This book was written by David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding. This book is a must-have for everyone.
First of all, it is very well-put together, and the pictures are awesome. These guys have condensed everything you ever wanted to know about the foods we eat into a small book that is easy to tote around...most especially to the grocery store.
The book is broken down into sections:
Getting to Know and Love the Supermarket
The Produce Aisle
The Meat and Fish Counters
The Refrigerator
Pantry Staples
Snacks and Sweets
The Freezer Section
Drink this, Not That!
Your Save-Money Shopping Guide
Each section contains colorful photos of the common things we see at the market. No fancy stuff that you don't normally buy. They compare calories, sugar content, trans-fat content (and trans fat is SO BAD for you...I really try to stay away from things with trans-fat, but it is hidden in things that advertise that they are trans-fat-free. The limit for trans-fat per day is 2.5 GRAMS. Anything above that is really bad for your heart. Suffice it to say, cooking fresh is the way to go), saturated fat content, fiber, protein...some of the comparisons will surprise you: Multi-Bran Chex and Raisin Bran cereals have ALOT of sugar, and Whole Grain Basic 4 cereal has trans-fat!
What this book does is allows you to plan your shopping trip so that when you go, you don't have to stand there reading every label.
I highly recommned this book! You can get it Amazon for around 10 bucks. I paid 18 at Barnes and Noble 'cause I had to have it NOW!!!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Six Sticks of Butter
I went to WW this morning, and lost another 0.6 pounds. I am consistent...I have lost this amount every week for the past three weeks! If you add it all up, it comes to about 6 sticks of butter, so I'll take it. My total weight loss is 7.8 pounds for this month - not too shabby!! I have heard that you should lose weight the way you will maintain your weight, which makes sense. If you starve yourself, or make yourself eat foods that you don't like just to lose the weight, or stop going out, as soon as you stop eating this way the weight will just come right back on.
I already feel more energy, and I am not depriving myself at all. In fact, I went out to eat three time this week, and did fine. I try to make smart choices, and always log in what I ate. I find that if I blow off the tracking, I then just pretend I didn't eat it!
There are 17 weeks until E's graduation. I think by then I can be WELL on my way! I am hoping that I have lost a total of 25 pounds by then. I am certainly going to try.
I already feel more energy, and I am not depriving myself at all. In fact, I went out to eat three time this week, and did fine. I try to make smart choices, and always log in what I ate. I find that if I blow off the tracking, I then just pretend I didn't eat it!
There are 17 weeks until E's graduation. I think by then I can be WELL on my way! I am hoping that I have lost a total of 25 pounds by then. I am certainly going to try.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Obedience
This is the title of the latest book I have read. The author is Will Lavender.
When the students in Winchester University's Logic and Reasoning 204 arrive for their first day of class, they are greeted not with a syllabus or texts, but with a startling assignment from Professor Williams: Find a hypothetical missing girl named Polly. If after being given a series of clues and details the class has not found her before the end of the term in six weeks, she will be murdered.
At first the students are as intrigued by the premise of their puzzle as they are wary of the strange and slightly creepy Professor Williams. But as they delve deeper into the mystery, the boundary between the classroom and the real world is blurred and the students wonder if it is their own lives they are being asked to save.
This book was a really easy read...it grabbed me from the first sentence and I could not wait to see what happened next. This is Will Lavender's first novel, and he did a really great job of developing the characters and keeping the suspense going.
If you are looking for an entertaining, easy read that keeps you guessing, then this book is for you!
When the students in Winchester University's Logic and Reasoning 204 arrive for their first day of class, they are greeted not with a syllabus or texts, but with a startling assignment from Professor Williams: Find a hypothetical missing girl named Polly. If after being given a series of clues and details the class has not found her before the end of the term in six weeks, she will be murdered.
At first the students are as intrigued by the premise of their puzzle as they are wary of the strange and slightly creepy Professor Williams. But as they delve deeper into the mystery, the boundary between the classroom and the real world is blurred and the students wonder if it is their own lives they are being asked to save.
This book was a really easy read...it grabbed me from the first sentence and I could not wait to see what happened next. This is Will Lavender's first novel, and he did a really great job of developing the characters and keeping the suspense going.
If you are looking for an entertaining, easy read that keeps you guessing, then this book is for you!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
98 Things
Below is a list of 98 life experiences...the bolded ones are the things I have done/experienced. I have alot left to do!!!
1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5.Watched a meteor shower.
6. Been to Disneyland/world
7. Climbed a mountain.
8. Held a praying mantis
9. Sang a solo
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Taught yourself an art from scratch
14. Adopted a child
15. Had food poisoning
16. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
17. Grown your own vegetables
18. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
19. Slept on an overnight train
20. Had a pillow fight
21. Hitch hiked
22. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
23. Built a snow fort
24. Held a lamb
25. Gone skinny dipping
26. Run a Marathon
27. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
28. Seen a total eclipse
29. Watched a sunrise or sunset
30. Hit a home run
31. Been on a cruise
32. Seen Niagara Falls in person
33. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
34. Seen an Amish community
35. Taught yourself a new language
36. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
37. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
38. Gone rock climbing
39. Seen Michelangelo’s David
40. Sung karaoke
41. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
42. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
43. Visited Africa
44. Walked on a beach by moonlight
45. Been transported in an ambulance
46. Had your portrait painted
47. Gone deep sea fishing
48. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
49. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
50. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
51. Kissed in the rain
52. Played in the mud
53. Gone to a drive-in theater
54. Been in a movie
55. Visited the Great Wall of China
56. Started a business
57. Taken a martial arts class
58. Visited Russia
59. Served at a soup kitchen
60. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
61. Gone whale watching
62. Gotten flowers for no reason
63. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
64. Gone sky diving
65. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
66. Bounced a check
67. Flown in a helicopter
68. Saved a favorite childhood toy
69. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
70. Eaten Caviar
71. Pieced a quilt
72. Stood in Times Square
73. Toured the Everglades
74. Been fired from a job
75. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
76. Broken a bone
77. Been on a speeding motorcycle
78. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
79. Published a book
80. Visited the Vatican
81. Bought a brand new car
82. Walked in Jerusalem
83. Had your picture in the newspaper
84. Read the entire Bible
85. Visited the White House
86. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
87. Had chickenpox
88. Saved someone’s life
89. Sat on a jury
90. Met someone famous
91. Joined a book club
92. Lost a loved one
93. Had a baby
94. Seen the Alamo in person
95. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
96. Been involved in a lawsuit
97. Owned a cell phone
98. Been stung by a bee
1. Started your own blog.
2. Slept under the stars
3. Played in a band
4. Visited Hawaii
5.Watched a meteor shower.
6. Been to Disneyland/world
7. Climbed a mountain.
8. Held a praying mantis
9. Sang a solo
10. Bungee jumped
11. Visited Paris
12. Watched a lightning storm at sea
13. Taught yourself an art from scratch
14. Adopted a child
15. Had food poisoning
16. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
17. Grown your own vegetables
18. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
19. Slept on an overnight train
20. Had a pillow fight
21. Hitch hiked
22. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill
23. Built a snow fort
24. Held a lamb
25. Gone skinny dipping
26. Run a Marathon
27. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
28. Seen a total eclipse
29. Watched a sunrise or sunset
30. Hit a home run
31. Been on a cruise
32. Seen Niagara Falls in person
33. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
34. Seen an Amish community
35. Taught yourself a new language
36. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
37. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
38. Gone rock climbing
39. Seen Michelangelo’s David
40. Sung karaoke
41. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
42. Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant
43. Visited Africa
44. Walked on a beach by moonlight
45. Been transported in an ambulance
46. Had your portrait painted
47. Gone deep sea fishing
48. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
49. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
50. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
51. Kissed in the rain
52. Played in the mud
53. Gone to a drive-in theater
54. Been in a movie
55. Visited the Great Wall of China
56. Started a business
57. Taken a martial arts class
58. Visited Russia
59. Served at a soup kitchen
60. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
61. Gone whale watching
62. Gotten flowers for no reason
63. Donated blood, platelets, or plasma
64. Gone sky diving
65. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
66. Bounced a check
67. Flown in a helicopter
68. Saved a favorite childhood toy
69. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
70. Eaten Caviar
71. Pieced a quilt
72. Stood in Times Square
73. Toured the Everglades
74. Been fired from a job
75. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
76. Broken a bone
77. Been on a speeding motorcycle
78. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
79. Published a book
80. Visited the Vatican
81. Bought a brand new car
82. Walked in Jerusalem
83. Had your picture in the newspaper
84. Read the entire Bible
85. Visited the White House
86. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
87. Had chickenpox
88. Saved someone’s life
89. Sat on a jury
90. Met someone famous
91. Joined a book club
92. Lost a loved one
93. Had a baby
94. Seen the Alamo in person
95. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
96. Been involved in a lawsuit
97. Owned a cell phone
98. Been stung by a bee
Friday, January 23, 2009
Long Overdue Post
Life has been very busy lately!! The kids are just busy in general, work is VERY busy, and E had her wisdom teeth removed yesterday, so I have been playing nurse for the past two days. I don't care what these oral surgeons say...this surgery sucks. If they say it should be easy or if they say it will be difficult, I think it is all the same...DIFFICULT (and to me, it seems like they TELL you it will be "easy" to prevent anxiety before the procedure, then you get hit with the pain afterwards and think, "What the heck, I thought this would be easy???"). E is so swollen today, can't open her mouth very far, but the pain is manageable with just Aleve, which is awesome. She is a real trouper (like she has been her whole life). Her surgery was "easy", and mine three years ago was "the hardest one I have had for years" (according the the surgeon at my one-week re-check), and it all looks the same to me in the end...I remember very clearly being in the same position she is in after my surgery! Anyway, she is fine and will never have to think about this again. Next year, it may be A's turn!!!
So, you may think that I have forgotten to enter some exercise days...uh, nope, I have just been awful at getting my exercise in. Just awful, no motivation, by the time I get home from work it is so late, it is too cold, blah blah blah. I am not going to beat myself up about it. I will get back into the routine. Oh, and I never did try that Pilates DVD. :)
However, my eating has been GREAT. Even with alot of stress this week at work and E's surgery, I have not used food for comfort. So, yay me for that.
Tomorrow is my weigh-in, and hopefully it will be trending in the right direction.
So, you may think that I have forgotten to enter some exercise days...uh, nope, I have just been awful at getting my exercise in. Just awful, no motivation, by the time I get home from work it is so late, it is too cold, blah blah blah. I am not going to beat myself up about it. I will get back into the routine. Oh, and I never did try that Pilates DVD. :)
However, my eating has been GREAT. Even with alot of stress this week at work and E's surgery, I have not used food for comfort. So, yay me for that.
Tomorrow is my weigh-in, and hopefully it will be trending in the right direction.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Blogs
On the right side of my blog I have listed two blogs that I read pretty often. Matt, Liz and Madeline is one of my favorite blogs. I stumbled upon it one day while reading parenting/childbirth boards (just because I love this sort of thing) right after his daughter Madeline was born last spring.
Matt, Liz and Madeline is a blog written by a man who originally started writing to keep his family who lived far away in the loop about his wife Liz's pregnancy. Liz was put on bedrest at around 30 weeks of pregnancy. His baby, Madeline, was born 7 weeks early. Liz had not even held Madeline due to a c-section and continued complications from her 3-week long bedrest, and on her way to see Maddy for the first time, she felt lightheaded, passed out, and never woke up. This blog is so wonderfully written, and really demonstrates the power of love. Yes, it is very sad, but this father, Matt, did not curl up and give up on life despite horrible grief. He had a newborn to get up for every day, and he decided to keep his blog going for Madeline and Liz. He is giving Madeline the life that he AND Liz would have given her. He loves her enough for both of them. He travels, sees friends, takes this baby everywhere. Maddy looks like the happiest baby on earth - you can tell he is doing a fantastic job of raising her on his own. His photography is really great, too.
The blog has grown to great things. He has started a foundation in Liz's name, and you can make donations to a charity that provides needy kids with the things they need. He is also featured in People Magazine this week. Matt is such a brave person, and the way he has given to others and reached out to make other's lives better despite his own personal sadness is amazing.
Check out this blog, you won't regret it!
Matt, Liz and Madeline is a blog written by a man who originally started writing to keep his family who lived far away in the loop about his wife Liz's pregnancy. Liz was put on bedrest at around 30 weeks of pregnancy. His baby, Madeline, was born 7 weeks early. Liz had not even held Madeline due to a c-section and continued complications from her 3-week long bedrest, and on her way to see Maddy for the first time, she felt lightheaded, passed out, and never woke up. This blog is so wonderfully written, and really demonstrates the power of love. Yes, it is very sad, but this father, Matt, did not curl up and give up on life despite horrible grief. He had a newborn to get up for every day, and he decided to keep his blog going for Madeline and Liz. He is giving Madeline the life that he AND Liz would have given her. He loves her enough for both of them. He travels, sees friends, takes this baby everywhere. Maddy looks like the happiest baby on earth - you can tell he is doing a fantastic job of raising her on his own. His photography is really great, too.
The blog has grown to great things. He has started a foundation in Liz's name, and you can make donations to a charity that provides needy kids with the things they need. He is also featured in People Magazine this week. Matt is such a brave person, and the way he has given to others and reached out to make other's lives better despite his own personal sadness is amazing.
Check out this blog, you won't regret it!
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
I Need a Maid
Seriously.
By the time I fight my way through the ridiculous traffic to get home, it is 6pm or later. Curves closes at 7:30. And dinner needs to be made and cleaned up, the dogs need care, things need to be picked up around the house...so you see, I really do need a maid or a helper of some sort. I don't know if the term "maid" is offensive. All of this seems so much easier when it stays light out longer, too. I don't remember feeling so overwhelmed during the summer and fall. I can't wait for the time to change! And, I need to get my mini-me's to help out more.
So anyway, tonight I was really hungry when I got home but did not want to wolf down dinner to make it to Curves on time, so I drank some skim milk before I got BACK in the car to fight my way through more traffic to go to Curves. I almost didn't go. I got soooo tired on my way home, but I thought, it is already the middle of January. I have to keep focused here, I cannot let time slip away. It goes so fast, just get your butt to Curves and stop whining!
So I did it. There were three women there who I think were just there to socialize. That really bugs me for some reason. They are not working hard at all, just laughing and yukking it up, and just playing on the machines. I know, I know, I just need to focus on myself and not be judgemental. It just breaks my concentration and is irritating. There was also a woman there who I see alot. She is the size I WANT to be, and she works it when she is there. I like to be there with her. She motivates me. And she doesn't even know it!!
Onward...
By the time I fight my way through the ridiculous traffic to get home, it is 6pm or later. Curves closes at 7:30. And dinner needs to be made and cleaned up, the dogs need care, things need to be picked up around the house...so you see, I really do need a maid or a helper of some sort. I don't know if the term "maid" is offensive. All of this seems so much easier when it stays light out longer, too. I don't remember feeling so overwhelmed during the summer and fall. I can't wait for the time to change! And, I need to get my mini-me's to help out more.
So anyway, tonight I was really hungry when I got home but did not want to wolf down dinner to make it to Curves on time, so I drank some skim milk before I got BACK in the car to fight my way through more traffic to go to Curves. I almost didn't go. I got soooo tired on my way home, but I thought, it is already the middle of January. I have to keep focused here, I cannot let time slip away. It goes so fast, just get your butt to Curves and stop whining!
So I did it. There were three women there who I think were just there to socialize. That really bugs me for some reason. They are not working hard at all, just laughing and yukking it up, and just playing on the machines. I know, I know, I just need to focus on myself and not be judgemental. It just breaks my concentration and is irritating. There was also a woman there who I see alot. She is the size I WANT to be, and she works it when she is there. I like to be there with her. She motivates me. And she doesn't even know it!!
Onward...
Monday, January 12, 2009
Random Things
Happy Monday Everyone!!!!!! This Monday came up fast...the weekend just flew by.
Today I had to take E to the oral surgeon...she needs her wisdom teeth out! This poor kid cannot catch a break. The surgeon was nice, and said that it should only take about 20 minutes to get them out because they have not grown roots yet and her bones are still soft, unlike me when I had MY wisdom teeth out at the age of 40 with my hardened bones and deeply embedded teeth - that was NOT pretty. I am hoping her recovery is easy and relatively pain-free. This will happen on January 22nd - a week from this Thursday! YIKES! No time like the present, I guess.
I went to the library tonight - always a dangerous thing for me. Seriously, there are so many books and simply not enough time. I always come out with a huge, unrealistic stack of books.
Anyway, I got a Pilates DVD. I am going to try it on Wednesday night. Why not tonight? you ask??? Well, my run yesterday left me very sore (but hey, I CAN run, so I do not regret pushing myself at all!) and I want to give my muscles a chance to heal. Tomorrow night is Curves, so Wednesday it is for Pilates. I will give a review of the DVD after I go through it.
Off I go to do some work...:)
Today I had to take E to the oral surgeon...she needs her wisdom teeth out! This poor kid cannot catch a break. The surgeon was nice, and said that it should only take about 20 minutes to get them out because they have not grown roots yet and her bones are still soft, unlike me when I had MY wisdom teeth out at the age of 40 with my hardened bones and deeply embedded teeth - that was NOT pretty. I am hoping her recovery is easy and relatively pain-free. This will happen on January 22nd - a week from this Thursday! YIKES! No time like the present, I guess.
I went to the library tonight - always a dangerous thing for me. Seriously, there are so many books and simply not enough time. I always come out with a huge, unrealistic stack of books.
Anyway, I got a Pilates DVD. I am going to try it on Wednesday night. Why not tonight? you ask??? Well, my run yesterday left me very sore (but hey, I CAN run, so I do not regret pushing myself at all!) and I want to give my muscles a chance to heal. Tomorrow night is Curves, so Wednesday it is for Pilates. I will give a review of the DVD after I go through it.
Off I go to do some work...:)
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Sunday
Today was a good day.
I went for a run (2 miles!) then came home and got ready for work. Went to work, went to Target, Petsmart and Publix, then came home to chill.
I have been upping my protein for the past few days, and it is really helping me stay satisfied. I have 3 points left for today, and I am full! I may have a little bowl of Edy's Double Churned Low Fat ice cream later. It is really good, does not taste low-fat at all.
Not much to say today. I am actually really tired today.
So I am going to sign off until tomorrow!
:)
I went for a run (2 miles!) then came home and got ready for work. Went to work, went to Target, Petsmart and Publix, then came home to chill.
I have been upping my protein for the past few days, and it is really helping me stay satisfied. I have 3 points left for today, and I am full! I may have a little bowl of Edy's Double Churned Low Fat ice cream later. It is really good, does not taste low-fat at all.
Not much to say today. I am actually really tired today.
So I am going to sign off until tomorrow!
:)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Movie and Dinner Night
I just got back from seeing "The Reader" with my mom. It was SO GOOD! The casting was great, which only made the story that much better.
"The Reader" is a movie based on a book by the same title. A 15-year-old boy falls in love with a much older woman, and they have a brief, and very intense, affair. She ends up leaving abruptly and with no warning to the boy, and the rest of the movie is about what happens next. I won't give away the whole story in case any of my many readers will see it! :) It was one of the best movies I have seen in years. Really. I basically have stopped going to the movies because I feel it is a waste of my money and time. This movie was so worth it, I may go see it again. It was that good.
For dinner we went to Chilis, where I had the Guiltless Black Bean Burger, and once again I was not disappointed. It was totally delish, and I did not feel deprived at all. My mom had Margarita Chicken and she liked her meal as well. The waiter at Chilis told me that I looked just like a person he knows. Guess I have a twin out there!
Today felt like a perfect day to me. I spent time at home with my dogs, got to putter around and collect my thoughts, and spent some time with my mom doing perfectly fun and relaxing things. Tomorrow I need to go into work for a little while - ugh.
It is pouring rain outside right now, literally pouring buckets. I just took the dogs out real quick to pee. I was just noticing that something smelled...it is a wet Lexie, lying here next to me. She smells great dry, but a wet dog just does NOT smell good! Baxter is not here..he must be getting into trouble somewhere. Better go see where he is.
More later!
"The Reader" is a movie based on a book by the same title. A 15-year-old boy falls in love with a much older woman, and they have a brief, and very intense, affair. She ends up leaving abruptly and with no warning to the boy, and the rest of the movie is about what happens next. I won't give away the whole story in case any of my many readers will see it! :) It was one of the best movies I have seen in years. Really. I basically have stopped going to the movies because I feel it is a waste of my money and time. This movie was so worth it, I may go see it again. It was that good.
For dinner we went to Chilis, where I had the Guiltless Black Bean Burger, and once again I was not disappointed. It was totally delish, and I did not feel deprived at all. My mom had Margarita Chicken and she liked her meal as well. The waiter at Chilis told me that I looked just like a person he knows. Guess I have a twin out there!
Today felt like a perfect day to me. I spent time at home with my dogs, got to putter around and collect my thoughts, and spent some time with my mom doing perfectly fun and relaxing things. Tomorrow I need to go into work for a little while - ugh.
It is pouring rain outside right now, literally pouring buckets. I just took the dogs out real quick to pee. I was just noticing that something smelled...it is a wet Lexie, lying here next to me. She smells great dry, but a wet dog just does NOT smell good! Baxter is not here..he must be getting into trouble somewhere. Better go see where he is.
More later!
Friday, January 9, 2009
Hunger
I got waaaayyyyyy too hungry this afternoon! Not good! I ate lunch at around 12:30, then left work a little before 5 and it took me 1.5 hours to get home. I had an apple in the car, which helped a little as I creeped and crawled my way toward home. But an apple has no protein, so soon my stomach was growling pretty insistently.
Anyway, I made it home and had a yummy dinner, so all is well.
The week went by really fast!!
:)
Anyway, I made it home and had a yummy dinner, so all is well.
The week went by really fast!!
:)
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Success
Today I ate out twice and made good choices both times!!
For lunch, my boss and I went to Applebee's. Not usually my favorite place (I like the Marietta Diner!!!!), but they have WW stuff there, and I could be sure of how many points I was having. I had the Chili Lime Chicken salad, and it was actually really good! It was grilled chicken on a bed of fresh spinach with grilled red peppers, some red onions and mushrooms (which I picked off) and a spicy dressing.
Then for dinner we went out to El Azteca for dinner. Uh oh, the dreaded Mexican food. Well, I was so busy talking to the kids that I did not eat any chips and didn't even miss them, and I had two barbecue soft tacos to eat.
So, I am proud of me...I went out to eat twice, did not go over my allotted points for the day, and did not feel deprived or like I was on a diet.
Hmmmm, am I going to be successful this time?? :)
For lunch, my boss and I went to Applebee's. Not usually my favorite place (I like the Marietta Diner!!!!), but they have WW stuff there, and I could be sure of how many points I was having. I had the Chili Lime Chicken salad, and it was actually really good! It was grilled chicken on a bed of fresh spinach with grilled red peppers, some red onions and mushrooms (which I picked off) and a spicy dressing.
Then for dinner we went out to El Azteca for dinner. Uh oh, the dreaded Mexican food. Well, I was so busy talking to the kids that I did not eat any chips and didn't even miss them, and I had two barbecue soft tacos to eat.
So, I am proud of me...I went out to eat twice, did not go over my allotted points for the day, and did not feel deprived or like I was on a diet.
Hmmmm, am I going to be successful this time?? :)
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
1 Mile in the Humid, Windy Dark - YUCK!
Yes, it was just fantastic. I will be glad when it stays light out longer, because this one stretch of the route is very dark and it creeps me out. Also, there is not much space (nor a curb) between the sidewalk and the road where people drive waaaay too fast, and I am always afraid of a careening car running off the road and killing me. So 1 mile was all I could squeeze in, and yeah, it was pleasant.
A totally off topic note from today is that Lexie keeps getting sick. I just talked to the vet tech, and he says not to worry too much at this point. I need to go get her some white rice and plain chicken and feed that to her for a couple of days to calm her stomach, and if it gets worse I need to bring her in. She is drinking fine and still acting fine, so maybe it is nothing, but still, if someone in my house, even my dog, does not feel well, I worry. Ugh.
A totally off topic note from today is that Lexie keeps getting sick. I just talked to the vet tech, and he says not to worry too much at this point. I need to go get her some white rice and plain chicken and feed that to her for a couple of days to calm her stomach, and if it gets worse I need to bring her in. She is drinking fine and still acting fine, so maybe it is nothing, but still, if someone in my house, even my dog, does not feel well, I worry. Ugh.
Monday, January 5, 2009
My Book for the Week of 01/03/09-01/10/09 (edited)
I am reading Songs for the Missing by Stewart O'Nan this week. It is about a teenage girl who goes missing one summer night, and the fallout of this occurrance on her friends and family. Her friends know a secret that I have yet to find out, and her family's relationships and the issues between them become more obvious as a result of the teen being gone. This book also highlights what happens after the initial rush of volunteers, media attention, etc. is gone, and what is left behind.
This book is moving a little slow, but I think this is serving to build up the characters so that you feel as if you know them. I am about halfway through it. But, it is good overall and an easy read. I sometimes have trouble dropping a bad book, but this one is worth getting through. I need to find out that secret her friends are hiding!
I would recommend this book. Stewart O'Nan wrote another interesting book called Wish You Were Here. I would recommend this book as well.
This book is moving a little slow, but I think this is serving to build up the characters so that you feel as if you know them. I am about halfway through it. But, it is good overall and an easy read. I sometimes have trouble dropping a bad book, but this one is worth getting through. I need to find out that secret her friends are hiding!
I would recommend this book. Stewart O'Nan wrote another interesting book called Wish You Were Here. I would recommend this book as well.
Back in the Groove
I joined WW (again) on 1/3/09, and today went back to Curves. So, totally on-track. It felt good to go to Curves. And a little humiliating. They know how long it has been since I have been there. November 13th, in case anyone was wondering.
So, I just need to keep up the routine.
I also re-realized something today. My points allowed for WW ARE enough for the day. As long as I get in my milk and oil for the day, I am satisfied. Just need to remember that. Also, when I get that empty, bottomless pit feeling, it is okay to eat a few extra points. If I choose filling healthy foods, I should be okay.
So, here I go. I am doing it.
So, I just need to keep up the routine.
I also re-realized something today. My points allowed for WW ARE enough for the day. As long as I get in my milk and oil for the day, I am satisfied. Just need to remember that. Also, when I get that empty, bottomless pit feeling, it is okay to eat a few extra points. If I choose filling healthy foods, I should be okay.
So, here I go. I am doing it.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Challenges
So, we all know that weight loss comes with challenges, and the mind can do funny things when confronted with them. When I have a misstep, I tend to throw up my hands and think, "See, this is too hard. I will never reach my goals. I keep making the same mistakes again and again.".
I think this is really common, and I am not alone in this thinking. Also, I have proof that missteps do NOT completely derail me all the time...once when I was really entrenched in WW, every now and then I would eat whatever I wanted, points be damned. But I kept losing. And the reason?? I did not keep overeating for the rest of that day or week. I kept on with my plan. Nobody is perfect. Nobody can keep their life completely stress-free, sometimes we want to go out for Mexican and eat as many chips as we want to :)...sometimes life gets the better of us and we make a poor choice. But that does not mean giving up.
What am I going to do when I am feeling my motivation wane, or I "slip up"? The list of options is below:
1) Go for a walk.
2) Work on my puzzle.
3) Make a cup of yummy tea.
4) Go onto some great websites, like the WW website or Sparkpeople.
5) Read my current book!!!
That is all I can think of for now. I will add to my list as I think of more ideas.
I think this is really common, and I am not alone in this thinking. Also, I have proof that missteps do NOT completely derail me all the time...once when I was really entrenched in WW, every now and then I would eat whatever I wanted, points be damned. But I kept losing. And the reason?? I did not keep overeating for the rest of that day or week. I kept on with my plan. Nobody is perfect. Nobody can keep their life completely stress-free, sometimes we want to go out for Mexican and eat as many chips as we want to :)...sometimes life gets the better of us and we make a poor choice. But that does not mean giving up.
What am I going to do when I am feeling my motivation wane, or I "slip up"? The list of options is below:
1) Go for a walk.
2) Work on my puzzle.
3) Make a cup of yummy tea.
4) Go onto some great websites, like the WW website or Sparkpeople.
5) Read my current book!!!
That is all I can think of for now. I will add to my list as I think of more ideas.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Blog Name Change
So, I have changed the name of this blog, because this is more accurate, and will allow me to do more with it! Since I am such a bookworm as well as wanting to lose weight, I figure, I can write about both of the things I am focusing on this year. I want to read 50 books, and lose 50 pounds in 2009. I will document all of that here.
Right now I am finishing a book I started in December called The Practice of Deceit. It is about a man who falls in love with and marries a woman who is not what she portrays herself to be. It is just an okay book.
Tomorrow I am going to go to Curves. Need to get back in that routine. Once I have been doing that religiously for 2 weeks, I am going to start walking 3 days per week. That is my written plan.
As for eating, I am going to add more protein to my diet, and cut down on the carbs, and when I do eat carbs, they will be whole grains. Also, reduce and then eliminate Splenda and sugar. Whew. Big goals, but doable.
Next post will be about how to get past the challenges that I know will come up for me. If I have a plan, I may be able to hurdle them without getting derailed.
Right now I am finishing a book I started in December called The Practice of Deceit. It is about a man who falls in love with and marries a woman who is not what she portrays herself to be. It is just an okay book.
Tomorrow I am going to go to Curves. Need to get back in that routine. Once I have been doing that religiously for 2 weeks, I am going to start walking 3 days per week. That is my written plan.
As for eating, I am going to add more protein to my diet, and cut down on the carbs, and when I do eat carbs, they will be whole grains. Also, reduce and then eliminate Splenda and sugar. Whew. Big goals, but doable.
Next post will be about how to get past the challenges that I know will come up for me. If I have a plan, I may be able to hurdle them without getting derailed.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)