My Journal to Me - Comments welcome!

[CACruisin']

So I was in a pretty good funk yesterday. DH left on another trip again and my WI was 169.5 from my transgressions at the end of last week I am sure. I was really glad to not see the 70's though. So what do I do about this? Make stupid food choices (and not journal them!) and not exercise . Today (Tuesday) has started out better though. I was really mad at myself last night when I went to bed. This was not the way the week was supposed to go.

Food:
b- luna bar, 8 oz skim milk
l - ??? I don't actually remember. I do remember thinking at the time, that this was a stupid choice.
s - again, don't remember. chips or something equally dumb.
d- cheese quesadilla, large macaroon cookie, 12 oz skim milk
0 f/v

Water: 70 oz

Exercise: none

Anna
~~~~~~~~~~~~
I loved the spa and told DH that a gift card would be GREAT present for me anytime . I also told DH that I wouldn't make him do it again .

CJK - I think our KFC does have the grilled option, but DH wanted original recipe . I didn't eat any of the fried chicken ( I actually don't like it.) but I do like the boneless wings.

AmyM - swimming is year round. Practices are in the afternoon during the school year and move to the early mornings for the summer. We have been going to the pool for 2 years and I only just now figured out that I could get in a great walk while the kids swim . I have a "no excuses" exercise time now. In the winter It won't always work becuase it gets dark so early and somedays it would be too cold for DD3 in the stroller ( - what a foreign concept right now as we have another sweltering day!) However, DD3 will be in preschool so I will have 2 or 3 mornings a week to get in a good workout.

 

[CACruisin']

Sorry I was so cranky earlier. As part of our family meeting last week the kids are grounded from the computer/TV/DVD for a week. This was a dumb thing to do on my part. When DH is out of town the kids (and I) like to watch a movie/AFV/Animal Planet after dinner when we (I) are worn out. Now I don't have that fall back . We went to the library and the bookstore (DD12 had gift cards) after swim today to get some new books. They love to read and hopefully some new selections will make my evenings more peaceful. Finally had a more on track day today. Walked while the kids were at swim practice and made not great, but decent food choices. After our errands, the kids wanted Panda Express for lunch. Looked up the nutritional info after we got home: Orange chicken - BAD, Broccoli beef - OK. I need to get back into a habit of having planned snacks too.

I am still mad at myself about getting off track. We are leaving Saturday for a week long reunion with my family. Remember my concern earlier this summer about overindulging with my visitors? That was just one brother and his family. Now throw in the other two brothers and families and mom and dad . I was really hoping to have a good size weight buffer (165-167) from the 170's before this trip, not be teetering on the brink at 169.5 . We will be up in the high sierras so we will do lots of hiking, but we will also do lots of eating of really good food. My family loves to cook, nosh, chat, etc. We are quite a force to be reckoned with when all 20 of us are together: 10 kids, ages 4 weeks to 12 years, and 10 supposed to be grown ups!

Food:
7:15a - GoLean bar
1p - Panda Express: 1 serving broccoli beef, 1/4 serving orange chicken, 1/4 chow mein, 12 oz skim milk
3:30p - 1/2c blueberries
6p - 1 scambled egg, 1 slice bacon, 1/2c chopped tomatoes, 1/2grapefruit, 1 slice Blueberry Crumble toast, 12 oz skim milk
Totals: Cal: 1093, Fat: 31g, Carbs: 145g, Fiber: 18g, Protein: 65g
4 f/v

Water: 101 oz

Exercise: 60 minute walk w/ jogger stroller on monster hills

Anna

 

[CJK]

Please don't beat yourself up. We've ALL been there at one point or another. When you're with your family next week, have a great time and be sure to do lots of hiking! As for the food.........portion control!!! When I completely deprive myself of food when at a special event, I actually get angry! When I exercise portion control, I still feel like I'm part of the group, without blowing my waistline completely.

The most important thing is to try to forgive yourself, and move on. Maybe you could bring some snacks with you that you know are good for you? We'll be thinking of you. You still have the rest of this week to get back into routine (and maybe lose a pound or so to give you more buffer). Best wishes!!!!!

 

[Jane E.]

Hang in there, Anna! I've been going thru the same stuff too. I want to eat poorly, drink expensive wines and not workout!!! Definately not conducive to staying in my size 12s! Life is short - we need to cut our losses and do the best we can. I'm sure having your husband gone doesn't help either. Have a great time with your family!

p.s. don't ya hate it when you find out that the chinese chicken you had could have been a pizza and a hurricane? I used to order chicken fried rice all the time until I found out a pizza had less fat grams. All those wasted fat grams on rice, veggies and OIL!!! I haven't eaten Chinese in years.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Anna, you are not alone! I know I am struggling too and also looking at lots of family time coming up in the next few weeks. Just more food and drinks to avoid or conquer! You sounded like today was better so that is good. And you are still under 170 ! Just do the best you can, thats all any of us can do. I also hear you on grounding the kids from tv, my son was driving me nuts today and I was about to say "you can't have tv tonight"! Then being the swell mom I am I bit my tongue because I need some time to myself tonight. Ahh, the joys of parenthood! Hang in there!

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi Anna,

Amy's right: you are NOT alone! In the next 4 weeks, we have 6 birthday parties with family and those are always food fests! Plus, I have been struggling with food and exercise lately. You're not alone, Anna! The great thing is that we have all been OP and on track before and we can do it again. I think the important thing is to enjoy the time with your family and make the best food choices that you can.

I hope you have a great day!

 

[CACruisin']

Thanks everyone for all the support. I really do appreciate it. You're right - I'll do the best I can while I'm gone and get back on track when I return. I really am looking forward to this reunion. My family is very tight, and we see each other a lot but usually just 2/4 or 3/4 siblings and mom and dad. It has been several years since we have ALL gotten together at the same time.

Busy day yesterday, but ate ok under the circumstances. After swim practices & lesson this morning I took the crew to the mall to buy shoes. They wear nothing but flip flops all summer long, but school starts right after we get back from our trip. The Stride Rite sale started this morning (50% off second pair) so I got DD3 a pair of sneakers and mary janes. DD10 has really skinny feet (to match the skinny rest of her ), but Stride Rite didn't have anything in her size . Off to Nordstroms (the only other place with narrow kid shoes around here) and found two pair of sneakers that she thought were ok. DD12 wears a woman's size 7 (the long skinny feet come from my DH's side!) but she doesn't want to wear "grown up" shoes. Down in the womens section, found a cute pair of canvas Converse sneakers that she agreed were cute and not "grown up" shoes. Still need to find her sneakers, but now that she is in womens sizes, I can shop at some other places. Ate lunch at Rubio's then raced home so I could get to my hair appointment. (Haven't had my hair cut in 6 months!) I was ready to cut off all my hair (mid back), but my hairdresser talked me out of it - said it was just the heat & humidity talking. Stopped to buy birthday presents on the way home for various nieces & nephews, made dinner and got everyone cleaned up and into bed including me .

Food:
b- luna bar
l- Rubios: chicken taco combo w/ beans and chips-n-salsa, 10 oz 2% milk
s - 1/2 banana
d - turkey slices, 1c green beans, 1c mashed potatoes, 1/2c tomato, 12 oz skim milk
Totals: Cal: 1486, Fat: 49g, Carbs: 194g, Fiber: 24g, Protein: 20g
4 f/v

Water: 67.7 oz - need to buy another flat of water for the car.

Exercise: 40 minute walk w/ jogger stroller on monster hills. Shortened my route today.

Anna
~~~~~~~~~~~~
CJK - I'll try to remember portion control. You're right.

Jane - pizza & a hurricane would have been way better. I had guessed that broccoli beef would be better than the orange chicken, but I had no idea that the chicken was that bad!

Amy - I won't be using the "no TV" one again anytime soon It has been a long week for me .

Tracy - Good luck at your 6 birthday parties. 6 of the 10 grandkids are born between June 18 and July 11, so this reunion is also a big birthday bash for all 10. It will be a lot of fun. At least there will be only one cake .

 

[lovinaz]

I think you'll do fine at the reunion. I was exactly where you were - no buffer right before I went on vacation. But when I came back, I made sure I was 100% good and the weight came off within 1 week. So even if you overindulge, don't worry, it will come off quickly! The key is to enjoy your family and all the pleasures (yes, food) that come with the visit!

You are nicer than me. I would be at the mall for 9 hours if I let the kids pick out their shoes. We always go shoe/clothes/school supply shopping when they are at their dad's and I haven't heard a complaint about anything I've picked yet! But this year DS10 told me he wanted to go shopping for his clothes. This should be interesting...

 

[Amy&Dan]

Hi Anna, Your food looked really good yesterday. Mall shopping and food court eats can be deadly! The smell of Mrs. Field's cookies at my local mall generally makes me go off the deep end! Yeah, I'll bet next time you want to ground your kids from t.v. you will remember this past week! I did that once and now I find ways to punish my kids without punishing myself! You're going to have a great time with your family. Eat what you want in small portions, drink that water and try to exercise and I'll bet you won't gain that much if any. And like Amy M. said, it will come off quick. But those fun memories will last a lifetime! Keep up the good work, when do you leave?

 

[traceycooper]

Hi Anna, the massage sounds heavenly, my DF is exactly the same as your DH except i would not be able to get DF through the door!!!
Have a fantastic trip/reunion with your family, making special memories is more important than beating yourself up over food At least it sounds like the hiking will counter act some of your indulgences

 

[CACruisin']

Nice Day today. After swim practice/lesson this morning, we met a fellow DIS'er and her family at Sea World - FUN! Brought almonds and blueberries to snack on instead of popcorn/churro/etc. The almonds are high in fat, but they do have protein and I knew they would be a better choice than any of my other alternatives.

Food:
b - Lemon Zest Luna Bar, 8 oz skim milk (I love summer except for the AM swim workouts. I'm tired of eating breakfast while driving.)
l - Sea World: ordered a big foccacia club sandwich and threw away the bread - slice of ham & turkey, 2.5 slices cheese, 2 slices tomato, 1/2 head of lettuce (jk, but that was one big lettuce leaf ), 4 french fries, 2c watermelon, 8 oz 1% chocolate milk
s - 1.2oz almonds, 1c formerly frozen blueberries
d - "we're leaving town, clean out the frig dinner" english muffin, turkey slices, 1/2c chopped tomato, 1/2 banana, 12 oz skim milk
Totals: Cal: 1451, Fat: 41g, Carbs: 187g, Fiber: 19g, Protein: 90g
5 f/v

Water: 80 - 100 oz? I drank 2 16.9 oz bottles at swim and I had 6 water bottles with me in the stroller, but the kids drank some too.

Exercise: none. Did a lot of walking at Sea World, but nothing strenuous.

Anna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thank you all for your kind words. I really am looking forward to this reunion and I will enjoy myself. I will hike to burn calories and attempt portion control (the liquor list from Costco won't help though ), and just get back on track when I return. We leave Saturday morning for 9 days with my family (luckily DH likes them - NO WAY could I spend 9 hours much less 9 days with his.) After that DH will fly home and the kids and I are heading to WA state to have a quick visit with some friends. We'll be gone for 18 days total.

Amy - My kids hate to shop (and they're girls too!), but those skinny feet just need to be present when buying shoes. Last year DD10 tried on 6-7 pairs at 2 stores before we found some that fit right. Pretty much everything else I "personal shop", bring home 2-3 choices, and return the rest. (I felt Marie's "Target return from He&&" pain. If it can't be returned, I don't buy it )

Amy - The Cinabon shop at the mall food court is the one that gets me and it is right at the entrance!

Tracey - I got DH to do a couples massage on our cruise last year, and then I talked him into this one since we had this GC and it was La Costa. I am quite sure that I won't be able to talk him into another - GC or not .

 

[CJK]

What a fun day! I haven't been to Sea World in years. Good for you, for making healthy choices at a theme park. When I smell all that fast food.....my brain weakens!

I hope you have a great time at the reunion and visiting with friends. Sounds like you'll have a blast and are well armed with great ideas to maintain exercise and portion control. Have a great time!!!!!

 

[ScoJo15]

Hola Anna!!

Sea World is such a fun place...you guys had a blast I bet. And have fun at the reunion.

Looking back over your journal...you should be really proud of your accomplishments!! You're making great healthy choices all of the time! way to go!

have a great day and weekend

 

[lovinaz]

Mmm, Cinnabon... You know, the last time I had one of those was at the airport before our cruise (March). We split 2 between the 4 of us and I felt like I was going to barf, it was just too sweet! And I used to eat those things like nothing when I was younger...

You are going to have an awesome time. Wow, 18 days away from home, that is a long time to be gone! Have fun, try to behave, but no worries, you can get back into the swing of things when you get home!

 

[CACruisin']

Just a quickie update since I am not even remotely close to being packed for our trip tomorrow. The early AM departure is looking a little sketchy right now ... We'll spend the next week with my 3 brothers, their families, and mom and dad in the Sierras. It is going to be a blast!!! Then the kids and I will drive to WA to visit my best friend (who had the nerve to LEAVE CA!) and her family for a few days. It is going to be a great trip. My internet access will be sporadic at best, but I'll try and log on when I can. I'll miss you all, my wonderful support team !

Food:
7:15a - Lemon Zest Luna bar, 1/2c blueberries
10:45a - 1/4c GoLean Cereal (end of the box), 1/2c milk
12:15p - 1 serving deli slice turkey, 1 serving baked pita chips, 1/3c chopped tomato, 12 oz sparking water mixed w/ 1c OJ
5:45p - 1 serving Dutch Baby - YUMMY! (eggs, butta, milk & flour), 1t powdered sugar, 1/2 grapefruit, 2/3c blueberries, 12oz 2% milk
Totals: Cal: 1195, Fat: 34g, Carbs: 169, Fiber: 15g, Protein: 58g
5 f/v

Water: 63 oz

Exercise: none - I have 35 minutes left on my exercise challenge so I better get my tail out and walk Sunday!

Anna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CJK - thanks. I really feel like I am back on track right now. I hope I can maintain some semblence of control while I'm gone .

Scott - good to see you again! We love Sea World.

Amy - horrors to think that a Cinnabon might not taste as good as it smells anymore I am usually only home for about 18 days total during the summer. (gotta make the most of our 8 week summer break!) I take the kids and make several road trips to family & friends. It is really unusual that we have been home all summer. Normally we are also gone for the 2 week October school break and two week spring break. The middle school & HS have a different calendar though than the elementary schools with totally different breaks. The only time both kids will be off together is 2 weeks at Christmas and 1 week in the spring. I'm already hyperventilating at the thought of not traveling again until after Christmas.

 

[SunFloridaDisney]

Have a great trip!!

 

[lovinaz]

Ah, another traveler like me! I love travelling, except my vacation choices are rather expensive... Next year we are focusing on small, mini-trips like the Grand Canyon, Disneyland and Mexico. In 2008 we are all off to Belize.

Have a wonderful time with your family and we'll catch up when you get back!

 

[traceycooper]

Have a safe journey & a wonderful time

 

[Jane E.]

Loved the blueberries and almonds for a snack at Sea World - great idea! Have a great time on your trip!!! We'll miss you!

 

[toystoryduo]

Have a wonderful time at your family reunion, Anna!