Category Archives: God

Day 285: On the Train to Frustrationtown!

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Hey Boys and Girls!

Well… I think I’ve hit a plateau. Statistically, I should be past 100 pounds already but for about the past 5-6 weeks, I’ve been stuck in the same weight range with a little losing and gaining. It’s been really frustrating I have to admit. I stuck close to my points for the majority of this week (except for Monday and dinner last night) and I worked out every day but I still gained .2 pounds this week. I know I know, it’s not much, but I’m still trying to get back to where I was before I left on my vacation. So I’m at 264.8 and I was at 262 before I left so I’m 7.8 pounds away from breaking 100. It feels like 257 is my magic number right now. It’s a mental block I have and I need to break it. So this week, I’m going to add some more workout time, try to count calories more than points, and drink water by the gallons. Hopefully that will do the trick.

Breakfast: I just had piece of toast with PB and half a banana 3 points. Then I had had a 3 point muffin.

Lunch: For lunch, the young professionals group from church decided to go to Genghis Grill for lunch and we had a blast. One of our friends Becky, who has lost 30 pounds like a boss, is the queen of bowl stacking so she showed us all how it’s done! The bowl on the left of raw goodness is Becky’s Bowl of Destruction, which she turns in to four meals total. (Yeah, she’s pretty legit.) Anyways, what she does at GG is when she gets her bowl she asks for the to go box immediately. So Megan and I both did that too and as soon as I got my bowl, I put enough in my the box to fill it and I still had a ton of food on my plate! By the time I was done I was still full while not feeling disgusting which was a nice change. The moral of this paragraph: Becky is a beast.

Snack: I had some chips. Nothing exciting.

 

Dinner: I just had my leftovers for dinner and they were just as epic as at lunch. In fact, they might have been better because I put Beaver Sweet Hot mustard on it which has a wasabi taste to it. Leftovers are awesome. Just saying.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dessert: Megan and I went back to TCBY for some yogurt and it was still epic. It was only 5 ounces total which isnt near as bad as when I got to other places.

So that was my day. I felt like I did okay (not great) but tomorrow I’m really getting down to business. I know I shouldn’t put a time frame on these goals, but I want to break 100 by the end of the month. I’m going to Disney in a few weeks and I really want to get an “I’m Celebrating” pin, proclaiming my weight loss. Either way, I really do have to remember that I still have a lot to celebrate.

Here we go again….

See ya tomorrow.

 

Day 284: Saturday Night’s Alright For Blogging!

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I’m barreling down Book 5 of Harry Potter so again, a short but sweet blog.

Breakfast: I made some awesome whole wheat pancakes with some center cut bacon from Publix. It was the first time we had bought the Publix brand bacon and I think it was better than the brand we usually got (I think it was called Porky’s Delight…) 6 points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SAWS!!! So it was hot and completely disgusting outside so decided to run on the indoor track at FSU. It’s not the most ideal situation, but hey… free AC is good AC. The run went really well. I was pushing myself hard and I was making really good time. Well… I have no proof that I made good time because RunKeeper evidently doesn’t work indoors so it thought we had only gone 1.7 miles and my average pace was 21:08. I definitely knew something was up when the GPS tracker looked like that. Megan did some math and she figured we went about 2.6 miles in 30 minutes so either way Couch 2 5K has already helped my running. 6 exercise points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch: We had a pretty late lunch at Jimmy John’s right after our workout. It was freakin’ fantastic. I had the veggie sup and we I ate it at home, I put my own light mayo on it so save a ton of calories and fat. 9 points.

 

 

 

 

 

Snack: After our mosying about, we ended up at TCBY on Tennessee. Unlike the last TCBY we went to earlier this week, it was a self serve pay by the ounce. Now there are a lot of froyo places in Tallahassee, but that TCBY might have completely won over my heart simply because you can get a waffle cone or waffle bowl for no additional cost! The waffle bowl wasn’t that big so I couldn’t get near as much froyo as usual which worked well. I had cookies n cream with white chocolate mousse and some toppings. It was pretty awesome and about 4 points.

 

 

 

Dinner: So there was an issue with the chicken we had tried to de-thaw for dinner, so instead we went decided to go out. We’ve hear people talk about this Cuban place called Gordo’s close to FSU so we decided to finally give it a try. It was flippin’ fantastic yo! I had the pork sandwich and Megan had the Cubano (pulled pork and ham sandwhich) and we split an order of fries which turned out to be massive. Megan and I traded a half of each others sandwhich and made a dent in the fries. Overall it was a killer meal and I can’t wait to take my parents there (my sister loves Cuban food.)

So up until dinner I had only eaten about 19 points so with the workout points dinner was well within my daily points. Tomorrow is weigh in day and I’m hoping I will be back to where I was before my vacation which was 262. I’ve been pretty good this week and I’ve worked out hard too so if anything, I feel like I’m physically back to where I was before we left so that counts for something. See ya tomorrow.  

Day 283: Friday

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I’ll keep this brief because I have some Harry Potter to read!

Breakfast: I didn’t sleep well at all last night (like 3-4 hours worth) and I had a job interview so I ate PB toast with half a banana for 3 points. (That was all one sentence? )

Lunch: After my interview, Megan and I went to lunch with our friend Andrea for some Mellow Mushroom awesomeness! They had a two slice and a drink lunch combo so I had that and we spit Bruschetta. It was sooo awesome!!!! I didn’t know how big the slices are but it was delicious. Anyways, Lunch was about 12 points.

Snack: I just had some chips and salsa for 3 points.

 

 

 

 

Workout: So Megan and I wanted to hit up the gym since we didn’t get run this morning because of the while no sleep/raining thing. I did 40 minutes on the elliptical and I kept my heart rate in the fat loss range. SAWS!!!!! 9 exercise points

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner: For dinner, Megan made this awesome tilapia with a baked potato with this killer fruit salad. It was a legit 10 point dinner.

So I got to about 28 points. Legit awesomeness. Maybe it won’t rain in the morning. But then again, we live in Florida. See ya tomorrow.

Day 282: Why Lifting Weights is Like the WNBA

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Sup Everyone!

I’m really loving this summer because it’s my last actual summer vacation. I’m really going to miss this. It’s been a really good time to work out and to get my life in order. However, I’m kind of ready for school to start because I love grad school! (Maybe that means I’m doing it wrong…) Alright, enough about me and my feelings.

Breakfast: I kept it simple (and delicious) and had a Chobani with some Kashi. It was epic and delicious (yes… it can be both.) 4 points. Between breakfast and lunch I had some chips and salsa too. 3 points.

Lunch: Since we had leftover veggie spaghetti sauce from last night, I boiled up some Rising Moon Organic Garlic & Roasted Vegetable Ravioli and made a killer pasta dish. It was easily the heartiest 6 point lunch I have ever had. I was seriously full for the majority of the day. The ravioli and sauce was only 5 points, it was the Parmesan that made it six so without the cheese it’s even a better bang for your buck!

All this week we have been eating sandwiches for lunch and around 3 I’ve been starving which has lead to serious snacking. Sandwiches are okay every once in a while, but if you have the time to eat a healthy and filling lunch like this, it’s definitely going to save you some calories throughout the rest of the day. Obviously though, it needs to be a dish like this or like fish or something like that, not filling up on fast food or the caloric bombshell of dishes at other places. To put things in perspective, half a regular order of fries at Five Guys is 7 points (a side mind you) and this was 6 points. Just saying.

 

 

 

Dinner: (The following paragraph further proves my point.) On Tuesday, Chick Fil A broke our hearts and had a full parking lot so we had to go to Subway instead. Since tonight was College Night and we had to eat out out of time constraints, we gave it another shot. I had a chicken sandwich and we split a large fry. It was good and filling to a point, but I realized that the only reason I wanted to eat there is because  I love their BBQ sauce and ketchup and the only way I can eat those condiments (at least in a socially acceptable fashion) is via the vehicle of waffle fries and a sandwich or nuggets. Does anyone have a freakin’ clue what I am talking about? Anyways, it was a weird realization. So it was good and pseudo filling, but it was not more than twice as filling as lunch. 14 points.

 

SAWS!!! We went to Leach this evening and luckily the crowds weren’t near as bad as Tuesday. I decided to lift weights to build up the old arms and core. I did a combo of weight machines and dumbells. So I’ve been lifting off and on since the sixth grade, and while I’ve had noticeable tone (noticeable to me at least) I’ve never been consistent nor seen the results I hope. Recently, any time I do a curl I have a straining (not sore feeling, like a hurt feeling) in right above my elbow on the back of my arm. It even hurts on the curl machine which is suppose to help your abs not your arms. When I got done tonight, I had the same feeling in my other arm, but it eventually went away. I left the gym really frustrated, something that hasn’t happened in a long time. I don’t know what the deal is, I guess I need to go see a physical therapist on campus or something. I’m just frustrated because I just don’t feel like I’m doing anything right. Lifting weights is like the WNBA to me, I want to like it sooo much, but I just can’t. Any time I give it my shot, I get little in return and I leave disappointed and self loathing. (Maybe not the best analogy, but it made for a good title.) Anyways, FSU offers free sessions of personal training so I’m going to try to get in on the during the fall. I guess for now I’ll just keep at it and expect different results (wait… isn’t that the definition of insanity?)

Snack: For a post workout snack I had a can of tune with a dolip of low fat Hellmans mayo which is only 15 calories for a few tablespoons! And it’s actually good! I was enjoying it until I found three little scales in it. Of course that was after I had eaten the whole can. Go me. So I emailed StarKist in hopes they’ll make it right (which better not include free tuna.) 3 points.

So today I got to 30 points exactly which will work for me. The last installment of C25K week 1 is tomorrow morning and it’s going to be hot tomorrow morning. Oh joy. See ya tomorrow.

 

 

 

Day 281: Wordless Wednesday!!! MEOW!!!!!!

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Day 280: Tuesday Twinkle

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(I’ve given up on the whole making creative titles thing. Welcome to Lameotown.)

Sup everyone! Today I slept for what felt like 10,000 hours because my knees were sunburned and my stomach hurt. Not a bueno situation yo. Anyways, it was another exciting day in Tallahassee, well not really. All that really happened was the Casey Anthony verdict and I wrote about it on the inaugural post of my other blog called Talking About Media so once you are done with this post, you should check it out and let me know what you think. (Yes, I am a blog lady of the night and I will turn tricks for my writings.)

Breakfast: I woke up a little late so I just had a cut up banana, PB and toast which was 3 points. At first I thought this breakfast was just 2.5 points but I forgot about the bread. So that’s that.

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch: So we had plans to eat at Chick-Fil-A for lunch because it was a fan frenzy day so it was going to be free. Well, when we got over there, the parking lot was super packed and the drive thru was queued up like a boss so it was logistically not possible to get in. I hate that CFA’s are on such small lots where the parking lot always has cars in it. I know it makes them look busy and successful, but that also deters folks like me. Just saying. Anyways, we ended up at Subway and I had a ham sandwich. It was okay, but definitely no CFA. The only upside to Subway was that there was a TCBY right next door. We decided to give it a shot and I’m really glad we did. It’s not a self serve joint, but their yogurt is low calorie, low fat, has fiber and active cultures in it, and best of all they offer a kids cup for everyone! We both had the White Chocolate Mousse and it was only 2 points for a big kids cup of froyo! Lunch was 10 points yo!

Snack: I had chips and salsa and before we worked out a bowl of Oatmeal Squares so my healthy snacking was a total of 7 points.

SAWS!!!: Megan and I decided to hit up the gym, and apparently so did the rest of FSU. Leach had been closed since Saturday so I guess everyone was there to make up for the weekend. I did a quick 30 minutes on the elliptical because we didn’t have a ton of time so I made good use of my time. While I was ellipticalin’ it up, I noticed all the obviously new freshman (I could tell by how much they looked like middle schoolers. Crap I’m old.) that were not wiping down the equipment after they were done. I would never call out someone nor am I a germaphobe, but it really grosses me out when it’s on cardio machines that induce a crapton of sweat. Grosstacity! Anyways, I got 6 exercise points.

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner: For dinner we had leftover chili which was fantabulous and a no pudge fudge brownie for dessert. It was awesome. 15 points.

So overall today I got to 35 points but with the exercise points I’m good! Tomorrow is session No. 2 of Couch to 5K so I’m super stoked for that. Also tomorrow is Wordless Wednesday so get super stoked for that too! See ya tomorrow.

 

279: Fireworks and Other Awesomeness!

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HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!

(As I am writing this it still sounds like the freakin’ War of 1812 outside. I love fireworks as much as the next guy, but at 11:30? Come on!)

The 4th of July was always my favorite holiday growing up. Even when I lived in Canada when I was little I always looked forward to going to my Uncle Loyd and Aunt Marietta’s farm in Montana and shooting off an armory of explosives. So many blown up plastic toy soldiers…

Exercise: This morning, Megan and I started the Couch to 5K… again… and it was great to run again. I like running behind our place, but it’s extremely hilly and it’s basically just loose soil so we decided to go to Lake Ella park near downtown. The track around the lake is six-tenths of a mile so it’s big enough that running around it numerous times is a problem. (For me, running around a tenth of a mile track I get bored and frankly a little dizzy.) Anyways, the first day is a five minute warm up and then 20 minutes of interval running with 60 seconds of running and 90 seconds of walking. On paper it’s not too bad but by the fourth time you have to run you are feeling rough. I felt good though because my pace was about 8:30/mile in the running so if I could keep that up I would be ballin! I also used Runkeeper, a running app that uses GPS like Nike+ but also has interval alarms which is perfect for C25K. Luckily we went early enough that it wasn’t too hot but by then end it was starting to warm up. No bueno.

Breakfast: I had breakfast in shifts today. I had PB and half a banana on a piece of toast before the run (a really good pre-workout breakfast) and then a Chobani with a little granola after. Both were really recharging and delicious.

Lunch: I just had a basic turkey sandwich with chips and Mrs. Renfro’s Peach salsa which is freakin’ legit! I love that stuff. (I don’t know a lady actually named Mrs. Renfro, it’s the brand’s name. Next time you see it, buy it.) The chips were also only 3 points for 14 chips so it was only a 5 point lunch thanks to the low calorie bread. Holla!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner: This afternoon, we went to our friends  Jacob and Emily Ward’s apartment for a little chilling by the pool action with a cookout to follow. Jacob, Emily and I are all in the same department at FSU so it was fun to hang out and catch up. Anyways, after laying by the pool (which was interrupted by the loudest clap of thunder ever. There was a 1-2 second differential between the lightning and the thunder.) we had dinner. It was a BYOM (Bring Your Own Meat) dinner so I made some turkey burgers earlier today. They turned out really really well. I also had some beans, pretzels, chips and guac, etc. so yeah there was a bit of grazing but overall it was a great time! (I have more pics from tonight and I’ll put them in Worldess Wednesday!)

So overall, like I just said four lines ago, I did do some grazing that could have been minimized, but the rest of the week I will be on the straight and narrow to become hot and narrow. See ya tomorrow.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

278: Weigh Weigh After Vay Cay!

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Sup yo!

So like I’ve said all this week, I got a little off track with the vacation (just one of those things that happens) and I wasn’t sure how it was going to reflect on the scale. Well, when we got back and I unofficially weighed Friday morning, I was at 269 pounds! 7 pounds up from when I left. I’m not going to lie I felt pretty crappy about it. I felt like I had let myself and you, my dear readers, down. From then on, I have stuck close to my points and have been eating right. When I got on the scale today, I was only at 264.6 which means from just two days of eating right, my body was able to drop five pounds of retained water and *ahem* waste! That just shows how easy it can be to get back on the horse and keep riding! So if you ever fall off for a while (which you will because life works that way) don’t fret about making up lost ground and just freakin’ go for it!!! Anyways, so I have gained 2.6 pounds since my last weigh in a few weeks ago and obviously you can’t be happy with a gain, but it’s totally manageable so I’m shooting to be back to where I was and then some by then end of this week!

Breakfast: For breakfast I had a Chobani with half a serving of Kashi. It was awesome. 4 points.

Megan made chocolate chip muffins for our young professionals class that I’ve started to teach at church so I had one and a half of those bad boys so that was another 4.5 points. Of all things, I definitely think muffins are my biggest weakness because I want to eat a bunch at a time and they are one of the worst breakfast things you can eat. #Deliciousfail (don’t knock the hashtag.)

 

 

 

 

 

Lunch: After church, we made grilled cheese sandwiches with tomato soup. It is definitely one of my favorite meals ever because it is simple to make and it just warms your soul! (Even if it is 100 degrees outside!) 5 points

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snack: This afternoon, all I wanted to do was watch tv and chill. So that’s what I did. I was trying to watch LOTR: The Two Towers while trying to watch Space Jam while trying to watch Ken Burns the Civil War. It was an ADD nightmare with plots that had no resembling parallels. Anyways, so I had some popcorn for 4 points as well. (I took this picture during a Smeagel internal monologue. The creepiness of the photograph seemed fitting.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner: For dinner we had chili with brown rice. As always, Uncle Jim’s Vegetarian Chili was a great success in the MacDonald household. For dessert I had a No Pudge Fudge Brownie with ff cool whip and a little lite chocolate syrup. The brownies were just as good the second day! 15 points.

So today I got to 32.5 points which isn’t terrible since I have weekly points. I haven’t been counting them at all so I’m going to start doing that so I’m just not thinking “awe well, I have the weekly points so I’ll eat this chocolate covered ham steak with brown gravy. YUM!!!!” because that can get dangerous. See ya tomorrow.

Day 277: Saturday Silky Smooth

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[I have no clue what that title means. Draw your own conclusions.]

Today was Day Two of Operation Whatever-I-Named-This-Operation-Yesterday and it we great! My body has already readjusted to eating less because I am eating better things. Dieting is all about less is more, you have to find the lower calorie (or lower point) foods that fill you up better. For me that’s veggies like cucumbers, broccoli and baby carrots. Overall though, I’m hoping to be back where I was before I left by next week.

Breakfast: (Yes, this picture is artsy farsty (as much as artsy fartsy a picture of a banana can be ) but I was just messing with Instagram. Pretty awesome app.) So for breakfast I had two pieces of toast with Central Market PB and half of a banana. I stocked up like crazy at Central Market on CM PB because it is my absolute favorite thing in the entire world!!! Anyways, it was kind of like the Wafflewich but less points because the low cal bread at Publix is only 45 calories a slice so that was a good trade off. Breakfast was only 6 points so not too bad.

Exercise: Cleaned the house like crazy. We went Snow White on this joint. There had to be some exercise points in there somewhere…

 

 

 

 

Lunch: We just had leftover mac n cheese and broccoli. It was fantastically delicious. 9 points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Snack: After we gallivanted around town in search of picture frames and such, I had a 100 calorie mocha frap on ice. I think they are way better over ice. Not sure why but I just do. (P.S. the polar bear on the cup is named Chester. Not sure why I told you that either.) 2 points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dinner: Megan bought a cookbook called the “Hungry Girl 1-2-3” on our trip so she tried out one of the lower calorie meals in it. She made the Planet Hungrywood Sweet & Cap’n Crunchy Chicken made with Captain Crunch and Fiber One cereal. It is as awesome as you would expect. The Fiber One gave the tenders texture while the Captain Crunch had the sweetness you know and love (without shredding the roof of your mouth.) Each tender is only two points and we paired it with a modified version of the Honey and Cinnamon Roasted Sweet Potatoes that we love to make from The Athlete’s Plate. For dessert I had a No Pudge Brownie that Megan made. They are really awesome and easy to make! Dinner was a total of 10 points so not bad at all for a killer dinner like that!

So today I got to 27 points which isn’t that bad at all! I wasn’t hungry at all today so hooray for me! Tomorrow is weigh in and we will just see how it goes. See ya tomorrow.

Day 276: Friday Frenzy!!!

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HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!

What it is jive turkey?

Well today began Operation Let’s Lose Some Freakin’ Weight Yo! The trip was a little rough on my eating habits and my discipline but that was all my own fault. I had the will power, but it’s hard when your weakness is BBQ and then you go to the Mecca of delicious smoked meats and not have the same urges to feast. (Or according to my friend Andrea “The need to feed”) I think I went laxed because I celebrated my victories too soon. My stomach was like Bush on the aircraft carrier with the Mission Accomplished banner, this was (on weight) still has a long ways to go! I’m only really halfway there! Regardless, today I realized I want to be back where I was before the trip, I was more tone than ever before and my double chin was eroding to nothingness! So now I’m back on the wagon and eating right and well (yes dear readers… that is possible!) and I’m ready to finally break the century mark.

Breakfast: I had a bowl of Quaker Oatmeal squares for 5 points. Those things are awesome!

Lunch: We kept it simple for lunch and had a turkey sandwich with a side of carrots. The low cal bread at Publix is soooo awesome. It’s only a point for two slices! So lunch was only 2 points! WOWZERS!

 

 

 

 

 

Snack: I went and got my hair did (while a banshee child was getting his first haircut while screaming for dear life in the chair next to me… but that’s for another post) and then went over to Starbucks to kill some time. I was looking to try something new so I had a skinny vanilla latte. I’m sure it would have been good if Starbucks didn’t burn their coffee, but since they do it was mediocre. Sadly, I wish it was good because it was only 2 points. (Also, they thought my name was David, it’s no Hank but it works?)

Snack: We went to go work out around 6 so I needed something to hold me over until dinner. So I had a tuna sandwich with mustard and pickles. (Trust me… it’s better than it sounds. I would have posted a picture, but frankly it looked like a Friskies ad) It was good nonetheless and only 3 points.

 

 

 

 

SAWS!!!!!! I was so ready to get back in to the gym and try out my new Reebok Zigtechs!!! I warmed up on the treadmill and running in them feels like your gliding on an elliptical! I was doing 5.5 mph like it was nothing. Usually after a while my shoulder and chest muscles start to hurt because with my old shoes it felt like I was jumping up and down on pavement, but with these bad boys I didn’t have any pain at all. I was impressed yo! Anyways, so I warmed up and then worked on arms and core. Over the trip I lost the tone in my sides and now they are back to Flabbytown so I’m going to focus on getting that back. Then I hit up the elliptical on weight loss for about 25 minutes. Overall it was a pretty good work out, but unfortunately Leach is going to be closed until Tuesday so we are going to get creative to workout around the neighborhood.

 

 

 

 

Dinner: Megan made her signature mac n’ cheese with broccoli and it was freakin’ epic. I had 2 massive servings (1 1/2 cups is a serving) and it was only 12 points. 

 

 

 

 

 
Dessert: We decided to get some awesome froyo at Yogurt Mountain for dessert. It turned out to be a good trip because it served as a bit of a wake up call for me with indulging on yogurt. YM has the nutrition facts which I glance at but don’t do the exact math on. Usually, I ballpark it and say with a sweet yogurt and toppings it’s 5 points. Tonight, my yogurt alone was 5 points so my yogurt is much worse that it should be. I really need to get back to tart flavors like taro or non fat flavors and have fruit toppings instead. It was a wake up call that I needed because that change would save me a bunch of calories and points that I underestimate. I’m conservatively going to say that my dessert was 8 points tonight.

So tonight I got to 32 points but with the exercise points I’m definitely good. Before I left I was beginning to think that 30 points a day wasn’t enough, but with meals like today it is definitely doable. See ya tomorrow!