Day 27. I miss you.

I've learned a few things in the last 28 hours. 

1. I can easily make healthy choices. 

2. I can just as easily make bad choices.

3. There will be times when the "bad" choices are necessary. It is part of the learning curve. 

Friday night dinner was easy because there were healthy options that fit exactly what I wanted. Green enchiladas in a tomatillo sauce. I missed the cheese, and refried beans. I ate some off of my hubby's plate and took most of his sour cream to top my enchiladas. I ate my cole slaw with lime dressing. At some point the hubby pointed and laughed because I cut the garnish lettuce to have more greens. The agave margarita was a skinny cocktail. But I didn't drink it. I realized I've had to many acid based foods and my stomach was kind of acting up. 

Today was a whole other type of scenario. I had a healthy breakfast. "Linner" not so much. I went for it! I also didn't work out the way I wanted. We walked a total of about 2.5 miles but I calculated it as less of a calorie burn since it was a slow leisure walk. 

THE OUTCOME of bad eating and minimal exercise...I feel sluggish, lazy, and tired. I MISS my clean eating and energizing work outs!!! 

Better yet, I'm ready to start my Sunday back on target because I've learned I feel better when I make healthy choices. To always being able to learn. 

Day 26. Fun Friday.

Tommy Hilfiger Size 9 1/2, Spring Season 2013

Yay to Shoes! I'm one of those gals that LOVES shoes. I figured out it is also the best reward system for me. I used to reward myself with food and treats after I accomplished a goal. I have found new rewards like shoes (more pairs than usual), a massage or some new experience I want to try.  

The shoes in the pic above were calling my name the first time I went to Marshall's but they did not have my size. I went back a couple weeks later and found them in clearance section in size 9 1/2. I'm a size 10. I tried them on and THEY FIT! I tried on another pair, (the brown shoes on my 08/07 post), in a 9 1/2 and they fit too! I'm not sure if this means weight loss is causing foot shrinkage OR I just got lucky!

With regards to work outs, I finally got back to it last night.  I really enjoyed it and felt great afterwards. I am unsure of how the work outs will go this weekend since it is my wedding anniversary getaway weekend. A true breakthrough will occur if I exercise during the getaway. I will be sure to post if I do! To fun filled active days.

Day 25. Tips Thursday. But first I must inform you...

Tri-Tip Salad with grilled portabello mushroom, baked potato

with 1 tablespoon of butter and 1 tablespoon of sour cream.

One lemon lime mojito and one skinny strawberry margarita (not in picture).

...that I'm not perfect. I celebrated. I'm comfortable. I didn't work out. I'm falling back to old behavior. Wait, wait, I'm just being dramatic. I had a few slacker days because I was sick and yes, I'm comfy. But I'm not stopping. I'm still on track. This blog is also not about feeling guilty. Guilt will only lead to unproductive shaming behavior. Instead I focus on the positive and small changes I'm making. 

For example, the meal above was my "splurge" meal because I added the baked potato and the cocktails. I ACTUALLY wanted a salad and I became super excited when I saw the tri-tip salad on the menu! It was filling and I could have stopped there but I wanted something for dessert afterwards. I found a healthy alternative at a stand in the farmers market. 

Zia Valentina, a granitas bar with a non-dairy stevia sweetened coffee ice drink. It tasted similar to iced coffee and, according to the staff is 90 calories for a 6 oz. cup. 

This also leads me to another "special edition" inspiration, Tip Thursdays.  I will start to include different tips on Thursdays.  I've included an article from Get Well Magazine for today's special edition (click on image to enlarge). The MYTH about, "To successfully diet, it's all or nothing," applied tonight. I stuck to the changes I've made about eating half, or eating more veggies. I did it without hesitation. In the past, I would have ordered the complete tri-tip meal with endless rolls and a few more cocktails. Instead I focused on implemeting some of my new behaviors. To good choices.

Day 24. Nine Years Ago.

Outfit Details.
Dress size 2x from Torrid Summer Season 2013.
Sweater size 2x from Torrid Summer Season 2012.
Shoes Franco Sarto Summer Season 2013.

Today I weight exactly what I weighed on my wedding day, 258 pounds. It is not skinny, it is not fit but it is the weight I'm comfortable in. Strange I know. 

Does this change the goal? No. Does this mean I would have preferred to be another size on my wedding day? Not sure. All I know is that I am the smallest I've been in 9 years and its an awesome way to celebrate my nuptials and recent accomplishment. 

My husband and I will not be celebrating our anniversary today since he is out if town on business. Instead we will go away for the weekend. So tonight I will work out. The first work out since Saturday. I'm really looking forward to it. :D

Day 23. Inspiration for Recipe Tuesday.

Tonight I started to work after browsing for a few minutes on the internet. I lost track of time and it was late and I was huuuuungry, yes that hungry. I have some homemade cookies in the house which tempted me to simply think, "forget it, I'm sick, I'm going for it!!! 3 cookies and milk for dinner." I walked to the frig and thought, "well, I actually want a steak. I don't have steak." Before I knew it I talked through the motions of healthy alternatives:

1. 3 chocolate fudge cookies with milk became;
2. One ham sandwich with two slices,heavy on the mayo became;
3. 1/2 ham sandwich,light mayo and add mustard. Add greens in the sandwich and a salad on the side.
4. Oh, and add sliced almonds and that new salad dressing I just bought. Raspberries for an added tart taste.

Voila my dinner. Yes, I know it's not a culinary accomplishment BUT, it is a large improvement over the first "meal" I thought of having. A late dinner also resulted in my blog "special edition". As of today I will start to have Dinner Tuesday's. This will include simple or long, healthy or alternative meals. I will redeem myself next Tuesday. I hope.

Now I say goodnight with a warm cup of Tina's Tea, my mothers home remedy concoction. And yes, one cookie (160 calories).

     

Day 22. Results and Rest.

Yes, I am noticing results. The loose clothing and ongoing compliments are not enough. I want more, and by more I mean numbers. Below are my stats:

Current Weight: 259.7
Weight on 7/16: 263
Weight on 6/26: 269.2

Current Fat Percentage: 40.3%
Fat Percentage on 07/01: 46%

I have not worked out since Saturday. I am currently sick with a cold/flu so I pushed myself on Saturday after skipping two work-outs during the week. Well, I should have continued to rest instead because now I'm worse. I decided to rest on Sunday and I'm playing today by ear. I shall soon find out.

The upside: I'm feeling great about my results. I'm going to continue to push myself but I'm allowing my body to go through the motions of a cold/flu. To better health.

Day 18. Focus

I've planned out as much as I can. There are plans that may need to be changed and that's okay. I am learning that is important to plan and be flexible. Planning is key to success but sometimes life throws a curve ball. Flexibility allows me to switch and change my work out if the schedule doesn't work. 

And my focus, my focus allows me to push through it. Just as I'm ready to give up, or to eat that one thing I think, "no, focus". Yes, slip ups will occur but I would like to keep them as far and few between. 

My goal has reached a high level of importance and this time its going to happen. I can easily call it the hardest challenge of my life. It can be daunting but I also view it as totally possible.