And Im super excited about it.
I know all things web!social media! are hothothot these days (and Ill be featured there too) but Im an old school misfit.
I still love me some print magazine & cant wait to share with you whats coming next with the MizFit/LHJ partnership.
I cant wait—but I have to…
(cue suspense-filled music)
Tags: bustin' into print!, Ladies Home Journal Magazine
See that notebook up there? That’s my latest food journal. Yup, I’m back to good old paper and pencil and I’ll tell you why.
Actually, I’ll tell you 5 reasons why…
I needed a change. Over the years I have food journaled a plethora of ways: paper, spreadsheet, email, twitter, instagram. All work great but if I’m bored with the technique then I tend to start slipping. Sometimes simply changing my method re-energizes and motivates me.It works for my current situation. Each one of the methods I listed above was born out of necessity. When I taught at the community college emailing was perfect because I was always on a computer but never MY computer. When I worked in an office, a spreadsheet was perfect as I was on the same computer all day. Twitter and Instragram are perfect when you’re on the go, but now they feel like overkill being home. When I’m with the kids, I’m home. When I’m working, I’m home. It’s super easy for me to have a paper and pencil on the counter ready to jot something down and pre-plan in the morning. Speaking of…Makes daily pre-planning easy. When I initially changed my diet and lost 70lbs I would take 5 minutes every morning to plan dinner, make my lunch and jot everything down all while eating breakfast. I found comfort in knowing what I would be eating later in the day. It took the guess work out of it and made it easy to stick to my own daily plan. You may notice dinner listed at the top above. Pre-planning daily has always worked for me. I want the accountability but not stress. If you haven’t noticed, I share a LOT online, and for a long time I posted food journals. More recently I’ve been using instagram, but publicly posting adds more pressure for me. Self-imposed but still very real. I know food journaling works, I like to do it, but I don’t want to worry about snapping the perfect photo or making a bowl of cereal look pretty. I still plan on snapping food photos because I’m a geek, but it won’t be my main form of journaling.I want to reach my goal and I KNOW this works. I know losing “the last 5 lbs” isn’t my most popular goal but that doesn’t change the fact I want to reach it. I refuse to do anything drastic or unhealthy to get there. My philosophy hasn’t changed since the day I started this blog: If I’m going to lose weight I have to do it on my terms, eating things I want to eat, exercising the way I want to exercise and enjoying every step of the journey. Food journaling was a huge part of my success. It’s a simple way for me to be accountable and, well, I know it works.What’s your thoughts on the food journal? Do you keep one? How?
I may be weird but I actually enjoy traveling with the kids, alone. Don’t get me wrong, it has it’s challenges but I look at it as bonding time with my babies. Today we had 4 hours of signing in the car, talking about school, snacking on popcorn, and just being goofballs…
I used to like it when it was just Ryan and I. Having Evan now just feels like a bonus. I get all the fun toddler-ness with an older helping hand. I’m glad I decided on 2 and even happier it took me 5 years to realize it was the right choice.
Anyway, we are here at Mom’s now, but before I left, I jumped on the scale.
Down just over a pound since last week! I plan on continuing this trend. I’m tired of playing with the same 4 pounds when I have 5 more to lose to reach MY GOAL. I’m tired of the slightly snug pants. I’m tired of feeling guilty about wanting to lose because I’m suppose to be happy with the body I’m in.
That may sound "off" but hear me out. I am happy and proud of myself for the last 7 years. I’m not the same person I used to be. I’m not ashamed of my body. I don’t shy away from doing things I want to do because of a bad body image. I’m not stuck in the yo-yo dieting cycle of hell. I’m super active. I run. I play. I swim. I just wore a bathing suit at the public pool without a t-shirt!
I know.. crazy, right? I just had a baby too! Well, not "just" but 15 months ago I was 3 days postpartum and about 30 pounds heavier than I am right now. Seven years ago when I started this journey I was 57 pounds heavier than I am right now. For Pete’s sake, 12 years ago when I graduated college I was carrying 70 more pounds than I am right now.
I’m doing this. I’m managing it.
I. am. a. maintainer!
However, part of me has been struggling these last few months because of the pressure I’m putting on myself NOT to lose weight but to be an example of a healthy body image. Then I realized… I can do both. Actually, if you read my "3 Steps" you know how I feel about self-acceptance and how invaluable it is to weight loss.
Now don’t stone me, I know this is kind of the opposite of what I said in My Weight Loss A-Ha Moment. I’ll obnoxiously quote myself again,
I am now someone who doesn’t care what the scale says because of everything listed above <–THAT was My A-Ha Moment.
Here’s the thing and this may not come out right so bear with me….
I don’t really care about the number on the scale but it is the easiest tool to measure success for me right now (not always, but right now.) IF I weighed what I weigh now and all my clothes fit the way they used to, I could care less what it said (someone asked me that in a comment recently and it really stuck with me.) However, I have not hit my goal of reaching my pre-pregnancy weight and I can’t help but think doing so will make the difference.
So, can I promote a healthy body image while actively trying to lose weight? I think so. You may not agree. This is actually quite a hot topic and one we will be discussing at FitBloggin this year. You should join us! <–shameless plug
Anyway, I didn’t mean to go on a tangent. Here’s today’s food journal. I’m going to shut up now. It’s late and I’m rambling.
1 egg/1 egg white omelet with onion, zucchini and hamI love changing up my eggs for breakfastI was in for a long road trip this is how a ward off junky options from gas stations and drive thrus. McDs Southwestern grill salad sans-dressing + a small coneWe stopped for lunch, see photo above. I skipped all fries but one and opted for a cone instead. slightly addicted here. Dinner at Moms: grilled tilapia, chickpea salad, baked beans, roasted potatoes and watermelon for dessert So nice to have someone cook for me for a change! I know, it was a popcorn kind of day but Mom’s has a lot of temptations. This is, again, how I ward them off. Nothing official just some fun pool time with the kids. Let me tell you running laps to make a whirlpool is a seriously hard work! The travel got me. I’m feeling a little dehydrated today. Gonna grab an extra glass before bed.It’s a bullet list kind of day…
1 egg/2 egg white omelet with kale and bacon bitsMaki combo for lunch – 1 california roll – 1 tuna and avocado roll both with brown rice, a garden salad with ginger dressing and a bowl of miso soupSUCH a satisfying lunch! The Husband and I each got the combo on the way home from the doctors today. It was better than the leftover birthday cake The Boys were eating! Skipped my normal morning BodyPump class. I’ve been choosing sleep over working at this week since I haven’t been feeling well. My cough is finally subsiding a little. Only unsweetened tea and water again today. Can’t believe the difference it makes when I’m hitting the water jug!Day after what? Just read my Note to Self from yesterday. It explains all.
Instead of letting one bad day turn into two, I got right back on the food journal wagon.
It all started with breakfast. Just a grapefruit and water for me.
Honestly, I STILL felt yucky from yesterday. I decided NOT to skip breakfast though. A mistake I used to make all the time after a binge day. Now I start off on the right foot and have at least some fruit.
Once Little Guy was on the bus Little Bean had his breakfast…
…and let me tell you, he ate, Like a PIG! Click here to see what he had.
For an early lunch I ate a leftover pork chop and some roasted pumpkin with cumin.
Then Little Bean and I spent the afternoon shopping with a friend. A few hours in we got hungry and decided to hit the food court. I had a veggie sub at Subway but totally forgot to snap a photo. It was on the 9-grain with provolone, lettuce, tomato, cucumber, green peppers, pickles, hots, and a squirt of sweet onion teriyaki sauce. My fav!
We came home and some sample muffins were waiting for me in the mailbox. I grabbed a chocolate.
Expect a review post soon. They were pretty good!
Dinner was a chicken breast, roasted acorn squash and peas.
I decided to stay away from the potatoes I made the boys. The squash was much lighter and I can’t get them to eat it anyway.
After dinner I had another one of the sample muffins.
Surprised again! These things are good. More on them later!
That was it. No more food for me today. After dinner I got my pajamas on, brushed my teeth and closed the kitchen. I’m off to bed as I have an early date with the gym tomorrow.
I hope Monday treated you well!
That’s all I have time for tonight. I’m trying to get to bed so I can wake up early and work out. Something I haven’t done in well over a year. I’m committing two mornings a week, Tuesday and Thursdays. I know it’s going to be tough but I also know I’ll feel so awesome all day.
Anyway, on to the journal!
Didn’t have much time for breakfast so I grabbed an apple and some Almond Butter.
For lunch I went a little overboard.
but it was for a good reason. Click here for the recipe and the reason why I made such a big lunch.
Afternoon snack was some hummus and veggies
HUGE NSV for me scooping out the hummus. I normally just grab the container and it’s gone before I know it.
After school the Little Guy and I split a can of Tropical Fruit Salad.
I also grabbed a handful of S’more Goldfish
We went out to dinner at our favorite Chinese/Sushi place. Started with some wonton soup…
Edemame..
and some sushi
I also had a few bites of the husband’s Hunan Chicken.
After the kids went to bed I made some hot cocoa with my customary shot of Irish Cream. :)
OK, off to bed! I’m gonna sleep in my running clothes!
It’s barely 9am and the bacon slabs are cooking in the kitchen for the family. But does this mean I gotta eat them with my own breakfast?
Hell naw! The bacon slabs are going on my Reverse Food Journal. But what the heck is THAT?
I hereby authorize you to get a little greedy today. It’s Thanksgiving, after all. But using my Reserve Food Journal system will help you give yourself some credit (a little pat on the back, if you will) for NOT stuffing your stomachs to overfilled capacity. Log the foods you say “no” to and DON’T eat.
Try it today. Those bacon slabs are the first thing on my Reserve Food Journal list. I’d rather save my holiday calorie-fest for sweet potato pie slices.
No time for much tonight except my food journal.
In other news…
oh how I’ve missed them! It’s funny how I forget about things and then rediscover themHUGE omelet with 1 egg, a ton of egg whites, onion, zucchini, ham, and spinachFinally took the leap and bought a container of egg whites to bulk up my omelets in the morningsmall sliver of chocolate cake.Long story but the HUSBAND made a cake and it’s been staring at me from the counter since last night. dinner was the chicken and portabellos over brown rice with asparagus will be posting soon! Family approved!5 mile run and 45 of a yoga class – it was all I had time for. could have done better. Off to take vitamin now.The last 5 days have been an absolute blur! Friday and Saturday were the heart of the conference. I spent my days in and out of sessions, strolling through the expo and networking with some really amazing women! Sunday was a day of travel. Twelve hours of it… ugh. Yesterday and today? Well I’m just trying to keep my head above water!
Let’s Start at the beginning. I need to dump everything out of this head!
First, the conference was great. Friday and Saturday I spent in and out of sessions, chatting with old and new friends and getting inspired. This was the first time I attended the Voices of the Year presentations and it was amazing! I’m so thankful Sara from Food Blogger on a Diet, she convinced me to go.
Friday night I did a bit of party hopping and then settled in at the Sparklecorn party. As you can see.. I embraced my inner "sparkle"…
We had fun even though the DJ was horrible.
Saturday was more sessions and, what I’ll call, "celebrity day". I saw "Sun" from the Jimmy Dean commercials, "Dust" from the Swiffer commercials, Giuliana Rancic, and of course Bob Harper.
I didn’t snap many pictures during the day. I decided to leave the camera in the room and embrace the moment. Sometimes I get too wrapped up in picture taking that I’m not really present. Know what I mean?
I did however, record a short video of the Flash Mob that happened at lunch (click here to see). It was so inpiring! I had a tear watching them.
Anyway, once the sessions were over Jen and I hit the town.
I wanted to see at least SOME of San Diego while I was there.
Just a block up we stumbled on a gallery owned by the family of Chuck Jones and they were showing Dr. Suess.
It. was. awesome. As you may know, Dr. Suess is one of my favorites. One of his quotes inspiring a small site of mine.
After a stroll through the gallery it was time for dinner. Even though I ate tons, and yes I mean TONS, we rarely sat down to a meal. It was time to sit and relax. We decided on Rockin’ Baja Coastal Cantina.
Jen and I decided to share a meal so we could indulge a bit on, well, drinks…
We also split an order of calamari…
OMG SO good. Not like the rubbery stuff we get here in Maryland.
For our entree, Fish Tacos. HOW can we go all the way to San Diego and NOT try a fish taco?!
It was delicious!
After dinner we had a date to meet an old High School Friend. We took a nice walk and had fun catching up.
Then, and this seems very spontaneous, but I’ve been planning it for months… I got a tattoo.
Long story short, I had to add Little Bean’s name to my ankle. Click here to read more of the story on Baby’s First Year.
The night ended at the CheesburgHER party. Now this is becoming a tradition for me. Click here to 2009 pics and here for 2010 pics. Each one has a picture from this party. Here’s this year’s…
The next day was travel. All 12 hours of it. I got home after midnight Sunday night to a fairly kept house and two sleeping boys.
The husband survived! Even MAKING dinner Sunday night for him and the boy’s. I almost fainted when he texted me this picture.
That’s fish sticks, with strawberries, grapes and broccoli for him and Little Guy with a bottle of Breastmilk for Little Bean. (Side Note: Click here to see how I handled the traveling while breastfeeding)
I was SO proud of him! He even made smores with the boys!
That just made me smile.
Yesterday was the real blur. I was SO tired after all the travel and being home with a 6 year old and 4 month old all day was a bit of a shock to my system. We played, went shopping and had soccer practice. I got nothing else done at ALL. Instead, I focused on eating a bit lighter and cleaner and just being present. Today I’m all about cleaning up and catching up. I want to find my groove with training again and get through my insane inbox.
That being said, I’m signing off… Here’s the food journal from yesterday…
1 egg/3 egg white scramble with onion, peppers, zucchini, spinach and a bit of bacon bitsI wanted a big yet light breakfast. This totally hit the spot after eating on the road for days!This was given to me at BlogHer. Little Guy opened it and wanted to share. It’s not bad but I probably won’t buy them. Something quick with Little Guysmall burger on a sandwich thin and roasted broccolifast dinner on the way to Little Guys Soccer practice. Sigh… hubby’s choice.. I couldn’t say no, but man was it a nice way to end the day. just a stroll – Trying to find my training groove again.I’m in San Diego with my friend Jen for the BlogHer Conference! No time or energy to do more than pictures right now. Here’s our trip so far…
After that I CRASHED! Hence the late photos. Right now I’m strapping on sneaks and heading to the BlogHer 5k. Can’t wait to run in San Diego!
The Boys? I miss them BUT I got some giggles from home to keep me company. :)
I got nothing tonight. I’m wiped.
Here’s today journal. I’m feeling really good about my choices today!
2 eggs scrambled with onion, zucchini, broccoli and bacon bitsQuick breakfast with the LIttle Guy Before CampThe rest of the zucchini soup and ham sandwich on a thin with laughing cowI’m currently obsessed with the Yoplait flavors. They are so fun!Experimenting for GreenLiteBites.. this was fun! Hope to share it tomorrowwhole grain pasta with some stewed chicken and homemade sauceA little hungry and decided on this. Yoga! I love the new class I found.This was suppose to be yesterday’s Wordless Wednesday post but my internet connection decided to blow up and I couldn’t get the picture off my computer to post.
I took this yesterday morning and just had to share it.
They melt my heart!
Anyway, I wanted to post yesterday’s journal. I was on the road for a good portion of the day and fighting the munchies. It was the best I could do.
In other news…
Little Guy and I recored a new video for GreenLiteBites! Rainbow Fruit Kabobs.I explain why I don’t do that many giveaways anymore on RoniNoone.comI answered the question, How Did You Get Him to Sleep So Well? on Baby’s First Year2 eggs scrambled with onion, peppers and bacon bitsI needed to break up the cereal!hungry but it was too early for lunchGrilled Chicken Sandwhich at ChicFilA a side of fries shared with Little Guy and a diet Lemonade Lunch out that didn’t need to be lunch out. Looong story. Needed a quick snack and saw these in the pantry. I normally buy unsweetened but they didn’t have any. :(I was actually really hungry and I didn’t want to fill up on junk. Plus I had this awesome leftover grilled chicken in the fridge from yesterday. grilled salmon, side salad and 1 mozzarella stickWe were on the road for dinner. This is what I got at a diner. The husband and LIttle Guy ate the rest of the mozzarella sticksbag of light popcorn and a diet pepsiwow I just wanted to munch! I made the popcorn to help me curb the craving for chips, cookies and other carby things. The diet pepsi helped calm my sweet tooth. nada :( I didn’t make time for it today. Too busy catching up on other things and I was traveling.I need to head to bed but I wanted to post. I feel like I’m on a roll and sharing my food journal helps me tons.
Here’s a pic of my dinner, dessert and run. I’m having too much fun with my grill! :)
(notice only 1 walk break! YEA!!)
Larabar and 1/2 of a mango Shared with the Little GuyQuick breakfast I was busy this morning. a couple of sips of the husband’s chocolate shake. After school snack.. trying to get him to gravitate towards the fruit. Pork Chops, baked beans and grilled peppers 1 serving of slow churned ice cream with frozen blueberries an a squirt of a choc syrupFABULOUS dessert. The family sat on the deck enjoying this after dinner. I was hungry. Like REALLY hungry and I figured this was a nice portion controlled snack what would sustain me. Much better today. Off to take my vitamins before bed!!
