mmm! Dinner tonight:

Saute cauliflower, green onions, zucchini, asparagus, carrots, and two chopped-up slices of turkey bacon in a little olive oil (I used my trusty Misto), sprinkle with sea salt, fresh ground pepper, and garlic powder. Sprinkle with mozzarella and freshly grated Parmesan, and voila! 220 calories of filling goodness.

Sunday Check-In #3

Great things:
*clothes fitting better
*honey-mustard dressing
*soup
*AWESOME support from Hubby
*single-serving Crystal Light packets
*more energy!
*enjoying preparing and planning my food

I had a totally busy week:

Monday was fah-bulous - Liz and I went to Indian Beach, hiked a few hours, and took hundreds of pictures. The hike kicked my butt, too.

Tuesday was a weird PBL (project-based learning) day at school and then I stayed until 5:30 for Homework Help (Liz and I tag-team it every Tuesday).

Wednesday was MACA's Exhibition of Student Work, which kept me busy from 7:30 AM until almost 9:30 PM. That's the only day I went over 1500 calories (that I can accurately count), and it was still under 1600. Woot.

Thursday I was exhausted by the time I got home (still recovering from Exhibition) but didn't want to fall asleep at 7, so while Hubby was at class I went shopping and got a couple shirts from Old Navy, and the most comfortable bra I've ever had in my life at Lane Bryant. A $50 bra for $17, and I know this is TMI but dangit, it made me happy.

Friday I was just glad to be home, and Hubby and Liz and I went to my new favorite sushi place, Fuji's. Hubby tricked me into eating a roll with eel in it, which was way better than the first time I had eel. Liz promised a shower of awesome gifts if I ate one piece of her roll with tuna in it, which I did. I couldn't resist a shower of awesome gifts. But overall, still not an eel or tuna or any raw fish fan. Sushi = yes, raw fish = no.

Saturday I slept in while Hubby went to class. I then trekked to school at 11 to finish up some grading so I didn't have to worry about it this week - it's the last day of the semester on Thursday and I figured it would be nice to not scramble to figure grades out at the last minute. Then I went shopping again for more awesomeness at Old Navy/Lane Bryant. I made Hubby wild rice and mushroom soup for dinner while we lounged on the couch. mmmm...

And now, Sunday!

Weight last Sunday: 210.4
Weight today: 208.8
Average Calories per day: 1496
Number of days I went over 1500 calories: 1
Number of days I had caffeine: 3
Number of days with fast food: 0
Number of days I had a carbonated drink: 3
Number of days exercised: 2.5 (I count Exhibition as 0.5... I DID work a 14 hour day!)
Hours exercised: 3
Not as big a loss as I was hoping, but I need to step up with the exercise thing. Still, at this rate, in two weeks I'll be halfway to my goal!

Sunday Check-In #2

Weight last Sunday: 213.4
Weight today: 210.5
Average Calories per day: 1438
Number of days I went over 1500 calories: 0
Number of days I had caffeine: 2
Number of days with fast food: 0
Number of days I had a carbonated drink: 1
Number of days exercised: 2 (illness, plus evening staff meeting hindered my efforts somewhat.)
Hours exercised: 2.5

Goal for this week: Lose another two pounds, cut days with caffeine down to 1, keep soda down to 1, and exercise four days (3 hours total).

I met about half my goals last week. Not bad, but could be better. Still, the scale's telling me I'm doing something right so I won't beat myself up about it. :)

great walk

I'm beginning to enjoy my walks more and more. Liz and her pug, Mushu, joined me this afternoon in the country for a walk/picture-taking excursion. Three things I got from this time: great company, good exercise, and time with my camera. Yay!

Some photos from today:

On Rick Astley and Nannies.

Today:

Ate cake for breakfast: 400 calories, I'm guessing. It was delicious, and I managed to skip my mid-morning snack to make up for it. Now, it's almost 9 and I've still got 150 calories!

Went on an hour-long walk after work. It was sunny and beautiful, even though it was pretty cold. I still feel good.

Stocked up on fresh veggies again (new favorite: Honeycrisp apples), and got Hubby some of those disgusting chalky Valentine's hearts. How could I resist? "Call me" in pink is just too irresistible. Also, splurged on a shirt, but when I came home and tried it on it didn't fit quite right - at least it's something to look forward to when I can wear it next month.

Laughed when I read that Nancy Pelosi Rickrolled everybody on her website. Also, a bit disturbed.

Watched Nanny 911 - just to feel better about myself. I know I'm not a parent myself, but I DO teach high school, and man, those parents are idiots.

My new favorite: Sauteing chicken, cauliflower, green beans and corn, then adding turkey gravy and serving with herb mashed potatoes. Oh man, I made a huge pan of it (just throwing stuff in there, hoping its edible) and the whole pan (including potatoes on the side) was only 1000 calories! I still had about 600 calories left for the day, so I allotted myself half of it but felt stuffed after only about a third. Woo!

Sunday Check-In #1

Weight last Sunday: 215
Weight today: 213
Average Calories per day: 1513
Number of days I went over 1500 calories: 1
Number of days I had caffeine: 3
Number of days with fast food: 0
Number of days I had a carbonated drink: 3
Number of days exercised: 4
Hours exercised: 2.25

Goal for this week: Lose another two pounds, cut days with caffeine down to 1, cut soda down to 1, and exercise five days (3 hours total).

Reward me!

Okay, so I need some help brainstorming ways I can reward myself when I'm a good girl. Rewards that don't involve food - which, generally, have been my rewards in the past. Keep in mind that my day from 7:30 AM - 4:30 PM is 100% off limits, unless it's something that can work during school hours. Rewards budget per month is about $20. Any suggestions?

New program

So I've started a new diet/exercise program and I'm really feeling good about it. I officially started it Monday and already I can feel a difference in my energy level, etc. My white binder that I made with food diary and four months worth of meal calendars goes with me everywhere, and I've been religious about putting stuff in there. This morning's breakfast: "yogurt with blueberries, 130 cal. Two carrot sticks, 20 cal."

One of the best things about eating better, besides the obvious health benefits, is that things taste better now. Those carrot sticks that I grabbed for breakfast were pretty sweet-tasting, but if I'd been eating sugar in the last four days they wouldn't have been. So, it doesn't seem like horrific punishment to eat vegetables anymore.

Also, with my food menu calendars, I've included exercise. I didn't go on a walk yesterday because it was raining, but I've got both other days and that also does not seem like punishment. I guess it might be attitude, but also that I think I'm in a better place as a person now. And this year is going super well so I'm riding that karma for as long as I can!

So, the official starting weight: 215. Blood pressure: 140/80 (as of three weeks ago).

Two years ago...

I realized today that I'm 35 pounds lighter than I was the day I got married!

35 pounds is a lot. Of course, I kinda cheated. But that was the suckiest way to lose 15 pounds ever.

So, now the clothes that I bought because I was going to GAIN weight is now WAY too big, as clothing that was tight a month ago is now fitting perfectly. And actually, I feel a little awkward. I didn't think that I'd end up with body-image issues from LOSING weight, but I am struggling a little to accept the fact that I went from 197 to 183 seemingly overnight. And my body is shaped a little differently, and I have a big scar.

Prednisone woes

I've only been on it for a few weeks, but my doctor upped my dosage by 50% yesterday. I've got the "moon-face," swollen hands, appetite, flushed cheeks, dizziness, and nausea. Of course, those side effects may also be due to the Flagyl or Cipro as well, but I've been on those before and not experienced these side effects. My one consolation is that it hasn't made me totally break out yet--but the Cipro is fighting that battle, and I've only got three days left on it. So I have that to look forward to. So not only is my face BIGGER, but it will be pimply too. The kids will wonder what strange ailment makes me look like a freak... especially when the weight really starts packing on. I've got to buy fat pants today.

On the agenda today: pick up the rest of my medications, buy one of those ginormous pill boxes (this time I really can't keep the dosages straight without referring to the doctor's sheet), and check a couple stores for some clothes that I can actually fit into right now. I'm down to just one or two pairs of pants, and a dress. Unfortunately, this isn't the right time of year, so my choices are few. Wish me luck.

Feeling better

Well, I've been good and I've lost two of the pounds that I gained back! Only 3 to go. (I'm at about 195 now.) It seems that my metabolism had been used to processing 2000 calories for so long (since I've been bad) that once I started back on the diet I'm losing weight like I did when I first started the whole thing. That makes me feel hopeful!
This whole thing just sucks because I love love love food. And I'm getting more into cooking lately (I think it's the summer/farmer's market thing) so I think all day long of all the scrumptious things I could be cooking up but then I count up the calories and I wouldn't be able to stuff my face with the deliciousness like I like to do when I make something new and tasty. But then, my jeans are starting to fit again, so that keeps me in line.

Too long, bad news.

Yikes! I've been neglecting this blog lately, and I really need to start writing it on a weekly basis. I think it will help keep me dedicated.

Speaking of dedication--I gained 5 lbs back. grr. I was so close to my second goal (191) I could almost taste it--but instead, I tasted delicious pizzas and chocolates and ice creams.

Today, though, I was good. I'm at exactly 1500 calories, and I walked a mile. This morning I drove down to the Farmer's Market and parked a good half-mile away on purpose. It's funny how something so little as that can make you feel better. Anyway, I got some cherries and strawberries and a zucchini and walla wallas. And purple flowers for the kitchen table.

I'm hoping that after our upcoming move (in two weeks), and especially once school starts, a regular schedule will help me keep focused. At least, it did last year, when I lost the 20 lbs. Oh, and you know how the doctor's scale always seems to be on the heavy side? Well, I went to the doctor last week, and the scale 1) seemed accurate, and 2) showed a 21-lb weight loss since the last time I'd been in. Well, that's a first!

I'm Edumacated!

Last Saturday, the 5th, I walked in Graduate Commencement. Now, I sorta have a Master's Degree! (the diploma says differently)




















Claire and Noah playing in the background. Mom, Ginny, Claire, Noah, and James came to cheer me on. I'm certain that the more advanced degrees a person earns, the sillier he/she looks on graduation day.
















I spent the previous Wednesday with Mom and Dad. We went all over the place! Cannon Beach (ate at Mo's), the cheese factory, the Spruce Goose, MACA's open house, and out to eat with Hubby. It was a really great day.

It's time again

All right, my rediculousness has gone on long enough.
Not only have I not lost any weight in FOREVER, but I've gained a pound or two. Or three, maybe. And I was only ONE pound away from my first target weight. Gah!
So, here I go again...
I pledge to keep track of each and every single thing that I eat every day on my calorie counter.
I pledge to exercise at least two hours every week (for starters). This will happen, in part, by my pledge to wake up at 6 AM to hike or jog or what have you.
I pledge to not eat anything past 8 PM, unless I'm on a date.
I pledge to not eat more than an average of 1500 calories a day (that is, if I eat 1400 calories one day, I can eat 1600 calories the next. Yadda, yadda.).
I pledge to weigh myself every morning, and keep a list of my daily weigh-ins.

Spring has sprung, yadda yadda

Lost another pound (193ish now). Walked 2.5 miles on the nature trail this morning. It felt great!
Planning two hikes: perhaps one next Saturday (Horsetail Falls), and for-sure an overnight trip on the 31st. Anyone care to join me?

Back in the saddle

I'm strict strict strict again. Stocked up good food in the new place, take my lunch to school. Today: 194.0. If you notice, to the left and up top is a countdown of how many pounds I have left to lose until I'm no longer "obese." Even if I don't post, I usually keep that updated. And soon that number (which, today, is 3) will be ginormous again when I change it to "pounds to lose before I'm no longer "overweight."
I have renewed hope that I can do this! School keeps me on my feet all day, not to mention stressed out at times, and I've been burning more calories. Plus, I have the nature trail by the apartment, and the rain is starting to let up... welcome, Spring!

Finally...

Since the holidays, my discipline has been terribly inconsistent. I need to rededicate myself to the diet and start exercising again.

...Fortunately, I haven't gained any weight. And actually, as of this week, I've officially lost 20 pounds! I have regained hope and energy.

And James and I have a new apartment! We're moving into a smaller place, downsizing our possessions, and living more simply. And we'll be living in a great location! Right up the hill from OHSU, a block and a half from the Marquam Nature trail, and less than 10 minutes to downtown (and James' work). Closer to friends, entertainment, nature... just about everything but a grocery store. And that, I have a feeling, will be a bit of a blessing.

Victory!

I've been pretty bad lately, but for the majority of the time I've been sticking to the diet. I haven't been exercising, which I rationalize by reminding myself that it's been the last two weeks of classes and I've been at the middle school full time... which, really, is strenuous by itself. But still, I know I can make time. It's only 30 minutes, right?
The last few weeks I've held steady at about 202.5. Disappointed that I wasn't losing any, but glad that I wasn't gaining. Still, really frustrating considering that most of the time, I am only eating 1500 calories, and many days that's been torture. I stopped weighing myself every morning, and as of today I hadn't weighed myself in a couple of days.
So that's why I was shocked this morning to step on the scale and see "198.6." I stepped off and recalibrated it. "198.6." Hmmm... I left, ate two eggs for breakfast (I got a double-yolked egg this morning for the first time in my life! A good omen, perhaps?), came back, and stepped back on. "199." I think I can officially say that at this moment, I weigh less than 200 lbs! That is the first major milestone for me! Woohoo!
I must add that now, the only pants that really fit me properly without needing help to stay up are two pairs that I could barely squeeze into two months ago. The rest of them (two of the pairs are purchases from this summer, that fit me quite well then) fall down without help. Yes!

Bah!

This morning: 202.0. I'm a couple pounds behind schedule, which aggravates me, but I'll get over it eventually. This past week has been super hard, but I'm back on track. Hopefully my shoulder will heal soon so I can pick back up on my exercise routine. Did I sabotage myself? It's a possibility.

I remember a conversation with my good friend Janeal when I very first started dating James. I told her all the cool things about him, and her response? "Don't sabotage this one, Audrey." I did. ...but I fixed it later! I hope I don't have to learn the sabotage lesson twice. :)