Day 2

Well I had a pretty good day yesterday! I am seeing the areas where I need to focus on (the little bites here and there are sneaking up on me) I counted everything I ate yesterday (which I don't HAVE to do, but I find the accountability good for me) and ended up with a net points of 24 (including using 3 APs) I went over because I had sunflower seeds at Emma's game last night, and a bowl of cereal, oh yeah, and 4 bites of Emma's blizzard....

So night time snacking has to be monitored as well.

Here's my plan for today: (Flex) CORE

B1: banana, coffee (1pt) CORE
B2: diced potatoes, egg whites, green onions, turkey bacon (3 pts) 1 PT CORE
L1: asparagus, fruit cocktail in water (1 pt) CORE
L2: black bean dip, carrots, cukes, 1 pita (4 pts) 2 PTS CORE
D: taco salad (6 pts) 1 PT for cheese CORE
SN: popcorn (2 pts) CORE; shredded wheat n bran, ff milk, blueberries (3 pts) CORE

Activity: 20 minute fast walk (1AP); softball (1AP)

I'm hoping my determination and positive outlook today will hold me through a very busy schedule, keeping me on plan!!!

Day 1

Wow, that brings me back to an odd mix of feelings! Excitment, a little fear, and a whole lot of the unknown! So I had a pretty big gain over the weekend (no surprise at all!) so as of right now, I have 13.5 pounds to lose. Here's what I'm eating today to get started: (FLEX) CORE

B1: banana w/p butter (3 pts) 2 PT
B2: shredded wheat n bran, blueberries, ff milk (4 pts) CORE
L1: turkey burger (no bun), cucumbers, ff sour cream dip (2 pts) (CORE)
L2: black bean dip, carrots, grapfruit (3 pts) CORE
D: baked tilapia, boiled potatoes, brocolli, Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich (8 pts) 2 PT
1 square dark chocolate (1 pt) 1 PT

I will go to the gym today - even if it means leaving Emma at Ken's softball game!!! 25 mins hard tread (15%, 4.2) and 10 mins of arm weights (3 APs)

I want to ride the enthusiasm I'm feeling this morning (even after a really, really out of control weekend). I conscientiously made my choices, taking a 'weekend' off. I'm just not sure when I'm going to realize that those weekends off take a big toll on me:

• My guts feel GROSS!
• I lacked energy 2 of the 4 days this weekend
• It causes me to crave fatty/sugary foods
• The weight is just not worth the feeling I had for brief moment of defeat last night.

So, here's to a short work week, and a really really good plan for the day! Have a great one!

New Goal.

So I am teetering on the line between adjusting to my new body, and suffering from societal body image pressures. The new America's Top Model has been hailed a "plus size" model at size 8-10. Hard for me to reconcile that a size 8-10 is where I'm at - and was considered my goal. Why can't they just call her "normal"? I realize that in the modeling world, size 0-2 is considered normal. But what I don't understand is how they can get away with calling this plus size, or full figured?

Having said that, I do have to come to terms to what body size I should be. At the beginning of my journey, I thought that 155 was my ideal size. And I do feel really good, (3 lbs shy of the goal) and have been able to quite easily maintain this weight. But, and this is for health reasons MOSTLY, I worry about the belly fat I still have. So I am making it my goal to try to lose 10 more pounds, and tighten up my tummy. I am setting a time frame of my birthday (more than 8 weeks away) to lose the 10 pounds.

So here I go, back into the losing mentality.

• I am committed to sticking to Core principles, not sacrificing healthy food for lower calories.
• I will use dictator-like commitment in incorporating more cardio based activities, and pushing my heart a little more.
• I will watch and lower my sodium intake.

Here's to trying something to further improve my health, adjust my body image and reconcile the new me to my OWN standards.

Have a wonderful short week all!

Whew!

The week from hell is on the verge of ending. My choir wraps up on Saturday with a performance that I'm more than just slightly nervous about. I was given a solo part... but not for my vocal skills. I get to belch at the end of a song. You know - I think I'd be less nervous if I were singing!!! I'm just terrified that my good strong burping skills will get lost at that one shining moment. Oh well, I've trained for this part all my life - I just have to trust that my belching abilities will be there when I need them! :)

Among other things is Mother's Day this weekend. I'm looking forward to being spoiled by Emma-Leigh (she's so good at spoiling me!) and having Kenny take me flower shopping with my mom and dad. I can't wait!

Food wise, it's been a tough go this week. I know there were some very conscientous choices made that were good, but too many that were bad. Pizza last night was MY idea - and I had 4 pieces. ARGH. But - it was a treat I haven't had in months, and I enjoyed it with the beer I had... ARGH! The last 7 days have included: avacodo spring rolls, pizza, hotdogs, wine and beer. But I have not overeaten at all this week - kept very busy and managed to eat very healthily in between the indulgences. The scale has gone up and down all week, but getting to the gym for the first time in 3 weeks (ARGH!) this morning really boosted my energy so I feel pretty great!

Here's my food plan for the day:

B1: banana, cappuccino
B2: grapefruit
L1: 1/2 turkey sub
L2: Miso soup & veggies
D: I feel like something really spicy tonite... I think I might make a chickpea curry or something!

Have a very Happy Mother's Day ladies!

Don't get lost in the busy.

Aye. Great advice - if you remember to use it! Ken & I were feeling so out of it last night. We're tired, we're stressed, we're over-extended. We have NO free nights until May 29th. This is NO lie! Between ball executive meetings, choir, hockey, ball games and miscellaneous activities - we are booked until May 29th! (And now poker on May 31st too!)

I'm not complaining. I LOVE being busy. Many of the activities are social in nature, and I do enjoy that. But what I don't like is my health being neglected. I have not been able to make it to the gym for almost 3 weeks. I am going to move mountains to get there today, in between picking Justin up, dropping him off at home, and returning 45 minutes later to get Emma.

So anyone who is reading this: DO NOT let your health slide. YOU ARE IMPORTANT! And so totally worth the extra effort to ensure you feel fabulous for many years to come!