Evening all -

Wednesday, August 2nd:
1524 calories
26% protein, 17% fat, 57% carb, 54 g fiber, 2460 sodium

It's amazing how much sodium there is just in grocery store items like cottage cheese and canned beans! I usually think that I'll be fine as long as I'm making my own meals and not eating processed foods, but sometimes I can go over the recommended amount anyway.

Today was funny because when I put my food plan into Fitday, the number of calories seemed high, so I did some tweaking, taking out this and that, going down to half a banana etc., to get it down to a little over 1600 calories. Then when I got to work I realized that I'd accidentally planned and packed an extra snack! So I ended up eating everything that I had brought, and my late afternoon snack became dinner, and when I got home I just had some fruit salad.... I wish there were a way to group foods together in fitday, so that I could see how many calories I had per meal/snack. That's how I used to plan my day in an excel spreadsheet, and it was easier to keep track of everything and not leave anything out.

I found my 'before' photo.

I was looking at old photos taken the first week of June and there is one of me and brother at his graduation. I am smiling and happy but I have a huge double chin and 19.6 (i want 20 so bad) extra pounds. Its HORRIBLE. A HUGE double chin and a stomach bulge. Its not full length but when I hit my goal I will use it as my before. Its sooo embarrassing!

Calories were low today and I am really tired. :/

Tonight ended up with dinner out yet again. Normally I love to eat out but not when I *have* to, kwim? Still, I did pretty good on overall calories but I do just estimate on dinner out most times, just figuring 1000 cals for the whole meal. Some of them will be less, some more, and it all works out in the end as long as I don't pig out.

I'm posting my numbers for today (it's 7:31pm here) because I feel like eating chocolates and ice cream and if I've already made my count public, then there's no changing it. Right? Someone tell me that's a rule or something! Ugh. Hormones...

1288 calories - 35g fat (28%), 149g carbs (39%), 108g protein (35%) - 31g fiber

I did three exercise shows on the computer because it was just too dog-gone hot to walk down to the gym. Tomorrow I'll get in some good running on the treadmill, though.

Kara

Yesterday's total was 1347 calories, 43g fat (28%), 165 carbs (48%), 79g protein (28%).

RocknRoll, I hear you on the "before" photo. There is one of me taken a few weeks ago at my brother's wedding and I'm in this hideous bridesmaid dress to begin with...but the fat rolls are out of control. It's a very embarassing picture... and I definitely use it as my motivation!

We are going camping tonight with a bunch of friends so hopefully I can stay on track. I sent DH out last night to get camping food and he came back with baked lays and Weight Watchers snacks! He's not a lost cause after all...

Good morning!
I encourage you all to make sure you have a before picture. We are terrible judges of our own progress.

I think Anna should keep that dress and show us pics in about 50 lbs!

my counts for yesterday
1,125 cals (low cal day)
sodium was 3,355 WOW....what is your sodium supposed to be because that seems crazy!!!!
fat: 27g (seems high not sure what that is supposed to be either)
protein 52g (again no idea what its supposed to be)

I count usually only my cals and they were under yesterday...I am trying to have some low days to get ready for my baseball game on sunday which will be a high day
does anyone know the calories in a neocitron I couldn't find them anywhere but I really needed one to sleep last night. I am still sick as a dog and tired as anything. I hope I am better by game day we paid 50$ for these tickets and my inlaws are coming who...are germaphobs they even told us not to bother paying our rent to them until we are all healthy which is sorta nice to have the extra days lol. I am at a plateau already this is my third week dieting and I am still stuck at 211 I lost 7 the first week and now...2 weeks of nothing its so frusterating. I know its probably a mix between my sodium level, me being sick last and this week and eating out more but I have stayed within my calories the entire time!!!!! ugh

GOOOOOOOD Morning and TGIF!

Tinky ~ if I figure it out I will sure let you know. HEHEHEH! We all have to do it at our own pace but this is a real scare to me because my BIL passed away at the age of 32 of a massive heart attach and for DD to have high blood pressure already is just crazy but it could have been the fact that she was at the doctor, DH has that problem. They take DH's blood pressure twice first time its high, second time its normal but DD and DH are really starting to scare me.

Brittany and Kayla ~ Nanny's, I couldn't do it. I have always told everyone that I work not only for the money but a break from my kids. I admit, I love them but need that time away to be a good Mom.

Brittany ~ Great job on your choice. When I go to fast food restaurants I always choose the kids meals because they are a real serving size and I am always amazed at how full I am when I am done.

Kayla ~ I really like Subway. I actually at Subway for supper last year for 4 days and lost weight. I can't explain it other than its the right combo of carbs/veggies/protien for me.

Sara ~ I am always amazed at the sodium they put in everything and then they wonder why Americans have high blood pressure. I usually by sodium free veggies and they also have some new things out that the veggies come in a bag and then you just poke holes in it and microwave it and WHALA, fesh steamed veggies. They are really good but I have only found green beans and asparagus. The down side is they are a little pricey.

Rocknroll ~ I think we all feel that way about our before pictures, know your not alone. Yes, I see my pictures and I am smiling, double chin and all but inside I realize I look like heck and feel everyone is stairing at the fat chick.

Diane ~ Eating out is a challenge. I have gotten good lately at it, well didn't on vacation but normally I am. Instead of appetizers, I get a salad and dip my fork in the dressing. I also chose the healthiest dish I can find that sounds good. Used to be I just order without calories in mind.

Kara ~ Yep its a rule, HAHAHAHA! Just curious, are all three of those little ones yours? They are all so close in age I have to ask because that is a lot of work having three so young! I can hardly keep track of DGS, matter of act, he ended up in the horse pasture one day because I turned my back on him and he had to of headed right for it. He loves the horses and thank goodness he chose the pony pasture and not the horse pasture (my horse weighs 2100 lbs and DGS walks under him YICKS) walked on and smacked my pony on the rear because he is gentle and wouldn't hurt a fly. All my pony did was step forward and turn around in look and keep eating. Your little ones are cuties.

Anna ~ That is so thoughtful and caring of your DH. Mine does the same things. That is one of the keys, finding alternative lower cal stuff that is similar to what you used to eat so you don't feel deprived. That is what I do. Even hot dogs you can find healthier versions. Still not a staple but I love them so I have them on occassion I just get turkey or Healthy Choice.

Brightside ~ Weekends are always a challenge for me. I raised my calories when I restarted this weekend after being off for a month and I think I will actually have a successful weekend. We shall see.

OK, so I can finally get my pants that I haven't been able to fit into for over a month back on just from a week of being good. I am so lucky that its coming off as faster than it came on. I know it won't keep up at this pace but I love it. I am hoping to report a nice loss come Monday and then I will reveal my real weight from Sunday.

If you are looking for a good magazine with tips to read on weight loss this weekend I suggest First magazine. I bought it when we were on vacation and found two very good articles in there.

I have always been sluggish no matter what I do. I read the article "Tired all summer?" and it clicked because all these ladies symptoms were similar to mine. The lady was always tired and drained and went to the doctor and no matter what they tried she wasn't getting better. Finally she to the right doctor and they suggested she take magnesium and potassium. Now, she is energetic and athletic and so happy. They say more than 80% of woman don't get enough of magnesium. So I bought magnesium and potassium and amazingly after two days I am feeling a change. Could me just me so I will keep you posted to let you no what happens.

Another article was "Maximum Metabolism". The research was done at the University of Maryland School of Medicine. They discovered the drinking different temperatures of water thru the day can actually help us lose weight and cleans our body. I can't do the article justice but I have been doing it this week and the weight I gained while off the last month is melting off of me. I won't claim its all the water but, well I guess I am revealing where I was early, to go from 199.7 on Sunday to 191.8 this morning is a huge drop. I realize its mostly water but at least its less that I am carrying around and I can fit in my paints.

Well I better get going and get some work done while I can. Soon, the slave driver will be in and then all my real work will have to be put aside to do his job.

Irishfairy ~ Are you drinking enough water? Your right, you do retain water when your sick, why I have not a clue but drinking water might help flush your retention. I know, that sounds odd. Oh, I have my fair share of germaphobs in my family so I hear ya and will send healing prayers.

Forgot to post my calories and such.

Calories: 1738
Exercise: 20 minute walk, Curves and 2 hrs cleaning horse pasture again.

Lara, they are all mine. Connor is five, Kadyn is two, and Avery just turned one two months ago. Life is crazy now, but they're fun. Neither of the girls were planned but I'm so glad we have them!

Your grandson is adorable! I loved the pictures!

Kara

Oh this picture is just about ten shades of AWFUL! I will keep it secretly hidden on my computer until 50 lbs. or so later.... does anyone remember that board game, Candyland? It made me look like the cupcake princess....

Grammy, I think you are right on about finding similar things that are low cal so you don't feel deprived. Once I figured out that it was calories in vs. calories out, and not about no carbs, no sweets, no whatever (all the stuff I LOVED), but everything in moderation and that I could make healthier choices while still enjoying the foods I love, it just sort of clicked for me.

Yeah before pictures are good! Ummm kinda, last year I was looking at the body for life stuff and went so far as to take pictures of myself and make a poster of it. I ended up deleting the pictures sometime in the last year of NO progress but still have the poster of me in a bikini and two others that were success stories similar in size/stats that looked good then.

So I have it hanging behind the bathroom door for me to look at lol, didn't work but now I have a truly terrible before picture I can scan into the computer! I think I am gonna have hubby take my picture when I reach 20 pounds lost just as a comparison to what I was at 202.

The worst part about having it though is that I put it in my bathroom so that no one could see it, our bathroom is small and tucked in the back of the house through our bedroom. One camping trip I was talking to my SIL about pictures and we were saying how hard it is to see ourselves in them. I told her I had a bikini pic I had hung up for motivation and my BIL!! says oh yeah I know I saw that.

I almost died right there, ugh he saw my bikini pic, dated from a year ago with no change?! I almost tore it down but decided not to since I was 1 month into this and decided I might want the before lol.

Have a great weekend all!

HAHAHAH! Anna ~ I used to make my Mom play that game all the time with me when I was a kid. I bought if for my girls but it was like pulling teeth trying to get them to play it with me. I thought the cupcake princess was cute!

Kara ~ Enjoy your little ones while they are little. I know they are tons of work and at time irritating but let me tell you I now appreciate them that small because I have a 20 year old and a 16, almost 17 year old. They are just so mean and nasty when they get older. I didn't believe people when they said it to me when they were little but now appreciate their advice. They lose all that cuteness to say the least and become a pain in the toosh. My grandson has brought a new outlook to life and what is all about. I love seeing him experience the newness of life. Like the funny faces when he tries something he doesn't like the taste of, standing in awe at trees that are tall, from fear to excitement about riding fair rides, that type of thing. My fav was when he discovered mud puddles and dirt. His Mom doesn't allow him to get dirty or be a boy. We pick him up clean and unscaved. Within a few hours later, dirty and by the end of the weekend at least one bump, scrap or bruise. We let him be a kid.