Cute Lunch Bags & Snacking

Zip lock bags, small containers, and cute lunch bags. Two of these three things I never really used before I began the challenge. Zip lock bags I have always used, and who hasn't. However the small containers and lunch bag have been a new addition to the assortment of things I carry out to the car as I go to work each day.



Today in my cute lunch bag (might as well make this fun and carry something cute, right?) I had:

• 2 halves of a chicken salad sandwich on wheat bread in zip lock bags
• Grapes in a zip lock bag
• Carrots in a small container
• Dressing in a small container
• Cardboard, I mean some kind of natural whole wheat crackers in a zip lock bag
• Cheese

Tomorrow I plan on having:

• Lettuce in a zip lock bag
• Tuna in a small container
• Grapes in a zip lock bag
• More cardboard crackers and cheese in zip lock bags
• Nuts in small container

And of course there's always water with me!

Planning and eating this way is totally different than me running out the door each morning and driving through Hardees, Bogangles, or Chick-fi-la for breakfast, then either missing lunch or driving through another fast food establishment. When I did take a sandwich it would be a homemade pimento cheese sandwich on wheat bread. Now I do have to brag here, my husband makes the BEST pimento cheese, just ask our family and friends. Problem is - what makes it so good is all the DUKE'S mayonnaise's . . .  hey we are in the south here!!! Now pimento cheese is only made for special occasions and eaten in moderation at our house.

Yes, the zip lock bags, small containers, and cute lunch bag are a big part of my new life and even a bigger part since I'm being more disciplined about preparing all this food each day. Need a boost and want to see the numbers on the scales go down? Then join me in snacking all day and together we will see the results of our efforts.

Oh, and about the cute lunch bag . . . whatever makes you happy!












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Sunday Reflections

As I sit back and think about this past week the words that come to my mind are:
          Busy
                    Enlightening
                                          Open

• Busy because with my usual obligations, morning rowing classes, and meetings I also had a speaking engagement that took a lot of time and energy.

• Enlightening because I realized that I have not been all in when it comes to making the right choices of food, drinking enough water, and being disciplined.

• Open because I am open to taking another step in this challenge.

Each week of this 90 Day Fitness Challenge has had it's ups and downs, and there has definitely been a learning curve. But there's always one when a person is learning something new, and this healthy lifestyle is definitely new to me.

Once I again I'm ready for a new week, focused on staying on track and meeting the goals I have set for myself, both with exercising and eating right. If you've had an "off" week, or have gotten off track - tomorrow is a great day to start over. If you are right where you need to be, doing all that you can - I applaud you and encourage you to continue.

I can already see that when I look back over this challenge I will see that this is going to be a defining moment that will affect my life in a positive way. And, not only my life, but my families also.

Looking forward to another chance to reach new goals in yet another week of my challenge!

Fridge Quotes

Need some inspiration? Here are some more encouraging and inspiring quotes for the fridge.

• "Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness." - modified from : Edward Stanley (1826-1893) from The Conduct of Life
• “One should eat to live, not live to eat” – Benjamin Franklin
• "We never repent of having eaten too little." –  Thomas Jefferson
• "Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live." – Jim Rohn
• “In order to change we must be sick and tired of being sick and tired.” – Fannie Lou Hamer
• “Those who have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness.” – Edward Stanley
• "Health is like money, we never have a true idea of its value until we lose it." – Josh Billings
• "Discipline is the bridge between goals and accomplishment." – Jim Rohn

Day 45 Devotion . . .

Entrust – 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.”

Today is the halfway point.  Have you realized that you can’t do it all on your own yet?  There are some things that you need to train others to do.  There are some things that you hand off to capable people.  And then there are decisions that you need to make as to what you are responsible for doing yourself.

Stepping Up My Game

Since I've been on this challenge I have to admit I've been a little lax on the healthy eating side. Well I'm ready to step up my game. Amy says you need to have a plan to eat just like you have a plan to work out. So here is my plan and new strategy:

1. Plan my meals for the week
2. Make a grocery list
3. Go to the grocery store buying ONLY what is on the list
4. Cook a meal or two at a time
5. Divide food into separate containers for meals and snacks to eat during the week
6. Pack lunch and snacks at night before the next day

Whew . . . . I hope I can get the hang of this!

And remember, we need to not only drink water all day, but we need to eat every 3 to 4 hours. Breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner. In case you missed some snack ideas and need to make your list for the grocery store tomorrow, here are some suggestions:

• apple and 5-8 almonds
• tangerine and 1/4 cup of walnuts
• one string cheese and a plum or other seasonal fruit
• greek yogurt with fresh berries and Xylitor or Stevia to taste
• cuban crackers with 2 tablespoons of hummus
• one boiled egg and an apple
• one rice cake with 1 tablespoon of peanut butter and half a banana
• broccoli and carrots with olive hummus
• Wasa crackers with Laughing Cow cheese or peanut butter
• one tablespoon of guacamole and organic blue corn tortilla chips
• nonfat frozen yogurt with almonds or peanut butter
• orange and 2 rice cakes
• one cup of cottage cheese and piece of fruit

Here's my new catch phrase . . . "I'm not leaving home without my bag of healthy food!" I'm anxious to see if this makes a difference over the next couple of weeks. I will be sure and let you know.

Are you reaching a plateau, leveling off, or no longer noticing a change in the scales? Do you feel like you are in a rut without seeing any results? What changes are you willing to make next week? Take time to think of how you can "step up your game."

Week 7 - Thursday Quotes

Once again, with pen and paper in hand, I moved around the room this evening meeting and talking with others who are on this challenge with me. This weeks question . . . "What have you noticed about yourself since you began the challenge? Are some things getting easier or harder?"

• Allie - "I'm walking faster. Easier to get my jeans on.
• Sheila - "Not craving as much sugar, more energy.
• Dee - "I have more energy, and am finding it easier to read labels."
• Margaret - "For some reason, this has been a very emotional week for me."
• Crystal - "Portion control is getting easier. I don't gorge like I used to and when I over eat, I feel bad."
• Mary - "Reading labels is getting much easier."
• Me - "Can tell a difference when walking up stairs . . . I could really tell a difference last Saturday at the Clemson basketball game. Great seats on the floor, but you know what that means? A LOT of stairs to climb back up after the game. Did it without huffing and puffing and having to stop! YEAH!"

It's interesting to me to see how others are doing, what they are struggling with and what is getting easier. I knew I wouldn't be alone in this challenge, but talking personally with others has given me  much more support and encouragement. Yes, we are all in this together.

And thanks to Josh who spoke to us tonight. It was great having him and I appreciated his willingness to answer our questions. (And yes, I did go right up to him after the meeting and talk to him about rowing at Greenville Indoor Rowing. He's a runner, but I think he would like rowing too. I just can't help myself!!!)

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Counting the days?

Lately I've had a number of people ask me what day of the challenge I'm on. My writer friends want to know because they are still impressed I've been able to think of something to write about every day. (Don't be, I give myself enough material!). My other family and friends want to know what day I'm on and how I'm doing with the exercising and eating healthier.

Well, if you want to know what day we are on -- using the Jan. 8th Kick-off date, we're on day 54! Going by this date we only have 36 days left in the challenge. There is one thing about the "what day are you on" question that makes me always stop and think, "what comes next after 90 days?" The answer: 91.

If we are honest with ourselves and want to make a lifestyle change, then we won't, rather CAN'T stop at day 90. We must continue doing exactly what we are doing now. If we will remember why we are doing this challenge and keep it before us, then we will be much more successful.

My goal is a lifestyle change. So how many days do I have? Not going there . . .

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Oh, that Wagon!

The old saying" I've fallen off the wagon" blared loud and strong through my thoughts this morning as I read the numbers on the scales. The old wagon rolled up over the weekend and I flat fell off. First of all it was the pizza on Friday night. You know how I love pizza? Well, I didn't eat as much as I used to but I still ate some (along with sweet tea! Yeah, that's right!) That's okay I told myself . . . the pizza  wasn't quite as good as I remembered it and I would do better the rest of the weekend. That was Friday.

Then there was Saturday. Great work out, breakfast with my daughter . . . so far so good. Then, I went to Clemson to meet my college roommate and suite-mates to go to the basketball game. Ahhhh, that little snack of spinach & artichoke dip before the game sure was good, not to mention the dinner after the game! And in my mind seeing my friends was a special occasion so more sweet tea. That was Saturday.

Okay, Sunday was supposed to be a new day, and it was. Not the fresh start I needed. What was on the agenda? A Birthday lunch for my sister-in-law at Miyabi! This was the day I was supposed to have eaten light for on Friday and Saturday. What can I say, except I fell off the wagon. That was Sunday.

Monday was a busy day and of course with all the "fun" I had over the weekend I didn't get a chance to  even plan any meals for this week, much less get to the grocery store. So I was the poster child for Phil and Amy's example of "if you don't plan, you won't make good choices." I didn't . . . it was mexican -- fast and inexpensive. That was Monday.

Today is Tuesday and yes, I fell off the wagon. BUT today is a new day and I'm back on holding tight to the sides as I swoop through another busy week. That's my wagon story. What's yours ???

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