11/11/11

I’d like to give a shout out to all the Veterans out there who have served our country (including my Dad, Grandpa, Uncle Kevin and many others in my family) and also to those who continue to serve. For the next several paragraphs, I will whine and complain about many things but remembering those who miss holidays, birthdays and other events with their families puts things in perspective.

It’s Friday and that always makes me happy but I’m having a hard time getting on board with the good mood that I should have. It all started last week when Alabama lost a gut wrenching game against LSU. Then, there is all this tragic garbage with Penn State. In addition to the bad football news, I weighed this morning and well, that put me over the edge. Today was the first day I weighed in a few weeks. I gave myself this week to do an awesome job…and I did…but when I got on the scale this morning, I was up 4.4 pounds. I expected to gain…but jeez. I am mad on multiple levels. I’m mad at myself for eating too much. I’m also mad at the world because even though I should be punished a little for my bad behavior, 4.4 pounds seems a bit harsh. I was still good a majority of the days and I never once faltered on my exercise. In fact, I even upped the ante a bit on my treadmill runs on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Whatever. The real test now is how I treat this surplus. Someone suggested this morning that I should just say, “forget it,” until the holidays are over. Do you have any idea how much weight I could put on between now and after the new year? You don’t? A LOT. I could gain 15 or 20 pounds in the next two months if I decided to just eat what I want. I really believe that so just saying, “forget it,” isn’t really an option for me. However, I still think I deserve to enjoy my holidays SO I am going to be completely strict about everything unless I am attending a holiday party at work or I’m eating a holiday meal with my family. If I can manage to be completely great every other minute I’m not celebrating the holidays, I should be OK. If I see myself slipping into other areas, I may have to get drastic. I’m hoping I can get most of those extra pounds off between now and next Friday because I plan on sticking to my weekend plan perfectly. I haven’t had a weekend where I didn’t cheat in awhile so it’s going to be tough but I have to in order to get back to normal.





This week, we are going back to healthy recipes, which evidently I need. The first and second pictures are different variations of Lavash Flatbread Pizza. Lavash bread is a flat, Kosher bread. You can get it in the deli where you find the other pita breads and Hawaiin bread. You get 4 in a pack and they are big squares that are perfect for making pizza. The best part is that the whole thing is only 100 calories and they are loaded with fiber. The only problem is, they are very thin, so the more you add to them, the more likely they are to buckle in the middle. I don’t even care though, I love the fact that I can make this as a pizza and eat the whole thing. The first version is a cheese pizza. These are a bit sturdier since you aren’t adding the weight of meat but this one has pizza sauce, reduced fat mozzarella and parsley. That was the first one I made. I like it so much, I started making them all the time. I have made them with and without all kinds of ingredients depending on how many points I have left. Since I always loved Meat Lovers pizza from Pizza Hut, I decided to make my own version with pizza sauce, fat free mozzarella, turkey sausage, turkey pepperoni and sliced chorizo sausage. I also added mushrooms and onions. It’s so tasty!!!



Last Friday, I went to see Matt Nathanson in concert. He’s really cute and I love his voice. I didn’t get a great picture but I wanted to give a shout out to my friend Nish for hooking me up with the tickets. Thanks Nish!





Despite our devastating loss, I posted the pictures of me, David and Cassandra at ESPN’s Gameday. We got up really early and brought signs. We weren’t quite early enough to get on TV but we had fun anyway. We learned what we need to do next time if we decide to go back to Gameday.





They added some new playground equipment at the park next to my parents house and David and I went and played on some of the new stuff Sunday. I am not as young as I used to be, that’s all I’ll say about that.





This before and after makes me feel better and worse at the same time. I’ve changed a lot and I have lost enough weight now to feel it and see it when I gain…even if it is just a few pounds. I can feel each of those extra pounds on me…I know they are there…and I want them gone. I’m DETERMINED! By the way, the penguin is a punch ball my mom got me. I love penguins and punch balls, so, THANKS MOM!

Alabama plays Mississippi State tomorrow in Mississippi so I think I am watching it from the house. I would love to go but I a might have exhausted my football budget already this year and those tickets were $75 a piece. There is still a chance if a lot of things happen Alabama could go to the National Championship game…it’s unlikely…but I hope Bama plays their heart out the rest of the season regardless of the outcome. Mom and I are also going to see My Fair Lady on Sunday with my friends David and Jordan so it should be a fun weekend.

Also, I found out yesterday that my best friend from childhood’s mother has cancer. These people were certainly an extension of my family when I was a kid and I am heartbroken to hear that. I loathe cancer and I hope that she will be able to win her battle. I won’t say her name, I just wanted to mention her in hopes that you keep her in your thoughts and prayers.

I hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Roll Tide!

Bye!

“Sometimes I wish I lived by a pier
In a light house with a chandelier
I’d watch everybody’s ships come in
And then I’d sail away with them

Unanchored in a storm
Or save me on the shore
If this is all I need
Why do I want more.” Airstream Song-Miranda Lambert