Go You Chicken Fat, GO!

A good cookie

2010-05-20T08:21:00.000-07:00

Hello weightloss blog....

I have been a good cookie while away.

I am down 2 #s this week. But sort of in a round about way. Let's just say I had some gastrointestinal distress over the weekend, which took away all deisre to eat anything more than rice chex. Seriously, it was not good.

The other thing is this I have been craving carbs like nobody's business this week. I don't know what my problem is, but if it's made out of a grain I will eat it. Despite that I'm still down pounds.

I find that loosing even one or two pounds does wonders for my mind and my desire to keep on keepin' on....

Mid April update

2010-04-21T08:07:00.000-07:00

I've been having a good week....the events of last week aside.

We were sick with a stomach bug and all were in a bad way. Now that our appetites are back though, I've been good.

I've cracked the 200 threashold and am now down into the 190s. For some reason that just does wonders for my mentality. It just does! So far I am down 4 pounds for the month. I'm on track to meet my monthy goal of 5 pound loss.

So today we'll go out and walk and I'll do a 15 min toning video.

I've also been really good about not eating sweets and treats. Just really good.

So things are buzzing along! :)

March assesment

2010-04-10T08:56:00.000-07:00

I know there were no updates in March.

Reason: sick mom, sick dad, sick baby. We traded sick for about 4 weeks and it was not fun or pretty.

I did however lose ONE pound. My measurements stayed the same.

Time to get serious.

I'm just not eating sugar, or treats at all. Not even my weekly treat from the store (which really was turning into an almost daily treat).

We also found out that our son has a peanut allergy. That has been a blessing and put us on an interesting new path. First, he is only peanut allergic, but because so many things are processed with peanuts, many things have been cut out of our diet. However most of these things fall into the chips, crackers, candy group, so really no big loss. Anything with chocolate is out too. Most mass produced candy that you'd find on a holiday isle is cross contaminated. So that is totally out too. I have found websites that do seel peanut/tree nut free candy etc, and I'm sure we'll be patronizing those eventually.

The peanut allergy really put Easter into perspective. We did not have a basket full of candy. We made some homemade sugar cookies -- that's all. It was fun and they were ymmy too. We also decided that everyone will be peanut free so it really is going to cut alot of junk out of all of our lives.

The other thing about a peanut allergy is if we want treats I will have to make them and since I really am not into baking and dessert making, that's not going to happen all that often.

So it's all good.

So on to April. I've exercised everyday for a week and have managed not to injure myself either. I'm going to keep on this. My goal for April is to lose 5 pounds. If I can lose 5 pounds a month I will be at my prepreganancy weight in 3 months and I can and do want to keep going. Perhaps getting even farther down the scale if and when we try to have another baby.

So there you go....on ward and down ward, without a peanut either.

February Assesment

2010-03-02T06:40:00.000-08:00

February was unremarkable as far as health and fitness goals go.

I start March exactly where I began February.

But I guess when your Granny dies, you're injured, and sick for half of the time, you shouldn't expect much.

At least I'm in the same place.

I have more hope for March.

January's assesment

2010-02-01T09:07:00.000-08:00

Let's talk about January.

Was it as successful as I wanted it to be? No. But there are good things to report.

First, I lost an inch around my thighs. For the pear shaped woman this is a beautiful thing. I credit the Leslie Sanson walking DVD I've been doing. I use the walk belt as well, and it's good at keeping it real for me. I just hope that I won't re injure my knee and I can keep at things this week.

Second. I only lost 4 pounds over the course of the month, but I will say being able to wear my wedding ring again more than makes up for that!! :) Today I tipped the scales at 200#s even. That means if I am a good egg, I will crack back into the 190s this week, the mental push that will give me will be super!!

Third, my blood pressure is not as low as I would like it, but it's in the 120/80s range more than the 130s & 140s these days. My goal is to get it to be consistently in the 120s.

Fourth, my good eating habits have transferred to my son. What kid likes tomatoes, zucchini and fruit only? My kid that's who. I'm proud to say a french fry had yet to cross his lips.

Finally, with February there is hope. Hope that the snow will melt and that we will again be outside walking and enjoying the landscape.

On with the month then!

Just Saying No

2010-01-27T07:56:00.000-08:00

I wasinvited to a small lunch yesterday. It was all good till they brought out the ice cream and mini-eclairs.

Anyway....I think it's easier to socialize in big groups that way no one notices if you don't eat something and thus feelings are spared that you are opting out of dessert.

How do you say No when there are only 4 people at the party and you don't want to hurt anyone's feelings?

Ah well, more excercise then and better choices today I suppose.

Arizona Girls Don't Winter Well: Week 3

2010-01-26T07:28:00.000-08:00

Oh, last week was hard. Very hard.

There was a "cream cheese frosting" incident on Sunday which left me with a huge stomach ache and absolutely not wanting anything sweet for a long while. Perhaps that is a good thing.

Needless to say, I gained some weight last week. However, I was really good yesterday and came in under points. WW always says to eat all of your points every day. I disagree. If you are at the end of the day with left over points, and are full and satisfied, why keep eating? Wouldn't that be the better option?

That in combination with doing a longer exercise session helped me lose the pounds I gained. If I can keep this up for the week, I will crack back into the 190s and be even closer to my end goal. I am hoping for that.

The best thing would be for the world to melt, January to be over and the spring to be on it's way. The Arizona girl does not winter well.

Move Your Boggie Body

2010-01-18T16:10:00.000-08:00

This is to help all of us be more motivated to reach and keep our health and fitness goals. I just want the leotard....

Week 2

2010-01-18T09:36:00.000-08:00

Week 2 assesments.

It was a HARD week. For whatever reason I wanted to eat all the time and everthing that was not good for me.

It was a hard week.

I came out even, so I'm calling that a small victory.

It was however, nice in the weather department and we were able to go out walking three days. We both love being outside. :)

This week I hope will be better, as far as my mental abilities.

Week 1 Results

2010-01-12T13:54:00.000-08:00

Here we are at the beginning of another week. I realize that today is Tuesday, but I had to facebook all day yesterday, ok? Not really. Gosh, sometimes I want to blow up facebook.

Anyway, last week, the first week of the new year on Weight Watchers (to be forever after referred to as WW) was good. It was good. I lost 2 pounds, there is also the issue of being able to wear my wedding ring again and I felt good about myself. I also did not go down the chocolate alley at the Piggly-Wiggly on Saturday night's grocery shopping.

I've also been tracking my blood pressure. I seem to be sitting right in the mid 130s for my top pressure and the mid 80s for the bottom pressure. It's sort of good. I need to be better. I will be as I become less of myself -- and that's what we should all strive for, to be less of ourselves, right?

Anyway, we literally are marching on. My baby son likes to watch the walking DVD. No, I mean he parks it right in front of the TV while Leslie Sanson is giving us a pep talk about walking. He won't watch cartoons or any of the garbage on nick-jr, but he'll watch and exercises DVD...weirdo!

Today

2010-01-08T18:11:00.000-08:00

I didn't really track today. I gave myself the day off. Baby boy had tubes put in his ears and what I ate was the least of my concerns today.

It is ok to take a day, once in a while.

And this week has been really good.

Next week will be too!

Wedding Ring

2010-01-07T14:39:00.000-08:00

My third post for today....I think I have a lot to say...obviously!

But this is big!! BIIIG!

I am wearing my wedding ring for the first time in over a year.

Thank you for celebrating this moment with me.

Under Pressure

2010-01-07T09:42:00.000-08:00

I would also like to say that I took my BP this AM. 126/85. I know the top number is good, I'm not sure about the bottom. But I would just like to say...stick it to the doctor's office!

I told them the day of my physical I was on sudafed and nervous, because wouldn't you be if you were going to get your lady parts examined?

Umm-hmm, ya.

More will follow on this I'm sure.

This week in half review

2010-01-07T07:53:00.000-08:00

The first week is half way thru...

It's always the hardest in the beginning. But this beginning is not nearly as hard at that first beginning back in 2007.

Tracking is something that is always hard. I start out good in the AM, but by dinner I just forget. Despite that, I have stayed within 2-3 points over my daily points allowance. And to step down from my sweet tooth, which the holiday season did not help any, I've just had one or two cinnamon graham crackers after dinner. They are sweet enough to do the trick, but not sweet enough or full of fat to submarine me. I know in a few more days my palate will be where it needs to be and I won't even need the graham crackers anymore.

One thing that I love though are oranges. I'm from Arizona and grew up in an orange grove. In Arizona, during the winter (when the citrus comes in) you just don't buy oranges at the store, you just don't. Usually there are calls up and down the street and across town from families to "Come get some citrus. We're swimming over here." It's great. But being in the deep, dark winter of Northern New Mexico (I know not nearly as gnarly as say Minnesota or Nebraska -- or so my friends there tell me), there is no citrus and you have to buy your oranges at the store. For shame, for shame.

This year I actually did good with a box of Christmas navels. All of them have been very sweet and almost, but not nearly as good as oranges from our trees at home. So we'll make due with what we have. In good news though, my 13 month old son loves oranges. I slice them up into "smiles" for him and he likes to gnaw on them for a snack. A true Arizona baby, even though he was born here.

So for this week, down a pound, getting things back under control Only three more pounds to break into the 190s again...and that will be good.

Wii waste time

2010-01-05T08:17:00.001-08:00

I mentioned on my facebook yesterday that I was going to have to break out the excercise DVD (Which I did), but that I was not really looking forward to (which was also true).

Someone suggested that we get a Wii. The Wii, or any gaming system for that matter holds absolutley no draw for me whatsoever. I am absoltutely serious about it to.

Besides, if I get a Wii, I'd waste time on it I'm sure -- and that's what the internet is for, right?

Standing at the Base of the Mountian of Self Improvement

2010-01-04T08:02:00.000-08:00

New Year, new me. Right?

It's funny. Only last week it was December, and I was lolling around eating butter and mayo out of the containers. No, no I was not. However, I was having a healthy relationship with cheese and crackers. Curse you Town House crackers!

Anyway, that's all done now. I'm mending my wicked ways.

Everything is ready to go. I have my notebooks for tracking my food points all set up. I have healthy snacks in the fridge. I have healthy meals planned for the week. I have opened up and have read thru all of my Weight Watchers literature, cook books and etc.

So here is where I stand. I am 20#s less than when I started in 2007. YAY! I am still 20#s heavier than my pre-pregnancy weight. Boo! My 10% weigh loss goal just happens to be that 20#s. YAY! So, if I can keep my motivation up and my drive, I think I can get rid of that 20#s, make that 10% in a reasonable amount of time.

My hurdles are these: my mental state. That's a given. Last year I had no motivation to track points, to do anything productive. Let's face it though, with an newborn I was lucky to not lose my mind on a daily basis, which happened more often than I wanted. I'm just sayin'.

Granted I did not eat like a pig nor was I gluttonish in anyway, but I did flirt with chocolate way too much. Lindt Intense Orange bars to be exact. Well, we broke up, me Lindt, cheese, crackers all of it. There is none of it in the house. Not even my secret bean jar chocolate stash has chocolate in it at present. That's progress people, progress.

My second goal is to lose a jean size. If and when I do that, I will be in my pre-pregnancy clothes. Which there are many of, and cute ones too.

My third goal, and this will be a result of the other two coming to pass, is that my blood pressure will go back down into the acceptable range. Right now I am right on the border of moderately high and normal. I know with lifestyle changes it will fall again, and the doctor will get off my back.

At present my issues are these: it is cold and that means my normal outside walk has been sidelines. We can go out if the temp is above 40* without giving my son frost bite. Under that it's too cold. I am hoping for a "warm" day (I realize that is totally a relative term but it's what we have to work with here!). If not, it's DVD time. Not that Leslie Sanson is bad. She's not. She and Denise Austin are totally great and motivating. It's just that they are DVDs, and that is my least favorite way to exercise.

There is is, the whole, nekkid truth of where I stand at the base of the mountain of self improvement. Ready or not 2010 here we go.

Meh

2009-12-26T11:03:00.000-08:00

Hey, I'm still alive.

Down a few pounds but not because I've been good over the holiday break. I have not excercised in a month, and I'm losing muscle.

I am planning my strategy for 2010 even as I type this. Part of my plan is to be better at updating this blog.

For now, I'm outty!

Traking, addictions and recovery.

2009-10-05T08:23:00.000-07:00

We've been back from our vacation for over a week, and I'm only now starting to feel human again.

Anyway, I gained two pounds while we were away. My MIL has a knack of making us all eat...we're all too skinny you know.

And today I'm tracking points again. I will be writing my food down and staying with in my points goal. I've got to get serious again about this, I just have to.

I also made a scary discovery about myself. I think I am seriously addicted to sugar. There was a day last week that was particularly crazy. I felt like the only way I'd get thru it was with sugar. Sadly, I answered that clarion call, and did feel better, and I was putting a mini-donut into my yap. Oh, my.

I need to think about how to deal with that. It never occurred to me that I might have addiction issues with sugar. I guess I surprise myself now and again.

But, despite that, I'm going to try and make it a good week.

A Vay-cay Update

2009-09-22T17:49:00.000-07:00

We've been on a little vay-cay for the last few days, so as you can imagine my food choices are limited. I've also eaten out more in the last week than I have the whole year.....VACATION! Remember when eating out used to be fun? Not so much anymore.

Anyway, we're also at a house with a full length mirror. OH THE SHOCK AND HORROR! No, I am not talking about stretch marks on my abdomen either, they're actually looking fairly good, all things considered. No, no, no, it's me. I'm fat and I'm tired of being fat. So, I guess the good feelings of being in a smaller size of fat pants are officially gone.

I really need to get back on program and really get serious about my weight. I have a mental wall though. How do I get past this? Any ideas? I really want to get down to my prepregnancy weight. Does anyone have a magic wand I can borrow? hehe.

Anyway, on this trip, I've made some decisions about my life and lifestyle. I'm going to be implementing them when I get home. I just hope I can find that mental push to make it happen.

Hurdles

2009-09-15T18:31:00.000-07:00

There is a truth universally acknowledged, that when I am stressed I eat.

Been eating a lot these last two days, and I'm not sure how to get a hold of myself and my urges to go to the fridge for comfort.

I know that this is my biggest hurdle of all right now, and the hurdles always scared me at the track meet.

At least I am not just eating spoons of mayonaise anymore like I did when I was teaching. No, I never did that, but you get the point.....it's stress, but different.

Chicken's New Clothes

2009-09-10T16:00:00.000-07:00

Found the scale. It was under the TV shelf in our room. DH put it under there so the baby wouldn't chew on it. But that's his favorite thing to chew on right now, so I don't care, if it gives me 5 mins to get dressed in peace. Chew away!

DH pumped up the stroller tires....oh, that was nice.

Down to 207#s this morning, again.

I think I've lost more inches than weight, which is totally ok, since the number on the scale is not my only measure of success. Yesterday I was pressed for time and needed a clean shirt quickly. I pulled out one of my medium shirts and it fit. It didn't fit three months ago. So, now I feel like I have a bunch of new clothes, but with out spending the money for new clothes.

And I seem to be winning the war on desire. I have not had a treat in two days, and I'm ok with that!

What was really wrong...

2009-09-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

Now it all makes sense...

Over the past week, it had been getting harder and harder to push the stroller up the hills in my neighoborhood. I kept thinking something was wrong with ME.

No. That would be something wrong with the stroller....like two flat tires. I have no idea where the tire pump is, and there is no way I am venturing into the man cave to find the pump. I will just have to think about walking and make extra good food choices today, because we are not strolling on flat tires anymore.

Missing!

2009-09-01T11:51:00.001-07:00

The scale seems to have disappeared?? But with a small child, I'm not surprised. So when I find it, and that means I have to look for it, I will post some results.

The Necessary Enemy

2009-08-24T09:01:00.000-07:00

Some days I just wonder why I put myself thru this.

I love the excercise part, but hate the food part. If only food wasnt' the enemy and a neceissity. Then life would be so blissful and good.

Gaspacho according to me

2009-08-17T11:00:00.000-07:00

As promised last week the gaspacho recipe:

1 lb campari tomatoes -- buf you can't find these, tomaotes on the vine will work as well.
2 roasted red peppers from a jar
2 cloves of garlic
1-2 TBS fresh basil
2 TBS (or there abouts) olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Cut tomatoes and peppers into chunks and add to a blender with all the other ingredients. Blend till smooth. If you want you can do this with a stick blender and leave chunks in. Serve with q-cumbers, cut up bell peppers of any color, avacado, tomatoe, onions and crusty bread.

Mid August.

2009-08-17T10:52:00.000-07:00

Another Monday, yet another week has past...

I weighed in this morning at 207#s. I don't know what I did last week, because I felt like a total slacker about most things. I even had a candy bar and a salami sandwich one day. However I'm not going to complain.

The weather has been really nice as well. We did managed to get out all except 2 days last week. One day it was raining and the other was the aftermath of an all night scream fest. Come to find out the baby has and ear infection. Everything is making sense, as far as his behavior goes. After being up all night we both slept till quite late in the morning and by the time we both were up and fed, it was lunch time.

Anyway....I feel good about the recent loss of pounds even if it only was 5 pounds. Somehow my goal of reaching 190, my prepregnancy weight seems much more attainable at 207 than at 213.

I've also connected with what seems to be a nice person on twitter. His or her name is "tweet my points". She says she needs new chicken recipes...I can totally help with that. Must delve into the blog archives and repost some of my favorites from the WW cookbooks.

Gazpacho, shoes and some more resolve

2009-08-10T07:54:00.000-07:00

A few words then I must go...

I discovered gazpacho this week, and I love it. Summer in a bowl, I will post the recipe I made from 2 other recipies later on.

New shoes came and they are great, except they are glaring white! It made me think of the time I was in Munich in 1991. Hi-top Reebox were all the rage. Me and my American friends were standing in front of the Glockenspeil and some German teenagers cam up to us on a scavenger hunt. We asked them how they knew were were Americans. "You have on white shoes of course!" Oh, of course!

In other news, I'm down to 209#s. Thru no efforts of my own however. I've been sick the latter half of last week, and I tend to not eat when I'm not feeling good. Hence the weight loss. However, I am not complaining. I just need to make sure I don't sabotage myself.

But again, my resolve is to not go down the treat isle at the grocery store at all. If I just avoid it, I won't be tempted. And truth be told, when I am sick, treats have no taste and therefore are totally unwanted.

So here's to another week...

A Month of Good Intentions

2009-08-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

I had every intention of making August the month of losing my fat! Well, we all know what the road to hell is paved with right?

Actually, it's not all my fault, well maybe it is. Last week on Thursday, I injured my foot. I was walking and I knew I was pushing myself and that dang stroller to hard. I felt the pain at the half way mark, but I kept going. It didn't help either that I know I've needed new shoes for a while now too.

Anyway, my arches pronated a bit too much, and my foot was pulled out of whack. It's nothing that a few days of rest, ice and advil won't take care of, but still, I see these last days of summer as an opportunity to be out and about. I will need the memories of these days during the long winter. And for some reason I feel that this winter will be a snowy one, which will see us home bound more often than not.

Also there is the small issue of me just going barefoot more often than not too. A person with protaning arches and really bad plantar facitis should always wear shoes, always. I've got to give up my dream of seeing cutely painted toes popping out of a sprightly sandal. I just can't do that to myself anymore.

All that said, I did buy some new walking shoes on Friday. Sadly, my favorite shoe, the Reebox Fast Step, is no longer made. :( I've been wearing that shoe for walking for almost 3 years. Sad to say good bye to a trusted friend. I did manage to find a reasonably priced pair of New Balance. I've only heard great things about New Balance shoes, so we'll give them a try.

In a strange twist of fate too, I'm down to 210#s. I don't know how that happened with out exercising, but I'm not going to complain. Perhaps it was my sheer will and determination to by pass the treat isle at the store. Although I did hear the Butterfinger Crisps calling me last night, and oh their siren song was sweet to the ears.

New shoes today, hopefully we can take an easy walk tomorrow. I know it would help me and the baby to get out and about once again.

Pressing on with all possible dispatch, Chicken Fat out.

Biblical Swarms of Locusts

2009-07-28T12:07:00.000-07:00

Didn't walk this morning. We had and early morning appt with the peditrician for Baby's 6 month check up, even though he's 8 months old now. Our doctor was a real champ and combined the 9 month visit so we're free till his year mark, or until he gets sick...hope not.

It's now raining outside so that pretty much blows all outdoor activites to bits.

And in "Have you read your Bible news" looks like Biblical swarms of locusts have invaded my freezer and eaten the last of the Haagen Daaz self serve ice creams that were lurking in there. Apparently the locusts also like Hershey syrup, because that's all gone too. It's better this way really....

Soylent Green is People, or So They Say.

2009-07-27T09:52:00.000-07:00

So, this morning I got out the food journal, and wrote down what I ate. I'm going to do it this week. Last week I walked everyday but Sunday, one thing at a time.

I also think my scale has multiple personalities. I weighed in yesterday at 210#s, this morning 212#s. I doubt I gained 2 pounds in a day, I didn't eat much yesterday, and what I did eat was healthy and in proportion. I think it might have to do with where I stand on it. We have old creaky floors that buckle, I should probably weigh myself downstairs on the tile floor.

Anyway...

In my quest to wean myself off of treats and sweets right now, I've been saving the baby food containers from Baby's meals. Gerber comes in little plastic tubs now. They are about 4oz volume, and perfect for making single serve sugar free jello in. Seriously, it's so much less expensive to make my own jello cups rather than buy them premade. I also allow myself a small squirt of spray-cream....a girl can't give up everything. Sugar free jello will be my new secret lover....or somesuch.

I'm also going to try and update here more than once a week. I've got to chronicle my love/hate relationship with food. As I said on my regular blog, "love it, hate it, gotta have it, Soylent Green is people!"

What's Been Going On

2009-07-22T07:22:00.000-07:00

Now that life has settled down a bit...

Last week we had the nice folks from Re-Bath in to redo our small bathroom. It took Bob the Bathroom guy 2 1/2 days to finish it all. So for 3 days we had to wash off in the sink, which is fine if you are the baby and can fit in the sink, but not so much when you are Mom and Dad and have to sponge off over the sink. Needless to say I was not able to go out and exercises at all. I had to be in the house when he was here. I also was not interested in getting all hot and gross with no shower facilities. And there was no way in he** I was going to do a video with a stranger in my house....nope, nope, nope. I won't even do a video if my husband is in the room, which is silly when you think about it....we're married and we do the things married people do, he's seen me have a baby and all that's involved there, there is nothing sacred left there.

Oh, and my eating was out of control too. The stress of it all was maddening. Penutbutter-Nutella graham crackers really helped it.

I'm not making excuses, but I did have several revelations about it all. I really need to get back to writing down what I eat in my food journal. I know that when I do that I have success....I know it! Also, I know the reason for that is because I don't eat junk, or too much of a good thing even. I just find that having a baby though, is teaching me about my weaknesses, and things that were once absolutely important have fallen by the wayside, not because I wanted them to, or that I don't care as much, but I find that many things that I used to do fine with are now overwhelming to me.

It also doesn't help that it's summer and there is no way that I am turning on an oven or even the stove most days. If I can't cook it in the crock pot, I'm not cooking it. I've been trying to modify many of my WW recipes to cook in there....so far, I don't know...

Anyway...that's what's been going on the last few weeks. Hovering at 213#s and wishing I could break thru this. However, to end on a positive note, I have been out walking every day since Bob finished the bathroom. Living in the mountains has it's advantages, but one of the disadvantages is that we have a short summer and an early winter. I only have so many days that I can go out and walk outside. I'm going to take advantage of those days, so far, I'm good.

Family weekend, and a revelation

2009-07-09T14:09:00.000-07:00

We were gone over the 4th weekend. Why does a weekend with my family always turn into diet disaster? I'll tell you why: BACON!

As you know bacon is the fairy dust of food. It makes everything it touches better. Oh, and there was the birthday cake and ice cream, and Dad's spaghetti, and a cook out, and, and, and, and the French truffles my brother gave me for my birthday -- oh for all that is good and holy, keep those awaaay from me in the future.

I had a revelation last night. We've been doing this Nielson TV ratings survey over the last week. We're supposed to write down everything we watch on TV (and here is where I have to say it will be an easy calculation for us: Food Network or Fox News, and Office re-runs. Seriously, that's our TV viewing...really exciting!). I was really good about it, bordering on obsessive. Then it hit me, just like I shoulda had a V-8. Why am I not doing that with my food diary??!! Charting what I eat is WAY more important than what I'm watching on TV!!

I really need to get back into this. Great thing my bathroom is being torn up next week, so I'll have nothing else to concentrate on, or anything!

Anyway, I find that I am constantly recommitting to this, without much success. I need to find something that will make my re commitments stick so that the pounds won't.

The Weigh In

2009-06-24T09:53:00.000-07:00

A quicky update...

The weigh in went well. Lost 3#s last week, which was a surprise to me seeing as my eating is all over the place....perhaps pushing a 20 pound kid in a 50 pound stroller has its advantages??!!

So, I'm at 210 this week, which is 5% of my goal. We march on...

Forgot

2009-06-22T12:29:00.000-07:00

i forgot to weigh in this morning....so no results today.

This is what happens on little to no sleep. The baby is teething....I look like death warmed over, microwaved and a week old. Not very pretty.

Hopefully, I'll remember tomorrow and post results then

The Good, the Bad and the Way It Was.

2009-06-15T11:49:00.000-07:00

As the old TV theme went: "You take the good, you take the bad, you take them both and there you have the facts of life." And the facts were these, I gained 3 pounds this last week. I have no idea how, other than I just did.

And here is the real truth, I find that I have no motivation to do anything. It's so frustrating to want to do the right thing, but then not. I supposed I shouldn't snivel here, but that's what it is.

Today, I got out and walked the long walk, ate soup for lunch with no crackers or bread of any kind and I'm going to only eat fruit if I get hungry later on.

I hope it will be a better week.

The Results of a Cap'n Crunch Fueled Weekend

2009-06-08T07:28:00.000-07:00

This last week was very, very bad. The baby was sick, or teething, or something was upsetting his universe. Needless to say not much sleep was had by anyone in our house. I've found that when I don't get sleep, I don't really care about much else, especially what I eat. I did try to make some good choices, some of the time. Oh, and excercising...not so much.

Depsite this, I lost a pound too! I was shocked, I thought after a Capt'n Crunch filled Sunday, I would have gained some weight, but I didn't. I even stepped on the scale a few times to make sure. In the worlds of Dr Ian from Celebrity Fit Club: "The Scale Never Lies!".

This week, I'm going walk every day...hopefully the weather will cooperate and not rain. And I'm acutally planning meals from the WW cookbook before I go out to the Piggly-Wiggly this morning.

I think I need some new walking shoes too. Zappos no longer sells the kind I've had for the last three years...sadness on an epic scale, so we'll see on that one.

Will Power

2009-06-01T06:44:00.000-07:00

Another week has past. Thankfuly I was able to maintain my weight...despite the lack of excercise.

For whatever reason I can't do excercise videos, I have to be outside for it. Last week it was cold and rainy most days, too cold to be outside with a baby.

Right now the sun is shining and it looks to be a warm one! So out and about we'll go.

The other good thing is that I am down a pant size and a shirt size. My new Lane Bryant size 4 jeans, which I think are some where between a regular 18 and 20, are too big, even right out of the dryer. I fit comfortably in my old size 18 Lane Bryant jeans and a regular, not misses sized XL shirts.

This week the challenge is to plan some healthy meals and eat healthy snacks. I have all the ingredients, now all I need is the magic ingredient...WILL POWER!

Progress, progress...

2009-05-26T08:15:00.000-07:00

This week was GOOD! Down three pounds -- only 20 more to go. See what happens when you take your WW seriously? However, I've not exercised in about 4 days. Friday and Saturday were busy, busy....must get all the stuff around the house that I can't do because of baby done. Oh, we also went to Walmart in the next town over. That's always a time sucker.....

Then yesterday, I had every intention of going out, but I was hit with a major allergy spell about 9:30. I was dizzy and nauseated for most of the morning, till my DH managed to get over to the Piggly-Wiggly and get me some Sudafed, after signing his life away no less. Anyway, Sudafed popped, Diet Coke consumed I finally felt human about 2pm and ate a PB&J. I didn't feel bad about it, even though PB is a points robbing food. I was finally hungry and after not eating all morning....oh and I cracked the last jar of my homemade raspberry freezer jam open too. For all that is good and holy, I love homemade jam....

I've also come to the realization, and I seem to be realizing this realization over and over and over (why can't I just get it??) that I just can't have any treats in the house at all. So, we won't. Although we did make a pan of Memorial Day brownies...with mint chips...oh yum! Thankfully, those are all gone now and I can get back to concentrating. :)

My goal as well this week, is to post some of my favorite WW recipes up here, in case my one fan needs some culinary inspiration.

The New Week Two.

2009-05-18T07:44:00.000-07:00

So the new week one went mostly well. Although I have to say that starting over, and ridding the house of sweets is not the best idea the week of the monthly guest. I will get thru however.

We walked 5 out of 7 days last week. Saturday I did the hills in my neighborhood, which only adds a half mile onto the total distance I walk, but holycow! I have been feeling it for the last day or so. I am really out of shape, no really. It used to be that the hills wouldn't even wind me...ah, but that was life before baby.

The other problem I face is this, I start out the week really well, writing down what I eat, but it seems by Weds I'm lost and not doing that. I know that when I write things down I am sucessful. I need to just do it.

The other hurdle, or trouble that we've had to overcome is what to do about dogs in the neighborhood. I've been attacked and chased by dogs before, and it was scary, but not a big deal Almost 2 weeks ago a rotweiler attacked us and almost ate my son. The dog, according to his owners is 'very sweet and wouldn't hurt anyone.' Anyway, after a call to the dog catcher and a ticket, I've not seen the dog, in his yard or otherwise. Needless to say, it was one of the few times I've truly feared for my life, and the first I've feared for the life of my child -- I'm sure it won't be the last for that, but....

So, my DH came up with a good solution. I'm carrying a squirt bottle full of ammonia and water. I was hesitant to use pepper sray, as that gets all over everything and everyone. Ammonia is mostly harmless however and should do the trick. I can only hope that this incident was the last with a dog.

So, here's to the new week 2....write it down.

Starting Over is a Good Thing

2009-05-13T07:14:00.000-07:00

Ohhhh Nelly!

It's not that I've not wanted to post here, I just have let it slide.

Anyway....back to the program.

I've started over and I'm in week 1 again. We went to visit the Grandmas in March and April, and it's impossible to even think about doing WW at their houses. Espeically, my parents house. Holy cow, we never, and I repeat NEVER had treats and stuff growing up. Mom would buy popsicles in the summer and that's about it. Now my parents have turned into Willy Wonka and Wife. At every turn, "Here have a candy, have some ice cream" AAA!

So I decided to start over. The weather is also really good now. We have been able to go out every day for the last 3 weeks. This week when I started keeping track of points again, I lost 2 lbs the first day. And now that my house is offically rid of all sweets, with the excpetion of a box of graham crackers and a jar of Nutella, I should be good. I hope.

Now, if we can just get the neighborhood dogs to leave us alone while we are out and about, life would be almost perfect.

No More Treats

2009-03-02T08:47:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I didn't ever get around to posting in February...MY BAD!

Anyway.....so goes the weight loss. I'm finding that I can't be as vigilant as I was before. By that I mean, I really think, and know my body is still recovering from having a baby, and that requires a few more calories than my daily points allow. I try to make these times count by eating lean proteins or fruits and veg. I've also not been counting milk consumption at all. I know I need the calcium in a bad way, as I'm sure my spawn leeched that all out of my body last year.

Then there is my chocolate addiction. One of my old habits that resurfaced during my pregnancy was buying treats every time I went to the the store. There was no reason, just treats. Anyway, last week I decided no treats at all. Well, it's been hard, very hard to deal with that. I like a little something sweet everyday. I don't think that's bad, but I've found that I have to have all or nothing. Meaning, I have nothing in my house, or I will eat it all. The results however have been good. I managed to drop 2 lbs this week.

The other thing I did was sit down with myself and have a 'come to Jesus' meeting with myself about my habits, goals and keeping track of my food intake. I just have to be better about writing things down, because surprise, surprise when you write before you bite, you don't bite as much. The other thing I did was made a spread sheet on the computer for me to just plug my weekly numbers into. Somehow that seems to be much easier for me to remember. In fact this morning I'd forgotten to weigh in and just seeing the icon on the desktop made me remember.

In other news, it's been really nice outside this last week, and looks to continue this week. It's meant that I've been able to get outside and walk with my baby in the stroller. He doesn't really like it in the stroller, but there is not much I can do about that. He's just going to have to get used to it, because I have to get out and walk. I just cannot stand doing exercise videos...I don't know why, I just can't.

So here we are in March already. I'm almost 10 lbs down from my start weight, which is good, considering I only really started exercising last week in earnest. We keep plugging along....Chicken Fat and her little Cutlet.

Week 4 update

2009-01-26T10:34:00.000-08:00

Today is the start of Week 4. I've lost 3 lbs. I knew it would be hard going back on WW with a newborn, but I didn't realize HOW hard. Most weekdays I don't get to excerceise, which makes me sad. However, I do try to take advantage of my DH being home on the weekend to get out and move.

The eating has been ok. I am still fighting some bad habits that re-emerged during pregnancy and am having to relearn how to self control. However, since I am still post partum and recovering from being pregnant and having a baby, I am not as militant with my food intake as I once was. I know I need nutrients to rebuild what was lost, so I don't feel bad if I have extra milk, or more fruit and veg in a day than my points allow. I figure if I need to eat more, make it count.

But, my sweet jogging stroller came. I can't wait till it warms up a bit more, then we are out of here on a daily basis, and I know excercise will be easier then.

Welcome 2009

2009-01-10T14:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year and happy back on the wagon for me.

Baby was born on Nov 25th, 2008 a week an a half before his due date. I ended up gaining 45lbs over the course of the pregnancy. It was more than I wanted but, what can you do? You can't stop gaining weight, I just knew I'd have to work harder when the time preseneted itself.

And the time has presented itself and here I am. I am the same weight 220lbs I was when I stared WW, two years ago. However, I am proportioned a bit differently...go figure??!! My lower half is bigger than my upper half and so up until this week I'd still been wearing my maternitly pants. And yes it was totally bugging me too. I finally got out and into town and to the fat lady store for some new fat pants. I found that my old fat pants all look like just that, old and was not ok with that.

So, new fat pants in hand, here I go.

I started my WW diet on Monday. So far, w/o excercising I've lost 2lbs. Granted I have been hungry and it's been hard to not eat whenever and whatever, but I know I can get thru it. I have to get myself out of prenancy mode. I will say this about being pregnant. I did not like it, except for the fac that I didn't have to worry about food. That was nice.

Yesterday (Friday) my DH was home and I was able to get out and walk for the first time in 9 months too! How great it was! How out of shape I am! Anyway, it will take time to work back up to where I was, and I won't be able to go out with Baby till it warms up a bit, but I am hopefull. Right now, I have some walk at home DVDs and a thigh master thingy to do at home on the week days, and I will add that next week.

Bit by bit...here I go again. Hopefully, I will fit into my regular clothes by summer!

A fact of note....

2008-07-26T09:25:00.000-07:00

Oh, and I should mention that I am pregnant too.....21 weeks as of this writing, so I've not done WW since the middle of March when I found out.

I will say this, all of the stuff I leared at WW has really helped me as a pregnant lady. I know that I don't need to use being pregnant as an exuse to live at the Sonic. I do have my cravings, but I'm not off the wagon.

So, baby should join us on or about Dec 6th, 2008. In the new year I will be back on the wagon and at my weight loss goals once again.

Amazing belly fat diet, and a factiod

2008-04-15T14:16:00.000-07:00

I'm not dead nor have I fallen off the WW wagon. I've just been taking a break from the daily grind of point counting, food portioning and keeping track of things. For the record however, I am maintaining my weight...yay me!

I did hear an interesting factoid the other day which I'd thought I'd share. I heard that for every one pound of weight you loose, it decreases the stress on your knees by four pounds. So for me, I've lost 35 pounds, multiply that by 4 and you get 140 pounds of pressure taken off my knees. I can honestly say that has been one of the most noticeable things about me this last year. My knees do not hurt anymore!

I also got some junk mail today advertising a new wonder diet! It's call the eat fat diet, or belly fat diet. According to the people selling this diet, the more mono-unsaturated fat you eat the more belly fat you will loose and fast. The made some outrageous claim of 7 inches off your waist and X number of pounds in 36 hours. Please.

When, oh when, will people stop falling for these types of things? Take Atkins for example. Sure you loose a ton of weight, but you don't keep it off once you go off Atkins, not to mention some of the harmful sideffects (diebetic askemia, constipation, kidney stones and lack of nutrients). The same will be true of this diet. It will give fast results, but once off the diet, the weight will come back.

This was my whole reasoning behind going to WW. I knew I needed to make lifestyle changes. I knew I needed to learn about food and portion sizes and nutrition. I have learned these things, they have become part of how I live and I am not even tempted by my old life.

Just moderating what you eat and how you eat will be more effective than any amazing diet that comes in the mail or that is advertised on TV.

Shoes and a Yogi

2008-03-20T06:37:00.000-07:00

The shoes did not work, so I had to send them back and re-order my old shoes, which is fine, except they come with pink accents. Gag! But, they will work and I use them.

As for hot and steamy yoga mentioned a few posts ago, I went yesterday. The studio is new so they have a great introductory rate for an unlimited week of classes for $20. I chose this option, just to see if I like it.

Well I did. I have to admit though, I have no balance whatsoever and I felt big and very clunky. Heck I can't even put my feet together and not fall down. All those years of singing training have taught me to stand differently and breath differently, it wasn't wrong, but different. I have also mention that there was a lady in the class who I am going to call "Noodle Lady" because she could do all the positions, like standing on one leg with the other leg kicked out and squating on on foot in tip toe with the other leg folded up around her lap. Ya, she's Noodle Lady, because she was that flexable!

As for the hot and steamy, it was warm, but it felt so good to work out in a room that was that warm. Of course I sweated like a little piggy, but it was ok. And when I came out of the room, I felt relaxed, limber and for the first time in a long time my plantar facitis foot and leg, the right, did not hurt! YAY!

Now, the trick is this convincing my DH to pay for the 5 week card next week. He thinks yoga is for hippies and that I should just rent a DVD, but I really like this....and I lost a pound doing it.

Grounded today.

2008-03-17T13:47:00.000-07:00

Holy SHIN-SPLINTS Batman!

No really, it's funny how I notice my shoes failing and do nothing till it really starts to hurt. Saturday after my walk, my legs let me know they were unhappy about the state of my footwear. Shin-splints are no fun people! I tell you, no fun!

So Saturday I hopped on Zappos and ordered a new pair of shoes. Unfortunately, the only color the shoes came in was white with pink accents. The day I can find a pair of shoes with out pink accents will be a GREAT day! Not that I don't like pink, but I would like a nice green or blue once in a while. :)

So we wait for the UPS man, hopefully he'll come today so I can get out and walk.

The Bikram Yoga studio is open, they opened on Saturday, and they have a deal where you get your first week of unliminted classes for $20. I'm going to go and check it out and see if Bikram is somehting I want to invest in.

Hot and Steamy Yoga is not a Cheap Porno

2008-03-14T08:12:00.000-07:00

I don't get it....

The day I eat ice cream, and Haagen-Daz, no less and almonds and a couple of bites of sweeted condensed milk (I know it's weird, but I like to eat this plain, but it's really good, creamy and sweet!) I loose weight! I don't get it people, I just don't get it. I obviously went waaaaay over on my points yesterday, but I lost.

Confused I am.

But in good news, a Bikram Yoga studio is opening up in the very small town in which I live. If you don't know Bikram Yoga is Yoga done in temps above 95 degrees F. It's supposed to be really good and good for you. When I explained this to my husband I said, "It's like hot and steamy yoga." To which he quipped, "It sounds like a cheap porno when you put it like that." (I know that's going to net some weirdo googles....be gone ye perverts, this here is a PG rated blog!)

I think spring is on it's way, the snow is almost melted from our yard and I've been puttering in the yard this week. I'm just waiting for it all to melt so I can get back to my garden, which is the best way to relax, ever!

I Love Weight Loss

2008-03-13T07:43:00.000-07:00

I LOVE WEIGHT LOSS!

No really I do, because the reward of counting points again was gaining a pound and a half this week so far. It also is great when you get back on the WW wagon the week of daylight savings time. Really, time changes DO NOTHING to my system...at all. Nope, no insomina, no constipation, no sleepy afternoons,no huger pains at weird times, nope, nothing at all. I'm telling you, let's change time again!

In all seriousness, I am having a hard time. But I am taking this one bad habit at at time. I have a lot of bad habits...holy crap!

I know we all have our respective deamons to deal with, why is mine food?

A Donut Justification

2008-03-10T09:52:00.000-07:00

I've gained 4 lbs in a month....so it's back to tracking today. I hated to have to do it, but I guess when the scale creeps back up, it's time to get back in the front seat of the wagon instead of dragging my feet off the back.

Despite this, I stopped for a donut today at our local bakery. I was walking home from the auto mechanic. I took the bus (yes, there is a bus in our small town) part way and walked the final leg. The bakery was on the way. I was hungry and had not eaten yet. I supposed I could have eaten before I left home, but this daylight savings time switch is messing up my clock. However I am going to go out and do my regualr walk today, so there you go...a donut justification.

Back to the countdown...I hope!

Body Mass Index

2008-03-03T09:01:00.000-08:00

Body Mass Index, or BMI is a ratio that tells you your body's "fatness" based on height and weight. It's not a failsafe measure of your health, but can be used as a guide line in determining weigh loss and health and wellness goals.

By hand, calculate your BMI:
1-Multiply your weight in pounds by 703
2-Divide by your height in inches squared
3-This will give you your BMI.

The BMI is classified as:
Below 18.5 = underweight
18.5-24.9 = normal weight
25.0-29.9 = overweight
30.0 and over = obese

You can also find a very quick BMI calculator here.

My current BMI is 28.9 down from 33.8 a year ago when I started WW. I am still in the "overweight" range and I calculated that I would need to be at 164 lbs to be in the "normal range". That's what I weighed in high school and is a good 25 more pounds away. I don't know if I will get down that far, but it's a good goal to work toward. One thing that I have to keep in mind is that muscle weighs more than fat, and I am far more muscley now than I was a year ago, and I think that is good.

Nipping it in the Bud

2008-02-19T07:06:00.000-08:00

I just realized I didn't post last week. It's ok, it has been an unremarkable fortnight. I've seen my scale numbers slowly creep up and some old (read: lazy) habits creep back in. I know I've got to just nip it in the bud.

Start nipping people.

I need to figure out a way to get my brain to listen to my body signals. I know when I'm full, but why do I keep eating? I know I'm not hungry, so why do I seek out a a snack?

I tell you, after a year of WW you think I would have mastered these things by now, but it looks like I haven't.

Week 2.5

2008-02-04T11:28:00.000-08:00

Week 5 was good! I was able to get out and walk 5/6 days! And I'm down 2 pounds! The best part of all....I didn't tack one food point and I still lost.

After coming home from Phx last week, my WW stuff never made it back down to the kitchen, and I don't see myself getting it down there this week either. Frankly, after a whole year of point and food tracking, I'm tired of tracking. So I don't think I will.

What I do think is that I have finally learned how to deal with food in a positive and healthy way. I know I can manage my portions now and I know I can loose weight. Being in control of this area of my life feels very good.

Week 2.4

2008-01-28T08:47:00.000-08:00

Week 2.4 brought us nothing, but static....at least I didn't gain weight on the homefront (see the previous post on the Sour Cream Racket). I found myself able to manage my portions and what I ate at my parents house quite nicely, despite the growing enchalada conspiricy in the fridge.

Last week was also the one year mark of being on WW, meaning I started the program last year at this time. I can't believe what a year it's been. Those first weeks were so hard. Breaking habits, making news ones and really learing about my relationship with food were hard. I will say this, I do miss the resolve I had back then. I was in top mental form, now I'm just not. I think my brain turned to butter, or sour cream. :)

So, on with the countdown, I hope week 5 is good!

The Sour Cream Racket

2008-01-22T09:23:00.000-08:00

Not only are my family notorious butter sumgglers, they apparently have gotten into the sour cream racket as well.

I thought I would be doing some cooking while here, but no. The Mormons* have come to our food aid with copious pans of enchaladas. I mean, we have chicken, beef, green chili, red chili, hot, and not hot. All with sour cream.

Not only that my Aunt Mae brought over some soup last night. I was eating a bowl, and thinking "How good and creamy is this?" It was then that I realized I was eating sour cream with some token potatoes and celery thrown in. Oh my -- but it was so GOOD!!

It's a good thing I brought my walking gear.

*We are Mormons, when Mormons get sick it's typical that members of the congregation will bring over food etc, for the sick person's family. Since half my family is our congreation, you can see how they have gotten into the sour cream racket. :)

Week 2.3

2008-01-20T15:06:00.000-08:00

Week 2.3 is a wash...

I had some sort of gastrointestinal distress that evisserated me mid-week. I spent the rest of the week, trying to feel human again. It's funny how that happens. You also tend to gain weight when you are sick. For some reason the body holds on to what it's got, when it's in a fight! And Since I was loosing it faster than I was taking it in for a time, when I took in more than I lost, I think my body said, YAY!

So, this next week, I'm home in Phx with the family to help my mom post-op. I should be fine, since I will be in totally charge of the house, what is fixed for meals and what is purchased at the store. I will also be cleaning out the pantry while I'm there.

Watch out, Chicken Fat is on a a mission.

It's a Whopper

2008-01-14T08:28:00.000-08:00

Week 2 results....

Better than expected, but they could have been better all around. It didn't help that Friday I pretty much made out with a box of whoppers candy. I got them to have at the movies, but made the grave mistake of opening them before we went. They were so chocolatey and malty and good and before I knew it most of the box was gone.

What do we learn from this? I need some one to dish the candy to me, and then I also need to just give myself a serving then leave it alone.

So week three, is here, and I need to really concentrate on my goals and exercise so that next week when I have to go back to Phoenix to help my mom I'll be in a good place. Becuase going home is always a diet killer for me, although, since my mom will be convalescing, and I'll be in charge of all things domestic (and I will be throwing out any and all leftover holiday stuff in the fridge) I should be ok.

WW friendly lasagne

2008-01-08T09:28:00.000-08:00

Lasagne with Meat Sauce

9 lasagne noodles
1 t fennel seeds
1 t olive oil
1/2 lb lean ground beef *(or lean ground turkey)
1 onion, finely chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 zucchini, chopped
2, 15 oz containers refregerated marinara sauce**
1 1/2 c ff ricotta cheese
1/2 c part skim mozzerella cheese
1/4 c grated Romano cheese

Method:
Cook noodles according to package directions, rinse and drain and set aside. In a small dry skillet roast the fennel seeds (these give the taste of sweet Italian sausage, which is generally used in this dish), till light brown and fragrant (2-3 mins). Crush the seeds in a coffee ginder or similar, or smash the seeds with a mallet. Brown oil, onion, bell pepper, zucchini. Stir in sauce and fennel and warm thru. Preheat the oven to 375F and prepare a 9x13 pan to layer in the lasagne. Layer the lasagne, alternating between the meat sauce and ricotta cheese. Cover with foil and bake for 30 mins until heated thru. Sprinkle the mozerella and romano cheese on top to brown, but continue baking for about 20 more mins.

Nutrition Info:
Serving size: 1/8 of pan
Cals: 295
Fats: 3 g
Fiber: 5 g
Points: 6 per serving

*Be careful when buying ground turkey. Some brands are actually higher in fat than ground beef. Always read the lables!

**I have no idea what this stuff is, so I just use Prego Garden Veggie Sauce.

Variations:
I sometimes sub the meat with veggies. I like to use, bell peppers, carrots, celery, mushrooms, brocolli, or brocolli rabe, fresh spinach and even butternut squash. I also use reduced fat or fat free cottage cheese in the ricotta with garlic salt and Italian seasoning added for flavor. You can also look for whole wheat pasta noodles as well, they will always be a lower point value. Finally, sometimes you might find the taste, texure and consistency of fat free or reduced fat cheeses unpalatable. Never fear, you are not alone in that, just use smaller servings of regular style cheese.

Happy Cooking.

Week 2.1 Results

2008-01-07T09:27:00.000-08:00

Not as good as I'd hoped but it could have been worse I suppose.

Last week I was back in WW mode fully, writing down my food, counting points etc. It was harder than I though. I really let myself slide in December. I ended the week where I started it, so that's good, considering all of the bread and other carbohydrates I consumed. Some women eat chocolate at certain times of the month, I eat bread. Weird.

In non-scale victories (NSV), I went to Eddie Bauer on Friday to use a $10 off coupon they gave me (yes I'm falling right into their marketing gimmicks). I just cannot express how happy I am to be shopping in a regular sized store again. Sure I have to buy an XL, but it's so nice to be back where I belong. I got a super cute, cream and sea-foam-sih colored sweater, some new red flannel/fleece jammies (because baby it's cold outside!) and 3 pairs of socks. It also was nice that the whole store was half off....cha-ching!

So, this week....my house is mostly bread free, at least the bread that I like, you know the good artisan bread that comes in a paper bag from the bakery, my house is finally candy/sugar free and I have a whole box of oranges I need to get working on.

I think it will be a healthy week.

Chicken Fat is still Going!!

2008-01-02T07:18:00.000-08:00

I made it thru the Christmas season with out too much weight gain. Only 2 pounds! This is good considereing last time I went home I gained 5 pounds and that 5 took me almost 3 months to loose.

My family, the band of notrious butter smugglers was once again, putting butter into or onto everything. The only place I really gave in to this was my Aunt Ginny's fantastic cheese ball. Serously, it's like butta....oh wait, because it has butter, in addition to cream cheese, and olives, and green onion and nuts on the outside. It was really good melted on a dinner roll. This, however is a once a year thing, so I wasn't too worried about it. The rest of the time I did the cooking so I controlled what was in or on our food.

As for 2007......here is a moment of truth....

I started the year at a whopping 222 pounds (see I told you the truth). I had a net loss of 33 pound and managed to go down 3 jean sizes and 3 shirt sizes. I also fit back into most of my clothes, sometimes with the help of my trusty gridle, but I fit..dangit! Today I am at 188. I want to get to 180, that will be my 40 pound goal I origianly set for myself a year ago.

The weight loss and gain aside, this year I developed the habit of excercise. I go walking most days. I also learned about portion sizes, which are smaller than you might think, but surprisingly appropriate. Seriously, the suggested serving size on most things, is right about what you need or should be eating. Anymore would be gluttony.

I still have a love-hate relationship with food, which I think I will battle the rest of my life, but Weight Watchers and being on a program has helped to teach me how I can be on top of the battle. I really feel, no, I know, that going on WW last year was the right thing to do. The program gave me the tools to take my life back and to get my body back from the brink of bad health. It also has helped me find focus on other areas of my life. The other thing about WW is the fact that I really feel for the first time in my life that I am truly living the Word of Wisdom.

**(For my non-Mormon readers, the Word of Wisdom is the code of health that Mormons live by. It does have some things we don't do, like smoke, drink alcohol, coffee or tea. But is also counsels us to eat in moderation and to maintian a healthy lifestyle.)

For 2008, I've decided to start my program over at week one and go from there. Today's starting weight will be 188. I feel by starting over at week one will be the boost I need to get rid of the last 8 pounds of me. The voices in my head are still telling me to GO! YOU CHICKEN FAT GO! So, I'm going!

My family, the butter smugglers

2007-12-03T07:16:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving was great, but I am tired of food already, and it's only December 3rd. Seriously, why do we always have to have food around. And it's not that it's just food, it's that it's SOOOOOO much food the table creaks under the pressure!

I admited to my husband that I needed his help to get me thru the holidays. His parents house for Thanksgiving, although a heart healthy desination, was still full of food. My MIL was constantly cooking, wanting to feed us, making us eat. I went to bed with indigestion more nights than not.

So, we've planned our defenses for Christmas, which will be spent with my family, who are notorius butter smugglers. We're going to tell each other when to stop (just like drunks are supposed to do in a bar). No really, he is going to help me naviagate the foods of the season, so that I don't end up a life-sized fruit cake.

I've also resigned myself to the fact that I will have to do the cooking, so that I can cook and eat the things that I know will not be harmful for my diet. I don't mind that really, the trick is keeping things safre from my Mom's butter dish. She likes to slather on that stuff.....

And as for my goal....I have 7# to go. Can I do this before the 21st? I hope so.

Reality Check

2007-11-13T08:42:00.000-08:00

Being good and staying on plan is hard, but it works. I am down 3 pounds from my month long plateau. My goal of losing 5% of my current body weight by Christmas is not only becoming a reality, but will be something that I can exceed.

Portion control is key.....I still measure out my food from time to time, well really most of the time. It's better for me that way. I've also gone back to just eating as much plant matter as I can at every meal. I tell you, I feel so good after eating fruits, veg and grain.

I still find it hard to go thru the supermarket check out with out grabbing a candy or something, but the temptaion is less and less. I always tell myself, you can have that Snickers, or something you like better, which is a low fat graham cracker, with a marshmellow and a little spread of Nutella warmed up in the microwave. That is waaaaaay better than any candy bar, with the exception of perhaps a Lindor Truffel or a Ghiridelli carmel bar -- but they don't sell those at the check out!

Anyway.....things are good, the clothing is fitting, my husband is going crazy because of the new bod, and that is the way it should be!

Confessions of a Chinese Food Junky

2007-11-08T06:51:00.000-08:00

Remember a few posts ago I lamented the fact that my DH didn't want to go the Chinese Buffet, because he thought it would kill us? That day we ended up going to Cleopatra's in the Santa Fe Design Center -- which by the way if you are ever in Santa Fe, you must go it, because it is the BEST Arab food EVER!

Well, Tuesday, I found myself unexpectedly in Santa Fe and very unprepared. Normally when I go down into town, I eat before, bring a snack with me and a few bottles of water. I didn't have anything like that with me at all....like I said, it was a surprise trip! SURPRISE!

I was hungry, so I did wanted to do the trip before, and eat at the Chinese Buffet. It was a mistake right from the start. I walked up and it smelled greasy, gross and not so fresh. I persisted and went in anyway.

I paid, was seated and made my way to the buffet. The usual things were offered -- various Chinese dishes and then French fries, corn dog bites, chicken nuggets?? I took my usual rice noodles, Kung Pao Chicken (which was really lacking in POW!), pepper beef, rice and 2 veg spring rolls.

It was not as good as I remembered it to be. It did nothing for me, and then I felt sick the rest of the day.

Lesson learned, or so I thought.

Yesterday, I was in Abq, and stopped into IHOP for lunch. Now, I was planning this trip because I knew I was going to be out and about. I knew what I was going to order before hand and I had calculated the points and so on before I even ordered. The server brought out my favorite, Swedish Crepes. I'd forgotten that they ker-plob a HUGE dallop of butter in the middle of the plate. The crepes were fine, the lingnon berry jam was fine, but that butter was nasty. I scraped it off as best as I could, but never again. If I ever eat at IHOP, I'll still get my crepes, but sans the butter...sorry Paula Deen, no butter here!

So what does this all mean? It means my food preferences really have changed. I crave homemade, veg and whole grain as opposed to fast, processed, and made to order. I'm really happy about that however, I really am. It shows that all this hard work has worked and that my lifestyle changes are my habits. I like these habits.

That is my confession, a confession from a Chinese food junky, who is now offically going to be clean and sober!

Halloween Party Poopers meet here.

2007-10-31T08:53:00.000-07:00

No candy in the house.
No costumes on our backs,
We're avoiding Halloween, because it will make the scale go crack.

Seriously, I hate halloween. I'm the pooper at the party, which I didn't even come to because I'm a party pooper.

I guess, I see the whole thing as a racket from the candy companies. And also, I just don't want to deal with the day after and a candy hangover. The last thing I need is a dozen baby ruths screwing up my diet, I can do that on my own thankyouverymuch.

My poor husband though. It seems as if the left over candy grave yard (no pun intented) is work. Tomorrow everyone will bring their leftovers to share....just throw it away and be done with it! His tech and office mate always trys to bring stuff to give him --- old halloween candy, VHS tapes, cases of pop from a party. I don't understand why everyone thinks my husband wants all of their left over crap??...I'm just sayin'

Super Size Me

2007-10-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

We watched Super Size Me yesterday.

If you have not seen this film, do it, you will be glad you did.

Morgan Spurlock, the film maker, decided to eat McDonald's every day, three times a day for 30 days to see what would happen to him. This experiment, came on the heels of a personal injury law-suit that was filed in the early 2000s by some people against the fast food industry, for making them fat. (Ya, if you are saying, then don't eat fast food, you're not alone)

Before he started, he went to 3 doctors and had exams with them to chart his physical condition. Over the course of the film he also worked with a registerd dietician, and a personal trainer. He was very healthy to start out. Over the course of the month, as we went back to the doctors for check ups, it was documented that he was become more and more unhealthy. In one week, he gained 10 pounds and on a daily average was eating 5000 calories -- that double what a man needs.

By the end of the film he had gained 25 pounds, his cholestoral had raised 65 points and his liver had tured to fat and was showing signs of early liver disease. Not pretty at all. He also found his energy levels dropping, that he was depressed more, but that lifted when he ate McDonalds and that the menu was very boring after about a week.

So what is the point? The point is that Americans are eating things like McDonalds more and more. As they are doing that, they are putting themselves in great danger. I'm not blasting McDonald's, if you eat there and don't know you are eating crap you are stupid. (Even their "healthy" meals like salads have more calories and fat than the Big Mac -- just a thought). Moderation is key. It's ok to eat out, once in a while. It's not ok to eat out every day, or even every week. It's vital that children are taught good eating habits while they are young, so that they don't turn into a McDonald's addict.

Going out to dinner

2007-10-25T06:50:00.000-07:00

In a rare event, we are going out to dinner -- because I worked hard after my husband's recent surgery and I deserve to not cook.

I hesitated to tell my husband I wanted to go to Chinese, because I knew what he would say. And he said it. "We can't go there, it would kill us." I know that's true, but I've never had trouble saying no at a buffet. He does, but I don't. I am in the mood for Chinese....I have 24 hrs to convince him that it will be ok.

Backslide is my middle name

2007-10-24T06:33:00.000-07:00

If 'backside' were a name it would be mine.

This week I have had no control, no desire, no ambition. I've been baking, and when I bake, it's bad. I've had to bake to clear things out of my freezer for the things that are going into my freezer -- pumpkins.

Anyway....I've been a bad girl.

Help me Obi-Wan you're my only hope!

Hopefully, today, I will get a grip and snap out of it.

I just wish I could find that inner drive I had at the beginning. I was so motivated. Now, tracking points and such, just makes me want to scream!

My Weight Loss is like a Third Order Polynomial

2007-10-15T06:48:00.000-07:00

Well, I've come to the end of my 3rd WW food journal. I can say, it's been a very interesting 36 weeks or so.....

But instead of buying another book to track things in, my husband created a form for me on the computer to track things on. I've printed it out so I can keep in down stairs by the fridge. He also created a chart of my weight loss and made it all fancy-schmancy with graphics and whatnot. He said my weight loss resembled a thrid order polynomial, whatever that is -- doesn't he remember that I failed all math in high school and that the last math class I took was in 1993 at junior college, and even then I took just enough math to graduate? Ya, there is a reason I was a history teacher, not a math teacher, but I digres.

I've made a new goal for myself -- I want to loose 5% of my current body weight, which is 9 pounds, by Christmas. After Christmas, I think I will re-evaluate where I'm at and decide if I want to continue on with WW.

At anyrate, I think the new habits that I've made while on WW will stick with me. I didn't track my food at all last week and I managed to come out ok. I also found myself stopping eating when I felt full, taking right portion sizes at meals and reaching for healthy snacks when I needed a snack.

I think all is well in weight loss land. If I can make it thru October with out overdosing on Three Muskateers Mint Minis then I should be ok.

Americans are Fat

2007-10-01T09:12:00.000-07:00

So my DH and I went to a football game on Saturday night. In keeping with my new eating out policy, we ate before we got to the stadium at Bumble Bee's--our favoirte place in Santa Fe.

Bumble Bee's is Baja Mexican food, which means no guacamole, sour cream or fried things. The meats are all cooked on the grill and the beans are not re-fried. I had my usual, two lamb tacos with black beans and rice. I also filled up on the fresh salsas from the salsa bar. They have habanero (which they claim is hot, but I could drink that stuff like milk), tomatillo, roasted tomato (seriously the best) and pico do gaillo, which I have never been a fan of. Bumble Bees is now serving Horchata, which is perhaps my favorite drink. They also had Agua de Sandia or watermellon juice which smelled divine! It was totally worth it. But really, Bumble Bees is not blowing it, they have very reasonable portion sizes and the tortillas were the only "bad thing" on my plate.

Before we left for Abq and the football game, we stopped in at the Eddie Bauer in the Santa Fe outlet mall. I was able to buy some nice things! It's been over 2 years since I've been able to buy clothes at a regualr store. I think my association with Lane Bryant is over! NO MORE FAT CLOTHES! And because I didn't ever throw away my skinny clothes, the things I got only added to my beloved clothing! YAYAY!

At the game we arrived, and I noticed a few thngs. Americans are fat. I know my awareness of the obesity of my fellow Americans has heightened since I've been on a diet nee lifestyle change. I notice people's bodies all the time. Not in a judgemental way, but I notice it in others because I am more aware of it myself. There were alot of round bellies, dun-lops, and saggy bottoms to go along with the myriads of junk food, hot dogs and whatnot being sold. I realize it's a football game, but I know the sad thing is, many people are eating "game food" on a regular basis, and that's not good.

Just recommiting to being good, eating right and really saying no to my fat clothes.

If only Thursday would come

2007-09-27T07:17:00.000-07:00

Some days I think WW is going to kill me!

Last night, in fact all of yesterday, I was craving something sweet and chocolaty. I sorta fixed that by eating 2T of shredded coconut, which is only 1 point. Anyway. Then at dinner we had soup. I wanted to much to reach over and toast some bread--but again, too many points to waste. Then there is my thing with carbs, even complex-carbs sink me if I'm not careful.

I just kept telling myself if I could get to Thursday all of my troubles would be gone. Thursday is farmer's market day here and I allow myself 2 scones. I usually get ginger-peach, because ginger is the best flavor ever! The scones are nice and flakey too, so I really relish my once a week treat! Sure, it totally blows my points, but it's only once a week, and I excercise a bit more to make up for it.

Thank goodness Thursday is here, I don't think I could do another Wednesday like that again and not go get some candy!

Smootie and fried cheese

2007-09-25T15:18:00.000-07:00

So I went to Sonic today for a Fat-free Peach Smoothie. I was really good and didn't get any tater-tots, or fried cheese (ummmm, fried cheese!). I have to say that I am really dissapointed in my smoothie. It's not nearly as good as I remember it to be. It's too sweet, too icey and not enough peach. It's also giving me a stomache ache. I guess next year I will forgo the smoothie at make one at home.

Ladies who Lunch

2007-09-24T08:45:00.000-07:00

This week, was better than I thought it would be. I managed to knock off another pound. It was not as much as I'd hoped for, but considering I went out to lunch and was injured, I think it was ok.

As for going out to lunch...normally I don't do this. First, I don't like most of the places here in town. Second, Los Alamos is a lunch town. Most of the Lab workforce makes the daily exodus over into town to lunch in the eateries here, so it's too crowded. Resolved, unless it's a place I really like -- Quiznos, or the Pyramid, I'm going to say no to lunching-out. If I'm going to blow my points for the day, I'm going to make it worth while. The place we went to on Tuesday, did not fill that. However, I will blow some points on a Sonic Fat-Free Peach Smoothie this week, and they only serve peach in September and we're almost out of September!

And on the excercise front. I need new shoes again! I go thru them so fast because I use them so much. Oh well. I can't have achy feet, popping knees and a place on the sideline. I know myself well enough to know that I have to excercise to make the weight loss work. I can't do it by diet alone.

So, back to the daily grind of my life....

Rained out

2007-09-18T07:29:00.000-07:00

Here in the mountains of N-NM, the weather can change in an instant. Why I didn't remember that yesterday is beyond me.

I was walking along, singing my song, well not really, just mouthing the words and it was sunny. Then 30 seconds later it was raining and thunder was clapping. At first it was a few drops and I thought, I could make it to the end of my walk with out gettting too wet. Ha-Ha, boy was I wrong! I rounded a corner and the rains came down, and the floods came up. Thankfully there is a foot path between the streets that criss-crosses the canyon down to my street. By the time I got home I was wet to the bone.

My husband suggested I carry a fanny pack with a poncho in it. I said, I'd rather be soaking wet than have a fanny pack on. Even I am not that nerdy!

Busted!

2007-09-17T13:07:00.000-07:00

Plateau....BUSTED!!

Halleluja! I lost 3.5 pounds last week. How did I do this? I just went back to plan basics....totally works every time. Why can I not just get this into my head and remember it and live it, and love it and call it my own? I don't know, I think it's all the global warming, or something.

So, I just decided to eat as much plant matter as I could last week. I tried to fill up at least half of my plate with fruit or veg. Also it helped that I made my afternoon snack later in the afternoon and made it a nectarine and grapes (or a similar fruit combination). I do love my carbs however, so I did measure out rice and potatoes when we had them for dinner. I'm very thankful that my husband is understanding when I bring all the measuring cups to the table. Oh, and no treats--at all.

The no treats thing is the hardest for me too. I grew up in a treat-o-holic family--we always bought a treat at the store, there was always a cookie in the cookie jar and so on at my house. I carried this habit into my adult life too. This more than any habit has been the hardest to break. I did find though, on the days when I needed a sweet fix, the CocoaVia bars were life savers. Only one point, and oh so chocolaty! Hmmm.

So this week, I'm going to do more of the same--plan basics, and try and get down 2-3 more pounds. If I can keep this up, I should exceed my stated weight goal, and surpass it by the end of the year. If I can get back into my wedding dress it will be a Merry Christmas!

Food Find: Cocolate & Soup

2007-09-11T14:24:00.000-07:00

My new favorite chocolate fix is CocoaVia chocolate almond bars. They are soooo good! I can't say how nice it is to be able to have a 1 point, 80 calorie chocolate fix when I need it. They should be near the candies and other temptations in your supermarket, or on the web at CocoaVia.com.

My other new favorite is Campbell's split pea & bacon soup. Each can is 6 points and is a very filling meal. Each can also counts a a full serving of veg and is very high in fiber--we love fiber because it digests so slowly, making us feel fuller longer. Yay fiber!

Plateau Bustin'

2007-09-10T14:03:00.000-07:00

This is the third week I've weighed the same at my weigh in. I manage to go up and down all week, but when it's time to record my progress I am the same. I don't get it.

Well I do get it. I've not been into WW as much as I should be, or as much as I was. It is much easier to just eat and not think about things, but that's what got me Chicken Fat to begin with. And the funny thing is this, I have overeaten alot lately, and my body is screaming at me--"HEY DUMB *** WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO ME?" And then my body says, "I will get her back, release the gall bladder!" And then zing, I have the raging last days of Pompeii in my stomach. I deserve it though, I really do. However, I will say that I am starting to like baking-soda cocktails, my antacid of choice.

I have managed to rid my house of most of the things that tempt me, but I will say this, I love my rice and potatoes. Some days that is what I crave--just rice with some butter and salt or a potatoe with butter and salt. I know these are higher point foods and there are things I could eat with more nutritional value, but I wonder if my cravings are because that's what my body needs or if it's just what my mind and tastebuds want. I love my complex-beige carbohydrates.

I will say this though, I will never stop excercising. I love walking everyday, and it's really good to clear my mind out. I won't stop with that even if I fail at WW. So, I'm going to think about plaeu busting this week. I really need to. I'm at my last big hill--so to speak, and so close to my goal weight! I will say this however, I have netted some good results. My blood pressure is down 12 points and I could not be happier (it's as close to normal as I will ever get--haha). I will not get the lecture this year when I take my physical, and if the NP tells me I am too fat, I will tell her, at least I am in the best shape of my life--so there--sticks tounge out and blows a raspberry!

Tales from the Stomach

2007-09-04T13:58:00.001-07:00

I have a serious food hangover today, and I didn't really even eat that much, or that badly yesterday (Labor Day). What is up with that? I swear, when I got up this morning, I felt as if I'd been run over by an onion, hit in the stomach with a hot dog bat and deprived of all the water in my body. Not a good feeling.

However, I did manage to prepare a somewhat healthful meal--we had fat free hot dogs (mostly my husband had them), a baked onion, chicken burgers on whole wheat buns, salad and corn on the cob. No soda, no chips, no desserts.

Needless to say, today, I've had the last days of Pompeii raging in my stomach all day. It's 3pm and I still have 16 food points left. That is an a amazing ammount for this time of day. I doubt that I will even use half of that before the day is thru. Perhaps this is just what I needed to get me in the right mind set for the last 15 pounds.

Who knows, at this point though, I would like a baking soda cocktail followed by a maloxx chaser.

Fattest State in the Nation

2007-08-28T06:40:00.000-07:00

This is a very interesting study though not surprizing. When I saw the headline, "Deep South State Leads Nation in Obesity" I immedeately thought Mississippi. It's sad, but true.

The article states that because of that state's high poverty rate there is a greater tendency to eat more processed foods, which are less expensive and have less nutritional value. This brings me to a question, why do more healthful foods cost more? It doesn't make sense. How can processing the life out of something, then adding back in what was lost or taken out during processing make something cheaper? You would think it would be the opposite. This has been one of my biggest frustrations as I've been on WW since January. Shopping at Whole Foods, or Wild Oats almost kills our budget. We can get good deals at Trader Joes, but that is over an hour away, and I only manage that trip every other week.

I also wonder where New Mexcio falls on the list. No doubt near Mississippi, as it usually is in most studies or surveys of national things. The typical New Mexican diet, is not a good one. Things like posole, fried foods, starchy tortillias and chilies made with lard are standard fare in many homes. In the more urbanized areas I'm sure this is supplemented with the typical drive thru fare and fast food nationalisim that Americans seem to be so fond of.

Closet parade

2007-08-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

I had my semi-monthy closet parade yesterday. This is the ritual I do to see which clothes I fit into. It was a good show! I'm fitting into what I would classify as skinny jeans! Yes, L.ane B.ryant size 14s. This gives me hope. I wore these jeans when I started teaching at Satan's High School 3 years ago. This also gives me hope because I will be able to fit into my Eddie Bauer jeans--or what I consider my regular clothes--soon. Very soon.

Temptaion is still all around me, but I am finally feeling like I am combating it better and more motivated to stay on track. I just keep walking, keep eating lots of fruit and veg and avoiding Baskin Robbins at all costs.

Keeping deamons in check.

2007-08-13T16:06:00.000-07:00

I don't think you ever really break a bad habit. I think you just learn how to cope with them and keep them under control. With that said, I've felt like I've been batteling my bad habits for my life the last few days. I don't know why. I don't think that today has been all that bad, but it hasn't been great either. Scarlett O'Hara once said, "Tomorrow is another day!", but I think I use that excuse too much. I need to tell myself that while tomorrow is another day, you are living in today and will have to deal with today's choices tomorrow, so it's best to just leave today where it's at, the here and now.

I've also been thinking about a conversation I had with a very good friend the other night. We had, had a girls dinner party at her house and I was the last one to leave. She and I began to talk about my weigh loss and about some of the others in our group who were all on WW. As she was asking me how I was doing on my program she saked me how I had, had to change my life.

The changes have come in many ways. For one thing, I had to confront my food demonds and figure out why I was eating all the time. I think I was and am like that is because I feel like there is not much to do with my life. I know today I have felt pretty useless and have therefore been so tempted to eat all day. I've fallen a bit, but withheld as well. I gave in to the PBJ craving and skipped the ramen noodles.

It's a constant battle, here's to keeping the demon in check for another 24 hours.

Back at last

2007-07-30T14:50:00.000-07:00

I just got back from a week at my Mom's house, which is also known as comfort food central. The day before we left our scale broke and my husband had to get a new one. I don't know how these two scales match up as I was gone for a week. My side by side weigh in this morning told me that my old scale weighs me 5 pounds less than the new scale. My husband tells me that both scales weigh him the same, so I am having a bit of a quandry. I don't really want to admit to myself that I have gained 5 pounds. Arrrgggghhh!

While home I also was able to get some orthodics made for my shoes. My uncle is a podiotrist and was able to do it quickly. They have made my feet feel tons better, however I can only wear them for short periods of time otherwise my feet and legs will get very soar. Oddly enough the whole week I was home, my feet did not hurt. I don't know if it was the fact that I was at a lower elevation or that I was not climbing hills everyday.

So back to the plan, back on the wagon this week. I have a lot of work to do.

New scale

2007-07-23T16:06:00.000-07:00

My trusty scale broke the other day. Husband is buying a new one today. I don't know how to reconcile my weight on my old scale to the weight on the new one--once I finally get home and get on it. Any ideas out there? I have a feeling I will be gaining a lot of weight again with this change.

Recipe: Parmesan Pasta with Artichoke and Capers

2007-07-17T13:13:00.000-07:00

I was feeling rather "food-networky" last night and invented this. My husband likes it, but then again, he is a super guy and loves everything I've ever put in front of him, except for volcano chicken, which is a story for another day.

Parmesan Pasta with Artichoke and Capers
2 cups cooked rotinni pasta (or farfalle)
1 can regular artichoke hearts (you can use marinated if you want)
2-3 T capers
2 T butter
1 clove minced garlic
1 cube frozen parsely
1 shallot, minced up
olive oil
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 C parmesan cheese*
1 t red pepper flakes (optional)

Method:
Melt butter in a sautee pan (or use the pan you cooked your pasta in). To the melted butter add the shallots, garlic and parsely. Cook this for about 3 mins then add the artichokes and capers and cook till these are heated thru. Pour the pasta into this mixture and drizzle olive oil on everything. (This is also the time to add the red-pepper flakes if you are using them). Right before serving sprinkle the cheese over the top and allow to melt.

*If you are a snoby-snob food person you will want to use the expensive parmesan from the gourmet section of the store. If you are a regular person, like me, you can use the stuff in the green kraft can. It's really good either way!

Recipe: Breakfast Muffins

2007-07-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

I debated wheather to call these Breakfast Muffins or Colon-blow muffins. If you remember Saturday Night Live from the late 80s they had a commercial parody for Colon Blow cereal, and Super Colon Blow cereal. I don't need to explain further what this cereal did to your insides. Since I don't want to step on their toes and I think my mother would blush if I talked about cleansing of the colon I went with Breakfast Muffins--although these muffins will clean you out!

Breakfast Muffins:
3 C whole wheat flour
1/4 C flaxseed meal
1 C brown sugar
3/4 C white sugar
1 egg
1 t baking powder
1 t baking soda
1 t vanilla
1 C applesauce
2 c mashed banana (about 4-5 medium)
2 C whole blueberries (optional)

Method:
First you will be using the "muffin method" (thank you Alton Brown) to make this, which is where you combine the wet and dry ingredients seperately until right before cooking. This is to get maximum effect from the leavening when activated by the wet ingredients. I used to not believe in this method, but I tried it and it really does give you better muffins and quick breads. I believe Alton Brown...I also love you AB!

In one bowl, combine flour, leavenings and flaxseed meal, and mix well, or sift, if you are a sifter. In another bowl, mash the bananas and then add applesauce, egg, sugars and vanillia. Combine the wet and dry ingredients and mix well. If you are using blueberries or any other fruit, fold them in at this point. Grease 4 small muffin tins or 2 large muffin tins, for a total of 24 muffins with a cooking spray like PAM. Dish the batter to the top of each muffin cup. Bake at 350F for 30 mins, or till a knife comes out clean. This can also be baked as a quick bread. Instead of using muffin tins, grease 2 loaf pans and fill with batter. Bake at 350F for 45-50 mins, or till a knife comes out clean.

If you are counting WW points here is your nutrition information. One muffin is a serving. Each muffin has 162 cals, 1 g of fat and 3 g of dietary fiber for a total of 3 points per muffin.

Food find: Frozen Garlic

2007-07-17T12:49:00.000-07:00

For a few months now I've been using a frozen garilc product that I found at Trader Joe's. The brand name is Dorot and it comes from Isreal--yes it's kosher too! Each frozen garlic cube is equal to 1 clove of garlic. They also have parsely, cilantro and basil, ginger and dill. They make a great addition to your cooking. The website also has a recipe section too!

Here is a recipe I use with these:

3 frozen garlic cubes
2 frozen parsley cubes
1/4 c soy sauce

Blend together and use to marinade fish, chicken or turkey.

H.appy F.eet

2007-07-17T12:22:00.000-07:00

Walking, walking, walking, walking. I love walking!

Last week I was with out transportation, so I had to walk places if I wanted to go places. Not a problem, in fact, that's how I really like life! So I needed and really wanted to go to the Los Alamos Farmer's Market which is held every Thursday in the library parking lot during the summer. (If you ever are in Los Alamos go to the Farmer's Market!) I set out about 9:15 and it took me about 45 minutes to get there. I got my stuff, ate some breakfast and started home. It took me about 45 minutes to get home and I only started to hurt about 10 minutes from home. It was about 2 hours door to door!

And I didn't die!

So this week, my feet have been feeling better so I decided to try walking without having my foot taped the last few days to see if it hurt. Well it didn't, but the foot feels better with the tape on, so today I taped up and went out. I was also able to get my full route in as well. It felt good!!!

It seems that I have slowly conqured plantar facitis. I still have to baby my feet, but then again when your feet are happy the rest of you is happy. Happy, happy, happy!

Melting faster than a popscicle

2007-07-09T12:22:00.000-07:00

I am back from vay-cay. I swear I feel like this is the summer of vacations that never end. I never thought I would say this, but I am tired of traveling. I'd like to stay home for more than 2 weeks.

Don't get me wrong, I love to travel, I love going places, but when you go places the control I like to have over my food choices go out the window. Thankfully we were at my in-laws and since my FIL had a heartattack, the food at their house is mostly good. By that I mean, not too many treats and my MIL makes these fantastically good applesauce-banana muffins. They also drink skim-milk---thank you!

But I had an epiphinay while I was away. I think, no, I know, that I am deathly afraid of being hungry. I think this is why I obsess over food and I am always on the prowl for the next snack. I don't know why I have this fear, I've never been in a sitation where I've actually been hungry or starving. I've always had food and enough of it. I think because I'm afraid to be hungry I over eat.

This is just so weird, but at the same time liberating. At least I know the next deamon I need to conquer.

Since I didn't track my food last week, this week is the adjusted week 24. At the end of the week I will have been on WW for 6 months. I can't believe that it's been 6 months. I have to say that WW has been a journey, and I can't believe the places that I've gone, and the corners of my life that I've had to examine when it comes to food. I will say that DH and I got many complements on our weight loss. One of my SILs, who is also a WW veteran, said we looked good. That really meant alot to me. It's not that I'm looking for complements, but it's nice to be noticed.

So as I start this week, I am 11 pounds from my goal weight. I'd like to loose that by the middle of August. If I can loose an additional 5 pounds after that, I will be most pleased. However, I would like to crack my next point threshold in the next two weeks. In the end of July, we are off once again. This time to see my family in the middle of Hell--that would be Phoenix, and the fact that my family drives me mostly crazy, most of the time. The only reason we're going to Phoenix in July is because my sister is visiting from an Eastern state. Who knows, I might just pass out from the heat and not have to worry about my weight because I will have sweated it all away. According to my 8 year old neice, it's so hot you will melt faster than a popsicle.

Finally, my feet are feeling better, not totally better. I still have to tape my right arch and wear shoes and socks most of the day, but I was able to walk today. I can't say how happy that made me feel. I needed to get out and walk and clear my head! Tomorrow morning will be the true test, if my feet hurt in the morning I will have to excercise on the bike. Hoefully not though, I love walking and if I can't do it I will be very sad.

This is all for today--Chicken Fat out!

Eulogy for a bike

2007-06-26T07:01:00.000-07:00

Good bye excercise bike. You served us well as you took us to nowhere. You went and went and went, and yet you stayed in the same place. Saturday night when you fell apart, it was sad for us. But more than that, it was sad to have to clean up the mess your untimely demise left. Now you're going to a better place--the dump. Have a nice time there with the bugs, crows and garbage. We won't miss you too much, because we've already replaced you. No, we have no shame or loyalty, we're just that shallow. And in a million years when some archeologist digs you up and wonders what you were, we'll look down from heaven and laugh at you--because you were a bike that went nowhere.

Food Finds

2007-06-25T07:43:00.000-07:00

Some new food finds I'd like to share:

Kraft Light Asian Sesame Dressing. This is the best dressing EVER! I love it and am now eating as much salad as I can, as and excuse to drizzle this stuff on my veg. It tastes like regular dressing too! In fact, any of the Kraft, light or light done right dressings are excellent!

Jello Sugar Free cups. I never thought I'd like the SF jello, seeing as I dislike most things with artificial sweetners. But they're really, really good. With only 10 cals per cup they are a nice sweet treat, and a zero point item! I just wish our grocery store carried more than 3 varities. I like Strawberry but would like to see the peach on the shelves. And a word to the wise: the "Disney" SF jellos are not jello brand and taste nasty!

Results for week 22

2007-06-25T07:35:00.000-07:00

This weeks results: down 1.5 pounds, which is good, considering I'm not allowed to do impact excercise on my foot.

Two friends have joined WW. They go to the meetings, and wondered why I didn't. I just don't want to really. And it's money every week, that I can use other ways. I'll stick to my home plan. But, in talking with both of them, they asked how I did my meal planning etc. Also they asked how my husband was doing with me on WW. They were both floored when I said, he does it with me--and happily I might add. Both of their husbands are afraid they will "starve" or be reduced to eating twigs and berries. That wouldn't be a bad thing for either of these guys, but it did make me even more thankful for my husband who is very supportive and actually likes eating less.

I'm only 11 pounds from my original goal. I want to loose 10 lbs on top of that, which is not bad. However, being sidelined has put new persepctive on that. I think I might just have to go with the 11 and call it a draw. Now that I know what plantar facitis is and how much it hurts and can disrupt your life, I don't want that to happen. I need to use caution--so I don't end up needing surgery for my foot. That would really sideline me.

Back to basics

2007-06-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

Due my lovely case of plantar facitis, I am benched! This is why my foot, and consequently leg and knee have been in pain the last few week.

Lesson: when you body says,'I hurt' there is a reason for this. It is also wise to heed the warnings your body sends you--they are ususally right!

So in this spirit and wanting to maintain my weight, I've gone back to the basics of WW. I've been very closely monitoring my food intake and writing down everything. I've also gone back to my low points lunches and snacks. Progresso soups and fruit.

Chicken fat is in the freezer so to speak, but hopefully, I'll be out on the move soon!

Vay-cay twists of fate

2007-06-11T15:20:00.000-07:00

I'm back home and so glad to be here!

I was able to go walking today...I LOVED IT! It felt so good to be out in my neighborhood, seeing my dog pals, the houses, the vacant lots and so on. It was a little bit warm, but it felt good.

I also have to say that I wore shorts. It's the first time my legs have seen the sun since, I don't know when, maybe 1991? I needed shorts instead of capri length pants so that they would tan up evenly. Right now I have tan between my sock line and my mid calf. It's silly looking. I can just have a sock tan, but not a half-calf tan.

And in an amazing twist of fate....I LOST 2 pounds on vay-cay! ?!!??!?!!. Ya, I'm stumped. I ate out more than I care to say, ate almost no fruit and veg and had more junkfood than I've eaten since before WW.

So, I'm going to continue on this good weight loss vibe. I am only 11 pounds from my goal weight. Now, once I get to my goal weight I want to try and loose 10 more additional pounds--just for the fun of it.

Chicken fat is back and is past the mental wasteland! I have focus once again, and I am ready to go again.

Doing right by myself

2007-06-07T09:20:00.000-07:00

The knee is feeling better. I've stayed off of it for the last few days. My diet on the other hand....not so much.

I love to travel, but I wish I had more control over my dining choices. It's hard when you are a guest at someone else's house. I've tried to make good choices, but it's hard when you're not in charge. We've eaten out the last two nights. Both nights have brought temptaion to our fair fat maiden. Needless to say the body is sending me a message, which I am listening to loud and clear--I will not over eat tonight!

I can't wait to get home though and to step on my own scale and to get back on my wagon. I think I've past the brick wall I was at a few weeks ago, and I feel like I'm ready to recommit myself to doing what is right by my diet and excercise.

On a final note, last night I attended a concert at Abravanel Hall in SLC--a very fancy place to be sure. When my friend told me what we would be doing I was very worried as I had grown too fat for most of my nice "goin' out to a fancy place" clothes a long time ago. Lsat week however I fit back into a pair of khakis and a dress blouse! I was so happy! So I didn't have to wear Sunday clothes or look like I hick. I was dressed for the occasion.

Bum knee

2007-06-05T13:20:00.000-07:00

Once again, I find myself nursing my very soar right knee.

I think I might have tendonitis, bursitis or in the worst case scenario torn or softening cartaliage. I have a brace on it today, I'm pumped full of Advil and I am icing it every so often.

Last night after my knee had swollen to the size of a baseball, I gave in to the fact that I think I might need to go see a doctor. This scares me because my family has a history of bad knee problems. My mom is only 55 and has had 2 toatal knee replacements. I don't think it's going to be that serious, but I know I'm in enough pain and recouring pain to know that I can't fix this on my own.

Sigh!

I'm tired, and I want to feel good, and to be able to excercise--but again, not for a few days till this thing settles down.

Are you a Vegitarian?

2007-06-04T08:09:00.000-07:00

Travled yesterday. Resisted the urge to buy junk food at the airport--but I did buy a Mily Way Dark, the only time I ever get candy is when I fly.

So I'm sitting on the plane noshing on some veg. A lady sits next to me and says in a loud voice, "YOU'RE A GOOD GIRL EATING THAT! ARE YOU A VEGITARIAN??" No, just like veg lady.

Do you have to be a vegitarian to eat raw veggies?

Duck! Here comes the Kashi.

2007-06-01T08:55:00.000-07:00

I had a total mental melt down this morning. There I sat crying into my breakfast about my lack of resolve.

My husband tried to convince me that plateaus are normal. I'm not on a plateau, I'm at a mental brick wall. Some days I get so tired of pushing myself and pushing myself to be better. I just want to go into the Baskin Robbins and sit down with a bucket of ice cream and say damnitalltohell, I'm getting fat again. I seriously wanted to chuck all the Kashi at someone yesterday too!

I can't do that.

My husband is very supportive though. He told me he much prefers me now in self improvement mode rather than "fat cow-complaining how I want to be skinner mode", not that he ever thought of me as such, but we have friends who are such. He gave me a hug and said we'll continue to work together. That made me feel a whole lot better.

On we go I guess.

I am the the Captian of my Destiny

2007-05-29T08:49:00.000-07:00

I really need to get serious.

Two weeks ago when I injured my knee, I also injured my resolve. I feel like I am having the hardest time getting back into the swing of things--and it frustrates me! I am so very close to my goal, I know in two more months I will be at my goal weight, but sometimes I feel that getting there is so very hard.

I think what also frustrates me is reaction I get from people. I've been told alot lately how good I look and so on. But then the person telling me this will look at me a bit whistfully, and I can see the sentence running thru their head and regetering in the eyes, "it's not fair!" Well let me just say, that I have worked really hard. I've changed my lifestyle.

It is very tiresome to count every thing that goes into my mouth. I would much rather stay home and watch the Price is Right rather that go out and walk and strength train every day. No one makes you put that pat of butter on your bread. I guess too, I realize that my transformation has been because I wanted it to happen. I've made it work, I was the one who decided to do this. I took control of my life, my body and what I was doing with it. I wish my friends would and could realize that they are the masters of their destinies. They just have to choose to do it.

Back to me, I've got to focus more on what I am putting into my mouth. Now that there are no more 3 day weekends for a while, I need to buckle down and really do my WW plan, every day, all day!

So this week I resolve to not go over my food points, and I resolve not to kill myself excercising, so that I'm not benched agian. I am the captian of my soul, the ruler of my destiny. If this is going to happen, it's because I'm making it happen!

New shoes again.

2007-05-22T14:01:00.000-07:00

My new shoes came yesterday! (Reebok, Versacomfort DMX Max)

My husband saw them on the floor and asked about them and where I got them. He then asked, "Didn't you just get new shoes?" Yes I did, about a month and a half ago, but they are dead. Why are they dead? Because they were not walking shoes and I walked them to death, and they were cheap and they died a cheap death.

So, I put on my new shoes today and did a very light walk around the park today. I could feel how they were correcting my gait and how I walked. It was different and weird, but I could tell it was the right way I needed to be walking.

I took my heart rate half way thru the walk, and it was about 110, which is 60% of my maximum heart rate. At this level I am getting aerobic benefit from my excercise. The thing was, I was not walking very fast, in fact I was walking a bit slower than I normally do. I figured if my heart rate was where it was supposed to be at a slower pace, I am no longer going to push myself to the edge with my pace of walking. I think this is how I hurt myself in the first place.

Today was also the first day in almost a week that my knee and right calf muscle did not screech in pain. I can't tell you how discouraged I've been the last few days as just walking around the house doing nothing has been uncomfortable.

So I'm getting back into the swing of things, slowly. Hopefully in the next few days I can add my strength training back into the routine.

More than my shoes crapped out

2007-05-21T07:15:00.001-07:00

This last week was not what I had hoped it to be.

My shoes crapped out. I don't know why, but the cusion in my right walking shoe is totally gone and I eneded up over doing my walk on Thursday. I have not walked since then as my knee and right calf muscle were trobbing in pain. I also bought a new pair of shoes, specifically designed for walking. They should be here today. I love Zappos!

I also re-calculated my WW points. I have been going off the assumption that I am a sedintary person. Well I'm not. Since I walk most days and keep busy around my house I am an active person and need more food. I gave myself just 2 more points this last week and I've felt tremendoucly better.

I need to refocus and really get back on the ball with WW. I want to be at my goal weight by the end of the summer--for my reasons which I won't state right now. Some days I feel that this is harder than anything else I've ever done. I feel very overwhelemed that I seem to be able to slip so easily back into my old habits. I realize that lifestyle change is a life long commitment, but it sure is hard when everything around you is pulling you down the easy road of packaged foods and convienence.

With that said, I'm starting week 18. I hope to ease back into walking, start the next phase of my strength training and really focus on my snacking, by making healthy choices and not letting myself get so hungry I reach for the first thing I can find.

Recent Food Finds

2007-05-14T08:22:00.000-07:00

I love Trader Joe's....it's the best store, I just wish it was closer and that the Santa Fe store were bigger, and I didn't feel like such a Republican when I go in there....anyway....

I made some great discoveries at Trader Joe's of late:

1--Ground Buffalo Bugers. De-lish!!! They are leaner than ground beef, and taste better too! With a soy-sauce, garlic marinade they are wonderful!! Add a slice of low-fat cheddar too!!

2--Chili Lime Chicken burgers. Also De-Lish!! Actually, my husband found these. WE broiled them up last night for dinner and were happy about the whole thing! They are also low in fat!

3--Not a Trader Joes, but worth mentioning. Brown Cow Yogurt. This stuff is heaven. It's real yogurt, the way Bulgarians intended yougurt to be--runny, not gelatinous and thick! It comes in full fat (really good) and low fat (full of seeds and things) and is not too sweet either! Yoplait, adieu!

I love it when I find things that make my tummy happy, and which don't kill my WW points!