Let The Weight Loss Begin!

A little update

2005-04-11T09:03:00.000-04:00

I haven't been on the plan for awhile now. I am starting a new job tomorrow so hopefully this will be a great aid in my weight-loss. I have been very stressed lately at home (money issues) so I am hopefull that working will get my back on track.

Still sick

2005-03-17T16:48:00.000-05:00

Really sick...now dear hubby and dear daughter are sick...I'll be back on track this weekend...

Still sick...more later

2005-03-12T19:18:00.000-05:00

Still sick, now with a fever...more later...not gaining - that's the best part :)

Day 57

2005-03-09T20:20:00.000-05:00

Still sick, but slowly getting better

Breakfast:
Snack: milk
Lunch: ravoli and salad
Snack: cake
Dinner: chicken parm, green beans

Day Rate: 2 for feeling bad. I haven't walking in sooo long since I have been sick. No need to weigh since I'm soo off my plan.

Day 56

2005-03-08T21:46:00.000-05:00

Still sick, day 6 :(

Breakfast: low-carb cereal, milk (1 grain, 1 dairy)
Snack: meal replacement drink
Lunch: beef strognoff
Snack:
Dinner: a bowl of beans and ham

Day Rate: 3 for feeling a little better, but not 100%

Day 55

2005-03-07T22:27:00.000-05:00

Day 5 of being miserably sick...

Breakfast: not so healthy frosted mini-wheats
Snack: bag of popcorn
Lunch:
Snack: low carb pudding
Dinner: beef ribs, sweet potato

Day Rate: 2 for still feeling bad

I need to go grocery shopping, badly! I don't have the right stuff here to eat. So I may be off the program for two more days. I have been 'off' since last Thursday, just when I had hit my mini-goal. All is not lost though as Tuesday is our shopping day. So Wednesday I will be back, full speed ahead :)

Day 54

2005-03-06T21:08:00.000-05:00

Day 4 of being miserably sick...

Breakfast: 1/2 waffle, bacon, egg
Snack:
Lunch: cheeseburger, bake beans, mac-n-cheese (birthday party for relative)
Snack:
Dinner: Chinese - General Tso's chicken, wonton soup

Day Rate: 1 for being sick and eating pourly

Day 53

2005-03-05T20:28:00.000-05:00

I'm sick, again! 4th time this year! Where is Spring????

Breakfast: 1.5 waffles, syrup-low carb, bacon, egg (starch, 2 proteins)
Snack:
Lunch: breaded chicken sandwich
Snack:
Dinner: shrimp, salad, fries, apple pie and ice cream

Day Rate: 1 for being sick and eating crap

Day 52 and weigh in :)

2005-03-04T21:57:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: Bacon and milk (1 protein, 1 dairy)
Snack:
Lunch: slice steak sandwich, 2 french fries (1 protein, 1 starch)
Snack: dairy treat and chili (1 protein, 1 starch)
Dinner: two cheeseburgers, fries, strawberry ice cream

Day Rate: 5 for weighing in at 268.5!! Finally broke the 270's curse! Woohoo!

Day 51

2005-03-03T23:24:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: low-carb cereal, milk, banana, bacon (1 grain, 1 milk, 1 fruit, 1 protein)
Snack: 1/3 of a meal replacement shake left over from yesterday
Lunch:
Snack:
Dinner:

Day Rate:

I am not even saying what I ate after snack cause I went out to dinner with my mom and ate waaaay too much :( Oh well, my first mishap in forever...

Day 50

2005-03-02T21:54:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: oatmeal, milk (1 grain, 1/2 dairy)
Snack: 1/2 of a meal replacement shake
Lunch: salmon steak, blackberries, cheese (1 protein, 1 fruit, 1 dairy)
Snack:
Dinner: creamy beef florentine (recipes follows), low-carb pudding (2 protein, 1 veg, 1 dairy)

Day Rate: 4 for not going to walk, although I ate well

Creamy Beef Florentine
1 lb. ground round or sirloin Peanut or Walnut oil for browning
2 Tablespoons finely minced or chopped onion
1 cup whole leaf spinach
1 cup heavy cream

Brown burger with finely minced onion, break burger into fine bits. When done, remove burger from skillet to a bowl and set aside. Lower heat to simmer and pour in 1 cup of heavy cream and stir until cream begins to reduce. Add ground black pepper and stir. Add 1 can of well drained spinach and stir gently until hot and the cream is getting a bit thick. Add burger meat back into skillet gently and mix well with sauce.
Spoon into shallow bowls and top with salt to taste.
Serves 4. 4.5 carb grams per serving

I hope to weigh in tomorrow. I hope I'm in the 260's by now. I'm getting down about how long it has taken to reach 269.

Cross fingers!!

Day 49

2005-03-01T21:20:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: 2 pc of low carb toast with no sugar jelly, 3 pcs of bacon (2 grains, 1.5 protein)
Snack: milk (1 dairy)
Lunch: soup, carrots (.5 protein, starch, 1 veg)
Snack: milk (1 dairy)
Dinner: Bourbon Chicken (recipe follows), greenbeans, peaches (1 protein, 1 veg, 1 fruit)

...after Small Group I ate two bite-size eclairs, but only 2! I wanted the whole box, LOL (not really :P)

Day Rate: 4.5 eating well and walking over 5000 steps!

Bourbon Chicken (no alcohol involved):
2 lbs boneless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
1-2 tablespoon olive oil
1 clove garlic, crushed
1/4 teaspoon ginger
3/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup apple juice
1/3 cup light brown sugar
2 tablespoons catsup
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup soy sauce

Heat oil in a large skillet. Add chicken pieces and cook until lightly browned. Remove Chicken. Add remaining ingredients, heating over medium Heat until well mixed and dissolved. Add chicken and bring to a hard boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.

Day 48

2005-02-28T21:41:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: 1/2 serving of cereal and milk (1/2 grain and 1/2 dairy)
Snack: meal replacement
Lunch: ham sandwich, carrots (1 protein, 2 grain, 1 veg)
Snack: peaches and milk (1 fruit, 1 dairy)
Dinner: meatloaf and corn (1.5 protein, 1 veg)

Day Rate: 5 for eating well and walking! I walked 4.07 miles/8614 steps today!!!! My highest pedameter day yet! Woohoo! I feel really good physically today.

I feel like I ate too much yesterday. It wasn't much in quantity, but not really on the plan. I weighed at my In-laws tonight and the scales were the same as yesterday :( But my clothes are definitely getting larger so I know I am losing inches, but probably gaining muscle by walking more. I get so fixed on seeing the scales move downward. I'm a numbers junky! But I am *thisclose* to the 260's and I want it! LOL

My mini-goal is to be 266 by March 12th, which would put me at 20 lbs gone in two months - just 12 days to lose 4 lbs. I think I can, I think I can...I know I can, I know I can!!

I have also been measuring my water intake lately. I finish off a gallon of water a day. Not too bad I don't think?! :)

Day 47

2005-02-27T21:58:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: egg, 1/2 pc of sausage, oatmeal with 1/2 cup milk (1.5 protein, 1 grain, 1.5 dairy)
Snack: 1/2 cup fruit cocktail, popcorn (1 fruit, starch)
Lunch: salad and two pcs of turkey luncheon meat (2 vegs, 1 protein)
Snack: an apple, peanut butter and 4 crackers, low-carb pudding (1 fruit, 1 protein, 1 milk, starch)
Dinner: 1/2 cup of beans

Day Rate: 3.5 for the popcorn and peanut butter & crackers and for not eating dinner

I did weigh in today and have last one pound.

Day 46

2005-02-26T21:06:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: egg, bacon, 1/2 waffle, no sugar syrup (2 proteins, starch)
Snack: meal replacement
Lunch: 1/2 turkey sandwich, cheese, carrots (1 protein, 1 grain, 1 dairy, 1 veg)
Snack: milk, banana (1 dairy, 1 fruit)
Dinner: beef ribs, sweet potato, black-eyed peas (1 protein, 2 vegs)

Day Rate: 4.5 for eating well, but I didn't walk except for housework.

Day 45

2005-02-25T21:42:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: low-carb, high fiber cereal, but could only eat 1/2 of it since it was very filling (1/2 grain, 1/2 milk)
Snack: meal replacement, carrots (1 protein, 1 milk, 1 veg)
Lunch: Soup - low carb, southwest chicken (1/2 protein, 1 starch)
Snack: blackberries (1 fruit), 2 low carb candies (2 starch)
Dinner: shrimp & chicken scampi, zucchuni, but I didn't eat much at all (1 protein, 1 veg)

Day Rate: 5 for eating well and walking 5000 steps (2.6 miles)! Woohoo! Feeling good lately :)

Day 44

2005-02-24T20:42:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: 2 pcs of low carb toast with low-fat, no sugar jam (2 grains)
Snack: breakfast meal replacement bar, milk (1 protein, 1 dairy)
Lunch: berries and 1 tablespoon sherbert
Snack: milk
Dinner: Mongolian grill - all low carb with just meat and veggies stir-fried together

Day Rate: 4.5 for eating well

Day 43

2005-02-23T22:37:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: 2 pcs of low carb toast with sugar free, fat free jam, sausage, milk (1 protein, 2 grains, 1 dairy)
Snack: banana (1 fruit)
Lunch: soup, carrots - raw (1/2 a protein, 1 veg)
Snack: blackberries and a tablespoon of sherbet (2 fruit and 1 milk, 1 fat)
Dinner: Beef stew with veggies and a salad

Day Rate: 5 for eating well all day!

I'm not hungry with this style of eating like I was with Atkins. I will try to weigh in the week to see if the scales change. But I can tell my "skinny jeans" are getting a lot looser already! Woohoo! And I feel like I am eating so healthy - my body may go into shock! LOL I have not cheated in sooo long! I'm just feeling so much better that I don't want to! How about that!

Day 42

2005-02-22T22:20:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: low carb cereal and milk (1 grain, 1 milk) but really only ate like half a serving
Snack: blueberries (frozen - 1 fruit)
Lunch: soup & milk
Snack: bacon (1 protein)
Dinner: bbq beef, green beans (2 proteins, 2 vegs)

Day Rate: 5 for eating right and not having the cheesecake offered to me last night and not having the sweets at our small group meeting! Plus I went walking, too!

Day 41--Weigh in day :)

2005-02-21T22:01:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: Banana, milk (1 fruit, 1 dairy)
Snack: meal replacement drink (as per Dr. Phil's recommendation)
Lunch: ham and greenbeans (2 proteins, 2 veggies)
Snack: graham cracker & peanut butter, milk (1 fat, 2 starches, 1 dairy)
Dinner: 4 chicken wings (protein)

Day Rate: 5 because I weighed and I've lost a total of 16 lbs so far! Woohoo! I must have lost like 5 lbs in the last 3 days. Full speed ahead!

So far I feel full and have more variety than with just low carb. One good thing so far: My "skinny jeans" fit again today. Must have been the chili and bread the other day. Must.stay.away! :)

Day 40

2005-02-20T17:13:00.000-05:00

Ok, here's my new attempt to start the Dr. Phil's weight loss program. He suggests this breakdown of foods for the day to include:

3 proteins
2-3 servings of starch (breads, grains, cereals, or starchy veggies)
2 fruits
4 veggies
1 fat
2 low-fat dairy products

(however, if you are trying to loose more weight, he says to lessen the starches)

He also encourages two snacks a day to be included from the above list.

Breakfast: sausage, cereal with milk, pears (1 protein, 1 cereal, 1 fruit)
Snack: milk, banana (1 dairy, 1 fruit)
Lunch: 2 servings of pork roast, 2 servings of salad, 1 serving of greenbeans
Snack:
Dinner: 1 serving of greenbeans, pudding (1 serving milk, 2 servings starch)

Day rate: I'm mixed about my score for today. For my eating today, I'd say a score of 4.5 although I didn't walk. For my fitting into my clothes, I'd say a 1 since my 'skinny jeans' didn't want to fit after coming out of the dryer today. I think I am majorly bloated from the chili last night or the bread on the cheeseburgers. I don't know, but it's darn frustrating. I weighed and I'm only 1 lb down from two weeks ago. This is why I'm trying Dr. Phil's since I can't control my weaknesses (when I go out to eat).

Let's see how this goes...

Day 39

2005-02-19T22:49:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: 1 egg, 2 pcs of bacon, pancakes, blueberries
Lunch: 2 cheeseburgers, all the way
Dinner: chicken scampi, greenbeans, chili
Snack: soft-serve ice cream

Day rate: 4 for walking 3000 steps! Woohoo!

Day 38

2005-02-18T19:21:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: Low carb cereal with low fat milk
Lunch: ham slice, pasta and blueberries
Dinner: hamburger patty and greenbeans

Day Rate: 4 for cleaning my house and having 1000 steps on my pedameter by 4pm (nearly twice as good as other days)

I am half way through Dr. Phil's book and beginning to learn about his way of eating. I can see that I'm gonna have to change somethings. I'm not eating enough.

He recommends separating your plate into 4 quarters:

One quarter is for protein
One quarter for a starch
One quarter for a veg
One quarter for a fruit

If you are watching your fat intake, then take away the starch and replace with another veggie.

I'm gonna try this. I don't know if I can find that many veggies I like. I'm willing to give it a try.

Day 37

2005-02-17T16:51:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: ham & cheese
Lunch: Taco Bell -- moment of weakness--beef enchilda, nachos
Dinner: Do I really have to put my dinner down??? We had pizza! Thick crust! 4 pieces! I feel like a bloated cow! But I did have a salad first :)
Snack: carmel apple empanada (from Taco Bell)

Day Rate: 1.5 for the pizza

I went walking for 30 minutes today.

Day 36

2005-02-16T21:56:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: Cheese
Lunch: canned ham sandwich with low carb bread (2 slices = 14 carbs), 1/2 a pear
Dinner: canned chicken, baked chicken breast
Snack: peanut butter and crackers, frozen custard

Day Rate: 4.5 for working out! Yes, I said working out! I did an exercise video and it felt great! I feel pretty good about how things are going. Yea, I had frozen custard, but a small one, and I do so good all day. Am I making excuses? Oh well, it was yummy!

Day 35

2005-02-15T21:18:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: ham and cheese
Lunch: salmon, salad with low carb dressing
Dinner: 1 pork chop with bbq sauce, greenbeans, 2 peaches slices
Snack: 1 small cup of frozen custard, with Reese's cups in it and a cheeseburger, minus the buns

Day Rate: 4 for not eating the doughnuts offered at our small group meeting!

Day 34

2005-02-14T21:42:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: cereal, milk
Lunch: ham and cheese
Dinner: baked chicken, rice, zucchuni
Snack: low carb pudding, peanut butter and crackers

Went walking for 35 minutes at the mall!! Yeah!!

Day Rate: 4.75 for walking! If I hadn't had the rice and fried zuc then it would have been a 5 star day. But I can't complain since I'm doing so much better than previously.

Day 33

2005-02-13T22:29:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: 1/2 of a cheese & ham omlet, grits, sausage
Lunch: peanut butter on graham crackers, almonds, ice cream (ugh)
Dinner: bbq beef ribs, green beans, carrots, and cheesy potatoes
Snack: low carb pudding

Day Rate: 3.5 cause my eating was so bad and no exercise

Day 32 -- 1 month progress report

2005-02-12T23:42:00.000-05:00

Today is one month since I started my "LifeStyle Change".

I'm officially down 11 lbs. A good start. Not fantastic, not too shabby either - especially considering I really haven't been exercising. I was hoping I was down more this week, but hopefully after this coming week I won't be retaining! Ugh!

Breakfast: Ham, cheese, almonds
Lunch: Mongolian grill - meat and veggies
Dinner: Banana and peanut butter sandwich, peaches
Snack: bowl of low-carb ice cream

Day Rate: 4.5 cause we got out of the house and walked at a near-by lake and fed some ducks. I have been watching what I eat and I'm still in those 'skinny' jeans :)

Day 31

2005-02-11T19:22:00.000-05:00

I know, I skipped two days, but it has been hectic around here so I couldn't get on-line (my daughter is sick) and I can't for the life of me remember what I ate, but I know it was not that bad according to how my clothes are fitting.

I still haven't weighed this week, but right now I 'feel' like I am loosing. Hopefully I can weigh in for my one-month weigh in tomorrow.

Breakfast: cheese and almonds
Lunch: 1/2 of a chicken/cheese quesadila, a salad
Dinner: one serving of chili

Day Rate: 4.5 cause I fit into some pre-pregnancy jeans today...and could sit down in them! Woohoo!

Day 28

2005-02-08T22:16:00.000-05:00

Well, I am back on track today. I haven't weighed in this week since I know the scales won't say what I want/need them to say. So I am starting at this point - right where I am currently. I only have 4 days until it is officially one month since starting this change. I know I won't loose the other 7 lbs I wanted to loose to get into the 260's. Oh well, I can only do my best and not get so down about it.

I did get a Pedameter to count my steps per day. I have been awake for 5 hours and have walked 740 steps so far. Not very good since Dr. Phil suggests walking 13,000 for weight loss. Ugh...

Breakfast: 2 pieces of sausage, 4 pieces of bacon, cheese
Lunch: chicken roll-ups
Dinner: Hamburger with onions/green peppers, greenbeans, 2 bites of rice
Snack: 1/2 cup of low carb ice cream

Day Rate: 4

Walked 2500 steps

Day 27

2005-02-07T19:53:00.000-05:00

Another awful, awful day...I need help.

Breakfast: nothing
Lunch: smoked sausage, mac-n-cheese lefted over from Sat. (why??), and greenbeans
Dinner: Stromboli and greenbeans
Snacks: Waaay too many peanut butter sandwich cookies

Day Rate: evil 0 for a no-good-rotten day

I know one part of it is that it is near groc day and we are out of a lot of things (salad, ham, cheese, etc). I will have to get more when I go tomorrow night so I don't run out of the 'good' stuff and end up eating junk.

I suck. Tomorrow is the start of a new me!

Day 26

2005-02-06T20:37:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: bacon, sausage
Lunch: (out to lunch with in-laws) fried shrimp in cream sauce, 3 bites of rice, egg roll, wonton soup
Dinner: (Superbowl party) 3 fried cheese stixs, 3 Zima's, 6 little smokies in bbq sauce, one spinach finger food thing

Day Rate: 2.5 for the lunch and dinner since it wasn't planned out

Weight Watchers

2005-02-05T09:47:00.000-05:00

I tried WW in 2003 for 2 months before trying Atkins and only lost 3 lbs. I went to the meetings, journaling and everything. I was so anal about not going over my Points that more often than not, I'd eat less points. They say this actual stunts your weight loss so that didn't work for me. I was so worried about Points all the time, really stressed about that certain number. Just didn't work for me.

Then when I started Atkins, I lost like 7 lbs in one week. I was hooked. Even though I am not a big meat eater, I can do Atkins much easier. I am finding all different ways to make meals so it's not just "Baked Chicken" as it was while on WW.

Off topic, but since making my LSC (Lifestyle Change), my blood pressure is now doing so great! I'm still on meds, but I no longer have the headaches and high pressures like I did back in Nov and Dec. I love that part!

Day 25

2005-02-05T09:42:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: 1 cheese omlet, 2 pc of bacon
Lunch: double cheeseburger, no bun
Dinner: b-b-q beef, 1/2 cup of mac-n-cheese, greenbeans
Snack: 10 peanut butter ritz cookies

Day Rate: 4

Walked for about 45 minutes at the mall

Day 24

2005-02-05T09:38:00.000-05:00

I weighed again today. No change since earlier this week :( Guess this is where it starts to slow down.

Breakfast: 2 bites of egg, 2 sausage patties
Lunch: salad
Dinner: Fried shrimp, scallops
Snack: 2 pcs of Low Carb candy

Day Rate: 3.5 for the fried food

Day 23

2005-02-03T19:44:00.000-05:00

Finally starting to feel better...

Breakfast: few peices of block cheese
Lunch: can of chicken
Dinner: Baked cod, green beans, salad with FF dressing, and 1/2 of a slice of cheesecake

Day Rate: 4 because of the cheesecake

Day 22

2005-02-02T22:22:00.000-05:00

I cheated and weighed again this morning since dh had not returned mother-in-law's scales. I'm down to 275. 11 lbs down! Only 6 more to my goal of being in the 260's by Feb. 12th! He must take them back today though cause I am a scale whore!! ;)

Still sick...it has gone into my chest now. Lovely!

Breakfast: water (wasn't hungry this morning)
Lunch: 1/2 of a canned ham sandwich
Dinner: Greek Chicken (Chicken stuffed with spinach and feta cheese)
Snack: hunk cheese

Day Rate: 4.5 but I didn't enough calories I don't think. I barely ate anything today. Nothing sounds good.

Day 21

2005-02-01T21:48:00.000-05:00

I weighed again this morning before dh took the scales away. It said 275.5, but I'll just stick with the 276 since that was officially the weigh-in day :) But it was nice to know it wasn't all a dream that I had shed 10 lbs!

My next goal is to loose 7 lbs (to get into the 260's) by Feb. 12 (one month on the Life-Style Change!). That would be 17 lbs in one month. Can I do it? I'd soooo like to be at my goal by November (my b-day).

Still sick here, but I wanted *something* to eat:

Breakfast: 1/2 an egg, a tiny piece of smoked sausage, and one little piece of patty sausage (and I was so full!)
Lunch: 3 small pieces of cheese (wasn't hungry for anything)
Dinner: 1.5 boneless pork chops, 2 servings of Kraft mac-n-cheese (I know, but I have been so good! And sick! Excuses, I know.)
Snack: a banana

Day Rate: 4

I'm still drinking lots of water even though I am sick, too. That is helping.

Some of Dr. Phil's Keys to Weight Loss

2005-02-01T15:49:00.000-05:00

Here are some of Dr. Phil's 7 keys. What are your answers?

1. What is your personal truth? Do you expect to fail? Are you confident this time around that you will succeed?

I expect to achieve my goal and then some. I am confident I can do this because it has taken over my life and hindered things I can do. Also I will succeed because both my health and daughter deserve for me to be healthy.

2. What are some of the reasons that you eat? Depression? Boredom? Anger? Happiness?

Boredom is #1. Depression is #2. I am staying at home and I have not made myself accountable for what I ate until now. I never cared how big I had gotten cause I was basically in the house 24/7. Now that I am trying to find a job, I know how important it is for me to be in shape and healthy again.

3. What are some of the payoffs you get from overeating?

To be satisfied. To be in control. To fill a void.

4. How do you feel about exercise? Hate it? Love it? Do you exercise obsessively? Are you wiling to start a good-for-you exercise program?

I like exercise that I don't know I am doing. Like walking while shopping, or cleaning. Regular, timed exercise has me checking the clock every 30 seconds. I start out really doing a lot of exercise in the beginning, but get bored easily. I need a program with variety.

5. Think of some people around you who may hinder your weight loss efforts, or get you off track. (You can list them if you want to.)

Social gatherings, not people in particular. Like our small group for church every week. We always have a dessert. How many times am I going to be able to turn down brownies? I need to start making something healthy so I have something to munch on instead. Things like that.

6. Have you tried to use willpower in the past, only to "burn out" and return to your old ways of eating?

Yea, I have tried that. Works for oh, about a month. After that I am down-hill.

Day 20 - Weigh in!! :)

2005-01-31T21:16:00.000-05:00

Starting Weight: 286
Current Weight: 276
Weight Lost: drum roll......10 (TEN) pounds down!!

Woohoo!!

*Happy Dance*

I finally got to weigh in tonight. I was just hoping to be 279, but 276 is awesome! I finally feel like this is working. I still need to walk 3 x a week but I've been sick for the last 4 days. Ugh... I'm sure that is helping with the weight loss, but I don't care :)

Since I am still sick, today was off food-wise again:

Breakfast: 1/2 a bowl of chicken noodle soup
Lunch: a banana
Snack: a Carb Smart ice cream bar (to soothe my throat, you know!)
Dinner: hamburger with strognoff mix (no noodles) with spinach, greenbeans

Day Rate: 5 even though I feel like crap :P

Day 19

2005-01-30T20:15:00.000-05:00

I'm sick. Again!

*Sniff, sniff*

So today is not a typical day...Since I didn't leave the house today, I didn't get to weigh in and sure didn't walk. Hopefully tomorrow...

Breakfast: 1/2 can of chicken noodle soup (awe, my poor throat)
Lunch: 1/2 a peanut butter sandwich
Snack: 4 pcs of Russell Stover's Low Carb candy and a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich
Dinner: Chicken scampi and zucchuni (recipes follows)

Day Rate: 1 for being sick, but a 3.5 for my eating.

Chicken Scampi
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
3 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
4 boneless chicken breast halves, sliced lengthwise into thirds

DIRECTIONS:In a skillet heat the butter or margarine and oil over medium high until the butter/margarine melts. Add the parsley, basil, oregano and garlic and salt and mix together in the skillet. Stir in lemon juice. Then add the chicken and saute for about 3 minutes or until white. Lower the heat and cook for about 10 to 15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and the juices run clear. More butter/margarine can be added if needed.

Day 18

2005-01-29T20:58:00.000-05:00

Finally went walking again! Woohoo! This time the whole family went. It was great to get out and break a sweat. Hopefully we can walk again tomorrow. I don't really go very fast with dd in tow. But as long as we are moving, that's good, right?

I really want to weigh myself over at MIL's - hopefully I can tomorrow. I just hope I am in the 270's by now. Heck, I wanted to be last weekend. Surely something is going on inside, right? I mean, come on, I am watching my carbs and my portions, and drinking buckets of water. Except for the stromboli and Krispie Kreme disaster earlier this week, I'm doing so much better food-wise than I was 3 weeks ago. That's for damn sure! I even gave dh shit about him wanting french fries to go with dinner tonight! The "old me" wouldn't have given it a thought!

Breakfast: Sausage, eggs and 1/2 protein drink (1 carb for the thing)
Lunch: 1/2 a peanut butter and banana sandwich with low carb bread and low carb peanut butter
Dinner: Pork roast and salad
Snack: 1 Smart Choice Chocolate frozen dessert and a Low Carb chocolate candy

Day Rate: 5 for eating well and exercising!!!!

Day 17

2005-01-28T22:10:00.000-05:00

I could finally start to tell a difference in my body this morning. I looked in the full-length mirror and I can tell things are happen'. Whether or not the scales move, I can tell I'm slimming up, finally! I had a really good day yesterday and I'm proud of it.

Breakfast: 3 slices bacon, 1 patty sausage, 1 egg and a protein shake
Lunch: 4 oz salmon marinated in lemon juice
Snack: Carb Options peanut butter with low carb bread, 1 pc
Dinner: Homemade Stromboli (I know, I know, but the only carbs were in the dough and they were the only carbs I had all day long)

Daily Rate: 4.5

Plan to go walking, finally, tonight!

Day 16

2005-01-27T21:23:00.000-05:00

I'm still bummed that I've only lost 6 lbs in two weeks. I guess I need to look at it in a positive light...that I didn't gain any. It is a daily, hourly struggle. It has helped that I have re-stocked my frig and pantries with the right foods now. I only cheat when I leave the house...ohhhh...

Breakfast: Atkins cereal and milk (I made enough for two servings, but after eating a couple of bites, decided not to even try to force it down. So I only ate maybe 1/3 of it.)
Lunch: a grilled chicken salad, with bacon, broccoli, and Carb Options French dressing. Yummy!
Dinner: Beef Florentine (heavy cream, hamburger, onions, and spinach)
Snack: 2 Skinny Cows ice cream

Daily Rate: 4.5

Day 15

2005-01-26T20:14:00.000-05:00

Starting weight: 286
Current weight: 280
Weight lost: 6 lbs

After last night's faux pas, I decided to re-gain my drive and jumped, no leaped, back on the horse. I figure I am only human. I don't have willpower that will bend metal just by my sure will. I have faults, yes. Onward and upwards...I weighed at MIL's tonight (see above). I had hoped I was in the 270's by now :( I need to walk!!

Breakfast: Ham and cheese
Lunch: a canned ham sandwich, 2 oranges, and a protein shake
Dinner: speghetti (I was over at my mom's and hadn't planned to eat there, but time got away from us and that's all she had that I liked).

Snack: two pieces of low carb candy (1 carb) and one low carb ice cream cone by CarbSmart.

Daily Rate: 2.5 for the speghetti

Day 14

2005-01-25T22:08:00.000-05:00

Two weeks down and I feel good about my food choices, especially in the last two weeks. I just wish I could see results faster. I need to exercise, I know it. I haven't had a chance to go back to the mall to walk yet. I know that will help. I wish I had measured myself before so that maybe I could see some movement that way since I don't have my in-laws scales anymore.

My biggest issue right now is snacking. I am constantly wanting to snack. I want carbs. I had that dessert on Sunday and I haven't been the same since. I know now that I can't have just a 'taste' and move on. I completely want more and more. It's like someone that tries to quit smoking I bet.

Breakfast: Ham and cheese
Lunch: 4 chicken quesadila rolls
Dinner: grilled chicken salad
Snack: 2, yes 2, Krispie Kreme glazed doughnuts :(

Daily Rate: 2 for starting out well, but finishing horribly

Damn Krispie Kreme for having their "Hot Doughnuts" sign glaring down at me when I drove by last night. Bastards! I know, I know, it's my own fault. I had been so good, especially compared to the "old me" that I had to have something bad. Tomorrow's a new day...

Day 13 - Weigh In :-/

2005-01-24T16:15:00.000-05:00

Weigh in:

Starting Weight: 286
Current Weight: 281
Weight Lost: 5 lbs

I need to do something to 'step up' the weight loss. 5 lbs in 2 weeks doesn't seem like a lot to me. I expected more. I've only walked once this whole time, but I have been active through out. I'm still drinking a lot of water.

Breakfast: ham and cheese
Lunch: Clam Chower
Dinner: 1 pc of fried chicken, 2 bites of rice, 2 bites of sweet potato
Snack: apple

Daily Rate: 4 even though I had one pc of fried chicken

I am craving different foods. I want a big chewy chocolate chip cookie and lasagna. I feel like if I was given the chance, I would eat half a chocolate cake. Bad, bad, bad...I'm jones-ing for some sweets. Instead I am trying to keep busy, but I hear commericals for pizza and pasta and I am so down.

Day 12

2005-01-23T21:46:00.000-05:00

Ok, so it's Sunday and we ate at my MIL's today for lunch. I need more will power or something. I did well with the dinner since I had NO bread!!!!! Woohoo!! But I couldn't resist the brownies. Can't beat myself up about it.

Breakfast: Ham and cheese
Lunch: pork roast, two bites of rice, gravy, and baked apples (need the fiber)
Dinner: eggs, sausage and a pancake and blueberries
Snack: crackers and Raman noodles :(

Daily Rate: 2.5 cause I had too many carbs at the end of the day

Day 11

2005-01-22T08:46:00.000-05:00

"Ouch! Ohh...." That's what I said getting out of the bed today since all my leg muscles are screaming from the walking (35 minutes) yesterday. I'm sooo not used to that! From my ankles to my thighs, just pure pain.

I do feel good as far as health-wise from walking though. And I'm proud of what I had to eat yesterday. I'm mad that the scales went back up to 282.5 today though. What's up with that?????

Breakfast: Ham, eggs, sausage
Lunch: Double cheeseburger, no buns!
Dinner: Chicken and rice soup - homemade, yum!
Snack: apple

Worked in the house (putting down new floors) all day.

Daily Rate: 5 for activity and eating no carbs until dinner

**Oh, I forgot to saw that I have had my In-laws scales for a week now. I am giving them back since I weigh myself every day...NOT good**

Day 10

2005-01-21T08:09:00.000-05:00

I am so proud of myself. We went to Small Group (church) last night and I passed on the cinnamon buns they had for dessert and just had my water! Life Style Change for sure! I know the Old Me would have had two pieces. And I only had a small portion of dinner last night, too.

This morning the scales showed it:

Starting weight: 286
Current weight: 282
Weight lost: 4 lbs

I'm almost back down to when I started retaining water for AF.

Breakfast:
cheese and ham slices
Lunch:
ham sandwich
Dinner:
salmon, salad, two bites of rice

I'm on my way out the door to go walking! Yippie! Come on 270s! My goal is to get to 279 by Sunday. Goodbye 280's forever!!

Daily Rate: 5 for walking and eating right!! Woohoo!

Day 9 - Ok, back on plan

2005-01-20T09:42:00.000-05:00

I have had some bad days eating-wise lately. I blame "that time of the month" since the witch came two days early on me. Oh well, at least I have lost the two pounds I had gained back this week.

Goals this week: To buy a pedometer, walk, drink more water, buy Dr. Phil's weight loss books.

Starting weight: 286
Current weight: 283
Total weight lost: 3 lbs

Breakfast: Cheese and ham slices
Lunch: Lean Cuisine dinner
Dinner: small portion of hamburger casserole

I need to incorporate some fruits when I get to the groc store next week. Plan to walk tomorrow.

Daily Rate: 3 for getting back on the plan

Day 5 - Weigh in! :)

2005-01-16T15:51:00.000-05:00

Weigh in:

Start weight 286

Today's weight: 281.5

Lost so far: 4.5 lbs!

I'm sure that the stomach virus helped this (at least it was good for something!). But as the week progressed, I was watching more carefully what I ate and making better choices. "Old Me" would be chowing down on chocolate and cheetos since this is my PMS week. *Knock wood* doing great so far!

Still having started walking. The temp is 37 degrees and raining buckets so I didn't go out. Plan to walk tomorrow!!

Daily Rate: 4.5 for the weight loss!

Day 4

2005-01-15T20:09:00.000-05:00

Ate nothing until 2pm due to stomach virus.

2pm - ate 2 peach slices out of a can

Dinner - ate 2 bowls of homemade chicken noodle soup made by dear hubby!

Day Rate: 2 cause I felt so bad :(

Day 3

2005-01-14T22:09:00.000-05:00

Breakfast - 2 *yes, 2* sausage gravy bisquits from McD's.
2 OJs
Lunch - Grilled Chicken salad (ok, we're back on the wagon now)
Dinner - Grilled chicken wings, green beans, peaches
Snack - sherbet

Day Rate: 3 cause after breakfast my carbs were in check

I'm on Day 3 on my new Lifestyle Change and my stomach is not doing well. Dear Hubby came home early yesterday with a stomach virus. I am terribly bloated and cramping. Two salads in 2 days = not good with someone who has IBS (irritable Bowel Syndrome). I feel good about the choice I made at lunch today. The "Old Me" probably would have ordered the pasta. Dinner went well except for the peaches and ice cream.

I plan to start walking tomorrow. Don't own a scale - good thing since I would probably be on it every day like when I went to Curves in 2003. My stomach has been hurting for a couple of hours now.

Day 2

2005-01-13T21:02:00.000-05:00

After not doing so well yesterday I forgave myself and ventured on...

Breakfast - only ate protein
Lunch - left over speghetti
Dinner - lettuce wraps

Day Rate: 3.5 (damn you speghetti!)

I forgot to mention earlier that I am drinks lots of water. I'm not gonna sit down and count each glass, but I do have a glass of water around me all day to keep me going. I'd say approximately 8 glasses a day.

January 12th - Day 1

2005-01-12T21:16:00.000-05:00

I said I was going to 'loose weight' for my New Year's Resolution. This is my blog to make myself accountable. I'm basically doing a Lifestyle Change, but also incorporating some things from Atkins and Dr. Phil.

My stats are:

Height: 5'6

Highest Weight: 289

Starting Weight: 286

Current Weight: 286

Pounds Lost: 0

The 1st week of 2005, I was sick with a sinus infection/cold. So I had to hold off until I felt better. This is where I am starting:

Begin Life Change
Breakfast - only ate protein
Lunch - ate meatloaf and mash potatoes frozen dinner
Dinner - Baked Speghetti

I will be giving each day a rating (1-5) on how well I thought I did.

Day Rate: 1 for starting out right, but ending poorly