Ouch.

By yesterday evening I was hurting all over from my morning workout. Not, as it turns out, from the actual work, but from doing in on a thin mat on a hard floor! In our new room, I don't have the nice carpeted area to exercise on and that little yoga mat just isn't cutting it. I'm old. This is the sort of thing that wouldn't have bothered me ten or fifteen years ago.

Then to drive home the point of how old I am, I started listening to the mosquito ring tones that high school and college students are using so they can get phone calls and text messages without their teachers noticing. The ringtones are set at a frequency that people over certain ages are just not likely to hear. So Brian and I were listening to the tones at http://www.freemosquitoringtones.org/ and yeah, I could only hear the "39 and younger" tone clearly (and the 30 and younger a tiny bit, although much more clearly on my computer at work, probably because there was no dog going nuts in the vicinity).

back to 157

When I weighed myself Sunday morning after coming home from Emily's I was back to 160.5. Monday my virus moved into my stomach and intestines and I barely ate a thing. This morning I was back to 157. I ate a little more today so I will be back up by tomorrow, I expect.

It has been a long time since I had a tummy virus. It isn't much fun!

135.5

I didn't exercise last week, except for Monday, but this week I had four gym appointments lined up.  I went last night, but now I've already had to cancel today and I don't know whether I'm going to be able to make the others, either.  I imagine I won't have to miss all of them, but things are so unpredictable right now I really couldn't say.  Rough week.  I'm also eating pretty randomly.  Things are starting to settle down a bit (Julie and Vicki, the 4-year-old son of a friend of mine died suddenly this week, and to complicate matters they were in Switzerland at the time, so we've been a primary liason for them) but they'll be home on Thursday so things will get chaotic again then, I suspect.  I'm just not going to worry about exercise or diet until after the funeral, at least.

142.8

I really seem to have this maintaining thing down, don't I? Too bad that's not my goal. I need to go back to the beginning (I-am-waiting-for-Vizzini) when I was regularly successful at losing weight, and I know what that means--back to exercising 6 days a week, back to counting calories every single day. So I started this by getting up at 5:30 this morning to do pilates, which I haven't done regularly in about two years. I used to do it at night after the kids were in bed but before Brian got home, but then Davy came along and would try to lick my ears off anytime I got down on the floor. He seems to have outgrown that, though (or maybe he also thought it was insane to be up at 5:30 in the morning!). And I figure if I keep getting up at 5:30 eventually my body will get so sick of me not sleeping that it'll lose weight because it can't stand it anymore. Or maybe it'll actually be the extra exercise that does it.

It's not working

OK - So I have been eating plenty of calories (but not TOO many) for a month now - and so far I have gained about four pounds. I was 232.6 today. GRRRRR! I haven't been exercising. I have been feeling a little sick off an on for the past several days. It comes in waves. It may be hormonal - related to my period - but I know there has also been a stomach bug going around. I hope it isn't that.

I have to do a conference call now. I didn't mean for this to be so short. Sorry!

Crunchy Water

OK - It just doesn't seem right to me that things that LOOK so vivid and pretty should have so little flavor. I just ate a "salad" (it was supposed to be a sandwich, but I decided it would be too messy and so assembled it in a bowl, thus making it a salad) of lettuce, cucumber, diced tomato, whole wheat pita, and garbanzo bean mush (made out of chick peas, walnuts, olive oil, garlic, spring onions). It looked so yummy. The colors were pleasing, there was texture variety, it just looked healthy and flavorful. Not so much. It was bland!! Bland, bland, bland! I put ranch dressing on it - so the bites that had the dressing tasted good - but why is it that foods that have to have flavor added to it externally are the ones that we are supposed to eat? It just isn't right.

Thanks for all the fish

I was going to say "So long, and thanks for all the fish." But then I figured you all would think I was quitting - which I am not. I was thinking about fish when I signed on today - and saw the "So long" message to the guy who is leaving Google Blogs - so that immediately put the "So long, and thanks for all the fish" quote in my head.

So - Katie and I have been eating fish lately. We started the Glucerna menus again on Tuesday. After all of the birthday eating I was DEFINITELY in need of a balanced diet again. So - on my birthday - we went grocery shopping at Wegmans and loaded up on tons of yummy, healthy foods. We bought VERY EXPENSIVE sushi grade tuna steaks. We had them on Tuesday night. Last night we had the fresh tilapia (done as fish sticks - I wish we had done them with Katie's pistachio crust and apricot vinegar reduction instead though - that is yummier). We have been eating our fresh fruits and vegetables - whole grains and cheeses. Katie and I were both saying last night that we like these menus a lot because our lunches become "kits" and you know how much we all like kits!!! Tonight we will have either fresh cod, grilled with vegetables - or the rest of the tuna done as kabobs.

My weight was down from Tuesday's high (which I didn't report because I was so horrified by it!!!). Today I was 232 and yesterday I was 232.2. I am sticking with that - since Tuesday was my Monday this week - and was post birthday.

I had a THREE HOUR dentist appointment yesterday. I was getting a crown and a filling done. It went badly because I had a nerve that wouldn't deaden (hot nerve I think they are callled...). Poor Dr. Behar kept TRYING to kill it - and then he was good about being delicate around the area - but by the end I felt like I had been beat up. THEN - insult to injury - I had to drive home in the snow. Sigh. My lenten resolution has been to do a chore a week that I have been putting off. Week one I cleaned out the linen closet. Week two I had my mamogram done (I had delayed that since October!). I am counting my dentist appointment as my sacrifice this week. Technically I guess it wouldn't count because I am pretty good at taking care of my dental needs, because I really don't mind going to Dr. Behar - but I really didn't expect it to last this long, or be this difficult - so I think it should count. I really didn't have time to do anything else that day. I had intended to go to the bank and to the mall afterwards - but I just couldn't.

142.2

I think that's the same as last week, and I should be pleased to maintain since I didn't get to the gym at all last week. Between sick kids and holidays and bad weather I think I ended up leaving work early every day and never once took a lunch (gym) break. I went yesterday and it was hell--I was tired and battling the kids' virus a bit myself and had to really push myself to finish the workout. I wish I would either just get really sick or get really better, but I've been in this in-between stage since Friday--bit of a sore throat, a bit of congestion, headaches off and on. I've been downing Airborne, which I think really helps stave off the worst of it (or at least I can't figure out any other reason why I haven't been bedridden with this virus) but it doesn't eliminate the virus entirely.

133.5

On Wednesday Cecilia came down with the stomach bug Alexander had had the previous week, and by the end of the day I was feeling a bit icky myself.  It never turned into a full-blown stomach virus, but from then through Sunday I felt queasy off and on, especially when I was hungry -- I found I was in the best shape if I grazed slowly on bland, starchy foods.  Yesterday the queasiness was gone but I still had some cramping when I ate.  Ugh.  Anyway, combine the weirdness of appetite with my Lenten sugar avoidance (though I still had birthday cake for Alexander's birthday) and I lost some weight this week.  So it's only sort of real loss.  

I did get out and run a 5k yesterday, at least, but before that it had been a week since I exercised.  Mom and Dad are here this week so I don't have gym appointments, though I may try to go anyway a few nights this week, especially if it's too cold to go for an outside run.  Next week I already have two trips planned, and I'll schedule the other two days I can manage as well.  I really don't like going without exercise as much as I have this month -- I hate winter viruses!

Redirection

Thanks Vicki! Yeah - I know fundamentally this is a whole package deal. I can't see an improvement without both eating right AND exercising. My problem all along is that I don't see any change regardless of what I do. Granted - I haven't stuck with a good exercise program for more than 3 months - but it is INCREDIBLY hard to stay motivated when I am not seeing any results. My current focus has been getting my calorie level UP (as hard to believe as that is - but I was SO focused for the past 12 years on reducing calories - because that is what you are supposed to do, right?). My body is probably a little bit confused right now. HOWEVER, I think I can safely say that I have consistently been eating 2000-ish calories a day for about three weeks to a month now. I need to re-direct my energies. Personally I think exercise is more valuable for me right now - because even when I say I have been eating poorly - it is still better than the average! I don't have a lot to get out of my diet. I don't drink sodas, eat fried or high fats foods. My fats tend to be in olive oil and butter (in small quantities) and nuts, which all fall into the current positive school of nutritious thoughts. My coffees are sugarless with skim milk (I like the splurge coffees - but they are also skim, no whip). I eat mostly fish or lean meats. I have protein for breakfast, and I eat mostly whole grains. My problems are fruits and vegetables. I need to make a strive for five daily check off card... Although, I suspect I do better than I think with that. I have at least one whole fruit a day - although, I try for two - and I tend to forget most of my meals DO have vegetables included in them.

I like the idea of walking 20 minutes after lunch and dinner. I have to start that - at least for post lunch. There are days when I don't leave the office or my desk area AT ALL from 7:30am to 7:30pm!! I want to start up yoga again in my evenings - or going to the gym! I have to do something EVERY day. I wish it were easier to form habits then it is to break them - but if that were the case we would all be OCD. Sigh.

SPIKE

Oh dear! My weight shot up over the past two days. I was above 230 yesterday AND today. Katie suggested (kindly I thought) that maybe I have a bit of a sinus infections. Things haven't been smelling or tasteing quite right, and I have been craving salt, and I have had a horrible headache since Monday. That all may be true - but PERSONALLY I think I am just doomed. I have been eating closer to my BMR level of 2250 (going up the fatter I get!!!) for about four weeks now. I have seen no positive change in my weight. I have (however) noticed that I am beginning to get "old man belly" - which is I am fat from my boobies on down. This isn't enirely new - but it seems that the five pounds I just gained have ALL been there - which is the "DANGER! DANGER!" zone. After my birthday on Monday I am going to go BACK to (no - not a diet! I don't diet anymore! I eat intuitively - which seems to be all sugar and carbs for me) the Glucerna meal planning. That way forces a balanced diet on me. I am going to set the calorie level at 1900 (which is what that website recommends for me - which IS my BMR if my waist hip ratio was worse (which it MAY be now that I packed on an additional 5 pounds).

I have a coupon for a free coffee from Caribou, a free Noodles dish and a free burger from Red Robin. I am supposed to get one from Coldstone too - but I haven't yet. They better send it to me soon! Anyway - after all of THAT calorie consuming - I need to get back to eating vegetables and fruit and lean proteins. And doing Yoga.

Happy VD

Many a man has fallen in love with a girl in a light so dim he would not have chosen a suit by it.Maurice Chevalier (1888-1972)

Last night I dreamed I was doing yoga. It was so cool! Everything flowed. I felt the energy moving through my body, and it felt REALLY good!! I am determined to start up again!!!

Maybe I should do like Vicki and not weigh myself anymore. Oh wait - I tried that. I seem to gain everytime I don't weight myself. But - then again - I seem to gain just by breathing - so I guess it doesn't matter.

I had my first mammogram yesterday. Boy I am glad I have boobies! I can't see how they make it work for women who DON'T have excess boobage to layout on the machine. It wasn't pleasant - but only the last view hurt - and I think that was because my breasts are sore this week anyway.

So, yesterday - being the first Wednesday in Lent that wasn't ASH Wednesday - I went to daily mass (as I did last Lent). The only thing was I was the only person there. I sat in my car in the parking lot until another car showed up. That guy got out and went up to the church door (which was locked apparently because he couldn't open it). I guess that means that if school is closed the rest of church is closed to. So - is it MY fault that I couldn't do my Lenten thing?

Greetings

Hello All, 

I wanted to thank Sarah and Emily for giving me privileges to post here. 

Sarah recently said I must be crazy to read this blog -- and she may have a point -- but I got hooked on the patchwork of stories -- sisters trying to squeeze in 25 pushups or a run, in between chasing kids, making lunches and walking various pets. Or fighting the battle of the beckoning 400 pounds of Halloween/Christmas/Easter candy/goodies. A tough one.

I'm single so it amazes me how you all do it when I struggle to find the time. 

My quick-hit dieting background -- a little over a year ago I changed my diet from top to bottom and then this year I revamped and got tougher on myself. It's working better this time around. It's lowfat, high in lean protein, medium in carbs with no added sugar (a tough one). But I've pretty much eliminated high fructose corn syrup and other various bad sugars/sweeteners along with aspartame (which is in my precious diet coke - I gave up that, too).  

I'm doing my best to exercise daily -- cardio, weights, stretching and core workouts spread throughout the week. I've designed it so I can do almost everything at home in the winter unless I want to the treadmill or elliptical. I prefer hiking and biking outdoors when the weather is nice. 

I bought a good book that walks me through routines and keeps me disciplined and on a schedule. That helps. 

I don't own a scale and am not considering purchasing one -- I think I'm allergic -- but I can tell by how my clothes fit if I'm trimming. I keep an old pair of jeans around (a smaller pair) and use those as a way to measure my progress. Finally they are getting too big. Yay! 

So I'll see you all around the blog ...  

141.4

I forgot to post yesterday--sorry! I was down another pound this week, which was a bit of a surprise since yet again I didn't keep track of my food very well at all, but at least I was getting some exercise. Not so this week--I haven't managed one trip to the gym yet, and am not likely to until tomorrow. Don't you just hate it when work gets in the way of your personal life?

In other news, I'm actually beginning to kind of like some of these teas I'm trying. Nothing will ever be able to replace coffee in my affections, but a couple of these green teas aren't totally gross (I like the citron green and the gunpowder) and I've tried two flavored black teas that make morning a little less miserable. A lot of last week's grogginess and headaches are gone too.

And did everyone see that a beagle won the Westminster Dog Show? Have you ever seen such a cute dog before? I'm glad he beat the fuzz off those dopey looking poodles.

158

Today I was back up to 158. I haven't been exercising since my teeth were pulled. At first I was in too much pain to want to move and since then it has been cold and WATP just isn't appealing. I'll have to get back to it.

I have been eating more or less the same way again. I think I'm losing my motivation.

No change

I was 230 this morning. I have been 230 pretty much all week. I guess I should be glad that I wasn't MORE than 230 - but I HATE that it has been this high. I have been consistantly eating around 2000 calories (which is harder than you might think!) but my food choices haven't been great. I ordered a thin crust, vegetarian pizza on Saturday (I am not sure where Katie was, but she wasn't there for dinner). Anyway - I ate that for all meals all weekend. Too much white flour!! I had a good breakfast yesterday - but leftover pizza for lunch at 4:30 pm! Katie and I had shrimp and rice curry. It was so spicy!!

I was supposed to meet with Rebecca last night. I got to Ellicott City on time - but couldn't find any parking. By the time I DID get parked and to her office she had left. It was only about 10-15 minutes late - but she had just had a no call no show - and had been waiting for me for about an hour and a half. So I can't really blame her - but it annoyed me anyway since I had to leave work early to meet with her anyway - and I TOLD her that weeknights weren't good for me. Oh well.

I intended to go to the gym afterwards - but I was so tired after all of the driving around and stuff - so I didn't. I need to get back into an exercise habit. It has been WEEKS since I exercised!

136.5

Again.  But this time I'm relieved because from Thursday through Sunday I ate huge meals in restaurants and hotels and only exercised once.  (The once was a run on Friday evening -- Daniel and I ran next to the highway in Sevierville, kind of a scary place to run, but it was flat and we were able to set a good pace -- I had my fastest-ever 5k.)  I did also walk the entire Knoxville Zoo on Thursday, and that's supposed to be about 10,000 steps, though they didn't all register on my occasionally flaky pedometer.

Yesterday I was surprised to see 136 after all that, but then it was back to good ol' 136.5 today.  I did exercise last night, 40 minutes on an elliptical.  It was a different machine than my usual one and I did a slightly different workout that had me controlling my pace in various ranges, and it had me sweating hard.  Kind of neat.  Today I don't have a gym appointment (I couldn't get one) so I'll have to work out at home.  I'm having a hard time getting my head around the idea that I need to be exercising more to lose body fat.  I'm already up to four days a week in a normal week, and it's hard to find more time than that.  I wish I had a home elliptical (or treadmill, or bike, or anything) and a place to put it!  Or I wish aerobics burned calories as aggressively as the machines and didn't involve flailing arms that hit ceiling fans.

156.5

I'm only posting because I was so surprised to see the above number show up on my scale this morning. It can't last! I feel much better today, as if the penicillin has knocked the infection at last. My swelling is down quite a bit, but I still will have to avoid chewing on my right side for a long time. I feel a little wobbly. I had a banana and I think that helped a little. I was excused from this afternoon's rehearsal and I'm still glad I didn't try to do it.

158

Well, I was excited when I climbed on the scale this morning and saw I had come down 1 1/2 pounds since the previous day! But it is not a true weight loss. I had two molars pulled yesterday and all I had afterwards was a milkshake for dinner and a dish of pudding later. As soon as I start eating I will gain it back, but it was nice to see for once!

Gym day three this week

I think this is the first week since the start of the year that I've been able to make it to the gym all three days that I planned to go! I'm always amazed at how quickly I lose endurance and strength when I skip a couple of days. Two weeks and I'm back to almost-completely-out-of-shape. Aging sucks.

I gave up coffee for Lent. Can someone please tell me what I was thinking? I didn't give up caffeine entirely--I've been having green tea in the morning, which tastes pretty awful IMO and doesn't give you nearly the caffeine kick that coffee does. I use the tea to wash down a couple of ibuprofen to stave off the inevitable headaches, then spend the morning kind of groggy before giving in and having a diet soda. I told Brian that if I'm too cranky and awful then he gets to decide when I go back on coffee. But he's not around in the mornings to see me, so I don't know how he'd know.

Nothing really to report. I was down to 142 even the day after Ash Wednesday. Doubt it'll last, but it's always nice to lose a half a pound in two days!

Post Ash Wednesday

What is up with psychological hunger? I always feel like I want to eat on Ash Wednesday - even if I am not feeling hungry. I had scrambled eggs and toast around 11:30 and then perogies, pistachios and creamed spinach around 7:30. I didn't feel particularly hungry at all - and the combined calories for those two means was higher than my calories on Monday - but I woke up at 2:00am wanting food. So I had 100 calorie snack pack of chips ahoy. I wasn't even feeling hungry when I did wake up - but I wanted food. I think part of the problem is I wasn't sleeping well last night (I took a nap in the afternoon for longer than I intended and so that kept me from sleeping deeply). So when I woke up I was really awake - and so I thought about food, and then wanted it.

I also failed on my first day of exercise. I didn't exercise. I don't know how that happened. I PLANNED to do yoga, but after I ate dinner, I didn't think about it again. I took a bath and was reading - and seriously TOTALLY forgot - until 2am. Sigh. I will remember tonight. CRAP! I also forgot to get the fish out to thaw. Sigh.

Post Fat Tuesday

Nine Healthy Snacks


I ate a lot yesterday! My stomach felt SO full all day - but when I actually listed what I had eaten it really wasn't all that much - and I only exceeded my calories by about 100 (keeping in mind that I am shooting for my basal metabolic calorie level of 2050). I had a small breakfast (oatmeal with walnuts) but my boss bought a kings cake for work. I had a slice of that too. Then lunch was a burrito bol from Chipotle. Normally I eat half of one of them - but this time I ate the whole thing - which left me uncomfortably full. Katie and I went to IHOP for dinner - where I had my normal International Passport breakfast. Yum! That was all of my eating. My weight was up to 229.6 this morning. Yikes!

I am worried about my calorie variety the past three days. I hit 999 calories on Monday - 2140 yesterday and today I am just past 1000. No wonder my body is so confused. Hopefully I can plateau a bit going forward. I also need to increase my protein.

Peppermint patties are 140 calories and I think I am going to Egypt

Those are my discoveries for today. Work is stressing me. School is stressing me. And I found a great deal on a 10 day trip to Egypt that I am 80% sure I am going to book. Probably tonight as a matter of fact. I just need to check a few more things on the travel insurance and cancellation policy before I commit.

And now I have to go to the dentist. I hate the dentist.

Fat Tuesday

I was really disappointed to see 160.5 show up on the scale again today because I had been 159.5 the last two days. Maybe it was the ravioli I had for dinner last night? Tonight we have a strange menu--leftover beef stew (without much beef left, if any) and leftover ravioli--not much of that at all! I have been walking almost every day except Sunday--yesterday Dad was really tired so we cut out the last 3/4 of a mile. Today we did the whole loop.

Otherwise I have been reading almost steadily--mysteries for our two book clubs. Currrently I am reading In Cold Blood--a true crime book by Truman Capote. I had avoided it in the past because it sounded lilke it would be very bloody, but it isn't, really. It is quite interesting--there was another poor innocent family, just llike our own disaster here in Cockeysville last weekend!

136.5

Up a little from the last ten days -- until today I was extremely consistent with 135.5 and 136.0.  But I've been eating badly and haven't exercised much so it's about time it caught up with me.  Today I'm eating like a pig quite cheerfully (hey, it's Mardi Gras) and I'll go back to dieting for good tomorrow.  I will at least exercise today.

Hi Vicki!

I just thought I'd greet Vicki, who has been reading our blog regularly and could teach us all a thing or three about weight loss and exercise. I saw her on Saturday and she looked fabulous--she must be working out three hours a day. She's also the newest writer for CongressNow, an online publication covering (duh) Congress. Now. I'm sure it's a fascinating and erudite publication but I wouldn't know because it's only available by subscription. Hardly seems fair that Vicki can read about everything I'm eating and how often I go to the gym and what I weigh each week but I can't read about the congressional appropriations process. Wait. I take that back. Totally fair. In fact, I think someone would have to pay me to read about that process (although often I feel the same way about reading about weight loss struggles as well).

So welcome, Vicki, and if you'd like to start posting or commenting here I'm sure our evil administrator (Emily) would be happy to let you have access. Let me know.

And I was 142.2 this morning, which shocked the hell out of me because I only made it to the gym twice this past week (and had exercise forced on me yesterday when I missed the shuttle from work to off-site parking and ended up walking, but it was only about 20 minutes on foot) and overate impressively, especially on Sunday night when Brian and I went out to eat and instead of our usual entree-only approach, we had entree, appetizers, dessert, and a couple of drinks. Good stuff, but I could barely move the rest of the night.

Two pounds overnight

I was 228 this morning. Whew - although that is still higher than I had been. I was bad yesterday and only ate about 1000 calories. My stomach was acting up all day - and I am not sure if it was because I was hungry - or because I was sick. I was up a few times in the night - and am still feeling kind of queasy this morning - but if helps me lose weight, it is all good.

I can't think of anything else to report just now. I had chicken on a whole wheat pita for dinner last night. I don't think I ate anything after dinner. I had a apple as a morning snack and trail mix in the afternoon. My lunch was a chicken breast and green beans. That was pretty much it.

Back to the Grind

Well - I am home. Actually, I was home yesterday - but I didn't count it as being home home until I weighed myself this morning. Ugh. Apparently eating three large meals a day and spending most of my time in a folding chair with a banjo in my hands is NOT condusive to weight loss. I was up to 230 this morning. I am HOPING that the bulk of that was from two days of long drives (Saturday Brasstown to Blacksburg, Sunday Blacksburg to Reisterstown). I always gain weight when I drive because a) I eat snack foods instead of meals b) I don't drink enough water (or anything in fact) and c) I try not to stop to go to the bathroom. Bad habit.

Anyway - I hope my weight will drop for weigh in tomorrow. I have to get myself back into the habit of paying attention to what I eat - EATING enough - and (new thing!) switching to healthier snacks. Actually - all in all my snacks tend to be healthy, but I had a bunch of those 100 calories packs of stuff for my trip and so have been eating them. Also - I discovered a box of Samoas left in my pantry (I think the tooth fairy must have left them, because that is NOT the type of thing I overlook!!!) and so I ate them a few days before I left for my trip. Prior to THAT I was still working on Christmas cookies. So - healthier snacks are called for. Since I know that fruits and vegetables do NOT cut it as far as snacking goes (seriously, in most cases I would rather eat nothing!). I already eat pistachio nuts, and made some really GOOD trail mix that I also took on my trip (walnuts, pecans, raisins, and a premixed trail mix that included dried fruits and chocolate chips) but I think I need some other ideas. I was thinking of making custard. That can't be too bad - I mean, eggs and milk... Maybe I will reduce the amount of sugar and increase the flavoring. Anyone else have ideas? Maybe bran muffins - or some kind of fruit muffins?

Getting to the gym is the other challenge for me. I have only been maybe twice in January. I did some minimal working out at home - but otherwise it was all a bunch of nothing! I was noticing it on the hills at Banjo camp. I kept getting out of breath. Horrible! I was thinking of making exercise my lenten resolution. Kind of like the 12 days of Christmas thing that we did. I was thinking of the 40 days of Lent. I don't know if I can sustain for 40 days. Maybe I will do it for the 40 week days of lent - I get off on Saturday and Sunday. I can probably do that.

Katie and I are going meatless again for Lent - fish allowed. I am not going to make it a lenten resolution - but I think I need to start going gluten free again. I really noticed a difference down at the Folk School, where most of the foods were made with white flour rather than the whole grain I have become accustomed to. My stomach is definitely happier with less gluten!

But - tomorrow is Mardi Gras! Pancakes for dinner - and bacon of course!! After that I will focus on being VERY VERY good. 8-)

I'm a fruitarian.

By default. I forgot to pack part of my lunch today and I ended up eating almonds, string cheese, two clementines, a box of raisins, and applesauce. That's more fruit than I normally eat in a week! I'm not a big fan of fruit. I should start packing vegetables--I'd be more likely to eat them.

I've been better this week than last, although it's clear now that I'm really NOT going to get to the gym today. I had a grant deadline of 5:00 today that I found out about yesterday afternoon (we thought we didn't qualify, then found out we did)--we pulled it together and I delivered it at 3:58, but by the time I got back it was too late for the gym. Just as well. I don't think I'd have the strength on a diet of almost all fruit. But I did get there two other days, and I've kept down a lot of my nighttime eating (the pistachios are gone, and Brian has been making really disgusting dinners the past couple of nights that even HE doesn't seem to like. That's a great way to keep portions small!), and I had to skip the baby shower I was supposed to go to today because of the deadline, so that was a lot of calories saved. I haven't been weighing myself, though, so I have no idea if this is having any effect on anything.

Backsliding

Some of my bad habits are creeping in again. I didn't exercise at all yesterday and I ate too much. My weight is up to 160.5. Today I had my usual breakfast and yogurt for lunch, but I had two small cookies and two Hershey's kisses and a glass of milk afterwards. I am about to leave for my mammogram (whine) and when I get home I will have a clementine and maybe a few almonds. For dinner we are having leftover pizza--the Digiorno square kind with a thin crust. I had two pieces last night and will have two tonight. Sometime I hope to sqeeze in a Walk Away the Pounds routine.

Maybe you guys will keep me honest! (But then I would have to admit that I had a big cup of hot chocolate the day before yesterday).