Well, isn't THAT special?

After my blissful discovery yestermorn, I finished off the remaining pots & pans in the kitchen and loaded the last couple things into the dishwasher. I put in the detergent, pushed the button, and........................................nothing. Well, almost nothing. It buzzed. No water. No cleaning. Bummer.

Normally it would be just a matter of replacing the dw. However, we are still in the middle of replacing floors and cabinets and we are the ones doing the work. Since Jim is working 60-90 hr. weeks minimum these days, the kitchen is low on our priority list. We can't replace the DW without replacing the floor, the cabinets, and the countertop....our new floor will be slightly higher than the current floor. Anyway, I am not averse to washing the dishes the good old fashioned way. Good thing, huh?

You will be happy to know that I was a good little girl today. My big 'cheat' being tasting a sample at Sam's club. I actually had an all-vegetable/low-fat dinner AND I enjoyed it! Watch out weight-loss world!

Mrs. Charged Up About Losing the Rest of the Weight

Yeah. Finally. November 1st. A new start. It's only 1:30 and candy withdrawal has hit big time. I am actually encouraged because I'm not giving in. I must be entering 'THE ZONE'!

This morning was an encouraging morning.....I went to bed with the house a total wreck, dishes in the sink & on the table, papers everywhere, etc. This morning I woke up to a clean kitchen, and a straightened family room. "Which of my sons has pleased me greatly?", I bellowed up the stairs. My soon-to-be 18-year-old was the clandestine cleaning crew. How awesome was that?

After waking up to that, I am sure that ANYTHING is possible today, including sticking to my former healthy habits. So watch out. I am back. I am unbeatable. I am Mrs. Charged Up about Losing the Rest of the Weight.

Creamed corn, Pineapple & Canned Clams

I pride myself on being able to walk over to the pantry, peruse the shelves, mull over the possibilities, and come up with a tasty dinner out of what happened to be left on the shelf, regardless of what's there.

Not today. Any combination of the three aforementioned items would induce vomiting. I guess it must be time to go grocery shopping.

On the weight-loss front, I have to get my groove back. If this keeps up, I will have to merge the running and weight-loss blogs into one and call it Running out of Pathetic Excuses. It's cold out. I want comfort food. There's nothing in the pantry except the slop I mentioned in the title. I don't feel like shopping. I'm whining.

One of those days. Sorry. Hopefully I'll be 'Mrs. Charged Up About Losing the Rest of the Weight' tomorrow.

Until then,
Karen (the reigning 'Mrs. Sit-on-my-Duff & Eat Junk Food'

You're IT!

I have been tagged for this meme on my other neglected blog some time ago and if you want to read those, go here. However, since it's been a while, I'll come up with six new random things about me.

1) I love to cook. If I didn't have any other responsibilities and if I didn't have to worry about who likes/doesn't like whatever....I would sit around and cook fab food all day. Right now, of the three children still remaining at home, one is a vegetarian who despises anything with even a hint of vinegar in it, one is 17, hates most vegetables and is rarely home at dinner-time (works in a restaurant making pizza dough, among other things), the last is 7 years old and not a very adventurous eater. Jim and I love food but have to watch our caloric intake which certainly limits the scope (and FUN)of my cooking,

2) I love writing. I've always wanted to write copy for an ad agency or something. That is, until my husband worked at an ad agency and I saw what a sleezy, disgusting business it is run by complete dirtbags. (no, Karen, tell us how you really feel!) Now I have a creative outlet. I will be creating custom invitations in my friend's store.

3) Tea. I love it. I have always loved it. I will continue to love it. Red and yellow, black and white.....all are precious in my sight. Herbal, Rooibos, you name it. Before bed every night, Jim and I share a huge pot of Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime. Bury me with my teapot. Please.

4) Fall is my favorite season. Apple pie. Hot soup on cold days. Breathtaking colors and incredible smells. Inexpensive school supplies. Exercise without sweat. Need I say more.

5) I am actually somewhat musical although nobody that knows me now would ever know that.

6) I am a walking disorganized mess.

In a Holding Pattern

I'm not too concerned about it, but I am big-time stuck, weight-wise. I am doing push-ups, running (17 miles last week), doing ab workouts, and being smart about what I eat. My body is changing for the better but the scale doesn't show it.

I'm not all worked up about it though....which is a huge change for me. I can't obsess about what I am unable to change. I've talked to many other folks doing marathon or 1/2 marathon training and they stopped losing weight as well.

I just wish I'd hit the '50 pounds lost' mark. It's only about 4 pounds away but as elusive as Big Foot. In the meantime, I'll keep on doing what I'm doing and let Him take care of the rest. I'm obviously not in control here :-)

Too Much of a Good Thing

I'm happy to report that I haven't gotten crazy since the end of OFNM (Operation Fat No More - for those of you that weren't a part of that). I've spent a week not counting points but still eating very carefully, except......

.....I have this addiction. I think I made a huge mistake buying an enormous bag of roasted almonds on sale at the grocery store last week. I know they're very good for me but I'm having a tough time staying out of them. Last night I finally had to hand the bag to Jim and tell him not to let me even look at them. I know what I'm capable of.

The other thing I just could eat a ton of is the all-natural, crunchy peanut butter. You know, the stuff that is just crushed peanuts. No salt, sugar, or hydrogenated whatever-they-happen-to-throw-in-this-time. That stuff is SO good. The creamy version you can get away with one TBS on a PBJ because it spreads further, but I get a little crazy with the crunchy.

I suppose as food vices go, I've seen (and eaten) much worse.

My weight is pretty much staying the same. I'm okay with that for now. I'm trying to just keep eating right and keeping up with my exercise. The rest is out of my hands.

One Down, One to Go!

Well, the first of two big graduation parties happened last night. I was so excited when I got in the food line and the first two things I encountered were a bowl of plain, fresh fruit and a wonderful mixed green salad with dressing on the side. Ah, what a relief. I didn't have to blow a lot of points. There was also lasagna. I had a miniscule piece. It was very saucy with little cheese so it didn't do too much point damage. I also treated myself to a very small rice krispy treat with a cup of black coffee. Whew!

The next one is Sunday. It should be a little more difficult to navigate, foodwise. That's okay. I'm prepared to use my final cheat day for it. I might not need to as I will be running tomorrow (4 extra points) and I still have a bunch of 'weeklies' left. I just don't want to starve on Monday and Tuesday. We'll see how it goes. I just know that this same family had the most incredible food at their other son's grad party last year.....I don't know that I'll WANT to resist.

Long Time, No Post

I can't believe how long it's been since I posted. Last week I had another two-pound loss. This week I gained it back. Not sure what that's all about. I've been very faithful to both Weight Watchers and my marathon training. I look better and feel better, though, so I guess that's what matters. I had my first June cheat day on Sunday but usually that doesn't hurt me, weight-wise. I probably will have to have my other cheat day on Sunday. Major graduation party with lots of incredible food.

I've been Wii-ing a lot lately and having a riot! I love the Wii Fit! ....even if it does call me names(like couch potato) and mock me when I can't complete a pushup. ("C'mon! Those muscles aren't going to work themselves, you know"). Oh, thank you Mr. Virtual Trainer. Anyway....I am so spastic when it comes to some of the balance games like crossing the tightrope. My 6-year-old practically runs across. I've made it only ONCE! I'll stick to the ski jumping for now...since that's the only game in which I can kick everyone else's keister!

I suppose I shouldn't worry about the weight for now. If it's true that a woman's body thinks it's starving to death during the first 30 minutes of exercise, then the marathon training should help whittle the weight away. Until now, all the runs have been thirty minutes or less. Come June 30th, NONE of the runs will be less than thirty minutes, which is both exciting and terrifying.

I'm off to abuse myself just a little more with the Wii Fit......

Have a good weekend!

First, the Good News!

I lost another TWO pounds this week. For this, I am grateful. Extremely grateful. However, I logged on to the Weight Watchers site and fed them said weight loss information. Guess what else I lost? Another two daily points!!! Unfair! Noooooooooooooooooooooooooo! Twenty daily points???? I'll starve to death, I tell you!

I better go eat some broccoli and simmer down.

Ceremonial Jean-Cutting

It looks as if the change in routine has worked. For the last week and a half I've tried to eat all of my daily, weekly, and activity points . I finally am seeing it register on that wicked scale!



I hereby declare next Wednesday to be:

Cut Up the Too-Large Jeans for a Sewing Project Day

It's not that I've lost all that much, it's just that I've been hovering on the brink of a lower jean size for months and these last couple pounds FINALLY enabled me to buy the NEXT SIZE DOWN! Wahoo!

Hmmmm. Maybe I should have refrained from moronic behavior like skimping on points in the first place. Maybe I should have used the program like it's supposed to be used. Maybe my body just decided to cooperate. Maybe running is the secret. Maybe I don't really care, I'm just excited that whatever the combination is, it's beginning to work. Maybe my body reacts well to deliciously over-the-top cheat days like the one I had last weekend.

Untitled Boring Post

My Wii Fit shipped yesterday! I can't wait. This will give me a slow start into some cross-training by getting me started doing something on my non-running days. Yeah, I know it's not exactly step aerobics or power-lifting but it's a start.

I'm going to try to eat every single one of my points this week again, but spread them out over the week so I'm not eating this HUGE amount on the last day of my WW week.

Wednesday:


Morning
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2
1 sl df ww bread
1
yo plus yogurt
2
Subtotal
5
Midday
lo-fat ramen w/ broc/carrots added
5
Subtotal
5
Evening
1 item refrigerated grilled chicken breast fillet
3
1 cup cooked bulgur
2
1 cup cabbage, all varieties
0
2 Tbsp Kraft Light Done Right Asian toasted sesame
1
1 small carrot(s)
0
1/2 large jalapeno pepper(s)
0
Subtotal
6
Snack
1 item McDonald's® Hamburger (yeah, that's right. FAST FOOD. How low can I go?)
6
fiber one yogurt
1
1 tbs pb on df ww bread (1 sl)
3
Subtotal
10
Total Food POINTS values used
26
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-4
Exercise
20 min jogging
2
10 min walking, brisk
0
Total Activity POINTS values earned
2

Changin' it Up!

I thought I'd try something a little bit different this week. Since I'm not losing any weight at this point, regardless of sticking to the plan like aphids on roses, I decided I needed to switch something up. I usually barely dip into my weekly points and sometimes even leave my activity points unused. I thought I might try eating as many of my weekly points as I could. I ate all but 3.5 this week. It's tough but somebody's got to do it! For the record, I didn't eat a lot of garbage in order to do this. Yeah, I snuck a bratwurst in there but other than that, I ate good stuff for the most part.

All of this resulted in..............................................................absolutely no loss. Surprise, surprise. Then again, I ate most of those extra points yesterday so I will weigh myself again tomorrow and see if it's made a difference. In the meantime, I've started reading a book called, From Belly Fat to Belly Flat. Has anyone heard of it? I've got to do a little internet research on the author to determine the 'quack level' of the author. From what I'm reading so far, the book makes sense but I'm a skeptic in all things health/diet related. It got decent reviews at Amazon but I haven't done much googling on him or his plan yet.

One Sick Puppy

I am ashamed to report to you that I jumped on the scale BOTH yesterday morning and today. How warped am I?

I can't believe I haven't posted since Wednesday. Things have been going well point-wise, however I felt like I was eating almost nothing yet I was eating all my points and dipping into my weeklies. I decided to take a look at what I've been doing that could have possibly made me feel this way. Aha! Somehow I stopped eating big platefuls of vegetables and didn't even notice. Weird, I know. So the first thing I did was fix myself a pile of broccoli last night. Tonight I had a big sweet potato and fresh green beans for dinner and it was great!

Hopefully getting back on track with the vegetables and fruits will keep me from feeling like I'm barely eating. I also need the iron & calcium that some of those things provide, especially while I'm taxing my muscles and skeletal system with getting in shape.

Sunday:
Morning
fiber one yogurt
1
pf ww mini bagel
1
Subtotal
2
Midday
2 large whole poached egg(s)
4
2 slice rye bread
3
3 oz center slice ham, lean only
4
Subtotal
11
Evening
1 large cooked sweet potato
3
1 cup cooked green beans
0
Subtotal
3
Snack
fiber one yogurt
1
short starbucks skinny latte
1
pbj on ww mini bagel
3
Subtotal
5
Total Food POINTS values used
21
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
+1
Exercise
10 min swimming, fast
1
20 min jogging
2
10 min walking, brisk
0
Total Activity POINTS values earned
3
Addendum: After I posted last night, I ate a no-bake cookie (4 pts) and a slice of bacon (1.5 pts), This used up the daily point I had left as well as my earned activity points. It dipped .5 points into my weeklies. Occasionally I forget to post these additions to the blog, but I always post them immediately to my WW log so I don't miss anything and it keeps an accurate tally.

The Trial Separation

Proverbs 26:11As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly.

I knew the relationship was becoming very dysfunctional but I didn't care. The emotional battering was overwhelming but still I stayed. Now I'm stronger. It's time to end this abusive relationship and take control. I'll need your support for this. This day I declare my independence from that stupid scale.


No more middle of the night weigh-ins. Last night I actually weighed myself three times between 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. I've weighed myself twice since I got up two hours ago. While I think it's a good thing to keep tabs on my weight, this has gotten way out of control. I'm already doing everything humanly possible to safely & gradually lose weight. I don't eat junk food. I rarely eat refined carbs. I love my veggies. I'm RUNNING(if you knew me you would know how drastic THAT little measure was!) and getting as much physical activity as possible. The rest is in the Lord's hands. I can do what He's given me the ability to do and the results have to be left with Him.


In order to turn my relationship with the scale back into a healthy one, I'm limiting our 'visits' to once a week on Wednesdays for my Weight Watcher weigh-in. While I'm in the process of building muscle with all this running, the scale always discourages me. I'm not losing weight right now but my body is changing and shifting in the ways that it should. Why do I want to get hung up on a number that really isn't going to do anything but set me back?

Here's the scoop on what I ate yesterday:

Morning
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2
pf ww mini bagel
1
Subtotal
3
Midday
15 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
2
1/2 cup salsa
0
fiber one yogurt
1
sample fiber one caramel del cereal
3
Subtotal
6
Evening
1/3 cup Fantastic World Foods Jasmine Rice
4
1 serving stir fry 5/12/08
5
Subtotal
9
Snack
fiber one yogurt
1
pf ww mini bagel
1
yo plus yogurt
2
Subtotal
4
Total Food POINTS values used
22
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
0
Exercise
20 min jogging
2
20 min walking, brisk
1
Total Activity POINTS values earned
3

Almost forgot to post this:

Morning
fiber one yogurt
1
pfww mini bagel
1
Subtotal
2
Midday
1 cup canned ready-to-serve chunky chicken soup
4
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2
pf ww mini bagel
1
Subtotal
7
Evening
1 cup cooked brown rice
4
1/2 cup generic special K
1
fiber one 4 oz yogurt
1
1 serving stir fry 5/12/08
5
Subtotal
11
Snack
1 small apple(s)
1
2 Tbsp peanut butter
4.5
pf ww mini bagel
1
Subtotal
6.5
Total Food POINTS values used
26.5
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-4.5


11 weekly points left

Happy Mother's Day!

My family celebrated Mother's Day on Thursday due to kids' work schedules. Today Jim and I ended up in a bookstore (nothing new there). I decided to sacrifice a half-day's worth of points for a 16 oz coffee beverage. There's something sick about ordering a javalicious mocha crunch whatever it was and then asking the server for the nutrition information. I got the total calories, fat grams, and fiber content and went to log it onto Weight Watchers. It was a whopping TEN points even though I opted for no whipped cream. I tell you, it was worth every crunchy, sweet, iced strawful. I've been smiling ever since.

Since I opted to eat dinner as well, it used up a chunk of my weekly points and I don't even care. I wasn't out of control. I made a conscious decision and don't regret it. So there.

Here are the rest of my choices for the day:


Morning
2 large whole poached egg(s)
4
2 slice rye bread
3
3 oz center slice ham, lean only
4
Subtotal
11
Midday
seattle's best iced coffee drink
10
Subtotal
10
Evening
3 cup canned ready-to-serve chunky chicken noodle soup (This was actually homemade soup made yesterday and the fat was skimmed off while cold--it was similar in chunkiness to the canned stuff so it was a good comparison. I also threw a handful of fresh spinach in when I reheated it. Mmmmmm! Good!
11
Subtotal
11
Snack
crust from 1 lg pizza sl.
4
Subtotal
4
Total Food POINTS values used
36
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-14
Exercise (haven't logged it yet because we haven't run yet today)
I have 13.5 weekly points left (I'll have 2 more if we actually finish our run--it's pouring out now so I'm not hopeful)

Quick Post Before I Go to Sleep

Here's today's foods...just so I don't forget to post it tomorrow.


Morning
1 large carrot(s)
0
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2
1 sl df ww toast
1
Subtotal
3
Midday
1 serving lunch 5/9/08 (see last post)
4
Subtotal
4
Evening
1/4 pound cooked ground beef
5.5
1/8 cup onion(s)
0
1 Tbsp ketchup
.5
1 tsp mustard
0
1 sl df ww bread
1
Subtotal
7
Snack
4 items graham cracker(s)
2.5
15 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
2
1/2 cup salsa
0
1 item refrigerated grilled chicken breast fillet
3
fiber one yogurt
1
Subtotal
8.5
Total Food POINTS values used
22.5
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-0.5
Exercise
20 min walking, brisk
1
10 min jogging (this was actually 15 min of running, 15 walking but WW doesn't let you log in 5 minute increments)
1
Total Activity POINTS values earned
2

Making Healthy Eating Convenient

I just had the BEST lunch. It was possible because I've got my kitchen stocked for success. I have almost every fresh vegetable you could imagine in the fridge and a variety of lower fat meats and fish in the freezer. I grilled some chicken the other night for whenever we need it.

Today I pulled out about a half cup of frozen shrimp, snow peas, fresh ginger, garlic, mushrooms, onions, peppers, and zucchini. I stir-'fried' it in my non-stick wok (that I leave on the stove 24-7) and finished it with a squeeze of fresh lime juice, soy sauce, and some mahvelously pungent cilantro. Oh my. A treat for the eyes, the nose, and my stomach. No fat, no sugar, no guilt.

I have finally switched the rest of my fam over to whole-grain bread. Carrie balked but has come to terms with the fact that we aren't switching back. I miss the convenience of white rice and occasionally will have Jasmine rice in the cupboard, but 90% of the time we eat brown or wild rice. Sometimes I even cook whole wheat berries in with it. There are a few family members that would probably threaten to blow up the house if I took away their sugar (they're over 18 so I don't make an issue of it) but Jim and I really have replaced sweets with fruit. I keep the house stocked with it. It's expensive but it's worth it. I'm not spending the dough on convenience food or garbage treats so it's not much more.

I'm posting yesterday's food list. I was at a restaurant for lunch. There was no way to know exactly the calorie count of what I was eating. The sandwich was fairly easy to estimate because I knew all the ingredients. The soup was tougher so I looked up a recipe for eggplant soup on allrecipes.com, figured the points value, then doubled it just to make sure I wasn't cheating. I also was very conservative when figuring the sandwich as I want to be honest.


Morning
pb on ww bagel
3
Subtotal
3
Midday
eggplant soup sm cup
10
small ff sf froz yog/no cone
2
3/4 lowfat sandwich at restaurant
10
Subtotal
22
Evening
1 1/2 cup cooked green beans
.5
1 medium acorn squash
3
Subtotal
3.5
Snack
2 items graham cracker
1
Subtotal
1
Total Food POINTS values used
29.5
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-7.5
Exercise
Total Activity POINTS values earned
0

Wednesday

Here's my log for today.


Morning
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2
pepp. farm mini ww bagel
1
Subtotal
3
Midday
1/2 cup onion(s)
0
pf ww mini bagel
1
tuna
1.5
mayo lt.
.5
Subtotal
3
Evening
2 cup mixed baby greens
0
1 cup spinach
0
1 item refrigerated grilled chicken breast fillet
3
1 Tbsp red onion(s)
0
1/4 cup snow peas
0
2 medium strawberries
0
3 Tbsp Kraft Light Done Right Asian toasted sesame
2
pf ww mini bagel w pb
3
Subtotal
8
Snack
2 pieces Hershey's Assorted Miniatures Candy
2
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2
15 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
2
1/2 cup salsa
0
2 oz cooked lean boneless pork chop
2.5
2 items graham cracker(s)
1
pf mini ww bagel
1
Subtotal
10.5
Total Food POINTS values used
24.5
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-2.5
Exercise
50 min walking, brisk
3
Total Activity POINTS values earned
3

Sorry!

I keep forgetting to post my intake! I won't bore you with the weekend.....I promise you that I logged every bite every day. Here's Tuesday's log:


Morning
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
fiber one yogurt
1
Subtotal
1
Midday
1 oz Hormel Honey smoked turkey
.5
1 tsp mustard
0
1/2 cup mixed baby greens
0
1 sl df ww
1
Subtotal
1.5
Evening
1 6-inch SUBWAY® Restaurants Turkey Breast & Ham Sub
5
1 3/4 Tbsp SUBWAY® Restaurants Fat Free Sweet Onion Dressing
1
5 oz cooked lean boneless pork chop
5.5
1 large potato(es), baked
3
2 tsp unsalted butter
2
Subtotal
16.5
Snack
1 item McDonald's® Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone
3
1/2 Tbsp peanut butter
1
df ww bread
1
Subtotal
5
Total Food POINTS values used
24
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-2

Wheeee!

Guess what Jim came home with?

He's taking a week off next week. Son# 2 is coming home from college on Sunday, Son#3 is done with school for the semester, Son#4 will be around next week, Carrie's always here, and I need a workout. We aren't going anywhere nor do we have any big plans. So good old Dad came home with a Wii! Then good old Mom logged onto Amazon and pre-ordered Wii Fit. Happy Mother's Day to Mii.

So far, I've only played the bowling as we're all taking turns (and I was the one cooking dinner). I can't wait to play baseball & box a little. This should at least earn me an extra slice of whole wheat bread with peanut butter on it. Hmmmm. I wonder if WW has Wii as one of their exercise categories?

I'm going to go ahead and post today's foods even though the day's not over just in case I don't get around to it tomorrow. I have 4 points left and I promise not to go over unless I dip into my weeklies (I don't forsee that happening, I'm full!)

Have a good weekend!


Morning
1/2 small mango
1
1 item asian pear
0
fiber one yogurt
1
Subtotal
2
Midday
pbj on ww
6
Subtotal
6
Evening
3 oz Ronzoni Healthy Harvest Spaghetti style
4.5
spaghetti sauce
4
Subtotal
8.5
Snack
1/2 small mango
1
4 medium strawberries
0
1/2 cup blueberries
.5
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
1 large cooked sweet potato
3
Subtotal
4.5
Total Food POINTS values used
21
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
+1
Exercise
50 min walking, brisk
3
Total Activity POINTS values earned
3

Nothing New - Just posting yesterday's menu

I grocery/garden shopped for 6, count them, SIX hours yesterday. I saved a lot of money in the process, and was rushing so fast I barely ate anything. I ended up trying to stuff a bunch of stuff in my face at around 8:00 just to make sure I ate all my points. I still didn't make it but I'll live.


Morning
1 cup cooked oat bran
1
fiber one yogurt
1
Subtotal
2
Midday
1 6-inch SUBWAY® Restaurants Turkey Breast & Ham Sub - no cheese no dressing
5
Subtotal
5
Evening
1 6-inch SUBWAY® Restaurants Turkey Breast & Ham Sub- no cheese
5
1/2 package McDonald's® Hot Mustard
.5
Subtotal
5.5
Snack
20 items peanuts
2
1 cup Louis Kemp Seafood Co. Crab Delights Fat Free Imitation King Crabmeat Chunk Style
2.5
1/2 item pomelo
1.5
Subtotal
6
Total Food POINTS values used
18.5
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
+3.5

I've Got Good News and Bad News

Bad news first. It seems that men lose weight faster than women. Duh! Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out. The good news is that I watched something yesterday that explained a little bit of the mystery surrounding that and how to work with it.

According to this study, when men begin an exercise program, their bodies experience the benefits immediately. Their bodies go into calorie burning mode right away and they start to build more muscle and lose weight. Apparently, our female bodies handle it differently. When we start an exercise program, for the first two or three weeks...our bodies think they're being starved to death and start to act like it by hanging on to those calories with all their might. (I know it's felt that way for me lately!)

The solution? Consistency. Starting and stopping an exercise program is like yo-yo dieting as far as the havoc it wreaks on your metabolism. They suggest cross-training so that you don't even miss days at all. This is probably part of my problem. I do my walk/run 3 to 4 times per week and it's intense exercise....but then I do nothing on my off days. Bad move. I need to either do some type of exercise video, go to the Y, or do some exercise at home in between.

Another part of the study indicated that women lose weight more effectively with longer, less intense exercise sessions whereas men can benefit from the very intense shorter workouts because their bodies start burning calories right away.

I actually thought all of this was fairly good news. I started my training a few weeks ago and haven't really lost much. At least there's some science behind it.

For those of you on Weight Watchers: This means EAT those extra points you earned with exercise so your body doesn't think it's starving! I have a hard time doing this. I always feel like I'm eating up a bunch of calories I just burned up and nullifying the benefit of the exercise, but the opposite is true.

Wednesday's Fare:

Morning:
pbj on df ww bread
6
Subtotal
6
Midday
3 oz cooked tilapia
2
1 cup broccoli
0
pbj on df ww bread
6
Subtotal
8
Evening
whole wheat blend pasta
3
spaghetti sauce
4
Subtotal
7
Snack
1/2 cups strawberries
0
1/4 cup blueberries
0
Yo plus 4 oz yogurt
2
Subtotal
2
Total Food POINTS values used
23
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-1
Exercise
50 min walking, brisk
3
Total Activity POINTS values earned
3

Growing my Garden - Getting Rid of my Gut

This weekend was surprisingly easy other than Friday evening when all I wanted to do was eat. I did have victory. I stayed on target. I realize that I forgot to post yesterday so you didn't get my food log, but I did log it on WW. Yesterday I walked/ran and had a good eating day. It seems that the longer I stay away from the garbage, the less I want it. Part of it, I think, is that after working so hard to lose each ounce I'm that much more conscious of how much each bite matters. If I'm taking three steps forward, why would I want to take two steps back. If my goal is to change my lifestyle, I need to embrace the new lifestyle instead of longing all the time for the old one.

The walks and runs help with this. It's hard work. Why would I want to waste all that effort by eating a Cadbury Fruit & Nut bar. A delicious choice, yes, but 10 minutes after I've made the choice to eat or not eat it....I'm not enjoying it whether I ate it or not. Eating is one of those momentary pleasures. I'm determined to let those crisis moments pass and find something else to do instead of pining for poor food choices. I figure that my garden is going to look great this year if I even take half the time I spend focusing on food and turn that effort toward my garden. I should do before and after pictures of the garden and myself!

Oh, here's Saturday's Log:

Morning
1 Tbsp peanut butter
2
1 sl df ww bread
1
Subtotal
3
Midday
1 cup cooked brown rice
4
1 Tbsp asian stir-fry sauce
1
1 Tbsp soy sauce
0
1/2 cup carrot(s)
0
3/4 cup cabbage, all varieties
0
1 medium green pepper(s)
0
1/2 clove garlic clove(s)
0
1 Tbsp ginger root
0
1/2 cup onion(s)
0
1/2 cup zucchini
0
sausage 1/2 link
4
Subtotal
9
Evening
1 6-inch SUBWAY® Restaurants Turkey Breast Sub
5
1 3/4 Tbsp SUBWAY® Restaurants Fat Free Honey Mustard Dressing
1
11 items Lay's Baked Original Potato Chips
2
1 item Bob Evans® Dill Pickle
0
1 large carrot(s)
0
Subtotal
8
Snack
1/2 medium mango(es)
1
2 small clementine
.5
Subtotal
1.5
Total Food POINTS values used
21.5
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
+0.5
Exercise
50 min walking, brisk
3
Total Activity POINTS values earned
3

Friday

Catchy title, huh? Still hanging in there! I can't believe how much it helps to have a little contest going! There are times I think about eating something and then I remember how much I don't want to 'lose face' and I'm able to kick myself right back into killer weight-loss mode.

New topic. I bought an exercise ball (swiss ball) around Christmas time. So did Jim. The most these things have see of our behinds is when we happen to walk by them. I decided that until I start putting time in on it doing crunches & stuff, I'll at least sit on it while I'm using my laptop or doing other sitting chores. Maybe I'll actually be overcome with guilt and start using it in earnest. Maybe I'll just look funny sitting at the table.

Also in exercise world----I just wanted to state, for the record & Ames, that I am completely incapable of doing even one measly pushup either. I seek to remedy this so I am starting out with what my son calls "girl push-ups". I call them knee push ups but what does it matter. He's also got me doing tricep push-ups. Oh DO try them. Especially if you're a bit of a masochist.

Morning
1 item egg
2
1/2 tsp unsalted butter
.5
4 oz Dannon Light 'n Fit Nonfat Yogurt Strawberry Yogurt
1
1 sl df ww bread
1
Subtotal
4.5
Midday
1 item whole hard-boiled egg(s)
2
1 Tbsp Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise
1
1 cup mixed baby greens
0
1/2 large jalapeno pepper(s)
0
1/2 tsp mustard
0
2 Tbsp onion(s)
0
2 sl df ww bread
3
Subtotal
6
Evening
2 item whole hard-boiled egg(s)
4
1 Tbsp Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise
1
1 tsp mustard
0
1 small jalapeno pepper(s)
0
2 Tbsp onion(s)
0
11 items Lay's Baked Original Potato Chips
2
2 sl df ww bread
3
Subtotal
10
Snack
2 tsp peanut butter
1.5
2 sl df ww bread
3
1 serving chicken stew
5
Subtotal
9.5
Total Food POINTS values used
30
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-8
Exercise
50 min walking, brisk
3
Total Activity POINTS values earned
3

I went 8 points over today, swapped activity points for 3 of them, took the remaining 5 out of weeklies.

Thursday's Lament

Wow. It's all a matter of perspective. I'm usually generally dissatistied with the way I look. I don't lose weight easily, my behind is too large, my chest too small, my skin too blotchy......or whatever my perceived flaw du jour is. Today my brother-in-law was diagnosed with MS. I think I should shut up and stop my complaining.



I had to ponder what types of things would be going through my head if I were to receive a diagnosis like that. What would become important, what would wane in priority? Would I suddenly miss the opportunity to engage in intense exercise (heating the body up exacerbates MS symptoms) instead of looking at it as a burden?



My healthy body is not something I can take for granted any longer. It's not an entitlement.



I realize that MS isn't caused by poor personal choices, but so many diseases can be. We can choose to eat right. We can choose to exercise. We can choose to give our brain a work out. All these things help us to prevent cancer, diabetes, alzheimer's, and an endless list of other maladies.



So I guess that's my lament for today......that I haven't been grateful for the less than perfect body I have. It's treating me well and I should be glad I have the opportunity to reciprocate.

What I put in my stomach on Wednesday:


Morning
4 oz Dannon Light 'n Fit Nonfat Yogurt Blueberry Yogurt
1
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
Subtotal
1
Midday
2 tsp Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise
1
1 item egg
2
1/2 tsp mustard
0
2 Tbsp onion(s)
0
1/2 average jalapeno pepper(s)
0
1 large carrot(s)
0
1 sl df ww bread
1
1/2 serving coleslaw
1
Subtotal
5
Evening
1 serving(s) Applebee's® Cajun Lime Tilapia
6
1 item McDonald's® Vanilla Reduced Fat Ice Cream Cone
3
Subtotal
9
Snack
1 cup Kellogg's Special K Red Berries Cereal
2
1/2 cup fat-free skim milk
1
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
4 oz Dannon Light 'n Fit Nonfat Yogurt Strawberry Yogurt
1
Subtotal
4
Total Food POINTS values used
19
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
+3

Wednesday Weigh-In

I'm at least back to where I should be. I anticipate I might actually see a weight I haven't seen in about a decade before the end of May. That prospect alone should keep me motivated.

I ate more than what I was gastronomically comfortable with yesterday but I didn't exceed my weekly point allotment. I still always feel a little guilty dipping into weekly points although it's part of the program. It's actually one of the things that keeps it doable.

Nothing else of interest to report.

Tuesday's Feasts {{eye roll}}
Morning
2 slices Wasa Light Rye Crispbread Crackers
1
1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss Original Flavor
1
Subtotal
2
Midday
1 item egg
2
1/2 Tbsp Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise
.5
1 1/2 large carrots
.5
1 cups strawberries
0
1/2 tsp mustard
0
2 cup mixed baby greens
0
2 slices df ww bread
3
1/2 packet ff ital. dres.
0
Subtotal
6
Evening
1 item bell pepper
0
1/2 cup cooked onions
.5
1/3 clove garlic clove
0
1 link italian sausage
8
Subtotal
8.5
Snack
1 1/2 cup Kellogg's Special K Red Berries Cereal
3
1/2 cup fat-free skim milk
1
1/2 cup canned garbanzo beans
2
15 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
2
4 oz Dannon Light 'n Fit Nonfat Yogurt Strawberry Yogurt
1
lame boneless rib- wasn't worth the points
5
Subtotal
14
Total Food POINTS values used
30.5
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-8.5
Exercise
30 min walking, leisure
1
Total Activity POINTS values earned
1
Swapped 1 activity point
Used 7.5 weekly points.
Still had 24.5 weekly points remaining
Week resets on Wednesday.

Boring Food Day

Morning
6 oz Dannon Light 'n Fit Nonfat Yogurt Blueberry Yogurt
1
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
1 cup black coffee
0
Subtotal
1
Midday
1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss Original Flavor
1
1 large cooked sweet potato
3
Subtotal
4
Evening
6 oz cooked trimmed pork loin
7
1 cup cooked brown rice
4
1 cup cooked sweet green pepper strips
0
1 Tbsp canned tomato paste
0
Subtotal
11
Snack
1 small banana(s)
1.5
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
1 tsp peanut butter
1
8 oz Dannon Light 'n Fit Nonfat Yogurt Raspberry Yogurt
1.5
1 large carrot(s)
0
Subtotal
4
Total Food POINTS values used
20
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
+2
Exercise
Total Activity POINTS values earned
0

Ahhhh Relief at Last

Alrighty then. I went for two months essentially without losing a thing. I was up several pounds in a day sometimes, the down two, up three, over 5, whatever...but never with a net loss. This 49-year old was getting a bit nervous. Hmmmm. No 'cycle' for two months. Unexplained inability to lose weight even while doing vigorous exercise. Do you see where I'm going with this? I was too chicken to go get a pregnancy test. I wasn't quite prepared to see the result if it was a yes. Anyway, I guess it's just that time in my life. Wahoo! I am now most assuredly NOT pregnacious and for that I am very grateful. Not that I don't LOVE children.....I just think I've already produced my quota.

So, apparently my body is just whacking out on occasion which apparently is normal at my age. I am now down a few pounds from where I was a week ago but at least I feel like there was a hormonal reason for my lack of a loss and intense appetite increase.

Got some walking in today. Jim went, too. Went a few miles, cooled down at Starbucks with a Passionfruit Iced Tea (unsweetened, of course), came home and ate dinner.

Here's today's food choices:


Morning
1/4 cup fat-free skim milk
.5
sample box of bran cereal
1
Subtotal
1.5
Midday
2 tsp mustard
0
8 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
1
1 hot dog
4
1 sl. df ww bread
1
Subtotal
6
Evening
1/2 Tbsp Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise
.5
1/2 tsp mustard
0
1/2 large jalapeno pepper(s)
0
1 pkg light ramen
5
tuna
1.5
1 slice df ww bread
1
Subtotal
8
Snack
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
1 large carrot(s)
0
5 cups reduced-fat microwave-popped popcorn, 94% fat-free
1
16 oz Dannon Light 'n Fit Nonfat Yogurt Strawberry Yogurt
3
1/2 pbj on dfww
3
Subtotal
7
Total Food POINTS values used
22.5
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-0.5
Exercise
30 min walking, brisk
2
20 min walking, leisure
1
Total Activity POINTS values earned
3

Yesterday's Log and Today's Question

What are those foods that you just CAN'T have in your house because they are too overwhelmingly tempting? Don't worry, I want to win this BAD, but I'll refrain from having double cheese pizzas and 3-liter bottles of Coke delivered to your domiciles.

Here's mine: This cornbread recipe is deadly, as are homemade macaroni & cheese, grilled cheddar cheese sandwiches, and carrot cake.

What foods are the things that make your plan doable? I have a few of those. 'Fried' Rice is one of them. I cut up a huge pile of vegetables (usually cabbage, onions, carrots, pea pods, fresh ginger & garlic), 'fry' them in my non-stick pan(no oil whatsoever), throw in about a 1/2 to 1 cup of leftover brown or wild rice, and a little soy sauce. It also works great with leftover whole wheat pasta. I sometimes put shrimp in it if son#3 isn't eating it.

The other 'magic' food for me is yogurt. I mix in a little Fiber One and some fresh fruit. Although I prefer cooking from scratch, a convenience food that I use LOTS on this diet is canned soup for lunch. The vegetarian vegetable, tomato prepared with water, chicken noodle, and minestrone are all SO low in points and convenient that it makes lunchtime less temptation-laden.

Yesterday's choices:

1 cup cooked oat bran
1
Subtotal
1
Midday
1/2 pbj ww df
3
tomato soup w water
4
Subtotal
7
Evening
1 6-inch SUBWAY® Restaurants Turkey Breast & Ham Sub
5
1 3/4 Tbsp SUBWAY® Restaurants Fat Free Honey Mustard Dressing
1
15 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
2
1/2 cup salsa
0
Subtotal
8
Snack
1 grande latte , made with fat-free milk
3
5 cups reduced-fat microwave-popped popcorn, 94% fat-free
1
1 ww df bread
1
1/3 cup spaghetti sauce
1
Subtotal
6
Total Food POINTS values used
22
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
0

Nothing New

For the sake of accountability, here is yesterday's log:
1 small banana(s)
1.5
2 slices Wasa Light Rye Crispbread Crackers
1
1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss Original Flavor
1
Subtotal
3.5
Midday
8 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
1
tomato soup made with water
4
Subtotal
5
Evening
1 slice ww df bread
1
1 serving stir "fry"
8
Subtotal
9
Snack
1 medium banana(s)
1.5
2/3 cup Manischewitz Unsweetened Apple Sauce
1
1 large carrot(s)
0
3/4 c. spec. K c.p. w.skim
3
Subtotal
5.5
Total Food POINTS values used
23
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-1
Exercise
50 min walking, brisk
3
Total Activity POINTS values earned
3

Why are YOU losing Weight?

At the beginning of one of the Biggest Loser (tv show) seasons, they asked them all why they were losing weight and what some of their goals were. They put them on a t shirt that they would wear during working out. Things like "to see my kids grow up", "to not be embarassed when I meet new people" , "to be able to run around with my kids"

Here are some of my reasons. I had Carrie when I was 42. By the time she's 20, I'll be 62. I don't want to be a slow old mom for her. I want to be able to be active and healthy for her while she's growing up. Secondly, I want to look the best I can for my dearest much better half. I wasn't this size when he married me and while I'll never be that tiny again (let's be realistic, I've been pregnant a lot), I know I can be smaller than I am right now. Thirdly, I just want to be healthy for the long haul. If I don't completely adapt to eating like this long-term, I will just gain and keep on gaining. I don't like that it works that way for me, but it does, so I better adapt.

I lost 40 before. I gained very little of it back. I just want to finish the job now (losing it....not gaining it back, wise guy). Losing the weight gets increasingly difficult the older I get so I can't wait any longer.

Thursday Food Log
Notes about log....at the bottom it says there is an overage, what it doesn't show you is that you swap activity points for food points. Then the remaining 3 extra points come out of my weekly 35 bonus points that reset on Wednesdays. WW Bonus Points can be split up any way you like over the week. If anybody ever has a question about anything I've logged, please ask.

Breakfast
fiber one yogurt
1
Subtotal
1
Midday
1 Tbsp Kraft Light Done Right Balsamic vinaigrette
.5
1 cup fat-free canned refried beans
4
1/2 cup salsa
0
2 Tbsp fat-free sour cream
.5
15 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
2
1 small jalapeno pepper(s)
0
1 1/2 cup lettuce
0
Subtotal
7
Evening
1 serving(s) spaghetti with meatsauce
9
3 oz Dole Classic Iceberg Salad
0
2 Tbsp Kraft Light Done Right Balsamic vinaigrette
1
2 tsp unsalted butter
2
2 sl.ww df bread (wwdf=Brownberry whole wheat double fiber bread)
3
Subtotal
15
Snack
3/4 cup Kellogg's Special K fruit & yogurt cereal
2
1/2 cup fat-free skim milk
1
fiber one yogurt
1
Subtotal
4
Total Food POINTS values used
27
Food POINTS Balance over (-) under (+)
-5
Exercise
30 min walking, brisk
2
Total Activity POINTS values earned
2

Let the Thrashing Begin!

Fellow OFNM Players: I regret to inform you that you don't know who you are dealing with. I WILL win this thing. Oh yes. You all weren't around last summer/fall. I was the diet QUEEN. Now I've got more motivation than just standing on the stupid scale 47 times a day to see a smaller number. This time it's for bragging rights! Handknit socks! Soap that actually smells good! Not having to wear an "I'm a quitter and can't stick to my diet" T-shirt is fairly motivating, too!

I was having trouble coming up with what I would contribute to the ante. However, I thought of something. I have yards of canvas upstairs that are begging to be turned into a lovely pair of canvas totes perfect for the homeschooling mom to lug around those ever present stacks of library books, for the environmentalist to use as reusable grocery bags, or for the knitter to use to protect and carry her latest project. This bag can be custom-designed for the winner in case of a fluke where one of you should win rather than me. (yeah, like that's gonna happen).

So let the battle be joined. I'm ready when you are. I've already started.

Wednesday's Log


Morning
1 slices cooked bacon
1.5
fiber one yogurt
1
Subtotal
2.5
Midday
1 cup mixed baby greens
0
1 small jalapeno pepper(s)
0
8 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
1
1/4 cup salsa
0
2 tsp mustard
0
df ww bread (2)
3
thin sliced ham lo fat
1
Subtotal
5
Evening
3 1/2 oz cooked tilapia
2.5
1/2 cup cooked spinach
0
2 small carrot(s)
.5
Subtotal
3
Snack
1 item cooked chicken fillet
3
1 bar Weight Watchers Giant orange sherbet & ice cream bar
2
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
fiber one yogurt
1
Subtotal
6

Operation Fat-no-More Day II

Yeah!!!! Two whole days with nary a slip-up. This is going to be fun! I know Ames mentioned on her blog that others might want to get in on this challenge. We're also trying to think of some fun little prize for the conquering hero or a consolation prize for the person who bags out first. Ames friend Shan has already volunteered to contribute a beautiful handmade item to the winner's cache! Hmmm, what can I contribute.?....I don't knit. Let's see....what am I good at? I can cook! If I was closer I'd come over and cook the winner's diet food for a week but that obviously isn't going to be real practical. I can also whip up 9 tax returns in 24 hours, but tax day has come and gone. I can bear children over three different decades, in two different millenia, but I'm not willing to part with any of them (most days) and, quite honestly, surrogacy is out of the question (hey, I'm 49 anyway...give me a break). I guess I'll have to keep thinking...

As far as a booby prize, I personally think this (please take a look)fits the bill....but since I am not independently wealthy, we could stick to my suggestion of having the loser wear a T-Shirt that says something like "_________ beat me in a weight loss competition because I was lazy and cheated on my diet". This shirt would be worn in public while doing morning walking or jogging for a day(or a week!). Just a thought.......but I'm sure we can get creative here. If you think you want to be a part of this let us know. Ames and I have already started but it would be great if more people jumped on the bandwagon! The sooner the better. The more the merrier. Maybe I should take a giant leap out of cliche world while I still can.

I know it's a little bit cumbersome to show you my entire food log every day, but it goes a long way towards preventing me from getting careless and not keeping record. I guess what I'm saying is....you're stuck with it.



Yesterday's Sustenance:

1 bar Weight Watchers Strawberry sherbet & ice cream bar
1
1 item egg
2
1 slice whole wheat bread
1
Subtotal
4
Midday
1 Tbsp Hellmann's Light Mayonnaise
1
1 tsp mustard
0
1 small jalapeno pepper(s)
0
15 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
2
1/4 cup salsa
0
1 slice double fib. whole w. bread
1
tuna
3
Subtotal
7
Evening
1 6-inch SUBWAY® Restaurants Turkey Breast Sub
5
1 3/4 Tbsp SUBWAY® Restaurants Fat Free Honey Mustard Dressing
1
15 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
2
1/2 cup salsa
0
1/3 bag light popcorn
2
Subtotal
10
Snack
1 large carrot(s)
0
1 wedge The Laughing Cow Light Creamy Swiss Original Flavor
1
fiber one yogurt
1
2 ry krisp
0