Just checking in

Sorry it's been awhile since I've posted, but I actually haven't really been able to type easily because I got some infection in my fingernail bed and it was *really* painful so I went to the Dr. and he sent me to the ER to have it surgically drained and put me on major high doses of antibiotics, which upset my stomach and made it hard to have my shakes because I was so nauseated and bloated and had no appetite. He reduced the dose now that I've had it a few days, so hopefully I'll feel better. I was taking 2 pills three times a day of sulfa, which is a lot!

The weight loss plan (I hate calling it a diet) is going "ok." I'm still sticking to it diligently, but it's harder than I thought it would be and *way* harder than it was last time. I'm not physically hungry, but psychologically I'm kind of a mess. I'm already totally bored with the shakes and miss eating regular food. I keep getting these panicky feelings that I just can't do it, but I keep doing it, so I guess I CAN do it. The whole finger saga hasn't helped. But I'm taking it one day at a time, trying to divert myself by taking a walk when it gets too stressful, and thing like that. My original plan of 6 months on this just seems so daunting. I guess that's why the program is a 3 month program! (For those who stay on it longer, they just repeat the program.) We'll see how I feel about it in 3 months (actually 3 months from Aug. 28th b/c I'm switching to that new group starting Aug. 28th) but I think I may try the modified version after 3 months, which is less shakes and adds 2 of their entrees a day plus unlimited fruits and veggies. It's a LCD (low calorie diet) vs a VLCD (very low calorie diet.) I'd still lose consistently but not quite as rapidly, but thst might be fine if it's easier to sustain! We'll see....

A big thank you to Maxine and Carrie for the meals they sent over. It helped more than you can imagine b/c it's really hard for me to prepare dinner, as that's my worst time. They smelled so good I had to leave the house, and the family said they were delicious!

Other news....

Harrison got his Bar Mitzvah study materials, his Torah portion and all that and started his weekly tutorin w/the cantor. Really makes it more real and seem so soon! He got a GREAT story of the bible, so he's excited. The kid before him got leprosy, so Harrison got lucky. I'm not sure he wants everyone to know until his d'var torah (speech interpreting the torah reading) so I won't say what it is. School is going good for him and he's anxiously awaiting the start of fall baseball season.

Michela was disappointed b/c she didn't make the "fall select" competitive softball team. Her coach had pretty much said she would and she made All Stars, so it came as a surprise. She took it well, though, and I got her on a soccer team even though we missed the sign ups (b/c we weren't going to do it.) She is loving playing the flute and is happy in the new classroom.

Jacob loves his teacher and is happy with playing the trumpet. He sounds like a sick cow when he practices, but he's getting better. He was very excited b/c he was invited into 2 honor groups for the dance competition season (in addition to his regular competition group) and also asked to be in a tap trio and to do a tap solo which is a big deal! He was a bit disappointed b/c he's one of 4 "apprentices" to the higher level of competition groups and one person made it in already but they said he's just not ready yet technique-wise. They want him attending that group every week b/c it's beneficial to him to dance with them to get to that level, but it may turn out that he never gets to perform those dances, which is hard, but I think he understands. At least we don't have to pay for those classes (2 hrs/week).

Marlon is fine and has been very helpful around the house with meal prep, etc. so I can't ask for anything more!

As for me, aside from being totally focused on this diet, there's not much. I'm trying to keep up with household stuff like bills and all that and trying to work and really am behind in Bar Mitzvah planning and lots of other things! :)

I'll update thursday after I have my Wed. night weight loss class. I had such a big loss last week that it might be a lot less, but hopefully I'll see *some* positive results for this torture I've had all week!