Vacation Dilemmas

It is the season for getting away from your day-to-day. A time to take a plane or a road trip to a place you love to be or a place you've never been. You get to try new foods and old favorites. You escape your 9-5 and your regular routines go out the window.

How does this translate for those of us who are trying to change our lifestyle? It tends to end in a mini disaster- like it did for me this past week.

For me, I was traveling with someone who was on a limited budget. We ate at a lot of food courts and fast food places. How do you eat well while frequenting McDonald's or Taco John's and a carby continental buffet at the hotel? You may think it is impossible, but it isn't.

Before I left home, I downloaded a very useful app- Fast Food Calories.  This app is free on smart phones and allows you to check out the calories of your desired meal before ordering. There are tons of restaurants on this app, some I have never heard of or seen. There are fast food restaurants and some sit down chain restaurants like Olive Garden. The app also allows you to add up your calories if you happened to order more than one item- like in the case of combo meals.

Food Courts- there is always a healthy option, you just have to look. I went to a Taco John's for the first time on this trip and ordered a taco salad with chicken. You get a choice of grilled or crispy chicken. The grilled will have less calories, obviously- my choice. Next, it comes with ranch dressing. You can skip that and just use the salsa and sour cream that is already on it. I also used some mild hot sauce to substitute as dressing. As for the taco bowl- it looks harmless, but that is where most of the calories are coming from because it is a deep fried tortilla. You can skip it all together or do what I did and eat half! It isn't a taco salad without the chip, right?

Rest Stops- vending machines galore! Not likely to be anything healthy in there. You can opt for water or diet drinks. As for the snacks- some trail mix may be a good option, but check the serving size and the calories and maybe share with your road mate.
Road Snacks- we stopped at a local grocery store to grab a snack- the benefit of this is that it is cheap and you can get any healthy option you can think of. We stopped at Trader Joe's and I picked out a greek yogurt and a Kid's CLIF Bar. I also noshed on an apple that I grabbed from the continental breakfast.

Continental Buffet- I like to choose hotels that include breakfast, you save a few bucks and it is convenient. This hotel's buffet was a little disappointing. Talk about carb-laden! Waffles, donuts, bagels, cereals. Almost no fruit or protein in sight. I found a sad bowl of mealy apples as I left the room. I won't lie, I had some waffles!

But I also had some single serve oatmeal with peanut butter- this should help you feel full longer and it was the only bit of protein in sight.

While staying in hotels, try to stay away from these bad boys. I didn't...

Some hotels are equipped with a fitness room. If that is important to you, you may want to spend a few extra bucks in order to work off those extravagant vacation meals. Our hotel had one, I had every intention to use it, but I didn't. It was kind of a sad little room...

Only a treadmill and a bike. I knew that I would be walking a lot while out and about on the town, so I didn't see the point of using the treadmill. I also had a very sore foot. I could have used the bike, but... hey! I'm on vacation. :-P

When I got home, I dove right back into healthy eating... I made a spicy rice dish with chickpeas, turkey sausage, and lots of veggies. I was so yummy!

Hope some of these tips help out those of you who are headed for vacations and holiday!

What are your vacation tips for staying on track?

Weigh-In #22

I am back from my vacation! Actually, I have been back for a couple of days already and have been trying to catch up on things around the house, at work, and on the internet.

I faced the scale on Thursday morning. I knew I gained, I could feel it. I did not eat as well as I had hoped while we traveled. I know a few reasons why- I will get into that in my next post- hopefully will do one tomorrow.

On to the weigh-in... it's not pretty.

Previous Weight: 198.2
Current Weight: 200.6
Gain: 2.4 lbs

I'm so mad at myself that I am seeing a 2 in front of those digits. It is my own fault and I can't blame anyone else for it. I'm hoping it's salt and water. I weighed in at 201.8 on Thursday, so that it already and drop of more than a pound.

I'm in serious need of an intervention here. It's like 196 is my new stopping point. 196 is my new 203 (old retreat point).

How do I get back on the wagon?

Weigh-In #21 & Weekly Review

If you haven't noticed, I'm doing a late weigh-in and an early review. Why? Well, I am going out of town tomorrow morning and it will span a few days.

Ok, on to the weigh-in... it was not good and I don't really know why...

Previous Weight: 196.2
Current Weight: 198.2
Gain = +2 lbs

I have no clue what happened here. Maybe it is water weight...? I've been tracking and eating well under my maintain weight calories all week. I guess we'll see what that scale says next week.

I made a couple pretty great meals this week and I wanted to share them with you all. 

First, I used my slow cooker to create a dish I call Mexican Chicken.

It is chicken thighs, red and green bell peppers, onion, garlic, salsa, and spices stewed for several hours. Served on rice with cheese, greek yogurt and chives. It was delicious!

Next, I tried my hand at Panzanella or bread salad.

This is broiled bread chopped up and tossed in a salad of lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, garlic, and cucumber. This dressing was EVOO, lemon juice, and some mulled tomato. Very yummy and a good way to use up stale bread. 

Now for last week's goals:
1) Track everyday- done!
2) Exercise- didn't get it all in this week.
3) Eating out healthily- done- most of the time I took lunch to work/workshops- lots of fruit this week

Next Week's Goals:
1) Track Everyday
2) Get at least 10 minutes of exercise in everyday
3) Be mindful of eating while on vacation! Don't go overboard- exchange a light lunch for a heavy dinner and visa versa.

I will leave you with a photo of what my cat did to my blinds. Damn cat.

Have a good week! Talk to you after Wednesday!

Non Scale Victory

I attended a professional development workshop yesterday. I got to spend time with my co-workers and others who I don't get to talk to much or at all.

Around our 2pm break I stood up and sauntered around. A lady who I really respect whispered to me to come over to her. I thought she would ask me a question about some trouble I have been having with another co-worker on the weekends... but, she said... "so, how much weight have you lost?" I was totally shocked. I blurted out "oh, you can tell?" She said it was very noticeable. I told her I was down 22 lbs and we talked about what I had been doing. I mentioned that no one had really noticed or said anything.

She said she was unsure if she should say anything because it comes off as rude in a way. I totally understand, but it made me feel good to know that someone I don't know that well has noticed a change in my body, even if I can't really see it!

This gives me a little bit of renewed energy to keep at it! Thanks Michele for noticing and saying something!

On a side note, I biked to and from my workshop. On the way home this was a brewing...

I knew in my mind I would get caught in it.

I took a short route- over train tracks. Not overly fun!

About 8 blocks from home I got caught in the storm. It was my first experience in rain riding. It's difficult! The water is pouring down your face, cars are splashing you, riding through puddles.

When I got home I looked like this.

My clothes are still wet. Haha. It was kinda fun though!

Weekly Review

Hello All!

I want to start off with a big hug and kiss to all my new followers! I have reached 30 and I just can't believe that 30 people want to read about my life! I feel so loved! Especially after receiving 3 blog awards since I began this blog in January and then, this week, getting a wonderful "Shout-Out" from Leah and inspiring a post by Tim. It feels great to be connecting with all of you!

I've been thrown off my game a bit this week. My work schedule is almost non-existent since my office is renovating. All I am doing are workshops and training- this made for a slow week. But it is nice to have a little break every once in awhile. Can't say I am looking forward to getting back- I am actually looking for a new job instead.

I've been slowly getting back on track. I am nowhere near where I was in say, February or March. But the process continues and the losses keep coming. I'm happy about that. Eating is getting better and I'm trying to fit in more exercise.

Last Week's Goals: 
1) Track Everyday- No matter what I eat. Done! Here is a look at my week in review from my Iphone App LoseIt.

As you can see... I went a lil overboard a couple days. Friday = a party to watch the hockey game (mostly empty beer calories). Sunday = dinner with a friend. Monday = a chocolate bar over budget...

2) Limit eating out to healthy options or not at all
Like I said, I went to dinner with a friend. She chose Olive Garden... obviously not the greatest place for someone on a diet. I stayed away from the creamy, cheesy stuff and ordered a spaghetti and meatsauce. It was yum and only 710 calories- that's a lot for a meal, but not bad for a restaurant meal.

3) Exercise- done (with some modifications)
Instead of doing the elliptical 3x, I did it once and then went for 2 bikes rides of 12+K each. My elliptical is making some weird noises- super squeaky and banging a lot. It also needs some batteries for its' display. Must do this week.

Next Week's Goals
1) Track Everyday- no matter what! haha
2) Yoga 2x, Strength 2x, Elliptical 1x, Bike 1x
3) May be a lot of opportunity to eat out this week with all the workshops away from home- choose your dishes wisely!

Have a great week all!

My ABCs

A: is for Apple, what’s your favorite variety?
I may be the only one who loves Golden Delicious Apples…

B: is for Bread, regardless of nutrition, calories, or whole grains what is your favorite type to have a nice big piece of?
I actually really enjoy healthy bread with lots of grains, seeds, etc. They are just so dense and high calorie that I tend to choose ryes instead.

C: is for Cereal what is your favorite kind currently (just one!)
I like Nature’s Path Ancient Grains Granola. SOOO GOOOD! So good, in fact, it deserves 3 extra Os.
 
D: is for Doughnuts, you might not currently be eating them but what kind do you fancy?
This could be a Canadian thing, but I loooove sour cream doughnuts, "but I can't eat them because I'll get fat." Nom nom nom.

E: is for Eggs, how would you like yours prepared? 
Overeasy or scrambled with a bunch of random stuff in them- mushroom, peppers, sausage, etc.

F: is for Fat Free, what is your favorite fat free product?
Egg Whites- it was genius to put only whites in a carton! Those crazy egg white only chickens! What will they think of next?


G: is for Groceries, where do you purchase yours at?
I go where there is a sale. But I fancy Food Fare, Sobeys, and Superstore.

H: is for Hot Beverages, what is your favorite hot drink? 
Coffee and all sorts of teas.

I: is for Ice Cream, pick a favorite flavor and add a fun topping.
I like peanut butter chocolate chip ice cream. I’m not a toppings girl though.

J: is for Jams or Jellies, do you eat them, and if so what kind and flavor?
I have found a great low sugar jam from President’s Choice Blue Menu. I would die to have some fresh freezer jam in all its’ sugary glory though! Strawberry all the way.

K: is for Kashi, name your favorite Kashi product?
We don’t have a lot of Kashi products up here. But I like their Cinnamon Harvest Cereal.

L: is for Lunch, what was yours today?
A crepe wrap with lettuce, parmesan, Caesar dressing, and chicken inside. Yum!

M: is for microwave, what is your favorite microwave meal/snack?
I like the Hungry Girl Egg Mugs.

N: is for nutrients, do you like carbs, fats, or proteins best?
I am a sucker for carbs. Give me my toast!

O: is for oil, what kind do you like to use?
I use olive oil for cooking and a spray vegetable oil for other things.

P: is for protein, how do you get yours? 
Eggs, beans, fish, some white meats. Not a big beef eater, but will eat it once in a while.

Q: is for Quaker, how do you like your oats?
I like quick cooking oats. I usually eat them with lots of fruit.

R: is for roasting, what is your favorite thing to roast?
Root Veggies- I will cut up tons of carrots, parsnips, potatoes, onions, garlic, sweet potatoes, sprinkle with evoo, salt & pepper, then roast in the oven at 400F for 30 mins or so. Delish!

S: is for sandwich, what’s your favorite kind?
"Sandwiches are beautiful, sandwiches are fine…" I have been eating the weirdest sandwich for years- dill pickles and cheese.

T: is for travel, how do you handle eating while traveling?
I don’t travel a whole lot, but when I do- I usually blow the diet. Haha.

U: is for unique, what is one of your weirdest food combos?
My Mister tells me I eat a lot of weird things, like- Egg and Avocado sandwiches, pickles in my tuna salad, perogies minus sour cream, cucumbers with vinegar.

V: is for vitamins, what kind do you take? 
Omega 3, Multi, calcium, b12, vitamin c, Echinacea

W: is for wasabi, yay or nay?
Yay!

X: is for XRAY. if we xrayed your belly right now, what food would we see?
Oooh. Beer and pasta.

Y: is for youth, what food reminds you of your childhood?
Fried bologna and kraft dinner

Z: is for zucchini, how do you prepare it?
Sautéed and in a pasta dish.

Weigh-In #20

I'm starting a new template for my weigh-ins. It will be a la Biggest Loser style.

Previous Weight: 197.8
Today: 196.2
Loss = -1.6
Total Loss = -22.2 lbs

Slowly but surely. I am getting there!