*I'm Typical

Day 4

2009-08-01T06:21:00.000-07:00

What a slacker i am! A day late and many a dollar short! Seriously. We, mostly me, were super busy yesterday (when I began this entry). I pulled a massive weedy bush out of the corner of our yard then noticed some odd growing plants consuming our hedgerow and proceeded to knock out more vines and weeds. Two hours later I had a pile 5 yards wide and hight ready for Dave to load up and take to be burned. I was dripping with sweat (good work out!).

After a much-needed shower I began painting Emma's room. This is the third time we have painted a room for Emma. SHe likes change. She likes redecorating...and I encourage her. So I did the cutting-in and then got carried away and painted under the windows, over the windows, between the windows and wall and...left very little for Emma to paint. So, three hours later I broke for lunch, a late-lunch. I was famished.

After lunch I went down to the basement to prime two pieces of furniture. After priming I was back up in the bedroom touching up, then back down to the basement to add a coat of "tropical breeze".

Late evening, I was cleaning the floor, adding more touch-ups, moving dressers, making beds...time for another shower and then bed. No Leslie Sansone today, but I figured I could let that slide.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
1 t. brown sugar
2 c. coffee
4 T half/half

Lunch
2 flour tortillas
2 romaine leaves
1 oz queso cheese
1 1/2 c. sherbet

Dinner
1 1/2 c. mac/cheese
1 c. vanilla
1/3 c. m&ms

Calories 1879

Day 3

2009-08-01T06:11:00.001-07:00

Forgot to record yesterday! Yeah, I know, I'm recording how many calories and by the looks of the past two days I won't be losing any weight. I need to get my eating in order!

Breakfast
1/2 c. oatmeal
1 t. brown sugar
1/2 c. blueberries
2 c. coffee
3T half/half

Lunch
2 tortillas
2 romaine leaves
1/2 tomato
1 oz queso
1 1/2 c. mac/cheese
2 oz dark chocolate

Dinner
3 slices cheese pizza

Calories 2000

Exercise: 4 miles with Leslie

Day 2

2009-07-30T06:44:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
1 t. brown sugar
3 T. half/half
2 C. coffee

Lunch
2 flour tortillas
2 slices tomato
.5 oz canadian bacon
2 romaine leaves
1 oz con queso cheese
2/3 c steamed edamane
1 c. cherries

DInner
4 french toast with 3 T. syrup
2 scrambled eggs
1 bacon
2 oz dark chocolate

exercise: 4 miles with Leslie Sansone
calories...whoa...2167! Being honest here, and ashamed!
It wasn't the best eating day. After lunch I noticed Liam didn't finish his lunch of french toast. Clinging to that childhood myth that a plate must be cleaned, I inhaled the remainder. I actually stood over the sink soaking in bite after bite, my mind and will turned off to logic and common sense. 2 hours later, when I went in to exercise, I felt bloated, overstuffed and ashamed.

I'm Back...

2009-07-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

Melodee at dietnaked.typepad.com is back too. She has a wonderful, real-life blog about the trials and joys of getting healthy. She lost a lot of weight. She stopped focusing on that goal and gained a lot of weight back. Now she's back on. I am so glad. She inspires me as do the smaller capris I bought in May because I lost so many inches off my waist which are now tight because I stopped exercising and recording my food-intake.

I've gained back pounds. I don't know how much because I am literally terrified of getting on the scale. I have convinced myself to weigh-in after I have gotten back on track for a few weeks. It's how I cope.

This week (this is Wednesday) I have exercised everyday and worked hard in the yard. You see, Dave (my husband) and I went on vacation in early July. We walked a lot. I worked out in the hotel spa. We returned home and I ceased to exercise. I ceased to count calories. I continued to eat as if I were on vacation (ohh, ice cream - it's a special day, why not!?). Not only did this effect me physically it effected me emotionally, mentally and spiritually. I need to maintain routine. I need to get up in the morning, make coffee, make oatmeal, drink coffee, eat oatmeal, read the news on the internet, clean up, brush teeth, read bible, exercise, etc. in order to be a happy and healthy woman. I need it. Call it a weakness because I sometimes feel that it is. But I think my "Wormwood" is whispering in my ear that routines are so old-fashioned and fuddy-duddy. (Yeah, I'm re-reading the Screwtape Letters). But I know the scheme. Routine is good. Routine is healthy. I need it. There. Said and done. Thank you very much!

So I'm back, embracing that routine I established at the beginning of the year which lead to losing 25 pounds! I'll be honest end of summer with a weigh-in. But I'm back to recording exercise and food intake.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
1 t. brown sugar
2 c. coffee with 3 T half/half

Lunch
2 c. tossed salad with 2 T. italian dressing
2 slices flax bread toast with 1 pat butter
2/3 c. steamed edamane pods
1 c. cherries

Snack
2 cheese sticks

Dinner
3 pieces foccacia bread
1/2 tomato
2 oz fresh mozzarella
1 thin slice pancetta
1 thin slice canadian bacon
2 mojitos
1 oz dark chocolate
Total Calories: 1725
Exercise: 4 miles with Leslie Sanson (48 minutes)

Pearls before swine

2009-06-28T05:31:00.001-07:00

Elizabeth Scalia at the Anchoressonline has an excellent post on living low, living in mediocrity, living for less than we were created, accepting the mud and mire, or throwing our pearls before swine and being satisfied. It reminds me (and she uses the analogy) of this weight-loss, food obsession struggle.

I have been struggling, mightily. Often, these last couple weeks, I've been losing. I've given in to temptation. I've succumbed to the sugary sweetness of temporary satisfaction and comfort. I'm swine groveling in the mud, too absorbed by the delights of sludge to look up and see goodness and long-lasting health and happiness ahead.

I truly feel as if I am addicted. I think about what meal is next. I anticipate hunger in hope of justifying why I am eating -- again.

What happened? My discipline of healthy eating, waiting for hunger, eating good stuff....was going so well. And then it collapsed in on me.

Summertime is supposed to be that "health-aware" season. The fashions cover less of your body so you want to be in better shape so you exercise more, eat less (because it's hotter outside and who likes to eat when it's hot?). But somehow the summer has the opposite effect on me. My routine (kids in school, home schooling, regular meetings, etc.) is off, so I am off-schedule. I need the routine! It's hot, bloody hot outside and stepping out into it drains me of all energy for the next task/project at hand and I end up tinkering on the computer for six hours and not walking, reading, cleaning, anything.

Someone slap me! Snap out of it! I fear gaining that 30 pounds I worked so hard to lose. I truly fear that. But do I fear it enough? The best of me does. The old swine-y self doesn't care. I just want to be coddled.

So that's where I am today. Thanks, Suzanne, for praying. I need that. And I am reciprocating. I think getting my focus off my self (by praying and serving others) is the start to climbing out of this mud pit. Thanks.

My Prayer

2009-06-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

Lord, help me get back on track. It was a good ride from January through May. Help me. Cause my will to back away from sugar. Cause my day to be strengthened by saying no, over and over. Set me up for success today. I need your spirit, Holy Spirit, guide me in decisions-to say no when my old flesh wants to be coddled by sweets. Give me your spirit of self-control.

1996 - It was a good year but...

2009-06-15T06:10:00.000-07:00

I missed a day of exercising last week so I didn't reach my goal of 42 miles so I didn't reach my goal of pushing past 2000 miles. 1996 miles walked since November 2007. That's like starting out here in little ol' Sparta and almost making it to Seattle, Washington. Almost.

Leaner Lamb has a great reminder of what makes healthy habits stick. I have fallen have the wagon and think I broke an ankle cuz' it's hard to jump back on. I'm not recording my diet and like lamb said, "those of us who struggle with weight eat without even thinking." Yeap, it's true. At dinner time I could have already eaten my 1600 calories for the day, but heck, I need to sit down and eat with the family, so here goes another 500-750 calories! And then, boom, I'm eating more than expending. No weight gain (thank goodness for my commitment to exercise) but the losing has stalled for about 2 months.

SO....send good thoughts, rebuking and challenging, and perhaps your ideas to keep journalling a priority (and yes I use sparkpeople).

So I Blew It Yesterday...

2009-06-09T08:35:00.000-07:00

I restarted my journaling with sparkpeople.com yesterday. It went well - until post dinner time.

I got a call from Dave. He and two other guys were down in Metropolis area scouting out camping sites for our youth group. He didn't know earlier in the day they'd be driving so far south and he didn't know when he'd be home, but he'd be missing dinner. Fine.

I get a call 2 hours later. Their car broke down, in Carbondale, about an hour 15 minutes away. Could I pick them up? Well, a major storm was pouring down it's innards all over Sparta. Lightening was striking right next door. The streets were flooding, quickly filling up. I dared the storm but only drove around the block, trying to avoid the large, newly developed ponds in the streets, pulled back in to park and called Dave. "I'm not coming. The storm's headed in your direction and I don't know what the roads will be like."

"Okay, that's best, but are your sure?" was Dave's reply. "We're out here off the side of the main highway."

"I'll check the weather radar and see what they predict," I promised.

Now I'm worried. All I can imagine are cars whipping by and some semi speeds up, loses control, hydro-planes and smashes into their parked vehicle. So, how do I manage this stress and anxiety? Pound cake of course!

I think I consumed 800 calories within 8 minutes! Is that a record? Needless to say I didn't handle my anxious thoughts very well. The pound cake only gave me heart burn.

The evening (or early morning) ended well. The storm passed from Sparta down through Carbondale but the roads were driveable. I made it down there, picked up the guys and we were home, in bed, by 12:45am.

Almost at 2000 miles!!!

2009-06-08T06:33:00.000-07:00

I really need to get back on track.

I was out of commission for 10 days with respiratory flu but before that I slacked off on recording food on sparkpeople. I was diligent with exercise, and proudly recorded that. But I was ashamed of the food. Because of not recording I forget what I eat and therefore eat more. Yeah, sounds ridiculous, "How can you forget eating the 1/2 c. of M & Ms just 2 hours ago?" Believe me, I can.

So today, Monday, beginning of the week, a new week, I am back to food recording on sparkpeople. Last week I had my first complete, 6 days, workout week since coming down with the flu. Now I am a mere 39 miles from reaching my goal of 2000 miles. That's 2000 miles walked with a Leslie Sansone dvd since November of 2007. I'm impressed! I hope to reach this goal on Saturday by walking 7 miles each day. Unfortunately, or expectantly, many days get interrupted so we'll see what comes by Saturday.

But needless to say if you are "dieting" or working on a new healthy food lifestyle I heartily and emphatically recommend food journalling.

Respiratory Flu

2009-05-28T15:39:00.000-07:00

It's been over a week since I've exercised. I am tired. I am dizzy and I really don't feel like sweating. I've had this respiratory flu for just a week now. My youngest seems to be coming down with it today. The doctor told me it can linger 10-15 days than you think you're done with it and - boom - it hits again. So I want to be cautious. I'm also anxious. I don't want this reprieve from my "new health" routine send me down a spiral of weight gain and lethargic muscle tone.

Update from the weekend

2009-05-13T17:05:00.000-07:00

The weekend went well. I didn't gain any pounds. I did snack, however. I didn't succeed with all my expectations. But I did get 6 days of exercise in the 4 days prior to leaving for the Great Banquet.

I'm a little off my habit of recording my food intake. I know this is vital, to know throughout the day how much I've eaten so I don't over eat by the end of the day.

Yesterday I did quite a bit of gardening and gardening must have some major benefits to the backside because this morning - wow! aches and pains, but in a good way.

And let's hear it for Helen. A woman. A 48 year old woman winning the Biggest Loser. But I must say she looked incredibly thin, incredibly fit yet incredibly thin. I noticed she was at 147 when she left the ranch and at the finale last night she weight 117. She lost 30 pounds more! The other two (Mike and Tara) were no where near that number as far as weight loss while home. I wonder if Helen did the math and figured she would have to lose a lot more weight in order to exceed Mike and Tara. It worked.

And then there was Jerry, who won the $100,000 at home biggest loser. Wow! 64 years old and only on the ranch for two weeks. What an example of perseverance.

So I'm still hovering at 203. Been there for about a month. I'm glad it's not moving up but feel I need to kick it in gear to get the scale going down. But it's going to have to wait - Ian's graduating next week and in-laws are coming, big party plans, etc. But exercise is my passion and keeps my motivation up.

2009-05-07T06:14:00.000-07:00

Leaving for the weekend today.

I'm a little frustrated. I've cranked up the work out yet my weight has leveled - stagnant. I can't seem to get below 200. I'm just hovering right above it. So frustrating.

I hope Helen wins on Biggest Loser simply because she's 48. Early on in the show (not this season but previous) I complained that only women in their 20s and early 30s were picked (I think I even sent a letter to the show). Now here's a woman who I can relate to - struggles (probably) with the hormone thing. And she's doing it. She's incredibly fit. Ran a marathon. Looks great.

I really would prefer Mike and Ron to lose. I know they have done incredibly well but Ron's deception over Christy really aggravated me.

Ta ta for now. Eat well, exercise, enjoy life. Eat to live.

Anticipating Sabotage

2009-05-05T20:07:00.000-07:00

I'm doing well this week - pushing hard in my exercise routine (10 miles/day) because I'm going on a retreat this weekend so I want to get in my weekly (6 days) miles in only four days.

But I am also anticipating the desserts and snacks I will face Thursday through Sunday. So my big question: how do you anticipate temptation? When faced with the onslaught of chocolate chip cookies, cakes, mini-hersey bars and anything else you consider taboo, how do you set yourself up to succeed? Last time I went on this retreat I knew if I started imbibing, even if I lingered near the snack table, all was lost. Once a sugary sweet passes my lips all self-control and discipline has vanished. I truly feel out of control. So my best bet is simply not take anything. Then I must cope with the feelings of deprivation. I know, I know, I know what is best. I must gear myself up to hold steadfast to that. I will be taking several packs of gum (just like they recommend on the Biggest Loser). What would you do?

The I Word

2009-04-30T18:58:00.000-07:00

I finding it rather redundant to record my food diary on sparkpeople.com and then here so instead of using this blog for food/exercise journaling (so I am so faithful on sparkpeople) I am altering my purpose to be a place where my issues with health/exercise/eating right are shared openly and honestly. And in that spirit...

Last week something happened while I was exercising. I was shocked at first. Bewildered really. I had know idea what was going on. It just happened. So suddenly. It happened only once - last week. Then it happened again - two days ago and then just yesterday.

Incontinence.

I didn't know how it happened at first. I felt no urge. I just noticed after it happened that I was wet - wetter than from just sweating. I realize this may be TMI but when I began doing some google research on the topic I read how so many women believe they are the only ones experience incontinence that they are ashamed. It's not a shameful thing. In fact, it's quite ordinary for women of all ages, especially during exercise. And that's when it happens for me.

What to do about it? Kegels! Remember Kegels? I learned about Kegels during my first pregnancy. Obviously I haven't been practicing what I learned about 18+ years ago. But Kegels are the best form of repair and prevention of incontinence. There is surgery but that's too invasive.

So while your sitting at your computer, typing away, reading away ... do your Kegels!

A Need for Prayer - please!

2009-04-30T01:33:00.000-07:00

I know I've been absent for a while. Everything, eating-wise, is going well. No problems there. And I'm getting my exercise in.

But there are issues going on in our family that are consuming my internet time. My son must decide on a college tomorrow (Thursday). I would greatly appreciate prayer.

It's 3:34am right now. I can't sleep. We re-read over the financial aid letters and realized we mis-read the one from the university Ian would really like to attend. Their package isn't as great as we thought. In fact none of the packages aren't that great. I am confused and disappointed. We were reassured from several folks (and in hindsight we should not have taken their words to heart) that with Ian's GPA and ACT score any school would take him and most likely with a full-ride scholarship. If Ian takes any one of these offers he will be incurring a massive debt and I don't like that.

Tomorrow I will be making phone calls to two of the universities to see if any more financial aid is available. I am not a bold person. I don't like asking...for anything. Please help me by praying for the right words to come out of my mouth.

The fact that he needs to make a decision by tomorrow is weighing on us (there, that fits in with my weight-loss blog). We just received the financial packet from the third school today! That's why this decision is so last minute.

Thanks for reading and thanks for praying.

Day 7 - Arghhhh!

2009-04-26T18:26:00.000-07:00

The thought behind my food detox (this past week) and the liquid fast (planned for Monday) was to "divorce" myself from food. I had grand intentions of preparing myself during last week by eating wisely so that Monday, tomorrow, would come and the juice fast would be a breeze, then on Tuesday I would feel little compulsion to overeat, crave carbs and especially sugar. Ahh, that was the plan.

Sunday, today, we had several folks over after church and I made chocolate cake for dessert. The night before was the wedding...and wedding cake. Just when you think you are stronger than your addiction - boom - you realize you are not-you realize, "I am still weak and unable to say no to that thing which I over-consume because it consumes me." It's so frustration.

One of our lunch guests has been sober for 8 months. He is on the path on holding on to Jesus and His strength. He commented on his weekly AA meetings and how some folks 8, 10 even 16 years sober get that feeling that now they are strong enough - they go back into their old way of life, back into those relationships or visit places they used to thinking, "I'm strong now, I can handle one drink." And they fall off the wagon. So easy. So quickly.

The place of trepidation is probably a good for me - embracing my weakness rather than ignoring it. When I deny my weakness, deny that it's an issue, I think, "I can have one piece of cake, pie, or candy... and stop. I have learned. I am strong." But in reality I am not. I am weak and have to avoid those trigger foods and learn how to cope with situations where trigger foods are passed out (ie. weddings, parties).

Day 6

2009-04-25T18:33:00.000-07:00

Breakfast

1 1/2 c. oatmeal

2 t. slivered almonds

1/4 c. blueberries

1 t. brown sugar

1/3 c. half/half

Lunch

3 boiled eggs

2 c. steamed broccoli

2 slices bread

Dinner

.2 C honey roasted peanuts

.2 C. m & ms

1/2 slice wedding cake

1 oz pork loin

1/2 C. salad

1/2 C. green beans

1/2 C. grapes

3 strawberries

2/3 C. mostaciolli

Exercise: 8 miles with leslie (96 minutes)

Day 5

2009-04-24T19:56:00.000-07:00

Breakfast

1 1/2 c. oatmeal

2 t. slivered almonds

1/4 c. blueberries

1 t. brown sugar

1/3 c. half/half

Lunch

3 boiled eggs

4 c. steamed broccoli

10 baby carrots

Snack

1/3 c. dry roasted peanuts

Dinner

tossed salad with turkey breast, cheddar cheese, 1/2 egg and 2 T. raspberry vinaigrette

2 dinner rolls

Exercise

8 miles with Leslie (96 minutes)

Day 4

2009-04-23T16:58:00.000-07:00

Breakfast

1 1/2 c. oatmeal

2 T. slivered almonds

1 t. brown sugar

1/4 c. blueberries

1/4 c. half/half

Lunch

4 c. steamed cauliflower

2 egg white/2 egg scrambled

10 baby carrots

Snack

3 boiled eggs

Dinner

6 c. tossed salad with 2 T light dressing

Exercise: 7 miles with Leslie

Day 39

2009-04-22T18:21:00.001-07:00

Breakfast

1 1/2 c. oatmeal

2 T. slivered almonds

1 t. brown sugar

1/4 c. blueberries

1/4 c. half/half

Lunch

6 c. tossed salad with 4 boiled eggs and 3 T. light dressing

1 1/2 c. steamed broccoli

10 baby carrots

Dinner

4 egg whites/1 egg scrambled with red onion

2 c. steamed broccoli

Exercise: 6 miles with Leslie

Day 1-3: Detoxing again and very happy with the results

2009-04-22T05:38:00.000-07:00

So I had the computer anyway, but husband is still gone. Over the weekend wasn't so good so I didn't post but made a resolution to detox again. Detoxing is what started me on this grand plan of health and weight loss and it was a good start. Over Easter I toxed and hence I am restarting the detox this week. Because of that I am restarting my days. So Monday is day 1 and today (Wednesday) is day 3.

How am I detoxing? I am using what I learned from the Anne Dittleman book along with my own preferences, lifestyle and finances and modifying the detox to fit me. That means maintaining my oatmeal for the morning and consuming copious amounts of cauliflower, broccoli, salads and eggs. On my 8th day I will do the cranberry juice fast described in Dittleman's book.

For exercise I upped my cardio by running during half of my Leslie Sanson dvds. I think this has helped immensely - to keep my heart-rate up because my weight loss is great! I have 6 pounds to go to my initial goal. I am very happy.

Day 125-129

2009-04-15T05:40:00.001-07:00

I'm off line until Monday - my husband and his mac are leaving for the Great Banquet so I'll be recording my food intake manual (oh, the horrors), trying the eat well and get off my sugar addiction and exercising 7 miles/day. I did lose 2 pounds these past two weeks! Yeah!

Day 122/123

2009-04-14T05:38:00.000-07:00

Our internet has been intermittent so I haven't been recording my food intake - which hasn't been the best. But I have continued the 7 miles/day with Leslie. Wednesday's a new day.

Day 120/121 - celebrating His goodness and mercy

2009-04-12T04:40:00.000-07:00

I messed up yesterday (Saturday) yet...

... today we celebrate the resurrection because without it we would be dead in sin. We are now alive. We are now who we were created to be - in relationship with our Creator. We celebrate because He loves us so much He bent down and took care of sin which we love too much and said, "I love you more." We celebrate and say a bowed Thank You. We feast today in God's goodness and love. His amazing love, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all!

Day 119

2009-04-10T19:28:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
2 T. slivered almonds
1/4 C. mixed berries
1 t. brown sugar
1/4 c. half/half

Lunch
2 foccacia sandwiches (roast beef with 2 slices swiss cheese)

Snack
1 hot cross bun

Dinner
4 slices bread
2 serving sirloin beef soup

Exercise: 7 miles with Leslie (82 minutes)

Day 118

2009-04-09T05:06:00.001-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
2 T. slivered almonds
1/4 C. mixed berries
1 t. brown sugar
1/4 c. half/half

Lunch
2 corn tortilla chicken enchiladas
1 pineapple muffin

Dinner
1 slice foccacia bread
2 slices roast beef lunch meat
1 oz turkey lunch meat
2 oz almonds

Exercise: 8 miles with leslie (91 minutes)

Day 117 - too many carbs!!

2009-04-08T05:03:00.000-07:00

I have indulged in too many carbs lately. They are what lead me into an addiction-relationship with food. I need a purge!

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1 t. brown sugar
1/4 c. mixed berries
2 T slivered almonds
1 cinnamon roll

Lunch
3 corn tortilla chicken enchiladas
1 1/2 c. steamed cauliflower
1 cinnamon roll

Dinner
1 1/2 c. steamed broccoli/cauliflower
1 1/2 c. tossed salad with 1 T. light italian dressing
3 rolls

Exercise: 6 miles with Leslie (70 minutes)

Day 116

2009-04-07T05:51:00.001-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T sliced almonds
4 T. half/half

Snack
1 pancake

Lunch
1 c. rice
1 c. red beans
1 oz monterey jack

Dinner
3 C. tossed salad with 1 T light italian dressing
2 c. cooked cauliflower
1 c. spaghetti alfredo

Exercise: 82 minutes with Leslie - 7 miles

Where I've Been -- the Perfect Storm

2009-04-06T10:00:00.000-07:00

Last week started with a wimper and ended with a bang. We had two funerals, Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, and that means funeral dinners for me to arrange. My healthy eating plan goes out the window on those days. We traditionally serve ham/fried chicken/an assortment of casseroles/lots of desserts. Leftovers usually come home with us. And there was lots of leftovers - especially cakes. And I had a few, or more. So that is one component of the Perfect Storm.

Factor number two was the computer hard drive dying. I rely on sparkpeople to record my eating diary. It calculates calories so I know where I am mid-day, how many calories I have available for dinner. Without that ability to record all those cakes I let myself eat more, because ignorance is bliss! Not!

Item number three - my hip went out. The Friday before I began feeling a twinge of pain in my right hip. By Monday the pain was shooting down to the knee. I got in 6 miles of walking on Monday, just barely. Tuesday I was hobbling along and had to be on my feet for most of the day, with the funeral. I could barely walk and was in PAIN. I knew I had to go to the chiropractor. Dave scheduled an appointment for Wednesday. Wednesday morning I awoke to no pain. Wouldn't you know it but by mid morning I was back to hobbling. My appointment was for 2pm. By 2:30 I was pain free and was told not to exercise for two days. It was amazing. I got off the table a new woman. I highly recommend chiropractic medicine.

So Friday I returned to exercising (got 20 miles in last week) but was not recording in my food diary - the hard drive was back on line only this Sunday. So here I am now - back in the saddle and more than ever aware that falling off the wagon is very easy. I sometimes feel confident that my new healthy eating/exercise habits are in concrete but then days hit, like the Perfect Storm, that remind me of the razor's edge. I am weak.

Because of the many indulgences of last week I am feeling the intense need for detoxing. After Easter I will be going back to the 11 day detox diet with which I kicked off the new year.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T sliced almonds

Lunch
4 c. tossed salad with 2T light italian dressing
3 boiled eggs
2 ginger muffins

Dinner
2 chicken enchiladas
1 c. broccoli
2 c. spinach salad with 1 T light italian dressing
2 ginger muffins

Exercise: 7 miles with Leslie (82 min)

Day 106

2009-03-28T19:30:00.001-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T sliced almonds

Snack
1 cheese stick
1 chocolate chip cookie

Lunch
3 c. salad with 1 T. light italian dressing
1 oz sirloin steak
1 piece toast with pat butte
8 oz non fat yogurt
1 T. light sour cream
1 T honey

Dinner
1 c. white rice
1 c. pinto beans
1 oz cheddar cheese

Exercise: 5 miles with leslie (60 minutes)

Day 105

2009-03-27T17:17:00.001-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T sliced almonds

Snack
90 cal. granola bar

Lunch
1/2 italian beef sub sandwich
1 c. grilled zucchini
1 medium corn on the cob
2 chocolate chip cookies

Dinner
2 slices cheese pizza
1 sliver vanilla bean cheesecake
1 sliver chocolate cake

Exercise: 5 miles with Leslie (60 minutes)

Day 104

2009-03-26T05:29:00.001-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T sliced almonds

Snack
2 cheese sticks

Lunch
1/2 Italian Beef sandwich
potato chips

Dinner
Hamburger (4 oz ground beef, bun, mustard)
3 c. salad with 1 T light italian dressing
1 slice chocolate cake

Exercise: 7 miles with Leslie (82 minutes); pushups/squats/ab work

Day 103-did well on this birthday

2009-03-25T06:01:00.000-07:00

It's birthday season. 2 birthdays in a row, today and tomorrow. Their only request: vanilla bean cheesecake and triple layer chocolate cake. Is there any hope?

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T sliced almonds

Lunch
2 c. red beans and rice
1 apple

Dinner
5 oz sirloin steak
1 zucchini grilled with onions
1 sweet potato with pat butter
1/5 slice vanilla bean cheesecake

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie (92 minutes)

Day 102

2009-03-24T05:59:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T sliced almonds
1/4 c. half and half

Lunch
3 c. tossed salad with 2 T light dressing
1 C red beans and rice
1 cheese stick

Dinner
3 pancakes
1 cheese stick
1 apple

Exercise: 5 miles with leslie (60 minutes), pushupsquatabs routine, 40 push ups to prove to my boys how many pushups I could do in a minute

Day 101

2009-03-23T19:03:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T sliced almonds
1/4 c. half and half

Lunch
3 rice cakes
6 slices turkey lunch meat
3 cheese sticks
3/4 apple

Snack
1 90 cal. granola bar

Dinner
1 c. red rice/beans
3 C. tossed salad with 2 T light dressing
1 90 cal. granola bar

Exercise: 10 miles with leslie (2 hours)

Day 100

2009-03-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 T brown sugar
2 T sliced almonds
1/4 c. half and half

Lunch
1/2 c. wild rice mix
4 oz pork loin chop
1 c. green beans
1 oz dark chocolate

Dinner
Culvers grilled chicken caesar salad
2 reeses mini cups
2 small chocolate chip cookies
1 small dove bite

Day 99

2009-03-21T17:56:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. blueberries
2 T sliced almonds
1 t. brown sugar

Lunch
3 rice cakes
8 slices lunch meat, turkey
2 cheese sticks
1 banana
1 90 cal. granola bar

Snack
1 90 cal. granola bar
tea with 1/4 c. half/half

Dinner
4 c. tossed salad with 2 T light dressing
2 boiled eggs
1 sweet potato with pat butter
1/2 c. non fat chocolate pudding

Exercise: 10 miles with Leslie (2 hours)

Day 98

2009-03-20T06:23:00.000-07:00

I went to bed last night feeling a wee bit ill. I woke up this morning feeling a bit wonky. Mid morning I napped. I was tired. Out of sorts. No exercise. Just not into it today. Had to work to not overeat. Have you heard of the research that lack of sleep effects one's ability to eat within their bounds? I have found this to be true. When I don't get enough sleep I tend to overeat.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. blueberries
2 T sliced almonds
1 t. brown sugar

2 pieces toast with 2 pats butter

Snack

2 cheese sticks

Lunch

2 c. light chicken noodle soup

2 pieces toast with 2 pats butter

1 cheese stick

Snack

1 banana

1 90 calorie granola bar

Dinner

1 1/2 slices cheese pizza

1/2 slice friendship bread coffee cake

Day 97

2009-03-18T06:14:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. blueberries
2 T sliced almonds
1 t. brown sugar

Snack

1 cheese stick

Lunch

4 c. romaine

1 c. broccoli

2 egg whites

1 egg

2 T light dressing

1 cheese stick

1 apple

Snack

banana

2 servings low calorie hot chocolate

Dinner

1 1/2 c. broccoli

4 oz chicken in coconut milk

Exercise: 5 miles with Leslie (60 minutes); squats/pushups/abdominal work

Day 96

2009-03-18T06:12:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. blueberries
2 T sliced almonds
1 t. brown sugar

Lunch
2 c. cauliflower
5 oz grilled chicken
1 apple
1 cheese stick

Dinner
2 c. chili
1 banana

Exercise: 7 miles with Leslie (82 minutes)

Day 95

2009-03-17T06:22:00.001-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. blueberries
2 T sliced almonds
1 t. brown sugar

Lunch
3 c. salad
2 egg whites
1 boiled egg
2 T. light dressing
6 oz non fat yogurt
1 T. light sour cream
1 T honey

Dinner
1/2 c. whole wheat past
5 oz grilled chicken
1 1/2 c. cauliflower with carrots
7 asparagus spears
3 T. half and half

Exercise: 8 miles with leslie (97 minutes), 100 crunches, 45 pushups, 24 squats

Day 94-Detoxing

2009-03-17T06:19:00.000-07:00

The weekend was so bad I was desperate to have a good day, a restart, a new beginning. I decided to go back to the detox diet (modified) and enjoy the cranberry juice fast next week). I had a bit of a headache this afternoon as I felt my body crave sugar yet my will fought back. It was a good day.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
2 T slivered almonds
1 t. brown sugar
1/4 c. blueberries

Lunch
3 c. salad with 2 T. light dressing
2 egg whites
2 cheese sticks

Snack
1 cheese stick

Dinner
1/2 c. brown rice
3 oz shrimp/scallop mix
1 c. green breans
3 c. salad with 2 T. light dressing

Exercise: 10 miles with Leslie (2 hours)

Day 93 - So it wasn't a better day.

2009-03-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

Don't know where I should go with this post for today. It started off well. Breakfast was my routine of oatmeal. Lunch was good too - pork loin, mushrooms, broccoli. Then I went to a bridal shower. There was sugared nuts at the table, within arms reach. I had, um, a few. I don't know how many. I also had a cookie, or two. But no cake, initially. A plate full of fruit. And then there was the Texas sheet cake. Yummers. I brought some home for the boys but had two pieces myself. Now my stomach is yearning for protein, my brain is swimming in sugar, I have no idea how many calories I consumed and my vision of exercising today has vanished.

I have discovered something about myself this weekend. I overeat when I feel insecure. I thought I overate or put my mouth in cruise control when bored or frustrated but what really drives me to eat badly is insecurity - when I'm not in a comfortable situation. The hand-to-mouth motion is subliminal. I'm not even aware of it and in a little bit I see a cup of peanuts gone and my head is screaming, "TOO MUCH SUGAR!"

Day 92 - Not the Best of Days

2009-03-14T19:31:00.000-07:00

Have you ever had a day when your are hungry beyond reason? Today was such a day for me. After a more than calorie-rich meal I was dissatisfied. Had. to. have. more. I didn't know, or even care, if it was emotional hunger. Didn't want to analyze it. I just wanted something more. And, unfortunately, the routine stuck for the day. I didn't need that cinnamon roll at the end of the day but, gosh darn it!, I deserved it, by golly. I know tomorrow, my weigh-in day, will not be a joyous one. But it's a new day.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. blueberries
2 T sliced almonds
1 t. brown sugar

Lunch
3 Corn tortillas
2 cheese sticks
6 slices turkey breast lunch meat
90 cal granola bar
6 oz non fat yogurt
1 T light sour cream
1 T honey

Snack
2 bowls honey nut cheerios
1 1/2 c. milk

Dinner
Grilled chicken caesar salad
1 cinnamon roll

Day 91

2009-03-13T17:50:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. blueberries
2 T sliced almonds
1 t. brown sugar
3 T. half/half
90 cal granola bar

Snack
1 cheese stick

Lunch
3 c. salad with 2 T. light dressing
2 corn tortillas with 1 cheese stick
1 oz dark chocolate
90 cal granola bar

Dinner
2 slices cheese pizza
1 oz dark chocolate

Exercise: 5 miles with Leslie (60 minutes); Sculpting with Tony (28 minutes)

Day 90

2009-03-12T20:10:00.001-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/4 c. blueberries
2 T sliced almonds
1 t. brown sugar
1 1/2 boiled egg whites
90 cal. granola bar
3 T. half/half

Lunch
90 cal. granola bar
1/2 oz cheese
1 corn tortilla
3 oz chicken breast
3 C. salad
2 T. light thousand island dressing
3 T half and half
1 oz dark chocolate

Dinner
salmon burger
3 c. salad with 1 boiled egg, 1/2 oz cheese, 2 T. italian light dressing
1 oz dark chocolate

Exercise: 2 hours with Leslie - 10 miles

Day 89 - Biggest Loser - it isn't that simple.

2009-03-11T18:30:00.000-07:00

DId you see Biggest Loser last night? Mandy, who the blue team was banking on to have lost the most, lost nothing. It is amazing because she worked hard the past week. How can someone who works out 6-8 hours a day not lose a pound? It just goes to show you that it really isn't quite as simple as eat less, exercise more and you'll lose weight - especially for women. You see, there's the tricky little thing women go through every month that messes with our hormones and weight. We can do all that is required or necessary, follow all the rules and still not lose weight, and perhaps even gain. If we are not aware of this fact we can become disheartened and give up. But I strongly believe it is important to be aware and anticipate and to press on. Persistence is the key.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c. half/half
90 cal. granola bar

Snack
2 cheese sticks

Lunch
1 1/2 c. salad with 2 T. light italian dressing
2 boiled eggs
6 ox non fat yogurt
1 T sour cream
1 T honey
1 oz dark chocolate

Dinner
2 C. spinach salad with 2 T. light italian dressing
5 oz. chicken
1 english muffin
1 oz mozzarella cheese
90 cal. granola bar

Exercise: 5 miles with Leslie (60 minutes); Weights with Tony (Power 90 1/2)

Day 88

2009-03-10T18:50:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c. half/half

Snack
90 cal. granola bar

Lunch
1 1/2 c. salad with 2 T light italian dressing
5 oz turkey patty
6 oz non fat yogurt
1 T. light sour cream
1 T honey

Snack
tea with 1/4 c. half/half

Dinner
1 1/2 c. salad with 2 T light italian dressing
3 oz mahi-mahi
2 corn tortillas
1/3 c. salsa
1 mcdonald's parfait
1 oz dark chocolate

Exercise: 2 hours with leslie (10 miles)

Day 87

2009-03-09T15:33:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1 slice toast with 1 pat butter

Snack
90 cal. granola bar

Lunch
1 C. steamed broccoli
1 1/2 oz sirloin steak
1/2 c. polenta
90 cal granola bar

Snack
1 slice toast with 1 pat butter

Dinner
1 1/2 c. green beans
1/2 c. pineapple
4 oz grilled chicken breast
1 mcdonald's parfait

Exercise: 5 miles with Leslie (60 minute), weight lifting with Tony (25 minutes)

Day 86

2009-03-08T19:55:00.000-07:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar

Lunch
10 saltine crackers
4 oz turkey patty
2 c. tossed salad with 2 T light italian dressing
1 piece applesauce spice cake
1/4 c. half/half

Dinner
Culver's Philly Cheese sandwich
1 scoop vanilla custard

Day 85

2009-03-07T07:27:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar

Snack
90 cal. granola bar

Lunch
2 slices cheese pizza
4 oz turkey patty
1 McDonald's parfait

Snack
5 saltine crackers
1 oz dark chocolate

Dinner
4 oz turkey patty
1 oz sirloin steak
grilled zucchin/onions
1 glass red wine
1 slice yellow cake with chocolate frosting

Exercise: 2 miles prayer walking (34 minutes); 5 miles with Leslie (60 minutes); gardening (2 hours)

Day 84

2009-03-07T07:25:00.001-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar

Snack
90 cal. granola bar

Lunch
1 1/2 c. salad with 2 T light italian dressing
1 1/2 c. chicken salsa soup

Dinner
2 slices cheese pizza
1 1/2 c. salad with 2 T light italian dressing
4 oz turkey patty
1 ox dark chocolate

Exercise: 10 miles with Leslie (2 hours)

Day 83

2009-03-05T20:09:00.000-08:00

Not the best eating day - went over 2000 calories.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar

Snack
2 cheese sticks
90 cal. granola bar

Lunch
3 corn tortillas
6 slices turkey lunch meat
1 1/2 oz mozzarella
1 1/2 c. cauliflower
2/3 c. carrots
1 oz dark chocolate

Snack
Apple
1 cheese stick
90 cal. granola bar

Dinner
2 eggs, scrambled
1 c. hash browns
3 toasts with 1 1/2 pat butter

Exercise: 5 miles with Leslie (1 hour)/ 25 min. body sculpting (Power 90, weight training, push-ups, squats, lunges, ab ripper) with Tony

Day 82 - It Isn't Easy

2009-03-04T17:06:00.000-08:00

Start Weight: 222.5lbs.
End Weight: 130lbs.
Total Lost: 92.5lbs.
I have struggled with my weight for the past 15 years. The weight just kept creeping on. I was so unhappy and tired. I continued to eat unhealthy and just felt terrible. My weight was taking a toll and I was afraid I was going to have a heart attack. At only 5 feet, I was morbidly obese.

On January 2, 2008 I started a life change. I began my plan of action by keeping a journal of everything I ate. Then I started to exercise- they were Leslie Sansone’s videos which I purchased years earlier. I started out slow- and lost about 3 pounds a week. I found Leslie’s workouts to be awesome (4 Steps – who knew it would be that easy!)

It isn't easy! That's my point, the reason I named my blog *I'm Typical. This testimony was from Lesliesansone.com. It is encouraging but I'm sure there's much more behind this weight-loss story than what's told here. 92 pounds in a year and easily done? I don't think so. Or maybe it is for some, a few, perhaps. But for folks like me it's hard work. It's aggravating. But it's worth it because it's about a better life style. It's about a realistic and spiritually mature attitude toward food.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar

Snack
2 cheese sticks

Lunch
8 oz non fat yogurt
1 T light sour cream
1 T honey
3 corn tortillas
6 slices turkey lunch meat
1 1/2 slices swiss cheese

Snack
90 calorie granola bar
tea with 3 T half/half

Dinner
4 oz salmon with teriyaki sauce
1 1/2 c. steam cauliflower
1/2 c. steam carrots
1 sweet potato
1 pat butter
tea with 3 T half/half

Exercise: 2 hours with Leslie (10 miles)

Day 81

2009-03-03T18:41:00.001-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar

Snack
2 cheese sticks

Lunch
1 c. sauteed zucchini
4 oz turkey patty
1 1/2 c. salad
1 T light ranch dressing
6 oz non fat yogurt
1 T sour cream
1 T honey

Snack
90 calorie granola bar

Dinner
1 c. steamed broccoli
1/3 c. brown rice
1 1/2 c. whole wheat pasta with 1/8 c. marinara
1 c. pineapple chunks

Exercise: 5 miles with Leslie (60 minutes), 25 minutes weight lifting/squats/lunges/push-ups with Tony

Day 80-Thank the Lord for Tomorrows

2009-03-02T19:35:00.000-08:00

I spent my morning making phone calls to the insurance company, the hospital and the doctor's office. And then it was to the appliance repair shop - waiting, waiting, waiting. So I put off exercise until all that was done. Then I had a meeting which went longer than expecting getting home just in time to fix dinner. Exercise -- well, it kind of got neglected today and I don't like that, especially since I sabbath from exercise on Sunday. Eating 4 cookies didn't help my calorie-count either. I didn't cling to Jesus like I hoped/want to. I clung to the sugary-comfort of macadamia white chocolate instead.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar

Snack
2 oz cheese sticks

Lunch
1.5 salad with 1 T light thousand island
1.5 c. chicken salsa soup
8 oz non fat yogurt
1 T. sour cream
1 T honey

Snack
4 white chocolate macadamia nut cookies
1 1/2 c. reduced calorie cocoa
3 T. half/half

Dinner
Shrimp/scallops sauteed
1/2 c. brown rice
2 c. tossed salad with 1 T light thousand island dressing
1 c. sauteed zucchini and onions
tea with 3 T half and half
1 slice toast with pat butter

Day 79

2009-03-01T06:31:00.001-08:00

I will eternally be baffled by the scale and my weight fluctuation. Yesterday I weighed 214. This morning ---- 209!

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar

Lunch
1/2 serving beef stroganoff
3 meatballs
2 pieces toast with butter

Snack
4 chocolate cookies
tea with 3 T half/half
5 tea biscuits

Dinner
1/2 serving chicken stir fry with rice
4 oz turkey patty
apple
3 T half/half
reduce calorie cocoa

Day 78

2009-02-28T19:47:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar

Lunch
2 c. green beans
1 1/2 c. roasted chicken

Snack
2 cheese sticks

Dinner
2 c. Chicken Salsa Soup
5 chocolate kisses
1/4 c. half and half
2 packets reduced calorie cocoa

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie (98 minutes)

Day 77

2009-02-27T04:19:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T sliced almonds
1 t brown sugar

Snack
1 cheese stick
90 cal granola bar

Lunch
1 1/2 c. cauliflower
1 1/2 c. salad with light italian dressing
6 meatballs

Snack
2 cheese sticks

Dinner
1 serving chicken fried rice
apple
90 cal. granola bar

Exercise: 10 miles with Leslie (120 minutes)

Day 76 - a little frustrated

2009-02-25T06:04:00.000-08:00

UPDATE:
I didn't post last night because I didn't finish eating, no better yet grazing, until 9pm. Maybe I can chalk it up to the no-coffee headache. Perhaps it's that time of the month. Whatever the "excuse" I overate massively today. I probably can rest this one on my frustration described below. But in the effort of maintaining utter and complete honesty in this blog I decided I must post everything I've eaten. No hidden snacks. I laid in bed bloated and disgusted. It's Thursday now. I have a new day before me. The slate is clean. I start anew.

I've maintained this 10 pound weight loss for almost a month. It has gone up. It hasn't gone down. And it's the latter that's frustrating me. Women's weight loss is a tricky thing to measure. Our hormones and cycles mess with that number. So I must realize that when weighing myself twice a week. But sometimes that 10 pounds is only 8 and a couple times it went to 11!

But it isn't going down - anymore. Have I plateu-ed? I've switched from 1200 calories to 1500 and sometimes 1700 (and once or twice 2000). I know that to keep my metabolism up I need to eat around 1700-2200 calories. If I go over that I start gaining. But if I stay there will I maintain and not lose? So should I go back down to 1200 to see if I'll lose or will my metabolism get whacked and go into starvation mode and maintain or worse - gain? Questions - please provide answers! Anyone?!

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
1 t brown sugar

Snack
1 90 cal. granola bar
1 oz almonds
2 boiled eggs

Lunch
1.5 c salad with light italian dressing
2 boiled eggs

Snack
2 pieces toast with butter

Dinner
1 serving penne pasta with shrimp
2 c salad with light italian dressing

Snack
2 pieces toast
1 oz dark chocolate
8 oz non fat yogurt
1 T sour cream
1T honey

Day 75

2009-02-24T17:22:00.000-08:00

When you switch up your exercise routine your body moves and stretches in new ways. And the next day you feel it. Today I learned that my Leslie Sansone routine does not exercise my hamstrings and deltoids. I'm glad to be exercising them with Tony.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
1 t. brown sugar
1/8 c. half/half

Lunch
1.5 c. salad
1 T light italian dressing
1 1/2 slices cheese pizza
8 oz non fat yogurt
1 T sour cream
1T honey

Snack
2 oz almonds

Dinner
1 1/2 c. salad
2 T light italian dressing
1 c. steamed cauliflower
6 meatballs with marinara
1 oz dark chocolate

Exercise: 10 miles with Leslie (2 hours)

Day 74 - Switching Up the Exercise Routine

2009-02-23T17:17:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half
1 toast with butter

Lunch
1 serving beef stroganoff
1 apple
1 toast with butter

Dinner
4 oz mahi-mahi
3 C. salad with 2 T light thousand island dressing
7 spears grilled asparagus
.5 oz cheese stick

Exercise: Trying something new, well actually old. 6 years ago I purchased my first infomercial item - Tony Horton's Power 90 from Beachbody.com. I pulled it off the shelf, dusted it off and worked out to cardio and weight-lifting (total 1 hour) today. I'm thinking of alternating Tony with 8 miles with Leslie.

Day 73

2009-02-23T17:15:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Lunch
4 c. romaine
2 T red onion
2 T feta
2T light italian dressing
6 oz grilled chicken
2 pieces challah bread
8 oz non fat milk
1 T sour cream
1T honey

Dinner
6 oz turkey breast
1 hamburger roll
1 serving sweet potato fries

Day 72

2009-02-21T11:06:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Lunch
3 C. romaine
1.5 c. red bell pepper
2 scallions
2 T light done right thousand island dressing
5 oz. ground turkey

Dinner
3 C. romaine
1 c. red bell pepper
2 scallions
2 T light done right thousand island dressing
5 oz ground turkey
8 oz non fat yogurt
1 T sour cream
1 T honey
1 piece angel food cake

Exercise: 96 minutes with Leslie (8 miles)

Day 71

2009-02-20T17:19:00.001-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Lunch
4 corn tortillas
2 cheese sticks
7 slices turkey breast
salad with 1 T light thousand Island dressing

Snack
1/2 c. chocolate covered soy nuts

Dinner
6 oz turkey patty
2 c. sauteed zucchini with onions
1 sweet potato with pat butter

Exercise: 10 miles!!! with Leslie (2 hours)

Day 70- Step Away From the Chocolate-Covered Soy Nuts, Ma'am!

2009-02-19T06:08:00.000-08:00

There is this sense I have, in my gluttonous state, that a food which leads me to indulge must be consumed in total, in one single sitting. What is that about?!%* If I open a box of _______________________ (fill in the blank with graham crackers/cookies/pretzels/almonds/granola bars/whatever) and I have one, then another, then...ooops might as well consume the entire box so it's out of the house and I won't be eating anymore.

Wouldn't the logical form of resistance be, ah, let's think here, ah...throw it away!? You might think, "Hey, Barb, why not just stop eating. Close it up and put it in the back of the cupboard. Step away. Stop eating."
You'd think that would make sense to me.
You'd think I would have the self-control to stop and step away.
But you see, when my head and heart are consumed by an indulgence, control does not even enter the picture. Only lack of control. So when I ate 20 soy nuts and there were, oh, 1/2 c. left in the box, I thought, "Might as well finish it off!" Stupid, stupid, STUPID.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Lunch
4 corn tortillas
2 cheese sticks
7 slices turkey breast
apple
salad with 1 T light thousand Island dressing

Snack
2 90 calorie granola bars
1/2 c. chocolate covered soy nuts

Dinner
egg noodles with beef stroganoff

Day 69

2009-02-18T14:22:00.001-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Snack
2 oz cheese stick

Lunch
2/3 c. white rice
1 c. peppers
3 oz pork loin
1 c non fat yogurt
1 T sour cream
1 T honey

Dinner (It was Admitted Student Night at St. Louis University - parents invited too. Ian, Aidan and I attended)
1 hamburger patty
1 slice cheddar
1 C. fruit salad

Exercise: 98 minutes (8 miles) with Leslie

Day 68 - Why I Push the Miles

2009-02-17T18:58:00.000-08:00

Aidan asked me the other day why I do so many miles when I walk. I responded, "Because it makes me feel good." And it does. I can see the muscle in my arms becoming more defined. My thigh muscle is hard. My waist is shrinking. My attitude during and after exercise is so much brighter than prior. It doesn't take 5 minutes of exercise for me to feel good. After 60-70-80 minutes...I feel fantastic. And I feel my creative juices flowing while walking away at a 12- 10 minute mile. I usually plan my Sunday School and Children's Sermon while I walk. My imagination is free to roam and comes up with some wild ideas. I truly enjoy the sweat. So I walk because it feels good and it's good for me.

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Snack
2 rice cakes
1 cheese stick

Lunch
2 C. romaine
1 T light italian dressing
3 oz pork tenderloin
8 oz non fat yogurt
1 T sour cream
1T honey

Dinner
5 oz chicken breast
2 C. grilled onions/peppers/mushrooms
1 90 cal. granola bar

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie - 97 minutes

Day 67 - Back on Track

2009-02-16T04:46:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Lunch
3 c. romaine
1/2 c yellow bell pepper
5 oz chicken breast
1 T light italian dressing
1 c. non fat yogurt
1 T sour cream 1 T honey

Snack
1 cheese stick

Dinner
1 serving Curves Shrimp and Turkey Paella

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie - 98 minutes

Day 66 - the day I totally blow it*

2009-02-15T14:22:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Lunch
1/2 c. hash browns
4 oz pork loin
3 c. salad with 2 T light italian dressing
1 portabello mushroom with parmesan
*1 oz chocolate marzipan
*6 lady fingers

Dinner
*1 1/2 C. honey-nut cheerios
*1 c. milk
5 C microwave light popcorn

Day 65

2009-02-15T06:21:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Lunch
3 C. romaine
4 oz Turkey breast
2 T light Ranch

Last night Dave and I attended the annual Sparta Library Fund raiser - Glitter in the Night. Hors d'ouvres, desserts, wine....not sure all what I consumed but I tried to keep a mental list but know the dessert put me over my calorie limit...
1 fried ravioli
2 chicken wrapped in bacon
1 meatball
1 toast with marinara
1 tortilla wrap with some sort of cream cheese
6 oz chicken breast, breaded and topped with cheese
1/2 c. spaghetti squash with 2 T marinara
4 asparagus spears wrapped in prosciutto
mini-scoop (maybe 2 T) spumoni
1 slice tiramisu cake

Exercise: 8 miles (1 with Carol, walking in town - 7 with Leslie) - 95 minutes

Day 64

2009-02-13T20:35:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 1/2 c. oatmeal
1/3 c. blueberries
2 T almonds
1 t brown sugar
1/4 c half and half

Lunch
Chicken Caesar Wrap

Dinner
6 oz chicken breast
1 oz mozzarella
1/2 c. edamame

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie, 90 minutes

Day 63 - a little late

2009-02-13T06:59:00.000-08:00

Breakfast

1/2 english muffin

1/2 oz swiss cheese

1 fried egg

1/4 c. half and half

Lunch

6 oz turkey breast

1/2 c. shelled edamame

1 apple

Snack

2 oz cheese

Dinner

5 oz chicken breast

1 1/2 c. salad with 1 T. light done right dressing

1/2 c shelled edamame

1 C non fat yogurt

1 T sour cream

1 T honey

Exercise: 6 miles with Leslie - 70 minutes

Day 62

2009-02-11T16:52:00.000-08:00

Breakfast

1.5 C oatmeal

1/2 c. blueberries

2 T slivered almonds

1 t. brown sugar

Lunch

Roasted Chicken Subway sandwich

Snack

1 oz mozzarella stick

90 cal. granola bar

Dinner

2 crab cakes

2 c. sauteed zuchinni

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie - 88 minutes

Day 61

2009-02-10T06:18:00.001-08:00

I went over my calorie count today. I was hungry. After dinner I was still hungry. Rice is high in calories yet doesn't fill me up. I should avoid it because I tend to eat more even when I eat rice.

Breakfast
1 C. oatmeal
1/2 c. blueberries
2 T slivered almonds
1 t. brown sugar
1/4 c. half/half

Snack

90 calorie granola bar

Lunch

3 c. romaine

1 c. red peppers

4 oz chicken breast

1 T. light done right dressing

1 c. low fat plain yogurt

1 T honey

Snack

1 1/2 oz cheese

90 calorie granola bar

Dinner

2/3 C. brown rice

orange beef stir fry

90 calorie granola bar

3 tea biscuits

exercise: 91 minutes with Leslie - 8 miles

Day 60

2009-02-09T16:51:00.000-08:00

Breakfast

1 C. oatmeal

1/2 c. blueberries

2 T slivered almonds

1 t. brown sugar

1/4 c. half/half

Snack

1 oz cheese

90 cal. granola bar

Lunch

2 c. romaine

5 oz grilled chicken

1/2 c. red peppers

3/4 c. steamed brussel sprouts

Dinner

5 oz. grilled chicken

1 med. sweet potato

1 pat butter

1/2 c. edamame

Snack

1 oz cheese

90 cal. granola bar

Exercise: 6 miles with Leslie, 65 minutes

Day 59

2009-02-08T12:47:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
1 c. oatmeal
1/2 c. cherries
2 T slivered almonds
1 t. brown sugar
1/4 c. half and half

Lunch
4 oz turkey breast
1 c. mashed potatoes
1 c. brussel sprouts
1 c. low fat plain yogurt
1/2 c. cherries

Dinner

1 oz cheese

1 1/2 c. mashed potatoes

Day 58 - I'm Ecstatic!

2009-02-07T05:39:00.000-08:00

It's been one month exactly since I began this official diet journey (58 days since I began food blogging/journalling). On January 7th I began the Fast Track Detox diet. After two weeks on that I meandered and a friend introduced me to the Curves plan. I've been on that this week (Phase 1). For this first month I've lost 10 pounds! My attitude toward food is changing. The feelings of attachment are breaking. I'm still on that razor's edge but my feet are dangling on the side of health, not addiction.

Breakfast

1 c. oatmeal

1/2 c. cherries

2 T slivered almonds

1 t. brown sugar

Lunch

Jamaican Jerk Pizza at California Pizza Co. - ask how many servings are in each pizza - we were told one pizza serves one person but when I checked the calorie count on line it said one pizza has 3 servings!!!!

Dinner

1/2 oz cheese

5 oz chicken breast

1/2 c. mashed sweet potato

Exercise:

8 miles with Leslie - 96 minutes

Day 57-really good breakfast recipe

2009-02-06T07:37:00.001-08:00

Breakfast (this was really good - you should try it)

3/4 C. oatmeal

1/2 C. cherries

1/2 t. brown sugar

2 T. shaved almonds

Lunch

4 corn tortillas

10 slices roast beef lunch meat

1 oz cheddar/jack

Snack

1/2 oz. cheese

Dinner

4 oz chicken breast

1 c. mashed sweet potato

2 c. steamed broccoli

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie - 96 minutes

Day 56

2009-02-05T19:04:00.000-08:00

Breakfast

1/2 english muffin

1 fried egg

1/2 oz swiss cheese

Snack

low fat cheese stick

Lunch

2 c. romaine

4 oz. tuna

2 T. low fat mayo

1/2 c. cuke

1/2 english muffin

2 egg whites

Snack

90 calorie granola bar

Dinner

4 oz lean ground beef

3 corn tortillas

1/2 oz cheddar

Exercise: 6 miles with Leslie for 73 minutes

Day 55

2009-02-04T17:32:00.001-08:00

Breakfast

1/2 muffin

1 fried egg

1/2 oz swiss cheese

coffee with 1/4 c. half and half

Snack

1/2 oz cheese

Lunch

2 C. romaine salad with 1T light italian dressing

6 oz. grilled chicken

1/3 C. avocado salsa

Dinner

4 oz. salmon

1 c. steamed cauliflower

1 c. roasted potatoes

6 asparagus spears

1/2 c. grapes

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie - 93 minutes

Day 54

2009-02-03T16:41:00.001-08:00

Breakfast

1/2 english muffin

1 fried egg

1/2 oz. swiss cheese

coffee and 1/4 c. cream

Snack

baby belle cheese

Lunch

5 romaine leaves with

4 oz tuna

1/2 c. cukes

2 T. light mayo

2 T. chopped pecans

1 kiwi

1 slice bread

2 egg whites

Snack

1 baby belle cheese

Dinner

6 oz chicken breast

1/2 c. ww spaghetti

1/2 c. marinara

3 c. salad with 1 T light italian dressing

1.5 c. cauliflower

Exercise: 70 minutes with Leslie - 6 miles

Day 53

2009-02-02T20:16:00.000-08:00

Breakfast

2 egg whites, 1 egg scrambled with 1/4 C. onion and 1/2 c. mushroom

Snack

12 almonds

Lunch

2 C. romaine with 1/2 C. peppers and 4 oz. chicken

Snack

12 almonds

Dinner

5 oz. mahi-mahi

1.5 C steamed broccoli

2 pita breads

1 pear

Exercise: 5 miles with leslie - 60 minutes

Day 52 - OOOPS!

2009-02-02T20:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I was going to post Sunday's food diary and I was doing very well up until the 4th quarter and when that 2 minute warning hit - ba-booom!

Day 51

2009-01-31T16:54:00.000-08:00

Breakfast

Berry smoothie

Lunch

1 slice cheese pizza

4 c. romaine with peppers

4 oz sirloin steak

1 T. oil/vinegar dressing

Dinner

4 falafel patties

3 C. salad

3 oz. sirloin steak

1 T. oil vinegar dressing

Day 50 - craving toast

2009-01-30T17:21:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
Berry smoothie

Snack
2 boiled eggs
1.5 toast with butter

Lunch
2 c. steamed broccoli
3 slices toast with butter

Snack
2 pieces toast with butter

...are you seeing a trend here?

Dinner
3 C. romaine
1.5 C. steamed cauliflower
4 oz. turkey breast
1 T. oil/vinegar dressing

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie - 91 minutes

Day 49

2009-01-29T16:08:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
2 boiled eggs
2 slices bread

Lunch
1 sweet potato
1 pat butter
4 oz. turkey patty

Snack
1 oz almonds

Dinner
4 oz turkey patty
1 sweet potato with 1 pat butter
2 C. steamed cauliflower

Exercise: 96 minutes with leslie - 8 miles

Day 48

2009-01-28T16:51:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
berry smoothie

Snack
2 boiled eggs

Lunch
4 c. romaine salad with 4 oz roast beef
1 slice bread

Snack
1 oz almonds

Dinner
4 oz. sirloin
2 C. steamed cauliflower
1 c. jello

Exercise: 83 minutes with Leslie - 7 miles

Day 47 - Witchy Woman

2009-01-27T17:11:00.000-08:00

It's that TOM - yeap, that time of the month. The exact day. The day all h$ll breaks loose in my hormones. It happens once every 7 years when my hormonal rage is at it's peak. Today was the day. I was not in my best form today. I was not in my right mind today. The kids are avoiding me and I gave Dave fair warning. Needless to say I wanted what I wanted but I only gave in to 4 chocolate balls. I wanted more - thankfully I had exorcised my pantry of such temptations. But the calorie count was much higher today than in the past. I walked for 8 miles hoping to sweat some of this hormonal psychopathy out of my system. It helped a tad.

Breakfast
2 boiled eggs
1 c. low fat yogurt
1 c. mixed frozen berries

Lunch
1 1/2 peanut butter sandwiches
1 apple with peanut butter
4 chocolate balls

Snack
1 oz almonds

Dinner
4 oz turkey patty
3 c. tossed salad with 1 T oil/vinegar dressing
6 asparagus spears

It doesn't look like a lot of calories but that peanut butter is what did me in!

Exercise: 93 minutes with Leslie - 8 miles

Day 46

2009-01-26T19:33:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
scrambled eggs whites with one egg, mushrooms/onions

Lunch
4 c. romaine with 4 oz roast beef/2 boiled eggs/peppers and 2 T. homemade mayo dressing

Dinner
1 1/2 C. spaghetti with meat sauce
1 c. tossed salad with 1 T italian dressing
1 c. lowfat plain yogurt
1 c. mixed berries

Exercise: 7 miles with Leslie, 80 minutes

Day 45

2009-01-26T08:10:00.000-08:00

So it's day 46 but I didn't get to post yesterday because I arrived home at 1:30am (on day 46) from an awesome concert - WinterJam with Toby Mac. Awesome!

Breakfast
Berry smoothie
Coffee with 1/4 C. cream

Lunch
2 C. mixed broccoli, cauliflower, carrots - steamed
2 boiled eggs

Dinner (at 12am)
Steak and Shake single chicken breast sandwich
Coffee with 1/4 C. cream

Day 44

2009-01-24T18:27:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
Berry Smoothie

Snack
2 boiled eggs

Lunch
2 C. romaine salad
4 oz veal burger
1 C. plain low fat yogurt with 1 T. honey

Snack
2 1/2 pieces toast with 1 pat butter

Dinner
1.5 C romaine salad
4 oz veal burger
2 biscuits

Exercise: 8 miles with Leslie for 93 minutes

I Lied

2009-01-24T06:27:00.000-08:00

Well, it wasn't exactly a lie, perhaps a blatant omission. Last night, I posted day 43 prior to eating dinner. I anticipated what I was planning to eat and recorded that. Well, it wasn't exactly what I ate, not in the least.

I had the salad and one veal burger (4 oz instead of 8 - I upped the protein since my calorie count has been coming in between 1000-1100 and I think that's too low). Then I eyed the pepperoni pizza I made for the family. It looked good. I haven't had pizza for - weeks (we have pizza, homemade, really good pizza every Friday). I had a sliver. I was really good. Then I had another. I figured two slivers actually equal one piece, I'm okay. But....then.... I had another sliver. So 1 1/2 pieces of pizza - pepperoni. About an hour later my stomach was cramping up, I felt bloating, I felt miserable. I confessed to Dave.

I don't like feeling like I did. I desire that satisfied, contented feeling in my stomach, not the overloaded, bloated, ate-tooooo-much feeling. Eating the right foods satisfies better than nitrate-filled pepperoni pizza. New day. Start-over.

Day 43

2009-01-23T16:05:00.000-08:00

We had a funeral dinner today. Wrecked the momentum of my good eating.

Funeral dinners are Aidan's favorite church event. There's fried chicken, ham, rolls, angel food cake and Texas sheet cake. He's in heaven and eager to help serve, anticipating the rewards to come.

I, however, dread the menu. I love jello salads. I don't make them - ever. I consider them dessert but here in the midwest a jello salad is a salad and therefore placed next to the garden salads and slaws. I don't know why. There's absolutely no vegetable in any of these salads. They're made with gelatin, strawberries (or some other fruit), marshmallows, and cool-whip. Anything with cool-whip means dessert. And because I never make jello "salads" and I didn't grow up with jello "salads" I eat them at funeral dinners. I like them - a lot. But today I had --- none, nada, not.a.bite. I did have fried chicken (peeling the fried part off) and some banana split dessert. Then I saw home-made peach pie and thought, "Wow, homemade peach pie!" So I wrapped up a piece to enjoy at home. After dishes, cleaning counters, and storing leftovers I returned home to enjoy my dessert - my deserved, rewarded dessert. Dave gave me the harry eye-ball as I unwrapped the cellophane.

I said, "What!"

So I took a bite. It wasn't that satisfying. Not that fantastic of a pie. But it has been so long...

So I took another bite. With each bite I was trying to persuade my taste buds that this was sooo worth it. But it wasn't. I stopped after 4 bites. Placed the plate down and walked away. It was enough. I threw the rest away. Didn't need the temptation.

Breakfast
Berry smoothie

Snack
2 boiled eggs

Lunch
2 chicken thighs, fried, skin removed
1.5 C. salad
1 C. cauliflower/broccoli salad
1/2 C. Banana split dessert
1/2 piece peach pie

Dinner
3 c. romaine salad with peppers and yellow squash
8 oz veal burger

Day 42

2009-01-22T13:16:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
Berry Smoothie

Lunch
2 egg omelet with onions and mushrooms
4 c. romaine with peppers, broccoli and homemade mayo dressing
1 piece bread with pat butter

Snack
pear

Dinner
8 oz veal burger
1 .5 c broccoli
sauteed onions, mushrooms, artichoke hearts (in veg. broth - no fat!)

Exercise: 7 miles with Leslie, 83 minutes

Day 41

2009-01-21T17:53:00.000-08:00

Not a good day. I ate bread. Lustfully ate bread. Greedily ate bread. It's tax day.

Breakfast
2 eggs scrambled
3 asparagus spears
2 T. onion

Lunch
1 C. cauliflower
6 oz sirloin steak

Snack
2 pieces toast with 2 pats butter

Dinner
4 oz. salmon
2/3 C. rice
1 c. fried cabbage

Exercise: 7 miles with Leslie, 93 minutes

Day 40

2009-01-20T19:23:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
Blueberry Smoothie

Snack
2 boiled eggs
1 piece toast

Lunch
2 c. salad with 4 oz. sirloin steak
1 c. low fat plain yogurt
2 t. honey

Dinner
4 oz chicken
1 acorn squash
sauteed onions/mushrooms

Snack
pear

Exercise: 6 miles with Leslie, 70 minutes

Day 39

2009-01-19T15:28:00.000-08:00

Thank goodness for grilled chicken salad in restaurants.

We ate out today and I was a little apprehensive, not knowing where we were going to eat (going out with friends who picked the place). It was mexican. The tortilla chips and salsa were placed on the table. Yumm. I knew if I ate one I'd have another, then another, then another. So my mind was calculating, "Can I afford the calories?" I decided it was a treat that I really didn't want to indulge in. Now the menu. What to order? I love flautas but fried flour tortillas - definitely not on the diet. Then I saw the grilled chicken garden salad. Yes! Something I enjoy and can eat. I didn't feel neglected and entitled to indulge. I was satisfied. I didn't crave the rice, beans, guacamole and c-h-e-e-s-e (oozy-goozy).

One thing this detox has done for my appetite - it has made me able to wait longer between meals, when I can't eat I have a longer tolerance for hunger. Prior to detoxing, the minute I felt hunger I would crave and crave and dream of what to eat and the minute I was in the kitchen, or at a place to eat, I would consume, not mindful of what I was eating, just wanting to consume. Now I wait and savor the flavors. It's a good thing.

Breakfast
berry smoothie

Lunch
Grilled Chicken Garden Salad

Snack
Starbucks Venti with half and half

Dinner
4 oz. sirloin steak
sweet potato with pat butter
1 C. cauliflower
1 C. broccoli

Day 38

2009-01-18T06:34:00.000-08:00

I completed the ten days on the Fast Track Detox diet yesterday. I lost a total of 5 pounds. As i stated before I could easily slip back into bad habits but I also feel victorious by placing food in it's proper position in my life - for my good and not my god. I will most likely continue cycling through this regimen. The family likes the menu (I alter and add a bit extra for them), it's not very expensive and it's working.

Breakfast
Scrumptious Apple Squares - (2 eggs, 1 scoop whey powder, 1 apple, 1/2 t. cinnamon)
1 c. plan low-fat yogurt

Snack
Coffee
1/4 C. half/half

Lunch
4 scallops
8 shrimp
2 slices toast with 1 pat butter
salad with vinaigrette

Snack
2 hard boiled eggs

Dinner
Blueberry Smoothie

Snack
apple

Day 37

2009-01-17T18:42:00.000-08:00

Breakfast
Cherry and Whey Pancakes

Lunch
4 oz turkey patty
Romaine Salad with broccoli, cauliflower, red and green peppers

Snack
Blueberry smoothie

Dinner
4 oz mahi-mahi (that was absolutely delicious - will make this again)
5 oz butternut squash
spinach salad (spinach, red onion and eggs)

Snack
apple

Exercise: 9 miles with Leslie 106 minutes