If You Bite It, Write It - January 20, 2011

• Basic chocolate shake: 1 scoop Matrix chocolate protein (about 120 kcals, 23g protein, 2g net carbs, 2g fat), 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze (40 kcals, 1g protein, 1g carbs, 3g fat), 1 tsp. SF/FF chocolate pudding mix (5 kcals, 1g carbs), 1 drop vanilla extract (3 kcals), 4 packets Truvia (1 kcal). Total - (169 kcals, 24g protein, 4g net carbs, 5g fat).
• Pumpkin spice breakfast bundt cake (130 calories, 16.8g protein, 4.7g net carbs, 3.8g fat) with 2T Fage 0% (30 kcals, 5g protein, 2.3g carbs, 0g fat) and 5 packets of Splenda (15 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (175 kcals, 21.8g protein, 10g net carbs, 3.8g fat).
• Combo of hazelnut and regular decaf coffee with 5 Splendas (15 kcals, 3g carbs) and 1 packet of Coffeemate.
• 1 cup Kale, Red Pepper, and Black-Eyed Pea Soup (91 kcals, 4.2g protein, 15.4g net carbs, 0.2 grams fat) over 100 grams spaghetti squash (27 kcals, 1g protein, 5g net carbs, 0g fat) and a 1.6-oz. baggie of baby carrots (16 kcals, 0.3g protein, 2.7g net carbs, 0g fat). Total - (134 kcals, 5.5g protein, 23.1g net carbs, 0.2g fat).
• 1 Believe Smooth Chai Latte protein drink (110 kcals, 20g protein, 5g net carbs, 0g fat) in a french presses of decaf Sumatra coffee and 1 packet Sbux decaf VIA with approximately 8 packets of Splenda (24 kcals, 6g carbs) and 1T lowfat Coffeemate (10 kcals). Total - (144 kcals, 18.5g protein, 2.5g carbs, 6.5g fat).
• 1 Bosc pear and 1 Boca cheeseburger patty (100 kcals, 13g protein, 2g net carbs, 4.5g fat).
• ACKC decaf coffee with a drop of heavy cream. They didn't have half and half; I would have had to mix the milk and cream to make it. Oh well, it's a chocolate shop not a coffee shop. Still very fun to hang out there.
• Pumpkin spice breakfast bundt cake (130 calories, 16.8g protein, 4.7g net carbs, 3.8g fat) and 400 grams strawberries with balsamic vinegar and 1/2 cup Splenda.
• Late night - more spaghetti squash and kale soup - about 100 cals worth?

Weight Thursday morning was 181.0.

If You Bite It, Write It - January 8, 2011

A few months ago, I auditioned for a choir and it went horribly. I never heard back from them and didn't ask because I felt demoralized by the whole thing. Lo and behold, I got an email last night after 10 PM that said I'd been accepted and that rehearsal was this afternoon! I went to practice. Jury's still out on the experience.  They didn't even officially welcome the new members, and I didn't feel the esprit de corps I have on other choirs. I'll give this a few weeks and reconsider whether it's worth my time at that point.

Changing subjects, I did an official weigh-in for the first time since December 30, 2010. That morning I was 189.1, and I'm positive I gained up to 5 pounds while I was in South Carolina. This morning, I was 181.3.  I know it's not a "real" weight because I'll bounce back a bit once I get back on solids, but it's still a relief to be in my old comfort zone. (Though, one of my goals for this year is to push myself to get lower than 169.8 at least once, so 181.3 isn't good enough for that.)

• Tasty chocolate cheesecake shake: 1 scoop Matrix chocolate protein, 1 cup So Delicious coconut milk, heaping tsp. cocoa powder, SF/FF cheesecake pudding mix, ice, vanilla extract
• About 3T FF half and half in a french press of decaf Caffe Verona
• Interesting protein iced mocha: 1 french press of decaf Caffe Verona brewed double strength, several ice cubes, 1 scoop Matrix chocolate, lots of Splenda, a smidge of vanilla extract. Really interesting.
• More standard protein iced mocha: 1 sleeve Nescafe instant decaf, 1 scoop Matrix chocolate, lots of Splenda, vanilla extract, maple extract, SF/FF white chocolate pudding mix, 1 scoop Matrix chocolate protein, 1 cup So Delicious coconut milk,cocoa powder.
• 1/4 cup lowfat Coffee Mate in a french press of Starbucks decaf Sumatra. Yuuuum. Can't decide whether I prefer Sumatra or Caffe Verona. Both are delicious.
• 1 scoop Matrix strawberry cream protein, heaping spoonful of SF/FF white chocolate protein mix, Splenda, ice, 1 cup So Delicious coconut milk.

I was planning on another shake, but thank to my sugar-free gum, I was too full for another shake.

I did make it to the gym today, surprisingly. A little less than 38 minutes on the elliptical at a higher intensity level than normal :)

If You Bite It, Write It - January 6, 2011

Day 4, and smooth sailing. :-)

• Protein mocha frapp: 1 scoop Matrix chocolate, 1 sleeve Nescafe decaf, 1T cocoa powder, 1T chocolate pudding mix, 1 cup So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk, ice
• 1 8 oz. vanilla Oh Yeah! in 2 decaf coffees
• 1 8 oz. chocolate Oh Yeah! in 2 decaf coffees
• 1 cup So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk, 1 scoop Matrix Strawberry protein, heaping spoonful of SF/FF white chocolate pudding mix, 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract, Splenda, lotsa ice
• Chocolate-mint shake: 1 cup So Delicious unsweetened coconut milk, 1 scoop Matrix chocolate protein, a couple drops of peppermint extract, 1 spoonful unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 spoonful SF/FF chocolate pudding mix, Splenda, ice.

I also tried something different at Starbucks today - vanilla rooibos tea. It was yummy, and a super-good alternative to coffee because it tastes good with a lot less Splenda than my usual coffee dosage.

I finally went back to the gym today instead of relying on Leslie Sansone - 35 minutes on the elliptical. Nothing super-impressive, but this is all about getting back to basics at this point.

If You Bite It, Write It - January 4, 2011

Today was support group day. It was kinda boring. But I did hear my roommates talking about weight loss surgery tonight. They think Jennifer Hudson had lapband (whatever). One roommate called gastric bypass "stomach stapling" and lapband "the clamp." It could have been worse; they weren't directly hating on it, but still now I am even less likely to tell them I had surgery. The therapist I recently met with suggested that I share that information with them, but I don't think I want to. ::Sigh::

Day 2 of 2011 kickoff liquid diet. It went well and felt a lot more normal today, even though it makes me sad that it seems some of my online RNY friends aren't very supportive of this effort.

• 1 cup unsweetened chocolate almond milk, 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate pudding mix, 1T unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 scoop Matrix chocolate, 3 packets Truvia, 1 sleeve Nescafe decaf and several ice cubes (rich chocolate mocha shake - yum). Based on how craptastic I felt yesterday and because I decided to walk to work today, I decided to have a slightly carbier shake in the morning.
• 1 cup vanilla Soy Slender with 1 scoop Matrix strawberry cream protein and 1 packet Truvia (unnecessary, this was already too sweet!)
• 1 cup unsweetened chocolate Almond Breeze with 1 scoop Inspire chocolate peanut butter fudge protein powder
• About 3T half and half in Sbux Pike (boo! regular! but I was running late and didn't want to wait for them to brew decaf)
• 1 cup vanilla Soy Slender with 1 scoop Matrix strawberry cream protein powder and about 1.5T white chocolate pudding mix and ice
• Repeated AM protein mocha: 1 cup unsweetened chocolate Almond Breeze, heaping spoonful of SF/FF chocolate pudding mix, 1T unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 scoop Matrix chocolate, Splenda, Nescafe decaf, and ice.

Today's exercise was walking. I decided it would count because I walked fast and broke a sweat in the evening. I walked from home to work, from work to support group, and from support group home for a total of roughly 6.5 miles, large chunks of which were uphill.

Final Check-in on 2010 Goals

Hi folks. It's been a while. I will catch you up on my progress (or lack thereof, or regression) when I have time.  In the meantime, it's become 2011 and I haven't checked back in on those goals yet.  I also need to set my 2011 goals.  I am not sure whether I'll have 50 in 2011, but I like this method overall.

WEIGHT, BODY SIZE & HEALTH

-Reach 188 pounds - an "overweight" BMI. MET. Though right now, I'm a couple pounds over that and back up in "obese" territory. It will only be a momentary stay. I've had issues with night binging the past month or two.
-Reach 154 pounds - a "normal" BMI. Not met at all and probably won't ever be met in this life.
-Maintain or get below 154 pounds at the end of the year. Totally didn't happen in any way, at all. I don't think my body will get that low in weight, though it should be lower than it is now.
-Wear a size Small shirt. MET (although I am in Mediums again right now - ARGH)
-Buy at least one bra from Victoria's Secret. MET, although VS doesn't make my size so now I get them from eBay.
-Unsubscribe from Lane Bryant's mailing list. MET.
-Get labs of my vitamin levels drawn at least once. MET, though I'd like to get it done again because my ferritin and Vitamin D were a little lower than I'd prefer.
-Revisit my surgeon for at least one check up. MET in early March, even though I never wrote up my recap. He was pleased with my weight progress.
-Go to the dentist for a teeth cleaning and go to the gyno. Not met.  I really need to go to the dentist.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY & ADVENTURE
-Complete the Couch to 5K program. Not met on purpose.
-Register for and complete at least 3 "races" of any length. Walking them is fine. Not met. I did the Charleston Cooper River Bridge Run and registered for the Outer Banks Half Marathon, but the people I was supposed to do Outer Banks with didn't get back to me, and I wasn't motivated enough to do it on my own. I think I'll revisit this goal for 2011.
-Go hiking at least 3 times. MET. Went twice at Carrick Creek at Table Rock and once at the Clemson Botanical Gardens.
-Go fishing at least once. MET! My family did this for my birthday.
-Go to a yoga studio, preferably for bikram or "hot" yoga, at least once. MET - and it has been glorious.
TRAVEL (none met. My September "travel time" wound up being focused on Michigan; I traveled up there with my grandmother to see my dying great aunt.)
-At least once, travel to a country I've never visited. Not met.
-Visit Los Angeles. Not met.
-Visit at least one state I've never been to, preferably Texas. Not met.

READING (This was a big flop.)
-Read Pierre Bourdieu, Distinction: A Social Critique of the Judgement of Taste. Not met.
-Read Frantz Fanon's The Wretched of the Earth (nope, I've never read it all the way through.) Not met.
-Read Mitchell Duneier's Sidewalk. Not met. Checked it out from Library, but didn't get through it. Wound up reading "Honky" by Dalton Conley instead.
-Read Mitchell Duneier's Slim's Table: Race, Respectability, and Masculinity. Not met.
-Read Katherine S. Newman & Victor Tan Chen, The Missing Class: Portraits of the Near Poor in America. Purchased, but only partially read.
-Read Katherine S. Newman, No Shame in My Game: The Working Poor in the Inner City. Not met.
-Read Mary Patillo's Black on the Block: The Politics of Race and Class in the City. Not met.
-Read William Julius Wilson, More Than Just Race: Being Black and Poor in the Inner City. MET.
-Read William Julius Wilson, The Truly Disadvantaged: The Inner City, the Underclass, and Public Policy. Checked out from the library and partially read, but not completed.
-Read William Julius Wilson & Richard P. Taub, There Goes the Neighborhood: Racial, Ethnic, and Class Tensions in Four Chicago Neighborhoods and Their Meaning for America. Not met.

PROFESSIONAL
-Finish revising my SAW for publication. Not met and I realized that I didn't want to meet it. That paper has little to do with my new research focus, so I don't see the point of moving forward with it at this time.
-Build my personal website. Well, I started a new food blog, but I think the actual personal website will make more sense once I'm back in grad school (provided that I get in).
-Take the GRE and score above 700 on verbal and at least 650 on quantitative. MET!
-Pass the MPRE. MET.
-Gain admission to graduate school and/or get an appellate clerkship. In August, I modified this goal to "Apply for graduate school."  I've applied to several schools: Chicago, Duke, Harvard (2 programs there), Michigan, Penn, and Princeton so far, and Yale is due today. So MET.
-During any gap of time between my clerkship and my next job, write and publish at least one op-ed or an LTE in a major newspaper. I actually did publish an op-ed in a major newspaper - the Washington Post - but not during the gap of time between clerkship and job. I published it with the blessing of my job. I think it counts. :)
-Develop a sharper research focus. Met.
-Finish article review for Professor Schuck and email it to him. Not met. The idea of sending in an assignment from May 2009 seems ridiculous at this point.

COOKING & EATING
-Cook with or eat 20 ingredients that I've never tried. MET.
-Write at least 15 new recipes. Completed. Mostly on my new blog, Audacity of Cooking.
-Go to McClellanville or similar coastal area to purchase fresh seafood. Not met. I just never got back down there. I was supposed to swing by en route from Charleston to Myrtle Beach in August, but wound up going back home from taking the MPRE and then going to Myrtle Beach directly from Columbia.
-Dine in at least one of the following New York restaurants: Brad Farmerie's Public, Seamus Mullen's Boqueria, Eric Ripert's Le Bernardin, Dan Barber's Blue Hill in Greenwich Village or at Stone Barns, Wylie Dufresne's WD-50, Daniel Humm's Eleven Madison Park, Anita Lo's Annisa (when repaired), Geoffrey Zakarian's Town, Alex Guernaschelli's Butter, Aaron Sanchez's Centrico, Floyd Cardoz's Tabla, or Gramercy Tavern. MET! Ate at Butter in March.
-Dine at Sean Brock's McCrady's in Charleston. MET. Wasn't as great as I'd hoped, but I was comparing it to my experience at John Besh's August and perhaps that wasn't fair.

CULTURE & COMMUNITY
-Continue volunteering at the shelter through September 2010. This was a bust. As I explained in my last check-in, I never heard back from the project manager after my last meeting with the ladies. I am pretty sure I didn't do anything wrong, but she was never the easiest to contact via email.  Perhaps I should have been more aggressive in reaching out to her, but I'd started to feel like I was more of a burden on them, like they wanted to keep me around but didn't really need me to drive anymore.
-Volunteer somewhere other than the shelter at least once. Oddly, I didn't do this unless you count volunteering for extra projects at work. Work is now a legal services office, so it was actually the same kind of work I would have completely volunteered to do. Plus, I did  a yoga training for working with homeless, overweight, mentally ill, and addicted communities that was built up around the idea of service - but I haven't volunteered anywhere yet. ::sigh:: looks like a fail.
-Watch all five seasons of The Wire. MET! And it was amazing. I am so glad I did this. Season 4 absolutely blew my mind; I am still haunted by it months later.
-Watch the Roots miniseries (nope, I've never seen it - no one revoke my "black card" please.) Yet again, I forgot about this. Shameful. I can't decide whether to add for 2011 or not?
-See at least two live theater shows. Not met. I forgot about this one.
OTHER
-Write at least ten relatively lengthy emails to catch up with friends/colleagues with whom I haven't spoken recently. Nope. Just one.
-Have at least 5 meaningful conversations about religion/faith/spirituality. Not really.
-Go to karaoke at least once. Yes! Finally, on the weekend of December 19th. It was so fun.
-Pay off my credit cards completely at least once (they may still have a balance at the end of 2010.) MET!
-Own my own car/get my current car off my mother's insurance. Not met, not on a fellowship salary . . .
 
Goals Completed: 23/50
Goals Deliberately Abandoned: 8
 
Weight, Body Size & Health Goals Met: 6/9
Physical Activity and Adventure Goals Met: 3/5
Travel Goals Met: 0/3
Reading Goals Met: 1/10
Professional Goals Met: 6/8
Cooking & Eating Goals Met: 4/5
Culture & Community Goals Met: 1/5
"Other" Goals Met: 2/5

What I Ate: November 23, 2010

What a crazy day. It started off great and continued to be great professionally, then pretty much ended with the news that my great aunt passed away. She had end-stage lung cancer so it was not a surprise (and really is almost a relief); I mostly feel bad for my grandmother who lost her last living sibling and her closest sister.

• Chocolate spice protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), sprinkle of cinnamon, ginger, allspice (5 kcals), 4 packets Truvia (1 kcals). Total - (167 kcals, 25.5g protein, 7.5g carbs, 2g fat).
• Sbux decaf with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 4 Splendas (12 kcals, 3g carbs.) Total - (54 kcals, 0.8g protein, 4g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• 1 serving (120 grams) homemade chili con carne (149 kcals, 16g protein, 6g net carbs, 5.5g fat)
• Sbux decaf with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat), 4 Truvias (1 kcals), and 6 Splendas (18 kcals, 4.5g carbs.) Total - (59 kcals, 0.8g protein, 5.5g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• 1 serving pasta-less lasagna (about 158 kcals, 18.3g protein, 9.6g net carbs, 3.1g fat).
• Chocolate spice protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1T ground flax (30 kcals, 1.5g protein, 0g NET carbs, 2g fat), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), sprinkle of allspice, tiny bit of vanilla extract, 5 packets Truvia (2 kcals). Total - (193 kcals, 27g protein, 7.5g carbs, 4g fat).

Total:
780 calories
88.4 grams of protein
40.1 grams of net carbs
21.4 grams of fat.

I didn't leave work till almost 11 PM, so I didn't get to walk back home tonight. I did at least walk to work for 2.7 miles. It's mostly downhill though.

What I Ate: November 22, 2010

I'm getting back on track after a full weekend of sugar craziness. More on that later.

• Vanilla spice protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix vanilla protein powder (55 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1g carbs, 0.8g fat), 2 tsp. FF/SF vanilla pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. ground flaxseed (10 kcals, 0.5g protein, 0g NET carbs, 0.7g fat), maple extract, about 1 tsp. each cinnamon and allspice (12 kcals, 1.4g net carbs), 1/2 tsp. nutmeg (6 kcals, 0.3g net carbs), 1/4 tsp. ground cardamom, 1/4 tsp. ground ginger. Total - (174 kcals, 26g protein, 7.7g net carbs, 1.5g fat).
• Sbux decaf with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 4 Splendas (12 kcals, 3g carbs.) Total - (54 kcals, 0.8g protein, 4g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• 1 serving pasta-less lasagna (about 158 kcals, 18.3g protein, 9.6g net carbs, 3.1g fat).
• Sbux coffee with 3T half & half (60 kcals, 1.2g protein, 1.5g carbs, 5.1g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 4 Splendas (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (74 kcals, 1.2g protein, 4.5g carbs, 5.1g fat).
• 1 serving pasta-less lasagna (about 158 kcals, 18.3g protein, 9.6g net carbs, 3.1g fat).
• Egg-white omelet: 3 egg whites (48 kcals, 10.8g protein, 0.6g carbs, 0.2g fat); 2 slices turkey bacon (80 kcals, 10g protein, 2g carbs, 2g fat); about 30 grams butternut squash (14 kcals, 0.2g protein, 2.8g net carbs, 0g fat), about 100 grams spaghetti squash (28 kcals, 0.6g protein, 5g net carbs, 0g fat), about 20 grams onion (8 kcals, 0.2g protein, 1.4g carbs, 0g fat), about 10 grams elephant garlic (14 kcals, 0.6g protein, 2.8g carbs, 0g fat), a sprinkle of parsley. Total - (about 192 kcals, 22.4g protein, 14.6g net carbs, 2.2g fat).
• Chocolate spice protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1 tsp. ground flax (10 kcals, 0.5g protein, 0g NET carbs, 0.7g fat), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), sprinkle of cinnamon, ginger, allspice (5 kcals), 5 packets Truvia (2 kcals). Total - (178 kcals, 26g protein, 7.5g carbs, 2.7g fat).

Total:
988 calories
113 grams of protein
57.5 NET grams of carbohydrate
21.1 grams of fat.

Walked 2.7 miles to work, then did an intermediate yoga class at Quiet Mind tonight. I took the bus most of the way home which was supposedly going to save time so I could make yoga class, but it turns out I would have gotten home faster just walking the whole way! I don't miss taking the bus at all.

What I Ate: November 16, 2010

• Chocolate-cinnamon protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1 tsp. ground flax (10 kcals, 0.5g protein, 0g NET carbs, 0.7g fat), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), sprinkle of cinnamon, 3 packets Truvia (1 kcal). Total - (172 kcals, 26g protein, 7.5g carbs, 2.7g fat).
• Sbux decaf with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs 3.4g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 5 Splendas (15 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (57 kcals, 0.8g protein, 4g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• 110 grams butternut squash (half of a miniature one from the Columbia Heights Farmers' Market!) (44 kcals, 0.9g protein, 11.6g carbs, 0g fat) and 1 medium hard-boiled egg (65 kcals, 5.5g protein, 0.3g carbs, 4.4g fat). Total - (109 kcals, 6.4g protein, 11.9g carbs, 4.4g fat). Not great stats on that squash - yikes! Oh well, I have some roasted for the rest of the week too, so I'm gonna eat it.
• Chicken-zucchini salad of deliciousness: 84g zucchini (14 kcals, 1g protein, 2g net carbs, 0g fat); 48g green beans (16 kcals, 0.9g protein, 2.3g net carbs, 0.2g fat); 13g radish (3 kcals, 0.2g carbs), 17g beets (8 kcals, 0g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 0g fat), 10g eggplant (4 kcals, 0g protein, 0.6 net carbs, 0g fat); 2 oz. roasted chicken breast (110 kcals, 16.7g protein, 0g carbs, 4g fat); 6g onion (3 kcals, 0.4g net carbs); 2 olives (30 kcals,3g fat); 43g tomato (8 kcals, 0.4g protein, 1.2g net carbs, 0.1g fat). Total - (196 kcals, 19g protein, 8.2g net carbs, 7.3g fat)
• Spinach-turkey bacon-egg salad of deliciousness: 37g spinach (9 kcals, 1g protein, 0.6g net carbs); 41g eggplant (14 kcals, 0.3g protein, 2.5g net carbs, 0.2g fat); turkey bacon (divided 3 slices into 5 salads) (24 kcals, 3g protein, 0.6g net carbs, 0.6g fat); 5g onion (2 kcals, 0.4g net carbs); 10g zucchini (2, 0.2,g net carbs); 15g radish (3 kcals, 0.2g net carbs); 15g beet (7 kcals, 1g net carbs); 17g green beans (6 kcals, 0.3g protein, 0.8g net carbs); 1 medium egg (65, 5.5, 0.3, 4.4). Total - (132 kcals, 10.1g protein, 6.6g net carbs, 5.2g fat).
• Sbux decaf with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs 3.4g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 5 Splendas (15 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (57 kcals, 0.8g protein, 4g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• About 2 oz. raw cashews (312 kcals, 10.4g protein, 15.2g net carbs, 24.8g fat)
• Chocolate-ginger protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1 tsp. ground flax (10 kcals, 0.5g protein, 0g NET carbs, 0.7g fat), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), sprinkle of allspice, a few slices raw ginger, 4 packets Truvia (1 kcal). Total - (172 kcals, 26g protein, 7.5g carbs, 2.7g fat).

Total:
1,207 calories
99.5 grams of protein
55.3 net grams of carbohydrate
53.9 grams of fat.

Weight Tuesday morning: 180.0. Argh.

Exercise was walking from home to work, from work to WLS support group, and then back home - a total of 6.8 miles.

What I Ate: November 14, 2010

• Vanilla-strawberry protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix strawberry cream protein powder (55 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1g carbs, 0.8g fat), 2 tsp. FF/SF vanilla pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. vanilla extract (12 kcals), 2T Splenda granular (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (170 kcals, 25.5g protein, 9g net carbs, 1.8g fat).
• About 2.5 oz. raw cashews after church
• Roast chicken, spinach, and baked beans from James Hoban's Irish restaurant in Dupont Circule. Met some girls there for brunch. I shouldn't have ordered anything; should have just concentrated on the company. First off, I wasn't hungry. Second, I should have known the food would be terrible - it's an Irish pub and I know Irish pubs well enough to know they aren't known for their cooking. The roasted chicken sounded like it was going to taste good because of the sage, but it was way undersalted and overcooked (breast was soooo dry.) Also, I asked them to omit the potatoes, but potatoes were ALL OVER the plate. But brunch was fun anyway.
• Nibbles at the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show. I went to see Paula Deen live. At the end of the expo, I tasted a bunch of little things on the theory that this was a one-time event. I had tiny tastes of all kinds of stuff - Grand Marnier/chocolate pecan, white chocolate pecan, amaretto pecans, Paula Deen's seafood dip on a cracker, some random pumpkin cake, these utterly delicious fruit preserves on bread, these weird cookies that were designed to pair with wines (in flavors like apricot/sage, peanut butter chocolate, salted something, rosemary, espresso, etc.), sweet potato bread . . . hmm, I think that was it.
• Sbux decaf with SF hazelnut syrup, 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 5 Splendas (15 kcals, 4g carbs). Total - (17 kcals, 4g carbs).
• Sbux decaf with SF hazelnut syrup, 5 Truvias (2 kcals), 4 Splendas (12 kcals, 3g carbs), and 3T half & half (60 kcals, 1.6g protein, 1.5g carbs, 5.2g fat). Total - (74 kcals, 1.6g protein, 4.5g carbs, 5.2g fat).
• Ungodly amount of cashews! This time, roasted and salted . . . ARGH.

Weight this morning: 179.2. Uptick deserved between Pouch Party binging and Starbucks cashews. Also, I am in PAIN from the Ashtanga yoga class, so my body might also be retaining a little water due to muscle fatigue. I was expecting worse.

Exercise was walking all over DC (5.8 miles): from home to church, to the Farmers' Market, to brunch, to the food expo, and then back home.

What I Ate: November 13, 2010

• Chocolate-maple protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's Special Dark cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. maple flavoring, 3T Splenda granular (18 kcals, 4g carbs), 1T ground flaxseeds (30 kcals, 1g protein, 2g fat). Total - (209 kcals, 26.5g protein, 9.5g net carbs, 4g fat).
• Sbux coffee with 3T half & half (60 kcals, 1.2g protein, 1.5g carbs, 5.1g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 5 Splendas (15 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (77 kcals, 1.2g protein, 4.5g carbs, 5.1g fat).
• 1 serving (120 grams) homemade chili con carne (149 kcals, 16g protein, 6g net carbs, 5.5g fat) and large hard-boiled egg (72 kcals, 6.3g protein, 0.4g carbs, 5g fat). Total - (221 kcals, 22.3g protein, 6.4g carbs, 10.5g fat)
• Pouch Party extravaganza = LOTS of eating. Even if it was WLS-friendly food, I still overate! I had Nik's Thanksgiving Casserole, Jen's Corn Pudding (yum!!), Jen's Green Bean Casserole, Nik's Curried Cheese Ball (couldn't keep my hands out of this), Nik's Sugar-Free Eggnog (a-m-a-z-i-n-g), Nik's pumpkin pie, and Jen's incredibly delectable sugar-free Chocolate Trifle. I think they are still in the process of rolling out all the recipes on their blog, or maybe you have to pay to get all of them if you weren't at the event. At any rate, I ate good.
• 2 Sbux decaf coffees, 10 Truvias (3 kcals), 8 Splendas (24 kcals, 6g carbs), 5T half and half
• 2 packets Sahale Snacks Southwestern cashews (280 kcals, 10g protein, 14g net carbs, 28g fat) (it all fell apart here, especially)
• Vanilla-strawberry protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix strawberry cream protein powder (55 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1g carbs, 0.8g fat), 2 tsp. FF/SF vanilla pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. vanilla extract (12 kcals), 2T Splenda granular (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (170 kcals, 25.5g protein, 9g net carbs, 1.8g fat).

In other words, I ate everything in sight.

Weight Saturday morning was 178.0 (well, the digital scale said things between 173.4 and 179.2, but 178.0 seemed the closest digital number to what the mechanical scale was saying. Yes, I've been using both every day.)

For exercise, I went to the advanced Ashtanga yoga class at Quiet Mind Yoga. It's way above my level, but it's fun, predictable, and the instructor is very good. QM is running a holiday special where you can get unlimited classes through January 10, 2011 for $100. This is a terrific deal. Just going twice a week, I could get about 18 classes in during that time. That's about $5.50/class. I wasn't planning to go back to QM; in fact, I just got a Groupon deal for Boundless. But this is a deal I couldn't pass up. My Boundless Groupon is good through May 2011, so I have plenty of time to get those 4 classes after the QM holiday deal is over.

What I Ate: November 10, 2010

• Chocolate-maple protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. maple flavoring, 2T Splenda granular (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (173 kcals, 25.5g protein, 10.5g net carbs, 2g fat).
• Sbux decaf with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 3 Splendas (yes! I'm dialing the Splendas on down - 9 kcals, 2g carbs.) Total - (51 kcals, 0.8g protein, 3g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• 1 serving (120 grams) homemade chili con carne (149 kcals, 16g protein, 6g net carbs, 5.5g fat) and large hard-boiled egg (72 kcals, 6.3g protein, 0.4g carbs, 5g fat). Total - (221 kcals, 22.3g protein, 6.4g carbs, 10.5g fat)
• Sbux decaf with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 4 Splendas (so much for dialing the Splenda down - 12 kcals, 3g carbs.) Total - (54 kcals, 0.8g protein, 4g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• 144 grams (approx. 1 cup) brussels sprouts blanched and sauteed with orange zest and Liquid Smoke (about 75 kcals, 5.6g protein, 6.5g net carbs, 1g fat).
• Mini-binge on Bariatric Advantage raspberry calcium chews (about 150 kcals, 15g net carbs)
• About 2 oz. raw cashews - which honestly tore my stomach up (326 kcals, 10g protein, 12g net carbs, 24g fat)
• Chocolate-maple protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. maple flavoring, 2T Splenda granular (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (173 kcals, 25.5g protein, 10.5g net carbs, 2g fat).
• Pasta-less lasagna (135 kcals, 15g protein, 8g carbs, 2.6g fat).

Again, today my exercise was walking to and from work, 5.4 miles total. I weighed myself on Wednesday morning, but I don't remember the number now :-/

What I Ate: November 9, 2010

• Chocolate-maple protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. maple flavoring, 2T Splenda granular (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (173 kcals, 25.5g protein, 10.5g net carbs, 2g fat).
• Sbux with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 4 Splendas (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (54 kcals, 0.8g protein, 4g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• 3 oz. chicken, mostly dark meat (about 187 kcals, 23g protein, 0g carbs, 9.7g fat).
• Sbux with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat), 5 Truvias (2 kcals), and 4 Splendas (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (54 kcals, 0.8g protein, 4g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• Salad with 2 oz. raw spinach (13 kcals, 1.6g protein, 0.8g carbs, 0g fat), 10 grams zucchini (3 kcals), 30 grams green peas (25 kcals, 1.6g protein, 2.8g net carbs, 0g fat), 50 grams charred green beans (20 kcals, 1g protein, 3g net carbs, 0.5g fat), 12 medium shrimp (72 kcals, 12g protein, 0g carbs, 0g fat), 1 large olive (15 kcals, 1.5g fat), and a splash of apple cider vinegar. Total - (148 kcals, 16.2g protein, 5.8g net carbs, 2g fat).
• 1 serving (120 grams) homemade chili con carne (149 kcals, 16g protein, 6g net carbs, 5.5g fat) and large hard-boiled egg (72 kcals, 6.3g protein, 0.4g carbs, 5g fat). Total - (221 kcals, 22.3g protein, 6.4g carbs, 10.5g fat); 1 100-calorie pack almonds (100 kcals, 4g protein, 2g net carbs, 9g fat); and 1 Babybel cheese (50 kcals, 6g protein, 0g carbs, 3g fat).
• Between 1.5 and 2 oz. raw cashews from Whole Foods (post-yoga meal) - probably unwise
• Unwise eating - not because of what it was but because I didn't need the calories: About 1 portion of my pasta-less lasagna (135 kcals, 15g protein, 8g carbs, 2.6g fat) and a lot of chicken (both breast and dark meat).

For exercise, I walked both to and from work (a total of 5.4 miles.) I also went to a (lame) Flow 1 class at Flow Yoga, right next to the Whole Foods. I like Flow Yoga, but I didn't care for this particular class. It was also SO CROWDED afterwards that any calmness I gathered in class was completely gone by the time I got out of there. I still want to go and try a class with their Anusaran, Megan Davis, but my 2 class for $20 is up and I just got a special on Groupon for 4 Boundless Yoga classes for $35. So for the next month or so, I'll be visiting Boundless. Even though the class was lame, it was still good to get back on my mat. I hadn't practiced in two weeks!

Weight this morning: 179.6.

What I Ate: November 8, 2010

I'm writing these on the days themselves, but posting them days later. I realized on Wednesday that I hadn't typed in any of my Sunday food - argh. But I do recall that I had lots of coffee (went to coffee with friends), a tiny sip of Oh Yeah! protein drink, a chocolate protein frosty, a banana protein frosty, and tastes of things I cooked for the week including pastaless lasagna (eggplant, zucchini, and roasted red pepper replace noodles) and the crispy skin from the chicken I roasted for the week. I also failed to exercise. It was NOT a good nutritional day.

• Banana pudding protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix vanilla protein powder (55 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1g carbs, 0.8g fat), 2 tsp. FF/SF vanilla pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. vanilla extract (12 kcals), 2T Splenda granular (12 kcals, 3g carbs), 50 grams banana (45 kcals, 0.5g protein, 10g net carbs, 1.5g fat). Total - (215 kcals, 26g protein, 19g net carbs, 3.3g fat).
• Sbux decaf with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat) and Truvia/Splenda combo (about 18 kcals, 4g carbs). I'm trying to wean myself off Splenda and lessen my sweet tooth more generally- but it will be gradual as I am an artificial sweetener-fiend. Total - (58 kcals, 0.8g protein, 5g carbs, 3.4g fat)
• 1 serving (120 grams) homemade chili con carne (149 kcals, 16g protein, 6g net carbs, 5.5g fat) and large hard-boiled egg (72 kcals, 6.3g protein, 0.4g carbs, 5g fat). Total - (221 kcals, 22.3g protein, 6.4g carbs, 10.5g fat)
• 3 oz. roasted chicken breast (110 kcals, 20g protein, 2g carbs, 2.5g fat)
• Approximately 1.5 oz. cheese, mostly smoked gouda, at an event (150 kcals, 10.5g protein, 0g carbs, 12g fat)
• Less than 1 oz. raw cashews (roughly 163 kcals, 5g protein, 7g net carbs, 12g fat)
• Chocolate-maple protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp. maple flavoring, 2T Splenda granular (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (173 kcals, 25.5g protein, 10.5g net carbs, 2g fat).
• A little bit of pasta-less lasagna (made with eggplant, zucchini, and roasted red peppers instead of pasta, and ground turkey breast, homemade tomato sauce, a combo of FF ricotta and FF cream cheese (the FF ricotta can be grainy, but the cream cheese combats that)) (roughly 70 kcals, 7g protein, 5g carbs, 1.5g fat).

Total:
1,160 calories
122.1 grams of protein
54.9 grams of net carbs
47.2 grams of fat.

Weight this morning was 180.5. I deserve to go up after the ridiculousness of Sunday.

Monday was truly crazy. The only exercise I got was the approximately 6-miles of walking: from home to work (2.7 mi), from work running like crazy back and forth to the DC Council office, the walk from work to the event, and finally walking from the event home. There's no good cardio in any of that walking, but I do like the fact that it accomplishes the dual goals of calorie-burning and saving money that I'd otherwise be spending on public transportation.

What I Ate: November 6, 2010

Auditioned for a choir today. It went horribly, not because I didn't sing well, but because they were asking me all these questions about music that I just didn't know the answers to. I knew it was bad when, at the end, they asked me if I'd ever been trained (I haven't) and they were like, "because I noticed you tilt your neck up sometimes . . . that's not a great technique." So basically they were telling me I don't know how to sing properly, and I guess it doesn't matter whether I sang well or did well with the pitch exercises. I wasn't prepared for the questions I encountered. It felt like I was auditioning for Sunday Best or like, Kirk Franklin's or Fred Hammond's choir. If I had known that's what I was getting into, I would have done a little research beforehand so I could have faked it till I made it. :-(

Okay, moving along. I ate foolishly today. After the audition, I was starving and was trying to get home quickly, but I don't know my way around Maryland too well yet, so I got lost. I didn't have anything with me. So - when you're lost and you need protein food quickly, what springs to mind? Nuts, of course. For me, cashews (even though I could have bought a single-serving of pistachios if I had to go the nut route.)

You know what happened. Over the course of the day, I ate the entire canister. And because I hadn't actually counted to see how egregious my misdeeds were, I ate poorly later tonight as well. Then I was like, "Dang, now I've grazed my way up to almost 3000 calories today. Awesome."

• Chocolate-maple protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. maple flavoring, 2T Splenda granular (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (173 kcals, 25.5g protein, 10.5g net carbs, 2g fat).
• A whole tub of cashews. (1600 kcals, 50g protein, 80g net carbs, 130g fat). Yep. It took hours, but I did that.
• Poh tak soup at Thai restaurant with friends. Despite the ridiculousness of the rest of my eating day, this was a very good choice. It had 1 shrimp, 3 pieces of squid, and 1 mussel in a lemongrass broth with lime juice and basil. It was supposed to be spicy, but it wasn't, and it wasn't so good from where I got it. But I could tell that at a good Thai restaurant, it would probably be delicious. In keeping with the RNY eating rules, I sipped on the broth first and ate the solids last. :-)
• Starbucks decaf coffee with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat) and 10 Splendas (30 kcals, 7g carbs). Total - (70 kcals, 0.8g protein, 8g carbs, 3.4g fat).
• Came home, went haywire - Probably what amounts to 2 of my low-carb red velvet cupcakes with sugar-free cream cheese icing. (roughly 324 kcals, 14g protein, 16g net carbs, 15g fat).
• Several strawberries
• 1 large hard-boiled egg (72 kcals, 6.3g protein, 0.4g carbs, 5g fat) and 8 small steamed shrimp with mustard Q sauce (56 kcals, 9g protein, 3g carbs, 0.8g fat).

Weight Saturday morning: 179.2. Yeah. That doesn't make sense given the high calories and lack of exercise over the last couple days, does it? I've lost almost 9 pounds in less than a week, supposedly. Well, I know the scale won't be so kind tomorrow.

In any event, I'm not getting excited. As usual, whether my weight goes up or down on a day to day basis usually depends less on my behavior and more on hormones or something. The real problem is not that I regained 18 pounds, but rather that I went from fluctuating between 170-178 to fluctuating between 180-188. That's essentially a ten-pound gain. I want to permanently get back to those 170s.

What I Ate: November 5, 2010

I'm starting to really see why I regained those 18 pounds. When I don't fully plan my day, I eat a heck of a lot of food! Not because I can physically eat a lot - I can't - but I'm sometimes eating things that are calorically dense like eggs and nuts. I've also been ingesting a million calories a day from Splenda! In addtion, I've been staying up too late in recent weeks, which has always resulted in eating more.

This day was terrible nutritionally, but I at least I see the types of things I'm doing wrong.

• Vanilla-strawberry protein shake: Vanilla strawberry protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix strawberry cream protein powder (55 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1g carbs, 0.8g fat), 2 tsp. FF/SF vanilla pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. vanilla extract (12 kcals), 2T Splenda granular (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (170 kcals, 25.5g protein, 9g net carbs, 1.8g fat).
• Starbucks bold (caffeinated) with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat), 4 Splendas (12 kcals, 3g carbs)
• Cashew attack. Well, not really. I actually affirmatively decided to eat these. I'm guessing about 2.5 oz.? (390 kcals, 13g protein, 19g carbs, 31g fat)
• 2 portabella mushroom caps (44 calories, 2g protein, 8g carbs, 0g fat), 2 large hardboiled eggs (144 kcals, 12.6g protein, 0.8g carbs, 10g fat), and mustard Q sauce (about 15 kcals, 2g carbs). Total - (203 kcals, 14.6g protein, 10.8g carbs, 10g fat). I definitely overate here. Would have been very satisfied with just one of the mushrooms and eggs!
• Starbucks decaf with 3T half and half (60 kcals, 1.6g protein, 1.5g carbs, 5.2g fat), 10 pumps of SF vanilla syrup, 3 Splendas (9 kcals, 2g carbs)
• 1 serving (120 grams) homemade chili con carne (149 kcals, 16g protein, 6g net carbs, 5.5g fat) with 8 medium steamed shrimp (56 kcals, 10.6g protein, 0.8g fat). Total - (205 kcals, 26.6g protein, 6g net carbs, 6.3g fat).
• Starbucks decaf with 2T half and half (40 kcals, 0.8g protein, 1g carbs, 3.4g fat), 8 Truvias (3 kcals), 4 Splendas (12 kcals, 3g carbs). Total - (55 kcals, 0.8g protein, 4 carbs, 3.4g fat).
• Chocolate-maple protein frosty: 1/2 scoop Matrix perfect chocolate protein powder (60 kcals, 11.5g protein, 1.5g net carbs, 1g fat), 1 tbsp. Hershey's regular cocoa (10 kcals, 1g net carbs), 2 tsp. SF/FF chocolate Jello pudding mix (10 kcals, 2g carbs), 1/2 scoop 1% cottage cheese (81 kcals, 14g protein, 3g carbs, 1g fat), 1 tsp. vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp. maple flavoring, 3T Splenda granular (18 kcals, 5g carbs). Total - (179 kcals, 25.5g protein, 12.5g net carbs, 2g fat).
• Over the course of the night, 3 of a new cannelini bean-based red velvet cupcake (336 kcals, 16.5g protein, 21g net carbs, 17.4g fat). OOPS. This is why it would have been better for me to keep a running tally of my calories instead of totalling them up only after the fact. I actually had no idea I'd had so many calories during the rest of the day. I guess getting back into tracking, given my slightly different food needs now, is harder than I thought. This is probably why I had the regain in the first place . . .

Weight Friday morning: 182.6.
Work is insane (but insanely fun) right now, so I didn't get a chance to get to the gym. But I did walk the over 2.5 miles back from work, so that's at least something (I try to do that on days that I have to miss the gym.)

I miss yoga!!! I haven't been in over a week now and, while of course I could practice at home, I miss going to a studio. I just haven't had the time.

What I Ate: October 20, 2010

• Chocolate-ginger protein frosty with about 1 tsp. flax meal
• A couple T half and half in Sbux decaf
• 3 oz. chicken salad and a small (1.5 oz.?) sliver of the leftover Moist Apple Cake with vanilla buttercream
• A couple more T half and half in Sbux decaf
• 1 100-calorie pack natural almonds and 1 Babybel Light cheese round
• More half & half in Sbux decaf
• Massive amounts of roasted unsalted cashews. Massive. Emotional eating. :-(

I went to the gym in the middle of the day today. I just did 35 minutes on the elliptical.

I was doing well on keeping my calories low - almost too well - until I went to the grocery store and had a really jarring and terrible altercation with this very impatient man in the self-checkout line. We'd all been waiting a long time. But I guess he felt like he shouldn't have to wait, and he starts yelling about how everyone currently checking out was "selfish" because we were taking too long (keep in mind, I had 2 items and had been checking out all of 3 minutes.) I was annoyed and yelled back at him (mistake.) I said something to the effect that he was going to have to wait like everyone else, and that I guess I was just going to stand there and hold up the line even further. THEN he called me an "ignorant-ass whore" and I LOST it. I brought up my profession, my school, a bunch of other stuff - yeah. (Nevermind that the job stuff was completely irrelevant because what he said would have been inappropriate even if I were an unemployed high school dropout.) It went on from there, and I was so flustered by the whole thing that I accidentally left my beloved water bottle at the store.

I was mad at myself for (1) being so flustered I couldn't think of more clever and appropriate retorts; (2) letting him get under my skin. I'm not sorry I responded to him; I just wish I'd done so in a more classy way. I let him get to me. Then I went home and, over the course of several hours, ate an extremely large amount of cashews. I'm glad I didn't force down a protein shake on top of it, but it was still a lot - probably double the number of calories I had during the rest of the day.

Of course, I get up Thursday morning and the scale was actually down a couple pounds. For now, my body usually loses weight when I binge on nuts. Nonetheless, emotional eating is never productive, and I am still annoyed by that whole scenario.

By the way: The "ignorant-ass whore" dude wound up taking even longer in the line than I did. He had some kind of problem with the cash register for which he needed customer assistance. Oh, the irony.

What I Ate: October 19, 2010 - and New Vitamins!

As you may know, I am a big fan of Celebrate bariatric vitamins for my multivitamins and iron. (I prefer Bariatric Advantage's calcium options.) I recently tried some of Celebrate's new flavors: I tried the 60 mg iron + C in Berry, and the multivitamin in Pineapple-Strawberry.

I'm not sure the Pineapple-Strawberry is as good as my old standby, the Mandarin Orange, but it's tasty. I'll definitely be adding it to the rotation.

The Berry iron has a tad more iron flavor than my beloved 30 mg Grape chewables, but they are still tasty and have none of the truly horrendous aftertaste of the Bariatric Advantage iron chewables. It's not surprising that the 60 mg pills would have a stronger iron flavor than the 30 mg. Also, my ferritin was a little lower than preferred in my March labs, so I want to take larger iron doses. I'd been taking 2 grape irons, but that's costly. You can get twice the amount of iron in the Berry vitamins for the same price.

Enough vitamin talk. Here is today's food & exercise report:

• Chocolate-ginger protein frosty with 2 tsp. ground flaxseed: 1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese, 1/2 scoop chocolate Matrix, 1.5 T Hershey's Special Dark cocoa powder, 2 tsp. ground flax, a few slivers of ginger, allspice, cinnamon, and 5-6 ice cubes
• A couple T half and half in Sbux decaf
• Too many pistachios and peanuts - probably 2 or 2.5 oz.
• A couple more T half and half in decaf coffee
• 3 oz. of my whole chicken salad, a tiny slice of the "Moist Apple Cake" with vanilla buttercream. I forgot to mention that I got the apple cake recipe from Bariatric Eating!
• The last of the caprese from Sunday - 4 bocconcini and 4 grape tomatoes
• Omelet made with 2 small eggs, 3 slices Hormel Natural Choice smoked turkey, 5 grape tomatoes, and 3 small mushrooms
• Yummy strawberry protein frosty
• Late night: 3-4 leftover banana chunks with the NSA chocolate ganache, leftover from Sunday :-(

Today's exercise was 50 minutes on the elliptical at the 14th & F Washington Sports Club. I detest that location. It's full of people that are even stodgier than the average DC set.

I listen to music when I work out, and occasionally I hum along with a bar or two. I'm way too out of breath to sing full voice, or to sing continuously. Most people are wearing their own headphones and are thus blissfully unaware that I'm not always completely silent when I exercise. But this morning, apparently a few haters complained about me to the WSC staff, and one of them came over and told me I was disturbing the other guests. I raised an eyebrow, rebuked Satan, and went right back to what I was doing. I don't complain to the management when the other guests disturb me by constantly passing gas et al., so they should just tolerate it when I let a few inadvertent words from a song pass through my lips. They can get over themselves. This would never happen at Columbia Heights or even the Gallery Place location.

Tonight was my second DC RNY support group meeting, and the first that was led by the bariatric psychologist. It was a good meeting, but I have never felt more C-R-A-Z-Y. I mentioned that I was getting adjusted to being in DC with a bunch of people who never knew me at 300 pounds, and that I didn't know how to react when my roommate gave me a few pieces of her old "fat" clothes (Size 12.) I also mentioned that I wanted to lose some more weight and/or have plastic surgery. The group members seemed aghast. I mean, I'm happy with where I am. But I really do want to shed the excess skin and feel more normal. And also, yeah, I'm a little sad that I'm the kind of person normal-sized people give their old fat clothes to. Maybe that's a little crazy in the grand scheme of things.

What I Ate: October 14, 2010

• Maple chocolate protein frosty: 1/2 cup fat-free cottage cheese, 1/2 scoop Matrix chocolate protein, about 1 tbsp. Hershey's unsweetened cocoa, about 1 tbsp. SF/FF Jello chocolate pudding
• Half and half in Sbux decaf coffee
• 1 100-cal pack natural almonds and 1 Babybel Light cheese round
• A little less than 1/2 bottle of Oh Yeah! vanilla creme protein divided between 2 decaf coffees with a little half and half
• Another 100-cal pack natural almonds and 1 Babybel Light cheese round
• Dinner/breakfast wrap: 2 medium organic farm-fresh eggs scrambled with 2 baby bella mushrooms, 2 sage leaves, and roughly 1.5 oz. leftover roasted chicken breast, all wrapped into 1/2 Flatout Light wrap. Yum!
• Another maple chocolate protein frosty.

Exercise was 45 minutes on the elliptical at the Gallery Place Washington Sports Club.

What I Ate: September 30 - October 2, 2010

Weird last three days. I might have to go back to measurement. My weight is creeping up!

Basically, I've been making two big mistakes. (1) I've been eating the right foods, but probably too much of them. Even the nuts aren't rescuing me. (2) I've been eating very little through the day, but eating a lot at night. (1) is a much bigger issue than (2), but (2) makes me feel gross so I consider that a problem as well.

On Thursday, I had a protein frosty in the morning and at night. Through the day, I ate soynuts, raw cashews, and a few almonds, plus half and half in my decaf coffee. I also had a pouch of Starkist tuna before bed.

On Friday, I had a protein frosty in the morning and at night. I had half and half in my coffee, and a few ounces of almonds. I also ate some of the okra, corn, and tomatoes my grandmother canned for me with 1 Light Flatout.

On Saturday, I had a protein frosty in the morning and half and half in decaf coffees. But then I didn't actually eat anything else until about 4 pm, and I definitely had gotten the shaky cold sweats. :( I was walking to Whole Foods which is pretty far from my house, and I guess my body couldn't take the activity with the lack of food. I decided I would eat a few raw cashews once I got to the store. But in my shakiness and slight disorientation/panic, I bought WAY too many, like a half pound! Of course I ate them all by the time the day was over. I also ate too much roasted chicken (I roasted it for the week, and my taste test turned into a full on meal) and had a couple spoonfuls of a creamy chicken and broccoli soup I also made for the week. I also had more roasted chicken breast with 1 sundried tomato light Flatout. So again, the problem was not what I ate, it was apparently how much I was eating.

I will admit I didn't get to work out on Thursday or Friday. Work was very hectic on Thursday, and I went in early both days to finish an assignment. I planned to go to yoga after work on Friday, but I was 5 minutes late. (I love the bus, but it was very aggravating that day.)

On Saturday, however, in addition to walking a ton, I tried Ashtanga yoga for the first time. The class was taught by Antonella at Quiet Mind Yoga. I could tell she was a little taken aback by the number of new faces, and she warned us that it was an advanced class and that she wouldn't slow down. (I had no idea this class was "advanced" before I arrived; the class title is simply "Ashtanga" and there's no mention of "advanced" in the description, so I assumed it was all levels.) At any rate, I loved this class. It wasn't so fast that I couldn't keep up. Plus, I usually enjoy a bit of a challenge in yoga. There were several poses I couldn't do, but that was true for lots of people in the class, even some of the obvious old-timers. We did a few poses that I love, including Wheel, Plow, and Shoulderstand. I had an awesome time and plan to dabble in a little more Ashtanga.

This is an aside, but even with my stupid weight issues, I'm still feeling pretty awesome. It is simply amazing to be able to do all the physical things I can do now. I am still ultra-thankful for my RNY.

What I Ate: September 29, 2010

• Butterscotch-cinnamon protein frosty. This was great. I replaced my normal Special Dark cocoa with a little SF/FF butterscotch pudding mix and used Inspire cinnamon cappuccino protein with an extra dash of cinnamon. Very tasty (for a non-chocolate shake)
• About 2 T half and half in Sbux decaf
• About 1 oz. (or a tiny bit more) of roasted unsalted cashews. I'm ready for these to be gone so I can get back to my raw cashews.
• 2 T half and half in hot chai tea
• 1/2 chocolate Oh Yeah! split between 2 instant decaf coffees (this was made with VIA, so a little pricey. I'm going back to the storebought instant coffee for these!)
• About 2.5 oz. roasted cashews (the rest of them)
• About 3 oz. raw cashews
• Pistachio-chocolate protein frosty

That's right. All I had to eat today is (too many) nuts, half and half, and protein shakes. And I was completely satisfied.

Exercise was 45 minutes on the elliptical in the morning and 75 minutes of all-levels yoga at Quiet Mind Yoga in the evening. The yoga class was very different from what I'm used to, but in a positive way. There was more pranayama (breathing) and fewer asanas (poses), and some of the asanas were self-directed. The instructor, Daniel, was awesome but was just way out there from anything I'd ever experienced. There was less emphasis on alignment and more on breathing and "getting yourself out of yourself," as he put it.