Sweets at night

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

I have a big problem with cravings in the evenings. I love sweets. I do pretty well not eating them during the day, but at night I get these really bad cravings for chocolate or ice cream. Or chocolate ice cream. :)
I don't crave sweets much throughout the day -- but then an hour or so after dinner the cravings hit me full force. I try to do other things to take my mind off of it: I'll go for a walk, or read a book, or brush my teeth. It doesn't always work. I wish I could be like my husband, who could go through life just fine without eating anything sweet.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

LYNNETH7 8/7/2008 4:12PM

I workout in the evenings, and when I'm done with that I crave good foods! Report Inappropriate Comment

ROBYNEGG 8/1/2008 12:39PM

I here you there!!! I am the same way :-) I ask myself all the time, "do I really want the extra calories, or am I just bored?" Sometimes my craving gives in and I'll have a 1/2 cup of ice cream... and other times I try to find something to do, away from the kitchen! Like the others have mentioned, maybe some healthy alternatives will help you like the WW ice cream bars or some 100 calorie chocolate treats... they help! Robyn Report Inappropriate Comment

RAWKNRUN 8/1/2008 10:06AM

Fudgsicles are only 60 calories and oh so yummy! LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

DNJEN471 7/31/2008 1:25AM

I think it is a girl thing. We just crave chocolate! Report Inappropriate Comment

SCOLLY 7/30/2008 9:53PM

Me too...I have a "treat" every night...I just work it into my plan. Report Inappropriate Comment

PUPPYWHISPERS 7/30/2008 6:20PM

Have you tried the Fiber One bars? They're very tasty, and better for you than a candy bar. They always satisfy my need for something sweet. I also indulge in Lindys Italian Ice when I want something cold and sweet. Remember this is a lifestyle adjustment, not a diet. So it's important to come to terms with the food you love, but can only eat in moderation. Nighttime is more difficult for me too. Report Inappropriate Comment

KARALVS2SCRAP 7/30/2008 4:18PM

My husband is the same way. He could have the offending food in the house for weeks and not touch it. MEN! Good luck with your cravings I know they are hard to overcome. I try to save some calories up for a sweet treat when I am in a craving sort of mood. Report Inappropriate Comment

MOM2ACAT 7/30/2008 3:53PM

Lately I have been craving ice cream in the evenings. I go with either one of the Weight Watchers brand frozen bars, or a little bit of Edy's Slow Churned ice cream. Report Inappropriate Comment

MELINKY 7/30/2008 3:39PM

When you detox the cravings go away. What I mean by detox is when you stop eating junk food the cravings go away. Eating junk food creates a vicious cycle. Eating too much of it, because your body can't tell when it's full with the faux ingredients. Your body craves more of it, etc. Good luck! Melody xx Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 7/30/2008 3:37PM

I always give in. A piece of chocolate, a sugar free pudding, or - an actual serving of ice cream. Maybe one day I'll wean myself completely, but as for now I just fit it in my calories. As for Ellie Krieger the ones I've tried so far I've loved every single one. Tofu & Edamame Stir fry thingie, Wheat Pasta w/ Spinacha and Walnuts that salad, Portobello Lasagna Rollups, Steak Tacos w/ Cucumber Avocado Salsa (SOGOOD), um... Even the Porkchops w/ Warm Apple Slaw and I am NOT a slaw OR a pork chop girl, but it was good and even better the next day. The Garlic Fries are awesome! THE GRILLED VEGGIE AND HUMMUS WRAP = AMAZING. Mom's Turkey Meatloaf and Smashed Sour Cream and Onion Potatoes, and her bananaPB smoothie, Mango BBQ chicken, Fettucine w/ Creamy Red Pepper sauce. I THINK that's all of them that I've tried and they're all wonderful and fabulous. I was looking through my blogs to remind me. ;) Report Inappropriate Comment

CHARVONNE30 7/30/2008 3:17PM

That is the worst time for me as well - what is his secret? Report Inappropriate Comment

GNN1224 7/30/2008 3:01PM

I have the same problem but I found a sweet dessert from the South Beach Diet Phase 1 that is good. It is made with 1/2 cup Reduced Fat Ricotta cheese, 1/4 tsp of vanilla extract, one packet of splenda and 1 tsp of unsweetened cocoa powder. There are other variations to it but I like this one the best. Another alternative is sugar free ice pops or fudgsicles. Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIEDAWNPAM 7/30/2008 2:59PM

My cure is a berry sundae, berries with yogurt. Or a square or two of high-end, super-dark chocolate. Or chocolate yogurt. Report Inappropriate Comment

Still not at goal but feelin' great!

Tuesday, July 29, 2008

OK, so, I've been trying to lose the same 5 pounds for months now. This will put me at my goal weight. I'm close but fluctuate up and down, never getting below 117. I have to admit I am not as dedicated as I was in the past when it comes to food and tracking it. I allow myself many more treats and goodies than I should. Tracking has become cumbersome, though I still try to do it. So on some level I have inadvertently started maintenance.

But...I feel wonderful. I am still working out most days. My body is getting more and more toned. I fit into all the clothes I try on at the store. Life is good.

I know I need to put just a bit more thought into my food choices. I know these last stubborn pounds will come off eventually. I've been doing much better lately on the food front. I'm hoping the scale will reach the "magic number" soon. Then I can do the happy dance! :)

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MUSTANGAMORE 8/7/2008 1:39PM

Didn't you tell me once that between 115-120 was your goal? You looks so awesome at 117-no worries! Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 7/29/2008 9:51PM

:) I'm glad you're feeling good. "Magic number" SHMAGIC SHNUMBER. ;) You look fab, you feel fab. :D You ARE a success, RIGHT NOW. Congrats! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOM2ACAT 7/29/2008 8:21PM

You are doing great! You haven't given up, that is the important thing! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIEDAWNPAM 7/29/2008 4:59PM

If you are working out most days and becoming more toned, then you may be replacing fat with musle which weighs more. That could explain your difficulty loosing the last few pounds. Maybe the focus needs to go onto how you look and feel rather than what the scale says now. Congrats on all you've accomplised. I think you look FABULOUS! ...Pam Comment edited on: 7/29/2008 4:57:20 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

KARALVS2SCRAP 7/29/2008 3:58PM

You are doing great- just be patient, it will happen! Report Inappropriate Comment

MRSCAROLB2 7/29/2008 3:07PM

I feel you are doing awesome. Even though you not at your goal yet but I am sure it will come in time. Like you said you are starting to tone up and that is good to feel better about yourself. I checked out your pics and I must say you look really good. So my hat is off to you for a job well done. Comment edited on: 7/29/2008 3:09:12 PM Report Inappropriate Comment

That's what I get for going out for pizza!

Thursday, July 24, 2008

We don't have a whole lot of food in the house right now (we need to go to the grocery store) so last night we decided to go to a neighborhood bar for dinner and a drink. This place usually has good pizzas. Hubby had a long busy day. He hadn't even eaten lunch and so he was starving.

There were just a few people in the place, with one person working at the bar. Apparently this person feels free to behave any way he wants to when he is the only one working and the boss is not around.

I knew it was going to be an interesting night as soon as we ordered our beers. Apparently something was wrong with the beer tap because all of a sudden, the bartender began cursing and throwing out F-bombs every few seconds.

After much drama, he finally was able to pour our beers and came to take our order. As you may have heard, there is a warning not to eat jalapeno peppers right now. The pizza that we ordered usually has jalepeno peppers on it but we didn't think it would be a big deal to have them take the peppers off. They brought the pizza and we each took a bite. Then my husband noticed that there were jalepenos in the pizza, so we told him.

He was not understanding at all. He says to us "Well, they're in the sauce!" And we replied, "We didn't know there would be jalepenos in the sauce and we specifically ordered no jalepenos." At this point, most normal restaurant servers would say something like,"I'm sorry this pizza is not to your satisfaction. We'll bring you another one." Nope. Instead, he was kind of like, "Deal with it."

He walked away from us and back to the bar. We were finishing our drinks and next thing we know, he says -- loudly for everyone in the bar to hear -- "They're canned jalepenos. They' were probably pickled 2 years ago!" and then he said "If you get sick, sue me!"

WOW! We don't typically complain much at restaurants. Still, if there is a problem with the food or something goes wrong with the order, we should be able to speak up and get the food the way we ordered it. We should be nice and polite about it, of course, which we were. This guy was just so rude and obnoxious in his response. And he wouldn't let it go! He just kept carrying on. My husband said to him, "You're making this more of a big deal than it needs to be." Seriously. Then he replied "Well maybe this isn't the place for you."

Really? You don't say????? Ha ha ha ha ha!

Finally, after more drama, he took it off our bill. We paid for our drinks and left. The bright side to this story is that instead of pizza, I had a much healthier dinner from Subway.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RACHTK 7/29/2008 2:13AM

Guess it was a sign to stay away from the pizza. Don't know about you but it's one of my favorite foods and stopping is a problem. Guess your server was having a bad night huh? Report Inappropriate Comment

MSTELZER 7/25/2008 7:16PM

Wow - what a horrible server!!!! You should really talk to the owner about this as just think of all the busniess the person could be loosing with an employee acting like this when he/she isn't around!!!!! I love how you put in on the "bright side" type thing at the end. You must have a very positive outlook on life and that is great!!! Keep up the wonderful work!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

PIGLETSMALL 7/25/2008 9:43AM

Wow! I'm glad you sorted out this problem! And you gained a more healthier option in the long run! That's good news! As for the rude man servant....what a yucky attitude.....blah! he needs a serious attitude make over. Let's get him girls! lol! Hugs xxxx Report Inappropriate Comment

CHARVONNE30 7/25/2008 9:39AM

Okay can you say that he needs to be trained in customer service and I am hoping you called the manager or owner of the establishment to voice your concerns for his business as I am sure he doesn't want his customers to be treated in that manner. Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 7/24/2008 8:14PM

WOW, that's INSANEEEEEEEEEEEE... HAHAHAHA I can't believe that someone would act like that toward a customer! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOM2ACAT 7/24/2008 6:05PM

I'd tell the owner too, that guy was way beyond rude! Report Inappropriate Comment

KARALVS2SCRAP 7/24/2008 5:26PM

Wow! Hewas so rude. I'd let the owner know. That's just not right. Report Inappropriate Comment

MELINKY 7/24/2008 4:04PM

It's so hard to find good customer service any more. I wouldn't worry about the jalepeno's. I don't think it was as big a deal as the tomato recall. I would write a letter to the owner complaining about this guy. He's probably clueless that this guy behaves this way. Mel xx Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIEDAWNPAM 7/24/2008 3:40PM

Wow. I thought service at restaurants here was bad. This one takes the cake. Or pie. Pizza pie. I'd tell the owner. Report Inappropriate Comment

I love to exercise...who woulda thought???

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

I was working out at the gym today ... and during my workout I started to think about how far I've come in terms of fitness in just one short year.

As a child I wasn't very active. Yes, I rode my bike and ran around but I hated gym class with a passion. Since high school I've belonged to a health club but was one of those people who gave them my money (well, my parents' money) for basically no reason. I went maybe 4-6 times a year, on average. Sure, I had a few mini streaks in which I'd be all gung-ho about the gym. But they didn't last. Going to the gym, and fitness in general, to me was one of those things I *should" do, like go to the dentist or pay my taxes, but was not at all something I wanted to do.

But since I've been with Spark ... I don't know, something just changed. Somewhere in my journey I began to love working out. I don't really know how it happened, but it just did.

Now, I have to get a workout in my day for it to feel complete. To me it's just as important as eating, sleeping or brushing my teeth. The benefits truly are amazing. I sleep better. I breathe better. I have so much energy. I no longer get tired after walking for a few minutes. I am no longer depressed!! Yes, I really believe that exercise is a cure for depression. If not a cure, then a very good treatment. And I don't think I could have lost this weight by dieting alone.

I love my Body Combat and Body Pump classes. If your gym offers them, I highly recommend checking them out!! Soooo much fun. I'm also getting into Body Attack and Body Step. I take spinning classes. This week I think I'll try water aerobics! I love to run -- never in a million years would I have thought that would be true. I want to work up to my first 5K, then a 10K. Who knows, maybe a marathon??

I've heard stories about people in their 80s and 90s who run marathons. And today I watched a video that Spark featured today about a man in his 60s who runs marathons and does triathlons with his son who has cerebral palsy. He was never a runner, but now at his age he is not only running , biking and swimming but also pushing or (when swimming) pulling his son behind him. Wow! If they can do it, why can't I?

I love the way exercise makes me feel -- like I can do anything!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

MUSTANGAMORE 7/23/2008 11:56AM

You have truly changed your life and future with this new lifestyle! Imagine how healthy your kids will be because of your outlook too! I absolutely agree on the depression reduction aspect of exercise. I like to do my walk before work. It gives me a sense of accomplishment and even if the rest of the day falls apart, I at least feel good about taking care of myself. You are going to be one of those adorable pregnant women the rest of us envy... Have a great day and don't forget your water while you're working out! Comment edited on: 7/23/2008 11:57:13 AM Report Inappropriate Comment

PIGLETSMALL 7/23/2008 4:40AM

I LOVE to workout too! Woo Hoo! I love your enegetic blog. It's very catchy! Yes, there is no reason why you can't do all those things too. It's amazing what we can do when we put our mind to it. :-) Hugs and love Helen xxx Report Inappropriate Comment

SCOLLY 7/22/2008 10:25PM

I, too, LOVE how I feel after a workout, but don't always DO it...what's up w/ that!!?? How awesome that you've incorporated it into each day! Way to go!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MOM2ACAT 7/22/2008 9:22PM

I watched that video today too; it's really inspiring what that young man can do, all because his parents believed in him and never gave up. Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 7/22/2008 4:44PM

So much of what you have said resonates with me -- although I was never even an active child or stepped food in a gym until I joined sparks. The most activity I ever got was Marching Band and shaking it at the dance clubs. ;D HAHAHA. I had a bike once as a child and I liked riding it, but then I left it in the driveway and it got run over and that was that. Now -- what a difference!!!! I'm training up to a 10K distance, possibly a half marathon after that.... swimming, doing all kinds of other fitness related activities and LOOKING FORWARD to them and ENJOYING it. (well other than today's horrible run but we all have them from time to time) Congrats on making the change! :D Report Inappropriate Comment

PUPPYWHISPERS 7/22/2008 3:34PM

I feel the same way when I exercise, and just yesterday I saw a story about a 90-year old woman who ran a 5K. I thought, "Darn it, it may take me that long too, but I will do it!" You're doing great, so be sure to pat yourself on the back once in awhile. Report Inappropriate Comment

2NEWSTARTAGAIN 7/22/2008 3:14PM

Thats WONDERFUL!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIEDAWNPAM 7/22/2008 3:11PM

Report Inappropriate Comment

MELINKY 7/22/2008 3:08PM

I agree with you about depression. A healthy diet and exercise is a wonderful cure for depression. I'm so happy for you and the great feelings you're experiencing. Woohoo! Mel xx Report Inappropriate Comment

MSTELZER 7/22/2008 2:03PM

You've made a life sytle change and it just hit you how much of a change and you love it!!!! Keep up the incredible work!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

TOM and the chocolate fiend!

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

Ok, TOM is here. And this entire week, I have been eating chocolate like a mad woman. Eeeeek!!

Chocolate chip cookies (with chickpeas in them, shhh....), chocolate-covered macadamia nuts from Trader Joe's, 100-calorie chocolate bars from TJ's, chocolate granola bars (you guessed it, from TJ's). Oy!

I really hope I've gotten it out of my system now and that tomorrow I can return to the normal me. I like chocolate, but this is a little bit insane.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RACHTK 7/20/2008 6:33PM

Have you tried this recipe? http://recipes.sparkpeop le.com/recipe-detail.asp?recipe =216325 I made them this week and they are really good and chocolaty....go ahead try to eat just one. Report Inappropriate Comment

MUSTANGAMORE 7/18/2008 12:14PM

Dark chocolate is good for you! Next week you'll have a big drop. Hang in there! Report Inappropriate Comment

PIGLETSMALL 7/18/2008 11:17AM

lol! At least it's not just me. school has just broken up for 6 weeks and I have been given many boxes of chocolates from the children. lol! I'm sitting here eating a box now! lol! And sharing them as well I might add. :-) The old me would have just eaten the entire box in a small quiet place. ha ha! At least I'm making progress. Hugs xxx Report Inappropriate Comment

ZIRCADIA 7/17/2008 7:38PM

I LOVE CHOCOLATE SO MUCH. I can definitely relate -- sometimes we eat more, sometimes less, but as long as the calories are in check I think we can allow for some splurges from time to time. :D That dinner turned out really good, I loooovvve those veggies. I REALLY WANT AN SP T-SHIRT SO BAD. I would be totally thrilled if I could win one from the wheel... I too have won a bumper sticker, now I won the DVD, so all I've got left is to get a T-Shirt. ;) HEHEHEHE. Report Inappropriate Comment

SCOLLY 7/16/2008 8:55PM

Good thing you've got us here to help getcha back on track!!! I love Trader Joe's, but there aren't any in my area : ( Here's to getting right back on track... Report Inappropriate Comment

ROBYNEGG 7/16/2008 8:17PM

I just had that happen too! It's ok, sounds like "healthy" chocolate! LOL Report Inappropriate Comment

PUPPYWHISPERS 7/16/2008 6:20PM

Just put it behind you, and get back on track! And get off your butt and exercise off those extra calories. Report Inappropriate Comment

RACHTK 7/16/2008 5:38PM

Oh my gosh....your blog entry sounds like something that happens to me. Think I need to TJ's to stock up! Tomorrow is a new day. Report Inappropriate Comment

MSTELZER 7/16/2008 5:14PM

Hey, it's ok. Just take time and get back on track is all!!! Trust me I have those days as well!!! A new challegne is just starting for new members on Spark Power and I would love to have you join the challenge. It's a good starting point and really helps you realize how to track your food and sometimes really surprises you with the results you didn't think were possible!!!! Check it out some time to day if you have a chance!!! Smile - it always helps!!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

PRAIRIEDAWNPAM 7/16/2008 3:17PM

You really ought to fire your personal assistant for buying this junk for you. He/She really is not very supportive of your lifestyle change. ...Pam Report Inappropriate Comment