Oops!...I Did It Again

A few repeats occurred: I did not finish or post my food journal on Friday, Saturday went untracked, but I was down 0.6 pounds!

Today's lesson: if you're too tired to shop for the week's groceries on Sunday, you will pay for it Monday in money and calories.

Today's success: I forewent cheese in my salad.

With the week-long cruise just days away, the time to behave is now! :-)

Protein? Fo' Sho' 'Tein.

Huge lesson of the day: I need protein throughout the day if I'm gonna take a hot power fusion yoga class that night! I was never "starving" but when I got the yoga studio, I was so weak and I did not have my usual stamina. It felt a little scary! You'll see my post-yoga dinner was a big one but today's success was eating what was already in my apartment and not splurging on Napoli Pizza, which I have to walk past every night I walk home from yoga.

Here's to consistent protein!

Don't Be A Calcu-Hater

My local grocery store has these organic cookies that always seemed to good to be good for you. But I bought them all the same, confident that I could eat one serving. Today's success: before I took a bite, I got out the old WW points calculator and, what do you know, half the box was 3 points! What a lovely and yummy surprise!

Today's lesson: foods that you think are simply off limits may not be as bad as you think -- do your points homework!

Rediscovering Popcorn

You know those low-point foods you used to eat constantly to curb cravings but then couldn't stand the sight of? One of those for me was 94% fat free kettle corn popcorn. But last night, I had very few points left for dinner (you can thank that random WW muffin I had so late in the day) but then remembered I had a huge stash of microwave popcorn from yesteryear. And it was perfection.

Today's lesson and success: Don't be afraid to revisit old standbys. They might taste new again!

5 secrets of diet success

Livestrong emails me neat little articles like this every week or so. I thought this one was worth sharing:

5 Secrets Of Diet Success

Sbux = Points

The only lesson I learned today was that a no-frills venti iced coffee with soy milk at Starbucks costs 4 Points! It's monetarily cheaper but for the amount of soy milk they use (and I've a feeling there's sugar in their coffee ground), but if I'm spending 4 Points or more there, it'd better be something amazing.

Success? Well, I'm journaling again, aren't I? :-)

TAKE Off the Weight, Don't PUT Off the Journal

Hey there, follower(s)!

You've probably noticed that I didn't post Friday or Saturday's food journals (Sunday was my Free Day). This happened for two reasons: 1) I kept putting it off and 2) I ate Chinese food for dinner on Saturday to celebrate a weight loss and felt bad about it.

Irony aside, I had a weight loss! 2.6 pounds! And it's all thanks to this blog.

Starting weight: 199.6
Current weight: 183
Ideal weight to me: 175

We're gonna get there, but only if we journal!

Early To Rise

Today had an early start with a 7AM vinyasa class. I'm so glad that I went. But combine that with the fact that the first half of my Thursday work days are spent at home and you get a recipe...well, anything in my kitchen. :-)

Today's lesson: starting your day early doesn't mean you get two or three breakfasts.
Today's success: working out in the morning sets a great tone for the rest of the day.

Splurge...on Friendship

Last night was originally set to be a night of "Top Chef" and Chinese food with my good friend Tiff. I was dreading the calorie intake but excited for the company. Plans changed and we ended up going to see a Broadway show, which kept us out and late. We stopped by the grocery store on the way home to get something to snack on, and you know what she chose for herself? A peach! When I was growing up, the household rule was that when company comes over, we get to eat differently, i.e. worse than we usually do. :-) So even though the fat kid in me hinted at buying chips and convinced himself that if we ate them with salsa it wouldn't be too bad for us (ha!), Tiff really just wanted that peach. How brave of her, I thought! So she got her peach, I ate Wasa crackers, hummus, and salsa, which I already had at home.

Today's lesson: be brave by being honest about what you want.

Moving for the sake of moving

Just wasn't very hungry today. Took a hot vinyasa class tonight that I wasn't feeling but I went because I'm planning ahead! I promised myself I'd practice yoga at least four times a week and a few of the coming weeknights are filled with social things, ya see.

Today's lesson: move today because you might be too busy to move tomorrow.

Guac!

I was making my usual dinner salad wrap and reached for the goat cheese because...that's what I usually put on it. Then I remembered that I only had 6.5 Points left and what I was craving most was the 2 tbsp of guacamole I throw into the wrap, and that's less Points than goat cheese! 

So today's lesson: listen to yourself. You might actually want something good.

Free Day!

Sunday was my Free Day, something I picked up from Body For Life. Not sure how useful or healthy it is for me right now. And with the reintroduction of the Weekly Allowance Points, it might be a bit redundant.

My day's diet included 4 tbsp of natural peanut butter (not the whole jar, people!), Starbucks, DiGiorno's pizza (not the whole pie, people!), and Bud Light.

Back on plan today as planned.

Journal Entry #6

Weekends are big writing days for me (I'm a composer/lyricist) and when I'm on a roll I just kinda forget to eat! So by the time I was wrapping up creatively today, I was staaarving and had a zillion points left over. I ordered Chinese. I've no doubt that I'm underestimating the Points of what was consumed and I take full responsibility for that.

That aside, today's success: when something else is engaging me in a healthy way, I'm less likely to go looking for food to keep me busy. Some food for thought! (wah wah)

Journal Entry #5...and Weigh-In Day

Down 0.6 lbs. today! Heck yeah. Keep it comin'.

Journal Entry #4

30.5 Points, baby! That is success to me. A few lessons: one potato wedge serving is enough, you can survive a work day on one Starbucks beverage, and everything in moderation. So maybe that's all one lesson. :-)

Food Journal Entry #3

32 Points today! Only 2 Points over, so we're getting there. Maybe that's what that 35 Weekly Points Allowance is for. :-) But darn those Starbucks Treat Receipts!!!!

Food Journal Entry #2

Okay, I went 7.5 Points over today. The successes: I took my multivitamin and ate more fruits/veggies. The lessons: 9 Points were spent at Starbucks, probably didn't need the goat cheese in my dinner salad wrap, salsa is awesome.

Food Journal Entry #1

I get 30 Points per day.

Breakfast time:

• iced black coffee: 0
• Fiber One Raisin Bran Clusters: 3
• Silk Soy Milk Organic: 2
• WW Double Chocolate muffin: 3
• Total: 8 Points 

 Work day:

• Smart Balance crunchy peanut butter (1 tbsp): 2.5
• Thomas' Fiber Goodness multi-grain English muffin: 2
• Banana: 2
• Starbucks (grande mocha light Frappuccino): 2
• Morningstar Farms Veggie breakfast sausage: 2
• 3 Wasa Crackers (sourdough): 1
• Salsa: 0 
• Total: 11.5 

After yoga:

• Spinach, uncooked: 0
• Olive oil (2 tsp): 2.5
• 1/8 cup dried cranberries: 1
• Calava guacamole: 1
• Wheat wrap: 3
• Apple: 1
• Caffeine-free Diet Coke: 0
• Boca Italian sausage, meatless: 3
• Total: 11.5

Grand total...if I did my math right...31 Points. So close! But let's look at all the good I did: I had dairy, I had 5(ish) fruits and veggies, I had my healthy oil intake, protein, whole grain, and I did a hot vinyasa power hour after work.

On to tomorrow. Here's to water and the multivitamin!

My Starting Stats

My starting weight when I first joined Weight Watchers (in December 2006) was 199.6 lbs. I am proud to say that I have neither surpassed nor returned to that number. As of Saturday, my weight was 186.2 lbs. According to Weight Watchers, my "ideal" maximum weight is 169 lbs. According to my doctor, given my "muscle density," 186 lbs. is perfect for me. I must say I'm torn somewhere in the middle. I remember 175 always feeling awesome, anything much lower downright impossible. So basically I'm looking to just be more aware of it all, if I lose a little weight, that's swell, but mostly I'd like to feel awesome about my body when I get on that cruise ship next month. :-)

Getting Started...Again.

In less than a month, I will be on a cruise ship with my boyfriend! Yay!

Here is my preparatory commitment:

1. Follow the Weight Watchers Momentum Plan at least six days a week.
2. Daily blog a Food Journal of Intent and Food Journal of Actuality.
3. Practice yoga or Pilates at least four times a week.
4. Attend weekly Weight Watchers meeting.
5. Sunday is my designated (and optional) Free Day.

Ready? Here we go.