Morning Workout - 60 minutes Elliptical trainer (610 calories, no resistance)

Breakfast - 1 bowl (1 cup) fiber one cereal with coffemate. One cup of Folgers Instant with two teaspoons of splenda. (not much, I know. This turns out to be around 350 calories, 2 grams of fat, 82 carbs and 5 grams of protein)

Lunch - Budget Gourmet Spicy szchewan style noodles and veggies, 4 slices of Healthy ones deli-slice honey ham)




Goal Restructure:

So, back in April of this year (gosh, nearly 1/2 a year ago? Really?!), I'd hit a new goal and was elated! Vacation time helped in thwarting my progress back about eleven pounds, so now it's time to reset and get serious. Hubby's training has been helpful, but I need to get organized with me eating my way. The original goals would have been great to meet during the summer months (which were my plans). My perfume, which I've started wearing, is as lovely as I remember. Unfortunately, I bought the spray cologne, which seems to send my sinuses into overdrive. Next time, I'll be sure to order the perfume sans atomizer. The Mariposa store is going out of business, so I may pick up an item or two for the future. Which size should I buy? An eight, a six, a four? Wow! Too hopeful, I think. We'll see what they have left (I may shoot over there today after work to see what's around).

So, the goal by December? Thirty pounds. How will I do this? Limited calories during the weekdays, with one splurge day per week. If the splurge is picked during the middle of the week, no splurging on the weekend. I have a dinner this week with friends and my plan is to "keep it cool" even then. No eating after 7:00pm. That seems to do a world of good for me. Wine is okay any day of the week now (rather than just the weekends...I have a feeling I'm going to need it). Hard liquor is restricted to the weekends (if Amaretto is considered hard). Fat count around 30 to 40 grams per day. Carbs? No more than 170 (I'm still weight training, so I need them). Still drinking my gallon of water, which is great! That's a pat on the back that I can carry on through this new plan. I'm really proud of myself in this regard.

So with no further delay:

Starting weight now: 172 (weeks of work and no change from this blasted number...f.r.u.s.t.r.a.t.i.n.g)

• 5lbs (167) - Buy a movie from wish list (that's been on there for ages!)
• 10lbs (162)- Physician's Formula Lip glass (I love this stuff! It never seems to wear off...you get what you pay for)
• 15lbs (157)- New shoes! (Mary Jane's I'm still after...not necessarily the ones pictured here).
  
• 20lbs (152) - Lower Back Attack Massage and a Custom Facial
• 25lbs (147) - Hair Braided
  
• 30lbs (142) - Trip out of town (buy a new outfit to wear "there" in my new size) I would go to Vegas, but it's just too much to handle by myself.
  

Morning workout - 60 minutes (625 calories on the Elliptical trainer)

Breakfast - a John's Breakfast from Sills Cafe (includes a big-ass pancake and three slices of bacon) 16 ounces of OJ. I was in the mood for a real breakfast this morning. :)

Morning workout - 45 minutes (got to go to work early today, so couldn't workout the entire sixty minutes. I'll do a fifteen or twenty minute stint later).

Breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs, 2 thin slices of bacon and 1 slice whole wheat toast from Skool Lunch
(1 L-Carnitine 500 mg)

Mid morning snack - George Foreman grilled chicken breast (Southwest McCormick Marinade), mixed steamed veggies (Bird's Eye), Zatarain's Spanish rice (1/2 serving). 1/2 serving jiffy cornbread muffin.

Lunch - Kroger thin spaghetti (half serving), Prego Fresh Mushroom sauce (1/2 serving) with ground turkey, mixed veggies.

For dinner, 4 Tyson Southern Chicken Tenderloins and a big piece of cake. I had two Dove promises with hubby and a glass of Alice White Lexia. He stayed home again. My sadness was temporarily arrested...not sure for how long, though).

Morning workout - 60 minutes on the elliptical (I think I like having it all done at the start of the day, rather than splitting it up. We'll see how this goes. I've also taking to L-CArnitine again (this is day three) 500 mg. Burned 625 calories (no incline...my knees are screaming again).

Breakfast - Quaker Simple harvest oatmeal, Sara Lee Delightful bread (two slices) and 1 tbsp peanut butter for protein.

Lunch - Thin Kroger Spaghetti with meat sauce; one slice of fudge marble cake

Weight training (legs and a bit of back)

Dinner - George Foreman grilled chicken breast in McCormick Southwest marinade, Zatarain's Spanish rice with stewed tomatoes, a big-ass slice of marble fudge cake. (a ghiradelli dark chocolate with caramel right before bed with hubby). He stayed again last night. I think that was the last night. I'm very sad.

Morning Workout (doubled up again) - 60 minutes, 670 calories burned

Breakfast - Quaker Simple Harvest Hot Cereal (Maple Brown sugar)

Morning Snack - Quaker chewy raisin granola Bar

Lunch - Baked wild Alaskan salmon, turnip greens and a small jiffy cornbread muffin

(6 peanut M&Ms)

For dinner - Kroger thin spaghetti, Prego fresh mushroom pasta sauce, sauteed fresh mushrooms, and ground turkey. I made a Duncan Hines Fudge Marble cake with Pillsbury milk chocolate whipped icing. I had one slice of said cake that I shared with hubby. Later in the evening (when I bought the fourth installment of the Twilight Series, Breaking Dawn, I picked up a gigantic pretzel...strange because I wasn't even hungry). It was good!

Hubby gave me a 100 calorie Hershey Dark chocolate bar before bed. I think TOM is on the way (And I'm feeling extra bitchy).

Morning workout - 50 minutes (628 calories burned) Elliptical trainer

Breakfast - Natural Harvest (fru fru oatmeal that I've been eating from Quaker) Maple and Brown sugar

Mid morning snack - 1 slice of my homemade pepperoni and mushroom pizza

Lunch - Baked Salmon, Turnip greens (courtesy of my mother) and one pancake (needed a carb)

Weight trained on back and triceps with hubby (about 20 minutes with a five minute warm-up). Dinner consisted of asian dumplings and tyson honey bbq chicken tenders (1 small jiffy corn-bread muffin). For a night cap, hubby and I had a glass of $2 Chuck Chardonnay and 2 Dove dark chocolate promises. His move date has been moved to Wednesday. We're both having all sorts of issues (but the passion hasn't died...I think it might have increased). What's up with that?

Morning workout - Started out on the treadmill, then it started seizing up and acting crazy (after about 7 minutes at 3.8mph). I got off before it killed me and finished up on the elliptical for 20 more minutes (255 calories on the elliptical...about fifty on the treadmill)

Breakfast - Golden grahams cereal and two slices of oscar mayer turkey

Mid-morning snack - 1 slice of my homemade turkey sausage pizza

Lunch - another sandwich (like yesterday's) and some Stacks.

Morning Workout - 30 minutes treadmill (188 calories burned)

Breakfast - Quaker raisin oatmeal bar and 14 almonds

Lunch - Zatarain's Jambalaya with Turkey sausage

Afternoon meal - Zatarain's Jambalaya with Turkey sausage

Evening workout (elliptical) - 30 minutes 400 and some odd calories (I can't remember exactly, but I was booking!)

Dinner - Sara Lee Honey wheat, low carb bread, low-fat mayo, Oscar mayer turkey slices (2), 1 slice Cache Valley American cheese and a few Lay's Stacks (Salt and Vinegar) for dinner

1 glass of Alice White Lexia before bed and a ghiradelli chocolate caramel...yum!

Morning workout - 30 minutes on the elliptical (378 calories burned) Oh, and I'm 2 pounds up from last week. Is it water? (171.4) Why am I not loosing anymore?!

Breakfast - 1 packet natural hot cereal (maple brown sugar); 14 almonds
herbal tea

Asian noodles with veggies and chicken
1 small bowl of honey bunches of oats

Warm-up five minutes - Elliptical (around 50 calories burned)

Weight training (leg day...ugh!)

Elliptical 30 minutes (424 calories burned...3 resistance today)

1 serving Zatarains Jambalaya, 2 slices of homemade turkey sausage pizza, 2 bowls of Golden Grahams (yum!) 1 Black cherry Fresca

Morning Workout - Treadmill 30 minutes (188 calories burned)

Breakfast - Quaker Hot Cereal (the natural stuff. I can't ever remember the name); maple brown sugar and herbal tea.

Morning Snack - Herb marinated chicken breast, 1/2 serving Kraft mac (low-fat preparation).

Lunch - Herb marinated chicken breast 1/2 serving Kraft mac (low-fat preparation...the last of it). I don't think I'll make three boxes at once again. I thought we'd never finish this stuff.

No evening workout, and I felt guilty. I was helping with oodles of homework and cooking. I could have worked out while the girls were eating but honestly, I was just exhausted.

I made Asian noodles with 1 pound of diced chicken for dinner (I also baked three pounds of chicken in Spicy Caribbean marinade for tomorrow's lunches). I had one serving and a small bowl of Honey bunches of oats. Hubby shared Ghiradelli Chocolate caramels with me as well (before and after our argument and night of passion...in that order).

1 gallon of water as well, today.

Over the weekend, I was off to myself in the mountains. Before you get any ideas, I was in a hotel (not on some desolate camp ground with a can of beans and beef jerky). I ate pretty much what I wanted, but I didn't go too overboard. On Saturday afternoon, I had pretzel bites from the pretzel factory and tofu lo mein from my favorite Vietnamese place for dinner. I received a free appetizer (crab wontons) drank a coke zero, a Jack Daniels Downhome punch and a caramello for desert. I was completely stuffed!

Yesterday, I had a Pancake combo meal from IHOP that I totally didn't finish (so unlike me) and Pad Thai for lunch. I didn't eat dinner, but had a nice glass of wine instead (Alice White Lexia).

Here's today's journal entry:

Morning workout - 30 minutes treadimll at 3.7 mph (190 calories...I'm working harder)

Breakfast, chicken (Fried...I know, but good protein) with hot sauce, mixed veggies and 1 Pillsbury biscuit (100 calories and 4 fat grams for the pastry).

Lunch: Kraft mac (low-fat preparation), Hillshire farm Chicken slices, light mayo and a toasted bun. Plain cheerios afterwards

Afternoon workout - 5 minute warm-up on elliptical (around 50 calories burned), weight training, 30 minute elliptical workout (372 calories burned)

Dinner - Baked herb marinated chicken breast, mixed veggies (peas, carrots and corn), Rice-a-Roni (low-fate prepared version), Honey bunches of oats for dessert. Herbal tea

1 gallon of water today. Only peed about three times (I'm retaining again. Ugh!)

1 ghiradellli chocolate caramel square with hubby.

Morning workout - 30 minutes elliptical trainer (376 calories burned)

Quaker hot cereal (the natural stuff, can't think of the name) Maple and brown sugar
14 almonds

1 cup herbal tea

Morning snack - George Foreman grilled chicken breast (1/2) in ginger teriyaki seasoning, Kraft mac and cheese (low-fat preparation), Mixed veggies.

Lunch - Half Manwich (made with lean ground turkey), mixed veggies and bowl of honey nut cheerios.

Morning workout - Treadmill (185 calories at 3.7 mph) 30 minutes

Breakfast - Quaker oatmeal and raisin bar with 12 almonds

Morning snack - 1/2 George Foreman grilled chicken breast with Ginger Teryaki seasoning, Steamed asian veggies (snap peas, water chestnuts, mushrooms, carrots, peas and onions), Kraft Mac and cheese (low-fat preparation)

Lunch - half chicken cordon bleu leftovers from Apple Spice Junction, wild rice, teeny-tiny salad with raspberry vinagrette and a chocolate chip cookie.

Workout (PM) - 30 minutes on the elliptical (burned 382 calories and an incline of 2)
Drank my gallon of water

Dinner will be Manwhich sloppy joes with lean ground turkey instead of beef. Haven't determined a side yet. Will add it here tomorrow.

Still blue about my impending separation. Talked to a friend today who left her husband because he was doing the drinking and drugs (cocaine...heavy stuff). They can't really talk to each other and, he blames the whole break-up on her. She's really hurt and betrayed, so I suppose I should be grateful. I may need her as a shoulder when this is all said and done. Too bad she moved to Arizona to be closer to her family. I wish she were still here (despite her divorce).

I'm still around, but my life is a shambles. I'm in the midst of a separation from my hubby and it was totally not what I thought my September would be for 2008. He's still training me through all this madness and I've not deviated too much for my eating plan (even though I'm not documenting like I was). I've been interviewing and in the midst of crazy work stuff, so blogging has been put on hold. I'll try to keep a better tab on this site, however.

Through the turmoil, I did have a lost. Not sure if it was the water weight disappearing once TOM left or my lack of appetite due to depression. Whatever it is, I'm back in the 160s (at least, for now). {169.4}

AM Work out - Treadmill 30 minutes (184 calories burned)

Breakfast - Quaker Simple Harvest Multi-grain Hot cereal (Maple Brown Sugar), almonds

Herbal tea

George Foreman grilled chicken breast with southwest marinade, corn and bean medley and Tostito crumbs (end of the bag)

Afternoon workout - 10 minute warm up (100 or so calories burned), weight training "Leg" day, then 30 minutes cardio (elliptical). Calories burned? 371

Dinner - George Foreman grilled chicken breast with southwest marinade, Kraft mac and cheese (low-fat preparation and about two servings) 1/2 glass Peach, Beachaven wine (I needed it, after the day I had). Two Harry and David Chocolate covered cherries. (I needed these too!)

Oh! And one gallon of water. I have kept pretty consistent with the water drinking for the past week.

TOM is here. Ugh! I look like I'm about three months preggers. The weight is still the same, too. (I gotta stop looking at that scale. I was doing well at only looking at it once a week, but I've become week).

Morning Workout - Treadmill 30 minutes (184 calories burned) 3.5 mph

Breakfast - Tofu with peanut sauce (low-fat coconut milk), baked beans
1 cup of herbal tea

Morning Snack -Baked halibut and Asian noodles with veggies and shrimp

Workout AM - over slept, which means I'll have to be on the Elliptical for 60 minutes this afternoon, rather than 30 (my day off...ha!)

Breakfast - Baked herb chicken, corn on the cob and my "famous" pasta salad (yum!)
1 cup herbal tea

Lunch - Tofu, Peanut sauce with low-fat coconut milk, Asian pictsweet veggies and brown rice

Afternoon snack - grilled salmon and 1 full ear (corn on the cob)

60 minutes on Elliptical - 640 calories

Dinner: Halibut (baked) and Asian noodles with veggies and shrimp

Weight Watchers Strawberry Shortcake (1 Ghiradelli chocolate square/Citrus)

Ugh! It was weigh day and nothing changed {172.4}. I feel like I'm training for a marathon, but there was no loss to be found. What gives?! I do feel better and I suppose that should make me feel better. Huh! Not so much. I really need to see the numbers moving, you know what I mean? I suppose it could be the thirty pounds of water I feel like I'm carrying. Do you know, I drank nearly a gallon of water yesterday and only peed three times? Yeah...something's up. Anyway, for what it's worth (and if I care several weeks from now), here's what happened today:

Morning Workout - 30 minutes on the treadmill at 3.5 mph (a measly 183 calories burned...this is why I avoid the treadmill)

Breakfast - Instant brown rice, Asian pictsweet veggies, tofu and peanut sauce (with low-fat coconut milk)
1 cup of herbal tea

Lunch - Salmon, corn on the cobs and baked beans

Almonds (around 20)

Dinner - 1 grilled turkey dog (no bun or condiments), sun chips, baked beans, Tostios bean and cheese dip

Today, I drank the entire gallon of water. Phew! I lived in the bathroom.

I worked out over the weekend and ate fairly well, but didn't document. I will get better about documenting weekend activities (but it certainly wasn't at the forefront of my mind during the holidays). Here's what's happening today:

Morning Workout - 30 minutes Elliptical (363 calories)

1 cup tea (1 8 ounce glass of water).

Breakfast - Small piece of herb and garlic grilled chicken, 1/2 ear corn and brown rice (with a bit of soy sauce for flavor...couldn't find the salt).

drank some water

lunch - Grilled salmon, 1/2 ear of corn, brown rice (with a bit of soy sauce). I'm feeling kind of poorly. Wonder if being out in the rainstorm this weekend has me coming down with something. My nose is twitching and my eyes are burning a bit. We'll see.

9/3/08 update =

Got home and took my temperature. I was running a slight fever (99) and felt a little achy. I pushed past this and helped the Babe with her homework. After which, I hopped on the elliptical fr 45 minutes (478 calories burned). Before this, I had the following:

at home snack: Asian, pictsweet veggies, baked beans 3 bites of herb baked chicken

Dinner - brown rice, tofu, Asian pictsweet veggies, peanut sauce (made with low-fat coconut milk), 1 Lynn Wilson, thin-styled tortilla. One Ghiradelli Intense Dark Citrus Sunset (60% Cacao). One Godiva Chocoiste, 72% dark chocolate with almonds (I know, naughty, naughty! Talk to the PMS, 'kay?)

Morning workout - Elliptical (360 calories)

Breakfast - 6 egg whites, 1 Kashi TLC Peanut Butter bar

Morning Snack - 1 can of tuna (drained) with one egg white, 1 teaspoon of light mayo, salt, & paprika. One half serving of Tostitos white corn chips (about three...sad, but true)

Lunch - Sandwich with Home Pride Butter Top bread, 1 tablespoon of light mayo, 1/3 vine tomato slices, 3 slices avocado, 2 romaine lettuce leaves and 2 servings of Kroger Deli Style Honey Ham

Weight training (Back and Biceps); warm-up elliptical - 150 calories, weights then elliptical, 124 calories.

Even though it's only been a week, food is no longer a pleasurable experience. It's really sad to me that I now dread eating. My choices so limited and so boring, I've started wondering, why bother? Hopefully, this will pass. I've had several cups of tea and lots of water. Will, undoubtedly surpass 64 ounces again.

Here it is:

Work out (AM) - Elliptical trainer (371 calories)

Breakfast - Snuck 5 Peanut M&Ms (naughty!), tuna in water (drained with one egg white, 1 tablespoon of light mayo, salt, and paprika. Also drained canned corn and canned chili beans, rinsed and had a serving with breakfast.

Morning Snack - Chicken of the Sea, Salmon Steak in honey BBQ sauce, mixed corn and chili beans

Lunch - chicken of the Sea, Salmon steak in honey BBQ sauce, mixed corn and chili beans. One small grapefruit with splenda

Dinner - Baked chicken breast with lemon and herb seasoning, Whole Grain Brown Minute Rice (1/2 serving) and (1/2 serving) pictsweet steamer vegetables

1 square Ghiradelli Intense Dark Citrus Sunset (60% Cacao)

Evening walk around the neighborhood after dinner (over 64 ounces of water today)

I'm going to have to keep up with this a bit better because Daily Plate can't separate workouts (damned if I can remember how much time I spent on Day X doing whatever). Here's what happened today:

Work out = 30 minutes (around 6ish this morning) 355 calories

Breakfast -
6 Egg Whites
1 Kashi Trail Mix bar

Morning Snack -
Chicken of the Sea BBQ Salmon Steak
Bean and corn "salad" mix

Lunch -

Hillshire Farms Deli Select Mesquite Smoked Turkey 12 slices
1 packet Great Valu Instant Grits

Afternoon Snack-

1/2 cup seasoned ground turkey
12 almonds

Work out/training with hubby -
15 minute warm-up Elliptical = 190 calories
Leg Day (squats, squats, squats)
10 minute Elliptical = 103 calories

(Haven't had dinner yet, I'll enter it later today or tomorrow).

8.28 Here's Dinner

Turkey/ham sandwhich with Deli Select Ham and turkey on Home Pride Butter Top wheat bread, a bit of dill pickle and light mayo. Tostitos white corn tortillas (1.5 servings), 2 tablespoons of Tostitos Zesty Bean & Cheese dip (medium). For dessert? One Skinny Cows sundae cone.

I started the new diet today and, after lunch, I was still hungry. Now that I've had my afternoon snack, I'm doing all right. Here's what I had:

Breakfast:
1 medium California plum
5 Egg whites (small amount of salt and pepper)
2 cups decaf with Splenda

Lunch:

1 oz Baked chicken (slightly seasoned)
1/2 serving "low fat prepared" Pasta Roni (herb and garlic

Afternoon Snack:
(same as Lunch)

I know that dinner will consist of more chicken, but I'm thinking I'll pick up some low-fat coconut milk, Thai Peanut sauce and brown rice to make my fav meal. With the chicken, I think hubby won't have any complaints.

I worked out on the elliptical for 30 minutes and burned around 320 calories (nearly 100 less than what I normally burn because I took down the tension, but about the same as what I used to burn on the old machine). The tension has caused some trouble with my knees, so I think I'll have to let that be for a while. No one wants screaming knees. Hubby says we'll start the weight training program he's given me on Friday. We performed a run through yesterday and it's probably going to kick my butt. I suppose I'm ready (oh well, if I'm not).

Because of birthday party madness (see the other site), we didn't get going on the training as planned a few weeks ago. I was keeping up with my cardio and had managed to skim off three pounds. Now that I'm filled with birthday cake (I haven't checked but), I believe that three pounds is back. Hubby emailed the training plan along with the meal plan I'll be on. It looks suspiciously like those I've seen for figure competitors. Hmm. Wonder if he's been reading the blog again. I would say yes (are you there, honey?).

The babe is sick, my coworker is quitting and my rag is coming. Needless to say, the stress level is way high. Despite these and other stresses in my life, I've managed to watch my food and exercise for the past two days with a fervor I haven't had in about three months. I'm determined to get these pesky extras off again. The hard part is going to come when my girlfriend gets here next week. We have a tendency to overindulge. I think that I'll "get" myself with extra workouts whenever we overdue it, just so I'm staying with the program.

Hubby is threatening to train me again (starting next week). Not sure how serious he is, but it's never a fun process. Don't get me wrong, he's good at what he does, but the wife-husband dynamic always brings up a power issue for me. The first time he trained me, I looked really good (I wasn't as small as I would have liked, but I looked great) and felt good. I suppose that's all that I really should expect, right? Not be a size four like my mother (she walks 5 miles on the treadmill at a 4.5 clip every other day). It takes her approximately ninety minutes. I seriously don't have that kind of time, but I suppose I would be down with it if I did. Nah. The fact that I probably burn more than half of what she burns in thirty minutes on the elliptical is enough to keep me from her kind of torture.

So, there it is. Me trying to get svelte again. My arms are flabby (first indication that I've put on weight) and they're already football player size. Something must be done.

Eight pounds. Where did they come from? Well, In 'N Out, Lucky Buffet, Wendy's McDonald's, Papa Murphy's, Kasbah Grill, Chinese Gourmet (just to name a few). Notice a common denominator, besides the fact that they're all fast food/restaurants? Salt. I've been loving the salt, which is a little out of the ordinary for me. Usually, I'm sucking down the sugar. Either way, it's not good and I'm packing it back on, slowly but surely.

Another problem? I'm not drinking nearly enough water (now, how is it I can suck it down with no problem in the winter, but when it's 100 degrees, I'm not getting enough...I'm such a weirdo). Despite the bad eating habits, I'm still working out very regularly. The weight training is on hold, but the cardio is in full effect. I'm making the most out of my new, elliptical trainer. It's awesome! I can actually adjust the tension and the burn is most definitely there. I think that must be why people keep saying, "You look great!". Could I indeed be putting on muscle mass? I gotta get myself together and quick. Can't wear my lovely new perfume till I see the 150's again. Will I? Gosh, I hope so (and soon). This can't continue or I won't be able to wear anything in a couple of weeks!

I've gotten off those pesky pounds I picked up during our Washington adventure. I'm down to that blasted 162 that always wants to hang on for life. I'm hoping that by next Sunday, the weight will have shifted again...I hope, for the lower and better.

The new for me? Being consistent. I have a tendency to change things up too soon, so now I'm trying to do the regular schedule, for at least a few weeks, and see where that gets me. Last Friday, I tried a H.I.I.T session on the elliptical trainer. I warmed up for five minutes, performed a rest and H.I.I.T for thirty seconds each, four times. Next week, I'll move up to five and the week after, six. Every other day, I'm being consistent about my weight training. It also means I'm sore most of the week. My inner thighs are talking to me right now. Yesterday, my abs were singing. The day before, my thighs.

I tried the Firm Classic #5 for the first time, yesterday. I'm familiar with the instructor because of the Firm Parts - Standing Legs video I have. She is one of the instructors. I think #5 is a great toning video, but I'm not sure it will be one I use in my heavy rotation. The weight emphasis isn't as prevalent in this as it is in other videos I have.

Since our trip to Washington, I can't seem to get my act together. Part of it is the cooking. I have to get back into the swing of cooking on a regular basis. The way to do that is to get more sleep (we seem to be getting to bed later and later, which means less sleep at night, which means a lot more tired in the mornings). Hubby has been bringing Isagen.ix home and I've decided to really take a look at the material and, perhaps, give it a go as a cleanser. Maybe my plumbing is gunky and needs some help. Maybe I can "Jump start My Heart" into action again.

Last night, we did the "quick fix" and picked up Wendy's for dinner. Although I didn't go incredibly over board, we ate much later than usual (around 8:30pm). We've been eating later and that definitely will thwart any kind of progress. The weight is creeping back on and I'm not happy about it. To try and help myself from last nights damage, I worked out on the elliptical for 74 minutes which totaled 1000 calories burned. I was thinking I might go at it again (if time permits) but, we'll have to see. The babe has dance class tonight so my time is sort of all over the place.

Meanwhile, I still have my goal insight. As I said, I'm going to research Isageni.x and then I'm going to work hard at getting my eating back under control, along with my sleep. I'm going to restrict my alcohol intake to the weekends too (nightly cocktails are not helpful to the process). It's all about eating clean again. Fish, chicken, oatmeal, egg whites...bring it on!

I'm always very aware of when my cravings start before TOM (approximately two weeks), but I still cave into them. Yesterday, anything I could get into my mouth was my mode for the day...let me qualify this - anything salty or sweet. Of course, I paid for the damage with the unfriendly number on the scale, but I'm doing much better today. I have to remember to use my *help* on those days to help stave off cravings. My workouts haven't stopped (thank goodness, because this is also the time when I say, "I need a rest day," or some such garbage). I've kept it up. I almost didn't this morning, until I remembered that I wouldn't get a work out in tomorrow.

I mentioned a few posts ago that I wanted to keep track of my dietary stuff on here again too, but that hasn't been consistent. I'm going to continue to try. I look back on posts and it's good to see what I was eating and doing and what worked the best. So far, I can say that eating buckets of salt and sugar does not work. Working out consistently and eating "clean" works very well. I haven't been cooking as much and I can definitely tell the difference in my weight loss. It has slowed down and I know it won't pick again until I'm grilling chicken, steaming brown rice and veggies, and drinking my water and tea regularly again.

I am excited about my trip this weekend. I know there will be lots of splurging, but I will temper the splurging with wisdom. It's supposed to be quite cold there and I know that automatically makes me want to scarf down the comfort foods.

Well, for an anniversary day present, the 159.2 on the scale was probably the best gift I've gotten in a long time. So, I'm officially in the 150's and approaching the college weight. I can't believe it! Hubby and I spent yesterday splurging, so I'm sure the 150's are a distant memory today, but I hope that I'll have them back in a couple of days (at least by the next weigh day). I will order my perfume though (it's a goal weight, after all).

My hope is to be a couple pounds down for my trip to Washington, next week. I don't know if I can do it but I'm sure going to put my best foot forward. I'm also planning on watching the figure video whenever I need some motivation (I finally got that sucker burned to disc...next, I'll add it to YouTube).

To read more about my anniversary adventures yesterday, check out the other blog.

Yesterday, my nifty 20% coupon arrived from Bed, Bath and Beyond and I was thrilled. I could buy my scale and begin my tracking again. Hubby was training away from the office, yesterday and ended up at one of his favorite bargain-basement stores. He purchased a Thinner scale (like the one shown here) for $18, they normally retail for about forty. Talk about irony! It's the exact same scale I would have purchased and even with my coupon, I wouldn't have gotten it for the price he did (he wins again).

So, this morning, I set up my profile and weighed myself...dreading the worse. When the scale flashed 160.8 and then scrolled through the many other numbers it calculates, I couldn't believe it! After all the splurging and craziness I've been through, I've managed to maintain my weight. Of course, I have been keeping up with my workouts and I have to believe that's what's made the difference. I just wonder if now that I'm back on track, I'll begin to see losses again. I sure hope so. I changed my computation on The Daily Plate to record me as a mildly active person, rather than sedentary. I don't think I qualify as a sedentary person anymore.

So, here's what I got for today:

50 minute workout on elliptical trainer
1 L-Carnitine (& help)
1 pancake (no butter)
1/8 cup serving of Country kitchen syrup
Tofu
1 cup of decaffeinated tea

Yesterday's dinner consisted of 1/2 mesquite grilled chicken breast
hash browns with light ketchup
2 slices of whole wheat toast with light jelly (these were leftovers from Sunday breakfast)
the last 1/3 of my small, choco cherry blizzard

Hubby and I went up to Park City with the girls this past weekend. I ate a very good breakfast (Jimmy Dean Delight sandwhich and small bowl of Fiber One cereal) and then we traveled up the canyon to the ski resort town for shopping. We were on the hunt for gymnastics and dance gear for the oldest. We found it and a whole lot more.

By the time lunch rolled around (2 ish or so), we were all starving! Not a good thing to be when you're surrounded by fast food joints. I had a Wendy's stack and some fries (along with a light Minute Maid lemonade). Then, because I was still so famished, I had another stack. Damage done, right? Wrong!! When dinner time came around? Where did we go? Dairy Queen! I had two double cheeseburgers and a small blizzard (which I did not finish, thank God). I keep thinking that if my scale were functioning, I could see the damage and do something about it.

Since the weekend, thankfully, I have been better. Today I'm pretty hungry, but I'm not letting it rule me. I figure I'll do a weight training workout this afternoon and then eat a good, solid protein-filled dinner. That ought to take care of things (I did work out this morning, btw; 50minutes on the elliptical). I burned around 650 calories. I definitely need more weight training, as I've said before. It's the muscle that's going to do me the most good.

Here's to hoping that 20% off coupon for Bed, Bath and Beyond is in the mail today. Yeesh!!

So, I'm going to try and keep up with what I'm doing on this site as well as my calorie site. I don't know how successful I'll be, but I'd like to have an additional record of what I'm doing, just in case one site dies/crashes/disappears.

I'll try to keep it simple. I'm not sure how many other people are viewing this site, so the simplicity is for me. Retracing my steps is a lot easier when there's not a lot of muck to step through.

Workout - 50 minutes (661 calories) Elliptical trainer

Breakfast - Fiber One Caramel Delight cereal with fat free coffee mate. A second bowl of Fiber One Honey Clusters with fat free coffee mate (I was starving this morning. I should have found a protein source, but I wasn't in the mood for fish...which was the only quick source available).

Lunch - haven't prepared it, but will have tofu and brown rice. I'm looking for a vegetable (most likely dry coleslaw mix.

I didn't weigh this week because my scale is deceased. I hope to buy another one soon. I have no idea where I am or what's happening with my weight...I'm wishing for 150s, but I think that's in vain after last weekend's splurging.

So, after hubby's show this weekend, I have more motivation to try and tackle the whole figure physique. I think if I lost thirty pounds (Phew! That seems like a whole, heck of a lot) and had the muscle I'm carrying now, I could do pretty well. My weight training will have to pick up. As I mentioned before, I've been doing crazy cardio as of late (burning somewhere in the neighborhood of 700-800 calories per session). I've also been eating more because of this, but not always the best items. I've got to get back into the Oats-eggs-tuna regime. It's so boring, though!!

I didn't weigh last week because TOM showed up. Then, a couple of days later, hubby stepped on the scale and it responded with a flashing "CAL" which normally means it's calibrating; however, this usually goes away after a few seconds. Not so that time. It flashed like a disco ball for nearly a minute and a half. Not a good sign. Now, the screen is dark. You try to step on it and no response. I tried replacing the battery and...nothing. The scale is officially dead. When I get another one of those 20% off coupons (that we all get) for BedBathandBeyond again, I'll be purchasing a new scale. I don't feel that I'm a slave to it anymore, I just like to gauge what's happening. I also need the numbers for my goal rewards (haven't had one of those in a while...sigh). The next one is perfume. (Que A Chorus Line..."God, I hope I get it...I hope I get it!")

My legs are like rocks, did I mention this? Seriously. They are hard where the muscles are. The flabby part isn't as flabby, but I'm thinking I'd like the flabby part to be taut as well. The arms need serious help! I can tell I've lost fat in them, but it looks like the air has been let out and they are swinging. Yikes! My triceps are beautiful when I flex, but I want them to look like that even when I don't. I've seriously got to get to work. As I looked at the women at the show I thought, "You know, I could do this." The only draw back is that I don't have a gym membership. Perhaps my goal will be to see if you can compete without a gym membership. Can a person place in a show who only has her free weights, her cardio equipment and her videos? I wonder...

It will probably be a year before I can even attempt as much and that's if I can keep myself going without interruptions like sickness, work weirdness and kid drama. I guess it's a wait-and-see game.

At least, that's what I'm hoping about the 160's this week. Today's number, a happy 160.5 has me wishing and praying and hoping that the 150's will soon be here. I'm still working out, but not doing the weight training as much as I'd like. I plan on popping in a Firm disc tomorrow for arms. Friday and Saturday will be monopolized with preparing for hubby's bodybuilding show. I suspect that our weekend will have a splurge or two...but I'll try to pace myself.

Well, of course the health folks tell us that you really can't have too much fiber (at least, we Americans never get enough so, we really don't have to worry about over doing it, right?). There used to be a commercial for a fiber supplement that showed a lady getting in her recommended grams of fiber by eating all day. She would turn off her alarm in the morning, roll over and grab an apple. She would eat her regular meals, but then you'd see her pumping away on an Exercycle while eating a huge stalk of raw broccoli. The idea, of course, is that you'd literally have to eat all day to get in the recommended value and we just can't do that.

So, I've been getting in my extra fiber whenever I can. The newest trend for me is eating the Fiber One brand of goodies. The chocolate chip bars are wonderful and so is the cereal (Caramel Delight!)l but, buyer beware. You may just want to make sure you eat these things when you're already home or will be within the hour of eating. The breakdown happens pretty fast and you may experience other symptoms before you find yourself visiting the throne. Seriously! Can one person produce so much gas? Yikes! It makes me wonder about the folks who are taking Xen.ical or it's OTC brother, A.LLI. Not that Fiber One recommends that you bring extra clothes to work, but it's pretty darn close.

Meanwhile, the weight was the same this week and that's because I indulged in a few too many Easter treats. Cadbury eggs, M&Ms, Strawberry Milkshake Whoppers and the best yet, Dove Chocolate Walnut Rendezvous ...

OMG! These are the best "dry" cookies I've ever eaten! The best part is that the girls don't like them, so they could be all mine and hubby's. So, it's no surprise to me that there was no change. The workouts have been good, steady and consistent. Today is weight training day, so I'd better hop to it. Hopefully, all the gas I have will be expelled by the end of the workout. Really, is it worth it?

It seems to be my mood, as of late. I'm now feeling encouraged and happy about the prospects of my hubby not moving out. Normally (as I've said before, I'm all backwards), I would eat in celebration of this happiness but I resist. I've worked hard to get to these blasted 160s and am encouraged that I am on my way to the 150s (maybe). Will it happen? God, let's hope so.

Today, I was going to have a rest day. Everything in me says, "Work out! Work out! Work out!" but I really do need a day of recharge. Tomorrow, I can work out and feel good that I've worked out everyday this week accept Friday. Can it be? I'm actually missing the workout? (Cue Twilight Zone music here).

Easter is coming and hubby bought me a snazzy new dress not too long ago. I haven't worn it yet, so it is now dubbed the Easter dress of 2008. Is anybody else not "feeling" Easter? It's too early this year. I can't believe it's nearly time to dye eggs and such. Dye eggs? For real? (Here's the dress. Too bad I don't have those "Mary Janes" from my goal list. They would rock with this dress!)

Well, with all my personal troubles, I haven't had much of an appetite (see New Dawn site). I'm not advocating this way of "dieting" or "eating right" because it really isn't "eating right"; however, the scale was kind this morning at 160.5 and I'm certainly not complaining. As it stands, I'm officially smaller than I was in June of 2004 (my smallest since starting this blog in 2003). It's truly a milestone! The last time I was this close to being in the 150s, I had just gotten married.

Now, I'm getting nostalgic and feeling sad. Ten years ago, I was probably this weight and ten years ago, the only place my hubby wanted to be was near me. Currently, he's in a race to get clear so that we can "think" and "work things out". I'm just so afraid of what this will lead to! In the meantime, I can't think straight and I'm not eating properly, so I'm hitting these awesome numbers that, yeah I'm sort of happy about, but I'd much rather have my hubby. The wild thing is that he's been going on and on for the past few days about how much he loves me and wants everything to work out. I want the same things, but I want him here, too. Sleeping alone has been incredibly difficult for me and I feel sort of weak saying this.

Meanwhile, (and on a happier note) I'm sort of hard, I guess is the best word to describe it. I went to scratch my upper thigh the other day and it felt like rock or a rod had been inserted into my leg. It was sort of weird and unsettling at first. I asked my hubby what it could be (this was a few days ago when we were still playing "house" and all was well) and he said, "Uh, that's muscle honey." Yeah, well I guess I already knew that but just needed some sort of confirmation of the fact. It was weird and still is. I'll grab my legs to walk up the steps and, wow! Steel! I just can't see the definition like I'd like to or maybe it's there and I'm having body issues. Who knows.

For the first time in nearly a year, I changed my imood display. I have a feeling it will be "sad and pitiful" for a while.

I've started a new Firm video it's the one you see here with the lovely Pam. Pam is a butt kicker through and through. I mean, I was like, "Is it over yet? Is it over yet?" half-way through the workout. Lots of concentration on all the body parts and several aerobic segments had the sweat dripping from everywhere! This Firm is a bit more updated then the ones I normally use, but it still has all the Anna Benson touches I like (without the bad 80's make-up and gold jewelry).

My Wednesday weigh-ins are still happening but I don't always post the number. It really hadn't changed much, until today: 162. I hope this sticks...I truly do. It's like when I was in the 170s approaching the 160s. It seems to take forever to break into the new weight bracket. Hubby is dropping weight like his dirty shirts all over our bedroom. He's preparing for a show and, honestly, he looks damn hot. I know he's working harder than I ever have to get this weight off, but it's for the purpose of winning. For me, it's life-long. I don't need to drop it fast just to have it come back again. Further more, I don't want to do what I did last time...working out like crazy and feeling like I'd have to for the rest of my life, in order to stay fit and trim. I can have my life, enjoy my kids and my hubby as well as work out. It doesn't have to be one or the other.

Another change to the workout plan is that I sometimes extend my elliptical training sessions to 45 or 50 minutes. I received the first season of Charlie's Angles for Christmas and it's a great way to pass the time while I ellipticize. Soon, I'll break out the Wonder Woman and Hulk episodes. They're about 50 minutes per episode, too.

I haven't posted in a bit, but trust that I have been keeping up with my new, nutritional plan. The cardio workouts are consistent. The weight training was consistent, until I began weight training with hubby. Some days, he just doesn't have the energy to train after working all day. I can't blame him (and I certainly don't complain). I need to insert my Firm workouts again on the weekends, just to be sure I'm getting in some weight training. There are weeks when we only manage one workout (typically Tuesdays).

Friday, I weighed in at 163.5 and I was thrilled! This new plan is pushing me down the slope again and I'm thrilled. I was around this weight when all things came to a halt, so I'm motivated to keep this up. I notice that things regress when we splurge and, unfortunately, we just came off a splurge weekend. Hell, it was worth it. I don't think gorging on Oatmeal cookies is as bad as things could have been. We did eat at Wendy's one of those days and I didn't order my standard "be good" meal (Jr. Hamburger, small chili) and it was tasty! I noticed that I was full for the evening after that junk. I was also feeling crappy the next day (clean systems don't like sludge mucking up the works). I know tomorrow's weigh day probably won't be as kind, but at least I know that being consistent is taking the weight off again. I was stuck for many weeks with no way out.

A little prematurely, I ordered a couple of things from Newport News. I'm not a shopper but they were having a sale that I just couldn't pass up (and a sweater I've been wanting for a couple of years was at an unbeatable price!) I don't want to infringe on my goal items and I hope I'll have funds to do those when the time comes. I'm really excited about potentially being a "hottie" when we go to the Northwest for my hubby's competition. Is it possible that I could arrive the same weight I was in college? How lovely would that be?!

Last week, hubby and I trained together for the first time in a couple of years. It went well (even though I wanted to cuss him out afterwards). I'm doing most of the weight lifting on a stationary balance ball (can't remember what it's called) so that you're engaging your abs while you lift. Craziness! The ab portion of the workout was the toughest. He says that today we'll do legs and that I probably will be sore for a few days afterward.

In terms of the eating schedule, I'm getting used to it and find myself getting hungry around the time I'm supposed to eat my next meal. There's a great deal of protein (I'm usually 100% over the daily recommended amount) and fiber. The fat was a bit high (by my standards) at first, but hubby tweaked the items on the menu and now that is under control. The calories are well below and the sodium is very good. I have a bit of trouble maintaining the carb level he's requesting, but all in all I'm doing okay.

So, I don't really know what to expect in terms of weight. I did well in my training with him the last time and my weight was still in the 160's (low 160's, but still 160's). I really want to get out of this category and hope that his training will help me do so. With the new eating plan, it should. I have my "cheats" on Sunday...but you know, the cheats aren't really cheats. It's getting to eat the things I ate on my last plan. How nutty is that?

Things are going much better than expected, in terms of my plan. Normally, I pack on fiver or more pounds over the break. This year? Two pounds and those suckers are already gone. Woohoo! Hubby, just yesterday, put me on my new eating plan and boy is it interesting. I'm doing the oatmeal, salmon, brown rice, egg white deal I discussed late last year. I'm not bored yet, but I have a feeling that it's coming. He's changing it up and that should help.

Here's what I had yesterday:

Breakfast - Albertson's Quick oats (with a sprinkle of brown sugar), 1 Colby Jack cheese stick
Second meal -Half serving baked salmon, one serving brown rice
third meal - four egg whites
Fifth meal - 12 almonds and 1 Colby Jack cheese stick
Sixth meal - Cheerios and Raisin bran

After the second meal, I was so full! That protein really makes a difference, but I was ravenous by dinner time. It was late and I didn't want to cook (neither did hubby). That was the only reason we had cereal. I'm sure on most evenings will have chicken, fish or some other dead animal and vegetables.

The workouts will be altered too, but he hasn't shown me my schedule yet. I was on the elliptical most of the break and for longer periods of time. I can only assume that is why I didn't turn into a moo-cow. Thank goodness for workout equipment at home.

The scale smiled with a 165.5 this morning. No workout because I'm making up time for a holiday lunch I'm taking with my coworkers today (how does that work?). Tonight, more work in the basement and tomorrow? Leg day. Tough stuff! I've discovered that, even though I'm given back calories for the workouts I put in, if I don't use them, the weight comes off. It's hard because I want to eat more. I'm convinced I've got to eat better, not more. Do I detect a goal for the new year? Yeah, I think it's been brewing for a while. I'll get it down here soon I'm sure.

In the meantime, I'm enjoying this number and hope that it creeps on down a little further over the coming days. Could it be that I might actually lose weight rather than gain it this holiday season? Hmm. I'll believe it when I see it.

Salt is definitely my enemy. I have seen no change in two weeks, but I've been inhaling the stuff like crack! It seems I want it and sugar more than anything on the planet when TOM is set to appear (which it did last night). When I use some self-control, I'm able to prevent the cramps from hell and the stave off the bitch inside; however, most of the time, I cave into my cravings. Then, what happens? Why, the cramps from hell and the bitch inside come to the party. Water is truly the trick. I've got to get my water-schedule back under wraps. I've also been slacking on my food entry. So, for the past two days, I've made sure every morsel has been logged.

An observation: when I work out, I'm hungrier through the day. This doesn't surprise me, but I tend to just make my limit when I'm eating (my limit also changes as soon as I enter workout time). For example, my standard max of calories for the day may be 1, 315 (that's not it, but this is for the example). When I enter my workout time, say 30 minutes on the elliptical, that 1315 suddenly becomes 1515. Well, I'll just about make that 1515 before the day's end. The observation I made is that when I workout, if I keep it at the standard max, the weight disappears. It's so hard, though. The body is in need of more food because of the workout, so I feed it. Then, I deal with no movement on the scale. It could be that I'm not taking into account that my water is less than ideal and the Salt Monster is every present.

So, what do I do? First, I'm going to try and practice some self-control next month. The goal will be not to cave into my cravings. Try as I might, I always have a lot of trouble, so it will need to become a mantra of sorts. This week, I've also been going for my water again and the process of getting back to 2 liters has begun. This one is tough, but I've done it before. I can do it again. Finally, I will need to see about changing what I'm eating for lunch. The frozen meals are wonderful and convenient, but they're full of salt. I guess they have to be or they wouldn't taste like much. Healthy Choi.ce does a pretty good job of not going too nuts with the salt they add, but it's still quite a bit (typically 600 mg). If I make my lunches at home (like my hubby) I'll probably be better off. This also means more cooking (and more work).

I've got a lot to try and figure out, but I'm not discouraged. No change is better than a gain and I'm grateful. I would, however, like to see those numbers dropping again. I gotta be bathing suit ready in a just a few short months! Eye on the prize...

The numbers have been around the same, so no change for last week. I've been working out and doing the 30 or more minutes on my elliptical trainer. On days I don't, I've been firming it up with The Firm - Standing Legs, The Firm-Upper Body and The Firm-Tough Tape 2. All leave me dripping wet and exhausted, but I'm pleased with the results. The weight isn't changing, but my body sure is.

I think once TOM comes and goes, I'll let go of a lot of this excess water. It's the same story every month. I just wish I knew how to combat this without taking diuretics. Playing patient is not an easy thing to do...especially when it comes to weight. Ugh!

For me, I'm happy if I don't add extra poundage in the next few weeks. I've been dipping into the Halloween candy and that's got to stop. I threw away the cupcakes I made because no one was eating them but me, and they were just sitting there anyway. I was having maybe one every couple of days. The recipe made twenty-four. I brought 8 to work and the girls each had one. I've probably had four or five. They were just getting moist and going to waste.
For Christmas, I will definitely make my rum cake, but I know I won't be eating that alone. It's a family favorite and shouldn't last too long in the house. That will probably the sweetest thing I eat in the next few weeks. My most immediate goal is to stay strong and not touch any of the treats my neighbors try to push on me. Oh, the holidays!

Today's weigh-day number, 167.5, is probably the result of skimpy eating yesterday and furious cleaning this morning. We had a sort of gathering and meal at work yesterday morning and I did my eating there. By lunch, not only was I too busy to get lunch but I was still full from the morning meal. I didn't eat again until close to 7:00pm and it wasn't much; white rice and pot stickers. I then allowed myself a few of my hubby's Salt and Vinegar Lays (which were divine) and a glass of South African Shiraz. It was divine, too. I love the after-taste or the flavors that linger on your palate after drinking Shiraz. I think it's my favorite red.

For the next few days, I'll be home and I'm thrilled! This morning, I've been cleaning like a mad woman. My house was, to put it frankly, disgusting. So, I vacuumed, mopped, polished, dusted and scrubbed. My house now has that lovely pine smell and my feet no longer stick to the kitchen floor. I've got a candle burning, so soon it will smell like spice and pumpkin pie. Tomorrow, I'll take it easy...expending my energy only on the dessert I will make and take to my mother's. Friends are supposed to be coming, so it should be nice; however, I'm worried about the state-of-mind my sister is in. She could destroy the day for everyone with just a word.

Finally, we'll be getting our tree today (probably from Home Depot) but I'm going to run to Tai Pan Trading to see if they have any worth looking at. I can't spend any money today (Unfortunately...fortunately). I just took a look at my account and it is beyond scary. If someone tries to cash a check, they're going to be in for one rude awakening. I hope our pay checks post tonight otherwise, I'm going to have to rob from my savings to save my butt from bounce heaven. Oh, the holiday shopping!

Well, pretty dang good if I must say so myself. I wore a size 8, black velvet dress to church yesterday, similar to the one on the right but with a much more flattering neckline. I was actually quite surprised at how well it fit. Of course, it is velvet and has quite a bit of give. The nice thing was that, even with the give, there weren't tons of rolls accentuated by that velvet. I was quite pleased. I even bought gel inserts for my goal shoes and wore them with the dress. I'm sure other people noticed, but no one really commented except my mother.

My weight this morning was 167 and I'm pleased but I'm a bit concerned about the impending holiday. I don't think that I'll gorge. We have outside guests coming and that always helps to put my eating in check. No one wants to look like a big sow in front of company. My plan is to weight train that morning...get my metabolism up running high enough to combat any extra calorie consumption for the day. Perhaps I should plan on an extra 15 or 20 minutes on the elliptical the day before, too. It couldn't hurt. I'm off that day and I think I can find something to amuse the kids for an hour or so.

My mother is currently in a six and is having a devil of a time trying to find things to wear. She doesn't wear trendy clothes, which is why it's so difficult for her. I hadn't even thought of that! I know Ann Taylor carries smaller sizes, but they're rather expensive. Macy's is good about tiny clothes and she's picked up quite a few things from there. I also suggested Ross Dress for Less and reminded her about that awesome discount she gets (senior citizen), but they tend to be a bit trendy too. Besides that, you have to sort of go in with the idea that you're going to spend some time there. You gotta dig for what you want.

I wondered, as she was telling me about her plight regarding the search for the smaller sizes. Will I have this to worry about in the future? I've never been a six (always wanted to be one, though) and I think it would be terrific to be able to get into things labeled small for a change. I don't mind the trendier stuff, as long as it's not too naked. Could I be one of those shopping at 5*7*9 or WetSeal in the future? Oh, yeah. They tend to be on the naked side of trendy.

There's a store in our local mall called Mariposa that has some of the cutest dresses I've ever seen, but I've always been to big to wear them (I think it's a teen store, but I can wear teen clothes when I'm this size and smaller). Perhaps that's something to reach for. Hey, I feel a goal item in the works. Which reminds me, it's time to do those again. My other goals are nearly reached and it's time to strive for even "leaner" and better things:

• 35lbs (159) - New Perfume (more KL or Caesar's woman) Goal! Thursday, April 10, 2008 - 159.2
• 40lbs (154)- Time for new pair of shoes - Mary Jane's or Steve Madden's
• 45lbs (149)- New dress from Mariposa (or some other shop for smaller folks)
  
• 50lbs (144) - a new bikini from Carabella

If I happen to go past the fifty pound mark, I'm thinking I would have earned myself a ticket to Lasix Land. My hubby shouldn't be the only one in the house no longer sportin' the spectacles.

The happy 160s are still here and the magic number on the scale was 169, so I wore my shoes...and they were too big. *Sigh* I still wore them and got lots of compliments and felt fabulous, but I'm bummed because they are in my size, they just fit a bit wide for me. I think if I put in an insert that will help but I can't be sure. I don't want to ruin the inside of my shoes if it's not going to make a difference in how they fit.

I worked out yesterday morning and did okay. I wasn't out of breath, like I thought I would be, and I kept it up around a half hour. I did the same this morning and am thinking that I might try my weight training on Saturday. I think that's what is making the difference in how I look and how things are fitting on me (I'm in a ten, by the way...and it's not strangling me or too tight). Hubby even said, "Hey, those are loose!" Who knew! I think it's all those lunges and "up and down" on the 12" stool. Talk about but-kicking exercises! Seriously!

Anyway, I am happy to be back in the 160s but, as they say, we're never satisfied. I keep thinking, This is where I got stuck the last time. Will I crest into the 150s or am I destined to stay in the 160s for the rest of my life? I guess time will tell. I haven't hit up my program with hubby yet nor have I changed my eating habits to that of a figure competitor. Phew! That's going to be rough when I do. I just can't get excited about tuna and oatmeal everyday. I suppose I have to change my thinking to that of food being for nutrition and not necessarily for pleasure. And, it's not forever. It's me attempting to reach a goal. If I do...if I do...when I do.

So, the 160s are mine...but I paid a dear cost to get them. I acquired strep throat again and, of course, you can't eat when your throat feels like you've been practicing sword swallowing. TOM also appeared, so it's doubly hard to tell if I made it on my own or through water-weight loss. TOM is so dang cruel to me when it comes to water. I hold onto it for dear life...not because I want to, of course.

I had almost completed a full week of workouts when the throat-closing-up thing started last Thursday afternoon (see my other post for the details of the sickness and it's progression). I'm glad that I'm feeling better now and I'm actually looking forward to working out. Hubby says I could try it tomorrow...gently. What does that mean? Fifteen rather than thirty minutes or half the regular weights I use? Oh, well. I guess I'll just listen to my body and try not to push it.

I'll post that wonderful number here (168), but the true weigh day is tomorrow. I hope the 160s are still with me tomorrow as well. I may very well strut in here with my fab shoes.

I've been hitting the workout out videos hard, as of late (the Firm Standing Legs and Upper Body, mostly). Not much change in my weight, but plenty of changes in my body. I know you're supposed to be pleased with body changes, but I'd really like that number to go down much further. Hubby says 80% of it is diet. I guess I'd better start tweaking that...and for me, that means eating more and more often (perish the thought!).

I am always transfixed by the statement above. A video instructor is huffing through the last set or the last few reps and exclaims, "You're almost there!" as if that's going to make getting through those last delt flies, squats or crunches any easier or faster. I suppose it helps some and there's the encouragement that you've nearly completed your exercises, I guess. I don't know. I'm still trying to figure that one out because I'm heading right into another set, just after I finish the ones that I'm "almost there." Can't they just say, "One more!" instead. (Oh, I guess they do say that.)

My water intake has been sporadic. Some days, I get in the whole 2.3 liters. Other days, it's half that or a third. I try to remember my L-Carnitine (which makes a huge difference) but I sometimes forget. I need a way to remember it, but I don't want to leave them here at work. I'm seriously in need of more. I guess when I buy more, I won't be so hesitant in leaving them here in the office where I can see them.

The goal shoes seem so far off, again. I'm not even bordering the 160s. I fluctuate now between 173, 173.5 and 174...depending on my water intake, the salt intake, what sort of workout I've done, etc.... I'm just not ready to start eating oatmeal, egg whites and tuna like it's going out of style. I suppose I better get ready, if I want to see the changes I'm after. I know I'm taking in way too much salt. Mostly because of the instant meals I eat for lunch and all of the prepackaged food we have. Gotta go natural. That's what my mother has done (although she's not inhaling egg whites or oatmeal) and she's down to a size four! Maybe I'll do a variation on what she's doing. She's eating lots of raw veggies (which I like), fruit (depends on what type) and very little bread (again, perish the thought). I'll keep working on it and maybe, just maybe I'll make a dent in those 160's yet!

I'm working at this early hour thinking that I'll journey downstairs to the elliptical trainer because...I'm just so close! I keep seeing that box of shoes. The next goal item, tempting and taunting me. "Wear me! Oh, please wear me!" It would be awesome to show up to meet my newly found, old friend wearing those heels to lunch. Can I do it? Oh, the sheer joy of strutting in with my newly found 160s body in those fabulous heels. Not that I'm trying to get with her, but the last time she saw me, I was quite the chuboid.

So, cold in the coughing stages, but pretty much out of the congestion stage. Should I do it? Should I bite the bullet and just get on that thing and burn through the last four days of non-exercising? I really, really want to. I was checking out my calorie intake versus weight with the journal I keep and I definitely see improvements during the weeks I work out. That's to be expected, I suppose. I just want more improvements...and I want them faster, dammit! Patience, Enchantress. Patience.

Oh, but the shoes. Then, there are the other goals. I've also started thinking a little bit ahead. What if I surpass the first goal and continue to drop? Do I set up more goal items, or consider the added drops just sugar-free icing on the cake? Perhaps those additional drops would mean a new wardrobe? I don't know. I won't count my chickens...especially with the holiday season fast approaching. My mother's cornbread dressing calling my name at 11:30 at night? I hope I can be strong, this year. That's always the hope. I don't dare say I won't indulge, but perhaps I can work in more workout time to compensate. For you see, there is actually a bigger goal at hand. I hesitate to mention it now, but I will soon.

I'm really happy about today's number (173.5) even though it's not as dramatic as I would have liked it to be this week. Still, I can't complain. I've been battling a cold which left me on the couch at home yesterday. I haven't worked out all week! Do I miss it? But of course! I have reached that point very early in my training. I want to try and do something this afternoon, but I have a feeling my hubby will have none of it. I can hear him now;

"You'll just set yourself even further back if you try to work out without healing."

He's probably right, but I know with each ab workout and elliptical training I miss, it's just that much harder to get back into it. I want this 170s behind me once and for all. Figure training will come after I've restablished my initial strength and hubby is too excited. He's ready to whip me into shape (so he says). What kind of whipping he has in mind, only time will tell. I know that I'm already looking and feeling better. The added weight training will be an added bonus. It will be interesting to see how far I can go. Will/Can I look like a figure competitor before it's all said and done? Even if I don't compete, to just look like one of those lovely ladies would be a dream!

For the first time in months, I can change the number on the left. I'm glad about it, but I'm much more eager to change all the digits rather than just one.

A while back, I posted about not being able to drink the generic version of Crystal Light, sold at Wal-Mart. It contains Magnesium Oxide and I determined that it made me break out in horrible hives (the scars of which are still visible). It also made me loose my ability to taste. I guess I'm destined to be rid of the ability to enjoy food no matter what water additive I drink.

I discovered the Lipton Green Tea on the go and really started digging it. It has caffeine, so I paced myself and made sure not to drink it too late. All was going fine until a couple of weeks ago, when I thought I'd acquired a nasty case of food poisoning. Turns out, it's the dang tea! It gives me the runny runs if I drink it now (I know, TMI). What the hell? I'm not talking about a loosening or anything resembling a mild diuretic, I'm talking about straight-up water from the bum. It's not good...not good at all. So, I've made a decision. There are going to be to days when I just suffer through and deal with it. Why? Because for 1., it's hard trying to get just straight, plain, boring old water down the gullet, 2., buying flavored water is way too expensive, unless I catch a sale, then I'll consider it and, 3., everyone needs a thorough cleaning every now and again. It's not nice, but it's tolerable.

Sound crazy? It probably is and I may change my mind about all of it in the coming weeks. I may start dropping peppermints in my water again and call it good. That was decent, but it wasn't Mandarin Orange flavored green tea.

I really haven't looked as hard as I was looking before, but I will. The weekend is nearly here! I felt guilty about overindulging on some honey-roasted cashews I had, once I came home from work. Hubby was eating them like candy, so why couldn't I? You can't because you don't burn 2000 calories a day like he does. Oh yeah!

Well, the guilt was enough to send me downstairs to the elliptical trainer. It was my off day, but I wanted that extra 440 calories gone to compensate for the splurge. It didn't help. This morning I got up and stepped on the scale? Unfortunately the 175 told me that the water is hanging on. Why must you hang on, water? Get thee hence, retched fluid retention!

Well, I won't let it bother me. I'll keep pressing forward as I've been doing. It may be more than TOM, too. I made spaghetti for dinner on Tuesday night with mushrooms, ground turkey and Prego mushroom garden sauce (salt, salt, salt). Then yesterday afternoon, I went to lunch with girlfriends. Where did they want to go? Italian Village. What did I order? Spaghetti with marinara sauce (more salt). Last night, there were the pot stickers and rice. This morning, breakfast ham, scrambled eggs, whole wheat toast with jam. For lunch, szechuan noodles. Perhaps I'll have some food with my salt tonight. Oh, and the water drinking is not where it was. Gotta work on that. Perhaps if I did, the salt would leave. Capital idea, my good woman. Capital!

I can't find my Tape 4 of the Classic Firm series. Actually, I do have it on DVD now, but I can't find that sucker anywhere! It was something I wanted to add to my rotation this week and it appears to have vanished into thin air. Now, of course I know (logically) that it hasn't, but I can't put my hands on it to save my life. I'd like to use it to get my arms into better shape (as well as the rest of me) but more importantly, my wings. Yes. I have wings.

They haven't started flapping in the wind yet, but they're getting close. I've begun to notice the weight change now and, "Last hired, first fired," the evidence is in my wings. It's the last place I put on weight, so it's the first place (aside from my face) where I see changes. Since I'm not toning very much in that area yet, the result? Wings. Imagine your biceps as tires and the air is slowing being let out. Not pretty.

If I had that tape, I could get in the quality reps. Yes, I could do this without the tape, but the tape is regimented. I'm more likely to follow the instructions laid out in front of me, then to "wing" it and do things on my own. The good news is that I did get my elliptical workout in this morning and used the arm "thingies", which I normally don't (my stamina hasn't built up enough to use them continuously yet). I'm sitting at 174.5 and hope that the decrease continues as nicely as it has been these past few weeks. We'll see.

I went back through my blog posts, which is always an enlightening experience. It's funny to see me getting up in arms about being in the 160s and plateauing there. Man, those were the days. I'm hanging in the mid 170s and the high 160s sounds absolutely dreamy to me.

I'm working out regularly now (I even got in an elliptical training session yesterday). Sunday is my day off, but I'm actually missing the workout/toning sessions. I hope it's all working. I think I'm starting to see and feel a difference in my body. They're aren't mind altering changes yet but, it's better. If I can just make it through the holidays, I'll consider it a huge accomplishment. Haven't weighed this morning yet but, I was 175 yesterday. Oh to be petite again!

Gotta go get ready for church, now. I moved a lot of my winter clothes up last weekend and took my summer and spring duds downstairs. The closet is blocked so, I wasn't able to bring up all my winter dresses. I hope I can find something this morning that's appropriate for 40 degree temps. It's crazy how fast the temperatures changed but I'm certainly not complaining. I'll save my complaining for January and February when I've had above and beyond my share of the inversion and cold temps.

It was a refreshing, albeit difficult change from the treadmill (I talk as if I've been doing the treadmill thing for months instead of just twice). The refreshing part was seeing me click over 200 calories after only 15 minutes. I mean I literally burned twice as many calories in half the time. Imagine when I can stay on for 45 minutes or even an hour again! I was sort of calculating while I was standing on the scale this morning; if I could somehow get in two, elliptical sessions of thirty minutes per day, I would burn around 800 extra calories. The weight would just fall off! Now, I understand why I got so fit so fast the last time. I would do a morning workout (if I could get one in), then 30 minutes on the elliptical at lunch, then (if I was motivated and had time) a half hour or so on the treadmill in the evening. And, if hubby pissed me off in the wee hours, I would burn of my stress at 12:00 or 1:00 in the morning on the treadmill again. Now, we have this elliptical we didn't have back then...I would so be a skinny-Minny!

I couldn't possibly do this now, with the way everything is set up. Well, I guess I could...but do I really want to? Indy is still so young and is so needy and clingy sometimes. Besides, I like that she needs me right now. Later on, she won't want to have anything to do with me. Better enjoy it now. The set up would be to bring both girls downstairs and have them watch Elmo (or whatever) in the spare bedroom next door. I just have this feeling that if Indy knows I'm next door and wants me, she'll cry at the door for me and I couldn't just leave her out there to cry. Big sis can only do so much to keep her happy. However, if she's content to watch Elmo (or whatever) in the bedroom for at least 30 minutes without problem, there's my workout! Maybe I'll give it a shot and see what happens. Worse case scenario is she pulls me off before I've had enough time and I miss an extra workout for the day. Not a big loss I'd say since I already got one in this morning.

From my other blog and its post of the same title, you will learn of my exploits with 10-month pancake batter; however, I will not go into all the gory details on this blog. Instead, I will share my great initiatives in the workout world. Last week, I completed Buns, Hips and Thighs a total of two times and worked in a treadmill walk for 30 minutes. Awesome! Did sickness get me down? Hell, nah! I was back at it this morning (tummy pangs and all) on the treadmill for 30 minutes. I've been inspired and I'm not sure where it came from...but I'm certainly not complaining.

It was quicker to walk today, since I realized that I could play my Golden Girls DVDs on the computer and watch them there while I walked. Actually, I discovered it on my last walk as I listened to my aerobics music and looked up to realize the computer was there. Light bulb! "I can play my DVDs in the computer." I know...I'm so ready for rocket science.

Today's weight of 176 most likely is a result of all the water I lost this weekend from the illness but I'm hoping the exercise helped, too. Gotta look good in my catsuit at the end of the month, right? Can't look like Ms. Piggy in a catsuit...or can I?

I was doing so well before my trip to the south then...crash! Backyard Burgers, Captain D's, O'Charley's, Logan's, Fat Mo's, McDonald's, you name it. Four pounds later...seriously, I thought it would be much worse than this, but four is still bad. Luckily, one has already disappeared and I hope to never hear from him again.

Yesterday, I started working out again with a fierceness! First thing in the morning, I popped in one of my tried and trues; The Firm Parts: Sculpted Buns, Hips and Thighs with instructor, Tracy Long. She kicked my butt (well actually, she kicked my stomach and more specifically my abs). Ugh! I was feeling it a bit last night, but I'm in agony today. I must be a bit masochistic because I'm actually enjoying it. Well, not the pain so much but the fact that I did something good for my body. Something it hasn't had to do in a while and my body is letting me know, which is definitely a step forward.

So today, I'm going to attempt more working out...not sure what, not sure when but I'm going to try. That's all I can do is give it my best effort with each day. My costume came and it's definitely not meant for a tub-O so, I've got to get cracking on tightening up. I'm wearing it no matter what. The question is, will I be comfortable in it or royally embarrassed?

I'm going to loose my mind if the number doesn't change soon. Granted, I'm not working out like I should but, I'm not eating everything in sight either. In fact, I'm staying around 1300 or so calories a day. I don't think I'm in starvation mode, but maybe that's what's happening. I've got to up the anti on my workouts. They are few and far between. Looks like I answered my own questions.

What's the number you ask? 176. It hasn't really changed in days...days, I tell you! A 175 or even 174 would make me happy right about now. Truth be told, I'm just over the 170s altogether. So, 160s, where are you?

Today, for example, I had a protein packed breakfast: scrambled eggs (no grease), 2 strips of thinly sliced bacon and 1 slice of whole wheat toast (no butter) strawberry preserves. Usually, I eat a bowl of raisin bran and another after work that definitely keeps things moving along), but I didn't have time after getting the kids ready and off to school.

For lunch, it was a day out with my coworkers and we ate at a Thai restaurant. I tried something new, the Pra Ram (which was divine!); steamed veggies, tofu and peanut sauce with a few peanut chunks sprinkled on top. It came with a small serving of white rice and a small side salad. For dinner, I'm not sure what I'll have but this is where I start thinking; Damn, I wish I'd gotten a workout in this morning. Then, I wouldn't feel so guilty about the dinner; however, dinner is usually a lite fare. My intentions are good, but there's no follow-through. I've thought about how nice the weather has been and how a walk at the park would certainly help things along. I could do that tonight. I really could! Last night was Gymnastics night and tomorrow night is dance night. Thursday, Friday and Saturday would also work. What is my problem?

Okay. My plan: To walk to the park and walk the track with the Babe and Indy. I don't have to go at a full trot, but a good pace would be great. Two or three times would definitely get the heart rate going and the blood pumping. Following through? Well, we'll see.

So, I took a few shots of my fabulous shoes, which arrived today. Forgive the trouser socks and the night gown...even still, I think they're hot!

I found a someone who has my shoes. Woohoo! Now, being that it is an auction site, let's hope I get them. I'm not waiting around like I did last time, only to find that the beautiful pair of shoes I want has disappeared, never to be seen again. Okay, I did find them...just on the designer's site for more than I'd like to pay.

So, here I am at 176 nearly back to where I was before the "lummox" arrived at my house (that's almost 20 pounds lost since the new year, for those keeping up). At least I didn't creep back into the 190's (heaven forbid). If I can at least broach the 160's before my trip, I can get/wear my fabulous shoes. Even though the weight is coming off, I'm not happy with my body shape and need to get back into the workouts. I know that walking, running, jumping, skipping, skating, swimming, anything is going to make this body right as rain again. I did a Leslie Sansone walk last week, but nothing has happened yet this week. I'm hopeful. The basement move is looking more promising with each day (I assembled the new office desk and put the desktop computer back together over the weekend). That in itself was a bit of a workout. My butt was so sore the next day!

If my babe's behavior keeps up, I may take her (and myself) skating later this week. I would much rather go and be free to skate. The issue is Indy; I usually have to push her in the stroller as I travel around the rink which makes my skill development of the sport nearly impossible and my back feel like I'm preggers all over again. Hubby doesn't skate and doesn't want to spend the hour or two traveling around the games area with the babe (I don't blame him). I don't dare have big sis push her around the rink. She really doesn't have the strength. Oh, well. I guess I'm stuck, but at least the babe will enjoy herself.