Off the Wagon

Yes...I've fallen off the weightloss wagon as of late. I really have a good excuse though. No - REALLY I do.

The G-Fam is multiplying! Yes that's right. I have a little munchkin growing inside of me. No - it isn't a parasite. Em-Cat is PREGNANT! Exciting, but still - what the? I was just getting going with the whole weighloss thing and now Heavenly Father decides to bless us with a little bundle of joy? I guess our bodies aren't really ours during our child bearing years!

I'm so excited to welcome this baby into the world. I'm definitely not sure how I'm going to handle two kids when I can barely handle one, but it will be a new, fun challenge.

Don't worry - this isn't the end of Em-Cat's "Reality Bites." I'm going to watch my diet while pregnant. I had gestational diabetes with J and I really don't want to get it again. I've really got to be diligent. I'm not going to post what I've eaten, but I'll give periodic updates on how I'm doing and maybe post some healthy recipes that make me happy.

Thanks to all of you for your patience. I hope you won't leave me in the dust, because after baby #2 comes I'm going to need your cheerleading skills to help me start losing the weight once more.

Love you all!

Love,
Em-Cat

Dear Blog...

I've been neglecting you I know. In an ideal world I would be posting every day and telling the world about my interesting eating habits. Isn't it amazing how fascinating Subway sandwiches AREN'T?

It's because of you I've nearly lost 14lbs and for that I am extremely grateful. I think of you every day, but when it comes time to say a little something, I'm so super tired that I can't lift my pinkies to type. Please know that I'm following my diet To.The.TEE, but I'm also SHOULDERING a lot more responsibility than usual because of my husband's poor little SHOULDER (if you didn't get the joke, then you just aren't as cheesy as I am) and I find I have a lot less me-time than usual. For now...know that I love and cherish you and I'm thinking about you all the time. I'll be back soon...I promise.

Love,
Em-Cat

Week 9 Stats, Goals and Life

I know I haven't posted for a few days. It seems every time I turn around life seems to give me lots and lots to do and by the time it's time to post, well I'm laying spread eagle on the couch without the ability to lift my lifeless body a millimeter. Please know that I'm sticking to my goals as much as possible.

I didn't exercise on Friday because I thought it would be a better idea to cuddle in bed with my little J and take it easy that morning. Turns out it was the best decision for me that day because it was (like all of the rest of them) pretty crazy and hectic.

I didn't end up exercising on Saturday either because I had to work that day and for some reason I knew my house wouldn't get clean unless I got up early and worked on it. I tried cleaning as vigorously as possible, so I think I burned more calories cleaning than I would have had I gone to the gym! :-)

Here are my stats for this week:

Height: 63 inches (STILL!)
Weight: 184.4lbs (.6 lbs down from last week and a whopping total of 13.8lbs (Can I just say 14?))
Waist: 34inches (1 inch down from last week 7 inches down total)
Hips: 39 inches (No change from last week and 3 inches down total)
Body Fat: 34.0% (2.5% down from last week and a total of 10.6% down)
BMI: 32.7 (.7 points down from last week and a total of 2 points down)
Dress size: A baggy 14 (yep still need to go shopping)

Here are my goals:

14-1600 Calories per day
Exercise 6 days this week
Drink 1 Gallon of water per day

What I Ate and Craziness

I'm going to start out by asking a question that has nothing to do with dieting and weightloss. Am I raising a little boy or a absolute ball of craziness? I think the answer is a big, fat, bonafide BOTH!

On the weeks when we are travelling and I don't have a baby sitter to leave the cute little bundle of joy with, Robbie and I take turns taking him on our sales calls with us. He gets frustrated with me because he has to sit nicely in a stroller and be a good boy while I try to hoodwink my customers into buying my sugar pills (anyone who knows me, knows I really don't believe that...it just sounded funny). Anyone who knows a 1 year old will attest to the fact that sitting nicely and being super quiet won't fly. When he rides with daddy, he gets to run up and down the isle of the tool truck while Robbie's customers comment on how cute the little boy is and by the way will buy the $20,000 tool he's trying to sell them.

To all the mothers who read this blog: Is it normal that my little boy was a furious ball of screaming craziness during the last few days? Is my little man going to grow up to be a crazed criminal because I can't keep him from screaming wildly and throwing things at my clients who are just trying to be nice to him? Is juvenile delinquency immenent when all my little man wants to do is hit and kick anyone who gets close to him?



The thing is...This little kid has to spend the entire day with me since Robbie can't pick him up or change his diaper. The poor little thing has had to spend the entire past few days with hippies who hate the FDA and believe in aliens. I guess I would completely lose it by the end of the day if I were him. Oh wait...I spend all day with these people...(insert crickets chirping)...


Here's what I ate the last two days:


Tuesday


Breakfast
8oz Skim Milk - 90
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95
1 Small Banana - 90
Total Breakfast: 275


Snack
1 String Cheese - 80
1 Apple - 90
Total Snack: 170


Lunch
Baja Fresh Baja Ensalada (Chicken) - 310
Total Lunch: 310


Snack
Luna Bar - 180
Total Snack: 180


Dinner
1 Wheat Pancake w/ sugar free syrup - 175
Egg Whites - 50
Turkey Bacon - 76
Fruit - 70
Total Dinner: 371


Total Calories for Tuesday: 1306 (Yikes...what was up with me yesterday? I was too low)
Water for Tuesday: 100 oz (I'm slacking on my gallon goal - I didn't do great with it today either)
Exercise for Tuesday: A morning walk with little J


Wednesday


Breakfast
Subway steak/cheese/egg white/veggie english muffin - 190
Total Breakfast: 190


Lunch
Grilled chicken subway w/ avocado - 370
Apple slices - 35
Total Lunch: 405


Snack
Luna Bar - 180
Total Snack: 180


Dinner
3/4 Turkey Club w/Turkey Bacon on wheat no mayo - 400
Tomato Slices with Cottage Cheese - 78
Total Dinner: 478


Snack
Luna Bar - 180
Total Snack: 180


Total Calories for Wednesday: 1433
Total Water for Wednesday: 100oz
Exercise for Wednesday: Treadmill (I was so tired that it was a miracle I actually got up and went to the gym)

What I ate (uhhhh...I'm losing track of the number)...Um...What I Ate Yesterday and Glimmers of Hope

There have been a few glimmers of hope in these past few weeks. I feel like it's really starting to show. I used to get wolf whistles from every Mexican guy in So. Cal. You know, before the pounds started packing on. Well just the other day as I was walking through a parking lot one says to me, "Well hello...what's your name?" It could be that it was the only phrase he knew in English, that's the phrase most Latinos learn first in English, but I'd like to think that the "Glow" has finally returned. You know the one I'm talking about. The one where when you lose enough weight for it to show a little, and you're so excited about it that even though people don't notice your weight loss, they notice your excitement and beauty.

I have to say that I'm so happy that I'm down almost 14lbs. I feel more comfortable with my body and truly feel like I'm glowing with beauty and happiness. When I look in the mirror in the morning I can see the changes, even though others can't and it makes me walk out that door with the confidence to hold my head up high.

I was at one of my accounts the other day and a customer needed help and all of the employees were busy. I took charge and half way through my helping her, she stopped and said, "What can I do to get that glow? I mean your skin is fantastic." I hooked her up with this collagen/amino acid formula that I've been taking, but secretly I knew that it had mostly to do with my confidence.

So let's give three cheers for loving ourselves enough to make changes. Here's to loving ourselves from the inside out and letting it shine through our countenances!! (Can you tell I re-read this post?)

Here's what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast
8oz Skim Milk - 90
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95
1 Sm. Banana - 90
Total Breakfast: 275

Snack
1 Slice of Low-Fat MultiGrain Bread - 80
1 T Almond Butter - 90
Total Snack: 170

Lunch
Roasted Chicken Breast Subway w/ Avocado - 370
Apple Slices - 35
Total Lunch: 405

Snack
String Cheese - 80
Apple - 90
Total Snack: 170

Dinner
Grilled Chicken Cafe Rio Salad (No Rice, No Beans, Vinaigrette Dressing, Whole Wheat Tortilla) - 400
Total Dinner: 400

Snack
Skinny Cow - 140
Total Snack: 140

Total Calories: 1560 (Shouldn't have had the Skinny Cow)
Water: 100 oz
Exercise: Weights/Cardio

Week 9 Stats and Goals

Well, it seems like my leveling out has finally ceased and I'm beginning to lose again. I was so surprised to see that I had lost about 3.5 lbs since I weighed in last week. I weighed in yesterday morning so that doesn't include the fact that I had a big ol' cheat day yesterday. I hope I didn't undo my hard work!

Here are my stats from last week:

Height: I'm still 63 inches :-)
Weight: 185.0 lbs (Down 3.4 lbs from last week and a total of 13.2 lbs total)
Waist: 34.5 Inches (Down .5 inches from last week and a total of 6.5 inches)
Hips: 39 Inches (No Change Again and a total of 3 inches down)
Body Fat: 34.7% (1.8 points down from last week and a total of 9.9 points down)
BMI: 32.8 (.6 points down from last week and a total of 1.9 points down)

I'm pretty happy with these stats. It always feels good when you see the results in lbs, but my inches haven't changed that much over the last few weeks. I guess I should be measuring my legs and arms as well. I can imagine that they're shrinking as well.

Here are my goals for next week:

Keep my calories between 14-1500 each day.
Keep on drinking 1 Gallon of Water per day.
Exercise every day...I'm not going to commit to weight training since I'm still going to have to take J on my workouts with me. It's going to have to be pilates or a walk outside with little J in toe.

I'm going to be Blog-Lazy this week.

It has been no picnic trying to be a single mom to two boys! It's been a week since Robbie's surgery and boy am I tired! Robbie can't pick up J or help me around the house, though he does as much as he can. I feel exhausted by the end of the day and the last thing I want to do is sit down and think of all the things I've eaten over the past couple of days. I'm sticking to my goals and definitely staying between 14-1600 calories per day - no change there. I'll keep you posted on my successes and failures throughout the week.

I may not do much with weights this week since I need to take little J on my workouts with me. We usually take an hour long walk around the neighborhood. I love them because we see rabbits and wild chickens and lots and lots of doggies. Plus we get to see the sun come up and what a sight that is! J LOVES to go out in the morning. Once he had his morning drink of milk he goes to the door and says "Ba Ba" (aka Bye Bye). My heart melts and I can't help but get him all bundled up and ready for a ride in the stroller.

Anyhoo...keep comin' back for those updates, but don't worry about being bored to tears by reading what I've eaten. :-)

Love,
Em-Cat (meow!)

Week 8 Stats and Goals

Okay - here it goes. Not much changing going on, but I'm gonna keep on truckin'!

Here are my stats:

Height: 63 Inches (5'3")
Weight 188.4 (Down 1.2 from last week and a total of 9.8 lbs from week one) K8 - I'm talking to you. I have .2 lbs to go to meet my 10lb mark.
Waist: 35 Inches (No change from last week and a total of 6 inches down)
Hips: 39 Inches (No change from last week and a total of 3 inches down)
Body Fat: 36.5% (No change from last week and a total of 8.1% down)
BMI: 33.4 (Down .2 points from last week and a total of 1.3 points)
Dress Size: A baggy 14 (I need to go shopping)

It's easy to look at those stats and feel disheartened, but I have to note that changes are occurring little by little. In fact - yesterday was my cheat day and I didn't totally overdo it. I didn't count my calories, but when I thought back on how I ate it wasn't much different from what I usually eat during the week. My body is acclimating to the changes I've made so far to my diet.

Here are my goals this week:

Eat 1400-1600 Calories per day and add more fiber to my diet
Drink 1 Gallon of Water
Exercise 6 days per week alternating Pilates, Weights and Cardio

Oi...It's been a while

I'm sure all you mom's can relate (especially you single moms), but I feel like I've been going from one thing to the next. I haven't even checked my e-mail since Wednesday...the day Robbie had his surgery. I've had to shoulder all the responsibility in the household and I really don't know how single moms do it...I guess they just do. I feel like I've been running on fumes since Robbie has been laid up. I don't think I've taken a breath until this afternoon when I took a little nap. Life has been so crazy, but know this:

• I have definitely been sticking to my allotted calories over the past few days.
• I have exercised every day (except today (Sunday) of course).
• I did Pilates twice and weights twice and straight cardio twice this week.
• I drank a gallon of water a day every day.

Aside from not posting every day this week, I accomplished all of my goals. The fact is, I feel great and even though I'm losing weight like a snail, I feel like this is all worth it. Despite the ups and downs - I'm sticking with this thing through thick and thin.

I'm going to post my stats and goals tomorrow. Thank you all for the support. I love you!

Heart,
Em-Cat

What I Ate Days 43 and 44 and Exhaustion

Robbie had surgery today and I'm so tired I can't think straight. I think the only thing I'm going to be able to get out is my calories for yesterday and today.

Here's what I ate yesterday (Day 43):

Breakfast
Subway Egg white and Steak Breakfast Muffin Melt - 190
Total Breakfast: 190 Calories

Snack
Kashi Go Lean Roll - 190
Total Snack: 190 Calories

Lunch
Turkey Sandwich with Avocado and Chipotle Mayo - 400
Total Lunch: 400 Calories

Snack
Crackers - 60
Apple - 90
Total Snack: 150 Calories

Dinner
Roasted Chicken - 120 Calories
1/2 order Sweet Potato Fries - 235 Calories
Green Salad w/Raspberry Vinaigrette on the side - 40
Total Dinner: 395 Calories

Snack
Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140
Total Snack: 140

Total Calories for Day 43: 1465
Total Water for Day 43: 1 Gallon
Exercise for Day 43: Weight Lifting Circuit and 15 min Dreadmill

Here's what I ate today (Day 44):

Breakfast
8oz Rice Milk - 120
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95
1 Banana - 90
Total Breakfast: 305 Calories

Snack
Kashi Go Lean Roll - 190
Total Snack: 190 Calories

Lunch
Roasted Chicken (Leftover) - 120
1/2 order sweet potato fries - 235
Total Lunch: 355 Calories

Snack
1 String Cheese - 90
1 Light Yogurt - 100
Total Snack: 190 Calories

Dinner
Roasted Chicken Breast Subway with Avocado - 370
Apple Slices - 35
Total Dinner: 405 Calories

Total Calories for Day 44: 1445
Total Water for Day 44: 1 Gallon
Exercise for Day 44: Weight Circuit and Elliptication

What I Ate day 42 and The Facts

Yes it's true. I'm begining to cop the attitude. You know the one where I complain that I work so hard, but the pounds never seem to shed. Blah. Blah. Blah. It's also true that muscles weigh more than fat, but when I look down at that scale I want to see results dagnabit! Deep breaths...deep breaths...slow and steady...slow and steady.

Thank you to all who've commented to make me feel better about my slow weight loss and to stroke my ego a bit.

Here are the facts (that is if you really even care what the facts truly are):

1. My hair and skin look fabulous lately. Robbie even told me I was glowing the other night. (I love it when he sucks up to me...he always gets bonus points and he knows it - dagnabit (I'm really enjoying that word today!)).
2. I don't get so winded when I walk up a hill.
3. I'm getting better at pilates which means my muscles are getting stronger (I am woman - hear me ROAR!).
4. I'm not retaining as much water and my fingers don't look so chubby.
5. I've always hated my chubby fingers.
6. I looked in the mirror today and I felt like I saw a skinnier me.
7. I have a TON of energy and mental clarity.
8. I'm going to confess on this one: I really don't want to lose weight for health purposes. Deep down inside I just want to look smokin' in a bathing suit come summer time, but at this rate - that's probably not going to happen. *Sigh*
9. I'm totally vain and self absorbed. Well - maybe not really, but kind of!?!? I mean I think we all wish we looked like a super model, but since this is a reality blog, I'd just like my butt to look fairly decent in a pair of jeans.

What to do...what to do? I guess just keep trucking along with my diet. I know I'm going to need to change up my routine a bit for the weight to keep falling off, but I don't feel quite ready for that. For now...I'm going to keep on counting...

Here's what I ate today:

Breakfast
8oz Rice Milk - 120
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95
1 Banana - 90
Total Breakfast: 305 Calories

Lunch
6 inch Chicken Breast Subway w/ Avo - 370
1/2 bag apple slices - 17
Baked Lays - 130
Total Lunch: 517 Calories

Snack
Crackers - 60
Kashi Go Lean Roll - 190
Total Snack: 259 Calories

Dinner
Egg Whites - 50
Turkey Bacon - 76
Whole Wheat Pancakes w/Sugar Free Syrup - 325
1/2 Yogurt - 80
Total Dinner: 531

Total Calories for Day 42: 1612 (Dagnabit...I totally went over today. I wasn't very careful!)
Total Water for Day 42: 1 Gallon
Exercise for Day 42: Buns and Thighs Pilates Workout Video

Week 7 Stats and Goals and Starvation Mode

I worked really hard last week. At least I felt I did. I (mostly) reached my goals with drinking water and exercise, but I had very few changes in my weight and inches. This is really frustrating and make me want to throw it all down the toilet. Do I need to lower my calories? I don't think so, they're pretty low as it is and I want to do this being has healthy as possible. Maybe I need to cut carbs or sugar now or start lifting weights. Maybe I'm just in starvation mode and I need to stick to what I'm doing until my body is forced to start losing weight. What do you guys think?

Here are my stats:

Height: 63 Inches
Weight: 189.6 (No change from last week and a total of 8.6 lbs from week one)
Waist: 35 Inches (No change from last week and a total of 6 inches down from week one)
Hips: 39 Inches (Down 1 Inch from last week and a total of 3 inches down from week one)
Body Fat: 35.3% (Down 1.2% from last week and a total of 9.3% down from week one)
BMI: 33.6 (No change from last week and a total of 1.1 points down from week one)
Dress Size: 14-ish (But getting loser)

My goals for week 7 are:

Calories: 1400-1600 per Day
Water: 1 Gallon per Day
Exercise: 6 Days this week, using weights 3 different times

What I Ate Days 39 and 40

Have I ever told you how much I LOVE your comments? Well they really keep me going. Every so often I'm going to highlight a few of them so I can respond. These are from some of my first posts, just after I had started the blog.

Sondra said:

Good for you Em! You rock. remember that NOTHING FEELS AS GOOD AS THIN, and NOTHING TASTES AS GOOD AS THIN FEELS! You are going to do great and look so hot come summertime.

Sondra – I just have to say that this is my absolute favorite comment. At moments of weakness I repeat this mantra and then I have strength. And I can only hope and pray that I’m going to “look so hot come summertime.” Cross your fingers!

Anonymous said:

You can do anything you set your mind to. I have the faith in you and believe in you, You are a super lady. Love you,

Anonymous – I love you too. I just wish I knew who you were so I could give you a hug.

Phoebe (aka Amy) said:

Well hello love...my little Em CAT. If anyone can do this..you can..why because you are Em CAT. Remember a moment on the lips...life time on the hips.....but most of all know that you are supported loved and remember don't be too hard on your self....you know I love ya! proud of ya

-phebez

Phebez – It’s because of you I’m known as Em-Cat. How can I ever repay you? I will be eternally grateful for your contribution to my identity. My lips and hips are working together to keep the evil calories away.

Cecily said:

Elliptication is my new favorite word. Awesome.

You totally rock. If only we lived closer I would be SO down with doing some elliptication with you!!

Cecily – It’s because of you that I continue to use the word “Elliptication” on this blog. I also made up the terms “Dreadmill” and “GymNAtion” with you in mind. I’ve been toying around with the idea that the weight room could be named “Beefcake Body Shop,” but I’m not sure if I like it. Let me know if you have any suggestions.

K8 TheRiver said:

well...i ate a crispy cream donut. i didn't BUY it but i didn't even try to resist the offer.
but i ran 4 miles today! so maybe it will even out.

K8 – I bet the Crispy Cream was delicious. In fact, every time I see the header of my blog I think… “Mmmm…Doughnut.”

Here's what I ate Friday (Day 39):

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90

1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95

1 Banana - 90

Total Breakfast: 275 Calories

Lunch

Cafe Rio Grilled Chicken Salad (No Rice-No Beans, Vinaigrette Dressing) - 500

Total Lunch: 500 Calories

Snack

Crackers - 100

Total Snack: 100 Calories

Dinner

Salad - 50

1 Breadstick - 150

Herb Grilled Salmon and Veggies - 510

Total Dinner: 710 Calories

Total Calories for Day 39: 1585

Total Water for Day 39: 1 Gallon

Exercise for Day 39: Elliptication and Dreadmill

Here's What I ate Today (Day 40):

Breakfast

2 Low Cal Breakfast Crescent Rolls - 180

2/3 String Cheese - 60

1/2 Slice Deli Ham - 15

Total Breakfast: 255 Calories

Lunch

Thin Crust Frozen Pizza - 350

Salad (Veggies, Wonton Strips, Galeo's Dressing (It's yummy and really low cal)) - 70

Total Lunch: 420 Calories

Snack

1 Apple - 90

1T Peanut Butter - 105

Total Snack: 195 Calories

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Subway with Avocado - 370

Apple Slices - 35

Total Dinner: 405 Calories

Snack

Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140

Total Snack: 140 Calories

Total Calories for Day 40: 1415

Total Water for Day 40: 90 oz (I didn't do so well today!)

Exercise for Day 40: None (I pulled a muscle in my back this morning and had to lay down for most of it! Bummer because I've been so good at exercise lately and was really looking forward to it this morning.)

What I Ate Day 38 and I Can't Get @#$(*& Blogger to Work

So I had a nice thing to post today, but blogger is being a super big jerk and acting like it can tell me what I can and can't do. The post I had prepared entailed a lot of cutting and pasting, but for some reason this piece of junk won't let me do it. I may just need to go looking for another outlet for my writing if blogger doesn't work out its kinks. I kind of get sick of the attitude it cops when it doesn't want to let you do something. I know I'm treating it like a person, but hey, it's the 21st Century and the Internet is the new bully.

Anyhoo...here's what I ate today:

Breakfast*
8oz Skim Milk - 90
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95
1 Sm Banana - 90
Total Breakfast: 275 Calories

*I know I have this for breakfast every morning, but it's delish and easy to know exactly how many calories I'm getting.

Snack
Low Fat Wheat Thins (1/2 serving) - 65
1tsp Almond Butter - 30
Total Snack: 95 Calories

Lunch
Cafe Rio Tortilla Soup (Chicken Broth (80), Chicken (50) Guac (50), Cheese (30), Chips (100), Veggies (5)) - 315
Small Tortilla - 90 Calories
Total Lunch: 405 Calories

Snack
Crackers - 100
String Cheese - 90
Total Snack: 190 Calories

Dinner
Leftover Chicken Burritos - 335 Calories
Total Dinner: 335 Calories

Snack
Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140
Total Snack: 140 Calories

Total Calories for Day 38: 1440 Calories
Total Water for Day 38: 1 Gallon
Exercise for Day 38: 30 min Dreadmill

What I Ate Day 37 and Sweat at the GymNAtion

Do you ever feel like the "Gym" is more like a "GymNAtion"? I mean you can find any type of person there: tall/small, thin/fat, male/female/hermaphrodite and every nationality to boot. It's a melting pot of sweat. Yikes - that stuff is everywhere at the gym and it seems like everyone is doing it - sheesh...what is wrong with this world? Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not some crazed hypochondriacal germophobe who's afraid of a little porously transferred bacteria. Okay - sometimes I am, but it never really hit me how disgusting sweat can really be.

It was suggested to me that it might be in my best weight loss interest to begin lifting some weights, so after I had done a little dreadmill I headed to the weight section of the gym. Now, the weight section of the gym scares me a little. I mean, it's intimidating enough going to the gym when every ounce of you jiggles when you're going to town on the elliptical machine, but to walk up the dreaded staircase to where the judgmental, swaggering meat-heads hang out (oi...now I'm the one being judgmental) is just downright frightening.

Anyhoo - the gym I go to has a designated section for those of us who have no idea what to do with a free-weight (or even know what a free-weight is). It's a circuit of machines that has a big sign on the wall next to it with step by step instructions on how to use the machine and how many reps to do and etc. I like to call it "Weightlifting for Dummies."

Every time I go to use the circuit a few meat-heads (I can't help the judgmental comments...it's who I am) are always using the machines because they don't want to wait in line for the regular ones in the meat-head section. I usually manage to work around them, but sometimes it's just annoying when your trying to go in a certain order and Joe Beefcake is taking his time and cutting into your routine.

This morning was no different. I walked up to the circuit and there were three guys there. I thought, "Hmm. Maybe I can work around them." The first machine in the circuit was being used, but by the time I got there the guy had just finished. I walked up to it and sitting there like it had always been there was the Lake Erie of Sweat. Now the mom in me just acted instinctively and began to wipe up the sweat with the towel I brought out of respect to the other GymNAtion attendees who weren't interested in seeing my sweat everywhere. After I had realized what I had just done, I looked at the towel in my hand and said, in a loud voice for all to hear, "Ooooh..that is just gross."

Sweat-boy just looked at me a little sheepishly and I retreated to do a little elliptication.

I think I'm going to go for a walk outside tomorrow. Ew.

Here's what I ate today:

Breakfast
8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Sm. Banana - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
Total Breakfast: 285 Calories

Snack
8 Reduced Fat Wheat Thins - 65 Calories
1 T Almond Butter - 90 Calories
1/2 Apple - 45 Calories
Total Snack: 200 Calories

Lunch
Turkey Sandwich (Sandwich Round (100), Deli Turkey (45), Low Fat Laughing Cow (35), Lettuce/Tomatoes (2), Mustard (2), 1/8 tsp Light Mayo (2)) - 186 Calories
1/2 Apple - 45 Calories
Total Lunch: 231 Calories

Snack
2 Tacos Al Carbon from El Pollo Loco - 306 Calories
Total Snack - 306 Calories

Dinner
2 Chicken Burritos (Wheat Tortillas (220), Chicken (50), 1/4 C. Brown Rice & Black Beans (50), Veggies (10), Salsa (5)) - 335 Calories
Total Dinner - 335 Calories

Snack
Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140 Calories
Total Snack: 140 Calories

Total Calories for Day 37: 1497
Total Water for Day 37: 1 Gallon
Exercise for Day 37: 30 Minutes Dreadmill and Elliptication

What I Ate Day 36

I have nothing to say today, so all you have to read is my calories. Super fun for you...he he...yeah.

Breakfast
8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
1 Medium Banana - 100 Calories
Total Breakfast: 285 Calories

Snack
8 Low Fat Wheat Thins - 60 Calories
1/2 tsp Almond Butter - 15 Calories
Total Snack: 75 Calories

Lunch
1 6" Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Subway -370 Calories
Total Lunch: 370 Calories

Snack
Baked Lays - 130 Calories
Total Snack: 130 Calories

Dinner
1/2 C. Turkey Chili - 110 Calories (It turned out gross or I would have had more)
2 Reduced Fat Crescent Rolls - 180 Calories
1 Cup Cereal 130 Calories
1/2 Cup Skim Milk - 45 Calories
Total Dinner: 465 Calories

Snack
Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140 Calories
Total Snack: 140 Calories

Total Calories for Day 36: 1465
Total Water for Day 36: 1 Gallon
Exercise Day 36: 20 Min. Pilates Workout

What I Ate Day 35 and It's Starting to Show

I bent over to pick something up the other day and I noticed that it wasn't so difficult. I ran up some steps and it didn't wind me like it usually does. When I look in the mirror I feel prettier. I'm finally begining to see results and it feels great. As this blog indicates, I'm also practicing some reality. I have a long way to go.

I had a big event with one of my large chain of stores this evening and a client, who didn't know that I've begun losing weight, raved at how good I looked. She asked about the diet and I told her that I weigh like 189 lbs and she was shocked that I could hide my weight so well. It's nice to be in denial and think that everything is better than it really is, but 189 lbs is still 189 lbs. Luckily I have this blog to show me that I still have a lot of work to do.

So it's time to get down and dirty my friends and keep up the weight loss. Thank you so much for being there for me. I really couldn't continue without your help!

It was such a busy day and I did horrible with drinking water and eating healthy snacks. Also - exercise didn't happen.

Here's what I ate today:

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
1 Small Banana - 90 Calories

Total Breakfast: 275 Calories

Snack

Crackers - 100 Calories

Total Snack: 100 Calories

Lunch

3 Slices Tomatoes - 5 Calories
Crab Cake - 175 Calories
Halibut - 158 Calories
1/8 C. Rice Pilaf - 28 Calories
2 Hard Breadsticks - 30 Calories

Total Lunch: 396 Calories

Snack

1/2 Piece of Pizza - 135 Calories

Total Snack - 135 Calories

Dinner

Grilled Asparagus - 65 Calories
Green Salad w/Low Fat Dressing - 45 Calories
Small Piece Filet Mignon - 202 Calories
1/8 C. Bowtie Pasta w/Red Sauce - 112 Calories
Small Wheat Roll w/a little butter - 130 Calories

Total Dinner: 554 Calories

Total Calories for Day 35: 1460
Total Water for Day 35: 50 (SOOO BAD!)
Exercise for Day 35: None

What I Ate Day 33 and Week 6 Weigh In and Goals

So my weigh in wasn't quite like I wanted it to be. I'm a little depressed. I'm down in weight, but my inches seem to be staying the same...bummer. Anyhoo...I'm starting to get sick of this whole thing, but at the same time I really want to have staying power. What do I do? Probably just stick with it and stop complaining. UUUUUHHHHH....but complaining is so fun!

Anyhoo...here are my stats:

Week Six, Sunday March 28, 2010
Height: 63 Inches
Weight: 189.6 1lbs (Down 1.8 lbs from last week and a total of 8.6 lbs from week one)
Waist: 35 Inches (No change from last week and down 6 inches total)
Hips: 40 Inches (Down 1 inch from last week and down 2 inches total)
Body Fat: 36.5% (Down .6% from last week and down 8.1% total)
BMI: 33.6 (Down .3 from last week and down 1.1 total)
Dress Size: 14-ish

Goals for Week 6

1400-1600 Calories per Day
Exercise 6 Days This Week
Drink 1 Gallon of Water per Day


Here's what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast

2 Low Fat Crescent Rolls w/ 1/3 String Cheese & 1/4 slice of deli turkey - 248 Calories

Total Breakfast: 248 Calories

Lunch

Leftover Mongolian BBQ - 270 Calories
1/4 C. Rice - 42 Calories
1 Sandwich Pocket - 60 Calories

Total Lunch: 372 Calories

Snack

Crackers - 200 Calories
The rest of my Mongo - 135 Calories

Total Snack: 335 Calories

Dinner

Thin Crust Pizza - 350 Calories
Salad with Low Cal Dressing - 80 Calories

Total Dinner: 433 Calories

Snack

Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140 Calories

Total Snack: 140 Calories

Total Calories for Day 33: 1528
Total Water for Day 33: 110 oz (just shy of a gallon)
Exercise for Day 33: 1 hour walk with J around the neighborhood

What I Ate Days 31 & 32 and Where I've Been the Last Two Days

I've slacked in my duties as keeper of this blog. I got home from a business trip on Thursday night and I just didn't feel like blogging. Yesterday (Friday) was Robbie's birthday and we had a really nice date. We went Mini-Golfing and to our favorite Mongolian BBQ for dinner. When we got home, again I didn't feel like blogging. I just want to say how sorry I am for having a life and my lack of blogospherical typological placement. (Yeah I just like to use big words - even if they don't have any meaning heretofore, whithersoever, hence forth and forever...Amen...and Amen. Ahem...thank Robbie for that rant - he's rubbing off on me).

Here's what I ate day 31:

Breakfast

Subway Egg White Breakfast Sandwich with Steak - 170 Calories

Total Breakfast: 170 Calories

Snack

1/2 Serving Reduced Fat Wheat Thins - 65 Calories
1 tsp Almond Butter - 30 Calories

Total Snack: 95 Calories

Lunch

Fiesta Chicken Salad from Rubio's (No Cheese) - 350 Calories

Total Lunch: 350 Calories

Snack

1 Medium Apple - 95 Calories

Total Snack: 95 Calories

Dinner

Grilled Cheese Sandwich (2 Slices Low Fat Whole Grain Bread (160), 1 Slice Cheese (70), 1 T Olive Oil Spread (60)) - 290 Calories
1 Cup Organic Creamy Tomato Soup - 80 Calories
Crackers - 100 Calories

Total Dinner: 470 Calories

Snack

1 Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140 Calories

Total Snack: 140 Calories

Total Calories for Day 31: 1320
Total Water for Day 31: 1 Gallon
Exercise for Day 31: Elliptication and the Dreadmill (30 Min)

Here's what I ate Day 32:

(Disclaimer: My husband and I were fasting for a family member, that's why my calories are low)

Breakfast - None
Lunch - None

Snack

1 Cup Honey Bunches of Oats Cereal - 175 Calories
1 8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 265 Calories

Dinner

3/4 C. Mongolian BBQ (Beef, Turkey, Pork, Veggies, Oil, Garlic and Curry) - 270 Calories
1/4 C. Rice - 42 Calories
1 Sandwich Pocket - 60 Calories
1 Very Small Egg Roll - 60 Calories
1 Crab Rangoon - 50 Calories

Total Dinner: 482 Calories

Snack

6oz Low Fat Fro-Yo (Frozen Yogurt) - 145 Calories
6 Slices Strawberries - 2 Calories

Total Snack: 147 Calories

Total Calories for Day 32: 894 Calories
Total Water: ???
Exercise for Day 32: 22 Minutes Pilates (Windsor Workout Video)

What I Ate Day 30 and I Failed Going to the Gym

Yes it's true. So here's why:

2am - J wakes up crying. Robbie tells me he's wet. I get up and the poor kid is pee-soaked from head to toe. I change his diaper and his clothes and put him in bed with us because his sheets were soaked as well and I was too tired to deal with it at that point.

2:30 am - I have no room and I can't seem to fall asleep

2:45 am - I finally fall asleep

4:45 am - J's rolling everywhere and settles on Robbie's head. I hear a "J stop...stop!"

4:49 am - I hear from Robbie "J STOP!"

5 am - Robbie again "Em he keeps kicking me in the face." I pull him over to me and try to get him to cuddle up (yeah right - this kid hates to cuddle).

5:15 am - J starts rolling around again and starts to kick me in the face.

5:30 am - He tries to push me over the edge of the bed, because I assume he wanted my side of the bed for himself.

5:44 am - We finally put him in his pee-soaked bed because we just can't handle the kicking anymore.

5:45 am - my alarm goes off telling me it's time to get my fat a$% out of bed to go to the gym. I turn it off and lay in bed for a while debating whether or not I should get up and go, or give myself a little more sleep.

5:46 am - Whatev...I'm going back to sleep...

7:34 am - I woke up with a HUGE feeling of guilt, but I felt much more rested.

Here's what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast (I've been traveling, so breakfast wasn't so great)

1 Regular Size Banana - 110 Calories
1/2 PB Sandwich - 90 Calories

Total Breakfast: 200 Calories

Lunch

1 Oven Roasted Chicken Breast Subway - 370 Calories
1 Bag Baked Lays - 130 Calories
Apple Slices - 35 Calories

Total Lunch: 435 Calories

Snack

Low Fat Wheat Thins - 160 Calories
1T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Snack 250 Calories

Dinner (Cafe Coyote - MMMM my favorite (watch out - I splurged a little on this one)

2 small fajitas (2 Tortillas (400), Meat, Onions, Peppers (100), T each of Rice/Beans (40), 1 T Guacamole (40)) - 580 Calories

Total Dinner: 580 Calories

Total Calories for Day 30: 1465
Total Water for Day 30: 1 Gallon (Woot Woot!)
Exercise for Day 30: ZILCH :-(

What I Ate Day 29 and Some Thoughts

I've thought a lot lately about beauty. What is it and how do we as women get to the point that we can look in the mirror and say, "I really like myself" and "I think I'm beautiful?" And most importantly how do we instill in our young daughters self worth and true beauty (not the kind we see at the grocery store checkout)?

At a very early age I knew I never wanted to be fat. I looked at my mother and my sisters and saw the struggles they went through and I knew I didn't want to have the same experience. I even went through a little starvation phase in Junior High School where I would eat one meal a day (dinner so my mom wouldn't catch on) and the rest of the time would be water and chewing gum. When I was 8 or 9, I would go jogging on Saturday morning with my friends...not because I liked it mind you, but because I didn't want to get fat. I was obsessed.

I never weighed myself because I couldn't handle tipping the scale at 115 lbs. It was too much for me to see that I was blowing up like a balloon (insert eye roll). No matter my size I always thought I was too fat or too ugly. Like I said, I was obsessed.

High school and college rolled by and I found myself living single for my entire 20's. I did pretty good with myself. My weight yo-yo'd a bit, but not to any extreme. I'd go through periods of dieting and indulging.

When I moved to So. Cal. in 2006 I was in the best shape of my life. I was down to about 135 and was constantly doing yoga and pilates and running. I had done the Fat Flush Plan, and never ate any refined sugar. I kept my carbs to a minimum as well.

Then I met Robbie and the happy weight kept creeping higher and higher. I found myself dismissing any compliment he gave me. He'd tell me how gorgeous I looked and I would lay it on thick with a "No. You're wrong. I'm a fat blob...let's go get ice cream tonight." Then the whole pregnancy, bedrest and gestational diabetes thing happened and I reached the heaviest I've ever been.

I want to look in the mirror and say, "Hello gorgeous! You're looking ravishing today." But all I can think of is, "Ugh...sagging boobs, stretch marks and a double chin. I think I'm going to take away all the mirrors from this house."

The thing is, that's not what Heavenly Father wants me to think about myself. After all, he gave me this body - right? He let me come to the best family in the world and it just so happened that I inherited my weight problems from them.

My mother said exactly the same things about herself as I say daily to myself. She always told me how beautiful I was all the while putting herself down. Well, it's time to break the cycle. I don't want to have a daughter hear me criticize the gift that God gave me. I want to be able to teach her that beauty comes in different packages and that it is definitely not found on the cover of a magazine. I for one am going to keep looking inward through prayer and scripture study and find that beauty and contentment with who I am that's just waiting to burst out of me, so that I can teach my daughter(s) what's most important in this life.

We need to look within ourselves ladies and live up to our God-given potential. We need to remember that as we develop our beauty within, it will begin to creep outward until it shines out of every pore in our bodies.

We are devoted wives, mother's, sisters, friends. We have strength and courage to live every day and keep our heads up high. We are beautiful no matter our weight, ethnic background or social standing.

We are Devotion.

We are Strength.

We are Beauty.



Here's what I ate today:

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
3/4 Large Banana - 90 Calories

Total Breakfast: 275 Calories

Snack

Low Fat Crackers - 140 Calories
1T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 230 Calories

Lunch

Grilled Chicken Breast Subway with Avocado - 370 Calories
Apple Slices - 35 Calories

Total Lunch: 405 Calories

Snack (It was a busy day and this was all I had)

Low fat crackers - 140 Calories
1T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 230 Calories

Dinner

1.5 Whole Wheat Pancakes (sugar free syrup and a tiny bit of butter) - 233 Calories
Egg Whites - 50 Calories
2 Strips Turkey Bacon- 76 Calories
1 Cup Fruit - 70 Calories

Total Dinner: 429 Calories

Total Calories for Day 29: 1569
Total Water for Day 29: 1 Gallon
Exercise for Day 29: 30 Minutes Elliptication

What I Ate Day 28 and 50 Minutes

50 minutes people! THAT'S RIGHT - 5-0 M-I-N-U-T-E-S. That's how long I walked on the dreadmill... Did I just write that? I meant Treadmill...yeah treadmill. Anyhoo...Betsy met me there which helped me to withstand the soothing calls of Ursula pleading with me to stay asleep a little longer. Did I withstand? That's a big, fat 10-4.

Anyhoo, Besty and I had a nice chat and all of a sudden it was 10 minutes to 7. It was the most enjoyable workout I've had in a long time. Thanks again Bets...I'm excited to do it again tomorrow!

Here's what I ate day 28:

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
1 Small Banana - 90 Calories
1 Slice Low Cal Whole Wheat Bread - 80 Calories
1 tsp Olive Oil Spread - 20 Calories

Total Breakfast: 375 Calories

Snack

String Cheese - 80 Calories
Apple - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 170 Calories

Lunch

1 Turkey Sandwitch (1 Sandwitch Round (100), 1 Slice Cheese (70), Turkey (45), Veggies (5), Mustard (3), Light Mayo (very little) (10), Avocado (50)) - 283 Calories
Veggies (Carrots and Cucumbers) - 35

Total Lunch: 318 Calories

Snack

1 Slice Low Cal Whole Grain Bread - 80 Calories
1 Tsp Almond Butter - 30 Calories

Total Snack: 110 Calories

Dinner

1 Cup Tomato Soup - 80 Calories
Grilled Cheese (2 Slices Low-Cal Whole Wheat Bread (190), 1 Slice Cheese (70), 2 tsp Olive Oil Spread (40)) - 300 Calories

Total Dinner: 380 Calories

Snack

100 Calorie Snack Pack - 100 Calories

Total Snack: 100 Calories

Total Calories for Day 28: 1453
Total Water for Day 28: 1 Gallon
Exercise for Day 28: 5-0-M-I-N-U-T-E-S on the Dreadmill

What I Ate Day 27 and A Weigh In For Week 5 and Some More Goals

Okay so here are my stats for this week:

Height: 63 Inches
Weight: 191.4 lbs (Down 1.6 lbs from last weigh in and 6.6lbs total)
Waist: 35 Inches (Down 1 inch from last weigh in and 6 inches total!!!)
Hips: 41 Inches (No change from last weigh in and 1 inch total)
Body Fat: 37.1% (1.2% down from last weigh in and 7.5% total)
BMI: 33.9 (.3 down from last weigh in and .8 total)

I feel okay with the above stats. Slow and steady wins the race right? If I take it one day at a time and let my body do its thing, then the weight is more likely to stay off. He, he...Yeah - I need to keep telling myself that.

Good news! I went to the gym bright and early this morning with my good friend Betsy (Thanks girl!) and we have plans to do it again tomorrow. I can feel my laziness melting away...cross your fingers!

Here are my goals for this week:

Do some sort of exercise 6 of the 7 days this week
1 Gallon of Water per day (I know it seems like a lot, but I need to keep the kidney stones away as well as the water weight. 1 gallon/day is what my urologist suggests.)
Keep my calories between 1400 and 1700

Here's what I ate Day 27 (Yesterday):

Breakfast

2 Lowfat Crescent Rolls - 180 Calories
1/2 Slice Deli Turkey - 10 Calories
1/2 String Cheese - 40 Calories

Total Breakfast - 230 Calories

Snack

Handful of Trail Mix - 160 Calories

Total Snack: 160 Calories

Lunch

1 Leftover Burrito - 160 Calories
1 Nabisco 100 Calorie Snack Pack - 100 Calories

Total Lunch: 260 Calories

Snack

Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140 Calories

Total Snack: 140 Calories

Dinner

2 Fish Tacos (Corn tortillas (90), Fried Yellow Tail Tuna(150), Veggies and Salsa (20)) - 260 Calories
1/2 Cup Rice & Beans (Mixed) - 160 Calories

Total Dinner: 420 Calories

Snack

String Cheese - 80 Calories

Total Snack: 80 Calories

Total Calories for Day 27: 1290 (way too low...I'll keep an eye on myself tomorrow)
Total Water for Day 27: 1 Gallon

What I Ate Day 26 and I Have Nothing Much to Say

Today was a good day. J played Patty-Cake all day long with me and I didn't do much of anything. Affirming what I knew all along...I'm lazy. Actually it was a complete 1-8-0 from last weekend, so I think I needed a break. Most importantly, I stuck with my healthy eating all day long, (ahem...even though I splurged a few times)

Here's what I ate today (Day 26):

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
1 Sm. Banana - 90 Calories

Total Breakfast: 275 Calories

Snack

1 Slice Ezekiel Bread - 80 Calories
1tsp Almond Butter - 30 Calories

Total Snack: 110 Calories

Lunch

1/2 Cup Brown Rice - 110 Calories
Sweet & Sour Pork Stirfry - 200 Calories
1/2 PBJ Sandwitch - 130 Calories

Total Lunch: 440 Calories

Snack

1 String Cheese - 80 Calories
1 Apple - 90 Calories
Crackers - 100 Calories

Total Snack: 270 Calories

Dinner

Chicken/Carne Asada Burritos (2 Whole Wheat Tortillas (200), Meat (50), Rice/Beans (40), Veggies (25), Salsa (5)) - 320 Calories
Salad (35) w/ Low Cal Dressing (14) - 49 Calories

Total Dinner: 369 Calories

Snack

Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140 Calories

Total Snack: 140 Calories

Total Calories for Day 26: 1604
Total Water for Day 26: 96 oz

What I Ate Day 25 and An Open Letter to Ursula

Dear Comfy, Pillowy Bed (aka Ursula),

Why are you so nice and comfortable? Sometimes I wish you would just kick me out into the cold, cruel morning and make me do something nice for my body like some elliptication or a nice brisk walk. Alas, your blankets enfold me into the soothing, warm lullaby of dreamland and rather than get up and go like I should, I lay back into your loving embrace. Just as the heat slowly rises on those poor little froggys, each morning you whisper your entrancing words, "Don't go to the gym today, there's always tomorrow. Why would you need to exercise anyway? I love a little plumpness on my victims...er...I mean friends. Muscle tone? Who needs it? You're fine the way you are. There's absolutely no reason to meet your goals. What are goals anyway but reasons to get you away from my warm, entrancing folds?"

Ursula...you are PURE evil.

Love,
Em-Cat

Hey Chela and Jose...are you guys running the LA Marathon this weekend? Yeah...that makes me feel even more lazy. *sigh*

Here's What I ate Day 25*:

Breakfast

1 Slice Diet Whole Grain Bread - 80 Calories
1 tsp almond butter - 30 Calories
1 String Cheese - 80 Calories

Total Breakfast: 190 Calories

Lunch

Cafe Rio Salad (Grilled Chicken (100), Whole Wheat Tortilla (200), No Rice, No Beans, Vinaigrette Dressing (50), Veggies (25) Tortilla Strips (40), 1T Guac (40)) - 455 Calories

Total Lunch: 455 Calories

Dinner

Chicken Teriaki - 200 Calories
4 Pieces California Roll - 150 Calories
4 Pieces Crunchy Roll - 200 Calories
Salad w/little Dressing - 40 Calories
Miso Soup - 40 Calories

Total Dinner: 630 Calories

Snack

Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140 Calories

Total Snack: 140 Calories

Total Calories for Day 25: 1415
Total Water for Day 25: 128oz (YAY!)

*I wasn't super hungry for snacks today...maybe because I filled myself to the max with water.

What I Ate Day 24 and I'm a Lazy You Know What

On Monday I woke up at 7:45am and felt like I had been run over by a train so I didn't go to the gym.

On Tuesday I woke up at 6:45am and felt like I had been run over by a large boulder (you know the kind in the cartoons) so I hung out with my baby and watched Sesame Street and didn't go to the gym.

On Wednesday I woke up at 7:13am and felt like I had been run over by a rolling piano so I got my baby some milk and we laid in bed annoying Robbie until he finally gave in and woke up...oh and I didn't go to the gym.

Today I woke up at 6:32am and felt like I had been run over by a semi truck filled with livestock so I got up and gave little J breakfast while we talked to grandma on the TV Remote (It's amazing how far technology has come)...yeah and I didn't go to the gym.

In a nutshell - I've been lazy this week and haven't gone to the gym at.ALL. I'll get out of my lazy funk soon. Hey at least I kept within my calories!

Here's what I ate Day 24:

Breakfast

2 Slices Low Cal Whole Grain Bread - 160 Calories
1T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Breakfast: 250 Calories

Snack

Luna Bar - 180 Calories

Total Snack: 180 Calories

Lunch

Cafe Rio Grilled Chicken Taco (Whole Wheat Tortilla (80), Lettuce(2), Pico (10), Grilled Chicken (50), Cheese(40)) - 182 Calories

Rice & Black Beans - 134 Calories

Total Lunch: 316 Calories

Snack

1tsp Almond Butter - 30 Calories
1 1/2 Wasa Crackers - 68 Calories

Total Snack: 98 Calories

Dinner

1/2 Cup Brown Rice - 110 Calories
Sweet & Sour Pork Stir Fry - 275 Calories

Total Dinner: 385 Calories

Snack

Skinny Cow Ice Cream - 140 Calories

Total Snack: 140 Calories

Total Calories for Day 24: 1369
Total Water for Day 24: 100 oz

Happy St. Patrick's Day on Day 23 and an Early Break Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day! I decided to make yesterday my break day since we had a delicious Corned Beef and Cabbage meal (I'm a traditionalist - what can I say?). I indulged on a couple of St. Patty's cookies as well. I was pretty good the rest of the day though.

On a side note...my father-in-law is in the hospital receiving drug treatment for renal cell carcinoma (kidney cancer). He had his kidney removed about 8 years ago because of it and it's returned in the form of a huge tumor attached to the outside of his lungs. Please pray for him. This treatment helps about 30% of those who receive it and about 10% of those get rid of the cancer completely. Say a little prayer for us - we can use all the help we can get. We want him to be a part of the 10%. We love dad and want J to grow up to know his grandpa!

Love,
Em-Cat

What I Ate Day 22 and I Feel Much Better Today

Yes it's true. I feel much better. I was having a major pity party with myself last night, but we all need those don't we? I seem to have more of those than usual, mostly because I'm getting down and dirty with this diet thing. I'm not surprised though. I figured I'd have quite a few fiestas lamentables (aka Pity Parties in Espanol) with the kick off of the whole life change thing.

Reality really bites doesn't it?

Here's what I ate Day 22:

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
1 Banana - 90 Calories

Total Breakfast: 275 Calories

Snack

1 Slice Whole Grain Bread - 80 Calories
1 T Almond Butter - 90 Calories
Crackers - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 260 Calories

Lunch

1/2 Greek Salad - 125 Calories
1/2 Turkey Sandwitch - 220 Calories
1 Small Apple - 80 Calories

Total Lunch: 425 Calories

Snack

Crackers - 80 Calories
1 tsp Peanut Butter - 80 Calories

Total Snack: 160 Calories

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Breast - 142 Calories
3 Tomato Slices - 8 Calories
1/2 Cup Low Fat Cottage Cheese - 81 Calories
1/2 Cup Potatoes - 130 Calories

Total Dinner: 361 Calories

Total Calories for Day 22: 1481
Total Water for Day 22: 96

What I Ate Day 21 and Some Questions

Okay...so this is the time where I wonder out loud how it is I'm going to have the patience to get through this. I've always known that when you're trying to lose weight you need to have staying power. My question is...do I have the power? I mean, I didn't lose any weight last week and I'm kind of annoyed by it. I'm cool with a few pounds a week, but none...I'm not cool with. I'm frankly discouraged by it. Ugh...why is it so frustrating? It just makes me want to eat a cookie. Don't worry - I'm not going to, but dag-nabit I WANT TO!!!

In a perfect world, I would want the weight to have melted off in two weeks after the baby was born and to look like a super model three weeks after. Fortunately this isn't a perfect world and I'm going to need to fight the good fight for the rest of my life. We don't learn from anything that's easy - right? Why does it have to be so exhausting?

Here's what I ate day 21:

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
1 Small Banana - 90 Calories

Total Breakfast: 275 Calories

Snack

Handful of Mixed Nuts - 200 Calories

Total Snack: 200 Calories

Lunch

Carne Asada Meat - 125 Calories
2 Corn Tortillas - 118 Calories
Onions/Cilantro - 8 Calories
Tomatoes and Carrots - 20 Calories

Total Lunch: 271 Calories

Snack

1 Slice Ezekiel Bread - 80 Calories
2 tsp Almond Butter - 60Calories
Wheat Crackers - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 230 Calories

Dinner

Chicken Breast Subway w/ Avocado and Cheese - 410 Calories
Apple Slices - 35 Calories

Total Dinner: 445 Calories

Total Calories for Day 21: 1421
Oz of Water for Day 21: 96

Week 4 and I'm Back...But Not With a Bang

So, I went to the trade show this weekend and I didn't totally fall off the bandwagon, but I didn't do that great either. When I'm on my feet all day long for 3 1/2 days straight...my body doesn't want to cooperate with me. I retain a lot of water and by Sunday night I felt puffy (I still feel puffy). I weighed myself yesterday morning and I haven't lost anything (at least I stayed the same) and I didn't have the heart to measure my waist and hips. I had a lot of opportunities for exercising though - I walked everywhere and worked hard.

I'm doing great today and I'm drinking a TON of water and back to counting calories. I'm exhausted due to having worked all weekend and the time change. I'm going to forgo posting my stats today. I'll get back to that next week.

Here are my goals for this week:

• Stick to a diet of 1500-1800 Calories per day
• Drink 96-128 oz of water per day
• Exercise everyday but Sunday
• Go easy on myself and realize that slow and steady wins the race

Thanks for all of your prayers and support! I love you all.

Love,

Em-Cat

What I Ate Day 15 and I Might Be In and Out for a While

From now until Sunday evening, my life is going to be an absolute fiasco. I have to attend the Health Food Industry's biggest trade show of the year. Can I tell you how much I HATE it? Abhorrence, revulsion, odium, un-adulterated loathing (let's just say...I loathe it all)...yeah...I've been to this thing every year for at least 7 years and I can't think of anything positive to say about it. I will be on my feet from 8am to 7pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Most of it will entail me being watched like a hawk from my company's high executives (which is the most exhausting thing about it). It depletes me of all of my energy and desire to do anything but come home and veg on the couch for the remainder of the night. This is just a warning that I may not be logging my calories for the next few days, but rest assured that I will TRIUMPH and stick with my diet.

Love,
Em-Cat

Here's what I ate Day 15:

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
3/4 Large Banana - 90 Calories
1 Slice Ezekiel Bread - 80 Calories
1 tsp Olive Oil Spread - 10 Calories

Total Breakfast: 365 Calories

Snack

Brown Rice Crackers - 120 Calories
1 T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 210 Calories

Lunch

Baja Fresh Baja Ensalada - 310 Calories
1/2 serving Corn Chips - 110 Calories

Total Lunch - 420 Calories

Snack

1/2 Banana - 45 Calories
1T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 135 Calories

Dinner

1/2 Serving BBQ Chicken - 350 Calories
A Few Bites of Potato Salad and Coleslaw - 150 Calories
Green Salad - 35 Calories
Splash of Vinaigrette Dressing - 10 Calories

Total Dinner - 545 Calories

Total Calories for Day 15: 1675
Total Water for Day 15: 65 Oz (I need to get better at this!)

What I Ate Day 14 and Some Thoughts

I began this journey on a whim. I was on a semi-long drive and something clicked in my heart. I had my sweet, precious J in the back seat and I was thinking about the future. I realized that if I continued on the path I was going, I may have a life cut short. I thought about family members who have so many health problems because of prolonged, poor dietary choices.

I come from a family where, if you looked at photos of my ancestors, you would understand why we have such struggles with weight. I definitely could use that as an excuse, but I don't want to. I want to break the cycle. I will always struggle with weight, my children may always struggle with their weight, but if I start now to create healthy eating habits and an active lifestyle, we may not need to worry as much.

I love my husband and baby so much that I want to live a long life with them by my side. I want to be an example to my son and future children and grandchildren. To show them that our bodies are gifts from God and sentinels of our spirit. We aren't meant to damage them or take them for granted. We are meant to reverently care for what God has so graciously given us.

I want to live the Word of Wisdom, not just by staying away from coffee, alcohol and other addictive substances, but by eating foods that are good for my body and spirit. By exercising and doing active things as a family. I want to be like Nephi of old and shout to my soul, "Awake! Take hold of your life and live it to its fullest potential."

This is just as much of a spiritual journey as it is physical. Just as I need your help on this journey of mine, I know I also need to solicit God's help. I know He will help me through this race. I know with His help I will reach my goals of weight loss and beyond.

Faith is a beautiful thing.

Here's what I ate on Day 14:

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 120 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
1 6 Inch Banana - 90 Calories
1 Slice Ezekiel Bread - 80 Calories

Total Breakfast: 385 Calories

Snack

1 Slice Ezekiel Bread - 80 Calories
1T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 170 Calories

Lunch

6 Inch Chicken Breast Subway on Wheat - 370 Calories
Apple Slices - 35 Calories

Total Lunch: 405 Calories

Snack

1 String Cheese - 80 Calories

Total Snack: 80 Calories

Dinner

Veggie Omlette (2 Eggs (180), Turkey Sausage (120), Veggies (35), 1 Slice Cheese (120)) - 455 Calories
Potatoes - 110 Calories
2 tsp Olive Oil - 80 Calories

Total Dinner: 645 Calories

Total Calories for Day 14: 1685 (A bit higher than usual, but not too bad)
Total Water for Day 14: 80 oz (Ugh...what is my water problem?)
Exercise for Day 14: A nice long brisk walk with friends (It was a good day)

Week Three and Some More Goals

Even though I didn't do great at exercising this week, I did a fabulous job at staying on track with my calories. I've determined that around 1500 calories is pretty good for me. I don't get hungry when I eat 1500 and it's the easiest to do when I'm out and about. I won't beat myself up though for going over 1500 as long as I don't go over 1800 (which at the rate I'm going I don't think I'll do). Anyhoo - on with the good news!

Week 3 Sunday March 7, 2010

Height: 63 Inches
Weight: 193.0 lbs (I'm down a total of 2.4 lbs from last week and 5.2 lbs from Week 1)
Waist: 36 Inches (2 inches down from last week and a total of 5 inches down total!!)
Hips: 41 Inches (1 inch down from last week and a total of 1 inch down)
Body Fat %: 38.3% (3.4 Points down from last week and a total of 6.3 points down!)
BMI: 34.2 (.4 points down and a total of .5 points down)

It was a great week in weightloss! Now I'm going to have my cheat day and not worry about it!

Love you all!

Em-Cat (Mrrrow!)

What I ate Day 13 and A Cute Baby

Little J-Dawg has been inspired by his mommy's calorie counting to change his bad habits. The chain smoking lead to over-eating and it's been a downward spiral from there. He finally decided he needed to get his life back in order.

He starts his day off with a nice healthy protein shake. "MOM! Would you stop taking pictures of me while I'm concentrating on gagging this down. Blech! Who drinks this stuff?"

Once he gags down the protein shake, he toddles on over to the scale to see if he's fluctuated an ounce or two. "I'm so embarrassed! Don't show how much I weigh that will just make me want to eat myself out of a depression."

Here's what I ate day 13:

Breakfast

2 Slices Ezekiel Bread - 160 Calories
1T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Breakfast: 250 Calories

Snack

This was a delightful little idea given to me by my friend Sondra - which was so delish BTW.

1 Slice Ezekiel Bread - 80 Calories
1 Wedge Light Laughing Cow Cheese - 35 Calories
2 Slices Tomato - 6 Calories

Total Snack: 121 Calories

Lunch

1 Sandwich (Orowheat Sandwich Thin (100), 1 Slice Monterrey Jack Cheese (80), Deli Turkey (54), Deli Mustard (5), Light Mayo (8), Lettuce (1), Tomato(3)) - 251 Calories
1/2 Apple - 45 Calories
6 Grape Tomatoes - 5 Calories
4 Slices Cucumber - 4 Calories

Total Lunch: 305 Calories

Snack

1 String Cheese - 80 Calories
1/2 Apple - 45 Calories
1T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 215 Calories

Dinner

1 Ezekiel English Muffin - 180 Calories
2 Eggs - 180 Calories
Mixed Sauteed (With Olive Oil) Veggies - 100 Calories

Total Dinner: 460 Calories

Snack

1 String Cheese - 80 Calories

Total Snack: 80 Calories

Total Calories for Day 13: 1431
Total Oz Water for Day 13: 96

P.S. Tomorrow's my day off and I'm weighing in. I'm going to make it a point to eat some chocolate.

Days 10, 11 and 12...oi...Has it been that long?

We came home last night from my father-in-law's birthday party to this little beauty! A HUGE thanks to my girl Chela. I'm sure you're trying to make up for the cookies - but you know you didn't need to. Robbie had a great time eating the cookies for me (he didn't save me one for my cheat day...hmpf...) I can't wait to try all the healthy goodies she left for me!

This week has been challenging. I haven't fallen off the wagon, but a nasty cold has put a damper in my goal of working out. I did take my little munchkin for a walk yesterday morning, but my cough is still there. Thank heavens I feel much better now though.

Rather than bore you all with what I ate for the past three days, I totaled my calories for days 10 and 11. I've listed what I ate for day 12 below:

Total Calories Day 10: 1473
Total Oz Water Day 10: 100

Total Calories Day 11: 1450
Total Oz Water Day 11: 100

What I ate day 12:

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Protein Powder - 95 Calories
1 Slice Ezekiel Bread - 80 Calories
1/2 tsp Olive Oil Spread - 10 Calories

Total Breakfast - 275 Calories

Snack

Brown Rice Crackers - 120 Calories
1 T Almond Butter - 90 Calories
2 Mini Carrots - 15 Calories

Total Snack - 225 Calories

Lunch

Cafe Rio Tortilla Soup - 350 Calories (This is an approximation...they didn't have nutritional values available)

Total Lunch - 350 Calories

Snack

2 Mini Carrots - 15 Calories
1 T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Snack - 105 Calories

Dinner*

Very Small Portion of Spaghetti - 75 Calories
1 Small Slice Garlic Bread - 60 Calories
1 Apple - 90 Calories

Total Dinner - 225 Calories

Total Calories for Day 12: 1180 (Way too low! Shame on me.) Total Water for Day 12: 75 oz (Bad me on the water for Day 12 too!)
*We were at a family party last night and there wasn't anything I could really eat so I had to pick the lesser of evils. When all was said and done, my blood sugar had dropped and I had to eat an apple by the time we left. I need to plan a little better and bring a salad to share with everyone and so I have some healthier options at big gatherings.

I know it's been a while...

...but I promise I've been good. I'm just tired and sick and want to go to bed early again tonight. I'll post my calories and something else soon, I promise! Thanks for all the support.

I love you guys.

Em-Cat

What I Ate Day 9 and I'm REALLY Sick!

So I didn't go to the gym yesterday either. I figure it will do more harm than good if I'm coughing and hacking on the elliptical machine. I didn't post yesterday because I was way too tired last night to do anything but go to bed by 8:30pm.

Here's what I ate yesterday:

Breakfast

8oz Skim Milk - 90 Calories
1 Scoop Whey Protein - 95 Calories
1 Banana - 90 Calories

Total Breakfast: 275 Calories

Snack

1/2 C Left Over Taco Soup - 150 Calories

Total Snack: 150 Calories

Lunch

6 inch Turkey Subway on Wheat (Hey at least I tried Turkey this time!) w/Avocado - 330 Calories
Apple Slices - 35 Calories

Total Lunch: 365 Calories

Snack

1 Apple - 90 Calories
1T Almond Butter - 90 Calories

Total Snack: 180 Calories

Dinner

1 Serving Left Over Taco Soup - 350 Calories
2 Small Biscuits - 120 Calories
1 tsp Olive Oil Spread - 20 Calories

Total Dinner - 480 Calories

Total Water for Day 9 - 82 oz (Ooops...Fell short on that one! Which is really bad since I need more water than usual because I don't feel well)

Total Calories for Day 9: 1450

I'm kind of down for calories yesterday. I didn't have much of an appetite because I'm sick, but I also think that my stomach is shrinking so I'm not as hungry!