Dying To Be Thin

I watched this documentary last week on TV called "Dying To Be Thin" narrated by Susan Sarandon. Most of it was pretty typical... young girls/pressure from media/ballerinas etc. But there was this one part about a girl who didn't have a problem with food but exercised too much. After running a 26 mile marathon, she said that all she could think about for the last three miles was when she would be able to get to the gym next. This got me thinking... maybe I go to the gym too much. But, how much is too much? I try to go 4-5 times a week in the mornings before work. But, maybe if I wasn't with friends on the weekend I would also go then. When I plan to go to the gym and don't make it I feel very guilty about it. It doesn't interrupt my day or change my eating plans, but I feel generally a bit regretful about it.

So, this morning I didn't go to the gym. I am going away this weekend and don't want to be tired tonight. I got up at 6:30 this morning and thought, forget it, then went back to bed until 7:45. And now, I feel great. I had a leisurely morning, drank coffee at home (which I never do), watched a bit of the news on TV... it was great. And truthfully I don't feel bad about not going to the gym. I need a break and I don't want to become obsessed about it. Maybe I will cut back to 3-4 times a week. Is that enough? I read in this article about childhood obesity that children need 90 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise per day. I wonder if the same amount applies to adults! I can't think of any adult that I know who gets in that much activity. Anyhoo.

In other news, I bought a bathing suit last night. I went everywhere. I went to Bikini Village and The Bay, but I couldn't find anything I liked. I didn't even try anything on. Why must all bathing suits have things like 1)ugly patterns 2)beads 3)fringe 4)sparkles, etc. I just want a simple suit. So then I went to American Apparel and found one!

Bottom and top in cobalt/sky blue.

I'm a bit skeptical about the skimpy-factor but the bottoms are full and I don't look half bad in it... and I have to remember that I'm my one worst critic, so flaws I see most people wouldn't even notice. And if they do - they better keep their fat mouths shut!

Here is todays menu:

Breakfast:
oatmeal with blueberries (2)
2/19

Snack:
yogurt (1)
3/19

Lunch:
spinach (0)
tuna (3)
dressing (1)
almond slivers (1)
8/19

Snack:
all-bran bites (2)
10/19

Dinner:
Veggie burger with bun (4)
Veggies with cheese sauce (2)
baked potato (3)
19/19

Scary!

Tonight I am going....


....



bathing suit shopping!



Today's Menu:

Pre-gym:
2 slices ww bread (1)
1/19

Breakfast:
2 slices caraway rye bread (2)
2 tbsp PB2 peanut butter (1)
4/19

Snack:
lemon meringue yogurt (1)
5/19

Lunch:
Ravioli lean cuisine (5)
10/19

Snack:
2 slices rye caraway bread (2)
orange (1)
13/19

Dinner:
Veggie burger (1)
bun (2)
veggies in cheese sauce (3)
19/19

Updatey

I haven't been updating because I had a few days off of work. I've haven't been counting points, but I've been exercising every day and haven't gained any weight which is great.

Here is today's menu:

Pre-gym:
chocobran (1)

Breakfast:
2 slices ww toast with apple butter (1)
oatmeal (2)
berries (0)
milk (1)
5/19

Lunch:
subway sub (6) or
harvey's veg. burger (6)
11/19

Dinner:
Not sure as I'm going to a friend's house.

SURE IS HOT LATELY...

Did I Forget To Post Yesterday?

What is coming over me? I had to apply for a passport and get an emissions test, so maybe I was just busy?

Here is yesterday's menu:

Breakfast: chocobran (2)
shreddies (2)
4/19

Snack: grapes (1)
all-bran bar (2)
7/19

Lunch: michelina's frozen something or other (4)
2 slices caraway rye bread (2)
13/19

Snack: chocobran (2)
raspberries (1)
16/19

Post-gym: fruit squiggle (1)
wine (2)
almonds (2)
cadbury thin (2)
23/19

Not the healthiest of all days. I wanted more gardenburgers so I went to No Frills after my emissions test. I know Loblaws carries them and I thought that Loblaws and No Frills were the same company because they both carry PC products. But they weren't there! So I did some shopping and THEN went to the Loblaws. They had 2 boxes of gardenburgers and I bought them both. I would have bought more if they had them. I love veggieburgers - and you can't go wrong for ONE point.

I weighed-in today and lost 0.8 whoohoo! Go me!

Here is today's menu:

Pre-swimming: smoothie made from light silk soy beverage, chocolate yogurt, blueberries and strawberries (2)
2/19

Breakfast:
1 cup cheerios (2)
1 cup light silk soy bev. (1)
berries (0)
5/19

Lunch:
ww bun (2)
gardenburger (1)
veggies w/cheese sauce (1)
9/19

Snacks:
all bran bites (2)
lemon yogurt (1)
apple (1)
13/19

Dinner: Not sure yet. Maybe another veg. burger. I LOVE veggieburgers!


I also bought this kind but have never tried them before - 2 points each.

Oops

Note that in my mashed potatoes recipe listed below - I meant 2 to 3 cups of steamed cauliflower, not 2/3 of a cup.

WHOOPS!

Feeling Good

Lately at the gym I've added a bit of running on the treadmill action in addition to my elliptical workouts and I have to say it's feeling really good. I'm only on for about 10 minutes or so, but I feel like I'm giving myself the extra push I need.

Last night I had a pint of Amsterdam Framboise, which was the tastiest beer I've had in a long time. (I am not the biggest beer drinker.) But I couldn't find the points for it anywhere! I went by the wwonline calculator, which said "beer" is 3.5 points per pint or 16 oz. Better than the 5 points for strongbow I was planning on, although I hate the idea of miscalculating.

Today's menu:

Pre-gym:
chocobran (2)
2/19

Breakfast:
fibre berry oatmeal (2)
4/19

Lunch: 2 slices pumpernickel toast (2)
grapes (1)
peanut butter (2)
8/19

Snacks:
orange (1)
all-bran bar (2)
11/19

Dinner:
turkey (?)
kopytka (a million ka zillion) ok not that much, but it's a lot. :o( i have lotsa points though, so no worries.

Potato Recipe

Last night with my new braun hand held blending tool I made mashed potatos - 1/2 with potatos and 1/2 with cauliflower.

1 large potato, microwaved
2/3 cups steamed cauliflower
splash of skim milk
2 slices fat free kraft singles

Blendy blendy and out comes 2 very large portions at only 2 points each. Yum yum - mixing with the potato was a great idea... it tasted just like mashed potatoes!

Today's Menu:

Pre-gym:
smoothie made with 1 container fat free blueberry yogurt (2)
splash of 0 cal iced tea (0)
strawberries (0)
2/19

Breakfast:
regular oatmeal (2)
blueberries (0)
4/19

Snack:
red grapes (1)
5/19

Lunch:
spinach/salad (0)
dressing (1)
tuna (3)
carrots/tomatos (0)
9/19

Snack:
rice cake with peanut butter (2)
11/19

Dinner:
gardenburger (1)
bun (2)
mashed potato leftovers (2)
green beans (0)
16/19

Later:
pint of strongbow cider (5)
21/19

Smoothies

One of my birthday gifts was a Braun hand held blender thing-y, so now I am going to use it every day. I have always wanted one. This morning I made a smoothie out of a container of fat free banana yogurt, some strawberries, and some ice. I was pressed for time or I'm sure I could have come up with more interesting ingredients. Tonight I am going to make mashed cauliflower. Or maybe i'll mix potatoes and cauliflower and see how that turns out.

Breakfast:
pre-gym: smoothie (2)
post-gym: oatmeal (2)
4/19

Lunch:
michelina's rice bowl (6)
diet cranberry bev. (0)
10/19

Snacks:
rice cake (1)
orange (1)
12/19

Dinner: Not sure but maybe some fish and mashed something. I want to mash everything.

Friday Friday Friday

Friday = weigh-in day. I gained 0.4 which is basically nothing. I don't know why I gained because I definitely stayed within my points... but I did only make it to the gym three times, one of which was this morning after weighing in. So it goes.

In general, I am pretty happy with my weight. I would really like to lose 6-8 more pounds but that may never happen. I am about 4 pounds heavier than the lowest weight ww recommends for my height (5'6"), although I have a very small frame. I don't *need* to lose weight but it would make me more confident... I have been going to the gym consistently for at least a year now, and I am pretty muscular although my stomach needs more toning. I will probably never have a flat stomach, or a pack of abs or whatever that's called, but as it stands I would not feel comfortable wearing a two-piece bathing suit, and I want that to change. My mom says it's better not to have a superflat stomach. She says that if your stomach is too flat and tight, then when you have kids your skin will stretch out and be super loose... I guess similar to losing a lot of weight. And I like a feminine look - curves never hurt anyone. Sometimes I think my arms are a little too buff and it bothers me a bit. ANYWAY. Ramble ramble.

I brought a feast with me to work today to take to the island.

I have:

cauliflower, carrots and baby tomatos
garlic hummus dip
mini whole wheat pita
fat free chicken breast slices
roast beef slices
a bar of mozzarella cheese
a berry medley including blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries
YUMMMMMM!

The vacuum crisis has been averted. My mom said I should just buy a new vacuum and use it before and after the party, and she'll pay for it, and then take it later, because her office needs a new vacuum anyway. I went to Canadian Tire yesterday after work and got a nice upright bagless one for $75 on sale from $99. Pretty good. I haven't done any vacuuming yet but I plan on it tonight... actually probably tomorrow.

Here is todays menu:

Breakfast:
chocobran (2)
oatmeal (2)
4/19

Lunch:
spinach (0)
dressing (1)
tuna (2)
tomatos (0)
yogurt (2)
raspberries (0)
9/19

And the rest of the points - see above! :o) Happy weekending!

Stress

I am feeling really stressed out. This weekend (on Sunday) is my 26th birthday. I am not feeling stressed about the age or birthday haha. On Saturday I'm having a party and I'm stressed about that. There is always just too much to do. AND my vacuum has been at Sears being "repaired" for almost a month and my floors are DISGUSTING so I'm embarassed and don't know what I should do. Also, on Friday it is my 6 month anniversary with the bf. We are going to the island to celebrate our happy romance and I am planning a picnic dinner. That isn't stressful, but knowing that I have to have everything ready before work tomorrow is! I am thinking some mini-pitas, hummus, some veggies/fruits, and cold cuts. Today at lunch I have to renew my health card as it expires on my birthday - how annoying! It's at Bay and College so it's a bit of a trek... hopefully there won't be a line up and I can make it there and back in my lunch hour. I am looking forward to the weekend because it's all about me me me but I'll be happy to relax when it's over. :o)

Even though my weigh-in is tomorrow morning I weighed myself this morning and was up 1.8 pounds. Damn it to hell. :o( I did eat late last night so I'm trying to make wise choices today. Lots of water, no packaged meals (sodium=bad) and... that's about it.

Here is my menu today:

Breakfast:
oatmeal: 2
2/19

Snack:
all-bran bar: 2
4/19

Lunch:
can of tuna (mmmm sounds appetizing haha): 3
spinach: 0
dressing 1
yogurt: 1 peach flavour
9/19

Snack:
another yogurt but a big one (2) fat free banana mmmm
11/19

Dinner:
gardenburger with bun (3)
green beans (0)
14/19

Def. some booze as well. And probable some special k with soymilk (3) later on.

I Love the Gym

I love the gym. I didn't go on Monday, or Tuesday morning because I wasn't feeling so hot. But I went for a 70 length swim last night, and this morning pumped it up on the elliptical and ran on the treadmill. It felt great! I am wearing white pants today and feel very summery. Yipppppepeeeeee!

Pre-gym: 1/2 chocobran (1)
1/19

I made more chocobrans last night - except I messed up the recipe, so each one of my muffins is 2 points. Normally I would make 1/2 recipe because I (as a single person) do not need 24 chocolate muffins hanging around. But I forgot to halve the cocoa and water and all-bran and baking powder... They still taste delicious though. :o)



Breakfast: shreddies (2)
berries (0)
light silk soy (1)
4/19

Lunch:
knorr potato and veg. soup (1)
2 slices pumpernickel (2)
7/19

Snack:
raw cauliflower and carrots (0)
fat free sour cream dip (1)
all-bran bites (2)
10/19

Dinner: I haven't decided yet, but probably something like:
chicken breast (2)
bun (2)
steamed veggies (0)
maybe some hungrygirlfredo again (1)
15/19

And then since I have an abundance of points, maybe a cookie from the bakery, or a starbucks light frap or popcorn or cereal. I like to snack at night so I like to save a few points for munching.

Tuesday Schmoozeday

It really isn't a schmoozeday. Last night my bf and I made kopytka (he's polish). I didn't think they would be so many points - but I plugged the recipe into the wwonline recipe builder and the points are outta control. 5 small potatos - not including skins, 2 cups flour, 1 egg. Divided by two it's like 14 points a person! Come on! But, then potato dumplings are 2 points for 6. I don't know. They sure are delicious - that's all I know.

Breakfast: berry oatmeal with more fibre (2)
2/19

Snack:
peach yogurt (1)
1 tbsp almonds (1)
4/19

Lunch:
2 slices pumpernickel toast (2)
1 cup knorr potato veg soup (1)
7/19

Snack:
All-bran bites (2)
carrots (0)
9/19

Pre-gym:
chocolate chip banana bran muffin (1)
10/19

Dinner:
amy's texas veg. burger patty (2)
bun (2)
tofu shirataki noodles (0)
1 wedge laughing cow (1)
1 tbsp ff sour cream (0)
1 tsp parmesan cheese (0)
1 cup cooked cauliflower (0)
15/19

Snack: 1 bag smartpop (3) maybe or special k with soy milk (3)
18/19

And since I seem to have 1 points left, maybe at lunch I will go to the starbucks and get a light orange creme frap for 2 points. OR a grande mocha orange light frap thing for 3 points. YUM. It sure is hot hot hot heat outside today. I plan on earning 4 or more activity points at the gym tonight.

I have a question about activity points, but I will ask it on the GDT board.

Stomach Woes

Woe is me. I didn't make it to the gym this morning because I was up last night with the WORST stomach upsetness of all time. Shivering, sweating, groaning, make-it-up, feelings of wanting to barf, laying on the bathroom floor because it's cold and the only thing that feels somewhat comforting. I don't know where this came from but it sucks. I slept in until 8 and made it to work, luckily, but still! I can't remember ever feeling that crappy. There were points where I thought I might die! And my roommate wasn't home - I thought, should I call someone or is that just crazy? Very mysterious.

Breakfast: nectarine yogurt (1)
1 tbsp almonds (1)
2/19

Snack: fruit to go squiggle (1)
3/19

Lunch: lean cuisine (5)
chocolate chip caramel rice cake (1)
carrots (0)
9/19

Snack: probably an all bran bar or oatmeal (2)
or nothing... it's already 2:30 after all.... and I still feel a bit queasy... don't want to push it with the fibre.

Tonight I am going to see Rufus Wainwright at the Danforth Music Hall. He's one of my favourite singers so I can't wait.

Yahoo! Weigh-in and Menu

I lost 0.8 this week hooray! I am very VERY (within 3 pounds) close to goal.

I went to the gym this morning and it was PAINFUL. I could only burn 300 calories on the elliptical and even after just 5 minutes I wanted to fall right off. I ran on the treadmill for 10 minutes after and that was alright. I didn't go yesterday so I wanted to pump it up this morning. Maybe it's because I drank wine last night? Maybe...

It is so hot today in the city. Luckily I work really close to the water so that cools things down a bit. I opened some windows in my house before I left so hopefully it won't be too bad when I get home.

Menu:

Pre gym: 1 chocolate chip banana bran muffin (1)
1/19

Breakfast: special k cereal with light silk soymilk (3)
4/19

Lunch: either same as breakfast (3)
or
lean cuisine (5)
fruit to go squiggle (1)
8/19 or 10/19

Dinner: gardenburger (1)
bun (2)
cauliflowers steamed (0)
le frites francais (3)
14/19 or 16/19

and then tonight some delicious alcohol of some kind. it's NXNE in the city tonight - yeah!

Wings and Menu

Last night my boyfriend and I had a sports night. We both aren't really into sports but like to pretend we are, so we watched a few minutes of hockey - and ate wings. Sports nights are an excuse to eat wings. I found a brand that is pretty much 1 point per wing.



Pinty's!

I am not going to the gym today (gasp!) because my bf slept over and because tonight I am going to the Keg Mansion (YES!) with some of my girlfriends. I am trying to eat super low point all day so I can splurge tonight.

Breakfast: chocolate chip banana bran muffin (1)
1/19

Snack: lemon meringue yogurt (1)
2/19

Lunch: I have to go to the Dominion across the street and see what's up. Maybe soup, or tuna. Or, I've seen these cute little mini pitas that I want to try but probably not today.

Dinner: Keg Mansion and all of it's delights.

Guten Morgan

I am a machine.

I managed to make it to the gym yesterday after work AND this morning. Today after doing 1/2 hour on the elliptical I also ran/walked for ten minutes on the treadmill. I can run, and I like the idea of running but it hurts my knees. Maybe I'll keep doing these mini-runs after my usual workouts and see if it helps my progress at all. Today's menu is completely up in the air. I am having lunch with my mom and sister who are in town to see a musical matinee, and then tonight I have a date with my bf. I earned 5 activity points so hopefully I can make good choices.

Pre-gym: 1 chocolate chip banana bran muffin (1)

Breakfast: 2 slices pumpernickel bread (2)
2 tbsp PB2 peanut butter (1)
4/19

Lunch: ?

Dinner:?

It's my goal today to not snack between meals, so I can eat bigger meals.

Tuesday Menu

I didn't make it to the gym this morning but I have time to go after work, so it's all good.

Here is today's boring boring boring menu.

Breakfast: 2 slices pumpernickel bread (2)
2 tbsp PB2 peanut butter (1)
3/19

Snack: Yogurt (1)
4/19

Lunch: SAME AS BREAKFAST how boring can I be... or lazy this morning. (3)
and quaker crunchems (2)
9/19

Snack: Yogurt (2) This is a new kind they were handing out on the subway last week.
11/19

Dinner is a mystery right now. I'm thinking something with a sweet potato on the side. Mmmmm. Maybe some fish.

Good Morning Monday

I had a very nice weekend and managed to stay on plan (for the most part). I went to a bring-your-own-meat bbq on Saturday and had 2 veggie burgers (2 points each) on weight watchers buns (2 points each) and grilled red pepper and zucchini.... yum. I tried a new kind of veggie burger and was really impressed.





It's the Amy's Texas veggie burgers. They bbq'd pretty well and tasted really good. I'd definitely eat them again. And I will because they come in a box of four and I only had two. One is probably enough for a regular dinner.

Here is today's menu:

Pre-gym: 2 slices ww bread with butter spray (1)
4 almonds (0.5)
1.5/19

Breakfast: coffee (0)
apple cinnamon oatmeal (2)
8 blueberries (0)
3 strawberries (0)
3.5/19

Snack: yogurt (1)
4.5/19

Lunch: 2 slices rye bread (2)
Leftover turkey salsa sloppy joe mix (2)
8.5/19

Snack: more yogurt maybe (1) or quaker crunchems (2)
9.5/19

Dinner: whole wheat spaghetti (4)
chicken breast (2)
tomato sauce (0)
parmesan cheese (1)
16.5/19

Snack: popcorn (3) - or something.
19.5/19

Activity: gym this morning - 4 points

Tonight there is a free Hawksley Workman concert at the Harbourfront Centre and I'm going - exciting!

Ola. I went to the gym this morning even though I didn't really want to. It felt great though - although I will need a nap after work in order not to slump into a corner tonight. I hate napping because I always wake up groggy and gross. Then I need to re-shower to feel as fresh as possible.

Weigh-in today shows me down 1 pound. This is good although I have been hovering at the same weight for weeks. I'm feeling trim and fit though. To celebrate, I think I will walk to the Eaton Centre at lunch and look for some shirts. Apparently I dress like I'm at work all the time and need more casual clothes. (This is according to my boyfriend.) My office is pretty casual so I don't know how much more casual I can get! We shall see. Maybe some cheap t-shirts from H & M or something. Every time I go shopping I end up buying a dress, instead of practical things. Yes, I do go out dancing a lot and wear these items, but they are pretty expensive in the grand scheme of things.

Here is today's menu thus far:

Pre-gym: 2 slices rye toast, one with low cal jam and one with apple butter. (2)
2/19

Breakfast: more fibre berry instant oatmeal (2)
strawberries (0)
blackberries (0)
4/19

Lunch: leftover turkey salsa sloppy joe slop (2)
1 slice rye bread (1)
1 cup spinach (0)
fat free caesar dressing (1)
carrots (0)
sun dried tomatos (0)
8/19

Snack: more carrots (0)
1 slice rye toast with butter spray (1)
9/19

Dinner: I don't know yet. Very big mystery.