Hey guys,

I’m sorry about dropping off the earth for a bit - you have no idea how guilty I feel when I miss a post! I’ve been overloaded with work so I haven’t had a second of time for myself to blog, relax or even work out! I feel so all over the place not blogging and exercising, but at the same time so bogged down with work I can’t move. But it’s Friday, I’m in the home stretch…I just need to power through and then it’s the weekend!

Wednesday afternoon, I left work around 5:45 to get to the bookstore to pick up the reading for my class. Class started at 6:45 downtown. I think it should be a good experience - I realized how much I enjoy advertising during the class discussion. It’s so interesting. Before the class started, I had an apple (unpictured) around 6:30; during the class break at 8:30, I had 1/2c cottage cheese:

I really enjoying being in ’school’ again - I was much more prepared and involved this time around. I definitely slept through class when I was a kid!

When class ended at 9:45, I walked the 2 miles home. I could have subbed it, but since I’ve been unable to get to the gym, this seemed like the best option to get in some exercise.

At home, my amazing and supportive boyfriend made me dinner while I sat down to get more work done. A few min later, we ate his creation:

Turkey sandwich on toasted double fiber bread with mustard, tomatoes, and spinach; carrots; and grapes:

and then he made me hot chocolate made with water, took a picture, and brought it to me while I worked:

In our coffee cup from our Maine trip, no less! What a sweetheart!

I got to bed L.A.T.E. but managed to get up around 7:40 AM on Thursday. A workout was out, but I decided to act on Keri’s advice and make breakfast at home. I made one egg and two egg whiles in a double fiber bread sandwich, along with sliced banana and ketchup for dipping. (Love ketchup on eggs.)

When I ran errands after my meeting with Keri on Wednesday, I picked up some candles from Whole Foods. I’ve never been big on candles, but since I’ve been having trouble sleeping AND waking up, I figured some olfactory influence might help. This one was Rosemary, to help me wake up.

I have to admit, it was nice to go about my morning with a full stomach. Although, it was almost too filling! Those egg whites are intense!

I had a morning snack around 11 of some blueberries and 1/2c cottage cheese:

It felt kind of weird, eating again after breakfast and before lunch, but I don’t remember being hungry at all yesterday, so maybe there is something to this whole ‘breakfast at home’ thing.

For lunch, I had packed again (hooray!). Double fiber bread sandwich with 2 oz smoked salmon, spinach and sprouts, with watermelon slices:

See all the work on my desk?

And carrots on the side:

I decided to head home early and work from home. It’s so much easier for me to write in my jammies at my empty, clean desk at home (compared to my messy and paperstacked work desk), with some soft classical playing - not to mention P sitting outside the door telling me to focus and stop messing around on YouTube.

Being at home gave me chance to make dinner. I decided on a Mexican Quinoa Casserole I saw on someone’s blog - I forget who…let me know if it’s yours! I cooked quinoa and grilled some spinach, CSA corn, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, celery, and yellow peppers. I layered it in a casserole dish, added salsa, sprinkled cheese on top, and popped it in the over for 10 min. Here’s my portion with a dollap of 0% Fage:

When I sat down at the table, I realized I was going to need some more protein - which is when I realized I forgot an important ingredient - black beans! Grr…it was still good though. I had two slices of turkey afterwards to get my protein in.

Since we still had a good portion of the casserole left, I cooked up some black beans and added them to the dish for future meals.

I spent the rest of the night writing. P left for a bit and came back with a surprise to cheer me up and spur me on - a little brownie! Unpictured because I was so excited he was so thoughtful. I also had two mugs of hot chocolate made with water over the course of a looooong night of writing

Friday I woke up waay behind schedule - a long night will do that to you! I FINALLY got to breakfast around 11 AM:

After delivering a presentation (which went well, thank goodness), I have been working every since. I stopped for lunch around 2: leftover casserole with black beans.

How colorful! The black beans added so much to both flavor and fillingness - I was happy to have them!

And an apple:

I’m going to have a snack around 6, then I’m meeting up with MaryBeth for a training session at 8.

Tonight I’m meeting up with Eva for dinner and drinks (perhaps more drinks than dinner after THIS week). Not too many though, because the Fitness 4 mi race is tomorrow! I can’t believe I’m running a race tomorrow - and I haven’t even worked out in 3 or 4 days…yikes.

I’m definitely going to have to work a bit this weekend, but I’m planning to buckle down Saturday afternoon so I can have a relaxing Saturday night out with Peter and a quiet Sunday. Monday is our 1 yr! Man, where has the time gone?? Happy FRIDAY!!

Man today has been busy! I got some good work done this morning, but then I got sidetracked by my meeting with Keri and running errands. I have a feeling I’m going to be working from home tonight. I’m fine with that, I just hope I can squeeze in a workout - although I really don’t see how I could, unless my class ends early tonight.

Since my meeting was at 1:30, I had a snack around 12:45 before I left the office:

My meeting with Keri went well! I came in discouraged with my still-plateauing self. After looking at my food journal, Keri pointed out the reasons I wasn’t losing (too much sugar, poor food planning) and we talked about taking control of my weight loss. Together we decided that I need to make a couple of key changes:

• eating breakfast at home before work
• adding a mid-morning snack around 10ish when I get to work
• adding more side salads to meal

Overall, I just need to get better at meal planning. It’s like a puzzle. You have to put all the right foods in - but in the right way. I’ll get there.

I left feeling empowered, but still kinda bummed. After running a few errands, I headed back to work. I sat down to lunch close to 3 PM (where is the day going???). I had a can of solid albacore on an Ezekiel cinnamon raisin english muffin, and two slices of watermelon:

and the other half of last night’s salad:

Alright, I’ve got to get back to it. I’m heading straight from here to Staples for class supplies, then to the bookstore to pick up the reading, and then to class from 6:45 to 9:45. I’ve got a snack planned for somewhere in there too. Bye guys!

Mmm…I loved this lunch. It felt nice to have a packed lunch instead of having to do the ‘lunchtime scramble’. I’m feeling a little restless though - a bunch of my deadlines got pushed back, which is great in theory - but I’m definitely one of those people who thrive under pressure. When I have 20 things to do in 1 hr, I’ll get 15 done. If I have 5 things to do in 3 hrs, I’ll be lucky if I get 1 or 2 done. Anyone else like that? I tried to hit all the food groups with this lunch, and I think I did a pretty good job.

Smoked salmon, Laughing Cow, and Spinach on Whole Wheat Double Fiber bread, with a pickle:

Grain, Vegetable, Protein/Meat, Dairy

Carrots:

Vegetable

And watermelon! My first pieces of the summer, can you believe it? I just had a craving for some, and luckily the grocery store had 1/2 watermelons pre-sliced. P thought I was such a nut searching for watermelon last night! He kept calling me Little Miss Watermelon - as in, ‘Little Miss Watermelon over here is dragging me around New York City at 11 PM on Labor Day.’ Bless him.

5 slices total, but 3 were super small/thin.

Fruit

Today’s flowers:

So a bit of a less crazy day than I was expecting, which is nice but slightly disappointing. Looks like I will have time for an afternoon workout. Good one!

I’m about to head into a meeting and then I’ve got to crack down. I’ve either got to deep clean my desk and organize all these random papers OR I’ve got to write big time. I’m tempted to organize, it’s hard for me to work in a messy space, but I don’t want to get in too deep with that and forget about my real assignments…hmm…

PS. Sorry if you tried to check the site earlier and it was down! I was on the phone with BlueHost and WFWS.com should be good to go from here on out.

This week’s flowers:

This day’s lunch:

Spinach salad with carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, corn, grilled chicken and egg.

On tap this afternoon, I have to make a small presentation during a company meeting (gulp). As for after work, I need to hit the gym hardcore before my appt at 8:30. I was going to do a run, but since I’m going to be sans-gym for the next 5 days, I figured it’d be better to take advantage of it while I can. For dinner tonight, P very much wants to go to our very favorite Mexican place, Mary Ann’s, for their very large and very intoxicating margaritas. We’ll see. I don’t think I’ve been doing well enough diet wise to be able to afford such a splurge.  As my nutritionist says, ‘I’m eating with a purpose.’ Have a good one!

Hey guys,

Lucy asked in the comments, but I wanted to let you all know: I may not be able to post frequently during my vacay in California. I’m not sure of the Internet access, and I’m not sure who we’ll be eating with, so I may not be able to take pictures of everything. I’ll try to update as much as I can!

I wanted to try this new Lara bar in Peanut Butter Cookie that everyone is freaking over, so I went to Whole Foods for lunch. Unfortunately, they didn’t have it. But I did get another Lara bar for tonight’s Product of Week segment. Giving it one more try before I write off Lara bars forever!

I hit up the salad bar for lunch. I tried a new tact with the salad bar this time. I always end up getting huge salads and not being able to finish them, so this time I downsized to a smaller box, but packed it to the gills. In my salad, I picked a whole bunch of wheatberry, cous cous, and quinoa salads on a bed of spinach. I also got carrots, tomatoes, broccoli, and summer squash:

Sorry, you can only see the veggies on top!

Since I took care of veggies and grains, I was in need of some protein. I tried a new type of yogurt today: skyr.is:

I saw it on the shelf next to Fage and Chobani, so I thought it was similarly priced, but it may have been $2.79 - I’m not entirely sure. If so, that’s alot of freakin money for a yogurt cup! It was good though - 22g of protein! It was definitely more sour than Fage though - I had to add extra honey to get a good flavor.

Some exciting news: my company is getting rid of plastic disposable water bottles and buying everyone a Sigg! Part of our ‘green’ initiative. I get to choose my own design! What do you guys think?

Hey guys!

After a healthy and filling lunch, some Olympics-watching, and my favorite - listening to classical music while reading - I’m feeling so much more positive and rested.  After I post this, I’m off to listen to more classical while reading magazines in bed.

I sat down for lunch around 3:15 - not so bad considering I didn’t have breakfast until 10:30, but a little behind schedule for sure.  Peter got more of the amazing whole wheat challah rolls, so I used those for lunch.  Turkey sandwich with laughing cow cheese and a bunch of CSA veggies: peppers, two types of tomatoes, and greens:

On the side, I had 1/2c 0% Fage and 1/4c Cranberry Trail MIx and a bit of honey:

All together:

Fab.  And I am wearing the following t-shirt today, which just makes my existance:

Man that is awesome.

At some point this evening, I have to hit the gym and do my C25K run.  All in good time.  Happy Friday!!

Hey guys

Not surprisingly, I’m feeling a little run down today. My head has been aching and my stomach has been queasy all morning. Most of the office is out today, so I have to stay put here, but I’ve been trying my best to remain calm and spend some time with the company couch - our resident napping ground.

I had the usual for breakfast this morning:

1c shredded wheat, banana and 1c milk. It’s getting a little chillier here, I think when we get back from Cali it will be time to switch back to oatmeal…mmm - can’t wait!

For lunch, I really didn’t want to leave the office and we had leftover pizza…so…

I had a mushroom slice. Which was very good. Since my stomach’s been weird today, I ate it slowly and it really filled me up. I may have something else later in the afternoon, but that’s good enough for now.

I’m supposed to have dinner with Arielle and Betsy tonight. I was totally slow on the uptake and missed Ari’s big news two weeks ago - so we’re going to celebrate with some champagne tonight! We’re going to Counter - what looks good to you guys?

As far as the gym, I think I’m going to take the day off from formal exercise. I’ll still walk a bunch, for sure, but no C25K run or anything at the gym. I need to REST.

I’m never one to turn down free food. Slice of cheese pizza:

It was better than it looks, I promise.

I was worried this wouldn’t keep me full, so I had a 0% Fage with honey for the protein:

I definitely wanted to go back for another slice - but the Fage filled me up, so I’m good.

This afternoon I’ve got a training session with Mary Beth at 6 PM, which means I have to run out of here right at 5 PM, so I can get home, change, and warm up before 6 PM.  After my session with her, I’ll do my C25K run.  That should put me at about 8 PM or so, which will give me enough time to get cleaned up and relax a bit before meeting Eva for a drink at 9:30 PM.  We’re going to the Rouge Wine Bar, which is where I’m having my birthday party in a few weeks.  We’re going to go test it out - make sure it’s up to par. 

I had a falafel for lunch today! I can count on 1 hand the amount of time I’ve had falafel, so this was really exciting for me.

My meeting with Lucy went great - she’s such a sweetheart. She reads the blog, too! (Hi Lucy!)

I picked up lunch from the Pita Grill on my way back to the office. Peter loves their shakes, and I like their healthy approach, so I thought I’d give it a try. I got a falafel on a pita with greens:

Really tasty! And at $5/pop, this will definitely enter my lunch rotation! I had a cookie from China afterwards because I didn’t want to stop eating:

hehe, whoops.

On tap this afternoon, I have a bunch of errands. So I think I’ll head to the drugstore first, then to the gym, then home to set up my C25K Run playlist, then uptown for my 8:30 appt, and then do my C25K Run on the way home. Whew! Efficient but exhausting! Have a good one, guys!

Boy - today has been non-stop. I had to leave work this morning to take care of some pressing issues and in the span of 4 hours I’ve: ridden two subways, walked almost 2 miles, stood in line at the post office for 20 min, then again for 45 min, saw a mouse in my uptown apt, dealt with my apt maintenance people, stood in line at the bank for 30 min, dealt with serious subway delays, post office under staffing and broken bank teller systems not to mention everyone and their brother gabbing away at full volume on their cell phones. I am so tense right now - I just want to stuff myself with cookies. I don’t know why I turn to food, but I’m feeling so on edge and I feel like it will calm me down. I used a Geneen Roth trick and asked myself what I wanted the food to do for me. Basically I want it to settle my nerves. Not a reason to eat. So I’m sipping a big iced coffee and listening to some classical and hoping for the best.

After my crazy morning, I had lunch around 2:30. I just picked up something simple while I was out. BumbleBee Tomato and Basil tuna:

and an apple:

One of my coworkers just came home from China and brought everyone these delicious cookies:

It was delicious - really flaky and delicate, with nut and fruit pieces inside and sesame seeds on the bottom. It was nice to have something a little exotic!

And an Adora, which I have 2 of every day and only mention today because it was a great way to get my chocolate craving settled while getting some vitamins and not housing a box of cookies:

So that was lunch. When I feel stressed like this, not only do I just want to eat, I also want to give up on all my plans (ie, skip the gym and go cuddle on the couch). What do you guys do to calm down after a stressful day? And to motivate yourself to workout after running around crazy all day?

Here are this week’s flowers. They’re calming.