01:
Awww, what a rainy dreary day… I’d really love to curl up with a book, or take a nap with kitten. Although, I’ve been slacking updating this week (blame the 3 day weekend), but medical weight loss plan is officially over! I haven’t nailed down my new plan, it’s going to be trial and error, I’m sure.
Some Plans/Goals:
• I need to buy a scale, my scale at home is a cheap ass dial scale, that is ~8 pounds off, and hard to read. I’d really like to pick up a accurate digital scale.
• I’m going to start adding protein in the morning. I can’t stand hard boiled eggs (I made two dozen last week, it stunk my place up and I ended giving all the whites to Gregg.) I’m thinking about buying the egg whites in a carton & mixing them with frozen bag spinach. I’ve done this before, it’s nice & quick in the morning.
• I’m eliminating fruit entirely from my diet. There’s really no need for it.
• Contemplating adding beans/lentils.
• I packed my gym bag. I am going to the gym tonight!! I promised myself I will not get discouraged if I am not as badass as I was a year ago. I’m feeling “skinny fat” which is a term for someone who is thin, but with high body fat. Like a runner, or a sedentary person who doesn’t eat much.
• I posted a picture of how big my smallest jeans are on me. (Size 9) I have a long way to go, but my clothes being baggy is the best motivation ever.
• I ate out a few times this past weekend, it went pretty well. At the Refinery, I had jerked lentils & yuca. At hibachi, I got tofu w/ double veggies instead of rice/noodles. On Memorial day at my mom’s, I had 2 hot dogs (ughh beef) w/ green beans.
• My NUMBER ONE problem is drinking. Two flaming drinks was more sugar than I had consumed in the entire week.
• Going to start having a cheat meal once a week. (which includes meal/drink)
That’s it for now. I wish I had brought my dinner to work, so I’d be hitting the gym with more than 175 calories in me. Good news is, there is an accurate scale there & I get to meet my man for dinner at his place after! Little things!
26:
I’m putting together a cookie swap on the internets. Basically, you make two dozen cookies & send four cookies to six people. Easy peasy. I’m even okay w/ buying bakery cookies! There isn’t any voting, or prizes, just fun. If you want to sign up please visit the form I made.
25:
At the weigh-in Monday I was down 2 pounds. I’m glad I hit a total of -15 pounds, but I am still hoping for a -5+ week soon. (My first two weeks were both 5 each.) I’m down 3% bodyfat, which means nothing to me compared to the scale numbers.
I’m actually out of HCG & not taking it anymore. I’m pretty sure my last injection was at least 4-5 days ago. I don’t feel any difference.
I talked to the nutritionist while I was at the doctor. She cleared up some questions I had, recommended not eating a 3rd fruit a day (I was eating apple/orange at 5pm on the way home.) because at that point in the day your body burns it for fuel, instead of using your fat.
I’m still having difficulties upping my calories. I really can’t get past 500ish with what the diet states. I started eating all my meals earlier too. (IE: Lunch is now @1:30, not 3.)The nutritionist said I should be eating 8oz of protein a day, but also said I needed more protein? It was confusing. We e-mailed back & forth.
Me:
I’m sorry to be e-mailing so soon, but I had a quick question. According to the meal plan sheet, it says 8oz. of protein a day, split between lunch & dinner. (4oz. each meal) A chicken breast is 6-8oz. correct? I should be eating a chicken breast a day?
Her:
It breaks it up into smaller portions to keep your metabolism burning steady throughout the day. You can add an additional veggie and 4oz of protein to the day if you are going to workout or do some type of cardio ie walking for 30 min. A chicken breast is about 6oz, but if you weighed it out it would be best. That way you know you are getting 4oz per meal.
Her (again):
How is the diet coming along now that you understand it a little better?
Me:
My friend gifted me a food scale yesterday, and tonight I am going grocery shopping. I think I am making it too complicated? I’m just going to try and keep it simple by eating 4oz. of chicken 2x a day w/ spinach & 1/2 a grapefruit in the morning. Is it okay if I don’t eat a 2nd fruit?
Her:
It is ok, but if you find that you need more energy during the day then eat it.
If you get hungry in the evening you could always have more veggies as long as they aren’t carrot, peas, or corn.
...then we talked about edamame.
I’m actually excited for this to be the last week at the weight loss clinic. I’m ready to switch up this diet & try something else. If I hit -5 pounds this week for the slight adjustments, I will be ecstatic. That would be a total of -20 pounds in a month.
I’ve been reading 4 Hour Body & would love to try some of the stuff it suggests. -Like, eating beans/lentils with meals & protein for breakfast. I’m thinking my body is stuck in a starvation mode w/ such low calories. Last time I did a very low calorie diet (VLCD), I did it for a month, lost 20 pounds & plateaued really bad. Which just so happens to be the weight I am at currently. My body LOVES being at 155, & I HATE it! (My GW is 125, I’m 5′5″.)
I also have been following the blog Healthy is Happy. Happy is Healthy. It’s about a girl who has lost over 100 pounds in a year. I enjoy the blog a ton, & find enormous inspiration there. She posted an awesome guide on how to up your calories slowly, which I’ll need to do after being so low for a month now.
It’s also time to get back to the gym. I have a membership which I pay ~$40 a month for, & haven’t been in AT LEAST 6 months! I have to start doing more cardio. I guess that’s the next thing I need to figure out… managing time, food & working out around a fairly active social life.
…& just for fun, these look awesome Low-calorie Microwave Protein Fudge Muffins !
23:
Like the title says…
I need a camera!
& I’m asking for some help from the internets. My ipod touch isn’t cutting it. It’s shaky & I always am posting blurry pictures. Also, it’s currently still in a bag of rice after it took a swim in my kitchen sink. :(
Requirements:
♥ Cheap (Like, under $200)
♥ Small
♥ Different light settings
♥ Flash
♥ Movie
Would be nice:
♥ Cute
♥ Fish-eye option?
♥ Cute (again)
Can you suggest anything?
19:
Tomorrow is the Seminole Heights Tweetup!
Don’t be discouraged if you don’t live in the Sheights. :)
Everyone is welcomed!
We’ll be meeting up at 8pm for beer & conversation.
I’ll be bringing nametags. (So dorky)
Feel free to e-mail/tweet me if you have any questions!
Ps. Please feel free to being your pups as The Independent is dog friendly!
18:
Monday of last week, Gregg asked me if I wanted to go somewhere that weekend. I suggested the beach, hotel was booked & we left Friday by 6pm.
Friday!
We got in after sunset, checked in, and decided we needed to find a bar within walking distance. We found a dive! of a bar & had some long islands while hearing some wonderfully fabulous karaoke. After we walked along the beach, & headed back to the hotel to get some sleep.
(The pier, so pretty!)
Saturday was beach day!
We woke up early, headed to a beach shop to pick up towels, an umbrella, and scuba masks. Once on the beach, we went right into the water & swam out to use the masks. The water was so cloudy! So we just hung out for a few hours. We walked down the the pier, I got soft serve ice cream. We left our flip flops two miles down where we had set up camp, so we bought some cheapie flip flops to walk back, lol.
(Beach Allie, lolz)
Once we got back, we packed up & went to the grocery store to pick up lunch. We had buffalo chicken lunch meat wrapped in iceberg lettuce. We then hit up a putt putt place that also had laser tag, go carts and arcade games. Gregg won everything besides putt putt. :)
We went & had dinner at an amazing sushi place. The rain had set in more, so we decided to go bowling…which turned into 2 pitchers of beer & cosmic! bowling. :)
Sunday! We went to Kennedy Space Center!
It was an amazing place. During the 2.5 hr tour, I definitely got misty a few times. It was nice to learn a ton & see the Endeavor before it took off the next day. I wish we had more time to spend there, it’s for sure an ALL day thing.
& that was the trip!
We stopped in for dinner & coffee in Orlando on the way back. It was a wonderful weekend, with an even more wonderful man. ♥♥♥ I can’t wait till our next weekend getaway, it’s just what we both needed!
****FYI: We have a habit of staying at really crappy hotels/hostels, because what’s the point of spending a ton per night, when you are only there to sleep a few hours? So we stayed at a very! basic motel six. For two double beds (one serves as luggage/clothing holder, lol) it was $60ish for each night. I’d definitely recommend it if you are looking for just somewhere to lay your head & spend your money doing stuff! :)*****
17:
At the weigh-in yesterday I was down 3 pounds. Kinda a bummer, but expected since Gregg & I spent the weekend at the beach.
I packed some healthy snacks- sliced veggies & tzatziki, fruit for morning breakfasts. But, we cheated at night.
Friday Night- 3 Long Islands (Ugh, well liquor… why?? Saturday AM was icky!)
Saturday Night- We got sushi, we each got a roll w/ brown rice & split a roll w/ cucumber as the outside. :)
Sunday Night- On the way back I was HUNGRY so we went to Uno (I have never been there before, pizza) & had a side salad, 3 hot wings, & half a mini personal deep dish pizza.
12:
Details:
Stila – Jade Eye Shadow (Pretty green color)
Bulgari – Mon Jasmin Noir
Erno Laszlo – Transphuse Night Serum
Archipelago – Pomegranate Soap
Treat – Tiny Prints Card
Extra – Oribe Beautiful Color Shampoo and Conditioner
If you like Birchbox, sign up for the monthly $10 subscription. You can cancel it at any time, & you earn points to put towards the purchase of full size products that you enjoyed from your box.
Thanks to Andrea for letting me know about Birchbox! Go follow her on Twitter!
11:
Hello! This past Saturday was Train Day! Train Day is all about bringing life to the rich history of how trains have transformed America. The free event feature live entertainment, interactive & educational exhibits, kids’ activities, model trains & tours of Amtrak equipment. I was probably the most excited person in Tampa for this event. I love the railways, even though I have never taken a train trip! This will be remedied ASAP.
Here is some photos from the day.
I’m shocked how cheap rail is. From Jacksonville to Charleston ROUND, w/ two nights in a hotel there, was UNDER $300 per person! I think it would be a perfect vacation! OR an awesome 5 day? Tweetup ;)
Here is some photos from the sleeping car they had on display.
Cabin window, bottom bunk folded up.
Bottom Bunk, folded up.
Sink, very tiny -cute!
The dining car downstairs.
Toilet/Shower combo, every man’s dream in life.
Overall the event was awesome. I had a great time, there was lots of swag. :) Please take some time to stop & check out Tampa Union Station. It’s a beautiful building that was opened in 1912 & served railroad passengers through the Great Depression & both World Wars. In 1974—it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. It’s a GORGEOUS building, with so many intricate details. It also makes you feel like you’re stepping back into time. :)
Also!!! attached is an amazing open space building called the “baggage building“. I have been posting that link everywhere, it would be an awesome stop for a coffee house, bar, restaurant, art gallery…etc. Tampa Union Station will anchor one end of a planned rehabilitation of Zack Street into an “avenue of the arts”.
10:
Week two! I was down 5.5 pounds, total so far 10.5!
(That half pound really matters, eh? lol!)
I was actually kinda bummed at the weigh-in, I hoped for more of a loss than last week when I was just detoxing. If I had lost 5 pounds just “cutting back”, I had thought that I’d lose much more by being strict…!I was guessing 6-8 pounds, at least!
If I keep going, I’ll be at my goal weight in six more weeks. :) I expressed to the DR that I was really nervous about plateauing. He said that shouldn’t be an issue & has “tricks” to fix it.
After the DR I went to Walgreen’s & bought one of every “health” bar that was under 200 calories. I’ve decided to eat those for breakfast, I think that will help me lose weight faster. (I haven’t been eating breakfast.) I also have been eating 1/2 chicken breast & 2 cups of romaine per meal. The only other thing I could think of doing besides that is splitting lunch/dinner into 4 meals. (More smaller meals a day?)
I did break diet once, I had 4 beers on Saturday night, but went right back on Sunday.
Also, funny story (which I have told a billion times), Gregg & I were at the movies this past Friday for Thor. Before the movie started I groaned, “I want popcorn :(” & he said, “Go get it, but when we get to your house I’m putting your before picture on your fridge” -I didn’t get popcorn :P (Thanks babe!)
Here is my app w/ the calories for the week two.
06:
I didn’t want to be left out of all the Cinco de Mayo celebrations, so I made some Mexican inspired lettuce wraps. The fresh salsa, “Market Fresh Chipotle Garlic Salsa” was from Wal-mart, & only $3. (& WAY yummy & ALL fresh stuff!) It’s only 5 calories per 2 tablespoons. I’m not sure how to get it under 300 calories, unless you cut out the celery (20 calories per serving) but I really enjoyed the crunch! I also add an ungodly amount of Cayenne pepper, because I like it flaming hot. It also helps w/ my water intake, I drank 64 ounces of water while eating this. Oh, best part! I was STUFFED!
Mexican Lettuce “Taco” Wraps
HCG Diet Approved; 314 calories each serving
Makes TWO servings
| 1 clove of garlic (diced)
Cayenne Pepper (to taste)
Oregano (to taste)
1/2 C. Cilantro
4 Jalapenos (Diced, no seeds)
8 oz. of ground chicken |
|
1 C. Red Onion (diced)
Juice of 1 Lime
4 tbsp. Fresh Salsa
4 Stalks of Celery (diced)
|
|
| 1. Chop all veggies, mix together in a bowl with spices, lime juice & salsa. Let marinate in fridge.
2. Spray skillet with cooking spray. Cook ground chicken till 3/4’s the way done.
3. Add in veggie/seasoning mix.
4. Cook till veggies are tender to your liking.
5. NOM! |
05:
I used to wash my hair everyday. I used to feel SO icky if I didn’t. After reading sillygrrl.com for a few months now, I’ve seen her mention stretching out hair washings.
I wanted to get on board. I hated my old routine of washing/conditioning/blow drying/flat iron/etc. -It was taking up over an hour+ a DAY!
My new routine is this:
Day 1: Shampoo/Condition, blow dry, flat iron. At night, I pull my hair into a high bun. The secret here for me, is not twisting the hair before I wrap it into a bun. I used to twist, twist, twist, then wrap it all around on top of my head. This did not work, it would be unmanageable the next day.
Day 2: After I shower, I brush out & blow dry any bits that got wet while washing my face. After brushing out, I spray dry shampoo pretty much everywhere, focusing on an inch or so from my part. I heat up my flat iron & fix any strays. I then make sure to run over the last 3-4 inches of my hair to make they ends smooth. :) On day 2 I use hairspray to kick up the volume. (I hate flat hair.) At night, I pull my hair into a high bun, just like day 1.
Day 3: My favorite day! Curly! I do the same as day 2, just after I dry shampooing I pin up the top section & start to curl the crap out of it. Let down the top layer, & curl the crap out of that. After countless Youtube videos & asking random people I see with curled hair, I think I have finally somewhat mastered curing my hair. I even spray it with hair spray while on the curling iron, which I’m sure I learned from my mother & is bad for your hair. It doesn’t hold all day, even w/ loads of hairspray & dirty hair. Towards the end of the day, it’s just wavy/beach/crazy. :P I sleep however at night, since the next day…
…I repeat!
Shampoo/Conditioner- Aussie Volume at my place, Mane & Tail at Gregg’s. I also use Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle every week or two focusing on my ends. (This stuff is amazing.)
Dry Shampoo- TRESemmé Fresh Start Dry Shampoo. It’s cheap & effective. I’d like to try their waterless foam dry shampoo.
Hairspray- Aussie’s Sun-Touched Shine. It holds well & add some shininess. (Not greasy looking!!)
I love! this routine.
I have SO MUCH more time in the mornings. I can take longer showers, not be rushed & enjoy a cup of coffee while doing my hair. :) The extra time comes in handy now that I’m packing/preparing meals & shooting myself with a syringe every morning.
What is your hair care routine?
04:
♥ When I woke up today I thought it was Friday, then remembered it’s Wednesday. Gregg & I have planned to go to Tampa Bay Mineral and Science Club tonight to partake in a beading & chainmaille class. I’m really excited that we got our membership cards & are going! It’s only $2-3 a class! (per hour)
♥ Smashing Pumpkins’ released a new song- “Owata”!!! You can listen to it on the right side on my page. Also, the current band finally has secured rights to all the Pumpkins’ unreleased material, so we can expect remastered reissues of Gish, Siamese Dream &Pisces Iscariot by Christmas(!!!), complete with extra tracks. 2012 will bring Mellon Collie & the Infinite Sadness, The Aeroplane Flies High & Adore, while 2013 will see Machina I & Machina II reissued with the songs in the correct running order.
♥ I really love Cat vs Human. It’s a comic about a girl & her cats. =^..^= Also please see her other comic Doctor Cat MD.
♥ Suzie the Foodie made Chocolate Biscuit Cake which was Prince William’s grooms cake. It looks SO good. (This is just not my diet talking) Cookies + TONS OF CHOCOLATE + heavy cream= YUM!! Suzie’s blog is all around amazing, for sure worth subscribing & bookmarking.
♥ A really cute shelf made from a wooden magazine holder from IKEA. I wish I could find a place for this at my home, OR I didn’t have plaster walls that I’m terrified about drilling/nailing in. Crack! ($5 shelf!)
♥ Another cool project from Apartment Therapy DIY Small Space Pallet Garden. I’d also like this at my house, just where to put it?
♥ My boyfriend, Gregg, has a different spin on keeping up with his HCG diet. He made a food log blog.
Y’all know I love .gif’s right?
03:
It’s pretty clear by now that I love The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. :)
I watched, “How Do You Know” last night, at one point in the movie there is a shot where Reese Witherspoon is looking into her bathroom mirror & there is inspirational quotes covering the surface. Wait, I found a screenshot. Just call me Queen Google :)
Anyways, I liked it. I think I’m going to work on something like that soon. Oh, btw, the movie was good, but I really like chick romantic comedies where there is nerdy/quirky guys. Paul Rudd is my new celebrity crush, he’s hot.
Last night I cooked fish for the first time in my life. It was tilapia, I just baked it with salt & pepper. I’m glad I found seafood that I can stomach. Also, bummer. Oh, I must report that while in the final hour of work I started getting really woozy/dizzy. I had missed breakfast/lunch because I wanted to get to the doctor on time. Thankfully Gregg was at his appointment & dropped off some turkey jerky. (Although THREE OUNCES is 234 calories!! WTH!) Once again, I felt immediately better & was okay to drive home.
Today I am prepared, I think the woozy/dizziness is from low blood sugar.
Here is what I have planned for the day:
8:15am- Egg w/ spinach mixed it. It’s one of my old standbys & I enjoy it immensely. 80 calories
11:15am- Orange; I cut it at home, I hate how sticky/messy/juicy they are. It’s my last one, next shopping trip I’m only getting apples. 70 calories
3:00- Salad w/ romaine & field greens. I added a bit of rec onion & 3 chopped up slices of turkey bacon. 243 calories
5:00- I made one of my favorite dishes!! Cucumber salad! (Thin sliced cucumbers/onion + apple cider vinegar) I realized last night that it was totally fine to eat. 43 calories
7:30- I cooked two 4oz. portions of fish yesterday so tonight would be easy. I’ll have a salad or if I’ m craving hot foods, I’ll have some sort of leafy greens. :) 148+ ?? calories
That’s the thing…
I’m already at 584 calories BEFORE I even add my side dish for dinner. I have to have protein in the AM, I do not want to feel like crap. I even brought an instant oatmeal packet to work, JUST in case I start feeling terrible. I don’t care if I go over 500 calories. I don’t even think anywhere on the sheet the DR gave us listed a calorie total. I still think if I stay under 800, I’m fine. According to my height/weight I need to consume 1,337 calories to lose a pound a week. (Oh hell naw, I’m 1337!:)))) So, if I stick to under 800, I should be fine.
Shots
We had planned that Gregg come over very early (he has a busybusy day) & he’d shoot us both. Gregg came over & I chickened out. He was totally relaxed & filled the syringe up & shot his tummy. I knew I’d be emotional & need to “talk” & be hassled. I just refused. Then after he left, I felt that I needed to do it, he was really brave. I filled up the syringe & googled how to inject on You Tube. After watching 2-3 videos I just lifted up my shirt & did it. I was worried about it going in. But the needle is SO THIN, like a hair width. I just realized a needle prick is laughable. So that’s that.
Here is a another Paulo Chelho quote that I made w/ a photo from Flickr.
magic/stars/miracles? Yes plz!
02:
One week is over!
I’m down five pounds! That’s pretty awesome, although I should be down a bit more. I had three drinks last night, and also ate a chicken wrap during a movie. So, I’m sure I should be at least a pound lower, hopefully I’ll have a BIG lost next week.
Today I met up with the doctor & received my HCG & needles. We have to inject ourselves! I’m terrified. I already talked to Gregg & he should be able to shoot me every morning. :)
We also have to log our foods now, but I’ve already been doing that with the Lose It! app. I’m aiming for under 800 calories a day this week.
They also measured me, my chest is 42 inches, WOOO Victoria Secret! :P
