The Adventures of Slenderella

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

2008-12-23T05:55:00.000-08:00

I'm down a pound from last week - WHOO-HOO!!!

Planning a day's meals definitely helped. I was NOT perfect by any means, but at least I was in the ballpark with what I consumed.

Will I be jounaling meals this week? Um, no. I want to just relax and enjoy. What I do plan to do is get those fruits and veggies in between bites of sweets. Exercise will evolve around chasing my kids outside, inside if it continues raining.

As is everyone, I'm feeling a bit busy, so I will be offline for a while. See you guys in the New Year!

Merry Christmas! Happy Hanukkah! Happy Kwanzaa! Happy Life!

Planning for tomorrow

2008-12-18T19:15:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow's a tad busy, so I'm trying to plan ahead. Hopefully, I'll stick to the plan:

Food:

breakfast: 1 c. Total Raisin bran and skim milk (250)
snack: small orange (85), cheese (100)
lunch: ? mall food, let's hope I'm smart (MizFit has motivated me to figure this out ahead, so I will - one slice of Sbarro tomato/basil pizza - 700)
dinner: 4 oz pork tenderloin (140), 1/2 c. rice pilaf (100), steamed carrots (50)
snack? we'll see how bad the mall goes
total: 1415 - looks like I can snack on something after dinner, I'm thinking one cookie and one cup skim milk (250). So new total: 1665

Activity: strength training and aerobics

Hm, gotta keep trying

2008-12-17T19:18:00.000-08:00

Ok, so yesterday was a huge disaster. Oh sure, I exercised, I journaled, but did I stick to the food plan? Hell no. Don't know what happened, but I completely lost all will power. I made oatmeal raisin cookies and ate at least a dozen. No, I'm not giving up, just feel at a loss.

Today, I didn't journal, but at least the cookie intake was down to two. Whew. And the rest of the meals were on the healthy end of the spectrum.

So I'm taking a moment to plan TOMORROW:

Activity: strength training/aerobics

Food:

breakfast: banana (140), toast w/no sugar jam (160)
snack: small orange (85), 2 small oatmeal cookies (300)
lunch: chicken soup (220)
snack: popcorn (240)
dinner: HC turkey meal (280)
snack: 2 chocolate cookies (300), 1 c. skim milk (90)
total: 1815

Getting It Under Control

2008-12-16T05:34:00.001-08:00

So, being busy is my excuse for not blogging/journaling/exercising. Hopefully with this effort put forth now, I'll get the health side of my life back under control.

Today's weight: 158, up 3 1/2 pounds since I last officially weighed in on Oct. 21. Not too bad, but I really don't want the weight to keep creeping up on me.

Weekly goals:

exercise - actually schedule it for Tues. (today), Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday
Journal foods
Keep daily calories in the 1500-1800 range (trying to be realistic w/holiday baking and partying)

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Today's exercise: cardio/strength training (DVD: Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn!)

Food:

preworkout banana (140)
breakfast: yogurt (100), toast w/no sugar jam (160)
snack: small orange (85)
lunch: tomato soup (220)
snack: popcorn (240)
dinner: lettuce/cucumber/tomato salad with salsa (80), green chili/chicken tamale (310), 1/2 c. rice (100)
snack: 2 oatmeal raisin cookies (240), 1 c. skim milk (90)
total: 1765 (amazing how quickly those calories add up!)

2008-10-23T10:05:00.000-07:00

Today's activity: cardio/strength training (DVD: Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn!)

Food:

breakfast: 2 slices toast w/no sugar apricot jam (150)
snack: banana (140)
lunch: turkey/ham sandwich (300), carrots (50), grapes (50)
snack: apple (100), yogurt (100)
dinner: salad (100); 1 cup rotini w/ground beef, onion, mushrooms, marinara sauce (400); broccoli (50)
snack:
total: 1420

2008-10-22T10:01:00.000-07:00

Food:

1 c. Total Raisin bran and skim milk (250)
snack: banana (140)
lunch: turkey/ham sandwich (300)
snack: yogurt (100), grapes (50)
dinner: salad (100); 1 cup rotini w/ground beef, onion, mushrooms, marinara sauce (400)
snack: ice cream (300)
total: 1640

Weekly Check-In

2008-10-21T14:42:00.000-07:00

Down 1/2 a pound. I really don't know how that's possible considering I ate and ate and ate. I did exercise, so that may be my saving grace.

I need to be more disciplined and keep track of daily eating and exercise. I keep saying this and not doing it. Let's hope this week I will do it.

Today's activity: cardio/strength training (Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn! with Amy Dixon)

Food:

breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs (200), toast w/no sugar jam (100)
snack: banana (140), yogurt (100)
lunch: sandwich (300), grape tomatoes (50)
snack: apple (100)
dinner: bun (100), 1/2 c. pulled pork (200?)
snack: small movie popcorn (600), diet coke
total: 1890

Weekly Check-In

2008-10-14T12:30:00.000-07:00

Today's weight: 155, down two from last week

Today's activity: cardio/strength training (Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn! with Amy Dixon)

Keeping track of calories sucks, but darn it, it works. So here goes:

Food:

breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs (200), toast w/low sugar jam (150)
lunch: pizza (560)
snack: popcorn (240)
dinner: chicken breast (260), salad (100)

2008-10-13T10:46:00.000-07:00

Food:

breakfast: 1 c. skim milk and Total Raisin bran (250)
snack: apple (100)
lunch: tomato soup (240)
snack: popcorn (240)
dinner: 1/2 chicken breast (), 1 c. rice (), broccoli (50)
snack: pumpkin pie ()

Sunday

2008-10-13T10:45:00.000-07:00

Today's activity: cardio/strength training (Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn! with Amy Dixon)

Staying Focused

2008-10-10T13:27:00.000-07:00

Today's activity: cardio/strength training (Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn! with Amy Dixon)

Food:

preworkout banana (140)
breakfast: 1 c. Total Raisin bran and skim milk (250)
lunch: turkey/ham sandwich (300), grapes (50)
snack: popcorn (240)
dinner: Healthy Choice turkey meal (300)
snack: fudge bar (100)
total: 1380

Late night activity: 1 mile flashlight hike with kids

Gotta' Focus

2008-10-09T08:17:00.000-07:00

I keep reading and hearing that people who journal what they eat, tend to lose twice as much weight as those who don't. I'm a believer. When I keep track of what goes into my piehole, I see results. I am really picky about what I eat, especially when I'm trying to keep within a specific calorie range.

Lately, I haven't been journaling. I feel it, I see it. I'm up four pounds from last week. So, here I go, yet again, dusting myself off and trying to focus on what's important: me. I must make time for myself and exercise and think out meals. Yes, life is busy, but I shouldn't use my family as an excuse for not continuing on this journey.

Ready? Well, I AM! Here I go:

Today's activity: cardio/strength training (Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn! with Amy Dixon)

Food:

preworkout banana (140)
breakfast: yogurt (100), apple (100)
lunch: McD's Asian salad w/grilled chicken and low fat sesame ginger dressing (390), cupcake (250)
snack: popcorn (120), strawberries (50)
dinner: 1/2 c. tuna helper (150), green beans (30)
snack: fudge bar (100)
total: 1430

Yes, Still Here

2008-10-02T04:33:00.000-07:00

So, a surprise vacation to Mexico last week...

A friend and I grabbed our kids and headed to the border. Four kids, ages 4, 3, 2 and 1, and two adults. Lots of fun, lots of feeding and cleaning, lots of crying and apologies and learning to get along. The beach was amazing, and the kids loved playing in the water during low tide and finding hermit crabs and little fishies in the tide pools.

We stayed in my friend's sister's time share, so we took advantage of the kitchen and brought all our food and water. I'm proud to say, meals typically included fruit and veggies, so we ate well. Sure, there were indulgences, oh on the lines of a smore or two, but nothing too horrific.

So, stepping on the scale Wednesday... 153. Somehow managed to lose three pounds since last weigh-in. Must have been all that running after kids and making sure they don't drown in the sea.

2008-09-18T06:23:00.000-07:00

Activity: cardio/strength training (DVD: Perfect Body Workout with Amy Dixon)

Food:

pre-workout banana (140)
breakfast: 1 slice toast w/reduced calorie strawberry jam (80), yogurt (100)
lunch: turkey sandwich (300), 1 c. pasta salad (200)
snack: popcorn (240)
dinner: 1/2 terriyaki chicken breast (140), 1/2 c. rice w/seasonings (100), steamed carrots (50)
snack: fudge bar (80)
total: 1430

Helping my daughter learn how to use the potty today. Does that mean I get to count sprinting to the bathroom as an aerobic exercise?

Still Here and Checking In

2008-09-16T06:23:00.000-07:00

Drumroll please...

Today's weight: 156

Three more pounds of vacation gluttony to lose. But joy, oh joy, I earned my 20 pound bling back! Whoo-hoo!

Today's activity: cardio/strength training (Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn! with Amy Dixon)

Food:

preworkout banana (140)
breakfast: scrambled egg (100), 1 slice toast w/reduced sugar strawberry jam (50)
lunch: veggie/rice soup (120)
snack: grapes (50)
dinner: beef empanada (840), 1/2 c. Mexican rice (150), salad w/avacado(150)/grape tomatoes (20)/cucumbers (10)/lime vinaigrette dressing (50)
total: 1680 (I hear you shaking your head at me. I know, I know, I'm 80 calories over my daily limit, but I can't deny myself one empanada. I'm trying a new recipe that uses refrigerated pie crusts, and that alone is 440 calories. Oh sure, I could leave out the avacado, um wait, no I can't. Hey, it's Mexican food, you have to have an avacado in there somewhere!!! At least I'm not turning it into guacamole and combining it with fat laden tortilla chips. And yes, I must have the Mexican rice - duh. Look at the bright side of things, I'm planning this ahead and am quite aware of where the calories are coming from. I promise to get out the measuring spoons to help with portion control.)

Planning Ahead Helps

2008-09-15T06:46:00.000-07:00

Food:

breakfast: 1 c. 2 percent milk and Total Raisin bran (280)
snack: banana (140)
lunch: turkey sandwich (300), 1/2 c. pasta salad (100)
snack: light popcorn (140)
dinner: 3 oz. beef pot roast (280), 1 c. sweet potatoes (110), 1/2 c. parsnips (50), 1/4 c. celery root (15), gravy made from diced tomatoes/maple syrup/seasonings (80)
snack: fudge bar (80)
total: 1575

Yoga pose, say "Ohmmmm..." I AM AWARE!!!

Glad I planned today's meals ahead. Originally I thought 1 cup pasta salad would be alright, but when I totaled the day's calories, I found I was about 100 calories over my limit. Changing it to 1/2 cup serving allowed me to stay within the daily range I set.

Day One

2008-09-14T14:23:00.000-07:00

I've been back from a wonderful fun filled vacation for a week now. On one hand, I'm feeling elated that I got to spend so much time playing with my kids and husband. On the other hand, I'm feeling a bit depressed about the weight I've gained due to serious over indulging in the eating department. To make matters worse, I spent last week just ignoring the fact that I gained at least four pounds, and didn't get back into exercise mode or journal one single day.

I'm already feeling a bit jigglier. My muscle definition is starting to fade. Pants and shirts are getting a bit snug. It's time to take charge over my health and be aware again of what I eat and get my now growing derriere back into motion. No, I'm not waiting for Monday, I'm starting today!

Today is day one of the new me. I'm setting goals, looking ahead to feeling healthier. I will not let myself gain any more of the weight I've lost or lose any more muscle. I must take action NOW!

Goals:

Current weight is 157. I will weigh 150 by November 2 (seven weeks from now).
I will exercise at least four times a week.
I will measure portions and journal every bite.
I will consume 1300 - 1600 calories a day.

Four goals, simplicity at work.
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Activity: cardio/strength training (DVD: Perfect Body Workout with Amy Dixon)

Food:

preworkout banana (140)
breakfast: 1/2 banana (70)
lunch: turkey/ham sandwich (300) and 1 c. pasta salad w/broccoli, grape tomatoes, black olives, mozzarella, turkey pepperoni, and light Italian dressing (200)
snack: popcorn (240)
dinner: 8 oz lemon herb chicken breast (220), 1 c. roasted asparagus (50), 1/2 c. rice pilaf (155)
snack:
total: 1375

Day 154/Weekly Check-In

2008-08-30T07:37:00.000-07:00

Usually I step on the scale on Tuesdays, but our little family is heading out tomorrow for a long needed vacation. This morning the scale read 153.5. That means I'm down 1.5 from last week. Thank goodness I'm getting back on track. Now, I hope to keep it going and eat sensibly while touristing Carlsbad and San Diego.

Today's activity: cardio/strength training (Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn!)

Food:

breakfast: banana (140), bread w/no sugar raspberry jam (150)
snack: yogurt (100)
lunch: turkey sandwich (300), Greek salad (100)
dinner: meatloaf (400), 1/2 c. mashed potatoes (100), peas (50)
total: 1340

Have a great week everyone!!! Legoland, here I come.

Day 153

2008-08-29T12:11:00.001-07:00

Food:

breakfast: 1 c. skim milk and Total Raisin Bran (250)
snack: banana, cheese (200)
lunch: turkey sandwich (300), carrots (50), four bean salad (130)
snack: popcorn (260)
dinner: 2 fish fillets (220), cucumber/grape tomatoes/red pepper salad (100)
Pria chocolate bar (110), 2 c. skim milk (180), fudge bar (100)
total: 1900

Day 152

2008-08-28T07:32:00.000-07:00

Today's activity: cardio/strength training (DVD - Women's Health: Train For Your Body Type)

Food:

breakfast: blueberry yogurt (100), 2 scrambled eggs (200), 2 slices toast w/no sugar raspberry jam (150)
lunch: vegetable barley soup (120)
snack: popcorn (260)
dinner: Healthy Choice Salisbury Steak w/ mixed veggies, red potatoes and apple crisp (360), carrots
snack: 1 c. skim milk (90), Pria chocolate peanut crunch (110), fudge bar (100)
total: 1540

Water intake (X=8 oz drunk, updated throughout day)
XXXXXXX

Day 151

2008-08-27T06:42:00.000-07:00

Food:

breakfast: 1 c. milk and Total Cinnamon Crunch (280)
orange (50)
lunch: turkey/ham sandwich (300), roasted asparagus (100)
snack: popcorn (280)
dinner: HC Herb chicken w/mixed veggies, red potatoes, cherry crisp (240)
snack: cake (300? a guess for a 2 x 2 inch piece of white cake w/strawberry filling and cheesecake frosting)
total: 1550

Water intake (X=8 oz drunk, updated throughout the day)
XXXXXXXX

I'm planning today ahead, and I think I've made some much healthier choices compared to yesterday, and especially with the total weekend melt down. Now I just need to stick with it. (The pear turned into a slice of cake, oh well, still within my daily range.)

Day 150/Weekly Check-In

2008-08-26T14:44:00.001-07:00

Thank goodness for weekly check-ins and accountability. I lost most of my will power last week, resulting in two pounds gained! UGH!!! I'm disappointed, but hey, these things happen. So, let me try again, starting with these goals for the upcoming week:

JOURNAL FOOD INTAKE (This is the area where I fell flat on my face last week. I made these scrumptious ooey gooey chocolatey caramel bars for a girls' night out, and I think I ate more than half of a 9 x 13 pan of the stuff.)
Exercise (cardio and strength training) at least four times
Keep track of water consumed
Daily calorie range: 1300-1600

Keeping it simple, hoping to stick to the plan.

A thought about my recently acquired two pounds...
It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.
-Unknown
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Today's activity: cardio/strength training (Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn!)

Food:

breakfast: 1 c. Total cinnamon crunch (280)
snack: mini cinnamon roll (100), grapes (30)
lunch: Southwest vegetable soup (120), croissant (340)
snack: Pria Mint chocolate cookie bar (110)
dinner: turkey sandwich (300), 1/4 c. potato salad (120), 1/2 pound roasted asparagus (120)
snack: small slice of cake (200?)
total: 1740 (uh oh, 140 over my limit, tomorrow I've got to do better)

I know there are a lot of sweets on today's menu. I need to get my sweet tooth under control.

Day 144

2008-08-20T06:34:00.001-07:00

Food:

breakfast: 1 c. Total Cinnamon Crunch and skim milk (280)
snack: apple (100), cookie (150)
lunch: vegetable soup (120)
snack: popcorn (240)
dinner: 1 c. chicken and cheese tortellini (360), steamed broccoli (50)
snack: fudge bar (100)
total: 1400

Day 143

2008-08-19T07:38:00.000-07:00

I had to do a double take when looking at the scale this morning. Stepping off and back again three times made the same number appear: 153. Wow, down one pound this week! Saying I am thrilled is an understatement. It's amazing how much our weight can fluctuate within twelve hours. Last night I got on the dreaded scale, knowing this week has been anything but stellar, and I was up two pounds heavier. It's good to know you don't have to be perfect to lose weight, just somewhere in the ballpark. I really believe exercising and becoming more aware of portion sizes has helped out a lot.

Goals this week:

Journal, journal, journal (and don't finish my kids' meals!)
Keep within a 1300-1600 calorie range
Exercise (cardio and strength training) at least four times during the week
Drink water

Onward, downward, and healthier everyone!

When once you have tasted flight you will always walk the earth with your eyes turned skyward: for there you have been and there you will always be.
- Henry Van Dyke
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Activity: cardio/strength training (Women's Health: Ultimate Fat Burn!)

Food:

breakfast: banana (140), 1 c. Wheat Chex and skim milk (280)
lunch: turkey sandwich (300)
snack: popcorn (240)
dinner: 1 c. chicken and wild rice casserole (370)
snack: fudge bar (100), cookie (150)
total: 1580

Day 142

2008-08-18T06:45:00.000-07:00

Saturday and Sunday I did not journal foods or exercise. I did manage to sneak in a good cardio and strength training workout on Sunday and choose reasonable enough foods, but Saturday was a bust. Sigh. But I'm still on this journey, wanting to continue getting healthier.

Food:

breakfast: 2 scrambled eggs (200), 1/2 c. salsa (40), toast w/no sugar jam (150)
snack: 1 c. pineapple (80)
lunch: McD's grilled chicken sandwich (420)
snack: Pria double chocolate cookie bar (100), 1 c. skim milk (90)
dinner: 1 c. cheeseburger macaroni casserole (300), broccoli (50)
snack: fudge bar (100)
total: 1530