Good Day

YAY! food was good today, I stayed in my calories, and I didn't eat a bunch of granola bars! Haha. Anyhow, I am making a change to my diet so that my three meals throughout the day are more consistent with my days calories, so that I do not end up eating to much in each meal. 

My weight had no change today, but I have gone to the gym for the last three days and gotten good workouts, so hopefully I will see something before the end of the month so I can see if I am on track with my goal. 

I had almonds with my lunch today, and steamed kale as one of my veggies, both great additions to my diet. No other big changes. I need t put more veggies back into my lunch, tomorrow ill start that back with carrots and cauliflower. yay!

Ok, that's it for today.

No change, But great Comments

There were no changes in weight today, however I did get some comments on looking 'fabulous' from some women at work. So it was both a good, and a not so great day. I have been watching my food intake and getting to the gym, so I haven't felt great at seeing the scale at a stand still. I get the muscle gain thing, but its still frustrating! 

I feel good, my mind, body. And My jeans are almost to big for me!!!! these are pants that I once had to wear unzipped and tuck in the button flaps just to wear a pair of jeans. I wore all my jeans like that because I refused to buy any sizes larger. For a while after I just wore leggings because that was all i knew would fit. Going through a morning of 'which pants can I squeeze into' got old.


Breakfast:
Greek Yogurt (i ate around the fruit as I found I don't like the blueberry)
1 cup strawberries
3/4 cup Kashi Cerea
1/3 cup almond milk
1 granola bar

Lunch
Cliff Bar and a Kashi Bar (! i know, not good)
1 apple
1 cup baby carrots


Dinner
3 oz firm tofu
1 egg
4 cups various vegtable (mostly green and some purple)
1 small whole wheat and flax pita
1 granola bar (ahhhh! i only ate one, so this is better than the past two nights)


So any ideas on how to subdue my cravings other than not eat them!?

Problems with energy Bars

I have found that I am starting to treat granola and energy bars to be like candy, since it the closest thing to candy i am eating I may have to cut them out of my diet, which shouldn't be a problem. maybe if i want granola i will start buying it in bulk and weight it in portions, so it is less candy like. Today I went above my calories again due to overeating granola bars (cliff granola bars to be specific). 


Breakfast was normal, plus a Kashi bar,


Lunch, my veggies went bad so i added a granola bar, dinner was normal, but i ate three granola bars!


Yea. It is a problem : ( no more granola bars. 


Well, that is solved.
I need to to go grocery shopping for salad greens and new veggies as well as fresh fruit tomorrow. Gonna get more strawberries, blueberries, apples and bananas for the week. 


Not sure about veggies


Did an hour on the elliptical today and 30 minutes of weight training, and jogged lightly to and from the gym. Although my calories were over, they were not above the calories i burned so although I probably wont loose anything, but at least i will not gain anything either!

Triumph!

So I am happy to day that I got under 170 this weekend! My current weight is 169.6 lbs, so i have had a weight loss of 35.4 lbs since i began this journey. I am still in a little disbelief that this has actually been happening. I tried so many times, so many diets with little to no success. I guess it should not be odd to think that just eating healthy foods in portioned amounts would allow for such a change, but in my mind, as someone who have used compulsive eating all my life to fill in the emptiness i have tried my best to avoid that reality. 

I was afraid if i allowed myself to become vulnerable with out the crutch of food I would tumble down and endless pit! But it have actually allowed me to reevaluate my life, my priories and my being.

Pros:

I am loosing weight

I am feeling healthy

  I can breath! (i think i may have some intolerance to milk, because i stopped having trouble breathing when i switched to soy milk)

I can go jogging without my feet killing me, and having breathing problems

I can fit into every single article of clothing i have in my room(some even too big now!)

I am less self conscious in public, and can therefor pay attention to other things when out and about

I am loving whole grains!

I am discovering and trying new vegetables i have never even heard of

I am learning about how foods affect the body, and why i should eat some things and not other things

I am not going through pants as fast (the inner thighs would rub together and tear through the material)

I have more energy, focus and i smile more!!!

I am more kind to others, and less judgmental (i think my judgments were reflections of myself)

These are just a few of the things that are great about how i feel where i am right now.

The only con?:

No more candy, fancy deserts and  non-nutritious treats/foods

(but why is this even a con! If i love the taste of healthy foods i am discovering, am i really loosing anything here?)

New foods for health

Today I tried some new things to add some change to my foods. The best? Tofu Noodles! They have a little fishy smell at first but if you rinse them before you cook them then it goes away. I added a garlic, soy sauce and a tsp peanut butter to cook them a little before adding them on my pita with a egg and sesame-ginger dressed salad greens and red onion.

Along with the pita wrap I had the rest of my salad on the side as well as my steamed veggie mix (1/2 cup each of red, napa and savoy cabbage with green beans, zucchini and mushroom)

the dinner was amazingly filling! and all only 315 calories!!! I'm sorry I don't have pictures to show you as my room lamp broke and it is too dark to get a decent picture, but ill be having the same dinner tomorrow night since the tofu noodle pack comes with two servings (4oz each), so i wave one for tomorrow night. 

In addition to the noodles i bought some 100% whole wheat flax/fiber sandwich thins(to replace my current whole wheat english muffins) and flax/oat bran whole wheat pita  breads to replace my whole wheat pita. Both the new additions are 100% whole wheat and lower calorie than my previous partially whole wheat choices. Ill see how they are over the weekend after i run out of my current stuff.

Anyhow, I didn't weight myself this morning, but i'll update tomorrow. Still hoping to get under 170 this weekend.

AHHH

I keep doing stupid things and making compulsive choices with my food. Today i ate my regular foods but added two Kashi cereal bars at lunch and two at night! it was in the moment, being stressed about preforming with my aCapella group tonight and also with all the work ahead of me for midterms. Bad choices. Did  not go over my calories burned today, but was way over my needed intake for weight loss. Grrr. I need to be more attentive to why i am making these choices so that i can work on what it going wrong in my head.

I liked my lunch a lot. I was out of eggs and peanut butter, so i added 1 oz of cheese on my whole wheat toasted English muffin for lunch and was surprisingly satisfied with it! I think if i add some grilled squash slices to the sandwich it could be perfect. Anyhow, i will probably do that again tomorrow since i need to go through my current english muffins so i can get more nutritious ones at a better store. Something with more whole grains, flax or something other than just whole wheat. I saw some sandwich thins at whole foods for 100 calories that look good. I may also go for some natural peanut butter and add some apple slices and cinnamon.

Also, thinking of making baked apple chips with cinnamon this weekend for my breakfast fruit along with my yogurt and cereal. Its not adding any extra sugar, just a new way of eating my morning fruit! Excited. 

Working on the food.

First Part of the Day

Breakfast 
is still at 2oz of cereal with 1/2cup of soymilk, I keep putting my needed change out of my mind. I want to eat only 1.5 oz of cereal with 3/8cup of soymilk. I know it is not a huge change but my compulsion keeps eating the larger portion that i do not need in addition to my yogurt and fruit. Especially since i have added grains to both lunch and dinner. Tomorrow I want to start my smaller portion of cereal(ill still add my cinnamon though!)

Lunch 
was odd today. I forgot to cook my veggies so i ended up adding a Kashi protein fiber bar to my apple and peanut/cereal mixture. To much grain! no veggies! I'm little disappointed in myself, but I am still getting 5+ servings of fruits and veggies with my morning and afternoon fruit and 4 servings of veggies at dinner. So no big deal. Just a little higher calorie/starch than normal.

Dinner Plans:

3 oz tuna on a whole wheat pita with salad greens and onions with 1/2 tbs vinaigrette and a little pepper

Spring Mix Salad with remaining 1.5 tbs vinaigrette

My pre-portioned veggie mix which included 1/2 cup of each red, napa, and savoy cabbage; zucchini; green beans; and 43 grams of spinach. I  add soy sauce garlic and ginger with some water to cook it all in.

i

 I noticed that i need to add more color back again, maybe some red/orange/yellow bell pepper, yellow squash, beets, carrots.

Any other ideas i am missing?

A good day, with good food

My food plan was strong today. 

I had my regular 

breakfast of 

2oz Kashi Original cereal with  

1/2c light vanilla soy milk, 

6oz Chobani Honey Greek Yogurt and 

1 apple.

For Lunch I had 

1 egg on a 

1 whole wheat english muffin with a side of 

1 cup both steamed broccoli and cauliflower with 

1/2 cup of baby carrots with a small apple 

( I did sneak a nature valley oat bar for a snack-but stayed under my calories)

For dinner I had 

2 oz salad greens with

1.5 tbs light sesame ginger dressing,

3 servings of veggies (cabbage, green beans and zucchini)

1 whole wheat pita with

3 oz of light tofu and 

1 egg, 

.5 oz salad greens and 

.5tbs dressing.

The day was good, long, but i did struggle in the evening with not eating a bowl of cereal. I keep trying to tell myself i can have more food, trying to make up reasons. But i need to remember the fact that I AM NOT STILL HUNGRY! I just want something to chew, to taste and to eat. I don't need more food after a meal. Plain and Simple. Anyhow. I am happy today, good food, weight went down from 172.8 to 171.2 so i am still seeing progress after 33 lbs! My goal is only 16.6lbs away!  Wish me Luck!

A New week

Weight went up a little, but hoping tomorrow will go back down. Just goes to show what a binge can do to your body. I do not want to do that again. Today food was good, I tried some new things, as I will tomorrow. We will see how it pans out. Anyhow Breakfast was my regular yogurt, cereal with vanilla soymilk and a piece of fruit. (I still need to make it 3/4 cup not a full cup of cereal)

 I finally bought more strawberries, so I will be having those with breakfast tomorrow morning! I love apples, but really need to mix it up, both for minds sake and for better nutrition throughout the day. I started buying plan Chobani yogurt that will slowly work into my diet as i have berries available. Its 50 calories less than the honey and a little higher in protein. I have a stash of yogurt in my fridge, but am working through them based on the expiration date being closest.

Lunch:

Plus a fresh plum for my fruit, and a Kashi Honey-Flax-Oat Bar and small soy latte to add some protein. Felt full until dinner time!(which I even had late since i portioned out my veggies for the week tonight)

Dinner:

 So I had my basic salad(2.5oz) plus sliced onion (no cheese tonight) along with a veggie stir fry(3 servings of Veggies). I cooked up 3 oz of light tofu with some garlic and spices. 

My addition tonight:

I had a whole wheat pita(80cal) lightly toasted and pulled a little of my salad greens, onions and sesame-ginger dressing, as well as some of my tofu onto the pita. I also added on small free-range brown egg with 1tsp of saracha hot sauce for tasty  little Pita wrap. (this is instead of adding brown rice like I have been the last few nights) With the egg a little runny it added enough moisture to not need any additional dressings or sauce. (full dinner under 350 calories!)

The food was filling, and my body feels great! Since I started eating healthy I haven't felt bloated, gassy, overly full, greasy, or had an upset stomach. I have also noticed my skin being more clear (this is probably because I am taking better care of my self in general) But not to mention all my old close fit better than they ever did before I grew to big for them : )

Weight is currently 172.8lbs (+.6)  :  still a 32.2lbs weight loss!

Bad night

So, tonight i had a fall in judgment and control in my eating. I was invited out with a friend who is in the same program as I. I assumed it would be fine not to eat there and just have my measured dinner before i went so i wouldn't be temped. Well, I was.  The food was amazing, delicious and plentiful. Unfortunately, it was also mostly starches, high fat, low nutrition food which i ate far, far too much of. I did not have the willpower to stop myself and say no, and i didn't feel comfortable calling someone as i was sitting right next to the very person i would call!(who by the way, was binging more than I) in fact, not one person at the table was not stuffing their faces, i must have been at the one table where everyone's stomachs have reached full capacity. 

I am frustrated, because I control my actions, and I failed miserably. At this point, even the gym, which i will be going to after this post, wont help me this time. There is no way I can burn the amount of calories I have just indulged in. I feel sick, by stomach is huge.

I wish I could at least count the calories to see where I am really at, but i don't actually know what the food was! it was some foreign food style i don't know with strange vegetables i have never even seen(i am pretty goof with veggies) and oil? fat? butter? no clue. The killer was the bread. I have not had white bread for two months.....I ate 3 rolls.

Anyhow, I have stopped eating now, I wont be eating anymore tonight and tomorrow will be a new day. There is nothing more I can do about this tonight(other than the gym).

I can honestly say know I understand what being full feels like. I used to think this was a normally feeling, and than everything else was emptiness. I hate this feeling. I don't ever want to feel this way again. Thank you to listening to me ranting if you are reading this.

Dinner Photo and updates

 Dinner: 3oz Chicken, 1/2c Red Bell Pepper,

1/2c Red Cabbage, 1/2c Napa Cabbage, 

1/2c Collard Greens, 1/2c Spinach with Garlic, 

Ginger, Soy Sauce Sesame seed and red pepper flakes
and 1/2c Brown Rice. (this is all cooked in a nonstick pan 
with a little water added to get some steam going)

75grams Baby Spinach  Salad with

2tbs LowFat Sesame-Ginger Dressing (This is delicious!
and only 35 calories  -  Newman's Own)

With 1 oz Crumbled Goat Cheese

(forgot to take a new picture, so this is a older pic)

Good day today, had good food, a little over the calories I wanted since I 
added a little goat cheese to my dinner, but still healthy, and nothing I'll
gain weight over : ) I got down to 172.2 today, so close to the 160's that I
am almost in disbelief, I really don't know the last time I was there could have 
even been. In addition to good eating i also managed to get to the gym tonight, 
45 minutes of Cardio and about 20 minutes of weight training.

I'll Post a new progress picture once I get to 169lbs!

Food Photos-Really see what I am eating

 1 cup Cauliflower and 1 cup Broccoli- Steamed 

 50g Baby Spinach Salad with 1 tsp Light Dressing

 1 cup raw baby carrots (as opposed to steaming them)

 1 oz peanuts and 1/2 cup Kashi Original Cereal

1 medium Apple

I also had a cup of coffee with 1/4 cup vanilla soy milk

leaving the calorie total for my lunch meal at about 458.

Earlier this morning I had a Chobani Greek yogurt(16g protein!), 1 cup of strawberries(antioxidants/VitaminC),

and 1 cup cereal(fiber/protein/wholegrains) with 1/2 cup vanilla  soy milk.

(399 calories of a well balanced meal for breakfast)

Day feels good so far, although i tend to add unplanned things to 

my meals(like the salad) which are not hurting my physically, but they are becoming

a problem mentally. The adjusted starches to my meals have been good so far, and I have my brown rice portioned off for the next couple of days. Magically i did not scoop out the remaining grains from the pot when i was done measuring! I didn't even shovel a bite! In the past I would eat/taste everything while cooking, probably adding and entire meal to my day. Being strong feels so good : )

If people have recommendations of ideas i would love to hear them!


FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER  @makemygoal

Changes

So I decided to change my food plan, I was really depriving myself of starch, since it is part of my addiction with eating compulsively. I decided to up my morning cereal from 1 to 2 ounces, add 1/2 cup of of grain in the afternoon, and 1/2 cup of grain in the evening. This should keep my energy levels up and hopefully push away some of my carb fantasies, lol. 

I also lowered the cheese(fat) from 2 ounces to .5 ounces in the evening, since i just don't need all the fat if I am having dressing on my salad. Those are the only big changes i made. We will see how i feel with the edits and go from there. I am expecting a little more energy through ought the day, so hopefully i will be able to get out to the gym more if i have the motivation and time.

Food was good today, I feel satisfied and calm.  Not expecting any change in weight tomorrow since i didn't get to the gym this weekend, but i do plan on staying at 173. My calories have been pretty spot on for healthy weight loss and it has been coming off pretty smoothly(for the first time in my life.

Who thought eating healthy, portioned food would make such a difference! ( oh wait, that should be obvious...shouldn't it?

Weekend

My number finally came down, i hate having to wait to see change, but its how it works, and i need to remember that. I know i weigh myself a lot, but i look at each day as its own, i try not to worry about the next day, or about the long run. just today. If I can eat well today, then i have been successful. I don't have to worry about tomorrow until it comes.

Food today was pretty good. I ate earlier than usual for lunch as i was going out and didn't want to lug around my food. Maybe not a great idea, but i didn't cave in to extra snacks while i was out despite not getting home till past 7. I made a small compulsive choice in adding a little extra napa cabbage to my already weighed veggies. I wont hurt my calories ( probably under 5!) but it was a poor choice, compulsive and unnecessary. I already had a full four servings of veggies ready to go! So that i was something to think about to think about why i made that change in the moment, what triggered it, and how can I make the better choice in the future.

Anyhow. Weight was good today, Food was fairly good today. My boyfriend however, has gotten in the habit of telling me i am getting worked up, more specifically calling me uptight during conversations. I have been uptight at times, no doubt about it. But he seems to say i am uptight and to calm down, when i am not being uptight! it is usually when i ask questions about things that he doesn't want to talk about. Like school. I asked him what classes he signed up for, and since he didn't actually sign up yet, started telling me to calm down, and stop being so uptight. It is quite frustrating, and in the end makes me uptight! wonderful. Anyhow, that brought down my day significantly, but writing on here has made me feel better. Sipping some straight decaf chai tea to get some warmth, took a nice shower, shaved my legs(feels so nice!)

and oohhh

Got new boots today! My legs can actually fit in the shaft of the boot! I didn't used to be able to zip boots up, so i always wore sandals and flats (and uggs in the cold) and i can finally get to wear cute knee high boots! ill post photos later. : )

Why This Food Plan

So, to better understand why I am eating what I am is indeed very specific.

I have tried many diets and weight loss programs from Atkins, Calorie Restriction, to Weight Watchers. The problem with these diets for me was that they were not permanent solutions to a better way of eating. I knew I couldn't follow points the rest of my life, and that eventually I would cave into more food or carbs with other restricting diets. My problems have been with food choices, portions and compulsive overeating. 

First of all, the plan is based of of one of OA's food plans, and has been adjusted to fit my own personal life style. 

The answer to my plan? 

-Portion Control, Healthy Choices, abstinence from overeating and a good variety of necessary nutrients through fruits, veggies, whole grains, healthy fats and lean protein.

-In order to successfully achieve Portion Control: I weigh and measure my food for accurate portions of each food item so I can better estimate what I am eating and not stress about worries if i ate to much or to little.

-For Health: I try to choose a variety of fruits and vegetables from different color families and type to get the most out of a balanced meal and proper nutrients.

I also vary my protein to keep it interesting, generally choosing only lean meats, healthy nuts, tofu or eggs and only eat healthy fats from nuts, avocado and olive oils since the body still needs fat to work. 

I choose to eat my only high carb item (dry cereal high in fiber and protein) along with non or low fat yogurt to start off with good energy in, while I also switched most of my coffee/tea additives to soy milk, to lower my daily intake as it was much to high before. 

I no longer add sugar to anything as it generally triggers massive sugar cravings(except for the sugar content in vanilla soy milk and naturally occurring in fruit), but I do sprinkle some plain cinnamon in my coffee and on my cereal in the morning.

So far I have weighed and measured my vegetable and protein portions into containers on the weekend for my week so that each morning i just trow my veggies in the steamer before I leave the house, grab my fruit an protein and don't have to worry about portioning each day. 

When I come home for dinner I also have my evening veggies measured out and just throw them in a pan, usually with my protein, and thrown together my salad and it makes everything simple and easy while still being delicious and filling.

Since I began this plan of eating about a month ago, I feel less sluggish, more alert, less cravings for carbs and sugar, and have been achieving slow, but sure weight loss! My breathing has improved and I can actually jog without dieing!

(I added my food plan core to the 'food plan' ) 

I have a large do not eat list of foods on my trigger list:

Bagels(especially with cream cheese), brownies, cake, ice cream, any pastries, Any white bread, or items made from white flour, toast, jelly and jams, cookies, candy, chocolate in any form, any dairy products above 1%, brie (or cheeses like it except for some goat cheeses), sugary cereals, butter/margarine, beer, pizza, heavily processed foods, cream dressings(yogurt okay), white rice, pudding, bacon, baked goods. That's the main idea of it, but it may change as I continue through life.

If anyone has any suggestions or questions I'd be happy to hear and answer them!

YAY FOR FRIDAY

So, to start things off, i started a food log page so i don't make my entries to long with a listing of what i ate. I tend to like reading short and sweet blogs, but when i have time i enjoy a long, deep reading. So i will try to keep my entries short.

I was successful with food today, I did not go over my max coffees(although i would love a tea right now, but i wont since that would be diverging from my plan of eating)

I kept my dinner to one protein like I planned, and was satisfied with the food.

I also excluded peanut butter from my sauce mixture as it adds to many unnecessary calories where i don't need any additional protein, so there is no benefit from adding the peanut butter (except for taste, but food is energy and it take fine without it!)

For the sauce i pan stir/steam/boil my veggies in i add the garlic, ginger, soy sauce, some water along with a little sesame seeds, pepper and red pepper flakes. It is lovely and refreshing, and My fat comes from the cheese and salad dressing, so I don't need any for cooking, and the peanuts for lunch also gave me a healthy protein for my diet.

I am happy to have the weekend to look forward to, two days of the gym for sure! sometimes my schedule just gets sooo crazy i feel like i hardly have time to breath.

I did get down to 174.2 today : ) i don't think i can remember the last time I was at this number. It s refreshing, and nice to find that i am fitting into my collection of clothing i set aside for (some day ill fit in to this) pile.  <3 Feeling happy

Food, Thoughts, and Today

Food was not great today. I didn't eat to much or anything, but i diverged from my food plan and i know if i keep that up it will diverge back into pints of ice cream and daily bagels, which i cannot afford to do.

Tomorrow i will get back to my food plan, make sure i am getting my calories, my fat, protein, carbs, and a nice mixture of fruits and veggies ( 2 servings fruit and 7 servings veggies )

Today i had a alright day, long lectures in school, and my butt practically went numb from sitting for so long not to mention being in a dark room all day. Got a little rainy which was not great, and my weight did not fluctuate at all! which i was sad about. So far i have been pretty consistent with loosing something every 4 or 5 days but nothing today. Still at 174.6, but that's not bad. It is under 175, which was supposed to be my goal for the beginning of JUNE (this year!!!!!) So i am stoked. I would like to get to 170 at least by the end of the month, that would ideally be wonderful.  If i loose on average 7lbs a month then i will be at my 155 goal by Graduation : ) and then be home looking fancy and feeling good. 




 I have seen a good change in my self confidence, I am more open, less selfish, definitely more helpful to myself and others, and feeling physically and emotionally good compared to my past.




I love how good food, exercise and not compulsive overeating makes me feel! it is pure freedom!!!!!!



 
Food Today:

6 oz nonfat Pear Yogurt 
1 oz Kashi cereal with 1/4 cup vanilla soy
1 plum
Coffee with 1/2 cup vanilla soy ( to much soy milk today)
        (had another batch of coffee with 1/4 cup soy again later- too much soy)


1 oz Peanuts
1 cup broccoli
1 cup carrots2.5 oz Spring Greens with 1 oz red onion and 
1 oz goat cheese
1 apple

3 oz tofu
1 egg
1/2 c B pepper
1/2 c red Cabbage
1/2 c Napa Cabbage
1/2 c Zucchini
1/2 c green beans
2 oz Salad Greens with 1oz red onion
2 oz cheese


(i over did dinner - i only need one protein at night, and didn't plan a fat on top of the peanuts for lunch today. Also, too many coffees (although the coffee/tea wont kill me, the soy milk adds up over my allowed amounts)  I only allow up to three coffee/tea servings a day usually 2 coffee and one tea , but i tend to stick to one coffee in the morning, and then decaf tea at night)

Making my way

Good day today, work, paycheck, got healthy groceries, watched a show, relaxed a bit. Although I did wake up on the wrong side of the bed and almost didn't go to work, but i got myself back in the right flow in order to have a good, strong day.

Just a a few things I love about not overeating and being healthy:
Not feeling overstuffed!
Not feeling constant guilt over eating to much
Feeling more energetic from good foods
Feeling more in control of my life
discovering my love for healthy choices and new vegetables
Understanding food and energy

Todays Food:

Breakfast:

2 oz cereal ( to make up for spilt yogurt)

1/4 cup vanilla soy milk

3 oz yogurt (spilt the rest)

1 plum

Lunch:

1 cup Broccoli

1 cup Sweet Potato

1 oz Peanuts

1 apple

Snack: 

Small apple

Dinner:

3 oz firm tofu

1 small egg

1 cup Broccoli

1/2 cup endive

2/3 cup Napa Cabbage

1/3 cup cooking spinach 

Stir fried in 1/2 tbs Peanut Butter with soy sauce, 

water, pepper, sesame seeds, pepper flakes and saracha sauce.

Been a while, but im back

I realize i gave up on the blog, thinking it was not helping. But in all honesty i think starting to commit my meals on here, and share my weight progress will help me to stay on track. So back i am, and ready to truly make a commitment to the blog, for myself and anyone who wishes to join me in this journey. I have come a long way since i began the blog. I have gone from 205 lbs, to 174.6. This weight was just below my weight goal for the end of my school semester in June! All my eating healthy, portioned meals and getting the the gym at least 3 times a week, more if my busy schedule allows.

What have I done?

Here is my basic meal plan:

Breakfast:
1oz grain high in protein in the morning (I choose Kashi Original cereal and weigh and measure what I eat (1 oz is about 1/2 cup of the cereal). If I don't have time for cereal and soy/milk I will have a cereal bar high in protein(Kashi/Luna)
1/4-1/2 cup lowfat dairy or soy product.  I add 1/4 vanilla soy milk to the cereal and 1/4 to coffee/tea if i choose to.
1 serving fruit: I generally eat most fruits but tend to choose blueberries, apples, oranges, plums, and on occasion bananas since they are so readily available. 1 serving for me is 1 small/medium fruit or 1/2c of berries.
6-8 oz nonfat or lowfat yogurt (I choose Chobani as it is high in protein, or wallaby because i love the consistency)

Lunch:
3 servings of vegetables (most vegetables i measure 1 cup per serving(measure raw), or weight if it is hard to measure, i try to each one starchy vegetable out of the 3, like sweet potato)
1 Serving Protein: This is generally 3-4 oz lean meat/tofu, 1 egg, 1oz nuts or 2 oz beans.
1 fat: 1tsp oil (like olive oil or 1oz avocado)


Snack:
1 serving fruit: I generally choose non-starchy fruits as i will be winding down by the end of the day and don't need all the energy

Dinner: 
1 Serving Protein: This is generally 3-4 oz lean meat/tofu, 1 egg, 1oz nuts or 2 oz beans.
4 servings of vegetables (most vegetables i measure 1 cup per serving(measure raw), or weight if it is hard to measure. I generally don't eat starchy vegetables in the evening, only in the afternoon.
2 servings  fat: Pick two of the following: 1tsp oil (like olive oil), 1oz avocado, 1 oz soft cheese (like goat)


I allow myself up to 3 cups of coffee/tea a day which i generally add 1/4 cup of soy or non-fat milk. Only drinking decaf in the evening and drinking each cup at least 3 hours apart, not right after each other.
So with that, I make sure eat between 1200-1800 calories, depending on my energy spent throughout the day, less calories if I don't move much, more if i get to the gym.


With that, I have lost 30.1 lbs since I began my journey in January! My ultimate goal is to be 155 lbs by June 4th before I go back home. However, in order to not stress out i am focusing on being successful each day. Watch my food just in the present and don't worry about tomorrow. To many times have I said to myself, "ill eat better tomorrow", and that it one thing that got me to being overweight. Now it is about the present, and so fat so good : )

EDIT:
Todays food(following my meal plan)

1oz Kashi with 1/4 cup vanilla soy
6oz Wallaby nf Pear yogurt
1 sm banana plus 1/4cup blueberries
12oz coffee with 1/4 cup vanilla soy

1 egg with a little salt and pepper
2 brussel sprouts
1 cup Red Cabbage
1 cup Bok Choy
1 tsp olive oil for cooking

3 oz lean steak
1 cup Broccoli
1 cup Red Cabbage
1 cup Yellow Squash
1/2 cup Red Onion
(cooked in water with a little garlic and ginger)
2 oz cheese