Back at work.

Oooooh, this morning it was tough to get out of bed and get showered, dressed and out the door. But... I did it!

Oatmeal for breakfast. About to go and get my coffee for the morning. I am planning a walk when I get home this evening. Dinner is salad with diced chicken.

Oh...and I'm wearing a 1x sweater today that I've had for 8 months...waiting for me to get into it. I put it on and couldn't believe that it fit. I wish that I had taken a picture of what it looked like 3 months ago.

*Big Grin*

Monday Weigh In!

Weigh in this morning....

285.8lbs

That is down 3.7lbs this week. YAY!!!!

I've been on this terrible "two steps forward, one step back" phase for the last 6 weeks and even though it is frustrating beyond belief, the end result this week is the lowest weight I've been at in a LOOOONG time. A year to be exact.

This graph says it all:

Last year on December 27th I was 297.8lbs. A 12lb difference to today. Wow. I'm really pleased with my water intake and my calorie counting and boy howdy, has it made a difference for me in the last 8 weeks.

Since October when I weighed in at my highest weight even (306.2) a short 10 weeks later I'm down 20lbs and setting myself up for real success.


This is the best gift that I have ever given to myself. I can't wait for 2011!

Happy Day!

I've really enjoyed my day today. I did a 3.5mile walk... it was not as sunny as I was hoping and there is a chill in the air...for Texas! It was still nice out and I enjoyed it. Husband is on the way home and we are going to head out and do another 1.5miles tonight to enjoy some exercise together.

Lunch I had some tuna mixed with Lemonaise Light. I had forgotten all about this. So yummy!! Worth looking up as a good alternative to Mayo.

Dinner is all planned. I've had a day to catch up with laundry, however I never did get all the household chores done that I wanted, so now they are all haunting me as I laze around... I don't wanna do chores... its my vacation! *pout*

Tomorrow is the day before Christmas...wow. I had no idea that December could go that fast!! January 2011 here we come.

We are having a lite-Christmas. Husband and I got a 42inch plasma tv for our xmas gift to each other. So there is nothing to unwrap. I"ve got a house-wide ban on junk food/cookies/ cake/chocolates. So there will be nothing of that sort around here to tempt me.

We have our bison roast and veggies for the xmas dinner, and then we are going to go and see a movie in the evening (TRON!) with some other family-less friends. Its easy for me to forget that it is the holidays here since there is no snow. Just don't feel like Christmas without it. I'll adjust eventually... and I'm not complaining. I love the warmth. I hated living in the icy cold car scraping, mitten wearing, massive layers of jacket, scarves, hats and freezing toes of winter in Canada.

Tomorrows plan is another walk in the park on my own, then time in some of my favorite bookstores with a coffee, laptop and some good magazines (Real Simple and some crafty magazine porn). I can't wait!

Food today:

Holiday!

YAY!!! Holiday.

I had a good sleep in..to 8.30am! and a leisurely morning around the house. My 11am date with my crafting friend was awesome. She got a new sewing machine - her first, so I was over there showing her the basics and we did some awesome little crafty projects.

I took over 2 of my hubbys old dress shirts and we made wine bags out of the sleeves, and tote bags from the bodies.

We had a very late lunch at La Madeline. I drank loads of water and husband and I are about to go out and get a whole wheat crust spinach, mushroom and feta pizza for dinner.

Last night we did nearly a 4mile walk. My dogs are tired. Tomorrow morning I'm going to go and do it again... alone this time. He has to work.

Today has been a very nice reprieve from the office treat hell. I'm looking forward to the rest of the week relaxing and being busy outside.

Food today:

Hanging on

The rest of yesterday went well. I managed to stay on track and not go crazy with the food at the office.

Today... NO FOOD. There are no treats to be found, there is nothing laying about and I'm happily going about my business here. Should any fool put food near me I am going to go super nova on them. The light from my angry eyes will burn holes through our building penitrating the earth to its core....and my yelling will be the YOP heard round the world.




I have made an executive decision to increase my calories. I had a look at my numbers, and my weeks and realized that what I had thought might happen actually has happened.... The lower I made my calories - the more I felt "crazy" about food I have become...

how much, when, where, how with, why... and then the cheating started... a very little at a time and then has gradually increased to a raging flood.

I moved my spreadsheet up to 1850 this morning and I feel a LOT better about it. There is wiggle room for changes, there is room for me to breath. There is also no pressure to eat as much as there is allowed for. I have learned a few things in thelast month plus. That being that I can eat UNDER what I have set. I mentally feel better about it all now.

1850 is still under my goal weight calories (2090) and I'm pounding back the water. Feeling good today. Half a pound was gone this morning on the scale and that helped as well with the happy feelings.

I had a big breakfast, I'm sipping my coffee and water and enjoying the quiet day at the office. I'm taking tomorrow off and going to walk and do some crafts with a friend. Take time to relax and enjoy myself.

Last night we did a nice walk (shorts and tee shirt weather again) and I'm going to do it again tonight.

Food Today:

Quick one!

Friday night I did a good 3mile walk. We had dinner out at the Indian place and it was great.

Today was a busy one. Had a Christmas brunch social with my crafting group. It was pot luck. I used a side plate as my plate for lunch. Had a little bit of a few things. None of which were good for me at all. Lots of cheese and casseroles were there and desserts.

I did another walk this afternoon and got groceries. We had massive yummy salads for dinner. I'm hoping that will clear me out.

I'm anticipating a disappointing Sunday weigh in, but this week has been sh*t almost from start to end. Next week is going to be better is ALL respects. None one put a fun to my head and made me eat this week, so there is only one person to blame for my lack of discipline. Me. I shall be telling myself all about it tomorrow.

Here is the food today:

Food Today

Well, I'm back on track. I can not say that I have NOT been tempted to have some treats, however....

I HAVE NOT HAD ANY!

victory is mine!

I did go for lunch, but I had a small roasted beet salad to start and then shared a burger and fries with my coworker. Neither of which was particularly large. In fact, this is a really nice steak place that does burgers on Friday with the steaks that didn't sell in the week.

Which, when you think about it is kinda nasty.. but.. the burgers are REALLY lean. I loved it.

Tonight I'm getting out for a big walk. Then we are going for Indian dinner. Mini Iddlies and a shared peas aloo parath. Its hot, yummy and filling. I can't wait. Then home to do some crafty stuff while watching more season one of Fringe!

I'm really pleased that I've managed to stay OFF the chocolates.

Food Today:

Friday Refocus

Today I'm doing a lot better. I think that the saturation for treats came to a head yesterday. I'm moving the offending items today before lunch to get them the f*ck away from me.

I'll be putting out stuff in the communal kitchen...which means that it will be gone before the end of the day.

I had the second half of my dinner last night for breakfast today. I forgot how much I LOVE cottage cheese and the awesome protein in it. Another lovely pear and a cup of the good stuff and I'm feeling full and happy.

Tonight we may go for some veggie Indian food. Last time hubby and I split an appy, a meal and a naan. This time I might just get the appy for myself and split the naan (peas paratha actually - naan with potato and peas in it... a lot less bread).

We are going to get out for a BIG walk tonight and then this weekend is going to be a lot of cleaning and organizing. I need to get out in the yard and do some work. I want the house to be cleaned totally and ready for me to enjoy my time off without any chores to do.

We have a lunch out today to celebrate one of our interns passing the bar. I am currently thinking of ways to decline gracefully.

Other than that. Water is good, treats are away from me now. HA! I moved them before finishing this. This weekend is going to be full of hard work and lazy evening. And water... lots and lots of water!

onward..

Today has shown some better success than yesterday. Which was a total clusterfuck.

Today I got to work, pounded out 4 hours of work in 2, then off to volunteer! Which was great. Its a fabulous mental break to think about people that have bigger struggles that myself.

We "built" bikes (read here attached the seats, handlebars, peddles and front tire), assembled helmets and enjoyed the company of coworkers and staff while volunteering our time to get a small part of the some 6,000 bikes needed out to kids that need them in our community.

That was a great time, I'm so glad that my company has such great allowance for community programs.

I had a protein bomb breakfast, however we were not off from volunteering until 1pm. I was already hungry and we were going to stop and get lunch, but one of the people in the car needed to get back. So we all had to go. I didn't get lunch until 1.45pm. I had a cup of shrimp gumbo and shared a small shoestring fries with a coworker.

Back into the office...treatmania was in full swing. There were 4 smoked turkeys that had arrived for our department heads, so they raffled them off (I didn't win). I launched into full meltdown food mode again.

Yep... again.I know.

I had 2 peppermint chocolate cookies, 1 macaroon, one truffle, and a half a cup of caramel popcorn. Another 600 calorie treat binge. I managed to keep today under 1900 calories, but my food choices SUCK.

I was disgusted after... and felt sick. Sick to my stomach. Sick in my head. Why won't I learn?

Dinner tonight was amended. I still feel sick from all the sugar. I went out and got some low fat cottage cheese and cut up a Christmas pear. It was simple, easy and delicious. I would have LOVED to have eaten this... instead of what I did this afternoon.

Once again, I am untrustworthy around these things. Tomorrow I am going to go ahead and move the shit to anther location. I wish that I had the power to just say NO and then follow through on my promise to myself.

Happily, the volunteer work had me sweating up a storm, and walking all over. My feet are hurting. I'm tired and going to get a good nights sleep in for sure.

Of course, I'm miserable right now and.... great.... just had a lovely shout at the husband. f*ck.

:( I hate this part of hating myself... taking it out on him. Must make amends.

Food today:

Spawn - Day 9

Water is going well - I woke up thirsty again this morning. So I'm going to try harder to get more water in me in the evenings, maybe a nice cup of hot tea each night will help do the trick! Ummm herbal tea!

I can feel a palpable relaxation in me after this mornings post. Releasing the stress of deciding what to eat and what not to eat has been nice. Its allowed me to look upon the treats in a removed way. This is kind of like some sort of exposure threapy! Hate spiders...be near them! Can't handel being near treats...here sit next to them all day! HA! Well, whatever.. its working.

Lunch is deliscious and filling, I love apple, chicken and berry salads!! Onto my third liter of water today.

Walking tonight is on the agenda! I can't wait to get home. The weather here is amazing.

Food Today is:

Spawn - Day 8

Ahh H2O how do I love you!??!!

Yesterday I got a staggering 183.5oz.. and you know what... I woke up THIRSTY this morning.

Wow.. the body is a strange and mysterious machine!

Water today is lagging as we are CRAZY at the office today. You know, the typical... holidays are coming, people are freaking out about stuff they should have done AGES ago and now they have like... 2 days to get it all done because they booked holidays already. bla bla

Makes for some interesting times, and I would like to add that I have done 3 flights of stairs already today and there are more coming.. I can tell. I'm going to be all over this office today.

I'm REALLY hungry right now. Breakfast had less protein than usual, so I'm feeling it right now. Lunch is salmon with quinoa and broccoli. That will be nice and yummy and filling.

This afternoon there is a long ass meeting with snacks. I'm going to be getting my oatmeal in me before I head into that. Keep the fingers off the food!

Allan posted this morning an awesome post. If I continue my trend, I will be at my goal weight in May... right in time for the husbands birthday...

Now that is some food for thought. That is really really amazing... to think that this is possible, after 3 years of struggling and gaining. I'm excited. Really Excited.

okay - lunch is calling me now. Must refill the water as well. 76oz of water in me today already. Must keep it going.

Food Today:

Spawn - Day 7

Monday Monday!

I have to say that today is my usual weigh in and I'm not going to bother with my exciting weigh in yesterday for the Spawn challenge.

However, as a teaser, I'm very pleased with this mornings number as well! HA! Take that cliffhanger! ;)

Last night after my massive salad dinner I was still hungry... I had my popcorn...still hungry.... My stomach growled all the way to this mornings breakfast. The husband even commented while we were on the couch last night that he heard it rumble. LOL

I am proud to say that I didn't freak out. I sat on the couch and THOUGHT about all the things that I could do. I could get up, get in my car and go out and get something... something... icecreamy...

Then I thought that I would have to log it on my spreadsheet, change all the numbers and then re-post it all... and ... I'm too lazy! :D HA!! take that hunger. I'm TOO lazy to get food.

Tonight is one of my favorite dinners. We are going to go for a big walk and keep that end of things moving along. More exercise each day in little increments. I have one more big task to get done... sleep.

I've been staying up later and later and later... last night I didn't get to sleep until 1.30am. I have to be up at 7am (at the latest!). So this is not working for me. Its such a bad habit, and hard for me to stop since I am a natural night owl.

I want to start getting up and doing a home workout in the mornings, so I'm going to get into a HOT bath tonight and get to bed early and try to get some extra winks. Then force myself to get up early for this week.

Water: 79.6oz at the moment. Aiming for +160

Okay, here is todays food:

Spawn - Day 6 (Weigh In)

Phase 3 first weigh in... I saw Allans predictions yesterday and was scared... I've not been weighing myself this week to reduce stress! ha!

got on the scales today:

287.2lbs


Down 3.2lbs!

YAY!!!

What is different this week. Well, I know that this week I did lower my calories a bit, and I made an even bigger effort to get my water in, I did 2 big walks, and I did something that I've not done before. Really adjust my eating to compensate for earlier meals. I'm working hard on the mental side of eating, and trying to find myself actually hungry before each meal. Apparently, its working!

I am so excited to read about how everyone else has done.

Super Saturday!

This morning we had a great sleep in. I love snuggling on a Saturday morning!

We had a quick snack of a kashi bar then headed out in the Houston sunshine in our shorts and tee shirts (teehee! Sorry Northerners...I couldn't resist) and had a good 3.5mile walk.

We stopped at the My Fit Foods after for some brunch, and Starbucks for a coffee.

Now am home and getting ready to do some of the weekend fun stuff (cleaning, laundry mostly). I have some great films up on netflicks right now that I want to watch and some crafting to do for Christmas presents, I need to get my Christmas cards pounded out as well!! Its going to be a great day. I might sneak in a long hot bath with a book as well.

Water is going well. We are going to get the fixings and make yummy salads tonight for dinner. Very excited. Day is half over so I want to get to it!

Happy weekend! Drink your water!!

Food today:

Spawn - Day 3

OMG...slept like a dead thing last night. I need a few more sleeps like that and I'll all caught up on any missing sleep. Which I am... I can tell because I am like a super monster hibernating bear in the mornings. RAWR... no want to get up.

Work has been hectic and annoying. I'm so glad that it is Friday.

Breakfast was good and filling. Lunch was the second half of last nights dinner. I'm so sick of being at my desk that I'm going to go and sit in my car in the parkinglot for 20 minutes. No food there, no temptations there and no people there. Perfect hideaway.

Husband and I will be going for a walk tonight, I am hoping for another 3miles.

Water is going well. Food today is:

Spawn - Day 3

Christmas Surprise....

Another holiday trap.. that I have sniffed out and will escape!


Today is the office department Christmas luncheon. Happily, I just found out that we are not required to finish the day. YAY for surprise half days. That means that I am going to get out to the park with my ipod and do a big long walk in the sunshine. I can not wait.

I had a look at the menu this morning. I’m getting the mixes greens salad with vinaigrette dressing and the margarita pizza (small), I will also be indulging in some sparkling water … to make me feel special! I’m not sure what the portion sizes are going to be like, but I will eat all the salad and half the pizza if it is large, if it is tiny (personal sized) I will eat it all. I’m also considering the roasted vegetable & goat cheese pizza.. .I’ll decide while I’m there.

Very excited. YAY half days.

Water so far…66.8oz

Here is my estimated food:

Spawn - Day 2

Just call me Cap'n Kirk because today I am boldly going where I have never gone before...

Or rather, where I can not in any recent memory remember doing (well really... no. I can't recall ever doing this)... I am eating yesterdays left over lunch for todays lunch.

yes, that was thunder you heard. I know... I can't believe it either! haha I actually had enough lunch left over to eat it again!? wow.

Yesterday I had greek food for lunch; a chicken soup and an order of hummus with pita and veg. I ate the soup and half the hummus plate yesterday and today, I'm having the hummus and pita (and olives) for my lunch!

I'm really very pleased with myself.

This afternoon is going to be a test. I was just moving around in the office and there are a lot of meetings here today over lunch, which means that in about 3 hours, there is going to be a LOT of cheat foods in the kitchen. So I'm eating my lunch, getting my water in me and I have my afternoon snack at my desk.

Happily I have a grapefruit, kashi bar and some yogurt to have this afternoon. All of which I find really make me feel full and satisfied.

I'm at exactly 1600 calories for today. Hubby and I are going to head out for another walk tonight, we just love this cool weather here so are trying to take advantage of it every time we can. Also bonus...exercise!

I'm already at 81oz of water today and here is the food breakdown:

Spawn - Day 1

Water: 182.6oz

Calories consumed: 1604

Exercise: 2mile walk

I'm not sure what Allan is going to think about this... as we are supposed to follow either 1200 calories... or my goal weight calories (2090)...so either I'm 400 over or 486 under or 4 over. Well ... how do you like that! Either way... I'm pleased.

This week my goal is 1600 calories a day with 36 grams of fat, 220 grams of carbs, and 100 grams of protein.

I'm hoping to get closer to 1200 by the end of December, but I'm not willing to go there now.

Water... this afternoon I got busy and the bottle was empty. I missed out on a lot, since I'm aiming for my 200+ ounces. 182 is over my water goal (163oz). So that is good.

I'm feeling a little hungry, but that is no problem. Husband just offered me an evening snack and I said no thanks. Must make that a habit! ;)

okay - that is all for now. I need a good 15min of perving on blogs to see how every one else is doing today.

Food Today:

My Fit Foods
Mix n' Mash - chicken breast, rice, egg whites, roasted peppers, salsa, low fat cheddar cheese, spices
Good Morning Sunshine - ground turkey, rice, egg whites, salsa, low fat cheddar cheese, spices