Tuesday, January 11, 2011
ray of sunshine...
Today was just one of those days. One of those days where I come home and wash away the grim of the day. I brushed my teeth, washed my face, and dwelled on the stale air that I was breathing in all day at work. I just felt run down, beaten, tired. I sure hate that feeling. But then I walked upstairs, was greeted by my friend Alyssa, and D. Lo making some dinner. And after good food and conversation, my evening is looking up. It really is the little things that matter.
Monday, January 10, 2011
for us...
At the end of this month, Chaz and I made a move for us. We decided to move in with my grandma. Yes, to help her out, but additionally, and more importantly for our future, to help us out. With Chaz in school, we have spent the last two years living a life filled with fun and spending, but also a life that has been a bit tight money wise. And I am sure we will always be tight on money, who isn't? but we have taken the matter into our own hands and made a smart move financially.
And now what comes out of this move other then security for both us and D.Lo? We can really focus on school, both of us. I am working on my Masters and Chaz is working on his degree in Graphic Design. And since we have the time, and we have moved in with my grandma, he can now stay in school an extra semester to get an additional certificate. Don't ask me to explain all this business...you'll have to ask him to clarify what everything is "officially" called! Whatever it is called, we both feel great right now. Very refreshed, very new, and clear headed, at least for now! And I can focus on my classes too as this shit is getting really hard! Wish us luck!
And now what comes out of this move other then security for both us and D.Lo? We can really focus on school, both of us. I am working on my Masters and Chaz is working on his degree in Graphic Design. And since we have the time, and we have moved in with my grandma, he can now stay in school an extra semester to get an additional certificate. Don't ask me to explain all this business...you'll have to ask him to clarify what everything is "officially" called! Whatever it is called, we both feel great right now. Very refreshed, very new, and clear headed, at least for now! And I can focus on my classes too as this shit is getting really hard! Wish us luck!
Sunday, January 9, 2011
WW unraveled...
I am not an expert on Weight Watchers, in fact, sometimes I feel completely lost. I am, however, loving the new WW program and maybe my love of this new "eating adventure" will rub off on you. So after hearing from some of my readers that they would like some more tips, how could I refuse! Of course this blog will not be a food blog, it is my lifestyle blog, so I will not always talk about food but occasionally I will include my tips for success!
So first, here is my history.
I have done weight watchers in the past. As a sophomore in high school I lost 30-40 pounds and as a freshman in college I lost 20-30. I never went to meetings, just used books and tracking sheets I got from my mom. My first year of work I signed up for a program at work but was laid off and therefore got a refund. While I gave up in the past, I always had in the back of my mind what foods were good and what foods were bad and never really took up eating candy bars and doughnuts, but I lost complete and utter understanding of portion size. I was eating backed chips, but certainly not stopping after 10 chips! Alas, I am back at step one, only this time, I do have some history to help me out!
I started this new program the day after Christmas. The first week I lost 7 pounds, however when I started, that really wonderful monthly gift us ladies get was stopping by for a visit. This second week, I lost a more "normal" 2 pounds. That brings my current total to 9 pounds! Wow, that looks great on paper!
And now for why I am so fricken in love with this new WW plan.
First, with the old plan, an apple was 1-2 points, and a bowl of cereal was 2-3, so usually, to have something more tasty, we would chose the cereal. Now with the new WW plan, we get more points, but cereal has gone up to 3-4 points. HOWEVER, all fruits and vegetables are 0 points so you can make an awesome decision and grab a zero point food now! And I like to think of the fact that I am giving my body something natural and easy to digest! How could that not be better for weight loss! I would suggest however, even though fruit is 0 points, that you don't go crazy and eat 20 apples and bananas along with your allotted amount of points....i don't see that being too beneficial!
Where 0 point fruits and veggies come in handy:
And now for some tips:
So first, here is my history.
I have done weight watchers in the past. As a sophomore in high school I lost 30-40 pounds and as a freshman in college I lost 20-30. I never went to meetings, just used books and tracking sheets I got from my mom. My first year of work I signed up for a program at work but was laid off and therefore got a refund. While I gave up in the past, I always had in the back of my mind what foods were good and what foods were bad and never really took up eating candy bars and doughnuts, but I lost complete and utter understanding of portion size. I was eating backed chips, but certainly not stopping after 10 chips! Alas, I am back at step one, only this time, I do have some history to help me out!
I started this new program the day after Christmas. The first week I lost 7 pounds, however when I started, that really wonderful monthly gift us ladies get was stopping by for a visit. This second week, I lost a more "normal" 2 pounds. That brings my current total to 9 pounds! Wow, that looks great on paper!
And now for why I am so fricken in love with this new WW plan.
First, with the old plan, an apple was 1-2 points, and a bowl of cereal was 2-3, so usually, to have something more tasty, we would chose the cereal. Now with the new WW plan, we get more points, but cereal has gone up to 3-4 points. HOWEVER, all fruits and vegetables are 0 points so you can make an awesome decision and grab a zero point food now! And I like to think of the fact that I am giving my body something natural and easy to digest! How could that not be better for weight loss! I would suggest however, even though fruit is 0 points, that you don't go crazy and eat 20 apples and bananas along with your allotted amount of points....i don't see that being too beneficial!
Where 0 point fruits and veggies come in handy:
- Stopping at a gas station on a trip, grab an apple
- At the airport, find some bananas or veggies
- At a picnic, load that plate with veggies...with all the points you are saving, indulge in some dip!
- Buffet? Find those veggies!
But I know that this is not the most fun food...I promise I will get into some of that below!
Second, ww.com has so many recipes and foods! You can find a recipe for almost any food you like. Since being on my "food adventure", I have had stroganoff, meatloaf, cookies, and other nummy treats! There really are a lot of resources you just have to take the time to play around! Additionally, you can edit recipes, so if you would never add ricotta cheese to your recipe, you can omit it!And now for some tips:
~light vanilla ice cream (my fave is Edy's double churn) is 3 points...many flavors are! (coffee is also a fave!). So here is what I would do with this nummy treat!
- 1/2 cup light vanilla ice cream with diet root beer makes one heck of a root beer float
- 1/2 cup light ice cream for 3 points, 1 tbsp. light peanut butter for 2 points, and one banana for 0 points! A five point filling treat
- 1/2 cup light ice cream and your favorite fruit! Strawberries are great! You can even mash them to make a sauce!
- 1/2 cup light ice cream for 3 points, one mini brownie for 2 points, wonderful 5 point dessert
~Pillsbury mini Brownies are 4 points for 2...these brownies are very good and they come with their own portion control pan in the box!
~light string cheese is 1 point. Reduced fat cheddar or Colby cheese is 1 point.
~Sara Lee delightful bread is 2 points for 2 slices! They also have hot dog and hamburger buns!
~Sugar free jello is 0 points and most sugar free puddings are 2 (the Boston cream pie pudding is nummy!)
~Multi grain Cheerios, Cheerios, Honey Nut Cheerios, Corn Flakes are all 3 points for 1 cup!
~Carrots with light ranch (light ranch is 2 points for 2 table spoons)
~WW soup was a big staple with the old diet and that remains the same with this diet so if you have a good WW soup recipe you used to make, keep making it!
~Annie's organic honey bunnies is three points for 30
~I love 94% healthy popcorn and air popped popcorn...I have a Nordic Ware Bowl with lid that actually makes popcorn in the microwave with no oil...you can find at a local Target or online!
~To make your popcorn a treat, add flavored powder in the popcorn aisle including butter, white cheddar and nacho Cheddar for 0 points.
~1/2 Cup mashed potatoes is 3 points
Side note: I am not a fan of fat free anything so I generally will not include that in my blog. My body needs that natural fat and I do better ensuring I lose weight when I include this fat. Everyone has a different experience however and of course, fat free anything is less points!
Friday, January 7, 2011
evolving...
I used to be shy, I used to be a people pleaser.
Within the past two years, and probably towards the end of college, I have learned to stand up for myself. When someone says something mean, I don't just sit there and take it. When someone hurts my feelings, I let them know. When someone is being rude, I prefer to not be around them. I know that I hurt others but I try to be open, I try to communicate, and I try and ask for forgiveness. Additionally, I rarely go into a situation MEANING to hurt someone.
If this is not the way I should be going through life, I hope God points me in the right direction.
Within the past two years, and probably towards the end of college, I have learned to stand up for myself. When someone says something mean, I don't just sit there and take it. When someone hurts my feelings, I let them know. When someone is being rude, I prefer to not be around them. I know that I hurt others but I try to be open, I try to communicate, and I try and ask for forgiveness. Additionally, I rarely go into a situation MEANING to hurt someone.
If this is not the way I should be going through life, I hope God points me in the right direction.
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
dog days of winter...
Uh, I hate being sick. I always get that cabin fever feeling where all I want is to be out and about in the real world feeling perky and happy.
So Monday, I slept till 2 pm, got up, had D. lo make me oatmeal, ate that and some toast, and sat on the couch. And then when my head got heavy and started throbbing, I would try laying down but then my back hurt. So then I went downstairs, tried to lay down, watch tv, but force myself to not sleep as I wanted to be able to sleep at night. When evening arrived, I went upstairs, made some cereal and toast for dinner, went downstairs and texted my husband to grab me a fruit smoothie at McDonald’s…at last, something to look forward to! And when he arrived around 7pm, I realized I was way more excited to see him, to see another human being, then the smoothie he brought me. As soon as he got home, I perked up and felt instantly better, even though my head was throbbing and I had little to no energy. I followed him around like a sick puppy, only I was a sick girl. So needless to say, no matter how annoying men can be, they are actually pretty great!
Outside of how great my husband is, I decided I needed some fresh air at like 9:30 and asked if he wanted to go out for a bit. The Target near us is open till 11pm and that sounded like just the adventure I needed! As soon as we walked in, Chaz remarked that the bright lights no doubt should add some vitamin D to my system! Oh I am almost positive they do!
So we walked around Target, picked up random crap we probably did not need and could not afford, but had a boat load of fun doing so. Then we headed to Wendy’s as the boy was having some late night hunger. I of course had no issues with that as I could go for another liquid supper, this time in the form of a frosty…(mind you, 1 small frosty is 9 POINTS! Jeepers! And one small McDonalds smoothie is like 8!). Anyways, late night supper’s downed, we headed across the street to put gas in the car. Gas in, and oh, look, the car won’t start. No shit! This is where I am almost positive God knew I needed some additional fresh air, and since I did not know how to "pop the clutch", I assured my worried husband that I was fully capable of pushing the car so he could "pop the clutch". Running start and !BOOM! no popped clutch. But now we are back in the Wendy's parking lot so after like 15 minutes of trying to stop cars filled with individuals who also had some late night hunger, we finally caught the attention of the people in the drive through window. Then ensued loud yelling across the parking lot.
"You need what?"
"Jumper cables!"
Then of course, as God wanted, 15 late night snackers decided to come through the drive through. 10 minutes later said individual popped their head out of the drive through window.
"Ok, so you need what?"
"Someone with jumper cables and a car?"
"Oh, let me see if anyone has any."
"Oh great! Glad it took that long to figure that out."
Alas, said individual arrives, with drive through headphones still on, to help Chaz jump our car! Thank yous exchanged, we finished up our adventure and I headed right to bed as soon as we entered the door. I think next time I will think twice about what I wish for! Nah, it was just too good of an experience!
So Monday, I slept till 2 pm, got up, had D. lo make me oatmeal, ate that and some toast, and sat on the couch. And then when my head got heavy and started throbbing, I would try laying down but then my back hurt. So then I went downstairs, tried to lay down, watch tv, but force myself to not sleep as I wanted to be able to sleep at night. When evening arrived, I went upstairs, made some cereal and toast for dinner, went downstairs and texted my husband to grab me a fruit smoothie at McDonald’s…at last, something to look forward to! And when he arrived around 7pm, I realized I was way more excited to see him, to see another human being, then the smoothie he brought me. As soon as he got home, I perked up and felt instantly better, even though my head was throbbing and I had little to no energy. I followed him around like a sick puppy, only I was a sick girl. So needless to say, no matter how annoying men can be, they are actually pretty great!
Outside of how great my husband is, I decided I needed some fresh air at like 9:30 and asked if he wanted to go out for a bit. The Target near us is open till 11pm and that sounded like just the adventure I needed! As soon as we walked in, Chaz remarked that the bright lights no doubt should add some vitamin D to my system! Oh I am almost positive they do!
So we walked around Target, picked up random crap we probably did not need and could not afford, but had a boat load of fun doing so. Then we headed to Wendy’s as the boy was having some late night hunger. I of course had no issues with that as I could go for another liquid supper, this time in the form of a frosty…(mind you, 1 small frosty is 9 POINTS! Jeepers! And one small McDonalds smoothie is like 8!). Anyways, late night supper’s downed, we headed across the street to put gas in the car. Gas in, and oh, look, the car won’t start. No shit! This is where I am almost positive God knew I needed some additional fresh air, and since I did not know how to "pop the clutch", I assured my worried husband that I was fully capable of pushing the car so he could "pop the clutch". Running start and !BOOM! no popped clutch. But now we are back in the Wendy's parking lot so after like 15 minutes of trying to stop cars filled with individuals who also had some late night hunger, we finally caught the attention of the people in the drive through window. Then ensued loud yelling across the parking lot.
"You need what?"
"Jumper cables!"
Then of course, as God wanted, 15 late night snackers decided to come through the drive through. 10 minutes later said individual popped their head out of the drive through window.
"Ok, so you need what?"
"Someone with jumper cables and a car?"
"Oh, let me see if anyone has any."
"Oh great! Glad it took that long to figure that out."
Alas, said individual arrives, with drive through headphones still on, to help Chaz jump our car! Thank yous exchanged, we finished up our adventure and I headed right to bed as soon as we entered the door. I think next time I will think twice about what I wish for! Nah, it was just too good of an experience!
Monday, January 3, 2011
Saturday, January 1, 2011
bullet points...
I am the biggest fan of lists. In high school and college I created lists daily; during class, during work, and sometimes right before bed. As I have gotten older, the number of lists I create has decreased. I have a list I keep at work (generally) and sometimes I keep one at home. I like writing things done so that I can remember them, reflect on them, and be reminded of them. With the amount of things I forget, I could probably benefit from a few more lists but for now I will just leave you with my:
Ringing in 2011 (List)!
- Continue on my "adventure"
- Run a 5k
- go to church more often
- carry a purse that weighs at least half of what I am carrying right now
- Travel to see family
- Travel to see the world
- Figure out my student loans
- pick up after myself
- make time for myself
- continue doing well in school
- eat more green beans
- eat more chocolate
- pack less bags when I travel
- plan out my clothes the night before
- only press the snooze once, not 10 times
- learn new recipes
- play cards with my grandma
- go for walks with my husband (we used to do this often)
- read more books
- take a dance class
- go "out" dancing more
- buy more shoes
- decorate for every holiday
- be outside more
- love up on my cute husband!
Happy 2011! Here is to a wonderful and bright new year!
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