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Food Diary 01/03/12

2012-03-02T00:50:00.000-05:00

Daily points allowance - 26 points

Breakfast:

1 cup kashi golean honey almond flax cereal - 5 points

1 x banana - 0 points

3/4 cup soy milk - 2 points

1/2 cup fat free milk (in coffee) - 1 point

Total - 8 points

Lunch:

80g cooked chicken breast - 3 points

1 x TJ's Light String cheese - 1 point

veggies - 0 points

Total - 4 points

Dinner:

90g wild salmon - 3 points

2 tsp canola oil - 2 points

1 serve Harvest Grain salad - 3 points

steamed broccoli - 0 points

Total - 8 points

Snacks:

1 slice TJ's 7 grain bread - 1 points

15g TJ's Cookie Butter - 2 points

1 x Honey crisp apple - 0 points

2 tbs Peter Pan crunch peanut butter - 6 points

Exercise:

- BAD!

Nutrition:

Dairy – 2

Oils – 2

Liquid – 6

Fruit – 3 - 4

Vegies - 4-6

TOTAL = 29 points consumed

42 weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

Food Diary 29/02/12

2012-02-29T23:54:00.000-05:00

Daily points allowance - 26 points

Breakfast:

1 x Starbucks Skinny Caramel latte - 3 points

1 x Starbucks Spinach & feta wrap - 7 points

Total - 10 points

No photo

Lunch:

3 x Lean Cuisine Thai Style spring rolls - 5 points

1 tbs Sweet chilli sauce - 0 points

Total - 5 points

Dinner:

105g chicken breast - 3 points

1/4 cup rice - 1 point

2 tsp canola oil - 2 points

veggies - 0 points

Total - 6 points

Snacks:

1 x WW Ice cream bar - 4 points

1 x orange - 0 points

roasted broccoli - 0 points

1 x apple - 0 points

1 x TJ's Greek Yogurt with fiber - 2 points

15g honey

Total - 7 points

Exercise:

Nutrition:

Dairy – 2

Oils – 2

Liquid – 6

Fruit – 3

Vegies - 5

TOTAL = 28 points consumed

47 weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

I am ok with going over my points by 2 as I was losing on 29 points a day for a long while so as long as I am under 29 a day I am good.

365 Week 8

2012-02-29T00:10:00.000-05:00

Day 50:

Today's theme was "Flickr Gang Sign" and "S" so I flashed the sign in the snow, wearing sunglasses and stripes!

Day 51:

Today was my pick and I chose "Textures" because it also fit in with the Alphabet group for "T". So I added a telescope and a trench coat and trees.

Day 52:

Today's theme was "Dorks" and "U" so I went with this.

Day 53:

Today's theme was "Vessel" & "V" so I put veggies in a vessel and added a vignette.

Day 54:

Whimsical & "W" was the theme today. I also had weeds in there!

Day 55:

Theme for today was "Six word stories". Mine was Bad hair days will end tomorrow. Which didn't actually happen. I had a hair appointment for the next day but I woke up with a really bad headache and my neck was killing me. So I couldn't bear sitting in a chair for an hour or so. So I am stuck with bad hair for a little while longer.

Day 56:

No theme for me today, we had a big day then headed out with friends for dinner so I snapped this just as we were leaving.

Food Diary 28/02/12

2012-02-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

OMG! Can you believe it?? A food diary! Don't have a heart attack now, ok!

So anyway, I am technically supposed to be on maintenance which means I get a few more points than I was when I was losing the weight, BUT seeming I gained this week I want to get back down to my goal weight, or even a little under it. So I am going back to 26 points per day and trying not to use too many weeklies.

Daily points allowance - 26 points

Breakfast:

1 x TJ's Fiberful bar - 3 points

1 x egg - 2 points

1 x slice TJ's 7 grain bread - 1 point

1 tbs ketchup - 0 points

coffee with 1/2 cup skim milk & splenda - 1 point

Total - 7 points

I like my eggs over easy so I get that runny yolk! How do you like your eggs?

Lunch:

2 x slices TJ's 7 grain bread - 2 points

20g avocado - 1 point

1 x slice sharp cheddar - 2 points

salad vegies - 0 points

Total - 5 points

Dinner:

3 x TJ's Turkey Meatballs - 4 points

150g mashed potato - 3 points (weighed raw)

1 tsp butter - 1 point

3 tsp canola oil - 3 points

butternut squash, brussel sprouts - 0 points

Total - 11 points

Snacks:

2 x oranges - 0 points

7 x almonds - 1 point

1 x small apple - 0 points

1 x TJ's plain greek yogurt with fibre - 2 points

Total - 2 points

Exercise:

- I really need to work on this.

Nutrition:

Dairy – 2

Oils – 3

Liquid – 4

Fruit – 4

Vegies - 4

TOTAL = 26 of 26 points used

49 weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

I really did well today. I have been hungry, but I think it's because I was eating like a mad woman for a week so my body just has to get used to it!

Weigh-in 28/02/12

2012-02-28T23:45:00.001-05:00

I was actually relieved when I saw I had gained 1.4lb. Because in all honesty I thought it would be MUCH worse! I went a little crazy last week. I hit goal and just threw caution to the wind and I ate the planet. Seriously. I ate A LOT!

But I did go into damage control this week so I think I fixed a big portion of the fallout.

So this week I am going back to my losing points allowance so I can get back down to goal and maybe a little less so I have a bit of a buffer.

Our Date Night

2012-02-28T21:19:00.001-05:00

So it was our anniversary a couple of weeks ago and Valentines Day so we planned a night out for the 2 of us.

We both got all dressed up. I wore my black pinafore dress, which sadly is too big for me now! But I wore it anyway. FYI - its an Australian size 12 (Juniors) from Target Hot Options, which is equivalent to a US size 8 juniors.

We headed to our favourite Japanese Restaurant, Tsunami's.

First starters we shared some Gyoza (pork dumplings)

Then for my main I ordered the Dragon Roll -crab, avocado, topped w/ baked eel.

Billy got his usual Teriyaki Salmon:

After dinner we headed to Sweet Frog, a frozen yogurt bar that has about 20 different flavours of fat free yogurt and then a bunch of toppings.

I went with Cake Batter flavour then added cookie dough balls, crushed up snickers, mini pb cups and pound cake. It was DELISH!!

After that we headed home to change for the movie. We also needed to take my 365 photo so here is what I wore to the movies and our photo

Before the movie we went to Starbucks and I ordered a Caramel Brulee latte and we shared a slice of lemon pound cake.

We went and saw The Woman in Black. It was spoooooky!! But really good.

It was such a great night and we had so much fun.

Food diary of sorts

2012-02-27T21:46:00.000-05:00

Ok so I have been terrible at posting food diaries and I have also actually been really had at tracking my food the past couple of weeks. I know I am going to pay for it on the scales tomorrow. I kind of went a little nuts when I hit goal.

Bad I know.

Anyway I have been photographing food occasionally so I thought I would at least share some of the food I had been eating here recently.

Rissoles with loaded potato, broccoli, brussel sprouts & sauted mushrooms and squash.

Omelette I had this morning for breakfast:

Apple with greek yogurt and honey:

Peanut butter Cheerios:

Turkey chilli with sour cream:

Baked lemon pepper salmon with harvest grain salad & broccoli:

Sundried tomato chicken sausages & harvest grain salad:

Whole grain waffles with butter & maple syrup:

Sorry it's not the usual kind of food diary but I promise I will be better at them this week. I can't afford to not be tracking anymore.

365 Week 7

2012-02-27T19:55:00.000-05:00

Day 43:

Today's theme was "Let's Levitate". This was fun to do and I got to play with Photoshop for more than the tiny things I usually do with it.

Day 44:

Today's theme was "Mythology" and because the letter was also "M" I went with Medusa. We went out to try to find some rubber snakes for my hair but everywhere we went didn't have them. We managed to find these little ones and made do. I also burnt myself on the forehead when I was curling my hair for the shot too. Luckily a snake hid the burn!

Day 45:

Today's theme was "No Valentines!". So Billy and I had fun with this as we are TOTALLY Valentine's day people!

Day 46:

I didn't do the theme of the day today, just no time.

Day 47:

Today's theme was Shel Silverstein. I chose his poem "Hug O War".

Day 48:

Today's theme was "Quaternary" or things in fours. Billy helped me out again.

Day 49:

This has to be my favourite 365 shot so far, well except the one of us dancing. But I just love this. It's hilarious. The theme was to choose from a list of 100 words. I chose revealed and reaction.

Requests?

2012-02-24T01:23:00.000-05:00

So I have established I have readers. So I want to know what you guys want to see on here?

More food diaries? Photos? Videos? Please let me know!

I have plenty of time usually so it's no trouble.

So please let me know what you would like me to write about, post etc!!

Week 6

2012-02-23T21:26:00.000-05:00

Day 36:

Today's theme was "Whistler's Mother" and for us to re-enact it in our own way.

Day 37:

I didn't really play along with the theme today.

Day 38:

Today's theme was "Flickr Rock Band". Ashley & Billy helped me out with this and I love it!!!

Day 39:

Today's theme was "Not quite a jump"

Day 40:

I for invisible.

Day 41:

Another last minute photo with no theme.

Day 42:

K is for knuckles.

Hope you enjoyed another week of 365 photos!

Wow!

2012-02-23T21:12:00.000-05:00

Ok so I do have a lot of readers! I never realised cause you are all so quiet!

Thank you everyone for letting me know that there are people out there reading.

Sorry I haven't updated in a while. I have been a little under the weather. But things should be back to normal soon.

I kind of went a little off the rails WW wise. I hit goal and my brain went on vacation and I have just been eating like a crazy lady. But I am hoping I haven't done too much damage. I didn't go to my meeting this week as I was not well and honestly I didn't want to face what I had done.

I know it's bad. I know.

But I am back on track and I'm not letting it get me down.

Hello?

2012-02-16T10:03:00.004-05:00

Is anyone actually reading this?

Or am I honestly just wasting my time by posting on here?

I would love to know if I actually have any readers otherwise I may as well just pull the plug on this thing.

So please if you read regularly, leave a comment here and there. Let me know I am not wasting my time. If you don't know how to comment the link to just down there under this post, where it says "click here to comment". You can even comment anonymously if you want. If you don't have a Google Id or anything choose the Name/URL option and just put in your first name.

Thanks!

Week 5

2012-02-14T20:26:00.000-05:00

Day 29

Today's theme was Disney. This was really all I could think of.

Day 30

Today's theme was "Headless Bench Monday". So we headed to the park and I snapped this.

Day 31

Today's theme was "Faking Summer". I love that I could fit into this size 6 dress!!

Day 32

This day had 2 themes. The usual "We're Here" theme was The Number 6 and then "February Alphabet Fun" started with the letter A. So I went with a magic trick.

Day 33

Today's theme was "Banana Violence". How weird would it be if all weapons in movies were replaced by bananas. Also B for Feb Alphabet Fun.

Day 34

Today's theme was "Sad Bokeh". So I went with candles so I could also fit it into the Alphabet set.

Day 35

D for dreams.

Hope you enjoyed my 5th week!

Weigh-in 14/02

2012-02-14T20:07:00.000-05:00

GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did it! I can't believe it! I hit my goal!! I am so happy I cannot express it! This week has been so good and this is just a cherry on top. And on Valentines Day of all days!

I will go on maintenance for the next 6 weeks then I will receive my Lifetime Membership as long as I stay within 2lb of my goal weight. After I reach Lifetime I want to lose more but at least then I won't have to pay for it any more.

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

365 Week 4

2012-02-09T00:41:00.002-05:00

Day 22

This shot was done with no real thought in mind. I was exhausted and really not interested in doing my 365 photo for the day but I had to have one, so I just did this.

Day 23

The theme today was "Your Oh Face" so I went with the shocked Oh face. I love doing clone shots and I need to do them more often and spend more time planning them.

Day 24

This was actually my day to choose a theme and it had been a LONG time since I picked a group theme so I went with something simple, Diptychs, Triptychs and Polyptychs. I had no idea what I wanted to do for mine so I listed the things I liked about winter and took photos to reflect those things. It was kinda lame.

Day 25

This theme was "You're Doing it Wrong". I really like this one. Although taking it was kind of frustrating as our new neighbours across the street have taken to sitting out on their porch and watching me when I am outside trying to take photos. It's really uncomfortable.

Day 26

The theme here was "Positively Negative". Basically inverting the photo to make it look like a negative. I tried to wear something that had a lot of colour so it would look cool and I love how it turned out. I just wish I had been smiling in it! This was the best one with everything in it but I wasn't smiling, but I thought it fit into the theme of "Negative" also.

Day 27

Today's theme was "What's on your head" so I went with my trusty pink hat then decided to go all out with the pink. Another one where the neighbours just sat and stared at me.

Day 28

Ok so this has to be one of my all time favourite photos I have ever taken. Seriously. And it wasn't set up or anything. I needed a photo of dancing for a Scavenger Hunt I participate in and so while we were at the park taking other photos I told Billy we should just jump in front of the tripod and dance like dorks while I clicked away with the remote. Well we did that, then he grabbed me and dipped me and I managed to get this shot. I love it soooo much!

So there is my week 4. Hope someone is getting some kind of enjoyment out of them.

Weigh-in 07/02

2012-02-09T00:19:00.001-05:00

Woooooooooooooooohoooooooooooooooooo!! Finally getting good numbers on the scale again! Thank god!

Also I have decided to change my WW goal weight to 146lb. It's the top of my healthy weight range so I can get my Lifetime membership then go to WW for free and hopefully get a job with them. YAY!

So I am going to talk to my leader next week and see what she says. I don't think it will be a problem. Then that means I only have 2lb till goal! Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!

365 Week 3

2012-02-04T23:12:00.000-05:00

Ok so here is week 3!

Day 15

No theme today. I just put on my kitty socks and took some shots and managed to get the real kitty in one so I used it.

Day 16

The theme today was "Minimalist Monday" so I wanted to do something simple yet pretty. I thought this worked really well.

Day 17

Theme for today was "Bright & colourful" so we were in Target and I grabbed a bunch of flowers and took a couple of photos. Then a staff member came running over to us and told us off for taking photos in the store. I was kind of annoyed because we spend quite a bit of money there each week and they get all narky at us for taking photos. Oh well.

Day 18

Theme for today was "Drama". First thing I thought of was Facebook. Man have I had my share of drama on there. Thankfully, not recently.

Day 19

Today's theme was Decorative Lampshades. So I decided to use one as a hat!

Day 20

Today's theme was "String". I love this one!

Day 21

Today's theme was "Photos with unreasonably long titles" So really it could have been anything. I was in the shower washing my hair thinking "It's a good thing it's raining, I won't have to do my hair." and this shot came to me. So I set my camera up on the tripod right at the door and I stood on the deck in my towel in the rain and took a bunch of shots. It was cold and uncomfortable!

So there is Week 3!

365 Week 2

2012-02-03T20:44:00.000-05:00

Ok so here is week 2! Enjoy!

Day 8

The theme was "Someone sleeping" and this was actually not planned. Billy dozed off on the sofa while I was making dinner so I quickly set up the camera and jumped in the shot and clicked away with the remote.

Day 9

I didn't play the theme today but I do like this one. I had to do my hair and I was looking at the front of the hair dryer and thought it would look neat as the focus of a photo.

Day 10

Another themeless photo. But I do like it. I am still really critical of myself in photos and find it hard to like photos of me.

Day 11

Another one without any real theme. I just came up with it on the spot.

Day 12

The theme today was Adorkable but this isn't the shot I actually used for the theme. This was a out take but I really liked it so I used it for my 365.

Day 13

No theme again, I just liked how I looked that day so I snapped a couple of shots outside.

Day 14

Theme for this day was Saturday Sun. Pretty self explanatory.

So there is my second week. I am having fun with it and hope I stick it out!

365 Week 1

2012-02-03T14:31:00.000-05:00

Well I did it! I restarted my 365 for this year, starting Jan 1st and I haven't miss a day yet. I meant to post each week about it but I kept forgetting so I will catch up with January a week at a time and try to space them out a little.

Past years I have played along with a couple of different theme groups on Flickr and this year I decided to join We're Here. Basically the members of the group have a day where they choose another group with a specific theme and we all then capture our take on the them in our photos. Not everyone does this for their 365 project or does self portraits, but that's the way I do it. So here is my Week 1 of 2012.

Day 1

This was to be the first photo taken in 2012. Technically it was the second as I had to test the lighting BUT it was the first one with me in it. So it works! I used my tripod and remote and we went out on the deck with our Christmas lights just after the ball dropped so it was technically 2012.

Day 2

No theme for this one. I can't even remember what the them was supposed to be but I know I didn't play that day. Just took a quick shot of me, sans make-up.

Day 3

Today's theme was Numbers. I thought this was quite fitting due to my recent weight loss. I took this in the afternoon after eating so it wasn't a true reflection of my weight but it worked for the theme.

Day 4

This day's theme was "I Love To Read" and I had to play! I had recently gotten into the Millennium book series (The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo etc) and was thoroughly enjoying it so I enjoyed doing this one.

Day 5

Another day when I didn't play the theme. I just took this really close to midnight because I had forgotten to take one all day. I do like it though.

Day 6

I woke up feeling sick that day so that's all I could manage.

Day 7

The We're Here theme was "Stuff on Your Head" and it couldn't be the normal stuff like a hat etc. So I used one of my teddy bears. I think it's cute.

So there is my first week. Hope you enjoyed them and will check out the rest when I post them!

Weigh-in 31/01

2012-02-03T13:53:00.000-05:00

Ok so I have to tell you the story of what happened to me this week. It was TOM so I had gained a few pounds over a few days from water retention, so I was really expecting a gain at weigh-in. Monday morning I weighed in at home at 149.2lb. This was just over a pound more than what I weighed in at before my last weeks meeting. I was good with that, it being TOM and all.

Well Tuesday morning I get up and weigh myself and my scales say 144.6lb. Huh? I step on again. Same thing. I honestly weighed myself about 10 times just to be sure and I only got about a 0.2lb difference with all 10 times.

So I am feeling ELATED! I get showered and dressed and head off to my meeting thinking that the scales are going to reflect about 3-4lb loss.

Well I get on and I am 149.2lb. A loss of 0.2lb from last week. To say I was crushed, pissed, upset was an understatement. I couldn't believe it. I honestly had to hold back tears. I couldn't understand. My scales at home are usually pretty close to the WW ones.

I didn't stay for the meeting. For the first time in over a year I just left after weighing in. Billy was waiting for me at the library and I told him and he was really supportive but also confused as well.

We went and did our usual Tuesday shopping and I came home and posted about it on Facebook and a few of my friends said that it might be the battery in my scales. So I put a new battery in and hopped on and right away I was up 4lbs.

SONOFABITCH! They had to do that the morning of my weigh-in didn't they!

Anyway I still had a loss, small as it was.

Food Diary 24/01

2012-01-25T02:12:00.000-05:00

So today was my weigh-in and I lost 1.4lb. I was actually expecting it to be more than that until I weighed in at home this morning and I was up a pound from yesterday. But I still got under 150lb so I am happy.

We decided not to go to Trader Joe's today and wait until tomorrow so the fridge and cupboards were a bit bare.

I had a WW snack bar at my meeting 3 points. But I was still pretty hungry when I got home so I mixed up a TJ's 0% Fat Greek Yogurt with some honey and a banana - 3 points. And a coffee - 1 point.

For lunch I made Billy & I some Lean Cuisine Thai Spring rolls - 5 points

Dinner was a tough one. I had no vegetables and nothing really else on hand. Plus I was feeling kinda crappy from lack of sleep so I decided to use some weeklies and have bacon & hashbrowns for dinner :D 13 points

It was so worth it!

For snacks throughout the day I had a Fiber one brownie, 2 points. 1 x TJ's Sea Salt caramel, 2 points, 5 almonds, 1 point and some mint choc chip ice cream for dessert - 7 points.

Used 29 out of 29 dailies and 8 weekly points. 41 weeklies remaining.

Food Diaries 21-23rd Jan

2012-01-25T02:01:00.000-05:00

Oops! I have slacked off again with the food diaries so look out! Here is 4 days worth!

Saturday 21st January

Breakfast:
TJ's Steel Cut Oats - 4 points
1 tbs Trader Joe's Pumpkin Butter - 1 point
1/2 cup soy milk - 1 point
7g TJ's sliced almonds - 1 point
1/3 cup 2% milk in coffee - 1 point
Total - 8 points

Lunch:

1/2 large Bojangles seasoned fries - 7 points

no photo

Dinner:

Lean Cuisine Chicken Pot Stickers - 7 points
brussell sprouts - 0 points
2 tsp olive oil - 2 points

24 out of 29 points used

Sunday 22nd January

Breakfast:

1/3 cup 2% milk in coffee - 1 point

1 x WW snack bar - 3 points

1 x banana - 0 points

Lunch:

Lean Cuisine Shanghai Style Shrimp - 6 points

Dinner:

2 serves Turkey Meatballs - 7 points

140g whole wheat pasta - 5 points

Snack:

1 serve Mint Choc Chip ice cream - 3 points

Used 25 out of 29 points

Monday 23rd January

Breakfast:

1 serve TJ's Steel Cut Oats - 4 points
7g TJ's sliced almonds - 1 point
1/2 cup soy milk - 1 point
10g dried cranberries
1/3 cup 2% milk - 1 point

Lunch:

1 serve Turkey Meatballs - 4 points
140g pasta - 5 points

no photo

Dinner:

100g lean steak - 4 points
1 tbs butter - 3 points
butternut squash roasted in 2 tsp canola oil - 2 points
10 g honey - 1 point
steamed broccoli - 0 points

1 x Fiber One brownie - 2 points

Used 29 out of 29 points

Turkey Meatballs

2012-01-25T01:27:00.001-05:00

I had heard a lot about Trader Joe's Turkey Meatballs. So I decided to get them to try them out.

For $2.99 you get 1lb (454g) of meatballs. There are roughly 13 balls in the pack. I have made them a few times and our favourite way is the following.

I heat 1tbs oil in a pot, add frozen meatballs and fry for about 5 minutes. Then I add a chopped onion and cook for a few more minutes. Then I removed the meatballs then add diced yellow squash and chopped mushrooms. I also add minced garlic and Trader Joe's 21 seasoning salute.

Fry until squash is cooked. Then I add the meatballs back and 2 cans stewed tomatoes, 1 small can tomato sauce and 1 small can of tomato paste. If it's too thick I add a little chicken stock.

Then I lower the heat and allow it to simmer all day. The longer the better.

Then I serve it with whole wheat pasta and its delish!!

Weigh-in 24/01

2012-01-24T17:30:00.000-05:00

OOOHHHH YEAH! I did it!!! I broke through to the 140's! I am so happy you don't know!

It has been a frustrating few months here recently. My weightloss has stalled a little and I was starting to get a little down about it. But now I finally broke through! YEAH!

Not far to go to goal now!

Hello!

2012-01-23T23:53:00.000-05:00

Wow! So I found out today that my blog is featured on the front page of Bloggers. How cool!

So because of this I have had a HUGE amount of traffic on here and a few new followers! Hi and thank you all for visiting. Sadly my blog isn't too exciting but I hope I have picked up a few new readers.

I am going to be early tonight so no time for more posts but I will be playing catch up soon.

Thanks again everyone!

Friday 20/01

2012-01-21T02:21:00.000-05:00

Today was another very boring, quiet day at our house. Billy & I are still under the weather and Ashley had no school so we just chilled at home.

I made myself an omelette with Quick eggs 3 points, smoked ham 1 point, mushrooms, onion & tomato 0 points, cooked in 1 tsp canola oil 1 point. Total 5 points.

Also I made a sugar free salted caramel coffee with 1/3 cup 2% milk - 1 point

I bought something new to try for lunch the other day, Lean Cuisine Pot Stickers, like dumplings. 7 points.

They were not bad, I didn't really like the rice though and only ate a few spoonfuls. Not sure if I would buy them again. But Trader Joe's have pot stickers so I might check them out.

I had an orange for an afternoon snack. 0 points.

Dinner I made breaded chicken breast fillets with roasted brussel sprouts, TJ's Spiced Soybeans, yellow squash & ranch dressing. Total - 12 points

For dessert I had TJ's 0% Fat Greek yogurt with an apple & pomegranate seeds. 2 points.

I used 27 of my 29 points. Again no gym, I still don't feel so good.

Shopping 20/01

2012-01-20T23:15:00.000-05:00

I have been meaning to post about these for a couple of days and just keep forgetting. The other day when Billy & I went grocery shopping we called into one of the thrift stores in town, Value Village, and I had a quick browse in there to see what I could find. I was looking for jeans but their selection is not great. Also they don't have fitting rooms so you can't try things on, and jeans really need to be tried on.

But I did find 2 pretty skirts that look brand new. One of them is a Medium and is so girly and pretty and I can wear it now in Winter with tights and boots or in Spring and Summer with strappy shoes.

The other one is a SIZE 4!! And it fits. It is a little tight but it fits! It's from Ann Taylor Loft which is a pretty nice label here.

Excuse the crumples. I haven't washed them yet.

I paid $7 for the both of them! Bargain!

Thursday 19/01

2012-01-20T01:04:00.001-05:00

Look out! 3 days in a row! What's wrong with me? HA!

Anyway, today was another fairly quiet day. I didn't have a very good nights sleep. I woke up when Billy came home around 5am and couldn't really get back to sleep, so no gym again this morning. It's really starting to piss me off that I can't seem to catch a break in the mornings. I am also getting Billy's virus so I doubt I'll be going tomorrow either.

Anyway I got up and had Kashi Golean Honey Flax cereal 5 points, with a banana 0 points and 1 cup soy milk 2 points (3/4 went on the cereal, the other 1/4 went in my coffee). I also had a coconut & chocolate coffee using the Torani Sugar free syrups. It was YUM! Total - 7 points.

The book I had been waiting for had come in to the library and they had it on hold for me so we made a quick run into town to pick it up and grab a couple of things from the store. I can't wait to get into the book. It's the 3rd book in the Millenium series, starting with The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Really good books.

Lunch was pretty much exactly the same as yesterday, I just added an apple to it. 2 slices TJ's 7 grain bread 2 points, 25g avocado 1 point, 1 slice sharp cheddar 2 points, 55g shaved smoked ham 1 point, lettuce, tomato and banana peppers 0 points. Total - 6 points.

For dinner I made baked lemon pepper salmon with brown rice, steamed broccoli and roasted balsamic brussel sprouts. Salmon 3 points, 1/4 cup rice 1 point & 2 tsp canola oil used in cooking 2 points. Total - 6 points.

I had 10 points left after dinner and I had some snacks planned out then all of a sudden my stomach was not happy! After that I had a tiny little bowl of Low Fat Mint Choc chip ice cream 3 points.

So I am going to bed with 7 points left but my stomach is really not happy so I am not too concerned. I also really doubt now that I am going to the gym in the morning. *sigh*

Wednesday 18/01

2012-01-19T01:53:00.000-05:00

Today I had planned on going to the gym but when I woke up I wasn't feeling great. I think my food choices didn't agree with me. But it was kind of worth it.

For breakfast I made Trader Joe's frozen Steel cut oatmeal with a banana, 7g walnuts, 15g honey, 1/2 cup soy milk - 7 points and coffee with 1/3 cup of 2% milk and sugar free syrup - 1 point. Total 8 points

We didn't have anywhere to go today and Billy wasn't feeling great, he has a head cold, poor thing. So we just chilled out and watched some Buffy. For lunch I made myself a sandwich on TJ's 7 grain sprouted bread with avocado, sharp cheese, smoked ham, banana peppers and veggies - 6 points.

After Billy laid down for his nap I put the meatballs and sauce on to simmer for a few hours for dinner and just played around on the computer. I had an apple & a WW string cheese for a snack - 1 point.

Dinner was so good! I made Trader Joe's turkey meatballs with a tomato sauce. I added garlic, mushrooms, yellow squash, onions, stewed tomatoes, tomato sauce & tomato paste. Also a dash of TJ's 21 Seasoning Salute. Then I served it with whole wheat pasta. So yummy! Mine was 11 points.

Then Billy headed off to work and I cleaned up the kitchen and watched some more Buffy and played on the computer some more. Then I got a bit peckish and made myself some Greek yogurt with pomegranate seeds, so tasty! 2 points.

I used 28 out of my 29 points today, no weeklies.

Tuesday 17/01

2012-01-19T01:40:00.000-05:00

So today was my weigh in and as you can see from the last post, it wasn't what I expected. I really did not expect a gain. I have been spot on with my eating. But I guess it has gotten to the point now where I need to exercise and watch what I eat to lose any more. Which I really already knew but I have been in denial a little bit.

After weighing in I had a WW snack bar & some water. 3 points.

Anyway after my meeting we headed off for our weekly Trader Joe's & Target shop. First though a stop at Starbucks for coffee and lunch! A skinny sugar free caramel latte 3 points & a spinach, feta & egg white wrap 7 points.

Then we hit Target and got a bunch of fruit and some other stuff. While we were in there I took a photo for my 365 and a staff member comes running over to me to tell me that we aren't allowed to take photos in Target. I mean, I took a photo of myself with some flowers. It's not like I was taking photos of their prices etc. Anyway, I got my photo so I was cool.

After Target we headed down the interstate to Trader Joe's. We got all our regular stuff and then headed home. Billy needed to take a nap so I just edited some photos while he napped. Then we headed into Mooresville to pick me up some Torani Sugar Free syrups for my coffee. I got 2 bottles of the Salted Caramel, my favourite at the moment and I finally got the Sugar free chocolate, they are usually out of stock.

Then we hit Walmart for a couple of things then headed home to make dinner. I had promised Billy I would make breakfast for dinner. I made center cut bacon, liver mush, eggs, & hash browns. SO GOOD! Mine was 16 points.

Then I made PANCAKES!! With Ms Butterworths syrup and whipped butter. My serve 15 points.

Later on I also had a tiny bowl of Mint choc chip ice cream - 3 points.

It was a big points day. 47 points used in total. 29 dailies and 18 weeklies. I am going to try not to use any more weeklies this week and see how that goes with my weigh-in next week.

Last 2 Weigh-ins

2012-01-17T10:43:00.000-05:00

So I forgot to post last weeks weigh-in so here is last weeks and todays:

Down 2lb then up 0.2lb. I am so sick of this yo-yo weight crap! I was so hoping I would get under 150lb this week. My weight here at home has been showing a steady decline all week then this morning I was up a pound. WTH! I have been 100% on plan! I didn't use even half of my weeklies and I have been within my points every day.

It's really starting to piss me off. I am so close to goal but I can't seem to budge any more.

I talked to my leader about it and she seems to think I am doing everything right, food wise, which I know but I really need to amp up the activity. So I am going to try really hard to get to the Y at least 3 times this week. Let's hope I can do it.

Weigh-in 03/01

2012-01-03T23:28:00.000-05:00

That's what 2 weeks of being off plan does. I went right off the rails these past couple of weeks. Christmas and New Year just had me eating like a crazy woman. Plus it was TOM during the whole shebang so that didn't help at all!

I have to say though, 2lb is waaaay better than I expected. I was thinking the damage was going to be way worse. Thank god!

Now it's back on track and kicking butt! It's 1 year since I joined and although I would have loved to still have that 50lb amount at the 1 year mark I am pretty darn close.

Going to bed early tonight so I can hit the gym in the morning.

Ending on a high note

2011-12-27T08:45:00.000-05:00

So right now I should be heading to my Weight Watchers meeting. But I'm not. Now I am the first person to tell people not to skip meetings but this time I have a good reason. Well a couple actually. The first one is there is a thunderstorm out there and it's pouring with rain and kind of dangerous to drive in. Secondly I woke up feeling like absolute crud. But the main reason is that I know I have gained. Now normally a gain wouldn't stop me from going. BUT this is the last weigh in for the year and I really don't want to end this year with a + sign in my weight tracker. Also I would like to keep that 50lb, at least for 2011.

So I'm not going. No I am not giving up or quitting. I am on track as always and focused on the plan. I just wanted a break this week. I wanted to end the year on a high note.

Next week I will begin the year with a - sign!

Food Diary 21/12

2011-12-21T22:59:00.000-05:00

Daily points allowance - 26 points

Breakfast:

7 almonds (pre-workout snack) - 1 point

1 serve TJ's Steel cut oats - 4 points

1 banana - 0 points

10g walnuts - 2 points

1/4 cup soy milk - 1 point

Iced soy latte - 2 points

Total - 10 points

Lunch:

25g Edamame - 1 point

55g smoked ham - 1 point

1 x string cheese - 2 points

2 tbs Thai Peanut dressing - 1 point

30g avocado - 1 point

salad veggie - 0 points

Total - 6 points

Dinner:

62g chicken breast (cooked) - 2 points

2 tsp canola oil - 2 points

70g potato (cooked) - 2 points

butternut squash - 0 points

mushrooms - 0 points

Total - 6 points

Snacks:

Pineapple & grapes - 0 points

Chai tea made with 1 cup soy milk - 2 point

2 x Biscoff cookies - 2 points

1 x Honeycrisp apple - 0 points

Exercise:

15 minutes - Exercise bike

10 minutes - treadmill

5 minutes - Elliptical machine

30 minutes total. 3 activity points earned

Nutrition:

Dairy – 3 serves approx

Oils – 2 serves

Liquid – 16oz water, 12 oz Sprite Zero, 16oz soy milk

Fruit – Approx 6 serves

Vegies - Too many to count!

TOTAL = 26 points used

49 weekly remaining

3 activity points earned

Thoughts:

I cannot believe that I haven't used ANY weekly points yet! Tuesday's are usually my blow out day but I really wanted to be good this week, with Christmas and all. Plus I went to the gym today! Woooooo go me! I really have to get on the elliptical first though! Going on it after the bike is a big mistake! My legs were jelly!

Here's to a great week people! Only 10.6lb to goal! That's 4.8kg!

Food Diary 20/12

2011-12-21T00:19:00.000-05:00

Daily points allowance - 26 points

Breakfast:

1 x Weight Watchers snack bar - 3 points

1 x Starbucks Skinny pumpkin spice latte - 3 points

Total - 6 points

Lunch:

1 x whole wheat bagel thin - 3 points

1 tbs TJ's Roasted Garlic Hummus - 1 point

17g avocado - 1 point

1 slice sharp cheddar - 2 points

53g shaved smoked ham - 1 point

cucumber, arugula, tomato, banana peppers - 0 points

Total - 8 points

Dinner:

100g salmon (weighed raw) - 3 points

1/4 cup cooked brown rice - 1 point

2 tsp canola oil - 2 points

balsamic roasted brussel sprouts and butternut squash - 0 points

steamed broccoli - 0 points

Total - 6 points

Snacks:

3 Musketeers Truffle bar - 4 points

1/3 serving Cape Cod chips - 1 point

2 Trader Joe's Eggnog Almonds -1 point

pineapple & grapes - 0 points

Exercise:

TOTAL = 26 points used

49 weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

Going to the gym tomorrow! No excuses. I have taken some sleep aids so I can get to bed early and getting up early!

Wardrobe share #3

2011-12-20T20:05:00.000-05:00

So since the first day I started shopping at Kohls for my Thanksgiving outfit I have been eyeing off a couple of pieces from the Lauren Conrad collection. It's just so pretty and girly. Totally my style! Anyway there was a pink blazer that I had tried on and loved but it just wasn't practical. Also it was $70. Well when we signed up for the Kohls card they sent us a bunch of % off coupons and one of them was for 30% off. Plus we also got a $10 off coupon too. I put them aside just in case I found something I liked. Well the other day the blazer went on sale for $28. With the $10 & 30% off coupons it went down to like $12. A $70 blazer for $12... NICE!

Funny thing is when I tried on and showed Billy he said "Buy it!" before he even knew the price! He loves it!

THEN when I got the boots mum sent the money for at DSW I joined their rewards program and just with that purchase I earned a $10 gift certificate. Then I get an email from the saying they were also giving $5 off and FREE shipping for a short time. I had been eyeing off these boots which were $49.95 (They are now $59.95 which is strange) so with the $15 in gift certificates and free shipping I got them for $35! And I love them!!!

Funny thing is I think they were priced wrong online because I went into the store to try them on so I could order the correct size and in store they were $59.95 so I told Billy I would totally get them from the website because they were $10 cheaper on there. But now they are $59.95 online. So I scored even more!

And here I am with my new blazer and new boots!

Weigh-in 20/12

2011-12-20T11:11:00.000-05:00

Wow! I was actually surprised I lost this week, I was pretty convinced I would maintain or maybe gain a small amount. These scales at home are really weird. But hey I'll take it!

I really need to get my butt into gear and get to the YMCA more. I want to hit goal soon!!! I need to get free membership so we can save some money.

Last 2 Weigh-ins

2011-12-13T10:49:00.000-05:00

What a naughty girl I have been! I didn't even post about last weeks weigh in! Tsk tsk! Well here it is in all it's naughtiness:

Funny thing is I was expecting more than that. I was kind of naughty. But obviously not too naughty.

This week I was REALLY expecting a big gain. It was TOM plus I had a couple of non tracking blow out days. Especially Thursday night at Bunco! The food was sooooo naughty but sooooo good and there was a delicious birthday cake too for one of our friends. Of course I had some!

But as you can see below I was able to correct it!

I also was given a really good reminder of perspective today. We were talking about our favourite fast food pre- Weight Watchers and I was saying how I LOVE Cookout burgers and shakes and I was saying how I hadn't been there in like a year. And one of the ladies looked at me and said "Yes but look at the jeans you are wearing!" I was wearing my size 11 Juniors skinny jeans. I had to hand it to her. She was so right!

Now this week I am going to force myself to the gym at least 3 times, if not more.

Food Diary 11/12

2011-12-12T16:52:00.001-05:00

Daily points allowance - 26 points

Breakfast:

2 x slices Trader Joe's 7 Grain bread - 2 points

2 tbs Better'n Peanut Butter - 2 points

Soy milk iced coffee - 2 points

10g honey - 1 point

1 x banana - 0 points

Total - 7 points

Lunch:

3 tbs Light Ranch dressing - 3 points

28g 2% sharp cheddar - 2 points

15g bacon bits - 1 point

salad vegies - 0 points

Total - 6 points

Dinner:

Slow cooked beef & tomatoes - 4 points

60g sweet potatoes - 1 point

80g potato - 2 points

2 tsp canola oil - 2 points

Total - 9 points

Snacks:

1 x TJ's Dark chocolate sea salt caramel - 2 points

Exercise:

TOTAL = 24 points used

# weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

Nothing really to talk about. Just hoping the gain this week isn't too big.

Food Diary 10/12

2011-12-10T23:03:00.000-05:00

Daily points allowance - 26 points

Breakfast:

Trader Joe's steel cut oatmeal - 4 points

10g honey - 1 point

1 banana - 0 points

1/2 cup Trader Joe's Soy milk - 1 point

Iced coffee made with 1 cup spy milk - 2 points

Total - 8 points

Lunch:

2 x Morning Star Maple sausage patties - 4 points

3/4 cup quick eggs (white only) - 2 points

1 teaspoon canola oil - 1 point

1/2 kiwi fruit - 0 points

Total - 7 points

Dinner:

120g chicken breast - 3 points

2 teaspoons canola oil - 2 points

butternut squash - 0 points

broccoli - 0 points

mushrooms - 0 points

Total - 5 points

Snacks:

1 x orange - 0 points

Swiss Miss Diet hot chocolate - 1 point

24g Cool Whip Fat Free - 1 point

Total - 2 points

Exercise:

TOTAL = 22 out of 26 Points used

# weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

This week has been SHOCKING! It was TOM and I had Bunco and the food at Bunco is always really naughty! Plus we had birthday cake too so that was even worse. I didn't track for a couple of days and the scales here at home are not showing a happy number.

Not really sure what's up with me lately. I have been slipping a lot and it's not good. I don't know if it's because I hit a HUGE milestone and now am kind of a bit big headed about it. I really don't know what it is, but I have to get my head back in the game.

I haven't been sleeping well either. I have no idea why. I wake up really early in the morning (well early for me) after only about 6 hours sleep and I cannot get back to sleep. So I just get up. But then I am so tired all day and all I want to do is eat. It sucks!

Anyway hopefully this shall pass.

Obsessed with fashion!

2011-12-07T22:33:00.001-05:00

Ever since I got to a size US 10 (Australian 12-14) I have really been a lot more conscious of clothes and fashion. There were so many looks and trends I had always wanted to try but was either not confident enough or really couldn't due to my size. I am now a US 8 (Australian 10-12).

I also thought for a short time that maybe I was getting too old to be fashionable. I will be turning 36 next year and I was starting to convince myself I was too old to care. But then I think about my sister who is 40 and rocks the fashion world! Also you look at some of the 50+ year old starlets out there and they are still looking fantastic in their skinny jeans.

So I have become OBSESSED with clothes and shoes now. But it's actually getting a little depressing. I want to keep buying stuff. But of course we can't afford for me to continue buying new clothes. Pinterest isn't helping things. I keep finding cute looks and items I want.

I really need to get my butt into gear and find a way to make some moula!!

A couple of things that I am really loving at the moment:

Skinny Jeans. I never in my wildest dreams ever thought I would ever be able to wear them. And now I wear them almost every day! I need more pairs of them! I honestly don't think I will ever wear anything other than skinny jeans now!

Riding boots. Something that goes really well with the skinny jeans. I used to have trouble getting boots to fit over my calves. But now! Oh the choices are endless! I am loving boots!

Layers. Winter is so great because it allows for layers and then you can take them off when you get inside. I am loving be able to wear my trench coat that I bought in Australia and never gotten to wear until now! So happy!

I pretty much dress up anytime we leave the house now, which makes me feel much more confident in myself, but it does make me realise I need/want more clothes!

Food Diary 02/12

2011-12-03T01:54:00.001-05:00

Don't have a heart attack people! But yes it's a food diary! Shock! Horror!

A couple of things before I begin though. Weight Watchers just launched their changes to their plan this morning and one of the changes is that the minimum daily points allowance went down from 29 points to 26 points. And guess who is one of the lucky people affected by this? ME! Oh I am so happy to be losing 3 WHOLE POINTS! That's 1 English muffin, or a bagel thin, or 3 tablespoons of light ranch dressing. Sucks.

BUT I actually think it might be a good thing in the long run. We shall see. I managed to stick to 26 points today so it might be doable.

Daily points allowance - 26 points

Breakfast:

1 serve Trader Joe's steel cut oats (frozen) - 4 points

1/2 cup Trader Joe's Soy milk - 1 point

1 x banana - 0 points

1 pack Splenda - 0 points

Iced coffee made with:

1 cup TJ's soy milk - 2 points

instant coffee mixed with 1/4 cup cold water - 0 points

2 tbs Torani Sugarfree Salted Caramel syrup - 0 points

Total points - 7 points

Lunch:

Billy & I weren't feeling great today and we had to do some shopping so when we got home I was hungry but had no energy to make anything really complicated so I had this:

1 x bagel thin - 3 points

1 slice sharp cheddar - 2 points

1 tbs sweet relish - 0 points

Total - 5 points

Dinner:

I was starving by dinner time and I had made the boys tuna pasta which I don't like so I made my own pasta dish. I took some lean ground beef and cooked it in a frying pan, then put it aside. Added chopped onions to the pan and fried them for a couple of minutes. Then added chopped up mushrooms, zucchini and yellow squash with 2 teaspoons of oil, minced garlic & TJ's 21 Seasoning. Fried them for a while until they stared getting brown, then added the beef back and a can of stewed tomatoes and a little tomato paste. Served with whole grain penna pasta. YUM!

50g 95% lean ground beef (weighed when cooked) - 2 points

56g uncooked penne - 5 points

vegies - 0 points

2 tsp canola oil - 2 points

Total - 9 points

Snacks:

1 x Tall Starbucks nonfat no whip Pumpkin Spice latte - 3 points (had I known it was the same points as a grande I would have gotten the bigger size!)

1 x honeycrisp apple - 0 points

1 x orange - 0 points

Exercise:

TOTAL = 26 points used

# weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

I had planned on going to the gym this morning, but when I woke up sick I had to pass. I don't think I will go tomorrow either. Will leave it till next week, hopefully I'll be better by then.

Today I managed on 26 points, but I was also not feeling great. We shall see how it goes on a normal day.

How exciting!

2011-11-30T20:47:00.002-05:00

So I got a message on YouTube a few months ago regarding the video I made about Billy & me and how me met etc. It was a lady from That's Life magazine in Australia and they were interested in printing our story.

I replied to her and told her I would love that. Well I never heard back so I kind of forgot about it. Well last week I got an email from their photo editor asking for photos of us from the years for an article they are doing about us. I was like WOAH! Then I got an email from the journalist asking if she could call me and interview me for the story. I was like SURE!

So I just got off the phone (1.5 hour call) to her and even she was ooohhing and ahhing over our story! It was so much fun!

They are saying it will appear in the issue that will come out on 25th December. Sooo exciting!

Dinner Date

2011-11-30T10:32:00.000-05:00

We had already planned on going out to dinner at Tsunami's last night but then it turned into a celebration dinner as well as a date night! Hitting my 50lb loss kept me in high spirits all day!

I took my time and made my hair all pretty with my curling wand, sadly no photos though as it was dark by the time I was ready (darn winter!) so Billy couldn't get a good photo inside. But trust me when I say it looked awesome!

I also got to wear my new black boots. They are these ones from Kohls:

With my skinny jeans of course! Billy kept telling me how good I looked and he made me feel so good!

I got my favourite sushi from there, Dragon roll -crab, avocado, topped w/ baked eel. SO YUMMY!

Then we went on a mission to find my favourite diet soda. Diet Sierra Mist Cranberry Splash:

Excuse the crap photo, taken with my phone in October when I first found it this year.

Anyway last night we went to 3 Target's, a Walmart and a Food Lion looking for it and all the Target's were sold out, the Walmart & Food Lion didn't even stock it.

We went to Target because they were on Sale for $3 a 12 pack, which is a good price. Annoyed they were all sold out. GRRRRR!!

Apart from that though we had a great night and it was fun driving all over the place!

Weigh-in 29/11

2011-11-29T14:16:00.001-05:00

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

I did it! Right on the dot! I couldn't believe it! Well I kind of knew it was going to be close. My scales at home were reflecting a 3.4lb loss and they are usually pretty accurate. It's funny because when Sharon (the receptionist at my meeting) was writing down my weight (we can't see the scale readout) I thought for a minute I hadn't reached it because it looked like she wrote 151.8, but her 0's look like 8's! lol!

I yelled out WOOOHOOO! And everyone in my meeting wanted to know what happened and when I told them they all cheered for me! I was wonderful! I got my 50lb charm for my keyring and another magnet.

This is a huge milestone. I was hoping I would hit it before Christmas and I did it way ahead of time!

I will post a photo of my charm a little later. Billy is taking me out to Tsunami's for sushi tonight! So excited!

So as you can imagine I am in an EXCELLENT mood today!

Wardrobe Share #2

2011-11-27T19:40:00.000-05:00

I haven't done one of these as I haven't really had anything new to share. However this week I got a couple of new items.

First of all, many of my friends will know I had a rather interesting time trying to find something to wear on Thanksgiving. I finally found something and I love it! It was also perfect for Thursday's weather. It wasn't too hot or too cold.

We went to Kohls and got a store card from there, specifically so I could get some nice clothes. We made a deal that it can only have $100 on it at one time and must be paid off before anything else gets put on it. For my Aussie friends Kohls is a little less fancier than Myer but fancier than Target. They have some really nice stuff and good deals.

I had an idea in my head of what I wanted. First I wanted a good pair of skinny jeans. I tried on nearly every pair in that store and finally found a pair from Apt 9. They are a bit long as I couldn't find my size in a short length. US size 8, Australian size 10-12. Those I got on the first day. It took me a couple more days to find the top. We had to go to another Kohls to find it but luckily it was the first thing I saw and tried on. Billy loved it and told me I had to get it. Cool thing is it was in the Juniors section! Link here

I wore them with my new boots of course:

Friday we went to Trader Joe's, we didn't go on Tuesday due to Thanksgiving etc. On the way we stopped into Target around 1pm thinking the Black Friday craziness would have subsided. It was still pretty busy inside but nothing crazy. We did a quick scan through the clothes and I happened upon a faux leather bomber jacket I had been eyeing off for a couple of weeks. For $15!!!!! Normally $35. SCORE!

So I got it and wore it out yesterday when we went to the Holiday Farmers Market and grocery shopping.

It's my favourite piece of clothing right now! I love it!

I love my leader!

2011-11-23T14:25:00.001-05:00

I got this card in the mail the other day from my leader. She knew I had a bad week last week and this just made my day!

It's great having a leader like this!

Weigh-in 22/11

2011-11-22T11:09:00.000-05:00

Wooohooo! I would have liked to have lost all of the 3lb I gained last week but I will take it! Funny I was heavier this morning (on my home scales) than yesterday so I was kind of bummed. But the scales are going back down so all is good.

I would love to hit my 50lb loss by Christmas! That would be awesome!!

BOO!

2011-11-21T21:34:00.000-05:00

Haha!

I am still alive. Just extremely slack at blogging.

Everything is good. Been on track all week and even went to the gym once! Lol!

Weigh-in tomorrow which should be a good one. I am hoping I at least lose that 3lb gain from last week. Here's hoping!

Thanksgiving this week. I don't plan on counting points all day BUT I won't be using any weekly points on any other day and being 100% on plan for the rest of the week. Thanksgiving only comes once a year and if I have a small gain because of it, the world isn't going to end.

Weigh-in 15/11

2011-11-15T10:49:00.001-05:00

Yep. There it is.

A Reminder

2011-11-14T23:31:00.001-05:00

So I have been feeling a bit down the past few days. Well a lot down really. Feeling really pressured with the whole weight loss thing. Almost suffocating. I kind of went a little crazy with food since Friday and I am pretty sure I have gained a few pounds.

I have had that time of the month and just been exhausted. Physically and emotionally. Everything at home is fine. I just thing that constant pressure of watching what I eat etc has taken it's toll. I mean I have been doing this non-stop for almost a year. I think this was bound to happen.

I posted on the WW message boards and of course my awesome peeps on there helped me see the light and one of them suggested I write a list of all the good things I have accomplished to help me get back on track. So here goes.

1. I have lost, in total, 57lb. That's HUGE!
2. I fit into almost all my skinny clothes.
3. I fit into a pair of SKINNY JEANS!
4. My husband can't keep his hands off me. I mean he never had a problem before, but now he is like a crazy man! Which is great!
5. I feel better. I haven't had heartburn in months. I haven't gotten sick in months. No migraines.
6. I look good.
7. I can buy clothes from the juniors section.
8. I can do up knee high boots and have room for jeans to tuck into them.
9. Tying up my shoes doesn't hurt my stomach anymore.
10. I get checked out ALL the time!

That really did help! I am hoping I get to go to my meeting in the morning. I know there will be a gain. But I can deal with it. That number doesn't define me. It doesn't undo all that I have done in 11 months. It's just a tiny pebble on this long road. And pebbles can be picked up and thrown away.

Bad week

2011-11-14T20:44:00.000-05:00

This week started off really well. My scales here at home were showing I was going to have another loss. But then mother nature showed up and just blew up in my face.

Every month it's getting worse. The pain, the mood swings, the lethargy etc. I seriously felt like crap from Thursday and I still do, now Monday night. I have been exhausted all day. I haven't had the energy to cook good, healthy meals. I have been eating absolute crap and a lot of it.

The scales are up here at home by about 5lbs. It's disgusting. I am so angry at myself.

I have my Weight Watchers meeting in the morning and I am so tempted not to go. I also might not even be able to go as Billy is working tonight and their holiday schedule starts this week which means much longer nights for them.

In a way I am hoping I can't go. But I also am the first to tell people not to skip a meeting just because they have a bad week.

I am so torn. This is one of the worst stumbles I have had in the past 11 months on program. I feel physically ill from all the crap I have eaten plus the guilt from doing it.

Other things have also happened, like having to spend a bunch of money we didn't have to spare on the car and other crap that just seemed to pile up on me.

Thank god for Billy. He is so supportive and I am so lucky I have him.

Anyway. I just hope I can get out of this rut and get back on the wagon.

Don't expect

2011-11-11T15:49:00.000-05:00

A food diary today!

I am going out to a friends tonight for a great night of food, drinks and great fun so I won't be tracking today. It's also TOM so I am already Bloaty McBloaterson.

I will be 100% back on plan tomorrow so don't worry :D

Food Diary 10/11

2011-11-11T01:09:00.000-05:00

Daily points allowance - 29 points

Breakfast:

2 x Boiled eggs - 4 points

coffee with 1/4 cup skim milk & 2 tbs pumpkin spice creamer - 3 points

1 x banana - 0 points

Total - 7 points

Lunch:

1 x TJ's pita - 3 points

1 slice sharp cheddar - 2 points

sweet relish - 0 points

55g smoked ham - 1 point

Total - 6 points

Dinner:

1 serve slow cooker beef & vegies - 7 points

1/2 cup brown rice - 3 points

Total - 10 points

Snacks:

1 x TJ's Dark Choc sea salt caramel - 2 points

1 x TJ's plain greek yogurt - 2 points

10g honey - 1 point

1 honey crisp apple - 0 points

Exercise:

TOTAL = 28 points used

35 weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

Nothing really to say about today's food. All good.

Facebook

2011-11-10T23:12:00.000-05:00

If you have come on here because you have found yourself suddenly removed from my Facebook, I am sorry but I have removed a bunch of people due to the actions of a few or one.

I was informed that someone(s) was basically making up shit and telling people I was posting stuff about them on my Facebook. Which was a complete lie.

So I removed anyone I thought could possibly be these backstabbing twofaced liars. If you are not the guilty party then I am sorry. The informer did not identify the troublemakers, which I knew she wouldn't. Because they are obviously her friends. Nice friends you have there.

I am so sick of this BS. This is why I removed these people from my life to begin with. I was sick of their high school BS. I was sick of hearing things they were saying to me. And I actually had reliable sources. Like their children for a start.

Anyway I never did anything to these people except remove them from my life. That is all I did. I didn't want to associate with the type of people who lied to my face repeatedly. Who would back stab me then be nice as pie to my face. Sorry, not interested.

But of course they FLIPPED out because I removed them, even though they never really liked me in the first place, explain that! They are the ones who have called me names, make hateful facebook profiles about me. Called me trash on FB, threatened me with physical harm.

Yet I didn't do anything to them.

So again. If you aren't guilty of any of this. I am sorry but I am so over this BS and not knowing who I can trust I have to do what I have to do.

Never gunna give you up!

2011-11-10T14:25:00.001-05:00

When people want to lose weight, a lot the time they think they have to give up all the foods they love.

This is so not true. I haven't given up many things. We do eat out a lot less but I still enjoy food I ate before Weight Watchers.

Here are some foods that I would never give up.

Bacon.
I LOVE bacon and I doubt I could ever give it up. Now I buy center cut bacon because it's lower in calories than regular bacon. I also cut down on the amount I have. You don't really need a lot of bacon to enjoy it. I find just 2-3 rashers satisfy me.

Chocolate.
Oh man! Chocolate is like the best thing ever invented. Seriously. I can't believe there are people in the world who don't like it! Crazy! For the longest time I only ever ate milk or white chocolate, thinking dark chocolate was too bitter. Now I prefer dark chocolate. But it has to be good quality. And if you have good quality, you don't need a lot to enjoy it. My favourite combination is dark chocolate with sea salt and caramel. The chocolates pictured above are from Trader Joe's and they only have them around the holiday season. They are SO GOOD!

Wine.
I have never been a big drinker, yet occasionally I enjoy a nice glass of wine. Maybe once or twice a month I will plan to have one after dinner with the hubby while we watch a movie or something. It's always a nice treat.

Cheese.
OMG! Cheese is one of my red light foods if I allow it to be. BUT I have found I am able to control myself when I have really good quality cheese. I have found a delicious cheese at Trader Joe's:

It is from France and it's the best cheese I have ever eaten! And I only need a very small amount as it is quite rich and creamy! YUM!

I am sure there are more foods that I could list but those are the ones I can think of at the moment.

**Photos taken from Flickr are all Creative Commons Licensed**

Scarf Storage!

2011-11-09T23:36:00.000-05:00

So I was standing in our closet thinking of how crowded and cluttered it was. My eye caught my many scarves that I had stored in plastic shoe boxes. They took up quite a bit of the shelf on the top of our robe and I really thought there must be a better way to store them that uses less room.

So I hit up Pinterest and found so many good ideas. Then one just jumped out at me because a) it looked so simple and b) I had the materials required for it.

Basically all I needed was a wooden coat hanger and some shower curtain rings.

Then you just feed the scarves through the rings like this:

Then hang it in the closet. BRILLIANT!

Food Diary 09/11

2011-11-09T23:18:00.000-05:00

Daily points allowance - 29 points

Breakfast:

1 serve TJ's Steel Cut oatmeal - 4 points

1 tbs TJ's Pumpkin Butter - 1 point

10g sliced almonds - 2 points

1/4 cup soy milk - 1 point

1 x Iced pumpkin spice soy latte - 2 points

Total - 10 points

Lunch:

1 x boiled egg - 2 points

1 whole wheat pita - 3 points

1 tbs roasted garlic hummus - 1 point

1 slice sharp cheddar - 2 points

salad - 0 points

Total - 8 points

Dinner:

1 serve Spaghetti sauce (homemade) - 5 points

100g cooked pasta - 4 points

5g parmesan cheese - 0 points

Total - 9 points

Snacks:

grapes - 0 points

28g popped chips - 3 points

no photo

Exercise:

TOTAL = 30 points used

34 weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

I didn't really intend on going over my points today, but it was only by 1 point. I don't normally use so many points for dinner but I really wanted spaghetti today! And it was YUMMY!

Christmas Cards

2011-11-09T19:19:00.001-05:00

Every darn year since I got interested in Scrapbooking I have told myself that I would make Christmas cards for everyone and send them out.

Well I am yet to do it! Lol!

But I really would like to finally do it this year. I am sick of starting things and not finishing them. I finally joined Weight Watchers and stuck with it. I think I can make a few damn cards!

So watch this space as I will post updates about them!

Oh and I have also made like 3 new layouts for my mother-in-laws album that I promised her years ago!

Forgiveness

2011-11-09T15:43:00.000-05:00

I have had some pretty nasty stuff done to me over the years by people. I won't go into detail, but some of the things have shocked people when I have told them.

People have told me over and over that I need to forgive these people and move on. And I have always had trouble with it as I didn't feel those people deserved my forgiveness and that I felt that it made what they did to me ok.

Man was I wrong.

I had an amazing, life changing epiphany last night while watching Dexter of all things.

Dexter had made friends with an ex-con turned priest, Brother Sam. When Brother Sam is shot by someone he trusted Dexter wanted revenge. But Brother Sam tells Dexter that he forgives the man who shot him, but Dexter cannot. What Brother Sam says to him in that moment gave me chills and brought me to tears.

Forgiveness isn't about the other person. It's about yourself. It's about letting go of the darkness of what they have done to you. It doesn't mean you have to accept what they did or accept them back with open arms. It means healing yourself.

I don't have to be friends with these people. I don't have to ever trust them again. I don't even have to speak to them ever again.

But I can forgive them.

Food Diary 08/11

2011-11-09T15:25:00.000-05:00

Daily points allowance - 29 points

Breakfast:

1 x WW Cinnamon crumb bar - 3 points

16oz water - 0 points

Eaten at WW meeting

Lunch:

1 x Starbucks Pumpkin Spice latte grande - 10 points

1 x Starbucks Bacon, egg & Gouda sandwich - 10 points

Total 20 points

Dinner:

6 slices TJ's center cut bacon - 5 points

1 x TJ's hash brown - 4 points

1 x eggs - 4 points

grilled tomatoes & mushrooms - 0 points

Total - 13 points

Snacks:

1 x TJ's crumpet - 3 points

6g whipped butter - 1 point

10g honey - 1 point

Total - 5 points

1 x TJ's Dark Choc sea salt caramel - 2 points

Exercise:

TOTAL = 43 points used

35 weekly remaining

0 activity points earned

Thoughts:

Tuesday is always my "weekly points" day. We were going to get take-away last night but after looking at the money situation, we decided not to and that I would make breakfast for dinner instead. We had everything in the house except the hash browns, which we got at TJ's.

It was YUM! And even after a high point day, the scales at home were down again this morning! I won't be using any more weekly points for the rest of the week.

Weigh-in 08/11

2011-11-08T10:58:00.000-05:00

Another 1.2lb loss! That's 3 in a row! Lol! Hey I will take it! Also I reached another goal today. I am now out of the 70kg range, I am now 69.8kg! Wooohoo!

I also set my goal weight with my leader 140lb (63.6kg). I may want to go lower once I get there but we will see.

My leader also told me about a seminar they are having for those who are interested in working for WW so I am going to try to go to that.

I am feeling GREAT! Hope everyone else is having a wonderful day!

Heaven... in my mouth!

2011-11-07T23:03:00.000-05:00

We were doing our usual Trader Joe's shop last week and started noticing all the scrummy sounding Christmas candy they had started putting out. These in particular caught my eye. A TJ's staff member happened to notice me drooling all over the place and came over to us and opened a box right there so we could try one.

OH MY GOD! I died. They are SO GOOD! Seriously the BEST dark chocolate, sea salt & caramel I have EVER had. HANDS DOWN!

So this box we bought has been sitting in the fridge all week and I had completely forgotten about it!

Until tonight when I had 8 points left and wanted something decadent. So I had 1. Only 2 points each. Not bad considering how good they are.

YUM!

Food Diary 07/11

2011-11-07T19:47:00.000-05:00

Daily points allowance - 29 points

Breakfast:

2 x Boiled eggs - 4 points

1 x Iced Latte (Soy milk) - 2 points

1 x banana - 0 points

Total - 6 points

Lunch:

1 can UK Baked Beans - 6 points

Dinner:

95g chicken breast (marinated in TJ's Teriyaki Marinade) - 3 points

1 tsp canola oil - 1 point

1 serve Harvest Grain Salad - 3 points

salad - 0 points

Total - 7 points

Snacks:

15g almonds - 2 points

Exercise:

TOTAL = 21 out of 28 points used

# weekly remaining

# activity points earned

Thoughts:

I was all ready to go work out at the Y today but the cheap crappy shoes we bought for me ages ago are just not going to cut it. My feet hurt after wearing them for 5 minutes. So I am going to have to put off going until I can get some gym shoes. Major suckage!!!!

Weigh in tomorrow and I am expecting a loss!

Wardrobe Share #1

2011-11-05T20:02:00.000-04:00

Since I am fitting into all my nice clothes now I have decided I will share photos of me all dressed up each week.

This week my wonderful mother sent me some money as a reward for my fantastic weight loss so I could buy a nice pair of boots.

So Billy took me to DSW and I found these GORGEOUS leather Ralph Lauren boots:

I really need some skinny jeans to wear them with but we have to wait. But I decided to play around with my straight leg jeans just to see what they looked like. Here is a crappy cell phone photo:

Thursday night I had Bunco with an awesome group of ladies that I am lucky to call my friends and decided to wear a top that I bought back in Australia and I have loved it so much but never fit into it. Well now it fits perfectly.

Today we had to do some shopping and I had woken up pretty early so I thought I would dress up nice and wear my boots out, even if I didn't have the right jeans to wear with them. Here is another top I fit into that I had never worn before.

While we were out Billy told me I could buy the skinny jeans I had tried on the other day. But sadly the size I needed was gone. So tomorrow we are going to another store to see if they have them. Fingers crossed!

He is so awesome! I love him so much! I think he is enjoying this new me just as much as I am. I am so much more confident. And I love dressing up now. I used to hate it because I always felt so ugly. Now I feel so pretty all the time!

Perfect

2011-11-04T21:32:00.000-04:00

Arrgghh!

2011-11-03T01:01:00.000-04:00

I know I haven't been posting food diaries! I am sorry! The past 2 nights our internet has been down all night so I haven't been able to even upload the photos and now I am so far behind it's like, can I be bothered.

I would do today's but I have an early appointment at the YMCA in the morning so I have to go to bed now.

But I promise I will TRY to post them tomorrow.

Weigh-in 01/11

2011-11-02T22:46:00.001-04:00

Another 1.2lb gone! Wooohoooo! Getting close to that 50lb mark! Also in kilograms I am almost in the 60's! Only 0.5kg away!

I am joining the YMCA tomorrow so hopefully my weight loss will pick up a bit more once I start really exercising. Going to check out their exercise classes and see if I can do some Zumba!