New Family Picture!

It's only been 3 years since the last unofficial one. Here is our first official...

The next one will be when I reach my goal!

Oh, Thanksgiving!!

Well, I've been avoiding you.
We went to my sister-in-law's for the holiday and it was bad news. So much good food! Wednesday was chicken chili, and a whole lot of cheese and salami for starters. And a brie en croute. I love brie. And I didn't keep track.
Didn't really keep track later when I had ice cream, or the next day when we all had pumpkin pie for lunch. I did skip the pumpkin roll though.
The pain continued. Friday Greg and I went to Cena for tapas. Although we didn't order anything fried, we did get an antipasti plate that was basically just meat. (NOT what the description sounded like....)
Anyway, yesterday was better, and today is the day I begin again. I didn't gain this week, but I certainly didn't lose.
I travel this week, so I'm kind of holding my breath.
I think this is the week I start the Wendie plan!

Going the right way

Well, the scale is kind to me again this week. I'm down a total of 5 now.

I'm a little surprised, because there was a lot of eating out this week. Although, I do feel that I've been making better choices.

That said, it's amazing what happens when you watch what you eat AND get on the treadmill a couple times a week!

I'm feeling better about making my goal of looking great for Paris, which is only 108 days from today! That's about 15 weeks left. If I keep up a 1 pound a week pace, (which is slower than the past couple weeks,) I'll be at 165 by Paris. I was 165 when I met Greg. That was over 5 years ago!!!

So, here's to me! Keep up the good work!!!

Oh No!!

The Golden Arches called today, and I answered. I don't really eat fast food anymore. Every once in a while, I will get a bean burrito from Taco Bell, but other than that, I'm not going through drive thrus.

So, 13 of my 24 points today was on a McChicken sandwich and a small fry. It started with a craving for the fries, and waiting too long to go get lunch. (Why didn't I pack? Greg and I were supposed to meet for lunch, but the water heater installation started later than expected.)

Right now, after dinner, I am half a point over my daily. Which, isn't too bad. That's with no wine though.........

After Greg finishes the dishes, we're off to do some errands. I think I'll get on the treadmill when we get back. That will get me back on track, and if I have wine, I'll be right where I am now. If I don't get on the treadmill, then no wine for me today.

Tomorrow is another day. And, I feel better knowing I took care of the craving before it got crazy. Now I just have to figure out how to get rid of the smell in the car!!!

Steady she goes

Yesterday was a so-so day. Ended up entertaining out of town work guests both at lunch and then at dinner.

Lunch was pretty good. Soup and a salad. Instead of blue cheese dressing on the side, I chose a vinagarette. I ate the croutons though.

Dinner was Pasha again. Still AWESOME!! This time, I was not quite as good as Friday. My friend Becky and I had a glass of wine before dinner and then a glass at dinner. And dessert. And 2 appetizers. But I only had 2 pieces of bread.

Today proved difficult, too. Lunch today was Mexican. 2 beef tacos, but I also ate the beans and I ate too many chips!! I made up for it at dinner, with a turkey sandwich. (I was going to have soup too, but it was gross...Progresso light southwest chicken...yuck.)

I'm .5 points over for the day. Not too bad. And, today is a walking day, so I'll be golden. (Although I'm still hungry!!!)

Now for the best part. I cut my finger with my knife! Yay! Still a klutz. I was washing it, and sliced it right open. It's fun trying to get bandaids open when one finger is bleeding like a faucet. And, when you don't have the right kind of bandaid.

Oh well. Tomorrow will either be lunch with Greg or out again either way, I suppose. I guess Panera is on the menu, since dinner will be spaghetti.

One Down!!!!

Well, I just got off the scale.

I have been successful this week. 1 pound down, 1 pound closer to my goal. Even with a fantastic Turkish meal out and a lunch at mom & dad's which included carrot cake. I am very excited.

I know I mentioned the "Wendie Plan" yesterday. I think, for now, I'm going to stick to what I am doing, which is minimizing the weekly points I eat. When I hit a plateau, which, hey, could be next week, I'll give Wendie's plan a try.

For today, I enjoy my victory over food and start the next campaign.

Dreary Day

Well, we have a band-aid on the hot water heater. We'll have the plumber come back this week to install a new one. (Cheaper during the week.)

I feel like I have been pretty good today. Even at Mom and Dad's. Even with carrot cake. I had a small piece.

Tomorrow is my weigh-in day. I'm hoping I've done well. I feel like I have been very good this week, and it has not been too difficult. We'll see.

I found out today that my mom wears a size 6 and my sister wears a 0 and has to wear a belt. Not very fun for me, squeezing into 14s.

I read today on the WW message boards about the "Wendie" plan. Basically, it tells you to vary how much you eat all week. One day low, then medium, then high, then low, etc. Supposedly it leads to higher, faster weight loss for people who have plateaued.

I'll let you know tomorrow if I'm trying it.

I feel very committed, and I know I'll be lighter for the city of light.

"Before" Pics and a FANTASTIC meal

Okay, so I took a couple pictures today, that are my "before".The "love handle" picture. That's right...there's an extra curve in my hourglass.

Okay, now for the fantastic meal. I've been really good today, and we splurged tonight and went to the new Turkish place at the Greene, Pasha. The food was fantastic. We had babaganoush for an appetizer, Greg had Moussaka, and I had stuffed grape leaves and a salad. All was so good! And, the atmosphere was great. Everyone seemed happy to be there, and they even had a belly dancer! Too bad we didn't know, or we would have had some ones to tip her with....next time.

We shared some baklava for dessert, and I only had one little 1/2 in by 1/2 in piece. Pretty good!

If only the hot water heater hadn't died today, then the day would be perfect!

Beet and Goat Cheese Salad

This is inspired by the dish at Meadowlark, in Dayton, Ohio. One of the best restaurants I know of!!

Beet and Goat Cheese Salad
approx 4 servings

8 oz. Cooked beets (I buy them already cooked at Trader Joe's)
2 oz. Goat Cheese
horseradish, to taste (I like a lot!!)
drizzle of olive oil
salt, to taste
1 TBSP walnuts or pecans (optional)

Chop the beets up into bite size pieces. (Be sure to cut off any tough parts...not very yummy.)
Mix all the ingredients together.

Easy, eh???

Going Strong

Well, today is another day at home with Brice. He's much better now, but I wanted to keep him home because he was still throwing up last night.

But, this blog is about me.

Yesterday was difficult, because I was home. Most the time, I have a hard time not eating everything in site at home. Yesterday I did okay. (On a side note, Trader Joe's vegetarian chili is AWESOME! Best canned chili I've ever had.)

I did get on the treadmill yesterday, and, guess what!? I got on again today! I'm very proud of myself for that. Instead of sitting on the couch and watching tv during my "lunch break", I walked on the treadmill and watched tv.

I've been pretty good on my eating today, too. Breakfast was an egg white and light english muffin. Wow! I need to do that more often. The egg white is basically "free"! Lunch was beet and goat cheese salad on spinach with balsamic dressing. (The Ken's Steakhouse spray dressing.) Pretty good, and I'm just now getting a little hungry.

Dinner is still up in the air. We will probably have Chipotle, and I've done a good job getting a reasonable meal there. But I can't stop thinking about the mediterranean place....I love hummus! Maybe we will go after all.

I'll let you know.

Off to a good start

This week is going pretty well, I think. I committed to doing better this week, and I fell like I have stuck to that.
I have had no diet coke this week, despite massive headaches at the beginning of "detox", I have slept better, and not having coffee (even decaf) makes me feel lighter.
From the food front, I have made good choices this week, and still have 28 of my "weekly" WW points left. (You get 35 each week, in addition to daily points--the plan works! See weightwatchers.com for more info.)
I also got my behind on the treadmill Tuesday, for 30 minutes, and plan to again today. (Which should be easier to do, since I'm at home with a sick kid!) That will fulfill my two times this week goal.
What I am a little concerned about is Friday and Saturday. Friday, we are supposed to go out for dinner, to a new restaurant, and I'm just not sure I'm ready to do that yet. I think I'll suggest to Greg that we change plans, and go somewhere like Panera or Chipoltle instead. Maybe Panera, and then I can have a treat at the movie? (James Bond coming out Friday----can't wait to see it!)
Then, on Saturday, we're having "Fakesgiving" at my parents' house. We'll be in Lexington for Thanksgiving this year, and I think my sister has to work, so we're getting the immediate family together. I'm excited to see everyone, since school keeps me from getting up to see Mom and Dad as often as I should, but we're eating together. They want pizza, and that is my number 1 weakness! I plan on bringing my own food, or getting something different, but I know I can't be good both Friday AND Saturday!
Anyway, I'm going to ask Greg to take some pictures of me this weekend so that I can post a "before" before I'm an after. And I WILL be an after.

Frustration!!

I didn't lose any weight last week.
I feel like I tried. But, I know I didn't write everything down, and I traveled, on top of that. No exercise, either, really.
So, I feel like I'm starting over again this week. I feel like I'm always starting over.

Here are some of the things I think are going wrong:
1. I started drinking Diet Coke again.
I'd stopped soda for nearly 3 years, and slipped back into it. Sure, it's diet, but it is still sweet, and changes the way my food tastes. I feel hungrier when I drink it. Must stop this. It's okay to have every once in a while, but maybe I need to say no all the time if I can slip back in.

2. Too many snacks.
I try to only keep healthy snacks in the house. But, I find myself bringing in what I like to call "fake" snacks lately. Snacks that are fake versions of sweets. I don't need that, and when I eat food like that I just end up with a sweeter sweet tooth!

3. Not exercising.
I need to get my butt off the couch! I try to use excuses like school, B, and so on, but there really isn't a good reason I don't exercise. I HATE exercising, but I feel good after I do it. (Because it's over....)

So, those are what I consider my "top 3" reasons I'm struggling.

What am I to do about it??

Here's my plan:

1. Stop the Diet Coke!!
2. Clean out the fridge and cupboards tonight! Get all the fake crap thrown out. Only real food. No artificial sweeteners.
3. Exercise more. This week, I will get on the treadmill 2 times for 30 minutes each.

Traveling!

Today I'm in Chicago, after driving to Columbus. Well, I know it doesn't make sense, but the airfare was dirt cheap. And, the drive to Columbus wasn't that bad.

But, this post isn't about the flight, or the smoker sitting next to me on the airplane.

This is about the hardships one encounters in the food arena when traveling.

There is SO much good food out there. There is so much bad food too. Some of the good food tastes bad and some of the bad food tastes good.

I had bad food that tasted bad. There were options outside of security, but NOOOO, I had to go through security into terminal food hell. I chose Quizno's. I chose poorly. A "Caprese" sandwich. Here's what was served: A HUGE wheat bun with 3 slices of cheese, 4 tomatoes, and balsamic vinagarette. It was cold, too, because their ovens weren't working. (Mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm...mmm, not toasty.)

And then I had a bad of ritz bitz with cheese.

Only 6.5 pts left for today, and I haven't had dinner yet!

Wonder what kind of poor choice I can make!! There's no way I'll find anything and stay within ptz today!

Day 2--Again

Well, yesterday, as I mentioned, was the first post on my new weight loss journey blog.

I didn't do too bad yesterday. I even got on the treadmill. Of course, I turned it off after 15 minutes, but I DID get on it.

Today was tough. I have been so hungry. I'm not starving myself, but I totally did not bring enough food to work with me.

I had my usual breakfast (light english muffin with ICBINB spray, Trader Joe's Honey Yogurt, and 1/2 a glass of OJ) and packed a Lean Cuisine for lunch. Well....I picked one that was under 200 calories. That didn't work. It wasn't enough umph. So, I took my last 50 cents and bought a bag of sun chips. Ate those. Still hungry! Even after a snack bag of popcorn too!

Bah.

And, soup for dinner. Which, really, is all I can afford, since I was so stupid during the day!

I still have some points left today. I have to decide if I want to have wine or a light dessert, or both, and dip into my weekly points.

I've been looking to see if I have any old pictures of the "fat" me. I remember one very distinctly. It was at a friend's bachelorette party. A side shot. Wow. That was the picture that got me going all those years ago. If I can find it, I'll post it. And, I'm going to get a "today" picture so that I can document the changes.

Until the next post...

Lighter for the City of Light

I have started this blog to chronicle my journey through weight loss for the last time. This first post is pretty long, but it is the background of my struggle to this date.

I have been struggling with weight for 10 years, and I am ready to take charge and win. Once I left high school, I wasn't as active as I had been, and the fast food and alcohol took over in the form of a big butt and gut! Then, I had a child, and enjoyed a 65 pound weight gain. At my heaviest (post-pregnancy) I weighed 235 pounds. (I am 5'8")

From 2001-2002 I lost 60 pounds. I ate a lot of Lean Cuisines, stopped eating fried foods and things like hamburgers, and stopped drinking regular soda. Then I lost the last 10, putting me back at a weight lower than I was when I became pregnant. Unfortunately, the last 10 didn't come off in the most healthy manner, (I didn't eat much when I separated from my first husband) and it came back, with a vengence, when I started eating again.

Then, in 2003, I met my second (and present) husband. That's when the last 10 starting sneaking back on, since we were dating, and dating involves a lot of dinners out!

Then, I went back and forth with that 10 pounds until 2006, when I started traveling a lot for work. The 10 pounds turned into 20, and so on, until I was back to 195 pounds.

I think it was around that time I signed up for Weight Watchers (WW) the first time. I took off 5 or 10 pounds, I don't remember. Then I read the 2 "French Women Don't Get Fat" books, which do make some REALLY good points about eating for pleasure. I followed that philosophy closely for a while, and got back down to 180.

I do believe in the FWDGF philosophy. And, I do return to that when I start to lose a grip on things. That is why I feel like I've been able to maintain 180-185 for nearly 2 years.

If you've lost track, that is a 50 pound weight loss kept off for 6-7 years. And I am proud of that.

Now, I've signed up for WW again, (this is the 3rd or 4th time). I started about 4 weeks ago, and I'm down 1 pound. (I was down 3, but have had 2 really bad weeks.)

I have decided I need more than just the plan, I need to write about this, too. I want to capture why it is that I have those bad weeks, and how I can change my behavior for permanent loss.

And, I need to be more accountable to myself for exercise. (That's a whole different subject!!)

So, all of this said, my first goal is to be down 20 pounds by March 11, 2009, when my husband and I leave for Paris. That is 129 days from today, or a little over 18 weeks. It will take watching what I put in my mouth, and exercise.

By that date, I want to weigh 165 pounds. This blog will exploit my journey.