Monday - Listless No More - Jobs I'd Like

I recently did a post about the jobs that I have had in my life. I think for this weeks Moday List I will do a post about the jobs I think that I would like to have...

photo credit: Scrabble - Hiring via photopin (license)

I started my (adult) life thinking that I would be a Psychologist, but that changed in a hurry when I thought about having to sit behind a desk, every day, 8 hours a day!!! So I changed to Social Work. It is a very rewarding field, but there are some days that I just want to go work at a retail store (or something). If I was able to change jobs right now, what would I like to do...

Hmm...

• Librarian - I would LOVE to be a librarian (no not the TV show), but someone who takes care of books all day and helps people find information... Have I mentioned I love to read...

Downsizing Me Log - 8/30/2015

Weight - 221

Blood Sugar Readings -

• Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 134
• 2 hrs after Breakfast Blood Sugar - 116
• 2 hrs after Lunch Blood Sugar - 131
• 2 hrs after Dinner Blood Sugar - 152

Steps taken (FitBit) - 1480

Miles (FitBit) - .66

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1657

Calories out (FitBit) - 1998

Water Intake - 64oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

• Breakfast - NS Chocolate Muffin and yogurt
• AM Snack -  2Cheesesticks and oranges
• Lunch - NS Chicken Sandwich and veggies
• PM snack - Atkins Dark Chocolate Royale protein drink
• Dinner - Crock pot pulled pork, rice with avocados and tomato
• Dessert - NS Double Chocolate Chip cookies

Comments - Well, apparently I did not move off the couch, or bed, very much today!!!

Downsizing Me Log - 8/29/2015

Weight - 221

Blood Sugar Readings -

• Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 103
• 2 hrs after Breakfast Blood Sugar - 142
• 2 hrs after Lunch Blood Sugar - 130
• 2 hrs after Dinner Blood Sugar - 159

Steps taken (FitBit) - 3644

Miles (FitBit) - 1.62

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1463

Calories out (FitBit) - 2190

Water Intake - 72oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

• Breakfast - NS Turkey Sausage breakfast sandwich with laughing cow cheese and tomatoes
• AM Snack - Apple with a cheese stick and bacon
• Lunch - NS Hamburger with laughing cow cheese and veggies with a pickle
• Dinner - NS Meatloaf Sandwich with cheese, pickle chips, squash and baby potatoes
• Dessert - NS Chocolaty Pretzel Bar

Comments - Not sure what is going on with my blood sugar today, they are really high, comparatively...

Downsizing Me Log - 8/28/2015

Weight - 221

Blood Sugar Readings -

• Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 105
• 2 hrs after Breakfast Blood Sugar - 106
• 2 hrs after Lunch Blood Sugar - 133 
• 2 hrs after Dinner Blood Sugar - 109

Steps taken (FitBit) - 4253

Miles (FitBit) - 1.89

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1578

Calories out (FitBit) - 2232

Water Intake - 80oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Kinda (I was below calorie goal, but had friend chicken [not exactly on plan] for dinner)

What I ate today -

• Breakfast - NS Harvest Nut Bar and yogurt 
• AM Snack - Atkins dark chocolate royale drink
• Lunch - NS Bean Bolegnese and salad
• PM snack - Pineapple and cheesesticks
• Dinner - Fried Chicken (thigh and drumstick) with some cherry tomatos
• Dessert - NS Chocolate Cupcake

Comments - I was really dizzy this morning, I don't know if it is from low blood sugar or what, I got out of bed and could hardly walk straight. Will continue to watch this and may cut back on my medications

Downsizing Me Log - 8/27/2015

Weight - 221.3

Blood Sugar Readings -

• Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 121
• 2 hrs after Breakfast Blood Sugar - 113
• 2 hrs after Lunch Blood Sugar - 92
• 2 hrs after Dinner Blood Sugar - 117

Steps taken (FitBit) - 5832

Miles (FitBit) - 2.58

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1485

Calories out (FitBit) - 2351

Water Intake - 96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

• Breakfast - NS Biscotti Bites and yogurt
• AM Snack - pineapple and cheesesticks 
• Lunch - NS 3 Cheese Chicken with turkey and laughing cow and veggies  
• Dinner - NS rotini and meatballs with brussel sprouts and peas
• Dessert - NS pretzel, laughing cow cheese, salami and olives

Downsizing Me Log - 8/26/2015

Weight - 222

Blood Sugar Readings -

• Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 110
• 2 hrs after Breakfast Blood Sugar - 136
• 2 hrs after Lunch Blood Sugar - 108
• 2 hrs after Dinner Blood Sugar - 136

Steps taken (FitBit) - 6149

Miles (FitBit) - 2.73

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 22

Exercise completed - 22 minute walk outside with hubby this morning

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1520

Calories out (FitBit) - 2373

Water Intake - 96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan -

What I ate today -

• Breakfast - NS bagel, one egg and a tomato
• AM Snack - Yogurt and hemp hearts
• Lunch - NS hamburger with salad
• PM snack - Apple and cheesesticks
• Dinner - NS Chicken enchilada with green beans and corn

Comments - blood sugar was kinda high today, but looking at some of the things i ate, understandable

Downsizing Me Log - 8/25/2015

Weight - 222.7

Blood Sugar Readings -

• Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 108
• 2 hrs after Breakfast Blood Sugar - 123
• 2 hrs after Lunch Blood Sugar - 123
• 2 hrs after Dinner Blood Sugar - 101

Steps taken (FitBit) - 3884

Miles (FitBit) - 1.72

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1562

Calories out (FitBit) - 2191

Water Intake - 96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

• Breakfast - NS Breakfast sandwich and laughing cow cheese
• AM Snack - Apple and cheesestick
• Lunch - NS Chicken sandwich and a chicken caesar salad
• PM snack - Yogurt
• Dinner - NS Chicken Bacon Ranch Pizza and salad
• Dessert - NS Peanut Butter cookie

Comments - I guess the weight gain yesterday was probably water retention or something since I am almost 3 pounds lighter today, YAY!!

Downsizing Me Log - 8/24/2015

Weight - 225.5 :-(

Blood Sugar Readings -

• Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 118
• 2 hrs after Breakfast Blood Sugar - 118
• 2 hrs after Lunch Blood Sugar - 95
• 2 hrs after Dinner Blood Sugar - 103

Steps taken (FitBit) - 4489

Miles (FitBit) -1.99

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1573

Calories out (FitBit) - 2267

Water Intake - 96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

• Breakfast - chocolate peanut butter banana smoothie
• AM Snack - apple and yogurt
• Lunch - NS Bean Bolognese with veggies
• PM snack - Atkins dark chocolate royale drink
• Dinner - NS Ravioli Formagio and veggies
• Dessert - NS Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Comments - I was not feeling well today, must be all the crap food that we ate this weekend... back to the grind today though. Blood sugars were much better than I expected. I guess that comes from losing almost 60 pounds.

Monday - Listless No More - Shopping List

FreeImages.com/tes

Things that are always on my shopping list…

Ok, so after the diet disaster that was this weekend, I have a renewed focus…my health and eating habits. I am also starting to pay more attention to my blood sugars, which you will notice on the daily Downsizing Me log (which will be back tomorrow). I ate nothing but junk this weekend and the scale showed it this morning… we need to go grocery shopping so I figured I would give a Monday List of what is always on my grocery list…


Lettuce

Tomatoes

Cucumbers

Sweet Peppers

September Stuff... no spend month (take 2) - and my 100th post!!!!!!

Ok, for anyone who has been following along since (almost) the beginning, I talked about doing a No Spend Month in July (read more here). It didn't work out as I had hoped since we ended up having to spend all the extra money on Nutrisystem gift cards since they were on sale. Which is okay, because it is a really good deal ($100 gift cards for $59.99 at Costco, thru the end of August). 

So I decided that we would try this again. 

So to recap from the post before... a "No Spend Month" project. I found this idea on 31 Days of Living Well and Spending Less by Ruth Soukup. We will go the whole month without spending any extraneous money. We will not eat out or buy any extra things, other than the necessities. We will pay bills and buy minimal groceries. We will eat all the stuff that is in the pantry that we have bought but never used. 

In September, we have no holidays, our anniversary is over (8/31), its not my birthday yet (10/18) and there is no big purchases that will be needed. Hopefully, this time, it will work out!!!

Oh, by the way... this is my 100th post!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Downsizing Me Log - weekend of 8/21, 8/22 and 8/23

Mommy's here, yay!!!!!

Okay, so this kinda means no log, since I do not always eat the best (plus its TOM). So I will just say that I plan to be careful and I will be keeping track just may not have time to post it!!!

Smoothie recipe from breakfast 8/20/2015 - Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie

photo credit: "Reeseception" via photopin (license)

1/4 cup Oats

1 cup Almond Milk

1 serving Protein Powder

1 tbs Chia Seeds

2 tbs cacao powder

2 tbs PB2 (Powdered Peanut Butter)

medium banana

Mix all ingredients in a blender cup or bowl and place in refrigerator for several hours to overnight. In the morning blend together until smooth...

Downsizing Me Log - 8/20/2015

Weight - 222.2 (damn donut...stupid TOM)

Steps taken (FitBit) - 6263

Miles (FitBit) - 2.78

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1687

Calories out (FitBit) - 2404

Water Intake -96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

Breakfast - Peanut Butter Cup Smoothie (recipe to follow)
Lunch - NS 3 Cheese Chicken with turkey and veggies and a piece of chocolate
PM snack - apple and cheese sticks
Dinner - NS Salisbury Steak and Mac and Cheese with steamed green beans
Dessert - NS Chocolate Chip Cookies and some grapes

What Blogging and Sushi Have in Common « Build Your Blog Conference

Check out this awesome post about blogs and SUSHI!!! by Ruth from Windmill Words and published on Build Your Blog Conference's Blog...



What Blogging and Sushi Have in Common « Build Your Blog Conference

Downsizing Me Log - 8/19/2015

Weight - 221.1

Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - oops

Steps taken (FitBit) - 6013

Miles (FitBit) - 2.67

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 20

Exercise completed - 20 minutes on treadmill

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1874 (damn donuts)

Calories out (FitBit) - 2389

Water Intake - 80oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - No

What I ate today -

Breakfast - breakfast wrap and yogurt
AM Snack - plum and 2 cheesesticks
Lunch - Subway chopped chicken salad with avocado and Bolthouse Ranch dressing
PM snack - banana and almonds
Dinner - NS Tuscan Style Pasta with snap peas and potatos
Dessert - NS Oatmeal Raisin cookie...then hubby came home from the store with Krispy Kreme donuts (damn donuts)

Downsizing Me Log - 8/18/2015

Weight - 222.2

Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 109

Steps taken (FitBit) - 3901

Miles (FitBit) - 1.73

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1644

Calories out (FitBit) - 2213

Water Intake - 80oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

Breakfast - NS Biscotti Bites and Yogurt
AM Snack - 2 cheesesticks
Lunch - NS Hamburger with laughing cow cheese and veggies
PM snack - banana and almonds
Dinner - Steak, potatos and brussel sprouts (while not technically Nutrisystem, it still is within the guidelines of what to eat, and sooooo yummy!!!!)
Dessert - NS Chocolate Cupcake and 2 Hersheys snack bites

Smoothie recipe from breakfast 8/17/2015 - Peanut Butter and Jelly Banana Smoothie

Peanut Butter and Jelly with Banana Smoothie

FreeImages.com/Stephanie Raines

1/4 cup Oats

1 cup Almond Milk

1 serving Protein Powder

1 tbs Chia Seeds

1 cup Frozen Mixed Berries

2 tbs PB2 (Powdered Peanut Butter)

1/2 medium banana

Mix all ingredients in a blender cup or bowl and place in refrigerator for several hours to overnight. In the morning blend together until smooth...

Downsizing Me Log - 8/17/2015

Weight - 223.3

Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 98

Steps taken (FitBit) - 4052

Miles (FitBit) - 1.8

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1601

Calories out (FitBit) - 2268

Water Intake - 96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

Breakfast - Peanut Butter and Jelly with Banana Smoothie (recipe to follow)
AM Snack - Plum and 2 cheese sticks
Lunch - NS Fettuchini Alfredo with chicken a laughing cow cheese and veggies
PM snack - Light and Fit Greek yogurt
Dinner - NS Roast Beef and Garlic Mashed Potatoes with peas and green beans
Dessert - NS Ice Cream Sandwich

Comments - Yay, we have air conditioning again, I got up this morning and there was no way I could get on the treadmill, it was WAY too hot. Then, by the time I got home from work, I had a splitting headache. I will plan to get up in the morning and get back on track...now that we have AIR!!!

Downsizing Me Log - 8/16/2015

Weight - 223.7 (could have been worse, much, MUCH worse)

Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - oops

Steps taken (FitBit) - 4704

Miles (FitBit) - 2.09

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None, it was a rough day, air conditioning went out so it was everything to just stay cool!!!

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1426

Calories out (FitBit) - 2310

Water Intake - 72oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

Breakfast - NSChocolate Biscotti bites and yogurt
AM Snack - Plum and cheese sticks
Lunch - NS Red Beans and Rice with veggies
Dinner - NS Chili and Beans with Salad (I make this into a taco salad) with some taco chips
Dessert - NS Peanut butter cookies

Comments - I AM HOT!!! The AC needs to be fixed NOW!!!!!

Monday - Listless No More - Salad Stuff

What I like on my salad...

FreeImages.com/Bob Smith

I love salad, if I don't have to make it...

I need to start eating more salad, we had salad for dinner last night. I really HATE making salad though. All the chopping and preparation. When we go to a buffet or to a place with a salad bar, I usually get really excited. I can make a really good salad with all my favorite toppings. 

This is usually what is on my salad...

Lettuce

My Dream Home if Money and Employment Were Not a Factor (Like when I win the Lotto)

When I was younger, I wanted to be an architect. I had a folder that I had a bunch of graph paper in and I would design my dream home. It was always a large box with square rooms. Now that I am older, I love looking at house plans and thinking about what would be in my ideal home. All the options and those cool little accents that I see on Pinterest (oh, Pinterest, how I love you). Right now, my ideal home would be two stories (most likely) with 3 distinct, separate living areas. My husband and I would be upstairs, maybe with a few extra bedrooms for any future children or guests. The downstairs would have to have 2 distinct living (bedroom) areas, one for hubby’s dad who currently lives with us and one for my mom, who most likely will live with us in the future (especially if any of those “future children” show up!!!). This is VERY difficult to find. Most of the houses that we have seen have 1 bedroom downstairs, and it is usually about the size of a closet. Some of the higher end homes that we have looked at have the option, but they are expensive!!!

I would love to actually design and build my own dream home.

Downsizing Me Log - 8/15/2015

Weight - 224 (pretty sure that is a direct result of taco bell)

Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 107

Steps taken (FitBit) - 6050

Miles (FitBit) - 2.68

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 24

Exercise completed - 24 minutes (1.3 miles) on treadmill

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - about 2000

Calories out (FitBit) - 2330

Water Intake - 96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - No, sushi got me again!!!

What I ate today -

Breakfast - NS Turkey Sausage and Egg sandwich with laughing cow cheese
Lunch - Sushi
Dinner - NS Hamburger with laughing cow cheese and veggies

Comments - OMG, sushi, why am I so addicted to you!?!? We found a new sushi place that is REALLY close to our house, but they do half price rolls, so we figure when I am having a craving I can go get a roll and be satisfied...maybe :)

The SUSHI deal

So, we had sushi again today...

FreeImages.com/Ariel da Silva Parreira

I really think that having All You Can Eat sushi almost every weekend is affecting our ability to lose weight. Well, duh! you might say. And I guess I also say this.

So, we have made a deal...

I am putting it on the blog to make it REAL...

Hubby and I have decided that we have to lose another 25 pounds before we can have sushi again. That would put him below 300lbs and me below 200lbs. It will be our reward, if you will (I know, we are not supposed to reward ourselves with food!!!)

So here it is, for all the world to see and know...NO SUSHI UNTIL I LOSE 25 POUNDS!!!!!!

A to Z : Boys names

So back to my favorite names, here is the list of my favorite boy names.

FreeImages.com/blogmonkey

Alexander, Anthony, Aaron, Andrew

Brandon, Benjamin

Christopher, Cody, Collin, Cole

Daniel, Devon, Dylan, Dominick, David, Daryl

Edward, Eric, Ethan

Downsizing Me Log - 8/14/2015

Weight - 222.6

Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - oops

Steps taken (FitBit) - 2588

Miles (FitBit) - 1.15

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 0

Exercise completed - None, I actually slept alot of the day...

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1845

Calories out (FitBit) - 2105

Water Intake - 48oz (not nearly enough)

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - No, I was good ALL day, and then...Taco Bell

What I ate today -

Breakfast - Eggs, NS Bagel with laughing cow cheese
Lunch - NS Chicken Sandwich with laughing cow cheese, veggies and a piece of chocolate
PM snack - Beef Jerky
Dinner - NS Turkey Sausage and Bacon Rigatoni with veggies and a plum
Late snack - We had to go to the store and hubby was hungry so we ended up at Taco Bell (WTF), 630 calories later I had eaten a bean and cheese burrito and half a mexican pizza :(

Comments - Mommy was supposed to visit this weekend, but stupid weather yesterday caused her flight to be cancelled. So she will not be coming until next weekend... I was very upset yesterday, but I did not take my stress and sadness out by eating like a pig though so that is a bonus!! Although my food today begs to differ!!!!

Smoothie recipe from breakfast 8/13/2015 - Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie

½ cup frozen blueberries

¼ cup of oats

1tbs chia seeds

1 cup almond milk, unsweetened

15 almonds

1 serving protein powder

1 oz avocado

photo credit: PB&J, up close. via photopin (license)

Combine all ingredients in a bowl or blender cup, place in refrigerator for several hours (best if overnight). In the morning, blend ingredients until smooth. Add water or extra almond milk if it is too thick.

A to Z : Girls Names

I want to fill in the days with something other than just the daily weight loss log. So I decided to go back to other types of posts also. I loved the A to Z posts so I figured I would start there.

I love names, the creativity that comes in giving someone their names. I really think that your name forms part of who you are. Have you ever looked at someone and thought that their name really fits them. Or thought “what would that person be like with a different name?” Would another name fit you? Have you ever thought what your name would be if you could have chosen a name for yourself… There are some cultures that allow for someone to choose their own name, what would you choose?

Having said that there are those names that annoy the H%#* out of me. Especially when it is a common name but with such a really weird spelling that you have to stare at the name to see what it really says. That will be another blog post in the future J So here is a list of my favorite girl names (Boys names coming soon).

FreeImages.com/blogmonkey

Adriana (Adrienne), Alexandria, Amy, Abigail, Alice, Avery

Brianna, Bridget, Brooke

Downsizing Me Log - 8/13/2015

Weight - 223.2

Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - 107

Steps taken (FitBit) - 4504

Miles (FitBit) - 2

Active Minutes (FitBit) - None

Exercise completed - Rest day

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1559

Calories out (FitBit) - 2269

Water Intake - 96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

Breakfast - Peanut Butter and Jelly Smoothie (recipe to follow)
Lunch - NS Mac and Cheese with veggies and a laughing cow
PM snack - Orange and beef jerky
Dinner - NS Pizza and crackers with green beans
Dessert - NS carrot cake

Comments - That is the lowest weight so far on this journey!!!

Downsizing Me Log - 8/12/2015

Weight - 225.1

Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - oops

Steps taken (FitBit) - 5758

Miles (FitBit) - 2.55

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 15

Exercise completed - treadmill (2 days in a row, yay!!!!)

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1575

Calories out (FitBit) - 2374

Water Intake - 96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

Breakfast - Dannon Light and Fit Caramel Macchiato Greek yogurt with NS Biscotti Bites
AM Snack - Apple and almonds
Lunch - NS Hamburger with laughing cow cheese and veggies with Bolthouse ranch dressing
PM snack - Tuna and crackers
Dinner - NS Stuffed chicken breast and rice with veggies
Dessert - NS Chocolate Cupcake

Downsizing Me Log - 8/11/2015

Weight - ??? Oops

Morning Fasting Blood Sugar - ???

Steps taken (FitBit) - 5564

Miles (FitBit) - 2.47

Active Minutes (FitBit) - 15

Exercise completed - treadmill (yay!)

Calories in (MyFitnessPal) - 1632

Calories out (FitBit) - 2348

Water Intake - 96oz

Nutrisystem (NS) On Plan - Yes

What I ate today -

Breakfast - NS Turkey Sausage and egg sandwich and laughing cow cheese
AM Snack - Dannon Light and Fit Greek Caramel Macchiato yogurt and Manitoba Harvest Hemp Hearts
Lunch - NS Chicken sandwich with Franks buffalo sauce and veggies with Bolthouse ranch dressing
PM snack - Atkins Dark Chocolate Royale Protein drink
Dinner - NS Lasagna with meat Sauce with a salad
Dessert - NS Walnut Chocolate Chip Cookies

Comments - Exercise - YAY!!!!!!