Really? Arthritis?

Okay, today I found out that I have arthritis...really? at 39 yrs old. UGH! Anyway, I hope it won't get me down...but it does explain the pain I have been experiencing...

I am having a few Halloween treats this week...so far, 1 pkg chocolate peeps, 1 small pkg reg peeps, one chocolate caramel pumpkin...and some mini 3 musketeers...but I think I am keeping it under control. The real test will be tomorrow!

Potato soup is STILL YUMMY! I am enjoying it...and I think I successfully made it through today, my long weird schedule day...without too many slip ups and mess ups! Weigh in at the doctor had me down a pound from weigh in Saturday.

Me=0 McDonald's=1

Okay...hauling stuff, stressed to the max...I caved and had a quarter pounder with cheese and a coke...now to go and work it off! I need to walk the walk of shame...now I am craving chocolate. Must not give in....

Pumpkin Whip

So..I mixed a 15 oz can of pumpkin with an 8oz container of cool whip free and added some cinnamon and allspice...topped it with some rediwhip...REALLY YUMMY, 2 point snack as long as you don't go nuts on the rediwhip...and if you are CRAVING some pumpkin pie...this does a pretty good job of helping out!

Enjoy!

Potato Soup...SUCCESS!

I LOVE soup...it is a great thing to eat on a diet...and it is filling and warm! I made Julia Child's potato soup and I was amazed at how good it was...with only potatoes, water, leeks, onions and salt I thought this doesn't compare to my chicken broth, potatoes, cheese, sour cream and bacon with chives soup...WILL IT? And it did, surprisingly light and full of flavor...I can make a grilled cheese for about 3 pts...maybe 4...with Sara Lee's 45 cal bread, Brummel and brown and some .4 oz Muenster. It is pretty good!

As for my weight loss this week...well, I have had GREAT intentions this week. So far Sunday is my only day I went COMPLETELY off the deep end...and even then it wasn't that bad...I think it was a 40 point day and I should be eating 26 or 27 points a day! Last night I caved...I have this unknown desire to melt parm cheese in the microwave on a small plate and eat it...and I just couldn't resist finishing off the bag of cheese. Apparently I CAN NOT have that in my apartment anymore!

Well, today will be nuts...like any nutty day the meal times aren't so black and white...I started my day off with a egg sandwich...so it should be good until lunch...and then I need to make sure I SNACK!! and eat dinner at a reasonable time!

I can't poach an egg...

Well, I got up this morning to attempt Julia Child's poached eggs...she says I need FRESH eggs. I am positive I can't get THOSE at the grocery store...so I did them sunny side up instead...and they were perfection! High atop a ciabatta roll with some Muenster and Canadian bacon (American style) I had a slightly healthier and more figure friendly version of the eggs Benedict I love so much! That should hold me until Lunch!

Last night I made the most INCREDIBLE WW recipe! It was shepherd's pie...I used ground turkey instead of chicken, as the recipe called for...I also substituted some peas and carrots for the carrots...but added the spinach, corn, onion, thyme and sage (another of my alterations). It was a healthy portion and filling at 6 points per serving! I was in 7th heaven! This could easily be made vegetarian...or with beef or lamb...it was really good. I paired it with a glass of Pinot Gris...so good!

Today I tackle Julia's potato soup! I can't wait and it couldn't be a better day for it!

UGH!!!!

So, I weighed in today...I am topping off at 193.6 WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME?????? I know, you are probably thinking I am stuffing my face with big macs and soda...fries and crap and then saying why am I fat? Truth be told...I know I haven't been eating the best...but I haven't started eating with abandon! I was sick this week...but I spent the weekend eating too well...and drinking. Maybe wine isn't the best to drink when trying to diet...well, one glass, NOT 4. Part of me wants to just eat whatever I want...the other part of me says the madness HAS to stop here! I know I haven't been eating what I should ALL of the time...just sometimes...and I know that I NEED to add exercise into my daily routine or NOTHING is going to happen!! I remember when I was excited to be UNDER 190...now I am well on my way to 195 or 200 EEEK this needs to stop. My weigher told me to track every bite...weigh and measure EVERYTHING....and show my tracker at next week's weigh in. So, I will. We reviewed the healthy guidelines today...if I can just work on getting those into my day...I am sure I won't have much room for anything else. So, my plan is to get in my daily servings of the healthy guidelines...

• 5 servings of fruits and veggies
• 2 servings of dairy
• 6 glasses of liquids (water being the best choice)
• 2 tsp of healthy oil
• 1-2 servings of lean protein
• 1 vitamin per day
• choose whole grains whenever possible
• 30 minutes a day of activity
• limit sugar and alcohol

So...here I go...starting my week off like this...of course I should also mention this is the weekend I plan to start cooking out of Mastering the Art of French Cooking with my first recipes being potato soup and cream of mushroom...I will do some substitution for sure!! And, I am starting off the Egg chapter as well!!

Sick...

Well, I will say that one way to lose weight is to be sick. I haven't eaten much of anything these past three days....and I am sure that will reflect on the scale Saturday morning. Of course I didn't always eat the best things for me. Being out of town then returning...and not feeling like being among the living can make eating a challenge. There wasn't much in the apartment to eat! I survived. At least I think I have. I have felt better today...plan to take an exam tonight. But, return to work tomorrow. Not much food to prepare or eat...but plan to get back on track this weekend. And...I will weigh in Saturday am!

Weigh In Day...didn't go.

So today should have been weigh in...I haven't gone to weigh in for two weeks...last weekend I was out of town...so that is why. I am here this weekend but prepping for a trip. I set my alarm, but when it went off, I shut it off. I think I have been pretty good this week...but I just couldn't face the scale. I am also SUPER PARANOID about getting the H1N1 or flu...I was sneezed on Wednesday...going into big groups of people is starting to worry me. Yes, I know I work with the public...but I have bathrooms to go and wash...lysol to spray and I can control it a little easier than sitting RIGHT NEXT TO someone. Sounds like a lame excuse right? Well I will DEFINITELY be weighing in the next two weekends...home and all...plus I am curious to see how I am doing. I plan to be good this weekend in spite of the fact that I am headed to Seattle to celebrate my sister's 25th....she turns in November...but I have a surprise cooked up for her this weekend. I have one big meal that will be a challenge...and I may just go ahead and enjoy it. The rest of the weekend I need to stay focused and keep good. I am taking snacks with me in the car...yep another road trip! And today I plan to eat within my points! Well, I really must pack and get to work! More about how this all went when I return!

What Happened after my LONG DAY!

Well, so yesterday was my long day...I struggle with long days because I want to eat ALL DAY, so this is what I ended up having...
banana
tea with splenda
grape juice
tea with honey
tuna salad sandwich with cheese
grilled cheese with tomato soup
100 cal oreo cakesters
hot chocolate with marshmallows
wheat thins
grape juice
water

So not too bad...I was pretty hungry when I got home from work...but I managed to curb the urge to eat a lot by drinking the hot chocolate. Today is an odd schedule...which is another challenge I have...I get up on Thursdays...I work 12-3pm, have class from 4-5:50 and 6-9:40pm so eating is definitely a challenge. Often I get up later than normal on Thursdays...so if I eat breakfast I am hardly ready for lunch before I leave for work. Then...I am hungry when I get off work, but don't really have the time to prepare and eat something before class. Often I pack snacks...but am tempted by cookies, candy and pop at school. There are healthier options...but I have those at home! So...it is definitely a day I struggle with. It is 9:26am and I haven't had anything yet...I plan on some bananas and grapes for sure...and probably some tea...and then a tuna sandwich before work. I plan to pack snacks to grab on my way out the door...so we will see how it goes!

Long Day Challenge

I am not sure about the rest of you...but if my day starts too early...I find myself eating more! I rose at 6am (two hours before I would normally rise) and of course didn't really want to eat. I did have a banana...because I knew I would be going somewhere that would have DONUTS! I am fortunate to only be tempted by a select few....today I stayed at least 5 feet from the box at all times and managed to get in and out without eating ANY! But, today will be rough! I work 11:30am-8pm. Often I take a break at 3pm or sometimes 4:30pm...if I eat breakfast at 8am, I usually snack about 10am, eat lunch between 12-1pm, then eat dinner about 6pm...with a snack about 3pm...and then I can have something before bed...about 8:30pm or so...that is a normal day...but for a day like today...I got up at 6am and ate a banana...I have had tea... will have more tea...it is 10:30am and I am deciding between lunch and breakfast...I will eat again at 4:30pm and then when I get home from work at 8pm I will want to eat again. I will spend most of the day hungry. Thankfully I have placed grapes and cheese sticks at work...for snacks. But...all day I will be tempted with wanting to eat more.

Yesterday I did pretty good...tea in the AM with some honey nut cheerios...tomato soup and crackers for lunch along with an applesauce. My snack was water, crackers and mini oreo cakes (100 cal pack). More tea...and then a beef pot pie for dinner and hot chocolate with marshmallows for night snack...pretty good right?

I am very curious about weigh in this week...I haven't weighed for two weeks...I had at least TWO meals that were BAD! And if I maintain, I will be okay...if I lose, I will be okay...if I gain, I think I will cry...and then proceed to eat some crap...I really need to find a better way to deal with the guilt of doing poorly at weight loss...often I am my own worst enemy!

My last week and TRAVEL...

So last week I think I did pretty good. I had a couple days that could have been better...but I can't dwell on that! Of course I didn't weigh in...I was out of town TRAVELING...I think to anyone who is struggling with weight loss or trying to lose weight, TRAVEL is just hard. It is harder to control what/when you eat. It is harder to say no...you want road food! Fast food is pretty decent with choices, salads and all...but when you are on the road you want junk! At least I do. I am not sure how the weekend went. I packed food for the road, carrots, hummus, apples, a 100 cal coke, mini musketeers, cheese sticks, etc. But Friday I had chocolate milk and a banana...ate a Jr whopper with cheese and cheesy tots with a HUGE coke at lunch. Still reeling from that I ate a pack of ho hos...and then walked a mile uphill...Multnomath Falls...great trail...and the whole time I was moaning about my ridiculous fast food intake! That night I had a steak dinner...it was YUMMY. Saturday I was more reasonable...with a hot chocolate and banana for breakfast, a baked potato smothered in mushrooms for lunch, but dinner...well let's just say it was the one I went to bed feeling a little ill. Yesterday I did pretty good. I tried to pack snacks...and try not to eat WAY off track. But the reality of the situation is that it is MONDAY...I am back at home, and I need to get back on track! I am not sure what I will have today. I need to hit the grocery store. I do know I am going out to eat tonight! So I will need to plan my day accordingly!

What is your travel challenge? How do you deal with it? Any tips for me?

How did I do?

I forgot to mention that my best intentions on Sunday...failed miserably! UGH! So I had my low point breakfast...drank water...and had a baked potato with turkey and cheese for lunch...shared a berry cobbler with two other people (served in a small ramekin) and had some lemonade. I did get a chocolate truffle...got home and decided on popcorn and wine for dinner...all perfectly fine, right? Next thing I know I have made myself this microwaved cheese thing...with a tortilla, just ate some cheese...and then a little bowl of marshmallows and chocolate chips...UGH! I did do some walking yesterday, does that count? What is wrong with me sometimes? Anyway, this is how it all happens...best of intentions...and then all of it goes right out the window...but I woke up today determined to not let it get me down.

Oh, almost forgot, made some YUMMY WW cupcakes with a cake mix and pumpkin...really really good!

Chili Today!

It is a perfect time for chili! I love chili...and can eat it all week if I need to/want to. My recipe is there is no recipe. For this batch today...I browned a pound of ground beef (15% FAT)with some purple onion, and added garlic garlic, onion onion and some Northwest Fire seasoning. To that, in a crockpot I added one red pepper, one large fresh tomato, some leftover grape tomatoes, a zucchini, 6 cloves of garlic, a can of low sodium black beans, two cans of fire roasted tomatoes with garlic, Wahoo Chili Seasoning, and some Red Hot sauce...and I cooked it on low for 9 hours. YUM! Once in the bowl I added a 1/4 cup 2% sharp cheddar and a tbsp of light sour cream. Could not have tasted better. Every time I make chili I do something a little different...you need to have tomatoes, beans and garlic...but aside from that it is best made to taste. It can be vegetarian, vegan, use turkey instead or you can add a combination of meat. I have found it to be one of my favorite low point meals that really satisfies. Of course I ate some dessert pears and added a glass of syrah...but basically that was it! YUMMY! Now I have enough for me to eat all week long. I recommend this for fall or winter days when you need something comforting!

Weigh in Day...and a promise to myself

So Saturday I weighed in and I was 191 lbs. EEK, how is that even possible???? Of course I already knew that...if you check my first post, that is what I weighed at the doctors. So...no big surprise I guess. I thought, cool, no more gain since Sept. 24th at the docs...so that is a good thing! But...I had been down to 183 a mere 8 lbs from my goal on April 14th of this year....I gained and got back down to 183 on June 27th....and then went up from there, with the most drastic happening between August 15th and Oct 3rd. But...as the person who weighed me said in Weight Watchers...think of this as the FIRST day of your weight loss...track and read over book one...remember what it was like for it to be the first time...not dwell on what has happened. She couldn't be more right! So...I stayed for the meeting which was about emotional eating...and then went home resolved to do better.

Saturday was the last day I would be able to attend the Liberty Lake Farmer's Market...so I got a pain au chocolat, a fresh mushroom pizza, fruits and veggies for my story time kids...and a couple pot pies. The pain au chocolat I shared at work, as I also shared the pizza...okay, not the best for Weight Watchers. But I decided that Saturday would be my day to be a little less stringent...but the rest of the week I need to be SPOT ON!! I finished out Saturday pretty well...I tracked my food, every bite! I won't bore you with details...

Today...I am having a banana, tea, and yogurt for breakfast. I do plan to eat out for lunch...but tonight I plan to eat in and eat healthy! So I hope to stay in my points for today! No extras! I am also shopping for clothes...which may be depressing because the size that I was going into may not fit as well...UGH! But I resolve not to backslide and because of that fact, eat more! Not today! I will let you know how that goes!

So I promise to keep on track...track my every bite...make sure I get 20 minutes of some sort of exercise per day this week and see how it all works out! Wish me luck!

Lee Denim Day

Today for Breast Cancer Awareness my co-workers and I wore jeans and pink...I plan to donate money to the cause in our names. I know there are a lot of people out there who have been touched in some way by Breast Cancer...so, get your checkups! Hug those you love...and let's try to do something to make a difference!

October 1st

I didn't list my food yesterday...and I really don't think I could accurately recall what I ate down to the last bite...I do know that it included some awesome Wheat thins...white cheddar flavored, and a piece of candy...some bread and hummus...but really I can't get through the whole day. I promise to do better all day today...of course I started the morning with hot chocolate and an egg mcmuffin...the good news is I ate this at 7:45am and now...nearly 10:30am I am NOT HUNGRY...of course I need to eat soon...because the day only gets nuttier from here. This is an example of a day where eating and my schedule are COMPLETELY out of whack! I work 12-3pm, turn around and go to class from 4-5:50pm and then 6-9:40pm. I can either plan my snacks or am at the mercy of what I can find between home and school...last week I did well with planning and packing. I plan to do the same today...hummus and pita, carrots, and an apple...hopefully the instructor won't talk about Mc Donald's like she did Tuesday...I was CRAVING McDonald's after the lecture...but managed to go home and have something at home. Regardless, it is days like today that make things challenging! Do you have any tips for me?