Mondays suck...

especially when you've been away all weekend and it doesn't feel like you've had any time off. And your feet hurt and you can't walk properly. And work is so busy, you don't have time to eat and then come home and pig out on pita chips - like 8 points worth. Overall, not a good start to the week. Here's hoping that Friday gets here SOON!! OK, rant over.

Whew...what a day!

I ran 10K today and I ran it in less than 1hr and 10 min (which was what I ran last time in Ottawa). I finished in 1hr and 8min and ??sec!! It was very chilly to start and took a bit to feel warmed up. I ran the first 7K with my training partner and then her knee started to give out so she sent me ahead. We have a good understanding that if one of us is not feeling it, then the other should go ahead and do the best they can. So off I went...I had a song in my head and some people ahead of me that I'd been looking at most of the race that I wanted to beat!! I'm funny like that. I run the first bit and try to figure out why I can't catch up to the people in front of me and then if they're still in sight when I pick up the pace, I try to beat them! It's good motivation!
So anyway, race is done and over and now I just have to deal with my sore feet!
Off to the bath tub to soak :)
Enjoy your last moments of the weekend!

That's GOAL, alright!!

I'm am so utterly confused but absolutely thrilled with my weigh in!!


I LOST 4 POUNDS!!!!

What??? How is that possible???
Work sucked but it didn't matter cause I'm AT GOAL! I'm sure I had thought of more to say this morning but right now, I don't remember...
So Happy Weekend!!

We shall see in the morning if this is really going to happen. I hope I didn't jinx myself by mentioning it! There were no caesars or pizza tonight. There was, however, poutine - low fat fries (4), low sodium gravy (1), and cheese (3). It was awesome and I was SO full! Hopefully this does not throw off weigh in. It was another long day at work and I just needed "bad" food. So it felt bad, but wasn't really.
Went for the last training run today - just 3K. Hopefully we're ready for Sunday :)

This COULD be the week...

the scale has been my friend since Monday. Not really sure why as my eating on the weekend was far from perfect. The other reason that this could be the week is I'm on my own for Thursday night TV. So, I'm saying it out loud...no caesars or pizza!! We'll see if the sodium was the problem or if my body just doesn't like Friday mornings! I'm hoping for the 1st idea!!
Food today was kinda boring:
B: toast and cheez whiz (2)
L: leftover pasta shells (5), apple (1)
S: cottage cheese (2)
D: tilapia (3), tortellini (3), cauliflower with cheez whiz (1)
S: Melbas and cream cheese (3)
Coffee Crisp Single (2)
Now that I write this down, it's not looking so good on the veggie front! I should go have some cucumbers!!!
Activity: 4K run - 1 more run left until race day!

I'm supposed to work until 4pm...

and today I arrived home at 7pm. Not impressed. Food was pretty much non-existent today, who has time to eat???? It better slow down soon, or I'm going to have to go on stress leave!
No running today. We're going to try and do a short run tomorrow and on Thursday just to get the legs moving. Then 2 days of rest and then race on Sunday in Niagara! I'm excited to go and do some shopping on the Canadian side and chill at the hotel on Saturday. Then RACE DAY on Sunday at 830am!!! Wow that came fast! Now hopefully I can GO fast!!!!

Stressful day

It's been a long day at work. That's about all that's new. It's an off day from running but I did manage to get J and Cooper to go for a walk! It's better than nothing I suppose. Food today was good. Included in total points today was a caesar. Some days you just need a drink :)
And that's it. It is afterall a Monday! (I think).

I must have forgotten how to count

This weekend = not so good. After Friday's realization that I am in control (or supposed to be), I haven't really even been paying attention to what's going into my mouth. The only thing that's going to save me this week is running...and the bad thing about that is we are tapering off for the big race next Sunday. So I went for a 5K today and then only a couple 3K's before the big day. SO, these next 5 days have to be hardcore. They just HAVE to be.
Dessert tonight: 1 pt. Apple Crisp:
1 small apple (I used a big one and made two)
1 Tbsp water
2 Tbsp Quaker Oats
2 tsp Splenda
1/2 tsp cinnamon
5-10 sprays Becel butter spray
Peel and core apple and slice or chop. Put in small microwavable bowl with water. Mix oats, splenda and cinnamon. Sprinkle over top. Top with butter spray and microwave 2 or so minutes.
Fairly tasty for 1 point.

I CHOOSE to do this...

I am the one that eats the pizza and drinks the caesar on the night before weigh in. I am the one that expects a miracle the next morning on the scale. I am the one that is disappointed when said miracle does not happen. I am the one that knows what my weight is the day before the pizza. I am the one that realizes I could be at goal if I would JUST SAY NO! What I'm saying, is it's my fault I'm not there yet. I did lose this week - 0.6lbs down. Cannot complain but could do better!!!!

Ouch!

10K hurts! But I can do it...that's the important lesson learned today :) It's amazing how much harder 10 is compared to 8. You wouldn't think there would be that much difference.
Food today:
B: toast and Cheez Whiz (2)
L: cottage cheese (2), 1/2c of each red pepper, cukes, and tomatoes (0), feta cheese and dressing (1), 1c strawberries (1)
S: muffin (1), pretzels and cheese (2), muffin (1) - this all happened after the 10K when I couldn't wait for my dinner to cook for 5 min in the microwave!!
D: Smart Ones Rice and Beans(6), more cukes and peppers with dip (0), pumpkin squares x 2 (2)
S: wine gums x 2 (2), popcorn (3)
I think that's all I have to report today...

Junk food day

I need to stop eating crap today!!!! I've been within points but I don't think very much of what I've eaten today has much nutritional value. Shall we review?
B: chocolate muffin (1)
L: WW toast with Cheez Whiz (2), Cup of soup (1), Apple (1), another muffin (1) - can you tell that I didn't have much time to pack my lunch???
S: cheesecake (1), craisins (1), wine gums (1)
D: Tilapia (recipe that I posted the link to a couple days ago - super yummy - 3), Lipton noodle sidekicks (3), Peas (1), Tomato (0), Pumpkin square x 2 (2)
S: more winegums (1), oh yeah, more winegums (1)
So I should really have some veggies or fruit for snack but, we'll see. Why ruin a good day?!? I also should do some planks tonight, we'll see about that too...
I'm just craving junk and being LAZY!!! But that will all have to change tomorrow as it's time for our practice 10K!!!!!!!! I'm scared.
Hey, my new spin on today...I've been carb loading for my run!

A Buttertart-free Day...so far, anyway!

So today I did what I've never managed to do before, I just said NO to a buttertart! Now have I mentioned before what my favorite dessert is? Yep, buttertarts! So that was my victory of the day :) What was my setback, you ask? At the end of the evening, somehow I got talked into bringing home said buttertarts for J!!! I brought home two. Yes, two. So now, here I sit, knowing that in the kitchen there are two yummy, HOMEMADE buttertarts. Why oh why did I bring those home?
Anyway, I went to a CPR recert tonight at someone's house. The instructor that we know is great. We have drinks and snacks and do CPR! I did have 3 martinis but I had saved points. I stuck to the veggie and dip tray. So that was my "plan" going in and I'm happy to report that it went well!
Tomorrow I have to do another course in the AM but that means I get the morning off work. So YAY!

Dress and Muffins

Weird combo, I know but they are connected...if I eat too many muffins, I'm not going to fit into my dress!!!
Here's the recipe for the chocolate muffins:
3 c. All Bran Cereal
2 1/2 c. water
1 box Betty Crocker Low Fat Brownie Mix
3 tsp. chocolate chips
1 1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tbsp. vanilla
Mix all bran and water and let sit 20 min.
Mix in the rest of the ingredients (batter will be quite thick).
Spray muffin tins with Pam.
Bake @ 350 for 16-18 min.
Makes 24 muffins @ 1 point each.
Note: mine did not rise very well...not sure why. They do still taste good though! And they're quite filling!
I haven't had a chance to put on the dress but here is an idea of what it looks like:

Took a cue from Jen...

and went grocery shopping and am now busy in the kitchen. I'm making some pumpkin squares and chocolate muffins (recipe courtesy of L). Also, for dinner I'm making stuffed shells from the Kraft website and then I also found this recipe for later in the week.
At the grocery store, I was initially very upset as there were no honeycrisp apples (yes, I have a problem!). But I actually asked the produce guy and he was nice enough to find some for me!! How exciting!
Food today:
B: went out - had 2 eggs, toast and a few homefries (10)
D: Stuffed shells (7), Salad (1)
S: Muffin (1), Pumpkin square (1), Apple (1), Halloween size wine gums (1)
We'll see, this is all just a guess except for breakfast.
Going to do some crazy planks later.
Will try and take some pictures of my new dress...I might have to try it on though and take the pics. I liked it right away but L didn't really like it when she saw it on the hanger but loved it on!
Maybe I'll be back later today with those!
Happy Sunday!

Shopping Day

Always a challenge to stay OP when you're planning on shopping for the day. Also hard to get in the water. I think I did OK today...here's how it went:
B: WW toast and Cheez Whiz (2)
S: 1pt muffin
L: Vegetable Pad Thai (10)- could have done better here but I LOVE Thai Express and have to get it when I can!
D: Grilled Mahi Mahi (3), Greek rice (3), Salad (0) - this was when we got back to L's house
S: Mike's hard light (2), Coffee and Bailey's (2)
Now here's where I went wrong - I felt like Combo's when we were on our way home so we stopped at 2 convenience stores and found some. Well, J found them actually and I had both little packs that he bought me! Each one is 5 pts! Oops, there goes 10 more!
Oh well, count it up and move on!
Shopping day excitement: I bought a new dress! Now I just need shoes :)

Salt-a-licious!!

Dinner tonight: Mexican Pizza, Salad with apples and feta and balsamic salad spritzer and a Corona!! Can I get enough pizza??? The unfortunate answer is NO! Here's some photos of a creation that I adapted from a recipe I found. It was veggie "meat" cooked with taco seasoning and green/yellow peppers and grated carrot. Crust was topped with salsa. Meat mixture went on top and then some low fat cheese and hot peppers. Yum! And of course, a Corona with my mexican meal! Whole meal cost me 14 points which is exactly the number I had left for the day.
Oh yeah, the pictures!!







Pre pizza activity = 5K run - will use half these points for a snack.
Gotta go drink some water :)

Well...it's the right direction!

At least I can say that with confidence! I lost 0.4 lbs this week! Wow, look at me go! I know what the problem is, I guess I'm just not sure what to do to change it. It was edge veggie/caesar night again last night! If I had weighed in on Thursday, I would have been down 1.4 lbs. I think it's the sodium as I always have points for the pizza and caesar.
Anyway, not much time to dwell right now. Will probably be back later :)

Well this is a first!

I'm recommending a fruit! On advice from someone at work, I bought some honeycrisp apples. She has gotten them at the farmer's market before but apparently had never seen them in the grocery store before and yesterday, they were in the grocery store. Crazy, isn't it? So tonight, I saw them as well and decided to try them. I'm a self proclaimed veggie girl and don't really care for apples or any fruit other than berries or grapes.
WELL....let me tell you, these apples are AWESOME! I'm going back to buy more! They are tart when you bite into them and very crisp and then, as you chew, they seem to get sweeter. Go and find them at your grocery store (even if you're not an apple person!).
Food up until dinner was the same as yesterday.
Dinner tonight: Spicy mango basa fish (3), 1/2c Lipton Sidekick tortellini (4), 3/4c summer sweet peas (1). This was possibly the easiest, most processed dinner ever but it hit the spot! The fish come in a microwavable container that apparently steams it in 7 min. in the microwave. I quite enjoyed it.
Snack so far has been a honeycrisp apple! Yum. More snacks to come later!
Excercise : short run (3.2K)

A food rut???

I don't know what's wrong with me but I just can't seem to think of ANYTHING I want to eat. I'm especially lacking in dinner ideas. I think I will have to do some research tonight and see if I can find some recipes to try. I just feel like everything requires too much effort. Maybe I'm still getting used to my day job. I got home today and had planned to go get groceries but nope...just didn't feel like it. Maybe I'm just blah from too much food/drink on the weekend and a kinda crappy run yesterday. Let's hope I snap out of it soon :)
Food today:
B: WW bagel and Cheez whiz (3)
L: Salad (with FF caesar dressing) - (1)
8 Melbas (2) topped with chickpea/salsa/feta mixture (1)
Banana bran choc. chip muffin (1)
S: ANOTHER muffin! (1)
D: Subway (10) and a coffee crisp single (2)
Excercise plan:
Plank excercises during biggest loser
OK...off to find some new food!

Whew...

maybe 9K today was not such a good idea. It was extremely humid. I'm not sure that I've ever been so sweaty! OK, that's probably too much information! And on top of all that, my foot is hurting...I think it's time for some new shoes. I love new shoes :)

Thanksgiving Part 1 and 2

Well, what to say? Part 1 of Thanksgiving was on Saturday at my parents house. Food wise...no problem! Drink wise...once I get started, why can't I stop? My plan worked otherwise though. Veggies and dip to snack on in the afternoon. Only a bite of "real" pie. Lots of veggies including turnip! I usually skip the turnip!
Part 2 was yesterday at J's parents. Again, ate lightly in the morning but dinner was a bit trickier. And there was no healthy option for dessert so I had the pie. It was REALLY good! Points wise, I'm really not sure where I'm at. My guess is that my 35 points are long gone. Just on the way out the door to run 9K now, so that will maybe help!
Hope everyone else had a fun, OP weekend :)
Cheers!

Quick WI post...

another 0.6lbs bites the dust! A loss is a loss, I guess. And considering I had veggie edge pizza and a caesar for good TV night last night, I'll accept it and keep going! I did have the points for the above food. I just feel bad eating it the night before WI. Hmmm, to change WI day or not??? Still thinking about that one.
My Thanksgiving plan this year?
1. eat light prior to dinner
2. have tastes of the "good stuff" but stick to the veggies!
3. only 1 bite each of the apple and pumpkin pie...from J's serving (cause I know he'll have both!!!)
4. plan how many drinks I can afford and STICK to it! (this will be my biggest challenge...that sounds bad but it's true!)

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend :)

Boring!

So, I don't have too much to report today. I'm working 8-4 everyday, then going running afterwards, then coming home and eating dinner and then trying to find motivation to do something around the house (I'd like to make muffins tonight!). Hmmm, and that's about it! BUT, just wait until my LONG weekend off! Oh yeah and EVERY single weekend off after that. Plus all holidays! Hello, day job!
Run was short today (3.2K).
Food was the same as yesterday except there was a salad in there somewhere and less bread for dinner! Why does fresh bread have to taste so good and why do I have to buy it? But seriously, what else can make chili taste better? YUM!
I have a chocolate fix defrosting right now.
And that's it for hump day :)

Scary!

OK, new job has begun...just finished day 2 and I have to admit, I'm a little scared! I had people offering to buy me coffee today (which I don't drink...sorry about your luck!) and guess the reason why? I am responsible for the Christmas schedule! Ouch :) Like hello, it's not even Halloween yet! I'm kinda miffed a bit as I volunteered to work last Christmas cause I knew this would be my nephew's first Christmas and didn't want to miss that. It was NOT my turn last year. Now that I'm in my day job...I wouldn't have had to work it this year anyway!!! That's what you get for trying to beat the system!
So other than feeling like getting up 5 days in a row sucks, it's going OK!
Food wise, I'm doing well too!
B: the usual WW toast and Cheez Whiz (2)
L: mushroom and brie soup (2), Melba toast (2), Cheese (2), Cukes and vinegar (0)
S: cheesecake (1), pita chips (1) - did not eat these together though!!!
D: chili (5) and sesame bread (4)
S: can't decide! I've been debating about it ever since dinner 2 hours ago! We'll see what wins out!
Happy Biggest Loser night :)

Weekend FULL of 35 points!

So I did it again! All my weekly points are gone after the weekend. I think that will likely be happening quite a bit now that I have my "day" job. It's so easy to be on track when you have a schedule during the week. Then, weekends are just a blow out with me. And there always seems to be some drinks in there as well, which really drains the points! That's what's good about the plan though. You can allow for that and still lose. YAY!
So the weekend also consisted of getting a new couch! We got a brown leather sectional at a new furniture auction that comes to town every so often. It is awesome!
So on to today's food:
B: 2 WW toast with Cheez Whiz (2)
L: Mushroom and brie soup (2) - (bought this gem at Costco. Had 1/2 c. and added some veg broth to stretch it out a bit. It is awesome but FULL of sodium of course!)
Melba toast and cheese (4)
Veggies and dip (1)
Apple (1)
S: Cheesecake (1)
D: Smart Ones lasagna thingy (6)
Salad (0)
FF chocolate milk (3)
Coffee crisp single (2) - (also from Costco...I finally found them!! SO worth the points!)
We did our long run today after work. Up to 8K...ouch for tomorrow! So I'm using 4 points later for a snack.
That's all for a Monday!