Trim Down Tuesday- Week 2

Not a great week but I am not giving up! Feel free to use my Trim Down Tuesday photo and join in.

Tuesday,June 16,2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal
Lunch: Salad with Best Balsamic Vinaigrette, apple
Supper: Tuna salad, Sweet Potato

Wednesday, June 17, 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal

Lunch: Strawberry Cheesecake Protein Smoothie

Supper: Reese's whip, a pancake and an apple.
Snack: popcorn

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal

Lunch: Peach Cobbler Protein shake

Supper: Pizza and chips

Snack: Apple

Friday, June 19 , 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal

Lunch: Salad

Supper: Burger and fries. Split an order of seafood mushrooms. 

Saturday,June 20, 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal

Lunch: went to a baby shower....ate there...more than I should have

Supper: Small chicken sandwich, handful of trail mix

Dessert: kale chips. 


Went off the rails this week...ugh.  Trying to get back on track for next week!

Trim Down Tuesday-Week 1

So, week 1 went great. I am not sure why it helped me to keep track of what I was eating on the blog, but it did. I've tried paper, journals, notepad, My Fitness Pal...none of those worked. So maybe blogging is the key.

 I think some days I might not have eaten enough, but most of the time I felt satisfied.  At this point the only exercise I am getting is decluttering my house...and that can be pretty strenuous. :)

Feel free to use my Trim Down Tuesday photo and join in.  :)

Tuesday, June 9,2015

Breakfast:Lemon Cream Pie Smoothie (not my favorite)
Lunch: Blended Salmon Soup (love this!)
Snack: Mango Yonanas
Supper: Salad with Chicken; Best balsamic vinaigrette

Dessert: Chocolate Oat Fiber Cake with Strawberries and Coffee

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Breakfast: Strawberry Protein shake (almond milk, protein powder, frozen strawberries and sweetener)

Lunch: Salad and Mango Yonanas

Snack: Apple 

Supper: Blended Salmon soup
Dessert: Chocolate Oat Fiber Cake with strawberries

Thursday, June 11, 2015

Breakfast: Fat Stripping Frappa (This didn't hold me over and didn't actually taste that great.)

Lunch: Salad

Snack: Apple

Supper: Roast Turkey, Sweet Potato, Corn

Dessert: Chocolate Oat Fiber Cake with strawberries 

Friday, June 12, 2015

Breakfast: Plain Yogurt with Blueberries and Strawberries. 

Lunch: Salad

Supper: Salad and Kale Chips

Snack: Mixed Fruit Yonanas

Saturday, June 13, 2015

Recently I thought that oatmeal might be an overeating trigger, especially this recipe.  But, I am out of protein powder so I thought I'd give it a shot.  I was fine.  So that was in my head.

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal and Coffee (I use 1/3 cup oatmeal, water and 1 T. each of peanuts and choc)

Lunch: Salad with Quinoa and Turkey.  Used Walden Farms dressing. 

Snack: Apple

Supper: Zoodles with sauce and Parmesan cheese

Dessert: 1/2 Oat Fiber Shortcake and Fresh Strawberries (Half was plenty. I think the oat fiber makes my stomach hurt so I'm not sure I'll be using this recipe again. The Chocolate cake recipe uses less.)

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Breakfast: Snickers Oatmeal
Lunch: Salad
Snack:Apple
Supper: Yogurt with Strawberries and Blueberries
Snack: Banana and Peanut Butter, Kale chips

Monday, June 15, 2015

Breakfast: Oatmeal with Fresh Strawberries and Chocolate Chips
Lunch: Blended Summer Squash and Salmon Soup
Snack: Apple

Supper: Salad
Snack: Yogurt with Strawberries and Blueberries

Starting Over

It's been a long time since I've blogged.  (almost a year and a half!)  Over the past year I've gained weight and all my attempts to get back on track have failed. I don't know how much weight I have gained because 1) I don't really want to and 2) my scale is broken.  I haven't gained back all that I lost, but if I don't turn it around, I feel certain I will.

I have crocheted a LOT since I stopped blogging and obsessing about dieting. (See my work on instagram.) I hope that I am in a better place now and perhaps needed a time to step back and try again without making it the sole focus of my life. Because all of my attempts to just eat smaller portions have failed miserably, I know that I need some sort of tracking/accountability. When I was blogging about my journey, I seemed to do much better and so here I am.  It doesn't matter if anyone reads it.  I need this for me.

I realize that I became totally and completely obsessed with weight loss.  My whole life CANNOT be about weight loss. At the end of my life I am not going to say, "Wow! I'm so glad I spent the last 20 (random number) years obsessing about every bite of food I put in my mouth!"  It's not a good use of my time.  But, I am hoping I can find a balance and maybe writing about it will help.  At this point, I'm not weighing or measuring myself nor am I following any specific diet plan. I am just trying to find a healthy balance of all the things I have learned over the past (almost) 5 years.

I am starting a new weekly series that I am calling Trim Down Tuesday where I will share what I am eating (with links to recipes where possible) and how I am doing. I am excited to get back to blogging.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal with Fried Apples

In my recent post, 30+ Whole Food Breakfasts for Weight Watchers I linked to this Baked Pumpkin Banana oatmeal. One morning recently, I really wanted baked oatmeal but didn't have time so I came up with this quick breakfast which is only 4 Points Plus for Weight Watchers.

Note: In the recipe builder this comes up as 4 points without the apple and pumpkin and 6 with them.  I count this as 4.

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal with Fried Apples

1/3 cup rolled oats
2/3 cup water

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
dash of salt
2 T. pumpkin
1/4 tsp. molasses

Topping:
1 apple (I like Granny Smith)
1 tsp. grassfed butter or coconut oil
1 T. xylitol (or your favorite sweetener)
1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

optional: homemade cranberry sauce

Cook your oatmeal with your favorite method. (I used my microwave.)  Add the spices, pumpkin and molasses. Stir to combine.  In the meantime, peel apple if desired, then cut into chunks.  Fry in skillet in butter (or oil) until almost done (I did mine for 2-3 minutes but cook them until they are as soft as desired) add xylitol and pumpkin pie spice, stirring constantly.   Serve apples over the oatmeal.  This is fantastic with a scoop of homemade cranberry sauce in the middle.

10 Tips for Losing Weight This Holiday Season

I was in the store recently talking to a friend and she said, "I just need to get through the holidays and THEN I will go back to Weight Watchers."  Do you know how much weight the average person gains between this week and the first of January?  No?  Me either.  HA!  No, seriously I've read different numbers, but many gain anywhere from 5-10 lbs over the holidays. Don't let this happen to you.  At  the very least you should be able to maintain your weight.

Last year I lost about 7 lbs over the holidays.  It CAN be done.  This year I would be absolutely thrilled with that amount of weight loss but as I am nearing my goal weight it's much more slow going.

Here are some tips for losing weight (or maintaining):

1. Don't wait until January 1st.  Don't even wait until tomorrow.  Start with the next meal.  Make healthy choices.  If you are someone like me and have portion control issues....write down what you eat...count something...calories or points or whatever.

2. Every event does not have to be an eating event.  If it's not a sit down meal, no one will even notice that you aren't eating.  Either eat before you go and don't eat at the event at all OR eat a bowl of soup or something else light so you are not ravenous and will make better choices.  If you know ahead of time what will be on the menu think through exactly what you want to eat.

3. Choose ahead of time WHICH events will be eating events.  You don't have to skip the goodies you love on Thanksgiving or Christmas.  PLAN and DECIDE ahead of time what things you love and would feel completely deprived of if you didn't have.  Have some and move on.

4. If you eat more than you intended to....see #1.  Don't let this derail you. Start again right away.

5.  Make the time to exercise.  It doesn't have to be every day but wear a pedometer, do some extra walking, run, pop in an exercise DVD.  It doesn't take that long and you will be glad you did. (This one is for me!  I needed a little pep talk!)

6. Have a meal plan.  You don't have to stick to it 100%, but have some guidelines. It's much easier to stay the course if you have a course set out!

7. Don't waste calories (or points) on beverages.  I don't drink alcohol, so that is not even something I think about, but there are plenty of other calorie laden beverages this time of year...eggnog, hot chocolate, mulled cider, punch, soda etc.  If it's a once a year treat and part of the list of things you decide you have to have, then have ONE.  Calories in beverages can add up quickly so be careful of that.

8. Don't skip meals.  If you know you are going to an evening event don't skip lunch and/or breakfast to save calories.  That never works.

9. Find healthy, yet good tasting foods to replace those that are too caloric. If your family balks then just add an extra dish or two just for you! For instance, I am planning to make Sweet Potato Casserole from Dashing Dish and a Sweet Bacon Green Beans from Keep Crockin'.(review and giveaway on this fantastic book coming SOON!) I may end up being the only one eating these (though I doubt it) but, I'll be happy and more likely to stay on track with some dishes just for me.

10. Enjoy celebrations without guilt.  This may sound contrary to the other tips but it really isn't.  With a little planning ahead and good decision making you will be well on your way to starting the new year off without regrets.

Whole Food Breakfasts for Weight Watchers

I am not even sure that I can express how happy I am about being back to counting Weight Watchers Points.  When I left Weight Watchers early this year, one of the things I was looking to do was eat a more whole foods diet.  When I recently wrote a post about why I left Trim Healthy Mama to go back to Weight Watchers, I received a comment on it that stated, "I can understand leaving THM - nothing works for everyone, but Weight Watchers? That is a horrible eating program. I'd encourage you to reconsider." I just disagree with this statement so strongly that I wanted to say so here and not just respond in the comments.

First of all, there are so many versions of what a healthy diet is.  I have spent so much time recently trying to figure out what the best way to eat is.  I have come to the conclusion that there isn't just one way.  Weight Watchers encourages healthy eating.  Is it going to fit everyone's idea of healthy?  Nope....NOTHING will.  However, each individual can CHOOSE how they want to eat on the Weight Watchers program so I feel that someone that would say Weight Watchers is a horrible eating program just doesn't understand it.

Some of these recipes will undoubtedly not meet YOUR personal health standards and that is OK.  You can easily substitute what you feel is good or skip that particular recipe. There are recipes included with all kinds of sweeteners.  Use what you are comfortable with and adjust points accordingly.  Also, use the dairy products you are comfortable with, if you prefer higher fat cheese or a non-dairy milk or whatever...use it!

When I was originally on Weight Watchers I always tried to keep my Points at 4 or less for breakfast.  I usually had a 3 Point breakfast.  I think this was a mistake.  Most of the breakfasts I am sharing with you today are higher than that.  I find if I eat a large healthy breakfast, I have a better eating day.  If you haven't tried that, consider giving it a try.

Enough talk!  Here are the recipes:

OATMEAL and HOT CEREAL

I never ate oatmeal growing up.  My mother didn't like it, so she never had us eat it.  I was an adult when I forced myself to eat it.  I ate it regularly until I could bear it.  Now I LOVE it...especially steel cut oats.  They are fabulous!

Peanut Butter Banana Steel Cut Oats 6 PTS+ (This post has a great recipe builder and more ideas, definitely check it out!)

Baked Oatmeal with Blueberries and Bananas  6 PTS+

Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal 3 or 5 PTS +

Baked Blueberry-Peach Oatmeal 7 PTS +

Baked Cranberry-Apple Oatmeal  6 PTS + (This is absolutely fabulous.  I mixed this up the night before using almond milk and baked it the next morning.  It is great re-heated too.)

Baked Oatmeal with Pumpkin and Bananas 6 PTS +

Cream of Millet add 1 tsp. butter and fruit 5 PTS+

Cream of Brown Rice (follow directions for Millet) add 1 tsp. butter 4 PTS+

Apples and Cinnamon Breakfast Quinoa 8 PTS +

Quinoa Cereal for Breakfast

Crunchy Coconut Granola 4 PTS + (without the dried fruit)  add 1/2 cup Greek 0% yogurt (add 2 PTs+) and berries or fresh fruit

Pumpkin Pie Granola (4 PTS +)


Here are a few others that look good but don't have points plus values figured out.  If you have a chance to figure them out, I will add that information if you post it in the comments. Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal, Winter Blueberry Almond Baked Oatmeal, Stacy's Baked Oatmeal, Toasted Sesame Rice Hot Cereal

Eggs

The incredible edible egg.  Eggs are 2 Points + each and egg whites are 1 Point + for 3.  I think a nice compromise for getting some whole egg but not using too many points is to have a couple of whites with a whole egg.  But again, you could have 2 whole eggs for only 4 PTS + or even 3 for 6 PTS+, add some fruit and you have a nice filling breakfast.

Here are a few recipes to try:

Sausage, Egg and Cheese Hashbrown Cups* 3 PTS +

Crockpot Breakfast Casserole*  6 PTS+

Quick Breakfast Burritos 5 PTS +

Western Omelet (about 5 PTS + without cheese, will depend on the ham used)

Fluffy Cheese and Greens Frittata 4 PTs+ (per serving when cut in 4) 

Quiche Lorraine Light 6 PTS+

Giant Frittata 3 PTS +

Baked Eggs 2 PTS+ (for each egg plus whatever you add)

*If you are opposed to using pre-packaged hash browns it is easy enough to grate your own potatoes.  You could even try substituting grated turnip or zucchini!

If you are not opposed to Egg Beaters this is another great option.  You could try a Pizza Egg Mug (3 PTS +) or this Quick Egg and Toast (Egg is 2 PTS+, toast will vary). There are tons of recipes online for recipes using egg substitute ( you could easily substitute egg whites if you don't like eggs in a carton).


Pancakes, Waffles and French Toast

I love to top my pancakes, waffles and french toast with fruit.  One of my favorite things to do is take some frozen mixed berries and heat them up with some liquid stevia.  I don't even try to thicken them...I just pour them over and enjoy. You can use sugar-free syrup if you are so inclined or real maple syrup at 1 PT+ per Tablespoon.

Cottage Pancakes 4 PTS + for 1/3 recipe (these are sooo good-made with coconut flour!)

Protein Pancakes 1 PT+ per pancake

Carrot Cake Protein Pancakes 4 PTS+

Gingerbread Pancakes 6 PTS+

Baked Pumpkin French Toast 8 PTS +

Ezekiel Bread French Toast 5 PTS+

Stuffed Ezekiel French Toast 8 PTS +

Banana Bread French Toast 3 PTS +

Smoothies

This is probably my least favorite breakfast.  I enjoy one once in a while though.  I prefer to eat my points rather than drink them. When I make a smoothie I usually make it thick enough to eat with a spoon!

Protein Shakes (from Dashing Dish) I have tried many of these.  SO yummy!  (PTS + values vary)
(Some good ones to start with: Blueberry Cheesecake, Gingerbread Cookie, and French Toast)


Muffins and Baked Goods

Oh, how I love baked goods.  I have to be careful with these. :)

Sue Gregg's Blender Banana Muffins 4 PTS+ (using 1 T. each butter and oil, 1/2 cup nuts-16 muffins)

Sue Gregg's Carrot Bran Muffins 5 PTS+

Moist Pumpkin Protein Muffins 1 PT +

Baked Maple Donuts (grain free)  3 PTS +

Banana Bread Protein Muffins 1 PT+

Mini-Chocolate Peanut Butter Muffins 1 PT +

Lemon-Blueberry Coconut Flour Muffins 3 PTS +

The following recipes will require some substitutions to make them healthier but I thought they were worth sharing:

Cranberry Banana Bread 5 PTS+ , Three Berry Scones 3 PTS+, Low-fat Blueberry Scones 6 PTS+ 


I hope these breakfasts will keep you fueled and help you to stay on track.  It has been great fun pulling all of these recipes together and I can't wait to try them all myself!


Linked with Totally Tasty Tuesdays @ Mandy's Recipe Box, Fat Tuesday @Real Food Forager, Serenity Saturday @Serenity You, In and Out of the Kitchen @Feeding Big, Teach Me Tuesday @Growing Home, Titus2sdays @The Time Warp Wife, Wonderful Wednesday @Ducks in a Row, Wonderful Food Wednesday @All She Cooks, Cast Party Wednesday @Lady Behind the Curtain, Read Food Wednesday @Kelly the Kitchen Kop, Show and Share Wednesday @Mostly Homemade Mom

*Photos from rgbstock.com. Photography credit to: tomatogo (eggs),  MeiTeng (pancakes) and Lajla (oatmeal)

Stick with it Saturday-week 2

Another week done....didn't get much exercise in but a good week overall.  I'm down about 2 lbs this week and just feeling good about it even though I haven't been able to exercise.  Hoping for a better week this coming week but my back is really bothering me and it's a BUSY week even though we don't have school...yay for Thanksgiving vacation!!!

I had a great eating week!  I feel so happy having left Trim Healthy Mama to go back to counting WW Points. 

Sunday
Starting this week down 3 lbs from my 8 lb gain going off an extreme low-carb diet.

Monday

Down .2 this morning. Even though I don't feel well I managed to do 2 miles (miles 2 and 3 with the warm up and stretching) of Leslie Sansone's 5 Really Big Miles. The first one was with a resistance band and the second mile was a "fast mile".  I am enjoying doing these workouts.  I don't feel like I am going to die at the end (like I did when I was doing Jillian Michaels in the spring).

Tuesday

Down .6 more lbs today. Really not feeling well.

Wednesday

So excited to be down another 1.2 this morning.  I didn't exercise today but I did put 10,000 steps on my pedometer. YAY

Thursday

Down another .2 this morning.

Friday

Back up a little today, but to be expected at this point in my cycle.

Saturday

Same weight today.  

Goals for the upcoming week are just to follow my WW plan and exercise at least 3 times this week. I think I might go back to WW meetings starting this week.  I haven't decided for sure but I am leaning toward that.

Thanks Sam for doing this again! Link up your own diet/exercise post at Stick with it Saturday.

Stick with it Saturday

It has been ages since I have done one of these and I am so happy that Sam is doing this again.  It is good for my accountability and helps me to keep track of what I have done.

Sunday
Starting this week a full 8 lbs up from my lowest weight...all gained within the last week or so coming off a low-carb diet. While it was discouraging to see the scale go up,  I didn't panic.  It is not possible to gain that much fat that quickly and so I think my body is just adjusting with fluid.  So excited to see what happens this week.  Last week I said I was going to start counting again on Monday but decided "why wait?" and am starting today. 

Monday

Still thrilled to be back on Weight Watchers and counting points.  Today was the first time in FOREVER that I have exercised.  I have been having trouble with a low body temperature. I've always had a low body temperature, but lately it has been extremely low.  I think I have a metabolism problem.  I am hoping that exercising is going to help with that.  My temperature went up over a degree just from the short workout I did today.  Share in the comments if you have any experience with this. 

Today I did a beginner level of Extreme Obstacles XRT.  I really love this app.  So much fun.

The scale moved down about .6 from yesterday.  I'm still way up...but headed in the right direction. 

Tuesday

Down 2 more lbs today.  I think I am shedding the water weight that I gained quickly after quitting the low-carb diet. It feels great to see the scale moving back down.

Wednesday

Down another .8 today.  Did Leslie Sansone's The Big Burn workout.  Enjoyed it!

Thursday

Back up yesterday's .8.  No workout.

Friday

Didn't weigh today.  Did Extreme Obstacles XRT again. This is a fun app workout....doesn't take too long either. 

Saturday

I am back down that .8 from Thursday.  I've lost about 3 lbs this week.  

This has been a fantastic week!  I feel so happy having left Trim Healthy Mama to go back to counting WW Points.

Goals for the upcoming week are just to follow my WW plan and exercise at least 3 times this week.

Thanks Sam for doing this again!  Link up your own diet/exercise post on Stick with it Saturday.

Coming Full Circle: Why I Left Trim Healthy Mama to go back to Weight Watchers

Earlier this year I wrote this post about why I was leaving Weight Watchers. I still agree with most of what I wrote in that post HOWEVER, here I am again.  I know that counting points works and nothing else I have tried this year worked.  The only weight I lost this year was when I combined counting points with Trim Healthy Mama.  When I tried to just follow the plan, I didn't lose. As a matter of fact, I even gained when I first started.

I faithfully tried Trim Healthy Mama for over 30 weeks.  I was a moderator for the Facebook page and worked with the other moderators to help others in their weight loss journey as well.  I posted my meal plans and recipes here. I really convinced myself that this was THE way to eat. I thought it was the healthiest way, but I ended up food obsessed and afraid to eat certain foods or eat foods in certain combinations.   Even though I lost had over 85 lbs eating crossovers (prior to coming to THM), crossover meals are not considered weight loss friendly.  (Crossover meals are those that include fats and carbohydrates.) I did have that in the back of my mind, but I still thought this was the healthy way to eat and having reached a plateau earlier this year I was desperate to continue losing weight.

After gaining a few pounds and trying the plan for about 8 weeks, I decided to combine Trim Healthy Mama with counting points and I was able to lose some weight.  I reached my mini-goal of losing 100 lbs and went on to lose a bit more.  After a couple of months, I decided to try a fuel cycle and drop point counting.  I pretty much stopped losing after that.

After not losing, it was suggested that I might lose weight if I started eating 3 full days of FPs a week (FPs are meals that are low in both carbs and fats). Unfortunately, this didn't work for me either.  At that point I started looking into other things from Paleo/Primal eating to really low-carb.  This led me to try an Atkins induction (SO HARD) and got back down to my lowest weight, but as soon as I stopped the induction (and I don't mean pigging out...just normal eating) the weight came right back with a little extra and that is where I am now...ready to leave THM and low-carb diets behind. (I stepped down from being a THM moderator in late September, so really I moved on from it several weeks ago and now I'm leaving the low-carb lifestyle behind as well.)

The bottom line is that Trim Healthy Mama just did not work for me and turned me into a crazed, panicked dieter. I want a more balanced diet...no extremes, no food fear, no obsessing.

I also want to include a bit of a confession and the reason why I think Weight Watchers stopped working for me and why THM appealed to me so much.  The reason?  Gluttony.  One reason I originally switched from calorie counting to Weight Watchers was that fruits and vegetables are 0 Points Plus.  In my mind, this meant "free".  Weight Watchers does not really teach this, but it worked for me in the beginning so I just ate as much fruit as I wanted to.  Eventually however, I was eating too much fruit.  I knew it, but I wasn't willing to change it and keep doing the program.  THM made it seem as though you could eat as much as you want as long as you don't mix fuels.  This really is NOT true.

I still remember how upset I felt when I was told that I needed to cut back from eating so much heavy S.  (Heavy S meals are those that are high in fat.)  I was told to eat less nuts and cheese and that the cheeseburger pie was something to be eaten infrequently.  Some of the recipes were created by Serene for when she was nursing but the book never tells you this.  Many of the recipes have no serving sizes and none have nutritional information.  On page 434, in reference to a fuel cycle it says, "You can enjoy our homemade Skinny Chocolate in liberal quantities since it is made from coconut oil." My definition of liberal is a large amount...much larger than what the authors would consider liberal.    I didn't get to be morbidly obese by eating small portions. I need portion control. Weight Watchers gives this to me, THM did not.  I am now at a point (having done lots of low-carbing) that  I am willing to limit fruit and not overeat it just because I don't have to count it.

I could list other examples but I think you get the idea and I didn't set out to bash THM.  It works for some people and I truly believe that Pearl and Serene want to help women lose weight. Please note, this is the reason why I, Karen @ The Fruit of Her Hands is no longer following the THM lifestyle.  If it works for you, then please, by all means continue.  My advice about weight loss has always been to find something that works for you and then DO it! (see my tips for losing weight {scroll down}...I should have followed my own advice.)

This struggle I have with my weight has been and will continue to be a life long journey.  I have no idea where it will take me but I look forward to seeing how things will go following the Weight Watchers plan again.  At this point, I am not going back to meetings (though I do miss my friends there).  I may or may not go back at some point.  I plan to keep sharing my journey here so stay tuned.

Stick With It Saturday

It has been a long time since Stick with it Saturday has been posted (or that I've linked up)  BUT I heard today that it is coming back next week and I can't wait to link back up.  It's just what I need as I move along in my journey.

My weight is up a few more pounds than I would like. Clearly, the low-carb lifestyle has NOT worked for me.  Monday morning I am going back to Weight Watchers (just counting points...not actually going back to meetings though the thought of that HAS crossed my mind).  I am still having back trouble so I can't run (boo-hoo), but I could go back to my goal of 10,000 steps a day.  Not sure yet...but I am ready...no.... more than ready to go back to counting points alone...not mixing with anything else.

So come back next week for an update on how I am doing!

The Crazed Panicked Dieter

 Hello.  My name is Karen and I am a crazed, panicked dieter. Can you relate?  This last year has been SO tough for me.  I've now been on a 3 year journey of weight loss.  You can read about how I lost the first 85 lbs and then more about how I got to 100 lbs lost.  I have since lost about 12 lbs more, but most of this year I have STRUGGLED with taking off any more weight...especially in the last 4 months or so.  I have been bouncing up and down with the same 3 lbs.  I have not been a happy camper.  I have tried lots of different things to no avail.

My latest weight loss attempt was 2 weeks of Atkins Induction.  If you know anyone that has done this give them a big pat on the back.  It is HARD!  I also have tried bulletproof coffee with intermittent fasting. I have been reading online and reading lots of books trying to figure out what to try next.....but yesterday I realized...

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

I have been OBSESSED!!  It is not healthy.   So I am trying to take a step back.  I still want to lose weight, but I can't have it be my whole life.

My current plan is healthy eating in MODERATION.  Moderation is the difficult part for me.  Stay tuned.  If necessary I WILL go back to counting points or calories but for now I am just trying to eat reasonably and not gain weight.  I do not want to be a statistic.  I know most people gain the weight back and I just want to do whatever it takes to not be that person...AND not be a fanatic at the same time.

Please share any ideas or encouragement.  I love comments!

Trim Healthy Mama-Week 29

This is my 29th week of Trim Healthy Mama. Weight is holding steady.

Friday-FP

Breakfast-Eggplant French Toast with Greek O% Yogurt and mixed berries
Lunch-Summer Squash and Zucchini with Creamless Creamy Sauce and Grilled Chicken, Tomato
Snack-Reese's Whip
Supper-Grilled Chicken with Lettuce, Tomato, Light Laughing Cow Cheese and Joseph's Lavash
Snack-FP cake, yogurt, blueberries

Saturday

Breakfast- (S) Stacy's Breakfast Cobbler; Greek 0% yogurt with PB2 and a tsp. of Polaner All Fruit
Lunch-(S) Salad with Salmon, Skinny Chocolate
Supper-(S) Salad with Chicken
Snack-(S) Satisfying Sundae

Sunday-

Breakfast-(S) Cereal and Cake Batter Protein Smoothie
Lunch-(S) Salad with Salmon, Skinny Chocolate
Supper-(S) Roasted Squash, Grilled Chicken
Snack-(S) Satisfying Sundae


Monday-

Breakfast-(FP) Muffin in Bowl with Yogurt and Berries
Lunch-(FP) Salad with grilled chicken, Walden Farms dressing
Supper-(FP) Small Strawberry Kefir Smoothie, Eggplant Rounds, Grilled Chicken
Snack-(FP) Chocolate Cake with strawberries and FF Reddi-Wip


Tuesday-

Breakfast-(S) Flax hot cereal
Lunch-(S) Salad with Grilled Chicken, Skinny Chocolate
Supper- (S)Gluten Free Cheesy Biscuits, Baked Eggs and Bacon
Snack- (S) Reese's Whip



Wednesday-All FP today

Breakfast-Stacy's Lemon Blueberry Muffin in a Bowl with Lemon Blueberry Greek 0% yogurt
Lunch-FP Salad with chicken and egg white, yogurt
Supper-Zucchini Noodles in Creamless Creamy Sauce with 3 oz chicken, yogurt
Snack-Tuna in a cucumber boat, FP chocolate cake


Thursday-

Breakfast-(E) Overnight Oats
Lunch-(S) Salad with Salmon, EVOO, balsamic
Supper-(OP) Pizza and Salad
Snack-(S) Yogurt with berries, Lily's chocolate and almonds

* My weight loss has been a process.  I've been on my weight loss journey since October 2010.  I have not lost this much weight since starting THM.  You can read this post to read more about how I lost the first 100 lbs.

The Long Awaited Announcement

As of today I have lost just over 100 lbs!  This has been a long process and it is so exciting to hit such a big milestone.

Two and a half years ago I started this weight loss journey when I was inspired by my good friend Amanda to start losing weight.  I have written two previous posts about this and I don't want to re-hash it all here so you can read:

How I Lost 50 Pounds and Obese No More: How I Lost 85 Lbs

I wrote the latter post in October of 2012.  I continued to lose a few pounds more until the end of the year.  When 2013 rolled around, I stalled.  I had no new weight loss.  I was tired of paying Weight Watchers especially when I wasn't losing.  Around this time, I kept hearing about Trim Healthy Mama.  I decided to buy the book and leave Weight Watchers.

Though some people think there is a pretty large learning curve with Trim Healthy Mama, I really didn't.  I jumped right in...however, still had no new weight loss.  I even gained a couple of pounds.  It was so frustrating to me to just be stuck.  After about 8 weeks, I finally decided that I would still follow the THM plan, but also count WW points (which is not part of the plan) and the scale began to move.  I post a weekly summary of what I've eaten, how many points, workouts etc on Thursday nights so you can search this blog if you are interested in seeing exactly what I am doing.

I am pleased that I am finally losing weight again.  Since starting Trim Healthy Mama, I am eating a very healthy diet free from artificial sweeteners and free from processed food!

So here is a before and now picture....it's very difficult to post a before picture.

  I hate even looking at it.  It is worth it though if it inspires anyone to lose weight.  Morbid obesity is a horrible place to be...and I know I felt stuck there for many years.  If I can do this...anyone can!

Trim Healthy Mama-Week 8

This is my 8th week of Trim Healthy Mama. As you will see if you read this post, I have made some decisions regarding following this plan.

Friday
No workout


Breakfast-(FP) French Toast Wonder Wraps
Lunch- (FP) Savory Muffin in a Bowl with Laughing Cow Cheese and a Bowl of Vegetable Soup
Supper-(S) Salmon over a huge tossed salad
Snack-(FP) Muffin in a Bowl with peanut flour flavored yogurt

This felt like a "good" food day.  I wasn't snacking or eating more than I should.  I felt like it was all pretty healthy too.  I do find that even though I don't eat sugar most of the time I am still eating sweet things.  Today had less of that I think.

Saturday-
No workout

Breakfast- (E) Sprouted French Toast with a small side dish of Greek 0% yogurt and blueberries
Snack-(FP) Fat Stripping Frappa (about 3/4 of it)
Lunch-(S) Chicken Caesar Salad
Supper- (S) Bacon Cheeseburger (no roll) and Tossed Salad with Bleu Cheese dressing
Snack- (FP) a little pudding

This was not what I intended for today, but ended up being out for both lunch and supper.  Supper was at Panera Bread.  I ordered from the Low Carb menu.  I chose a tossed salad as my side and it came with croutons??  I didn't eat them, but I thought that was weird...and the burger came with sweet pickles which I didn't know until I had one in my mouth...so I gave the others to my husband.

Sunday-
No workout

Breakfast-(FP) French Toast Wonder Wraps with Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Lunch- (FP) Muffin in a Bowl (savory) with Light Laughing Cow Cheese and Vegetable Soup with some Choco-orange pudding for dessert
Snack-(FP) Greek pudding (yogurt with peanut flour, cocoa and whey protein)
Supper-(FP) Tossed Salad with homemade fat free ranch and Salmon
Snack-(FP) Nighty Night Custard with Berry syrup

This was a pretty low calorie day but I wasn't overly hungry.  I didn't like the salad dressing that I made at all which was a bummer since it was a big salad and I wasn't about to waste it.

After 7 1/2 weeks on THM I am finding that it just is not working for me.  I am seriously considering going back to counting WW points and/or calories.  I'll see how I feel in the morning about this....  It's not that I don't love THM. I do, but I am not losing weight and I just need to see some results.  I haven't lost any weight in 2013 at all.  I am going crazy!

Monday-

When I woke up this morning I was still in a quandary about what I wanted to do. I literally stood in the kitchen unable to decide what to eat.  I finally decided that I would start counting WW points while still eating the THM way to see what happens.  I have to figure out a way to eat healthy and get the scale moving back down!

Breakfast- (S) 1 whole egg with 3 whites, 1/2 tsp coconut oil and 1 tsp. nutritional yeast with a side of zucchini sauteed in 1/2 tsp. coconut oil  (4 Points Plus)
Lunch- (S) Large tossed salad with 1 T. light mayo, 2 T. balsamic vinegar, 2 T. parmesan cheese and salmon  (4 Points Plus)
Supper- (FP) Vegetable Soup and Greek "Pudding" (Greek 0% yogurt and whey protein powder) with 4 fresh strawberries (5 Points Plus)
Snack-(S) Kale Chips (2 Points Plus) and a Cake in a Mug (6 Points Plus)

I still have 5 points left to eat but I feel like that would be too much food for tonight.  Tomorrow I will try to eat more at each meal.  I would have had a snack this afternoon, but I had a dr. appointment and ended up taking my daughter to work and did some quick grocery shopping while I was out (so I wasn't home for that.

As of now (only the first day) I am feeling very good about my decision to combine what I've learned from THM with Weight Watchers.  

I am hoping to get back to running or at least exercising tomorrow.  I went to my chiropractor today and my back should be in better shape now.  It had been bothering me quite a bit.

Weight Watchers recommends 5 servings of fruits and vegetables, 2 tsp. healthy oils (they allow canola-ick and olive oil- I am allowing coconut and EVOO), 6 glasses of liquid, and 2 servings of non-fat or low fat dairy. They also recommend taking a multi-vitamin. I have met all of the healthy guidelines for today.  I think I might come up with my own list.

Tuesday-
workout- sprint intervals and walking

Breakfast-(S)  1 whole egg with 3 whites, 1/2 tsp coconut oil and 1 tsp. nutritional yeast with a side of zucchini and mushrooms sauteed in 1/2 tsp. coconut oil and some diced tomato (4 Points Plus)
Lunch-(E) Sweet Potato with 1 tsp. EVCO, Salmon, cukes, tomato and peppers, apple with pb2 (technically not a THM food but I have a lot of it) (6 Points Plus)
Snack- (FP) Fat Stripping Frappa (3 Points Plus)
Supper- Large Tossed Salad with 2 tsp. EVOO, balsamic vinegar, string cheese and 4 oz chicken (7 Points Plus)
Snack-(FP) Muffin in a Mug, 1/2 cup Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's Berry syrup (4 Points Plus) since I had 2 points left and a new shipment of oat fiber I decided to make a plain muffin in a mug with all oat fiber and had it with 3 strawberries, a swirl of stevia sweetened maple syrup and FF Reddi Whip (1 Point Plus)

I have 1 point left today but I've eaten plenty I think.

Very,very happy that I am counting points again. I can't explain why this would make me so happy....but, it does.  

I met my WW healthy guidelines for the day today.



Wednesday-
No official workout but I did 20 push-ups, 10 squats and 20 sit ups.

Breakfast- (FP) Greek 0% Yogurt, Whey Protein and Blueberries (5 Points Plus)
Lunch-(S) Tossed Salad, Salmon, EVOO, balsamic with FP Muffin in a Bowl Bread and Light Laughing Cow Cheese (7 Points Plus)
Supper-(FP) Konjac noodles, cabbage, egg whites, chicken, sesame oil/coconut oil, peanut flour (5 Points Plus)
Snack- (FP) Joseph's Crackers with 1 Laughing Cow Cheese (4 Points Plus)
Strawberry Shortcake (Strawberries sweetened with Truvia over an oat fiber "muffin" with fat free Reddi Whip) (1 Point Plus)

Once again I am have points left over.  I think it's because I had a huge supper, but it wasn't a lot of points.  I should have put more oil in it.  The shortcake I had tonight was SO good.

I ended up having a Cottage Berry Whip for 2 Points Plus and still went to bed with 2 points leftover.

I met my healthy guidelines for WW today.


Thursday-
No workout

Breakfast- (S)  1 whole egg with 3 whites, 1/2 tsp coconut oil and 1 tsp. nutritional yeast with a side of zucchini and mushrooms sauteed in 1/2 tsp. coconut oil and some diced tomato (4 Points Plus)
Lunch-(S) Tossed Salad, Salmon, 1 T. EVOO, 1 T. balsamic (5 Points Plus)
Supper- (A planned crossover) Slice of Pizza and a Caesar salad(fork dipped the dressing) with some croutons. (12 Points Plus) This is the first time I've had pizza in 2 months...so good.
Snack- FP Strawberry Shortcake (1 Points Plus) This is my new favorite thing to eat.
Greek yogurt with blueberries and strawberries (3 Points Plus)

I met my healthy guidelines for WW today.  Still going to bed with 1 Point left.

My goal for this next week is to continue doing what I am doing now, but try to be done eating before 9 pm and to eat more points earlier in the day.  I also hope to start getting into a regular exercise routine again.

Trim Healthy Mama-Week 6

This is my 6th week of Trim Healthy Mama.  Still not really seeing any results on the scale, but I have a few new ideas for upcoming weeks.  Well, I can't say that I'm not seeing results for sure since I am trying to stay off the scale.  Not weighing scares me....it will be OK, it will be OK. :)  I am trying to focus on the changes I am making that are for my health and not panicking over not losing anything right now.  I really want to be losing though...

Friday
Workout: Sprint Intervals

Breakfast- (FP) Cinnamon Muffin in a Bowl, 3/4 cup Greek O% yogurt
Snack- (FP) Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch- (S) Tossed Salad with Poached Salmon, Romano Cheese, 1 T. nuts, 1 1/2 T. EVOO and balsamic vinegar (my new favorite lunch) and some pudding (PB Gluccomannan)
Snack- (FP) Muffin in a Bowl- Dollop of 0% Greek Yogurt and Gwen's Berry Syrup
Supper- (FP maybe to S)  I made a stir fry of shiritake noodles, broccoli, a 3 oz piece of steak, egg whites, a little butter and oil and seasonings.  Quite Yummy!  Next time I will add some peanut flour.
Snack- Muffin in a Bowl (yes another one...I have to stop that, but it's really good.)  Also ate some pudding.

Saturday
No workout

Breakfast- (S) Coconut Porridge, Dollop of Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Lunch- (S) Salad with 2 Steamed Eggs (in a bit of grass fed butter), Romano, 1.5 tsp. EVOO, balsamic (Look Pearl NO NUTS!)
Snack-Greek 0% yogurt with 1 tsp. each of cocoa and pb flour, sweetener and Reddi Whip
Supper-I went to a bridal shower...didn't eat before I left and the only thing there on plan was peppers and tomatoes...I also had a few blueberries and strawberries.

I came home STARVING.

I made (S) zucchini noodles which I cooked in a tiny bit of coconut oil then put some lowfat cottage cheese (not too much), some fresh Romano and a little sugar free sauce on it.  YUM!  Then I had a (S) Volcano Mudslide Muffin in a Mug with a large spoonful of Greek yogurt and some berry syrup.
Snack- (FP) Gluccie Pudding

I really don't feel that I ate enough today....or not enough healthy food...needed more protein I think.  I don't feel very satisfied.  The evening thing was my fault for not planning ahead well enough.  It was very disappointing that EVERY single dish that was at the potluck bridal shower I went to was a crossover. Most had pasta in them!  I "could" have brought something I could eat (either to share or just to eat) but due to lack of planning I just didn't.  I ate my lunch really late so I wasn't hungry when I left and the shower lasted 2 and 1/2 hours.

Really needed something to much so finished the day with Kale chips with light oil.  I then made myself a small amount a skinny chocolate.  I definitely have PMS...ugh

And I've totally changed my mind...ate way too much tonight for sure.  Note to self: plan better!


Sunday-
No workout.  It's really hard for me to find time to workout on Sundays.

Breakfast- (FP) Greek 0% Yogurt, protein powder and Stevia sweetened maple syrup
Snack- (S) a handful of nuts and string cheese
Lunch- (S) Pot Roast, Green Beans, Roasted Radishes
Supper-(S) Tossed Salad with 2 Eggs, EVOO, balsamic vinegar, Romano cheese
Snack- Square of dark chocolate (85%), Nighty Night Custard with a bit of Gwen's Berry syrup
I had a muffin in a bowl later before bed because I was hungry...oh and few meringues after they came out of the oven.

Monday-
Workout
I did some push-ups (girl style...some on my knees and some on my stability ball)
A friend let me borrow her rebounder and I did over 10 minutes (not all at once on that)

Breakfast- (E) Trim Healthy Pancakes, Greek 0% Yogurt and Gwen's Berry Syrup
Snack- (FP) Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch- (S but very light...almost FP) Tossed Salad with 1 tsp. EVOO, balsamic vinegar, 1 T. parm cheese, greens, cucumber, tomato and Salmon then I had a (FP) Muffin in a Bowl with a spoonful of yogurt and Gwen's Berry syrup
Supper-(S) Chicken, Broccoli with Butter, (FP) Muffin in a Bowl for dessert and a (S) Square of Dark Chocolate
Snack-(FP) Nighty Night Custard with Raspberry Compote

Feeling dissatisfied today with what I'm eating.  I want to munch.

Tuesday-

Rebounding- 15 minutes

Breakfast- (FP) Muffin in a Bowl made in waffle iron, Greek 0% yogurt, Gwen's Berry Syrup
Lunch-(S) Salmon Salad with lots of S goodies and Skinny Chocolate
Supper- (FP) Creamy Vegetable Soup with some poached chicken and (S)Skinny Chocolate
Snack- (FP) Muffin in a Bowl and (FP)Joseph's Crackers with a Light Laughing Cow Cheese


I can't have a full batch of Skinny Chocolate on hand, especially when it's the first day of my cycle....I eat it.


Wednesday- Making this an FP day

Breakfast- (FP) French Toast Wonder Wraps with Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Snack-(FP) Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch-(FP) Creamy Vegetable Soup with 3 oz chicken
Snack-(FP) Gluccie Pudding
Supper- (FP)Konjac Noodles with egg whites and cabbage
Dessert-(FP) Muffin in a Bowl with Greek yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Snack- (FP) Joseph's Crackers with Laughing Cow Cheese and cucumber...some pudding too



Thursday-
No workout...didn't mean to not do one.  Oops

Breakfast- (S) Serene's Steamed Eggs, 1 Brazil Nut and 1 tiny piece of skinny chocolate that I didn't scarf down the other day
Lunch- (E) 1/2 Sweet Potato with 1 tsp. coconut oil, broiled salmon, Reese's whip for dessert because I was still hungry
Supper-(S) Large Tossed Salad with a sprinkle of nuts,EVOO, and Parmesan and a Joseph's Pita Pizza
Dessert-(FP) Muffin in a Bowl with Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Snack- (S) Strawberries with Skinny Chocolate

Stick with it Saturday

I've now been eating the Trim Healthy Mama way for 5 weeks. The scale isn't budging and I'm not back down to my lowest weight (I'm about 4 lbs from my lowest...sigh.)  But, I am committed to keeping on trying.....

Workouts for the week:

Sunday: No official workout but I had nursery duty in church last night so I had the kids doing jumping jacks and hopping on one foot with me...and some other exercises.  Couldn't hurt. :)

Monday:

Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred Did Level 1 with 5 lb weights (when I first did it I used 3 lb weights....5 lbs seems so much heavier!)  But this workout was so much easier than when I started it. I could hardly finish the first set of jumping jacks...now the cardio part is all pretty easy on this level. (LOVE seeing progress)

I also did 50 Jumping Jacks while Katie was practicing the organ in the afternoon.  Every little bit helps!

Oh, and on a side note.  I have been seeing a chiropractor for about the last month of so and my lower back is SO much better.  I couldn't lie on the floor before without a folded blanket under me...now?  no problem!

Tuesday:

Totally Transverse workout (core strengthening) and some squats throughout the day.


Wednesday:

Totally Transverse workout, some jump rope (not much), using a small ball to squeeze between the knees and Stability Ball Squats

Thursday: No workout

Friday: Sprint Intervals (outside with my 18 year old daughter...I felt old and slow!)

Today: No workout....got up late and had a busy day.



Goals for the upcoming week: Eat the Trim Healthy Mama Way and exercise at least 4 times this week.

Link up your own diet/exercise post over at Sam's Noggin. 

(There isn't one posted so this links to last week.)

Trim Healthy Mama-Week 5

This is my 5th week of Trim Healthy Mama. Still enjoying it though I wish I was seeing more results on the scale.

Friday

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Level 3-Day 2

Breakfast-(FP) Chia Tapioca
Snack- (FP) Fat Stripping Frappa
Lunch- (FP) Wonder Wraps with turkey, lettuce, tomato and laughing cow cheese, half a cucumber, Reese's Whip turned S by adding skinny chocolate and nuts
Supper-  (S) Pepper Crusted Salmon, Mashed Cauliflower
Snack- (S) Reese's Whip turned S by adding skinny chocolate and nuts

I was so hungry when I was trying to fall asleep that I got up and ate a Joseph's pita with leftover Cheeseburger Casserole...and a tiny bit of nuts.

Saturday

Woke up and weighed myself today.  I am extremely discouraged that the scale is going up.  I am trying to relax about it, but I am freaking out.


Breakfast- (E) Sweet Cinnamon Quinoa
Lunch- (S) Pepper Crusted Salmon, Mashed Cauliflower, Cucumber- Reese's Whip with nuts and Skinny Chocolate
Supper- (S) Corned Beef, Cabbage
Snack- (S) Reese's Whip with nuts and Skinny Chocolate


Sunday-

No official workout but I had church nursery duty on Sunday night so I had the kids doing jumping jacks and other exercises with me.

Breakfast- (FP) French Toast Wonder Wraps stuffed with Greek 0 % Yogurt and Berries
Snack-(FP) about 1/2 of a Chia Pudding
Lunch- (FP) Egg White Wraps with Laughing Cow Cheese and Salmon (yum)
Supper- (S) Greek 0% Yogurt with cocoa, peanut flour, sweetener, FF Reddi Whip, Skinny Chocolate and 1 T. peanuts (I measured because I want to make sure I am not overdoing it with nuts.  I'm not going to be eating any nuts at night any more either.)
Snack-(FP) Joseph's Crackers with 1 Light Laughing Cow Cheese and Nighty Night Hot Custard

Monday-

50 jumping jacks while Katie practiced the organ

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred Level 1- WOW have I improved since I first started on this.  I upped it to 5 lbs weights.

Breakfast- (E) Trim Healthy Pancakes with Greek 0% yogurt and Gwen's berry syrup
Lunch- (light S) Poached Salmon on a salad lightly dressed with EVOO, balsamic vinegar, a little fresh grated Romano
Snack-(FP) Glucomannan Pudding Parfait (PB banana and Chocolate) with FF Reddi Whip
Supper-(FP) Sweet and Spicy Asian Stir Fry over Shirataki Noodles ended dinner with (S) skinny chocolate and a bit of Butterscotch Gluccie Pudding
Snack-(FP) Nighty Night Hot Custard with Lemon Compote and more pudding....


Tuesday-

Totally Transverse  and some squats also using a small exercise ball to squeeze between the knees...3 sets of 10

Today is my 45th birthday.  I plan to be good...but not that good. :)  I am celebrating the fact that I am thinner and healthier than I've been in over 20 years! This day will be all S!

Breakfast- Serene's Steamed Omega 3's in grass fed butter and yes some skinny chocolate too. (It's my birthday!)
Lunch- Poached Salmon over salad greens, cucumbers, tomato, EVOO, balsamic, a handful of nuts and Romano cheese- Gluccie Pudding parfait
Supper- Lobster Salad over Green salad with EVOO and vinegar.  Skinny Chocolate
Snack- Cake in a Mug ,Skinny Chocolate (and a few bites of chicken that I had cooked for the fridge.

I ate entirely too much Skinny Chocolate today, but considering it was my birthday I don't think I did that bad.  At least I didn't eat this.

Wednesday-

Totally Transverse, small exercise ball to squeeze between the knees...3 sets of 10, did a bit of jump roping today and Stability Ball Squats


Breakfast- (FP) Chia Tapioca
Lunch- (S) Large Tossed Salad with Baked Chicken, EVOO, balsamic and Romano Cheese and a handful of nuts, Skinny Chocolate and some Gluccie Pudding
Supper- (E) All Day Lentil Soup and an apple...first one I've had since THM!
Snack- (S) Skinny Chocolate, Lemon Pudding and Muffin in a Bowl

WAY too much food for a snack....so full I feel sick. Why did I do this??

Thursday-

No workout

Breakfast- (FP) Muffin in a Bowl-0% Greek Yogurt with Gwen's Berry Syrup (Healthy and Yummy!)
Lunch- (S) Salad with Salmon, EVOO, balsamic and Romano cheese, 1 T. nuts and some butterscotch gluccie pudding
Supper-(S) Went out to eat for my birthday with my BFF...got the salad bar at a local steak house. It was an S meal.  I "think" everything I had was OK.
Snack-(FP) Joseph's crackers with a Light Laughing Cow cheese and some Gluccie pudding


I haven't weighed myself in a couple of days but the last time I got on the scale it had gone down some so I was happy to see that.  I am trying not to obsess over the scale, so I'm not weighing every day.  I've made some tweaks to the way I am eating based on some suggestions Pearl gave me...more salads for lunch (which I am loving) and eating FP snacks and laying off the nuts and heavier snacks at night.

This was not an intense workout week.  Feeling kind of bad about that...I "think" it's OK though.