What is it going to take?

In this blog alone, I have recommitted several times. And, honestly, I never go a day without counting points…even if sometimes it is in my head. I think about it all the time, and that alone can NOT be healthy. That being said, I’m still hovering over 190 pounds, after getting down to 170 my first successful round of Weight Watchers.

And, as I act as my own worst enemy, I downed a pint of Ben & Jerry’s  just thinking about what I was going to blog.

I always have an excuse for going off plan. This last time it was my birthday, then ACL.  Well, in life, there are always going to be roadblocks…but it is my reaction to these roadblocks that will ultimately determine my level of success.

I think that it was the pictures I saw of myself at ACL that really made me disappointed in myself.  (Well, the fact I’m standing next to a tall, thin, beautiful blonde didn’t help, but I love her despite that…that’s a joke, folks!) I did not look like this 18 months ag0 (sorry pic is so small, I stole it off of Facebook from a friend).

So, I don’t know what’s going to happen. What I hope is going to happen is that I get off of my butt and get in shape.

How can I become “I’ll do it today” instead of a “I”ll do it tomorrow” person?

Funny things happen on vacation.

I eat red meat again now. I even enjoyed a juicy ribeye on my 37th birthday last week. I don’t know if I believe in the whole “your body craves what it needs” theory (I really don’t think my body NEEDS dulce de leche ice cream, for example), but I was craving meat horribly after I returned from Europe. I started with Popeye’s fried chicken and haven’t looked back yet. I do find that even though I was getting plenty of protein prior to eating red meat again, I am far less tired in the afternoons at work. Who knows…maybe its the meat.

I’ve moved my blog over to wordpress, and am working on getting the recipes and exercise section moved over as well. I find wordpress to be a bit more “professional” and user-friendly for me.

Enjoy!

Motivationally challenged?

I am, by nature, motivationally challenged. I want everything right now or else, which means that motivating myself for the long haul is difficult. However, how is this for motivation….a two week trip to Europe!

We’re landing in London, and visiting Britain, Amsterdam, Cinque Terre, Italy (check out that pic!) and Ireland. Not only do I want to look good for the trip, I want to feel good…this will be a necessity for the trip since we are going to be doing the backpack route. Me, a 36 year old backpacker! I love it!

I’ve added an exercise section.

Hey! I have added a section to address exercise and activity.

If you have to buy ONE thing, make it this.

No, not a bike. No, not an expensive gym membership.

BUY A HEART RATE MONITOR!

Even if your exercise of choice is walking, a decent heart rate monitor can help you make the most of your time and effort. And I have to say, there is something very satisfying about seeing the number of calories burned go up!

You don’t have to buy a super-expensive one, but I do suggest investing in one that has a chest strap. When I first got my Polar F11, I was worried that the strap would bother me, but it fits nicely under the band of my sports bra and I don’t even know that it’s there.

The HRM is also very helpful in determining APs earned. Most WW’rs follow the rule that 100 calories burned – 1 AP, and I have found this to be very accurate when I have tested against the exhertion level. Do NOT assume that the monitors on standard gym equipment are giving you the correct calories burned readings…there simply is not enough information on those machines regarding your fitness level to properly gauge this. A good HRM records your at-rest heart rate first off, and also stores other vital information to determine accurate calories burned.

I recommend Polar myself, and I know of many others who are very happy with their products. A quick Google search of “compare heart rate monitors” will give you loads of hits for great sites to review prior to purchase.

Here is a good site to help you determine where you should be working for the best results.

Lunches/Dinners

Mexican pizza
1 flat out wrap (multi grain) – 1 pt
1/2 c fat free refried beans – 2 pts
1 oz 2% shredded mexican cheese – 2 pts
Various zero point veggies of your choice. I like to slice up some onion, mushrooms, jalapenos and tomatoes – 0 pts
Total: 5 points, and this is huge!

For this, I use the toaster oven on broil. First, spray the wrap with olive oil or canola spray and put in preheated oven for about 6-8 minutes to harden. Take it out, and layer your ingredients to your liking, starting with the refried beans on the bottom, cheese on top. Place back in broiler and cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, until cooked through and cheese is melted. I like to then garnish with a bit of cilantro and light sour cream for an additional point.

These wraps are excellent and come in various flavors for 1-2 points. The pizza combinations are endless! Visit here for more info on Flatout Wraps.

I’ve added a recipes section.

Check out here for a list of favorite recipes and food combinations! I will be adding to this continually. I’m trying to eat at home more, and am finding that I am actually a pretty decent cook! Some are my own, some are from others (and will be noted as such). Enjoy!

Breakfasts

Oatmeal and fruit
1/2 c quick cooking rolled oats – 2.5 pts
1 banana – 1 pt (this is also great with blueberries!)
1/4 c vanilla soy milk – 0 pts
dash of cinnamon
Total: 3.5 pts

Egg white omelette
4 egg whites – 1.5 pts
1 slice swiss cheese – 2 pts (I use full fat for max flavor)
1/2 c fresh spinach leaves – 0 pts
1/4 c sauteed mushrooms – 0 pts
Total: 3.5 pts

Facing the music, and having some damn good pasta after.

I went and weighed in tonight since I decided to switch my WI to Tuesday evening.

And…I was up 3.6 pounds. 190.8.

I’m not surprised…it could have been worse. This is after two weeks of pigging out, and a night WI vs a morning WI.

I decided to celebrate my new commitment, and use some of those groceries I bought, and I whipped this up:

1 cup whole wheat lingiune – 4 pts
2 oz shrimp – 1 pt
mushrooms – 0 pts
yellow onion – 0 pts
kale – 0 pts
red pepper flakes – 0 pts
2 tsp olive oil – 2.5 pts
lemon juice – 0 pts
1 tbsp fresh parmesan cheese – 1 pt

Cook the linguine. I sauteed the veggies (I didn’t measure…I don’t count points for zero pt veggies) in garlic and vegetable broth, added shrimp and sauteed. I added the kale last, then topping with the cooked pasta. Then I added a bit more broth, the olive oil and lemon juice to taste and mixed together to warm and blend flavors. Finished off with fresh basil and cheese, and voila!!! A huge, hearty meal for 8.5 points!!

So, what does $116.65 get you at the grocery store?

WW has this new plan, The Momentum Plan, that emphasizes the use of “filling foods”….this is not completely unlike what I was already doing on Flex, which was trying to focus on Core items, but counting points. Come Wednesday, I am recommitting and facing the dreaded scale knowing that I have probably put on a few pounds in the two weeks since I last weighed because I’ve been eating everything in sight. So, tonight I went to the store and did some stocking up:

Vegetables (kale, mushrooms, potatoes, butternut squash, brussel sprouts, bananas)
Fresh ginger and garlic
Jalapenos
Avocados
Tofu
Bulk beans (black and garbanzo)
Bulk quinoa
Bulk hummus mix
Bulk curry lentil soup mix
Bulk nutritional yeast
Bulk whole wheat couscous
Bulk TVP
Light sour cream
Whole wheat penne
Crushed tomatoes
Organic instant oatmeal
Spices (green chile powder, cinnamon)
Bulk tea – red chai
Peanut butter
multivitamin
Flax oil pills

I also got a big ol’ caesar salad and some tomato basil soup from the deli, a “Real Simple” magazine and a tea infuser.

It seems like a lot of money, and Central Market is pricier than other stores, but the bulk items I got will last me a long time. I LOVE buying bulk grains, beans and spices.

Hopefully, I can stick to my guns and start cooking at home more often. Eating out should be an exception, not the rule.