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

Taxes & Temptation

Woohoo! I've now made it exactly one whole day without cheating at all! It's pretty sad that I feel so good about it.

One would think that when one's children are no longer 'children' that one would be spending less time taking care of said children. Somewhat true, until tax time. It seems that Dad and I are way too nice and volunteered to do all of their taxes this year. Last night at around five in the morning we had our "What on earth were we thinking??" moment. Unfortunately, it was too late, the onus was on us. Son#1 moved out to NY last spring so he had to deal with partial tax years in two states...which is why we had originally offered to help him navigate tax world. Son#2 is flat out busy at school right now a few weeks from finals with a part-time job and arranging his summer internship (and he's an RA). All of his W-2's come here so it's easier to just do it. Unless of couse you're missing some numbers, which we were. Son#3's we did together (he's at home), son#4 probably doesn't even have to file (do you believe we haven't even looked at it yet). The other reason we offered is because we always use Turbo Tax which makes the job SO fast seeing that we, as a family, have up to 11 returns to file counting state and federal. It keeps it all on record for the next year as well, which is nice. Hey wait. They should pay me for this little commercial.

Of course, I was NOT counting on the laptop deciding randomly to pretend that it couldn't identify the printer it was connected to. Nor was I counting on the printer running out of ink halfway through printing once we finally got the laptop to recognize it.

I was annoyed that we had waited to do this stuff. We waited on ours because we knew that we owed instead of getting a refund this year, but we still should have done it all ahead of time. So I was freezing, annoyed at myself, tired, and needed comfort food. But good sense and knowing that I would have to confess any wayward eating to Ames, thus losing the contest, kept me from straying into my refrigerator or the 5 bags of goldfish lurking in my pantry. I drank countless cups of hot tea instead, thereby guaranteeing that I would have to run to the, uh, ladies' room every 2-5 minutes until the taxes were done (or close, anyway) and I could hop in bed (just after 5:00 am) and get a few winks before I had to run to the bathroom yet again.

Anyway, I'm up and going (hmmmm, no pun intended, but it works) , drinking yet more tea and eschewing those pesky goldfish.

I have published my food log below. I promise not to post anything else on the blog until I get some more sleep. I get a littzzzle......zzzz...wordy when....zzz....I'm...zzzzzzzzz...zzz...zzzzz...


Morning
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
light n fit yogurt stawberry
1
Subtotal
1
Midday
4 oz raw farm-raised tilapia
2
1/4 cup cooked spinach
0
2 cup mixed baby greens
0
1 Tbsp Kraft Light Done Right Balsamic vinaigrette
.5
Subtotal
2.5
Evening
1/2 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce
0
1/2 Tbsp soy sauce
0
2 tsp Old El Paso Taco Seasoning Mix
0
3/4 cup cooked white rice
3
3 oz cooked trimmed beef round steak or roast
4
1 large yellow pepper(s)
1
1/2 cup onion(s)
0
1/8 cup green hot chili peppers
0
1/3 cup canned tomato sauce
.5
1/8 cup fat-free sour cream
.5
1/4 cup salsa
0
3 cup mixed baby greens
.5
2 Tbsp Kraft Light Done Right Balsamic vinaigrette
1
ww tortilla
2
Subtotal
12.5
Snack
1/2 cup General Mills Fiber One
0
1 bar Weight Watchers Key lime sherbet & ice cream bar
1
15 items Tostitos Baked! Scoops tortilla chips
2
1 medium carrot(s)
0
1 cup carrot(s)
0
peach fiber one yogurt
1

Speaking of Keeping Me Honest...

Here's honesty. I ate like a blooming cow over the weekend. Yes, I did. Fritos. Goldfish. Grilled Cheese. I knew I was in danger when I weighed in so heavy the other day.

So now that my little hissy fit is over with, a little competition has been arranged with fellow weight-loss blogger Ames. A little competition might give me the motivation I need to get back in gear. We haven't thought of a prize yet, but we each have to stick to our goal. Mine is sticking to plan 100% and logging everything. Hers is staying a way from snacks and desserts. The first one to cave loses. Since Ames and I both are losing at an amazingly slow rate, we thought this might keep each other going.

I'm ready! I had a healthy, plan-friendly breakfast and I'm going to log it right now!

I'm still hanging in there but I gained 3.5 pounds between 9:00 last night and 6:00 this morning. How this is possible, I do not know.

I'm hoping this is just a weird aberration and resulted from excess salt at dinnertime causing me to retain the 2 huge cups of tea and all the water I drank. I'll let you know.

Things like this are dangerous for me. They make me want to throw in the towel and go have a pizza. Don't worry, I won't. Thanks for keeping me honest!

The Importance of Goals

Last night as we were watching Biggest Loser, what struck both of us was the importance of goals----especially short-term ones.

There were four people left. All of them were vying for the final three spots to be able to win $250,000. In order to do this, they had to lose amazing amounts of weight. Two of the four are down so low already that I wondered where they could lose any at all. They all KNEW they had to have ridiculous numbers to stay on the show and every single one of them, without trainers, lost MORE than 10 POUNDS this week! I struggle to lose ten pounds in a month!

Now, I'm not saying we can achieve what they did. They're essentially at 'fat camp' for 15 weeks, with nothing to do but work out and have endless time to prepare weight-friendly dishes. However, there's something about short-term goals that allow us to apply some serious intensity to our plan.....whether it's weight-loss, fitness, financial goals, or sewing a quilt.

With that in mind, I've decided that I need to go after my April goals with the intensity of seagulls fighting over the last dead carp. (I just give you the warm fuzzies, don't I?)
Every morsel that enters my mandible gets logged. If I've eaten all my points, I stop. Period. I will stick to my marathon pre-training with no excuses. I've got to want this. I'm not getting any younger, so losing weight and getting fit aren't going to get easier.

To borrow from Dave Ramsey's money stuff.....I'm going to "live like no one else now, so I can live like no one else later". The goal is worth the struggle.

Not sure what's going on

Still hanging in there. Just hanging around the same spot on the scale. I'm not going to quit, though. It wouldn't be worth it because the weight would just sneak back on.

I'm anticipating some droppage now that I'm walking/running nearly every day. We'll see. I also need to re-adopt some of my old ways....like not sitting down at all during the day, etc.

Seeing that I haven't had breakfast or tea yet, I best get myself going before I start school. Maybe I'll have some good news for you tomorrow.

What is WITH my Appetite?

I've been able to control my appetite for so long. Now, all of the sudden, I'm having a terrible time. I usually get this way about a week before my cycle starts. I want all bad things that start with 'ch'.......chocolate, chips, and cheese! Arg! My cycle has been a little screwed up lately and I'm a little late (too much information, sorry!) so I feel like I'm trapped in that food craving cycle---along with perpetual bloating. Weeks like this don't make it particularly fun to be a woman. Anyway, it is what it is. I will wait it out and persevere.

It's supposed to be in the 50's most of this week. That will help, too. When it's freezing out, all I want to do is eat comfort food. When it's warm out, I love salads, raw vegetables, and grilled meats.

Goals for April: stick to plan 100% & log everything. Exercise every weekday. Stop making excuses. Start enjoying the weight-loss journey again. I was having so much fun with it before. Now I feel like a bit of a wacky, hormone-laden slug. Time to change that.

April Fool's Day

Well, it's the first of a new month and a good time to get going again with the diet. There are no birthdays or anniversaries this month to make things difficult.

On Sunday, Jim and I threw caution to the wind. He had been working ridiculous hours along with a few other folks there. He was told to take me out to dinner on the company's tab, and make it good! We did. We went to Mitchell's and it was amazing. I didn't think about price and I didn't think about points or calories. It was a great 'last hurrah' before going full-tilt again during April.

I registered for the marathon early this morning so the training should also help with the weight loss. Here's hoping. It's warm out for a change. I can deal with puddles and wind as long as the snow is gone.....and it is.

Short sleeve weather is coming. I want to be the right size before I emerge from winter coats and heavy sweaters. There's no time like the present.