Laughable

That's what I'd call the 'snow' here this morning. I didn't even know it was going to snow... but when I went to let Maddie out this morning this is what I saw:

(don't mind Maddie peeing)

You can still see the grass!!!! But alas I got to work and no one was here. Everyone was 'waiting an hour or so' to 'give the roads time to dry' Are you kidding? Also.... SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED! No 2 hour delay... but CLOSED! It's totally ludicrous. Here's an article in the Charlotte Observer about the 'treacherous conditions'... It's just so absurd to me. Oh how the south makes me laugh.

Though it is kind of crazy - on Sat I was wearing capris and a tank top and today the high is only going to be 35. Seems like tomorrow will be cold again and then we're back in the 50s and 60s. That's more like it!

I've been tracking points all week... just slacking in posting my menus. I have 11 Flex Points left and 12 APs... so I should be ok. I'm hoping to not use all my APs.

Today's menu looks like this (I'll be posting pictures here)...

Breakfast:
2 whole wheat waffles - 4

Snack:
small piece of sugar free angel cake from break froom - 1

Lunch:
1 light string cheese - 1
Multigrain wheat thins - 2
Bell Pepper tomato soup - 1
apple - 1

Snacks:
strawberries, blackberries and pineapple - 1
rice cakes - 1
motts plus applesauce - 0

Dinner:
Not sure yet -- I'll grab something quick (maybe eggs or a LC) before I go on date #3 (yay!). We're going to see Slumdog Millionaire and I'm so excited! I've heard rave reviews and just love going to the movie theater. I rarely do it so it will be quite a treat. Hopefully it goes well.

Off to drink some tea... my hands are like ice!

Jumping on the Wagon

The Nike Plus wagon that is! I bought one right around this time last year. I used it 3 times... loved it... and then the battery on the sensor died. Totally annoying, I know. I kept meaning to get a new sensor, but never got around to it.

Fast forward a FULL YEAR. I finally got a new one!!! I've used it 3 times since I've had it and am again totally hooked. I missed Boot Camp last night (long story involving Wallmart and me being stupid) but I still went to the gym. And I RAN for 26 minutes straight. Thats right... I RAN for 26 minutes straight.

Let's take a moment to read what I wrote on Jan 18, 2008:

Oh! And in other big gym news I ran for TWO MINUTES straight last night. I realize it doesn't sound like much, but considering when I started on Jan 7 I could barely run for 30 seconds at a time I was so pumped that I pushed through the one minute mark, and the 1.5 minute mark and went for 2 minutes! I'm will be a runner someday :)

I was so excited about running for 2 minutes. Just TWO! And one year later I'm doing 26. Maybe does this mean by next year this time I'll be doing 45 minutes?! Let's hope so! I'm so close to running a 5k nonstop. My goal is to do it by the end of Feb.

Anyway -- here's my run via Nike Plus (click to make larger)!

Stats:
2.79 miles
31 min 42 seconds
11 min 19 sec mile (avg)
374 cals burned

The first 5 minutes of the workout were a walking warm up. I did do another 5 minutes of walking to cool down but stopped my workout before that :)

Ok... menu for today!

Breakfast:
2 low fat waffles w/ strawberries and blueberries - 3

Snack:
vitamuffin w/ pb - 3

Lunch:
1 cup veggie soup - 0
sandwich thin w/ laughing cow light - 2
apple - 1

Snack:
soft pretzel - 3
applesauce plus fiber - 0

Snack before boot camp:
banana w/ pb - 3

Dinner:
2 eggs - 4
turkey sausage - 2
broc - 0
toasted sandwich thin - 1

Snack:
pudding w/ berries! - 2

What's the worst day of the week?

One of my friends always says that she thinks Tuesday is the worst day of the week. Monday you're still coming down from the high of the weekend, and by Wednesday the weekend is approaching... but on Tuesday it's just blah.

I secretly have to agree with her today. However! There is good TV on tonight. And no, I'm not talking about American Idol. I'm talking about The Biggest Loser... and 90210! I'm so hopelessly into that show. My roommate makes fun of me... but what do you expect out of a girl who watches The Hills and now The City? I fear I was the only person who was actually upset that Lipstick Jungle got canceled. But I digress. All I'm saying is that there is something fun and excited about Tuesday.

And if that wasn't exciting enough there's always Boot Camp. Last nights work out was hard. It was at TBs (Trainer Boy) house again. And there is a BIG hill right near his house. As in he lives at the bottom of it. Last night we were lucky enough to have our 'lap' be running up the hill and back. FREAK! I've never liked hills on a bike and can now add that I don't like hills on foot either. Hopefully we'll get to run in the other direction tonight, but I'm thinking not.

As for my eats I was good yesterday -- ate 26 out of 23 points. Not too shabby! I've got the rest of my food all planned out for today and am determined to stick to it. Here's the menu so far (if you want the pictures go here).

Bfast:
Starbucks tall nonfat one pump vanilla steamer (heaven on a cold morning!) - 3
2 eggo waffles - 2

Midmorning snack:
banana nut vitamuffin w/ a smear of pb - 2
2 dark kisses - 1

Lunch:
salad from the grocery store salad bar (baby spinach, carrots, hard boiled egg whites, a few craisins, edemame) - 3
mini pizza on arnold sandwich thin (these are amazing) - 3
big juicy apple - 1

Afternoon snack:
motts plus fiber - 0
super pretzel w/ spicy brown mustard - 3

Snack before boot camp:
toasted sandwich thin w/ laughing cow light cheese - 2

Dinner:
Lean Cuisine meatloaf and whipped poatoes (I'm sort of scared of this one...) - 5
I'm addining in some sauteed peps, onions and tomatoes for veggies - 0

Snack:
choco vitamuffin w/ strabs and ff whipped cream - 2

Total: 27 out of 23
Flex Used: 4
APs Earned: 3 at boot camp

Lunch Break Woes

I only get a half an hour for lunch. Which isn't much time. Generally I'll skip my 'break' 2 days out of the week so I can have an hour break 2 other days during the week.

But here's my problem. I pack my lunch and like to eat at my desk. Breaks up the day you know? So on my actual lunch break what do I do? It's rainy today so I can't go for a walk. And I don't want to BUY lunch (bad for the wallet and hips), nor do I want to go shopping. I don't really have any errands to run. And so here I sit... pondering what to do with my half hour break. I'll most likely just skip it today... but if anyone has any suggestions for cheap things to do on an hour or half hour lunch break PLEASE let me know!

In other news I'm doing well with temptations at work. I did give in and had a hershey's kiss, but that's ok. I'll count it and I just had ONE. I got back from a staff meeting and there was a big bag of chocolate TURTLES sitting on my desk! I have no idea who put them there but you bet your ass I picked the bag up right away and took it to the kitchn... which is far away from me.

Menu for today looks something like this...

Breakfast:
Homemade waffle w/ 1/2 banana and pb - 4

Snack:
Motts plus - 0
a few cherries - 0.5
kiss! - 1

Lunch:
home made chicken noodle soup - 2
1/2 slice double fiber bread w/ 1 hard boiled egg and mayo - 2.5
apple - 1

Snacks:
WW yogurt - 1
apple cinnamon rice cakes - 1
ONE piece of chocolate - 1

Snack before BOOT CAMP (yikes!):
kashi crackers w/ cheese - 3

Dinner:
LC lasagne with meat sauce - 6
cucumber spears - 0
light english muffin - 1

Snack:
cup of tea - 0
1 pb ball - 2

APs: 3 (boot camp)
Total points: 26 -1 (AP - I dont' like to use them all) = 25... 2 Flex used

Feels like a long weekend

I know I had to work on Friday, but for some reason this feels like a 3 day weekend! And I'm not complaining. Working a full week come Mon is going to be a rude awakening. Ugh!

I had another on track day today. Still need to work on more fruits and veggies, but I'm getting there. I ate exactly 23 points and saw the (super high) 170s on the scale today. Woo! I knew I could get out of the 180s quickly. And I'll say it again that it's been so much easier than I expected. Like tonight my big treat was a peanut butter ball. My boss made them for Christmas and gave me a bunch. I put them in the freezer so I could savor them. Normally I'd have one then go back for another or even two more! Tonight I took my one out of the freezer, let it thaw a little while the water for my tea was boiling and then had it with my tea. Did I have the urge to get another one? Yes. But was it easy to say no? Yes! I don't know what's going on but as long as this willpower lasts I'll take it.


In other news, my poor little puppy totally got violated at the dog park today. Three other dogs (a yellow lab, chocolate lab and bulldog) totally gang banged her. Poor little pup was all submissive just laying on the ground while they all sniffed, licked and humped. She was slightly traumatized at the time but naturally got over it when someone threw a tennis ball. Ha!

I'm off to read a bit and get to bed. I'm thinking about actually going to the gym tomorrow morning! EEEK. It's been too long and Boot Camp starts up again on Monday. I'm in for a rude awakening I fear!

Menu for today...

Bfast:
3 pancakes (made w/ TJs multigrain baking mix) and real maple syrup - 6

Lunch:
2 slices 2% Kraft singles on light flat out wrap - 3
fried egg - 2
banana - 2

Snack:
cherries - 1
bite of homemade trail mix - 1

Dinner:
leftover risotto w/ 2.5 oz chicken - 5
WW lemon cake bar - 1

Snack:
tea - 0
pb ball - 2

Total: 23 woo!

Day Two

So far so good! It's 7.23 and I still have 3 points left. What is going on? Why does this seem - dare I say it - somewhat easy? I mean I never have 3 points left after dinner. I only get 23 points a day people!

Granted I was going light today because I was supposed to go out tonight (but the stupid boy got sick and canceled on me grrrr) but instead of going crazy I still had a somewhat well balanced meal! Menu for today looks like this:

Bfast:
High Fiber Quaker Oats (Maple and Brown Sugar) - 3
Tea w/ honey - 1

Snack:
Homemade trail mix - 3

Lunch:
Lean Cuisine Stuffed Rigatoni (love this one!) - 4.5
2 clementines - 0.5
Motts Plus Applesauce - 0

Snack:
ONE piece of chocolate (I JUST HAD ONE!) - 1

Dinner (very random):
chicken cake - 2
Light Flat Out wrap w/ 2 slices light cheese toasted - 3
fried egg - 2

Snack (since I still have 3 points):
1 pb ball - 2
light hot chocolate w/ ff whipped cream - 1

Also - random victory. I was unpacking my lunch bag (the stuff I didn't eat) when I got home from work and there was a 1 point WW choc pb bar in there. I mindlessly opened it and almost took a bite when I realized a) I wasnt hungry and b) I really didn't want it! So I just threw it out! I know, amazing.

Alive

I'm alive. Just not blogging :) Not sure why... sometimes I just lose the urge to blog. I have been trying to post picture over on Friendly Philly Food. My eating has been all over the place... aka not good. However! Today is a new day and I'm going to make it a good one! I have been doing well with TFA -- getting a good ass kicking at least 4 times a week. It's strange working out outside, in the dark and cold. I generally wear 2 pairs of pants (some sexy long underwear and then regular pants), 2-3 shirts, a fleece and a down vest. Then a hat and gloves. By the end I want to strip down to nothing - but I've been told it's best to keep all your layers on so it doesn't mess with your body temp.


I also spent the weekend decking my halls! I've never done outside lights and I was a bit scared. I didn't do anything too crazy, just simple outlines but I was so proud of myself haha. I also got the inside of the house all done up. Feel free to check out the pictures here.

Menu for today:

Breakfast:
high fiber maple and brown sugar oatmeal - 3

Snack:
light EM w/ laughing cow light - 2

Lunch:
pasta w/ veggies and sauce - 4
apple - 1

Snacks:
clementines - 1
applesauce - 0
diet hot chocolate w/ milk - 1
fiber one muffin - 2

Dinner:
grilled chicken - 4
veggies - 1
TJs tomato soup - 1

Two Days in a Row???

I heart TFA (aka boot camp). Quad explosion 1 was tonight's workout. And 5 minutes into it my quads were screaming! Squats with med balls, core work, crazy lunges with a twist, some foot work on the ladder... all sorts of good stuff. I'm so excited about session 2! I'm still slow (ok the slowest) but I don't even care anymore. It's not about being the best... its doing MY best. So there. How was that for corny ha!

I also was totally carb free after 5pm tonight! I made a little taco thingy for dinner. Just ground beef, taco seasoning, sauteed peppers and onions, then topped with tomato (from the garden!), some RF cheese and light sour cream. Delish and filling. I had frozen blueberries with a splash of milk for 'dessert' since I'm not allowd to have sweets. TBs GF recomended it and at first I wasnt feeling it but by the end I was diggin it. AND I didn't feel guilty. Wooo!

My week is about to get crazy ... and fast! Tomorrow night I have boot camp, then home to walk the pup, then dinner. By the time all of that is over it's 8pm. Then I have to pack (FOR CANCUN, I know woe is me). Wednesday night I'm going to see So You Think You Can Dance on tour. I know. I can't believe I'm going either. And I'm going WITH MY BOSS! She loves the show too so we bought tickets. Hysterical. It should be a fun night. And Thursday night I'm going out with the boy. It's a whole long story about why I'm not sure he's into me (and might have to do with the fact that until now I've only dated girls... yeah that was fun to tell him haha) but I sucked it up and texted him to see ifhe wanted to hang out and I got a "sounds good" response so I'll take it. We shall see what happens. Then Fri morning I'll be hopping a plane to Cancun. And MAYBE being in the 160s? I'll have to be SUPER good until then but I'm trying my best!

One more thing -- my BFF from 1st grade and I started a food blog a while ago. We've been SLACKERS about posting on it but she's determinded to be a good blogger and is new to this whole world soooo maybe you could go comment? Come on you know you want to! She's trying ot get back on the weight loss wagon and ya'll are so supportive so share the love!

Thats all I got. I'm going to read a bit (have any of you read the Stephenie Meyer books? I'm starting Twilight) and then get to BED.

Gym-less

I've decided I'm taking the week off from the gym. It's the first time since Christmas that I haven't had some sort of race event looming over me that I have to train for. It's a good feeling, and I'm going to let myself enjoy it this week and this week only. Then it's right back to working out (maybe even starting up TBs boot camp on Monday).

Also, my knee is a little messed up right now and was really hurting after the tri so I'm icing and taking it easy this week so that it gets better.

Since I'm not focusing on working out, I figure this is a perfect time to focus on getting back to EATING correctly. Since the beginning of Aug it's been a bit of a free for all. So I'm hoping to really get back to tracking everything and staying within my points. The first days are always the hardest, but after the first few days it's usually not so bad. At least that's what I'm telling myself :)

Menu for today....

Bfast:
blueberries w/ 1/4 cup granola - 1.5
2 pumpkin waffles - 3

Lunch:
leftover Lipton Sides Plus Veggies - cheesy pasta w/ broc and carrots - 5
TJs low sodium Tomato Soup - 1

Snacks:
pudding singles - 1.5
Chewy Pumpkin bars (changed up a bit from the recipe) - 2
WW pb bliss bar - 1

Dinner:
faux grilled cheese - 5
Vegetable soup - 1

Snack:
something for 2 points

Best $19 I've spent in a while!

I took Maddie for a walk last night using her new harness. She did AWESOME! She didn't pull at all (other than the first 2 or 3 minutes... she's always way too excited to contain herself), and there was no gagging from her collar! I was so excited. We probably walked about a mile.

I also hit up the pool last night... it was still REALLY crowded and they don't have a lap lane or anything, but I did my best navigating through all the kids playing. I did 38 laps in 30 minutes... I need to get that time down! I think from now on I'll plan on doing my swims Mon-Thurs from 8-8:30 PM as that is reserved for adult swim. Sweet! I'm hoping to head back tonight.

I didn't eat nearly enough yesterday. I think I ate 14 points? NOT HEALTHY! I know this, as does the scale. It didn't budge, just went up a tiny bit. (Though I wasn't not eating to lose weight, just couldn't stomach food yesterday for some reason) Today I've packed a good breakfast and lunch and am determined to eat it all (appetite or not).

Breakfast:
1/4 cup quick oats, 1/4 cup granola, 1/2 cup light vanilla soy milk, fresh berries - 5

Lunch:
Roni's Southwest Burger on light EM w/ feta cheese - 5
cherries - 1

Snacks:
PB Bliss Bar - 1
Jello w/ fruit - 0
Yogurt - 2

Dinner:
Going out for sushi! I'll get Miso soup and some veggie rolls

Mushroom Madness

Morning! I'm trying to be a better blogger this week. Though sometimes I feel like my posts are sooooo boring. Oh well....

Let's see, Last night I went to the gym and was half undressed when I reached in my bag and realized I didn't pack a sports bra!!!!! CRAP! I thought about just dealing with my normal bra but when I took two in place strides my boobs were ALL over.... and so I put my shirt back on, packed up my stuff and left. I was SOOOOO annoyed. I got home and let the pups out, got changed and went right back though!!! I knew if I didnt go right back I wouldn't end up going at all. So I did arms and then 20 min on the treadmill. Also ... Katy (from my work, the one who just got engaged, and my favorite person here) joined the gym with her sister last night! So I might have a workout buddy. Though clearly she already has her sister.... boooo I want a sister!!!! But anyway they took the spinning class last night (their first ever and it was the HARDEST teacher) and they came out and were like NEVER AGAIN! Also I guess some girl FELL OFF HER BIKE and broke her ankle! An ambulance came and took her out and her ankle was the size of my head! I felt so bad. That would SUCK to have to be taken out stretcher style while EVERYONE in the gym is staring at you. And it's a girl who is there everyday. I felt so bad for her I just wanted to give her a hug! But right, then I got home, made a yummy pasta dinner. AND.... are you ready for the big news?

I put mushrooms in it!!! Sliced shrooms were on sale this week. Ar loves them. I say I hate them. But honestly, I don't think I've ever eaten one. I just think I hate them. So I decided I'm going to try them for a week. If I still don't like them that's fine, but I think it's all in my head. So I made pasta and diced (super small) red, yellow and green pepers, onion and shrooms. Threw in some of Roni's sauce that I had in the freezer and chopped up a tiny piece of sausage that was in with the sauce. It was SO yummy and only 6 points! And I didnt even notice the shrooms. Granted I put in the tiniest bit, but it's all about baby steps.

I snacked too much last nigth. Counted the points, but there was really no need.

Other big news... I got up this morning and went for a ride! Just did 5 miles (took 30 min) but it was hilly as crap! It's a loop through our development and it's so freakin hilly. So hopefully if I ride on hills a lot I'll fly through the bike portion of the tri which (I hope) is flat. So one workout DOWN! Tonight I have Trainer Boy (still sore from Thurs crap!) and then I'll do a 25 min walk on the treadmill when I'm done with him.

I'm wearing a skirt today. Yippee!!!

My knee has been bugging me again... I think because I didn't stretch properly on Thurs night. I brought my ice pack to work to ice it up.

This is long. Sorry!!

Menu.....
bfast: 1c milk, 1/2 cup oatmeal, 1/2 banana, splenda - 4

Lunch:
1/2 price fun at flying saucer! I'm thinking the chili - 9

Snacks:
animal crackers w/ key lime pie yogurt - 3
strawbs and apple - 0.5

Dinner:
not sure! Something quick and easy after TB either leftover salmon or a burger... Mmmmmm

I really need to NOT over snack tonight. I'll allow myself a TWO POINT SNACK after dinner ad that's it!

I DID IT!

I have much to discuss today, so I'll just break it down bullet style.

• Last night while babysitting we ordered pizza for dinner... I only had ONE PIECE!!!! Henry on the other hand had TWO! He kept saying "Moe pizzahhhh peeeeezzz" A 2 year old after my own heart!
  
• I didn't eat the BROWNIES that were on top of the fridge EVEN after Leah pointed them out to me and told me to be sure I helped myself. YES!
• I was down 0.4 today. I'm SO CLOSE to being in the 170s... less than a pound to go and I'll be there!
• Sad news -- today was my leaders last meeting! I'm SO upset. I love her and feel like the reason I've stuck with it is because she really cares about everyone. She must have well over 100 memebers between all of her meetings and knows everyones name. I'm really bummed. Everyone was crying!! She's moving to KY -- she got a job that she just couldn't turn down and they were like we need you to start in 2 weeks. Sadness.
• The really really big news....

I RAN FOR TWENTY MINUTES STRAIGHT!!!! No stopping! I almost passed out when I was done but I did it!!!!! And I can still move. I'm so proud of myself. I can't stop smiling :) I really didn't think I'd be able to do it. Now I KNOW that I'll be able to run 30 min by August. Granted I'll still have to walk a bit to finish the 5k, but I'm ok with that. I did 2 miles in 29:07... slow but still better than I've been doing.

Ok... I'm off to shower, get my dress fitted and go to the hardware store to get some gardening supplies.

Enjoy your weekend!

Rainy Monday

Morning! It's Monday, and its raining. Blech. But we need the rain, so I guess I'll deal. The sun should be back tomorrow!

My weigh in this week - 181. Stayed the same. And I'm completely ok with that. After a decent loss last week I was just happy not to go UP any. And this morning I hopped on the scale and saw 179. Holy hell I really need to keep on track so I can see that number OFFICIALLY on Saturday. Eeekads I hope I can do it!

Random side note and confession: Someone brought cookies into work today. They are amazing. I had 2. But no more, ok??

In other news I've decided to join Caroline's 8 Weeks Til Summer Challenge! The best part about this challenge is that YOU come up with it yourself! So here's what I've decided on....

1. Lose 10 pounds (which would be put me at 171)
2. Work out at least 4 times a week
3. Get up to running for 30 minutes straight with NO walking in between! This will be the hardest of them all I fear

So here's hoping I can do all of that!

Todays menu...

Bfast:
cookies (BAD jeannie) - 6
I skipped my smoothie since I was full from the stinkin cookies

Lunch:
Ronzoni plus pasta - 3
Meat sauce and TONS of veggies - 2

Snacks:
strawberries, 1/2 banana fat free redi whip - 2
grapes - 1
yogurt (if needed) - 2

Dinner:
Breaded salmon patty - 4
Lipton rice mix - 3
Asparagus - 0

That's all of my fruits/veggies, but NOT my milk servings. Hmph.

Hopefully I won't eat anything tonight after the gym, but I'll have ONE point if I need a sweet treat. Trainer Boy on my new night tonight! I hope we do arms because my quads are still a tiny bit sore from Thursday. I'm excited to start my week with TB now. Should be good.

Cake, Running and Reading

Just thought I should check in since I realize it's been a few days since I posted. And by few days I mean ONE. Whatever, it seems like it's been more than that.

I had a little slip up on Tuesday night. Just ate crappy stuff, and too much of it and then decided screw it all... and skipped the gym. But I got right back on track yesterday and had close to a perfect day. Ate only 26 points (2 over), got to the gym and get this... ran for 18 minutes! I did 3, then 90 seconds off, then TEN, then 4 minutes off, then five. I was so proud of myself. And when I was doing the 10 minute run, I think I could have gone another minute. We shall see on Friday :) I'm actually looking forward to it. Who am I and what happened to that girl who HATES the treadmill???

It's beautiful here today. Clear blue skies and 76 degrees. I'm excited to go home tonight, put the cushions on our patio furniture and read while the pups run around going crazy. I got The Friday Night Knitting Club for my birthday and started it last night, it's really cute. Perfect to read while enjoying a late spring afternoon. Yes!

After I so some reading, eat dinner, and dry my gym clothes (they are all sitting in the washer right now) I'll head off to the gym. And might stop at Target on the way home from the gym. I have stuff to return there and I need to get some birthday cards. But we'll see if that actually happens. I'm usually ready to hit the shower as soon as I leave the gym!

Todays menu:

Bfast:
milk - 2
whole grain pancakes - 2

Lunch - We went out to a local place for an autism awareness fundraiser
Island salad (grilled salmon, grilled pineapple, cheese, cucumbers, tomato) - 10

Snacks:
fruit salad w/ ff redi whip - 2

Dinner:
HG's alfredo sauce over Ronzoni Smart pasta w/ broc and red peps- 5

Snack:
Not sure -- something for 3 or 4 points

And last but not least... there is cake in the kitchen at work right now. A HUGE ass cake. EVERYONE has been eating it all day. Carrying plates of cake around. And talking to me with lips tinted blue from the icing. But did I cave and have any? NO I DIDN'T! Am I so freakin proud I could cry? HELLS YEAH! So let's hope that in the next 19 minutes I don't cave. Sure would suck to have to edit this post :)

Tomorrow is FRIDAY!

Lesson Learned -- The Clock is NOT my Friend

It's finally Friday! And its sunny and 62 right now. Going up to 79! I cannot WAIT! I'm planning on running errands at lunch in my flips, jeans and t-shirt. I love my job and the sun. If I can scoot out of here early you can bet your behind I will be doing so. And going DIRECTLY to the gym to do my last day of week 3 couch to 5k. YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSS! I'm hyper. ha!

Last night I made eggs for dinner. They were yummy. I needed protein but couldn't bare the thought of cooking meat. Then I hit up the gym with Trainer Boy....

I got myself in trouble by looking at the clock at one point (in my defense I felt like I'd been doing side lunges for 20 minutes, whatever apparently it was only 4) and he was like "Are you looking at the clock? I know you'd never do that! You love this time with me! BUT, if you want to do a clock drill, we can do that next" FAAAAAAAAHCK! What came up next? WALL SITS! So TB gets up against the wall, takes a seat and says "All you have to do is sit like this for 1 minute. Easy, right?" Before I even started I was scared because I knew 15 seconds was pushing it. teehee. Soooo I did 20 seconds, and had to stop. Bad idea. TB decided like the longer break I took I'm he was going to subtract the time of my 'break' from the 20 seconds I already did... So he's all "Get back down, you still have 40 seconds...... up now its 45 seconds....." and so on. So I got down again and think I did 55 seconds (total, not at once). And then we did it again. Good lord. It was horrible. The second go round he started saying "Just think about something else. It's totally mind over matter... see? you've already done 5 seconds!" With an evil, I love to watch people suffer, grin on his face. To which I replied "If you'd shut the hell up maybe I COULD think about something else!" He laughed and mentioned how he wished all his clients were as sweet as me. I also told him I hated him with a deep passion. Which, at that moment, I really did.

So lesson learned, never will I look at the clock again. Though now that he knows how much I LOVE them, I'm sure he'll add it to the regular rotation. I'm thinking of trying to do at least 1 minute/day to get better. It's something I can do while waiting for my tea water to boil for heavens sake! We'll see if that happens. But for today... my butt is feeling it. From the wall sits or lunges I'm not sure... but I'm making muscle baby and that means I'm burning fat. YEAH!

Weigh in tomorrow. I really hope to see just a little bitty loss. I'd be PUMPED to see 1 lb. Here's hoping!!

I made iced tea this morning. Boiled a big pot of water and used 1 bag of cran-pom green tea and a bag of regular black tea. Then poured it over a huge glass of ice with a squeeze of lemon. It's the perfect morning treat.

What's everyone up to this weekend? I'm not sure what were doing. Tomorrow I'll do WI and then lift at the gym. If it's nice I'm hoping to ride later in the afternoon -- but they're calling for scattered T-storms, so we shall see. Then a friend of mine is playing at the Wine Vault tomorrow night so Ar and I might go. We shall see. At some point we need to get an insane amount of cleaning done as our house is a MESS and our backyard looks like a jungle!!! So probably Sunday will be spent doing all of that. Hopefully my allergies will be in check by the time yard work rolls around.

Hmmm what else? Oh right -- confession. Last night I got home from the gym and had THREE peanut butter (tagalong-esque) cookies when I got home from the gym AND a freakin WW cookies n cream bar. EIGHT points of snacks. Granted I counted all of them. But that was a wee bit too much sugar/carbs/bad stuff for after 8pm (even it it was only 8:10). BAD jeannie. Oh well... we all mess up, right? Back on track today!

Bfast:
iced tea - 0
waffles w/ fruit on top - 3

Lunch:
pb&j from yesterday! - 3
yogurt - 2

Snacks:
honey nut chex w/ milk - 3 (mil serving)
strawbs and naner w/ whipped cream - 2
celery - 0

Dinner:
Not a clue... any suggestions? Maybe I'll do burgers and dogs on the grill.

TONS of water today and for real no eating after 8pm. That scale is going to be ready for me first thing tomorrow morning!!!

I love the SUN

Last night I made a taco thing with ground beef, light velveeta, peppers, onions, tomatoes, taco seasoning, sour cream and put it all on TJs low carb tortilla. It was super yummy for 6 points!! I also went to the gym straight from work -- did day 2 of week 3 couch to 5k and added an extra 3 minutes of running on to it since I knew I could yeah!!! Then I did 15 on the elliptical.

Today is beautiful! Already 59 degrees, I painted my toenails last night and have on open toed shoes, I switched to a summery butterfly bag I got for my birthday and tomorrow is FRIDAY! What's not to love about today?

I've been thinking a lot about the scale... the numbers fluctuate so much for me. Just 4 days ago it was 5 pounds higher than it showed this morning. Just goes to show that you can't base everything on a number. Lately I've been FEELING so much better and am starting to see (very small) changes in my body. I'm trying to focus more on them, and know that eventually the scale will catch up. Granted it's still nice to see a loss at weigh on... but I also know that it's ok if I don't.

In totally unrelated news I've got a post up about an early morning encounter with an hate filled woman on jeanniew. Check it out if... if you're open minded :)

Bfast:
waffles w/ compote - 2.5

Lunch:
pb&j - 3.5
yoplait thick and creamy - 2

Snacks:
celery -0
strawbs, nanas and fat free redi whip - 1
sf/ff pudding - 1
crackers and cheese - 3

Dinner:
NO idea -- I'm thinking maybe a big omelet with veggies on a light EM.... but we'll see. Something quick easy and light before getting my ass kicked at work :)

Little Accomplishments Add Up

I did pretty well yesterday. Counting my chili in a bread bowl for lunch as 12 (which I think is a high estimate) I only went over my points by 3! Ar got home from work late, ate and then needed to digest before going to the gym. We didn't leave for the gym til 7:50 - but it worked out ok. We got there, I did a 5 minute warm up on the treadmill then lifted. Did hip abductors and flexors, calves, hamstrings and leg press. Then I went to do my 20 minutes of cardio to stretch it all out and after 5 minutes of that Ar came up and was like I'm done... And of course I was like OK! Let's go! I need to work on saying "well I still have 15 minutes" and not letting her being done excuse me from finishing. But I still got in a decent workout... just nervous my calves are going to be super sore tomorrow since I didn't work through it afterwards. We shall see.

Then I pull out of the gym parking lot and there is a McDs right there... one which I've NEVER gone to... not even THOUGHT to go to since I always pass it on my way to or from the gym... and Ar says "Can we stop at McDs so I can get a sundae?" I said sure, went through the drive through... get her a hot fudge sunday and just asked for 2 bites. I was proud. I didn't get my own... had my bites and didn't ask for any more. (So I did pretty good not eating after 8pm... just 2 little bites, could have been MUCH worse). Then we got home, I showered and got my bag packed for today and thought I'd watch the Biggest Loser. I was about to sit down and Ar was like can you do me a huge favor before you sit down? (She was set up with the laptop doing work for the Mtn bike website she writes for) and I was like sure. And she said "Can you bring me those peanut butter cookies?" Yes... I had a coupon for Keebler PB filled cookies (think tagalongs) so I bought them for a treat this week. I've been so good with them... I think I've had 4 total and counted all of them. Anyway... so I got up, brought her the cookies and sat next to her on the couch while she ate them and DIDNT ASK FOR ONE!!!!!!! That is SOOOOOOO big. I kept wanting to ask but reminded myself that I didn't need them and I'd already had my cheat for the night.

At 10:30 I got up to go to bed and my stomach was growling a bit, but I knew if I could make it through the kitchen to the bedroom I'd be fine. And I did!!! Fell right asleep and have no guilt this morning. I'm really super proud. Can you tell????

Tonight is day 2, week 3 couch to 5k. WOOHOO! Not sure if I'll go to the gym right from work or after dinner. Either way I'll go at some point.

Bfast:
milk & ovaltine (dind't drink all of it) - 2
waffles w/ fruit compote - 2.5

Lunch:
leftover chicken ravioli - 6

Snacks:
1/2 banana & strawbs with light whipped cream - 1.5
yogurt - 2
celery - 0
1/2 cookie - 2

Dinner:
Making tacos w/ lean ground beef, velveeta and tons of veggies - 6

Happy Wednesday!!! The sun is finally shining here, going up to 71 today! Just got back from a walk around the lake. Oh how I've missed the sun!

Back on Track - YES!

I did really well yesterday. I ate what I packed and didn't do any extra snacking at work. I stuck to one serving of dinner (Homemade Wonton Ravioli) even though it was SO tempting to eat another serving. But I got up from the table and finished making them and by the time I was done I was full so I was glad I waited to see if I was really hungry... a HUGE victory for me. Ar came with me yesterday and joined the gym!! Her membership got all messed up when we moved because she was on a different plan where she could ONLY go to the gym uptown - so she canceled. They were not being helpful in having her switch her membership. But since her back is messed up she hasn't been riding and there was a no sign up fee promotion going on so she just had to pay the monthly fee. So now I have a gym buddy. I did day 1 of week 3 on the couch to 5k. I thought it was going to be so hard, but it wasn't! I actually ran an additional 90 seconds at the end because I knew I had it in me. WOO!

I got home and broke a rule of not eating after 8:30. But it was just 4 of the cinnamon apple wontons with redi whip. Nothing TOO heavy. And I was nowhere near eating all of my points so I figured it was ok.

If it's nice when I get home from work I'll ride. If not Ar and I will hit up the gym. But no running today... I'll lift and do the bike or elliptical.

Menu!

Bfast:
milk chocolatey ovaltine - 2.5
Light Eggos w/ fruit compote - 2.5

Lunch:
Leftover wontons w/ sauce - 6

Snacks:
celery - 1
babybel light - 1
fruit salad - 1

Dinner:
burger on light EM w/ cheese - 6
corn on the cob - 2
asparagus - 0

Snack:
leftover cin-app wontons - 2

Weekend Rewind

The bachelorette rocking out

Four cousins on the subway

Dinner at Vynl

So I was in NYC/North Jersey all weekend. I thought I did pretty well... considering the circumstances... and hopped on the scale last night to see it was up SEVEN POUNDS!!!! Yikes! I'm sure a lot of it is being bloated, but I need to be EXTRA good this week to see a loss!!! It didn't help that last night I had a lack of protein headache (even though I had bacon and eggs at a very NJ Diner for breakfast). At 3am I woke up in SO much pain (I had a headache when I got in bed but hoped it would go away) so I got up and took 3 advil and ate a HUGE spoonful of peanut butter. NICE! I'm sure that fat is just sitting on my thighs right now. HA!

Ok so to start of the weekend my flight was super delayed. They canceled the two flights before mine and I thought they were going to cancel mine too. I thought they were going to cancel mine too, but we finally took off at 10:30. We were supposed to leave at 8. We had been on the plan since 9. I got in at 12:15am, and my aunt picked me up (and had been circling the airport since 10:45 because continentals sight was wrong and said thats when we were getting in!!!!! I felt so bad). Got to my aunt's house and was asleep by 1am. My alarm went off at 9:30 and get this. I got up, put on my workout clothes and went to the basement! I did day 3 of week 2 couch to 5k AND lifted! She has 8lb weights so I did my arms! TB would have been so proud. So I got in a good hour long workout. I showered and then my younger cousin (Glori... Glo for short) and I were off to the foodstore to get stuff. God my aunt -- she said "Jeannie, just put it all on Glo's credit card and I'll take care of it" so we had a FIELD day in Whole Foods. Got 3 kinds of cheese, nuts, grapes, pineapple salsa, guac, chips and fancy pink lemonade and tangerine sodas. We got back to to my aunt's around 1:30 and she made us pancakes with a fruit compote (more on that later). They were yummy. I had 3 since I hadn't eaten anything and knew I wouldn't eat much more til Annies (the bachelorette herself!) at 5. Not too bad, right? Ok.

Off we went to Re's apt (Re would be Annie. Her full name is AnneMarie and her nickname as a baby was ReRe... which I brought back a few years ago. She is so thankful ha!). So Re had her apt all cleaned and we got the food set up and ready. Her apt is small, but for NY its pretty big. I ate my fair share of apps, but didn't go super overboard. I also had some of the sangria someone brought (it was peach and made with white wine and super yummy) and 1 glass of champagne. Other than that I drank water. We had a fun time at Re's apt playing games and it was a great ice breaker. There were only 7 of us, but it was perfect. Around 8:45 we headed out for dinner. Got uptown and there was NO wait for a table at dinner! The place was so cool -- Vynl on 51st and 9th I think. Splitting the check up not including Re it was $16 per person. For NY? That's dirt cheap!!! I got a grilled cheese and it came with home made chips. I ate like 6 bites of the grilled cheese as I wasn't that hungry and like TWO of the chips. I was so proud for not eating it because it was there. I also drank like 64 glasses of water because each bathroom has a theme -- Dolly Parton, Cher, Nelly (random I know), and I forget who the last one was. But I wanted to try them all out. ha! After that we went across the street to VinTage a wine/martini bar. I just had water there and everyone enjoyed a cockail. It was a cool place but our waitress sucked. We left there around 11:45, took a cab uptown to Re's house.

I helped her clean up, and then Glo and I went back to Jersey! I was in bed at 1:35am. And WIDE AWAKE AT 8:15!!! I then got up and showered, got my stuff packed up and went downstairs and had a cup of tea and watched ESPN.... I can't believe UNC lost.... tragic.

Finally people started waking up, by the time Glo got showered it was noon. We headed out to a Diner for breakfast and then they dropped me at the airport. Flight was on time, I was in my house by 5pm and hit up the foodstore and all of that Sunday fun. I wanted to get to bed by 10 but didn't get to bed til 11. I'm dragging today, but it's ok. At least it's not raining here. Today high of 60, tomorrow 64, Wednesday 74!!!! And by Friday we're in the 80s. HOLLA!!!!!!

Since I didn't have the energy to whip up a batch of pumpkin waffles last night I made my own fruit compote for the week! I just got a bag of frozen berries, a little bit of water and a tsp of sugar. Bring the water and sugar to a boil and add in the fruit. Then just let it simmer on med/low until it was thick. It took like 20 min and I just stirred it from time to time. So today I have eggos for breakfast but will add a fruit serving with my compote! I packed up a little bit of it and will heat it up in the micro. I can't wait!!!

Ok menu time!

Bfast:
2 eggos and fruit compote - 3

Lunch:
pb&j - 3
yogurt - 2
fruit salad - 1

Snacks:
celery - 0
crackers and babybel light - 3
sf pudding if needed (hopefully not though) - 1

Dinner:
I'm thinking pasta with rotis. chicken a little bit of red sauce and TONS of veggies (spinach, asparagus, peps, onions, broc) - 7

I'll have 4 points to play with, so thats not bad! NO FLEX POINTS TODAY!!!!

Gym after dinner -- I'll do day one of week THREE on the couch to 5k and abs. My quads are still sore from Thurs. Gotta love TB!

HAPPY MONDAY!

Friday Fun Day!

I was a bit of a failure this morning and didn't get up to go to the gym. Booooo. I won't be able to go tonight as I have to be at the airport at 7 (flying to NYC for my cousin's bach party).... but I did get up early enough to get to work by 8:15 and did a lap and a half around the lake. Not too shabby. At least it's something. Also, I'm staying at my aunt's house (my cousin lives in a tiny apt in NYC with a cat... and I'm allergic so that wouldn't be pretty) and she has a treadmill, so I'm thinking tomorrow morning I'll try to get up early and do day 3 of week 2 for the couch to 5k. Though Trainer Boy worked by quads and glutes like NOBODYS business last night. He was in rare, hyper form... which means a fun but HARD workout for me. He went over 5 minutes... and 5 extra minutes with him feels like an hour (though I'm happy to get the free 5 minutes haha). I did the treadmill when I was done and literally my legs were like jelly. But I walked for 20 minutes and they felt better. I have a feeling I'm going to be super sore tomorrow as day 2 is always the worst, but I figure if I get up and do a run/walk it'll loosen them up a bit. Here's hoping!!

I weigh in at 12:30. I'm scared. I have not had the best week for food. But I did workout Mon-Thursday. Also I usually weigh in on an empty stomach RIGHT when I wake up wearing gym clothes (which weigh nothing).... so everything will be off a bit. I can handle a 1 lb gain... but hopefully nothing more than that. I'll keep you posted!!

Bfast:
milk chocolatey ovaltine (im obsessed!) - 2.5
pumpkin waffs - 3

Lunch:
leftovers! couscous - 2
meatloaf muffins - 4

Snacks:
turkey on light EM - 2
1/2 cup strawbs - 0.5
dry life cereal - 2

Dinner:
No idea -- something quick before I head to the airport.

This weekend will be a challenge -- but I should be ok today and Sunday. Saturday I'll try not to eat too many snacks and will make as good a choice as I can at dinner. As I have to drive out of the city afterwards that will certainly keep me from drinking (not that that's a challenge for me). Sometimes I wish you couldn't have ice cream and brownies and drive!! Now THAT would be reason enough to be the designated driver. ha!

I fly in around 4:30 on Sunday so I'll have time to hit up the grocery store and get situated for next week.... when it's going to hopefully be sunny and warm!