Tue and Wed W31

Tuesday, I had an apple for breakfast 1pt. PB&J for lunch 4pts. Smart Ones for dinner 4pts, and a bit to drink with friends 10pts and some baked fries for a snack 10pts.

Wednesday, I had a biscuit for breakfast for 4pts. I am pretty sure that these are baked with a TON of butter in them. You can literally see the yellow flecks.

Link to giveaway for CHOCOLATE gifts at Fashion Meets Food! http://www.fashionmeetsfood.com/

Weigh In Day! Mon W31

Well hello there, bloggies! Monday was a big fat waste of a day. Coincidentally, it was supposed to be the same day I re-started writing my thesis. I finally got so fed up reading a little, procrastinating a lot, and then repeating that I spent the second half the day getting my work-space cleaned up and my work outlined for Wednesday. I work so much better when things are clean!


I had a toasted english muffin with laughing cow cheese for breakfast for 2pts.

I had a peach for a snack 1pt while reading papers.

For lunch, I had a pb&j at the house 4pts...while avoiding reading papers.

Matt came home a little early to help me get everything clean and to start an outline for a paper we're writing. (He's writing and asking me for small portions.) We took Bear for a long walk +1 activity pt. Matt had some training to do at LearningRx (Dargan, my boss, asked Matt if he'd like to become a certified trainer and take on one or two students) so while he was there, I went to my weight watchers meeting. 

At the meeting we talked about "Deprivation Dan," a stuffed rhinoceros who thought that dieting was all about not eating the food you love, but was still fat, and "Livable Lilly" a bunny who had bought smaller clothes because she made her diet livable. So all of us adults got a kick out of our leader teaching us with stuffed animals like we were in 2nd grade, but the point still remains- depriving yourself of your favorites or of anything you want is not maintainable. Generally it leads to a swing in the opposite direction because deprivation is a difficult feeling to manage. So our challenge for the week is to pick a "non-diet food"- something you would never think of when you think of the word diet- and plan it in to your meals this week. Obviously mine will be french fries from a fast food place. 

While I entirely agree that the "no chocolate, no fries, no good food" doesn't work for most people- I don't think feeling hungry is a bad thing. There are a ton (no pun intended) of overweight people who haven't been hungry in years. Hunger can be scary when you aren't prepared for it, but its a normal part of life. Its mildly uncomfortable at most and its just your body saying- "Need some fuel up there, homes." We talked in the meeting about how life can be a big experiment. I love that idea- one of my favorite blogs- Experiments in Lifestyle Design by Tim Ferris- author of The Four Hour Work Week- where the Author documents crazy experiments he does on himself with some really amazing revelations on human capability and predicaments. So challenge for you readers- listen to your body, let yourself get physically hungry and try to note the difference between that feeling and emotional hunger. Once you start to recognize signs and symptoms of each, you learn to deal with each appropriately.

So for the update- I am down another 2.4 lbs- bringing the grand total to -30.6. Hooray! Out of the slump! I think getting back to the gym definitely got my head back on straight. After the meeting, Matt and I cooked dinner. We had tilapia filets 3pts, 1/2 serving of greek yogurt fettuccine 5pts, and steamed asparagus 0pts. We were stuffed and it was delicious!

After dinner, we met some friends for fro-yo downtown at the Sweet Frog. I tried 3 different kinds! Its one of those places where they weigh it. So fun and great weather outside. I had cookies n cream, chocolate, and peanut butter- of course I added a little topping! I had about 4oz 4pts.

After yogurt, Cait Matt and I grabbed a beer at Miller's- oh Left Hand Pils I love you. 3pts.

MONDAY STATS: 
Points: 22/23
Weekly Allowance Points: 35/35 remaining
Exercise: Walking Bear

Weekly Activity Points: 1/1

Weekly Weight Loss: -2.4 / -30.6 total


Hope to see less of each other next time!
Casey

Tilapia with Lemon, Garlic, and Parsley

Generally, I don't like fish..or as far as I go is crab, salmon, and shrimp. However, on a whim at the grocery, I picked up some tilapia and decided to give it a go. Tonight, I made this wonderful low calorie dish that even Matt loved. (courtesy of all recipes) The final product was not only tasty and moist, but visually pleasing too. Definitely coming back to this one! 3pts and about 100 calories!


What you will need:

• 1 lb Tilapia Filets
• 1 Tbsp Butter, melted
• 3 Tbsp Lemon Juice
• 2 Cloves Garlic (finely Chopped)
• Dried Parsley
• Pepper to taste

Tilapia before and after cooking. I promise, even if you're not a fish eater, you'll like it...and get the added benefits of eating fish!

What you need to do:

1. Preheat oven to 375 F.
2. Rinse filets in cool water and pat dry with paper towels.
3. Place in baking pan sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. (Pick your favorite, I used olive oil)
4. Drizzle lemon juice over filets, followed by the melted butter.
5. Sprinkle the garlic over them (I will use more than 2 cloves next time).
6. Followed by the pepper and parsley.
7. Bake for about 30 minutes until filets are white and flake when pulled with fork. Mine took about 32 minutes.

Then you're done! Enjoy, and hope to see less of each other next time!

Tune in tomorrow for my weigh in report.....

Weekend W30

The weekend went well. Got to spend some time with Brad and Allison and some home time with Matt on Sunday. Posting overview food pics before my WW meeting tonight so no time for a long post.

Best Salad Ever 5pts Saturday

Granola Bar 2pts Saturday

Made 0pts Veggie Soup

And onions for Greek Yogurt Fettuccine

Had vinesin burgers, toy story mac-n-cheese, and "virginia" corn at Brad and Allee's Saturday for 11pts  

We went out after dinner and got a few drinks Saturday for 8pts. (Allie and Stay, her friend from NY)

Sunday Morning Had a Baby Watermelon for breakfast

And a cuban chicken panini from Panera for lunch 860 caloies

Didn't finish it

Had the rest of the watermelon for dinner

The end of the weekend! Weigh in on Monday so wish me luck!

Hope to see less of each other next time!

Casey

Best Salad Ever!

Today I threw together what I'm now crowning "The Best Salad Ever." I got this vision in my mind last week and it wasn't until this morning after a grocery run that I was able to bring this beauty into the world (and my tummy). Its about 300 calories and 4.5 weight watchers points. I would just as readily eat this as I would a burger too!

Its also- so easy to make. Layer everything in and enjoy!

What You Need:

• 1/3 Cup Black Beans, rinsed and drained
• 1/3 Cup Corn
• 2 Tbsp 2% Milk Sharp Cheddar Cheese
• 1 Tbsp Fat Free Sour Cream
• 1/6 Avocado, cut into small chunks
• 2 Cups Chopped Romaine
• 2-3 Tbsp Salsa (I used hot, but medium would have been best)
• 4-5 Baked Tortilla Chips, crumbled

Hope to see less of each other next time!

Casey

Back in my Running Shoes Fri W30

TGIF was an understatement this week. Working 10 hr days was wearing on me and I still felt brain dead in the morning when I woke up. I didn't even hear Matt's alarm! I rolled out of bed at 8:20 and had to be at work with a smile at 9. Got in at 9 on the dot with granola bar in hand. 2pts for breakfast.

I had a busy day for the most part at work- just the way I like it. I didn't snag a minute for lunch until well after 2:30. I had pb&j made (with love as usual) by Matt for 4pts and a granola bar 2pts. [The 4 pt sandwich is because we use low cal bread, 1 Tbsp of pb, 1 tsp jam.]

When I finally left work, I was determined to go running and not to let my tiredness and grumpiness get in the way. I wasn't quite in an outdoor running mood so I decided the gym would do for the day. I started at a pace that at first felt comfortable 6mph but quickly kicked my ass..I'm still a slow poke apparently. I was really frustrated at the amount of my endurance I've lost since I went on vacation and stopped running regularly. I was hoping to jump back in and be in my happy place. Nope- it was an angry run where I wanted to stop after every step. I stayed and made myself do a little extra on the cross trainer before leaving +5 activity pts.

Wanting to leave the gym

Cait came over to get some laundry (still getting settled in a new apt) done and it was nice to have her although it seemed both of us were recovering from our crazy weeks. It's nice to have friends you can just be sleepy around and not have it be a big deal. She ran to Jimmy John's with me to pick up dinner while waiting on her laundry. I had a turkey tom (no sprouts, add provolone, ~600 calories) 13pts. I know its a lot, but I didn't want to cook and Matt was craving taco bell. Just fyi 3 soft tacos = 12 pts. They are 210 calories each. About the same as what I had, but I figured the sandwich would keep me full all night.

I snacked on a few tortilla chips too 1pt.

FRIDAY STATS: 
Points: 22/24
Weekly Allowance Points: 17/35
Exercise: Running/Cross Trainer 30 mins

Weekly Activity Points: 5/5Weekly Weight Loss: Missed my meeting because we worked a little late Monday!


Hope to see less of each other next time!
Casey

CUPCAKES! Thursday W30

Peach for breakfast 1pt. It was AMAZING. I love peaches in the summer. I love most all fruit in the summer.

After my peach, I got a real treat. One of our students at LearningRx works at a cupcake bakery and brought us cupcakes she made herself. They were so adorable! Mine was 5pts.

All of the cute cupcakes she brought!

My cupcake was chocolate with vanilla buttercream icing, fondant hearts, and EDIBLE GLITTER! Adorable and delicious!

Did I mention I love my job? I love it without the cute culinary treats, but they're an added bonus. I didn't eat lunch until almost 3 since I was on a sugar high. I had a smart ones, of course 4pts.

I ended up having to work suuper late. I didn't go home until 7! :( Not expecting that. Matt and I were both exhausted. I had to cancel running plans with Cait, which I was pretty upset about. We had shells and cheese for dinner 7pts.

I had some chips and cheese dip as a snack later. No picutre- too ashamed, but fessing up now. 8pts.


THURSDAY STATS: 
Points: 25/24
Weekly Allowance Points: 17/35
Exercise: none
Weekly Weight Loss: Missed my meeting because we worked a little late Monday!


Hope to see less of each other next time!
Casey

No more Aerogels! Wed W30

Hello everyone! Today marks a very important landmark in my school career- I FINISHED RESEARCH IN THE AEROGEL LAB! My project is over- terminada! If you know me at all- you probably also know what a relief it is never to have to go back to that lab again. I was never really fond of my 2 year research project. Overall- glad its over, but glad I did it.

I had a pretty large golden delicious apple for 2pts for breakfast.

I worked in the aerogel lab during the day making the last few samples for my project. I took a break to eat with CJ. She and Nathan just got back from their honeymoon to the UK! I had a Smart Ones Santa Fe Style Rice and Beans for 6pts.

The adorableness that is them on their wedding day!

After lunch- back to lab. I finished around 5:30! Hooray! Matt and I went out of a celebratory dinner at Trinity for $3 Burger night. We split cheese fries (also $3), but didn't even make a dent in them 2pts. I got a burger with avocado and cheese 7pts. I had some celebration beer (of course) 6pts. After dinner with Matt, I met up with Cait for a drink at Boylan to catch up on our summers! Sooo much fun and $3 Firefly was unbeatable. Another 12pts.

WEDNESDAY STATS: 
Points: 35/24
Weekly Allowance Points: 19/35
Exercise: none
Weekly Weight Loss: Missed my meeting because we worked a little late Monday!


Hope to see less of each other next time!
Casey

Tuesday W30

Just another day at work today. Boo Hiss. I had a small fuji apple for breakfast 1pt.

At work, I had a smart ones 4pts with a diet dr. pepper for lunch.

When I got home I had a nice surprise waiting for me. A tag saying a package had been attempted to be delivered that day. MY RUNNING SHOES! I left them in Memphis and my lovely little sister who takes care of our entire fam mailed them to me...along with some other goodies from her and my mom. I went to FedEx to pick up the loot.

Tennis shoes, face scrub, lip balm, new book, and some liquid eye liner which I now love!

Matt and I had leftovers for dinner. I had a chicken sandwich- 3 oz. chicken 3pts, tomato 0pts, lettuce 0pts, hoagie 3pts, provolone cheese 2pts, and honey mustard 1pts. I had a side of lemon garlic broccli 0pts, and a little wild rice 1pt. Delicious. I may just have this tomorrow too.

After dinner, I watched the season premier of Weeds. PS- that show is getting messed up. I'm considering bailing on it now (after 5 seasons) before I get too warped.

PS- did you miss Monday's post? You can catch up on it here. After 30 weeks watching what I eat and losing weight, I gave a little advice to those of us who might set unreasonable expectations on ourselves. Sound familiar?

TUESDAY STATS: 
Points: 15/24
Weekly Allowance Points: 30/35
Exercise: none
Weekly Weight Loss: Missed my meeting because we worked a little late Monday!


Hope to see less of each other next time!
Casey