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Saturday, June 13, 2009
I've been waiting for you!
I love living in the country
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Friday, June 12, 2009
Thursday, June 11, 2009
The Belly Attacks
After watching some YouTube clips of the workout video, I noticed that there were a lot of jumping jacks. I haven't done a jumping jack in years. I decided to clear some space and do a few jumping jacks, just to remind myself what it was like.
My stomach, which is very large and loose and flabby since I have lost four sizes off of it, immediately started flopping up and down. I was literally slapping myself with it. It made this horrible farting noise as it moved. Like the sound adolescent boys make with their hands in their armpits. Fwoot fwoot fwoot.
I am so mortified. Also, I cannot keep doing that. It hurt, it was uncomfortable.
I hope I can find some high-waisted spandex shorts in my size or something. A sports bra for my stomach.
Any suggestions?
My stomach, which is very large and loose and flabby since I have lost four sizes off of it, immediately started flopping up and down. I was literally slapping myself with it. It made this horrible farting noise as it moved. Like the sound adolescent boys make with their hands in their armpits. Fwoot fwoot fwoot.
I am so mortified. Also, I cannot keep doing that. It hurt, it was uncomfortable.
I hope I can find some high-waisted spandex shorts in my size or something. A sports bra for my stomach.
Any suggestions?
From SparkPeople.com
4 Signs It's Time to Step Off the Scale
Does Weight Weigh Heavily on Your Mind?
-- By Jason Anderson, Certified Personal Trainer
It cannot talk yet it speaks to you. Some days it makes you giddy with delight. Other days it puts you into a deep depression. It judges you on a superficial level. The thought of it is enough to worry even the most optimistic person. What am I talking about? The notorious bathroom scale.
What is with this obsession we have with the scale? For most people, the scale can be an adversary or an ally, depending on the day. We often hate what it says or argue with it, but we still feel the desire to use it. When used properly and taken for what it is, it can actually be a very useful tool for weight management. But for many, the scale does more than measure the total weight of all your various parts. It somehow defines who you are as a person. And sadly, it can determine your own self-worth. We read way too much into this single-purposed tool.
Here are four signs that you might put too much weight on weighing in:
1. You constantly worry about weighing in.
When you're trying to lose weight, it's normal to experience some hesitation when it's time for your weekly weigh in. After all, you want to see the numbers go down as confirmation that all of your hard work has paid off. We all want to be rewarded for our efforts, and it can be discouraging when you have done everything right and things still don’t pan out. However, if you find yourself preoccupied with worrisome thoughts of what the scale is going to say tomorrow or the next day, then you might be a little too obsessed with the scale.
2. You weigh in more than once per day.
SparkPeople recommends weighing in once a week (or even less). Ever wonder why it's not a good idea to do it more often? Your body weight can and will fluctuate from day to day, and change throughout a single day, too. There is no sense in putting yourself on that roller coaster of ups and downs. In the war on weight, if you become so concerned that you weigh yourself daily or several times a day, you are fighting a losing battle and you will be discouraged. If you feel like you can't control yourself or stop yourself from weighing in each day, then you could be headed for trouble.
3. You can recite your weight to the nearest fraction at all times.
This is a sure sign that you are relying too heavily on the scale. Anyone who can tell you not only how much she weighs each day, but measures her weight loss to the nearest quarter of a pound is probably weighing in too often. There is nothing wrong with wanting to see a lower number on the scale, even if it's a quarter pound lower, but remember that weighing in is more about trends (an average decrease or consistency in weight over time).
4. The scale determines how you feel about yourself for the day.
When the number is down, you step off the scale singing and have a jump in your step all day. When the number goes up (or stays the same when you expected a loss), you feel like Charlie Brown walking around with a rain cloud above your head. To me, this is the saddest situation of all—to let the scale dictate how you should feel. How would you feel about yourself if you hadn't weighed in that day? What other ways would you determine your self-worth if weight didn't exist?
If one (or all) of these situations sound familiar to you, it's time to step away from the scale. Go cold turkey. Or at the very least, weigh in less often. But what's a "compulsive weigher" to do?
Instead letting the scale alone determine whether you're a success or failure, use more reliable measures to determine your progress. My philosophy is that weight loss is not a goal, but the result of healthy habits like a better diet and regular exercise. When you do step on the scale and don't see the reading you had hoped for, ask yourself these questions: Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? Am I making healthy food choices most of the time? Am I exercising consistently? If you are, then rust that your body is making positive changes, and the results will come. If you are not, then resolve to be consistent in healthy behaviors to see the results you want.
Weighing yourself is definitely helpful and it has its place. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and give too much credence to this one measurement! After all, other measures (like how much energy you have, how much easier it is to climb a flight of stairs, or how well your clothes fit) might not be as precise or scientific, but they're sure to make you feel happier and more successful than a scale ever can.
Does Weight Weigh Heavily on Your Mind?
-- By Jason Anderson, Certified Personal Trainer
It cannot talk yet it speaks to you. Some days it makes you giddy with delight. Other days it puts you into a deep depression. It judges you on a superficial level. The thought of it is enough to worry even the most optimistic person. What am I talking about? The notorious bathroom scale.
What is with this obsession we have with the scale? For most people, the scale can be an adversary or an ally, depending on the day. We often hate what it says or argue with it, but we still feel the desire to use it. When used properly and taken for what it is, it can actually be a very useful tool for weight management. But for many, the scale does more than measure the total weight of all your various parts. It somehow defines who you are as a person. And sadly, it can determine your own self-worth. We read way too much into this single-purposed tool.
Here are four signs that you might put too much weight on weighing in:
1. You constantly worry about weighing in.
When you're trying to lose weight, it's normal to experience some hesitation when it's time for your weekly weigh in. After all, you want to see the numbers go down as confirmation that all of your hard work has paid off. We all want to be rewarded for our efforts, and it can be discouraging when you have done everything right and things still don’t pan out. However, if you find yourself preoccupied with worrisome thoughts of what the scale is going to say tomorrow or the next day, then you might be a little too obsessed with the scale.
2. You weigh in more than once per day.
SparkPeople recommends weighing in once a week (or even less). Ever wonder why it's not a good idea to do it more often? Your body weight can and will fluctuate from day to day, and change throughout a single day, too. There is no sense in putting yourself on that roller coaster of ups and downs. In the war on weight, if you become so concerned that you weigh yourself daily or several times a day, you are fighting a losing battle and you will be discouraged. If you feel like you can't control yourself or stop yourself from weighing in each day, then you could be headed for trouble.
3. You can recite your weight to the nearest fraction at all times.
This is a sure sign that you are relying too heavily on the scale. Anyone who can tell you not only how much she weighs each day, but measures her weight loss to the nearest quarter of a pound is probably weighing in too often. There is nothing wrong with wanting to see a lower number on the scale, even if it's a quarter pound lower, but remember that weighing in is more about trends (an average decrease or consistency in weight over time).
4. The scale determines how you feel about yourself for the day.
When the number is down, you step off the scale singing and have a jump in your step all day. When the number goes up (or stays the same when you expected a loss), you feel like Charlie Brown walking around with a rain cloud above your head. To me, this is the saddest situation of all—to let the scale dictate how you should feel. How would you feel about yourself if you hadn't weighed in that day? What other ways would you determine your self-worth if weight didn't exist?
If one (or all) of these situations sound familiar to you, it's time to step away from the scale. Go cold turkey. Or at the very least, weigh in less often. But what's a "compulsive weigher" to do?
Instead letting the scale alone determine whether you're a success or failure, use more reliable measures to determine your progress. My philosophy is that weight loss is not a goal, but the result of healthy habits like a better diet and regular exercise. When you do step on the scale and don't see the reading you had hoped for, ask yourself these questions: Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? Am I making healthy food choices most of the time? Am I exercising consistently? If you are, then rust that your body is making positive changes, and the results will come. If you are not, then resolve to be consistent in healthy behaviors to see the results you want.
Weighing yourself is definitely helpful and it has its place. Just make sure you don’t go overboard and give too much credence to this one measurement! After all, other measures (like how much energy you have, how much easier it is to climb a flight of stairs, or how well your clothes fit) might not be as precise or scientific, but they're sure to make you feel happier and more successful than a scale ever can.
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
30 Day Shred. Alternate Title: Scared To Death
One thing that I don't think I have ever posted here is about my DIET BUDDIES. I have three that I rely on: Jenny, Mer, and Marie. I email Jenny every day to "fess up" to what I have eaten and what I am proud of, etc. I chat with Mer throughout the course of the day and we talk about little other than positive lifestyle changes. Marie and I try to coach each other through trials and tribulations.
Well Mer (her journal) has decided she wants to start doing Jillian Michael's "30 Day Shred" (she's from The Biggest Loser). Mer is like me, though, and knows she won't stay on a program like that without a buddy/coach. She asked me if she bought me the DVD and sent it to me, would I do it? Would I absolutely positively swear that I would do it every day and we would hold each other accountable for it?
This sounded like too big an obligation for me.
I went on Amazon.com and read the reviews. It is almost all 5-stars. But it was the content of those reviews that terrified me:
--This is a really good workout. It's geared a little more to advanced exercisers, but the choreography is fairly basic and you will definately feel this the next day.
--It's been 2 and 1/2 hours since I finished and I'm still shaking and finding it hard to go up and down stairs.
I am sure that those reviewers are in better shape than I am, too!
And then I started thinking about what a pain in the butt it is to move the coffee table back and forth to make room to work out. I thought about how it would be hard and I don't like things that are hard.
THEN I thought about how absolutely stupid I was being. I can't work out because I don't want to move a table?? Have you ever heard something so ridiculous? So before I could think better, I agreed. Even if it is too hard, I can commit to watching it every night while swaying in place trying to find a spot where I can "hop in".
So... we'll see what happens! I will have to start including this in my Sunday Diet updates.
Bragging rights.
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Monday, June 8, 2009
Yay, new used grill!
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Tommy-toes
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Hummingbird Garden
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Sunday, June 7, 2009
Do Vitamins Help You Lose Weight?
Everyone knows vitamins are good for you, but do vitamins help you lose weight? The answer is yes, some of them can help you lose weight. Vitamins also help take away that haggard wore out look people get when they're on a diet or not eating properly. The bad news is that in our fast paced, fast food society it's pretty easy to get that look. How many times have you looked in the mirror and saw a tired, wore out face starring back at you?
The good news is there's something you can do about it. Vitamins can make a huge difference in your overall health and appearance, if you know which ones to take. Of course, you get vitamins naturally in your food, but these days the over processed food we eat usually isn't up to par. Therefore, most people opt to take a multivitamin at least.
However, if you're overweight on top of being tired and stressed out, you need extra help. Keep in mind that vitamins can't do their job properly if you aren't making an effort to eat a somewhat balanced diet and do some form of exercise, whether it's a sport, a workout at home or fitness routine in a Health Club.
As you know, if you do nothing you'll get nothing you can't expect vitamins to do it all. When you have the right type and amount of vitamins your body's weight related functions such as appetite, metabolism and calorie burning can operate more efficiently this is how they help you lose weight. It's not one specific vitamin, but a combination of them working together.
The core vitamins that help you lose weight are: vitamin C, several of the B complex vitamins such as B2, B3, B5 and B6. There are a couple of minerals worthy of mention that are part of the B complex vitamins, and they are: Choline (also good for the brain) and Inositol (helps lower cholesterol), both assist with fat metabolism.
Vitamin E is another great vitamin to add to the list for it helps prevent aging and keeps skin healthy. It's also good for the heart and circulation. Moreover, it's one of the most widely taken supplements on the market. However, before you buy any vitamin or supplement you should do research to find the recommended dosage for your gender and age.
Now, when someone asks you, "Do vitamins help you lose weight?" You'll know what to tell them.
-------------------------------------------------
*************************************************
OK after reading this, I am proud of myself for picking up a wide variety of vitamins to add to my anti-epileptic/fiber/allergy meds routine. I am taking daily: vitamin C, vitamin D-3, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, vitamin E, vitamin D, plus calcium.
I have written a shopping list of what to buy next: B-2, B-3, B-5, Choline, and Inositol.
Does anyone know any other vitamins that can help with metabolism, weight loss, and energy?
The good news is there's something you can do about it. Vitamins can make a huge difference in your overall health and appearance, if you know which ones to take. Of course, you get vitamins naturally in your food, but these days the over processed food we eat usually isn't up to par. Therefore, most people opt to take a multivitamin at least.
However, if you're overweight on top of being tired and stressed out, you need extra help. Keep in mind that vitamins can't do their job properly if you aren't making an effort to eat a somewhat balanced diet and do some form of exercise, whether it's a sport, a workout at home or fitness routine in a Health Club.
As you know, if you do nothing you'll get nothing you can't expect vitamins to do it all. When you have the right type and amount of vitamins your body's weight related functions such as appetite, metabolism and calorie burning can operate more efficiently this is how they help you lose weight. It's not one specific vitamin, but a combination of them working together.
The core vitamins that help you lose weight are: vitamin C, several of the B complex vitamins such as B2, B3, B5 and B6. There are a couple of minerals worthy of mention that are part of the B complex vitamins, and they are: Choline (also good for the brain) and Inositol (helps lower cholesterol), both assist with fat metabolism.
Vitamin E is another great vitamin to add to the list for it helps prevent aging and keeps skin healthy. It's also good for the heart and circulation. Moreover, it's one of the most widely taken supplements on the market. However, before you buy any vitamin or supplement you should do research to find the recommended dosage for your gender and age.
Now, when someone asks you, "Do vitamins help you lose weight?" You'll know what to tell them.
-------------------------------------------------
*************************************************
OK after reading this, I am proud of myself for picking up a wide variety of vitamins to add to my anti-epileptic/fiber/allergy meds routine. I am taking daily: vitamin C, vitamin D-3, vitamin B-12, vitamin B-6, vitamin E, vitamin D, plus calcium.
I have written a shopping list of what to buy next: B-2, B-3, B-5, Choline, and Inositol.
Does anyone know any other vitamins that can help with metabolism, weight loss, and energy?
Weight Loss...
It has been a little frustrating that I am not making my goals for weight loss. I know, though, that I could be working harder... I had a lot of personal "stuff" going on that I'd rather not blog about, but it's mostly over now and I think I will be in a better place this week to center myself and get a workout routine going.
I feel like I am in a little bit of a slump. What do we do when we're in a slump? We reflect on our accomplishments. I would like to show you a chart of my weight loss over the last year. After seeing this, I feel a little less like a failure and a little more like saying "OH HELL YEAH".
Sunday Weigh-In
Weigh-in = 264.4
DOWN 1.6 pound since last week.
Down 67.6 since I started my weight-loss journey.
This week I seem to have lost an inch from my waist and an inch-plus from my hips. I refuse to celebrate that until I get the same measurements a second week!
For the second week in a row, I am not on track to make my goal of 249lbs by 7/25. I want my goals to be realistic, so I am going to alter my goal just a tiny bit. 255lbs by 7/19. A little less weight to lose, but a slightly closer goal date. That's actually a better date for me, anyway. The date I had chosen is a date I will be traveling on and unable to weigh-in on!
GOALS FROM LAST WEEK:
#1 Continue with the water goal. -- Unachieved
#2 Continue with the new calorie goal. -- Achieved except one day where I went over. I didn't go over by much.
#3 Get at least one good workout in. -- Shamefully unachieved
#4 Eat a fruit and a vegetable every day. -- Unachieved
GOALS FOR THIS WEEK:
#1 Water and vitamins.
#2 Keep up with my calorie goal, allowing for a "spike" day every three days. Try to follow spike days with a lower-calorie day. No spike days if there was a cheat within the day or two before. This is to keep my metabolism guessing.
#3 Use the Wii Fit at least twice.
DOWN 1.6 pound since last week.
Down 67.6 since I started my weight-loss journey.
This week I seem to have lost an inch from my waist and an inch-plus from my hips. I refuse to celebrate that until I get the same measurements a second week!
For the second week in a row, I am not on track to make my goal of 249lbs by 7/25. I want my goals to be realistic, so I am going to alter my goal just a tiny bit. 255lbs by 7/19. A little less weight to lose, but a slightly closer goal date. That's actually a better date for me, anyway. The date I had chosen is a date I will be traveling on and unable to weigh-in on!
GOALS FROM LAST WEEK:
#1 Continue with the water goal. -- Unachieved
#2 Continue with the new calorie goal. -- Achieved except one day where I went over. I didn't go over by much.
#3 Get at least one good workout in. -- Shamefully unachieved
#4 Eat a fruit and a vegetable every day. -- Unachieved
GOALS FOR THIS WEEK:
#1 Water and vitamins.
#2 Keep up with my calorie goal, allowing for a "spike" day every three days. Try to follow spike days with a lower-calorie day. No spike days if there was a cheat within the day or two before. This is to keep my metabolism guessing.
#3 Use the Wii Fit at least twice.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Vitamins
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Friday, June 5, 2009
I need a life
My best friend and her son, along with my very good friend, are all hitting the road on the fourth of July weekend. I just spent a pretty long period of time labeling and decorating a map for the kid so that he can look at the map and feel like he is part of the trip. He probably will just glance at it and crumple it up. I don't know why I get so wrapped up in things!
265
I am 265.0 right now. 15lbs away from goal. This is NOT my official weigh-in, that won't happen until Sunday, but as of right now I am not on track to make my goal of 249 on 7/25. If I am not on track by Sunday, instead of lowering my calorie intake I may change my goal weight/date. I want to be realistic, and feel like I am beating myself up even though I am working very hard. But hopefully I will be on track to make my goal by Sunday. I think I may have learned a thing or two.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Banana Muffins
Banana Muffins
3 cups oat flour
2 cups gluten-free baking mix like Pamela's or Namaste
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup Splenda
6 mashed bananas
10 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
12 tablespoons of fat free half and half
1 egg
Mix wet ingredients, mix dry ingredients, then mix together. Line two
muffin pans with muffin liners. Makes 24 muffins. 125 calories a
muffin.
I also topped mine with a little mix of cinnamon, Splenda, and Splenda brown sugar mix. These will have very pale tops, so a little topping will make them much more aesthetically pleasing.
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Sunday Night Diet Update #3
Weigh-in = 266.0
UP .4 since last week.
Down 66 since I started my weight-loss journey.
I am no longer on track to make my goal of 249lbs by July 25th. I am not too far off, though. I re-calculated my maximum daily calorie intake and have a new goal of 1,814 calories per day. It had been 1890.
My measurements haven't changed yet except going up or down such small amounts that it is most likely due to shifts in where I am taking the measurements.
Those two days I took off from counting calories were a mistake. I have proven to myself that without rules, I cannot trust myself. Lesson learned. Next time I take a day or two off, I am still setting ground rules. It shouldn't happen again for awhile, though.
GOALS FROM LAST WEEK:
#1 Three meals a day. -- Not achieved every single day due to my trip away from home, but I did very, very good at this.
#2 Three bottled waters, or the equivalent - 60 oz - per day. -- Achieved quite a few days, which was a massive improvement. I have been peeing every five minutes.
#3 Eating at work must be limited to my lunch hour and my two breaks. No more mindless eating because call volume is stressing me. -- COMPLETELY ACHIEVED
#4 Stay on track with my calorie goal of 1890 per day. -- PARTIALLY ACHIEVED -- Every day that I counted my calories I made goal.
NEW GOALS FOR NEXT WEEK:
#1 Continue with the water goal.
#2 Continue with the new calorie goal.
#3 Get at least one good workout in.
#4 Eat a fruit and a vegetable every day.
UP .4 since last week.
Down 66 since I started my weight-loss journey.
I am no longer on track to make my goal of 249lbs by July 25th. I am not too far off, though. I re-calculated my maximum daily calorie intake and have a new goal of 1,814 calories per day. It had been 1890.
My measurements haven't changed yet except going up or down such small amounts that it is most likely due to shifts in where I am taking the measurements.
Those two days I took off from counting calories were a mistake. I have proven to myself that without rules, I cannot trust myself. Lesson learned. Next time I take a day or two off, I am still setting ground rules. It shouldn't happen again for awhile, though.
GOALS FROM LAST WEEK:
#1 Three meals a day. -- Not achieved every single day due to my trip away from home, but I did very, very good at this.
#2 Three bottled waters, or the equivalent - 60 oz - per day. -- Achieved quite a few days, which was a massive improvement. I have been peeing every five minutes.
#3 Eating at work must be limited to my lunch hour and my two breaks. No more mindless eating because call volume is stressing me. -- COMPLETELY ACHIEVED
#4 Stay on track with my calorie goal of 1890 per day. -- PARTIALLY ACHIEVED -- Every day that I counted my calories I made goal.
NEW GOALS FOR NEXT WEEK:
#1 Continue with the water goal.
#2 Continue with the new calorie goal.
#3 Get at least one good workout in.
#4 Eat a fruit and a vegetable every day.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Just in case you haven't heard
My town got all 'effed up with all the rain that we're getting. Flash floods, the Red Cross coming in and rescuing people, at least nineteen families have temporarily or permanently lost their homes, and... oh yeah did I mention the highway caved in?
Hiatus
I am going to be taking a 1-2 day hiatus from counting calories, because I will be away from home, away from tools, and not in a controlled environment. If it was going to be longer than a day or two than I wouldn't make that allowance... but this is going to be a fun weekend staying in someone else's home and I want to be horrible guest and most of all, I will have fun!
I am just saying this now so I don't seem like a horrible failure when I make my Sunday Night Diet Update.
I am just saying this now so I don't seem like a horrible failure when I make my Sunday Night Diet Update.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Egg Update
Eggs definitely give me painful gas if I have more than one. The test continues though to see how much I can handle.
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Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Cookies!
Chewy Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies
makes 24 cookies
136 calories per cookie
Ingredients:
3/4 cup butter
1 cup Splenda brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup 2% milk
3 cups oats
1 cup oat flour (should also work fine with a gluten-free baking mix, all-purpose flour, etc.)
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla **
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt (optional)
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 serving (1/8 bag ) Enjoy Life chocolate chips
** I replaced this with sugar free caramel coffee syrup. No calories!
Combine liquids and egg, beat until blended. Combine dry ingredients in another bowl and slowly mix in. Cook in an oven pre-heated to 375 for 10-12 minutes. I use parchment paper so I don't have to waste calories on greasing the pan.
You could also add in raisins or nuts, but remember that they weren't figured into the calorie count.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Pink Silver Dollar Pancakes
1 1/4 Cup Gluten-Free Trader Joe's Pancake Mix
1 Egg, beaten (could replace with applesauce or 1/2 banana)
1/4 Cup 2 % Milk (could replace with water or alternate milk)
*I used raspberry sugar-free (calorie-free) baking syrup in the mix instead of oil, which shaved about 30 calories off each serving. I eyeballed the amount, until the mixture was the consistency I wanted.
Silver dollar pancakes are about a tablespoon of batter each. The amounts listed above will make 5 equal sized servings.
Figuring that you will use four tablespoons of canola oil to cook the entire batch, like I did, plus 1/2 tablespoon of butter and 1/4 cup of lite syrup to top your serving, these are 277 calories per serving.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Sunday Night Diet Update #2
Weigh-in = 265.6
Down .4 this week.
Down 66.4 since I started my adventure last July.
Down 7.4 since I started counting calories recently.
I am ON GOAL (barely) to meet my goal of 249lbs by July 25th.
I took my measurements today. Not much has changed except my neck somehow grew by an inch. I do not believe this, and think I probably typed my inches in wrong last time.
I had a rough week. My weight went up, and went up again. I was very, very scared that I would have to report to my three readers that my weight went up this week, but my hard work caught up to me at the last moment. I would have liked tot have lost more than that, but I'll take it.
Yes, I made my calorie goal EVERY SINGLE DAY this week.
I have decided that on Sunday nights when I do my "diet update" I am also going to include a list of goals for the week. Note that this is a list for the week only, and not permanent goals. Yet.
GOALS:
#1 Three meals a day.
#2 Three bottled waters, or the equivalent - 60 oz - per day.
#3 Eating at work must be limited to my lunch hour and my two breaks. No more mindless eating because call volume is stressing me.
#4 Stay on track with my calorie goal of 1890 per day.
Down .4 this week.
Down 66.4 since I started my adventure last July.
Down 7.4 since I started counting calories recently.
I am ON GOAL (barely) to meet my goal of 249lbs by July 25th.
I took my measurements today. Not much has changed except my neck somehow grew by an inch. I do not believe this, and think I probably typed my inches in wrong last time.
I had a rough week. My weight went up, and went up again. I was very, very scared that I would have to report to my three readers that my weight went up this week, but my hard work caught up to me at the last moment. I would have liked tot have lost more than that, but I'll take it.
Yes, I made my calorie goal EVERY SINGLE DAY this week.
I have decided that on Sunday nights when I do my "diet update" I am also going to include a list of goals for the week. Note that this is a list for the week only, and not permanent goals. Yet.
GOALS:
#1 Three meals a day.
#2 Three bottled waters, or the equivalent - 60 oz - per day.
#3 Eating at work must be limited to my lunch hour and my two breaks. No more mindless eating because call volume is stressing me.
#4 Stay on track with my calorie goal of 1890 per day.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Reflections
I wanted to eat another egg for dinner so that I could really tell if it is "situation: pass", which so far it is.
I made one poached egg with three strips of bacon and a cup of hashbrowns cooked in a tablespoon of olive oil with a quarter cup of shredded cheese.
Since I am being very conscientious with regards to what I am eating, I wish that I had skipped the bacon or only had one or two slices rather than three. I also wish that I had skipped the cheese or only used a tablespoon instead of a quarter cup. I think it took away rather than adding to the taste! Then I would have saved enough calories to have a second egg and still have consumed less calories. More protein! I need more protein, it has been decided.
Something to look forward to...
Next Friday, to celebrate that I can drive again and that it is summer, I am going to Charlotte to visit my NC-BFF Meg. We are going to spend the day swimming in the pool at her complex, but we are also going to go get our hair done. Any idea what I should do? It is going to be a reward for being on track with my calories...
The Egg Test
I really, really hope that the egg thing works out, because that breakfast/lunch was just SO delicious. SO, so, so delicious.
It is 1/2 cup of hash browns (70 calories) with a half a tablespoon of olive oil (60 calories), which I browned up until it was nice and crispy.
I poached an egg (mission: success!) but took it out before the yolk cooked through. The egg is 70 calories and since it is poached there are no extra calories added when cooked. I topped it with a slice of swiss cheese (80 calories) and a slice of honey ham (20 calories).
The total meal, which was so good and something I have missed so badly, was 300 calories.
Yum yum yum yum yum.
Goo Balls!
Ingredients:
1 bag of SmartPop popcorn
3 1/3 cups of mini-marshmallows
3/4 tablespoons of butter
3/4 cup cocoa crispies
1 serving (1/8 bag) Enjoy Life chocolate chips
Melt butter in large pot.
Slowly add and melt in marshmallows.
Turn off heat and slow begin adding in popcorn and cocoa crispies, alternating between the two, folding the goodies in.
Lastly, sprinkle chocolate chips in.
Transfer the mass onto parchment paper and mold into 12 similarly sized balls.
Cool in fridge.
Each "goo ball" will be 85 calories if you use the same measurements I do.
I love how the popcorn is most of the mass but still transfers all the gooey goodness, making it taste like a much more evil snack than it really is. I had two this evening!
This one was all mine. :D
Friday, May 22, 2009
I have a new favorite meal
Ingredients:
2 Portobello mushrooms, stemmed and gills removed
1 Tablespoon olive oil
3 ounce pack of albacore tuna in water
1/2 celery stalk, finely chopped
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
salt and pepper
2 slices of Swiss cheese
2 slices of tomato
1/4 cup mixed baby greens
Instructions:
First, preheat the broiler. Next, use a small spoon to remove the gills. Basically just scrape around with it. If the mushroom breaks a little, don't worry too much. It will end up just fine. Use half of the olive oil to brush on the mushrooms. Set them under the broiler for about ten minutes, moving them around a bit every couple minutes to make sure that they "collapse" evenly. Cook until they're soft.
While they are cooking, mix the tuna, celery, parsley, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt amd 1/8 pepper and the rest of the oil.
***Note that I didn't have parsley available and just used a handful of dried. I also didn't actually measure the lemon, I just squeezed half a lemon in. I also loaded in the salt and pepper, since I love both.
When the mushrooms are done, split the tuna mixture into both of them. Plop a slice of cheese on each and broil again until the cheese is melted.
Top with a slice of tomato and a handful of baby greens. Yes, this is for more than just making it pretty - they went perfect.
For those of you who are soy-allergic, like I am, be VERY careful to make sure you find tuna that is packed in JUST water and has no soy in it. If I don't get sick at all, I will tell you what brand worked for me. It was the only one in the grocery store that didn't say "soy" on the package.
Oh, and best of all this recipe was 539 calories, and tasted bad for you.
EDIT:
The tuna I ate had soy in it, even though it wasn't on the label. If you're soy-allergic, please be careful when you choose your tuna. I know that safe tuna is out there! If you're not soy-allergic, seriously, you need to try that recipie TODAY.
THANKS, COOK YOURSELF THIN!
Ugh.
I have been waiting for over an hour for an entry I wrote about my dinner from tonight to post, and it is very aggravating!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Eggs
I am seriously considering trying eggs this weekend. Is that a bad idea?
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I used my new Bare Minerals make-up today, which I bought for my birthday with a check my grandma sent me (the rest went to credit card bills, in case I seem irresponsible)... I am loving it!
Also I soaked chicken in a marinade of lemon juice, garlic, and rosemary for lunch today. It smelled AWESOME, I can't wait to gobble it up later.
My weight went up two days in a row and stayed there for the third day. I can't figure out why I would have gained when I eat less than 1900 calories a day. I even worked out (although not as much as I should have). I am frustrated and hoping to be able to lower my calorie count even more.
Blah, blah.
Also I soaked chicken in a marinade of lemon juice, garlic, and rosemary for lunch today. It smelled AWESOME, I can't wait to gobble it up later.
My weight went up two days in a row and stayed there for the third day. I can't figure out why I would have gained when I eat less than 1900 calories a day. I even worked out (although not as much as I should have). I am frustrated and hoping to be able to lower my calorie count even more.
Blah, blah.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
OMFG Sweet Potatoes!
Wow, wow, wow.
I bought some microwavable sweet potatoes today at Walmart. They were only $1.30 each. I microwaved this one and put 8/10th of a tablespoon of butter (approx.) and about an oz (a rounded tablespoon) of sour cream. I also added salt, pepper, and garlic powder.
This is seriously the best baked potato of any sort that I have ever had. Ever. Even the skin was delicious.
245 calories.
Monday, May 18, 2009
I have awesome friends!
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Muscles, sort of.
I like the word muscles because it is fun to say wrong on purpose.
LOOK AT MY MUSKILS!
This morning I atually worked out a little. I did as many sit-ups as I could handle and then did ten minutes on the gazelle... which was hell on wheels because it is still set to the hardest setting from when Ryan visited. I can't figure out how to change it back. I haven't used it in months, but I am going to start again. Mike DID spend like $300 on it for me. I will ask him to try to lower the resistance for me tonight.
Anywho, I wanted to see if you all would be impressed to see that there are actually some muscles peeking through my fat. I can see two on my calf and one on my thigh. And, of course, more fat than you can shake a stick at.
Please pardon my leggy nakedness.
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Cook Yourself Thin
Have you guys watched this show?
I have just started watching it TODAY but I am on my third episode.
Here's the premise of the television show: a team of three outgoing female chefs visit the home of a woman struggling with her weight and with calorie control, and "makeover" three meals/desserts. They cut the calories down by usually around 75% and then they all ooh and ahh over how delicious the food is. Then, six weeks later, they visit the woman and see how many dress sizes she has lost using the tricks.
There are some GREAT tips for calorie control on this show, and it is fun to watch. Thank you, Mer, for telling me about this! Unfortunately a lot of the tips don't apply to me because of my food allergies, but I am hooked anyway!
It has been a long time since I have found a cooking show that I really enjoyed.
Banana Bread Recipe
Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups oat flour
1/2 cup Splenda
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1.4 teaspoon salt
3 mashed bananas
1/2 cup softened butter
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
6 tablespoons milk
Mix all the dry ingredients in a bowl. Mash in the bananas in and the butter (swiping a fingerful of butter to grease the loaf pan with). Add the vinegar and milk.
Spread into loaf pan and cook in a pre-heated oven (350) for about 40 minutes.
This makes about 10-12 slices and the entire loaf is 1731 calories. This is, of course, figuring zero calorie Splenda -- if you use sugar (which would work out fine), you'll have to add in the calories for that if you're counting.
I had one serving and very responsibly (patting myself on the back a little, haha) divided them up into single servings - 173 calories a slice. I also added in an ounce of cream cheese to a bunch of them, which is 90 calories.
No, it's not a diet-diet option, but gosh it is delicious and totally worth it - as long as I count it into my daily total!
Sunday Night Diet Update
I have decided that from now on, I am going to make Sunday night updates about my diet. I have just started really focusing on counting calories again.
So, I have taken my measurements today and have a starting point. On Sunday nights I will post how much I have lost or gained, and on Sunday nights I will also take my measurements and make a note of any changes.
266.0 this morning.
On track for my goal of 249 by 7/25
66lbs lost total
I made my goal of 1890 calories every single day this week.
So, I have taken my measurements today and have a starting point. On Sunday nights I will post how much I have lost or gained, and on Sunday nights I will also take my measurements and make a note of any changes.
266.0 this morning.
On track for my goal of 249 by 7/25
66lbs lost total
I made my goal of 1890 calories every single day this week.
Healthy choices
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Berry treat...
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Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Clementine
I am happy when my bird is happy. And she is SO happy, we are on four days without an egg! She is scuttling (begging to come out) as I type. She is so sweet!
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Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Hooray!
I have gotten back on the dieting track. In two days I have lost three of the four pounds I gained back over the last four months. Hopefully in other day or too I'll be back to achieving record lows!
Woo-freakin'-hoo!
Woo-freakin'-hoo!
Thursday, May 7, 2009
I have begun using FitDay.com again. After not losing weight and even gaining a few pounds over the last few months, I realize that I need to start holding myself accountable. I am seeing my family again in July and I want them to say "wow you look better than you did in December" rather than... "did you pudge out just a little bit more?".
So, I have made myself a goal of 1900 calories a day. I don't think I can do it every day, so my goal is to do it most days.
Yesterday by the time I made this goal, I was already far gone. Yesterday was 2,822 calories, yikes!
So, I have made myself a goal of 1900 calories a day. I don't think I can do it every day, so my goal is to do it most days.
Yesterday by the time I made this goal, I was already far gone. Yesterday was 2,822 calories, yikes!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Okay so last night I went to Walmart, hoping to find a product aimed at reducing acne scars. Since, lucky me, that's all I have on my face right now - for the first time in about four years. I had a list of things that I wanted to get, feeling that I earned it and deserve it. Well, except for shampoo and conditioner, there wasn't anything on my list that I could find. Probably because the list was vague and I didn't really know what I was looking for.
So I ended up splurging on a Neutrogena face peel.
Wow. I tried it last night and then slept. This morning my face still looks great. It is brighter and has a dewy look to it. Except for the scars, which I swear look smaller and lighter, I look pretty freakin' good.
It's nice to feel good about myself. It's been awhile.
So I ended up splurging on a Neutrogena face peel.
Wow. I tried it last night and then slept. This morning my face still looks great. It is brighter and has a dewy look to it. Except for the scars, which I swear look smaller and lighter, I look pretty freakin' good.
It's nice to feel good about myself. It's been awhile.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Good news for my skin!
Thirty something dollars for Proactiv didn't work.
Twenty dollar Loreal skin treatment kit didn't work.
Neutrogena didn't work.
Aveeno didn't work.
Clearisil didn't work
Clean and clear didn't work
Dove didn't work
Oil of olay didn't work
Olive oil didn't work
I have been struggling with adult acne for five or six years no, and it has gotten much worse in the last 2 years.
I bought four bottles (enough to last 3-6 months, I would wager) of phisoderm on amazon.com. It was less than nine dollars thanks to Amazon Prime and Subscribe and Save.
It has been less than a week and my skin is clearing up, literally right before my eyes.
I am so excited!
Now, does anyone have advice on getting rid of acne scars?
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Monday, April 27, 2009
Closet bragging.
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