A Woman of Many Hats

[purenavygirl]

Hi there! I thought I would like to start a journal as well. Afterall, I'm a talker... So, here goes!

My name is Beth. I'm 27 years young, 5'8" tall, live in Ohio and am in the process of getting out of my rut! I started beaching it (again) on 10/05/09 after a rather stressful first half of 2009.

First and foremost, I am married and have a 3 year old son. I work full-time in my company's marketing department, am an E-5 in the United States Navy Reserve, work on-call as a STNA at a local nursing home and am involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters - my little brother is now 14 years old!

My hubby works night shift and I work days, so it's a little hard doing this on my own. He's supportive, but doesn't care to do SBD himself. So, I make it work the best I can. My parents, who live locally, are beaching it too. We help support each other. I can't complain.

I am on Day 12 of P1. So far, so good. My only "cheats" were a few pieces/bites of my son's French toast this week (he had breakie for dinner one night) and one small bite of strawberry-rhubarb crunch (the same night!).

I am heading to drill tonight. I'll be there for the weekend, so it'll be tough to finish up P1 correctly. I'll do my best. Since I have to run my PRT, I may introduce some good carbs for the extra energy I need to succeed. We'll call it P1.5 for the next 2 days!

Monday is the offical start of P2 and my official weigh in day. However, I've been bad and jumped on the scale a few times this week...no weight loss since Monday's weigh in...

Oh well, it's not really the numbers that matter so much. My clothes are starting to fit better and that's enough for me!

The main purpose for this journal is to post my P2 meals so I am accountable for my servings from each group. I've been following the meal plans in the original book, but sometimes I think I might cheat myself out of items because I'm not hungry. With a little help and a lot of will power, I know I can do this!

I'm looking forward to meeting new people as we continue our walk on the beach together...

[purenavygirl]

Well, drill weekend was successful. We had our Service Dress Blues inspection - I did fine. I completed our PRT on Sunday with an overall score of Excellent - Low, which was much better than I expected! My crazy, last minute workout routine must have done a little something for me!

I weighed in this morning. I'm at 160, up +1 pound from last Monday.

Trying to finish P1 at drill this weekend was really tough. I don't live near my NOSC, so our meals for dinner are from Denny's and lunch is catered in. Breakie went okay both days, but lunch was tough on Saturday. I wasn't able to pack my snacks or eat anything in between meals. Due to the limited availability on the buffet for Saturday's lunch, I was hungry at dinner. I ate a healthy salad but our table had nachos for an appetizer - I was so hungry, I couldn't resist. Then for dessert, I had a small vanilla Frosty. Ice cream is my weakness, and that Frosty was so yummy... I know, not good for P1.

The Navy celebrated its 234th birthday on 10/13. On Sunday, we had a reception and I had a small piece of cake. It was good, but again, I know I shouldn't have. The funny thing is, I'm not really a sweet tooth for that stuff and wasn't really craving it! I guess that was more for the social aspect. I did make it home last night and had a healthy salad with tuna for dinner and SF fudgesicle and 1 t of NPB for dessert.

On to a new week. Today, I started P2. (It was so nice to have oatmeal and fruit for breakie!) I have decided to limit my carbs to once a day and my fruits to 1-2 servings a day until I see how the combos works for me. I'm only going to introduce either a cereal (oatmeal or Uncle Sam) at breakfast or a whole grain bread (I found some excellent 12 grain stuff at the grocery store! ) and berries or Granny Smith apples as my fruit.

Here's my menu for today, 10/19/2009:

Breakie
1/2 C oatmeal with 1 C FF milk
1 T walnuts
dash of cinnamon
6 medium strawberries (approx. 1 C)
Regular coffee with 2-3 t FF non-dairy creamer and 1 pkt. Splenda

Midmorning Snack
1 Poached egg (I didn't have time to hard boil any)

Lunch
Mediterranean Chicken Salad (from original SBD book)

Afternoon Snack
1 LF Laughing Cow cheese wedge

Dinner
Grilled salmon filet
2 C Fresh spinach sauteed with 1 T olive oil
1 C Romaine lettuce with peppers, cucumbers and tomatoes
2 T LF Zesty Italian dressing (meets criteria)
1 C Frozen broccoli

Dessert
5 Chocolate dipped strawberries (from original SBD book)

[purenavygirl]

So, I jumped on the scale this morning. I wanted to see if the way I introduced my carbs yesterday made a difference. And, since I fell off the wagon at drill, it was nice to see starting P2 on Monday got me back on track. I am back to 159. I'm not updating my signature because this was not my official weigh in. Also, I'm not going to get on the scale until next Monday, I promise! Afterall, it's just a number...

Another note, I introduced oatmeal and strawberries at breakie yesterday. I did not feel hungry at mid-morning snack time; I ended up eating my egg around 11:15 am (which is late for me). Also, I had 5 stawberries dipped in chocolate last night around 8:00 pm. They were delicious and I did not wake up famished this morning, so I think I'm good with the time of day I introduced the items.

Today, I am trying something different. I am eating my carb at lunch. The original SBD book, my baseline, had the berry smoothie for breakie. I didn't want to go all out on yogurt and berries first thing this morning, so I am switching it up a little. I'll report back tomorrow on how today's order of food intake pans out...

10/20/2009

Breakie
1 egg
1/2 C salsa
6-8 oz low sodium V8
Coffee with FF non-dairy creamer and 1 pkt. Splenda

Midmorning Snack
Berry smoothie, 1/2 C mixed frozen berries and 8 oz low carb yogurt (SBD original book)

Lunch
1/2 C WW spaghetti
1 C red sauce - homemade (low sugar, etc.)
1/3 C ground beef
1 C frozen peas & frozen broccoli mixed

Afternoon Snack
1 small Granny Smith apple
1 T NPB

Dinner
Large salad - romaine lettuce with a tomato, peppers, onions and mushrooms
1 t Bacos and 1 T of sliced almonds
Dressing - 1 T olive oil, 1 T lime juice, 1 t garlic
Grilled chicken breast
1 C frozen broccoli

Dessert
Latte (1 C FF/skim milk, 2 T SF syrup, 1/2 C coffee)

[purenavygirl]

So far, so good. I didn't have any weird cravings or hunger strikes yesterday. I have been incredibly sleepy, though. I've been getting around 8 hours of sleep each night, which is my norm. I was watching a movie last night with DS and kept dozing off with my latte in hand! The weather is supposed to be beautiful today. I haven't exercised much this week due to some sore muscles from PRT on Sunday. Tonight after work, I think I'll powerwalk while DS rides his bike alongside. I should wash the car, too. I think that will be a decent amount of activity to help kick start me back into a routine.

10/21/2009

Breakie
1/3 C Egg beaters
1/3 C Frozen asperagues
1/2 C Fresh mushrooms
2 T Part skim mozzarella
1 t EVOO
1 t Frank's hot sauce
2 Slices of Canadian bacon
6-8 oz Low sodium V8

Midmorning Snack
1 C Fresh strawberries

Lunch - LaPiazza
Sorrento Salad (Mixed greens, artichoke hearts, olives, chopped tomatoes, Feta cheese)
Garlic basil dressing
1 Slice white crusty bread
Oil & fresh parm cheese (dip for bread)

Afternoon Snack
1/2 C LF cottage cheese

Dinner
Salmon fillet and 2 C fresh spinach sauteed in 1 T EVOO and a splash of FF H&H
1 C frozen cauliflower
1 slice WW bread
2 T NPB

Dessert
SF orange popsicle

[purenavygirl]

Alright, so the powerwalk thing didn't happen. DS didn't want to go outside, which totally surprised me! I did get 30 minutes of yoga in. No cardio this week yet. I am planning on doing my elliptical tonight - I need a swift kick in the butt!

My parents and I have decided that once a week we're going to have a meal together. A SB friendly meal. I think this will help to keep us on track and maintain the healthy WOE. My hardest times are those when cooking/eating feels like a chore.

As a final note, I did wake up with a growling stomach today. Not sure what caused that - maybe the slice of bread with dinner? I'm going back to fruit and cereal for breakfast today and fruit as my afternoon snack. We'll see if the grapefruit is okay since the strawberries did not give me any issues earlier this week.

10/22/2009

Breakie
1 C Uncle Sam cereal
3/4 C FF/skim milk
1/2 Pink grapefruit
8 oz Low sodium V8

Midmorning Snack
1 Celery rib
2 T NBP

Lunch
Chef salad - tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, onions
3-4 oz lunch meat (lean roast beef & chicken breast)
1 T Part skim mozaralla cheese
1 t Bacos
2 T LF zesty Italian dressing

Afternoon Snack
None - busy schedule at work, ran out of time

Dinner
Chicken breast with 1/2 C homemade salsa
1/2 C Red beans
1 T FF sour cream
1 T Mexican cheese
1 C Green beans

Dessert
1 Black bean brownie (chopped pecans and chocolate chips included)
Coffee with FF non-dairy creamer and 2 T SF carmel syrup

[purenavygirl]

No exercise last night. I ended up making black bean brownies instead. Which, by the way, are pretty yummy. I used the 1 T coffee and it made a nice flavor. More cake-like than fudgy, but good. I am not going to tell DH what they are. I'll just see if he eats them. My parents stopped by and they enjoyed them. I brought a few squares to work and am having two of my non-SBD co-workers try them. We'll see what the consensus is!

I dozed off early last night and woke up around midnight. Had a powersurge and was up until 1:30 am! Obviously, since I am commenting on this, this is so not me! LOL So, since I was up, I started my grocery list for tonight's trip to the store. I am totally excited about my menu for next week. I used the template from this site and actually planned my meals accordingly. I am so used to following the book from P1 and most of this week that I am definitely ready to shake things up a bit! Since DH works night shift and the only meal we eat together is lunch, I am making it so my "larger" meal is going to be at noon. I have about 3 lunch meals planned that he will be happy about and one dinner that I can make leftovers for his lunch the next day when I'm having something he "doesn't want". For the most part, he eats SB foods and doesn't know it.

Anyway, as of now, we have no big plans for the weekend, so I think I'll be able to easily stick to my guns with the SB WOE. (Thankfully!) It's hard on those busy weekends when it's grab and go.

10/23/2009

Breakie
8 oz V8
2 Eggs
3 Slices Canadian bacon
2 Chopped green onions (whole thing, green and white part)
EVOO cooking spray
1/2 Pink grapefruit

Midmorning Snack
1 LF Laughing Cow wedge

Lunch
1 C WW pasta
1 C sauce
1/3 C hamburger
2 T parm cheese
1 C green veggies (peas or broccoli)

Afternoon Snack
1/2 Yellow bell peper cut in strips
2 Whole green onions
Hummus

Dinner
Meat - TBD (probably salmon or tuna)
Canned beans
Veggies (carrots, maybe?)

Snack
TBD

[purenavygirl]

WHAT A WEEKEND! I got a lot of things done but no exercise. My healthy typically WOE didn't do so hot. I ended up meeting an old friend for lunch on Saturday. The place we wanted to go isn't open for lunch on Saturdays, so we ended up at the local Mexican joint. I ordered chicken fajitas and did not eat the rice, however, I did eat 2 of the flour shells (they served me 4 or 5). I did eat 3 tortilla chips with salsa. I guess that wasn't so bad. The rest of the day went as planned.

On Sunday, DH was craving pizza for dinner. I made home made dough (half WW flour and half white flour). I couldn't find my recipe for all WW pizza dough. (As you can guess, that's going to be my next search... ) I loaded it up with onions and banana peppers from our garden. Meat included turkey pepperoni and a small amount of bacon and thin beef. I used part skim cheese. So, that was my bad meal for Sunday. But, here's the kicker. My parents came over for dinner as well and we had REAL brownies and vanilla bean ice cream for dessert. I only had a small brownie and one scoop of ice cream. Either way, the combination of my few slip ups and not exercising much (yoga once in the past 7 days... ) has me up 2 lbs from last week.

Anyway, today is Monday and my time to regroup and set my weekly goals! I'm sticking to the meal plan I've established for this week. It's well balanced and since I did my test run on introducing things last week, I'm going to follow through again this week. 2 starches/carbs and 2 fruits a day. I need it that way or I feel tired (especially when I'm busy and working out). I am planning on hitting my elliptical 3 days this week and doing a routine (DVD) 2-3 times this week. I've got yoga, pilates and total body routines that I love. There's no reason to bag a** on myself!

And while I'm thinking about it, I forgot to mention in my inital post that my daily vitamins are: 1 woman's multi-vitamin, 2 calcium citrate (630 mg) and omega-3 fish oil (maxium daily dose).

10/26/2009

Breakie
8 oz V8
2 Slices Canadian bacon
1/2 C Egg beaters

Midmorning Snack
Mixed berry smoothie (8 oz low carb yogurt, 1/2 C berries)

Lunch
1 Chipotle beef burrito (onions, spinach and black beans) on WW tortilla (SBD 30 Min. Meals cookbook)
1 C Frozen broccoli

Afternoon Snack
1 Granny Smith apple
1 Laughing Cow cheese wedge

Dinner
1 Tuna salad (SBD 30 Min. Meals cookbook)
1 Slice WW bread
Side salad (cucumbers, tomatoes, mushrooms)
2 T LF Zesty Italian dressing

Dessert
Handfull (1/4 to 1/3 C ???) "healthy" yogurt covered raisens (originally only had a few, but DS decided to give me half of his)

[purenavygirl]

I'm feelin' good and full of energy today! I put on a pair of dress slacks this morning that is part of my favorite suit, and they zipped right up with my blouse tucked in! Nothing like a great way to start my day. That, and I also jumped on my scale this morning since I was kind of bummed about my 2 lb weight gain. I was back down to 160. I know this isn't my weigh in day, so it doesn't officialyl count. However, I've proven to myself twice now that watching how and what you eat definitely makes a difference.

I exercised last night. I did my total body workout and feel good that I've started my week out on a good note. DH is working on Friday, so if I stick with my plan, I should be able to do something each night this week. I'm hoping to get on my elliptical for 20-30 minutes this evening. DS and I are carving jack-o-lanterns for Halloween, so it'll be later after work. However, any exercise is better than none!

To those of you that read my journal, please let me know if you see any issues with my menu(s). I try to post it in the morning so if I need to make changes, I have time. For instance, I am introducing sweet potatoes with dinner tonight. I am planning on having a decent sized side salad with the meal, but am not quite 100% sure if the starchy veggies still count toward my 2+ C of veggies for the meal.


10/27/2009

Breakie
1 C Uncle Sam cereal
1/2 C Strawberry halves
3/4 C FF/Skim milk

Midmorning Snack
4 oz Low carb strawberry yogurt

Lunch
Half of a large baked chicken breast with 1 slice of LF pepperjack cheese melted on top
5 T Home made salsa
3/4 C Chopped peppers and green onions
1 T FF sour cream
1 C Pinto beans
8 oz V8

Afternoon Snack
1 Granny Smith apple
2 T NPB

Dinner
Greek style hamburgers (no bun)
Sweet potato fries (SBD 30 Min. Meals cookbook)

Dessert
Black bean brownie
1 C FF/Skim milk

[manzanita]

If by starchy veggies you mean sweet potatoes, parsnips, carrots etc, then yes they do count. However, because they are starchy the GI index is higher on them so you are supposed to exercise caution with portions in case sugar cravings come back.

[lilblondedancr1]

If you have a Trader Joe's nearby, they have an already prepared whole wheat dough. All you need to do is let is rise right in the bag in comes in and voila, you are ready to go

I believe Boboli (spelling) as whole wheat pizza crust as well? I think.

[purenavygirl]

Hi guys, thank you for the replies!

I think those sweet potatoes did something to me! LOL I woke up in the middle of the night with a growling stomach. I didn't eat anything; this morning I was hungry, but not ravenous. So, that was weird! I ended up not eating my side salad last night, as it was late when I ate dinner and wasn't overly hungry at the time. DS and I split a somewhat small sweet potato to make the fries. I cut it into 12 slices so we each got 6. The Greek burgers had quite a few onions in them and I made the cucumber sauce for the top. So, although I may have been a little light on the green (GOOD!) veggie side, I think I hit my 2 C. (Btw, the Greek burgers (and sauce) rocked! I found the recipe on here - it's called Bifteki.)

I don't have a Trader Joe's close by - I wish I did. My sister, in Cincinnati, swears by that store. I'm in the middle of rural Ohio - 2 hours from my sis. The best grocery stores close by are Kroger and Wal-Mart. We also have some little home town IGA stores, but they don't always carry what I need. Needless to say, I'm learning to make a lot of home made things, which I enjoy!

I'm having another day of waking up and feeling good, despite that I woke up for about an hour or so in the middle of the night and just couldn't go back to sleep. Of course, this morning, I rolled out of bed about 25 minutes after the alarm went off. Oh well, I made it to work on time!

I worked out for 30 minutes on my elliptical last night. I hadn't done that program (P5) in a long time. I've forgotten how invigorating and great it feels. I'm addicted (again)! Then, after DS and I ate dinner, I did 20 minutes of yoga (Balance & Flexibility and Stress Relief) mainly to strech out. Wow, do I feel great!

After downing 3 full glasses of water this morning (before 8 am), I'm spoiling myself to a Raspberry Diet Rite. (A 12 pack lasts me about 2 months.) I'm trying to cut out the coffee, except as a treat when I have a latte.

10/28/2009

Breakie
8 oz V8
1 Slice Canadian bacon
1/2 C Egg Beaters
1 Green onion - chopped
1/4 Yellow bell pepper - chopped
1/3(?) C Mushrooms - chopped
3 T Salsa
1 12 oz can of Raspberry Diet Rite

Midmorning Snack
1 Celery rib
2 T NPG

Lunch
South Beach Salad (SBD original blue book)

Afternoon Snack
1/2 C LF cottage cheese
5 Medium strawberries
1/4 C Blueberries

Dinner
Hearty Sausage & Pasta Stew (recipe is from this site)
Side Salad w/ EVOO & Vinegar dressing
8 oz 1% milk

Snack
LF Mozzarella string cheese

[HeidiG]

Hi purenavygirl

Just wanted to say hi I'm new here, currently on day 9 of phase 1, doing well but kind of dreading going to phase 2. It's kind of safe and cozy on P1 I saw you started by adding your carbs to breakfast. Did that work? Or was it better in the afternoon?

I'm wondering where to put my carbs in order to minimize the crawings

[purenavygirl]

I saw you started by adding your carbs to breakfast. Did that work? Or was it better in the afternoon?

I'm wondering where to put my carbs in order to minimize the crawings

Hello Heidi! Welcome to my journal and to the beach! The recommendations for P2 are to slowly introduce carbs/fruits into your diet (1 at a time). I am very busy and have been trying to work out a lot. On my first week of P2, I was getting really sluggish and tired. I was getting my 7-8 hours of sleep a night and wasn't sure what was up. So, after a few crappy/drained days, I decided to add 2 fruits a day and 1-2 carbs. This has really worked for me; I've been feeling great. I didn't have a huge sweet tooth to begin with, so I was okay with the possibility that I might cause a hunger stike. (Thankfully, it hasn't.)

Now, I find that my most successful days are those when I eat my carbs for breakfast or lunch and have my fruit servings at my afternoon snack or before. To keep the meals from getting boring, I do alternate P1 breakfasts with P2 breakfasts. On the P1 breakfast days, I have a fruit at midmorning snack and usually a carb at lunch and sometimes at dinner, like tonight. Since I'm eating a carb at dinner tonight, I'm only having fruit once, too. (I'll have a mellow day after my sweet potato fries last night... )

The best advice I have is to listen to your body, and see how your food choices affect you and how you feel after eating them. Always, always, always eat a protein with your fruit: LF cheese, LF cottage cheese, Laughing Cow, NPB... That will definitely help keep you from getting a hunger strike. Remember to stick to the correct serving size.

Last, before I talk your ear off... Try keeping a journal like I have. Put your menus in your posts and how you feel each day. It will help you keep track of how your eating is effecting you. Plus, there are so many members here with awesome advice and experience, that if you're having issues, someone should be able to chime in and help get you heading in the right direction.

[HeidiG]

The best advice I have is to listen to your body, and see how your food choices affect you and how you feel after eating them. Always, always, always eat a protein with your fruit: LF cheese, LF cottage cheese, Laughing Cow, NPB... That will definitely help keep you from getting a hunger strike.

Really good point that I hadn't though of. Sounds really logical. Thanks for the advice

[purenavygirl]

Happy Thursday! WW penne pasta was an ingredient in my stew last night - which by the way, was delish. DS woke up in the middle of the night (we're potty training thru the night). I helped him out and realized I was STARVING. I had a Laughing Cow cheese wedge and fell happily back to sleep. I'm wondering if the pasta caused that? I didn't deviate from my menu, with the exception that I had my string cheese before dinner instead of as dessert.

I had a fun night last night. DS and I carved our pumpkin into a "scary" jack-o-lantern. He was so excited and even had to set it on a specific spot on our porch. Tonight is Tick or Teat and he wants to be a scary zombie (no blood!). It should be a good time, although it'll be hard not to resist the candy. However, I already have little chocolates and milk duds for DH at home and I haven't thought twice about eating those. Now, the candy corn that's there, too... That's my weakness. I'm being good. Maybe I'll snitch one or two, but that'll be it.

Since we carved the pumpkin, I didn't have much time for heavy exercise, but I did get 20 minutes of pilates in. So far, I'm 3 for 3 on working out this week!

I'm hoping that tonight while DS is in the tub washing the Halloween make up off, I can get some cardio (kickboxing or elliptical) in.

I'm switching things up a little today. I'm trying a fruit/dairy breakfast and a protein first snack. Then, I'll have my carbs at lunch and end the day with a P1 dinner. I don't like waking up hungry and I don't like getting home from work hungry. I'm just hoping the fruit first thing doesn't cause me to crave stuff all day. Oh, and this morning I discovered that my Torani SF syrups are calorie free too! I can have that with my BBB and not go over my sweet treat limit!

10/29/2009

Breakie
8 oz V8
Mixed berry smoothie (1/2 C berries, 8 oz low carb yogurt, 4 ice cubes)
Coffee with SF chocolate syrup and FF non-dairy creamer

Midmorning Snack
1 Celery rib
2 T NPB

Lunch (wasn't very hungry - didn't get enough veggies in... )
3 oz SBD Meatloaf (the whole thing is: 1 lb lean beef, 1 C oatmeal, 1 C onions, 1/2 C shreaded zucchini and seasonings)
1 slice WW bread
1 C Frozen peas

Afternoon Snack
Granny Smith apple
1 Laughing Cow cheese wedge

Dinner
1 Salmon fillet over 2 C spinach sauteed in 1 T EVOO
1 T Parm cheese
1/2 C Edamame (baby soybeans) with a few squirts of butter

Desserts
3-4 Hearts of palm
2-3 T Hummus
1 BBB