My gosh how these months are flying by. I can't believe it has been almost a month since my last post. I have been back and forth with my dieting, really more off than on. I'm going to focus on enjoying the holidays with my family and try not to gain a ton of weight. If I can maintain pretty much where I am now until after the holidays that will be fine. I likely won't be blogging again for a few more weeks because there is so much going on. But I am reading all of my favorite blogs everyday so I haven't disappeared totally. Just wanted to say Happy Holidays to everyone and I hope you all enjoy this season with your family and friends.
Merry Christmas!
Monday, December 20, 2010
Monday, November 22, 2010
Yay me!
I had an awesome week and weekend. I have managed to stick to my plan all last week and ALL weekend! No cheating at all thank you! I walked 6 out of 7 days this past week and stayed at or under 26 points and 1,500 calories! It was easier to stick to plan this weekend because hubby worked Saturday and my daughter didn't come home. BUT, she is coming home today and will be here through Sunday and we have Turkey Day on Thursday so I'm a bit anxious about how to handle everything. Its funny to me how much anxiety I have over the holidays and FOOD. It should not be this hard to handle. It will help that I'm going to moms for Thanksgiving dinner so no leftovers at home. BUT, we are cooking a big meal at home Saturday so I'm nervous about that.
This weekend was easier then I thought it would be. I made a plan so that helped. Hubby and I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things Friday night and I had already been planning on fajitas for dinner because I had been craving them. More to come about that dinner idea. Then, while we were already at the store I stocked up on some healthy things for the weekend. So, I made the fajitas friday night with chicken strips, sauteed peppers and mushrooms and fat free sour cream on high fiber tortillas. I had about 1/2 cup of mushrooms and peppers leftover that I saved. The next day (Saturday) I used them for an omelet. I spent the entire day at home Saturday and still didn't cheat which is pretty good because being at home usually triggers a cheat. And someone who shall remain nameless (HUBBY) had left a brand new bag of bbq chips in the pantry which were CALLING MY NAME THANK YOU!
I had already formulated a dinner plan and I marinated some boneless, skinless chicken breasts in Caribbean Jerk marinade and grilled them and had them along with some couscous and Mediterranean veg's. Yesterday I planned ahead as well. I knew that I would be late getting home this afternoon because I have to drive an hour there and back to pick up Heather. That would usually lead to fast food or take out for dinner. Instead, I made a Turkey Meatloaf yesterday that will be waiting for us tonight with the leftover couscous and we can just zap some veggies. And for lunch today I brought the leftover chicken, couscous and Med. veg's from Saturday's dinner. Now, that's planning!
I have been having some pretty good chocolate cravings for a while, so I bought some fat free hot chocolate and have been having that for my evening snack. Its great this time of year!
Now, about the chicken fajitas. As I've mentioned before, I track both calories and WW points. I have found that chicken fajitas or chicken soft tacos are REALLY low in points and a really filling dinner idea. I buy Ole High Fiber tortillas which are only 1 point and 71 calories per tortilla and each one has 12 grams of fiber! I searched a long time to find such a great points/calorie value tortilla. For fajitas and tacos both I use the Ole tortillas and the pre-cooked, ready to eat chicken strips that you find near the lunch meats. For fajitas, I sautee green peppers and mushrooms but you could use any veggies that you like. I top them with fat free sour cream and salsa. For the soft tacos, I skip the sauteed veggies and top them with lettuce, sometimes 2% cheese, ff sour cream and salsa. They usually average under 10 points for 2 fajitas or 2 soft tacos. This is a very filling and low point dinner.
Also, if anyone is interested in a Turkey meatloaf, I found a GREAT recipe online that I make all the time. Just let me know if you want it. The slices are really generous and average about 7-8 points and 295 calories. You can cut them smaller to lower the points/calories.
Okay, well those are my words of wisdom (or not so much) for today. I will likely be sporadic with posting this week as I have alot going on as I'm sure we all do. Have a great week!
This weekend was easier then I thought it would be. I made a plan so that helped. Hubby and I went to the grocery store to pick up a few things Friday night and I had already been planning on fajitas for dinner because I had been craving them. More to come about that dinner idea. Then, while we were already at the store I stocked up on some healthy things for the weekend. So, I made the fajitas friday night with chicken strips, sauteed peppers and mushrooms and fat free sour cream on high fiber tortillas. I had about 1/2 cup of mushrooms and peppers leftover that I saved. The next day (Saturday) I used them for an omelet. I spent the entire day at home Saturday and still didn't cheat which is pretty good because being at home usually triggers a cheat. And someone who shall remain nameless (HUBBY) had left a brand new bag of bbq chips in the pantry which were CALLING MY NAME THANK YOU!
I had already formulated a dinner plan and I marinated some boneless, skinless chicken breasts in Caribbean Jerk marinade and grilled them and had them along with some couscous and Mediterranean veg's. Yesterday I planned ahead as well. I knew that I would be late getting home this afternoon because I have to drive an hour there and back to pick up Heather. That would usually lead to fast food or take out for dinner. Instead, I made a Turkey Meatloaf yesterday that will be waiting for us tonight with the leftover couscous and we can just zap some veggies. And for lunch today I brought the leftover chicken, couscous and Med. veg's from Saturday's dinner. Now, that's planning!
I have been having some pretty good chocolate cravings for a while, so I bought some fat free hot chocolate and have been having that for my evening snack. Its great this time of year!
Now, about the chicken fajitas. As I've mentioned before, I track both calories and WW points. I have found that chicken fajitas or chicken soft tacos are REALLY low in points and a really filling dinner idea. I buy Ole High Fiber tortillas which are only 1 point and 71 calories per tortilla and each one has 12 grams of fiber! I searched a long time to find such a great points/calorie value tortilla. For fajitas and tacos both I use the Ole tortillas and the pre-cooked, ready to eat chicken strips that you find near the lunch meats. For fajitas, I sautee green peppers and mushrooms but you could use any veggies that you like. I top them with fat free sour cream and salsa. For the soft tacos, I skip the sauteed veggies and top them with lettuce, sometimes 2% cheese, ff sour cream and salsa. They usually average under 10 points for 2 fajitas or 2 soft tacos. This is a very filling and low point dinner.
Also, if anyone is interested in a Turkey meatloaf, I found a GREAT recipe online that I make all the time. Just let me know if you want it. The slices are really generous and average about 7-8 points and 295 calories. You can cut them smaller to lower the points/calories.
Okay, well those are my words of wisdom (or not so much) for today. I will likely be sporadic with posting this week as I have alot going on as I'm sure we all do. Have a great week!
Friday, November 19, 2010
My Week
I have had a good week after a not so successful weekend. My goal last week was to cheat on my plan 1 day or less over the weekend. I completely failed at that goal! I did well during the am on Friday and Saturday and not so well during the pm (as usual). Sunday I didn't track my food or eat well all day. My trigger times of course as I've said before are the weekends, but the afternoons and evenings are also when I tend to go off plan. I have been on track all this week and have walked every morning before work, and have drank alot of water. My totals this week have averaged 24-26 points and 1,300-1,400 calories per day.
I'm nervous about next week though. Its Thanksgiving of course and we are going to my mom's for dinner. That is good and bad. I love momma's cooking so I know I will probably be off track with my eating. On the other hand, its good that we aren't cooking at home because that would lead to several days of leftovers which I don't need around. I need to formulate a plan because right now I have NONE! I'm also anxious because Heather will be home Monday and will be there through the following Sunday. I'm so happy to have her home for so long but I know that when she's home I don't make good food choices.
I'm actually just anxious about the entire Holiday season. We have family gatherings, big meals, my yearly Christmas baking and probably some eating out. I know that I can't allow myself to stay off track the entire 2 months so I need to get a plan. What are you all planning for the holidays? Is anyone else anxious about how to stay on track?
Let me know your thoughts.
In reading over this post for spelling errors, I realized that it sounds so depressing! That is not at all my intention. Just wanted to be honest that I'm filling a bit anxious about the holidays and whether or not I will be able to stay on track. I AM looking forward to the holidays and have actually been in the Christmas spirit lately. I've already started the process of doing my Christmas cards and have been thinking about my baking which I love to do for friends and family. So, I'm in a festive mood. But, as many of you know, when trying to change to a healthy lifestyle, that anxiety comes during certain times and occassions and it is always in the back of your mind that you may fail again.
So, sorry if I sounded depressing. I'm just trying to figure out in my head how to handle the holidays. Any suggestions you all have would be greatly appreciated.
Much love,
Stacy
I'm nervous about next week though. Its Thanksgiving of course and we are going to my mom's for dinner. That is good and bad. I love momma's cooking so I know I will probably be off track with my eating. On the other hand, its good that we aren't cooking at home because that would lead to several days of leftovers which I don't need around. I need to formulate a plan because right now I have NONE! I'm also anxious because Heather will be home Monday and will be there through the following Sunday. I'm so happy to have her home for so long but I know that when she's home I don't make good food choices.
I'm actually just anxious about the entire Holiday season. We have family gatherings, big meals, my yearly Christmas baking and probably some eating out. I know that I can't allow myself to stay off track the entire 2 months so I need to get a plan. What are you all planning for the holidays? Is anyone else anxious about how to stay on track?
Let me know your thoughts.
In reading over this post for spelling errors, I realized that it sounds so depressing! That is not at all my intention. Just wanted to be honest that I'm filling a bit anxious about the holidays and whether or not I will be able to stay on track. I AM looking forward to the holidays and have actually been in the Christmas spirit lately. I've already started the process of doing my Christmas cards and have been thinking about my baking which I love to do for friends and family. So, I'm in a festive mood. But, as many of you know, when trying to change to a healthy lifestyle, that anxiety comes during certain times and occassions and it is always in the back of your mind that you may fail again.
So, sorry if I sounded depressing. I'm just trying to figure out in my head how to handle the holidays. Any suggestions you all have would be greatly appreciated.
Much love,
Stacy
Friday, November 12, 2010
My Thursday
Well I made it through Thursday with no pizza..lol. I have a bit of anxiety about the weekend though because that's usually a trigger for me to make bad choices and Heather is coming home and she's usually my partner in crime! I don't have any set plans for the weekend but we might see a movie. We are big movie buffs in my family. We love to go to the movies, rent movies, etc. If Heather is home, we usually end up at the theater at least once a week and there are alot of good movies starting this week. Going to a show USED to be a diet challenge for me because I LOVE LOVE movie popcorn. But, I have gotten used to going without it since I'm on a healthy eating plan so now it doesn't bother me as much. If I make it through the first few minutes before the movie starts of watching everyone else walk in with popcorn, then I'm good. I have started to take a Crystal Light for my bottled water and I enjoy an individual serving package of pretzel M & M's if I want a snack. That's MUCH better calorie/points wise than a buttered popcorn and an Icee. Heather has never been a fan of movie popcorn and rarely ever snacks at the movies so if its just her and I its easy to say no. But if hubby goes, I politely ask him to leave an empty seat in between me and him/the popcorn. Whatever works!
I did well with my points and calories yesterday ending the day with 25 points, 1,266 calories and 101.4 oz. of water. I had lots of fruits and veggies though including a pear for my afternoon snack, blackberries and pineapple with my yogurt before bed and a snap pea/potatoe medley and corn with my chicken for dinner.
I'm still planning on pita pizzas at some point this weekend. And I think I'm going to plan out my meals for next week before going to the grocery store. In balancing my checkbook I have started to realize that I make WAY too many trips to and spend way too much money at the grocery store. Mostly this is because I decide I want to make something for breakfast/lunch/dinner different from what I already have at home. I really need to stop doing this. It winds up that I spend $ 100 per weekend buying groceries than about another $ 60-$80 during the week by stopping multiple times for just a "few things". Honestly, with just 2 people in the house there is NO WAY we should be spending that much! So, I think I will come up with some meal plans this weekend and do my shopping all at once and see if I save some time/money that way.
How do you all handle your meal planning for the week? Do you plan ahead and shop just once a week or do you go by the store several times per week depending on what you're in the mood for that day? Let me know in the comments, if you have any planning suggestions for me.
Hope everyone has a great weekend! I'm going to try to enjoy my weekend even though I'm a bit anxious about being able to stay on track.
Til Monday!
I did well with my points and calories yesterday ending the day with 25 points, 1,266 calories and 101.4 oz. of water. I had lots of fruits and veggies though including a pear for my afternoon snack, blackberries and pineapple with my yogurt before bed and a snap pea/potatoe medley and corn with my chicken for dinner.
I'm still planning on pita pizzas at some point this weekend. And I think I'm going to plan out my meals for next week before going to the grocery store. In balancing my checkbook I have started to realize that I make WAY too many trips to and spend way too much money at the grocery store. Mostly this is because I decide I want to make something for breakfast/lunch/dinner different from what I already have at home. I really need to stop doing this. It winds up that I spend $ 100 per weekend buying groceries than about another $ 60-$80 during the week by stopping multiple times for just a "few things". Honestly, with just 2 people in the house there is NO WAY we should be spending that much! So, I think I will come up with some meal plans this weekend and do my shopping all at once and see if I save some time/money that way.
How do you all handle your meal planning for the week? Do you plan ahead and shop just once a week or do you go by the store several times per week depending on what you're in the mood for that day? Let me know in the comments, if you have any planning suggestions for me.
Hope everyone has a great weekend! I'm going to try to enjoy my weekend even though I'm a bit anxious about being able to stay on track.
Til Monday!
Thursday, November 11, 2010
My Wednesday
Well I have officially made it 3 1/2 days with no cheating! But today is my trigger day. It has been Thursday the past few weeks where I have really wanted to go off track for the entire weekend. Thursday somehow in my mind is pizza day!
I was going to make pita pizza for dinner last night so I dragged myself to the grocery store after work even though I really didn't want to. And wouldn't you know that Lowes Foods was OUT OF Wheat Pita Bread. They had many lovely bags of white pita bread but no wheat. And you know what just dawned on me? Why didn't I just buy the white pitas? I didn't even think of it at the store. I rummaged through them looking for a stray bag of wheat but it never even crossed my mind to just buy the white. I guess that is what Sean means when he writes of small changes that happen over time and how we soon start making better calorie and nutritional choices along the way. There used to be a time when I NEVER ate wheat bread or brown rice. I did and still do love white bread and rice. But years ago, during one of my "diets" I switched to whole grain, wheat, etc. and I have stuck to it all this time, even when I'm not dieting otherwise. It just clicked in my mind while writing this post that, in my head at the store yesterday, white pitas weren't even an option! How's that for a change?
So, I began looking around for some other crust options. They had the premade pizza crusts but no wheat in those either and honestly those would be a last resort for me because the points/calories are kinda high. They also had Naan bread which I have tried once and really like, mostly because it makes a big pizza but one Naan was 340 calories and 7 points! Oh no, no way am I sacrificing that many points on the crust alone! So, I compromised. Instead of pita pizza, I bought the same ingredients and went home and made chicken and mushroom wraps. I'll save the pizza for something to look forward to this weekend.
While I was perusing the deli looking for pita, I stumbled upon the premade deli salads. Now, let me tell you, I LOVE a Greek salad. Well, LF makes some really good salads and I really wanted one of those Greek ones because it looked SO YUMMY. But, of course there was no nutritional information on the container. And I know it was a salad but to me, when I'm on track, I have to have a way to determine the points/calories of an item or I don't feel right eating it. So, I thought for a moment about getting the ingredients and making my own Greek salad so I CONTROL what goes in it. But then I thought that would be a waste because I would make one salad and all the rest of the ingredients would go to waste because NO WAY is hubby eating a salad.
So, I think I'm gonna turn this craving thing around and play tricks on my mind like my mind so often plays tricks on me. Since I have huge cravings and desires to cheat (especially with pizza) on the weekends, I'm gonna plan (key word here everyone, key to this staying on track: PLAN). I'm gonna plan on making pita pizza and Greek salad for a meal this weekend. That gives me something to look forward to and a healthy option to satisfy a craving. And if Heather is home for the weekend, I know the salad won't go to waste because she loves a good salad like her momma.
Anyhow, so I ended the day yesterday with 26 points, 1,425 calories and 101.4 oz. of water. Didn't get in enough veggies as I had a SmartOnes for lunch and only some mushrooms and lettuce on my dinner wraps. But, I did get in 2 fruits as I had some pineapple and fresh blackberries with my Greek yogurt.
Today, I'm doing the fresh lunch since I'm limiting myself to 3 frozen lunches per week. So, today I'm using the leftover chicken from last nights dinner and having a cold chicken wrap with lettuce and lowfat Sweet Vidalia Onion Vinegarette. Yummy!
I have also realized that I am so into Greek yogurt that I plan my whole days points and menu around saving enough points for my Greek yogurt and fruit before bed. What a change that is from craving ice cream and sweets before bed. Don't get me wrong, I still crave those things. But NOW I also crave fruit and yogurt and look forward to it everynight as a treat. Isn't the mind a funny thing?
Okay, I've said alot today so I'm off for now. Til tomorrow.
Have a great day!
I was going to make pita pizza for dinner last night so I dragged myself to the grocery store after work even though I really didn't want to. And wouldn't you know that Lowes Foods was OUT OF Wheat Pita Bread. They had many lovely bags of white pita bread but no wheat. And you know what just dawned on me? Why didn't I just buy the white pitas? I didn't even think of it at the store. I rummaged through them looking for a stray bag of wheat but it never even crossed my mind to just buy the white. I guess that is what Sean means when he writes of small changes that happen over time and how we soon start making better calorie and nutritional choices along the way. There used to be a time when I NEVER ate wheat bread or brown rice. I did and still do love white bread and rice. But years ago, during one of my "diets" I switched to whole grain, wheat, etc. and I have stuck to it all this time, even when I'm not dieting otherwise. It just clicked in my mind while writing this post that, in my head at the store yesterday, white pitas weren't even an option! How's that for a change?
So, I began looking around for some other crust options. They had the premade pizza crusts but no wheat in those either and honestly those would be a last resort for me because the points/calories are kinda high. They also had Naan bread which I have tried once and really like, mostly because it makes a big pizza but one Naan was 340 calories and 7 points! Oh no, no way am I sacrificing that many points on the crust alone! So, I compromised. Instead of pita pizza, I bought the same ingredients and went home and made chicken and mushroom wraps. I'll save the pizza for something to look forward to this weekend.
While I was perusing the deli looking for pita, I stumbled upon the premade deli salads. Now, let me tell you, I LOVE a Greek salad. Well, LF makes some really good salads and I really wanted one of those Greek ones because it looked SO YUMMY. But, of course there was no nutritional information on the container. And I know it was a salad but to me, when I'm on track, I have to have a way to determine the points/calories of an item or I don't feel right eating it. So, I thought for a moment about getting the ingredients and making my own Greek salad so I CONTROL what goes in it. But then I thought that would be a waste because I would make one salad and all the rest of the ingredients would go to waste because NO WAY is hubby eating a salad.
So, I think I'm gonna turn this craving thing around and play tricks on my mind like my mind so often plays tricks on me. Since I have huge cravings and desires to cheat (especially with pizza) on the weekends, I'm gonna plan (key word here everyone, key to this staying on track: PLAN). I'm gonna plan on making pita pizza and Greek salad for a meal this weekend. That gives me something to look forward to and a healthy option to satisfy a craving. And if Heather is home for the weekend, I know the salad won't go to waste because she loves a good salad like her momma.
Anyhow, so I ended the day yesterday with 26 points, 1,425 calories and 101.4 oz. of water. Didn't get in enough veggies as I had a SmartOnes for lunch and only some mushrooms and lettuce on my dinner wraps. But, I did get in 2 fruits as I had some pineapple and fresh blackberries with my Greek yogurt.
Today, I'm doing the fresh lunch since I'm limiting myself to 3 frozen lunches per week. So, today I'm using the leftover chicken from last nights dinner and having a cold chicken wrap with lettuce and lowfat Sweet Vidalia Onion Vinegarette. Yummy!
I have also realized that I am so into Greek yogurt that I plan my whole days points and menu around saving enough points for my Greek yogurt and fruit before bed. What a change that is from craving ice cream and sweets before bed. Don't get me wrong, I still crave those things. But NOW I also crave fruit and yogurt and look forward to it everynight as a treat. Isn't the mind a funny thing?
Okay, I've said alot today so I'm off for now. Til tomorrow.
Have a great day!
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
My Tuesday
Its amazing how easily I am swayed into cheating these days. The culprit? None other than myself. I sway MYSELF and talk MYSELF into cheating! All it takes is hubby asking me what are you having for dinner? And, my standard reply these days is pizza? Once again he chose not to give into my pleading and refused to go get pizza. Bless him :)
Sometimes we need someone to be strong for us when we aren't feeling strong enough ourselves. My mind just isn't into this diet thing lately and its a struggle to stay on track. But I'm still trying. I ended the day yesterday with totals of 26 points and 1,438 calories and about 100 oz. water. I know I was up using the bathroom at least 3-4 times last night. My goals per day are 26 points and 1,500 or less calories so I was within range. The 1,438 calories are a little higher than what I usually average. I track points as the priority and usually by staying at or under the 26 points per day, that brings me in at between 1,100-1,300 calories per day. Yesterdays calories were a bit higher and in looking over my journal I contribute it to eating a "fresh" lunch which had more calories than the packaged/frozen meals I usually enjoy. I'm cutting back to only 3 of those frozen meals per week so yesterday I had a chicken salad melt on a whole wheat sandwich thin with a slice of 2% cheese melted on it for lunch. The calories for that were 321 when my frozen lunch usually only averages about 260-270. But, considering that it is much more healthy to eat fresh, I'll take the few extra calories since I didn't go over 1,500.
I also realized recently that I have been neglecting to count the calories for gum and Crystal Light. I usually have 2 pieces of sugarfree gum per day (5 calories each) and 1 packet of Crystal Light in the afternoon (10 calories). So, I'll be adding 20 calories to my daily totals to allow for those. I drink plain water all day long but I enjoy my Crystal Light Lemonade with my afternoon snack.
Not sure what I'm having for dinner tonight but since I'm craving pizza I was thinking of making chicken pita pizza. However that would require a trip to the store after work and honestly I'm tired of going to the grocery store every other day! I have discovered that eating healthy causes me to be at the store ALL of the time to replenish fresh fruits and veggies. Not only does that impact my pocketbook but it also causes me to have to run out of the way every other afternoon on the way home. So, I'm craving the pizza thing but it would probably be easier and make better sense to go home and eat what is already there. That would be leftover turkey burgers or chicken. I've already been to the gas station, the vet's for cat food and the dollar store for hubby's shoelaces all on the way to work this morning, so I'm kinda just wanting to head straight home this afternoon. And you KNOW I have to be home by 4:00 to watch Y & R because it is SMOKIN' right now! LOL.
Okay, well hope everyone has a great day! Til tomorrow :)
Sometimes we need someone to be strong for us when we aren't feeling strong enough ourselves. My mind just isn't into this diet thing lately and its a struggle to stay on track. But I'm still trying. I ended the day yesterday with totals of 26 points and 1,438 calories and about 100 oz. water. I know I was up using the bathroom at least 3-4 times last night. My goals per day are 26 points and 1,500 or less calories so I was within range. The 1,438 calories are a little higher than what I usually average. I track points as the priority and usually by staying at or under the 26 points per day, that brings me in at between 1,100-1,300 calories per day. Yesterdays calories were a bit higher and in looking over my journal I contribute it to eating a "fresh" lunch which had more calories than the packaged/frozen meals I usually enjoy. I'm cutting back to only 3 of those frozen meals per week so yesterday I had a chicken salad melt on a whole wheat sandwich thin with a slice of 2% cheese melted on it for lunch. The calories for that were 321 when my frozen lunch usually only averages about 260-270. But, considering that it is much more healthy to eat fresh, I'll take the few extra calories since I didn't go over 1,500.
I also realized recently that I have been neglecting to count the calories for gum and Crystal Light. I usually have 2 pieces of sugarfree gum per day (5 calories each) and 1 packet of Crystal Light in the afternoon (10 calories). So, I'll be adding 20 calories to my daily totals to allow for those. I drink plain water all day long but I enjoy my Crystal Light Lemonade with my afternoon snack.
Not sure what I'm having for dinner tonight but since I'm craving pizza I was thinking of making chicken pita pizza. However that would require a trip to the store after work and honestly I'm tired of going to the grocery store every other day! I have discovered that eating healthy causes me to be at the store ALL of the time to replenish fresh fruits and veggies. Not only does that impact my pocketbook but it also causes me to have to run out of the way every other afternoon on the way home. So, I'm craving the pizza thing but it would probably be easier and make better sense to go home and eat what is already there. That would be leftover turkey burgers or chicken. I've already been to the gas station, the vet's for cat food and the dollar store for hubby's shoelaces all on the way to work this morning, so I'm kinda just wanting to head straight home this afternoon. And you KNOW I have to be home by 4:00 to watch Y & R because it is SMOKIN' right now! LOL.
Okay, well hope everyone has a great day! Til tomorrow :)
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
My Monday
Had a good day eating wise yesterday. Drank ALOT of water too! I have also figured out another downside to cheating on the weekends. Not only does it throw me completely off track and either make me gain weight or prevent me from losing that week. But, it also messes with me mentally. I really enjoy that freedom of eating what I want without counting or writing things down. And I really enjoy eating all those yummy things I don't allow myself when I'm "on plan." But then Monday comes and I get back on track and I'm sad. I'm downright depressed because I miss that freedom and all those yummy things. And I'm literally like in a foul mood over it! So, that enjoyment I experienced over the weekend is followed by grumpiness and a downright crappy mood. So, is it really worth it? Are those few yummy things I enjoy when I'm off plan worth the guilt and bad mood they put me in later? Then of course, after eating those "no no" things that I had finally gotten used to not having, I start craving them again! Wouldn't it be much easier to avoid them in the first place? And not let my taste buds remember them?
I really wish that all those well meaning people who do NOT have weight problems or food issues would get some insight into how MENTAL food issues/addictions really are. It is so easy for them to say, Just Don't Eat It. When they really have NO CLUE how much mental and emotional stress is involved and that its not just a PHYSICAL issue! We are faced with food everyday, we need it for our survival. We have to stare it down, confront it and wrestle with it at least 3 or more times EVERYDAY.
Yesterday I did good. I won that match and had a successful day. Today, I'm doing well so far. But who knows about tomorrow. Or the day after that or the day after that. Each day brings a new battle.
Yesterday I got right back into the groove. It was pretty easy but in the back of my mind, I keep reminding myself that it was easy because I was only off track for a few days. And, the longer I stay off track, the harder it is to get back on. This week I'm aiming for 1 or less days off plan.
Mondays food totals were 25 points, 1,310 calories and over 100 oz. of water! I got alot of fruits and veggies in too enjoying asparagus and butternut squash for dinner along with a turkey burger (no bun) smothered in sauteed mushrooms. I also enjoyed a pear and some blackberries with my greek yogurt for an evening snack. I'm really into fresh veggies lately, so if you have any favorites or good ideas, let me know.
Have a great afternoon!
I really wish that all those well meaning people who do NOT have weight problems or food issues would get some insight into how MENTAL food issues/addictions really are. It is so easy for them to say, Just Don't Eat It. When they really have NO CLUE how much mental and emotional stress is involved and that its not just a PHYSICAL issue! We are faced with food everyday, we need it for our survival. We have to stare it down, confront it and wrestle with it at least 3 or more times EVERYDAY.
Yesterday I did good. I won that match and had a successful day. Today, I'm doing well so far. But who knows about tomorrow. Or the day after that or the day after that. Each day brings a new battle.
Yesterday I got right back into the groove. It was pretty easy but in the back of my mind, I keep reminding myself that it was easy because I was only off track for a few days. And, the longer I stay off track, the harder it is to get back on. This week I'm aiming for 1 or less days off plan.
Mondays food totals were 25 points, 1,310 calories and over 100 oz. of water! I got alot of fruits and veggies in too enjoying asparagus and butternut squash for dinner along with a turkey burger (no bun) smothered in sauteed mushrooms. I also enjoyed a pear and some blackberries with my greek yogurt for an evening snack. I'm really into fresh veggies lately, so if you have any favorites or good ideas, let me know.
Have a great afternoon!
Monday, November 8, 2010
Why Is This So Flipping Hard?
Why is this so flipping hard? That is the question I am asking myself these days. Why is it that I can sail along for MONTHS at a time, nearly a year, eating well and staying on plan then suddenly for weeks to a month, it is incredibly hard and boring and I JUST DON'T WANT TO DO IT ANYMORE? Why do I feel like that?
If I had the answer to that question, if we ALL had the answer to that question, it may explain why we continue to go off track and gain weight back. It is the cycle that hits me EVERYTIME I lose weight. It starts with just a cheat "here and there". Then it goes into a "few days on, a few days off". That's where I'm at now. Then it leads into all out JUST OFF THE PLAN. That is what I'm trying to avoid. I know you have seen me post this description of this cycle several times lately. I haven't forgotten that I've already posted it and discussed it with you all. I just KEEP posting it because I KEEP following this vicious cycle and maybe posting about it will help me understand it. WHO KNOWS?
I started back on plan last week and did well Mon-Thurs, completely within points/calorie range and even fit in a few days of walking. Then the weekend hits and I'm like Points who? Count what calories? Its like the weekend is free time and that free time must be used to eat everything that I'm not supposed to eat during the week before Monday gets here. Help me jump off this train PLEASE!
Then the rationalization begins. Then I tell myself, Oh, its just a few days. You have done so well. You've lost alot of weight. You are smaller than you've been in YEARS. A few days won't hurt you. No, a few days won't. But you know and I know that it won't stop at a few days. Those few days lead to a few more and a few more then to weeks and months and a YEAR off of plan. Which leads to a few more pounds and a few larger pants sizes!
Losing weight brings us freedom. And once we start to feel freedom we think its okay to slack up some and have some freedom in our food choices. But that inevitably, for me at least, leads to too much freedom and too many bad choices. If you feel me and you are struggling as well, or if you have given yourself too much freedom and made some bad choices lately, let me know what YOU are doing to get back on track.
I know we can all only take it one day at a time and one choice or decision at a time. But sometimes it all feels very overwhelming!
I'm going by the store on the way home tonight to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies for this week. I'm really into butternut squash lately. Yummy!
Feeling a bit depressed about many things and hoping that I won't let that lead me into a whole week off track.
Hope everyone has a good start to their week.
If I had the answer to that question, if we ALL had the answer to that question, it may explain why we continue to go off track and gain weight back. It is the cycle that hits me EVERYTIME I lose weight. It starts with just a cheat "here and there". Then it goes into a "few days on, a few days off". That's where I'm at now. Then it leads into all out JUST OFF THE PLAN. That is what I'm trying to avoid. I know you have seen me post this description of this cycle several times lately. I haven't forgotten that I've already posted it and discussed it with you all. I just KEEP posting it because I KEEP following this vicious cycle and maybe posting about it will help me understand it. WHO KNOWS?
I started back on plan last week and did well Mon-Thurs, completely within points/calorie range and even fit in a few days of walking. Then the weekend hits and I'm like Points who? Count what calories? Its like the weekend is free time and that free time must be used to eat everything that I'm not supposed to eat during the week before Monday gets here. Help me jump off this train PLEASE!
Then the rationalization begins. Then I tell myself, Oh, its just a few days. You have done so well. You've lost alot of weight. You are smaller than you've been in YEARS. A few days won't hurt you. No, a few days won't. But you know and I know that it won't stop at a few days. Those few days lead to a few more and a few more then to weeks and months and a YEAR off of plan. Which leads to a few more pounds and a few larger pants sizes!
Losing weight brings us freedom. And once we start to feel freedom we think its okay to slack up some and have some freedom in our food choices. But that inevitably, for me at least, leads to too much freedom and too many bad choices. If you feel me and you are struggling as well, or if you have given yourself too much freedom and made some bad choices lately, let me know what YOU are doing to get back on track.
I know we can all only take it one day at a time and one choice or decision at a time. But sometimes it all feels very overwhelming!
I'm going by the store on the way home tonight to stock up on fresh fruits and veggies for this week. I'm really into butternut squash lately. Yummy!
Feeling a bit depressed about many things and hoping that I won't let that lead me into a whole week off track.
Hope everyone has a good start to their week.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
I'm Still Here
I know that I haven't blogged in a while, but I am still checking in and reading everyone else's posts. I too, like many of us, have been struggling with sticking to plan lately. I have fallen (or thrown myself) into the rut of a "cheat here and there", which led to "on a few days, off a few days", which USUALLY leads right into "completely off for a month." I am TRYING to stop it at this point. This time of year is really hard for me as I'm sure it is for many. Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, baking, cold weather, all of those things leading us to want to eat comfort foods and goodies. This healthy lifestyle is a constant struggle and one that I don't always succeed at. I have not been going overboard. I have not purchased ONE PINT of Ben and Jerry's. I have not visited McDonald's for the McRib (whose return I have anxiously been waiting for!). I have not purchased a dozen donoughts. But I have had my slips here and there. I have had my days of eating everything in sight! All that I can do is try again every day.
I'm doing well this week. I have managed to stay within points/calories both Monday and Tuesday and I have also walked the neighborhood for about 30 minutes each of those days. Today it is gloomy and cold and its one of those days where I just want to curl up on the couch and eat something yummy. So, I will struggle and I may succeed and I may fail. But I can do nothing more than continue to try everyday.
I'll also admit that I have been putting off posting because I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to say that I had been failing, so I just didn't say anything at all. BUT that in itself is a failure too. I have to be accountable and letting you all know that I am struggling and have made some bad decisions is a part of that.
Its really easy to make those bad decisions, but its hard as heck to admit to them and write them down and live with them! If that is all so hard, then why don't I remember that BEFORE making the bad decision?
I have a plan for today. I have eaten lightly for breakfast, am planning a low points lunch and a really yummy dinner of Turkey meatloaf and butternut squash. I have planned my points out and am looking forward to dinner. I'll let you know tomorrow if I followed through with my planning and made good decisions.
Have a great day!
I'm doing well this week. I have managed to stay within points/calories both Monday and Tuesday and I have also walked the neighborhood for about 30 minutes each of those days. Today it is gloomy and cold and its one of those days where I just want to curl up on the couch and eat something yummy. So, I will struggle and I may succeed and I may fail. But I can do nothing more than continue to try everyday.
I'll also admit that I have been putting off posting because I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to say that I had been failing, so I just didn't say anything at all. BUT that in itself is a failure too. I have to be accountable and letting you all know that I am struggling and have made some bad decisions is a part of that.
Its really easy to make those bad decisions, but its hard as heck to admit to them and write them down and live with them! If that is all so hard, then why don't I remember that BEFORE making the bad decision?
I have a plan for today. I have eaten lightly for breakfast, am planning a low points lunch and a really yummy dinner of Turkey meatloaf and butternut squash. I have planned my points out and am looking forward to dinner. I'll let you know tomorrow if I followed through with my planning and made good decisions.
Have a great day!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Wednesday
I came thisclose to having pizza for dinner last night and it was all MY idea. Hubby saved me though. Here's how the conversation went. Hubby: What are you having for dinner? (he asks me this EVERY night). Me: Pizza? Hubby: No, you can't have pizza (not meaning I CAN'T but meaning I'm NOT eating that lately because I'm doing well). Me: But I had a bad, stressful day. Hubby: I just had pizza for lunch yesterday. Me: C'mon Hubby: No, I don't want pizza. Me: You suck....
LOL
But as usual I was glad he held firm later when I didn't go to bed feeling heavy, too full and guilty for eating pizza and hot wings.
The desire to cheat is always there, hiding under the surface. I will be going along for days or weeks at a time, just fine eating healthy but that desire and those cravings are always there waiting for the perfect opportunity to jump out at me. I had a craving for turkey meatloaf and had already been to the store to get the stuff I needed and then add a bad afternoon at work and a gloomy, rainy day and I was all ready to order a pizza. But, thanks to hubby, I made the turkey meatloaf. I made the 1/4 recipe and it made 4 slices which is much better with only myself eating it. I had one slice for dinner with the leftover squash and zucchini and some green beans. It was yummy!
Here's my food for Wednesday:
Breakfast: 1 packet maple and brown sugar oatmeal
Lunch: Lean Cuisine Grilled Chicken Primavera
Snack: 1 cup fresh pineapple and 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese
Dinner: 1 slice turkey meatloaf with ketchup, 1 cup squash, zucchini and onion and green beans
Dessert: 90 calorie granola bar, peach greek yogurt and 1 cup blackberries
Totals for the day: 26 points, 1,382 calories, 101.4 oz. water
I have noticed something this week. When I detour from my standard egg, english muffin and turkey sausage for breakfast, I get hungry earlier and way before lunch time. I had oatmeal for breakfast yesterday and cereal with skim milk and 1/2 a banana this morning. Both mornings, my stomach was growling just a few hours later! When I eat my egg breakfast, my stomach doesn't growl. Hmmmmmm. Is it the protein in the egg that is keeping me fuller? What do you all usually eat for breakfast and does it keep you full until lunch?
Suggestions for new breakfast ideas that won't leaving me hungry in a few hours? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for listening and for all of your kind comments as we traverse this journey together.
Have a great day and be good to yourself
Til tommorow
LOL
But as usual I was glad he held firm later when I didn't go to bed feeling heavy, too full and guilty for eating pizza and hot wings.
The desire to cheat is always there, hiding under the surface. I will be going along for days or weeks at a time, just fine eating healthy but that desire and those cravings are always there waiting for the perfect opportunity to jump out at me. I had a craving for turkey meatloaf and had already been to the store to get the stuff I needed and then add a bad afternoon at work and a gloomy, rainy day and I was all ready to order a pizza. But, thanks to hubby, I made the turkey meatloaf. I made the 1/4 recipe and it made 4 slices which is much better with only myself eating it. I had one slice for dinner with the leftover squash and zucchini and some green beans. It was yummy!
Here's my food for Wednesday:
Breakfast: 1 packet maple and brown sugar oatmeal
Lunch: Lean Cuisine Grilled Chicken Primavera
Snack: 1 cup fresh pineapple and 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese
Dinner: 1 slice turkey meatloaf with ketchup, 1 cup squash, zucchini and onion and green beans
Dessert: 90 calorie granola bar, peach greek yogurt and 1 cup blackberries
Totals for the day: 26 points, 1,382 calories, 101.4 oz. water
I have noticed something this week. When I detour from my standard egg, english muffin and turkey sausage for breakfast, I get hungry earlier and way before lunch time. I had oatmeal for breakfast yesterday and cereal with skim milk and 1/2 a banana this morning. Both mornings, my stomach was growling just a few hours later! When I eat my egg breakfast, my stomach doesn't growl. Hmmmmmm. Is it the protein in the egg that is keeping me fuller? What do you all usually eat for breakfast and does it keep you full until lunch?
Suggestions for new breakfast ideas that won't leaving me hungry in a few hours? Let me know in the comments.
Thanks for listening and for all of your kind comments as we traverse this journey together.
Have a great day and be good to yourself
Til tommorow
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Monday & Tuesday
I've had a good week so far. I've been eating alot of fruit and loving fresh fruit and greek yogurt for dessert. I missed posting yesterday because I didn't make it to the office. I ripped my last contact lens and my back up glasses are broken and there is NO driving for me because I can't see the stop lights! So, I had to stay home all day (gosh darn!) and catch up on my TIVO. It felt like I ate ALOT yesterday, even though I was within my points/calories range and I ate my meals/snacks around the same time as I usually do. But since I was sitting around at home watching tv, it FELT like I ate alot or was eating all the time! But I was successful in staying on track because usually sitting at home all day would trigger a binge for sure.
Here's my food for Monday/Tuesday:
Monday:
Breakfast: A hardboiled egg and 1 patty of turkey sausage
Lunch: Smart Ones Salisbury Steak with Asparagus
Snack: 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese and an apple
Dinner: Boneless, skinless chicken breast marinated in a Garlic Balsamic marinade with 1/2 cup couscous and 1 cup of squash, zucchini and onion sauteed with Smart Balance light butter.
Dessert: A pear and a greek yogurt
Totals: 26 points, 1,241 calories and approx. 30 minute walk
Tuesday:
Breakfast: 1 whole egg, a light, multigrain english muffin and 1 turkey sausage patty
Lunch: Tuna salad with celery, light Miracle Whip, mustard and sweet salad cubes on 2 slices of toasted wheat bread
Snack: 1 cup pineapple and 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese
Dinner: 2 chicken soft tacos with fat free sour cream, lowfat cheese, salsa and lettuce
Dessert: 1 cup pineapple and a pineapple greek yogurt
Totals: 26 points, 1,289 calories
I started back walking this week and made it one day so far. LOL. I wanted to walk yesterday but without being able to see well, I didn't want to chance busting my hiney in the neighborhood. Today it is chilly and gloomy so I'm not sure if I will or not. I KNOW these are excuses but I have the hardest time getting back on track with my exercise!
I'm making a turkey meatloaf for dinner tonight. Got a sudden craving for it and had most of the ingredients at home. I usually make a 1/2 recipe and it's still too much with just myself eating it since Heather is at school. I hate to waste it so this time I'm making a 1/4 recipe. I'll probably pair it with the leftover squash and some green beans. YUMMO
Hope everyone is having an awesome week and being good to themselves.
Til tomorrow
Here's my food for Monday/Tuesday:
Monday:
Breakfast: A hardboiled egg and 1 patty of turkey sausage
Lunch: Smart Ones Salisbury Steak with Asparagus
Snack: 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese and an apple
Dinner: Boneless, skinless chicken breast marinated in a Garlic Balsamic marinade with 1/2 cup couscous and 1 cup of squash, zucchini and onion sauteed with Smart Balance light butter.
Dessert: A pear and a greek yogurt
Totals: 26 points, 1,241 calories and approx. 30 minute walk
Tuesday:
Breakfast: 1 whole egg, a light, multigrain english muffin and 1 turkey sausage patty
Lunch: Tuna salad with celery, light Miracle Whip, mustard and sweet salad cubes on 2 slices of toasted wheat bread
Snack: 1 cup pineapple and 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese
Dinner: 2 chicken soft tacos with fat free sour cream, lowfat cheese, salsa and lettuce
Dessert: 1 cup pineapple and a pineapple greek yogurt
Totals: 26 points, 1,289 calories
I started back walking this week and made it one day so far. LOL. I wanted to walk yesterday but without being able to see well, I didn't want to chance busting my hiney in the neighborhood. Today it is chilly and gloomy so I'm not sure if I will or not. I KNOW these are excuses but I have the hardest time getting back on track with my exercise!
I'm making a turkey meatloaf for dinner tonight. Got a sudden craving for it and had most of the ingredients at home. I usually make a 1/2 recipe and it's still too much with just myself eating it since Heather is at school. I hate to waste it so this time I'm making a 1/4 recipe. I'll probably pair it with the leftover squash and some green beans. YUMMO
Hope everyone is having an awesome week and being good to themselves.
Til tomorrow
Monday, October 18, 2010
The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Well, the weekend wasn't a complete failure but it wasn't a complete success either. I stayed on track on Friday, ending the day with 22 points and 1,152 calories. Saturday, hubby decided he wanted to go to the fair which is funny because EVERY year, Heather and I want to go and he DOESN'T. But this year, he decided we should go. I tried to talk him out of it somewhat. I suggested the mall or bowling. He DID offer to do something else if I didn't want to go but I said no, that's okay. Partly because he always does what I want to do and I wanted him to have a day of something he would enjoy. And partly because I LOVE the fair and part of me wanted to go.
I did very well at the fair I think. I ate a hardboiled egg before I left the house and we walked ALOT. About 2 1/2-3 hours of nearly non-stop walking at the fair. I debated about what I was going to eat at the fair and ended up with a chicken pita which consisted of a large pita bread, some grilled pieces of chicken and I chose to top mine with the sauteed onions and peppers rather than the lettuce, tomatoes and mayo which was how it was usually served. I think it was one of the better choices I could've made for lunch at the fair. I then debated on a sweet. I was going to allow myself one sweet. I debated on kettle corn, a funnel cake or a chocolate covered frozen banana. I ruled out the kettle corn because it was a HUGE bag and I knew hubby wouldn't eat it which would mean I would end up carrying it home and I did NOT need it in the house. Then, while I was debating on the funnel cake or banana, I suddenly wanted a piece of roast corn which was in my face at every direction I turned! I wound up with NONE of the above. I ended up with an Orangeaide drink instead and that was all I indulged in at the fair: a chicken pita and an Orangeaide.
I was proud of the fact that instead of eating everything I wanted, I actually debated and weighed out the better choices and said NO. I said NO to the deep fried oreos and snickers and NO to a 2 ft. long bag of kettle corn and NO to a cheese burger using Krispy Kreme donoughts as buns (how is that EVEN good?).
So, I was pretty good I think on Saturday. I left the fair and went home and had a bone-in bbq chicken breast and some broccoli with white cheddar sauce for dinner and a greek yogurt for dessert.
Now, Sunday I didn't do so well. I did not track my points at all on Saturday or Sunday. I have done this before. I get past one obstacle (the fair) and succeed and then turn around and sabotage myself another way. This time I did pretty well at the fair, then turned around and made bad choices on Sunday. First, I skipped breakfast so I was hungry by the time we got to the restaurant for lunch. I ordered a grilled chicken salad with ranch dressing which isn't TOO bad considering the other options. BUT, I did order a side order of onion rings. I ended up eating the whole salad with about 2/3 of the dressing I was served. I ate about 5 of the onion rings and left the rest. Later that afternoon I ate some bbq chips that hubby had put in the house ( I don't buy chips). Then I ended the day with a steak and baked sweet potatoe with butter, cinnamon and brown sugar.
While I wouldn't say that the weekend was a total success, it wasn't a total failure either. My past cheats would've consisted of spending the whole weekend consuming whatever I was craving and whatever I wouldn't be able to eat "before going back on plan". I didn't do that this time. I balanced some good choices with some not so great choices but it wasn't all bad.
Although I know I didn't do as bad as my usual "cheat", I still see a bad pattern emerging. I cheated a bit last weekend, a bit last week and a bit this weekend. That means I'm allowing myself too much room for cheating. That is how it usually starts. I cheat a day here and there and then it turns to 3 days on and 4 days off plan, then it turns to completely off plan for months. I cannot let that happen this time. I will not let my day here and there turn into months off plan and pounds back on me.
On a good note, I grocery shopped yesterday and stocked up on really good things for the week. I got apples, pears, bananas, blackberries, greek yogurt, celery, zuchinni, squash, boneless chicken, ground turkey and light, multigrain english muffins. I have plans on some turkey tacos, and chicken with couscous, squash and zuchinni for dinners this week.
I did very well at the fair I think. I ate a hardboiled egg before I left the house and we walked ALOT. About 2 1/2-3 hours of nearly non-stop walking at the fair. I debated about what I was going to eat at the fair and ended up with a chicken pita which consisted of a large pita bread, some grilled pieces of chicken and I chose to top mine with the sauteed onions and peppers rather than the lettuce, tomatoes and mayo which was how it was usually served. I think it was one of the better choices I could've made for lunch at the fair. I then debated on a sweet. I was going to allow myself one sweet. I debated on kettle corn, a funnel cake or a chocolate covered frozen banana. I ruled out the kettle corn because it was a HUGE bag and I knew hubby wouldn't eat it which would mean I would end up carrying it home and I did NOT need it in the house. Then, while I was debating on the funnel cake or banana, I suddenly wanted a piece of roast corn which was in my face at every direction I turned! I wound up with NONE of the above. I ended up with an Orangeaide drink instead and that was all I indulged in at the fair: a chicken pita and an Orangeaide.
I was proud of the fact that instead of eating everything I wanted, I actually debated and weighed out the better choices and said NO. I said NO to the deep fried oreos and snickers and NO to a 2 ft. long bag of kettle corn and NO to a cheese burger using Krispy Kreme donoughts as buns (how is that EVEN good?).
So, I was pretty good I think on Saturday. I left the fair and went home and had a bone-in bbq chicken breast and some broccoli with white cheddar sauce for dinner and a greek yogurt for dessert.
Now, Sunday I didn't do so well. I did not track my points at all on Saturday or Sunday. I have done this before. I get past one obstacle (the fair) and succeed and then turn around and sabotage myself another way. This time I did pretty well at the fair, then turned around and made bad choices on Sunday. First, I skipped breakfast so I was hungry by the time we got to the restaurant for lunch. I ordered a grilled chicken salad with ranch dressing which isn't TOO bad considering the other options. BUT, I did order a side order of onion rings. I ended up eating the whole salad with about 2/3 of the dressing I was served. I ate about 5 of the onion rings and left the rest. Later that afternoon I ate some bbq chips that hubby had put in the house ( I don't buy chips). Then I ended the day with a steak and baked sweet potatoe with butter, cinnamon and brown sugar.
While I wouldn't say that the weekend was a total success, it wasn't a total failure either. My past cheats would've consisted of spending the whole weekend consuming whatever I was craving and whatever I wouldn't be able to eat "before going back on plan". I didn't do that this time. I balanced some good choices with some not so great choices but it wasn't all bad.
Although I know I didn't do as bad as my usual "cheat", I still see a bad pattern emerging. I cheated a bit last weekend, a bit last week and a bit this weekend. That means I'm allowing myself too much room for cheating. That is how it usually starts. I cheat a day here and there and then it turns to 3 days on and 4 days off plan, then it turns to completely off plan for months. I cannot let that happen this time. I will not let my day here and there turn into months off plan and pounds back on me.
On a good note, I grocery shopped yesterday and stocked up on really good things for the week. I got apples, pears, bananas, blackberries, greek yogurt, celery, zuchinni, squash, boneless chicken, ground turkey and light, multigrain english muffins. I have plans on some turkey tacos, and chicken with couscous, squash and zuchinni for dinners this week.
FMM
Friend Makin' Mondays
Thank You Kenz for this week's FMM question. It comes at a perfect time since I have been thinking about Fall/Winter and all of the things I love most about them, including the holidays. This week's question is What is Your Favorite Holiday and What Makes it Special to You?
My favorite holiday is Christmas. Truthfully I love all of the fall and winter holidays and just love the seasons in general and everything that comes with them. I love the cooler weather and the leave changes and the fair in October. I love Thanksgiving and Black Friday and my daughter's birthday in November. But my favorite holiday is Christmas with Thanksgiving being a close second. I love everything about Christmas. I love the cooler weather, I love the Christmas decorations that you seen when you drive down the road and the lights at nighttime. I love the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and I love picking that perfect gift for someone and wrapping it beautifully and seeing their expression when they open a gift that I have spent time either making especially for them, or given alot of thought into getting for them. What makes Christmas special to me is spending time with my family. I love having to drag my husband and daughter to the tree lot to pick out a Christmas tree, and I love "convincing" them that we have to decorate it while drinking hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music. I love waking up early on Christmas morning to watch my daughter open her gifts. I love now that she's 18, how I"m more excited than she is and I'm the one dragging her out of bed on Christmas morning. I love watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas every year even though I'm 37 years old. I love baking homemade goodies for all of my family and taking them over care packages of brownies, cookies and treats. But most of all, I love spending Christmas day with my family and enjoying a big meal that hubby and I cooked together, and lounging around the house in our pajamas. You could take away all the gifts and just give me a day in my pj's with my family and I'd love Christmas just as much. Its a magical and special time of the year.
Thank You Kenz for this week's FMM question. It comes at a perfect time since I have been thinking about Fall/Winter and all of the things I love most about them, including the holidays. This week's question is What is Your Favorite Holiday and What Makes it Special to You?
My favorite holiday is Christmas. Truthfully I love all of the fall and winter holidays and just love the seasons in general and everything that comes with them. I love the cooler weather and the leave changes and the fair in October. I love Thanksgiving and Black Friday and my daughter's birthday in November. But my favorite holiday is Christmas with Thanksgiving being a close second. I love everything about Christmas. I love the cooler weather, I love the Christmas decorations that you seen when you drive down the road and the lights at nighttime. I love the hustle and bustle of Christmas shopping and I love picking that perfect gift for someone and wrapping it beautifully and seeing their expression when they open a gift that I have spent time either making especially for them, or given alot of thought into getting for them. What makes Christmas special to me is spending time with my family. I love having to drag my husband and daughter to the tree lot to pick out a Christmas tree, and I love "convincing" them that we have to decorate it while drinking hot chocolate and listening to Christmas music. I love waking up early on Christmas morning to watch my daughter open her gifts. I love now that she's 18, how I"m more excited than she is and I'm the one dragging her out of bed on Christmas morning. I love watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas every year even though I'm 37 years old. I love baking homemade goodies for all of my family and taking them over care packages of brownies, cookies and treats. But most of all, I love spending Christmas day with my family and enjoying a big meal that hubby and I cooked together, and lounging around the house in our pajamas. You could take away all the gifts and just give me a day in my pj's with my family and I'd love Christmas just as much. Its a magical and special time of the year.
Friday, October 15, 2010
I slipped but I did not fall
Made a bad dinner decision last night. I ate good all day long, tracking my points and calories and leaving enough for chicken soft tacos for dinner and yogurt for dessert. Then hubby came home and asked "whats for dinner?". As much as I would like to blame him, I cannot. Because it was me who said "Pizza?". Usually he wouldn't agree for several reasons: 1-don't need to spend money with a house full of food, 2- don't feel like going back to town, 3-doesn't really sound good. But last night he was on board and although I debated with myself and changed my mind a few times, I still picked up the phone and ordered it!
So, I had already had 13 points and 692 calories for the day before dinner arrived. I ate 1 hot wing, 2 pieces of pizza and a BIG salad hubby had made me at the salad bar. Now, before you get all excited and say well she ate a big salad, she didn't do that bad...lemme finish..lol. Hubby had made me a salad he was really proud of, full of cheese. He made sure to tell me he had even layered some cheese on the bottom and cheese on the top. LOL. Bless his heart, he doesn't know any better. He's so used to me having ate that way for 20 years that he thinks its the status quo. I then of course added Ranch dressing (lite mind you) and croutons therefore taking my "salad" and turning it into a fat fest. I felt appropriately guilty after eating that dinner, as I should have.
BUT, the side of me that rationalizes these types of choices says that I once heard that its what you do 90% of the time, not 10% of the time. The NEW me, the one who eats healthy, makes good choices 90% of the time and bad 10% or less, so I'm not going to beat myself up over that ONE meal yesterday. As my post title says, I slipped but I did not fall. I'm back on track today and hoping that my cheat on Thursday doesn't lead into a cheat on Friday and all weekend like it usually would. I started out this morning by putting the leftover pizza down the disposal. I know that's wasteful and I'm sorry for that, but if I hadn't done it, I'd be shoving a piece in my mouth about 4:00 today.
Like I said before, I'm taking it one decision at a time. Last night's dinner was a bad decision. So, here's to hoping that I have a good weekend of good decisions. Hubby and I were supposed to go to the fair, but I have decided that I don't think I want to go. 1- It is too much temptation and I know I will fall off plan and 2- I would rather take the money and buy myself some new clothes since mine are too big for me now!
Here's hoping you all have a great weekend of good decisions too!
So, I had already had 13 points and 692 calories for the day before dinner arrived. I ate 1 hot wing, 2 pieces of pizza and a BIG salad hubby had made me at the salad bar. Now, before you get all excited and say well she ate a big salad, she didn't do that bad...lemme finish..lol. Hubby had made me a salad he was really proud of, full of cheese. He made sure to tell me he had even layered some cheese on the bottom and cheese on the top. LOL. Bless his heart, he doesn't know any better. He's so used to me having ate that way for 20 years that he thinks its the status quo. I then of course added Ranch dressing (lite mind you) and croutons therefore taking my "salad" and turning it into a fat fest. I felt appropriately guilty after eating that dinner, as I should have.
BUT, the side of me that rationalizes these types of choices says that I once heard that its what you do 90% of the time, not 10% of the time. The NEW me, the one who eats healthy, makes good choices 90% of the time and bad 10% or less, so I'm not going to beat myself up over that ONE meal yesterday. As my post title says, I slipped but I did not fall. I'm back on track today and hoping that my cheat on Thursday doesn't lead into a cheat on Friday and all weekend like it usually would. I started out this morning by putting the leftover pizza down the disposal. I know that's wasteful and I'm sorry for that, but if I hadn't done it, I'd be shoving a piece in my mouth about 4:00 today.
Like I said before, I'm taking it one decision at a time. Last night's dinner was a bad decision. So, here's to hoping that I have a good weekend of good decisions. Hubby and I were supposed to go to the fair, but I have decided that I don't think I want to go. 1- It is too much temptation and I know I will fall off plan and 2- I would rather take the money and buy myself some new clothes since mine are too big for me now!
Here's hoping you all have a great weekend of good decisions too!
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Sodium, Carbs, Fat, Calories, Points, OH MY!
Okay, this eating healthy is ALOT of work. I KNOW its worth it and I KNOW it has to be done but it's time consuming! You have to grocery shop multiple times per week to get fresh fruits and veggies. You have to plan your meals ahead of time and think things out to end up in that "just right" points and/or calories range for the day. And ideally you should also be making sure that you don't eat too much sodium and fat. And then there is always the issue of wanting to stay away from TOO many carbs. Then you have to start fixing your meal or snack way ahead of when you are gonna eat it so you can count, measure and write it all down! It's just too much. HELP! LOL.
Okay, so I'm writing it all down and I'm tracking points and calories. I KNOW KNOW KNOW that I'm eating too much sodium and too many carbs but honestly I just don't want to deal with that right now. I'm spending enough time tracking everything else. I know I should cut back on my sodium but who has time to track another set of numbers? I know I eat too many carbs but I LOVE breads and my meals don't feel complete without them. So, if I'm doing okay points/calories wise, can't I just enjoy my carbs? As long as they are whole grain/whole wheat and fit within my ranges for the day? PUHLEEZE??
So, tell me what YOU think is too much carb wise? On your plan, what kind of carbs do you eat and how often daily? Do you have to have a carb with every meal? Please give me some non-carb ideas and let me know how you fight the carb monster in the comment section or feel free to email me at shauk10076@aol.com. Your input is so appreciated!
Okay, enough ranting for today. Here's my food for Wednesday:
Breakfast: Light, multigrain english muffin and 1 patty turkey sausage
Lunch: Lean Cuisine Lasagna
Afternoon snack: 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese and 1 cup canteloupe
Dinner: Stir fry with steak, mushrooms, garlic, onions, red pepper and broccoli made with 1 tsp. olive oil and 1 tbsp. soy sauce served over brown rice
Dessert: Peach greek yogurt and 1/2 cup fresh blueberries with Splenda
Totals for the day: 25 points, 1,346 calories and approx. 100 oz. water
I had a sudden craving for stir fry yesterday afternoon, so tonight I will have those chicken soft tacos meant for last night.
Hope everyone has a great end to their week.
Talk soon
Okay, so I'm writing it all down and I'm tracking points and calories. I KNOW KNOW KNOW that I'm eating too much sodium and too many carbs but honestly I just don't want to deal with that right now. I'm spending enough time tracking everything else. I know I should cut back on my sodium but who has time to track another set of numbers? I know I eat too many carbs but I LOVE breads and my meals don't feel complete without them. So, if I'm doing okay points/calories wise, can't I just enjoy my carbs? As long as they are whole grain/whole wheat and fit within my ranges for the day? PUHLEEZE??
So, tell me what YOU think is too much carb wise? On your plan, what kind of carbs do you eat and how often daily? Do you have to have a carb with every meal? Please give me some non-carb ideas and let me know how you fight the carb monster in the comment section or feel free to email me at shauk10076@aol.com. Your input is so appreciated!
Okay, enough ranting for today. Here's my food for Wednesday:
Breakfast: Light, multigrain english muffin and 1 patty turkey sausage
Lunch: Lean Cuisine Lasagna
Afternoon snack: 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese and 1 cup canteloupe
Dinner: Stir fry with steak, mushrooms, garlic, onions, red pepper and broccoli made with 1 tsp. olive oil and 1 tbsp. soy sauce served over brown rice
Dessert: Peach greek yogurt and 1/2 cup fresh blueberries with Splenda
Totals for the day: 25 points, 1,346 calories and approx. 100 oz. water
I had a sudden craving for stir fry yesterday afternoon, so tonight I will have those chicken soft tacos meant for last night.
Hope everyone has a great end to their week.
Talk soon
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
My Tuesday
Had a good food day yesterday although it seemed like I ate alot more than usual. But, I was still under 26 points and 1,500 calories. I kinda go obsessive over my counting. I think its my OCD partly and sometimes I feel like I'm doing something wrong in tracking my food because it doesn't seem like I should be able to eat THAT much and still be within my points/calories range. I use the nutrition information on each item that I eat (if its available) and if it doesn't have any, then I look at calorieking.com or in my old PE book for calorie counts and in my WW food guide or Dining Out book for points counts. Yesterday was one of those days where the numbers show I'm on track but it FELT like alot of food.
Tuesday's food:
Breakfast: 1 hardboiled egg and 1 patty of turkey sausage (wanted to save the eng. muffin for an afternoon snack)
Lunch: Sandwich with 2 slices wheat bread, lowfat turkey, mustard, 1 tbsp. lite miracle whip and a banana
Afternoon snack: Light, multigrain english muffin with 1 tbsp. peanut butter
Dinner: Stuffed pork chop (from home delivery food company, 6 points, 290 calories), Just for One peas/corn and 2 cups Mediterranean veggies
Dessert: Blueberry greek yogurt and 1/2 cup fresh blueberries mixed in
Totals for the day: 24 points, 1,251 calories and 101.4 oz. water
Today I am having my first Lean Cuisine of the week and its lasagna..yummy! I'm thinking chicken soft tacos for dinner. They are always low in points and I'm kinda craving them after eating at Taco Bell on Monday. And if I'm making them at home then I KNOW what's going in them! Lately I'm into lower point dinners. I have always made dinner my biggest meal of the day. I know that I probably shouldn't but its the only way I feel satisfied to stick to plan. But lately I really want to have an afternoon snack and my yogurt/fruit for dessert so I have to save enough points for both of those which results in less points for dinner. I find that I'm okay eating a lower point dinner since I know I have my Greek yogurt and fruit to look forward to!
Great ideas for low point dinners include chicken soft tacos and homemade pita pizzas, just in case anyone is following WW.
Have a great afternoon!
Tuesday's food:
Breakfast: 1 hardboiled egg and 1 patty of turkey sausage (wanted to save the eng. muffin for an afternoon snack)
Lunch: Sandwich with 2 slices wheat bread, lowfat turkey, mustard, 1 tbsp. lite miracle whip and a banana
Afternoon snack: Light, multigrain english muffin with 1 tbsp. peanut butter
Dinner: Stuffed pork chop (from home delivery food company, 6 points, 290 calories), Just for One peas/corn and 2 cups Mediterranean veggies
Dessert: Blueberry greek yogurt and 1/2 cup fresh blueberries mixed in
Totals for the day: 24 points, 1,251 calories and 101.4 oz. water
Today I am having my first Lean Cuisine of the week and its lasagna..yummy! I'm thinking chicken soft tacos for dinner. They are always low in points and I'm kinda craving them after eating at Taco Bell on Monday. And if I'm making them at home then I KNOW what's going in them! Lately I'm into lower point dinners. I have always made dinner my biggest meal of the day. I know that I probably shouldn't but its the only way I feel satisfied to stick to plan. But lately I really want to have an afternoon snack and my yogurt/fruit for dessert so I have to save enough points for both of those which results in less points for dinner. I find that I'm okay eating a lower point dinner since I know I have my Greek yogurt and fruit to look forward to!
Great ideas for low point dinners include chicken soft tacos and homemade pita pizzas, just in case anyone is following WW.
Have a great afternoon!
FMM Response
Thanks to Kenz for Friend Makin' Mondays. I love answering questions like this..they always make me think. Yes, I know its Wednesday but I've had a busy week and any day is good for making friends right?
1) Do you prefer talking or texting? I do text but I prefer talking because I can never text as fast as my brain thinks about what I want to say!
2) Do you make your bed everyday? I NEVER make the bed. I just don't see the point when I'm gonna crawl right back into it later.
3) What sounds do you hear right now? I hear the hum of the computer.
4) List three things that you always carry with you: Cell phone, wallet and hairbrush
5) What are your favorite TV shows? There are way too many to list them all. I watch almost all the soap operas. Favorite current primetime shows are Brothers and Sisters, The Good Wife, Supernatural, Top Chef, Greys Anatomy, Private Practice and many more. Alltime favorites are Gilmore Girls, original 90210, Saving Grace, and many more.
6) Is there a hobby that you'd like to devote more time to? If so, what is it? I enjoy scrapbooking and reading and collecting Barbies.
7) What is your favorite drink? Before I would say Coke or Diet something. But now I only drink water and I like the Raspberry Lemonade Crystal Light.
8) Share a couple of cool facts about your family: My family tends to follow each other around the country. My grandparents moved from Michigan and soon the whole family moved behind them. Most of us live within a 20 mile radius of each other.
9) List one thing that you will do for yourself today: I will eat healthy.
10) Share something that you're thankful for today: My family including my pets and my friends.
1) Do you prefer talking or texting? I do text but I prefer talking because I can never text as fast as my brain thinks about what I want to say!
2) Do you make your bed everyday? I NEVER make the bed. I just don't see the point when I'm gonna crawl right back into it later.
3) What sounds do you hear right now? I hear the hum of the computer.
4) List three things that you always carry with you: Cell phone, wallet and hairbrush
5) What are your favorite TV shows? There are way too many to list them all. I watch almost all the soap operas. Favorite current primetime shows are Brothers and Sisters, The Good Wife, Supernatural, Top Chef, Greys Anatomy, Private Practice and many more. Alltime favorites are Gilmore Girls, original 90210, Saving Grace, and many more.
6) Is there a hobby that you'd like to devote more time to? If so, what is it? I enjoy scrapbooking and reading and collecting Barbies.
7) What is your favorite drink? Before I would say Coke or Diet something. But now I only drink water and I like the Raspberry Lemonade Crystal Light.
8) Share a couple of cool facts about your family: My family tends to follow each other around the country. My grandparents moved from Michigan and soon the whole family moved behind them. Most of us live within a 20 mile radius of each other.
9) List one thing that you will do for yourself today: I will eat healthy.
10) Share something that you're thankful for today: My family including my pets and my friends.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Weekend Catch-Up
Had a great weekend with the family. Heather went back to school today and I miss her already! I'll be glad when the semester is over. Over the whole weekend, I had just one day of slip up food wise. I'm pretty okay with that since I THOUGHT about cheating multiple times over the weekend. My cheating thoughts ranged from Cinnabon to Ben and Jerry's to cheeseburgers. I wound up eating over my points on Saturday and guess what I "cheated" on? Wheat thins, Babybel lite cheese and 100 calorie granola bars. LOL. Not that the cheating is funny, but the fact that I cheated on those items. I came thisclose to getting a Cinnabon. My daughter and I went to the mall specifically to get one. We got to the counter. I changed my mind and walked away. I changed my mind again and walked back. I didn't want the 4 pack. I wanted to cheat and get it over with and be done and not have 2 extra Cinnabons sitting around my house. BUT, they only had ONE single bun ready and it would take 12 minutes to make more. I didn't want to wait, so my daughter got the single remaining bun and I went without! Isn't it funny that I have to put so much thought and back and forth and energy into deciding to EAT SOMETHING? Thats how I know that my eating habits still aren't normal. When I have to struggle that much with a decision about food. So, I didn't eat a Cinnabon, but cheated later on the crackers/cheese and granola bars. UGH..
Friday and Sunday I did well with my eating. 26 points and 1,248 calories Friday and 26 points and 1,284 calories Sunday. Monday I was just about ready for work when the boss called and said there was no need to come in. LOVE calls like that! So, Heather and I went to visit my mom at the daycare and then wanted to do lunch and a movie. I had totally planned on going home and eating lunch before the movie but she was craving Taco Bell and it was nice to just grab lunch. So, we did Taco Bell and I ordered 2 FRESCO ranchero chicken soft tacos which are from the "diet" Fresco menu at 3 points and 170 calories each. Well, I ate the first one fine and then noticed that the 2nd one looked like it had sour cream on it. That ticked me off because I had already paid for it and wanted to eat it and didn't want to try to deal with taking it back so I ate it anyway. But this is my point about not liking to eat out when I'm dieting. No matter if you plan ahead as I did and check your calories/points and make your decision ahead of time...you cannot control what happens at the restaurant. You cannot guarantee that they are giving you the item that is 170 calories on the website, or that they didn't use butter to grill your salmon. So, I went back online this morning to look up the tacos, as they have a fresco ranchero chicken and a regular ranchero chicken. I was thinking maybe they gave me one of each. And I find that what my taco contained wasn't the same as advertised on the site. So, now i'm not sure WHAT I got but I'm thinking maybe one fresco and one regular. That's how I counted it for 9 points (should've been 6) and 440 calories (should've been 340). It just shouldn't be THIS hard to eat out on a diet!
So, here's my food for Monday:
Breakfast: boiled egg
Lunch: 2 chicken of some sort soft tacos at TBell
Snack: 1 cup pineapple and 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese
Dinner: 2 cups turkey chili and 8 wheat crackers
Totals for the day: 25 points, 1,305 calories
I did the fresh lunch for today. I made a turkey sandwich with lowfat turkey, mustard, lite Miracle Whip on wheat bread and a banana. It was yummy!
Til tomorrow
Friday and Sunday I did well with my eating. 26 points and 1,248 calories Friday and 26 points and 1,284 calories Sunday. Monday I was just about ready for work when the boss called and said there was no need to come in. LOVE calls like that! So, Heather and I went to visit my mom at the daycare and then wanted to do lunch and a movie. I had totally planned on going home and eating lunch before the movie but she was craving Taco Bell and it was nice to just grab lunch. So, we did Taco Bell and I ordered 2 FRESCO ranchero chicken soft tacos which are from the "diet" Fresco menu at 3 points and 170 calories each. Well, I ate the first one fine and then noticed that the 2nd one looked like it had sour cream on it. That ticked me off because I had already paid for it and wanted to eat it and didn't want to try to deal with taking it back so I ate it anyway. But this is my point about not liking to eat out when I'm dieting. No matter if you plan ahead as I did and check your calories/points and make your decision ahead of time...you cannot control what happens at the restaurant. You cannot guarantee that they are giving you the item that is 170 calories on the website, or that they didn't use butter to grill your salmon. So, I went back online this morning to look up the tacos, as they have a fresco ranchero chicken and a regular ranchero chicken. I was thinking maybe they gave me one of each. And I find that what my taco contained wasn't the same as advertised on the site. So, now i'm not sure WHAT I got but I'm thinking maybe one fresco and one regular. That's how I counted it for 9 points (should've been 6) and 440 calories (should've been 340). It just shouldn't be THIS hard to eat out on a diet!
So, here's my food for Monday:
Breakfast: boiled egg
Lunch: 2 chicken of some sort soft tacos at TBell
Snack: 1 cup pineapple and 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese
Dinner: 2 cups turkey chili and 8 wheat crackers
Totals for the day: 25 points, 1,305 calories
I did the fresh lunch for today. I made a turkey sandwich with lowfat turkey, mustard, lite Miracle Whip on wheat bread and a banana. It was yummy!
Til tomorrow
Friday, October 8, 2010
My Thursday
Had a busy afternoon yesterday. I have found that busy afternoons and household chores keep my mind off of cheating! When I got home yesterday I cleaned out both litterboxes (we have a kitty temporarily confined to the laundryroom, thus TWO litterboxes). I completely emptied them, scrubbed them clean and put fresh litter in. With 3 animals using a box, it gets dirty CONSTANTLY. Then of course, during that process, I spilled a good bit of litter on the kitchen floor and therefore had to sweep. LOL. Then I scrubbed the bathroom, hoping hubby wouldn't get home early wanting his shower before I was done. He usually rolls in about 6:30 but somedays he surprises me early. Then I washed all the bathroom stuff, shower curtain, rug, hanging towels. Took a shower and by then I had just enough time to watch Young and the Restless before it was time for dinner. I love when I keep busy enough in the afternoon that I don't have TIME to sit around thinking about eating junk food!
I had leftover turkey meatloaf for dinner which was great because after all that, who wanted to cook?
Here's my food from yesterday:
Breakfast: A light, multigrain english muffin and turkey sausage patty
Lunch: Smart Ones Three Cheese Ziti..yummy
Dinner: 1 slice turkey meatloaf with ketchup, 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese and 1 1/2 cups green beans.
Dessert: A peach greek yogurt and a 90 calorie granola bar
Totals for the day: 26 points, 1,235 calories
I made a fresh lunch for today. It'll give me a headstart on my non-processed lunch plan for next week even if it was only because I didn't have anything else to pack..lol. So, I'll be having tuna salad made with 1 tbsp. lite Miracle Whip and 1 tbsp. sweet salad cubes. I'll be eating it with reduced fat Wheat Thins.
Heather is coming home today and I'm so excited for the long weekend with her. We have many plans including hair cuts for us both, to the movies to see Life as We Know It (we both have really been waiting for this movie), and plenty of catching up on our TIVO episodes.
I'm a bit concerned about my "food attitude" going into this weekend though. As I said before, my daughter and I tend to influence each other in a NEGATIVE way when it comes to food and I'm already having the mentality of "i'm going to cheat". Top that with the fact that I cheated LAST weekend and still showed a loss on the scale, which leads me to the point where I start thinking its OKAY to cheat every weekend. That worries me because I used to do the "plan" where I was on during the week and cheated every weekend. And this time around, I haven't been doing that. I have been really good (other than last weekend) about sticking to my plan all weekend. So, I DON'T want to get back into the habit of thinking Friday-Sunday is a free for all for eating. We'll see how it goes.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
I had leftover turkey meatloaf for dinner which was great because after all that, who wanted to cook?
Here's my food from yesterday:
Breakfast: A light, multigrain english muffin and turkey sausage patty
Lunch: Smart Ones Three Cheese Ziti..yummy
Dinner: 1 slice turkey meatloaf with ketchup, 1/2 cup lowfat cottage cheese and 1 1/2 cups green beans.
Dessert: A peach greek yogurt and a 90 calorie granola bar
Totals for the day: 26 points, 1,235 calories
I made a fresh lunch for today. It'll give me a headstart on my non-processed lunch plan for next week even if it was only because I didn't have anything else to pack..lol. So, I'll be having tuna salad made with 1 tbsp. lite Miracle Whip and 1 tbsp. sweet salad cubes. I'll be eating it with reduced fat Wheat Thins.
Heather is coming home today and I'm so excited for the long weekend with her. We have many plans including hair cuts for us both, to the movies to see Life as We Know It (we both have really been waiting for this movie), and plenty of catching up on our TIVO episodes.
I'm a bit concerned about my "food attitude" going into this weekend though. As I said before, my daughter and I tend to influence each other in a NEGATIVE way when it comes to food and I'm already having the mentality of "i'm going to cheat". Top that with the fact that I cheated LAST weekend and still showed a loss on the scale, which leads me to the point where I start thinking its OKAY to cheat every weekend. That worries me because I used to do the "plan" where I was on during the week and cheated every weekend. And this time around, I haven't been doing that. I have been really good (other than last weekend) about sticking to my plan all weekend. So, I DON'T want to get back into the habit of thinking Friday-Sunday is a free for all for eating. We'll see how it goes.
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Thursday, October 7, 2010
Tuesday and Wednesday
STRESSFUL day at work yesterday so I skipped posting. Had to go by the store on the way home too, to get the fixings for Turkey meatloaf..it is so good! That means I'll have leftovers tonight and won't need to cook! Double Yay!
Here's my food for Tuesday and Wednesday:
Tuesday:
I had 1/2 of a wheat pita with 1 tbsp. garden veggie cream cheese and sliced turkey for breakfast. For lunch, I had a LC Mac & Beef. I had a 90 calorie chocolate granola bar for a snack. For dinner, I made a homemade pita pizza with mushrooms, peppers and a link of Turkey Italian sausage cut up. Dessert was 1 cup of fresh blackberries and a blueberry greek yogurt.
Totals for Tuesday: 22 points, 1,260 calories
Wednesday:
I had 1 whole egg, 1 piece of turkey sausage and a light, multigrain english muffin for breakfast. Lunch was a LC Chicken Primavera (so good and only 3 WW points). For a snack I had some wheat thin crackers and a Babybel cheese. For dinner I had a slice of turkey meatloaf with ketchup, leftover squash, zuchinni and onions and a Just for 1 peas/corn.
Totals for Wednesday: 23 points, 1,199 calories
I eat ALOT of Green Giant frozen veggies, the ones that come in the square box. They are REALLY low in points and calories, most having low fat sauces. I particularly like the broccoli with butter sauce and my new fav. is the Garden Vegetable Medley with potatoes, roasted red peppers and snap peas. Usually the entire box is only 100-150 calories. I also like the Just for 1 individual microwavable portions. My favorite of those is the peas/corn in a basil butter sauce. Only 1 WW point and 80 calories per container. I don't cook alot of fresh vegetables at home so I enjoy these because they are low in points/calories and very easy to cook. Also, when cooking for only myself (daughter at college, hubby not a veggie man), there's really no need to cook up a big pot of fresh veggies when I don't need alot of leftovers and want some variety everyday.
I have gotten back into the not so great habit of eating a LC or SOnes meal for lunch everyday. I had really cut back to about 3 a week, trying to not eat so many processed foods and because I had gotten worn out on them. But the past few weeks, I have been lazy and its much easier to grab one of those on the way out the door then it is to assemble something for lunch. So, for next week I'm going to try to set myself a goal of going back to just 3 processed lunch meals per week (including weekends). I will shop this weekend for other yummy lunch things. Some ideas include: pita bread sandwiches, tuna salad and crackers, and meat/cheese rollups with crackers. I love the Lunchables but have you seen the calories and fat content in those? Whew! So, for the same concept, I like to take 98% fat free lunch meats like turkey or ham, low fat or WW cheeses and some healthy crackers like Triscuits or Wheat Thins and make my own little lunch by rolling a slice of cheese up in a slice of meat and eating them with the crackers..so yummy! And the weather is getting cooler, so I can start thinking about soup for lunch.
If anyone has any non-processed/non-frozen lunch ideas for me, give me a shout.
So glad tomorrow is Friday. Daughter has fall break and will be home Friday-Tuesday! Yay! I'm so excited, it seems like she no sooner gets home on Friday and its time to go back. It'll be a nice long visit this time.
Til tomorrow...
Here's my food for Tuesday and Wednesday:
Tuesday:
I had 1/2 of a wheat pita with 1 tbsp. garden veggie cream cheese and sliced turkey for breakfast. For lunch, I had a LC Mac & Beef. I had a 90 calorie chocolate granola bar for a snack. For dinner, I made a homemade pita pizza with mushrooms, peppers and a link of Turkey Italian sausage cut up. Dessert was 1 cup of fresh blackberries and a blueberry greek yogurt.
Totals for Tuesday: 22 points, 1,260 calories
Wednesday:
I had 1 whole egg, 1 piece of turkey sausage and a light, multigrain english muffin for breakfast. Lunch was a LC Chicken Primavera (so good and only 3 WW points). For a snack I had some wheat thin crackers and a Babybel cheese. For dinner I had a slice of turkey meatloaf with ketchup, leftover squash, zuchinni and onions and a Just for 1 peas/corn.
Totals for Wednesday: 23 points, 1,199 calories
I eat ALOT of Green Giant frozen veggies, the ones that come in the square box. They are REALLY low in points and calories, most having low fat sauces. I particularly like the broccoli with butter sauce and my new fav. is the Garden Vegetable Medley with potatoes, roasted red peppers and snap peas. Usually the entire box is only 100-150 calories. I also like the Just for 1 individual microwavable portions. My favorite of those is the peas/corn in a basil butter sauce. Only 1 WW point and 80 calories per container. I don't cook alot of fresh vegetables at home so I enjoy these because they are low in points/calories and very easy to cook. Also, when cooking for only myself (daughter at college, hubby not a veggie man), there's really no need to cook up a big pot of fresh veggies when I don't need alot of leftovers and want some variety everyday.
I have gotten back into the not so great habit of eating a LC or SOnes meal for lunch everyday. I had really cut back to about 3 a week, trying to not eat so many processed foods and because I had gotten worn out on them. But the past few weeks, I have been lazy and its much easier to grab one of those on the way out the door then it is to assemble something for lunch. So, for next week I'm going to try to set myself a goal of going back to just 3 processed lunch meals per week (including weekends). I will shop this weekend for other yummy lunch things. Some ideas include: pita bread sandwiches, tuna salad and crackers, and meat/cheese rollups with crackers. I love the Lunchables but have you seen the calories and fat content in those? Whew! So, for the same concept, I like to take 98% fat free lunch meats like turkey or ham, low fat or WW cheeses and some healthy crackers like Triscuits or Wheat Thins and make my own little lunch by rolling a slice of cheese up in a slice of meat and eating them with the crackers..so yummy! And the weather is getting cooler, so I can start thinking about soup for lunch.
If anyone has any non-processed/non-frozen lunch ideas for me, give me a shout.
So glad tomorrow is Friday. Daughter has fall break and will be home Friday-Tuesday! Yay! I'm so excited, it seems like she no sooner gets home on Friday and its time to go back. It'll be a nice long visit this time.
Til tomorrow...
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