Amanda's Menu Planning Spectacular!

[lulu201]

"It just seemed easier to do the right things."

Those words of yours, Amanda, cut right to the very heart of my healthy living philosophy. One of the things that I've learned during the last few months is that while this narrow road of taking care of myself can be tough at times, it's often just easier to do it than to worry about the consequences: weight gain and that whole roller coaster, health problems, low self-esteem, etc.
Living within the boundaries just is simpler and less stressful most of the time!

Hey, Amanda, you had a great day. Don't forget to turn over your clippie bear!

Hugs,
Erin

 

[DoeWDW]

Amanda, you had a great day! Glad to hear you got the cleaning finished and are appreciating how nice the house smells. Cleaning is on my agenda today and your post reminded me of how good I feel when the house looks AND smells clean. It was just the motivation I needed - now I'm actually looking forward to tackling the housework - THANKS!

Best of luck at your party tonight. I don't eat guacamole - never tried it - but isn't there something else you can use for dipping? Would celery sticks work or some other veggie?? Take your own and enjoy - I think guacamole itself is pretty low-carb, right? I'm sure you'll have fun no matter what!

Have a day!

 

[septbride2002]

HI Erin and Doe! Yes guacamole is actually very very low carb and really good for you since is high in potassium. I might take some celery sticks to the party but don't want to come across as rude either..... They usually serve it with Tostitos and I know I can have 20 tostitos for 17 carbs.

Readying Erin's journal has made me realize I need to make a recommitment to myself starting today. I need to update my signature I'm at 157 pounds this morning and I usually plateau around 156/155 and I want to jump over that plateau and get back to losing. Last night DH and I went out to the store and got me some snacks that I can have. I picked up Pork Rinds (I've never tried them and praying I like them) and some nacho cheese sauce. Some low carb ice cream, and diet soda. AND we found low carb tortillas for $2.99 - I can make my own sandwichs now instead of going to subway twice a week. I'm so excited about this! My grocery store has a whole Atkins Aisle now so it is great! So I am prepared for this week.

I am going back to alternanting my carb intake this week since that seemed to help last time I was at my plateau level.
Sun - 55 carbs and exercise
Mon - 30 carbs
Tues -45 carbs and exercise
Wed - 30 carbs
Thur - 55 carbs and exercise
Fri - 55 carbs
Sat - 45 carbs and exercise

I also need to get back to exercising I've slipped since coming back and my Firm tapes won't be here for another couple weeks. So I am going to be doing my Walk Away the Pounds tapes. I have two one without weights and one with weights. I'll be alternanting them until the Firm gets here.

I am Reading Atkins for life right now. Great way to motivate myself and remind myself to how easy it is to live this way.

Plan today:
B: Eggs and Sausage - 3 carbs
L: Leftover Roast Beef rolled up in my low carb tortilla and a veggie. - 5 carbs and veggie - 2 carbs
D: 6 hot wings - 6 carbs
That is 16 carbs which means I have 39 carbs left over for the party tonight. I'll enjoy my guacamole and they always have sausage and cheese or veggie platters so I'll stick to that after words.

I'm off to have a great day! "I'm so excited! And I just can't hide it!"

~Amanda

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Breakfast - done
Exercise - done
16oz of water - done
Vitamin - done
lunch - done - switched the lunch and dinner menu items carb count stays the same.
My plan is to get in anotehr 16 oz of water before the party tonight if not more.

I'm off to read a book and get laundry started.

~Amanda

 

[lulu201]

It sounds like you had a great day, Amanda. I loved your pictures, btw. You were such beautiful bride! Did you have fun at the party? Your plan for the week sounds wonderful. Enjoy living the good life!

Erin

PS I tried to do the IM thing (DD helped me). Did you get it?

 

[septbride2002]

I've said it once and I'll say it again - I am no good at parties. Plus my friend threw me for a loop and had different food. Evidently he got the new "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" recipe book and wanted to try different things. There was a proscuitto, cheese and olive oil on rye bread slices, rolls up wiht proscuitto, cream cheese, and sliced olives - all good except for the flour tortilla they were rolled in. Flat bread pizzas with garlic, tomato, mossarella cheese, onion, and ham. The only carb free item was fresh shrimp (no sauce) and sauteed shirmp wrapped in proscuitto. Evidently there was a sale on proscuitto. Deserts were lemon tarts and red velvet cake. I drank 2 glasses of water probably 32 ounces total (big glass) and had one of the rye bread slices, a couple of the roll ups, and several of the sauteed shirmp. Not bad right. Well then I caved wiht the red velvet cake. It is my favorite. So no cheat free day for me. Honestly it could have been worse but I am really disappointed about the guacamole since I love it and saved up carbs all day, and then lost my cheat free day due to cake. I really need to reapply myself.

Finished a book today "Skipping Christmas" by John Grisham - it was an easy read and rather cute.

~Amanda

 

[sharoncity]

Aaaahhh, Amanda, the best laid plans....... That is too bad the menu got switched up on you. I think you handled it very well though (we just won't mention the cake ) Seriously, if it weren't for the cake, you did very well, even with the change of menu. That is an accomplishment and you need to give yourself credit for it.
I really like your plan for the week, with the carbs going high and low. That way you are not totally deprived all week, but you still should be able to shake up any plateau you hit. And way to jump start your exercise too.
Overall, I think you are doing great. You are living healthier with diet and exercise, but still enjoying friends companionship and rolling with the punches. Keep up the good work!
TTFN-
Sharon

 

[septbride2002]

thanks Sharon! I don't think I will ever be one of those women that always avoids certain types of food. I enjoy food to much to do that. I just wish I could avoid them until I hit my goal weight. *sigh*

Okay! Plan for today! Today is a low carb day - only 30 carbs allowed.

B: Eggs, Sausage, and Cheese - 3 carbs
L: Grilled Fish (0) and Broccoli with cheese (4 carbs)
S: Celery Sticks and Peanut Butter (4 carbs)
D: Roast Beef (1), Green Beans (4 carbs)
S: Cinnamon Almonds - have to check carb count but I believe it is 8 carbs.

Goal for water today is 64 oz - I need to drink till I float. I've already got a start on the first 16 oz. No exercise tonight.

Tonight there is nothing on TV that I watch so I am going to be in the kitchen preparing some meals ahead of time. Or at least some side dishes. I bought a fresh head of cauliflower last week and I want to use it before it goes bad. My recipe book had a Cauliflower casserole side dish I could make and then refriderate and have that as my side item every week.

I'm telling you these low carb tortillas are fantastic! I had a thought last night that I could sprinkle a little salt on them and then bake them the oven till crunchy and then break them up - check it out! CHIPS!

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Amanda, you sound sunny!

I think you did just fine at the party. The food sounded yummy. Besides, you cannot put life on hold until you hit goal. You'd miss so much! I bet you enjoyed that one piece of cake. At least you didn't binge and eat 4 slices! We're supposed to be enjoying the healthy living journey, not just suffering through until we hit goal, girlfriend! :happy1: If that means an occasional piece of cake, so be it and no feeling guilty over it, OK?

Hope your Monday stays sunny!

 

[lulu201]

Life is short, Amanda--Eat Cake! Particulary Red Velvet Cake, though Chocolate Coffee Cake will do, or an occassional slice of Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Icing or . . . Seriously, now, you did a great job of rolling with the situation you were handed--applaud yourself for that!

Your chip idea, by the way, is making me hungry. I think I'd better go find some lunch.

Have a good one, Amanda.

Erin

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Amanda!

I hope you don't mind a new "face" visiting your journal. I always appreciate the encouragement you give me when you visit so I wanted to see how you are doing. It sounds like you are doing well! I know what you mean about attending a party or even a business meeting expecting one type of food and then finding they are serving something totally different. You did well though.

I can't wait to find out what you think of the FIRM videos. Please keep up the great work!

I'll check back on you later in the week.

 

[septbride2002]

B - done
L - done
Vitamins - done
32 oz of water - done and starting on the next 16 oz.
Had one Hersheys kiss for an extra 3 carbs today.

~Amanda

I got home tonight and crashed. I was out for about an hour and a half before I woke up and warmed up dinner. Thank goodness for leftovers. I am feeling extra tired today.

Okay so carb coung - B: 3, L: 4 carbs, S: 4 carbs, 3 hershey's kisses - 9 carbs; D: 3 carbs;

I'm at 26 carbs for the night. So any snack I have has to be under 4 carbs. I really don't think I'll need one but I've got some sunflower seeds or I can have another cup of green beans if need be. My water today has been 42 ounces - I am going to try to get in another 16 oz. before I head to bed. So far I've only had 2 sodas today.

Exercise - rest day.

Thankfully DH was nice enough to clean up the kitchen for me tonight so I could concentrate on getting the laundry done. I'm still determined to make a veggie dish that I can warm up all week though.

~Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

man, i know i'm late, but all this cake talk is making me hungry . that's it, i'm done discussing it, don't want to bring it up again for ya, hehe.

i think you did really well at that party, all things considered. and good to see you moving right along and getting right back on track. that's the best way to handle it

hope the rest of your day goes well

 

[DoeWDW]

Good morning, Amanda!

It was nice to see you in chat last night! My kids were laughing at me in my flannel nightgown and hat at the computer.

I hope you find some extra energy today - maybe that nap yesterday helped! If you're still feeling tired, take it easy, OK?

Have a day!

 

[septbride2002]

Anyone else having issues with the boards this morning? I wanted to roll over my bear but had no such luck

Yesterday was certainly cheat free! After chatting with my WISH buddies I decided to have some pepperoni and cheese as a snack - only 2 delicious carbs so I ended the day at 28 carbs. YEAH!

I had a hard time waking up this morning - not sure why I am so tired but I am. Today is a 45 carb day so here is my plan:

B: Yogurt (14 carbs) and almonds (2 carbs) = 16 carbs
L: Not 100% sure yet. I'll be going home for lunch so it may be grilled fish and greenbeans or.... a salad - actually a salad sounds pretty good. Either way about 3 carbs
S: Celery and Cream Cheese - 2 carbs
D: Paremesean Chicken (500 Low Carb Recipes 3 carbs) Fauxtatoes (?)
S: Bowl of Low Carb Ice Cream - 8 carbs

Exercise: 1 Mile Walk Away the Pounds with 5lb weights.
Water: 64 oz is my goal. I did make it yesterday!

I'm feeling heavy today and I am not sure why. I may need to go and check my goal pants tonight to see where I stand.

Hope everyone has a bright and day!

~ Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

hey amanda, i'm not having any issues with the board, but i also didn't try to go change anything in my profile/signature. hope that clears up for you, we need to see that bright shiny new number on that bear

you guys mentioning chat reminded me that i forgot about it! i've never gone to monday night wish chat before, but i'm usually home and not occupied, i just keep forgetting! maybe i'll have to write myself a note for next week.

maybe feeling heavy and feeling like you're dragging (tired) could be related. i know i always feel like when i'm lethargic, my whole body feels like it weighs more. could be a mental thing for me, who knows. good luck with the pants check, hope you see results you like

hope you have a great day

 

[sharoncity]

Amanda - heres some sunshine to wake you up and brighten your day!

Good job yesterday! 28 carbs - WTG!
Make sure you get the water in, it will help if your feeling heavy.

Oh, yes I did have some issues with the boards this AM. They do seem better now. I think I'll go try to roll my bear right after this to see if it works. (I had a good day yesterday too! )

I hope you have a good day Amanda!
Sharon

 

[septbride2002]

Breakfast - done - 16 carbs
Lunch - done: Salad (2 carbs) piece of kiebasa (2 carbs) Hershey's Kiss (3 carbs) - 7 carbs
Snack - Celery with Cream Cheese - 2 carbs
Vitamin - done
Water - 24 oz. gone drinking a little slower today since I am super busy at work!
Dinner: Going to be Paremesean Chicken Breast - 2 carbs per Breast, Fauxtatoes (?) and Grilled Peppers.

So far so good! Exercise will be right after work.

~Amanda

**************************************************
9:20pm
What a night. The Paremesean Chicken Breast were yummy! But I decided to note make the Fauxtatoes because it took me forever to make the chicken. For a snack I had a Rootbeer float with diet rootbear and low carb ice cream - 8 carbs so I am at 40 carbs for the day. Which is good!

Got my Firm Tapes today and I tried one of the tapes but I need the Fanny Lifter or a step box to really do it. I'm going to order the Fanny Lifter tonight. Tomorrow is a rest day and on Thursday I am going to try to get up and do the tapes before work. However they are long so I don't know if that will work. I'm not a morning person

~Amanda

 

[septbride2002]

I'll be taking back my 10 lb clippie back today. AHHH....that's better!

Last night I weighed myself fully dressed after dinner and the scale said 155.5 lbs this morning it read 155 lbs - I'm taking back my clippie!

Ordered my fanny lifter and it won't be here fro 3 to 6 weeks. Gosh! I watched the cardio sculpt tape last night and although they use the fanny lifter a lot I think I can improvise and not use one to learn the steps. Hopefully it really won't take that long to get here.

Today is a 30 carb day and I'm a little nervous since I really don't have a plan. Not good at all!

B: omelet from cafeteria - ham and cheese (4 carbs)
L: Leftover Parmesean Chicken (2 carbs) and a salad (2 carbs)
S: Not sure if I'll need one but I'm thinking some raw peppers
D: Something with Hamburger in it, since that is what I set out to defrost. Maybe I"ll just make hamburgers. Not really sure yet.
S: Cheese and Pepperoni

Vitamins -
64 oz of Water -
Exercise - rest day

They brought Krispy Kremes into the office today but I am going to have no problem resisting them since I don't want to lose my clippie. I'm looking trim today and don't want to ruin it.

 

[DoeWDW]

CLIPPIE PARTY!!!

Congrats on getting that 10 lb clippie back!! YAY!! Isn't it silly how motivated we can get over clip-art??? I'm the same way!! Now, don't forget to change the numbers in your siggie, OK?

I'm all caught up on your trip report - can't wait for more! I know you're a busy gal, but you only have a couple more installments, right?

OK, I've nagged you enough (change the siggie #s, finish the trip report) - I'll go back to just cheering for your continued success!!

Hope today goes well and is filled with and smiles!!

EDIT: 10:15 AM
Amanda, every time I use my lavendar hand cream (several times a day at work) I think of you! Thanks for reminding me that the little things I do for me are important!

 

[marsh0013]

wahoooo! 10 pound clippie right back where it belongs, and it looks fabulous on you

i know what you mean about waking up early to get exercise in. i hate it! but i think the more you do it, the easier it gets. and i figure, if it has to be done, it has to be done, so just go with it. it really is a nice feeling to get it done in the morning and still have your whole day in front of you. i just make sure to get to bed earlier the night before, and no excuses when that alarm goes off

glad to see that clippie is a motivating factor in keeping you away from the donuts. i don't know if i could be so strong . looks like you're going to do just fine today with your carbs, even though you don't have a "real" plan for dinner, you've got an idea. you can do it

hope you have a great day