Week 96, Day 5

Calories eaten yesterday: 1164
Fat: 21g (17%)
Carbs: 100g (35%)
Protein: 134g (48%)
Weight this morning: 129.4 (One week ago: 130.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 219

Here's a couple photos from Ash Wednesday - the ashes, and me with the ashes. Click either photo for a larger size.



My small 4 cup coffee maker died yesterday. I turned it on and it did nothing - the coffee didn't perk and the heating plate doesn't even warm up. Mike bought it for me in 1999, so it lived a good long life of nearly 10 years.

Today I did laundry so I walked down to the laundromat and back, then down toward BART. I had to stop at the laundromat again because I left my coffee cup there this morning. Thankfully the lady who works there had found it and put it in the office so it wouldn't be taken.

I walked as far as the 7-11 by the bridge into Alameda, hopped the bus, stopped at Safeway for some salad, and then came into work. Tomorrow is grocery shopping and some major cooking. I have three days of overtime this coming week and will have no time or energy to do anything.

Saturday is church (of course) but we will be there all day because after church we are watching the movie Fireproof at Brent's house. Then they are having games and probably dinner at some fast food place. :-p Brad and I are at Anita's mercy with his car in the shop so I don't know how much of this I will be subjected to. I don't mind the movie, but games and fast food - bah! I guess I should bring a book to read in case I get stuck for the games.

Sunday? God only knows - literally. It depends on how late I'm out. With the crazy week I will probably skip the gym to prepare food.

The Hydroxycut (official site) I bought yesterday is making me a bit hyped up, but nothing I can't handle. It seemed to help my appetite a bit, but who knows. It's too early to tell really.

If I feel it works I'll let you know. So far the only diet pill that does what's promised is Alli. It promises to block some of the fat you eat, and I can see the results in the toilet. I would recommend it.

I'll be back on Sunday with my weigh-in and what happened over the weekend.

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Ash Wednesday

Calories eaten yesterday: 1217
Fat: 30g (22%)
Carbs: 79g (26%)
Protein: 152g (51%)
Weight this morning: 131.6 (One week ago: 132.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 160

Today is Ash Wednesday so instead of going to the gym I went to the noon chapel service at a local Episcopal church. I need to research and find a church that believes in what the Bible says, but this one will do until then. We had the ashes imposed and took communion. The wine seemed super sweet, not like regular wine at all. At the left is last year's photo of me after getting the ashes. Click it for a larger size.

I walked to BART, and walked from my stop to work. I was so hungry that I stopped at Pac N Save and bought a 12 oz. bag of salad so I can have two salads today. I also picked up some cottage cheese since I always need that.

Then I went to WalMart to spend the rest of my money on the BodyBugg refund. I got the stuff I needed, and splurged a couple of shampoos for red hair, plus picked up more conditioner for red hair.

I'm also desperate again and picked up a bottle of Hydroxycut. I did a little research and found something on WebMD about one of the active ingredient in it - hydroxycitric acid. It doesn't seem to have too much caffeine - about one cup of coffee per pill. I'm desperate to get these last few pounds off!

Tomorrow is payday and I'm doing laundry.

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Salads at Safeway and a vent on iron

Calories eaten yesterday: 1262
Fat: 23g (17%)
Carbs: 85g (28%)
Protein: 173g (56%)
Weight this morning: 131.8 (One week ago: 133)
Calories burned in exercise today: 175

Slept in and had a nice hot breakfast at home - 3 egg whites with 1 whole egg and 3 strips of turkey bacon. Yummy and healthy.

I walked down to BART, then turned and walked as far as the Jack in the Box in Alameda. I took the bus the rest of the way to Safeway (would have walked had I known how short that distance was and how long until the next bus came). Since Brad's car is broken, I needed to buy salad at Safeway. They didn't have the big or small bags (they were on sale - they were cleaned out). The more expensive medium bags were there.

I asked the cashier if I could get the sale price and she said I'd have to talk to the produce department. I went back there and found one person who works for Safeway but not in produce. He couldn't find anyone and said to talk to the checkstand manager. I explained the situation to him and managed to get the sale price on the bags - they charged me for two large bags in place of the four medium (same amount of salad).

After getting the salad I waited at customer service to use my Commuter Checks to buy bus and BART tickets. By the time I got on the bus and got to work I was nearly 30 minutes late. :(

I checked my bank account online and 24 Hour Fitness gave me an electronic transfer for my BodyBugg refund. I used the money to buy another box of Shirataki noodles and pay off my Discover card.

Brad told me he is taking iron. He hates taking the multi-vitamin I give him, but he's willing to take iron when he has no blood tests that show iron deficiency. He thinks that because I'm borderline anemic (diagnosed from blood tests) that iron must be good for him too. The lady who admins the health stuff downstairs actually refused to sell him the liquid iron I take, siting no evidence that he needed it. She knows iron is dangerous to supplement unless you know your numbers (via blood tests).

He's playing with fire, but he doesn't care. He knows better than doctors and "God will take care of me." Uh...God made us stewards of the earth and calls our bodies His temple. He expects us to play a part in taking care of that temple. I swear that man drives me crazy! He has a total disregard for his health, even though his health impacts the people around him who he claims to care about.

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Feeling better

Calories eaten yesterday: 1248
Fat: 22g (16%)
Carbs: 100g (33%)
Protein: 155g (51%)
Weight this morning: 133.6 (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise today: 374

When my alarm went off this morning I realized I felt much better than yesterday, so I got up and went in to the gym and had a pretty good workout. Such a difference from yesterday! It wasn't raining when I got to my BART stop so I walked in to work. Now I am worn out!

Today I did lower body weight training (1 hour) and 31 minutes on the treadmill. I walked at 4.0mph for the first 16 minutes; then a rocking song came on my iPod and I kicked it up to slow run at 5.0mph and decided to do that for 15 minutes. Total distance - 2.33 miles. :)

Tomorrow I am sleeping in. No workout Wednesday because it is Ash Wednesday. Wow that snuck up on me fast! I'll go to the liberal church by the lake because they are easy to get to and have a noon service that works perfect for me.

I need to find a better Episcopal church to go to, though - one that believes in the Bible as the word of God. This one proudly condones homosexual practice as perfectly okay. The Bible says it is not okay (Romans 1:26-32). I have a list of conservative churches in this area. My biggest worry is that they will use the 1928 prayer book. I much prefer the current edition.

Regarding my thyroid meds, if I don't start feeling better soon on 112mcg I am going to go back to 100mcg and just have the labs run on that dose. I was feeling better there and think I may have overshot my "sweet spot."

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Week 95 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Week 77: 136.4 (-5.2) - Week 78: 139 (+2.6)
Week 79: 138.2 (-0.8) - Week 80: 139.2 (+1)
Week 81: 139.4 (+0.2) - Week 82: 137.6 (-1.8)
Week 83: 137.8 (+0.2) - Week 84: 137.2 (-0.6)
Week 85: 137.2 (-0) - Week 86: 136.2 (-1)
Week 87: 140.6 (+4.4) - Week 88: 138.8 (-1.8)
Week 89: 139.4 (+0.6) - Week 90: 142 (+2.6)
Week 91: 135.6 (-6.4) - Week 92: 140 (+4.4)
Week 93: 138.8 (-1.2) - Week 94: 138.6 (-0.2)
Week 95: 137.2 (-1.4)
Total loss: -16.8

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1386
Fat: 21g (14%)
Carbs: 94g (28%)
Protein: 159g (47%)
Weight Thursday morning: 130.2 (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 254

Calories eaten Friday: 1486
Fat: 28g (18%)
Carbs: 80g (23%)
Protein: 135g (39%)
Weight Friday morning: 128.8 (One week ago: 135.8)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 70

Weight Saturday morning: 132 (One week ago: 135.8)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 176

Calories burned in exercise today: 304

I finally weighed in this morning. I got a little carried away yesterday but not nearly as bad as I could have. Becky brought home-made bread - cinnamon swirl and regular. I had three slices of the cinnamon swirl and two of the regular. I used only a little butter on one of the regular slices because I really do prefer it plain. Other than the "bread binge" I did okay.

Friday I went grocery shopping and then Brad and I went to Costco. They had the Alli but only at regular price, so I spent my money on toilet paper, paper towels, cat litter, Kleenex, and paid for most of a bottle of wine for Brad and I to share. I gave the cashier all my money ($68) and then Brad paid the rest since he had some stuff too. I think he ended up paying about a dollar toward the wine (which he drank).

Friday I also started the purple pill week on Repliva. It seems I am more constipated than I was on the red pills. I can't wait for this week to be over so I can take the red pills again. I follow this same pattern three times - three weeks of red pills and one week of purple pills, then start over again.

After church yesterday we walked in Point Pinole Regional Park and saw some goats that were keeping the grass under control. We walked out to the pier and back and saw lots of other trails that looked passable even in winter, so we may go back.

Today Brad drove me to the gym, but his car was acting up. He went home to look at it and says he is afraid to even drive the car to the mechanic so I had to take the train to my stop and take the bus in.

A big storm came in last night so it is just rain, rain, and more rain. I feel icky today and would have preferred to walk with Brad somewhere, but not with this rain. So I dragged myself into the gym even though I didn't feel like it, and struggled through an hour of upper body weight training.

I had to drag myself out of bed this morning and my energy drink at the gym didn't do a thing and I finally had to get my iPod for some music to motivate me. Sometimes I start working out and get into it; other days nothing I do helps and the whole workout becomes a struggle. That was today. I only felt okay walking on the treadmill. Once I get started it's pretty easy to keep going. I walked at 4.0 mph for 30 minutes, so two miles.

I couldn't stop at Starbucks due to the rain and I was very early to work, so I called Brad and walked the hallway around and around for 30 minutes.

Tomorrow I hope to feel better and go to the gym and do lower body work.

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Overcoming tempatation, & my exercise anniverary

Calories eaten yesterday: 1274
Fat: 23g (16%)
Carbs: 101g (32%)
Protein: 160g (51%)
Weight this morning: 130.2 (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise today: 254

I am so glad that I overcame temptation yesterday! I was very hungry and thought about going down the hall to the producer's room where I know they keep bread and peanut butter (and sometimes sugar-free jelly).

Instead, I went into my locker and took out the can of tuna I keep in there for emergencies. I had a hard time opening it (the can opener appears to be broken), but I finally pried it about 2/3 open so I could eat the contents. That tuna really hit the spot and took the edge off my hunger until I could eat again.

So a small victory there because I know a peanut butter sandwich would have led to much worse - candy, a second sandwich, etc. :)

Here's a couple photos of the dye job Brad did on my hair last Saturday. This is before any shampoos. He did a good job. Hopefully it won't wash out too fast. I tried bleaching my hair first in hopes that the dye would stay in longer. You can click both photos for a larger size.

Did laundry today, walked there and back. Then I had something to eat and walked to the BART station. But I turned and decided to walk the bus route. I stopped at the 7-11 for a drink (I'm cutting back on diet soda this week so all I could get was water because they had nothing uncarbonated and sugar-free). I caught the bus the rest of the way in except for getting off early and walking the last 10 minutes in. Total walking time - 1 hour 27 minutes. :)

On that note, today is my five year anniversary of working out! That's right - five years ago today (2004) I did my first workout at Curves. Little did I know that it was the beginning of something so big! My lack of weight loss working out encouraged me to get on Atkins and eat healthier, and the more weight I lost, the easier movement became. Viva la exercise!

Weekend plans - nothing special. Do grocery shopping tomorrow, then hit Costco with Brad to see if they have the Alli in yet, or even it's they still have the 2-for-1 special. Otherwise I'll probably stock up on some other stuff. For Safeway, I only have enough grocery money for cottage cheese and cucumber. I need to cook more chicken breast, but don't have the money right now and don't feel like hastling with defrosting the raw chicken in my freezer.

Saturday after church we'll hang out at home (I hope). Dinner with be pasta with meat sauce except Brad will get the real stuff and I'll have the diet pasta. Being so broke it looks I'll be drinking Two Buck Chuck. A good wine for a very tough economy, and the Cabernet is potable. I find the Merlot entirely flat. The Nouveau is even worse.

I'll be back with my weigh-in on Sunday.

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Week 95, Day 4 (again)

Calories eaten yesterday: 1184
Fat: 21g (16%)
Carbs: 78g (27%)
Protein: 163g (56%)
Weight this morning: 132.2 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 190

Working overtime today - 11 am-11 pm so I am tired from having to get up early (not getting enough sleep). I need the money so badly. Dad's check still hasn't come and may not come until next month, so I am scraping by as well as I can. I did take $30 from the money I gave Brad for Costco and will use it to buy cottage cheese and cucumber for next week.

I am trying to save out enough of that money for the Alli if they still have the 2 for 1 deal. Since they were sold out I rather doubt it, but I can hope. If they just have their regular deal then I will put the money toward other stuff.

I got a little exercise today - walking to BART and then from my stop to work. I stopped at WalMart to get more of the wild strawberry Crystal Light. That stuff tastes fantastic! and has B vitamins and caffeine.

My "bloating" isn't going away and I might as well just face it - I have belly fat. I have gained fat from these Saturday binges (let's call those what they are) and it's all on my belly. I am up a pound since this time last week. I quite literally am a fat pig. Oink!

I must stop eating so much on Saturday and eat light even that day. At least there won't be any going out for a while. Brad and I are both strapped so we'll be eating in. I'm planning on pasta for this Saturday except that I will have the shirataki noodles and I will give Brad the Dreamfield's.

I'm going to finish this post with a cute photo of Xena. She has always loved sitting or lying under umbrellas. The day this was taken it has been raining and I dried out my umbrella by leaving it open in the kitchen. Xena went to sit under it. Click on the photo for a larger size on it's main photo page. Also, click here for another cute photo of her.

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Week 95, Day 3 (again)

Calories eaten yesterday: 1300
Fat: 23g (17%)
Carbs: 95g (30%)
Protein: 166g (53%)
Weight this morning: 133 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 0

133. I am gaining every week because of how badly I eat on Saturday. I wish I could keep it under control. :( Being addicted to sugar and carbs sucks. I feel sooo fat.

No exercise. It's raining. Bleh.

Went into the City. Got my mail. Nothing interesting except my bank saying that I didn't provide them enough info to take action against Snuggie, which is okay since I finally did get a full refund from them, excluding my cost shipping the order back.

I'm guzzling Crystal Light this week since I'm cutting down on carbonated drinks to see if that helps my bloating.

I got the property check today and gave the money to Brad. He went to Costco and got me two cases of Diet Rock Star, one case of Diet Coke, 1 jug of cat litter, two bags of salad, and some cucumbers. The cucumbers were seedless from Canada and more expensive than Safeway, so I'll just get Safeway from now on. Costco did not have the Alli so I told him to hold onto the rest of the money.

Tomorrow I am supposed to work overtime - 11 am to 11 pm. I certainly need the money. I was going to go to the gym, but with no cost of living increase this year I need all the money I can get. I'll do some walking if it doesn't rain.

I'm still waiting to hear back on the overtime in the first week of March and whether P. will take some of the shifts or if I will be working 3 pm to 3 am every day. I said I'd do it because I need the money.

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Food-wise failure and my weekend

Calories eaten Thursday: 1082
Fat: 14g (12%)
Carbs: 102g (40%)
Protein: 120g (47%)
Weight Thursday morning: 135.8 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 219

Calories eaten Friday: 1473
Fat: 28g (18%)
Carbs: 84g (23%)
Protein: 135g (38%)
Weight Friday morning: 135.8 (One week ago: 129.8)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 82

Weight Saturday morning: 135.8 (One week ago: 131.8)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories eaten yesterday: 885 (no, that's not a typo; I pigged out Saturday, so ate very light on Sunday)
Fat: 16g (16%)
Carbs: 78g (36%)
Protein: 105g (48%)
Weight Sunday morning: n/a (One week ago: 138.6)
Calories burned in exercise Sunday: 0

Weight this morning: n/a (One week ago: 133)
Calories burned in exercise today: 328

Settle in with some hot cocoa. I have a lot to update so this is going to be long.

No weigh-in this week. Saturday was an absolute and utter failure.

Friday I did what grocery shopping I could in the afternoon. Brad came and picked me up and we hit WalMart. Then we went to Petco and got pet hair rollers (for removing pet hair from clothes). We were going to get a new scratching pad for Xena, but a customer in front of me at the register gave us a tip that Trader Joe's had them cheaper. I wanted to go to Trader Joe's anyway for a couple bottles of Two Buck Chuck.

We didn't see the cat scratchers at the store, but we asked at the register when getting the wine and they pointed to where they were against a wall, so we got that, too.

Then we hit Safeway so Brad could pick up something for dinner and I could get garlic vinegar (hard to find at my store, especially the large size). They had it on sale so I bought three large bottles.

By this time it was dusk and Sabbath so we went home. Brad portioned the salad bought earlier in the week and washed the cucumbers I'd bought earlier. I portioned out my vitamins and meds for the week in my pill organizer.

Saturday we went to church. I forgot the bulletins and my Bible so I could take any sermon notes. It's a pity because pastor always says stuff worth writing down. I ate horribly and ended up eating five (yes five) granola bars, split between the two different kinds the church has for snacks.

Brad and I left church little early. Brad had some lunch and I had a little lunch and did some cleaning up. At home Brad helped me color my hair. We dyed it red, but since I haven't used shampoo on it yet, it is currently burgundy, but will get lighter over the next few shampoos.

Saturday evening we went to Dublin to see Coraline in 3D. It was a good movie and well worth seeing, but I'm not sure the 3D was worth the extra price. At any rate, it's a good movie about being content with the life you have. Paul says much the same thing in Philippians 4:11.

I'd give the movie 7 out of 10 stars. See it, but don't bother with the 3D. It's rated PG, but not suitable for children under 10 due to how dark and creepy it is. So parents be warned! Little ones could get nightmares from this.

Food-wise, before the movie we went to Starbuck's and I got a biscotti and short skinny vanilla latte. Then we went to Applebee's and Brad and I shared an appetizer and had drinks. I also had the strawberry cheesecake dessert shooter (photo on right). During the movie we had popcorn (medium); I ate most of it. After the movie we drove to the Alameda Applebee's for dinner. I ate horribly. The Mochatini and wine weren't bad, but I got the Quesadilla burger with fries, and then ordered their brownie and vanilla ice cream dessert (shared with Brad of course). I am so addicted to sugar and I hate it!

Sunday I ended up setting the alarm for a later time and then deciding not to go to the gym at all and sleep in. Brad and I couldn't even get any walking it because it was raining. I was so bloated that I didn't get on the scale.

Today I dragged myself to the gym and did one hour of upper body weight training and 30 minutes cardio. I wanted to use the elliptical (didn't feel like the treadmill), but the kind with the moving arms were all being used, so I had to settle for the crossramp elliptical. It stopped raining so I walked to work from BART.

Tomorrow I am doing my mail run into the City. The property check should be there so I will cash it and turn it over to Brad to buy me stuff at Costco - I need Alli, two cases of Diet Rock Star, one case of Diet Coke, and cat litter. I hope $200 is enough for all that.

My tummy is sticking out and I'm trying to determine the cause. So this week I am cutting back on diet soda and seltzer water to see if the carbonation isn't contributing. I also have a Parastroy cleanse kit so I am doing that. Can't hurt, might help.

About my apartment situation - Friday night the woman next door dropped by to tell Brad and I about the guy in apartment B being broken into. He had a bunch of stuff stolen and ended up moving out. I already knew about it, but in the course of the conversation, the woman mentioned that she had been broken into four times! Not recently, but still that's scary. She now has bars on her back windows.

It's also scary that I almost moved into apartment B. I didn't get it because it was taken when I decided to move to this building. Apartment D was open (and more expensive) so I took that.

The postscript to all this is that I saw the owner today going into apartment B. I asked him about my rent check and the break in. He showed me the back bathroom window they were supposed to have entered from. He showed me the window and there was so sign of forced entry so he thinks the tenant must have left the window unlocked. I am not sure but I hope it was something as simple as that.

The building is not secure and the back alley between our building and the one next door is a prime place for criminals to break in. Brad said to leave my front blinds and the front door blinds open. If someone breaks in (most likely from the back), they wouldn't want to be seen. He said to leave the TV and one light on, and to hide my computer. The apartment has a some hidden places that Brad and I didn't discover until I moved in, so I chose one of those for the computer. It's a laptop and easily stowed.

Everyone told me how much better this neighborhood is, but it's not, and the lack of a secure building makes it more so. I asked the owner today about getting bars for my back door and windows. He said he would do it, but I take that with a grain of salt. He hasn't followed through the on the heater problem I mentioned (the black soot that coats things), so I don't know if he will follow through on this.

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Weekend plans

Weight this morning: n/a (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 219

No food stats today since I had a mini binge yesterday. After I posted what I'd eaten I went on to have a couple of peanut butter sandwiches (I even found some sugar-free jelly), and then pretty much totally pig out at home (although the food was healthy, there was way too much). I feel fat and bloated today.

Today I did laundry and called Brad to find out about L. She will be in tonight so I don't have to stay until 3. So tomorrow I will be able to get up early enough to buy groceries and then Brad and I will have to hit WalMart. We also need to hit his Safeway and Petco at the shopping center sometime this weekend.

I bought tickets for Saturday night's showing of Coraline from Fandango. I'm not taking any chances of them being sold out since it just came out last week and Saturday is Valentine's Day. It seems to be getting good ratings, so it should be a good movie.

Today's exercise was walking to the laundromat and back, then down to BART. I stopped at Payless and bought a pair of running shoes and a pair of walking shoes since they just started having a sale (right after I bought two pairs of running shoes!). I took the bus through Alameda to save BART fare since I am using a monthly bus pass at the moment. I got off the bus just past the airport and walked the last 10 minutes into work.

No more baby carrots for my mid-afternoon snack, even if they are on sale! They are really pushing my carbs high. I think I will do cucumbers next week - very low in carbs and calories.

I tried to include a recent comments section in the sidebar yesterday, but it is not showing up on my Mac at home. I even tried three different browsers. So I got rid of it.

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Week 95, Day 4

Calories eaten yesterday: 1184
Fat: 28g (22%)
Carbs: 84g (29%)
Protein: 139g (49%)
Weight this morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 133.4)
Calories burned in exercise today: 348

I haven't posted any recent pictures of my cats, so here's a photo of Abby playing on the cat tree. Click the photo for a larger size. :)

Xena is taking the position of top cat in the house and chases Abby around. I hate it, but I have to let them work it out as long as there's no serious violence. Thankfully, that seems to have passed. Now there is an uneasy peace and occasional swatting, mostly on Xena's part.

As a reminder for anyone who's interested, all of Xena and Abby's photos can be found here.

Foodwise, I failed today. I've been super hungry so I got a cheeseburger next door (no mayo). Later I got a 6 inch turkey sub at Subway (no mayo or oil), plus two cookies. I also ate some candy from downstairs. I feel better, but grrr....I hate being so hungry all the time.

Went to the gym today and did one hour of weight training followed by 30 minutes on the treadmill going between 3.5 mph and 7.0 mph, one minute each. I found I can do 7 mph for one minute intervals, but I need to work up to it starting at a lower speed and going a bit faster with each running interval. Even at 7 mph I couldn't get my heart rate up to 167bpm (my target heart rate that I mentioned yesterday).

I walked to work from BART, though it started raining toward the end. I had to use the heater at work to dry my pants because umbrellas offer so little protection to your lower body. Rain never comes straight down.

Tomorrow is laundry and it looks like I will be working until 3 a.m. L's dad is in the hospital again so she is out tonight (that shift has been covered), and may be out tomorrow night as well. If she is, I'll be working until 3 a.m.

If I have to work until 3, Brad and I will scrap seeing Coraline this weekend (the Regal has it in 3D!) so that we can use Saturday night to do all the stuff we won't be able to do Friday.

I'm still trying to find a place to get Body Gem metabolism testing done. My gym does not do it anymore. I called the YMCA, but they don't do it either.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

HIIT me!

Calories eaten yesterday: 1210
Fat: 18g (14%)
Carbs: 108g (37%)
Protein: 146g (49%)
Weight this morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 135)
Calories burned in exercise today: 175

Slept in today and had a nice hot breakfast at home. I had scrambled eggs made with three egg whites and one whole egg, plus three strips of turkey bacon. Yummy and healthy.

I walked down to BART, but turned and crossed the bridge and made it partway through Alameda before having to take the bus to get to work on time.

I am so sore today from doing lower body work yesterday. Tomorrow I hope to hit the gym again and do upper body and do more treadmill intervals.

From the Googling I did it appears that my running intervals need to be faster than they have been, so I will try that. HIIT is supposed to be best for fat burning. From further research it looks like my target heart rate for a HIIT session is 167bpm.

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Week 95, Day 2

Calories eaten yesterday: 1137
Fat: 20g (16%)
Carbs: 90g (32%)
Protein: 145g (52%)
Weight this morning: 133 (One week ago: 138)
Calories burned in exercise today: 353

Went to the gym today to do my first lower body workout in a while. I did interval work on the treadmill alternating between walking at 3.7 mph and running at 5.7+, 1 minute each for 30 minutes. Felt good.

Tomorrow I can sleep in - no errands or anything to do. :) I'll walk to BART of course, and from my stop to work.

I ate the last of the cooked Cream of Wheat I had in the fridge today. I'm not going to cook more. The carbs are not helping my weight loss and the wheat just keeps me addicted to grains. Not sure what I will do for breakfast without it, though I have several ideas. The "on the go" breakfasts are the most challenging since I can cook any number of things when I am home. Of course I will continue to include my whey protein shake on gym days. I guess I can do turkey and cheese roll-ups or cottage cheese.

I have photos of my new bookcase up on Flickr. Before photo and after photo. Brad did a better job in less time then when I have had to put these things together myself. :)

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Week 94 Weigh-In

Start: 154
Week 1: 150 (-4) - Week 2: 148.6 (-1.4)
Week 3: 146 (-2.6) - Week 4: 147.2 (+1.2)
Week 5: 145.6 (-1.6) - Week 6: 144 (-1.6)
Week 7: 143 (-1) - Week 8: 142.8 (-0.2)
Week 9: 143.6 (+0.8) - Week 10: 141.2 (-2.4)
Week 11: 143.8 (+2.6) - Week 12: 142.4 (-1.4)
Week 13: 142.4 (-0) - Week 14: 141.6 (-0.8)
Week 15: 139.4 (-2.2) - Week 16: 140 (+0.6)
Week 17: 139.2 (-0.8) - Week 18: 139 (-0.2)
Week 19: 138 (-1) - Week 20: 135.4 (-2.6)
Week 21: 137.2 (+1.8) - Week 22: 139.6 (+2.4)
Week 23: 143.2 (+3.6) - Week 24: 143.6 (+0.4)
Week 25: 137.6 (-6) - Week 26: 139.6 (+2)
Week 27: 142 (+2.4) - Week 28: 137.2 (-4.8)
Week 29: 137 (-0.2) - Week 30: 136.8 (-0.2)
Week 31: 142.2 (+5.4) - Week 32: 136.8 (-5.4)
Week 33: 137.8 (+1) - Week 34: 135.8 (-2)
Week 35: 137.6 (+1.8) - Week 36: 143.8 (+6.2)
Week 37: 142.8 (-1) - Week 38: 140 (-2.8)
Week 39: 142.4 (+2.4) - Week 40: 140.4 (-2)
Week 41: 139.6 (-0.8) - Week 42: 142 (+2.4)
Week 43: N/A - Week 44: 141 (-1)
Week 45: 138.8 (-2.2) - Week 46: 139.6 (+0.8)
Week 47: 133.6 (-6) - Week 48: 132.4 (-1.2)
Week 49: 138.6 (+6.2) - Week 50: 138.4 (-0.2)
Week 51: 138.8 (+0.4) - Week 52: 139.4 (+0.6)
Week 53: 137.8 (-1.6) - Week 54: 139.4 (+1.6)
Week 55: 137.6 (-1.8) - Week 56: 136.4 (-1.2)
Week 57: 136.6 (+0.2) - Week 58: 139.4 (+2.8)
Week 59: 136.6 (-2.8) - Week 60: 134.6 (-2)
Week 61: 137 (+2.4) - Week 62: 138.6 (+1.6)
Week 63: 137 (-1.6) - Week 64: 137 (-0)
Week 65: 141.8 (+4.8) - Week 66: 135.4 (-6.4)
Week 67: 136 (+0.6) - Week 68: 139.2 (+3.2)
Week 69: 137.2 (-2) - Week 70: 138.2 (+1)
Week 71: 136.4 (-1.8) - Week 72: 140 (+3.6)
Week 73: 139.4 (-0.6) - Week 74: 140 (+0.6)
Week 75: 137.6 (-2.4) - Week 76: 141.6 (+4)
Week 77: 136.4 (-5.2) - Week 78: 139 (+2.6)
Week 79: 138.2 (-0.8) - Week 80: 139.2 (+1)
Week 81: 139.4 (+0.2) - Week 82: 137.6 (-1.8)
Week 83: 137.8 (+0.2) - Week 84: 137.2 (-0.6)
Week 85: 137.2 (-0) - Week 86: 136.2 (-1)
Week 87: 140.6 (+4.4) - Week 88: 138.8 (-1.8)
Week 89: 139.4 (+0.6) - Week 90: 142 (+2.6)
Week 91: 135.6 (-6.4) - Week 92: 140 (+4.4)
Week 93: 138.8 (-1.2) - Week 94: 138.6 (-0.2)
Total loss: -15.4

Ok, now to catch up on other numbers.

Calories eaten Thursday: 1275
Fat: 19g (13%)
Carbs: 73g (23%)
Protein: 160g (52%)
Weight Thursday morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 248

Calories eaten Friday: 1429
Fat: 26g (16%)
Carbs: 69g (19%)
Protein: 165g (45%)
Weight Friday morning: 129.8 (One week ago: 130.4)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 278

Weight Saturday morning: 131.8 (One week ago: 131.4)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 163

Calories burned in exercise today: 372

Friday I did some basic grocery shopping. Brad and I went for a short walk along the San Leandro shoreline and saw a double rainbow (photo at right - click for a larger size).

Saturday we left church as soon as Bible study was over. Brad said something about wanting to do his breaks but that didn't happen. We prepped food for dinner - Brad cooked ground beef for the pasta sauce. In the evening we hit Costco looking for a bookcase since I am out of book space. They were closing and I couldn't find anything but we shared a "chicken bake." It was actually better than I expected.

Then we went to WalMart and found a prefab bookcase for $29. I also got a few other items, such as the mini waste basket that matches my bathroom decor. (Yay for both!) I don't have any money right now so I put it on my Discover card.

When we got home we assembled the bookcase - mostly Brad did. He did a much better job than I have on these projects, and in less time. I helped a little and drank some wine and eventually started dinner. Brad had the Dreamfield's pasta with meat sauce and I had the shirataki noodles with meat sauce. A little later I craved McDonald's and asked Brad to drive me. We had to go to the one in Alameda since the one by my house wasn't open. I got a cheeseburger mini meal and the guy at the window was an idiot! I asked for Diet Coke and he gave me regular. I asked for one chocolate chip cookie and he gave me three! Brad ate one cookie but wouldn't have any more so I ended up eating two cookies instead of the one I wanted. Grrr....

This morning Brad drove me to the nice gym at High St. I did one hour of weight training and 30 minutes cardio. Afterwords I asked about a shirt on the clearance rack that I liked, but it didn't have a price. They couldn't find a price and the manager doesn't work Sundays of course. They said they couldn't sell it. Grrr....

Brad and I went for a short walk along the shoreline until it was time for work.

Lisa called to say her Dad was in the hospital and she was there with him and couldn't come in. I called around - Brad has his phone turned off, S. is out of town, and Y. has class in the morning. Finally P said he would cover the whole shift. So I don't have to work until 3 a.m. (the max 12 hours allowed), but I sure could have used the overtime.

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Week 94, Day 5 (again)

Calories eaten yesterday: 1172
Fat: 21g (17%)
Carbs: 95g (33%)
Protein: 146g (51%)
Weight this morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 131.2)
Calories burned in exercise today: 248

Did laundry today - walked down to the laundromat and back. Then I walked up to the bank to deposit my medication reimbursement check. It was pretty high this time because of the Repliva medication along with everything else. Then I walked down toward BART and stopped at Payless for two new pairs of running shoes. I took the bus into work, but got off just past the airport and walked the last 10 minutes in.

Tomorrow I have to buy some basic groceries and I really need to stop at WalMart to see if they have any sugar-free vanilla or caramel syrup. Last week my Safeway only had sugar-free hazelnut.

I'm not sure how Saturday is going to shape up. I think Brad still needs to do his brakes so we may leave early. We're going to do pasta Saturday night and I will use the Shirataki noodles instead of regular pasta. Brad can have the Dreamfield's. I asked him to bring a couple pounds of extra lean ground beef to add to the tomato sauce I have.

Shirataki can be a bit like chewing rubber bands (LOL!), but it's healthy, high in fiber, and low in calories (about 40 calories per bag). :) I avoid the soy shirataki noodles because soy is bad. The texture may be better, but it's not worth the health trade off.

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BodyBugg, and more on Snuggie and Repliva

Calories eaten yesterday: 1130
Fat: 23g (19%)
Carbs: 72g (26%)
Protein: 157g (56%)
Weight this morning: 133.4 (One week ago: 133)
Calories burned in exercise today: 348

I returned the BodyBugg to my gym today. I could tell the manager still thought I was doing something wrong. He says this is the first time anyone has returned the new BodyBugg out of about 13 sold so far. He wasn't sure how I would get my refund. Before he said a check, but he said people have complained about that so I may just get a credit to my account. I'm fine either way. At this point I just want it to be over. He said it would take about three weeks to process through.

By the way, returning the GoWear Fit was almost a pleasure. Except for having to pay for return shipping (which I am too sick of the whole thing to worry about), they did everything perfectly on their end. Rightfully they should pay for everything since the device was broken when I received it so it had to be sent back anyway. At any rate, I got an e-mail saying my subscription was cancelled and when I checked my Discover card balance I found the credit. So that's over with at least.

Re: the whole Snuggie thing, last night I faxed my bank the info. I had, including the backstory behind it. I also included all the BBB info. since it contained more addresses and phone numbers and listed the company as having an F rating. Snuggie promised me a refund and may or may not give it, but if my bank contacts them I have a much better chance of getting it.

The Repliva is coming along well. The drug info. sheet lists both constipation and diarrhea as possible side effects. I seem to have a mild case of the latter. I hope this medication works without hurting my other iron numbers; my ferritin is low, but everything else is fine.

Today I worked out - 1 hour of weight training and 30 minutes of interval training on the treadmill. I alternated walking at 3.5 mph and running at 5.5-5.9mph. I must get this belly fat off! I have also noticed my muscles suffering from the lack of workouts. My arms are not as shapely as they once were. I did a bunch of upper body stuff today including plenty of ab training for my poochy belly.

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Shirataki, Snuggies, calories, & metabolism

Calories eaten yesterday: 1100
Fat: 22g (18%)
Carbs: 90g (33%)
Protein: 136g (49%)
Weight this morning: 135 (One week ago: 132.8)
Calories burned in exercise today: 175

Today was mail day. I found a package slip in my P.O. box and discovered that the Shirataki noodles I had ordered were mailed to my P.O. box instead of my work address. I am very careful with my online orders because I do not like having to haul heavy package all the way to work. I got Brad to drop it off at my apartment at least.

I can't afford these noodles very often because they are very expensive, but I figured I'd splurge on these after all the overtime I worked.

The Snuggie order also came today. These are the two thin ones I wanted. I haven't opened the package yet, but had Brad drop that at my apartment too.

I skipped my Cream of Wheat this morning to get my carbs down (I really feel I need to do that), but I will have it tomorrow with my protein shake before hitting the gym. My session will be shorter because I'm hoping to return the BodyBugg and it is not a short process. I let the manager talk me out of this once; it won't happen again. It does not work for me so I want my money back.

There may be some more overtime in my future. Lisa wants some days off so I may work 3 pm-3 am. I hate that kind of shift, but I need the money really bad.

I need to get serious with cutting calories again. I found out that the lower limit of 1200 is "an average and there will be some people who can go lower."

This is good to know because I have been gaining weight and need to cut way back. I have put on fat and my belly is showing and it looks really bad. As my stats show, I have gained a couple of pounds in the last week alone. :(

I was also told to have a metabolic test done to find out how many calories I actually burn at rest. Unfortunately, my gym does not offer this test anymore. They say they aren't accurate, but I have found the test to give me results that made sense, so I think they are accurate. I wonder if I can get another gym to run the test on me without being a member. The test usually runs about $50 and would be worth it.

If anyone knows a way I could get this test done in the East Bay area of San Francisco please let me know.

Technorati tagged: diet, low fat, weight loss, health, exercise, obesity, overweight, fitness

Horrible weekend and stress binging

Calories eaten Thursday: 1447
Fat: 21g (14%)
Carbs: 118g (34%)
Protein: 148g (42%)
Weight Thursday morning: 131.2 (One week ago: 132.8)
Calories burned in exercise Thursday: 292

Calories eaten Friday: 1495
Fat: 26g (16%)
Carbs: 99g (27%)
Protein: 123g (35%)
Weight Friday morning: 130.4 (One week ago: n/a)
Calories burned in exercise Friday: 73

Weight Saturday morning: 131.4 (One week ago: 132.6)
Calories burned in exercise Saturday: 0

Calories eaten yesterday: 1105
Fat: 20g (17%)
Carbs: 114g (43%)
Protein: 103g (39%)
Weight this morning: 138 (One week ago: 135.4)
Calories burned in Sunday: 56
Calories burned in exercise today: 184

It was a long, horrible weekend. I didn't weigh-in yesterday and felt so horrible I decided not to post at all. This week will count as week 94 (again).

As most of you know, I try not to eat as I please on Saturday, but I allow myself some treats. To my shame, I got really depressed this past Saturday and ate every bad thing in sight. :( I sometimes stress eat and carb binge when things get really bad.

I didn't feel any less stressed out on Sunday and just tried to convince myself to NOT order pizza and run to the gas station for cupcakes. For the most part I try to keep my eating under control on Saturday and just allow myself more food and calories but still eat healthy. I don't care about mashed or baked potatoes, or rice, but I do love hash browns and french fries.

I felt horrible yesterday with an upset stomach. I slept until noon and had two slices of plain (low-carb) toast for breakfast. At work I continued sipping my black coffee (with a little sugar-free caramel syrup in it). I stopped at Safeway for some Diet 7-Up to help settle my tummy.

Brad and I had a big fight Saturday night (that left me in tears) and I ended up drinking too much and pigging out on cake and candy not once, but twice. First at Safeway and then later at 7-11. I bought ice cream, cake, and candy.

So I was hungover and didn't make it to the gym. I felt fat and bloated on top of it all, and feel the same way today. *sigh* I won't even talk about the hash browns and breakfast sandwich I had before church and the humongous cinnamon roll I had after.

I have a serious sugar problem. I've tried to address it, but fail. I am an addict. If it weren't for needing the Cream of Wheat and liquid iron I could get my carbs down much lower. And I always end up binging on Saturday either because I feel so deprived during the week or because I get stressed. Between the Cream of Wheat, liquid iron, and (especially) the binges I am out of control and gaining.

I'm fat again and must get this under control. I also realize my metabolism is extremely slow and I probably need less than 1200 to maintain even with exercise. I did a basal metabolism test where you plug in your weight and height and age and my number came out to just 1155. The Thyroid Diet book says this should be my calorie target.

Going by this level and the "rule" in the book about getting at least 25% of your daily calories from breakfast, my breakfasts should be just under 290 calories.

Tomorrow is mail and then I might make it to the gym once this week on Wednesday.

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