I'm Still Here

So I haven't written a blog in a very long time.  Ever since school started I'm so exhausted the last thing I feel like doing is writing a post.  My goal for this week is to write 3 times. 

So on Saturday my sister has her bridal shower/bachelorette party.  I'm so excited! However, I'm actually planning it, so I'm in charge of everything.  Tonight I made homemade cinnamon rolls! Tomorrow I'm making egg casserole and cheesy potatoes.  I'm a little stressed. The amount of things that are on my to do list keeps growing longer and longer.  Having a OP day on Saturday is not really looking so hot.  My mom is at least making frozen fruit cups.  There are some GHG's but not many.  I guess when it's all said and done I will count everything and move on.  I will be happy when I know if I have everything ready for the party.  I'm just afraid that I will forget something.  I want my sister to have the best time because she derves it.

As soon as it starts and I get a few drinks I will be relaxed and ready to party.  Until then you can find me in the kitchen!

They Said It Can't Be Done

They said it can't be done to go to Olive Garden and stay OP.  Well, I did it.  I might have had a few snickers.  I might have even been the butt of a few jokes at our table.  But, I managed to stay OP.  Let me tell you how. 
Breakfast:
2 slices 80 calorie toast-1
1 egg-2
Total: 3 pts.

Lunch: 
Tuna Sandwich-2
Grapes-1
Broccoli-0
Total: 3 pts.

So I was going into dinner with 18 pts.  I was completely up front with the waitress and let her know that I was going to be a pain in the ass. :) I immediately asked if I could order off the lunch menu instead of the dinner menu.  She said no problem.  I asked that when she brought the salad out if I could get a smaller bowl of salad with the dressing off of it.  She informed me that they have a light salad dressing that she would bring on the side for me to try.  It was awesome.  I dipped my fork and didn't feel like I was missing out on anything.  So here is how I did.

Lunch portion Cheese Ravioli-11 (but didn't eat all of it so I estimated actually 9pts.)
Salad with light dressing on the side-2 (shared with mom)
1 breadstick-3

It was so good! I didn't even feel like I was missing anything at dinner.  So I learned that even if you feel like you are a pain to the wait staff.  That is what they get paid for.  Plus, you can tip well.  She was actually really helpful to me.  I had no idea that they had light dressing there.  I was just going to eat it without the dressing.  It pays to be picky!

Weigh In!

So with everything going on this week I still managed to lose 2lbs.  I guess I have been to busy to cheat.  If you can't tell school has started.  This past week I have had 3 late nights.  Tuesday and Wednesday we had home visits.  I love seeing where my kiddos live.  They are so funny! Tonight I had Open House.  The kids bring in their school supplies and the parents fill out a ton of paper work.  Finally, the 6-6 days are just about over.  Hopefully, I will be back to some normal blogging once I catch up on my sleep.   

Blah!

I suddenly realize why I don't go out and drink.  The next day I'm hungover and eat like crap.  I went out with my friends last night and drank a wee bit too much.  Oh, don't worry this morning I definitely ate a sausage biscuit with cheese and also a hashbrown.  Yuck! I feel nasty and sick.  The worst part is I can't stop eating.  I'm determined to get back OP tomorrow.  This is why I try not to go off.  It's way too difficult to get yourself back on.  Here's hoping!

Weigh In!

I was so disappointed last week when I gained .5 because I had been working so hard.  Well this week it totally made up for it.  Today I lost 4 lbs.  I can't hardly believe it.  I really haven't been this weight since I was a Junior in high school. I'm so excited!! Today is going to be a good day.

Fun Run?

So as I told you previously, I just moved in with some new roommates (Mom & Dad).  It's been way easier than I thought that it was going to be.  It is really nice having a workout buddy.  Monday, Wednesday, and Friday we get up at 5:00 a.m. to do our C25K.  If the training said to skip ahead and start running 2 miles than I would be following it.  But it doesn't, so I guess I'm not really doing it. I'm following the "Old Factor" .  You know, where one of the persons running is 50 and the other is 27.  The 27 year old would be shamed and banned from the family if they let the 50 year old beat them in any type of exercise activity?  Yep, that's the one that I'm training in.  Anyway, last night for some dumb reason I decided to stay up until 11:00 trying to hook up my printer, put activities in my new planner, basically anything that didn't really need to be done at that time, I decided to do. So you can imagine what my wake up call was like.  I'm not going to lie.  If I would have been by myself there is no way I would have gotten up.  I would have shut off my alarm and went back to bed.  But in fear of the "Old Factor"(it's hard to believe how effective that is) I dragged my tired butt out of bed and got dressed. The first mile was absolutely dreadful and I wanted to start walking.  However, the "Old Factor" just kept pounding in my ears and I somehow managed to keep my legs going to follow hers.  At the 2 mile mark I decided that if I wanted to get in better shape than I needed to push myself so I picked up the pace.  After a few blocks I could still see her shadow right beside mine.  Are you kidding me? I mustered all of my strength and dignity to move my legs a little faster.  When I got done I wanted to puke and call for an oxygen mask but hey I beat her :) 

All in all, it turned out to be a good run.  I felt great after it was over.  To top it off I wore my running pants inside out the whole time so the white tag on my butt was blowing in the breeze.  I guess that is karma because I call it the "Old Factor". 

First Day Back!

Today is my first day back to some reality.  It's only a half day but it's still longer than I'm use to these past couple of months.  The challenges that I will run into today; yummy snacks at the meeting, no water available, and going out to lunch with the girls (they never choose somewhere healthy).  So how will I save the day all by myself so I don't ruin my WI on Thursday? I'm going to say no to the snacks, take my own water bottle, and either try and talk the girls into somewhere healthier, or make the best choice that I can.  I will let you all know how it goes.  Have a great day!

Real Quick

Yahoo!!! I went to the doctor today for a check up.  I have lost 28 lbs. since the last time I was there!! He was very impressed.  My goal is to be at my healthy weight 164 for my follow up appointment which is in November.  20 lbs. will get me there.  Can I do it? We shall see!

Distractions are Good

Since I'm a 1st grade teacher.  I have had the month of June and July off to "relax".  (I actually taught summer school, so really just July.) Summer have it's good and bad qualities for your wlj.

Good
* More time to exercise
* Lot's of fresh fruit
* Time to cook for yourself

Bad
* Bored so you want to eat
* Bored so you want to eat
* Bored so you want to eat

As you can tell, I really struggle with being bored and wanting to eat.  That use to be my go to. Whenever I was bored out of my mind, I would head straight to the kitchen.  I had to find creative ways to keep myself from eating.  I tried reading, laying out, LOTS OF SHOPPING.  But all that I managed to accomplish was library fines, lots of freckles and an empty bank account.

I'm happy to report that I'm back in my classroom getting ready for the upcoming year.  I worked from 1-5:30 yesterday and I didn't think about food once.  It was so nice.  Now, if I can just get through cupcakes at birthday parties, faculty birthday treats, and surprise food from my teacher team this school year it will be a miracle! I think I can. I think I can.  The good news is: This Ain't My First Rodeo!

I Just Have to Share

Do you have a favorite treat that doesn't have a lot of nutritional value? I definitely do! It's something that I actually made up one night when I was craving chocolate.  I guess I will call it, "Tortilla Smore with Peanut Butter". 

1 fajita size reduced fat tortilla (2 points)
1 TBL reduced fat peanut butter; creamy or crunchy (2.5 points)
10 mini marshmallows (0 points)
1/2 TBL mini chocolate chips (1 point)
Total: 5.5 points

Spread peanut butter on half of the tortilla.  Spread the marshamallows on top of the peanut butter and sprinkle chocolate chips on top of that.  Fold the tortilla in half and microwave for 20 seconds.  *Until every thing is a melty gooey mess!

I usually have a glass of skim milk also.  Prepare to have a hands on heavenly experience! It really is that good.

Loser, Party of 1

So I moved home a week ago today.  I would like to say that since I moved home last week I have been more of a home body, but that is just not the case.  Since I have really dedicated myself to my wlj back in February I became a huge loser on the weekends.  My body for some reason does not like when I drink alcohol.  I can save up all of my WP (weekly points) and AP (activity points).  It really doesn't matter.  If I have more than just a couple of alcoholic drinks during the week I will always gain.  You might be thinking, "can't you go and have fun without drinking?".  Well the answer is NO! Just kidding.  I would gladly go and sit and drink Diet Pepsi or water the whole time, but I have a few friends who give me a really hard time if I'm not drinking.  So sometimes I would just rather stay at home watch a movie, read a book, and spend my points on something that I really enjoy.  It's better than sitting and listening to someone gripe about the fact that you aren't partaking in all of the festivities.  My plans for an awesome Saturday night, eat fresco tacos from Taco Bell, watch "First Daughter", go for a run and climb stairs with my mother.  That sounds like one heck of a Saturday night to me! :) Actually that's exactly what I did last night.  So it might be true, loser, party of 1.

P.S. DBF gets back from his boys trip at the lake tomorrow.  Too bad he has to go back to work in Philly immediately.  But I will get to see him on Thursday.  It's about time!

Feed Me! I'm Hungry!

Well I'm not actually hungry now.  But that was me about an hour ago.  I can still shock myself at how much I can eat sometimes.  I just ate 4 fresco taco's from Taco Bell AND a WW ice cream sandwich.  My stomach has definitely shrunk but once in awhile I can eat the crap out of something delicious.  Luckily, the victim this time was Taco Bell and not Burger King or Sonic or something really bad for me.  Thank goodness I planned and didn't go over my daily points.  But I'm feeling pretty sick at how much I just put into my body at one time.  Oh well! Hopefully I can digest a little before my roommate (mom) gets home and wants to run.  Otherwise, their might be a little Taco Bell that gets left on the side of the track tonight, right next to the WW ice cream sandwich.

A Little Piece of Heaven

My sister and her fiance came over to my roommates (parents) house last night.  They brought with them an ice cream maker and all the ingredients needed to make Homemade Banana Nut Ice Cream.  It is the best ice cream I have ever had.  It had little chunks of banana and pecans in each bite.  In the words of Rachael Ray, "Yummo!"  My family thinks it's pretty funny that I'm so anal about things but I added all of the ingredients in WW's recipe builder, figured out the serving size, and ate my ice cream in a smaller bowl so I would feel like I was getting as much as everyone else.  It worked! Last night I went to bed feeling satisfied for the day and proud of myself for counting and adding everything. :) I was one happy girl last night!

                         *This is not the actual ice cream maker used in the making of the delicious treat!

 P.S. I figured the ice cream to be about 6 points for 1 cup of it.  That's not a ton, but it's a lot more than you would think.

Homemade Banana Nut Ice Cream
4 eggs
2 TBSP vanilla extract
2 pints Half and Half
1 pint heavy whipping cream
2 1/2 cups sugar
4 bananas
3 oz. pecans

Mind To It, Go For It, Get Down and Break a Sweat!

So Mom and I ran 2 miles this morning at 5:00 a.m.  It's the first time I have ran 2 miles without huffing and puffing and walking in between.  In fact besides my spandex pants sliding half way down my butt, the creepy pick up that parked right beside us and the dogs going crazy, it was pure bliss.  I felt strong. In fact it felt so good I could have been one of those perky, spandex clad Saved By the Bell workout/music video participants.  I always wondered how they sang and did those fabulous 90's dance moves without sweating or being out of breath. 

Once I got home and calmed my nauseated tummy (I always feel sick when I work out and sweat a lot) my roommate (aka dad) made me the best breakfast ever.  Egg with green peppers, red peppers, onion, and tomatoes; whole wheat toast, and 2 pieces of bacon for a grand total of 6 points. 

Today is going to be a great day.  I think it's about time to take a nap.  This summer vacation thing sure is rough.  I'm definitely not ready to head back to school in about 2 weeks.

OMG!

So this last Monday I went to a class at the gym called "Fitball".  It was 45 minutes of pure torture.  It should have been called 45 minutes in hell! We squated, lunged, lifted, raised, rolled, in every direction that is humanly possible.  Due to this ridiculous exercise I am now looking like a dude escorting women to prom, into church, or down the isle.  Both of my arms must be at a ninety degree angle at my sides or I'm in sheer agony.  It doesn't just ache in my biceps but in my elbow joints.  I have to physically work at straightening my arms.  So the question I have is, when did I become an 80 year old woman with joint pain?

On a positive note, the angle I have to keep my arms in is the one you need for running.  So it's not going to effect my workout routine.

Wedding Dress Shopping

If you were trying to guess from my title no it's not my wedding dress shopping trip.  It's actually for my sister.  We are headed to "Big City T" today for her first wedding dress fitting.  My dress is ready for pick up so I'm pretty stoked about the day.  I'm the Maid of Honor so I have to be on my best behavior.  No funny business while we are there or else my sis will dethrone me. 

Now, you know that when you are the Maid of Honor you have to stand up in front of everyone and give "The Speech".  You know the one where no one can understand you because you are crying all the way through it with snot dripping down your nose? Yep, that's the one.  Since I will be standing in front of hundreds of judging eyes I need to get my rear in gear on this wlj of mine.  I would rather die than stand in front of friends and family with my back fat, side fat, or even front fat pouring out of my dress.  Actually, I was thinking more of the quote from Steel Magnolias, "It looks like two pigs fighting under a blanket." that I'm hoping to avoid.

Since we will be eating lunch at one of those places where they display everything that you could ever want to clog your arteries right in front of you, *cough, Chipotle* and then dare you not to eat it, it's definitely going to be a light breakfast for me.  1/2 cup FF yogurt, 1/2 cup strawberries, 1/2 cup Fiber One Cereal (just to get my pipes working) for a grand total of 2.5 Weight Watcher points.  In order to be able to eat dinner like a normal human being lunch will consist of no cheese, no sour cream, no guacamole and no tortilla.  I have to say, it's still one hell of a burrito bowl.  It's probably my favorite place to go out to eat.  I don't even really like sour cream or guacamole.  Now cheese, that takes a little bit more self control.  So here is my version of a fantastic lunch (point values were figured from the WW website so it may vary) rice, chicken, corn salsa (tomato salsa make me sick :( ), lettuce, fajita vegetables.  It is only 8 points.  So I will have 13.5 left for dinner. 

Weigh In

I gained .5 today. I have really been working hard so that is frustrating news :(

I'm That Girl

My WLJ (weight loss journey) didn't just start a few months ago.  It actually started when I was a Junior in high school.  It probably should have started before that but I finally crawled out of denial and committed to it in 2000.  My mother and I joined Weight Watchers (results not typical).  I dropped 40lbs. in about 4 months.  Yes! Since then, my weight has been like a very slow yo-yo, up and down, up and down.  Then, the string completely unraveled, I have never been good at that stupid yo-yo.  I noticed my weight not just slowly creaping higher but charging full speed ahead like a General off to battle.  Well in February 2010 I decided to get my butt in gear because I needed to lose over 60 lbs.  We are not just talking about one battle this is full on war. 

Since I have recommitted I have become an exercising, food planning, obsessive, non-stop talking Weight Watcher fanatic.  I am constantly annoying my friends because all I do is talk to them about my wlj.  I'm hoping that this blog will help get my mouth undercontrol.  So I can at least have a few friends who want to still hang out with me.  :)

Stats:
Height: 5'8"
Starting Weight: 224 (I just threw up in my mouth a little)
Current Weight: 186
Goal Weight: 164 (to be in my weight range) but I'm aiming for 140