Wellness Wins! My Journey: Stephen Smyly

Setbacks and Obstacles?! Pfffft!      I have to apologize for my absence, and not having blogged on my latest updates to my ongoing journey. However, I did have yet another eye surgery, and staring at a screen is not in the pecking order of things that help in recovery. It is also very difficult to do with dry eye disease, which is yet another inflammatory ailment. Both of these together have just made it difficult to have computer time. So, I hope to get things caught up today!            As for the surgery, it has been the same as the last 9 times. I got naked, and put on one of those backless robes, and the little socks with the tire tracks on the bottom. Then I was put into one of those extra big/tall beds in which I would later have the surgery. The doctor comes in and tells me her plan. She holds her hand up to heaven in anticipation of this being my last time having to do this! Then I am wheeled into the OR, and was wrapped...

Every Journey is Personal This one is Mine This week, I have had to address more of my personal, and physical difficulties, as they relate to my change in weight. I’d like to think that having a belt which needs more holes, or pants falling off in the grocery store parking lot are my biggest concerns. However, it couldn’t just be that fun! So, it was my decision not to write around these things, as was my first thought. So, after some contemplation, I decided to write through some of it with you. The reason I’ve decided to address some of these issues is that there are so many people who have personal struggles with health who are reluctant to try following such a plan, especially when it comes to making dietary changes, even if it is recommended. When it is recommended, or forced upon us, our unique issues are still in the back (or forefront) of our mind as we proceed.   Now, I know this isn’t something that everyone has to address. I get that. If you happen t...

It seems that I’ve hit a sort of a lull in my excitement, and subsequently, there has been a lull in my reaching for my phone to log foods in the WW App. I haven’t been keeping as close of a tab on things as I was, and I have been eating more of my points (which isn’t a bad thing, according to WW). So, I find myself feeling a little stagnant. Now, it could be worse. I could be gaining weight, but I’m not. I’m simply losing at a much slower pace. With WW, we should only lose 1-3 lbs. per week, which is a healthy line of progression. It’s safe. I have been losing 5, or more per week for 3 weeks, and that actually set off alarms when I weighed in at the meeting! You see? I’m still trying to get the hang of it. Haircut, and Beard cut, Tomorrow! Thank God! To be honest, this lull time has come when we have had some personal things to tend to at home, and I also found out that I have to have yet another (seventh) eye surgery on the 12th, and Cherie’ has been busy, and on the ...

Stress is Not My Friend WARNING! PROFANITY laden at times. That’s reality for me. So, I’m just “keepin’ it real!” If that is offensive, just skip to the last 9 paragraphs, where it says, “Ok. Ok. Reel it in now! What happened?” I’ll make sure it summarizes without the reiteration of the “purple words”. And please overlook my lack of proof reading. “Ain’t nobody got time fo dat!” A new descriptor that I’ve found to help point out things that we have to endure, struggle through, overcome, or do in spite of what we would like to do is “adulting”. As I have heard that new word used, I have also discovered that it is only assigned when it is pointing out the negative things that we experience as adults. Wiping a baby’s nasty ass; cleaning up the dog’s poop off the floor; cooking dinner when you get home from a long day of work for kids who will just turn up their noses, and ask for a grilled cheese; paying bills; paying taxes; getting a colonoscopy; getting older, and...

When I started Weight Watchers, nearly three weeks ago. I had no idea what it was about, or what it involved me doing. I just knew a few things that my wife had mentioned, because she was considering joining. So, any changes, or revisions were only on the periphery of my attention, and with an attention span as long as a hair on a gnat's ass, that isn't much. As I said before, my decision to join was very much spur of the moment. I really had no time to develop any expectations, or impressions of the program, or how it operates. I remember waaaaay back when, they had cards people carried around in an envelope, or something? I don't know. So, I literally had no idea what sort of changes lie ahead. No matter my understanding of the ocean of weight loss plans, books, videos, self-help seminars, clubs, challenges, and TV shows, I had made my own observations over the last 50 years. The key observation is that staying in shape in my 30's was work. I stayed active. I ra...

Eating Out  (Suggestions, and Examples) Since joining Weight Watchers, I have found that there are many more options for eating out, and technology has made my choices easier to find in advance of entering the restaurant! I'll use a harder example? Take Salsaritas, for instance. Even though it doesn’t show up in my “Restaurants” list on my WW App, it is virtually the same as Chipotle, or Moe’s Kitchen. So, I use similar items from their list, and the associated points.  For instance, this meal is comprised of Pinto Beans (no rice), so, I get extra beans (0 points), veggies, grilled chicken (3 points), corn  picante, pineapple picante, onions, lettuce, tomato, and black olives (1 point). Total points? 4 (Four!) I can add 2 tablespoons of guacamole, and bring it to 6 points. Chicken is three points, black olives are one point. Everything else is Zero points! It is very good, and very filling, for even a big guy like me!  https://salsaritas.com/locations-huntsv...