Stabilazation...Day 132

Lost the 2.0 gained over the past weekend, plus another .8 lbs. for a total loss of 41.9 lbs. as of today. Feeling great; looking better.

Weekend is finally here...lots to do...work, fun and travel. Busy, busy. Need to prepare food wise...don't want this week's good dieting work to creep back on. Thinking chicken, veggies and yogurts should do the trick.

Need to start the work day.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 128

Up 2.0 lbs. today, but then, we were away for the weekend and the food choices were VERY limited. Did the best I could, but alas, I still ate small servings of "whites."

In this instance it was a little pasta and two pieces of pizza over the course of the weekend. I realize now, I should have brought my own food...and I did, somewhat. Travel items included a couple of yogurts and a few pieces of fruit (imagine if I hadn't had those bits how much my weight would have risen), but, honestly, I just didn't want to be "that" person who needs to prep her own chicken and such in someone else's kitchen.

After stepping on the scale this morning, I considered doing an "apple day," but I have decided to get right back on the proverbial "protocol" horse...this includes ingesting plenty of good, lean proteins and lots of H2O...so, I should be down the above referenced 2.0 lbs. gained within a few days.

And, drumroll please, I have decided exercise...in earnest...begins today. I'm about to attempt 15 mins on the elipse...no doubt, I will be sucking wind in mere minutes. But it's off I go. I'll report back shortly.

Okay...I wasn't sucking wind, and I only made it 10 minutes at level 1...eek. I'm. Really. Out. Of. Shape! But, it's a start...can I do it again tomorrow? For perhaps 11 minutes? Stay tuned!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 125

Hit -41.1 lbs. this morning...10.4 lbs. from my goal weight. Must have been yesterday's "raw" lunch. Still reeling from that waste of time and money.

Fear I am heading into perimenopause in earnest. Late night hot flashes are keeping me up...arrghh! And as everyone knows, this princess needs her beauty sleep.

Yet another beautiful day...off to walk the dog and enjoy the sun.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 124

It is a good day...at minus 40.4 lbs. for two days now...exxxx-cellent, Smithers.

Tried the new "raw" restaurant in town (Grezzo)...one wedge salad with eggplant "bacon" and almond paste croutons, as well as one Thai lettuce wrap appy later and I can say with total confidence, I will never darken THAT doorway again! Not only was it expensive ($24 for just the salad and app...at lunchtime, no less), but I was hungry again before I even left the joint! That said, the food isn't bad, it's just not what this protein loving carnivore craves.

I will say, however, the meal certainly did not weigh heavy in my tummy...how could it? If I consumed more than 200 calories between both plates, I'm lucky. My fave snack of a medium sized apple and 1 tbl. of natural peanut butter has more calories, for chrissakes.

Oh, and this slays me...the server says, "Do you like olives?"
Me: "But, of course."
Her: "Great. I have a treat, compliments of the chef, just for you."

She proudly brings me two green, teeny-weeny, itsy-bitsy olives on one plate...and a second plate for the pitts, I'm guessing...

Me: "Doh!"

You gotta laugh. Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 121

Actually up 1.7 lbs. this morning...tho I'm not too concerned...I'm feeling very bloated, plus I'm still within my "allowed" two pound flux.

Yes, it's true, I try not to stress if I'm up a little...as long as it's less than two pounds and when I know I haven't strayed to far from my typical diet, it's usually just water weight and comes off the next morning. Even if I've eaten something that is normally taboo, I go right back to my "no whites, no sugars" mantra and again, it comes off within a day or two...for me, this is why weighing in everyday and tracking that number is so important. Not to mention, I'm a bit obsessive compulsive anyway!

I have also decided that I need to also get more aggressive with exercise. 10,000 steps a day is good, but it's time to begin a routine that encompasses toning and strengthening...ick. I abhor exercise. It's not the physical exertion so much as I don't care for sweating (or glistening, as I prefer to call it). No. Sir. I. Don't. Care. For. It. At. All.

Making "Hamburg Soup" today...it's rainy and raw here in New England...a perfect day for hot soup.

It is a very tasty concoction that makes good use of many veggies, but the 1 pound of extra lean hamburger (95% if you can find it) gives it more depth, thus this less than 250 calorie lunch really sticks to the ole ribs.

Anything goes, but I usually make mine with onions, garlic, zucchini, yellow squash, celery, carrots, peas, corn (just a handful of the peas and corn...more for color and texture), black beans, tomato paste (2-3 tbl.), 28 oz. can of tomato puree (no sugar or salt added), 1 quart low or sodium free beef broth (I like Kitchen Basics), 3+ tbl. of assorted italian dried spices (to taste) and 1# very lean hamburger.

In a large dutch oven, over medium high heat, saute onion/garlic until translucent in minimal extra virgin olive oil; add hamburg. Cook until no longer pink. Add dried spices (I like Morton & Bassett's Italian mix, plus I add additional oregano, basil, crushed red pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, etc.)...the amount is to your own taste, but figure at least a total of 3 tbl. of the the above suggested spices. Cook spices at least 1 minute to release flavor. Add canned puree, broth, remaining veggies and black beans. Bring to a boil, then let simmer 45 mins. Add water (to thin) as needed (again, to your preference), salt and pepper to taste. I serve with a tablespoon of shredded parmesan for extra flavor.

Calories per cup: 225 (add 21 calories for 1 tbl. parmesan)

Well, back to work for this dieting diva!

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 118

It is Friday...still lingering at 39.9 lbs. lost...will I ever pass 40?

Can't complain...I've enjoyed champagne almost each day this week, plus I made a sinful pulled pork on Weds. Didn't eat a lot of it, but still...considerably higher fat/cals than my usual "chicken and water!"

Despite my sweetie's desire for Chinese every weekend, I'm putting my foot down. "No!" The sodium and temptation is just too much for this dieting diva. Perhaps Thai will suffice? I'm cool with a Tom Yum soup and some Fresh Rolls...figure friendly and oh-so-yummy!

Not much to share today. Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!

Stabilization...Day 116

Down 39.9lbs. today! Wow! Go me!

I continue to avoid sugars and whites, tho not too militant about it. For example, I enjoyed 12 cheese tortellinis over the weekend...with little regain recourse. Tasted good, but sat very heavy in my tummy, so really not worth it. So, loving a rich Italian gravy as I do, it's back to eating it like soup.

Of what do I speak, you ask? Instead of serving sauce and a few meatballs over a huge plate of pasta, I now eat sauce and meats in a bowl, soup style. I get all the flavor without those evil carbs.

Suppose I should start my day.

Eat and be well,

Jane Doh!