Post cherry cobbler weighin, Weight Watcher love, the Big Climb

Post cherry cobbler weighin
I seriously think I have mental issues. How else would you explain my bipolar weight loss attempts?

One day I'm 100% on track, nothing can derail me. I am PERFECT.

Then the next day, I'm once again 100% on track. I'm so proud of myself, I'm superwoman. Nothing will make me go off my diet.

Then that same day the clock strikes 11pm, and I, the person who claims to desperately want to lose weight, decides to whip up a cherry cobbler. Not only did I make a cherry cobbler, I ate the WHOLE THING. I wish I could say it tasted horrible, and it made me sick. I can't. It tasted wonderful, and I didn't get one bit sick. A massive influx of sugar, and I slept like a baby.

I woke up this morning with my first thought, "I have to weigh in today. What in the hell was I thinking last night?!" Mental illness is the only conclusion I can some to. There simply is no other explanation.

I almost blew off Weight watchers today, but I was so excited to find out more about the new program that I couldn't skip it. My girlfriend was going too so I couldn't be a no-show.

The weighin wasn't what I expected. When I stepped on the scales I told the receptionist that I knew I had a gain, and I was okay with it. I waited to hear the bad news, dreading another gain. Instead, I had a loss!

Down 2.2 pounds!

Current weight: 178.6 pounds

You know what I was thinking. If I just hadn't eaten that cobbler, imagine what a really great weight loss I could have had today. I shut that thought right out of my head. My goal is lose two pounds a week through the end of the year. So far, so good.

Weight Watcher Love
I totally and completely love what they've done with the program. I love how they're not even looking at calories anymore. Food is really so much more than calories.

For example, those stupid 100-calories snack packs of cookies are no longer two Points, they're three Points.  They're just junk food in small packages. I'll never forget my first 100-calorie pack of cookies. I bought a big box of them. I think there were ten packages. I can't even remember what kind of cookies were in there, but I do remember I ate all ten packages in one sitting (see, I told you, mental illness). I never bought them again.

Now Weight Watchers is looking at the Fat, Protein, Fiber and Carbohydrates in food to calculate Points. This makes total sense to me. 100 calories of Carbs is not the same as 100 calories of Protein. I don't care what you say, but they are NOT created equal. I've known this for a long time, but to have Weight Watchers come out and say it makes me super happy.

Now I get 29 Daily Points on the new plan. The best part, I'll never get less than 29 because 29 Points is the minimum. I was getting 22 (or 21 under 180 pounds). That's not a lot of food. Of course some of the food has more Points now, like those Sandwich Thins that I didn't like anyway but for 1 Point you couldn't beat it. Now they're 3 Points, the same as a slice of my favorite bread.
My most favorite thing, fruits and most vegetables are ZERO Points. Yes, that's right, ZERO! Even bananas are ZERO Points! Now that doesn't mean you can go crazy and eat a case of Clementines or ten Honeycrisp apples or a bunch of bananas, but you can have reasonable portions without dipping into your precious Daily Points quota.

I'm really excited that most vegetables are zero Points. I eat a ton of vegetables, and it really made me mad that a cup and half of Brussels Sprouts were a Point on the old plan. I never liked that it was the same Point value as one of their junk food Weight Watcher 1-Point bars (which are now 2 Points). Now the Brussels Sprouts are zero Points. Even ten cups are zero Points. Butternut squash, zero Points. Again, ten cups of Butternut squash, zero Points.

I know I'd gain weight if I ate ten cups of Brussels Sprouts or ten cups of Butternut squash. What is so exciting about this is I can eat the foods I love, again, reasonable portions. I don't have to weigh and measure my fruits and veggies anymore because they have a big, fat zero Point value. I totally love it.

The Big Climb 
I was on the StairMaster today listening to Lady Gaga singing Poker Face for the millionth time. I was thinking this has to be the most boring exercise in the world. Climbing up stairs to no where so I can see nothing and sweating to death in the process (or having a heart attack).

Then I started thinking about the Big Climb and how much I really want to do it. I want to be able to do it without feeling like I'm going to die. I started thinking about the purpose of the Big Climb.

WHY?To find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease, and myeloma and to improve the quality of life for patients and their families.  Funds raised through the Big Climb go directly to support research, patient aid, patient services, education, and advocacy.

It made me think about how lucky I am to never have had a major illness. I know these diseases must be horrible. I've seen shows about St. Jude's and their kids. Absolutely the saddest thing in the world. I remember seeing one a few days ago about a little seven year old girl being diagnosed with leukemia when she was a year old. It broke my heart.

Then I remembered a guy at work, Steve. He has MDS and just underwent a stem cell transplant. MDS is Myelodysplastic syndromes. MDS has been known as "smoldering leukemia," or "preleukemia." It's a very serious disease and without treatment MDS always leads to leukemia.

Steve is a truly awesome person. Everyone loves him. Even though I don't work on his team I know him, and the people that work with him love him to pieces.  So I had this great idea. I'm going to get a team of people together from my company and we're all going to do the Big Climb.

Plus, if there are any Seattle area bloggers that would like to join us, please email me (ww.lady@gmail.com) and let me know. I think it would be super fun to meet.

Grace has already sort of committed to it. She's thinking about it. Seattle Runner Girl....Pounds Off Playoff (Allan). What do you say? We have until March 20 to train. I'd love to meet you. I'm sure there are others out there too.

This really lit a fire under me today during my workout. I had my best all-time ever workout:

45 minutes on the StairMaster - 190 Flights!

Step rate of 67. Weight Watcher Activity Points of 10! Which I did NOT eat.

1 hour lower body workout, with lunges, squats, leg presses, calf raises, leg extensions, leg curls, bent knee squats and more lunges.

I've never worked out as hard as I did today. According to my heart rate monitor I burned 800 calories. My normal is 350-400.

Steve (the guy that made my heart beat fast today...on the StairMaster):

Writing & Weight Loss

Are you curious why I've been talking about writing on my weight loss blog?  Let me take a moment to explain how they are connected.

When I started blogging about weight loss last year, I was in the middle of my 2009 challenge of working out 365 days in a row.  I successfully finished that challenge December 31, 2009. *throws confetti*

During my daily workouts, I found my time on the elliptical as a perfect reading opportunity. It also passed the time. I was going through a lot of books and it was my love of reading that began to spark my interest in writing.

Writing has become an activity I have grown passionate about.  With passion, grows new habits.  While working on a story, my mind is consumed with plot, characters and setting, not food. :) Unfortunately, editing and revision sometimes brings snacking. :(  [I'm still working on this]

As the title of this blog suggests, I write about my weight loss journey. The lessons learned, habits created and new interests found I share here with you because they are a part of the journey, my journey.

A cheaper doctor’s appointment

Got a cough that won’t go away? Stop by the health clinic at your local supermarket or drugstore.

These walk-in clinics can offer the same quality of care as doctor’s offices and emergency rooms for routine problems, according to a new University of Pittsburgh study.

     “The nurse practitioner or physician assistant at the facility can diagnose the problem and prescribe a medication,” says Ateev Mehrotra, M.D., the study’s lead researcher. And at between $20 and $120, the fee is usually hundreds of dollars less than a doctor’s visit or ER trip. Although many clinic accept health insurance, they don’t require it—making them an affordable option for everyone.

Myth of the month You don’t need to drink as much during winter workouts “Bundling up in all of those layers can cause you to sweat more than usual,” says Kim Mueller, R.D., a sports nutritionist and the owner of Fuel Factor in San Diego. But you may not feel the need to drink, since cool temperatures can mask your sense of thirst by about 40 percent. To avoid getting dehydrated (which raises your risk for frostbite), sip water during your workout. For most moderate sessions, Mueller says 8 ounces is enough. Drink more if you’re skiing; the dry air at high altitudes increases your fluid needs.

Depressed? Why you should seek help Work stress. Hormones. A fight with your boyfriend. There are plenty of reasons for a blue mood, but if yours has lasted for more than two weeks, you may be suffering from depression and need help. According to a new Harris Interactive survey, most people waited six years, on average, to see a doctor about their symptoms because they felt like they could get over it on their own. “If left untreated, depression can become more severe over time,” says Susan Kornstein, M.D., a professor of psychiatry at Virginia Commonwealth University. A mental health professional can help identify the causes and find the right treatment, such as therapy and/or medication.

Is that pain in your knees early arthritis?

It could be. Nearly 1 million women under the age of 40 suffer from this degenerative joint disease. Take these steps to lower your risk.

• Work up a sweat
  
  Not only will you maintain joint flexibility, you’ll also shed pounds. “Being overweight puts stress on joints, which may lead to arthritis,” says Leslie Campbell, D.P.M., a podiatrist in Plano, Texas.
  
  


• Seek support
  
  “More than half of all people under-or overpronate, which can wear down cartilage over time,” says Campbell, who recommends slipping an over-the-counter insole, like Dr. Scholl’s Arthritis Pain Relief Orthotics, in your shoes.
  
  


• Walk in flats
  
  A new study published in Artbritis & Rbeumatism found that women who wore high heels often were more likely to suffer from heel and ankle pain later in life.
  
  

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Dirty little health secret

Whether you spend the morning gardening or a few minutes searching for four-leaf clovers, find a way to get grubby today. “The germs in all kinds of soil trigger your body to produce more immune-boosting white blood cells,” says Mary Ruebush, Ph.D., author of the new book Why Dirt is Good. “That means you’ll be better able to fight off colds and more serious illnesses down the road.” So go ahead and start digging!

The dirty truth about showers

There’s nothing like that freshly scrubbed feeling, but a new study suggests your shower may be making you sick. Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder found that up to 30 percent of showerheads are harboring Mycobacterium avium, a bacteria that can cause lung infections. “Showerheads are an ideal breeding ground for microbes,” says study author Leah Feazel. To protect yourself, let the water run for a few seconds before you step into the shower. And consider trading your current showerhead for an all-metal one—plastic components harbor more bacteria.

The lasting effects of those extra 10 pounds Fitting into your high school jeans may make you the most envied person at your 10-year reunion—and one of the healthiest at your 25th.      According to a new Harvard study, women who weighed the same at age 55 as they did at 18 were 82 percent less likely to develop a chronic illness or disease—including cancer, diabetes, depression, heart disease, and multiple sclerosis—than those who put on 22 pounds or more.      “Gaining even a few pounds can take a tool on the body,” says Qi Sun, the study’s lead researcher. To help thwart weight creep, he recommends stepping on a scale weekly: People who do so are more likely to shed pounds or maintain their weight.

Not-so-sweet news for your heart From the sugar in your coffee to that 4 p.m. brownie. Chances are you easily exceed the 6 teaspoons of added sugar recommended daily. That habit may put your heart at risk, report University of Colorado researchers. They found that when people consumed more than 42 teaspoons of added sugar a day, their blood pressure rose five points in two weeks.      “An excess of fructose [found in table sugar and high-fructose corn syrup] causes cell damage, which may increase blood pressure,” says researcher Richard Johnson, M.D. A good start: Sprinkle less sugar in your coffee and tea.

The germ strategy that keeps you healthy

Although you can’t avoid all cold-causing microbes on a daily basis, there are some research-proven ways to keep them from invading your home.

• Use a humidifier
  
  Oregon State University researchers found that cold and flu viruses flourish in dry air: Aim to keep your home at around 50 percent humidity.
  
  
• Clean common areas
  
  Viruses can live on surfaces for up to 24 hours once that leave the body. If someone in your household is sick, wipe down door knobs, refrigerator handles, and remote controls with disinfectant.
  
  
• Kick off your shoes
  
  Change into slippers at the door of your house to avoid tracking in germs and bacteria.
  
  

Bacon Cheeseburger Salad

CarbsPerServing:7g total
Effort:Easy
Ingredients:
3 ounces lean ground beef crumbled,cooked and
drained
4 slices bacon – cooked crisp,drained and crumbled
1
cup chopped lettuce
1/8 cup chopped onion1/2 medium tomato – chopped
1 tablespoon mayonnaise ¼ cup cheddar cheese – (or 1 once)
How to Prepare:
Stir mayo into lettuce,onion and tomato until evenly coated. Toss in beef,bacon
and cheese.

Bacon & Egg Salad

CarbsPerServing:23g total
Effort:Easy
Ingredients:
8 eggs 1 cup mayonnaise
½ pound bacon 1 cup hot pepper cheese3 tablespoons chives –
4 thin radishes – sliced thin 1 head lettuce – torn fine for
salad 1 avocado – cubed
How to Prepare
:
Boil the eggs, until hard and dice them. Fry the bacon and crumble it. Mix all
ingredients in a bowl.
NOTES:
Carbs for avocado based on 14.85 for 1 3/8 cup – adjust accordingly. Carbs
for lettuce base on 2 for 1 cup – adjust accordingly Carbs for hot pepper
cheese not included in above total – adjust accordingly

Beef Salad

UnknownCarbsPerServing:no counts provided
Effort:Easy
Ingredients:
Cold Roast beef – shredded or
coarsely chopped boiled eggs
Chopped onion ( I use green onions)Chopped dill pickle
Sliced celery Mayo
How to Prepare
:
Mix in desired amounts keeping track of the carbs you add. Let chill. Yummy
on Wasa or maybe even with pork rinds for dipping!