It's a new year. A new year, with a new job, a lack of a smoking habit, a new home, new exercise equipment, a new name.

New. New. New. New.

3 years ago, I lost close to 100 pounds....I think the final total was 95 pounds at my lowest weight. I lost almost 100 pounds and then started depo provera and found my success grinding to a halt. And I gave up.

After all that dedication, and all that amazing progress, I allowed myself to become discouraged with all the hard work I was doing with my diet and exercise. After about a month of "perfect" behavior and no losses...I just gave up. That was about the time my partner moved in with me. My partner, "Mr. Man", a man with a naturally sculpted body. A man who does not exercise, can put down a 2 lb steak (with a full meal) in a sitting, and still has the body of a greek god. A man from the south, who believes a meal isn't complete without meat, potatoes, and gravy. And I gained.

Boy did I gain.

Sometime around May of 2005, I stepped on the scale at my gym and saw 285, which launched a 4 month spree of diet and exercise, bringing me back down to 262. And then I started a business, got offered a job with my dream company two days before my grand opening, took the new job, moved, dealt with xmas and debt....and suddenly, we're here in 2006.

In two years, I've put on 44 pounds. I stepped on the scale this morning and just about cried when I saw the digital display flashing back and forth between 281.5 and 282.3.

But then I remembered that I've spent the last bit of time preparing myself for success and I got motivated.

My personal trainer at work convinced me to drop the depo a couple months ago...my hormones are finally evening out with the new bc pill I'm on, and everyone seems confident that weight loss will be possible again with this choice. Beyond that, I've finally gotten "formally" diagnosed with PCOS...with all the blood tests out of the way, my Doctor has decided to put me on Glucophage for a couple months in hopes of treating the insulin resistance I have long enough to kick-start the weight loss and, reflexively, to lower my blood sugar. And though we've decided that gym memberships are just too horrifyingly expensive in this area, I'm now set up to work out at home. I have an elliptical machine (was previously my trainer's), and a full set up to do yoga with videos at home. And I have Super Slow (special weight training) at work with my Personal Trainer two days per week (yes, there are some awesome benefits to this job).

So, today is the day.

I had a last hurrah last night of course...how productive, let's all stuff our faces as much as possible before starting a diet, right? LOL. But, I also got dinner menus and grocery lists planned out for the next 3 weeks. The key to eating right for me is planning. If I don't plan, I'm lost. Absolutely lost. So I've got our dinners planned for 3 weeks, my grocery list for next week, and my new schedule done (which includes exercise 5 mornings per week).

With my schedule at the new job (11am-7pm) being so far off from Mr. Man's (7am-3pm), we've been eating out WAAAAAAAY too much since the move. It's just "so late" by the time I get out of work to cook, eat, clean up, etc.

In other words, I've been lazy.

My new menus involve cooking for at least 2 nights at a time, eating within a WW points limit again, and ingesting lots of veggies. The three main focuses for me will be: Water, Fruits/Veggies, and Exercise.

This is a lot of change, all at once. I absolutely have to do it though. HAVE TO. I quit smoking last fall because I had to, and it worked. Now it's time to take care of the rest of my body (not to minimize the importance of taking care of one's lungs, of course).

I'm cheerful today. I'm happy to be alive. I've been depressed and stressed too much lately. I have way way way too much goodness in my life to feel that way. So, today is the day. It's time to take care of me again.

And as soon as I find how to do it...I'll be changing my nick here to Jazz or Jazzy...as it is more than time to leave this name (and its baggage) behind.

Today's menu

Breakfast:
1 packet weight control oatmeal (3 points)
1/8 cup raisins (1 point)
1 cup nonfat milk (2 points)
16 oz Jasmine Green Tea
20 oz water

Breakfast Points: 6

Snack:
1/2 bagel at work (3 points)
16 oz Jasmine Green Tea
40 oz water

Snack Points: 3

Lunch:
Michelina's Lean Gourmet frozen Salisbury Steak Meal (4 points)
2 carrots (1 point)
Orange (1 point)
20 oz water

Lunch Points: 6

Dinner:
1 cup 15 Bean Cajun Soup -homemade- (5 points)
1 Whole Wheat Pita made into Garlic Toasts (2 points)
Salad with lettuce, carrot, cucumber, onion, croutons, cheese (3 points)
Light Salad Dressing (2 point estimate)
20 oz water

Dinner Points: 12

Planned points for the day thus far: 27
Planned water intake: 100 oz (+ 32 oz tea)
Excercise today: 30 minutes on my elliptical on a program that ranged from resistance level 1 all the way through 10.

And I look to still have some points saved for a cocktail or yogurt at the end of the night! :)

Wow, you are such an inspiration. I also have PCOS and have constantly struggled to lose the weight I have gained. It comes off so slow for me. I enjoyed reading your post and your determination was very motivating. I look forward to reading more in your journal and following you in your success!

Today's Planned Menu

Breakfast:
1 piece of toast* (2 points)
1 whole wheat pita (1 point)
1 tbsp light mayo (1 point)
1/2 cup eggbeaters (1 point)
1/2 cup lite fruit cocktail (1 point)
16 oz Jasmine Green Tea
20 oz Water

Breakfast Points: 6

*Leftover from Mr. Man's b-fast this morning before he went to work, I was suffering from low blood sugar and ate it as I didn't have time to get myself something before taking him to work. *smacks hand* Bad girl!

Snack:
Reduced fat string cheese (2 points)
20 oz Water
16 oz Jasmine Green Tea

Snack Points: 2

Lunch:
2 carrots (1 point)
1/2 cucumber (0 points)
1 fuji apple (1 point)
Michelina's Lean Gourmet Microwave Meal: Zita Parmesano (5 points)
20 oz water

Lunch Points: 7

Dinner:
Broiled Lemon and Gin Marinated Chicken and Onions (6 points)
Green Beans (0 points)
1/2 Sweet Potato (2 points)
20 oz water

Dinner Points: 8

I'll be back later to report in on yesterday!

Hi morgayn :)

Your journal caught my eye and when I read your first post I found that your situation is a lot like mine! I too will be starting a new life this year moving away in august to a new home accross the country and a new job...it's very motivating!

Well I just wanted to say hi, and you're not alone, and I will be keeping my eye on you ;) Good luck in this new year!!!

Thank you so much dec1905 and Tally for stopping to read!

dec1905: has your doctor put you on any medication for the PCOS? I'm on Yasmin, a special BC pill that was actually designed for PCOS (beyond regulating my cycle and such, it also has androgen blockers, so it helps to reduce hair growth and makes the skin softer), and I love it.

Tally: where are you moving? I'm here in the Bay Area of California. Good luck with the change, it can be a great motivator to make positive changes in your life!

==Report from Yesterday==

Well, I did pretty well for my first day....I did come in to work to find a giant display of bagels in our kitchen, which I avoided to begin with...and then, around 12:30, I was starving and just couldn't take it anymore...and so I had a 1/2 a bagel.

And no, I didn't flip out about it...I figure, hey, at least I was able to satisfy both my extreme addiction to bagels and my hunger with a half instead of a whole, right? Why didn't I just eat my lunch? Well, I work an 11 am - 7 pm shift....which means, I schedule my lunch for 3 pm so that it breaks up my day...which means...I need to pack a snack! I did today, by the way.

The only other weak point of the day was after dinner (the soup I made was FANTABULOUS, as a side note), when Mr. Man wanted dessert type munchies. He pulled out the Hershey's kisses his mom sent us for Xmas and I will admit that I had like...5 of them.

So, I was a couple points higher than what I aimed for yesterday, in the end.

I did, however, eat more than 5 servings of fruits and veggies!!!:D :ribbon:
And....I drank a total of 140 oz of water!!!!! :jn :dn :wn :dc

==Today, Thus Far==
30 mins on the elliptical this morning - w00t!

Breakfast as described in my earlier post...

Working on my second cup of tea right now...will get my string cheese and second bottle of water when I'm done...

And then my 30 min super slow workout with my trainer here at work...at 2 PM.

It's a good day! Just gotta keep going one day at a time :)

Hi Morgayne,

YOU WERE SO GRACIOUS TO STOP BY MY JOURNAL TO SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE ME ... so I decided it was time to come over AND DO THE SAME FOR YOU.

You've started a new Journal for the New Year which means imho THAT YOU'VE DETERMINED TO ACHIEVE THE GOALS YOU HAVE SET FOR YOURSELF.

I read in your post today about bagels AND their being a temptation:lil: -- have you ever tried WESTERN BAGEL LOW CARBOHYDRATE BAGEL .... they have the whole wheat, plain and cinnamon raisin bagel ... 110 calories FOR 1 bagel -- 0 GRAMS OF FAT; 0 GRAMS OF SATURATED FAT; O MILLIGRAMS CHOLESTEROL; 200 MILLIGRAMS SODIUM ; 8 GRAMS OF FIBER and 7 GRAMS OF PROTEIN. If you are following the WW Points Plan it's 2 Points .. so you don't have to feel you have to deny yourself ...

If you'd like I would be happy to share some of the recipes I found in the various WW cookbooks ...

Thanks again for STOPPING by .. it is appreciated. I am no different than anyone else we all need POSITIVE :cheer: ENCOURAGEMENT in our lives. I am as always, Monica

HI MOrgayne,

I too found your journal inspiring. I love your attitude and I love reading your posts about your meals. Curious about your recipe for lemon & gin chicken! Why are bagels our weakness??? I have to go to a meeting tomorrow and I know there will be a platter there. I am going to do what you did and just have half with a LITTLE cream cheese. Pray for me! Ha! Continuued success. I will be following you!

Lisa

Monica - a bagel that's only 2 points for the whole thing??? Sign me up!!! Is that another Trader Joe's find, or is it something I can grab at the grocery store? Your WW recipes are always appreciated - especially anything that is appetizing to a non-dieting male :) You are such a constant inspiration...and must be so proud of yourself. Thank you, thank you, thank you for stopping in.

Lisa: bagels are my weakness because i'm a carb-a-holic. Totally and completely. I LOVE bread, starch, carbs in all of their glorious forms...and nothing tops the list like a giant bagel toasted and slathered with cream cheese. Oh no. I literally just made my mouth water. See? It's a disease!!! Good idea with the planning to have a little though. When I was in the process of losing the first 95 lbs, I was working for a company that had a huge table spread of bagels and 12 different types of cream cheese every Monday...oh yeah, and Krispy Kremes. Anyhow, what I found worked best for me, was to take a half...or even a half of a half...of a bagel and put a little bit of one of the sweeter cream cheeses on it...That way, I got my bagel fix filled and enjoyed the sweetness that I was missing by staying away from the Krispy-Crack-Kremes.

If there's one thing I know....it's that serious deprivation will lead me to the land of binging like nothing else.

Speaking of which...I've been sitting here feeling a bit sorry for myself this afternoon... See, my company has this lunch account program. You put money in, and you get the option of ordering from whatever restaurant will be delivering that day. Today was Thai food...oh man, it smelled good up here...I would have killed someone for some pad thai. And then the other department on our floor ordered pizza...it was like walking through the desert and imagining an oasis. But did I order? No. No peanut sauce, no fried noodles...uh uh. Instead, I busied myself with my string cheese and cucumbers....went to my workout....and am now about to go heat my frozen lunch.

Oh, what a martyr I am! LOL.

If I could only stop valuing food so freaking highly...If only I could get to the point where I'm not feeling deprived just because I'm not binging on junk food 24/7...If only I'd stop fantasizing about a day when I can eat whatever I want.

Food cannot be the center of my life any longer.

Okay, time for lunch.

==Edited to add==
Oh, and I forgot to post the recipe!!!!

Broiled Lemon-and-Gin Marinated Chicken and Onions
Note: this recipe is supposed to be grilled...but I don't have a grill at the moment...also note, I have not actually made this yet, I got it from Epicurious.com (and I doubled the recipe to serve 4, rather than 2). Unfortunately, they don't have the nutrition data available for this one (it's under their low-cal, low-fat dishes), but I estimate 6 WW points.

Ingredients:
* 4 Tbsp Lemon Juice
* 4 Tbsp Gin
* 1/2 Tsp Dried Oregano
* 1 Tsp salt
* 1 Tsp sugar
* 6 Tbsp Vegetable Oil
* 4 Chicken breasts
* 4 Cups Thinly Sliced Onions

In a shallow dish whisk together the lemon juice, the gin, the orégano, the salt, the sugar, and pepper to taste, add the oil in a stream, whisking, and whisk the marinade until it is emulsified. add the chicken, coating it well with the marinade, and let it marinate, covered and chilled, for 20 minutes. Grill the chicken, reserving the marinade, on an oiled rack set about 6 inches over glowing coals for 7 minutes on each side, or until it is cooked through. While the chicken is grilling, in a heavy skillet combine the reserved marinade and the onions and boil the mixture, covered, over high heat, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes, or until the onions begin to brown. Reduce the heat to moderately low and cook the mixture, uncovered, stirring constantly, for 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a heated platter and with a slotted spoon scatter the onions around it.

Morgayne,

You can find the WESTERN LOW CARBOHYDRATE BAGEL at either Ralph's or Vons ....

Trader Joes does sell bagels BUT THEY ARE HIGH IN CALORIES .. LOW IN FIBER.

You tell me what you are looking for and I will start looking thru my various WW cookbooks ..

I am as always, Monica

Hi Morgayne! Long time, no see!!!

Missed ya! :)

Hi Morgayne!
I know what it is like to lose weight, then gain it back and get lazy and give up. But I'm so glad you are back on track! The hardest part is getting started and just taking it one day at a time! I am sure you will reach all of your goals!!!

-Adam

Hiya, Jazzy!! :wave: I like that name! Suits the amazin' person you ARE and will be even more so as you achieve your life's goals as the journey progesses.

Re TJ's, ours here does have some good whole grain bagel choices, you just have to kind of root around the bread. Remember that you can take half a bagel, slice IT in half and have a smaller bagel ... I believe Sarah Lee also has a whole wheat bagel in the regular grocery bread section now. It has some sugar in it so I don't eat it, but it does look like a good choice ... I could be wrong about that, but you might check.

TJ's also makes a very good whole wheat mini pita and there is no sugar at all in it. I've used these to make make "chips" for guacamole (just bake in a slow, low heat oven until they are how you like 'em, then cool and break into whatever size you like ... ).

See ya. You're doin' great!

Sent you a pm Morgayne.

First, thank you Rikki, Adam, Athletea, and Crazy2 for your visits to my journal, and words of kindness and encouragement...I am most happy to be back...and to be taking care of myself again.

Monica~ thanks for the tip on the bagels...I'm going to scour Safeway for them (I think they're the same company as Vons?). As for WW recipes, I'm always looking for quick dinner recipes with meat for Mr. Man and plenty of veggies for me.

Food Log for Yesterday (1/18/06)

Breakfast:
1 packet weight control oatmeal (3 points)
1/8 cup raisins (1 point)
Milk for oatmeal (1 point)
20 oz water

Breakfast Points: 5

Snack:
Venti NF latte (3 points)
20 oz water

Snack Points: 3

Lunch:
1 carrot (1 point)
1 apple (1 point)
Michelina's Lean Gourmet Fried Rice meal (6 points)
20 oz water

Lunch Points: 8

Dinner:
1 cup 15 bean cajun soup (5 points)
salad (with lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, onions, cheese and croutons) (3 points)
Light salad dress (2 points)
Crackers (1 point)
Adult beverage (3 points)
1 piece sugar free, fat free chocolate cream pie (w/light graham cracker crust) (3 points)
20 oz water

Dinner Points: 17

Daily Totals:
Points: 33 (eep, a little over again)
Water: 80 oz (should be higher)
Fruit / Veggies: 6 servings :)
Exercise: None (appointment before work) :(

===============================
Food Log for Today edited to reflect reality(1/19/06)

Breakfast:
1 whole wheat pita (1 points)
1/2 cup fruit cocktail (1 point)
1/2 eggbeaters (1 point)
1 tbsp light mayo (1 point)
20 oz water
20 oz Jasmine Green Tea

Breakfast Points: 4

Snack:
Jasmine Green Tea
Light string cheese (2 points)
3 mini pieces chocolate (3 points)
20 oz water

Snack Points: 5

Lunch:
1 carrot (1 point)
1 apple (1 point)
Michelina's Lean Gourmet Fried Rice meal (6 points)
20 oz water

Lunch Points: 8

Dinner:
1 serving broiled lemon-and-gin chicken and onions (6 points)
salad (lettuce, cucumbers, carrots, onions, cheese, croutons) (3 points)
light salad dressing (2 points)
Baked potato with 1/4 cup fat free cottage cheese (4 points)
20 oz water

Dinner Points: 15

Daily Totals:
Points: 31
Water: 120 oz
Fruit / Veggies: 6 servings :)
Exercise: 30 minutes on the elliptical

Looking to be a good day! I'll add more when I have time later!

Okay Morgayne .... I will look thru the various WW cookbooks and I will pm you with the recipes ... don't know if it will be today or tomorrow BUT FOR SURE during the weekend. I am as always, Monica

Thank you so much, Monica!!!


Well now, I've been neglecting my duties of reading other peoples' journals here at Diettalk the last couple of days...I've just been incredibly busy before work...and then incredibly busy with side projects here at work. Hopefully, I'll find some time before the end of the day.

Menu for Today (1/20/06)

Breakfast:
1 packet weight control oatmeal (3 points)
1/8 cup raisins (1 point)
1 Tsp brown sugar, little bit of milk (1 point)
20 oz Jasmine Green Tea
20 oz water

Breakfast Points: 5

Snack:
Triple Venti NF Latte (3 points)
20 oz water

Snack Points: 3

Lunch:
1 pouch tuna (2 points)
1 Tbsp light mayo (1 point)
Mustard, pickle relish, salt, pepper (0 points)
6 Rye Crisps (1 point - they're 0 points if you only have 2!!)
Apple (1 point)
Carrot (1 point)
20 oz water

Lunch Points: 6

Dinner:
1 cup 15 bean cajun soup (5 points)
1 whole wheat pita made into garlic pita chips (1)
2 servings spinach (0)
1 slice sf, ff chocolate cream pie (3 points)
20 oz water

Dinner Points: 9

Total Points: 23 (I'll have to get some more in there somewhere, I'm sure I can do it ;) ).

Exercise today: 20 minutes on the elliptical, 30 minute super slow workout here at work.

Water: need to keep drinking!
Veggies: should be perfect!

Now, to go take a look at how other people are doing!

Love your new name Jazz!!! Great idea!!!

Keep up the good work!!!

If you started a new Journal I don't know where to look for it .... SO I will post in this one ....

I have a question regarding your points WHY DID YOU GIVE YOURSELF 1 POINT FOR CARROTS ... according to the Getting Started WW handbook if you eat 1 CUP COOKED CARROTS -- THAT EQUALS 1 POINT ....
but RAW CARROTS ARE 0 POINTS

Do you need some assistance with Points information ... if so let me know and I will be delighted to work with you .. YOU HAVE TO EAT (lol according to my WW Leader) to earn those points. Have and make it a great weekend. I am as always, Monica

Crazy2: Thank you! And thank you for visiting!!

Monica~ Good to know! I was counting carrots as a point because when my mother re-joined WW, she was telling me about a few things that had changed in points value since they re-did the book...and I guess I misunderstood her saying cooked carrots (which in my old book counted for 0 points too) and thought she meant all carrots. Believe me, I have no problem eating ;)

Food Yesterday (1/21/06)

Breakfast:
2 cups coffee with half'n'half (2 points)
1/2 eggbeater omelette with mushrooms, onions, peppers and jack cheese (5 points)
hashed browns (5 points)
1 piece toast (2 points)

Breakfast Points:14

Snack / Lunch:
1/2 cup lite fruit cocktail (1 point)
gin and tonic (3 points)
2 laughing cow light wedges (2 points)
1 cup coffee with half'n'half (1 point)

Snack/Lunch Points:7

Dinner:
Giant salad with lettuce, onions, cucumbers bell peppers, carrots, mozzarella cheese, croutons (3 points)
Dressing (3 points)
2.5 cheesy twist things (8 points)

Dinner Points: 14

Total points: 35 (yep, used some of those banked ones)
Water: only 60 oz :(
Fruits / Veggies: 7 servings, at least!


I'd post today's menu...but I'm not exactly sure what I'll be doing for dinner yet, so it'd have some holes...

Exercise today: I gave a massage, which is actually a fairly active hour with my style.

Getting pulled away from the computer....

Sorry to interject again (I hope you don't mind):

Have you thought of using FF half & half ... definitely fewer calories; I prefer using the International Delight FF French Vanilla Cream == 1 tablespoon is 1 Point ...

I have a question WHY ARE YOU putting an omelette made with Eggbeater (along with mushrooms, green peppers and jack cheese as 5 Points? If you made the omelette with 1/4 cup Eggbeaters that constitutes 1 Point (1/2 cup Eggbeaters constitutes 2 Points) ... your vegetables constitute 0 Points; now if the Jack Cheese is fat free or low-fat (1%) --1 cup constitutes = 3 Points; reduced fat (2%) 1 cup = 4 Points; and Regular Jack Cheese = 5 Points so if you USE a 1/2 cup cheese (which is a lot of cheese) your omelette would equal (at the most) 3 Points.

If you are using 1/2 cup frozen hash browns in Pam that would be 3 Points

JUST A THOUGHT if you make an omelette using egg white ... I have found that by using 1/4 cup eggwhite, with 1/4 cup (or less) fresh mushrooms and 1 tablespoon of shredded sharp cheddar cheese makes a GREAT omelette and it is only 1 Point

Instead of using croutons how about using flavored melba toast broken into pieces .. 6 rounds or 4 slices of Melba Toast are 1 Point.

I hope you don't mind my bringing this to your attention .... but imo THERE ARE SO MANY ways to get those added points WITHOUT GOING OVER YOUR POINTS. If you need some help, I will be delighted to work with you. I am as always, Monica

Monica~ it was actually breakfast at a restaurant...the jack cheese was regular - a slice and a half (at 1oz/slice) per my estimation, I'm not sure what brand egg substitute they were using, but they used at least 3/4 cup to make this omelette, and there was a bit of oil used to cook up the veggies - it was HUGE, and I ate half of it.

The hashed browns were also cooked in oil, as this was a restaurant and I didn't specify otherwise.

I often don't specify things here in great detail - since I journal on paper on my own too. But by the time I type them in here, rest assured I've calculated the points based on how the dish was cooked, my serving size, etc. I think I've got the points thing down, but thank you so much for your help!

Weigh-in, Week 1: 277.0: 5 lbs down!

In a rush, more later :)

==Later==

Food Journal for Today

Breakfast:
20 oz Jasmine Green Tea
24 oz Water
1 serving homemade oatmeal with raisins, cherries, bananas (4 points)

Breakfast Points: 4

Snack:
2 Laughing cow light cheese wedges (2 points)
Baby carrots (0 points)
20 oz Jasmine Green Tea
24 oz Water

Snack Points: 2

Lunch:
Weight Watcher Microwave Meal: Dijon Chicken and vegetables with rice (4 points)
Apple (1 point)
48 oz water

Lunch Points: 5

Evening:
Rosemary and garlic roasted pork chops (6 points)
2 serving WW sour cream and garlic mashed potatoes (6 points)
2 servings spinach (0 points)
gin and tonic (3 points)
1/2 cup Ben & Jerry's "magic brownies" ice cream (4 points)

Evening Points: 19

Total Planned Points: 30

Fruits / Veggies: 8 servings
Water: 136 oz
Exercise: 30 mins on the elliptical

So, the two Safeways in the town we're living in now suck...their produce just doesn't seem to be like anything I'm used to at all in terms of quality...it's not like I moved across the country, for goodness sakes, it's just 30 mins away! But, the Safeways are bad, and never seem to be in stock for the items that mean most to me. Unfortunately, I tend to pack my mornings quite full with my exercise and house chores, which means, the convenience of the two local Safeways often outweighs all the problems I have with them :( Oh, and I live in a ritzy-ditzy area and the other stores around are MUCH MUCH more expensive than Safeway.

Anyhow, back to my point...I looked around for the bagels Monica mentioned, since I belive that Von's / Safeway are actually the same company, but no luck. Then I went to grab my good-ole whole wheat pitas.....and.....NONE! I was terribly disappointed, as I've been using these to make 1 point pita chips for my soup, to toast for egg substitute sandwiches, to use with my tuna - everything my little carb-addict heart desires. The upside to this is the fact that I had to then go through all of the bread options there to see what I could buy instead. And I found it: Alvarado Street whole grain low-glycemic bread!!!! I used to see Alvarado Street bread all the time, my mom loved it when we were doing WW together, but I always did the Orowheat Light (2 slices for 1 point) instead...now that I'm not near an Orowheat bakery and our Safeway doesn't carry the light stuff, I decided to try this new Alvarado Street low-glycemic stuff....and at 1 point per slice, it's WONDERFUL! Two thumbs up!


Food Log for Today (1/24/06

Breakfast:
2 slices Alvarado Street whole grain, low-glycemic bread (2 points) - MMM!
1/2 cup egg substitute (1 point)
1 tbsp light mayo (1 point)
1 medium grapefruit (1 point)
20 oz Jasmine Green Tea
24 oz water

Breakfast Points: 5

Snack:
1 Laughing Cow Light Swiss Cheese (1 point)
Baby Carrots (0 points)
20 oz Jasmine Green Tea
24 oz water

Snack Points: 1

Lunch:
Apple (1 point)
Michelina's Lean Gourmet Penne with Sausage Pasta meal (5 points)
24 oz water
24 oz water (after lunch)

Lunch Points: 6

Dinner:
1.5 cups 15 bean cajun soup (7 points)
1 whole wheat pita made into garlic pita chips (1 point)
Salad with spinach, lettuce, cucumber, carrots, onions, cheese, and croutons (3 points)
Light dressing (2 points)
Gin & Tonic (3 points)
24 oz water
1 of Mr. Man's trail mix bars (4 points)
Evening Points: 20

Planned Point Total: 32
Exercise today: 20 minutes on the elliptical, 30 minute super-slow workout at work
Water intake: 160 oz!!!!
Veggies / Fruit: 7!!!!

*dances around* doing well, doing well!

Menu for Today (1/25/06)

Breakfast:
1 packet weight control oatmeal (3 points)
1/8 cup raisins (1 point)
A couple tablespoons of fat free milk (0 points)
20 oz Jasmine Green Tea
24 oz water

Breakfast Points: 4

Snack:
Lucerne Light Peach Yogurt (2 points)
Carrots (0 points)
24 oz water
20 oz Jasmine Green Tea

Snack Points: 3

Lunch:
After packing a lunch, I remembered that they're feeding us at work today...I don't know what...but I'll do my best to be good!
24 oz water

Lunch Points: ??

Dinner:
Rosemary and Garlic Roasted Pork (6 points)
WW Sour Cream and Garlic Mashed Potatoes (3 points)
2 servings fresh cooked spinach (0 points)
gin and tonic (3 points)
24 oz water

Dinner Points: 12

Total Points: 19 planned without lunch added in, I'm sure I'll be able to fill that in easily!

Exercise today: 30 mins on the elliptical
Water: been good!
Veggies: should be perfect!

Weigh in report: 275.4 = 1.6 lb loss! :)

Weigh-in report: 272.4 = 3 lb loss!

Weigh-in report from last week: 275.4 = 3 lb gain.

Weigh-in report from this week (changed days): 271.4= 4 lb loss.

I'm so bad that way...not coming to report in when I don't like what the scale says....there's a tiny part of me that goes "hrm, I'll just wait until I'm down again to report," which completely defeats the purpose now, doesn't it?

My diet is remaining pretty darned good. I'm actually incredibly proud of myself, because for the first time in my life, I'm changing my tastes. I feel like I need to take note of these accomplishments so that I can remember how far I've come when I'm feeling low. And what better place to do it?

Changes I've Made This Time Around

*Quit smoking
*Cut home bread intake to:
- Alvarado Street Whole Grain, Low-Glycemic bread
- Whole Wheat Pitas
- Rye crisps
*Quit drinking coffee (with the exception of the once-per-week NF Latte)
*Started drinking green tea
*Upped water intake to 128 oz per day
*Gotten my fruit / veggie intake to an average of 8 servings per day
*Gotten my exercise to at least 5 formal sessions a week beyond my 2 personal training sessions at work. Either the elliptical or yoga at home.


My biggest goal at this point is to continue to reduce my addiction to sugar. I do recognize, at least, that it -is- an addiction, just as all the the zealots say. I'm not looking to become a "sugar buster" and eradicate the stuff from my life, but I'm definitely looking to reduce the amount of hidden sugar in my diet and the amount of what I call "waste" sugar I consume. I want to be able to enjoy an awesome slice of cheesecake, rather than eating crap candy bars or some such. I'm really trying to control the amount of artificial sugars I consume as well, as they make me crave sugar more.

It's a long, slow path...which can get quite frustrating at times, allowing me to commit grevious acts of self-destruction....but I think I'm finally at the point where I'm making "life changes" rather than "dieting", and hopefully that will lead me to where I belong.

Yeah, all zen-like and spiritual this morning, how do ya like that?


Have a beautiful day,

Jazz

Weigh-in Report: 269.2 = 2.2 lb loss.

Mr. Man and I have started doing yoga meditation together daily...whish has been fabulous....I've got just a couple more weeks to shed weight before our Floriday trip...I can't wait!

Hope everyone is doing well!

LTNS everyone.

2 months have ellipsed and where is my weight? At the same damned place! I quit the glucophage, thinking that with the kick start it gave me, I could get off the damned stuff (and away from all the icky side-effects it was giving me), and my weight loss came back to a halt.

Now, I'll never claim that I'm 100% perfect all the time. But at this point, I'm eating only wholegrain breads (whole wheat pitas, Trader Joe's complete protein bread, rye krisp crackers -- and very little of things things at all), almost all organic veggies and fruits...I've reduced my fat, and reduced my intake of sugars and and processed foods.

I stopped shopping at Safeway, for goodness sakes! I even cut out the diet sodas all together!

My exercise hasn't been all that consistent, I will admit that....With the Man's ever-changing schedule at the job he started after our vacation, I've had a hard time keeping myself disciplined enough to be working out as hard as I should every day...but I'm doing my training at work 2 days a week, and I'm using the elliptical at home 2-3 days a week as well.

It's frustrating! I'm ready to be rid of this weight...how am I holding myself back??

*sigh*

I must figure it out....

hi jazz.

I just popped in to see what you've been up to and I must thank you for the whole wheat pita idea! I've been eating a lot of whole grain wraps....and getting kind of tired of them. However I haven't eaten a pita (or even thought of them) in ages, even though I used to love them! I'm going to look for them when I go grocery shopping on thursday :D

Anyhoo, congratulations on your weight loss so far, you've lost over 60 lbs. and that's amazing! I can totally relate to your frustration with being stuck at the same weight for so long, I just recently (last week) broke my plateau that I'd been sitting at for 5 weeks. I did it with upping my exercise. I had been walking pretty regularly but just recently added jogging into my regular walking schedule and thank god the scale has started moving again! Have you been exercising aproximately the same amount for a while? Try upping the time you exercise or upping the intensity. Or maybe you could try a different exercise all together? The more we exercise the more efficient our bodies get at doing the same movements and exercises so we need to continually present it with new challenges!

Good luck this week. Keep your head up and your eyes on your goal, and remember, plateaus are a regular part of weight loss, just something everyone here has had to deal with at one time or another, but they are no reason to give up, just keep on pluggin' away!!

Hey Jazz, nice to see you back. Hang in there, keep making babysteps to getting better and better habits. You will do it!!!

So I disappeared again.

I tend to do that, huh?

It's just that when life gets busy, I don't find much time for the computer....and being that I work on one all day long, I can't talk myself into taking much extra time for it at home.

I stopped "dietting," by the way. I no longer count or write down anything. Instead, I've reduced portion sizes and have eliminated fake sugars (other than stevia) and "diet foods". I eat far less processed foods, far more organic fruits and veggies, and little-to-no artificial sweetners....and I've lost 12 pounds in 5 weeks!

Far better than when I was counting everything, how funny is that? I'm not even exercising quite as much as I was when I was having such a hard time losing...though I need to get better at making that a regular part of my day.

I bought a couple of books, an Insulin Resistance diet one, and a PCOS diet one....which are both about the types of foods you eat, rather than any counting method. And since reading these (and stopping shopping at Safeway), I've been getting our diet much more "health freak"ish...though I don't deny myself anything. I feel that if I want it enough, and it's of good quality, then I deserve it! Well, everything in moderation of course.

It was very scary to take the leap...I truly expected to gain weight when I stopped counting and started eating those higher calorie foods...but the whole less sugar, linking proteins with carbs (all whole grain) thing seems to be working like a charm.

And I feel much better about the contents of my pantry and fridge too :)