownies...

If hunger isn't the problem, then food isn't the answer."

Food can't listen to us when we just need to talk.

Food can't dry our tears and give us a shoulder to cry on.

Food can't encourage us, pray for us, advise us.

Food can't respond to our emails, our PMs, our phone calls.

Food can't fix what's making us worry.

Food can't fix what's making us sad.

Food can't keep us from being lonely, bored, depressed, or anxious.

All food can do is fuel our bodies.... and teach us the importance of self-control.

*   *    *

For too many years, I opened the fridge instead of opening up to a friend. Then one day I realized that so-called comfort food really wasn't all that comforting, after all. And I decided to take control over food, rather than letting food have continued control over me.

That's the day I joined this website and started a new journey.

=^..^= MOLLY

Thanks Mollymouser - I think I'm going to have to save that.  And food or it's results is exactly what lead me to this site.  And this site does provide someone to talk to, a shoulder to cry on, advice, and answer to our questions, can keep me from being lonely, bored, depressed and anxious ( or can try) and also offers wonderful inspiration such as yours.  Thanks with a capital "T" to all of you.

 

PS to all:  I'm having a very healthy dinner of leftover venison (very lean meat) and a little bit of dressing instead of the bowl of mashed potatos and mac and cheese I had contemplated.  Thanks again.

http://www.foodfit.com/ffcommunity/topic.asp? TOPIC_ID=1178

 

Here are somebody's black bean brownies... they blend black beans with a store-bought mix. But I suppose that means you could make your own by making your typical brownie recipe and skipping the butter when you melt the chocolate and not adding egg to the batter. I haven't had brownies in years but it looks like I'd be able to eat these! 

thanks asbestos (interesting name :)

I can't wait to try these!