Another week, another pound

I'm happy. Progress is progress, period.

My stepson is in town for the holiday and I am stoked! We've been playing Wii Sports (and he's been killing me) and falling back into our routine. It only took a day of deprogramming after a night with the grandparents, lol.

That's about it today; keeping to short and sweet.

Week 2 and a bit of whining

I lost another pound. I counted points, kept fat intake in check, and only lost a pound. One pound gone after a week like that used to make me want to cry, but I'm trying to keep the positive in mind. I have more energy and feel good. I got creative in the kitchen and the family enjoyed it right along with me. I'm on track and am gonna do what it takes to stay that way.

Now for the whining. My arthritic knee and shoulder are working overtime. I can't walk more than I am at the moment and then I am am sucking down Tylenol or Advil to keep mobile. Gah!

That's it. Time to meet DD's school bus.

4 pounds gone

Last Monday I weighed in at 236 and wanted to cry. It's not that it's my top number of all time, but it's the number I hit when I felt I was at rock bottom. I was heavier, but that number is a sore spot with me.

I went into action as soon as I got home after seeing DD off for school. I went through the pantry and fridge and tossed my trigger foods. I then went to the store and picked up things I actually needed - whole grains, beans, veggies. I made a huge pot of red beans and rice (fat free & awesome), steam-fried cabbage, and berries for dessert. It was simple, filling, full of fiber, heart-healthy, and just plain good! Hubby has been talking about it all week and he never does that.
It reminded me that I can have fabulous food that is good for me. I don't have to eat junk when time is of the essence.

This morning when I hit the scale I was 4 pounds lighter. I didn't count points or hit the elliptical or starve. I ate good food that was good for me. This is what this journey is about. Eating well and living well.

After 10 pounds are gone I'll be exercising more. Right now walking and my modified Pilates and yoga routines are the extent of it. My body cannot take much more than that right now. I tried and spent two days paying for it.

K, that's it for now.

Chicago here I come!

A week after weighing and measuring

I'm still annoyed by those measurements, but still energized by them. I've been getting in more protein and less refined carbs. I'm not going back to my ultra low carb days, just getting more balance in my food. And keeping portions under control.

I think I'm annoying hubby a bit. Even my junk food runs have been healthier - veggie sub at Subway, no cheese, vinegar, no oil. Fresco style bean burrito at Taco Bell. It makes him crazy. This afternoon when DD offered her last slice of pizza to us, hubby told her I wanted it. I told her I didn't and to just put it away from later if hubster wasn't interested. It's typical of the routine when I'm eating differently. I'm not thrilled about it, but I'm used to it. He only gets this way when he's feeling like making a change in his habits. He doesn't like eating alone and sometimes considers it eating alone of I'm eating something different.

He makes me tired, but I love him.

I have a knot in my shoulder that refuses to quit, so exercise has consisted of the modified yoga and pilates routine and watching the dogs race around the yard. Yep, I let them run instead of walking them; sue me.

So far so good as far as food today. I'm getting in lots of veggies and protein and small amounts of fat (only what was used in cooking and occurs naturally in the ingredients). I'm not sure what we'll have for dinner tonight, but the rest of the day has gone like this -

B: 1/4 c scrambled tofu, 1/4 cup veggie/nut burger, jalapeno, 2 TBS diced tomato, TBS shredded cheddar; cinnamon flax muffin; decaf, water, supplements

L: Tandoori tofu, sauteed spinach-onion-garlic; cup veggie soup

Hubby's not thrilled with the low sodium levels, but my heart is thanking me. I'm craving sugar and am not sure what I'm going to do about it. We're headed grocery shopping in a bit and I'm going to throw Greek yogurt into the cart. I love this stuff! 1/4 to 1/2 cup of it with some fruit, ground flax, and drizzle (or sprinkle) of a sweetener is so very good. It feels decadent and that helps trick these jaded taste buds of mine.

Did I mention that I'm reducing caffeine again? Yep, 1 cup of regular only, and that's only when we're out. At home it's either 3/4 decaf or full decaf. Hubby hasn't realized it yet. He's up when he's up and crashes at the drop of a hat.

Hubster is actually ready to go, so I'm out for now. Here's to a great week!

Long-term goals - health and in general

My buddy K inspired this one. And the more I think about it, the more I like the idea of a Chicago trip. :-) We can visit the Chicago Diner, Wrigley Field, try to score Oprah tickets.... And of course get into some trouble.

There are a few things that I'd like to accomplish over the next two years:

• obtain my MBA/MIT (four classes to go on that one)
• get rid of credit card debt (have a plan and will pay off the first card by 12/31)
• pay off the car (within 2 months)
• remodel the kitchen

On the health front

• see myself through hubby's eyes, as the gorgeous, sexy woman he loves
• keep my blood pressure within normal levels
• keep my cholesterol down
• drop a minimum of 30 pounds (that will put me close to the weight I was when hubby and I met)
• reduce the need for pain medication
  

I don't see them as unattainable. I can reach these goals, dammit! Two years is a long time, really. 15 pounds a year. 10 blood pressure points total. Less credit card debt will result in a higher net worth and more money to invest.

Alrighty, K, your turn.