Week 15 (April 8-14)

Monday   Breakfast Arbonne Chocolate Protein Shake mixed w/ Coconut Milk 250   Snack 2 Chocolate Raspberry Squares 140   Snack Turkey Jerky 50   Lunch Mooyah Turkey Burger on Whole Wheat w/ Avocado & Pepper Jack 700 Chic-Fil-A Waffle Fries 300 MEAL total: 1000   Dinner 3 Grilled Chicken Nuggets 50 2 Turkey Meatballs 50 GF Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Pancakes 400 MEAL total: 500   Water 40 oz.   TOTAL: 1940     Tuesday   Breakfast/Lunch 2 pieces garlic herb tilapia 380 egg beaters with parmesan 75 MEAL total: 455   Snack 2 Mandarin Oranges 80 Gatorade 80 SNACK total: 160   Dinner Honey Balsamic Chicken & Veggies 250 Baked Beans 100 MEAL total: 350   Snack 2 banana chocolate chip muffins 400   Snack 2 Mandarin Oranges 80   Water 32 oz.   TOTAL: 1445

 

Week 14 (April 1-7)

Monday   Breakfast Better Oats Oatmeal 100   Snack Turkey Jerky 100 Tangerine 40 SNACK total: 140   Lunch Roasted Red Skin Potatoes 175 Philly Cheesesteak 800 Chocolate Silk Pie 400 MEAL total: 1375   Snack Graze.com Honeycomb "Flapjack" 240   Dinner Roasted Zucchini 225   Snack Fresh Fruit Smoothie (orange, pineapple, strawberries, and coconut milk) 100 GF Grammy Crisps 25 SNACK total: 125   Water 32 oz.   TOTAL: 2095     Tuesday   Breakfast 2 Donuts 500   Lunch Turkey Pot Roast 250 Green Peas 50 Wheat Roll 60 Mashed Potatoes 60 Green Salad 75 MEAL total: 495   Snack Graze.com Snacks (Cheddar Gorge, Boston Baguettes w/ BBQ relish) 300   Dinner Pan-Seared Zucchini 150   Snack Flourless Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies 300   Snack Fresh Pineapple 75 2 Mandarin Oranges 80 SNACK total: 155   Water 20 oz.   TOTAL: 1900   Commentary: I am just not there lately. I'm going to make every effort to keep my journal going though, so that I can at least maintain until I get my mind back on track.

Week 13 (March 25-31)

Monday   Breakfast Arbonne Vanilla Protein Shake w/ Coconut Milk 250   Snack Dove Chocolate Pieces 300   Lunch Turkey Pot Roast 200 Mashed Cauliflower 150 MEAL total: 350   Snack Mandarin Orange 40   Snack Almonds (about 8) 50   Snack Graze.com Bananoffee Pie 150   Dinner Turkey Burger on Whole Wheat w/ Pepperjack 450 Baked Beans 100 MEAL total: 550   Water 44 oz.   TOTAL:  1440     Tuesday   Breakfast Oatmeal w/ cranberries, turbinado sugar, and cinnamon 250 boiled egg 70 MEAL total: 320   Snack graze.com billionaire's shortbread 150 graze.com pomidoro rustichella 120 SNACK total: 270   Lunch Wheat Roll 60 Spinach Salad w/ dried cranberries, chicken breast, parmesan, pistachios, boiled egg, and sweet onion dressing 400 MEAL total: 460   Snack mandarin orange 40 graze.com apple cinnamon flapjack 220 SNACK total: 260   Snack Dove Dark Chocolate--1 piece 40   Dinner Open Tuna Melts (2) 600   Baked Beans 100 MEAL total: 700   Snack 2 gluten free graham crackers 20 Spinach Chips 80 SNACK total: 100   Water 50 oz.   TOTAL: 2150     Wednesday   Breakfast Panera Turkey Breakfast Sandwich 460   Snack Kettle Chips 150   Lunch Beef Fajitas w/ Mexican Rice 800   Snack Dove Dark Chocolate (4 pieces) 160   Snack Laughing Cow Wedge w/ Slice of Turkey 50   Dinner Rolled Oats w/ butter, turbinado sugar, and dried cranberries 300   Water 64 oz.   TOTAL: 1920   Sunday   Snack Turkey Jerky 100   Brunch Hot Pocket BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger Slides 290   Snack Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies 300   Dinner Spiral Sliced Ham 350 Roasted Gold Potatoes 400 Steamed Asparagus 50 MEAL total: 800   Snack Deviled Eggs 150 Turkey Jerkey 75 SNACK total: 225   Water 40 oz.   TOTAL: 1715  

 

Miss Bizzy's Been Missin'!

An Interview with Myself:  

Self: So, Miss Bizzy, where ya been for the last couple of weeks?

 

Ms. B: Well, I fell ill a couple of weeks ago on a Sunday night with something that felt like the flu but came with no fever. Nevertheless, I felt awful and blogging was the furthest thing from my mind. I was hardly eating anyway, so not much to put in a food journal.

 

Self: I'm sorry to hear that. Are you feeling better?

 

Ms. B: Absolutely, I was much better by Tuesday.

 

Self: So...but you were gone for the last two weeks.

 

Ms. B: I know (sad face). I kind of got off course for a bit after that.

 

Self: Really? How bad was it?

 

Ms. B: Well, I still counted calories mentally, but I stopped the written log. I didn't overindulge, but I definitely wasn't focusing on my weight loss efforts. I guess I was just kind of eating at my maintenance level for the last two weeks. Hopefully, going off the diet a second, though unintentional, will rev my metabolism.

 

Self: So are you ready to get back to business now?

 

Ms. B: You bet! You know something really positive that I did during these two weeks was to join a food co-cop called Bountiful Baskets. I've actually been eating very well a lot of days in these last two weeks, because of the fresh produce I got through the co-op.

 

Self: Well, that sounds like fun. What all did you get?

 

Ms. B: I can show you better than I can tell ya!

 

 

 

Week 10 (March 4 -10)

Mar. 4   Breakfast Weight Watchers Breakfast Taquitos 240   Lunch Mooyah Turkey Burger 700 Sweet Potato Fries 250 MEAL total 950   Snack Fun Size Snicker Bar 75   Snack Healthy Choice Frozen Greek Yogurt 100 Graze.com Bread Basket 95 SNACK total: 195   Dinner 1/2 Tuna Melt Wrap 225   Water 60 oz.   TOTAL: 1685     Mar. 5   Breakfast Cracklin' Oat Bran cereal w/ coconut milk 250   Snack Graze.com Fruit & Nut Flapjack 225   Lunch Turkey Pot Roast 180 Mashed Potatoes 80 Green Peas 70 Tossed Salad 50 Lowfat Brownie 200 MEAL total: 580   Snack Graze.com Vanilla Truffle Mix 200   Snack Healthy Choice Frozen Greek Yogurt 100   Dinner 1/2 Turkey Burger Pattie Wrap 300   Snack handful of dark chocolate chips & Craisins 50   Water 60 oz.   TOTAL: 1705     Mar. 6   Breakfast Panera Breakfast Power Sandwich 340   Snack Cracklin' Oat Bran w/ Craisins & Dark Chocolate Chips 200   Lunch Meatball Stroganoff 240 Roasted Sweet Potatoes 75 Green Beans 35 Green Salad 60 MEAL total: 410   Snack Graze.com Hot Cross Yum 120   Snack 2 M&M Cookies 380   Dinner Costco Cheese Pizza Slice 500 Healthy Choice Greek Frozen Yogurt 100 MEAL total: 600   Water 60 oz.   TOTAL: 2050     Mar. 7   Breakfast Panera Breakfast Power Sandwich 340   Snack M&M Cookie 180   Lunch Turkey Burger Wrap 475 Tortilla Chips 100 MEAL total: 575   Snack 2 Hershey Kisses 50   Snack Weight Watcher's Double Fudge Cake 140 Healthy Choice Vanilla Bean Greek Yogurt 100 Chocolate Chips 50 Redi Whip 10 SNACK total: 300   Dinner Frozen Personal Cheese Pizza 300   Snack Chocolate Covered Katie Chick Pea Blondie 70   Water 60 oz.   TOTAL: 1815   Mar. 8   Breakfast Chickpea & Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Blondies (from Chocolate Covered Katie) 350 Pine Nuts 70 MEAL total: 420   Lunch Grilled Chicken Panini 650 Asparagus 50 Cauliflower 50 Roasted Red Potatoes 100 Kettle Chips 250 MEAL total: 1100   Water 60 oz.    TOTAL: 1520     Mar. 9   Breakfast Chickpea & Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Blondies 300   Lunch Pizza & Chicken Strips 1500   Snack Graze.com Summer Berry Flapjack 230   Snack 1/2 Spinach & Red Pepper Chicken Sausage Link 60   Water 30 oz.   TOTAL: 2090          

No Refusal Thursday

Oh the temptations that come, smh My principal sends out an email on Tuesday telling us to save room for treats on Thursday because we have two "half" birthdays to celebrate. I'm still kind of new at this school, but thinking it's kind of weird to celebrate folks' half birthdays, but whatever. I know that I can just bypass whatever the treat is. Then come to find out today that it's MY half birthday along with our Assistant Principal. You see, she and I both have summer birthdays and since we're not in school during the summer, they acknowledge our "half" birthday. Okay, it's a cute idea now that I understand. Well my "team" which consists of the school administrators, office staff, librarian, diagnostician and one other specialist (us miscellaneous folks) drew names to see who would bring a birthday treat for whom. But of course, you don't just bring it for that person, you bring enough to share with the team. Well, guess who drew my name at the beginning of the year. My principal! She made me a Texas Sheet Cake (translation:  crazy good chocolate cake) And of course, I think she's a pretty awesome diva, so no I couldn't refuse chocolate cake made by my principal for my half birthday. I mean whomever made my treat, principal or not, it would've been rude to not eat some. And then we all ordered lunch out from Applebees. I don't particularly care for Applebees, so I really had to search the menu for something that seemed appealing. So today, turned into more calories than I intended, but not overeating, and I still felt very much in control. Still, too many sweets today!  

 

I recognize how inconsistent I've been with my plan lately. I see that I have work to do, and of course I'm pressing forward.   Here's my cake after we started digging in :)          

This Sista Ain't Sedentary!

I realized about a week ago that I don't have a sedentary lifestyle. I was thinking about/planning the time to start my workout regimen (perhaps around spring break), and most of the times when I am not following an exercise regimen, I have a "sedentary" lifestyle. But as I thought about starting my exercise program, I realized that that just isn't the case at this season in my life.   To start, at work I walk a lot. My school building is of decent proportions and I see about 20 kiddos per day, not all at the same time. So, most of the time I travel to their regular classrooms to pick them up and take them to my classroom for their time with me.   Then there's home...   I'm always talking about how I don't have time to sit down and watch my favorite television shows, but rather I listen to them as they play on the television while I'm doing whatever it is I need to do at that time. The only one I make time to sit down for is Scandal, go Scandal! But on commercials, I'm up doing something.   I have a 2 year old. When we get home, I don't even take off my work clothes, I'm usually trying to get something ready for him to eat and if I happen to be cooking for hubby and me too, then I'm also working on that. He eats, then he plays for a bit as I work on business-related things (more on that later) and then it's bathtime for the little guy, brushing teeth, putting on pajamas, filling up his humidifier (most nights), reading a bed time story, praying with him, singing him a song and putting him to bed. None of this is done while sitting except the story! Since he's two, I still pretty much do all of the above for him. He has started to zip up his own sleeper pajamas. :) If hubby is home, then he does the night night routine while I work my business.    Most of my evenings are spent working on my business. I am making products, jarring and bottling products, labeling products, packing orders to ship, printing shipping labels, moving boxes from one place to another. I use three rooms in my house for various business things, so I'm all over the house sometimes when working on the business and trying to get orders processed. The only thing I might do while sitting is tape up boxes that are packed and ready to go. Everything else is a standing appointment!   When I'm feeling worn out, I try to think of Beyoncé and how hard she says she has worked to get where she is. I do believe in the principal of reaping and sowing. It applies across the board. If I sow my effort, even when I'm tired, into my business, then I believe I'll reap the fruits of that effort.   Anywhoo, it was really cool to realize that even though I'm not doing any kind of structured exercise right now, I am not a sedentary girl, not right now!

Week 9 (Feb. 25-Mar. 3)

Feb. 25   Breakfast WW Breakfast Taquitos 240   Snack Graze.com Chili Rice Crackers 125 Graze.com Mango Chutney dip w/ crackers 85 SNACK total: 210   Lunch Beef Tips over Noodles 450 Mixed Veggies 50 Wheat Roll 120 MEAL total: 620   Snack 1/2 raspberry cinnamon roll 110 Diet Dr. Pepper 0 SNACK total: 110     Snack Tuna w/ cracker samples from Costco 50   Dinner Basil Pesto Tilapia (2 fillets) 240    Snack (random grazing) turkey breast 20 tuna 50 tortilla chips 40 laughing cow wedge 35 3 pistachios 25 SNACK total: 160   Water 56 oz.   TOTAL: 1630     Feb. 26   Breakfast Cracklin' Oat Bran, Dried Cranberries, Chocolate Chips (mixed, no milk) 300   Snack Fun-Size Snicker Bar 70 Hershey Kiss 25 SNACK total: 95   Lunch Individual Frozen Pepperoni Pizza 300 Mashed Potatoes (School Cafeteria) 70 Wheat Roll (School Cafeteria) 70 Apple Cobbler (School Cafeteria) 200 MEAL total: 640   Snack spoonful of albacore tuna salad 25 pistachios, about 4 30 SNACK total: 55   Dinner (we went to Lobster Fest at Red Lobster) House Salad w/ Red Wine & Vinegar Dressing 100 Lobster Artichoke Dip w/ Tortilla Chips (didn't like it so didn't finish it) 200 Stuffed Tilapia 600 Wild Rice 200 Steamed Broccoli 50 Bite of Hubby's Caramel Cheesecake 40 MEAL total: 1190   Dessert at Home Vanilla Pudding Cup 110   Water 48 oz.   TOTAL:  2390     Feb. 27   Breakfast Arbonne Vanilla Protein Shake w/ Coconut Milk 250   Snack 100   Lunch Cheeseburger (shout out to Hideout Burger in Mansfield, TX--great, fresh burger) 650   Snack tortilla chip w/ salsa 15 1/2 spinach & red pepper chicken sausage 60 SNACK total: 75   Dinner Tilapia Wrap w/ Chipotle Mayo, Salsa, and Pepperjack Cheese 375   Snack 2 rice crackers w/ albacore tuna salad 45   Water 76 oz.   TOTAL: 1495     Feb. 28   Breakfast Panera Bread Spinach Artichoke Baked Egg Souffle 405 (this item is 540 calories, but I cut off 1/4th of it and threw it away before I ate the rest)   Snack Panera Bread Muffie 240 (item is 320 calories, but again I cut off 1/4th and threw it away)   Lunch Applebees Pick N Pair Lunch w/ Roast Beef Bacon & Mushroom Melt and Grilled Shrimp Spinach Salad 800 Texas Sheet Cake (had to eat it for No Refusal Thursday) 350 Pecan Praline Cake 225 MEAL total: 1375   Dinner/Snack Turkey Breast Strips (4) 30 5 tortilla chips 60 salsa 10 1 T guacamole 50 MEAL total: 150   Water 52 oz.   TOTAL: 2165     Mar. 1   Breakfast Slice leftover Texas Sheet Cake 400   Lunch Large Slice Sausage Pizza 600 Turnip Greens 35 Okra & Tomatoes 35 MEAL total: 670   Snack Dark Chocolate Covered Almonds 230   Dinner Tuna w/ Pepper Jack Cheese Wrap 300   Water 66 oz.   TOTAL: 1600     Mar. 3   Lunch Tuna w/ Meunster Cheese Wrap 450 Skinny Cow Single Serve Caramel Ice Cream 150 MEAL total: 600   Snack Pistachios 50 Greek Yogurt Dipped Freeze Dried Strawberries (2) 75 SNACK total: 125   Snack Sabatasso's Frozen Pepperoni Pizza 300   Dinner Whole Wheat Spaghetti w/ Chicken Sausage 450 Turnip Greens 30   Skinny Cow Single Serve Dulce de Leche Ice cream 150 MEAL total: 630   Water 48 oz.   TOTAL: 1655            

So let's talk about today...

February 19th, I ate just over 2600 calories. This is not normal for most people. It's quite more than what I would need to maintain my weight and definitely more than I need if I want to keep losing weight. Well, sista, 2600 calories days won't get you where you want to be! I thought about not logging my calories on here today, but you know what, it's part of the deal. This blog is to help me and in many ways to keep me accountable. I don't know who is reading the blog right now, but I expect someday that this blog will be a great resource for people in the future. So whether someone's reading it now or later, I have to own it, own up to the fact that I overate badly today.   So as I try to analyze why (I do that about everything, a habitual overthinker), I know that my water intake has been shifty for the last week. I also know that yesterday and today I was hungrier than usual. I also wonder if the Set Point Theory is true. In brief, it's a theory that says that our bodies want to be at a certain weight and if you go below that, your appetite will increase as your body's way of making you get back to whatever that set point weight is. In a previous post I talked about how I've hovered on the 150s-160s border for close to a year now.   Whatever the case, I can tell you that between breakfast and lunch, I was really hungry and intentionally sought out an, ahem filling lunch. I could've, and should've, stopped eating for the day after lunch, but hubby had a rough day at work and wanted to go to Furrs Buffet. We went. I can tell you that today was one of those days where I was just tired of dieting. I try not to beat myself up about those days when I go off course and lose focus, but today I don't feel so great about 2600 calories. The only way to make myself feel better is to get it in gear and have a better day tomorrow. That's my goal, not to starve myself because today was bad, that's kind of eating-disorderish, but just to be more in control tomorrow. Here's to a better day, better DAYS ahead!

Week 8 (Feb. 18-24)

Feb. 18   Breakfast Whole Wheat Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Pancakes (from Pinterest) 450   Snack The rest of the pancakes from breakfast 150   Lunch Tilapia Wrap 400 Ore Ida Waffle Fries 200 MEAL total: 600   Dinner Taco Salad 400 1/2 Chicken Burger Patty 150 MEAL total: 550   Snack 2 Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bars (As a rule, I try not to buy granola bars and similar snacks, but these looked so good and were a new flavor I just had to try; they are pretty good, but it's hard to stop at just one) 280   Snack Baked Kale Chips 100   Snack Cracklin' Oat Bran (dry) 50 Pistachios 50 SNACK total 100   Water 60 oz.   TOTAL:  2230     Feb. 19 (today was not pretty)   Breakfast Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Packet 150   Snack Sweet & Smoky Pop Chips 250   Snack Snickers Fun Size 75 Hershey Kiss 20 SNACK total: 100   Lunch Philly Cheesesteak 750 Fries 50  (were cold so I did not continue eating them) Apple Cobbler 400 MEAL total: 1200   Dinner (we went out to Furr's) Blackened Tilapia 200 Carrot Casserole 75 Corn Casserole 100 Country Potatoes 100 Coconut Shrimp (2) 80 1/2 Chicken Enchilada 100 1/2 Chocolate Bliss Pie 200 1/4 Brownie 70 MEAL total: 925   Water 48 oz.   TOTAL: 2625   So let's talk about this...       Feb. 20   Breakfast Chocomole (Chocolate Avocado Pudding) 240   Snack Graze.com Billionaire's Shortbread 175   Snack Graze.com Boston Baguettes 85   Lunch (School Lunch) Meatball Sub 300 Black-eyed pea salad 75 Potato Smiles 75 Greens w/ Ham Bits 50 MEAL total: 500   Snack Pistachios 50   Dinner Turkey Burger on Ezekiel Bread w/ cheese, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, olive mayo 480 steamed broccoli 25 MEAL total: 505   Water 64 oz.   TOTAL: 1555   Victory today!     Feb. 21   Breakfast Chocomole 220   Snack Graze.com Jaffa Cake 180 Apple Cinnamon "Flapjack" 240 SNACK total: 420   Lunch 2 Shrimp Spring Rolls 150 Beef Pho 300 MEAL total: 450   Snack (samples from Costco) Turkey Pot Roast Sample 25 Basil & Pesto Tilapia Sample 20 Cracker Trail Mix Sample 30 Orange Chicken Sample 40 SNACK total: 115   Dinner Orange Chicken 400 Steamed Broccoli 30 MEAL total: 430   Snack (more grazing than snacking here) 5 pistachios 35 Craisins 60 Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bar 140 1 Yogurt Dipped Strawberry 40 SNACK total: 275   Water 42 oz.   TOTAL: 1910     Feb. 22   Breakfast Panera Ham & Gruyere Breakfast Sandwich 440   Lunch (comfort food potluck at work) 1/3 fried chicken breast 175 Chicken Tetrazzini 200 Fried Okra 100 Black Bean Salad w/ Tortilla Chips 100 Homemade Corn 50 Lacey Cookie 120 1/2 piece pound cake 225 Banana Pudding 300 MEAL total: 1168   Done for the Day!   Water 64 oz.   TOTAL: 1618     Feb. 23   Breakfast 1/2 cinnamon roll 110 bacon egg breakfast taco 200 Mini Quiche 50 Trail Mix 50 MEAL total: 410   Lunch Dominos Pan Pizza--3 1/2 slices 1050   Snack Spinach & Red Pepper Chicken Sausage 100   Snack Pistachios 100   Dinner McDonalds Fish McBites (did not finish) 175   Snack DQ Choco Covered Strawberry Blizzard--Mini Size 320   Water 64 oz.   TOTAL: 2155     Feb. 24   Lunch Ham & Swiss Pretzel Sandwich 450 1/2 slice leftover cheese pizza 150 MEAL total: 600   Snack Honeycomb Crunch from Graze.com 185   Dinner Panda Express Orange Chicken 420 Honey Walnut Shrimp 370 Chow Mein (too dry, did not finish) 25 Fortune Cookie 25 Pepsi Max 0  MEAL total:840   Water 16 oz.   TOTAL: 1625  

 

Everyday Won't Be Perfect

I woke up this morning, President's Day, so no work, and made a delicious Pinterest breakfast of whole wheat oatmeal chocolate chip pancakes. I halved the recipe, except for the chocolate chips. Look, I'm a self-proclaimed chocoholic okay!   

    Anyway, I was doing pretty well for the day, but got the evening munchies pretty badly. Some of it was boredome eating, but some of it was "gotta face the day tomorrow" eating. I try to build in a day or two each week where I exceed my "diet" amount of calories, but today was super not planned as one of those day. Every diet day isn't perfect. That's just a given. But I still have every intention of reaching my goal. I'll just start again tomorrow. Every day's a day to start over!

February 16 Weigh In

    159 I am not at all disappointed by this "gain" because guess what folks, it's ovulation time!!! No, I'm not excited about ovulation because I'm trying to get knocked up or anything, but you may remember from a previous post that I said that most of us womenfolk can expect to see "gains" at ovulation just like we do during our menses. Now, I have had an issue with hovering in the high 150s to low 160s so I will be glad indeed to see the mid-150s. Hopefully soon!

Week 7 (Feb. 11-17)

Feb. 11

Breakfast
Cracklin' Oat Bran Cereal (dry)
150

Snack
Dried Apples
35

Snack
Better Oats Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Packet
130

Lunch
Mooyah Turkey Burger
700
Sweet and Smoky Pop Chips
140
MEAL total: 840

Snack
Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies (4)
240

Dinner
4 Turkey Sausage & Laughing Cow Wontons
150

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1545


Feb. 12

Breakfast
Cinnamon Toast on Ezekiel Bread
320
Egg Beaters w/ Laughing Cow Wedge
100
MEAL total: 420

Snack
Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies (4)
240

Lunch
Chick-Fil-A Chicken Tortilla Soup (didn't like it so only a couple of bites)
30
Whole Wheat Pasta w/ Sautéed Spinach, Garlic, Tomatoes, Lemon Juice, Pine Nuts, and Parmesan
350
MEAL total: 380

Snack
Chocomole (Chocolate Avocado Pudding)
150

Dinner
Fried Tilapia
400
Steamed Broccoli
30
MEAL total: 430

Water
64 oz. 1620


Feb. 13

My internet went out last night, so I am filling out my Feb. 13th entry on the 14th

Breakfast
Arbonne Chocolate Shake w/ Almond M ilk
250

Snack
Sticky Chocolate Pudding (from graze.com; you can join with code: W1WGHDMD)
180

Lunch
Whole Wheat Pasta w/ Spinach, Tomatoes, Garlic, Lemon Juice, EVOO, and Parmesan 
400

Snack
Dark Rocky Road (from graze.com)
180

Snack
Chocomole (Can you tell, I'm addicted to this?!)
200

Dinner
Teriyaki Chicken
300
Steamed Broccoli
30
MEAL total: 330

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1540


Feb. 14

Breakfast
Vanilla Seeds (from graze.com)
180

Snack
Cheddar Gorge (from graze.com)
130

Lunch
Salad w/ turkey breast, shredded cheese, beets, croutons, mushrooms, olives, and lite ranch
400
Chicken Tortilla Soup
175
Chocolate Covered Strawberries (3)
180
Sugar Cookie
120
MEAL total: 875 

Snack
Yogurt Dipped Strawberries (3)
100

Dinner
Papa Murphy's Pepperoni Pizza
1100
1/2 Diet Dr. Pepper
0
MEAL total: 1100

Water
48 oz.

TOTAL: 2385


Feb. 15

Breakfast
Arbonne Chocolate Protein Shake w/ Almond Milk
250

Snack (Teacher's Lounge)
Cocoa Dusted Truffles (5)
300

Lunch
Grilled Chicken Panini
450
French Fries
325
MEAL total: 775

Snack
Dark Chocolate & Cherry Granola Bars (2@ 140 cals each)
SNACK total: 280

Water
48 oz.

TOTAL: 1605


Feb. 16

Breakfast
Cinnamon Ezekiel Toast
300
Pistachios
100
MEAL total: 400

Lunch
Pizza Hut Pizza Sliders (5)
1500
1/2 Diet Dr. Pepper
0

Dinner
Tilapia w/ Mango Salsa
250
Steamed Broccoli w/ Parmesan
125
MEAL total: 375

Water
48 oz.

TOTAL: 2275


Feb. 17

Breakfast
Dark Chocolate Cherry Granola Bar
140

Lunch
Taco Salad--lettuce, ground turkey, salsa, guacamole, sweet potato corn chips, and greek yogurt (instead of sour cream)
450

Snack
Chocolate Covered Katie Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies (6)
360

Dinner
Steamed Broccoli
30
Tilapia Wrap 425
MEAL total: 455

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1405










 

February 9 Weigh In

157.5

Perricone Diet

Today is Day 1 of my doing the Perricone 3-Day Diet. It was not designed to be a weight loss diet, it was designed to be an internal skincare diet. That's my paraphrase. :) The diet is very clean, high protein, green foods, and some fruit. The only grain allowed is oatmeal and other than the fruit, no sugar! Even though it's a skincare diet, I am using it at a weight loss tool. I'm in two diet bets (dietbet.com) that end this week. I've met the goal which is 4% weight loss in 28 days, however, this is my special girly week so I'm trying to reduce water weight and get in any last minute weight loss that I can to counter any fluid retention that I do have by the time the final weigh in comes.

I will say that the Perricone diet definitely could not be a way of life for me, but 3 days, I can do. The diet has a lot of salmon on the menu. I like salmon, but a girl can only eat so much before she gets tired of it. I will say that I'm not finding myself hungry on this diet. I'm sure that has a lot to do with the high protein content. As a lifestyle, I would modify the diet to include a variety of protein products (not just salmon) and also some other grains, wholesome ones of course. I understand Perricone's rationale for the salmon though--it's wonderful for skin and this is a skincare diet! I'll let you all know if I get any skin benefits from it.

Here's a shot of dinner--baked kale chips and a salmon fillet

 

 

 

 

Edited to Add: I finally finished day 3, but I was so very tired today. The low carb lifestyle is not for me. I'm about moderation and less-refined/unrefined carbs.

 

 

Edited to Add: Well, I finished the Perricone 3-day diet on Thursday and today is Sunday. I didn't notice too much difference in my skin on Thursday, but today it is looking kind of radiant. Don't know if it's the diet or natural skin cell turnover. 

Week 6 (Feb. 4-10)

Feb. 4

Breakfast
1 Egg--Scrambled
60
Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal Packet
160
MEAL total: 220

Lunch
Beef Fajitas
525
Sweet Potato Fries
75 (didn't like, not worth the calories, threw them away!)
Blackberry Cobbler
300 (left some in the bowl, go me!)
MEAL total: 900

Dinner
Chicken Carmelized Onion Burger (no bun)
150
Cabbage Wedge
200
MEAL total: 350

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1470

Feb. 5

Breakfast
Egg Beaters
50
Rolled Oats
150
2 Salmon Patties (canned red salmon, green onion, greek yogurt, egg beaters, pan grilled in olive oil)
150
Kiwi Fruit
40
MEAL total: 390

Lunch
Salmon Salad w/ Spinach, fresh lemon juice and EVOO
350

Snack
Walnuts
70
Apple
80
SNACK total: 150

Dinner
Salmon Fillet
250
Baked Kale Chips
150
MEAL total: 400

Snack
Greek Yogurt w/ Walnuts & Blackberries
150
Slice of Turkey Breast
50

Water
84 oz.

TOTAL: 1490


Feb. 6

Breakfast
Egg Beaters
50
2 Salmon Patties
150
Rolled Oats w/ fresh blueberries and walnuts
200
Cantaloupe
50
MEAL total: 450

Lunch
Salmon Fillet on fresh spinach w/ fresh lemon juice and EVOO
350
Blueberries
50
Cantaloupe
50
MEAL total: 450

Snack
Asian Pear (about 3/4)
75
Walnuts
75
SNACK total: 150

Dinner
BBQ Salmon Lettuce Wraps
300
Chocomole/Chocolate Avocado Pudding (from Pinterest) --You MUST try this!
300
MEAL total: 600

Water
58 oz.

TOTAL: 1650


Feb. 7

Breakfast
Egg Beater
35
Better Oats Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Packet
130
Cantaloupe
50
MEAL total: 215

Snack
Walnuts
75

Lunch
Salmon Fillet on Fresh Spinach
225
Boiled Egg
70
Fresh Lemon juice w/ EVOO
100
Blueberries & Blackberries
70
MEAL total: 465

Snack
Apple
80

Snack
Chocomole topped w/ crushed pistachios
250

Dinner
BBQ Salmon Lettuce Wraps
300

Water
52 oz.

TOTAL: 1385


Feb. 8

Breakfast
Arbonne Chocolate Protein Shake w/ Spinach
250

Snack
Better Oats Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Packet
130

Lunch
Blackened Catfish Fillet
225
Tartar Sauce
75
Dirty Rice
200
Turnip Greens
30
Quaker Oatmeal-to-Go Bar
220
MEAL total: 750

Snack
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
300
Lemon Chiffon Avocado Pudding (sample)
50
SNACK total: 350

Dinner
Homemade Pizza (dough recipe from Pinterest) w/ turkey pepperoni, turkey sausage, and roasted red peppers
700

Water
48 oz.

TOTAL: 2180


Feb. 9

Breakfast
Lemon Avocado Pudding
150
Skinny Banana Bread Pudding (recipe from Pinterest)
400
MEAL total: 550

Snack
Old Wisconsin Turkey Sausage Slices
60

Lunch
Salmon w/ Onions and Red Peppers on Fresh Spinach w/ Vidalia Onion Dressing
250

Dinner
(We went to a banquet and they were very skimpy on the portions, but no complaints from me about that!)
Chicken Fried Chicken (no gravy)
350
Mashed Potatoes (no gravy)
100
Macaroni and Cheese
150
Green Beans
50
Banana Pudding
100
Lemonade
75
MEAL total: 825

Snack
Tilapia Spring Rolls (2)
300

Water
40 oz.

TOTAL: 1985


Feb. 7

Breakfast
Chocomole
400
Blackberries
50
MEAL total: 450

Dinner
Panda Express
Chow Mein (1/2 portion)
250
Shanghai Angus Steak
220
Honey Walnut Shrimp
370
MEAL total: 840

Snack
Pistachios
125

Snack
2 Laughing Cow Wedges & Turkey Cold Cuts
100

Water
58 oz.

TOTAL: 1515

Weigh In February 2nd

I gained! :(
But did I really? I believe the "gain" is related to my womanhood, but there's still a tiny effect on my mind when I see this. Oh well, keepin' my eyes on the prize!

Week 5 (Jan. 28-Feb. 3)

Jan. 28

Breakfast
Arbonne Chocolate Protein Shake w/ Coconut Milk
250

Snack
Oatmeal Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins (2)
200

Lunch
Mooyah Turkey Burger sans bun
475
Sweet Potato Fries
255
MEAL total: 730

Dinner
Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip w/ tortilla chips
200

Snack
Chocolate Covered Katie Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies
300

Water
48 oz.

TOTAL: 1680


Jan. 29

Breakfast
Egg Beaters w/ Laughing Cow wedge and turkey sausage
150
1 slice whole wheat toast
50
MEAL total: 200

Lunch
Mooyah Turkey Burger (2nd day in a row, but couldn't resist their BOGO offer today, co-worker and I got turkey burgers; so yummy if you live near a Mooyah!)
700

Dinner
Flat Out Wrap w/ turkey, laughing cow, roasted red pepper jam
200
Baked Kale Chips
100
MEAL total: 300

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1200


Jan. 30

Breakfast
1/2 Breakfast Pizza
Green Tea
300

Snack
Better Oats Oat Fit Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal Packet
100

Lunch
Meatball Sub
350
Potato Smilies
100
Black-Eyed Pea Salad
75
Greens w/ Ham Bits
50
MEAL total: 575

Snack
black bean tortilla chips (2)
1/2 taquito
(the Costco sample people got me!)
100

Snack
Greek Yogurt Dipped Freeze Dried Strawberries
175

Dinner
Panera French Onion Soup
190
Panera Spinach Power Salad
460
MEAL total: 650

Snack
BBQ Pistachios from Graze.com (want to join, use code: W1WGHDMD)
185

Snack
small slice of turkey breast
25
2 gluten free crackers
40
greek yogurt spinach dip
35
2 greek yogurt strawberries
75
SNACK total: 175

Water
84 oz.

TOTAL: 2260

Jan. 31

Breakfast
Egg Beaters w/ laughing cow and turkey sausage
150
Graze.com flapjack w/ chocolate drizzle
240

MEAL total: 390

Snack
Greek Yogurt Strawberries
150
Pecans, Cranberries, Almonds
200
MEAL total: 350

Lunch
Graze.com "Nacho Libre"
150
Flat Out turkey wrap with laughing cow and guacamole
250
MEAL total: 400

Dinner
Chick-Fil-A Grilled Nuggets (8)
150
Chick-Fil-A Small Waffles Fries
300
Diet Lemonade
0
MEAL total: 450

Water
50 oz.

TOTAL: 1590


Feb. 1

Breakfast
Arbonne Vanilla Shake (mixed with water)
150

Lunch
Philly Cheesesteak
700
French Fries
400
MEAL total: 1100

Snack
Roasted Seaweed
10
5 Pumpkin Seeds
15
Green Tea
0
SNACK total 25

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1275


Feb. 2

Breakfast
CCK Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies (Yes I did!)
300

Snack
Yogurt Dipped Freeze Dried Strawberries
75

Lunch
Turkey Meatloaf
150
Baked Kale Chips
100
Pumpkin Seeds
50
MEAL total: 300

Snack
Guacamole w/ gluten free crackers
250

Dinner
Almond Flour Tilapia w/ Vidalia Onion Sauce
400
Roasted Cabbage Wedge
200
BBQ Baked Beans
75
MEAL total: 675

Snack
Yogurt Dipped Freeze Dried Strawberries
75

Water
48 oz.

TOTAL: 1675


Feb. 3 (Super Sunday!)

Brunch
Salmon Fillet
150
Egg Beaters w/ Laughing Cow Wedge
90
Grits w/ butter & sugar (Yes, I'm a southern girl :))
200
MEAL total: 440

Snack
Weight Watcher's Double Fudge Cake + Redi Whip &  a few chocolate chips
175

Snack
Meatball & Sausage Samples from Costco
60

Superbowl Party
3 Slices Pizza
900
Tortilla Chips w/ Rotel Dip
450
MEAL total: 1350

Water
48 oz.

TOTAL: 2025

No Excuses, I Gave in

Today, I had a great day, full of energy, positivity, and peace. I was home doing homework, feeling fabulous that I could get it done without interruption before the hubby and little one arrived home. I was just about done, when at 6:02 pm, my phone rang. It was my son's preschool calling to say that no one had picked him up. I drop off. Hubby picks up. Hubby said he had a workshop today that would last until 5. We have to pick up from preschool by 6. Hubby works about 15 minutes from the preschool. Things weren't adding up. I told the administrator who was there with my 2 year old in her office that I would call my husband to see what was up. I called, no answer, so I jumped in my car, not knowing what else to do. I continued to call hubby only to hear his phone ring and ring and ring and then eventually go to voice mail.

My stress level was rising. My husband is very responsible, so of course all kinds of things started running through my mind, which I should not let happen. I started to confess these words out loud "I reject that thought. That is not based on fact, and I thank you Lord Jesus that you will never leave me or forsake me. That is your promise to me." I learned that a few years ago, and I try to say it aloud when I start to feel anxious or worried about something. When I finally talked to my husband, I was less than 5 minutes from the daycare, and hubby was talking as if everything was cool. In fact, he was asking if I would iron his shirt for church. I informed him that I was not at home and the reason. I was not in the best of moods.

When I got here, hubby and little one were also arriving. My little one was crying and asking for food. It took some time to prepare, meanwhile I gave him a muffin that I'd prepared last night. He has multiple food allergies, but these didn't contain any wheat, milk, soy, or peanuts. They did contain egg, but I'd read that egg baked into something was okay. I double checked this with his pediatrician, and she said that was correct. I have a science background, and the reasons for this made logical scientific sense to me. Sigh... but my son spent the next 20-30 minutes upchucking off and on. :( So, the "baked in" rule doesn't apply to my son, not yet anyway. Most little ones outgrow food allergies, praying to God he will.

I know this is getting long, but this is more for me than for you. You know bloggers blog as an outlet sometimes too, right?

So we went through several towels, stripped the tot down, and he fell asleep. I put him in our bed, and ended up having to move him to his bed while I took the sheets off our bed, because he got sick again in our bed.

Then I got an email from a frustrated customer saying I'd sent her the wrong product. I make mistakes sometimes, but I sure hate to disappoint people.

I was 0% hungry, but still looking for comfort food. So I turned to my girl Chocolate Covered Katie and I made a batch of her flourless chocolate chip cookies. I did half of them with no chocolate chips so the little tyke can have them (no wheat, milk, peanuts, soy OR EGGS y'all)! So I categorized this as a "controlled" bout of emotional eating. But make no mistake, it was indeed emotional. But in all seriousness, if you're going to indulge, try to find something that isn't so horrible like these cookies. The main ingredient is oatmeal, but they're absolutely wonderful. (click here for Pinterest link). And I must say that after I ate them, I felt a sense of relief and comfort. If there is a such thing as a sugar high or chocolate high, then I had it.

In a perfect world, I would have drank a tall glass of water and called it a day. You win some, you lose some. I'll try to be more "hardcore" in the future. And speaking of future, if you're reading this somewhere down the line and you've seen all of my fabulous "after" photos, please know that I didn't get through this journey without moments like this.

Bless You,
Jorien

January 26 Weigh In

158.5, still moving...

A Trip to the Buffet

This morning, my husband said some of his favorite words. "Let's go to Furrs." I know this is one of his favorite places, and we haven't been in more than 3 months, so I thought about it for a bit and then agreed.

Ideally, a dieter, like me, should stay away from a buffet, but I felt like I could handle it, even if that meant making this my only meal of the day. So, how did it go?

I decided to start with a salad. We all know that starting with soup or salad helps us to eat less at a meal, so that was the idea. When I went to the buffet, I decided to skip the macaroni and cheese, which is one of my favorites, everyone's favorite, probably! I decided that if I tasted something and it wasn't great, then I wouldn't keep eating it. In addition, I made my plate like a "sampler" with no huge portions of anything. I also tried to purposely not finish everything on the plate. There's a pie at Furrs that I absolutely love, but they didn't have any today, so I skipped the dessert altogether. Usually, I would've just gotten something else. Here's what I actually ate at the buffet:

-green salad with fresh mushrooms, eggs, black olives, grape tomatoes, cucumbers, croutons, beets, drizzled with ranch--100 calories
-seafood pasta salad--50
-1 fried chicken tender (only one bite)--25 calories
-1 fried catfish fillet w/ tartar sauce (these are mini)--150 calories
-1 blackened tilapia fillet--75
-1/2 burger slider, lettuce, tomato, pickle, mayo--175
-roasted fall vegetables (red onion, butternut squash, sweet potatoes)--125
-baked potato casserole--100
-green beans--40
-steamed cabbage--25
-roasted red potato (literally only got one, ate half of it)--30

TOTAL 890

I felt extremely successful with managing my food intake at the buffet. I do believe the salad helped, and yes skipping dessert helped also. I enjoyed myself and enjoyed the food, and at the end of the meal, I told my  hubby "I don't feel like I overdid it." We usually do overdo it at that place. :p

Week 4 (Jan. 21-27) Food Journal

Jan. 21

Breakfast
3 Squares Eatzi's Warrior Pizza
300

Snack
2 CCK Flourless Oatmeal Cookies
140

Lunch
Turkey Wrap w/ 1 Wedge Laughing Cow & Roasted Red Pepper Jam
Baked Kale Chips (from allrecipes.com)
350

Snack
6 wheat free crackers with 1 wedge Laughing Cow
100

Dinner
Barbecue Brisket Wrap
500

Snack
Sliced Cucumbers with Olive Oil and Lemon Juice
75

Water
60 oz.

TOTAL: 1465


Jan. 22

Breakfast
Arbonne Vanilla Shake with Coconut Milk
240

Snack
Better Oats Oat Fit Maple & Brown Sugar Packet
100

Lunch
Top That 10" Personal Pizza w/ red pepper, turkey pepperoni, black olives, chorizo, ground beef, skim mozzarella on multigrain crust
Side Salad
825

Snack
HG Mississippi Mug Pie (tastes much better when using regular cocoa and pudding)
450

Dinner
Egg Beaters Omelet with turkey sausage, spinach, carmalized onions, and parmesan
250
Green Tea

Snack
Wheat Free Crackers w/ 1 wedge laughing cow and red pepper jam
125

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1990

Note: Today was a "high" day, gotta keep that metabolism revved and I haven't had a "high" day in a week. But I must tell you it was really difficult. The Arbonne protein shakes are very satisfying and filling. The water also keeps my appetite in check pretty well.


Jan. 23

Breakfast
Arbonne Chocolate Protein Shake w/ Coconut Milk & Spinach
250

Snack
Better Oats Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Packet
130

Lunch
2 Tilapia Tacos
450
Refried Beans
150
Rice
60
Slice Pecan Pie
500
MEAL total
1160

Snack
Turkey Breast Deli Meat w/ Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge
70

Dinner
Flat Out Turkey Sausage Pizza
300
Baked Kale Chips
75
Weight Watcher's Fudge Cake w/ Redi Whip
150
MEAL total
525

Water
60 oz.

TOTAL: 2145


Jan. 24

Breakfast
2 Pancakes w/ strawberries and fresh whipped crème
450
Bacon
140
Mixed fruit cup
50
MEAL total
690

Lunch
Flat Out Wrap w/ laughing cow, red pepper jam, spinach, and turkey
200
Charro Beans (stopped eating, too salty!)
35
Tossed salad with grape tomatoes & ranch
70
MEAL total
305

Dinner
BBQ Salmon Lettuce Wraps
250

Water: 60 oz.

TOTAL: 1195


Jan. 25

Breakfast
Three Cheese Egg Beaters
50
Whole Wheat Toast w/ Melted Mozzarella
100
MEAL total
150

Lunch
Fried Catfish Fillet
300
Mashed Potatoes
300
Hushpuppies
100
Green Beans
75
MEAL total
775

Snack
1/2 mini cookies & cream cupcake
75
1/2 mini lemon cupcake
75
SNACK total
150

Dinner
Baked Kale Chips
50
Flat Out Pizza w/ red peppers, crumbled turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni, skim mozzarella, parmesan
400
MEAL total: 450

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL 1525


Jan. 26

Lunch
See this post: A Trip to the Buffet
MEAL total
900

Dinner
Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
200
3 Cheese Egg Beaters Omelet w/ Spinach & Parmesan
100
MEAL total: 300

Water
70 oz.

TOTAL:  1200


Jan. 27

Breakfast
Special K Oats & Honey w/ Coconut Milk
175

Lunch
Almond Butter Sandwich on Whole Wheat w/ Cherry, Blackberry, Raspberry Preserves
300
Baked Kale Chips
70
Coconut Milk
50
MEAL total: 420

Dinner
Spinach Artichoke Parmesan Stuffed Chicken
300
Pan Roasted Brussels Sprouts
100
Oven Roasted Cauliflower
200
Skinny Spinach Artichoke Dip (from Pinterest) w/ tortilla chips
250
MEAL total: 850

Snack
Banana Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Muffin (from Pinterest)
150

Water
60 oz.

TOTAL: 1595

Goals for the Week

Just like the one-day goal I made a few days ago, I want to set some goals for this upcoming week. Here's the plan:

*more fruit/veggies! at least 3 servings each day--gotta start somewhere
*only 3 dessert "passes" for the week--though I'm finding lower cal and healthier alternatives, I still want to work on my sugar habit, bottom line
*2 intermittent fasting days
*2 1200 calorie days -- I'm in a 28 day contest where I must lose 4% of my body weight by Feb. 8th so I've gotta really push; I'm still not adding exercise at this time for reasons I've mentioned previously. I'll plan to do that after the 28 day contest. I don't want the scale fluctuations that come with exercise right now.

That's the plan man!

Have A Blessed Week!
Jorien

When Your Scale is Telling a Tale

I posted this on a health and fitness forum last year, and I'll share it here. I think it's worthwhile info. 

It can be discouraging to step on the scale and see a number that makes it look like the hard work you've been doing is all for nothing or worse for it to look like you've gained despite your best efforts.

We realize that our weight fluctuates and on certain occasions, we expect the scale to read with a higher number. Here are some of the times that your scale might be lying to you:

*right before and during your period (but you knew that right!)
*right before and during ovulation
*when you're not drinking enough water
*the day after a moderate to intense workout
*a day or two after a particularly high sodium meal

Relax, relate, release!

January 19 Weigh In

The scale is moving in the direction I want it to! I was a little surprised, because I'm a day or two from ovulation and I always have a little "gain" during ovulation and the days preceding and following.  Sometimes the scale lies, but I'm very pleased with this!

Just Enough Light for the Step I'm On

I read a book with the title of this blog entry by an author Stormie Omartian. It was exactly what I needed during that season of my life. It was about small steps, rather than trying to prepare for the long, overwhelming, journey of you name it.

In this post, I'm going to make a goal and a plan just for tomorrow. No, I won't do this everyday, but there will be times when I'll need to "write the vision and make it plain" as a matter of maintaining or reclaiming my focus.

So tomorrow's goals/plans:

*NO desserts, not even my portion controlled, chickpea filled healthy versions!
*Intermittent Fasting--8 hour eating window--probably breakfast to early afternoon
*64 oz. or more water; use water to help control appetite

Laughing Cow Queso Dip

similar to "rotel" dip, but a lot fewer calories, about 175

4 wedges laughing cow lite swiss
1-2 tsp. salsa
1-2 tsp. Jimmy Dean's crumbled turkey sausage

Put all ingredients in microwave safe bowl. Microwave 1 minute. Take it out, and give it a good stir, about 10 seconds. Place back in the microwave for another 30 seconds. Serve with chips, veggies, or whatever works for you!

The Teachers' Lounge

There is a place in every school in America known as The Teacher's Lounge. It's a place where teachers can eat and sometimes stop for a quick chat, but lounging, there's really no time for that. What you may not know about the teacher's lounge is that well-meaning teachers and other staff  members bring all kinds of goodies to share and they place them in the teacher's lounge. Now, being part of a special team this year, I actually have access to TWO teachers' lounges, which means twice as many temptations to deal with. I am usually good about avoiding the lounge altogether and if I do happen to find myself in the lounge, I have done pretty well avoiding the treats or only getting a tiny portion.

Today, I woke up with all intentions to not have any dessert type foods today, but we were celebrating a co-worker's birthday and the social aspect of eating snatched me up. You'll see in my food journal exactly what the Teacher's Lounge did to me today.

But, I can't and won't beat myself up. I must continue to be in good spirits and recognize that tomorrow is a new day and a new opportunity. It is when we can't move past these moments or we are guilt-laden that failure begins to rear it's ugly head. It is when we start a pattern of these types of indulgences that we find it difficult to break. I must say that the homemade goodies were quite delish and in my opinion worth every calorie. I have learned to stop eating something if it is not good enough to "spend" those calories, kind of like spending money. I have to decide whether it's worth it or not. And of course, I have had days where I just didn't give a flip and was eating because of stress or boredom or something similar. But well thought-out indulgences do help me to feel that I'm still in control.

With today's calorie intake, I'll just make today (would've been tomorrow) one of my higher calorie days and continue the journey...

Week 3 (Jan. 14-20) Food Journal

Jan. 14

Breakfast
Baked French Toast
400

Snack
Dark Chocolate (3) and Almonds (10)
175

Lunch
Salad (Spinach, Tomatoes, Turkey, Cheese, Boiled Egg, Cucumber, Lite 1000 Island)
375

Snack
Deep Dish Cookie Pie (main ingredient Chickpeas)
70

Dinner
Laughing Cow Queso w/ 7 Tortilla Chips
240

Snack
Weight Watcher's Fudge Cake w/ Chocolate Chips & Redi Whip
250

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1510


Jan. 15

Breakfast
Egg Beaters w/ Turkey Sausage and Weight Watcher's Jalepeno Cheese Wedge
1 Slice Ezekiel Toast
200

Snack
Deep Dish Cookie Pie
Almonds
175

Lunch
Salad with Shrimp, Avocado, Boiled Egg, and Lite 1000 Island Dressing
Wheat Roll
550

"Snack" from The Teacher's Lounge
Chocolate Chip Cookies (2)
Gooey Butter Cake (2 squares)
approx.1000

Dinner
Laughing Cow Queso + 6 Tortilla Chips
270

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 2195


Jan. 16

Breakfast
Special K Vanilla Almond w/ Coconut Milk
200

Snack
Spinach Artichoke Hummus w/ Tortilla Chips
200

Snack
Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal Packet
160

Lunch
Orange Chicken
Lo Mein
Mixed Veggies
Glazed Carrots
Tossed Salad w/ Ranch
600

Snack
Edamame
75

Dinner
(Intermittent Fasting)

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1235


Jan. 17

Breakfast
Egg Beaters with crumbled turkey sausage & parmesan
90

Snack
Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal Packet
160

Lunch
Top That Pizza w/ honey wheat crust, part-skim mozzarella, turkey pepperoni, black olives, and chorizo
(This place is a dream come true for a pizza-loving dieter. It's like a pizza chain's version of Subway [though I don't particularly care for Subway ;)]. You choose a crust, tell them what to put on it. It bakes in 3-4 minutes and it's delish!)
700

Dinner
Taco Lettuce Wraps w/ ground turkey, salsa, greek yogurt, tomatoes, shredded cheese
Ranch Style Beans
350

Snack/Dessert
Chocolate Frosting Shot (Chocolate Covered Katie recipe from, guess where: Pinterest)
100

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1400


Jan. 18

Breakfast
Arbonne Chocolate Protein Shake w/ Coconut Milk & Spinach
250

Snack
Mexican Shrimp Cocktail w/ Saltines
75

Lunch
1/2 Philly Cheesesteak & 1/2 serving fries
675
Chocolate Cheesecake
Brownie
610

Dinner
(Intermittent Fasting)

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1610


Jan. 19

Breakfast
2 Greek Yogurt Pancakes (from Pinterest) topped with fruit preserves and Redi Whip
300

Snack
2 squares Eatzi's Warrior Pizza
250

Lunch
2 Eatzi's Mini Crab Cakes
1/2 Chocolate Covered Katie Frosting Shot
200

Dinner
1/2 Philly Cheesesteak and 1/2 serving fries (leftovers from yesterday's lunch)
650

Snack
1/2 piece of salmon
1/2 cup green tea hot chocolate (from Pinterest)
175

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1575


Jan. 20

Brunch
Grilled tilapia w/ capers and tomatoes
3 Cheese Egg Beaters
1 Greek Yogurt Pancake w/ sf syrup
425

Snack
Vanilla Pudding w/ Redi Whip
115

Dinner
General Tso's Chicken
Ground Turkey Lettuce Wraps
500

Snack
4 Chocolate Covered Katie Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies (Pinterest of course)!
Vanilla Coconut Milk
350

Water
64 oz.

TOTAL: 1390

Jan. 12 Weigh In

162

Every loss is a victory, so no complaints from me. It all adds up!

School Lunch

As an educator with a nutrition background, I always found it upsetting that regulating bodies were steadily increasing requirements for students' physical activity during the school day yet still serving calorie dense, fat-laden, low quality lunches in the cafeteria.

But finally, we are looking at respectable, nutritious school lunches. I started working in a new school (new to me) a few months ago, and the cafeteria food there is actually really tasty. I eat the cafeteria food anywhere from 2-5 times each week.

Here are a couple of the lunches I had this week:

Meatball Sub, Potato Smilie Fries, Greens with Ham Bits, Black-Eyed Pea salad, total around 600 calories



Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, Baked Cinnamon Apples, Sweet Potato Tots, Sugar Snap Peas, Wheat Roll, total around 400 calories

Before these new school  nutrition regulations took effect, a school lunch was NEVER less than 700 calories. Then most students get milk with their lunches and some purchase snacks as well like chips or ice cream for an additional cost. In that case, a lunch could easily exceed 1000 calories, which is more than half of what a child would require in a day. I think we're on the right track now with the school lunch programs across the country and...

the new regulations are also perfect for helping me out with my New Year's Resolution!