It's only Wednesday?

Today has been a typical Wednesday. Uneventful. For the 2nd evening in a row I came straight home from work. Poor Alex has a big trial coming up so he is very busy at work... which means, I stay out of his way. Although it sucks not seeing him for a few days, coming home and having some down time is nice (especially when weekends don't exist for you).

Today I pulled off a full 1hr jog before work and walked for 55min at lunch. Just for fun I wore my cheapo kellogg's pedometer today. Before I came home from work I had taken a total of 12904 steps. You're supposed to aim for 10,000 apparently. At least I surpassed that.

I don't know what to say about the scale. To be honest, it's fluctuating this week. Not for lack of effort (again). I think I did better this week than last week even... normally the scale goes in a downward pattern from the weekend on... but yesterday it had me UP, so who knows. Having my period this week doesn't help. It sucks. I'm not as bad as last week when I was sure I'd be UP... but because the scale surprised me so much by the end of the day last week (on Thurs), I don't know what tomorrow will bring! Time will tell.

Here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: watermelon and grapes (4)
Snack: 6 dates (2)
Lunch: salad with veggies and cheese (2), EVOO balsamic dressing (2), yogurt (1)
Snack: lemon larabar (4)
Dinner: turkey meatballs (2), wasabi peas (2) - odd dinner, yes. I love those wasabi peas though.
Total: 19
Water: 4L

I have to admit... I am worried about Tara. She struggled last week and we haven't heard from her this week... which usually means she is busy. I hope she is having fun and not struggling!!

See you tomorrow... THURSDAY (aka SUB DAY!).

It's a tough Tuesday!

I am struggling... and I am winning (and as a result, perhaps losing?). I am hungry tonight. There are fresh chocolate chip cookies in the kitchen. I want one (or two or three). I have not even TOUCHED them.

Today I allowed myself to sleep in. I woke up with a headache (day #3 of this headache... and I STILL have it. What's up with that?). I still walked at lunch though. Tonight has consisted of being lazy. I didn't get into any cooking and/or baking because I have no hot water... which means I can't do dishes and clean up. How do I cope with this situation? I spend the evening on the couch (and hope my headache goes away).

Here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: 1/2c kashi (2), 1/2c milk (1), fruit salad (2)
Snack: 5 dates (2), 3 dried strawberries (1)
Lunch: flatout wrap (1) with veggies (0), 4 turkey meatballs (2), salsa (0), watermelon (1), yogurt (1)
Snack: motivate protein bar (4), fruit bites (2)
Dinner: mexican chicken (2) with salsa, onion, black beans and corn (0)
Total: 21
Water: 5L

I'm off to watch some TV (90210) in bed and hope my headache goes away by morning!

Happy hump day. I want a cookie.

Ode to the dried strawberry!

Some questions have come up (on here and from coworkers) about the exact nutritional information and points values for these yummy little treats.

I wish they were the same as regular strawberries... alas, they are not.

The information I've found online about them is as follows:
40g (approx 1/2c), which is approx 10 strawberries
Cal 150
Fat 0
Sodium 0
Carbs 34
Fibre 3
Sugar 29
Total = 2pts

I typically only eat about 5 strawberries now (because they are $$!!!), which is only 1pt. As soon as you have 3 of them they even appear to be 1pt.

It's unfortunate they are so many points, but just because they are so expensive... I'm okay with portion controlling them!!

Happy May 2-4!

So... happy holiday! I hope everyone enjoyed their long weekend. I worked yesterday and today (3:30 to 11:30), but time and a half pay today makes it well worth it. Take note though - it's 11pm and I am at home, in my pj's... blogging... and still getting paid! Tonight's shift was awesome. Aside from working with a girl with such a severe eating disorder she has to be in 5 point restraints constantly... She remained in restraints and I got paid to sit and watch TV with her (not only got paid, got paid time and a half!). Come 10:20 I was told to just go home... I have been home for 20min now!!!

So, today consisted of a nice 1hr jog and baking like 6 dozen chocolate chip cookies. I took some to work to share with the nurses (it was nursing week last week AND it's a holiday today, they deserve baked goods). I wasn't so hungry this morning... I'm not sure why.

Bottom line? I didn't eat much... but here's what I did eat...
Breakfast: 2 dates (1), 2 cookies - oops! (3)
Lunch: quinoa (2), meatballs (2)
Snack: fruit salad (3)
Dinner: taco salad with veggies (0), black beans and corn (0), cheese (2), chicken (3), salsa (0)... edamame (1), yogurt (1)
Total: 18
Water: 3L
I am happy to report I resisted any more cookies once I was at work... and resisted the chocolate cake (with chocolate icing) that a night RN brought in... and tonight I am not eating anything once home. In fact, I must head to bed... 6am comes early and I need sleep!!

Happy short work week!!

It's a fruitastic healthy weekend!

First things first, happy long weekend! I have enjoyed one day off... today I worked and tomorrow I work as well (hello time and a half!).

Yesterday consisted of shopping for many hours (lot's of healthy snacks and lot's of fruit!), and then some relaxing.

Today was a bit more shopping, some cooking/food prep, some jogging... and going to work.

Here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: 1c. kashi crunch (4), 1/2c milk (1), fruit salad (2)
Snack: kashi dark chocolate and cherry bar (2)
Lunch: 1/2c sun dried tomato quinoa (2), home made turkey n' veggie meatballs (4), dates (2), dried strawberries (1), wasabi soy nuts (1)
Dinner: peppers, zucchini and chicken (2), tomatoes and cucumber salad w/ vinegar and mrs. dash (0), yogurt (1), 1/4c bbq soy nuts (2)
Total: 24
Water: 4L

Some photos from the last couple of days...
The cereal bought yesterday...
This one is yummy!Kashi crunch with a sprinkle of smart bran... sooooo good!
soy nuts (plain, roasted, unsalted) WASABI PEAS!!!
Dried strawberries (at the bulk barn. Very expensive. VERY yummy) Wasabi soy nuts... yumm! I love wasabi BBQ soy nuts
Dates (plain... but still plenty sweet)
Chicken flatout wrap (yesterday's lunch)
FRUIT!! I bought soooo much fruit yesterday. Hello summer!
Today's lunch (sun dried tomato quinoa with some turkey n' veggie meatballs I baked last night)

The sun dried tomato quinoa is quite yummy. It's from my "eating clean" recipe book. The turkey meatballs are just ground turkey and chopped/pureed veggies. All mixed together, formed into balls and baked.

Happy Victoria Day! Tomorrow's plans are to bake some cookies, do some jogging... and go to work!

The day after...

It's the day after my miraculous loss. The scale has reminded me NOT to get cocky. It was back up this morning. I don't care, my subway and chocolate cupcake were worth it.

It's the long weekend for all of us Monday to Friday people... unless you're me and have to work 2 jobs to get the money you want. I was supposed to work Saturday, Sunday AND Monday, but I asked if I could have Saturday off and my Clinical Leader at SickKids granted that request! She said she doesn't want me to work too much and time off is good... I just have to let her know when I want/need it, otherwise she'll book me for as many shifts as possible (because she knows I have said I need the money). Soooo... I have Saturday OFF!

This weekend's plan is totally stay on track. No bad food, no 'cheats'... just me and my healthy ways. I will also get some nice jogs in there (today was a day off... but will still walk at lunch... and Tuesday will have to be a day off I anticipate because I am working until midnight on Monday).

Here's what today has looked like for my tummy...
Breakfast: ww toast (1), 2 egg whites (0), 15g light cheddar (1)
Lunch: salad with veggies (0), hot peppers (0), kalamata olives (0), 1/2c chick peas (2), 30g light cheddar (2), my favourite HOT EVOO balsamic dressing (2), yogurt (1), pomegranate apple sauce (1)
Snack: either edamame (1)
Dinner: Mongolian Grill! The plan is to stick to veggies and chicken/shrimp. I will have ice cream (full fat dairy for dessert, healthy once in a while!). I'll come back to update. I'm leaving now and remembering to take my camera... yay for food porn!
*Back, DINNER: chicken and vegetables (1), crabmeat (1), 2 bite sized devilled eggs (2), bourbon chicken (3), shrimp in tomato sauce (2), ice cream (6)
Total: 26

Enjoy FRIDAY!!

Before I go though... Who else was blown away by the end of Grey's last night? I did NOT see the whole 'George' story coming from a km away!!! I was in shock!!

If anyone is interested... there are some photos here from the Biggest Loser finale party: http://www.flickr.com/photos/dietsinreview/sets/72157618142994764/

Holy CRAP

I don't know how it happened, but..

I was down 0.8lbs!

Let me give you a run down of the week... I was up 4-6lbs all week. The scale did not seem to move. I was discouraged (who wouldn't be?). This morning the scale moved down a little and I predicted I was up 2lbs. Tonight I got home from work and hopped on the scale really quickly before WW... The scale had me just about the same as last week. Bizarre, but nice... so I thought maybe I would be up only a little, or by some miracle I would stay the same.

When I stepped on the WW scale and they said it was down... I think I felt my jaw hit the floor. I swear, I am not one of these annoying girls who says (every week) that they think they will be up in weight (even when they know they're down)... I really did think that I was up all week!! The cute WW girl who was there last summer is back (she is a student and is back for her summer now)... she is so sweet, she told me you would never guess I weigh what I do and I look great. Perhaps many people would take that to be an insult, but I thought it was sweet... I look like I weigh less than I do (likely got you wondering how much I weigh, didn't I? haha!)

Today did involve a bit longer, a bit more intense run... and a 50min walk at lunch (the 5K walk). Tonight involved subway (a treat from Alex... a man true to his word) and a cupcake. I think I will now save the end of my points for today and have some popcorn during the finale of Grey's.

Happy Friday to all. I think we may go to Mongolion Grill for dinner tomorrow. I will try to remember and take my camera so you may see my glorious healthy food. Then the rest of the weekend will involve relaxing on Saturday (including errands, grocery shopping, etc)... and working Sunday and Monday at sickkids (hello time and a half pay on Monday! yay!).

Well, good luck!

So... my prediction is I will be up 2lbs tonight. Yesterday I would have predicted 4lbs, so this scale likes me a little more today.

Good luck to Tara and me still. I hope Tara's scale gives her a pleasant surprise today!

Well, well...

First things first...
Okay, now... what do we think of Biggest Loser? What was more shocking to you... that Helen won? Or perhaps how unbelievably THIN she is? She is 5'6" and now weighs 117lbs. Is that not a bit much? If you go by her BMI (not the BEST thing, I realize)... she has a BMI of 18.9. She is bordering on being considered 'under weight'. It got me thinking... what would they have done (by 'they', I mean BL people) if she had actually come in under weight? 3lbs more and she would be under weight. Interesting. Also, how much weight did Tara lose after they left? She is at a good weight... I just didn't think she looked like she's lost a bit more?

Also... I did not enjoy the finale over all. I miss season 2 where we spent half the time following people while they were at home. What happened to the days of following Suzy and seeing her try on her size 10 pants ("right out of the dryer... and they're loose!"). Spending 3 hours watching people weigh in? Not so exciting. I guess the season is more exciting than the finale now. Boo.

So, on to me... the scale is just not my friend this week. It's absolutely not for lack of effort. I was hard on myself for my food choices on the weekend, when the truth is that I only used 7 flex points (but also had a few points leftover from Saturday... so really I only used 4 flex points this week). I've gotten in my jogs and walking... the scale is not moving. Bloat is my issue. I am PMS'ing something terrible. I feel moody, emotional, and like I'm a walking water balloon with a brick in my stomach. I don't mean to complain... I'm just trying to remind myself why the scale doesn't like me right now. Luckily, I'm not giving up. I still love that I'm losing weight and am going to totally keep at it.

I have had a lack of appetite today. I also am lacking energy. After being up late watching Biggest Loser, I slept in today. I have gotten zero activity in. Oh well. I did, however, come home and back chocolate peanut butter cheesecake cupcakes and have made a birthday card (all for my supervisor and her birthday tomorrow).

Here's the little bit I ate (I know, I know... it's not a lot).
Breakfast: 1/2c skim milk iced coffee (1), mott's applesauce (1)
Lunch: salad with veggies (0), hot peppers (0), 1/4c roasted soy nuts (1), EVOO balsamic - still LOVE this stuff (2), yogurt (1), pomegranate apple sauce (1)
Snack: 1/2c edamame (1)
Dinner: licking the spoon of cream cheese icing (2?), dried fruit (2)... that's all
Total: 12
Water: 3L
I did plan on cutting back today, but not this much... I planned on making dinner, but I'm too tired.

Next week's resolution? Remember to take my vitamins!!! I'm getting bad at slacking. Actually, I'm going to go get my pill container organized right now.

Good luck tomorrow. I am up... but it's okay. I will be down again next week!

HOORAY!

I am so happy for BL tonight. I don't know why I'm looking forward to tonight so much... moreso than other season finales.

I had a good day... stayed on program... but the scale this morning was NOT reflective of any efforts yesterday. I don't have high hopes for this week, but it is my 'bloated' week, so I'm okay with any results... I'm still not giving up. Goal weight awaits me.

I jogged this morning, walked at lunch... and I think I might get on the treadmill for another jog while watching biggest loser. I have to, it's so inspiring to me.

I'll be back later to update on my food today!

**I'm back**

Today has now included a jog this AM, a 3mph walk at lunch (for 40min today) and a 45min 3.5mph walk during Biggest Loser. I could have kept going, but decided I need to do dishes, make lunch for tomorrow... and wind down. I'm not giving up on this week just yet (although to be honest, I am 4lbs heavier today than I was last Tuesday. YIKES.

Here's what I ate...
Breakfast: 1/2c iced coffee with milk (1)
Post jog: protein shake with only a little fruit today (2)
Lunch: tomato, cucumber, onion, peppers, shrimp (2), chicken (1), cheese (2), kalamata olives (1), almonds (2)
Snack: peanut butter cookie larabar (4)
Dinner: salad with cheese (2), kalamata olives (1), EVOO and balsamic (1), dates (3)
Total: 22
Water: 2.5L (drinking less because I'm not at my regular office and washroom isn't as accessible. sucks!).

I am warning you all.... I am going to drasticaly decrease my points tomorrow if I can find the willpower... last ditch efforts for damage control before Thursday.

Also... go Jerry!!