I survived my birthday.

Here's my birthday dinner:

Appetizer: Spinach, artichoke & cheese dip with fresh tortilla chips  290c

Starter Side: caesar salad with homemade caesar dressing, real bacon pieces and shaved parmesan cheese (only ate half)  197c

Entree: 8oz prime rib with green & yellow beans  580c

Dessert: Fudge brownie with a cookie base, white chocolate sauce & vanilla ice cream (It was MASSIVE, I had a 1/4 of it)  304c

Drink: 8 glasses of water and a long island iced tea (I can't find any caloric info on that.. so let's say 250c) I haven't had a drink drink in about.. over a year.

Approx. Total: 1621 calories. Which is pretty much my usual daily intake. It took me almost 4 hours to eat it all though. lol

I walked around downtown Toronto for about 2 hours before dinner, and then after dinner we walked to concert venue. Jumped around and danced to the music for 3 hours, then walked around downtown again for another hour. My boyfriend and I didn't get home until 2am, haha.

I haven't weighed myself yet, I'm scared to!

<3 Jenn 

alldolledup - don't worry too much about the birthday dinner we are allowed to enjoy our dinner and we have days like this just get back on track and you will get back to your weight if you gained and lose the water weight so don't worry too much just keep on going!!

tanya - way to go on the 8 pounds lost in a month.  You are just trekking along and doing great.  Keep up the awesome work.

jansa - I missed a day and felt like I missed so much so I know how you feel.  I hope that you don't overwork your brain with all those hours of continuing Ed.  I remember those days from my EMT license and my accounting license.  It takes a lot of work so I would try to do a few hours a month online but it became difficult and I was doing crunch time at the end of the year.

Rena - way to go on the sexy sailor outfit.  I bet you look great in it and it is always a nice surprise to be down a size from what you really expect or think you need to buy.  Keep up the great work and you will be down more sizes in no time.

count-it-07 - I have been in the same situation as you and tried to beat myself up over every little thing that I ate over my allowance and would continuous self - sabotage because of beating myself up.  It is important that you learned that you could come here and talk about your feelings instead of eating through it.  That is a great insight to learn and a very positive breakthrough for your lifestyle change.  You know that you can come here for the support instead of eating your way through your emotions.  I am so proud of you for working out 3 times last week and still continuing to go back.  These are all great accomplishments that you need to think of and turn your negatives into positives because you are making progress and we can't expect to change over night so we all have our slip ups we just need to learn from them and move forward and this is how new habits are formed.  Let me know if you need anything and you can always add me as your friend and I will add you back.  Keep up the great work because you really have made some great breakthroughs.

I haven't posted yesterday because I ended up in the Emergency room with another major asthma attack.  We thought they were going to have to put me on a ventilator because I was passing out and stopping breathing and my O2 stats were dropping into the low 70's high 60's.  But they administered oxygen, solu-medrol, and did some more breathing treatments and I was able to come out of it after 4 hours or so.  It was a difficult night but things are starting to get better.  So no workouts for me for the next few days so I really have to watch my food intake.  I hope everyone else is well and having a good day.   

Molly - I just got done going grocery shopping myself so this is what I have now

Fruit - Fresh Grapes, Apples, Bananas, Cranberries, Persimmons, and Mangos

Veggies - Spaghetti Squash, Butternut Squash, Reg. Yellow Squash, Zucchini Squash, Red, Green, and Yellow Bell Peppers, Jalapenos, Fresh Lettuce, Cabbage, Organic Broccoli and Green Beans, plus all kinds of steam fresh veggies from the Frozen Food Section

Meats - Fresh Salmon, Fresh Tilapia, Organic Chicken Breasts, Pork Loin Chops, Pork Loin Cutlets, Ground Turkey, No Fat Trim Turkey Breasts, and some Ground Hamburger for the hubby.

Plus from the health food store I got Organic Rolled Regular Oats, Organic Hemp Plus Granola, No Salt  Added Tuna and some Smooshed Fresh Fruit which is like a fruit roll up without all the preservatives and only is 35 - 40 cal per roll. 

Biggestloserfan ...

* Can I make pork loin cutlets in the electric frying pan? 

* What do you do with your persimmons?

* What do you do with your cranberries? Are they really tart?

* How do you prepare your no fat trim turkey breasts?

(And I hope your asthma is better!)

Moogiesue ....

Woo hoo on those push-ups!

Alldolledup ....

Happy Birthday! What you described sounded like a delightful bit of fun!

Tanyamonique ...

Woo hoo on the weight loss! (I yell at the TV, too!)

=^..^= MOLLY

alldolledup: happy birthday! it sounds like you had an awesome day, jumping up and down at concerts is always fun and i bet you burned heaps of calories too!!  Open question: i know a lot of people like to allow a treat day/special occasion (birthday) day treat... what do most people feel about treat days slowing down weight loss?  Would you rather treat yourself, or lose weight faster? 

Rena: i also think your sexy sailor girl outfit sounds hot!  i havent seen costumes in bigger sizes like that where i live, but yours sounds FABULOUS! You should post a pic in your profile after halloween (or earlier - i bet youre already prancing around in it around the house!) lol.

biggestloserfan: wow, well done for sticking to eating well and healthy when you have so many things that could make you fall off track.  i think your determination is inspiring!

moogiesue: i cant believe you can do regular man style push ups.. oh my gosh if i tried i would fall flat on my face and break my nose or something.. hehe

******

anyways, i have managed to get all my packing done and get all my stuff into storage, so its off home tonight (4 1/2 hour drive) to see my mum and my sister for 2 days before heading off to England for four months.  everything is feeling very surreal at the moment.  i am sitting in my room that has NOTHING in it except me and my laptop. hehe. I need to give it a good vacuum though as i found someone to take over my room (yay! more money to spend in england rather than paying for an empty room!)...  Oh... moving furniture is good exercise by the way.. i managed to work up quite a nice little sweat helping the moving guy!!!

xxx

As many of you know, we were seeking the "purrfect" home for gorgeous Sally, our beautiful flame point siamese who we rescued from a local animal shelter when she was deathly ill. I was at the shelter last fall, looking for small dogs to rescue and ship up to Canada (where they have a shortage of adoptable small dogs, believe it or not!)  But while I was there, I couldn't help but visit the kitties and this blue-eyed beauty caught my eye. I inquired, and found out (to my great dismay) that she was on the PTS (put to sleep) list because she had an ear infection. I spoke with my wonderful DH, who agreed to let me rescue her. Her vet bills were more than $1,000 -- but she pulled through.

Since then, it slowly became clear to us that Sally was not a "group kitty" like the rest of our feline herd .... and she always seemed stressed and annoyed by our other cats. So, after much thought and prayer, we decided that rehoming her to a home where she would be an only kitty (or maybe one of two kitties), would be best. So ... we listed her on Petfinder with a local rescue group we foster for, and the perfect couple came forward.  They just lost their own beloved pet this afternoon (they knew it was her time, she had cancer), so they made arrangements to pick up Sally this evening. (They'd met her a few weeks ago, but were waiting because of their other cat.) So, today was a tear-filled bittersweet day for them ... the loss of one friend and the bringing home of a new one .... Sally.

Sally has a new home ... with a couple who will love and cherish her creamy fluffitude!  (big, happy sigh)  Still, it's hard to say goodbye to a friend, and I miss her already. But, I know without a shadow of a doubt this was the best choice we could make for her. (sniff)  Rescuing animals is not easy ... it's a rewarding, but heart-wrenching, calling.

Dinner tonight was lean chicken, wheat bulgur, sauteed mushrooms, and zucchini. (5 servings of vegetables and one yummy whole grain!) I still need to get my workout done tonight ... probably after I watch "The Biggest Loser" How's THAT for motivating??? I don't know why I watch that show ... the only part I like is watching the people who get sent home and who continue their transformation. I don't like those trainers yelling at people, and I don't think working out 8 hours a day to try to lose 10 pounds (or more) in a week is a healthy approach to weight loss.

 YAY ... my dentist appointment scheduled for tomorrow has been postponed until my DH Ron returns!!!! Woooooooo hooooooo! It's been a stressful past couple of days and I just couldn't handle the dentist this week, ya know? I was in tears about having to go by myself, so Ron called and cancelled it, promising me he'd reschedule it when he gets back from being gone.

I miss my cat.

=^..^= MOLLY

Well, a roadblock has hit me. My best friend's older sister (who was like a sister to me) died suddenly in a car crash a couple of days ago. I just found out yesterday, and I have been so down and upset. I'm visiting my best friend today and the funeral is tomorrow. I'm still logging my food, but I just don't have the motivation to eat much.

-Jenn 

Hi Everyone, I Fell of the wagon big time I was not loosing and gettting so frustrated that I stopped everyhting good I had been doing as far exercise and what I was eating! I just need to recharge my batteries I think. I sort of had a wake up call. My girlfriend and I went to the discount movies and I had a hard time fitting in the discount seats I was so upset about that. Anyway my husband and I are going to Rocky Point, Mexico this week for a mini holiday. I plan on drinking lots of water, walking on the beach and just relaxing. Anyway my plan is to take our mini break and get back on track. I am going to take some restistance bands with me to workout with. Good job everyone with all your goals your reaching to. Also the sexy sailor girl outfit sounds cute. I hope you have alot of fun with it.

Oh Jenn! I'm so sorry. It's hard to be focused at a time like that, just do your best but don't worry about it either. Gosh, I'm sorry.

Biggest Loser last night was an emotional one, huh! With the videos and then Holly's mom. I cried threw the whole thing. And then at the end! I can't believe they voted that person *for those of you who haven't watched it yet* off. I was so PISSED!! That one with the fake blue eyes needs to go home! I haven't liked them since the beginning when they threw someone else under the bus.

I have a girlfriend coming over for dinner tonight, so I sat down and planned my entire day's menu (with calories, of course) so that I could ensure that I stayed on track with my calories. I just finished breakfast, and it was delicious. So, this is what I will be eating today ....

BREAKFAST

one cup of Kashi Go Lean cereal (140 calories)

one half-cup of unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze (20 calories)

one toasted Thomas' multigrain English Muffin (100 calories)

two tablespooons Oasis brand spinach hummus (on the muffin) (32 calories)

one small red tomato, sliced (on top of hummus!) (16 calories)

LUNCH

two cups of Cambell's Select Golden Butternut Squash Soup (180 calories)

one cup cherry tomatoes, halved (in a salad) (31 calories)

one cup radishes, sliced (in a salad) (19 calories)

two tablespoons Walden Farms zero-calorie Bacon Ranch Dressing (0 calories)

eight hard-boiled egg whites (in salad with radiishes/tomatoes) (137 calories)

AFTERNOON SNACK

one medium apple (honey crisp), sliced (72 calories)

two tablespoons Walden Farms Zero Calorie Caramel Dip (0 calories)

DINNER

one cup of herb-seasoned wheat bulgur (151)

one serving of fajita-flavored sirloin strips (200 calories)

one-half roasted, herbed acorn squash (86 calories)

Steamed, garlic-butter fresh broccoli (77 calories)

I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Spray (0 calories)

TOTAL FOR THE DAY (WITHOUT AFTER-DINNER SNACKS: 1281

VEGETABLE/FRUIT  SERVINGS: 10

FIBER: 51 GRAMS

CARBS: 58 %

PROTEIN: 29 %

FAT: 13 %

NOTE: That's a bit higher in carbs, percentage-wise, that I like to go ... so my after-dinner snack, if any, would be a 21g protein / 2g carbs Vanilla Creme Protein Shake made in the blender with a dozen ice cubes .... which should get the carb percentage down a bit.

=^..^= MOLLY, BY GOLLY!

Jenn - I'm so sorry to hear about your friend...if you need support, we're here for you.

singing girl - Oh no, it's not the man style push ups...I can't do those...but Sabinevyr can, she's way more hardcore than I am. I'm just working my way up to 35 girly pushups by Thanksgiving. I'm so jealous you're going to England. I spent a summer in London in college and had so much fun (and spent so much money!)

Well to update everyone I am doing better asthma wise today.  I have to have a more recent pulmonary function test done for them to make my disability determination and to receive help for the medical bills so I am hoping everything goes through alright there and we can get the added assistance.   I am just sticking to clean eating and so far I have followed my plan.  If I continue to follow it I will have a deficit of 700 calories.

Jansa - they don't know what triggers my asthma besides when I get a cold or a upper respiratory infection.  I deterioate fast when I have my attacks.  I will be breathing fine and within 20 minutes I can be in a full blown attack and losing O2 stats quickly.  I have gone from breathing normal to two hours later being put on a ventilator because my asthma is so unpredictable.  Most of the doctors don't understand my asthma because it isn't allergy related and most asthma is.

Singing_girl - Good luck in England and I hope that you continue with your weight loss journey while you are there.

alldolledup - I am so sorry to hear about your friend.  Losing someone that close can be devistating so please try to keep up with eating and making yourself healthy during these hard times.  Don't give up because you have us all for support.

iwanttorun - Don't worry about falling off the wagon.  We have all been there.  The important thing is that you climb back on and keep on trekking.  I hope that your mini break will refocus you and allow you the relaxation you need to return to your lifestyle of healthy eating.

Tanya - I cried through the show too.  There were a lot of things that happened that I didn't expect.  I also was upset about the vote off and the way that Kim handled the situation when she was talking to the group before eliminations.  It wasn't fair for the trainer to say who should go home.  I was glad when the person called her out on it.  By the way my real name is Tonya as well. 

iwanttorun- dont worry about it!!  there are days when we will fall off of the wagon.  Just stay positive and remember that making bad food choices doesnt make you a bad person :)

alldolledup- i am so sorry for your loss.  if you ever need someone to talk to, i will definitely be there for you.  i know this is going to be a very rough patch and you're going to need all of the support that you can get.  dont be afraid to reach out to people.

Singing_girl- England??? im sooo jealous!!!  do you have a suitcase big enough for me to hide in?  might cost you some on the extra weight but im willing to kick in a little money!!

Jansa- thats right!!  sexy sailor girl!!  its my halloween costume and im gonna rock it!!!   Ill post pics soon :)

biggestloserfan- I hope that you are feeling better.  im sorry that youve had such a hard time lately with your health, but your dedication with regard to your diet, even in this tough time,..is absolutely inspiring!!!  i applaud you, and wish you good health and luck with the medical assistance :) ooohh..and im absolutely appalled by the vote off last night.  it was the worst decision ever!

Rena:)

*yawn*

i am so sleepy... 8 hours sleep in last 48 hours trying to get things organised :(

alldolledup: you poor thing *hugs* i cant even imagine how you're feeling, but as everyone else has said, we are willing to support you in anyway you can.. even if you just want to rant about how crap and unfair the world is sometimes...

iwantotrun: dont worry! enjoy your weekend! make sure you get back on track and im sure you will have done no major damage.. its just a bump in the road!

*****
oooooh by the way, i'm at my mum's house at the moment and usually her scales HATE ME, they ALWAYS weigh me heavy!  (ok, ok it might have *something* to do with the fact that she has tasty things at home that i avoid buying but find it hard to say no to!).  Anyway i was down 2kg/4lbs which surprised me, but im not putting too much stock on the numbers at the moment because im chopping and changing scales for the next week.  I'm sticking to my cals though and everything weight loss related is peachy keen at the moment.