What's on your Tuesday menu?

Good morning~ Getting ready to leave for my conference in a little bit, but first it's coffee time! It's a long drive and trip number 10 to So Cal in the last 6 months with a few more before the year is over. I'm over the traffic, I don't know how Stacy does it! I have my scale packed this time (yup!) and plan to work out everyday, including today. I have a plan for all my meal situations and refuse to deviate. I'm tired of losing the same 5-10 pounds over and over.

QOTD - My advice would be to plan, plan, plan - every detail. It's the only way I stay on track no matter the situation. Sometimes I can wing it, but I tend to derail when I don't have a plan. Focus on the non-food festivities, fun and people, not the food.

Accountability - great

21 mo out - 161.3

b- coffee x 3, light and fit yogurt

l-in and out hamburger protein style w/mustard no sauce.

d-grilled chicken breast, small salad

es - light and fit yogurt

v/l-on track

e-hotel gym cardio

Have a great day!

LOL! I'm also over the traffic! Where in So Cal are you? Next time you're down here, let me know and we'll plan a meet up! As for how I do it, I try to just not let it get to me. I have satellite radio so listen to stations I really like, plug my phone in and listen to Amazon music. Traffic is so unpredictable here. I live 6 miles from work and some days it takes me 60+ minutes!

I'm in Palm Springs this week for a conference. The drive, though long was not bad at about 6 hours (east of the worst of So Cal traffic). To be on time anywhere, you must have to allow for worst case scenario, ugh I would go crazy!

I'd love to meet up, I'll message you next time we go!

Good morning! Went to bed early last night and I guess I really needed it. And the scale is at a new low (I never remember to update my ticker). I'm definitely noticing that getting enough sleep DOES help with the scale.

DH and I are running/walking a 5k (Super Hero Heart Run) on Sunday in support of my cousin who was born with heart defects and wasn't expected to live past childhood. She's 33 on the day of the run, which is her birthday. I'm kind of nervous. I know I won't be able to run the whole thing--my knees are terrible and though I don't have much pain these days, I still primarily do my "running" on the elliptical. So I expect to walk most of it. It's last minute registration, less than a week away--any tips to prepare?

qotd: I haven't been through a holiday season myself, but last year DH focused on filling up on the main protein dish, and then as a treat an hour or two later, allowed himself to have a sample bite of a few other dishes. He did avoid most of the sweets, but he's also not really a sweet-eater, much like myself. My plan is to follow a similar approach, and to also not allow the holiday foods to linger in our house, and politely say no to people pushing us to take home sweets. If people want to dole out leftover turkey or ham though, were open!

accountability: been falling short on protein, and I know it's because I snack on veggies when I probably should put myself a bit more protein forward. My cucumbers are still producing, but not enough to bother with pickles, so I've been eating a lot of cucumber slices with yogurt-based dip in the evenings. I don't feel like this is BAD snacking, but maybe while my garden is producing, I'll go back to having my Premier ;)

breakfast: coffee with Premier

snack: Greek L&F Pumpkin Pie

lunch: spinach salad with 2 oz chopped chicken breast

dinner: Either an omelette or maybe I'll cook up some peppers with the rest of the leftover chicken and do a fajita thing.

Are you dressing as a superhero? Which one?

Not specifically, but I might go find a T-shirt :) they do hand out capes before the race!

Good Morning Bethmal and Menu Family! Thanks for starting us off, Bethmal.

QOTD: I allow myself a small amount of the goodies so that I don't feel deprived, but reduce my other calories during that day to compensate for the treat. Also, I try to savor every little bite of the treat and not just wolf it down.

Accountability: Yesterday: Protein - 102, Calories - 1,360, Carbs - 189. Weight 140.4.

B: prosciutto & mozzarella sticks, banana, light & fit Greek yogurt

L: 160 calorie meal, light & fit Greek yogurt

D: Healthy Choice meal, light & fit Greek yogurt

S: prosciutto & mozzarella sticks, light & fit Greek yogurt, frozen yogurt

E: walking dogs

Have a great day everyone!

~ Karen

good morning everyone!

I finally got back to my workouts last night and I feel good about it. I thought not doing it for 2 weeks would've made it a lot harder but it actually felt easier than I expected so I am thankful for that!
Back/sciatica pain seems to be improving a little too, thanks to the stretching and physical therapy. YAY! hopefully in a few more weeks it will be gone altogether.

QOTD: not sure I've really heard much advise about the holidays, but my plan is to keep doing what I have been doing and not let myself get derailed...I am not interested in sweets of any kind unless they are low carb/sugar free because I am too scared of dumping! I haven't really tested it yet and I don't plan on it at least not til maintenance. I might try a bite of the cheesy potatoes someone always makes on thanksgiving or christmas, but plan to stick to my regular routine otherwise...mainly protein and probably a small spoonful of some sides. maybe I'll bring a nice sugar free yogurt/fruit parfait type dessert that I've made in the past that went over really well.

B: cinnamon vanilla nut coffee w/half vanilla PP (been short on protein a few days so I am adding this back today instead of regular sf creamer), L&F Greek yogurt
L: leftover chicken crust pizza
S: baked apple slices w/cinnamon/stevia
D: turkey sausage & parmesan spaghetti squash

have a great day everyone!

Mornin' All!

Back from Chicago. The plastic surgeon said everything looks great and cleared me for exercise (he said any type is fine - although at not-quite-six weeks out, I'm not sure I'd be ready for stuff like weight-lifting - which is just as well, since I hate weight-lifting! I'll give it a couple more weeks at least! I did some of my PT exercises last night that i haven't done since before surgery. Some were a breeze - a couple pulled too much on my incisions (and therefore bothered me), so I'll hold off a little longer on those. Not sure how something like Aqua Zumba would go - or any pool thing. Librarian67 - how long did you have to wait before getting back in the pool? I may stick to a couple of easy things this week, like the stationary bike - and just progress slowly...

QOTD: during the weight loss phase (18 months), I stuck to my plan even on holidays. For example, on Thanksgiving, I had a couple ounces of turkey (with a little gravy to moisten it) and some vegetables. And I brought my own dessert - pumpkin Greek yogurt! Now that I'm in maintenance, I eat a more regular meal - my main focus is on not going overboard. One plateful of reasonable-sized portions is fine. I also limit the carbs - as in I'll have a couple of tablespoons of sweet potato casserole, stuffing, and maybe one treat (luckily, my RH helps in this department - if I eat too many sweets, i'll pay for it later...). I still skip the mashed potatoes completely as there's not that much nutritional value in those, and they're something I can take or leave, so why take? And like everyone else said, I'm back to my plan the next day. Going out - like others, I look at the menu beforehand and pick what I'm going to order - something protein-forward. I usually get an appetizer or, if an entree, I share it or bring half of it home. Parties at people's houses - these can be tough - Emie's idea of having snacks with you is a good one. If there are nuts there, I'll eat some of those. Or raw veggies with dip - I try to fill my plate with raw veggies. I do (now at least - in maintenance) allow myself a small treat or two - again, my RH helps keep that in check. I like what Peachpie said about we're talking three days. If you stay on plan for all the other days during the holiday season, you'll be fine.

3 years 3 months out:

B: homemade Greek yogurt with homemade blueberry sauce

MS: coffee with half & half, Miralax/protein chocolate latte shake

L: I have a late coffee date with a friend - so i'm not sure if this will turn into lunch or not. If so, I'll get a yogurt parfait or some protein-forward thing. If I'll be home, then probably TJ's grilled chicken breast strips

AS: a piece of crustless protein pumpkin pie

D: probably grilled chicken strips again - and maybe corn on the cob

I am glad your appt went well.