Disney World on Weight Watchers

Dear Journal,

I've looked up advice for people on Weight Watchers who are going to Disney World and what I want isn't out there, so I'm writing my thoughts down on "paper" here. I'm 100% sure there are people who are more precise and who will go through the work to enter the things in their Disney meals on Weight Watchers. This is not for those people. In fact, I am usually one of those people. I need to be one of those people, at least for now, while I am in my early days of maintenance. I worked too hard to get to my goal weight to not be one of those people.

But for Disney, when there's a million and one things going on, I think I want something simpler. So, here's my thoughts. 23 personal points + 6 maintenance points (and I really do encourage everyone to switch to maintenance for a trip like this) + 2 weekly points + 3 activity points = 34 points per day.

Next, for easy math, I'm going to assume: 15 points for a typical kid meal, 15 points for half an adult meal, 30 points for a typical adult meal, 15 points for a sweet snack, 7.5 points for a small savory snack like from a cart at Epcot (so 15 points for 2 of them), 30 points for a turkey leg. Yes, I know these are gross approximations. They're fine for what I'm trying to accomplish.

I'll have a LARGE zero point breakfast in the hotel room to fuel me up for the day. And, I'll pack LOTS of zero point snacks to take into the park. I think this needs to be a mix of hard boiled eggs, roasted chickpeas, fruit, and chicken. I need protein to keep me fueled.

So, here's what a typical day could look like - breakfast: 0 points at the hotel room, midmorning snack: 0 points while waiting on a line, lunch: 15 point kid meal from a quick serve restuarant or from two small savory snacks at Epcot, afternoon snack: 0 point snack while waiting on line, dinner: either a 15 point kid meal or share a 30 point adult meal with Mr. mouse, midevening snack: 0 points while waiting on line, midnight snack: 4 points back at hotel room (this is enough for a good sized sandwich or a bowl of soup with some free protein thrown in).

For a day when I want a sweet snack, like my Dole Whip day, I'll pack a 4 point sandwich for lunch, have the sweet snack at some point during the day, and load up on fruit when I get back to the hotel room for my midnight snack.

I think I can get through the day full so I'm not tempted to make choices I'll regret later. And, I think I'll come back and be happy with how the trip went. I think.

Cheers!
mouse

Centered, Take II

Dear Journal,

It's been awhile, hasn't it? I've been struggling with a bunch of things lately with the need to get motivated top on my list.

Another thing I have been struggling with is heel pain. It all started back in August when I had a bad fall. I thought it was the typical roll ankle fall. And, within a month it was feeling a lot better. But, there's been a lingering heel pain that's been keeping me less mobile. And, I think I've been favoring the heel and it's been causing all sorts of other issues in my other leg.

So, yesterday I finally decided to do something about it. I'm going to start with simple stretches and see if I can get to the point where nothing hurts on a regular basis.

Wish me luck.

Cheers!
mouse

Centered

Dear Friends and Family,

It's the infamous calm before the storm.

Tuesday, I cleaned our kitchen for the first time in 10 years. Yep, you read that right. We have cleaning help so it's not like the kitchen hasn't been touched in 10 years, which would be completely gross. But, I was, nonetheless, stunned at the amount of dirt that came out of the kitchen. I'm going to clean again this upcoming week and see if it's any better.

Wednesday, I got mail and that was enough to call it a day.

Thursday, today, I organized myself for July and I did yoga. It's not a full body workout, but it's better than nothing. And, I feel great.

Let's see what I can accomplish tomorrow.


Cheers!
mouse

Vacation Week 1

Dear Journal,

It's Thursday and I have survived three days of Camp Mom with P. While I've enjoyed the time, there was a moment last night at 10:30 when I lashed out at P. No, we can't do the Highlights Halloween Costume Quiz now. No! It's time to go to sleep!

We'll see what time she wakes up today. If she wakes up in time to go to the museum, that will be our use of a potentially cold and rainy day. If she sleeps in then I guess we play it by ear.

And, she's up. So, I guess we have time for the museum.


Cheers!
mouse

Summer Vacation

Dear Journal,

P's last day of school was Friday so today is our first day of summer vacation. I'm going to let her sleep in. And, then, I think we need to spend a little time organizing our day before we head out. If I plan it right, I think we can head to the museum and then from there to dance.

But, for now, while the house is asleep, I think I'm going to go work on my idea.


Cheers!
mouse

Thinking

Dear Journal,

Recently, we were on a trip, and I saw something that made me think. I saw a young, blond female begging for money at the entrance to a strip mall. Why did this stop and make me think? Well, for three reasons. The first is because she was young. The second is because she was white. The third is because she is female. Living where I live, I've become almost immune to the old, black homeless men because I see so many of them.

I wanted to help. But, I didn't know how. Then, I felt guilty because I don't feel the urge to help when I am at home. I'm still pondering. But, in the mean time, I feel like a smaller person for being less compassionate at home.


mouse

Driving and Driving

Dear Journal,

It's been a god awful week traffic-wise. It seems like every street is clogged with either road construction or building construction or cars trying to avoid the construction.

And, it brings out the absolute worst in all of us. It's every driver for himself. There's no community. There's no sharing. It's a pure selfish, narcissistic race where a second you shave off your travel time comes at the expense of a second getting added to someone else's time. And, nobody cares about anyone else's time. That second is totally worth it because it's M-I-N-E.

And, that's where road tripping is so different. The road is not a competition of inches and seconds. And, the people we meet, absolute strangers, let us into their community with no reason to share besides the fact that time isn't something they hoard the way we do. They're generous with their time wanting to get to know you and hear your stories. And, it makes me realize, much as I love living where I do, I hate driving where I do.

There are days I'd much rather be on the road.


Cheers!
mouse