Amanda's Menu Planning Spectacular!

[lulu201]

Hey, I want to sing, too! How about this: "We are family. I got all my sisters with me." Uh, when I learn some more words I'll be back to sing again. . .but in the meantime, that's how I feel with all of my WISH buddies! We're in this together! So, Amanda, as you go into this day, know that Doreen and I are watching your back and won't let any evil Munchie Monster get you when you're not paying attention! We'll help you to be strong so that you can turn the number on that Clippie Bear at the end of the day. Go girl--onward and downward into Tuesday!!

Erin

 

[marsh0013]

hey amanda, great job yesterday, and i know today will be another cheat free day for you! and you'll definitely get in some exercise if you have to shovel. i'm not looking forward to all the snow that is coming new jersey's way very soon, but like you said, it's definitely good for some exercise!

 

[septbride2002]

Well it wasn't a perfect day but it wasn't a total wash either.

Breakfast was the small omelet with 1 slice of cheese and ham. (estimating 3 carbs)

Lunch was a Reuben Sandwich with the top of the bun taken off, green peppers on the side. Estimating 15 carbs It was a white bread roll but with half missing I am guessing it was the size of maybe two slices of white bread (and I think that might be over doing it) which would be 14 carbs.

So that is 18 carbs for the day and I had already decided to make this a higher carb day. Dinner was 1/4 of a salad and 4 slices of thin crust pizza 4" squares which equal about 2.5 slices of a triangle I think. Sort of hard to estimate since triangle slices have the extra crust on the end and my square slices don't have extra crust - heck you can hardly call it crust it is thin like a cracker. Either way I am letting that eat up the other 37 carbs I had left over. No snacking for me tonight (I couldn't I was too full).

Water was only 5 glasses tonight which isn't all that great so I will need to work on that tomorrow.

Exercise was 30 minutes of shoveling. Blah.

Goals for tomorrow:
Lots of non diet goals, Go to the Grocery Store, Go to Disney Store and get Disney Dollars, Clean guest bathroom, organize tax stuff, sort bills, empty dishwasher and reload.

Drink water, do ab work at least, stay within 30 carbs, try to have a more positive attitude.

~Amanda

 

[septbride2002]

Well I was going to count the day as cheat free - but then I read Doe and Erin's journals and saw how great they were doing and ya know what - I realized I was making excuses for myself to be cheat free. Truth is I should of ate more salad and only had 2 slices of pizza. I splurged - I knew it when I did it.

Zera's post today talked about fear. And I think she has a good point. I'm afraid. I'm back to where I was 2 years ago when I started struggeling with my weight and I never loss (doing the low fat thing). I'm afraid of never eating the things that I enjoy, I'm afraid if I start to lose more people will start asking what I am doing and will criticize me, I'm afraid I'll gain in back and lose face.

I'm also afraid that if I don't do good the rest of the month that I am going to lose my Wish Friends because I didn't stick to it. That is why I was making excuses to be cheat free. I even thought to myself I don't have to tell them I ate 4 slices of pizza - I'll just put down that I ate 2. In my heart of hearts I know that we will always be friends and that our friendship is not measured by my weight - but there is the perfectionist, always wanting to please person that hates to admitt she couldn't do it.

Why am I afraid of these things I don't know. A bit of it is the mind set to that I am going on vacation soon and shouldn't be stressing about this stuff. Part of the blame is on the weather. No really it is! I have no carb free foods here at the moment, I can't get to a grocery store. When things cause my schedule to change that is when I start to slip.

I will not roll over my clippie and I'm sorry to disappoint people and myself.

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. "(Mary Anne Radmacher)

"Face the thing you fear, and you do away with that fear. "

 

[septbride2002]

Not feeling all that much better today. Ever notice how feelings are like all the time. I woke up not hungry this morning so haven't had anything to eat yet. I might just sip some water and if I get hungry later have some peanuts. The thought of eggs makes my stomach hurt at the moment and my cafeteria is a little limited on their offerings for breakfast.

Lunch- I'm going home for lunch. I'm thinking of having a cheeseburger with celery sticks and cream cheese for lunch. I am also going to throw towels in the laundry and organize the bills a little so that tonight when I get home I can just start writing them.

After work I am going to the grocery store.

Dinner will probably be Chicken Enchilada Soup. I got this mix to make it but it requires 1 cup of milk...think I could subsitute cream? I wonder how much cream?

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Amanda, I'm sending a couple extra for you today. Your last post last night is making me tear up. I can tell you that I will still be here, no matter what. You're right, our friendship is not based on a scale number or cheat free days. Our friendship is based on the fact that we want to be healthier but it's damn hard to do what needs to be done sometimes and we all need help, others to lean on, to cheer us on, to celebrate our successes with, others who understand what we're going through mentally and emotionally and physically.

You are part of our WISH family now. Nothing can change that. If you stray off the path, even if you leave altogether, you have touched our lives and our hearts. We've walked side by side on this journey for a time and I, for one, will never forget you and the many ways you've helped me and supported me.

I firmly believe that weight loss and healthy living are often more of a mental and emotional journey than a physical one. We all allowed the extra weight to creep on for our own reasons and facing those reasons can be so hard. I'm still working on this in my own life. Some days I feel strong in this area and other days....well, I'm a work in progress.

Amanda, follow your heart when it comes to your cheat free bear. Some days the answer will be very obvious and other days it will be tougher to decide whether to claim it as cheat free. We trust you. Either way, the bear clippie is just a tool, a way to celebrate our successful days. We modified the rules knowing that we are not perfect and all our days will not be perfect either.

Hang in there, girlfriend. I'm right beside you :happy1: and we're doing the best we can. Here's another and some pixie dust filled with understanding to help you get through today.

I'll be back later to check on you.

P.S. I think this quote:

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I'll try again tomorrow. "(Mary Anne Radmacher)

is quite profound and VERY true! I'll be saving it - I know I'll need to read it again in the future.

 

[lulu201]

Hi, Amanda. I can't add anything to what Doreen said, so I'll just say "ditto for me." (Yeah, kind of lame, I know) The fact is, Amanda, we're all struggling, too. You are never alone. We're like a little sisterhood! You're my WISH friend and always will be, that's the bottom line. This is your journey, and I feel honored that you take the time to share with me. I learn from you every day.

I do have to mention the "pre-vacation" syndrome that I think you might be experiencing (commonly known as PVS ). When I went to WDW and on a cruise in October, my mind and body kind of left the program before I actually arrived in Orlando. I found it almost impossible to stay on track the week before we left! MelanieC, a frequent poster and WWer, said she gained a few pounds BEFORE the trip and only a fraction of a pound while she was actually away. See, it's a phenomenon!! What's up with this????

My point is, don't sweat it, honey. These healthy living changes are for the long haul. There will be easy times and there will be hard times. The only thing that matters is that you keep on trying and taking care of YOURSELF. It's all for YOU.

You, Amanda.

Yep, just you.

OK, now let me hear you sing.

C'mon, now, how about a chorus of RESPECT?

I hope you're smiling, girlfriend.

,
Erin

 

[marsh0013]

hey amanda, just stopping by to give you a . i know you're feeling down, but i hope that today ends up being a better day than you expect

 

[septbride2002]

Hi Everyone! Thank you so much Doe, Erin, and Marsh for stopping by. It has been a bad day and it got worse when I got to work. It has been great to read from my Wish Friends and get some support today. Some how makes the Mountain of things that need to be done look a lot smaller. Erin I am smiling! Thanks for making me chuckle.


I really haven't eaten much today. Either I'm really full or my job has me so jumpy that I can't eat. Either way. I went home at lunch and threw towels from the washer to the dryer so all I have to do when I get home is fold them and put them away. I sorted through the stacks of mail and organized into 4 piles - bills, Tax Information, Misc, and Trash. So tonight when I get home I'll be able to breeze right through all of that. I still plan on grocery shopping after work. So tonight it is fold towels, bills, and clean guest bathroom. Hopefully we will also get to the Disney Store so that we will have the last of the Disney Dollars bought.

I never did eat breakfast, lunch was about 1/2 a salad with ranch dressing and a handful of peanuts. I grabbed some change at home so I am having a diet coke right now and I brought some extra in case I need to get some peanuts out of the vending machine before I head home. Dinner is still going to be soup.

"Ah Ah Ah Ah Stayin Alive, Stayin Alive. Ah Ah Ah Ah Staying AAAAAAaallllllliiiiiiiiiiivvvvvveeeeeee!

~Amanda

 

[septbride2002]

Hello fellow wishers. I'm feeling much better now. Grocery shopping is done, bills are about to be done. Kitchen needs to be cleaned but I'll do that after bills. Probably won't get to the mall or bathroom tonight but in all honesty we have no plans this weekend except to watch the superbowl on Sunday. So I can do a lot of the cleaning and running around on Friday and Saturday and during the day on Sunday. I was just over-reacting of having so much to do.

Ate a little to much soup probably 2 cups maybe a little more so I am just going to say that all 30 of my carbs are gone. I'll have some sugar free jello later if I am so inclined.

Picked up some higher carb items at the grocery store for my 55 carb days. Got some Blue Bunny yogurt, some granny smith apples (the lowest carb count for apples) and some low sugar Peanut butter. Of course I also got the usual eggs, bacon, cheese. And I picked up a Pork Tenderloin which I think we will make for dinner tomorrow and a pot roast which I might make next Monday.

~Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

amanda, i'm so glad you're feeling better . sometimes things just pile up and it can seem like we'll never get through it. but you did a great job of separating things out, and going one step at a time. hope you have a great day

 

[DoeWDW]

Amanda, I'm glad you're feeling better! I know well that feeling of being overwhelmed by the sheer number of things to be done!

It's Thursday - almost the weekend. We can make it! Hope you're having a great day!!

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning - it is going to be a crazy day at work. I hate these kind of days. I've been in training for 2 hours now I am rushing to get my normal 8 hour day done in 2.5 hours. Since I have meetings and testing all afternoon. I may have to work late tonight. And I just realized I didn't set anything out for dinner. oh well - Fish sounds good and DH will just have to deal

Breakfast was 3 pieces of Salami and a piece of Hot Pepper Cheese - 2 carbs

Lunch - Tuna Salad with Celery - 2 carbs.
Snack - Peanuts if necessary
Dinner - Cajun Fish (yummy), Broccoli with cheese. (5 to 6 carbs)
Snack - 1/2 Apple w/ Peanut butter (will have to check carb amounts.)

~Amanda
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
9p.m. - well I was certainly a lazy bum when I got home tonight. I did nothing. I had to take a friend home after work because he drives a Mustang and it started to snow. Evidently his car doesn't do well in the car so my question to him is..."And why do we own a car you can't drive from January to March?" but I let it go. One of my managers stepped in today and got me out of some testing I have to do. I still have to do it but at least it wasn't today. So my day ended up still being crazy but not as crazy as it could have been.

Food wise I did great today I had Peanuts as a snack (5 carbs) dinner was the Fish with grilled mushrooms (2 carbs), a snack of two crackers and some Peanut Butter - 6 carbs so that was 17 carbs total for today - I had a bowl of low carb ice cream - 10 carbs to make it 27 for the day. Not bad, not bad at all.

Tomorrow breakfast is a half apple with Peanutbutter (it is a high carb day tomorrow). Lunch is up in the air - not sure what I'm in the mood for really. Probably just some lunch meats and cheese. OH! Or maybe some leftover Chicken Enchilada Soup for 14 carbs. And dinner is going to be Kiebasa with broccoli and cheese. DH is going to have scalloped potatoes - I might have to sneak one or two if I am good all day.

Exercise is no existent this week. I gave into the Pre-Vacation Mind Set and let it go. I may not break this plateau before I go and that is okay becuase when I get back I am going to start concentrating on it.

~Amanda

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning! Oh I love having different options for breakfast. Eggs and bacon are wonderful but some days ya just need something different. This morning I had half of a GrannySmith Apple (9 carbs) and 2 TBsp of Low sugar Peanut Butter (4 carbs). And really it was wonderful. I'm drinking my water and trying to have a positive attitude.

Lunch will probably be some lunch meats and cheese. Or I may run to subway and get a wrap. I haven't really decided yet.

Dinner is Kiebasa, Broccoli and cheese, (DH will have scalloped potatoes)

I am able to have 55 carbs today so I am looking forward to having the other half of my apple later. I have been missing fruits and really didn't notice.

~Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

hey amanda, enjoy your high carb day today! that apple with pb sounds absolutely yummy! have a great day

 

[septbride2002]

So far so good today. Had 13 carbs at breakfast. Lunch was an 11 carb wrap from subway. Dinner was Kiebasa (10 carbs) Broccoli and Cheese (6 carbs) so 39 carbs for today so I have just about 16 carbs left over. I'm not hungry for a snack yet but if it comes to that I'll eat my other half of an apple (9 carbs) and some peanut butter.

We are going over to DH's sister's house tonight to see all the decorating they've been doing.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Amanda, you're doing great! It is so nice to liven up your food with some new choices! Your apple w/ PB sounds delish - I may have to try that!

Have fun at your SIL's house!!

 

[septbride2002]

I really am glad that the month of January is almost over. Not only was it a real challenge for me diet wise it was also a big challenge for me at work.

Tonight I gave into temptation with a Steak n Shake Milk Shake - they were calling my name. I checked online there were 73 carbs in that shake. Since I only had 19 carbs left - you can see I was way over. But ya know what - I thought of Doe and the birthday cake the other day. This was sort of a treat. I had a great finish for the month at work, I had been good all day, and lets face it in real life you are going to have "treat" days. Can I say I was perfect - nope. But I can at least not beat myself up over it. So I'm not. My Bear is happy at 20 days. If I make it through tomorrow cheat free (which is the plan) then I'll have been cheat free for 67.7% of the month. This is only my first month of keeping track. Next month I'll aim my goal a little higher. Maybe 70% of the month. Baby steps after all.

Well I'm off to do some surfing. Tomorrow is a busy day lots of errands to run and cleaning to do before we leave for Orlando.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Amanda, you are right - no beating yourself up over one indulgence! I'm sure it was yummy!

My bear will probably say 21 or 22 days for the month of January - right around the same number as yours. I'm pretty proud of that! I think I'll start over for the month of February, just to see how many days I end up with, but I'm not going to set a specific goal, and I'm not even going to TRY to make my Disney trip cheat free. We'll only be there 5 days and I'm prepared to see a gain and then undo the damage when I get home. I will try to get my veggies in and eat sensible meals and limit the junky carbs but I'm not going to try to count my carbs while there.

Enjoy your weekend! I'll be doing the same things as you - getting things ready to go!

Try not to stress - it will all get done, or you'll survive without it.

 

[septbride2002]

I'm off today and I don't know why. I haven't made bad choices in food but I am already up to 25 carbs for today and I still have to eat dinner (today is 30 carb day). My lunch was high in carbs at 14 carbs for a bowl of soup. As long as I continue to make good choices today I am going to count the day cheat free even though I know I am going to go over carbs.

Breakfast: Skipped it - slept till 9 a.m. and woke up with a vengence to clean.

Lunch: Bowl of Chicken Enchilada Soup (14 carbs)
Snack: 2 pieces of Turkey, 1 cup of low sugar hot apple cider (it is cold today)

Dinner: Pork Tenderloin in a Honey Mustard Marinade (4 carbs per 4 oz) - I need to get a kitchn scale by the way. And my side dish will probably be "mashed Cauliflower" with butter and a little sour cream. Dh is going to have a rice melody.

Dh and I rented "Once Upon a Time in Mexico" to watch tonight. I have peanuts should the munchie monster visit. I can't wait to spend the evening with my two favorite men, DH and Johnny Depp. Yum.

I am craving comfort foods and I bought a new recipe book "500 Low carb recipes" by Dana Carpenter and they have some variations on comfort foods that I am going to have to give a try.

Well I am off to cook dinner and read some journals.

~Amanda
****************************************
Movie was
BAD

What a boring evening we are having here at my place. Well I'm off to bed.

~Amanda