Another day... without the treadmill.

Okay, to give credit where it's due... I did make the EFFORT to get on the treadmill this morning. I don't know what it was, but I woke up at 6am ready to go! The problem? My treadmill isn't getting any better... it's getting worse. It sounds like an old creaky mattress now. I had to stop jogging before the neighbours complain about me. I bit the bullet today and called the treadmill fix-it man. It'll cost $115 but they figure they'll be able to fix it. They fixed the motor for me a year or so ago and I know they're good. The good news in it all is Alex is helping me fund the treadmill repairs. I did actually think about jogging outside. The problem is that no matter when it is (before or after work) it would now be in the dark and I'm not entirely comfortable jogging by myself in the dark around here. I'm sure it would be fine... but I'm also sure I'd hear about it from my mom and alex later (they would disapprove no doubt).

I did vow to do the biggest loser workout tonight... but that didn't happen. I'm just too exhausted after work. I think sitting at a desk all day makes me feel MORE tired sometimes.

I managed to stick to my new rule today. No carbs after 4pm and no eating after 7pm. We'll see how long that kick lasts (precautionary addendum: this rule does not apply on Thursday or Fridays and sometimes Saturdays and Sundays! haha!).

Here's what I ate today:
Breakfast: slim fast shake in 1c skim milk (4)
Lunch: salad with 2oz chicken breast (2), skim milk mozzarella (2), veggies (0), 3 tbsp ff italian (0)... 7 strawberries (1)... source exotik yogurt (1)
Dinner concoction: 4oz chicken breast (4), tomato (0), red and yellow peppers (0), part skim mozzarella (2), 2 egg whites (0)... SF jello made with 3 sliced strawberries (0), 1/2c source dessert selections lemon meringue yogurt (2)
Total points: 18 (less today since I ate too many yesterday)
Water: 1.5L (going to get 1L more in tonight!)

So, my dinner started out with just throwing some chicken, tomato and peppers in the frying pan with some PAM... once that was cooked up I decided to do like the Chinese often do and add egg (but decided 2 egg whites was much healthier) and then some cheese (because cheese makes everything better).

Here's a photo before the egg and cheese:


And here's one post egg and cheese:


And just for fun... my SF black cherry jello (from the states) with sliced strawberries:


happy hump day to all!

The good (and the bad. Why must there be bad?)

Today started out well (aside from having to go to a funeral visitation... my poor friend lost her grandmother on Friday. Breaks my heart. I remember so vividly that time of hell for my family and I just hate seeing people I care about going through it. It sucks).

I don't mean for this post to be a downer. Let's stay focused on what this blog is about... FOOD... oh rather, WEIGHT LOSS!!

I didn't get on the treadmill today. I vow, tomorrow I will. Even if it's just for a half an hour to get back into the swing... I have GOT to get under control. I need to be back in routine and STRONG because christmas will be here before we know it (see that countdown above?? Only 87 days away!).

Yesterday I tried something I found at shoppers. It's called the slimquick energy something or other and MAN it gave me energy. In fact, it gave me the jitters... but I was raring to go all day. I may try the 2nd one (they come in a package of 2) tomorrow being my first day back at the treadmill... I'll need all the boost I can get.

Today I tried the sweet and sour chicken smart ones... LOVED IT! I also learned smart ones now has a canadian website at http://www.eatyourbest.ca - you can find out all of the products in canada and what's new!


Okay, so here's what i ate today (brace yourself, the end is scary).
Breakfast: egg beaters (1) with 2 egg whites (0), ff cheese slice (1), whole red grapefruit (2)
Lunch: sweet and sour chicken smart ones (4), ocean's tuna chili flavour (2), nectarine (1)
Snack offered by a coworker: small hello dolly square (maybe 4?)
Dinner: salad with 2oz chicken breast (2), 30g light old cheddar (2), 3tbsp ff italian (0), veggies and lettuce (0), apple (1)
THEN... i broke open the new chocolate bars I had stashed in my desk. BAD JEN.
HS Snack: 4 singles chocolate bars (8)
Total Points: 28
Water: 2L (going to drink 1 more before bed)

I'm off to watch Jon and Kate plus 8 and then THE HILLS... then off to bed.

Happy Monday. It's GREAT to be back to posting!!

PS - See my ticker? I have updated it to reflect my weight gain over the last little while. Quite depressing. I'm going to update it now to reflect a new goal that I will aim to achieve by Christmas!

Home again, home again.. jiggidy jig

Okay, first off... my camera is MIA. Actually, it's not missing. It's broken. Not broken really.. just feeling under the weather. Luckily it's under warranty and it's been sent back to Nikon to be fixed. It's just the spring that's broke where the memory card sits... no biggie, however now I am without camera for at least 6 weeks!!! At least I'll get it back in plenty of time for Christmas (and hopefully wedding #3!).

Tara... I'm not sure when you return... but WELCOME BACK!! I didn't even bother posting while you were gone because I knew I didn't have a reader (unless Alex happened to tune in).

Now my dear Mrs... I shall update you on what you've missed.

First and foremost - BATH AND BODY WORKS IS NOW OPEN AT YORKDALE! I have been... everything is the same as the US! The soaps are 3 for $12 instead of 3 for $10. Wallflowers and refills are 2 for $20. I have soooo much soap already so I just got a couple for my mom and sister (warm vanilla) AND I got kitchen lemon!! They look the exact same except for the french on the label along with the english.

Now, there are a few new food items I have found whilst you were away.

Pringles stix (pizza, honey, vanilla and wheat flavours - 2pts each and yummy!)


Second... new singles chocolate bars in the flavours of caramel aero and after eight!



And... there's 7 new smart ones dinners! Unfortunately about 6 of them are all chicken or turkey... BUT there is a tuna au gratin one that I have tried and LOVED (if you like a tuna casserole dish you may like it). BUT there's also a new smart ones dessert... the strawberry shortcake one!!

Now, after the weddings (and eating a LOT and not going to WW or near a scale for THREE WEEKS) I was up 6lbs last week... this week I was down 1lb. Now it's time to get BACK to the downwards spiral I had once before.

Today was spent running errands and cleaning and putting together a pantry. In all the bustle I actually didn't really eat.

I will go back to recording my intake here (hopefully) tomorrow... if not, then tuesday!!

Welcome back newlyweds!

It's been a whirlwind, but I'm back!

I survived being in 2 weddings 2 weekends in a row. The fun is over and it's back to reality... Which also means back to the old routine of losing weight. The good news is that I ate like a crazy fat woman all weekend but am only up 1lb from Thursday. HOWEVER, I had been up a few pounds from my last weigh in... so, this week will be spent trying to recover.

I think at some point over the past couple of months I realized I wasn't going to be at the weight I wanted to for the weddings and I gave up. Now I feel like I'm back to just doing it for me... without the pressure of a time line. I did have every intention of getting on the treadmill today (had the running gear on and all)... but kept unpacking and organizing and cleaning and the morning escaped me. At least my place has some sort of order back to it (it has been lacking this for a good few weeks now it seems). An organized house means feeling more relaxed and ready to tackle weight watchers.

Here's how today went:
Breakfast - slimfast shake (2) in 1c skim milk (2)
lunch - smart ones spicy szechuan frozen dinner (3)
PM snack - apple (1)
Dinner - salad with tuna (2) and allegro cheese (1) and ff italian 3tbsp (0), blood orange (1), nectarine (1)
HS snack - 15 baked tostito scoops (2), salsa (0), cake batter (2?)
Total points = 17 (should be more, but I'm still trying to recover from the weekend)
Water = 3L

Now, some photos of Alex and I at the weddings:

I'm still here

I didn't go weigh in last week and I'm not going this week...

I'll be back in full force next week and back to being on my way to goal weight!!

Crunch time!

Who would have thought the time would be upon us. 1 week from tonight I will have completed the baking for wedding #1's cake/cupcakes... and will be preparing to spend the following day with the bride. 2 weeks from tonight I'll be gearing up for wedding #2. 3 weeks from tonight it's already on to planning wedding events for wedding #3 (already getting the guest list in order for the bridal shower!).

I digress. I didn't post yesterday as Alex and I spent a "sick" day together. More like a mental health day... a day just for the 2 of us. It was his idea and it was one of his best ones!

Today I slept in but managed to get on the treadmill tonight for a nice and lengthy jog. I ate pretty well in order to make up for caving yesterday and having a falafel pita (since the falafels are deep fried).

Here's how today shaped up:
Breakfast - peach (1)
Lunch - tomato and cucumber in vinegar and mrs dash (0), watermelon (2), 2 nectarines (2), strawberries (1)
PM snack - 60g allegro cheese (2) plus a random spoonful of jam (1)
Dinner - ONTARIO tomatoes (0), peppers (0), red onion (0) with about 1/4c quinoa (1), broccoli and cauliflower and baby carrots steamed with mrs dash (0), watermelon (1)

I am LOVING all of the Ontario vegetables lately... here's a couple of photos of my food this week.

tomatoes with onion and peppers and roasted chicken breast:














Tonight's tomato/quinoa dinner!

I survived another wedding event weekend (barely!)

I am here... I'm just exhausted. Another busy weekend (but these busy weekends are now numbered and I will actually miss being so social!).

Friday was running errands and doing cooking and baking (while Alex enjoyed the Olympics... a safe distance from the kitchen). Saturday was up early and heading to Pontypool to drop off stuff (starting to gather things there for the weddings and making Jess' wedding cake). I was there for about an hour then it was off to Bowmanville to get the bachelorette party under way. The spa arrived and we all had pedicures for the most part (while snacking on appetizer food). I resisted the food and was good. The spa people left and I had a few drinks (and felt the alcohol right away)... THEN the eating started. I ate anything I wanted. I couldn't even begin to tell you what I ate. I remember alcohol, dips and pitas, breaded appetizers... and other things I'm sure. Then it was dinner... BBQ. Luckily the BBQ was mammoth burgers (which my stomach still doesn't allow me to eat)... so I had a hamburger bun with tomato, onion, cheese and lettuce... and pasta salad and ceasar salad... then chocolate covered banana... and more drinks. We headed out for the bar and I had a couple of Bud Lights and tequila shots (EEK!). The night ended early as most people were tired and had a long drive home... so a few of us got PIZZA and I ate the remainders of a cream cheese/caramel apple dip (minus the apples. I ate the dip plain). The next morning I was up bright and early to head back to Pontypool. This is where my stomach rejected what I had tried to make it endure the night before. I managed to get a bit of sleep and then it was up to decorate dad and kristen's birthday cake before I headed out with mom and dad to meet up with everyone at montana's for lunch. we met alex, michele and jacob and simon and kristen and kurt and had ourselves some lunch (turkey club on whole wheat, minus the bacon, with a side salad with ff balsamic on the side). once we were done we headed back to pontypool yet again to do presents and cake... and go gaga over Simon. By 6pm Alex and I decided to head back towards the city. We were in separate cars so he headed straight home and I headed out to get groceries. I was back in my place by 8:15pm. What a long weekend. I went to bed last night at 9:30 and slept through until 7:30 this morning.

everything is catching up and tomorrow has already been declared a sick day.

BUT, today I stepped on the scale (after not stepping on Sunday)... I'm up 1.8lbs since Saturday morning. Could be worse I suppose. I'm probably lucky my stomach rejected what I tried to put in it Saturday!

Today I have done well (aside from lack of activity... of course)
Breakfast - peach (1)
Morning snack - peach (1)
Lunch - tomato and cucumber with sea salt (0), peach (1), strawberries (1), 2 tins of oceans spicy thai tuna (4)
Dinner - roasted chicken (5) cooked in fresh ontario tomatoes and peppers (0)
Snack - watermelon (1)

Okay, so it doesn't appear like I ate enough today... but I'm trying to stick to the fruit/vegetables/protein plan like I did on that diet... just for now.

Guess what my name is (again) this week!

I was down 2lbs tonight!!!

I'll take it. My activity has been less than desirable, but I'm trying to make up for it in what i'm eating. I can't create more hours in the day to feel like I have more time for myself... therefore I can have more control over what goes in my mouth (oh dear, if Alex is reading this he is dying of laughter for his mind is in the gutter). The way I phrased it to alex tonight was that I'm trying to eat what I NEED, not what I WANT (until the weddings are over with anyway).

We went to the foodcourt to grab dinner tonight. He had a really rough day at work (such a sad story I could cry if I share it with you, so I will spare you the details on his poor client)... and I was just blah (despite my scale victory). He grabbed manch wok and I had Caribbean Queen. I had chicken and steamed rice... it was yummy.

I'll be fine tomorrow, my challenge will be Saturday. Bachelorette party. I think I can... no, I mean I KNOW I can control myself for dinner... It will just be the drinks that will add up in points. Then we have dad and kristen's birthdays at lunch sunday at montana's followed by cake in Pontypool. I can come out on top. i have a couple of dresses riding on my will power.

Thought for the day: I have such a great boyfriend. Seriously, how did I get so lucky? Now that you are all puking... I will leave you to ponder my query.

What happened to Tuesday?

It took me a minute, but I figured out what I did Tuesday. Ran an errand after work and then came home to bake cupcakes for a bridal shower at work today. Tonight I met up with my friend Karey for dinner after work... now I'm home and am ready for quality time with my couch. This week has ended up being a write-off for activity.

Today didn't involve much food. I have decided to really cut back since my activity sucks. I can't seem to find time for the treadmill (although am wishing I had good enough shoes to start running outside with my ipod sometimes. Tara - I think I will summons you to help me find good shoes at some point!).

Today I ate:
breakfast - watermelon (1), nectarine (1)
Lunch - tomato (0), avocado (4), watermelon (1)
Dinner - balsamic salad at William's coffee pub (3) with 2 small flatbread wedges (?2), watermelon (1)
(Can we tell I'm trying to eat up a whole watermelon before it goes bad??)
Snack - FF cool whip stuff (2)

Okay Tara... I have taken my other dress in to get altered, so I'll take a photos of myself in it when I get it back and it fits better! Turns out the dress for yours doesn't need alterations... the lady said it's tight through the body but it should be fine. It comes to an inch (maybe 2?) below the bottom of my knee... does that sound about right? If it needs to come up higher I can still take it in to get altered! My shoes... they may need your approval still. They are a taupe-ish colour but they have a shine to them. They're not beige... they're not gold... they're not silver... they're basically a neutral colour. I got them at payless. I'll show you a photo but the colour does not look at ALL the same (the photo looks silver!) I do think it looks good with the dress... but I don't know if it's the colour you really had in mind!! Did Anita and Wendy find theirs, do you know?



Good luck tomorrow to all!!!!

what have I done?

I didn't get my activity in this weekend as I had hoped. I ate more than I hoped.

Tara - we are on the same "plan" it seems.

I have a huge headache now and I need sleep. I met Steph for dinner tonight and behaved rather well. We just went to the OC and had foodcourt... I had teriyaki minus the rice or noodles (so, vegetables with some shrimp cooked on a grill in water).

Tomorrow, I take my dresses to get altered.

Also - I got shoes for Tara's wedding! Now I have both bridesmaid dresses and shoes for both!!!

I will be back tomorrow (sans headache I hope!).

happy monday!