So as it has been going lately, I gain a pound or .8 one week, then lose it the next week!
So I am basically down .6 for the last 7 weeks. I am hoping to get my act together and actually string two whole weeks in a row with a loss. I ended up bringing my breakfast to the meeting. It’s a bit of show and tell! Yesterday I brought mini ham quiche cups and fruit. I only made four of these yesterday because that’s all the ham I had left, but I normally would make a dozen to have on hand.
These are so delicious and would be great for a brunch with a lot of people.
I ended up using the leftovers from my lunch on Monday from Big Bowl – the only thing I added was 3 ounces of shrimp that I defrosted from the fridge. I still couldn’t finish all of this! No wonder so many people are overweight and obese – restaurant portions are just ridiculous.
I ended up not taking any insulin with lunch so that I could workout in the afternoon. I ended up doing a 5k on the treadmill at 3.7 mph, but at 10 incline – I can definitely feel it in the back of my legs today!
Hannah ended up hanging out with my niece during the day yesterday and then had dinner out with friends last night. Jacob was working, so I found myself solo for dinner. I still had leftover pork from Friday night, and since it was Tuesday, it quickly became taco Tuesday! Three corn tortillas (5) – one for chips and two for the tacos – two ounces of pork (2), 3/4 ounce pepper jack cheese (3) and I counted 1 point for the grapeseed oil I used to fry the tacos. A delicious 11 point dinner.
So I’ve been searching and researching on my next career path, and I have to tell you, it’s looking a bit bleak. All the jobs I think I could handle only pay around $10 an hour. The jobs that pay more require a culinary degree. I am not giving up hope just yet, but it would suck ass if I had to go back to a desk job because that’s all I am qualified to do. Tony was the one who would talk me off the ledge, and without him being here, I wonder if my quitting my comfy job was just stupid, when I thought I was being brave. Time will tell, but I’ve been struggling with anxiety about the whole thing this past week, and I need to shake myself out of it.
I belong to this private weight loss group on Facebook and someone posted this, and I need this to be my mantra going forward:
I slept in a bit today because it’s my long driving day for work. Oh, and I am training another new person! And I will try to keep my brave face on, even though it feels like I am not.
Make it a great day!
Brave. 100%.
Thanks Courtney! ????
So many wonderful words of wisdom from so many loyal readers. They have said it all. Don’t give up on yourself because we certainly won’t.
Don’t use the word stupid anymore because that’s something you are definitely not! In all these years I have been reading your blog it has always been obvious you weren’t happy in your job and it was so brave to finally quit it.
You will find something, you have a job now for the Summer and time to think about your next step. Maybe culinary school is indeed an option. If nothing works out, you can always go back to a desk job but it’s not the moment for that yet.
Lots of good advice here Biz…and to set the record straight, you are a brave lady and definitely NOT stupid!! (don’t listen to that “stupid” lie).
I think part of life is the change in careers over the years. Some people stay the same and don’t change then others change their careers every couple of years or so…..makes life interesting doesn’t it?
Follow your passion, what you love to do is the direction you should go. So what, if you don’t make a whole lot of money at first, least you are doing what you enjoy….that’s half the battle.
Career changes can be difficult and stressful. You are so good at pulling ingredients together into a tasty dish that I know your future is somewhere in the culinary field. So many chefs arrive on the scene after apprenticeships in fine kitchens. Low pay and hard work for a while though. I don’t have answers but I look forward to hearing about your journey.
Best,
Bonnie
Biz, dieting is hard. I know. Funny thing is I usually lose weight when hubby is away, because I am too lazy to do much cooking. As for the rest of it. Everyone has given you such great suggestions, that I really can’t add anything. You will figure it out. sometimes the answer is right under your nose. Perhaps preparing premade WW meals with the points already figured out-kind of like a subscription service? I sure could use it, because sometimes I am just to tired to add!
I have been reading your blog for so long, Biz, and I have been amazed at your metamorphosis following your husband’s passing. You seem more passionate about living your life, and you really didn’t rush into anything. I applaud your bravery, and as you evolve, I have faith that doors will open for you. You are working hard, so keep at it, and keep having fun, too! Could you teach in a lateral-entry position at a school? Home ec? That would give you benefits and a salary, but still allow time to cultivate your cooking passion. What about a more full-time catering business? Baptisms, birthday parties, dinner parties like you have done before? Provide take-home meals out of your home (freezer meals/soups/salads to take and go? A private chef for a busy family where you cook and prepare dinners for the day or the week?(which I am sure there is a market for in Chicago!). Keep on keeping on!
I agree with culinary school. Why not?
And even if you do have to go back to a job like what you had before, at least you tried and you won’t have any regrets at not having done so.
I agree with the others have you looked into going to a
culinary school? Or starting some kind of food business
of your own? You are braver than you think and you are
being brave don’t give up now!
Have faith! You are so brave and an inspiration. Just stay true to yourself and you’ll soar!!!!
There are quite a few on food network who do not have culinary degrees. Just keep searching, plugging away and it will come to you. My favorite saying I keep on my refrigerator so I
see it often. “There is no easy road to a place worth going” Beverly Sills said that and that saying reminds me not to get discouraged if things do not come easy right away working toward a goal.
In my book you are Brave wanting to follow your dreams, hang in there, it will come.
you could always come work with me! LOL We would have the.best.time.evah! You did the right thing – a window will open up for you – I’m sure of it!
So much good encouragement in the comments here. I really love what Marcia said. For some reason I’m thinking you mentioned that you were willing to be out of full time employment for a couple years if necessary. Surely that time could be used to get some sort of certification! Maybe just look around and see who offers something – I know here we have schools that do certifications and they are geared towards adults changing careers. Even if you think you might have made a crazy decision, be brave NOW and do what it takes to end up where you want to.
Change and uncertainty are scary! But I think you definitely made the right decision. Look at this time as a period of finding out what you really love doing, when you really feel alive. Several others have mentioned culinary school – I think it may be something to think about!
Andrea
Andrea’s Wellness Notes
You are being brave. Stepping away from the cush office job takes a lot of guts! Something will pan out, I just know it. You will either get a fun opportunity with a company or chef, or make your own path! Hell maybe you can start a shop that makes food catering to Weight Watchers folks or something, who knows?! Either way, you’ll come out on top. Stay strong, Biz.
You know brave and stupid aren’t mutually exclusive!
I think it was very brave. But good things in life don’t come easy. They take work. Whether it be in the culinary world or any other world (engineering, medicine, whatever).
The hard thing is to go from “experienced” (in one area) to “inexperienced” (in another area). At our age, I see it a lot – especially in engineering. The experienced engineers in their 40’s and 50’s are expensive. As jobs dwindle, some end up out of work and need to retrain – but good luck getting the same amount of money. Not gonna happen.
I think about retraining a lot – going into a completely different field. But along with that comes with “worth”. I know what I am “worth” in my current job. I know that any new job I’d be worth less, maybe even only half. And it doesn’t mean I wouldn’t prove my worth, move up, and get paid more. But you know, I didn’t get here overnight (um, obviously).
So, have you considered culinary school? My friend Marcia (I am NOT KIDDING, I know another one!) is 61 and *just* started culinary school. Pastries and baking. She worked for county probation, retired, went on to teach ESL in Greece for fun, then worked at Trader Joe’s, now culinary school. You’re still young! Plenty of time to choose a school or certification program if that’s what will get you where you want to be.
Don’t give up on your dreams. The worst day of following your true dream is still better than the best day of trudging through a day of doing what you hate. Hang in there! You’re amazing and you will succeed.
I honestly think you are brave and applaud you for following your heart. If you don’t try, you’ll never get what you truly want. Hang in there!!
Mary
You are not giving yourself enough credit Biz. You are doing so much! How does your resume look? Have you added your seminars and all the events you have been attending? Knowledge is power and you are powerful. You are doing the right thing. Every morning keep saying you will have a great job. Say it over and over while in the shower. Soon you will manifest it. This never fails!!!!!!!!!!!!!! go get em tiger!
Warm regards,
jan
So proud of you for taking a step towards what you want to do, don’t give up hope, a door will open just have faith. Have you checked into getting a culinary degree? It might be a couple of years but worth it in the long run. What better time to do it than now……
Love you!!!
It’s natural to have some anxiety about the next step in your career, but you did not make a mistake in leaving your old job. You needed a break, a change, and a better environment. I have faith that you’ll find a job that you love and can afford to do – you’re putting yourself out there, and it’ll happen. Stay true to you. 🙂