Wednesday....

I am tired tonight, but promised myself not to let another blogless day go by here. I had been lax about writing things down but I did so today and now I'm reporting in! I got my walk in today, as well.

Breakfast: 1 pancake with syrup
Lunch: 2 slices of papaya, 1 c. chili with 1 oz cheese, 1 piece of corn bread
Snack: 1/2 c. ice cream, 10 dried cherries
Dinner: 5 crostini with cheese, veges and dip, 4 slices baguette with pesto, brussels sprout, 2 well drinks (Last Supper Club happy hour)

Today's reason to lose weight: I saw yet another picture of myself from 60 pounds or so ago. I really want to keep this thing steered in the right direction! I do not want to go back to how my body was then!

Saturday update!

I feel very tired tonight, so I'm going to keep it short. I did tons of walking today.

Breakfast: 3/4 c. yogurt, 1/2 c. granola
Lunch: 1 banana, 1 samosa
Snack: 1 biscotti, 3 pieces dried mango
Snack: 3 c. popcorn
Dinner: 1/2 c. zucchini, 3/4 c pasta with sausage, 2" piece of lasagna, rootbeer and sparkling apple cider
Dessert: 1/16 pumpkin cheese cake, cookie 1/4 c. ice cream (perhaps one dessert might've been enough : )

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to look good for my husband!

Day of the Dead in our neighborhood!

Tonight is always an eventful night in our neighborhood with thousands of people passing by dressed up like dead people and carrying candles. Tonight was no exception!

Breakfast: 1/2 c. oatmeal. 1 T pecans, 2 T cranberries
Lunch: 1 piece naan, 1 order chicken tikka masala
Snack: 1 banana, 2 pieces candy
Dinner: 2 c. vegetarian posole, 14 chips, 1 avocado, 1 oz. shredded cheese
Snack: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel good in my new clothes and I enjoy feeling good!

Thursday....

Today, I felt so tired! I'm not sure why. I went on my walk this morning and did write things down as I ate them.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. oatmeal, 2 T craisins, 1 T pecans, 1/4 c. milk
Snack: 6 pieces pepperoni, 1 caramel, 1 snack size candy bar
Lunch: 10 cherry tomatoes, 2 corn tortillas, 1/4 c. refried beans, 1 oz cheese, 1 banana
Snack:1/2 english muffin, 2 snack size candy bars
Dinner: 1 c. pumpkin apple soup, 1 piece corn bread
Snack: 1/2 c. ice cream

Today's reason to lose weight: I would like to be full of energy!

Happy Halloween!

And thus begins the battle of the Halloween candy (I had about 6 pieces tonight)....That said, I was encouraged today. I bought some new cold weather clothes--warmer skirts, found some tall boots at the Thrift and a couple of new shirts. It's nice to really be able to buy a 16. Every time I shop, I begin to wonder what size will fit. I pull the 16s off the rack and, surprise, they fit : ). Did most of my shopping at the thrift store and I got the greatest pair of Levis for $5--dark blue and so long I have to cuff them, which is highly unusual for me!

Mark made it home from the Bahamas and I am inspired to look good for him : ).

Breakfast: 1 banana, 1/3 frangipane croissant, 1/3 morning bun, 1/3 pan au jambon (Tartine to celebrate Mark's home coming)
Lunch: 1/2 c. pasta, brussel sprouts, and pasta sauce
Snack: 14 tortilla chips with guacamole
Dinner: 2 slices pizza
Snack : 6 pieces halloween candy

Today's reason to lose weight: My skin looks smoother and more clear when I am eating well.

Tuesday night...

So, I ate much more mindfully today. I was reminded that writing things down is the best indicator of weight loss success. Today I also listened to a podcast about weight loss and art making. The lady being interviewed was very funny, so I ordered the book, "Our Lady of Weight Loss." It seems she lost 50 pounds incorporating art making into her weight loss regimen. I am interested, as I have noticed that when my hands are busy I do not eat. We'll see how it is.

Breakfast: 1/2 english muffin, 1 egg.
Snack: 3 dates, 1 piece licorice
Snack: 6 c. popcorn
Dinner: 1/2 c. pasta, large bowl of salad with red peppers and tomatoes and garlic ranch dressing.
Snack: I haven't yet, but I may have an apple tonight

Today's reason to lose weight: I have worked so hard to get where I am now. I don't want to waste all I've invested. Besides, it was nice to shop today and buy 16s easily!

The end of a loooooong day....

I started the day with a nice walk again. The weather was gorgeous today!

Breakfast: 1/2 c. maple yogurt, 1/3 c. granola
Lunch: large salad with tomatoes and onions, 5 slices baguette, 1 oz. goat cheese
Snack: 1/2 c. maple yogurt, 1/3 c. granola, 2 T dried cranberry
Dinner: 1/2 c. rice, 2/3 c. sweet and sour pork, 2/3 c. curried chicken
Snack: 2 c. hot apple cider

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to be living in touch with my body!

Tuesday....

So, no pound cake today : ). It was gorgeous again and Hailey and I went for a walk and did some thrift shopping today. I am still very aware of my desire to eat whatever I like whenever I like. I am not sure why it is so difficult right now...

Breakfast: 1/2c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola
Snack: 3 T. chocolate raisins
Lunch: 1 C. couscous salad, 1 slice pizza
Snack: 1 meringue, 5 slices dried mango
Dinner: 2 pieces pizza, 3 c. popcorn, 3 caramels

Today's reason to lose weight: Hailey and I bought the cutest denim skirt I have ever seen today. It won't fit me for a while but I want to wear it with tall leather boots!

A Beautiful Day!

The weather was gorgeous today in our San Francisco fall/summer! The day started out warm and Mark and I walked around Bernal Hill three times. I sat in the sun and did nothing but visit at park day today--just relaxed.

Breakfast: Bread pudding
Snack: 3 prunes, 1/2 slice pound cake
Lunch: 1 1/4 quinoa salad with tofu, cucumber and tomato
Snack: handful of baked corn curls, 5 slices dried mango
Dinner: Beef noodles with edamame and red peppers (about a serving of each item)
Dessert: 1/2 slice pound cake

The pound cake is all gone (thank goodness!). I do feel good about having planned some healthy meals.

Today's reason to lose weight: I enjoy feeling like I am deciding what I want to do and how I want to be in this world.

Sunday night

For the record, tiredness and eating well do not make good companions! I have really struggled the last couple of days and had way too many pieces of pound cake! I did not write things down and I completely lost track. There you have it. Today, though, I'm back. I cleaned my kitchen like a maniac today and went for a very nice walk this sunny afternoon.

Breakfast: 1 piece bread pudding
Lunch: 1 english muffin, cashew butter, 10 carrots, ranch dressing, 3 date
Snack: 1/2 c. granola, milk, 1 piece pound cake
Dinner: 1 tortilla with mushrooms and cheese, cucumber, hummus
Snack: 1 piece pound cake (dangerous stuff--better let the kids devour it now!)

Today's reason to lose weight: I do not want to spend my life feeling controlled by pound cake!

Thursday....

So, the tiredness of parenting alone for 10 days finally caught up with me. I am very tired today....I did go for my walk this morning. My eating patterns were not stellar and I was tempted to "sneak" some things by not writing them down. It made me wonder who I thought I was sneaking them from. Surely my body will not neglect to notice the extra calories. I think I eat sometimes thinking that if no one else knows it must not count. Hmmm....An unobserved calorie is still a calorie.

Breakfast: 1 banana, 1 c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola
Snack: 1/3 c. granola and milk
Lunch: 1 corn tortilla with cheese and beef, 10 carrots, 10 slices red pepper, 2 T hummus
Snack: 1/3 c. granola with milk, 2 c. popcorn, 3 prunes, 1 banana
Dinner: 1 chicken thigh, 1 1/2 c. squash, potato and carrot mix
Dessert: 1 piece cake from Whole Foods

Today's reason to lose weight: My body and I know how I'm taking care, even if no one else does!

Mark is home!

Mark's been gone since the 30th of September and is now home! We are so happy to have him back. The blessed even was occasioned by eating out twice! (Once without the kids, once with them.) Even so, I did respectably today. I went for my morning walk (in the rain, I might add) and recorded my eating. (Thanks for the new checklist, Chris--it's useful.)

Breakfast: 1 banana, 1c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola
Snack: veges and cheese dip
Lunch: 4 potstickers, 1/2 c. rice, 2 oz. beef teryaki, 6 slices yam tempura
Snack: banana
Dinner: 2 pieces injera bread, lentils, cabbage, carrot and potato curry, bits of beef and chicken (Ethiopian Food)
Snack: 1/2 c. ice cream

Today's reason to lose weight: I would like it if my stomach didn't hang over so much : ).

Back at it....

So, today was harder than I thought. I've become more lax with my eating than I had suspected. I spent much of the day reminding myself that indeed I did not want a snack, a candy or another serving! I still have some ways to go! I weighed in at 204 today, so I have also gained a few pounds. I missed my walk today. All that said, I did have success with my eating.

Breakfast: 1 banana, 1 c. nonfat yogurt, 1/3 c. granola
Lunch: 1 c. wild rice soup, 1 apple
Snack: 20 mini rice crackers, cheese
Dinner: 1/2 c. pasta with tomato sauce, 1/2 c. zucchini, 1 chicken/turkey sausage,
Snack: 1 apple

Now, if I wrote what I wanted to eat, that list would be much longer : ). I am afraid that my emotional attachments to food are pretty strong. I had to tell Hailey when we were shopping today, "Now, I do not want candy or any other snack. Remind me of that!"

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to be healthier at 38 than I was at 36!

Renewing my efforts...

Hello, friends. I haven't been here in a while. I think that I needed a break. I took one, anyway. For a wile I was feeling bad about that--not losing any weight for a couple of months. However, I think it is significant progress not to have gained and to have continued my exercising. That said, I am truly not content to stay here and not to lose anymore. So, beginning tomorrow, it is back to writing down my eating, preparing healthful food and walking consistently. I can feel proud that I have lost 60 pounds and encouraged that there are only 45 left to go. To me, that's a whole different category of overweight from where I started. I'll start by just trying to focus on getting down to 190. That's not very far and should be very doable. The boys are at Nature Awareness tomorrow, so I'll spend some time either shopping for or preparing some good food to have on hand. If anyone has any good, healthy recipes that go with the chill in the air, please share! Thanks for reading, if you still are.

Today's reason to lose weight: I have come so far and I would like to contiue on this journey rather than going back!

Wednesday....

I had a nice walk today (and the last couple of days, actually). I spent Monday and Tuesday with Mark's parents. Here's today's log:

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1/2 english muffin, 1/3 c. raspberries
Snack: 1 slice toast, jam
Lunch: Smoothie with 1 c. yogurt, 2 banana, 1/2 c,. mango, 1 c. coleslaw
Snack: 1/2 english muffin
Dinner: 14 tortilla chips, lettuce, cucumbers, 1/4c. cheese, peppers, bean sprouts, salsa ranch dressing

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to get my image of my body and the actual thing to be in agreement with each other.

Sunday....

For some reason, I don't really feel like blogging tonight, though it was actually a very good day. I hiked up and around Bernal Hill, picked blackberries and made jam--very satisfying. It reminds me of canning as a child with my mom.

Breakfast: 1 piece rye bread, 1 egg, 1 nectarine
Snack: 1 c. carrot juice
Lunch: 10 rice crackers, 2 T carrot pate, 2 T. bean spread, 2 pieces baguette, vege spread, 2 flatbread wedges with pumpkin spread, 1 small piece birthday cake
Dinner: Vege pad Thai at herbivore
Snack: 3/4 c. ice cream

Okay, I could've skipped the ice cream tonight and gone for some fruit instead.

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to have lots of energy for life and make good choices for myself.

For Friday

We were up late last night with guests, so I'll give you the scoop on yesterday right now. I got out for my morning walk--it's nice to be back in my familiar territory.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. granola, 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/4 c. raspberries
Lunch: 1/4 c. mock salmon pate, 8 rice crackers, 4 olives, 15 grapes, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes
Snack: 1 c. popcorn, 1/2 c. granola, 1/2 c. yogurt
Dinner: 3 slices pizza, vege salad, blackberry cobbler, 1/2 c. ice cream

All in all a good day with lots of veges. I should've stopped at less pizza and had a bit smaller piece of black berry cobbler. Overall, though, I'm pleased by my increase of vegetables. Mark and I are trying to eat more raw foods so I have really stocked up on the fruits and veges this week.

Today's reason to lose weight: I think that my weight effects my hormonal balance and I hope that losing weight will make for a healthier hormones : ).

Back from Vacation!

Hello, everyone! I am back on my blog after a relaxing vacation. I came home and weighed in the very same as when I left, so I think I'll consider that success. It is usually very hard for me to stay out of the food at my mom's house and I did better than usual this time--improvement anyway.

I did well writing things down today and hope to get the weight coming off once again. I am also trying to eat more raw foods, as well. I walked up to Noe Valley this morning.

Breakfast: 1 1/2 c. yogurt smoothie with blackberry and mango, 1/2 c. granola, 1/4 c. milk
Lunch: 1 c. cabbage salad, 1 piece toast, 1 T cashew butter
Snack: 1 nectarine, 1/2 c. granola, 1/4 c. millk, 1 1/2 c. cantaloupe
Dinner: 1 sausage, 1/2 c. pasta with tomato sauce, large spinach salad, 4 olives, 8 cherry tomatoes
Snack: 1/ 2 c. granola, 1/4 c. milk

(I guess I was craving the granola today :)

Today's reason to lose weight: My physical health is in direct correlation with my emotional well being!

Last day before vacation....

We'll be gone from now until August 20th. I can't say when we'll have internet available to us, so I'll check in when I can, but don't be alarmed if I seem to fall off the face of the earth for the next 3 weeks.

Today went well. I got perhaps 3 walks in! Lots of walking done today.

Breakfast at Tartine with Mark: 1/2 morning bun, 1/2 pain au jambon
Lunch: 1 slice pizza, 1 nectarine, 1 c. popcorn
Snack: 1 slice baguette, 5 pieces dried mango, 1 T. peanuts
Dinner: 1 3" square lasagne, 6 baby carrots, 1 slice baguette
Dessert: 1/4 c. chocolate gelato

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel efficient and effective when I am caring for my body.

Checking in...

I missed last night due to a wicked migraine, but yesterday was a fine day for my health goals, as was today. I got out for my walk both days and here's my food log for today:

Breakfast: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola, 1 banana
Lunch: 5 strawberries, 1 bun, 1 sausage
Snack: 2 c. popcorn, 5 strawberries, 1/3 slice pizza
Dinner: 1/2 c. couscous, 1 c. morroccan vegetable, 2 slices artisan bread

Today's reason to lose weight: I would like to have less skin on my belly!

Latest me pictures...

So, the top picture was taken today, the bottom one was taken in January. Encouraging that I have come a long ways. I looked over my blog today and found that I was very disciplined for the first four months of this year and then have had a harder time staying disciplined. I'd like to really return to that--blog daily when possible and eat well and get my walks in. I need to again limit sweets to the weekend, I think.

Today I got my walk in and wrote down my eating...

Breakfast: 1 c. yogurt, 1/2 c. granola
Lunch: 1 1/2 c. quinoa salad with tofu and veges, 1 nectarine
Snack: 1banana, 8 crackers with 1 oz. goat cheese, 1/4 c. gelato, 1 nectarine
Dinner: 1 cheeseburger with swiss cheese, 12 fries, 1 juice squeeze
Snack: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola

I need a little less carb and protein tomorrow and a few more veges!

Today's reason to lose weight: I like to see my progress!

Checking in...

I've been keeping some late nights. I have been aware this week how much my body has changed. I hope to post another round of before and now pictures here soon. I am happy that I have lost weight to the extent that my health risks are reduced from 60 pounds ago. I also wonder how things might be for me in another 40.....so, pressing on here.

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 nectarine
Lunch: 1 c. quinoa salad with tofu, tomatoes and cucumber, 2 T peanuts, 1 peach
Dinner: 1/2 mushroom quesedilla, 10 tortilla chips, 1 chocolate, 1 c. horchata

Today's reason to lose weight: I like shopping in the regular women's section and having more choices of what to wear.

Wednesday.

So, I'll have to admit to some erratic eating--not huge quantities, but questionable choices. You'll see...I did get up early and go for my walk and I'm trying to get myself back on a good schedule by going to bed and getting up earlier.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. oatmeal, 2 T dried cranberries, 1 T. sunflower seeds, 1/2 c. milk
Lunch: 1 nectarine, 1 c. kefir, 1/2 c. berries, 1 english muffin with jam
Snack: 1 cupcake
Dinner: 4 squares of pizza, 2 chocolate-almond clusters, 1 slice apple pie

Need to up the veges and limit the sweets!

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to continue to see my body emerging!

Here I am : ).

I haven't posted for a while due partly to our remodeling project this week. Our bathroom is coming together and it is looking good! I walked at Crissy Field today while the guys were at their Exploratorium class. About weight loss...this hasn't been an easy season for me for some reason. I picked up a magazine today that had an article about 7 women who lost near 100 lbs. each. It took most of them a few years. For some odd reason, that made me feel good. I guess if I have a slow spot or two but stay in the game, it's okay. I do want to stay in the game.

Breakfast: 1 1/4 waffle with syrup
Snack: 20 spice drops
Lunch: 1 nectarine
Dinner: 4 oz. london broil, 1 c. grilled vege salad, corn on the cob, 1/2 c. couscous, 1 piece chocolate cake, 1/2 glass wine

Some wacky eating today. Why didn't I eat lunch? Not sure.....

Today's reason to lose weight: It's okay if it takes me some time.

Thursday....

I got my walk in this morning with Aurora.

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1/2 english muffin, jelly, 1 peach
Lunch: 1 vege burger, 1/2 english muffin, mushrooms, 1 peach, 1 slice watermelon, 6 crackers with cheese
Snack: 2 lemon bars, 10 minicrackers
Dinner: 1 hamburger, french roll, 1 piece corn on the cob, onions, mushrooms, 4 chips
Snack: 1/2 c. granola, milk, 2 oreos

Today's reason to lose weight: I'd like to see my belly smaller : ).

for Wednesday

For some reason, our internet was very slow last night and I gave up on posting. I went for a walk from the car shop, through Dolores Park and up over the hill into Noe Valley--a brisk climb!

Breakfast: 1/2 c. granola, 1/2 c. yogurt, 7 strawberries
Snack: 3 dried mango
Lunch: 1/2 english muffin, 1 vege burger, 4 sauted mushrooms, 2 slices watermelon
Snack: 2 slices watermelon, 3 slices dried mango, 7 strawberries
Dinner: 1 slice ham, 2/3 c. potato salad, 1 slice watermelon, 14 tortilla chips, salsa
Snack: 10 mini crackers, 3 slices dried mango

Today's reason to lose weight: I am learning to take care of myself, slow down and live at a reasonable pace.

Tuesday....

Breakfast: 1/2 c. granola, 1/2 c. yogurt
Lunch: 1 1/2 c. vege lentil soup, 16 crackers, 1 banana
Snack: mini package Mike n. Ike, 1/3 c. granola, 1/2 c. yogurt
Dinner: 1 waffle, 1/2 c. strawberries, syrup
Snack: 4 c. popcorn

Today's reason to lose weight: I am worth the work!

Monday...

So, I got out for my walk first thing, weighed in at 198 and here is my food log:

Breakfast: 1/2 c. granola, 1/3 c. milk, 2 small apricots
Lunch: 1 1/4 c. lentil soup, 2 apricots
Snack: 3 c. popcorn, 6 pieces dried mango
Dinner: 1 c. pasta, 2 meatballs, pasta sauce, 1/2 c. zucchini
Party at Princes: 1 soda, 6 mini sausages, 4 crackers with pepperoni and cheese, 1 handful puppy chow

So, I should've meditated more on what my plan would be for the party. However, no munching throughout the day at home, so better progress today, I think.

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to be the kind of person who accomplishes the things that she wants!

Struggling....

So, obviously, I have not been as diligent in keeping this blog lately. Truthfully, I am quite discouraged about my weight loss and health goals presently. I know that I've made so much progress, but I am lacking the passion and consistency right now. Yet, I do not want to give in...I want to keep progressing and I really like the things coming out of finding greater fitness and losing weight. I like it when I am not mastered by food and consumed by snacking all day long. I like feeling like I am taking good care of myself and making decisions that I feel good about. I wish I knew how to turn the motivation switch back on. Any ideas, folks?

I am not intending to give up. I guess tomorrow I will go for a walk and try to write down all I eat and make good choices once again and hope that the motivation reappears at some point. I promise a weigh in and a food journal tomorrow. I really hope to push through this difficult stretch....

Thursday....

Breakfast: 1/2 english muffin, 12 cherries, 1 T. Peanut butter
Snack: 1 c. cherries, 1/4 c. milk
Lunch: 4 falafel and hummus, 15 cherries
Snack: fruit bar, granola and milk
Dinner: 1 slice ham, 2/3 c. stuffing, 2 c. salad, 8 cherry tomatos
snack: 1 1/2 starbursts, 3 handfuls chocolate chips, 1/2 cuban pastry

I am grazing far too often lately. A little here and there. Gotta stop doing that.

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to be healthy and fit.

Happy Fourth of July!

I am writing from the midst of a flurry of illegal fireworks exploding all over our neighborhood. Some of them are quite impressive, though I always hope they don't catch anything on fire. I got out for a good walk this morning and returned to the house for a day of gardening, washing clothes and rearranging Hailey's room. We're nearly done with that and just need to rehang some pictures and go through a couple more shelves. Most of it got done today and she is quite pleased with her "new" room.

Breakfast: 1/3 c. granola, 1/4 c. milk, 12 cherries
Lunch: 1 slice bread, 1/2 c. coleslaw, 2 slices watermelon, 2 oz. bbq pork
Dinner: 2 oz. ham, 1/2 c. mashed potato, 1 c. zucchini, 3 slices pineapple, gravy
Dessert: pinot noir soda, 1 smore, 2 chocolates

Today's reason to lose weight: I am better able to manuver--we had to crawl through Darren and Pam's window tonight to get out on the deck and I felt much more nimble!

Here I am!

So, I am back from our weekend. I have something of an achievement today--I walked up Bernal Hill this morning (and my boys had a hard time keeping up : ). I felt I needed to send myself a message that I am still serious about these health goals. The eating and recording of it has been sporadic lately. Yet, I bought new summer clothes in a size 16 (down from a 24 at one point). Overall, I think I should feel proud of myself, but I do not want to stop here. So, body, you're doing Bernal Hill at least a couple times a week from now on!

Breakfast: 1/2 c. oatmeal, 2 T dried cranberries, 1.4 c. milk
Lunch: 3 c. lettuce, 1/2 english muffin, 2 figs, 2 oz ham, 12 cherries
Snack: 1/3 c.. granola, 1/4 c. milk, 8 crackers,
Dinner: 1/2 c. coleslaw, 1 1/2 slice watermelon, 1 bun, 1/2 c. barbequed pulled pork, 4 carrots

Today's reason to lose weight: I likew being able to reasonably conquer Bernal Hill!

Thurday

I am entering for Thursday this morning. We'll be away this weekend, so I may be silent for the weekend. I have been fairly discouraged at the slow pace of weight loss lately. However I measured myself in the last couple of days and have been encouraged that I have lost an inch on my hips and 2 on my waist in the last month. I guess my body is progressing in many ways. I have an urge to sew something for myself. In many ways, it would make sense to buy something. I would be able to tell ahead of time if something would look good or not, how it will fit, etc. However, there is something significant to me in taking the time to sew something for myself. It will communicate care to myself. I have not wanted to sew for myself for years. I think I should.

I am also due for a progress photo here. That would perhaps be encouraging to me as well. Here are yesterday's details:

I walked in the afternoon.

Breakfast:1/2 c. granola, 1 banana, 1 c. granola
Snack: 1 poppy seed muffin
Lunch: 8 rice crackers, carrot/almond spread, cucumbers, 3 slices cheese, 1/2 c. fruit smoothie
Dinner: 1 c. pesto pasta salad with white beans, 1/2 ear of corn on the cob, lots of cherry tomatoes, small glass white wine
Snack: handful of chocolate chips

Today's reason to lose weight: This needs to be a new lifestyle for me.

Wednesday.

I couldn't get blogger to respond last night, so here's yesterday:

Breakfast: 2 pancakes with syrup
Snack: 1 granola bar
Lunch: 6 crackers, 1 T. brie, 2 c. lettuce, 2 T pine nuts, 2 T dried cranberries, parmesan cheese, balsamic vinaigrette
Snack: 3 chocolate chip cookies, banana
Dinner: 1 1/2 c. zucchini soup with lentils, 2 pieces bread
Snack: 1 chocolate chip cookie, 1 glass white wine, 1/3 c. chocolate chips

I need to begin to save the sweets for the weekend as I have a hard time stopping with them and they are not helping me to lose weight!

Today's reason to lose weight: I had an encouraging visit with my sister on Tuesday and I'd love to have more good news to report when I see her in August.

Tuesday...

Allright...I don't feel like blogging. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a bad day. I'm just tired tonight. So, I'm keeping it brief.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. oatmeal, 2 T dried cranberries, 1/4 c. milk
Lunch: 1/4 c. nut mix, 1 bagel with cream cheese, 1 gooseberry bar, 1 juice squeeze, 1/2 c. applesauce
Snack: granola bar
Dinner (meeting at last supper club): 1 cranberry/vodka, 1 aranciata, 5 pieces bruschetta, 1/2 c. pasta salad, 1/2 c. asparagus salad
Snack: 1 gooseberry bar, 1/2 c. granola, milk

Today's reason to lose weight: I like the way my shape is becoming more defined.

Posting for Monday...

We've had some late nights lately. Last night, we had guests until midnight after a very exciting afternoon. Our neighbor's house caught fire. Fortunately no one was hurt, but we spent part of the afternoon trying to be of help. Here's yesterdays stats: I stayed constant at weigh in.

Breakfast: 2 pancakes, 5 cherries
Snack: 4 slices dried mango, 2 squares of chocolate
Lunch: 1 egg, 1/2 english muffin, 2 c. lettuce, 4 figs, 1 T parmesan, balsamic dressing
Snack: 10 cherries, 4 slices dried mango
Dinner: 3 oz. T bone steak, 1/2 c. mushrooms and onions, 1/2 c. sauted zucchini
Dessert: 1/2 c. lavendar creme brulee (lovely!)

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel more attractive.

Posting for Sunday

So, to be up front, not the best weekend. Saturday, though I won't post everything, I ended up eating a cafe cookie and candy bar and ice cream later in the evening. I am allowing myself too many indiscretions. Here's yesterday:

Breakfast: 2 pieces of toast, 1 egg
Lunch: 1 c. pima, 1/2 c. strawberries, 7 crackers, 1 oz. brie
Snack: 3 c. popcorn
Dinner: 2 oz chicken, 3 slices avocado, lettuce, 1/2 pork tamale, 10 chips
Snack: 1/2 c. ice cream

Today's reason to lose weight: My body really does feel much better these days and I do have 43 more pounds I'd like to lose.

Writing from my office...

I finally got a wireless card today on Craigslist and now I am running my computer from my office/studio! Yeah! I got my walk in on the way to pick it up and afterwards running errands as well.

Breakfast: 1/2 bagel, 1 egg
Lunch: 1 mini bagel, 1 egg, 1 peach
Snack: 6 slices cucumber, 2 slices pineapple, 1/2 bagel, 1 chocolate chip cookie
Dinner: 3 c. popcorn, 3 slices pizza

Today's reason to lose weight: It seems my only other option is to return to my former habits. I do not want all the work I have already done to go to waste!

Today

So, I'm ending the day with another migraine, so I plan to keep this short.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. oatmeal, 1/4 c. milk, 1/4 c. blueberries, 1/2 c. yogurt
Lunch: 1 bagel, 2 eggs, 1/2 c. lemon ice cream
Snack: 1/2 bagel, 1 granola bar, 1 tall frappacino
Dinner: 1/2 c. rice, 1 c. mung bean stew

Ummmm...few too many indiscretions today. I didn't realize it until sitting down tonight to tally up. Time to cinch it up a bit tighter!

Today's reason to lose weight: I need to take care of my body and nurture it with good things.

Not meaning to avoid you : )...

We were out of town over the weekend and I tumbled into beed last night after guests and an all day migraine. Here's yesterday's profile--I am 198, went for a walk and did my strength training...

Breakfast: 1 piece cinnamon bread, 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/4 c. blueberries
Lunch: 1/2 c. .pasta, 1/2 c. sauted veges, 1 T. pesto, 1 egg, 3 pineapple slices
Snack: 1 square chocolate, 1 granola bar
Dinner: 1 piece pesto lasagne, veges and dip, 1/2 c. lemon ice cream, 3 mini brownies

Today's reason to lose weight: I like to feel proactive.

Thursday...

Walked this morning....

Breakfast: 1 egg, strawberries
Lunch: Noah made me a "tummy tickler" --3 corn tortillas with cheese, onions and spices
Snack: 1 cinnamon bread, strawberries
Dinner: 1/2 falafel sandwich, 1 cosmopolitan, 1 piece toffee

Today's reason to lose weight: It would be nice to fit the next size when I go get summer clothes.

yesterday and today

Did my walks both days and my resistance/strength training today. I've been staying up far too late with summer upon us and I hope to correct that tonight.

Yesterday's fare:

Breakfast: 1 crepe, chocolate chips, 1/4 c, blueberries, 1/2 c, strawberries
Lunch: 1 nectarine, 1/2 c. couscous, 1 c. moroccan veges
Snack: 3 c. popcorn, 1/2 c. banana daquiri (virgin), 1 poppyseed muffin
Dinner?: 1 white chocolate chip cookie, 1 italian soda

Kind of a junk food afternoon, eh? Today was better though.

Breakfast: 1 egg. strawberries
Lunch: spinach/strawberry salad with almonds, 2 eggs
Snack: 2 squares dark chocolate, 1 nectarine
Dinner: 1 c. lentil/sweet potato salad, 2 pieces toast with a little peanut butter

Today's reason to lose weight: I look forward to feeling confident when I swim at the lake this summer.

23 weeks....

199 this morning--I have FINALLY broken the 200 barrier. It has been about 10 years since I've been in this territory. I should feel good about it, I think. I walked and did my strength training exercises today. Spent the day outside at the beach and at park day. It feels like summer....

Breakfast: 2 whole wheat pancakes with strawberries
Lunch: 1 bagel, handful of pretzels, 1 c. yogurt, 1 apple
Snack: 1 nectarine, 1 c. cracker mix, 1 biscotti
Dinner at Shanghai 1930 with Jossey Bass: 1 lettuce cup appetizer, 1 oz. short ribs, 2/3 c. rice, 1/3 c. each green beans, chicken stir fry, tofu stir fry, 1 small pork bun, 1 bite dessert, watermelon and honeydew pieces (1/2 c?), 1 mojito, 2 small servings wine

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel freer in my body. I think less about my body in some ways--less self conscious about my appearance, which I think allows the good things about me to shine through!

Sunday night (actually Monday morning)

This is the second night in a row that I am going to bed so late. I got a walk in both yesterday and today and ate well yesterday, though I will not report that.

Breakfast: 2 whole wheat pancakes, strawberries
Lunch: 1 nectarine, 1/2 cuban beef sandwich at the Atlas, 1 ginger cookie, 1 ginger lemonade
Dinner: 1/2 c. couscous, 1 c. morrocan veges, 1/2 c. ice cream, 1 piece toffee

Today's reason to lose weight: I'd like to have my body in good shape!

Friday, finally!

We got in so late last night that I neglected yesterday's blogging. It was a fine day though. I started my new resistance training (and, incidentally, I can feel it today). My eating was fine, too.

Today, I went for a fairly substantial walk, had tea with Maria, and then came home to stuff envelopes for ReImagine. I got part way through folding them and realized that the addresses were cut off the majority of the reciepts, so I went to change them. Now, I don't know what happened, but they got really messed up and I had to start all over again. I spent 5 frustrating hours trying to fix the reciept layout and eventually create a brand new one. I finally got them all printed and folded about 2/3 of them. Yuck! It made for a fairly frustrating day. I thought I was going to buy all kinds of rich treats when I went to pick up pizza, but I was able to get through the store with nothing but a diet coke. Whew!

Breakfast: caramel roll, 10 cherries
Lunch: 10 cherries, 1 egg, 12 almonds, 8 crackers with cheese
Dinner: 2 slices pizza, 3 c. popcorn, 1/2 c. ice cream

Today's reason to lose weight: I do not want to be limited by my lack of discipline in this area.

Wednesday

Today was a beautiful day. I took a good walk and took Hailey out to get some clothing she needed. While out, I decided to pick up some bands for strength training. I need to add some muscle toning to my workout and switch things up a bit to get those scales moving again. I also talked to a friend who has done quite a bit of training and is also a nurse about the best way to use them and get off this plateau I've been on. So, I feel encouraged to keep on this journey.

Breakfast: 1 c. yogurt, 1/2 c. black berries, 1 french roll
Lunch: 1/2 c. couscous, 1 c. moroccan veges, 5 slices dried mango, 1 macaroon, package of spice drops
Snack: 1 french roll
Dinner: 3/4 c. rice, 1 c. vege curry, 4 slices mango, 1 bite chocolate cake, 1 glass white wine

Today's reason to lose weight: I am reminded of how far I have come today, both while I was shopping and then while asking my friend's advice for strength training.

Tuesday

My walk was a bit wimpy today.

Breakfast: 3/4 c. yogurt, blackberries, 1/3 c. granola
Lunch: 1 c. morrocan veges, 1/2 c. couscous, 5 strawberries, 1/2 c. pasta with veges, 1 piece chocolate cake, 1 piece baclava
Dinner: 1/3 lamb shawerma, 1 falafel, hummus, 1 french roll

Today's reason to lose weight: I'd really like to be down about 10 pounds by my family reunion!

22 weeks!

I weighed in at 200 today! I would like to keep seeing those scales inch on down. I did my walk today and was better most of the day, though I am very tired tonight.

Breakfast: 1/2 english muffin, 1 egg, 1/4 c. mushrooms, 8 strawberries
Lunch: 9 crackers, 3 T baba ganouj, 8 carrots, 5 slices dried mango, 1 c. popcorn
Snack: 1 brownie, 1 cookie (park day), 1 apple
Dinner: 1 french roll, 1 turkey burger, 2 T. baba ganouj, onions, mushrooms, 2/3 c. coleslaw
Snack: 3 pieces dried mango

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to live more simply by living more healthily.

Sunday

I did not walk today. I've spent yesterday and today pretty under the weather.

Breakfast: 1 c. yogurt, blackberries, 1/3 c. granola
Lunch: 8 crackers, baba ganouj, blackberries, 1 peppermint patty
Dinner: 1 banana, large bowl popcorn

Somewhat funny eating today. I did not feel up to cooking.

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel attractive when I care for my body.

Friday

A gentle walk today as I am feeling pretty under the weather. I hope I don't get it as badly as Mark!

Breakfast: 1 bagel, 6 strawberries, 1 cookie
Lunch: 8 crackers, cheese
Snack: 1 banana, 3 pieces dried mango, 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola
Dinner: 6 pieces polenta squares, 1 hot toddy, 3 pieces bruschetta, 1 cookie, 1 pot-de-creme, 1 mojito, 1/2c. pasta vege salad. (we were doing happy hour, gallery hopping, dessert at the Prince's)

Today's reason to lose weight: I looked in a full length mirror and was reminded that I have made lots of progress and hope to continue.

Moving in!

I spent the day moving into my new craft room. You can check it out on my other blog: www.farmgirlcreates.blogspot.com in the next day or two. It makes me very happy : ).

I got in my walk today.

Breakfast: 1 egg, mushrooms, 1 T. pancetta
Lunch: 1/2 c. gnocchi, large green salad, 3 c. popcorn
Snack: box of milk duds
Dinner: 1 slice vege frittata, veges and dip, 6 crackers with cheese, 2 cookies, 1 piece chocolate

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to enjoy order in all aspects of my life.

I'm here, really....

So, I am weighing 201 right now and it's been nearly a week since I posted. It's been a mix of being gone, being sick, being busy, being tired, remodeling and struggling with this whole journey. It's not that I don't want to continue, but it has been hard for me for some reason. Maybe I need to switch things up or maybe I just need to quiet my schedule....

Breakfast: 2 small pancakes, strawberries, syrup
Lunch: 1/2 bagel, 1/2 c. yogurt, 1 apple, 1 piece carrot cake, 1 small brownie, 6 tortilla chips, guacamole
Snack: 2 squares dark chocolate
Dinner: 1/2 slice bread, 1 c. pasta salad with veges and cheese.

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to remember all the wonderful things that have come from this journey so far and respect that this journey produces good things for me.

Those scales are moving!

So, I'm not going to report a number today, because it is not the day to do so, but let's just say that my scale FINALLY moved again in the proper direction--highly encouraging and much needed. I wasn't feeling so good this morning, but I went for my walk anyway, and I did write it all down today.

Breakfast: 1 piece rhubarb crisp
Lunch: 2 homemade taco shells, 3 oz. taco meat, 1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese, lettuce, 1 c. cucmber salad, 8 cherries
Snack: 1 piece rhubarb crisp, 1 banana
Dinner: 1 c. carmelized onion pasta, large salad

Okay, so rhubarb crisp is stretching it a little, but I make it once a year and it is gone now.

Today's reason to lose weight: I am going to cross that 200 mark VERY soon!

Sunny Tuesday!

We had beautiful weather today and I had a nice walk. The kids were at nature studies and I got a much needed day of quiet. I'm trying to really nurture myself right now, as I feel a bit challenged the last couple of weeks.

Breakfast: 2/3 c. oatmeal, 1/2 c. milk, 2 T raisins
Snack: 1 banana
Lunch: Large green salad, 1 flatbread, 2 oz. chicken
Dinner: 3 oz. beef, 1/2 c. roasted potatoes, 1 c. cucumber/mango/ avocado salad, 1/2 c. fava bean salad, 1 piece rhubarb crisp, 1/4 c. ice cream

All in all a good day.

Today's reason to lose weight: I saw a friend today that I hadn't seen for nearly two years. She noticed my weight loss and I was reminded of my progress and that encourages me to continue this journey.

20 Weeks!

So, twenty weeks is a long time and I am still trying to plug away here. I am weighing 202 as of two days ago (I miscalculated and started my period today so I'm very bloated right now--yuck!). I had a better day today--alot less discretionary or mindless eating and I wrote everything down. Not the perfect menu, but better--especially considering that I didn't feel so good today.

Breakfast: 2/3 c. granola, 1/2 c. milk, 1 c. fruit salad
Lunch:14 mini rice crackers, 1 oz. goat cheese, 10 cherries
Snack: 6 triscuits, 1 banana, 3 pieces candy (small ones)
Dinner: 2 tortillas, 3 oz. beef/turkey taco meat, 1/ 2 c. cheese, salsa, lettuce, 12 oz coke

Today's reason to lose weight: I am really desiring a good rhythm for life. Somehow the process of watching what I am eating and caring for my body promotes a better rhythm in the other parts of my life.

Sunday night

So, I missed yesterday. We went to the Makers Faire and I came home with a migraine, so did not blog. The fair was fabulous--full of technology and craft do-it-yourselfers. I hope to return next year!

Today was full--I walked to the top of Bernal Hill and down. I'd have to say it was much easier than it used to be. It's encouraging to see some results as I haven't felt very "on task" with the weight loss lately. I need to slow down and carve out some time to take care of myself this week. I think that would be really helpful to me....

Breakfast: 2 pieces raspberry bread
Lunch: 8 cherries, 1 c. fruit salad, 14 chips and guacamole, 4 crackers with goat cheese, 4 pita chips and hummus, 1 cupcake, black beans and cheese
Dinner: 4 squares pizza, cucumbers and carrots.

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel like attending to this issue results in discipline and focus in the rest of my life.

TGIF

So, I am very tired, but attempting to keep this up, so I'll be quick tonight. I got my walk in and did some paddle boating today (more of a workout than I remembered).

Breakfast: 1 c. cheerios, milk, 1/2 c. OJ
Lunch(G.S. potluck): 4 asparagus stalks, 1/2 c. pasta, 1 cookie, 8 mushrooms, guacamole, 8 tortilla chips ,1 quadratini, 1/2 bun stuffed with cabbage
Snack: granola bar, tea, 1 slice raspberry bread
Dinner (art show): 2 chicken croquettes, 2/3 c. trail mix, 8 crackers with cheese, 1 quiche square (1 1/2") 1 falafel

Today's reason to lose weight: I really like my new body and want to continue to make progress.

The lowdown for the day...

I got a walk in this morning.

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 crumpet, 5 strawberries
Lunch: 1/2 c, homefries, 1/2 c. mushrooms, 1 egg, 1/2c. OJ
Snack: 1 c. cheerios, 1/2 c. milk, 1 banana, 5 slices dried mango, 2 caramels
Dinner: 2 slices pizza, 3 c. popcorn, 1 glass sparkling lemonade
Snack: small chocolate

Today's reason to lose weight: Well, I will feel better soon and then I won't want to have lost ground. (I feel somewhat sick today).

It's not easy....

So friends, I am having a difficult time keeping my mojo for this weight loss journey right now. I feel unmotivated and am really struggling to keep to my eating plan the last few days. Not that I've blown it out of the water, but it's not been easy for me lately. I'm not sure if I'm coming down with something or having heavy duty PMS this week or what. I don't want to give up, though. So, I wanted to share where I'm at. It seems that I am tempted to not share and that begins my undoing, so I will endeavor to stay transparent and honest.

I did walk yesterday and I'll try to recall yesterday's food. (Another note: I need to resume writing things down as I eat them)

Breakfast: 1 bagel with butter, 1 banana
Lunch: 1 slice bread with peanut butter and jelly, 8 strawberries, 1 c. gnocchi with tomato sauce and arugala
Snack: 5 slices dried mango, 1 scharfenberger bar
Dinner: 1 slice vege lasagna, salad, 2 squares (about 2") zucchini quiche, 3 pieces bread, 1 chocolate chip cookie
Snack: 1 handmade soda (12 oz)

So, I am not gaining weight, but I am having too many indiscretions to be losing any right now. Perhaps I need to be devoting more time to planning my food intake as well. Thanks, friends, for journeying with me.

Today's reason to lose weight: I have come too far on this journey to turn back now.

Look out, world!

Boy, do I feel cranky today! I managed to make it through the day without making anyone else pay for my crankiness, though. I made myself go for a walk and tried to take it easy and probably ate too much.

Breakfast: 1 c. pima milk blended with strawberries and rasberries for a smoothie, 1 mini scone
Lunch: 1 egg, 1 crumpet, 5 strawberries, 1 square chocolate
Snack: 8 slices dried mango, 1 box milk duds, 14 tortilla chips
Dinner: 1 c. gnocchi with tomato and arugala, 6 asparagus spears

Today's reason to lose weight: This is a battle worth fighting. I am better when I am not controlled by food.

19 Weeks!

I declined weighing today, as I am bloated and expecting my period. I did manage to get my walk in this morning. Oh, and I did not blog yesterday (obviously), giving myself the day off for Mother's Day.

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1/2 c. potatoes
Snack: 4 mini ginger snaps, 1 apple
Lunch: 3 flatbread crackers with 1 oz. goat cheese, 1 banana, broccoli and hummus
Snack: handful of rice crackers, 1/2 piece pumpkin bread, 3 T. nuts
Dinner: 5 strawberries, large salad with cucumbers and radishes, 1 c. wild rice soup

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel better when I live, eat and spend intentionally.

Saturday update!

Tonight was Mark's book party--it was so much fun to see all the circles of our life overlapping! I got my walk in today, am having some PMS mood swings and am looking forward to Mother's day tomorrow.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/2 c. granola,
Lunch: 1 donut hole, 1/2 c. berries, 1 piece bread, 1 piece cheese, salami, 1 quadratini
Snack: 15 rice crakers, 1 oz goat cheese, 1 glass wine
Dinner: (at the book party) 6 slices baguette. 4 crackers, hummus, tomato spread, 5 pieces cucumber, 4 cookies, 1 glass wine, 2 T. almonds, (I think that is all, but I am not certain)

I should probably not graze. It's really hard to know where I am at with things.

Today's reason to lose weight: I like to see how some places on my body are beginning to feel firm and smaller. I'd like to expand that : ).

Update for Friday...

Due to a late night and wine with friends, Ryan and Holly, I did not get to reporting yesterday. So, here I am. I had a good walk in the morning and decided to go an extra block uphill, just to remind myself that I am serious about this health stuff!

Breakfast: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/2 c. granola, 8 strawberries
Lunch: 6 strawberries (what can I say? they are in season and so juicy sweet!), 2 pieces corn bread, 8 carrots
Snack: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1 c. granola
Dinner: 12 oz. rootbeer, 2 slices pizza, 1 piece birthday cake, 1 scoop ice cream (maybe 1/2 c.)
Dessert: 2 glasses wine, 2 squares chocolate

Today's reason to lose weight: I am wanting to live in a way where I think ahead and do the things that I want to do. I guess losing weight would be one way that I do that.

Slower days...

I've had a nice rhythm the last few days--getting lots done at home during the day and quiet nights--nice and slow. I got my walk in today and also ended up walking about that much more just getting places today.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/2 c. granola, 4 strawberries
Lunch: 1 C. Pasta, 1/4 c. mushrooms, 1/2 c. brussel sprouts, pasta sauce
Snack: 1 egg, 8 strawberries
Dinner: 1 c. chicken noodle soup, 1 1/2 pieces cornbread

Today's reason to lose weight: Following through with losing weight will show me that I can accomplish what I dream.

I'm still here....

Hello, friends. I've missed a couple of days due to being out of town and friends staying in our room a couple of days before that. Monday, which was 18 weeks, I weighed in at 202. Today, I got a good walk before going to pick up the kids from their camp out.

Breakfast: 1 crepe, strawberries
Lunch: 1 granola bar, 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/2 c. granola, apple
Snack: 30 mini rice crakers
Dinner: 2 slices baguette, 1 c. barley and bean soup, 1/2 pancake

Too many carbs today, not enough veges.

Today's reason to lose weight: I want my life to be sustainable in all respects.

Beautiful day!

So, I sent out the newsletter this morning and then Mark gave me the day off to refresh myself. Believe it or not, I wound up clothes shopping and enjoying it. I think it is the first time I've been able to go to the thrift store and find things that fit me and that I like there. I wound up with 2 pairs of pants (much needed) and 2 shirts by the time the day was over. I can now shop in the misses section of the store, so I have many more options. I am experimenting a bit with my style, too, as I go trying to get away from the default jeans and tshirt in favor of some things that add a bit more femininity and color. So, it turned out to be a pretty fun day.

Breakfast: 1 scone, strawberries, kiwi
Lunch: 2/3 tamale
Snack: 4 strawberries, 2 small kiwi, 1 square chocolate
Dinner: 1c. rice, stroganoff sauce, large salad with dressing, 2 pieces bread with hummus, small slice pizza
Dessert: 1 slice tollhouse pie with 1/4 c. ice cream

Today's reason to lose weight: It is fun to be able to shop at the thrift store for my clothes.

Friday night!

Whew! I made it through the day pretty well--no binges despite feeling pretty exhausted. I did get quite a bit of walking in today. Walked to the lower Haight and back and got to see an artist whose blog I watch a bit.

Breakfast: 1 scone
Lunch: 35 mini rice crackers, 2 oz. cheese, 6 strawberries, 2 chocolate covered cookies
Dinner: 1/2 falafel shawerma, small glass rose wine, 7 crunchy fava beans, 1 cookie, 2 mochi balls, 1 glass juice squeeze, 1/2 single serving BiRite ice cream

And I'm off to take this tired body to bed!

Today's reason to lose weight: I am hoping to sew myself some very fun skirts soon!

Still catching up!

This is for yesterday. I got my walk in yesterday. Today I am exhausted and trying to figure out how I will get some rest. We have guests from Brazil coming and I need to clean the house, which is disheveled because we're in the midst of finishing the remodeling on the back end of the house. I also have Girl Scouts today. Mostly, I need a day off without having anything that needs to be done. I guess that will come one day this weekend. So, it's Friday and I'm hanging in there.

Breakfast: 1 slice toast, 1egg, 1banana
Lunch: 2 eggs with mushrooms and cheese, 1/2 c. homefries, 1/2 slice banana bread
Snack: banana
Dinner: 10 crackers, 2 oz. cheese, carrots and hummus, strawberries, 2 macaroons, chocolate covered raisins (we were gallery hopping)
Dessert: 1 square of chocolate

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to get through this tired day well, without eating because I am tired.

For Wednesday...

I was out late last night, so here's my info for yesterday...

Got my walk done in two parts yesterday.

Breakfast: 1 bagel
Lunch: kefir smoothie (3/4 c. kefir with 1/2 c. frozen berries), 20 mini rice crackers, 1 oz goat cheese
Snack: 1 chocolate chip cookie
Dinner: 4 strawberries, small romaine salad, 1 c. lentil and rice soup
Dessert: 1/2 c. ice cream

Today's reason to lose weight: I am very close to breaking 200, which will be a real milestone for me. For some reason, it is a significant number for me.

Plugging away....

I managed a good walk today and, despite a very busy week, managed to take the day in bite sized pieces and not stress out. Whew!

Breakfast: 1/2 grapefruit, 1/2 bagel
Lunch: 1/2 pita, 1/2 c. chicken curry, 1 apple, 2T nuts, 1/2 c. pea crisps
Snack: 1/2 muffin
Dinner: 2 oz. chicken, 3/4 c. potato salad, carrots, broccoli, dip
Snack: 1 square of chocolate

Today's reason to lose weight: I am seeing efficiency and proactivity creeping into the rest of my life AND my pants are currently falling down!

Seventeen weeks and I'm still here....

I got in a good walk before the electrician arrived to work on the back of our house. I weighed in and was a little disappointed to still be 203--I really thought it had dropped earlier in the week. Oh, well. On I go....This will be the first month I don't make my goal, but I really didn't know what to expect with vacation half the month. We'll just plan for good things in May.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. kefir, 1/2 c strawberries, 1/2 bagel
Lunch: 1/2 pita, 1/2 c. curried chicken, 1 apple, 8 carrots
Snack: 1 chocolate chip cookie, 1/4 c. GORP, strawberry, orange
Dinner: 2 oz. chicken, 1/2 c. pasta, 1/2 c. squash, 1/2 c. ice cream

Today's reason to lose weight: Just because I want to : ).

Sunday....

So, I managed to walk today and eat pretty well.

Breakfast: 1/2 bagel, cream cheese, 1/2 grapefruit, 1 latte
Lunch: 1/2 pita with 1/2 c. curried chicken, 8 carrots, 1 apple
Snack: 1 apple
Dinner: 2 taquitos, 10 tortilla chips, 1/4 c. gorp, 1/2 c. pasta with sundried tomatoes and mushrooms, 1/2 peanut butter cookie

So, the dinner looks a little funny....Mark spoke and we were offered the first three things. I had the pasta when we got home. One more sign of success today--I put in my jean skirt and somehow it is now so long that it touches the top of my feet--I guess I don't take up the width anymore. Mark and Hailey voted it into the Salvation Army bag.

Today's reason to lose weight: I am enjoying having increased energy. There are so many things that I want to do!

For yesterday...

No walk as I took the day off for this week.

Breakfast: 1/2 english muffin, 1 egg
Lunch: 1/4 c. nuts, 1/2 pita, 1/2 c. curried chicken salad, veges and hummus, 12 oz sparkling lemonade, 1/4 slice birthday cake
Snack: 1/2 c. GORP
Dinner: 1/2 pita, 1/2 c. curried chicken salad, 12 oz sparkling lemonade
Snack: 2 c. popcorn

So, better quantities of food today, but I still need to be mindful of the catagories of food I am consuming--where are the veges and fruits? I am not feeling very grounded in this process right now. I think I need to remind myself of the significant progress I have made. I need to remember that change happens in pound size increments and that those do add up. A few friends have commented that I have lost weight quickly. I guess in retrospect it hasn't been so long, but the present struggle with these few pounds always feels like lots of hard work that takes a very long time. It is a good process, but my emotions and mind often need some time to catch up with my body. All part of the journey, I guess.

Today's reason to lose weight: Mark found a pair of pants today and brought them home. They are a size 14. I told him, "These won't fit for quite a while." He urged me to try them on. Lo and behold, they are a bit snug, but I can easily button and zip them. They should be fine in 5 pounds or so. Who knew? That's encouraging to me.

Friday....

I had a good walk this morning, but I'm not even sure what to say about the rest of the day. After we got home from Friends of the Trees, I went crazy with the eating. It's the kind of day I'd prefer not to blog. But I'll try to remember what I ate and be as honest as possible. If I start failing to report when it doesn't go well, that will be the beginning of the end for me. So, for the sake of honesty, here goes....

Breakfast: 1 scone
Lunch: 1 c. strawberries, 1 1/2 slices of bread made into peanut butter and jelly sandwich, 1 apple
Snack: 1 scone, 1 bar chocolate, 1 c (?) ice cream
Dinner: 2 oz. chicken, 1/2 c. squash, 1/2 c. pasta
Nibbles of birthday cake and frosting

I can't remember eating anything else, but I can't guarantee that that is everything : (. I sure don't like how I feel after I've been out of control with my eating. It's not like I was hungry or needed that quantity of sweets for a snack....

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel capable of tackling other things after having success with my eating--like remodeling the bathroom and back room of our house this summer.

Thursday's info...

I got a good one hour walk in today.

Breakfast: 1 greek cookie, 1 c. strawberries
Lunch: 1 piece bread, 1 egg, strawberries
Snack: Strawberries, dried apricots, 2 greek cookies
Dinner: 1 aranciata, 1 c. goldfish, 5 pieces bruschetta with cheese, 1 pressed sandwich cheese and proscuitto sandwich from Tartine, 1/4 c. lavendar honey ice cream from BiRite Creamery

Today's reason to lose weight: My body is beginning to feel really good to me--I have more energy, I can run, I have more stamina. I feel like I am getting in good shape.

Wednesday

I got my walk in this morning....

Breakfast: 1 bagel, 1 banana
Lunch: 1 c. pozole with a few crushed chips, 1/3 c. fruit and nut mix
Snack: granola bar, 1 c. cereal with milk
Dinner: 1/2 c. pozole, bean, cheese, and spinach quesedilla
Dessert: chocolate bar

Today's reason to lose weight: I was thinking about my 50 pound bags of wheat that I grind into flour, which are quite heavy. At my highest weight, it was as if I was carrying two of those around all the time. I have now set one down and very slowly, the grains are beginning to leak out of the other!

Tuesday

Had a few things come up today, so my walk wasn't quite what I usually like it to be...

Breakfast: 1/2 c. oatmeal, 1/2 c. berries, milk, 2 T almonds
Lunch: 1/2 c. rice, ginger garlic veges, 1 banana, 2 T dried fruit and nuts
Snack: 6 bites carrot cake, lemonade
Dinner: 1 c. vegetarian pozole, 10 tortilla chips
Snack: 1/2 piece naan dipped in tikka masala sauce

Today's reason to lose weight: I spent part of the day today with a friend whose health is really compromised because of excess weight. I do not want to be experiencing terrible health problems in 15 years because I did not take care of myself.

16 Weeks!

I missed posting yesterday. Mark was speaking in Santa Cruz and we rolled back in at midnight. I did write down my eating and did okay, but I have a headache right now and don't want to post yesterday's info, so I will stick with today.....

I weighed in at 203 today--progress again! I'm not sure if I'll make goal this month, but I am going to come as close as I can.

Breakfast: 1/2 english muffin, 1 egg, 5 strawberries
Snack: 6 dried apricots
Lunch: 5 slices baguette, 1 oz. cream cheese, 8 carrots 1 apple
Snack: 2 c. popcorn, 1 slice zucchini bread, 1 newman-o, 1 pirouette wafer cookie, 6 dried apricots
Dinner: 1 crumpet, chinese chicken salad
Dessert: small slice of cake for Mick's bday

I got my walk in this morning.

Today's reason to lose weight: A friend noticed my progress today at park day and that was fun for me.

Live culture making class today

I enjoyed a live culture dairy products class today where we learned to make pima, yogurt, creme fraiche, kefir and quark. The samples were all made with raw milk and I cannot tell you how wonderful everything tasted. I wonder how much raw milk costs....On my way to the class I did a brisk hike up and over Bernal Hill (good job, me).

Breakfast: 1 c. yogurt, 1/4 c. granola
Lunch: 1 cliff bar, samples of cheese, yogurt and other dairy products at class, asparagus, strawberries (3), 5 crackers, 10 almonds
Dinner: 1 piece frittata, 1 crumpet
Snack: handful goldfish crackers, 1/2 c. ice cream

Today's reason to lose weight: The healthier I become, the more energy I have for the endless possibilities that are in front of me!

Home at last!

Mark and I walked down to lake Tahoe this morning before our round of meetings. I was very energized by the roundtable and encouraged to begin to imagine how I might use my gifts to work out God's call in the next steps of my life.

Breakfast: 1 c. strawberries, 1 egg, 1 slice bacon
Lunch: Chicken friccasee, 1 piece foccacia, blackberry italian soda, 4 fries, 1/4 serving of creme brulee, an ounce of dessert wine
Dinner: 2 slices pizza, 4 c. popcorn

Today's reason to lose weight: I am excited about all the things that God is beginning to do in my life!

Log for Thursday....

Went for a walk on the snowy trail with Mark today.

Breakfast: 1 c. strawberries, 1 egg, 1 sausage, 1 cream cheese blintz
Lunch: Large green salad with balsamic vinegar, broccoli,raisin and bacon salad, 1 small slice pizza, 1 1/2" square pecan pie
Dinner: A few bites baked potato, 2/3 piece of prime rib (? oz.) salad, roll, butter, veges, 1 piece peach pie 1/2 c. ice cream, 1 glass chardonnay

Today's reason to lose weight: If I can learn to be honest with myself about this area of my life, perhaps I can face correction in other parts of my life, too. I've never been good at recieving correction without defensiveness.

Yesterday's Stats...

Mark and I are up near Tahoe for a work event. I just figured out that we have wireless, so I can update this blog. Here's yesterday....

Breakfast: 1 c. yogurt, 1/2 c. strawberries, 1 slice cinnamon bread
Lunch: 1 c. pad thai, 1 1/2 oz. beef curry
Dinner: Large green salad, 1 piece baguette, green beans, carrots, 1/2 c. tortellini, 4 oz. chicken with mushroom sauce,
apple cheesecake dessert, 1 glass chardonnay

So, mostly back on track today. I probably should've skipped dessert or just had a bite of Mark's. It was not worth the number of calories it probably had (for me, anyway). Live and learn.

Today's reason to lose weight: As I learn to live purposefully in this area of my life, I seem to feel empowered in many other areas of my life.

Today's vital statistics:

So, I enjoyed my walk today, back in my familiar neighborhood all by myself!

Breakfast: 1 c. nonfat yogurt, 1/4 c. granola, 1 banana
Snack: 6 dried apricots
Lunch: 1 lowfat chinese salad from Trader Joes, 1 piece cinnamon bread
Snack: 1 nonfat frozen yogurt scoop from Ben and Jerry's : )
Dinner: 1 c. pasta with sauce, broccoli coleslaw

HOME!

I am home after a terrific vacation in DC. I wound up gaining one pound on vacation (putting me at 205). I walked like crazy and I think I learned a few things about this process:

1. I am still dangerous around food when I am not very intentional about it! It was difficult to eat well on vacation and so easy to eat extra food and sweets. I tend to feel like I "deserve" certain things because I am tired or because I walked a long ways or because everyone else is having it.

2. I discovered that I really want to continue this process! I did not like the feeling, as vacation went along, that I was less and less in control of my desires for food. I would like to be in charge in that arena of my life. I think it might take concerted effort and intention for a very long time, but I really feel better emotionally, physically and mentally when I am disciplined in my eating, so I am back and ready to go!

There's still so much work to be done on this journey, but I am grateful to have the chance to be learning right now at this time!
So, I will check in tonight with my food log!

Today's reason to lose weight: This is really a good journey to be on!

Washington DC

We've arrived. The day started at 4:30 a.m. in order to pack food and get to Oakland for a 6:30 flight. We arrived DC at 5:00 and were greeted by Mike Stavlund who took us on the Metro to Matt and Dawn Luecke's house in DC. Matt and Dawn have already been the most gracious hosts and Mike is amazing, as well! I skipped my walk today, for obvious reasons, but I promise to make up for it tomorrow : ).

Not bad eating, either, for a travel day...

Breakfast:1 banana, 1 mini bagel with cream cheese
Lunch: 1 piece flatbread, 1/4 c. hummus, cucumbers, banana, cookie, 1 square chocolate, 1/2 slice pizza from a personal size pizza
Snack: 2 girl scout cookies, 8 carrots
Dinner: 1 1/2 c. chili, 14 tortilla chips, 1 slice cornbread, sprinkle of cheese, 1 T. sour cream

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to lose a little more so I can buy new jeans, these are beginning to get baggy, but not quite enough to replace them yet.

Leaving early tomorrow a.m. for DC....

and I am finally ready!

So, the eating was pretty wonky today as there is very little food in the house. I will try to carry on as best I can on vacation and blog whenever I can. I will write down my eating, though. Very little walking today--crazy getting ready to go.

Breakfast: 1/2 c oatmeal, 2 T raisins, 1 T almonds
Snack: 1 c. grapes
Lunch: 1 piece apple pie (I know : ), handful chocolate chips
Dinner: 2 pieces pizza, 1 c. grapes
Snack: 1/2 piece apple pie (before throwing the rest away!)

Like I said, weird eating today.

Today's reason to lose weight: I bet I'll be more comfortable on the airplane tomorrow!

13 weeks (for Monday)!

I weighed in at 204 today....inching my way to below the 200 mark. I got in a good walk, as well.

Breakfast: 2 pieces baguette french toast, 1 egg
Lunch: 2 tortilla, 1/4 c. cheese, 1 c. carrot soup
Snack: dried lychee, 1 cookie, 1 oz cheese
Dinner: Taco salad consisting of lots of greens, 10 tortilla chips, 2 oz. ground beef, sprinkle of cheese, 1/4 c. black beans, pepita salad dressing

Today's reason to lose weight: I can't wait to break the 200 mark!

Sunday....

Today I started the day with a walk and resolved to do better than yesterday--I can't lose my mojo! I have an April goal to meet!

Breakfast: 3/4 c. whole grain cooked cereal, 1/4 c. raspberries, 1 T almonds, 1/4 c. milk
Lunch: 8 chips, 1 piece potato rosemary bread with 1 oz blue cheese, 8 carrots, 1 banana
Snack: 1 chocolate chip cookie, 1 banana
Dinner: 3/4 c. carrot soup, large garden salad, 1/2 c. rice, 1 small cinnamon roll, 1 lemon bar

I could do with less sweets today, but much better than yesterday. I keep pressing on! We'll see what the weigh in brings tomorrow. I think I am making progress in that I am not weighing daily anymore. I think that is a good thing. I am wondering if I should also take some measurements to watch progress that way, too.

Today's reason to lose weight: I am not done with this journey yet. I have much more to learn!

Saturday

So, I am behind and will catch up. Yesterday was awful, food wise. Not sure why I went so over the top. I am tempted not to even record it, but I will for the sake of being honest with myself.

Breakfast: 2 slices toasted baguette, 1 egg
Lunch: 1 piece vege lasagna, 3 chocolate chip cookies, 8 hershey's kisses (I ate very late--not good for me)
Dinner (at silent auction--once again hard to deal with tables full of food): 1/2 c. beets, 1/2 c. orzo salad, 1/2 c. vege pasta, 5 pieces baguette with artichoke spread, 1 slice apple pie, 1 ginger cookie, 1 glass rose wine, 1 chocolate with peanuts

And that is what I can remember. Not good. So, what do I learn? Eat lunch at a regular time. Stay away from sugary things. Perhaps sweets should just be off limits in buffet settings. I should save them for times when they are more controlled.

Friday....

We took some time today to relax in the sun down at Huddart Park with some friends...very nice after a busy week.

Breakfast: 2 slices toast, 1 egg
Lunch: 4 slices baguette, 1 1/2 pieces string cheese, 2 tangerine, carrots, 4 walnuts
Snack: tangerine
Dinner: 1 piece lasagna, 8 c. popcorn (my estimate--popcorn and a movie)

Today's reason to lose weight: I enjoy hiking more when I weigh less.

God is good....

So, can I just tell you how thankful I am today?
-for my boys playing cello and violin together WITH good timing today : ) (it was beautiful!)
-for oodles of homeschool curriculum and magazines offered to us by an older homeschool family--wonderful stuff!
-for a pan of lasagna and bread and soup Mark brought home from his speaking gig to us!
-for the end of a busy week and looking forward to a day in the woods with the kids tomorrow!

I took my walk this morning and did some more getting ready for our trip to Washington DC.

Breakfast: 1 pancake, 1 string cheese
Lunch: 2 tortilla, 1 1/2 oz beef, 1 egg, red peppers, spinach, 1 banana
Snack: 1 banana, 1 c. grapes
Dinner: 3 slices of pizza, carrots
Snack: 1/2 c. ice cream with strawberries, 2 squares chocolate

Today's reason to lose weight: This may sound funny, but I don't have BO as bad by the end of the day. (I can't believe I just said that, but it is true!)

Wild Wednesday Over!

The day is done and was fairly successful. Wednesdays are great, just busy. I really enjoy teaching writing class and the rest of the elements in the day. It was just a stretch for me to also teach the prayer learning lab, but that is done now and I think it went alright, though I don't feel overly confident leading adults.

So, on a different note, I stepped on the scale this morning after all the period bloat and I have reached my March goal! I am 205 right now. I am so excited to break the 200 barrier. It doesn't seem so out of reach anymore : ).

Breakfast: 1 bagel, 1 string cheese
Lunch: 1 corn tortilla, 1 1/2 oz. beef, salsa, tomato, carrots, red pepper, spinach dip
Snack: 1/2 grapefruit, 1/2 dk. chocolate candy bar.
Dinner: French roll with chicken, pesto, avocado, sprouts and cucumber

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel like the disciplines that I am learning losing weight are carrying over into the rest of my life and I am a happier person because of them.

A day of gratitude....

So, I decided that today would be the day that I especially try to practice gratitude this week--notice the beauty and goodness of God around me today and give thanks. So, I walk out the door and run into a neighborhood prostitute named Deanna. I've known her for a couple of years and we always chat about the weather and my kids. So we exchanged pleasantries and then she said, "You are gettin' skinny and you look beautiful. After those three kids, and now you look gorgeous!" I thought how ironic that I was going to notice and give gratitude and this was the first thing in my face. I smiled the whole walk thinking about it.

So, I am also grateful to report that I found two shirts for the trip to DC. They fit, they feel feminine, they look great on my and one of them came from the "misses" section rather than the "women's" section. It feels great!

So, the details of my day...I took a nice walk today.

Breakfast: 2 pancakes, 1 banana
Snack: 1 piece string cheese
Lunch: 1 egg, spinach, onion, 1 1/2 oz beef, 1 slice avacado, tomato slice
Dinner at Pakwan: 1/2 c. rice, 1/2 naan, 1/2 samosa, 1/2 c. chicken tikka masala, 1 1/2 oz tandoori beef, spinach and potatoes, 1 mango lassi

Today's reason to lose weight: Because it is my choice whether I continue down this road to greater health or not. I like the health that is coming!

Twelve weeks! WooHoo!

So, today was full of cramps and bloating--lovely, eh? However, it was a good day. I was able to remind myself that bloating and discomfort does not equal an excuse to eat whatever I like and therefore gorge myself. I reminded myself all day that I FEEL crappy today, but that doesn't necessarily reflect how well I am really doing. Most of my yuckiness should pass by tomorrow. So, I am happy with my success at getting through the day without giving in to my more negative feelings. I even did the longer version of my walk just to communicate to myself that I really am serious about taking care of myself, no matter what my feelings tell me. (Go me!)

Breakfast: 1/2 c. oatmeal, 2 T. raisins, 1 T almonds
Lunch: 1 c. pasta salad with beans, asparagus, tomatoes, 1 banana,
Snack; 8 almonds, 2 T chocolate chips, 1 french roll
Dinner: 3 oz. beef, 1/2 c. potatos, brussels sprout
Snack: 1 cookie, 1 handful gorp

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to learn to live more in harmony with the truth about my life, myself and the way God made things to work.

Sunday night

Breakfast: 1 pancake, 1/4 c. raspberries
Lunch: cabbage, carrots, 1 egg.
Snack: 10 rice crackers, 1/8 c. chocolate chips
Dinner: 1 1/2 c. pasta salad with cannelini beans, asparagus and tomatoes
Snack: handful of Hailey's gorp

This week I think I need to be religious about measuring things. I wonder if I am beginning to get a little lax with it. And it is so easy to fool myself with a pinch of this and a handful of that. I think that I will try to measure and record very intentionally this week, so as to keep this thing going!

I had a nice, full walk today.

Today's reason to lose weight: I told my mom about my weight loss process and now I really want to follow through so that she can see the difference when she next sees me. (Not sure if that's a great reason, but there it is!)

The weekend....

I took my day off the walk this morning. I'll keep it short and sweet tonight...

Breakfast: 1 pancake, 1 banana
Lunch: 1 soft pretzel, 1 tofurkey sausage
Snack: 1/4 c. dried berries, 2 T peanuts, small piece chocolate cake
Dinner: 2 slices pizza, carrots, broccoli, 1 T dip, 4 c. popcorn

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to learn the things that this process is teaching me.

TGIF!

We had a bonfire in honor of Hailey's birthday with a few of her friends in Glen Canyon tonight. It was great fun and it was a great bunch of kids! Beautiful day today....I enjoyed a good brisk walk this morning.

Breakfast: 2 slices baguette, 1 egg, 1/2 grapefruit
Lunch: 1 apple, 2 oz goat cheese, 10 rice crackers
Snack: 6 almonds, a chocolate and a bite of cake
Dinner: 1 sausage, 1 bun, garbanzo bean salad (1/2 c.), about 12 chips with guacamole, 1/2 cucumber, 12 oz. lemonade, 1 slice of birthday cake.

Today's reason to lose weight: I feel like I am much more fit and able to walk/hike.

Keeping on....

I had a nice talk with Mark tonight about my progress in this journey toward health and weight loss on a date tonight. His words were very encouraging to me and renewed my desire to see this thing through to the end. I feel like this is good for our marriage, but in a deeper way than me just being more physically attractive. Oh, that's nice, but I think that there is something deeper happening. I can't quite put my finger on it, but I think that it is many things. I think that some of the things that I am developing as I am on this journey are bringing out the best in me. I want to keep doing that.

Breakfast: 1 c. yogurt, 1/4 c. raspberries, 1 slice oatmeal bread
Lunch: 2 slices oatmeal bread, 1 egg, 1 banana
Snack: a handful of gorp (peanuts, chocolate, raisins, cranberries)
Dinner: 3 pieces bruschetta with goat cheese and tomato, 1 c. pasta salad with veges and capers, 2 aranciata, 1 biscotti

Oh, and I went for a walk today.

Today's reason to lose weight: Whatever this is doing for our marriage, I'd like to continue! We are very much in love!

Back in the saddle again...

The nice week continued today. In a funny sort of way, I think yesterday's binge turned out to be sort of a good thing. This is what I mean--in the past, I binge, I feel horrible about myself and I tell myself that I'm not capable of anything better. Yesterday was different. After I "snapped out of it", I thought, "Wow. I don't really like that. It sure wasn't very satisfying. I think I'll get back to what I'm about right now." And I did. Not that I'm so confident I could never go back, but I also learned I can screw up and pick it up and keep on going.

Today, I had a nice walk with Chris. We had no writing/spanish/Shakespeare today, so we just did some normal school work, went to Isaiah's violin lesson and then Mark took the kids to soccer! It was a pretty chill Wednesday and it gave me time to prep for the Prayer Learning Lab that Adam and I led tonight. Aaaaah! What a nice day!

Breakfast: 1 banana, 1 tortilla, 1 scrambled egg, salsa
Snack: 1 banana, 15 flat pretzels
Lunch: cabbage, carrots, 1/2 c. black beans, 1 apple
Snack: 1 slice bread, 1 T peanut butter, dried cranberries, 1/2 c. juice
Dinner: 2 c. vegetarian chili, sprinkle of cheese, 1 1/2 corn muffins
Treat: 1 carrot minimuffin

Today's reason to lose weight: I am very close to being out of the "obese" range on the BMI chart. Pretty soon I'll be merely "overweight". (I know it sounds funny, but really, I will feel good about that!)

A relaxing Tuesday

I spent much of the day with friends today. Mark is out of town and the kids were at Nature Studies, so I felt very much at leisure. I got my walk in with Holly.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. oatmeal, 1/4 c. milk, 1 T dried cranberries
Lunch: 1 bagel, 2 c. vegetable bisque soup, 1 square chocolate
Snack: 1 banana and countless (really I don't know) Girl Scout Thin Mints, 2 squares chocolate, 2 chocolate truffles
Dinner: 2 slices pizza, broccoli, carrots and dip.

Not sure what to make of that afternoon sugar binge! This is not what I want to do!

Today's reason to lose weight: I really like my new body, the feelings that my new habits generate in me and I don't like the way I feel in any sense after an afternoon binge!

Eleven Weeks and a surprise!

So, today I weighed in at 206! I was sure that I would've stayed the same this week after some very sloppy eating. (Not that I want to repeat that!) I had an extra bit of a walk today, taking the hill from Dolores Park up and over to 24th St. That got my heart pumping!

Breakfast: 1 egg, swiss chard, 1 crumpet
Snack: 1 banana, 5 hershey's kisses
Lunch: 1/2 c. black beans, 1 1/2 tortilla, broccoli
Snack: 1 crumpet
Dinner: 3 oz. corned beef, 1/2 potato, carrots and cabbage
Snack: 4 c. popcorn

I am still having a hard time getting enough fruits and veges. Today there were almost enough veges, but hardly any fruit! I need to keep planning!

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to reach a healthy weight this year, not gradually lose 10 here and there over many years!

Another restful day...

So, I started the day with a good walk and was able to get rested today.

Breakfast: 1 egg, onions, 1 crumpet
Lunch: 1 roll, 1 banana, 1 egg, arugala, 1 T. pesto, 1/8 c. cheese
Snack: 1 apple, 2 hershey kisses
Dinner: 1 banana, tomato salad, 1/2 c. chicken salad, 1/2 c. rice, 1/2 c. tofu ceviche
Snack: 5 c. popcorn

We'll see how the scale reads tomorrow...The eating urges were better for me today. This week has the opportunity to be a quiet one. I need to make it a really healthy week for me and make sure that I get back on board my good habits!

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to continue working toward greater health and fitness.

Aaaah! Saturday....

So, I skipped blogging last night. By the time I came home, I was just exhausted and beside myself. However, I had a very quiet morning today and find myself much refreshed tonight. I have one more day of rest for the most part tomorrow so I should be in good shape for the new week. I took the day off from my walk.

Breakfast: 1 crumpet, 1 egg with onions
Lunch: 3" piece of pastry, taco salad with lettuce, onions, 1/3 c. black beans, 1/4 c. cheese, 10 chips and salad dressing
Snack: 20 gumdrops
Dinner: 3 squares pizza (roughly equivalent to one piece) veges and dip, 10 chips and guacamole, 4 almonds, 2 glasses soda

I know it sounds crazy, but I did better today on eating than the last couple of days. I am really having a difficult time keeping traction right now and eating as I should to keep losing. Here's a couple of things I need to do: Get rested, do some menu planning and be strict with myself again until I get back on track. I don't think I've done any damage, but I'm sure that I'm not making any progress either. Dinner tonight was pretty good, considering that I was at the dance Hailey planned and it was potluck and I didn't graze all night. By the way, I danced and had fun doing it!

Today's reason to lose weight: I would really like to follow through with this goal and know that I can do it!

Thursday...

Okay, bare bones posting today. I am tired. Next week I need to do my week differently. I am afraid I am going to lose traction if I am not vigilant! I did walk today.

Breakfast: 1 crumpet, 1 egg, mushrooms
Snack: 1 granola bar
Lunch: 1/2 c. pasta, 8 carrots, tomato and vege sauce, 12 almonds, dried cranberries, 1 banana
Snack: 1 apple, 1 banana, handful of goldfish
Dinner: 3 corn tortillas, carne asada, beans, veges, cheese, sour cream, 1/2 c. ice cream with fruit

Today's reason to lose weight: I like the benefits that I have experienced in losing 20 pounds. I'd really like to keep on going with it!

Wacky Wednesday

Well, it's over! How's that for an opener? Wednesdays always feel crazy and though they're very good and I can't think of anything that I'm willing to eliminate from them, I feel pretty tired come Wednesday night! This day's walk came in little 15-20 minute pieces, but that was truly all I could do this day!

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 crumpet
Snack: 1/2 muffin
Lunch: 1/2 c. pasta, mushroom, pesto
Snack: 1/2 muffin, handful of almonds, 1/4 c. dried blueberries
Dinner: 3/4 c. pasta with tomato sauce, Sun chips

Way too many carbs today and way too few veges! I'm all for a quiet day tomorrow with better nutrition.

Today's reason to lose weight: I need to stay on this journey because I am more proactive when I am on it!

Tuesday

I walked this morning for a good hour or perhaps more with a friend. I had a goal of getting a couple of new shirts today to go with a couple skirts that I already have. I want to have a couple well fitting outfits to wear when we go to Washington DC at the beginning of April. Shopping ended up being very frustrating. Either the shirts were sloppy tshirts or they tended not to look very good on me. I came home with no shirts. I went to Ross. Maybe I need to try a different store...

Breakfast: 1 crumpet with lemon curd
Lunch: 1/2 c. pasta, 1/2 c. pinto beans, mushrooms, pesto
Snack: granola bar
Dinner: (at Dosa with Mark's cousin Michael) 1/2 c. rice, a bit of lamb curry, a bit of chicken curry (probably about 1/2 c. total), 1 piece dosa, 1 piece bread, 1 open faced pancake type thing with curry sauce (forget what it's called), 3 fried onion bits, papadum, 1/2 c. salad, 1 glass reisling (This sounds like alot, but it really was small bits of everything. We ate family style)

Today's reason to lose weight: It will be nice if someday shopping isn't so entirely frustrating!

10 weeks!

So, today I weighed in at 208. It was very warm here in the city. I got my walk in and spent most of the day outside. I worked in the garden with Aurora, weeding and planting flowers. Then, we went to park day with the homeschool group. I am such a wimp in the heat! I over grazed at park day.

Breakfast: smoothie with 1 c. yogurt and berries, granola bar
Snack: 1/2 small pastry
Lunch: roll, 2 oz cheese, 1 c. grapes
Snack: 1 cookie, 4 handfuls cheese puffs, 10 almonds
Dinner: Taco salad: 10 tortilla chips, large plate of lettuce, 8 carrots, pinto beans, taco meat, 1/4 c. cheese, onions
Darren's bday: small sliver tollhouse pie and 1/4 c. ice cream

Wow! Overdid the snacky calories today....I will need to rein that in for tomorrow.

Today's reason to lose weight: This ten weeks has not really taken that long, in retrospect. If I continue another ten weeks, going step by step, my goals are not as far away as they may seem to me at times.

Sunny Sunday

It was so warm here today and the kids were not yet back from sleepovers. I went for my walk and stopped off for coffee and knitting before coming home to do a few tasks. It's the kind of weather that makes a person want to go to the beach, be outside, anything but get things done! That said, I did get the family finances updated and mailed out part of the newsletter--both things that had been nagging my mind for a while and felt good to complete. The day was fairly uneventful concerning food.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. whole grain cereal with dried blueberries
Lunch: 1 petite scone, 2 eggs, tomato, mushrooms
Snack: smoothie consisting of 1 c. yogurt with berries and kiwi
Dinner: 1 tostada shell, 1/2 c. beans, lettuce, tomato, guacamole, 6 chips, 1 piece of spinach paratha, 1/2 c. sangria

Today's reason to lose weight: If I can stick with this and experience my own freedom, I may be able to encourage others in their journey to freedom from the things that enslave them. (Of course, I can encourage people now, but if I am no longer experiencing freedom at some point, it is then harder to be a voice for it for others. )

Home Alone!

The kids are all on sleepovers tonight. Mark and I had a nice date and the house to ourselves tonight ; ). I skipped my walk today and will resume walking tomorrow. Odd day for eating as I inadvertantly missed lunch. We ate out for dinner tonight so things evened out a bit.

Breakfast: 3/4 c. whole grain cooked cereal, dried berries, 1/4 c. milk
Lunch: 5 crackers, 2 oz. cheese, small wedge birthday cake
Snack: tangerine
Dinner: 3 slices pizza rustica, chicken asparagus fettucini (1 c. ?), 1/2 piece tiramisu

Aurora gave me a pair of corduroy pants today that didn't fit her and lo and behold they fit me fairly well (a little loose at the middle, but so much better than some of my other jeans). I put my largest current pair of jeans in the give away bag, chose one of my smaller shirts and I think I looked pretty good. It felt a little strange, like I was more exposed. Mark and the kids said I looked great, though. I think it will be an adjustment for me to lose weight and feel confident in my clothing and body.

Today's reason to lose weight: It felt really nice to feel attractive today. I'd like to get used to that!

Friday night...

Went for a lighter version of my walk today, with my cold and all. Tonight we celebrated Mark's birthday as a family. We started by going out to dinner with the Princes at Tulan, a favorite restaurant of Mark's. Ended the evening opening presents at home and eating ice cream.

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 piece toast
Lunch: 1/2 c. grain salad, 1 piece toast, 1 1/2 oz cheese, 1 banana
Dinner: bits at Tulan, where I tried to be moderate: rice (perhaps a cup), chicken curry, ginger chicken, vege chow mein, beef salad, and VN beef, VN coffee
Dessert: 1/2 c. ice cream

Today's reason to lose weight: It is a gift to myself.

Thursday, after missing a day

So, I missed yesterday...not that I did badly, though. I went for my walk and had an extremely busy and productive day. It was Mark's birthday and I threw a big party. At the end of the party, though, it was late and I felt ill. Today I have a terrible achy cold. I can't even quite remember the details of yesterday's eating, so I'll skip it.

Today, went for a one hour walk, allbeit a slower walk than usual. I hate feeling ill and often like to pretend that I'm not. I did take it easy today though and we did school-lite today. Everyone enjoyed that : ).

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 crumpet, 1 banana
Lunch: 3 lamb meatballs, 1/4 c. spinach and chickpea salad, 8 rice crackers, 1/2 c. mushrooms
Snack: 1 orange
Dinner: 2 slices pizza, 1 virgin mojito, 1 banana

So, I realized today that it will not be long until I have been at my new habits for 3 months. I don't think that I have ever sustained such effort before in my life. I am enjoying the benefits: greater self confidence, productivity, my body is looking better, my husband is very interested in the changing shape of my body : ) (though he's always shown interest), my skin feels good, I feel like presenting myself better, I am learning where the issues that I need to address are, I have hope that I can see this through to the end, and the list goes on. I hanging in there to hit that 3 month mark! (and likely beyond!)

Today's reason to lose weight: I am curious to see what my body will look like under all the "extras". I don't think I've ever quite been at a healthy weight since I was in grade school. I'd sure like to try it out!

Whew, what a week!

This is the kind of week where all sorts of things pop up and keep me from doing what I had intended. Also makes for the kind of day where I want soda and candy bars! So, taking a deep breath this afternoon, I tried to eliminate the things that can wait and ask for some help on the things that can't. Trying to learn, here! I did get for my walk, despite the crazy day.

Breakfast: 1 piece french toast, 1 orange
Lunch: 1/2 c. grain salad, 8 carrots, 4 ginger chew candies at Trader Joes
Snack: 1 piece string cheese, 1 crumpet, 16 almonds, 3 small candies
Dinner: 1/2 c. rice, 1 c. Thai curry

Oops! I guess that the bits of candy crept in a little more than I thought. Overall, though, I still feel pretty good about this day, considering how crazy I felt! I am going to get off the computer now and go knit, read, and go to bed on time!

Today's reason to lose weight: I still have lots of lessons to learn about handling life, food and stress!

And this would be nine weeks!

So, I still weighed in at 210 today, but I have confidence that next week the scale will have moved again. I'll just keep on moving with this journey! I walked an hour this morning with Aurora.

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 piece of toast, 1/2 grapefruit
Lunch: 1 banana, 1/2 c. grain salad, 2 oz. cheese
Snack: 1 peanut butter cookie, 1/2 grapefruit
Dinner: 1 c. pasta with veges and turkey, 8 carrots
Snack: 1 piece chocolate

Today's reason to lose weight: The longer I keep at this, the more that I am learning about why I eat, and becoming stronger in finding better ways to deal with food. This is a lesson I really want to learn.

Sunday

Today was my day off of my walk. I tried to get a leg up on food this week by doing some cooking in advance. I made a wheat berry salad, seven grain bread, and coleslaw today. Mark came home and made a nice lunch for us of broccoli and chicken. Somehow, we've been getting a magazine called "Eating Well" in the mail. I don't recall ordering it and neither does Mark, but I really like it. It has some great articles, the food is tasty and often low cal or low fat, but without using things like lowfat cheese or margarine (which lots of recipes tend to do and which I really dislike! I'd just prefer to eat less of the real thing). So it seems to fit my sensibilities. The wheat berry salad is from there and it is very good--it has apples and cranberries and walnuts, tossed in a raspberry/orange vinaigrette. Mmmmm.

Breakfast: 3/4 c. whole grain cooked cereal with dried cranberries and blueberries with 1 T almonds
Lunch: Broccoli and chicken and onion stir fry (about 1 1/2 c.), 1 banana
Snack: 1/2 bottle of soda, 1 piece whole wheat bread
Dinner: 1 c. coleslaw, 1 c. wheat berry salad, 1 slice bread, 1 lacey cookie, 2 truffles, 1/4 macaroon

Oooh. Still need to watch those little nibbles of sweets in group settings!

Today's reason to lose weight: I want this area of my life--my personal care and well being--to also reflect God's work in my life more fully.

Sunny Sabbath

A beautiful sunny day today! We spent it at the beach as a family--the first quiet day together in a while. Very nice. I went for my walk when we came home. I come to the end of the day feeling refreshed.

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1/3 c. granola with milk
Lunch: 5 peices chicken bites, 8 carrots, 1 c. grapes, 1 orange, 2 chocolate truffle
Snack: 1/2 c. granola, 1 chocolate covered pretzel
Dinner: 1 pancake, 2 1/2 breakfast sausage
Snack: 4 c. popcorn

I can see by my food intake of the last couple of days, that I need to do some menu planning and cooking!

Today's reason to lose weight: Each 10 pounds I lose makes me healthier in the long run.

Friday...

We had beautiful weather today so the morning walk was a treat! Girl Scouts met in Glen Canyon, so that the day was spent out in the sun. My eating was a bit less focused than usual today.

Breakfast: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola
Lunch: 5 slices dried pineapple, 3 slices bread, 1 1/2 oz goat cheese, 1 orange, 4 slices irish cheese
Snack: 2 chocolate covered pretzel sticks, 2 squares chocolate
Dinner date: pasta salad, 1 aranciata, 1 bruschetta, 3 proscuito wrapped melon pieces, 4 olives, handful goldfish crackers, couple sprigs broccoli, 3 cubes cheese, 2 chocolate chip cookies, 2 inch square noodle kugel

Date night wasn't too good for the diet today. Well back at it tomorrow, I guess.

Today's reason to lose weight: I'm not finished yet. I've made progress, but I am not finished!

Finally, a quiet day

I have needed a quiet day and today it finally came. I slept in until almost 8:00 and then went for my walk. I came home and Noah and Hailey were still both sleeping. Turns out that they are both a bit under the weather. So, we cancelled knitting club and did some schoolwork. I got some computer work done and then went out by myself for a bit. I ventured to the yarn shop to look at books and yarn. I was craving sweets so much today. I wound up buying my first diet Coke in ages. I figured it was better than winding up with a candy bar or something like that!

Breakfast: 1 egg, 1 pancake, 1 tangelo
Lunch: 5 slices dried pineapple, 1 vege burger, 1/2 english muffin, 4 mushrooms
Snack: 3 chocolate covered pretzel sticks
Dinner: 2 tostadas (2 tostada shell, 1/2 c. refried beans, lettuce, 1/4 c. cheese, salsa)
Snack: 2 squares dark chocolate

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to knit myself a beautiful sweater!

Before picture and 17 pounds later

So here is my first progress picture. At first when I looked at the rather unflattering picture of today taken by Noah, I thought I'd skip this for now. But when I looked at it next to the first picture, I thought it was a significant difference. So, here they are! Hopefully the next eight weeks will continue to bring these sorts of rewards

I got a nice walk in today.

Breakfast: 1 muffin, 1 egg
Lunch: 1 1/2 c. mulligatawny, 2 slices baguette
Snack: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola, 1 orange
Dinner: 2 pieces thin crust pizza, 1/2 c pasta vege salad, 2 c. popcorn, 1 serving lemon wafer cookies (8 small)
Snack: Izze soda

For Tuesday...

Blogger was down last night, so here's the report:

I walked through the Arboretum in the rain for my walk, which was on the shorter side because of the rain.

Breakfast: 1 crepe with chocolate chips
Lunch: Large romaine salad with dressing, avacado, red pepper, carrots, pepitas, 1 slice bread, 1 c. cider
Snack: 1 banana, 1 vege burger
Dinner: 1 1/2 c. chicken mulligatawny, 1 papadum, 8 carrots
Snack: 5 lemon wafer cookies, 1 banana

I also weighed this morning and weighed in at 210! I met February goal and I feel pretty relieved. The scale was moving so little for a couple of weeks. I still have the feeling of surprise that I am actually doing this. I always have to step on the scale a couple of times to make sure that I haven't somehow faked myself out. But, lo and behold, it is actually happening! I added a very baggy pair of pants to the Goodwill bag. Noah told me he thought they were too big on me. I've got lots of cheerleaders here!

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to buy new clothes, which I will do when I reach my March goal!

Eight Weeks!

Another week that I am still at this journey! It was a rainy, rainy day today and promises to be another tomorrow. I got a good walk in today--a nice, solid hour.

Breakfast: 1 orange, 1 banana muffin
Lunch: 1 vege burger, 1 slice bread, 8 carrots, mushrooms
Snack: 1 banana, 1 c. cider
Dinner: 2 tamales, large salad, 6 chips with guacamole, 3" square of fruit tart

Today's reason to lose weight: I want to be learning whatever lessons God has for me in this process!

The end of a busy weekend...

The house is quiet, the girls are gone, my boys are home, the parties are over. I am tired and thankful. I am thankful for the rich opportunities and relationships available to my family. We have an amazing life and I am very grateful. Grateful, and happily tired.

Hailey had a friend here until 6:30 tonight and we had Seven meeting until about 8:30. As I sat down here, I realized that this will be the first day that I am actually going to miss my walk this year. I didn't feel I could leave this particular friend and Hailey home alone, because I am not sure her parents would have been okay with that. Tonight I began my cycle and I am so tired. I am just going to be very determined to walk tomorrow. My fear has been that missing a day will begin the unraveling of this process. Of course, it doesn't have to be that way. So, I will walk again tomorrow and hopefully not miss a day again for another couple months : )

By the way, no weigh in for sure tomorrow as water retention is in full swing. I hope for glowing reports the following Monday as I have had a great week as far as my eating goes!

Breakfast: 1 banana crepe, 1 c. apple cider
Lunch: 1 slice cheese pizza, 1 banana, 8 carrots, dip
Snack: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1 granola bar
Dinner: 1 1/2 c. potato soup, 1 slice bread
Snack: 1/2 c. yogurt, 1/3 c. granola

Today's reason to lose weight: The "I can" feeling will be back when the cycle "yuckiness" passes. I am trying to learn that my feelings are changeable and if I can just push past them without eating my way out of them, soon I don't feel like I need to eat my way past them anymore! it's just a matter of waiting long enough.