Weigh In

Weigh In went well this morning. I weighed in at 150.6lbs, which is a 2.4lb loss from last week, and I hit my 10% again! Woo Hoo!

Good News

Good News on a couple different fronts. One, I stepped on the scale this morning and it said 150.0lbs....so, that's a three pound loss from last week, and oh-so close to being in the 140's again. I'm not really expecting to be in the 140's for weigh in tomorrow, but knowing that I'm getting closer, that's making me happy. Hopefully I can see them next week! Plus it's a little extra incentive to be good this weekend.

But being good this weekend just got increasingly easier, haha. I decided on Saturday Morning to go with my youngest brother to Drummond Island, where he is planning on spending all day saturday playing with his Jeep, which he's spent about the past year building, hoping to make magazine covers with it. It's going to be fun, and best of all, I'll only have what I bring to eat, so no temptation. I guess we are going to be meeting some of his buddies for breakfast when we get there, but I will just have my cup of coffee, and eat what I bring before or after. So that's exciting.

I promise to take some pictures, because the island is suppose to be gorgeous. For those of you not in Michigan (or familiar with Michigan for that matter), I am going to be heading to my parents place, which is about 3.5 hours straight north of where I live on Friday night, and then Saturday morning, we'll be heading farther north (about 2.5 hours) over the Mackinac Bridge and into the UP, and then we will have to take a ferry to the island. It's quite an adventure, but for those of you who have never been to Northern Michigan, or the Upper Peninsula (the U.P. as we call it), you should think about taking a vacation up there sometime, it's like nothing you will ever see, I promise that.

Other than that, good eating day today, although I'm still fighting the cold/allergy thing, so it's wearing me out. But it finally cooled off, and today it only got up to about 75 outside...NICE! And Saturday on the island it's going to only be 68! Perfect weather for me!

Anyways, I promise lots of pictures. I hope everyone is have a great healthy day!

And the Rain Man Came

Finally! Relief. It's been really really dry around here now for about the last month, and needless to say, we've needed rain. Well as I speak it's raining, which is great news for my garden, my lawn and the farmers in the neighborhood. Plus, up until about 1 hour ago, it was 88 and humid outside, now my computer says its 76, much needed.

I think I've decided I am going to head up north to my parents cottage this weekend. Now this is the first time I've done this since I started on Weight Watchers in January (snow just wasn't good this year!), so I've been thinking about how I was going to tackle the food situation. Now my mom, being the sweet lady she is, has always had a ready supply of junk food at both houses (here and up north), which is great for those who want to eat that junk, not so great for me who wants to avoid it. So I decided to basically pack two days worth of snacks and take them with me. I know it's rude to go to someone's house, and bring a full cooler of your own stuff, but I don't want to go off program for two days and see a gain, not going to happen.

So I will leave Friday Night after work, and I have enough point-friendly snacks to fill the rest of my day and then Saturday I have all my snacks, and my lunch planned, dinner will be the only thing I will eat what they are eating (which will probably be an Italian restaurant in town). I left 12 points for dinner that night, figuring that a spaghetti and marinara dish cannot be more than that. I'm just going to have to wing dinner, but I think I will be ok. Then I got Breakfast, Snacks and Lunch for Sunday, and I'll be home by dinner. So hopefully all will be good :)

Other than that, the scale is still holding steady (although not breaking the 150 mark...grr), but past my 10% mark once again, yay! Hopefully it stays happy for Friday's Official Weigh In.

Well that's it for the updates today, hopefully everyone is having a great and healthy day.

A Quote to think about:

"The life that conquers is the life that moves with a steady
resolution and persistence toward a predetermined goal. Those who
succeed are those who have thoroughly learned the immense importance
of plan in life, and the tragic brevity of time."

-- W.J. Davison

Tuesday Update.

All is quiet here in Michigan. Hotter than Hell, but quiet! My weather bug on my computer says 91 and feels like 94, just plain old yuck. But I still subscribe to the idea that the heat does not seem to bother me nearly as bad now that I'm 15lbs lighter. It's amazing what 15lbs can do.

I tried to take the dog out for a walk last night, and I made it around the block (which is about a mile) but no further. The poor little guy was dying of heat stroke, and I just didn't feel good. But at least I got out and walked (or attempted too!).

I've been fighting a cold/allergies for the past couple days. I've just had a miserable sinus headache. It sucks. I guess I've never really explained it on here, I have pretty serious, chronic allergies. Mainly to dust, but also to seasonal things. I've had nose surgery to work on my sinuses because they are screwed up, I get shots once a week and I take a pretty wide array of meds, but it doesn't stop times like this where I get congested and my head hurts for days on end. Over the years I've suffered with it, I've really gotten used to it, but there are still somedays where the headaches bother me bad, and wear me down....today is one of those days.

Weight Loss-wise everything has been going good. I've been eating earlier in the day, starting with a snack at 830 in the morning, and then trying to eat every two hours thereafter. It's working well. I've been sticking mainly to fruits and veggies and snacks, which is good, cause this time of year, around here we have so much fresh stuff readily available.

I have been weighing myself everyday, and I think it's helping keep me on track for the time being. I don't think in the long run I will continue to do it. But I can see how my body fluctuates during the week. It will also give me a good idea of where to set my "weight range" for when I finally do make it to maintenance. As of right now, I'm down from last week, so that makes me happy. I still would love to weigh in below that 150 mark this week, although I haven't seen it yet. The 140's are taunting me, I want to get there dammit!

Once again, thanks to everyone who leaves kind words and encouragement, I still wouldn't be trucking along without you guys! Thanks!

Hope everyone is having a great day, and a healthy day at that :)

Happy Monday

The weekend was a good weekend. Busy, but good nonetheless. Saturday as you seen from my post on Saturday was busy, busy! and Sunday was nothing to shake a stick at. I got up in the morning and took Duke for a hike, and then came home, got some stuff done and went over to my parents. When I was there I worked on my garden quite a bit more, and earned me some Activity Points. We ate dinner (they ate grilled fatty hamburgers, hot dogs and sausage), me on the other hand, I bought my own 98% Fat Free Oscar Mayer Dogs and Light Buns! So I enjoyed them throughly. I ate a TON of Fruit and Veggies when I was over there, and tried to count them as well as I could, but I wasn't measuring them out, so I don't know if I was totally accurate with the fruit and veggie points, but I tried.

I decided that this week I was going to 1. Weigh myself everyday and 2. Not count calories per point and that.

I want to weigh myself everyday just see how much my weigh varies, and hopefully I won't be surprised anything on Friday Weigh In. I've seen a good drop in water weight from last weeks weigh in, and that makes me happy.

I'm not counting calories per point anymore. When I started doing that, I realized that I wasn't trusting the WW system. As long as I'm accurately recording what I'm eating, the point will get me to lose pounds. I truthfully think my body had been in starvation mode. Typically in the summer time I lose weight as it is, because I eat less and I don't sit still. So I think the combo of my leaner eating now, and the not sitting still part sent me body into starvation mode. So hence the plan of eating activity points, and letting weight watchers do it's thing. It will work.

The eating breakfast thing has been going good so far. I don't seem to be terribly hungry in the morning even after eating breakfast, which was my concern. Hopefully it will help boost the metabolism a little earlier in the day.

I got a few new things to try this week. First I got the Kellogg's All Bran Bars. They are really good, only 2 points per bar, and I think they are pretty darn good sized compared to some other bars (I'm not a big bar eater, I think they are a rip-off most of the time!). I also got these Light Flat-Out Wraps. I used to eat the normal ones long ago, but was excited to see they had light ones, and best of all, they are huge, and they are only 1 point! Yay! I'm trying my first one today at lunch. I'll keep ya posted :)

Alright, that's it for me today! Hope everyone is having a great day!

A good Saturday

So I started the day off on a good foot. I jumped on the scale first thing, and I was 1.4lbs lighter than yesterday, which would mean a .2 loss from the week before. God the scale can frustrate me sometimes.

Today was busy, I started off the day by going down to the farmers market in Ann Arbor, and then picking up all my veggies and fruits for the week on the way home. Its amazing how much money eating right can cost. It was much cheaper to eat bags of ruffles at 2 for $4.

Then I ate lunch, picked some strawberries, froze those, a friend stopped by for a bit, went to church with mom and dad, went grocery shopping, went for a hike with the dog, and then came home. Needless to say I'm whopped.

I'm not going to post a menu, but I earned 5 activity points today, and I ate them all. So I ate 27 points today.

Anyways, I hope everyone is having a great weekend. I'm off to bed I think!

Some Things to "Change it up"

First of all, thank you to those of you who commented on my post this morning. It means the world to me to have people out there who understand what I'm going through, and what it feels like. I probably would've thrown in the towel long ago if it wasn't for you guys.

So, I have a couple new ideas for this week to try (I am going to run out sooner or later!).

First, I never eat breakfast, or snacks in the morning. This morning I started. I ate at 830 and 1030 this morning. Surprisingly it didn't seem to make me crazy hungry. Usually when I would eat before lunch I would starve up til lunch. I am hoping this helps kick up my metabolism earlier as suggested by Amanda. Hopefully this helps :)

Also, I'm going to cut back my level of activity this week. Instead of the long Rollerblading sessions I'm just going to walk this week. Instead of 2 Rollerblading sessions, and 3 walks, I'm just going to try to hit three walks.

I'm also going to try eating half of my activity points. I really seem to think this is stemming from me not eating enough, and working too hard. Because I haven't lost weight since the weather turned. And Since the weather turned, I haven't slowed down. Between gardening, canning, picking fruit, rollerblading, biking, walking and all the other activities I'm constantly on the move...hence I think I'm not eating enough. So I am still going to stay active, but just not quite as much.

Also, I know its nothing I have control over, but TOM will be along this weekend, I'll drop that water weight, and I'm desperately trying to get rid of this cold I've been fighting (and drinking a ton of extra water trying to flush out of my body).

And last but not least, I'm going to continue to eat the awesome foods I have been. I did some research on fruits and veggies and other healthy 1 and 2 point snacks ( I can post this if anyone is interested), and I'm going to incorporate these into my diet. So essentially I'm going to eat a BUNCH of core foods, but be on flex. If that makes sense. Plus I have some totally yummy meals planned for next week!

So there is my plan, I just hope I see a loss next week. I know I'm feeling better, and my clothes are fitting great, I just wish the scale would echo that.

Hope everyone has a great weekend!

I'm struggling

I'm struggling, I am really am. Just to keep my head in the game. After this week, of knowing I did everything great, ate well, got activity in, I saw a 1.2lb gain this morning on the scale. I'm so frustrated beyond belief, and I've never felt once through this journey like just throwing in the towel, but I'm there right now. Why is it that when I work my ass off like I did this week I gain, but earlier in the game, I sat around was lazy, and ate crappier stuff a lost?

I opened my email this morning, and found this quote in my daily "positive thinking quote" email:

Whether you believe you can do a thing or not, you are right.

-- Henry Ford (1863-1947) American Industrialist

So he's right, whether I think I can be 140lbs or I think I can't get there. I'm right. I think I can get there....I know I can get there. Does that make me right? Sure doesn't feel like it right now.

Menu 6/20/07

I ended up getting in my whole walking time today, even though I desperately just wanted to lay on the couch when I got home. I walked just over an hour, and got in 3.5 miles. My totals for work-outs this week (according to my SparkPeople Tracker) are as follows:

Calories Burned: 1640
Miles: 23.3

The was I have it figured, even if i ate 1500 calories tomorrow (which is a heavy day for me), I have enough of a deficit to lose 1.2lbs this week, although like I said before, I dont think the scale will show that due to water retention.

BUT, at least I met my goals this week, that makes me feel great.

I ate 22 of 22 points today, and averaged 67 calories per point. Here was my menu.

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
142 oz water	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
Mexican Pork Stew	4
4 oz carrot(s)	0.5
6 1/2 oz strawberries	0.5
Subtotal	5
Evening
1 cup Go Lean Cereal	2
6 oz Peach Yogurt	1
6 oz cooked cauliflower	0
tuna salad	3
Onion Western Bagel	1
2 slice light whole wheat bread	1
1/2 cup Low-Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese	2
6 oz pear(s)	1
Subtotal	11
Snacks
Hersheys Syrup 1/2 Tbsp	0.5
1 tsp Jif Peanut Butter	1
Breyers FF Ice Cream	1
Jam - Quick-added food	0.5
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
Subtotal	6
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
62 min walking, leisure	2
Activity POINTS values earned	2

Bah

I think Jodi gave me her cold! I woke up feeling ok, but has that feeling in the back of my throat like I might be getting a touch of something. Sure enough as the day goes on, I'm getting a little congested, with a little bit of a headache, yuck. I pray it's just allergies, and not a summer cold, but I'm fearing the worst.

Tonight it my walking night. Even though I feel like a$$ I am going to still try and get out and walk, even if it's not for as long as I was hoping. I'm thinking 30 minutes or so, instead of my 45-70 minutes. But we'll see. I really want to follow through with all the goals I set at the beginning of the week, and completing tonights walk will be the conclusion of those goals....so I HAVE to!

I've been really good, and OP all week, although I don't think I am going to see a loss. TOM won't come til like Saturday or Sunday, so I won't lose that water weight til early next week, so I'm not really expecting a loss. But I'm hoping for a nice one on the 29th weigh in, and if I don't see one, I've decided that I will try the Wendie Plan. Maybe my body is just in a rut a needs some mixing up to get it going again. I seriously have been tracking absolutely everything that goes into my mouth, I get my water, I get some AP's in (which I don't eat). This week I know for a fact I've eaten at least 3500 calories less than I need to maintain, so I should lose a pound, but we'll see. I might be in a rut, and Wendi might just be what the doctor ordered.

Otherwise, nothing new and exciting. Gorgeous Day here, just wish I was feeling well enough to enjoy it! But on a high note, I have the house to myself tonight, and I'm looking forward to it!

Hope everyone is having a healthy and happy day.

Menu 6/19/07

Great Day Food-wise. Dinner was great, Mexican Pork Stew, just click on the link for the recipe, yum! And Low point and filling. I got in a 50 minute Skate this evening, and that went well, except for the fact that over half the skate I was skating into the wind. Talk about a workout! I used 22 of 22 points. I did not use any activity nor flex. I averaged 65.4 calories per point.

Here's the menu:

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
128 oz water	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
3 oz cooked tilapia	2
4 oz nectarine(s)	1
6 oz apple(s)	1
6 oz carrot(s)	0.5
3/4 cups Kix	1
Subtotal	5.5
Evening
1/2 cup Crunch Cereal	1
6 oz White Chocolate Raspberry Yogurt	1
Mexican Pork Stew	5
8 oz cooked cauliflower	0.5
3 1/8 oz potato(es), baked	1.5
1 Tbsp Fat-Free Sour Cream	0.5
Subtotal	9.5
Snacks
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
1 item Cranbran vitatop	1
1/2 cup Quick Oats Cereal	2
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
Low Sugar Jam	1
Subtotal	7
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
50 min inline skating	6
Activity POINTS values earned	6

Tag your it.

Thanks for the tag Kathy. I love giving everyone a chance to get to know me, and it was a pleasure reading about you :)

WHAT WERE YOU DOING TEN YEARS AGO?

Wow, ten years ago I was still in High School. I believe I was just turning 16 (haha, crazy!). So I was doing all the things that a normal 16 year old did. I was involved in Softball, Volleyball and Student Council. I was on Prom committee. And surprisingly, even at this point, I was concerned about my weight. I was always trying to lose, even though now looking back, I'd love to be as fit and thin as I was then!

WHAT WERE YOU DOING ONE YEAR AGO?

1 year. It's amazing what changes in one year. I was in the same job I am now, but I was generally an unhappy person. I was stuck in a relationship I wasn't happy with, but was to scared to get out of. I was about 16lbs heavier than I am now, and I was lazy! I spent more time on the couch after work than I did doing any other thing, and most of this was because of the relationship I was in.

FIVE SNACKS YOU ENJOY
1. 100 calorie pack microwave Kettle Corn, an awesome treat and a controlled portion.
2. A Western Alternative Bagel with Cream Cheese. YUM!
3. Any Fruit. I love fruit and veggies, and I eat them as much as I can.
4. Yogurt with Cereal. I love cereal, and the cereal makes the yogurt crunchy. Very Filling.
5. And English Muffin with Preserves. I think I just love the Preserves and the Muffin is just something to put them on!

FIVE SONGS TO WHICH YOU KNOW ALL THE LYRICS
1. You had me from Hello- The Ex and I's song.
2. Any George Strait song
3. Uptown Girl- Billy Joel
4. Everlasting Love
5. Billy Joel- We didn't start the fire.

FIVE THINGS YOU WOULD DO IF YOU WERE A MILLIONAIRE
(Just a million?)
1. Tell work I was taking a long vacation and go.
2. Pay off my house, then sell it, and move back out to the country.
3. Buy my dad a new corvette. His Dream, and mine for that matter.
4. See the world. I'd love to travel, just never had the money!
5. Help people that deserve it. I don't know how this would be, but I would find a way.

FIVE BAD HABITS
1. Eating out of boredom, terrible habit!
2. Like Kathy, I avoid going out. I'm totally a homebody, and almost a loner to an extent, and I miss out on a lot staying at home.
3. I live for the future instead of now, I'm trying to work on this one. It's always “well in a year” with me.
4. Also like Kathy, I have a “nest” next to the chair I sit in. Books, Cross Stitching, My Laptop, notebooks. Luckily it's hidden, but even when I clean it up, it gets back to bad in no time.
5. Being hard on myself. I often put a lot of pressure on myself to succeed in things, and when I fail, or don't quite reach my expectations I get bummed out. Classic overachiever syndrome. Everyone else thinks I did great, I'm thinking how I could do better.

FIVE THINGS YOU LIKE DOING
1. Cross-Stitching. I love it, I have several projects I'm working on. I tend to do it more in the winter.
2. Watching Movies. I have over 350 movies at home, so I always have something to watch.
3. Reading. I read every night before I go to bed. I mostly love the crime/mystery novels. But I can't read a book that I know how it ends, I love interest.
4. Gardening. It's new to me this year. But I love it. I love seeing something grow, and knowing my hard work is paying off.
5. This is a new one! I love my morning walks on the weekend. I get up early 7 or so, and go out on a walk with the dog. It's so quiet before everyone else gets up, the sun is just coming up, and the birds are chirping, it's just real serene and I love it.

FIVE THINGS YOU'LL NEVER WEAR AGAIN

1. A one piece swimsuit...I hope!
2. Softball Cleats, in a competitive game
3. My Fat Pants, lol

4. A Prom Dress
5. Striped Toe Socks (they were apparently "in" in HS!)

FIVE FAVORITE TOYS
1. My laptop
2.My Ipod
3. My Truck (I know it's not technically a toy), but I love it!
4. My coffeemaker (I just got a Bunn Coffeemaker for Christmas and I love it!)
5. My kitchen utensils( I love to cook, and I'm always adding new toys to the kitchen, so every new one is like Christmas!)


“INSTRUCTIONS: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so.”

1. Tom LeDree

2. Tam’s Fitness Journal

3. Lose Weight With Me

4. Kathy Calculates

5. From Flab to Fit

“Next select five people to tag:


1. Just Another Weigh (Jodi)


2. One Pound at A Time (Carolyn)


3. Kim Under Construction (Kim)


4. 2L Diet Diary

5. Fatinah: My Life Part Deux

A Rainy Day in Michigan

Alright, I promised a real post, and since I know your all just chomping at the bit for a real post (who am I kidding? Only myself, ha ha).

I've seriously been so crazy busy lately, at work, at home, everything, I feel like I never sit down, which is a good thing. If I'm not sitting, I'm not eating, haha.

On Friday Night, I went and picked strawberries after work, and I managed to pick about another 16lbs. Then I came home, ate, cleaned all the berries, took Duke on a walk (about an hour) and then came home, showered and hit the sack.

Saturday I got up early and went rollerblading, and then came home and got stuff ready to do more Jam with my berries. Then I helped a guy from work load up a truck full of patio stones that I had I wanted to get rid of, and then I made Jam. After the Jam I went over to my parents and worked in my garden for a couple hours. I think I overheated myself doing that, so when I got home, I just laid on the couch for a bit to cool down. After that, dinner, went to check out some flowers at the local greenhouse and get a slurpee, and home and to bed :)

Sunday, I got up early again, took the dog on a long walk (70 minutes) and then went to pick more berries (just enough to eat for the week), ran to get flowers, get my truck washed, to the grocery store and back home. Then over to my parents to get the flowers planted for my dad for fathers day and to water my garden. Then back home to do laundry and that kind of stuff. Later on dinner with dad and the family for fathers day and some relaxing :)

Last night was an off night for my activity, so I got home and made some dinner, and I just did some much needed yardwork. Darn weeds were overtaking my landscaping.

I did manage to get some new Rollerblades last night. I got the Rollerblade Marathon Carbon W's. They are absolutely awesome, I tried them on last night, but I don't know if I can justify the money I spent on them. I seriously haven't had a new pair of skates in 12 years, and I use them a ton, so I know I deserve them, but I have a hard time justifying the money. So they are sitting on the table, and I'm trying to decide whether I am going to keep them or not. I really want to skate an inline Marathon, and these would make that totally possible.

Other than that, nothing really new. I'm hoping for a good loss this week, but I'm still feeling rather bloated from TOM, so I don't know. I'm getting down about not losing weight. If I don't lose in the next couple weeks, I might try the Wendi Plan to try to "bust the plateau". We'll see. But I've had a great eating week, and my activity has been on par with what I planned, so I'm hoping.

I hope everyone is doing great, and having a fabulous day. Thanks so much for all your kinda, and encouraging comments :)

Menu 6/18/07

I had a good day food-wise, although I was on the way high end of my calories per point range, at 69 calories per point, it's over where I wanted to be but I'm not going to fret about it, I ate great stuff! Lots of fruits today. Plus I managed to get outside after dinner a pull some weeds and do some yardwork, so I'm sure that burned a few extra calories :)

Here's the menu for today. I promise a real update post tomorrow :)

Morning
136 oz water	0
20 oz black coffee	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
Quiche - Quick-added food	4
3 oz carrot(s)	0
6 1/2 oz strawberries	0.5
3/4 cup Cinnamon Puffins Cereal	1
7 oz peeled sliced cucumber	0
Subtotal	5.5
Evening
1 3/4 cups Kix	2
6 oz White Chocolate Raspberry Yogurt	1
1/2 cup canned yellow corn	1
8 1/2 oz cooked cauliflower	0.5
fiesta chicken pasta - Quick-added food	6
1/2 cup Crunch Cereal	1
garlic bread - Quick-added food	2
Subtotal	13.5
Snacks
Western Bagel - Quick-added food	1
6 oz pear(s)	1
3 Tbsp Plain Cream Cheese	1
Subtotal	3
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0

Menu 6/17/07

Once again, another good day. I didn't eat any activity points either. I only actually counted my hour and 10 minute walk this morning, but I was darn busy all day. Picked more strawberries, planted flowers at my parents, and then worked some more in the garden, so I'm sure I earned more activity points than just the two I recorded. But, today I averaged about 63 calories a point, and used 22 of 22 daily points. Here is the menu:

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
8 oz egg white(s)	2
Western Bagel	1
Jam	0.5
5 oz strawberries	0
1/8 cup Cozy Cottage Sugar Free Pancake Syrup	0.5
6 oz Strawberry Yogurt	1
1 cup Go Lean Cereal	2
Subtotal	7
Evening
1/2 Creole Catch at Ruby Tuesday's	7
Salad	0
2 oz Fat-free Balsamic Vinaigrette	1
9 1/4 oz cooked cauliflower	0.5
2/3 cup Kashi Crunch Cereal	2
Subtotal	10.5
Snacks
Strawberries and Ice Cream	4.5
Subtotal	4.5
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
67 min walking, leisure	2
Activity POINTS values earned	2

menu 6/16/07

I did well today. I actually ended up with quite a few more activity points than just the 6 I had planned on today, so I ate 2.5 of the extra three I recorded. I actually think it was more than three, spent about 90 minutes hoeing and weeding my garden (I am going to try and take some pictures tomorrow!) and then I helped a friend load a bunch of patio stones into a truck, and I canned strawberries, so I think my extra three on top of my 6 for 45 minutes of inline skating this morning was reasonable.

Food wise, was good, ate 24.5 points (so an extra 2.5 points). I averaged 66 calories a point. So within my planned range, and I got in my inline skating this morning, and earned my 6 planned activity points yay! Here's my menu:

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
1 3/4 cups Kix	2
6 oz White Chocolate Raspberry Yogurt	1
Homemade Jam	0.5
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
1/2 cup Crunch Cereal	1
3 oz carrot(s)	0
fiber one bar	2
Subtotal	7.5
Evening
8 1/2 oz cooked cauliflower	0.5
1/2 cup Low-Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese	2
Quiche and Bagel Sandwich	5
2 slice light whole wheat bread	1
Jam	1
Crystal Light Slurpee	2
Subtotal	11.5
Snacks
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
1/2 Tbsp peanut butter	1
1/2 Tbsp chocolate syrup	0.5
1/2 cup ice cream	1
1 item Applebran Vitatop	1
Subtotal	5.5
Food POINTS values total used	24.5
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
45 min inline skating	6
60 min gardening, hoeing,etc.	3

Menu 6/15/07

Good day food-wise, and my plan thus far went off without a hitch, yay! I picked about 16 more pounds of strawberries tonight, and walked about 3.2 miles. Averaged 65.4 calories per point. Used 22 of 22 points.

Here's the menu:

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
104 oz water	0
2pc GUM (5)	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
Beef N Bean Soup 236/5/7 - Quick-added food	4
3 oz carrot(s)	0
8 1/2 oz strawberries	0.5
6 oz apple(s)	1
Subtotal	5.5
Evening
9 1/4 oz cooked cauliflower	0.5
4 1/2 oz cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast	4
4 1/2 oz potato(es), baked	2
2 Tbsp Fat-Free Sour Cream	1
3/4 cups Kix	1
6 oz Strawberry Yogurt	1
Marinade - Quick-added food	1
1/2 cup canned yellow corn	1
1 tsp Parmesan & Garlic	0
Subtotal	11.5
Snacks
1 item Alternative English muffin	1
2 Tbsp Strawberry Cream Cheese	2
1/2 cup Old-Fashioned Oats	2
Subtotal	5
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
60 min walking, leisure	2
Activity POINTS values earned	2

A Plan

Alright, so I've gotten over my self-loathing of a couple hours ago. I do really get frustrated, but it's my fault for letting it get to me. If I would've taken my first weigh in last week, 150.8lbs (a .4 gain), instead of taking a more favorable, after walk weight of 149-something, I would've only gained a pound this week, which is TOTALLY normal for my TOM gain (typically around 1.2lbs). So I guess it's my fault for cheating last week, still, I hate gains.

So I've came up with a plan for this week. I have some goals, and Here they are!

Goal Calories per point (yes! back to tracking that!): 54-68 calories per point.
Activity Point Goal: 18 Activity Points (no more than that). My plan for activity points:

Friday: Walk
Saturday: Rollerblade
Sunday: Walk
Monday: Off
Tuesday: Rollerblade
Wednesday: Walk
Thursday: Off

I'm not going to eat my activity points this week, and I'm seriously tracking everything I put in my mouth this week (I did last week also!), I need a loss this week.

Ok, so off I go! Here's to a good Week!

Weigh In

Ugh, I get so frustrated. I was seriously good this week, stayed OP, wrote everything I ate! I knew I should be expecting a gain this week from my TOM, but I gained 2.2 pounds! I'm just in the dumps now, I know next week will be better, but how frustrating.

Menu 6/14/07

Here's my menu for today. Used a half point of flex to enjoy a blueberry vitatop...yummy.

Morning
104 oz water	0
20 oz black coffee	0
2pc Gum - Quick-added food	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
Dijon Crusted Fish Leftovers	4
3/4 cup Cinnamon Puffins Cereal	1
6 oz apple(s)	1
Subtotal	6
Evening
6 oz Peach Yogurt	1
1/2 cup Crunch Cereal	1
5 1/4 oz cooked cauliflower	0
Garlic Bread - Quick-added food	1
Beef and Bean Soup - Quick-added food	5
1/2 cup canned yellow corn	1
1 item Brownie	1
Subtotal	10
Snacks
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
Jam - Quick-added food	0.5
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
pb track ice cream - Quick-added food	2
1 item Bluebran	1
Subtotal	6.5
Food POINTS values total used	22.5

Weigh In Tomorrow.

Well tomorrow is my first Weigh In on my new Weigh In day, so I'm excited, although I'm almost expecting a gain for two reasons. One, I always see a gain two weeks before TOM (just how my body operates!), and well, that's this week, so I probably will see a gain, and two, I ate a lot of strawberries on Saturday, so while it wasn't an unhealthy indulgence, I did eat a lot, , so I would expect a small gain from that. So I'm expecting a gain tomorrow, I just hope it's not too bad.

I get a little frustrated though, I've been fighting hard with saying goodbye to the 150's and hello to the 140's, and a small gain will probably put me back in the 150's, which will be a bummer, but there is always next week right? I'll get a good bit into the 140's eventually.

I received my VitaTops yesterday, and I have to admit, they are pretty darn good, at least the one I tried. My roommate tried the Fudgy Chocolate Peanut Butter Chip One, and she liked it. I tried the Sugar Free Banana Nut Muffin one, and it was really good! I've had a hankering for Banana Bread lately, and this took care of that. Very good! I'm excited to try the other flavors as well.

Tonight I have a lot of running around to do. I have to get more stuff for my canning that I'm planning to do on Saturday, and I want to get over to the Sporting Goods store and check out some new Rollerblades. The skates that I have, while still good skates are like darn near archaic now, plus they have been well used in the 8-10 years that I've had them, so it's time to buy a new set, and upgrade to something a little better. I've decided that I think I am going to try doing some sort of inline skating marathon or race. I don't know why it's slipped my mind until the last couple days how good of a workout, and how much I enjoy Rollerblading. So I'm going to start doing that more often.

Anyways, Weigh In Report Tomorrow, I hope everyone is having a wonderful day!

Menu 6/13/07

Today was a good day food wise. I've been feeling munchie this week, but it's getting near that time, so I always get a bit munchie. I ate 22.5 of 22 points, and earned 3 activity points, by rollerblading 22 minutes ( and only ate .5 point). Didn't track calories per point today. But here's the menu.

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
104 oz water	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
11 oz peeled sliced cucumber	0.5
3 oz carrot(s)	0
6 oz apple(s)	1
6 1/2 oz strawberries	0.5
2 slice light whole wheat bread	1
Chicken Salad Leftovers	3
Subtotal	6
Evening
1/2 cup Crunch Cereal	1
6 oz Strawberry Yogurt	1
1/2 cup Original Baked Beans	2
Dijon Crust on Fish	2
4 oz potato(es), baked	2
1 Tbsp Fat-Free Sour Cream	0.5
4 oz cooked orange roughy	2
Subtotal	10.5
Snacks
1/2 Tbsp chocolate syrup	0.5
1 tsp peanut butter	1
breyers ice cream	1
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
2T Strawberry Jam	0.5
1 VitaTop Sugar-Free Banana Nut Muffin	1
1/2 cup Crunch Cereal	1
Subtotal	6
Food POINTS values total used	22.5
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
22 min inline skating	3
Activity POINTS values earned	3

Hot Hot Hot!

That's what it is today outside, just plain ol' hot outside. My little Weather Channel Desktop says 87. Although it's warm, it truthfully doesn't feel that bad, because the humidity is low, and anyone who has ever lived in the upper midwest knows, that we have killer humidity, so the 87 today isn't the same 87 we'll have in August. I also find now that I've lost weight, I don't get affected by the heat nearly as much. I've always hated the summer, I hated being hot. Well now I'm friggin cold all the darn time, so to be warm is awesome, I just don't get affected by it like I used too.

I'm planning on going rollerblading tonight (I think it will be too hot to make the poor dog go on a walk with me). I was surprised as I was checking to see how many activity points I would get for a nice long rollerblading session tonight, at just how many I would get. Who would've known something I loved so much pre-weight loss, was so good for you! So, I plan to go out for about 45 minutes tonight, which figures on the WW's point tracker to be 5 Activity Points, holy smokes.

I think I've deiced for my maintenance phase what I am going to do (I know, good thing I figured it out since I probably have like 12 weeks left right?). I think I am going to use SparkPeople for maintenance phase. It's a good (and Free!) way to track your calories, and I've been using it to track my fitness and like it, so I'm going to give that a shot, and when I'm using that, if I find myself gaining weight back to Weight Watchers (and paying for it!) I'll go. Good incentive to not gain weight. Not gaining weight will be free, haha.

Today has been a good day so far, I've drank lots of water, and I had leftover Chicken Salad Sandwich for Lunch, and tonight Dijon-Crusted Fish! Yum!

Menu posted later on. Hope everyone is having a healthy and happy day!

Menu 6/12/07

Did good today, although I didn't break down the calories, I just didn't have the time! I ate 22 of 22 points, plus 1 activity point from my 2.5 mile walk!

Mileage for this week: 12.5 miles!

Here's the menu:

Morning
114 oz water	0
20 oz black coffee	0
4PC GUM	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
Sausage Pasta Stew	4
6 oz carrot(s)	0.5
3 oz nectarine(s)	0.5
5 oz strawberries	0
6 oz apple(s)	1
Subtotal	6
Evening
6 oz Peach Yogurt	1
1/2 cup Crunch Cereal	1
1/2 cup Cinnamon Puffins Cereal	0.5
3.875 oz Chicken Salad	3
2 slice light whole wheat bread	1
pringles - Quick-added food	1
2 slice Hearty Rye Crispbread Crackers	1
1 Tbsp Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese	1
7 oz cooked cauliflower	0
Subtotal	9.5
Snacks
pb track ice cream 1/2 cup	2
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
2 Tbsp Sugar Free Strawberry Preserves	0.5
fiber one bar	2
Subtotal	7.5
Food POINTS values total used	23
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
45 min walking, leisure	2
Activity POINTS values earned	2

It's amazing

So today, I decided to break my weight loss down by average per month (I was bored, haha), it's it's amazing how you can see the two months that I took one weekend, and one day off, really very sad actually. Here's how it breaks down.

Jan: -4.6lbs (1.1 average)
Feb: -4.6lbs (1.1 average)
March: -5.8 (1.1 average)
April: -.4 (took one day off!)
May: +.8 (took one weekend off!)
June: -3.2 so far

I guess I won't be taking off anymore days or weekends off, I did not realize the affect on my overall weight loss....holy smokes.

A Weight Loss Post.

I'm kinda in a funk this morning, and I'm not sure why. I'm not really in a bad mood, or down or anything, just kinda "zoned out", which isn't a good place to be when your in customer service/sales and have to be at the top of your game. I will snap out of it in due time I suppose.

So as I creep closer to my goal, and the weight loss I have left shrinks, I begin to think about maintenance, and losing those last few pounds. I will admit, my weight loss has slowed since the 15-lb mark, I think my body is at a weight in which it's comfortable at, so it will be harder to lose from here on out, but I'm optimistic that I can get to goal.

Does anyone else feel that they are pretty happy with where they are, but still wants to get to goal because at the beginning that is where they wanted to be? Honestly my goal, when I set out on Weight Watchers was, in the end, to not feel fat. At the time, I felt overweight, and frumpy, and now that I've lost almost 18lbs, I feel great. I think I look good, my jeans look good, people tell me I look good, so I can say that truthfully, I'm happy where I'm at. I could stop now, and be completely happy, but, I'm not going too. When I set out on this journey, I picked a number, a number that I've always wanted to be at, so I will make it there, in due time.

I'm trying to decide when I get to maintenance if I just want to count calories, or I want to stick with paying for Weight Watchers. I've been counting calories lately anyways to keep myself in check points-wise (as I was tending to eat way too many 100 calorie 1 point snacks), so it wouldn't really be that different, I just wouldn't have the actual points tracker. I'm definitely going to renew my weight watchers account when it comes due at the beginning of July, and that will give me until October to decide what I really want to do. Hopefully by October I've been in maintenance for quite some time (hey! I'm hoping at least!). What is your guys take on this?

Otherwise, everything is going good. I didn't get out for a walk last night, hopefully I'll have time tonight, but I might not before it gets dark (and for safety reasons I don't walk after dark), but I'm going to try. My first weigh in on my new day is on Friday Morning. I'm not really looking forward to it, because I don't think it will be that good this week, but we shall see!

Until next time, have a healthy and happy day everyone!

Menu 6/11/07

Today didn't go bad food wise, but I've had better. I ate 22 of 22 available points, and averaged about 65 calories a point. I did have some troubles as I was preparing food though I kept licking everything, so I know that I actually consumed more than that. I hate it when I nibble like that. I know it's not the end of the world, and it's not like I drove through drive threw haha. But needless to day, done and over with, here's the menu for the day, the nibbles aside.

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
72 oz water	0
3pc Gum - Quick-added food	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
Colorful Chicken Stew	4
10 3/4 oz peeled sliced cucumber	0.5
3 oz carrot(s)	0
6 oz apple(s)	1
Subtotal	5.5
Evening
1 cup Go Lean Cereal	2
6 oz White Chocolate Raspberry Yogurt	1
Mexican Lasagna - Quick-added food	5
Corn - Quick-added food	1
Rice - Quick-added food	2
1 Slice Wasa Crispbread - Quick-added food	0
Subtotal	11
Snacks
jam - Quick-added food	0.5
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
1/4 package Cheesecake pudding mix	1
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
3/4 cup Cinnamon Puffins Cereal	1
Subtotal	5.5
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0

I just realized something..

I just had a pretty cool realization....

My last weigh in was 149.6, which is a great weigh in, and it puts me right where I was when I graduated High School 8 years ago.

So it got me to thinking, I gained 17 pounds in a matter of 8 years, so about 2.5lbs a year, although I will admit, it was much more in the latter years. So I sit here and think about the 17lbs I've lost, and it took me 8 years to gain it, and only 6 months to lose it, I think thats awesome. Some people get so frustrated with not losing weight that quick, but god am I just happy it didn't take me 8 years to lose it!

The Weekend in Review

I had an awesome weekend! Busy Busy, but awesome nonetheless!

Friday night, I had a ton of running around to do, so I ran over to my parents, checked on my garden, and then ran around getting stuff ready for my canning adventures on Saturday. Needless to say, by the time I got home, it was like 930, and I was bushed.

Saturday, I got up early (well early for me on a Saturday), which was about 730. The Dog and I took a nice walk around the neighborhood (about 4 miles), and then I ran to Kroger to get a few last things I needed for my strawberry stuff, and then got home, and the roomie got home and we went pickin'. My goal was to pick 25-30lbs, Well I like crazy overpicked, and ended up coming home with about 50lbs. So I made extra stuff, I made Low Sugar Jam, No Sugar Jam, Regular Jam, Preserves and then 2 batches of Strawberries in Syrup. I have lots of Jam now, although I plan to do more this weekend. I want to whip out several more batches of Low Sugar Jam, because that is what I will primarily be using, the other stuff is more for gifts and special occasions. So I finally finished that up around 9 or 930, and then just relaxed the rest of the evening.

Sunday, I managed to stay busy too. I got up early again went on a five mile bike ride, and finished one stray batch of preserves, got laundry done, cleaned the hot tub out, and then went over and worked in the garden. Came home, took the dog on a walk, Made dinner, finished laundry and then relaxed (which I still didn't manage to sit down til almost 8!). So I was utterly exhausted, I needed to come back to work this morning to rest! haha.

I think I decided to switch my weigh in Day to Friday Mornings. Seems as though I'm always running around a lot Friday Nights, and my dinners and snacking doesn't happen til late on Friday night, so I think it effects my weigh in on Saturday Mornings a bit. So I moved it to Friday Mornings now. We'll see how it goes.

So the Mileage Report for my June Goals is as follows:

This Week: 10 miles (combo of walking and cycling!)
June Total: 14 miles

Other than that, not much new and exciting. I hope everyone is having a healthy and happy day. Menu Later!

Menu 6/10/07

Today was a good day food wise. I ate about half of my activity points, and averaged 66 calories per point. Here's the Menu.

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
5 oz strawberries	0
32 oz water	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
8 oz egg white(s)	2
2 slice light whole wheat bread	1
2T homemade low sugar jam	0.5
1/2 cup Fiber One	0
6 oz White Chocolate Raspberry Yogurt	1
6 oz carrot(s)	0.5
Subtotal	5
Evening
2 slice light whole wheat bread	1
Oat Pancakes 311/3/9	6
1/8 cup Sugar Free Maple Syrup	1
1 T Jam	1
Subtotal	9
Snacks
8 3/4 oz cooked cauliflower	0.5
1/4 package Cheesecake pudding mix	1
2 Tbsp Free Whipped Topping	0
Breyers and Strawberries	1.5
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
2 slice Hearty Rye Crispbread Crackers	1
1 Tbsp Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese	1
2 1/2 oz apple(s)	0.5
3/4 cup Cinnamon Puffins Cereal	1
1/2 cup Kashi Crunch Cereal	1
1/2 cup fat-free skim milk	1
Philly Swirl Pop	0.5
Subtotal	11
Food POINTS values total used	25
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
40 min cycling, moderate	2
75 min gardening - Activity I created	3
15 min walking, leisure	1
Activity POINTS values earned	6

A Great Day

Well, I finally just sat down for the evening, about 14 hours after I first got up today. I haven't sat down since I got up, haha. My feet hurt.

I ended up picking 50lbs of Strawberries, I wasn't really expecting to pick that many, but I overestimated. So I spent all day (from about 10a to 8p) picking, cleaning and "putting up" the strawberries. I counted 8 hours of low intensity activity, even though it was more around 12 hours of constant activity. I wasn't initially going to count the strawberries I snacked on while working, but in the end I just decided to count everything, I feel better than way. I get anxious about not counting. I counted 5 points for strawberries (the amount for 2lbs), although I'm sure I didn't quite eat that many.

Here's the menu for the day:

Saturday, June 09, 2007

Morning
1 cup black coffee	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
1 Tbsp Light Salad Dressing	1
2 slice light whole wheat bread	1
1 3/4 cups Kix	2
6 oz White Chocolate Raspberry Yogurt	1
1/2 oz beef salami	1
Subtotal	6
Evening
fiber one bar - Quick-added food	2
6 1/2 oz cooked whole-wheat spaghetti	4
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
1 Tbsp strawberry jam	1
Subtotal	8
Snacks
Slurpee - Quick-added food	1
1 cup Cinnamon Puffins Cereal	2
1 cup Crunch Cereal	3
6 oz Peach Yogurt	1
Breyers Ice Cream - Quick-added food	3
2 Tbsp jam	2
Pringles - Quick-added food	1
Strawberries - Quick-added food	5
Subtotal	18
Food POINTS values total used	32
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
65 min walking, leisure	2
8 Hours Canning/Picking - Activity I created	17
Activity POINTS values earned	19

Weigh In Results

Well, I weighed myself twice this morning, once when I first got up, and once after I went for my 3.8 mile walk. I took the weight after the 3.8 miles walk, because I liked it better. Sooo...I lost .8lbs this week. It's not huge, but I'll take it, plus usually after a week of awesome loss (over 2lbs) I tend to gain a bit back. So I'm happy!

Off to pick strawberries now! I hope everyone has a great day!

A Quicky Post

Today hasn't even been busy at work, but somehow I managed to completely forget to update :) I think it's because I've been trying to narrow down what exactly I'm going to do with all the Strawberries I plan to pick tomorrow. But this week I think I've narrowed it down to Strawberry Jam, Strawberry Preserves and Strawberries in Syrup, and then just freezing some with sugar on them, and leaving some to munch on throughout the week. Then it's onto figuring out what exactly I'm going to do with the next batch I pick, haha.

So my weekend is shaping up pretty good. Tonight I have the house to myself , I love a house to myself! But unfortunately I have alot of running around to do! I have to run and check on my garden (promise pictures soon Carolyn!), then running around trying to get everything ready for canning before all the store close at 9 or 10. Tomorrow will be consumed by strawberries, and no plans on Sunday as of yet, probably some relaxing (and maybe some pulling weeds in my flowerbeds at home!).

Weigh In is tomorrow, and my fingers are crossed for a good loss, as I've been on program all week! Even just a .4lb loss will put me under 150, which I haven't seen in YEARS (well with the exception of one point in May!). So I'm excited, I'll report tomorrow.

Until then, I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Menu 6/7/07

Did well today. I allowed myself a Weight Watchers Carrot Cake and 2 Philly Swirl pops (but did count .5 points for them instead of zero!) since my day was looking good. I managed to come in at about 64 calories per point.

Points used 22/22
Activity Points earned: 0
Calories per Point: 64.

Here's the menu

Morning
20 oz black coffee		0
116 oz water		0
2 PC gum		0
Subtotal		0
Midday
Creamy Chicken		4
3/4 cups Kix		1
6 oz carrot(s)		0.5
Subtotal		5.5
Evening
Light Whole Wheat Bread- 4 Slices		2
2 Tbsp Light Salad Dressing		1.5
4 1/2 oz cooked cauliflower		0
1 item Carrot Cake		1
6 oz Raspberry Yogurt		1
1/2 cup Go Lean Cereal		0.5
1 1/2 oz Beef Salami		2.5
Subtotal		8.5
Snacks
2 Tbsp Sugar Free Strawberry Preserves		0.5
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin		1
1/2 cup Low-Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese		2
5 3/4 oz pear(s)		1
Fat Free Pringles		1
1/2 cup Quick Oats Cereal		2
Philly Swirl Pops		0.5
Subtotal		8
Food POINTS values total used		22
Food POINTS values remaining		0

It's an itchy thursday

Itchy? Why would a Thursday be itchy? It's because when you burn yourself like crazy on a weekend, it takes until just about Thursday until that burn turns into an itchy mess of peeling skin. I don't think it's officially started peeling yet, but the itchiness has started therefore I'm sure the peeling will follow. I'm really bummed I am going to peel, I was getting such good color this year on my normally casper looking ass.

So I broke down today and order some healthy food online. I've been on Weight Watchers for 6 months, and all I've heard about on the Boards, and from other people through their blogs and what not is Vitalicious Products and Western Alternative Bagels. So I finally broke down and ordered some. Hell I'm sure I paid too much (they are so expensive), but as this point, I'm looking for new stuff to try, and everyone raves about both products, so I'm giving it a shot. I will keep you posted on the reviews of both products.

Other than that, I've got out for a few walks this week, and so far, I have in about 4 miles. Unfortunately, that is a far cry from my goal of 10 per week, but it's been a combination of a busy week, and crappy weather, so I've walked when I can, and I while no excuses are actually excuses, I believe these are pretty good reasons, haha. I hope to get a nice long walk in tomorrow night, so by the end of the week (which I take as Saturday, my weigh in day) I should have roughly 7 or 8 miles in.

Food-wise, it's been a good week. I haven't been faced with to many temptations, and I haven't went Off Plan once, I haven't used any of my flexies, and I've avoided the snack cakes and the like for another week. So I'm keeping my fingers crossed for another good loss on Saturday, I could sure use another one after a couple weeks of back tracking. So here's to hoping!

I hope everyone has had a fabulous healthy day!

Kate

Menu 6/6/07

Today went well food wise. I used 22 of 24 available points, and averaged about 68 calories a point. I allowed myself 2 Philly Swirl Pop's today, but I did count them as a half point instead of zero like I used too. The reason I had 24 points is because I had two activity points I didn't use. Duke and I got out for a 45 minute walk this evening when I got home from work, and we walked 2.7 miles.

So here is the breakdown:

Miles this week 3.9/10
Points today: 22/22
Calories per point (average): 67.8

Wednesday, June 06, 2007

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
104 oz water	0
2 pc Dentyne Ice	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
Leftover Linguine 170/3/2.5	3
6 oz apple(s)	1
5 3/4 oz strawberries	0.5
Subtotal	4.5
Evening
1 3/4 cups Kix	2
6 oz Raspberry Yogurt	1
7 oz cooked cauliflower	0
1/2 cup Low-Fat 2% Milkfat Small Curd Cottage Cheese	2
Creamy Chicken and Potatoes - Quick-added food	5
Garlic Bread - Quick-added food	1
Subtotal	11
Snacks
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
1 slice Hearty Rye Crispbread Crackers	1
1 Tbsp Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese	1
3 Tbsp Sugar Free Strawberry Preserves	0.5
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
Philly Swirl Pop - Quick-added food	0.5
Jello with Cool Whip - Quick-added food	0.5
Subtotal	6.5
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
45 min walking, leisure	2
Activity POINTS values earned	2

Menu 6/5/07

Did well today. Averaged 67 points per point. Used 22 of 22 points.

Morning
2 cup black coffee	0
104 oz water	0
4 pc Dentyne Ice	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
Beef and Bean Macaroni	4
3 oz carrot(s)	0
4 oz blueberries	0.5
6 oz apple(s)	1
Subtotal	5.5
Evening
Capellini Pomodoro Olive Garden	6
Minestrone Soup	2
1 cup Go Lean Cereal	2
1 item Strawberry	1
Subtotal	11
Snacks
2 oz apple(s)	0.5
6 oz pear(s)	1
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
1/2 cup Quick Oats Cereal	2
Subtotal	5.5
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0

I almost forgot!

Yesterday I celebrated my 6 months on Weight Watchers....YAY! I've lost 17lbs in 6 months!

A Chilly Tuesday

Well there is a definate change in the weather from today to this past weekend. This past weekend, I was scorching my back (which I'm still paying for by the way!) in the 90 degree sun, and today it's 56 and Rainy/Cloudy. Weather like this is so depressing sometimes, plus now that I'm thinner, I'm cold all the time, so cold days like this just make me colder!

Been a good couple days On Program. Yesterday's calories per point was a tad higher than I would like, but hey, I was still within my daily points target, and I got in a walk, so I'm not too concerned. Today has also been good. I'm still incorporating lots of fruits and veggies into my daily diet, and avoiding the more processed foods, which seems to be working out well anyways, plus I feel better to boot. Although while I feel better, my allergies have been kicking my butt, thats what I hate about this time of year.

I'm trying to decide how I want to put up my Strawberries this year. I never got much into canning before, but this year I'm going to do it. I'm just trying to decide what I want to can some of the Strawberries into. I put up about 50lbs last year in the freezer, and I want to do that again, but I also want to do some Jams, Jellies, Preserves and Syrup I think, but there are sooooo many recipes to choose from, how do I choose? Any advice from anyone?

Still haven't heard from Scott, which I think at this point, I probably won't. What happened was kinda of one of those things where he had to call and apologize in a couple days, and now that that couples days have went by, I'm thinking he's either to embarrassed to call, or he really just thinks he didn't do anything wrong, either way, not the type of guy I want to be with. So I have 87 Days of being single and not looking left, and then maybe I'll considering putting up a profile and going on the hunt.

Things are going good otherwise. I don't think I am going to meet my 10 mile goal this week. I walked 1 mile yesterday, and today, the weather is crap-ass, so I won't be getting out....But I do get to go to dinner at Olive Garden with my girlfriend Danielle. I love Olive Garden, so many good choices, and I can eat only half and it's relatively low point. I am going to try the Capellini Pomodoro, I've never tried it before, but it looks good, and half is only 6 points add a Minestrone Soup for 2 points, and I have a complete dinner out for 8 points, yay!

Alright, until tomorrow, be healthy!

Menu 6/4/07

Well today I did well. My points averaged a few more calories than normal, but I did get a short walk in (a little over a mile), and didn't eat the activity point, so I guess it evens out.

Points Allowed: 22
Points Used: 22
Calories per point (average): 68

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
116 oz water	0
5 pc Dentyne Ice	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
4 1/2 oz cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast	4
4 3/4 oz peeled sliced cucumber	0
3 oz carrot(s)	0
6 oz apple(s)	1
Subtotal	5
Evening
6 oz White Chocolate Raspberry Yogurt	1
1 cup Go Lean Cereal	2
6 3/4 oz cooked cauliflower	0
7.5oz Beef and Bean Mac	6
Carrot Fritters	1
Subtotal	10
Snacks
3 Tbsp Sugar Free Strawberry Preserves	0.5
1 item Light Multi-Grain English Muffin	1
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
1/2 cup Quick Oats Cereal	2
Breyers Fat Free Ice Cream	1
1/2 Tbsp chocolate syrup	0.5
Subtotal	7
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0
Activity
20 min walking, leisure	1
Activity POINTS values earned	1

A Review of May, and Goals for June.

Well, when I look back at the goals I set for May, I can't say I accomplished them all, but at least I touched on a few of them, which is good enough for me. Here's the breakdown.

Weight as of May 1, 2007 : 152.0lbs
Goal: 148lbs
Weight as of June 1, 2007: 150.4lbs.

Well I got a little off track after the first weigh in of the month, and I had a weekend off, and I didn't see the results I would've liked, but, I suppose a 1.6 lb loss for the month is better than a 1.6 pound gain! So I will take it.

Another goal was to get out and be active. Well my goal was to be active everyday that the weather permitted, and I can't say I did that, but I definitely did better, I earned 62 Activity Points throughout the month, although there were 2 weeks that I didn't earn any eeeek. But hey, I was more active, so I didn't miss this one by a mile!

My other goal was about eating more during the day, and less at night, and I've been doing a pretty good job of this. Most of the time, I'm only left with 4-6 points after dinner, and those seem to do me just fine. I don't know that it helped my weight loss, but I don't know that much did this month. So I'm gonna continue doing this one.

Alright, and for the June goals!

1. I would like to lose 4 lbs by July 1st. So I would like to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 146-147lbs by the beginning of July. I think it's a doable goal, and I'm excited about trying to get there.

2. Continue on my clean eating program. Last week I included more fruits and veggies into my diet, and cut out the snack cakes, "free popsicles" and things like that. And I plan to continue to limit the numbers of this stuff that I am consuming. It's bad for you, whether it fits into your points range for the day or not. So if I want a snack cake I can have one....just not two or three, haha.

3. Walk/Bike 10 miles a week. I found a new site called Sanoodi, and it allows you to physically sketch out the distances your walking so you know how long your walking, and then it even allows you to put in the time, and it tells you how fast your going, it's fun, and now that I know how long I'm going, I can set mileage goals....AWESOME. So...10 miles a week.

4. Stay Single. This might seem like an odd goal to most, but I need it. I finally decided this weekend that Scott just isn't the one for me, so that being said, I just want to stay single. Doesn't mean if a hot guy asks me out, I can't go. Just no relationships, no even looking for relationships. My goal is to be single, worry about me, and we'll think about them in the fall.

Alright, there is the goals for June. What's your guys' goal for the month?

As far as my weekend, I had a good one. Friday I did alot of running around that I had to do, and then I met Scott over and my parents, and we went 4 Wheeling, and then I cooked him dinner and we did some running around. It was this evening that I decided Scott and I were done, I haven't heard from him since.

Saturday, I decided to go out and work in my garden at my parents and it was hot, hot, hot. Well it slipped my mind that my back had not been exposed to the sun yet, and I didn't put on any sunscreen, and I all I can say is opps...I've been suffering since. After I got home from about 3.5 hours of doing that, it started pouring, and didn't stop. I made chicken on the grill for the roommate and I, and then we went to see the movie Knocked Up, which was great. If you want a laugh, go see it!

Sunday was laid back, church with the parents, Olive Garden with the parents, and then alot of miscellaneous little things around the house. Nothing Spectacular yesterday.

I'm excited, on my way to work this morning, I went by the Strawberry Farm, and they are open for U Pick, which means I am gonna be a busy bee on Saturday, YES! All that yummy fruit.
Alright, I hope everyone had a great weekend, and a Happy Monday!

Kate

Menu 6/3/07

Sorry for no menu yesterday, I was too busy to remember to post it on Friday or Saturday...Opps. But back here today! And a weekend wrap up tomorrow.

Points used today: 22 out of 22.
Activity Points earned: 0
Average calories per point: 66

Sunday, June 03, 2007

Morning
20 oz black coffee	0
Subtotal	0
Midday
Linguine Marinara 1/2 of Lunch Portion	3
32 oz water	0
1 cup Go Lean Cereal	2
6 oz White Chocolate Raspberry Yogurt	1
4 oz blueberries	0.5
4 oz carrot(s)	0.5
Philly Swirl Pop	0
Subtotal	7
Evening
Oat Pancakes	6
2 Tbsp Sugar Free Strawberry Preserves	0.5
2 slice light whole wheat bread	1
7 oz cooked cauliflower	0
Syrup - Quick-added food	0
Subtotal	7.5
Snacks
2 oz apple(s)	0.5
6 oz pear(s)	1
1 bag 100 calorie pop kettle corn, popped	2
2 slice Wasa Hearty Rye Crispbread Crackers	1
1 Tbsp Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese	1
Breyers PB Tracks No Sugar Added Ice Cream	2
Subtotal	7.5
Food POINTS values total used	22
Food POINTS values remaining	0

Weigh In 6/2/07

Weigh In this morning was great! 2.4lbs down! This is so what I needed! So I'm back over 15 pounds lost, and now have my 10% gone again! Yay!

I'll update more later.