Week 12: Saturday with 24 weeks to go

Saturday Plan
Another weigh in and another loss. Yippee!! Not a biggie 0.8 but still... I am on a roll! Here's to 2008 and a new me!!!
This week I am eating 23 pts everyday. No cheat days. The holidays are over, the parties are over, time to get back to basics. I also need to get back to running consistently. I'm following the running room plan. I'm also following a dry January with Jen... no booze!
I need to plan the rest of the weeks meals today so I can follow the plan. I find it much easier to eat within my points when my week is all planned out.
Today
Exercise: 5km run to meeting (-2pts)
Breakfast: tea, water, bran cookies (2pts)
Lunch: subway turkey wrap (6pts)
Snack: tea x 2, pita and dips (8pts)
Dinner: steak, mashed potatoes, mushrooms, crystal light (10pts)
Snack: ice cream (2pts)
Total: 26pts - okay, a little more than I meant too but I'll use some of the extra activity points that i earned and call it even just for today. Back to 23 every other day this week.

Week 11: Friday with 25 weeks to go

Friday - day before weigh in

Taking Mom's advice and adding some more veggies to help fill up.
Exercise: bailed on exercise again today! My 6km and 14km this weekend will have to do.
Breakfast: water, egg white, feta, toast, tea (5pts) - yummy
Snack: water, yogurt (1pt)
Lunch: smart ones, tea (5pts)
Snack: yogurt, squash (1pt)
Dinner: sushi 3 dynamite, 4 spicy tuna, cucumber salad rolls, salad, miso, 2 cne roll, 1 gyoza, 2 sushi pizza pcs, water, green tea (8pts)
Total: 20pts - wasn't feel that well so went to bed earlier. also thought it not a bad idea to cutback a few extra points to make up for no working out and 2 days over points. Back on track tomorrow after weigh in. Eating 23 pts everyday all week.

Week 11: Thursday with 25 weeks to go

Thursday Plan - first day back at work.
My mini goal this week and next week is to lose 2.8lbs each week (a little tough I know considering it's already Thursday and it's been a hard week). But if I do that I will get my 10% next Saturday which means I get my new brown purse. I'm going to look at my logs for this week to see how I've done. I know I haven't been doing as much running! But this will keep me focused and motivated. Am starving!!
Okay looks pretty good. I was over on Saturday but did a 12km run the next day, then was over on New Years but ate 20pts the next day. Not too bad. Tried to make up for my cheats. Will do a run tomorrow to help the overall total.

Breakfast: egg white, toast, tea (3pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (1pt)
Lunch: smart ones frozen meal (6pts)
Snack: cucumber, yogurt, tea, miso soup (2pt)
Exercise: Wimped out of the running AGAIN! oh well.
Dinner: fish, veggies, baked potato & sr cream (7pts)
Snack: ice cream, jello, squash, 2 x teas (2pts)
Total: 21pts - ate a little less to make up for new years etc.

Week 11: Wednesday with 25 weeks to go

Wednesday
Had a good day today. Got my tiffany's bracelet engraved with an approx goal weight as a motivator and a 4 for our 4 year anniversary. I love it. And bought lots of groceries for the upcoming weeks of work. Found weight watchers 1 point whole wheat wraps - very, very exciting!!
Breakfast: egg white, feta, toast, tea (5pts)
Snack: mint hot choc (1pt)
Lunch: cheese bun, cream cheese (7pts)
Snack: 2 cheese strings (2pts)
Exercise: giving up on exercise today too - too cold! oh well.
Dinner: green curry shrimp stirfry, brown rice (6pts)
Snack: ice cream, jello, tea x 2 (2pts)
Total: 23pts

Week 11: Tuesday with 25 weeks to go

Tuesday Plan - very important as I will be hungover from New Years.

Breakfast: meatballs, rice, veggies, popcorn (5.5pts)
Snack: ice cream, crystal light, teas (2pts)
Lunch: sushi (7pts)
Dinner: a few more pieces of sushi (2pts)
Snack: 3 bread, tzaziki (3.5pts)
Total: 20pts - stomach is not very happy today so not eating as much.

Exercise: 4km (-2pts) - will need to do this tomorrow with hills.

Week 11: Monday with 25 weeks to go

Monday - New Years Eve

Exercise: off
Breakfast: egg white, feta, toast, tea (5pts)
Snack: 1/2 espresso brownie, tea (3pts)
Snack: granola bar (3pts)
Lunch: turkey wrap from subway, crystal light (6pts)
Dinner: meatballs, rice, veggies (6pts)
Total: OVER
The rest are drinks, drinks and more drinks for New Years Eve!!!
Had a late night feeding of kd, hummus and tzaziki! I was going to have some greek food on Jan 1st but will have to get right back on track instead to make up for that!

Week 11: Sunday with 25 weeks to go

Am suffering from a Pizza hangover today! It was good to have and I don't feel guilty at all (for once). I deserved to have a treat after all my hardwork and I think my 12km run will burn most of that off. BUT, I have to say I really didn't enjoy as much as normal. It was too greasy and my stomach is feeling upset from it. This is all very good!!! I still have little cravings for the leftovers but then my stomach doesn't feel good so i want to eat healthier. Its amazing! I don't think I've had anything greasy like that for about 11 weeks. So back on track today:

Sunday
Brunch: PC chicken bangkok, tea (4pts)
Lunch: salmon salad, 2 bread (7pt)
Snack: hot chocolate (0.5pts)
Exercise: 12km (-2km)
Dinner: salmon, veggies, potato with sr cream or new recipe (10pts)
Snack: ice cream, tea (2pts)
Total: 23.5pts

Week 11: Saturday with 25 weeks to go

Saturday
Wooo hoooo!! I lost 1.6lbs on the week of xmas! And it was actually pretty easy. There was lots of temptation but it wasn't my favorite foods and it was at my house most of the time so that helped with planning.
Now down to 23 points a day - argh!


Plan for day
Snack before run: oatmeal (2pts)
Exercise: Run to WW meeting: 6km (-2pts)
At meeting: tea, water
Brunch: dim sum (6pts)
Snack: hotdog and fried potatoes, chips (tbd)
Dinner: pizza, bruscetta, dip (tbd)
Snack: ice cream (2pts)
Total: will be over today - having some treats as I have the rest of the week to make it up!

Week 10: Friday with 26 weeks to go

Friday Plan - day before weigh in
Breakfast: egg white, feta, veggies, toast, tea (5pts)
Snack: popcorn, tea (2pts)
Lunch: lean cuisine (5pts)
Snack: ice cream (2pts)
Dinner Sushi takeout: 4 spicy tuna, 3 cne roll, 3 sushi pizza, 5 dynamite (9pts)
Total: 23pts

skipped hills - oh well.

Week 10: Thursday with 26 weeks to go

Thursday
Exercise: 4km (-2pts)
Breakfast: turkey sandwich and a half, tea (6pts)
snack: yogurt (.5pt)
Lunch: dim sum 5.5, wonton soup, bites of Ts soup (7pts)
snack: tea, cookies (2pt)
Dinner at Kirstys: cheese and crackers, scallops, mashed potatoes, leeks (9pts)
Dessert: ice cream (2pts)
Total: 24.5pts (used activity points) - not bad!! The hardest of the holidays is over!!!

Week 10: Wednesday with 26 weeks to go

Boxing Day
Breakfast: egg white, feta, toast, tea (5pts)
Snack: yogurt (1pt)
Snack: tea, 2pt bar (2pts)
Dorris Christmas Dinner: 1/2 salad w/chevre and squash (2pts), 2oz turkey (2pts), broccoli rabe, beans (1pt), 1/4c mashed potatoes (2pts), 1/2c stuffing (4pts) = (11pts)
Dessert: ice cream (2pts)
Late night snack: veggies and dip, turkey (5pts)
Total: 26pts - really good! was starving and had extra snack and barely went over points! did great this christmas!!
Also fit into pants I bought that were too tight last year.

Week 10: Tuesday with 26 weeks to go

Tuesday plan - Christmas morning
Again, plan essential because big food day!!!
Exercise: 5km (4 or 5 pts)
Open Gifts
Breakfast: egg white, feta, toast, tea (5pts)
Lunch: grilled chicken sandwich, water (6pts)
Snack: crab dip and veggies, 1.5cookies, water, few sips of wine (5pts)
Tyre Christmas Dinner: turkey (3pts), green beans & carrots, 1/4c mashed potatoes (1pts), 1/4c stuffing (2pts), gravy (2pts) = (8pts)
Dessert: small butter tart, 1 shortbread, 1 peppermint bark, tea, water (?pts) - planned to have no dessert but caved because I was still hungry. Good thing is that i am starving when I am going to bed - that's a first on xmas night!!

Total: 24pts plus the desserts! I will hope that my run burned off some of the cookies. But all in all not bad for xmas. Now I just need to make it through another xmas at my house tomorrow.

Week 10: Monday with 26 weeks to go

Monday - The plan for today will be key as I will be hungover! Must follow plan!!!
Breakfast at Coras: gatorade, eggwhite omelette with cheese, 2 dry ww toast, hot choc with whip cream (14pts)
Snack: tea (0pts)
Sushi Dinner: 2 sake sushi pcs, 3 dynamite, 3 spicy salmon, 3 spicy tuna, 1 pc sushi pizza, soup, 1pce tofu (6pts)
Kosher Xmas party - no drinking
late night snack: pita pieces, popcorn (4pts)
Total: 24pts

Ate too much at breakfast so will need to be careful the rest of the day! Mainly I should not have had the hot chocolate.

Week 10: Sunday with 26 weeks to go

Sunday
Pre-run Snack: oatmeal, tea (2pts)
Exercise: 10km run (-9pts) - points being used for drinks tonight
Breakfast: pork wrap, tea (6pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (1pts)
Lunch: lean cuisine (4pts)
Snack: yogurt (1pts)
Dinner: lean cuisine (5pts)
Party at our place: Drinks, Drinks and more Drinks - will try to have a glass of water between each drink.
Total (excl drinks) - 19pts

Week 10: Saturday with 26 weeks to go

Update: went to WW and had lost 3.2 for a total of 11.8lbs and I am taking it!! I am so happy! I am going to plan this weeks meals to a T and am going to use my running and flex points for drinking on the 23rd, 24th and the 31st. That will be my splurges. I am going to try to reach my 15lbs mark by next weigh in. It's a bit much but motivating to try for. Having a goal helped me this week! 24pts everyday, running the 5days a week and enjoy friends and family!!!

Original Post:
WOO HOO!! I hit my 10lb goal today! I lost 1.7lbs this week for a total of 10.3lbs to date!!!! YEAH!!!! I'm off to Tiffany's to pick out my new motivational/4 year anniversary bracelet! I'm soooo proud of myself for sticking to the plan this week! I really planned ahead, followed the plan and got the results. If you build it they will come.. So now I am inspired to plan out the holidays so I can continue these great results and feel great!!!

Today's Plan:
Pre-run Snack: tea, oatmeal (2pts)
Exercise: 6km run (-2pts) - good girl!!!
Breakast: tea, water (0pts)
Lunch: Quizno's "The Works" flatbread pizza (half plus 1 slice) (10pts)
Snack: popcorn (2pt)
Dinner: 2 tangy shrimp skewers, steak, asparagus, mushrooms (6pts)
Snack: ice cream (2pts)
Total: 20pts - oops - added it up wrong and thought I ate 24. should have had more to fuel 10km run tomorrow.

Will plan the rest of the week's meals tonight!!! Another great thing is that i was craving chips and dip last night and pizza desperately and I told myself I can have it today after my weigh in if I want but am now so inspired I don't want to ruin it.

Week 9: Friday with 27 weeks to go

PLAN FOR FRIDAY! Last day of work before the holidays and day before weigh in!!!
Breakfast: egg white, 1 egg, feta omelette, bread x 2, tea (6pts)
Snack: yogurt (1pts)
Lunch out for Natalie Sushi: 2 spider rolls, 2 dynamites, 2 pces sushi, 1 cali roll, 2 spicy salmon, 2 spicy tuna, tea, water (6pts)
Snack: popcorn (2pts)
Exercise: hills 3 x 400m (-2pts) - yeah me!!!
Dinner: seafood medley, veggies, 1cup ww pasta (7pts)
Snack: ice cream, tea (2pts)
Total: 24pts

Feeling good but don't feel like I've lost weight. Feel kind of bloated! Might be that time of year.

Week 9: Thursday with 27 weeks to go

Thursday:
Breakfast: 2 multigrain toasts, egg white western, tea (6pts)
Lunch: lasagna lean cuisine, pro-biotic milk (8pts)
Snack: yogurt, fibre cookies with tea (3pt)
Exercise: 4km run (-2pts)
Dinner: salmon, veggies, rice (6pts)
Snack: ice cream (2pts)
Total: 23pts - yeah me! back on that horse!
I have had feelings like this is impossible tonight - like I'll always crave food and never feel satisfied for the rest of my life. But I've now had a tea and a great eps of dexter and I'm over it!

Week 9: Wednesday with 27 weeks to go

Wednesday:
Breakfast: frozen omelette, toast, tea (5.5pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (1pt)
End of year lunch (Dim Sum): 12 pieces steamed, 1.5 fried, water, green tea (11pts)
Snack: cookie, tea (3pts)
Snack at friends party: carrots and dip, frozen apps (2pts)
Dinner: sushi: 4 spicy salmon, 4 spicy tuna, 4 california, 2 big dynamite, miso (9pts)
Birthday party - no drinks, just water or tea (0pts) - good girl!!!
Total: 31.5pts - ouch! didn't follow my plan to a T yesterday and just added up now - more than I thought and no exercise.
Really going to have to follow plan for next 2 days!!

Week 9: Tuesday with 27 weeks to go

Tuesday
I am very, very, very proud of myself for yesterday! It was VERY hard!!! I was STARVING all day. I feel like I've been ravenous for days. I was dreaming about food all night the night before, went to bed hungry and woke up starving. Also felt a little shaky from having lunch a little late. Then I went to a lovely restaurant for dinner and was the only one not drinking which my boss would not leave me alone about. It's very annoying and not the first time which is weird since she was just trying to cut back. I think she thinks that it was a special night so we should all drink not realizing that I'm out everynight practically. Anyway, they all had great steaks with butter, frites, chocolate cake, pink champagne, great wines... it was very hard. And I really don't feel like I have as much fun without drinking. But its worth it! Some days it seems much harder than others! But its like our marathon training we did last year. Some days a 3km run can feel like hell and a 30km can seem okay. Yesterday was the 3km hard one. Oh, and there were mini-eggs in my morning meeting, a woman baked a massive basket of cookies that was in the office all day... you get the picture. Temptation at every turn. The best thing I did was plan out my food intake for the week in advance. As long as I stick to that plan it's perfect!!!! And I have mastered the art of asking the waiter for no butters or oils on my fish and veggies and they are all very accomodating and no one at the table says boo! That was a big fear of mine that I've conguered!

PLAN FOR TODAY
Breakfast: eggwhite feta omelet, toast x 2, tea (5pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (3pts)
Lunch: lean cuisine (6pts)
Snack: asparagus (0pts)
Exercise: 4km run (-2pts)
Dinner with Kirsty: Sushi - 6 pieces spicy tuna, 6pcs spicy salmon, 6pcs cali roll, 3 cuc rolls, green tea, water, salad, soup (10pts)
Snack: fudgsicle (2pts)

Total: 24pts - awesome day!! i could eat this everyday!

Week 9: Monday with 27 weeks to go

Exercise: went for 3km run - very, very proud of myself!!!! (-2pts)
Breakfast: eggwhite omelette with feta, 2 toasts, tea (5pts) - YUM!
Snack: yogurt, 2 x tea (1pts)
Lunch: tomato soup, lean cuisine (7pts)
Snack: cottage cheese, jello (2pts)
Dinner at Select Bistro: salade mesclun (2pts), cod, veggies (5pts)
Snack: 2 x ww bread with becel (2pts)
Total: 24pts

Week 9: Sunday with 27 weeks to go (revised)

Today is a new day and a new week. This week I am determined to get my 10lb goal!!! So no chocolate, no booze, getting back to running and no more than 24pts!!!!

Breakfast: tea, weight watchers frozen meal (6pts)
Snack: tomato soup (2pts)
Lunch: stuffed fish, broccoli w/butter (4pts)
Snack: Chicken, salad, fat free caesar dressing (3.5pts)
Dinner: 40z grnd burger, veggies, ww pasta 1cup asparagus on side (7pt)
Snack: fudgsicle (1.5pts)

Total: 24pts

Now going to plan out entire week's menu to make it easier.

Week 9: Saturday with 24 weeks to go

Saturday am
Okay, so i didn't do so well this week. Weigh in was down 0.2! Not great BUT, in this season of christmas parties and chocolate everywhere I will be a bit proud of 0.2lbs. However, I am disappointed because I want my 10 friggin' pounds goal! So this week its time to buckle down, plan ahead, and NO MORE DRINKING. I had hoped I could handle the drinking by not eating but of course, as soon as I get drinking my resistance is weakened.
So I will be planning the weeks menus this weekend and sticking to it to make it easier AND, i have to get back into the running!

Brunch: 2frozen dinners 10pts
snack: fajita 6pts

to be continued

Basically I ate my way through my hangover so let's just say I wasn't within my points!! Let's just skip to Sunday where I am back on track.

Week 8: Friday with 25 weeks to go

Friday
Breakfast: 2 whole wheat bread, eggwhite western, tea (6pts)
Snack: yogurt (1pts)
Lunch at Bravi: grilled grouper, bread (no oils) (4pts)
Snack: cottage cheese, jello, 3 chocolates (4pts)
Dinner: drinks, drinks and more drinks (allotment: 9pts)
late night post drinking: foot long veggie and cheese sub!!!! AHHH! (14pts)
Total: 38pts - gulp! Okay the drinking is done!! No more until new years (boo hoo).

Week 8: Thursday with 25 weeks to go

Thursday
Breakfast: 2 whole wheat bread, eggwhite western, tea (6pts)
Lunch: subway wrap, soup, 2 crackers, water (8pts)
Snack: veggies and dip, mint tea (2pts)
Dinner: Sushi - edamame and rolls (10pts)
Snack: ice cream (2pts)
Total: 28pts - not sure how much the sushi so just to be safe

Week 8: Tuesday with 25weeks to go

Tuesday
Pre-workout snack: oatmeal (2pts)
Exercise: trainer (-2pts)
Breakfast: 6 egg whites, feta, veggies, ww bread x 2, tea (5pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (1pts)
Lunch: lean cuisine, veggie soup (6pts)
Snack: rice crispy, tea (2pts)
Dinner: chicken, couscous, pesto, veggies 8pts
Snack: ice cream (2pts)
Total: 24pts

Week 8: Monday with 25 weeks to go

Monday
Breakfast: ww bread x 2, 2tbsp pb and 2tsp jam mint tea, water (5pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (1pts)
Lunch at Vertical: frissee salad with figs,apples, grouper, veggies, 2 small bread (no oils) (7pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (1pts)
Dinner: 1ww pita, chicken, veggies, dressing (8pts)
Snack: popcorn, bran buds and skim (3pts)
Total: 25pts
I'm hungry today! Am going to have a tea and enjoy THE HILLS finale!!!

Week 8:Wednesday with 25 weeks to go

Wednesday
Today was a hard day... I was starving most the day.
Breakfast: 2 multi-grain, eggwhite western, tea (6pts)
Lunch: lean cuisine (5pts)
Snack: ham & cheese sandwich, tea, chocolate (7pts)
Dinner at WB Screening: turkey, stuffing, sweet potato, ravioli, veggies, salad (9pts)
Snack: nuts, 2 chocolates, popcorn, meatballs, soda and oj (11pts)

Total: 38 points. yikes!! Not sure why I was so hungry. I even felt a little shaky because I was so hungry. weird! oh well Thursday is a new day!!

Week 8: Sunday with 25 weeks to go

Had a great day - still part of our anniversary weekend. we slept in, read magazines, had a great breakfast, headed out for our big run in the snow which was pretty fun. I'm looking forward to doing that on Christmas Day before a big turkey dinner and getting cozy. I think we had good energy on our run from our yummy breakfast, then shopped at dufferin mall for the afternoon - awesome bargains!!! and now are going to have a relaxing night at home. all in all a perfect day.

Breakfast: eggwhites, veggies, light feta, 2ww bread, hot choc w/whip (7pts)
Exercise: 9km run (-4pts burned 800 calories!!!)
Lunch: chicken, beef, veggie teriyaki from made in japan (7pts)
Snack: tea and timbit (1pt)
dinner: steak, baked potato with 4tbsp low fat sr cream and chives, mushrooms (9.5)
Snack: ice cream, baked lays (3pts)

Total: 25.5 total - woohoo!

Week 8: Saturday with 25 weeks to go

I didn't reach my 10lb goal this week -argh!! But I did lose -1.8 since my last ww meeting (a week ago wednesday) and -0.6 from last saturday. So with the drinking and the hungover binge I still saw results which I am happy with. Also, my tummys a bit off today so I won't be surprised if I'm down more very soon.... i think i'm a little bloated or something.

So I'm a bit down about the 10lb bracelet goal that I wanted to coincide with this anniversary wknd but it doesn't matter because I know I'll be there this week or very shortly.

My WW meeting was a bit boring but we ran up there (6km) so that was good and I like that its at a loblaws.

Snack pre-run: oatmeal (2pts)
Run: 6km (-2)
Breakfast: tuna sandwich (7pts)
Snack: meatballs (3pts)
Lunch while shopping: cran&soda, scallop salad (6pts)
Dinner: baked lays and low fat dip, 1/2 molten lava cake w/whip cream (10pts?)

Total: 26pts - not bad.

Week 7: Friday with 26 weeks to go

Having a much better day today and really hoping to hit the 10lb mark tomorrow but not sure what damage yesterday did.

Breakfast: tea, lean cuisine (5pts)
Snack: leftover sushi (2pts)
Lunch: leftover sushi (4pts)
Dinner: salad, veggies, dressing, steak, feta -YUM (10pts)
Snacks: crystal light and soda and veggies and dip at friends party (1pt)

Total: 22pts - woo hoo! very good!

Week 7: Thursday with 26 weeks to go

Having a hard, hungover day...

no exercise
Breakfast: 2multigrain toasts, cheese, egg, bacon, diet iced tea (10pts)
Dept Christmas Lunch: 3 beef fajitas (15)
snack: mint tea, cheese and tortilla chips (5)
Dinner: sushi (10?)
total: 40?
definitely way over points today. will do a good workout tomorrow and get back to planning a healthy day.

Week 7: Wednesday with 26 weeks to go

Wednesday

Exercise: 3km run (-2pts)
Breakfast: 1multigrain toast, western egg white, tea (4pts)
Lunch at Far Niente: bread, chicken, spinach salad, veggies (9ts)
Astral Party: drinks, drinks, drinks
total: 13 pts food
the rest - drinks

Week 7: Tuesday with 26 weeks to go

Tuesday
Pre-workout snack: oatmeal (2pts)
Exercise: 1hr with trainer (-4pts) - felt better this week, just did heavy weights and had more energy, sore on the way to work
Breakfast: 1multi-grain toast, egg whites omelette, tea (4pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (1pt)
Lunch: lean cuisine (5pts)
Snack: tea, yogurt (1pt)
snack: veggies, chocolate (1pts)
Exercise: 4km run (-4pts) - felt good.
Dinner: beef meatballs, quinoa salad, veggies (8.5pts)
Snack: 100 cal ice cr, tea (2pts)

Total: 24.5 - excellent day and yummy food!

Week 7: Monday with 26 weeks to go

Monday

Breakfast: 2ww toast, egg whites 4, 1oz fetalight, salsa, hot sauce, tea (4pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (1pt)
Lunch: salad, 1oz fetalight, dressing, chicken (7pts)
Snack: tea, choc chip banana bread (6pts?) - oops but YUM!
Exercise: 5km run (-6pts - using only 3)
Dinner: salmon medallion, asparagus, broccoli, mushrooms (7pts)
Snack: 100 cal ice cr, tea (2pts)

Total: 27 (3 for workout) -good day!

Week 7: Saturday with 26 weeks to go

Saturday
Feeling exhausted today after our big run yesterday. It was amazing. Cold but amazing. Felt great. Ate a little too much yesterday so hopefully not as bad today. Skipped our 9km run today which we'll have to make up for tomorrow.

Today:
Breakfast - hot chocolate (1pt)
Brunch - 2 ww toast, green tea, frittata (veggies, cheese, turkey, egg, eggwhite), salad (6pts)
Snack - tea (0pts)
Dinner at swiss chalet - chicken, greek salad, potato with 2 sr cream, 1 chocolate, tea (15pts)
Total: 22pts

Good stuff.

Week 7: Saturday with 26 weeks to go

Saturday

So I had my weigh in today because I am going to join a Saturday am Weight Watchers meeting so this will give me a full week and its close to monday. And was down 1.2 as well as the weigh in on Wednesday at WW (1.6) for a total of 2.8 this week! Woo hoo! I'm on a roll.
It's soooo encouraging. When I have to turn down a million drinks and be good at christmas parties it makes it so much easier when you see the scale moving and my clothes fitting better. So i have 2.2 to go to make it to my first 10lb goal. I hope to reach that by this weekend which is also our anniversary so I can celebrate with a gift!
It has also really helped that I have told everyone that I am trying to lose some weight. Everyone has been very supportive and told me about all their upcoming plans to lose weight in the new year or their struggles. And it makes it so much easier because they don't keep offering you glasses of wine etc.
So we have our 5K race the Santa Shuffle this morning! This also helped not drink last night. I have to say I think I'm nervous. I'm not sure why! Just jitters. But I can't wait! It will be fun doing it with my friends. I got some great songs on the ipod. I'm ready to rock!

Today
Snack before run: oatmeal and tea (2pts)
Run: 5km race - AMAZING- approx 29mins!!! (-4.5pts)
Brunch with the girls: hot chocolate, eggwhite omelet, swiss cheese, sausage, veggies, whole wheat toast x 2, tea (12pts)
Snack: ww frozen meal (6pts)
Dinner: 1.5 empanadas, 3 crackers with crab, 1samosa, 1veggie spring roll, 2 roast beef mini sandwiches, soda and juice (11pts)
Total: 31pts - should have been 28.5 pts

Week 6: Friday with 27 weeks to go

Friday

Exercise: none
Breakfast: 2 toast with pb j, tea (4pts)
Snack: yogurt (2pts)
Lunch at Far Niente: salad, blue cheese, dressing, walnuts, salmon, veggies, quarter latte (8.5pts)
Snack: yogurt (2pts)
Dinner: subway 6"(6pts)
snack: pretzels, grapes, cheese and cracker (2pts) -resisted another happy hour!

total: 24.5pts

Week 6: Thursday with 27 weeks to go

Thursday
Pretty good day. Was on stressful panel today, had lunch out, and avoided drinks at cocktail hour. just need to find wallet.

Exercise: none - left wallet in cab and spent afternoon chasing cabbie - need to make it up tomorrow am
Breakfast: 2 ww bread, cheese, 1 egg, egg whites, tea (6pts)
Snack: water, tea, ww bread, turkey slice (1pt)
Lunch: bread, greek salad with chicken, water (8pts)
Snack: tea, soda and cran (0pts)
Dinner: salad, dressing, olives, meatballs, feta (11pts)
Total: 26pts

Week 6: Wednesday with 27 weeks to go

Wednesday

Well I found a WW meeting yesterday and joined and am very excited. I actually have lost another 1.6 since monday. Could be because it's a different scale but who cares! I'm taking it. It was also later in the day, i had breakfast and snacks and drinks and was wearing clothes so gd I'm loving it. I got all the materials so its helpful and motivating.

Today:
Exercise: 4km run - was tired but ended up finishing strong (-2pts)
Breakfast: tea x 3, western omelet on 1 whole grain (6pts)
Snack: yogurt (2pts)
Lunch at Jump: mushroom soup, caesar salad, mint tea (5pts)
Snack: yogurt, latte (4pts)
Dinner: chicken, olive, dressing, feta salad (8pts)
Total: 25pts

Week 6: Tuesday with 27 weeks to go

Tuesday
Am feeling really sluggish this morning. My trainer thinks I'm not eating enough to fuel my workouts. I was feeling really zonkered on Sunday too. The past couple weeks I have felt really good but it may be catching up with me. It's so annoying. I don't know who to listen to. I don't find Weight Watchers very good if you are really active. I find it's more for middle aged women with light activity. If I ate all the points they'd give me for running I'd have tons. Meanwhile I didn't lose much this past week and am feeling exhausted. And I don't trust my trainer as he has been great at building muscle but not at the weight loss. He says he's going to give me a new plan but frankly I'm doing all of this for weight loss so if I haven't seent he results with him over the past 6 months - he's had his chance. So I don't know. I would be happy to throw in the towel on the exercise, focus on the eating and weight watchers but I don't feel like I can. I have signed up for all sorts of races and clinics and I'm liking it.
Anyway, I'm going to a Weight watchers clinic today at lunch time and will ask them what they think. And I'll stick with my 24 points for the next week and see how it goes with the weigh in. I only have a few sessions left with the trainer anyway and they are a great workout so I'll keep them up while we are in holiday party season and then won't renew in the new year for the time being. Anyway, hopefully it's just because I am very relaxed from my fabulous Vichy Shower Mandarin Body Glow treatment at the stillwater! It was amazing. Can't wait to book my dream spa trip!

Actual Food for today:
Snack before workout: oatmeal (2pts)
Exercise: 1hr with Trainer
Water: 1litre
Breakfast: 2ww bread, egg, eggwhites, cheese, veggies (5pts)
Snack: bran cookies, tea (2pts)
Lunch: whole wheat pasta, shrimp, veggies, soup (5pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (2pts)
Exercise: did not do run - was pooped
Dinner: chicken, feta, dressing salad (5.5pts)
Snack: ice cream (2pts)
Total: 23.5

Week 6: Monday with 27 weeks to go

Okay, so I am down 0.4. Definitely a bit frustrating but that's about all I deserve since I wasn't within my points range most the week. And a loss is a loss! It's all in the right direction. It is also good incentive for me to stick to the plan religiously. One thing that is annoying is that I didn't even use all my flex points. I used probably 25 of 35 and didn't use any activity points. I should still have seen good results. Oh well, my friends doing WW don't seem to use their flex points or activity points when they lose so that must be the case.
I have to say, after our long run yesterday I sure felt that I deserved a nice meal. That's obviously where I went wrong in the past. They say often people feel like they've worked out harder than they have and feel they deserve to eat comfort food which ruins the purpose. So i'm on a roll ot have a better week this week.

Monday totals:
I've now been informed that I have to move down to 24pts. Uh-oh! 25 was hard enough. Time to really follow a plan.
Exercise: off
Water: 2litres approx - need to up a bit
Breakfast: 2 ww bread, pb and j, tea (5pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (2pts)
Lunch: salad, chicken, feta, olives, dressing (8pts)
Snack: almonds,tea (1pts)
Dinner en route to Stillwater: subway chicken wrap (6pts)
Snack: ground beef, hot sauce (2pts)
Total: 24pts

Week 5: Sunday with 28 weeks to go

Sunday

Exercise: 8.4km with running group
Water: 3litres
Snack before run: tea and oatmeal (2pts)
Brunch @ Boom Breakfast Co: egg white "light and healthy" omelette with veggies, 1.5 whole wheat toast (dry), fruit, guacomole 1, tea (8.5pts)
snack: turkey slices, tea, ww meal (7pts)
Dinner: 2ww bread, burger, salad (8pts)
Snack: tea

Total: 25.5pts

Week 5: Saturday with 28 weeks to go

Saturday
Recap of this week:
Monday: 30?
Tuesday: 30
Wednesday: 31
Thursday: 22
Friday: 33
Okay, there it is in black and white! I was only within my points one day this week. So I need to be within today and tomorrow no question. I think my plan to tell the world that I'm losing weight will make a big difference. I need to stand up for myself.
Also, some good news for the day - my cholesterol is in great shape. My doctor pratically laughed at me. She said my results have to be read in context with my risk factors. And that I am at the lowest possible risk for heart disease. I have less than a 1% risk of developing it in the next 10 years or something like that. So not to worry and that losing weight will only help increase my healthy and lower my lousy cholesterol. So that's good. False alarm.

Exercise: 3km
Water: 2.5 litres - good stuff
Breakfast: bread, cheese, 1egg and egg whites, tea (6pts)
Lunch: turkey, cheese sandwich (6pts)
Snack: soup, popcorn (2pts)
Dinner: shrimp, spinach, tomato, onion on 1 cup whole wheat pasta (yum) (6pts)
Snack: hummus and ww bread, ice cream, tea (5pts)
Total: 25pts - perfecto!

Week 5: Friday with 28 weeks to go

Friday
I didn't have as good a day today as yesterday. I was lead down the road of temptation to hav some friday night drinks and not the healthiest sushi. The good thing is that i didn't go overboard. For tomorrow (saturday) I'm going back to my great Thursday menu.


Exercise: off (woohoo)
Breakfast: 2 ww bread, 2 poached eggs, tea (5pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (2pts)
Lunch: salad, chicken, dressing, tuna/crab (7pts)
Dinner: 4 vodka sodas (?), sushi pizza, gyoza, volcano roll, green tea (17pts?)
Snack: ice cream (2pts)
Water: had some but not enough
Total: 33pts - yikes - this has definitely not been my best week.
I definitely don't deserve to lose this week. I feel really good, like I have lost but haven't eaten as well. I have definitely been a lot hungrier with all the running. I might have to add a few activity points so I don't get so hungry and then fall off the wagon.
I'm also finding it hard not to drink and be social. Everyone makes such a big fuss asking if i'm pregnant etc that I finally just caved last night. I should just tell them that I'm doing weight watchers but I HATE telling people. plus i feel guilty that i'm no fun and people have to drink alone with me.
Alright, after consultation with coach T, I've decided I'm just going to tell people that "I'm working on losing weight so I'm going to be annoying while out for drinks/dinner". And i'm telling everyone!!!! So i can stick to my plan. Okay - feel better, band-aid ripped off.

Week 5: Thursday with 28 weeks to go

Thursday Actual

OKAY!! I believe i actually stuck to the plan!! woo hoo!
Exercise: 4.5km felt good and strong

Breakfast: 2 ww bread, 2 poached eggs, tea (5pts)
Snack: yogurt, tea (2pts)
Lunch: soup, salad, chicken, dressing (5pts)
Snack: tea and yogurt (2pts)
Dinner: shrimp, soup, salad, 2 cheese slices (6pts)
Snack: ice cream, tea (2pts)
Water: actually had a good amount today.
Total: 22pts

The veggie soup is really helping, the tea and lots of water!! That feels better. Good girl!

Week 5: Wednesday with 28 weeks to go

Wednesday
Am loving new Nike Ipod toy. It's fun fun fun! Am going to be fastest runner of all time - okay, faster than before.

Plan for Wednesday:

Exercise: 3km run at 6:30am
Water: had very little water today but had lots of mint tea but also had lots of regular tea
Breakfast: egg sandwich, yogurt 3pts
Snack: yogurt, small bagel cr cheese, tiny square, tea with sugar, tiny muffin, fruit 9pts
Lunch at Carole's house: salmon teriyaki, veggies, couscous 8pts
Snack: 2 mini cookies and tea 2pts
Dinner: soup, shrimp, pasta, oil 7pts
Snack: ice cream cup, tea 2pts

Total: 31pts (argh!) - bad girl!!! Okay, gotta get back on track tomorrow. enoughs enough.

Week 5: Tuesday with 28 weeks to go

Okay ate more than i should have on Monday so planning out Tuesday better.

Exercise: 1hr with trainer, 5.5km with running group
Water: filled up water jug today so did better than usual but still need to increase.
Breakfast: egg sandwich, yogurt 3pts
Snack: cottage cheese 2pts
Lunch: salad bar (dressing, cheese) 7pts
Snack: peppermint mocha - TO DIE FOR!!! never order again 5pts
Dinner: Subway wrap with turkey, cheese, mayo, and baked lays 8pts
Snack: bites of Ts sub, 100 cal popcorn 5pts

Total: 30pts

So, am falling off the wagon here obviously. (a) I'm losing the motivation I had for the past 2 weeks, (b) I am starving I think from all the running (c) I've been crazy busy so I haven't had time to prepare meals etc. All this being said, I am not willing to ruin my results nor not continue on the Home Stretch. So I need to plan tomorrow and stick to my plan!!! There are a million holiday parties, our anniversary, christmas coming... it's going to be hard every week coming up. I don't need these regular days messing me up. I need to save my points for the harder days. All pep talks welcome to keep me on track!

Week 5: Monday with 28 weeks to go

Monday

Still very happy about my 3.0 loss. That's 5.4 since in the last 2 weeks. It shows it really does work if you follow it. I'm looking through the stillwater menu as I write this.

Exercise: off
Breakfast: all bran buds 1 cup, skim milk 1 cup, yogurt (7pts)
Snack: cottage cheese 2pts
Lunch: soup, lean cuisine 8pts
Snack: soy latte 3pts
Dinner at east sides: half of caesar salad, 2 small bread and butter, bites of pasta, garden salad, wrap +++pts

Total: 20 ++++ too many - not sure how much east sides was but was more than my points. i stopped when i was content so am not stuffed at all but was over hungry and ate more than my points.

Week 4: Sunday with 29 weeks to go

Okay, took a sneak peek at the weight because I was feeling good and lost 3lbs!!! Woo hoo! Very happy and hungry!

Pre-run Snack: small oatmeal, tea 2pts
Breakfast: tea, 2 toast with pbj 4pts
Ikea lunch: wrap, yogurt 8pts
Snack: tea, and snacks 3 pts
Dinner: pasta, chicken, 7pts
Snack: 2 pt ice cream, tea 2pts
Total: 26pts

8km run. felt great. off to ikea and will book stillwater trip woo hoo!

week 4: Saturday with 29 weeks to go

Saturday
Am starving this morning.
Breakfast: leftover chicken, egg sandwich 7.5pts
Lunch at Montana: salad and chicken wrap with chicken 11pts
Dinner: fish, green beans, carrots 7pts
Snack: 100 cal ice cream, tea 2pts

Total: 27.5 (oops a little higher than I meant to but I've aired on the side of caution)

Exercise: 3km run, short walk

My parents are coming over so should be pretty easy to stay on track and get exercise. Looking forward to relaxing together!!

Week 4: Friday with 29 weeks to go

okay, so today is going to be hard. I need to plan for a lunch and a dinner out, no booze, and stay within my points. I'm going on the websites now to plan what I'll order.

Breakast: egg sandwich (yummy), tea 5pts
snack: cottage cheese, miso soup 2pts
Business lunch: greek salad with chicken, green tea 6pts
Happy Hour: olives, veggies and dip, pretzels, grapes, water 2pts
Business Dinner: mint tea, water, 5 nigiri, and celery root soup, half a bread with ricotta 8pts

Total 24pts

woohoo! big points for me!! it didn't hurt that i wasn't feeling that well last night so wasn't as hungry. But I made it through some restaurant meals without overeating!! yeah. And everyone asking if I'm pregnant because I wasn't drinking - argh!!
Also, wore a pair of pants that were snug just a few weeks ago and they fit looser now. Good stuff.

week 4: 29 weeks to go

Thursday

Making a plan for today so I don't eat too much and I canceled my lunch today so I don't get tempted again. Lately I seem to have a lunch everyday which I can live without.
Exercise 1hr with Rod, 5.5km run after work with running group
Pre-workout snack: oatmeal 2pts
Breakfast: egg sandwich, tea 5pts
Snack: yogurt, tea 2pts
Lunch: salad, salmon 6pts
Snack: all bran cookies, tea 2pts
Dinner: subway veggie and cheese sub 14pts
snack: leftover salad from last night, 100 cal ice cream, 3pts

Total: 34pts

update:
Okay, so despite my well laid plans I overate today yesterday. I was STARVING. I'm sure it has to do with the increase in running. Also, I worked out hard in the morning and at night so I'm not going to beat myself up about it. Plus my big splurge was a damn veggie sub on whole wheat. But god it was good! So, i just need to buckle down for the next few days as I'm sure these extra points over the past few days can come out of my activity points and my flex points. I feel like I've lost weight so I just need to make sure I don't sabotage it. It's sooooo easy for me to think, boy I've worked out hard today I need some extra food. But I know that's not the case. I went to my first Running Group meeting last night for the half marathon and one of the leaders has run a bunch of marathons and an ironman and is definitely not the skinniest person. It's all about the intake.
But I have to say, getting back to the running group and meeting new people was so much fun. I got so inspired by all their stories I can't wait to get back into it. What I also love is that I didn't even realize I worked out twice yesterday. The running doesn't feel like work because you're consumed with maps of where to run, what fun gear to wear, how far you're going, registering online and checking how fast you did it... you forget it's actually a workout. Although the actual runs are never that easy but it's exciting. I'm really glad I've joined again!

I'm off now to register for the 5K santa shuffle Dec 1, the half marathon chilly half in march and for weight watchers online so I have all the up to date info.

Exciting!

week 4: 29 weeks to go

Wednesday

Exercise: 4km run - felt pretty good
Breakfast: 6 pts
Snack: 2pts
Lunch: 11pts - went out for lunch and had a hard time picking something healthy that wasn't expensive
Snacks: 2pts
Dinner: 7pts
snacks: 2pts

Total: 30 pts - oops. a bit more than i planned.

Week 4: 29 weeks to go

Tuesday

Exercise: 1hr with trainer
Water: not enough
Food:
Before workout 1.5
Breakfast: 6pts
Lunch: 8pts
Dinner: 6pts
snacks: 3.5

Total: 25

week 4: 29 weeks to go

2.4 loss today! Woo hoo!!
Okay, secretly hoped it was 3-4lbs but am very happy. If you build it they will come - I ate less and exercised hard and I loss. That sounds pretty easy. Although it sure seems like a lot of work for 2.4 but definitely worth it. So, this week will be all about replicating that and finding a way to make it a routine to take some of the effort out of it.
I also bought a pair of shoes yesterday at payless in anticipation of the loss. I could only have them if I lost and tada! they're all mine.

exercise: taking the day off
water: 1.75 litres and counting
breakfast: bran buds, blueberries, tea and milk (3pts)
snacks: cottage cheese, tea (2pts)
Lunch: chicken, green salad, avocado, olive oil (7pts)
snacks: cottage cheese and crisps, tea (3pts)
Dinner: chicken, squash, half an apple (3.5pts)
snacks: french onion soup, tea and 1 chicken wing (4.5pts)
Total: 25
Hungry when going to bed!

Week 3: 51 days until the New Year

Sunday
I'm Starving!! I feel like I've been hungry for days. Ever since the indian party I went too. Hopefully that's a good sign. Dinner was great last night. The food was terrible. Everything was dried out but oh well. Less appetizing so less to eat. I'll find some better recipes for next dinner club. Got some great spa ones in the mail today.
I feel like I've really done great this week but I also feel like it's been a long week. It feels like a lot of effort. I need to start eating the same thing daily to make it a little easier. I also am feeling a little overwhelmed by all the commitments I'm making. The half marathon training sounds great but the day to day motivation to get running is a bit overwhelming. Plus the trainer is a LOT of work and then the dieting. I feel a bit like it's all work and no play coming up. I'll have to see how it goes. The good thing is I'm really just forcing myself to get into a routine of 30-45mins of cardio 5times a week, weights 2-4 times a week and eating healthy. Nothing the Heart and Stroke Foundation wouldn't recommend. So it is for the best. I just don't want to burn out by trying to do everything at once. One day at a time.

Exercise: did 8K run - felt like 20K but felt good
Food:
Breakfast: egg sandwich, tea x 2, 7pts
snacks: hummus with red pepper 3pts
Lunch: dim sum, green tea 12 pts
Dinner: chicken, green salad, vinagrette, soda with cranberry, tea 5pts
total: 27pts - not bad with the run.

Week 3: 52 days until the new year

Saturday am
Well tomorrow is the big weigh in and I can really feel a difference. As I said in my Intro - If you build it, they will come. I've worked out hard this week and I feel like I've been starving half the time (in a good way though). I feel good about Monday's weigh in.
And today I am off to the spa with friends - what better way could you avoid food, being pampered. It's perfect. And then I have most of our Weight Watchers dinner ready for tonight. Hope the boys don't mind. T doesn't think they'll mind since they are benefiting from all of our great results. It's soooooo much easier doing this with 2 girlfriends for support to keep each other going when we get tired of it and when having dinner parties I'm not the only one trying to resist the high fat food. Tonight I have a no fail plan for us girls. It's low in points and no dessert for us - just the boys.

Exercise - taking the day off.
Breakfast: egg sandwich and tea- 6pts
Lunch: skinny latte, Grilled chicken wrap, tea (9)
Snacks: soup, ww bread x 2 and becel, baked chips (5)
Dinner: grilled coconut shrimp (1pt), grilled red pepper and hummus (2pts), acorn squash soup (1pt), scallops with corn hash (3pt), roasted parsnip and carrots (0pt), skinny cow sunday (2pt) and lots of water. total: 9pts

Total: 29 (a little more than I planned but not bad and NO BOOZE!!)
I'm really looking forward to tonight to catch up with the girls and see all their success! Gotta go cook and clean...

Week 3: 53 days until the New Year

Friday


Today has been a great day. I took the day off, slept in and then met my trainer for a great workout and some great support. I am enrolling in a half marathon with a group from work starting next week (a good way to get in some serious cardio). So he is going to work with me to tailor my program so it complements the running. I'd really like to work on my speed this time. And by dropping some serious pounds that will certainly do it. Also, I'm much faster now than before just because I'm a lot stronger with all my workouts with him and we do a lot of interval running that helps improve speed.


Now I've just had a long bath and am reading my millions of magazines and loving it. I should be prepping dinner for our dinner club dinner tomorrow night and cleaning the house since I'll be out tonight and all day tomorrow - but who cares! I deserve a great day off.

Some recent accomplishments:
-did sprints at 8.0 on the treadmill with ease!!
-have eaten healthy 11 out of the past 18 days!!
-have worked out 14 out of the past 18 days!!!
-have cut out alcohol this week
-have cut down portions this week and started tracking points
-have been eating very heart healthy for the past week +

A little virtual pat on the back for me! I get bogged down feeling like I haven't lost any weight and am not perfect but need to acknowledge accomplishments.

Today stats:
Exercise: 1hr cardio/weights with trainer
Breakast: bran buds, skim milk, raspberries (deserve medal!) 3pts
Lunch: salad, chicken 30z, 1 tbsp oil, skim milk 7pts
Snack: Subway turkey wrap 6pts
Update - Dinner/snacks: soda with splash OJ x 2, small samples of: 2 pekoras, 1 samosa, rice, potatoes, lentil dish, yogurt dish, 2 bites of dessert thingys... I have no idea how many points this was. I assumed it was over my 9 that were left. But I was starving when I got home and all through the night (dreaming about breakfast) so maybe it wasn't.

Tonight is going to be difficult. I'm going to an Indian dinner. I don't think there is anything low cal/healthy in indian food. So I am going to eat something here before i go. Maybe a green salad/veggies and a low cal soup to fill up before I get there and just nibble. And can't wait not to drink :( !!
But I'm really looking forward to a spa day tomorrow with my girlfriends and dinner with some great friends. I haven't seen any of them in too long. I'm trying to find a place to do yoga in the early morning tomorrow before the spa - seems like a nice thing to do.

Week 3: 54 days until the New Year

Thursday:

Exercise: 15min run and 20min walk
Water: fill up bottle first thing in the am and drink 5 litres (so far have had 1.5 on .5 more)
Food:
H&S egg mcmuffin and tea (3g fibre) 5pts
yogurt&berries (2g fibre) 2pts
1/2 tuna on whole wheat with veggies & 1/2 cobb salad wrap (1g) 7pts
cottage cheese & chicken meatballs (2g) 5pts
salmon, broccoli (2g), red pepper (2g) 6pts
tea 0

Total: 25 pts - woo hoo!
Total Fibre: 12 approx. should be 25g

Week 3: 55 days until the New Year

Wednesday's Blog
So far so good.

Exercise: 15min High Intensity Training (HIT) run and 20min walk
Water: 8 glasses
Breakfast: H&S egg mcmuffin and tea 5pts
Snack: yogurt&berries 2pts
Lunch with client had sushi - (5 nigiri (4), 4 rolls (4), 8 rolls (8), 1/2 miso soup (1)) - 17 ouch! there's the problem
Dinner: white fish, cabbage, carrots 6pts
Snack: tea, skinny cow 2pts

Total: 32 - budget was 25. Glad I checked.

Will need to track points for a few more days or at least the days I have lunches.

Week 3: 56 days until the New Year

Tuesday's Blog
Yesterday I did okay but definitely was starving yesterday and could have eaten less.
Exercise: 1hr weights and cardio with trainer
Water: not bad but need to be drinking lots more
Breakfast: excellent (T made Heart & Stroke Foundation egg mcmuffins - yummy)
Lunch: pretty good - went out with clients and had tomato soup, salmon and veggies (no cream or butter) and 1 bread with hummus, 1/2 latte. not too bad but could have cut back on total lucnh
Dinner: pretty good - was ravenous so made quick greek salad with rotisserie chicken. had two portions though.
Snacks: yogurt, rasperries and tea

The tea after dinner is working great to fill me up. Great idea Mom! And am very proud that I went out for drinks after work with friends and had soda with a splash of OJ and NONE of the amazing greasy apps that went around 100 times. As well as everyone saying - "Why aren't you drinking, eating, etc". But it wasn't too hard to stay motivated when my skirt from last winter is a little snug!

I'm going to check my meals against Weight Watchers points as much as I HATE WW to check my portion sizes. Great idea Jen and Kirsty! So 25 points is my limit.

Oh and I talked to my trainer about things but he was pretty useless. He just said we will workout harder until the new year then really get started - screw that - it's already been since June and I haven't lost a pound. There are some serious differences and I get lots of compliments at work that I look skinnier but fer the lova god! Let's see the lbs fall off for god sakes. So that's where counting the points will help.

I also think I better call my doctor as I haven't heard from her yet re: cholesterol.

That's all for me for now...

Week 3: 57 days until the New Year

Well to say that I'm a little pissed off would be a colossal understatement. After a week of hard work I have, yet again, gained weight!!!! So for the first 2 weeks on operation: home stretch I have gained both weeks for a total of 0.8. Now I know this isn't huge amounts but for the love of GOD!!! You wonder why I get frustrated and want to quit! It's a lot of hard work for no results. Of course I know a lot of the reasons: maybe I put on muscle since I've been going hard at the gym, I drank a lot of water yesterday, I had some salty food last night - maybe I'm retaining water, maybe I need to cut back a bit more on quantity. WHATEVER!!!
Anyway, #1, I'm still buying myself a treat today for all my hardwork. I know I did well this week whether that mother f'ing scale says so or not!!! And, #2, I will not give up. I know I'm eating well and my body will clue in at some point. I do think it's probably all the reasons I've said above that are why I had a weird weigh in because I was hungry when I went to bed most nights this week which is usually a tell tale sign for me. #3, I will make an extra effort this week to not stray from the plan in case there are any extras sneaking in (e.g. pieces of brownie)... although I should still have lost something or remained the same - not gained!! I also worry it could be the drinking. I system always feels a bit off and bloated after. That could also retain water. But anyway. I'm going to do some weights right now, have a healthy breakfast and then get a mani-pedi somewhere today because I deserve it. GOD DAMN IT! Okay, enough ranting.... it's amazing how one little piece of plastic and metal can throw you into a tailspin.
And I know I have to keep eating well to get working on that cholesterol. I have some fish pulled out for dinner, we are going for a brisk walk tonight, and life goes on god damn, god damn. okay again - enough!
I'll update more later.
Okay, back again. Feeling much better. Had a good eating day, did my workout in the morning, had my mani-pedi and feel much better. Got lots of advice from friends and family mainly cut out the booze, and make sure my portions are small enough... less calories in then going out. So that's the plan. I'm cutting out the booze and watching the portions. I'm not too worried as I know the plan works. Last time I followed it properly I lost 3lbs... so I'm sure it's just the little extras slipping in.
Exercise: did weights in the am, but didn't walk at night
Breakfast: great
Lunch: not so great - had a beef wrap while getting my mani-pedi but it looked a little greasy
Dinner: excellent - made some great fish with sake, spinach and sweet potato
Snack: yogurt and skinny cow. excellent.
All in all was a good day but I went shopping and bought all the ingredients to follow my plan to the T. To make sure I'm not slipping in the extras. Found a great WW recipe for scallops for dinner club night that should help all the girls. Off to see the trainer.

Week 2: 58 Days until the New Year

Today's the last day of week 2 and I am VERY happy with my efforts this week. I expect a good weigh in tomorrow. I just don't want to be disappointed if I don't see big things (or should I say smaller things). I don't actually see or feel a difference anymore like I did early in the week but I know I ate great and exercised tons... that's the plan.
Today:
Exercise: 30min run, 40min brisk walk
Water: fair
Breakfast: on track (tried flaxseed in my omelette and it was great)
Lunch: on track
Dinner: on track
snack: still to come

Tomorrow I'm getting up to do some weights and will do a walk after work. Wish me luck tomorrow!
Good night!

Week 2: 59 days until the New Year

Well today I'm going to read up on the heart and stroke foundations website to get a jump start on what i need to do to lower my cholesterol. I'm sure I know but you never know! I've had my bran buds and skim milk for breakfast (deserving award already) and am going to go workout before T's parents come over! All in all, I'm on it!!! I will plan another heart healthy, waistline healthy dinner tonight for our company and stay on it today. I do think the cholesterol just gives me another easy out if I want to pass on drinks or sweets or whatever without telling everyone I'm dieting etc. Doctors orders idea!
I'll write more later...
Update... did very well today! very proud of myself. We went for a 15min run and then walked back for about 25mins or so.
Had no alcohol with dinner, had lean chicken meatballs and edamame for an appetizer and pork, carrots and potatoes for dinner. the only splurges I had was a very small piece of brownie with ice cream. I drank tons of water.
breakfast: on track
lunch: on track
dinner: on track
snacks: on track except very small piece of brownie and ice cream.
water: tons
exercise: 15min run and 1hr walk (was supposed to do some weights but didn't but still worked up a good sweat.
I'm very happy with my efforts this week. I am very proud of myself for getting back on track and resisting lots of temptation. That's what I find the hardest. No matter how many times you resist temptation you are only one temptation away from falling off the wagon.
I'm feeling very confident that i should see great results on Monday's weigh in. And even if I don't I will know I gave it a great effort this week and I just need to keep it up as it will work.
I read the cholesterol info and I'm basically on the right track: no alcohol (will need to work on this), no trans fats, no sat fats (fatty meats, cheeses), no snack foods and no prepared foods, get in 1hr moderate activity everyday. For every meal and purchase I would think - is this help lower my cholesterol... it really helps me.

Week 2: 60 days until the New Year

This is Fridays blog
Well I've got Good news and Bad News.
Good news is that I did great again yesterday. Kicked butt with the trainer in the morning, ate well all day and had friends over for dinner and make pork with pears and potatoes and a big salad, for apps I had chicken and pineapple skewers and edamame. My only splurges were drinks which was the plan and 1 mini eclair which was only 52 calories! Woo Hoo!
Now for the bad news, I got my cholesterol levels from my doctor and they aren't good at all. So Operation: Home Stretch has apparently come in just the nick of time. I haven't talked to my doctor yet - I just called to ask what they were so we'll see what she prescribes but I'm sure I'm on the right track (except the alcohol). I'm hoping the alcohol is not a big factor because I don't drink regularily (as in daily). I tend to save it up for a week or two and then splurge but I know that is not the best. We'll see. But for now this just gives me more incentive to keep up with the operation. I did laugh with my trainer that I've been eating nothing but salmon, walnuts and olive oil - how can this be possible?? I've o.d'ed on the healthy stuff :)
It runs in my family so I'm not surprised but all these efforts will make a big difference in hopefully reversing it without medication.
So, feel free to rip anything out of my hands that is not fish or veggies ;)
Exercise: great
Water: still not enough but not too bad
Breakfast: on track (had subway egg on wrap and was very healthy and tasty!
Lunch: on track
Dinner: on track (including booze)
Snacks: on track (except mini-eclair but not bad)

Week 2: 61 days until the New Year

Another good day I'm happy to report. Although I have to say that this second week feels like it's taking forever. I'm excited to see the results of all my hard work. I feel like I need a present every week to keep me motivated. It seems like a lot of work each day! I did resist a chocolate fix at 4pm again today when I could have used it.
Exercise: 40min brisk walk after work
Water: not enough
Breakfast: on track
Lunch: on track
Dinner: on track

Working out with Rod tomorrow and have 2 dinner parties to plan this weekend. I've got to plan healthy options for me.

week 2: 62 days until the New Year

So far so good. I'm on a roll. Resisted more today: eggs benedict, bagels and cream cheese, muffins (aka cake), chocolate bars, halloween candy, cupcakes! I'm on the mother f#$%er.
Exercise: 1hr walk after work
Water: 2 cups +/- (not enough)
Breakfast: on track
lunch: on track
snacks: on track
dinner: on track but got a little too full - should have skipped frozen yogurt.

I'm adding some extra exercise at night to my routine. A walk around the block or a small jog. Just something to kick it up a notch! Tonights walk was refreshing and relaxing. Good way to decompress and burn off a few calories.

Looking forward to being in charge of my own food moving forward. Less temptation.

Week 2: 63 days until the New Year

Baby's Back!! I brought my A game today. My friends advice has worked great for me! I don't quite have a passion for my gifts yet but I just say "cookie or boots", "tasty apps or boots". I used it all day long and again didn't eat cookies, dessert, cocktails with colleagues, deep fried apps, etc. I did great!! Yeah me!
ALSO, met with Rod (trainer) today and he kicked my butt until I almost threw up! But I'm so glad I did it. I hated it but feel great now. And I'm sure it will get easier as I get back into the swing of things.
exercise: trainer session
water: tons
breakfast on track
lunch on track (except pastry top to chicken pot pie)
snacks on track
dinner on track

Woo Hoo!

Week 2: 64 days until the New Year

Week 2 Day 1
Well the only thing stretching in operation home stretch seems to be my waistline! I'm up 0.6lbs. But it certainly comes as no surprise as I've been eating and drinking my way through this week. I'm happy that I've eaten better for a few days last week and got back into working out.
So, Week 2 is time to focus on the other 80% - clean eating and kicking it up a notch!!

Exercise: 45min brisk walk
Water: 6 glasses approximately and counting
Food:
Breakfast on track
Lunch on track (did very well at conference - went for the veggies and protein)
Dinner on track
Snacks excellent - went for healthy snacks at conference and lots of water

I'm very proud of myself - ate very healthy at the conference today. And had no booze at happy hour with colleagues and resisted all fatty apps. Had healthy options! Go girl go!

Also, recieved fabulous pep talk from a great friend who suggested healthy options for dining out (lean meat and veggies) and setting small goals for myself. It's a great idea. So that is what I'm going to do tonight. And my trainer is back and we are on for tomorrow morning - I'm feeling better already!!

Week 1: 65 days until the new year

Day 7
Well looks like Operation Home Stretch is off to a bumpy start.
I met my friend for brunch and was starving by the time we met at the Hot House Buffet - buffets are definitely the enemy. I made a point of walking to and from and the whole way there I planned to eat healthy - omelettes, salads, veggies, etc. But then of course as soon as I got there - being starving - I thought - this is lunch and breakfast... so I'll just have whatever I want. And the worst is that I got stuffed. I don't mind eating whatever I want as much as getting tooooooo full.
So now I'm at home - feeling guilty writing my blog - and thinking of how my weigh in tomorrow could be bad.
All I can do now is make an effort to put my goals ahead of everything else. Like my friend told me that she only can go to certain restaurants because she's on weight watchers. that's what I need to do. set myself up to succeed.
So tonight I am going to do a good workout after I have a nap now and lick my hungover wounds. And then I'm going to prepare food for this week. I just remembered that I have a 3 day conference to attend where I'm sure the food is going to be rich. Argh! i can't catch a break. I find it so hard not to eat what's put in front of me. I'm just going to have to put my goals first and only eat the healthy options and leave the rest. Also, I will bring some healthy snacks just in case they don't have what I need. ARGH!!
What I need to be happy about is the fact that I've gotten back to the gym this week on a more regular basis and have made healthy choices along the way. Week 1 was an improvement from before.
For the next 2 weeks I also have business lunches everyday. I'm going to have to plan ahead for those too. I hate this. I need to have restraint in those situations with lots of temptation.
Stay tuned for the weigh in tomorrow.
Update
Had a nap and didn't workout. I should know better by now. A Sunday night workout is almost impossible. had some baked lays and dip and a tuna sandwich.
It's almost 11pm so I'm going to hit the sack and hit the gym tomorrow morning.

Week 1: 66 Days until the New Year

Days 5
Exercise - went for run to Starbucks and walked back (total 30mins +/-)
Water - not enough probably 1 litre +/-
Food
breakfast on track
lunch on track
dinner off track - had natchos and 2 mojitos, 2 glasses of wine, 2 glasses of prosecco
late night snacks off track - wings, fries, chips + dip, pizza, mozzarella sticks - yikes!!
Big splurge - too much!!

Day 6
Feeling very guilty about last nights splurge! Especially since I went to Bymark this week and had such a great meal. I don't mind having the drinks but not all the food! Anyway, guilt is useless. I just need to work hard and makeup for the off-set.

Breakfast - none, crystal light iced tea, 2 mint teas
Lunch - 1/3 cup bran buds and skim milk before workout
Tonight I'm going out with old friends from high school that I haven't seen in 10 years or more so am really looking forward to having drinks and dinner with them. I am going to drink low cal drinks - vodka sodas/prosecco/wine/beer. No crazy mixed drinks. And I'm going to eat healthy for the rest of the day - fish, veggies, salad etc. Feel pretty good. I think all the crystal light and mint tea has helped keep the bloat to a minimum and am not even hungry - quelle surprise!

I feel guilty especially because the point of this blog was to really kick it up a notch and to give it my all. Well I can only learn from this and move forward. I'm off to workout to work off some of that splurge and then will update tomorrow.

Update:
So I went out and had prosecco, white wine, red wine, beer and a vodka soda. Lookout! And didn't eat much until very late and had a chicken and veggie wrap and small caesar salad. So I did good on the food and had lots of booze. But I'm okay with that,
Exercise -
25mins run and full set of arm weights. YEAH!! Did my routine like a good girl. My trainer would be proud if he wasn't MIA in Ireland. I hope he's coming back soon to kick my butt.

Week 1: 68 days until the New Year

Day 4 -
Slept in today - didn't workout. Trainer says I only need to work out hard 4 days a week so I'm taking advantage of it. Mind you - not sure that's the case after yummy dinner at Bymark. But baby steps.
Exercise: none
Water: 1 litre and counting
Food:
breakfast: on track
lunch: on track
dinner: on track

all in all not feeling on track but am having some serious cravings for pizza, fries etc!

Week 1: 69 days until the new year

Day 3 - YEAHH!!!!! Went to the gym and kicked some ass. I did my full program for the day of leg weights, ab exercises and cardio! It took me a while and I certainly did the minimum but who cares - I'm back on track!
Off to get my blood checked.
Exercise: check
Water: 2litres +/-
Food:
Breakfast - on track
Lunch - on track - resisted pizza for the office
Dinner - Bymark - YUMMY! off track but planned. didn't get stuffed so that's good. wore the spanx so that always seems to stop me from eating too much - can't fit it in.

Week 1: 70 days until the New Year

Day 2 of Operation: Home Stretch and my new scale is a piece of crap! Okay, this is my last blame it on the scale blog. But when I was setting up my new scale that does all sorts of great things like measures BMI, Body Fat % etc I had to weigh myself a few times to get the different measurements and I of course varied widely from 191.0, 190.2, and then 196.0 in a matter of moments. Unbelievable! A 6lb variance is pretty ridiculous.
Anyway, enough about that. So today was brutal in terms of exercise. We are having the hardest time getting back into the swing of things. I slept in until 6:37am and then got up and played with my new scale for about 20mins. Basically I was happy to get out of bed so I can get used to getting up at 6am again. Of course I promised I'd workout tonight but I just can't do it. I can't stand how dark it is all the time! But the food went well (which is 80% of the effort according to my trainer).

I emailed my trainer to get things rolling when he gets back from Ireland. Maybe kick it up to 3 times a week (argh!).

Weight: who the hell knows anymore
Water: 4 cups and counting (forgot my water bottle at home)
Exercise: none
Food:
breakfast excellent
snack - on track
lunch - on track
snack - on track
dinner - on track (maybe a bit too much olive oil)

Tomorrow morning I'm getting my cholesterol checked because my Doctor couldn't get a proper reading last time. I'm a bit worried about it. I'll be happy when I know what it is.

Tomorrow I need to get on the exercise. I need to kick it up a notch!
I also have dinner at Bymark tomorrow night (yum!). I'm going to eat well all day and exercise hard tomorrow morning and enjoy dinner tomorrow - I just don't want to get too full tomorrow.

Week 1: 71 days until the New Year

Day 1 with my weightloss, life-changing, reaching my goals blog! I am going to start with a little complaint. My scale is a piece of crap (never a good sign when it's the scales fault). But I've been working on losing weight most recently since Sept 9th but have just been out of the country/out of town for the past month on work trips and holidays. Therefore I need a new weigh in and a fresh start today. So as I go to weigh myself, which is always a little bit of a hit on the ego, my scale says I'm the exact same weight as I have been (exactly!) for the past 3 weeks with plenty of food and booze and no hard core exercise. Here's how it goes:

190.2 and then ERROR, so I get back on,

189.2 - better, I like it, but then ERROR, so I debate getting back on... but to be safe I do:

192.2 - piece of crap!!!

So anyway... I'll go with 192.2 because it's probably right after all my eating and drinking.

So ideally I am shooting for 25 lbs by the New Year. But I acknowledge that I can only do my best and the weight will fall off as my body lets it. I don't have control of that. If it's slower - so be it. It accumulated over 32 years, it may take longer than 3 months to lose it. But this helps me with my Home Stretch mentality.

Once New Years hits, the plan is to lose 25lbs more (give or take) by April 08.

To get there my plan is to follow my trainer's plan. Follow the clean eating food plan and workout hardcore!!!! Time to kick it up a notch.

So for today:

Weight: 192.2
Exercise: 40 min brisk walk + 20min walk
Water: working on 2nd litre
Food plan:
breakfast on track
lunch on track
dinner on track

p.s. bought new scale!! No reason to have bad karma at the start :)