getting fit isn't easy!

Janet and I started back on the "plan" this week. We are determined to get it done and gone, right?! I am thoroughly enjoying working out with my trainer and doing other stuff on my own. Went to my first Zumba dance class Monday nite. What a blast! I don't exactly look as good as the instructor with all the moves she makes but it sure is fun trying!

I am wearing today yet another pair of pants too small even 2 weeks ago when I last tried them on. Whittling away little by little.

have a great week everyone!

love,

Jan

phase two has begun!

well I started with my personal trainer this week. I like her alot, even though she seems to be very disappointed if I am not in aggnoizing pain during a workout! I am very sore today, so she will be pleased! I haven't lost any more lbs. for over a month, but that's ok. I am now committed to 12 weeks of working out- I joined the Biggest Loser contest at my gym! I have never stuck with physical exercise to any degree. Loved Jazzercise but truly didn't have 3 days a week consistently for any period of time.

Wish me luck! And Cole, no worries, life makes it hard to stick to eating right. Especially when eating wrong is so darn good! I feel in a good place and pray I stay there. Day to day, eating well. Indulgences are wine, and good God the gelato I had last night! But overall, sticking to a changed lifestyle in eating. Sipping on some tea as I write this.

love to you both!

up from my down

hey ladies,

sorry about the reprieve. i was feeling super down because my last two trips to the nutritionist were suck central. i went up a quater pound the first time and then a whole pound the weigh in two weeks after that. needless to say i was not feeling chipper. however, i went the last time and was down three pounds-woop!  but then we had my brother's graduation party and needless to say...i am afraid to go again. ugh.

apparently still riding the rollercoaster but loving you all the same,

cole

dessert remorse

I am having a serious case of dessert remorse. We went to Dragos tonight as Chuck was wanting to get some chargrilled oysters before "they ain't there no more." Well I had some chargrilled oysters, some chargrilled mussels--very yummy. The problem really came at the end of the meal when they brought desserts-raspberry cheescake, creme brulee, carrot cake and bread pudding. My first really big cheating session followed--I had some creme brulee-my fav and some cheescake. OMG I couldn't even believe it was that good but now I am feeling bad. I was trapped in the corner of a booth in the corner-iut really wasn't my fault..... Oh well, back to being good tomorrow. It was well worth it -I think-I will confirm manana after I step on the scale.

Waisting away........

I finally got my period ya'll! It is a bad one. But I do believe it is the beginning of the end so there's something to look forward to!

It is getting harder to figure out what to wear. My clothes are getting too big! Some of my most favorite tops don't fit anymore. I didn't think it was possible.

Last weekend was a challenge. But I let myself "cheat" with a few glasses of wine. Also, some marinated Shrimp and just didn't weigh or calculate as well as usual. I think I needed a break. Now very excited because notice that clothes are even loser and scale going down...........I know that I will make it to my goal.

cole, by the way, we are half way through the second season of Madmen and loving it!

later chickies!

Jan

three things

let me say three things ladies:

1) janet-you are doing awesome and jan said you looked so good in your pictures!

2) jan- i just want to congratulate you for doing so so SO well while we were on vacation. seriously, jan was amazingly good and i am so proud.

3) i just went jogging with hubby and here is what i have discovered: i think i need a sports bra for my butt. seriously.

Holdj on to that loss

The scale is my friend this morning. It is not the best scale, but it looks like I have lost a solid 20 lbs. in the six weeks I have been following the diet!

Did okay last night. Brought my diet ginger ale and watched people eat burgers and drink beer with no problem. I was lucky that many were eating dipping dots which doesn't tempt me at all. Going to get vegies and fruit to make trays for tonight so that I have something to eat at the party because I will be there from 6 pm til???. Mani yesterday and pedi today then shopping for some items Jeffrey needs for graduation on Friday.

Gotta figure out what to wear, lots of ironing to do. Don't want to spend $$ on clothes that may be too big in a few weeks!!:)

Hope you ladies are having a great weekend!

Happy happy happy

Well friends, I haven't checked in in a while. So congrats to you Cole for the change in eating habits during stressful times. And to Jan for going first and for the help on this diet. I have been having seafood almost every night. An oil spill in the gulf seems to make you take in as much as possible while you have the opportunity. Monday night I had to have two chargrilled oysters at dragos but other than that, the fish has been grilled or pan sauted and delish!! I sauted some shrimp yesterday with Mrs. DAsh chipolte seasoning and put it in a tortilla with some shredded cabbage and some chopped tomato. I added some of the dijonaise from Galleo and boy it was really good. The Galleo's ceasar is yummy too as well as the ginger wasabi which when I put on plain old lettuce makes me feel like I am dining at Shogun. Yummy!

Good luck to you both at the wedding this weekend. Stay strong! My upcoming challenges, every weekend is one in NOLA, pool party at Zephyrs field on Friday night, 35th grammer school reunion on SAturday, Jeffrey's birthday dinner at Ruths on Fulton on Tuesday, Jeffrey's graduation luncheon at Jefferson Orleans next Friday, Girls night out next saturday (the boys are going on a father son trip to Disney with the graduating class of Christian Brothers) whew. I am tempted to just go off sometimes,( like with Lyd and Jenn coming in for the reunion and staying in the quarter) but I really don't want to start all over. I am at the point where it has gotten a little easier and I am not that hungry. I am fearful that if I fall off the wagon, I will have trouble getting back on. So I am going to try to stay on! Please stay with me determination!!

Have fun ladies and have a wonderful weekend! I know Amy is going to make a beautiful bride!

Ugh Finals! However...

I did go down three pounds!!!!!

This is super exciting for me bc finals is usually when I get completely thrown off track because I will work and work and work until I am starving and then I want LITERALLY EVERYTHING I see and then bc I think I have thrown myself off so much I believe I can have even more bad things. It is a nasty cycle.

However, this time I did not do that. I am pretty sure that having you as support and seeing how well you are doing is motivating for me so thank you all for that.

That said...I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!! You both are doing so well. I know I am not up super high in numbers of pounds lost but it is a steady pace that I am pretty sure I can maintain which is super exciting for me.

love love love

Wow do I feel better!

Hi girlies!

I have had a rough weekend. Feeling very deprived and hungry. and just all around blah blah blue! Haven't had a period in 7 weeks, but is that really a bad thing? hot flashes are coming fast and furious. I am an angry bitch at times! I know hard to believe! I think I scared Donnie last night. Something he was watching on tv was really annoying me and he wouldn't change the channel so I grabbed the remote and did it myself! may not sound like a big deal, but i kinda even scared myself! Donnie holds his remote in the highest regards and believe me he didn't ask for it back!

Anyway, just had a poop and boy do I feel great! i used to get annoyed at my mom for talking so much about her bodily functions, but sometimes you just gottal celebrate the poop when you haven't had one in a few days and feel aweful! I am ready to take on the world now!

On my way to make gift boxes for the Battered women's shelter. I will now do this as I whistle a tune! i love ya'll! lots!

fish taco

I made fish tacos last night and they were very good! I use the plural becaue Donnie had one. I made mine with the whole wheat 50 calorie soft taco, pan fried with Pam some talapia, sprinkled a little cabbage and very little feta dressing and it was delicious!

salad

I love my salads. I used to put so many goodies in them, so plain is ok, but crunchy is better! So I started mixing my greens. I use romaine mix, arugula (when I can find it) and some angel hair cabbage to add a little crunch! Very good. I put my sliced chicken, throw in a few cherry tomatoes, I use 1 tblsp feta dressing and spritz some balsalmic vinagrette and is pretty good! Also eat my AKMAK crackers with it.

I found out that the Boost flavor packets are not only good for antioxidants but are supposed to aid in weight loss. That means 2 a day in addition to all the water- 64 to 80 oz! If I don't stay in the bathroom peeing all day, maybe I will just float away!LOL

McD's not bad..........

Well, since I ruined my chicken, I had to finally do the McDonalds chicken. I have to say, not bad! If ya'll haven't tried it yet, you order side salad with grilled chicken, and add an extra grilled chicken. I used my dressing, ate a few melbas and voila! Had my lunch on program. Definately not bad for an "in a pinch" situation. . Iplayed a joke on my office. I walked in with my McD's bag and said I went off the wagon. Then when they said "what Happened?" I said nothing, here's my lunch. haha

Rotten meat!

ok, I am feeling kinda of challenged with my food preperation. I was in target yesterday and was so excited to find Buffalo meat (same as Bison? still not sure but looked the same).Anyway, got it home, ready to cook it, opened the package and peeeuuuuuw! Stinko! rotten meat! Plan B, made a turkey patty, then back to target to return the Buffalo. We will stick to the Bison from B.J's!

10pm last night I realized I hadn't prepared my chicken for the week. So I did. only to find out this morning, I left it on the counter after cooking and forgot to put it in the fridge! Down the disposal it went.

Not sure what I am having for lunch today. Maybe time to run by McDonalds and get the 2 sides of grilled chicken to put on a salad. tonight will prepare more meat and this time, it will go in the fridge!

Hope ya'll have a happy Monday!

The Firm-those bastards

I did a strength training workout yesterday by the Firm and let me tell you something sisters-I cannot move today. This is no joke. I am walking around my house like Frankenstein's Monster trying not to bend my legs because when I do my thighs revolt by just giving up and then I fall down. This is no joke. I want to kill all of the video's smiley happy perky women in their matching lavender workout clothes. And then I want to spill spaghetti sauce all over their pastel sports bras just because-who wears pastel sports bras like they are real clothes? Because let me tell you something ladies, they are NOT. Ok, I am going to go take an epsom salt bath now. I will catch up with you later. love love.

Ugh Birthday.

Sorry for the relapse, Ladies. It is coming down to finals and I struggle a lot during that time bc I would rather just work straight through but that often means I get to the point where I am starving and then I want to eat everything I can get my hands on. So this week was kind of a bust for me...throw in my birthday and the less than healthy food I ate then and I am back to ground zero.

Started over today though and am feeling good. And I did a cardio workout tape yesterday that made me wake up today in tears (I still can't move that well!) but I am glad I did it and I am forging forward. I have been reading about you girls though and am feeling so proud! Nice job! Love love.

Well, the stay at the Lakehouse was very enjoyable. The temptation of the boiled crawfish, hummus and pita chips and spinach dip was less of a temptation than the wine and beer. But having my small pelligrino in hand and the good company I was just fine. I had a problem yesterday in that I had my strawberries and string cheese for breakfast and then had nothing prepared for the afternoon so I wastched two lacrosse games with nothing but water. After his second game, we went directly to Koz's restaurant where they prepared my some fresh fish with no seasoning because they had premixed seasoning with the salt already in. It was surprisingly very good. I hope they didn't trick me and put something on it??!! So I had basically missed a meal yesterday so I had a ns and some string cheese and ak mak crackers last night. The scale this morning was more of a motivation. Although my scale is lacking in hard facts( I step on one time and it is a lb or so more or less than 2 minutes prior. ) I am pretty sure that I have lost a solid 10 lbs. . I definitely feel it in my clothes and can see it in my face! Thanks Jan for the motivation to start this-let's take it all the way!!! I sent Chuck to get some filets for tonight. I left my spices at the lakehouse so I will be off to the store to get some more for here. Cut up my cantaloup, watermelon for the week this morning. Cleaned some eggplant, zucchini and mushrooms to grill this afternoon with the steaks. Hopefully I will get all done in time to work in my yard. I want to be prepared as this is the key I think. Still can't find Bison meat -might have to go to Atlanta to try???

menu for Thursday

here is what I ate today. Breakfast is becoming a bit boring. Have to get egg in or cheese. I am a bit constipated so no cheese for me! haha Maybe TMI

Anyway, boiled egg, toast and strawberries this morning with my coffee
Apple slices mid morning
Lunch - salad with lettuce, some shredded cabbage and my leftover salmon from tues night. Balsalmic spritz on this and an akmak cracker
Rest of my apple in the mid afternoon.
Rocky road bar on my ride home from my dr appointment

Then jazzercise! woohoo! twice this week. A lady got sick in class and an ambulance came, but the class went on. They said she had a heat stroke. And it's not even summer yet!

Home and enjoyed a pineapple orange fizzy with sprite on the rocks. My favorite!
Biggie turkey burger on whole wheat 50 calorie torilla and mushrooms, and tomato slices

Missed my third fruit. Too late, but enjoying my cleansing tea with lemon.

Donnie bought some filets so that will be for dinner tomorrow night with baked potato. Oh, wish I could have a big glass of red wine with the steak but that will come later, right??

Hope your day went well

Jazzercise I'm back!

Made it back to Jazzercise tonight. Kicked my butt! but I did it!. Planned on going back on Thursday for 4:45 class but come to find out it is canceled this week: instructors are going to a training in New Orleans! go figure!. I am trying to go at least 3 times a week. Need to get back into a routine. Feels good to sweat for a reason other than my age! haha

Ok, dinner was very good. Had my salmon with Julie's spices. Squeezed a little lemon on it, a little lite salt, baked for 40 minutes and voila! perfection! Had with a side order of mushrooms and broccoli.

just finished my hot tea with lemon. This is my new favorite thing to do at night before bed. Not hungry at all. Janet you will get there, don't worry. I didn't get in one fruit and one starch. I forgot and now it's too late. Can you imagine forgetting to eat something?

Make sure you are eating enough, and spaced out. That really helps with the hunger. And as they told me, keeps the metabolism revved up! You need to keep something to munch in a pinch like the nutrition bar. Or your cut up fruit. Cut up some extra veggies if you are still hungry. Make sure you are getting all of your protein, very important to keep you feeling satisfied.

sweet dreams, until tomorrow................

Some meal ideas

Well I am on a roll now. Wasn't prepared for my lunch today because we were out late last night, but my wonderful husband cooked me some chicken and brought it to me today for my salad. What a guy! Anyway, here's what I ate yesterday

Breakfast: Boiled egg, toast, cantaloupe

Apple

Lunch: Salad with cherry tomatoes and akmak crackers

Caramel nut bar (tastes like snickers!) with some hot tea for my afternoon snack

Dinner: Egg beaters omlet with spinach, tomatoes, toast
Milk

Pineapple orange fizzy with a pineapple slice

Tea with lemon before bedtime

I ate my dinner last night at 6 pm, I wasnt' hungry but knew I wouldn't be home until late. You know, it's really hard to eat when you are not hungry! I guess if it were cake or better yet some doritoes it wouldn't be hard! haha. But that felt weird to force myself to eat.

this morning, again, not hungry. Packed a breakfast with mozzerella light string cheese, akmak crackers and strawberries. Only ate one string, couldn't stomach both. Finished my strawberries midmorning, and had my chicken on salad for lunch.

I have apple waiting for afternoon, and still my 2 nutritional suppplements to eat.

Going to Jazzercise at 4:45. Need to make sure this weight loss doesn't make me too loose and flabby! need to tone it up!

Wearing a shirt today that didn't fit a few weeks ago. Boy that feels good!

Hope your day is going well!

love,

Jan

Cole, I miss you witty posts!!!!!

monday, monday

just got home from a very, very long monday ! In the mail waiting for me was spices made especially for me by my sister! Minus the salt. Cannot wait to rub on some salmon. Not tonight though. Making an egg beater omlet with spinach and tomato then off to church to sing. Our friend Christy's son is being confirmed and Donnie is his sponsor. If ya'll are bored tonight and want to tune in, we are on http://www.transfiguration.com/ . I am enjoying my pineapple/orange fizzy with sprite zero on the rocks with a slice of pineapple. So yummy refreshing!
Hope ya'll are having a good Monday!

BTW, lost 1 1/2 pounds today! yipee for me!

Pancakes for breakfast!

I just had a "legal" pancake, with the mix I bought at QWL. I thought I wouldn't be able to eat a pancake without drowning it in maple syrup, but have to admit- not bad. I put 1/4 cup blueberries and the light butter on top and it was very tasty! I am not sure what it counts for. I guess it counts for my starch and substitutes for egg or cheese for breakfast.

Had a filet last night. Can only do this or salmon twice a week so my next splurge will be salmon! but not today, because not back to back days, right?! I am loving the bison meat so maybe will do that again for dinner. Also, bought some Mrs. Dash marinades. Donnie used this on our steak and was really good! This was the mesquite flavor.

Weather is perfect! we are trying to clear the garage today so wish us luck! have a happy day!

Saved by a new friend

Left the restaurant hungry!!!

Well, I don't think I have EVER left a restaurant HUNGRY..... UNTIL TONIGHT.

We tried Deanies but I guess since the Republican Party is in New Orleans, there were way too many democrats sitting outside of Deanies. There was a 45 minute wait. I had emailed one of the owners to see if she could get us a table but she didn't respond so we went to Landry's on the lake. The setting was beautiful, the lake like glass, and the sunset quite spectacular. The waiter just didn't seem to understand fish straight up-- no salt, no marinade, nuttin honey! We finally decided on the redfish and as he was leaving, he asked if a little cornmeal on the fish would be okay. So, I went over it again-no salt, no marinade, just fish grilled. I think he brought me just plain salmon grilled and delicious.. But it was a very small piece and I must say that it was quite hard to not eat the smothered green beans and dirty rice that accompanied the salmon. I had maybe two green beans so I think I was pretty strong. Now, mind you, there were appetizers on the table of fried green tomatoes with crabmeat sauce and crab claws. They looked yummy but I would not know for sure. Yeah me! Oh, I can't forget the sparkling water I consumed as my husband (who could stand to lose a pound or two himself) enjoyed a fruity alcoholic beverage as the sunset over Lake Ponchatrain. Did I mention that he also had enjoyed a hurricane and a daiquiri at the French Quarter Festival? Oh well maybe i will be able to hide behind him in Italy. So I consider my dinner out to be a success. We went to pick Jeffrey and his friend up at the dance (he probably would not want me to say, but he met a new Madeleine), brought Chase home and I immediately had my peanut butter protein bar and some h2o. Going online to order some stuff for the upcoming days. Ready for the next stage. On the way home my husband (who said no vacations this year) was talking about a cruise his friend invited us to go on with them on July 4th. I don't think we are going, but the thought that I could lose a boatload of weight before that date made me put this in prospective. It is worth it!

my menu today

I thought we should post what we eat. Maybe we can get ideas from each other. Also, I can help steer you in the right direction! You can learn from my mistakes. Even though Donnie says it's not a mortal sin if you didn't know what you were doing was wrong. haha

Breakfast
Boiled Egg
light toast, natures own light whole wheat 40 calories a slice and 1/2 teaspoon light butter
1 apple
Lunch
at Longhorns, dry grilled chicken and put my own spices , romaine lettuce and tomatoes, used the light honey mustard that I bought from QWL yummy!
1/2 cantaloupe in afternoon
Nutrition supplement at the movies- a yummy peanut butter and chocolate bar

Dinner
Bison burger, grilled with love by my husband. I put it on flat bread bun. with sliced tomato. Then more sliced tomato on the side with balsamic vinegar spritz (i like Ken's brand)
Slice of fresh pineapple
I am going to have a nutritional supplement while we watch a movie- strawberry kiwi with sprite 0.

Janet hope you do good at Deannies! And Cole, hope you got back on that horse!

until later..................

too much water?????

Ok gals, just got back from my weigh in and assessment. Down another 1/2 #, and feeling very bloated due to PMS. I learned another new bit of information: yes you can be drinking TOO MUCH WATER! how is this possible? I was cautioned not to drink more that 64-80 oz. This includes sparkling water, but not extra sodas, teas etc. Well, I guess I am truly learning something new everyday!

I'm on my way to lunch at Longhorn, it's Pam's birthday in the office. I am ready to have my dry grilled hunk of meat on lettuce. I am packing salt substitute, salad dressing and my vitamins and herbs. I am ready!

water

Janet, I think you said earlier that you have trouble getting your water in. I find that if I can suck it through a straw, I will drink more. I have these water bottles I bought at Walmart for $5 that have a built in straw. I fill with ice and water. It holds 32 oz so 2 satisfies the minimum of water. Instead of my usual diet coke with lunch, I gulp down more water. After the 3 day prep, if you like , you can put a slice of lemon or orange in your water. Yummy! hope this helps!Happy Friday my friend!

Mother of God-Come on!

So on today, Day 3 of my 3 Day cleansing, I had to go to a prix-fix luncheon that had a menu that did not in any way coincide with the kick-start plan. So here is the moral food dilemma: Eat the food placed in front of me at the posh Upper East Side Scholarship Luncheon, as a gracious guest should or don't eat their food and shut down my metabolism for the three hour luncheon, the hour commute home, and the two hours that I hadn't eaten beforehand because I was so nervous that I thought I might vomit on my sponsor which would be highly unladylike...

What did I do? I ate the food in front of me and stayed healthy to the best of my ability with the exception of the strawberry tart they placed in front of me. Ugh. Back to the drawing board ladies.

sisters in the pursuit of hotter bodies!

This is way cool that we can all support each other from 3 different locations! We represent NOLA, NYC and HotLanta! I am so excited by our adventure and glad to have company along for the ride. here we go!

you r not boring me

I can't get enough...

...brussel sprouts! I don't know why but they have become my veggie of choice lately. Which is good because according to the nutrition data link below they are very good for you and are loaded with vitamins and have a low glycemic impact which is always helpful. The best part is they are easy to make and can be stored and reheated as well. Below is my favorite recipe. Enjoy!

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Take a one pound bushel of brussel sprouts and soak in warm water for five minutes to remove sand and debris. Strain and pat dry. Cut stem off of the ends and half the brussel sprouts. Toss in bowl with olive oil, sea salt and ground pepper until lightly coated. Spread on baking sheet in single layer and bake in oven pre-heated to 425 degrees. Cook for 25 minutes until brussel sprouts are golden brown, shaking the pan every 5 to 7 seven minutes to avoid them burning to the pan. Voila!

You can also add other spices as you like them such as garlic, cayenne, cumin or even add some Parmesan or bacon (hubby loves it with the bacon but since i do not have his crazy man metabolism i usually keep it separate and let him add it in.)

http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/vegetables-and-vegetable-products/2363/2

My Milkshake Brings All the Boys to the Yard

Today, is Day 1 of my new printed out menu (see below for details). I am hoping that a jump start will help me motivate myself. I am so used to losing weight the wrong way (very quickly with a crash course I cannot stick with for too long-I love that damn pasta!) that the tedium of losing a pound a week is starting to get to me. However, I know that this is how I stop the yo-yo dieting and change my life for good so I am committed. Therefore, I have to remind myself to focus on my total number so far which is -18 pounds since December. Yay! But now the harder part begins.


Wish me luck!

Three Day Kick Start Menu

2 Eggs
Coffee, no milk, yes Splenda
_______________________
Orange
_______________________
Raw Veggie Salad
Protein
_______________________
Orange
_______________________
Raw Veggie Salad
Protein
______________________
Add-Ons:
Low Sodium Seltzer
Diet Clear Sodas
Spices Galore (I heart Garlic)
Low Sodium Salt