Lifting day! I was totally expecting the gym to be packed, but there were even less people there than usual. I think everyone went yesterday (which is why I didn’t go) or maybe because it was really cold out. We only got to 17 degrees this afternoon. Now it feels like January around here. 😯 Each winter is getting harder and harder to take.
| Exercise | Set/rep/weight | Muscle worked |
| Stationary Lunge | 3 sets of 10 with 20# DBs | Lower Body |
| Single dumbbell row | 3 sets of 12 with 15# DB | Back |
| Incline Push Up | 3 sets of 10 | Chest |
| Trunk twist | 3 sets of 30 | Core |
| Straight leg deadlift | 3 sets of 12 with 50# bar | Hammies and low back |
| Arnold Press | 3 sets of 10 with 10# DBs | Shoulder |
| Low Back Extension | 3 sets of 10 at 80# | Low back |
I am working my way back with pushups. I haven’t done them in a couple of months with my wrist problem I had (have).
Then I rocked out with Journey on the treadmill for a while before coming home to breakfast! Protein waffles.
You know, the texture really is different putting the same batter in the waffle iron versus pancake style. Just thought I would throw that out there.
Back to normal at work, finally! I do feel pretty rested. I had files from one of my favorite doctors when I logged in, which made me a happy camper indeed. I worked right up to lunch very productively.
You know, I actually really hate mayo. I cannot stand it on sandwiches or in other stuff, but I will eat it in egg salad and sometimes chicken salad. I am so weird that way.
I have really been conscious of my 90/10 rule since Sunday. I have mentioned this before, but maintaining is usually having a couple regular or lower calorie days and then a day or two higher and alternate like that. A squiggled line, so to speak. Or, more like 80/20 eating or **ahem** 70/30.
Now that I am in active weight loss mode, I have to put more of the lower calorie days together in a row and I find day 3 to be the absolute hardest because that means I am no longer in maintenance mode. I kind of get the pouty 5-year-old thing going on. Today actually was not bad and I didn’t really struggle too much. My food was filling, which helps. I also have been inputting the next day’s menu into Livestrong the night before, so I just have to follow it and not think too much, which is usually what gets me in trouble.
I was ready for my latte. Did I mention it was cold today?
Florida in 4 weeks. That is my focus now!
I made up one of my favorite recipes for dinner tonight. The chicken with balsamic tomatoes. This is super easy and pretty quick. About half an hour from start to finish. John had his over pasta. I had no pasta and just had more of the chicken.
So good! I found that cutting back a bit on the balsamic is better. The recipe calls for 1/2 cup, but I think it is too overpowering, so I used 1/4 cup. I must revise my page on that.
While I would like to go out for coffee tonight, I cannot bear to go out in the cold. We have an overnight low of -5 tonight. Ick. I do love my electric blanket!
I have my snack made up.
This is 1/4 cup of part-skim ricotta, 1/4 cup of pumpkin, a dash of cinnamon, and a teaspoon of creamed honey on top. I hope it is good. Looks a little weird, but that’s okay. I made this up after dinner and it is in the fridge waiting for me.
Preplanning is a must for me to stay on track. Otherwise I start not paying attention and nibbling on various items while thinking about what to eat.
Tomorrow is one of the 10% meals of the 90/10 plan. Bagel day!
I also finds it helps to pre-track my day. I have been using lose it. Enjoy your 10% day:)
I bought a Fitbit tracker, and have been using it to track my calories and activities. It’s made me more conscious of what I’m eating. Your snack looks really good. I’ve never had ricotta before.
I agree with you on pre-planning…and also? Actually having real food in the house helps me tremendously. I finally went to the grocery store last night and had an orange and some almonds today, as opposed to whatever I could scrounge up…felt quite virtuous!
I totally get the pouty feeling over food… my day was today. Just really, really tough. It makes me mad because I was cruising along until Christmas and it feels like everything fell apart between Christmas and New Year’s. Today was Day 3 for me so maybe that is why I felt hungrier and grumpier than usual. Some days it feels like a struggle even when I’ve pr-tracked/pre-planned to death. I finally gave in to 2 chocolate covered cherries after dinner but I wasn’t happy afterwards because they put me over what I wanted to eat for calories, not to mention flicking me off my Paleo path. Like you, I need to string 3-4 days in a row of being on the straight and narrow. Annoyed is what I am!
Also, I somehow missed your post yesterday but ITA about sizing. I have some clothes that are about ready to fall off me right now and they are the same size as some that still fit well. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
OK,I’ll give you back your blog now 😀
On the straight and narrow–that’s us! Yes, whether its someone else doing the pre-planning, or me doing it, it helps on so many levels. If I am feeling deprived, I can look ahead to the next meal or two. Or I can look back and see that I already had a treat (zero memory?)
I hate mayonaise too! But I can eat it in carrot raisin salad or that broccoli salad. And in thousand island sauce on a hamburger!
Just FOUR weeks to go? You lucky lady. I would have an official countdown up somewhere or red slashes on the calendar. What a fun thing to look forward to!!
Ben just got to Texas this morning and said it was “70, sunny, and gorgeous” all day. I think I hate him now. It was 7 with a negative degree wind chill here this morning. Still no real snow, which is FINE with me!
I am trying not to do an official countdown because then time will drag LOL! And it is dragging, particularly with temp of 2 degrees this morning.
Can you explain briefly what the 90/10 or 80/20 plans are? I guess I have never heard of them before. Thanks a lot.
It’s really just 90% of my meals/snacks on plan with 10% of them having some leeway. So, 3 meals a week can be more indulgent.
80/20 is more maintenance style where 6 of my meals in a week would be more indulgent.
I think you and Spunki Suzi live in the coldest climates… Brrrr
It was in the 80’s today here, I don’t like the cold, it REALLY bothers me more now that I have lost weight
Your breakfast and lunch looks so delicious!
Ever since I moved into my own house I have been planning meals, at least dinner, that’s over 17 years ago now. Reason was because I didn’t want to go to the grocery store more than once a week. These days I also plan my breakfast, lunch and snacks to stay on track and this works for me too.
I totally get the cold thing. Since losing nearly half my body weight I have suffered with the cold (8 odd years now). Or maybe it was since I turned 40 (6 yrs ago) 😉 I cannot manage without my electric blanket and I don’t even life in a particularly cold place (wales in the UK).
I am not a planner for me but have learned—only the past few months–I DO need to be a superplanner for my daughter.
Im sloooowly changing my ways.
The food always looks good. Probably because I am a food addict. lol… Have a great day!
I miss cookies and pie for breakfast already 😉
I am really trying to get back on the straight and narrow, but it’s tough!!!
I have to plan ahead, or I just set myself up for failure.
I find the weeks I pre plan our meals, we eat better and I actually spend less money. Have a great Wed Lori.
I pre-plan my dinners but mainly just roll with it the rest of the meals. Since I mainly eat the same rotation of meals, it’s not much of a struggle. Unless it’s Christmas, of course. 🙂
Hi Lori. I am a long time reader but first time commenting. I really enjoy your posts. I live only 20 minutes from Walt Disney World and you have picked the best time to come to Orlando. The weather will be fantastic but try to visit other areas besides the Magic Kingdom. AND there will be hardly any lines!
Marianne
We usually go to Disney in January because it is so uncrowded. I can’t wait!
I eat similar stuff but with different spices & maybe different times of the day & I keep choices on hand so that is the way I roll – I am not a cooker like you! 🙂
I am in “maintenance” per se but I never consider myself there – kind of like a work in progress always outlook for me… good & bad to that but for me, it works – I am always working to make sure that weight does not come back on & with age – it is even more so.. but I never considered myself maintenance mode – I see a post coming up! 😉
Lori – BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR with your temps!
You’re so right: the winters are getting tougher to deal with. Age related? – lets deny it. 😉
Does your wrist bother you when you play the guitar?
No, my wrist isn’t bothered by the guitar – at least that I am aware of. It is more pushing and pulling activities. I wore a brace for a while and it is much better, but still twinges when I push with it.
Brrrrrr that is some cold weather you have! I am like you and many others I need to have several good low calorie, low carb days in a row to see some weight loss and to detox from the bad stuff.
Your food looks good and I love anything with Balsamic vinegar.
When you’re in maintenance mode do you actually track your 80% vs. 20% to make sure you limit yourself to the right number of more indulgent meals? I am trying to figure out the right balance for me so I don’t have to keep losing and gaining the same 5 lbs to “maintain”.
Brrr…sounds chilly! At least there’s not the same snow as last year!
Hi Melisa, I have always tracked my food. Not always completely, but most days. I can easily see where I get off track (which is weekends). My weight does swing a lot, which is kind of what I am used to. I think many maintainers have a range weight they roam around in. So 5 pounds really isn’t that bad.