Day 29

Day 29: August 15
Weight: 215.4

Breakfast/Brunch: 485

• Egg and spinach fritatta: 155 calories
• 1/4 Belgian waffle: 100 calories, 5 fat
  
• 1 large banana: 200 calories, 0.4 fat, 0 added sugar
  
• 1/4 cup blueberries: 30 calories
  

Day 28

Day 28: August 14

Breakfast

• 2 scrambled eggs: 140 calories
  
• 1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese: 45 calories
• 1 piece vanilla/mango ice cream tart:

Lunch

• Chef Boyardee lunch cup: 210 calories

Dinner

• Salad, no dressing: 30 calories
  
• 1 cup 1% milk: 100 calories, 2.5 fat, 12 sugar
  
• 3 oz grilled chicken: 100 calories, 3 fat
  
• 1/2 cup refried beans: 120 calories, 2.5 fat, 1 sugar
• 1/2 cup green beans: 30 calories

Exercise: 900 calories burned with 1 hour elliptical

Day 27: August 13

Day 26

Day 26: August 12
Weight: 215.8

Breakfast: 0

• 1/2 peach...had to chuck it out the window because it was overripe, though, so 2 bites doesn't really count....

Lunch: 815

• 1/2 Panera turkey and artichoke panini: 375 calories, 12 fat, 6 sugar
  
• 1 cup fruit punch: 260 calories, 0 fat, 68!!!!!!! sugar
  
• 1 Panera roll: 180 calories, 1 fat, 0 sugar

Dinner

• 1/2 Panera turkey and artichoke panini: 375 calories, 12 fat, 6 sugar
• 1 string cheese: 80 calories
• 1/2 cup squash ravioli: 240 calories, 6 fat, 3 sugar

Exercise: volleyball, 2 hours: 850 calories burned

Day 25

Day 25: August 11

Last night, I had 2 servings of cheese curls that totaled 300 calories, bringing yesterday's total up to 1590.

Breakfast:

• 1 cup green grapes

Lunch:

• 1 serving low-salt Wheat Thins
• Madras lentils
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese
• 5 pieces chocolate

Dinner:

• 3 small slices pizza
• 1/2 frozen yogurt from Yogi Castle
• Cheese curls
• spinach salad
• fried catfish
• 1/2 cup peas
  

I'm craving chocolate now. Reeeaaallly craving chocolate.

Day 24

Day 24: August 10

Breakfast

• 2 sprinkled Munchkins, 1 regular: 150 calories, 7.5 fat, 9 sugar
  
• 1 cup fruit: 80 calories, 0.2 fat, 0 added sugar

Lunch

• Chicken Teriyaki Stir Fry Lean Cuisine: 250 calories, 2 fat, 9 sugar

Dinner

• 5 cocktail weiners: 180 calories, 16 fat, 0 sugar
  
• 2 mozzarella sticks: 140 calories, 8 fat, 0 sugar
  
• 1 spring roll: 350 calories, 15 fat
• Yogurt: 140 calories, 4 fat, 21 sugar

Exercise: 200 calories burned running an 11:30 mile; weight training

Total: 1290 calories

Day 23

Day 23: August 9

Breakfast

• 1 banana: 100 calories, 0.5 fat, 0 added sugar
  
• Whipped yogurt: 140 calories, 2.5 fat, 21 sugar

Lunch

• 1 cup chicken noodle soup: 100 calories, 2.5 fat, 1 sugar
• Almonds: 80 calories, 7 fat, 0.5 sugar
• 1 peach: 40 calories, 0.2 fat, 0 added sugar

Dinner

• Mediterranean chicken Lean Cuisine: 240 calories, 4 fat
  
• Polly-O string cheese: 80 calories, 6 fat
  
• Yogurt: 140 calories, 2.5 fat, 21 sugar
• 3 mini Reese's cups: 108 calories, 6 fat, 9 sugar
  
• 8 Twizzlers: 160 calories, 0 fat, 19 sugar
  
• 1/2 cup fruit: 50 calories, 0 fat

Total: 1138 calories, 31.2 fat, 71.5 sugar
Exercise: 500 calories burned on the elliptical


To be honest, what's started happening is what I was afraid would start happening: I'm getting tired of writing down every single thing that I eat, and finding the calories and fat and sugar for each and every thing. Is it something I should stick with since it holds me accountable for everything I put in my mouth? Or should I focus on living my life and eating my food instead of writing about it?

Day 21 & Day 22

Day 21: August 7

Went to my cousin's wedding; didn't really keep track of what I ate. Same goes for Day 22.

Day Twenty

Day Twenty: August 6, 2010
Weight: 215.4

Breakfast:

• 1 banana: 105 calories, 0.4 fat, 0 added sugar
  
• Peppermint tea: 0 calories, fat, sugar

Lunch:

• Spinach and mozzarella ravioli: 200 calories, 5 fat, 0 sugar
  
• 1 cup 1% milk: 100 calories, 2.5 fat, 12 sugar
• Mountain Dew: 80 calories, 0 fat, 25 sugar
• Wheat bread: 70 calories, 0.9 fat, 1.5 sugar

Dinner:

• Arby's turkey BLT: 570 calories, 24 fat, 4 sugar
  
• Arby's curly fries: 270 calories, 15 fat, 0 sugar
  
• Chocolate chip cookie: 140 calories, 8 fat

After dinner:

• Whipped yogurt: 140 calories, 2.5 fat, 21 sugar
• Gushers: 90 calories, 1 fat, 13 sugar
• Italian ice: 100 calories
• Pizza: 300 calories

Exercise: 30 minutes bike riding; 30 minutes on the elliptical burning 500 calories; weight training.
Total: 2165 calories

Alright, I'm not gonna lie, I'm pissed at myself for eating so much after dinner. I'm going to my cousin's wedding tomorrow, and I'm afraid that, since it's been so long since she's seen me, she's going to silently judge the way I look, and she's going to say to herself, "oh, Beth's gained weight."

And I have that fear about a lot of people; it's why I don't want to see the people that I didn't like in high school, now. The people I was friends with are fine because I know they won't judge me, but everyone else...I don't want to run into them in town or anything.

But I need to remember that it doesn't matter what other people think and...stuff like that. Ha. I'm tired.

Day Nineteen

Day Nineteen: August 5

Breakfast

• Cinnamon raisin bagel: 300 calories, 2 fat, 6.5 sugar
  
• 2 tbsp cream cheese: 100 calories, 10 fat, 1 sugar
  
• Cottage cheese: 45 calories, 0.5 fat, 1.5 sugar
  

Lunch

• 1 cup corn flakes: 100 calories, 0.2 fat, 3 sugar
  
• Yogurt: 110 calories, 2 fat, 17 sugar
  
• 1 cup grapes: 60 calories, 0.3 fat, 0 added sugar

Dinner

• 2 chicken strips: 190 calories, 10 fat, 1 sugar
• Baked chips: 140 calories, 3.5 fat, 3 sugar

Dessert

• Italian ice: 200 calories, 0 fat, 40 calories
  

Total: 1245 calories, 28.5 fat, 73 sugar

Day Eighteen

Day Eighteen: August 4

Breakfast

• 2 hard-boiled eggs: 160 calories, 10 fat, 1 sugar
• 1 cup green grapes: 62 calories, 0.3 fat, 0 added sugar

Lunch

• Sesame Chicken Lean Cuisine: 330 calories, 9 fat
  
• Mesquite BBQ chips: 300 calories, 16 fat

Snack

• Cheese danish: 266 calories, 15 fat, 5 sugar
• 5 pieces chocolate: 250 calories, 13 fat, 20 sugar (estimate)
  

Dinner

• 1/2 cheeseburger: 150 calories, 7 fat, 4 sugar
  
• 2 slices watermelon: 86 calories, 0.5 fat, 0 added sugar
  
• 1 slice mango: 25 calories, 0 fat, 0 added sugar
  
• 1 Capri Sun: 70 calories, 18 sugar
  
• 1 piece wrap (2"): 50 calories, 2 fat, 0.5 sugar
  
• Frosting: about 6 tbsp total. Ouch: 420 calories, 15 fat, 60 sugar

Exercise: 650 calories burned on elliptical; 20 pushups and 130 crunches

Total: 2169 calories, 87 fat, 108 sugar.
Well, no wonder I feel like crashing and am ridiculously tired; overeating will do that.

Day Seventeen

Day Seventeen: August 3

Breakfast

• 3 lightly salted Quaker rice cakes: 105 calories, 0 fat, 0 sugar
• 2-3 tbsp strawberry jelly: 50 calories, 0 fat, 12 sugar
• 1 chocolate chip mini muffin: 90 calories, 5 fat, 6 sugar

Lunch

• Subway: 1 6-inch turkey sub on wheat bread with lite mayo, banana peppers, tomatoes and lettuce: 330 calories, 8.5 fat, 6 sugar
• Subway: medium raspberry tea (that totally did not taste like raspberry): 200 calories, 0 fat, 40? sugar

Dinner

• 3 oz chicken: 90 calories, 2.4 fat
• 1 cup steamed vegetables: 50 calories, 0.3 fat, 1 sugar
• 1 cup blueberries and grapes: 60 calories, 0.3 fat, 0 added sugar
• 4 oz Gatorade: 40 calories, 10 sugar
  

Total: 1065 calories, 16.5 fat, 35 sugar
Exercise: 800 calories burned on elliptical over 55 minutes; 35 minutes weight training (I did 20 push-ups today! And 125 crunches! Woohoo!)

Day Sixteen

Day Sixteen: August 2, 2010

Breakfast:

• 100-calorie pack: 100 calories, 3.5 fat, 8 sugar

Lunch:

• Feta cheese: 60 calories, 4 fat
• Bleu cheese: 100 calories, 8 fat
• Croutons: 50 calories, 2 fat, 2 sugar
• 2 tbsp Italian dressing: 130 calories, 0 fat, 1 sugar
• 1 cup cherries: 75 calories, 0 fat, 0 added sugar
• 100-calorie pack: 100 calories, 3.5 fat, 8 sugar

Dinner:

• Grilled chicken wrap @ Greene Turtle: 624 calories, 16 fat, 29 sugar
• Sweet potato fries: 200 calories, 12 fat, 10 sugar

Exercise: 40 minutes walking at lunchtime

Total: 1440 calories, 49 fat, 58 sugar

Day Fifteen

Day Fifteen: August 1

Breakfast:

• 1 banana (100 calories, 0.5 fat, 0 added sugar)
  
• 1 tbsp peanut butter (100 calories, 7.5 fat, 1 sugar)
  

Lunch

• 1 yogurt (80 calories)
• 1 cup Special K (120 calories, 0.5 fat, 4 sugar)
  
• 1/4 cup walnuts (200 calories, 20 fat, 1 sugar)
  

Dinner

• 1 salad with gouda cheese (100 calories, 8 fat, 0.5 sugar), Italian dressing (130 calories, 1 sugar), croutons (35 calories, 1.5 fat, 1 sugar) (TOTAL: 265 calories, 9.5 fat, 2.5 sugar)
  
• 3 oz filet mignon (185 calories, 9 fat)

Snack

• 1/4 cup ice cream (100 calories, 4 fat, 5 sugar)

Exercise: 500 calories burned on elliptical

Total: 1150 calories, 51 fat, 13.5 sugar

Well, I binged tonight (last night - I'm writing this on the morning of the 2nd). I think I ate about 1000 calories within a half hour.

I determined that I think it's not just a random, sporadic problem that I have; bingeing at night has become a habit that makes me feel calm before I go to bed. It's familiar, and in that way, it's soothing. When everything around me is changing, it's one thing about myself that I know will stay the same - I know that I have a really difficult time stopping this trend, so it's something stable about myself that my mind assumes will always stay the same.

So it's at this point that I need to recognize what happened; accept it; understand why I did it; and move on.

What happened: I had trouble falling asleep. I was worried about the emails I had received from work on Friday, and was afraid that my boss's perception of my work was slowly but surely slipping down the drain. I was worried that my foot won't heal in time for the start of the volleyball season, and that I won't be able to stay on the team and will therefore not get the exercise and team benefits. I'm worried about making friends on my team; I don't want to be the awkward newbie anymore, I want to be confident.

But most of all, I was thinking of awkward, semi-"romantic" encounters I've had in the past that have led to disappointment, the loss of friends, and a diminished respect for myself. Since I don't know who could be reading this, I won't go into too much detail, but let's just say I've done a few things with guys that I regret, that make me wince whenever I think of them for whatever reason: whether I regret coming across as desperate, or regret leading someone on, or regret not being straightforward with the way I'm feeling.

So, I decided TV and food was in order. "I'm hungry," I reasoned; "That's a good enough excuse. And I can have one little snack, since I was so good today."

Accept it and understand why it happened: There was a lot on my mind; so much, that I was scared to write it down or think it through completely. The task seemed like it would be too much at that point.

Move on and learn: I know that getting into one of these moods is not helped by a binge; it only leads to more guilt and confusion. I know that writing down what I'm feeling first, before doing anything else, is what helps me sort through things and get to sleep at night. I know what I need to do: I keep a pen and notebook on the desk next to my bed for that reason. So the next time I discover that I can't sleep, and my mind starts going in the direction of the kitchen, I will sit up in bed and turn on the light. I will meditate for a few minutes; listen to my breathing and really feel the way my body is feeling. I can trust myself to do this. A part of me doubts that I'll be able to keep this promise, but there is stronger piece of me that knows I can.

And of course, even though I came in late to work this morning, I've accomplished all that I need to so far (except for calling someone to schedule an interview, which I'm a little nervous about - shouldn't be, she's a very nice lady). I got my grade for this internship already - it's an A, so at this point I don't even have to worry about submitting weekly reports anymore, and there are only 2 weeks left.

Physically, my stomach is killing me. It hurts - feels like knives are stabbing it from the inside.

Day Fourteen

Day Fourteen: July 31

Breakfast

• 2 scrambled eggs: 200 calories, 15 fat, 1.5 sugar
• cheese: 150 calories, 8.5 fat, .75 sugar
• 1 bagel: 350 calories, 2 fat, 7 sugar
• 1 cup 1% milk: 100 calories, 2.5 fat, 12 sugar
  

Lunch

• 1/2 Burger King Tendercrisp Chicken sandwich: 400 calories, 23 fat, 4.5 sugar
  

Day Thirteen

Day Thirteen: July 30

Breakfast

• 1 banana: 100 calories, 0.25 fat
• 2 Italian butter cookies: 200 calories, 8 fat, 10 sugar

Lunch

• 1 nectarine: 70 calories, 0.5 fat
• Progresso soup: 100 calories, 2 fat, 2 sugar
• Salad: Cheese (70 calories, 5 fat); croutons (50 calories, 2 fat, 1.5 sugar)
• Sugar wafers: 140 calories, 6 fat, 14 sugar

Dinner

• Cheese and pimiento-stuffed chicken breast: 200 calories, 10 fat
• Spinach salad with tomatoes, feta cheese & vinegar and oil: 50 calories, 3 fat
• Steamed broccoli: 25 calories, 0 fat
• 3 Italian butter cookies: 300 calories, 12 fat, 15 sugar

Exercise: 1/2 hour biking: 200 calories; 20 minutes stationary bike: 200 calories; weight training, 30 minutes

Total: 1305 calories, 43.75 fat, 42.5 sugar

Day Twelve

Day Twelve: July 29

Breakfast

• Coffee ice cream. I had a bad morning - woke up late, rolled my ankle while coming down the stairs, then found out there was no gas in the car - and no money in my bank account. So I thought ice cream would make me feel better. It did, with just tiniest twinge of guilt. Anyway, that had 200 calories, 5 fat, 20 sugar

Lunch

• BLT sandwich
• Bacon: 70 calories
• Mayonnaise: 45 calories, 4 fat
• 2 slices wheat bread: 120 calories
• Cheddar and Sour Cream baked Ruffles: 140 calories, 4 fat, 2 sugar
• Nectarine: 70 calories, 0.5 fat, natural sugars

Dinner

• Veggie wrap in a large tortilla with pesto and cheese
• Tortilla: 150 calories, 3 fat
• Pesto: 95 calories, 9 fat
• cheese: 200 calories, 15 fat, 0.5 sugar

Day Eleven

Day Eleven: July 28

Weight: 215.6 or 216.4, depending on what the scale wants to do.

I suppose I shouldn't beat myself up for not having lost more; after all, the whole idea of body love and body acceptance, and intuitive eating, is to eat when I'm hungry and not focus on the numbers. But I can't help but want to get down to below 200 by the time the semester starts...in three weeks.

At this point, that's an unreasonable goal. 5 pounds a week for the next 3 weeks is intense. The thing is, I know it's doable; if I were to follow the meal plan my aerobics instructor gave me (link in the header), I could lose a lot - I lost 8 pounds the first week I followed the plan, and 4 the second week - and that was only because I didn't follow the plan precisely in Week Two.

The way I eat now, I fluctuate; Mostly, I use the plan as a basis to go off of. I eat about 1200-1400 calories per day, exercise at least 4 times a week, and so far this month, I've lost about 3 pounds in ten days. If I keep it up - and maybe was a little more strict about watching my sugar and fat intake - I think I could lose ten pounds this month without having to put myself through too much discomfort.

The thing is, I don't want to think of this as a diet - I want this to be a way to lose weight, while still eating what I want. And that's the way I should be eating.

So what now? Well, number one, find healthy alternatives. I know that I get cravings. I know that sometimes I just feel like I need sugar. But I think as long as I try to find a healthy alternative to ice cream, and not something that just feels like Splenda-flavored frozen milk (like Weight Watchers and Skinny Cow, which really don't satisfy me), I could be on the right path. The slow-churned ice cream, for instance.

I've decided to start a Food Mood Journal, inspired by Christie over at Intuitive Eating: http://www.honormyhealth.com/2010/05/07/food-mood-journal/

Breakfast

• New York bagel: 360 calories, 2 fat
• 2 tbsp cream cheese: 100 calories, 10 fat, 1 sugar
• 1 nectarine: 70 calories, 0.5 fat
• 1 pack gummy fruit snacks: 80 calories, 0 fat, 10 sugar (I think)
• 1 medium coffee - that I drank about 4 oz of: 40 calories, 2 fat, 5 sugar

Lunch

• Smart Ones Pasta Primavera frozen meal (I got lazy with packing my lunch today): 250 calories, 4 fat, 4 sugar
• Cupcake from a bakery downtown: no idea. Probably a lot; there was a lot of really thick frosting.

Dinner

• 1/4 pound cheeseburger: 360 calories, 20 fat (not sure how accurate that is)
• Spinach salad with balsamic vinegar, feta cheese, and mandarin orange slices: 200 calories, 7 fat, 4 sugar (this is an estimate)
• Toblerone piece

Exercise: 650 calories burned on the elliptical, plus 1 hour of weight training

Day Ten

Day Ten: July 27

Breakfast

• Cinnamon toast crunch: 130 calories, 3.5 fat, 10 sugar
• 1 cup 1% milk: 100 calories, 2.5 fat

Lunch

• Tuna: 100 calories, 1 fat
• Mayonnaise: 90 calories, 8 fat, 1 sugar
• 1 hardboiled egg: 80 calories, 5.3 fat, 0.5 sugar
• crackers: 150 calories, 5 fat, 4 sugar
• Watermelon: 70 calories, 0.2 fat

Dinner

• 1 cup spaghetti: 220 calories, 1.3 fat, 0.8 sugar
• Parmesan cheese: 20 calories, 1.5 fat, 0 sugar
• Meatballs: 160 calories, 12 fat, 0.5 sugar
• Spinach salad with Italian dressing: 75 calories, 5 fat, 2 sugar

Dessert

• 1/2 cup ice cream: 105 calories, 3.5 fat, 11 sugar

Exercise: 75 minutes "aerobic dancing": 725 calories burned

We got "Just Dance" a Wii game from Target. My review: It's pretty fun, and a fairly good workout. (Yeah, not too specific a review :P)

Total: 1300 calories, 48.8 fat, 25.3 sugar

Day Nine

Day Nine: July 26

Weight: 216.2. Well.

BINGE DAY :(

I don't know whether I should believe this number or the one from yesterday. Or, if I should even be weighing myself this often. It's good to have an idea of where I am on the scale, but on the other hand when something like this happens, it can ruin my mood if I'm not careful to talk to myself about it.

I think I'll limit it to weighing myself every five days; that is, days 10, 15, 20, 25, and of course, 30. It's a good way to determine where I am without overwhelming myself, I think. I hope. I really didn't want to see a number above 215...

Breakfast

• Ruffles cheddar and sour cream chips (140 calories, 4 fat, 2 sugar)

Lunch

• Crab cake (200 calories, 10 fat, 2 sugar)
• Bagel thin (110 calories, 1.5 fat, 2 sugar)
• Pretzels (110 calories, 1 fat, 1 sugar)
• 1 nectarine (70 calories, 0.5 fat)
• 1/2 tbsp mayonnaise (25 calories, 3 fat, 1 sugar)
• Pecan bar (about 400 calories)

Dinner

• 2 oz chicken (60 calories, 0.7 fat, 0 sugar)
• brussels sprouts (35 calories, 0.6 fat)
• chickpeas (125 calories, 4.2 fat)

Binge

• Fruit snacks (400 calories, 0 fat, 75 sugar)
• Cookie dough (250 calories, 11.5 fat)
• Reese's candy bar (150 calories, 9 fat, 15 sugar)
• Sun Chips (210 calories, 10 fat, 3 sugar)

Exercise

1000 calories - 65 minutes on the elliptical, plus 15 push-ups

Total: 2285 calories, 56 fat, 117.5 sugar

Day Eight

Day Eight: July 25

Weight: 214.6

Breakfast/Lunch (woke up late, yet again :P)

• Chips (140 calories, 3.5 fat, 3 sugar)
• 2 tbsp cream cheese (70 calories, 6 fat, 2 sugar)
• Smoothie (110 calories, 1.5 fat, 10 sugar)
• 4 cocktail weenies (220 calories, 18 fat, 0 sugar)
• 1 bagel (350 calories, 2 fat, 7 sugar)

Dinner

• Ravioli (230 calories, 8 fat, 1 sugar)
• Spinach salad with 1 egg, bacon bits, Italian dressing, and bell peppers (200 calories, 6 fat, 0 sugar)
• 1 cup 1% milk (100 calories, 2.5 fat, 10 sugar)
• Dessert: Kids' size sugar-free mango peach Italian ice from Rita's (80 calories, 0 fat, 0 sugar)

Total: 1500 calories, 47.5 fat, 33 sugar

An OK day sugar-wise (could have been better), fat and calories were a bit high. I'm very proud to be below 215 now. :)

Day Seven

Day Seven: July 24
Weight: 216.4

Breakfast/Lunch (woke up late again)

• Crab cake "pan fried" with Pam (200 calories)
• 1 nectarine (70 calories, 0.5 fat, not counting sugar)

Pre-workout snack

• 1 small apple (75 calories, 0 fat)
• 1 tbsp peanut butter (100 calories, 8 fat, 1.5 sugar)

Well my internet decided to poop out on me right as I tried to post the final version of this, and of course I didn't copy the text....but I do remember the totals.

Exercise: 1000 calories on the elliptical for 75 minutes. I was DRENCHED in sweat, it was disgusting but it felt soooo goooood. :)

Totals: 1385 calories, 50.2 fat, 45.1 sugar

Maybe it's time to revisit my goals. 20 pounds in 30 days is a big number in the first place; I'll definitely be happy with anything between 5 and 10. Really, the number wasn't set in stone when I first decided to do this little blog project.

Well, I'm off to the gym!

Day Six

Day Six: July 23

Well I binged a little bit last night; I had a Hershey's King Size chocolate bar (370 calories), 1 slice of French bread (70 calories), and some other stuff that I don't really remember. >.<

Breakfast/Lunch (I woke up around noon)

• Meatball and mozzarella Lean Pocket (290 calories, 9 fat, 9 sugar)
• 1 cup 1% milk (100 calories, 2.5 fat, 12 sugar) mixed with...
• Yoplait smoothie mix (140 calories, 3 fat, not counting sugar since it's basically frozen fruit)
• Frozen fruit (140 calories, 3 fat)

Dinner

• Homemade crab cake (I feel like a real Marylander now!) (200 calories)
• Chocolate (100 calories)

Exercise
Elliptical for 60 minutes - 800 calories

AFTER DINNER BINGE

• Chocolate bar - 200 calories
• 1 Nectarine - 60 calories
• Crackers and cheese - 160 calories
  

Day Five

Day Five: July 22

Breakfast

• 1 plain bagel (195 calories, 1 fat, 1 sugar)
• 2 tbsp cream cheese (100 calories, 10 fat, 0 sugar)

Lunch

• Panera Greek salad w/ half of salad dressing (270 calories, 22 fat, 4 sugar)
• 1 small apple (80 calories, 0 fat, not counting natural sugar)

Dinner

• Frozen fish (270 calories, 11 fat, 0 sugar)
• 1 zucchini, cooked in Pam with garlic and pepper (30 calories, 0.5 fat, 3 sugar)
• 1/2 cup mango nectar mixed with crushed ice (65 calories, 0 fat, 16 sugar)
  

Total: 1010 calories, 44.5 fat, 24 sugar

Exercise: Volleyball for one hour (according to Calorie Count, that's 544 calories burned if I weighed 150. So it's probably more than that since I weigh significantly more than 150 - which, incidentally, would be a fantastic overall goal weight. Hmm...)

Overall, a very good day. I was happy with what I ate and it didn't leave me wanting more. Plus, I cooked my own dinner! I's a growned up. :P

Day Four

Day Four: July 21

Breakfast

• Smart Ones chicken and cheese quesadilla (220 calories, 6 fat, 1 sugar)
• 1 cup 1% milk (110 calories, 2.5 fat, 12 sugar)
• 2 tbsp Ovaltine mix (40 calories, 0 fat, ? sugar)

Lunch

• Tuna sandwich on wheat bread (310 calories, 11 grams fat, 5 grams sugar)
• Pretzels (110 calories, 1 gram fat, 1 gram sugar)
• Carrot sticks (35 calories, 0 fat, 5 grams sugar)
• Apple slices (72 calories, 0.2 fat, 14.3 sugar)

Dinner

• 1 turkey burger, grilled in safflower oil (160 calories, 9 fat, 0 sugar)
• 1 hamburger roll (150 calories, 2 fat, 4 sugar)
• 1 slice pepperjack cheese (70 calories, 6 fat, 0 sugar)
• 1/2 tbsp. mayo made with olive oil (which tastes exactly the same) (20 calories, 2 fat, 0 sugar)
• 1/2 cup cottage cheese (100 calories, 2.5 fat, 4 sugar)

Exercise

• Walking, 30 minutes at lunchtime: 163 calories

Total: 1407 calories, 44.7 fat, 27 sugar

The Good

Stayed under 28 grams of sugar, which is awesome. I was tired so I went to bed early, but it was mostly because I haven't been getting enough sleep lately - not because of a sugar crash.

The Not So Good

I guess 1400 calories isn't great, but it's not terrible either. Could have done better.

Day Three

Day Three - July 20

Weight: 217.2

Breakfast

• 1 small slice raisin bread (71 calories, 1.2 grams fat, 1.5 grams sugar)
• 1 banana (105 calories, 0 grams fat, 14 grams (natural) sugar)

Lunch

So what do you do when someone offers you a free salad? The greedy part of me accepts without question. I could have said, no thanks, I have lunch already. I could have said, yeah sure, and eaten that instead of the lunch that I had already packed - which seemed like a waste. Instead, what I said was, sure, and ate part of that salad with the lunch that I had already packed. And I ate more calories. So...I don't know.

• Spinach salad with oil&vinegar dressing (130 calories, 0 grams fat, 1 gram sugar)
• 1 oz. shredded cheddar cheese (110 calories, 9 grams fat, 0 grams sugar)
• Croutons (60 calories, 2 grams fat, 0 grams sugar)
• Chips (120 calories, 3 grams fat, 2 grams sugar
• Canned peaches in water (60 calories, 0 grams fat, 12 grams (natural) sugar)
• About 1/3 of a CalTort salad (250 calories, 27 grams fat)

Snack/Dinner

• 1 Wendy's coffee toffee Frosty (540 calories, 20 grams fat, 71!!!!!!!!!!! grams sugar) No wonder I had a major sugar rush and then a crash 2 hours later...jeez!
• 1 slice French bread (92 calories, 0.6 grams fat, 0.8 grams sugar)

Late Night

• 2 slices of a large sausage pizza from Domino's (640 calories, 28 grams fat)

Exercise

700 calories on the elliptical

Total: 2178 calories, 90 grams fat, 100 grams sugar (ACK!)

Sooooo today wasn't the best as far as food goes....like at all. Heh. What started the downhill slide was the Frosty. I enjoyed it, yeah, and decided that it would be my dinner. Then came the sugar crash, and the fact that I was hungry again at 8:00, which is never good. Enter the pizza.

Some healthy alternatives to a Frosty, or ice cream in general:

• Frozen yogurt (similar texture, fewer calories)
• Sorbet (fewer calories, fruity flavor)
• Mousse (fewer calories and sugar)

So next time I'm on my way home and decide to stop somewhere for a snack, I'll go to Sheetz instead of Wendy's and pick up some froyo or mousse. I'm also bringing more for lunch, and I'm going to spread out my lunch break. I've noticed that I don't get hungry as often if I'm eating, say, one item from my lunch box every hour. For tomorrow I've packed a tuna sandwich, carrot sticks, apple slices, and some pretzels. Honestly, you can't get any more disgustingly healthy than that.

Day Two

Day Two: July 19

Breakfast

I was in a huge rush this morning; I didn't have to get into work until 10, so I had planned on waking up at 7 and going to the gym. When 7 rolled around, I hit the snooze button; looks the gym will wait until after work. I literally only had time to throw on some clothes and bolt out the door.

• Strawberry-chocolate Fiber One bar (140 calories, 3 grams fat, 9 grams sugar)

Lunch

Luckily I packed my lunch last night, so I didn't have to worry about that. I'm meeting a friend at a pizza/pretzel/ice cream joint, but I'm bringing my lunch. I may get a small desert while I'm there.

• 2 slices wheat bread (180 calories, 3 grams fat, 4 grams sugar)
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter (100 calories, 7 grams fat, 1 gram sugar)
• 1 tablespoon jelly (50 calories, 0 grams fat, 12 grams sugar)
• Harvest Cheddar Sun Chips (140 calories, 6 grams fat, 2 grams sugar)
• Green grapes (110 calories, 0.3 grams fat, not counting sugar)

Snack
Stopped at Taco Bell before I left Frederick; I got off work later than usual and I was starving.

• Soft taco (210 calories, 10 grams fat, 2 grams sugar)
• Diet Coke (0 calories, 0 fat, 0 sugar)

Dinner

• Ribs (250 calories, 15 grams fat, 13 grams sugar)
  
• Cooked peas and carrots (from frozen) (60 calories, 0.2 grams fat, 3 grams sugar)

Exercise

250 calories on the treadmill

400 calories on the elliptical

650 calories burned total

Total: 1240 calories, 44.5 grams fat, 46 grams sugar

Day One

Day One: July 18

Weight: 218

Breakfast

• 1/2 stuffed pizza pretzel from Barnes and Noble (250 calories, 4.5 grams fat)
• 1/2 tall raspberry smoothie from Barnes and Noble (100 calories, 1 gram fat, 15 grams (!!!!!) sugar)

Lunch

• 1 cup Special K (120 calories, 0.5 grams fat, 4 grams sugar)
• 1 cup 1% milk (110 calories, 2.5 grams fat, 12 grams sugar)
• 1 Fruit by the Foot (80 calories, 1 gram fat, 9 grams sugar)

Snack

• 1 12-oz. can Diet Pepsi (0 calories, 0 sugar, 0 fat)

Dinner

• 1 cup spaghetti (220 calories, 1.3 grams fat, 0.8 grams sugar)
• 2 slices French bread (184 calories, 1.2 grams fat, 1.6 grams sugar)
• 4 meatballs (216 calories, 16 grams fat, 1.5 grams sugar)
• Spinach salad with ranch dressing (60 calories, 7 grams fat, 0.5 grams sugar)

Dessert

Cooked apples in caramel glaze (240 calories)

TOTAL: 1580 calories, 35 grams fat, 44.5 grams sugar

The Bad

I went over my goal of 1000-1300 calories for the day, and I went above my goal for sugar (27 grams)

The Good

The number of calories I consumed was still under 1800, which is the top end of what I allow myself to eat every day.

What to do differently

Don't go for seconds with the slices of bread; substitute butter for water in the apple caramel glaze; eat 2 meatballs instead of 4

It's a bit late, so I'm debating whether I want to work out today. To do so I would just have to jump rope outside. I think I may compromise and do a light workout outside starting at 9:00, which would include jumping rope, pushups, situps, and some volleyball drills. It'll probably last about 30-45 minutes.

Day One: The Outline

The Goal:

Release twenty pounds in thirty days.

The Method:

• A meal plan outlined by my aerobics instructor, that's limited to about 1000-1200 calories per day.
• Exercise at least 5 times per week.
• Get through a reading list to help me emotionally, to be discussed.
• Blog once every day.

The Reason:

Well, I've been trying to lose weight for...forever. And usually what ends up happening is I gain weight while I'm moping about what a terrible job I'm doing of losing it. I've proudly released about 15 pounds in the last 3 months, and I'm going to jumpstart the next part of this. I'm going all out, and following this meal plan for one month. After that month, I'll work on maintaining that loss. If at that point I feel like I can continue with the meal plan, I will, but that's in the future.

This Blog:

Is mainly just for my own use. If other people stumble upon it, great. If not, I'll use it as a diary of sorts.

The Reward:

Hmmm....to be decided.

That's all for now...bedtime.