Days 50-52 -- Same Old, Same Old

So, other than the fact that I probably could have done laps in the new Olympic-size pool that is 95South in Rhode Island this week, there's not much new on this end.  I called out of work sick on Monday (that hot dog, slice of carrot cake, and ziti combo I so willingly scarfed down on Sunday definitely took its toll on my system) and spent the day watching trash TV (who the hell is Frank the Entertainer, by the way?). 

On Tuesday, my plans to meet up with Kali were thwarted when the Governor of RI declared a state of emergency and urged everyone off the roads by 6 p.m.  No Kali, no gym.  :-\  This rain is really screwing with my weight loss plans this week.  The consistent downpours for the past three days also means that I haven't run outside since Sunday -- something I was hoping to do!  Now that I'm finally in a routine and getting used to running outdoors, I really didn't want to fall out of that habit.

Luckily, the weather forecast for the next few days is looking a bit better.  Helllllloooooo sixties and sunshine :-)  I'll definitely be running outside on the Boulevard tomorrow or Friday. 

I'll be on tomorrow or Friday with another post.  Until then, have fun working out and eating oh-so-healthy!!!

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
1 mini Thomas 100% whole wheat bagel with peanut butter
Babyel Light Cheese Round
1 Clementine
Snack
2 Rice cakes with Babybel French Onion Spreadable Cheese
Lunch
Turkey on wheat wrap with lettuce, pickles, and lite mayo
Broccoli
Snack
Chobani Strawberry Banana Yogurt
Dinner
Chicken quesadilla with salsa, sour cream, and cheese
Dessert
None

Days 47-49 -- Getting a Tad Bit Ahead of Myself

Last night, while laying in bed trying to fall asleep, I had what I thought was a GLORIOUS and terrific idea!  Immediately, I leaned over to Ted, who lay there pretty much fast asleep (guess a day of working in the yard will do that to ya), and woke his butt up, knowing I'd only get him to agree to my ingenious, yet slightly lofty plan when he was in out of consciousness.

"Hey, babe... How about tomorrow, if it's nice, we head to Blackstone Boulevard.  I can run it twice (6.4 miles), and you can walk Coco (our energetic black lab pup of one year)."

"Mmm hmmm..." he grunted.

Now, I knew that he'd discourage me from running 6.4 miles, especially when I've been averaging 3-4 miles.  It's a bit of a jump, and I know he's concerned about me getting injured by trying to do too much too soon.  So I was happy when he agreed again this morning, after exiting dreamland and that sleepy haze.

So we headed to the Boulevard today, which is a lovely 1.7 miles down, 1.7 miles back.  And that's all I could manage today.  I was exhausted, for some reason.  And although I had EVERY intention of running that thing twice, it just was not happening.  The wind was blowing at my face the whole way back, and as a result, my calves were getting tense and cold.  Not to mention the fact that I'm pretty sure I looked like a penguin trying to walk on ice in the middle of windy Antarctica.  I'd flap my arms, pump them, and still it felt like I wasn't really moving.  I know I was, because I was tiring pretty quickly.  I had to stop more often for a breather and I was cramping.  All in all, not the best conditions to attempt a long run. 

The athlete in me was pissed I "gave up," knowing I probably could have pushed myself through to the 6.4.  But at what cost?  Would that have made running later this week a serious challenge?  Would I have pulled something?  Who knows!  I'm trying not to get too down on myself, and am trying to remember those times when running 1 mile outdoors seemed like a serious challenge.  And now 3.4 has become the new norm!  I've got to try and stay focused on all the things I can do now that seemed impossible a year ago, six months ago, even three weeks ago.  And it's a struggle for someone like me who, afer meeting one goal, sets another huge goal immediately thereafter.  But I'm trying.  What can I say -- I'm a work in progress!

Well... here comes the part I dread each and every week -- "time to get on that scale," as Ali from The Biggest Loser would say.  But this week, I'm pretty psyched to fill you all in. 

Today's weight: 244.0!!!!!!
Total weight lost this week: 4.6 pounds!
Total weight lost: 9.8 pounds!!!!!  Wahooo!!!
The best part is, I'm not starving all the time.  I haven't stopped eating all the things I loved so dearly.  And while working out is hard to fit into my schedule and yes, it sucks at times, I'm not broken, walking with a limp, or dead :-).  I'm doing this, in a completely natural way.  And it's awesome!!!!

So how'd all of you do this week?  Let me know!  And keep fighting the good fight!

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
Multigrain Cheerios with 1% milk
Babybel Light Cheese Round
Snack
None (was out running and woke up late anyway)
Lunch
1 hot dog in a hot dog bun with mustard
Snack
1 slice of homemade carrot cake (at a birthday party)
Dinner
Ziti with grilled chicken
Broccoli (or green beans, perhaps?  We'll see who wins in the Battle of the Veggies at the Ekholm Casa tonight!)

Days 45 &46 -- Just Keep Running... Just Keep Running

On Tuesday, I believe I was being a whiny bitch and complaining about how much my shins hurt.  And they did.  A lot. 

Today I'm singing a different tune.  Ya know that part in Finding Nemo where Dori swims while singing "just keep swimming, just keep swimming..."  Yea, well that was my motto for the past two days.  Except, substitute the word running for swimming.  Well, that little saying was quite convenient when I was hustling my ass up and down Blackstone Boulevard yesterday and today.  Every time I wanted to quit, I just sang in my head "Just keep running... Just keep running."  And I did!!!  And I didn't fall over, drop dead, or find my legs buckling underneath me.  Surprise, surprise!!!

Now, I know the image of me singing a Pixar movie tune, with my own lyrics, probably puts me on par with most five year-olds.  But I'm OK with that.  I mean, who cares what I say, or how crazy I look when I'm talking to myself while running, so long as it works?  I sure don't. 

Yesterday, after work I met up with my fellow Team Challenge Half-Marathoners in training for our first mid-week run.  I had the option of running 4 miles, or 3.2, and considering how my shins were throbbing just walking around the office all day in my boots, I opted for the 5K distance.  As I pushed myself up and down that gravel path, I kept thinking about the half-marathon coming up in three short months (eek!) and how badly I want this.  How badly I want to be able to accomplish this goal of completing the race and how badly I want to lose this weight.  It all gave me that extra umph I needed to power through the run.

And I killed it!  I shaved another two minutes off my time, finishing at 39 minutes!  Wahoo!!!!  Excuse me for a moment while I gloat (uh hmmm... John!!!).  :-) 

And while my shins were sore, and I had a tad bit of trouble walking to my car after, I was thankful I went for the run.  It was the furthest distance I'd ever run outdoors (in a non-race setting).  And I was so hyped about finishing it, that I decided I'd repeat the route/run tonight.  Yes, that's right.  I ran 6.4 miles, outside, over the course of 24 hours.  And I ran tonight's run in 39 minutes again.  Hell yea!!!  (I am soooo ok with that being my new time!!!)  I can't wait for my next outdoor run, either. It probably won't happen until Saturday morning, but I'm psyched!  My legs are itching to get out there and kick up some sand! 

So how is everyone else doing with their workouts???  Anyone else care to gloat?  Feel free!  This is, after all, a Designated Gloating Zone.  So go ahead, be proud of yourself, and let the rest of us congratulate you, too!

OK... time to go watch Biggest Loser with the hubby on the DVR, while doing 125 crunches.  Thanks again Nicole S.  I'm sooo not loving you right now.

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
Multigrain Cheerios with 1% milk
Babybel Light Cheese Round
Snack
Chobani Strawberry Yogurt
Lunch
Campbell's Select Harvest Italian-Style Vegetable
2 Plain Rice Cakes with Babybel French Onion Spreadable Cheese Wedge
20 Mini Pretzels
Diced Peaches
Snack
Sliced Strawberries
Kashi TLC Honey & Oats Granola Bar
Dinner
Chicken quesadilla
Green Beans
Dessert
Neopolitan ice cream :-\

Day 44 -- Damn You Shin Splints!

The plan for today was an easy three-mile run at the gym (thank you rain for forcing me indoors).  And after a day of healthy eating, I headed to the gym to feel the burn!

Enter shin splints -- my foe, the cursed enemy of runners everwhere (or at least this runner).  I was 1.7 miles in when I felt the tears forming in my eyes.  Now, I'm an athlete.  I always have been, always will.  And with the athlete mentality that I have, I kept telling myself, "Fight through the pain."  So I did... for a while.  But after 1.7 miles,  I thought I was going to cry right there in the middle of the gym.  Every ounce of my shins (and knees!) were throbbing.  My right shin burned, so I tried to ease off it, putting more weight and pressure on my left leg.  Well, that just made my left shin throb.  And while the athlete in me kept screaming for me to keep going, I just couldn't.  In the back of my head, I also knew that I had a four-mile run coming up tomorrow, with my half-marathon training group.  So I spared my shins more misery tonight in order to be able to run with the group tomorrow. 

I'm a bit disappointed.  After all, with three months left before the half-marathon, I should be increasing my mileage each week. This isn't exactly how I envisioned my training going.  But, a little ice tonight, maybe a calf rub (if my husband is feeling generous), and I'll be back on the pavement tomorrow -- rain or shine (please pray for sun!  I hate the running in the rain.  Actually, I hate the rain.  Period.).  So here's hoping tomorrow's group run goes better than today's treadmill run to Grey's Anatomy at Gold's Gym.  :-\  I really don't want to be the slow girl in the group.  Come on shins... shape up!!!

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
1 cup Multigrain Cheerios with Milk
Babybel Light Cheese Round
Snack
Chobani Pineapple Yogurt
Lunch
Turkey on a wheat wrap with lettuce, pickles, and lite mayo
Diced peaches
2 Plain Rice Cakes with Laughing Cow French Onion Spreadable Cheese
Snack
Banana
Dinner
Pork chop with green beans
1 Chips Ahoy cookie
Dessert
Don't know...

Days 40-43 -- 5 Steps Forward, 10 Steps Back

I'm afraid I don't have much good news to report.  I'm up 2.4 pounds this week, which puts me squarely back at 248.6 :-(

I feel like I'm doing this stupid dance, where I have a great week, lose two or three pounds, then self-sabotage the next week and put it all back on.  Only this week, I added back half of what I had lost.  Boooooo!!!!  I have to stop doing that!

The problem, you ask?  Well, I tend to cut myself a little too much slack after such a stellar week as two weeks ago.  That, combined with the lack of posting this week, left me feeling quite free and nonchalant regarding my diet.  I found out this week that I definitely need the accountability this blog provides.  I need to know I have forty-plus people watching (or reading!) my every move.  You'd be surprised what a little guilt and shame can do to shape up your diet! 

So the goal this week is to get back to posting each and every day.  They won't always be long posts, but even if I can manage to get Nicole's Daily Menu up here, I'm sure that'll help keep me in check. 

That said, let's review this past week.  I was doing great until Friday came along.  I was running late in the morning, and didn't have a chance to eat breakfast at home.  Bad Move Numero Uno.  As a result, I ended up stuffing my face at work with a Dunkin Donuts Wheat Bagel and Lite Cream Cheese.  Man, did that thing sit heavy in my stomach!  Things didn't get much better.  Lunch: the Asian Sesame Chicken Salad from Panera Bread.  Dinner?  Well, what better way to cap off the workweek than with take-out!  Yup -- one buffalo-chicken calzone coming up!  All that doughy goodness went straight to my ass.  I swear my butt visibly grew.  And in case you missed that, yes, I "ordered out" three times in ONE DAY!!!

Saturday brought a chance to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather we had here in New England.  I dragged my butt (in Spandex, nonetheless!) and Ted (my awesome photographer and fantastic support system) to the race, where I shaved another two minutes off my previous best race time!  I was pretty happy about finishing at 41:40, and have some great photos to prove just how hard I was digging in and pushing myself toward the very end.  But that wasn't the only thing I was excited about.  For months now, I've been training/running indoors, on a treadmill.  There's a great big difference between that and running outside, however.  So the previous races I'd done involved me running/walking the majority of the race.  And by run/walk, I mean run a quarter, walk a quarter.  But not on Saturday!!!  I ran 1.1 miles straight, without stopping!  I ran/walked the second mile, then ran all but 0.15 or so of the last mile! 

Unfortunatley, these accomplishments gave me a sense of entitlement and left me feeling like I deserved to celebrate.  Which I did, don't get me wrong.  But I probably should have done something a little better than what ended up happening.  So let's continue.

Post-race lunch celebration with the work crew at Doherty's Irish Pub.  Three onion rings, one cheeseburger, and some broccoli later, I felt stuffed.  If the festivities had ended there, maybe I could have found a way to salvage this week.  But they didn't.

Ted was having poker night at the house on Saturday, so a few of the girls and I hit the mall for some retail therapy.  But not before chowing down on nachos and Sangria at Joe's American Bar & Grill.  (Could I have made a worse decision?!  I mean honestly, what was I thinking?  Fried chips, fried cheese, and hard alcohol???)  After my pants were sufficiently bulging and I was secretly wishing I had pregnant-lady pants, we did our shopping and hit a few stores.  Then later, we topped the evening off with some TCBY frozen yogurt. 

All in all, it was a good week which was completely destroyed by my utter lack of control on the weekend.  So instead of the 245 I was hoping for, I'm now even further away from that goal.  Which really sucks, now that I'm on the other side of these meals.  I'll be the first to admit, I did not stop and ask myself "Is it worth it?" at any point during my Food-Induced-Coma Weekend.  And I should have.  Because now I've set myself back.  Thanks to this little setback, I'll have to work even harder this week to lose those 2 pounds again, plus another 2!  Oy...

But I'm off to a good start, so far.  I packed my normal lunch today and am back to the gym tonight.  I also got a quick 1.3 mile-run in yesterday around the neighborhood (with lots of hills!)   Let's just hope this week I am able to stay on track and keep focused on what really matters here!  Because in the long run, burgers and onion rings are not going to get me to where I need, or want, to be!

Oh, and this week's challenge: 500 crunches, courtesy of the lovely Nicole S.  Thanks sooooo much chica!!!  (Insert sarcasm here.)

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
1 cup of Kashi Go Lean Crunch Cereal with 1% milk
1 Babybel Light Cheese Round
Snack
1 Fig Newton
Pineapple Chobani Yogurt (quickly becoming my favorite flavor!)
2 Rice Cakes with Laughing Cow French Onion Spreadable Cheese
Lunch
1 cup of Select Harvest Southwestern Soup (not a fan)
Diced peaches
7 Strawberries, sliced
Snack
To be determined....
Dinner
To be determined....

Days 36-39 -- I Suck at Posting This Week

Title says it all, my friends.  And considering my energy levels and how much this week has absolutely kicked my ass, I won't be writing too much tonight.  Expect more later this weekend.

This week in a nutshell:

1. Gym workouts haven't been so consistent (2.25 miles on Sunday, 1.5 on Wednesday, 4.3 tonight, 1.5 planned for tomorrow).
2. Check-in with Kali went well on Wednesday night.  (I dare say she was at a loss for words!  That is, after she reemed me out for my buffalo chicken wrap and French fries "episode" last week).  She was happy to see I had actually listened to her and swapped out my crappier foods for their healthier counterparts.  And she was really happy about my running (and the increase to 4 miles!).  Her goal for me: 244 by 3/30/10.  I told her I'd kill it!
3. Providence St. Pat's 5K coming up this Saturday!  I'll be running, along with a few co-workers and friends, and am aiming to finish somewhere around the 39-40 minute mark.  We'll see how realistic that is when I actually start running the race.  But hey, a girl can dream, right?
4. My goal for the week: 245.00  I don't care if I don't meet my two-pound minimum.  I just want to break through that mini-wall (or jump right over that metaphorical hedge, if you would) and never look back.  Get to 245.0, and there's no stopping me next week, or the week after, or the week after that.

OK, that's it for tonight.  Wish me luck at the 5K!  And please pray that my shin splints remain dormant, like they have the past few weeks!  Keep fighting the good fight!!!

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
Multigrain Cheerios with 1% milk
Babybel Light Cheese Round
Snack
Chobani Raspberry Yogurt
Lunch
Subway 6-inch turkey on wheat with lettuce, pickles, American cheese, and light mayo
Fresh strawberries, sliced
Snack
Brown Pear
Dinner
Ziti with a ground turkey meat/red sauce
Dessert
Edy's Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Days 32-35 -- Holy Weight Loss!

OK -- so my apologies for being MIA on the blog the past few days.  I feel like I go through spurts -- sometimes I'm super dilligent and update every day, and then there are those lapses where I post maybe every two days.  So, sorry fo the delay in sharing!

However, I have some GREAT news!  All week, I've been busting my butt (with the exception of that buffalo chicken wrap and the French fries, of course).  And it's paid off!  All the calorie-counting, the hour-long cardio sessions at the gym -- all lead to this:

My current weight: 246.2!!!!! 
Total weight loss: 4.6 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!

Proof's in the pudding, people!  Hard work does pay off!  Now, if you're wondering what the Hell happened this week (as I did at first, too), well let me explain.  Remember that post earlier this week with alternative snack ideas???? Yea, well I incorporated all of Kali's recommended foods into my diet this week.  I finally listened to her and I think she'll be quite pleased with the result!  I cut back on how much cheese I had been eating, substituted pretzels for Ritz Chips, swapped out my Yoplait Yogurt with Chobani Flavored, and kept sipping soup at lunch.  These little changes had a BIG impact!

As for my workouts... Well, you all left me hanging this week for a challenge (thanks for the lack of ideas, by the way!!!), so I decided to go with a workout challenge.  I've been putting in 2.25-3.0 miles on the treadmill pretty consistently for the past seven or eight months.  And at times, I've struggled with running a half of a mile straight, let alone an entire mile.  More recently, I've been able to conquer that one mile, and even worked up to two.  But with my half-marathon coming up at the end of June, I knew I needed to start increasing my mileage.... and soon!  So, this week I challenged myself to four miles.

Now, I was planning on a combo of running/walking to get to those four miles.  And on Thursday, I did.  I ran 3 miles straight, then walked the last mile.  But on Friday, I don't know what got into my Saucony's, but it was like they literally had wings.  I ran all four miles, without pause.  No stopping for a breather, no jumping off for a tenth of a mile to grab some water, no stopping.  Period.  I don't know what came over me, but it was awesome!!!  It's so exhilirating when you push your body further than you thought it was capable of. 

This little accomplishment not only gave me a huge rush, but it also totally kicked the scale's butt!  A four-pound plus loss this week was just what I needed to re-energize me.  I told Ted on Wednesday that I really wanted to be at 248-something by the end of the week.  Well, I totally blew past that marker!  So this week, I'm really pulling for under 245.  If I can get under 245, then 240 (and better yet, the 230s) doesn't seem so far off. 

It's all about setting little goals for yourself.  Because in the long run, that's what helps you get to your ultimate goal.  So if you've been having difficulty lately and have been focusing too much on the bigger picture, I urge you to take a step back and set a small goal for yourself for this week.  Once you meet that goal, set another.  And before you know it, you'll be well on your way to your ultimate goal.

Anyone else feel like sharing?  Any accomplishments you want to let us in on?  If so, feel free to comment!!!

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
Multigrain Cheerios with 1% milk
Cheese Stick
Snack
None
Lunch
Mac 'n Cheese
2 Fig Newtons
Dinner
Not sure yet...  Our meals have been off today.  I guess waking up at 12:30 does that, huh???

Days 30 & 31 -- Count Calories? Why, yes, thank you, I think I will...

Counting calories.  No one likes to do it.  I know I certainly don't.  But then again, it can be a great way to monitor your diet.  Let's face it, we all overeat throughout the day.  Five M&Ms here, a cheese stick there...  But no one realizes how quickly those little munchies can add up.  And before you know it, your on-track, 1,500-calorie day has exploded into a 2,000+ calories food extravaganza.  What's worse?  That those extra calories you did consume probably weren't even substantial, filling, or worth it.  And there's the key question you need to ask yourself before popping that bite-size Milky Way into your salivating mouth:  Is it worth it???  Most of the time, you'll find the answer is "no." 

That in mind, I decided to track my calories yesterday.  Very official-like, I kept track of all my snacks and meals on a large post-it, looking up the calorie intake as I went along (http://caloriecount.about.com/).  The past few days, looking up the nutritional information of certain products has been a GREAT detterrent.  For example, the two Fig Newtons I've grown so fond of the past two weeks?  Yea... not so fond of them any  more.  Those babies are packing 200 calories!!!  A 100-calorie cookie!  You've got to be kidding me!  Have you seen the size of Fig Newtons???  Now, to put that in perspective....  When I run 3.25 miles, or an hour, I normally burn anywhere from 550-650 calories.  So those two cookies are roughly 20 minutes of my giggly ass sweating it out on the treadmill. 

Guess who didn't take the Fig Newtons to work today.  Yup... me!  I knew I wouldn't be going to the gym tonight, and in the long run, those two cookies just didn't seem like they'd be worth it at the end of the day. I've been trying to keep that mentality at the front of my mind -- only eat what's worth it.  However, I'm only human. 

Instead of eating my nutritious, 100-calorie, veggie-filled soup for lunch today, I decided to abandon my norm for lunch with the work crew at the local diner... where I proceeded to have my favorite dish: a small buffalo-chicken, wheat wrap with French Fries and a Dt. Mountain Dew.  Now, I know... French Fries are Foe.  I didn't forget my personal mantra.  But I weighed it out... to me, today, that meal was totally worth it.  Not because I was stressed and wanted to comfort eat or because it's simply what I'm used to.  Nor was it a reward for eating so healthily lately.  It was, simply, because I wanted it.  I was going to get the grilled chicken breast and green beans (a much healthier option in comparison).  But I also knew a part of me was really craving that crappy food.  So I gave in.  Hey, I never claimed to be perfect!  And I believe I explained in Day 1's post that this would be a journey -- with all my challenges, victories, and struggles put before you.  I asked myself if the meal was truly worth it, and today, it was. 

Now... here's the difference between old Nicole and New, Improved Nicole: Old Nicole would have eaten like that every day, and no, I'm not exaggerating.  I would have had that for lunch, followed by pizza for dinner, followed by a nice mug-full of my favorite -- ice cream -- for dessert.  Today's meal was the first "mishap" in a few weeks.  And I'm ok with it.  I feel no shame, no guilt.  None of the emotions normally associated with my eating habits.  It was one meal, and now I'm moving on.  I truly believe that it's important to indulge yourself once in a while, so long as it isn't an everyday occurence. 

I understand that my lunch today was way over my alloted calories for that meal.  But like I said, it was worth it.  So if you "cheat" (and I hate calling it that!), don't beat yourself up.  You can't expect to have a perfect meal, a perfect week, a perfect month.  It's unhealthy, if you ask me.  Enjoy your fave meals, but don't make them the norm. 

OK -- sorry for the digression.  Back to the calories.  I'm aiming for 1400-1600 calories per day, and trying to burn another 500 at the gym on the nights I do go.  So here's how yesterday measured up:

Multigrain Cheerios with 1% milk -- 150 calories
2 Fig Newtons - 200 calories!
Diced peaches -- 70 calories
Campbell's Select Harvest Minestrone Soup -- 100 calories
Chobani Strawberry Yogurt -- 140 calories (but 14 grams of protein!)
2 Rice Cakes & 1 wedge of Laughing Cow Spreadable French Onion Cheese -- 115 calories
1/2 cup pineapple -- 60 calories
1 Banana -- 110 calories (by the way, not a good idea to consume immediately before running)
1 Quesadilla with grilled chicken, salsa, light cheese, sour cream -- 350 calories (?)
1/2 cup of Edy's Mint Chip Ice Cream -- 120 calories
Total: 1,415 calories
Total burned at gym: 420 calories

Simple math, as my friend John likes to say....  Takes 2,500 calories for me to maintain my weight.  3,500 calories is a pound gone.  If I'm killing 1,500 a day, I should be losing 2 pounds per week! 

If you're interested in another great way of keeping track of your food intake, try this online journal of sorts.  It's a great visual representation of what you're taking in, and what you're getting too much of:
http://www.fitday.com/

OK, that's it for today's lesson, kids!  Stay with me!  And keep fighting the good fight!

Oh, and I'm looking for ideas for this week's challenge.  Got a good one?  Shoot it over!  I'm up for anything :-)

Days 28 & 29 -- Kali-Tested, Kali-Approved!

So it's been brought to my attention (uh hmmm... thanks Kali) that apparently some of my food choices have not been so great lately.

Now if you're wondering, like me "What's so bad about Yoplait Yogurt?" I have the answer for you, and it all comes down to four little words: high fructose corn syrup.  Sugar makes you crave more sugar.  Yay!!!  And while I thought I was putting something halfway decent into my body, I was, in all actuality, just ramping up my metabolism and blood sugar to crave more crappy food. 

But have no fear, Kali is here!  Kali (my nutritionist extraordinaire, for those of you newbies out there) wasted no time at all in correcting me.  (Yes, I was bummed I couldn't get away with my Ritz Cracker Chips and Yoplaits for just another few weeks.)

I met with Kali last Wednesday, at which time she made a very good point: Why the hell do I have a nutrtionist if I'm just going to block out everything she says?  For example: while calories, fat content, and carbs matter, what's actually going into your body matters, too!  Nine months later and you'd think I'd get it by now!  But nope, I've been bad.  And I haven't been reading the ingredients of products I'm considering purchasing.  I'd like to say that it was unintentional, but we all know it wasn't.  I mean, c'mon... what you don't know can't hurt you, right?  And if I wasn't reading the label, then I could damn well claim ignorance. 

Yea, well lots of thanks to Kali for tugging me out of the clouds and back to healthy living reality. :-\  But, I do have a nutrtionist for a reason -- mostly because I need to re-learn how to eat.  And what to eat.  Unfortunately, I hate just about every veggie there is (thank you meat and potato Portuguese upbringing) and am reluctant to try new things.  (I'm a creature of habit, as I tell Kali.)  When I find something I like, or that works, I stick with it.  But I am trying to be more open and less against eating different types of food.

That said, Kali had a few suggestions on how I can tweak what I'm currently eating.  And naturally, I felt the need to share them with all of you.  I figured that some of you might be struggling with the same issues and could use a few snack ideas.  So, please do not mock me, or let what I'm about to write hold too much weight, but please indulge me as I attempt to play nutritionist now...  The following is a brief synopsis of what I like to call Kali-tested, Kali-approved foods:

OK... first thing to go?  Buh-bye Yoplait Yogurt!  A while back, as in last August, Kali tried to get me to eat plain greek yogurt.  That did not go over so well, since I had to still had to add Agave Nectar and cinnamon to it each time.  My biggest thing?  Convenience.  I need something that's fast and easy and I can just throw in a bag in the morning and just whip it out later while at work.  Hence the Yoplait yumminess.  But, alas, Kali wanted to see that come to an end.  And fast.  Re-enter Chobani Greek Yogurt -- but FLAVORED!!!  So tasty!  Tried the strawberry banana flavor today and it was fantastic!  And the best thing about it?  No crappy ingredients and lots of protein!  If you're not a fan of strawberry banana, check out some of their other flavors like honey, pineapple, raspberry, strawberry, or pomegranante.  Get full product info here: http://www.chobani.com/.

In an attempt to get some more veggies into my daily intake, I started bringing soup for lunch.  And then I totally negated that attempt by adding a bunch of Ritz Cracker Chips to the bowl.  Not so good.  Solution?  Snyder's Original Mini Pretzels!  I needed a crunch in my soup, so Kali suggested counting out one serving size (which is 20, in case you were wondering), and adding them in for that extra texture.  She also suggested Campbell's Select Harvest Soups, instead of Progresso, which have about ten fewer calories per serving.  The whole can is about 100 calories, and there are like a million veggies and beans I'd never ordinarily eat! Today's lunch included Italian-style Vegetable (zucchini, tomato, chickpeas, kidney beans, celery, carrots, cabage, green beans, and spinach) with 20 mini pretzels and definitely hit the spot!  Find a soup you might like at http://www.campbellsoup.com/select.aspx.

Kali also had a good suggestion for a snack.  If I wanted something crunchy, how about rice cakes?  Now, if you're like me, you're thinking "Mmmmm.... white cheddar," or licking your lips at the thought of caramel-flavored goodness.  But nope, sorry... none of that.  *Sidenote: 7 caramel mini cakes are 60! calories and contain... you guessed it, high fructose corn syrup! http://www.quakerricesnacks.com/products/#/quakes/caramelcorn *

Instead, try the plain rice cakes.  But don't eat them dry - yes, I agree, they have a remarkable resemblance to cardboard when eaten alone.  Pair them with some Tedy's Natural Peanut Butter, or some Laughing Cow Spreadable French Onion (or Garlic and Herb) cheese, though and... voila!  Quick, easy, fulfilling snack.  One rice cake and a wedge of the Laughing Cow cheese is just 75 calories!  Talk about low-cal snack!

And as for my breakfast (Multigrain Cheerios with 1% milk), well that just wasn't making the cut.  One of the most important lessons Kali has strived to teach me is that every meal/snack should have a smart carb and a protein, together.  So Cheerios are fine, so long as I have a quarter of a cup of almonds with it.  Or a low-fat cheese stick.  But if you can't seem to fathom the idea of eating a cheese stick with your cup o' Joe in the morning, try this alternative: Kashi (or Van's, but I prefer Kashi's) Waffles with a little bit of peanut butter spread over the top of it.  Now, I know it might be hard for some of you to even think about waffles without loading them with butter and syrup.  But honestly, this is a really easy and fast breakfast.  And it fills you up!  I definitely notice a difference in my eating habits when I start the day off with a protein and carb.  If I don't, I'm usually hungry sooner and find myself muching throughout the day at my desk.  Breakfasts like the waffle and PB, though, really help to keep me fuller, longer.  If you're not a waffle person, try some eggs and a slice of 100% whole wheat toast.  There are lots of healthy carbs and proteins out there guys!  Go experiment!

Lastly, I don't know if any of you have noticed, but I think I've finally managed to kick my ice cream habit.  It's funny really, that week without it proved to be a good challenge for me.  I realized during that time that I wasn't actually craving the ice cream itself, just the comfort that came with it.  I enjoyed the release I associated with eating it, and the mug-full each night had become my routine.  I didn't necessarily need, or want, for that matter, the Ben & Jerry's.  I had just become so used to it, because that's what I did every night!  Well, no more!

Instead, I've been trying to cut up some strawberries after dinner, if I'm craving something sweet.  I was using Fat Free Cool Whip to dip the strawberries in.  However, as Kali pointed out, it's loaded with HFCS.  Soo.... instead, she suggested I used Redi-Whip (the red can in the cheese/yogurt section), which is mostly cream.  However, I can't go nuts with the portion size, since it is mostly cream. 

For nights where I do need something extra sweet, like chocolate, I've been trying to have a piece or two of dark chocolate.  Like tonight -- I knew I didn't want to sabotage my healthy eating today with a big cup of ice cream.  So instead, I broke off one piece of the Lindt Dark Chocolate infused with Mint that I bought at Shaws on Sunday.  It was in the fridge, so it was nice and cold, and for a brief moment, it actually tasted like Mint Chip Ice Cream.  And that was all I needed!  Just enough! 

I hope these ideas help you all out a little!  I promise you, I wouldn't suggest them if they didn't taste good.  Kali can vouche for that.  But seriously, try some of them!  I challenge all of you this week to swap out one of your favorite snack foods with a healthier version (Ted, that means you, too, sweetie ;-).  No swiss cake rolls!)  Try to switch out one a week, and before you know it, you'll have made drastic changes in your eating habits!  And you won't even notice!  I'm going to continue to try new things and work on swapping out bad food choices with their healthier counterparts, too.  So you definitely won't be alone!  Oh, and feel free to leave a comment and let me, and everyone else, know of a healthy alternative that you use as a go-to snack!  We could all use more staples!!!

PS -- Tried the asparagus last night.  Definitely not one of my favorites, but I didn't hate it, either.  Then again, who knows if I was cooking it correctly.  :-\  World's Greatest Cook -- yea, not me.  Well, onto the next poor, unsuspecting vegie!

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
2 Van's Waffles with peanut butter (Kali, don't yell.  I know I'm only supposed to have 1, but I was super hungry!)
Snack
Chobani Strawberry & Banana Yogurt
2 Fig NewtonCookies
Lunch
Campbell's Select Harvest Italian-style Vegetable Soup
20 mini Snyder's Pretzels
Diced Peaches
Snack
1 Plain rice cake with Laughing Cow Spreadable French Onion cheese
Dinner
Stir fry with beef and green peppers, red peppers, onions, and zucchini
1 piece of Italian bread
Dessert
1 square of Lindt Dark Mint Chocolate

Days 26 & 27 -- Not Much To Report

Hellloooooo everyone...

So, there's not much to report for the past two days.  Afraid to say that nothing too interesting has happened (maybe that's because I've been so busy prepping for that Fellowship interview!).  That said, tonight I'm afraid all I have to offer is this:

Current weight: 250.8 -- down 3 pounds this week!  Yay!  And almost back to pre-vacation weight.  Super happy about that.

Hopefully I'll have more to report tomorrow.  Have a great Saturday gang!

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
Brown Pear
Snack
2 Fig Newtons
Lunch
Wheat Boboli crust with tomato sauce and mozz. cheese pizza
Snack
3 Chips Ahoy Cookies
Dinner
Not sure.  Going to go scrounge and raid the kitchen for food now. 

Days 23 - 25 -- Pushing Through the Pain

FINALLY!!!  Time, and motivation, to write!  Sorry for the brief hiatus, but even this wannabe supergirl has trouble finding time to get everything in.  Between my trips to the gym (essential), preparing for grad school/fellowship interviews, and catching up at work this week, it seems I haven't had a spare second.  And while I'm still in the midst of all of that, I took tonight off from the gym for some much-needed downtime.  Gotta say, my shins aren't minding the break at all!

Speaking of the gym... 

I have to take a moment and congratulate John -- aka "Senior Citizen", Ted's coworker, a blog follower, and my biggest rival -- for his impressive 5K time.  For those of you who don't know, John and I are of similar build, similar abilities, and weights.  The only difference is that he's got about 20 years on me :-)  That said, we've been going back and forth a bit, trying to out-do each other on the treadmill.  Now, if you know me at all, you'd know that one of the three most common words to describe me is competitive (driven and pushy are apparently the other two.  Thanks, Rach!).  The quickest way to light a fire under my ass?  Just mutter these four words: YOU. CAN'T. DO. IT.  Tell me I'm incapable of doing something, and I'll prove you wrong.  Doesn't matter if I kill myself trying, I'll still pull it off. 

Now, when John said he was inching ever closer to my best 5K time (41 minutes-ish), I thought, I have time to improve my speed.  Then he texted Ted the other night saying he had broken through 40:00, finishing at 39:40ish, I believe.  I vowed to beat him to 38-something.  So, Tuesday night, on my way to the gym, I rationalized with Ted why I absolutely couldn't try to compete with John.  "I have to be careful of my shins."  "If I hurt myself now by pushing too hard too fast, then I'll blow my chances at running the half-marathon."  You get the picture.   As I got ready in the locker room, I coached myself into thinking that I would take it easy -- run at my own pace.

Well, that didn't happen.  Ha!  The minute my foot hit that revolving black strip, it was like a trigger went off somewhere inside my head and everything screamed "Do it!!!  Don't let the old man beat you!"  And off I went!  It killed my shins, and I was sweating more than that old man in the sauna, but it was soo worth it.  I fought through the pain and finished at 39:40.  I broke the 40-minute mark!  I couldn't have been happier!  It was a goal I'd been trying to reach for three months.  Turns out, I just wasn't pushing myself hard enuogh.

A part of me was still holding back.  Running all 3 miles was liberating.  You know that scene in Avatar where the main character gets into his Avatar body the first time, and breaks off at a full sprint into the forest?  Remember his childish grin?  Yea, that's kind of what it felt like.  The fat girl breaking free from the body suit.  For the first time in a long time, I felt like an athlete.  I felt healthy. 

Now, all that excitement soon faded when John updated me on his latest time last night: 38:30.  Ugh.  Back to square one.  But I'm not trying to deny my competitiveness any more.  My next goal is to break 38:00.  But now I know I have the means to do it.  I know just how hard I can push myself, if I truly let go of all that's holding me back, of all the racing thoughts telling me I can't do it -- physically, mentally.  Because I know now that I can.

So John -- congrats on the awesome run time!  But don't get comfy too long!  I'm coming for ya!

As for Puerto Rico... I feel the need to fill you in on what I've been trying to tell you guys all week.  On Sunday, when we returned, I posted a lovely photo of the lower half of a pale, hairy dude wearing what appears to be fire-engine-red boy shorts.  Nice, no?  Then, on Tuesday, in a stark contrast, I posted a pic of me in my bathing suit.  You all saw more of me in that bathing suit than the other travelers at the hotel in Puerto Rico.

Lots of people get stage fright, right?  Well, I do, too.  And let me tell you, when you're overweight, the beach/pool area of a crowded/popular hotel is the biggest stage you'll ever find.  And I was frightened.  I wore basketball shorts or capris to the pool and beach every time we ventured out.  I didn't want ANYone to see me -- all of me.  And I mean, c'mon... who wants to stand in comparison next to 40-somethings toting their toddlers around in two-piece bikinis with rock-hard abs?  Seriously???  I really, really, really dislike those moms who just "have it."  So put together, such awesome bodies, and that's AFTER kids.  Ugh. 

Ted seemed to have difficulty digesting why I didn't want to shed my protective layers.  But when you're the biggest girl at the party, you're bound to stick out.  And I'm all for sticking out -- but for looking good.  And let's admit it, people, when you feel overweight, you don't want to stick out.  I was so embarrassed, no, ashamed, of my body that I couldn't even muster up the courage to swim in the pool.  The kiddie pool.  I'm pretty sure no three-year-old is going to call me out for being fat, nor would they cast disapproving sideward glances in my direction.  But just the same, I wasn't going in.

Then, as I'm sitting in my lounge chair, trying to convince myself to just jump in the damned water, Red Booty walks right past me, with his tight little swim trunks (if you can call them that).  I had to do all I could to keep from giggling too loudly as I quickly fetched my camera from my bag.  I couldn't believe someone had so much courage!  I mean, the man wasn't the most toned, attractive being I'd ever seen.  But there he was, strutting his Peacock stuff along that little pathway, as if he owned it.  And that's when I realized that you have to do just that -- OWN IT.  If Mr. Let-Me-Give-You-A-Close-Up-Look-At-My-Package could do it, then so could I.  Because as much as I hate my body somedays, it's still my body.  And I shouldn't let society dictate what's perfect, beautiful, or attractive, and in doing so, shame me into the corner with my cover-up and towel. 

Granted, it took nearly a day for me to actually make it into the water.  But on our last day in Puerto Rico, I stripped down to nothing more than those brown bottoms and tankini top and hopped in the 2-foot kiddie pool.  I didn't stay in for long, and I covered my legs up with a towel almost as soon as I got out.  But I did it.  I braved the opinions and facial expressions of those other toothpick-like women and made it into the water.  I bared a body not even I'm proud of to the general public.  And I'm still alive to talk about it.  :-)

Don't get me wrong -- I'm sure I'll be all that much happier this summer, after hopefully losing another 30-40 pounds, to disrobe.  But I also need to try and remember that no matter what type of body I have, or how many pounds I'm weighing in at, I need to be comfortable in my skin.  And while that's something I've struggled with in the past, I'm hoping it gets a hell of a lot easier over the next year.

OH -- and don't worry, Ted promised to take me somewhere tropical when I have a nice tail to show off next year!  And maybe this time, I'll get to do EVERYTHING I wanted to do (like horsebackriding in the rainforest.  I didn't know horses had a weight limit!  225 pounds, really?  What makes that the breaking point?  So silly.)

Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
1 Kashi waffle with peanut butter
Snack
2 Fig Newtons
Yoplait Light Yogurt
Lunch
1/2 of a roast beef sandwich with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and light mayo
1 cup of broccoli and cheddar soup
Snack
Pear
Dinner
Enchilladas made with ground turkey
Dessert
Nothing

Day 22 -- Too Tired To Type

I am well aware that I promised an explanation to yesterday's final photo (the one of the man booty, in case you couldn't remember) in tonight's post.  But taking into consideration that today was my first day back at work and the first time in a while I had to answer to that Hellish beeping noise that yanks me out of dreamland each morning at 5:50, my thoughts on Red Booty will have to wait until tomorrow.  Man, getting back to the grind really blows.  I can't believe how exhausted I am after my normal routine (work, gym, shower, dinner, blog, lather, rinse, repeat)!  Just to give you an idea of how tired I actually am -- I'm not even going to have ice cream tonight!  Yes, now you know there's something wrong with me. 

But I promise... more to come on me and my drumstick-like thighs in a bathing suit tomorrow. For now, I'll leave you with this photo of the two-legged whale who found land (please note my awesome tanlines):





Nicole's Daily Menu
Breakfast
Multigrain Cheerios with 1% milk
Snack
Chewy Granola Bar
2 Fig Newton cookies
Lunch
Progresso Italian Vegetable soup with 5 Ritz Cracker Chips
Cheese Stick
Laughing Cow Cheese Wedge
Yoplait Strawberry Banana yogurt
Diced peaches fruit cup
Snack
Pear
2 Fig Newton Cookies
Dinner
Grilled barbeque chicken breast
Green beans
Rice pilaf
Dessert
None

PS -- Just wanted to say a quick thanks to John for mentally kicking my ass at the gym tonight.  I'm going to make sure I break 39:00 before you, senior citizen!  Man, it's amazing what a little competition does to your motivation!