AmyM's Quest for a Better Bikini Body!

[lovinaz]

I can't believe how this month is flying by. I guess excessive travel does that... I also found out that the Greece biz trip will most likely happen AFTER my cruise, which is so cool because then I will be able to go!!! I hate not knowing the dates, but that is life. I did really good yesterday. I did not snack in the evening! And I had just about talked myself out of going to the gym (I had to work late) but I made myself go. It had been about 2 weeks since I did weights and I was really tired. It doesn't take long to get out of shape! Yesterday I drank 80oz water, 16oz green tea, 16.9oz Pear Water (from Mexico, 0 cal):

6:20am: Egg Beaters w/Veggie Sausage Links (2); Fiber Cake
8:40am: LF Cottage Cheese; Cantaloupe/Honeydew
11:15am: Spring Mix Salad (w/chicken, cheese, flax seed, red pepper, cucumber, LF dressing); Soy Crisps (1 serving)
2:45pm: Low Carb Yogurt; Apple
6:30pm: Spring Mix Taco Salad (w/turkey breast taco meat, cheese, LF sour cream); Soy Nuts (1 serving); 2 SF Creme Savers
WORKOUT: Weights (30min); Elliptical (35min)
RESISTED: Almonds, Peanuts, Halloween Chocolate, Graham Crackers, Truffles
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Karyn, glad to have you back! You can do it this time, just get into a routine and you'll be golden.

Amy, thanks! I like not knowing how much I weigh. I didn't even step on the scale at the gym last night. And I almost skipped the gym altogether, but then figured that wouldn't be considered hitting it really hard before my cruise...

Tracey, that is exactly why I didn't want to weigh myself. Who cares if I gained a few lbs? All it would do is make me mad and I do stupid things foodwise when I get mad. This way is much better!

Jane, I can't believe the cruise is so close either. I don't even feel like I am prepared for it! My stepmom gave me the cutest skirt - it's a long skirt with a beach scene on it. The only place to wear it would be on a cruise!!

CJK, so far so good! I know I didn't lose any weight on my vacation like you did, but all my clothes still fit, so it can't be that bad...

 

[eeyore25]

Welcome Home!

Sounds like you had a good time....good idea for not getting on the scale right away! If you gained weight while gone, I am sure that it will be gone in no time!!!!

Your plan looks good...I know you can do it!!

Keep up the good work!!!!

 

[Jane E.]

You're not the only one! I haven't weighed in since returning from the wine festival and we were only gone two days!!!!

Great job on going to workout!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Good for you going to the gym! There really is some freedom in not weighing ones self each and every day. It doesn't take long to get out of shape but it also doesn't take long to get back in shape after just a couple of weeks off. Next time you do weights will be easier. Thats great about Greece, you are a well travelled gal I must say! How is Buckley? Haven't heard much mention lately, is he behaving better or have you sold him to the dog pound? Benjamin cost me $84 bucks today on one stupid prescription! That dog's doctor bills cost more than the rest of us combined on a yearly basis! Keep up the good work, you are doing great!

 

[CACruisin']

Welcome Back! I am so glad your whole family had such a wonderful time!

You are the most disciplined person I know. You are going to do just fine getting ready for your cruise.

Awesome news about Greece! Wow, four international trips in less than two months - very cool!

Have a great ON PLAN week!

 

[lovinaz]

I was so happy that DH offered to take DD to tap last night!!! Not only did I have a headache, but I had about a hundred things to do around the house (empty dishwasher, fold towels that had been sitting in the dryer since Sunday, put away laundry, pack lunches, make Jello, etc). Took some Advil and got everything done while they were gone and DS was playing outside!!! I also was very good about not snacking. My Jello wasn't set yet, so I couldn't have any. I had some SF candy to get my "gotta have a sweet after eating" fix cured. No workout, but none was planned. I will be going today, NO EXCUSES! I can't believe I am still a little sore from Monday's workout. I will have to work out at least a couple times while I am on my cruise, I don't like being sore! Yesterday I drank either 80 or 100oz water (I couldn't remember how many cups I drank at work); 16oz green tea; 12oz Minute Maid Light:

6:20am: High Fiber Organic O's (1 serving) w/Skim Milk (1/2c)
8:30am: LF Cottage Cheese; Cantaloupe/Honeydew
11:30am: Spring Mix Salad (w/chicken, cheese, soy nuts (1tbsp), LF dressing); Soy Crisps (1 serving)
3:30pm: Low Carb Yogurt; Apple; Almonds (1.2oz)
6:30pm: Leftover Turkey Taco Meat (~1.25c = too much); Zucchini-n-Squash w/Parmesan Cheese (1tbsp); Soy Crisps (10); SF Creme Savers (4)
WORKOUT: None
RESISTED: Goldfish; Pretzels; Chocolate Graham Sticks; Halloween Chocolate
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jamie, I kinda like not knowing my weight. The only thing I need it for is the cardio machines at the gym. I might actually not weigh myself until the morning I leave for the cruise. Because I know I'll get right back into the obsessive weighing habit if I jump on the scale now. Hmm, that's an idea...

Jane, at least you got to try a bunch of cool stuff! I actually didn't eat too bad, it's the drinking that killed me. And I didn't even drink during the day, only at night after the kids had gone to bed...

Amy, Buckley is still a total pain in the @$$. He chewed up one of the throw pillows from the couch the other day and yesterday he was eating one of my plants. And he still jumps on the kids and will nip them once in a while. I am waiting for the day when the little spaz calms down!

Anna, thanks! We'll see how disciplined I am this weekend - DH wants to go camping with a bunch of our friends (hello, we were just with them all weekend in Mexico!) and I don't want to go. I just want to bum around the house! But he really wants to go, so I'll be faced with bad camping food PLUS drinking (again!). I'm hoping he decides not to go...

 

[Jane E.]

I don't blame you for not wanting to go camping. You must be worn out from all of the traveling that you've been doing. Your eating looks really good!

 

[CJK]

What tremendous dedication!! When's your cruise again? I TOTALLY understand the scale thing! I tell myself that I will only weigh myself once a week, but I seem to be doing it every other day. Crazy! Keep up the great work!

 

[kmp1191]

You're doing great on the food!
Thank goodness your DH offered....don't ya love it when they do that!!
Wanna come over to my house and help out now??!!

Mexico for a week, now camping with the same people.....

 

[lovinaz]

DH and I overslept yesterday. I must have turned off the alarm instead of hitting snooze. He is supposed to be at work at 6am and he rolled over and asked "Does the clock say 5:56?" Yep... So instead of Egg Beaters I had Chocolate Oatmeal since I was so rushed in the morning. I try to only have that twice a week since it is so many more calories, but I think I will survive (I also had it today, it is so good!). I told DH that I really don't want to go camping this weekend. It's not that I don't like camping, I just want some time to relax at home. I've been running all month and I am just so tired. I think he is finally getting it in his head that I am not going. But I feel bad because he is the type that won't go without his lovely wife and I know he really wants to go. I'll try to convince him to go with one of our friends (whose wife is for sure not going). I'm not going to stress about it! Yesterday I drank 100oz water, 16oz green tea, 12oz Minute Maid Light, 8oz Diet Green Tea:

6:30am: Chocolate Oatmeal
8:40am: LF Cottage Cheese; Cantaloupe/Honeydew
11:30am: Spring Mix Salad (w/chicken, red pepper, cheese, LF dressing); Soy Crisps (1 serving)
2:30pm: Low Carb Yogurt; Apple
6:30pm: Veggie Burger; Wheat Noodles (1/2c cooked) w/Parmesan; Zucchini/Squash; SF Jello w/Soy Whip
WORKOUT: Weights (30min); Treadmill (25min - Mother Nature intervened )
RESISTED: Pretzels, Chocolate, a second Veggie Burger
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jane, I am wiped out. Not to mention it gets too cold at night this time of year in the mountains and once I get a chill, I can't get warm. Plus, my fave teacher is doing Sunday's TBK at the gym and I haven't been in over a month!

CJK, my cruise is on 11/5 and we are flying to Miami on 11/4. It's gonna be a blast, but it's one of those vacations where I'll need a vacation after the vacation. I also found out that I might be going to the Netherlands before the end of the year (for work). It's getting kinda crazy!!!

Marie, I am so lucky DH is so wonderful with the kids. I made sure I told him how much I appreciate him helping out with them. I have not had a single pretzel or Goldfish since the Chip Free Challenge started!

 

[goldcupmom]

Wow, Amy! Almost cruise time and you just got done unpacking from Mexico. Wears me out thinking about it.

You do so well at getting right back on track!

Have an AWESOME weekend!

 

[Jane E.]

I'm glad you'll be able to stay home and get some R&R this weekend. Although cold mountain weather does have a certain appeal to me. I'm really tired of this hot, humid weather! I see you had your veggie burger with noodles - I'll have to try that sometime.

 

[lovinaz]

Weigh in this morning was 139. I think I was 140 the day I left for Mexico, and I know I gained a couple lbs there, so I am OK with it. My goal was to be under 140, and I accomplished that! I think I am going to stick with weekly weighing from now on. It's so much less stressful that way (of course until the first time I gain, then I'll be really upset... ).

Yesterday was P/T Conferences. The same old stuff. DD7 is the perfect student (and her teacher is recommending she be tested for the gifted program! ). DS10's gifted teacher said he is doing awesome this year. Then we got to his regular teacher. I could just wring that kid's neck sometimes! Apparently a couple weeks ago he told the teacher (in front of the whole class) that her makeup scares him. OMG, I can't believe my child said that to someone, no less his teacher! He will be writing a note of apology for that one. And he's also been screwing around in class (no surprise there, although I thought he was doing fine since I hadn't gotten any bad reports/phone calls). He ended up getting 2 B's, 2 C's and a D. Pretty pathetic for someone with all A's and B's last year. So his life during the week will be a little less fun until we see some major improvement in his grades and behavior. He's been wonderful at home, I don't know what his problem is. He just wants to be the center of attention all the time. The teacher is putting him under a behavior contract, it'll be interesting to see what that entails. Then we went to Costco and blew $100. But I DID NOT get any Cashew or Almond Coconut Crunch (actually had a bag in my hand and put it back ). I also didn't get a Churro or a Very Berry Sundae. DS was lucky because we both calmed down by the time we picked them up from school... Yesterday I drank 80oz water, 16oz green tea, 12oz Minute Maid Light, 20oz DC:

6:15am: Chocolate Oatmeal
8:45am: LF Cottage Cheese; Cantaloupe/Honeydew
11:30am: Spring Mix Salad (w/chicken, cheese, red pepper, LF dressing); Soy Crisps (1 serving); Atomic Fireball
5:00pm: Colby Jack Cheese (1.5oz); Celery-n-PB
6:45pm: Lemon Pepper Chicken; Broccoli; Jello w/Soy Whip
8:00pm: Honey Nut Cheerios (1/4c)
WORKOUT: None
RESISTED: Churro; Very Berry Sundae, more Cheerios
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Julie, I have no choice but to get back on track quickly - I wouldn't be able to fit into any of my clothes if I didn't!!!

Jane, DH is still trying to talk me into going, but I really don't want to go! I think I have him convinced to go without me. I really like those Morningstar Farms veggie burgers! We looked at Costco yesterday but all they had were Boca Burgers, which I did not like at all. So I guess I'm stuck paying grocery store prices!

 

[eeyore25]

Hi Amy,

You're doing a good job getting back on track!! You have a great plan to only weigh yourself once a week. That is great!

Good for you for putting that bag back!!! You're doing such a good job!!!

Cruise will be here in no time!!! I bet you can't wait!

Keep up the good work!

Have a great weekend

 

[Jane E.]

I haven't had an atomic fireball in ages! Are they as hot and full of cinamon as I remember?

Don't ya just love it when your kids embarrass you? When I was about 3 my mom and I ran into one of her old neighbor's at the drugstore. Her eyebrows were shaved (I'd never seen anyone with shaved eyebrows before) and she'd penciled them in. Plus she wore "vibrant" makeup. I turned to my mother in front of this nice lady and said, "Mom, why is she dressed up like a clown?" To this day my older brother won't let me forget it! My hopes were dashed when I found out that not only wasn't she a clown but I was in big trouble! (No wonder my mom's losing her memory.)

The clothing thing is motivating me too. My 12s are way too tight & my 14s look awful on me.

Great job at avoiding the pitfalls at Costco!

 

[Amy&Dan]

Okay, I know I shouldn't, but I am laughing at the scary makeup comment! So I must ask you, is her makeup scary? Honesty is hard to temper sometimes! Good job resisting the Costco eats, those sundaes are so good! And well, churros, don't even get me started. You made your goal and that is a very good thing! You will have so much fun on the cruise! Have a good weekend!

P.S. Benjamin still nips the kids, I think they really don't even like him truth be known. Are you hating me for telling you last year that Beagles were great dogs to have? They are, you just have to appreciate their personalities. And they are so darn cute, which is luck for them!

 

[lovinaz]

DD won her first soccer game this year!!!!! They are now 1-2-2. All the girls really kicked it up a notch, it was a great game! DD ALMOST scored a goal - she kicked it and it went up in the air and stop about 1 ft away from the inside of the net. And of course all the girls just stood there and looked at it instead of kicking again... And to celebrate we went out for ice cream. I had behaved all week with my eating so I didn't feel guilty at all for the treat. And it was YUMMY!!! DH is leaving today for camping (coming back early tomorrow). I have a whole list of things I want to get done around the house, so I will be pretty busy. My knee is kinda aching today so I'm not sure if I will get to the gym or not. I'm going to give it a couple hours to see if it feels better. I am definitely going to TBK tomorrow, so if I don't get to the gym today, I'm not going to worry about it. I've already been 3x this week, which is pretty good! Yesterday I drank 80oz water, 24oz green tea (to keep warm in my office ), 12oz Minute Maid Light:

6:20am: Egg Beaters w/Red Pepper; Veggie Sausage Links (2)
8:30am: LF Cottage Cheese; Plums (2)
11:30am: Turkey-n-Cheddar on 7-Grain; Celery-n-LF Laughing Cow (2)
2:30pm: Low Carb Yogurt; Apple
5:30pm: Macadamia Nuts (3tbsp of pieces); Trail Mix (3tbsp)
6:15pm: Macadamia Crusted Mahi Mahi; Cauliflower
8:30pm: Single Scoop Oatmeal Cookie Crunch on Sugar Cone
WORKOUT: Weights (30min); Elliptical (35min)
RESISTED: More trail mix
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Jamie, I feel so unprepared for this cruise! I did all the reservations, research, etc a couple months ago and there is nothing left to do! It just feels empty...

Jane, the AFB was super hot at the beginning (I almost spit it out!) but then it just turned into a regular jawbreaker. You'd think they could alternate layers where it would stay hot the whole time! We put a man on the moon for cryin' out loud! Love the clown story! Your pants will fit better soon, I think you have all your major food events out of the way for a while, right?

Amy, Buckley is walking around wimpering and crying because his daddy is packing up to leave. WHAT A BIG BABY!!!!!!!!!! He is so darn cute and he really is a good dog 80% of the time. The kids just get him so wound up. As for DS's teacher, she hardly wears any makeup at all! His latest thing is how everything "scares" him and he thought he was being funny. I asked him how he would feel if someone said that to me and he said "not good". Then I asked him how he would feel if someone told him his freckles scared them and he said "not good". Who knows if he gets the points or not, he just better not disrespect anyone like that again. I've never washed his mouth out with soap, but I think those braces could use an Ivory scrub...

 

[Amy&Dan]

I think you should be really proud of yourself for having only 3 TB of trail mix! That is just enough to get a taste without blowing it. I hope you got a lot done while your dh was camping. A little alone time never hurt any woman! As for Buckley, just enjoy his cute and sometimes naughty little self, as Benjamin gets towards the end I realize that as much of a pain as he can be I do love him to death!

Keep up your good work, you are heading to the cruise as a skinnier you!

 

[lovinaz]

I wish I could erase yesterday's food... I just completely lost my mind, I guess being alone is not good for me after all!!! I ended up going shopping and out to lunch with a friend, we wasted pretty much the whole day. So my list of things I wanted to get done didn't... But it was fun just to shop and not have to worry about getting somewhere or what time it was! I didn't work out but I did get to my class this morning (and it's been a while, I am going to be one hurtin' unit tomorrow!). I am not going to let yesterday's bad choices get me down. Yesterday I drank 72oz water, 8oz FF Chai Latte:

8:00am: Oatmeal (1/4c) w/Apple (1/2), Raisins (2tbsp), Stevia & Cinnamon; 3 Egg Whites
10:00am: Low Carb Yogurt; Kashi Crunch (1/4c)
1:15pm: Baked Potato Soup (cup); Turkey, Bacon, Cheddar on a Croissant (no mayo, but it was huge and I ate the WHOLE thing!!!)
5:00pm: Ginger Molasses Cookie (I have had a free cookie coupon for almost a year and rarely get to the mall, so I just HAD to use it )
7:45pm: Red Pepper; 3 mini Cucumbers; Hummus (1/2c); PB (maybe 1/4c )
10:00pm: Trail Mix (~1c, I was eating it right out of the bag, watching TV, which I NEVER do!!!! )
WORKOUT: None
RESISTED: Carrot Cake at lunch (it looked devine)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Amy. obviously the "taste" of trail mix wasn't enough last night. I don't know what the heck happened, but I felt like crap and I don't plan on eating that much junk anytime soon! I taped off the trim on our front door to paint it and Buckley keeps taking the tape off and eating it. What a spaz!!! Everytime he barks at something outside (which is rare), we all just crack up because that howl/bark is so funny! It wasn't funny however when he was growling and barking at midnight last night (when I'm by myself, thanks for freaking me out!!). I checked the house and the only thing he could have been barking at were the Halloween lights that have not been hung up yet...

 

[lovinaz]

I am SO SORE today!!!!! After tons of squats and lunges, my legs and glutes are screaming. And it had been so long since I'd done abs that those are sore too. I am going to try to tough it out and get to the gym this afternoon, we'll see how that goes... I got right back on track with my food yesterday. I did have a little cookie dough (made some Halloween cookies with the kiddies), but nothing major, not even a whole cookie's worth. I made a big crockpot of veggie soup - corn, celery, onion, zucchini, diced tomatoes, green beans, red pepper and low sodium chicken broth. It is pretty good! I was very careful not to put more than one starchy veggie into it (no carrots or peas ). Yesterday I drank 80oz water, 33.8oz diet green tea, 12oz Crystal Light, 12oz FF Chai latte:

7:30am: Oatmeal (1/4c); Apple (1/2); Raisins (2tbsp); Cinnamon & Stevia; Skim Milk (1/2c)
10:45am: Low Carb Yogurt; Kashi Crunch (1/4c)
12:45pm: Veggie Burger; Colby Jack Cheese (3/4oz); 2 Baby Cukes w/Hummus
4:15pm: LF Cottage Cheese; NSA Peach Applesauce
7:00pm: Crockpot Veggie Soup (~1.5c); 7 Grain Bread-n-Butter (1); SF Jello w/Soy Whip; Cookie Dough (maybe 1/2 cookie)
WORKOUT: TBK (60min); ABT (30min)
RESISTED: Trail Mix; More Cookie Dough; Cookies