AmyM's Quest for a Better Bikini Body!

[Amy&Dan]

OMG, I was afraid the "bad" food was processed carbs. I think that means my Weight Watchers ice cream novelties are a no no. I too need to realize low fat, low calorie is not always a good thing. Sounds like you are really handling the new program well. I have to tell you, I love natural pb! Its like eating a handful of real peanuts. Its very satisfying and I have to watch myself with that. You can definitely do this, I think getting to the low 130's by your trips is doable given your determination and discipline. Now that you know what you need to do to get out of this rut, you will do it!

Hope you find a cello! And yes, beagles are made so especially cute so that their species can survive. If they weren't they would all be killed by their irate owners!

 

[CACruisin']

Great job with Day #2. I have the same problem with the PB and the almonds. I love them, but really can't eat them both on the same day - too much fat. We switched to natural PB a while ago. You get used to it and over time, the other stuff is "too sticky". (Note: my kids do not share my opinion on this however !) TJ's has a good almond butter, if you are looking for a change of pace.

With your determination and discipline, you are going to look great for your Mexico trip and Cruise, I'm sure!

Glad you can still camp during the school year. That must be a nice weekend getaway with lots of family time, walking and no restaurant temptations.

Have a great weekend.

 

[Jane E.]

Congrats for making it thru day 2!!! Of course, you'll make it to 130 by October. You only have 11 more lbs to go. You're already heading in the right direction.

Do you ever get Trader Joe's almond butter? That way you can have your almonds and your "peanut butter" all at once! Dh used to love that when we lived in California. One benefit is that I can't eat as much of that as I do of Jif. Great job on resisting the garlic bread. Looks like you're doing great!

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Hi Amy!!

Wow, I've been gone too long - a lot has happened to you!

Sounds like you've got a great plan with your food, working with the ND etc.

You can do it!!

The kidney stones are AWFUL. I had my first one just a few months after my oldest DD was born, and it was definitely worse pain than childbirth, IMO!!

I had a second one a few years later, even with drinking tons of water and watching my calcium intake very strictly.

Finally, I think I had another small one when pregnant with DS, I remember calling my doctor and telling her what was going on, she told me to start drinking galllons of water to try to flush it out. This was late at night, and she called to check on me the next morning, but I must have dissolved it or passed it during the night. But boy, they do hurt!!

We love to go camping for short trips in the fall, but DD plays soccer every Saturday, and that kind of eliminates any camping. By the time the season is over in November, its pretty darn cold here to sleep outside!

Glad it sounds like you have a new direction, and even though it will be hard for a bit I think it will make a difference.

 

[lovinaz]

Yesterday went MUCH better for me. I did not have any almonds OR peanut butter. I think I am going to try to save those for weekend treats. I avoided the snacky period between coming home and dinner by making dinner right when I got home. Of course no one else was ready to eat yet, but I wasn't going to set myself up for failure, so I ate earlier. We have been eating too late anyway (7pm) and I want to get that back down to the 6pm range... I could possibly make my exercise challenge if I REALLY kick it up a notch. I still haven't decided what I'll do... Yesterday I drank 100oz of water and 16oz green tea:

6:15am: Egg Beaters w/Spinach & Red Peppers (gotta find a different breakfast!)
8:30am: Low Carb Yogurt; Strawberries
11:30am: Spinach Salad (w/chicken, garbanzo beans, red pepper, cheddar, LF dressing); Soy Crisps
2:45pm: 3 Egg Whites; Apple
6:00pm: Burrito (w/turkey, cheddar, FF sour cream, wheat tortilla); SF Jello w/Soy Whipped Cream
WORKOUT: Weights (30min); Elliptical (35min)
RESISTED: More Jello, Creme Savers, tons of cheese on burrito
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Tracey, I could wrangle a personal trainer, I'm just not willing to pay for one! There is a really cute one at my gym, I don't think I'd be able to concentrate if he was the one I was assigned to... You are right, I CAN stick to this for 2 weeks. I've already done 3 days! I am just scared of what the ND will "add back" when I go in next time. Hopefully I can have my cantaloupe and carrots back!

Amy, here I thought I was eating all the right things, but apparently not. I already feel better and I am not going to give up this time. I'm paying the ND to give me this advice and if I don't follow it, I might as well be throwing money down the garbage disposal. I really hope I get to a weight (whatever the number is) where I am feeling good about myself in my swimsuit. That is my only goal! I don't care what the number on the scale is as long as I think I look good!

Anna, I think trying the almond or cashew butter would be the end of me. I know it would be too good and I would totally lose control with it. Maybe once I have a healthier relationship with food I will try it, but now is definitely not the right time!

Jane, I'm sure I could eat just as much OR MORE almond butter as Jif. Between that and Cool Whip, I just don't know what the problem is... I am going to TJ's this weekend to try to find an acceptable bread with no corn syrup in it. Even 100% whole wheat has it! I'm sure they have something acceptable for me.

Kate, yikes I forgot about DD's soccer on Saturdays! OK, maybe we won't be going camping that often (at least with the kids - DH and I can go when they are at their dad's). Ya, the kidney stone is something I'd only wish for my ex-husband to get - on a monthly basis...

 

[CACruisin']

great job on completing day 3!

Good job eating dinner earlier. We have let the dinner hour slide this summer too.

 

[CJK]

Wow! You are doing so well! Some of the foods that you're cutting out are the exact same foods that I'm eating in abundance (ie. almonds everyday, froz. yogurt, etc..). I guess something's gotta give. You're definitely on the right track. I'm hoping you'll inspire me. I need to do better with my food choices. Keep up the great work!!!

Tell me, do you enjoy soy crisps? I've never tried them before.

 

[kmp1191]

You're doing great AMy!!! Keep it up!!
I know what you mean about eating too late. We sometimes don't eat until 8:00, if we eat dinner at all!!!! I HAVE GOT to get organized!!

you're gonna look awsome for your upcoming trips!!!


marie

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Keep up the good work, congrats on 3 good days!!!

 

[lovinaz]

Yesterday was TOUGH but I made it through. I was almost in a panic around dinner time because DH was grilling and I was starving! I think I drank 40oz of liquid just waiting for dinner to be ready. I kept myself busy all day, so that helped a lot. Today will be another busy day. I wanted to lay out (gotta keep that tan for my cruise!) but I don't think that is going to happen. It's already noon and I still have tons to do. Oh well, I got to lay out yesterday, so I can't complain too much! My instructor at class today switched things up and it was an incredibly difficult workout. My legs feel like Jello (SF of course!). Yesterday I drank 80oz water and 32oz Crystal Light:

7:20am: Egg Beaters w/Spinach & Red Peppers
10:00am: Low Carb Yogurt; Nectarine
1:30pm: Wheat Bread w/2tbp PB; Green Beans
4:30pm: FF Cottage Cheese; Strawberries; Soy Crisps
7:00pm: Tri-tip; Zucchini; Cucumber; SF Jello w/Soy Whip
WORKOUT: Bosu Fitness (60min); Recumbent Bike (35min)
RESISTED: More Soy Crisps, Cheese, Goldfish, Wine, more Yogurt
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anna, we used to eat dinner around 6pm, I don't know what happened! And I don't think it is going to get any better since DD starts dance back up next week, plus soccer practice, plus the dog goes to obedience class, etc...

CJK, thanks for stopping by! Apparently I was eating way too many carbs and I thought I was doing great... Hopefully this new plan the ND has me on will straighten me out and I will finally start seeing some blubber melt off... I do like the soy crisps. The White Cheddar are my fave. I also got some Sea Salt ones that are pretty tasty too.

Marie, thanks! I can't believe you skip dinner sometimes! When I was still going to school, there were a few nights (OK, maybe more than a few) when my kids got cereal for dinner. They loved it but I hated it. Oh well, when you are so busy, what can you do?

Kate, I knew the weekends would be the hardest for me. I really miss my Chai Latte. But if this is what I have to do to get to where I want to be, I will have to make that sacrifice.

 

[kmp1191]

Marie, thanks! I can't believe you skip dinner sometimes! When I was still going to school, there were a few nights (OK, maybe more than a few) when my kids got cereal for dinner. They loved it but I hated it. Oh well, when you are so busy, what can you do?

I hope you didn't misunderstand...the kids will get something quick...grilled cheese, hot ham & cheese, scrambled eggs.....I'm the one that won't eat.

 

[CJK]

Great job on getting through a challenging day, so successfully! Thanks for the info on soy crisps. I'm going to look for them here. You're inspiring me to really watch my simple carbs. I've got 4 weeks before my trip so hopefully I can follow your lead and reach my goals. Have a great week!!

 

[lovinaz]

I had the ultimate tempation yesterday. My mom wanted the kids to spend the night on Sat, and on Sunday I told her I'd meet her halfway to drop the kids off. She wanted to stop at Baskin Robbins (which is conveniently located halfway ) to get the kids an ice cream. So off I go, and the kids order ice cream and my mom gets a quart of Baseball Nut (you can't get the single scoops anymore) and proceeds to eat it right from the quart. Meanwhile, I am sitting there, trying not to look at anything. It was pretty awful. But I got through it without indulging. My butt is SO sore from yesterday's workout! I winced every step on the way to my desk this morning... I drank 100oz of water, 32oz Crystal Light and 20oz Diet Green Tea:

7:30am: Egg Beaters (½c) w/Spinach & Red Peppers
11:45am: Fat Free Cottage Cheese (3/4c); Apple
1:00pm: Turkey-Spinach-Provolone-Mustard on Oat Bran Bread; Soy Crisps (9)
4:00pm: Low Carb Yogurt (4oz); Raspberries (1/2c) w/Soy Whip; Cucumber
6:30pm: Meatloaf (6oz); Steamed Broccoli (1c) w/Butter Buds; SF Jello w/Soy Whip
WORKOUT: TBK (60min); ABT (30min)
RESISTED: Baskin Robbins, Chai Latte, Pudding
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marie, I didn't figure you were starving the kids. They always come first, don't they? You are nicer than me, I just gave them cereal...

CJK, I hope the carb reduction works for you. I've lost a couple pounds, but that is normal for me (up/down/up/down/up). I will have to wait for my "official" weigh-in on Friday to see if there has been any real progress. I hope so!

 

[CACruisin']

You are doing such a great job with your detox . Watching everyone eat Baskin Robbins is a true test of willpower (or cruel & unusual punishment?) and you passed with flying colors .

Have a great week.

 

[Jane E.]

I had the ultimate tempation yesterday. My mom wanted the kids to spend the night on Sat, and on Sunday I told her I'd meet her halfway to drop the kids off. She wanted to stop at Baskin Robbins (which is conveniently located halfway ) to get the kids an ice cream. So off I go, and the kids order ice cream and my mom gets a quart of Baseball Nut (you can't get the single scoops anymore) and proceeds to eat it right from the quart. Meanwhile, I am sitting there, trying not to look at anything. It was pretty awful. But I got through it without indulging.

I don't see how you made it thru that one!!! Does she know that you're detoxing right now? That was pretty awful. Great job on keeping up with your workouts and eating. I'm glad that you have the support and help of an ND to get you thru this!

 

[CJK]

I agree with the others. You deserve a pat on the back for resisting that ice cream temptation!!!!!!!!!!! I would've knocked my mother down grabbing that dang ice cream from her for sure!

You're doing great!!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Amy you amaze me with your discipline! I wanna be you when I grow up! If I could sit there and not kill my own Mother for her qt. of ice cream I would know I had arrived in life. WTG resisting that! Remember our little challenge to each other? You are doing way better than me. I am staying within points but eating all the wrong stuff. I need to do better, your journals inspire me! And I am with you on the late dinner, some nights we don't eat til close to 8:00. I hate that! Keep up your good work, you are really doing well!

 

[gradtchr]

I finally found your new home. I can't wait to get caught up!

 

[kmp1191]

hey amy....great job resisting!!! that's awsome!!! i know i would have gotten a spoon and dug in there with mom!!!

have a great day!!!

marie

 

[lovinaz]

I really struggled yesterday to not snack. I think part of it might be that I worked out 4 days in a row. I am taking a much neede break from exercise today! I'm not going to make my exercise challenge, but OH WELL. If I didn't have the kidney stone I would have been close enough in minutes to make up for it, but I am too far away and there is no sense in killing myself and burning out. And I know this is a shocker, but I am not joining the Sept Challenge! Things are getting way too busy, with DD's dance and soccer and DS's dog training and cello. I also volunteered to be team mom for DD's soccer team (what ever I was smoking at the time must have been pretty good! ). So I know I will get my exercise in 3-5x a week, I just don't want to be disappointed if I don't make my goal again. Exercise is a huge part of my life now and I feel enough guilt if I don't get it in, so I think that is enough motivation for me to continue! My weight was steadily going down, but the last 2 days it has jumped up again. I looked at the calendar and I think it is PMS time, so I am not going to read too much into it. I think it is all water bloat so I am NOT going to get discouraged, I am going to keep chugging on with my detox. Yesterday I drank 100oz of water, 16oz green tea and 20oz Crystal Light:

6:15am: Egg Beaters (3/4c) w/Spinach & Shredded Cheddar (2tbsp)
8:30am: FF Cottage Cheese (3/4c); Strawberries (1c)
11:30pm: Spinach (2c); Diced Chicken Breast (3oz); Shredded Cheddar (1tbsp); Garbanzo Beans (1/4c); Italian Dressing (2tbsp); Red Pepper (2tbsp); Soy Crisps (18)
2:30pm: Low Carb Yogurt (4oz); Nectarine; 2 Fiber Candies
5:00pm: Soy Crisps (12)
6:30pm: Chicken (6oz); Green Beans (1/2c) w/Butter Buds; Pumpkin (1c) w/Splenda and Pumpkin Pie Spice; SF Jello w/Soy Whip
8:30pm: Natural Peanut Butter (1tbsp)
WORKOUT: Weights (30min); Treadmill (35min)
RESISTED: Cheez-Its, Goldfish, Cheese-n-Broccoli noodles w/dinner (that was actually the hardest to resist!)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Anna, the BR incident was cruel and unusual punishment. Plain and simple...

Jane, my mom didn't remember I was on a special diet until we went to pay and I didn't get anything. Then she felt bad. But not bad enough to stop eating one of my fave flavors in front of me...

CJK, if I wasn't paying someone to give me nutrition advice, I would have gotten my own quart and spoon!

Amy, I don't know where that discipline came from. And who knows, maybe next time I will not be so resistant to temptation. You leave tomorrow, right? Maybe you will get Stipe and Alex for your servers. They are awesome! I had cheesecake every night for dessert. Maybe that's why I gained 7 lbs on my cruise...

Beth, it's nice to see you back!

Marie, I thought about getting a Diet Coke, but then remembered I'm not even supposed to that, so I just sat there like a dork while everyone else ate their ice cream. Lesson learned - next time get it for the kids to go so I don't have to sit there and stare at it!