Making It Work

Why yes, we did visit Chuck Bass' hotel while in NYC

Thursdays are my 'weigh-in' day- I'm still doing Weight Watchers, but I think for right now I'm going to do my weigh ins at home.  It's more consistent (same day, same time, wearing the same thing) and I can almost never skip it, because it is maybe once a year that I'm not actually home on a Thursday morning.  TallBoy can almost always tell how it went by my mood on Thursday mornings- if I'm grumpy, that means I gained, and if I'm jumping around super excited, that means I lost.  This morning, he assumed I lost, because I was, in fact, jumping around, super excited.  However- that was not the case- I neither lost nor gained- but it's a big milestone for me.  I don't think I've EVER traveled and not gained weight.  Usually I travel, eat like crazy, then I'll either take another 3-4 weeks to lose what I put on during a small trip (because I come back with that vacation mentality for another few weeks), or I'll just stop following my plan.  It's alarming how many times just going on vacation has not only knocked me off the wagon, but I'll convince myself that it's not even worth getting back on.  Now- on this trip to New York- I ate some pizza, drank some beer, and even had brunch.  But my breakfasts and lunches?  Healthy!  My evenings may have consisted of pizza, reubens and beer, but it wasn't four slices, it was two.  It wasn't a whole Reuben, it was half of one, with a side of soup.  I feel like I actually got the hang of it this weekend.  I won't lie- part of me was too afraid to show my food journal to the nutritionist at my wellness class so I was kind of intimidated into eating healthy- but still, I did it.  Somewhat.  Either way, I went to New York, ate some stuff I wanted to eat, had a great time, and Didn't. Gain. Weight.  That's huge for me.  I even got back on plan Sunday night.  TallBoy was helpful- one time we were eating hot dogs at Crif Dogs and I told TallBoy at least 3 times that I wanted french fries too.  He told me, 'you said to help you.' I replied, yes, but I WANT FRENCH FRIES.  He said I'd be happier if I didn't have them, and that I'd regret it if I did.  He was right, and I didn't get french fries.

Anyways, I guess I'm just writing all this to say that even though I didn't lose this week, I kept off the 4 pounds I lost last week, and that's big time.  That's making it work.

This week: -0.0 lbs
Total 2013: -4.0 lbs

Tackling the Usual Road Blocks

My view flying into LGA

I'm doing my weigh in post a few days late, since we left for NYC on Thursday (my normal weigh in day.)  The first week of the year went incredibly well.  I lost 4 lbs (!!!!) in the first week.  I know the last couple pounds really came on quickly, so I wasn't super suprised when they dropped off quickly too.

Now- how did my traveling experience go?  Better than usual-  I ate well for breakfast and lunch each day, but dinner and drinks were another thing.  BUT- I still wrote everything down.  Which, truly, is a first for me.  Even on Sunday night, I ate a balanced, healthy dinner.  Usually when returning from a trip where I go overboard on the food, I tend to continue the unhealthy eating until at least Monday morning.  Small steps- and ones I'm very proud of.  My weigh in this morning was still higher than expected, but I have until Thursday morning to see where it really got me.

We walked so much- I logged almost 10,000 steps Thursday, almost 15,000 Friday, and over 18,000 on Saturday!  I didn't drink the normal amount of water, so that amount of walking, coupled with increased salt intake probably made me bloat up a little, but I'll spend this week rectifying that.  Getting back on track immediatly might just be my life saver this time.

Overall, it was a great trip, and while I wish I had not indulged quite as much as I did- I still feel like I was in more control than usual when I travel.

The best part of the trip?  Snuggles with TallBoy's new niece- who will soon be my niece as well!

Week 1: -4.0 lbs
Total 2013: -4.0 lbs

Starting the Year Off Right

Last trip to NYC

We're a week into January, 2013.  I'm feeling great- we're progressing really well on wedding planning, (I got THE dress this weekend!!!), I've been eating well and have cut way back on the booze front.  I'm working up to my first real challenge of the year- a weekend trip to NYC.  Last year and this year TallBoy have gotten each other the same gift- a weekend getaway to New York.  This year we're really excited to meet his brand new niece (the big reason we're going); but we're also looking forward to seeing the sights and taking in some nostalgia for him.  TallBoy used to live there, so we go and visit all his old haunts and eat at his favorite places.  It's always a good time, but even with all the walking we do, I never offset the amount of food I take in.  Every single trip I take, it's hard for me to get over the 'vacation' mentality- that I can eat whatever and drink whatever I want because I'm on vacation.  I've been mentally prepping for this trip for a week now.  I know what I want to do- splurge on one or two meals, but don't let every meal be an indulgence.  Have a few drinks but don't go overboard.  Moderation, moderation, moderation.  I don't expect to lose weight this weekend, but I do hope I can at least stay somewhat on track and maybe maintain?  I'm aware that it's just three days, but you can really do a lot of damage over the course of three days.  I have my first session of my Wellness Tracks Masters Class on Wednesday, so I'm hoping that will give me some inspiration to stay on track for the weekend.  Plus, I've got this whole week to really be GOOD to myself.  Here's to facing and defeating hurdles!

EDIT: Here's to Good News!

Doing pushups with my niece!

Finally, a losing week!  It felt really good to see a lower number on the scale this morning- especially after a weekend of debauchery down at OU- doing even a partial shuffle during Ohio Brew Week is rough.  Even splitting beers and not going to anywhere close to all the bars... It's rough.  That being said, we walked a lot.  And it was about 90º the whole time, so I got in a pretty good workout, even though my calorie intake was through the roof.  We had a really good time though, and all that splitting made TallBoy and I realize that during vacation- we're planning on splitting most of our meals!  What a great idea- save money and calories- no one needs to eat a full sized restaurant meal anyways.  Portion control at it's finest.  Plus we'll be walking a TON in DC, (not to mention it'll be about 1000º and 98% humidity) so hopefully I won't have a drastic gain over vacation.  But that's next month.  Lets talk about how I did this week:

This week: -.2 lbs (my -2.2 was way off)
This year: -2.6 lbs
Total: -12.2 lbs

Not quite where I wanted to be this year, but I'm okay with it.

On a totally unrelated note- it's my niece's birthday today!  She's two years old, and loves doggies and her Aunt Heather.  Yay birthdays!

Editor's Note, June 29, 2012- I weighed in on Thursday, June 28th, and was totally surprised by the number on the scale.  I know that sometimes and extra two pounds in either direction happens, and I usually know to treat it as an outlier and don't record it... especially in a blog post.  But I caved.  I was so excited.  Then, I weighed myself this morning, and while I was still a smidge below last week, it was no 2.2 lbs.  So, in an effort to keep myself honest, here's what really happened.  I lost .2 lbs.  It's something.   A little something, but it's fine.  It's not up, so I'm happy with that.  Here's to a successful weekend!

Weekend in NYC

TallBoy and I got each other a trip to New York for Christmas!  We went last weekend and had a blast.  I had really prepared myself to walk a ton and eat healthy, and the former was accomplished.  I just have such a hard time being good when I'm not at home.  It's something I really need to work on.  I got to see one of my best friends from my time in DC, spend copious amounts of time with TallBoy's sister and her husband, and even got new glasses!

That being said, it didn't make for a great weigh in this week.  I was hoping the hours and hours of walking we did would offset the burgers and pizza and beer (and I'm sure it probably did to some extent)- but I'm still up this week.  I didn't log last week either, since we were leaving for NYC and I didn't want to do a blog post at 4 am- so here's how it went:

Last week: -.6
Total:  -11.4


This week: +2.0 lbs
Total: -9.4

So... up and down.  Unfortunately more up than down.  I have a few holiday festivities, but I will be able to clock some gym time and eat most of my meals at home, so I think I can hopefully shed some of that gain this week.  It's HARD getting through the holidays when you're really concerned about gaining... especially since you don't want to bring everyone down with the whole, "oh, I'm trying to watch what I eat" thing.  That being said, I also don't want to start over again on January 1.  Will power!  I need you!

Wading Into the Holidays

My favorite moment from Thanksgiving

I was nervous for Thanksgiving this year.  I think I freaked myself out that I wouldn't have the willpower to NOT eat a thousand plates of food, and then I freaked myself out that freaking out wouldn't let me enjoy Thanksgiving.  Turns out, neither were totally true.  I enjoyed Thanksgiving, took it easy, and ate well at the meal.  The problem for me was the following few days.  Regardless, I managed to get back on track this week.  Last week I was really proud to have lost 1.2 lbs on my weigh in day! (Thanksgiving morning!)  I knew this week would be recovery from the holiday, and I was okay with that.  I was expecting a gain this week, and that's what I got (self-fulfilling prophecy, anyone?)  However, it's a manageable gain that I can get past.

This week: I will NOT beat myself up over a gain, instead, I will let it be that carrot in front of my nose at the gym.  Speaking of carrots, I will eat more of them.  I will go out of town for TallBoy's college makeshift reunion and enjoy myself, but immediately get back on track the moment I sober up.

This week: +.4 lbs
Total: -10.8 lbs

*also!? Today is DECEMBER 1st?  I think I've been a day off for at least a week.  I totally thought it was November 30th.  Whoops?*

Goals Through The End of the Year

My Thanksgiving Day spread a few years back

Research says (by research I mean things that I've overheard and am typing as well as I remember them) that people on average gain 6 lbs (and keep it on!) during the holiday season.  I've made it through Halloween, but still have Thanksgiving, a makeshift OU Homecoming, a trip to NYC, a Friends Holiday party, two work holiday parties, Christmas (at three-five houses!) and New Years.  That's a lot of food/booze/pie.  I've been mentally preparing myself, and am going to look at this checklist everyday until January 1st.  Then I will continue on my journey of health, but right now I feel like I'm in lock down.  Alls I know is last January 1st felt like rock bottom.  Maybe it was the tequila on New Years Eve, or the unfortunate choice of Chili's Curbside Pickup of Bacon Cheeseburgers and Mozzarella Sticks, but I felt like Jabba the Hut.  Or Pizza the Hut.  Either way, BAD NEWS BEARS.

Goals through the end of 2011:

1. Maintain working out 3-4x a week (3x at gym, 1x at home)
• if I'm out of town- bring gym shoes and take a long walk.
2. Treat each occasion as it’s own- 1 MEAL, not a week
• don't let one messed up meal get your whole day/week/month down! you can start over whenever you want- you don't have to wait until tomorrow or Monday
3. No refills of the plate
4. Limit desserts
• pick one and try a small piece.  don't get an entire dessert plate
5. Limit alcohol intake
• alternate wine and water
6. Drink a lot of water WITH all meals
7. From 11/15- 1/1, no weekday drinking unless on Holiday
8. Make soups/ low-cal meals to freeze for last minute meals
9. Fill plate ½ with greens- salad, veggies (dry), etc
10. Start big meals with a big green salad/ a lot of water
11. End each day with a note about something I'm thankful for

What are your goals through the end of the year?  How do you avoid overdoing it through the holidays?

Weekend Warrior

Nerd Alert!  I went to see the band!

Generally, my thing is to lose during the week and gain on weekends.  That'd be a fine system if I was at the maintenance point, but I am not.  It's especially hard when I go out of town, my goals just go out the window.  However, this post is a little pat on the back for me, because I went out of town for the weekend, and tracked EVERYTHING.  I was able to enjoy myself, and stay on track.  Motivation is creeping back into my life, and I'm psyched about it.  I even watched football the whole weekend.  I even skipped out on wings.  Bring it on, autumn! 

Foodie Buzz!

My friend Stephanie (from my DC Bocce days) was in town recently and did a few great write-ups about the Cleveland area!  We lunched at Lucky's Cafe, I showed her around my beloved West Side Market, and we dined at the always fabulous Lolita.  We may have also imbibed a bit at Treehouse and Prosperity Social Club; but that's neither here nor there.  Let's just say I felt like I was living in DC again when I went to work the next morning.  And you wonder why I've been having trouble losing weight this summer.

See her great pictures as well as her write ups of Lucky's Gravity Defying Apple and The West Side Market!  Then cry for her, because she didn't get to eat any Pierogis while she was here.  I feel like a bad friend. 

ChuckTown 2011

Shrimp and Grits, Shem Creek

1/2 Duck Club, Tattooed Moose

I haven't done a lot of posts this month... partly due to a trip I went on to Charleston, SC.  It's a place that is very near and dear to my heart, as well as my stomach.  I went to the College of Charleston, and have a few comfort type places that I can't miss out on every time I'm there.  I know this blog is about eating sensibly and healthy, but sometimes you have to indulge.  This trip was about that, almost entirely.  Thankfully, I was able to get back on track upon arriving back in the CLE, but I wanted to share some of my culinary adventures I went on while in the deep south.

Andolini's

I invested in a Duck Club from the Tattooed Moose; a Benedict Arnold from AC's Bar and Grill; pizza from Andolini's; a Shrimp BLT (which I WILL attempt to recreate this summer) from Cru Cafe; Shrimp and Grits from Shem Creek Bar and Grill; a Kickin' Chicken sandwich from Kickin' Chicken; East Bay Deli; Boulevard Diner; Five Loaves and a Lemon Blueberry Popsicle from Sugar.

Lemon Blueberry Popsicle, Sugar

There were a few places I missed out on this trip- namely Hominy Grill, Jestine's Kitchen, Ted's Butcherblock and Charleston's Cafe (formerly Bookstore Cafe).  If you're EVER in Charleston, first off, I highly recommend it, it's a wonderful city- but stop in at any of these places and you'll have an awesome meal.  Guaranteed.

Shrimp BLT, Cru Cafe

It was a great trip, but it was also great to come home.  It's tough going for more than 5 days without these two!

PS I'll also let you know what the jury says when I attend my WW meeting next week!  I've been good since I've been back...