Two Achy Steps Back

I put on a couple pounds in the last two weeks. Ugh.

Does anyone else have such a hard time with routine change? I’m FINALLY falling asleep at a reasonable hour most nights, although not every night, but I’m feeling way off these days. My month and a half of funemployment gave me the freedom to maintain my house and eat right, as well as regularly exercise with my mom. I missssss it! Plus its so dark so early right now. I miss summer. I miss working weddings. I miss my free time. <—-whiny tonight.

My new job requires that I stand on concrete for 7 hours straight. My feet are dying right now. Every day I come home and rub them, and rest them on a heating pad, and still they ache. The slower the day, the more they ache. I know it’s just my feet getting use to standing on a hard surface for a long time, and that they WILL get use to it, but right now I’m sad. It also makes me not want to come home and clean my house. Laundry, dishes, they’re all piling up. Sigh. I’m sure everyone feels like they can’t catch up, but I am definitely feeling it this week.  Also I’m going to invest in some Danskos, hopefully soon.

My new weight watchers meeting time is going to be Saturday at 8am. Its the easiest time for me to get there, and it gives me a few days to hopefully shed the couple of pounds I put on. Lets just say there has been a lot of cupcakes in my life recently. Work, baby shower, elections.

Tonight I was not feeling like cheese or carbs at all, so Mr. Gaunt and I went to the grocery store and got salad bar. It was expensive, but it was the vegetables I was craving. Maybe tomorrow Ill actually make dinner (:

So I should stop whining and go do the dishes. Also I need some new blogs to read. I wish some of my friends would regularly keep up with their blogs, I’m bored. (:

I leave you with an iPhone photo dump. (click to make it larger) And plans to have a happier second half of the week.

Monday Start Day

It’s Monday morning!

My plan is to be super on track this week. Keep my house clean, stay positive about life, and eat well!

My new job (in case you were wondering) is basically me working in a kitchen as a cook. It also has some barista/cashier stuff too, but for the most part I make food for people all day. I’m on my feet, I’m moving all around, working hard, and I think it will pay off to be that physical for 40 hours a week. Although I’m trying to adjust my schedule to 32 hours a week, as I have decided that is my happy number of hours working. I’m not sure why my whole life I thought one HAD to work 40 hours. 32 (or 4 days) is what really works best for me.

Anyway this morning I am making a Pumpkin Oat Bake, and Mr. Gaunt is in charge of making spaghetti for dinner.

I have friends coming into town this weekend (YAY!) for our first friend baby shower (shockingly none of our close group of girlfriends has children yet) I’m excited to see the ladies and just hang out and celebrate! I love mini friend reunions every few months.

I leave you with a little stuffed acorn squash recipe:

1. Cut Acorn Squash in half. Put a little salt, pepper, olive oil and garlic into each half. Roast in oven at 400 for an hour.

2. Half way through acorn cooking, start cooking rice. I did a wild rice, but you can do whatever you like.

3. While rice is cooking saute Kale, peppers, onions and chicken sausage in a pan. When rice is done cooking dump the saute mixture into the rice and stir.

4. Fill each half of the acorn squash with the rice mixture. Place a piece of cheese (I did swiss) on top and broil until cheese is crispy and bubbly.

 

 

Weigh In: Skip Week

First off, let me tell you that it is currently 5:49 am, and I have been up for an hour, and re-caulked my entire bath tub. My sleeping habits over the last few months are AWFUL! I have a horrible time falling asleep, staying asleep, and practically dread night-time. This is the first time in my life this has happened to me, it sucks. I will say though, that I’m not tired in the day, I don’t nap, I generally am not over sleeping, I just plain old don’t feel the need to sleep much anymore. I have also found that sleeping with Mr. Gaunt has become somewhat difficult. I don’t think it’s anything new that he is doing, more that I am just being a really sensitive sleeper, but his snoring, body heat, and general space invasion are suddenly causing me to wake up at 4am and decide I need to get up and re caulk the tub. 1. We need a king size bed. 2. I need a fan or something 3. I just need to get back into a normal schedule (even if that means, gulp, waking up at 5am, because it’s what my body likes). I also have been spending a lot of time THINKING when I should be sleeping. It’s as though I can’t turn my brain off. I think about work, and cleaning, and baby showers (I’m throwing one next weekend), and weddings, all the freaking time. I make myself sick running plans and ideas and worries through my head, instead of sleeping.

I’m also currently a little sick feeling. I had too many glasses of champagne at a Halloween party last night, and I have an upset stomach and heart burn. Sigh. Today is also suppose to be a day off, but I have to do a ton of stuff around the house, plus clean the bar, and then we have a full wedding tonight at 7:30, so not really a day off at all. All of this just gives me more anxiety, and more of a reason not to sleep. Sigh.

ANYWAY back to Weigh in, if you can’t tell from the title, I didn’t go to my meeting this week. This is because I flat out didn’t have time (at least not time when there was a meeting). I started my new job, and the times for Thursday and Friday didn’t work for me to actually go to my meeting, so I missed it. This next week I will have time on Thursday morning. Not that I think I lost much weight, more maintained, but hopefully this next week will be good. I have definitely been feeling better about myself, but with a holiday week I know there will be lots of temptations around town, so it’s important to eat healthy and stay physical!

Taken yesterday afternoon

Up next a Halloween post!

Weigh in: Snackalicious

Happy Friday! It’s a busy Friday for me today. I went at 9:30 to my Weight Watchers meeting, and then I have to go to job #1 (I clean a bar twice a week) and then to training at 2 for my new job. Then Mr. Gaunt and I are going to have a little date night and go to Lynden Antique and Craft Show. It’s the start of the Holiday Bazaar and craft show season…YAY!!!!

I posted yesterday that I thought I wouldn’t be able to go to the 9:30 meeting because I was supposed to have training at 9, but my boss moved it to two. Today was my week 5, and I lost:

-2.6 lbs.

Holla! That’s exciting because I almost thought about skipping this weeks meeting because I was SURE I hadn’t lost any weight. That puts me at 11.4 pounds lost in 5 weeks. Maybe a little slower than I would prefer, but I can’t complain. I’m loving going to the weekly meetings, event if they are old and fuddy duddy. They hold me accountable, and that what matters.

Today’s topic was on snacking. More specifically, late night snacking. This isn’t something I have a HUGE problem with, but occasionally give into. Currently I have a pretty good routine of having 15-20 jelly beans (4 points) every night while watching an episode of whatever show we are into. I love it. I also started making my own Jelly bean mixes at the grocery store, so I don’t have to have any cinnamon or buttered popcorn, or tutti fruity.  Other late night snacks I enjoy are fruit, a healthy mini muffin (that I bake at the beginning of the week) or some popcorn. We flat-out don’t have any cookies, cake, chips, or delicious crackers anywhere in our house, because these are RED LIGHT foods.

In WW they talk about the three types of food:

RED LIGHT: Usually unhealthy. You can’t stop from eating too much. Shouldn’t be kept in the house (Potato chips, homemade cookies, croissants)

YELLOW LIGHT: Not super healthy, You can usually resist them, but they are a slippery slope into RED LIGHT territory. (pita chips, pizza, turkey jerkey, wine)

GREEN LIGHT:  Healthy food. You only eat when you are hungry and can stop when you are full. STOCK UP! (Fruit, healthy baked goods, lean meats, oats)

 

Some people in my meeting were talking about how while you watch TV you are bombarded with food commercials. I kind of forgot about this, as we cancelled our cable 2 years ago, and only watch Netflix (instant watch through our xbox) I never see commercial, ever. It’s sooo nice. We also recently have been watching gory TV shows (The Walking Dead and Breaking Bad) which are fairly un-appetizing, and do not make me want to snack.

Other tricks people said were to brush your teeth, take a night time class, and clean your whole kitchen so there are no leftovers to nibble on, and it feels like the KITCHEN IS CLOSED.

This weeks goals for me are: Stay away from all unhealthy foods at my new job, and make 2% or non fat lattes ONLY. (we have Edamame, eggs, whole wheat bagels, carrot sticks, hummus, and a few other things at work, which would be good choices). Also to move more, bake some healthy treats. Make a crockpot roast for the week, and keep moving while hanging around the house by cleaning and doing other chores.

This pic was taken yesterday, not today.

Weigh In: Slow and Steady Wins the Race?

I actually went to my weigh in yesterday, but my day was so insanely busy (INSANELY!) that I wasn’t home for more than 30 minutes to actual sit down to write a post. So here I am at the butt crack of dawn…HA! Joking, it’s 10am…lol. Writing my meeting post. I actually had meant to go to weigh in on Thursday, but ended up waking up late, and then doing some work for my new boss, so it was bumped to Friday. This weeks weight loss results are:

-1 lb

Uh, lame, again. I apparently am going to lose this weight VERY slowly, which I suppose is fine, but I also suppose its super-duper annoying. Like every week, my goal will be to lose 2 pounds, and up my physical activity. HOPEFULLY I will actually start working at my new job sometime this next week, and working (on my feet) will help me burn more calories, and lose a little faster.

It is now 6 weeks till Thanksgiving! I’m not sure I mentioned it, but my mom, Mr. Gaunt and me are doing our own little “THANKSGIVING JEAN CHALLENGE” to help motivate us. None of us love the way any of our jeans fit, so we are all hoping to lose enough weight that either we can wear a previously too tight pair of jeans, or (like myself) buy a new cute pair of jeans. Some might think it seems…uncomfortable to wear jeans to Thanksgiving, and it is! IF you eat too much. therefore the hope is that the jeans will also keep us in check, and not throw away all our hard work with a day (or a few days) of binge eating. Needless to say I would like to take off 10 more pounds by Thanksgiving. This might mean I have to really push myself. FRUITS and VEGGIES galore!

This weeks meeting topic was:

HOW TO HAVE FUN WITH FRIENDS WITHOUT EATING!

Which is a hard thing. This last week I did go to my friend Manda’s house and baked (decadent) cupcakes with her. Then I ate 1 cupcake and left the rest at her house. Although this is not exactly having fun without food, I did see it as a good choice. I got to hang out with my friend, and bake (which I love to do). I got to eat 1 yummy treat, but there was no option to have 3 or 4 or more treats! I never had to look at those amazing cupcakes ever again! Yay!

I’m definitely someone who likes to eat with friends AND share a bottle (or 2) of wine, and it’s something I KNOW I have to work on. Currently though, I’m working on doing fun things with Mr. Gaunt and not eating, as I really don’t hang out with my friends THAT often.

Things I suggest you do (and have actually done myself):

-Hiking/Walking

-Washing your car (inside and out)

-Go thrift shopping (no food, and we can be there for hours and only spend a few dollars!)

-Go wander around a new small town

-Deep clean something (garage, spare room, closets)

-Paint your moms kitchen (did this last week!)

-Carve Pumpkins

-Work in the yard

-Go Antiquing

-Decorate for the Holidays

-Paint some furniture

-Scrapbook

-Walk to the library

-Make a fall wreathe

-Reupholster a chair

Painting my moms kitchen last week

Things THEY suggest (that I think are little too obvious, and would rarely do)

-Take a dance class

-Ride a tandem bike

-Take a workout class

-Take up tennis

-Run/walk a race

-Play golf

-Volunteer

-Go on a nature walk

-Go hunting. huh?

-Go Swimming

Anyway, you get the idea. Move more, eat less, and have fun while you are doing it. Duh. Easier said than done. I also encourage volunteering to bring snacks or drinks to events with your friends, so you know they are healthy.

Oh and my sister died my hair a little darker for fall! Yay! Thanks Tay!

Weekend plans are to decorate the front porch for Halloween, carve pumpkins, and work on our new website for our business. Other goals involve NOT eating bad food, going on a fall walk or two, and NOT spending any money. Ugh 1 month of being unemployed today, which means I am absolutely DYING poor. Finger crossed I start making money soon, otherwise I’ll be decorating a cardboard box that I will be living in.

Weight In: Writing it Down

Happy Thursday!

It’s been a busy morning for me. I went to my WW meeting at 9:30 and realized it was at 10:30, so I went to Walmart (which I NEVER do, but it’s across the street) and stocked up on some healthy baking supplies! I hate Walmart, but man for basics like Whole Wheat Flour, and Pumpkin Pie spice, their prices can’t be beat! If I only go there twice a year, it can’t be too bad. I also got some cheap pumpkin spice candles which I’m burning as we speak. Sorry Yankee Candles, $19 for a jar candle vs $4, there really inst a comparison for an unemployed gal like myself.

Then I went and met my mom at a local event venue to discuss with the owners the possibility of starting a catering company in their kitchen. It looks like everything is a go, and we will just need to get the Health dept’s approval. We are hoping to some company holiday parties!

After that was lunch at The Daisy Cafe (try their Curry Salad!), and a trip to the shoe store to try on some Danskos. I’m thinking of getting a pair for when I work weddings, they are $120 though, so I really have to think about it.

Now I’m at home, in my Costco Sherpa, with my fall candle burning, looking up a healthy cookie recipe. I think I’m going to try this one tonight, maybe this one.

Oh right, back to my weight watchers meeting! In slightly underwhelming news I lost exactly the same as last week:

 

-1.2 lbs

 

I’m definitely a little disappointed, not because I thought I lost more, but because I feel I SHOULD be loosing more. I’m staying within my points, and I’m moving more…grrr. However I ALWAYS want to pat myself on the back! I didn’t gain, I have now lost 7.8lbs in 3 weeks, which is good, and I feel great. I feel motivated, and happy, and satisfied. So I wont dwell on the number, I will just feel good that I’m three weeks in and still putting along!

It was kind of boring today at our meeting. Our instructions for last week were to bring in a weeks worth of tracking (I printed mine from my WW e-tools) and then we got in groups and discussed them. The person’s tracker we got had eaten small portions of high fat foods, like macaroni, fish n chips, and crab salad. They also showed no signs of activity. I don’t know if they have lost weight, but I definitely didn’t learn anything positive from their week.

Looking over my own weeks, I can see there are many days I don’t eat as many points as I should. I also have been eating larger meals with no (other than fruit)snacking, as opposed to small meals all day. I have been snacking on fruit, and having 20 jellybeans every other evening for dessert. On days when I don’t drink a latte, I have more points leftover. On days when I have wine, I might have to skip a meal, which is sort of stupid.  Overall though I feel like I’m doing pretty good.

And of course the most important lesson is simply to write down what you eat. Your brain will not properly remember how much you have consumed. You should have it all written down, so at dinner time, you know if you can have the glass of wine, or those jelly beans, no guessing. I really recommend everyone do it for at least 1 week straight.

Next weeks topic is FRIENDS WITHOUT FOOD! As well as how to pamper or reward yourself without food. Think about it. I would also like to lose a solid 2 pounds this week.

SIDE NOTE: All the older ladies today were talking about how Carmel Rice Cakes are the BEST dessert. I have NOTHING in common with these women. If I never eat another rice cake in my life, I will be happy. Also the Katy Perry Movie is awesome, you should watch it.