Excellent Food Choices = Rewards!

Yesterday was a great eating day. Hmmm....didn't cheat, (except the morning pop tart). What I really was happy about was the fact I went out to eat and didn't eat any french fries, (huge accomplishment for me). I went to the mall with my friend and all of our boys. We went to Chick-Fill-A to eat dinner. I've never eaten there but really enjoyed the food. Even my picky Alex was commenting on how much he enjoyed the chicken strips. Anyway, I didn't eat anyone's fries and paid an extra $0.75 for a side salad. Why does eating healthy cost more? Anyway, because of my food choices, and the fact I did cardio yesterday, and the fact I walked to the park...I lost 1.8 pounds! I know, not much, but hey, every little bit adds up. I see pounds like change, the more you save...the more you get! Anyway, food intake for yesterday:

• 2 cups of coffee
• pop tart
• ice tea
• raspberry lemonade
• 3 diet cokes, (I know, a little overboard on these)
• special turkey sandwich & cottage cheese, (sandwich was special as I used leftover salad as a filler with the turkey..yummy, yummy)
• chicken wrap & side salad with ranch dressing
• Fruit to go cup

So, guess what...remember my goal...must go until Friday without dessert. Well, its Friday, and regardless of the heat, I think I will do a little baking today! Dessert is even better when you make it! So, I will go to the pantry, pick something out, engage the boys in helping, and who knows what surprises I 'cook' up!

Thursday - Almost Weekend!

I did it. Two days without dessert! I am going to do some baking on Friday, (remember I said until Friday dammit!). I think I also did well eating wise except..well..I had to take the kids to McDonalds. Its so damn hot, and little Jake really wanted to do something, (its frustrating watching older brother play outside when you can't), so, as I had to run errands, I promised the little guys I would take them to Mcdonald's to play. Alex moaned and groaned as he does not like McDonald's food, (which I completely understand). However, McDonald's has me by the...(I won't say, but you know), as they are the only place with an indoor playground thats free. Anyway, we went. Alex wanted the Chicken Select, not a Happy Meal. But, I knew he wanted a toy and rather than spend extra money on a Happy Meal toy, I got the Happy Meal. Both boys had apples, I had crappy fries. Normally I like McDonald fries...when they cook them right! Anyway, that was my only eating problem...other than I also ate an extra slice of French Bread at dinner. Again, today I will not eat dessert. I will eat smaller portions at dinner time. And I will eat more fruit. Yesterday's food:

• 2 cups of coffee
• Breakfast Protein Smoothie
• chicken nuggets, fries, diet coke
• peach
• ice tea
• sour cream/onion potato chips (okay, not the best choice..munchy monster)
• spaghetti
• salad w/ homemade ranch dressing
• 2 1/2 slices of french bread

Hmmm..potato chips were not the best choice. Need to invest in pretzels or something. Today, I think I will try to have more dairy, too.

Wednesday - Hump Day

Great News! Dropped 0.9 pounds. I checked in with Wii fit today..no excercises just did my body test. I like how I can just briefly check in or actually excercise.

I am proud of myself. I avoided dessert last night, (although I really wanted to eat dessert). I did better on my eating choices. However, we did go to the movies and I ended up munching on popcorn, (did not do the butter thing, I think movie butter is gross anyway). My food for yesterday:

• 2 cups of coffee
• ice tea
• diet coke
• peanut butter & jelly sandwich
• protein milk
• cottage cheese
• fruit to go cup
• pork chops
• garlic & olive oil pasta a roni
• broccoli w/ ranch
• popcorn

Today, no excercise. But, I am doing yard work and shopping, (and, yes, shopping does expend energy..grocery shopping with 2 boys does anyway). My back is really sore today and I am thinking of getting a massage before the week is over. Goal today: No dessert and drink more water.

Tired Day

So, day 3 on the Wii Fit...and gained 3 pounds! I was feeling bloated when I woke up! It made me laugh those were the 3 pounds I lost yesterday, (I knew it was a fluke). Anyway, I knew I would be up and down a few pounds each day and not too stressed. However, I found when i was doing the excercises that I was more tired. I think I will give my muscles a break tomorrow. Next week, I plan to switch...strength training one day and cardio the next. That should alleviate the tired feeling, (I hope) and give some of my muscles a break, (which, I heard, is important). I do plan to do the Yoga everyday as it feels good. I did my first check-in today on the Challenge Blog. Goal for the Week: BETTER EATING CHOICES. No beer until Saturday, (Ken has a Poker Party) and no dessert until Friday.

Food Is Getting Better

I did great today food wise! I am trying to really focus on what I am eating and make the right choices. Its not always easy. For instance, I made a can of spaghettios for my 3 year old. He couldn't eat the whole can and my 8 year old didn't want the left overs, so I ate it rather than waste it. I made that my lunch, (alongs with bread and butter and apples)...but normally, I would have picked something else. I find myself doing that a lot, they don't eat something and I feel the need to eat the left over food rather than dispose of it. Why is that? Anyway, today my food intake was:

• 2 cups of coffee, (again, lowfat creamer)
• bowl of Honey Nut Cheerios and blackberries, (very tasty)
• ice tea
• 1/2 can of spaghettios
• bread and butter
• 3 apple slices
• California Shrimp Salad at Applebees
• Beer

Looking back, I really didn't eat as much as I thought. Maybe I just thought more about what I wanted to eat and forgot to actually eat it. I gave the boys snacks and meant to get myself snacks but it never happened. Anyway, will shoot for more veggies/fruit tomorrow and maybe more milk. No beer tomorrow..I promise!

Starting The Week Right

So, either my starting weight was off or I lost weight since our Vegas trip! I came back from the trip weighing 180...my heighest in 6 months and went on the Wii Fit this morning and it said I weighed 172! However, I think most of the weight loss was water retention...period weight...and bloating. Either way, anything below 175 is great. Now, if only I can get in the 160s. That is my little goal, (major goal is 155).

I am really thinking this Wii Fit will help me reach my goals. It was great this morning...Yoga, Strength Training, then Cardio. There is a little 'piggy bank' that keeps track of how long you are using it. My goal is to do 30 minutes a day. I am loving this thing and think it is worth every penny Ken has paid for it!

My only true vice is my eating habits! I plan to eat more fruit this week...maybe substitute smoothies for meals and we'll see how my weight progresses. By the way, my Wii Fit age is 41! I'm 33...what happened!?! That's another goal of mine...decrease my age to my actual age!

A New Level Of Fitness

We got the Wii Fit today! It is so cool! Even Ken used it to work out! I really like this tool and plan on using it everyday. It automatically keeps track of what I do...rewards me when I excercise, (it unlocks new games)...and helps me attain my goals! So, today, I hula hooped, jogged, did yoga, did strength training, skiied, and walked a tight rope. Anyway, I am really excited about this and will hope that it really does help me reach my weight goals.

I did semi-better at eating today...

• 2 cups of coffee & donut
• 1/2 peanut butter & jelly sandwich
• 6 buffalo wings
• iced tea
• beer
• ice cream bar
• chili and tostito chips
• some tuna fish

Can't wait to work out tomorrow!

Let's Start Day 3

Okay, so I didn't do what I was supposed to do yesterday. I had a very lazy morning, an active afternoon, and a late night. Here is what I ate:

• 2 cups coffee w/ lowfat creamer
• glazed donut
• 1/2 c. banana smoothie
• peanut butter & jelly sandwich
• diet coke
• 4 buffalo wings
• green salad
• pasta salad
• potato salad
• chocolate chip cookie
• chocolate ice cream brownie cup
• 3 beers

So, I may not of ate much yesterday..but its what I did eat that's not good. I didn't do sit-ups as planned. Goals for day 3 - better eating choices, no dessert, sit-ups

End Of Day 1

Okay, so I ended today on a horrible note. Way to go, Shannon! Anyway, I started the day out okay...fruit, leftover scrambled eggs, juice. Lunch didn't go as well...microwaved corn dogs and chocolate milk. But, snacked on fruit later on =). Then, dinner! Planned on making pork chops and asparagus. Had to take Alex to baseball practice...had a long day as it was with the kids...and Ken suggested Applebees. Normally, i would get the spinach salad...but like I said, LONG day with my kids and other kids! So, took the offered beer, (who can say no to beer), thought the oriental wraps sounded good, and said yes to the french fries, (well, the waiter asked and I must support potato farmers). The worst part was, I had a frozen ice cream cone later, for dessert!

Sigh...goal tomorrow...eat BETTER food...make BETTER choices...and do sit-ups.Can't get all down about this now...its only day one and all I can do from here is improve! You know..these gals got something here. Writing about this does help =).

Time To Get Crackin'

So, I found out about this Healthy Weight Loss Challenge with cool buttons that you can put on your blog, (its all about the buttons), so I have decided to join. I have to do something. I keep trying different things and never sticking to them. Its getting frustrating. I will start a diet, start feeling good, end up going somewhere or getting really busy with other things, slack off, and then I'm back to same old Shannon...wishing I could get rid of this pouch that hangs in front of me! So, I am going to do this challenge and use this blog to write about my accomplishments, (and failures). I figure today, I will write about what I want to accomplish and why I haven't accomplished it before.

Why Do I Want To Lose Weight?

• I To Start My Mid-30s At A Healthy Weight
• I Want Clothes To Fit Better
• I Want To Look At Myself And Smile
• I Want My Stomach Flatter...Not Wrinkly And Pouchy, (thank you children)
• I Want My Face To Look Thinner
• I Want To Not Have To Concentrate To Suck My Tummy In
• I Do Not Want To Be Embarrassed In A Swimming Suit
• I Want A Smaller Butt and More Defined Legs
• I Want To Shake My Arms And Not Feel Tricep Swing
• I Want To Put Pants On Without The 'Muffin' Top

Why Do I Quit Diets

• I go on vacation or camping and eat everything in sight
• I get busy with other projects, avoid making time for excercise, and get out of my routine
• I get depressed and just think, 'come on, that food item will make you feel better, you deserve it'
• My monthly cycle revs up my cravings, (also, see above item).
• I stop caring about what I eat
• I drink too much alcohol and, see above
• No one likes it when I go on a diet because they eat different things...they complain

So, today, I am going to think about ways to keep me from quitting my diets and when I can excercise. Tonight, I will write more and work on my issues. I am also going to begin keeping track of what I do eat. I like Stacy's idea of writing out what I have eaten during the day. This is a great way to keep track.