Thursday, December 30, 2010

100 Days Challenge

I know some of you already have your own fitness challenges. I decided to join the John "the Penguin" Bingham 100 Day Challenge starting January 1st and going for the next 100 days!

The goal is to move for 30 minutes a day, every day, for the next 100 days. You do not have to do the 30 minutes all at once. You can do 1 full 30 min. session, 2 fifteen min. sessions, 3 ten minute sessions...well, you catch my drift. The key is just to move more! Park your car farther away so you have to walk more, take the kids for a walk, go to the gym, clean your house, whatever you want to do to move more.

This is a great challenge to start right at the beginning of the year. I think I will add a tab up at the top of my page to mark down for the next 100 days what I did to do my 30 mins that day. If you do not have a challenge to do...why not try this one? It may seem challenging! 30 mins EVERY DAY! But when you think about it. It's not that hard to do 10 minutes 3 times a day.

I don't know about you but I've been slacking in the eating and moving department. So, I'm gonna kick off 2011 the right way!

If I do not "see" you guys tomorrow...I wish every one of you a safe and happy New Years Eve and an even better 2011!

By the way, I'm charging my garmin and I'm going to try it out later!!! Woohoo!!!

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Pork Chops with Apples and Cider Recipe

This was a good recipe made a few weeks ago. Of course I didn't make it! lol. Matt made it for me. I'm sure the recipe can be adjusted slightly to make it more healthy but it was pretty healthy considering the way he normally cooks. And it was delicious!

Ingredients
1 tablespoon oil
2 onions, sliced
2 golden delicious apples, cored and cut into wedges
2 teaspoons sugar
1/2 tablespoon butter
4 pork chops
1/3 cup cider
1/3 cup cream

Directions
Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan, add the onion and try for about 5 minutes, or until soft and just beginning to brown. Tip the onion out onto a plate. Add the apple wedges to the pan and try them for a minute or two - they should not break up, but should start to soften and brown. Add the sugar and butter and shake everything around in the pan until the apples start to caramelize. Transfer the apples to the plate with the onion.

Put the pork chops in the drying pan, add a bit of seasoning and try them until they are cooked through. Put the onion and apple back in the pan and heat them up, then add the cider and bring to a simmer. Once the liquid is bubbling, add the cream and shake the pan so everything mixes together. Let it bubble for a minute, then season well and serve with potatoes and a green salad.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

So, how did Day 1 go for me. Well, it went mostly good except for some late snacking. Ok. I know what I need to work on. That's why I tried to start over this week instead of waiting until the 1st. I need to work out the kinks!!

I'm thinking about signing up for the monthly pass for weight watchers again. I still go to the meetings but I don't pay because I'm lifetime, which means, I also don't get e-tools unless I pay for that too. But right now, I'm above my goal weight and will have to pay when I go in anyway. So that's why I'm thinking about just getting the monthly pass until I get back down to my goal weight.

It's either that or just pay for e-tools and pay for the weeks I go in to the meetings above my goal weight. Hm...maybe I'll do that? I'm so undecided. I think I probably should try the monthly pass again for a few months.

The new program requires a lot of work. I'm pulling out my books and calculators trying to figure out the points I'm eating. I also decided to make a short cheat sheet for some standard things I've eaten that have gone up in points. That way, it's not so difficult to figure out the points all the time.

Have those of you doing the new weight watchers plans come up with some good short cut ways to know the new points? Have you made any great delicious recipes with the new points system? Any good tricks of the trade to help a fellow WWer out??

Monday, December 27, 2010

Day 1

I'm starting over. How many times have you heard that? Well, I figure one of these days, it will have to stick!

But the last 3 days have been an eating frenzy. On Christmas I was so sick on the way home, I could barely sit up in the car! lol. Why do we do this to ourselves?? But I had a nice time all three days with family!

So today is Day 1 of my "back on track" self! My stomach has been upset. Eating all that sugar CAN NOT be good for it! So I'm in detox! Sugar detox! Well, I'm not going crazy but I'm not going to eat ANY (do you hear me? ANY) candy for the next two weeks!

This week will be a little tough because I have a lunch gathering tomorrow for a woman at work who is retiring. But I'll just make the best choice from the menu that I can.

Then on Wednesday, I have a gathering for dinner after work. Again, guess I will have to make the best choice possible that day.

And with New Years Eve coming up, there will be bad choices there too. But that's life.

I could just have said that I will start January 1st like everyone else on the planet. But why wait? Why not just start as best I can this week? It may not be perfect but it will be better than if I just threw caution to the wind and kept up my horrendous eating that I've been doing for almost 2 months now! I need to get back to my goal weight! I need to get back to my goal eating! I always feel so much better when I eat the right way!

Another thing that I'm not waiting for is hitting the gym. I hit the gym full force starting last Thursday! And this morning, our computers were down at work and they told us to go do something for an hour and...ta-da! I had my gym clothes with me! I walked to the gym and did cardio for 35 mins (the elliptical so I wouldn't sweat too much!) and a butt exercise! I will probably go back to the gym after work too because I was only working out at 60% of my potential this morning and I need to do a quick "butt-kick" tonight!

But what a way to start off my "resolution"!

I typically don't make New Years Resolutions anyway. So my resolution is just a "ME" resolution. Something I need to do to improve myself.

How was all of your Christmas?? Do you make New Years Resolutions?

And I forgot to mention the best part of all! I mentioned it briefly yesterday. I got a garmin forerunner 305 for Christmas from my parents! That was so nice! I can't wait to start using it!

Here were a few pictures my dad thought would be nice to tag me in on Facebook. They are oldies...




The first picture is of me with a dollhouse I got that was made by my grandfather. I have no idea how old I was...maybe 5?

The second picture...whoa! That's scary. Thanks for tagging me in it on facebook dad! lol. Again, no idea how old I was in that picture (or how heavy). I'm sure I'm in my late teens. And that is not the heaviest I got too. That was around the later part of the '90's.

The third picture is also around the same time I think. It's of my and my nephew when he was about 3 or so. So that had to be around '97!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Merry Christmas!!

Hope everyone has a Very Merry Christmas! I got a garmin forerunner 305 from my parents!! How awesome is that! I'll post more pictures and a recipe in a few days!

Have a great holiday!

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Glazed Carrots and On Plan Update

Wow! How are my blogging friends today? I'm so sorry, I've been MIA. Holidays, not "on plan" eating, a few minor doctors visits, traveling to Omaha Nebraska!!

So, let me fill you in on my happenings.

First things first, a recipe! It's been a long time! Actually, I didn't make it. Matt did. Good job Matt! It's a simple side dish recipe and very easy to make. It was delicious!

GLAZED CARROTS

Ingredients
1 pound carrots, approximately 7 medium, peeled and cut on the bias 1/4-inch thick
1 ounce (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter
Heavy pinch kosher salt
1 cup good-quality ginger ale
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions
In a 12-inch saute pan over medium heat, combine the carrots, butter, salt and ginger ale. Cover and bring to a simmer. Once simmering, remove the lid, stir, and reduce the heat to low. Cover again and cook for 5 minutes. Remove the lid, add the chili powder and increase the heat to high. Cook, tossing occasionally, until the ginger ale is reduced to a glaze, approximately 4 to 5 minutes. Pour into a serving dish and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve immediately.

* I don't have points or nutritional information so you would have to figure that out on your own.

Secondly, I haven't been counting my points...at all! I did for two days after I got the new materials. It was challenging learning the new materials but I was enjoying it. But yeah, I haven't been motivated lately. I'm still trying to make as best decisions as I can mostly, but cookies and candy and all that holiday stuff has been getting in my way.

I was slacking in the workout department too. I wasn't feeling well and so was cutting my workouts short, lounging on the couch, not doing anything. But I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. I love working out. I love the feel of feeling like you want to quit cause it's hard but not giving up and sweating and...ahhhh!!! The joys of a hard workout!

Work is work. Found out today my boss is retiring. He's almost the only one at work that I like. So now, they are having me work for these two other attorneys. I'm not a happy camper!

I traveled by car to Omaha, Nebraska last weekend where Matt lives. It's close to a 7 hour drive. I wasn't worried about it though. I had good weather going there and mostly going back, but on the way back, a few hours from my house, I hit bad snowy weather and horrible roads. Needless to say, I didn't die (yay!!) and I made it home in about 8.5 hours. It was pure torture!

And thirdly, Christmas. I haven't finished my shopping yet. What!?! Christmas is in 3 days?? Oh crap! No one told me it was on the 25th this year!

Well, I have only my mom left to shop for. She's pretty difficult to buy for. I have something in mind, but I have to shop around for it. She wants a new purse. But again, she's hard to buy for.

So that's my life right now in a nut shell! I have to catch up on some of your blogs (I've been a bad blogging buddy).

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Holiday Blues

Wow, to say I've been in a funk lately would be an understatement! I'm feeling lazy, irritated and having been just plain eating WAY TOO MANY holiday cookies at work. I feel like I could have consumed 4 dozen cookies yesterday alone! Well, clearly it wasn't that many but it felt like it. I ate cookies all day long!

I haven't been working out as much and when I'm at the gym, I leave early than I anticipated. I've had a stomach ache for a week that isn't just food related but medical related. Dr. appointment, medication received, so it should go away. Now to just get my eating under control and I'd be peachy!

Today at the office building I work at, they had a holiday breakfast for the entire building. They do it a few times a year. I bee-lined for the yogurt and fruit and made a parfait. Then didn't even bother looking at the rest of the items! I didn't want to partake in any of it! Seriously, I feel like I've gained 10 lbs!

I got to my desk and found an expensive bottle of wine. My boss gets things from his clients and spreads it around the office! So sweet!!! Free alcohol and free breakfast.

I think I'm going to make today a good day. I'm in need of one. Depression sucks!

I brought my gym clothes to work so I can go straight to the gym. Working out hard today and tomorrow. Then another weekend trip to Nebraska. Couldn't he live further south where it's warmer instead of in a climate that's almost exactly like mine!

So today is going to be a totally On Plan day! Is anyone else making today a totally On Plan day??

Monday, December 13, 2010

Pizzelle Time!

I do not make cookies. You would know that if you read my Epic Fail Post!

But there is one type of cookie I do make. It's a family tradition to make them around the holidays. They are pizzelles!! If you have never had them, they are Italian waffle cookies. Traditionally, they are anise flavored. I'm not an anise fan. Our recipe is an old one with our old time pizzelle grill and it's a vanilla flavored.

I've experimented in the past with making them low fat. But sometimes you have to make a full fat version! These are one of those times!

And like I said, they are made on a pizzelle grill, not baked in the oven. Behold the wonderful pizzelle making experience!!!!


Clearly, I was not expecting to have pictures taken of me!! lol. And I was already advised that those sweat pants are too big! What can I say, I lost weight since I bought them two years ago! lol.

These are the best cookies ever! So light and airy. Too bad they are still fattening! I was going to calculate the points but forgot and started dividing them up to give away!

I did really good at first without eating any of the batter (uh, yes, the batter is one of the best parts!). I was chewing gum! But once you lick your fingers, it's all over! Then I ate 3 of them. Then later I ate two more! Luckily I didn't bring any others home for me!

So last night was a disaster. But I did get a x-mas tree! Yay!!! Now to get it upright and decorated!

Today was a semi-disaster when I devoured some homemade cookies that someone gave me! But I'll estimate the points and count it.

Do you make holiday cookies? Do you make them full fat or a low fat version??

Sunday, December 12, 2010

WI Results and New WW Plan

I finally went back to my weight watcher meeting Saturday after 2 weeks of not being able to attend. I haven't weighed in though since the middle of November. Well, how did I do? Not too bad considering. I knew I was going to have a gain. I just didn't want it to be over 165. I had actually only gained 2.2 lbs and weighed in at a reasonable 163.6. Ok, I can deal with that. Moving on. Hoping next week I can get back down to 162 so I don't have to pay again!

Well, with going to my meeting, I finally got the new materials for the weight watchers new plan. I was pretty excited! I wanted a fresh start and this was how I was going to get it. I stayed after the meeting for the "new member" information. And I found that by reading the blogs here and by reading the weight watchers message boards, I pretty much knew what I needed to know.

I am having a pretty hard time determining what I should eat! Especially because I left the calculator and books at home when I was out yesterday and I do not have e-tools at the present time. But I made a decision as best I could and it turned out pretty good. I still snacked one too many times. And I hadn't gone grocery shopping yesterday so I had NO fruits to much on instead. But lucky, I wasn't home most of the day to snack.

I had that police exam yesterday. I was there from about 2:00-7:00 and then got home around 8:00. I was running on oatmeal and an apple. That's it! I actually left my house around 12:45 and wasn't able to eat lunch. So I was pretty hungry afterwards and made a stop at Panda Express for dinner. I opted for the mixed veggies, mushroom chicken and string bean chicken for a total points plus of 11. Seems high but there was a lot of food! And I hadn't eaten so I thought it was not too bad of a choice since I just guessed at what I should eat. After the test though, I was pretty mentally exhausted. I was hungry, tired, grumpy, cold, you name it!

Today is a messy day! Snow, cold, windy...perfect day to stay inside. Oh well, I can't. But it would be nice!




It's still snowing but it's not too horrible right now. I did shovel by hand my entire driveway! The worst part right now are the winds! It makes for blizzard like conditions out there when driving!

I did go grocery shopping today. I got some fruits and veggies and a few other things. I realized I didn't buy a whole lot to make an actual meal so I may have to dig some stuff out of the freezer. But I do love that on the new plan, fruits are 0 points. That's got to be my favorite part!

I was going to have toast for a snack today but decided that a banana and mango were healthier options, more delicious, and 0 points! We will see how I do the rest of the week. This new plan is definitely keeping me a little more focused on what I'm eating and what the points are. That's a very good thing!

Going to get a x-mas tree in a little bit with the parents. Seems we always pick a bad weather day to go!! :)

Friday, December 10, 2010

Moment of Truth

Tomorrow is my moment of truth. I'm really not looking forward to it at all. It's back to weight watchers for me. I haven't been to a meeting in two weeks. I wasn't intentionally skipping but wasn't able to attend. But that's an excuse because I could always attend another meeting.

So maybe if I was being completely truthful, I was intentionally skipping and just using the fact that I couldn't attend my normal Saturday meeting as an excuse. But that's neither here nor there.

I also haven't weighed in at my meeting since November 13th when I weighed 161.2. I know for a fact, 100%, that I will be over the top of my goal range of 162. And that is the first time that will have happened since I hit goal and made lifetime in August.

So, yes, I'm a little upset. I'm a little depressed. And actually, I'm a little embarrassed. I know I shouldn't be embarrassed at all. This happens probably to everyone that has hit their goal weight at one time or another. It's part of life. Sometimes you lose focus, things feel like they are out of your control, and you slip a little. Then you slip a little more. Until you almost feel as though you have lost complete control and can never get it back.

I know, obviously, that's not true. I've been on this journey for far too long. I've had my ups and downs. I've always made it back to where I need to be. This is just one more step in my journey. Maybe I need to have this little slip so I can gain my control back and know where I want and need to be. Maybe I need to feel this way so I know that I never want to be back here (or back there, 90 lbs heavier) again!

But I also hate the fact that I'm supposed to be an inspiration to people that want to lose weight. But I feel like a failure! I know I'm not. I've only gained about 5 lbs (+/-). And the fact that I am going to try so hard to get back to goal could be an inspiration to some as well.

So, tomorrow I will be going to my weight watchers meeting at 10:30 am! I will be weighing in, facing the music and getting the new materials for the new plan.

Some people have been skeptical over the new plan. I'm kind of excited for it. Yes, it's right before the holidays, but so what? Now is as good a time as any to try a new plan and get back on track. I've heard a little of this and a little of that (bananas are now point-free!!) lol. But I'll reserve my comments (bananas are now point-free!!) until I get the new materials and try it out myself. (bananas are now point-free!!)

I think this may be just what I need to refocus. It may be difficult. The plan may be more complicated, but I think it's for the better! I've been so bored lately on the old plan that maybe I do need a completely new plan to concentrate on. Something that will make me think more.

I have the Chicago Police Department Written Examination tomorrow. What!?! ...you say? Well, about 4 years ago, I took the written exam and about 2 years ago, I took the physical part of the exam. I took it for a few reasons:

1. My aunt is a Chicago Police Officer and has always wanted me to take the test to be one.
2. I have a Criminal Justice degree
3. You never know if you might want to do something until you try. And if I don't take the test, I will never be able to do it anyway!

The written test, in my opinion, is kind of a joke. How can anyone fail this thing! Now, it's been 4 years since I've taken it and I'll reserve my opinion until after tomorrow.

I was 29 when I took the physical test. I weighed 215 lbs (down from 251 but have since lost an additional 50 lbs!). I didn't pass the physical test. I didn't train enough for it. Also, you have different requirements for every age decade. So I was in the 20 year old decade even though I was almost 30. The requirements are lowered when you are older. So, I would love to take the physical again! I'm older...lower requirements, and I'm 50 lbs thinner and more fit!

So even if I don't want to be a police officer, I would love to pass the physical test! Just to prove I can do it! Call me crazy! But that's really the only reason I do anything! Just to prove I can! I run half marathons just to prove I can! I'm going to try a full marathon this coming year, just to prove I can!

I will also be making fattening pizzelle cookies! I make them every year. I have to. I want to. I give most of them away anyway! Making these cookies may not be the best thing to make when re-starting your "healthy living" plan! But I'm going to calculate the points! How about that! I'm going to chew mint gum while making them because I actually love the batter for these almost more than the cookies themselves and maybe the gum will prevent any tasting throughout!

**Giveaway News: Tricia from Endurance Isn't Only Physical is having a great giveaway on her blog! For more info, check out her post here. And I mean, it really is a GREAT giveaway! Check it out!

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Singing the Blues

It's one of those days today. A day where if you could just crawl into a hole and die, you would. A day where all you want to do is cry but you can't cause you are at work.

Wow, sounds a little dramatic, huh? We all deserve some drama sometimes. So, what's got me singing the blues? Man, another off topic blog post! But depression is a factor in healthy living so let's just go with that!

Blues #1: My car. Sigh. I would love to get a new one. It's been having some problems so I finally took it in to get checked out. Yeah, that's always a topic of depression for me. It's going to cost around $1,000 plus a little. The problem is mostly labor costs. They get you in the labor every single time. I have parts that cost $4.50 or $14 and the labor is 1.5-3 hrs worth for this and that. I should have been a mechanic. I'd be rich.

So, the dilemma...get a new car or get mine fixed. Would LOVE to get a new car. I know it's not hard to do. And shelling $1,000 into an old crappy car is just not good. I could use that money for a "new" used car. I just don't want a car payment right now. So, I've decided to get it fixed, this one last time. I've been saying I will get a new car next year and that's probably what I'll do.

Now if I could just win the lottery!! Hmm..... oh wait! I have to play the lottery in order to win it. Never mind.

Blues #2: Still over my goal weight. Ok, I'll deal with that. I'm not super depressed about that.

Blues #3: The greatest guy I've met in a long time lives 450 miles away. 'Nuff said.

Blues #4: It's winter. And it's cold. And they said that we will get "arctic air" next week. Gee thanks! That makes me feel so much happier right now!

People have so many harder issues that mine little crappy ones. And I try to put that into perspective. I have my health. I have good family, good friends and a good boyfriend. I mean, seriously? What am I complaining about? I really think the weather is to blame. Cold weather and gray skies really put me in a bad mood. Maybe I should get some vitamin D pills??

And I would love to get a temporary second job to earn a few extra bucks. But what would I do? Be a cashier at walgreens or something? Get a waitressing job? Any ideas?

Thanks for listening to the bitching and moaning. I think sometimes we all need one of these so we can appreciate all the good things.

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

I'm back!

Hi fellow blogging world. I've returned. Returned from my weekend ... hm... (hitting google to find out how to spell the next word...). Hm...no, can't find it. Maybe you can help me. It's maybe another term for weekend getaway. It might be french and begins with the letter "S"...Who knows what I'm talking about.

Ok, let's start again and just rephrase...

Blog "I'm Back"...Take 2!

Hi fellow blogging world. I've returned. Returned from my weekend getaway with my boyfriend. For those that don't know or forgot, I'm in a long distance relationship, and went to Omaha to visit him.

Last week I was in a quandary. I've gained weight since the beginning of November and was over my goal weight (and over the 2 lbs leeway weight watchers allows you). I haven't weighed in. I haven't gotten my new materials. I was just going to try to lose a few lbs and then weigh in this coming Saturday. If I'm over, then I'll pay for the meeting. I need to get the new materials.

But my quandary was, should I count points while away with my boyfriend? I don't see him much. I don't want to stress about food while I'm with him. I wasn't sure. Many of you chimed in and gave your opinions on what I should do. You can read this post and comments here.

So, how did I handle the weekend? Well, I really did think about tracking my food. But of course, I didn't. But in all reality, I don't eat much when we are together. He doesn't eat a lot of food. Granted, his cooking involves butter but if you are only eating breakfast and dinner and barely anything in between, I almost feel ok about it. It might not be the best way to handle the situation in the future but I'll work up to it. Right now, the relationship is new. I'm kind of out of my element and comfort zone on everything. My world has been turned a little upside down. It's just the adjustment phase. I'll work on it.

So last week, I was weighing in at about 165+ consistently. It was actually my time of month too, and that may have attributed for a few extra pounds. Last night when I got in, I weighed myself and was about 162+. This morning, I was 161+. So we will see throughout the rest of the week how I do with my food and exercise. I would love to be at or below 162 come Saturday since that's what I need to do in order to not pay for the meeting.

Regardless of where I am, I'm going and weighing in at the meeting.

So that's where I am now. Oh and not to make this a relationship blog but to keep it a healthy living blog, I'll just say one more thing about the weekend. He is so nice. He made a candlelit dinner for me and breakfast and dinner again. Who does that? Now to get him to cook healthier! lol. Actually he really wants to learn. I don't know if he will, but he has mentioned it a few times. He wants to get a easy healthy cooking cookbook.

Actually, not a bad idea. Maybe I can buy him that?? Hm...Do you have any recommendations? Not something weird, like a weight watchers cookbook or anything. Just something that has easy but delicious healthy recipes. Doesn't even have to be the healthiest recipes ever. Just something that would be an easy transition, something to ease him into the healthy cooking ways!!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Epic Fail!

I love baking. I make low fat banana bread and low fat cakes. I also make pizzelle's (full fat) around the holiday's but that's not baking, it's using a pizzelle grill. Pizzelle's are Italian waffle cookies and are so delicious! More to come on those.

But last night was an epic fail in the baking department. I don't think I've ever failed so disastrously when it came to baking or cooking anything!

I tried to make my boyfriend his favorite type of cookie, white chocolate macadamia nut cookies! Mistake #1: I never ever make cookies. Now I know why!

I pulled about 5 recipes off the Internet. One recipe had GREAT reviews. I tried it and it was a total disaster! The cookie didn't set up in the oven, it just spread all over the place and was a total mess! I followed the recipe to a T! I don't know what happened.

Realizing I had enough ingredients, I decided to try another recipe!
Mistake #2: Not realizing that I hate making cookies the first time and trying again!

The second recipe had the same ingredients but different measurements. The batter did seem better. This time, I only made a few cookies out of the batter so I can reserve some...um...for what I'm not sure.

And the same thing happened! I really have no idea what I did wrong. I followed both recipes! Any ideas from any bakers?

I did decide then that I could try again with remaining batter but maybe on a lower temperature!
Mistake #3: Not realizing that it's the batter that's the problem, not the temperature!

Again, total disaster!

Sigh! I shall never bake another cookie as long as I live. So I'm going to Mrs. Fields and buying some of these cookies!

I did see a commercial this morning from the grocery store Dominick's and it said something to the effect of "The only ingredient you need for baking is Love!" Lol! I wanted to take my TV and throw it out the window! Love...my ass!! lol

To any of you that are from the Chicago Land area or get WGN Chicago News, my dad's restaurant will be on a show called Chicago's Best at 10:00 pm this Sunday, December 5th on WGN (Chicago Channel 9).

Thursday, December 2, 2010

What Happens When...

What happens when a good weight watcher goes bad? That bad weight watcher kicks herself in the butt and goes good again!

Then what happens when the reformed good weight watcher types a post titled "Back on Track" and subsequently falls off the face of the blogging planet afterward? Let me tell you!

First of all, I know! There is no such thing and "good" or "bad", just good choices and not so good choices. But let's put all that aside for the sake of today's post.

To say I've been struggling since about the beginning of November (and even a little before that) is an understatement! But the good thing about it is that I don't give up. I'm never giving up! What would happen if I gave up? I've been there, done that and the results aren't pretty! So as much as I beat myself up for the "bad", I give myself credit for the "good"!

My post on Monday was titled "Back on Track," and I was back on track! It felt so good to count all my points, even if I slipped up and ate a cookie, I tracked it. For about 2 days.
Ahhhh, it was a great 2 days too! I stayed in my points without going over! I almost felt like it was a new beginning!

And then I slowly slipped off track. Again, it's just with snacking. I just need to stop. I can be a binge eater so when I start, I don't stop. For me, it's best just not to start!

Another thing I've been working on is my anxiety and fear. This has been coming up more and more because of the new relationship I'm in. But I also think that because of the anxiety I'm feeling, I'm eating. I'm nervous, so I eat. I'm fearful, so I eat. I'm stressed, so I eat. I really do think a lot of this is emotional eating! I don't realize it at first but when I think about it, it makes perfect sense. So I need to deal with my emotions in some other way than with food. I've never really considered myself an emotional eater but the more I look at it, I think I am!

So, I'm starting over again today! That's all I can do. I am going away for the weekend so I'll just try to do my best.

I haven't started the new weight watcher program yet. I'm not going to a meeting until next Saturday, so I'm just following the old one still. I'm hoping the new program will give me a renewed outlook! I think after 3.5 years of the same thing, I really need a change. I need something that will make me think more than I do now. It may give me some control back. I'm a person that thrives when I'm in control.

If you are on weight watchers and started their new program, how are you liking it? I've read some blogs about it and am really excited! Are you finding it difficult to know how to "eyeball" nutritional information to determine the points, if necessary?