Ohhh Friday afternoon, I curse you. But I think it's a positive that I don't have any work to do, although that does make things crawl along, especially since I've already read everything on the internet. EVERYTHING.
My dinner party was lovely last night, and I was full of yummy cheese (with apricots, even) and meat and potatoes and fried turnips and wine. Oh, and shortbread and NUTELLA. Felt very Scottish, in a hometown way, of course. Today I've behaved with the food, though I have dinner plans and will probably go a little overboard again, but that is what the weekend's for, right?
So very soon I will be heading back to the Q to meet Ax for two beers AND ONLY TWO since she has to teach young children in the morning. What a spoilsport. And then I will meet up with the Mex for dinner, and probably more beer, though I'm usually ready for bed by 9 pm on Fridays. We'll see. Tomorrow eve is so far unplanned, though I have so many errand-y things to do, I may keep it very mellow. And I do have more freelancing to do at some point this weekend, but I'm not thinking about that today.
Foooood:
Today's plan, as much as I know it:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - spicy chicken and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (5)
D - TBD
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1); beer
Total - TBD
Activity - shivering, fighting my way back into tights to wear under my jeans for my commute, bad behavior
Flex points remaining - Math is hard.
Happy weekend, legions of readers!
Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Snow and Sun and What I Ate: Thursday
Afternoon, countrymen.
So after the drudgery of this week, today I feel like a weight has been lifted. I guess it's from getting caught up on my outside-of-work work, but maybe it's also a mood change. There was some very pretty snow this morning for my commute, and now the sun is out and I was able to take a nice walk at lunch with a co-worker. We even tried on sexy boots and I almost bought a blue pair, but decided that I will indulge my own need for a lower heel and skipped it. Though now I really want to buy some boots -- I may have to look online, as everybody's having sales!
Last night I stayed worked OT for another half an hour, then decided to forego the gym and focus on my two freelance jobs so that those weren't hanging over my head. I'm glad I did -- two hours later, I decided I should finally eat dinner (at 8:30), so I prepped my entree for tonight's dinner party while I ate my pasta. No time for salad. It may not have been the healthiest night, but that's only because of the absense of exercise and veggies -- I didn't actually eat anything I shouldn't have! So tonight is my turn to host the monthly gathering of my very first NYC friends. We have potluck dinners, usually themed, and I picked a Burns' Night (). While we won't have haggis, I made a cheesy sausage and potato dish (hopefully it's cooking successfully in the Crockpot as we speak), and the rest of the dishes are also going to be Scottish-themed. It should be interesting! But also hard to count point-wise, so I'll have to try to behave over the weekend.
I forgot to give my weigh-in info yesterday, so I'll do it now. I was between 144 and 145 again, which is a little discouraging, but I still feel the difference (especially in the fit of my clothes) so I'm trying not to dwell. It probably didn't help that Tuesday night before weigh-in was the pizza/wine/OT night.
Today's plan, as much as I know it:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - spicy chicken and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (5)
D - Scottish feast of numerous points
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1)
Total - 10 plus lots
Activity - dancing a Highland jig, attempting to drink Scotch
Flex points remaining - 35 for now
Also, the MaybeEx (MEx?) is back in town today after a short trip to Baltimore. I was promised a souvenir. I would also like someone to initiate some plans, but we'll see what happens over the weekend. On one hand, if we're just having fun, I'm free to make the first call, but on the other, I don't wanna. It'll make me happier to be asked, you know? We shall see.
As Robert Burns would say:
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
Also, thank the Lord I'm not actually making Haggis tonight:
So after the drudgery of this week, today I feel like a weight has been lifted. I guess it's from getting caught up on my outside-of-work work, but maybe it's also a mood change. There was some very pretty snow this morning for my commute, and now the sun is out and I was able to take a nice walk at lunch with a co-worker. We even tried on sexy boots and I almost bought a blue pair, but decided that I will indulge my own need for a lower heel and skipped it. Though now I really want to buy some boots -- I may have to look online, as everybody's having sales!
Last night I stayed worked OT for another half an hour, then decided to forego the gym and focus on my two freelance jobs so that those weren't hanging over my head. I'm glad I did -- two hours later, I decided I should finally eat dinner (at 8:30), so I prepped my entree for tonight's dinner party while I ate my pasta. No time for salad. It may not have been the healthiest night, but that's only because of the absense of exercise and veggies -- I didn't actually eat anything I shouldn't have! So tonight is my turn to host the monthly gathering of my very first NYC friends. We have potluck dinners, usually themed, and I picked a Burns' Night (). While we won't have haggis, I made a cheesy sausage and potato dish (hopefully it's cooking successfully in the Crockpot as we speak), and the rest of the dishes are also going to be Scottish-themed. It should be interesting! But also hard to count point-wise, so I'll have to try to behave over the weekend.
I forgot to give my weigh-in info yesterday, so I'll do it now. I was between 144 and 145 again, which is a little discouraging, but I still feel the difference (especially in the fit of my clothes) so I'm trying not to dwell. It probably didn't help that Tuesday night before weigh-in was the pizza/wine/OT night.
Today's plan, as much as I know it:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - spicy chicken and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (5)
D - Scottish feast of numerous points
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1)
Total - 10 plus lots
Activity - dancing a Highland jig, attempting to drink Scotch
Flex points remaining - 35 for now
Also, the MaybeEx (MEx?) is back in town today after a short trip to Baltimore. I was promised a souvenir. I would also like someone to initiate some plans, but we'll see what happens over the weekend. On one hand, if we're just having fun, I'm free to make the first call, but on the other, I don't wanna. It'll make me happier to be asked, you know? We shall see.
As Robert Burns would say:
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it;
But we hae meat, and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.
Also, thank the Lord I'm not actually making Haggis tonight:
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Papercuts and What I Ate: Wednesday
Wow, do I need a vacation. Anyone want to spirit me away to a tropical paradise?
I just finished working on a big project at work that involved boxes and boxes of documents, and I think I've counted seven paper cuts so far. There are two different ones located at that part where two fingers meet at the bottom (I'm trying not to call it the finger crotch but I can't help it) and the worst is on the pad of my right ring finger--which means it touches everything. I may have to stop washing/showering so soap doesn't bring tears to my eyes. Also, I stayed at work till 8 pm last night, but I earned major brownie points as well as OT pay, pizza and some good wine. I'm OK with that decision, but I'd feel a lot better about working so much if I weren't also working on two mind-murdering freelance projects. I need a day without work in it...soon, this day will come. I hope.
That does mean no gym or planned food last night, but what can I do? I'm not beating myself up over life happenings that interrupt my plans. And I include a rogue chocolate bar in "life happenings."
Last night I also had a wonderful conversation with my platonic soulmate in Ohio, whose birthday was yesterday. It was one where I was completely surprised at his insight and wisdom into my life, and it was really helpful to have his perspective. I'm impressed with his maturity, to sound like a mom. And when you've known someone since you were 10, their seemingly sudden adulthood is a very strange and wonderful experience.
Today's menu, same as yesterday:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - spicy chicken and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (5)
D - Butternut Squash Baked Penne (5); turkey bacon (2); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, chunk of part-skim mozz cheese (3/4)
Total - 21/22 (using some activity pts)
Activity - bike, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - 0
Otherwise tonight I'm doing prep work for a Scottish-themed dinner party I'm having tomorrow, which means Crock Pot loading. Love that Crock Pot (crockpot?) I will look forward to the day when I have time to watch the Lost season premiere. It's important to have goals!
I just finished working on a big project at work that involved boxes and boxes of documents, and I think I've counted seven paper cuts so far. There are two different ones located at that part where two fingers meet at the bottom (I'm trying not to call it the finger crotch but I can't help it) and the worst is on the pad of my right ring finger--which means it touches everything. I may have to stop washing/showering so soap doesn't bring tears to my eyes. Also, I stayed at work till 8 pm last night, but I earned major brownie points as well as OT pay, pizza and some good wine. I'm OK with that decision, but I'd feel a lot better about working so much if I weren't also working on two mind-murdering freelance projects. I need a day without work in it...soon, this day will come. I hope.
That does mean no gym or planned food last night, but what can I do? I'm not beating myself up over life happenings that interrupt my plans. And I include a rogue chocolate bar in "life happenings."
Last night I also had a wonderful conversation with my platonic soulmate in Ohio, whose birthday was yesterday. It was one where I was completely surprised at his insight and wisdom into my life, and it was really helpful to have his perspective. I'm impressed with his maturity, to sound like a mom. And when you've known someone since you were 10, their seemingly sudden adulthood is a very strange and wonderful experience.
Today's menu, same as yesterday:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - spicy chicken and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (5)
D - Butternut Squash Baked Penne (5); turkey bacon (2); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, chunk of part-skim mozz cheese (3/4)
Total - 21/22 (using some activity pts)
Activity - bike, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - 0
Otherwise tonight I'm doing prep work for a Scottish-themed dinner party I'm having tomorrow, which means Crock Pot loading. Love that Crock Pot (crockpot?) I will look forward to the day when I have time to watch the Lost season premiere. It's important to have goals!
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Naptime and What I Ate: Tuesday
Wow, it's not even noon and I can't stop yawning. I had a very restless night of sleep last night, with lots of tossing and turning, and I even overslept a bit this morning, which made me rush to leave the house in time. I hate those mornings. And why was I so tossy and turny? I think I'm creating problems and then fretting about them, mainly. Nothing new, but nothing I quite have a grip on yet, either.
THOUGH it's beautiful outside today. I am looking forward to walking around at lunch and breathing some fresh air.
Man, I am just not interesting today, and I apologize. OH but the one good piece of news is that Blackbeard GREW BACK HIS BEARD. At least he had it yesterday, and it was a very nice bright spot in a dreary dark day. So swashbuckley.
Food:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - spicy chicken and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (5)
D - Butternut Squash Baked Penne (5); turkey bacon (2); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, chunk of part-skim mozz cheese (3/4)
Total - 21/22 (using some activity pts)
Activity - bike, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - 0
Tonight I should also do more freelance stuff, and I have to call a dear friend who's celebrating his birthday today, and I'm expecting a call from the butthead, and I want to Skype my best friend who's living in London (hmm, working on a nickname there), and watch The Biggest Loser. Life is busy. :)
THOUGH it's beautiful outside today. I am looking forward to walking around at lunch and breathing some fresh air.
Man, I am just not interesting today, and I apologize. OH but the one good piece of news is that Blackbeard GREW BACK HIS BEARD. At least he had it yesterday, and it was a very nice bright spot in a dreary dark day. So swashbuckley.
Food:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - spicy chicken and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (5)
D - Butternut Squash Baked Penne (5); turkey bacon (2); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, chunk of part-skim mozz cheese (3/4)
Total - 21/22 (using some activity pts)
Activity - bike, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - 0
Tonight I should also do more freelance stuff, and I have to call a dear friend who's celebrating his birthday today, and I'm expecting a call from the butthead, and I want to Skype my best friend who's living in London (hmm, working on a nickname there), and watch The Biggest Loser. Life is busy. :)
Monday, January 25, 2010
Drowning and What I Ate: Monday
Is everyone inside and dry yet? Did anyone else forsake their umbrella because it was just too windy to hold one up? That's the worst combo--you get soaking wet and cold, and look like a weirdo walking around with your umbrella folded while rain streams down your face.
Let's talk about weekends! Mine was again quite an adventure, though not intentionally. Friday night I was well behaved and went over to Literating's apartment (aka Schmauren) to "help her pack" which really just meant pack 3 boxes and then give up. We also ate tacos and shared a quesadilla. I probably went into my flex points but I'm not sure by how much. I was home by 9 pm, watched some of the Haiti telethon, then got into bed to watch The Brothers Bloom, which is a really good movie, by the way. I'm not sure why no one talked about it when it came out, but I had low expectations due to the lack of a reputation, and I was really, really pleasantly surprised. I heartily recommend it. Then Saturday I attended a birthday party in the Hudson River (well, at the Chelsea Brewery) starting at 3:00 pm, which meant I was good and toasty by the time I got back to Astoria around 7 pm (I think.) I met up with the ex to play some pool, then while he was in the front room of the bar watching tv, I kissed another boy I know, and possibly made a date with him. Guys, he's four years younger than I. I'm not proud of that one, but hey, that technically makes three new kissing partners in the past month, so that's OK. But nobody worthwhile, I guess. Still, it's a process! Anyway, then ex and I went to two more bars, including crashing Ax's date with the Terminator (at her request) for a drink, then finally home for (more) tacos. Yesterday was a giant hangover day and I didn't really leave the bed. I did watch Breakfast at Tiffany's for the first time, so it wasn't an entirely wasted day, and I finally was able to do some freelance work in the evening.
Today I feel like a mostly normal person again, though with this weather, it would've been nice to stay under the covers. Especially since I have a hickey and am pretending it's not noticable. OH along the weight loss lines, I received a nice compliment from the ex (I know, roll your eyes) as he can see the difference. He was happy with my shape before, too, but he noticed the change, so that felt really good.
Oh, and about that -- I'm making rash decisions right now, but I'm not ready to stop, so we'll see what happens. Either my crazy control-freak ways will force me to draw a line, or I will be able to relax enough to not need an immediate answer about What the Eff We Are Doing.
Food!
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - spicy chicken (Boar's Head Sausalito!) and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (5)
D - veg lasagne (5); turkey bacon (2); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, string cheese (3)
Total - 21
Activity - bike, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - 0, probably
Let's talk about weekends! Mine was again quite an adventure, though not intentionally. Friday night I was well behaved and went over to Literating's apartment (aka Schmauren) to "help her pack" which really just meant pack 3 boxes and then give up. We also ate tacos and shared a quesadilla. I probably went into my flex points but I'm not sure by how much. I was home by 9 pm, watched some of the Haiti telethon, then got into bed to watch The Brothers Bloom, which is a really good movie, by the way. I'm not sure why no one talked about it when it came out, but I had low expectations due to the lack of a reputation, and I was really, really pleasantly surprised. I heartily recommend it. Then Saturday I attended a birthday party in the Hudson River (well, at the Chelsea Brewery) starting at 3:00 pm, which meant I was good and toasty by the time I got back to Astoria around 7 pm (I think.) I met up with the ex to play some pool, then while he was in the front room of the bar watching tv, I kissed another boy I know, and possibly made a date with him. Guys, he's four years younger than I. I'm not proud of that one, but hey, that technically makes three new kissing partners in the past month, so that's OK. But nobody worthwhile, I guess. Still, it's a process! Anyway, then ex and I went to two more bars, including crashing Ax's date with the Terminator (at her request) for a drink, then finally home for (more) tacos. Yesterday was a giant hangover day and I didn't really leave the bed. I did watch Breakfast at Tiffany's for the first time, so it wasn't an entirely wasted day, and I finally was able to do some freelance work in the evening.
Today I feel like a mostly normal person again, though with this weather, it would've been nice to stay under the covers. Especially since I have a hickey and am pretending it's not noticable. OH along the weight loss lines, I received a nice compliment from the ex (I know, roll your eyes) as he can see the difference. He was happy with my shape before, too, but he noticed the change, so that felt really good.
Oh, and about that -- I'm making rash decisions right now, but I'm not ready to stop, so we'll see what happens. Either my crazy control-freak ways will force me to draw a line, or I will be able to relax enough to not need an immediate answer about What the Eff We Are Doing.
Food!
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats, skim milk (4)
L - spicy chicken (Boar's Head Sausalito!) and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (5)
D - veg lasagne (5); turkey bacon (2); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, string cheese (3)
Total - 21
Activity - bike, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - 0, probably
Thursday, January 21, 2010
What I Ate: Thursday
In case you were worried, world, I have not entirely cracked up yet after those confusing musings yesterday. I've just realized I have a bit of a control problem, so when things happen that make me feel out of control, I go off the rails. Hopefully identifying that problem will bring some more patience, right? We shall see. Until then, I can distract myself with plans and WW math!
Food stuff:
B - coffee, Smart Start, skim milk (5)
L - chicken and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - EITHER veg lasagne or some sort of tomato, avocado and rice concoction that I will invent, as I forgot to defrost the dinner (5); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, light string cheese (3)
Total - 20
Activity - biker chick, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - 35
There is not much else to report. Last night I attempted to freelance but realized how little material I was provided to work with; this morning I found out that I'm supposed to take a mishmash of blog entries and turn those into sample book chapters. Hi, I wasn't hired as a ghostwriter. I'm getting more and more perturbed about the amount of work I'm supposed to do for someone who apparently wants to write a book, but I can't do much about changing it right now. Seriously, though, wouldn't you think you could form complete sentences and maybe have part of the thing written before you attempt to get an agent & publisher?
So after trying that, I watched an episode of The Tudors (love) and then some Ugly Betty later on, which just cheers me up despite all the cheese. I can't help it. I also read a really sad short story in my book about an old woman who decides to throw a grand ball after many years of being a shut-in, and there are all sorts of fancy preparations and servants hired, etc., and then no one shows up. She dies the next day. When her grandson (whom she hated) is going through her belongings after her death, he finds all the invitations to the ball in her desk, addressed but never mailed. She'd forgotten that part. It broke my heart! That might be me someday soon, folks... not really. Maybe. Though hopefully if that were me, I'd just get drunk with the servants and not care much anyway.
Happy almost weekend!
Food stuff:
B - coffee, Smart Start, skim milk (5)
L - chicken and provolone on sandwich thin, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - EITHER veg lasagne or some sort of tomato, avocado and rice concoction that I will invent, as I forgot to defrost the dinner (5); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, light string cheese (3)
Total - 20
Activity - biker chick, 40 mins
Flex points remaining - 35
There is not much else to report. Last night I attempted to freelance but realized how little material I was provided to work with; this morning I found out that I'm supposed to take a mishmash of blog entries and turn those into sample book chapters. Hi, I wasn't hired as a ghostwriter. I'm getting more and more perturbed about the amount of work I'm supposed to do for someone who apparently wants to write a book, but I can't do much about changing it right now. Seriously, though, wouldn't you think you could form complete sentences and maybe have part of the thing written before you attempt to get an agent & publisher?
So after trying that, I watched an episode of The Tudors (love) and then some Ugly Betty later on, which just cheers me up despite all the cheese. I can't help it. I also read a really sad short story in my book about an old woman who decides to throw a grand ball after many years of being a shut-in, and there are all sorts of fancy preparations and servants hired, etc., and then no one shows up. She dies the next day. When her grandson (whom she hated) is going through her belongings after her death, he finds all the invitations to the ball in her desk, addressed but never mailed. She'd forgotten that part. It broke my heart! That might be me someday soon, folks... not really. Maybe. Though hopefully if that were me, I'd just get drunk with the servants and not care much anyway.
Happy almost weekend!
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
What I Ate and Not Much Else: Wednesday
Afternoon, chaps.
I know I promised wisdom yesterday, but then I got too busy at work, which really cuts into my internet time. And now any "wisdom" I felt (you know I was being facetious, right?) is mostly gone again, anyway. Essentially, you can't take promises to the bank. And I guess it's OK to have a misstep now and again, right? I can't be perfect all the time...just almost. (Riiiight.)
I'm being vague. All I'm saying is, sometimes feelings get brought up unexpectedly, like they did for me this past weekend, and now I'm beating myself up about it. But I'm trying not to. I know what I'm looking for in a relationship, so there's no real confusion for me with the ex, just a tiny (huge) wish that he could change. But that's up to him, not me, and any romantic overtures are also up to him, right? I am just being reminded yet again that I do not live well in the gray areas of life. Does anyone have tips for how to get better at that?
Anyway, food.
B - coffee, Smart Start, skim milk (5)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with provolone, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - Butternut Squash Pasta (5); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, light string cheese (3)
Total - 19
Activity - *headdesk* while catching up on freelance projects
Flex points remaining - 35
Weight - 144.5 -1.5! (I couldn't tell where exactly the needle was hovering, so we'll split the difference!)
It's probably good for me to take tonight off from the gym, as I plan on going tomorrow and need the break, plus I have to deal with the terrible writers for whom I'm writing book proposals at exhorbitant rates. (I am still amazed at the people who think they're qualified to be published.) But money talks -- unlike PROMISES. Hope you all have a lovely hump day!
I know I promised wisdom yesterday, but then I got too busy at work, which really cuts into my internet time. And now any "wisdom" I felt (you know I was being facetious, right?) is mostly gone again, anyway. Essentially, you can't take promises to the bank. And I guess it's OK to have a misstep now and again, right? I can't be perfect all the time...just almost. (Riiiight.)
I'm being vague. All I'm saying is, sometimes feelings get brought up unexpectedly, like they did for me this past weekend, and now I'm beating myself up about it. But I'm trying not to. I know what I'm looking for in a relationship, so there's no real confusion for me with the ex, just a tiny (huge) wish that he could change. But that's up to him, not me, and any romantic overtures are also up to him, right? I am just being reminded yet again that I do not live well in the gray areas of life. Does anyone have tips for how to get better at that?
Anyway, food.
B - coffee, Smart Start, skim milk (5)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with provolone, L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - Butternut Squash Pasta (5); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, light string cheese (3)
Total - 19
Activity - *headdesk* while catching up on freelance projects
Flex points remaining - 35
Weight - 144.5 -1.5! (I couldn't tell where exactly the needle was hovering, so we'll split the difference!)
It's probably good for me to take tonight off from the gym, as I plan on going tomorrow and need the break, plus I have to deal with the terrible writers for whom I'm writing book proposals at exhorbitant rates. (I am still amazed at the people who think they're qualified to be published.) But money talks -- unlike PROMISES. Hope you all have a lovely hump day!
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Spreadsheets and What I Ate: Tuesday
Another day, another few thousand rows in Excel, youknowwhatimean?
It's lovely out, however -- at least temperature-wise. We were due for some milder days, days where I can walk around at lunch and feel less like a lump of office furniture, and I'm really enjoying it. I'm also having a skinny day today (mentally), so I'm in a swell mood, just trying not to worry about things I can't control in other areas of my life (ahem). I've never been good at existing in the in-between or gray areas or what have you, so I'm trying it. We'll see how long I last.
Last night I was very responsible and also finished my book (Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name.) It was very well done, but still quite bleak at the end. I didn't mind though, especially as it was quite short so I wasn't mired in the sad parts for too long. I guess it technically had a happier ending, too, but in general it was nice and wintery, though may not stick with me for very long. After I finished, I started a collection of Evelyn Waugh's short stories. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Waugh He wrote Brideshead Revisited, which I loved, and so far I'm only on the first story but the architecture of it is so original, I've never read anything like it. Fantastic, plus I love things set in historical Britain, even if it's just early 1900s -- I somehow feel nostalgic for my own travels there, in a very comforting way.
Wow, that's a very mushy, librarian paragraph. Excel is rotting my brain.
I also rode the bike about 40 mins last night, and it says I went over 11 miles, though who knows. You guys, I can't break my bike habit. I know I should alternate with the elliptical, but it's working and I like to read, and I haven't put any interesting movies on my iPod to watch on the elliptical. I shouldn't beat myself up too much, right, because at least it's exercise? And runners don't feel guilty for only running, do they? Can I just be a bike rider? I do plan on incorporating more weight training, but I will probably give that a few more weeks/a few more dropped pounds, then decrease the cardio by a few minutes and add weight time.
For posterity:
B - coffee, Smart Start, skim milk (5)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - Roasted Vegetable Lasagne (5); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, light string cheese (3)
Total - 19 Shoot. As weird as this sounds, I may cook some turkey bacon to go with my meat-free dinner.
Activity - ride 'r die
Flex points remaining - 0
And for fun, a painting of dear Evelyn, who yes, is a man:
Stay tuned later today for some musings about LOVE. I'm churning with wisdom right now, I swear, I just have to organize my thoughts. I should maybe use a spreadsheet.
It's lovely out, however -- at least temperature-wise. We were due for some milder days, days where I can walk around at lunch and feel less like a lump of office furniture, and I'm really enjoying it. I'm also having a skinny day today (mentally), so I'm in a swell mood, just trying not to worry about things I can't control in other areas of my life (ahem). I've never been good at existing in the in-between or gray areas or what have you, so I'm trying it. We'll see how long I last.
Last night I was very responsible and also finished my book (Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name.) It was very well done, but still quite bleak at the end. I didn't mind though, especially as it was quite short so I wasn't mired in the sad parts for too long. I guess it technically had a happier ending, too, but in general it was nice and wintery, though may not stick with me for very long. After I finished, I started a collection of Evelyn Waugh's short stories. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evelyn_Waugh He wrote Brideshead Revisited, which I loved, and so far I'm only on the first story but the architecture of it is so original, I've never read anything like it. Fantastic, plus I love things set in historical Britain, even if it's just early 1900s -- I somehow feel nostalgic for my own travels there, in a very comforting way.
Wow, that's a very mushy, librarian paragraph. Excel is rotting my brain.
I also rode the bike about 40 mins last night, and it says I went over 11 miles, though who knows. You guys, I can't break my bike habit. I know I should alternate with the elliptical, but it's working and I like to read, and I haven't put any interesting movies on my iPod to watch on the elliptical. I shouldn't beat myself up too much, right, because at least it's exercise? And runners don't feel guilty for only running, do they? Can I just be a bike rider? I do plan on incorporating more weight training, but I will probably give that a few more weeks/a few more dropped pounds, then decrease the cardio by a few minutes and add weight time.
For posterity:
B - coffee, Smart Start, skim milk (5)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - Roasted Vegetable Lasagne (5); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, light string cheese (3)
Total - 19 Shoot. As weird as this sounds, I may cook some turkey bacon to go with my meat-free dinner.
Activity - ride 'r die
Flex points remaining - 0
And for fun, a painting of dear Evelyn, who yes, is a man:
Stay tuned later today for some musings about LOVE. I'm churning with wisdom right now, I swear, I just have to organize my thoughts. I should maybe use a spreadsheet.
Monday, January 18, 2010
Misc and What I Ate: Monday
Happy MLK Day to those of you who, like me, are in the office today. (I am ignoring the presence of those of you who get a vacation day.) It's fairly quiet here, but also slow and sleepy, and all I want to do is curl up at home and never leave my bed. That's reasonable, right?
I finished Julie & Julia over the weekend, and was happy to. I had a major personality clash with Ms. Powell, and won't be reading her next book. This was a strange case where I thought the movie was highly superior to the book, but I guess I was advocating for Meryl/Julia to be the entire movie (leaving out the modern storyline), so really I just wanted something else entirely. That's reasonable, right? So anyway, during the midst of too much football watching in my apartment yesterday, I started Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name by Vendela Vida (Eggers' wifey) and so far, so good. It's set in a cold, bleak environment, which seems appropriate for this time of year. And that's what I want to be reading right now instead of debt schedules.
The weekend was rather eventful. Friday night I was an upstanding weight watcher, and after running downtown to the bankruptcy court at 4 pm to get some claims filed by 5 pm, (and appreciating the beauty of Bowling Green/Battery Park area, that I so rarely see anymore), I came back to Astoria with a big grocery list. I grabbed everything I needed on my way home, then cooked like a fiend till 11 pm. I made a roasted vegetable lasagne (with eggplant, tomatoes and red peppers) and a butternut squash baked penne with thyme. Then I froze them in portions, so I have my next 14 weeknight dinners ready to go.
Saturday was a mellow daytime, then off to Ax's for dinner and merriment. She has such great antiques and decorations that it was storytime every five minutes, and it was all very interesting. And there was lots of wine, then we went out and "crawled" down the bars of Broadway towards the N/W so our Brooklyn friends could return home. Ax and I stayed out late again, and flirted with boys, etc. I actually saw the boy from last weekend, but it wasn't a very pleasant encounter, and so there won't be any repeat business there. (He's someone I know from the neighborhood, and I had to diffuse a fight between he and my ex, who came out, etc. etc.) Clearly there was some drama, but there was also lots of fun. That said, yes, I saw the ex, and there were a lot of things said, and I fear I'm treading into the cliche zone. Nothing's changed right now, but there might be some negotiations to come. We'll see -- I am clear on what I want/need, so I really don't have to worry about it, as the changes aren't mine to make. I'm going to keep myself going on my own path, but who knows what could happen. So yeah, Sunday was Chinese food and football and reading and laying around. It was a good weekend, just too short, especially in light of the WORLD'S 3-dayer.
Food for today:
B - coffee, Smart Start, skim milk (5)
L - Lean Cuisine (some pasta with veggies) (6)
D - Butternut Squash Pasta (5); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, light string cheese (2)
Total - 20
Activity - Gym
Flex points remaining - 0, though I didn't do the math. Sometimes you just know.
Back to my Excel spreadsheet and daydreaming. Adieu!
I finished Julie & Julia over the weekend, and was happy to. I had a major personality clash with Ms. Powell, and won't be reading her next book. This was a strange case where I thought the movie was highly superior to the book, but I guess I was advocating for Meryl/Julia to be the entire movie (leaving out the modern storyline), so really I just wanted something else entirely. That's reasonable, right? So anyway, during the midst of too much football watching in my apartment yesterday, I started Let the Northern Lights Erase Your Name by Vendela Vida (Eggers' wifey) and so far, so good. It's set in a cold, bleak environment, which seems appropriate for this time of year. And that's what I want to be reading right now instead of debt schedules.
The weekend was rather eventful. Friday night I was an upstanding weight watcher, and after running downtown to the bankruptcy court at 4 pm to get some claims filed by 5 pm, (and appreciating the beauty of Bowling Green/Battery Park area, that I so rarely see anymore), I came back to Astoria with a big grocery list. I grabbed everything I needed on my way home, then cooked like a fiend till 11 pm. I made a roasted vegetable lasagne (with eggplant, tomatoes and red peppers) and a butternut squash baked penne with thyme. Then I froze them in portions, so I have my next 14 weeknight dinners ready to go.
Saturday was a mellow daytime, then off to Ax's for dinner and merriment. She has such great antiques and decorations that it was storytime every five minutes, and it was all very interesting. And there was lots of wine, then we went out and "crawled" down the bars of Broadway towards the N/W so our Brooklyn friends could return home. Ax and I stayed out late again, and flirted with boys, etc. I actually saw the boy from last weekend, but it wasn't a very pleasant encounter, and so there won't be any repeat business there. (He's someone I know from the neighborhood, and I had to diffuse a fight between he and my ex, who came out, etc. etc.) Clearly there was some drama, but there was also lots of fun. That said, yes, I saw the ex, and there were a lot of things said, and I fear I'm treading into the cliche zone. Nothing's changed right now, but there might be some negotiations to come. We'll see -- I am clear on what I want/need, so I really don't have to worry about it, as the changes aren't mine to make. I'm going to keep myself going on my own path, but who knows what could happen. So yeah, Sunday was Chinese food and football and reading and laying around. It was a good weekend, just too short, especially in light of the WORLD'S 3-dayer.
Food for today:
B - coffee, Smart Start, skim milk (5)
L - Lean Cuisine (some pasta with veggies) (6)
D - Butternut Squash Pasta (5); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt, light string cheese (2)
Total - 20
Activity - Gym
Flex points remaining - 0, though I didn't do the math. Sometimes you just know.
Back to my Excel spreadsheet and daydreaming. Adieu!
Friday, January 15, 2010
What I Ate and Plan To: Friday
Well, it's finally Friday, and it's nearly 50 degrees out there, people! We should all be having a picnic in the park, but alas.
So last night's book club was at a very cool bar that was very far away from any easy transportion. http://www.brassmonkeynyc.com/ It was a nice place, though, and perhaps known among other things as the location of the scene on The Real Housewives of New York when that stupid Bensimon person told Kelly, "I'm up here [holding hand high in the air], and you're down here [holding hand very low]." Oh, the drama. We were also in luck, as we were there for the happy hour special of $2 off domestic beers...but also bad timing, as they were changing out all of the kegs at the same time. Therefore I started with a Miller Lite bottle, like the classy broad that I am. However, since friend LauLau and I had initially tried to order Blue Moons, once the kegs were in, they brought us each one on the house. Then LauLau didn't want hers. So I drank it. Three beers and no dinner (and I forgot my string cheese!) meant I was pretty well tipsy, but I made the wise decision to go straight home afterwards instead of seeking further shenanigans. I have been patting myself on the back for this since last night, since I am terrible at this sort of discipline. I was home for a Lean Cuisine Chicken Parm (6 pts), then a bag of 94% FF Kettle Korn (6 pts), which I guess if you're "binging" is the way to go. That means with 8 points of beer, I went into my Flex points by 9. I will take the hit.
Oh, and I think I should avoid having three beers at the next book club. When it came time for grading the book (at the end) and choosing which characters we'd Chuck, F*ck, or Marry, I accidentally said I'd F the child-abusing father. I meant CHUCK him! I quickly backtracked but the damage was sort of done. Anyway, there's a good line between two beers and three. Words to live by on an empty stomach.
So today's another "busy" but sort of repetitive day at work, but at least it should go quickly. Tonight's plans moved to tomorrow night, and promise to be a rather crazy evening (BSH says "epic") so I'm going to save all remaining flexies for tomorrow night and Sunday recovery. That means I think I'll lay low tonight and do some grocery shopping and maybe cooking. I need to make some WW-appropriate dinners that I can portion out and freeze for the next few weeks, and I just printed a ton of good recipes.
And in case your curious, my epic evening tomorrow (which I should stop saying, because once you think it's going to be amazing, you're setting yourself up to fail) involves a group of crazy lady friends amassing in Astoria, first at Ax's apartment, then out to wander and stir up trouble. Maybe I'll find another/more boy(s) to kiss! I will be sure to not wear two pairs of sweatpants like I did last weekend. (We were only henna-ing our hair and it was cold. Shut up.) No matter what, it should be very silly and fun.
Food:
B - coffee, Smart Start (which is a bastard because I just figured out is has 3 points, not 2), skim milk (5)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1)
Total - 19 (I'm sure I'll add one somewhere)
Activity - Lugging home grocery bags; slight chance of gym
Flex points remaining - 26
Happy weekend, all!
So last night's book club was at a very cool bar that was very far away from any easy transportion. http://www.brassmonkeynyc.com/ It was a nice place, though, and perhaps known among other things as the location of the scene on The Real Housewives of New York when that stupid Bensimon person told Kelly, "I'm up here [holding hand high in the air], and you're down here [holding hand very low]." Oh, the drama. We were also in luck, as we were there for the happy hour special of $2 off domestic beers...but also bad timing, as they were changing out all of the kegs at the same time. Therefore I started with a Miller Lite bottle, like the classy broad that I am. However, since friend LauLau and I had initially tried to order Blue Moons, once the kegs were in, they brought us each one on the house. Then LauLau didn't want hers. So I drank it. Three beers and no dinner (and I forgot my string cheese!) meant I was pretty well tipsy, but I made the wise decision to go straight home afterwards instead of seeking further shenanigans. I have been patting myself on the back for this since last night, since I am terrible at this sort of discipline. I was home for a Lean Cuisine Chicken Parm (6 pts), then a bag of 94% FF Kettle Korn (6 pts), which I guess if you're "binging" is the way to go. That means with 8 points of beer, I went into my Flex points by 9. I will take the hit.
Oh, and I think I should avoid having three beers at the next book club. When it came time for grading the book (at the end) and choosing which characters we'd Chuck, F*ck, or Marry, I accidentally said I'd F the child-abusing father. I meant CHUCK him! I quickly backtracked but the damage was sort of done. Anyway, there's a good line between two beers and three. Words to live by on an empty stomach.
So today's another "busy" but sort of repetitive day at work, but at least it should go quickly. Tonight's plans moved to tomorrow night, and promise to be a rather crazy evening (BSH says "epic") so I'm going to save all remaining flexies for tomorrow night and Sunday recovery. That means I think I'll lay low tonight and do some grocery shopping and maybe cooking. I need to make some WW-appropriate dinners that I can portion out and freeze for the next few weeks, and I just printed a ton of good recipes.
And in case your curious, my epic evening tomorrow (which I should stop saying, because once you think it's going to be amazing, you're setting yourself up to fail) involves a group of crazy lady friends amassing in Astoria, first at Ax's apartment, then out to wander and stir up trouble. Maybe I'll find another/more boy(s) to kiss! I will be sure to not wear two pairs of sweatpants like I did last weekend. (We were only henna-ing our hair and it was cold. Shut up.) No matter what, it should be very silly and fun.
Food:
B - coffee, Smart Start (which is a bastard because I just figured out is has 3 points, not 2), skim milk (5)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1)
Total - 19 (I'm sure I'll add one somewhere)
Activity - Lugging home grocery bags; slight chance of gym
Flex points remaining - 26
Happy weekend, all!
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Love and What I Ate: Thursday
BIG CHANGE--I've decided to stop dating these entries...since Blogger does that for me. I'm all about streamlining my life.
I'm trying to think of a short-term solution to these cliche winter blahs, and all I can think of is going tanning, which I don't really want to do. Should I lay a blanket down in the living room, put on my swimsuit, pretend the blanket is a pool, and dive off of chairs like I did when I was a kid in the winter? (Obviously I didn't really dive...it was too shallow.) I'm not going to take a trip to somewhere tropical as I'm saving up for a trip to London in April, so that's ruled out. Maybe it's finally time for the Russian baths, as much as that thought creeps me out. My dear Brooklyn Sea Hag (see link to the left) has been wanting to go for years. But...I'm open to other suggestions, friends. Do please submit.
So I do realize that one of the main categories of this thing is Love. And I also realize I've been pretty quiet on that whole topic. Let me give you the situation. I was in a long-term relationship that ended rather abruptly in December, and also ended without firm cause, as one of us (ahem) had some sort of a life crisis and finally faced his inability to function successfully in a committed, loving partnership. I am still in touch with this person, although as time goes, I am angrier about the whole situation. I myself am a fixer, and I think if something's wrong with my life or myself, why not do what I can to improve it? But apparently this is rare and strange. This makes me angry inside, but I am also quite calm about it, especially during the day. Sometimes I think too much before bed and can't fall asleep, but the exercising helps with that. Essentially, I am OK, but I am still trying to navigate this post-breakup "friendship" that sometimes I want to have and sometimes I don't. I mean, being in touch every day this week may just be too much, right? I need a cleaner break, I think, but I'm still figuring out how to handle it, since I also care about this person's wellbeing. I just may slow down my response time.
Rambling... Essentially, that's where I am with the past thing, and I'm looking forward and optimistic about something new, but I also feel like it's a bit too soon right now. I see this winter as my time to feel good about my physical self again, replenish my mental self, and enjoy my loving, fun friends as much as possible, as well as get out, be social, and meet people. But then, you know, stuff happens and I kiss a boy. I don't want this boy to be my boyfriend, as though he is intelligent and interesting, I do think our lifestyles aren't so compatible. But that KISSING was amazing. I'd forgotten what really good kissing was like, and I'm feeling a bit hooked. Like, can I please have more of that immediately, hooked. The only problem is the whole emotional mess that comes with it, plus the fact that I'm not exactly looking to take it too far sexually, which always makes those situations awkward. What to do? I guess I need to just relax and not focus so much on THAT ONE person's kissing, but think about the fun and fancy-freeness of it all. And the next kisser?
I am so not fancy free. Tips on that would also be appreciated.
Abrupt change of subject, food:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries, skim milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1), light string cheese before book club(2)
Total - 20
Activity - Some walking to/from book club after work, typing like a demon at work
Flex points remaining - 35
I'm trying to think of a short-term solution to these cliche winter blahs, and all I can think of is going tanning, which I don't really want to do. Should I lay a blanket down in the living room, put on my swimsuit, pretend the blanket is a pool, and dive off of chairs like I did when I was a kid in the winter? (Obviously I didn't really dive...it was too shallow.) I'm not going to take a trip to somewhere tropical as I'm saving up for a trip to London in April, so that's ruled out. Maybe it's finally time for the Russian baths, as much as that thought creeps me out. My dear Brooklyn Sea Hag (see link to the left) has been wanting to go for years. But...I'm open to other suggestions, friends. Do please submit.
So I do realize that one of the main categories of this thing is Love. And I also realize I've been pretty quiet on that whole topic. Let me give you the situation. I was in a long-term relationship that ended rather abruptly in December, and also ended without firm cause, as one of us (ahem) had some sort of a life crisis and finally faced his inability to function successfully in a committed, loving partnership. I am still in touch with this person, although as time goes, I am angrier about the whole situation. I myself am a fixer, and I think if something's wrong with my life or myself, why not do what I can to improve it? But apparently this is rare and strange. This makes me angry inside, but I am also quite calm about it, especially during the day. Sometimes I think too much before bed and can't fall asleep, but the exercising helps with that. Essentially, I am OK, but I am still trying to navigate this post-breakup "friendship" that sometimes I want to have and sometimes I don't. I mean, being in touch every day this week may just be too much, right? I need a cleaner break, I think, but I'm still figuring out how to handle it, since I also care about this person's wellbeing. I just may slow down my response time.
Rambling... Essentially, that's where I am with the past thing, and I'm looking forward and optimistic about something new, but I also feel like it's a bit too soon right now. I see this winter as my time to feel good about my physical self again, replenish my mental self, and enjoy my loving, fun friends as much as possible, as well as get out, be social, and meet people. But then, you know, stuff happens and I kiss a boy. I don't want this boy to be my boyfriend, as though he is intelligent and interesting, I do think our lifestyles aren't so compatible. But that KISSING was amazing. I'd forgotten what really good kissing was like, and I'm feeling a bit hooked. Like, can I please have more of that immediately, hooked. The only problem is the whole emotional mess that comes with it, plus the fact that I'm not exactly looking to take it too far sexually, which always makes those situations awkward. What to do? I guess I need to just relax and not focus so much on THAT ONE person's kissing, but think about the fun and fancy-freeness of it all. And the next kisser?
I am so not fancy free. Tips on that would also be appreciated.
Abrupt change of subject, food:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries, skim milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1), light string cheese before book club(2)
Total - 20
Activity - Some walking to/from book club after work, typing like a demon at work
Flex points remaining - 35
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Late and What I Ate: Wednesday, January 13
Wow, so being suddenly busy at work really cut into my internet time. Sorry, vast legions of fans. I didn't want to totally disappear today, though, because it was weigh-in day, and I dropped another two pounds! I'm fine with this rate, though I know it'll get harder as I lose 'em. Still, after a bad hangover weekend and that killer cheesecake yesterday, I'm pleased.
That reminds me, I didn't eat either of my snacks yesterday, but I did eat a tiny sliver of the cheesecake with chocolate mousse...good Lord. I couldn't even finish my small piece, but in the beginning, when I was innocent, it was AMAZING. I did stay on track with the gym last night, so I think the damage was minimal (and the psychological benefits were maximal.)
So today, I already ate:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries, skim milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1), light string cheese before gym (2)
Total - 20
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding (at varied resistances)
Flex points remaining - 35
Weight - 146 lbs.
That reminds me, I didn't eat either of my snacks yesterday, but I did eat a tiny sliver of the cheesecake with chocolate mousse...good Lord. I couldn't even finish my small piece, but in the beginning, when I was innocent, it was AMAZING. I did stay on track with the gym last night, so I think the damage was minimal (and the psychological benefits were maximal.)
So today, I already ate:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries, skim milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1), light string cheese before gym (2)
Total - 20
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding (at varied resistances)
Flex points remaining - 35
Weight - 146 lbs.
Tomorrow I have book club, so I won't hit the gym, but since it's in BFE on 10th Avenue, I'll at least get some walking in. It's even supposed to be warmer out -- the high is 39 degrees! I can try to get to the gym this weekend to make up for my missing a day at least, but I'll see how it goes. I'm not going to kill myself this time, but make it a lifestyle, which I sort of succeeded at last time. There were external temptation factors, let's say.
Anyway, going to start getting ready for bed, but wanted to be discplined and get this up. Oh, and I'm into J&J now, and I thought I just hated Julie in the movie, but I sort of hate her in the book. Maybe I'm biased? It doesn't help that Amy Adams' terrible picture with the short bus haircut is on the cover of the paperback I'm reading. Still, I'll try to wait until I read the whole thing, but man, PULL IT TOGETHER WOMAN. She's a mess, and not a sympathetic one.
So sweet dreams, bumblebees!
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Misc and What I Ate: Tuesday, January 12
Wow, so I finally feel recovered from my weekend. How about you, world?
I went over by 2 points yesterday on a light string cheese. I was starving but also nauseous after work, so that was my snack to see if it made things better or worse. Better! I did not go to the gym, but rested and read and watched good TV and I think I needed to baby myself like that a little longer.
Today
OH CRAP breaking news!! My boss just received a Junior's cheesecake as a gift and has put it in the kitchen for everyone to share. I plan on tasting it, but just a taste! And I'm not counting it! Gifts from heaven should not count.
Anyway, today is moving along and it helps that I've had a few projects at work...recently it's been DEAD which makes the time just drag. I do my freelance stuff, but it can only help so much.
In free time news, I'm reading Dan Brown's Angels & Demons, and it's fun to read a silly novel again! I'd been on this biography kick, which isn't bad, but I set down the Robert Louis Stevenson one since I just checked out these more exciting library books. Anyway, I watched the movie of A&D on Friday night and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it -- much more than The DaVinci Code movie. And so I figured I'd read the book for kicks, and since it's quite a bit different than the movie, I'm still in suspense! Next will be Julie & Julia, as I said. (It was hard to pick which one to read first.) Then I have some more serious literary fare, too, but I'm just loving my return to reading as a hobby and not a job. It's so refreshing.
So the plan:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries, skim milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1), light string cheese before gym (2)
Total - 20
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding (at varied resistances)
Flex points remaining - 0
Motivational activity - watching The Biggest Loser. I just wish it were one hour long instead of two. They waste a lot of time in those two hours.
Also along those lines, I received a gift certificate to this great spa in my neighborhood for Christmas (www.spahydra.com). I know I want to get a facial, and I know I want it to be closer to Spring (they say it's best to get one per season, which for me translates to one every other season), so I think I'll tie it to a weight goal. Right now I think I'll "cash it in" when I reach my original lowest weight -- 135. I can certainly wear a bikini at that weight, though it may not be the most attractive option, but at least I'll have made some progress. That said, if I'm losing faster than I expect, I'll change it to the goal of 130...it also depends on my rate of loss. But anyway, that'll be up there as a prize for me, hopefully soonish! And it is enough to cover the full pampering facial -- which includes the neck, shoulders and feet massage. Sigh.
Enough rambling. I'm looking forward to the weather when I can take walks at lunch again, but for now it's a trip down to the mailbox and then back here for some Dan Brown cheese. Can't wait.
I went over by 2 points yesterday on a light string cheese. I was starving but also nauseous after work, so that was my snack to see if it made things better or worse. Better! I did not go to the gym, but rested and read and watched good TV and I think I needed to baby myself like that a little longer.
Today
OH CRAP breaking news!! My boss just received a Junior's cheesecake as a gift and has put it in the kitchen for everyone to share. I plan on tasting it, but just a taste! And I'm not counting it! Gifts from heaven should not count.
Anyway, today is moving along and it helps that I've had a few projects at work...recently it's been DEAD which makes the time just drag. I do my freelance stuff, but it can only help so much.
In free time news, I'm reading Dan Brown's Angels & Demons, and it's fun to read a silly novel again! I'd been on this biography kick, which isn't bad, but I set down the Robert Louis Stevenson one since I just checked out these more exciting library books. Anyway, I watched the movie of A&D on Friday night and was surprised at how much I enjoyed it -- much more than The DaVinci Code movie. And so I figured I'd read the book for kicks, and since it's quite a bit different than the movie, I'm still in suspense! Next will be Julie & Julia, as I said. (It was hard to pick which one to read first.) Then I have some more serious literary fare, too, but I'm just loving my return to reading as a hobby and not a job. It's so refreshing.
So the plan:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries, skim milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; pear (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - Dannon Light & Fit yogurt (1), light string cheese before gym (2)
Total - 20
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding (at varied resistances)
Flex points remaining - 0
Motivational activity - watching The Biggest Loser. I just wish it were one hour long instead of two. They waste a lot of time in those two hours.
Also along those lines, I received a gift certificate to this great spa in my neighborhood for Christmas (www.spahydra.com). I know I want to get a facial, and I know I want it to be closer to Spring (they say it's best to get one per season, which for me translates to one every other season), so I think I'll tie it to a weight goal. Right now I think I'll "cash it in" when I reach my original lowest weight -- 135. I can certainly wear a bikini at that weight, though it may not be the most attractive option, but at least I'll have made some progress. That said, if I'm losing faster than I expect, I'll change it to the goal of 130...it also depends on my rate of loss. But anyway, that'll be up there as a prize for me, hopefully soonish! And it is enough to cover the full pampering facial -- which includes the neck, shoulders and feet massage. Sigh.
Enough rambling. I'm looking forward to the weather when I can take walks at lunch again, but for now it's a trip down to the mailbox and then back here for some Dan Brown cheese. Can't wait.
Monday, January 11, 2010
P.S.
I forgot to mention that my pants fit better today. That is encouraging.
Also, I meant to say I had a pear with lunch. Same points. HONESTY is important, folks.
Also, I meant to say I had a pear with lunch. Same points. HONESTY is important, folks.
What I Ate, and Ate, and Ate: Monday, January 11
Bon Monday, friends. Yeah right. I got to work today to realize that I'd put on two different earrings...and decided to keep them on. My hair probably covers most of it, right?
Well, I derailed myself this weekend, just a bit. After a reasonable brunch of yummy scrambled eggs with tomatoes, feta and oregano, lots of coffee, a mimosa, and then a tragic (and delish) cannoli, I only ate guacamole and chips for dinner. And lots of red wine. Therefore, Sunday I ordered Sweet & Sour Pork with Fried Rice and an egg roll, and munched on that all day. I guess technically it's all that I ate all day, so it could be worse, but it was not great.
That said, I know weekends are going to be the most difficult, and it's I'm not going to beat myself up over slip ups, as long as I get back to business as soon as possible -- which I am doing today. I still may not go to the gym tonight; my stomach feels unsettled after the weekend's torture and I do feel slightly foggy in the brain (maybe after my weird sleep patterns yesterday), so depending on how I feel, I might take it easy and read at home, but we'll see.
Anyway, today's food:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries, Milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - leftover Chicken Tikka with Basmati rice (8); salad with feta and dressing (2)
S - light yogurt (2)
Total - 20
Activity - TBD
Flex points remaining - 0
In other news, I kissed a boy this weekend. It was interesting to feel like that with someone new, but I feel weird about it now. Probably because it wasn't the classiest move, and it wasn't someone I necessarily want to date, but it was probably a good step to take for overall moving-on purposes. I mean, how fun is making out? I also brought along a newish friend who lives in my nabe, and we had a great time. It's always exciting to have a new local partner in crime!
Well, I derailed myself this weekend, just a bit. After a reasonable brunch of yummy scrambled eggs with tomatoes, feta and oregano, lots of coffee, a mimosa, and then a tragic (and delish) cannoli, I only ate guacamole and chips for dinner. And lots of red wine. Therefore, Sunday I ordered Sweet & Sour Pork with Fried Rice and an egg roll, and munched on that all day. I guess technically it's all that I ate all day, so it could be worse, but it was not great.
That said, I know weekends are going to be the most difficult, and it's I'm not going to beat myself up over slip ups, as long as I get back to business as soon as possible -- which I am doing today. I still may not go to the gym tonight; my stomach feels unsettled after the weekend's torture and I do feel slightly foggy in the brain (maybe after my weird sleep patterns yesterday), so depending on how I feel, I might take it easy and read at home, but we'll see.
Anyway, today's food:
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries, Milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - leftover Chicken Tikka with Basmati rice (8); salad with feta and dressing (2)
S - light yogurt (2)
Total - 20
Activity - TBD
Flex points remaining - 0
In other news, I kissed a boy this weekend. It was interesting to feel like that with someone new, but I feel weird about it now. Probably because it wasn't the classiest move, and it wasn't someone I necessarily want to date, but it was probably a good step to take for overall moving-on purposes. I mean, how fun is making out? I also brought along a newish friend who lives in my nabe, and we had a great time. It's always exciting to have a new local partner in crime!
Friday, January 8, 2010
Joy
Well, that might be overstating it, but my Proactiv arrived! This afternoon is so long and boring that I'm seriously looking forward to washing my face with it. THAT IS SAD, PEOPLE. But there's nothing to do at work, and so I'm reformatting Bridge columns (which is one of my freelance jobs), but after awhile, the screen starts swimming in front of my eyes.
It's also getting much colder out...I'm looking forward to a cozy evening at home! If I can get that damn laundry done, I'll have fresh flannel sheets to snuggle under.
Let's talk about a pet peeve that drives me insane. (Fun!) It's become abundantly obvious that no one trains the grocery store employees here, especially in Queens. Every time I buy produce (i.e. tomatoes, fruit, lettuce), I usually also have some canned goods or yogurt containers or something. Why must they try to put it all together? Who thinks putting tomatoes in with cans of broth is a good idea, or a carton of milk even? I now stop them mid-bagging and say, "No, please put the produce together." And they look at me like I'm crazy and say, "How do you want it?" as if it's confusing. I'm trying to keep calm and consider it my mission to train every last gd one of them, but COME ON. I usually explain that the produce will get bruised if they don't keep it separate, but it seems like common sense and I get ANGRY. I do have rage issues that all center around customer service here, and this is a big one. (Don't get me started on Walgreens.) Anyway, coming from a STRONG background in grocery bagging as I do, I feel this is a grave injustice to shoppers. That is all.
Now back to Bridge. It's weird, I'm starting to understand how to play just by working on this project...but I also understand that it's way more complicated than any game should be.
It's also getting much colder out...I'm looking forward to a cozy evening at home! If I can get that damn laundry done, I'll have fresh flannel sheets to snuggle under.
Let's talk about a pet peeve that drives me insane. (Fun!) It's become abundantly obvious that no one trains the grocery store employees here, especially in Queens. Every time I buy produce (i.e. tomatoes, fruit, lettuce), I usually also have some canned goods or yogurt containers or something. Why must they try to put it all together? Who thinks putting tomatoes in with cans of broth is a good idea, or a carton of milk even? I now stop them mid-bagging and say, "No, please put the produce together." And they look at me like I'm crazy and say, "How do you want it?" as if it's confusing. I'm trying to keep calm and consider it my mission to train every last gd one of them, but COME ON. I usually explain that the produce will get bruised if they don't keep it separate, but it seems like common sense and I get ANGRY. I do have rage issues that all center around customer service here, and this is a big one. (Don't get me started on Walgreens.) Anyway, coming from a STRONG background in grocery bagging as I do, I feel this is a grave injustice to shoppers. That is all.
Now back to Bridge. It's weird, I'm starting to understand how to play just by working on this project...but I also understand that it's way more complicated than any game should be.
Misc and What I Ate: Friday!!! January 8
Good morning and happy Friday, finally!
In sad news, Blackbeard has shaved off his beard, but the name will stay. I dreamt last night that he was making me french toast, but we still were awkward together. (Also I was changing a super tiny baby's diaper?? In the kitchen? It wasn't my baby, though.) I wish we weren't fighting right now. :) OH, and also in sad news, my long-latent crush on a former co-worker who happens to resemble a young Bruce Springsteen (swoon) was something I thought I'd finally be able to focus on. (Translation: I'm single now, he's cute, we're friends, let's get drinks and see what happens.) BUT he's had to move back to NJ (seriously, he's so Bruce) and I don't know when he'll be in the city next. He said he'd let me know, but for now, there won't be a distraction there. I need a new one.
I've been obsessively tracking my Proactiv order, since apparently my skin is always going to act like a teenager, and it left Edison, NJ this morning. I'm crossing my fingers that it arrives today!
I rode for 40 minutes at the gym last night, and I really wish I could trust those "mileage" counters on the bikes. I think it differs greatly from bike to bike, though I'll have to watch more closely. According to the bike I was on last night, I rode about 14 miles, but that seems excessive to me. Still, it was a great workout and my legs still feel tired this morning, which is a good thing, since they'll have at least today to rest, and probably longer. Oh, and I ate a light string cheese before the gym so that I wasn't starving, and I think that's a good plan for the future. I think I earned about 4 activity points, so I can give up 2 for sustenance.
I also am halfway through the book I'm reading now (and read on the bike), a biography of Robert Louis Stevenson, which I'm really enjoying, to my surprise. I'd just previously read one of Walt Whitman, and while he's interesting, the style of the bio was way too dense and academic. This RLS one is much more commercial and while I don't know if I've actually read any of his writing, I like reading about him. It's basically historical non-fiction about a rather interesting life.
I realized that after doing all that Indian food math yesterday, I forgot that I'm getting brunch with T tomorrow, which I'm sure will require excess points. That said, I think the Indian can fit into today's budget, so it wasn't entirely a waste.
Eating.
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries (aka Best Cereal Ever), Milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - Chicken Tikka with Basmati rice (8); celery sticks with light sour cream dip (1)
S - light yogurt (2)
Total - 19 ish
Activity - doing laundry, commuting
Flex points remaining - 35
I've started drinking a glass of Crystal Light after dinner at night as a dessert, since I always want something sweet. It's working, though it feels a little sad.
In sad news, Blackbeard has shaved off his beard, but the name will stay. I dreamt last night that he was making me french toast, but we still were awkward together. (Also I was changing a super tiny baby's diaper?? In the kitchen? It wasn't my baby, though.) I wish we weren't fighting right now. :) OH, and also in sad news, my long-latent crush on a former co-worker who happens to resemble a young Bruce Springsteen (swoon) was something I thought I'd finally be able to focus on. (Translation: I'm single now, he's cute, we're friends, let's get drinks and see what happens.) BUT he's had to move back to NJ (seriously, he's so Bruce) and I don't know when he'll be in the city next. He said he'd let me know, but for now, there won't be a distraction there. I need a new one.
I've been obsessively tracking my Proactiv order, since apparently my skin is always going to act like a teenager, and it left Edison, NJ this morning. I'm crossing my fingers that it arrives today!
I rode for 40 minutes at the gym last night, and I really wish I could trust those "mileage" counters on the bikes. I think it differs greatly from bike to bike, though I'll have to watch more closely. According to the bike I was on last night, I rode about 14 miles, but that seems excessive to me. Still, it was a great workout and my legs still feel tired this morning, which is a good thing, since they'll have at least today to rest, and probably longer. Oh, and I ate a light string cheese before the gym so that I wasn't starving, and I think that's a good plan for the future. I think I earned about 4 activity points, so I can give up 2 for sustenance.
I also am halfway through the book I'm reading now (and read on the bike), a biography of Robert Louis Stevenson, which I'm really enjoying, to my surprise. I'd just previously read one of Walt Whitman, and while he's interesting, the style of the bio was way too dense and academic. This RLS one is much more commercial and while I don't know if I've actually read any of his writing, I like reading about him. It's basically historical non-fiction about a rather interesting life.
I realized that after doing all that Indian food math yesterday, I forgot that I'm getting brunch with T tomorrow, which I'm sure will require excess points. That said, I think the Indian can fit into today's budget, so it wasn't entirely a waste.
Eating.
B - coffee, Honey Bunches of Oats with Strawberries (aka Best Cereal Ever), Milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - Chicken Tikka with Basmati rice (8); celery sticks with light sour cream dip (1)
S - light yogurt (2)
Total - 19 ish
Activity - doing laundry, commuting
Flex points remaining - 35
I've started drinking a glass of Crystal Light after dinner at night as a dessert, since I always want something sweet. It's working, though it feels a little sad.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Misc and What I Ate: Thursday, January 7
Almost the weekend...phew. I was spoiled with so many short working weeks over the holidays! This long, frigid, boring week is almost over, though, and I can't wait. At least I was very responsible with the odds & ends of life.
Speaking of, I did NOT make it to the gym last night. I actually worked some overtime and got home around 7 pm, starving and with low blood sugar. So I ate and relaxed and watched an episode of Lost (to refresh my memory before the season premiere!) I am going to go tonight, and I do think 3-4 times per week, with additional movement in the form of walking, stair climbing, etc., is reasonable.
Eat it.
B - coffee, Special K with Red Berries, Milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - light yogurt (2)
Total - 19, for now
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding (at varied resistances)
Flex points remaining - 35
I've almost read through my collection of books at home, or at least the ones that look appealing right now. (I've been out of corporate publishing for almost a year, and it's taken me this long to get through some of the stacks!) So...I'm planning on stopping by my branch of the Queens library this weekend to pick up some good ones. I know I want to read Julie & Julia, but I'll see what else looks good. Feel free to make recs. That said, I've never actually set foot into the Broadway branch of the Queens library -- I always had so many books to read at home, plus I was scared away by screaming-in-Spanish children, but I'm resolved to go now. It'll be an adventure.
So yes, that's part of what I'm looking forward to this weekend. Being newishly single, I need to find/plan activities to keep me busy, so that's one of them. I'm right now planning to do laundry and then watch a movie at home on Friday night, then brunch in Astoria on Saturday with T, then library and grocery shopping, then to Brooklyn at night for HennaParty2010 with L. And lots of wine. Sunday will be my day of rest and recovery, and probably lots of movies/Lost.
I would reaaallllllyyyy like to get some Indian takeout this weekend, too, but so far I haven't found a good reference for the actual number of WW points in the dishes. (Most just say "Way too many!") There's a place across the street from me that serves ghee-free homemade, delicious, fresh and authentic Indian food, but it still may be too full of fatty stuff. Hmm, though perhaps I can split my flexies between Indian and wine?
It's time to do some math. "Small" glass of wine is 2 points. Chicken tikka (4 oz.) is 4 points. Naan (7"x8") is 4. Chicken tikka masala, according to various sketchy internet sites, is in the 5-7 point range. (It has its own Facebook page!) Basmati rice is about 4 points for 1 cup.
Saturday night wine allotment is 8 points-ish. Food at L's is probably a few more flexies, but don't know what we're eating yet! Let's say I have about 20 leftover flex points, so technically if I behave otherwise, I could swing an Indian meal (2 actually, since I'll have leftovers), though I should probably skip the naan. Thanks for letting me think out loud, internets!
Speaking of, I did NOT make it to the gym last night. I actually worked some overtime and got home around 7 pm, starving and with low blood sugar. So I ate and relaxed and watched an episode of Lost (to refresh my memory before the season premiere!) I am going to go tonight, and I do think 3-4 times per week, with additional movement in the form of walking, stair climbing, etc., is reasonable.
Eat it.
B - coffee, Special K with Red Berries, Milk (4)
L - chicken and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - light yogurt (2)
Total - 19, for now
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding (at varied resistances)
Flex points remaining - 35
I've almost read through my collection of books at home, or at least the ones that look appealing right now. (I've been out of corporate publishing for almost a year, and it's taken me this long to get through some of the stacks!) So...I'm planning on stopping by my branch of the Queens library this weekend to pick up some good ones. I know I want to read Julie & Julia, but I'll see what else looks good. Feel free to make recs. That said, I've never actually set foot into the Broadway branch of the Queens library -- I always had so many books to read at home, plus I was scared away by screaming-in-Spanish children, but I'm resolved to go now. It'll be an adventure.
So yes, that's part of what I'm looking forward to this weekend. Being newishly single, I need to find/plan activities to keep me busy, so that's one of them. I'm right now planning to do laundry and then watch a movie at home on Friday night, then brunch in Astoria on Saturday with T, then library and grocery shopping, then to Brooklyn at night for HennaParty2010 with L. And lots of wine. Sunday will be my day of rest and recovery, and probably lots of movies/Lost.
I would reaaallllllyyyy like to get some Indian takeout this weekend, too, but so far I haven't found a good reference for the actual number of WW points in the dishes. (Most just say "Way too many!") There's a place across the street from me that serves ghee-free homemade, delicious, fresh and authentic Indian food, but it still may be too full of fatty stuff. Hmm, though perhaps I can split my flexies between Indian and wine?
It's time to do some math. "Small" glass of wine is 2 points. Chicken tikka (4 oz.) is 4 points. Naan (7"x8") is 4. Chicken tikka masala, according to various sketchy internet sites, is in the 5-7 point range. (It has its own Facebook page!) Basmati rice is about 4 points for 1 cup.
Saturday night wine allotment is 8 points-ish. Food at L's is probably a few more flexies, but don't know what we're eating yet! Let's say I have about 20 leftover flex points, so technically if I behave otherwise, I could swing an Indian meal (2 actually, since I'll have leftovers), though I should probably skip the naan. Thanks for letting me think out loud, internets!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
What I Ate: Wednesday, January 6
Talk about hump day -- this day is crawling a snail's pace. I don't have much to do at work (at least until this afternoon), and I've almost exhausted all of my internet time-wasting things already. I suppose I could do my freelance work this afternoon, as at least that would be productive! How are your days, dear readers?
Food.
B - coffee x2, Special K with Red Berries, Milk (4)
L - chicken (Boar's Head Everroast...mmmm) and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - light yogurt (2)
Total - 19, but I may need a snack later on. If anything, more milk in more coffee/tea will put me to 20.
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding at the gym (at varied resistances) AGAIN
Weight - 148 lbs. (-2!)
A note about activity points: Yes, I can eat the points I earn with exercising, but I'm going to try not to unless I feel really hungry.
A note about my point limit: I realized that I was on the border of needing to raise my daily limit (the line is 150 lbs.) and perhaps that (plus the stretching of my tummy over the holidays) is why I've been so hungry so far this week. I'm hoping to adjust to the restricted diet again soon, and find filling, low-point snacks, like skim milk. (Hmm, that sounds sad.)
In life news, I did my boring responsibility things like writing thank-you notes yesterday. I contacted the insurance company, but of course they replied already, so I have to do some medical bill research tonight. So thrilling.
I'm looking forward to the weekend and plans with friends plus plans with myself and solitary movie-watching! I enjoy alone time much more than I used to, and it's very refreshing to hide out for a little bit each weekend.
Again, this is BORING but disciplined, right? And I'm down 2 pounds, which could be just normal fluctuation, but at least encourages me a bit. I also started watching the new season of Biggest Loser (man, they don't take much of a break) and hopefully that will provide encouraging, too -- unlike last season when I watched while munching on takeout.
I need salad dressing advice. (Who doesn't?!) I finally am making my own, low-point dressing, but the last "recipe" I tried included dijon mustard, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and some seasoning, and kept FREEZING in my fridge. Is there something in that chemical combination? Granted, I need a real salad dressing container, as I'm using cheap ketchup and mustard squeeze bottles from the dollar store, but still... it makes me wonder if I'm doing something strange. Like when I was young and I'd do science experiments by combining all of the products in the bathroom in a paper cup and seeing what happened. (I'll tell you what happened -- often it ate right through the paper cup, and Mom was mad!)
More later, if I get inspired. Oh, and update: Blackbeard is totally not into me this week.
Food.
B - coffee x2, Special K with Red Berries, Milk (4)
L - chicken (Boar's Head Everroast...mmmm) and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (4)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - light yogurt (2)
Total - 19, but I may need a snack later on. If anything, more milk in more coffee/tea will put me to 20.
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding at the gym (at varied resistances) AGAIN
Weight - 148 lbs. (-2!)
A note about activity points: Yes, I can eat the points I earn with exercising, but I'm going to try not to unless I feel really hungry.
A note about my point limit: I realized that I was on the border of needing to raise my daily limit (the line is 150 lbs.) and perhaps that (plus the stretching of my tummy over the holidays) is why I've been so hungry so far this week. I'm hoping to adjust to the restricted diet again soon, and find filling, low-point snacks, like skim milk. (Hmm, that sounds sad.)
In life news, I did my boring responsibility things like writing thank-you notes yesterday. I contacted the insurance company, but of course they replied already, so I have to do some medical bill research tonight. So thrilling.
I'm looking forward to the weekend and plans with friends plus plans with myself and solitary movie-watching! I enjoy alone time much more than I used to, and it's very refreshing to hide out for a little bit each weekend.
Again, this is BORING but disciplined, right? And I'm down 2 pounds, which could be just normal fluctuation, but at least encourages me a bit. I also started watching the new season of Biggest Loser (man, they don't take much of a break) and hopefully that will provide encouraging, too -- unlike last season when I watched while munching on takeout.
I need salad dressing advice. (Who doesn't?!) I finally am making my own, low-point dressing, but the last "recipe" I tried included dijon mustard, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and some seasoning, and kept FREEZING in my fridge. Is there something in that chemical combination? Granted, I need a real salad dressing container, as I'm using cheap ketchup and mustard squeeze bottles from the dollar store, but still... it makes me wonder if I'm doing something strange. Like when I was young and I'd do science experiments by combining all of the products in the bathroom in a paper cup and seeing what happened. (I'll tell you what happened -- often it ate right through the paper cup, and Mom was mad!)
More later, if I get inspired. Oh, and update: Blackbeard is totally not into me this week.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Misc and What I Ate: Tuesday, January 5
Confession: I ate some mini Reese's pb cups at work yesterday. Thankfully, they're all gone today, so no more temptation. I will settle for my Sugar Free Baskin Robbins Mint Chocolate Chip hard candy. It's almost the same!
Otherwise, yesterday went well, back on the wwwagon, so to speak. I rode 35 minutes at the gym, but it's crazy how much I can tell when I've been sedentary for a week or so...I was tired out, and it was less than I was riding (and a shorter distance) before Xmas! Still, it's a process, and I'm positively reinforcing myself that it was good to get moving. I also almost caved into hot chocolate (oh, I wish literally) later in the evening, as it was SO COLD out, but I gave myself 10 minutes and then decided to have orange tea with Splenda and a splash of skim. Much healthier, and still yummy!
In personal victory news, yesterday Northwest Airlines/Delta awarded me a $25 travel voucher in response to a complaint e-mail I sent them about my terrible long line/no employee experience coming back from Christmas. ANNDDD I accidentally ordered 2 identical DVDs (gifts) from Amazon when I meant to only order one (I've done this before; I have an itchy clicker finger), and Amazon agreed to cover my shipping costs for my return. I feel smart. Now all I have to do is be responsible and write my thank-you notes from the holidays. Oh, and research this supposed "deductible" that my insurance company is claiming I owe, but that I think I already paid...thrilling, right? But hey, those are the two things standing in between me and complete non-worrying. Today, at least.
Oh, ok, to business. And I promise I don't/won't eat the same thing every day; it's just that I'm on a kick and it's hard to cook a variety of meals for one person! Lucky you/me, tonight I'm stopping at the grocery store on my way home. Need more lunch stuffs.
B - coffee, Special K with Red Berries, Milk (4)
L - turkey and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - light string cheese (2)
Total - 20
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding at the gym (at varied resistances) AGAIN
When I get readjusted to exercising, I'll branch out a bit, but for now, it's slow & steady.
More later, if I feel entertaining!
Otherwise, yesterday went well, back on the wwwagon, so to speak. I rode 35 minutes at the gym, but it's crazy how much I can tell when I've been sedentary for a week or so...I was tired out, and it was less than I was riding (and a shorter distance) before Xmas! Still, it's a process, and I'm positively reinforcing myself that it was good to get moving. I also almost caved into hot chocolate (oh, I wish literally) later in the evening, as it was SO COLD out, but I gave myself 10 minutes and then decided to have orange tea with Splenda and a splash of skim. Much healthier, and still yummy!
In personal victory news, yesterday Northwest Airlines/Delta awarded me a $25 travel voucher in response to a complaint e-mail I sent them about my terrible long line/no employee experience coming back from Christmas. ANNDDD I accidentally ordered 2 identical DVDs (gifts) from Amazon when I meant to only order one (I've done this before; I have an itchy clicker finger), and Amazon agreed to cover my shipping costs for my return. I feel smart. Now all I have to do is be responsible and write my thank-you notes from the holidays. Oh, and research this supposed "deductible" that my insurance company is claiming I owe, but that I think I already paid...thrilling, right? But hey, those are the two things standing in between me and complete non-worrying. Today, at least.
Oh, ok, to business. And I promise I don't/won't eat the same thing every day; it's just that I'm on a kick and it's hard to cook a variety of meals for one person! Lucky you/me, tonight I'm stopping at the grocery store on my way home. Need more lunch stuffs.
B - coffee, Special K with Red Berries, Milk (4)
L - turkey and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - light string cheese (2)
Total - 20
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding at the gym (at varied resistances) AGAIN
When I get readjusted to exercising, I'll branch out a bit, but for now, it's slow & steady.
More later, if I feel entertaining!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Misc and What I Ate: Monday, January 4
Well, well, welcome 2010! Happy New Year, my legions of fans. How were your celebrations?
I had a wonderful New Year's Eve, with lots of yummy pork products and various munchies, as well as tasty drinks and great company. That said, it was (of course) the beginning of a weekend of food, as I ordered a hangover pizza the next day, then had leftovers in the fridge to clean up (lots of bacon and crabby cheese bites), then had brunch on Sunday and ate a nice baked egg gratin with cornbread, etc. Now that the New Year has really started (and by that I mean, the first work day of the NY, when it's easier to behave like an adult), I am going back into WW at full speed. (I mean, I'm not going to literally back into it... that reminds me of a joke I made this weekend that is NSFW. I haven't decided if this is that kind of blog yet.)
So today's foodstuffs.
B - coffee, Special K with Red Berries, Milk (4)
L - turkey and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - low fat yogurt (2)
Total - 20
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding at the gym (at varied resistances)
While it's a little depressing that all the holiday merriment is over, I'm very much looking forward to a regular schedule (for the most part) and feeling like I am a successful, disciplined grown-up (at least during the day.) I made museum date plans with a good friend yesterday, I cleaned my room last night, I've just paid off all of my credit card debt, I've got Proactiv on order (just like college), and today is back to WW times, so I hope I'm setting the stage for some happiness, at least by spring.
I mean, I'm happy now, but like, real fulfillment or whatever.
I was excited to see not one but two newly bearded gentleman colleagues walk into our office this morning...and yes, one was Work Crush. And since I've previously (in real life) called him both "swarthy" and "hairy sexy," and since he now has a hot beard, I decided to name him Blackbeard. Like the pirate, get it?! Anyway, the chemistry between us after so long apart isn't so sizzling today, but I can at least enjoy the view. Arr...
This weekend I dreamed that my dad confessed an affair (from the past) with my old lady Sunday School teacher (named "Teacher Alice.") I'm sure there's all sorts of issues displayed there, but I mostly was just amused when I woke up.
And now I'm just rambling... I'll be more inspired to tell you stories tomorrow, but unfortunately, today I had actual work to do and therefore am now writing in the midst of my afternoon sleepy phase. Still, I wanted to return to my reporting, as well as declare my moritorium on pork until further notice! Oink oink.
I had a wonderful New Year's Eve, with lots of yummy pork products and various munchies, as well as tasty drinks and great company. That said, it was (of course) the beginning of a weekend of food, as I ordered a hangover pizza the next day, then had leftovers in the fridge to clean up (lots of bacon and crabby cheese bites), then had brunch on Sunday and ate a nice baked egg gratin with cornbread, etc. Now that the New Year has really started (and by that I mean, the first work day of the NY, when it's easier to behave like an adult), I am going back into WW at full speed. (I mean, I'm not going to literally back into it... that reminds me of a joke I made this weekend that is NSFW. I haven't decided if this is that kind of blog yet.)
So today's foodstuffs.
B - coffee, Special K with Red Berries, Milk (4)
L - turkey and swiss on sandwich thin with L&T, Miracle Whip light and mustard; apple (5)
D - brown rice with vegetable tomato sauce and cubed chicken (7); romaine salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, feta, homemade vinaigrette (2)
S - low fat yogurt (2)
Total - 20
Activity - 30-40 minutes of stationary bike riding at the gym (at varied resistances)
While it's a little depressing that all the holiday merriment is over, I'm very much looking forward to a regular schedule (for the most part) and feeling like I am a successful, disciplined grown-up (at least during the day.) I made museum date plans with a good friend yesterday, I cleaned my room last night, I've just paid off all of my credit card debt, I've got Proactiv on order (just like college), and today is back to WW times, so I hope I'm setting the stage for some happiness, at least by spring.
I mean, I'm happy now, but like, real fulfillment or whatever.
I was excited to see not one but two newly bearded gentleman colleagues walk into our office this morning...and yes, one was Work Crush. And since I've previously (in real life) called him both "swarthy" and "hairy sexy," and since he now has a hot beard, I decided to name him Blackbeard. Like the pirate, get it?! Anyway, the chemistry between us after so long apart isn't so sizzling today, but I can at least enjoy the view. Arr...
This weekend I dreamed that my dad confessed an affair (from the past) with my old lady Sunday School teacher (named "Teacher Alice.") I'm sure there's all sorts of issues displayed there, but I mostly was just amused when I woke up.
And now I'm just rambling... I'll be more inspired to tell you stories tomorrow, but unfortunately, today I had actual work to do and therefore am now writing in the midst of my afternoon sleepy phase. Still, I wanted to return to my reporting, as well as declare my moritorium on pork until further notice! Oink oink.
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