Back from Canada, Eh?

We returned around 9pm from an AMAZING trip to Canada. I will definitely elaborate later, but it was just fantastic, and i've really come back with a better attitude about a lot of things. I'm ready to tackle whatever comes at work, work through some of my work issues with a refreshed mind, and darnit if i'm not so inspired by the foods we ate on this trip that i'm itching to get in the kitchen and cook up some tasty healthy meals for us!

We have wonderful WONDERFUL friends who hosted us for five nights, and we did a couple of nights on our own as well. We haven't been on a week-long vacation since our honeymoon - and have decided it's now a mandatory to do that at least once each year, instead of a bunch of short vacations!

We're thinking of a trip in December - for my 30th. Originally we were going to have a party of some sort, but now we've got the travel bug. I'd love some ideas for destination ideas around Christmas that aren't over the top expensive!

Weekly Recap

I did very well last week, I think.

I didn't manage much time for exercise at the gym, but I did take at least one walk (sometimes two) with the dog every day. I made it to the gym once. And though I had the time yesterday to go to the gym, I was (and still am) very sore from the yardwork I did on saturday for about 3 and a half hours.

I was trying really hard to approach this differently. I don't want to count every little thing I put into my mouth. I'm trying to make good choices about what i'm putting in my mouth. I want to realize when I'm actually HUNGRY, and not just bored, tired or stressed out. I think I did a pretty good job of that.

Saturday, we went to a family party where my uncle grilled burgers and "tube meat." I gave up beef several months ago, and found the other choices too fattening. So I had a huge salad, some baked beans and potato salad. Before dinner while everyone else was filling up on chips, dips, cookies and brownies, I had a small rice krispy treat and two hand fulls of carrots. And then a very small brownie after dinner.

Yesterday we had dinner at my Grandma's. She's a fantastic cook. We had grilled pork tenderloin, asparagus, salad, rolls and (my favorite) mashed potatoes. I only ate until I was full and I stopped. I didn't go back for seconds on the potatoes, and I passed up the cheesecake for dessert. It was still a big and dense meal.

When I weighed in this morning, I had lost two pounds for the week. And I'm VERY satisfied with that!

On tap for this week's goals:

Drink more water!
Strategize eating for this weekend's street party and Thursday's happy hour

If at first you don't succeed...

Last week could have gone better with my eating. I never wrote about it here because I was pretty down on it all. I didn't make it to the gym a single time. I only got out to walk the dog twice. My eating wasn't awful, but it wasn't very good either. By the time Friday rolled around, I found myself downing a bowl of fresh guacamole and chips and drinking two powerful margaritas.

It was all stress, and i need to learn, as I've said many times before, to channel that differently. Yesterday I tried on a pair of capris that I bought last year and couldn't get them buttoned. It made me break into tears. This morning I got on the scale, and my weight is back to where it was on New Year's day. My 9 pounds is all back.

Today went really well though. I had lots of veggies - broccoli with lunch, corn and a salad with dinner. I had lots of fruit - a nectarine with breakfast, watermelon with lunch, strawberries after dinner. My only splurge was the baked cheetos after I went to the grocery store (which I didn't need in the first place).

Quinn (my dog if I haven't mentioned his name before) and I went for a nice long walk this evening after I got back from the grocery store. I spent $109 and change at Meijer tonight. I stocked up on some things and I feel set for the week. I am limiting myself to only eating out on Thursday night with my girlfriends for sushi, and Chris has agreed to stay in with me and not suggest eating out this weekend. So i'm set for some pretty interesting meals. I bought a pork tenderloin filet, and plan to make a Morrocan spice rub for it. I've got bok choy, tofu and fresh farmer's market asparagus for an amazing stir fry. I bought ground turkey and have the ingredients for fresh salsa - thank you again farmer's market - so we'll be having tacos this week.

We have dog training on the agenda for tomorrow night, but i'm slated for the gym Wednesday and Thursday nights (no sushi for me unless I promise to work out that night!).

I'm back. And I'm trying hard. And knowing that I have a network of friends out there doing the same is really helping me - thanks to all of you whose blogs keep me inspired!

Recap of a fun weekend!

Wow, I have been MIA from this blog.

I really have been trying to think of something meaningful to say here. I realize I put too much pressure on myself to be entertaining in this arena though.

Chris and I had a really fun fun weekend. I made good food choices for the most part. We ate out entirely too much though, and I realize that's the root of most of my problems and why the scale seems to be stuck. It's something I need to work on. We have been cutting back on our spending, and we've been surprisingly successful at that - we've just had an abundance of free meal offers lately, and that can be hard to pass up!

Yesterday, after I weighed in (at the SAME weight - after three nights in a row of eating out, but having worked out 4 times last week - yay me), we spent the day downtown for Reds' opening day festivities.

It was a day of over consumption. I must have had 6 or 7 beers and two margaritas. Along with a veggie burger, chips, potato salad a slice of pizza and waffle fries. Boy oh boy. I feel like i'm in full-fledged detox mode today. On the upside, we rode the bus yesterday, so we walked a LOT, and i'm sure we got in some good calorie-burning offsets there! At least for a beer or two.

Today I woke up feeling like hell from what I hope is just my allergies - and not a head cold. I'm too beat to go work out, and i'm not sure if I should. I plan to do a little cooking to plan some meals for tomorrow, follow-up on some email, and then lay in bed. Sounds nice doesn't it? I feel terribly guilty though. I know I should work out. Or clean my house. Or work out. Ugh.

On the up side of things - I sucessfully worked under 45 hours last week. That won't be the case this week since I have to travel and work this weekend, but I do plan to work my alloted hours, and just tell my boss what I can't get done in that time. Not only am I severely burnt out, the HVAC system in my office is being replaced, and it has been (no lie!) 87 stagnant degrees in my office for a few weeks. I'm done torturing myself in more ways than one at that place!

A Nice Leisurely Saturday

I've had a pretty decent weekend foodwise. Friday night I did splurge on three glasses of white wine. I was so worked up about everything going on at work, and it' helped me relax. I know it's not really a healthy way of dealing with stress - but it sure felt good!

Yesterday I made it to the gym and did 35 minutes on the arc trainer. I'm really beginning to love that thing. I did upper body strength training, and Chris and I took the dog for a long walk in the sun! It was refreshing. After church, we went to dinner with our pastor, Ed, and two ladies from our church. It was nice. We went to the same Mexican place I visited last weekend with girlfriends. I convinced Chris to split the fajitas with me. He was very concerned that he'd leave hungry - but it was enough food for three people easily. And it was SOOO good. I ate more chips than I needed to, but I wasn't too worried. I'd made good choices all day long. We had every intention of going to see a movie after we stopped home to feed and let out the dog. But as we flipped channels for a few minutes, we found some good movies were on, and we settled in to watch Wedding Crashers. It was so relaxing. We eventually moved upstairs and curled up in bed with the dog betweeen us to watch the movie. I fell asleep by 11pm. But I needed the sleep!

This morning I got up, had some cereal and headed out to the gym. Today I did 40 minutes on the arc trainer and lower body strength training. I was so proud of 40 minutes on that machine. I really really like it. I haven't gotten bored on it yet. And i've worked myself up to a reasonable time after a long hiatus from the flu.

I had a grilled cheese and roasted turkey sandwich for lunch which was just amazing. Then I dropped Chris and his friend Jim off at UC for the basketball game and came into work. I'm still here. I did fall off the wagon a bit and splurged on some Graeter's we had in the freezer at work. It was worth every calorie, because I've really had some major chocolate cravings that I just want to satisfy so I can move on and not nibble on it here and there like I have been (hello thin mints in the freezer at home!).

Tonight, I am making Linda McCartney's Winter Lasagne recipe. It has lots of fresh spinach and mushrooms and not much cheese - it's sounds really healthy and really yummy. I'm also going to make a tofu-noodle stir fry for lunches this week, and prepare our meal for tomorrow night - Mahi Mahi, asparagus and fingerling potatoes. Sunday is my day to cook!

Back to work to get some stuff done so perhaps my week will be a bit less stressful!

I am still a little worried about stepping on the scale tomorrow morning, but we'll see what happens. I feel like i've eaten okay, but i'm not sure if it all will add up to a loss. If nothing else, I've gotten in three really good workouts this week, and two nights of Pilates at home. And i'm really starting to see the workout time as MY time to relax and unwind. This is a HUGE leap for me! Workouts have always always been a chore.

Hmmm...Suspicious!

So I just stopped and looked through what I've eaten this week while following some new guidelines. Granted, I do think i've made a more conscious effort to eat more protein and less carbohydrates and sodium this week.

But when I stopped today to count POINTS like I would normally, I am eating more than i would have on Weight Watchers.

I'm a little nervous that Monday i'm going to see a gain on the scale from it. I don't feel like I'm stuffing myself by any means, i'm just not confident yet in the differences and I'm wondering if i'm going to see results from this? I ate out yesterday and had two beers last night and still came in under the range I am given.

It's so foreign to me to have a "range" to keep my calories, fat, protein, carbs, etc IN. The range seems broad. I guess we'll just have to see how it works out!

Spark Day Two!

I am happy to say that day two following Spark is going really well. It's an adjustment coming from Weight Watchers, because they give you a RANGE of values to aim within. But it's making me more aware of what i'm putting in my mouth. And hey - whatever it takes, right?

I've never been so aware of all the sodium and carbohydrates i'm consuming. Or the lack of protein for that matter. I think this will teach me a more healthful way of planning meals and making choices.

I've had a really bad couple of days emotionally because of work. I'm just very frustrated. I wake up in the morning and wish it was Saturday every morning. I hate wishing my life away!

I had a phone conversation with a friend last night who recently had a baby, and is trying to lose weight as well. It started out well, but I got pretty miffed when she started demanding reasons why I don't have a child or i'm not trying to get pregnant. I love her to death, but sometime's I just want to tell people who ask me those questions that it's none of their damn business!

The democratic presidential debates were on last night as well in Cleveland. I thought that might lift my spirits a bit (I enjoy keeping up with politics most of the time). It really just made me think that I might take my cousin Mike's idea of writing in Frank Zappa for the primaries! Or better yet - Stephen Colbert!

Today we had an ice cream social at work and I did really well. I brought a banana and ate that instead. When I saw the nutrition facts on the side of that half gallon of Graeter's it made mem think twice. I haven't snacked at ALL today either. I've listened to my body and drank lots of water and I really haven't been hungry! I'm proud of myself for that!

Gearing up for a good habit weekend!

I've been pretty ON this week with my eating, I am proud to report. I have eaten out a few times, but i've made wise choices. With the exception of Tuesday, when I consumed an entire roll of sushi (Oh, how I love the Green Papaya Roll!), which I'm sure exceeded the 300 calories I had left for that meal. I've been to the gym only twice, but I've worked VERY hard, and needed the days in between to recover from sore muscles.

I've been really hungry all the time, too, and i'm chalking that up to burning calories faster. I've made good choices with my snacks. I've had high-protein snacks to satifsy those cravings, and I've been planning meals efficiently as well.

This weekend i'll most definitely be at the gym Saturday and Sunday.

I'm praying that I can recoup a loss from the gain last week! Good luck to all!

updating

i've been playing around with the templates tonight. i'm still not feeling it though. oh if only i wasn't cursed with design snobbery sometimes.  :)

we hit up two parties tonight. i did pretty well food-wise. i resisted all food at the first party, and just had a beer. when we got to the second party at 10:30, i was pretty hungry, since we had pizza for dinner, and i had two small pieces, trying to eat in moderation. I did okay though. I had a handful of carrots, some pineapple, about 4 tortilla chips with reuben or artichoke dip on them, and one glass of wine.

i had a pretty solid workout today though, and i'm planning to go back tomorrow morning. it feels goooooood to work my way up on those machines. i'm up to 40 mins at level 4 on the elliptical machines, and just increased my upper body weights to 50lbs per machine. Tomorrow i'm going for 50 minutes on the elliptical, lower body weights, and pilates tomorrow night at home.

I'm really beginning to value my workouts as "me" time. It's my time alone with good music and my own thoughts to sort out things, or just daydream a little.

I cheated today and stepped on the scale, fully clothed this morning with slippers on. i was at the same weight as last Monday. I'm pretty sure i'll at least see a one or two pound loss this week, and any loss is good with me!

I also have Monday off for MLK day. I'm really looking forward to the afternoon to spend time at the gym when i suspect it will be at its' slowest.

Back to the Gym Tonight!

This week i haven't gotten to the gym. Monday night I planned to stay in because I was very sore. Tuesday and Wednesday I was supposed to get there, but instead, I spent both nights on the phone disputing erroneous charges to my check card from the gym I just joined. I cancelled the membership lastnight.

Still nobody has truly apologized to me.

Anyway, i'm honestly looking forward to going back. In just three short weeks, I already feel a difference in my body. I can feel that i'm building muscle in my arms, and I can see it in my legs.

Eating's been pretty good all week. Last night, I saved 4 points for beer at a happy hour I had plans to attend. I had two beers for 6 points though. I can't do light beer. It's just not worth it.

I was STARVING when I got home though. And I had no points for the day. So I had a piece of peanut butter toast. I'll make up for the 4 extra points tonight at the gym for sure. I'm ready to see more results on Monday morning!

We're expecting snow and cold cold weather this weekend. I stocked up at the grocery on Monday night. So i'm going to do some healthy cooking to last us through next week for lunches. I love leftovers for lunch in the winter!

Week Two

At weigh in this morning, I was at the same weight I was at last Wednesday. A loss for the week is a loss though. My four pound total is still great. I'm very excited.

I managed two great workouts over the weekend. Yesterday, I really pushed myself. I'm very sore this morning. It feels great.

I ate out four times between Thursday and Sunday. It wasn't really avoidable either. Okay, last night's was, but it was the only social thing Chris and I did all weekend.

I'm going to keep trudging along. I'm going to check out a new gym near my house tonight. It might be time for a change.

Week One

My friend Sarah asked me to participate in a weight loss challenge with some friends last week, and I figured what the heck!

I weighed in last Wednesday morning, and weigh ins will be due every Monday.

It was a pretty good week. On Thursday night, I met my old boss for dinner at a bar. I had one beer. I chose a beer i'd like instead of two light beers that I wouldn't like. I had eaten wisely for breakfast and lunch to ensure that dinner wouldn't be a big problem. This place only serves burritos and quesadillas.

I chose the Black and Tan burrito - rice, black beans and pinto beans in a tortilla. I had 5-6 chips with Queso, which I couldn't resist. I ate half of the burrito and asked them to take the rest away immediately.

Saturday we went for Mexican with our neighbors. I really wanted to resist going, and stay home for a healthy meal, but we got sucked in. Everyone's doing it, you know.

I did alright. I ordered what they called the Mexican Salad, which was just iceberg, grilled chicken breast, tomatoes, jalapenos, green peppers and chihuaua cheese. I mixed the ranch with some of the salsa and had it on the side. What killed me there was the chips. I resisted the urge for margaritas though!

So this morning on weigh in (after 5 days), i lost two pounds.

I'm pretty happy with that!! Yay me! Back to the gym tonight.