<p>Mexican food is a real toughie since I love cheese enchiladas (at an estimated 300 calories each)!</p>
<p>When I go to my favorite Mexican restaurant, I order a chicken salad or tostada–hold the sour cream, avocado, light cheese only, dressing on the side.</p>
<p>When I have a hankering for Mexican food, I go to Rubios and order 2 carnitas street tacos (corn) and a side salad–all for about 250 calories.</p>
<p>Mmmm. Carnitas! Who said this has to be painful!</p>
<p>Today marks one week without any wine, beer or liquor. I am a light weight so that really means I skipped three or four glasses of wine or a margarita. I’ve been to two parties and another one tomorrow. Don’t miss it. I’ll be curious to see if it helps with the weight loss and tummy bulge.</p>
<p>Congrats! I bet it will really make a difference, especially if you can switch to WATER instead of a soda or other drink loaded with sugar & empty calories. A friend wanted to drop some weight without trying, so he cut out the one 11.5 oz. can of sweetened iced tea that he had for lunch every day. In 6 months, he lost 15 pounds through no other change in lifestyle! Sodas are about 1 packet of sugar PER ounce, according to the American Heart Association! Amazing! Think about those 32 ounce “Big Gulps”!</p>
<p>Very inspiring advice about using weights, Lergnom. </p>
<p>SJTH, I am also looking forward to “getting serious” about exercise again when S2 returns to college (tomorrow!) after a longer-than-usual break.</p>
<p>I like free weights. I am small framed and using the machines always feels a bit awkward. As if i am trying to compensate for my small stature by using the wrong muscles to get the work done. The free weights allow me to feel more in control and focus on the muscle group that I am working on.</p>
<p>The boot camp that I go to one morning a week does a lot of free weights along with a lot of push ups and sit ups combined with intervals of cardio. When I go on my own i try to duplicate the boot camp workout.</p>
<p>Here is a good game day recipe that is fairly low in calories and fat. I’m making it for a party today. This along with my water should get me through without too much regret.</p>
<p>Mango Dip</p>
<p>1 mango peeled seeded and diced
1 red bell pepper, seeded and diced
¾ c chopped red onion
1 tbsp white sugar
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 avocado diced
1 tsp salt</p>
<p>Combine the sugar, oil, vinegar and salt in a bowl. Add the mango, onion and pepper. Gently fold in the avocado.</p>
<p>Salsas are our friends…</p>
<p>I love free weights–I need to get those out! I too have been skipping the wine, and have been drinking Vitamin Water Zero in a wine glass instead. It really has been satisfying my need to have a little after-dinner/knitting/watching TV accompaniment. I had one glass of wine Friday night, and really had a headache Sat. a.m., which is the second time I’ve noticed that phenomenon…hmmm… </p>
<p>And I keep reminding myself how fast these 3 lbs will come back on if I’m not vigilant…dangit.</p>
<p>Page 3, people, page 3! </p>
<p>How’s everyone doing?</p>
<p>Getting sick is a sure fire way to lose weight. I had a little stomach bug the end of last week (hazard of teaching preschoolers). The symptoms didn’t last long, but the not wanting to eat lasted longer. I dropped 3.5 pounds over four days! Today was my first day of more normal eating. It will be interesting to see what the scales say in the morning.</p>
<p>I ordered some You bars today and for my college daughter. you can design your own bar or order from ones already there. I also used a 15 percent off coupon code I found on the internet. I am trying to avoid soy so it is a good option for me.</p>
<p>Packmom- feel better soon!</p>
<p>downtoearth- let us know how the You Bars are. One of my D’s friends is allergic to nuts, lactose and gluten. I wondered if these would be a good gift for her.</p>
<p>Reached my first goal today : ) 5 pounds lost- yeah! Having my hair cut and colored on Friday to celebrate. My next goal is another 5 before springbreak. ( but I really hope to make it by mid Feb)</p>
<p>Tuesday weigh in …today. At goal.</p>
<p>Hooray, Thumper!</p>
<p>Congrats, Thumper! Gibson, me too–5 lbs gone. My next goal is the next 5 and NOT to sabotage myself and gain these back, something I’m really, really good at. I also need a pedicure, so that will be an end-of-the-week carrot.</p>
<p>Putting us back on page 1.
Congrats everyone.
I am back to my weight pre-holiday. I have been hovering around this weight for several months. I look good and feel good and have been able to maintain and lose a slow amount for quite some time. I would love to find the motivation to not settle for this weight and push myself to commit to losing another 10 lbs.
I have been falling victim to slowly adding in carbs and these vegan brownies they sell at Whole Foods. Only 250 calories but I am finding I crave one daily.
My nails could use a treat of a manicure. Might steal SJTH reward idea.</p>
<p>Congrats to our “losers” and Mom60 - commit! You can do it. </p>
<p>Oh, those little 250 treats that become routine. I once gained weight because I became addicted to these boxed chai soy drinks. They were so yummy. But I would have one a day when I came home from work instead of drinking tea. Honestly, I know I gained at least 3 chai pounds. </p>
<p>I am such a routine person - I can easily, easily start to incorporate some food thing into my daily ritual. </p>
<p>Go for the manicure or some other reward.</p>
<p>Congrats to Thumper and Gibson!</p>
<p>I’ve been slowly adding carbs back into the diet (a 25 gram slice of toasted Costco rosemary bread with a tsp of butter with a meal on occasion). Santa brought a bike for Christmas and so I have been getting more exercise. I try to ride 3 times a week, about 10 miles a ride.</p>
<p>Weighing in a day early because I am going away for a weekend with my sibs in Monterrey. I plan to eat lots of fish and salad, lay off the mounds of bread and dessert…</p>
<p>ellemenope- Hope you had time to get out today on your bike. I am assuming the whole Ca coast is having a couple of absolutely glorious days.
I am very much a routine person. I have the same plain oatmeal for breakfast everyday. I usually walk the same route each day. I have tried this week to change that up. I walked twice this week at a bluff ocean top park this week. Lots of people out getting exercise. It was a change from my usual walk in my neighborhood where I just see a few other exercisers.
Today I saw a woman with a shirt that said “Never give up”, she had just finished up her run. I told her I liked her shirt, she said she had another one that was many sizes larger. When she was at 200 lbs and started exercising for her health her kids gave her a shirt with those words. She is 8 yrs later 80 lbs lighter, with the last two years at her maintained weight. You would not have had a clue to look at her today. She looked like a marathon runner. She said she did slow and steady with steps that were lifestyle changes not a diet. An inspiration.</p>