August #BlueDotPoppinWithPapi Was A Success

I am ending my month of August with the most blue dots I’ve ever logged.  This surpasses both January and March, which were months I had pretty significant weight loss.  Go Team Lindsay!

 

There were many days this month that I planned, pre-tracked, and made choices that would earn me a blue dot.  There were even some days I thought I would go over but it all worked out to where I feel right where I needed to be with 23 daily points + 5 weekly points.  I knew yesterday would be a non-blue dot day and then after I pre-planned the menu items at the new restaurant we were going to visit things were looking good for that blue dot.  Sadly, the new Irish restaurant The Harp had already sold out of their daily allotment of food.  So, we moved next door to Lucky Fins, which was still really yummy.

 

I am not a big fish eater and while I do try to be adventurous…nope.  Just can’t do it.  Since I had a good chunk of points available and also had the mindset I’d risk my blue dot, I ordered the famous fish and chips and substituted mashed potatoes for the fries.  I also ordered some edamame on the happy hour deal.  I ended up not eating all the mashed potatoes because they were just so-so and left a bit of the coleslaw.  I thought about leaving part of the fish but it was really good.  It is very lightly breaded and dipped in the tarter sauce was delicious.  I also had two beers since the first one was really yummy.

 

Phoenix got a birthday sushi desert roll as a treat for her big day which is on September 2^nd.  It was a banana fried with some whip cream and strawberries.

I’m anxious to see what the September Apple Watch Activity Challenge will be, which starts tomorrow.  I will be coming in late to work to burn some OT for a training on Thursday.  I guess I had better plan some activity in the morning.

Reflecting Back On 190

I’ve been doing a good amount of reflections as I enter into this new phase of being re-focused and 100% committed to my WW plan and losing weight.  It feels good and it also feels exhausting.

 

Kenyon and I were having a discussion about how I feel I’ve become a bit obsessive again with earning those blue dots and staying on track.  After a solid month of working hard on my goals, I can feel myself loosing up a little.  But, I know I need to stay tuff and keep going because there are more goals to be met.  He was saying he doesn’t feel I am as obsessive as I was the first time I went through my weightloss journey.

“Back then, you were thinking like six meals ahead.”

Little does he realize, I AM still doing that.  It is just now when it comes time for dinner, I either give him a choice of a couple of options or I ask him if (insert pre-planned meal) sounds good.  So, yes, I’m still quite obsessive.  I have realized that not only is this some of my personality, but it also helps allow me to stay focused.

 

Everytime a FB Memory pops up from about 2014, I am in awe at how good I look despite back then when I felt so much like I was drowning.  I was actually around 180-190 pounds and I think I look pretty darn good.  I’m really thinking my new doctor’s goal might be around 190.  I am waiting to see where I settle but the more I think about it, the better I feel.  It is hard work to lose weight and if…no…when I get to 190, I will have lost 63 pounds of re-gain weight.  Plus, I’ll be under 200 pounds and will have re-claimed my 100 pounds lost.  So much to be excited for.

 

Thursday Check In & A Magnolia & Vine Online Party Link

Good Morning.  I’m on my last day off so let’s make the most of it.

I’ve had the same breakfast two days in a row.  Mmmmmm…..the mini waffles with the new Birch Benders Paleo waffle and pancake mix we found at Costco is amazing.  I also found some sugar free heavy whip cream in the spray can.  Serving size on the waffle is 2 of them for 3 points.  Yum.

I’m headed to meet my friend Jenny C. For some coffee and to talk about Magnolia and Vine.  We are co-hosting a M&V online party if anybody is interested.

Magnolia and Vine is inner changeable jewelry and purses where you buy one piece and just change out the “snaps” in the middle of the jewelry or the “flap” of the purse.  They are having a HUGE flash sale with their yellow and rose gold pieces.  Plus free shipping for orders $100+ or more.  Follow this link and look for the Jenny Collin’s Flash Party to order.  You can have it shipped directly to you.  Hurry though because the party closes on August 31.

Click here for the party link <--

After our coffee date I’m going to pop into the gym nearby and then have errands to run.  So far I am loving my new shoes and enjoyed the gym class yesterday.

I also need to some some lunch meal prep for my upcoming workdays.  Have a great day.

Weekly Wi: A Month Of Losses

I’m stoked my month of August has ended with a 5.2 pound loss.  Yesssssssss!

I am also looking at September as my re-set for 2019.  I am officially 0.2 pounds above where I was December of 2018 which means I have four months to make 2019 count the most.  I’m ready and I can do this.

My loss this week was small(er) but that is okay, because a loss is a loss.  

I already know I need to keep an eye on my beer consumption as we move forward into the Fall months.  And, Pumpkin Spice Seasons in upon us.  Yippie!  When I do decide to add a pump of PS to my Iced Americano, I count it as 1 point (also 1 point for cream).  While it won’t break the point-bank, I want to keep it as an indulge more than an everyday treat.  Now, that being said…I’m craving one!  It was so good yesterday.

I’m about to head out to the gym and give my new tennis shoes their first workout.  I decided to get some new tennis shoes incase that was part of my plantar’s issue.  I logged at least 110 miles on that last set of shoes since that was one of my Apple Watch goals recently.

Have a great day.

Friday Monday

It’s My Friday!  Yippie.  I think I’m going to pop out to my parent’s house for dinner and to visit with Grandma, Aunt Gerri, and Emma. 

I’m about to close out on another great week of tracking.  It was a fairly slow day at work yesterday which allowed me to get on the console treadmill and log 3 miles so I could earn a special award through my Apple Watch. 

Sadly, my foot started to feel better and pushing it 3 miles has set me back again.  I’m slightly nervous on the September Apple Watch Challenge being a walking challenge.  Ack!  I’ll just see what comes and make a plan to deal with it.

My supervisor DeLisa treated us to Crumbl Cookies and took our special order the day before.  I did some pre-tracking based on what was in the WW app for “homemade cookie”.  Now, while one cookie is 7 points, these Crumbl cookies are massive.  I’d be lying to myself if one whole cookie was really 7 points.  Plus, they are just too sweet for my liking to eat more than a little sliver.  When I have, I’ve been miserable after.  Anyway, I pre-tracked 7 points  and planned to cut off some small bits.  Once I warmed them in the microwave for 15 seconds, it was worth every 7 points!  I proceeded to put strong peppermint gum in my mouth right afterwards so I wasn’t tempted to continue to munch on them. 

The workday went well until the last hour or so when our Boise District fell apart with suicidal subject and a triple fatal crash crash.  Oy!  I was super tired when I made it home from the grocery store and while I was preparing our dinner, I dropped part of the air fryer on my foot.  Ugh!  It didn’t help that it was my already bum foot too.  At that point, I figured I had 100% earned a beer and since I had 5 points to spare, I did just that.  It was 100% delicious. 

In my beer-tipsy-induced-thought-process, I had wanted a second beer and knew that if I indulged, I’d no longer get my blue dot for the day.  It was the biggest internal battle but eventually, the blue dot one!  I am on track for another blue dot today despite not knowing what all my Mom will be having for dinner. 

WI is tomorrow and I am super anxious, in a odd good way, to see how my month of August will end.  My goals at the start of the month have been right on track.

Lettuce Wrap Your Burger To Save Points

I love chicken.  And now that it is 0 SPV, it makes it even more tempting.  I generally eat a lot of chicken and I love turkey.  But, I never really like red meat or fish that much.  I love a good hamburger and since I don’t have burgers often (they tend to be high in points) when I do have a burger, it doesn’t take much to whelm me.  When I am at a potluck and hamburgers are on the menu, I can’t wait to enjoy one usually along with some potato chips which I also love.

Have you ever tried your burger in a lettuce wrap?  This can save on average 4-6 points by forgoing the bun.  And honestly, unless it is a nice fresh bakery bun, it feels a bit underwhelming.  So, I’m pretty good at skipping the bun all together or if I’m feeling the carbs, I will cut my burger in half and eating twice the meat and half the bun.  All the goodness and less points for oh…wine or beer!

I’ve had lettuce wrapped burgers at Red Robin, chicken sandwiches too, and I heard The Habit also has the option. Kenyon introduced me to Carl’s Jr. since they have “protein style” burgers.

 

mmmMMMmmm…..I have also tried their protein style chicken breast and it was also really good.

I went for the double cheeseburger after I looked up points in the WW app.  Since I don’t see protein style as part of the points, I am guessing their double cheeseburger includes the bun for 13 points.  I counted this burger as 10 points and enjoyed every bite.  When I had the chicken sandwich, I asked for it without BBQ and cheese and counted it as 0 SPV.  If you are traveling or are pinched for time, it is awesome to have a low point fast food option.

Saturday Deep Thoughts

Happy Saturday.  I’ve been doing some deep thinking over here which is a lot for a Saturday.

 

A few months ago I needed some new focus, or least something to de-stress my mind.  Since 2018, I’d been tracking my monthly totals for gains/losses.  With the scale show up more than down in 2019, I was started to get stressed.  Being hyper focused on something that feels so negative makes it hard to push forward.  Taking a cue from a maintenance member I follow on IG, I went back over my weight record and have been keeping track my weight on the last WI of each month for 2019.

 

It is still really easy to get bummed out since I finally reached a new low weight in March only to shoot back up setting on my highest weight of 2019 in July.  Ugh.  But, it also gives me perspective to see there are some months were I am living a bit like I’m in maintenance.  I didn’t do as well as I had hoped over the summer.  When my WW coach asked us where we wanted to be come September, I said I would be happy to be the same weight because at least it means I wouldn’t be heavier.  Well, I might tipped the scale a bit there in July, but come the end of August, I’ve finally gotten back to where I wanted to be.  That makes me feel really happy.

 

Also, if I can lose at least one pound at WI this Tuesday, I’ll “officially” be back at the weight I was the end of December 2018 (216 pounds).  This means I’ve got a clean slate for the remainder of 2019 and I have four months to end this year with an overall loss.  You had better believe I am going to do just that!

 

I’ve had a great week thus far and meal planning, grocery shopping, and pre-planning has helped me earn blue dots each day since Tuesday.  I have no doubt my hard work will pay off.

WW Recipe: Chicken Marsala

Our most recent WW New Recipe: Chicken Marsala

I favorited this recipe because it looked easy and fit the low carb/Keto requirements.  Plus, it gave me a reason to go in search of Cense Wine.  I used the Sauvignon Blanc in this recipe.

 

We really enjoyed this and I would make it again for sure.  Similar to previous WW recipes I have made, I usually start with two chicken breasts and cut them in half.  So, I also modified this recipe for two servings, which made it 4 SPV vs. 2 SPV.  The points are all coming from the sauce.  Next time, I might even add more mushrooms since they cook down so much.

3 x The Sweat

Good Morning and Happy Thursday.  I’m on a quick (hopefully) 4-hour OT shift this morning at work.  I am not ready to start the work week just yet.

I was on fire yesterday earning my 200% movement calories and getting my award for the August Activity Watch Challenge.  That makes eight straight months. 

 

I ended up doing three different workouts.  I started my morning with the Chisel weights class at the gym.  Then I met Phoenix for a walk in the park before going to the Pound class at the gym.  I met my total once I was done with my walk but figured since I was already out and about that I might as well hit up the gym class.  My body is a bit sore today, especially my lower half and my bum foot.

 

Earning 200% of my Movement calories was a bit challenge this month.  I liked the fact that I only had to reach the milestone four times.  This allowed me to rest on days I didn’t feel like exercising and really appreciate it when I did.  Sort of allowed me to miss it in a weird way.  I’m not sure what September will hold as far as the challenge goes.  I’m sort of worried of another mileage challenge.  That was really tough last time. 

 

I bought some Sam Adams Oktoberfest beer, my very favorite beer this time of year.  It tasted so good after my day of heavy activity.  I pre-tracked it first thing in the morning since I went waaaaaaay over my points on Tuesday and had to wait for my new day of points.  I’ll fill you in more on that later.

 

Cheers!

New Mini Waffle Maker

I ordered a mini waffle maker off Amazon after seeing a friend’s Instagram Post about her cute mini waffle.  I typically try to make myself tiny waffles so that I can adjust the points accordingly so this seemed like the logical answer.

For reference on how tiny it is, here is my hand.

My first attempt at waffles was a success but the batter was too runny so it poured out and made a mess all over the counter and the waffle iron.  Ugh!  After a trip to Costco on my days off, we picked up a new waffle/pancake mix that is supposed to be good for blood sugar.  It also tastes sweeter than Kodiak and has similar nutrition/points.  I made up a batch of mini waffles to keep in the freezer for easy re-heat. 

I look forward to having waffles more frequently.  My coworker gave me some homemade wild plum jelly that was really good on my waffles.  And, I love the old stand-by peanut butter topping.  I have a recipe to try mixing PB2 with some sugar free syrup to get more of a peanut butter consistency and also sweeten it up a bit.  This will surely make my waffles extra tasty. 

Weekly WI: Three Of Four Weeks Complete

Hello.  Checking in a bit late on this WI Tuesday.

My August downward trend is rolling well.  I had a great week and expected a loss.  It was nice to see it reflected on the scale but what I love more is that I feel really good right now overall.  I’m super motivated for another week ahead.

After my meeting, I met up with Danielle for lunch and some Oktoberfest beer.  She picked the lunch spot since I picked the beer spot.  We went to a restaurant downtown and picked two different sandwiches so we could swap halves.  Both were really delicious.  Then stopped into Payette Brewing for a beer flight, which we decided to share so we could each have two beers that interested us.  I picked the Oktoberfest and the Pineapple Radler.  She picked two of the Lagers.  We enjoyed three of the four beers but this isn’t my favorite Oktoberfest beer.  Sam Adams is still the winner.

I knew I’d be likely not earning my blue dot today and I want/need a high point day to shake things up.  It was still really hard not to micro-manage lunch and talking myself out of another beer stop elsewhere.  I have tracked lunch and officially broken my blue dot streak.  It feels really weird and sort of like failing.  But, it isn’t.  Those weekly points are there to be used and I enjoyed my outing.  Keyon and I have dinner plans at Texas Roadhouse this evening so I am planning ahead and pre-tracking.  Even though I am over my DSPA it isn’t permission for a free-for-all.  

I’ve got goals to stay focused on.  I might cut my Bachelor In Paradise wine tonight.  I’ll see how I feel after dinner.

New Snacks

The WW topic a couple weeks ago was on snacks.  I decided to branch out on my work snacks as I typically have non-fat Greek yogurt and fruit.  It was a nice way to shake things up and also gave me some yummy carb-y snacks that were low points.  With Kenyon doing low carb/Keto, I’m missing some of life’s little luxuries.

I had heard that you get a large portion of the baby sized Goldfish crackers.  The serving size is 89 crackers for 4 SPV.  Well, you can have 50 crackers for 2 SPV.  That is a really good points plus bargain.  I had 15 grams of crackers, two Lucerine light mozzarella string cheese (2 SPV), which is my favorite, two nectarines.  My total snack was 4 SPV.

 

 

Have you ever had Poppables?  It is a new Lays chip on the market but they are an airy, round, crispy ball vs. a standard chip.  And, they are super salty which gives you that nice crunch/salt snack feeling.  Since they are mostly air, you can have quite a few in a serving for low points.  What is even better is that I found them in individual sized bags, which are just 2 SPV.  Score!  I had a bag along with some roasted turkey breast I find at Winco along with an apple.  My total snack was 2 SPV.

August - Four Years Ago

Let us strive to improve ourselves, for we cannot remain stationary; one either progresses or retrogrades.

Marie Anne de Vichy-Chamrond, French patron of the arts (1697-1780)

 

I’ve mentioned several times how much I look forward to FB Memories each morning when I first wake up.  When I get a glimpse of my past self, I will take a few moments and analyze the photo.  Sometimes it is positive talk, sometimes it is negative, and often it is just gaining some perspective.  This 10+ year weight loss/maintenance journey I have been on has been a rollercoaster of both emotions and scale numbers.  Getting that look at myself (keeping in mind different camera angles) provides me with perspective.  I am/was getting low enough on the scale similar to the weight I was in 2015.  I looked back at my August 2015 weight chart and see that I even reached 209, which is what I weighted at the end of March 2019. 

 

I remember what it felt like to not only be back over my WW Goal (175 pounds) but to also be back in the 200s.  Back in 2015, it felt pretty miserable and I was definitely stressed about it often.  I’ve noticed this since reading over my old blostposts…I was stressed about my weight a lot.  And, most of the time, I was also trying to find a better body/life/weight balance, which I still seek.  Here are my posts around my Weekly Weigh-In August 2015:

It Was Time To Face The Scale – where I write about starting a new 12-week WW journal so I can really try to re-focus on my weightloss journey.  I struggled so much and just needed something to help me feel more in control.  A fresh start seems to always make me feel better.

I Ate Too Much – which is funny since I re-committed to better food/tracking accountability.  But, that doesn’t mean I have to give up eating yummy foods.  I mean, look at that dessert!  Mmmmmm…..sugar.

 

Tango, Not The Cha-Cha – which was a good meeting topic after my gain from the week before.  Oh…if only I knew then what I know now.  I would tell myself that it is only going to get mentally harder and the weight gain will get far worse before it gets better.

 

Humility – I really like the reflection on how I need to focus more on “letting your accomplishments speak for themselves.”  I have achieved so much and despite all those ups and downs, I’m still trucking along 10+ years later with extra motivation and that pep in my step that I need to get back under 200 pounds.

 

When I look back at my weight record as it pertains to the photos I see, it is most noticeable that I look pretty darn good in 2014.  What was my weight?  It was between 180-190.  The feelings from 2014 were so negative and it is really sad now because I look just fine.  I was way too hard on myself.  I desire to get below 200, I’m going to get below 200, and this time around, I’m going to be nicer to myself.

An Easy Cooking Tip

When we visit my Aunt Barb in New Mexico, she often wants to cook/eat at home.  This is helpful in offsetting those vacation splurges and saving a little money.  Plus, Barb is a great cook.

One of her tips/tricks is to buy bell peppers when they are on a really good sale, along with an onion.  She then sautés them, put them into a Ziploc bag, and then freezes them flat.  This way whenever she wants peppers and onions for a recipe she just takes it out of the freezer and breaks off a little chunk. 

 

It makes scrambled eggs taste delicious!

I wanted to pass along this tip incase you are looking for a way to use up old produce before it expires or you are looking to save yourself some time in the kitchen.

Enjoy.

#BlueDotPoppinWithPapi Going Strong

Guys...I have NEVER had this many blue dots in a row.

 

I am shocked. Even when there have been a couple of days this month where I thought I’d go over 30 points (25 + 5), I have either talked myself out of “needing” whatever the food was or rearranged the remainder of my day.

 

It’s crazy! I’m so determined to get under 200. It’s time. It’s been time for a while but I’ve been lollygagging. Not anymore. I’ve got to stay focused this time and the #BlueDotPoppinWithPapi has been helping with the motivation.

 

There have been days this month that I pre-tracked more than one serving and decided to eat/drink less.  Last night, I had seven points left (2 DSPA and 5 WSPA) where I could earn my blue dot.  I got off work at 8pm and while I had eaten my microwave a few hours earlier.  I felt like something but I didn’t know what.  Kenyon decided on Panda Express so I thought I might go over my points and break my blue dot streak.  I really evaluated if I needed both string bean chicken and beef broccoli when I was most excited for my little bit of chow mien.  This is how I have been able to earn my dots…evaluating what I really want/need.

 

Of course, I do worry that eating too little could also affect the scale.  I’m feeling good so I’m just going to keep rolling with it.

 

Kenyon has been doing low carb/Keto and losing weight along with me.  In order to be a good support to him, we haven’t been eating out like we used to.  With less eating out and less alcohol consumption, it has been easier to earn those blue dots.  I’m really proud of myself and I’m planning to keep it rolling as long as I can.  But, I won’t deprive myself if a day comes that I don’t earn a blue dot.

 

I had a conversation with the thyroid doctor about my goal to get under 200 pounds.  He is always so complimentary about my weight loss when I see him for my annual visit.  I told him when I see him next year I WILL be under 200.  He said, “I know you will.”  I did some quick math and in order to be 190 next August, I have to lose half a pound a week.  That is very doable.

Earning Awards All Over The Place

Good Morning and Happy Thursday to all you getting close to your weekend.  I’m starting my work week today with an overtime shift after I get my hair cut.  I love hair cut day.

I have been earning awards like a mad women over here.  On Tuesday, I decided to try for my 200% Movement goal as part of this month’s Apple Watch Activity Challenge.  In order to reach this goal, I need to do at least two workouts and also be really mindful of my other movement during my day.  I honesty feel like I’m moving non-stop.  

I successfully reach my goal on Tuesday and then on Wednesday, things were looking good at earning another 200% since I had already reached the 100% mark at noon and I knew I would be awake until at least 9pm or 10pm.  In order do earn this award for a second day in a row, I had to take a second exercise class of the day (I attend the Chisel class earlier in the morning).  Even though Kelsey wasn’t able to make to the Pound class, I put on my workout clothes and burned some major calories.  200% x 2 feels pretty darn good!

I now have three of four days this month checked off the Activity Challenge list and will finish it up next week, probably with two gym classes again.  It feels really good to reach this goal considering I thought about lowering my daily movement calories, which I didn’t.

The WW app also awarded me for my two straight weeks of blue dots.  I don’t think I’ve seen this award because I don’t think I’ve earned this many blue dots in a row in…well…EVER!  I am on Day 15 and I have pre-tracked Day 16.  ALL BLUE DOTS.  It is crazy and I feel so good in my clothes and so good overall.  

I am also on Day 132 of my Movement Streak.