Yum, CAKE!

four point cake with REAL full fat, gluttony icing? Sure!
At first I thought my pumpkin chocolate cake was a disaster meant for only the most desperate dieter until… I slapped some real icing on it!
2 tablespoons of regular, from a jar, icing is only three points. I have a special place in my heart for such deliciousness, so even though it is NOT filling or healthy, I’ll splurge on it. Daily, even. Why? Because a cup of green beans and a healthy low fat meal is totally award winning if you add some cake at the end. I don’t feel deprived at all. In fact, I feel bad. Naughty bad. Pinch me!

I plan to make another round of this cake tonight and take it with me this weekend. This way, I can shirk Tday desserts and really live it up big. Don’t get me wrong—I love pecan pie, but at a whopping 14 points for one dinky slice I just can’t justify it. Not when I can have my cake and eat it too for only four points.

And that concludes my hour of cake. Make it. Love it. Live it.

To-daaaaaaaaaaaay

I have been on the diet, for serious, for four whole days now (and one morning). This is especially noteworthy by the fact that I also made it through a weekend. How did this hungry Greek girl do it?
Through planning, focus, smart decisions and a very little bit of sacrifice. Ok barely any sacrifice at all really considering I used some of my extra points for the week.

Anyway, I feel great. I started a lifting/weights routine last night with the help of my hubby (who I DO NOT think understands how out of shape I really am) and I am feeling it today—whoa buddy, in my inner thighs and some of my arms. Holy guacamole.
I also stuck to my walk the dog plan—everyday but Sunday, which is my break.

Aaaaannnnddd… what else? I completed my recipe workbook, detailed with a collage on the front of inspiring phrases, quotes and images. I am really excited that I have started cooking and that I have found so many inspirational, healthy options that the hubs will actually voluntarily eat. Wow.

So this is the journey.
Tonight I have ILA happy hour at La’Rosa’s where I used to gobble down an entire thing of cheesy bread and maybe even some chicken fingers. The plan for this evening is a glass of wine or two and a salad with fat free dressing. If I want cheesy bread someday, I’ll try to make it a little more healthy (less cheese, whole grain bread) or I will seriously indulge in it in an atmosphere I choose and not a random Tuesday. I think this is what it is really about—making better choices and knowing you can have any damn thing you want, but you better figure it out first—is it worth ten extra squats? Or a two mile walk? or is better saved for another day?

This is my life. No one else is going to live it for me. And I don’t want to look back and wonder what it would be like if I wasn’t obese. And I want to do the nasty standing up and I want to know that if forced, I could probably run.

Lifestyle vs. Diet

I am noticing that it is really easy to fall of the horse this time around. I don't know where the hell I got the will power I had at 20, but I can tell you it is not coming back.
I have to learn this thing all over again. It is not about eating peas so you can drink a beer. And it is not about losing pounds to gain a man. This time it is for me and that makes it... a whole lot harder.
I still carry cans of vegetables around because I should be eating those when I am hungry. But if I really want a piece a pie, I'm gunna eat it. If I really want to eat like everyone else at the company baby shower, well, i am going to. Obvious by the fact that I did so yesterday-- pizza (three slices?), a beer, a lemon square that tasted strangely like fish, 1 slice cheese, apples and caramel, WW spinach dip, crackers. And then I went to dinner and had fried pickles, french fries with mayo and half a philly with mayo oh yeah and two drinks. Wow that was depressing.

But I did take the dog for a mile walk two days this past week and I plan to again tonight. And I guess that is the difference between a lifestyle and a diet. I am finding recipes that are healthy and good-- and that hubs will actually eat, like fiber one rice crispies and other lean meats. I have so much beef in my freezer that I have NO idea what to do with....seriously, it is overwhelming.

The GD Wagon

For some reason,just as I am cruising along enjoying the ride that is a healthy lifestyle, I see something shiny and grease soaked at the side of the road and I roll my plump ass off the wagon-- and straight into a pile of points.

I even brought a can of peas to the party on Halloween-- and instead ate three pieces of week old pizza. I had people there that understood me, I didn't shirk the peas out of embarrassment or fear of being mocked. I simply, shirked the peas; and in turn, my healthy lifestyle.

I was good at breakfast the next day at Bob's. Here is what I suggest there:
Fruit parfait 4pts
1 biscuit with honey 5 points
fake eggs 1 pt
turkey link sausage 4 pts

while this may seems high, it is low for a brunch.

Anyway, I was off the horse for more than a few days and I felt just horrible while doing it. I felt like I was expanding out of my pants. I was tired and I couldn't concentrate. I had no energy. And I knew I had to fix it.

So here I am, eating fake sausage and making a grocery list for the coming weeks.

OM OM OM OM... EGGS!

Holy breakfast sent from the WW Gods:
1 wedge laughing cow cheese
1/2 cup egg beaters
fake tofu sausage.

I once turned to my husband after eating a sausage biscuit from Mcyd's and said, "You know what babe? I am a whore for sausage."

Well, this morning I found out that I am also a whore for tofu sausage.

I actually feel full after this breakfast. I feel almost too full-- so while two patties are still one point, I'll probably opt for one from now on unless of course it is Saturday or I am feeling especially whore-ish.

Anyway I highly suggest that you try this. It is quick, easy and good on the run.