How was the weekend for everyone? Tonight was a planned splurge (Thai food and a scoop of Baskin Robbins). I'm sure the scale won't be pleasant tomorrow, but it was well-planned and on top of an OP weekend. And REALLY good and well worth the calories.

Still, it'll be good to get back in the week and into routine.

B - English muffin, egg
S - Nonfat yogurt w/ pineapple and coconut
L - Leftovers - Roast turkey breast, baked potato, brussels sprouts
S - Pear
S - Popcorn
D - Chicken skewers, roasted vegetable whole wheat couscous, and a side salad
S - NSA Ice Cream Bar

E - 55 min elliptical, and 60 strength training, assuming my knee holds out (it has been a bit dodgy lately.

B~cottage cheese & pineapple
S~clementine
L~Italian sausage soup, carrots & peapods
S~yogurt
D~soup (kind?) with pinwheel sandwiches made from flat out wheat, reduced fat herbed cream cheese and turkey

My weekend was okay--rather high in calories both days. Bad day Saturday with a horrible headache, but feel much better today! I'm starting a REALLY GOOD WEEK!!!

Weekend was amazingly not too bad. I did go over 2000 on Friday since we were at an amusement park . . . Lunch at Wendy's and then an Icee and ice cream at the park. But overall not much damage considering how much walking we did. My weight is actually going down though! I can't believe I lost a whole pound last week. I even weighed in at 137.8 on Sunday morning. I will be ecstatic if I can continue to lose at this rate! Thank you, thyroid medicine!

Monday's plan:
B - muesli w/milk
S - banana, plum
L - crustless veggie quiche
S - plum, yogurt, maduros
D - pasta, sauce, parmesan
Exercise - 30 min walk with dog, UBWO
Total - 1423 (16.4/17.4/66.2 fat/protein/carb)

I made it through the weekend POP, though I had some really rough moments last night brought on by dh seeking a "partner in crime" for eating. I managed to hold on, but it was a close thing. The words "No, don't order me any" have to be five of the hardest words to say!

Of course, this morning I was totally thrilled to have been strong. Only 5.2 pounds to goal, I sure don't want to screw up now!

Today's plan:
Exercise: 1 hour of whatever (done!)

Food:
Apple cinnamon oatmeal
Sprouted grain toast with smart balance
Vegetable/tofu Thai stir fry
Black bean burrito
Orange

*Shuffling back into "no excuses" thread with tail tucked between legs and head hung in shame*

Last week was terrible. I was out of control, let too much stress get to me and decided ice cream and cake (and lots of other foods) could make it better. Of course they didn't. Trying to drag myself out of it.

Monday's plan:
B - 1 c. Kashi TGF, 1 c. sk milk, coffee, sm banana
L - 1 sl whole wheat/oatmeal bread, 2.5 oz. canned salmon w/ 1/2 Tbsp lt. mayo, 1 c. carrots & 1 c. celery, 1/4 c. feta & spinach dip
S - 1 1/4 c. fruit salad, 6 oz. lt yogurt, 1 oz raw walnuts
theater board meeting - brought my dinner - leftover shrimp pasta primavera, lg. salad w/ 2 T. lt dressing
gym - chest, cardio (25 min. elliptical), 40 min. work scuba dive
S - hm protein muffin, peach popsicle
total cal: 1715

Oh, there's no shame in having a rough week, Megan! Looks like you've got a great plan for today!

Thanks Josephine. I just get so frustrated that I've been above my maintenance weight for so long, it feels like I'm just beating myself up. But what can I do but think that today is a new day. OP so far!

BTW great job not being your DH's "partner in crime"! Great willpower!

Hey Megan . . . I know you could get back to your maintenance weight, but maybe if it has been so difficult for you, you should change your maintenance weight to 145? How long has it been since you were 135? Back then were your muscles so strong? You're super athletic, and sound like you're really fit. Maybe your body just needs to be at a slightly higher weight for maintenance. I know that then there is the fear of sliding your maintenance weight gradually up and up, but stressing yourself out constantly for months/years on end about not being at your ideal weight can't be good.

Can I ask you guys about how many calories you aim for every day?

Josephine~I am for about 1400-1600 per day. It's a great day if it is under 1400 and not so great if it is above 1600. Weekends can often show up around 1800. But then I'm still trying to lose. 1600-1800 would be fine for maintaining for me (but everyone is different).

Jessica, I've thought a lot about altering my maintenance weight (and though I keep saying "weight" it's really my waist size - most of my 6's are still hanging unworn in my closet, as my belly is where I put on weight first and take it off last). The most major thing stopping me is that my eating has just been bad for the past few years. It's not under control. I would like to eat healthily 80-90% of the time with an occasional treats, and with my healthy/binge cycling that I've been pulling doesn't match that. I don't want to give myself permission to stay at a weight where I continue this unhealthy cycle. If I get to eating more healthily and this is where my weight falls, that would be different and more acceptable in my mind (and this is a possibility b/c I know I carry more muscle now, and plan to continue to lift weights). I would like to get back to my maintenance weight, eating healthfully, and then decide if it's sustainable for me given my different exercise regime now than when I first got to maintenance 4+ years ago. It is something I have considered, but at this point it just feels like making excuses for my bad eating habits. You're right, though, stressing myself over this for so long is also not good for me. I just don't know...

Josephine, to "lose" I try to average 1400-1700 cals a day. If I go under that, I might still lose, but I'm ravenous and my hair and nails stop growing (obviously a red flag!). To maintain I'd say I go around 2000 cals, but that's with a pretty high activity level. But since I can't stay in my maintenance weight or lose weight when I try I don't know if I'm the best person to ask.

Yesterday was POP. Onto today.

Tuesday's plan: (edited to reflect what really happened)
B - 1 c. Kashi TGF, 1 c. sk milk, coffee, sm banana
L - 1 sl whole wheat/oatmeal bread, 2.5 oz. canned salmon w/ 1/2 Tbsp lt. mayo, steamed artichoke w/ 1 T lt mayo and vinegar dip
S - 1 1/4 c. fruit salad, 6 oz. lt yogurt, 1 oz raw walnuts
gym - elliptical 45 min, legs heavy, abs 15 min.
post-gym snack - hm chocolate pumpkin protein muffin
D - Cranberry and Spinach Stuffed Chicken breasts, 1 c. steamed green beans
Total cal: 1634

Josephine - I aim for 1400-1600 for weight loss, 1700-2100 for maintenance depending on how much exercise I'm getting. If I'm working out hard nearly every day, I can lose weight at 1600-1800 too, but right now my exercise is nearly nonexistant. I usually have 1400-1600 on weekdays, then weekends are 1700-2000. Like Megan if I get less than 1400 I'm pretty much starving.

Tuesday's plan:
B - muesli, milk, three cherry tomatoes
S - apple
L - leftover veggie crustless quiche
S - banana, yogurt, plum
D - leek and mushroom kugel, green beans
S - watermelon, OJ
Total - 1485 (12.1/18.6/69.2 fat/protein/carb)

Megan - I get what you mean about not wanting to maintain poor eating habits. I wish I could think of some advice to help though!

Megan~I'm with you. Let's kick this thing in the butt and get back to goal!!

Today's plan:

B~cottage cheese & pineapple
S~clementine
L~Lean Cuisine sesame stir fry
S~yogurt
D~scrambled eggs with peppers and onions, ham, cantaloupe
Gym for 1 hour