Meal Plan Monday 8/15/16

Happy Monday! 

Today's the first day in over a week I've been able to shut off the air conditioner and open up some windows.  (Let that the fresh air in)   Here in Connecticut we've had some of the most oppressive heat I've seen in a long time.  So needless to say this weekend was spent mostly indoors where it was cool.   Except yesterday I did go out on my deck for a couple hours, until I accidentally dropped my phone in the pool!  (I know...GASP!)   Long story, short.. I got lucky.   I jumped in after it as if was one of my own children.   I immediately screamed for husband, who Thank God can take apart an iPhone and dried it out for me. FYI the iPhone 6 Plus is somewhat waterproof.  Apparently it can handle a quick dip in the water, but I don't recommend it.  

Anyhow,  I was able to actually sit down and come up with a meal plan for the week.   I'm a little rusty at this, but here's my attempt.   

Every week I want to try a new recipe from Pinterest.  This week I came across a spinach grilled cheese sandwich.   I know a grilled cheese sandwich isn't much of a "recipe" but hey, at least I'm trying.      I won't be adding any fancy cheese, just normal mixture of American, Sharp Cheddar and maybe some Mozzarella.    

The only other recipe on my list that I think is worth you giving a try is the Hasselback Chicken Caprese.   It's beyond yummy, easy and not too crazy fattening (depending how much cheese you use).   I think everything else on this menu is self explanatory.    

Since I am on Weight Watchers  I do adapt my meals to lower the SmartPoint values where ever I can.   For example, I'll use 1sp bread for the sandwiches, low carb 2sp tortillas and extra lean beef for the tacos, and meatballs..etc.   You get my drift, right?      

Have a great week!   

New Month, New Intentions

Happy August 1st

  

Don't you just love the beginning of a month? Especially when it starts on a Monday.   It's like the universe is saying "it's a new day, start fresh."      

Just getting back from vacation at the Jersey Shore I could use a fresh start.  

A fresh start with my eating, exercising, budgeting, meal planning, cleaning, crafting, blogging, school, working.... err, I guess it would have been easier to just say, "A fresh start with life in general!"  It's kinda like a New Years resolution ....in August.  

Since last April my whole life has been turned upside down and I'm in desperate need of getting back into a routine.  I've been working on myself personally, but I feel like I've been going thru the motions of day-to-day life since losing my brother last year.    I have a strong urge to have a purpose. I'm not exactly sure what that looks yet, but I'm hoping that getting back into writing and back into the blogging scene will help me figure it out. (one way or another)     

So it's back to #MealPlanMondays #WeighInWednesdays #SundayStyle and you're going to have to listen to all my Reality Show rants.       

Change of Plans....

Last week I received an email from a really sweet girl Kim about my DorkOfAllTrades.com site.

"I had this brilliant idea for a blog and checked to see if the domain name was taken, and it was. Great minds think alike apparently!  I see you haven't posted since last September, and thought it was worth asking if you have any plans to give up the name.  Like I said, no expectations, just thought I'd ask :)

Have a great day!"

I know some people will think it's crazy, but I didn't hesitate to email her back and offer to switch over that site to her as soon as I could figure out how to do it.  Ya know, karma, it is a real thing.     

I hadn't done anything with either blog in a very long time due to the loss of my brother, life being super busy and my "not good enough" syndrome.   

In talking to a friend recently, she had already convinced me there was no reason to give up The Decorating Dork, even if I decided to talk about the million other things that go on in my head/life.  She reminded me that Dunkin Donuts doesn't just sell donuts, they offer a wide variety on their menu.  

The Decorating Dork would be here for me when I was ready to come back and thanks to Kim, I think I am.   

In our my back and forth follow up emails with Kim, we chatted about her vision for the site and I think she'll do it way more justice then I ever could.    I told her I'd be her number one fan and support her all the way.   

She also encouraged me to let go of the "not good enough" shit and just do "Me."    

So that the plan......   

Stay tuned.... but first, the Jersey Shore is calling and there's a beach chair with my name for the next week.   

See ya all August 1st.    

Weigh-in Wednesday: March 4th

I know, I haven't posted a Weigh-in Wednesday in a few weeks.   February has been an all around tough month.   I did go to all my weekly Weight Watchers meeting except one on the 18th because I was out of town on a girl's trip with my mom and sister.    

Overall I've gained 1.8 pounds in 4 weeks.  That number probably would have been higher if I had weighed in tonight but I just couldn't bring myself to step on that scale.   Knowing deep down I didn't feel good about my week or how my body was reacting to it. 

This go around at losing weight has been the hardest to date.   What's ironic is that I've never stuck with Weight Watchers as consistently as I have (been a loyal member since Sept.3rd 2014)  I've never tried to be more active as I have in the last 6 months and it's a bummer to have done all this work and only have 12 or 13 pounds to show for it.  Now don't get it twisted, it's not like I joined a gym or anything and have been doing 2 spin classes a week and am complaining about not getting good results.   But for myself and my lifestyle, this is the most consistent I've been compared to the past. 

After my last post on February 4th  I did go out and purchase a FitBit.  I love it.  It has made me more aware of my daily steps or lack of daily steps. I have a few people I'm friends with on FitBit and we've done some challenges together.  I find myself walking around in circles in my kitchen to get in extra steps, or even marching in place in front of the TV.  Which by the way, I totally made fun of my WW leader for doing and here now I'm admitting to doing myself (Sorry Cathy).    It makes it fun, we can chat, taunt or cheer for each other through the app. It really has helped.  I even went out in this frigid weather and walked to get in more activity.   Did I mention I CANNOT wait for Spring to get here?   Not even wishing for 75 degree weather yet, just having it be above freezing or maybe 40 degrees for more then one day would be nice!?   

Do you have a FitBit?  Want to connect?  You can add me via email, tinavandeusen@gmail.com

GoodBye February.... Hello March

I'm not alone on this one, am I? February 2015 (for lack of a better word) SUCKED!

Here in Connecticut it went down in the history books for being the coldest month ever with an average temperature of 16.1 degrees.  Then there were the countless snow storms which dumped roughly 30+ inches of snow across the state.  I've barely left my house this month. Hell, I've barely showered this month, I didn't see much point in it.  

February was and will forever now be an emotional month for my family.   Last year my husband lost both his brother and father all within a week of each other.  It's been tough and having to deal with this horrible weather on top of it all, hasn't made it any easier.  I've learned a lot about myself and those that are around me. 

I am grateful we do end the month on a happy note with celebrating my oldest son Nick's birthday on the 28th.  He's the best kid a mom could ask for, smart, funny, talented, calm, cool, collected. (I know, where the hell did he come from?) 

But now that March is here, I'm excited.  I'm excited Spring is one day closer.  I'm excited for changes in my personal growth and excited for the changes coming to my site!   I'm going to be doing a whole re-branding of The Decorating Dork.   I've decided I'm way more then just a Decorating Dork, I'm more like a "Dork of all Trades."   (hint hint) 

So, Hello March! I'm happy you are finally here! 

Weigh-In Wednesday: February 4th

Oh.My.God. FINALLY a loss!  

Whewww... I can't tell you how good it feels to see a minus.  Although I do feel like it should have been more.  I'm going to shut my mouth and take it.  

I worked hard this week on tracking and trying to follow the Simply Filling plan.  I did pretty well, tracked every single day but eating only power foods wasn't working out for me.  So I concentrated on eating as healthy as I could and to track every single point (good or bad) 

   

Superbowl Sunday was the probably the hardest day of the whole week.  Just knowing everyone else was going to be pigging out on all sorts of wings, pizza, dips, chips and desserts was messing with my mind.  

I had been thinking about cake/cupcakes for a few days. So I thought if I just bought a box of mix and a container of frosting and get it over with, I could stop obsessing about it.  I made the mistake of buying sugar free cake mix and frosting.(thinking I was somehow being "good") 

MISTAKE, BIG MISTAKE.  

It tasted gross and didn't have less points plus value, so I felt myself constantly looking for something else to satisfy the craving.  When I make a cake mix I always use either egg beaters or egg whites and applesauce instead of oil.   So, in hind-sight I should have just bought the regular stuff, made 12 cupcakes (throw out the rest of the batter) and been done with it.  

LESSON.LEARNED. 

At this week's meeting we talked about activity and how to make it more fun.  Not sure how that really works, exercise isn't my thing.   Don't get me wrong, I love going for my walks but I wouldn't exactly call it "fun" and the Gazelle I have sitting in my living room is more like slow torture.  Holy hell, that thing is a workout for a fat girl like myself.  To look at it, you think "oh it's easy, you're just gliding your feed back and forth."  NO. after five minutes I am breathing so hard, my heart is thumping right out of my chest.  But because it's been so cold and snowy here in Connecticut getting out to walk has been almost impossible so I forced myself to do it 3 times this week. 

My meeting leader Cathy had the suggestion to try walking indoors at our local Armory.  Actually she said she's available Monday and Friday mornings and wants to do it together along with my friend Donna who's also at the meetings.   That should be fun, we're always laughing and having a good time.   

I've also been thinking about getting a fitbit for a while.   Cathy said it makes her pay attention to her daily steps because she syncs up with friends and they have a bit of a competition going.   I never thought of it that way.  It's another great way of being accountable.  If I know my friends can see me being lazy or slacking off, maybe it'll be motivation to get my ass in gear.    

What activity do you do that's fun?  Do you like to workout alone or with a friend?  

Weigh-In Wednesday : Jan. 28th

Ugh... that wasn't really the result I was hoping for but I'm not shocked by it either.  I had only tracked my points for one day this week.  I just can't seem to get in the habit of tracking.  I have the app on my phone.  Hell, it even sends me notifications every night!  

On a positive note, despite the cold temps and "The Great Blizzard of 2015, I was able to get out and go for a walk a few times earlier in the week.   Even though it never got above freezing, the sun was shining and it just felt so good to breathe in some fresh air.  I can't wait for Spring so I can get out and walk more often.  (Only 50 more days... but who's counting?)  

At tonight's meeting we talked about setting goals and how we can make them more realistic and obtainable.  I know I've already set a long-term goal of losing 18 more pounds by my birthday in May, but I thought it might be a good idea to set small weekly goals for myself. 

Thinking about my eating this past week, I decided that I want to try the Simply Filling plan to get my eating on a more healthy track.    Sure, I can stay within my points every day but having them consist of snacks, pizza and low sugar ice cream isn't going to get me to my birthday goal.   

So my leader Cathy made me a challenge, to eat and track following the Simply Filling plan for 3 out of the next 7 days and bring it to her at next Wednesday's meeting.  I can do that.  I am also going to track my points plus values for the other 4 days and bring those too.  This challenge will be all old school, I'm actually going to write it in a tracker instead of using my phone.  

It's going to be a challenge for sure, but I'm going to kick butt this week and prove I can do it!   

What's your biggest weight loss challenge?  What goals have you set for yourself?  Want to connect? I'd love to give and get support.  

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