Thanksgiving Slump

Pies, cookies, MASHED POTATOES and NOODLES - all potential downfalls and yes, I did succumb to them all.  Not only did I succumb but I let them set me back for 2 full weeks.  Back to my old habit of eating whatever comes to mind. Literally.  And I am feeling it. 

Back in DFW this week and one day of sensible eating and already I don't feel so lackluster.  (Even though I did have a carbo withdraw headache yesterday) It has just dawned on me that I wonder why I can't remember the way I feel now when those foods that tempt me to over indulge whisper over and over 'gravy, gravy, gravy' until I give in. 

Yesterday's food log:
2 boiled eggs and coffee with cream
Roast chicken breast, Garlic Lemon Spinach and Cesar salad no croutons
Zucchini with mushrooms and onions with Marinara and parm

Today
Scrambled eggs, bacon and coffee with cream
2 pieces of  lowfat Babybel cheese
Zucchini with mushrooms and onions with Marinara and parm

Breathless in Irving

I sure can't understand why I still just get completely exhausted and totally breathless when I walk 4 or 5 flights of stairs.  Simply irritating to me.  I don't like being so out of shape.  I would have thought by now that I could at least do the 5 flights without feeling like I am going to keel over any second. 

On the food front, I totally enjoy the varieties of lunches that are available for under 300 calories.  Today I had Turkey and Dressing with a side of apples.  Yummy.  I also bought some individual sides of broccoli with cheese sauce (40 cal) and some asparagus for an added veggie with each meal. 

Dinner...I never know.  Last night because I was on my own, I had 2 breaded fish (160 cal each) and some cooked cabbage.  Yet I still find the ability to resist the urge to snack so much easier when I am away from home.  There are plenty of snacks like Hershey's and Pop Tarts, Otis Spumkmier muffins, etc but I just don't do it.  Maybe it is a guilt thing, like I feel like I am eating someone elses food, so I don't. 

"Weak"ends

I need to learn to manage my eating when I am not in a "controlled" environment.  The frozen meals for lunch and the dinner with little snacking options make my eating pretty easy to manage through the week. But the weekends are a different story.  Being able to cook my favorites(and whatever David wants) along with snacks for the boys mean that I have lots of food around and it's at easy access. 

Today I have eaten:
Oatmeal with Nuts, Cinnamon and Honey
Bowl of Vegetable soup with 2 crackers
About 4 or 5 chicken wings
More vegetable soup  about a cup
And about a 1/4 cup of coleslaw
Not too bad but I really want to eat one of those brownies I made for the boys!

I did my ab work this morning and went down to walk at the track but the football team was practicing so I didn't get to do that.  I guess congrats are in order to the GPool Warriors who must have won their play-off game since they were practicing.

Mostly ups!

I  struggled a bit over the weekend had some ups and downs but mostly ups!  I did a few crunches and probably ate a little more than I should have, but I was aware of what I ate and didn't eat a bunch of junk food.  I just ate larger portions because I went home and cooked some of my favorites.  It's funny how  you can miss your own cooking.  :) Back on track this week.  It's a little easier when I am in Dallas because I am limited on my choices.  I feel pretty good too.  I usually hate daylight savings time but it is giving me a few more minutes to do my crunches in the AM so I don't have an excuse to skip.

I walked all 10 flights of stairs yesterday. It was tough and a little slow but I'll get better.  Only walked 4 today but I was carrying my 50# laptop - LOL. 

What have I been eating?
This weekend I made Home-made noodles and beef - my fav
I made Pumpkin bread and white chili. 
We had bacon and waffles for breakfast but I only ate one piece of bacon and a dry waffle.

I am still eating the Low cal lunches. This time Kroger had 'Smart Ones' on sale so I tried them.  They taste about the same but are about 10 calories higher than the Lean Cuisine. 

I can't really tell any difference in my clothes yet but I'm not giving up. 

Stress and food...what a powerful connection

It is mind boggling to me how my urge to eat is in direct correlation to the amount of stress I am feeling.  I am having some stress the last couple of days. Work and personal life but am doing my best to fill the urge to eat something with either Hot tea or coffee.  If I make it through today without a big hunk of chocolate or big bowl of ice cream I will be proud of myself!

This morning I did no exercises - probably a bad decision since I have to drive home 4 hours tonight and then will be babysitting.  On the other hand, my muscles are pretty sore from the last couple of days.  So maybe a day off isn't so bad.  I plan on walking the stairs at the office before I head home. 

Breakfast today:
Ham and egg whites on wheat toast (2) slices
Coffee

Lunch - I will try to find a subway on the way home

Ouch my calves hurt!

Boy were my calves sore this morning when I stepped into my high heels it really made it apparent.  Two thoughts entered my mind.."gee i'm in worse shape than I thought if 5 flights of stairs can cause that kind of pain" and almost a contentment about feeling like I am doing something good for me.

Today my breakfast and lunch are duplicates of yesterday.  I need to add a small snack between lunch and dinner because I am getting too hungry and it makes me want to eat too much at dinner time.  Dinner was spaghetti (@1 cup) and meatballs (2) and salad. 

Exercise:
50 crunches and 10 regular old fashioned sit-ups
Stairs 5 flights up and down this time in my Shape-Ups

Now or never?

I am fast approaching the point in my weight, energy levels and motivation where a decision has to be made.  I have watched my elders age and have witnessed first hand how you can remain active and stay much more fit or become more sedentary and put on too much weight which in turn leads to health issues.  Largely, thanks to the encouragement (or prodding) of my daughter,  I want to avoid the latter. This will be my daily blog/log of my diet and exercise.

Note to self: Do not compare yourself to others.  Start where you are and get better each day!

Today's intake:
8:30am - One Minute Oatmeal with 1tsp sugar, 1 creamer & 1 TBS of walnuts                        
12:00pm - Lean Cuisine & Asparagus
6:15pm -  Smoked Chicken Breast (from Dickies BBQ) Green beans and side salad - no dressing


Activities:
Sit ups - 50
Walk Stairs at office - 5 flights up and down (whew!)