Monday's Chasing The Wagon

Slow down... I'm jumping on!

Breakfast - Health Nut toast with LOL spread and grape jelly.

Liquids - Tall glass of grapefruit juice. 2 cups of coffee. 1 large glass of water w/ lemon. 1 bottle of water. 1 half bottle of water. 1 large glass of water w/ lemon.

Snack - 4 twizzlers

Lunch - chicken quesadilla salad with ranch dipped, not drenched, at Garfields - bosses treat! Catching up on Administrative Professionals Day since I was away last week.

Dinner - side salad with bleu cheese dipped not drenched, bread stick, laredo steak (YUMMY) and baked potato with butter and sour cream. Had dinner with Amanda and John to thank them for taking care of our kitties in our absence last week.

Exercise - Steps - oh those dreaded steps! They are so steep! I've made 2 trips already.

Vacation Expectation

I expected to gain on vacation. I didn't completely BLOW IT, but I did splurge a smidge more than usual and thus... as expected... I gained a little. Not a lot - but some. UGH! I did get some exercise - LOTS of walking and a little weight lifting too.

So this morning the wagon stops here so I can get on. Now, my plans for later this week may take me away from the computer, but I am set on riding this wagon enough to take off a few pounds.

Monday's Re-cap

I don't much like when I re-cap at the end of the day. While it's better than skipping completely, it does not serve the purpose of reminding me in motion to make wise choices.

Breakfast - Raisin Bran with skim milk

Lunch - veggie burger on a light bun with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and mayo. (why the mayo? I thought I was giving that up? Oops, I forgot.) Side of fruit salad - melon. 1 cup of Marburger's buttermilk - TO DIE FOR - but an indulgance... and not to be made into a habit. (which would be SO easy to fall into!)

Snack - 2 bite size pieces of chocolate. (again - WHY?!) and a scoop of some kind of marshmellow orange coconut dessert type stuff.

Water - 1/2 bottle on the way to work. Working on a glass now.

Dinner - homemade chicken in the slow cooker - very yummy! With mini carrots and mashed potatoes.

Now - Exercise... Hmmm... I've got to get motivated, but I just ate... maybe in an hour or so... Gym or Treadmill... gym or treadmill... gym or treadmill... decisions decisions.

Work Place Wellness

I went for my wellness fitness test this week. I am proud of myself for taking advantage of this opportunity that my employer provides. The gentleman in charge actually worked as a personal trainer for some time. I'm going to make an appointment with him to go over my exercise regimen to see what would be best for me. We will soon be on vacation, so I'm going to get that out of the way first and then re-focus.

So for the fitness test they checked my blood pressure, flexibility, weight, body fat analysis, heart rate resting and stepping, sit ups and push ups. I think I did very well on the sit ups. In one minute, I did them continually... excellent! Push ups... I suck! You'd think that I would have better upper arm strength given my background working at the farm and such, but nope - I am weak! This is definitely an area of focus for me.

This program is supposed to help me keep my focus. I NEED that so badly!

Sunday's Freshness

MOVE IT MORE

CHALLENGE IN PROGRESS

Breakfast - Honey Nut Cheerios with 2% milk

Coffee - 1 cup with no fat cream

Liquids - 1 bottle of water. 1 glass of milk. 1 glass of juice. 1 glass of wine.

Pills - Yes (first time in about a week)

Lunch - bowl of Cheerios with 2% milk

Snack -

Dinner - whole wheat spaghetti with sauce and 4 1/2 inches of garlic bread.

Exercize - YES!!!! 25 minutes on the elliptical. A couple laps around the indoor track. 5 sets on the bench press. 3 sets with free weights.

NEW WEEK = NEW CHALLENGE

This weeks challenge will be to EXERCISE and loose those 3 pounds I was trying to loose last week. I'm confident that exercise is the answer.

Looking ahead I see that my Monday will be jammed packed full of work as I have my quarterly meetings that day... BUT today I shall exercise and will do more of the same in the days following Monday. (Vacation is so close!!)

Catching Up Again

It's Sunday - a week from my last challenge goal and guess what... I ate more fruits and veggies every day and this morning I'm at my same weight as I was last Sunday. DRAT!!!! This is what happens when I don't get the exercise that I need so desperately. This week I shall exercise!!!!

Saturday was a whirl of a day. It was partly busy and partly lazy. I needed to work, but I just couldn't get into it. Mom gave me some hard-boiled eggs and I made egg salad. I had an egg salad sandwich on whole wheat bread for lunch AND dinner with a side of strawberries. I must not have been thinking when I accepted those eggs. I have high cholesterol - remember?! Oh no!!! I guess once in a while isn't so bad. I've been so good lately with picking them off my salads if we eat out. I like them, they just aren't so good for me. Oh well.

So on to today.

Friday Friday Friday YIPPIE!!!!

I'm well rested this morning. Ready to get this day on the road.

Breakfast -

Coffee -

Water -

Lunch -

Snack -

Dinner - Planning dinner out with my parents.

Exercise -

Backlog

Yesterday's...

Breakfast - poppyseed muffin

Coffee - 2 decaf and 2 regular with no fat creamer

Lunch - salad with cottage cheese and 2 sides of hot steamed veggies

Dinner - chicken stir-fry with brown rice

Water - 2 small bottles plus one large glass with lunch

Exercise - the usual steps. Now K & I had aspired to hit the gym, but thought we'd take a one hour nap first. Guess what - we never got up from our nap! How crazy is that!?! I think I must have slept like 10 or 11 hours or something. I'm guessing that we both needed it.

Mid-week Madness

FRUIT AND VEGGIE CHALLENGE IN PROCESS

Breakfast - Raisin Bran with skim milk

Coffee - not yet - need to brew some

Water - thinking about it - What happened to drinking some on the way to work?

Lunch - baked sweet potato

Snack - Glass of juice.

Dinner - shrimp

Exercise - Up the steps to the 3rd floor x2

Notes - I really need to get some fruits and veggies in the house!

Kick The Pig!!!!

WARNING!!! ATTENTION!!!

FRUIT & VEGGIE CHALLENGE

IN PROCESS

Morning.

Breakfast - Raisin Bran with skim milk.

Coffee - 2 cups with no-fat cream.

Snack - 10 M&Ms. I like this snack because it fills a void and is rationable. (They were on sale at the grocery store and it was such a good deal that I could not pass it up! But I'm sharing with everyone at work, so this will not be only my downfall.)

Pills - not lately. What's wrong with me?!

Lunch - going out today. Office outing with my old boss. (Lucky lady - now retired.) Taco salad and chips shared with my friends.

Dinner -

Exercise - Up the steps to the 3rd floor x2

FRESH

This weeks challenge: Eat more fruits & veggies and loose 3 pounds! Here we go!

I'm happy to report that my weight gain only appears to be a half a pound. Hmmm... that can't be right!!! I weighed myself 3 times and YES - only a half pound heavier. I also took my measurements. I lost just shy of an inch in my bust, waist, and hips. WOW I also didn't think that was so! Yippie!! My spirits are lifted... but still sticking to the challenge at hand.

OK - off to work... I shall have breakfast there.

It's going to be one of those rush rush rush weeks here at work! Deadlines abound!!!

Breakfast - Raisin Bran with skim milk

Coffee - 1 cup

Water - Large glass with lunch. Working on a bottle of it now. Another bottle in the afternoon. An extra large glass with dinner.

Lunch - roasted veggies, chick pea salad, and a half of a turkey sandwich with cheese, lettuce, tomato, pickle, and mayo. (I think my next exclusion will be the mayo. Why do I put it on the sandwich anyway? As if I need it or something????)

Snack - none so far

Dinner - half of a turkey & cheese on tomato basil bread and a cup of broccoli cheese soup at Panera Bread. I shouldn't have... too much and too expensive. Saving grace -- well, Keith forgot something at home that he needed at work. So when I got home I ran it out for him, just in time to catch him for his dinner break. I was delighted because he was sleeping when I left for work and I was sleeping by the time he got home from work. So... a little dinner shared is good for the heart.

Exercise - Up the steps to the 3rd floor with a spring in my step x3. My coworker has commented that I'm a speed-walker today. Hmm... I think that's a good thing! My desire to go to the gym was thwarted by the need to deliver goods to Keith in the evening. By the time I was home I was completely beat.

A Pep-talk - For the Millionth Time

Ok Gals, I'm on the hot-seat. I'm putting myself on the spot. How's it going? To be brutally honest, I suck at this dieting thing. I think I have convinced myself that it's not really a "diet" but a quest to become healthier. That helps. I'm like a yo-yo when it comes to this stuff. I will go from "faithful to a T" to "dragging behind the wagon" in a moments notice. I've got to get a grip and hit a happy medium.

One of the things that really affecting my success at the moment is the lack of "good" choices in our house. The refrigerator has had a mind of its own lately and thus I have not been shopping for any fresh stuff for a while. I have to create a solution - even if it means resurecting the old refrigerator from the basement!

Another thing, Keith and I like to hit the gym together. Well, work schedules are not condusive to this, so that hasn't been happening. We went together a week ago. I went again alone on Monday. Tuesday I was BEAT. Wednesday we had class etc. in the evening, and Thursday was another catch-up day... It was closed on Friday. Saturday we were busy with other things... which brings me to today and it is closed for the holiday. Drat! I must just accustom myself to going without him and schedule ahead to go with him as his schedule allows. Ugh!!!

So today I found myself sampling coffee with cherry cordials... hardly on the plan. Then snacking on pepperoni rolls I made for him last night while we lazily watched a movie before he had to go to work. (Thank goodness they are finished already) I ate some canned peaches for lunch. Dinner alone was leftover pizza from last night and some juice. The peaches and juice was probably my only descent choices I've made all day! No water drinking... just coffee and juice. What is wrong with me?

I so wish the gym was open today. I actually have the energy to go. Instead, I popped in some laundry and walked on my treadmill while it washed. I didn't time it but I'm thinking maybe that was a good 20 minutes or so. I feel good, but should drink some water already.

Just to add to my shame, I have neglected to weigh or measure in the last couple of weeks because frankly I'm sure I will gain more disappointment from that. Goals? I have to make them short-term because if I make long term goals I end up changing them because they become unattainable. I suppose since I realize this, I should go with a short week-to-week goal, much like I have done in the past with my weekly challenge. Hmmm... maybe I'm on to something here??!!

So... maybe this weeks goal & challenge will be:

• Eat more fruits and vegetables


• Loose 3 pounds (I suppose this means I have to weigh myself today to see where I stand? UGH!)

How's that sound? I suppose I have until next Sunday to achieve this. Stay tuned! Encouragement welcomed and very much appreciated! C'mon... Let's Kick This Nasty Pig!!!!!

Good Friday

I'm off work today and need the rest so badly!

Breakfast

Coffee (its still brewing)

Water

Pills

Lunch

Snack

Dinner

Exercise

Thursday is Like Friday to me... I'm Off Tomorrow!

Breakfast - Raisin Bran with Skim Milk

Coffee - 1 1/2 cups with no-fat cream. 1 1/2 cups with cream at lunch. Odd - I usually go for water. Brrr... it's the chill's fault.

Lunch - buffalo chicken salad with bleu cheese and garlic toast. I actually only ate about half the salad - all the meat, but half the rest, even half the dressing. I pealed off the crust of the garlic bread -- not to be childish, but just figured I didn't need it.

Snack - None

Dinner - chicken with artichoke hearts and sundried tomatoes, side of steamed vegetables, a few bites of warm pumpernickle bread with butter, and a few bites of the bloomin onion that Keith insisted on having. We had dinner at the Outback Steakhouse.

Exercise - Up the steps to the 3rd floor with a spring in my step x2. Hope to hit the gym tonight. Haven't been there since Monday. Gotta keep up with it. Ok - so we didn't do the gym last night. We haven't seen each other all week so we opted for a nice dinner out. We came home, crawled in bed, and had a lengthy theological discussion before turning the lights out and crashing.

Mid-week... Can't wait for Friday!

Breakfast: Raisin Bran with skim milk.

Coffee: 1 cup with cream - thinking about another as we are out of water and I forgot to bring some with me this morning. + 2 cups with cream at GG Bible Study and a Medium diet coke.

Lunch: 1/2 bowl of chili with sprinkle of cheddar cheese. Small grilled cheese with tomato on sour dough bread. Side of fresh fruit salad - melon & pinapple.

Snack: none

Dinner: Bowl of broccoli cheese soup and a cheese burger

Exercise: 2 trips up the steps to the 3rd floor with a spring in my step. I'm feeling the pull from my workout 2 nights ago so it's not easy.

Tuesday's Gone With The Wind... isn't that a song?

Breakfast: 6 Ritz crackers with peanut butter

Coffee: 2 cups with cream

Water: 1/2 bottle on my way to work. Oh darn... we are out of water in the office. This is not good.

Lunch: half of a turkey & swiss on a light bun with pesto mayo, but I pealed most of the bun in half. Just thinking I could do without the extra bread. Also had a side of fresh fruit - melon.

Snack:

Vitamins: not yet

Dinner:

Exercise: Up the steps with a spring in my step x2!

How I'm Feeling

• Morning - Didn't want to get out of bed this morning. Chilly on the outside but cozy under the covies! None the less, got myself up and out the door for work.


• Afternoon - Pretty good. Not as tired as I am when I have too much lunch. I ate rather light today, which I should do more often. Ready to tackle more work.


• Evening -

Monday... Fresh New Week

Breakfast: 6 peanut butter crackers

Coffee: 1 cup w/ no-fat cream. I also had a few sips of diet caffiene free Pepsi at work and a glass of iced tea at home.

Water: 1 bottle + 1 1/2 large glasses with lunch + 1 bottle after the gym and a few drinks at the fountain at the gym

Lunch: BBQ Chicken Salad with bleu cheese dressing (dipped)

Snack: mandarin oranges (after work)

Dinner: 3 small pieces of roasted vegetable pizza

Exercise: Up the steps to the 3rd floor twice with a spring in my step. I love it! Stretched at home. Then went to the gym (yes by myself) and did 20 solid minutes on the elliptical. That's the first time I used that piece of equipment. It's a way better workout than the bike. I've been using the bike and treadmill lately mainly to boost my stamina. Thank goodness. If I had tried the elliptical on the first day, I probably would have quit.

How I'm Feeling

Morning - did not log. Wanted to get out the door to get the day started so I could come home earlier.

Afternoon - full from lunch. I always eat too much. I need to pay more attention in that regard.

Evening - pumped after a great workout. Beat now!

Notes:

Tomorrow I aspire to begin a new challenge, either daily or weekly. I'm trying to think of what it should be? Any suggestions?

Palm Sunday

Morning Pig-Kickers. It is Palm Sunday. I'm looking forward to a beautiful church service this morning.

Breakfast: 2 pieces of whole wheat toast with peanut butter.

Coffee: 1 cup with no-fat cream. 2 cups in the afternoon with no-fat cream.

Water: Hmm... this was not my strong-point today.

Pills: Yes. Vitamin and Aspirin this morning.

Lunch: 2 small bar-b-que chicken fingers (no breading) and 1 cup of broccoli cheese rice.

Snack: Banana. I hate them, but my eye was twitching so I thought it best to get ahead of it.

Dinner: Chicken tortilla soup.

Exercise: Not today. Resting.

How I'm Feeling

Morning: Good. Slept like a rock. Achy, but likely because of the rainy weather.

Afternoon: There is never enough time to accomplish everything I'd like to. It is only 1pm on Sunday and there are dishes to do, laundry to do, and hubby will be heading to work shortly. I had hoped to do a little bit of work-related work today and some work-related reading while also having time to exercise AND most importantly do my devotions with preparation for Girls Group this week and Disciple class. Why do I fret? This is a day of rest and I shall re-group and prioritize. Laundry & dishes can wait so long as we have what is needed for today and tomorrow. I shall spend a few quiet minutes with hubby now followed by devotions and maybe later I'll think about work-related stuff... maybe not.

Evening: What was I fretting about earlier? I feel so good now and I've only accomplished a small array of things on the list. I spent a couple of hours in devotion, study, and prayer. Boy that felt good. I'm so refreshed by it. I did two loads of laundry, and will probably put in a third. I washed all the dishes. I packed up my Easter packages for the Valentines along with my late late late Christmas gifts for Mom and Jim, and my care package for friends in Texas who have a new baby boy. Whew! It seems the Lord has blessed me with plenty of left-over energy and it's after 8PM now! (not enthused about looking at work stuff anyway). I thinking I should be tired by now, but on the contrary... uh... maybe I had too much coffee??? Hmmm...

Looking Back On Saturday

Well, it seems that I almost always miss and entire day on the weekend. Things get nuts and sitting at the computer is often the last thing on my agenda.

Morning: 1/2 glass of iced tea

Late morning: 1 sugar cookie

Afternoon: 2 pieces of Vinto's pizza (The Best!!!)

Evening: 2 bowls of salad, 2 1/2 breadsticks with alfredo dip, and a bowl of soup at Olive Garden. YUM O, but way too much!!!

Late Evening: a taste of peanut brittle and a handful of peanut butter filled pretzels.

Exercise: YES - believe it or not! Played one on one basketball with hubby. It was an open gym night at the community center. We were the ONLY people in the gymnasium. Niether of us is a basketball pro by any measure. But we enjoyed shooting some hoops and pretending like we were playing. None the less, it was good cardiovascular exercise for about a half hour.

Water: Large lemonade with lunch. Bottle of water in the evening and a half bottle in the afternoon. Had some more iced tea too, but that doesn't count as water. (NO COFFEE today!) I should have a headache!