Sunday's semi success

I intended to eat well today and I think I did alright overall. I started off with a chocolate covered pretzel for breakfast--not the healthiest, I know. For lunch, I had half a turkey sandwich with tomato and mayonnaise. For dinner, I noshed on various snacks at the open house. I had 3 small chicken wings with dressing, a little spinach dip on toasted herb pita bread, a very small piece of cheesecake, and a piece of toasted french bread with roasted onion, prosciutto and goat cheese---that was my favorite. I came home and attempted to add up all of the calories from the snacks. I think I stayed within my 1000 calorie allowance, but I can't be sure. I came pretty close. I didn't drink any soda or alcoholic beverages, just water so I wouldn't waste calories on drinks. I figure I am going to have a couple drinks on New Year's eve since that is my splurge day. I am really going to treat myself tomorrow to celebrate all the progress I have made, even if I am above where I was a week ago when I weigh in tomorrow morning. I did exercise for a little more than 40 minutes again today.

So overall, a good day but I am not certain if all of the snack type foods will be good for the salt retention that has been going on with me. I tried to stay away from the saltier items, but I am so sensitive I can never tell what will affect me.

Either way, I wore a new shirt and bra today and when I rang the bell of my friend's house, she took one look at me and asked me where I was going. She hadn't seen me in about 2.5 weeks and she said I looked great. That is funny because the last time I saw her she said nothing. It made me feel really good and confident! I am off to the store tomorrow to buy another one of these bras because it makes me look thinner!!

What a day!

Today was one of those days when I felt like all I did was drive around. After karate this morning, we ran to the supermarket and then to the rehab center in Cranbury where my grandpa is staying right now. We brought lunch(turkey salad sandwich with fruit and pretzels-725). We stayed there for a couple of hours and came home around 3. I had some candy for snack(400). I sat down on the couch for a few minutes around 4 because I was just so wiped out. I didn't sleep well at all last night because I had a headache. I took ibuprofen around 12:30 and that allowed me to fall asleep, but I woke up at 6 and couldn't really get back to sleep because I was in pain. So between the lack of sleep and just being tired from the busy week, I decided to take my once a month nap. I slept for about 15 minutes in 5 minute clips because the kids kept coming over and talking to me. I don't know why they don't really think I am sleeping if my eyes are closed and I am laying on the couch. Anyway, I got up at 4:30 and exercised for about 42 minutes on the treadmill. That did energize me for a while. We made sesame-ginger marinated pork chops and salad with dressing for dinner(373). I had hot chocolate also(80).

I was originally supposed to have an 1800 calorie day, but I decided to make it only 1700 since I have been feeling bloated the last couple of days. I left tomorrow at 1800 since we have an open house tomorrow afternoon. I intend to eat lightly during the day so I can save some room/calories for some nice snack foods at the open house.

Filling Friday

I stayed within the my calorie allotment today(1700), but I did not exercise. It had been over a week since I took a day off and my body needed a rest. I made myself busy organizing and cleaning so at least I was moving around. I did also manage a quick trip to a couple of stores. I had to make a return in one store and I got to shop in the other store. I love shopping at Kohl's!! I got a great new shirt(XL!), a new purse, wallet and a smaller size bra for only $26. What a great deal!!

As for my eating today, I did pretty well. For breakfast I had maple and brown sugar oatmeal(160). For lunch I had a bologna and cheese sandwich on wheat bread with mustard and a small tomato with salad dresing(532). For snack I had some pieces of chocolate covered pretzels(200). For dinner I made a great sausage spaghetti sauce topped with a bit of parmasan cheese(741).

Since I woke up this morning, I have felt very swollen in my fingers. I know I must be retaining some salt, but I don't usually feel this bloated for so many days. I am hoping that when I weigh in on Monday that I will not be over due to many moderately high calorie days in a row. I just hope to break even.

Another trying day

I find that when I am home with the kids and hubby, I have less ability to be good on the plan. Even so, I stayed true to it and myself today. I had no time for breakfast so I had an early lunch that was turkey salad on wheat bread(440). For snack I had a couple chocolate covered pretzels(300). For dinner, I had a slice and a half of pizza(450) and a quarter of a sandwich(250). For the rest of my calories I had some candy flavored popcorn(460) which was yummy!!! I did treat my self to a diet soda today, but no harm done because it has zero calories.

I exercised on the treadmill but only for 32 minutes because my foot is quite achy today. We did run around like maniacs today so maybe some of the extra running I did helped shake off some calories.

Tomorrow is a lower calorie day this week, but I have already planned out my meals for breakfast and dinner so I should be alright.

A Weary Wednesday

I had a great splurge day yesterday. I ate all kinds of nice snacks during the day. For dinner, I ate mostly salad. I also had some yummy food that Mama Leone made. Thanks!! Dessert was great too with a piece of Sassy's chocolate cheesecake.

Today was a 1700 calorie day and I did a good job. Breakfast was cereal with milk(300). Lunch was sushi(400). I had a snack of baked cheddar crackers and a chocolate pretzel(200). Dinner was a Christmas Eve repeat(534). I will be having a hot chocolate and a piece of candy later to finish off my calories allowed.

I tried a new kind of exercise today. I used an exercise ball that my hubby gave me and it was really fun. It was a bit tough, but it felt good. So I did do a bit of strength training(30 min) even though I didn't want to at all!!

Hope to continue doing well this week!

Christmas Eve dinner success

When I figured out my calories for the week, I neglected to remember that we would be having something of a more caloric dinner tonight than usual. Although, when it comes down to it, the amount of calories I had for dinner was actually less than normal. I think that is because I really made a lo cal side dish to go with the other items.

I allotted 1700 calories total for today and I managed to stay close with a total of 1752. For breakfast I had egg whites on wheat toast(193). For lunch I had taquitos(465) and 2 chocolate covered pretzels(300). I had some regular pretzels in the afternoon(110). For dinner I made ham, creamed spinach( a healthy, lo carb version), parsley potatoes and pineapple(534). Then for dessert I had one more chocolate covered pretzel(150). Those things are deadly for me to have around, but at least I am being honest and counting them in my daily allotment.

As for exercise today, I didn't want to do the walking/strength tape today so I just walked for 35 minutes on the treadmill. I am going to regret all the pretzels I had today because they are full of salt. I have made sure to drink more water than normal today to try to flush some of the salt out before I feel swollen in the fingers. My other problem is that I am beginning to feel bloated because I am getting my period in the next day or two.

Tomorrow is a 2600 calorie day for me, so I am going to try to eat lighter in the morning/early afternoon so I can enjoy the wonderful dinner that Mama Leone will be making.

Merry Christmas everyone!!

A Surprise

I was stepping on my scale to balance it(we have a semi-professional scale) because the kids had bumped it by mistake and I got a surprise. I had lost another .5 pounds. So either it wasn't balanced properly Friday(which is what I think) or I lost .5 pounds since then(I doubt it) I guess it doesn't really matter. Now my total is 33 pounds lost!!!

My splurge day was excellent because Sassy made wonderful pizza and a great onion dip! Today will be relaxing and I have a 1750 calorie day ahead of me. Breakfast will be egg whites with toast (240). Dinner will be left over turkey(260) and some salad(165) so that will be pretty low calorie. I don't know what lunch will be but I am left with 1145 calories for the day so that will be plenty. I am going to exercise for about 40 minutes today on the treadmill.

This week's plan:
Monday: 1700 and cardio with strength(my walking video) & abs
Tuesday: 2600 and cardio
Wednesday: 1750 and cardio & abs
Thursday: 1900 and cardio with strength & abs
Friday: 1700 and cardio
Saturday: 1800 and cardio & abs
Sunday: 1800 and cardio

Since it is a vacation week for everyone in my house, I am trying to be a bit more generous with the calories on a daily basis instead of having a splurge day. My next splurge day will by on New Year's Eve so in the mean time I am just keeping the calories a little higher on some of the days when we have things planned. I hope it works out and that I am able to maintain my weight loss. I am not worried about losing weight this week at all, just as long as I can maintain I will be thrilled!!