Food Journal

257.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 whole wheat english muffin - 2 points
1/2 cup lowfat mozzarella - 2 points
1/4 cup tomato sauce - 1 point
2 cookies - 3 points
10 oz steak tips - 12 points
1 1/2 cups mashed potatoes - 6 points
1 cup green beans - 0 points

Total: 28 points

Food Journal

257.5 lbs
28-33 points

2 cups grapes - 2 points
1 whole wheat bagel - 4 points
2 tbs cream cheese - 2 points
2 cookies - 3 points
Smart Choice Sweet and Sour Chicken - 4 points
1 Italian Sub - ??

Well, I did good until dinner. I don't even want to know the nutritional info for the sub..

Food Journal

258.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 slice cheese pizza - 4 points
1 apple - 1 point
1 cup mixed veggies - 0 points
5 oz steak - 9 points
1 tbs stir fry sauce - 1 point
1 cookie - 2 points
1/2 cup ice cream - 4 points

Total: 23 points

Food Journal

I blew it today. I'm incredibly pissed off at real life stuff. I'm not going to bother writing down my points for today.

Just so you know.

Tomorrow's another day..

Food Journal

258.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 cup grapes - 1 point
2 cups beef stew - 10 points
2 cups smoothie (froz. berries & milk) - 2 points
1/2 cup brown rice - 2 points
1 cup peas - 1 point
1 lean pork chop - 3 points
stir fry sauce - 1 point

Total: 22 points

Musings

Well, that's frustrating. I just got a call saying that my appointment to see the nutritionist this afternoon has been canceled. I was really looking forward to going and getting some good ideas. Hmph.

So, here's my question for all you wonderful readers. Does anyone have any good suggestions for websites that have articles about healthy eating, weight loss, exercise, etc? Bonus points if they're entertaining as well as informative.. :)

Food Journal

258.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 apple - 1 point
1 cup beef stew - 5 points
2 cookies - 3 points
2 cups mixed vegetables - 0 points
1 tbs butter - 2 points
9 oz. trout - 7 points
1 cup milk, 1 cup berries (smoothie) - 2 points
2 slices whole wheat toast - 2 points
1 tbs peanut butter - 2 points
2 tbs raspberry jam - 2 points

Total: 28 points

Food Journal

258.5 lbs
28-33 points

1 cup grapes - 1 point
1 slice cornbread - 4 points
2 slices whole wheat bread - 2 points
2 tbs peanut butter - 4 points
1 tbs raspberry jam - 1 point
7 pieces spicy sushi roll - 4 points
3 oz chicken - 3 points
1 cup asparagus - 0 points
1 1/2 cup roasted red potatoes - 6 points
2 cookies - 3 points

Total: 28 points

Musings

Whoever thought that being overweight would impact furniture selection? My parents and my in-laws gave us enough money at Christmas to buy a new couch and loveseat (our current ones are hand-me-downs from my parents, are at least 8 years old, and are ripped and stained--thanks kids and dogs!). We went looking today, and do you know what the deciding factor was? My weight! Couches that didn't have enough back support, that let me recline too much, were automatically out of the running. When we have company over, the last thing I want them to see is my big fat belly sticking out because I can't sit up straight on my own couch! How odd is that?

We picked out a nice leather couch and loveseat. We ended up going to the discount place because it was the only way we could afford leather, and with the way my kids spill things.. oy. Anyway.. so, it's from the discount place, but for $120, they guarantee to fix any stains, burns, punctures, tears, etc, and will even replace the piece if necessary.. for 5 years! So, not bad, really. And best of all.. they'll be delivered before our next playgroup. You have no idea what a relief it will be to not be embarassed about our nasty couches when we have people over.

Food Journal

258.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
2 slice whole wheat bread - 2 points
2 tbs peanut butter - 4 points
1 cup skim milk - 2 points
5 oz chicken - 5 points
1 cup mixed vegetables - 0 points
1 cup mashed potatoes - 4 points
1 piece cornbread - 4 points
4 peanut butter cookies - 6 points

Total: 29 points

Musings

This has been a frustrating day all around. First, I was quite disappointed that I only lost 2 pounds in the last week and a half. I guess I really need to start exercising more.

Secondly, my husband just told me that he's taking a 20% pay cut instead of getting laid off. I mean, I'm glad he still has a job, but we're just barely getting by as it is. We were planning on taking some of our tax refund (what's left after paying off the bills we're behind on) and taking the kids to Disney World.. but now I don't know if we'll be able to.

Now we definitely won't be able to afford a gym membership, either.

It's tempting to say, "Oh, well, since I'm having a crappy day, I'll treat myself to an ice cream," but I'm trying my hardest not to.

Food Journal

258.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
Healthy Choice soup - 2 points
1 slice whole wheat toast - 1 point
1 tbs butter - 2 points
1 cup grapes - 1 point
1/2 cup homemade mac & cheese - 5 points
1 1/2 cups chili - 7 points

Total: 20 points

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
Meatloaf - 8 points
Ketchup - 2 points
1 apple - 1 point
12 pieces spicy sushi roll - 6 points
1 cup grapes - 1 point
2 chocolate chip cookies - 3 points

Total: 23 points

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
2 cups salad (lettuce, cucumber, etc) - 0 points
1/4 cup feta cheese - 3 points
2 tbs Newman's Lite Vinaigrette - 1 point
5 oz chicken - 6 points
1 cup summer squash - 0 points
2 cups grapes - 2 points
1 oatmeal cookie - 3 points
1 peanut butter heart - 4 points

Total: 21 points

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 cup grapes - 1 point
1 apple - 1 point
1 bagel - 5 points
2 tbs cream cheese - 2 points
2 oatmeal cookies - 6 points
1 1/2 cups green beans - 0 points
1 big slice meatloaf - 12 points
ketchup - 2 points

Total: 31 points

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 apple - 1 point
1 tbs peanut butter - 2 points
1 bagel - 5 points
2 tbs cream cheese - 2 points
7 oz salmon - 8 points
1 banana - 2 points
1 tbs peanut butter - 2 points

Total: 24 points

Musings

It's back to work, post Valentine's Day. I meant to eat healthy meals yesterday and just cheat on whatever chocolates my husband got me, but my grandmother, aunt, and cousin came up for a surprise visit, which always means Chinese food for lunch. I'd had a healthy breakfast, so I didn't feel too horrible about my full plate of fried goodness. I also had a somewhat healthy dinner - the steak and peas were fine, but the saucy pasta was a little more than I would have done normally.

And the chocolates, oh my.. I know it's only been three weeks, but clearly my body wasn't used to so much sweets. I actually gave myself a stomach-ache, when I know I didn't actually eat more than I would have normally.

Well, anyway.. it was nice while it lasted, but I'm glad to be back in the saddle.

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 cup chili - 5 points
6 pieces spicy tuna roll - 3 points
1/2 cup pasta (with some olive oil and parmesean) - 3 points
1/2 cup asparagus - 0 points
1/2 cup scallops - 1 point
1/2 cup shrimp - 1 point

Total: 15 points

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

1/3 slice of pizza - 3 points
2 cups salad (lettuce, cucumbers) - 0 points
2 tbs greek dressing - 4 points
1/4 cup feta - 3 points
1 small banana - 2 points
1 tbs peanut butter - 2 points
steak picado - 10 points
1/3 cup Spanish rice - 2 points

Total: 26 points

Musings

My butt hurts. Ouch. The baby actually let me have a little time to myself yesterday.. I got in 15 minutes of weights, as well as the first 15 minutes of an exercise video. I liked this one.. I found it on Comcast's On Demand, it was one of the Biggest Loser ones.

But, like I said.. ouch.

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 large banana - 3 points
2 tbs peanut butter - 4 points
1/4 cup feta - 3 points
2 cups salad (lettuce, cucumbers) - 0 points
2 tbs Newman's Lite Vinaigrette - 1 point
1/4 cup almonds - 6 points
A few tastes of frosting - ? points

Total: 19 points

Musings

I've been getting this question/comment a lot to my posts, so I thought I'd address it here.

I am aware that I'm eating under 28 points daily. Believe it or not, when I add up the points, I can tell if I'm under. ;) But, seriously.. I know you're not supposed to eat under your points range. I get that. I know that, in theory, the best way to lose weight is to stay in your range. I also know that I'm not hungry at all during the day, and that most days, I finish my dinner and then have to scramble to find something to eat to get myself at least close to my points range (like tonight when I was at 20 points after a filling dinner). I don't know for sure, but my guess is that I'm eating a lot more protein, and thus feel fuller on less points than someone who is eating her full points-worth of refined carbs.

I've done WW quite successfully in the past, and my lapse had nothing to do with how many points I had been eating (we had a death in the family, and my whole family went off their diets). When I did WW successfully before, I ate the same way, except that I took all those little uneaten points and splurged on a take-out dinner every Saturday. I was also more diligent about weighing food and calculating points back then. Now, knowing that I have a little bit of leeway, I don't worry quite as much about whether I actually ate 4 or 6 ounces of chicken, I just guess.

And, y'know.. it seems to be working out quite well for me so far.

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 cup chili - 5 points
1 cup grapes - 1 point
5 oz chicken - 6 points
1 cup mixed veggies - 0 points
1/2 cup brown rice - 2 points
3 chocolate chip cookies - 4 points
1 apple - 1 point
2 tbs peanut butter - 4 points

Total: 25 points

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 cup grapes - 1 point
Healthy Choice Chicken & Rice Soup - 2 points
2 slices whole wheat bread - 2 points
2 tbs butter - 4 points
1 apple - 1 point
2 slices whole wheat bread - 2 points
1 tbs mayo - 2 points
2 slice cheese - 4 points
5 oz tuna - 4 points
2 chocolate chip cookies - 3 points

Total: 27 points

Musings

I'm trying to fit exercise in to my daily routine, but it's really hard. Between chores and homeschooling and just trying to enjoy my children, I don't get too much time for myself, and when I do, I tend to want to take a breather, just relax a minute, you know? I've been able to do a bit with my free weights here and there, but I forget a lot, so I need to look up some good exercises to do with them. We have Comcast and I've fooled around with some of their On Demand exercise videos, but I'm super uncoordinated.. anything with a rhythm or complicated movement is difficult for me. Especially since I've also got the rugrats underfoot.

We're thinking of joining the Y when we get our tax refund. There are a zillion other things we should do with the money, but I think that this is important. I know it will be hard to actually get to the gym, but I'm hoping that having a bunch of good equipment waiting for me will motivate me. I just have to decide whether I want to get up super early and go before Doug goes to work, or whether I want to drag myself out when he gets home.

Anyone have some good tips on exercising with little kids around?

Food Journal

260.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 slice whole wheat toast - 1 point
1 slice ham - 3 points
1 slice cheese - 2 points
1 cup grapes - 1 point
1/4 cup TJ chili lime cashews - 6 points
6 oz haddock - 4 points
1 cup green beans - 0 points
3 oatmeal cookies - 9 points

Total: 27 points

Food Journal

262.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
1 small blueberry muffin (homemade, whole wheat) - 4 points
1 apple - 1 point
2 tbs peanut butter - 4 points
5 oz chicken - 5 points
1 bagel - 5 points
2 tbs cream cheese - 2 points

Total: 23 points

Food Journal

262.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
Healthy Choice Gumbo - 2 points
2 oatmeal cookies - 3 points
5 oz chicken - 6 points
1/4 cup almonds - 6 points
1 cup brocoli/cauliflower - 0 points
1/4 cup couscous - 1 point

Total: 23 points

Food Journal

262.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink - 4 points
6 oz honey mustard chicken - 7 points
1/4 cup cauliflower - 0 points
1/4 cup TJ chili lime cashews - 6 points
1 1/2 cup chili - 7 points
1 slice whole wheat toast - 2 points

Total: 26 points

Musings

I'm still sick. Argh. I'm hoping that I'll wake up in the morning feeling a lot better. I had my follow-up appointment with the nurse practicioner today and she did a rapid strep (and regular culture, too) which came out negative.

The appointment went well. She seemed pleased with the amount of weight I've lost and her only suggestion after looking at my food journal was to eat more 0 point foods. I'm sure I could, but I'm really not very hungry during the day, the way I've been eating. I think the key for me is that I drink the breakfast shake very slowly over a few hours (I keep it in the fridge). Just two or three sips makes me feel full, and when I tried to chug it all right upon waking, I'd feel sick. So I spend all morning taking little sips when I pass by the fridge and don't feel hungry at all until lunchtime. Then it seems almost like a rush trying to fit in enough points to get close to 28.

Anyway. My blood tests all came back pretty normal. The one that was a little off I wasn't really expecting her to catch, and it's not a big deal anyway. Just to be really thorough, here are the pertinent results, with the norm in parentheses:

Insulin - 17 (6-27)
Glucose - 82 (70-105)
Cholesterol - 163 (<200)
Triglyceride - 115 (<150)
HDL - 52 (23-92)
LDL - 88 (<100)

According to those results my coronary risk is below average. Nice, huh? So, I'm also not diabetic or really even pre-diabetic, but she agreed to put me on a low dose of Metformin. My father's diabetic as is his mother, and because I have a few signs of PCOS and the low milk supply, I was more than willing to give it a go. I know GI upset is commonly reported as a side effect, so if it's bothersome I'll just go off of it, it's not like I really need it.

I go back in 3 months, which will be a nice additional motivator to keep up with the weight loss. I figured it out today and there are 20 more weeks until the beginning of July, which means if I lose 3 pounds a week, I'll make it to 200 lbs. I think with sensible eating and exercise, that should be well within reach.

Food Journal

262.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
apple muffin - 7 points
1 apple - 1 point
2 tbs peanut butter - 4 points
3 chocolate chip cookies - 4 points
6 oz honey mustard chicken - 7 points
1 cup garlic cauliflower - 1 point

Total: 26 points

Food Journal

Still sick. Yesterday was horrid. The insanely high fever I had last night seems to have broken, though, and I'm feeling marginally better. Still have an insanely sore throat. I'm tempted to use the albuterol inhaler I got last year when I was pregnant and ended up in the ER with difficulty breathing, due to another cold. It's comforting to know that I have it, at least.

Still not counting. Will hopefully pick up tomorrow. I weighed myself this morning though and was shocked and pleased to see that I'm now at 262.5. I thought that the ice cream I'd been eating had ruined it for me, but I guess not.

Food Journal

I'm sick today. I'm not counting, because while I did eat healthy meals (soup, toast, salmon, veggies, etc), I've been having popsicles, cough drops, and even ice cream. My throat hurts way too much to abstain.

Musings

My plan to cook mainly from scratch (for the kids especially) is progressing nicely. I've made two batches of cookies that the kids have loved (unfortunately, I can't help snacking a little, too). I made homemade poptarts and apple muffins for breakfasts. They've also had eggs and pancakes some days. My husband made a batch of homemade chicken nuggets and I made meatballs. So, over the last week, they've probably had about half the amount of processed foods they normally do.

And when they do have processed foods, I've been trying to give them healthier options. I went shopping at Trader Joe's and got them crackers and chocolate syrup that don't have high fructose corn syrup. I also traded in our ketchup, and I was pleased to see that Goldfish do not have HFCS. I didn't buy a single thing today that had HFCS in it. I also saved $70 by buying things on sale and using coupons (total amount was $200, but that included two weeks worth of dinners as well as stuff like toilet paper, detergent, baby wipes, etc - stuff we don't buy every week).

The only problem with me making cookies and muffins from scratch is that it can be hard to resist. I made the kids and my parents pancakes this morning and didn't even feel the need to eat one myself, but the muffins I made were just too good to pass up. I guess I can console myself with the fact that, while it was high in points, it was free of additives and other junk.

Food Journal

266.5 lbs
28-33 points

Nestle Carnation Instant Breakfast Drink (NSA) - 2 points
Healthy Choice Gumbo - 2 points
2 slices whole wheat bread - 4 points
1 tbs butter - 2 points
1 apple muffin - 7 points
6 oz chicken - 6 points
1 cup salad greens - 0 points
1/2 cup cucumbers - 0 points
4 small grape tomatoes - 0 points
2 tbs light balsamic vinaigrette - 1 point
3 blackberries - 1 point
2 chocolate chip cookies - 3 points

Total: 28 points