Needed Support

I have great friends. My wonderful roommate told me that, if I can lose weight in a week and not use ALL of my bonus points in a given week, I would get a little "surprise." I knocked 1.8 lbs off this week and only used 18 points, so Katie, true to her word, got me a little present :) I got Spartan green nail polish (for the toes- come on, I can't stop biting my nails!) and a "bi-racial" bus of animal crackers (chocolate and vanilla!). The crackers, which were really cookies (it's ok, Katie!) now belong to a co-worker-- but I kept the bus.

The best part of the gift was the card- she turned a 2 year old's birthday card into a weight loss card! I tried scanning it, but the scanner here sucks... I'll try again later. Anyway, I've shown it to everyone I can think of at work. It's sitting on my computer, next to my snack drawer (as a reminder to behave as I munch). She even changed the words *in* the card: "Elmo hopes your --day's fun/But he is not the only one/'Cause everyone is wishing you/a happy time now that you're TWO (pounds lighter!)! Happy 2--day!

She even drew a note by Elmo's pet fish, saying that even Elmo likes fish (I tried tilapia for the first time this week- and actually liked it. AND, I tried sea bass (?) which, meh, not as good).

I needed that little "atta girl"!

Toothless wonder

OW. I had a crown placed on a tooth on Monday and proceeded to swell up like a balloon. Thankfully, I badgered Jonah into stopping and picking me up some soup -- and some mac and cheese. I couldn't chew, and all I wanted was soft stuff! He grabbed me Progresso 1 point soup AND the 2% milk mac and cheese. He didn't want to "offend" me by buying the diet stuff, but he knows that I'm trying to be better... those were good choices, especially since I ate the entire box of mac and cheese AND had a can of soup.

Even with the mouth issue, making it through a debate tournament with really good/ not good for you foods, and Dana's awesome graduation party food... I dropped 1.8 lbs :) A little over 3 lbs down-- I can TOTALLY do this. Assuming I can get my ass back to the gym...

Just Keep Swimming

I know I could have done better this past week. I used all of my bonus points, I only made it to the gym twice, but I *could* have done worse. I gained .4 of a pound (as Joe once said, "that's like forgetting to pee before you weigh in"). It threw me off my game a little bit, but since I thought I gained 3 lbs per the doctor's office scale... Our "class mascot" for our Weight Watchers  class is Dory from Finding Nemo. Just like Dory, we all need to "keep swimming" even with minor setbacks. My class leader made a comment that stuck with me (and hopefully will for the week)-- "Progress, not perfection." It makes sense. I made PROGRESS this week and, while striving for perfection is good and all, its the progress that counts.

I'm committing to these 2 goals- I'm going to the gym at least 3x before next weigh in. I will try to eat new, leaner, healthier foods and make smarter snack choices. That's all I have for this week- I just need to focus on those 2 goals..

Katie made me dinner last night and had me try tilapia- it was surprisingly good! Doesn't hurt that she's a good cook.... but it wasn't as filling as I would have liked. It kept me tide over until I got to trivia and ordered hummus and salsa with pita chips and veggies... and a small spinach dip... and regular chips (don't judge me! I had the points to use!), but I can see how pairing that with a veggie or two, even a salad would be a tasty meal. I think tilapia is going on my grocery list... what are some good thing to pair tilapia with?

I found out that this week (and next?) is the Red Lobster All-You-Can- Eat Shrimp thing. Apparently I'm going next Tuesday..? That's easy to eat healthy at-- but also very easy to eat poorly (ohhhh cheddar biscuits, how you tempt me!). But I need to be mentally prepared. I liked getting a 6 day notice of my dining plans, though :)

Struggles continue

I'm really struggling today. Ive plowed through all but 3 of my points, and it's only 2:30. I think it's boredom catching up with me- as I read and/or edit at work, I tend to snack. This wouldn't be too much of a problem if I didn't already use ALL of my bonus points this weekend (by accident!). Ugh. On the plus side, I have Amy coming to the gym with me tonight (earning some points! Yeah!) and we're having that awesome low-point chili for dinner. So I just have to stay clear of the snacks until the work out...

Guess it's time to make some healthy popcorn or to find a piece of gum...!

Fall Classic

The weather was a little crappy the last few days-- made me want something warm and hearty. That's the worst part of a normally wonderful season. It makes me crave thick, fatty goodness to keep me warm and able to "hibernate." So, after the cider mill with Amy, I decided to make some chili and apple crisp- *perfect* fall fare! Of course, I also made a point to work out (Wii Fit kicked my ass!) and take Daisy on 3- 20 minute walks so I can eat it all...!

Chili

2 lbs lean ground turkey (I used 93/7)
1 can kidney beans, rinsed
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 large can of diced tomatos
2 cloves garlic
1 small sweet onion
1/2 c water
chili powder and cayenne pepper to taste 
**Makes 8 servings**

Brown meat, mix in crock pot for 4-6 hours. I added 1/4 c fat free shredded cheese and 2 tbs fat free sour cream. Total = 6 points

Apple Crisp
4 large apples (I used Pink Ladies)
1/2 c flour
5 tbs and 1 tsp Splenda brown sugar
1/3 c Country Crock light spread
1/2 c Quaker Oats
1 tbs lemon juice
1 tbs cinnamon, nutmeg

Peel and slice apples into chunks. Sprinkle in a sprayed pan, sprinkle lemon juice over apples. Mix the rest into a "crumble" and sprinkle over apples. Bake at 375 for 30 minutes. Points = 4 if it serves 6, 3 if you serve 8 people (and you can use Cool Whip Free 2 tbs for no extra points!)

Chocolate craving cure...?

I had skim milk (1 c) and chocolate syrup (2 tbs = 1 point) for a GREAT 3 point chocolate snack. Guess it's better than running to DQ, which was my other idea :)

Green Goddess for the Green Goddess

I got up extra early today to make a "Green Goddess" dip and homemade pita chips that I saw in Women's Health. I needed a new snack to try on football Saturdays and, seeing that I'm a die-hard Spartan (Go Green! Go White!), Green Goddess dip seemed appropriate. It's pretty good! It tastes like a tangy chip dip. I put the recipe below. AND, one serving *includes* pita chips, veggies, and 2 tbs of dip-- for ONE POINT.

I'm watching 6 dogs today while Wendy and her daughter are attending family things- of course, I'm leaving in time for the MSU/ND Game. Go State! That should keep me nice and occupied... and moving :)

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Green Goddess Dip and Pita Chips

3 6-inch whole-wheat pitas
2 tsp canola oil
Cumin
Chili powder
Kosher salt
2 cups chopped avocado (about 2)
1 cup nonfat Greek yogurt (such as Fage) or plain nonfat yogurt
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
2/3 cup chopped fresh chives, divided
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
7 cups assorted fresh vegetables, raw or lightly steamed (e.g., beet slices, baby carrots, sliced fennel, julienned jicama, snow peas)
1 Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut each pita into 8 wedges. Brush with oil and sprinkle with ground cumin, chili powder, and kosher salt—all to taste. Bake for 8 minutes or until edges begin to brown. Turn off oven and let chips stand for 15 minutes or until crispy.
2 Meanwhile, put avocado, yogurt, lemon juice, vinegar, 1/3 cup chives, parsley, and salt to taste in a small food processor or blender and puree until creamy. Stir in most of remaining chives, reserving some to garnish dip.
3 To serve, spoon the dip into a small bowl and surround with vegetables and pita chips on a platter.
Makes 20 servings.
Per serving (2 Tbsp dip, 1/3 cup vegetables, and 1 chip): 77 cal, 3 g fat (<1 g sat), 11 g carbs, 135 mg sodium, 3 g fiber, 3 g protein. WW points = 1 point a serving

Big Apple Bitch Slap

Someone in our office brought in bagels (instead of donuts) this morning, and I, like a fool, get up to have one. Now, I know better. Bagels from places like Panera, etc are going to be 4-5 points on Weight Watchers. And that's without cream cheese. So I eat one, then look it up... Big Apple Bagels don't seem too bad. 175 calories? 1 gram fat and a gram of fiber? SWEET. That's only 3 points! Then, I read the fine print... a serving size is half of a bagel. A HALF OF A BAGEL. Who in their right mind eats a half of a bagel (unless it's that you've already had an entire bagel and are going back for just a little more)?! I feel lied to. I feel betrayed. I feel.. dirty. That's 6 points down the drain....

28.2 to go!

A small weight loss, but still a loss nonetheless! WOO!

Of course, congrats goes out to Carol, my WW partner in crime, who hit her 50 POUND mark today! GO CAROL GO!

Football Saturday!

Tailgates have always been hard for me while "dieting"- I was fortunate enough to be invited to the same tailgate for the last few years, with amazing food, but that friendship has fallen by the wayside, and now I find myself watching the MSU games with people at home/their houses. And I'm ok with this :) Last weekend, I tested out a recipe for a queso dip from Hungry Girl, and fell in love with it. With that, some baked tortilla chips, salsa, and maybe some Wendy's Chili for lunch..? I can make this semi-healthy. Plus, I think I should get activity points for all of the jumping and screaming I do while watching the game...!

I considered going to the gym this morning to work out before the game, but I walked Daisy instead (it's still exercise!) and we played fetch in the field across the street. While it wasn't as good of an exercise as I would have gotten at the Y, it was better than nothing. And, since I can't move my arms or abs today (due to the last 2 days' workouts), I figured I am entitled to a day off :)

Anyone have any football-watching treats that are healthy??

It's fun to stay at the YMCA

For as anal as I am about scheduling and being on time, I messed up yesterday. I signed up for a class at the YMCA with Andrea- originally it was Zumba, but it was shifted to "Hip Hop Aerobics" last minute. Anyway, I thought it started at 5:30. It started at 5. I showed up at 5:20 to Andrea and the instructor starting the routine. Oops! At least I got about 10 minutes of cardio- plus 25 minutes of weights- in before class was dismissed. I think I will like the class- granted, it's not Zumba, but it was fun. Hopefully more people sign up for the class, or it's going to get canceled. And Andrea is a *great* workout buddy. She's really encouraging and inspiring- hell, the woman has done 3 TRIATHLONS this year, and is going up north this weekend to do the run around Mackinaw Island. She's a workout machine!

I got home and after my nummy dinner (recipe below) and drove Katie to her personal trainer appointment. I got back and passed out on the couch, then moved upstairs. This was like 9pm. I don't know what hit me, but all I wanted to do was sleep. Of course, I woke up this morning and all I wanted to do was go *back* to bed. Thinking that the workout kicked my ass...? Any healthy ideas on how to beat fatigue, because I need to go back to the gym tonight?

Last night's dinner: 3oz chicken breast, "stuffed" with one Laughing Cow Light Swiss cheese wedge, 1 tbs reduced fat feta cheese. Sprayed the top and bottom of the stuffed chicken breast with some spray butter, added a dusting of flour to both sides and baked it at 400 degrees for about 35 minutes. I added some acorn squash (LOVE squash!) flavored with light Blue Bonnet butter and Splenda brown sugar (1 tbs of each for each side of the squash- only ate half of the squash), and added some steamed peas. Total points value for dinner: 8

30 to 30 Challenge

Left is me in Rome this May, Right is me in Jan. 2009 at start of Weight Loss Challenge @ Work