I decided to weigh myself this morning. In just 3 days of "healthy eating" I've lost 2 pounds. Might not seem like much but I can already tell a difference. I'm not stepping back on the scale until the morning of the 10th day which is Wednesday. We will see then if the numbers go down.
After work last night, I ate my usual tomato egg combo. Then, I went for a late walk. Felt good to stretch my legs. For a snack, I mixed the last cup of my daily skim milk with a few cubes of frozen peach smoothie. So refreshing and light!
This is the first day I've experienced true hunger pangs. I know why. I was late eating lunch. I didn't sit down at my desk until 2:30 this afternoon. The last snack I had was around 11. It was an apple. My lunch time is never the same. Quiet possibly, its going to become even more erratic now that I'm leaving the quiet comfort of my office in Decatur for the bright lights of Huntsville.
Tomorrow, my promotion kicks in and I start back to work in Huntsville. I'm very excited and hope the transition is a smooth one! I will miss the people in Morgan, Limestone, and Lawrence County. I will miss the people I'm closest too but sometimes change is best! I will continue to blog about work and try to throw in some interesting snapshots. Hopefully, I'll have a personal life to blog about too :)
More later...
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Day 3...
What a difference a few days can make. Already I can feel a change in how my clothes fit. Hopefully, when I weigh in next Tuesday morning, I will see an even bigger difference in my weight. Even if its only a few pounds, I'm ok with that.
This diet is sooo much better and healthier than Atkins or South Beach, both of which I have been on in the past. Those diets are so restrictive no wonder people "fall off the wagon." For example, no fruit, no milk, no rice, no yogurt, no oatmel. Just meat, cheese, eggs and salad. That can't be healthy. On this diet, you get carbs loaded with fiber which is good for energy and helps fill you up. You can eat an unlimited amount of fruits and veggies. Plus, you get a snack between each meal. Basically, you are eating all day. Nothing wrong with that! :)
Last night, I mixed peaches and pineapple with skim milk and ice for a top notch smoothie. I love homemade peach ice cream. This was even better and no guilt!! I also had tomatoes, egg whites the rest of my mandatory brown rice. I was so full!! Maybe a little too full. You still have to watch portion size. I admit, I didn't get my exercise in. Shame on me!
*Rice tip: A lot of people don't like whole grain brown rice. I love it! I like it even better cold. It has more taste than hot rice. The only seasoning I put on mine is fresh ground black pepper. Try it. Really, really good. If you still think its tasteless, mix in a Tablespoon of light ranch dressing. REMEMBER YOU CAN ONLY HAVE 3 TABLESPOONS A DAY. USE IT WISELY!
If you don't like ranch...try this delicious light dressing. Remember, the same rules apply.
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil (extra light)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
Combine mustard, oil, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Whisk. Add pepper and salt and whisk again. Chill.
*Smoothie tip: I only drink a cup of smoothie. I make enough for 2. The other cup I pour into an ice cube tray, cover with plastic wrap and put in the freezer. When I'm ready for another smoothie, I pop the cubes out and put them in the blender with milk. Good way to make ahead and save money. Plus you get your skim or low-fat milk allowance for the day.
This morning, I ate a bowl of oatmeal with fresh peaches cut up in it. Yum! I brought an apple for my snack. I also packed my lunch. I mixed lettuce, tomatoes, 3 Tablespoons dressing, and a cup of brown rice together for a healthy crisp salad. For a snack, I had a blueberry yogurt. Yum!
Ok. I know it sounds like I eat the same thing everyday. Basically, I do. But I like it. I have to get in a certain amount of rice, oatmeal, and milk, Planning out my menu helps me make it to my goal. The 9 day detox is slightly limiting so you have to make the best. So far, so good.
Hope to hear others of you who are thinking about trying this "healthy eating plan." If you've had success on other diets, be sure to let me know!
*Food desire of the day: roasted peanuts
You may have noticed a food temptation or desire at the bottom of each day. Hey, I'm only human. No matter how much indulgence I did before Monday, some favorite foods I still miss :) That doesn't mean I'm willing to cheat!
More later...
This diet is sooo much better and healthier than Atkins or South Beach, both of which I have been on in the past. Those diets are so restrictive no wonder people "fall off the wagon." For example, no fruit, no milk, no rice, no yogurt, no oatmel. Just meat, cheese, eggs and salad. That can't be healthy. On this diet, you get carbs loaded with fiber which is good for energy and helps fill you up. You can eat an unlimited amount of fruits and veggies. Plus, you get a snack between each meal. Basically, you are eating all day. Nothing wrong with that! :)
Last night, I mixed peaches and pineapple with skim milk and ice for a top notch smoothie. I love homemade peach ice cream. This was even better and no guilt!! I also had tomatoes, egg whites the rest of my mandatory brown rice. I was so full!! Maybe a little too full. You still have to watch portion size. I admit, I didn't get my exercise in. Shame on me!
*Rice tip: A lot of people don't like whole grain brown rice. I love it! I like it even better cold. It has more taste than hot rice. The only seasoning I put on mine is fresh ground black pepper. Try it. Really, really good. If you still think its tasteless, mix in a Tablespoon of light ranch dressing. REMEMBER YOU CAN ONLY HAVE 3 TABLESPOONS A DAY. USE IT WISELY!
If you don't like ranch...try this delicious light dressing. Remember, the same rules apply.
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup olive oil (extra light)
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt
Combine mustard, oil, and lemon juice in a small bowl. Whisk. Add pepper and salt and whisk again. Chill.
*Smoothie tip: I only drink a cup of smoothie. I make enough for 2. The other cup I pour into an ice cube tray, cover with plastic wrap and put in the freezer. When I'm ready for another smoothie, I pop the cubes out and put them in the blender with milk. Good way to make ahead and save money. Plus you get your skim or low-fat milk allowance for the day.
This morning, I ate a bowl of oatmeal with fresh peaches cut up in it. Yum! I brought an apple for my snack. I also packed my lunch. I mixed lettuce, tomatoes, 3 Tablespoons dressing, and a cup of brown rice together for a healthy crisp salad. For a snack, I had a blueberry yogurt. Yum!
Ok. I know it sounds like I eat the same thing everyday. Basically, I do. But I like it. I have to get in a certain amount of rice, oatmeal, and milk, Planning out my menu helps me make it to my goal. The 9 day detox is slightly limiting so you have to make the best. So far, so good.
Hope to hear others of you who are thinking about trying this "healthy eating plan." If you've had success on other diets, be sure to let me know!
*Food desire of the day: roasted peanuts
You may have noticed a food temptation or desire at the bottom of each day. Hey, I'm only human. No matter how much indulgence I did before Monday, some favorite foods I still miss :) That doesn't mean I'm willing to cheat!
More later...
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Day 2...
So far, I like the "Fat Smash Diet." Last night for supper, I had fresh cut up tomatoes seasoned with salt and pepper, whole mushrooms and 2 boiled egg whites. That might sound gross but it was soooooo yummy. Then I fixed myself a cold glass of fruit smoothie. I put in a handful of strawberries, peaches, half a banana, a cup of blueberry yogurt, little milk and some ice. So refreshing! Give it a try. I promise you will like it.
For breakfast this morning, I had a cup of oatmeal with bananas and strawberries cut up. I had a cup of yogurt for a snack. I have an apple in my bag. I'll eat it on the way to Athens.
Lunch can be tricky. That is my favorite meal of the day. I brought my lunch yesterday but didn't pack it today. I may have a small salad later or go home and fix a smoothie.
*UPDATE* I did go home for about 30 minutes. I cut up some lettuce and a ripe red tomato, added fresh ground pepper and poured 3 Tablespoons of light homemade ranch dressing over the top. I also added part of the brown rice I'm supposed to consume each day. Very yummy and satisfying. According to the book, you are limited to 3 T. of light dressing. I mixed a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Buttermilk Dressing with light mayo and non-fat buttermilk (keep this on hand). I measured it out so I wouldn't go overboard. So light and refreshing.
Supper may go something like this. A cut up tomato, left over cold rice, fresh mushrooms, boiled egg whites (you have to eat 4 a day) a fruit smoothie for desert. Filling and easy to make :)
In all, this is not a bad diet. I like the food. You will certainly lose a lot of fluid the first day, which is a good thing. For those who love meat, the first 9 days can be challenging.
Today's food craving: BBQ
For breakfast this morning, I had a cup of oatmeal with bananas and strawberries cut up. I had a cup of yogurt for a snack. I have an apple in my bag. I'll eat it on the way to Athens.
Lunch can be tricky. That is my favorite meal of the day. I brought my lunch yesterday but didn't pack it today. I may have a small salad later or go home and fix a smoothie.
*UPDATE* I did go home for about 30 minutes. I cut up some lettuce and a ripe red tomato, added fresh ground pepper and poured 3 Tablespoons of light homemade ranch dressing over the top. I also added part of the brown rice I'm supposed to consume each day. Very yummy and satisfying. According to the book, you are limited to 3 T. of light dressing. I mixed a packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Buttermilk Dressing with light mayo and non-fat buttermilk (keep this on hand). I measured it out so I wouldn't go overboard. So light and refreshing.
Supper may go something like this. A cut up tomato, left over cold rice, fresh mushrooms, boiled egg whites (you have to eat 4 a day) a fruit smoothie for desert. Filling and easy to make :)
In all, this is not a bad diet. I like the food. You will certainly lose a lot of fluid the first day, which is a good thing. For those who love meat, the first 9 days can be challenging.
Today's food craving: BBQ
Monday, May 28, 2007
Day 1...
Ok. My day got off to a wierd start. I got up, went downstairs and fixed myself a bowl of oatmeal with fruit (advice: don't buy the instant kind. it's gross. Stick with the 1 minute oatmeal). I sat down on the couch to watch my usual episode of the "Golden Girls." I noticed something biting me. I stood up to see my couch full of ants. The trail led from where I was sitting to the front door. Everything in its path was covered in fire ants!! My feet and other important parts got bit! I went to grab my can of spray only to realize the sprayer didn't work. I slipped on a pair of jeans and headed to Wal-Greens. I bought a can of Raid, came home and went on a killing spree. I washed all my clothes and vacumed up their little bodies. I WAS FURIOUS!!!! I sprayed down the fire ant mound in front of my door. I hope that never happens again.
*Side note: I've been bitten by fire ants before but it is quiet possible that I am allergic to them. My right foot is swollen and red. I can't keep my foot in my shoe because it is growing by the minute. I'll take a benadryl when i get home. If I take it now, I will fall asleep before news time :)
I dusted off my scales and weighed this morning. Just what I thought. The scales registered at 1** pounds. Ok you didn't really think I would tell you?!?!?! My goal is to lose 27 pounds. That will put me back where I was a few years ago. A happy weight I can live with. One, I hope will have smashing results on the men :)
Day 1...Breakfast was kind of shot on the ant dilemma. I got enough in my stomach that I will be ok. I had an apple on the way in. I ate "fried" rice (yum) for lunch. Blueberry yogurt was my 2nd snack. I'm planning on a delicious fruit smoothie for supper. I have to get a second yogurt in for the day and I have not had my 2 cups of low-fat milk or enough fruit. That will work perfectly. My exercise for the day will be a lot of house cleaning tonight.
Hey, I know it's not a slab of juicy ribs, potato salad and homemade ice cream with M & M's on top but the food is good. Besides I ate all my favorite dishes last week so I wouldn't have any cravings through this 9 day detox. So far, so good!
Have a happy day!
*Side note: I've been bitten by fire ants before but it is quiet possible that I am allergic to them. My right foot is swollen and red. I can't keep my foot in my shoe because it is growing by the minute. I'll take a benadryl when i get home. If I take it now, I will fall asleep before news time :)
I dusted off my scales and weighed this morning. Just what I thought. The scales registered at 1** pounds. Ok you didn't really think I would tell you?!?!?! My goal is to lose 27 pounds. That will put me back where I was a few years ago. A happy weight I can live with. One, I hope will have smashing results on the men :)
Day 1...Breakfast was kind of shot on the ant dilemma. I got enough in my stomach that I will be ok. I had an apple on the way in. I ate "fried" rice (yum) for lunch. Blueberry yogurt was my 2nd snack. I'm planning on a delicious fruit smoothie for supper. I have to get a second yogurt in for the day and I have not had my 2 cups of low-fat milk or enough fruit. That will work perfectly. My exercise for the day will be a lot of house cleaning tonight.
Hey, I know it's not a slab of juicy ribs, potato salad and homemade ice cream with M & M's on top but the food is good. Besides I ate all my favorite dishes last week so I wouldn't have any cravings through this 9 day detox. So far, so good!
Have a happy day!
Friday, May 25, 2007
More to love than what it needs to be...
Ok. My reason for purchasing the "Fat Smash Diet" book is because I'm overweight. I said it. I'm admitting it. Now I'm doing something about it. I realized just how much I've gained when I sat down in the car to do a standup for my story. Not pretty. Thank goodness the time was cut short and I wasn't able to use it.
My testimonial....I don't eat right. I skip breakfast. Eat a big lunch. Then have a not-so-healthy snack (sometimes several) for supper. Ok. You are thinking "she's saving a lot of calories so why is she not thinner." It's a bad idea to skip as many meals as I do. According to the book, you need to eat 4-5 meals a day. That's breakfast, followed by a snack. Lunch followed by a snack. Dinner. On this diet, you have to eat! You also have to exercise. Arrggggg.
I've always had success with low-carb until recently. Not sure why that changed. Maybe my metabolism is a little out of wack. Maybe it's because I'm 33 years old. Maybe it's genetics. Maybe my stroke plays a role. Who knows.
Monday, I will begin phase 1, the detox stage. May the force be with me!
I thought I would share some of the food/drinks that are allowed in the first stage:
* All fruits in any quantity
* All vegetables in any quantity, except:
NO white potatoes
NO avocados
* Good sources of protein:
chickpeas (yum)
beans
tofu (yuck)
lentils
* Brown rice -- 2 cups of cooked rice per day (yeah!)
* 2 cups of low-fat or skim or soy milk per day
* As much water as you like! (boring)
* Oatmeal - 1 cup per day
* All herbs and spices
* 6 oz. low-fat yogurt (2 times a day)
* 4 egg whites per day
* 2 cups of herbal tea per day
Foods are ONLY to be eaten raw, grilled or steamed. Limit the olive oil and low-fat dressing.
Ok. Sounds blan but I like this kind of food. I really like fruit but I have to monitor my sugar. Here are a few suggestions for naturally low-sugar fruits.
Blueberries 3/4 cup = 11 grams
cantelope 1 cup = 12 grams
pear halves 1/2 cup = 12 grams (canned in water)
cranberries 1/2 cup = 2 grams
grapefruit 1/2 large = 12 grams
kiwi 1 med. = 8 grams
peach 1 med. = 9 grams
pear 1 med. = 11 grams
plumb 2 small = 11 grams
strawberries 1 cup = 7 grams
watermelon 1 cup = 10 grams
Again, I will be blogging my progress and some yummy Fat Smash recipes. Feel free to join in. If you are already watching what you are eating, congratulations! A healthy lifestyle is good for all of us!
My testimonial....I don't eat right. I skip breakfast. Eat a big lunch. Then have a not-so-healthy snack (sometimes several) for supper. Ok. You are thinking "she's saving a lot of calories so why is she not thinner." It's a bad idea to skip as many meals as I do. According to the book, you need to eat 4-5 meals a day. That's breakfast, followed by a snack. Lunch followed by a snack. Dinner. On this diet, you have to eat! You also have to exercise. Arrggggg.
I've always had success with low-carb until recently. Not sure why that changed. Maybe my metabolism is a little out of wack. Maybe it's because I'm 33 years old. Maybe it's genetics. Maybe my stroke plays a role. Who knows.
Monday, I will begin phase 1, the detox stage. May the force be with me!
I thought I would share some of the food/drinks that are allowed in the first stage:
* All fruits in any quantity
* All vegetables in any quantity, except:
NO white potatoes
NO avocados
* Good sources of protein:
chickpeas (yum)
beans
tofu (yuck)
lentils
* Brown rice -- 2 cups of cooked rice per day (yeah!)
* 2 cups of low-fat or skim or soy milk per day
* As much water as you like! (boring)
* Oatmeal - 1 cup per day
* All herbs and spices
* 6 oz. low-fat yogurt (2 times a day)
* 4 egg whites per day
* 2 cups of herbal tea per day
Foods are ONLY to be eaten raw, grilled or steamed. Limit the olive oil and low-fat dressing.
Ok. Sounds blan but I like this kind of food. I really like fruit but I have to monitor my sugar. Here are a few suggestions for naturally low-sugar fruits.
Blueberries 3/4 cup = 11 grams
cantelope 1 cup = 12 grams
pear halves 1/2 cup = 12 grams (canned in water)
cranberries 1/2 cup = 2 grams
grapefruit 1/2 large = 12 grams
kiwi 1 med. = 8 grams
peach 1 med. = 9 grams
pear 1 med. = 11 grams
plumb 2 small = 11 grams
strawberries 1 cup = 7 grams
watermelon 1 cup = 10 grams
Again, I will be blogging my progress and some yummy Fat Smash recipes. Feel free to join in. If you are already watching what you are eating, congratulations! A healthy lifestyle is good for all of us!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
The Fat Smash Diet...
How many of you watch VH1's Celebrity Fit Club? I admit, I tune in on a regular basis. The nutritionist on that show, Dr. Ian Smith, has published a book, that by all of the reviews, has very positive results. I am starting the "Fat Smash Diet" Monday. I will be blogging my progress through the 9 day detox. That seems to be the worse part of the entire 4 phase plan. If you stick to it though, you can lose some significant pounds...the healthy way!
Stay tuned for a slimmer trimmer version of me!
Stay tuned for a slimmer trimmer version of me!
Memorial Day...
Well, this weekend officially kicks off the start of summer fun. Many of you have plans to grill out with friends and family or take a ride in the boat on some blue waterway. I have plans of doing neither. I get only one summer holiday a year off. Usually, I take Labor Day. The upside to working when everyone else is off is the extra pay or I can use that day and take off sometime later. Most likely, I'll just take the money and run!
I appreciate the feedback on my high gas price post. I decided to keep the "rant" down because its not just something affecting me but the entire country. John and Lydia you made some good points in your posts. Thanks for the intelligent comments.
Many of you have asked what happened to my Mary Winkler opinion post. I pulled it after several hate filled comments. This is not a blog set up for people to blast others. I appreciate feedback but keep it clean! I do plan to repost after sentencing.
Hope all of you have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend!
I appreciate the feedback on my high gas price post. I decided to keep the "rant" down because its not just something affecting me but the entire country. John and Lydia you made some good points in your posts. Thanks for the intelligent comments.
Many of you have asked what happened to my Mary Winkler opinion post. I pulled it after several hate filled comments. This is not a blog set up for people to blast others. I appreciate feedback but keep it clean! I do plan to repost after sentencing.
Hope all of you have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend!
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
One big rip off!
You knew it was coming! Gas prices are 3.19 a gallon here for regular unleaded fuel. Ridiculous!!!
Winkler Sentencing...
Mary Winkler's sentencing date has been moved to June 8th. I'll have more postings about this closer to the date.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Photos from Selmer...
Thought you might like to see our crew hard at work (and at times, hardly working) in Selmer, Tennessee. Thank you to Mark Walleman for taking these snapshots.
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Opinion posted...
you will have to scroll down a bit to find it. the date is messed up on it. I will have more postings about the Winkler case as they unfold. Remember, this is only my opinion. Feel free to share yours too.
E
E
Friday, May 04, 2007
A new opportunity...
I am leaving the Decatur office for a better opportunity. June 1, I will be back in the Huntsville newsroom. I am excited about it! I've been a bureau chief for 5 years and I felt it was time to move on. While I'm not changing television stations, I am changing scenery. I will be doing investigative reporting plus I'll have more opportunities to anchor, which is my passion.
I will keep you posted!
More later...
I will keep you posted!
More later...
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