four victories and something to work on

I have been doing really well lately, even with some minor set-backs.

1. I worked out for 40 min at lunch yesterday
2. I stayed within my suggested daily calorie intake
3. I drank a ton of water
   
4. My scale said 166 today (but that was before breakfast; does it still count?)
   

So that's all well and good, but I still need to work on my calorie ratios.  They look nothing like what Jillian suggested:

See?  Still way too many carbs.  I guess I'm still getting used to the idea of eating a motherload of protien and minimal carbs.  It's tough, man!

I'm meeting an old friend from my girlchoir days for lunch today.  Haven't seen her in 10 years.  I'm pretty excited.  Just hope I can stick to my guns about eating well - restaurants are tough, man!

popcorn problem

I was doing so great yesterday.  I worked out twice, avoided treats, limited myself to one cup of coffee with coffee mate, and drank a ton of water.  Then I went to a movie with friends after work.  I was going to be strong, I really was.  I even ate two cups of greek yogurt (a protein powerhouse) so I would have better will power.  But I didn't realize how strong my love of popcorn is.

Ani said she'd split it with me, which made the idea of getting movie popcorn not such a bad idea.  Then I went ahead and ate the whole damn thing.  Sorry Anster; I didn't anticipate having that reaction.  I woke up this morning totally swollen and sleepy.  Dang salt.  I should probably just stay away from popcorn altogether.  It's for the best.

*As a side note, I would like to add that It's Complicated is definitely worth seeing and I LOVE Alec Baldwin even more than before.

guess what

I weighed in this morning after eating breakfast, and have struck 167.  Yay and double-yay!  I then did 20 minutes of wii-fit yoga before jumping in the shower.

Anyone else watch Biggest Loser and cry last night?  I sure did.  I love that show.

getting tips from Jillian

Me again.  Tonight is the season premier of Biggest Loser (not that I have a tv to watch it, but I like to catch snippets now and then), and like all weight-loss stories and before/after pictures, I'm inspired.  And I love Jillian; she's no-BS.  I went to her website yesterday to see what she had to say about me and my quest.  I'm not going to spend the $4/week to sign up for the program, but I did enjoy entering my data into the widgets to see what magic numbers they would spit back at me.  Apparently because I crave salty foods and meats and cheeses as snacks, this means that half my calories should come from protein, and only a fifth from carbs.  Seriously!  I'm supposed to eat more fat than carbs!  I included a visual for us all.

Ok so now to talk about my victories and shortcomings of late:

Yesterday I was totally lame about working out.  I just wasn't up to it, and I know that's no excuse.  I know my body and I know that I can't just cut back calories and expect to lose weight.  It's an all-inclusive effort.

Today is probably going to be a light day on the work-out front too.  I got up early and did 30 min of calisthenics this morning to give my metabolism a little rev.  I've eaten sensibly for two days (minus the half cup of rocky road I somehow needed after dinner last night).

Food-wise, one thing that seems to be keeping me on track is having a variety of vegetables around.  Last week I roasted a whole chicken, so when I get home from work each night, I cut up a quarter of a red onion, saute it in a little olive oil, ad a clove of garlic, minced, and then cut up a head of broccoli or one zucchini and add it to the mix.  While the vegetables are cooking, I pull some chicken off the bone until I have a decent pile.  I add that to the veggie mix and cook just long enough for the meat to warm.  A little salt and pepper to taste and it's ready.  I can probably have it fridge to table in 10 min.  In the past I probably would have had some rice to go with it, but let's be honest:  I don't really need it.  Even brown rice isn't that great for me.  Any recipe ideas for high-protein, low/no-carb dinners?

sausage city, sweetheart

Oh!  Did I tell you about the time I sausaged out of the top of my NYE dress?  Yep.  Totally did.  I don't know what the hell is going on with me.  I wore the dresss in September for Sabina's wedding, and it was totally acceptable.  Then the day before new year's eve I put on this dress right here:

I had a MUFFIN TOP coming out over the bodice!  WTF!  If I stood a certain way, it looked ok, but I was going to a fabulous party and I did not want to have to worry about standing a certain way all night.  Know what I mean?  I ended up just wearing a black cocktail dress that I have had forever, loaned out a million times (because it looks good on literally every one of my friends), and trusted not to do me wrong in pictures.

Luckily, Jordan's strategically placed silly NYE hat covers the belly that I'm positive I did not remember to suck in.  Thanks, Jordan! :)

So the moral of this story is, I have an additional side goal: I do not want to look like a stuffed sausage the next time I put that dress on.  There's no reason for that.

wtf granola??

I was all excited about this cholesterol-free breakfast I love, but the calorie count is pretty much through the roof.  700 calories is ridiculous!  I feel tricked!  Am I just having sticker shock or do you think it's worth it?

Here's what's in it:
1cup granola mix:
low-fat granola with pumpkin seeds and flax seeds
dried cherries
sliced almonds
raw walnuts
1/2 cup greek yogurt
1/2 cup fruit

Half an english muffin with a tbsp of cream cheese and an egg on top is only 300 calories including my coffee with coffeemate.  Is it worth it to double my calories and go cholesterol-free?  Am I being too anal about the whole thing?  Since I'm only supposed to take in a net of 1600 calories I'm feeling a little miserly.

Also, it's been over a week and I'm still at the same weight.  I kind of feel like I suck.  Maybe I should just take delight in the fact that I didn't gain any weight during the holidays, but I still feel a little defeated.  Any suggestions?

meet Abby

Hi, kids.

I don't have a good place to take a "before" picture, in schlumpy clothes, so here's one where I actually am wearing flattering clothes but still am a little less svelte than I'd like to be. Clearly that's me on the right because everyone else in this picture looks amazing. Note meaty arms and chunky midsection. We won't talk about my chest, because I'm German and I'm pretty sure I can't avoid it, but historically I can shave off a cup size or two if I lose a little excess pudge.

Laying it all out on the table like Monica did, my beginning stats:

Age: 28

Height: 5'6"

Weight: 170

Waist: 34"

Hips: (forgot to measure)

BMI 27.4 (according to the Wii Fit)

Size: Large/12

I too got a wii fit for christmas, so Monica and I have been playing it together and separately. I think it's REALLY fun, and sadly the fact that it makes fun of you for being overweight/not working out makes it easier to stick with - you want to show that game who's boss.

My goal weight is 155 and to easily fit into a size 10- I've been an 8 before but I honestly don't think that's realistic. I look and feel great at 155 and I'm very comfortable there. Mostly I just want more toned arms and less muffin top in jeans.

Two years ago when our friend Michela was getting married, and Monica and I were both bridesmaids, we did workouts together and stopped drinking beer entirely. I dropped 10 lbs like it's no big deal just because of the beer. How sad is that? I hate to give it up, and admittedly I drink much less now, but I think it's going to have to get cut out again. I'll allow myself a drink or two once or twice a week, but I'm going to be much more rigorous about keeping it very limited. Goodbye beer, you nectar of the gods. Let's still be friends.

So that's my situation. Admitting my chubby tendencies to the internets will hopefully guilt me into sticking to my guns. Wish me luck!

love, mcnabbs