Good News!!! = Ran yesterday...Bad News = OUCHY today! Oh well...I'm gonna say it was worth it for my "adrenelene fix" and natural "stress reliever"!

Breakfast - 2 Pumpkin Raisin Muffins, 2 Jimmy Dean Turkey Sausage - 358 cals.
Snack - Atkins Protein Bar - 240 cals.
Lunch - Cod & Shrimp Alfredo over spinach quinoa, spinach - 350 cals.
Snack - 30g unsalted cashews - 180 cals.
Snack - Protein Shake (1 scoop isopure vanilla whey, 1 banana, 8 strawberries, 2 tsp splenda, 1/4c fat free half & half, 1/4cup water, ice) - 280 cals.
Dinner - homemade Chili over spinach quinoa, corn & green beans - 406 cals.
Snack - Pumpkin Raisin Muffin - 139 cals.
Snack - 5 slices Digiorno 3 meat pizza - 1,200 cals.
Snack - 3 pumpkin raisin muffins - 417 cals.
Snack - full fat Popcorn - 170 cals.

Total Calories: 3,740 cals. - Bottomless Pit Stomach...all this..and I'm not even close to full!
**UPDATE** - after muffins and popcorn...I'm finally full

EXERCISE:

NO RUNNING - DAY OFF!

4/15 - 2,495 cals.
4/16 - 2,823
4/17 - 2,728
4/18 - 1,793
4/19 - 2,661
4/20 - 2,188
4/21 - 2,267
4/22 - 3,740

Total Calories for past 8 days = 20,695 cals.
Total Average Daily Calories for past 8 days = 2,586.88

Monday's Weigh-In will be very interesting!

HEy Woman!!!!! It was sooo funny I was reading your journal, saw the couple slices of digiorno. and said yummmmmmmmmmmy! I want PIZZA! I went downstairs, came back up here... And I swear 2 more slices were added! Lol!!!!

That's my gurl!!! Eating for me and you!!!

What will be surprising is if on Monday, you actually LOSE!!! Remember what happened when I upped my cals!!!

Be easy on that knee!!!!!

You killed the HECK out of that HUNGRY BEAST!!!!!! LOL!

I know all to well about this beast! Please dont send him my way!

Dedikayted - Your too funny gurl! Yup...I had your slices again...don't want to be rude, just told the waiter (Digiorno) "I'll be eating for two tonight"!

Ok...so now you all see...THIS^^ is what I looks like when JOYFUL loses CONTROL!...not pretty is it? haha...well it can get worse. But every now and again...this just needs to be done!!! I feel soooo much better this morning as I do believe I did "KILL THE BEAST" last night.

I decided also that it's time to buckle down on the diet and change it up a bit. There are certain "healthy" foods (aka pumpkin muffins, cashews, atkins bars etc.) that I'm just lovin' a lil' bit toooo much! They've gotta go...not forever...just for a lil bit. Time to switch it up a bit. Gonna keep calories between 1500-1600 for the next week, removing some of my higher calorie treats and adding some of my old favorites (protein shakes), spinach salad, meatballs). Sorry you all had to see that "meltdown", but it was necessary for me to remain publicly accountable.

Breakfast - Cinnamon Raisin Whole Wheat Pancakes (3), 1 Veggie Pattie - 370 cals.
Snack - None
Lunch - Jamaican Curry Chicken Thighs over curry black beans & plantain, spinach - 560 cals.
Snack - Atkins Protein Bar (LAST ONE..WOOT!) - 240 cals.
Dinner - Peanut chicken over brown rice, salsa, green bean almondine - 360 cals.
Snack - small Navel Orange - 45 cals.
Snack - Pumpkin Raisin Muffin - 139 cals.

Total Calories: 1,714 cals.

EXERCISE:

NO RUNNING
Shopping and on the go ALL DAY!

Finally bought some new clothes...it's official..I'm a size 6 (haven't bought new clothes in years!!) and a size small/medium in tops![/b]

I finally see a thin tall lean woman who looks good when she tries on new clothing in the dressing room. I used to DREAD the dressing room. This is definitely a MAJOR accomplishment. I think I just got my MOJO back!

I feel the same way about protein bars... Omg... Just like a candy bar to me! If you look at my journal, on some of the days I would allow myself a bar.... I would end up allow 2!! Haha.. I don't know. Some foods I just find its best to keep out my diet for a while as well.. I told you the protein bars have to live in the trunk of my car!!! Haha! But I am so serious! I like to freeze mine so that they last longer when I am eating them but I am afraid to bring them in the house because they call my name so loud, I know I will go in the freezer to eat them!! Cashews? -- oh gosh.. Pleeeez! Don't get me started! I had to go back to thinking about substitute snacks that are a lot more filling than the processed ones I had added... Like my greek yogurt..its on 90 calories. I can have that, 2 cups of strawberries for the same amount of calories as my protein bar! And I am so much fuller! So yea, I too had to yank those treats back out for a while. I am trying to just use the rest n emergency situations instead of a daily treat!

Congratulations, Ms Size 6 .

There's nothing like loving what you see when you look in the mirror! You've earned it!

Did better on calories yesterday...but still went over goal. Will try harder today.

Breakafast - 3 whole wheat cinnamon raisin pancakes w/sf syrup, veggie pattie - 370 cals.
Snack - None
Lunch - Peanut Chicken over bulgar wheat, spinach - 360 cals.
Snack - Pumpkin Raisin Muffin - 139 cals.
Snack - Skinny Cow Truffle Pop - 100 cals.
Snack - 94% fat free Popcorn - 100 cals.
Dinner - Thai Curry Chicken over brown rice w/salsa, spinach - 330 cals.
Snack - Activia Light Yogart - 70 cals.
Snack - Pumpkin Raisin Muffin - 139 cals.
Snack - small Navel Orange - 45 cals.

Total Calories: 1,653 cals.

EXERCISE:

Running - 5.4 Miles!!!

Thanks Dedikayted! I needed to find something good about this past week..

*UPDATE* - TOM today - but now I see EXACTLY where the BEAST was coming from! Ugghhh...hormones are really a BEAST!

Official Weigh In Day = 155.6 lbs

So...I think this is clear...especially since its day 2 of my TOM, that eating all those calories did NO damage. I actually probably lost some lbs, since I normally gain 2-3 lbs during the first 3-4 days of TOM. This is GOOD NEWS as it shows me that maintenance will be a breeze. But for now...I'm gonna get "crack-a-lackin" and loose these last couple of pounds already!

Breakfast - 3 Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin Pancakes, veggie pattie - 370 cals.
Snack - banana - 100 cals.
Lunch - Jamaican Curry Thighs over curry black beans, green bean almondine - 560 cals.
Snack - Activia Light Yogart, 5 almonds - 100 cals.
Snack - Skinny Cow Truffle Pop - 100 cals.
Snack - 94% fat free Popcorn - 100 cals.
Dinner - Spinach salad w/grilled chicken, feta, walnut & cranberry - 300 cals.
Snack - small Navel Orange - 45 cals.
Snack - 1/2 cup fresh sweet pineapple - 80 cals.

Total Calories: 1,755 cals.

EXERCISE:

Running - 5.4 Miles!!! - Ouch...this was hard..oh the cramps...ugggh! But I made it though!

*NOTE* - Last night I tried running in my new Saucony ($30) to see if it made any difference in my left knee pain. Well..this morning I have pain, but it's really not anywhere as bad as it normally is (or just maybe these HORRIBLE CRAMPS overshadow the knee pain?). Maybe I've worn out my old Saucony running sneakers. Will run today with the new sneakers and report findings later.

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY ON THE WEIGHIN! I knew it!

There is something to that HUNGER BEAST! He comes for a reason sometimes.. What's the reason? I dont know.. But I think sometimes the damage is minimal when you don't combine fats with sugar. I think the fact that you dont top your pizza treats off with 1/4 gallon of icecream or brownies, cookies, etc.. HELPS! Fat + sugar = fat storage..

And you have none.


Anyway.. that's just my .02!

You are doing great, Joyful. You made me laugh about your hormones and eating! I hear you about feeding the beast. TOM is supposed to arrive for me tomorrow, and today I have eaten 6 brownies, 3 cookies, an ice cream bar, and much, much more. I almost made a huge bowl of popcorn with butter, but convinced myself not to (which was extremely difficult). I am not happy with myself today, but oh well...tomorrow is a new day. Keep up the great work!

And I love that you loved seeing yourself in the dressing room mirror...you deserve to have a positive self-image!

Dedikayted - I think you may have a point here! I ate ALOT of food to not gain weight. Hmmm...interesting? I really LOVE to eat...so if I could eat more FOOD cutting out to JUNK, I'm totally willing to give up the junk!

Emme - WOW...seems when the "hungries" left me, it stopped by your house! Great attitude...just start a new tomorrow...all will be forgiven..haha!

Ok...so, got on the scale this morning at it's official...no gain = 154.8! I expect to be down to 152 by next Monday (or maybe wishful thinking..haha!)

Breakfast - 3 Whole Wheat Cinnamon Raisin Pancakes, Veggie Pattie - 370 cals.
Snack - Protein Shake w/fresh banana, strawberries - 280 cals.
Lunch - Sesame Chicken over rice sticks, green bean almondine - 375 cals.
Snack - Skinny Cow Truffle Pop - 100 cals.
Snack - 94% fat free Popcorn - 100 cals.
Snack - Pumpkin Raisin Muffin - 139 cals.
Dinner - Thai Curry Chicken over bulgar wheat w/salsa, spinach - 330 cals.
Snack - small Navel Orange - 45 cals.
Snack - 1/2 cup fresh pineapple - 80 cals.

Total Calories: 1,819 cals.

EXERCISE:

NO EXERCISE - DAY OFF

**UPDATE** - Took annual breast exam this morning. Tomorrow evening I'm scheduled for my left knee MRI. Hoping all is well with both tests!

Breakfast - 3 Whole Wheat cinnamon raisin pancakes, veggie pattie - 370 cals.
Snack - Activia Light Yogart - 70 cals.
Lunch - Sesame chicken over rice sticks, stir fry veggies - 375 cals.
Snack - Pumpkin Raisin Muffin - 139 cals.
Snack - homemade low fat Apple Crisp - 110 cals.
Snack - 94% fat free Popcorn - 100 cals.
Snack - homemade low fat Apple Crisp - 110 cals.
Dinner - Thai Curry Chicken over bulgar wheat w/salsa, spinach - 330 cals.
Snack - small Navel Orange, 5 unsalted almonds, few raisins - 80 cals.

Total Calories: 1,684 cals.

EXERCISE:

Running - 5.4 Miles!!! (really difficult run..wanted to give up 20 mins into it..but held on and ROCKED IT!)

I got a feeling... You are going to be at goal very soon! You may not have made your April 1st goal but I think you will make it by May 1st!!!

Rock on Sista!

Breakfast - 3 whole wheat cinnamon raisin pancakes, veggie pattie - 370 cals.
Snack - Apple Crisp - 110 cals.
Snack - Pumpkin Raisin Muffin - 139 cals.
Lunch - Jamaican Curry Chicken thigh over curry black beans, spinach - 560 cals.
Snack - Skinny Cow Truffle Pop - 100 cals.
Snack - 94% fat free Popcorn - 100 cals.
Dinner - Spinach salad w/grilled chicken, feta, cranberry & walnut - 300 cals.
Snack - 1/2 cup fresh pineapple - 80 cals.
Snack - 2 Pumpkin Raisin Muffins - 278 cals.
Snack - small Navel Orange - 45 cals.

Total Calories: 2,082 cals.

EXERCISE:

NO EXERCISE - DAY OFF

Thanks Dedikayted! It really doesn't matter WHEN I get to goal...so long as I get there! I'm just glad that I'm sorta back to normal. I was supposed to get my MRI done last night on my left knee, but couldn't leave due to tornados in my area. Gonna reschedule today, but left knee is doing much better since I switched sneakers and stretch different muscles!