Healthy Rules

I was conversing with a friend and coworker today about eating and healthy eating habits.  I realized that though I remain focused on healthy eating, and exercising, it hasn't become an obsession like so many times I have tried "diets" in the past.  When I first started, I was more obsessed, but now it has just come to be a part of me.  Which is so cool. 

I mentioned to her that I even lost weight during the week that I had pie, a margarita, and a blizzard from DQ.  She said a pretty awesome quote, "The exceptions are not the problem, it is when the exceptions become a rule that it becomes a problem".  Brilliance on her part!  I think I have established reasonable exceptions and am now living by healthy rules.  Because Healthy does Rule.  Get it?!  Ha!  I just hope it continues to last.

Food:
Cereal with berries

nectarine (I made everybody jealous eating this at work today:))

turkey sandwich with tomato, cucumber and sprouts
cherries and pineapple

granola bar

loaded salad
cottage cheese
cherries and pineapple

a few raspberries

freeze pop

Activity:
Mowed lawn 45 minutes of heat and sweat!

Savoring Time

Last day of my mini vacation before heading back to work.  I always get anxious heading back after an extended period of time off.  Entering into the unknown.  So I have some anxiety tonight and am finding I want to munch away the anxieties, but rather than do that, I sat out of my deck and read a book!  Oh, it feels so good to read again. 
I had a busy day running errands, but again started my day out with an invigorating roller blade jaunt.  Only 40 minutes today, but it was oh so good.

Food:
cereal with blueberries and raspberries

nectarine

one eggo waffle with peanut butter
peas and carrots with light ranch
pineapples and cherries and grapes

freeze pop

turkey and cheese sandwich with tomato, sprouts and cucumber
pineapple and cherries

pudding with strawberries

handful of assorted nuts

grapes

(yeah, definitely more munchies than usual, but at least its all healthy for the most part)

Activity:
40 minute roller blade
20 minute hike

Day of Fruit

I dragged myself out of bed and went roller blading straight away.  I didn't wash my hair or clean up in the least.  I just donned a baseball cap and went on my merry way.  Seventy minutes later, I was ready to face the day ahead of me.  I'm hoping to do the same tomorrow morning especially because its back to work Saturday :( 

Food:
cereal with blueberries

nectarine

turkey sandwich (with tomato, cucumber and sprouts)
bowl of fruit (cherries, pineapple, grapes)

loaded salad (loaded with berries...raspberries, blueberries and strawberries...soo nummy!)
shrimp

bowl of frozen yogurt with raspberries

bowl of fruit (grapes, cherries, pineapple)

Twas a day of Fruit!!

Activity:
70 minute roller blade
25 minute walk

Doing it Healthy

Another Wednesday Weigh Day and another pound GONE!  I'm down 17 whole pounds which makes me now 141.  YES!

I'm proud that I have done this, but more than that, I am proud I have done this healthy.  No fad diets, no weird nutrition shakes, no restrictions (except my own), no starvation, no upchucking.  Just a simple "diet" of fruits and veggies, reasonable portions, healthy food, and keeping active.  Who knew?!

I really hope this has been my lifestyle change that I so wanted.  I hope it sticks for good.  Winter is approaching, and this scares me a little since the fresh fruits will be limited in my area.  I might have to get creative with food choices and start to experiment with fun new-to-me foods like Ginger and Avocado! 

Today was another day I ate out in a restaurant.  However, this time didn't produce massive amounts of anxiety and it was another day I made excellent food choices by splitting the meal and opting for a very nutritious, locally grown, chicken avocado wrap.  So delicious!  Having good food buddies, and supportive buddies in general, has been the cornerstone of my success. 

Food:
cereal with blueberries

1/2 chicken avocado wrap
side of fruit (organic)

mediumish salad
pineapple/cherries/grapes

pudding with strawberries

Activity:
50 minute hike

Squeezing in the Blading

I had a super busy day today, but managed to squeeze in a 30 minute roller blade between clearing the shit out of my gutters.  I also went on a hike with my mom, but she had to sit and rest every few steps.  Not sure how much beneficial exercise that was, but it was some good quality momma time and that is all that really matters.  A good food day was to be had!

Food:
Cereal with raspberries (from my garden!)

bowl of cherries
turkey sandwich
veggies with ranch (light)

loaded salad
pineapple/watermelon/cherries

one piece of bread with peanut butter
few more cherries

and about 1/4 of a slice of pizza.  It was enough to satisfy me :)

Activity:
cleaning out gutters
30 minute roller blade
and a "hike" with my momma (about 30 minutes of sitting and walking)

Making Allowances

It hasn't been the best week food wise as I have made more allowances than I have during this whole thing.  I need to make allowances, but they all seem to have come in one week.  And since I stayed the same weight wise this past week, I thought when I stepped on the scale this morning, I might see an increase in numbers.  Again, I was ecstatic to see one more pound disappear this morning (I know, it isn't Wednesday Weigh Day, but I couldn't resist.......)!  So, I am down a total of 16 pounds!  Its amazing to think I was 16 pounds heavier than I am right now.  That is a lot of weight for my smallish frame!  And I still have room to take more off.  Crazy.

Food:
Cereal with strawberries

1/2 turkey sandwich
watermelon/pineapple
veggies with light ranch

went out to "lunch" with a friend.  I skipped lunch and had a margarita with chips and salsa instead!  The damn margarita probably had more calories than any lunch would have had, but it was soooo good and worth every calorie!

handful of nuts

1/2 turkey sandwich
watermelon and pineapple

pudding with strawberries

freeze pop

Activity:
45 minute walk on the lake walk post margarita.  I wimped out on my friend after 45 minutes of walking and whining about the sun. 
But then I went for a 30 minute walk once the sun went down.

That is a total of 75 minutes

My water intake wasn't horrible today either.  It could always be better, but today wasn't bad.

A Special Treat

For the first time in over 55 days, I had me some ice cream today.  Real ice cream.  Ice cream from the DQ.  A blizzard in fact.  Only I was "smart" about it, and got myself a kiddie size version of the delicious treat which was the perfect amount of blizzard to have!  It was smooth and creamy and oh so gooooood.  Two months ago, I was getting a blizzard nearly every day, and now that I had my summer time treat, I am confident I will be good to go for a while now!

Food:
Cereal with blueberries

turkey sandwich
veggies with light ranch
bowl of watermelon/pineapple/cherries

pudding with strawberries

medium portion of watermelon and pineapple

7 shrimp
loaded salad
small portion of pineapple

Then the kiddie size blizzard!

Activity:
55 minute lawn mow
15 minute lawn mow
50 minute hike
plus I pruned some trees at my mom's house which certainly accounts for some exercise too.

Pie Day

My first day of my "mini-vacation" was spent in crummy weather, but in perfect company.  I didn't do much other than basic housework and a miserable attempt at a Richard Simmons exercise tape.  I lasted 25 out of the 55 minutes and then decided to call it quits.  I'm hoping the remainder of my mini vacay is filled with sun and outdoor fun!

Food:
Cereal with blueberries

part of a plum (didn't like it)

loaded salad
cherries and watermelon

frozen go-gurt

turkey burger
veggies with light ranch
pineapple and cherries

then I ate a piece of pineapple cream pie.  It was the smallest piece ever and it was enough to satisfy me.  I was super proud of my mini piece of pie, and surprised that it didn't entice a second, third, or fourth piece.  My confidence is building.

Exercise:
A measly 25 minute Richard-fest.
I must get back on the exercise wagon. 

Determined

Lately I have been feeling "weak" and unexcited about this whole thing.  Like at any moment I could go backwards.  Some old behaviors have been sneaking in, and since I feel a little more comfortable with where I am with my weight, I am starting to become a bit more careless.  Some of my mindful eating is disappearing, cravings are returning, and exercise has been more bothersome. 

Today I had plans after work with a friend.  The exact plan was tentative, and we almost settled on the dependable old back up of "going out to eat".  Only this time, I was going to give myself permission to "pig out" and get something greasy and fried.  As luck would have it, our original plans worked out which included Erberts and Gerberts, Hard Lemonade, and a swimming pool.  I should have only eaten half of that sandwich, but I ate the whole thing.  However, I did not eat the best part of the sandwich: the extra bread packed on top of the sandwich itself!

Food:
Cereal with blueberries

granola bar

turkey sandwich (with cucumbers and tomato)
yogurt

Erbs and Gerbs sandwich
cherries and watermelon

more cherries

bowl of frozen yogurt

Activity:
leisurely swimming in the pool!

Back In the Saddle Again

You know that commercial that advertises an arthritis medicine?  It says, "A body in movement remains a body in movement; a body at rest tends to stay a body at rest".  That seems to be pretty true for me.  The longer I laze around, the more difficult it is to get moving.  So I like to get up and moving, especially in the summer, as early as I can.

I didn't think I'd get a roller blade in today, but I did!  I always forget how good it feels to be rolling on down the pavement.  The trail is still not finished so it makes it a little annoying to rollerblade, but I still managed to get a 40 minute blade in today!

Food:
Cereal with blueberries

PB&H sandwich
veggies with light ranch
watermelon and cherries

salad
cottage cheese
watermelon and cherries

freeze pop

more cherries

Activity:
40 minute roller blade
30 minute hike
25 minute walk
total 95 minutes

Hot Hot Hot

Its about the hottest day of the year.  About 90 degrees with a 100 degree heat index.  The humidity is horrible which means I didn't do much moving around today.  I did go for 2 separate walks at 15 minutes and 20 minutes a piece.  It was just too hot to do too much else.  Plus, my munchies kind of kicked in today too. 

Food:
Cereal with blueberries

Yogurt Smoothie from McD's (a get well treat for my friend in the hospital)

one Eggo waffle with PB
cottage cheese
cherries

Turkey hotdog
veggies with light ranch
cherries and watermelon

bowl of frozen yogurt (cookies and cream)

freeze pop

another bowl of cherries.

Activity:
35 minutes of walking

Staying Stagnant

Another Wednesday Weigh Day.  I didn't anticipate great gains this week just because of my work schedule, heat, and lack of exercise.  I'm pretty proud that even when I have worked doubles, I have brought my own well balanced lunches.  So I hopped on the scale this morning to find that I indeed did gain one pound.  Then I pooped.  Wondering if that would have made a difference, I hopped on the scale one again to find that it did make a little difference, but not enough to actually have lost anything this past week.  I'm stuck were I was a week ago (143), but at least I didn't gain which is my greatest fear. 

Yesterday's Food:

Cereal with Blueberries

pineapple and cherries
shrimp
veggies with spinach dip

pudding with strawberries

nectarine

salad
yogurt
a small portion watermelon

granola bar

Activity:
Not heart pumping activity, but I did some errands for a coworker before work which involved a few trips across the skywalk.

Working Still

Doubled Yesterday.
Here is my Food:
cereal with blueberries

nectarine

turkey sandwich
cherries
veggies with spinach dip

granola bar

loaded salad
yogurt
pineapple

banana

No activity other than walking around at work.

One Big Negative Influence

Its a hot one today, folks.  Too hot means no exercise.  Plus I kinda want to eat a lot tonight and am struggling not to. 

I wore a pair of pants to work today that did not fit me 48 days ago.  When I tried them on over a month ago, they were very tight and not able to button them so downstairs in the closet they went with other too-small-for-me clothing.  I didn't think I'd be wearing them this season at all, if ever again.  So to be able to wear them now is exciting and proof that I really have lost weight (its hard for me to see it, other than the numbers on the scale). 

I don't want to say that I am becoming discouraged, but I sometimes forget the progress that I made.  That I am continuing to make.  Turning down homemade blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes is getting a bit more difficult to pass up.  However, I have done awesome with my will power and have passed up the following this week:

• home made pancakes (by a coworker at work)
• bundt cake (by a coworker)
• a bowl full of milky ways and kit kats (at work)
• temptations to head to the DQ
• Cookies (leftover from the Cookie Lady at work)
• Temptations of various candy bars lying around (1,000 grand, snickers, etc.  At work)
• homemade bread and jam (brought it by a coworker at work)
• Popcorn (at work)
• Monkey Bread (at work)
• French Fries (at a restaurant)

I guess work is a bad influence.  No wonder I have gained a zillion pounds with all that sugary goodness lying about!

Food:

cereal with blueberries

nectarine

salad
yogurt
pineapple

turkey hotdog
veggies with ranch (light)
watermelon and cherries

handful of dried cranberries

bowl of cookies and cream frozen yogurt

Activity:
Zip.  None.  Nada.

Out of My Routine

So my routine after work today was a little disrupted which resulted in me eating just a little differently.  Not horrible, just a bunch of little munchies rather than a bigger more fulfilling meal.  I must say I am quite proud that I have been able to pack all my own lunches for work, even on doubles.  Because I have been working a lot, my activity level has been minimal, but I still have managed to get at least one walk across the skywalk while going to visit a coworker in the hospital across the way.

So here are my snacks for today:

cereal with blueberries

yogurt

turkey/cheese sandwich
veggies and spinach dip
cherries/pineapple

Nectarine
handful of nuts

small helping of cottage cheese
watermelon

freeze pop

2 eggo toaster waffles with PB&H
pineapple/cherries

It always seems like I eat so much food when I write it out!!
As I said, my activity has been limited.  However, today I did walk a few blocks to the playground with the little 3 year old I was babysitting.  Once there we played for about 45 minutes.  After he went home, I did mow my lawn (20 minutes). 

At Work

Worked a double: Today's food:
cereal with blueberries
banana
mint (instead of the Kit Kats and Milky Ways)

yogurt
salad
cherries

granola bar

turkey/cheese sandwich
pineapple
veggies with spinach dip

watermelon

Couch Potatoing

It was a grey day outside which meant I spent  good portion of the day on my couch.  I did, however, manage to get to the grocery store for more fruits and veggies.  Also, a whimsical trek to Enger Tower proved to be a unexpectedly fun adventure.  Even in the cold drizzly air, the cool trails, the tall tower, and a spectacular view was a fun way to break up my couch potatoing. 

Food:
Cereal with blueberries

turkey/cheese sandwich
veggies with ranch
watermelon and cherries

pudding with strawberries

PB&H sandwich
veggie with spinach dip
pineapple, watermelon, cherries

one serving of rice cakes

Freeze pop

Activity:
Not much.  I did venture around Enger Tower for about 20 minutes or so, and did climb the entire tower so there is that.

A Perfect Day

Some days are perfection.  Beautiful weather and a beautiful friend made today one of those days.  My day started out by sleeping in and having a leisurely morning.  A good weigh in started it out on the best note possible. 

A leisure walk on a wooded trail was splendid.  The heated rock, amazing view, and good company made for one on my most pleasant afternoons in a while.  Yes, today was a good day.

Food:
Cereal with blueberries

1/2 chicken breast
peas and carrots (dipped in light ranch)
bowl of fruit (pineapple, cherries, watermelon)

Few more cherries

Turkey and cheese sandwich (my new favorite thing is putting cucumbers on sandwiches!)
salad with light ranch
small bowl of cherries and watermelon

pudding

more cherries

Activity:
Hike 60 minutes
Mowed lawn 45 minutes
leisure hike about 40 minutes

Holy Shit!

Never in a MILLION years did I think I would be THIS successful.  Impatient for Wednesday Weigh Day, I stepped on the scale earlier this week to find that I gained one pound.  Irritated and disappointed, I stripped off my light weight nightgown, pooped, and stepped on the scale again.  There I found I was back where I wanted to be and sighed a breath of relief. 

I actually thought I might have gained a pound or two this week just because I haven't been that mindful about eating and I have been a mamby pamby exerciser.  Plus I have had more negative food related thoughts (last night in my dream, I ate a Heath Bar while riding on an inner tube in a lake.  Someone else put four more pieces of Heath Bar on my knee and I so didn't want to eat them......).  Also, I have eaten out twice during the past week or so, but both times I made super awesome choices.

So on this Wednesday Weigh Day, I didn't know what to expect when I hopped on the scale.  It was pure delight when I found out I lost 3 pounds this week!  THREE!  That is a total of FIFTEEN FUCKING POUNDS!!!!  I cannot believe it!  I started at a whopping 158 and now am at a comfortable 143.  This is my base weight from one year ago, and it seems like this is the weight my body tends to float around.  However, I am determined to remain healthy, and hopefully lose just a bit more weight. 

Cravings

 A few times these past few days, I have been tempted to binge. I drove past Little Caesar's Ready to Eat $5 pizzas, and I wanted to stop and get a whole pizza and eat it all myself. And I have had some "cravings" which is something I haven't really experienced for quite a long time. I have eaten when I wasn't entirely hungry, but overall, I have still been quite successful.

Now more than ever, I am looking at food as a nutritious fuel for my body.  I want to nourish my body with nutrients and good-for-me-food rather than fat and grease.  Though there is still a place for some of that food in a diet, it just shouldn't be the main ingredient.  I love fruit and veggies, and just as I used to get excited to eat an ice cream sundae, I get equally excited to eat a fresh bowl of cherries. 

I can't believe I have been this successful for this long.  Mostly in part to this blog.  Also in part to the support of my friends and the motivation to continue to do well.  It feels good!

Food:
Cereal with blueberries

cottage cheese
veggies with spinach dip
bowl of fruit (cherries, watermelon, pineapple)

small handful of assorted nuts
freeze pop

1/2 chicken breast dipped in light Ranch
salad with light Ranch (and a friend brought it to my attention that "light" isn't necessarily better)
bowl of fruit

small bowl of frozen yogurt with chocolate drizzle and whipped cream.

more cherries
Activity:
55 minute hike
35 minute roller blade

Too Hot to Think of a Title

Food:
cereal with blueberries

salad (with viniegrette dressing)
3/4 container of yogurt (I didn't much care for it)
cherries
pineapple

watermelon
freeze pop x 2

corn on the cob
watermelon, cherries, pineapple
turkey/cheese sandwhich on light bread.

pudding

Activity
20 minute walk at work
attempt at a 60 minute Richard tape, but I faltered after 10 minutes
Then opted to go for a walk for 25 minutes instead

Now I am sitting here in my bra and undies sweating and blogging.....

Almost Content

I have often poised the dilemma:  If you could eat whatever you wanted and not gain or lose another pound, would you stay the weight you are right now or would you rather be instantly at your goal weight, but then have to work like crazy to stay at that weight?  I know neither situation is realistic, but it poses an interesting question.  Had you asked me one month ago, I definitely would have opted for the automatically thin response, but now if I were asked that question, I would be content to stay at this weight for the rest of my life. 

I still have a ways to go for my own personal goal weight, but at least I am not embarrassed to leave my house anymore.  I am almost content with my body weight.  Almost.  I know I will never be perfect, nor would I even want to be perfect.  OK, so yeah, I would take perfection.  But I guess I don't need perfection.

With that being said, I am still striving to do better and be better.  Another 10 pounds would be pure contentment (except when I was that weight, I was never content). 

Food:
cereal with blueberries

watermelon and cherries

turkey sandwich
veggies and spinach dip
pineapple

cherries
freeze pop

salad (loaded with veggies and nuts) with vinaigrette salad dressing
corn on the cob
watermelon

frozen yogurt complete with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate

Activity:
70 minute roller blade
25 minute hike
then I walked the Tischer Creek trail for about an hour or so, but it was with two kids aged 4 and 2 so it was slow going and quite leisurely.

Denise Ain't No Richard

So I attempted to do a Denise Austin tape today instead of a Richard tape.  Egads!  I think it was too soon for me to attempt that.  She works a bitch hard!  Its a 45 minute workout, but I barely lasted 20 minutes.  I skipped out on the remainder of that tape and opted to kind of have a day off.  My heart really wasn't into exercise today, though I probably could have completed a Richard tape.  He is a lot more careful and more my pace.  Denise has her place though, its just too soon yet.

Food:
cereal with blueberries

Lunch at Great American Grill:
1/2 Chicken Ranch sandwich with a side of fruit

corn on the cob (delicious)
cottage cheese
bowl of fruit (pineapple, watermelon and the most delicious cherries to date!)

bowl of cherries
I wasn't really hungry for dinner, but really wanted to try the corn and the fruit.  I wasn't hungry when I ate the cherries either.  Just couldn't resist their deliciousness.

Activity:
attempt at Denise Austin (about 20 minutes)

Nature's Signs

It has been an exercise filled day that started with a roller blade first thing this morning.  My solo roller blades are thought provoking.  I end up in deep thought about whatever is going on at the moment.  Right now it is one of my best friends.  So I was thinking about this situation today and a bunny rabbit almost tripped me.  That little critter darted out and zoomed right on by.  It was then that I remembered that all of nature's critters send a sort of sign.  The other day I saw a Cardinal, and I don't ever think I have seen a Cardinal before.  Both times, seeing these animals brought a sense of enjoyment and peace to me.  That led me to believe that all will turn out well for my friend.  That little bunny was nature's messenger :)

Food:
Cereal with strawberries

cottage cheese
cherries/watermelon
veggies and spinach dip

1/2 PB&H
cherries

7 shrimp with tartar sauce
cherries/watermelon
veggies with spinach dip

Pudding

All my fruit is gone.  Must get to the grocery store!

Activity:
roller blade=60 minutes
walk = 60 minutes
mowed lawn=20 minutes
plus I walked around the Zoo today too!  Whew!!

First Big Test

I helped a friend celebrate her Birthday today.  I knew food was inevitable.  First we hiked, and all through the hike, I knew I had to offer to get food or ice cream or some kind of Birthday treat.  I had it all planned, that IF we did go get ice cream, I would get sorbet or some fruity delicacy.  Then she suggested pizza.  Being she is the Birthday girl, I had to oblige.  In my head, I allowed myself to eat 4 squares of Sammy's pizza.  Just 4. 

Then, we pulled up to the parking lot which was so full that it didn't even have any parking spots left so we opted to go somewhere else to eat.  We decided on JB Schneiders (in the old Grandma's here in West Duluth), and I was so nervous.  Nervous if I could make a good decision.  Nervous if it would trigger a binge fest.  Irrationally nervous that eating out would undo over a month of nutritious eating.

Then I opened the menu.  I was pleasantly surprised to see a few healthy choices from  turkey burger to grilled chicken to a chicken salad wrap with grapes and mandarin oranges.  Yes, I could do this.  I ordered the turkey burger (with sprouts, wild rice, and cranberry mayo).  Instead of getting the FRIES, I got FRUIT!  My beverage of choice was water.  I must say that the turkey burger was not all that great.  In fact, I actually make a better one in my own kitchen.  Because it was not the most tasty burger ever, it was easy to only eat 3/4 of it rather than the entire thing. 

I feel confident that I can make good choices even when dining out.  However, I don't want to get back in the habit of eating out nearly every day.  Once in a while, and for special occasions, is fine.  And next time will be a lot less anxiety provoking.

Food:
Watermelon and cherries

turkey hotdog on light bun
veggies and spinach dip
watermelon, cherries, pineapple

freeze pop

handful of peanuts

Ordered out turkey burger with fresh fruit on the side.

Activity:
40 minute walk
15 minute lawn mow
approximately 50 minute hike

Total 105 minutes

Guess What Day it is?

Its Wednesday Weigh Day!  Today I learned I have lost a total of 12 pounds!  Its hard to believe that I was 12 pounds heavier than I am right now.  Goodness.  I am certain that the tank top I am wearing today would not have fit me one month ago.  Nor would have the pants I wore to work just the other day.  I'm gaining more of a wardrobe each day and instead of dreading getting dressed in the morning, I have come to embrace it.

Food:
Cereal with Strawberries

Cottage cheese
Veggies (broccoli, carrots) with spinach dip
Fruit (watermelon, cherries)

More watermelon and cherries

One serving Shrimp (7 shrimp worth 80 calories total) with tartar sauce
veggies (broccoli, peas, carrots) with spinach dip
fruit (pineapple, cherries, watermelon)

frozen yogurt with whipped cream :)

Freeze pop

Activity:
hike 45 minutes
walk 45 minutes (leisure walk)

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, Off to Work I Go.....

I'm hoping to do 2 doubles during the next 2 days and have prepared myself ahead of time with lunches and a pre written blog  I doubt I will get much exercise in, but here is the food I am bringing with me to work for the next 2 days:

2 turkey sandwiches
2 salads
2 yogurts
fresh veggies
fresh fruit

I will likely have cereal in the mornings and an apple and/or granola during the day.  There, I'm as prepared as I am going to be.

By the way, it has been 35 days since I have eaten at a restaurant, the work cafeteria, or my mom's house.  All the food I have consumed during the past 35 days has been purchased and prepared by my own hands. 

Guilt and Anxiety

Worked only one shift today, but came home cranky and feeling overwhelmed.  Overwhelmed with what I am not sure, but my anxiety has been a little higher than normal today.  Plus I had a smidge of guilt leaving work short handed, but I really needed to come home to recharge and catch up on neglected responsibilities and duties.

I felt obligated to meet up with a friend who was having a bit of a Birthday celebration.  I realized again that I hate social situations.  No, I really hate them and I guess that is what pushed my anxiety over the edge.  I always feel removed from conversation and disconnected when I am in a group of people.  Even when talking directly with people, it feels forced.  All I could think about was leaving so I left abruptly feeling like a lousy friend for abandoning a kind hearted friend on a special day.  That ultimately led to more feelings of guilt and anxiety.

I have made a pact with myself to stop feeling guilty over work related stuff.   And that has been going quite well.  Work is more apt to stay behind those locked doors lately, but a little bit snuck home with me tonight.  Just for a little bit.

What does all this have to do with food?  Nothing really.  Its more about emotion, and I am choosing to blog it rather than eat it.

So Food wise, today was a good day:

Cereal with blueberries

apple

turkey sandwich
cherries/pineapple

corn on the cob
salad
watermelon/cherries

frozen yogurt with strawberries and whipped cream

grapes

freeze pop
After work I hiked the dogs for 35 minutes
then I pushed myself to come home and do Richard for 20 minutes.  It was a push to get myself to exercise when all I really wanted to do was sink into the couch and veg, but I did it.  And I felt so good afterwards!  The tape is more of a stretch/relaxation tape and it felt so good to let some of that stress, anxiety, and feelings of being overwhelmed go. 

Aaahhhhhhhh.

A Quickie

Food:
Cereal with blueberries

turkey sandwich
pineapple/cherries

apple

yogurt
salad
veggies with dip

granola bar

that's it.  Oh, and not much exercise.......worked a double.

Day 31: A fun and busy day.

Now that I have turned the calendar page, it is a lot more difficult to figure out what "day" I am on.  What day of this healthy quest that is.  Before, all I needed to do is add one to whatever the date was.  Now it will be a bit more tricky. 

A fun and busy day off today.  Wish I could get paid for having fun and busy days off.  Back to work tomorrow.

Food:

cereal with blueberries

1/2 PB&H sandwich
cherries and watermelon

grapes
veggies with dip

delicious corn on the cob
delicious salad (with turkey and peanuts for protein)
delicious bowl of assorted fruit

Frozen Yogurt (also delicious)

Activity:
Mowed my lawn plus pruned a tree and various yard work for a total of 45 minutes
45 minute hot hike in the woods
40 minute extra hot lawn mowing at mom's
20 minute Richard.

And now I am waiting a thunderstorm.  Its getting dark :)

Hide Your Eyes

Its the First of July today.  I said before that I would like to take a picture of my belly on the first of every month.  I still look pregnant to some extent, but instead of a growing pregnancy, I have a shrinking one :) 

For the heck of it, I stepped on the scale today.  I was disappointed, but not overly obsessed, with not losing any weight this past week.  Still, I thought I should have lost at least one pound.   So I wanted to double check today and found that I lost yet another pound!  That is a total of 11 pounds lost!  SWEET DEAL!

And because its the First, here are pictures:  They aren't pretty, so read no further if you don't want to see them......

These are the same pants I was wearing when I first took the photos.  However, these pants are freshly washed and they were a few days old before.  I think I will always have a bit of  belly and a bit of a behind.  After all I can't alter the shape of my "pear shaped" body.

To see Before Pics, click here :)