Real.

Obviously the holidays have come and gone! And 2013 is in full swing! I can hardly believe January is almost over!!

Lately I have decided health wise to take baby steps. Last week I set out to do nothing more than avoid bingeing and drink more water! Small successes lead to larger! I can't remember the exact last day I binged but I feel SO much better.

The next thing I'm wanting to incorporate is more real foods. Less packaged, long lists of ingredients, fake food. More veggies, more fruit, whole grains, etc!

Today M & I enjoyed a late brunch of Shipley's donuts and the world's best coffee with my big brother and his girlfriend before they headed back home. We were thrilled to have them in Starkville all weekend!
I had an icing and sprinkles donut, 1/2 a cinnamon sugar donut & 1/2 an original glazed (always the best!)... all washed down with a caramel/french vanilla brew with french vanilla creamer! Deeellish.

Followed some indulgence with a run from M's to my house. It was so refreshing (after the running stopped!). I could totally tell how long it has been since my last run. However, completed 1.35 miles at a 9.59/mile pace. For now, just glad I got some calories burned!!

I rested for a while then headed with M and Whitney to tan and grab avocados for lunch!

Lunch... my goodness. I will HAVE to share the recipe. M cooked tilapia and created the most phenomenal sandwiches that we enjoyed beside grilled squash & zucchini! Voluminous= filling. With such an off track day, we didn't even eat lunch until about 4 pm!

By 6 I was ready for something sweet (and semi-real!) So I went for oats cooked with cinnamon, topped with warm peaches and frozen yogurt. Really enjoyed this! And although not 100%, I'm calling it healthy.

I hope with incorporating real foods I can reach a healthy/happy weight without counting! 

A week-- DONE!! School-- Almost!

I am so excited I kept up with this for a week!! Sounds lame- but small steps equal big changes!! I know I can do this if I just keep pushing on!!

I can live with this plan- I know it!

Today has been quite fabulous!! Met M at Starbucks for a little pre exam fuel [Skinny Caramel Macchiato for me], knocked out another exam, then headed home to cook lunch (so enjoying cooking right now!!), relax and finish up some last minute school stuff! 

Now all that lies between me & being home for the holidays is one Psychology exam that is essentially just another test like the other 4 we've already taken!!

This girl is feeling amazing at the thought of no school for almost 4 weeks!! 

...Visions of sugar plums are surely dancing in my head...

By the Numbers:

Calories     1,911

Carbs         234

Fat             77

Protein      83

Fiber          8   ?!!? terrible.

gah- seems like every 3rd day is high!! Gotta change it!! Hittin hard core tomorrow as I head home! 

Gotta set my mind to it!

Daily Updates: Day 6/7- December 8/9

Local Culture is a Starkville favorite!!

Yesterday (Saturday) actually went really well!! I ended up here....
Calories  1,280   
Fat  19   
Carbohydrates  218   
Protein 63  
Fiber  18g
- Carbs were to high and Fiber to low but I feel like I'm making progress! & Hallelujah on fat/protein being right where they need to be!!
      Besides my walk and plank early in the day, I took full advantage of an empty Saturday and just hung around the house until I finally showered and headed to the grocery with Whitney around 5! We cooked dinner for our boyfriends which was fabulous! M and I chose a stir-fry type dish with fresh garlic, whole wheat penne, chicken, green beans, and carrots all topped with some parmesan cheese- it hit the spot!!
      Even stayed in my numbers with THIS!! Ahhh.. The perfect end to a great day!! Thanks M! Girls bought dinner supplies so guys paid for yogurt!! Felt really good all day which spilled in to this morning :) 

Breakfast in Bed is always acceptable on
Sunday!

Started off today with a delicious bowl of oats cooked with cinnamon, a splash of vanilla, and one packet of Stevia, topped with 1/2 tbsp coconut butter & 1/3 cup Cinnamon Raison Granola by Cascadian Farms! It was such a perfect texture & so incredibly filling!! Turns out eating healthy doesn't have to leave you hungry!!

Had a cup of coffee beside my oats but it just didn't hit the spot this morning.. I really was craving coffee but I think I've over done the peppermint mocha creamer- ready for a change!!

Calling today (Sunday) a success, too!! More relaxing, more studying, and some precious time with my little!! We grabbed dinner before we don't see each other for 3 weeks (Christmas Break!)... makes me sad! I will miss her!

uncommongoods.com
I lust after their precious
plates/dishes/mugs!

Dinner involved Newks: grilled cheese beside tomato soup! A childhood/fall favorite!

Left My Numbers looking like this:
Calories             1,337 - great!!
Carbohydrates   193
Fat                     49 - need lower!
Protein               35 - need higher! Meat!
Fiber                  12 - def need higher!

WI: You have probably noticed I haven't weighed these last couple days.. the reason is my scale has lost its mind!! I can weigh about 12 times in a row and get a different number every time.. ugh! So frustrating!

So I am waiting until I make it home this week to weigh/get a new scale. Plus, I kinda want the fiber to kick in ;) and it always does better at home for some reason!! I think less stress! But hopefully wednesday will bring some progress in the weight # area!
Don't think I ever posted measurements on here in the beginning but I'll do that Wednesday too!!

I did make one not so perfect choice- Einstein Brothers Honey Whole Wheat Bagel topped with Honey Butter! But it was totally worth it, fit in my numbers, and I needed food to take some medicine with!
PLUS...

HAHA!
Tomorrow is the start of week 2!!

Finally some exercise!

Last night and this morning, I was debating forgoing the calorie counting in favor of intuitive eating, etc! (I think it was my hungry belly talking!!) I know I would enjoy it but probably only because there are no real constraints! When I woke up, I kind of went with it and made french toast for breakfast! The new "usual"... and egg mixed with cinnamon and vanilla cooked nicely onto the back of 2 pieces of honey whole wheat bread~ yum! Then added a drizzle of coconut butter followed by honey!

Just after breakfast, I set out on a walk! Nice and long, lasting about 55 minutes, it was just what I needed to remind myself of my goals and get some extra motivation. I do need the numbers of calorie counting to keep me on track!! But walking wise, It really felt great to stretch my legs, climb a few hills, and sweat!! Ahh!! And did my plank after my walk- added 1 second!! & oh was it hard!!

So here is my plan for this week.. I think I will keep reevaluating (maybe weekly) and trying new things until I see what works for me!!
For right now, I am averaging my numbers for this week, subtracting 10% then making that my goal!

Aiming for the following everyday this week:
Calories             1,455   
Higher than what Sparkpeople.com suggests but I think this will give me enough wiggle room to keep my no bingeing streak going!

Carbohydrates     170
Stayed here about 4 days this week so I know its doable!

Fat                   54

Protein              55
This I don't need to limit but I do need to try and reach a good number! Been lacking in protein some days.

Also, I'm going to start tracking Fiber & trying to reach a good level there!!

I'll check in tonight & let you know how it went!! 

DU: Day 1 of Sophomore Exams

My day was consumed with this... (aka YUCK). I feel like I did really well on my first exam, though!! Then my second, business calculus, went even better! Kind of a surprise- but I am not complaining!!

All of my day was spent on campus with most of it in the library. After a straight 3 hours of nothing but numbers, I had to have some lunch. Chick-fil-a was open so I made the good choice to have a Grilled Chicken Sandwich but also ordered a small fry. :/ bad!! & They ended up giving me a medium on accident and of course, I ate them. Double bad!! Blaming finals stress for that slip up!

One exciting thing: I received this in the mail! Thoughts of being snuggled up on the couch with a good book and some hot coffee are keeping me sane!!

My all time favorite TV series, Army Wives, was based on
this book! Oh how I want to dig in!

Boy am I thrilled its the weekend now! My only plans are relaxing, studying for my three exams next week, and keeping my eating healthy!! Maybe some exercise if I feel REAL motivated!! ;)

WI: Showed me 143.8 this morning! Woo hoo! I'm ready for 139 :) That is my Christmas goal/gift to myself!! I know exercise would help tremendously! So not forcing it in with exams unless I feel like it but definitely once I am home!

By the Numbers: High.. I feel like I have some kind of sickness coming on :( which makes me just want to eat eat eat! My head, throat, ears and neck are just throbbing with pain- ugh debbie downer!! I won't let this bring me down!! I know a couple high days won't kill me but I feel guilty!!
Calories             1913       
Fat                     71     TERRIBLE!
Carbohydrates   254
Protein               74 - glad I actually hit this for once!!

DU: Day 4- December 6

Laid around a lot today but was still productive- my favorite kind of day!! I did some laundry, thought about cleaning my room, completed my last lab hour, and did lots of studying.. which drains me! Feeling prepared for my exams coming up!! 2 tomorrow then 3 next week! Bring em on- I cannot wait to be finished & start a new semester!!

Food today was actually pretty great! Started the day with a Southwest Salad (greens topped with carrots, corn relish, grilled chicken with a kick, and fat free honey mustard) which was delish!! Then had some phenomenal french toast for dinner! So filling and satisfying taste wise!! And.. topped it off with a chips/cheese dip run with the roommate, which I felt guilty about because I have a hard time controlling myself with Mexican, but it fit into the calories so I went with it. Thinking I may should stray from Mexican in the future until I can control myself & make smart choices!

Kath Eats Real Food, a new blog find, has really got me craving yummy yet healthy foods! Especially french toast (as you can tell by my dinner choice)... Can hardly wait to get home for Christmas Break to cook some half as fabulous as hers...

credits to Katheats.com

and to whip these up in a normal sized, not college kitchen... -My mouth is watering at the thought.-

http://www.twohealthyplates.com/2012/11/12/asian-chicken-lettuce-wraps/

and of course to snuggle this little nugget. When I am in town, Marley sleeps in my bed... world's best snuggle bunny!! I miss her so much when I'm in starkville!

WI: The scale said 146.8 this morning- which I'm okay with! A little up from Tuesday's weigh in, but still not as high as it has been! Especially good after such an indulgent day yesterday! But really looking forward to seeing some loss soon! Hopefully the 1,400 cal/30 g fat for the next 4 days will help!!

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Typed this out then weighed on a different scale which told me 144.8! Even after moving the scale & trying again! Whaaat? Love it. I hope 146.8 was a fluke!!

By the Numbers: 

Ended today mostly on track with what I was wanting, but slightly over with fat- need to get back in a healthy routine with less eating out without abandon:

Calories              1,235

Fat                      45

Carbohydrates    116

Protein                57

Yes! An almost great day feels good!... Bring on some more!

Ellen's Plank Challenge

A personal trainer from my home town dreamed up this fun- but intense- challenge! 

It's her Bootcamp group (17 strong) vs. Facebook ladies (22 strong)! [My mom is even in on the fun!] And she wants us to build up to a 5 minute plank over the course of a month!


It is an intense exercise that works the whole body, but focuses on the abs! Woo hoo- love that!

I haven't kept up every single day, but so far I have planked 5 times and even added 43 seconds to my original time!  Whew- gotta keep working!!

The pictures here are my times so far, (+ a few recent weigh ins) and I'll be sure to keep you updated: