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!

The results

Okay, my ticker is finally moving in the right direction!

I am down 1.2lbs today. I was hoping for more after how well I've behaved the last couple of weeks. i guess I should be happy I'm not UP now that I'm returning to 'normal' eating habits after last week... but I've still been working hard with my food. It's a start, right?

It's 9:30 and I'm already going to bed... I didn't get much sleep last night!

I treated myself to my sub (and some kisses and popcorn and 100cal golden oreos tonight. I am going to ROLL into bed).

Thursday, yet again!

Okay, you didn't see me last night because by the time I got home and got some stuff done it was around midnight... and I couldn't sleep, but still didn't post anything. I was up until 2:30am. The result? No treadmill today. The good news? I did get my butt on there yesterday (still have to jog in the top right corner... it's a jog and a balancing act until we figure out where the loud squeaky noise is coming from). I went to a bridal shower and didn't touch a single thing to eat (I had already eaten dinner). The temptation was there, but wasn't worth it to me!

I also picked up my bridesmaids dress at mom's house last night!! I looked at it was afraid it wouldn't fit... but it did! I was able to do it up on my own even! The problem? I still look like a bit of a whale in it... so I will be working on abs more now!! Helloooooo planks and sit ups! (Tara - I will email you a photo of me in the dress so you can see how I look in it).

What did I eat yesterday, you ask? Good question.
Breakfast - peach (1), guardian cereal (2), milk (1)
Lunch - soup (0), 1c brown rice (4), tomatoes with sea salt (0), 3c fresh fruit (3), grap/apple sauce (1)
Dinner - 4oz chicken breast (4), 2 cobs of corn (4)

There you have it. Tonight is WI... I think I will go back and treat myself to my sub tonight (just not have the same cheat night I usually do on Thursdays... or USED to do!).

Good luck to all whose WI is today!

Who doesn't love a good quickie?

Short, sweet... and to the point tonight. I'm tired and want to go to bed.

Which would you like first? good news or bad?
Bad news - I ate icing and a cupcake today
Good news - I went on the treadmill!!!

I'm going to spare you the boring details of my day. I am feeling some guilt over the butter cream icing and the cupcake I had today. I need to stick to my diet foods!! Tomorrow I will!

Here's what I ate:
Breakfast - guardian cereal (2), milk (1)... ICING (?3)
Lunch - 0pt soup (0), 4oz chicken (4), tomato (0)
Dinner - 0pt soup with added veggies (0) and 1c brown rice (4), 3c fresh fruit salad (3), unsweetened apple/grape sauce (1)
Snack when getting home from work - 100cal cupcake... with buttercream icing (?5)

Tomorrow will be a better food day...

First day of food freedom

Well, we have survived another Monday. Of course, I worked at my other job yesterday so today wasn't a 'typical' Monday for me (luckily?).

I woke up today (well, slept in! Grr! I have to get ACTIVE again!!!) and realized I had NO bloody idea what I was going to make for my lunch. I decided to stick with the same foods I had for the past week. I am going to remain HEALTHY dammit! I already had a container with pre-cut peppers, onions and celery... so I ran with it.

After work I stopped by Alex's office for a bit and then we ran an errand and I came home. I had every intention of cooking healthy stir fry with veggies and chicken over brown rice... but that didn't happen. Fatigue set in by the time I got home at 7pm.

Here's what I ate today:
Breakfast - apple/pomegranate unsweetened sauce (1)
Lunch - peppers, onions, celery, mushrooms and tomato in vinegar and mrs. dash (0), plum (1), peach (1), applesauce (1), 4oz chicken with spicy mrs. dash (4)
Dinner - chicken drumstick, skinless (2), skinless chicken thigh (1)... then 1c fibre 1 (3), 1c guardian cinnamon cereal (2), 1c milk (2)
Snacking while baking (ask about the guilt I feel... or tummy ache) - light nutriwhip while baking (3)

Tomorrow I don't go in to work until the afternoon... Hopefully I can make the morning a productive one. I went out and bought TONS of fruit on my lunch today so I can't wait to eat fruits and vegetables and chicken tomorrow!!!

No photos of food from today. Instead, here's a couple of photos of my new FINDS at Sobey's (whilst shopping for healthy FRUIT of course!)



Apparently the golden oreos are the original white girl guide cookies. Years ago Christie stopped making the girl guide cookies because they couldn't guarantee a 'peanut free' environment... so another company (forget who) took over the girl guide label... but christie came out with golden oreos in their place (at least this is according to a coworker who lives and breathes girl guides, she is a leader and has been for many many years). I haven't actually even eaten any of them yet. I feel proud looking at them and NOT diving in to them!

Sacred Heart Medical Diet: my week in review

Final weigh in: NO CHANGE
RESULTS: 9lbs lost
(I started my period today which is greatly affecting my results... probably by a couple of pounds, but regardless - my total loss is 9lbs)

So, the week started off okay. I ate all fruit and soup on the first day. I went to the bathroom a LOT and felt like I was cleansing my system. It was great. I wanted chocolate and sweets by the end of the night but felt in control and avoided catastrophe. By the end of the 2nd day I felt HUNGRY. I was so happy to have that baked potato. 3rd day was okay - I got the variety of fruits AND vegetables... however was starting to miss more 'solid' food (maybe just carbs or processed foods or meat). I charged through and remained on this crazy program because I wanted results. By the 4th day (bananas and skim milk) I had lost my cravings but also felt like I was starting to lose my desire for food. I ate just because I had to and my stomach was growling, not because I longed for food. I also noticed I was going to the washroom a lot less. I introduced bran because I thought maybe I needed fibre. I later realized I was eating considerably less, therefore was going to the bathroom less. I still needed to eat a bowl of cereal just for my mood... it was getting low and I was sick of eating. By day five (chicken and tomatoes) I was THRILLED to be getting meat. I devoured chicken for breakfast, lunch and dinner. I felt full a LOT quicker though and didn't think I could eat as much as I could have a week ago. By day six (veggies and chicken) I was sick of veggies... and food. I was hungry but nothing I was allowed to eat sounded good to me. I don't know what I wanted... I just didn't have the desire to eat. By day seven I was feeling good to be in the home stretch... but was already wondering what the heck I would eat once my strict plan was over!

All in all, the week was worth it. Maybe I didn't lose the 17lbs I was secretly (and insanely) hoping for, but I got more than a 9lb loss... I got my willpower back. I would tell anyone if you have lost your willpower, just give this week a try. Honestly, if you can make it through the first 2 days... you are home free. The first 2 days were the hardest, then it was just a matter of muddling through the days and eating when you have to. I started seeing food as something my body needs rather than something I LOVE and crave all the time. I think my body likely appreciated eating such healthy foods for a week... although I know I do need more calories than I got each day.

Today when I went to make my lunch I had no idea what to make! My food for the day wasn't laid out or limited... but, I chose to stick with healthier foods. It won't be like that forever (I still have 2 bridal showers, 1 bachelorette party, 2 weddings... a 31st birthday, 30th birthday and 5yr anniversary to survive... then it's Christmas! My point? things will always pop up, there will always be obstacles, I won't eat fruit and vegetables forever)... but for now, I am going to stick with healthier choices as much as possible.

I am glad I did the week and have no regrets. I will be doing this plan again the week before the first wedding... and will follow the food selection the week between the 2 weddings!

Sacred Heart, day seven: brown rice, veggies and unsweetened fruit juices

Morning WI: oops, slept in and had to run out the door to work, therefore no WI
Sacred heart total: Still 9lbs

Well, today is the FINAL DAY! I did it! I think I did... I don't know if chewing gum constituted cheating or if eating more than one bowl of bran is cheating... but if you put those things aside, I did picture perfect. I even resisted any temptations on Friday night at a jack and jill.

Tomorrow's post will reflect my thoughts on the whole week, as tomorrow morning will be the final weigh in. I must warn you though, I don't know how accurate they will be because I got my period tonight (TMI? sorry!). I realize maybe this wasn't the best week to have done the diet based on my period... typically I am bloated and my WI is affected the week before and the first few days of... BUT, this was the week I had to pick based on my weekend activities and knowing how likely I would be successful.

Today I woke up late for work (my slumber got interrupted last night by the explosions here in Toronto and I was TIRED today), grabbed some fruit juice, my lunch, and headed out (or flew out) the door. Forgot to weigh in. Tomorrow I won't forget! It's the last day!!

Last night when I was making my lunch for today I was really excited at the thought of having RICE today... CARBS!!! Today at lunch and dinner... was just too sick of vegetables to really care. I forced myself to eat, but didn't get much enjoyment out of it. Today wasn't a struggle at all. There were many temptations around at work (weekends at the hospital are an excuse to put a bunch of baked goods/chips/dips... anything around the nursing station) and I didn't even budge. I think I just feel like it's not worth it to cheat because I have the idea in my peabrain that eating even one measely jujube or one chip will ruin all of my hard work this week. I want to see the best possible results. I think this has helped me feel very in control of my food again.

Anyway, here's what I ate today:
Breakfast - unsweetened cranberry juice, 1/4c maybe (1)
Lunch/dinner (just combining them because it was all one big meal divided over 2 times) - 1.5c brown rice in total (6), bunch of mixed veggies (0), spinach with cucumber and tomato (0), cucumber and tomato in vinegar (0), soup (0)
Snack - 1c fibre 1 (2), 1c skim milk (2)
Total points = 11
Once again, lacking in appetite today, nothing looked really appealing.

I think once I am able to have variety again and go between fruit and vegetables I will do much better. I definitely miss my cheese and yogurt as well.

Stats:
calories 984, fibre 46g (daily recommended amt is 25g), fat 5g (could have eaten another 25g), sodium 1020mg (low.. about half of what it could have been), carbs 220g (should be eating only about 150g).

On to some photos from the day:
veggie stir fry done in water (mushrooms, green and yellow zucchini, green and yellow and red peppers, celery, and green onions):
BROWN RICE!!!! (which I put the veggies on top of but now realize I forgot to take a photo of that final product)
Tomatoes and cucumbers in vinegar and sea salt;
THE soup with rice in it (actually wasn't bad - nice variety to the soup)
spinach salad consisting of spinach with cucumber and tomato. pretty boring.

Sacred Heart, day six: Chicken and Vegetables

Morning WI: -0.8lbs
Sacred Heart total: -9lbs

Today was a rough day. I just did NOT feel like eating any more stinking vegetables or soup. I was also extremely tired. I have been feeling more and more the last few days like I need bran, badly. Then, it hit me... I have less IN me to actually be exiting (TMI? SORRY!). Maybe the amount of food I'm eating is causing me to go to the bathroom less, NOT that I need bran. In any case, ate bran for breakfast, lied around on the couch (spoke to Tara en route to bridal dresses!) and then headed to the store to get another lovely BBQ chicken (since today is chicken day and I ate almost a WHOLE chicken yesterday). I came home and ate chicken and felt STUFFED. I felt like I couldn't eat any more chicken or vegetables the rest of the day. I miss fruit... I caved and ate more freaking fibre 1 cereal. The plan tells you to eat a bowl... I have now eaten several over the last few days. Oh well, what can you do?

I am still staying strong and resisting any cravings. I am, however, relying on chewing fruity gum when I want to taste something besides soup or vegetables. I don't know if gum is allowed, but it's either gum or 100 calorie packs or something... gum it is.

Here's what I ate today basically:
Breakfast - 1.5c fibre 1 (3), 1.5c skim milk (3)
Lunch - chicken (4)
Dinner - TWO CUPS of fibre 1 (4), 2c skim milk (4)
Total Points = 18

The guidelines say to eat the soup at least once today. I just couldn't do it.

Stats:
Calories 1252 (thanks fibre 1!), fibre 98g (holy crap that is a LOT more than I need), protein 87g (about 60g more than I need), carbs 221g (about 80g more than recommended), fat 11g (about 1/3 of what I could have eaten), sodium 1505mg (could have eaten about 900mg more!)

No photos today.. food just wasn't enjoyable to me. Maybe this diet is giving me back my willpower as well as helping to take some of my orgasmic joy out of food (I want to enjoy food, but now dream about it and crave it and rely on it for pleasure as much as I do).

Sacred Heart, day five: CHICKEN and tomatoes

Morning WI: -1.6lbs
Sacred heart total: 8.2lbs

Today wasn't so bad (technically it was yesterday, I'm posting a day late... but you get the point). It felt good to eat some food that wasn't fruit or vegetables. Definitely felt much more full on the chicken!

Didn't get on the treadmill... decided since I was going to be up late at the jack and jill, sleeping in got priority. besides, I could go on the treadmill saturday AND sunday (although now i am working sunday 7-3). I am happy to report I behaved picture perfect at the jack and jill. I had my 1.5L bottle of water (crystal light actually) in hand and did not touch any of the food at ALL!! Not even so much as a crumb!!

Daily Points (note: all chicken has skin removed):
Breakfast - chicken drumstick (3), thigh (1)
Lunch - soup (0), chicken (4), tomatoes (0)
Dinner (on the road, on the way to the J&J) - chicken breast (4), tomato (0)
Total points=12
*I would have eaten more points likely if dinner wasn't in a huge hurry on the road to the J&J - but at least while we went through Mcdonald's drive thru for alex, i packed my own healthy chicken to stick with the plan*

Stats for the day:
calories 755 (low, I realize), fibre 7g (LOW!), carbs 27g (could have eaten about 110g more), sodium 1448mg (could have eaten about 900mg more), fat 19g (could have eaten about 10g more).

No photos of my food from the day. Instead, here are some from the jack and jill!
Alex and me:
The bride and groom (Jessica and Brent) at the END of the night and after many, MANY drinks
Kristen and the new boyfriend, Kurt (side note: she actually seems to have found a NICE guy!)
Kristen and her friend, Laura
Drunken Alex (aka "jujube" after he won the jar of jubes because he guessed the right amount in the jar. actually, he was only off by ONE jube) and me at the end of the night

Sacred Heart, day four: Bananas and Skim milk

Morning weigh in: -2.6lbs
Sacred heart total: -6.6lbs

Today was definitely the hardest. Nothing but bananas and skim milk (and soup of course)? No thank you. I am proud (or crazy?) to say I did it. I have not cheated except to eat a piece of chicken breast (no skin or anything) the size of about a quarter. I didn't feel like soup today, therefore only ate bananas and skim milk. I did also have some bran cereal as the plan says you can have some after a few days... as you might need it. Not sure that I need it physically, but mentally I did!! I cannot WAIT to be able to have chicken tomorrow. I'm so smart too... I went to superstore and bought one of their roasted chickens. I'm going to cut up a bunch of the meat in the morning (can't do it now in case I cave and eat more) and eat chicken and tomatoes all the live long day. The chicken smelled so freaking good on the car ride home. I felt it a disservice to my hard earned money NOT to eat a piece of it while it was warm and fresh... so I did. Then I promptly put it in the fridge.

I went to WI today. up 1lb. BUT, if I had gone to WI last week, then this week I am actually down (like 3lbs!!).

I am proud to say I am going back on the treadmill tomorrow. If it's still loud I will walk instead of run (but will do a major incline!), then Alex and I will attempt to grease it on the weekend. So, that being said... time to finish up here and get ready for bed so I can try to get a good night's sleep and get back at it in the morning.

Tomorrow night is a jack and jill for the other wedding. I'm driving... can't drink alcohol on this plan (but, I had volunteered to drive a long time ago). I'll just keep chicken in my pocket and eat that instead of the midnight buffet!!! Hmmm... and gum... and keep a water bottle on hand!

Here's today's food:
5 bananas (10), 2c skim milk (4), 2c fibre 1 (4)
Exciting, I know

Stats:
calories 1030 (low, but higher than the last 2 days at least), fibre 74g (you've got to be KIDDING me! my recommended amount is about 25g!), carbs 282g (140g more than I need), fat 6g (could have eaten about 25 more grams).

No photos today... I didn't think to take one of my 2 bowls of fibre 1 cereal with skim milk and banana!!!

Wish me luck and will power for tomorrow. This is going to be a HUGE test for me... but, one that I will feel tremendously proud after if I accomplish it!!!

Sacred Heart, day three: fruit n' veggies

Morning weigh in: -0.4lbs
Total weight loss: 4lbs

I have successfully completed day three. According to "the plan" I should see a 5-7lb weight loss by the time I step on my scale tomorrow. We'll see about that.

I am feeling fine today. Haven't felt deprived or hungry... maybe that's because I just took my measurements for the first time since ordering the dress for Tara's wedding... I am up 1" everywhere. That is not good. At least I caught it now, but I have some serious work to do. After the trauma of a past bridesmaid dress splitting open in the back (okay, I can laugh now... and I wasn't traumatized - but it wasn't fun!!), I cannot have that happen again.

Friday is the beginning of my new WW week. I am going to WRITE OUT a workout schedule revolving treadmill (will fix it on the weekend), and BL cardio and sculpting workouts. This is nuts. I have to get back to that awesome weight loss pattern I had before.

Anyway, back to today's stuff. It was nice having the variety of fruits and vegetables... and I was kept busy enough at work I wasn't looking for snack. Tonight I had a big dinner and while I would have LOVED a baked potato (not allowed today), I wasn't deprived.

Today's food:
Breakfast - 3c fruit salad (3)
Lunch - tomato and avocado in mrs. dash (4), tomato and cucumber in vinegar (0), soup (0), 1c fruit salad (1), unsweetened apple/pomegranate sauce (1), watermelon (1)
Dinner - veggie stir fry cooked in water (0), tomato (0)

Stats:
calories 859 (this is low again), protein 19g (pretty close to where it should be), fibre 44g (about twice as much as my recommended daily amount), carbs 180g (about 30g over my daily recommended), sodium 823mg (about 1/3 of my recommended), cholesteral 0mg!!!, fat 25g (could have eaten about 5 more grams - avocado really drove up the fat today!)

I could have eaten more calories in the way of fruit... but I just didn't feel hungry. Likely because of all of the fibre I was getting in the vegetables.

On to the fun stuff, the PHOTOS of some of today's food!

Breakfast fruit salad:


Tomato and avocado for lunch:


Tomato, cucumber and beets in vinegar for lunch:


more watermelon:


stir fry (mushrooms, zuccini, celery, peppers, green onions) and tomato for dinner:

Sacred Heart, day two: Veggie Tales

Morning weigh in: down 3.6lbs! (mind you, yesterday's weight was likely high due to water retention because of my salt intake with all the sushi and soy sauce I ingested Sunday!)

I have survived day two! Up until dinner I was feeling very hungry, but also had a headache and didn't feel like eating. I didn't even eat any of the soup today... I couldn't bear the thought of MORE vegetables. You're allowed a baked potato for dinner and let me tell you - I went for the BIGGEST potato I could find and it was the best one I've ever eaten! My caloric intake is much lower today, but that could be in part because I wasn't feel the greatest and it could be because I'd have to eat vegetables until I was falling over to meet my daily intake. Maybe I'll have some cranberry juice to get my calories up actually... hmm... I must confess - I cheated today by eating 2 measly raspberries. oh well!

Here's what I ate today:
Breakfast - nothing, headache kept me in bed
AM snack - stir fry leftover with celery, shredded carrot, peppers and mushrooms (0)
Lunch - stir fry leftover again (0), avocado and tomato with mrs. dash (4), beets (0), cucumber and tomato with vinegar (0)
Afternoon Snack - tea with 1/2c skim milk (1)
Dinner - big ol' baked potato (5), 2tsp becel margarine (1), broccoli and carrots steamed with spicy mrs. dash (0), tomato with sea salt (0), tea with skim milk (1)
Total points = 12 (eek!)

Stats: protein 26g (about where it should be), fibre 22g (about where it should be), carbs 110g (about 1/3 of where it should be), sodium 619mg (could have eaten 1700mg more!!), cholesteral 5mg (could have eaten about 300mg more!), fat 16g (about half of what I could have eaten).

All in all, where I am really lacking is my calories. fat is notably higher today thanks to the avocado. Protein is a surprise - who knew there was actually so much protein in the milk, broccoli, tomato and potato? There is! The sodium intake is quite a bit lower than yesterday as well thanks to not eating any soup today.

Time for big brother, but I leave you with photos of my veggie day (I thought of you all day, TARA! I know you love the veggies!)

morning snack (veggie stir fry):

Lunch (tomato and avocado with mrs dash, veggie stir fry, beets, tomato and cucs in vinegar):

Dinner (tomatoes, broccoli and carrots, YUMMY baked potato with margarine):

dessert tea with skim milk:

CRYSTAL LIGHT!


Back to update for Tara! I have actually never made the WW soup! Does it call for cabbage? Maybe that's why I haven't had it... I don't like cabbage. I think you could substitute tofu for the chicken. I had NO IDEA you don't eat bananas though!! What about having them in a shake with skim milk or something? Would you eat them then?

Sacred Heart, day one: Fruit and Soup

Okay, so I'm done day one. How am I feeling? In a word - HUNGRY. I was doing well, eating lot's of fruit... until I saw an episode of "Friends" and they ate pizza. I would like some pizza. I've had a headache all day but don't know that I can blame the diet because I've had the headache since yesterday. I've felt tired, but it's hard to say if that was just me being lazy on my day free of commitments (something typical for me). I have been peeing a LOT... maybe it's due to retaining water yesterday after all the soy sauce I had with my 'all you can eat' sushi buffet!

Here's what I ate:
breakfast - fruit salad with strawberries and raspberries (1), blueberries (1), grapes (1) and cherries (1)
lunch - soup (0), watermelon (1), 1c skim milk (2), unsweetened apple/grape sauce (1)
snack - unsweetened apple/pomegranate sauce (1), unsweetened applesauce (1), 2c. unsweetened cranberry juice (4)
dinner - soup (0), grapes (1), cherries (1), blueberries (1)
Total points = 17

Here's some stats on the day:
Calories - 1102, fibre - 37g, sugars - 194g, carbs - 280g (which is actually over my daily recommended amount, thanks fruit!), sodium - 2186g, cholesteral - 5mg, fat - 2mg.

Sooo... I almost got the daily recommended calories in, got more than enough fibre and sugar and carbs than I really need, and was way under in fat.

I can't wait for tomorrow and have some vegetables. Not sure what I'll do about breakfast though! I'll figure that one out after my "Jon and Kate Plus 8".

For now, I leave you with some photos of my food today. Did I mention I got a LOVELY new camera courtesy of my LOVELY boyfriend (as an early birthday gift!). It's a Nikon P5100 and I am in LOVE with it. NO taking this one to a bachelorette party and dropping it!!!!

Breakfast fruit salad:


Soup:


Watermelon:


Applesauces:




Fruit bowl after dinner:


Cranberry juice:

Sacred Heart Medical Diet

Okay, so I have decided to try the Sacred Heart Medical Diet (note: I accidentally typed "Scared Heart Medical Diet" TWICE now! Freudian? Maybe.)

My mom has done this in the past and LOVED it. After losing like 15lbs in one week (not healthy, I realize) she swore she was going to follow the diet for the rest of her life. Not realistic... but it's something to try for a week. It's pretty much like a cleanse from what I can tell. Fruits and vegetables for a few days then introduce protein and on the last day some carbs. Not something you want to do forever... but it is sticking to fruits and vegetables and lean protein... I see it as possibly cleansing my system.

I'm going to try it for a week, see how I do... and then probably do it the week before the weddings in September. I realize it's nothing permanent by any means. I'm just going to give it an honest shot and see how it goes before I maybe try it before the weddings.

I'll blog my daily progress... How I'm feeling, how my weight has changed, what I've eaten exactly... A daily summary of the diet! I'm still keeping track of my points and calories (which will be interesting to compare my calories vs. my points because vegetables still have calories... yet are 0 points!).

I'll be back later to blog about day 1 officially. I'll start for now (and leave you with) the diet itself... for those who aren't familiar.

Sacred Heart Medical Diet
This 7-day eating plan can be used as often as you like. If correctly followed, it will clean out your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. After only 7 days of this process, you will begin to feel lighter by at least 10 pounds and possibly 17 pounds, and experience an abundance of energy.

SOUP:

* 1 or 2 cans of stewed tomatoes
* 3 plus large green onions
* 1 large can of beef broth (no fat)
* 1 pkg. Lipton Soup mix (chicken noodle)
* 1 bunch of celery
* 2 cans green beans
* 2 lbs. Carrots
* 2 Green Peppers

Season with salt, pepper curry, parsley, if desired, or bouillon, hot or Worcestershire sauce. Cut veggies in small to medium pieces. Cover with water. Boil fast for 10 minutes. Reduce to simmer and continue to cook until veggies are tender.

This soup can be eaten anytime you are hungry during the week. Eat as much as you want, whenever you want. This soup will not add calories. The more you eat, the more you will lose. You may want to fill a thermos in the morning if you will be away during the day.

DRINKS:

* Unsweetened juices
* Tea (also herbal)
* Coffee
* Cranberry juice
* Skim milk
* Water, water, water

DAY ONE
Any fruit (except bananas). Cantaloupes and watermelon are lower in calories than most other fruits. Eat only soup and fruit today.

DAY TWO
All vegetables. Eat until you are stuffed with fresh raw, cooked or canned veggies. Try to eat green leafy veggies and stay away from dry beans, peas or corn. Eat veggies along with the soup. At dinnertime tonight reward yourself with a big baked potato and butter. Don't eat any fruits through today.

DAY THREE
Eat all the soup, fruit and veggies you want. Do not have a baked potato. If you have eaten as above for three days and not cheated, you should find that you have lost 5-7 pounds.

DAY FOUR
Bananas and skim milk: Eat at least 3 bananas and drink as much milk as you can today, along with the soup. Bananas are high in calories and carbohydrates, as is the milk but on this particular day, your body will need the potassium and carbs. Proteins and calcium to lessen the cravings for sweets.

DAY FIVE
Beef and tomatoes: you may have 10 to 20 ounces of beef and a can of tomatoes, or as many as 6 tomatoes on this day. Eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SIX
Beef and veggies, eat to your heart's content of the beef and veggies today. You can even have 2-3 steaks if you like with green leafy veggies but no baked potato. Be sure to eat the soup at least once today.

DAY SEVEN
Brown rice, unsweetened fruit juice and veggies, again, be sure to stuff yourself and eat the soup. You can add cooked veggies to your rice if you wish.

By the end of the 7th day, if you have not cheated on this diet, you should have lost 10 to 17 pounds. If you have lost more than 17 pounds, stay off the diet for two days before resuming the diet again.

This diet is fast. The secret lies within the principle that you will burn more calories than you take in. It will flush your system of impurities and give you a feeling of well-being. This diet does not lend itself to drinking any alcoholic beverages at any time. Because of the fat build-up in your system. Go off the diet at least 14 hours before any intake of alcohol.

Due to the variety of digestive systems in individuals, this diet will affect everyone differently. After day three, you will have more energy than when you began, if you do not cheat. After being on the diet for several days, you will find that your bowel movements have changed. Eat a cup of bran or fiber. Although you can have black coffee with this diet, you may find that you don't need caffeine after the third day.

The basic fat burning soup can be eaten anytime you feel hungry during the seven days. Eat as much as you wish. Remember the more you eat, the more you will lose. You can eat broiled, boiled or baked chicken instead of the beef. Absolutely no skin on the chicken. If you prefer, you can substitute broiled fish for the beef on only one of the beef days. You need the high protein in the beef for the other days.

Continue on the diet as long as you wish and feel the difference both mentally and physically.

DO NOT - DO NOT
No bread, alcohol, carbonated drinks (including diet drinks). Remember, absolutely no fried foods.

DO - DO - DO - DO
Drink plenty - at least 6 to 8 glasses - of water a day, as well as any combination of the following beverages: black coffee, unsweetened fruit drinks, cranberry juice and skim milk.


Also, if you're interested in the criticisms, see here:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/299406/the_sacred_heart_medical_diets_dangerous.html?cat=51