I know that whenever I notice that a weightloss blogger hasn't posted in several days, I am immediately concerned that they are "off their game" and struggling. I haven't posted for 6 days, but I want to assure you that this is not the case with me. I'm doing fantastic. We were away for the weekend camping and I stuck to my plan the entire time! I weighed in this morning and was down to 131.4 (SO CLOSE TO GOAL!!)
Something else I did this weekend is clean out my closet and throw out all my ill-fitting clothes. I've lost weight countless times before and this is something that I have never done. Maybe I just never had the confidence in myself to take that step.
This time, however, I have thrown out (or donated) every piece of clothing in my closet that is currently too big. Yes, I realize that if I gain weight back, I will have nothing to wear, and I will have the most unpleasant task of having to go clothes shopping at a bigger size. But that is a risk that I am willing to take, because I truly believe (for the first time) that this isn't going to happen to me again!
I did hesitate a little about this because even my husband, as supportive as he is, was dubious about me throwing out all the "big" stuff. I found this a little upsetting... "he doesn't think I can do it". But in his defense, I have a really crappy track record! So, I'm not going to let his doubt get me down, no, I'm going to use it to fuel my determination. I'll show him!!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Day 99 - Movie Snacks (or not)
Last night, I went to see The Time Travellers Wife with some girlfriends. I was a little nervous because the last time I went to see a movie with them, I ate almost a huge bag of movie popcorn by myself (YIKES). So this time, I saved a few calories and snuck a little paper bag with 30g of microwave popcorn into the theatre.
Then, neither of my girlfriends bought anything to eat at the theatre, and I didn't want to be rude and get out my popcorn when they had nothing (and I didn't bring enough to share)... so it sat in my purse. I ate it when I got home though at about 10pm, I wouldn't normally eat that late, but I saved the calories and I just WANTED it.
I really like those blogs where people show pictures of what they eat everyday. I don't think I will do that all the time, it would be too boring (I tend to eat a lot of the same things over and over). But here is a picture of my dinner last night. I ate on my own before the family because of the movie, so I took the opportunity to have some french toast again.
Then, neither of my girlfriends bought anything to eat at the theatre, and I didn't want to be rude and get out my popcorn when they had nothing (and I didn't bring enough to share)... so it sat in my purse. I ate it when I got home though at about 10pm, I wouldn't normally eat that late, but I saved the calories and I just WANTED it.
I really like those blogs where people show pictures of what they eat everyday. I don't think I will do that all the time, it would be too boring (I tend to eat a lot of the same things over and over). But here is a picture of my dinner last night. I ate on my own before the family because of the movie, so I took the opportunity to have some french toast again.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Day 96 - My Arms
What's your favorite body part? The part that you are most proud of?
I am really proud of my ... arms (at the moment, anyway... lol)
I work really hard on my arms. I lift heavy weights and I can do lots of "men's pushups". In the summer I love to wear sleeveless tops. Sadly, the definition in my arms is probably one of the first things that I lose when I gain a little weight. And it is the part of me that I use to judge whether I am happy with where I am, weight-wise. Picture me standing in front of the mirror in the morning, flexing my muscles (yes, women do that too!!!). Even 10 pounds can make a pretty big difference in my arms. I am pretty satisfied with how they look right now.
And so, without further ado... I'd like to indroduce my arms... say "Hi" to Betty and Wilma. OK, ha ha, I'm just kidding, I haven't named them... YET...
(Gosh that Birthday cake must have been really HEAVY!)
Yesterday, I had a good day. I made a Tomato and Basil Pizza on a whole wheat pita pocket for dinner. Since I didn't put meat on it, I had calories to spare and I was able to put LOTS of cheese (yum). I spread 28g (1 oz) of goat cheese on the pita, sprinkle some basil, add sliced tomato and then 15g of grated parmesan. Then I broil it until is all bubbly. All that for only 277 calories! Delish!
I am really proud of my ... arms (at the moment, anyway... lol)
I work really hard on my arms. I lift heavy weights and I can do lots of "men's pushups". In the summer I love to wear sleeveless tops. Sadly, the definition in my arms is probably one of the first things that I lose when I gain a little weight. And it is the part of me that I use to judge whether I am happy with where I am, weight-wise. Picture me standing in front of the mirror in the morning, flexing my muscles (yes, women do that too!!!). Even 10 pounds can make a pretty big difference in my arms. I am pretty satisfied with how they look right now.
And so, without further ado... I'd like to indroduce my arms... say "Hi" to Betty and Wilma. OK, ha ha, I'm just kidding, I haven't named them... YET...
(Gosh that Birthday cake must have been really HEAVY!)
Yesterday, I had a good day. I made a Tomato and Basil Pizza on a whole wheat pita pocket for dinner. Since I didn't put meat on it, I had calories to spare and I was able to put LOTS of cheese (yum). I spread 28g (1 oz) of goat cheese on the pita, sprinkle some basil, add sliced tomato and then 15g of grated parmesan. Then I broil it until is all bubbly. All that for only 277 calories! Delish!
Monday, August 24, 2009
Day 98 - Dealing with Setbacks
One of the most challenging aspects of weight loss and weight management for me has always been dealing with setbacks. When I have setbacks, like I did this past week, I get mad... mad at the unfairness of "never being able to have any treats without gaining weight".
This is something that I am learning to deal with a little better. Overall, I had a good week last week. I ate on plan every single meal with the exception of TWO. My birthday dinner on Thursday night, and Friday night (I went out after work with coworkers and had three beers and an individual sized vegetarian pizza). Saturday and Sunday I was back on track. Sunday, I ate a little more than usual (1600 calories) but I did an 18km run (2 hours and 2 minutes of running!) in the morning, so I needed those extra calories.
This morning's weigh in? 135.0! Up 1.2 pounds from last Monday. CRAP!
I know I ate two REALLY REALLY bad dinners. But I was pretty honest when I estimated the calories (I logged 1100 for that pizza, to be on the safe side). But, even with bad factored in, last week my daily average calorie intake was 1788. Is that really enought to gain 1.2 lbs? Does that mean I can NEVER eat 1800 calories per day without gaining weight? Even with all my running? I ran 18km yesterday!! And I was still up 1.2lbs? Hello? Metabolism? Where are you? Have you deserted me in my time of need???
I could let myself get really upset about this. Or, I could just shrug it off and keep going. So, I'll maybe take an extra two weeks to get to my goal weight now... but really, where's the rush? This is a lifelong project.
This is something that I am learning to deal with a little better. Overall, I had a good week last week. I ate on plan every single meal with the exception of TWO. My birthday dinner on Thursday night, and Friday night (I went out after work with coworkers and had three beers and an individual sized vegetarian pizza). Saturday and Sunday I was back on track. Sunday, I ate a little more than usual (1600 calories) but I did an 18km run (2 hours and 2 minutes of running!) in the morning, so I needed those extra calories.
This morning's weigh in? 135.0! Up 1.2 pounds from last Monday. CRAP!
I know I ate two REALLY REALLY bad dinners. But I was pretty honest when I estimated the calories (I logged 1100 for that pizza, to be on the safe side). But, even with bad factored in, last week my daily average calorie intake was 1788. Is that really enought to gain 1.2 lbs? Does that mean I can NEVER eat 1800 calories per day without gaining weight? Even with all my running? I ran 18km yesterday!! And I was still up 1.2lbs? Hello? Metabolism? Where are you? Have you deserted me in my time of need???
I could let myself get really upset about this. Or, I could just shrug it off and keep going. So, I'll maybe take an extra two weeks to get to my goal weight now... but really, where's the rush? This is a lifelong project.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Day 95 - Birthday Dinner Confession
This is pretty funny, but I think I spent nearly as much time trying to calculate the calories of everything that I ate for my Birthday Dinner as I did actually EATING it!!
I am pleased to report that I followed my plan exactly. I ate my regular breakfast and lunch, I went for a run. I was famished when I got back from run so I ate a green pepper (yes a whole green pepper) and a half a banana to tide me over, since dinner wasn't until 7pm.
At dinner, I ordered what I wanted. It was a high calorie dinner and I overate, for sure, but I don't feel bad or guilty about it because I don't consider it a "binge". Since it was a fancy restaurant, the portion sizes were pretty small. I really had to just "guess" a lot of the calories, so I could be off (who knows).
I had 3 glasses of red wine, some popcorn that they bring to the table when you sit down, a dinner roll with butter (YUM), and some seafood ceviche with about 6 plaintain chips. For my main course I had grilled guinea fowl (with skin and BBQ sauce), it came with a "potato risotto" which was sort of like a hot potato salad and steamed spinach. For dessert I had Jamaican Rum Bread Pudding with Ice Cream and caramel sauce.
I was very proud of my kids, they split an order of Rabbit Fricasse and ate it all (I didn't lie and tell them it was "chicken", either!!). I tried bites of everyone elses dinners and desserts, but I didn't log them, since I gave them bites of mine in exchange, and I figure that's probably a "wash"...
I felt really full after dinner, and I actually wasn't even hungry for breakfast this morning (but I ate it anyway)... I was also up 2lbs (but that will go away fast, I'm sure)...
Here's what it looked like... be prepared for sticker shock!!!! It's always a little surprising how fast those calories add up! And this was a fairly healthy meal in a fancy restaurant (e.g. no deep frying)...
I am pleased to report that I followed my plan exactly. I ate my regular breakfast and lunch, I went for a run. I was famished when I got back from run so I ate a green pepper (yes a whole green pepper) and a half a banana to tide me over, since dinner wasn't until 7pm.
At dinner, I ordered what I wanted. It was a high calorie dinner and I overate, for sure, but I don't feel bad or guilty about it because I don't consider it a "binge". Since it was a fancy restaurant, the portion sizes were pretty small. I really had to just "guess" a lot of the calories, so I could be off (who knows).
I had 3 glasses of red wine, some popcorn that they bring to the table when you sit down, a dinner roll with butter (YUM), and some seafood ceviche with about 6 plaintain chips. For my main course I had grilled guinea fowl (with skin and BBQ sauce), it came with a "potato risotto" which was sort of like a hot potato salad and steamed spinach. For dessert I had Jamaican Rum Bread Pudding with Ice Cream and caramel sauce.
I was very proud of my kids, they split an order of Rabbit Fricasse and ate it all (I didn't lie and tell them it was "chicken", either!!). I tried bites of everyone elses dinners and desserts, but I didn't log them, since I gave them bites of mine in exchange, and I figure that's probably a "wash"...
I felt really full after dinner, and I actually wasn't even hungry for breakfast this morning (but I ate it anyway)... I was also up 2lbs (but that will go away fast, I'm sure)...
Here's what it looked like... be prepared for sticker shock!!!! It's always a little surprising how fast those calories add up! And this was a fairly healthy meal in a fancy restaurant (e.g. no deep frying)...
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Day 94 - It's my Birthday and I'll Binge if I want to...
KIDDING!!!
In my post yesterday, I wrote about getting a little crazy with my eating last year on my birthday (OK, a LOT crazy). I used my birthday to rationalize some very unhealthy choices, and I ended up not enjoying my food as much as I would have otherwise. I also wrote about how I wasn't going to do the same thing this year...
And I won't. BUT. Here is something else that I am not going to do.... I'm not going to restrict myself to the point that I feel deprived on my birthday.
So, I have a plan (it's all about planning, BABY!). I am going to eat the exact same breakfast and lunch as I do everyday... my coworkers have already offered to take me out to lunch, and I said "no thanks! I am going out for a special dinner tonight, and I want to save myself for that. Thanks for the offer though!"... and they said "BOOO! You're no fun". And maybe they're right, but if I'm going to be "boring"... I am at least going to be "thin and boring!!". HA!
After work, I am going out for a 10km run (which will burn in the area of 600-700 calories) and then I am going to order whatever I want for dinner. An appetizer and a main course, and possibly even a dessert if I still have room. The fancy dinner will be my ONLY splurge for the day, and not an excuse to say "oh well, today is already messed up"... I think that's a good compromise!
We are going to an aboriginal bistro... they have lots of interesting things like boar bacon, and bison... I'll report tomorrow about what I chose...
I had a good day yesterday. I had grilled salmon and veggies for dinner, which ended up being lower in calories than my usual dinner... but it was great because I had room for a nice snack when I got back from my 7km run...
In my post yesterday, I wrote about getting a little crazy with my eating last year on my birthday (OK, a LOT crazy). I used my birthday to rationalize some very unhealthy choices, and I ended up not enjoying my food as much as I would have otherwise. I also wrote about how I wasn't going to do the same thing this year...
And I won't. BUT. Here is something else that I am not going to do.... I'm not going to restrict myself to the point that I feel deprived on my birthday.
So, I have a plan (it's all about planning, BABY!). I am going to eat the exact same breakfast and lunch as I do everyday... my coworkers have already offered to take me out to lunch, and I said "no thanks! I am going out for a special dinner tonight, and I want to save myself for that. Thanks for the offer though!"... and they said "BOOO! You're no fun". And maybe they're right, but if I'm going to be "boring"... I am at least going to be "thin and boring!!". HA!
After work, I am going out for a 10km run (which will burn in the area of 600-700 calories) and then I am going to order whatever I want for dinner. An appetizer and a main course, and possibly even a dessert if I still have room. The fancy dinner will be my ONLY splurge for the day, and not an excuse to say "oh well, today is already messed up"... I think that's a good compromise!
We are going to an aboriginal bistro... they have lots of interesting things like boar bacon, and bison... I'll report tomorrow about what I chose...
I had a good day yesterday. I had grilled salmon and veggies for dinner, which ended up being lower in calories than my usual dinner... but it was great because I had room for a nice snack when I got back from my 7km run...
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Day 93 - This Time Last Year
Let me talk a little about this time last year...
It was my birthday. I had just reached my goal weight (actually I was three pounds below my goal weight at 127). It was my birthday (did I mention that already?)
It all started the night before, when my Husband suggested that we go out for breakfast on my birthday as a treat. We'd drop the kids at daycare, have a nice quiet breakfast alone and go into work a bit late. Sure! Why not, that sounds like a treat I could tolerate now that I'd reached my goal weight (with a few buffer pounds to spare).
So we went out for breakfast. I ordered the hungry man special (HEY, it was my birthday!!) It was a full bacon, sausage and egg breakfast with homefries and french toast on the side. It was WAY too much food, but it was delicious and I fully enjoyed every single bite.
I went to work, and at some point in the morning, one of my coworkers suggested that they take me out for lunch to celebrate my birthday. Sure! That would be great, but they weren't free for lunch until about 1pm... I'm use to eating lunch as noon on the dot, so I better have a snack, right?? Besides, it's my birthday! So, I ran over to the coffee shop next door and I ordered a fresh cup of coffee and a raisin, cinnamon fritter... one of my absolute favorites (which I hadn't enjoyed in MONTHS and today is a right off anyway... right??). The fritter was huge - way too big for one person, but I ate it all and enjoyed every single bite.
For lunch, my co-workers took me to my favorite Lebanese greasy spoon. I ordered the combo plate with "extra sauce" (it was my birthday, blah blah). The combo plate consisted of a huge pile of greasy rice pilaf (seriously there was grease pooled under it), chicken and beef strips, a fattoush salad, pita bread, and garlic sauce (basically a full fat garlic mayo to dip everything into). Since I asked for extra sauce, I probably had around a 1/4 cup of mayo... it was delicious and I enjoyed every single bite...
For an afternoon snack I had come chocolate pecan bark that had been stashed in my desk drawer (it had been there for months, but I hadn't eaten it because I was being "good", I guess I should have thrown it out). I wasn't even close to hungry, but it was my birthday, and the day was already completely messed up!! Right?
Did I mention that we had dinner reservations for my special birthday dinner? Reservations that we had made a month in advance to go with my parents for a birthday treat at one of my favorite fancy italian restaurants?
Well by the time I left work at 4pm, I was feeling horrible. I was bloated and my tummy actually HURT! Our reservations were for 6:30pm...I was hoping that 2.5 hours would be enough time to work up my appetite a bit so I could eat my dinner! My new size 6 skirt that I planned to wear felt tight on my bloated belly... so I was uncomfortable the whole evening.
I didn't want to admit to any of my family about how much I had eaten that day (my husband only knew about the breakfast... and HE skipped lunch, because he was "still full at noon"... boy I wanted to punch him in the nose when he said that... but truthfully I was mad at myself, not at him)...
So, I ordered an appetizer (can't remember what), a full meal (veal gorgonzola), and tiramisu for dessert. I had to force most of it down, and I didn't enjoy ONE SINGLE BITE. I was in agony.
This was the beginning of the end... I was afraid to weigh myself after that, had a disastrous binge-filled business trip the very next week and by Christmas I had gained all my weigh back...
I am telling this story because tomorrow is my birthday and we are going out for my annual traditional birthday dinner to a fancy restaurant with my parents. This year, I resolve to do things differently....
Had a good day yesterday, and lifted weights for an hour and got in a fast 5km run...
It was my birthday. I had just reached my goal weight (actually I was three pounds below my goal weight at 127). It was my birthday (did I mention that already?)
It all started the night before, when my Husband suggested that we go out for breakfast on my birthday as a treat. We'd drop the kids at daycare, have a nice quiet breakfast alone and go into work a bit late. Sure! Why not, that sounds like a treat I could tolerate now that I'd reached my goal weight (with a few buffer pounds to spare).
So we went out for breakfast. I ordered the hungry man special (HEY, it was my birthday!!) It was a full bacon, sausage and egg breakfast with homefries and french toast on the side. It was WAY too much food, but it was delicious and I fully enjoyed every single bite.
I went to work, and at some point in the morning, one of my coworkers suggested that they take me out for lunch to celebrate my birthday. Sure! That would be great, but they weren't free for lunch until about 1pm... I'm use to eating lunch as noon on the dot, so I better have a snack, right?? Besides, it's my birthday! So, I ran over to the coffee shop next door and I ordered a fresh cup of coffee and a raisin, cinnamon fritter... one of my absolute favorites (which I hadn't enjoyed in MONTHS and today is a right off anyway... right??). The fritter was huge - way too big for one person, but I ate it all and enjoyed every single bite.
For lunch, my co-workers took me to my favorite Lebanese greasy spoon. I ordered the combo plate with "extra sauce" (it was my birthday, blah blah). The combo plate consisted of a huge pile of greasy rice pilaf (seriously there was grease pooled under it), chicken and beef strips, a fattoush salad, pita bread, and garlic sauce (basically a full fat garlic mayo to dip everything into). Since I asked for extra sauce, I probably had around a 1/4 cup of mayo... it was delicious and I enjoyed every single bite...
For an afternoon snack I had come chocolate pecan bark that had been stashed in my desk drawer (it had been there for months, but I hadn't eaten it because I was being "good", I guess I should have thrown it out). I wasn't even close to hungry, but it was my birthday, and the day was already completely messed up!! Right?
Did I mention that we had dinner reservations for my special birthday dinner? Reservations that we had made a month in advance to go with my parents for a birthday treat at one of my favorite fancy italian restaurants?
Well by the time I left work at 4pm, I was feeling horrible. I was bloated and my tummy actually HURT! Our reservations were for 6:30pm...I was hoping that 2.5 hours would be enough time to work up my appetite a bit so I could eat my dinner! My new size 6 skirt that I planned to wear felt tight on my bloated belly... so I was uncomfortable the whole evening.
I didn't want to admit to any of my family about how much I had eaten that day (my husband only knew about the breakfast... and HE skipped lunch, because he was "still full at noon"... boy I wanted to punch him in the nose when he said that... but truthfully I was mad at myself, not at him)...
So, I ordered an appetizer (can't remember what), a full meal (veal gorgonzola), and tiramisu for dessert. I had to force most of it down, and I didn't enjoy ONE SINGLE BITE. I was in agony.
This was the beginning of the end... I was afraid to weigh myself after that, had a disastrous binge-filled business trip the very next week and by Christmas I had gained all my weigh back...
I am telling this story because tomorrow is my birthday and we are going out for my annual traditional birthday dinner to a fancy restaurant with my parents. This year, I resolve to do things differently....
Had a good day yesterday, and lifted weights for an hour and got in a fast 5km run...
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