154.6 and coasting..... This is why the BLOG!

So, I've been slacking - too much coffee in the morning, skipping the snacks, and not enough water.  This is what happens when "life gets in the way" of trying to establish a routine.  That area of weakness that creeps in and causes me to temporarily forgo my goals.  Fortunately my pain threshold is getting lower, so I am less willing to put up with being disappointed in myself.

I'm starting off this week with a dose of cranberry juice (boil cranberries and drink the liquid - that's it!) to help boost the immune system and remove toxins, another good piece of information from La'Net, my healthiest friend, which she passed on from her brother.

After the plumber leaves today I've got to hit the grocery store to stock back up on fresh veges.

Someone - please send me a message or give me a call when you see me dropping out of the BLOG.  It's probably a sign that I need a little boost!

To all of our health and happiness!

Another week - 155.2

Lots of activity this week - I lost track of the meal schedule and am amazed that I didn't gain weight.  The elimination of white flour and sugar has got to be part of that - I can certainly feel a difference in my energy and my sleep by going off-schedule!

Working to have a better progress report very soon!
 

I Forgot to Mention...

At the beginning of all of this was the "snowpants incident". 

I can't believe that I forgot to mention that I have been wearing those very snowpants all week on my cross-country skiing escapades!  They are a little tight - but after I slept in them a few times they loosened up!  (kidding)

It may seem silly, but these are the same snowpants I've had since I was 18 - and they were loose back then.  Granted, I'm not trying to get back to my 18 year old body - just somewhere in the middle where I can feel confident that I am presenting myself the way I feel inside, and that my body doesn't limit me from doing things that I enjoy. 

We all deserve that!

And the winner is......155.8 (again)

Same story, different day.  Going skiing again tonight and will give the exercise a little time to kick in - the sunshine we have been having lately sure helps the outlook! 

Yesterday's downfall:  Oysters, scallops and white salad (parsnips, cauliflower, bleu cheese) at Kinley's. 

We ate too late and then I wasn't hungry this morning.  I've been off all day!

Ate Breakfast Before Weigh-In

Went skiing again last night - got up early and ate breakfast before I thought about weigh-in this morning so no news to report there.  The focus today is hydration - my horoscope even said to drink extra water today.  Strange but I'll go with it!

154.8 Today - X-Country Skiing - Cold But FUN!

I went cross-country skiing this morning with a friend, I am so glad we went!  It was great fun once I got outside even though it is was about 10 degrees (F) and chilly in the beginning, it is refreshing to get some our in the clean, crisp air and feel the sunshine on your face in the winter! 

Breakfast Today:  Eggs & Venison for breakfast on the way out the door - nice protein blast but not quite according to plan!

Lunch:  Soup, banana bread, coffee on the porch

Dinner:  Planning for baked chicken, salad, and quinoa 

YUM!

Fur Rondy Today! 155.8 This Morning - Doing Something Wrong...

Successes to Date:  Making breakfast a priority, eliminating milk & cheese  (Healthier skin, elimination of joint pain!)

Areas to Improve:  Implementing regular exercise, eating dinner earlier, getting the afternoon snack in the mix, drink more water

While I am happy with maintaining the 10 lb loss, it's time to kick this program into gear! 

I have a cross-country ski date with a friend this afternoon if it warms up - and as much as I despise exercise for the sake of exercise I'm afraid it is a necessary evil if I want to maintain 130 lbs vs. 155 lbs.  UGH!

154.8

Last night we had a photo shoot in the hot tub - big fun thanks to a few good sports who agreed to model!  I must say putting on the swimsuit was a bit daunting, luckily they weren't looking for bikini models! 

I've been back to focusing on eating foods with 1 ingredient - it seems to be working - despite my lack of following the 5 meal rule.  I have an easy time incorporating the breakfast, lunch and mid-afternoon snack before dinner.  The mid-morning snack often gets forgotten in the hustle and bustle of the day...

Must work on that.... 

155.4 Up Bright & Early Today

This morning the full moon beaming in the window had me up at 5:00 a.m.  I started the day with a glass of lemon water, then 1/2 cup of coffee about an hour later.

I can tell that although the numbers on the scale haven't moved much lately - the weight distribution on my body is different.  It looks as though the water-weight is gone, and what is left is a layer of "insulation", as we affectionately call it in Alaska. :) 

I've been putting the start of an exercise regimen on the back burner, and supplementing with extra chores around the house, but I can tell it is time to add more structure to the routine.  I know, I know, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH!  I had those bicycle pants on a few days ago and ended up mopping the floors - but hey, at least the house is clean!

155-ish.... Missed the Weigh-In Today

Fighting sugar cravings all day today and got this in the Eat Clean Newsletter so thought I'd share it.

http://www.eatcleandiet.com/food_and_recipes/clean_recipe.aspx?Treats

Recipes for when you are craving sugar and want a healthy alternative that is still a treat!

Not very lively lately, I know...

155.2 - Stairs and More Stairs Today

Shoveled snow yesterday for exercise and climbed stairs all day today back and forth to the B&B rooms.  Looking forward to the week - we have guests coming in and lots of work to do!  

Scrambled eggs with cilantro and onions this morning, celery and almond butter for snack, homemade vegetable soup with mixed greens for lunch and dinner. 

Focusing this week on goals and health - taxes, travel, and investments.  A healthy approach to each day is definitely in order! 

155.8 Partly Sunny Skies - Time to Get Moving!

Longer days are making the body restless although summer is months away...  It is sunny and cold here today and it feels like a day to grab the ski's or snowshoes and get outside in the fresh air. 

I'll write more later - lots of things on my mind and lots to do today... 

157.2 Stuck in a Blizzard

Waiting for the snowplow to get here - it's the kind of day when I would eat a bowl of ramen noodles and a grilled cheese sandwich!  I've managed to avoid sandwiches by wrapping most anything I would normally put between bread in a few leaves of lettuce.  Halibut wraps are the best, but turkey and chicken are great too!

No appetite the past few days and having a tough time staying on the program.  I'm eating good foods - just eating too little.  I think I'll make some vegetable soup lunch. 

158.2 Haven't I been here before?

Heading back down the hill on this roller-coaster ride.  I'm sitting here in my bicycle pants with the best intentions of putting together the "trainer" to convert my road bike into an indoor training cycle. 

I fed the remains of the potato chips and crackers from the weekend festivities to the birds this morning - so we're back to only a house full of healthy options. 

I'm not hungry at all today but I'm going to open the book and use the recipes since my better judgment seems to have escaped me!

159.0 Code Red

So among other things over the weekend the battery died on the scale - just got a new one, and I know they don't recommend weighing every day but it helps me to stay focused as I'm making food choices.

I would say that the biggest culprit over the past few days causing weight gain has been the Wild Women on Wine party on Saturday night, which was a great time with fun and interesting people - and the Valentine's Day dinner last night.

CODE RED.... Red Meat and Red Wine - so good and yet sooooo bad!

I somehow managed to avoid the usual February 14th overindulgence in chocolate - so there's that to be thankful about!

In other news:  "Go Team Spence!" getting ready for the Iron Dog this weekend!!!

155.0

Yesterday's breakfast was coffee and fruit, lunch blackened salmon salad with olive oil and basil dressing.  Last night was an indulgence in a bottle of red wine, and a healthy dinner of venison steak, asparagus with grape tomatoes, and fried potatoes.  It all would've been perfect if I hadn't found the box of Christmas chocolates that were hidden in the closet....

The lesson:  Only keep healthy foods in the house.  Remove the temptations!!

154.6 Today - Wohoo!

So, apparently dehydration and water weight played a huge factor in the weight gain during travel.  I drank liquids all day yesterday and really wasn't hungry so didn't eat much - heading for the celery and almond butter snack now and then on to the next project!  

It might be time to pull out the snowshoes and get some fresh air!

157.6 After a Week of Restaurants and Travel

All-in-all gaining 2.6 lbs in a week on the road is much better than on past trips.  Just getting settled back in at home today and still need to re-stock the refrigerator with healthy options. 

Work, work, work today!

Home Again - Afraid to Step on the Scale in the Morning!

We got home from Chicago this afternoon, had as close to healthy food on the plane as possible.  A snack pack with surprisingly good crackers, nut butter, almonds, and a bar made from dates and nuts, no breakfast because our flight was so early. 

Sushi for afternoon snack, and venison and asparagus for dinner. 

I'm sure that tomorrow's weigh-in will provide proper motivation to get on track! 

Heading to Chicago

Heading to the airport - no scale in this morning's location but I'm sure I'll be able to give a progress report from Chicago!