Something’s Bugging Me

I went jogging tonight. And I ate a bug. Those two statements aren’t related in any way – I’m just sayin’…

I guess it was a big day.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 6 glasses of water
- 3 miniature Mandarin oranges
- 1 banana
- 1 piece of a coconut lemon bar
- 1 eggnog steamed skim milk
- 3 1/2 cups phat thai with rice noodles, tofu, vegetables, peanuts, and spices
- 2 skewers of chicken satay
- 2 pieces of a peanut butter bar with icing
- 1 blueberry muffin with margarine
- 1 sour cream and onion flavoured cricket
- 2 hot dogs on whole wheat hot dog buns with cheese, light mayonnaise, mustard, and relish
- 1 1/2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend
- 1 homemade chocolate marshmallow treat

EXERCISE:
- 30 minutes of jogging with a 5 minute walking warm up and a 5 minute walking cool down

Riding The Elevator

It was definitely an up and down day. I started off alright, but then when I was on my way into a mall I caught the scent of fresh baked doughnuts and it quickly drove me over the edge. I went and bought three. However, after I wolfed down the first one I took a few bites of the second and realized that I didn’t need it all so I put it back into the bag. I did the same with the third – eating about half – and then I rushed over to a nearby garbage can and threw out what was left before I justified consuming any more. It was a very minor, sort of bitter-sweet, victory, but I’ll take it.

Then in the evening I could not stop the munching. I even went and made a tiny batch of marshmallow treats because I didn’t want to risk leaving the house in search of something sweet and resultantly returning with a grocery bag packed with junk food. At least I finally got in some decent walking this afternoon. All in all it was not a stellar day, yet I know that a couple of weeks ago it would have been much, much worse.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 6 glasses of water
- 3 butter toffee rice cakes
- 12 inch sub on a Parmesan oregano bun with deli ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, black olives, green pepper, honey mustard sauce, light mayonnaise, and pepper
- 1 glazed doughnut
- 4 bites of a chocolate long John with sprinkles
- 1/2 apple fritter
- 1 heated carrot muffin with margarine
- 2 scrambled eggs with cheese
- 1 tangerine
- 1 homemade oatmeal raisin cookie
- 1 glass of milk
- 2 hot dogs on whole wheat hot dog buns with cheese, light mayonnaise, mustard, and relish
- 1 mug hot chocolate with miniature marshmallows and milk
- 2 slices cranberry whole grain toast with margarine
- 4 homemade chocolate marshmallow treats

EXERCISE:
- 1 hour and 5 minutes of walking completed in 3 outings (30 minutes long, 15 minutes long, and 20 minutes long)

Nothing Exciting

I don’t really feel like I have much to say tonight. I think it was a decent day; it was pretty similar to yesterday with a mostly reasonable food list (perhaps with one glaring exception), moderate movement throughout my day, but no real exercise to speak of. I did manage to knock a few things off my ‘to do’ list which was nice. Other than that the last twenty-four hours have been pretty uneventful.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 8 glasses of water
- 1 banana
- 2 toasted whole wheat English muffins with cheese and salami
- 2 heated carrot muffins with margarine
- 7 large crackers with 1 light Laughing Cow cheese wedge and hot pepper jelly
- 3/4 cup fat free peach yogurt with 1 cup wheat and oat flake granola cereal
- 2 slices roast beef
- 1 1/2 cups cheesy potatoes
- 1/4 cup corn with margarine
- 2 cups peanut butter and toffee chocolate bar ice cream blend

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

You Win Some, You Lose Some

I had the best food day I have had in quite some time; it wasn't perfect, but it was much, much better than it has been. On the other hand, my exercise was pretty sad. I did a bit of walking around as I skulked through the retail stores on the hunt for Christmas gifts, but the official activity level was nearly non-existent. I suppose some improvement is better than none.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 5 glasses of water
- 1 pear
- 1 golden delicious apple
- 1 banana
- 12 inch sub on a Parmesan oregano bun with deli ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, green pepper, black olives, honey mustard sauce, light mayonnaise, and pepper
- 1/2 chocolate cupcake topped with marshmallows and chocolate icing
- 1 large glass piña colada slushy drink

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Derailed

I just had this thought as I was writing out my food list for today: “Huh! I ate a lot.” That’s never a good thing when you are trying to get back on track…

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 3 glasses of water
- 3 butter toffee rice cakes
- 1 banana
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 sandwich on multigrain bread with deli turkey, stuffing, lettuce, cranberry sauce, and light mayonnaise
- 1 apple fritter
- 2 grilled cheese sandwiches on whole wheat bread with margarine
- 1/2 tangerine
- 1 coffee candy
- 12 inch sub on a white bun with deli ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise
- 1 large glass root beer
- 1 cup jalapeño potato chips
- 2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Strategizing

I grazed all day today and topped it off with a heavy dinner. That’s not exactly a great tactic for weight loss. I especially need to reign in my treats. But, right now, my biggest plan is just to go to bed and try to get a few hours of sleep before my Friday begins.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 7 glasses of water
- 3 butter popcorn rice cakes
- 1 banana
- 2 toasted English muffins with bacon, egg, cheese slices, and margarine
- 1 milk chocolate
- 1 key lime chocolate
- 1 carrot cake chocolate
- 1 eggnog chocolate
- 1 chocolate peanut butter cup
- 12 rice crackers with cream cheese
- 1 heated banana muffin with margarine
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 large apple fritter
- 1 cup French fries with vinegar, salt, and tartar sauce
- 2 piece battered fish with tartar sauce
- 1/4 cup coleslaw
- 1 butter cookie
- 1 cup vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce
- 1 mug tea with milk

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Ten Truths

Thank you for the simple support, Dawne (and so many others).

1. I am being a very poor weight loss blogger.
2. I have not responded to any comments or emails in weeks.
3. I currently feel largely disconnected from this online community and have barely been visiting other blogs.
4. I have allowed many unhealthy habits back into my life.
5. I don’t foresee these things improving drastically in the immediate future.
However…
6. I am doing what I feel I need to because I must help myself before I can help others.
7. I still keep a daily journal which ensures that I am ever cognizant of my choices.
8. I record every scrap of food and every pathetic attempt at exercise without fail.
9. I have not shut down nor deserted my blog which, I know, many of my predecessors have.
10. I will persevere.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 4 glasses of water
- 3 banana muffins with margarine
- 3 caramel chocolate chip rice cakes
- 1 glass root beer
- 1 1/2 cups onion rings with honey mustard sauce
- 1 cheeseburger on a hamburger bun with bacon, lettuce, onion, tomato, ketchup, mustard, and mayonnaise
- 1 coconut chocolate bar
- 1 small orange chocolate bar
- 1 small peanut butter chocolate bar
- 4 small slices of French toast with white bread and maple syrup

EXERCISE:
- 15 minute walk

Feeling Peaceful

My husband spoils me. And if I needed more proof of this I received it at the start of this month when I found out that he had nominated me for a very meaningful award and, again, several days later when I learned that he had sought out and gained letters of support from those with whom I have had interactions. I was honoured to attend that dinner this evening and I honestly couldn’t care one iota about what I ate because I was too busy being in awe of the pure generosity of spirit of those with whom I was breaking bread. I feel very lucky to have been in the presence of such individuals and rather touched by the way they made me feel as valued for my small personal efforts as they are for integrating changes which effect things on much, much larger scales. It was truly humbling.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 7 glasses of water
- 3 cheese rice cakes
- 2 toasted whole wheat English muffins with salami and cheese
- 3/4 cup fat free peach yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake cereal
- 3/4 cup cheesy mashed potatoes with margarine
- 5 cherry tomatoes
- 1 glass white wine
- 2 pieces pita bread with hummus
- 1/4 cup lentil salad
- 1/2 cup green salad with balsamic vinaigrette
- 1 piece chicken in coconut milk with spices
- 1/4 cup split pea and mushroom stew in spicy sauce
- 2 slices baron of beef with Dijon mustard
- 3/4 cup seasoned rice
- 1 piece mango cheesecake
- 1 small mug chai tea
- 3/4 cup chocolate pudding

EXERCISE:
- 15 minute walk

Hallelujah

I thought I was handling my stressful day fairly gracefully. I would even go so far as to say that I was in a relatively good mood right up until a couple of hours ago. Then the day caught up with me.

I think the real kicker was that I gave blood this evening, and after an emotionally draining day I probably didn’t really need to also be literally drained. It was just too much. When you find yourself holding back tears in a drugstore while a gospel style song plays in the background, you know that you are overwhelmed.

And I must be a glutton for punishment because I just went online to find that particular piece and I’m listening to it now with a fresh set of tears blurring my vision. Sigh…

I’m not usually so melodramatic – and, truly, nothing is really wrong – but I guess I’m just doing my best to uphold the honesty that I have always tried to maintain on this blog. This is still a place for me to record my weight loss and health journey… but sometimes things move us in some unexpected way and, thus, they affect all of the parts of our lives.

So I write what I feel and know that is never a failure. I continue to do the very best that I can in every moment. And I will wake up tomorrow with a new day in front of me and the difficulties of this one already scattering like autumn foliage in the winds of the past.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 5 glasses of water
- 3 caramel chocolate chip rice cakes
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 pumpkin scone with icing
- 1 cheese, red pepper, and spinach scone with butter
- 1 cup salted pretzels
- 2/3 banana
- 2 small glasses mango juice
- 6 fruit crème cookies
- 2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend
- 1 small marshmallow chocolate bar
- 1 small peanut butter chocolate bar

EXERCISE:
- 15 minute walk

Stress Eating

I have a bit of a stressful day ahead of me tomorrow. I am not looking forward to it, but I am going to do my best to not let my emotions get the best of me when it comes to my eating. Old habits may die hard, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t die at all.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 4 glasses of water
- 3/4 cup low fat lemon meringue yogurt with 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 cup jalapeño potato chips
- 2 pieces whole wheat toast with light peanut butter and light strawberry jam
- 1 apple fritter
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 bite glazed doughnut
- 1 orange cream filled chocolate bar
- 1 strawberry cream filled chocolate bar
- 1 apple
- 1 1/2 cups macaroni and cheese with pepper
- 3/4 cup steamed broccoli with margarine
- 1 cup meatballs with gravy
- 12 large crackers with light cream cheese and hot pepper jelly

EXERCISE:
- 6 1/2 hours of walking around while shopping

Two Birds

I had a better day (again with the up and down trend). I got a lot of Christmas shopping done which I am very happy about. I have slowly been chipping away at my list and I have the majority of it done now, although I will probably go out for a few more items tomorrow. One thing I am really pleased with is that it’s been great for getting in exercise while still running errands!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 3 glasses of water
- 3/4 cup low fat cherry yogurt with 1 cup Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 mixed berries and almond granola bar
- 1/2 cup jalapeño potato chips
- 1 large glass root beer
- 12 inch sub on a white bun with deli ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise
- 2 large piña colada slushy drinks
- 1 piece dark chocolate
- 2 cups macaroni and cheese with pepper
- 3 slices roast beef
- 1/2 cup meatballs in mushroom sauce

EXERCISE:
- 4 hours of walking around while shopping

I’d Like Off This Ride Now

Up and down and up and down… That’s what I feel like my emotions have been doing for a while now, especially during this past week. I had another very trying day. It started out well enough (I had the opportunity to attend a workshop that I really, really enjoyed), but went downhill after that and now I am tired and cranky and feeling anxious. I need to try and find some way to maintain a more even keel; this emotional roller coaster is taking it out of me which, of course, makes staying on track with the eating and exercise even harder. I didn’t do horribly today, but I certainly could have done better.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 4 glasses of water
- 3 cheese rice cakes
- 3 hazelnut chocolates
- 1/4 cup yellow peppers with ranch dip
- 1 portabella mushroom wrap on a soft tortilla shell with rice, lettuce, and sauce
- 1 brownie
- 1 double chocolate chip cookie
- 1 piece of a cranberry gingerbread square with icing
- 1 large eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 candy cane chocolate

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

No-Brainer

It definitely wasn’t the best eating day. I was on the go and rushing around for the majority of the afternoon and evening and I think that I reverted to what were been easy, no-brainer decisions in the past. I need to remember that things like bananas and whole grain baked goods are usually just as accessible as everything else. I need to try harder.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 3 glasses of water
- 1 Mandarin orange
- 3 caramel chocolate chip rice cakes
- 1 piece of a peanut butter square with icing
- 1 lemon Danish
- 1/2 bagel with cream cheese
- 1 mug eggnog steam skim milk
- 2 large ginger molasses cookies
- 1 cheese bagel with light cream cheese
- 3/4 cup fat free peach yogurt with 1 cup granola cereal
- 1 glass cranberry ginger ale

EXERCISE:
- 1 hour walk

Tired Of Being Tired

Sigh… Another evening where I am getting to bed way too late. Those seem to be piling up again and I need to kick the night owl habits. I am just not operating to my fullest capacity and I know it.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 2 glasses of water
- 3 cheese rice cakes
- 1 banana
- 1 glass root beer
- 1 1/2 cups onion rings with honey mustard sauce
- 1 cheeseburger on a hamburger bun with lettuce, onion, and spicy sauce
- 1 piece homemade apple pie
- 3/4 cup blueberry yogurt and fruit salad with apple, orange, banana, and grapes
- 1 warmed cheese, bacon, and chive scone with butter
- 1 tiger brownie with chocolate drizzled icing
- 2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend
- 1 glass cranberry ginger ale

EXERCISE:
- 15 minute walk

On The Bright Side

I am looking at the world with a lot less disdain than I was yesterday, thank goodness! I am, however, exhausted. It was a pretty sleepless night and a very draining emotional stretch. I am going to try to rectify that right now by going to bed while offering myself a slight pat on my own back for not letting the stress cause me to completely lose control in regards to my food intake.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 6 glasses of water
- 2 cheese rice cakes
- 2 toasted whole wheat English muffins with cheese and salami
- 3 chocolate chip cookies
- 2/3 cup red berry Special K cereal with milk
- 2/3 cup corn flake cereal with milk
- 1 cup steamed broccoli with margarine
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes with chives and margarine
- 1/2 cup meatloaf with ketchup

EXERCISE:
- 15 minute walk

I Don’t Want To Talk About It

I had a really, really confusing and frustrating experience today and I can’t get my mind to stop dwelling on it. It was the kind of thing that makes you question pretty much your entire plan for life, along with your own sanity. I am very glad that I have wonderful people in my life whom I can count on in such times, but I am also completely done for the night.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 5 glasses of water
- 3 caramel chocolate chip rice cakes
- 1 cranberry almond granola bar
- 1 Mandarin orange
- 1 cheese scone with butter
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 piece of a chocolate pecan square
- 1 strawberry cereal bar
- 1 mug coffee with cream and sugar
- 1 apple fritter

EXERCISE:
- 1 hour and 25 minutes of walking completed in 3 outings (35 minutes long, 15 minutes long, and 35 minutes long)

Am I Going Overboard?

My dragon boating season is officially over. I am so sad! I think that the break really will do me some good considering how busy I have been lately, but it makes me feel down to think that I may not paddle again for three or four months. I don’t want to start feeling like it is an inconvenient obligation though, since I have such a hectic schedule right now, so the downtime will probably be a good thing. I’ll just really miss it!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 4 glasses of water
- 2 slices toast with light peanut butter and light strawberry jam
- 2 scrambled eggs with salt
- 2 pieces bacon with maple syrup
- 2 sausages with maple syrup
- 4 pieces French toast with butter and maple syrup
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 baked potato with bacon pieces, margarine, and sour cream
- 1/2 cups steamed broccoli with margarine
- 1 cup meatballs with mushroom sauce
- 5 orange cream filled chocolates

EXERCISE:
- 35 minute walk

Indulging

I had a wonderful evening out with my incredible husband! I ate too much and even had a few drinks, but it was a superb night and one I will not soon forget!

My lists will have to wait until tomorrow as I am off to bed!

*Edit:* ...and, as promised, here they are:

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 3 glasses of water
- 1 toasted English muffin with light peanut butter and light strawberry jam
- 3/4 cup mixed berry yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake granola cereal
- 2 glasses punch
- 2 mini pizza bagels
- 1/2 cup tortilla chips with seven-layer dip
- 2 crackers with salami and cheese
- 1/4 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 large ginger molasses cookie
- 1 cranberry almond granola bar
- 3 glasses piña colada
- 5 small slices bread with butter
- 1 1/2 cups breaded squid with onion and lime chili sauce
- 1 bite of grilled salmon
- 7 ounce steak with barbecue sauce
- 1/2 lobster with melted butter
- 2/3 cup broccoli with butter
- 1 bite sticky toffee pudding with ice cream
- 1/2 piece white chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Eye Of The Storm

It was a really good day, but I am beat! Life seems to be a whirlwind right now and I am trying to keep up. Days like today – where I get to spend time with people who are important to me – makes feeling so hectic a little easier. It was nice to relax for a few short hours this evening before I was off to tackle more things on my ever-growing list of tasks and errands. At least my mental health got a brief break!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 7 glasses of water
- 1 pear
- 1 banana
- 2 blueberry muffins with margarine
- 1 cup pasta with Alfredo sauce
- 1 slice whole wheat garlic bread
- 1/2 toasted English muffin with pasta sauce and grated cheese
- 12 inch sub on a white bun with deli ham, cheese, lettuce, tomato, mushrooms, black olives, onion, and mayonnaise
- 1/2 glass cola
- 4 cups popcorn with butter
- 1 large glass root beer
- 1 cup gummy and sour candies

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Holiday Happenings

I got some early Christmas shopping done today which felt good. Even though my official exercise was once more virtually non-existent, at least I was active. Checking things off my ‘to do’ list while doing a lot of walking is a win-win in my book!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 3 glasses of water
- 4 slices of multigrain cranberry toast with margarine
- 3/4 cup field berry yogurt with 1 cup wheat flake granola cereal
- 1 cup onion rings with honey mustard sauce
- 1 glass root beer
- 1 cheeseburger on a hamburger bun with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, ketchup, and mayonnaise
- 1 slice pumpkin fudge
- 1 small peanut butter chocolate bar
- 2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

The Wall

I am so tired. I was doing pretty great with my energy throughout the day while I was busy, but as soon as I had a chance to sit for a few minutes I just hit a wall. I hadn’t thought I was doing too poorly with getting enough sleep, but I guess I haven’t been doing great with it either. I obviously need a really good night’s rest…

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 4 glasses of water
- 3/4 cup blueberry yogurt
- 1 sandwich on a baguette with deli turkey, cheese, lettuce, and herb mayonnaise
- 1 pumpkin scone with icing
- 1 large apple doughnut
- 1 cup tortilla chips with salsa
- 2 slices of whole grain and cranberry toast with margarine
- 2 toasted English muffins with pepperoni, grated cheese, tomato and basil sauce
- 2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend

EXERCISE:
- 45 minutes of walking completed in 3 outings (all 15 minutes long)

The Dance Would Be A Lot More Fun

I was grumpy today which is relatively unusual. Even if I have stressors in my life, I don’t normally let them interfere with how I interact with the world. I certainly don’t think that I was unpleasant to be around, but I didn’t feel right either.

I suspect that it was because of the disappointment I felt yesterday; I believe it has left me with some hurt feelings for which I really have no recourse. I think there’s some anxiety mixed in there too. Regardless, I was definitely irritable today.

The food intake was not great although it wasn’t a complete nosedive either. The official exercise was nearly non-existent, but I did get in more movement and activity throughout my day than I normally do. I guess I sort of feel like I am in limbo.

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 6 glasses of water
- 1 1/2 bananas
- 3 homemade chocolate dipped marshmallow treats
- 2 wraps on soft tortilla shells with deli ham, cheese, spinach, fat free Miracle Whip, mustard, and pepper
- 3/4 cup fat free strawberry yogurt with 1 cup whole grain Cheerios cereal
- 1 wrap on soft tortilla shell with deli turkey and baba ganoush
- 1/2 wrap on soft tomato tortilla shell with baba ganoush
- 1 breaded fish burger on a hamburger bun with cheese, lettuce, and tartar sauce
- 2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend
- 2 pieces garlic bread on white bread

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Lesson Plan

It was an odd day – one that was filled with seemingly disconnected annoyances that ended up accumulating into one big sense of disappointment. I swear that it feels like the universe it trying to teach me lessons right now. Hopefully they are important and worth learning because I can’t knock the feeling that my buttons are being pushed on purpose. Sigh…

Now if only I could plan these frustrating bouts for days where I don’t have homemade chocolate marshmallow treats lying around. At least I got in some decent walking this afternoon!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 6 glasses of water
- 1 pear
- 8 pieces of a California sushi roll with soy sauce
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 apple fritter
- 1 pita bread with avocado and Asiago dip
- 2 small Mandarin oranges
- 7 cheese crackers with avocado and Asiago dip
- 1 1/2 cups steamed broccoli with margarine
- 1/2 cup mashed potatoes with gravy
- 1 slice Swiss steak with gravy
- 3/4 cup fat free strawberry yogurt with 1 cup whole grain Cheerios cereal
- 4 homemade chocolate dipped marshmallow treats

EXERCISE:
- 1 hour and 45 minutes of walking completes in 2 outings (15 minutes long, 1 hour and 15 minutes long and 15 minutes long)

Watch Out

It was a strange day. I didn’t think about food as much as I normally do because my focus was elsewhere. I don’t know if that’s a good thing or not though. While I would love to get to a point where my eating is more instinctual again, I am not necessarily happy with the choices that I made today. I think I need to pay more attention…

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 2 glasses of water
- 1 toasted whole wheat English muffin with light peanut butter and light strawberry jam
- 1/3 glass beer
- 4 cups chicken chow mein in black bean sauce
- 1 pumpkin scone with icing
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 3 homemade peanut butter cups
- 1 glass sparkling apple juice
- 1/2 cup moussaka
- 1/2 cup roast potatoes
- 1 cup Greek salad with feta cheese and dressing
- 1 glass sparkling pomegranate apple juice
- 1 cup jell-o dessert with whipped topping
- 3/4 cup sweet potato fries with spicy mayonnaise

EXERCISE:
- 20 minute walk
- 1 hour of rowing a dragon boat in 2 outings (40 minutes long and 20 minutes long)

Derailed

I went generously treated to dinner by my inlaws tonight and apparently I lost all sense of reason when ordering. I thought I was doing a bit better, but this just serves to remind me that I need to stay really focused if I want to get back on track!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 4 glasses of water
- 2 toasted whole wheat English muffins with egg, bacon, cheese, and margarine
- 3/4 cup blueberry yogurt with 1 cup multi-grain flake cereal
- 2 glasses root beer
- 1 cheeseburger on a hamburger bun with bacon, lettuce, tomato, ketchup, and mayonnaise
- 1 1/2 cups sweet potato fries with spicy mayonnaise
- 1 slice chocolate torte cake
- 3/4 cup cheesecake ice cream
- 3/4 cup jelly beans
- 2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Supportive Comments

I have the best husband! I had an okay day today – it was just sort of so-so. But then my wonderful man made my whole week by showing me just how much he cares! I am so lucky to have someone in my life who is willing to put in the occasional extra effort to make me feel special.

And it really is relevant to weight loss and healthy living, I think. To feel supported and like someone really cares is invaluable to someone like me who is struggling to return to better choices. Things seem easier and more simplified when my more anxious emotions are tempered with feeling loved and valued. I still need to operate healthily when things are not so great, but it really is nice to have that additional support once in a while!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 9 glasses of water
- 2 bananas
- 3 cheese rice cakes
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk
- 1 cream cheese pumpkin muffin
- 1 sandwich on sunflower bread with deli ham, cheese, lettuce, and Dijon mustard
- 1 small piece of a chocolate and caramel pecan bar
- 1 pumpkin scone with icing
- 1/2 cherry frozen yogurt tube
- 1/2 strawberry frozen yogurt tube
- 1/2 peach frozen yogurt tube
- 3 cups macaroni and cheese with pepper
- 2 Italian sausages
- 1/2 cup lemon meringue yogurt with 1/2 cup cocoa Rice Krispies cereal
- 1/2 cup fat free mango-passion fruit yogurt with 1/2 cup cocoa Rice Krispies cereal
- 1 homemade chocolate chip muffin
- 1 piece of a cranberry gingerbread bar with icing

EXERCISE:
- 50 minutes of walking completed in 2 outings (both 25 minutes long)

Slow But Steady

The last couple of days haven’t been perfect, but they have been an improvement. I am glad to feel like I am making some progress even if it isn’t as quick as I might like…

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 8 glasses of water
- 1 banana
- 2 cheese rice cakes
- 1 apple
- 2 wraps on soft tortilla shells with deli ham, cheese, and margarine
- 3/4 cup strawberry yogurt
- 1 apple cinnamon cereal bar
- 1 1/2 cups chicken noodle soup with 10 cheese crackers
- 1 cup pasta with Alfredo sauce
- 1 cup steamed broccoli with margarine
- 1/2 cup roast chicken
- 1 homemade chocolate chip muffin
- 1 mug eggnog steamed skim milk

EXERCISE:
- 50 minutes of walking completed in 2 outings (15 minutes long and 35 minutes long)

Close Only Counts In Horseshoes

When I was sick on Monday, I had my husband bring me home a 2-liter of ginger ale because that has always been my beverage of choice for calming an upset stomach. Yesterday, when I went to have some in the morning I had a very, very scary moment. I took it out of the fridge and started to walk into the living room with it. That’s what I used to do when I drank pop all the time. I wouldn’t waste my time with doling out the liquid into glasses. No! I would just drink straight from the huge bottle it came in since I was going to go through it fast enough that nobody else would get the chance to have any of it anyhow. And I almost defaulted to that action yesterday. Almost. I’m hoping that was the wake up call I needed. I am not the person who has those types of habits anymore and I have no intention of reforming anything even close to those behaviours again. I have come too far!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 3 glasses of water
- 1 banana
- 3/4 cup fat free field berry yogurt
- 3 caramel chocolate chip rice cakes
- 1 large golden delicious apple
- 1 teriyaki chicken wrap on a soft tortilla shell with rice, spinach, and yellow and red peppers
- 9 pieces of a California sushi roll with soy sauce
- 2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend

EXERCISE:
- 35 minute walk

Done

I have been avoiding saying the following because I haven’t wanted to admit that my issues are so big that they need such a resolute statement, but here it is:

This needs to stop!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 4 glasses of water
- 5 glasses ginger ale
- 2 grilled cheese sandwiches on white bread with margarine and light mayonnaise
- 15 lemon cream cookies
- 1 cup ketchup potato chips
- 1/2 cup roast potatoes with margarine
- 2 roast chicken drumsticks with skin
- 1 cup salt and vinegar potato chips
- 1 glass root beer
- 2 cups mint chocolate bar ice cream blend
- 1 coconut chocolate bar
- 1 piece cherry cheesecake
- 1/4 cup sugar candies
- 3 large white chocolate balls

EXERCISE:
- 10 squats

Sick To My Stomach

I am feeling so ill! It came out of nowhere! I woke up this morning, after going to bed last night feeling just fine, and was totally nauseous. I haven’t been able to shake the sensation all day. To add insult to injury, I have been drawn to the comfort foods today – which seems to be my inclination whenever I am feeling sick. Ugh! I hope this goes away soon!

FOOD & BEVERAGES:
- 3 glasses of water
- 6 Rice Krispie treats
- 1 chocolate chip cookie
- 1 cup onion rings with honey mustard sauce
- 1 mug hot chocolate
- 2 cheese scones with margarine
- 1 piece carrot cake with icing
- 3/4 cup fat free peach yogurt with 1 cup granola cereal
- 6 pieces of an Alaskan sushi roll with soy sauce
- 5 pieces of a dynamite sushi roll with soy sauce
- 6 pieces of a California sushi roll with soy sauce
- 2 glasses ginger ale
- 1 cup mint chocolate bar ice cream blend

EXERCISE:
- 30 minutes of walking completed in 2 outings (both 15 minutes long)