Saturday, October 1, 2011

Falling into fall

Sigh. The flowers at the Farmers' Market all have the same look to them, since the summer bouquets are gone. Dahlias seems to be the only ones left, beautiful as they are, but when they are gone, it will be only dried bouquets (maybe a few chrysanthemums) until next spring. Fall is in the air, and many of my blogging friends are posting pictures of the riot of colors appearing in their parts of the country. Here, we are just now beginning to see the maples turn.

Yes, the title of this post was hopeful but alas, not to be. I was hoping to "fall into fall" at the Drop Zone in Snohomish this weekend, but today it's raining and tomorrow has a 40% chance of rain. So I am reluctantly thinking that the season is coming to an end. Here's the Climate Prediction Center's temperature forecast for the next 6- to 10-day period:
This is not hopeful for the next few weeks, at least in this part of the country, but it does mean that the fall colors should pop out reasonably soon. There's always an upside somewhere. The bruise from my flu shot is almost gone and my arm is no longer sore. I'm glad I got it, since everywhere I see people coughing and sneezing already, and it's only October. October! Where did YOU come from? Wasn't it just spring the other day? There's no doubt that time passes much faster when you're older, or at least it sure seems to. Only three more months left in 2011!

This is the time of year when I will be fighting to hold onto my hard-won weight loss. For whatever reason, it's when the chill in the air makes me feel cold most of the time that I begin to eat more. The fifteen pounds I lost this spring and summer will want to creep back on if I don't stay vigilant. There is a reason that the definition of the amount of weight I lost was also known in the U.K. as a "stone."
The stone is a unit of measure, abbreviation st which, when it ceased to be legal for trade in United Kingdom in 1985, was defined in British legislation as being a weight or mass equal to 14 avoirdupois pounds (about 6.35 kilograms). It was also formerly used in several Commonwealth countries. (Web definition)
Carrying it around felt like a stone, all right, and I sure don't want to add it back on. Any ideas about how to keep weight from creeping up during the winter months? Other than dieting, that is. For some reason it seems almost anathema to diet in the winter. Maybe it's time to start a knitting project to keep my idle hands out of mischief.
:-)
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25 comments:

  1. Brian MillerOctober 1, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    doesnt it feel so good when you lose weight...actually fall for me is when i can lose more it seems...love bing out in the cool weather and colors...60 is the high here today...

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  2. Elephant's ChildOctober 1, 2011 at 3:54 PM

    I am so surprised to hear that weight gain is an issue for you. You are so lean and beautiful. Exercise is my key (which I need to turn). And moderation (which I need to practise better). Sigh.

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  3. Whitney LeeOctober 1, 2011 at 4:48 PM

    I say yes to the knitting! I have trouble in the colder months as well. It seems that all that chill invites me to dig into hearty stews and crusty breads...It does help to keep my hands busy. I imagine it would help me to up the exercise but I doubt that's an issue for you. Maybe this year will be different since you now have swimming in your repertoire.

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  4. RitaOctober 1, 2011 at 5:58 PM

    Those flowers still look beautiful to me! :)

    Maybe putting on a few pounds before the worst of winter is a natural human thing, just like the bulking up and winter coats of fur like the wolves, horses, bison, etc--and we can't help it. Humans used to have less food during the winter months and used to fatten up during harvest time to help make it through the winter. Wasn't that long ago. Supermarkets and grocery stores carrying everything imaginable only came into existence in about the 1950s, right? There was no such thing when my grandparents were raising their families. The general store carried staples, but you raised your own food, churned your butter, killed your own chickens, canned, filled your cellar and pantry. Our bodies haven't adjusted to the bounty. (Or to the subsequent chemicals when food became an industry, for that matter.)

    I wouldn't be too hard on your natural self. You'll lose whatever you may put on over the winter when spring comes. :):)

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  5. SquirrelQueenOctober 1, 2011 at 6:22 PM

    Those dahlias are gorgeous, all those colors together make a lovely bouquet. I am seeing lots of mums here.

    I figured you were having rain over that way DJan. Our forecast is for cooler temps and rain by midweek. We're all sneezing and coughing over this way but it's from the dry weather and all the dust and pollen in the air. I'm looking forward to the rain.

    Maybe add another swimming day to your schedule. It is hard to keep it off in the winter months.

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  6. Wanda.....October 1, 2011 at 6:50 PM

    Love the photo of the flowers, DJan.
    Eating my main meal of the day at lunch time and not eating close to bedtime helps me...and of course walking, walking, walking!

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  7. LindaOctober 1, 2011 at 6:57 PM

    There's something about flowers in Washington that's distinctive. I think the colors are richer.

    I've got the same problem with weight only I did let a little of mine creep back on before I realized it. Now I'm having a devil of a time getting it off again.

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  8. RedOctober 1, 2011 at 7:40 PM

    I'd be satisfied with the dahlias any day.
    If you find the secret of keeping weight off in the winter let me know.

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  9. Rosaria WilliamsOctober 1, 2011 at 8:02 PM

    I've spent some time reading your earlier posts.

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  10. NancyOctober 1, 2011 at 9:07 PM

    I do find keeping my hands busy keeps me from wanting to snack. I'm astounded you are not underweight with all of your physical activity.

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  11. AnonymousOctober 1, 2011 at 9:19 PM

    Well, be grateful you are not carrying a boulder around. lol.

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  12. Grandmother MaryOctober 2, 2011 at 6:22 AM

    I can see your weight loss in your photos. You look good. And healthy. Keeping it off? Regular exercise (walking and swimming maybe), portion control when eating and lots of fruits, veggies and complex carbs. Temps here in Italy are still in the mid to upper 70's with cooler eves. Perfect.

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  13. The Retired OneOctober 2, 2011 at 6:02 PM

    The flower photo is a knockout....we had pouring rain, high winds and cold weather for a week and now the past two days have been glorious here in the U.P. of Michigan. I have been a crazy woman getting fall pictures out there with all of our color!

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  14. Linda ReederOctober 2, 2011 at 8:10 PM

    Gigi makes me laugh. I was carrying a boulder around! I am trying to lose the next ten pounds, but yes, for me too, this is the time of year for 'hearty' eating. As long as we're eating at home I can stay under control if I don't bring temping bad stuff into the house. Keeping busy is the answer. My projects are piling up and they'll hopefully keep me out of the kitchen.

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  15. CrazyCrisOctober 3, 2011 at 12:13 AM

    Keeping up the swimming should definitely help! Plus you'll still be hiking on Thursdays, right?

    It's normal that we want to eat more in winter, our body requests the extra calories to help keep itself warm! Just be vigilant (no need to diet, just be conscious of what you eat), and don't worry if a few extra pounds show up... I doubt it will be all 16 of them! ;o)

    Pretty flowers, we don't see many around here...

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  16. LilliStJohnOctober 3, 2011 at 3:41 AM

    Nice Fall Colours and "Straw Flowers" fit nicely into Fall Colours. I grow them and then pick n dry and then prepare bouquet's for my friends in vases, which definately adds a sparkle of colour into each home with the onslought of winter. I did this once, a very long time ago, and it was so well received, I have had to keep it up. My friends will say, it must almost be time for my Fall bouquet. Straw Flowers are the "funnest" arrangements to make and look really nice nestled amongst babies breath and some other greenery n "spider choots" :)
    I never worry about the weight problem - I usually gain 7 lbs during winter until I start skating and I am usually up 5-7 lbs or down, I have had some chub, however, that doesn't bother me, more to love. Gaining weight is not an issue, as for me, it comes and goes.
    As usual, you have delighted us with your photography - thankyou DJan and have a great day. Great Post
    Lilly

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  17. Sharon WagnerOctober 3, 2011 at 7:58 AM

    Yes, we will have to resort to the dredded mall walking soon. And I'll be adding the stairmaster to my routine again. But we have had some awesome hiking this Fall.

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  18. TrishOctober 3, 2011 at 9:07 AM

    My first winter up north, I gained 15 pounds. So I know what you mean. In Florida, the heat makes me less hungry or something.

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  19. Linda MyersOctober 3, 2011 at 8:25 PM

    We left the gray clouds behind yesterday morning as we headed over the Cascades to Idaho and, today, to Alberta. Sunny and dry. I love it.

    Add a day of swimming to your schedule, and hike in th rain as you usually do anyway!

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  20. KayOctober 3, 2011 at 9:16 PM

    Well I know I'll be gaining weight here in Illinois because I'm not exercising quite as much. I'm also eating more carry-out food or restaurant food which is never really good for you.

    I agree with you that time seems to be speeding up. It really feels like I was hardly getting used to it being 2011 and it's going to be 2012 soon. Sheesh!

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  21. R. J.October 4, 2011 at 5:10 AM

    Congrats on the weight loss. Success breeds success. I would like to have a 15 lb. weight loss under my belt, unfortunately, all I have is the 15 lbs. under my belt. The upcoming holiday season is going to be hard. I need an incentive also to lose and maintain less weight.

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  22. AkannieOctober 4, 2011 at 6:00 AM

    I love the fall flowers. They are warm and vibrant...and why is my area so dark red on your climate map?? LOL

    Sigh. Don't ask me anything about weight loss. I'm going to make some Indian Cabbage soup today though...and a nice small round loaf of artisan bread. (With lots of fiber). LOL

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  23. Megan (Best of Fates)October 4, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    I love the bursting of fall colors - totally worth the drop in temperature!

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  24. Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise)October 4, 2011 at 1:20 PM

    I fear we're 'fall'in whether we're ready of not! I'm sooo not ready for cold weather. Heck, I'm never ready for cold weather.

    Yep, it seem that stinkin' weight is easier to loose than to keep off. I've done it for seven years but baby it's not easy!

    God bless ya sweetie!!! :o)

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  25. HilaryOctober 5, 2011 at 6:32 AM

    Ugh.. losing weight. Half-way through the summer I sprained my ankle pretty badly and am still having trouble walking on it. The pounds have added up. I know you keep pretty active and I'm sure activities like swimming and walking will work well for you.

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