Jewish Musings, Thursday, Jan 5

[louise]

What’s on your mind — how to make kugel? This week’s Torah reading? Life goals? Prayer? We are all engaged in weight loss/weight maintenance journeys and we are all Jewish or at least interested in Judaism. We like to eat, we like to discuss. It is our goal here to provide each other support on our journeys, to share experiences, to call on our rich cultural heritage and texts, and to help each other grow spiritually.

Some of us take weekly turns starting the thread:

Angelika
Holly
Lee
Louise
Lynne
Peachy

And for those of you that stop by to read this thread without posting - you are welcome to do that but you are also welcome to chime in!

[louise]

Sorry to say I’m a little in the dumps this evening and so am coming up short on a topic – I’m in the throes of familiar problems – haven’t been able to climb out of the holiday eating, depressed about my shoulder and knee, and know absolutely that changing the food will change both the pain and my outlook on it. It’s so strange to me how things can be so obvious and at the same time seem impenetrable. As a backdrop I would add that my boss needs to go back to the hospital and the gloom in the office is palpable. Even cowgirls get the blues.

I came across this in a margin of Siddur Lev Shalem, attributed to Rebbe Shalom Noach Berzovsky:
Songs to God not only express joy; they express pain as well. There is no greater prayer than pouring out one’s heart over the distance one feels from God.

Neat, isn’t it? We straddle two sides of a pursuit – what is important I guess is the struggle, or at least the consideration, the observation. On a more mundane level, with the food I always feel if I know how many points, how many cookies, or whatever it is that I’m over I’m still in it. When I lose touch with it altogether that’s a whole other thing.

[gazelle18]

Sorry you are in the dumps, Louise, and I empathize completely. I'm sure it is terribly sad to be in your office right now.

As I have mentioned, over the past couple of months, I have been eating very much off plan, almost as though I was in denial that all that extra eating would result in inevitable weight gain. I couldn't seem to get myself out of the overeating rut. And then one day, I finally felt uncomfortable and depressed enough that I felt like I had to force myself back on plan. It has been all of three days, but I already feel better.

Your time will come. THere is a pattern to all of this.

As you said, it's strange how some things can be so obvious, but at the same time seem impenetrable. That kind of says it all for me. Food has such a strong pull - it's so easy to access, and the indulgence brings a relief from whatever is bothering me, however temporary and artificial said relief may be. Then of course, I feel cruddy because I have overeaten. What a useless (but addictive?) cycle!

What got me back on track this time was a decision to eat healthfully for one day. I did that, and I felt better, so it was easier the second day.

[lee058]

Good morning everybody. Hope you are all well. I am feeling tired as I didn't sleep well last night, but pretty good anyway. I don't think I've mentioned that DS's workplace is having a big annual party this Saturday night, with dinner and music. DS asked if I would like to go with him, so of course I said yes. After I pick him up from work today, we are going to make a practice drive to the venue. I used Google Maps and got directions; they seem a bit complicated, so I am glad we will be checking out the route ahead of time. Also, it's supposed to snow a bit later today (ugh), and there is also a chance of more snow on Saturday (double ugh). I do not like winter weather! We should be able to make our drive and get home before the snow starts.

Today's topic is appropriate for me, as I have been eating way too many sweets for the past several weeks. I have got to stop doing that. Whenever I eat more healthily, I feel much better and I know that, so I also don't know why it can be so hard to make the switch.

I had my 3D mammogram yesterday. It was somewhat painful but not bad, and the technician was as fast as she could manage.

I'll check back later. Have a peaceful day, Lee

[brgmsn]

Good morning everyone.
I'd like to wish Angelika a BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TODAY! Have a wonderful day year!!

[gazelle18]

Hi Beryl! Thanks for pointing out that it's Angelika's bday!!

Happy birthday, Angelika!

[peachymom1]

Happy birthday, Angelika! And many, many more!

Louise, I completely sympathize and send you hugs and hand pats!

Lee, thanks for the reminders. I have it on my calendar to call and make my appointments. I am meticulous about mammograms and all other checkups and maintenance.

I was supposed to read Torah and lead the morning service this Shabbat, but I've come down with a yukky cold and severely doubt I will have enough voice to do either. So I left a voicemail for the ritual director and croaked out my apologies. I'm bummed; this week is the showdown between Joseph and his brothers, and I really wanted to do my Torah reading. Ugh!

This week has also been miserable because our changeover to the new company's procedures was supposed to be complete and in place. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Essentially, I can't do much of my job because (a) I don't know the acquiring company's procedures; (b) my access to online tools is blocked; (c) my access to almost everything is blocked; (d) the help desk is so overloaded that you're on hold at least two hours before they get to you, only to be told they don't have enough bandwidth for all the employees who were added from our company, so we just have to wait for the glitches to be resolved; (e) nobody can answer my questions; and (f) the information and training materials we WERE given are just about useless. It's really hard to maintain a positive attitude when you go from simple meshugas to total chazzerai!

One wonderful thing happened this week. My boss crocheted me a beautiful lavender scarf. I wonder if there's anything this lady can't do? She's so talented in so many areas, including being the best manager ever. She knows I carpool with DH and wait for him downstairs at the turnout where all the carpoolers wait. It's been rainy and windy, and she wanted to be sure I would be warm. I am so lucky to work for such a thoughtful person. Even if the scarf were ugly and poorly made, I would wear it with pride, but nope, it's gorgeous and soft and just perfect. I am so lucky!

[savtele]

Boker Tov All! Big 68 today - Thank you for the lovely birthday wishes! I am older than I have ever been, and younger than I will ever be.

Funny thing about eating/exercising - sometimes we just don't feel like we have the energy to make changes - but every tiny step in the right direction then gives us more momentum to keep going! Instead of a cookie - some hot tea, from a lovely cup. The working out in the winter weather is more difficult: unless you like playing outside in the snow, you almost have to go to the gym for a safe and warm workout! Sometimes, gentle stretches in the comfort of your own home is the best you can do - and it is a good thing! I've managed to lose 8 pounds in the 2 weeks since eating clean - but more importantly, I feel better! Less sluggish. Less depressed.

We had a huge windstorm yesterday - several of our trees came down. One tree, obviously dead, had had nesting woodpeckers every year since we moved here - I will miss them! (I WON'T miss them on my birch trees in the front yard!) We won't be needing to buy wood next year - just a few days with all the grandsons with chain saws & axes (and supervision) on the property & next year's woodpile is ready!

I'm going to go tend my fire - there is something hypnotic about a fire on a cold day. (ok, it's a huge mess & there are bugs in the wood, which seem to jump ship just as the log is going onto the fire) This warmth is better than any other kind I know - sinks right into my bones.

Have a lovely day ladies!

[louise]

Angelika - Happy Birthday and yasher koach on the 8 pounds! I will have to remember your birthday philosophy when my day comes next week.

Peachy - what a lot of stuff! I can see some gallows humor in the offing -maybe laughing about how outrageously wrong everything is right now might help defuse the stress. Absolutely true about the parsha this week. Joseph moved to tears (instead of anger or bitterness).