Happy Monday!  Well I got through the weekend - always a challenge for me when I'm trying to lose weight - and it went very well actually.  I think it's the lack of structure and too much free time on my hands that makes weekends such a challenge for me.  During the week I have breakfast before work. I only have an hour for lunch so I eat what's on my menu and get back to work. After work I come home, walk, make dinner, read and call it a night. Not much time left to my own devices.  But on the weekends everything's different. We sleep in, we go out to eat, my schedule is all off.  So this weekend I tried to maintain a regular schedule and if I felt the urge to turn to the pantry or the fridge out of boredom I diverted myself with a book or by going on the computer, etc.

Also, we always go out for breakfast on Sundays after church so that was another challenge but I decided in advance what I would order so that I could stay on track. I had two eggs scrambled with veggies and a piece of whole wheat toast.  It was delicious!  And honestly, it's really about spending time together talking, having a chance to catch up after the busy week. It's not really about the food.  Don't get me wrong - we enjoy the food too!  But that's not the most important thing.  So it was nice to be able to continue that little tradition and still stick with my weight loss plan.

One of my favorite shows started up again - "The Biggest Loser."  It's such an inspiration to me. I think that will help keep me focused too.

Here's to a great second week!

 

DAY TWO

Today was another good day. We had our annual Christmas lunch at a local Mexican restaurant.  I did my research and was prepared.  I didn't eat any chips and salsa. I ordered Tacos Pescada (fish tacos) and ate them without the tortillas or sour cream. When I got back to my desk I ate my orange.  The only thing I didn't get done today was my walk. I had handbell practice after work and by the time I got done with that and cooked dinner it was too late. But I stuck to my menu for dinner and so I'm not going to beat myself up over it.  I'll walk tomorrow for sure.

I was thinking about the past year - 2012. Definitely had its high points and low points. It was a stressful year for me and I think that's why I gained back all the weight I lost and then some. No excuses... just trying to figure out what went wrong so I don't repeat it. The month of February the best thing and the worst thing happened to me simultaneously.  First let me back track to January. That started it all because my mom went into the hospital.  When she got out and was getting better my dad went in for what we thought was going to be a pretty routine procedure but something went terribly wrong and he ended up in ICU for over a month. While he was there my first grandchild was born!  I was torn between two places - I wanted to be with my mom and dad but I wanted to be here for my daughter and son-in-law.  I felt guilty every minute of every day, no matter where I was. My dad continued to have ups and downs, was in a nursing home until June when he finally got to go home but he still can't walk or sit up on his own.  It's hard to see my dad like that.  He and mom are world travelers, so active. It's just been a really hard adjustment, especially since I'm so far away. I feel like I'm no help to them at all.  And my mom seems to get thinner every time I see her.

At the same time all of that was going on with my parents, I was having a terrible time at work. It got to the point that I was seriously looking for a different job (and I had planned to work where I do now until I retire).  For the first time since I started working at my current job I hated going there every day. I cried every night and a lot of mornings. I couldn't sleep. I drank too much.  And ate too much. It was a terrible situation. Thankfully the problem was resolved and my work life went back to being enjoyable again around the beginning of the summer. Things are finally beginning to feel good there again (except for the upcoming move - ha ha).

So you see the title of my blog has sort of a double meaning - sometimes I feel like I'm losing it! :o) 

In 2013 I'm going to try to focus more on the blessings in my life. I am enjoying my grandson so much and I still have my parents and can visit them by jumping in the car and driving a few hours. And I know I have so much else to be thankful for.  So my resolution (other than losing weight of course) is to enjoy every day and remember all the good things in my life. AND TRY NOT TO LOSE IT!  (except for the weight). :o)

Day one!  I jumped out of bed ready to do this thing!  Started out the day great, stuck to my menu, drank my water, even walked the mall with hubby (since it was too cold to walk outside by the time I got home from work).  A few monkey wrenches thrown at me but I am committed to not let anything pull me off course. Monkey wrench # 1 - Tomorrow my boss is taking us all out for a belated Christmas lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Instead of panicking I pulled out my Dr Oz book when I got home and read up on what to order (and what to avoid) when eating Mexican.  So instead of eating what I had planned for lunch tomorrow I'll just have to improvise and make a healthy choice at the restaurant, drink lots of water and enjoy the conversation instead of the chips and salsa (one of my faves of course!)  I can do this!

Monkey wrench # 2 - a piece of news that totally ruined my day - our office is moving AGAIN!  I know that may not sound like a big deal to most people but a) I HATE MOVING more than anything in the whole world and b) in the 10 years I've worked there I've had to move my office 7 (now 8) times!  We are currently located in a beautiful new office building with a cafeteria, work out room, lots of lights and windows.  They've decided to move my department to an old converted warehouse space they acquired because as a company we've outgrown the new office building they built just 3 years ago! (Great planning right?)  I imagine it will dark and dirty and damp. I know there's no fitness center or cafeteria. :o(  I'm so bummed out!

Last week news like that would have sent me straight to the fridge to binge eat or straight to the alcohol to drink away my sorrows.  But not this week!  I'm committed to not let anything throw me off course!  I'm going to find a punching bag or a pillow or something and hit it until I get rid of my frustrations and then I'm going to move on. End of story.

Thanks for listening!

January 1, 2013

So today I made my menu and grocery list and did my shopping so I'm ready to begin first thing tomorrow morning. I made my menu with the help of "You On a Diet. The Owner's Manual for Waist Management" by Dr Oz.  Here's the plan for the first 3 days:

Weds Jan 2 - Breakfast:  Oatmeal w/apples and walnuts, coffee w/sugar free hot cocoa (my own version of mocha)
                        Lunch:  1 cup vegetable soup and a veggie salad w/balsamic vinegar and oil
                        Afternoon snack:  banana w/tablespoon of peanut butter
                        Dinner:  turkey meatloaf balls (recipe follows), green beans and sliced pears
                        Dessert:  frozen Greek yogurt

Thurs Jan 3 - Breakfast:  egg and cheese breakfast wrap, my mocha
                        Lunch:  veggie burger on whole wheat English Muffin w/tablespoon of marinara and some lettuce leaves
                        Afternoon snack:  orange and a string cheese
                        Dinner:  Applecider chicken (recipe follows), steamed broccoli, sliced peaches
                        Dessert:  Skinny Cow bar

Fri Jan 4 - Breakfast:  oatmeal w/apples and walnuts, my mocha
                  Lunch:  1 cup vegetable soup and a veggie salad w/balsamic vinegar and oil
                  Afternoon snack:  apple w/tablespoon of peanut butter
                  Dinner:  Unstuffed pepper bake (recipe follows), steamed baby carrots

On Saturday I'll plan a menu for the next week and shop again.  I plan to have at least 64 oz of water throughout each day and will begin walking 30 minutes each day starting tomorrow. Here are the recipes for this week's dinners:

Turkey Meatloaf Balls

For the meatloaf:
1.3 lbs extra lean ground turkey
1/2 cup plain breadcrumbs
1/4 cup minced onion
1/3 cup light mayonnaise
1 large egg
1 tsp poultry seasoning
1/4 cup ketchup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly spray a muffin tin with cooking spray (or use non-stick muffin tin). Mix together all ingredients, form into 10-12 meatballs and place them in the muffin tin.

For the glaze:
1/3 cup ketchup
1 tbsp honey
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

Mix together glaze ingredients and spoon on top of each meatball.

Bake uncovered for 23-25 minutes.  Makes 5 servings. 270 calories and 6 g fat per serving.

Apple Cider Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (1 and 1/4 lbs total weight)
salt and pepper
1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and thickly sliced
1/4 sliced green onion
1 teas dried thyme
1/2 cup apple cider
1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth
1 tbsp reduced fat sour cream
1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley

Season chicken on both sides with salt and pepper. Heat 1/2 tbsp of the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add the chicken and sear until well browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and cover with foil. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1/2 tbsp of oil to the pan. Add apples, onions and thyme. Cook and stir until softened, about 3 minutes. Add the cider and chicken broth and bring to a simmer. Cook until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Return the chicken and apples to the pan, reduce heat to low. Simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer the chicken to a platter. Stir sour cream and parsley into the sauce. Season with salt and pepper and spoon over the chicken.

Makes 4 servings. 216 calories and 7 g fat per serving.

Unstuffed Pepper Bake

1 lb extra lean ground beef
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 green, 1 red and 1 yellow pepper, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced (or 1/2 teas garlic powder)
1/2 teas salt
1/4 teas ground black pepper
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
1 and 1/2 cups instant brown rice
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp Italian seasoning
1 (8 oz) pkg finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese, divided
1 (15 oz) can tomato sauce

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cook the ground beef, onions, pepper and garlic for 10 minutes or until beef is browned and vegetables are tender. Drain off excess fat and season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomatoes, rice, Worcestershire sauce and Italian seasoning. Remove from heat and stir in 1 cup of the cheese. Spread the mixture evenly into a 13x9 inch baking dish and top with the tomato sauce and remaining cheese. Bake uncovered for 20 minutes, until heated through and the cheese is melted and bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Makes 6 servings. 523 calories and 15 g fat per serving.

Bon Appetit!