I screwed up yesterday, and I don't do that so often!

Sunday, May 31, 2009

I was just starving yesterday, rarely happens, but there you have it. I didn't eat cookies, but I went through a fair amount of homemade oatmeal bread with, admittedly, low sugar jam, in addition to everything else. I haven't put it all in the tracker yet, but I'll be over by hundreds and hundreds of calories.

So now is the time for me to take the advice I give everyone else--just get back on track and don't worry about it. I messed up, but it isn't the end of everything. It is funny though, I really feel like I messed up, it shouldn't, logically, feel like as big of a deal as it does.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LUCKY-13 6/22/2009 1:55AM

There you go! You know you can do this. Don't look back at the past, continue to look forward to the future and you'll reach your goals. When you mess up, you learn a lesson. You'll know what triggers you to eat certain things. Don't even keep those tempting things in the house! It'll make it easier to stay focused on eating healthy things. Keep lots of fruit, veggies, lean meats, dairy and whole grains in your home. We all screw up. The important thing is that you don't give up, that you start again!! Hugs, Lucky Report Inappropriate Comment

The husband has to get his act together -- a new challenge ahead!

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Just a photo that makes me smile.

The husband went to the cardiologist today for a checkup and it is time to get him in better shape. He could lose a few kilos and this is an even better reason to get out the AHA cookbook and try new recipes. I need to get him to eat a decent breakfast, something he isn't good at, and I need to get him moving a bit more. He works a lot in a high stress job, so all of this is good for him, but needs to find its place. The food should be one of the easier things, we already eat well, I can lower fat and sugar in the recipes and up his fiber probably without him knowing.

I need to get more veggies in him though just to fill him up, he's a big eater. He also likes dessert, so I think I have to plan in a healthy dessert, even if it is just applesauce, or sliced bananas and honey or such.

We went for a walk, something we do often, but he needs to be able to do this himself too, without me, as we frequently work shifts when we don't see each other a lot. We are both off tomorrow, so the beach is in the plans, even if it is only walking through the water and not swimming. It is cold to swim yet, even in the south of France.

A new challenge for me, which should give me a boost too. Coralling men into doing what you want, not easy. He needs to think it all as painless as possible.

Wish me luck!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LUCKY-13 6/22/2009 1:50AM

You can do it! You're armed with a good cookbook, and all the things you've learned here at Spark. You'll succeed! Lucky P.S. I love your frog picture also!! Report Inappropriate Comment

GMRKITTY 5/22/2009 10:07AM

Hey, glad to see that you have some ideas. Here is a great breakfast/dessert/yummy treat: http://www.neversaydiet.com/a rticle/strawberry-breakfast-ban ana-split?nlcid=hc|05-21-2009 Hope this helps (good source of fruit & very yummy). HUGGLES!! ~Kitty~ Report Inappropriate Comment

LOBO1978_2000 5/20/2009 5:44PM

Good luck.!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Making Bread

Thursday, May 14, 2009

This should be a picture of St Guilhem le Désert about 20 miles away from where I live--beautiful.

I've decided to start doing again something that I had given up through lack of time--making our own bread. Lack of time isn't a really good excuse given the fact that I have a very good bread machine and it takes 3 hours to do, or even if I only use the bread machine to rise the dough, probably even less time than that.

I'm not sure I'm saving any $, I buy organic flours, but at least I know exactly what is in our bread and can make little changes.

Today's loaf will has semolina as a base, some organic whole wheat flour, poppy seeds, some oats and flax seeds. It should last us almost a week and cost about 3$ to make, which is no worse than buying bread, but really not saving $. I need to find a less expensive source of semolina and that would help.

I have about 2.5 hours to wait, then the house will be full of the smell of fresh bread and I will have done almost nothing but wait for it. Can't beat that!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

KIMCATUS 5/15/2009 12:00PM

Beautiful castle!! And good for you for the bread making!! I love the smell of fresh bread and that's great that you know exactly what is in it! :-) Report Inappropriate Comment

LOBO1978_2000 5/14/2009 1:33PM

Mmmm. Making bread sounds really yummy. Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSWASHUU 5/14/2009 11:13AM

I've found that I enjoy making bread. it's quite relaxing and very soothing. Plus there is something that appeals to the base "provider" in me when I can feed others with something as simple as the bread I've made. I don't have a bread maker, but I do have an oven and I prepare everything by hand pretty much :) Report Inappropriate Comment

BKNOCK 5/14/2009 7:20AM

Mmmm I can almost smell the fresh bread! That is a beautiful picture. Report Inappropriate Comment

Our newest addition to the cat family

Monday, May 11, 2009

I'm a bad blogger, but figure that, since this is one of the major parts of Spark that I'm neglecting, I ought to give it a fair chance. Maybe once a week would be a good time to aim for.

Sparkwise, I'm doing great, exercise wise too, really great. I've become a junky for exercise. I just got back from an almost 90 minute walk and I think I'm going to do 30 minutes of elliptical while I'm still warmed up.

Foodwise, I'm stuck on a plateau and am going to try slightly lowering calories. Slightly raising them didn't work, so I'll try this. Next up is one day up, one day down and see about that.

The cat on the blog is Dexter, our newest addition from the local shelter. He's about 2, a Siamese mix, a lover and a very silly cat. He is certainly going to help me on the elliptical. He curls up on a cube right next to it and sits with me while I do it.

OK, hope you are all well.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LOBO1978_2000 5/12/2009 10:41AM

Cool. I am not a cat lover but i hope you like him. Report Inappropriate Comment

GMRKITTY 5/11/2009 12:59PM

He's cute - I love cats ^..^ Report Inappropriate Comment

KIMCATUS 5/11/2009 11:16AM

Awww Dexter is sweetie pie! I know he will never replace Bart but I know he's a wonderful addition to the family...and hey a workout buddy to boot!!! lol Plateaus suck. They say the more you lose the harder it gets, which just doesn't seem fair to me! lol Hang in there you'll get through it...just be patient! Hope your week goes well!! Report Inappropriate Comment

LUVS2EXERCISE 5/11/2009 10:36AM

Hi, your new cat is just adorable! He has the prettiest blue eyes, and seems so sweet! on the walk and all of the exercise you're doing...keep it up!! Have a GREAT week!! Jen Report Inappropriate Comment

BACK from vacation

Monday, September 22, 2008

I was off in Chicago on vacation--a long way from southern France. Back now, back to work, back to counting calories burned and consumed, new emphasis on not weighing as often, and going for slow weight loss with more calories a day to eat to not be so much 'on a diet'. If it comes off slowly, no problem.

My father had a quadruple bypass two days before I got home, only slightly elevated cholesterol and Bp, nothing dramatic, but good thing he caught the heart attack, which he didn't know he had had, on time and got the problem fixed. Low salt is important for him now, and after spending an entire vacation reading labels, I now am shocked at how much salt is in everything, another new goal, be aware of salt. Difficult to track in France as it isn't labelled on food, but I get the idea now.

Beautiful weather here, lots of walking recently, over 1000 calories burned today with the hrm just in walking.

Hope everyone is well!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

QUIXOTIQUE 9/25/2008 3:11PM

Welcome back from vacation! :) I grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, there is a lot of fun stuff to do there, I hope you enjoyed yourself. I'm doing the same thing with calories, I just can't do the low calorie counts, especially when I'm not losing anyway. Good luck to us and our more food! Report Inappropriate Comment

ORIONSMOM 9/24/2008 9:28PM

I was so glad we had a chance to meet while you were in town. You have been a true inspiration to me. I'm about to start on the 4th Koi magazine your mom gave me. Your mom is just as sweet as you are! Report Inappropriate Comment

TUESDAYS 9/22/2008 10:03AM

Hey friend... Thanks for the SP goodie --- sweet of you to spur me on! Welcome back from vacation. Yet, here's one thing I'm bummed about: I live in Chicago! Had I only known, we might've had a chance to meet up! Sounds as if you were busy with your father though. I'm glad he's doing better. I started tracking sodium on SP a couple months ago and am amazed as well. Eating almost ANY processed food will flip you over the mark that SP recommends you stay under. You really DO have to watch it! Keep in touch! Report Inappropriate Comment

LOBO1978_2000 9/22/2008 9:47AM

welcome back from your vacation. Report Inappropriate Comment