Beyond Recovery: Christin's journal of progress (comments welcome)

[rcyannacci]

Thanks for the support- I'm giving myself a few days off from the dissertation to see if I can gain a fresh perspective. Instead, I'm spending my time re-working some of my lectures for my classes...I need to remember how much I love teaching, and why I chose to go back to school in the first place.

Anyway, the ankle is better...I've done Curves two days in a row now, so today I think I'll head to the pool and not push it too much.

LOVE hummus and all things Mediterrainean! I'll have to look for Trader Joe's...we usually get the stuff they make at our local Central Market, and I forget the brand we get at the grocery. I'll make sure to look next time.

Actually, since we've been trying to cut out refined sugars and eat whole foods/grains, we've been eating better than ever! And I don't think our grocery bill has gone up too significantly (but probably a little)

 

[rcyannacci]

Wednesday-
B- same
S- banana and yogurt with grape nuts
L- oops...forgot this today. I did eat some carrots and celery in the afternoon and snacked on some Craklin Oat Bran cereal so I wouldn't starve before dinner. Just checked the box- darn, this cereal has too much sugar. Guess that will be the last box.
D- Great! Fresh corn on the cob, peel and eat shrimp w/ cocktail sauce, and a spinach, strawberry, and walnut salad w/ poppy seed dressing.

Curves for 40 minutes, plus 10 on abs and legs.

 

[sarahsmom73]

I hope you are able to find some fresh perspective! I know you will! You are doing the right thing by taking a step back!

Have a wonderful weekend and Easter!

 

[rcyannacci]

Thurs.
B- same
L- this was bad, but 1/2 box prepared Kraft mac and cheese. At least now it's gone from the pantry and I don't have to worry about it anymore.
D- large spinach salad with chicken, strawberries, and walnuts (to make up for lunch)

Swam laps today for 40 minutes, then did 10 min at night on abs.

 

[rcyannacci]

Friday-

Did Curves in the morning today- Good Friday, classes cancelled, but I still had some afternoon meetings to attend and a party to help my advisor set up for and attend. 40 minutes, plus 5 on abs.

B- same (still not getting tired of strawberries, soooo good right now!)
L- turkey sandwich from Jimmy Johns (white bread, unfortunately)
D- spinach. roasted red pepper and goat cheese pizza
Party foods- I started out good with fruits, but dipped into the chips and dip a few times. Kept it mainly under control. Big splurge was 1/2 a piece of cake...it was from my favorite bakery and I LOVE cake. I'll have to make this up at Curves today.

 

[rcyannacci]

Saturday-
B- same
L- went to Pei Wei's with Bender, split an order of chicken lettuce wraps and an order of Mongolian Beef and brown rice. Left most of the beef for Bender, since it tasted sweet and I figured they added sugar (it's a conspiracy- it's hidden everywhere!)
D- did Easter dinner early, since Bender had to work on Sunday. Baked ham with sugar glaze (I tried to pull off most of this), scalloped potatoes and onions, and green beans with mushrooms.

Curves- 30 minutes, plus 5 for abs. 20 minute fast-paced walk with dogs.

 

[rcyannacci]

Sunday-
B- same
2nd B (Bender got up late, and wanted to fix some Easter pancakes for me since he had to work that day) So, 2 small pancakes with pat of smart balance and lite syrup.
L- snacked on some leftover ham, and had 3 deviled eggs.
D- Leftovers from dinner the night before, ham, potatoes, and green peas. (I had a second helping because I thought I was starving...but I ended up eating too much and feeling full for 3 hours.)

Took a day off from exercise since I was feeling achy

My challenge this coming week: PORTION CONTROL!

I made a deadline with myself to lose 10 pounds before seeing my mother again in mid-May. I've lost 2.5 so far. Eating mainly the right foods and exercising...cutting portions is the next step.

 

[sarahsmom73]

Good morning!!! I hope you have a wonderful day! I know you can reach your goal! You are doing great!

 

[pearlieq]

Happy Tuesday! You're doing great--way to be consitent with your exercise!

I can't believe the extent of the sugar conspiracy! I don't know if you ever saw Super Size Me, but I remember he went through all the foods at McDonalds and there was almost nothing that didn't include sugar--including things you'd never expect like the burgers! It's hard to avoid completely, but kudos to you for keeping at it and fighting the good fight!

Onward to you goal! You can do it!!!

 

[rcyannacci]

I did see Supersize Me, and I haven't been to McDonald's since! I heard a report recently about the people who lobby for the sugar industry in Washington, and how much they're fighting the regulation of sugar in schools. Not to mention the soda companies...you're right, big conspiracy.

Of course, that being said, I caved today in regards to sugar. Oops.

Monday
B- same
S- yogurt with grape nuts and a coffee.
L- ham sandwich on wheat, carrots, 3 deviled eggs
D- The Olive Garden- I had their beef medallions on fetticini alfredo with spinach and gorgonzola. As good as it sounds, it wasn't great. I was a bit disappointed. Only had 1 1/2 breadsticks...should have stopped at one, but I did better than I usually do with these. Topped off with my favorite cake of all time, their lemon cream cake. So good! I ate half and saved half for the next day. At least, with the slip, I did it in moderation.

Tuesday:
B- same
S- same
L- turkey pita sandwich with spinach spread.
S- (still hungry) my left-over pasta
D- bbq grilled chicken, mixed veggies, and a salad with Brianna's French dressing.
S- 1/2 c. fat-free frozen choc. yogurt (OK- I need to go back to the no sugar thing. The few indulgences I've made and brought back the cravings. If it cut it out completely for 2 days I should be back on track!)

Curves both Monday and Tues. for 40 minutes.

I weighed in Monday, and I've lost 3 pounds since starting this. I'm still hoping to speed up the process for my beach trip Mid-May, but I feel like this is a good start.

 

[sarahsmom73]

Ahhhh! We all have moments of weakness!!!! Moments of weakness are OK if they don't become a bad habit!

Have a great day!

 

[rcyannacci]

wednesday:

B- same
S- banana and yogurt with grape nuts
L- (delayed until 4:30 today because of crazy schedule) ham sandwich and some leftover green beans.
D- grilled steak, 1/2 baked sweet potato, salad with strawberries and blush vinegrette.
S- 2 wintergreen life-savers

Exercise- swam laps at the pool today for 40 minutes. (trying to do this twice a week as an alternative to Curves)

 

[sarahsmom73]

Good Morning! I hope you are having a great week! Are you still plugging away on the revisions?

 

[rcyannacci]

Ahh, revisions...actually, I did go back this week and make many, many notes for revision, but decided to start working on my next chapter. I'm saving most of my revisions for the summer. It's been really hard trying to maintain a balance between a new healthy lifestyle (exercise, diet) and maintain a consistant writing schedule. So, I just try to do the best I can, and smile as much as possible.

B- same
S- banana
L- taco salad and chips (yuk!)
S- 1/2 c. fat-free chocolate frozen yogurt
D- whole wheat spagetti and red sauce with ground beef (DH's turn making dinner), garlic bread (bit of a splurge), and some veggie (just going to the kitchen now to decide.

Curves- 40 minutes, plus 10 abs and legs. Bit sore from yesterday's swim-a-thon. I think I need to stretch better once I'm done.

Oh, and I'm down another pound. 4 total since I started

 

[sarahsmom73]

Good morning!!! I hope you have an excellent Friday!

All I can say is you must have a lot of patience! It would drive me nuts to know I had something hanging over me! I guess that is why you are the writer and I'm not!

 

[septbride2002]

Great job on the 4 lbs! That is awesome girl! Keep up the good work!

~Amanda

 

[rcyannacci]

Friday-
B- same
S- yogurt and grape nuts
L- turkey sandwich and baby carrots
D- leftover spagetti and green beans

Curves for 40 minutes

Saturday-
B- same, except I ran out of strawberries
L- another turkey sandwich (must be detecting a craving)
D- went with DH to Mexican place before going to a movie. Had a sangria (not as much sugar as a margarita, and soooo good), too many chips and salsa, and a combo plate with a chili relanos, chicken enchilada, 2 chicken flaquititas, tortilla soup, and black beans. I didn't eat all of it, and I pushed the fried sections of the chili to the side. But, I did consume more cheese than I usually do. Oops, almost forgot, had a small cone of soft serve on the way out (they put it right by the exit and it's free...hard to resist, but at least I had no desire to buy anything at the movie theatre to snack on.)

Curves in the morning for 40 minutes, plus 5 on abs. In the evening, did 10 minues on abs and legs.

 

[sarahsmom73]

Good Morning!!! Happy Monday! I hope you have a great day and week!

 

[rcyannacci]

Sunday...I can't remember Sunday...It couldn't have been too bad...I remember craving sugar (cake and/or cookies to be exact), but didn't have any...so it can't have been that bad.

I did take the dogs on a 30 minute powerwalk in the park and did abs and legs for 10 minutes.

Monday
B- english muffin w/ peanut butter and strawberries
S- banana and yogurt w/ grape nuts
L- 1/2 pita with hummus and reduced fat feta, baby carrots
(no wonder I'm starving now!)
D- I don't know yet. DH is working late and it's just me. Chicken breasts are thawing, so I might grill it and throw it on top of some fresh spinach.

Curves 40 min., plus 10 abs and legs.

 

[pearlieq]

Just dropping in to wish you a great week!

Hope there's plenty of for you!

Congrats on your loss!!! Way to go!