Baby Steps by Dr. Leo Marvin

I have not kept my word/promise... I have not watched the DVDs yet (I have not even unwrapped them from the plastic coating). I am trying to build up some momentum again... it has been chilly this week and I love snuggling on the couch with a blanket and watching TV (and falling asleep)... but I did have 3 good days (diet wise) so far this week and today has been going good, too. I have been trying to eat healthy at meal times and trying to resist eating junk* in between the meals.

*The main problem with that is while I work in an office you would think I work in a bakery/candy store. Everywhere I turn there is candy or sweets in my line of vision... right now I am staring at 1 bowl of candy corn, 1 bowl of mixed Halloween candy and a box of Dunkin Donut muffins! I want to poke my eyes out with a stick (or a muffin - because maybe some of it will fall in my mouth).

I have healthy snacks on hand - FiberOne Yogurt (only 1 pt on WW), delicious empire apples (also 1 pt - because it is relatively small), and single serving bags of Jolly Time Healthy Pop popcorn - as you can see I am all set for the day. But yet I cannot resist the temptation of the candy bowl - it is ridiculous. It does not matter where the candy sits I will always seem to come in close proximity to it at some point during the day.

So now I am taking "Baby Steps" to get my momentum/motivation back on track... I love the movie "What About Bob"! At Dr. Marvin's suggestion I will repeat to myself - I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful... I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful... I feel good, I feel great, I feel wonderful... whenever I am tempted now.

Slow Down does not mean Stop!

I have say I have somewhat lost my drive for dieting and (the thought of) exercising! Since I have been home from vacation I can't seem to get myself back on track.... I can't even see the track, I am not sitting on the bleachers, or even in the locker room... you can find me standing next to the vending machines eating a Twix! (Did I ever mention I love any candy bar that comes in 2 pieces - Twix, Almond Joy, Mounds, 100 Grand to name a few.) Uuuggghhh! I have to stop this madness!
I can't commit to starting tomorrow, but this weekend I will watch and try to do at least 1 of the 10 minute training sessions. I might have my 3 year old doing it along side me, but I will do it! I have about 10 hours worth of television shows backed up on my TiVo from last week that I want to watch - but I think I can take a break during that time to try the exercise DVDs. It is amazing how much TV I try to watch in a one week period - that 10 hours does not include the 5 episodes of Oprah I deleted without watching. If only I had the same zest for exercising that I had for watching Dancing with the Stars.... I would be super fit by now.

That is all I have for now... I have to go wash the chocolate off my face now.

Does Sweating count as Excerise?

I have completed my first trip to Disney... 2 days - yes it was a very short visit by Disney standards, but just enough for me! I have already decided that are next visit will be 1. when my son is out of diapers and off formula and 2. in a winter month! I can not understand how on earth families can stand to be in the parks in the summer months - IT WAS SO UNBELIEVABLY HOT - it was like Africa hot (although I have never been to Africa I am fairly certain the temperature is the same)! I am pretty sure that anything I ate - and I ate a lot - was worked off with all the walking (more like trudging) and sweating. I was literally sweating from the minute we walked out of the hotel room to the minute we returned - sure we were in the air conditioning on and off throughout the day - but I do not think I ever actually stopped sweating. I was sure to drink lots of water to keep from getting dehydrated, I think I drank close to a gallon a day - plus I had a margarita each evening (that may have contributed to the sweating a little). Anyway we saw everything we came to see - which again is not much by most peoples standards, but enough for a 3.5 year old).

Day 1 - we went to Hollywood Studios and saw the Little Mermaid show, the Playhouse Disney show, the Muppet's 3D movie and had lunch with Jojo, Goliath, June and Leo (from Little Einsteins). After that we went back to the hotel and took a swim in the pool - that was very refreshing! Then we showered, got changed ad headed over the Magic Kingdom for the "Not So Scary Halloween Party" - trick-or-treating and riding a couple of rides (like the Dumbo (twice)) - it was lots of fun! And we got to see the Hallo-Wishes fireworks display. Day 2 - We spent the day at the Magic Kingdom - went on all the rides in Toon Town and Fantasy Land - we made a few purchases ($$$$) and headed out of the park around 4pm.
We are now relaxing in luxury at my families home in Port St. Lucie - I am enjoying the good food, good wine and good family time! I will check back in once I am back in New Jersey....

Not a bad start...

Yesterday's start to my families one week vacation got off to without too much drama - my diet was not quite out of my mind at that point and I have to say I had a pretty good day overall. The day began with one of my new favorites - oatmeal from Jamba Juice (Newark Airport gets another star in my book for having a Jamba Juice on site.) Oh - this was unusual... we enter the airport after checking are bags at the curbside check-in, we take the elevator (using double stroller for the kiddies) up to level to go through security. As we are approaching the security area my 3 and 1/2 year says "It smells like bacon - I need a piece of bacon!" - so after locating the Jamba Juice we stopped by "Steak Escape" for a side of bacon - she enjoyed the bacon! We boarded the plane and had a relatively drama free flight - the kids were great considering the confined space. We were offered turkey sandwiches on the flight - I have to say it was one of the best "meals" I have ever eaten on a plane (while flying Coach - nothing compares to First Class baby). The meal consisted of a Jennie-O 99% fat free turkey sandwich on a small roll (I removed the wilted lettuce and skipped the lite mayo), a small bag of baby carrots, and a mini Kit Kat... practically perfect in every way! Once we landed and use the restroom we dropped by the airport Burger King for some chicken tenders for my daughter - she ate 2, I ate the rest (like 8)! After a wait in the rental car line, another trip to the restroom for each child (yes that means we used the restroom 3 times within a 20 minute period), a somewhat trying wait and ride to the rental car off site pick up place I began to sweat like never before! It was raining and the air was so thick with heat - the rain drops were warm - GROSS! I stood under a canopy for what seemed like an hour (the intense sweating was blurring my sense of time) until we finally had the bags loaded, infant car seat installed (that took 2 attempts) and the booster seat strapped into the Nissan Xterra we rented. Off to Babies R Us for baby supplies and then on to my aunts for the first destination of the week.
Today I realized the Xterra is too SMALL! We hung out in the pool after breakfast (pancakes (not too many)) and then got ready to leave the house for a visit to the Turtle Museum and then the beach. We took one car (that is 3 adults and 2 kids in car seats) - I road in the back with the infant seat, the booster seat and my larger than I would like body - I thought I was going to pass out - and I started sweating again... at leat it was 100 degrees out - I can use that as an excuse! We went to a Turtle Museum - they rescue turtles and nurse them back to health... it was cool. Plus at the gift shop I bought an awesome hat for the beach! After the Museum we headed to the beach in Jupiter - it was a nice day!
Right now I am totally exhausted and will be heading to bed shortly... I have to be up early in the morning - we are heading to Disney tomorrow! But the real reason to get up early is that my husband is taking the Xterra back to the car rental place and changing it for a mini-van! I do not think he is happy about this and he is not doing it because he agrees the car is too small for us.... the reason is he refuses to listen to me complain for the rest of the vacation about the car. Whatever the reason (which I have decided will be "he agrees that I am right about the car being too small") I am happy! Stupid Xterra!

Sweet dreams from Palm Beach Gardens... catch up with you from Orlando!

SLOW DOWN there sweetheart...

I leave on vacation tomorrow - although you would think I left yesterday the way I have eaten in the last 24 hours. I started out yesterday with good intentions... oatmeal with a few raisins and cinnamon and coffee (pretty standard) but then it happened - the dreaded Breakfast Meeting! I was not out of control, but I did have a Bonni Bell cheddar cheese thing and a mini dark snickers during the meeting... then some carrots and hummus about an hour later. I know none of this sounds all that bad, but this could be the beginning of my fall from the "wagon". A Tuna Melt for lunch - I skipped the fries and had a few more carrots, followed later in the afternoon by a small (unusually crisp and crunchy) apple... again not too bad. Then came dinner at the diner - French Dip sandwich and French fries! I could have had a salad or an egg white omelet with veggies, but no I had to get the sandwich with the fries. Well I paid the price - I am so thirsty from all the salt (in the au jus) I can't get enough water into me... I am feeling pretty bloated this morning. And to make matters worse I just ate a peanut butter and (strawberry) jelly on rye for breakfast - and that is after a co-worker generously offered to bring me oatmeal from Jamba Juice! I do not know where my head is!
My plan for the rest of the day is to have a SmartOne for lunch with a side salad and Progresso Lite Soup (the pot roast soup is fantastic) for dinner... maybe another apple as a snack.

Upon my return from vacation I vow/pledge/whatever to start using the exercising DVDs and renew my diligent dieting mentality. I may even do the before photos suggested in the program - watch out Tony Horton - I might be featured on your next infomercial! (I know you are saying to SLOW DOWN there sweetheart- you have not even unwrapped the DVD yet! But I did open the box it came in and made a vow/pledge thing a few minutes/sentences ago! - have some faith in me.)

Oh - I bought new sneakers for my trip/my future exercising endeavors - I am wearing them now! They are the Nike ones with the weird looking shock absorber/springy things on the heel - I got grey with maroon accents. I never like the "new sneaker" look - you know when you see a person with bright white sneakers (new or not) and all you can think is "I guess that person got new sneakers... hmmm maybe they should only wear them at the gym (so I don't have to look at them - you know because I never go to the gym).

Tomorrow I am “leaving on a jet plane” (I just love John Denver) and heading south… I will catch up with you from the Sunshine State!

Today I ate (so far):
You just read it 2 minutes ago – I am not a fan a duplicate work efforts, so look above.

I opened the box...

Yes I actually had some time last night and I opened the box the DVDs were sent in. I read everything included - remember this is Tony Horton’s' Ten Minute Trainer program. I got the DVD with 4 or 5 10 minute workouts, a set of flip-cards to take along with you when you travel (in case you do not have access to a DVD player), a resistance band, meal guide, some other stuff and a measuring tape. They really stress taking before and after photos and measurements. I would like to do that, but I am horrified at the thought of what the pictures will look like and who will possibly see them - not mention who will take the photos in the first place. Nothing like having your husband take your before photos to kill any kind of mood that might be in the air that night. What I would really like is convenience him to do the program with me, but I am not sure he will agree. Maybe I should actually try out the program and log some real exercise hours before I try to get other people on board.
I went over my WW points yet again yesterday - but I still think I am doing fairly well on the program. I have 25 points to use each day - but I also have 35 additional points to use during the week as needed - they are needed. They have something called Activity Points - I have not looked into that yet as I have never been active enough to warrant using them... but who knows maybe with my 10 Minute Trainer I will be eligible to use Activity Points... I will let you know.

You might be asking yourself "Does this gal have a goal or a deadline in her mind" - the answer is Yes and No. I am a member of a wedding party for a wedding to take place in the end of June 2010 - then I have weddings the following 2 weekends - so it would be nice to not have purchase a plus size bridesmaid dress for once. But all in all I would like to get to a size/weight that I feel comfortable in my own skin - I weight I can maintain through healthy eating and moderate exercise. I would like to feel comfortable buying clothes and believing I will be able to wear it year after year. So those are some of my thoughts....


Today I ate (so far):
Raisin Brand and Corn Flakes (3/4 cups each) with 8oz of skim milk
Decaf Coffee w/ 2 creamers
Salad with "organic sesame ginger dressing"

I plan to each a Smart One in about an hour and who knows what for dinner...

They have arrived.........

Well I was right - the DVDs were on my front steps when I got home last night. I did not open the box last night - maybe tonight (if I can get a few minutes alone... not likely, but I can always hope). It is very possible I will not open the box until I return from Florida - that is sad and pathetic but very possible.
It is Tuesday and the online Weight Watchers site said I had to record my weight loss/gain today... happy to report I am down another 1.5 lbs - that makes 3 lbs total... not to shabby for one week’s time.

Thank God it's Monday?

I had a very busy weekend - shopped and did errands on Friday (in the rain) - I took the day off from work, Saturday was a blur of dance class, dropping the kids off at 2 different locations for overnight and a very fun time at a fabulous engagement party, Sunday was just too exhausting to get into. Needless to say I did not stick to my "diet" all that much - I did make so good choices (you know the less of two evils kind of choices), but all said and done I am happy it is Monday and I can get back on track.
I am leaving for Florida on Saturday for a one week vacation with the family. I am planning to use the "lesser or two evils" thought process for that week when it comes to eating.

I believe my exercise DVDs will be waiting for me when I get home today - my plan is to watch the DVDs this week and actually do them when I return from Florida. No sense in starting something and then taking a week off, just to start all over again... Right?!?!? I am sure everyone would agree with me. Oh yeah - my cousin said she loves going to the gym so much - it's addictive... I am not sure I can believe anything that ever comes out of her mouth again... just kidding, but who say that!

I just wanted to say 2 more things today -
1. I LOVE Fresca - it is the best diet soda on the planet and highly under rated.
2. I went to Walmart on Friday - better experience than anticipated - apparently if you go early in the morning it is not too bad. I purchased a number of the Geraminal pieces for my daughter - she likes them and they fit pretty good - let's see how they hold up in the washer and dryer...

Today I ate:
Oatmeal from Jamba Juice - fantastic - 5 WW pts
Fig and Blue salad from Shnipper's - approx 11 WW pts
Coffee and Water

Things are moving...

So this morning I was happily surprised that the scale has finally moved in the right direction - I have lost 1.5 pounds. Not too bad, while this could be attributed to the fact that I am on the tail end of my visit from my "aunt flo" I am going to pretend it is completely related to my diligent dieting efforts of the last 48 hours. I received an email confirmation stating my exercise DVDs - Tony Horton's 10 Minute Trainer - has been shipped. This email both excites me and terrifies me at the same time - I love getting mail, but the thought of actually doing the exercise depresses me. I am mystified by people who say they love exercising or going to the gym - you know those people who update their status on Facebook with "Hitting the gym" or "Just had an awesome workout - I feel great!" - Really? I do not believe them... I guess it is possible to eventually get to that state, but I doubt I will ever be that type of person. Let's face facts I (like the rest of the world) would rather sleep later in the morning, lay on the couch and catch up on some missed TV (I love you TiVo) or play with my children than take time out of my day for exercise. But I have come to the conclusion that I have no choice - I have waited long enough for the miracle of just waking up thin to happen (if it ever does happen I will let you know). So once I get my DVDs I will begin an exercise routine (oh God - I just swallowed a little vomit that came up into my mouth).

Anyway... I went over my WW points yesterday, but overall had a good day. I made dinner last night - lemon chicken (made up the recipe as I went along), brussel sprouts (my husband’s favorite veggie – weird I know) and some Lipton broccoli/cheddar noodles. I enjoyed a Skinny Cow ice cream pop - my 3 year old loves them (we both had one) - and that was my evening.

Today I ate (so far):
Raisin Bran and Corn Flakes with skim milk
Coffee (decaf) with 2 creamers

I brought left over chicken from last nights dinner for lunch - I am guessing I will add it to a salad - sounds great, right?... yeah I know it doesn't, but I am trying here!

Figuring out what to eat today...

Today I worked in my NYC location - which means I am too lazy to bring any food from home in order to keep me on the straight and narrow when it comes to my diet. I did do some research last night and decided on oatmeal with dried fruit from Starbucks - yummy! - for breakfast - 6 points on WW (Weight Watchers). A co-worker suggested the oatmeal at Jumba Juice - I will be trying that next week. For lunch I ventured over to Just Salads - a little overwhelming with all the choices. I had the Hudson Valley Mix salad with Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette - they forgot the butternut squash, but it was good all the same... not sure it was 12 points on WW good, but good. And I am very proud of my self for skipping the delicious bread that comes with the salad - that will count as my exercise for today.
When working in NJ I try to bring a SmartOne for lunch and make a salad at the cafeteria... the trouble with all this is I am a creature of habit and tend to eat the same thing everyday... which is boring... which then ends in me falling off the wagon.

Today I ate (so far):
Starbucks Perfect Oatmeal w dried fruit topping
Medium 1/2 decaf 1/2 regular coffee with 2 creamers
Medium ice tea from Starbucks
Hudson Valley Mix salad - sans squash and extra bread
Crystal Light Lemonade

Exercise - whatever - the DVDs are on the way.

Ugh - I feel FAT!

This the first time I have ever Blogged anything... here goes nothing....

I am 33 years old, a wife and mother of 2 beautiful children... and I am overweight! I am not so heavy I am going to be seen on the evening news or on a TLC special, but I am uncomfortable with my body. I have never been thin (except maybe my senior year in high school) and I am not saying I want to be super thin - just comfortable. I absolutely HATE to exercise and/or diet. I have done lots of different diets - Weight Watchers, South Beach, Kimkims - all with some success (some more than others). After having 2 children and my appendix removed I am back at a weight I do not want to be at!
So today I logged back onto my Weight Watchers.com account (that I am paying for monthly) and purchased Tony Horton's 10 Minute Trainer DVDs. I am about to embark on a new way of life! So check back from time to time and see how I am doing - I will blog about my diet, exercise routine (blah, blah, blah), my lovely children and my husband (who seriously does more for me and the kids than any fantastic husband should - he really is the best (even though he may drive me crazy from time to time!)).

Today I ate:
Oatmeal with skim milk and splenda
Coffee
Salad with blue cheese dressing (2 Tbsp)
Fiber One chewy bar - Mocha
WW SmartOne - cranberry turkey
Water
Progresso Lite Soup - Pot Roast

Excerise:
None - I ordered the DVDs (does that count?)