WW: Week 1

I am debating how honest I want to be in a very public way... do I post my starting weight?  Or just the pound movement?  Have to think on that a bit.

Monday through Thursday were great days.  I found that making good choices with food and activity meant being able to be a little loose when needed- like grabbing Taco Bell (where I could still make decent choices thanks to the Fresco menu) on a busy evening or while out running errands.

I was traveling Friday and meeting friends for dinner.  Fast food on the drive and Indian food over-consumption used up my bonus points.  Saturday was a big family dinner but it was a healthy dinner and I easily filled up on a variety of veggies.  That allowed me to go for pie... of the mom's homemade chocolate cream variety.  And I still stayed under my points on Saturday.

What I learned was that using points for bonuses is sometimes important and necessary but also that big meals, even when under points, isn't a good way to go.  When I was on track Monday through Thursday, I felt good.  I was satisfied with my food, full from my meals, and enjoyed fruit as snacks.  I made it to the gym each of those days.  My Friday regret was fast food.  Whopper Jr no cheese was no big deal but more points than I would have gone for if I had been paying attention.  Giving in to some fries was more of an emotional choice and not worth the points.  The dinner with friends was worth every bite simply because I enjoy Indian food but don't get to have it often.

The big meal on Saturday was under points but I overate.  Yes, I overate healthy food.  But I was stuffed and I over-indulged.  This was a family gathering and my family had gone to a lot of trouble to prepare the feast.  Emotionally, I would do it again.  My tummy might not agree, though.  The good news is that I didn't go on to eat another meal later in the day.

The weekend was more of a challenge and I did expect that.  Weekends have a lot less routine to them and the easy part of the early part of the week was fitting my healthy food choices into my routine. 

I have a favorite dinner.

Depending on how hungry I am and I do have some variations on this but basically:

1/2 c to 1 c of chicken (I use rotiserrie, no skin of course)
1/2 c of salsa (I use Wholly Salsa snack packs)
2 tb sour cream

I might have it with a serving of cilantro lime rice or maybe with baked lentil chips or maybe in a tortilla.  But it's easy and tasty and I love it.  It's a meal that's generally around 7-9 points depending on how it all comes together.

I've been sticking to cardio at the gym for the time being.  30 minutes on the treadmill- sometimes just walking, sometimes walking and jogging.  Or a circuit of 10 mins on treadmill, 10 mins on elliptical, 10 mins on bike.  I plan to stick with my cardio focus this coming week as well.  Once more weight is off, I'll focus more on adding in strength training.

1 week down...

Weight check: 

8 POUNDS GONE!

How about you?  Share a comment with your update.  If we have enough people who start participating in Monday check-ins, this could become a MrLinky thing!

Friday!

I am offline for a couple days- off to visit family and friends.  Jeff will be home with some Mr. FixIt projects.  Enjoy your weekend!

Dear McDonald's,

This has been boiling up inside of me for a few months now- ever since the press release went out about the changes coming to the McDonald's Happy Meal.

It is well known in my family that Mommy Doesn't Choose McDonald's.  

But sometimes... it is the easiest option.  Sometimes... it's a special treat with Daddy.  Sometimes my family eats McDonald's.  Not regularly, but sometimes.

McDonald's, you said you want to make Happy Meals a healthier choice for kids.  I am fully on board with that.  I'm looking forward to grilled chicken bites or a grilled chicken sandwich.  I'm looking forward to a side salad or a bigger serving of apples- maybe even with the skin still on them.  I'm looking forward to small bottles of water being offered- or at least being able to order water as the drink with the Meal.

But no.  That isn't the path you chose, McDonald's.

Still get the same crappy choice of hamburger or cheeseburger (nasty ground up meat containing ingredients that I can't pronounce) or fried and breaded nuggets of meat that is supposed to be chicken but is made up of a consistency that doesn't resemble any chicken I've ever seen.

No improvement.

Did we put the skin back on the apples?  Did we make the apples the standard side in the Happy Meal?  Nope.  Now, you get BOTH apples and fries in your Happy Meal.  The apples- about 4 little slices to the pack, still no skin on the apple.  The fries- a tiny size but still there.  Some stores will let you order double apples- or double fries.  Some stores won't let you do the substitution.

Drink options are still all sugary junk options aside from plain white milk.

McDonald's, you say you made this change because the number of Happy Meals being sold where apples was requested as the side was really low.  But the side isn't the only problem with the food you are offering to children!

I am big on personal responsibility.  I don't think anyone should ever look to you as a source of health food. However, if you are going to present yourself as advocating for healthy choices and express concern over the need for healthier options for kids, I'd really like you to put some money where your mouth is.

Grilled chicken bites made from real chicken- not processed from chicken parts.  Grilled chicken sandwich, grilled chicken wrap.  All great options.  Heck, even a hamburger or cheeseburger is fine when made from real beef and not a bunch of chemical fillers.

Apples with the skin on.  Grapes would be an option.  Natural applesauce (no added sugar).  Baby carrots. Celery.  Raisins. Kid sized salad. All great options.

Water. White milk.  Better chocolate milk (like TrueMoo made without high fructose corn syrup).

No soda.  No fries. No deep fried food.  Make it more of a conscious effort for a parent to feed those things to their kids.

You can do better.  But only if you choose to do better.

Until then, I guess my family and I will continue to keep McDonald's on the "only sometimes" list.  In fact, as I rededicate myself to healthy eating, it's going on the "rarely" list.

P.S.  I am forwarding this to Wendy's, Arby's, Taco Bell, and others- this is a fast food problem in general.  I wish that I could spend my money at Chick Fil A because they have the healthy options and customer service thing down to a science (unfortunately, they also have the "be like all the straight, white, Christian men or we will fire you, refuse to serve you, or pay money to fight against your rights" thing down to a science, too).  There is a REAL OPPORTUNITY for one of the big fast food names to step up and make a REAL CHANGE.

Crap Or Get Off The Pot

Well, crap.

One year ago, I was in really good shape.  I was running, I was starting to train for my first half marathon, I was eating for fuel.  I felt healthy and strong.

In a couple of months, my life would get an overhaul when new responsibilities were added to my plate at work.  It was a major increase in work load and work stress.  And it turned my healthy living upside down.  No more time for lunch- so no more lunch hour trips to the gym or to go for a run.  I would forget to eat a lot of days and would end up ordering food in or grabbing something from the vending machine.  My stress eating came back full force- junk to soothe the stress, night time munching to alleviate my guilt.

I tried to get back on track several times.  And then work would throw me another doozy of a situation and I would easily fall back into working through my lunch break and not going to the gym and relying on stress eating for comfort.

I realized recently that I can't do this alone.  For the first time, I was going to need serious help to get this done.

I attended an informational meeting at work about my company's intentions for Healthy Living opportunities in the coming year.  And I knew I needed to make some changes.

It's time to do something.  Or quit altogether.  I feel like I've done enough quitting over the past months.  I'm tired of the day ending and me realizing that I've skipped any activity, that I've consumed junk, and that I've calmed my stress with food.

It's time to crap.  More than that, it's time to give a crap again.

I am taking a step I've never taken before.  I have to say that it really scared me.  It was the biggest recognition of my fat status...

I joined Weight Watchers.

I'm going to do the online program for 3 months.  My intention is that this will get me back into a routine, even with the not-so-new-anymore changes in my life.

I've already got some great support from friends.  I have friends who have done WW before and are doing it again.  I've got friends who have support groups on Facebook that they have invited me to be part of.

I'm enjoying the refresher in the ease of preparing veggies as a quick snack.  Last night, I made cauliflower poppers as a TV watching snack.

Source: weightwatchers.com via Liz on Pinterest

It's another step on the journey.  Another step towards setting a healthy example for my family, towards feeling strong and healthy, towards wanting to set a fitness goal.

In the back of my mind, I keep thinking that the first 5K I ever ran is one that I want to run again this year.  And I'd love to run it better than the first time and better than the second time.

It's time to crap or get off the pot.  I'm not done trying.  I'm not giving up.  Turns out, I'm ready to crap.

Edited to add:  I'm going to dedicate Mondays to my healthy living update.  Monday is the day I weigh in for Weight Watchers.  I have friends dedicating themselves to healthy living- some through WW, some on their own.  I'd love it if we can check in together each Monday and share successes, challenges, and so on as we feel comfortable.  We're all going to crap together!  Wait, that sounds wrong...

Preserving Memories- Lillybug Photography

A special guest post today!

*****

First, I would like to thank Liz for allowing me this wonderful opportunity to share with her readers a little bit about myself and a little special gift just for her readers. I’m Sarah and I live on the North side of Indy with my 4 year old daughter, husband, and 2 golden retrievers….all of that equals never a dull moment! In addition to being an on-location photographer, I am a stay at home mom and homeschool our daughter. I have always lived in Indiana (grew up in Mishawaka), went to Ball State & graduated with 2 degrees in Elementary & Deaf Education, my husband and I got married, and we moved to Indy. At the time, I worked for Pike Township for four and a half years as an itinerant Deaf & Hard of Hearing teacher. I would travel between 13 elementary schools and service 26 kids on a daily/weekly/monthly basis. Before becoming an official stay at home mom I also worked for one year at the Indiana School for the Deaf where I was an Early Intervention Specialist. While I was there, I coordinated play groups and provided home visits to families where I educated them on their child’s hearing loss.

Thinking back to my childhood, I am pretty sure I received a new camera every Christmas, each one with a new feature and more advanced from the last. At a young age I had a love of photos; I loved taking them, anxiously awaited for them to be processed (thank goodness we don’t need to have photos processed anymore, I am really not a patient person, I LOVE this digital world we live in!) so I could live through those special moments again, and another fun hobby, putting those photos in a scrapbook where the story was retold. I remember one time with one of my film cameras; my sister and I had a friend over and while my mom was visiting with a friend we were in my bedroom, door shut, having a "Glamour Shot" session. We dressed up, had umbrellas as props and went through 2 rolls of film. I will never forget looking back through those pictures remembering how mad my mom was when those photos were developed in that we ‘wasted’ the film but oh the fun we had. It was so worth it!

Fast forward to staying at home I felt that even though I am loving the stay at home, homeschooling life something was missing. That missing piece to the puzzle was me following my love and dream of being a photographer. Last year I was talking with a friend, one who had actually gone to school to be a professional photographer. The church he was working for was moving in a different direction and he was left without a job. In conversations I mentioned that he should be a photographer and start his own business; I even told him that I would join him in this journey. In that, an amazing journey would start for us, we started planning our partnership together, he mentored me, and in the timeframe of a couple of months Lillybug Photography was created. Then last July he was offered an amazing opportunity, one that he couldn’t pass up and would have him move to Arizona in the matter of a couple of days. Although I was disappointed that one of my best friends & business partners would be leaving, I knew this was something he wanted for himself and of course we supported each other. I supported him in his decision to go forth and follow his dreams and he supported me in continuing Lillybug Photography without him.

Since we have created Lillybug Photography, it has blossomed. I have been able to touch many families and capture their special memories. Each session is a special session, it tells a story, it captures each individuals personality, and it creates memories for each member of that family for the years to come. I have loved every type of session I have been able to capture. Engagement sessions that are full of love, maternity sessions that are full of excitement & wonder, newborn sessions that are full of pure innocence & beauty, and family sessions that capture your family as it grows. I’m especially excited to capture the memories at three weddings this summer, an extreme honor.

With that, I would like to offer 2 special readers of Liz’s blog a session with me for only $75 (50% savings). Your session will include up to 2 hours of photography time, a disc with 50-75 edited photos on it and a print release so you are able to print your photos as you wish. I will also include for free an upgrade on your disc that will include every photo on your disc in color/black & white/sepia (a $40 value). In addition, I would appreciate for those 2 special winners to write a small review on your session experience and your photos.

For any other reader that would like to take advantage of a photo session special with Lillybug Photography, I will offer you a full session for $120 and 50% off a disc upgrade; all you need to do is mention this blog post when scheduling your session. I would like to invite you to visit Lillybug Photography at www.lillybugphotography.com and www.facebook.com/lillybugphotography.

I look forward to capturing your memories of you, your family, and your life that you can look back on and forever remember.

*****

I hope some of my local readers will consider taking advantage of this offer!  Sarah is a fantastic woman- I've had the pleasure of meeting her a few times.  To be eligible for the special offer above (bolded), please leave a comment sharing your favorite memory that was captured by a photograph. 


WINNERS!


Sarah was so touched by the memories shared that she is offering her 50% off special to everyone who commented yesterday!  Andrea, Michelle, Leticia, jocro3, Gina Dean, Mickey, Julie, and Nancy- Please email me so I can get you in touch with Sarah!  And Garret... if you ever come to Indy...  


There's still a drawing- 2 of those names listed above who are getting the 50% off deal will get the disc upgrade (with the black/white and the sepia images)!  And the 2 winners are...  GINA DEAN and MICHELLE.

Congrats!

Amazing!

My daughter told me I was amazing. 

We were out making a couple of Girl Scout Cookie deliveries.  We went to my friend Julie's house.  Julie's granddaughter was there- she's 3.  She hadn't had a nap and was a bit clumsy and took a little tumble down the stairs.  Julie scooped her up and comforted her. 

I'm not entirely sure why, but I asked if I could hold her.  I picked her up and spoke quietly to her and then quietly started to sing, "The wheels on the bus go round and round..."  She got very quiet and her big eyes watched me sing.  She put her head on my shoulder and held on.  We all joked about her coming with me and she kept holding on.  Julie reached for her- and she held on tighter.  We finally left without too many tears...

Got into the car, got buckled up, started to pull away from the house and Teagan said, "Mom.  You. Are. Amazing."

And she was sincere. 

My daughter saw me do something that, for me, was a natural thing. 

And she saw something amazing. And that left me feeling pretty amazing.

Random Fragments

I am doubling up my blog post today- giving a shout out to Mrs4444 and to MCM Mama.  Mrs4444 hosts a weekly Friday meme of fragments (click the button above) and MCM Mama picked me for a randomness meme!

Rules for the Randomness match nicely with fragments so here goes!  First, the rules.

1. Post these rules
2. You must post 11 random things about yourself
3. Answer the questions set for you in their post
4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer
5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them
6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people!


11 Random Things (My Fragments)


I am uber-cranky today.  I didn't get nearly enough sleep last night thanks to a certain dog and a certain kid.  It was just an unfortunate series of events that led to me not sleeping much after 2 a.m.


I'm currently getting caught up on Fringe (Season 3).  One reason I love Olivia is she wears her business professional suit with combat boots.


I'm doing a first tomorrow- I'm going to a book club meeting! It's a group through my church.  They've been meeting for years and several of my friends keep inviting me but it hasn't ever worked out exactly right.  This time- it's perfect because the book is The Hunger Games and Jeff is joining us, too! So it's a date morning and time with friends and talking about one of my favorite books all in one!


I drive a minivan.  And I'm proud of it.


My city- Indianapolis- has been taken over by famous people and fans of famous people.  On one hand, it's exciting.  On the other hand, it makes me really glad I don't live near Hollywood.  


I got into an intense debate with someone over the healthiness of avocados.  My POV- healthy fat, good fruit.  His POV- fat is fat and fat is bad.


I am making yet another attempt at getting back on track with healthy living.  There will be more info coming soon.  I am realizing that this time around, I think I need help. 


11 random things about me really shouldn't be such a challenge.


If I could meet one celebrity, I think I would want to meet Ellen Degeneres.  Not in a big and social way.  But in a "let's sit and talk over a hot cup of tea" kind of way.


I'd really like to go get a pedicure and get my hair done.  


Due to a long list of needed repairs, I have credit card debt for the first time in many years.  I will have it paid off within a few months (interest free for 6 months). The bill came with information that let me know that if I pay just the minimum, it would take me 7 years to pay it off and I would end up paying $845 in interest (cost of repairs totaled $1200).  Glad I have budgeted to pay this off before that 6 months is up. 


Answer the questions MCM Mama gave for the people she tagged:


1. Do you sleep with a lovey? If so, what?  Does my husband count?
2. Where’s your favorite place to go on vacation?  The best trips I've been on were our long weekend to Gatlinburg when we got married and our family vacation to Sesame Place and the mountains of Pennsylvania many years ago.
3. Have you ever been on a cruise? If so, where did you go?  I have! My sophomore year of college, I went on a spring break trip to the Bahamas with my then-boyfriend and my roommate.  We went to Freeport and Nassau.  I have oodles of great memories!
4. What’s your favorite day of the week?  Saturday
5. Is there a vegetable that you absolutely refuse to eat?  Hmmmm... not a big fan of eggplant.  
6. How close to where you were born do you live?  Not at all! I was born in California and live in Indiana.
7. How many states have you lived in?  Four (California, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana)
8. Favorite snack?  Currently, guacamole that I make at home (as taught to me by my friend, Leticia).
9. Favorite non-running related blog?  I have a long list of blogs in my reader but rarely have time to visit all of them anymore.  My friend Ashli has a blog that I enjoy reading.
10. Are you addicted to pinterest? (find me there if you are LOL)  I'm on Pinterest but wouldn't say I'm addicted.  I pop in once a week or so.
11. What’s your favorite room in your current house?  Probably my bedroom.  I don't love it, though.  I'd like to have a room or space that is mine...


I have to tag 11 people and give them 11 different questions to answer.


I know it gave rules.  And I'm looking for peeps to tag.  And I'm happy to tag anyone who thinks this sounds fun.  I'm a rule breaker.  Anyone who volunteers- I'll add you to the post!


Questions:
1. Do you like memes like this?
2. What do you enjoy most about blogging?
3. What do you find most frustrating about blogging?
4. What's your guaranteed-to-life-your-spirits song/music?
5. What are you passionate about?
6. Describe a perfect day.
7. Do you have a favorite photo of yourself?  What is it you like about it?
8. What are 3 things about the deep inside of yourself you that you wish people knew?
9. What's the best birthday you've ever had or been part of?
10. What's for dinner tonight?
11. Are you glad this meme is done?


That was harder than I thought it would be.  Sorry for the rule breaking... it's just what I do!