Jennifer

Yes the doctor told me last year that my thyroid is fine, but my symptoms would say differently.  With a slight weight gain over the past year (15ish pounds…because I did not give up completely) and feeling as I have, I know enough to know I do not want to go back to that place.  And I saw a hint of those same symptoms reappearing only this time I am much more knowledable/intuned. 

We hear so often that eating more is often the key.  But individuals are unique and so a few will have to eat only a little if they have a health issue and a professional has suggested it, but if one is eating too low (like maybe I did, aiming for what WW suggested as around 24-26 pts for years :about 1300-1400 calories), well this can be asking for problems, unknowingly of course.  I think it goes back to the old addage…”slow and steady wins the race.”  For me, slow and steady represents what is good and healthy in reality and the race represents our minds and how we think we should get there faster then we really should.  The fast weight loss truly is not something, I have seen with myself and some buddies, that can be maintained.   I really have been here for a long time and this is what I have witnessed of many and myself.  Slower really is the best answer for many of us.  It is a nasty feeling to lose, get to goal and then gain.  And why we ask?  But so often it is not the choices we make (though it is easy to slip back into the old junky habits, true) but rather it is a metabolism that revolts a bit. 

http://thyroid.about.com/cs/dietweightloss/a/eatingenough.htm

There is an equation in this link that is just awesome!  Maybe….lol  Here it is:

Current Weight, in Pounds _____
Divide above by 2.2 _____
Multiply result by 25 _____ (For a person w/ a normal thyroid, multiply by 30)
Subtract 200 for “Thyroid Factor” -200 (-500 to lose 1 lb/wk for those who have a normal thyroid)
Calories Per Day for Weight Loss _____
Divide by 300 = # of 300-calorie “mini-meals” Per Day _____

And of course plenty of exercise. 

I am also curious how age plays into this.  Also how does this affect one who is really obese or inactive?  I have no idea.

I will update when it has been a suffiecient amount of time to really tell.

I am estimating my calories for each of the 6 meals per day as I can NOT quite get into the lifestyle of keeping track of the caloires.  I know I am aiming for about 300 calories/meal which seems like a lot for snacks…lol  :)  - but it really isn’t when keeping active.  Intuitive Eating will play a role, because I do not see myself stuffing myself to meet the 300 goal.  If I am full, I will stop.  And if I am not hungry, I will not eat.  And what to eat and what to avoid is actually ingrained and natural to my thinking…a more hypothyroid type diet mostly.  Thank god I feel patient.  If I was learning this all at once, I might go insane.  Nope, no insanity here.  I am giving it a whirl.  I do not care if I lose 2 lbs per month.  If fact, for myself, this might be the healthiest speed.  Plenty of exercise of course too.  Time will tell. I feel happy, motivated and healthy.  Now, off to work out. Happy Easter Weekend…..Have a great day Everyone!

Please read if you have read my blogs lately. Thank you.

Well, after only about 3 days with this diet I was feel so amazing and I kind of knew I would, but this diet which is so clean and for me NO EGGS and NO DAIRY and nothing processed just for, well it really should be 4-6 weeks, is so strict. I wished for good health ( no more joint pain, urinary problems, rash on my hand, fogginess), got it briefly, but what I realized early into the “going off plan because it is Easter time so it is ok” is that IT IS NOT OK TO CHEAT ON MYSELF. This is a detox and after a nibble of this and some of that, little of that which were not on plan, I felt some of the symptoms that were worse then before. So, I guess I have some food sensitivities. Any one, two or three of the sugar, flour and chocolate could have been the culprits…. plus there was some not so good food combining. Anyways, I realize that I have to be focussed and dedicated to my health just for the next month or so. After my discomfort yesterday, the diet does not seem so bad at all. I know what to do and I am going to do it. I was completely free of pain, but the the feed back (discomfort) my body gave me was much more informational. I have some things that I want to do and that is, I want to rid my body of these toxins and consequently these sensitivities. It is written in many places that these sensitivities will go away after a good cleaning so that one will likely be able to re-introduce them back sslloowwllyy…. So, I feel good. I feel empowered, I feel like I am on my road to health.

With how I am starting to see food, less about pleasure and more about healing and energy (more often, because I still have some tendencies towards food in emotional times), I think I could actually live very healthily and happily without dairy Well….. maybe a once a month treat of dark chocolate. That is just a secret date I feel I could not give up…hehe

I do not recommend this diet to anyone, unless you have health problems and see a person who is a specialist in such diets. In fact, if I could I would see the Naturopathic Doctor in West Vancouver, right now, but I will follow it and really work to get a good amount of calories in. Guidance I think is crucial. I will check out what is here in Saskatoon. I am going to try contacting him, though it does say that he only corresponds over the internet with clients that he has seen already. That is responsible and ethical. I guess the important thing is that I do not feel starved, which I do not. But then I have not been working out as hard lately either, so this helps. Anyways, I am off to work out a little and get my energy flowing.

So, now I am wishing for world peace and peace with in myself too ……… What, what would you wish for? *smiles*

Have a Happy Weekend everyone! *hugs*

P.S.: I am so close to being at peace with myself. Yesterday I nearly only freaked out once with someone, then I realized, all is well. Her words are not about me. Some people really do feel the need to fill in the quiet air with words. I realized that this person is struggling and SHE who hates self help books, David’s mom, actually wanted A New Earth after we talked (she about her personal stuff and neither of us agreeing with her ego, just listening), so we got it for her for an Easter present. She wanted to buy me an Eater Lily and I could not refuse. I was admiring them in the grocery store and at Walmart they were a quarter of the price. So cool of her. We could have left the little chocolate Easter eggs wrapped in tin foil in the store, but no. It was my fault as I said even though the chocolate is not even that great, they still remind me of the happy days of my childhood - eating lots of chocolate *rolls eyes* Anyways, I am done now. Diet starts up Monday officially, but I am having Eggs Benny that she is making tomorrow. I think she is like so many moms in that she loves through cooking. And since David and I were so excited about the breakfast and she was even more so to make it, I will let that be my one meal before Monday that is not on my plan. If I eat well in all other ways, it will all be good.

SO yesterday I was not feeling so well. I could feel the glands at the top of my neck were a bit swollen and sore. I have been surrounded by people who are ill of course because, tis the season! So I stayed reasonable with my points but I did have 34, which seems like a lot, but it was about 1700 calories and it was a low fat day too. If one were to eat a lot of veggies of course on WW, that would add some calories, not points, but I was running low so it was a low veg/fruit day. (Thank goodness for frozen!) Grocery shopping yesterday night. Shopping is like meditation and fun. Weird, but true for me. I probably should not shop at night, but neither one of us really wanted to head out today unless we have to. I am sure that I wanted a snack as much as my healing body needed one…. 1/4 of an orange, cup of grapes, and an open faced sandwich with back bacon and dijon mustard (LOW IN POINTS ! Wow, I was surprised. Nitrites be damned!). Could have been worse. Woke up healthy. A very good nights sleep, but I must remember eating at night almost always makes me dream some weird dreams. Might be a reason not to eat at night. Wish I could have some hot sultriness without the late night snacks.

I am maintaining. I am weighing in tomorrow. The meals are going well. Three medium portioned meals and one-two snacks depending on when my first meal is. I noticed yesterday when I woke up so early (6 AM) that I was thinking about how I would spread those points out through out the day and how I would have to make it low fat in order to get the most food so I was not hungry. If the truth be told, it was a bit of a comfort to eat at home and eat RELAXED. All this week it has been rush rush. I do not like eating like this because I am someone who enjoys food. Even if it is a smaller portion and I darn well am going to enjoy every bite! lol And I sure would like to enjoy much more slower. So, with some organization in coming week, that is what I am planning for.

Keeping up with the workouts, because I hope that if I do not some buddy will kick my cyber-behind!!! Hehe… all is well. I am off to work out soon. Working the legs/abs and doing some cardio. Tomorrow I am doing free weights as it has been a long time. Really too long.

These days I am not thinking about having a free day or what I can or can not have. I am getting back to a plan of how I want to eat for the rest of my life. Balanced. Portions. Tasty (either light or explosive with flavor-depends on my mood). Dessert. I love ending the meal (lunch or supper) with something to REALLY conclude it. I find this helpful. I have that something sweet (10 grams of dark chocolate, Lindt or Poulain, or fruit, some other sweet AS LONG AS I KNOW THE POINTS VALUE) and c’est fini ! The journaling perhaps may get old… sooner then later. But I will do it until I get to my goal. Whenever, whenever this may be? Oh I think SOON. It really is harder once you get to goal. I can see where I want to lose it. Maybe you can not see it so much in those pictures because I am not sitting down. Love the spreading leg thing, not! Still sometimes when I catch myself in the mirror I do not even recognize myself. Tis a good thing. And I wish I did sometimes, but I do not feel the urgency to get to goal. Maybe somedays I do and if I think about the ladies who talk about bathing suits… ok, there is a slight desperation, but IT IS SO MUCH NICER TO see the big picture. I am really thankful for this moment RIGHT NOW.

Have a great weekend everyone! *hugs*

I tried to not make this long, but it may be my therapy…lol I hope everyone had a good Christmas. I say this, because I contemplate the meaning of “holiday”, I see it as a huge joke. A bad joke, but nevertheless, a joke.

What was good ? When ever I could and I tried to make it happen more often then not, I WORKED OUT. Great for stress and great for my behind. The scale says I maintained and I am weighing in tomorrow.

I will say that the part with my family was pretty darn fine actually. We ate and boy did I eat junk, but it was fun. It was all fun and I do not recall any sadness. We played A LOT of Settlers of Catan which was awesome. My Mom is in love wtih it. I did witness my Mom’s excessive food consumption but did not make a thing out of it in my mind. Made me sad to see so much butter go into her body at once with a poppyseed bun that I suggested we make *sigh* I kind of just let it go. She is who she is and I just have to love her, even with her choices. Choices. Yes.

As for my boyfriends family…… They work dysfunctionally and functionally well WITH EACH OTHER. Confusing I know. Anyone outside of their family really just shakes their head or drinks along with them.

My boyfriend’s Mom - OBSESSESED with what OTHER’S are eating to the point of criticizing even healthy choices. She likes to think she knows about food but criticizes everything. I was very aware of this fact before going there and spent the majority of my so called holidays hungry. Thank the gods I took healthy snacks that I could munch on in secret (not my style but this was the way it was). 4 Times she criticized me and once I said” I KNOW EXACTLY HOW MUCH I EAT AND IT IS NOT SO MUCH” I said it in a way that really was the first time I have said anything to any one in that nutty family in such a tone. I really do not like labels, but really they are a bowl of mixed nuts. Last years nuts! SO what did she do, well it was just she and myself at the time and she left nervous and shaken to gamble at the Casino. What I really wish I would have said was ” How about you worry about your ass and I will worry about my now smaller ass!” But I took the high road and got my point across with a rather impressive tone. Still the stupidity, she was still commenting on the last day about I best not take too much oatmeal or I might be sick in the car ride home. WTF! Shear stupidity!

My Boyfriend’s sister - Eat disorder for sure, bulimic in the past and most certainly something is still going on. I decided before the trip that she is an attention seeking sad young lady, but she is not my problem to solve. She likes control and she can have it. She told me I have such amazing control. No. For the first part of the trip I ate NORMAL and healthy there. Eating good meals and having half or no dessert. I get her as at different moments in my past life (feels like that sometimes) I have been just like her. But I will never destroy myself like I feel she is doing to herself. And when you see the power on this girls face and in her eyes, you would know too, NOTHING will stop her from living the life she desires for herself. And so, I can not solve everything. All I could do there then was try and not sink down into that toxic pit of a family. It kind of makes me think about the past choices I have made and the choices I will make for myself in the future. Oh and with this girl, very nice and giving around her family and then snippy and like her mom when just with me. Nice and healthy minded individuals you see.

But then I just went into myself and was sad. I know I should just feel confident that I know what is best for me but it is difficult to be around poison. From now on I am going to remember how much more difficult it is to be around toxic people then it is to be around toxic food. Food I can deal with. If it is something I love I am going really think about if I REALLY want it or not. I am not sorry to say that I am throwing out numerous foods that I do not even want to look at. I froze some turkey and my mom sent home some mandarin oranges on the way back (had to pick up my dear fury boy, Oscar Meyer) The rest is going bye bye….. Both my mom and his mom gave him some sweets and that is that. Not my crap.

Then next couple of days/weeks I just want to get back to the good relationship I have learned to have with food. Clean eating!!! Resentment is also something I do not want to have for my boyfriend. That would not be fair. They are never rude with me in front of him. And I do not want to make a thing out of everything. But he is not like them. He retreats, ignores and is the most quiet out of them all. He goes out of obligation and to have that sense of family that we all desire. With all of my dysfunction within my family, I really appreciated what I have. It may not be much, but it is something that I can at least work with. Sometimes you need to see the dirt and clutter before you can feel clean and good inside.

Well this is a new day and tomorrow is a New Year. And it time to make this the life I want. Not sure what any of this means. But this is my life and I will by traveling the path I desire. It will be interesting to see where this path goes.

David just asked me now if I mentioned the good parts… I bet some of my buddies would rather hear about this. So I will write all about the good things in my next blog, but now I want a healthy breakfast. Thanks for reading. It was really about getting it off my chest. Bad stuff out….. Good stuff in !!! Oh the best was hanging out with David’s friend and his wife and eating East Indian and then working out with their Wii. FUN TIMES. I do detest those darn rabbits though. Loved tennis, volleyball, boxing, bowling and baseball !!!!

I love you so much my buddies. I had so many people’s hearts and faces in my heart and on my mind during this trip and YOU all kept me sane. You and my workouts were my blessings and I am so thankful for your present in my life. I was really difficult to stay well in my mind all the time. But I feel I did better then I would have with out you wonderful strong and supportive people. Yes, sappy Jenn is back. She was not her true self when she was away. Cheers to us. Cheers to you. *hugs*

[I try and understand EVERYONE so that I can be a more compassionate person. But I need to take better care of myself this year. I need to be less of a bunny and more of a force in my world. *working on it*]

LOL…. THIS is not brief for me, just so we know

I want to thank everyone who responded to my last blog and all who have provided words of wisdom and shared experiences with me throughout the past year. We are each others buddies and teachers and your help and kindness is greatly appreciated. I wish you all health and happiness throughout the holidays and into and beyond the New Year. Let’s make our goals realities and always remember the gift of patience which will get us to our destinations faster then any fad diet.

I was so mad yesterday when I learned of the dinner that is planned for today and the I took a breather and realized what is important. Knowing when to enjoy and when to say what I would prefer are important things for myself. So I will enjoy and my sweet Mom is making me sweet potatoes instead of frozen stuffed potatoes. I will enjoy the rest and workout! that has always been my philosophy and this will not change. Life is too short not to enjoy a little….. We are making poppyseed buns together… YUM.

See you in the New Year Buddies. Stay safe.

Love you!

Bon Jovi was amazing on Monday and it was well worth the wait. I am SURE I would have been much more crazed if I had gone the first time in grade 12, but it was still great to hear so many old songs and then of course the new.

Things have been so busy lately and I am really so aware of how I want to keep myself level by keeping my sugar intake in check and I have said it before, but I need to again because my emotions can get all over the place when I consume too much sweets. I am not denying myself those flavors of the season that I enjoy most, but I am trying to keep things at A PORTION. And when I do go a little over, I just make it up with activity. This is working pretty well. The coolest thing that is REALLY working (and I learned this from the Sugar Solution) is to balance those sweets with some good protein. No moodiness, sleepiness, blah feeling OR yeastiness…lol Had to say that. The season can be stressful as it is and I am so glad that my treats are not adding to the former chaotic Jenn.

What to write? I will share a poem I recently found. It really clicked with me.

Rush Swiftly Soul - by Loretta Garing

Rush swiftly soul

through he soft dark night

and with reverence await

dawn’s beckoning light.

—————-

For the ‘morrow in slpendor

will move through your being

with a spirit majestic

and totally freeing.

———————

So, lift up your eyes

to the far eastern sky

trusting all to the Lord

who dwells on high.

——————-

And stop into the future

with a courage for living

plus a measure of love

for the most generous giving.

———————-

I found this poem and wrote it in the back of my journal (food & exercise journal). My little and wonderful lil’ journal is seriously like a little friend that has provided much feedback to me in the last little while and I never knew that I could be so committed to anything like this. I really love it. I look back to the first page, Saturday, September 29, 2007 and I am so glad I started and have remained true to the experience. Everyday, even if I wrote I am over my points and from this point on the moment is new! Every page is a new day. I also wrote a few things about my 3 months of recording at the back like how is has been so useful.

• valuable to see patterns - mood, physical and even spiritual changes
• It is a very REAL way to see what I am consuming + how much. When you have to write things down on an EE day, it slows you down + makes you think. (and the guilt of it all has left my mind and this I am so thankful for)
• Helps me to see what I want which is to eat healthy and to have good spirits

A while back I also wrote on the last page all the foods that we like/love and this has served as a good resource in those times that you think or say “another meal and no ideas. What do I/we want? *no ideas* Take out?” We have really done this less then we use to and that is of course a good thing. So with a list of something like 20 things, there is almost always something that appeals or I can make. Like tonight, I could not think what I would make on my day off, well mini tuna casserole muffins it is…. something I came up with a long time ago that brings healthiness into the old old tuna casserole that I use to make. That and a salad. I love easy recipes! The really neat thing about my journal was that I wrote the recipes and also my reflections and then when I went to fill in the rest of the days on each of the remaining pages, the last day just worked out to be Monday, December 31, 2007. Neat. hehehe…

So I am also loving my commitment to my movement and the Dec. walking/cardio challenge. Keeps me honest and active. I will be gone about a week around Christmas but I am still going to walk at least in one of the two places I will be. I hear my Mom and stepfather recently bought an exercise bike. Not something I usually do so I will give that a whirl too.

I hope you all are doing well with the goodies and the stress. Hope you are feeling the goodness of the season too. Yesterday I found my bliss as I walked to work in the most beautiful and light snow fall. With my music and the beauty of the river I thought IT WAS CHRISTMAS, then I realized I better pick up my speed or else be late for work…. As I walked faster Mother Nature decided to dump more and more snow. Ha! I LOVED IT! *smiles* Have a great day/weekend everyone.

Had a bit of a thing with some chocolate cashews. Sure I was experiencing some emotions, but I knew I was and the chocolate cashews were just there. Oh they should not have been here, but they were. Anyways, it was not out of control. I think looking back it was more like defiance and they just tasted good. I think I was feeling bad and felt like I was entitled (yes Rhonda, entitled) to it. What a lesson! I do not think they were so good as to “mess up” the week. Well I know, no long term harm because I am back at it today…. good reasonable eating and exercise. I know, I know, I have at least one buddy who will be thinking, what, how many did she really eat??? Well over the course of the day, I ate about 350 grams *looks at the can*. Well, no use crying in my soymilk. Nope nope nope!!!

Today I am going to record my intake on this post just because I can and I will post it after work. I have to plan my day because of work, so why not make it a good one. Tomorrow I am weighing in and that is that.

Hope everyone has had a great few days. All the best to you this weekend. THANK ME (and Ms. Fiesty always) for committing to the forum. Love that place!

My Friday intake:

Breakfast: 1/3 c oatmeal, 1/2 c unsweetened soymilk, 1 apple, green tea, vitamins (4 pts)

30 min. elliptical, 50 min. pilates

Snack: 1/2 c. plain fat free yogurt, celery (1 pt.)

Lunch: raw veggies, 1/2 c. brown rice & lentils, 2 tofu dog & salsa, 1/2 can of salmon, 10 g. dark (85% chocolate),Matcha tea (11 pts)

Snack: 1/4 c. roasted soybeans, 1 T. chorella, 1 oatmeal raisin cookie (6 pts)

Supper: 1/2 c. green peas, 1/2 c. sweet potato (plain), 3 oz. tuna - all with lemon and pepper, raw veggies, 1/2 c. yogurt w/ 1/2 c. blueberries, cinnamon, dash of stevia. (6 pts)

Ca/Mg/vit D. & water

According to Weight Watchers at this weight I am to have 22 pts as my goal per day (not counting the extra points). Well for my activity level this is too low. Usually I do well with 24-30. Well today, I was a good girl and had 28 (under 1500 calories). This is amazing with all the strength training I have been doing. Tomorrow I weigh in and we shall see. I will likely also weigh in Monday for the usual shits and giggles Hehe.. Life is good

First week of my no eating at night challenge…. well it has been 6 days and tonight will be fine. Writing in the previous blog made me accountable. Love that. I also like that I started mid week and did not wait until that “after the weekend” mentality.

Well I like not eating at night! It really makes me think about WHY I want to eat and that is so essential. I realize I just like food in my mouth. It is as simple as that. HABIT! Sure there may have been times when I felt emotional (as I wrote about in the previous blog) but eating at night or having the desire to do so, was not once for hunger. I mean I ate well at supper! A couple times I had a little extra, just because I knew I would not have any later. But that was ok. Most days I averaged 1500 calories. Plus I picked it up with the activity.

I tried on the little black dress I bought in Calgary and it is looking very nice. Still a little snug around the hips, so this is good incentive to keep up with this challenge AND my Butt exercises. Though the scale is being typically slow, I REALLY see improvements in just a week of not eating at night. But equally important (some will say more so, who are we kidding, WE WANT TO SEE RESULTS WITH OUR EFFORTS) is developing a new kind of behavior of being satisfied with supper, doing whatever at night Not Food Related and going to bed with an ever so slightly empty stomach. Now this is purrrrfect and pleasant satisfaction!

What is new? I am starting to reading “The Practice of Being Aware, Right Now, Everyday Buddhism- Plain and Simple” and instead of the rock/alternative music on my iPod, I am listening to Chopin just for a change. I put my first Christmas decoration up, a wreath that a friend of the family made me last year. I love it. This week was really about finding things to do with my time instead of thinking about food. I also really let go of the “bad food” mentality and just ate with mindfulness, respect and gentleness. Enjoyed some treats. Oh sure I had some conflicts from within, but with conversation, mostly with myself, all was worked out. Twas good……… What can I say? I love it when I actually want to spend time in my own head. *wink wink*

Tea cheers !

So there is no magic pill for the legs and behind and that is just fine with me. I am learning that all good things are going to come to this good girl with time and effort. My effort…lol. This really may take some time!!! I do not want to lose anymore up North. I see bones! LMAO. So, I am trying to not go below 1500 calories and I am working my behind off with the following exercises. I am also keeping up with the cardio and flexibilty type exercises like yoga. I should say I have learned of another exercise that helps with improving the bottom. Maybe you have heard of it, squeezing your bottom with every step you take? So they say. Hehe……

1 - Mule kicks (on knees) - 4 x 10

2 - Walking Lunges - 4 x 10

3 - Squats - 4 x 10

4 - Hip Thrusts or Butt Bridges - 4 x 10

5 - Leg raises/Kickbacks - 2 x 20

The gym was great over the weekend meaning I was there and I did not poop out. I really was not feeling like it, but we went. Did not do fabulous, but I think that was because I did not eat my complex carb breakfast….naughty naughty me. Anyways as we were coming home I was chowing down on a 7 grain salad from the deli at Sobeys. Ahh… just a couple bites since I was bitchy and I think my blood sugars were low. Really, MUST eat my oats or something like that before lifting weights. Well that was my Dumb Moment and I learned my lesson.

As for the sugar, *crouches in fear* I was not Perfect (lol), but I was better then I ever recall on a weekend. I purchased an energy bar last week (so David and I could share instead of having a rich dessert) that had a little sugar and sucralose in it. The idea being that that would be a better choice because along with a very small amount of sugar there was some good protein too. So I had half of that and last night, no refined sugar, but I did make a small hot chocolate (1/2 c. milk, 1/2 c soymilk, about 3/4 T. of dark cocoa, little sucralose/Splenda and a dash of cinnamon). Gotta say, YUM! So this was a great weekend for me.

Well sometimes I wonder, why write anything? Sometimes I have felt like I should not write because it bothers me that various people might be reading my words from afar and not actively participating on this site. I am not even talking about friends who I have shared with them about this site. There are others maybe who are not so genuine or friendly, but this is life. Should I stop sharing because a few rotten eggs? Nah. Not worth it! CERTAINLY not worth my thoughts. Such thoughts make me negative and that is not where I want to go. So onward and positive. Good food. Good exercise. Good readings. Good thoughts. Great buddies. Love ya all. Have a fantastic week!!!

Tea cheers…….

P.S.:  Wisdom comes, but it sure does take it’s time sometimes.  *sigh* 

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!