Category Archives: exercise

to being strong…

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I’m struggling.

I have been thinking about my blog every day since the last day that I posted something, what was that two weeks ago?!?  I have been struggling, dieting and emotionally and I just want to keep that hidden.  I keep telling myself that when I turn the ship around and feel better and my diet is better then I can write about where I was and how I’m in a better place.  I think that most stories, novels, successful blogs are all about the after moment.  The before and after pictures.  The story of how said person was in a low place but is writing to tell about how they got through it.  How they struggled to find success but they are now being successful.  I guess we as a human race prefer to read stories and blogs and watch movies about triumph and coming through the dark stuff because it keeps us hopeful.  But what about those of us still in the trenches??  I personally feel like I’ve been living in survival mode since roughly, January of 2006.  That’s 6 and a half years!  Throughout that time I’ve had some good times, happy moments etc, but I really feel like I’m just surviving each day, not living and enjoying those days.  Maybe I say that because when you’re in the trenches the lens you have to look at the past through clouds everything so it all looks pretty grey.

I wanted to wait and see when I would feel a little more sunny but I don’t, in fact I feel darker.  I want to write from the dark place, with the goal of not sounding whiny and complainy.  But here it goes:

I feel alone.  And dark.  And tired.  And sad.  And stuck.  And alone.  And alone.  And alone.

My diet has been shit this week.  Its a reflection of the emotional tsunami I’m trying to swim through.  My space is a mess, also a reflection of whats going on inside of me.  My car even smells funny, although, that I do not think is a reflection of my inner turmoil, I think there’s just something stinky going on.  Things with Preston’s dad continue at a standstill.  I haven’t had more than a 2 hour window of time without Pres in 5 weeks.  When I’m not near Preston I am at work, helping other people sort out their darkness.  I do have a few evenings to myself when I am not working and those prove to be even more challenging for me because I sit, alone.  Needless to say, I’d love to have a weekend “off” where I can get on my bike again, where I could sleep in, or visit a friend without planning how Pres will be entertained while I’m visiting.  I would like to consume an alcoholic beverage and enjoy the cooler evening weather with a friend.  I want to feel more human – more like a person who has needs and wants that are just as valid as her clients or her son’s.

I’m so sick of being alone (yes I find saying that funny when I just stated that I’d like a break from mommy duty for a few minutes but I’m talking about something a little different).  I want a partner, a boyfriend, a husband.  I want to be chosen by someone.  I dream about someone proposing to me and saying, “I choose you.  You are the one that I choose above any others.  You are worth choosing.”  I want a best friend that I can laugh with and play with and sleep next to every night.  I want a man in my life that helps me sort out the harder times and celebrates that happy times.  I want someone to watch the olympics with, someone to have inside jokes with, someone to play rock paper scissors with when Preston makes a mess and neither of us want to deal with it.  I want someone to sit with at mass.  I want someone to dream with and cry with and play with.  I don’t want to be alone anymore.  I want someone to be my someone who is a constant in my life, I want that person to choose me, pick me, love me.

Sometimes I tell myself that my desire to have a partner is so strong that it must mean I’m desperate.  I don’t know – I won’t settle, I won’t marry the next guy that comes along if he isn’t right, but I am definitely ready.  At least I think I am.  I just don’t want to do life alone anymore.  It sucks.  It does, it really just sucks.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m thankful for my family and my friends.  I love all of them so much – the thing is, they’ve already chosen someone to be their someone.  So I get all those parts of a “someone” piecemeal from all my friends and family members.  I get shoulder to cry on here, concoct ideas over there, dream about winning the lottery over here, and share a Sunday afternoon there.  And I don’t get the best part of anyone, those parts are reserved for their someone or family.

At times I do an ok job convincing myself that the deal I’ve got going isn’t so bad.  I have awesome friends and an amazing family.  I get my needs met, even though its piecemeal, I don’t go completely without.  I am aware I have it better than some, many even.  Am I selfish for wanting more?  For wanting to feel validated and worthy because someone chooses me, and just me?

My best friend, Katie, wants me to put myself out there and start dating – I’ve been single for a year now.  I have my moments where that sounds exciting to me, but it mostly just feels like a meat market, and my feelings about my body trump my desire to put myself out there and risk being rejected.  All the things Chris used to say about my weight and how my beauty was measured by my size replay over and over in my mind and I can’t possibly imagine being viewed as beautiful at this weight.  I think, why would I go speed dating, or to some mixer, only to stand awkwardly by myself and not be approached by a single guy?  Why would I continue trying internet dating (ugh I hate it) when its all based so much off of the pictures that you post to attract someone to you.  I don’t even think I’m that interesting anymore – all of my hobbies, interests, and knowledge have been swallowed up by sorting out which dance classes to sign Pres up for, what Pres needs to know before preschool starts in three weeks, and what do my clients need from me this week?  Another person couldn’t possibly find any of that interesting.  All of these self-destructive thoughts don’t help my case at all, but I’ve got quite the crowd in my mind telling me these things and its hard to quiet it all down enough to risk putting myself out there.  :(

I have invested several hours this week looking online for a second job.  I need to find a way to bring more money in, without sending most of it out to childcare for Preston.  I want to work more, I want to make more money, but I want to be with Preston.  I don’t want to miss out on these precious years that he actually likes me.  I know that the reality of single parenthood is generally working two or even three jobs to pay the bills and make ends meet and I get so angry and upset that, that is my reality.  This is nowhere near what I wanted my life to be like.  I never would have laid out this path as the one to take.  Maybe that’s true of most peoples lives and you just have to work with where you are.  I know this.  I help people realize this and work to accept these things about life for a living!!  I am just really struggling with it for myself.  I don’t want my life to be like this but I can’t figure out what move to make in order to change it.  With every move I think about taking it means giving up something else that I don’t want to sacrifice.

I know a man (boyfriend/husband) won’t fix this.  I know having a second job won’t fix this. I know Preston’s dad being completely amicable and flexible won’t fix this.  Only I can decide to feel better about what my life is at the present moment.  I’m just really struggling with that.  I’m really struggling to cheerlead myself through this life.  I’m really struggling to find strength and perseverance through this time, through these years and years of uphill battle, where is the top?  When do I summit this beast of a mountain?  How much further and harder can I push?  Everyday I end my day praying to God that something gives because I simply don’t have anymore fight in me – and then everyday I wake up able to make it through one. more. day.  My definition of strength has always been that if you keep waking up every day and keep making it through each day then you are being strong, even if you feel weak the whole time.  Here’s to being strong…

Not enough!

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Today I ate toast with almond butter and an apple for breakfast.  Another piece of toast with almond butter for lunch.  And an apple with two cheese sticks for dinner!

NOT ENOUGH!!!

I caught up with an old friend from high school and ate breakfast on my way to her house.  I meant to only stay a couple of hours but we got to talking and before I knew it, it was 2pm!  She graciously gave Preston lunch while she fed her own kids but I knew I needed to do my own food, and I wasn’t all that hungry.  When we got home I lacked any motivation to put together a proper meal, so toast it was.  Then I had to work 6 to 9 tonight and was trying to get ready and head out the door and just forgot about dinner!  So I grabbed the fastest and easiest thing I could – another apple and two cheese sticks.  I knew if I didn’t eat before I went that I would be STARVING when I got home and would then be more likely to eat something I shouldn’t.  I probably didn’t even drink enough water for today so all around a weird day.  I will probably be ravenous when I wake up in the morning, but I’m ok with that.  I promise not to let tomorrow slip by without eating enough.

I’m hoping that I can get a bike ride in tomorrow if the weather is decent.  I haven’t been on my bike in a month!!  I really want to do another 10 miler or see if I could even push it a little further.  I’d love to do a ride to the zoo and back – round trip its about 14 miles I think.  We’ll see.  I’ll update more tomorrow!!  Hope you all ate enough today!!

Month 2 Review

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In the past two weeks, since my last weigh in, I lost 3.4lbs!!!!  Holy moly I did not think that would happen!  I was hoping to come out even after all the cake/ice cream, and food on the road, and party/vacation food.  When we got home from my grandparents I made sure to get right back on the healthy eating track.  I exercised every day and probably underrate a little bit: it was SO HOT all I wanted to eat was salad, smoothies, and fruit.  So maybe that helped.  My total loss in two months is 24.2lbs!  I was hoping to be at 30lbs in two months but I am not complaining about 24.2 at all.  Especially because the past two weeks were rough on the diet front.

Last month I wrote down a few goals for this month.  Looks like I sort of accomplished two and missed the other two.  The goals I consider accomplished were to start running: I went running once.  So that’s a start right??  ;)  The other was to ride 10 miles on my bike.  This one I accomplished on Saturday which technically was one day after the month ended but I’m counting it anyway.  The two I missed were to have 5 workouts a week – birthday party prep and vacation prep/vacation really made it tough to accomplish this goal.  I’m finding that 4 workouts a week is a little more realistic with 5 being a bonus.  We’ll see how this month goes.  The one I definitely didn’t hit was to lose 15lbs this month.  I only lost 10 this month.  But really I shouldn’t say “only” I am really proud of the 10lbs I did lose.  So reflecting on this past month I am completely satisfied with how it all went down.

So now lets talk about goals for this month.  I’m still hoping for 15lbs this month so I will make that a goal.  I continue to have a desire to run so my goal is to run 3 times this month – I know that isn’t a lot but its a start and with the weather being so hot and the fact that I refuse to run indoors its the most I’m committing to.  I hope to continue riding my bike and instead of my goal being for one ride I will keep track and do a monthly miles goal of 25 miles.  I am really only able to get on my bike when Preston is with his dad and because I don’t know how much that will be this month I don’t want to over commit myself.  My last goal for this month is to get more sleep!!  My goal is to get 8+ hours at least 5 nights a week.  So in bullet form:

  • Lose 15lbs this month
  • Run 3 times this month
  • Ride 25 miles cumulative this month
  • 8+ hours of sleep at least 5 nights/week

 

birthday party prep never ends…

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I haven’t done any official exercise since Friday – I think!  Yikes!  Saturday Preston and I ran errands for his birthday party.  Sunday was Father’s Day and I ran errands instead of working out.  Monday I was doing heavy lifting at my aunts but I don’t count that as official exercise.  Yesterday we were watching my nephew and now its Wednesday!  If you don’t work really hard to get workouts into your schedule they simply don’t happen!!  Its been a nice break, but I know I need to get back on the horse PRONTO!

I have a standing elliptical date with my friend Marissa today at 4pm so I’ll definitely be able to make that.  Tomorrow is tough because Pres and I are headed back to the city for more packing at my Aunt’s and then I work in the evening.  Friday I may have to force myself to go to the gym in the morning before work.  And by “I may have to” I mean I WILL. Saturday I have to cut the grass and that I count as a workout because there is hardly one stretch of flat ground on the whole lawn and its about an hour of work or more so that counts to me.  AND its all I’ll have time for before Preston’s birthday party!!!

I’m thinking I will weigh myself on Saturday morning this week instead of Sunday because I will likely have a piece of cake at the party and then I’ll be celebrating my friend Heidi’s birthday Saturday evening and who knows what food and drinks will look like then.  I am not planning on much of a loss this week because of the lack of exercise and the indulgence on Father’s Day.  Who knows?!?!?

The last few days its be SO HOT!  I’ve been trying to up my water to at least 100oz each day.  Its hard to get it all in but I am definitely finding I want to drink more water when the temperature is so high.  Its also helpful too encourage Preston to drink a lot more water.  Hopefully I’ll have some good news about my weigh in on Saturday, if not I’m hoping next week (my birthday week – and Preston’s) I will hit the gym more and clean up my eating so that I see a decent number by Thursday which is my big day.

Diet Dessert?!?

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Today was quite the day!  An afternoon at the pool (preston is SO close to being able to swim) and then a trip to the gym – burned 810 calories :)  Now I’m fed, showered, Pres is in bed, and I’m watching TV, life is good!  I was actually thinking today I am starting to really transition into the “i actually like exercising” part of this journey.  My body is responding well to being pushed some but not so hard I’m having any pain or anything.  I did two bike rides over the weekend.  First was with my sister, Meredith, she was in town for a brief visit.  We biked 7.64 miles on Saturday.  On Sunday I went riding with my dad for about 6.2 miles.  Both rides felt good and are getting me closer to my June goal of 10 miles!

So after weighing in yesterday and being excited about the loss and doing my 6 mile ride I decided that dessert for lunch was totally AOK!  I had been eyeing these mini graham cracker pie crusts I bought FOREVER ago.  So I busted them out and was thinking something chocolate peanut buttery.  I was going to use PB2 to make the peanut butter part but I thought since I could use the calories I’d use a TBSP of Skippy.  Then I took half a cup of Jello Chocolate Pudding to top it off!

Look at that!!  And it was DE-LI-CIOUS!  The pie crust was 110 calories, peanut butter was 95 calories and half the cup of pudding was 30.  So that’s 235 calories for a delicious little treat.  I paired it with almonds and called it lunch because the day was kind of weird in terms of timing of eating and like I said I wanted dessert for lunch :)  I was thinking adding a little marshmallow fluff or something would make for a fun s’more type dessert. Here’s another picture so you can see how big this thing is…

So its not super huge but with real peanut butter and some chocolate goodness it was pretty savory.  So that’s my Monday.  How was your weekend?  How was the start to your week?  Any good desserts this weekend??

I’m on a roll!!

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Happy weigh in this morning!!!!  3.8lbs this week!!!  For a total of 17.6lbs in 5 weeks :)  This makes for a very happy Megan.  I had a feeling the loss this week would be decent due to last weeks low loss.  But it is nice to see that I’m just cruising right along.  I am hoping to lose 6 more pounds by my birthday on the 28th, hopefully that will be a no brainer.

I have started really going through the parts of my closet that have sat quietly waiting for my return for years :)  Haven’t gotten to the boxes of clothes that don’t fit yet, but its fun and exciting to pull out clothes from before Preston was born and actually fit into some of it!  The best part is I am finding a few work clothes to tide me over for now.  I don’t care if my clothes are baggy when I’m hanging around the house or running errands with Preston but I don’t want to wear baggy pants to work.  So that is all very promising.  Excited to get down to an 18 – haven’t worn that size in 5 years probably.  :)    :)    :)

This week I did a much better job of getting myself all the way to 1200 calories and then some.  I made sure to have a larger breakfast and snack some as well.  I intentionally burned calories/worked out 6 days this week, which felt really good!  I am surprised how well my body is accepting of the way I’m pushing it – in fact I think my body is really happy about it.  I was talking to a friend the other day about starting a C25k program but wasn’t sure if I’m ready to do that.  I’d still like to drop a little bit more weight before I start that so that I’m not putting so much strain on my body, my knee is finally not experiencing much pain at all going up and down stairs or anything so I don’t want to screw that up by straining it.  Maybe after I’ve lost a total of 25lbs I’ll revisit the running thing.  My only true running goal is to be able to run the Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving.  I ran a turkey trot/thanksgiving morning race with my family two years in a row and I wanted to make it an annual tradition and then I stopped running and gained weight and drifted from that but every year I think about it and wish I was in shape to do it.  So this year I’m definitely planning to Turkey Trot – but I’m completely confident at this rate that I”ll be prepared to run a 5k by the end of November, so I might sign up for a 5k for September or something to work for.

I decided I’d like to set up a few mini goals for myself each month just to keep myself pushing.  So here’s a short list.

  • Do a 10 mile bike ride
  • Lose 15lbs this month (June 6 to July 6)
  • Get 5 work outs in each week
  • Start running

Its not much, but it’ll push me to work this month.  Like always the food is the most important part.  I promised myself I’d do a good food plan last week and I didn’t, so this week I HAVE TO DO IT!!  I really need to throw some variety in there and have bigger variations in my day to day calorie intakes to keep my body guessing and working hard.  I’m thinking maybe 2-1600 calorie days this week and one 1400 calorie day and the others closer to 1200 to see what kind of reaction my body has to that.  Hope you had a good week and met whatever goals you set out for yourself!

One Month Down!!

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I kind of forgot yesterday to mention that I am officially one month and 14lbs down!  Woohoo!  I feel so good and optimistic about losing this time around :)  I need to do an update on my pictures (yes I know I’ve posted none of them, I’m still feeling a bit shy) but I redid my measurements and was completely shocked at the changes!  So let me share:

  • Waist: -3.0 inches
  • Hip: -3.0 inches
  • Ribs: -1.0 inches
  • Chest: -3.0 inches
  • Upper arm: -0.5 inches
  • Thigh: -1.0 inches

Whoa.  That is so encouraging!!

This past month I think I did a number of things really well.  One thing is my earlier bedtime.  Getting more sleep at night has definitely helped me stay the course – the days I’m not rested have been the rougher ones for sure!  Eating as much fiber as I can has helped me feel full longer and has helped with cravings as well.  Additionally the 96+oz. of water that I’m drinking every day help me get by between meals/snacks without feeling hungry.  I really didn’t think I would exercise as much as I did this month because I thought it would feel like too much, but I’ve really only done what I want to do and just pushed a little to head to the gym if I’m not in the mood.  But it definitely always helps me feel better.

When I started last month I was able to do about 35 minutes on the elliptical comfortably and 40-45 was pushing it.  I am now regularly doing 60 minutes on the elliptical and at a higher resistance and feel really good through the majority of the workout.  I exercised 19 of the past 30 days.  At the beginning of the month I was a tight size 22 pant and am now a barely tight/just right size 20 (that was unexpected).  This month we went from Pres being in school and taking gymnastics class to summertime and ballet class :)  The transition time is always interesting.  I have posted 4 new meals that I have repeatedly enjoyed this month.  My average pounds lost per week is 3.5.  All in all a pretty respectable and exciting first month.

Hump Day

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Sorry about my lack of participation yesterday – I really hit a mood and wasn’t sure how to pull myself together enough to not sound all complainy.  Anyway – today is a better day!  Preston had his first ballet class today (highlight of the day)!!

I asked him a few weeks ago if he could do any sport he wanted this summer, I listed several, what would he choose.  And ballet was his number one!  So I signed him up and today in a class with about 12 little girls he got his ballet on.  It was really cute and he came out of the classroom doing some sort of ballet type move and told me he loved it and wants to do it again!  After ballet we headed over to return our WAY overdue books/movies at the library.  During the school year it was so much easier to remember when books were due and plan our trips to the library – gotta adjust to a new schedule.  So we finally got them back and I let him play for an hour.  He loves playing at the library and its the only place he actually regulates the volume of his voice so I’m all for it :)

This afternoon I have an elliptical date with a friend at the gym and then I have work this evening.  Not a bad Wednesday at all.  Although as I sit here typing I’m realizing that I didn’t stick the dinner I had planned on in the crock pot earlier today and now its a bit too late so I’ll have to get creative and come up with something else… story of my life!  Haha.

I’ve noticed that my energy in general has been down this week and part of last week.  I think one thing is that I haven’t been eating as many vegetables (have I mentioned this before??).  Several months ago I dabbled with eating vegan and I read a lot about it and such and somewhere along the way I read about how we derive so much energy from plants because they derive their energy from the sun – so its kind of like the closest link to deriving energy from the sun.  Ever since I read that I have definitely seen a correlation between my plant intake and my energy level!!  And I like to think about the sun fueling me from the inside out :)  So this week I’m trying desperately to do more veggies!!  Maybe this is just a blah week for me – everyone is entitled to having one of those every now and then.  The good fabulous news is even though I don’t feel so great about myself, my life etc I haven’t really had any urges to indulge in off limits food or even binge on acceptable food.

I am sitting here just realizing that the reason I may be feeling so blah is that I’m going on two weeks of full time mommy duty.  My only “off” time is when he’s asleep.  There’s not even any tag team with anyone, just me and I really do look forward to the every other weekend that I get to myself when Pres goes to visit his dad.  I think whats getting under my skin the most is that I’m not so sure he is going this weekend and all I want is a break!  I just gave Pres a lecture about wanting Five MInutes Peace from him – do you know that book?  It was a fun one from when I was a kid that I bought for Preston when he was little and we enjoy reading it.  Its nice because it also helps him get that mommies sometimes need a few minutes to themselves.  Even though I know its ok for me to want some time to myself it makes me feel like a bad mom when I plop him in front of the TV so I can catch up on my blogs or read a book for half an hour.  I know I’m not – I know a lot of moms can relate to this feeling – but its hard not to feel it in the moment (or at least when admitting it to  other people).  My only justification that my illogical emotional side will accept is that he hasn’t taken an afternoon (or any) nap since he was a little over 2 and a half.  Maybe closer to 3.  But man I used to live for those naps when I could either be super productive or super lazy.  It was nice.  So I guess this time is our down time and I need to be ok with it.

Alright enough rambling from me.  Hope you’re all having a good week and enjoying or managing the transition from spring/school year to summer/schools out!

…You are not the Biggest Loser

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This morning I opened up my email and found this waiting for me…

Just a couple of weeks/months ago I signed up at NBC.com to get info on when they were casting for the next season.  Looks like its coming up at the end of this month.  And the Chicago location is barely a stones throw away from my house!  But as soon as I opened this email a wide smirk passed across my face.  I don’t need this information.  I’m doing this on my own.

After watching season after season of this show (the show started around the time I was losing weight – 2005/6) I began to dream about being a contestant.  I am fully aware that the way they do things is a bit controversial but I wanted the results.  I held myself back from auditioning for the past three years because I’m a single mom and couldn’t fathom being away from Preston and/or figuring out the childcare situation.  I always wonder how contestants are able to just take a leave of absence from life and most have a spouse taking care of their children and jobs that allow them to do something like this – or at least I assume.  I however don’t know anyone that would be able or willing to sign up for up to 4 months of 24/7 childcare of Pres and I only get paid when I work and if I stopped working I’d have to rebuild my caseload and so it just hasn’t ever felt totally right for me.

This year I thought: If I don’t lose the weight really soon I continue to run the risk of shortening my life and if I die how would all those logistics get figured out with someone having to raise my son etc.  I decided that this year I would audition so that maybe if I were picked I could get out of the danger zone and live a long life for Preston.  I thought if its in God’s divine plan for me to lose the weight and do it by being on the show I’ll get a spot and somehow I’ll figure out the childcare/no income thing.  I mean I somehow managed to get through graduate school with a toddler!

And now here I am, one month into making some drastic changes for my life and feeling good about where I am ALL ON MY OWN (well sans show at least).  Receiving that email reminded me that the plans we make for ourselves are not often the way the plans play out.  It motivated me to keep on trucking.  The people who wait in line and audition for the show are not where I am.  They are where I felt I was when I signed up to receive the email.  I feel blessed and excited that I can delete that email and not worry about logistics of child care, just logistics of feeding myself the right fuel and getting my workouts in.  It reminds me I’ve come a long way mentally in the weeks/months since I signed up for that email, and that will help me keep on, keeping on.  :)

Have you ever considered auditioning for Biggest Loser?  Have you ever actually auditioned and gone through that process – I’m always curious about the behind the scenes stuff.

Sunday Funday!

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Weeeeeeeee!!!!   I lost 4.8lbs this week!!!!!!!  I am totally ecstatic.  This brings me to a total of exactly 13lbs lost in 3 weeks!  I am really starting to feel a change in my body and at some point the changes will be noticeable to other people and that is really exciting to me!  I’m also looking forward to busting out my clothes from smaller sizes.  I currently have one pair of work pants – I ironically busted the button on one pair the week before I started exercising and eating better – the work pants I’m left with are cut a bit larger than the ones I broke and they are hanging on for dear life around my waist.    It feels really good to see those things happening.

I’m well aware that I won’t be able to keep up a near 5lb weight loss every week but it feels good to have a few here and there.  I exercised 4 times this past week.  I used the elliptical twice, both times for one hour.  One day I doubled up and did the elliptical in the morning and rode my bike for 20 minutes in the evening.  Another day I just rode my bike for about half an hour.  And yesterday I cut the grass and cleaned all day long so I count that as my calories burns for that day.  I tried to focus on just enjoying the activity and not feeling forced to do anything.  WIth the weather being nice I’m not wanting to be at the gym every time I need to exercise and I love getting on my bike and riding around the neighborhood.

As far as food goes I stayed pretty close to 1200 calories a day.  Last Sunday I am sure I went way over that as I shared last Monday I decided to join the family dinner instead of eat my own stuff.  There were two days I fell a little bit short of 1200 calories, which I really don’t like to do it just happened and hopefully next week I can have 7 days of 1200 calories consumed each day.  My main goals with food are to get 35g of Fiber every day, always include fruit and/or vegetable with every meal, and try to use them as snacks as well, try to get as much protein as I can, keep the sodium as low as I can by purchasing Low Sodium products and not adding salt to most things.  My breakfast was typical two servings of Fiber One cereal with a bit of Truvia and Fat Free Milk with some fruit like an apple or cantaloupe.  I’m on a cantaloupe kick right now.  Mmmm.  For lunch this week I had some leftover White Chili and I also made some wraps with a large Whole Wheat Tortilla, plain Hummus, Swiss Cheese, Black Beans, and thin sliced Cucumber.  MMMMMMM.  So good!!  Dinner this week I also had some of the leftover White Chili, I had the Asian Sesame Chicken Salad from Panera twice, and my sweet potato and asparagus dinner one night.  I snacked on Apples and String Cheese, Almonds, and had Jello Sugar Free Chocolate Pudding a couple of times as well.

I always try to drink 96oz of water a day and some days were better than others.  I would say 4 days I got all 96oz and the rest it was closer to 72oz.  Sleep is another big factor in weight loss and this week was kind of a crap shoot.  The week started off horribly.  Preston was sick – really just suffering from horrible allergies – so I was up several times in the night with him coughing, puking, crying, the whole bit.  It was not fun.  We got him on some allergy meds to stop the cough and deal with some other things like a baby ear infection and then sleep returned to normal.  Starting Wednesday I probably got 8-9 hours a night the rest of the week.  I have to say getting enough sleep helps TREMENDOUSLY with not having cravings or feeling unsatisfied.  Yay sleep!

Today I’m planning to go for a short bike ride this morning, head to Mass, then hang out with my Aunt all afternoon :) Tomorrow I have a workout date with a friend to start the week off right!

How did your week go?  Did you have any two-a-day workouts this week?  Did you discover any new recipes or meals that you didn’t think would be a great as they turned out to be?