Week 2 - 177 pounds :-( discouraged

Well, I thought for sure I would have lost at least a couple of pounds this week, but only was down 0.4. We did not follow the diet too strictly as we were at the wine exhibition for a couple of days, but I thought it would be better than this! Anyway, we made a new recipe that i am really liking. It has corn, black beans, pinto beans, onion, cilantro, basil, oregano, white wine vinegar, canola oil, and a little sugar in it and it is really yummy! I will have to post the recipe on my web site.

We went to Universal Studio this morning and came home in the early afternoon. Got really ? hungry, so we shared a smoked turkey leg for lunch. Will i ever be able to just eat what i want? I guess the idea here is to begin to enjoy eating healthier foods than i have in the past.

I sure hope next week i make more progress than this week.

Trying to not feel guilty

We went to Miami for a weekend wine exposition for 2 days. We tried to keep the calories under control, but with all the wine and cheese and only limited exercise, I am afraid to add up the calories for those 2 1/2 days! We did walk each morning and go for a swim. Also, for dinner the first night I had ceviche and sea bass. The 2nd night I had lamb chops and mushroom risotto and chocolate lava cake! But, we had a great time with winemaker and new friends Chantal & Philippe Michet (Domaine Tortochot) ... her wine is amazing!

Now we are home and I went to the farmer's market today and got fresh veggies. For lunch we had broccoli, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes and a few grapes. Also, we walked about 1.25 hrs this morning and then I went to yoga. Hopefully Miami did not set us too far back! I guess I will see on Saturday when it is time to weigh in.

New Short Term Goal - 170 lbs by May 9

Well, my short term goal was to get to 175 lbs within 1 month (by May 11). But, since I am already almost there and I leave for France on May 10, I am going to aim for 170 by May 9, then try to stay level while in France. So, the goal is to weigh no more than 170 lbs. by May 23 (the Saturday after my return).

Day 7 - 1100 calories, 1 hr walk

Breakfast: Orange juice, Honey Bunches Cereal w/ skim milk and banana
Snack: Wine - hehe .... drank 2 half glasses of wine at Ric's place
Snack: Celery sticks and slice of pineapple
Dinner: Baked chicken leg quarter, 1/2 baked potato (I ate it without any butter!!), green beans from the garden, sliced tomatoe
Snack: blackberries with Lindt chocolate ball

Exercise: walked to Walgreen's and back to pick up Rx refills ... about 1 hour walking

1 Week mark - weigh-in at 177.4

So, I was really uncertain what to expect when I did my weekly weigh-in this morning. My clothes don't fit any differently, but I feel better and more energetic than I was feeling. Anyway, I stepped on the scale and it said 173.8 and I was thrilled. Then I decided to recheck before I posted it, and it was 177.4 .... which is still great because I am down over 4 pounds in the first week. But after thinking it was down 8 pounds, 4 pounds is a real disappointment. :-(

Day 6

Well, it has almost been a full week. So far, I feel sort of pampered. I am eating great stuff that tastes great. I have been drinking small amounts of wine most days and eating a single chocolate ball. But, today for lunch I made broiled portabello mushrooms, green beans fresh from the garden with small white potatoes, sliced tomatoes, and a slice of pineapple for dessert. For dinner, I fixed an onion, green pepper and tomato omelet with a piece of toast. Also had a snack of blueberries and a small amount of cheese with my wine. Total calories: 1250.

The only problem is that it takes a little more planning as I am not in the habit of cooking this way. It is soooo much easier for me to bar-b-q chicken in the oven and bake a potatoe, then steam some veggie to go with it.

Tom & I joined the YMCA today and played racquetball. We only lasted about 25 minutes on the court. We were going to keep playing, but I accidentally hit him really hard with the ball on the corner of his goggles (thank God he was wearing them), knocking them off his head and causing his head to bleed in two places! I felt horrible that I had hurt him and we quit for the day. I was planning to go back this evening for a swimming class, but lost motivation after I got home. I think my current strategy for doing exercise early each day is going to work best for me. That way, I can just relax in the evenings.

Day 5

Yesterday, I had a total of about 1150 calories with about the same planned for today. Both days I have included a glass of red wine and a Lindt extra dark chocolate ball in my calorie count. Today for lunch I had a vegetable soup and half a salad ... was very yummy. Then, tonight we will have a yellowtail snapper with mango salsa, asparagus, tomatoes, and corn on the cob.

This morning, I had a private yoga lesson, then walked with Tom for around 40 minutes, then took therapeutic yoga class for 1.75 hours. My energy level has been pretty high all day.

I can do this!

I was looking at an old spreadsheet I found on my computer (yes, I have a spreadsheet for such stuff!), and found my weights from 2001 when I did a diet and exercise plan. In 6 months I had gone from 175 pounds to 133 pounds and still had a few extra pounds on me. The way I did it then was by eating chicken and vegetables for lunch and dinner, fruit for snacks and cereal with juice for breakfast. So, I know my goals are achievable ... perhaps not even aggressive enough. My husband, Tom, during that time went from 240 pounds to 188! Oh yes, we were also walking 3-6 miles per day. So, this can be done! The other trick is to keep it off once it is off and not slip back into old habits. This must be a lasting lifestyle change for it to work long-term.

Day 3

Today, I was hungry for a good part of the day. I need to eat a little more tomorrow I guess.
Breakfast: Mueslix cereal w/ skim milk; orange juice
Snack: Cucumbers & onions marinated in white vinegar; 1/2 slice pineapple
Lunch: Grilled chicken; asparagus; grilled zucchini & squash
Snack: celery stick; 6 grapes
Dinner: Vegetable beef soup; onions, peppers & red potatoes sauteed in olive oil
Late night snack: Chinese tea & 2 egg whites
Total: around 900 calories

Exercise: walked for 1.25 hours this morning, then went to yoga class for 1.75 hours.

I want CHOCOLATE!!!!!

Day 2 - Easter Sunday

Well, for dinner last night I actually wound up eating salmon & seabass with mango salsa, sliced tomatoes, spinach, green beans, a glass of macon-villages chardonnay, and strawberries with balsamic vinegar and basil.  Total calories yesterday 1200 (counted leftover szechuan chicken as 300 calories)

Today

Breakfast: orange juice, Mueslix cereal w/ skim milk

Lunch: Mixed salad greens with rib roast meat on top, sliced cucumber, celery, green pepper, red onion with balsamic vinegar & olive oil

Snack with friends: 1 glass of 2002 Camus Charmes (pinot noir), 1 oz. extra sharp cheddar cheese and 3 multi-grain crackers

Dinner:  Green beans, spinach, sliced tomatoes

Total for the day: 1375 calories

Exercise today:  walked 50 minutes this morning and 30 minutes this evening

Day 1 - April 11, 2009

This morning we went to the store and bought fresh fish for dinner tonight with friends ($27).  Then to a farmer's stand for tomatoes, green beans, lemons, squash, red potatoes, bell peppers ($11).  Then at Sam's Club - spinach, mixed salad greens, asparagus, portabello mushroom caps, pineapple, strawberries and blackberries ($27).

Breakfast: small serving of Honey Bunches of Oats with skim milk and a glass of orange juice

Lunch: leftover chicken szechuan with rice, fresh pear

Dinner (planned): sea bass and salmon with mango salsa, blanched spinach, green beans, berries and pineapple

Exercise:  walked for 50 minutes at moderate pace, yoga class (1.75 hours)  

ACK! Gotta start getting in shape now!

OK, so my doctor's office called this week with results from my blood tests.  My glucose is at 116 (should be under 100) and my cholesterol is at 223 (should be under 200).  I am seriously overweight at 182 pounds and wearing a size 14 - 16. My measurements are 46 40 43.5.   I have indulged myself in fatty foods for far too long.  I had already started going to therapeutic yoga classes in January, but now it is definitely time to step it up a notch.  I decided to keep this blog to keep myself honest on what I am eating and perhaps let others join in my quest.

My husband has agreed to join me in changing our eating and exercise habits.  The plan is to start with a boot camp type approach and get a good bit of the weight off.  Not starvation, just healthy eating.  We will eat mostly fruits and vegetables along with fish a few times a week and occasional chicken.  We plan to exercise almost daily for at least an hour.  We just bought bikes last week, but can barely make it around the block on them at this time.

My long-term goals are:  glucose 90; cholesterol 160; weight 135.  I plan to post daily my work-outs and eating and how I am feeling about things.  Once a week I will post my weight.  I will post blood test results whenever the doctor takes them.

Please join me in my quest and let me know you are watching this!  It will help me to stay on track.