short term goal follow up

It’s been 10 days since I shared my latest short term goal and I’ve got lots of progress to share. Here are the goals I set:

– Hitting the gym 9 out of the next 11 days (I’ve already gone 8 straight since my Maine vacation so I might need a day or two rest)

I was able to go to the gym every single day since I set this goal meaning I haven’t missed a day since Sunday, July 10. I even had one day with double workouts, not bad!

– Keep the drinking to a minimum (no binge drinking until the big day, only red wine and keep it reasonable)

I kept drinking to a minimum for sure. Most days I skipped it altogether, 2 days I maxed out around 10 ounces, and I had a splurge last night for girls night.

– 1 dessert or special sweet treat on Saturday

I skipped dessert when Jared and I went to Sunda last Saturday for dinner. I decided I’d rather have salted caramel Pinkberry since it was about 100 degrees out. I also came home and made a couple smores, but that isn’t even close to a real dessert (i.e. think chocolate souffle with ice cream). You all know about my extra splurge, but hey I’m human.

This week was also a measure week. I try to measure myself every 2 weeks unless I’m on vacation or have a super busy week. I haven’t had a chance to measure since right before our Maine vacation, so I had no idea what to expect. I knew I had been working out hard, but also drinking and eating out more than usual.

Since I haven’t shared much about my measuring let me give you a quick summary.

– I measure my arms, legs, waist, and hips
– My first week of measuring was January 3, 2011
– My total inches for that first week were 131.8125
– My goal was to lose 9 inches or 9 pounds (whatever comes first)
– I turned my goal into 3 tiers (tier 1 – 123lbs or 128.68in, tier 2 – 120lbs or 125.54, and tier 1 – 117lbs or 122.4 in)
– Each tier I get a reward (tier 1 – dinner at GT Fish & Oyster, tier 2 – spa day or new handbag, tier 3 – weekend trip of my choice, VEGAS duh)
– I just hit tier 2 last night – I measured in at 124.75
– I need to maintain tier 2 for one week before I get my reward
– I’m not sure what I want since all I can think about is losing 2.35 more inches so I can go to Vegas!

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extra splurge or setback?

I was home alone last night. I ate my dinner and then had sweets on my mind. I went to the kitchen and reached for the easter egg filled with Reese’s eggs and miniatures. I put a couple in the freezer since I love eating them cold. While they cooled off I went straight to the Reese’s site to look up nutrition information. 44 calories for one miniature. Hell no. If I had one I’d want 10 so forget that. On to the next idea, I thought I had a mini chocolate bunny from Easter but of course that was gone. And there it was, my giant solid milk chocolate bunny from Niagara Chocolate. All 12 ounces of it. Go big or go home right? I decided to break the ears off, but of course the head came with it. I surrendered and ate the entire piece. It probably took over an hour to gnaw it down, but let me tell you I enjoyed every minute of it.

I felt slightly guilty, but then reminded myself if I didn’t do this I would really go crazy soon. I only went over my daily calorie budget by 100 so the day wasn’t a complete wash. I woke up today trying not to think about it. I went to my 7am body strength class and when I ordered my frozen yogurt at lunch I only had blueberries instead of my favorite topping – crushed Oreo’s. Overall, I’d consider this an extra splurge. It would be a setback if I went home tonight and did the same thing.

i heart smores

I started craving smores recently and almost decided to splurge on Ben & Jerry’s smores ice cream (1 serving = 1/2 cup 280 calories, 16g fat, 35g carbs, and 3g protein). Since one serving is only a half cup you know I’d have at least two bringing my total ice cream calorie count to 560 which is almost half of my typical daily calorie count of 1300. Jared then asked me an important question – do I want the ice cream or do I really just want some smores. The answer was definitely the actual smore. I wanted that toasted gooey marshmallow with warm melted chocolate. After shopping for smores ingredients I realized they are a great treat since you can satisfy your sweet tooth without going overboard on calories. Here’s how I make my smores:

Serving Size: 4 smores

Ingredients:

– 4 Kraft Jet-Puffed Stacker Marshmallows
– 2 pieces dark chocolate (recommended: Tiger Bar)
– 2 low fat graham crackers (recommended: Jewel Low Fat Cinnamon Graham Crackers)

Directions:

Preheat the broiler. On a foil-lined baking sheet, place the marshmallows in a single layer; broil until charred. Do not leave the broiler as marshmallows catch fire. Transfer to a plate to cool.

Melt dark chocolate pieces in microwave on high for 30 seconds.

Spread melted chocolate on graham cracker and sandwich the marshmallow between the crackers (1 cracker makes 2 smores).

If you love to cook and have a need to purchase a kitchen torch, making smores is that much easier. You can light the marshmallow on fire to get that extra toasted flavor.

Nutrition Facts:

233 calories
6g fat
43.6g carbs
2.8g protein

breaking the seal

Having one unhealthy bite of food breaks the seal for me like that first bathroom break when drinking heavily. I just can’t stop. Yesterday was my work summer party and we had an open bar and food that consisted of chicken fingers, quesadillas, and macaroni and cheese bites. It all looked so tasty, but I made a short term goal on Tuesday and I couldn’t break it the following Thursday! I could have had one drink and a few bites of food, but that would have been over 300 calories, no thanks. I kept strong and sipped on water. I wasn’t in the mood to drink and it was over 100 degrees yesterday. To prepare for the party I had my afternoon snack a little earlier than usual to hold me over, a bagel thin with a tablespoon of peanut butter. I definitely knew I couldn’t go hungry. I also planned a second workout since the party was close to my gym.

After the gym I met up with Jared and our friend Melissa for dinner at the Protein Bar. I had the spinach and pesto bowl with chicken, very tasty! I’m already planning to go back tomorrow for a second breakfast after my workout. I must try the banana walnut bowl (warm organic quinoa, milk, mixed with organic agave nectar, walnuts, and fresh banana).

Besides having an extremely healthy day yesterday I had two successes!

1. I had to order a new bathing suit bottom. I decided I better try on the suit I plan to wear on the boat next week and ended up getting a nice surprise – it looked terrible because it was way too big! Luckily they had it in stock and I ordered a size smaller.

2. I wore my black skinny jeans and didn’t have a muffin top. I bought these jeans about 2 years ago. They were already a little snug, but I think I got caught up in the fact that they didn’t need to be hemmed. I always got a stomach ache wearing them and I’ll admit there was a tiny muffin top going on. Just so you know I NEVER and I mean NEVER let the muffin top show. I always wore them with a long shirt, but I still wasn’t happy that I knew it was under there.

Tonight I’ll be enjoying cheese, wine, and pizza all in moderation.

self control ain’t easy

I talk a big game about being healthy now, but every day is a struggle. I just can’t help myself and what sweet treats do to me, but I think I’m getting the hang of self control. One of my biggest weaknesses are cupcakes and particularly More cupcakes. I’m so over food trucks in Chicago except the More truck.

I can find that truck at least once a week in front of my condo AND work since they are right next door. So on my way back from the gym the truck is parked outside and then it’s still there when I go to work. It taunts me and I stare at it and I take a couple steps closer and then I back away and sometimes I look to see if they have my favorite flavor and finally I remind myself that a cupcake normally has around 500 calories. Today was another win. I haven’t had a cupcake from the truck in over 2 months. I’m not saying I’ll never get one, I just don’t want to make it a weekly splurge since I have so many other loves besides cupcakes!