Oct. 25: Fail to Plan, Plan to Fail

That's a favorite saying of one of my favorite people. (Jac!  This means you!)  Today would not be considered a total failure - my intake is under 2000 calories, but I failed to plan properly for lunch today.  When I got a call from the school that my little girl was sick, I ended up eating on the run while picking her up, getting her settled, dashing to the pharmacy for her and getting back to work.

So I went through the dreaded drive thru.  I was planning to get a grilled chicken sandwich.  I really was.  However, I ended up seeing a sign for the ever-so-delicious Bacon Mushroom Melt from Wendy's and I got distracted.  Yup, I got one.  On the bright side, I didn't get fries for the side.  I got a small chili which will serve for lunch for me or my miraculously recovered child (amazing how quickly they get better watching cartoons!) 

So, today's eats:

m1: ezekiel toast with natural pb
m2:  yogurt, protein powder, blackberries, and granola
m3: Bacon Mushroom Melt
m4: Crock Pot BBQ Beef, sweet potato oven fries

Calories: 1797
Carbs:  140
Fat: 85
Protein: 121

All in all, I'm not hating my day.  I also managed to drink only one Diet Coke today - the rest was all water.  Another step in the right direction - I have to count all the little successes I can right now to keep myself motivated!

Check out the Crock Pot BBQ Beef recipe here.  It's quick to prep, makes lots of yummy leftovers and my whole family enjoys it.

So, for tomorrow, I am going to plan my lunch better.  In fact, I'll make it tonight and put it in the fridge.  I learned my lesson today: I can't rely on getting home at lunchtime to fix something so I better just take it with me.

Another obstacle I can foresee this week:  my oldest daughter (who lives with her dad) wants to see me this week.  There are only 2 restaurants in the small town where she lives, so we will go to the steakhouse on Wednesday night.  Tomorrow, I will strive to have a good day, as well as during the day on Wednesday.  Life just happens and you can't hide out the entire time you are on a diet.  I will make decent choices and not beat myself up.

Thank you very much for the support and kind words.  It means a lot to me - it's kind of hard to write about falling off the wagon for all the world to read about.

Oct 12: Day One Success and Turkey Recipes

Today was Day One of being on-plan.


It was a big improvement, although not dietarily perfect.  I was happy because I refrained from eating crap all day.  I can't really pinpoint the last time I made it through an entire day without eating some junk: chips, a donut, a drive-through cheeseburger.  Even though it was a bit unbalanced, I was pleased with the junk-"freeness" of it.

m1: Whole Wheat English Muffin w/ natural pb, iced coffee with skim milk
m2: Low Fat Organic Yogurt, 1/2 a banana, granola, protein powder, sprinkle of pecans
m3: turkey breast, leftover stuffing (fairly low fat - no butter, not actually stuffed into the turkey) and roasted veggies
m4: chicken breast, Kashi honey puff cereal
Microwave popcorn nibbled on to help deter the potato chip cravings

Calories: 1595
Carbs: 188
Fat: 46
Protein: 118

TURKEY PITA PIZZAS

leftover turkey breast in bite sized pieces

bbq sauce of choice

whole wheat pita

veggies of choice (I use onions, hot peppers and mushrooms)

shredded low fat mozzarella

Preheat the oven to 400.  Place the pita on a baking sheet and spread with bbq sauce - my favorite is a spicy honey garlic bbq sauce.  Top with turkey and veggies, then sprinkle with cheese.  The lighter you go on the cheese, the lower cal your meal will be.

Bake in the oven until pita is crisp on bottom and cheese is bubbly, about 10 minutes.  Let it rest of a couple of minutes before you slice it into 4 pieces.

Tomorrow I'm experimenting with sweet potato soup to use up the last of the mashed sweet potatoes. 

Here's looking at another successful diet day tomorrow.

Thank you so much for the warm "welcome back" you gave me!  My meal planning is not spectacular this week, but it revolves around using up the Thanksgiving leftovers!

Jan. 17 - Another Little Victory

I've written before about celebrating the little victories. I have one that I'd like to post today!

According to my BMI, as of today, I am no longer obese! I am merely overweight!!!! I know, it sounds kind of silly to celebrate being overweight, but I want to enjoy each step towards my goal. I refuse to be one of those people who is not happy until I get to my goal. I want to embrace this process and learn from it!

I've done lots of plotting and planning today. This week I am going to start working out for real. I have been giving it some half hearted effort but I want to go all the way with it. I've been searching around for inspiration and will start tomorrow. I'm going to start out doing body-weight exercises and cardio.

Then next month, assuming I am gainfully employed by then, I will use my tax return and pay for a full year's membership at a nearby gym. If it's paid for I am cutting out one of my most oft-used excuses (I don't have the money). The other excuse (I don't have time)will be out the window since they have classes from 6:15 in the morning until 7:30 at night. I can't wait! I am going to spend the rest of this month learning some of the movements and increasing my cardiovascular endurance so I don't feel like an idiot when I start at the gym. (and that polishes off excuse #3!)


Today's eats:
M1: ww toast w/ natural pb, apple
M2: 2 tacos filled w. bbq beef, lettuce and tomato
M3: hm iced latte
M4: thin crust pizza w/ chicken, mushroom and onion
M5: apple

Some reader questions:
Q: How do you put the ovoo on the popcorn so the parmesan sticks?
A: I spray it on with a spritzer bottle. I put the popcorn in a big Tupperware container with lid. Once I have sprayed the ovoo and sprinkled the parmesan on top, I put the lid on and shake it up.
Q: How do you do the bbq beef in the crockpot?
A: I will post the recipe below
Q: Could you do sucralose as a toxin of the day!
A: Definitely - look for it tomorrow!

Crockpot BBQ Beef

Beef Roast ( I used chuck shoulder roast)

1 cup of crushed tomatoes

1/4 cup of white vinegar

1/2 cup honey

1 tbs Worcestershire sauce

garlic powder and onion powder to taste

1/2 tsp dry mustard

You can also use a low or no sugar bottled bbq sauce for this

Spritz the inside of the crockpot with ovoo spray for easier cleanup. Put roast in crock pot. Mix all ingredients except roast in a bowl, then pour over the roast. Cook this in the crock pot on low for 8-9 hours for best results. If you don't have all day, you can cook it on high for 4 - 4 1/2 hours. When done, take the roast out and shred it using two forks. Return the roast to the sauce and stir well.

You can eat this on whole wheat buns or just as a protein serving. It also makes great taco, pita or wrap filling. Yesterday I topped a ww pita with it, then added mushrooms, hot peppers and onions and topped with cheese for a yummy gourmet pita pizza. Leftovers can also be mixed with pinto beans, jalapenos, chili powder and tomato juice for a spicy sweet chili.

Have a great day! Hope your weekend went well!