Sleeping Late!

I didn't wake up until like 10 am this morning. Well, part of that was cuddling with the kids but still, getting out of bed at 10 on a Friday totally rocks!  Started with water, totally skipped breakfast and went straight for the leftovers in the frig. I had made a double batch of the Butternut Squash Rancheros earlier in the week so there was one more portion left.  I'm not used to eating that much for breakfast so I was quite full for the day. 

I made the family banana waffles for dinner.  2 sticks of butter in these babies.  I'll put these on my blog but I would not consider these low calorie. I think they were over 450 calories a piece.  I ate about 1/4 of one, or less.  I'm planning to make Caramel Sticky Rolls for the family tomorrow as well.  Again, I plan to have a taste, but that's it.

Dinner consisted of more chow mein. I told you it would last all week.  Hubs ate the rest so the refrigerator is officially out of leftovers for the week. I guess that means I have to cook tomorrow.

Today's Eats:

Butternut Squash Rancheros = 425
Yogurt = 100
Banana Waffles = 125
Pretzels = 100
Chow Mein + noodles = 180
Yogurt = 100
Pea Pods = 35
Total = 1065 calories
Tons of water

My Motivation For Weight Loss...

Clothes.

Amongst the obvious reasons like to feel better, look better and well, to live longer.

I want nice clothes.

My friend donated a bunch, I mean a BUNCH of her clothes to me as she was losing weight. These are some nice clothes.  I'm a sweatpants and tshirt kinda gal, except for when we go to our religious meeting, then I try to look nice of course.  But, when you weigh so much, it's hard to buy things that really look nice, you know? At least within a budget. So even my dress clothes are pretty simple and nothing to sneeze at.

When I first saw some of these clothes, I thought, "These really aren't my taste."

But then I thought, "What IS my taste?  Oversized tshirts and elastic banded pants?"

So I looked again and saw that they were really nice and I would love to see how they look on me!  They vary in size so many might fit in another 20 lbs. and many will take another 40 lbs. or more I'm guessing. Hard to say. I'm eager to find out though!! 

Today's eats:
Ham & Egg Beaters = 120
Yogurt = 100
2 BLT Hummus Wraps minus the B = 360
Salad = 120
2 Mini pizza burgers = 380
Popcorn = 100
Pea Pods = 35

Total = 1215 calories
Plenty, plenty of water


I didn't mind eating my BLT's without the bacon, it was really all about the hummus, and now it's gone. :-(  The mini pizza burgers were nummy but way not worth the calories. If I had MADE the burgers, I could have eaten plenty more for the same amount of calories.  As it was, I had premade steak mini burgers that were highly caloric.  That and a salad were enough but then I munched the rest of the evening. 


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Hot 100 = Update 14 - Last One!

Posting:  Very regular, I hope to continue this as it is keeping me focused. 

Food tracking:  I've been doing this all month, haven't missed a day.  Again, this is something that I need to continue to do on this journey.

Exercise:  Still a struggle for regularity. I have a feeling that is about to change...

The Hot 100 may be over but it isn't ending for me. I got a late start but really refocused this last month.  It isn't going to stop anytime soon.

Loving Leftovers

Got nothing today.  Still busy beyond belief. Just wrote down the eats.  I love leftovers.  :-)

Today's Eats:
Ham & Egg Beaters = 120
Orange Yogurt = 100
Butternut Squash Rancheros = 425
Pea Pods = 35
2 BLT Hummus Wraps = 500
Total = 1180 calories
Plenty of water!

Tuesday

I've had a really bad headache all day.  Could have something to do with the 12 kids here today, or the fact that the daycare inspector paid a surprise visit, who knows.  It's over and I'm cold and tired and just want my bed. 

Today's Eats

Ham & Egg Beaters  = 120
Yogurt = 100
Granola Bar = 150
Chicken Chow Mein - 150
1 tbsp. hummus (had to taste as I was making it) = 30
2 BLT Hummus Wraps = 500

Total = 1050 calories
Lots of water but not quite enough.  :-(

Butternut Squash Dessert!

Same boring food.  Well, not boring for me, I don't mind eating the same thing for breakfast and leftovers for lunch.  I did run out of my favorite dressing, the Kens Vidalia Onion lite.  So I had to use light ranch and 2 tbsp. doesn't seem to go as far so it isn't as good. Gotta get to the store!  I need more lettuce too.

Ok, the butternut squash is like dessert. At least it is when you are eating very little sugar.  If you cook it in the oven and let it caramelize a bit. Holy cow is it good and sweet!  I ate WAY too much but it was so good.

Today's Eats:

Ham & Egg beaters = 120
Salad = 120
Chow Mein & noodles = 200
Granola Bar = 120
Black Bean Butternut Squash = 425
More Squash = 150

Total = 1135 calories
Water = Way a lot.  Flooding here.

I doubt I had as much as 150 calories of extra squash but I didn't weight it and I'd rather estimate high.  Not that I'm planning anything else to eat, I am way full.

Still Eatin Well

Food today mainly consisted of leftovers. Which was perfectly fine with me.  It's been a pretty uneventful weekend.  It was nice just to stay home and be with the kids.  We watched some movies, played games and read a lot.

I still have a WHOLE bunch of chow mein so you'll be seeing it for lunch all this week.  Unless I give some to my dad tomorrow.  This chow mein is the most filling, low calorie, delicious food I can make.  The whole gigantic crockpot was only 2250 calories.  It sits well in the refrigerator too.  I recommend it for anyone who is looking for an awesome low calorie choice.  I did alter the recipe from what is linked here, if you are interested in the revised version, let me know. I won't be reposting it for several months probably. 

Today's Eats:

Ham & Egg Beaters - 120
Yogurt - 100
1/2 banana - 50
2 cups Pumpkin Chili with sour cream - 400
Salad = 120
Yogurt - 100
Chow Mein - 180

Total = 1070 calories

Amish Bread

Today I made more amish bread. Ya, this stuff is way more like cake. I usually make 2 pans of it.  I give one away and the family usually just eats one.  I had one small piece. I figure if I am cooking and putting things on my blog, I certainly should taste it. It was good but not one of my favorites.  So it isn't "calling" me to want more. 

It's still annoying to me that yesterday was cheesecake and today is amish cake.  2 days of sweets when I have been so good avoiding them. The main reason I want to avoid them is it just isn't a good use of 250 calories.  I'm guessing it was less than that actually but I'd rather estimate high.  For 250 calories I could have eaten 2 1/2 yogurts.  Or a cup and 1/2 of chili.  Or 1 cup of turkey broccoli mixture without the tortillas. Or an entire turkey sandwich. All of which I have in the frig and all of which would have filled me up WAYYYYY more than the tiny piece of cake.  It's no big deal, it's not like I'm overly hungry but if I am to stick to this 1200 calorie thing for a duration, I need to make the most of my calories.

Today's Eats:


Key Lime Yogurt = 100
1 cup Pumpkin Chili = 180
1 piece of bacon = 45
Salad with ranch dressing - 120
Orange Amish Bread = 250
Chow Mein = 360 (I used less chicken so it's less calories than my site says)
Popcorn = 100


Total = 1155 calories
Lots and lots of water

Socks

I used to hate socks.  I seriously felt claustrophobic wearing socks. I would get SO hot! I even hated wearing boots. I used to be a flip flop gal. Even in winter. No joke.  I was also over 300 lbs. and eating whatever I wanted to.  That was apparently enough fuel to warm my body. 


Now. I can't go a day without socks and I am STILL cold!  I used to have one blanket on my bed, now I have 4. I just added the 4th last night as it takes me FOREVER to warm up. And we don't keep our house unusually cold or anything. It's just I'm now eating less calories and have less padding. 
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Today's Eats -


Yogurt = 100
Chicken Chickpea Soup = 230
Salad = 120
Hashbrowns = 200
2 Turkey broccoli wraps = 450
Apple Cheesecake - 175


Total = 1275

I made an apple cheesecake for my brother today. He exercises a LOT and is a runner so his food of choice lately is cheesecake.  It would be mine too if I was skinny with an extra 3600 calories to burn.  There have been so many sales on cream cheese lately he's been buying a bunch.  I took that as a cue that he wanted me to make him another cheesecake. I made him a pumpkin cheesecake last month, ate one piece and he ate the rest. Plus, he has some frozen in the freezer downstairs. Today, I made him an apple cheesecake, I took a small piece and he will proceed to devour the rest over the next week. 

Hot 100 - Update 13

Today's Eats


Ham & Egg Beaters = 120
Salad = 120
1 cup chicken chickpea soup = 230
Vitatop = 100
2 cups Pumpkin Chili = 360
Apple dried fruit crisps = 40

Total = 970 calories
Tons of water!

The pumpkin chili was adapted from this recipe. It really was good. I altered the seasonings and subbed some stuff that I had on hand but it turned out really well.  I was surprised on the low calorie count. I have 8 other chili recipes on my blog and this one came in the lowest calories of all of them. I got 13 cups from it at 180 calories a cup.  I checked the stats twice just to make sure.  I didn't even pack it with veggies like I often do.  I didn't add the cheese or sour cream to it either.  Or slather it on a hot dog like my brother did!
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Hot 100 Update -

Posting = I'm keeping up with the blog which is helping a LOT. Notice how I didn't seem to have time for posting when I was eating everything in the house. I didn't think it was but I'm sure it was guilt that kept me from posting. 

Food Tracking = Everyday. Spot on.  It's really getting easier.  Once you GET in the habit, it's SO much easier. I just needed to get into the right attitude about it. 

Exercise = Not nearly as much as I would like.  This week has been INSANE and next will too with extra kids here with school not in session.  Does wiping snotty noses and cleaning the pee off of the toilet seat count as exercise?  Ya, I didn't think so. 

All in all, it's been going well.  I've lost over 10 lbs. since the first of the month and going strong.  I'll post my official weight on January 1st. 

Award!

I got an award!  Allan's challenge is awesome. He sends uplifting and/or friendly reminder emails daily in this challenge.  We're sending him our weights on Sundays and he's counting all the calories lost. I think his goal is for all in the challenge to lose 1/2 ton by the first of the year. That is staggering to me and makes me motivated to do well! 

His logic is simple - Eat less, drink lots of water.  It's not rocket science.  He simply woke up one day from his own denial with obesity and started doing something about it. Now, he's passing his self acquired knowledge along to others who are willing to listen.  This Sunday, 8 of the participants lost 10 lbs. or more for the first 12 days.  He sent an very nice award to us for our blogs.  At first I was embarrassed.  I don't get things from people too often so I was touched for the recognition.  While this is NOT a contest, I am proud to be one of the 8 women who have "rocked the scale".  I've been keeping the 1200 calorie meal plan as accurately as possible and I've been drinking more water per day than ever!



 
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Today's Eats

Egg, ham and cheese omelet = 220
Salad = 120
Pumpkin Pasta = 450
1 cup Chickpea Chicken soup = 230
Popcorn = 100

Total - 1120 calories
Plenty of water

Delicious Temptations...

That pumpkin pasta I made was quite the temptation today.  It was SO good!  When I ate it for lunch I was TOO hungry and I ate it too fast.  So after dinner, I snuck another 1/2 portion so I could ENJOY it more!  Not that I really needed it, that chickpea chicken soup was MORE than filling.  I'll be posting that recipe soon.  I still have a little less than a portion and 1/2 of the pumpkin pasta that I'm sure I will eat for lunch tomorrow!  Is it bad that I'm getting ready for bed and already looking forward to lunch tomorrow? 
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Today's Eats


Yogurt - 100
Salad - 120
Pumpkin Pasta = 385
2 cups chickpea chicken soup = 460
More Pumpkin Pasta = 200

Total = 1265 calories
Plenty of water

Looooooong Day!

I'm certainly not going to gripe about my annoying day, I know everyone is going through stress.  Everyone has busy lives so mine certainly isn't that unusual.  It's funny where our minds go when we are angry or stressed. Food. 

As you might know, I homeschool my kids and do daycare. Well today the middle child and I were on opposite sides of the fence and well, lets just say, it wasn't pretty. I stormed into the kitchen and just wanted to grab pretzels to eat.  I didn't. Then I opened the refrigerator without even thinking.  I didn't succumb to anything bad, I DO feel like I am in control enough not to.  But, why do we do this?  Will this EVER go away?  Even if I do make my goal and start maintaining.  Will I still keep opening the refrigerator every time I get frustrated?  I don't want the refrigerator to become my hiding place. Not that I could fit my big butt in there, even if I tried. :-)

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Today's Eats

Oatmeal = 120
Yogurt with Blueberries = 120
Salad = 120
Leftover Chicken with apples = 250 (it was soggy and kinda gross so I doubt I even had this many calories)
Pumpkin Pasta with Bacon = 600 calories (I ate a portion and 1/2, it was SOOOOO good!)

Total = 1210 calories
Water = Lots and lots!

Cookies, Appetizers, & Cake Oh MY!

We always seem to go to Costco on Sundays.  I feed like 14 people here so we go through an enormous amount food.  I usually go and estimate 25 - 30 calories per sample and come out of there with about 200 calories under my belt.  Today they were clearly putting out samples trying to woo people to buy their goodies for the Christmas festivities.  Here's what they had:

Doritos
Ritz cracker with cream cheese and some spread
3 bean salad
Chicken soup
Corn
Cherry biscotti
Fruit and veggie smoothie
Shortbread cookie with a chocolate kiss
About 6 different kinds of flavored popcorn
Bacon Quiche
Spinach Quiche
Crescent Rolls
White Cheddar cheese
Chips with salsa
Chips with hummus
Tortilla soup
A bunch of different christmas cookies

I'm probably forgetting a bunch more too.  It was insane.  Now, I didn't eat all of them and a lot that I did take, I split with my daughter. So we each had half a bacon mini quiche, we each had half of the half of crescent roll.  I had 2 kinds of popcorn, only like 5 pieces of popped corn in each thing but they were GOOD. The best was the shortbread cookie with the chocolate kiss.  I ate that whole baby, yes I did.  It was tiny but I'm sure it packed in 100 - 150 calories just for the cookie!

So, moral of the story, I ate lunch at Costco with just samples. I drank my water along the way, shopped and munched. I estimated it as about 450 calories, that probably is high as I avoided too much of the sugary samples (except the cookie), but I know I was hungry going in and full going out! 


Today's Eats
Eggs & Ham = 120
Yogurt = 100
Costco Samples = 450
Apple Pie Pork Chops = 550

Total = 1220 calories

The apple pie pork chops in the slow cooker that I came home to, were AMAZING!  It was like more dessert for dinner!  I subbed the sugar for splenda and doubled the recipe.  I totally recommend it!

Still Feeling Crummy

I"m not trying to set any records by not eating enough calories but I still feel crummy and I just don't want to eat. Or drink.  I am slightly concerned as it's not just a normal sickness.  I have this stupid pain in my side and arm, sometimes it goes to my back. The concerning part is that I'm short of breath and it hurt the most when I breathe.  Nice, right? 

Going to the ER would involve tons of test and would be highly annoying. Of course, ending up dead would be quite the imposition as well.  I'm going to sit tight for a bit, it doesn't seem to be getting worse. It just started yesterday morning.

I did take a 3 hour nap this afternoon, mainly to get warm as I was just SOOOO cold! Ya, I probably need to eat more.  I might get a snack here in a bit but I'm really not hungry for it. At all. I can only sip at water, at best.  Weird. 

Today's Eats:

Yogurt = 100
Salad = 120
Broccoli Slaw = 250
Tortilla = 100
Broccoli Slaw = 250
Salad = 150
Granola bar = 100 (updated: I caved and got a granola bar)

Total calories = 1070
Water = good but not enough

Slightly out of sorts...

Today has been an odd day. I haven't felt like eating.  No clue why. It was even hard to drink. My stomach doesn't exactly hurt, it just doesn't really feel like eating or drinking.  I ate mainly because I should have, not because I was necessarily hungry for it.  I'm sure I'll wake up ravenous tomorrow!! Super tired, off to bed.

Todays Eats:

Eggs & ham - 120
Salad - 120
Smart Choice frozen bean and rice meal - 310
2 Broccoli Slaw Turkey Wraps = 450
Total = 1000
Water = enough but not as much as usual

Carbs & Hot 100 - 12

I for one happen to love carbs!  Who doesn't! 

I've never done strict Atkins or South Beach but the principles are good.  Carbs are typically higher in calorie and many are just not good for you.  So when tackling the 1200 calories diet, it seems logical to limit carbs.

I am not a believer that you should not eliminate anything in your diet.  (Except peanut M&M's, those should be eliminated).  I certainly don't abstain from carbs but they are making a lesser appearance in my diet lately. 

Interestingly, my diet today included more carbs than usual. I think.  I don't really track, I pay more attention to calories.  The carbs that I do consume are typically high in protein and/or fiber though.  I think it's also interesting that while today I ate MORE carbs than usual, I also was not hungry as much. Although for the most part, I'm not hungry.  I do tend to get the major munchies in the afternoon though. Today, not so much.  Hmmm...

Today's Eats:

Oatmeal - Apples & Cinnamon instant = 130

Salad = 120

Leftover roast and potatoes = 400 (tops)

Butternut Squash Rancheros = 475

Total = 1125 calories

Mucho agua!

The butternut squash rancheros rocked!  Seriously you must try them.  From the original recipe, with the cooking spray, it was only 425 calories per serving. That was a LOT of food!  Very filling! I ate an extra bit of squash though just because it was nummy! 

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Hot 100 - Update

Posting:  Now that I'm actually tracking, I seem to be posting more. I leave the window open on my computer and just type down what I eat throughout the day.  I can also jot down random thoughts as they appear.  Before, I would get to posting and my mind would forget everything that I had thought of previously. Not sure if this will continue all the time but it's working for now!

Food tracking: Spot on again.  Maintaining the 1200 calorie/mega water diet as I call it and it's working well. I'm not recording weight until the 1st but I can tell you that the scale is moving in the right direction. Now, if I just hadn't gained like 5 lbs. the week before I started this!  Grrrr...

Exercise:  Not so much. Still little things but not anything regular. I started exercising with my daughter a bit but then it sorta petered out. It hasn't become a habit yet. I don't have the longing for it.  I still dread it. Have to work on that!  

Same Boring Food

I told you I tend to eat boring food throughout the day.  I have basically been posting the same thing all the time for breakfast, snacks and lunch. I do good if I have routine.  When I run out of yogurt, I panic for a protein filled snack.  When I run of salad, I panic as I like being able to eat an entire huge bowl of something tasty for 120 calories.  I don't have time to get creative at breakfast.  So here are a couple of pictures of my everyday boring foods that I eat all the time.


My eggs and ham:  This is what I typically have. A little less than 2 portions of egg beaters.  2 oz. ham and just a bit of salsa.  These slices are 1 oz. a piece. I also often get some thinner sliced and then I get 4 of my little guys to wrap up and eat. My little ham/egg tacos is what my kids call them.  120 calories.

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Yoplait yogurt: About 10:30 I have my morning snack.  Yogurt.  I love all the thick and creamy kinds, especially the key lime and the orange cream. 

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My Morningstar Black Bean Chipotle Burgers: I first saw these at Costco. I had a coupon.  Then proceeded to go back and get several more boxes. They are awesome!  I sometimes will eat them on an Arnold Select Sandwich Thin for 100 calories but lately I just eat them with a tablespoon of light sour cream and 2 cherry tomatoes if I have them.  They are also great on top of a salad with salsa instead of dressing.

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My plain boring salad:  I buy an enormous bag of regular salad lettuce, today I threw in a small handful of spinach that I happened to have in the frig. I eat it with my favorite dressing, Kens Lite Vidalia Onion.  I use about 2 tbsp. of dressing = 120 calories

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Vitatops:  These babies rock.  If you are looking for a great dessert, these are the things to buy.  They come in a ton of flavors, my favorite is the triple chocolate chunk. 

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100 calorie bags of popcorn:  I tend to eat these more on the weekend after the kids go to bed while putzing on the computer. 

Todays Eats:
Eggs, Ham & Salsa = 120
Yogurt = 100
Salad = 120
Chipotle Burger with sour cream and tomato = 240
Snow peas = 35
Roast with Potatoes = 550 (tops, I think I estimated high)

Total calories = 1165 calories
Tons of water

Things I Learned Today...

Today I discovered what an entire roll of paper towels looks like unrolled.

I also found out that the amish starter that is sitting on my counter in a baggie, makes excellent glue for blocks stuck to the wall. 

I also found out how thick and chunky powdered baby formula gets when it's dumped on the counter and wet hands ran through it. 

I found out how incredibly stiff and chunky the ends of your hair feel after a whole day of burping babies. 

I also was amazed that my dishwasher door, when opened, didn't break from a 2 year old standing on it.

Just another day in the life of a homeschooling mom who does daycare.  

Todays Eats:
Eggs & ham = 120
Yogurt = 100
Salad = 120
Chipotle bean burger = 230
Chicken 3 oz. = 150
Green beans = 640

Total calories = 1360
Water = More than plenty!

I pigged out on the leftover Italian green bean casserole from yesterday.  I didn't mean to have an extra portion but I was SO hungry and they were SO good.  They are gone so no more temptation tomorrow.

Still Going Strong!

I have to get up way earlier than usual in the morning so I'm hitting bed early. 

Todays Eats:
Eggs, ham & salsa = 120
Yogurt = 100
Salad with turkey = 240
Chipotle bean burger & sour cream = 230
Steak & onions = 250
Italian Green Bean Casserole = 320

Total = 1260 calories
Water = Good but not at maximum.  Still plenty though.

It was hard to figure out a portion of the green bean casserole.  I think if anything, I probably had less than a portion. It was good and I'll be eating it for lunches for the next week as it made a lot and is on the higher end of calories. Recipe to come soon!

Recipe Blog

You may notice that my recipes I'm posting on my other blog don't correspond with the meal that I am eating and tracking here.  Well, I have a huge stockpile of recipes to list.  Like a months worth, at least. I usually post about 4 recipes per week on the other blog and many I've been saving for quite awhile.  So don't think I'm telling you one thing here and actually doing something else.  If you see anything on my food tracking here that sounds good to you, feel free to email me about the recipe. Otherwise you'll see it eventually on my blog next year. 

My meal planning post doesn't always correspond too.  I might plan spaghetti one evening. Well, there is a good chance that the rest of the family will be eating spaghetti and I will be eating a quesadilla, salad or a bean burrito or something. 

Today's Eats:
Yogurt = 100
Salad with chicken and dressing = 250
Costco samples - 200
Chicken fried rice Lean Cuisine = 260
Salad = 120
Granola bar = 125
Apple = 100

Total = 1155 calories
Plenty of water

I basically snacked all day.  This isn't unusual for a Sunday. I slept in and we left for our meeting at 12:30.  Then the family ate at Costco while I shopped. I estimated my samples at 200 calories.  Most were quite healthy samples, soup, turkey, green beans, juice.  Then there were the yummy ones like spinach appetizer, salsa cream cheese appetizer, chips and hummus.  They were pretty mini so I am confident they weren't too caloric.  Then we came home and I just kinda munched my way through dinner.  Stayed within calories and drank plenty of water.

Saturday Success

We spent the whole day at home.  Which of course made eating easier for me.  I am going a little stir crazy and was actually looking forward to getting out of the house though!  I do daycare at home so some weeks, I don't get out much.

It was fun with the kids though.  They had a blast in the snow and I got some organizing in my room done.  I didn't get out of bed until about 10 so eating started late.  I made the family brunch. French toast sticks, cheesy eggs, bacon and ham.  I just had a big bite of the cheesy eggs and a yogurt and I was good to go!

Now I'm up way too late trying to catch up on writing up all of the recipes I've been making for my recipe blog!

Today's Eats:

Yogurt = 100
Bite of Cheesy Eggs = 50
Snow Peas = 35
Chipotle Bean Burrito = 250
Apple = 110
Chicken with broccoli & onions = 550

Total calories = 1005 calories
Plenty of water, close to 140 oz.

I feel like I'm missing something.  I thought that I calculated about 1100 before so I either ate something else for 100 calories or I miscalculated.  No wonder I'm hungry! :-)

Snow Day

We're supposed to wake up to about a foot of snow. So we're hibernating for the day!  So rather than errands and going places, it will be movies and monopoly! 

Today's eats:
Egg beaters & ham = 120
Yogurt  = 100
Salad = 120
Turkey, Bacon, Cheddar Enchilada = 300
Apple = 90
2 Chipotle Bean Burritos = 450

Total calories = 1180 calories
Plenty of water

Restaurants & Hot 100 - 11

I have been doing so well this week. I am confident that I will continue the trend. 

I am a bit leery of this weekend though.  Whenever Hubs doesn't work on Saturday, we usually just kinda do whatever. You know, errands, a movie, science museum with the kids, shopping, whatever. Normal Saturday stuff.  Nothing is planned.  At all. 

Not so good for me when I am planning to eat only 1200 calories.  We'll probably do lunch or dinner out.  I have to PLAN where we are going to go so I can look up nutritional information. I'm not so much worried about the temptations. Once I've made up my mind not to eat crap, I won't. I just don't like NOT KNOWING how many calories is in what I'm eating. I'm not good at estimating.  And Allan's challenge isn't about estimating 1200 calories. It's about eating 1200 calories. Period. 

We'll probably do Subway.  Everyone likes it and they have good nutritional stats.  We'll see.  It will annoy me to eat a sandwich when I have sandwich stuff at the house though.

Today, more of the same boring food that I've eaten all week. It's not boring to me, I don't mind leftovers and eating the same thing at all. I would just think reading about the same food would get boring.  I'll bore you anyways.  :-)

Egg beaters + Ham + Salsa = 120 calories

Yogurt = 100 calories

Salad = 120 calories

1 1/3 cups Chicken Chickpea Soup = 330 calories

Chocolate Vitatop = 100 calories

Turkey, Bacon, Cheddar Enchilada = 300 calories

Handful of popcorn = 50 calories (tops)

Total calories = 1120 calories

Water = Plenty, at least 140 oz.

I meant to steam some broccoli with my enchilada but was too lazy and didn't feel like it.  I grabbed a small handful of hubs popcorn about 30 minutes ago and now I'm hungry. It's like the popcorn just set my stomach off or something. Annoying.  I haven't really been hungry all day.  Off to bed.

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Hot 100 Update

Excellent on all goals! 

Posting = I'm keeping the window open throughout the day so I can jot things down, that way I don't save it all for right before bed. Keeps me posting and thinking about it more often.

Food Tracking = Every day.  I finally am getting on track and LOVING IT!

Exercise = Much, much better.  The daughter and I have been doing an exercise video together. Plus my usual exercises. Feeling those muscles yell and bit! 

Oh, and I'm jumping on the scale every morning out of curiosity but I won't officially post until the first of the month. It's going to be easier that way rather than weekly.  The numbers are looking better though!  :-)

BLT's

BLT's

Bites. Licks. Tastes. 

I'm realizing how much I used to do this.

I have 3 kids and I do daycare.  So I am constantly, and I mean constantly, dishing out food to kids.  Different times for breakfast, depending on who gets here when and when my kids wake up.  Morning snack.  Lunch.  Sometimes one thing for the daycare kids and something else for my kids.  More snacks.  Dinner. Often one thing for the hubs and kids and something else for me and my brother.  I told you, I am constantly dealing with food. 

So, the bad habit that I've gotten into is BLT's.  Handful of cereal, couple of pretzels, pizza crusts off kids' plates, open a bag of crackers and take a few.  Eat cheese while slicing it for the kids.  Steal a piece or 2 of garlic bread that I wasn't planning on eating.  You get the point. 

This is adding up to hundreds and hundreds of calories.  I know it is. Any one thing isn't TOO bad but when you add it up, I know that I've been taking in way more calories than planned. 

Now that I am back on track writing things down, I am abstaining from the BLT's. I just opened a bag of pretzels and thought to take a couple and thought "Do I want to write that down?"  I didn't so I didn't have any.  I just made the family spaghetti and resisted the garlic bread and resisted the noodles. My one son likes his with just butter, garlic and parmesan cheese and it is SOOOOO good that way that I usually have a couple of bites or whatever he had leftover.  I didn't today. 

I ate my leftover Chicken Chickpea soup as planned and enjoyed it.  Actually, I found that the soup tasted even better than yesterday.  There is only a small amount of bacon in it but the flavor came out really good! 

Today's Eats!

Eggs & ham = 120 calories
Yogurt = 100 calories
Salad = 120 calories
Chipotle Bean Burger with sour cream = 230 calories
Banana = 85 calories
Blue Bran Vitatop = 100 calories
2 cups Chicken Chickpea Soup = 460 calories

Total calories = 1215 calories
Total water = more than 140 oz.  

Staying on track for calories and drinking plenty of water. Interestingly, my hands are getting super dry.  I would have thought that with all the water I'm drinking that I would be seeping through the pores!  It might be because I wash them A LOT.  Annoying though. 

Great Day!

Food went well today. I didn't really feel hungry.  I even weighed my banana!  I'm trying to be as accurate as possible! 

Eggs + Ham = 120 calories
Yogurt = 100 calories
Salad + Dressing = 120 calories
1 cup of Turkey Broccoli Slaw = 250 calories (minus the tortillas, just the glop)
Gum = 5
Banana = 100
Chickpea Chicken Soup = 460 calories
Total calories = 1155 calories
Total water = 130 oz.

The chicken chickpea soup I made for dinner was fantastic!  230 calories per cup and it was super filling! Email me if you want the recipe otherwise it will be posted on my recipe blog in a few weeks!

Psyched and Ready To Go!

I'm feeling inspired. Again. 

I've caught the Allan bug and his words are blunt and honest and actually made me listen.  Plus, I'm just curious how his numbers are going to add up by the end of the challenge.

I've tried writing my meals down on the blog and soon gave it up. If I am to complete this challenge accurately, I HAVE to write it down. Right?  No estimating or guessing.  So if I am writing it down in my notebook, I might as well document it here. I can't promise this everyday but know that I WILL be tracking everyday in December.  Weighing and measuring everything.

I AM sticking to this goal.  Failure is not an option. 

One of the reasons I don't usually post my meals is that they are quite boring.  I often eat the same thing for breakfast everyday and just leftovers for lunch. 

Egg beaters + 1 oz. ham + salsa = 125

Yogurt = 100

Salad lettuce + dressing = 120

Chipotle bean burger + 1 tbsp. sour cream = 230

11 oz. V8 = 70

1/3 small banana (1.2 oz) = 30

2 Turkey broccoli wraps = 450

Total calories = 1125

Total water =140 oz.

I was planning to have some baby carrots this evening but ended up going to bed early and didn't need any.  The only time I felt really hungry was before my salad at about noon and right before dinner at 6.  I drank most of my water before 5:30 so hopefully we'll limit the nighttime bathroom visits!  Otherwise, the day went well.

Challenge

So, I've been seeing Allans name pop up on all the weight loss blogs.  I've visited his site but there are just so many blogs, and so little time to read them all regularly. Anyways, I decided to check it out and he's starting Phase 3 of his challenge Tuesday, December 7th. It sounds intriguing. 

What I like is that he's blunt and completely honest.  More importantly - He's Right.  If we are serious about losing weight, we don't need to be coddled.  We don't need to hear about all the fat free brownies that we can eat and how we "dont' have to deprive ourselves."  I've spent the last 30 years not being deprived of food so I think it's time for a little deprivation, right?  30 years of stuffing myself and not going hungry.  So if it takes me going a bit hungry for awhile, so be it.

I've had this blog for 6 months.  I've done nothing with it. I've made some stupid comments like "Well, at least I haven't gained weight".  While, yes, I suppose it IS good I haven't gained, it still is stupid.  I obviously care more about what goes in my mouth than what I look like, or how I feel.  I care more about eating than living.  I'm killing myself with this junk. 

Enough. 

If anyone is interested in joining, you need to do it soon, it stars on December 7th, you can enter until Monday, December 6th.  Here is the best post I could find with the rules.

I don't have a good track record with these challenges.  This is 3 weeks.  What's the worst that can happen?  I continue the stupidity and don't lose weight.  Or.  I can stay determined and do it.  I can choose life, not food.  

Hot 100 Update 10

I seriously meant to write something of substance.  I've had things milling around in my brain and have even jotted down some notes. But here I find myself falling asleep at the computer once again, just trying to get everything done before going to bed. 

My kids and I have been reading a lot at night.  I homeschool all 3 of them and there is a lot of reading.  Hard reading.  They are good readers but it helps us all if we read some of it together. I enjoy reading and learning what they are doing and I know it helps their understanding if we read and discuss it together. So my daughter and I just finished reading a play about Greek gods and goddesses that was sorta dumb and before that I read 2 history lessons with my oldest son and daughter.  I'm tired and worn out.  I can't engage my brain into much else.

I wanted to do an update for the Hot 100 though.  Not much has changed.  I went to the doctor and all my numbers and tests are fine.  I told him about this headache that I've had for like 2 weeks but didn't want any pills for it. I hate taking pills, so I'll deal with it. For now.

Goals? Posting - Just keeping up on the Hot 100, I was hoping to be keeping up much more.

Tracking - I'm still posting recipes on my food blog and calculating calories for dinners and often I have leftovers for lunch so I am aware of how many calories I am eating. Not entirely happy with how many granola bars I'm eating for snack or all the second helpings I'm taking. 

Exercise - I told my doctor that I am still trying to come up with a regular plan.  I'm still doing what I call weenie exercises, which is better than nothing but I so, so, so am determined to do more.  Someday. 

I know, I need to lose the SOMEDAY attitude.  It's never going to be a better time than now. I know this. Yet, it's just not happening.

I am weighing in monthly now. Not that the number has really changed much over the last 6 months.  Grr. 

Weigh In Wednesday & Hot 100 Update 9

Yes, I know, it's not Wednesday.  I have thoughts for things to write but never give myself the time and opportunity to get it down. 

I'm tired.  So tired.

Weight is about the same. It hasn't gone up, which is nice. But hasn't gone down.  Not surprising though.

Goals:

Posting:  I have the intent and desire but it's still not happening.

Tracking:  Sometimes, vaguely.  It's like I'm either spot on doing good or horrible beyond belief.

Exercise:  Not really.  At least, not as much as I would like.  I'm still doing basic things but need to get into gear more. 

Hopefully after the first of the year my life will slow down a bit and I can complete a coherent thought.  :-)

Weigh In Wednesday & Hot 100 Update 8

Hot 100 Update 8:

Goal 1: Posting: I want to post regularly on the dieting blog here.

I'm still here which is "something".  Being accountable for ME, means posting more than once or twice a week.  I'm doing this challenge to HELP me be more accountable and achieve success.  I have not made any progress this week.  I'm still up a bit but basically holding my own.  I'm not happy "holding my own" though.  Some days are awesome, some just "okay" and others less than stellar. 

Goal 2: Food Tracking & Planning

Still basically off and on. Today I tracked and did okay. BUT. I didn't plan my meals, not all of them. I changed my goal here to read Food Tracking & Planning.  Food tracking isn't happening here without a plan.

Goal 3: Get moving regularly

Yes and no. Mostly no.  I'm still doing some weights and small exercises but the treadmill is getting a bit dusty again. No real excuses, ankle has been fine. 

This time of year is the busiest for me. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. I tend to procrastinate a bit throughout the year and now at the end of November, it's crunch time. So my already busy beyond belief life is now getting more busy.  I know that I still have plenty of time for meal planning, tracking and exercise. So no excuses! 



I"m also going to weigh officially in on the first of the month I think.  I still hop on the scale daily so no denial going on and I still plan on reporting progress on Wednesdays (accountability you know) but I think I'm going to make it official monthly.  We'll see.

Snow

4 days ago, my kids were outside wearing shorts and a tshirt.  It was in the high 60's, sunny and gorgeous!  We've had a wonderful fall here in Minnesota and I really can't complain a bit.  Our tree in the back yard drops it's leaves late season, so we JUST got done with the clean up yesterday.  Blew off the roof, bagged the leaves, mulched some leaves and hauled it away. 

Tomorrow I am supposed to wake up to up to 10 inches of snow. 

Not even a transition with some cold. Nope. Just goes from fall to winter like THAT! 

Sigh.

My kids are ecstatic.  The more the better they say!  They are all set for a Saturday full of snowmen, sledding and snowballs.  All I see is shoveling, ice and wet dripping clothes. 

So I think we're planning to just hunker down for the day and watch the snow fly.  Maybe put some soup in the crockpot or something.

I've ignored the scale all week.  I've stayed focused and haven't indulged in too many stupid things.  We won't talk about the 2 oreos that may or may not have shoved themselves into my mouth.  They were stupid red winter ones that the husband bought.  Oreos are NOT supposed to be red!   

Weigh In Wednesday & Hot 100 Update 7

Can I just have a do-over for this week?  Please?!  I really need one.

I'm not going to bore you with the mundane details of how cruddy this week has been for me and how much unnecessary food I have consumed.  It's just stupid.  I feel gross and I am just mad. 

Hopefully mad enough to get back on track.  I was doing so well and then WHAM!  Life kicked in.  Well, "life" isn't going away so we're starting anew.

I'm also not weighing in this week.  Combination of the cruddy week PLUS my scale needs a new battery. I woke up this morning to a bit E error on the scale.  I thought maybe it was trying to tell me something.  I was seriously waiting for the message from the scale "Do you really want to know?"

I don't.  As of Monday I was a couple of pounds up.  Let's hope to getting control of that this week. 

Hot 100 Update

Goal 1: Posting: I want to post regularly on the dieting blog here.

Not really, I'm still posting but I really just want to crawl in a hole this week.  There is no hole big enough for my big butt so here I sit.  :-)

 

Goal 2: Food Tracking

Not really.  I didn't track how many handfuls of pecans I ate while watching The Biggest Loser.  That was dinner. Yes, I am cringing as I'm thinking of that. 

 

Goal 3: Get moving regularly:

 

Not too bad.  Not as regular as I would like but I'm not ignoring it. 

Smoke Detectors

I'm not generally a Maxine cartoon fan but I saw this tonight and it was so appropriate.  Yes, I know this isn't my food blog but I'm still posting it here.

I made cookies.  And pizza. So the oven was working full time. I've been making a series of Amish breads and other baked goods with Amish starter and today I made Amish chocolate chip cookies.  They were excellent. 

I also wanted to try a new vegetarian pizza. I'm not a vegetarian but I like to cook without meat a couple of times a week.  Tonights plan was a black bean pizza.  Homemade whole wheat crust, salsa, cheese, red peppers and black beans. I made the kids and husband pepperoni.  

So first went the cookies. Then I made 3 crusts, popped the families' pepperoni in first and they turned out great!  At this point I am REALLY hungry and eager to get mine in the oven. So I roll out the dough, place the ingredients beautifully all over the pizza until it looks perfect.  It's then I realize that I forgot to prebake the crust.  

Oops.  

All the other pizza's I prebaked which makes it MUCH crispier and easier to slip off the pan.  So I put this in the oven and when we tried to slip it off the sheet onto the rack to crisp, half of it just fell to the bottom of the oven. It wasn't pretty. Luckily I did get a picture before this happened.  

So we scrapped the bottom of the oven but that didn't stop the billowing smoke from coming out of the oven.  So here it is 36 degrees and we have the doors and windows open, the smoke detectors going off and are watching Toy Story 3 and eating pizza amidst pizza smoke.  

The good news is that 1/2 of the pizza turned out great!  Very tasty, not pretty but delicious.  I'll for sure make it again.

The bad news is that I ate way too much this afternoon. I've been spot on all week and the first part of today went well but then I lost it with the pizza and cookies.  I'll do some heavy duty make up this weekend hopefully! 

I'll be posting this pizza on my recipe blog in a few weeks along with probaby the same story.

Weigh In Wednesday & Hot 100 Update 6

Bad, bad on the posting this week.  It's busy around here, but it shouldn't be any busier than normal. I just don't know where the time goes!

Weight is staying pretty much the same. Funny, I have really good days, then I have some bad days.  Consistency is still an issue.  The good days are outnumbering the bad but I know I need consistency to get results. 

Weight is pretty much the same, I lost .2.  Could be worse. Especially after the salty chinese food I ate on Saturday.  I could FEEL the salt in me.  It was good though but not something that I can indulge in any more.  I make awesome asian food here so I need to stick with that!!  In fact, I made a fantastic general tso's chicken just last night.  Healthy, delicious and way lower calorie and sodium.  I'll be posting the recipe for it in a couple weeks on my recipe blog.

Hot 100 Update

Goal 1: Posting: I want to post regularly on the dieting blog here.

Not as much and as thorough as I would like.  I end up only getting time to stop and think after the kids go to bed and by then my head is full of marshmallows and I lose that ability to say anything coherent or inspiring. 



Goal 2: Food Tracking



It's kinda all or nothing here.  The last few days have been very well, I've been tracking and coming in very good calories wise.  Then there are the days at when I just don't pay attention at all. I do a quick count at the end of the day, trying to remember everything I snacked on and realize that it's just way too many calories.  Really, can I seriously expect to come in under 1400 calories by accident and not tracking? It just doesn't happen.  So while it's been better, consistency is still an issue.
 
Goal 3: Get moving regularly:
 
Better ...and worse.  Better at being consistent with my mild weight training, pushups and some exercises.  Not so much with the treadmill.  I went on it once this week but that's it.  I have a small window of time when my kids are doing school (homeschool) and most of the kids are napping when I need to get on the treadmill.  I end up spending that time catching up on emails, writing up recipe posts or prepping for dinner.  There is always SOMETHING but I need to take the time.  I just wish I could chop veggies or something while on the treadmill. I'm not good at just doing ONE thing! 

Fall 15 - Week 4

Sorry for the quick post, way too late and way too tired!  Just wanted to post results for the Fall 15.  Hey, if we make it the Fall 5, then I MIGHT have a chance.  Ha ha.

Holding steady, same numbers as last week.  Actually, surprised there wasn't more of a gain!! 

Start Weight 239.4

Current Weight: 239.8
Pounds to lose: 15.4

Fruits and Veggies

Fortunately, I love veggies.  Not as much as chips and pizza but I do like them. I've known many who just won't eat them. At all. 


My friends husband won't let anything green pass his lips unless it's lime sherbet.  Ugh, sorry, that doesn't count. 

So while I do love fruits and veggies, I know that it would be easier and better for me to eat more of them.  My snacks are usually a granola bar of some sort, sometimes yogurt. My goal is to snack on more veggies. 

Fortunately my KIDS enjoy veggies too! 

For the longest time, I would cut broccoli, carrots, cucumbers and celery and just leave them on a plate in the kitchen for the afternoon.  My kids are homeschooled so are home all day with me.  They are constantly hungry and asking for snacks.  By leaving this plate out, they munch on healthy snacks and aren't constantly bugging me about wanting to eat crackers all afternoon. 

I used to do this several times a week. For some reason, I got out of the habit and stopped for the last couple of months.  I still have the fruit basket on the counter with apples, bananas, oranges and whatever else is in season, but not as much the veggies.

Needless to say, the kids are driving me crazy asking me to eat constantly and I'm ending up throwing away veggies that don't get eaten in the frig.  What the heck?  That's stupid!

So, starting tomorrow, I'm going back to the veggie tray on the counter.  It's going to be SO much better for the whole family, I know it will!  Hopefully I will stop my habit of eating granola bars for snack too!

Are you getting your fruits and veggies?