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!