Thursday, January 31, 2008

Full of Courage

A man full of courage is also full of faith.
Cicero



No Explanation needed on the quote :) Enjoy.

Things have been going pretty good. Around home I've had some issues going on that involve the roommate, and my stress level, but it appears like I will be living alone again in less than 90 days. I've been trying to get up the courage to ask the roommate to leave for quite sometime, well I finally did, and I'm pretty relieved. I just am not looking forward to the possible disruptions she will cause in the next 90 days. I'm praying she acts like a mature adult.

Foodwise I've been doing good. I've been staying within my points, I used a couple flexies, but nothing big, I think I still have 32 left for the week. I've been getting in my 8 GHG's and all that good stuff, so I think I am doing well. Exercise, I went on tuesday for a 15 minute workout instead of the 20 minutes I normally do because I was crunched on time. Tonight I am not going to to go, I have some stuff I have to stay at work for (computer changeover), so I will hit the gym tomorrow night, for my first February workout! Starting tomorrow I am going to up my workouts from 20 minutes total to 25 minutes, so I will get a couple more sprint intervals in there :)

Other than that, things have been good, nothing really new to report. Hope you guys are enjoying the few new muffins recipes.

Until next time, I hope everyone is healthy and happy! Have a good one!

Wednesday, January 30, 2008

New Recipe!

Here is a new recipe I tried tonight and it turned out really good if you like Sweet Corn Bread. And they are just a point each! yum!

Sweet Corn Muffins

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Food Journals

For my good blogging buddy Steph, I am adding a link in the sidebar to my Food Journal on Sparkpeople, so if you guys are interested in what I'm eating, you can check it out there :)

Optimism

Optimism is essential to achievement and it is also the foundation of
courage and true progress.

-- Nicholas Murray Butler

I feel this quote was necessary, mainly for me! I've been a little pessimistic lately when it comes to anything. I've been working on a new business idea, and I always get a little bit of an "I can't do this attitude", I've been dealing with some issues at home and get the same attitude. I've been getting frustrated at work, you get the picture. About the only thing I haven't been terribly pessimistic about is weight loss, which I guess is good right? Even that, I'm not looking at the good things I'm doing...only the bad. So needless to say, I needed the quote! My goal this week is to be optimistic, because with optimism anything can be achieved!

Whew, now that that little bitch fest is out of the way (sorry about that!), things have been going ok. On the food front I've been doing ok, there was a couple nibbles here and there that probably shouldn't have been, but it's nothing damaging, or binge like, just stealing a tip of the finger sized corner off some brownies I made lol.

I've made some very good recipes. The Carrot Muffins which I posted turned out wonderful and even my non-weight watching (and picky!) mom and dad loved them. I also made some triple vanilla brownies that were a hit at work, and the small nibble I had tasted good. And I made the chocolate chocolate chip muffins but this time I put Peanut Butter chips in them instead of the chocolate chips, and they turned out delightful. I also tried to make a recipe called Jam Muffins, but wasn't impressed and threw them out.

Last night I made another batch of homemade granola bars, and they taste good, but not quite what I'm looking for yet (too cakey), but once I get that recipe hammered out I will for sure post it, because you guys with kiddos will love it!

Tonight I am planning on getting to the gym, and then I am heading to dinner at Olive Garden with my one girlfriend, yum! Unfortunately my quiet house is disappearing tonight, boooooo.

Poor little chase got fixed last week, and he has an infection now at the surgical site, and I feel so bad for the poor little guy!

Alright I gotta get back to work, but wanted to get a post out this morning before I got too busy and forgot! I hope everyone is doing well and staying OP!

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Weigh In

Well, it's really better than I thought. I lost 1.2 pounds this week.

Reflecting on the week, I could've done much much better, and this week I plan to. Last week I had a few downfalls;

1. I did alot of baking. This doesn't seem like a downfall because I love it, but when you factor in the licks of this finger or spoon or that, it really starts to add up. I don't forsee alot of baking this week, so I should be good on this front.

2. Last week I was having a munchie week, so I allowed myself to eat carrots freely. At least they were carrots right? When I went to the fridge and had the urge to grab something, I would grab a handful of carrots. Well while that was a much better decision than anything else I could've eaten, they still add up.

3, Ummm, yesterday. It started with picking and turned into licks of this and that, and into eating a bit too much of some things (like homemade granola...the devil in disguise). I feel like I got a reprieve this week by losing, so I will take that as a get out of jail free card.

4. I only got to the gym twice, this is only one less that my normal, but still, that's alot of calories I could've burned! So I definately want to get to the gym 3, if not 4 times this week!

Ok, so there you have it, my confessions for the week. Now I get to start over! That's what I love about life...everyday is a new day!

Hope everyone has a great Sunday!

Saturday, January 26, 2008

What today was not...

It was not a good day eating wise. I haven't had a day where I was off my game in awhile. For some reason, I just was. Not expecting weigh in to be good. Not that I went over my flexies or anything, just ate alot. I made my first attempt at making homemade granola bars today, and while they didn't stick together, they were sinfully good. And as I started picking, and picking, and picking at them, I realized I better feed them to the garbage disposal, or else I was gonna eat the whole tray. That would not be good. So I fed them to the garbage disposal, what a shame.

Anyways, that was my day...Not good. Glad tomorrow is the beginning of a new week.

Recipes!

Here is the first of the recipes I tried today

Carrot Muffins

They Turned out awesome, great sized, filling and only 2 points...enjoy!

Friday, January 25, 2008

Determination

Failure will never overtake me if my determination to succeed is strong enough.
Og Mandino

No explanation necessary for that quote today! Enjoy!

Sorry, I've been crazy busy the last couple days at work, ack!

I've been doing good, and OP. I even made Gooey Cake the other night (have you guys heard of this devilish food?) and Banana Cake last night (a family delish recipe), and I managed to pretty much stay out of both. Occasional lick of the fingers or whatever, but nothing drastic and point altering for sure. I've been getting in my 8 GHG's and still watching my carb intake. I jumped on the scale to take a peak last night, and it looks like it might be behaving itself for now...we will see more on Sunday.

Plans for the weekend? Nothing terribly exciting. The roommate has been gone housesitting for her father since Wednesday and won't get back til Tuesday, so I've been crazy enjoying my quiet house. Tonight I am planning on going to the Plymouth International Ice Show and grabbing dinner with a girlfriend. Tomorrow some grocery shopping and baking. I have a couple good recipes for healthy muffins that I want to try because who doesn't love a muffin once in awhile? So I will let you guys know if I find any winners! I have a feeling I will.

I've made it to the gym twice this week, I skipped last night to hang out with a girlfriend and get the banana cake baked. But plan on getting to the gym 2 or 3 times next week, and that will put me at 12 or 13 times for the month, which is my goal, so that will be good.

Anyways, I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I'll report a weigh in on Sunday!

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

All Good Things

All good things are difficult to achieve; and bad things are very easy to get.
Morarji Desai

Growing up, I can remember my grandpa always tell me that "if it were easy, everyone would do it", and I would have to say this quote is pretty much encompassing the same sentiment. I think we go through life, some of us look for the easy road, the easy way out, but then there are others of us who take the road less traveled, because we know it will get us somewhere so much better. And that's how I kinda look at the whole weight loss journey. There are so many quick fix diets, diets where you will lose 50lbs quickly, but how healthy are they? How much do you learn? Probably not very much. I'm sure everyone here at some point, at some time has at least thought about doing a crash diet, or taking pills, or something similar, but now most of us are on the right track. I know the road I'm taking isn't necessarily the easy one, it's filled with pot holes, big hills, and steep inclines, and it may never end, but at least I'm learning some along the way...and enjoying the ride :)

Nothing really new to report around here, just the same old stuff. Yesterday was a good OP day. I made my Mexican Pork Stew yesterday for dinner, and I made it extremely spicy...accidentally. I love the spicy stuff though, so only if it's making my nose run is it hot enough, and this most certainly did! But I was OP, stayed with in my points, got to the gym, so I pretty successful day. Today is going well, and I don't forsee any problems. I am having Sweet n' Spicy Chicken for dinner, and I'm going home to a quiet house, as the roomie is leaving for 6 days to dog-sit. So I'm very excited. I love a quiet house.

Anyone else watch the Biggest Loser? I never got into this show until this season. I always avoided it, but I decided to tivo it one time, now i'm hook. What an addiction. If there is anyone that watches it, which team are you pulling for?

Anyways, I really gotta get back to work, but I hope everyone is have a great day!

Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Put your heart into it!

Throw your heart over the fence and the rest will follow.
Norman Vincent Peale

Ahh, that above quote doesn't need much explanation. You know, we all know that when you throw your heart and soul into something, that it is amazing what can happen. We've all done it with our eating plan, which ever one they may be. When we are very motivated and throwing our hearts into something, it's amazing the weight we lose and what we can accomplish, but when we are half-assing something, it's amazing how little motivation we can seem to have, and how much that can reflect on our end result. So what are you guys waiting for, go and throw your heart into it.

Thanks for all the emails, I won't be posting privately very often, but on occasion I need to vent about people, or certain situations involved in my life, and I don't feel appropriate putting their names online without having them protected. So it's nothing against anyone personally, etc.

Sorry for the lack of a couple posts the last couple days, I've been slammed at work, and not feeling well due to stress (the aforementioned situation I would like to talk about in private!), and the blog seems to take the backseat when my life gets like that. But what am I going to do about it? I have some plans. First of all I'm going to the gym tonight, even though that is the last place in the world I feel like going. I know it will help work some of the stress out, and I will feel better afterwards so I'm going! Plus I made myself an appointment for a massage on Saturday morning. That should help relax me out a bit too. My back hurts when I'm stressed, I seem to get like a huge knot right between my shoulders that works up into my neck....ouch!

I've been doing good eating. I've been OP Sunday, Monday and today. I did use a new flex points yesterday, but I was hungry and that is what they were there for. Still getting in my 8GHG's and keeping track of my macros, I should have the macro tracking down by the end of the month and be able to just switch over to using the online WW's points tracker again. I want to try to track both in spark people and through WW's at least every other month, that way I can keep things in check.

Other than that, I've been busy working on a business idea. I'm a very entrepreneurial person, and I'm always looking for some way to start my own business, and I think I *might* have found it. It involves baking....who would've guess right? I'll share it with you once I get the plan a little more developed, but I'm very excited about it. In the mean time, I would like to take a little survey, if you guys could answer a few questions for me!

1. What is your favorite type of cookie? Cake? Cupcake?
2. When your asked to bring dessert to a gathering, what do you normally take?

Alright, well guys, I'm outta here, back to working, but I hope everyone is healthy, happy and....in charge!

Monday, January 21, 2008

I have to try!

I'm the last one ever to win something, but I have to try, because it looks so cool!

Check out Roni’s new contest! I can win a Nutrition Smart Scale from Eat Smart and so can you! Click here for details!



Sorry for the lack of a real post today, Promise one tomorrow!

Sunday, January 20, 2008

Weigh In

Well, I was up 1 pound today, but I'm pretty sure that its my standard TOM gain, so I'm not too worried about, cause it will be gone plus some next week. Plus with my little incident last sunday, I can't say I wasn't expecting to gain a bit (kinda forgot it was going to be TOM gain week, opps). Anyways, I have lots to do, but I hope everyones sundays are great! Let's make it a great start to a new week!

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Faith

"If you think you can win, you can win. Faith is necessary to victory"
- William Hazlitt

I posted a similar quote from Henry Ford quite some time ago, but I came across this one today, and thought I would post it. It's so true, if we believe in ourselves, it's enough to get us to our goal. if we have an "I can't do this attitude" or "this is an unattainable goal" attitude we will never get there. But with a little bit of faith, and alot of hard work, we can get to goal.

I'm going to try and make it to the gym tonight. I really still don't feel 100%, but I really want to get back in the gym, it's only been since Sunday, but I always feel like the longer I wait between sessions, the harder it gets to go back. So I want my "break" to end tonight.

I've had a good week OP except for Sunday, which was still counted for in Flex Points. So I'm really hoping I can maintain or see a little loss this week? That would sure be nice.

I took a gander the other day the USDA Nutritional Guidelines yesterday, to see what they were recommending for Carbs, Fats and Proteins, and I came to the conclusion I was trying to keep my carbs way to low. I was trying to keep my carbs between 120g and 155g a day, which is what a book I was reading was suggesting. They said to keep at 40/30/30 split. Well when I was reading the USDA stuff, it said to keep your 45% and 65% of your diet. That makes it much much easier to stay in the range. So now I adjusted my ranges to 55% carbs, 25% Fat and 20% Protien. My Protein is always high anyways, which is good. Yesterday I was dead in the middle of all my ranges, so I was very happy. I think I finally found numbers that are attainable to me.

I've been doing well keeping the carbs low, but boy is my eating different. I used to have oatmeal for breakfast, yogurt with two types of cereal for a snack (once, sometimes twice), a carb filled dinner with a baked potato as a side, then maybe an english muffin with some preserves or a western bagel, and popcorn or ice cream for another snack.

So now what do I eat? I switch on an off between the oatmeal and egg beaters for breakfast, cottage cheese for a snack, leftovers for lunch, string cheese and jello for another snack. My normal dinner. String Cheese or Egg Whites for a side with my normal veggies. A Yogurt maybe, and if my carbs aren't crazy for the day, I will put cereal in it. Then I will have either ice cream or Popcorn for a snack...never both!

It's amazing the way my eating has changed but I like it, it's for the better, and It's much healthier. I'm getting all my 8 GHG's in since starting WW's.

Also, I was thinking about going private with my blog, so to those of you who read, provide me with an email that is linked to your blogger so I can add you. There is just some stuff I would like to talk about here and get your guys opinion on....and I'm not sure who might be lurking, so I can't lol. But I'm gonna give it 10 days for everyone to provide me emails, and I will remind you guys :)

Anyways, I've gotta finish up some stuff around work before heading home and to the gym, but have a great day everyone!

Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Self-Respect

"Self Respect is the cornerstone of all virtue"
-John Herschel

It's something we all need to take note of. Self-Respect really is where it's at. If we don't respect ourselves we won't take care of ourselves, treat ourselves well, and in turn, we won't demand the respect we deserve from others. So whether we are fit or fat, healthy or unhealthy, happy or unhappy, just remember to respect yourself, everything, and I mean everything starts with self-respect.

I had a great OP day yesterday. In fact I was within my fat intake range (which rarely happens!), and I was over just a tad on my carbs and protein, which is great, because when I first started tracking the macros, I was seriously going over carbs by like 100g+, mind you, I had a lot of fiber in my diet, and alot were from fruits and veggies, but still. I'm anxious to see if this will help me get to goal. Because last time I got into the low 150's I couldn't break into, and stay in the 140's, so I will be anxiously waiting to see if this is what I needed, I think it might be!

I've been busy trying to help plan a wedding shower for my brother and his future wife. I feel kind of bad, cause the maid of honor is suppose to do it, but she hasn't, so I'm trying to handle it. And I guess her mom is kinda being a butt about it, so her and I are trying to get it together. I'm just trying to come up with ideas for food. She would like to do a taco bar, so we are getting together on thursday to talk about the details of food. Should be fun.

I've been kinda under the weather, really since late last week, but I'd been ignoring it and still going to the gym and what not through Sunday, but I think I am planning to take tonight off. I really don't want to get any sicker than I am, so it might be for the best, plus I am over half done with my gym goal for the month, so I think I have a few days off to spare :)

Anyways, I better get back to finishing up some work, I need to leave a few minutes early to get to the polls to vote (our Primary is today) in order to beat the rush. But I Hope everyone is having a great day!

Monday, January 14, 2008

My Confessions

None will improve your lot If you yourself do not.

-- Bertolt Brecht, 1933

Well, I'm going to start out the blog with a bit of a confession today. I was bad yesterday. I know when talking about food we should be considering ourselves "good" or "bad", but yesterday I had a crappy day food wise. Let's talk about what happened.

The day started off good, I wasn't feeling so hot, but I still got up and made it to the gym, got home, ate a sensible breakfast (my normal oatmeal) and then was still feeling hungry. I had just eaten, so I knew I wasn't actually hungry. I waited an hour or two, and I had some Yogurt with cereal, and was doing ok, then it just hit me. Ever since I was a kid I get these "episodes" where I get very weak feeling, shaky, I get like a hot cold sweat and I feel like I might pass out. I always figured when I was a teenager, that it was low blood sugar, but now that I'm older, I really don't know what causes it. But regardless, I used to get them quite frequently, and now that I've been eating right they are very few and far between. But needless to say one hit me yesterday. When it hit I got out an english muffin and some preserves and then that didn't do it, so I started on the Peanut Butter, and then into some ice cream. I don't know what got into me. Luckily, I stopped there, and didn't let the day "go down the toilet" and I accounted for what I ate, and ate light the rest of the day, so I managed to save the day, but still I used up a good chunk of flexies (but not all luckily!) that I don't typically use, so I don't know how the scale will react to that on Sunday. Luckily I have a week. Gosh Peanut Butter adds up quick!

But I do look at it as a NSV of sorts. 1. at least I stopped myself before it got too bad 2. At least it was remotely healthy food...Peanut butter, 1 english muffin, and no sugar added ice cream...could be worse right? 3. I didn't throw the towel in for the day, I got right back on track then.

But Saturday was a good OP day, and today has been great so far. I'm finally learning how to keep my carbs pretty good to the high end of my range. Yay! So I'm totally OP for the next 6 days, and hopefully the scale won't punish me too bad for my indiscretion.

I've been fighting this silly cold, and to tell you the truth I just wish it would leave, so I could get back to feeling like myself. It's one of those colds that hasn't quite broken yet, so I'm half stuffed up, half a headache, plus my stomach has kinda been messed up. I hear there is a flu bug going around, which I'm really hoping I didn't get!

Anyways, I really gotta get back to work, but I wanted to come on and confess the events of yesterday. But I hope everyone is have a healthy, happy and OP day!

Sunday, January 13, 2008

Weigh In

Well, as expected at weigh in, I gained 1.4 pounds. I'm ok with that. I was pretty sure I would see a gain this week because of the massive loss last week, and overall, the past two weeks, I still lost 5lbs, which is 2.5lbs a week, which is more than my average. So now it's on to thinking about next week!

I got to the gym Friday after work, and this morning, so I'm doing good with the gym time (one of my goals for this month), and also, with the 5lbs lost, I'm at my goal for weight loss this month too. So I'm very happy that January has turned out to be a good month :)

Anyways, on to my sunday chores, but everyone have fun sundays!

Friday, January 11, 2008

Tolerance

I believe with all my heart that civilization has produced nothing
finer than a man or woman who thinks and practices true tolerance.
-- Frank Knox

Really, this quote has nothing to do with weight loss, but seems to sum up my life lately, ha ha. It seems between customers, coworkers, certain family members and a roommate, I'm practicing lots and lots of tolerance! Sometimes I wonder how much more I can put up with before I go bonkers on someone, but I believe that tolerance and acceptance are two keys to any relationship, good or bad. I'm just happy that I'm not one of those people who blow easily, ha ha.

I didn't make it to the gym last night, but I told you guys I wasn't going to, I'm going to make it tonight, even though I'm still kinda fighting this cold, hopefully a good run and sweat will help it move on. It will either do that, or make it worse, but I'll hope for the better.

I've done pretty well on plan this week. I've used a flexie here or there, but I'm not too concerned about it. It's been like 3, so no big deal. I will have made it to the gym 3 times, which is my goal. And I've done well getting in my 8 GHG's most days this week, and while my carbs have been kinda on the high side, I have been watching them, and they are coming from good stuff. So I think it was overall a pretty good week. Like I said before, I'm not expecting much from weigh in this week being the big loss of last week. If I maintain, I would be ESTATIC. So that is what I'm going for!

I'm really hoping to be at my WW goal of 145 by my brothers wedding, I would love to look awesome in the wedding pictures (since I'm in the wedding), but if I don't get there, it won't be the end of the world. Last weeks big loss definitely made it a possibility. I have 55 days to lose 7.2 pounds. I'm sure going to try!

Thanks for all the great comments yesterday, you guys are so sweet! Don't know what I would do without ya!

No big plans this weekend. I need to get to the gym tonight and grocery shopping at some point. I have a lot of wedding show invitations to fill out and get mailed for my brothers fiances wedding shower. Seems as though my mom volunteered to do the shower and I am getting stuck doing everything, like how that works? I don't mind much, gives me something to do instead of eat ;)

Do you guys have some suggestions for low carb snacks? I have been eating hardboiled egg whites, string cheese, cottage cheese, sugar free jello, veggies, lunchmeat, ect. But does anyone have any other ideas? I never realized it but the Yogurt with Fiber one and Kashi that I was eating everyday was packed with carbs....holy carbs batman!

On the note of cottage cheese. For you weight watchers, I found Breakstone's Live Active 2% Cottage Cheese, it comes in 4oz (1/2 cup) containers, and it's only one point because it has some fiber in it. It tastes the same as normal cottage cheese to me, it's conveniently packaged in individual servings and it's only one point. Plus a good way to get in some dairy, so if you haven't already, check it out!

Other than that, not too much new and exciting around here. So I will stop babbling, but everyone have a wonderful weekend and I will post a weigh in on Sunday.

Thursday, January 10, 2008

Ability

The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
Orison Swett Marden

Hi Loves! I'm feel pretty down and out today (combination of people being mean to me and making me cry...bastards and a cold that is trying to take over), but I wanted to post a little quote for you guys ;)

We all have this longing to lose weight, to be healthier, to be happier, well we wouldn't have the longing to do it if we weren't actually able to accomplish it. Now I understand most of the battle isn't even physically being able to do something, it's actually being able to mentally do it. I know thats part my battle! But just remember, anything you set out to do, you can do!

Today has been an OP day so far, and yesterday was also. So I'm doing good. I sneaked a peek at the scale yesterday night, and it's looking like a might maintain or gain a bit this week, but after last weeks loss, I'm cool with that!

I was going to head to the gym tonight, but I think I am going to enjoy a quiet night at home with the animals and trade tonight for tomorrow night :) But I'm still right on track to get more than my 12 goal workouts in, so that is awesome.

Anyways, I'm heading home for the evening, but have a healthy and happy evening!

Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Missions

It takes a person with a mission to succeed.
Clarence Thomas

I know I have a mission, do you? That mission that I am on isn't even necessarily to lose weight anymore these days (yes, yes, I want to get to goal!), but it's more about learning to be healthy and take care of myself. I think losing weight goes hand in hand with that mission, so it works out well. But I have a mission to be healthy, so I know I will succeed at doing it, and I believe everyday that I spend OP, I have succeeded at developing a healthier lifestyle that endure even beyond the weight loss phase.

So I have kind of another big milestone I've been forgetting to write about. A year on Weight Watchers. As of January 4th, I've spent a year on weight watchers (with a little blur in the summer of not being on). So here a year later I am 15.2lbs lighter than when I started a year ago. And I also think now this year later, I think I understand what it will take to get to my more realistically set (142, instead of 137lbs) goal weight. I think with the knowledge and companionship I am armed with now, I can see my goal weight the first half of this year.

A little update to my page...some valentines day colors for the season.

I've been good and OP. I had a NSV last night. I couldn't sleep because it was extremely windy (and for some reason, that always keeps me up!), and I moved downstairs to sleep on the couch (this usually helps), well normally when I can't sleep, I have a tendency to start opening the fridge a rooting around for something (I have no idea why I do this!), but I usually end up with peanut butter, leftovers or ice cream...never a good thing. But last night, I grabbed a handful of chopped carrots and ate them. I was still a bit hungry, so I grabbed another handful. Completely made the right choice, and I was happy about that.

I got to the gym again last night, and it wore me out. I've been trying harder and harder to burn more calories each session, and usually it ends up being like 2 or 3 more, but it still means I'm working harder, because I'm not increasing time. Does anyone else notice that some nights when your working out things seem so easy, like you could run for 45 minutes, and then other nights you want to quit at 5 minutes? Sunday was a great workout, I felt like I could go forever, where as last night, I literally wanted to quit after 5 minutes. Just seems so odd to me. I just wonder if anyone else gets this.

I'm really looking forward to weigh in this week, I have no idea why, but I feel like I've lost weight this week, and I really honestly feel like after a 6.4lbs loss last week, that's nearly impossible. I'm not going to expect a loss, but if I got one, wouldn't that be great?

Alright enough of my babbling now (we are finally slower at work right now), but I hope everyone is having a healthy, happy and amazing day!

Tuesday, January 8, 2008

Getting Started

Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going.
Jim Ryun

Ahh isn't this quote the truth. We all have to be motivated (on our own by that!) to get started, but after awhile, we gain the habits of a new lifestyle, and that is what keeps us going on this lovely journey of fighting the fat. We just have to make sure that the habits that we develop are sustainable for the long term, and that they really are healthy. Just like my recent battle with trying to keep my carbs down. I had a healthy, sustainable lifestyle for maintaining weight, but it was very carb heavy, and I was not able to lose weight doing that. With a few changes, I think I will have better success, and I will develop newer, healthier habits.

Not much going on in my world. I've been extremely busy here at work, since it's our busy season. Plus on top of that, all the bloggers have come out of the woodwork, I have so much to read now!

My eating is going good, I still can't stay within the carb range that spark people sets for me, BUT I'm doing much better than I was before, and it's gotta be one step at a time. I'm getting lots of protein, and getting close to the recommended amount of fat intake. As far as weight watchers goes, I am doing great, I'm staying within my range, and working extra hard to get my 8 Good Health Guidelines in's and I'm doing good with that. My clothes feel more lose today than they did yesterday, so maybe I will see a loss this week? I'm not sure, since I've recommitted to only getting on the scale once a week.

The gym has been going good I've been there 4 times already this month, and #5 will be tonight, so I should have no problem meeting my 12 times this month goal.

Anyways, I really gotta get back to work, but I hope everyone is having a great day!

Monday, January 7, 2008

Greatness

It is the nature of man to rise to greatness if greatness is expected
of him.

-- John Steinbeck (1902-1968) American Novelist

I don't know that this quote really needs much of an explanation, but figured I would give a little one anyways. I know that we all write these blogs because we love the support, encouragement and sense of community that it gives us all, but I want you guys to know, that I read everyday because I think your all great. I think your great, and I know that you will all meet your goals! So there, I expect greatness of all of you!

I've thought alot about what might have caused my weight loss this week, and I am thinking it was a combination of water weight the couple weeks before, and my eating better. I have been watching my macro's more closely with sparkpeople, and I've been keeping my carbs in check, and trying to get more fat and protein. PLUS, this is a very big plus, I've been making sure to get in all my 8 GHG's that weight watchers sets out, including my oil. So I've been a good girl, and I think the scale stopped being a bastard because of that. I'm just hoping this week I can maintain that loss (usually my body compensates with a gain the next week after a big loss).

On the WW front things have been going good. I've been staying within my points, and I've been getting in my activity points too. As I mentioned before, I've been trying really hard to get back to the basics, get the 8 GHG's in, and once I get those, I can have my "snacks", things have been going good, and it is WAY different than how I was eating before, and I can see why I wasn't losing weight as good as before. I was eating worse, it's so easy to slack, and not really even realize it.

Thanks for the all the compliments on the loss! I love you guys.

My head is still very sore, but I don't have a headache. So that's great.

Here in Michigan today it's suppose to be 63....it was -7 last week....Go figure. That's why I love Michigan (I'm not being sarcastic!).

Anyways, we've been really busy at work as of the late, but I'm trying to keep up on my posting, and my commenting.

Have a healthy and happy day everyone...Stay OP!

Sunday, January 6, 2008

Weigh In

So I almost didn't believe what the scale said this morning, I lost 6.4 pounds this week. I have no idea where that came from, I knew I had a TOM gain one of the two weeks, but I even jumped on the scale four times to make sure it was right, so there we go. I'm excited and happy, but also kinda expecting a gain now next week to compensate from some of that. Ha Ha.

Last night I was in the kitchen and I bent down to pet chase and I came up and knocked my head bad on the counter. I didn't think it was that severe, but went to lay down for a minute cause I was seeing stars. Well turns out I gashed it open bad, blood everywhere, so needless to say head is hurting today, plus on top of that I had my mom calling and waking me up every 3 hours last night to make sure I was dying from a concussion (damn nurse in her!). So that was my fun for yesterday :)

Anyways everyone, I hope you have a good weekend, and I'll write a quality post tomorrow. Have a health and happy day!

Thursday, January 3, 2008

Judgment

Judgment comes from experience, and great judgment comes from bad
experience.
-- Robert Packwood

Ahhh, doesn't this quote sum up the live and learn mentality? We all live and learn at some point. I think there are a few of us, who this was their first holiday season on Weight Watchers (I know it was mine!), and I lived and I learned. I know things now that I can make sure to employ next year in order to minimize the weight gain of the holiday season. The whole weight loss journey is really a live and learn experience. When you fall off the wagon, and next time, when you make that judgment, your a little smarter aren't ya?

My dad has been good. Last night when I was packing my lunch and snacks for today at work, I decided to bring a little extra chicken salad and forgo the bread, and also pack a "protein heavy" day at work. I've been having trouble with getting too many carbs, They are good carbs from whole grain, fruits and veggies, but still too many. So I packed egg whites, cottage cheese, string cheese and some lunchmeat as snacks. So Right now I plugged into spark what I plan to eat tonight (minus the chili, because I'm not sure on NI yet), but I am still under the lower end of my carb range for the day! Yes! And of course my fat never breaks the low side, and my protein is good, so I am very happy. I feel better balancing what I am eating will allow me to get these last pounds off more quickly.

With that being said, I'm focusing on the 8 GHG's that weight watcher sets forward, and today (with dinner included) I will be getting them all in...including my oils! I've learned just to mix the two teaspoons of oil into something, goes better that way. So I'm pretty pumped for weigh in.

I'm going to hit the gym tonight. This will be my first night since the 1st, so the first time entering the crowded madhouse...yuck. I'm hoping it's not bad, and I don't end up killing anyone, which is always a good possibility lol.

In other news, it's friggin cold here. I awoke to the newsman telling me it was -7* outside....just a tad chilly. I thought for sure that was with wind chill, but alas, it was not. SO I froze my butt off on my little 4 mile drive to work. But go figure it's suppose to be 50* by Monday, ha ha. I love Michigan, if you don't like the weather...just wait a few days.

Is anyone else sick of the presidential mumbo-jumbo yet? I wish it was November already! ha ha

Alright, until next time, be healthy, stay on plan and get moving :)

Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Oppurtunity!

Opportunity dances with those who are ready on the dance floor.
H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Ah, isn't this quote a good way to start off the new year? It's very true. You have to be ready to do something in order to have the opportunity to do it. Weight Loss is really that way. You can have heartedly try many times, but if your not ready, if your not there and really wanting to do it, the opportunity will pass us by. So what do you say guys? Are we ready for the new year? Are we ready to lose the fat this year?

My new years has started off wonderfully. First off, I awoke to about 10 inches of new snow yesterday, and that's always fun (plus when your in the collision repair business...that means business...bad I know!). So I realized I broke my snow shovel during the last snow, and never replaced it, so alas, I needed a snow shovel. So I went out to get one, and while I was out I stopped in and got my first workout of '08 in. I figured it would be a good day to do it, because I figured tonight would be a madhouse at the gym because of the new year resolutionaries. So I got in my workout and went home shoveled a bit, snow blowed the driveway, and did some stuff around the house.

Later I had dinner at my parents, which was a major NSV. There is this meal of pork ribs and potatoes my mom makes and it is by far my most favorite meal. And I went over there, armed with my scale, weighed my dinner all out, and stayed on plan...plus I avoided all the little goodies she leaves lying around. So yesterday was a great day on plan. And a great great way to start the new year off on the right foot.

Today has also been good. I've been keeping track of what I am eating on Sparkpeople as well as with weight watchers, as I want to try to balance my diet a little more. I know I was eating way to many zero point foods, especially carbs (hello my name is Kate, and I am a carb addict). So I've been doing a little better. My carbs are still on the high side, but the majority of them are coming from whole grains, fruits and veggies, and I'm not going to cut out fruits and veggies.

Also, I've started weighing everything, include my kashi cereal and what not. I realized how my portions got out of control, even using the measuring cups. I once weighed the 1/2 cup of kashi I was eating, and it came out to 2 points instead of the one I was counting....all 1/2 cups aren't created equal. I lost weight at first just using measuring cups, but I think in order to get to my goal I need to be a little more strict, so that I what I am going to do. I really want to get to my goal weight by summer, so I've got to shape up.

As far as my January Goals:

1. Try to get to the gym three times per week. That means 14 times this month. I can do it. Cardio and Fat burning are my focus.

2. Lose 5lbs. I think it's doable, I was on track to do that in December before the wagon tipped over and fell on me.

3. Use Spark to track my Carbs, Fat and Protein for the month. I don't expect to do this for every month, but I think every so often I need to have a month of it. This will be one of those.

4. In conjunction with #3, appropriately balance my macros. I have a tendency to eat very carb heavy (perhaps preventing weight loss?).

So there we have it, my goals for January 2008!

It's so nice to open up my Google Reader and see a ton of blog posts, see everyone renewed interest in their health. I love having blogs to read, and hearing about people's journeys. Makes me not feel so alone in the battle of this , seems we all go through the same ups and downs. So welcome back to so many people!

I do hate this time of year for one reason. I go to the gym, and I basically have to wait in line to get on the treadmill. Makes me ticked when I just want to get in, get out, and there is someone camped on the treadmill for 90 minutes. Plus when I'm there running my butt off, there is always someone giving me dirty looks cause they want my machine....ugh! At least it's nice to know that by mid-February my quiet little gym will return to being that way!

Alrighty, I've babbled enough, but good luck to everyone with their goals, I'm looking forward to making the journey through 2008 with each and every one of you!