Day 27

As you may have noticed, I have changed the name of my blog. I think it makes more sense and it is something I should have done a while ago. Especially if I plan to keep my blog going longer than 30 days.

What do you think? I'd love to hear some feedback!

Today I was just plain tired and I slept a lot more than I would have liked. My period started (of course) so that left me feeling tired and bloated and...well, all of the things we women know are associated with that time of the month. I certainly don't need to go into detail, do I? On the plus side, I kept my eating on track today. I was happy about that at least...

I decided to spend some time today cleaning out my e-mail. I have a ton of e-mails and junk emails that I just haven't gotten around to reading or deleting. While I was going through my -inbox, I noticed a bunch of e-mails for Sparkpeople, a web-site I had joined over a year ago. I am not sure why I haven't gone back and looked at that site until today, but I am so glad I did! I had forgotten how great the site is! They have hundreds of fabulous recipes in a variety of categories that suit just about any lifestyle or weight loss program. There are a multitude of articles, message boards and weight loss teams you can join. When you sign up or join, you have an arsenal of tools, tips and advice at your disposal. You can track exercise, water intake and a variety of other things through their site. I would encourage anyone who is trying to lose weight or looking for a healthier way of life to check it out: http://www.sparkpeople.com/ It is a site chock full of resources!

One article in particular stuck out for me today: Healthier Ways to Get Your Chocolate Fix
Anyone want to take a guess as to why that one in particular was of interest to me?

Speaking of chocolate, I finally had my Skinny Cow ice cream tonight. I thought it was delicious, especially for only 150 calories! Chocolate Fudge Brownie (yum): 150 calories, 2 grams of fat and 4 grams of fiber. I enjoyed it immensely and it certainly helped quell my chocolate cravings! It is a product I will most definitely buy again, especially as the warmer weather nears.

Ok, I have been dragging my feet with my confession that I did not go to the gym today. Something about cramping, bloating and fatigue just doesn't inspire one to haul the sorry butt to the gym. It probably would have been the best thing I could have done for myself today and the mind was willing, body was weak. It is at the top of my agenda for tomorrow, though.

I have decided that I need to start reading some inspirational books or something. You know, sort of the "feed the mind and soul" as well as the body type of thing. I have a book picked out but I just started it last night while I was at work and haven't gotten very far. It is the book "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. Has anyone else read it? If so, what are your thoughts?

Anyway, leave some feedback as to what you think of the new name of this blog or what you think of sparkpeople or "Eat, Pray, Love"...or anything else that is on your mind!

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."

Day 21

Well, I didn't wake up hating my trainer this morning, but I was sore...just not nearly as sore as I expected to be! What soreness I did experience was all over my entire body. Maybe that was why I didn't feel so bad--it was an all-over experience so my body couldn't focus on just one "pain".

I will say that I had places that were sore that I did not know had muscles! Today was a "resting" day, so tomorrow I get to do yesterday's routine all over again. At this rate, I hope to see some great results very quickly!

Went grocery shopping today and felt really good about my food choices. I found these small ice cream cups by Skinny Cow. Chocolate Fudge Brownie (yum): 150 calories, 2 grams of fat and 4 grams of fiber. I decided they would be perfect for those days I need something sweet for dessert. I also bought some shrimp, something I love to eat but never think to buy (unless I go out for dinner). My husband is not a big vegetable eater. He will eat green beans and salads loaded with salad dressing, eggs and sunflower seeds. While that may be the best choice for him (sans the copious amounts of dressing) since he is looking to gain muscle, it won't work so well for me, who is looking to lose weight (fat). I bought some salad shrimp because I can put that on my salad and not need very much dressing at all. I also bought the ingredients to make our own low-fat salad dressing.

I think Special K ran out of fruit crisps. I mean worldwide. I still cannot find them as they are still sold out...

My daughter made some tasty low-fat, high-fiber apple bran muffins for breakfast. Lunch was a Morning Star chicken patty on a high-fiber, multi-grain "sandwich thin" and spinach salad. I made Teriyaki chicken and rice for dinner with green beans. Delicious!

I can sure tell the difference in my energy level and clarity of mind when I drink plenty of water. I like water, too. I just can't figure out why I have such a hard time getting more water throughout my day. I haven't had a Diet Coke in a few days, but I am still not getting as much water as I would like to be drinking.

There was no weigh-in today since I was weighed yesterday. I know that my scale says something different from the gym scale, but I just couldn't bring myself to jump on my home scale after the disappointment I had yesterday. I know my trainer will weigh me again in two weeks, so I am hoping that the wait will be worth it.

So there is only supposed to be about a week left of this blog, but I think it has been decided to extend it and keep it going. Which means I should probably change the name. I am still amazed at how much has changed just in the three weeks since I started this blog. I started with the premise of sticking to a particular "diet" for thirty days and tracking my progress. And of course, now....well, now I feel like I am on the start of a whole new journey. One that certainly won't be finished in the next week!

I still can't find the recipe my friend gave to me for that delicious quiche. I am really disappointed, too since it was so good. I will keep looking, though. If I can't find it, maybe I will post another recipe...

Anyway, I will report back tomorrow with a report of how my gym experience goes!

Until then...

"Whether you think you can or you think you can't -- you are right."