Packing Light

So when I go on short trips I try to pack light(ly). Here is what I'm planning on taking on a long-weekend trip.

1. The water bottle.  I've been using a different one lately, but I opted for the smaller SIGG.
2. Reading materials.  I'd take more, but they are heavy.
3. Cheese--it seems like that is the only snack allowed on my current diet.
4. Cell phone.
5. Camera.
6. ipod touch.  This has all my music on it so I can chill on the plane or wherever.
7. Noise cancelling headphones.  These make the plane seem so much less noisy that I can actually sleep.
8. The 1 quart bag with all my liquids.
9. Jewelry bag.
10. A comb, gum, and my starbucks certificate that I have like 2 dollars left on.
11. Umbrella.  Forecast is calling for rain.
12. Wet bag---having my clothes in a zip-lock saved me when I went to NYC with Valerie.
13. Extra clothes for the weekend.
14. Tons of socks.  I'm wearing tall boots, and I have to wear two pairs of socks because they are a little big.  I was silly and sent an extra pair of jeans in Ross's suitcase.  I should have sent all these socks and my underwear.
15. A travel essential: perfumed hanky.
16. My new travel silverware: matching fork, knife, and spoon.
17. Bag.  I always have a bag inside my bag.
18. That's my wallet.
19. Charger for the ipod touch.  I don't want it to die when I'm playing Bedazzled at the airport.
20. Case with my make up and toiletries.  I wish they made my kind of deodorant in a travel size.  I might have to buy a regular one and just take out the inside bar, cut it in half, and put it in a snack bag.  I actually considered buying the Dove travel sized anti-perspirant, but I decided the pain under my arms isn't worth it.
21. Feminine items. Blegh.
22. Bra and underwear.
23. Not pictured: A hat to protect my straightened hair in the rain.

Some have called my purse my suitcase--and I did travel to NYC a couple of times with nothing but the purse.  My new bag is even BIGGER.  All that stuff is in my new purse.  It is heavy.  And that's with an empty water bottle, the camera is charging, and the cheese is in the fridge.  If it gets to be too much I can always pull out the wet bag and wear it as a backpack, or take out the bag inside my bag and put some things in there and throw it on my other shoulder (if it isn't already full of tea from Imperial Tea).  And once I get to the hotel (B&B) I can dump most of the stuff out and it will feel light as a feather after carrying around all that stuff.

Espresso Cheese

You know what I always say "Cheese makes the world go 'round and cake keeps it in line."

Well, I've been following an extremely low carb diet and eating lots of cheese.  I was pretty tired of plain old mozzarella cheese sticks and HEB was sampling some fancy cheeses.  I tried the Espresso cheese and loved it.  Ross didn't like it, so I gobbled it all up myself--before I remembered to take a photo.

This week I've been chowing down on the mini baybel cheeses. Maybe next week I'll be ready to go back to those boring cheese sticks.

Weight Loss Challenge -- 6 week weigh in

Today was the 6 week weigh in for my weight loss challenge. I won! I lost 8 pounds in 6 weeks, so I won 75 bucks. Most days I was able to keep my calories in check, and I've been able to figure out how to work 110g of protein into my diet each day. I've been doing the firm work outs and going to yoga regularly. I have lost inches, but I'm still not at my peak. I'd like to lose about 10 more pounds. My copies of p90x are messed up, so I haven't been doing those. I just need to keep up eating right and doing other work outs. I've agreed to continue the 30-40-30 diet through April with Val. If I keep up with things that long I'm sure I can lose the 10 pounds.

Weight Loss Challenge

We are having a weight loss challenge at work. There are 5 or 6 of us who chipped in 25 bucks apiece for prize money. There will be a weigh ins at 6 weeks and 12 weeks for prize money. The official weigh in (at work) says I've lost 5 pounds in the last 2 weeks. I lost 4 in the first week. I don't feel like I really put much effort into my work outs last week. I just don't think Gillian Michaels stuff is for me. Last January I tried to do the 30 day shred and I hated it. I hate plyometrics. I hate jumping around. So I'm going to go back to my old standby---The Firm--and I'm going to try some P90x (I'm scared.)

As far as the diet goes I'm trying to stay under 1500 calories a day, and I'm trying to eat a 30-40-30 balance. 30% fat, 40% carbs, and 30% protein. It's hard to eat 30% protein. Most days I'm low on protein and high on carbs. I'm going to try and turn that around. It's hard. Lots of calculations. Lots of planning. And no cake.

I'm Done

Yesterday we went to the grocery store and I bought some saltines and a bag of bbq kettle chips.

For dinner I had a turkey sandwich with cheese and a ton of chips. I felt better almost immediately. Then I felt really full cause I ate so many chips. I'm wondering if I was suffering from the no C diet. Life without cheese. It isn't much of a life is it?

Mapu Dofu

I really like mapu dofu. It is so easy to make that I'm surprised I don't make it more often. I made it this weekend with sweet potato leaves to go with it.

Mapu Dofu

1 package ground turkey

minced garlic

1 bunch sliced green onions

1 package firm tofu (not silken), cut into cubes

stir fry sauce (I use House of Tsang)

Brown the turkey and drain off any fat. Add the garlic and green onions and cook for a few minutes. Add the tofu and sauce and stir gently. Cook over low to medium heat just until tofu is hot. Be careful not to stir too much--the tofu will break up.

The sauce has corn starch in it. Corn starch is the hardest corn to avoid. It is in so many things. I don't know how long I'll last on the no C diet. I cheated and had some cheese yesterday. I was dreaming about custard cream this weekend. I cheated again today and had graham crackers. I'll try and hold out through Friday, but I have a feeling that the nightmares are going to start before then.

Day 5

Today is day five of the No C, corn-free diet. I've had some parmesan cheese, and some caesar dressing, but I don't think I've had any corn. I've also worked out 5 of the last 6 days. The reward: I've lost one pound. Woohoo! Oh yeah, diet plus exercise equals results.

Two Smokin' Hot Bods

Val and I keep saying that if we could combine her dedication to exercise with my (mostly good) eating habits we could have two smokin' hot bods. Well, I have been awfully lazy the last two months. With three months until our beach vacation Val and I are a little more motivated. I am going on a very strict no C diet for the next two weeks. I'm going to try not to eat any corn at all. I have also set up a very ambitious work out plan for myself. My goal is to lose at least ten pounds in the next three months. I'm hoping to jump start by doing really well in March.

I found myself doing leg lifts and leg swings last week when I was waiting for a patient's radiology test to be completed (it takes over an hour). So, today I did that old Cindy Crawford work out that I've been doing for the last ten years. It felt good to do those leg swings and leg lifts. It just felt good to be moving again. Tonight is a last hurrah. I'm having seven layer lemon cake and I'm not going to feel bad about it.

Day of Reckoning

I stepped on the scale this morning and the balance arm hit the top. Hard. I slid the weight to the right and I'm about 150. That's it. I quit the shred. I'm done with it. I've gained weight since I started doing the shred. It doesn't work for me. I need to do what I know works. Yoga works and the Firm dvds work. I haven't been feeling well at all lately. I decided that I really need to put yoga as a priority in my life again. I went to yoga today for the first time in about a month. I feel great. Because I'm so overweight I'm going to go to Yoga tomorrow through Friday. Then I'm going to hit the Firm hard. When it comes to diet I'm going low cal liquid for a couple of days and then I'm going to really try to avoid salt and butter for a bit.

Pop and Crunch

Well, I'm on day three of my 10 day bootcamp. I did all my workouts on day 1 and 2. Today I still have to do the shred. My calves are super stiff and sore. The scale moved a bit yesterday, but nothing today. I'm really amazed that I've stuck with it this far. No excuses. My knees are crunching and popping, but I'm still working out. I'm avoiding back lunges on my right side and just doing one legged squats instead. Watching the Biggest Loser finale last night was a bit inspiring. I always get riled up when the girls weigh less than I do. I've been doing pretty well on the No C diet too. Time to rehydrate and then work out.

The Plan

So, trying on pants this weekend was eye opening (and pout inducing). The bottom line is that I've been eating non-stop and I can't remember the last time I worked out (other than yoga). All that bad behavior has caught up with me. The scale is up and while trying on pants I realized how lumpy bumpy I've become. I've got to get back with the program. The plan is to do Jillian Michael's shred dvd and a Firm (cardio or sculpt) dvd every day for the next 10 days. I will also do booty exercises every other day for the next two weeks. Ross's company Christmas party is in 10 days, so that has given me extra motivation.

Valerie and I are planning to start Jillian Michaels 30 Day shred for 30 days straight starting on January 1st. Anyone else want to join in?

I almost forgot to mention. I'm also on the no C diet for the next week. If I don't start having nightmares then maybe I'll go No C for 10 days. That's about when I start dreaming about Cake and Cheese.

Sitting on the Side of the Road

I have totally fallen off the wagon. I haven't exercised regularly in over a month. My eating habits are atrocious. I have been so bloated it hurts. My salt intake has skyrocketed and my water intake has bottomed out. I can't seem to get enough salt. I'm so salty that I dreamt I was a pickle. I can't get over that. I keep saying it. I'm a salty pickle. It makes me chuckle, but it really isn't funny. I need to get back with the program.

I'm being lazy, and I'm eating tons of crappy foods, but I haven't started drinking. Every time I go to H Mart I buy mint to make mojitos. Then it always ends up going bad. There is a package of mint in the fridge right now. Some of it might still be good. Maybe I'll have a drink tonight before I start detoxing tomorrow. I have to bite the bullet, weigh in, work out, eat right, and drink at least 120 ounces of water a day in an attempt to unpickle myself. Ha!

Back on Track

Even though I keep hearing that abs are made in the kitchen, and excess food consumption is more to blame for obesity than lack of exercise, I know I still need to work out.  I didn't exercise at all last week. I decided to get back on track this week.  Yesterday I did a 90 minute yoga podcast.  Other than 2 scoops of ice cream instead of one last night, I think I've been eating pretty well this week. 

Today I went for a hike.  I saw a few deer, and one of them didn't mind having a little photo shoot.  I ended up hiking for 2 hours!  I went off trail for a little while and ended up getting pick pocketed by a thorny bush.  Thank goodness I noticed my camera was missing just a few steps later (when I tried to take a photo of a grey squirrel) and I was able to go back and get it.

Up for tomorrow:  The Firm videos.

Time to Recommit

I was really bummed last week that I didn't make my weight goal for the month.   I was so close earlier in the month that I thought for sure I'd make it.  Things just didn't work out that way.

I have three weeks until Memorial Day.  I can still make the weight goal that I originally set.  I just need to recommit to working out and eating right.  I'm seriously thinking about buying an unlimited monthly pass for yoga--just to help me make my goal.  My main concern is that the yoga studio is 26 miles away (and I'd have to pay for parking!!!!).  It's so much easier and cheaper just to do podcasts at home.  Maybe I'll put the space heater in the bathroom so it can be hot yoga instead of warm yoga!

Time to get started on my 80 ounces of water for the day and sort laundry.

It Un-Happened

I now have really fast cable internet. And no cable. Grr. I was already getting spoiled by the clear pictures. I guess we'll have order cable and start paying for it. I'm not happy. Seems we can never get a break.

On the bright side, my no C diet is going well. I've lost a pound and a half so far. I will continue it over the weekend. My biggest accomplishment this week was actually working out. I did 90 minutes of yoga yesterday. I hadn't done yoga in exactly 3 weeks. I did a strength training work out today. I guess I'm getting back into working out at home. I just had to push myself to get started. I think I'm going to work out again right now.

Slacker!

Okay, so I've been a total slacker lately. Lazy about everything. I haven't been soaking or taping my piercing like I should. Last night I saw a small white dot on the side of a growing follicular cyst at the bottom of my piercing. I tried to drain it. I poked, prodded and squeezed. It bled a little. I cleaned it up and decided to tape down the piercing for the night. As I went to tape the top I suddenly saw the huge puddle of goo that had formed around the top gem. It actually grossed me out! I cleaned it, taped it, and went to bed. This morning I'm going to soak it and thoroughly clean it.

I've also been slacking on the diet and exercise front. One work out in the first week of the month, and then the only thing I did last week worth mentioning was hustling through the airport. I'm planning on working out at home at some point today. I did weights and measures this am and I'm thrilled and amazed that I haven't gained any weight in the last two weeks. Still, I need to get back with the program. I thought about going on a whole foods diet. Nothing but whole grains, fruits, veggies, and lean meats. Nothing processed, no added sugars. The problem is I know how expensive that would be. Still, I'm going to try and avoid sugars and C's for the next couple of weeks. I had a good start this am: fruit salad (bananas, blackberries, nectarines, grapes, apples, kiwi, and pears) with whey, vanilla, cinnamon and milk.

Now it is time to get to work. More posts about the weekend later.

Bingeeee

I have been eating like a mad woman since Christmas eve. The holidays (which were not a legitimate excuse) are over and I need to get back with the program. I have had a lot of late nights, and that has led to a lot of sleeping in and some skipped work outs. I desperately need to get into a routine. Well, a good routine. Currently the routine is to get up late, go to the gym, work out, come home, eat too much, do nothing productive, then stay up late (reading, visiting friends, or playing mariokart). I haven't been drinking my teas or taking my vitamins. I have just been all out lazy for the last two weeks. I am considering going to the No C diet for a week or two to help me get back on track. We'll see.

Cycle Two

Yesterday my dad and I went for another ride. We started out on the levee and then moved into a new neighborhood (lots of empty lots and unsold houses). I was only able to manage three trips around the neighborhood. The levee was kind of cool. We could see the Rio Grande to one side and horses to the other. When we got into the neighborhood there was a truck with two dogs. So silly. People drive their dogs out to a semi-remote area and let them run round and poop everywhere while they just sit in their truck. There was dog poop everywhere in the park. We rode nine and a half miles, but it seemed like twenty. There weren't really hills, but some uphill areas, and we seemed to be going into the wind on those streets. It kind of reminded me of the ride Ross and I did in San Francisco. I was really worn out at the end of the ride. I also managed to do some weight exercises yesterday before the ride.
I was much better yesterday. I drank over 100 oz. of water and didn't binge eat. I don't think I even had one chip! We went shopping some more and mom bought me some work out tops. I think I'm all set for working out and for teaching now.

Working Out

This week I worked out 420 minutes. Same as last week. Ross went to the gym with me a couple times. We are both trying to get in shape. I didn't meet my Halloween weight goal. I think that's because I didn't stick with the program. Pretty early on I abandoned my checklist. I just made a new checklist for this month. Tomorrow I will do weights and measurements to see where I am starting. I'm hoping I'll be able to make my weight goal by November 15th. I have to work out AND eat right. It seems like each week I do one or the other. If I can manage to do both I think I'll be successful.

Turning point?

I wasn't so good about working out last week. Monday and Tuesday of this week I only went for walks--no yoga or weights. I'm still no closer to my weight goal for this month. Today I decided to step it up. I did 90 minutes of yoga, a 35 minute firm dvd, and I'm planning on going for a walk after dinner. Tomorrow is supposed to be 30 minutes of weights class and 2 hour long yoga classes. Friday I'm going to do a 60 minute weights class and 60 minutes of yoga plus walking. The plan for Saturday is an hour long walk. I'm wondering if I can get that done in the morning. After the weekend I think I'll go back to the no C diet. One of the girls on the biggest loser lost 8 pounds this week! So I can meet my weight goal by Halloween! Next week I might throw in some swimming and sauna. Well, I'm sweaty, time to get cleaned up.