Anyone who knows me knows I don’t like to cook. In fact sometimes I’ll go hungry rather than prepare my own food, but I think I have found a solution.

I love a quality steak and actually a lean steak with limited side dishes is fairly low in calories. And steaks are easy to prepare.

I’m still watching my weight. I’m back on Weight Watchers points. I wasn’t losing weight on the fasting program so I’ll create my own rules which combine the Weight Watchers with Fasting.

I ordered a big box of frozen Omaha steaks. In the box were bacon wrapped filets, chicken breasts, premium beef patties and 1″ thick sirloin-type steaks. I figure I can prepare very tasty meals easily.

Today I’ll try one of the sirloin-type steaks, a baked potato and make a green salad with vinegar for dressing.

I plan to eat only within an eight hour period from noon to 8 p.m. During those eight hours, I’ll consume a maximum of 22 points. I’m determined to lose about 25 pounds. I lost a lot while watching points back about 2007 (but I only allowed myself 20 points). Now I’m on 22 points. Today I will wait until about 2:00 for my one main meal. If I’m careful, I should drop those pounds. Sure hope so!!

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I slightly over-cooked the steak on my gas grill but it was very good and certainly enough! The baked potato was too much and I’m still munching on the salad. An excellent meal and I certainly don’t feel like I’m dieting.

I even had a small glass of merlot. Most of the time, I don’t care for such a heavy red wine but with steak it was perfect!!

So far today I’ve only used about 12 points. That leaves me with 10 more if I am craving something.

I find my plans can easily change. For several days I’ve had this afternoon at the Moose lodge in Ruskin marked down for playing Euchre at the Moose in Ruskin. I even knew what I’d wear. But it’s been raining hard with more storms predicted and I realize I don’t want to go out and dodge the downpour. Instead I can play Euchre tomorrow night at KP’s North Clubhouse or play on line.

I’m really flexible. I do need to go grocery shopping but only if it clears up today.

If I don’t go out, I have lots to eat (frozen shepherd’s pie, second-day homemade chile, chicken glop makings with biscuits, Italian sausage (frozen) and kraut, frozen chicken breasts, chicken kiev, and a frozen pizza.)

I could also go to Beef O’Brady’s for their Monday burger special.

I love being able to change my plans without consulting anyone. I just do it!

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Today’s rain comes and it goes. It was just pouring a few minutes ago. Now the sun is out and there is some blue sky. Betcha it rains again before the afternoon is over. The power even flickered on an off a while ago. It’s just NOT a pretty day.

If I get ambitious, I can do laundry. It’s piling up. Right now, I’m content just taking it easy.

On October 12th I got the senior version of this year’s flu shot. I guess it’s more potent.

I went to the Funfest on the 16th and felt rotten for several days after that.

Is it possible that it was a reaction to the flu shot that caused me to be under-the-weather? I’m now thinking that’s a distinct possibility. I’ve never had a reaction before, but every year the formulation is different. I’m ok now.

I am realizing that I often feel crappy the day after a few glasses of wine. (White zin affects me most.) I’m learning that if I skip the wine for Cherrish (cherry juice) I sleep better and feel better the next day.

Since Saturday I’ve been worn out and not up to par. My struggle at the Funfest and all the walking really took a lot out of me.

Today, after grocery shopping I went to the Sportsman’s Club meeting I had to go out to my golf cart for water I’d brought. The walk in and then out to get the glass and then back in, really sapped me.

Last night I went to a boring dance. Didn’t enjoy myself at all. Left early and stopped at Karaoke Night at the South Clubhouse.

I could have gone to a singles dance tonight but decided I just can’t. I’m going to bed early. I have to be up by 8 a.m. because my A/C is having its seasonal check-up.

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I had a rough night. Exhausted so I went to bed about 9:00 but I had really bad stomach pains until after midnight. After at least one bathroom trip I finally slept through the night. Today I’m ok. It scared me but I think it was just gas. Glad it “passed.”

Today I went to the “Sun City Center Funfest” which is an event held annually. It’s outside over a fairly large area and features SCC’s clubs. I was lucky because I found a closeby golf cart parking space but I realized too late that walking around the event was just too much for my back. I sure wish I’d brought my wheeled walker. My back and neck spasmed and I had to find a bench to sit down. The pain never really passed but eventually I got up and headed to my golf cart. Why hadn’t I brought the walker? I won’t do that again. I actually thought and worried about the amount of walking I’d be doing but I was too proud to use the walker. Boy. I wished I’d had it!!

It’s said that pride goeth before the fall and the cart would also have made me more secure because I was worried about falling. Sometime I want to go back to Busch Gardens and I’ll definitely take the walker to use there.

I had my handyman (Rick) put my furniture back on the patio today. It’s been stored away in the garage and on the lanai since the hurricane threatened in July. The storm missed us then but it was so hard to move it that I left it in case another storm came by. I am so glad to have it back where I can use it. I can now access my outdoor grill which was blocked by the lounge chairs and tables.

It didn’t take Rick long. I will have to tweak some of the pieces into their exact places, but everything I need to do from here will be easy.

Yes, the Amvets truck came past and took my donations. Glad they are finally cleared out. Now I need to work on my garage.

Later I discovered that the water from my power washed patio had caused my three digital clocks (that work with two wireless remotes) to stop. I worked on them for an hour or more. (New batteries, resetting, etc.) Got them to work and then they stopped again. By late afternoon, I finally had my three digial clocks running and accurate.

Looking back, the time just vanished. I wasted another day.

I was up early to put out the boxes I’d prepared to donate. I was told I should have them outside my garage by 7:30 a.m. Since I feared it might rain last night, I put them out this morning.

The boxes were heavy and big. I about collapsed while moving them (got really sweaty and weak) but after I took a short break, I was able to finish up.

After I finish I completed my morning chores (bed making and coffee). I’m still not dressed but so what?

I called Spectrum, my TV provider, and subscribed to Tampa Bay Lightning’s complete hockey season. I figure if I let guys know I have all the games, I’ll be in demand as a date.

How come every time I buy a new item I have to learn an instruction manual or a new app? I’m truly behind!!

Examples:

I got a new Nikon camera ages ago. Can’t use it because I don’t know how.

I bought an electric tooth brush months ago. I’m using it frequently but I know I need to read the manual so I can do it right.

I bought a water pik and I don’t use it because I need to read the instructions.

But today I ran into another similar situation. I bought a bathroom scale. Easy Peasy, right? No!! I have used it once but I don’t think I’m doing everything right. It saves the previous numbers and gives me BMI and lots of other information.

I’m so behind! I must promise myself that I won’t buy anything else with a learning curve! I need to catch up.

Yesterday I attended a four hour Original Dulcimer Players Club zoom meeting. FOUR HOURS!! I had to take several trips to the bathroom, but I was attentive. I certainly wouldn’t call it wasted time. I enjoyed seeing old friends on Zoom.

I spent a lot of my time today working on my new “diet”. It took several hours. I finally decided on the meals I’d consume in the times alloted. I had 3 scrambled eggs for my brunch and I planned on a chicken caesar salad (minus dressing) from the South Clubhouse. Problem was I waited until 5:30 to start calling to place my order. I called for over an hour but never got through. A whole hour wasted.

So my time flew past this weekend. I don’t feel much was accomplished. I’ll do better this week.

I got up this morning and proceeded with my usual routine. I made the bed, got dressed, started my coffee, and then like any weekday I turned on my TV. I was looking for my game shows, but SURPRISE! it’s NOT Monday. It’s Sunday. I had my days mixed up.

Good news!! I started on a new diet plan (Intermittent Fasting) and combined with some Weight Watchers information, it seems to be working. I’ve lost 2 1/2 pounds in a week!! When I eat, I watch my “points.” I want to keep my diet under control. I eat at noon and about 6:00 p.m. My Intermittent Fasting plan is called 16/8. I have nothing after 8:00 p.m.

I am really careful. I’m not overly hungry at noon, and I eat enough to be able to last until my 6:00 p.m. meal.