Cheney needs to check his facts.

In the Veep debate last night, Cheney directed viewers to go to www.factcheck.com, a site that he claimed refuted Edwards’s (aka Senator Hottie) claims of Cheney’s conduct as VP of Halliburton. It turns out that Cheney gave out the wrong URL and directed viewers to an anti-Bush site.

He should have directed them to www.factcheck.org. The Annenberg Center of the University of Pennsylvania which runs Factcheck.org stated that in addition to getting the URL wrong, Cheney misrepresented the content of the site.

“Cheney … wrongly implied that we had rebutted allegations Edwards was making about what Cheney had done as chief executive officer of Halliburton,”

It’s been about three weeks since I found out my friend, her daughter, and 1-year-old grandson were murdered. Since then, I’ve gone through all kinds of emotions. I’ve been trying to self-medicate with food. Four chocolate cakes and 1 dozen chocolate chip cookies later, I’ve gained over 6 lbs. I’m ready to get back on the WW program and exercise regularly.

I posted this on the WW 50+ board. As usual, the folks there were very supportive.

I really need to focus on the positive things in my life. I’ve just been in this funk too long. I don’t mean that I’m going to forget about it. I intend to continue grieving. I just need to do so in a non-self-destructive way. Thanks to everyone who has helped me.

I’m in complete shock right now.

I was watching the news. I just found out that a friend of mine was murdered. Her son allegedly killed her, her daughter, and her 1-year-old grandson.

I don’t know what to do.

I’m still hoping it’s not really her. I don’t know what to do.

I’m so sad. Yet I can’t really feel anything.

It’s just too much for me to understand. I don’t even want to think about it.

I don’t even want to think about how someone could stab their mother, sister, and baby nephew to death.

She was my friend, but I’m especially shocked that her grandson was killed. Only a monster could kill an infant.

I’m so angry right now.

I haven’t seen her for about a year. I was just thinking last week that I need to call her so we can have lunch because it’s been too long.

I hate him I hate him I hate him. I can’t believe he killed my friend.

I hate him. Monster.

Today is my boyfriend, Colin Firth’s, 44th birthday. Colin Firth played Mr. Darcy in the BBC/A&E version of Pride and Prejudice. He also played Mark Darcy in Bridget Jones’ Diary. And he’ll be in the upcoming Bridget Jones The Edge of Reason which opens this November. The trailer has been released.

I lost 3.4 lbs. this week for a total of 20.6 lbs.! That’s my 10% goal. I got a key chain for meeting my 10% and another star for another 10lbs. Yeah!!!

Lots to do today. Lots of reading. Two meetings. I’m going to be home later than usual so I’ll miss dinner with my boys.

Still, I’m going to try to do The Firm tonight. The Firm workout uses this really tall bench on which you do step aerobics and lunges. I love The Firm, but I’m so big I feel like one of those circus elephants that step up on the stool when I do the workout I don’t want anyone to see me, so I make my husband stay in the bedroom and watch T.V.

I lost 1.4 lbs. this week! That’s a total of 5 lbs. for the month of August! I’m going to try to lose 2.8 lbs/week. That will put me at 186, my 10% goal weight!

Today was my first day back to school. I’m taking Volcanology, Geologic Evolution of Western North America, Research Methods, and Intro to Astronomy: The Solar System.

I’m going to have tons of work and stay very busy. But I’m looking forward to it.

I was actually able to stay on The Core program today. I got some Core food to keep in my office including 94% fat free microwave popcorn and Soup At Hand tomato soup.

I’ve got weigh in tomorrow morning. I can’t wait to see whether I lost this week (I hope there is some loss).

I actually did the Couch to 5K Program Week 3 Day 1. After a 5 min warm-up walk and stretching I ran 90 sec, walked 90 sec, ran 3 min, walked 3 min. Then repeated that sequence. I just can’t believe I was actually able to run for 3 min without stopping. It actually wasn’t that bad physically. My only problem was a mental block. I didn’t believe I could run 3 min. To keep myself from watching the clock, I timed myself by counting my breaths. I kept telling myself I could stop if I wanted. Afterall, whose gonna know. But I was able to keep going and I did it!

I just finished Week 2 Day 3 of the Couch to 5K program. I’ll start Week 3 on Sunday. Only 7 more weeks to go!

I’m skulking around campus today before classes start next week to get a few odds and ends done. I hadn’t really planned on being here this long and I started getting hungry. (By the way, I’m not really sure exactly what skulking means or how it’s spelled. But a very cute Hugh Grant used to word in Four Weddings and a Funeral and I’ve always wanted to put it in a sentence.)

I’ve decided to try the Core Plan this week. Which may have been a bad idea. I’m pretty ill equiped to start it this week. There are lots of foods I’m not used to cooking with like couscous and bulgar. So I’m walking toward my office past the student snack shack when these hunger pangs start to hit me.

Now on The Core Plan, there are certain core foods you can eat without measuring them. But there is a catch. You have to monitor your hunger level. Eat when you are hunger, stop when you are moderately full. You aren’t supposed to let yourself get too hungry or too full. So, I decide that, yes, I am legitimately hungry. I left the house without eating and I’m about to bite the arm off of the guy walking toward me. Time to eat.

But this damn snack shack has a Burger King and a Pizza Hut. I can’t eat anything there on Core. If I were on Flex, I could. But not Core.

Then I remember I think I saw something called apples and bananas once for sale here. So I go in, determined not to get crap.

Turns out the Pizza Hut is closed until next week. Half my problem is solved. Now if I can just make it past the Burger King.

Funny thing is. Burger King doesn’t really even sound good to me. The smell of cooking ground beef and grease actually kind of repulses me. That’s strange. I didn’t fee that way during the Spring semester, before I joined Weight Watchers. Now I’m just not interested.

I look inside the refridgerator section next to the Burger King stand. Well look. Here’s a tossed salad. All veggies. No croutons. No cheese. And look. Here are some packets of fat-free dressing. What do you know. And here is a fresh fruit bowl. All of this I can have on Core.

WOW! I never knew they sold this stuff here before. Thank you Weight Watchers for curing my blindness to healthy food!

Today was a weigh in (WI) day. Only down 0.4 lbs. BUT – I do consider this WI day to be a milestone for me.

I have joined Weight Watchers 4 or 5 times before now. I’ve always had success, but quit within a few weeks. Today marks the first time I have ever stayed for a thirteenth meeting. I’ve always quit by the beginning of week 12.
This is really a significant step for me. I’m finally learning that I need to do this for the rest of my life.

Today was also my indoctrination into The TurnAround program and The Core Plan. I’m going to try The Core this week. I already bought my new food and dining out manuals. And I got the TurnAround Cookbook. I’m excited to try it. Looks like there are some good recipes. I’ll try it out and give a review.

Also, I signed up for a three-week etools trial on the WW website. Looks like fun. We’ll see if it’s worth $15/month.

I’ve let myself slack off on updating my website. I’ve just gotten way too involved in the WW message boards. I’m getting tons of support there. But, I also need to update my weblog because it helps keep me accountable.

Thursday (8/19) I did Week 1 Day 3 of the Couch to 5K plan. I’m done with week 1!

Friday (8/20) I walked 3 miles and did a Firm DVD.

Yesterday (8/21) was a total DOR for me.

Today, I start week 2 day 1 of Couch to 5K.

I haven’t been really good about staying OP for the past three days. I wouldn’t way I’ve pigged out. I’ve just been nibbling and stress eating on some Nabisco 100 Cal packs and those evil Snickers flavored Kudos bars. But other than that, I’ve been eating healthy and exercising. I think I’ll either stay the same or maybe lose up to 0.5 lbs when I weigh in Tuesday.

I can’t wait until tuesday when I officially get indoctrinated into the new Core Plan. I’m looking forward to trying it.

Since WW is waiving joining fees this week, I’m trying to encourage my mom to join. Or at least go down and check it out.

3:30 pm. Just finished The Firm Complete Aerobics and Weight Training. I had a hard time with it but finished. Maybe I over did it today with the 5 mile walk.

Had a hard time getting up this a.m. But I managed to drag my butt to the Y and walked 5 miles on the treadmill. I varied my incline between 6 and 15 during the workout. Between 0 and 6 during warm-up and cool-down.

So far today, I’ve had

1/2 cup grapenuts (3 pts.)
1 cup 1% milk (2 pts.)
1 turkey sausage link (2 pts.)

1 banana (2 pts.)

1 slice Ezekial bread, toasted (1 pt.)
1 hard boiled egg (2 pts.)
1 tsp mayo (1 pt.)

13 pts. total. Eleven to go today.

I’ve been hearing a little more about the new WW program. I think it’s called The Core. You’re supposed to get unlimited amounts of food from a core list. Then everything else must be counted as points. I’ll give it a try, no matter what it is. I need a change to help get me out of this rut.

I’m down 1.6 lbs.! So, I got another 5 lbs star at meeting today.

I sometimes feel like I’m losing very slowly. It’s frustrating to hear about others losing 2 or more lbs/week. I have to remember not to compare myself to others. The truth is that when people announce these large weight losses in meeting or on the message board, they are reporting only good news. They don’t tell you that they’ve gained in previous weeks. They don’t tell you about all the 0.1 lbs weekly losses.

My leader weighed me in and told me I’m doing a good job. She also told me that it took her a year and a half to lose her last 35 lbs. That helps me put things in perspective.

Slow and steady wins the race.

I’ve already done my C2_5K W1D2 this morning. I might try to get some yoga or pilates in later today.

Today is Hal’s Birthday. Happy Birthday honey. I love you.

I had lots of fun with Ian last night making Daddy and birthday card. Hal loved it.

****************************************
Stayed OP today. Got in 10 APs with 5 miles on the treadmill. I still need to do The Firm TS+Abs. Then tomorrow I’m doing C2_5k week 1 day 2.

I am going to have some birthday cake tonight. I’ve got weigh in tomorrow and I don’t think I’m going to lose this week. I think I’m on a plateau. It’s a little discouraging, but I must admit that I do fell much better since exercising on a regular basis and being OP. Who knows, maybe I’ll surprise myself and lose.

I can’t wait for the new program next week. I’m getting a little bored and look forward to the changes, whatever they are.

You’re Egypt!
Curator of ancient mystical secrets, your life on the surface is fairly
typical these days.  Though you are in denial about more things than most people.
 Nevertheless, you’re trying to convince people that you’re safe despite your more
volatile and unstable times that seem to be behind you.  You like cats a whole lot.
 You’d probably really appreciate The Blue
Pyramid.
Take
the Country Quiz at the Blue Pyramid

Went off program yesterday. I’m having lots of stress due to being unemployed and I consoled myself with half a bag of Dove dark chocolates. I also managed to avoid exercising. But today I’m determined to get back OP and do the C25K.

I’ve also been discouraged with the WW message boards, a place where I usually get lots of motivation. A few days ago there was some drama involving someone’s husband posting something on the board about his wife. I didn’t actually see the message. I’m guessing there were so many complaints about it that it was removed. So a bunch a board members came to the woman’s defense and verbally attacked the man who did the post. Then the woman got mad at some of the people who were a little harsh on him. And there have been a few nastygrams between these women.

So I went to another topic board within WW web site hoping to find some more mature people. And I ran across a post by some pinhead stating that the looney liberals would probably blame hurricane Charley on the Republicans.

There is a certain group of conservatives/Republicans – the one’s who regularaly watch and listen to O’Reilly, Limbaugh, and Hannity – who seem to think that one wins an argument by:

a) yelling louder than the opponent
b) getting in more personal insults

O’Reilly, Limbaugh, and Hannity have really perfected this technique. They are masters of the Ad Hominim attack (hope I’m spelling the correctly).

Their so-called arguments are based largely on logical fallocies. I really think they have lowered the intellectual bar for middle America.

Okay. Time to get off my soap box.

Yesterday (Friday) I did Total Sculpt Plus Abs for the first time. I actually made it through which surprised me. I was even able to add weights for portions where beginners aren’t supposed to use weights. Today, I’m going to do C25K, which I’m actually looking forward to. Go figure.

What’s your Japanese name? Mine is Riyo (I’m told means logical change)

Riyo –

What would your Japanese name be? (female)
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Which female Disney character are you? I’m Belle.

Belle

Which Disney Chick Are You?
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Actually finished BSS2 Complete Aerobics and Weight Training yesterday in addition to walking 5 miles on the treadmill. Today, I’ll do C25K. I think my knees are getting thinner. Not much, but it’s a start.

At last week’s WI, I was down 0.2 lbs. Not too bad considering it was my TOM. At today’s WI I was down another 1.4 lbs.

Today I started (sort of) the Couch to 5 K Plan. I was supposed to run 60 seconds and walk 90 seconds and alternate that for 30 min. But all I could manage to do was run 30 and walk 90. But at least I hung in there for 30 min. I feel surprising good for a committed non-runner. Tomorrow will be a DOR. I’ll run again on Thursday.