Fun in the Sun

Well the last 3 days we have been swimming and it has been so fun. I love to swim! The bad news is that I haven't been on the treadmill. I have a feeling this might be an interesting week for my weigh in. I have been doing pretty good in regard to points and staying on track with the eating. I have figured out what my problem is though. I love to snack. Now I am much more conscious about what I put in my mouth. A handful of doritos, a packet of fruit snacks, the crust from Hudson's sandwich, etc...I used to eat these things all the time with out even thinking. Today I was talking with a friend about pre-dinner eating. You get home from work, you are starved and then it takes 30 minutes to make dinner. So you snack as you make it and then still eat a full dinner. It is all those little choices that have been sabotaging me for years. When I think of myself, I don't see a glutton, someone that goes to Chuck-O-Rama on Saturday night for multiple trips to the smorgasbord. I rarely eat fried foods and I even get disgusted when I see people cover their food in butter, gravy, etc. I always look at them and think "you deserve to be fat..I dont". But we all have our vices and while mine seem small to me, looks like they add up. This week, I have noticed that I am snacking more. While I am staying within my points I could be making better choices that would me much better for me nutritionally. This week is my goal to plan out some healthy snacks, portion them out and stay on task. My mom gets here Tues, so I am working on my menu and going grocery shopping. I think as long as we eat most meals at home, we will be okay.

So tonight is "Moms night out"...it is where about 20 ladies from my church and the community go out to eat. We are going to the Olive Garden. This works out good for me. Since, I worked there about a decade ago, I am still pretty familiar with their menu. I already have it all planned as to what I am going to eat. One serving of salad, no bread sticks, and the lunch portion Linguini ala Marinara. It is 310 calories, 4 grams of fat and 5 grams of fiber. It is 6 points and since I really want to have salad (a whopping 9 points), that is about my only choice. I also love the Capellini Pomodoro it is 480 calories, 11 grams of fat and 11 grams of fiber. However, it is 10 points but a good alternative if you would like the minestrone soup in place of the salad. I plan to just drink water; maybe I'll take my slim and sassy oil to add to it!

Can't believe that I have to go back to work in just over a week. I am planning to enjoy this last week in the sunshine, boating, a trip to Dollywood and lots more swimming. The good news is that with me only working 3 days a week, I'll be able to still enjoy our nice, long summer here in East TN.

Arrgghh

Well, while I have been doing better on my diet and eating within my point allowance, I have not been on the treadmill in several days. Excuses, excuses...but it has been so hard. We have been super busy and it isn't getting any easier. Monday night we went to Knoxville to run errands and didn't get home until 9PM, last night my grandparents came over for dinner to celebrate Father's Day late and we played cards until 9:30PM. Tonight I am teaching CPR, tomorrow night I am meeting up with a friend in Knoxville that is going to have a baby any day, and Friday night I am supposed to be going to "Moms night out". I will just have to try and fit it in during nap times. The problem is that my kids don't seem to nap at the same time. Today I am taking the kids swimming and hoping to get in a few laps myself. I love to swim. It is my passion! I would swim everyday if it was easily accessible. I can tread water very well too and it is a good workout. When Travis's family was in town we all went to the lake and I decided to give my niece a workout, I had her tread water for several minutes with her hands on her forehead. It is pretty rough and I almost drowned her..haha. However, it is a great leg workout, so I will have to try and do it again today. Like I said, I am doing good with my eating. I remembered that my zucchini bread recipe makes two loaves. That means that those pieces from my last post were only 5 points instead of 10. Still a lot but now I am not feeling quite so quilty.

Well, a bunch of my family is coming to town next week. My mom, uncle, 4 cousins, cousin in laws and all their kiddos. Should be fun but I will have to seriously keep everything in check!

Zucchini Bread almost tastes as good as Skinny

A friend of mine brought over zucchini from her garden and I decided to make zucchini bread and put it in the freezer for special occasions and when we have guests. The problem is that I froze all of them except one loaf. I indulged in two yummy pieces today. It tasted SO good! I had substituted applesauce for some of the oil in order to make it a little healthier. Well, I should of made it the same way because it was still loaded with points. I plugged in my recipe into the weight watcher website and one piece is 9 points!!! AAAHHH. No dinner for me! Today I feel depressed..like I totally cheated. Sucks, because the rest of the day I did just fine but then I went and ate 3/4 of my daily points in two little pieces of zucchini bread. Doesn't seem possible. I am going to have to hit the treadmill tonight and try to burn off at least one piece. However, it is a catch 22 because the more depressed/upset you are the less likely you are to want to work out. I have no motivation now!

I will overcome it! But DAMN IT...I am mad at myself. I must say though...I would challenge anyone to a zucchini bread cook off (even my sister in law Kimberly who is the world's best baker) because I am pretty sure that my recipe will kick anyone's butt!