Amanda's Menu Planning Spectacular!

[DoeWDW]

No binging!!! YAY!!!! I need to join that club!! I'm gonna try to make it a "no binge, no mindless eating" kinda day! Thanks for the inspiration!

I think your food yesterday looks pretty good! You don't have to be perfect to pat yourself on the back. You just have to be making progress and it looks like you're doing just that!

Have a fabulous Wednesday, dear Amanda!

 

[septbride2002]

DH and I got a lot done last night. We both came home, ate our Mexican food and then crashed on the couch for an hour. And I mean out like a light crashed . We both woke up and decided to tackle our to do list then so that we could rest tomorrow. So we went and dropped off a check at a bank to open an account there. (anyone interested - I think the stock on satellite radio is going to continue to climb over the next year and a half until Howard Stern joins and then it is going to surge). Then we came home where DH vaccumed the whole house and cleaned up the kitchen. I proceeded to scan some pictures in the computer that I have been meaning to do and emailed them out to those that requested them. I found a years worth of bank statements to mail our mortgage broker, and I filed 3 months worth of bills, statements, etc. We just right through everything. And when it was done we watched a cartoon and went to bed. LOL!

Today we are having an appraisal done on our house for our refinance. Everyone keep your fingers crossed that we've seen a significant increase in value.

Plan for today:
B: Eggs and Sausage - 5 carbs
L: Tuna Salad - 3 carbs
D: ??? Probably chicken
S: ???

My goal is to be under 30 carbs but I must admitt the kitchen is getting very low on supplies. I'll get to go shopping Friday night though.

~Amanda

 

[luvmydogs]

Hi Amanda!

A big congratulations to you and your dh for getting so much done yesterday! Don'tcha just love days like that?!

Good luck with your refinancing appraisal--we refinanced @ two years ago and $aved a ton on our mortgage!

A big congratulations go out to you for not binging the other day! You need to tell me your secret, 'cause man, can I binge!

Have a Happy Hump day!

 

[Strings]

Hi Amanda,

Great job yesterday. It can be so easy to put off the filing of bills/statements. I end up with this huge stack that I dread. Good luck with the appraisal tonight. i am sue it will go well. I hope you guys end up saving a huge chunk of change.

Have a good one,
Beth

 

[DoeWDW]

I know you're scrounging in the kitchen at this point so do the best you can with your menu today dear Amanda! Tomorrow evening you can head to the store and buy some ingredients for some yummy low-carb food! I think I'll start getting my weekend store list together too - you've inspired me! I believe some Chicken a la Amanda sounds delicious!

Have a wonderful Thursday!

 

[septbride2002]

I am actually forcing myself to post today. I just feel so negative about myself. I weighed in the morning and I am holding steady at 155 lbs and I know it is only Wednesday but I am making so many mistakes. Plus I tried on an outfit that I really like and it didn't fit. And I know this shouldn't bother me since the skirt is older and probably shrunk and I know the sweater is shrunken because DH threw it in the dryer (It was dry clean only). But I just got me off on the wrong foot this morning.

Plus DH is tired of the food we've been eating lately - and I have to admitt that I am too. I'm not sure what we are going to be eating over the next 2 weeks but I need to figure something out.

Plan for today:
B: Eggs, Sausage, and cheese - 5 carbs
L: ?? Going out with a friend - I will be on my best behaviour
D: ?? Whatever I pick up at the grocery store.

I will also be lots of water.

~Amanda

 

[sharoncity]

Hang in there Amanda! There seems to be a bunch of those feelings around here lately. All I can say is this too shall pass! Maybe a nice walk tonight with DH would help? Exercise plus quiet time? I don't know, just a thought.

Have you made your chicken a la Amanda lately? I don't remember seeing it mentioned. Or your breakfast muffins? I know my DH really likes those. Here's another chicken recipe: Marinate chicken breast in FF Italian dressing for about 30 min. Then use McCormicks Montreal seasoning (shake on type). I grill the breasts on a George Foreman grill for about 5 or 6 min. Yummy! DH likes that served with uncooked broccoli dipped in ranch dressing. When he gets a little bored, I look for new seasonings, dressings, etc to liven up his diet. He also enjoys the salads from BK, McDs, Wendys, etc. Just something a little different and bigger on the veggies than the meat. Hope that gets you thinking of some new things at least.

Have a great Thursday Amanda. I know you'll be back in that skirt outfit in no time!

TTFN-
Sharon

 

[septbride2002]

Hi Guys,
I've been doing some major soul searching today. I went back to the very beginning of this journal and read about my first 4 months. Ya know what I notice - I was excited back then. And now I feel like I am stuck in a daily grind. I use to set goals and took pride in achieving them. Now I make excuses for not setting goals so that I don't have to deal w/ failure. Back in March I was at 153 lbs steady - today I float between 155 to 157 lbs. And I'm miserable. Now my misery does not have to do completely with weight loss. I have been struggling a lot lately with many demons. The first of which being the feeling of chaos. Since my weekends are so hetic and my weekdays are so stressful I never feel like I have any down time. The death of my Aunt hit harder then I expected. It brought in the prospective of my own parents mortality and has caused me great worry. I recently discovered a way to harnous that grief into something good and only did I realize how unhappy I have been lately. And thirdly I am very very concerned about my Dad. I won't say more then that right now - but it has been pressing on my mind a lot and has caused me to toss and turn at night. Plus all of the everyday streses and the occasional run in with my inlaws make for a very unhappy camper!

So I am turning over new leaf and making new goals!
#1) Marathon Training will commence on Monday - we will follow schedule accordingly.
#2) 55 carbs per day
#3) No longer will I make Snickers Bars and Candy into my carb count. Only low carb snacks allowed.

Ultimate Goal - To 150lbs by Thanksgiving. That means I only have to lose 6lbs however - they are the hardest 6 to lose because my body really likes to be at 155 lbs. But I feel that is still to heavy. And once I reach 150 I will be at goal. I have decided that 140 lbs is out of my reach. I really don't have the frame for it, nor the drive to keep it up. I would litterally never be able to eat anything sweet again. At least at 150 I know I will be able to maintain that.

~Amanda

 

[wilderness01]

Hugs to you. Your goals sound realistic. You will achieve them.

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning! - I've never used this little simley before but he seems fitting for the day!

Today is the first day of the rest of my life (I'm being dramatic today). I am ready to tackle the task ahead of me and you know who is going to be back in my signature at the end of the day? That's right my little cheat free bear is coming back!

"I'm walking on Sunshine! Whoa! I'm walking on Sunshing! Whoa! I'm walking on Sunshine! Whoa! And don't it feel good! Yeah baby! And don't it feel good!"

10/15/04 Goals:
Drink 8 glasses of water - CHECK
Under 55 carbs - CHECK
Weights -

Plan:
B: Eggs, Sausage, and Diet Coke - 4 carbs
L: Open faced Ham and Provolone Sandwich - 9 carbs
D: Arugula Pear Salad - 7 carbs
S: Peanuts - 8 carbs, Glass of wine - 10 carbs
S: Bites of Whip Cream - 4 carbs
Total: 42 Carbs



Exercise:
I've decided that on my 'rest' days for the marathon training that I am going to do some strength training with my 5 lb weights. I have to go online today and find a plan to follow. But my arms is something I'm very self concious about and it is high time I get them in shape!

~Amanda
************************************
Well I've updated this message for the day. I didn't get to doing any weights because I never did find an exercise program to follow. I'll have to work on that again tomorrow. I'm still counting the day as cheat free though!

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

You sound like a woman on a mission!! You go, girl!!

I'll keep you in my prayers, as always, and I'm hoping you find some peace. The fact is, though, that we rarely grow stronger when life is easy, and sometimes the most amazing things come from the tough times.

I'm excited too, dear Amanda!! January will be here before you know it! I'll be starting the training on Monday also. Let's keep in close touch to help each other stay motivated, OK?

 

[Strings]

Hi Amanda,

You are sounding determined today. I know that you'll get on schedule with the marathon training. Congrats on being cheat free.

I am sending prayers for you and your family. I hope you can find some peace this weekend.
Beth

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning! It is Saturday and gorgeous outside! Definately Disney Weather ! It was great being cheat free yesterday, and reminds me of how I use to enjoy this way of life. Today will be tougher because it is Saturday but I am determined!

B: Eggs, ham, and cheese omelet - 4.5 carbs
L: Open Faced Sandwich - 9 carbs
S: Peanuts - 8 carbs
D: We ended up eating dinner at my friends house and their grandmother made a chicken and dumplings thing. I tried to avoid the dumplings. But I did not avoid the rolls. Therefore even though it wasn't a huge binge I am not going to count the day as Cheat Free

Water - 8 glasses again today - Check
Exercise - 20 minutes with weights - Forgot
Food - 55 carbs - Went over

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Hi Amanda,

One of my ultimate comfort foods is chicken and dumplings. It is such a winter/fall thing to eat. You may have gone over a bit, but you are still doing a great job. The weekends are always tough to stay on track, so I'm impressed. I hope you get some downtime this weekend.
Beth

 

[septbride2002]

Thanks Beth! I forgot to mention that I also avoided Boston Cream Pie - so the damage could have been a WHOLE lot worse.

Thankfully today we are staying close to home and I am making one of my favorite meals - Pot Roast. I do makes this with potatos and I will be limiting myself to about half a potato (15 carbs).

Plan for today:
B: Eggs and cheese (I'm getting a little tired of this)
L: I may be eating lunch witha friend or if I'm here it will be one of my low carb lunch items. Maybe some fish on the foreman.
D: Pot Roast, Green Beans and half a potato.

Goals today:
8 glasses of water
20 minutes of weights
55 carbs
Laundry
Dishes
Vaccum

 

[septbride2002]

My little bear has been stuck at 1 for 3 days now! LOL! Poor guy! I did good yesterday but definately not cheat free.

Weights - check
Water - check
Food - 20 carbs over limit
Laundry - check
Vaccum - check
Dishes - check

I weighed this morning at a clear 155lbs so I've lost about a pound since Wendesday. I think I am going to try and weigh myself every other day, just until I get back into my groove.

For those of you looking for some workouts to do I found some great ones at www.shape.com I found several arm exercises that I am going to do with 5 lb weights.

Goals for today:
Food - 55 carbs - check
Exercise - 2 mile walk/run - check
Water - 8 glasses of water - check

Plan for today:
B: half a Ham and cheese sandwich - I just couldn't stomach another egg ( 8 carbs)
L: Pot Roast w/potatos and Greenbeans - ( est. 10 carbs)
S: Broccoli w/Veggie Dip - 2 carbs and Reese Pieces Butter Cup - 10 carbs
D: It is everyone fends for themselves night since we are going running. My meal will be Chicken Ala Amanda! - 5 carbs
S: Sugar Free Hot Chocolate - 6 carbs
Exercise: Walk/run will take place after work.

Total: 41 Carbs

Okay - well I am off to do some work instead of DIS-ing. Work has been going actually pretty well this month. I've been giving my problems to the Lord lately and seems to be guiding me in the right direction.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

I see you plan to do the 2 miles from the training schedule. I'll be doing the same thing after work! I'll be thinking of you when I hit the trail around 5 PM my time. No skipping it tonight because I'll be wanting a full report on how great you feel after your 2 miles! I'm going to follow the training schedule you posted to the letter and I'm hoping you and I can help keep each other motivated when the initial excitement wears off.

You sound like you're doing well with moderating your carb intake. I don't have the time and energy to be strict on low carb at the moment so I'm going to focus on portion size (eat no more than a one fist-size portion) and eating only when truly hungry. We had the same breakfast this morning!

I hope you have a wonderful Monday that includes a refreshing 2 mile workout!

 

[Strings]

Well we must all be on the same wavelength, because I had a ham/cheese rollup for breakfast.

I hope the rest of your day went well. You have been doing a great job. I know that you are struggleing with the lc thing at the moment (me too). It will come. Just do your best.

Take care and enjoy the walk/run.

Beth

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning Everyone! I am SORE this morning this morning from my 2 mile walk/run last night. DH and I went to the track and alternated walking and running each lap. So we walked 1 mile and ran 1 mile last night - just not consecutively. It actually felt really good to be out and running again

Goals for today:
Food: 55 carbs - check
Exercise - 20 minutes of weights - check did upper arms and abs
Water - 8 glasses - it is 9pm now and I am up to about 5 glasses. May not make 8
Balance Check book - done
Find shoes for wedding - done

Plan for today:
B: 1/2 crossant with eggs, ham, and cheese - 15 carbs
L: Tuan Salad - 2 carbs
S: Peanuts - 5 carbs
D: I bought some Frozen Beef Terrakyi meal which is 11 carbs
S: Sausage and Cheese - 5 to 8 carbs
S: Reese Pieces Butter Cup - 12
Total: 50 to 52 carbs

After work I am going to do my weights right away to get them doen and over with for the rest of the evening.

~Amanda

 

[Strings]

Hi Amanda,

Have you taken any motrin? It can really help those sore muscles. Of course, a massage from DH would be more fun.

You are going to love the weight workouts. Please remember that the scale won't be budging for the next couple of weeks while that muscle is building. I really want you to take your measurements today before you start. You will love the inches that will be dropping like crazy.

Have a great day,
Beth