July 30, Here we Go Again...

B: Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal, black coffee

S:

L:

S:

D:

Weekly points allowance (WPA):
Points used:
Activity Points earned:
Points remaining:


Water:
Fruits/Veggies:
Whole Grains:
Milk:
Healthy Oil:
Protein:
Multivitamin:
Limit sugar and alcohol:

July 23 - Back on Track

Well, I've been down with a flu and then residual cough/congestion/general yuckiness, during which time I have been completely ignoring my weight loss attempts. At first it was because I didn't feel like eating anything at all, and then it was because I was too tired to care. I'm pretty much over it now, though, so it's time to get back on track.

My scale insists that I am down two pounds this morning, no matter how many times I get back on to try to get it to correct itself. So it must be so. So that brings me to a grand total of 13 pounds down.

I have to go to an all day workshop today. I have no idea what the plan is for lunch (I'll be with a few people), but I'll just do the best I can and count whatever points I need to. I'll also tuck a banana in my purse in case I need it!

B:

S:

L:

S:

D:

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 35
Points used:
Activity Points earned:
Points remaining:


Water:
Fruits/Veggies:
Whole Grains:
Milk:
Healthy Oil:
Protein:
Multivitamin:
Limit sugar and alcohol:

July 12, Day 32

I'm home sick today. Sore throat, coughing, headache, sinus ickiness, all the fun stuff. Stupid summer colds! This means I won't exercise and I probably won't eat a whole lot either, so I'll focus my eating on good things (it's easier when I'm home all day anyway).

B: iced coffee, choco-banana-berry smoothie (frozen banana, frozen strawberries, blueberries, yogurt, milk, vanilla, ff/sf chocolate pudding mix). YUM!

L:

S:

D:

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 27
Points used:
Activity Points earned:
Points remaining:


Water:
Fruits/Veggies:
Whole Grains:
Milk:
Healthy Oil:
Protein:
Multivitamin:
Limit sugar and alcohol:

July 11, Day 31

I am SOOOOOOOOOO tempted to pick something up for dinner on the way home. I'm getting a cold, it's freaking hot outside, and I don't want to cook! But we're doing this no eating out for a month thing, so I'd better not, because I can't cave four days into it!

B: shredded wheat & bran, skim milk, iced coffee, blueberries.

S: banana and yogurt

L: cheese sandwich (1 pt), cucumber slices, pickle spears

S: popcorn, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips

D: ww spaghetti (1 pt. for the sauce), french bread (3 pts), salad. ff/sf pudding pop for dessert.

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 32
Points used: 5
Activity Points earned: 0
Points remaining: 27


Water: 12 or so
Fruits/Veggies: 7
Whole Grains: bread and cereal
Milk: 2+
Healthy Oil: missed this one completely
Protein: yep
Multivitamin: yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: yep!

July 10, Day 30

It hit at least 102 today. Supposed to be the same tomorrow. I told hubby I was only cooking on the grill until it cools down - fortunately we got one with a side burner! I stopped at the store on the way home today and got stuff for hamburgers, grilled chicken salad, and stir fry. So we should be all set...

B: shredded wheat and bran, blueberries, skim milk, black coffee

S: grapes

L: grilled fajita meat, cucumber slices, plums, yogurt mixed w/ ff pudding mix.

S: milk

D: hamburger w/ ff cheese on 1 pt. bread, pickle spear, grilled potatoes, sf jello w/ cool whip light (0 points).

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 33
Points used: 1
Activity Points earned: 0
Points remaining: 32


Water: gallon or so...
Fruits/Veggies: 5
Whole Grains: bread, shredded wheat
Milk: 2+
Healthy Oil: some in the fajita meat, some on the potatoes
Protein: lots
Multivitamin: yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: done!

July 9, Day 29

Somehow, in spite of myself, I managed to lose two more pounds last week. Don't ask me how, because I certainly can't explain it! This means I've lost 11 pounds in four weeks. Woo hoo!

Got up this morning and did 20 minutes on the Gazelle after hubby left for work. It's going to be too hot this week to work out any time after early morning, at least for me. I don't handle heat well!

B: Shredded wheat and bran, skim milk, black coffee, frozen grapes

S: ff cottage cheese and pineapple

L: veggie chicken patty, ff swiss cheese, veggies and bean dip

S: banana

D: grilled steak fajitas (3 points for the tortilla)

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 35
Points used: 3
Activity Points earned: 1
Points remaining: 33


Water: Lots
Fruits/Veggies: 5+
Whole Grains: shredded wheat
Milk: 2+
Healthy Oil: yep (bean dip and fajita beef)
Protein: beef, soy
Multivitamin: yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: yep!

July 3, Day 23

Had a great day yesterday. Only used two points - I'm trying to save them for the 4th of July BBQ and an all you can eat pizza feast on Friday (though I'm helping my brother move on Friday and should rack up some APs for that!).

B: shredded wheat, banana, skim milk, black coffee

S:

L:

S:

D:

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 33
Points used:
Activity Points earned:
Points remaining:


Water:
Fruits/Veggies:
Whole Grains:
Milk:
Healthy Oil:
Protein:
Multivitamin:
Limit sugar and alcohol:

July 2, Day 22

Well, this weekend was a bit of a bust (where have I heard that before???), but I stepped on the scale this morning for my official weigh-in and I'm down 4 pounds. WOO HOO! That makes a total of 9 pounds since I started back on this journey.

It's a bit of a struggle when hubby wants to go to the same old places and eat the same old things (read: Burger King). I can handle it if I'm not famished but when I get super-hungry, it's a bit more than I can bear. I need to keep working on this point. Yesterday I ended up getting a Whopper Jr. and a small fry, which, yes, put me over my points but was far better than what I could have gotten (and at that point I just couldn't bear to eat another salad). And I did some gardening yesterday so that made up a few points for me.

Another week, another fresh start...

B: Fried polenta rounds topped with ff cheddar; 1 egg omelette made with Canadian bacon and mushrooms; black coffee

S: yogurt mixed w/ ff/sf chocolate pudding mix, banana

L: Greek pasta salad, grilled chicken

S: pickle

D: lentil rice balls (2 points for the rice because I already ate pasta), celery, tomatoes.

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 35
Points used: 2
Activity Points earned: 0
Points remaining: 33


Water: 12+
Fruits/Veggies: lots
Whole Grains: brown rice, pasta, polenta
Milk: only 1 today
Healthy Oil: yep
Protein: yep
Multivitamin: yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: none!

June 30, Day 20

Ok, so I was waaaaaay over on my points yesterday. But, today I earned a bunch of activity points working in the yard - digging up sod, hauling dirt, planting, stuff like that. I didn't make it all up (because then I ate a few more points), but I'm having an all core dinner and it's going to be GOOD!

B: Shredded wheat, banana, black coffee

L: veggie burger on 1 pt. bread with dijon mustard and 0 points worth of light mayo; cherries

S: can of lemonade (3)

D: grilled chicken, greek pasta salad, milk.

Weekly points allowance (WPA): -9
Points used: 4
Activity Points earned: 7
Points remaining: -6


Water:
Fruits/Veggies:
Whole Grains:
Milk:
Healthy Oil
Protein:
Multivitamin:
Limit sugar and alcohol:

June 29, day 19

I can't believe June is almost over already! Wowza!

I successfully survived the potluck yesterday by making a plan and sticking to it. I had plenty of food with me just in case the food options were less than ideal, but it turned out to be a-ok.

Today I have to go to a lunch meeting, but typically they serve salads, so I should be ok. I'll bring some good solid snacks with me in case I need them. I have no activity plans for today, but I may work out after work, and we're doing some heavy-duty yard work tomorrow, so I'm feeling ok about it.

B: fried egg, canadian bacon, banana, core oat scone, milk, black coffee

S: didn't need one

L: hummus, baba ganoush, baklavah, couscous, and a greek salad (I'm guessing about 14 points)

S: didn't need one

D: potstickers (3), mixed veggies, glass of milk, root beer float (2)

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 10
Points used: 19
Activity Points earned: 0
Points remaining: -9


Water: yep
Fruits/Veggies: only 3 today
Whole Grains: wheat
Milk: 2+
Healthy Oil: yep
Protein: yep
Multivitamin: yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: eh, not so good on the sugar part.

June 28, Day 18

Had a good day yesterday. I went out for lunch with a friend, to a Greek restaurant I hadn't been to before. Guesstimated my points using a website I found when I googled, then came home, looked in the official book, and saw that the website was waaaaaaay off. So I didn't eat as many points as I thought I did. Phew! Last night I went to Sweet Tomatoes with another friend. It's so easy to eat a Core meal there, and be completely satisfied.

I never realize how much I eat out until I decide to start eating healthier! So much of my life revolves around food. It's how I connect with friends, it's my hobby, it's one of my true joys. I love trying new things and having taste adventures. So the trick is to take that love of food and translate it into a love of healthy eating and healthy living! And always remember, the social occasions are about being SOCIAL, not making a pig of myself. The food is just a way to bring people together, not the event itself.

There's a potluck at work today. My plan of attack is to eat a small meal before I go, and to take an all-Core Greek salad. I can munch on that and whatever else I can find that looks safe, and be social while not blowing too many points.

B: Shredded wheat, banana, skim milk, black coffee

S: Yogurt and cherries (oh my goodness that was good)

Pre-potluck snack: popcorn, zucchini

L: veggie sticks, deviled egg (1), lentils and rice (1), pork chile colorado (1), chicken breast, Greek salad

S: Greek salad, nonfat decaf latte

D: Subway roast beef salad (2)

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 15
Points used: 5
Activity Points earned: 0
Points remaining: 10


Water: at least 12 glasses
Fruits/Veggies: about 8
Whole Grains: shredded wheat
Milk: 2+
Healthy Oil: yes
Protein: yes
Multivitamin: missed it today
Limit sugar and alcohol: didn't even do dessert at the potluck!

June 27, Day 17

I'm feeling REALLY good about this week so far (of course, this is only day three of this week, LOL!). Tonight I'm having dinner with a friend, but we're going to Sweet Tomatoes so I have absolutely no doubt that I'll be able to get myself a Core meal using limited points. The last two evenings I have successfully navigated the fast food circuit. That Fresco-style thing at Taco Bell? It's GOOD!

Yesterday I made a gross, gross, gross disgusting tuna and white bean concoction for lunch. I also bought some nasty pickles at Trader Joe's (I'm SO disappointed!). So there I sat, missing half my snack and all of my lunch entree. But I went to the salad bar at one of our local grocery stores and did just fine...

So here's what's on tap for today:

B: shredded wheat, banana, skim milk, black coffee

S: yogurt with cinnamon and splenda, canned peaches

L: {change of plans} souvlaki sandwich, baklava (10)

D: Sweet Tomatoes - all core

Activity: walking - 30 minutes, with friends

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 24
Points used: 10
Activity Points earned: 1
Points remaining: 15


Water:
Fruits/Veggies:
Whole Grains:
Milk:
Healthy Oil:
Protein:
Multivitamin:
Limit sugar and alcohol:

June 26, Day 16

Another day...

I need to start forcing myself to exercise in the mornings. It's too hit or miss if I wait till lunch time or after work. Too easy to get focused on other things. I am planning to walk with a friend at lunch today, so that's good. It's not like I don't have time - I'm up at 5:00 every morning to make hubby's lunch. He leaves at 5:30 and I don't leave till 7:30. I have about 45 minutes of free time in there, so 20 minutes on the Gazelle would still leave me plenty of internet surfing time!

I made the best dessert last night. I made some ff/sf cheesecake pudding, and thawed out some frozen strawberries (unsweetened). Crushed those, stirred in the cheesecake, and voila! Just like strawberry cheesecake. TASTY!

B: shredded wheat, banana, skim milk, black coffee

S: Popcorn, Fage yogurt with cinnamon and splenda

L: Salad topped with roast beef and olives, jello

S: 1/2 of a core oat scone

D: Burger King Tendergrill chicken salad. Took their cheese off, put my own (ff) on, so 3 points. Plus one point worth of light Italian dressing. Glass of milk and two ff/sf pudding pops. Oat scone.

Activity: half hour walk at lunchtime.

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 27
Points used: 4
Activity Points earned: 1
Points remaining: 24


Water: about a gallon
Fruits/Veggies: 5
Whole Grains: shredded wheat, oats
Milk: 4 servings
Healthy Oil: no
Protein: chicken, dairy, roast beef
Multivitamin: yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: done

June 25, Day 15

Well, well, well. Apparently I've found one of my so-called "trigger foods". These are the foods that you just eat and eat and eat, not paying attention to fat, calories, or the fact that you've veered so far off program that if you were traveling from Portland to Seattle, you'd be in Australia. Pepperoni pizza. Apparently this is a trigger food for most of my family, because five of us managed to consume two extra large Round Table pepperoni pizzas at lunch yesterday. I think I can lay claim to six pieces myself.

As a result, when I stepped on the scale for my weekly weigh-in, I am down ZERO pounds. At one point last week I'd lost three. But, at least it wasn't a gain and I happen to know that at least some of that is just water retention from all the salt. But, I did down more than my fair share of calories!

I did a few things right, though - I got a garden salad, and I drank water instead of beer. I really wanted a beer, too! We were helping my grandpa move once again, and it was hot and muggy in the apartment. Stressful, too, watching my mom have to deal with her father not wanting to move again, not understanding why he has to go. I also was on program at breakfast and got right back on when I made a small dinner.

And, it's another day. Another week, too. And I'll see a loss next week. Maybe even a big one, we'll see how it goes.

B: Wheatberry pancakes, black coffee, fruit cocktail, glass of milk

S: yogurt mixed with ff/sf chocolate pudding mix, banana

L: Qdoba naked chicken salad, hold the cheese and sour cream (2)

S: skim milk latte and a core brownie

D: Taco Bell - chicken soft taco, fresco style (4); two pintos and cheese, fresco style (3); cucumber slices and bell pepper strips; glass of milk; ff/sf cheesecake pudding with thawed frozen strawberries mixed in. Yum.

Activity: Schlepping boxes between the office and the warehouse for an hour.

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 35
Points used: 9
Activity Points earned: 1
Points remaining: 27


Water: About a gallon
Fruits/Veggies: about 6
Whole Grains: wheatberries
Milk: 4
Healthy Oil: STILL need to work on this one.
Protein: chicken
Multivitamin: yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: none

June 23, Day 13

Well, I missed my posting yesterday but that's ok. I was tired and cranky and not feeling well, so I just didn't do it...

Today is a barbecue out at the farm. I still have about seven points left, but I should do fine with what's on the menu. Chicken, corn on the cob, and salad are all core. I made my lightened spinach dip and have bell pepper strips to eat it with (everyone else will have the bread). I can enjoy tastes of the baked beans, orange jello salad, and strawberry shortcake, and be just fine. Should be a fun afternoon!

B: core oat scone, scrambled eggs, canadian bacon, kiwi and mango.

June 21, Day 11

Happy first day of summer, everyone!

I can't believe we're rounding the bend to July already. I also can't believe I've unofficially lost another pound! I know it's mostly water weight at this point and it'll slow down soon but it's really exciting to watch the weight just fall off of me.

I asked hubby the other day if he wanted to do WW with me. The answer was an emphatic "NO"! But he's willing to eat what I cook, and I'm keeping him out of the fast food joints, so he can't help but be positively influenced by my eating. Of course, this doesn't mean he'll somehow magically manage to get more than four servings out of a carton of ice cream... :-)

I didn't get any activity in yesterday. My own fault, I was lazy. Hubby agreed to go for a walk with me after dinner, but we were both feeling pretty tired, so we skipped it. Think I'll take my shoes to work with me today so I can walk at lunch time.

B: shredded wheat and a banana, coffee with ff evaporated milk

S: yogurt and a core oatmeal "scone"

L: grilled chicken and veggies (leftover from last night), sf jello

S: grilled pineapple, jicama slices.

D: taco salad, Doritos (1), ff fudgesicle (1).

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 10
Points used: 2
Activity Points earned: 2
Points remaining: 10


Water: Yes
Fruits/Veggies: 6
Whole Grains: shredded wheat, oatmeal
Milk: yes
Healthy Oil: no - need to work on remembering that
Protein: yes
Multivitamin: yes
Limit sugar and alcohol: just the fudgesicle!

June 20, Day 10

My informal daily weigh-in (I weigh every day, but only record it once a week) says I'm down another pound. Two more pounds and I'll be back where I was when I quit doing Sparkpeople. Yay!

I did really well at the farmer's market last night. Skipped over all the unhealthy stuff I could have picked (dang those nachos looked good) and went for an ear of roasted corn and a teriyaki chicken stick, then came home after our wine class and had some popcorn. I was very proud of myself!

Today I'm having lunch with a friend. I think we're going to a crepe place. I love crepes, and I have no idea what's on their menu, so I'll see how it goes, count points when I have to, and make sure to get some more exercise in tonight!

B: shredded wheat, banana, coffee with ff evaporated milk

S: yogurt and fruit

L: buckwheat crepe (3) filled with gruyere cheese (9) and apples; fruit plate

S: bell pepper strips

D: grilled chicken, veggies, pineapple and potato

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 22
Points used: 12
Activity Points earned: 0
Points remaining: 10


Water: yep
Fruits/Veggies: tons
Whole Grains: shredded wheat AND buckwheat!
Milk: yep
Healthy Oil: yep
Protein: yep
Multivitamin: yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: A-ok!

June 19, Day 9

I'm still working on getting the hang of how much food to bring to work with me. I really need a bigger lunch box, LOL! Yesterday I took a good black bean and quinoa salad that should have stuck with me, but didn't, so I think today I'll add some chicken and avocado to that to see if some extra protein and fat helps it stick to my ribs a bit longer.

Last night I dragged hubby out on a walk with me. We took the dogs. It was so nice! Today my friend and I are walking at lunch time, and then tonight I'm going to the farmer's market and then to a wine class with a group of friends. Should be fun. Hopefully I can find a nice kebob or something at the farmer's market for dinner!

B: pumpkin pie oatmeal, black coffee

S: fruit, yogurt with cinnamon and splenda

L: quinoa and black bean salad with chicken and avocado, jicama and bell pepper strips

S: Core brownie

D: chicken stick (3 points), ear of roasted corn

S: popcorn, milk.

Exercise: walk

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 24
Points used: 3
Activity Points earned: 1
Points remaining: 22


Water: yep
Fruits/Veggies: 5
Whole Grains: yep!
Milk: 2+
Healthy Oil: 1
Protein: yep
Multivitamin: yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: yep!

June 18, Day 8

Ah, Monday. Fresh week. I'm going to bump my weigh in from tomorrow to today, so I can claim my poundage. Down five pounds! WOO HOO! If I went to meetings, I'd get a star my very first week.

Now, a lot of that is water and I won't lose like that for long. Nor would I want to. Slow and steady - the slower you lose it, the easier it is to keep off, or so they say.

I didn't get any prep stuff done over the weekend (or laundry, for that matter, but that has nothing to do with this, LOL!). So, I've been rushing around all morning. Started a batch of yogurt that will go in the yogurt maker in about 15 minutes. Made up some quinoa to mix with the leftover black bean salad for a couple of days' worth of lunches. Planned tonight's dinner, though I suspect hubby will veto it (I want pork tacos. He'll want regular tacos. If it wasn't such a pain I'd make both!).

From Friday to Sunday, I went to the grocery store six times for various reasons. Every time, I picked up more produce. My fridge is overflowing, which is good as long as I keep track of it all and use it before it gets bad.

Here's the plan for today:

B: black coffee, shredded wheat, fresh peach (oh yum).

S: nonfat iced latte, diced cucumber and tomato mixed with ff feta cheese and balsamic vinegar

L: quinoa and black bean salad, Asian pear

S: popcorn, Starbucks reduced fat orange cream cake (7 points)

D: Red Robin fajita chicken salad, no cheese, dressing on the side (5 points)

S: Core brownie, sf/ff pudding pop

Exercise: 30 minute walk with the dogs

Weekly points allowance (WPA): 35
Points used: 12
Activity Points earned: 1
Points remaining: 24


Water: Yep
Fruits/Veggies: Yep
Whole Grains: Lots!
Milk: 3+
Healthy Oil: Yep
Protein: Yep
Multivitamin: Yep
Limit sugar and alcohol: Sort of...

June 17, Day 7

So Sunday was a bit of a bust. I went over on my points, but I did do some things right:

1. I worked out. I tried out a new Walk Away the Pounds (WATP) DVD, and upped the intensity by jogging and jumping around a bit (thank heavens for good sports bras, LOL!). That earned me a couple of APs.

2. I ate a late, hearty, all-core breakfast. I had a banana before my workout, and then I ate two fried eggs, topped with diced tomatoes, avocado, and ff cheese, plus one of my oat scones.

3. I ate a snack right before we left. Which was good because we were supposed to be there at 2:00. I thought that was because dinner was at 2:00, but we didn't eat till 5:00. So I didn't totally pig out on spinach dip while we waited, though I did eat some.

4. Took an extra dish, beyond what I was asked. I made a black bean, corn, and pepper salad, a recipe I found on the WW site. The dressing needs a little work, but overall it was a good combination. I'll be experimenting with this in the future.

I drank a ton of water during the day, and took small portions of the stuff I did eat that pushed me over my point limit.

All in all, I'm satisfied with my first week back on program. I made some mistakes, but I did a ton of things right, too. Go me!