Day 20-22

Gosh, time flew again. I have eaten fairly well--but not diet well. We're off to a trip to Colorado for the weekend and my goal is not to overeat. I plan to enjoy my time, but not overeat!

Poker will take a back seat this weekend. It's a football weekend and I can use time away from the game. Therefore days 23-27 will be blank. I'll be back on day 28.

Day 18

Why is it when I decide to take a day off, so to speak, that I go on tilt? I have eaten two bowls of ice cream and have not played poker at all well. I must be someone who needs structure and I should provide it for myself! I will work on that in the future.

Tomorrow there are things I need to get done, so I'll be scheduled. I bet I'll do better!

Day 18

I am already steaming carrots for the lunch casserole. I plan to eat healthy today! Getting things packed for the weekend trip to the Mizzou/Colorado game we're attending. Should be fun. While away, I plan to eat healthy--ordering things that are more healthy from menues (plus maybe one hotdog at the game, and if cold, certainly hot chocolate) and walking a LOT. Have three days to go before we leave, but need to get things washed and packed as the week is BUSY! Am providing dinner for my last class Wednesdy night and while it's almost all ready, have to assemble and get things ready to do. Then there's packing for the weekend, monthly hair appointment, nails to get done, etc.

Poker buddy--or someone I hope will be my poker buddy is coming for lunch and hopefully we'll work on pot odds and I'll learn them much better!!!

Have a great week!

Day 17

Poker wasn't so good today. Bombed out of a tournament at the casino first thing. Wouldn't have played the hand any differently though, upon reflection. Then lost $300 in a cash game. One bad play--calculated risk with a bluffer--turned out disasterous. Couldn't get back into sinc. Therefore, just left.

Lovely dinner with husband who grilled steaks. I made potato salad. We had a soup and 1/2 sandwich lunch and hot dog while out. Tomorrow I exercise an hour at least!

Plan to write goals for the coming year tonight that include poker gains and weight losses.

Days 13-16

Where do the days go??? I thought I had missed a day at the most and find I've missed 3 before updating today! I will keep better track of this--I promise!

Went to a casino last night about an hour away and made $300. Had $600 in my pocket and had to put another $200 on the table at one time until I finally figured out the players and was able to read their bets in relation to my hand. Then I began winning! Also connected with another player wishing to improve and he's coming Monday for lunch and poker learning. I think that will help me, and hopefully him, as I learn better by doing and hearing it out loud. When I teach, then, I find I learn more than my students at times--at least as much.

Online I went up and then down this week. Down isn't as low as it has been in the past, but it's not as up as I want. I now have to earn back $600 plus $300 to be at my all-time high and have all the money back I've invested in poker since August online. I'm not putting my casino winnings with online ones yet. I AM keeping strict records for the IRS, though.

The pounds part of my days have not been astringent, but I AM making some lifestyle changes such as what I order in restaurants and not eating candy and rarely dessert. Last night we came back late and stopped in a neighboring town at a tavern sort of restaurant where we LOVE the hamburgers--which are huge! Instead, I had their chicken mulligan soup and half a hot ham and cheese sandwich. The soup was more of a stew and delicious! While I thoroughly enjoyed the sandwich too, I now know I can get by on a bowl of soup--and that's well within the dietary guidelines I have for myself. I took one small bite of my husband's hamburger and thus didn't feel deprives at all!

I think it's these life-style changes that will get me where I want to be eventually (within a year?) and staying there!

Good luck to you and yours who are waging this weight battle with me!

Day 12

Well, I'm going to have to get serious about weight loss! I hate being fat and I need to get my diet under control. It has not been out of control as it was in the past--but far too much for dieting seriously. I had 3 pieces of dark chocolate today, a peanut butter sandwich for lunch, scrambled eggs for breakfast, and spaghetti and two rolls for supper. On a strict diet I can have all those things--but not in the quantities I had today, nor all in one day. Tomorrow I go to the neighboring town which has better produce and will stock up for my salads. I'll also be busier and won't eat so much.

I played a lot of poker today somewhat successfully. I am learning. That's the best I can say at this point. Working to be a consistent winner. Also, have to learn my own body and when I need to take breaks. Good to do all this at lower limits as I'm learning. How about you? Any poker news for me?

Day 11

Already played poker for about half an hour before I leave to get new tires for my car. Lost initially, but played well. As with most in life, I ended up $10 playing correctly. Must do that for longer periods of time. Also want to look at the tournaments at Poker Stars that bring trips and prizes with them. Looks like fun and not expensive.

Started the day correctly with diet and plan to continue! I'll let you know tomorrow!

Happy Monday everyone!