Wednesday: cooking!

I'm at home cooking up a storm: Michigan white bean soup (from the Weight Watchers cookbook), green beans, bacon, and sauce for tomorrow night's scallops, winter spiced molten cakes (also for tomorrow night), acorn squash (for whenever, freezer, etc). YUM!

cereal, milk, coffee: 4

licks of batter (bad...): 2

six egg-white omelet with feta, onions, peppers, tomatoes, little light cream-- cooked in a little olive oil: 6

apricots: 1

JW upper and lower body

I am amazed... 4:15 and still not hungry after my whopper of a lunch. All that protein has really held me through!!!

1 slice turkey, apple: 1

1/2 piece feta chicken, rice+ curried veggies, 1/2 c baked/smashed acorn squash w/butter and maple syrup: 8

Bites of Michael's leftovers...

I didn't count the bites, though I should probably. But without those bites I ate 22 today!! My new target. I could have had less at dinner, but I made so much food today, and we had leftovers. I was overwhelmed with options!! Still, very happy to have eaten pretty much at my new target.

Tuesday, feeling more in control

Staying within my points yesterday really helped me to feel more in control. I have a renewed sense of optimism about my ability to reach my next goal: 155.

I need to drop a point since I'm in the 150s now... I also have decided that this is it, I'm weaning Michael. So, I'll lose my nursing points too. Sucks. I have to go calculate what I'm allowed to eat now. Probably 21 points... maybe 20?? UGH!!!!

cereal, milk, coffee: 4

2 mini pretzels dipped in choc+ 1 mini chocolate: 3

lunch out with a friend @ La Madeline--my new favorite place to eat now that I've figured out the menu
French onion soup with one pinch cheese and two small pieces pieces (3), spinach salad w/few pecans and little dressing (2): 5

small apple: 1
chocolate crinkle cookie (brought in from someone--home made. Still, not REALLY worth it): 2

1 slice turkey: .5

3/4 c white rice, 1 c veggie Indian thingy: 6
salad w/OO/Balsamic vinegar

1/2 c. low-fat ice cream: 2

23.5 eaten

Monday

cereal, milk, coffee: 4

left over yule log someone brought in from home... yum. 4

oatmeal: 4

turkey sandwich: 5

1/2 c wheatberry salad: 2

apple: 1


29 min cardio (elliptical machine)

pork chop, Indian veggies, 1/3 c jasmine rice, 1/3 c wheat berry salad, green salad w/balsamic vinegar: 6

went over by a point... but not terrible considering I was eating somewhat indiscriminately earlier in the day. Yule log... was it worth it???

Still, I managed to get in some exercise. Feel good about that. But now I'm EXHAUSTED. Going to bed. Pronto. Yes, at 8:15.

Back from vacation

We're home from nearly a week in Marquette. I exercised at the Y three days, and went sledding and shoveled snow on a fourth day. This morning I was 159 on the scale (after breakfast). This is encouraging. I did okay today. I went over by 1 point. Those dried apricots... I love them, but I need to stop eating them.

1/2 toddler muffin: 1
1.5 pieces French Toast with syrup: 5
coffee

dried apricots: 1

cottage cheese: 2

turkey sandwich, pita chips, apple: 7

40 min walk on hilly course pushing M in the BOB

bites of Michael's apple

apple cake (small piece--it was home made and very delicious): 4

egg+egg white, toast, BB, 1 chicken sausage: 6

Wednesday

Cereal, milk, coffee: 4

Turkey sandwich w avocado no mayo: 5

Carrots and pretzels: 2

Cottage cheese w/wheat germ: 2

Roasted eggplant: 1

40 min cardio, JW lower body routine, from memory. Some core.

Nuts: 2
Shared orange with kiddos

Feta chicken, salad w/ceasar dressing, roasted potatoes, roasted eggplant: 10

Fudge, wafer cookies (2), bite of cheese cake: 6

I ate 32 points. I have a feeling that's been my average this week. I
could have avoided the nuts. Dumb. I was hungry. Should have snacked
on veggies.

I guess this will be a maintenance week. Or maybe a small gain.

I did the JW routine in the studio at the Y in front of the big
mirror. I liked how my upper body looked. Lower body I didn't like as
much. So, that means keep working.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Tuesday, doing better

Cereal, milk, 1/2 pear, coffee: 5

Cottage cheese: 2

42 min elliptical machine, JW upper body, no cardio, from memory. :)

Bowl lentil, spinach soup, 1.5 small pieces bread, coffee, 1/4 apple
crumb muffin: 6

Few pretzels: 1
One v small espresso hazelnut biscotti 1
Apple, 3/4 orange: 2

Carrots

17 eaten so far. Dinner is 'beef stew': beef cubes, mushrooms, cream
of mushroom soup, onion soup mix. Noodles. Salad, made by me. What's a
girl to do???? It is the midwest after all.

--
Sent from my mobile device

1st Day: Struggle

egg, toast, BB, 1/2 grapefruit: 4

coffee

apple: 1

bites of various things packed for M: 2

Ran from terminal A gate 50 to terminal C gate 16, carrying bags or toddler

turkey sandwich, veggies: 5

5 rolo-pretzel thingys and 1 hershey's kiss: 3

coffee, diet coke.

Despite the rolo incident, I have actually only eaten 15 point so far! Amazing.

Dinner is salad and baked ziti. My plan is a huge plate of salad with 1 c baked ziti (for 6 points?). Then a SMALL piece of home made cheese cake. Like, a bite.

Sound okay, guys?

Perfect day

egg+egg white, toast w/BB: 4

coffee

cottage cheese: 2

Sledding for 45 minutes, carrying toddler up hill, walking up myself.

Veggies w/hummos: 1

feta chicken, salad w/home made Asian dressing: 7

1 piece chocolate (worth it!): 2

crispy curls, very few: 1

beef chili w/1/2 c brown rice, salad w/OO: 8

25 eaten

Snowbound Saturday

I am so proud of myself! I didn't overeat. Was active, productive. I had a great day!

cereal, milk, berries, coffee: 4.5

ham sandwich: 5

1/2 banana: 1

few licks of cookie batter: 1

yogurt, wheat germ, 1 tsp maple syrup: 3

25 minutes walking on treadmill, on an incline

small steak, sweet potato w/BB, salad with OO: 8

pieces of broken biscotti: 2

popcorn: 1?

Friday before the snowstorm

I'm a little afraid of the storm. Not because of the snow we'll get, but because I'm afraid I will use the home-boundedness as an excuse to eat. I was planning to cook while we're in the house--chili and feta chicken to freeze. I was also thinking of baking some cookies... that would be bad, right? That makes me sad. I love baking.

I will absolutely exercise tomorrow... not sure what yet. But something. At the very least tromping in the snow with the boys (see note below about shopping for a sled today).

cereal, milk, coffee: 4

apple: 1

running around like a mad woman looking for sleds--this counts as exercise!!

Lunch at La Madeline with a work colleague: 1 c. french onion soup (with little cheese, 3 toast thingys), spinach and mixed green salad w/strawberries, mushrooms and few pecans (1 tbsp), dressing on the side; one small piece bread: 6

veggies & 1 clementine

small piece salmon, steamed zucchini, 1/2 c (or less) beets, 3 slices roasted eggplant: 6

18 eaten so far. Will eat something else tonight, not sure what. 

Off to a bad start on Thursday

Okay, so not a great start to the day. I will do better.

I updated my ticker with my new goal weight: 155. That felt good.

cereal, blueberries, milk, coffee, 2 cookies, 1 piece of chocolate: 9

roasted veggies, green beans, roasted beats, roasted eggplant, 4 thin slices turkey, 5

3 clementines: 1

30 min elliptical machine -- woo hoo!

yogurt, apple: 3

someone gave me a holiday card with a mini box of Godiva chocolate taped to it!

18 so far

At party I did well. Two pieces of cheese, three small crackers, bite of pumpkin muffin, 1/2 c cut fruit, veggies, seltzer/diet coke. I count this all as 3 points.

Dinner was small portion salmon, beets, roasted veggies: 6 (maybe an over-estimation).

Then caved and ate 1 piece of Godiva, left the 2nd for Doug. Ate another bite of leftover muffin: 3

So, I've gone way over... for seemingly no reason.

Tomorrow is another day. I'm going to bed! or at least to read.

Intake for Wednesday

I have been quite busy today... drop-off at day care, grocery shopping, baking for tomorrow's party, roasting veggies....and working!

Have not yet exercised...

cereal, blueberries, milk, coffee: 5
(ate more cereal than usual so counting it as more)

1 c melon: 1

1.5 cups roasted beets, winter veggies: 2

1 mini pumpkin muffin: 1

1/2 large chicken breast, dried apricots & walnuts: 5

1/2 c yogurt, 1/2 c blueberries, 1/2 c fiber one: 3

Party for kids in our building: 2 small cookies, 1 butternut squash muffin, 1/2 banana, carrots, bites of mixed nuts, 1 bite-sized sweet bready thing of unknown name, edemame: 8

beets, green beans, 1/2 c winter veggies: 1
decaf tea

went over by 1... poor planning for the party. Also, no exercise today.

Goal

Well, it took me 3 months longer than planned, but this morning I reached my goal of 158. I have to admit, I'm a little shocked. I haven't been as careful lately. It's been harder to find time to exercise. Yet, I must be doing enough right! I'm happy. And, I'm making a new goal of 155. I'm not sure what time frame I want to set for myself.  For now, I want to get back to exercising 3 or more times/week. Once I manage to do that consistently, I'll see where I am on the scale and then set a goal.

Meanwhile, here are the latest measurements:


waist 31.5
hips 41
bust 36
upper thigh 22.5
upper arm 10.5

Feeling Down on Tuesday

I have been stagnating for weeks. Since we switched the day care routine I have not been able to find time to exercise regularly. My body doesn't feel as good and my brain is definitely suffering. I need to snap out of it. I have come a long way. Yesterday, I got the nicest compliment from a friend I haven't seen in a while. She was commenting on some pictures on Facebook, but it still made me feel just as good as if she had seen me in person. I know that I'm fine. I know it's fine to stay where I am for a while. But I can't help but compare myself to Jenna and Indya. Will I ever be a size 4 or 6? I really don't think so. Am I okay with that? I'm still on the fence. I can't help but think... I'll probably be pregnant again in a year and then my body will go to hell all over again. Not that it isn't worth working on right now!

I'm going to look at my calendar to see when I can work in some exercise this week. I know that will help me to feel better. Next week we will be at my in-law's house. I will plan to go to the Y every day and to do at least 30 minutes of exercise each and every day. That's the only way I'll make it through the week.

I have a good day of food planned out, so at least that's one challenge under control.

egg+egg white (cooked in my new non-stick pan with NO fat), bread, brummel and brown: 4
coffee

oatmeal, milk, splenda: 4
small apple: .5

37 minutes on elliptical machine, random mode, level 9. Felt GREAT!

sliced turkey, 2 wasa, wax beans, veggies: 4

cottage cheese, 2 clementines, coffee w/one pump syrup+milk: 4

banana: 2
chicken, green beans, rice, brummel and brown: 6

24.5 eaten

I should NOT eat anything else today. I'm done. But man, my sweet tooth. This is hard. Must focus.

Rough Monday

today was screwy... meetings out of the office. No food in the fridge, scavenged lunch and snack and did not make great choices. As a result, I'm feeling crabby and rushed. Also, M won't eat his dinner, which is making me stressed.

cereal, milk, blueberries, coffee: 4.5

graham crackers: 2

2 clementines, 1/2 c white beans, 1.5 c salad, fage 0% yogurt: 5
1/4 c party mix, few home made caramels, 1 bite of cake: 5

goldfish: 1

salmon, wax beans, peas: 5

22.5 eaten Will eat something later... apple, or 1/2 c lite ice cream I bought at the store while shopping for staples to get us through tomorrow.

Hanukkah Party

Today was my family"s annual Hanukkah party. I knew the fare would be
heavy so I tried to keep the morning light. Breakfast was an apple and
a peach yogurt, and 3 coffees with whole milk (one too many!).

Then for lunch I shared a scramble of lox and 3 eggs and 2 egg whites
with my brother, he ate most of it. I avoided the boxes of cookies and
rugela from Costco.

In the car on the way to the party I ate a 2nd apple and drank a diet
sprite. So far so good. No exercise, though. It was pouring out. And
too hard to do anything in the house.

I tried my best at the party. But, appetizer was flat-bread pizza and
garlic bread. I had 1.5 pieces of pizza. Skipped garlic bread but then
while waiting for the next course I ate 1.5 pieces of regular bread.
Then the salad, which of course was drenched in dressing--yuck. I prob
had 3/4 c. Main course I had chicken. It didn't have a lot of sauce,
but I'm sure it wasn't low cal. I had 1 rather large ravioli and 1/2 c
of the other pasta which was penne with pesto and broccoli. I fished
out as much broccoli as possible.

For dessert I had 4 bites of gelato--chocolate and pistachio. Drank
water and diet soda.

I'm not even going to bother to count this all up. I'm just starting
over tomorrow and will do my best to find time to exercise. I have a
mtg at the Department (of Health and Human Services) in the morning.
Not sure what the afternoon will hold or what time I'll get back to my
office.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Busy day

cereal, milk, kiwi, coffee: 5

turkey sandwich, veggies: 5

apple, yogurt: 3

2 veggie burgers, salad w/OO and balsamic vinegar, butternut squash soup, 1/2 c lentils: 7
leftover granola from M, leftover butternut squash muffin from M: 4

holding steady @ 159.5

I was even-steven this morning on the scale.

egg+egg white, toast, Brummel, 1/2 banana: 5

Zbar: 2 (was starving and it was in my purse)

carrots and drop of hummos

1 cup lentils: 4
apple: 1

yogurt w/mango and 1/2 c fiber one: 3

1 TJ chocolate & peppermint cookie (my neighbor gave it to me... ): 2
3 clementines: 1

JW upper and lower body

lemon pan grilled chicken breast, 1 c lentils: 7

dried apricots: 2

Ended the day perfectly at 25 points. I thought I had 3 points to spare but once I published the post I realized that I forgot to write down the yogurt in the afternoon. Still, a GREAT day. I'm so proud of myself!!!

Making my way

Last night I had 1 piece of pizza, plus a big salad with balsamic vinegar. Then I was still a little hungry so ate some Greek yogurt with splenda and 1/2 c of fiber one cereal and 4 strawberries. I think I stayed within my points, or went over by 1, despite chocolate mini-binge. Today I'm doing much better so far...

cereal, milk, strawberries, coffee: 5
1/2 banana: 1

turkey sandwich, 1 c. home made lentils: 9

The plan is to exercise at lunch... and... I DID IT! Thanks, Indya: 40 minutes on the elliptical machine, level 9 random hills. It felt great!!

apple: 1

3:45 and I'm hungry... or, at least my mouth is hungry. I think I'll get a caffeine-free coke. Take the edge off.

2 pieces of veggie pizza: 7, steamed veggies, 1/4 apple, skinny cow: 2: 9

25 eaten... must be done now... fearful that I will eat more.

Trying to get back on track...

cereal, milk, kiwi, coffee: 5

oatmeal, milk, splenda: 4

turkey sandwich, carrot sticks, 4 pieces of chocolate: 8

apple, 3 clementines: 2

19 eaten so far. The plan had been pizza for dinner. No way I can do that now. Or, I could have 1 piece of pizza for 4 points and then a lot of salad, and a veggie burger if I still feel hungry. That's an okay compromise for me.

Not so good on the weekend

I barely tracked Saturday and Sunday. I made my splurge Sunday since we had friends over. I failed to get in any meaningful exercise... I did a 1.5 hour walk, pushing Michael. But I went with a friend who wanted to do more talking than speed walking and so it wasn't that vigorous.

I had too many extra things yesterday for the splurge. Everything was delicious: desserts from the French bakery at the Dupont Farmers' Market, 2 pieces of Home Made pizza, 2 home made cookies, some cheese, also from Dupont Market; french toast for breakfast (1.5 pieces with syrup).

I balanced this with lentils for lunch, a huge salad to accompany the pizza. I avoided the crakers and just ate the cheese. No alcohol.

I didn't count these things up... I won't now either.

I was 160 or 159.5 on the scale this weekend... but I know that I need to remotivate if I want to meet my goal of being 160 or lower on the WW scale before the end of the year. I don't know why I'm having such trouble...

Tonight for dinner is leftover pizza and salad. Probably I should skip my morning snack in order to save points for the pizza. I'm feeling a little hungry. I did have breakfast at 6:30 (cereal, milk, kiwi, coffee). I need to start making an egg for breakfast again...

Friday...

This has not been my best week. I don't quite know what's wrong with me. Maybe emotional shock/recovery from Thanksgiving? Maybe the weather? I haven't gone crazy overboard but I'm not doing that well either. Today is better, but only slightly. Am I sabotaging myself?? Am I just bored? I am nearly solidly in the 150s... so why can't I motivate to stay focused?

cereal, milk, mango, coffee: 5

sliced turkey: 2

salad w/raisins: 1
sweet potato: 3
crispy curl lentil thingys: 2
1 Godiva chocolate: 2
Part of a tootsie Roll lollipop:1

Returning to this point on Monday... I can't remember what we ate for dinner on Friday. I *think* I stayed within my points for the day, but I can't be sure. We got home late since I stayed to play a little at day care pickup.

Hungry, again...

I know I don't have a tapeworm but honestly, I can't figure out why I've been feeling so hungry lately!!

cereal, milk, blueberries, coffee, 1/3 leftover banana, bites of M's oatmeal: 6

butternut squash soup: 2

celery, carrots, turkey sandwich: 5

2 chocolate covered almonds: 1

1 whole grapefruit: 2

I stopped at TJ on the way home to pick up milk, and a few other things. I bought 2 bags of the lentil crispy curls. I ate more than 1/2 of one of the bags. Shameful. Probably 4 servings (8 points) worth... needless to say, I wasn't hungry for dinner. I had some canellini beans and some edemame... probably 2 points...

So, ultimately I didn't do that badly today--over by 1 point as I write this... but it's disappointing to me that I couldn't control my snacking... eating from the bag on the drive home.

Working from home, sick with a cold, raining out

What a miserable day... I just want to eat carbs, or at least I did this morning... thus the graham crackers and pumpkin bread. But, then I got some exercise and had some lunch and now I no longer feel like eating. But I still don't feel well.

cereal, milk, blueberries, coffee: 4

pumpkin bread: 2
1 clementine

graham crackers: 1

1/2 turkey sandwich, apple and PB: 5

brisk 40 min walk

Lots of tea with milk: 1

butternut squash muffin: 3

small sweet potato: 3

salmon, salad w/OO, green beans... then, bites of M's untouched mac&cheese, 1/2 of his leftover muffin...probably 8 points, which means I went over by 3. I was hungry today... and I still feel like I want to eat more... :(

Tuesday

cereal, milk, blueberries: 5
coffee w/milk + 1 pump cin-dolce syrup: 1

turkey sandwich, cut up veggies: 5
1/2 clementine

yogurt, 2 clementines: 3

hummos and cracker: 2
small piece salmon, steamed green beans, 1/3 c black beans, 2 tbsp white rice: 7

pumpkin bread: 3

Gloomy Monday

The weather here is just horrible... rainy and dark. Makes me want to eat bready things. But, instead I had all the packed-from-home stuff. Worked out just fine. I'm even a little under in points this afternoon so I can have a cup of cocoa or something once I'm home.

cereal, milk, blueberries, coffee: 5

coffee

butternut squash soup, chicken: 5
small apple. .5

yogurt, 2 clemtines: 3

3/4 c white rice, 1 c chicken stirfry: 8
skinny cow: 2

Post T-day, still 159.5

Happy to see that I was exactly the same this morning. I'm back on track with eating today, and even got in a little (little) exercise.

cereal, milk, raisins: 5
coffee

turkey sandwich, salad w/balsamic vinegar and some dried cherries: 6

2 hr walk, mostly brisk but some slow, and some browsing in a store.

apple w/ PB: 3

3/4 c. white rice, 1 c chicken stirfry: 8

skinny cow: 2

Broke the barrier: 159.5

cereal, milk, coffee: 4

orange: 1
pretzels & hummos: 3

whole wheat english muffin pizza: 5
roasted veggies, carrots: 2

43 minutes of hard work on elliptical machine
cottage cheese: 2

whole wheat eng. muffin, veggie burger, salad w/OO, 1/4 c black beans: 5

1/2 mango Popsicle: 1
cereal: 1

24 so far... might eat a little something else...

Worried about the holiday...

The more I think about it, the more afraid I am feeling about all the food at my mom's house. I read today that the average American eats 4500 calories on Thanksgiving. O-M-G. The food at our table is horribly high-fat/cal. And delicious... Carrie suggested that I just have a tablespoon of stuffing... but, I love the stuffing! I know, it's only food. I want to be thin more than I want to eat. But, well...

So, I ate 2 pieces of chocolate today at work. But, even with that indulgence I did ok because I didn't have time to eat my 4-point oatmeal. Still, I'm annoyed and feeling conflicted about my feelings: I want chocolate. Also, I did not exercise today. It was very busy at work. Tomorrow I work from home and I'll do 40 minutes on the elliptical machine.

Daily Accounting:

cereal, milk, coffee: 4

apple, carrots: 1

2 chicken sausages, sauteed broccolini and red pepper: 5

tea w/milk
hazelnut/chocolate panda from china: 2

cottage cheese: 2

2nd hazelnut/chocolate panda: 2 (grrr.....)

chicken breast, steamed veggies, cannelini bean salad: 6
1/2 apple: .5

skinny cow: 2

24.5 eaten

I wasn't so good yesterday. Not horrible, but I didn't track carefully. I'm just conceeding defeat on yesterday/weekend and moving on. I really wanted to be 160.0 or lower by this Wednesday. I don't know if I'll get there. I realize that I am just not brining my A game... I'm too busy today to think about why... but I will give it some thought over the next few days and I promise to report back if I come up with anything insightful.

Meanwhile, today I did better on the food.

cereal, milk, coffee: 4

oatmeal, milk, stevia and few dried cherries: 5

pumpkin curry soup, 1/2 chicken breast, apple: 5

cottage cheese: 2

Breakfast for dinner... I needed to maybe eat less scrambled eggs... 1 chicken sausage link, eggs+egg white, 1 whole wheat eng muffin, b&b: 8

24 so far... still feeling hungry after dinner but will wait to digest a little before eating more. Also, I really should count something for the licks of peanut butter and jelly from M's dinner... (sad that my son eats PB&J for dinner???). I didn't have a whole bite, so I won't count it tonight... but I am mindful that I'm eating that way.

Likely will have an apple if still hungry after M goes to bed.

Saturday

cereal, milk, coffee, apple: 5

1/2 banana and 1/2 mini Clif bar: 2

turkey sandwich, bites of wheat berry salad, some of M's leftover peanut butter and honey: 7

carrots and hummos: 1

50 minute walk pushing M in the BOB. Tried to make most of it "vigorous".

2 pieces whole wheat pizza with veggies and mozzarella, salad with OO, steamed veggies: 9

24 eaten

Friday before Thanksgiving, trying to stay in control

Hungry Girl had a very helpful Q&A about Thanksgiving, questions like: must I only eat steamed vegetables on Thanksgiving. Answer was no, but limit the other items. I remember in years past trying to focus on filling my plate with green things and then adding a little of the others. This year I will make more of an effort, here's why:  there will be leftovers and I know I will be eating that food for more than one day. I know that a lot of the WW leaders say to make the holiday last 1 day (I think Jean said this too?) not a week. But I know what it's like for me at my mom's house... I need a different method. So, here are my ground rules:

1. Eat a normal breakfast. My mom has all this crazy stuff like sticky buns and granola. Forget that. I will have an egg+egg white and 1/2 a bagel or some such (even the bread she buys is terrible--I mean, delicious but not good for you).

2. Drink a lot of water, avoid alcohol or even non-alcoholic sparkly stuff.

3. Fill plate with mostly vegetables (convince mom to make a 2nd veggie dish).

4. Exercise every day I'm away, for at least 20 minutes.

5. Eat a small piece of dessert, or share with Doug. Then, remove myself from the vicinity of sweets either by going to give M a bath, or play with him, or something.

6. Do not eat cheese, pate, etc. Save calories for the holiday food we don't make regularly. Cheese is always available.

Any other suggestions?

Today's intake:
cereal, milk, coffee: 5

coffee with whole milk and 1 shot hazelnut syrup: 1

turkey sandwich, small baked potato w/BB, salad w/balsamic vinegar: 8
(adding the baked potato really helped my lunch to feel complete. I probably didn't need the extra 'starch', since I had bread, but still... it was yummy!)

dried apricots: 1

Last portion of the pork, steamed broccoli w/tiny bit of butter, steamed mixed veggies w/tiny bit of OO, 1/2 c. wheat berry salad: 9

Eddy's Whole Fruit Popsicle: .5

(Carrie pointed out my huge math mistake... yes, I know! I ate more than 15 points. But I'm allotted 25/day. I did go over though: bowl of cereal after dinner. I was HUNGRY... now I'm still awake at 10:30. What am I doing???)

Thursday

Sore today from JW. Hanging out at Starbucks while M visits the new day care... was mildly tempted to buy a snack but settled for an Americano instead.

No time for exercise today, but I did score a nice nap with Michael. 

cereal, milk, 1/2 grapefruit, coffee: 5

coffee w/1 pump hazelnut syrup: 1

Starving in the car on the way home... ate 1 c. Kix: 2

turkey sandwich, salad with OO, dried cherries, and wheat berries: 7

apple & PB: 4
dried apricots (I have to get them out of the house): 1

pork loin leftovers, salad with OO, 2 bites of wheat berry salad: 5

Trying to stay on track

cereal, milk, banana: 5

cottage cheese: 2

turkey sandwich and veggies: 5

1 slice pumpkin bread: 3

JW upper and lower

few dried apricots: 1
yogurt w/honey and small handful of cereal: 4

20 eaten--yikes!!

dinner: big salad w/OO, 4 thin slices ginger-marinated pork loin, 1 small sweet potato 5

Tuesday

I am wanting to eat something crunchy/salty or sweet. My work day is slow and so I have more time to think about what I would rather be eating. This is not good. I didn't exercise at lunch. Why? Who knows. Dinner will be light tonight: steamed veggies and veggie burgers. I don't have anything else ready. So it would be okay to have a crunchy snack. But, I don't have anything on hand and I don't think the vending machines will offer good options. The cottage cheese I have waiting in the fridge does not seem appealing..

cereal, milk, berries, coffee: 4.5
oatmeal, milk, dried cherries: 5
diet coke
walked up from 1st floor to 8th floor

turkey sandwich, cut up veggies, apple: 6
1 mini cookie: 1

16.5 so far

Busy Monday

cereal, milk, berries, coffee: 4.5
turkey sandwich, apple, veggies: 6
yogurt: 2
candy corn (why???): 2

salad w/OO, grilled chicken, 1 c TJ gnocchi
1/4 mini bagel w/cc: 1
1 small ice pop (lime): 1

Sunday, anniversary

Well, I didn't do a great job of managing intake yesterday. I was fine through about 2 p.m. but then a massive hunger attack set in (I didn't really eat enough in the earlier part of the day) and instead of making a plan, I just grabbed stuff and snacked. Dumb.

We went out to dinner with friends and I ordered what turned out to be a decent dinner: citrus herb grilled tillapia with 3 sides: cucumber and onion salad (yum), steamed veggies (with butter I'm sure--delish), and tomato, corn, red bean salad (so good). Then a small piece of cornbread. I know I went over on points, but it wasn't terrible. I could have skipped the corn bread. I really had wanted to save my splurge for today (Doug and I are going out for lunch to celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary).

My only exercise yesterday was chasing Michael around the Zoo and pushing the stroller. I just didn't have the energy to crank up JW. I could have just done 20 min on the elliptical downstairs but I didn't have it in me.

Today I did all 3 JW. Felt great. Core is still hardest for me, I think in part b/c she's always switching positions. Not sure why that is so exhausting but it is...

I'll report my intake in another post.

On my way, baby

I am channeling all the excitement over the 160.5 this morning towards staying on track. Michael is home sick today so I took him out for a long walk in the BOB, with a stop-over at the neighborhood toy store where he played with trains for 40 minutes while I had coffee and chatted with a friend. He's napping now but I'm working so as to not burn through an entire day of leave again.... Still, I have a relatively low-key weekend planned and will get in more exercise then. I want to be in the 150s next week. I am just over .5 from there... I can do it!!!

cereal, milk, coffee: 4

coffee w/hazelnut syrup: 1

turkey sandwich and cut up veggies: 5

yogurt with splenda and vanilla extract: 2
1 piece pumpkin bread: 4
apple: 1

pretzels & hummos: 3

soup & salad: 3
Popsicle: 1

Went a little overboard... ate more pumpkin bread and had some hot cocoa... not terrible. But didn't actually satisfy me. Not sure what I wanted instead.

160.5!

I didn't quite believe my wednesday weigh-in so this morning, before
breakfast, I got on the scale buck naked. Scale said 160.5! I'm
delighted. That's a 2 lb loss, finally. I am 1/2 a pound away from
joining Carrie in the 150s!!

--
Sent from my mobile device

Rain, Rain, Go Away

It's been raining here for the past two days. YUCK. Of course, Michael is enjoying splashing in the puddles. But I'm tired of this dreariness.

On a plus note, I think I'm feeling my pants are getting looser.

egg+egg white in OO, bread w/brummel: 5
I wish I had a better way of preparing the egg. I don't like to use Pam on my Al Clad... I haven't gotten the OO aerator that Carrie uses. I need to pick one up...

Lunch: turkey on multigrain w/mayo, mustard+lettuce: 5

grapes: 1
candy corn: 2 (dumb, it wasn't even good... )

snack: yogurt: 2

dinner: salmon, salad w/OO: 5

1 piece pumpkin bread, 1/2 skinny cow: 4

Day off from work--time to exercise!

Today was kind of weird... we went to the movies and then had a meeting with a Reator so I kind of skipped lunch and ended up eating on the fly... never a good idea. Still, I did okay, but ate weirdly.

cereal, milk, coffee: 4

All three JW
egg+egg white cooked in OO, bread:5

pretzels and hummos: 3
cottage cheese: 2
apple: 1
1/2 graham cracker: 1

African Stew from Souper Girl: 4

1/2 slice pumpkin bread: 3
Eddy's Whole Fruit bar: 1

What???

Weighed myself today after what I considered to be a week back on track. 163. Now, I have to admit, it was AFTER I ate a bowl of cereal and drank about 1/2 of my coffee... I forgot to weigh myself 1st thing. But still.... and, I tried the body fat feature...It said 36%. That seems so unfair!! But it's probably right. :(

Now what? I guess I check it again next week to see if it's the same?

This is a hard slog. I guess it's fine. I'm staying the same, essentially. But I feel like I have been careful and that I should have seen some results this morning...

Monday

I ate within points today. No exercise to speak of... but it was my 1st day of drop-off. At least I didn't stress eat.

egg+egg white, bread w/BB, 1/2 grapefruit: 5

oatmeal, milk, br sugar: 5

bag-o-veggies, 2 pc bread, mayo+sliced turkey, 1/4 c wheatberry salad: 6

diet coke + 1 x 7 flights stairs
apple: 1

1/2 Z bar with Michael + some other odds + ends at TJ: 2

2 veggie burgers, salad w/OO, 1/4 c wheatberry salad, cantaloupe: 5

juice pop: 1

Renessa is a Goody-Goody

I am beginning to be annoyed by Renessa. She's always pointing to her abs with a perky little smile on her face. I want to just smack her softly and say, "I am holding them in, Bitch!" I'm not sure where this anger comes from... I also can't stop thinking about both Renessa and Rebecca doing the nasty with Jackie. Oh my.

coffee w/milk, cereal, milk, berries: 4.5

coffee w/milk & 1 pump hazelnut syrup: 1

apple: 1
1 graham cracker: 1?

Walked down and up and all over the hilly Zoo pushing M in the BOB, or carrying him in the Ergo.

chicken breast, big salad topped with wheatberry salad and OO: 6

sliver slice of pumpkin bread: 1
dried apricots: 2

JW lower and core

yogurt w/ fiber 1: 2.5

2 slices leftover whole wheat pizza w/veggies: 6

3 homemade whole wheat/flax meal/wheat germ pancakes with blueberries, syrup, 1 egg+ eggwhite, 1/2 grapefruit: 9

JW Upper and Core

coffee w/milk and 1 shot hazelnut syrup, apple: 2

1.5 mile walk pushing M in stroller

chicken breast, 1/2 c wheat berries, peas: 5

pumpkin bread: 3

2 pieces whole wheat pizza with lots of veggies, little cheese: 6
1 c baby spinach, 1/2 c wheatberry salad: 3

ate 28 points. Felt quite hungry in the morning, despite a big breakfast... Managed to do okay the rest of the day. I could have chosen a different snack and saved some points... oh well. I am done eating for the night. SO TIRED.

Daily Accounting

coffee w/ whole milk, cereal, milk, few grapes: 4.5

Fage 0% yogurt: 2

small handful of trailmix, mostly raisins, some nuts: 3

3 slices roasted turkey, 1 c brown rice w/steamed veggies, grapes: 7
(There is no food left in our house... these were leftovers from earlier in the week... I didn't really WANT a cup of rice for lunch, but I didn't have anything else. Pathetic, I know.)

I'm also hungry an hour after eating this... not good.

1/2 grapefruit (messy at my desk!)

more trailmix.... I feel this is a failure to resist. Smaller portion this time, mostly raisins: 2

Drinking water... trying not to eat...

Dinner plan is small portion of chicken; steamed veggies. Then we're going to this cocktail part at the Greek Embassy... plan is NOT TO EAT. But I will have 3 points remaining.  So, I could have one thing to eat. Good news is that we're going with a friend of mine who is totally on-board with helping me diet/exercise....

Small victories

I think I've used this title before... no matter, I'm still happy with myself for not eating anything else last night. I know it's only a small victory, but it still feels good. I checked email, read updates on Facebook, read a very depressing article in the New Yorker about solitary confinement (it was from a March issue that I never finished) and went to bed around 9:30. Michael woke up at 11:30 screaming--teething is my guess. We got him back down pretty quickly and we all slept through to about 5:45 when he woke up to nurse. I got out of bed around 6:45. I didn't exercise this morning... I need to work up to the energy/commitment to exercise 1st thing with the boys in the house still. Instead we had a more leisurely breakfast together--which was really nice. I got ready for work, blew out my hair since I have that event later today. I'll plan to do 30 minutes on the elliptical downstairs at lunch (and hope I don't mess up my hair too much!).

The blog, and my little team of cheerleaders, has been so helpful in the past few weeks!!!

Thursday

I think I'm doing okay on eating/exercise this week, but I'm so distracted by other things going on in our life that I don't have a true sense for whether or not I'm on track. Typically I do better with weight loss when it's my primary focus. I wonder how I'll do when I'm only giving it a cursory consideration...

I feel REALLY GOOD from my workout yesterday. I wish I could get in more exercise today but instead I slept to 7 a.m. and I have lunch plans that will keep me from exercising during the day. But, tomorrow I can plan to workout either in the morning, or at lunch. I love the way my body feels from working hard and I'm going to use that to help me stay on track with my exercise.

breakfast: cereal, milk, coffee, bite of M's banana and pumpkin bread: 5

Morning snack: 1/2 c wheat berries with drop of syrup: 2

Lunch:  wonton soup (1/2 c w one wonton), small whole wheat bready thing, few fried crunchies (why???), 1/4 c brown rice, green beans and shitaki mushrooms in spicy sauce: 9

Not really sure about the points, but I think this guess is right...

diet coke

Afternoon snack: apple: 1

Dinner: 1/2 c angel hair pasta with pesto, 1/2 chicken breast, steamed veggies: 6
sliver of pumpkin bread: 1
bites of M's waffle: 1

That's 25 pts. I WANT something else... but, do I want to lose weight more? I'm going to try drinking water. If at 8:30 I still want something else, I'll have an Edy's strawberry whole fruit pop.

Awesome new web site

The Nourish Network

Cheryl writes for them, as do many other authors. All about food, nutrition, organic stuff, and such...

Wednesday

Breakfast: coffee, 1 egg+egg white in little OO, toast w/smear of BB, 1/2 grapefruit: 5
 I still want to eat more but I am resisting.

Exercise: JW upper and lower
I was STARVING after the workout.

Snack: apple w/1tbsp PB: 3
This snack did not seem like enough for me but I am waiting to eat more...

Lunch: 2 pc bread, turkey, mayo, salad w/OO & raisins: 5

Snack: tea w/honey: .5

Party food: carrot cake: 6

Dinner: chicken, salad, three bites brown rice: 4

Measurements

November 4
Waist 32
Hips 42
Upper thigh 23
Upper arm 11
Bust 35

This is BAD. I went up 2 inches in waist and hips??? arms/thighs stayed the same. Dropped 1 inch in bust.

Was it measurement error from September? Bloating now? This is not good... Okay, I need to recommit. Seriously.

Picture

My brother took this picture of me and Michael at the Natural History Museum on Sunday. I'm wearing one of my new tops from Banana Republic. I love the color and neck line. I think I look pretty good in this shot--especially my upper body, collar bone nicely visible. My arms could be more toned. And my hips could be smoother. I'm wearing a bad bra (nursing tank). At this point I think the changes are so incremental that it's hard for me to look at this and say yes, I look better than I did in September.

Am I a wimp?

Doing JW this morning and it's hard. I find that the weights part feels more like a CV workout than muscle-building.

When does it get easier (I know... I took a lot of time off from exercise)?

Also, when do I stop hating working hard?? 

Tuesday

Woke up at 7, which was too late to exercise. What's the matter with me?? I need to learn to wake up earlier...

Breakfast: cereal, milk, coffee: 4

Snack: yogurt: 2

Lunch: 3 slices of turkey, 2 wasa, bag-o-veggies: 4

EXERCISE: 32 minutes elliptical machine at gym in basement of office... better than nothing! I also stretched for about 5 minutes afterward.


Snack: apple, piece of pumpkin bread, 1/2 bagel: 7
(The bagel was an impulse... Stash of food up at the OD waiting area... post work-out feeling hungry and already ate all the food I brought with me. This is bad b/c it's only 2:30 and I need to make it to 5 without eating more!)

17 eaten

Dinner: not sure yet... probably the same as last night!

No more Halloween Candy

I succeeded in not eating a SINGLE PIECE of Halloween candy from our house. I brought the leftovers in to the office this morning. I am very proud of the small accomplishment.

I didn't get any exercise this morning. Doug had to drive Yanni to the airport at 6:20 so although I was up in time to get in a workout, I was playing with Michael instead. By the time Doug got home it was time for me to get showered and dressed. I might try to go at lunch...

cereal, milk, fruit salad: 5

oatmeal, milk, brown sugar: 5

leftover pasta w/1 shrimp: 5
carrots: 0

1 VERY SMALL piece of pumpkin bread: 2

apple: 1

1 veggie burger, steamed green beans with salt&pepper, sweet potato with brummel and brown: 5

last small bit of cheese and a cracker: 2
last berger cookie: 3

Went over by 3...

What do I really want?

I've been thinking about what I want to accomplish in terms of weight loss. I'm about 5 pounds away from my stated goal of 158. But I'm not feeling very motivated. Here's why: all my clothes fit. I don't want to buy a whole new wardrobe. I think a size 12 is acceptable. But more importantly, I think it's sustainable.

But, here's the question: am I selling myself short? Am I just afraid of succeeding at a lower weight? The lowest I've ever been as an adult is 151. That was on my wedding day. I know that I looked GREAT at 151. I could wear a bikini with impunity. But I didn't stay at that weight for very long. And in the weeks leading up to the wedding, when I lost those last 8 pounds, I was barely eating. I was exercising all the time. I was stressed.

After the wedding, I gained back the 7 or 8 pounds pretty quickly and stayed at 158-160 for several years.

When I raised this question to Carrie she made a good point: if you're thinking you'll get pregnant again soon, why not knock off an extra 10 pounds so you have a little cushion before the next pregnancy gain. That's a really good point. Though, I would like to think I won't gain as much the next time around, Carrie said she gained more and more quickly! Yikes. I was just stupid while pregnant. I ate things like donuts. Who does that???

Here's what I know: I like having a bit more muscle on my body. I like getting regular exercise. It makes me feel good. I like not having to worry about my pants fitting, or fitting too tightly.

I think this means I need to lose the next 5 pounds. Then, I can reevaluate. But until I commit to losing that next little chunk of weight, I am going to continue to stagnate. It's always harder to make the choice to be diciplined, especially with a little tot to take care of...

Sunday

It's hard to eat within my points with company/wine/cheese in the house.
Also hard to exercise.

cereal, milk, berries: 4.5
fruit salad: 1
cottage cheese: 2
1/2 graham cracker: 1??

walked around museum with Michael and my brother...

bread, turkey, lite mayo, side salad w/vinegar: 5
tastes of pumpkin bread batter: 1

leftover pasta: 5
wine: 3
cheese and crackers: 5

The Weekend

I had my splurge last night with Doug--1/2 of a chocolate something I bought at Balducci's to celebrate his last day in Fairfax. So, today is a normal day for me. So far, so good.

cereal, milk: 4

1 c turkey chili: 4
1/4 c leftover Michael's bunny whole wheat crackers: 1?

JW Upper and Lower (yay!! exercise!!

Plan for dinner is this delicious shrimp pasta dish... I also bought fancy cheeses and a bottle of wine (had a small glass last night as well as some cheese... I didn't count up the points, but I don't think I went too crazy. Dinner was soup and some bread... )

apple & 2 tsp PB: 3

butternut squash whole grain muffin: 2

cheese and crackers/wine (oy!): 10--maybe I'm even under-counting? This is what happens when I have a full glass of wine...

1 very small portion of pasta with shrimp, sun-dried tomatoes, olives, shallots, basil, lemon zest and feta: 4

salad with OO and balsamic vinegar

Out trick-or-treating I ate 3 whoppers (just three small pieces that came in one mini thingy) and 1 mini Milky Way bar (not the 'fun' size, but the thumb size, very small square): probably 4 points.

Okay, I went over. I said I wasn't going to but I did... tomorrow is another day. I enjoyed myself, but didn't over-eat. I could have avoided the candy, but whatever...

Now I just have to get all the leftover candy out of my hosue before I eat any of it!!!

Friday

I came in to the office for a 1/2 day after a morning home with Michael. My food today was weird b/c it's the end of the week and we're out of a lot of more normal lunch options. I think I did okay. But then at the office there were remnants of the Halloween party and I had some candy corn... totally unnecessary. It was really good, in a way. But not worth it if I'm really honest with myself. It's just sugar. It's not even sugar. It's corn syrup or some other craziness...

I don't know what I'll do for dinner tonight. I took some chili out of the freezer before I left the house but that seems kind of lame. Today was Doug's last day in Fairfax and he will likely want to celebrate... I'm thinking maybe I should pick up something on my way home. But what? I don't want to break the bank here...

cereal, milk, 1/2 banana: 5

carrots, roasted veggies: 2
cottage cheese w/flax meal: 2
apple w/PB: 3

1/4 c candy corn and 1 mini chocolate covered pretzel: 3

0% Fage yogurt

17 so far...

Thursday

M still has a fever and so will be home again tomorrow.

I am doing much better. Feeling inspired by everyone else's success.

cereal, milk, few bites of fruit: 4.5

leftover green beans in OO, 1 c roasted veggies: 3

Small handful of kix and freeze dried mango (was starving while trying to get M to sleep in the stroller; desperate snack): 1

3 slices ham, salad w/balsamic vinegar: 2
crunchy curls: 2

BIG apple, decaf coffee w/milk: 2

30 min walk with M in stroller.

about 2 eggs+ egg whites, whole milk, feta (scrambled): 5
2 homemade pancakes w/syrup: 5
roasted veggies: 2

This is very frustrating... I really reigned it in today! I was vigilant. I did not eat even one Berger cookie. But then I just threw together "Breakfast" for dinner without really thinking about how many points I would be eating and I ended up with 12!!! Totally unnecessary. I could have eaten fewer eggs. I even thought to myself as I was eating: wow, this is kind of a lot of food... 

Okay, lesson learned. Breakfast for dinner can be pancakes or eggs, but not both.

BERGER COOKIES

For the uninitiated...

Berger Cookie Web site

crazy eating

I bought these killer Berger cookies on Tuesday. Dumb. I have eaten at least 2/day so far... in addition to lots of other insanity that I don't need... of course, I feel sick after these indulgences. But I keep doing it. And, no time to exercise with sick baby...

2.5 homemade whole wheat pancakes w/syrup: 6

3 slices ham, 1 c roasted veggies: 4

2 berger cookies: 5
crunchy curls: 2
yogurt w/wheat germ: 2
cantaloupe: 1

That's 20 points already... and it's only 3 o'clock. I'm really crazy... I need to stop eating.

I have 5 points left for the day. Dinner will be salad and a veggie burger... I will ask Doug to let me get to the gym when he's home...

Stale Candy Corn

I just grabbed a handful of candy corn from a little jar on someone's desk. It was totally stale and gross. Bit into one and spit it out and tossed it all...

I feel saved from unnecessary calories!

Tuesday, back in the office

Doug stayed home with Michael today. I'm in the office.

M spiked a fever of 104.8 last night. Frightening. Still, he had an okay night, woke up twice... and ended up in bed with me. But still, I thought that was find since his fever was down by the morning.

I did pretty well last night. I ate 1 c of turkey chili and some green beans for dinner--probably 5 points. I'm sure I nibbled on other things to get me up to 25 overall but I was very relieved that I didn't totally blow it with the food yesterday, as I feared I would.

Today I have a reasonable lunch packed. Not sure what the dinner plans will be as I expect that the fever will go up right around dinner time.

I just really hope I don't get sick...

Monday, home with sick baby

Home today with M who has a fever... and maybe the flu... challenging when it comes to eating b/c I am full-time baby care which often makes me indulge in cravings. For instance, I want to bake pumpkin bread or brownies or something so there are sweets in the house. I must resist...

3/4 M's waffle with little syrup: 2

oatmeal w/splenda and 15 raisins: 4.5

1 c roasted veggies, turkey sandwich: 6

dried apricots: 2 (dangerous to have them in the house...)

apple w/PB: 3

17.5 already. Yikes... Last night I was so good. Had some grapes for 1 point and ended right on target.

Sunday

breakfast: egg+egg white, bread: 3

morning snack: apple+ cottage cheese: 3

lunch: 2 pc bread, turkey, lite mayo, 3/4 c roasted veggies: 6

afternoon snack: dried apricots and carrots, smear of hummos--maybe 2 tsp: 2

crunchy curls: 2
small glass wine (brought over by my neighbor): 2

small potato, 1 c. turkey chili, green beans sauteed with little OO: 6

24 eaten

This means I'm done eating for the day... Maybe I'll have a little fruit. I did better with the protein today but found that I was still hungry during the day. Poor choice of snack--crunchy curls for 2 points?? dumb... wine for another 2? But, now at the end of the day I feel satisfied so I guess all's well that ends well.

Saturday

cereal, milk... some of Michael's waffle: 5
1/2 apple: .5
leftover crackers and dried fruit from M's snack (clearly was not prepared for 2 hour wait for H1N1 shot): 3
2 pieces leftover Greek pizza: 6
leftover stirfry veggies: 1.5

Walked 3 miles with stroller. Stood in line/chased Michael around for 2 hours.

cottage cheese: 2

soup with chicken (1/2 c) and noodles (1 c): 6
salad w/OO and vinegar (1)
skinny cow (2)

27 eaten. Should have skipped skinny cow.

Frustrated

I haven't eaten that much today and I feel like my points are all but nearly gone!! I guess that's not really true. I have 7.5 points remaining. That's fine. That's plenty. Why do I feel like I'm deprived??

Friday

cereal, milk, 1/2 banana, raisins (I didn't count, but probably 1/4 c, or less): 5

30 min elliptical machine

oatmeal, milk, brown sugar: 4.5

1.5 c crispy curls (those lentil curls from TJ) 3??

stir fry veggies: 2
yogurt: 2
apple: 1

17.5

Back to 162.5

Amazingly, I am back to 162.5 after a week of staying on target for points, and exercising 4 times.

I haven't been able to exercise in the last two days. The stress of the day care hunt is all-consuming. And this morning I just didn't have it in me to get to the gym. I will tomorrow. I feel that my body wants to move and I miss the benefits of exercise. But I'm also really struggling with my own internal panic...

cereal, milk, 1/2 banana, 2 2-bite brownies: 9

oatmeal, milk, 1 tsp brown sugar: 4.5

sm can tuna, 2 wasa, cut veggies: 3 (boring lunch but I have no brain for food prep right now)

apple: 1
17.5 so far

Plan for dinner is stir fry veggies, veggie burger w/whole wheat eng muffin. Maybe a sweet potato...

Does heartache burn calories?

We picked a day care today for Michael. We got a good vibe from the place, though it is no ECCC. Michael starts there November 2nd. I am a wreck. Crying, heart-aching. I need to pull myself together before his last day so that I don't totally fall apart. He doesn't need to know that I'm upset about this... he was very happy playing in the new room today. Still... I am dreading leaving our teachers.


I feel myself wanting to eat my way through this... I went to Whole Foods to buy more groceries (since we already ate all the fruit in the house) and came home with their 2-bite brownies.... I wanted to buy more but I restrained myself... so, I went over--of course--with the brownies. I don't even care. I mean, I do... but I'm just dealing with this crappy adjustment to this change. Not well. And I feel like eating brownies.

eggs+egg whites, toast, melon: 4
apple: 1

2 pc multigrain bread, mayo, turkey, lettuce, melon: 6

yogurt+honey: 3

salmon, green beans, curried sweet potato, 1/2 c: 7

4 mini-brownies from Whole Foods: 8

Tuesday

multigrain bread (what is up with this, Indya? Am I not supposed to eat this anymore??), 1 egg+egg whites: 3
bites of Michael's leftover banana: .5

No exercise this morning. M woke up at 4 a.m. and cried for 30 minutes... which left me totally zonked. Plus, I blew dry my hair yesterday and it looked too nice to get it all sweaty and messed up. So, skipped. Will plan to workout tomorrow... though, we are taking the day off to tour more day care centers... not sure how this will work...

oatmeal, skim milk, 1 tsp br. sugar: 4.5

turkey, wasa, roasted veggies (1/2 c), raw veggies: 5

apple: 1
1 chips a'hoy cookie: 2?? I have no idea how many points, maybe only 1. It was small. I must be hungry for a snack...

cottage cheese: 2

Dinner tonight will be salmon and steamed veggies with sweet potato: 7

Brings me to 21 points without any dressings, etc. I'm sure I'll eat some fruit tonight...

Monday... starting the week off right!

Michael woke up at 5 a.m. this morning. We let him cry until 5:10 but then got him out of his crib. Tomorrow we'll try to push him to 5:20. Even though I went to bed at 8 and read until 9, I still probably didn't fall asleep until at least 9:30, which means I got 7.5 hours of sleep. I prefer to get 8...

So, I got up, had breakfast, and got the boys out the door... then posted quickly that I didn't want to exercise, but that I would. I guess I needed that accountability. I did just 30 min on the elliptical trainer, but that is good enough for me, for now. That's four days of exercise since Wednesday. My body is feeling better with adding back in the exercise.

cereal, mango, milk: 4.5

Walked up 8 flights of stairs, once.

turkey, wasa, apple, yogurt: 6
caffeine free diet coke...

2 mini-famous amos cookies (yum): 3

13.5 so far... I haven't eaten enough. But I didn't have time to eat today. I'm stressed about day care and was in meetings.... I'm really starving right now.

1 c white rice (we were out of brown), 1 c turkey chili w/lots of beans: 8
cantaloupe: 1
skinny cow: 2

24.5 eaten. Woo Hoo! Day two of staying on track!

Lazy on monday

I don't want to exercise... But I'm going to do it anyway... I just
haven't gotten my butt off the couch yet. M woke up at 5 am, and
though I went to bed at 9, that still is only 7 hrs of sleep. I need
8! Groan... Okay, going to get in gear now.

--
Sent from my mobile device

challah with pumpkin butter, 1 egg+egg whites: 6

1/4 bagel w/smear of cream cheese, grapes, tea with honey (snack at interfaith families project gathering): 3

1 piece leftover homemade pizza from yesterday, cottage cheese, apple: 6

LEVEL I Shred (yay!) while Michael ate lunch in high chair. He was fascinated by me and the DVD and ate all of his lunch.

Vigorous and very hilly walk pushing stroller--probably 2.5 miles roundtrip with stops to visit a friend and for M to get out and walk at toddler pace (for 1/4 mile or less).

10 chocolate covered pretzels from Whole Foods: 4?? These are my weakness. I love them... I went to WF for cheese to make more pizza (yes, I"m in a food rut, but now out of homemade pizza dough...) and I was starving and bought them. I probably could have just gotten a bottle of water and been fine, but I didn't. ARGH.

1 c and some noodles chicken soup, roasted veggie (3/4 c), 1 slice homemade pizza with very little cheese: 5
cantaloupe: 1

Total: 25

I'm astonished. I just added this up all now. I didn't go over. I can't believe it. Am I forgetting something??? I'm going to drink a big glass of water and then go to bed so as to not eat anything else and wreck my day!!

Saturday... not great

cereal, milk, 1.5 tbsp raisins: 5
pineapple: 1

1/2 cereal bar: 1.5

homemade chicken soup with noodles: 3, 1 slice homemade pizza (mostly veggies, thin crust): 3

salmon (4), new potatoes (4), salad w/dressing (1), cheese (2), pita chips (1): 12
1 glass wine (3?)
1/2 c ice cream (4)
1 piece almond bark --not worth it... (3?)

34 points eaten. No exercise.... This is an annoying splurge day. I don't feel like I actually splurged, though I did have 7 points of "dessert". We went to dinner at our friends' house. We had a really fun time but I didn't feel like the food was all that. It was yummy, and actually relatively healthy. I enjoyed my glass of wine. The dessert wasn't worth it... but whatever. Live and learn.

I will exercise tomorrow.

Now, I'm going to bed.

Day 3

Apple & PB: 3
challah and pumpkin butter (smaller piece than yesterday): 3

cottage cheese: 2

2 pc multigrain bread, mayo, turkey: 5
few multigrain pita chips: 1

bowl of roasted veggies: 3

nearly 5 and haven't done JM... rats. Doug and Michael are on the way home now...means I'll probably skip today...

17 eaten

Day 2 of exercise/counting

So, a few victories from yesterday: I did not have seconds for dessert, even though I wanted them. Instead I brushed my teeth and read a magazine in bed. I am pretty sure I also ate within my points yesterday.

Today...

1 piece challah with pumpkin butter: 4

LEVEL I Shred (Thanks, Indya!!)

Butternut Squash soup: 2

2 pc bread, mayo, turkey: 5
apple: 1

1/2 c br. rice, 1 c TJ Korma w/chicken and veggies: 7
1/2 caramel apple: 2
pineapple: 1

20 eaten so far. I wasn't very hungry today... probably because of this rotten cold. I will likely eat something else before the end of the night. I bought veggies for roasting tomorrow. I'm planning to work from home since I feel so lousy. Will be nice to have those made by the afternoon.

I almost forgot!

I did the Shred: level 1.
It was hard, but felt really good. Down side: I think I'm sore already!!!

Intake for Wednesday

3/4 home made pancake with syrup: 3

leftover wheat berry salad... a little over 1 cup: 5

busy working on the costume and didn't remember to eat!! Now, starved. Must consider options...

2 pieces of multigrain bread, lite mayo, mustard, turkey, 1 c fruit salad, multigrain pita chips: 8

1/2 c brown rice (2), 1 c chicken, sweet potato, reg potato, onion, carrot simmer sauce from TJ (4): 6

22 eaten...

planning to finish off the mint chip tonight. probably only 2 pts worth in the carton...

+ .5

I'm not going in the right direction here. Granted, I have not been on track with food or exercise. We have a lot going on in our lives right now and I find that when things get crazy I feel entitled to eat. Last night it was the lite mint chocolate chip ice cream I bought for dessert on Saturday night. But I also ate 3 pieces of maple candy... and readers already know that I didn't think the 1st piece was worth it! Foolish.

I'm now 2 pounds over my lowest recorded weight here. I'm frustrated. I need to get back on track, clearly. Today is my work-from-home day but I'm not prepared with anything to cook for the week... I might just run out to the store to pick up some veggies for roasting or something. I also need to exercise. I should do that in the a.m. before the day gets away from me.

At least I'm back to sleeping through the night. Although, we're only on night 2.

Meanwhile, I now have Michael's cold. Sore throat, congested.

And, I had a horrible dream last night that my mom died. I was frantic.

Up in the air

Things are still up in the air with us vis-a-vis childcare for Michael with Doug's new job. We saw 2 centers today. Neither hold a candle to our current place. I want to cry. But, I think the care will be good at the 2nd place. We will have to move him at age 3, if not before, because they only go up to that age... small center. I'm trying not to be depressed.

Meanwhile, on the food front, I have no idea what's going on.

cereal, milk, 1/2 banana: 5

cottage cheese: 2

dried mango, choc covered pretzels (stopped at whole foods for D to get lunch... ) 3

1/2 banana: 2
4 thin slices of turkey: 2
2 wasa, salad: 2
1 maple candy (not worth it!!!!!): 1

15 eaten

dinner tonight will be butternut squash soup, salad, giant beans, and veggie burgers. Totally do-able to stay within points.

Exercise was walking to and from the day care center and visitor parking--probably 1 mile total. But at least I moved my body. I'm really starting to feel the lack of exercise, and it doesn't feel good.

On a positive note, Michael slept THROUGH THE NIGHT for the first time in probably a month. And, at bed time he only cried for 30 minutes. Victory. But, his voice is totally hoarse from all the crying on Sunday night. Poor little guy!!!

Long weekend

We are still living the nightmare of non-sleeping toddler. Finally
tonight D agreed to let him cry it out. It's been a little over 40 min
now... Still going. I'm in the bedroom with all the lights out and
wearing earplugs. This sucks.

Foodwise I did okay this weekend. Yesterday we went to the building
museum and then came home and made whole wheat pizzas from TJ, a big
salad, and Greek giant beans with tomatoes and onions. Dessert was
lite mint choc chip. I started with less than 1/2 c but then went back
for seconds and ate more than 1/2 c. Lunch was wheatberries, yogurt,
and fruit. Egg and toast for breakfast. I didn't count it up.

Today had cereal and 1/2 banana. Then 1/4 c of trail mix @ friend's
house. At home I had a big salad, no dressing, some beans, and a
turkey on multigrain. Then ate a piece of graham cracker for something
sweet. We went to pick apples in the afternoon. Ate two apples while
there and two bites of D's cliff bar on the way home. Dinner was left
over pizza--two pieces of spinach/feta, one of veggie/mozzarella.
Dessert was 1/2 a caramel apple.

I haven't exercised at all. I would like to do something tomorrow but
I'm not going to make myself crazy if I don't. I want to go clothes
shopping (looking for some stuff on sale at lord+taylor or banana
where I have a coupon). Then we are seeing friends in the afternoon.

I am glad that although I made pie crusts for the apples we got today,
I did not bake pie. I'll freeze them for thanksgiving... Much better
than eating them now.

M is still screaming. Man, this bites. I hope D stays strong in the
livingroom...

--
Sent from my mobile device

Friday

cereal/berries/milk: 3.5

skipped morning snack since I was touring a day care

1/2 c brown rice, 1 c chicken stir fry with lots of veggies: 6

apple, yogurt, small piece of home made banana bread, 10 peanut m'n'ms (why??): 8

(I'm estimating the points on the bread/chocolate... I went for a little 10 min break with some friends at work and ended up blowing like 5 points... maybe it was only 4 points... whatever. I'm annoyed)

17.5 eaten

This leaves me with 7.5 for dinner. That should be fine, but I was planning to have more stirfry... means less rice if I want anything else to eat tonight.

Thursday

1 c fiber one, 1 c skim milk, raspberries: 3.5

1/2 c wheatberries with drop of maple syrup: 2

Steamed zucchini, sugar snap peas, 1/2 a sweet potato, Fage 0% yogurt, 2.5 pieces of home made whole wheat bread and a few spoonfuls of hummos, 1/4 c rice dish: 8

1 slice carmel apple cake: 4

rice & chicken stirfry: 7

skinny cow: 2

Went over by 1 pt

164: not terrible

I stepped on the scale this morning not sure of what I might see. 164 didn't seem too bad considering how out of control I felt in Chicago. Truth be told, I did not stuff myself. But I ate more food (and more high cal food) than I usually do.

I felt very in control yesterday, despite no food in the fridge when I got home and no exercise clothes at work. I went to TJ after work (while a little hungry) but didn't buy any crap and didn't open anything to snack on the way home.

Michael slept slightly better last night. He went down without nursing, but in our bed with me lying next to him, around 8:30 and slept until 2:30. Then he nursed in bed with us again. I tried to take him back to his crib but he woke up and said "no". So, being the pushover that I am and not feeling ready to deal with crying, I brought him back to bed where we all slept until 5:45. Though this certainly is not perfect, it is an improvement!

This morning instead of exercise I cleaned up in anticipation of the cleaning lady (you know how that is... lots of stuff to put away).

Dinner tonight is chicken stir fry with snap peas, mushrooms, red peppers and bamboo shoots. YUM. I wish I had taken the time to cut up the chicken before I left for work... oh well.

Wednesday food intake

breakfast: cereal w/skim milk, cantaloupe: 5

snack: oatmeal exploded in microwave: 3

20 minute speed walk around the block

lunch: carrots, tiny tuna tin, 2 wasa, apple: 4

snack: yogurt: 2

Pre-dinner snack: whole wheat pita chips: 2
Dinner: chili and brown rice: 7
Skinny Cow: 2

That's 25 points. I was really hungry when I got home so ate the pita chips. They had 3/4 c. white rice (they were out of frozen brown rice at TJ and I didn't have time to actually cook rice). I kind of wish I had room for a piece of fruit, but I'm fine. Not hungry. I got some exercise today, though definitely not enough.

Depending on what happens tonight I will try to do the Shred tomorrow--20 minutes is a good goal for this first week back.

How to bounce back

I feel like everyone else is doing so well at staying focused in control. I have been traveling and up in the middle of the night and not focused at all.

We're home now with no travel in sight between now and Thanksgiving. Still, I feel like my world has been turned upside down and shaken a little. I need to get back on track and I'm not sure exactly how to do this.

I took Indya's advice and made oatmeal with 1/2 water yesterday morning. I really do prefer it with milk, but I'm moving in the right direction. I can shave off a point that way. Eating at home isn't really an issue. There's no fudge, pumpkin pie, double-chocolate cake, pizza, etc. I was tempted with all those things and more while away. Last night my dinner was two scoops of frozen yogurt at the airport in Chicago. It was good. :)

I also need help on the exercise front. I am back to square one. I have not been exercising regularly for what feels like a month. Probably it hasn't been a month (yet) but at least 2-3 weeks.

I'm using exhaustion as my excuse. My foot injury didn't help either. The fact of the matter is that I am tired. And my foot still hurts, more of an ache than pain. But, I need to "get back in the game". I'm a little paranoid that my clothes are tight already. I'm not sure that's true. But, I am afraid to get on the scale.

How is it that I could be doing so well for so long and then have this dramatic stall-out? I guess that's what happens when life doesn't cooperate with your fitness and diet control goals.

I'd welcome suggestions or commiserations...

Sheesh!

Many challenges this trip away. Honey roasted peanuts and cheese and
crackers before dinner. Oye. Ate some. More than necessary but with
the hour change dinner was a lot later than I'm accustomed. Meanwhile,
dinner was pizza and salad already drenched with dressing. Ate two
small pieces and some salad. Two glasses of white wine. Skipped
dessert which was cherry pie.

Today, breakfast appeared to be muffins. Ugh. I ate 1/2 a zucchini
muffin and an apple. Then realized oatmeal was an option and had with
2% milk--only option. Later had 1 pc veggie pizza. Lunch was weird---
can't even get into details why but I had 1 c or less of baked zitti.
No idea what was in it. Declined multiple offers of bread. Drank
water.

Victory was later in the day at pumpkin patch when my diabetic aunt
bought 1/2 lb fudge and offered me some, plus offers from staff of
apple cinamon donut samples. Said aunt had 3.

Dinner was small piece of salmon, green beans, sweet corn and 2
smallish pieces of foccacia. Could have skipped bread but didn't. Now
being offered pumpkin pie. I'll likely have a small piece and then go
to bed. I'm exhausted. M was up 3 times last night.

No exercise today. Except short walk to the park and 2nd short walk
around my aunt's house.

--
Sent from my mobile device

Not starting off well

No chance to exercise this morning. I really have falled off the
wagon. Eating was ok but not great. Packed cottage cheese to eat at
airport but then got potbelly sandwich as well--whole wheat, skinny
(which means 1/3 less bread), turkey, no cheese. No chips (doug had
some) and water. Snacking on toddler muffins I made for M, just not
conscious enough of the bites and how they add up.

M was also up from 1:30 to 3 last night. But, I packed workout stuff
for the trip. My goal is to get in at least one long walk every day. I
will reassess the exercise situation at home when we get back. I went
from 5 or 4 times a week to 2. That won't work.

Btw, dulles is as quiet as a library. It's a little eerie!

--
Sent from my mobile device

Driven to eat... nearly

We have been trying to get M to sleep for over an hour--close to an hour and a half. Nada. Doug finally took him in the bedroom to lie down with him. I have no idea what's going on but I'm done. I can't take this. I'm so spent. When I first sat down to the computer I was plotting in my mind what things I could eat. Now I'm feeling mildly calmer and less likely to binge. We are so sleep deprived lately. I don't know what happened to our boy who would plop himself down--wide-awake--to go to sleep each night. What has replaced him is something like a newborn in size 18 month clothes.

Enough!!!! Oy. Thank god there are two parents in this house.

Day 2 of accounting

No exercise today. Well, I walked up 8 flights of stairs once. M was up at 4 a.m. again... too hard to get up to exercise on days like that. Hopefully I'll get in a walk this afternoon (leaving early to relieve Doug who is home with M).

cereal, milk, nectarine: 5
0% fage yogurt: 2
2 pc multigrain bread w/lite mayo+ turkey: 5
pear: 1
salad w/dried cherries and garbanzo beans: 1
2 mini famous amos cookies (they were in the OD suite and I walked by them a few times before I finally indulged. The bad part is that after 2, I wanted more...): 2

1/2 c brown rice, 1 c chili: 6

challah with pear butter, 3 small pieces... I'm sure with this I went over my points for the day... rats.

Accountability

I need to start writing down every bite... I don't trust myself to stay on track without that.

breakfast
2 small pieces of challah with peanut butter and pear butter: 6
coffee with whole milk

snack: banana: 2

lunch: 2 pc multigrain bread, lite mayo, mustard, roasted turkey breast, lettuce, 1/2 c veggie chips: 7

skinny cow: 2
2/3 of a yogurt w/wheat germ: 2

37 minutes on elliptical, level 9 random hills. Badge of sweat feels good. Now stretching....

1/2 c rice, 1 c turkey chili w/extra beans: 7

Now, I think maybe I'm over counting the chili. It's got 3 cans of beans, 2 lbs of ground turkey, 2 28-ounce cans of tomatoes, 2 tbsp of oil, a red pepper and three onions (and spices and stuff...). I counted it as 5 above but maybe it's only 4 for 1/2 a cup??

Anyway, I ate 1/2 of a pear and some of michael's bunny crackers... I'm still hungry at 8:15 but maybe I'm really just thirsty? I'm wishing I hadn't eaten 3 points worth of those veggie chips right now... I'm over for the day by 2. And probably I only did enough exercise to earn 3 points... not quite sure. I have to recheck that...

I'm going to try to just drink water and go to bed. I can eat again tomorrow.

+1

I was up 1 pound today. But, considering my ridiculous weekend of eating and my general lack of exercise in the last two weeks I am happy it wasn't more of a gain. We're really regressing on the sleep in this neck of the woods. Last night up at 1:00 and not back to sleep until 2:30... in our bed. And woke at 5:30 to nurse. By the time we all got up at 6:30 to get ready to leave the house I was a wreck. Since I'm working from home today I went back to bed at 7 when the boys left and slept until 9:15. We're all fighting a cold, too. What a combo....

I'll exercise today, though not sure yet what I'll do. Probably walk outside since it's so nice here.

Back on track

We're home from the long weekend at my parents'. I can't even recount the endless wrong choices or lack of exercise. But, I'm mostly back on track today. I packed a great lunch of a big salad and sliced roasted turkey with wasa. I had my usual breakfast. But, Michael woke up at 4:30 screaming and came into bed with us which means not really sleeping until 6:30 when we finally got up. Then, the boys lollygaged around and didn't leave until 7:30 which meant no exercise for me. But, with my car in the body shop I was on metro today and walked (briskly) to the metro, 1.6 miles. Better than nothing.

With the crazy sleep schedule of our changing boy I have no idea when I can get in regular exercise. Tomorrow, of course, since I'll be working from home. But the other days are a crap shoot. I'm frustrated by this but I also know that it's temporary. I've reached a nice resting point. I'm not unhappy being mildly derailed here. I'm in my old clothes. I'm getting loads of compliments (a coworker nabbed me in the hall today to say I looked "hot". I was bowled over!! But happy.).

I'm planning to make chili tomorrow which will carry us through to the end of the week (we're eating leftover chicken enchilades until then). The enchilades are a bad choice but I have been eating just one (very small portion) with a big salad to make up the rest of the meal.

Saturday morning we leave for Chicago for 4 days. Not sure what to expect there... will be hard to exercise since I'm not going to take the jogger, but the umbrella stroller... still, I will walk every day at a minimum.

Weekend away

We're at my parents' house this weekend. Temptation city. With all the
other eating I've done this week and the lack of exercise I'm in
serious danger!!!

--
Sent from my mobile device

Tackling TJ Before Lunch

I ran some errands at work today. Tried to buy fabric and a pattern for M's Halloween costume (no lucky). I also went to TJ to get some shelf stable staples that we like from there. This was all before lunch. So, 1/2 way through my TJ shopping I start thinking that maybe I'll open up a bag of something in the car (they were out of the lentil curly crisp things, drat). I was also eying stuff there that I never buy... it was the pre-lunch munchies trying to take over.

BUT, I didn't buy extra (well, maybe one or two things). More importantly, I didn't open anything in the car. I came back to my desk and ate the lunch I brought in: chicken enchillades and roasted veggies (made both yesterday). They didn't exactly go together, but that didn't matter. I don't think I'll make the enchillades again. They didn't turn out quite right... not sure why.

At any rate, I'm pleased with myself for getting through the afternoon without a snack attack!

Unbelievable: 162.5

So, I was going to blog today with the title regret to tell you about the oatmeal raisin cookies that I ate last night: 6 of them, at least. This was at the parent-teacher pot-luck at Michael's day care. I brought a big salad. I ate mostly salad. and some popcorn shrimp. Yes, I felt VERY sick on the drive home. So, regret.

Then, this morning I stepped on the scale. It's the 1st day of my period. I was expecting a gain. Instead? Down 2 pounds. That's CRAZY. I'm convinced it's a combination of the stomach bug I had last week and my lack of weights workouts in the last week. I've lost muscle mass....

I don't want to let this loss go to my head. I still have to be focused. Today I've got to get in some good exercise to make up for missing Monday-Wednesday.

Back to counting

I took a little hiaitus from counting... more than just Saturday... I was "off" on Sunday and Monday too. Not terrible, but probably going over by 5-7 points. Time to nip that in the bud. Today I'm back to writing down every bite.

I avoided a ridiculously large bowl of Halloween candy that was placed IN FRONT OF ME at a meeting today. I pointed out my 'back to normal' body and said 'don't sabotage me!' (It was a meeting with people I knew very well).

I also avoided eating the last of my dessert leftovers that for some reason were still lingering up there this morning. Another hurray. And, I didn't eat Michael's full-fat milk oatmeal that he barely touched. Victory. Still, there was no time for exercise today. I have no clue how I"ll fit it in tomorrow either. The fact of the matter is that I'm not willing to wake up any earlier and I do'nt want to exercise after M goes to sleep. There it is folks. My schedule should be

cereal, peach, milk :4.5
red snapper/tomato/olive leftovers (last of it!): 4
green beans w/pine nuts: 1
small peach/apple: 1.5
1 piece challah: 3 (no idea... that's just my guess)
bites of melon upon arriving home (.5)
1/2 large chicken breast (2.5)
small piece carrot souffle (4)
matzo ball soup (1 ball) 3
green beans: 1

That's 25 points! I'm done for the day...

measurements

New measurements taken September 21st

Waist 30
Hips 40
Upper thigh 23
Upper arm 11
Bust 36

Down 3 in the waist, 3 in the hips and .5 in the arms. Amazing. I wonder if there's a measurement error in the hips... I thought things were feeling looser!

measurements

New measurements taken September 21st

Waist 30
Hips 40
Upper thigh 23
Upper arm 11
Bust 36

Down 3 in the waist, 3 in the hips and .5 in the arms. Amazing. I wonder if there's a measurement error in the hips... I thought things were feeling looser!

Avoiding Apple Pie

Well, it's been a long few days since my last post. After I finally went to sleep, sometime after 11, Michael woke up. At 12. At 1. And at 4. Each time he screamed bloody murder. He's teething. And he had a fever. We kept him home today. He seems better now, but still not totally himself. As a result, the rest of the weekend and today were a blur. I did manage to get out of the house for a quick run to the gym on Sunday. I was very proud of myself for doing this, in the midst of sick-child care. I did a hard 30 minutes on the elliptical using the random hills setting at level 9. Then I stretched and did some weights, upper body only as my foot is still not 100%.

I really don't know what I ate yesterday. Leftovers for dinner but not much the rest of the day so hopefully it all evened out. I did eat 1/2 a chocolate cookie left from the night before. And a mini-brownie. Damn they were good.

This morning I brought the rest of the baked goods (except the apple pie) to work. Good me. Of course then I ate 1.5 brownie bites with my coffee before depositing them at the OD front office. Finally out of my reach!!

Still, I was so busy at work that I didn't have time to eat. I left the house with only a banana... I'm not counting up for the day because I'm feeling lazy. But, it cant' have been that bad. I didn't eat my usual 4.5 point breakfast. Well, whatever.

I came home at 1 to relieve Doug who had to drive out to his office in FFX for a meeting. I took M for a long walk to the park and back. That's my exercise for today. Tomorrow I'm going to have to do stairs b/c there will be no time. I have an early interview and then back to back meetings all day. Craziness!! I'm interviewing candidates for my intern slot. 9 people in 3 days. Oy. We saw two of them today. One was EXTREMELY tall. The other was on the phone so I have no idea if she was tall or not. She sounded to be of normal height.

I'm feeling pretty happy with where I am right now... my clothes fit. A few things are still a little more snug than I would like. My body is definitely different: I fill out my jeans differently. But I'm okay with that. I'm going to take the long-view to make it to 155 with Thanksgiving being my new goal timeframe. This week is going to be hard to get in exercise and I don't want to beat myself up if I can't make it work. With M getting up at night with a sore mouth it's hard to bounce out of bed and to the gym!

Tomorrow all the holiday food will be eaten. That kugel... man. So good. I'm taking the last of it to my coworker tomorrow.

Oh, did my measurements this morning. I'll upload them later.

New Year's Dinner

We hosted some friends for Rosh Hashana tonight. I did all the
cooking. The meal was amazing, if I don't say so myself... Here's the
menu:

Apples, pomegranet seeds and honey
Home made challah
Matzo ball soup
Spicey sauteed red snapper with cherry tomatoes and kalamata olives
(very easy and totally delicious!)
Noodle kugel
Carrot souffle (recipe from Emeril-- amazing. Pecan strusle topping)
Warm green beans with basil and pine nuts

Dessert was brought by our guests: apple pie, mini- brownies and chewy
chocolate cookies from whole foods that were incredible. I had 1/2 of
one and found that it was too much! So delicious. We also had fruit
salad.

I had a little of everything but didn't feel that I overate. Of
course, the kugel and carrot souffle were packed with high cal/fat
ingredients. But man were they good. And I had small portions.

I also nearly didn't eat today. I had that stomach bug that really
didn't clear up until this morning. I finally felt better today.
Still, the only other food I had was 1 whole wheat eng muffin w/pb and
pear butter, 1 small cottage cheese. 1 peach, 2 thin pieces of
prociutto.

I haven't really exercised since Wednesday. I haven't felt up to it.
I'm better now and will do something tomorrow. But, my foot still
hurts!!! I'm so aggrevated!

With all the excitement from dinner I can't sleep. We saw some old
friends and new friends. There were two 16 month olds, one 2.5 year
old, and a 5 month old. It was wild but a lot of fun.

--
Sent from my mobile device

164.5

Weighed in yesterday and was down 2 pounds. I've been more slack about recording my losses (well, I was on a plateau for about a month) so I thought it was important to make a note of this success.

Meanwhile, I have a bug. I'm dizzy and queasy and lightheaded. No, I'm not pregnant. I don't know what happened. It started with those pretzels yesterday... and now it comes and goes in waves. I just ate 3/4 of a bagel since that was the only thing that appeals to me... not sure how I'm going to eat the rest of the day. Actually... I might go in search of soup. That seems the most practical solution.

I wish I could go home but I have a lot of work to do!

Sneaking in exercise

I didn't have much time this morning. The boys didn't leave until after 7. I had to eat some breakfast. So it was 7:20 by the time I got down to the gym. I did 20 minutes of random hills on the elliptical machine and did some quick stretching before jumping in the shower. Better than nothing...

Weekend catch-up

I had a very nice weekend--cooked a lot of amazing food for a dinner party Saturday night. I really cut back on what I ate during the day so that I had plenty of points left over by dinner time. I also went on a 2 mile walk. Menu will be listed below...

Saturday morning I did 40 minutes of cardio and then 40 minutes of weights--upper body and core (at the gym with Naomi). My gym guest membership expired this week so no more jaunts with Amy or Naomi on Sunday mornings. This makes me very sad... I might consider buying day passes every once in a while. I'm sore today from the workout. But, my foot still hurts. I've decided that I need to focus on upper body and no-impact cardio for another week until I'm better. Even Jackie upper body and core are straining my foot with the cardio portions. I can't risk a more permanent injury. I'm also buying new athletic shoes. Hopefully this will all work and I'll be feeling better soon.

Sunday afternoon Doug and Michael and I went for a walk to Thomas Sweet so Doug could get an egg cream. I had water. Instead of walking uphill to get home we got on the bus. Michael LOVED it. First bus ride for him. It was very exciting.

I managed my eating quite well yesterday, though I didn't write down what I ate I calculated in my head.

I'm wearing a pencil skirt today that I think looks pretty good. It's only 10 a.m. and I've already received four or five compliments on my outfit!!

Okay, menu for Saturday:

fresh figs with gorgonzola and balsamic vinegar
proscutio wrapped melon
savory parmesan and thyme cookies

plated salads with greens, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, carmelized shallots and oil and vinegar
olive, sun-dried tomato, basil, feta, shrimp pasta--delish
fresh baguette

coffee and apple crisp for dessert

very delicious!!

Muffin top

I'm wearing some Tahari jeans today that I bought when I was about 10 pounds lighter. I wore them the night of our rehearsal dinner--5 years ago. They fit okay, a little snug. But yes, they give me a muffin top. At first I didn't really notice it. But as the day has worn on, it's become progressively worse in appearance and physiological impact!! Still, a good measure of my success thus far.

I was 166.5 on the scale yesterday morning. Going in the right direction.

I've slacked off on exercising for the past two days. Michael has been waking up screaming at 5 a.m. and I'm swamped at work. Yesterday working from home I made chicken soup for Rosh Hashanah dinner, did all the laundry, had a friend over for lunch, AND worked a full day. I was too beat to exercise. This morning I did more soup prep--skimming off all the fat and freezing it in ziploc bags, and cleaned the kitchen. That instead of JW...

My eating has strayed a bit too... last night a handful of chocolate chips and some pretzels and bites of Michael's leftover macaroni and cheese (what is wrong with that child!!). Today I've done fine so far but I've eaten 17 points already and I was planning to make salmon for dinner. I think instead I'll do veggie burgers. Not sure where I went over... banana at breakfast and pesto bean salad at lunch--those were the culprits. Not bad for me, just higher in points than my usual fare.

I feel like I've reached a milestone of not having to write down every single bite that goes into my mouth...

Sugar-Fat-Salt Devil

Feeling tempted by the newly refilled vat of peanut butter cups at the cube outside my office....

Plateau

So, I've realized that I've hit a plateau at 167. I also realize that I set a psychological barrier at this weight (my pre-pregnancy weight). I am being patient and keeping up with my good habits.

Yesterday I did 35 minutes of the elliptical machine. I hurt my foot last week doing Jackie and have been nursing it along since then...

Today I did JW upper body and 10 minutes of core (through the mountain climbers/twist).

I ate within my points yesterday. I've noticed that it's easy to low-ball my eating through the day but then I always manage to make up for it at dinner...

It's busy at work these days, which is a good distraction. The down side is that I feel guilty about getting in later on days that I workout.

Labor Day Weekend ReCap

I saved my splurge for today and boy was it worth it--pancakes in the morning with the boys (homemade with 1/2 whole wheat flour, flax meal for 1/3 of the oil, and wheat germ). I ate 2.5 small ones with some sryup (I skipped bread with my egg+egg whites so I could allow myself a piece of pie later). Lunch was left over salmon and a sweet potato. Dinner was broiled chicken (thai marinade. yum), corn on the cob and a huge salad. I ate 1 piece of amazing bread with butter. Then, I had one regular sized piece of homemade peach pie (made by me). And, a few slices of watermelon. I didn't count it up, but I think it was an okay splurge. Not too crazy.

I didn't get to exercise today, though. I walked with M to the park and back, and we ran around a lot, but that doesn't really count.

Yesterday I did 40 min cardio and lunges, squats, shoulders, chest, and arms. Eating yesterday was on-point. I also didn't count actively but felt like I was keeping track a-okay. We went out to dinner with friends. I hadn't eaten very much during the day (just busy!) and so I was STARVING by the time dinner rolled around. I nibbled at M's grilled cheese, which he didn't touch. I also had 1/2 a roll. But, since I hadn't eaten that much all day, I thought it was fine. I had a FABULOUS pasta dish with shrimp, whole cherry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, and asparagus. I ate all the tomatoes, asparagus and shrimp and left most of the pasta. I was very proud of that.

Saturday is a blur at this point. We had swimming lessons, went to see friends and their new baby. The eating was fine. I had a long walk in the stroller with M.

All-in-all it was a nice weekend. Not as much exercise. But honestly, I'm getting a little burned out with the exercise. I needed a break.

I weighed myself on Sunday morning and I was back to 167. Not lower... but that's okay. This is my first plateau since I started 12 pounds ago. It'll be okay. I'll get to where I'm going.

End of the week

Did upper body with Jackie. Started lower and had to stop. I'm really fatigued from Wednesday and it was just too much for me. Not sure how I feel about that... I couldn't wait to recover a little and then continue. I needed to get to the office.

Relatively good day. Ate some left over cake that for some reason was really good. But just a few bites.

I'm feeling beat. My foot is still a little sore from Wednesday. I think I'll go to bed early.

cereal, berries, milk: 4.5
oatmeal, milk: 4
Moroccan chicken with lentils: 5
carrot sticks: 0
leftover cake... it was really good: 3
2 veggie burgers, 1 c wheatberry salad: 6
yogurt+ cereal: 3

Jackie makes me dizzy

Finished upper body feeling strong. Then, 1/2 way into Augustina's box
squat: dizzy, totally fatigued. My leg muscles are still sore from
Wednesday's workout. What to do? Quit and do it tomorrow? I'm pacing
the livingroom trying to bring down my heart rate.

I think that's it for me for the day. Maybe a walk later.

--
Sent from my mobile device

If it's not burning...

I worked much harder on the JW workout yesterday. I really focused on the muscles I was using and pushed myself. Today, I feel a difference. Especially in my hip flexors and my butt. This is good!!

Got more compliments today from a fellow successful Weight Watcher. She asked me how much I had lost. I said about 15 pounds, though I haven't weighed myself lately. I also reported this loss to another friend I haven't seen in a while. She was duly impressed. Nice to get feedback.

I didn't exercise yet today. I'm planning to go for a walk after work, or maybe do a quick Jackie if I get home before the boys (likely since I have to take the car to be assessed at 4:30).

Okay, so I got home early but didn't exercise... I sat on the couch, watched TV, ate a snack, and vegged out. It felt good. I'll do JW tomorrow. But... I also ate all my points, burned up a lot with my snack. But, I was hungry!! I'm eating yummy things that are a bit higher in calories... and therefore I can have less of them. Which makes me a little sad...

cereal, fruit, milk: 4.5
oatmeal, milk: 4
mex lasagna, veggies: 4
yogurt, peach: 3
watermelon, pretzels: 3
gazpacho: 0
wheatberry salad: 2
lentils & chicken: 5
1/2 peach

25

1/2 burpee

Worked from home today. Got a ton done, work and home stuff. Weather was beautiful but I didn't have time to get outside.

I made a bunch of good things to eat, wheatberry salad and moroccan chicken. I reorganized my closet a little... feeling accomplished. I also did 2 Jackies--lower body and core (2nd day in a row for core). I found that it was actually easier on the 2nd day. Still, the burpee. The HALF burpee. What is up with that? Though... I think the up-down thing with plank is maybe worse...

My ankle is a little sore at the end of the day. My back too. Jackie, I'm trying to do everything with perfect form! Why am I getting hurt, Jackie??

I didn't weigh myself this morning.

Ate within my points.

cereal, berries, milk: 4.5
bread, egg+egg white: 3
melon: 1
yellow squash: 0
small piece mex lasagna, 3/4 corn: 5
watermelon/gazpacho: 1
yogurt, cereal: 3
JW lower and core
moroccan chicken w/ 1/2 c lentils: 5
1/2 peach: .5
skinny cow: 2

Slogging through

Feeling better today. Did two JW segments--upper and core. I think that helped my mood. Also, wearing size 12 suit pants today and they are comfy/roomy in the seat (whereas before I was afraid they would split if I sat down). It's slow... but I'm not willing to exercise more/sacrifice more to make it go faster.

cereal, milk, fruit: 4.5
cottage cheese: 2
bread, turkey, lite mayo, veggies: 5
peach: 1
nuts, fruit: 4
peach: 1
mex lasagna, corn: 6
watermelon, pretzels: 3

ate 26 pts... I REALLY wanted to eat more last night. But instead, I went to bed. Small victory.

Ate within points... 1st day maybe since before vacation

I'm trying this week to recommit. To dig deep for some energy to get me back on track. I'm not feeling very motivated. That's a problem.

I didn't exercise this morning. I was exhausted. And I had to run some errands this morning. I'll go walking after I finish my lunch--30 minutes at least. I just find that I am feeling resentful to the process. And that's not good for me. Those are the feelings that lead to cheating, to negative behavior/feelings.

I said no to the last piece of blueberry buttermilk cake this morning. Instead wrapped it up for Doug to have tonight.

I skipped my oatmeal at 10 a.m. I think that I will do better eating those calories later in the day when I tend to want an additional snack, or something sweet. I'm also thinking that it might be time to drop a point or two and if I can cut out the oatmeal, that will really help.

cereal, milk, berries: 4.5
bread, turkey, lite mayo, bag-o-veggies: 5
peach: 1
diet coke: 0
oatmeal (1/2 way through eating it I realized it tasted funny... and that probably the milk I used, which was left in the work fridge for a week, was bad. I hope I don't get sick from this!!!): 2
tried to get the taste out of my mouth with 3 wasas... didn't work 1.5
pretzels: 1
1 piece mex lasagna (4), corn (2): 6
watermelon: 2
very small piece of cake: 2