Did Anyone Miss Me?

Wow!

November 6th!

That was the last time I blogged.  Life got in the way and basically, I stopped caring.  Stopped focusing. Stopped trying. 

Things have now slowed down and my time is my own, except for this pesky all consuming thing called Christmas!

I would like to say I am back on track, that I am running again and skipping the junk, but that would be a lie!  Is my foot feeling better to run? YUP! Has been for awhile now, but I have not gotten on the treadmill once....ok...I did ONCE and it damn near killed me.

I would like to say now that work is finishing up for the year, I will have time during the day to exercise and focus on my eating...that too would be a lie.

I made a promise that I will pull it together in the new year.  To me, that means once school is back in session and holidays are over - January 7th, 2013.

The last time I shared my weight, I had lost a whopping 4.5 pounds and hit the scales at 246.75 lbs.

Since that time, I pretty much bounced back and forth between that and 250 lbs.  As of Tuesday, I am back to 246.25 lbs.  If I can do good to maintain that over the holidays I will be pleased.

I also learned at my meeting that over the course of the year, my weight is down 22.75 lbs from January last year.  I had no idea I had done so well!  This is just one of the reasons going to TOPS is great.

I had a few friends touch base with me during my blogging absence ( all within 3 days of each other)  It really did mean so much to me.  While it didn't get me blogging, it did help me keep slightly focused.  I was telling one girlfriend that I had no desire to do any of this, eat well, exercise, blog, etc.  She told me 2 great pieces of advice.  The blog will come as the weight comes off.  TRUTH!  It's no fun for me to write about floundering....like some beached whale.  Also, she reminded me that it IS hard to both eat well and exercise this time of year.  So, if you can't do both, pick one!  Her advice was so true.  I wish I could say I picked one and stuck to it, but nope!

So, here I am, getting ready for the festivities and hoping I get through it without too many extra pounds.  I can't promise that there will be many blogs between now and January 7th, but know this:

Thanks to everyone who reads this blog.  It does mean a lot to me.  I will try my hardest to be successful or at least not a total failure.  Come the new year, I will be back on track with all of it, including the blog.  I do hope to do one more post before the end of 2012, so stay tuned! :-)

I Pulled That One Out Of My Hat!

If you recall, I have been food logging everyday this week in the benefit of my TOPS group.

I kept it honest and didn't deprive myself of things I might normally eat just because others might see it.  I still ate the chocolate and treats.  Too many if you ask me and I was pretty sure it was going to backfire on me.

Guess what!

I totally rocked the scales tonight!

I had a loss of 4.5 lbs!

I am SO excited about it!

Last week: 251.25 lbs
This week: 246.75 lbs

Not only is it a huge loss, it's beginnings of my weight loss journey under the 250's.  I have been waiting for this for quite some time.  Plus, there is a good chance I won't jump back up to it next week, it's quite a bit to get there again and I am determined not to!

Yippee Skippy for me!! :-)

Fail Of A Weekend!

The scales still show good results, but I consider it a fail, because I didn't stay strong willed!

On a good note...Halloween candy is almost gone!  Would you believe that my kids did not get one-single sucker or other "bottom of the barrel" treats?  All chocolate and chips.

Let's review how I made out:

Calories today:  1728

Over again by:  80

Breakfast:

Tim Horton's breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese and bacon on a bagel
1 small French Cappucino

Lunch:

Nachos and Cheese

Dinner:

1 small fillet minon
1 small potato with butter
8 oz tomato juice

Snack:

5 mini chocolate bars

Mid-Weekend Review

Ok, so it's Saturday...one of my most difficult days of the week.

I wish I could break the cycle.  Every day starts out so strong and then I weaken by the end of the day.  Darn Halloween chocolate!  A girlfriend of mine mentioned tonight that her kids sold them their candy.  The end results, the parents wouldn't be tempted and the kids wouldn't be all sugared up!

Why can't I do something like this?  Why does it make me feel so guilty to a) deprive my kids of that treat and b) to waste it.  I know it would be the best for the entire family.  I wish I was that strong.

I did even out today, number-wise

Calories in: 1633
Under by: 15

Breakfast:

2 slices of toast with butter and honey

Lunch:

2 poached eggs on toast with butter

Dinner:

Nachos and cheese
3 mini chocolate bars

TOMORROW I WILL DO BETTER!!

EXPECT IT OF ME PEOPLE!

Friday Wrap Up

Usually, this is the point when my good intentions go to hell in a hand basket.

I am sure hoping it doesn't and will try my best.

Here is how my day started with temptation:

Left over Halloween candy, only inches away from me at work.  Truthfully, it hasn't tempted me today much.  I was able to stay out of it..sort of....I did however feel the need to discover the secret of the Caramilk bar!

So, we made it through that round.

Round 2!

Dinner out.  I had planned on doing pretty good with this.  I went onto the websites for a couple of different restaurants we like to go to and planned out my meal.  I ended up staying later at work then I intended and brought home supper instead.  For dessert, I did indulge in a couple more chocolate bars.

So, here are the numbers:

Calorie Intake for today:  1780

Over by 132 calories.

This is what I don't get though.  The numbers I have set up are intended to see me lose 2 pounds a week.  I jumped on my scales at home after dinner just to see.  I use them as a guide to let me know if I am up or down over the week.  Firstly, let me say, I KNOW that the scales vary from day to day, depending on the time, etc.  I made sure to get on them when I was feeling the most full.  There was a good 3 - 4 pound difference.  If I was smart, I would say:

"look how well you are doing...don't blow it now!"

Anyway, this is the food run down for the day;

Breakfast:

1 granola bar

1 banana

Lunch:

3/4 stuffed chicken breast

1/2 serving of pasta

1/3 cup of sauce

Dinner:

Fish and chips

Snacks:

3 mini chocolate bars

Here's too a strong weekend!!

Ho Hum!

It's Thursday y'all!  Almost Friday!

Day 2 of tracking food.  Still don't like it, but remain true to keeping it honest.

Ok, so again, calorie intake for the day: 1648

I did a bit worse than yesterday actually: 2097 calories

Over by 449!

Breakfast:

1 granola bar
1 Pineapple Yogurt (which I didn't like, BTW)
1 cup raspberries

Lunch:

1 cup tomato soup made with milk
1 1/2 slices of black forest ham
30 g. Havarti cheese
1 low-calorie chocolate pudding

Dinner:

1 stuffed chicken breast
176 g of pasta (FYI, that is the weight of 1 serving, cooked)
1/2 cup sauce
2 mozzarella sticks
1 slice of Italian bread with butter

Snacks:

1/2 bagel with butter
6 mini chocolate bars.

Reading this, seeing how much I was over, I can just see how many things I could have done without.....let's list them shall we?

- yogurt (not nutritionally, but because it wasn't enjoyable)
- mozzarella sticks
- Italian bread with butter
- 6 mini chocolate bars

These 4 items equal 635 calories.  A tad bit more than I was over!

Also, I did get on the treadmill tonight for my first run in about 3 months.  My heart and mind wasn't into it tonight AND I didn't want to push my foot too hard.  I managed to burn about 73 calories...I had hoped for 100, but just couldn't get into the mindset!  Next time!

Happy Halloween!

Wow!  What a week to try and watch what you eat and track it.  It's good that I have to be accountable to my group next week or I wouldn't even try.

My calorie intake limit for this week is: 1648

Today, I didn't make out too bad....1705, over by 57.

I did my very best to really cut back on eating today, because I knew that I would not be able to resist the temptation of the chocolate bars here for the kiddies.

I wasn't hungry at breakfast time and I really do try my best to not eat if I am not hungry.  I know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but it usually the one I cut back on because my stomach allows it.

Lunch today was:

1/2 bagel
4 tsp. butter
1 1/2 slices of black forest ham
30 g. Havarti cheese
2 sweet pickle slices

369 calories

Dinner today was:

1 cup tomato soup make with 1% milk
1 grilled cheese sandwich
7 crackers

529 calories

Pretty good right?

Ok, time to count in the treats:

807 calories

That is why I am over and also why I am going to bed hungry.

Dinner had no real source of protein, which always leaves me hungry...I know that...but I had to make a choice and I KNEW 100% without a doubt that I would over-indulge in chocolate!  History is a pretty good indicator of it!

So, not too bad and if my evening hadn't been so late...I would have gotten on the treadmill and tried running on my foot!

Here's to a better tomorrow!!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

I am an intelligent person

I will control my emotions, not let my emotions control me

Every time I am tempted to use food to 

satisfy my frustrated desires, built up my ego or dull my senses,

I will remember,

Even though I over eat in private, 

My excess poundage is there for all the world to see.

I WILL TAKE OFF POUNDS SENSIBLY

- TOPS pledge

Look at that!!!

A Tuesday blog ACTUALLY posted on a Tuesday!  Sign of good things to come for the week perhaps.

I am letting my TOPS meeting this week serve it's purpose....motivation!

The TOPS program has it's own version of a healthy eating guide, known as the exchange system.  I will be the first to admit...I have not read anything about it, tried to follow or understand it.  As a whole, our group is very lost in regards to it.

Our Area Captain came for her yearly visit tonight and she asked if any of us had questions and I pointed out that we feel very challenged in understanding the exchange program.  She encouraged us to just food journal for a week and then as a group, figure out the exchanges.  As leader, I volunteered to journal everything this week and bring it in as the example we can all work off.  My reason for this was purely selfish.  I need to get right back on track with journaling and the best way to ensure I do it this week is having next week program rely on it!

As for the numbers....I gotta say, I am disappointed...once again, things caught up with me.

2 weeks ago:  250.50 lbs
This week: 251.75 lbs

It's not a huge gain, only .75 lbs and I shouldn't have a problem recovering from it if I set my mind to it.  It's going to be a tough one, with Halloween and all, but I CAN DO IT!!

You take my hand,

and I'll take yours,

and we'll start out today,

for a helping hand is what we need to help us on our way.
The way to goal is a lonely road, we need someone to care,

reach out my friend and take my hand

and then we're almost there!

- TOPS closing

Take 2!

So, has anyone noticed that I missed a week in blogging?

My girlfriend up north did and was kind enough to send me a little note....telling me I was a very bad girl!

Thanks Teri!

We had a little conversation that went something like this:

Me ( Tuesday) - I need chocolate!!  Skipping my meeting tonight!!

Her (Tuesday) - Go to your meeting...your group needs you!

I didn't get her e-mail until Thursday

Her (Thursday) - you ignored my advice didn't you?  Hope you at least enjoyed the chocolate bar!  No blog?  BAD AMY!!

Me - yeah, I have been living in "ignore-ville" this past week.

Her - I don't think that's a good place for you, perhaps you should consider moving?

Me - I'm packing right now, heading off to "moveyourass-ville"

It's great to have a friend that will give you the gentle nudge to move along.  It took me a bit longer than planned to pack up for my move to "moveyourass-ville" and I must admit, I am just at a bit of a road stop right now, but I can see the sign telling me I am almost there.

Last week was just a BLECH week.  I had no desire to go to my meeting and in the end, my husband ended up working late, so it would have been difficult to go (not impossible mind you).  I for sure felt I had blown it.  I didn't follow my plan as scheduled once the weekend hit.  My road was paved with good intentions for sure!  The scales at home showed that despite my bad weekend, I still was down a bit.

New week, new rules right?

Treadmill TONIGHT...FOR SURE!  I will run through the pain, both mental and physical.  We will see how the foot holds up!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

Remember....I said this was my week to get back on track.

I left my meeting last night determined for it to be the truth.  So far so good.  I just keep reminding myself that I am staying true to being on track.  It's hard....it's a CONSTANT reminder!  Want that wine gum?  Do I really need it?

Of course I don't NEED it, but I sure as hell WANT it!  I resisted.

As for the scales last night?

They were good to me once again.

Last week: 251.00 lbs
This week: 250.50 lbs

I am SOOOO close to my mini goal of being under 250!  Next week for sure!

I also promised I would repeat a good week and food journal.

My calorie goal for each day  was 1572 calories

I'm not going to break down each food item on here (unless you request I do so)

Instead, I am going to compare last time vs. this time and the total number of calories for each meal.

Previous: 1587 calories
Today: 1306 calories

Breakfast: 105 calories
Lunch: 467 calories
Dinner: 742 calories
Snack: 98 calories

Calories Burned: 107 calories

RESULT: -266 calories

I wonder if I will have the same results as last time (5 lbs lost) or if other factors will change those results.  I am not eating the EXACT same food nor am I doing the EXACT same exercise.  Next Tuesday will be very telling!

I hope some of my followers are doing their own "repeat" week!  Would love to hear your results!

This Time I Blame My Dad!

It is pretty often that when something is wrong with how we were raised, we blame our mothers!  Mom's are the scapegoat for EVERYTHING!

Don't know how to do laundry?  Mom's fault!

Addicted to TV?  Mom's fault!

You get my drift and I feel perfectly valid with blaming mom's, because I am now a mom and will someday be faced with this same situation.

(Let me get things straight!  I LOVE LOVE LOVE my parents and everything said is in jest!)

Except for this next part.

I am addicted to pop! (among other things!)

My entire life, my dad drank nothing but Pepsi.  Then a number of years ago, he became diabetic.  Now, you would think that would have put the squash to pop drinking...nope, he just switched it to diet! 

My point?  I love pop too!  My husband is just as big a pop drinker and made the switch from regular to diet when my dad did.

Confession time!  Between the two of us, we can go through about 90 cans of pop in two weeks.  That is roughly 3 1/2 cans each a day.  Horrible right?  My attempts at cutting back are fairly unsuccessful, but I'm trying.  Aside from the basic consumption of this...let me also confess something else about the pop...it makes me feel horrible when I drink it...it's the aspartame in the diet...I'm sure of it.  It makes my shoulders and stomach ache and sometime a bit in my mid-back.  Common sense would make the average person stop drinking it.  That's the funny thing with addiction.  Also, I can reason myself out of it.

I am not a water drinker (I've mentioned that before)  I don't drink coffee or tea.  It's either pop or juice.  Since starting to lose weight, I vowed to myself not to DRINK my calories.  I mean, a glass of juice, milk or pop all have around 100 calories per serving.  In my mind, this has left me only with pop!  I have one first thing every morning. While everyone else is enjoying their coffee, I am sipping on soda.

So, on Wednesday, I tried something.  Everytime I wanted to go and grab a pop, I made myself have a glass of water first.  If after that glass of water I was still thirsty and wanted the pop, that would be ok. 

Guess what!  I didn't feel like I needed the pop after that.  I only had 2 that day.  One in the morning and one that evening downstairs.  It's a small victory, but a victory just the same!

The Nature Of The Bear

I came to the conclusion today....I am not a bear! 

Right now, I bet you are thinking: "DUH!!  Could have easily told you that!  You are just realizing it NOW!?!"

Perhaps I should explain.

See, it's Fall here now.  It's cold and blustery.  Mittens and toques need to be washed up and worn!

While I love the colours and smells of fall...I HATE the cold!

It also means it's time to break out the soup pot.  It's when all those yummy stews and casseroles get cooked...you know, the comfort foods.

Comfort Foods = Fatty Fatty 2 x 4

The ones not complete with thick slabs of fresh white bread, smothered in butter.  The ones that you just scoop onto your plate or bowl without much thought!  Oh man, I am making myself hungry RIGHT NOW!

It also is the start of people not wanted to get out and exercise as much.  It feels better to curl up on the couch by the fire and stay warm.

This brings me back to the bear thing! 

I am NOT a bear!

 (Thanks for the picture,  National Geographic!)

I don't need to load up on food to prep myself for hibernation.  It's not like I am going to go month's without food....I can hardly make it HOURS without food!
As my readers know,  I have been having a tough go with my foot and have gone from lots of exercise to none!  I am on day 3 of my foot feeling pretty good (touch wood!) and am hoping that by next Wednesday I can get back on the treadmill.

It's also my week to get serious again.  I read a great tip in a post of the TOPS facebook page. 

"Review your food journal and repeat a good week"

Well, since I have started this journey...I have had 1 stellar week with a loss of over 5 pounds.  I want to repeat that!

Ironically, it was also the same week that I food journalled and posted it on here. Hmm!

Me thinks I need to do it again.

Starting next Wednesday, I am going to post a food journal again each day for 6 days.  On average, I need to be under my allotted calories by about 71 calories in addition to burning about 706 calories over the week.  Who wants to join me?  Any fellow bloggers want to food journal on their blogs with me?

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

I'm a bad blogger lately!  I totally forgot about blogging last Tuesday.  I blame it on the fact that I didn't go to the meeting.  Also, I have some catching up to do on the other blogs I read.  It's on my To-Do list!

Let's get right down to numbers and then I will carry on with my sob story and excuses!

Last week: 252.50 lbs
This week: 251.00 lbs

Net Loss of 1.50 lbs.

I did good once again and was surprised, considering we threw Thanksgiving in there last weekend.

This really just means that I am eating less, without paying any attention to it or planning.

Also, I am still battling foot pain, which relates to ANOTHER week of no exercise.

This is where my excuses come in!  There are lots of things I could be doing that don't involve being on my feet.  I could put my bike out of the garage and go for a ride with the kids.  I could inflate the exercise ball and use it and the hand weights.

The only reason I have to brush these ideas off is I have lost my "mojo"

I had running fever and was IN LOVE with it.  Loved the feel of accomplishment and it made me feel so fit!  Now, once my foot gets back, I have to start at the very beginning and make sure I stick to only 3 days a week of running and not do more like I was.

My plan in the next couple weeks is to re-visit the week where I lost 5 pounds and see if I can replicate it.  I will eat the same foods and burn the same number of calories.

Wishing everyone a great week!!

The Truth of Tuesday Night - Saturday Edition

Sorry it's a few days late friends!

Things here in my new crafty world are C-R-A-Z-Y!!!

I didn't anticipate it being so busy!  It's thrilling and consuming all of my spare time!

The scales were not my friend last week!  I am still REALLY struggling with my foot and being able to move on it.  It's become the perfect excuse to do NO exercise!  It was only a matter of time before the scales caught up with me.

Last week: 251.25 lbs
This week: 252.50 lbs

A gain of 1.25 lbs.  That's enough to get me back in check.  I have a couple weeks to get myself back into the losses again.  I won't be attending this upcoming Tuesday.  Hubby is away for work and I don't want to cart the kids down.

Well, back to painting!

Happy losing everyone!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

Things around here have been super busy!  I love crafting!  Plus, it gives me something to do with my hands, other than eat!  So, with the help of my mom, I started a little craft business.  I have been fortunate enough to actually make a few sales on one of the items, and every spare minute has been spent working on those items.

I'm still laid up with my foot.  I also haven't been real careful with what I have been eating.  At some point, something is going to give and I suspected that tonight on the scales would be it.

Last week:  253.25 lbs
This week: 251.25 lbs

Loss of 2.25lbs!

Pretty stellar on my part.  My only explanation is that I must be eating less than I figure I am.  It sure doesn't feel like it and I can only imagine how much better the results would have been had I not had that ice cream or muffin.

So, I will once again make my weekly vow to eat less junk!

Here's to another great week and I hope you all have the same!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

I am going to start off by addressing something I have wanted to for SO long!

It's about my readers and followers.

I love all of you!  Even more, I love the comments you leave me. It makes me feel worthy!  I appreciate that in such busy lives, someone is taking a few minutes out of their day to read about mine!  There is nothing anyone can comment that would make me so mad that I would not want to read it.  Whether it's the hard truth or supportive "rah rah rah", bring it on!

I wish there was a way to reply to your comments so that you would know!  However, I don't think that there is and if you know of one, please let me know.  But for now, please know that I really do appreciate all of your comments!

Whew!  THAT is off my shoulders!!!

So, last week I mentioned how disappointed I was getting.  My foot "injury" was getting me down.  I had finally found an exercise I was loving and now have been sitting on the sidelines for about 3 weeks now.  At this point, my foot is still no good!  My boss is great and is still trying to fix it, but right now it feels hopeless!

I wasn't looking forward to the scale one bit.  With little exercise, I knew the results wouldn't be pretty

2 weeks ago:  254.25 lbs
This week:  253.25 lbs

I was so pleased that I was done.  It just means I have to make the best of what exercise I can do and eat less...LOTS less!

This week at my meeting, we had a recipe sharing night.  I had intended to make mashed cauliflower, but didn't get that pulled off, instead I brought a weight watchers recipe that I found online for a chowder.

Summer Corn, Bacon and Potato Chowder

Ingredients

	1 medium uncooked yukon gold potato(es)
	1 spray(s) cooking spray
	1/2 cup(s) uncooked celery, chopped
	1/4 cup(s) uncooked onion(s), chopped (or 1 large shallot)
	4 piece(s) corn on the cob, kernels removed with a knife
	1 cup(s) sweet red pepper(s), diced
	4 oz uncooked Canadian-style bacon, diced
	2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk
	1/2 tsp table salt
	1/4 tsp black pepper
	1/8 tsp hot pepper sauce, or to taste

Instructions

• Pierce potato in several places with a fork; microwave on high power until tender, turning over once, about 8 minutes. Allow to cool; peel and mash.
  
• Meanwhile, coat a large saucepan with cooking spray. Add celery, onion, corn and red pepper; sauté over medium-high heat for 5 minutes.
  
• Stir bacon and milk into saucepan; stir in mashed potato and mix well. Season with salt, pepper and hot pepper sauce; stir to combine. Cover and simmer 10 minutes (do not allow to boil). Yields about 1 1/2 cups per serving.

I think this is one even I would eat.  With 4 servings, each serving works out to about 209 calories!

It's starting to cool down, perfect weather for chowder!

The Truth Of Wednesday Night?

OK, OK, so this post is a day late.

Basically, I have no numbers to share.  I skipped my meeting on Tuesday.  I just wasn't feeling it.  It was dreary and rainy and I just felt BLEH!

I am on week two of no exercise!

I hate it!

I went from feeling fabulous, sexy and healthy to feeling blech, lumpy and fat!

I thought my orthotics did the trick as of last Tuesday.  I woke up Wednesday morning and could barely even stand on my feet!

Since then, I have been struggling to get them right and do everything else that needs to be done.  What I should be doing is getting off of my feet completely for a few days, but with a house to run and kids to look after...NOT GONNA HAPPEN!

My feet hurt so much I can't even walk from one room to the next and after about 10 minutes on them, I need to sit for 10 to recover.

I did do some bike riding with the kids a couple days last week and it's easy on the feet, but it's not my favorite and I don't like to do it when it's hot out.  That is why I love my treadmill...it's indoors in the A/C!

So, there you have it.  That's my blog full of excuses as to why I can't exercise and didn't go to my meeting.

I plan to be out of my slump for next week's meeting.  It's "new recipie" night and I am taking a version of mashed potatoes made out of cauliflower.  I've been told you can't taste the difference, so we will see!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

Let's just get down to numbers shall we?

It's a bit later than usual and the hot tub is calling my name!

Last week: 255.50 lbs

This week: 254.25 lbs

That is a loss of 1.25 lbs!

Yippee Skippy for me!

I had hoped for more...my week was going pretty well until about Thursday.  Then my foot trouble kicked in.  My foot pain also caused some knee pain and it has put me off of exercise until things are healed up.  My feet feel fantastic now, the orthotics worked wonders.  The knee was feeling better tonight and I was able to walk to my meeting.  I am hoping I am good to walk on the treadmill tomorrow night at least.  I think I will leave running until Friday.

Here's to another good week for me and everyone else trying!

Weekend Wrap Up!

Well, I was able to find time to blog tonight.

I am off the treadmill for a few days.  My foot is really bothering me and I have to get that all fixed up before I go at it again.  I was so disappointed.  I had gotten myself back on track, the scales at home are showing a good loss.  But on Friday...I finally had enough with the foot pain.  I had to go to work and "whine" to my boss.

For those of you who don't know...I work at an office that makes Custom Foot Orthoses, so it is VERY silly for me to have sore feet!  My boss quickly cast me for the orthotics and worked REALLY hard to have them for me before we went home that day.  It's usually a 3 week turn around time...but for a stellar employee, such as myself, same day service!

They need some adjusting, so I haven't gotten a chance to use them yet.

So, I thought I would give a quick garden update.

It's doing SO well this year.  I had a big problem with it, that you can read about on my other blog, here!

I have 5 plants and they are LOADED with fruit!

This haul I passed off to the neigbour!
Last batch went to the daycare

Romaine Lettuce....almost done!

Green Peppers

Carrots

Second last hill of potatoes
(sniff sniff)

I hope if you have a garden it grew well for you this year.

If you live around me and feel like a tomato...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE just stop and grab a couple...I mean it!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

Ok, so I know you might be getting tired of this title, but what can I say?

It represents what Tuesday means to me.  It's "Judgement Day"...the day where I see either how well or poor I have done.

I have said it a couple times over the last week.

HOLIDAYS ARE HARD!!!!

I let myself get off track and am just now getting back on.

I knew I would not see great results on the scale as I hadn't really tried my hardest until about Sunday.

I vouched that starting Monday, I would cut back on sweets and stuff and monitor what I ate and exercise more.

With no further hesitations...

Last week: 255.50 lbs
This week: 255.50 lbs

Thank goodness!  I suspect my couple days of staying focused is what made this happen.

On a brighter note...today I had 6 people compliment me on my weight loss so far.

Firstly, one of Abby's daycare teachers told me how amazing I look!  What a great way to start your day and it's not the first time she has said this!  It's fantastic to hear that from someone, especially when you can't see the changes yourself.

Then tonight, I left the house early enough to walk with some of my TOPS group members.  They too said they saw me walking down the road and had to wonder for a moment if it was me and how good I was looking.

THEN,

on my way out of the church tonight, one more member told me I was looking thinner.  She drove by as the group of us was out walking and she wasn't 100% sure if I was with them because she couldn't tell if it was me or not.

Compliments are a funny thing!  I love giving them and it makes me feel so great.  I don't know how to receive them well though.  I am getting better at it and now say "thanks...I am working really hard at it"

I will also admit that I am not one to GIVE compliments.  Partly I think because I just assume everyone reacts the same way I do....with that in mind, why would I not think that it would make their day for someone to notice the changes in them.

So, tell ya what....if you know someone working to lose weight...tell them they look good if you notice!

I also said I would start tracking food and do a food diary...instead I will just quickly breakdown calories in vs. calories out.

Calories In: 1444
Calories Out: 164
Results: 396 under

Until next time,

Amy

Goal Review

On July 9th, I set myself a mini goal.

It was to lose 30lbs by Christmas.

Since I made that goal, I haven't actually reviewed how I was doing at all.

So that is what I did tonight.

Let's see shall we?

July 4: 263.25 lbs
August 14: 255.50 lbs

That is a loss of 7.75 lbs.

It's not too bad, but I was hoping to lose 2lbs a week, which means I am about 3 lbs behind.

This is back to my week of focus.  Holidays are all over for everyone.  The treadmill has been dusted off.  Fruit has been bought and lunch made.

I can't wait.  It might be too late for the scales this Tuesday, but I will be happy with a small loss, but next Tuesday?  Watch out!  Maybe I can do another 5 pounder!!

It's THURSDAY!

Let me tell ya, that first week back from holidays is the WORST!

Especially when you husband is still off and you are not!

This week has dragged on F-O-R-E-V-E-R!!!!!

Plus, all of my good intentions for food have gone downhill this week!

I have decided to forgo the food diary details for the rest of the week and focus on it again for Monday!  I know, that is not really the attitude to have, but that does not mean I am giving up and pigging out this week, I just want to report on a week that has me real focused without the distractions of holidays in there.

I tried a new recipe tonight for lunches.

I have looked and looked at this recipe on Pinterest for quite some time, but never went further than the picture. But today, in my attempt to make a healthy lunch each day, I thought I would try it, as it would give me an alternative for protein without TONS of calories.

I was a little nervous, because I intended to make my own changes for this. I am not usually very good at that....subbing in my own things and have it turn out, but I would say it was not too bad.

Here are my changes and some photos of the Mini Chicken Pot Pies I made:

First off, gather your ingredients (I forgot a few things, like cheese and eggs, but you get the idea).  The original had you cooking your own chicken and using only chicken broth, plus some veggies.  I instead bought a cooked chicken from the grocery store and also wanted to add some Cream of Chicken soup

I chopped up all the chicken and almost had enough...I ended up with about 10 oz.

I lightly cooked some onion in a little bit of margarine and mixed together 1/2 cup of Cream of Chicken Soup and 1/2 cup of Chicken Broth.  I combined the mixture with my chicken and then added that to my frying pan with onions.  I let that simmer away for about 5 minutes and let it cool.    I also sprinkled in some garlic powder, onion powder, thyme and fresh pepper.

I then grated some Light old chedder and added it to the chicken mixture once it was good and cool.

I then mixed up the biscuit mixture.  It consisted of 1/2 cup bisquick, I substituted the 2 eggs with egg substitute.  Two reasons for this...one, I had it in the fridge and have never used it before, so I wanted to know how it would work out.  Second....using it allowed me to cut out about 120 calories, which would make up for the added calories by using the Cream of Chicken soup.   Add 1/2 milk too.  I again also added a bit of garlic powder, onion powder and thyme.

Once they were assembled and baked, as per the original recipe, they looked like this:

They smelled really good while cooking and I had to sample the one that fell apart when it came out of the oven...not bad...I forgot to add salt and I felt they did need a little bit.  They did not come out of the pan too easily, but that's ok.  I am hoping they will freeze well.

If my math is correct, each one is 114 calories. Perfect for my lunch budget and it's something different!

As for lunch today, well, why don't we take a quick peek at to what I took:

I have a couple pepperoni sticks, some almonds, cheese string, grapes, pretzels, mini rice cakes, cucumber and dip.

This is my "breakfast" dish.  It has a Fibre 1 bar, greek yogurt, 2 peaches and a chocolate pudding.  The pudding was for lunch, but it didn't fit in the lunch dish...not that it really matters when you eat it....the result is still the same.  I did not end up eating the peaches....but I need to start...they will spoil soon!

So, what was in your lunch?  Any recipes you want to share for an awesome little lunch?

Until next time,

Amy

Wicked Wednesday

Today was great....not necessarily from a nutritional point of view, but from a fun family day it was!

It was my usual day off from work today but it was also my husband's last week of holidays so we decided to take advantage of our last day together mid-week.

We surprised the kids by taking them to the Toronto Zoo.  The kids had NO idea where we were headed and Hayden didn't figure it out until we got to the gate.  We were there for when the zoo opened at 9:30 and finally left at 3:30.

Let me tell ya.....I was very lucky that my feet carried me to the van.

While I could have probably done better with my eating plan for the day, here is the breakdown anyway:

Breakfast:  (1385 calories)

• Bacon Belt
• Lemon Cranberry Muffin
• 7 timbits
• 1/2 Cappuccino

Lunch:  (1140 calories)

• Bacon Cheeseburger
• Medium Fries
• Small Sprite
• 2 Juices

Dinner:  (531 calories)

• 1 1/2 toasted tomato sandwich
• nachos and salsa

Exercise:  (1460 calories)

• 6 hours of walking

In summary:

Calories In:  3235

Calories Out: 1460

Over by 99 calories 

I don't feel too bad about this...I actually think it probably evened it self out better than that, but I guessed with the calories for some items and I always try to guess on the high side.

So there you have it...hoping for a PERFECT day tomorrow!

Until next time,

Amy

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

And today's food diary!

Well, it was my first meeting and weigh in since before we went to Ottawa and holidays started.  I was a bit apprehensive about it....being pretty sure I was going to be up.  Part of me contemplated not even going and working hard for a week, but I put on my big girl panties, hiked them up to my armpits and took off for the meeting.

I got out of the house early enough to meet up with the ladies who walk around the block before the meeting, so that was a nice change.

The reason I was pretty sure I was up (aside from my lack of exercise and over abundance of food) was that we bought ourselves a set of scales for home.  Up until now, we didn't own a set.  I bought a Weight Watchers Brand for this reason..I had bought a set for a contest prize and the member who won them said they were pretty much bang on to the scales at TOPS.

So, I weighted myself just before I walked down and they read 258.50 lbs.  I wasn't surprised, but disappointed in myself none the less.

So officially...totals for this week:

Last weigh in: (July 31) - 255.75 lbs
This week: 255.50 lbs

Yeppers!  That is a LOSS!  I will take that quarter of a pound thank you very much!

That means, the scales at home are off by about 3 lbs.  Now that I know that, I can use it as a judge to how my week is going.

As for the food diary....there is a lot of food on it, but small quantities.  I'm still pretty excited about my lunch container and the food I packed in it, that I can barely contain myself until it's time to eat it. (which is an oddity...I hate breakfast and lunches..or rather ones that are not prepared and eaten at home....I am NOT a sandwich girl!)

This is my breakfast container.  I have a Greek yogurt (90 calories) , bar (100 calories)  and the fixings for a mini bagel egg sandwich.  I has some liquid egg in the fridge.  Each 1/4 serving is 30 calories. I put one serving in muffin cups and baked them in the oven.  I left one out and froze the other 7.  I am not sure how they will be after they come out of the freezer.   I also found these cute little mini bagels that are 100 calories.  They are smaller but still give you the satisfaction of the thick chewy bagel. With a thin slice of cheese (60 calories), the whole mini sandwich would be 190 calories.  I ended up passing on the egg...it was a southwest blend with peppers, etc. and in the end I just couldn't do it.  Perhaps with the plain egg.

In total: 340 calories

Now for the lunch part, working left from right:

• 60 grams of Honey Maple Turkey Breast - 68 calories
• 1 light Mini Babybel Cheese - 50 calories
• 25g Almonds - 150 calories
• 1/2 cup grapes - 31 calories
• 1/2 cup raspberries - 32 calories
• 1/2 cup cucumber - 8 calories
• Veggie Dip - 40 calories
• 12 mini rice cakes - 90 calories

In total: 521 calories

I had a toasted tomato sandwich and some more almonds when I got home instead of dinner with the family.

• Sandwich, including bread, butter and tomato - 267 calories
• Almonds - 300 calories

In total: 567 calories

Then after I got home, I had another mini dinner.

• 1 light Mini Babybel Cheese - 50 calories
• 1/2 cup grapes - 31 calories
• 9 pita crackers - 120 calories
• 2 pepperoni sticks - 140 calories

In total: 341 calories

The total intake for the day: 1769 calories

Calories burned: 128 calories

Net loss: 35 calories

All in all, not a bad holiday or day!

Back On Track - Sorta!

So, I vowed today I would get back on track!

Then it turns out to be one of those days that goes to hell in a hand basket.

I made a great attempt, really I did!

I packed my lunch on Sunday...all excited to use my new lunch dishes and try a couple new snacks.  It looked healthy and appealing!  I couldn't wait for lunch actually!

Let me show you around:

(From left to right)

• left over ham steak
• pretzels
• Fibre 1 bar
• grapes
• raspberries
• cucumber
• dip
• greek yogurt
• babybel cheese
• crystal light

This actually is both breakfast and lunch.  The yogurt and bar for breakfast and the rest for lunch.

It was about 640 calories, which is about what I like to have each day for both meals.  That leaves me with about 1000 calories for dinner.  It's the meal I most enjoy each day, so I try to make sure I can.

However today, it was not enough.  I was hungry by 2.  My plan, to go home and have a toasted tomato sandwich.

That is what I did.  I had 2 slices of light bread with a couple slices of tomato to tie me over for dinner.  Brian wasn't going to be home, so I could have what I wanted.

Dinner was pasta with plain tomato sauce and with some Parmesan cheese, totaled in at about 784 calories.

I was about right on track.  From there though, it went all downhill

Abby wasn't quite herself at bedtime and I got her tucked in finally at 7:30.  I jumped in the tub and she just cried in bed that her tummy hurt.

I got out and had a little cuddle with her on the couch.  She was just drifting off when I put her back to bed.  She woke up right away, saying she was going to be sick.  So, she ran to the bathroom and was indeed sick (this is a very common thing for her, so don't feel too bad for her...just feel bad for me, as it's normally Brian's job to clean up, but he wasn't home)

I brought her back for another little cuddle and hoped to get her back to bed by 8:30 so I could go for my intended run.

NO LUCK!  Brian came home closer to 9 and she finally allowed us to tuck her in about 9:30.

I didn't really stop eating either...I had another bar, some of Brian's left over french fries and just now, a good handful of candy!

ARG!  

It really is so hard to get back on track!

Lunch is made again for tomorrow and I packed more food.  I need to fill myself enough to last until about 8:30.  I try not to eat dinner on Tuesday nights before my weigh in.  I never used to bother with this, just ate with the family, but started feeling full and bloated and thought I would try this method instead.  It's a hard adjustment.

I am very ashamed to say, I was over my calorie intake by a whopping 773 calories!!!!!

I had already told myself today, I will do another posted food diary to make myself accountable and get back on track!  What a way to start!

Kick me now people!

Tomorrow I will do better!

Until next time,

Amy

Holiday Failure!

Ok, I will just admit it right now!

The past 2 weeks have not been my best!

I have been on holidays and I think I took it a bit too literal!

I was on vacation from work....not everything else....but somehow, that memo didn't get passed on!

This past week was my worst.  I didn't watch what I ate at all, NOR did I exercise.  We went on a family vacation to Ottawa (you can read about it here) and that meant 2 days of eating out.  I don't however think that would be the root of my problem.  We only ate about twice a day there and were SO busy with museums and swimming that I suspect it evened itself out.  It was the days before and after that have been my downfall.  I finally purchased myself a scale for home and if I go with the belief that it weighs the same as the one at my meeting, I am up about 3-4 pounds! (as I hang my head in shame!)

It's amazing how fast you can get off track!  I was getting to the point where I didn't crave sweets so much, didn't feel so hungry all the time and looked forward to the treadmill.  The reverse is now the complete truth!

I wanted chocolate so bad today I ate chocolate chips! (wasn't the RIGHT chocolate, btw!)

I am looking forward to Monday.  That is the day I will be back on track for sure.  I'm back to work and my food intake will be limited to healthy options.  I even bought myself some new lunch containers, with little dividers, etc.  I will also be back on the treadmill, sweating buckets and cursing myself for the week off!

If you have fallen "off the wagon", why don't you join me on Monday and get yourself back on track!

On a side note, my garden is doing well, see?

This was last week, early in the week.  Potatoes are ready, carrots are little but still good to cook.  Tomatoes were starting and beans were just finished.

When I got home from Ottawa, this is what I got to pick:

Holy tomatoes Batman!  There are still a couple I can pick in another day or so and about 4 more just starting to turn.  To think...I am the only one that eats them too!

Until next time,

Amy

Freedom!

Today I did something that was both frightening and liberating!

I went through my closet and got rid of all of the clothes that are too big.

I have always heard you should do this, but in the past, that has always been too scary!

My reasoning....clothes are expensive and what if I put the weight back on....I will NEED those!

Guess that is the point of getting rid of them right?  If your clothes don't quite fit, you have two options:

1. spend a small fortune to buy more
2. work hard until the clothes feel comfy again

After I cleaned out the closet and bagged it all up...I went RIGHT to the computer to list them.  I knew if I put it off, that it would never get done.

I had a reply within half an hour and at that point, there was no turning back and I was committed!

It's going to be nice to not have those items taking up space!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

It's been awhile since I have started looking forward to Tuesdays.  I was off the "bandwagon" for so long, that I just forgot how exciting the anticipation of the scale can be.

Once again, I walked down to the meeting.  It only takes me about 10 minutes to walk and it's a nice little jaunt.

So, this week, I wasn't sure how well I actually did. I caved into a bit of junk food, but it was yummy and hopefully it is out of my system now.

Numbers time,

Last week: 255.75 lbs
This week: 255.75 lbs

I stayed the same, which is alright...I mean, it's not a gain.

This week has been pretty great for me, emotionally.

I have felt

SEXY,

STRONG, 

EMPOWERED!


I am on holidays this week.  It's the first time since I have become a mother that my kids are not home with me at the same time.  Previously our sitter came into our home, but last fall we put them in the local daycare and I am paying for them to be there this week, so they WILL go!

I am looking forward to all of the things I can get done.

Yesterday I spent the day shopping.  That even included new clothes for me.  It's been a long time since I have bought clothes.  This time, I got to go and just spend HOURS by myself...trying stuff on.

I am pretty happy with what I bought.  I think I do pretty well at flattering my figure with what I wear.  For example, I am smaller on top than on bottom.  I have always been happy with the shape of my boobs and my "first" stomach.  (FYI, the "first" stomach is the roll between the boobs and ACTUAL stomach.

It must have worked, tonight I had two members of my group tell me I looked thinner.  One said I looked smaller from behind (aka, my butt is shrinking and what gal doesn't want to hear that!) Another told me I was looking smaller in my "first" stomach area.  That is where my hubby sees it and I can see it a tiny bit too!

Next week will be tough!  We are going to Ottawa from Tuesday - Thursday, which means numerous meals out.  I will do my best and am challenging myself to run on the Wednesday at the gym in the hotel.  Even if that means in front of other people!

Until next time,

Amy

Something To Think About

So, yesterday was my third day of Couch to 5K, week 3.

First off, let me say...I am finding it VERY hard.  Running for 3 minutes straight is very taxing on me and I haven't mastered the breathing thing too well yet while running, so I end up panting like a dog more than anything...struggling to get a deep breath.  I think I would be wise to repeat week 3 again next week before I move on.

Anyway, we did our usually Friday night into town to go do some shopping. That also usually means we have supper out.  I had a late lunch at work of pizza and wasn't starving.  So, I showed some excellent restraint and while the rest of the family had Dairy Queen for supper, I had none!  The old me would have had something even if I wasn't hungry.

After getting the kids into bed later than usual and everything else, later than usual, I strapped on the sneakers and hit the treadmill.

Afterwards, Brian asked...what was all of the heavy breathing about tonight?

I said, "because it was hard tonight and I didn't really feel like doing it, plus my stomach is all crampy"

"So why did you run then?"

"because it was my night to run!"

But truthfully after I got thinking about it, the reason I ran was simple...

Because it would have been easier NOT to run

Does that make sense?

It's easier to just not get on the treadmill and move fast.  My legs wouldn't hurt, my lungs wouldn't burn and I wouldn't be dripping in sweat.  But what I also realized is that feeling of death warmed over doesn't last long after I get off...maybe 10 minutes and then part of me wants to do it again!

I am just keeping with the running thing for right now.  I love it and want to do it EVERYDAY!

The Truth Of Tuesday Night

So, last week ended up being a bit of a write off on the exercise front.  The stomach flu will do that for you.

I went to my meeting, anticipating a bit of a loss, but nothing like last week.  I figured if I had lost another 5 pounds I would feel it for sure and my clothes didn't feel that baggy.

This is where I confess something to you.  The meeting place for my TOPS group, aka, my fat group (as I lovingly call it!)  is about 4 blocks from my house.  Since I was pregnant with Abby, I drove!  Yup, I hauled this fat butt into the van and drove 4 blocks to my fat group!

Can you see the irony in that?  I could, but it didn't stop me.  So, I made myself a promise last week, no more driving unless it was POURING rain!  No more excuses, like Brian can't get the kids ready, he is home too late, etc.  Because that is all they were - EXCUSES!!!

Let's just get on with the results shall we?  I mean, come on...you know that is why you are checking it out tonight, right?

Last week:  256.50 lbs
This week: 255.75 lbs

Loss of .75 lbs

Pretty good, even though I was secretly hoping this weight loss thing would be as easy as 5 pounds EVERY week! (I know, not actually a healthy approach, but a fat girl can dream!)

But let me tell you something about this number...first off, it's the first time in a long time that when I get on the scales, I don't have to "add" numbers.  By that I mean...we have one of those "official" Dr. type scales, that you have to adjust the weights for it to balance.  Once you hit the 260 mark, you have to move the larger weight to 250 and the smaller weight to the teens ( or plus)...follow me?

Anyway, it's now 250 + the number following that.

Secondly, it is very exciting to me because I now weight less than when I started TOPS in 2008!

I know right?  Who the heck joins a weight loss group and GAINS weight?  Me apparently.

I joined in January of 2008 and weighed 256.25 lbs.  That was after the birth of Hayden.  Now, I did have another child in that 4 year time frame, but it's not an excuse.  I don't have my highest weight recorded at home, but I am going to find that out and I will let you all know just how much weight I did gain while in my weight loss group!

I hope you all have a great week and I'm eager again to see how much difference both diet AND exercise will make on the scales!

Until next time,

Amy

It's Monday Alright!

Ok...so if you know me, or have read my other blog, you know that stupid stuff happens to me....A LOT!

There is this little thing you might have heard of called Murphy's Law.  Yeah, I must have ROYALLY peed off this Murphy character in a past life!  This law and I don't see eye to eye one-single-bit!

Anyway, when I was packing my lunch last night, I decided to get back on track with only taking water to drink.  It's the only way to make sure I get some in.  I only had bottled water to take, because my refillable water bottle was still at work from the last time I was on the water train!

First off, let me say...I don't like to drink water and am very picky about the water I do drink.  It has to be COLD and filtered reverse osmosis water.  Like Aquafina or the stuff I fill my 18L jug with at home.  The bottled water we have is from Costco and does not fit into my specifics for water.  But it's drinkable with some Crystal Light.

So, I packed myself 2 bottles of water and 2 Crystal Light packages.

I get to work and pull out a bottle and my favorite Crystal Light flavor (raspberry peach).  I had three choices with the bottle before I dumped in the power, because they are always too full

1. go and dump out a glug of water
2. drink a glug of the water
3. go for the gusto and just dump it in anyway

Correct, I chose option 3, KNOWING it was going to be a bad idea!

Was I right or was I right!?!

I pour it in, and not just a little bit at a time either, the whole package.  Well, it doesn't start to settle very fast and is in fact starting to rise up out of the bottle.  I clamp my palm over it, hoping that will reverse the process, but nope.  Next I try to poke it in with my finger...nope, just get powder on the desk.  This is where I got really stupid.  I put my mouth over the bottle and tried to blow the powder inside.  I used my tongue to see if that worked, but when I discovered it in fact had no results, I then used my tongue to poke it in.  It was now in enough I could get the lid on and try to shake it.  Or so I thought...in fact the lid was not on tight and I had juice run down my hand.

I went to the bathroom to now go with the first option of dumping out some water.  With the water came clumps of power that I had to wash down the drain.  That made my hands and fingers all red!  Then I noticed that my teeth and tongue were red from my earlier pushing attempt!  I had to rinse my mouth out a few times to help clear that up.

In the end, I got my water flavored and enjoyable enough to drink.  But I now look like one of my kids when they have spent the day finger painting...worse actually...because finger paint washes off!

Thank goodness no one else was in at work yet.

So, how is YOUR Monday going?

Sunday Summary

So, I thought I would take a few moments to do a brief summary of my week.

Monday was the start of week 3 in the Couch to 5k.  I was both dreading it and looking forward to it.

Week 3 was going to see me start running a couple 3 minute intervals.  The last 30 seconds of my last 3 minute run turned into a super speedy walk, but none the less, I kept pace.

We all know how I made out on Tuesday with the scales.  It had been a tough day diet wise, because I had been home with a sick little Abigail and ate some things I wouldn't have normally had.

On Wednesday, I woke up SICK AS A DOG!!  That flu that Miss Abby had passed right on to me.  Brian ended up coming home early from work as I couldn't even lift my head off the pillow, unless I was running for a whole other reason than for good health!

I made it to work on Thursday because I had no choice, but I didn't feel quite right until today.

From Wednesday - Friday, my calorie count was well within the allowable limits.

I still didn't feel comfortable getting on the treadmill until tonight.  Today I felt well enough to have a pecan tart, so I figured if I was well enough to eat that, I was well enough to jog.  But I didn't want to bust right out of the gate with week 3.

I had been curious as to how I would do if I put week 1 back on, so that is what I did.  Week 1 has you running for only 1 minute intervals.

You know what?  It was kind of easy!!  Mind you, I ran and walked a tad bit faster than my normal pace to challenge myself a bit more, but I wasn't so out of breath and my legs didn't feel like jello!  I never could have imagined 4 weeks ago that running 8 intervals of 1 minute spurts would be easy!  I AM SUPER SYKED!!!  I will try my week 3 again tomorrow! Can't wait!

I don't want to jinx myself....but I really like this running thing!  And I'm not too bad at it!  Who would have thunk it?!?  ME...AMY RUTH...A RUNNER!!!

So, for anyone out there who has even a TEENSY TINY bit of interest in running....download yourself a free copy of the Couch to 5K program and try it.  If I can do it at 260ish pounds...so can you!