Viruses, Spooks, and AaahChoo's

And I thought avoiding the birthday cake and camping was going to be hard?  I never imagined how wrong I could be! 


My plan for the last week'ish was to start to incorporate 3 days of exercise into my week.  My goal is 45 mins a day, but this month, I'm happy with 30.  However, that was more difficult than I thought.  I'm not silly enough to think that I can snap my fingers and wake up one morning with life changing habits.  Giving myself 2 good weeks to train myself into healthy eating habits seems doable.  Then, the incorporation of exercise.  I know from years of watching my weight yo-yo, that the only way to really loose weight is to burn more calories than you consume.  That should be easy as apple pie, right? (if you were allowing yourself apple pie)  Wouldn't it be amazing if every time you did something, or ate something, that the calories and fat popped over our head like a cartoon balloon?  In the perfect weight loss world... aaahhh.


I wonder if there is an app for that?

However, Halloween, viruses, and sinus/allergy issues reared its ugly head.  I found it very difficult to walk when I couldn't breathe well and every swallow was like razor blades.  As we adjust to the changing weather, I KNOW I can conquer a lazy week.  What I can't do is let one lazy week lead to another.
I am realistic in knowing that I will not continue to count every calorie, every fat or carb gram, or every point that goes in my mouth.  I can, however, be conscientious of what food I do choose and what I have available to me.  Good eating habits are on the horizon!

But....

There's a problem. 



That G-I-normous bowl of Halloween candy.  All those butterfingers and twix peeking out from the side.  Watching the kids nibble through m&m after m&m.  I found myself angry that I chose to "diet" again so close to the holidays.  I found an alternative plan.

Tootsie Rolls, in my opinion, are the least offensive candy next to caramel squares. (starburst aren't my favorite)  I'm home a lot.  I was punishing myself needlessly.  I wanted CHOCOLATE!  On the days when that tiny Heath bar was too much, I ate it.  I just skipped the cheese on my sandwich at lunch.  I looked through the bowl and found the 3 pieces of candy I wanted for the day and put them on the counter.  No one but me likes the dark Milky Ways, so I might as well eat them.

This worked for me and I really did not have the guilt I normally associate with junk food.  Yay me!

Do you have any tips on how to deal with a sweet tooth?

Do you want any s'more with that?

Put down the bug spray and pick up a roasting stick!  I made it through a weekend of camping without feeling like a complete and utter failure!!  And, I did it with a few (what I think) creative choices.

Who can go camping and not serve your traditional wieners and burgers?  Chips on the side?  Oreo's out of the bag?  It's also hard to say no to that fine adult beverage or two.  Camping and junk food just seems to fit perfectly together.  I will admit, I did camp close to some outdoor overachievers.  I saw stews and potatoes and fried vegetables prepared over the wonderful smell of campfire.  I just sniffed it in and thought... Man, that'd be nice to be over there.  Instead, I unpacked my carefully thought out groceries.

My family is use to grease and fat.  Food taste better when loaded with artery solidifying components.  So, I gave them the choice of either fat or lean.  I ate alone.

Hotdogs are the quick and easy, hurry up and eat kinda meal.  Push those puppies on a stick and dinner is ready in minutes.  I can't deny I like mine on the charred side.  However, it was so windy this weekend, I hide mine lightly charred with a side of smoke.  Delicious none the same.

Hamburgers: an absolute necessity.

Let me share a few of the things I did to these camping staples and not feel like I abandoned a whole weeks worth of healthy eating.


THEY HAD:                                                     I HAD:

HOTDOGS:
Ball Park Beef Franks                                     Johnsonville Turkey and Cheddar
                                                                       Sausages

HAMBURGERS:
80/20 Ground Chuck                                       96/4 Angus

Hamburgers were both prepared with Lipton's Beefy Onion, (small chopped fresh onion for mine), various spices, and recipe pieces Bacon Bits.  These bacon bits are found with salad fixings and have 25 cal/1g fat per serving.  I used two servings in my patties hoping that the tiny pieces of fat combined with the onions would help give me the false since of a juicy burger.  I've used this leaner beef before for my burgers and was left with a dry patty.  Not this time.  I was sure to not overcook my burger and was pleasantly surprised with the flavor.  Next time I may layer some cheese in.

BREAKFAST:
Jimmy Dean's Breakfast Pizza                               Mushroom and Egg White Omelet
Donuts                                                                   Cereal

We did have access to a stove and microwave, but, if not, I would have just had cereal.  I brought peanut butter and bananas for a "just in case". 

LUNCH:

Turkey sandwiches on white                                   Turkey w/Fat Free Swiss on

                                                                                  grilled whole wheat tortillas

 

SNACKS:
Chips, chips, Slim Jims, chips, candy                      A piece of bday cake I brought
                                                                                with me and Pretzels

Like I said in the previous post, there is no reason to deny myself every desire.  I had some darn good birthday cake!

All in all, I think camping was a success! We actually never cooked s'mores.  I wonder why?

I'm still experimenting with a few "recipes" and hopefully after this week I'll be able to share some of my new favorites.

Today I weighed 193 pounds.

"I know you are trying to be good but...

...I want to wish you a happy birthday!"  She sang as she ducked her head around the corner of my kitchen.  I sat at the table opening my presents with my family looking on.  I smiled at one of my besties as she brought a freshly baked chocolate cake from behind her back.  Tears stung the back of my eyes at the thoughtfulness.  Not just the thought of being remembered on my birthday, but her remembering of my new eating habits.

What did I do?

I hug her tightly.  Grabbed a fork.  Tore into that still warm Milk Chocolate goodness.  It's my birthday.  Who am I kidding not to enjoy?  I considered every morsel that went into my mouth, until then.  My husband children looked on as I acted like a 2 year digging into the still warm gooey center of the cake.  I licked the dripping icing as it slipped down the back of my fork.  A perfect harmony of sweet confection.

I learned a few years ago that "dieting" on special occasions is a recipe for failure.  There is absolutely no reason not to celebrate the happy moments.  I ate a piece of cake.  I ate another two days later.  Funny thing... I was done with it after that.  I know what that next piece/bite is going to taste like.  I remember the warmth melting in my mouth.  No other bite is going to be as heavenly as that first one.  But, I did not do without.  I sampled so many new ideas in my "first new week" that I honestly felt I earned MY birthday cake.

Now... camping is going to be a bit more tricky.
 

A slice of cheese with my 1/4 pound of misery, please

I wish I could say I enjoyed every minute of lunch.  I wish I could say my golden French Fries were cooked to a perfect salty crispiness.  But, I didn't, and it wasn't.  However, I realize that I will not be missing much, if anything at all, by not eating another Micky D's burger again.

I remember them tasting so much better though.  I remember the warm cheesy goodness, the tasty hamburger patty, the perfect combination of condiments.  Not today.  I tasted the grainy processed meat disc they provided, the rehydrated onions.  No wonder it's been a year since I ordered the number 3.  I deserve the greasy aftertaste and beginning bubbles of heartburn.

But, tomorrow is a new day.

I have plans.  I have a menu.  I have support.  Now, just to figure out what I'm going to pack for camping this weekend. :)  Marshmallows are fat free, ya know.

I'm A Weight Watchers Drop-Out

My husband is a wonderful man.  Supportive.  Loving.  And, particularly hates it when I consider myself "fat".  He actually rolled his eyes at me as I named this blog.  He assures me I am perfect.  And, in his eyes I am.  I am thankful for this delusion, but I have to do something to make it a reality in my eyes.

             (do I look fat?)

I've watched my weight creep over the last couple of years.  Sure, blame it on the hypothyroid and almost nonexistent metabolic rate.  But, to be honest with myself, that has been corrected for almost a year now.  The ball is back into my court.  

I'm a weight watchers drop-out.  I couldn't even go to virtual meetings.  I followed it faithfully for two weeks.  I lost 7 pounds.  I did the happy dance. I got off of it for 2 weeks and gained 15.  I felt frustrated and like a failure.

I own 100's of gadgets, gizmos, videos, and sports bras.  Where does that motivation go once I get home?  How do I keep the magical plans from the shopping cart to my living room?  That is an answer I am constantly searching for.

I can go down the list and identify many of my weight gain factors:

Activity

Stress

Stress Eating

Eating out of Boredom

Eating out of Habit

I know these are all modifiable.  (and not modifiable by almost replacing my whole closet with new "bigger" clothes either!)

So, per my doctor's orders, I have to move it, lose it, cut it, keep it off.  But, he's not why I'm really doing this.  I'm doing this for my family and me.  I'm a mother of two very special boys that deserve living in a healthy lifestyle with a healthy mother.  I refuse to let the fat roll come between us.

Today I weighed 195 pounds.

I had pizza for breakfast.