Amanda's Menu Planning Spectacular!

[septbride2002]

It was a long and tough day today. Food wise I did great and exercise wise I did excellent. I'm finding it easier and easier to get through these tapes. I need to go buy some 8 lbs weights to start incorporating them in.

One good thing from today - I took a good look at me in the mirror at work. And I need to stop wearing a pair of pants that I own - why? Because they are to BIG! They don't even flatter me at all - anywhere. They are big in the waist, hip, thighs, and even butt! So I am taking them out of rotation. At the end of the month I'm going to have to go and get some new jeans, size 12 - down a size!

B: Peanutbutter and Celery - 4
L: A Chicken and Nacho cheese soup. Estimate - 8 carbs
S: Mini Snickers (had a chocolate craving) - 12 carbs
D: 1/2 lb low carb burger from Hardees - 5 carbs
S: Sugar Free Jello - 0
Total: 29 carbs.
I didn't get in quite as much water as I needed to.

 

[lulu201]

Hey, I know what those jeans are--I have a pair in my closet right now. Doreen will tell you I call them Diaper Jeans 'cause they look like I walking around with a (loaded? ) diaper in 'em. You know what I say? CHUCK 'EM, GIRL!

Size 12s, here you come!

 

[lulu201]

Hey, I know what those jeans are--I have a pair in my closet right now. Doreen will tell you I call them Diaper Jeans 'cause they look like I walking around with a (loaded? ) diaper in 'em. You know what I say? CHUCK 'EM, GIRL!

Size 12s, here you come!

Hugs, Amanda.
Erin

 

[septbride2002]

Erin - that is EXACTLY how my slacks looked. I'm gonna wash em this weekend and then put them in the back of a closet.

What a night. I took a nice hot bath and got all relaxed and then I talked to my SIL on the phone for about an hour and she got me all tense again. Grrr...

I am really tired today now since I didn't get a very good nights sleep last night. Thank Goodness today is a rest day exercise because I know I wouldn't get it done today.

I'm in a size 12 jeans today! I found a pair with a rip in it but they fit! Quick Question - anyone know how to patch jeans. The rip is actually right where my hip bone is so I covered it today with a big sweatshirt but I would like to patch it somehow. TOM arrived today so I am a little bloated today - hence the sweatshirt.

B:Omelet with ham and green peppers
L: Tuna Salad and Veggies (I realized I hardly had any veggies yesterday)
D: No Idea! Nothing sounds good - and that is not a good sign. I might pick something up on the way home. Subway maybe or salad and pizza.

~Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

hey amanda, congrat on getting those slacks out of rotation, and being in size 12 jeans!!! i'm sure you're looking fabulous, daaaahling

as for patching jeans...i have no idea. whenever something has a rip, i either chuck it, or give it to my mom to fix . yeah...i guess living at home lets me be a little baby

have a great day today, and definitely catch up on your rest

 

[DoeWDW]

Amanda, um, can I ask a silly question?? WHY are you putting those "too big" pants in the back of the closet??? I mean, you're never going to WEAR them again, right?? Maybe you're just not ready to give them up yet - I understand, but someday you're going to realize that the weight you are losing will not be back. Then you'll be ready to let them go! I hope that realization comes soon!

I don't patch jeans, I just put them in with my "grungy work around the house" clothes, and buy a new pair for "out and about".

I hope you have a day and you get lots of well-deserved rest tonight!

 

[septbride2002]

Ya know that is a good question Doe - and the answer is that I'm just not ready to give them up yet. Probably when I consistently wear a size 12 everyday - then I'll probably get rid of them.

Today was a tough day my friends. I had to work an hour and a half late tonight because a client couldn't talk to me until then. I was really really busy at work - so to all the people's journal that I didn't get to catch up on - I'm sorry. I came home put on my Grand Floridian Robe and watched The Sound of Music while I ate Tuna Salad for dinner. I figured since I couldn't have comfort food at least I could watch a comfort movie.

Carbs for the day:
B: 5
L: Hot Wings - 10 carbs
S: Mini Snickers Bar - 12 carbs
D: Tuna Salad - 4 carbs

31 carbs total. Not to bad! No exercise today. I finally get to go grocery shopping tomorrow so I need to make a list. I'm going to try to make mini cheesecakes so that I can have something sweet for breakfast - wish me luck on this recipe.

I need to journal this:
I'm stressed out. Holidays always get me stressed out because unfortunantly DH's family can't seem to make anything easy. Both of our parents are divorced and you just can't see 4 families in one day. Easter is only 2 weeks away and already we have disagreements. My family is willing to rotate every year but his family won't. It makes for both of us to be stressed out. DH's sister is pregnant - like about to pop any day now pregnant - and she is starting to get on my nerves about the whole thing. I am trying to be patient since she is 9 mos. pregnant but her "everything is about me" attitude is starting to wear thin on my patience.

This is why I should go to Disney World for every holiday. Wouldn't that be fun?

I need to go get out my journal from my hope chest and write for awhile - that always helps me out.

Tomorrow is another day and another dollar - work is stressing me out as well but at least it is good stress - lots to do which means lots of money (I'm in sales). And I think it has been good to discover different ways of handeling the stess. 3 months ago I would have been ordering pizza and picking up ice cream. Now I'm eating Tuna Salad! I never would have thought it.

Good Night my friends! You'll be in my prayers tonight.

~Amanda

 

[septbride2002]

Good Morning! It is suppose to be bright and sunny today! Thank God it is Friday! I am ready for some days of rest over the weekend. Although this weekend I will be helping my father move from one apartment to another. Yuck.

B: Celery Sticks and Peanut Butter - 4 carbs
L: I'm thinking Chicken Bacon wrap at Subway
D: ???? Not sure - going grocery shopping tonight.
E: Rest day (technically) but I may do a tape tonight since I won't be doing it tomorrow.
Water - Need more water! I slacked on this again yesterday!

~Amanda

 

[Desiree]

You've got a great plan going for today! At least you'll be moving around and working on the upper body strength when you help your dad move! That has to count for something, right?

Have a great Friday!

 

[marsh0013]

hey amanda, i read on the main wish board about the things you do after a tough day of stress, and i think that was a great topic. it's so easy to just want to give up and give in to food when we're having a bad day, but good for you for finding a different source of comfort. i love the sound of music, and that robe is a wonderful reminder of a wonderful place

i agree, disney for every holiday would help solve all of that stress. that sucks that the families don't want to cooperate, but in the end, you have to do what's right for you. if you don't have the time to visit them all, well, too bad for them. if they are really expecting you to run around like a chicken without a head, too bad. maybe you could work something out like seeing them on a different day and celebrating then? i know they may not like it, but who knows.

anyway, i hope the rest of your day goes well and that you have a wonderful weekend

 

[lulu201]

Ooooh, this is a great topic: Holiday Family Stress. Could I write a chapter for that book? to you, dear girl, 'cause this issue is a toughie and with four families to visit, well that can be classified as a Nightmare, if you're asking me.

And while you didn't ask, here's my advice (you knew you didn't have to ask, didn't you? ): lay down the law--NOW. You and DH have to take a serious--but loving-- stand on this and then people will get the message, though it will take them time. You and Brian should decide what it is you need to do to make the holiday meaningful for YOU, and then go about satisfying the needs of the masses in a realistic way. My DHs family has what I call a "holiday thing"--whether it be Christmas or Arbor Day they want to get together. Now I know this is a good thing on the surface, but when we can't be there, it's not always pleasant, but I figure they're grownups and they just have to deal! Especially in the early years of marriage (anything under 15!), if you are Gumby and stretched from place to place, I think you're expected to do it forever. We've layed down certain rules: Thanksgiving is always with my mother, we don't come to anything on Christmas Eve and don't leave the house before noon on Christmas Day, Memorial Day is an "optional" family picnic as far as we're concerned. . .and while it's been hard at times, it's worked for us. Maybe it'll work for you?

I think you need to remember though, the driving force behind a lot of the holiday madness: people just want to see you because they love you. So, in dealing with them, remember the mantra I use sometimes in the classroom--BCBCBG (Be calm, be cool, be gentle). It can guide you through practically anything!

One other thing: you in your robe eating tuna and watching the Sound of Music--what a fantastic moment of coping that was. I'm hoping I'll remember that and be inspired by that mental picture for the rest of my life! Instead of comfort carb loading, I'm going to learn to run for my bathrobe at stressful times and get lost in an old favorite movie. Ahh, it's sounding good already and it's barely morning!

OK, girlfriend, I have to go and hit my journal. I hope I didn't offer too much advice, but that holiday your stress you're feeling is something that hits close to home--I get the knot in my stomach just thinking about it.

Have a great day, Amanda, and be good to YOU!

Erin

 

[septbride2002]

Thanks Desiree and Marcia for stopping by! Marcia I'm glad you like the topic!

Erin - thank you for the great advice! We have started laying down the law but it has been tough. The biggest issue being that DH and I have been together since I was 15 years old before the parents divorce so we've been seeing everybody for YEARS - litterally. I finally laid down the law this year about Thanksgiving - it is my favorite holiday and the last 3 years I've hated it because there were to many places to go and we couldn't fit everyone in. So I finally said - we are having Thanksgiving and you can either come or not it is up to you. Would you believe that Brian's Mom was like - "we don't feel there is any reason for us to come." I guess it is only her son - but what do I know. His family is very selfish and hates change (although doesn't mind it if they are doing all the changing). His Dad came and both my parents and it was the best Thanksgiving we had in years. We will get through Easter - we just have to put one foot in front of the other.

RECAP for yesterday:

B: Peanutbutter and Celery - 4 carbs
L: Subway Wrap - 8 carbs
S: Mini Snickers - 12 carbs
S: Coffee - 5 carbs
D: Chicken Salad with Ranch Dressing - estimate 4 carbs
S: One Thin Mint - Carb Count???
I also ate about 3 french fries. I think I am still way under the 55 carb limit so I am counting the day as cheat free.

Todays plan:
We are leaving in a couple minutes to help my Dad move which is going to count as my exercise today since heavy lifting is involved as well as stairs.

B: ?? I may not get one today.
L: I am requesting Subway or Hardees so I know I can get something that I can eat.
D: Not sure yet because I'm not sure if we will still be at Dad's or if we'll be at home.

Wish me luck today Wish - sisters because I am operating without a plan! AUGH! Today is going to be a long day as well since I need to stick around and wait for my Mom to get off work so I can go give her some money I owe her. I hate long days. Thank Goodness we have no plans tomorrow. DH bought me the Da Vinci Code last night so I am going to love reading that all day if possible.

~Amanda

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Fellow FIRMie!
I just read your post about Holiday Stress and want to send a huge your way. My DH and I have been together since I was 14 years old (course, he wasn't my husband then ) and we have been through this more times than I care to remember. Whose house are we going to? When will we leave to go to the next house? It was very stressful especially when we would have to leave early or arrive late and get the cold shoulder because we didn't spend the entire day w/ a particular family. A couple of years ago, my side of the family started celebrating the holidays a day early or a day later than the actual holiday. It has really lowered the stress levels in our home around the holidays. I hope that you and Brian are able to come up with a compromise that works for both of you.

You are doing a great job with the FIRM! I just love those videos! My husband bought me BSS2 and I love how they combine the upper and lower body segments with cardio. Makes the workouts go by so much faster.

Also, didn't I read that you are in a size 12 now? Congratulations! That is an awesome accomplishment! Way to go!

Have a great weekend!

Tracy

 

[ZerasPride]

Hi Amanda!

I don't check on you for a few days and look at all that's going on with you! First let me congratulate you on making tuna your food of choice and not the ice cream and pizza. We call that progress my friend!

And now let me compliment you on those size 12 jeans. Way to go!!!! I like to call my baggy pants my droopy drawers! I have 2 pair that I need to get rid of. I wore one pair yesterday to work and was afraid they were going to fall down. We could have worse problems now couldn't we?

You are doing so well in managing the stress in your life without resorting to bad eating habits. I am so proud of you! Please keep up the great work even though you'll be operating without a plan. Your way of eating is so ingrained in your life that I know you'll make healthy and delicious decisions. Take care and have a great and restful weekend (or what's left of it anyway).

 

[Desiree]

Size 12s!!! That's fantastic!!!!!! I hope you have a relaxing rest of the weekend!

Desiree'

 

[septbride2002]

Thanks Lisa, Tracy, and Desiree for stopping by!

I know all your thoughts were with my yesterday - but it was a total flop of a day. The only good point was the constant exercise for about 6 hours. I am going to lay down the truth of what I ate - are ya read?

3 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (through the course of the day)
Tall glass of 2% milk
Meatball Sandwich from Subway
Pizza
Girl Scout Cookies
Regular soda

Talk about self- control?

But I am putting it behind me and moving on. I have a more relaxing day ahead of me. I'm going to go grocery shopping and stock up on essentials. I am going to not exercise today and rather focus on just healing the mind and spirit. I am half way through The Da Vinci Code and am looking forward to just having 2 hours of reading to myself. I may also scrapbook today.

Plan:
B: Peanut Butter and Celery Sticks
L: I may make a ham omelet
D: Steak Fillets with Greenbeans

~Amanda

So far so good - I really have hardly eaten anything today. I had 1 girl scout cookie (10 carbs) and for lunch I had a 3 egg omelet with cheese and ham - I am estimating 8 carbs.

I finished The Da Vinci Code today and all I can say is WOW! That is one of the best books that I have read in a really really long time.

~Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

alright amanda, so you had a bump in the road kind of day. goodness, that food looks good. i hope that you enjoyed it all . glad to see you got right back on track

hope that that bump is behind you and that you continue to move forward. have a great rest of the day

 

[septbride2002]

I was doing great yesterday until Sunday Dinner at my friends parents house. These people go all out. They had the most tender steak fillets I have ever had! YUM! Side dishes were salad and broccoli (all good for the diet) but then they also had Potato Casserole - yum! I had a very very small portion. So far so good to be honest - but then dessert was hot apple crips with vanilla Ice Cream - the thought of turning it down didn't even enter my mind. So no cheat free day for me but I don't care!

DH and I both called in sick to work today - we are having a Mental Health Day. Sometimes you just have to take one And I have to be honest I am more relaxed now then I have been in days.

My Mom has been doing low carb for awhile and her and I are pretty much the same as far as body structure, where we carry our weight, and our metabolism. She told me that she had a stall about a month ago and at about that time she heard a report about Grapefruit on the news that some university did a study and people that ate half a grape fruit everyday lost more weight then those who didn't. So every morning she has half of a white grapefruit - sweetened with Splenda and 3 pieces of bacon or deli meat. Since she started eating the grapefruit (nothing else in her diet changed) she has lost another 10 to 15 lbs! She looks incredible! And almost weighs as much as I do and we just cannot have that So I am going to start having half a grapefruit every morning with my breakfast.

B: 2 eggs scrabled with ham and cheese - 6 carbs
1/2 grapefruit (9 carbs) Splenda (1) = 16 carbs for breakfast

L: Lunch Meat and cheese or perhaps a big salad
steamed broccoli

D: Kiebasa (yum) with Greenbeans or Cauliflower.

E: I will exercise today or tonight - Cario Blast will be the tape I am gong to do.

I only did 2 Firm workouts last week but I also had an entire day of moving so I am counting it as 3 workouts. In April we are going to start our walk/run program for the marathon which means I'll be kicking up the workouts to 5 or 6 times a week

~Amanda

 

[lulu201]

Wasn't that book great?

Oh, I'd talk longer, but I have to run out to buy some grapefruit.

Have a good day, Amanda--
Erin

 

[toystoryduo]

Hey Amanda!
Glad to hear that you have taken today off to relax! We all need mental health days every once in awhile. I think employers should add these to their benefits programs. Happier, healthier, and more relaxed employees generally lead to better productivity so it would benefit the companies as well. Of course, as a stay at home mom, I'm not sure who I need to talk to about a mental health day, but I could sure use one! Good for you for taking care of you today!!!

Enjoy your day off! Take care!!

Tracy