Jenn

I went over to visit a very nice lady this AM.  She is so kind and because she is kind she thought she would give me some cookies.  They are not my favorite, but of course I accepted them.  So I knew if I took one bite of them I would end up eating one, then two and likely all four.  I have no problem eating treats if I really want them, but I did not want to get into that kind of eating today.  And so as I walked up the stairs I threw them in the garbage.  If I treat myself like a garbage dump once, I know it will continue.  It was hard because I initially thought I was throwing her kindness in the trash too, but I think I deserve the best.  We all do.   And so I made some quinoa pudding before work.  Yum !  I hope we someday learn for good that these are temples we are building, not toxic dump sites. 

(This is an in my head recipe that is different every time.  It has cooked quinoa, soy milk, vanilla, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, stevia, cornstarch or arrowroot, raisins and whatever else I feel like when I make it.  Really, it is just like rice pudding, but I switch the grains.)

I am doing well with the exercise (love those Blue Violet challenges), but I may have to go easy on my poor joints.  I am going to treat my joints to some pilates and and/or yoga tomorrow.

Tip for the week:  Know what you absolutely love and enjoy it without guilt.  Just eat healthy and exercise the rest of the week.  Sometimes I forget that treats are healthy and motivating.

Well after I have had a free day (a day where I am not to strict with my points- I still think in terms of points, it is just easier for me then calories), I feel great when I can share a day where I am more aware of what I am eating.  I am not going to say what I indulged in yesterday because it might just tease my buddies out there and that would just be unfriendly.  Now that I am in a new mind set, I have no regrets with those free days (one or two per week).  I truly do believe that they are good for our metabolisms.  When we restrict our bodies they start to think we are starving them and it slows down with the burning.  That is not my goal.  And so since I have to plan for my day anyways (I am away for 2 meals), here is my food journal:

Breakfast:  1/2 c. oatmeal (measurement before cooking), 1/2 c. soymilk, 1 T. raisins, cinnamon,  2 T. ground flaxseeds and water, chamomile tea

Lunch: salad- 1/2 c. quinoa, 1/3 c. chickpeas, 2 oz. red salmon, mixed veggies (cauliflower, broccoli, celery, carrots, tomato, mushrooms), 2 t. olive oil, 3 T. orange juice, chamomile tea

Supper: 1 c. mixed veggies, 1 c fat free plain unsweetened yogurt w/ 1 c. frozen blueberries and strawberries, 1/2 oz dark chocolate, fruit tea

Snacks:  mixed veggies, organic snack bar (cranberry, hemp and almond), orange

That is around my 24 points (WW) and still allows for some extra snacks if I am hungry.

I am not as prepared this week with prepared and portioned frozen meals, so I have to keep my work meals simple, but that is ok.  I have the foods and I can just grab them.  I just have to cook the quinoa which I can do while I do the elliptical.  I did the Blue Violet Challenge of jumpingjacks, crunches and will get on my 30 + 15 minutes on the elliptical.  WOW.   I do love these challenges

Let’s have our most fabulous week ladies!  

Well, I feel good and I am going to love myself this weekend.  I have not been doing this enough lately! What does that mean?  I am going to exercise, eat good food and relax (reading, beading, light a fire, veg, whatever strikes my fancy)  I have the house to myself this weekend.    :(    

I am going to try something here and write out my meals for today.  I really want to use the food log but it is just too time consuming in that many of the foods I eat are not listed.  I find writing my foods down keeps me on track.  Plus I do find it easier on the days that I work if things are planned so why not write it here (sometimes).

Breakfast- 1/2 c. oatmeal (before cooking), 1/2 c. soymilk, 1 T. raisins, a couple sprinkles of cinnamom, 1 heaping T. crushed hemp seeds, green tea, B6 vitamin

Lunch- lg whole wheat pita from Extreme Pita (all the veggies, pineapple, hummus, cheese, hot sauce), water

Supper- 3 oz Shrimp, spinach salad, 2 T. Renes Roasted Red Pepper Dressing, earl grey tea (w/ 2 T. milk and stevia)

Snacks (3): apple with 2 t. almond butter, veggies (broccoli and snap peas) & 1 oz. dark chocolate, 1 c. fat free plain yogurt w/ vanilla and cinnamom 

Exercise: Elliptical (30 min.)

Off to work.  
Have your best day/weekend. 
YOU DESERVE IT.  

I am going to talk with a professional this coming Monday (and also the day that I weigh in here…hehe) because I think that I have personal issues that are leading to my occassional bad eating habits.  I find sometimes I just get stressed and then BAM.  Nastiness.  I eat so well and actually enjoy eating well, but then STRESS. Suddenly the greens and fruit are the last thing I want to put into my mouth. I know I am not new to this, but it is something I want to work on.  I guess I just need someone to ask me the right questions so that I can start to not choose food as the solution to the problem.  Why wasn’t I this aware in high school ?   Since I have had this realization I know I can have success this week because it is on my mind and I am aware of what I want.  But I want to deal better in the future. 

I also want to develop healthy stress releasing activities.  Kickboxing? Bellydancing?  I already make jewelry and that is creative and fun.  I read yesterday in a woman’s journal that doing dishes (something repetitive) can relieve stress.  I do not know about anyone else, but dishes are not going to cut it!  Haha.  Quelle joke !!! 

I had a great day. I used portion control and used only 24 +1 of my Weight Watchers points (about 1300-1400 calories).  Though I am not going to WW anymore, I still think in terms of points.  Health FIRST and points SECOND.  The best thing today was I ate 9 servings of fruits and veggies.  I drank plenty of water and got in a good amount of fiber.  What is important for me is to take my B6(mood vitamin) everyday and my Ca/Mg when needed and I did take both today.  I eat Calcium rich foods like yogurt, soymilk (my brand has the same amount of Ca. as cow’s milk) leafy greens, and cheese on occassion, but sometimes I need a little extra.  I did not deny myself in that I allowed for treats.  That was pretty important since though I usually eat well, I do have a sweet tooth.  I just got home from work and am about to do my 30 minute workout on the elliptical.  If  I am hungry after I will have an apple.  We shall see.  I will let my hunger dictate my eating and not my usual emotions.

I hope you had a great day and if not, tomorrow is a new one.  I wish you a great one as we all deserve it.  Sweet dreams.  *hugs*

I am 5′8″ and 175 lbs. My goal is to lose 15 lbs.  I know I will lose it slowly and that is fine.  I am just curious to see how this site will help.  Cheers to us all.