Tonight is the night before I start my diet in the morning.

I went grocery shopping a few hours ago and I stocked up on lots of healthy goodies... fruit, cereal, healthy choice meals, etc.

My daily goal is going to be to at least write down everything I eat, the portion size, and to the best of my knowledge , the number of calories.

My other goals will be to weigh in only once a week, start doing my Walk Away the Pounds DVDs again, and aim for a daily 1500 calorie intake.

I made the dumb mistake of "treating" myself to one last big meal and bought myself a Hungry Man's Fried Chicken Dinner. The brownie in the meal exploded all over the chicken and so I ended up having chocolate fried chicken. Icky! Not a very good mix. Oh well... maybe that will teach me not to go for the biggest thing I can eat.

I'm really looking forward to starting my diet. I even got a shiny new notebook to record everything during the day, and then I'll write how I did on here.

Here's to a better tomorrow and a fit future!

HI Bluerose :wave: & :welcome:

WONDERFUL plan - you can do this :up:

Good morning!

Today has been a good start so far.

I did my official start of my diet weigh-in, and I'm 177 lbs. :O
I've locked the scale away in the bathroom closet and will not weigh myself until next Wednesday, and Wednesday's are now going to be my official weigh-in day.

Here is my food intake for today...

Breakfast-
1 Fruit Flax & Fiber Whole Grain Muffin - 180 cals
3/4 of a Banana - 90 cals
2 cups of Coffee, each w/ 2 Tbsp Fat-Free Amaretto Creamer - 120 cals

Lunch-
Healthy Choice Chicken Broccoli Alfredo Meal - 300 cals
12oz Diet Orange Soda - 0 cals

Snack- 1 Med. Apple - 80 cals

Dinner -
1 cup of Beef Stroganoff (made in the Crockpot - mmmm...) - 350 cals
1 Large slice of Homemade Bread w/ 1 tsp Butter

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL= 1325 CALS

Not a bad start for day one :) which I think can be one of the hardest days since I have to stop myself from just putting anything in my mouth.

Let's hope that Day 2 is just as good!

Way to go Blue! You are off to an excellent start. Thank you for posting in my journal by the way. I am happy to see you keeping track of what you are eating. Are you drinking any water during your day? I know that can really help expedite weight loss. Anyhow, good luck to you, you can do it!:D

Yesterday I only drank like 10oz of water or something like that. I really do not like water unless I'm really thirsty after cutting the grass or during and after a nice hard workout (which has been forever now...)
I've tried everything... plain water, sparkling water, flavored waters, vitamin water... nothing appeals to me.

During the day I usually drink 2 cups of coffee and diet soda, and if I have it diet raspberry snapple - very yum!

I know, I know, I should be drinking my water... but I'm just giving up so many other tasty things that I need my diet soda! :c(
Alright, next time I go shopping I'll buy a big case of water and maybe then have half water and half soda throughout the day... baby steps...

I don't have too much planned today... I'm a Stay at Home Mom so it'll probably just be my usual... chores, play with my son... more chores and so on. I belong to a Mom's Group and tonight we'll be going to a PlayDate at the Park... only about a 10 minute walk from my house. So at least I'll kind of be getting some exercise with walking there and running around after my son... he is way too fast for a 2 yr old! Wish I had that energy!

Here's way I ate today...

Breakfast -
1 1/4 cups of Kashi Oat Flakes & Wild Blueberry Clusters Cereal - 200 cals
Banana - 110 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 2 Tbsp Fat Free Amaretto Creamer - 120 cals

Lunch -
Healthy Choice Creamy Garlic Shrimp w/ Pasta & Vegetables - 270 cals

Snack -
6oz of Fat Free Lemon Cream Pie Yogurt

Dinner -
2 Crispy Chicken Strips w/ 1 TBSP Buffalo Sauce - 205
3oz Deep Fried French Fries w/ Ketchup - 215


DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1285

Alright! Day 3! This is the longest I've been on a diet for awhile! lol...

Yesterday was an okay day. I ate very good calorie-wise but I reeeaallly need to get more active. I've been slacking on my chores big time and only been doing the absolute minimum. I'm hoping to do better on them today.

And I keep making excuses not to exercise... oh it's too early, or oh i just ate and don't want to get cramps, or maybe i'll have a nap first and then oh it's too late... it's only 30 minutes long, I should be able to do it! It's been sooo long since I've exercised... the last time I did was probably in March or April when I went on my treadmill for 10 minutes... :secret:

So these are today's goals...

#1 - Continue to eat 1500 calories or less

#2 - Find a good time to at least put my exercise DVD on and even if I just walk in place the whole time, still make an effort

#3 - DO SOME HOUSEWORK!! I want to AT LEAST get some of the laundry done and make the house look somewhat tidy...

Friday's Food Intake

Breakfast -
Fruit Flax & Fiber Whole Grain Muffin w/ 2 tsp butter - 215 cals
1 Medium Peach - 40 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 2 TBSP Fat Free Amaretto Creamer - 120 cals

Lunch -
Healthy Choice Sweet & Sour Chicken w/ Rice, Broccoli Florets & Peach Crisp Dessert - 430 cals

Snack -
Mini Bag of Smart Pop Popcorn - 100 cals

Dinner -
3 1/2 Fish Tenders - 270 cals
3 oz Deep Fried French Fries w/ 1 Tbsp Ketchup - 215 cals
1/2 cup of Peas - 60 cals


DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1450

#3 - DO SOME HOUSEWORK!! I want to AT LEAST get some of the laundry done and make the house look somewhat tidy...


:laugh: You sound like some of the days, I am good at making things LOOK tidy and clean.

Day 3 is a hard day. The first week is one of the hardest.

You are doing great!

Just put the DVD in and do 5 minutes. And if you dont want to do that. Tell yourself you will do 3 minutes of it, then turn it off. That is a start, and you got to start small if it is something you dont feel like doing. 3-5 minutes is better than nothing. And you will feel good you did something.

Good morning everyone!

Hi HikerDarlene! :) Thanks for stopping by!

Unfortunately, I didn't get any exercise in yesterday... again.

I am determined to at least step on my treadmill today, and even just to look at it and say... Hiya Treadmill! Remember me, old friend?...

Today is Day 4 and I'm feeling pretty good. Wednesday is weigh-in day and I can't wait! Usually I dread the scale but this time I think I'm going to love it!
I'm doing very good with recording what I eat and eating below 1500 calories.. when you make the right food choices, that many calories really is quite filling.

Saturday's Food Entry

Breakfast -
1 1/4 cups Kashi Cereal - 200 cals
Banana - 110 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 2 Tbsp Fat Free Amaretto Creamer - 120

Lunch -
Honey Battered Corn Dog - 220
1 Peach - 40 cals

Dinner - McDonald's Takeout :)
McChicken Sandwich - 370 cals
Hot Fudge Sundae - 330 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL= 1445 CALS

Today is now Day 5... :dn

I've been sitting here now for about an hour just reading and reading and reading this forum... it's quite addictive. I love the Diet Talk Stars section, seeing before and after pictures are just so awesome and it makes me think, hey, one day i will be able to share my before and after pictures too!

I was reading the challenges section too. Next month I'm hoping to participate in one of them, if not more! Sounds like lots of fun... especially the water one... :water: (my bladder doesn't think so, lol...)

I'm just soo motivated, with, I guess, everyone else's motivation!

My lovely hubby is home today and right now he's watching my son, so you know what, I'm going to stop making excuses and I am going to go walk on my treadmill as soon as I submit this reply! But before I do... here is my food for today...

Sunday's Food Entry

Breakfast -
1 1/4 cups Kashi Cereal - 200 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
1/2 a Peach - 20 cals
1 cup of Coffee w/ 2 Tbsp FF Amaretto Creamer - 60 cals

Lunch -
Healthy Choice Sweet Bourbon Steak w/ Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Veggies & Peach Dessert - 310 cals

Dinner -
3.4 oz Roast Pork Chop stuffed w/ 1/4 cup Pork Stuffing - 280 cals
1/2 cup Mashed Potatoes - 110 cals
1/2 cup Corn - 80 cals
1/4 cup Pork Gravy - 25 cals

Snack -
Oreo Klondike Bar - 260 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1400 CALS

Now off to exercise!!

Hi blue roses..just noticed your journal and thought i'd stop by and say WELCOME! Sounds like your off to an awesome start! Don't beat yourself up on the exercise just yet...a lot of people recommend that you just take one or two things and really concentrate on those...sounds like your off to an awesome start food wise, and journaling...maybe WATER could be your next step?:water: It really does make a BIG difference, especially with women...I try for 4 liters a day...i have one liter of fresh water ready for me first thing in the morning...room temp, and i just chug it, helps to get things moving! When you do decide to start an exercise routine...just make sure it's stuff you enjoy...or you'll never stick with it! maybe have a variety too! I mainly LOVE walking, biking, and yoga...but I have dvd's that i do that range from bellydancing, to pilates, to lap dancing(don't laugh too hard at that one)...and dvd's that target certain parts of the body...an arms w/o, a thigh w/o, etc.....
ANYHOW, sounds like your menu is awesome and has good variety and nutrition...keep up the great work! Congrats on almost getting through your first week!

Hiya Lorijcain! Thanks for stopping by! :)

You're right, I should have a variety of exercise that keeps me interested or else I will get bored...

I do have a couple of exercise dvds.. some Pilates 2-pk that I got at Walmart for $5... (still unopenned) :o , I have the Walk Away the Pounds Dvd set, 1, 2 and 3 miles, and I have The Firm 2 System... very hard, but I am very tempted to put one in and do the modified version... oh yes, why I'm updating...

Today has been the end of my 5 month non-exercise slump!
Almost immediately after I made my last journal entry, I put on my socks and sneakers, went to where my treadmill is, blasted an exercise music cd, turned on the air conditioner and not only asked the treadmill if it remembered me, but..

I managed to walk for 30 minutes @ 3mph, burning a lovely 200 calories! :lift: Let me tell you what... IT FELT INCREDIBLE!! My arms were pumping, I was totally into the music and sweat was a-dripping... I love sweating when I work out... It makes me feel that I actually worked out!

I'm so motivated now that for my bday (sept 24) I've decided that I am going to get a bike and a helmet. I use to love riding a bike when I was younger and I always thought it was such fun exercise.

Anyhoo... off to spend time with the family... just felt like expressing my joy of the date I had with my treadmill!

Ta-Ta-For-Now

:cheers: WTG blueroses!!!

that is totally awesome!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today has been such a great day so far!

This morning, my Mom's Group scheduled a Play Date at Chuck E. Cheese's

I don't drive, have no sense of direction, so how I get to places is have hubby drop me off, find a bus, or go on my own two feet.

I was fiddling through my bus schedules and it looked like it would take forever to get to the playdate, so just for the heck of it, I figured out the distance on Mapquest, and it said it was only 1.59 miles away.

So... hmm... I thought, I could easily walk that... and you know what? I DID! There, and back again. :D

So today's exercise was walking about 80 minutes, pushing my son in his stroller, for a total of 3.18 miles!! And according to this one exercise calculator that I just quickly googled, it said I burnt around 450 calories!! I have no idea how accurate that is, but if it is, then that's just great!

It's amazing how long $10 of tokens lasts at that place... we played and played and he rode kiddie rides, and before we knew it, 1 1/2 hours went by.
My son doesn't like pizza at all, so Wendy's was just next door and so I took him there for lunch.

I usually don't like salad very much, but the Chicken BLT one looked so good and I was soo hungry, AND... instead of ordering my usual diet soda... I got a pint of water instead...

I'm tired after such a busy morning/afternoon so I'm gonna have a nap while my son's still napping...

Going grocery shopping tonight! Can't wait to restock on some good, healthy stuff.

TTFN!

MONDAY'S FOOD ENTRY

Breakfast -
Apple Toaster Strudel - 190 cals
Coffee w/ 2 Tbsp Regular Creamer - 40 cals

Lunch @ Wendy's
Chicken BLT Salad with 1 pkt of Low Fat Honey Mustard Dressing - 450 cals
(I passed on the croutons...)

Snack -
Apple - 80 cals
6oz Fat Free Blackberry Yogurt - 100 cals

Dinner -
1/2 of a Gyro - 325 cals
3oz French Fries - 265 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1450 CALS

Today is the last day of my first week... so that means tomorrow is weigh-in day! I can't wait! :D

My goals for today:

:tom1: Continue to eat 1500 cals or less, but make some healthier food choices... aka I need to really cut down on some of the high fat foods like the french fries and the icecream

:lift: While my son's sleeping... do my Walk Away the Pounds 2 mile DVD

TUESDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 1/4 cups Kashi Cereal - 200 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
Banana - 110 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 2 Tbsp Regular Creamer - 80 cals

Lunch -
2 slices of Whole Wheat Toast w/ 1Tbsp Lite Mayo, 1 slice Cheese and a couple thick slices of Tomato - 265 cals

Snack -
100 calorie bag of Smart Pop Popcorn

Dinner -
1 cup Spinach & Mozzarella Ravioli - 200 cals
Salad - Lettuce, Grape Tomatoes & Cucumber w/ 2 Tbsp Lite Italian Dressing - 75 cals

Dessert -
Weight Watchers Giant
Vanilla Fudge Sundae Cup - 160 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1245 CALS

Great Job Blue!! I am so proud of you. I love how you include what you ate in your journals. That is such a smart idea. I will have to try it. Keep up the good work!!!!

YEAH! You made it through all your firsts! Your first day...your first week...your first week-end..and your first grocery shopping trip! AWESOME! I just got a walk away the pounds dvd..I love it! Sounds like your on a roll with your food and exercise!

Thanks workin & lori! :)
Your support is awesome !
It really makes me smile knowing that there are people who care and understand what a struggle weight-loss can be.

Today's update is that I managed to achieve both of today's goals.

My exercise for today was 30 minutes of Walk Away the Pounds - 2 miles. And I made some better food choices for a 1245 calorie total.

Now I'm going to sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the evening.
Night Night!

Good morning everyone!

Today was my weigh-in day... drum roll please...

7 lbs lost in only 7 days!!:caf:

I know that most of it was probably water weight and it won't continue to do that every week... but still... yay!

Apart from continuing my low cal diet and making good food choices, I have 2 goals that I want to set myself for this week:

1) Apart from my 2 cups of coffee in the morning, I will try to drink only water for the rest of the day (I purposely did not buy ANY soda on my last shopping trip..) and I will keep tract of how much I drink each day.

2) I would like to go on my treadmill for 30 minutes each day this week.

:tom1: Wednesday Food Choices

Breakfast -
1 cup Kashi Go Lean Crunch - 190 cals
1/2 cup Strawberries - 23 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 2 Tbsp FF Creamer - 20 cals

Lunch -
Kashi Lime Cilantro Shrimp w/ veggies over whole grain sesame pilaf - 250 cals

Snack -
2 Maple Brown Sugar Multigrain Rice Cakes - 100 cals

Dinner -
Homemade Nachos Bell Grande - 500 cals

Dessert -
WW Giant Sundae Cup - 160 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1318 CALS

Sweet!:up: way to go! You CAN"T get any better than 7 pounds in seven days woman! not unless your having some sort of surgical procedure done! THat is AMAZING! Way to go! What an inspriation to keep going don't ya think???? Good job!

Wow! Good job!! I'm jealous, heh heh.:laugh: You are doing really good.

Hiya everyone.

I'm still half asleep... not ready to be awake yet... I feel soo tired and soo bloated... my body's very confused with me right now.

MY BODY: What's all this clear liquid you keep putting inside of me? Where'd the fizzy colored stuff go?? Fine, if you won't give me an answer, then you'll just have to sit on the toilet half the day... Oh and by the way... when did you start this thing called "exercise"?? What's wrong with just letting me slump on the couch?? Here! HAVE SOME SORE MUSCLES! X-(

I have a very opinionated and stubborn body, lol...
I peeked at the scale this morning... such a hard temptation to resist... and it said I gained a pound... BLAH.... I'm only "officially" weighing in on Wednesday's so it doesn't count, lol 8-| I'll just tell myself that it's muscle gain... I know I am bloody sore for my WATP Dvd... I didn't remember how active it was...

I didn't get any exercise in yesterday... Hubby had friends over and so I was too busy obsessing about tidying up.

Today about an hour after lunch, while my son's still napping, sounds like a good time to have my treadmill date.

THURSDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
2 Whole Wheat Waffles w/ 2 tsp butter & 1/8 cup lite syrup - 264 cals
1 cup Cantaloupe - 57 cals
Coffee w/ 2 Tbsp FF Creamer - 20 cals

Lunch -
Kashi Sweet & Sour Chicken w/ Veggies & Whole Grain Sesame Pilaf - 320 cals

Snack -
Fat Free White Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt - 100 cals
Multigrain Rice Cake - 50 cals

Dinner -
Chef Salad - 435 cals
(2 slices Ham, 2 slices Turkey, 1oz Cheese, Hard Boiled Egg, 2 Tbsp Croutons, Lettuce, Tomato, & Cucumber tossed in 2 Tbsp Lite 3 Cheese Ranch Dressing)

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1266 CALS

:lift: THURSDAY'S EXERCISE
30 minutes on the Treadmill @ 3mph

:wave: Hi Blueroses!

Just wanted to tell you what an awesome job you are doing!! Sounds like you've got a good plan in place and are on the way!!

:cheer:

WOW!!!!!!

You are so awesome.

I just read through your journey this past week or so.. and let me tell you, your food choices sound delicious. :)

I really think that journaling is VERY helpful -- it allows you to sorta vent and just express how the exercise the night before made you feel.

I am going to really try and journal like you do- food and exercise.

You will be on your way in no time! :cheer:

Keep it up girly!!

Evenin' y'all!

Thanks Mikey & FSUgirl for stopping by! I love finding little messages when I come back to post... it makes me feel loved, lol...

I just finished editing my food n' exercise for the day. I'm so stuffed... I'm not even THINKING about dessert right now.. well, I am cos I just typed that, but... oh, you know I mean!

Today's been good overall. A little slow to start with but I was fine once I had me caffeine.

I think I'll go read some posts...

Today's Day 10 of me diet. Feeling pretty good. I have no idea why I ever fall off of a diet... it feels sooo good not to overeat and I'm even starting to "enjoy" my muscle soreness... strange, eh?

I'm going to do the treadmill again today... my butt still hurts from yesterday's walk, and my lower body is much heavier than the top... so good! Keep hurting butt! I will get rid of you one day!!!

I have this Ab Lounge that I got for my birthday a few years ago... it's sitting in the corner all folded up... I think I am going to unfold it, set it up and give it it's own place next to the treadmill... once I see it set up, I think I'll be more likely to actually use it.

I've been pretty good at avoiding snacking throughout the day. I did this by purposely not buying any chocolate and cookies for Hubby and Son. I bought them healthy snacks instead... pretzel rods, cereal bars, gummy snacks.. I don't think they even noticed, lol... I hate when Hubby grocery shops with me... he always picks up oreos and a dozen different kinds of chocolates and pints of ice cream... the thing is, is that he is soooo good at controlling his snacking that he can make those kinds of things last forever! I, on the other hand, know in the back of my mind that they are in the cupboard calling me.... and before I know it, my diet is over and I've just eaten a dozen cookies and a pint of milk!

But I've been really good... every day has been somewhat good food choices... 1500 cals or less, and I'm really happy about exercising again...

So today my goals are to continue how I've been eating, get another 30 minutes on the treadmill, and set up the Ab Lounge and just do 50 crunches. I might as well start working on me stomach.. it's waaaay too flabby.

Alright, enough rambling, lol... but that's the great thing about journaling... saying whatever I want to!

AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA LA!!!!!!!!!!!!

That felt good. :D

:tom1: FRIDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 cup Kashi Cereal - 190 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 2 Tbsp FF Creamer - 40 cals
1/2 slice Whole Grain Toast w/ 1/2 Tbsp Strawberry Jam - 75 cals
(my son stole the other half of the toast... I guess it looked irresistable, lol...)

Lunch -
Healthy Choice Creamy Dill Salmon over Pasta w/ Broccoli - 240 cals

Snack -
Weight Watchers Giant Sundae cup - 160 cals

Dinner -
2 slices of Homemade Cheese "Steak" Pizza - 628 cals
DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1388 CALS

Wow, you are kicking butt and taking names!!! 7 pounds your first week is phenomenal. Keep up the excellent job.

I agree with you completely when you said you dont know why you ever go off a diet because it feels so good not to overeat. I have been thinking that same thing. It is so great to get up from the table and not feel like a stuffed miserable pig. I have a lot more energy too. The things I eat are not quite as nutritionally sound as the stuff that you are eating, but still I can definitely feel the difference since my body isnt stuffed full of grease and fat everyday.

Long story short, keep on doing what you are doing, because it is definitely working for you! Congratulations!!!

Thanks Amanda!! :)

It's wonderful hearing some motivation first thing in the morning!

Well... I didn't exercise yesterday... didn't even go into the treadmill's room, oops. :shrug:

This afternoon there is another one of my Mom's Group PlayDates. It's at this place called Oasis... it's a big, soft indoor playground. My son absolutely loves it! Plus, since he's still young... I get to go on it with him to chaperone him... hehehe... it's so much fun... climbing, and big slides and stuff... makes me feel like a little kid again! Last time I took him, we left around noon and didn't get home 'til about 5:45pm and I put him down just for a little nap and he didn't wake up until 7:00am the next morning! That's how tired it made him! So if I don't manage the treadmill or exercise dvd's today, then I'm sure Oasis will be plenty of exercise.

:tom1: SATURDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 cup Kashi Cereal - 190 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
2/3 cup Strawberries - 31 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 2 Tbsp FF Creamer - 20 cals

Lunch -
2 slices Ham, 1 slice Cheese & 1 Tbsp Lite Mayo on two slices of Whole Grain Bread - 340 cals

Dinner -
2 slices of a Large Hawaiian Pizza - 623 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1279 CALS

You are doing so good.... YOU INSPIRE ME!!!

WOW! 7lbs. in your first week! Not falling off the wagon (and don't) Your doing great!! Keep up the good work....

and isn't Kashi wonderful? lol

LMJ

Awww... thanks eball and LMJ!

Thank you for the much needed morning motivation! :)

All of this week the scale's still been hovering at 170... and it's just bugging me... One day it looks like it's at 171... the next day it looks like it really wants to go to 169... but overall. still at 170. Well, it is only Week 2 and I have a long way to go..

I really think my metabolism has gone way, way down.. I can't explain it.. sometimes I think I can "feel" that I'm losing weight.. Well, anyway, I found these Green Tea tablets that I use to take and they are still in date.. and I'm really hoping that it's going to help boost my metabolism, plus it says they help curb appetite so that would just be an added bonus.

Today I am going to use my treadmill... I WILL, I WILL, I WILL, I WILL!!! I have nothing else planned, Hubby's home, Son is very happy in the playroom and I have absolutely no excuses apart from my own laziness. Maybe I will print out a treadmill progress chart and hang it next to my treadmill... maybe that will help inspire me and think to myself... "It's been that many days since I've exercised? I better do something about that!!"

Ok, enough blabbering, lol...

SUNDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
2 Whole Wheat Waffles w/ 2 tsp Butter & 1/8 cup Lite Syrup - 264 cals
1 cup Cantaloupe - 57 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 2 Tbsp FF Creamer - 40 cals

Lunch -
Kashi Chicken Pasta Pomodoro - 280 cals

Snacks -
Multigrain Rice cake - 50 cals
WW Giant Sundae Cup - 160 cals

Dinner -
Steak Salad - 475 cals
(3oz steak, 1oz cheese, hard-boiled egg, 1oz fries, lettuce, tomato, cucumber & 2 tbsp lite italian dressing)

Snack - Reese's Klondike Bar - 270 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1596 CALS

:lift:SUNDAY'S EXERCISE
30 minutes Treadmill @ 3mph

You are doing so great. And I like your signature.

Gosh- everytime I read your meals for the day, my mouth starts watering. Where did you get all those fabulous food ideas? I want to begin counting calories- but I'm not sure how much I should take in just yet since I work out quite a bit too. Do you find that ~1500 cals a day is sufficient? Do you ever feel hungry? And your meals... do they take lots of time to make? I really need to target my food choices and change it around a little bit.

Congrats so far! You are rockin' it! :cheer:

Thanks Hiker! :) I really am trying my best to be a good girl. :not:

Well, yesterday was good and bad... Bad cos I ate more than usual... about 1600 cals, but the good news was that i did go on my treadmill, so that evens out yesterday to alright.

Today my goals are going to be pretty much the same... continue to eat 1500cals or less and go on me treadmill for 30 minutes. I'm trying to find a set time everyday to exercise... cos if I leave it too late then i'll never get around to it... so I think sometime between 2pm or 2:30pm will be good.

Anyhoo... here's my daily menu...

:tom1: MONDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 1/2 cups of Fruit Loops - 180 cals
3/4 cup 1% Milk - 83 cals
Apple - 80 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 2 Tbsp FF Creamer - 40 cals

Lunch -
1 cup Light Prep Mac n' Cheese - 300 cals

Snack -
Fat Free Berries n' Cream Yogurt - 100 cals
Multigrain Rice Cake - 50 cals

Dinner -
2 Homemade Meatballs - 190 cals
1/2 cup Four Cheese Pasta Sauce - 90 cals
1 cup Spaghetti - 210 cals
1/8 cup Mozzarella Cheese - 40 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1363 CALS

:lift:MONDAY'S EXERCISE
30 minutes on Treadmill, averaging 3.5 mph... burnt 234 cals

Gosh- everytime I read your meals for the day, my mouth starts watering. Where did you get all those fabulous food ideas? I want to begin counting calories- but I'm not sure how much I should take in just yet since I work out quite a bit too. Do you find that ~1500 cals a day is sufficient? Do you ever feel hungry? And your meals... do they take lots of time to make? I really need to target my food choices and change it around a little bit.


Hi there FSUgirl!

If you make the right food choices, I find 1500 cals can be quite filling.. that's why I usually only have around 1300 cals cos most days that's all it takes to fill me up.

The only meal that I really make an effort on is dinner, the rest of the day is pretty simple.

For breakfast I usually have cereal and fruit... i like to choose ones high in fiber and protein.. such as Kashi cos they really fill me up... and drinking coffee helps do that too. But sometimes I get bored with cereal, so I'll buy ready made Muffins or Frozen Waffles and breakfast only takes me about 10 minutes to make.

Then I don't eat again until lunch, and I'll just have a frozen meal.. like Healthy Choice, Lean Cuisine, Smart One's or Kashi... whatever's on sale that week... but if I actually get too lazy too put one in the microwave then I'll have a sandwich instead.

Then I have a snack in the afternoon... I try to pick something healthy-ish like a yogurt, fruit, rice cake, popcorn, etc.

And dinner is my time to experiment to see if my picky eaters... hubby and son... will try something new, lol..

Dinner usually takes me an hour or less and I find recipes from different books I have.. my favorite one right now is The New Dieter's Cookbook with lowfat recipes like Lasagna, and Shepherd's Pie, Curries, etc. I also look at recipes online, in magazines or newspapers.

Like I said, I have very picky eaters.. I'm not very picky, I'll eat almost anything! But it can be a challenge to make something somewhat healthy AND have them eat it...

One new recipe I'm going to try this week is Chicken, Cheese & Spinach Quesadillas that I found in my Parenting Magazine..

Anyway, lol... I hope I kind of answered your question, if not... let me know!

Thanks so much BlueRoses for all the help :hug:

That Quesidilla recipe sounds totally delish! Let me know how it works out. I used to be the pickiest eater in the world, and then one day I got tired of macaroni & cheese. :laugh:

Blue you look like you are doing great, keep up the great work

I'd have to agree your doing great Blue, and I've loved the chats we've had. Your a confident person and I see you making it to goal. Keep up the good work!

Good morning all! Thank you to everyone for leaving such kind little messages for me to read in the morning! It's very lovely! :D

Yesterday was a good day, and today feels like it will be a great day too! Mainly cos my scale loves me again, lol... it finally stopped hovering at 170 and just WHAM! Now it's between 166-167 so I'm hoping tomorrow will be a great weigh-in day! Yay! I really wanna move my ticker! That's a very motivating little thing down there, isn't it?

Today's goals will be the usual... 1500cals or less, and 30 min on treadmill. I just discovered yesterday that I can make treadmill more interesting by changing the cd, doh... I had this one called 'Exercise & Attitude' on for a few times and got sooo bored... so I dug up an old Nsync cd and I was walking faster, almost jogging.. and singing my heart out, lol. So I had a fun walk yesterday... maybe i'll get a Backstreet Boys one out today... keep up with the Boy band theme.. hehe...

:tom1: TUESDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
2 Whole Wheat Waffles w/ 2 tsp Butter & 1/8 cup Lite Syrup - 264 cals
1 cup Cantaloupe - 57 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 1/4 cup FF Creamer - 80 cals

Lunch -
Healthy Choice Grilled Turkey Breast in Cranberry Sauce, Veggies, Roasted Sweet Potatoes & Peach Dessert - 270 cals

Snack -
Fat Free Cherry Yogurt - 100 cals
2 Multigrain Ricecakes - 100 cals

Dinner -
Cheeseburger - 350 cals
5 LowFat Potato Wedges - 150 cals
Ketchup - 15 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL, SO FAR = 1386 CALS

Whewwie you are looking fabulous Blue! Keep it up! I absolutely love digging out old school CD's and working out to them. But you know what got me jogging super fast yesterday at the gym?? Jessica Simpsons "These Boots Were Made For Walking" -- I was watching the video- and I don't know if it was the actual song, or the fact that Jessica looks so amazing in the video -- Grrrrr..:D .. but whatever it was... I closed my eyes for 2 seconds and then just turned it up. When I looked over after song, I was jogging quicker than some totally in shape guy! Hahaha! :laugh:

Good luck with today!!!! :up:

Good morning everyone! I'm very excited today! It's start of WEEK 3 and today was my "official" weigh-in...

Today I weighed in at 166 lbs! So that means I've lost 4 lbs this week, for my grand total of 11 pounds!! Woohoo!! :caf:

I'm all revved up now and very excited about having another good week!

WEDNESDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 cup Kashi Cereal - 190 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
4oz Grape Flavored Applesauce - 80 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 3 Tbsp FF Creamer - 60 cals

Lunch -
Corndog w/ Mustard - 220 cals

Dinner - Damon's Grill
2 Chipolte Grilled Shrimp Skewers (about 8 - 10 total shrimp)
Garden Rice
Sugar Snap Peas
(I'm "Guestimating" that this meal was no more than 550 cals...)

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1155

:lift:WEDNESDAY'S EXERCISE
Walk Away the Pounds - 2 miles (about 30 minutes long)

Congrats on the 4lb loss Blue! :cheer: :cheer:

Good morning.

The scale and I had a fight this morning... :blackeye: I'm not talking to it until it's nicer to me... :tongue:

Ever see that commercial where they sing "You are always on my mind..." and the scales are attached to people's legs all day? That's me in a nutshell.

But anyway... I am very happy with my new-found eating habits, and am ecstatic that I'm finding time for exercise... one of the best times for it is when I'm starting to feel just a wee bit peckish and so instead working out for 30 minutes totally kills off that feeling...

Today.. my goals will be to GET MY BUTT to the GROCERY STORE!!
Continue my 1500cals or less, and probably go on the treadmill for 30 minutes today and sing my heart out. :laugh:

THURSDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 1/2 cups of Fruit Loops - 180 cals
3/4 cup 1% Milk - 83 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 3 Tbsp FF Creamer - 60 cals

Lunch - McDonald's Takeout
1/2 a McChicken Sandwich - 185 cals
Hot Fudge Sundae - 330 cals

Dinner -
1/2 cup Tuna w/ 1/8 cup Lite Mayo & 2 thick slices of tomato on 2 slices of Whole Grain Toast - 380 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1218 CALS

Good morning everyone.

Yesterday didn't go as well as planned. I did good with my food, but didn't exercise and didn't grocery shop.. again. :-P

My son got a cold and now me and Hubby have it so I've just been in a crappy mood... The good thing is, is that I'm not letting the scale get to me anymore... my weigh in only "counts" on Wednesday and I don't care what it says until then... stepping on it 1500 times a day is not going to change *his* mind...

So today's goals are to continue 1500cals or less, attempt to exercise as long as I feel okay doing it, and to chug 3 1/2 bottles of water to start off my water goal for September...

FRIDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
2 Scrambled Cheesy Eggs - 180 cals
1 slice of Whole Grain Toast w/ 1 Tbsp Strawberry Jam - 150 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 3 Tbsp FF Creamer - 30 cals

Lunch/Dinner -
10" Grilled Veggie Sub w/ Provolone Cheese - about 600 cals

Snack -
Oreo Klondike Bar - 260 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1250 CALS

hope you feel better soon, you are doing so well.

Good mooorning.

Today's been a better day so far... I'm feeling a bit better, due to lots and lots of sleep... and the scale is cooperating again... 4 whole days until my next weigh-in, and I intend to make these 4 days count! Even if I just stay at 166... then I'll be very happy. I want to exercise today... I haven't done so for a few days and my body is now liking it again that it keeps giving me little energy bursts... it's way of saying... Treadmill please! So since body's been nice to me, I think I'll repay it with a nice workout today.

SATURDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 1/2 cups Kashi Cereal - 285 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
Coffee w/ 3 Tbsp FF Creamer - 30 cals

Lunch -
1 cup Spaghetti tossed w/ sauteed Zucchini, Tomatoes, Garlic & Crushed Red Pepper topped w/ 1/4 cup Mozzarella Cheese - 339 cals

Snack -
2 Multigrain Ricecakes - 100 cals

Dinner -
Chicken Masala - 300 cals
3/4 cup Chicken Pilaf Basmati Rice - 220 cals
1 Paneer-Chili Samosa - 100 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1429 CALS

Good morning everyone!

The weather's lovely today.. can actually see some blue sky! So for some reason I'm in a good mood too... weather has too much of an effect on my mood.. I swear.

Yesterday was alright.. I ate within calorie limit, and FINALLY got the grocery shopping done. It's nice to actually see some food in the pantry and fridge! I didn't exercise yesterday... grocery shopping wore me out.. I know, lame excuse but it's kind of true!

Today I'm really hoping to at least do 30 minutes on treadmill. I've only exercised once this week, so I'm due for it...

:tom1: SUNDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 cup Crunchy Raisin Bran Cereal - 190 cals
Banana - 100 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
Coffee w/ 2 Tbsp FF Creamer - 20 cals

Lunch -
Veggie Burger w/ Cheese, Light Mayo, Lettuce & Tomato on 2 slices Wheat Bread - 315 cals
Butter Popcorn Ricecake - 35 cals

Snack -
Weight Watchers Cookies n' Cream Ice Cream Bar - 140 cals

Dinner -
6oz Poached Salmon w/ Zucchini, Tomatoes & Roasted Garlic - 450 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1315 CALS

:lift: SUNDAY'S EXERCISE!
35 minutes on Treadmill, averaging 3.3mph... burnt 250cals

Another day. :)

Diet's been going pretty good... my meals are sooo filling... don't even feel like I'm on a diet right now. Finally exercised yesterday... had way too much fun, lol.. I played my Nsync and Backstreet Boys cds while I was on the tready, and was really singing my heart out! So much that hubby kept spying on me.. :o

Scale is now hovering around 166-167 again, thank goodness! It had been on 169-170 most of this week and I was scared I would have to report a 3lb gain! X-( As long as I maintain this week, then I'll be as happy as a clam!

Today is going to be a good day... I'll continue my eating regimen and I think I'll go on tready again since I enjoyed it so much yesterday! :D

:tom1: MONDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 cup Crunchy Raisin Bran Crunch - 190 cals
Banana - 110 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
Coffee w/ 1/4 cup FF Creamer - 40 cals

Lunch -
Smart One's Shrimp Marinara - 180 cals
Weight Watchers Icecream Bar - 140 cals

Snack -
Mini Bag Smart Pop Popcorn - 100 cals

Dinner -
1 cup Homemade Chili - 320 cals
1/2 cup White Rice - 95 cals
1/8 cup Cheddar Cheese - 40 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1310 CALS

:lift: MONDAY'S EXERCISE!
30 minutes on Treadmill, averaging 3.3mph.... 217 cals burnt

great job. I also stopped by to check out your ticker, I didnt do that yet today. That is totally cool. I am going to go and check them out. I need to find one for the biggest loser challenge I started.

Howdy all!

This morning I was suppose to take my son to a playdate at the park, but it's pouring down rain, so I'll have to find some other way to entertain him...

Today's the last day of Week 3 and I got an official weigh-in tomorrow... *gulp*...

I think I'll do my Walk Away the Pounds workout today. I love using the 2lb weights and I'm starting to feel a bit stronger now. :)

:tom1: TUESDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
Kashi Golden Brown Maple Oatmeal - 160 cals
1/2 cup Strawberries - 23 cals
Veggie Sausage Pattie w/ Ketchup - 90 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 3 Tbsp FF Creamer - 60 cals

Lunch -
Smart One's Chicken Enchiladas Suiza - 310 cals

Snack -
Nonfat Cherry Vanilla Yogurt - 60 cals
Cinnamon Shortbread Cookie - 90 cals

Dinner -
1 cup Spaghetti Carbonara - 345 cals
Side Salad w/ 1 oz Cheese & 2 Tbsp Lite Italian Dressing - 175 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1313 CALS

Hey bluey!
finally found ur journal! - just wanted to pop in and congradulate u! You're doing soooooo well! honestly, I have no idea how people can possibley stick to a diet AND parenting! lol.
Even when You make bad choices, you realise what you could change! p.s. I bet your burning 100's more calories then you think by chasing around after your gorgeous son! :D
speak later...keep up the fantastic work!!!
love Dais. x

Thanks Dais! Yes, he does run around like a little nutter... lol

Ahh... today's the start of Week 4... weighed in today and scale said 166 lbs... I thought I'd be happy maintaining this week, but I guess in the back of my mind I really wanted to at least lose a pound... oh well... I've hidden the scale in the bathroom closet again... I was stepping on it way too many times during the day and it was driving me crazy!! :caf: So maybe if I leave it alone it will give me a good surprise next Wednesday, lol

My goals for this Week...

1) Continue 1500cals or less
2) Exercise 4 days, at least 30 minutes each day
3) Drink lots of water
4) I'd really like to lose 2 lbs please!!!

:tom1:WEDNESDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 cup Crunchy Raisin Bran - 190 cals
Banana - 110 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 3 Tbsp FF Creamer - 60 cals

Lunch -
Veggie Burger w/ Cheese, Light Mayo, Lettuce & Tomato on 2 slices Wheat Bread - 315 cals

Snacks -
WW Ice Cream Bar - 140 cals
2 Butter Popcorn Rice Cakes - 70 cals

Dinner - Pizza Hut
1 slice of Stuffed Crust Pizza w/ Meat & Veggie toppings - 410 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1350 CALS

Blue~ I totally understand what you mean about stepping on the scale after a HARD worked week just to find that... eh... you maintained. BUT- maintaining is wonderful- it just doesn't seem like it is to the person who is maintaining. You have kicked major butt- and all of your hard work WILL pay off sooner than later.

You are truely an inspiration! Even when times get tough... you still kick your way through!

:cheer:

Ahh, yet another day.

For the first time this last month, yesterday was truly a struggle for me! T.O.M. decided to pay me a visit and it kept telling me, and reminding me, of all the Reese's White Chocolate Peanut Butter cups in the cupboard... AHHHH.... I literally had to force myself to stay away!! Then as my mind does... it kept thinking about what I could have AFTER eating those cups... and NO NO NO NO NO I kept telling myself!!

I swear, the only thing keeping me from blowing it yesterday was that I joined one of the Halloween Challenges, and I didn't want to embarrass myself for only being able to last one day on it! lol

So this is for you DietTalk... :1stprize: ... I award you this trophy for helping me defeat the urges and stay on tract... a feat I could never have accomplished on my own! Bless you!:sweety:

:tom1: THURSDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
2 French Vanilla Waffles w/ 2 tsp Butter & 1/8 cup Lite Syrup - 284 cals
Veggie Sausage Pattie - 80 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 3 Tbsp FF Creamer - 60 cals

Lunch -
Smart One's Tuna Noodle Gratin - 250 cals

Snack -
WW Ice Cream Bar - 140 cals

Dinner -
1 slice of Homemade Lasagna - 400 cals
Side Salad w/ 2 Tbsp Lite Italian Dressing - 75 cals

DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1289 CALS

:lift: THURSDAY'S EXERCISE
Walk Away the Pounds - 1 mile - 20 minutes

Good morning.

Well, only thing new today is that today's my last day of smoking. :(
Yes, I should be happy, but I am going to miss it alot! I kind of "have to" because hubby's work is having a smoking ban, and he needs me to stop so he can stop.

Since the main reason I like to smoke is so I can be by myself for a couple of minutes, I was thinking that maybe what I'll do is, go on my treadmill for little bursts and use exercise to relieve the stress instead. Dunno, I'll probably either try that or just sit outside and chew some Wrigley's Spearmint!

Anyway... TOM's also making me feel cranky, yet I did some exercise yesterday. Maybe I'll go on tready today, it's been a couple days...

:tom1: FRIDAY'S FOOD CHOICES

Breakfast -
1 cup Crunchy Raisin Bran - 190 cals
Banana - 110 cals
1/2 cup 1% Milk - 55 cals
2 cups of Coffee each w/ 3 Tbsp FF Creamer - 60 cals

Lunch -
1 slice of Stuffed crust Pizza - 410 cals

Snack -
Fat Free Blueberry Yogurt - 60 cals

Dinner -
1 cup Rice Krispies mixed w/ 1 cup Fruity Pebbles - 243 cals
3/4 cup 1% Milk - 83 cals


DAILY CALORIE TOTAL = 1211 CALS

Hey Blue,

Congrats on the exercise yesterday, good for you, it sure feels good doesn't it? If nothing else it takes away the guilt of not doing it, lol.

It sure has been great getting to know you in chat this past week. I am not sure I will be able to get on in the early morning next week.

What about having a corner somewhere in the house with a comfy chair, maybe your favourite blanket tossed on it, a little table with a cute lamp, a nice candle, and a favourite book. Maybe a stereo close by with your favourite calming music. That would be a nice place to go to be by yourself. I love my bedroom personally, especially since painting the walls this summer. It feels so cozy.

Just a thought............

Take care, don't miss out on the exercise!!!

Hiya Crazy. Thanks for the advice... I'm going to really have to consider that one! Sounds very nice.

Well it's Saturday morning... about 8:00am... and today is my first day of not smoking... it's only been 6 hours, but I can even tell right now how much I use to rely on smoking to get things done... even after typing this, I have the biggest urge to go outside and smoke!! AARGH! I smoked when waking up, another one before breakfast, one after breakfast, one after doing some chores, and so on and so on! When I use to smoke a pack a day, it was very easy to fit them into my schedule.

I haven't had breakfast yet... not sure what I'm waiting for... probably a lung full of nicotine before I can eat... and I thought the first day of dieting was bad... today is going to be a long, long day. :( :help:

kepp going Blue!! Thats all you can do....this is going to be good, you've started now!
Give yourself a break if you dont manage to completely follow your diet, or fit in exercise....your trying so hard.
take care, dais x

Blue, I am cheering you on. I can only imagine how difficult it must be but you will be sooooooo much healthier once you 'kick the habit'!!! I will be thinking about you. And think of the little guy you have, just barely over 2 years old, and how much cleaner and healthier his life will be. What a great example you two are giving him.