The Revolving Diet

Day 19 ~ 2/10/12

I played hooky (is that how you spell it??) today....needed a break, with all the stress from worrynig about my sister and basic life interruptions - I just needed a veg day....

Meals for breakfast and lunch almost the same as yesterday with an added can of Progresso Chicken Penne Soup  - dinner is going to be a pick-fest, finger foods. Tonight, I am going to a Tricky Tray (Chinese Auction, Basket Auction, etc)

Since I am on the run, I am ending this week with a funny email I received today from a friend and dieter:

WOMAN'S WEEK AT THE GYM


Dear Diary,
For my birthday this year, my significant other purchased a week of personal training at the local health club.
Although I am still in great shape since being a high school football cheerleader 43 years ago, I decided it would be a good idea to go ahead and give it a try.
I called the club and made my reservations with a personal trainer named Christo, who identified himself as a 26-year-old aerobics instructor and model for athletic clothing and swim wear.
Friends seemed pleased with my enthusiasm to get started! The club encouraged me to keep a diary to chart my progress.
________________________________
MONDAY:
Started my day at 6:00 a.m. Tough to get out of bed, but found it was well worth it when I arrived at the health club to find Christo waiting for me. He is something of a Greek god-- with blond hair, dancing eyes, and a dazzling white smile. Woo Hoo!!
Christo gave me a tour and showed me the machines... I enjoyed watching the skillful way in which he conducted his aerobics class after my workout today. Very inspiring!
Christo was encouraging as I did my sit-ups, although my gut was already aching from holding it in the whole time he was around. This is going to be a FANTASTIC week!!
________________________________
TUESDAY:
I drank a whole pot of coffee, but I finally made it out the door. Christo made me lie on my back and push a heavy iron bar into the air then he put weights on it! My legs were a little wobbly on the treadmill, but I made the full mile. His rewarding smile made it all worthwhile. I feel GREAT! It's a whole new life for me.
_______________________________
WEDNESDAY:
The only way I can brush my teeth is by laying the toothbrush on the counter and moving my mouth back and forth over it. I believe I have a hernia in both pectorals. Driving was OK as long as I didn't try to steer or stop. I parked on top of a GEO in the club parking lot.
Christo was impatient with me, insisting that my screams bothered other club members.. His voice is a little too perky for that early in the morning and when he scolds, he gets this nasally whine that is VERY annoying.
My chest hurt when I got on the treadmill, so Christo put me on the stair monster. Why would anyone invent a machine to simulate an activity rendered obsolete by elevators? Christo told me it would help me get in shape and enjoy life. He said some other crap too.
_______________________________
THURSDAY:
Butt hole was waiting for me with his vampire-like teeth exposed as his thin, cruel lips were pulled back in a full snarl. I couldn't help being a half an hour late-- it took me that long to tie my shoes.
He took me to work out with dumbbells. When he was not looking, I ran and hid in the restroom. He sent some skinny witch to find me.
Then, as punishment, he put me on the rowing machine-- which I sank.
_________________________________
FRIDAY:
I hate that jackass Christo more than any human being has ever hated any other human being in the history of the world. Stupid, skinny, anemic, anorexic, little aerobic instructor. If there was a part of my body I could move without unbearable pain, I would beat him with it.
Christo wanted me to work on my triceps. I don't have any triceps! And if you don't want dents in the floor, don't hand me the darn barbells or anything that weighs more than a sandwich.
The treadmill flung me off and I landed on a health and nutrition teacher. Why couldn't it have been someone softer, like the drama coach or the choir director?
________________________________
SATURDAY:
Satan left a message on my answering machine in his grating, shrilly voice wondering why I did not show up today. Just hearing his voice made me want to smash the machine with my planner; however, I lacked the strength to even use the TV remote and ended up catching eleven straight hours of the Weather Channel..
________________________________
SUNDAY:
I'm having the Church van pick me up for services today so I can go and thank GOD that this week is over. I will also pray that next year my honey will choose a gift for me that is fun-- like a root canal or a hysterectomy. I still say if God had wanted me to bend over, he would have sprinkled the floor with diamonds!!!

Have a WONDERFUL night !!!

Day 13 ~ 2/4/12

Today was an unplanned gallivant through Central New Jersey.  Not only did I do my usual post office, grocery store and library visits - I made a trip to Inksanity - very neat Tattoo & Piercing place in New Jersey. For my nieces (14th) birthday gift she requested her tragus pierced.  With my brother-in-law and sisters approval we took care of it today.  This is something I have wanted for awhile (over 5 years) and with my weight loss over 50 pounds, I thought this was an incentive/congratulation gift to myself on doing it (better than a fattening meal/dessert)....I did tell my niece we might do the other one next year  (not really)

Just for your own reference - an adults tragus is MUCH thicker than a young girls.  It took a little more maneuvering to get the needle in mine and my moving away from the person piercing probably did not help either.  My niece was hysterical just watching me move away - at least she'll have a good story to tell her friends.  

Today's Meals:

Breakfast: 1 cup Special K cereal, 3/4 cup skim milk, 1/2 banana

 Morning Snack: 100 calorie Lorna Doone pack

 Lunch: Lean Cuisine Plain Pizza, side tomato salad

 Afternoon Snack: 1 cup non-fat yogurt, 1 orange

 Dinner: Healthy Choice Honey Roasted Turkey, 1 cup green beans, side salad (just lettuce, tomato and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar)

Food does not have to be a reward on your journey to being healthy.  We all have something we want - other than losing weight, getting healthy  or toning up.  Treating yourself for an accomplishment is a nice way to acknowledge your achievement and maybe think of something a little bigger for your next achievement.  Starting with a gift of a book for (5) pounds, a new CD (10) pounds, new sneakers (20) pounds, a massage/facial (25) pounds, you get me drift.  The gift does not have to be a purchased gift either - promising yourself if you hit a goal can be acknowledged with a full day of pampering yourself to sleeping late, staying in your pj's all day and making it a complete "YOU" day.  

Whatever you do - it's for you to  take the time to be proud of yourself !!!

Have a wonderful night and SHINE ON!!

 

Day 12 ~ 2/3/2012

With a half day off today, I accomplished most my running around.  A few returns, some visiting (my Dad and sister - both doing well) and a little shopping (those Christmas gift cards burning a hole in my pocket)...a really good day overall.

The gift cards were from Steinmart (as you know one of my favorite stores) - I bought (3) shirts and a dress for spring/summer AND all a size smaller.

I have faith (and dieting) to know I will get into them with room to spare.

Today's Meals

Breakfast:  Green Smoothie  (yes, another one - I really like these!!)

Mid Morning Snack: 1 pack 100 calorie Lorna Doone Shortbread cookies

Lunch:  1 small chicken burger with mustard & pickles and cucumber & carrot slaw on side

Mid Afternoon Snack:  1 pack 100 calorie Lorna Doone Shortbread cookies

Dinner:  Healthy Choice Beef & Broccoli (350 calories)

After Dinner Snack (an extra):  Marcona Almonds (from Trader Joe's)

I am a creature of habit.  One thing I like to do is if I visit Trader Joe's, I get something new to try.  Today's "New to Me" item is the Marcona Almonds with Rosemary & Sea Salt

 

These are a definite for buying again.  The Marcona almond comes from Spain.  It's a mild flavored almond and adding the rosemary and sea salt just makes this a wonderful filling snack.  It's hard to just eat a handful!!  At $4.49 a bag for 6oz, it's a little expensive - but for a salty healthy snack, worth it.  I personally would enjoy these watching tv with a glass of wine - but the added calories from the win and the un monitored eating of almonds would be excessive in calories!

Now the Lorna Doones - 100 calories packs.  If you like shortbread and are cutting back, these taste just like the regular cookie - but thinner and smaller:

They are good for a snack and today I had (2) bags and not so much veggies & fruits.  With it being a 100 calories snack the satisfaction of biting into an actual sized cookie is not there - these you can just pop in your mouth like popcorn and have to put many in your mouth to feel like you are eating a cookie.  Is it worth it - YES - especially if you have a problem just taking 2-3 cookies from a bag and putting the bag away.  You can just grab your little snack bag and move on.

How did your week go?  Make any strides in cutting down on something or adding a couple of extra minutes to your exercise program?

Every little bit counts!

Have a Fantastic night and I'll talk to you more tomorrow!

 

Day 11 ~ 2/2/2012

Happy Groundhog Day!  Well, Punxsutawney Phil (the famous groundhog) saw his shadow - so 6 more weeks of winter....if winter is anything like yesterday (about 60 degrees) I'll take it!!

Quick Update:

Breakfast:  Green Smoothie (got my veggies and fruits in here!) Spinach, 1 small banana and 1 cup frozen Mango cubes

Lunch: Progresso 99% Fat Free Soup - went with Veggie again today.  Cold and windy outside (I would of though for sure the groundhog would not of seen his shadow)

Mid Afternoon Snack:  1 pack 100 calorie Lorna Doone Shortbread cookies

Dinner:  Oven broiled Tilapia with a side of sliced tomatoes, red onion and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar

On my own tonight so I am getting a jump on cleaning, so I can finish up some long overdo errands on the weekend.

Have a wonderful night - keep your momentum going - you will be happy you did when in a few short weeks your clothes will be a little looser, your skin will be glowing and you'll have a little more pep in your step!

.

Day 10 ~ 2/1/2012

A new month and a bit closer to Spring and lighter clothes.  Are you ready?  Are you close to ready?

If not, we have some work to do!!

Breakfast:

1 cup Chobani vanilla yogurt, 1 small banana, a few ice cubes, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a dash of cinnamon..YUMMY morning smoothie!!

 Morning Snack:

1 orange

 Lunch:

Progresso Veggie Soup

1 cup baby carrots

 Afternoon Snack:

1 cup baby carrots, 1 cup sliced cucumbers

 Dinner:

(5) Trader Joe Coconut Shrimp, 2 cups spinach salad with sliced tomatoes.  

I have no idea what is with me, here's my burnt tipped shrimp!  I got on a phone call while making dinner and completely forgot I had something in the toaster oven!  Drizzled some balsamic vinegar on salad after picture was taken.  Nice filling dinner - with the addition of (2) bottles of water to make sure I stayed full!  I overdid it with the carrots today...NO carrots tomorrow!!

Gorgeous day here in NJ!  It was 60 degree's on the one day I wore the heaviest sweater I own - you would of swore I did a Richard Simmons "Sweatin' to the Oldies" dvd while out at lunch and all I did was get in my car, sat in church (extra prayers for my sister) and back to work!  Maybe that'st he way to drop pounds - wear overly heavy clothes on days when you should be wearing a t-shirt and shorts.

I hope your day went GREAT and you were able to enjoy some nice weather too!  These days are few and far between in NJ in February.

Have a wonderful night! 

PERSISTENCE IS FAR BETTER THAN PERFECTION!  

 

Day 9 ~ 1/31/12

I had seen this recipe for Apple Chips awhile back and thought I'd give it a whirl and see if they would come out as good as the ones you buy in the store. 

 

I used 1-1/2 Green Apples and regular cinnamon, NO SUGAR.  First off, they are good, not great.  Hubby's first comment was "they could use some brown sugar", kinda defeats the purpose of them being healthy.  It could be the apples I used.   Since they are baked they do not have the same crispness as the ones fried in oil with added sugar.  The thinner you slice them, the crisper they are - although you risk them getting a little overcooked (like my extra brown ones).

If you want to give it a try...here's the recipe (just use sweeter apples)

• 2 apples
• Cinnamon

Directions:

• Remove apple core. I most likely did this wrong since half of the apple was missing when I removed it but you get the idea.
• Thinly slice the entire apple.
• Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and place apple slices on it.
• Sprinkle with cinnamon.
• Bake at 275 degrees for two hours. At the end of hour one flip them over so they bake evenly.

 

Breakfast:

1 cup Special K cereal

3/4 cup skim milk

1 cup grapefruit juice

 Morning Snack:

Homemade apple crisps

 Lunch:

Progresso Ministrone Soup

1 cup baby carrots

 Afternoon Snack:

1 cup Chobani lemon non-fat yogurt

 Dinner:

Lean Cuisine Marguerita Pizza

2 cups steamed mixed cauliflower & broccoli

1 cup green beans

Overall pretty good day. No exercise though.  I have some running around tonight and it's going to be a late night - I will try and get some exercise in morning!

End of the month - How are you doing?  Did you reach and "mini" goals you set for yourself?  We are onto February with a strong resolve to do better. No looking back, only forward.

POSITIVE ATTITUDES, Bring POSITIVE RESULTS!!!

Day 8 ~ 1/30/12

As you have already seen, this week should be fairly easy to stick to as I can go for convenience, which most likely I will, hubby is not going to be home at dinner time a few days this week so I am cooking for me only.

Todays Meals:

Breakfast: 1 cup Special K cereal, 3/4 cup skim milk, 1/2 banana

 Morning Snack: 100 calorie Lorna Doone pack

 Lunch: Progresso Southwestern vegetable Soup, 1 cup baby carrots

 Afternoon Snack: 1 cup non-fat yogurt, 1 orange

 Dinner: Healthy Choice Honey Roasted Turkey, 1 cup green beans, side salad (just lettuce, tomato and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar)

I have to tell you about last night.  I have been going to a different mass every week for the last few weeks trying to find the one that is the shortest (I know that sounds bad) but the whole singing during mass throws off my concentration(especially if it's not that good). Anyway - I have made it to every different mass offered and they sing at all of them - so the more singing, the longer the mass.  What I have to tell you is about the couple in front of me last night.  Right after communion the church is semi quiet while people are making their way back to their seats...well, the woman sticks her hand into the side of her husbands shirt collar and is moving around and pulling her hand out looks at it and putting it back in. Kinda like a monkey looking for little bugs.  This goes on for a good 3-5 minutes and I start wondering what the heck is this guy has in his shirt that has her all digging around in it, then all of a sudden she realizes where she is and sits bolt upright, stares straight ahead and starts straightening her shirt and brushing off her pants.  It was bizarre and the most excitment I have had in church in a long time.  Mostly because my mind wandered trying to make up scenarios on what what in the guys shirt.  It really didn't matter if they were singing or not last night, I really wanted to know what was going on.

Do you ever do that?  Make up stories to other peoples lives to make the time pass faster?  It's like Mystery Science Theater in my head - a very dangerous place to be.

Okay enough of that!  I hope your day went great!  Monday being the start of the new week and getting back on track (if you happened to have a little slip over the past weekend!).

Have a TERRIFIC night!