A lot has happened in the past week. Last weekend we went on a mini vacation to Cleveland, OH, just the 2 of us, to see a Yankees baseball game. Vacation can be hard on a diet. Planning helps when going out of town. Making plans on what and where you are going to eat and planning on when and how you are going to get your exercise in. We did pretty well sticking to our plan.
When we got there the first day we drove downtown and walked around and site saw. We stuck to our eating plan well the 1st day by packing our lunch and not eating out during the drive. We told ourselves we were only going to eat out 1 meal and we did that for dinner. We went to a Mexican restaurant and splurged a little on our dinner choices. We also got a little walking in while walking around downtown.
We got up early on our first morning and utilized the exercise room and indoor pool they had at the hotel. We had planned on eating their continental breakfast at the hotel both mornings but it was kinda skimpy so we decided to go to a breakfast buffet where we ate more than we should of. The only good thing about breakfast was we got filled up at breakfast until dinner time. We went to the Cleveland Zoo during the day...which is huge and walked the whole park...it took us 4 hours. Great exercise! Then we went downtown and walked around and site saw some more and then went out to dinner before we went to the ball park. By eating dinner out before the baseball game we eliminated being hungry at the ballpark. Which saved on calories and money (since ballpark food is soo expensive!) We did eat out twice on that day (which wasn't part of our plan) but with all of our walking we did...we burned a lot of calories!
On our last morning there we ate a smaller breakfast and ate the continental breakfast at the hotel. We also did not stop for lunch on the way home, we ate the lunch we had packed in the car. So our trip was pretty successful dietwise...and we had a blast...that's important too!
I didn't get back to my normal routine until Thursday, when I went back to work and did my normal walking. I weighed in on Friday AM and only lost .2 lbs...which is better than gaining, but could have been better. So starting Friday I got right back on track and back to my routine. This weekend is the last weekend that my sister is staying with us. This will make it easier to stay on track with our healthy lifestyle. Not that we changed much with her being here but we did eat out a little more and probably didn't walk as much in the evenings as we would have. I wish we had been able to rub our healthy lifestyle off on her a little more but we tried... Hopefully something sunk in? :(
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
Rainy Weigh in day
Today was my weigh in day and I lost another 1 1/2 lbs. I am now up to 48 1/2 lbs total. YAY for me! Today was very rainy which prevented me from walking all day. It rained from when I got up this morning through lunch...stopped for a little while but started back up right before I left work. So, we went to the Mall and walked around there and then Wal-mart too. At least I moved around a little.
We are planning a small trip starting Sunday. We are making healthy plans for ourselves before we go. We picked a hotel that has an indoor pool and a exercise room so that will help us to keep exercising the few days we are at the hotel. Plus we are planning on getting up and walking each morning just to keep our routine. :) We plan on only eating 1 meal out a day and are packing sandwich stuff, water, and healthy snacks (fruit) to bring with us. Planning really helps you be successful. If you can decide where you are eating out ahead of time you can plan what you are going to order and this will eliminate the decision making process and will help prevent from thinking about what would really taste good and what you really want.
I am trying a new class in the morning at the Y...it's called a Cut class. It's weightlifting. We'll see how I do. I need to start strengthening my arms...they are the weakest part of my body. I hope I can convince myself to also try to start doing sit-ups each night. That is my next goal. I know I won't be able too do many but I need to try anyway. :) Hopefully I will have news that I started next time I write. Until then...
We are planning a small trip starting Sunday. We are making healthy plans for ourselves before we go. We picked a hotel that has an indoor pool and a exercise room so that will help us to keep exercising the few days we are at the hotel. Plus we are planning on getting up and walking each morning just to keep our routine. :) We plan on only eating 1 meal out a day and are packing sandwich stuff, water, and healthy snacks (fruit) to bring with us. Planning really helps you be successful. If you can decide where you are eating out ahead of time you can plan what you are going to order and this will eliminate the decision making process and will help prevent from thinking about what would really taste good and what you really want.
I am trying a new class in the morning at the Y...it's called a Cut class. It's weightlifting. We'll see how I do. I need to start strengthening my arms...they are the weakest part of my body. I hope I can convince myself to also try to start doing sit-ups each night. That is my next goal. I know I won't be able too do many but I need to try anyway. :) Hopefully I will have news that I started next time I write. Until then...
Sunday, July 18, 2010
Zucchini Bread
Last weekend we went to the Regional Market like we do every weekend. We bought all of our fresh fruits and vegetables for the week. One stand also had huge italian zucchini for sale...so we bought several. I made Zucchini bread with 1 1/2 of them last weekend straight from a recipe I found on http://www.food.com/. Each of the 24 servings, which were about a 2 inch square, were 4 points. The bread tasted more like cake but was very tasty. But because of the oil I had to eat it in moderation since it was 4 points per piece.
This weekend I decided to make more zucchini bread but exchange the 1 cup of oil for 1 cup of no sugar added applesauce. I've done this before when I made banana bread. I also exchanged the 2 cups white flour for 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup white flour. It doesn't change the point value much but it makes it much healthier. There are a lot of things you can exchange in a recipe to make it healthier but it isn't a good idea to exchange them all at once because it could make the bread bland or rubbery. You can exchange 3 whole eggs for 6 egg whites or sugar for splenda (which sometimes has a little bit of an after taste)...just as a few examples.
Well, we all just had a piece of the zucchini bread and it has just as much flavor as last weekend but seems denser using the apple sauce and a piece was a bigger serving, more filling, and half the points...only 2 points per serving!
This just shows how you can turn a regular recipe into a weight watchers recipe without it being called "Weight Watchers". I plan on bringing some to work tomorrow to let them have some and see what they think about it. They like my healthy banana bread when I bring it in.
This weekend I decided to make more zucchini bread but exchange the 1 cup of oil for 1 cup of no sugar added applesauce. I've done this before when I made banana bread. I also exchanged the 2 cups white flour for 1 cup whole wheat flour and 1 cup white flour. It doesn't change the point value much but it makes it much healthier. There are a lot of things you can exchange in a recipe to make it healthier but it isn't a good idea to exchange them all at once because it could make the bread bland or rubbery. You can exchange 3 whole eggs for 6 egg whites or sugar for splenda (which sometimes has a little bit of an after taste)...just as a few examples.
Well, we all just had a piece of the zucchini bread and it has just as much flavor as last weekend but seems denser using the apple sauce and a piece was a bigger serving, more filling, and half the points...only 2 points per serving!
This just shows how you can turn a regular recipe into a weight watchers recipe without it being called "Weight Watchers". I plan on bringing some to work tomorrow to let them have some and see what they think about it. They like my healthy banana bread when I bring it in.
Friday, July 16, 2010
Weight Loss!
Today is weigh in day! I lost another 2 1/2 lbs for a total of 47 lbs now! I've done weight watchers before and have lost weight before but gained it all back! This time really feels different! It feels final...I'm working harder to lose it. I haven't set a goal for myself I just want to lose as much as possible in a slow healthy way. I've exercised more this time than in the past. I have much more support this time around too! My whole house is eating healthier. Everyone has the same meals for dinner! There's no bad food in the house!
I had a good week of exercise! I worked all 5 days and walked to and from work everyday. Along with one day at the gym at lunch. 1 day walking at lunch, and 2 nights of water aerobics. A lot of moving! Last night at water aerobics class my instructor gave out handouts on portion sizes. I thought that was really cool. And he made a good point that if you want to lose weight you can't do it by only working out. You have to both exercise (about 30 mins to an hour a day) and eat a healthy diet.
One thing I am trying to work on is trying to think of food as fuel to live and not as yummy treats! That is hard I think because it seems my whole life I always got excited for meals and when we ate out to eat. My mom liked eating out and fortunately we could afford to do it 3 or 4 times a week...but that was not fortunate for our waist lines! Now that I live in NY and away from my family in TX (accept my sister that is visiting for the summer of course) I cook most of my meals, bring my lunch and breakfast for work, and only eat out once maybe twice a week.
In high school I worked the last 2 years. Every morning I would stop and eat fast food for breakfast and then go out to lunch and eat fast food for lunch. And then eat out 3 to 4 times a week for dinner, whether is was take out or we went out to eat. I have now completely changed my eating habits! I make it a point to pay attention to my bodies signals. When my body is full, I stop! I used to keep eating until the food was gone because it always tasted soo good! And then I felt sick all night from over eating...but did that stop me from doing it again the next day?? Nooo!
I make a point to drink more during the day also. Drinking fluids helps fill you up too. It keeps you hydrated and helps with the snacking through out the day! I don't drink a lot of diet sodas anymore but if I do it's only 1 can with dinner and that's only like every other night, maybe only 2 or 3 times a week. Soda really isn't that good for you anyway. During the day I bring those individual Crystal light drink mix packets to work and keep refilling my bottle with water from our water cooler. There are all sorts of flavors, I like the Raspberry Lemonade and Pink Lemonade and also tea ones. I also drink diet snapple and fruit-2-o a lot and sometimes Vitamin water zero. All these choices are no calories and I think taste great!
My workout in water aerobics was a tough one last night! He steps up the pace each week and last night he did big time! My legs were feeling it this morning during my walk to work. I was running a few mins late this morning so I was trying to walk faster to make up a few mins time and I could feel the burn in my legs!! ha ha If you ever thought about trying water aerobics? I would Definitely suggest it!! It's a great work out, not so hard on your joints, it can be fun :), and you keep cool while exercising in the water!
So another great weight watchers week to go! Feeling better everyday! I think back to how big I let myself get and I just can't believe it! But that is in the past and I am in the present right now...and Feelin' Goooooood! :)
I had a good week of exercise! I worked all 5 days and walked to and from work everyday. Along with one day at the gym at lunch. 1 day walking at lunch, and 2 nights of water aerobics. A lot of moving! Last night at water aerobics class my instructor gave out handouts on portion sizes. I thought that was really cool. And he made a good point that if you want to lose weight you can't do it by only working out. You have to both exercise (about 30 mins to an hour a day) and eat a healthy diet.
One thing I am trying to work on is trying to think of food as fuel to live and not as yummy treats! That is hard I think because it seems my whole life I always got excited for meals and when we ate out to eat. My mom liked eating out and fortunately we could afford to do it 3 or 4 times a week...but that was not fortunate for our waist lines! Now that I live in NY and away from my family in TX (accept my sister that is visiting for the summer of course) I cook most of my meals, bring my lunch and breakfast for work, and only eat out once maybe twice a week.
In high school I worked the last 2 years. Every morning I would stop and eat fast food for breakfast and then go out to lunch and eat fast food for lunch. And then eat out 3 to 4 times a week for dinner, whether is was take out or we went out to eat. I have now completely changed my eating habits! I make it a point to pay attention to my bodies signals. When my body is full, I stop! I used to keep eating until the food was gone because it always tasted soo good! And then I felt sick all night from over eating...but did that stop me from doing it again the next day?? Nooo!
I make a point to drink more during the day also. Drinking fluids helps fill you up too. It keeps you hydrated and helps with the snacking through out the day! I don't drink a lot of diet sodas anymore but if I do it's only 1 can with dinner and that's only like every other night, maybe only 2 or 3 times a week. Soda really isn't that good for you anyway. During the day I bring those individual Crystal light drink mix packets to work and keep refilling my bottle with water from our water cooler. There are all sorts of flavors, I like the Raspberry Lemonade and Pink Lemonade and also tea ones. I also drink diet snapple and fruit-2-o a lot and sometimes Vitamin water zero. All these choices are no calories and I think taste great!
My workout in water aerobics was a tough one last night! He steps up the pace each week and last night he did big time! My legs were feeling it this morning during my walk to work. I was running a few mins late this morning so I was trying to walk faster to make up a few mins time and I could feel the burn in my legs!! ha ha If you ever thought about trying water aerobics? I would Definitely suggest it!! It's a great work out, not so hard on your joints, it can be fun :), and you keep cool while exercising in the water!
So another great weight watchers week to go! Feeling better everyday! I think back to how big I let myself get and I just can't believe it! But that is in the past and I am in the present right now...and Feelin' Goooooood! :)
Monday, July 12, 2010
Complements and Confidence!
I've had a busy couple of weeks! My sister is visiting for the summer and I've taken a few vacation days and had some long weekends. Back to normal this week. Working all 5 days this week. I walked so far over an hour today and plan to walk home and maybe again later after dinner. The past 2 nights after dinner we've been walking and its been nice. It's not as hot after 8 pm.
I weighed in on Friday and lost another 2 lbs. I am now up to 44 1/2 lbs. total! I had several opportunities for pictures this weekend and I am really starting to notice a change in my face and neck. I had an opportunity to shop for a few clothes also. I was never able to fit into Old Navy clothes and now I can plus I am wearing a size smaller than the largest size they carry! Big accomplishment for me!
I started a weight loss photo album on Facebook with pictures
every few weeks showing the change I am making. I posted the 2 pictures I included here, from this weekend and have been getting tons of complements today. Feels great! My weight loss is giving me such confidence. I know I have so far to go still but I am feeling better everyday! I try to think about how long and hard the journey is going to be but how much better I am feeling everyday and how much better I will feel in the end.
I tried a few new dinner options this weekend. We had steak fajitas one night on whole wheat wraps with light sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. They were delicious! We also make personal pizzas one night using wheat flat bread for the crust and turkey sausage and turkey pepperoni for toppings. My sister is eating our healthy dinner with us but she still eats not so healthy things for lunch and breakfast and large quantities. She also is still yet to go walking with us when we go in the evenings. So, still working on instilling my healthy lifestyle on her. :)
Will do my best to write more soon!
I weighed in on Friday and lost another 2 lbs. I am now up to 44 1/2 lbs. total! I had several opportunities for pictures this weekend and I am really starting to notice a change in my face and neck. I had an opportunity to shop for a few clothes also. I was never able to fit into Old Navy clothes and now I can plus I am wearing a size smaller than the largest size they carry! Big accomplishment for me! I started a weight loss photo album on Facebook with pictures
every few weeks showing the change I am making. I posted the 2 pictures I included here, from this weekend and have been getting tons of complements today. Feels great! My weight loss is giving me such confidence. I know I have so far to go still but I am feeling better everyday! I try to think about how long and hard the journey is going to be but how much better I am feeling everyday and how much better I will feel in the end. I tried a few new dinner options this weekend. We had steak fajitas one night on whole wheat wraps with light sour cream, salsa, and guacamole. They were delicious! We also make personal pizzas one night using wheat flat bread for the crust and turkey sausage and turkey pepperoni for toppings. My sister is eating our healthy dinner with us but she still eats not so healthy things for lunch and breakfast and large quantities. She also is still yet to go walking with us when we go in the evenings. So, still working on instilling my healthy lifestyle on her. :)
Will do my best to write more soon!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Busy weekends
What a fun weekend I had! Lots of fireworks and friends and family...and lots of opportunities for me to eat whatever I wanted! I think that I did well considering the difficulty of planning the unknown. We went out to eat on Friday night to my favorite pizza place. I had a salad before to help full me up and then some pizza...I ordered lower fat options for pizza toppings.
Saturday, we went to the market to stock up on fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and my favorite organic pasta (I tried and used for my Nutrition project). Then Saturday afternoon we had a cookout complete with turkey burgers on whole wheat rolls, turkey hot dogs, grilled corn on the cob, peal and eat shrimp and grilled clams. All healthy options for a cookout. Sunday, I sang in a 4th of July concert at the NYS Fairgrounds and we packed a picnic dinner. My choir also had a picnic for the group and I picked healthy options from my choices there....fruit!! (I did allow myself 1 sugar cookie!)
Yesterday, we went to the beach and packed another healthy picnic lunch. We did treat ourselves with a small ice cream after swimming all day. But, we made sure we walked there (made me feel like I earned it). :)
Back to my routine today, walking to work and home and packing my lunch. I am starting my water aerobics again in the evenings on Tues/Thurs. So, more opportunity to exercise during the day since my lunch hour will now be free again.
I weighed in a Friday morning and the scale showed I maintained for the week which is good but because it was that time of the month I expected I was retaining water. So, I re-weighed myself on Saturday morning and my suspicion was correct and I was 1 1/2 lbs lighter. So I ended up losing after all. YEA!
Saturday, we went to the market to stock up on fresh organic fruits, vegetables, and my favorite organic pasta (I tried and used for my Nutrition project). Then Saturday afternoon we had a cookout complete with turkey burgers on whole wheat rolls, turkey hot dogs, grilled corn on the cob, peal and eat shrimp and grilled clams. All healthy options for a cookout. Sunday, I sang in a 4th of July concert at the NYS Fairgrounds and we packed a picnic dinner. My choir also had a picnic for the group and I picked healthy options from my choices there....fruit!! (I did allow myself 1 sugar cookie!)
Yesterday, we went to the beach and packed another healthy picnic lunch. We did treat ourselves with a small ice cream after swimming all day. But, we made sure we walked there (made me feel like I earned it). :)
Back to my routine today, walking to work and home and packing my lunch. I am starting my water aerobics again in the evenings on Tues/Thurs. So, more opportunity to exercise during the day since my lunch hour will now be free again.
I weighed in a Friday morning and the scale showed I maintained for the week which is good but because it was that time of the month I expected I was retaining water. So, I re-weighed myself on Saturday morning and my suspicion was correct and I was 1 1/2 lbs lighter. So I ended up losing after all. YEA!
Monday, June 28, 2010
Yucky food!
This weekend I let myself give in to the cravings I've been having for a week. Yesterday, I went to the Jazz fest and ate dinner there. I made a good choice for dinner, I had a chicken gyro. But, after dinner we decided to get some fried dough. I over indulged! After the Jazz fest, the people I was with wanted to stop and get some ice cream. And Ice Cream being my favorite, I decided to get some also. I of course ate it all and was over full! I felt miserable all night with a stomach ache and the feeling of nausea.
I am still not feeling all that great today. I worked out this morning and have been trying to drink a lot of water this morning to flush my system out. Lets hope I remember this feeling next time I am craving something.
I am still not feeling all that great today. I worked out this morning and have been trying to drink a lot of water this morning to flush my system out. Lets hope I remember this feeling next time I am craving something.
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