Plan for Wednesday

B~ww toast (2) with 1/2 tsp margarine and 1 T apricot preserves
L~lean cuisine chicken fettucini, carrots, pea pods, yogurt
D~hmmm...what do I have on hand? Something from Cooking Light, I'm certain. Either that or turkey burgers.

The plan for tomorrow:

B - Alternative bagel w/ basil and egg whites
S - Fruit salad - 1 peach, 1 cup cantaloupe, 1 cup watermelon
L - Leftovers - stuffed pork tenderloin, whole grain pilaf, and squash bake.
S - Popcorn
S - Greek yogurt pops
D - Chicken breast stuffed w/ dried tomato, basil, garlic, and cubed mozzarella, polenta, steamed broccoli
S - Grilled peach, NSA Ice Cream

E - 55 min elliptical, 65 min strength training

It was a white-knuckler the whole way but I managed to pull it off. What saved me is that I underestimated how long it would take to make dinner, so we ended up eating really late, after 10 PM. With dinner being so late, I didn't feel like having my after dinner snack, so I managed to come in 100 calories low for the day.

I don't know what it is but lately I've been feeling really unmotivated about this whole weight loss/maintenance thing. It's been just a struggle to find meals the past couple of weeks--I just don't have any interest in cooking anything (but I definitely still want to eat). And I feel like I'm constantly on the verge of saying " it all, I don't care what I look like, I'm going to eat whatever I want." Exercise feels like drudgery, even my sessions with my trainer feel like they drag. I hope I get back in the groove of things soon, this is really tiring.

Barbara, hang tough, tough lady. I know JUST what you mean about a white knuckler. Good phrase for it. There are certain days where this seems (almost) easy and others where I'm on the verge of collapse. Walking a tight rope. Hopefully this phase will pass quickly and things will be smooth sailing again.

The RED line is in view. The RED line is in view. Phew!

Another good day yesterday. But it was a Wednesday. So, it's not really all that surprising or monumental or anything......

I did have a little issue with some fresh blueberries. I can overeat anything I tell you, anything. They were on sale, $1.00 a pint! So, I felt the need to eat the ENTIRE pint. But get this, while standing up, no less. So, I traded out one of my other snacks.

And of course I know, blueberries should be the very worst thing I ever overeat. Even standing up. Ever. Ever. Ever.

Have a great day everyone.

And for those of us who are having issues (and don't we ALL at times?), let's stay away from stale croissants, Hershey's kisses, peanuts, Wheat Thins, overeating while standing up, and whatever else gets to us. And Lord knows that list can change from day to day - or should I say, minute to minute.

Barbara, I know how you feel! I have been so unmotivated to cook or eat healthy this week. Lucky for me DH reins me in -- last night I told him I wanted pizza, and he said, "You know we only eat out/order in on weekends. Besides, we have all those veggies from our CSA that will go bad." I ended up cooking the dinner I had planned and it was delicious!

Today I weighed in at 135.8 again so I'm hoping my "official" weigh-in tomorrow will be a little less. On the other hand, I just ate a big piece of cake.

Today's plan:
B - raisin bran, milk, OJ
S - was going to be fruit, but I had a piece of cake
L - leftovers from last night (mushroom pasta veg bake)
S - two apricots, apple, yogurt
D - salad, barbara's turnip recipe!

OK, I'm back under the red line, have several on-plan days strung under my belt, and have a very active day planned!

Barbara, I think we all get into slumps like this from time to time. You just aren't motivated to do what you have to do. During those times, I try to do two things.

First, I remind myself WHY I do these things to begin with. To maintain a body that I prefer vastly to the one I had before, and because I feel better when I maintain a physically active and healthy lifestyle.

Then, I remind myself of the times when it feels AWESOME to be on plan, and that I'll be back to that feeling if I just trudge through this little blip. It still stinks, don't get me wrong, but I find it easier to get through.

Barbara, I know just how you feel. I've felt this way for awhile (and my doc has done several tests to see what's going on, as I have some physical symptoms as well - results on 7/22 - maybe!) I just keep kicking myself along, and some days are better than others. It certainly helps me to come here and tell y'all what I am eating, even though some days it changes, and sometimes even for the better.

B - cheerios w/5 walnut halves, 1% milk; pineapple chunks; toast w/jelly;
S - ff latte
L - egg salad sandwich, with lf mayo, bread, lettuce, cherries
S - cottage cheese with berries (blueberry, strawberry)
D - spaghetti with homemade sauce (it's quick and we have a b'day party at 7 - luckily cake is not something I'm crazy about, esp if it turns out to be a bakery one - ick!)

ETA: Absolutely right on! YAY! And the b'day cake was from the bakery, and there was ice cream. I watched my DH enjoy 2 pieces and all went well. It feels good.

OK, well I managed another day on plan. I do a little extra exercise on Thursdays, so today was a little easier than the past couple of days have been. I did have a moment when I was so hungry I was shaking during my circuit training class. I hate it when that happens. Lately it seems to happen more and more, at least three or four times in the past week or so. I know it is a blood sugar problem and I wish I could figure out what is causing it, how to prevent it, and what to do when it happens (that doesn't involve drinking OJ). It made the workout really not very much fun, but at least it had passed by the time I got home, so I didn't end up eating everything in the house. These little incidents are not helping with my frustration/motivation level.

Here's how the day ended up:
B: FF plain Greek yogurt with High Fiber Cereal and raspberries
S: Decaf coffee with FF half and half and SF Torani. Small plum.
L: Chicken with Laughing Cow cheese wedge, sliced apricot and dijon mustard served over polenta and spinach. Pickles, pickled mushrooms and asparagus.
S: Hot multi-grain cereal with FF cream cheese and cardamom.
S: Fiber One Muffin with FF cream cheese, low carb wrap with TJ's spicy ranchero egg white salad.
D: Salmon patties on whole wheat English muffins with spinach, mustard-yogurt-dill sauce, and boiled egg. Green salad.
S: Bananas with FF SF pudding. Decaf tea with FF half and half and SF Torani.

The whole day came in at about 1400 calories.

Exercise was 30 min intervals, stretching/mat pilates class, and a circuit training class.

Happy Fourth! No parties scheduled for us, so food isn't going to be an issue -- whew!

The gym doesn't open until 7 am (what the heck?) and I'll be there for 30 minutes of elliptical and 30 minutes of bike. I'd love to do weights too, but it all depends on how big the holiday crowd is (the place was deserted yesterday morning). I hate the weight room when it's jam packed so will postpone weights until tomorrow if the gym is mobbed.

DH wants hot dogs and potato salad for dinner, neither of which I eat so my menu is:

M1: 1/2 protein shake
M2: (post-gym) Turkey sausage, cream of wheat
M3: LC wrap, hummus, grilled chicken, veggies
M4: 1/2 protein shake w/frozen blueberries
M5: Salmon, salad, strawberries, LF dressing
M6: Fage 0% yogurt, 20 cherries

Good morning Maintainers and Happy 4th!

Yesterday was another good day. I am just above my red line. Looking to creep back under it some time soon.

Well we had great plans for the whole family to spend the day at the beach - but Mother Nature is NOT cooperating. The whole week has been spectacular, but of course today is cloudy, cloudy, cloudy with showers expected. So nothing really doing here. No great plans. No excuses whatsoever to veer off plan.

Have a good one folks.

Good morning!!!

Happy 4th of July!

I have the day off! Which is awesome! And I am down another pound. 2 pounds in one week? That is a world record for me!

My plans for the 4th include: cleaning, grocery store, Wall-E, running, swimming, & fireworks. Dinner will be chicken, steak, and shrimp fajita fixings. I'll have my protein with roasted veggies.

Have a great day!

Midwife - my day resembles yours a lot! Without the fireworks - it's not dark enough here! We have great displays at New Year's but no one bothers with the 4th. Oh, and well,I'm not swimming either.... But I am walking or biking as soon as the weather decides whether it's going to rain or no. you have your choice depending on which window you look out..... Gym of course is closed - and tomorrow and Sunday too. The downside of a family owned vs corporate franchise.

B - protein pancakes, 1/2 banana, 1/4 cup of cottage cheese with spoonful of yogurt stirred in (over the pancakes)
S - ?
L - bean burrito with lettuce, salsa, avocado, ff sour cream
S - ? again
D - chicken stir-fry, brown rice or if the weather is nice, cold grilled chicken, and finger veggies (carrots, celery, pepper strips)