Making a better me!

[p_wreath]

Friday
B: 3/4 Uncle Sam, 1/2 c. 1% milk, 1/2 c. strawberries
S: Coffee w/ 3tbsp ff 1/2 & 1/2
L: Chicken Capri
S: Granny Smith Apple rings
D: Salad (lettuce w/lite caesar dressing), Zucchini Crust Pizza (w/rf pepperoni, chicken sausage, mushrooms, ns pizza sauce, rf mozzarella)
S: Healthy Choice Premium Bar

90 oz of water
41 minutes cardio (day 2/week 1 C25K)

Calories in: 1467
Calories burnt: 172
Total: 1295

I offered my DH the Zucchini Crust Pizza in lieu of getting pizza delivered. He agreed so I let him pick the toppings--I'm not so into the meat thing, but he is. He was very happy with the dinner and I was happy that I didn't pork out on pizza. Yay!

Whatever this sore throat virus I've had this week moved to my chest. I was feeling fine yesterday but towards the end of my jog/walk I could feel a shortness of breath. I still feel it today so I only did one cardio and strength session. I was going to do two cardios to make up for what I missed during the week, but that's just pushing it too much for me. I'm sorry to let me team down, but it was a really hard week physically, mentally and emotionally. I did my best, which was pretty good actually, it's just not going to be a perfect points week. Oh well.

Saturday
B: Big Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie; 2 pcs turkey bacon
S: Coffee w/ 3 tbsp ff 1/2 & 1/2
L: Zucchini Crust Pizza
S: Mock Cinnabon
D: Roasted Cauliflower; Pasta Fagioli
S: lite cool whip w/ Bean Brownies

90 oz of water
41 minutes walking
abs & arms DVDs

Calories in: 1516
Calories burnt: 267
Total: 1249

I've been trying to adjust my diet to get the 30/30/40 ratio as the article above suggests (fat/protein/carbs) and it's definitely a challenge. The hardest part is to get enough protein without getting too much fat.

[Amity228]

Hey p,

Awesome job as always. I don't know how you keep track of that stuff meaning ratios but if it works for you then thats all that matters.

Don't sweat the exercise sessions especially if you aren't feeling well.

As far as points, wasn't perfect for me either. I just can't seem to manage getting that water down. The work week is really where I am on a regimented schedule. Oh well.

Zucchini Pizza looks good. Might have to try that sometime.

Well hang in there you are definitely doing a great job!

[p_wreath]

Sunday

B: Cheesy Frittata; coffee w/ 3 tbsp ff 1/2 & 1/2
S: Bean Brownies & Lt Cool Whip
L: Pasta Fagioli
S: 2.5 oz apple slices w/1 tbsp pb; 2 oz smoked salmon
S: coffee w/3 tbsp ff 1/2 & 1/2
D: Pot roast, roasted asparagus, roasted sweet potato
S: Healthy choice bar
S: Bean Brownies & Lt Cool Whip

92 oz water
31 mins cardio (day 3/week 1 C25K)
abs & buns DVDs

Calories in: 1787
Calories out: 274
Total: 1514

[p_wreath]

I really don't think I'm losing weight at the rate I should be. I've lost 2 pounds in the past 5 weeks. I feel like it should be more so I'm very frustrated. I jut wanted to throw in the towel last night---my DH and I were very close to going out for Indian food. And I also wanted cookies, but consoled myself with scrapbooking instead. Yes, I feel better eating well and I know that all of my changes will eventually reflect on the outside. I have to be patient and that's not one of my strengths!
I think my experiment with adding more calories to my diet isn't working, so I'm going to go back down. We'll see.

Monday
B: steel cut oats, 1 tbsp pb, 1 tbsp fruit spread, 2 pcs turkey bacon
S: coffee w/ 3tbsp ff 1/2 & 1/2
L: Salad (lettuce, 2 oz smoked salmon, 3.5 oz pear, 2 tbsp lite ranch)
S: bean brownie w/ lt cool whip
D: Salmon, spinach with laughing cow, sweet potato
S: Healthy choice bar
S: ricotta, cool whip & fudgsicle

90 oz water
33 minutes cardio (walking)

Calories in: 1693
Calories out: 115
Total: 1579

[Aninha]

Hi, Heidi!

Don't feel discouraged about your weight loss. I know it's hard, but try to think that at least you're losing and not gaining!!

I see you've been having bean brownies. How do you like it? I've been thinking about it but it sounds weird to me to mix beans with chocolate!

Have a good day

[p_wreath]

Aninha, Thank you for your encouragement, I really appreciate it. I read this on someone's post yesterday and it really moved me. I'm going to make it my mantra:

I think my consistency and my daily journal is what I'm most proud of. It's what you do in the valleys that matters. The peaks are easy.

So, as much as I wanted to throw in the towel (again) last night, I decided being consistent is much better for my physical and mental health. Otherwise I'm just creating a tug of war in myself, which isn't good on any level.

As for the bean brownie...it is truly a crazy concoction. I read your journal and know what your hesitations are; I had the same feelings before I tried them. I love beans, but as a sweet?? The first time I made them I thought they were not that great--too much bean taste came through. But I tried again, futzing with the recipe to make it better and...it worked! I posted my personal recipe here:http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=867290&highlight=#867290

But basically, the secret is to add some sugar free Torani syrup. I added English Toffee but I'm sure Caramel or something else equally sweet would do. This completely masked the bean taste and now I make bean brownies or mock cinnamon bread all the time. It's a great way to get my DH to eat beans, it's a healthy snack that's filling and it feels like a treat. I also don't like to eat diet food, but this feels like I'm choosing a healthier alternative, not something that's necessarily "diet."

[Amity228]

You and me both with the patience. I have zero. I try I really do but its never going to happen.

Sorry you are getting frustrated with your weight loss. I wish I could say something that would make you feel better but I think you have already told yourself it will come in time. I don't know about you but sometimes hearing the same thing over and over whether it would be from yourself or someone else, just doesn't help how you feel. Just have to take everything in stride I guess. Which sucks especially when you want instant results.

My only advice, which you can completely ignore if you want to, maybe switch where you have your grain. Maybe lunch instead of dinner. Maybe after dinner have tea or coffee instead of another snack. Once I started doing that I started losing. But everyones different just play around with it.

Talk to you later!

[p_wreath]

Tuesday

B: Egg & Morningstar sausage square
S: Coffee w/3 tbsp ff 1/2 & 1/2, Mock Cinnamon bread w/ 1 tbsp lt cool whip
L: Shrimp salad (1 c. shrimp, 1/2 c. cuke, 2 tbsp rf mayo); gazpacho
S: 5 strawberries, 1/2 pear, Granny smith apple rings
D: turkey sloppy joes w/ 1/2 c. brown rice, Brussel Sprouts w/garlic, ricotta creme
S: sf fudgsicle w/ 1 tbsp pb

87 oz water
Strength: Abs and Arms DVD

Calories in: 1425
Calories out: 137
Total: 1288

[p_wreath]

Thanks for your advice, Amity. I might take your advice in a week or two. My current strategy is patience and consistency. I'm curious to see if that works.

I'm soooo exhausted. I'm officially on spring break but I've been working so hard. I've been up until 4am the last 3 nights. I've gotten most everything done--tomorrow's the conference. I wish I could say that afterwords I'll be done, but I can't. My spanish class starts on Saturday. But after that's over (1pm) I'm taking the rest of the day, all day Sunday and at least part of Monday to myself!!!! And, I promised my DH that I will not use the computer on Saturday and Sunday, so I'll post tomorrow and then not until Monday.

Wednesday

B: Egg & Morningstar sausage square
S: Coffee w/2 tbsp ff 1/2 & 1/2, Mock Cinnamon bread
L: Shrimp salad (1 c. shrimp, 1/2 c. cuke, 2 tbsp rf mayo); gazpacho
S: Granny smith apple rings
D: turkey sloppy joes w/ 1/2 c. brown rice, Brussel Sprouts w/garlic, 4 oz apple w/ 1tbsp pb r
S: sf fudgsicle w/ 1 tbsp pb
S: sf fudgsicle

87 oz water
34 mins cardio (day 1/week 2 C25K)

Calories in: 1451
Calories out: 153
Total: 1298

[p_wreath]

Okay, I can't believe I'm saying this but...I think things will finally slow down for me when the quarter starts next week. I really hope I don't have to swallow those words in a few weeks.

Thursday
B: Egg & Morningstar sausage square, Mock Cinnamon bread
S: grande nf latte
L: gazpacho
S: Granny smith apple rings
D: chicken quesadilla, 2 or 3 tortilla chips
S: healthy choice bar

87 oz water
35 mins walking

Calories in: 1388
Calories out: 182
Total: 1206

**The chicken quesadilla and chips were at the farmer's market near where we live. I could have easily used the opportunity to pig out--there were few healthy choices. I think I choose fairly wisely, but when they handed me a plate with a pile of chips on top of my quesadilla my heart just sank. I thought for sure I would eat them all. But, you know what? I had a couple, they tasted fine and chose not to eat the rest. That was a big deal for me!!!

Friday
B: 3/4 c. Uncle Sam, 1/2 c. 1% milk, 1 c. sliced strawberries
S: coffee
L: Shrimp salad (1 c. shrimp, 1/2 c. cuke, 2 tbsp rf mayo)
S: Mock cinnamon bread
D: chicken curry, channa masala & naan
S: sf fudgsicle, lt cool whip

87 oz water
Calories in: 1355 ( I think--I had to guess with the Indian food)


**I've noticed that I haven't been very hungry the last few days. I've had a couple of moments where I wanted to break down and have cookies, but that was more about being exhausted and overworked rather than a craving. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the fact that my menu has been pretty consistent the last few days? Something to continue observing.

Also, today was the first time I presented a paper at a conference. I was really nervous, but it went pretty well.

And finally, when I get home from Spanish tomorrow, I'm turning off my computer and not turning it on again until Monday. I need some time away from the screen.

[Aninha]

I thought for sure I would eat them all. But, you know what? I had a couple, they tasted fine and chose not to eat the rest. That was a big deal for me!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I think this is the hardest thing to do... and you did it!!

Thanks for your comments on the bean brownie. I decided that if I could find canned beans I would try it, but I can't find beans that are not cooked with sausage here. And I don't think that sausage and brownies go very well together!!

[Amity228]

Hey Heidi,

Hope you had a restful weekend. You deserve it. My kids are on spring break now so exercising with them home is tough but I get it done. The summer should be a real challenge. I had cake this weekend and corn chips. I feel better now that I got that off my chest but today I am making up for it. Staying real beachy. Hope all is well with you.

[queenoftheu]

Hey, you! I'm so sorry that I have been MIA. Without sounding like a complete dork, I totally teared up reading your and Amity's journals today. I really have missed you guys!

And I know this may be shocking for you to hear, but I have no patience either

I'm back, so let's work on it together!

(Oh yeah, and I bought a 2000 Toyota Corolla. It's a pretty blue, and I love it! )

[p_wreath]

Hi everyone!! I took the weekend off and then yesterday my internet was down. I was able to read a little bit but not much. I'll post when I can today or tomorrow at the latest because I have class all day today.

[p_wreath]

Well, I fell off the wagon the last few days. I'm embarrassed. But beating myself up and not coming back here are not options for me. Positive things/what I learned:

1. This was one of the least disastrous falls I've ever had. That less harm feels just as bad as it used to when it was truly truly bad shows some progress.

2. Without sounding ooky, I need to keep doing positive affirmations on a regular basis. The more I do those the better I feel about everything.

3. Balance. When I get way off balance (as in school taking over my life) I look for easy outlets of fun, like food. This is a major pitfall for me.

So I'm back. I'm embarrassed. I want to eat eat eat, but I'm here to take care of myself first and foremost.

Saturday
B: Steel cut oats, 1 c. sliced strawberries, coffee
S: 1/2 apple
L: salad (lettuce, 2 oz turkey breast, 1/2 c. kidney beans), lt ranch dressing; mock cinnamon bread
S:
D: bread & olive garlic tapenade; steamed mussels & bread; hamburger w/swiss & blue cheese; sweet potato fries & onion rings ( all except burger were shared w/DH)
S: lt cool whip

90 oz water
45 mins cardio

Sunday
B: Steel cut oats, 1 tbsp. pb; 1 tbsp raisins
S: coffee w/ 4 tbsp ff 1/2 & 1/2
L: brown rice salad (turkey, garbanzo beans, slivered almonds, raisins, balsamic vinaigrette)
S:
D: bbq chicken pizza, caesar salad
S: 3 lf graham crackers, 2 small squares of dark chocolate, 3 Peeps

100 oz water

Monday
B: cheesy frittata
S: lf graham crackers
L: lf graham crackers
S: lf graham crackers
D: zucchini crust pizza
S: lt cool whip & strawberries

80 oz water


Aninha: Well, I "dissed" your congratulations, but thanks anyway for your encouragement. And yes, sausage & brownies sound vile!

Amity: My DH is home all the time right now for his break, too. I think that was part of my downfall. But you're doing so great--keep it up!

Queen: WELCOME BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!