Big Loser, I am!

Well, I did it. Not only have I lost weight for 10 weeks in a row now, but I'm officially (finally) at my lowest weight since joining weight watchers.

I was down 1.8lbs!

The scale had me about the same this morning (as last Thursday morning)... I guess I must have managed to burn off more calories throughout the day/afternoon or something. Maybe I just sweat a bit more on the walk in the humid weather today! Regardless, it's good news.

I have eaten half of my sub (rather, inhaled it) and am going to enjoy the other half before I get into baking... and then enjoy some treat during grey's anatomy (perhaps salt and vinegar chips?). I may update later... but if not, I'll be back tomorrow or Saturday!

Yet Another Hump Day

Well, here we are again!

Today consisted of a full hour jog and an hour walk at lunch... and some working, grocery shopping and baking in there (I baked for today's birthday at lunch, now I start baking for Friday's office breakfast for Accreditation). I made cheese popovers... and tomorrow night will attempt to make the cinnamon rolls from scratch. Haven't made them before without my mom's help... hopefully I can pull them off. If not, an early morning run to the bakery will be in order!

I look forward to Friday night right now... just hanging out and relaxing with Alex, knowing I have Saturday OFF (working Sunday though).

I have NO idea what the scale has in store for me tomorrow... it's been a crapshoot all week. I ate a lot of flex points on the weekend. I really have to NOT eat anything when I get home at midnight after an evening shift... I start and I can' stop. Plus, I've jogged less this week... I guess time will tell tomorrow!!

Here's today's intake...
Breakfast: strawberries (1), yogurt (1), flaxseed (0)
Lunch: salad (0) with chick peas (2), mozarella (2), EVOO balsamic (2), yogurt (1), fruit bites (2)
Snack: key lime larabar (4)
Dinner: egg whites (1), cheese (2), FRESH popover... mmm (2), cucumbers (0), hummus (0)
Total: 20
Water: 4L

Good luck tomorrow to Tara and me tomorrow! I will be curious to hear about how Tara enjoyed Vegas!!

Uh oh...

Today was the first time in a while that I slept in and missed a planned jog. I was so tired last night that I went to bed at 10pm... put TV on in bed but fell asleep right away... and slept through until 8am! I woke up with a headache at 6am and thought I hit snooze... nope, I turned off my alarm (at least I still got for a walk at lunch). Tonight I thought I might get a jog in... but I didn't get home until after 9 (dinner with mom, dad and alex... then shopping). I came home and finished baking for tomorrow's birthday party at work...



Oh... also, look what I came across at Sobey's...

I shall save it for a Thursday treat.

Here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: ww bread (1), pb2 (1), yogurt (1)
Lunch: 1/2c quinoa (2), turkey breast (2), mozzarella (2), black beans and corn (1), onions, peppers, salsa (0)
Snack: cherry pie larabar (4)
Dinner: lemon baked filet (5)
Total: 19
Water: 4L

I'm off to bed. Normally I have lunch made at night, but I need sleep... so I will make it in the morning (when I don't sleep in!).

Goodnight!

No Rest for the Weary? Wicked?

First, WELCOME BACK TO TARA!!! Oh how I've missed her!

Now... this is going to be short. I'm exhausted. I worked yesterday... woke up today and managed an hour jog and went to work. Tonight has consisted of starting baking for Wednesday's birthday lunch at work, making a card, making tomorrow's lunch and doing dishes... all within the past hour and a half. The Hills is on now but I don't care, I'm going to bed and I'll catch the show another time this week when it airs again.

Here's what I had today...
Breakfast: yogurt (1), strawberries (1), flaxseed (0)
Lunch: ww tortilla (1), refried beans (2), veggies (0), 1/2c cottage cheese (2)
Snack: Larabar - banana bread (4)
Dinner: salad with chick peas (2), cheese (2), black beans and corn (1), EVOO balsamic dressing (2), yogurt (1)
Total: 19
Water: 4.5L - thirsty much?

Goodnight!!

Workin' for the Weekend

So, yesterday was a great day... short work day, evening with Alex... healthy mexican pizza, Hannah Montana movie, yogen fruz... wonderful.

Today... 3 hours of running around (including buying new clothes at Old Navy - many of which I may return because I'm not sure I like them after all - pants are so thin, I think they might rip easily). Then home for lunch and a nap before I head to work (in 15min!).

Yesterday was high calorie day... the mini toblerone and the large frozen yogurt helped achieve that. Today, back on track. No activity yesterday and today... back to a jog tomorrow.

Here's what I'm eating today...
Breakfast: kashi bar (2), strawberries (1)
Lunch: 1/2 mexican pizza (5)
Snack: key lime Larabar (4)
Dinner: Mexican dish with turkey breast (2), black beans and corn (1), onions and peppers (0), edamame (0), tomatoes and salsa (0), skim milk mozzarella (2)... yogurt (1)

Photos from yesterday and today...

Dinner for tonight at work

Dinner again (so colourful... I love colourful food)
My FREE kashi bars... thank you kashi (see their website for the coupon for a free box!) Look what I came across at Walmart this morning! They are safely away for my Thursday treat. I will not TOUCH them before weigh in!!

Alex's pizza from last night (extra cheese on it... he's not counting points!)My pizza... a few hot peppers for fun My bowl of sunshine yesterday morning... again, colourful (summer colours!) Oatmeal with a spoonful of instant coffee mixed in... it's pretty good actually.
I am off to work! "Money, money, money, money.... MONEY!" (that's what gets me through these working weekends. I sing the song to myself... and envision my bank account next pay day).

Guess what!

Down 2.2lbs!

Of course, I wanted 3lbs... but 2.2 is okay. I'm happy with it! This makes 9 whole weeks in a row with losses. Yay!

Today's activity included a 45min jog (not a full hour, oh well) and the 5K walk on lunch hour. I thought I might not get a lunch today and be able to walk, but being healthy is my new priority... so, I made it happen.

I've had my sub (thanks Alex!) and I've indulged in angel food cake. I might also have popcorn...

Happy Friday! I am making dinner for us tomorrow. Save some money, be healthy (and I'm done work early tomorrow, so I have time!). I'll update dinner tomorrow and post photos!

Have I mentioned I MISS TARA??!? I hope she's having F-U-N!!

Happy Hump Day.. I'm lonely!

Well, we are over the hump!! I am happy to report the week is almost over. I am NOT happy to report that Kristin went home last night (on Biggest Loser). I am NOT happy to report Hump day means NOTHING to me this week as I am working BOTH days on the weekend (evening shifts, at least I still get to sleep in). I AM happy to report Friday is a short work day for me (10-3? not bad!).

I am happy to report that today's activity involved a morning jog and a lunch hour (well, 45min) walk at the mall (thank you rain!). I am NOT happy to report that I had planned on yoga tonight and it didn't happen. Today was my ONE quiet night after work and I wasn't able to part with my couch time. I won't be able to get a 'last chance workout walk' at lunch tomorrow, so I will have to jog extra long in the morning instead! I can do it!

Here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: oatmeal with caramel davinci and some instant coffee again! (2)
Post jog: protein smoothie (3)
Lunch: salad (0) with 1/2c chick peas (2), skim milk mozzarella (2), my totally favourite and yummy home made EVOO/balsamic dressing - extra hot today (2), cucumbers in vinegar (0), yogurt (1)
Snack: key lime larabar (4)
Dinner: egg whites (2), chicken (2), cucumbers with hummus (0) - I don't know why I was CRAVING cucumbers with hummus all day!
Total: 20
Water: 4L

So, do you think I got enough protein for dinner? That wasn't even intentional, just the way it worked out. Check it out...



Good luck tomorrow to... me! I don't think my weigh in buddy, Tara will be weighing in while in VEGAS!! I can't wait for my blog buddy to come home. I feel lonely without her blog to read and the sweet/encouraging comments!!

Happy Kristin Day!

... I mean, Happy Biggest Loser day! I'm watching BL now... I'm so sad for Kristin that she didn't win the NYC trip. I totally wanted to see her win.

Speaking of BL... I actually read a blog online by someone who is now going to stop watching BL because they don't think the amount of exercise these obese people have to do is healthy... Laura's hip fracture last week sealed the show's fate in their eyes. I realize it's unrealistic to expect such large people to do such exercise (my dad can't stand that Jillian makes people upwards of 300lbs run 13mph on the treadmill, dad thinks it's impossible).

Activity today? 1hr jog and 1hr walk. My legs are actually feeling sore tonight. I enjoyed my new shoes more today. I definitely need to be able to relax while jogging, otherwise I'm stiff and my shins hurt. Today I relaxed and my new shoes were awesome.

Food today?
Breakfast - steel cut oats with a little instant coffee and caramel davinci mixed in (2)
Snack - pineapple (1) and strawberries (0)
Lunch - 1c. quinoa (4), veggies and salsa (0), 1/2c chick peas (2), yogurt (1)
Snack - fruit bites (2), cashew cookie larabar (4)
Dinner - lettuce wraps with hummus (0), chicken (3), 1/4c ff cottage cheese (1), yogurt (1)
Total: 21
Water: 4L

Today's lonely food photo...
My lunch is made for tomorrow, dishes are done, place is clean... Now I watch the last hour of Biggest Loser and head to bed!! I definitely have to get to bed by 10pm, it's too hard getting up at 6am if I haven't!!

I hope Tara is having FUN in Vegas! I hope she takes lot's of photos... maybe even some photos of her food!!! heehee!

I'm lonely... so lonely

I miss Tara already!! I hope she's enjoying her birthday trip!

So, it's Monday and I finally got a jog in today... and I wore my fancy new shoes!!
They were great. Like jogging on a cloud!! I did have some shin pain in the beginning... but I think I was too stiff, trying to pay too much attention to my form and not just relaxing and jogging. Overall, I'm happy with them. If I do continue to get shin pain I'll have to return them... but I'm optimistic.

I managed to be very productive for a Monday morning... cleaning (bathroom, kitchen, washing floors), cooking, running errands... and jog. I went to work, I came home... you know how it goes.

Here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: pineapple (1), strawberries (0)
Lunch: 1 ww wrap (1) and 2 lettuce wraps with chicken (1.5), 1/4c ff cottage cheese (1), 2tbsp hummus (0), salsa (0)... 1/2c wasabi peas (3), fruit bites (2)
Snack: s'mores motivate bar (4)
Dinner: salad with lettuce, chicken (1.5), cheese (2), EVOO balsamic drsg (2), yogurt (1)
Total: 20pts
Water: 3L

Some photos...

Doesn't look so appetizing... but it was good!
So, the plan was yoga when I came home tonight... but instead I'm making lunch for tomorrow, doing a bit more HEALTHY food prep... doing dishes, then going to watch The Hills and get to bed!!

Still here!

The plan for this evening was a jog.... unfortunately I am feeling nauseated following a coffee. No jogs this weekend.

So... this weekend has consisted of keeping busy, but not getting in any significant exercise.

I swear, I'll update more tomorrow... the bottom line is that I've stayed on track food-wise... but, exercise has been null and void. I had great plans for a wonderful dinner... but come dinner I just didn't feel like it.

The good news is that I got to the running room today and invested in a new pair of shoes. What a great experience. I will always go there to get fitted for new shoes from now on!! I can't wait to try my new running shoes tomorrow for a nice, long jog!!

I'll be back tomorrow with photos and food logs and everything!!

Happy Birthday to my Special Someone...

Today is my dear friend Tara's birthday!

Please join me in wishing her the happiest birthday ever!!! Have you ever heard those cliches about loving someone more with each passing year? That is my love of Tara. As I get older I realize what is truly important in friendships... and Tara has always been a friend I cherish, but one that I cherish more and more with each passing year. She is someone I can turn to for anything... whether it be someone to cry to, someone to laugh with me... someone to 'pig out' with me... someone to DRINK with me... I think if you look under "FRIEND" in the dictionary, you will see Tara's photo!!!

What's most important? She is celebrating this year at GOAL WEIGHT and looks friggin' HOT! You would never guess she's 31. 31yr olds just don't look as hot as her!!!

Tara... enjoy your week (and year!)... I will miss you while you're kept busy over the next little while, but please enjoy it and be sure to take photos!!!! Love ya!!!!

The results are in...

The verdict? The Easter Challenge was officially a SUCCESS for all participants!

I was down 0.6lbs!!

I'm pleased with that. On top of this weigh in being after Easter, it's my PMS week... which, historically has meant a gain.

So what happened tonight? True to his word... Alex has bought me my sub! I plan to enjoy it, some chocolate meringues and maybe some popcorn... and we can't forget these:

I think... I mean... I WILL make out my meal plans for the next week (I haven't done that for the last couple of weeks). I'd really like to lose 3lbs next week to make up for the couple of weeks with smaller losses. 4lbs to go still until I'm back to my lowest weight!!

Dreaming...

I can't wait to go to bed tonight. I got up and got my jog in this morning... but the minute I got to work I just had a feeling I wanted to be back at home and under my covers. Some days the family stress just gets to me, but the good news is everyone is still alive and tomorrow is a new day. I still managed my walk at lunch too (and even walked a bit faster thanks to having to go to the washrom! Note to self: drink less water before going on the walk).

Here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: ww bagel (2)
Post jog: protein shake (3)
Lunch: salad with some turkey (1), cheese (2), vegetables (0), EVOO balsamic drsg (2), berries (1)
Snack: Larabar - key lime pie (4)
Dinner: whipped potatoes and ketchup - bizarre craving tonight (3), meringues (3)
Total: 21
Water: 5L (thirsty today!)

I usually try not to eat carbs with dinner, especially the night before weigh in... but I was too tired to make anything tonight and the leftover potatoes in my fridge were screaming for me to eat them with ketchup. I also could NOT stop eating meringues!

I have already managed to have a 45min nap on the couch... and now I'm trying to convince myself to get the energy to do my yoga DVD before bed!

Good luck tomorrow. I feel regret for eating so many potatoes tonight and hope it doesn't effect the scale tomorrow... which is why I should try to get that yoga done... I hope mine and Tara's efforts from last weekend paid off... we worked so hard!! (I will come back and update if I actually get yoga done).

**Back - No yoga. I forgot I have Days of Our Lives to watch from today... so I'm going to enjoy it and then go to bed. Yoga will be my goal for next week. I'm going to aim for 4 times! I should add... I just realized part of my problem with my mood today is PMS. But, on the bright side, I'm not craving any crappy foods!! In fact, I don't know the last time I really had bad cravings. Maybe healthy eating is helping**

Tomorrow will consist of (hopefully) a full hour jog in the AM and a full hour walk at lunch. I drove out our walking route yesterday and turns out we walk exactly 5K at lunch. Not too bad.

I ♥ Tuesdays!!

So, I was lazier today than I had hoped. I did get a 45min jog in this morning (I actually didn't think I would be able to get up early, I was exhausted last night)... but no walk at lunch and no time for yoga tonight. At least I got some activity in.

Sadly, I don't have much to say today. I can't believe tomorrow is already the day before weigh in. My scale showed me a reward from my weekend and had me down a bit... but it can be such a crap shoot as to what will happen by Thursday. I will keep at it!

Here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: ww bagel toasted with becel spray (2)
Post jog: protein shake (3)
Lunch: leftovers made into mexican potatoes... 1c potatoes (4), turkey (1), cheese (2), black beans and corn (0) salsa (0). fruit bites (2)
Snack: jocolate larabar - chocolate cherry (4)
Dinner: chicken breast (3) stir fried in chicken broth, garlic, balsamic vinegar and hot sauce (0) with peppers, mushrooms and red onion (0), 5 meringues (1)
Dinner: 22
Water: 3L

Tonight is such a great TV night. I watched 90210 at 7pm (Donna Martin returned! Her and David Silver are separated!)... now Biggest Loser MAKEOVERS!! I'll try to make my lunch and do dishes during commercials and get to bed at 10pm sharp.

I only have one photo today... I already have my 'cheat' planned for Thursday night. Apparently the Easter Bunny gave Alex something he doesn't like. I swear, 5 1/2 years together and I still learn things about him!

Here's Thursday's cheat (I won't eat it in its entirety on Thursday!)

And, for fun... some of my desserts (that I made, not ate) from Easter...


I would have to agree with Tara... I really am hoping for a loss this week. It will really be a great reward after our efforts on the weekend.

Goodbye Easter '09!

This is going to be quick... I need to get to bed!

I am proud to say I survived Easter. Way to go to Tara and me! We did it!!

The day started off with the scale having me up 0.6lbs from yesterday!! I thought I did so well! What can you do? I didn't get any activity in today, I knew there wouldn't be time at all. The good news is that I literally only sat down while I was eating... so today was busy. We got up and found the egss the Easter bunny hid...
My basket was kick ass and really conducive to my new healthy lifestyle. Big props to my mother Easter Bunny for actually listening to my request this year (the request being NO unhealthy stuff)...



I also was at Costco with my mom on Saturday... I bought my own box of motivate bars and a bag of fruit bites. I am soooo set for a while!!!

Everyone arrived, including grandma and poppa jim (PJ is in a wheelchair but handles it totally fine!)... then we ate dinner. After dinner (which was really lunch) was the egg hunt... and then some dessert... we wound down and were satisfied after another exhausting holiday with the family! Some of my family (aunts!) tended to focus on my grandma driving them nuts... I personally was just happy to have everyone together for the holiday. I know 10 weeks ago I didn't think Poppa Jim would be here with us to celebrate!! Here I am, happpy to have had a great day (and happy to have my main squeeze to share in the celbration. Sorry, did I make you puke?)...

So, here's what I ate today...
Breakfast: ww tortilla (1), hard boiled egg (2), cheese string (1)
Lunch/Dinner: turkey (1), stuffing (2), turnip casserole (2), carrots and green beans (0), potatoes whipped with chicken broth (3)
Dessert(s): 7 mini eggs (2), 2 peanut butter balls (4), cake ball (2), 10 meringues (1), 2 angel food cupcakes (4), ff cool whip (1)
Total 26
Water: 2.5L

I had a few more treats than I would have liked, but I have to say that overall I am happy with my choices this year. When I think back to last year, I was a train wreck at the dessert buffet... This year I think I showed serious restraint. I should have drank more water, but there was no time!!

I did manage to sneak out with my plates to take a couple of photos for my secret blog... here's my lunch plate and my dessert plate (note: I ended up eating 1 more chocolate peanut butter ball later!)...

Now, it's off to bed. I've basically lost 1 day before weigh in this week because of the holiday today (and usually I get an hour jog in on Mondays!!). Good night! Congratulations to Tara and I. I am so proud of us... I think we did amazing and we will have to remember this for the next holiday... or even just celebration weekends. I think our rules were awesome!

3 for 3 (I think!)

Well... today was a different "Easter". We didn't do anything. I spent the day with my mom and my dad. Kristen and Kurt showed up later in the afternoon and Michele, Jacob and Simon just showed up around 8:30... Simon is already gone to bed for the night. Tomorrow is our Easter and I can't wait! We are hunting for eggs and doing baskets... then getting ready for the entire family to show up. I have to say, I'm very excited. This is the first holiday that EVERYONE is able to make it for... usually someone misses Christmas Eve or Christmas day... someone always misses Thanksgiving or Christmas. Not tomorrow. Even my cousin Andrew (who we haven't seen in over a year) is coming. Grandma and Poppa Jim are coming... EVERYONE. It's nuts! The Easter Bunny has already come for Alex and I am proud to say I haven't touched anything that was left in his basket!!

So, what did today look like? Well, I got up and did 30min on Kristen's gazelle but found my heart rate wasn't getting up as high as I would like, so I did my BL cardio max for 30min. I spent the rest of the day in the kitchen doing baking and cooking (I don't even know how many hours I spent in the kitchen). My scale was slightly happy with me today, I was down 0.6lbs from yesterday.

Here's what I ate...
Breakfast: 2pc rye toast (2), ff cottage cheese and orchard fruit (2), watermelon (1)
Lunch: 1c ww pasta (3), tomatoes (0), cheese (1), watermelon and strawberries (2)
Snacking (my treat): cakeball (2), snacking on potatoes while whipping them (1)
Dinner: turkey breast (1), peppers/mushrooms/zucchini/onions (0), 1/2c brown rice (2) salsa (0), 1/2c corn (1)
Total: 18
Water: 2L - need to increase that tomorrow!!!!!

Here's some photos from my food today even (yay for wireless at my mom's house... sitting here visiting with the family while posting!)
Breakfast:
Lunch:Pretty colourful veggies for dinner:My dinner plate:
So, I pretty much followed the rules today. I picked one treat (cakeball) and stuck to it... I got in my activity (that makes 3/4 days! Tomorrow there won't be time). Let me tell you, I thought the gazelle wasn't getting my heart rate up... and it wasn't... but i am feeling it in my legs now! They are SORE! I didn't get as much water today as I should have. Tomorrow I will work on that. I wrote everything down as I ate it.

Enjoy Easter Monday... it will definitely be my most challenging day! (You would think that my cousin being a WW leader would help keep me on track... it doesn't!).