Weigh In =(

Yep. I'm up AGAIN. And it's no wonder. Sick child at home screws me up royally!!!!! Ugh. So the scale said

157.6

That's another lb UP this week. A total of 2.4 lbs in two weeks. If I'm not careful, I'm going to lose my #1 spot in the GAG challenge. Can we just end it now??? ;) :0 Just kiddin'. I'm actually surprised it's not more. I've stopped journaling. BAD. And I have no excuse why I'm not except I'm tired of journaling. I've taken a week (ok it's going to be two weeks because I can guarantee I'm not journaling this week) break and starting next Monday I'll get back to it. That's the only way I'm going to get back on track.

That 5K I wanted to do this weekend. Not gonna happen. I haven't ran or exercised since my last 5k which was when? in August! Yikes. I need to get back to exercising I just don't have the time right now. I know excuses excuses. I can and WILL make the time. If I can just get through this week, I think I'll be ok. I'm off work the rest of this week and tending to a sick child (hopefully not as I have a TON of stuff to do) and getting things together for the birthday party on Sunday. Hopefully, after that, things will settle down a little so I can get some semblance of a routine back. Of course then Thanksgiving week I'm off the whole week. We are going to Disneyland for Connor's birthday and then going to my parents house for Thanksgiving so that will be a struggle. But hopefully I can get some walks and whatnot in.

Anyway, that's what's up with me. I'm still here, just busy and not OP. Bad Bad Bad I know. I'll get back there!!!

GAG Challenge - Healthy habit update

As part of the weigh in last week, we had to WI and list some healthy habit we were going to do this week. I choose to walk at least 15 mins each day. And my progress. Well, um yeah. I did walk on Tuesday last week at work. Then was extremely busy Wednesday and Thursday. Was home with a sick child on Friday. Walked a ton on Saturday at Day Out with Thomas. Took the kids to the park on Sunday so there was a 15 min walk. Today is not over with yet . . . ;) So all in all: 3 out of 7 days. Hmm. Not too bad but could have totally been better.

Weigh In

:sigh: I knew this would eventually happen. I knew it. And I know why (I think) but I'll go into that in a little bit.

156.6 today. That is a GAIN of 1.4 lbs. EEK!

Why you ask?? Three reasons I believe.

1.) I was NOT careful this weekend. It was a hectic weekend. I really didn't eat but 2 or 3 pieces of Halloween candy. But we ate out for lunch both Saturday AND Sunday. I had high calorie breakfasts both days and I did NOT measure. Not to mention, I've discovered/learned that when I don't sit down to eat, I don't feel satisfied. Even if I'm not hungry, if I wasn't paying attention to what I was eating, I'll feel like I still need to eat. And that is what happened this weekend. Chips and Ice Cream. Not good.

2.) Have not been exercising. BAD me. I know I know. I need to fit it in. I need to start waking up and getting my butt in gear. I need to start walking during lunch or breaks at work. I need to start doing something! I did start walking the stairs at the Subway station in the morning. It's equivilant to 3 stories. Yup. 105 stairs. Holy cow. But every little bit helps right? Now I just to need to add more.

3.) AF is due to arrive next week. It's a week before, let the cravings begin. :ugh: I started breaking out so that is a tell tale sign. Ugh.

So not that those are excuses but that is what I need to work on and be more concious of. I can do this. I've lost 18+ lbs in 8 weeks. It's only going to get harder since I have a bday party this weekend, and next weekend. Plus I have a graduation party to go to next weekend. Then we are going to Disneyland for Connor and the twins birthday and then Thanksgiving. Then it's going to be Christmas time and all the goodies that entails. Oh help me!!!!

New Recipe

Trying out a new recipe tonight!

Mexican Chicken Casserole



Ingredients
6 Small Chicken breasts (I used one prepackaged cooken chicken breast)
3 Flour Tortillas
1 Medium onion chopped fine
1 can Ro-Tel tomatoes
2 cans low fat cream of chicken soup (I only had one can so I used one can cream of mushroom soup since I had it one hand)
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp chili powder
1 c grated low fat cheddar cheese
pepper to taste

Directions
Spray a 9 X 13 pan.
Put tortillas in bottom of pan.
Mix remaining ingredients except for cheese.
Pour mixture over tortillas and top with cheese.
Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes.

Number of Servings: 10

I screwed up and put the 1 cup of cheese with the rest of the ingredients. Whoops! So I have extra extra cheese in there. Not a big deal. We'll see how it turns out! LOL! I'll tell you tonight!

Ok, it was pretty good. I suggest that you do use only cream of chicken soup. I think the cream of mushroom gave it a funny aftertaste but it really wasn't bad. Dh said he liked it. He didn't think the kids would like it though. I think they would. Connor had a bite of mine later and he said it was good. Will keep this on the back burner and try again later but tweak it a little. And no it really wasn't too much cheese but that sure did make it high in calories!!!

New Breakfast Idea

As part of the GAG Week 9 Challenge, we were challenged to try new recipes and/or new foods. I've had this breakfast "recipe" that I've been wanting to try for MONTHS and well, now is a good time. =) Here is the recipe:

Nutty Chocolate Banana

1 Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Rice Cake
1 Tbsp marshallow creme
4 banana slices 1/8 inch thick, cut into pieces
1/2 tsp chopped peanuts
1/2 tsp mini chocolate chips

1.) Spread marshmallow creme over rice cake.



2.) Top with banana pieces



3.) Sprinkle peanuts and mini chocolate chips over banana



Servings: 1
Calories: 120
Fat: 3 g
Fiber: 0 g

It was YUMMY! But I think I'll try it tomorrow with cool whip. I can have more of that for the same amount of calories as the marshmallow creme. Stay tuned!!!

1/2 Mark for the GAG challenge

So today marks the 1/2 way mark for the GAG challenge. I've done extremely well so far if I do say so myself. BUT the hardest part is coming up. All my November birthday's, Thanksgiving and Christmas. :sigh: And I'm starting to struggle. I don't want to struggle. I've got to figure this out. I WILL figure this out. I meant to take 1/2 way pictures. I'll do that tonight or tomorrow if I get a chance. Tonight is a potluck International Dinner at my kids preschool. Yikes! I WILL be good though! Although the Apple Pie I am bringing looks pretty darn yummy!!!! And Connor's been asking to eat it. LOL! So check back tomorrow on that!

But anyway, a lot of other GAGers are re-looking at thier goals and seeing how they are doing so I figured why not me too. =)

My Goals:

1. Journal EVERYDAY!
2. Drink 64 ozs of water every day.
3. Exercise at least 4 days a week.
4. Menu plan dinner and STICK WITH IT!
5. Update blog at least 3 times a week - no matter what.
6. Weigh 150 or below!

#1 - Well I think I've only not journaled this past weekend. So 2 days out of 56. Pretty good!
#2 - Well, I think this past weekend was the first time I didn't drink my 64 ozs. So again 2 days out of 56. Yeah! But I see a trend with this past weekend!
#3 - Um what's exercise?? Can someone find it for me?? By the way, got the renewal in the mail for my gym membership. Ha, ha. Have had it for 3 years and used it TWICE. Yep that is the TRUTH! LOL! Am I going to renew it?? Hell yes. It's $49 for a year and I WILL USE IT. Keep asking me k. ;)
#4 - Been menu planning and sticking with it for the most part. I move days around but that's about it.
#5 - I'm not sure I've been keeping up with 3 days a week but I know I've done at least two. I'll keep this one going. Shouldn't be too hard.
#6 - Well since I've lost 18.6 lbs so far (HOLY COW!) I "only" need to lose 5.2 lbs to reach the 150 mark in the next 8 weeks. I CAN do that!!! Shoot if I lose a lb a week for the next 8 weeks (which I've been averaging 2.3 lbs these past 8 weeks) I'll be at 147. So I'm going to change this goal to be at 145! I can do this!!!

So I am NOT upset with my progress so far. I am doing really really really good. I am going to go head out for a walk right now during lunch since I have that darn potluck tonight. I need to get in some exercise today and this is the BEST way. So off I go!!

ETA: Went for my walk. =) 30 mins. 1.5 miles. Whew! It was a beautiful day. I just need to find a BETTER area to walk in. The only downside to working in Downtown LA.

Weighing In!

Well I weighed in today. After this weekend, not that I did bad, I wasn't expecting much. I got on the scale and it said . .. . 155.2. I was like cool. 0.8 lbs. I'll take that!! That's almost 1 lb. Then I got to work. And I looked at my weight last week. It was 158 NOT 156 like I thought. Holy cow! That means I lost 2.8 lbs!!! Yee haw!!! I will be in the low 150's next week. I will I will I will!!!! =)

But since I brought it up. What was my weekend like? Well dh and I were fighting and that is never good. I either don't eat (that's the norm) or eat junk (that's the norm if I have junk food in the house). Thankfully I didn't have junk food in the house. We are sort of made up but there are underlying issues he needs to deal with that he keeps putting on me that I can't help him with. Hopefully he figures it out soon.

So anyway, Friday was an ok day. I had that funeral to go to which meant we went out to lunch and like I said on Friday I should have picked better but didn't do too bad. I didn't end up eating anything for dinner so was OP that day. I know I know. Not good.

Saturday we woke up and I ate my breakfast (vitatop and cool whip free) and then we headed out to do the family pictures. Got done with those. Went and got the H1N1 shots for the family since BIL called and had found a place that had them and then picked up McDonald's on the way home. I ended up only eating 4 chicken nuggets because dh and I were fighting and by the time I got to eat, the fries were GROSS. Made up with dh and then had friends over that night and ordered pizza and salad for dinner. I only had salad but I ate their full fat ranch dressing. It was GOOD though.

Sunday woke up and ate breakfast (I had two Holey Donuts). Then I had to run to Costco so took my son with me. Got back and fed the kids grilled cheese. I started nibbling on the grilled cheese. Had 1/2 a sandwich that was leftover from the kids and then Connor and I went to the birthday party down the street. I ate some vegetables there with dip (which I'm sure the dip was NOT good but the cucumbers tasted SO GOOD! I could have eaten them all day long LOL!). I did not have any of the sandwiches or pizza. We left the birthday party and then we went to the Halloween party. I ate basically the Costco Lemon cake and that was it. When we got home, I was hungry sort of. Wanted something sweet and since I hadn't been "bad" I ate an ice cream. But that wasn't doing it for me so I finished the night off with the last piece of pizza leftover from Saturday night with ranch dressing to dip in (and not fat free!). And I was like 1/2 way done eating the pizza and feeling sick. But i finished it. WHY?!?!  What have I learned?? In situations like this I HAVE TO HAVE A PLAN! I've been here before. I had a plan. I SUCCEEDED!! I did not succeed last night. I'm probably ok calorie wise but that's not good enough. I should have done better. And November is going to be horrible! I have birthday party the 7th. A Graduation party the 14th. A birthday party the 15th and Thanksgiving. YIKES!!! So needless to say I will have to plan in November. I guess it's a good thing this happened now instead of before LOTS of events when I could say F*** It and just go on an all out eating spree. I will NOT let that happen.

So not sure what this means for next weeks WI. I guess only time will tell. The good so far this month? I've lost 11 lbs AND I have had NO Halloween candy. That WILL continue. =) AND I will get in some exercise on Saturday doing the trick or treat thing. Yeah!!

I guess I should update . . .

It's been a trying week for me and I'm not really sure why?? It's been VERY difficult for me to stay OP these last two days. But I have. Today is REALLY going to be a struggle since I can't eat dinner basically. We had a funeral to go to for a co-worker. Well, retired co-worker. There was a lot of people there. Standing room only! On the way back the four of us that car pooled stopped at Farmer Boys for lunch. I could have been better, I could have been MUCH worse. I split an order of fries with a coworker. AND I only ate 1/2 my sandwich. I actually took less than 1/2 the fries even. =) And by the time I was done eating my 1/2 of the sandwich I was FULL!! =D And I stopped. Yeah me!!

As part of the GAG challenge this week, we are supposed to "think outside the box" in terms of exercise. Uh huh. Well if I could even think in the box and find time to exercise I would. So I'm a total DUD with that challenge. I will have NOTHING. Oh well. I'm hoping to make it up in the two truths and a lie challenge. =) Which by the way is FUNNY!!  I can't wait until we find out what the lies are!

I'm not too hopeful on the weight loss front. Although I hopped on the scale this morning (BAD HEATHER!) and was down 2 lbs! Why wouldn't that spur me to greatness??? Good question.