Fascinated by Bones

I am finding the different bones I can feel now fascinating. This may sound very strange, but I haven't felt my hip bone, breast bone, ribs, shoulder blade, pelvis, etc in about 10 years or so and it's strange to rediscover my body. When I could feel them back then I didn't pay any attention to it, but now it's incredible. It's like meeting myself all over again. I discovered that my breast bone sticks out a bit like my mother's, my ribs seem so short to me, my hips are like my father's, and the list goes on. Interesting how one's own body can be a new discovery isn't it?

Productivity

Apparently I am not as productive as I should be. Why do I say this? I have way too much time clocked in on the boards! LOL I still work of course and things get done, but I stall on the crap work :p. I should seriously consider working more and surfing less...tomorrow. HAH

First Day of My New Tradition

This morning was a beautiful start to my day. The sun was out and it was neither too hot or too cold so I decided to start my breakfast tradition in the backyard. I had my multigrain oatmeal topped with sliced bananas and coffee in one hand and my large glass of water in my other hand. I sat down in one of our adirondack chairs, got comfortable wearing my baggy PJs and thermal top and let the sun kiss my feet as I wiggled my toes. It was so peaceful, just my thoughts and my breakfast being warmed by the early sun.

I had a great time :).

Food & Activity Post

Today:

Breakfast - I changed my mind last minute (I was going to eat an NS breakfast) and ended up having my coffee with creamer, a quesadilla made with 2 tortillas, 1/4 cup FF cheddar, 1/4 cup eggbeaters, and 3 slices of lean ham. As my fruit I had 1 1/4 cup fresh strawberries sliced.

Lunch - I had 2 more leftover Turkey meatballs plus a little invention. I used 1 serving of mixed cooking greens, garlic, and 1/2 cup of mushrooms and sauteed them with cooking spray. Meanwhile I mixed 1/2 cup of eggbeater, salt, pepper, crushed red pepper, and 1/3 cup cooked brown rice in a bowl then added the sauteed veggies and mixed well. On the same skillet I used cooking spray and spread the veggie mixture over medium-high heat into a large pancake shape until it browned on one side then flipped it over using a plate to finish the other side. Very yummy entree.

Snack - Fresh strawberries and a quesadilla made with 1 tortilla, 1/8 cup FF cheddar, and 2 slices of lean ham. And 3 bites of my hubby's Phillipino sweet rice (so not legal LOL, but hey, 3 bite rule right??).

Dinner - Going out to dinner tonight and will have 2 servings of mushroom skewers, a sashimi salad with dressing on the side and 1 order of yellowtail sushi.

Dessert - None tonight.

Exercise - 45 minutes on the eliptical.

Drinks - 15 glasses of water, 2 cups of yerba mate tea, 1 coke zero, a triple shot americano, and 1 cup of coffee.

Total calorie intake should come out to 1325 and calories burned at 839.

Food & Activity Post

Today:

Breakfast - A great multigrain oatmeal (from TJs) made with 3/4 cup Carb Countdown FF milk, splenda, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and 2 Tbsp of raisins. Also coffee with the other 1/4 cup milk.
Lunch - Baby carrots with 1 Tbsp of low-fat ranch, about 4 oz of leftover sesame chicken with bell peppers and onions, and 1 flour tortilla.

Afternoon Snack - Sliced organic apples and 2 oz of grilled chicken.

Dinner - 2 leftover turkey meatballs and 2 oz of some leftover grilled chicken accompanied with some brown jasmine rice and sauteed cooking greens with garlic and onion seasoned with salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes then mixed with 1/4 cup eggbeaters and cooked through.

Dessert - Will be a Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich and coffee with creamer.

Drinks - 21 glasses of water, 1 coke zero, 2 cups of coffee and 4 cups of yerba mate tea.

Exercise - 45 min on the eliptical and some ab work.

Totals for the day at 1244 calories in and 863 calories burned.

Breakfast in the Backyard

Our backyard has a beautiful view. Our home is situated on a good sized mountain with no backyard neighbors to disrupt the view and looks out over homes and a main road and gives us a direct line of sight to the mountains on the other side. It really is beautiful during the day and at night with all the lights on.

Yesterday my husband and I were sitting out there in our patio chairs just enjoying the warmth and the beauty of this special place. The lawn is bright green and contrasts with the different shades of brown desert colors. It felt so incredibly relaxing and I told him that we should really start our mornings out there with our coffee and our breakfast. That would start every day out on the right foot.

So today I was going to begin this new tradition, but it was cold and cloudy LOL. Regardless of when, I plan on enjoying our backyard this Spring and Summer to it's fullest.

Smoking

Ok...so I haven't wanted to really write this down because it forces me to come closer to the decision, but it has been on my mind a lot lately that I need to stop smoking. I know I need to do this and all that jazz but I'm not all that inclined to do it. I'm always an all or nothing kind of person so I know if I stop, I just stop. I've done it before and it's not really the cravings that bring me back to smoking, it's the lack of desire to not smoke.

Soon enough I'll come to a resolution and hopefully convince myself that I want to stop. It has to happen soon though because I know my body wants me to stop. I've given myself all these healthy changes with the foods I eat, the nutrition my body never knew before, and with the exercise that I'm very dedicated about. So naturally, kicking this habit is a necessity.

I've Been Thinking Lately...

I wonder why some people, myself included, develop problems with food and weight while others never even skim the surface of that problem. What is it really that gets us to this point? It baffles me because I expect to be able to eat to live versus live to eat as if the problem never existed. I don't understand why thoughts of food should really matter at all at this point, yet I know they still do on more occasions than I like. It's odd to me. I watch my sister and my inlaws and I see that even if they love what they're eating, it's rare they finish it and it just doesn't phase them. What's the secret? I want to be like that, yet I don't really understand it.

Funk is Over

I just want to thank everyone that's always so great to me and the first to remind me that things are good and I'm doing well. You all know who you are and it's really great. I feel much better today and the funk is officially over :p.

Funky Times

Today I'm in a funk really. I'm feeling down and I'm having a hard time reconciling the image(s) in the mirror. When I look in the mirror naked or in my PJs, I see a lot of flaws and I see a never-ending windy road to perfection in my future. However, when I get ready and get all dressed up I see a better, never perfect, version of me and I feel pretty good. The difference in the two is making me a little crazy. So I find myself going over my calories a little with a bite here and there and I also find myself exercising more and more and being quite strict on my "minimum" calorie burned expectation. I don't know how to ease up on myself because I also expect, despite trying not to, significant losses of weight on a weekly basis. I'm very conflicted over this and not sure how to cope with it.

One decision I have to make is to go see my doctor since I've lost so much weight since I last saw her and I want to find a nutritionist to talk to. Forget the shrink, I already know I'm nuts :p.

Food & Activity Post

Today:

Breakfast - Very yummy Quaker oatmeal made with 1 cup Carb Countdown FF milk, vanilla and lemon extracts, Splenda, and 2 Tbsp raisins. Coffee with creamer.

Lunch - Salad with avocado, vinegar, salt and pepper and 1/2 wheat pita with meatloaf and ketchup.

Afternoon Snack - Carb Countdown 2% chocolate milk with 1 cup of cut strawberries.

Dinner - 6 oz of broiled milkfish with 1/3 cup jasmine rice and green beans.

Dessert - Skinny Cow ice cream sandwich and coffee with creamer.

Exercise - None planned today.

Drinks - 14 glasses of water, 2 coffees, 1 triple espresso, 3 cups of tea.

Total calorie intake is 1294.

Shopping Extravaganza

Yes, yes, yes! Yesterday was officially shopping day. Thanks to my sister I got an introduction into the world of normal size clothes shopping LOL. We got to the mall at 1 pm and I left there at 6:30 pm! All that working out has given me incredible energy hahaha. My husband had a great surprise for me and took the day off to spend it with me since I'm working this weekend and he came along to the mall and was a great sport to boot! So first stop was Charlotte Russe where I ended up getting a size 11 jeans, yep amazing to see and fit into an 11 (though I'm really a 14 at most stores). Then to Mode Plus for some cute tops, I bought tons I have to admit and the kind I've never bought in my life: shorter, tighter, cute tops. Next was Gap for some good belts which I found and yadda yadda, but the really neat thing is that there were a couple of tops I tried on which fit! I didn't particularly like it enough when on me but they fit! Last stop was Old Navy where I found a couple of things as well. It was really exciting overall to know I can shop almost anywhere now. I've now entered dangerous territory: 1) I can shop almost anywhere and 2) I love shopping!! That's why I will limit my time at the mall now LOL.

Food & Activity Post

Yesterday I did not behave very well, but I did workout hard to compensate LOL.

Today:

Breakfast - One of my favorites. A bean, egg, and cheese quesadilla with some red pepper flakes. Also, coffee with creamer. 196 calories

Lunch Salad - Baby spinach with some boccoli sprouts and 1 Tbsp of low-fat ranch. 65 calories

Lunch - NS cheesy homestyle potatoes with tabasco and 1 1/2 Tbsp FF cream cheese with chopped onions and chives. 227.5 calories

Afternoon Snack - 1/2 a pita with 1/2 Tbsp FF cream cheese mix from lunch and 6 slices of FF ham. Also a banana. 203.5 calories

Dinner - About 7 oz of skirt steak (yep went over) and salad with olive oil, vinegar, and salt. 516 calories

Dessert - None for me tonight except 1 tsp of creamer in my coffee. 10 calories

Drinks - 18 glasses of water, 5 cups of yerba mate tea, and 2 diet cokes.

Exercise - 30 minutes on the eliptical. 586 calories burned

Total calories consumed at 1218 and calories burned at 586.

My Car is Too Big For Me :P

So here's the story. In 2002 we decided to get a new car because the Maxima I had was old and starting to have issues but it was great and roomy. Anyhow, I start looking around and trying different cars but because of my size most cars were really uncomfortable, especially getting in and out of them, and I ended up turning to looking at SUVs because they are naturally bigger. So we ended up getting a Ford Explorer and it was comfortable for me to get in and out, etc. However, now it's too big! Here's the thing, when I'm driving and I switch lanes I slide around in the seat! Yes my seatbelt is on right and yes I tighten it up as much as I can to avoid this, but my butt keeps sliding (it's leather)! It's quite funny even while getting annoying. I need a smaller new car hunny! LOL

This Weekend

Recap of my weekend. Finally finished the entertainment center (well except for details LOL), it's a pain in the butt to do! It's huge and beautiful though :). So our starting point was to put the assembled hutch (heavy as heck) on the TV unit when, due to our miscalculations, it comes tumbling down breaking...ouch that sucked. On the upside though, we fixed it! It doesn't look like it ever fell LOL. Gotta love my hubby. So that took most of the evening Saturday, but we had a great early morning because once it was done we started watching Alias curled up on the couch warm under a blanket.

I decided not to have a cooking fest and not even make a cake I really want to make because we just have too much food. We eat so little so it's hard to finish some of this food we end up having leftover. I've gotta get better at this LOL.

Sunday was a little less hectic and aside from doing things that need to be done, we got a few hours of playing time in and I got my workout in against my will haha. It's really all about will power. I love this quote from Billy Blanks: "Where I am today is where my mind put me. Where I'll be tomorrow is where my mind put me." Grammatical errors and all, I think it's very true.

Happy Monday All!

Food & Activity Post

Today:

Breakfast - A lemon poppyseed muffin with a SF vanilla latte made with 1/2 cup ff milk.

Lunch - A breakfast bowl with a baby spinach salad condimented with 1 tsp olive oil, garlic, vinegar, and salt.

Snack - 1/2 a chocolate banana shake.

Dinner - Pot roast with 1 slice of jalapeno cheddar cornbread (absolutely loved it!).

Dessert - I need another fruit so I'll have SF apple pie filling with 1 scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Exercise - 1 hour Tae Bo Ultimate Total Body Fat Blasting Cardio.

Drinks - About 12 cups of water, 3 cups of coffee, and 2 coke zero.

Total calorie intake at 1209 and total calories burned at 816.

Crazy Cook

Well today has been a cooking fest for me LOL. I've made quite a few recipes and to my surprise loved pretty much all of them. We actually got part of the entertainment center up but that will be a week long project to our dismay. Just so many darn pieces. Days off always go by way too fast. Back to the grind tomorrow.

Yippee!

Finally we've got our TV stand in so we can set up our entertainment center. I'm so excited! Tomorrow/Today (Sunday) we're going to set it up and see how it all works out :). I'm also planning on having a cooking fest, there are so many recipes I want to make and I'm going to tackle some of them.

Food & Activity Post

Weekends are always one of those things where it actually goes really well or things get a little screwy.

Today:

Breakfast - A piece of toast with 2 oz of seasoned ground turkey, 1 tsp of low-fat mayo and 1/2 tsp of ketchup. Coffee with creamer.

Lunch - Went out to eat and had 1/2 a large sandwich of turkey breast with pesto and greens plus a salad with 1 Tbsp of balsamic dressing.

Snack - Americano with an extra shot and creamer.

Dinner - Fettuccini with a cream sauce, chicken, shrimp, and veggies. This one was homemade.

Dessert - 1/3 of a Lemon Poppy Seed Muffin. Coffee with creamer.

Exercise - None today.

Drinks - About 10 cups of water, 3 cups of coffee, and 6 cups of tea.

Totals not great, especially since I didn't get any fruit in today, but they are 1447 consumed and 0 burned.

Food & Activity Post

There are days that I get a little repetitive with what I have LOL. Today is definitely one of those days.

Breakfast - 1/2 of Christina's Breakfast Bowl altered a little to lower the calories and added diced tomatoes and mushrooms. Coffee with creamer.

Lunch - A whole Breakfast Bowl with the added veggies to replace salad.

Lunch Protein - 3 slices of FF Bologna.

Afternoon Snack - NS chewy fudge bar and 4 Tbsp of raisins.

Dinner - Leftovers from last night (Revuelto) with pita bread, ketchup and FF sour cream.

Dessert - 1 slice of bread with 1 Tbsp of crunchy peanut butter and 1 tsp of honey. 2 cups of coffee with creamer.

Exercise - 45 minute Tae Bo Cardio Fat Blasting tape.

Drinks - About 18 cups of water, 3 cups of coffee, 8 cups of tea.

Total calorie intake ended up at 1185 and calories burned at 612.

Happiness Explained!

LOL after my earlier post I started browsing the news and found this article: The Keys to Happiness. My favorite part refers to two of the things I mentioned earlier about gaming and my increased exercise: "One route to more happiness is called "flow," an engrossing state that comes during creative or playful activity, psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi has found. Athletes, musicians, writers, gamers, and religious adherents know the feeling. It comes less from what you're doing than from how you do it."

I just got such a kick from this one!

Food & Activity Post

Today:

Breakfast - French toast like yesterday. Coffee with creamer.

Lunch Salad - A very large tomato condimented with 1 tsp olive oil, 2 tsp vinegar, salt, pepper and oregano.

Lunch - NS mashed potatoes with tabasco.

Afternoon Snack - 4 oz of tuna with 1 tsp low-fat mayo, 1/2 tsp dijon mustard, salt, pepper and lemon juice with 1 pita made into chips (this puts me over the usual calorie count by about 100 but I'm fine with that).

Afternoon Fruit - 2 Tbsp of raisins.

Dinner - Ground beef revuelto made with 4% ground beef, onion, garlic, canned diced tomatoes, mushrooms, red pepper flakes, salt and pepper, eggbeaters and whatever other veggies I can find at home. Plus 3/4 cup of refried beans. This is a low-cal dinner that will balance out the 100 extra calories during the day.

Dessert - NS chewy fudge bar.

Exercise - None tonight.

Drinks - About 18 cups of water, 6 cups of tea, and 2 cups of coffee.

Total calorie intake at 1296 and 0 burned.

Ladadee Ladadda

I'm in a very good mood today but I'm not sure why LOL. Maybe it's all those endorphins from exercising more than usual lately! I'm really glad it's almost the weekend because I intend to just enjoy myself. I haven't felt like I've had enough downtime for a few weeks now and I'm missing it. I want to play dangit LOL. Once upon a time I used to play every night for a few hours at least and I was completely up to date on all the going-ons of the game. However, it's been 8 months since that's the case and sometimes I really miss it. I don't regret my choices though!

So may the good mood last all day and even all year!

Food & Activity Post

Today:

Breakfast - French toast using 1/2 cup eggbeaters, 1/4 cup FF milk, 2 whole wheat slices of toast, vanilla extract, cinnamon, and splenda. Topped with SF pancake syrup and some FF cool whip. Yummy!

Lunch Salad - A very large tomato cut and drizzled with 1 tsp olive oil, 2 tsp vinegar, salt and pepper. Plus a hard boiled egg.

Lunch - NS fettuccini alfredo with mushrooms and peppers.

Afternoon Snack - 6 oz Danon Light 'n Fit FF, SF vanilla yogurt over 1 cup of frozen strawberries.

Dinner - NS mac and cheese with beef with 1 Tbsp of cream cheese and pepper added in it and 1 1/2 cups of asparagus "sauteed" with soy sauce, lemon, garlic powder, salt and pepper.

Dessert - NS nutricrunch chocolates melted with 1/2 Tbsp of peanut butter and 2 Tbsp of raisins to make a PB cup.

Exercise - 45 minutes on the eliptical and 15 minutes of crunches and weights.

Drinks - about 17 cups of water, 4 cups of tea, 3 cups of coffee, and a coke zero.

Calories consumed were 1261 and calories burned at 903.