Monday, March 28, 2011

Monday...

Busy today. I got to the office this am and had 7 voice mails!! It was nuts! As soon as I hung up the phone from checking messages, it was ringing again and it was one of the people who left a message! Goodness, we open at 9, this was at 9:20, give me time to return your call before you call again! Today was a low calorie day and I am hungry!! I may go to bed soon so that I don't cheat!! Only lost 1 lb last week. Hopefully it will be better this week. Went walking in the park on my way home today, it was great! Not hot, not cold, very comfortable. New menus look good. I can't decide between Wendy's and KFC, I have been craving fried chicken lately, so I think that is what I will have when they start. Well, I hope everyone is doing well and liking the menus. It's kind of strange with the varied amounts of calories per day, it's sort of hard to get used to...I guess that is why we are doing them, to get us used to compensating for days when we go over our limits some to balance out the calories for the week, to teach us not to gain our weight back once we lose it. It makes sense, just not easy. Night y'all!

Friday, March 25, 2011

practice...

was really long last night. We practiced 2 songs that we hadn't done in a long time so it took a while. We didn't get done until about 9:15. Hubby and I went to Wendy's and I had 2 ceasar side salads with 1 pack of pomegranate dressing for a grand total of 180 calories! The salad consists of about 1 cup romaine, 2 grape tomatoes and some shaved parmesan cheese. That's it and it's one of my favorite things to eat.

Doing day 3 today and had my egg sandwich for breakfast. Pretty full, still. Looking forward to the Taco Bell for lunch, it seems strange that it is on the plan, but it is!!

My stomach really hurts today, though. Several years ago, I had a
hernia repaired and it had come open again a couple of years ago. With no health insurance, I can't have it repaired yet. Whenever I sleep on my back a lot at night (usually a side sleeper) it is sore in the morning. I think I must have spent most of the night on my back though, because it's really sore today.

Steak and baked potato for supper tonight, yeah!!!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

new food...

I'm kinda enjoying the new food menus. Allan may be mad, but I did change last night's dinner. I like the deep fried version of chinese food, not the good for you veggies and stir fry, so instead I had a large salad, it was all veggies so I kind of felt safe doing that instead. Plan said 3 cups of oriental veggies, but I had 3 cups of salad veggies. And no rice.

It was nice to have cereal for breakfast today!! It's been a long time since I have done that.

Today, I have stuck to it to the letter, sort of. I forgot my banana at home that was supposed to be with breakfast and when I weighed my deli meat for lunch, it just seems to be sooo much!! I put some back so instead of 3 oz, I had 1 1/2 oz.m, this was still 4 slices! I used a whole wheat sandwich thin which is 100 calories instead of 2 slices of whole wheat bread which would have been 140 calories. I only did that because I had those in the fridge from phase 4 and they were still good and I didn't want to waste them. A little mustard, meat, romaine, roma tomato and some thin sliced cucumber...it was very good and I didn't miss the mayo that I DIDN'T PUT ON IT!!! I even ate my plum!!

Since Allan doesn't want us to repeat days, I am just going in order of the days as they are numbered. I may switch Sunday with Monday because on Monday is toast and egg for lunch and I don't have a way to cook at work. Tuna is on the menu for Sunday, so I will probably just trade the days, so that I can cook at home and brown bag for lunch. Easy peasy!

I have praise and worship practice tonight at 7, I get off work at 5:30 and it's a 30 min drive there. Since I will get there an hr early, I am going to a friends house and quickly cutting her and her son's hair, then dashing off to practice. That will end between 8 and 9 depending on if the band members have practiced and learned the new song for this week. I really hope they have because it goes so much smoother and quicker when they do. Then a 30 min drive home and then eat?? I may have to have Christina prepare it for me so that I can eat as soon as I get home or I may just skip dinner since it will be so late and just have my snack. If I time it right that could work. Bring my afternoon snack with me to practice and eat it just before we start and then have the evening snack as soon as I get home. I hate eating a meal and then going to bed right after. At least now, it's not a 1000 calories, its only 300 -450.

Eat well!!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Gorgeous...

Gorgeous day in Memphis today. I love when we can have the doors to the office open.

I think I need to go to a chiropractor. My neck still hurts and it has been over a week since I woke up and couldn't turn my head to the right. I am afraid I may have a pinched nerve. We don't have health ins but we know a chiropractor and have for about 18 yrs. He charges $40 per treatment without ins and I used to go to him a long time ago. He treated my husband when he fell on ice and hit his lower back on the curb and dislocated a vertebra. He is really good. So I will bite the bullet tomorrow and call him.

Diet is going well, just bored with it. I am glad to be getting new menus. It will be a nice change. I need to do something to push my weight loss. Suggestions? My loss has slowed down and I am getting frustrated with it. I would love to win the trip, it would be the fulfillment of a life long dream, but I am sooo far down on the list of percentage, I just don't know.

Saturday, March 19, 2011

Lots and lots of 2 yr olds...

2 hrs. at a 2 yr old's birthday party was loud, exhausting but fun. The kids had a great time. Strawberry Shortcake was the character theme for the party. There was a bouncy thing, face painting, food, candy, pinata, sherbert and lots of gifts. I had one bite of cake off of my daughter's plate and that was enough, not really used to sweets like that anymore and that was a good feeling!!

Then went to Wal-Mart with Christina and Isabella, spent way too much. Got Izzy the cutest outfit that Christina put together. A Light pink onsie with darker pink spots on it, pink pants, a black tutu and sparkly pink shoes!! I can't wait to dress her in it for church tomorrow!!! Her mama is going to freak!! I love it!!!

I am curious about the new menus we are getting tomorrow from Allan...he mentioned Taco Bell. He is probably going to tell us that we can eat certain things from there and they will probably things I would load down with cheese to make it taste better. We'll see. One thing I know, it be good for me, well, at least as good for me as Taco Bell can be. I do love their Chipotle Steak Taco salad!!!

Need to go figure out what to fix for the family for supper.

Later!

Friday, March 18, 2011

good day

Today was a really good day. Work was busy but with no major problems, well not for me anyway. A couple of people who had claims, the adjusters called us today to tell us that they were denying the claims. One was auto and the other home. I hate when that happens. A lady traded in her car last year in Feb and didn't tell us. Then in Feb this year, she was in a car wreck, then a few days later she called and traded the cars on her policy. The adjuster denied her claim because she had owned the car for more than 30 days without notifying us. So, if you buy a car, whether it is an additional car or a replacement, CALL YOUR INSURANCE AGENT AND ADD IT ON!!!!!! And if you own a house that you rent out and your tenant is dodging you, GO CHECK YOUR HOUSE AND MAKE SURE THAT THE POWER IS STILL ON AND THE TENANT HASN'T ABANDONED IT IN THE MIDDLE OF WINTER WITH THE POWER OFF!!!!! Because the house was vacant when the pipes burst, there is no coverage. Denied claim #2. I hate this part of insurance. I like the part when I can explain things to people and make them understand how insurance works and when I can save them money. Now a days, that's not happening as often as I would like, but sometimes...

Food was great today, did Ahi Tuna for dinner, marinated in some soy, oyster sauce, garlic and teriyaki. Delish!!! With some green beans and carrots!

Busy weekend ahead. Church cleaning, appt at hair place, Isabella, birthday party at 3 and grocery shopping. Then church on Sunday.

Later, gator!!

Thursday, March 17, 2011

My baby's home!!!

Christina left on Monday morning to go to the Smoky Mountains, Gatlinburg TN, with the youth group from church. They came home tonight, she was so excited to be home but had a great time. I went several years ago with our older daughter, Christian. It was wonderful!!! The funny thing is, this year they stayed two cabins away from the cabin we stayed in the first year. It is good to have her home.

Ed and I went out to eat tonight, Cajun Catfish Cabin. It was just ok. I had the grilled platter. Grilled catfish, a crab cake and four grilled shrimp. I picked apart the crap cake and just ate the crap from it, fake crab meat. The fish tasted like the refridgerator, shrimp was overcooked. The best part of my meal was the salad I got in place of the fries and cole slaw.

Thank God tomorrow is Friday!! Then I get Isabella on Saturday!! YAY!!! Talk about live for the weekends! That little girl makes me want the weekend to hurry up like a fat girl wants chocolate shake!!

Night y'all!!

Beautiful!!

It is a gorgeous day!! The skies are blue, no clouds, a nice breeze! We have the office doors open so that we can enjoy the beautiful weather. Still a little chilly, because I am indoors so I have my sweater on.

I have noticed that since I have started losing weight, that I am colder than normal. I guess less fat to keep me warm!!! lol

One of the guys in my office commented this morning that I was really slimming down! Sweet! He knows that I have been in the challenge and was curious about it. It will be nice to see someone I haven't seen in a while and see how they react.

I went walking in my new Skechers after work yesterday in Shelby Farms. There is a walking trail there and it was so nice, but there are some inclines and I am not used to that! Nice work out though! I want to start going there on my way home from work everyday, that way I have no excuse not to walk. I pass by this everyday!!! Now that the time has changed, it is no longer dark at 5:30 when I get off. I need to remember to bring water with me.

Later!

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

weird...

I just realized that I had not updated my weight loss ticklers for a couple of weeks.

Things have been crazy in my life lately, but I am still plugging away at losing weight and getting healthy. I haven't been blogging much, just reading some here and there, spending a lot of time on Facebook, though. I need to get out of that habit because taking care of my farm and "helping" all my friends takes about 2 hrs a night!! I need this more.

My clothes are getting lose and I guess people don't want to hurt my feelings by asking (if I say no) about losing weight. If it comes up in conversation I always get comments like "I thought you looked like you were losing weight!" or they act like they were just about to ask. I have yo-yoed for so long maybe people have just given up on asking. I like the acknowledgment but I have reached a point in my life where I no longer need it.

My friend, Tammy, told a friend of hers that she was doing this for herself and that she had come to a place in her life where she was fed up with everything and said "F--- all, y'all!" I get that. I am there. I have taken care of everyone in my life for all my life and now it is time for me.

I have to say that I feel so much better since the beginning of the challenges. When I was at my highest, 383.2, I was so miserable and now that I am down to 323, I feel so much better! That is 60 pounds gone from 2 yrs ago!! Now, granted, 17 lbs was already gone at the beginning of the challenge in Jan, but to know that I can do this, just keeps me going. I am trying so hard to not give in to temptation because I know how hard it is to start over. I did well 2 yrs ago and have started over about 10 times since then, but this time...this time is different. It has nothing to do with the challenge other than I have that many more weapons in my arsenal to fight against my old gluttenous self. I want to feel good all the time again and not have good days and bad days. I feel so much more focused, now that I have changed my eating habits.

I had a scary afternoon a couple of weeks ago. It has made me wonder if I am addicted to food. Someone in the office got chinese food from the restaurant down the street and it SMELLED SOOOO GOOODDD!!!!! When he was done, he closed the styrofoam box and placed it in his trash can. I sat at my desk all afternoon day dreaming about that box!!! He and I share the reception area of our office. If he had left before me, I am pretty sure I would have gotten the box out of the trash and eaten his left overs. That was a very scary feeling for me. I have been very careful since then to eat at the same time he does so that I can focus on my food and not his. The pizza they have gotten (twice this week) has not been near as tempting as that chinese food was. I am ashamed to realize how bad I wanted that food.

I have stopped buying junk food for my husband and kids. I just don't want to be around it anymore. We have more fruits and veggies in our fridge than ever before. No more cookies or chips.

I had a weak moment, financially, on Saturday. Isabella, Christina and I went to Shoe Carnival to look at a pair a New Balance shoes that were on sale. Of course, they didn't have any in my size but I saw the Skechers. They had several different kinds and colors. I tried on some blue ones and thought that they were very comfortable but a little expensive. Then I saw "them". Pink, silver and white Breast Cancer Awareness shape-ups!!! They are pink!!! and have the pink ribbon!!! with rhinestones!!! and were on sale!!!! Guess what came home with me!!???!?!? So, we won't eat this week...just kidding, I had new shoes in my budget, so I got them. If I am going to buy something and I have a choice of whatever it is with or without the pink ribbon, I pick the pink ribbon everytime. My sister is a breast cancer survivor. I support that cause in everyway I can!!! I get pink ribbon stuff for my girls, too and they love it and think of their Nanny when they look at it. We don't get to see her very often, she lives about 450 miles away from us. One of these days I am going to join the 3 day walk that they do.

I will be more diligent in blogging. It really does help to get my thoughts out of my mind and onto the screen.

Oh, man...

The other people in my office ordered pizza for lunch today...not on the plan, so not in my mouth. Boo-hoo!! I love Mama Mia's pizza!!

Monday, March 7, 2011

Monday

It is Monday morning and I have gotten up early to make my hubby breakfast and lunch to take to work like I have been for several weeks now. I go to the pantry to get the bread and realize that I forgot to get some at the store yesterday. I went to Wal-Mart to get and prescription filled and knew before I left the house that we needed bread but by the time I made the 5 minutes drive to W-M the thought was gone!! I offer him a couple of apples to take and lets me know that he still has a sandwich left from Sat that he had put in the fridge at work. So he will only be mildly starving when he gets home.

Weigh in was ok, lost 2 pounds and 4 challengers, this improves the odds of winning but it also makes me sad that people are quitting. I really hope that they continue to diet and exercise on their own. I know Karen is, she is so close to her goal weight that her story is exciting just waiting and watching for that big announcement since she is only 10 pounds away!! I can't wait til she reaches it!!!

Some people are very inspiring, some not so much. Some I read to encourage myself, like Karen who perseveres and some I read to know what not to do. Some are for recipes and so are for giggles. Some are just for a good kick in the pants, some are for the train wrecks that they are. But most of them have one common goal...to lose weight.

Happy Monday!!

Saturday, March 5, 2011

What a difference a day makes!!!

Or I should say a good night's sleep, finally!! I slept like a baby!!! I went to pick up Christina and Isabella, we ate lunch and came home and this afternoon we went to the gym.

I did a lot of upper body work and some ab work. I found one machine a couple of weeks ago that I can get into and did 50lbs!! I walked in the pool for a long time and did the "bicycle" in the deep end, this is easier on my knees than the treadmill. We had fun! Sat in the hot tub, too, so that I wouldn't get very sore.

I feel a lot better today than I have all week! Both mentally and physically, not sure if that is because I slept so much better last night, or what. But I am glad my funk is over!!

I hope the weigh in goes well for everyone. Allan has had some good numbers so far, he said.

I made ahi tuna tonight for the very first time. I emailed Allan and he told me how to cook it. I put some steak salt(salt, pepper, onion and garlic powder) on it and seared it in a skillet with just enough olive oil to keep it from sticking. I didn't leave it rare, I cooked it just enough that it was cooked through but still very pink in the middle. It was about 2 inches thick with about an inch in the middle of pink stuff. It almost tastes like mild pork and it was REALLY good. I wish it wasn't so expensive, though, $13/pound. This will be a new favorite splurge. It was sure different from canned tuna, they are a world apart!!

Well, my husband is singing tomorrow at church and that means we have to be there at 7:45 and we leave the house at 7:15 to be on time!!

Night y'all!!

Friday, March 4, 2011

knees...

I hurt my knees earlier this week and have been really depressed. I'm sure what happened...I woke up Monday morning and could barely walk. I hate that my weight makes my knees so susceptible to injury. I can sleep on my back with my knees not bent, so that my knees kinda cave in and the next day I am in severe pain. I am thinking that is what I have done. I have been really uncomfortable at night. I can't seem to get much sleep. It was getting better, but all of a sudden the pain has come back.

Not sure how this week's weigh in will go. I may end up on the "kick ass" list this week!! I can take it, I deserve it this week. I have been short tempered and foul all week. I hope this passes quickly. Haven't seen Aunt Flo since Dec, probably where the moodiness is coming from.

Need to catch up on some blog reading, I have been neglecting everyone except Allan, even mine!!

Night y'all.