1. Cut out sweets like candy, cookies, ice cream.
2. Counted points, but also counted food groups.  I was shooting for 6-7 Breads, 5-6 Meats, 3-4 Vegs, 3-4 Fruits, 2-3 Milks, & 3-4 Fats.  This was based on the First Place diet (a Bible-based plan) that my friend does and shared her info. with me.
3. Cut down on foods with more than 10g of sugar per serving. (Per another friend!)
4. Tried to eat less refined flour foods and more whole wheat/grain foods.

How did I do?  Obviously not too bad!  I learned a LOT this past week. 

1. I eat too many carbs!  I'm not doing no- or low-carb., I'm just trying to eat a normal, healthy amount of carbs.  I usually ate 6-8 servings of carbs a day this week, which is cut down from who knows how many before, so I'm happy with that.  When I needed a snack or to use up some points, I would automatically turn to carbs.  Still struggling with this as a snack issue.  My WW buddy suggested beef jerky.
2. I don't get enough dairy.  I don't care for milk or yogurt a whole lot but love cheese.  It's hard to reconcile the milk benefits of cheese with it's fat content, not to mention the sugar, so I struggle with that.  I definitely use some low-fat or FF cheese on my salads and quesadillas.  I found some drinkable yogurt that is low points, low sugar, low fat, low cal, but fits the milk bill--Dannon Light & Fit Carb Control Smoothie.  It's fairly tasty and since I don't drink one everyday, I can stand it.  My friend gave me some smoothie recipes that I might try next week.
3. It's hard to get enough vegetables AND points in!  Vegetables are great for you, but most of them are no points!  So if I needed to finish my points, I couldn't just eat carrots, b/c a serving of carrots is 0 points & 1 svg. Vegs.  I resorted to reduced-fat peanut butter several times this week to get in my points.  That worked out well b/c it's a healthy fat, it is slightly sweet and satisfied my sweet tooth.  I've also read studies that show a tablespoon of peanut butter a day can help you lose more weight.
4. I'll never be able to eat completely "clean."  I just don't have it in me to restrict my diet that much.  I will stick with this plan for a while and see how it goes.
5. I feel GOOD!  I haven't had nearly has much gas as I was having--probably from too much sugar.  I'm not having awful cravings for sweets like I thought I would, but I AM longing for some ice cream (REWARD!!!).  I think my body has finally adjusted from weaning Gracen and I'm noticing I'm feeling full more quickly and that it's easier to tell when I'm full.  I'd probably have more energy too if I didn't have a darn cold!

I received my FIRM equipment and DVDs yesterday!  I'm geared up to try a workout this morning and shape my body!  I'm going to treat myself tonight to some ice cream for doing so well this week.  Today is my SHP day so I think I can fit in some yummies!  Fridays will still be my "break" day, but I'm going to keep things under control. 

I'm so excited about this breakthrough!  It's really giving me new motivation!  Thanks to all of you who have helped me this week with this struggle--Julie, Sarah W., Carrie, & Sue!

Friday, Nov. 19, 2004
Lost 3/4 lb.!  I know, a weird number, but that's what the scale said, so I'm going with it.  Down to 131.75.  Closing in on 130!  Lost a quarter-inch in the bust and not quite a quarter-inch in the waist, so I didn't mark it on my chart.  The FIRM workouts are going great.  Really enjoying them and recommend them.  Eating is going pretty well, but I find myself slipping into eating "just a couple more" of those animal crackers.  Gotta stop that, but otherwise, I'm doing great!

This next week is going to be messed up.  Sat. will be my SHP day because of our annual Game Supper.  Then, with Thanksgiving next Thursday, I'm going to weigh-in Thurs. morning and Turkey Day will be my SHP day.  I'll go on as normal from there.  I won't count on losing much this week, but I'll keep on truckin'.

Thurs., Nov. 25, 2004
Didn't lose any, but didn't expect to.  Did get that true quarter-inch off the waist, though, so that's good!  I'm having whatever I want today.  I made a Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cheesecake to take to Thanksgiving dinner and I can't wait to eat it!

Fri., Dec. 3, 2004
Lost 3/4 lb. this week!  Didn't do the best eating-wise this week, but did well with the FIRM.  I am definitely starting to tell a difference in my muscles.  Thanksgiving was great, but our van broke down.  We had to have it towed to the dealership.  Crazy since it's a 2004 and we haven't owned it quite a year yet!  It was fixed on Friday morning (a fuel sensor), so DH and I went to get it and also got a lot of Christmas shopping done.  Was going to have a LP day that day, but it turned into a SHP day what with eating at McDonald's and the Olive Garden.  It was a nice day and worth the calories.  SO good!  Then, Wednesday was Garrett's 4th birthday, so I had to have some cake and ice cream to celebrate.  I guess it all evened out in the end since I managed a small loss.  I'll take it!

Some people have asked my strategy for weight loss this holiday season.  Honestly, my goal is to maintain.  I plan to continue to try to lose by eating well and exercising, but if it doesn't happen, I'm OK with that.  Exercising will be my main priority to burn off those calories.  We all know that during the holiday season there are times when it's just not feasible to stay OP--when you're at a party, visiting family or friends, etc.  You don't want to be rude by not eating anything at all at a friend's party!  Try to choose the veggies and the good-for-you foods and have just a smidge of the yummy bad-for-you stuff.  We all want to celebrate the season.  Along with exercise, I plan to have LP days with healthy eating the day(s) before and/or after those splurge days to help offset the extra calories.  I will also allow myself Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off to eat what I want and enjoy my family.   

Fri., Dec. 10, 2004
WOO HOO!  Made goal of 130 lbs. today!  I can't believe it!  No inches lost in the waist (the stubborn thing), but did lose inches in the bust and hips.  But, ACK!  Where are the boobs going?!  Oh well, small price to pay to get rid of this belly.  Thank goodness for Victoria's Secret!  ;oP  Got a new pic in my photo album, so check that out.  I had just worked out so I look a bit scary, but oh well.  Though you'd like to see what I look like in my workout clothes after I've sweat my arse off!

I'm thinking of trying for 125 lbs.  Honestly, my goal is to get a flatter belly and if that means buying all new clothes, then DH will just have to spring for new clothes!  ;oP  I can sell the old ones at the consignment store.  Yippee!

Fri., Dec. 17, 2004
ACK!  Gained a pound this week!  In my defense, AF is visiting and she's not been particularly kind to me.  Still, I ate badly all last weekend.  I will do better this weekend and week so that I can splurge next weekend for Christmas!  I have all kinds of yummy foods planned.  Can't wait!

Not sure if I'll be here to WI next Fri.  Might WI on Thurs. if needed.  Plan to take my FIRM stuff with me to my parents' house and use my dad's dumbbells. 

Thurs., Dec. 23, 2004
Guess that pound I gained last week WAS due to AF b/c I lost it and another pound--2 lbs. in less than a week!  WOO HOO!  Can't remember the last time I weighed in the 120s!!!!!  High school?  Lost a quarter-inch in the waist, too.  Really stuck to my diet this week and it paid off.

Heading to my parents' for Christmas.  Still planning on splurging and eating what I want, but will try to work out.  I'm so excited!  It'll be really nice to take a break.

Fri., Jan. 7, 2005
Had dial-up troubles last week so didn't get to update the site.  Check out the update in My January/February Journal.