Yikes... (whoops)

I am in the process of transferring posts over from my old blog to this new(er) one, and I found the post I made back in June of this year where I had gotten an appointment to see a nutritionist, but had to cancel and was supposed to call to reschedule...whoops...

Looks like I need to call my PCP and get a referral for another appointment...

*sigh*

I swear I didn't forget on purpose, I just had so much going on the second half of the year with going back to college (I took two classes Fall semester), work, etc., etc., etc., that time just slipped away from me :-(

Wow...

I belong to multiple webrings, and it's depressing to go through the sites that belong to them where blogs and/or webpages haven't been updated in more than a year...

I don't want to find myself doing that. Sure, it's somewhat depressing looking at my past 2 years of weigh-ins, seeing it fluctuating, but I'm still posting, even if I'm omitting from posting my weigh-ins... Once I start losing again, rather than maintaining within a 5 lb zone, I know I'll definitely start posting those again. It's just that right now seeing those numbers isn't what I need to see.

I am, however, going to be moving over blog entries from my previous blog location so that I will still have those as a reminder, and, hopefully, to also serve as a motivator...

P.S. A note to all who might be interested - Discovery Health's 2007 National Body Challenge opens up for signups on Friday of this week (the 29th)! http://health.discovery.com/national-body-challenge/index.html

Yikes!!

The Worst Breakfast Ever -aka- the 1,000 calorie breakfast

The 8 worst foods you can eat

Trying out a new template...

I like the way this looks - yay :-)

Now to find time to get some actual posting done... ;-)

A little dieting humor from Erma Bombeck…

A little dieting humor…

Diet Totals 758-Pound Loss

I have dieted continuously for the last two decades and lost a total of 758 pounds. By all calculations, I should be hanging from a charm bracelet.

I have done a lot of kidding around with Weight Watchers, but it is the only organization in which I ever lost a great deal of weight. But I fought them. Every Tuesday morning, a group of us had to “weigh in” before the lecture. Our ritual was enough to boggle the imagination. We got together a check list of precautions before we actually stepped on the scale.

Bathroom? Check. Water pill? Check. Have you removed underwear, wedding rings, nail polish? Check. Set aside shoes and earrings? Check. Are you wearing a summer dress beneath your winter coat? Check.

The first week I stepped on the scale and my instructor said, “You have gained.” (Next week, I cut my hair.)

The next week, she said, “You have lost eight ounces, but that is not enough.” (I had the fillings in my teeth removed.)

The third week, I had dropped a pound, but my instructor was still not pleased. (I had my tonsils taken out.)

Finally, she really chewed me out. She accused me of not sticking to the diet and not taking it seriously. That hurt.

“I didn’t want to tell you,” I said, “but I think I am pregnant.”

“How far?” she said coldly, clicking her ballpoint pen to make a notation on my card.

“Possibly three days,” I said.

She glowered. “Any other excuses?”

“Would you believe I have a cold and my head is swollen?”

“No.”

“How about I was celebrating the Buzzard’s Return to Hinkley, Ohio, and had butter on my popcorn?”

She tapped her pen impatiently on the card and stared at me silently.

“Lint in the navel?” I offered feebly.

“How about first one at the trough?” she asked dryly.

I learned quickly never to argue with a woman who had the scales on her side.

I saw my old instructor the other day and she eyed me carefully and said, “When are you returning to class?”

“As soon as I have my appendix removed,” I said returning her gaze.

I’m not sure, but I think I heard her moan.

~ by Erma Bombeck

Study: Teen girls who are frequent scale-steppers often have more weight problems

ST. PAUL, Minnesota - Teenage girls who frequently weighed themselves were more likely than others to resort to unhealthy dieting measures, and some ended up gaining close to twice as much weight, a study found.

The most scale-obsessed girls in the University of Minnesota research were more likely to skip meals, use diet pills or laxatives, smoke, and binge and vomit to lose weight.

“The act of getting on the scale, weighing yourself every day, can lead to an unhealthy weight preoccupation,” said lead researcher Dianne Neumark-Sztainer, a professor at the university’s School of Public Health. “And teenage girls who are concerned about their weight are at great risk for unhealthy weight control behaviors.”

Click here to read the full article

Baby steps…baby steps…

I bought a friend’s elliptical trainer that she was selling because she was pregnant and decided to just keep doing kick boxing and tai bo…she’d bought it new for almost $500 but had it for over 6 months and used it less than once a month…so she sold it to me for $200…yay!

(The Eclipse 1100HR Elliptical Trainer)

I’ve used it a couple of times over the last week - so far only about to go about 5 minutes a go, but my body is getting more and more used to it, and I think I’m starting to remember how to move my legs on it, LOL…

Does anybody have any tips to offer?

And now for something completely different…

On our weekend grocery run, I decided to buy Healthy Choice frozen meals instead of Weight Watchers SmartOnes. I figured, it’s been a long while since I last bought them and I was grooving the new(er) look to their packaging.

Today’s lunch: Creamy Garlic Shrimp (Weight Watcher Points: 5)

The verdict:
The sauce was a little on the watery side, and not very thick.
(The pasta and shrimp were okay though)
Overall - not a lot of taste to the entree.

Vegetables - as good as to be expected

Desert (cherry crisp) - fairly decent

My overall grade: C
(Not the best-meal in the world, but still palatable)

Just thinking…

Since I’ve been paying for it, I figured I might as well start using weightwatchers.com again for logging…but let’s see how long that lasts

I wish I had free time in my schedule so I could even consder attending meetings. Heck, I would love to just find a regular walking group at a local park or mall - at least that I could do with my 22-month in tow, unlike WW meetings.

WW SmartOnes review of the day…

Dragon Shrimp Lo Mein (5 pts)

Weight Watchers describes this meal as “tender shrimp in a mild soy-garlic sauce paired with Asian noodles tossed with sugar snap peas and carrots”

My much shorter, one word description: YUM!

I had tried it a few months ago when I had a cold and was couldn’t taste a thing and even then I could taste the kick in this frozen meal! Not that it’s that kicky, but it’s definitely not bland!

This one’s sure to go back on my shopping list again!

I will lose this weight…I will lose this weight…

How many times do I have to repeat this mantra before I can get myself motivated enough to make a difference?

I avoid the mirror because I can see what I look like.
I avoid intimacy with my husband because I know what I look like.

Yet I also avoid doing anything further than trying to change my eating habits?

On the bright side, at least I managed to move the manual treadmill from the “box storage room” (we moved into our house in May) to a spot next to the couch a few nights ago. Heck, I even walked 1/2 a mile that same night - and walking on that thing is harder than doing an automated treadmill since you really have to work to keep the belt moving instead of you just having to keep up with it… But I haven’t walked on it since…not enough hours in the day during the week

Yecch...

I made the mistake of buying a box of SlimFast Chocolate Chip Granola bars.

Very not impressed…definitely not a “buy again” product for me!!

Wow, that actually wasn’t half bad…

I had the WW SmartOnes Macaroni & Cheese (5 pts) for lunch today and it was actually better than some of the other brands I’ve tried in the past of frozen mac & cheese. Definitely one to get again!

Yesterday I had the WW SmartOnes Three Cheese Ziti Marinara again and still loved it (even if I did manage to get sauce on my shirt, whoops!) - definitely one of my top favorites!

I’m still here and dieting, I promise!

I’ve had a very hectic couple of weeks between my husband’s job changing and my required overtime at work, so I haven’t been online as frequently as I usually am *adjusts halo*.

I’ve gained back 2 lbs over the past month, but 2 lbs is better than the alternative. This week it’s back on the diet fulltime though!

P.S. If anybody in the NE-ish side of Atlanta area is reading this and is interested in walking regularly at the Mall of Georgia or Discovery Mills, let me know!

Somebody posted a comment to my last post asking about WW, sugar cravings, and bread, and I posted a response to their comment, but also wanted to post my response here in case anybody else had similar questions:

To answer your question, the only “sweets” that I keep around are things like fat free meringues (I’ve found them at most grocery stores) and Weight Watchers’ snacks like Crispy Butter Cream Caramel and Peanut Butter Crunch (my current favorites). Points values for the WW candies are 1 pt per piece, so I can have a little sweet without it wrecking my diet

Also, check out the Weight Watchers online store to see what other things they have like hard candies, so that if you absolutely *have* to have something sweet, at least you’ll know it’s something healthier for you than a candy bar or something worse that you might hunt down otherwise.

For bread, Weight Watchers does have their own bread, but I usually buy WhiteWheat.

Point Values from WW Online:

Nature’s Own Whitewheat loaf bread, 1 slice –> 0 pts
Nature’s Own Whitewheat hamburger buns, 1 item –> 1 pts
Nature’s Own Whitewheat hot dog buns, 1 item –> 1 pts

My Review of the WW SmartOnes Dragon Shrimp Lo Mein (5 pts)

Yum! Not too liquidy and a decent amount of noodles, shrimp, peas, and carrots. A little almost-kick from the mild soy-garlic sauce, but a definitely yummy one.

A+

I’m back at work today and decided to bring something a little different for lunch…

Lean Cuisine Steak, Cheddar & Mushroom Panini

WW points: 6
Calories: 300
Fat: 9g
Fiber: 3g

The verdict? YUM! A+ all the way!

Sorry that I’ve been so quiet the past few days…

We’ve been dealing with a stomach bug, so both the hubby and I have been laying as low as possible whilst keeping our 19-month-old entertained.

On the bright side, I had a good loss when I weighed in yesterday...

Getting closer to my 10% goal of 263.3 lbs!

100 Reasons to lose 100 Pounds (Author Unknown)

1. To feel good about ourselves.
2. To have GREAT sex!
3. So we won’t think people are laughing or talking about us.
4. To buy clothes in a normal store and actually get clothes with some style to them that fit correctly.
5. To have more energy!
6. To be able to tie your shoes/paint toenails.
7. To be able to sit on a floor and get up gracefully.
8. To wear a bathing suit.
9. To cross your legs or sit Indian style.
10. To fit into an airline/theatre/bus/whatever seat without spilling over and without having to see “that look” from the person who has to sit beside you.
11. So our ankles won’t swell.
12. To fit into a booth at any restaurant.
13. To not need an extension to a seat belt on an airplane and to have the tray table not balance on our bellies.
14. To not worry about being decapitated in our cars with our seat belts on if we should be in an accident.
15. To not turn beet red after moderate exertion.
16. To be able to pick something up off the floor.
17. Panty Hose that fit!
18. To go to an amusement park and ride the rides.
19. To be able to sit in any chair without worry of breakage.
20. To not have to apologize when caught in a narrow aisle and have someone need to get by.
21. To go dancing, sky diving, bungee jumping….
22. To be able to go horseback riding or ride a bike.
23. To not worry about rashes and sweating.
24. To not have to listen to “caring” people ask why you don’t diet or worse still… “gee youhave such a pretty face”.
25. To not worry about spilling food, sauces or gravy down the front of your blouse/dress/shirt when eating.
26. To not have to think up some excuse for not doing something because you know your weight will impede you.
27. To not have your belly hit the steering wheel and to be able to fit comfortably in the driver’s seat.
28. To have a bra fit comfortably and to be able to buy underwear at Victoria’s Secret rather than at “Tubby the Underwear Guy”.
29. To not have to worry about the weight limit of step stools, ladders, motorcycle, exercise equipment, etc.
30. To not get stuck in a turn style.
31. To not wake up feeling achy in the back..or to have ache free legs and feet.
32. So the bathroom scale won’t creak and groan when you step on it.
33. To be able to leave the tablecloth on the table at a restaurant instead of dragging it with you when you get up.
34. So you won’t look the other way when you see yourself in a monitor where they have security cameras.
35. To never be embarrassed about your size.
36. To not count tying shoes as daily exercise.
37. To not have to wait for the handicap stall when there are plenty of other stalls available.
38. To not be more out of shape than seniors.
39. To not break toilet seat when leaning to one side.
40. To be able to put on wedding rings again.
41. To try to make a double chin and fail!
42. Buy clothing bargains to fit the next year … and they do!
43. Not to have to worry about plastic zippers or having your pants bust open.
44. Normal waistbands rather than elastic!
45. To wear knee socks correctly instead of worn like slouches!
46. To look good in a tee shirt!
47. To try on slacks or jeans and have the pant leg actually fit over leg!
48. To be able to get close to sink and not come away with a wet belly!
49. To get out of a stuffed chair GRACEFULLY and not look down to see if the chair has come up with you!
50. To not worry if the hairdresser’s smock will fit!
51. To not be self-conscious about eating in front of others!
52. To not be afraid to ask which hairstyle suits your face.
53. To not have people checking you out after looking in your grocery cart.
54. To not feel (and look) like a sausage in stirrup pants.
55. To have your friends NOT be embarrassed to be seen with you.
56. To get promotions/hired or close that sale.
57. Pants that stay up because your waist is smaller than your butt!
58. No more boobs! (this is for the guys!)
59. Wearing shorts or tank tops without fear of arrest or grossing out others!
60. To not have the fear of being rejected.
61. To successfully flirt!
62. To not worry about how to get in and out of the back seat in a two door car!
63. One size fits all and it fits you!
64. To have a lap.
65. To not have the car you are ride in slant in your direction.
66. To be able to use toilet paper as it was meant to be used and not to have to invent ways to “get the job done”.
67. To not have to watch TV news reports on fat people in hopes that you haven’t been caught on camera!
68. To be able to get between cars in a parking lot without wiping the dust off with your belly and your butt.
69. No more heat rashes and chafing in the upper thighs.
70. So that the cloth in the thigh area doesn’t wear away long before the rest of the slacks do!
71. To meet a friend online and not be horrified to have to send a picture of yourself.
72. To not take fat references and fat jokes personally.
73. To know you can go anywhere because wherever you sit you CAN be comfortable and look at ease.
74. To shop at the mall and not have your back ache from lugging your huge butt and stomach around!
75. To be able to stand still, carrying nothing and still look poised.
76. To be able to cross your arms across your chest without them resting on your stomach!
77. To have your feet get smaller.
78. Using your mouth to taste and chew food rather than as just a route to get the food from your lips to your stomach.
79. Blood pressure returns to normal.
80. To avoid other health complications from being overweight.
81. To be able to borrow a co-worker’s jacket for an important meeting.
82. To meet someone for the first time and their eyes don’t pop out of their head with amazement…because they never knew you’re fat!
83. To see your reflection in a mirror or store window without turning away!
84. To wear a watch with a regular length watch band.
85. To look in the mirror when getting your hair cut without thinking you have the biggest face in the world.
86. To not mind getting your picture taken.
87. To not avoid going to the doctor because you have to get “weighed” in.
88. To wake up each morning feeling energized and ready to go.
89. To not even worry about squeezing into small spaces.
90. To not have to enter an elevator and check the weight limit.
91. To look in your closet and have problems deciding which stylish outfit to work since you have so many that look good and fit well.
92. To not have to lie perfectly still in bed at night for fear of breaking the bed!
93. To buy tie shoes instead of slip ons!
94. To be able to walk any distance without looking for a bench to sit on.
95. To look forward to shopping and just trying on clothes!
96. To be able to drive by any fast food place without salivating!
97. To be able to shop at the same store for food instead of having to remember where you shopped last night for the junk food so you can avoid that store for a few days!
98. To not feel lower than low when an innocent child remarks about your size!
99. To not constantly be thinking of where your next morsel of food is coming from.
100. And the 100th reason to lose 100 pounds….. I’M WORTH IT!

     – Author Of List Unknown

My Review of the WW SmartOnes Tuna Noodle Gratin (5 pts)

I’d give this one a rating of either a high C or low B.

It didn’t taste bad, but it also didn’t have much of a taste, and almost seemed a little watery to me. I’m sure I could have added *something* to it to give it a little more taste, but as-is it was nothing to brag about.

I still might get it again though…depends on how big my list gets!

Whee!

Ever have one of those mid-week weigh-ins that just really get you motivated and doing the happy dance!

I weighed in this morning, just out of curiosity to see how I was doing, and found that I’m 20 lbs lighter than I was on 5/31/06 - whoopee!

Now let’s see how my official weekly weigh-in looks on Monday… *crosses fingers AND toes*

My Review of the WW SmartOnes Three Cheese Ziti Marinara (6 pts)

Another delicious discovery! There’s actual cheese in it, and the sauce isn’t runny, nor the pasta tough to chew, and it was better than some home-made versions I’ve tasted before!!

Definitely gets a grade of A+ from me, and definitely goes on the shopping list for next time!

Thanks to Shay for suggesting 2 additional flavors to add my shopping list - the Fettucini Alfredo with extra broccoli cuts and the Chicken Enchiladas Suiza.

My Review of the WW SmartOnes Thai Style Chicken & Rice Noodles (5 pts)

For the 2nd day in a row, I’ve been impressed by WW’s frozen meals.

This one actually makes me miss the Thai Restaurant I used to live down the street from! Definitely another flavor that I won’t mind buying again in the future!

(Seriously, if you’re in the Marietta, GA, area, check out the Lemon Grass Thai Restaurant - they’re AWESOME!)

Ya know...

…Weight Watchers’ SmartOnes frozen meals are actually pretty yummy, even if they are more expensive than Healthy Choice!

On my grocery shopping trek over the weekend, I picked up 7 different SmartOnes meals, and yesterday tried the Ravioli Florentine (5 pts) and loved it. It was fairly filling (of course, I also tend to cut on ravioli squares into 4ths so that it takes longer to eat and adds to my feeling full) and definitely a flavor I would try again…

Today I brought Thai Style Chicken & Rice Noodles (5 pts), and I’ll be sure to report my opinion this afternoon after lunch

Want a coupon to save $1 on the purchase of 5 SmartOnes Weight Watchers frozen meals? Click here: http://www.eatyourbest.com/promotions/

On the topic of scales…

I lost another 1.5 lbs last week and am now down to 275.5 as of this morning’s weigh-in, which makes me 17 lbs lighter than I was on my initial 5/31/06 weigh-in - go me!

Introducing…my new scale!

My old scale wasn’t always the easier to use - if you moved *just* slightly, it would give you an error. The scale I bought from Avon last year was even worse - it was consistently 10 lbs off, in one’s favor at least, but still, an unreliable scale is not a good thing to have around.

So…I bought a new scale while I was doing a grocery run at Wal-Mart yesterday:

Taylor Body Fat Analyzer & Scale, Model 5571

Increased body fat has been linked in studies to an increased risk of breast cancer. Using this Taylor Body Fat Scale will help you to monitor your overall body health. By focusing on body fat, body water and weight levels, you can monitor your body health plus your risks of breast cancer over time. Taylor only uses bio-electrical impedance analysis, the most accurate home method of calculating body fat so you can be confident in the results time after time.

• Comes with “Understanding the Risk” pamphlet
• Measures body fat to the 0.1%
• Measures body water to the 0.1%
• Athlete or normal mode: Athlete mode is important for those exercising more the 12 hours per week
• Simple scale-only mode
• 330 lb x 0.5 lb weight capacity
• Unique body fat and body water range graph
• Four user memories
• Requires one 9 volt battery
• Lifetime warranty

Help fund the fight to find a cure for Breast Cancer. With the purchase of this scale, Taylor Precision Products will donate $1 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Read more about this organization at www.bcrfcure.org.

Happy 4th of July!

Have fun and stay safe!

Another week, another weight loss!

Down 1.5 lbs from last Monday

Still logging points, just haven’t posted them yet…

I’ve been trying to decide if I should just add a page in the “pages” section on the right side of the page and enter my points there instead…still deciding on that though - so if you check the blog this weekend and see something has changed, that’ll likely be it. :)

I’ve had a BUSY week at work this week that has resulted in my having worked 40 hours before I even logged in this morning, so I’ve been a little busy, but I’ve been trying to to be good and not eat too much fast food, and to balance it out with the rest of my day.

I found my Curves exercise mat that I bought from Avon a while back but packed up when we moved, so I’m going to work on doing some basic exercises (crunches, steps, etc.) at least every other day until I can build it up to an every day thing. I’ve been using the DVDs I have, but my knees can only take so much of some of the moves :-/

Food & Points Log for 6/26-6/27

6/26/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 17.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 2

6/27/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 11
Activity POINTS values earned: 2

Very obviously, this has not been the best week for me eating-enough-wise. I ran out of my SlimFast (Target generic) shakes, so I’ve had to miss breakfast this week. Yesterday I honestly felt full but didn’t realize until just now that I only ate 11 pts all day - eek :-/

Food & Points Log for 6/23-6/25

6/23/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 30
Activity POINTS values earned: 2

6/24/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 45
Activity POINTS values earned: 4
(I used 14 of my 35 “free points” for the week)

6/25/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 17
Activity POINTS values earned: 3

Forgotten why you exercise? Here’s your 7-step reminder primer!

I found this in a forum I frequent and had to re-post it here…

Forgotten why you exercise? Here’s your 7-step reminder primer!

Finding the time and energy to get active can be hard, especially if you’ve been inactive for a long time. Often, though, the hardest time to be active is a few months into your workout plan, when you think you’ve got the lazy bug licked? About then, you might start thinking “Oh, I can just take this week off.”

Soon enough, this week turns into next week and the week after, and so on.

So every time you’re about to give up on exercise, read this 7-step list to yourself? Or better yet, tape it up somewhere (like the bathroom mirror) where you’re most likely to read it everyday.

1) People who exercise live longer, on average, than people who don’t. Active people have a lower risk of dying from heart disease and stroke, and they’re less likely to get high blood pressure.

2) Exercise can help with health problems like type 2 diabetes (exercise can lower your blood sugar levels) and arthritis (exercise helps reduce joint swelling and pain and improves mobility).

3) Exercise makes you “functionally fit,” meaning that it’s easier for you to carry groceries, do chores, even go to the mall and shop for new (smaller) clothes!

4) Active people are less depressed, and depressed people often feel better after they start exercising.

5) Exercise can save you money. If you can prevent serious (and costly) medical conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and osteoporosis, you will have more money for your other needs.

6) Exercise is fun! Many of the activities you did for play as a child count as exercise. Dancing fast, walking your dog, bicycling, and gardening all strengthen your heart and lungs.

7) SO GO GET FIT!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!!

6/22/06 Food Blog & a recipe!

6/22/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 17.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

For dinner we had some *delicious* oven-baked homestyle fries…2 pts of cheese fry goodness!

POINTS® value: 2
Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 10 min
Cooking Time: 45 min

Ingredients:

1 sprays olive oil cooking spray
2 large potato(es), Idaho, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch-thick strips
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
2 oz low-fat cheddar or colby cheese, about 1/2 cup
Instructions:

Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
Arrange potatoes on prepared baking sheet and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bake 20 minutes and then flip fries and cook for an additional 20 minutes untl golden brown and fork tender. Cluster potatoes together on baking sheet and sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese melts, about 5 minutes more.

An interesting snippet from the Washington Post

With Friends Like These…

More than half the people responding to a survey conducted by eDiets.com — which bills itself as an online diet, fitness and healthy-living destination — indicated that friends purposely try to sabotage their eating plans when they are attempting to lose weight, and more than two-thirds said they believed their friends would like to see them stay overweight. That’s not mere paranoia talking, suggest other findings: 47 percent of survey respondents reported "feeling better" when their friends are overweight.

From: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/12/AR2006061201085.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wow, talk about scary stats! Makes me really wonder if these so-called "friends" are really friends or if they just hang around you just because it makes them feel/look better in comparison :-/

6/21/06 Food & Points Log

6/21/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 31
Activity POINTS values earned: 2

While I was at the doctor’s office yesterday (Tetanus booster for college I’m transferring to), I asked about a referral to a nutritionist so that I could get some assistance planning menus, etc. It’s all good and well that I LOVE salads, but when a salad for me comes to at most 4 pts, it barely makes a dent when I’m supposed to be eating 31 pts/day. My appointment is scheduled for Tuesday the 29th, so wish me luck! She also asked me to bring in my food journal between now and then so that we can go over it - thank goodness for the POINTS® Tracker on weightwatchers.com :)

Food & Points Log for 6/18-6/20

6/18/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 22.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 2

6/19/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 25.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 4

6/20/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 21
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

Exercise Misconceptions (humor)

Q: I’ve heard that cardiovascular exercise can prolong life. Is this
true?

A: Your heart is only good for so many beats, and that’s it…don’t
waste them on exercise. Everything wears out eventually. Speeding up
your heart will not make you live longer; that’s like saying you can
extend the life of your car by driving it faster. Want to live longer?
Take a nap.

Q: Should I cut down on meat and eat more fruits and vegetables?

A: You must grasp logistical efficiencies. What does a cow eat? Hay and
corn. And what are these? Vegetables. So a steak is nothing more than
an efficient mechanism of delivering vegetables to your system.
Need grain? Eat chicken. Beef is also a good source of field grass
(green leafy vegetable). And a pork chop can give you 100% of your
recommended daily allowance of vegetable products.

Q: How can I calculate my body fat ratio?

A: Well, if you have a body, and you have body fat, your ratio is one to
one. If you have two bodies, your ratio is two to one, etc.

Q: What are some of the advantages of participating a regular exercise
program?

A: Can’t think of a single one, sorry. My philosophy is: No Pain…Good.

Q: Aren’t fried foods bad for you?

A: You’re not listening. Foods are fried these days in vegetable oil.
In fact, they’re permeated in it. How could getting more vegetables be
bad for you?

Q: What’s the secret to healthy eating?

A: Thicker gravy.

Q: Will sit-ups help prevent me from getting a little soft around the
middle?

A: Definitely not! When you exercise a muscle, it gets bigger. You
should only be doing sit-ups if you want a bigger stomach.

Q: Is chocolate bad for me?

A: Are you crazy? HELLO . Cocoa beans …. another vegetable!!! It’s
the best feel good food around!

Well, I hope this has cleared up any misconceptions you may have had
about food and diets. Now go have a cookie…flour is a veggie! If
swimming is good for your figure, explain whales to me.

“Restaurants offer too much of a bad thing” - my take

Restaurants offer too much of a bad thing
Cut portion sizes, get rid of fat-laden side dishes, health officials say
(Associated Press)

Those heaping portions at restaurants — and doggie bags for the leftovers — may be a thing of the past, if health officials get their way.

The government is trying to enlist the help of the nation’s eateries in fighting obesity. One of the first things on their list: cutting portion sizes.

You can read the rest of the article at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13090060/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The article seems to focus on fast food, but yet it mentions doggie bags? When was the last time you saw somebody eat at a fast food restaurant, get the supersized meal, and then take part of it home? I don’t eat fast food very often, but unless it was a to-go order, I can’t think of the last time I saw somebody taking part of their meal home other than maybe their soda pop.

Although the article doesn’t go into the doggie bag aspect of the initial teaser paragraphs, I think that they’re a great idea. If you know that a particular meal is going to be too large for you to eat, what’s wrong with asking for a to-go box with your meal, or even with you meal, having had the waiter/waitress go ahead and divide your meal for you, if need be? I do that lots of times, especially when we go out to eat at Provino’s. I know that a portion is too much food for me to eat at one sitting so I get a to-go box shortly after the food, and go ahead and divide my dish up. Then, if I still have any food after I’m through eating my portion (which I usually do), that goes into the box as well. Want rolls with that? Sure the garlic buttered ones are yummy, but I’ll ask for the plain ones (since my daughter prefers those) and maybe I’ll dip a torn off piece or two into the bowl with the sauce that dropped off of my husband’s rolls, but rather that than just add to the calories I know ahead of time (I consider myself at least a semi-educated consumer since I don’t know the exact nutrition information there, rather just the average for similar dishes) and I want to make sure that I monitor what goes into my mouth.

Whether from the "Supersize Me" movie or just from common sense, I hope that people know better than to think that eating out/having delivered/driving through is healthy if they’re doing it on an everyday basis. At least that’s what I hope…wouldn’t surprise me if people still refuse to acknowledge that though… *sigh*

P.S. Did you know that a Big Mac, medium Coke and large fries from McDonald's contain a total of 1,340 calories, more than half the recommended daily calories for both men and women?? Talk about yikes! And no, not eating for the rest of the day before and/or after that is NOT a good idea!

Food & Points Log for 6/16-6/17

Even after today and yesterday going slightly over my 31 points/day, I still have 30 points left in my weekly allowance.

6/16/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 37
Activity POINTS values earned: 1
Activity POINTS values swapped: 1
Mmm…Provino's... (tip: get a takeout box with your meal to set aside half your meal before you even taste your first forkful)

6/17/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 32
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

6/16/06 Food & Points Log (Er, kind of)

I haven’t logged points for Friday because I don’t know the exact point values of dinner tonight (Italian), so I’ll look them up tomorrow!

I got a new DVD this week. Once I try it out (hopefully tomorrow), I’ll be sure to post my first impression!

<— My new DVD

Food & Points Log for 6/14-6/15

6/14/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 22.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

6/15/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 25
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

I haven’t forgotten to post today…I swear!

I can’t remember what kind of steak it was that DH cooked for dinner, so I need to wait until I get home tonight to log my official points for yesterday. So look for that post either tonight or tomorrow bundled with today’s points log.

Some great articles from the AJC

1. Portion control is nothing to dread as long as you take the … RIGHT BITES
2. Shrink-or-share strategies
3. 50 easy ways to get your 5 a day

6/13/06 Food & Points Log

6/13/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 29.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

Food & Points Log for 6/9-6/12

6/9/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 24.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

6/10/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 28
Activity POINTS values earned: 3

6/11/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 30
Activity POINTS values earned: 2

6/12/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 20.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 4

We had a busy and productive weekend. We cleaned the Little Tikes Playhouse that the former owners of our house had left in the backyard, and now it’s play-in-able for Emma. I also got the pollen cleaned off the chairs we had out on the porch at our apartment that we hadn’t really used since DD was born. I had originally been planning to spend $200 to buy a spinning bike, but I decided that it can wait and I told DH to instead buy a grill, so he did…and it’s in the box in the garage, LOL. Hopefully once Alberto’s weather pattern passes we can get it put together

I also did some "window shopping" at Walmart for plants and supplies they had while we were there, and then drove into several neighborhoods on our way home for ideas. If anybody reading this blog has any tips for a first-time homeowner on flowers/plants, landscaping, basic gardening, etc., please feel free to share away via comments!

6/8/06 Food & Points Log

6/8/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 34.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 2
Activity POINTS values swapped: 1

Food & Points Log for 6/5-6/7

Whoops, just realized I hadn't posted these yet…

6/5/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 24.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

6/6/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 30
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

6/7/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 19.5
Activity POINTS values earned: 1

Yay, got my order from WW yesterday!

Since the materials I have from when I attempted WW over 3 years ago were, obviously, 3 years old (seriously, on the back they said "updated for 2003", LOL), I ordered a new "Starter Kit" from Weight Watchers with the books on points values for eating out and common foods.

Something I found during that shopping experience really surprised me. On eBay, people are paying up to $20 more than the same materials would cost if they went directly to Weight Watchers online store! I knew there was price gouging that went on there, but geesch, I didn’t expect to see so many people making this kind of profit!

The "Basic Starter Kit" that I bought on WW for $22.95 is selling on eBay for Buy it Now prices of up to $40 (ex.)!!

I found one kit that consisted of the $22.95 starter kit + the $9.95 calculator selling for $60 on eBay (ex. and ex.)!! I guess the $27.10 the buyer would be overpaying is for the promised "basic tips to get started" that are included. Gee, what a "value" :-/ (Even the bidding start price of $39.99 is guaranteeing a profit on the WW cost of $32.90)

On the other hand, if I ever happen to lose my conscience, at least I know how to make some easy and quick money

But anyway, back to my order. I ordered an extra 12-week diary in addition to the one that came in the starter kit (btw, I love, love, love the material the new organizer the materials come in compared to the one from 3 years ago) as well as the 32-oz "insulated water mug" ($5.50 on WW vs prices of up to $14.99 on eBay (ex.))

So, I got the $22.95 starter kit + $5.50 mug + $3.95 extra diary for $32.40 - makes me sure feel like I got a sweet deal when I compare it to the auctions on eBay - WOWSERS!

And yes, since yesterday was day 1 of my week (my weigh-in days is Monday), I dutifully entered what I’d eaten for the day into the diary last night. Go me! Now to go to WW online eTools and calculate the points for last night’s dinner (to make sure I was right) and to log it on the website and then come back and record it here

Ack!

I just realized that somewhere between the bathroom and the car this morning, I must have laid my pedometer down. Hopefully I can find it tonight before the toddler wanders off with it, never to be seen again… :-/

6/3-6/4 Food & Points Log

A summary of the weekend…

6/3/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 30
Activity POINTS values earned: 3

6/4/2006:
POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 39.5
Activity POINTS values swapped: 4

Dance Dance Revolution!

My husband surprised me with DDR Max and DDR Extreme 2 yesterday so this morning was my first time EVER playing this AWESOME game! :-D

I only burned 150.355 calories this morning (1.002) jogging miles, but I took breaks when I needed a breather or some water and kept it on the Beginner mode until the last two songs that I tried on the Light mode. I wonder how many extra calories burned I could add on for both playing the game and keeping my 18-month-old from trying to "join in and help mommy" like she wanted to do during the last song - LOL!

Since I have two versions of the game, being the dork that I am, I created a spreadsheet with graphs so that I can take a look at weight/calories burned/miles "jogged"/etc. so that I can completely keep track, as well as quickly reference it when I’m not near the PS2.

So 150.355 calories burned = 1.5 activity points according to the standard I found on the WW official boards.

6/2/06 Food & Points Log

POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 23.5
Activity POINTS values swapped: .5

Midday (19)
1 serving Lay’s Baked Sour Cream & Onion Potato Chips
1 serving Philly Connection - Mushroom Cheesesteak: large

Evening (12.5)
1 serving steak & cheese burrito
8 oz. water
1 serving mexican rice
1/2 serving refried beans
8 oz fat-free skim milk

(P.S. Just because I'm reposting this on 12/28/06 does NOT mean I have any clue what happened mathematically on that day...LOL)

6/1/06 Food & Points Log

POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 23.5
Total Activity POINTS values earned: 1

Morning (4)
1 serving Target Rich Chocolate Royale Shake

Midday (2)
1 serving Publix Garden Salad
3 Tbsp Kraft Free Catalina Salad Dressing

Evening (17.5)
1 serving Publix Cool Mint Cookie Ice Cream
2 serving Publix Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream
1 serving Kraft Pasta Salad Gourmet Favorites - Basil Vinaigrette
8 fl oz Coca-Cola Diet Coke

Motivations from the Weight Watchers community boards...

The next time you are feeling that Weight Watcher’s is “Too Hard”. The next time you feel journaling, weighing and measuring food is “Too Hard”. The next time you feel exercising is “Too Hard”. The next time you think waking up early on a Sunday morning to weigh in and stay for your meeting is “Too Hard”.

I say the next time you feel “This is Too Hard” consider how hard it was/is to:

Shop in Specialty Clothing Stores (Layne Bryant, The Avenue, Catherine’s) your choices are limited.

Missing Out on Pool Parties because you’re too embarrassed to wear a bathing suit in front of your friends.

Not being able to wear your favorite outfit because it’s too small.

Not wanting to hug those close to you because you don’t want them to feel your rolls of fat.

Not going to the movies, because squeezing into the seats for 90 minutes is too uncomfortable.

Not dancing at weddings because you don’t want people staring at the “fat chick” on the dance floor.

Not attending family gatherings because you don’t want people to see how big you’ve gotten.

Not going to a picnic or summer barbeque because you’re afraid the lawn furniture won’t hold you.

Not attending your high school reunion because you don’t want old boyfriends seeing how much weight you’ve put on. Or old friends thinking “what happened to her?”

Not riding on amusement park rides with your kids because you can’t fit in the safety harness or the seat.

Not fitting in the booth at your favorite diner because there isn’t enough space between the bench and the table for you to sit.

Having to ask for a seatbelt extension on the airplane.

Yes, journaling, weighing and measuring your food, exercising, and attending weekly meetings is hard but being over weight is much harder and so much lonelier.

(By ROSIEBOPS)

5/31/06 Food & Points Log

POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 31
Total Activity POINTS values earned: 1

Morning (4)
1 serving Target Rich Chocolate Royale Shake

Midday (12)
1 serving Wendy’s® Southwest Taco Salad with only FF French Dressing
32 fl oz Coca-Cola Diet Coke

Evening (15)
8 oz fat-free skim milk
1 1/2 cup canned green peas
2 cup Kraft Macaroni And Cheese

I signed up for Weight Watchers online yesterday…

A friend on LJ convinced me to sign up for WW online so I did…

Okay, so it was really that I needed to anyway, but just needed a little push and a friend who was doing it as well, and voila :-)

Even though I didn’t officially start WW yesterday, I went ahead and entered what I had eaten into the Points tracker, just to make myself more accountable.

POINTS Target: 31
Food POINTS values Used: 59
Activity POINTS values swapped: 1

Morning: 21
Midday: 20
Evening: 18
Snacks: 0

Yeah, not to be my best day, but in my defense, I didn’t sign up for WW Online until just before dinnertime…
And, hey, at least I’ll have a number that’s my higest points/day I’ll ever allow myself…good logic, right? :-/

And at least I still have 8 flex points left until Sunday…

Why I’ve been MIA…

We decided earlier this year that we wanted to buy a house when the 2nd year of our apartment lease was up so we started looking at houses. We finally closed on the house we wanted on May 3rd, moved in a few days later., and have been busily unpacking ever since. Along with the house came a horrible allergy attack on my sinuses that I’ve been dealing with for almost a month now, so I hadn’t been focusing on diet and exercise as much as I would have liked to due to the craptacular way I’ve been feeling.

I’m about to make a real post, but just wanted to post a short something on where I’ve been since for once I had a legitimate excuse :-)

Toddler Miracle Diet!

(found on Internet, author unknown)

Americans are always on the lookout for a new diet. The trouble with
most diets is that you don’t get enough to eat (the starvation diet),
or you don’t get enough variation (the liquid diet), or you go broke
(the all-meat diet).

Consequently, people tend to cheat on their diets, or quit after 3
days, or go right back to stuffing their faces after it is all over.
Is there nothing you can do but give up and tell your friends you have
a gland problem? Or is there a slim (groan) hope?
Well, now there’s the new Toddler Miracle Diet!

Over the years you may have noticed, as I have, that most
two-year-olds are trim. It came to me one day over a cup of black
coffee and a carrot that perhaps their diet is the reason. After
consultation with pediatricians, X-ray technicians, and distraught
moms, I was able to formulate this new diet. It is inexpensive,
offering great variety and sufficient quantity. Before embarking on
this diet, however, be sure to check with your doctor… otherwise you
might have to see him afterward. Good luck!

DAY ONE
——-
Breakfast
One scrambled egg, one piece of toast with grape jelly.
Eat 2 bites of egg, using your fingers; dump the rest on the
floor.
Take 1 bite of toast, then smear the jelly over your face and
clothes.

Lunch
Four crayons (any color), a handful of potato chips, and a
glass of milk (3 sips only, then spill the rest).

Dinner
A dry stick, two pennies and a nickel.

Bedtime Snack
Toast piece of bread and toss it on the kitchen floor.

DAY TWO
——-
Breakfast
Pick up stale toast from kitchen floor and eat it. Drink half
bottle of vanilla extract or one vial of vegetable dye.

Lunch
Half a tube of “Pulsating Pink” lipstick and a handful of
Purina Dog Chow (any flavor). One ice cube, if desired.

Afternoon Snack
Lick an all-day sucker until sticky, take outside, drop in
dirt. Retrieve and continue slurping until it is clean again.
Then bring inside and drop on the rug.

Dinner
A rock or an uncooked bean, which should be thrust up your left
nostril. Pour iced tea over mashed potatoes; eat with a spoon.

DAY THREE
———
Breakfast
Two pancakes with plenty of syrup, eat with fingers, rub in
hair. Glass of milk: drink half, stuff pancakes in glass.
After breakfast, pick up yesterday’s sucker from rug, lick off
fuzz, and put it on the cushion of your best chair.

Lunch
Three matches, peanut-butter and jelly sandwich. Spit several
bites onto the floor. Pour glass of milk on table and slurp up.

Dinner
Dish of ice cream, handful of potato chips.

FINAL DAY
———
Breakfast
A quarter-tube of toothpaste (any flavor), bit of soap, an
olive. Pour a glass of milk over bowl of cornflakes, add a
half-cup of sugar. Once cereal is soggy, drink milk and feed
cereal to dog.

Lunch
Eat crumbs off kitchen floor and dining room carpet. Find that
sucker and finish eating it.

Dinner
A glass of spaghetti and chocolate milk. Leave meatball on
plate. Stick of mascara for dessert.

So that’s what it’s like to breathe through my nose…I’d forgotten!

Still here, still doing my best to eat healthier :-)

I did 50 crunches today…tomorrow I’m going to try to do that twice a day…and then build from there…

If I can get into a routine, I know that I can add to it and still keep going!

For me, this is a big step in the right direction…

Yesterday we went to WalMart to get a few essentials, and I stopped over in the exercise section. I got a set of 1.5 lb and 3 lb barbells (the soft “for women” version since DD is only 14 months) and the 5-lbs medicine ball set. So now I have those to help with resistance :-)

I also scoped out the elliptical machines just to see how theirs were since their least expensive model is under $200! I noticed that their maximum weight is 250 lbs, so I talked the hubby into letting me set one of my prize goals for myself - when I reach under 250 lbs I can get an elliptical! I think it helped convince him that it’ll be a few months until then ;-)

I also got onto sparkpeople.com this morning and printed out a bunch of exercises that I can do with the barbells and medicine ball

P.S. This cold is still hanging on, and I still can’t breathe through my nose with any regularity :-/

Go me…

I did good today and twice refused food that I know I shouldn’t have…

At our team meeting at work today, I didn’t get a piece of cake even though it was offered and people kept talking about how good it was.

Tonight, after we got home, John asked if I wanted some ice cream…and I said no…

I also did 50 knee-bends while I was brushing my teeth…

Little steps, little steps :-)

Still sick…

I’m still sick, but definitely much closer to feeling human than I have for the past week. My husband’s feeling a little better (per him), and our daughter’s cough is sounding better than it was. She still has a bit of a runny nose, but luckily she never really let on that she didn’t feel well - what a trooper :-)

We went through yesterday and worked out a budget; that way we can see where we are financially, as well as to help us figure out if we can afford upgrading to a 3-bedroom lease (currently in a 2 bedroom) in a few months when our lease is up…and we CAN - yay! I’ll be finished paying off my Amex card 2 months before then, so we can put that $200 into savings for those two months and have it on-hand for paying for the move - YAY! We need more space - we have the computer desk up next to our bed, and nowhere to put the treadmill (manual) that isn’t either underfoot or way to easy for our almost-14-month-old daughter to get to. We’ve decided that we can use the 3rd bedroom for computers/DH to practice his doublebass/treadmill. I did tell him that I wouldn’t complain if we upgraded to a Elliptical machine for me for Christmas since the manual treadmill is a bit tricky to get going at times ;-)

I’m trying to figure out when I can work out (there’s a gym in our complex), but that’s tricky to coordinate since it I work until 7, which would mean eating way too late and not seeing my daughter before bed if I went straight from work, and in the mornings I’d have her with me, which wouldn’t work either :-/ I’m hoping I can at least go ahead and go on weekends until I figure out what to do during the week - that’s a start at least, right?

You know…

It’s funny how it’s both depressing and motivational to look at my old journal entries.

I archived my old LJ posts here, and it’s weird looking at posts that date back to October 2003 and seeing how my original weight-loss timeframe goal was June 2005.

*sigh*

Ugh…

There’s a saying that goes “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face”, but I wonder if it applies to allergies and sinus issues? ;-)

I started feeling sick back on Monday and was off from work both Tuesday and Wednesday. Emma started getting a runny nose and coughing on Friday morning, and John started feeling the same way later that day as well. Great, we’re sharing germs! Ack! I still feel like crudula, and with them getting sick, I have a feeling that’s also keeping me from getting better…grr…

At least today I have some energy back even if my lymphnodes are still swollen and sore. My throat is finally NOT hurting (yay!), but I’m still coughing and my nose is stuffed-up most of the time. :-(

As I sit here typing, my husband is playing the PS2 and just coughed a couple of times in a row.

Oy…wish us luck in ALL getting back to 100% soon!

P.S. Don’t forget that the Discovery Health Challenge started yesterday and includes a free Bally’s Membership from 1/14/06 through 3/11/2006. Sign up today if you haven’t already!! Let’s get healthy together!

The reasons I want to lose weight

Another day, another blog...

I typically start off my blogs with the story of my background, but this time I want to start off differently...

The reasons I want to lose weight:
1) For my daughter - I want to be able to really play with her.
2) For me - I want to feel good about myself; I want to be healthier; I want to live longer.
2) For my husband - I know my issues with myself are currently affecting our relationship.

Red Lobster's "LightHouse Selections" Menu

Wow...apparently Red Lobster has 10 entrées all under 500 calories and 10 grams of fat!

http://www.redlobster.com/lighthouse/menu.pdf