Victory is Mine!

I am not patient. I re-created my template (yet again). I will say blogger has some nice new templates out there for use - I really liked the cool black one. Alas, I am ignorant in the ways of html and could not figure out where in that template to put my side bar stuff, so I stuck with the basic design here.

Maybe someday I'll learn enough to set this up nicer. In the meantime, I'll be that hole in the wall you like to eat at where the atmosphere is so-so, but the food is terrific :-)

Blogger is a thorn in my side!

I am here. Blogger has deleted my template 3 times now, and I am tired of re-building it. I will work on it another day. So, sorry that my links & info are gone from the sidebar. Bear with me.

Note to self: save template somewhere else for when blogger eats it.

In other news, I made my 9 mile run yesterday. It wasn't the best run I've ever done - hubby didn't feel like riding his bike, and I felt safer sticking around the neighborhood. So I ran my 2 mile loop, then 1 mile loop a total of 3 times. Kinda boring, but I feel better staying in the development and off the country roads early in the morning.

We had friends come & spend Friday night with us - we stayed up late, drinking beer & watching movies. It was a lot of fun! Eating was fairly crappy this weekend (ooh - do we have a theme going here?). I am getting tired of doing this to myself, I say every Monday morning.

I think I'm going to try & have a healthy weekend every other weekend. I dunno - I'm trying to figure out a way to ease into doing better on the weekend. Mystery of the ages. Telling myself I can't sit & have 3 beers with a movie makes me rebel. Against myself even - argh. I am so weird.

Okay, thats enough of this crud. Hope you all enjoy your day. I will fix my template tomorrow.

The Whole Enchilada

I actually lost a whole entire pound! In only one week! Amazing, huh?

Yes, I am happy I guess. Well, mostly I’m just frustrated. I’m tired of being overweight. I did at least lose, right? So why do I feel so grouchy?

I’m writing it off to PMS.

Great dinner last night, BTW. I made chicken kebabs, roasted sweet potatoes, and “tomato bake” – where I layer sliced fresh tomato with chopped fresh basil, and top it with a mixture of mayo and shredded cheese. It sounds decadent, but its not a whole lot of topping, so if you use lowfat its not bad at all, calorie wise.

This weekend is a 9 mile run, plus a bunch of running around I really don’t want to do. Ugh.

Don't mind me, I'm just being an ungrateful wretch.

Blah blah blah food

I only ran 2 miles yesterday instead of my usual 3 (walkman batteries died, and my motivation followed). Food yesterday was okay, some good new stuff, but a planned higher calorie dinner.

I made a terrific breakfast: I took yellow bell pepper & sautéed it with some mushrooms. Then added egg beaters and about half an ounce of beef chorizo (lower in fat than the pork). Topped it with a little 2% shredded cheddar and I had a breakfast that tasted decadent, but at less than 200 calories, was lower in calories than my usual cereal & milk!

Lunch was also a new (and very yummy!) idea: I took some fried chicken (left over from a picnic at my son’s school). I removed the skin & fat, picked the meat off the bone, and diced it. I took mixed greens (various lettuces plus spinach), a few cherry tomatoes, and some raw broccoli and added some of the diced chicken. I covered it with salsa and “brocomole” for a delicious Mexican style lunch salad! It tasted so flavorful, but was very healthy. I used a lot of cilantro too.

Since avocado is good for you but high in fat, here’s how I make my guacamole to stretch it out: I steam some broccoli (I used about ½ cup for 1 avocado) and add that to the food processor, then make my usual recipe. If you don’t overdo it, the flavor isn’t really changed, but you’ve made it healthier.

It was our anniversary, so we went out for sushi. And I had a couple of beers. I have decided that Tuesday is going to be my mid-week cheat night, with calories a little higher, but not a total free for all. I enjoyed dinner, but didn’t pig out too badly and was ready to get back to usual today. I figured a moderate higher calorie meal, or after dinner snack would help prevent me from going so overboard on the weekend. This is my first week testing it out, so we’ll see how it goes.

Exercise today is going to just be 2 walks here at work (one for 20 and one for 40) as I have several errands to run after work. But I do have my gym bag in case I feel like I have time to run by there.

Tomorrow hubby is taking the boy to the local Harley shop – one of the OCC motorcycles is going to be on display. It’ll be a chance for them to do something fun together.

This is my “water retention week”, so I have no idea what to expect on the scale. A part of me is discouraged, but I remember last fall when I gained 10 pounds. It took me forever to get that 10 pounds back off. Had I not done that, I might be at goal. I do not want a repeat of that experience. To get within 10 pounds of goal and then gain a bunch is just depressing. Even though I am discouraged, the truth is the way I eat is pretty much a part of my life now. I can’t imagine not planning meals, or eating crappy all the time. Even though the weight is coming off incredibly slowly, the scale continues to move in the right direction. And like I’ve said before, what are my alternatives?

Still Keeping On

Well, I’m still here, still plugging away. I went to a terrific wedding this weekend and had a great time. I figure I consumed roughly 1500 calories in beer alone, but I can’t undo it. I did well with eating food though (grin), and got up and ran my 8 miles on Saturday morning.

I had two cheat meals (eaten on the road) - I didn’t eat a lot of food, but pretty void nutrition-wise. But I was back at it Monday, lifting weights and eating healthier foods.

After talking to my trainer, as well as a friend, I made an appointment to have my thyroid checked. I have no idea if there is an issue or not – I know my aunt had thyroid troubles. But I figure that for the $25 co-pay, I can know for sure and get treatment if I need it. I do have some other symptoms besides incredibly slow weight loss. The only down side was I couldn’t get in until July 1 for blood work and July 7 for an appointment, so it’ll be a while before I know anything. Still, it’ll be nice to know for sure.

Heather (see link on side) wrote about that magic “thing” that successful losers have, and how she doesn’t have it right now but wishes she did. Its funny – I don’t think I have that “thing” either. This isn’t easy. I ate lunch a little while ago and I could easily go upstairs and get something else, even though I’m not truly hungry. This hasn’t clicked for me.

What it comes down to is that I feel good when I exercise and eat good foods. Its very frustrating that I don’t look like the fit person I feel like. You would think someone training for a damn marathon wouldn’t be a chub! Its very discouraging to hear people write about being able to wear 8s, or just fitting into smaller sizes when I seem to be trapped in my size 14 pants. But the alternative is too unpleasant to think about, so I just keep going.

An Exercise in Futility

I am soooo frustrated! I did a good job with both eating and exercise this week, for another 0.5 pound loss. That’s two weeks in a row! WTF!?!?!

Yesterday’s Food:
B: smoothie
S: soy chips
L: side salad & a California roll
S: half a payday and an orange
D: sautéed chicken breast, some dressing, and sautéed squash

Exercise:
3 mile run in am, Weights (legs) in pm, followed by a short swim

The chicken breast was so yummy! I was starved when I got home from the gym, so I nuked it for one minute to thaw a little, then put it in a pan with a little evoo (extra virgin olive oil), some onions & garlic, and a bit of white wine. When it was done I put jalepenos, salsa, and a tiny bit of grated cheddar on top. It was awesome!

Yesterday’s Food & Exercise

B: cereal with berries & soy milk
S: 2 low fat string cheeses
L: tuna on a salad, piece of fried chicken with skin removed
S: orange and one snack bar square dessert thingie at company picnic
D: green beans, turnip greens, small serving mashed potatoes
S: 2 low fat string cheese (I was hungry!)

Exercise: a brisk 45 minute walk at said picnic on the nature trail with a co-worker. Very nice!

Summertime

Many people make New Year’s resolutions. Not me. Its winter people! Its cold outside! That’s no time to commit to exercise & eating healthier. Its time to eat a hearty bowl of lentil soup in front of the tv.

No, I make summer resolutions. Not the “look good in a bikini” kind. Summer is my time to try new exercise, spend more time outside, shop at the farmer’s market and eat more vegetables.

Besides continuing my marathon training, this summer I have 2 plans: 1) to increase my weight training program. Once the kiddo is out of school and spending more time at “grandma & grandpa daycare”, it means I can start lifting 3 days a week instead of 2. I’ve talked to Sonja and we are going to train 2 days a week, then lift as partners once per week. Then in the fall I’ll drop back to 2 days a week, but just consult with her once a month on my upper body program. Gotta wean myself off the personal trainer!

2) Healthier dinners. Our meals are a darn site better than what most people in this country eat simply because I actually cook a meal every night. But I want to make them better. More grilling out and more veggies are easy this time of year. Turkey burgers are yummy and marinated chicken is a piece of cake. Tomato pie is really good, although the tomatoes aren’t in yet. But fresh corn is – and the zucchini & squash are looking good. And right now greens are plentiful – the tender young kind. Perfect for sautéing with some garlic in a little evoo (extra virgin olive oil). I am hitting the farmer’s market this weekend and getting some. My husband thinks he doesn’t like greens. He’s about to learn. (Insert evil gin here).

Yesterday's Food & Exercise

B: egg mcmuffin no cheese (on way to WalMart to pick up Sudafed - ugh!)
S: 2 low fat string cheeses
L: Michelina Light brand cheese lasagna and a side salad
(Note: the meat lasagna is much better than the cheese in this brand)
S: 1/2 a payday and an orange
D: homemade chicken and dumplings and green beans
S: 3 beers (hey, at least I didn't eat any crap!) ha ha ha

Exercise: 25 min walk at lunch and the boy & I went swimming in the afternoon - I took it easy though. It did seem to help my sinuses.

Yesterday’s Food & Exercise

B: optimum cereal with berries & soy milk
L: salad with a can of tuna
S: 2 lowfat string cheeses and an orange
D: shrimp etouffee with brown rice

Exercise:
Ugh. I did chest and back, feeling like crap the whole time (I hate being sick!). I skipped yoga, and opted for a short swim with some time in the hot tub and sauna. It did seem to help clear my head, at least for a while.

Still Here

Still alive - blogger wouldn't let me log on Friday. :-( Evil. Thursday night I finally gave into the stress of the week. I was pretty PO-ed with myself for doing it, but it was otherwise a good week. Oh well, move on.

Only down 0.5 pounds - pretty disappointing.

However, I ran my 7 miles Saturday morning and after the first 3 miles, it felt really good. Hubby rode his bike so he could check on me - it was fun. We're going out of town this weekend and he is taking his bike so he can do the same while I do my 8 mile run. He's so sweet :-)

I won the bench press! It was not a personal best (I only did 110), but I was probably tired after the run. My trainer didn't want me to run before the contest, but honestly I felt my marathon training was more important than a contest I was doing for fun.

Having said that, I won two sweet 1st place trophies (weight and age), a nice leather workout bag, and I won a soft travel cooler in the raffle. So, I walked home loaded down with cool stuff - and a t-shirt of course!

I ate great Friday, crap Saturday (and too much beer), and pretty good Sunday. One special meal - the rest was okay calorie wise but not the best choices. Back to clean eating today.

We'll see how my weight does this week, I am getting frustrated. I feel like the Goodyear blimp.

I have a yucky cold - I hope I feel better soon.

Trying New Foods & Stuff

Sometimes trying something you think you don’t like works, and sometimes it doesn’t. I didn’t think I liked oatmeal, but after experimenting for a while I discovered I like it fine with berries & a little milk. But my latest (and last) foray into cottage cheese as a snack food has failed. I admit defeat – I cannot like the stuff. I’ve tried sweet, I’ve tried savory, I’ve tried weird concoctions off the “Body for Life” web site. I just can’t do it. Yesterday, I threw it out and bought a small snack bag of Wow Doritos (only 130 calories, but no nutrition at all). Hiding it in chicken enchilada casserole or lasagna is fine. But not as a snack.

My run this morning was really nice. Got up early despite having a beer right before bed and rolled out. Instead of using a stop watch for my walk/runs, I go by the distance. There are places I run and places I walk. I can tell my running is speeding up, as is my walking. Its hard for me to change the walk places because I walk the big hills (there are 4 of them on my 2 mile loop). My 7 mile route only has one big hill (at least that’s how it feels when I ride my bike), so I may go by time when I do my 7 mile run Saturday.

I am doing my 7 mile long run Saturday morning so that hubby & I can go for a bike ride together Sunday morning. The down side is I will be doing it before the bench press competition (which is at 9 I think), so I may be a little tired. But the running is more important. When I lifted Monday I only did 115 (I did 120 last Monday), so my strategy is to start with 110 (and easy weight), then 115, then try the 120. I don’t expect to win, but that’s not too shabby. And it should be fun – I’m sure there will be people there I don’t usually see in the gym – plus some of the other afternoon regulars.

I have a ton of stuff to do this weekend, and it has been a busy week. Hubby is working late to try & finish up a deck (he has his own remodeling/repair business), so that means I get very little help on the child/home front while he works until 7 or 8. Sigh. It seems like the laundry/cooking/cleaning fun never stops. But on his Mother’s Day card he made me, for the question “Name something nice your mom does for you every day” my son wrote “cooks dinner”. Who says a 9 year old can’t appreciate home cooking?

This weekend I have a bunch of yard work to do (hubby mows but that’s it) and I haven’t really gotten started yet this year! I won’t get it all done, but I can put in 2 solid hours on that. I have to make a batch of soup – I’m making the soup for a friend’s wedding dinner the next weekend and I want to test the recipe. On the girly front I am getting my eyebrows waxed and will repaint my toenails. I just did it but the paint got scratched on the bottom of the pool (there’s some weird lesson in there).

On the gym front: They are going to see if the existing staff want to pick up the extra hours in the weight room before they hire anyone new. And they don’t have any openings on the front desk right now either. Sigh. Send me good gym thoughts please! The good news is I am going to start working out independently with my trainer, so after the next few sessions I won’t be paying through the gym any more. The price is going up in June and I just can’t afford it any more. We already lift weights together, so it’ll be good. I could lift weights by myself (I hear some people actually do that - *lol*), but I really enjoy doing it with somebody. And she pushes me harder – and knows way more cool exercises!

Wednesday’s Food & Exercise:

B: corn flakes with berries & soy milk
S: Wow Doritos (note to self: don’t bring cottage cheese as you will pitch it & eat something you do like)
L: can of tuna on salad, with an orange & a 12 oz bowl of lowfat pasta & fagoli soup
S: half a payday
D: baked flounder, baked deviled crab, baked potato (with lf sour cream & a little shredded cheddar)
S: 1 sq in dark chocolate & a miller lite

Exercise:

30 min walk at lunch, swam 600 yards while son at tae kwon do

What I’m Reading

I just finished “Jemima J”, which I thought was a very good book. I had read both of the “Bridget Jones” books – the first was pretty good but I didn’t really care for the second. It felt like she had to really stretch to create a story in order to capitalize on the success of the first. But “Jemima” was great – a funny cute story and I liked how the people (like Geraldine) didn’t fit the stereotype they started out in.

I also just finished “The Wolves of Calla”, the fifth Stephen King novel of the “Gunslinger” series. This has always been one of my favorite series of books by him. Since they’ve been written over a period of 20 years, its interesting to see how his style has developed over the years. I am really looking forward to the final two books of the series.

I’m not a big magazine reader, but I had a chance to subscribe to some for $2 a year when I used active.com to register for the marathon. I got a backpacking mag, plus something else (some girly thing – Shape or Self or something). And I always buy “Runners World”, and keep meaning to subscribe to that one.

My MIL gets “Working Mother” at my house. I find it generally amusing – it seems to cater to wealthy moms. I mean, I’m no slouch, but I don’t buy $150 purses either! The June issue is doing a profile of a lady that works here – I know her and she’s a great lady and I’m thrilled that she is getting featured. So that should be cool.

I am headed by the library today to drop off Jemima & Calla and pick up a couple of new books. One on nutrition and one in the same sort of genre as Bridget & Jemima. I have always been an avid reader, generally leaning toward sci-fi (true sci-fi as opposed to a lot of that fantasy crap that’s out today. Some of it is decent but a lot of it is drivel), and horror. The usual Koontz & King but also some other authors not so famous but equally excellent.

Tuesday’s Food & Exercise

I wound up with a mild case of food poisoning yesterday. Not really bad, but enough that I had severe bloating & stomach cramps. The problem was the pain felt like hunger, so I ate more in the afternoon than I usually do. Nothing hideous though.

Breakfast: kashi go lean crunch with berries & soy milk
Snack: ½ c lowfat cottage cheese with Mrs dash and cherry tomatoes
Lunch: leftover shrimp creole and a side salad and an orange
Snack: peach and the whole payday bar (I usually eat half)
Snack: 2 Fazoli’s breadsticks (not a good choice, but my stomach hurt!)
Dinner: 5 oz chopped sirloin, mashed potatoes & gravy, turnip greens

Exercise: I ran/walked for 3 miles in the morning. In the afternoon, the boy & I went swimming before his tutoring. I warmed up, swam 300 yards, then we raced & played around

Pump Some Iron & Get "Girlified!"

I read a lot of weight loss blogs. A couple lately (here and here) have discussed the fact that they have become “more girly” as of late. Both of these ladies do a lot of weight training and that got me thinking. I too have become more “girly” since I began weight training. So what’s up with that?

Here’s my theory: Since I began lifting weights, I take a lot more pride in my appearance. I mean, people, I’m still overweight. But I look (and feel) a lot better than I have in years. And even though there are times when I weighed less, I wasn’t as fit. And when I was thinner and fit, I took a lot of pride in my appearance. Just because I was a weight lifting army sergeant, didn’t mean I couldn’t clean up good enough to give the college girls down at the dance clubs a run for their money! *lol*

Last year I started making a point of painting my toenails. This year I even had a pedicure. And I wear make-up almost every day. Not a whole bunch, but I used to not bother with it much. And I dug out my nice Clinique face products and wash my face every day – with real soap instead of just water or whatever.

Here’s to the powerful influence of weights on girliness!

Monday's Food & Exercise

Breakfast: kashi go lean crunch with berries & half a banana and soy milk

Snack: yogurt, payday

Lunch: ff turkey dog on lite ww bun, salad

Snack: Michelina light lasagna (only 250 calories)

Dinner: Shrimp creole

Snack: 2 small pieces dark belgian chocolate & diet pepsi

Exercise: I did a total upper body workout at the gym, but was only able to bench 115 :-( And I did Monday night yoga.

Weekend Recap

Well, the weekend was everything I could have hoped for. The weather was perfect, the hotel was nice, and we had a wonderful time!

I did do a little snacking, had one really good meal that was “over” and did have ice cream last night, but nothing really too out of control. And I got loads of exercise! I ran on the beach early in the morning, walked on the beach, swam in the ocean, and played in the pool with my son. So I feel like I did really well.

Ocean Isle is very quiet and not overly commercial, which is how I like the beach to be. And when we got home my son gave me his Mother’s Day gifts: a hand made “book” with poems he’d written in school, a card, and a wreath he made. It was so sweet – I’m so lucky to have such a wonderful family.

How Training for a Marathon is like “I Love Lucy” in the Chocolate Factory

You remember that episode? Lucy and Ethel get jobs in the candy factory (I can’t remember doing what). At first they’re doing okay, but then the conveyor belt starts to speed up and pretty soon Lucy is shoveling the candy into her mouth to make it go away. It’s a great site gag and we can all relate to her obvious sense of being overwhelmed. Marathon training reminds me a little of that – a couple of short runs a week, and then one long run that increases every week. Looking at that calendar makes me feel a little like Lucy. Me? Running 10 miles by the end of this month? I’ve haven’t done that kind of distance in over a decade. It’s a little scary at times, but exciting too.

Weekend Plans

I’m headed down to the beach this weekend! Woo Hoo!! I love the beach.

So, I did my long run this morning so I wouldn’t have to do it this weekend – 6 miles. It felt great! I rolled out of bed and threw on my clothes & walked out of the door & just hit it. I took it slow and it felt so great – I really enjoyed it. Even when I got home to take a shower I still felt really good. That’s the kind of run I love. But, I will say that’s the last time I do a long run on a workday – I was late! (Not major, but no more long runs before work).

I am taking my running shoes this weekend and will probably do a walk/ run for 40 minutes each morning, just to keep the momentum going. Next week I will absolutely get back on a normal workout routine. Plus, Sonja and I are going to start back doing legs on Thursdays again, so that’s very good news. Hopefully running & biking have helped, but it’s been like a month since I did a squat!

I am taking fruit, low fat honey grahams, and low fat wheat thins for snacking at the beach. So, I am hoping that will help me not get out of control. I am also taking some of my “optimum slim” cereal for breakfast (at 180 calories a cup it’s not exactly ‘slim’, but boy it’s loaded in fiber). I don’t want to get my “three weeks to the 140s” plan off to a bad start, so I am going to have some good seafood but not get crazy. Plus I should get plenty of exercise walking & swimming.

Have a great weekend!

Thursday’s Food & Exercise

Exercise consisted of a 30 minute walk at lunch, since my workout time got pre-empted by end of year parent/teacher conferences.

B: smoothie & kashi go lean waffle (plain)
S: 2 low fat string cheeses
L: salad greens with cilantro, with a grilled chicken breast, salsa, and homemade guacamole (this was so good!) and an orange
S: apple and half a payday
S: handful of peanuts
D: 2 fat free turkey hot dogs on lite whole wheat buns, with mustard, 6 Doritos

Weigh In Today

Well, its nice to know I’m so good at maintenance! I remained at 154 again this week. So, that gives me 3 weeks to lose 4 pounds. That sounds reasonable – aggressive, but reasonable. But I’ve got that free day waiting for me at the end, so there’s my motivation!

When is exercise not really exercise?

I didn’t work out yesterday. Let’s just say that getting all sweaty on a bike didn’t sound like fun this time of the month. I was already feeling gross! And today’s workout time has been hijacked by parent/teacher conferences. So I walked 30 minutes at lunch. I guess I must be a workout snob, because I don’t really feel like I “worked out” since I didn’t come back all sweaty. But sometimes it’s the best you can do.

Wednesday's Food & Exercise

Exercise was non-existent and food was crap. I hate my period.

Bribery Will Get You Everywhere

My May goal is to finally put the 150s behind me. Oh the thrill of having to move that big thingie on the scale only over to the 100 mark! So, in order to accomplish my goal I have decided to resort to the oldest trick in the book: bribery. And not just bribery, but I have decided to break one of the cardinal rules of dieting: “Thou shalt never use food as a reward.” Yeah, right!

So, here’s my deal with myself: Weigh day is on Friday. If I weight less than 150 on the last day of May, then that Saturday of Memorial Day weekend I can eat anything I want. Anything. I have a 9 mile run scheduled for that day. So, I’ll get up early and go for my run. Probably grab a piece of an energy bar to get me through until I grab a shower, then out to breakfast with hubby at our usual spot.

Probably do a few chores around the house, and then the day kicks off at lunch. I am packing a cooler, parking my butt in my living room, and settling in for a long day of cheesy movies, Andromeda episodes, whatever. I’ll have the fridge ready to go with my treats I’ve decided on and a cooler with beer & water & soda in the loving room for optimal coldness. That’s my day. Consuming calories & watching junk. My son won’t be home to see the shame.

I know, this is wrong on so many levels. But if it works I won’t care. I figure even in 12 hours of pigging out, there is no way I can undo what I accomplish this month. If I get below 150, it will be so worth it!

Tuesday’s food & Exercise

B: egg mcmuffin (no cheese) & a diet coke
S: 2 lowfat string cheeses
L: salad w/ a can of tuna & an orange (on the side)
S: apple & half a payday
S: 1 lowfat string cheese (hungry)
D: grilled chik breast w/ teriyaki sauce, green beans, order of mashed potatoes & gravy
S: Miller lite & ¼ Belgian dark chocolate bar (can you say PMS?)

Exercise:
2 mile run/walk. My son went with me, so it was a little more walking than I would have liked. Oh well.

When do I go “Aha!”?

I am checking out weight loss blogs during lunch, and I’m reading this one. I love her “after” picture – great arm muscles! And I’m thinking about my trainer telling me how she’s dropped 10 pounds in 2 weeks by eating really healthy and not cheating on her diet. While I am doing these two things, I’m also thinking about the fact that when I was in the “barfeteria” checking out with my salad greens (I bring my toppings & dressing from home), I notice the lady across from me has chicken & dumplings. I love chicken and dumplings and as soon as I see them my mouth starts watering. It’s watering just writing this. So, I’m telling myself that maybe I can just go upstairs and get some and just eat a few bites and throw the rest away.

Hello, reality check over here!!! I’m sitting here thinking I could really see some changes if I cleaned up my diet – see some good arm definition (gosh knows the muscles are under there), and at the same time I’m thinking I’ll just pop upstairs for an order of chicken and dumplings!?! Do you know what’s in those things!?!? Crisco and white flour. Dear Lord, what is wrong with me????

Many people who write about losing weight talk about their “aha moment” – when they realized they really needed to lose and it all clicked and they were on their way. My problem is I’ve never had one of these moments. I mean, I know I need to lose weight, but it’s never all just magically clicked for me. I’ve had to struggle to educate myself, then to follow through. And I’m always having to be vigilant because I find it so simple to slip back into my old (bad) habits. They are never replaced. They are always lurking in the shadow, waiting for a moment to jump out & mug me.

I’ve come a long way, but I’ve got along way to go. And I don’t know that it will ever really end for me. Maintenance will be the same crap, just in different sized jeans.

Oops! I forgot the exercise!

I went to yoga class. The Monday night instructor is great, and I am glad that his class is the same time as my son’s tae kwon do.

I lifted weights (chest & back). I did a “practice” for the bench press competition in 2 weeks. After warming up with a few push-ups, I started at 100 pounds and added weight until I couldn’t do any more. I did 120 pounds (twice), but couldn’t do the 130. I dunno if I’ll win, but I think I’ll made a decent showing.

My trainer suggested I get a job working in the weight room. The rates on personal training are going to go up again, and I would get a discount on my training and my family’s gym membership for free. And I only have to work like 1 evening a week to get those benefits, so it might be worth it. And I think I would enjoy it. She’s going to check & see if they could use anybody else right now. I’m kinda excited. I think I would like it, and its pretty cool she thinks I would be good at it!

Monday’s Food & Exercise

B: kashi crunch with berries & soy milk
S: 2 lowfat string cheeses
L: California roll, hibachi chicken & vegetables with ½ c rice and 6 bites of stuff that looked good off the Chinese buffet, where I went to eat with my husband!
S: ½ a payday
D: meat loaf (made with WW recipe), corn on the cob, steamed green beans

A note about recipes

Nearly everything I serve at home is home made. Nearly everything I eat at lunch is also home made. All of my recipes have been adjusted so they are low fat, or focus on healthy fat. In short, what sounds decadent (like last night’s lasagna) isn’t necessarily what it seems. My lasagna, for example, is made with tofu and lowfat cottage cheese instead of ricotta. A small amount of shredded 5 cheese blend is added for flavor. To give it “meatiness” I finely chop up a few turkey meatballs or maybe turkey Italian sausage in the food processor. This ensures the meat flavor is spread through the lasagna. And it’s a heck of a lot healthier than anything you can buy!

Focus on Fruits & Veggies

One down side (for me) of WW was that it turned me away from fruits. It seemed high in points to me, so I ate more veggies and shied away from the fruit. Lately, I’ve tried to add fruit back into my diet by adding berries or bananas to cereal, using an orange for a snack, etc.

This week my goal is to really scrutinize my eating & make sure I’m getting plenty – especially vegetables. I rarely serve salads with dinner at home, but I plan to add them this week. I want to eat a smaller serving of the main course and have a salad to make the dinner bigger.

Saturday my eating was really terrible – it was all the things I hate about my weekend diet. Sunday was much better, but still. A heavy meal Friday (with beer) plus that snack Sunday evening would have been okay if Saturday had been on plan. I had hoped to eat lighter Sunday to help offset, which I mostly did. But I should have picked a healthier snack than Doritos. And I wonder why the weight comes off so slowly? Sheesh!

Sunday's food & exercise

Half an energy bar
Ran 5 miles
B: 2 glasses OJ and a piece of toast
S: 2 lowfat string cheeses
L: WW Smart One tuna casserole
S: half a snack bag of doritos with refried beans
D: salad, homemade lasagna, piece of garlic bread (low butter)
Dessert: half a brownie
S: 1 german beer & rest of doritos

Not hideous, but I needed to leave of the evening snack!

Saturday Food

Half an energy bar prior to fun run w/ son

Exercise: Fun run

B: 2 poached eggs, whole wheat toast (half slice), salmon patty
L/rest of day Oh my God! The day quickly went south as I sat around watching cheesey bug movies, eating pizza, popcorn, & drinking beer all afternoon/evening.
D: grilled chicken ceaser salad from McD's (used half the dressing) at 9:30 pm.

Only about 3,000 calories over what I should have consumed!

Friday's Food

B: egg mcmuffin (no cheese) diet coke
L: french onion soup & a crab bake sandwich (boss took team to lunch)
D: rouladen, spatzle, sauteed green beans, german potato salad, bratwurst, & good german beer!