Geek Shopping

Well the geeks went shopping this last Saturday.

I think it was a very fruitful experience. I learned a few things...

1) Karen looks hot in any dress!
2) Mel's daughter is very shy for 15 min, then warms up and acts like normal
3) The Sage color I love so much is not as good looking in person, or in the Chiffon material we thought would be good for our outdoor in MN in August, could be hot as Haides wedding.
4) Mel and Brandon both like the red accents in a white wedding dres ( and no I didnt try any wedding dresses on)!
5) the tea length dresses might be good afterall (see previous comment about being hot and the chiffon material).

What did you learn?

I will post our frontrunners later, when I get the pictures transferred to my computer.

Dude...

I ran again this morning.

And Saturday morning too.

I'm crazy runnin girl.

I <3 Runners High! :)

I figure that I can aim for 165 by 5/1. That should put me at a 10/12 size, I think. Considering at 180 I was at 14. :)

YAY!

How are YOU doing?

Any wedding updates, oh bride to be?

Hello?

I just NOW saw that there's a caterer reserved. :)

How about an update!

I had forgotten...

how much I like to run.

I was up at 4:15 and ran this morning. Well, more like jogged, really -- and it was only a mile today, but I barely broke a sweat. I wasn't sure what I'd be able to do after so many weeks off.

Tomorrow I'll up it to 2 miles, I think... we shall see. :)

Ahhh... I'm really an exercise junkie at heart!

back... again... saddle... now... going...

I'm back on the wagon. Take 8.2 million.

So far so good.

50 lbs by August baby. I know I can do it. :)

Of course, Everyone I know says if I loose 50 lbs that I'd be TOO thin, but we shall see...

Driving...

Soon, very soon I will be in a car heading back, once again, to ND.

Its been awhile since I have seen Brandon's family and I am looking forward to that.

I'm not looking forward to trying to stay on my diet while I am there! I don't want to blow it completely, but already the list of items I have decided to pack so that I can stick on my diet is astounding! Cereal, milk, diet cafiene free pop, chicken breast, lunch meat, low calorie bread, fruits like strawberries and bananas, Veggies like carrots and broccoli, Healthier butter, simply fruit sugar free fruit spread, rice cakes...

Its going to be an interesting hour between 4 and 5 as I shop for some last min grocery items, try to get home, pack all this food up and be ready to drive at 5.

Wish me luck!

Week 1

My morning weigh-in gave me a big boost today! 162.5!

I have been on this diet since Monday and already lost the 2 lbs for the week minimum that I want, all the while fighting off a cold. I made it to the gym 2 times and have one more workout, I am targeting Saturday for that.

Yesterday was hard because I got genuinely hungry before lunch and before dinner.

Saturday I start Phase 2 of the diet plan, this one is 6 days long and incorporates more protein supplements and added in a mid-morning snack which I have been doing anyway by taking a breakfast item and moving it to mid-morning.

I want to purchase a couple fish fillets, any recommendations on kinds of fish/brands? I could eat pretty much any fish, although I like salmon the best. But only if its fresh wild... and cooked up by a great chef!

I'm supposed to alternate Fish, Chicken and Turkey for my dinner meal.

Mel, how is week one going?

Anyone else want to join us in our quest?

My Goal: Lose 23 lbs by March 1st 2007. I would like to maintain a weight between 140 and 150 after that.

Back on the wagon - time 3600000000000

Yep.

I'm all over it.

18 lbs by 1/1. That way I'm down to the weight that the bf started dated me at... and it'll be our 1 year anniversary! CAN YOU IMAGINE?!?! It's been a year already! :)

So after I get those 18 lbs gone by 1/1, I need to drop another 32 by the magic wedding date so I'm not the fat bridesmaid.

Worked out last night. Sick-n-all. It was ok. Only 45 minutes on the elliptical, but I survived.

:)

I get to be Maid o' Honor!

I'm so excited!

I've gotta loose 50 lbs so I don't have to be 'the fat bridesmaid'. You know there is always one. Well, it would be me. :) PLUS -- I need to look good in the pink feathered thing that the bride is going to make me wear. Goodness. ;)

"I need you to be supportive"

How can your friends and family help you with your diet and exercise plans?

I always say to my boyfriend “I need you to be supportive”.

But what does this mean? No one wants a nag, and in fact I don’t respond well to that, especially from my boyfriend (and vice versa). A friend of mine has actually sanctioned her boyfriend to be her food police! If that works for her great, but that would just drive me crazy.

What I think we all want deep down is for someone to go through it with us, and to be strong when we are weak. We can be strong for them when they need it as well. Often it is nice even to have someone who cheats sometimes like we do so we do not feel bad.

I will never get this out of any single person. None of us will. The only place we will ever get them from is within ourselves.

So what can they do that is helpful without being insane?

Wedding Date Watch

Everyone who is on the look out for our wedding date... we still don't have one.

We are getting closer though, talking to venue's etc., but we are trying for early to mid August of 2007 so you can at least know the general time frame!

Are we hot yet?

The answer for me is a definite NO! I'm not any hotter, or healthier!

Working on getting over a freak shoulder injury right now.. might actually go see a chiro a first for me in my adult life.

Work schedules made me drop Jazzercise and my eating habits have gotten atrocious. Working on the "Change One" plan again. This week focusing on getting a healthy breakfast. Fruit and V8 :) At the same time I will have to start using the treadmill at home since my shoulder rules out a lot of other exercise options.

Ive actually been getting 3x a week exercise in, mainly hiking and volleyball, but my injuries and snacking habits have been my downfall the last month or so. I will have to work on more sensible snacks!

I'm going to need some help out here!!! Where you at Mel?

Wedding Flowers

We are thinking a simple green and white... What do you think? I might actually want a smaller one than this, either less flowers or just ones not quite so large.

Grand Canyon Wedding Off.

My dream of a small fun wedding at the Grand Canyon is now dead. All you who were worried about how you were going to afford to come can now stop saving so many of your pennies.

Brandon and I are back at square one with wedding plans.

Our September goal was to set a Location and a date... however this setback now means that we will be lucky to get our location set again in the 1 week that remains to us in September.

Guess it is time to break out that book I bought back in May about planning a traditional wedding. I feel crappy like my dream was squashed... and then kicked.

Hopefully we can find something equally 'us' locally here.

Depressing Fridays

Sometimes Friday’s arrival is a joy, the work week has gone well. Everything you set out to do was completed with bells on. You have stunning weekend plans which you are totally prepared for...

For me more often than not Fridays are just a source of debilitating stress. Work goals that did not get accomplished. Weekly status notes highlight your failures, and as the end of the week approaches, debug gets more frantic and mistakes are made. Packing preparations for a weekend or evening trip I am not ready for. There are chores around the house going undone all week that now have to sit over the weekend.

What are weekends for you? Do you use the extra time to catch up? What do you spend time on, work or family responsibilities?

About 3 out of 4 Fridays I wish I just had the whole night to veg and de-stress from the weekend. But it seems 4 out of 4 Fridays have something planned already.

Too Busy!

I have been too busy the last week for Jazzercise. The schedule is a bit limited and I was sick Monday so I missed that class and tonight I have Girl Scouts at 6:30. Makes it impossible to go to a 5:30 class and get cleaned up after... so I have to work out on my own.

So last night I did! A treadmill and some hanweights. It felt really good, especially after Sunday/Monday being sick and not moving around much at all!

Here is to hoping I can keep that up and start to get better control over my eating. Next week I think I should concentrate on packing a lunch. Its always healthier than any fast food choices I make.

me skinny

By my birthday I want to be near this size. You think I can do it?

I sure hope so, I'll be 30. I miss being hot. :)

 

Bridal Boogie!

Yea I know I am a dork, and I don't know why I did this instead of going to bed... but it is what it is.

http://www.orbitzweddings.com/dancebridedance/index.aspx?id=9122c67a-8246-41b4-87b8-05aea991afd9

Skipped..

I skipped a Jazzercise workout yesterday. I have family coming to visit later tonight and we still had a room (that we had just painted) that was all empty. I got quite a bit of exercise going up and down stairs with boxes and occasionally pieces of furniture, but I still feel bad about it.

Saturday we are going to go hiking at Quarry hill and hopefully next week I will get back on a regular workout schedule. So far I am only trying to 2 Jazzercise classes a week. Of the 5 weeks in August since I started up again I think there were 3 of them that I only made it to 1 class... but other exercise was had.

Weight wise I am stable... not increasing or decreasing right now, 162.5 is where I am at.

That is due in large part to me avoiding fast food by bringing lunches 3 times the last 2 weeks :)

Go Team!

Peace between your ears.

I found this very interesting. It was a good description of the overall battle with weight, but its on scales of weeks so I have never been able to distance myself enough to see this.

http://carldaikeler.blogspot.com/2006/08/world-peace-starts-between-your-ears.html

Down under the nasty 00 mark. ;)

Granted, it's only by .5 lbs, but I'm still under it! For the first time in -- 9 months, I'd say!!!

WOOT!

Down 6.5 lbs in a week. Not too shabby for this girl who's pushing 30.

You asked for it...

 

Peeps...

Because we all know about the Peeps neckalce, don't we?

More Peeps Than You Can Shake a Stick At

holy tired batman

I had forgotten how quickly I tire when I'm not eating all of those carbs anymore! I cannot stop yawning! :)

Oh well, this too shall pass. I can totally make it a few weeks doing this, right. And by the time the audition is here, I'll be so used to it that there will be no point in quitting, right?

Someone agree with me, please? :)

The dress...

It's the Toilet Paper Wedding Dress contest.

I think that we need to make one of these for you!

Back in the saddle...

Woot.

So - I'm back in the saddle - on the wagon - towing the line. Whatever you want to call it. :)

I ate so good yesterday! Not even a nibble of anything I wasn't supposed to eat.

Then I went and worked out for 45 minutes... and then there were 'after-hours, adult activites'. I burned a lot of calories, if you know what I mean. ;)

I'm down 2 lbs. Water weight, I'm certain, but it's fun to dream...

Back on the wagon...

I have a HUGE audition coming up in 4 weeks!

HUGE!

I want to drop 15 lbs.

So, needless to say... check out my fitday page...

I'm eating like a bird. TWEET TWEET!

How in the Heck?

So Friday I gained 4.5 lbs! I weigh myself about 5 mornings a week, and between Friday and Saturday I went up 4.5 lbs!

One pigout alone shouldn't be enough for that much weight, with any luck I gained some muscle ;)

This week I had 2 Jazzercise classes and 2 volleyball nights. Also some gardening and home rearranging has been giving me quite the workout today. All I have to say is books, books, books.

Shoeless Dani..

I confess I was unprepared for my Jazzercise class this week. Tuesday I showed up without shoes!

I tried to make up for it by working out like a banshee yesterday and I have been quite a bit more conscious about what I'm eating, but I couldn't get myself on my treadmill at home when I got there :(

Mel, what's this gym like that you are a member of? What kind of a workout do you do when you go there?

Relationship Secrets

Not the bad kind of secrets. Some of these secrets men keep are really insightful!
http://lifestyle.msn.com/Relationships/CouplesandMarriage/ArticleRB.aspx?cp-documentid=604574>1=8461

And of course secrets we like to keep..
http://lifestyle.msn.com/Relationships/CouplesandMarriage/ArticleRB.aspx?cp-documentid=675120&GT1=8461

And believe it or not, these links came from my boyfriend!

My true list of secrets is a combination of the two...

My Personal “Don’t tell the husband” Secrets!

Secret #3: We're unnerved by the notion of commitment, even after we've made one to you

This is a dicey one, so first things first: We love you to death. We think you're fantastic. Most of the time we're absolutely thrilled that we've made a lifelong vow of fidelity to you in front of our families, our friends and an expensive videographer.

But most of us didn't spend our formative years thinking, "Gosh, I just can't wait to settle down with a nice girl so we can grow old together." Instead we were obsessed with how many women who resembled Britney Spears we could have sex with before we turned 30. Generally it takes us a few years (or decades) to fully perish that thought.

Secret #7: Every year we love you more

Sure, we look like adults. We own a few suits. We can probably order wine without giggling. But although we resemble our father when he was our age, we still feel like that 4-year-old clutching his pant leg.

With that much room left on our emotional-growth charts, we sense we've only begun to admire you in the ways we will when we're 40, 50 and -- God forbid -- 60. We can't explain this to you, because it would probably come out sounding like we don't love you now.

"It took at least a year before I really started to appreciate my wife for something other than just great sex; and I didn't discover her mind fully until the third year we were married," says Newton. "But the older and wiser I get, the more I love my wife." Adds J.P. Neal, 32, of Potomac, Maryland: "The for-richer-or-poorer, for-better-or-worse aspects of marriage don't hit you right away. It's only during those rare times when we take stock of our life that it starts to sink in."

Secret #10: We'll always wish we were 25 again

Granted, when I was 25 I was working 16-hour days and eating shrimp-flavored Ramen noodles six times a week. But as much as we love being with you now, we will always look back fondly on the malnourished freedom of our misguided youth. "Springsteen concerts, the '91 Mets, the Clinton presidency -- most guys reminisce about the days when life was good, easy and free of responsibility," says Rob Aronson, 41, of Livingston, New Jersey, who's been married for 11 years. "At 25 you can get away with things you just can't get away with at 40."

While it doesn't mean we're leaving you to join a rock band, it does explain why we occasionally come home from Pep Boys with a leather steering-wheel cover and a Born to Run CD.

4. We may be modern and independent, but we still want you to be "the man."
We do want you to be sensitive, caring 21st-century males, but even the most ass-kicking, take-no-prisoners woman still wants to feel taken care of by her man somehow. Whether that means you take charge in bed, know how to fix the car and kill spiders, or even just carry the big suitcase when we're on vacation—when you act all manly, even if you're 98 pounds soaking wet, it makes us feel more feminine, more safe.

"I love that my friends and family always comment on how my husband opens the door for me and does all kinds of other chivalrous things—especially when I was pregnant, when he was so protective of me and my belly," says Lorraine, 29, of New Hartford, NY. "At the end of the day, being in his strong arms is definitely a good feeling, no matter how independent I know I am."

5. Our ex-boyfriends were not completely terrible in bed.
You know how we're always telling you things like, "No one does it like you do"? Um, yeah. Well, we may have been stretching the truth just a teensy bit. But we'll never actually tell you that a past lover was a bedroom dynamo—we're smarter than that. Just know that whatever toe-curling orgasms the other guy gave us, sex with you really is a million times better—because it's you, and you're the one we really want.

6. We're scared that we'll turn into our mothers.
We love our mothers, really. We admire them, we're grateful to them, we think they're the most amazing women on the planet. We just don't want to be them. That's why one of the worst insults you can hurl at a woman is, "You're acting just like your mother."

But here's one that's even worse: "You're acting just like my mother." It sends a horrible oedipal shiver down our spines—did he marry me because I'm like his mom? Will he start expecting me to cut the crusts off his PB&J? So please, if you value your sex life, never ever compare your wife to your mother. Out loud, anyway.

7. We want you to be jealous—but just a little bit.
We want you to notice—and care!—when the waiter flirts with us, or when other guys check us out on the street. It makes us feel that we matter to you. But please don't get all Neanderthal and possessive on us. "I'm very loyal, and if my guy can't understand that I would never do anything with anyone else, then that just makes me mad," says Paulina, 22, from Brooklyn. So, to recap: Raising your eyebrows when we introduce you to our cute coworker—good. Punching him out—very, very bad.

8. Yes, we fantasize about hot celebrity guys, but that doesn't mean we want you to be them.
Christian Bale is sexy and all, but can you imagine having to clean that Batcave? (what do you mean clean HIS batcave?)

10. We really do notice and appreciate all the chores you do.
Why don't we say so often enough? Because we can't get over all the things you don't do. My husband, for example, is incredibly diligent about keeping a 6-by-10-foot carpeted patch of our apartment vacuumed and cat hair–free, and I love that. But it kills me that it never occurs to him to dust the furniture sitting on top of that piece of carpet, or to sweep the hardwood floor adjoining it.

Blame our lack of positive feedback on that stubborn female belief that there is Only One Right Way to do any given household task—our way. It's probably the real reason why men don't shoulder a greater share of housekeeping duties; we complain about how you did it wrong, so you never want to do it again. (Sounds familiar, right?) Let's make a deal: You promise to dust the lampshade (or wipe down the kitchen counter after you wash the dishes, or take out the garbage and then put a new liner in the can) once in a while, and we promise to sing your praises. Agreed?

11. We love you with all our hearts, but we still get wistful about the fact that we'll never feel that falling-in-love sizzle and spark again.
I'll just come right out and say it: Most women are love addicts. And while we appreciate the depth and richness of long-time love, there is simply nothing like the giddy, fluttery, crazy feeling we get (or rather, used to get) with a brand-new guy. We know we'll never feel that high again, and there's a little part of us that will always miss it. (Why do you think we watch so many romantic comedies?) But in the end, what we get instead—you, and a lifetime of true devotion—is more than worth the price

Yoohoo?

Hey where are we at? Life, love, health, friendship...

I had 2 Jazzercise classes and one sweaty game of Volleyball this week, so on that front I am doing well! Almost makes up for the weeks of nothing.... er not.

I plan to dupe the boyfriend into going to a wedding show this Sunday in town, and maybe once and for all we can decide what kind of wedding is best for us.

On the geek font, I am still an employed geek, so YEAHOO!

Talk to me goose...

Food for thought...

http://carldaikeler.blogspot.com/2006/07/consistently-drinking.html

Calories calories calories.

Sorry Mel I mixed our drinks with regular coke on Saturday night, even more calories! We both only had the one drink though so not too bad!

YOU HAVE TO READ THIS PEOPLE! :)

Thank God that I'm happily in a relationship. :)

PR. Differently: How Not to Act on J-Date

The newly engaged couple in Alaska!

 

Wedding Plans

Well my wedding plan might be changing. B and I had a 9 hour drive yesterday to discuss lots of things, and the wedding was one of them.

Here is the most recent list of possibilities.

1) Traditional-ish Wedding – Outdoor ceremony at a group campsite near here. Tried to reserve a nearby state park and didn’t get it. Most of our invite list will probably make this type of wedding. Because we incur the cost of lodging and meals for a whole weekend this is no longer our favorite option.
2) Courthouse wedding - Reception party in Rochester (possibly in our hometowns as well) and hopefully a honeymoon in Europe. Receptions in a couple of cities will mean we get to celebrate our wedding with most of our family and friends, but we don’t have to incur the expense and stress of the traditional wedding.
3) Grand Canyon Wedding – Everyone flies in to Vegas, and we shuttle to the wedding location the day of. Less cost for us AND our guests, flights and hotels in Vegas are notoriously cheap. Might want to take into consideration families with kids, find an off the strip hotel with some kid friendly activites. Big bonus, who doesn’t want to go to Vegas at some point in their lives and we aint getting married by Elvis!
4) Cruise Ship Wedding – We book a cruise and pay extra for a wedding package. Invite the standard wedding list but realize most people will not be able to afford to be with us. Reception party here, and maybe in our hometowns. Possible depart from locations… Florida or South America.
5) All Inclusive Resort Wedding – We fly there and make use of a wedding package. Possible locations (somewhere warm)… Puerta Vallarta? As with the cruise ship, most people would not be able to afford to come, no grandparents and possibly not a lot of siblings. A handful of people will probably make it and we should have a couple of friends there to be our witnesses.

argh.

I quit working out last week. I just couldn't bring myself to do it. I haven't lost a stinking pound. It doesn't seem to matter how much I work out or how much I'm losing inches I want the number to go down...

So, this week, I'm cutting most of my carbs out. I'm going to start working out again. Maybe add more weight lifting... I'm not sure. But, I tell you what I'm so frustrated at being fat that as I finished off the last of a bag of Diritos on Saturday morning that I actually felt good... LOL. Then I followed it up with two pieces of cheesecake. I didn't gain a pound either. I guess that's good...

I just want something to change. I want to fit into that beautiful new suit that's hanging in my closet waiting to be worn...

Cake

Was it wrong of me to post about cake on a website devoted to staying fit and healthy?
Probably. But since we are talking about cake...
I want White wedding cake, B doesnt like most cakes, but likes Carrot Cake ok. A friend of ours had cupcakes at her wedding, 1/2 chocolate and 1/2 white, we could do the same thing with white and carrot... OR we can just have a small white wedding cake, and then a sheet cake of carrot.. or vice versa I suppose.
What do you think?

How is it possible...

That I've been working out for almost 2 months and haven't lost a lb?

huh?

Riddle me this...

Please...

Cake

I know you're excited about the cake.


And yes, I know you're thinking about taking a HUGE bite of the cake.


Before you dive in, why not EARN the cake? (insert good workout here)


And then when it's cake time, you might not even want a piece... Especially if your 6 year old already committed her face to it!

Take off hozer.

Well I'm still getting ready to go, and we need to drive up to get our plane in 4 hours.

Not a good health decision, but a good career decision to get my crap done before I leave town :)

So no posts from me for more than a week, but heck, I'll be hiking 4-6 miles 3 days next week and a wopper 8 mile hike one day, so exercise should be covered. Even if you dont include the "tourist" walking we will do in Anchorage.

Will all of you annonymous posters at least give us a first name, or your initials or something? I wanna know who is dukin it out over dress #2!

Remember for all of these that you can see the undergarmets through the dress that those wont be there. With any luck my belly sticking out in the aforementioned #2 dress wont be there either! I think 15 lbs shaved off and that dress would be HOT!

Dress Potential #7

I really liked this v-neck halter. From the bustline down it was simple, but it has a little sparkle up top. I like that it gives me a waist. Its one downside is the long-ish train, which could be dealt with by bustling it up right after the ceremony. 

Dress Pontential #6

This particular dress was too small, but I really liked the tulle over satin. 

Dress Possibility #5

 

Dress Possibility #4

 

Dress Possibility #3

 

Dress Possibility #2

 

Dress Possibility #1

 

A good article

Healthy snacks under 200 cals

I hate...

I hate the scale.

I hate the scale.

I hate the scale.

It makes me want to eat ice cream. And not just a little - like 2 pints. :)

How is it stinking possible that I've been working out harder than I have in ... 10 years ... and I gained a lb!?!

Wedding Shiznit...

Ok lady.

Wedding things that you should be pondering - other than the location -

colors
attendents
rough guest list
um - your dress! (we need to go shopping for dresses and rings... girl stuff...)

I'm so in wedding planner mode. Have I ever mentioned that I LOVE this stuff?!?

Get Happy...

I am so sick of not seeing the weight go down! I ran an hour last night. AN HOUR! Only to wake up to the SAME GODDAMN NUMBER@!!!@)#*&$P&

I'm a little bitter.

Goal for the week - 5 workouts. I just about met that last week, I think. I don't honestly remember though because I was sick and had stuff to do... you know... ;)

I keep thinking about the dress and forcing myself to workout more. I'm obsessed. Gotta love it.

Anyway - I'm going to start a post where I'll be in wedding planner mode. There's too much working out going on here and not enough wedding planning.

Boot Camp

Danielle's 2 week boot camp!

Ok, so I'm not really a boot camp kind of girl, but this is my plan for the next two weeks to increase my cardiovascular abilities before heading to the thin thin air of Alaska.

30 min on our treadmill with a nearly max incline every day that I dont do Volleyball or Hiking.

Yesterday I actually did both! WooHoo!

Keep Salads Healthy

10 Simple Ways to Spruce Up Your Salad
By Jude Buglewicz
Summer means sun, sand, and . . . salads. Besides being great for your figure, eating lots of nutrient-rich vegetables is an excellent way to maintain your health. To keep you filling up the big bowls all season long, we've provided lists of delicious ingredients for you to choose from to add flavor, variety, and a heap of health benefits. So eat up and enjoy!
Remember, dark green, leafy lettuces and red and orange fruits and vegetables provide key nutrients and more disease-fighting antioxidants than paler varieties. Lower-fat cheeses and yogurt provide protein and calcium without the fat. And fatty fish like salmon, sardines, and herring, as well as flaxseeds, walnuts, soybeans, and tofu are great sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which help reduce inflammation, regulate metabolism and blood sugar, and keep your arteries clear. Finally, fruits, veggies, and legumes are excellent sources of dietary fiber, which is beneficial for maintaining normal blood sugar and cholesterol levels, promoting a feeling of fullness after eating, and keeping you regular!

1. Greens. Arugula, Boston and Bibb lettuce, endive, mustard greens, radicchio, romaine, spinach, watercress

Unfortunately, most Americans choose iceberg lettuce, the least nutritious of the green leafy veggies. Romaine and watercress, though, have almost eight times more beta-carotene and twice the potassium. Mesclun is also a good salad choice. It's a mixture of baby greens such as baby spinach, radicchio, arugula, and mache. If you opt for the convenient prepackaged bags of salad greens, it's a good idea to rinse the leaves before eating, as even some "thrice-washed" varieties have been known to harbor harmful bacteria.

2. Herbs (fresh). Basil, chervil, chives, cilantro, dill, marjoram, mint, parsley, oregano, rosemary, thyme

Prepare fresh herbs for eating by thoroughly rinsing off dirt and grit under running water, then pat dry with paper towels. Chop herbs coarsely, removing any hard stems. Remember to buy fresh herbs in small quantities and refrigerate or freeze any leftovers in plastic bags or airtight containers.

3. Fruits. Apples, currants, dried cranberries, grapefruit, kiwis, mandarin oranges, mango, papaya, peaches, pineapple, raisins, raspberries, seedless grapes, strawberries

You can prepare fruit salads without veggies, or add any of the fruits listed to your green salad to boost the nutrient and antioxidant levels and supply more zest and flavor.

4. Veggies. Alfalfa or bean sprouts, asparagus, avocado, beets, bell peppers (red, orange, yellow), broccoli, carrots, celery, corn, cucumbers, fennel, jalape os, jicama, peas (frozen or fresh), radishes, mushrooms, scallions, vine-ripened tomatoes, zucchini

Packing salads with fruits and veggies ensures you're on your way to getting those five recommended daily servings. Opt for mixing different colored veggies to get more phytochemical benefits.

5. Legumes. Black beans, garbanzo beans, green beans, lentils, pinto beans, snow peas, white beans

Typically neglected in Western diets, legumes are popular traditional dishes in the rest of the world. They provide protein (without the saturated fat found in animal protein), and essential vitamins and minerals. Low on the glycemic index scale, they also improve blood glucose levels and give you the sensation of feeling full, so you'll eat less (and lose weight!).

6. Cheeses. Blue, cottage cheese (low-fat), feta (reduced fat), goat, parmesan, ricotta

Crumble a little feta or blue cheese over your salad—or add my personal favorite, nonfat cottage cheese—to increase the calcium and protein content of your meal and help fulfill your recommended three to four daily servings of dairy products.

7. Fish. Anchovies, herring, salmon, sardines, tuna

Omega-3 fatty acids! It's recommended you eat some kind of oily, cold-water fish at least twice a week, and that you include foods rich in alpha-linolenic acid as well (e.g., tofu, walnuts, and flaxseed), as they become omega-3 fatty acids in the body. Omega-3s are heart-healthy and are believed to be important for healthy brain functioning, too.

8. Other proteins. Boiled eggs, broiled tofu cubes, edamame (whole, unprocessed soybean), strips of lean ham, pork, chicken, or turkey

You want to be sure to get enough protein when you're working out and building lean muscle, but you also want to avoid the saturated fat and cholesterol in animal proteins. So, for salads, either choose lean meats or proteins from plant sources, such as tofu or edamame. Adding a couple slices of a boiled egg is also a low-calorie, high-protein way to ramp up the vitamin and mineral content of your meal.

9. Nuts, seeds. Almonds, flaxseeds, pecans, pine nuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soy nuts, sunflower seeds, walnuts

Yeah, yeah, seeds and nuts are high in fat, but it's unsaturated fat (the best kind). They're also good sources of dietary fiber and minerals. Sprinkling a few in your salad will add a nice crunchy texture—much better for you than fattening croutons!

10. Dressings. Balsamic vinegar, Dijon mustard, extra-virgin olive oil, hummus, lemon juice, lime juice, nonfat or low-fat yogurt, soy sauce

Combine a little lemon or lime juice with herbs and extra-virgin olive oil for a healthy and zesty salad dressing, or blend a little yogurt and herbs with a tablespoon of olive oil for a creamier, more flavorful texture. Honey blended with Dijon mustard and yogurt is also delicious. Just stay away from those high-calorie, high-fat store-bought bottled dressings!

+3 :(

I gained 3 lbs. Look what those evil carbs do to my body! JUST YOU LOOK! They are EVIL, I say!!!

I ran 30 minutes last night. 3.5 miles in 30 minutes isn't too bad, if you ask me. I'm tired. I'm burnt out too... but I'll keep going because I NEED TO LOSE THOSE 3 POUNDS!

WHERE ARE YOU!?!?

Are you giving up just because I'm working out and you're not? ;)

Post already child!

Sweet Mary, Mother of Joseph! :)

I lost 7 lbs this week! Now who can complain about that? :)

I even ate badly this weekend while I was out of town for my audition. Not usually as badly as I would, since the man was with me to police me, but I still ate badly. I took Friday & Saturday off from working out since we were on the road both days. Today I start again.

Goals for the week:

Drop 2 lbs.
Workout 5x.

That should be attainable. I'm already seeing results. The upper body workout that I did last week is quite visible in my pecs. Of course, they are still damn sore... LOL

Oh well. This too shall pass.

I met my goal!

3 workouts this week.

Last night was 20 minutes cardio - 10 elliptical & 10 bike. Then 40 minutes of weights. I AM SORE!

Lost 5 lbs this week. :)

HALLELUJAH!!

7.5 MPH. Really. I can do it.

I ran 2.5 miles last night in 20 minutes. Ok, so it was on the elliptical (and damnit, how DO you spell that word? Is that right!?), but I did it! I CANNOT BELIEVE I CAN RUN SO FAST!

After 6 months off from working out, my body didn't revolt at the thought of working out as hard as it was previously. Now, I think that it's SORE -- I mean, I AM sore, but it's such a good feeling!!! I adore it!

I am sick. ;)

I've lost 4 lbs this week. :) SWEET! The man says that it's not possible, but I'm eating under 2000 calories a day, drinking a TON of water (which is the key, I think) and I've cut out most of my carbs. I know, I know... low carb is bad. However, I know my body. It hords carbs. The minute I start eating too many of them is when I start to gain weight. So, they are pretty much gone out of my diet again. Don't get me wrong, I ate a ButterBurger last night for dinner, so they aren't COMPLETELY gone, but mostly. :)

Goodness, I still can't believe that I ran 7.5 mph -- and I didn't pass out or die or anything. I think tonight is going to be a strength training night. OR maybe 20 minutes on the elliptical and then strength training? Annie is going with me, so we'll see...

So far so good on those goals for the week. :)

Workout #1 - successful! :)

Yep. Went to the gym last night for an hour. 4 miles on the ellpitical and 9 miles on the recumbent bike! YAY! I'm not even sore today.

Goal for the week: Workout 3 times. This should be easy since I already got 1 in. :) The tough part will be this weekend when I'm out of town for an audition.

:)

On that note -- here's an interesting article about changing the way you think about food.

Focus Focus Focus!

June 5th starts a week that is exactly 4 away from my Alaska Hiking trip.

The bull stops here! I may need to modify my 3x a week workout goals, but only because some other activities which are also a great workout, are already planned into my week. Trying for more of a points system, with a total possible of 20 for the week (added in a bonus point to make it even).

1) 2x a week Cardio
2) 2x a week Weights
3) 1x a week Volleyball
4) 1x a week (at least) Hiking practice.
5) Fruit with every breakfast 5x
6) Pack a lunch or have a salad 3x in a week
7) Healthy snack options with me at work for cravings 5x
8) 1 bonus point for a special exercise session

Monday
1 1/2 an Orange for breakfast
1 Hiking practice
1 Packed lunch
1 special exercise session

Cocktails anyone?

The 5 Best and 5 Worst Cocktails By Steve Edwards

Across the board, studies keep telling us that a bit of alcohol in your diet enhances health and lengthens life span. But last time you hit the bar, you woke up feeling like someone was using a rototiller on your brain, leaving you to wonder, "How can this have been good for me?"
The truth is—it isn't. A hangover means you've done damage that needs to be reversed. Unfortunately, a common remedy is a greasy meal, which further damages your system and hinders all weight loss plans. But there's no doubt that a drink every now and then can help lift your spirits and diminish stress. But all cocktails are not created equal. Just like making smart choices with the foods you eat, imbibing with a plan can be the difference between extending your life and getting to know your Domino's guy on a first-name basis.

The Best
1. Red wine. Much has been written about its high antioxidant content and how wine drinkers are the healthiest sect of those who imbibe regularly. The difference between red and white wines is the grapes' skins. Whites don't have 'em, and they also contain more residual sugar, and sugar and alcohol is a bad combination.
Downside . . . The sulfates in red wine affect many people poorly, often leading to an inability to sleep. And if you can't sleep, you're offsetting all of the positive effects.

2. Light beer. Beer is a blend of barley and hops and, essentially, fairly healthy. It has some food value and its alcohol content is low. Light beer has about a third fewer calories than regular beer; a bottle generally contains less than 100. It's not a terrible snack by any means.
Downside . . . It's hard to drink just one. Because it's mainly water, it's not uncommon to see light beer drinkers wielding a 12-pack after work and 1,200 calories of beer will ruin anyone's diet.

3. Guinness stout. In Ireland, the saying goes that Guinness is food. And, sure enough, it tastes like it. Thick, rich, and syrupy, one Guinness can feel as satisfying as a case of Bud Light. However, it's not all that high in calories or alcohol and has a high iron count.
Downside . . . It can be addicting. When one doesn't do the trick anymore, you can quickly pile on calories. "Food" as it may be, most of beer's calories still comes from alcohol.

4. Top-shelf alcohol of any kind. Straight, on the rocks, or with water. The means of producing hard alcohol ensure that you're getting what you pay for. Cheap stuff isn't made with a high-quality distillation process, leaving it with all sorts of impurities and a taste that renders its main use to be mixed with non-alcoholic, and usually highly caloric, substances. Top-shelf stuff, whether it's bourbon, vodka, or even rum, is made to be consumed alone, or with water. Slowly savoring your drink is a great way to make sure that you don't overdo it. Cost is another. It's much better to slowly relish a glass of Blanton's than to power down a fifth of Old Granddad and Coke.
Downside . . . The cost of providing for your top-shelf-only habit could lead to enough extra stress down at the office to offset the stress you're relieving with your drink.

5. Vodka soda. Vodka is the purest of the hard alcohols and soda is mainly water. Add a couple of limes and you've got a clean and refreshing cocktail with very few calories.
Downside . . . It's so clean and refreshing, it's hard to be restrained. If you have four of these, you might as well have just had that strawberry margarita you wanted in the first place.

The Worst
1. Scorpion. Or just about anything you'll find at the Kon Tiki, Trader Vic's, or any place where drink is referred to as "grog." If there's anything worse than mixing a lot of sugar-based alcohols together, it's mixing them with a bunch of sugary juices in a bowl that's big enough for six. Drink one of these and be prepared to skip the entire drunken process and head straight to the hangover.

2. Long Island Iced Tea. Forget the word "tea." There are no antioxidants to be found in this concoction of five different alcohols, sweet and sour mix, and Coke. A few of these and you might as well put in a wake-up call to Domino's.

3. Red Bull and vodka. If you want to be a supercharged drunk, here ya go. One of the main offenders of the hangover is your inability to sleep well after a night on the town. Nothing enhances the chance of seeing dawn's early light like a couple of these. The only positive is that maybe you'll dance all night and work off the calories. Hopefully, you don't have to work the next day.

4. Jack and Coke. You might as well just mainline your whiskey. Nothing's better than Coke at creating a sugar rush. Adding alcohol to this mix creates the perfect atmosphere for a bar fight. The only saving grace is that being drunk impairs your reflexes. Losing a couple of late-night melees could lead to some restraint.

5. Piña Colada. The only thing more densely caloric than alcohol is fat and this baby combines the two, along with all the sugar you need to guarantee a hangover. The result is a virtually nutrition-free milk shake that contains half of your daily caloric requirement. The only possible bright side is that you're only likely to feel comfortable drinking one of these on an island where you have ample opportunity to shed the pounds you gained the night before.

Check Steve Edwards' Mailbag for his responses to reader comments. If you'd like to ask a question or comment on a newsletter article, just email us at mailto:mailbag@beachbody.com?subject=5%20Best%20and%20Worst%20Cocktails.
For Steve's views on fitness, nutrition, and outdoor sports, read his blog, The Straight Dope.

Memorial Week May 29th 2006

I don't know whether the weekend counted for last week or this week, but I sure fell off the wagon this last weekend, and with dire consequences!

I now weigh 161.5 as of this morning! up about 3 lbs for those who may know what I weighed last week.

Hot sweaty days, lots of sitting around, lots of junk food around and a host of "motherly" types trying to feed me all weekend .. bad combinations.

Goals
1) Continue the fruit with every breakfast, and limit myself to one (planned in advance to be healthier) snack before lunch, and one after. 3x a week bringing my lunch might be challenging, but I can force myself to eat healthier when going out.

2) Same fitness goals as last week. I found 3x a week weights and 3x a week cardio challenging to get to. In addition to that I would like to do at least one physical activity for an hour, like Hiking, bike riding, stiff walking, rollerblading, mowing the lawn, whatever.

So far its Tuesday and I just worked out this evening. Since I'm leaving town yet again on Friday (Camping with my Girl Scouts) this means I need to work out the next 2 days consecutively. I might be able to let a cardio slide and get a hike in this weekend.

Lions and tigers and diets, oh my!

K - so far the diet is going ok. The exercise, not so much...

The man is attempting to police my diet. Not working so well... I pigged out on Pringles today. Not the Sour Cream and Onion kind we used to eat, but the Cheese-Ums that I adore... :)

Ok - so goal for the week - workout once. Only once because I'm pretty sure THAT is attainable... ;)

Don't Stop Believing

Don't Stop Believin'
By Denis Faye
Hold on to that sweaty feeling! We know it's hard! We know it's easier just to sit on the couch. And sometimes, we know you're just not getting the results as fast as you'd like. But things are happening, honestly! Muscles are toning, fat's melting. You just need to keep at it.
Here are five quick tips to help you do just that.

1. Enlist a buddy. Misery loves company, right? Grab your wife, husband, sister, brother, mailman, whoever—anyone who can join you on your quest to get fit. If there's no one in the immediate vicinity, log on to the Beachbody Message Boards. Tons of folks log on every day looking for a workout buddy. Once you find that pal, you can use tools like WOWY® to keep each other honest.
2. Pick the right program. Far too many people pick the program they think they need without accounting for their personal tastes. Into pumping iron? Then don't do Turbo Jam or Yoga Booty Ballet. Instead, hit it hard with Power 90® or P90X®! Have a look around, talk to a few people, and pick something that looks fun. That'll keep you motivated. Even if another program might fit your goals a little better, there's no point if you're not going to finish.
3. Baby steps. About three days into P90X, another 87 workouts seems like a lot. Try to get out of this mind-set. Think weekly. If you get to Sunday, to your rest day, you'll have accomplished a week of hard work. You can assess the next week later.
4. Along these same lines, consider a lesser goal. Fifty pounds in eight weeks is rather daunting. Start by losing ten pounds. Once you're there, reassess and set another small goal.
5. WOWY®. This is our free online gym (stands for "Work Out With You"). It's a feature that allows people to alert others as to what workout they're doing, when they're doing it, and how it's going. Even if you don't have a workout buddy (as suggested in the first tip), it's still a great way to be held accountable and be inspired by any others on the same quest for fitness as you.
6. Nude up. Okay, this one is a bit out there, but try to spend as much time with your clothes off as possible. If you still have a long way to go, it'll serve as a reminder of the things you're striving to change. If you're well on your way, it'll remind you of all you've accomplished, especially when you walk by a mirror and think, "Who's that hottie?" Sometimes a little narcissism is a good thing. That said, you might want to strap a few of your bits down when actually working out.

If you'd like to ask a question or comment on a newsletter article, just email us at mailbag@beachbody.com. Check Steve Edwards' Mailbag for his responses to reader comments.
For Steve's views on fitness, nutrition, and outdoor sports, read his blog, The Straight Dope.

a ladykatya welcome...

Yes, yes here's my quick little welcome...

My plan for the next week is as follows:

1. Workout every day.
2. Eat way better than I am - aiming for 1500 calories or less.

And here's the reason why... my dress. Ok, so it hasn't been purchased yet or even tried on, but it's my inspiration...

Gee, maybe I should wait to pick things out until I get a ring? ;)

Welcome

So whats a good plan. For the week of May 22nd I will...
1) Pack a lunch 3 times a week (include a large salad)
2) Instead of my default breakfast of v8 juice and toast or cereal... have fruit
3) In addition to increasing my outdoor activities like Volleyball, walks, biking, I need to strengthen my wrists by starting light weightlifing 3x a week
4) GO TO BED always by 11pm during the week