Getting my groove back

I have been feeling really sluggish lately. Just the cold winter weather probably. But today I feel like I am getting some energy back.

As I haven't worked in several months and the economy sucks at the moment, I am once again jumping on the frugal bandwagon with a vengeance.

I have been planning to do a freezer inventory for months now - I finally got around to it this morning. I still have to put everything into a spread sheet so I can track it as I use stuff, but at first glance, I have about 28 meals worth of meat.

I haven't yet done the pantry, so there will be a few more meatless meals there (although not many as DH is a big meat eater).

So for the next 3-4 weeks, I will try to only buy milk and produce and use up what we have on hand. Once we use up the store bought loaf we have, I want to start making my own bread again too.

I am making Pioneer Woman's Chicken Spaghetti for dinner tonight, I have the chicken simmering away now. I will modify it slightly - no green peppers or pimento as only DH likes them, I will cook the onions before adding and I have some Swiss Chalet (roast chicken) sauce in the freezer that I will add.

This isn't exactly on my Weight watcher's program but I am really in the mood for some comfort food and this definitely fits the bill. I'll just watch my portion size and other stuff I eat through out the day to compensate.

Changed my mind

I'm allowed :)

I have decided to stop going to the Weight watcher's meetings. I am beginning to really dislike them. Since the new Momentum plan was released, all the leader seems to be doing is reading from the weekly handouts - I can read them myself thanks. So all I was really going for was the weigh-in, and I ain't paying $17 to be weighed! Nuh uh!

When I joined WW, I was given a 2 wk free trial of their webtools. I have activated that and will see how I like it. It is the same as their WW online, so if I do like it, I will continue with WW but online only.

At first glance, the online part is pretty decent. The whole tracking points bit is made a bit easier as you can do it online and save your favorite foods instead of looking them up all the time. It also calculates your remaining points, so it simplifies that somewhat.

There are also message boards and recipes available. Now I didn't realize at first, but the message boards are public, so even non-paying people can access them. So really all you are paying for is the computerized points tracker and a few more recipes that then non-paying person has access to.

One thing that kinda annoys me, is that, because the boards are public, you cannot discuss the program or points values of foods in detail, because then you would be giving out proprietary information out for free. So even if you are paying for the online version, you can't be specific about the program. Sound strange to you? Why don't they just make member only boards where you can actually discuss point values? Who knows?

So I will decide in about a week and a half if I will continue with WW online or just try to go it alone at home. I am not going back to the meetings though.

Meetings are $17 per week, and the online version is $22 per month (after registration fee), so that will be a big savings.

I have also checked out SparksPeople which is a free weight loss site and it offers pretty much the same thing as WW does but doesn't track WW points, obviously. I can try following their program and just stay within their calorie limit instead of within my points limit.

Whatever I decide to do, I am not giving up on losing weight. I need to do this and I need to do it now.

I was up a couple pounds last week and I think I have got them back off and maybe a bit more now. I will stick to Tuesday weigh-ins, but now weigh-in in the morning.

I'll let you know how it goes.

Anyone else having any success at weight loss?

Do you remember the X-Files?

I loved that show! DH and I looked forward to watching it each Friday night.

I thought Mulder was hot and he thought Scully was hot - we were both right.

I loved the unexpectedness of each episode. They all had an underlying thread but new stories each week. And as it deal with the paranormal, it was pretty much anything goes. Never a dule episode.

When the X-File movie came out in theaters, I really wanted to go see it, but was unable.

So when I found it on Pay Per View yesterday, I was ecstatic!

And after it was over...I was so disappointed.

I waited 10 years for that crap?

They took interesting characters and made them laughable. They completely ignored the back story of the series except for about 3 quick references.

It was like a regular 1 hour episode, only with a really bad storyline and stretched out far too long.

They took the character of Scully, an intelligent, confident doctor and FBI agent and made her into a confused emotional wreak that was constantly second guessing herself.

Mulder who previously whole-heartedly believed in the truth, and that he would find it, seemed to be grasping at straws and acting more like a tag along puppy than an ex FBI agent.

The plot made no sense. It was not even clear why Mulder is asked to help, since they seemed to think he is stupid from the get-go.

Scully was asked to contact Mulder for help, since he was incognito. She goes to his home and comments that she thinks that he is too isolated and alone. And then later you find out that they live together. It really makes no sense.

I have told my son about the X-Files series and think he would like them. I think I will rent a DVD of the series for him and I to watch.

There is talk of a 2nd X-Files movie. Ya I would probably see it - but I really hope they manage to bring back some of the spark that made the series a hit - some of the X-Fileness :)

MIA

I know I have been bad - haven't been around much. I hope to remedy that soon.

Updates: I lost 1.8 lbs at weigh-in this week (Side note: when I typed this I had a typo and typed 12.8 lbs, man don't I wish!)

My sewing machine is acting up and begging for a checkup and so I haven't finished my latest sewing project for my sister yet.

I haven't heard anything about my interview last Friday, which is probably not a very hopeful sign.

I created a veggie dish that I really like. I saute diced onion, chopped garlic and mushrooms in about a teaspoon of olive oil. Once onions are translucent, I add a couple splashes of chicken stock and then copious amounts of baby spinach. Stir until spinach wilts then add more. I ended up adding a bit too much stock and it got a tad soupy, but DH and I really liked it this way. Once all spinach is added and wilted, serve (in bowls with a spoon :)).

Anyone have any really good veggie dishes to share?

All Christmas decorations but our front door wreaths are down. I was so late in getting everything up this year, I don't want to take them down yet...but DH says it's time :(

I have been in somewhat of a funk lately. I have to get out of it. I just feel blah. Maybe I have SAD. Could be...I have been cooped up in the house for far too long. But man it is so cold outside!

I am thinking I need a trip to value Village....D are you reading this? Let me know when you are available :) My sanity is on the line here :)

Quick update

I haven't finished my sewing project yet (aiming for Sat or Sun) but hope to post a few more pics soon.

I have an interview tomorrow (Friday) afternoon with the Ministry of Health for a 3 month contract that I am really hoping I get. It will in all likelihood be extended for the rest of the year.

Please send good interview vibes.

I'll let you know how it goes. :)

Disillusioned

I have been going to Weight Watchers for 11 wks now (I actually missed two of those weeks (not consecutive) during the holidays) and my results are not what I had hoped. Now of course that is completely my fault for not staying on program, I won't lay the blame anywhere else.

However, I am finding it harder and harder to pay $17 a week for a weigh-in, a 30 minute (repetitive & basic) meeting and constant sales pitches.

First of all - the program works if you work it.

I am getting SO tired of at least 10 minutes of my already short 30 minute meeting being used to push Weight Watcher products on us. When you arrive, there is a big table set up with all their products for you to see while you wait in line to be weighed.

They sell food items such as crackers, pretzels, drink mixes and snack bars. These are all overpriced. A box of 6 mini granola type bars is $10! A box of 6x28g pretzels is $5! Am I the only one who hates to throw money away? I see bunches of people each week buying this stuff - it must be nice to have money to burn.

They also sell non-food items; a food scale, measuring/serving spoons, a pedometer, a points calculator etc...

I understand that Weight Watchers is a business and they are out to make money, but is my $17 per week not enough? I am supposed to also drop my hard earned cash on their other products? And it is constantly being pushed.

Also, Weight Watcher's new Momentum plan is anything but new. They really didn't change anything at all - but they are constantly making a big ta-do about the NEW plan.

What used to be called Core foods, are now called Filling foods. They now recommend 30 minutes a day of exercise (they didn't before?). All liquids now count towards your goal of 6 8oz glasses - which I find stupid; coffee and pop are not the same as water.

I guess they have to change it up a bit or things get stale, but don't try to snow us and call it a new plan when it isn't.

One of the new features of the Momentum plan is a little graph area at the bottom of your food tracker. You are supposed to graph your level of hunger or satisfaction at each meal. This is supposed to aid you in knowing when you are truly hungry or not.

I'm sorry - but do I look that stupid? I know when I am hungry and when I'm not. I am not fat due to a lack of intelligence. I am fat due to a lack exercise and healthy eating!

Sometimes during these meeting, the topic discussed by the leader and members is so elementary that it blows my mind. What? You didn't know pizza was fattening?!

I sometimes feel I have read more diet/health books then all these members combined. I have not learned one new thing at WW. It is all common sense. But as I have said before, common sense isn't all that common anymore.

I don't think I will quit WW (yet), I like the accountability of the weigh-ins, but with my budget being tight and my having to bite my tongue so often (telling a group of idiots that being fat is the least of their worries, probably won't make me popular), I'm not sure how much longer I will last.

I'm getting tired of the leader telling us we are fat because we do too much for others and don't think of ourselves. Nope I'm fat cause I'm lazy - no two ways about it! I don't need an excuse or crutch, I need motivation!

Having said all that (if you are still reading :)) I watched the latest installment of The Biggest Loser last night and that has got me remotivated somewhat. I will rededicate myself this week and hopefully have a nice loss next week.

Thanks for letting me vent :)

Goals today
- drink lots of water
- get on treadmill
- stay away from junk

Will 2009 be the year?

That I finally pay off my credit card?

That I find the job of my dreams?

That I get rid of those pesky extra 100 lbs on my body?

That I finish some of my kazillion ongoing sewing/craft/painting projects?

That I find more energy and exercise regularly?

That I stop sweating the small stuff?

That I remember to savor every moment with loved ones?

I guess only time will tell.

Do you have any New Year's resolutions?