Day 26

Well, I didn't make it to the gym today. I was so exhausted from work, that I just couldn't muster up the strength or energy. I guess that happens when you work long shifts like I do. I am off tomorrow so I will work out then for sure...

Today I am feeling fat. Probably because I am bloated and should be getting my period any day now. That would explain the fatigue, too. Although I notice I am not breaking out (acne) as much as I usually do. Must be the water!

Today was a very low-motivation day. Which is to say I did not have much interest in being vigilant about my food intake. Which is yet another way of saying I did not watch what I ate. I know that part of my problem is that I am just plain tired and cranky, but I also know that I need to find a way of dealing with both elements that doesn't include saying, "Who cares?" for the day. I really need to get focused on the fact that I do care because what I eat (or don't) ends up affecting me in ways that I really do care about--like gaining or losing weight! I guess I am still practicing the things I need to tell myself or things I need to do for days like this.

I just had a conversation the other day with a friend of mine who is on the Nutri-system diet plan and she was having some major motivation issues. She says the food tastes terrible and she is having a hard time sticking to it. She said it wasn't too hard at first because she was excited and motivated to get started. It also helped that she lost almost 10 lbs the first week. But then after the excitement wore off and she had been eating the same "gross" food day after day, it was becoming too hard. And, she hasn't lost anymore weight. Probably because she has been "cheating" too much. It reminded me that any "diet" has to be something sustainable for the long run. It also reminded me of the beginning of this blog and my 30 day challenge...

I know this is another short post, but I am just so tired. I have to get some sleep. Hopefully, with some sleep I can awaken with a fresh perspective and a brighter outlook.

Or at the very least, some decent sleep!

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

Day 23 -- One Week Left?

Today is Day 23, which means there is supposed to be only one week left of this blog...

But really, I feel like I am just getting started! I feel like the first three weeks of this journey was sort of a discovery phase and now I feel like I am finally finding my bearings. I guess I will just need to re-name this blog...re-name it what, though??

I was in a foul mood this morning that took me a while to shake. I woke up starving, which really wasn't surprising since I had gone to bed hungry. I had some oatmeal and berries (blueberries and raspberries) and was so disappointed in the berries. They were so sour! Adding to my frustration was the fact that I had paid so much money for them. I added some Splenda, but it just didn't help much. I had a couple of protein shakes, a salad (more on the salad later) and some grilled chicken and vegetables for my day. Oh yes--my Morning Star chicken sandwich that I have really come to enjoy!

Well, I still cannot find my recipe for the delicious vegetable quiche. I have an e-mail to a friend asking if she still has it and, if so, could she send it to me. I will keep looking (I have a feeling it is being used as a bookmark somewhere!) In the meantime, I have a tasty alternative to fried chicken that I use all the time that I thought I would share:

Garlic & Herb Oven-Fried Chicken

1 cup Garlic & Herb flavored bread crumbs (I use Progresso brand)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1-2 tablespoon reduced-calorie margarine
1 egg, beaten
Cooking spray (ie: Pam)
Parmesan cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 375. Spray a glass baking dish with cooking spray. Put bread crumbs in a medium bowl. Melt margarine and add to bread crumbs, mixing well. Beat egg in a small mixing bowl. Dip chicken breasts into egg then add to bread crumb mixture, completely coating each piece. Place in baking dish. Sprinkle with parmesan cheese, if desired. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until done.I make this all the time for my family when I need a quick and easy meal. I usually throw some rice in my rice cooker while the chicken is baking and serve with green beans for a healthy meal. It is so good that they still don't know that it is good for them! In another post I will share my recipe for my savory chicken rice that I usually serve with this chicken. It is super-yummy!

I said I would post the results for my Ranch dressing and so today I tried it. It turned out much better than the gelatinous disgusting mess I made before. So 1/2 cup low-fat mayo, 1/2 cup regular mayo and 1 cup skim milk is the trick! I had some on my salad (with a bit of shrimp--yummy!) and I actually enjoyed it.

Tomorrow is back to the gym. I am looking forward to it, just hating the soreness! Today my arms were so sore! And it seems like I am making it worse--it hurts more each time I do my routine! Maybe I should be waiting longer between sessions?

So, that has to be all for now. I have work to do, so I need to wrap this up. But never fear--I will be back with all the gory details of tomorrow!

Until then....

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

Day 12

Well, it finally happened--I reached my "I really don't care" day. I am sure some of it is just plain exhaustion from my last few days of work, but today I just did not care one bit about "watching" what I eat, etc.

Another reason may be that I jumped on the scale. I know today was not weigh-in, but it was sitting there and curiosity got the better of me. Nothing. By that I mean that I have not lost any more weight since my last weigh-in. I couldn't have been more disappointed. How can that be? I have given up my coffee drinks (which I keep missing terribly) and have been eating so much better than I have for a very long time. I know I can't expect instant results, but I really expected to see the scale move at least a pound. It has just been one of those days where I felt like I was trying so hard for nothing. And it is only day 12!

So, I starting thinking that maybe what I have been doing for the last week isn't working. Maybe I need to go back to the meat-beans-veggies only diet. But of course I know that won't last for too long for me. So then I started to think about some quick-fix, fad diets. You know--the cabbage soup diet or drinking just Slim-fast for the next week. Because, in all honesty, I am worried that my next weigh-in is coming up and I will have to face everyone who reads this and have to explain why I haven't lost any more weight. That, and I just want to get the damned weight off!

After pondering those options for awhile, I wondered how many other people have used a "fad" diet for weight loss in the past (or maybe even presently??) It sounded like a good poll so please take a moment to answer this question.

Anyway, back to my lamentations...so I found myself frustrated and actually angry today. Again, I am sure exhaustion has a role in this, but I just wasn't in the mood to "do the right thing" diet-wise. I sort of felt like there was no point--I wasn't getting anywhere. So in my "screw it" mind-set, I blew it today. I suppose I will look at today as my "free day" and pick it up tomorrow, but I still feel pretty crappy. I had my Starbucks. I ate Chinese take-out. I had some Junior mints. And I didn't really care today.

I am sure I will pay the price for it, but for right now all I can do is re-commit and start afresh tomorrow. What's done is done, right?

I will be able to go to the gym tomorrow as well, so hopefully that will help me get back on track. I still haven't ruled out a day or two of cabbage soup! I just hope tomorrow brings a brighter outlook.

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