Mel's - Back to GOAL Journal

[toystoryduo]

Hi Mel!

Sounds like you had a busy, but enjoyable weekend!

Have a great week ahead!

 

[lulu201]

Hi, Melanie! Just a quick hello and a BIG congratulations for the terrific job you've been doing. You know, Melanie, you just seem to be one of those people who make up her mind to do something and then there's nothing stopping her. You inspire me, especially as a fellow WWer. Have a great Tuesday!

Erin

 

[pettyone]

Melanie--

I think I need to visit your journal AFTER lunch...looking at your menus always makes me hungry...

(for continued success!)

 

[DoeWDW]

Hi Melanie!! I've finally made it over to your journal - sorry it has taken me so long!

You've been doing a fabulous job and it looks like you are back on track!

I used the treadmill at the health club last night and alternated walking at 4mph with an easy jog at 5mph. Somehow it seems easier than doing all walking. The jogging uses different muscles and my hips don't hurt as much. I think I'll try your formula of 4 minutes walking and 1 minute jogging, just to see how it goes.

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

 

[geetey]

Thanks for spelling out your meals for the day like you do. I am very interested in those Kashi granola bars. Just not sure if I should try one, if they are *that* good.

I am glad the scale is moving for you! You are burning lots of calories with your training. I am sure your body is starting to reshape itself as well. Keep working it! You are doing GREAT!

 

[MelanieC]

Tuesday February 1, 2005

Breakfast
Barbara's Shredded Wheat (2)
Milk (2)
snack
None
Lunch
2 Stuffed Cabbage rolls (6)
snack
8 woven Wheat crackers (2)
1oz lowfat cheese (2)
Dinner
2 cups Beef/Mushroom/Barley Soup (8)
Snack
Kashi Granola Bar 2.5
Total - 24.5



Here are the things I want to strive for each day:
Vitamin-- took it
Water (8)- 5
Points (22+2AP=24) - Used 24.5 (used .5 flex points-34.5 left for week)
Exercise - Firm Super Body Sculpt
Calcium-(target 3) - 2
Vegggies/Fruit (target 6)- - 6
Stopped eating at (7pm)- 9:10pm
Went to bed at (No later than 10pm)- 10:55pm

 

[MelanieC]

Wednesday February 2, 2005

Breakfast
Barbara's Shredded Wheat (2)
Milk (2)
snack
None
Lunch
1 1/2 cups Beef/Mushroom/Barley Soup (6)
snack
Kashi Granola Bar (2.5)
Dinner
2 1/2 cups Fried Rice (14)
Snack
None
Total - 26.5



Here are the things I want to strive for each day:
Vitamin-- took it
Water (8)- 3
Points (22) 26.5 (used 4.5 flex points- 29 left for week)
Exercise - Rest Day
Calcium-(target 3) - 1
Vegggies/Fruit (target 6)- 4
Stopped eating at (7pm)- 7:30pm
Went to bed at (No later than 10pm)- 11:55pm

 

[MelanieC]

I dit the FIRM Complete Body Sculpt last night. It is amazing how a sculpting video can really test your cardio capabilities. I got a Super workout and was really huffing and puffing by the end. Not only did I feel my muscles getting a fabulous workout, but I felt like I really pushed myself cardio wise. I guess that is one of the reason's why I like the FIRM and why I got such good results last year from the FIRM. I'm also noticing how your muscles must hold some sort of "memory" even if you stopped lifting weights for a while. I am finding that after about 3 weeks of getting back into the Firm (and not even doing them anywhere near as often as last year) that I am now starting to do some of the exercises with the 10 & 12 pound weights I was up to last year. It took me a lot longer then to build up to that point. It's good to know all isn't lost!

Last night we had a new recipe. It was a beef mushroom and barley soup recipe that I made in the crockpot. It was good and my kids even liked it, but it was missing something. I converted it myself to a crockpot recipe. I think it need a little more liquid because it was a tad too thick. It also needs something in the way of spices. It was sort of bland. I had searched online until I found a recipe that looked low fat and had healthy simple ingredients. It also called for Lima beans that were tasty, but I may leave them out next time because I think the barley might have been enough starch wise. I have to do some more searching to find some other spices to put in. It just felt like it needed something.

Tonight I'm making Fried Rice. My mom used to make Fried rice when I was a kid and it was so good. It was basically rice (white), hamburger, egg and scallions. I'm making mine with brown rice, ground turkey, egg, shredded carrots and scallions. Wish me luck that it tastes good!! I'm not sure what to expect! Hopefully it will be edible enough to eat.

I bought Barbara's shredded last week and had that for breakfast the last two days. Yesterday I was full all the way till lunch time and had no thoughts of food at all in the morning. I am hoping for the same results today.


Thanks for everyone's comments- It's fun coming back and reading them!

Doreen- I agree that the running helps take the shift off certain muscles and it does make it easier. I think that is why I like it. Plus, you know you only have so long until the next time that you run that I find the time goes faster.

 

[geetey]

Melanie,
Can you tell me more about Barbara's shredded wheat? I really like shredded wheat but have found it doesn't 'stick' with me very long. We *just* got a Traders Joe's so I can finally shop there! YEAH!

 

[Strings]

Hi Melanie,

You are doing great! The soup sounds yummy. I may have to make a batch of soup soon.I agree that muscles must have a memory. I am back to lifting my previous weights after 3 months off. I've been back to lifting just 2.5 weeks, so I am pretty happy with that.

Keep up the great work.
Beth

 

[lulu201]

How are you doing today, Melanie?

Just a quick question for you: when you do your treadie time, how do you figure your AP? Do you figure at a high intensity level? I know that when I walk at 4.0 for 3/4 of a mile and run at 5.0 for 1/4, I'm working hard! Just wondering how your figured yours. . .

Erin

 

[MelanieC]

Hi everyone,

For the questions:

Terry- I bought the Barbara's shredded wheat at Whole Foods. I would think TJ's would have it too. This morning I had Kashi Autumn Harvest (my favorite type of shredded wheat of all). I'm doing a test to see if I stay as full on this one. So far I am. I tried the Barbara's because I've been trying to get as many of the foods I eat to fall under the WW core program. Just to see if eating those types of food help. The Kashi does have an all natural sugar in it (not a whole lot- it says lightly sweetend) but the difference makes it 1 more point than the Barbaras. That is sort of a big difference in points for cereal even if it tastes just a tad better. What I notice is that as I'm sitting here writing this I'm thinking about the sweetness and how good it was so I'm sure the sugar is more of a trigger food. In keeping with that only eating 1 bowl mentality, on a weekend when I would have more time to eat the Barbaras would keep you from craving another bowl because it's not sweet.

Erin- For my treadmill AP's. I usually figure off medium intensity (even though the actual workout is usuall very high intensity) I have a hard time justify getting that many points. I also have a tough time figuring it out on my FIRM workouts. I usually go by how intense it felt while doing it (the Firm ones). If it felt too easy and I didn't break a sweat I might not give myself any. If I felt like I had a really good intense workout I would give myself 1, 2 or 2.5 depending on the length. AP's are so confusing.

 

[MelanieC]

Thursday February 3, 2005

Breakfast
Kashi Autumn Wheat (3)
Milk (2)
snack
Low fat cheese (2)
8 Woven wheat crackers (2)
Lunch
1 cup fried rice (5.5)
snack
FF plain yogurt (2)
Pineapple (1)
Dinner
2 Cheese quesadilla's
4 ff tortillas (3)
1 oz ff cheddar (1)
salsa (0)
avacado (4)
Snack
None
Total - 26.5



Here are the things I want to strive for each day:
Vitamin-- took it
Water (8)-
Points (22 + 3 AP's=24) 26.5 points (used 1.5 flex-27.5 left)
Exercise - Week 4 short walk/run
Calcium-(target 3) - 3
Vegggies/Fruit (target 6)- 4
Stopped eating at (7pm)- 9pm
Went to bed at (No later than 10pm)- 10:45

 

[MelanieC]

Tracy asked for the stuffed cabbage recipe:

* Exported from MasterCook *

Cabbage Rolls-TNT

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 0 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories : Beef Connolly Family Favorites
Crockpot Main Dishes
Meat Dishes TNT
Turkey

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
1 head cabbage
1 Pound Ground Turkey
2 cans tomato sauce -- 15oz each
1 1/2 cups brown rice -- cooked
salt and pepper
1 green pepper

Cook Brown Rice

Boil cabbage for about 15 minutes

Cook & drain turkey,

Add brown rice to turkey. Make 10 even round balls. Salt & pepper meat.

Place turkey mixture in the middle of each cabbage leaf. Roll and hold with toothpicks.

Pour 1 can of sauce in bottom of crockpot. Place cabbage rolls in crockpot and pour 2nd can of sauce over the top.


- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Per serving: 1910 Calories (kcal); 46g Total Fat; (21% calories from fat); 109g Protein; 265g Carbohydrate; 359mg Cholesterol; 3421mg Sodium
Food Exchanges: 14 1/2 Grain(Starch); 11 Lean Meat; 8 Vegetable; 0 Fruit; 1 1/2 Fat; 0 Other Carbohydrates

NOTES : Makes 10 cabbage RollsWeight Watcher Points:

W/Ground Turkey
Cabbage: 0
Tomato Sauce: 0
Ground Turkey: 1 lb= 24 points
Brown Rice: 1 1/2 cups= 6 points
Total= 30 points divided by 10 rolls = 3 points each

Nutr. Assoc. : 0 0 0 0
__________________

 

[lmhall2000]

WHAT A GREAT THREAD!!! You're posts will really inspire and it's great to see what you're eating...there is much more variety than what I'm doing...I've got to try some of your recipes! You'll get back in shape before you know it at this level of commitment and enthusiasm!!!

Keep up the great work!!!!

Tara

 

[MelanieC]

Last night I made the fried rice. It was such a hit and my kids couldn't get enough of it. DS7 had 3 helpings and DD12 who is usually always a 1 helping girl unless she LOVES something had 2. Thank goodness DH was working late because there wouldn't have been enough he was eating dinner with us. Since he wasn't I had enough for my lunch and a 1 1/2 cups for him for today.

I cooked 1 cup(uncooked) rice the night before and refrigerated. I also wish I would have cooked the ground turkey, shredded the carrots, cut the onions and scallions the night before too.

Cook 1 cup rice (the 1 cup is uncooked, it will make several cups after it is cooked). Brown 1lb ground turkey with one onion. In wok or other large non-stick pan use 1 tbsp oil to cook 2 eggs. Move eggs to the side of pan. Add 1 more TBSp of oil to pan and add cooked rice. Add 1 cup shredded carrots, 1 cup petite frozen peas, 1 bunch of scallions chopped and continue to stir. Mix the eggs into the mixture until completely mixed. I added ground ginger.

It needed Soy Sauce, but I didn't have any. DH swore we did but it was terryiaki sauce.

It was really delicious and a definate keeper. I don't usually use oil when I cook (DH will, but using it scares me!) I decided that for only being 7 points total in the recipe I should add it. I may try scrambeling the eggs in the microwave first next time and eliminating 1 tbsp. Maybe that is why it was so good?

Didn't get to bed till 11:55pm because DH wanted to watch 2 more episodes of the 24 second season. I think this one is better than the first. It is so good! Because I got to bed so late I decided I would exercise tonight instead of this morning.

I'm feeling the signs of "TOM" coming. I am expecting it starting from today on. Oh how I hate it! Luckily the scale was nice to me this morning. 148.4! Woo hoo! I love seeing new numbers. Keep em coming! I did resist having a Kashi Granola bar for snack after dinner since I was already using 4.5 flex points. I guess the scale rewarded me for being good.

 

[geetey]

Hi Melanie!
Sorry to keep asking so many questions, but shredded wheat falls in the CORE guidelines? I just assumed all carbs were out for the CORE plan. I might try and find the info about it.

That's great about the rice and your kids! Don't you love when you find something healthy and they love it? We had OhMom's stuffed pasta shells last night and my kids LOVED it! The whole family did. Unfortunately my dd has a rice allergy, otherwise I would try your recipe. Thanks for inspiring us to try new things!

 

[Strings]

Hi Melanie,

You are doing so well. The fried rice sounds good. In my journal you mentioned starbucks. I know Erin has done WW, and her drink of choice is a nonfat sugar-free vanilla latte. The nutritional info for all their drinks is on their website.

have a great weekend,
Beth

 

[kayeandjim00]

Hi Melanie! Your rice sounds so yummy. It's always great when the family loves food that's good for them too. Hope you are having a great day!

 

[MelanieC]

Friday February 4, 2005

Breakfast
Whole Wheat Bread (1.5)
Peanut Butter (2)
snack
none
Lunch
FF plain yogurt (2)
Pineapple (1)
8 woven wheat crackers (2)
1 oz lowfat cheese (2)
snack
Kashi Granola bar (2.5)
Dinner
Taco Dip
FF refried beans - 1/2 can (2)
2 oz lowfat cheese (4)
salsa (0)
avacado (4)
Sour Cream (3)
2 oz Taco Meat (Ground Turkey) (3)
Tomatoes (0)
Snack
Prior to dinner
4 Woven Wheat crackers (1)
Cheese low fat (1)
pickles-bread & butter 3 (.5)
Pickle - Dill (0)
Total - 31.5



Here are the things I want to strive for each day:
Vitamin-- took it
Water (8)- 3
Points (22 + 2 AP's=24) 31.5 (used 8.5 flex)
Exercise - FIRM Super Body Sculpt
Calcium-(target 3) - 3
Vegggies/Fruit (target 6)- 5
Stopped eating at (7pm)- 8pm
Went to bed at (No later than 10pm)- 9:30pm