Monster Cookies

Confession, I ate a lot of these cookies.  That's what happens when something delicious and on the bad list enters my house after a few weeks of dieting... if I am a good girl through Thursday I will stay within points, which shouldn't be too hard.

I'm pretty sure these are the best cookies I have ever eaten.  I don't think that's just my unsatiated sweet tooth talking either.  It's every cookie you've ever loves mixed into one.  There were no raisins in the ones I had, which made them even better.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/paula-deen/monster-cookies-recipe/index.html

Paula Dean, you are a genius!  If you're too lazy to follow the link, here's the recipe :)

Ingredients

• 3 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups packed light brown sugar
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 12-ounce jar creamy peanut butter
• 1 stick butter, softened
• 1/2 cup multi-colored chocolate candies
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/4 cup raisins, optional
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 4 1/2 cups quick-cooking oatmeal (not instant)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or nonstick baking mats.

In a very large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter, and butter. Mix well. Stir in the chocolate candies, chocolate chips, raisins, if using, baking soda, and oatmeal. Drop by tablespoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
Bake for 8 to 10 minutes. Do not overbake. Let stand for about 3 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool. When cool, store in large resealable plastic bags.

Wellness Extention, 1st Visit

Yesterday I went to the Wellness Extension for my first meeting with a nutritionist.  It was very informative, and a little confusing.  I don't think I will take all of her advice at the moment, but I think it was all good.

My nutritionist doesn't think I am eating enough.  It's true, my lunch is meager and there aren't a lot of carbohydrates throughout the day.  Carbs and I have a love-hate relationship.  They cost points on Weight Watchers so I regulate them pretty carefully.

She advised me to add a second starch to my breakfast as well as some fruit.  Doubling the carbohydrates in breakfast that already satisfies me and works with the W.W. program is not something I'm about to do.  I will however add a cup of fruit to my cereal because it is delicious and goes along with her advice!  Once I start exercising regularly I might find that I need those additional carbs, so I might split breakfast up and have a second helping after my workout.  For now, I am keeping my cereal as is and just adding fruit.

It was also suggested that I add protein & carbs to my lunch as well as snacks.  I can just hear the points adding up!  Yikes!  For the past 2 weeks I have been eating a banana around lunchtime and then a few hours later having a milk-based chai tea.  Those two items have been holding me over until dinner.  I think I could make a change here and eat some hummus with vegetables (oh yeah, she said to eat veggies at lunch time too).  Maybe not everyday, but it would put some more variety in my diet.

Cereal is the topic that confused me.  It all made perfect sense until I went to the grocery store.  The guidelines are: (1) A serving should be around 100 calories (2) Should be whole grains (3) For every 100 calories you should have at least 3 grams of Fiber and (4) Low amounts of sugar.  When I told her I was eating Kix, she said it wasn't "the best" choice, but when I compared it to the guidelines it was in line with everything I need!  It's not easy to find something that fits all of the guidelines, and Kix does.   A lot of the cereals that look/sound healthy are full of sugar, and are high in calories.

It seems to me there are 3 catagories of cereal where Fiber is concerned: Those with 1 or less grams, those with 3, and those with 6 or more.  6 or more is a little excessive if you ask me, and that was the impression the nutritionist was giving as well. 

168.6

This week I lost 2 pounds! My current weight is 168.6!  I really thought this was going to be a bad week--I went out to dinner twice and we had friends over for a less-then-healthy dinner over the weekend.  I went over my points allowance by 14 points last week, but I did earn 9 activity points.  This week I want to stay within my weekly points and also keep up with my exercising.  9 points earns me $22.50.

Tomorrow I am applying for the gym membership that is covered for 3 months by my insurance.  If they accept me into the program I would like to start either Feb. 27th or March 1st, after I get back from the cruise.  I don't want to start off the program by missing a week.

For the first time I can really see myself seeing this through.  I've had 3 weeks of success and am excited to continue.  I've managed to lose weight even when I am not in full control of my diet.  I found out EJ and I will be going to the beach this summer and it is fueling my fire even more--I want to wear a bikini.  And what's even more, I think I can get there! It's always felt impossible.

I looked up a BMI calculator today to make sure my goal of 135 pounds is a healthy goal, and it looks like it is.  I also found out that I am very close to getting out of the "overweight" range!  164 is now a mini-goal-weight I am looking forward to.

 

Results

For the information you entered:	Calculate again: English | Metric
Height: 5 feet, 8 inches Weight: 168.6 pounds Your BMI is 25.6, indicating your weight is in the Overweight category for adults of your height. For your height, a normal weight range would be from 122 to 164 pounds. People who are overweight or obese are at higher risk for chronic conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.	BMI Weight Status Below 18.5 Underweight 18.5—24.9 Normal  25.0—29.9 Overweight 30.0 and Above Obese

No Excuses Couch Potato!

I am a fan of the show "Biggest Loser" and "The Revolution".  The Revolution isn't that great, and I can't put my finger on why.  They do give a lot of good advice and relevant information for your life but the timing and segues are terrible.  Maybe I did just put my finger on it.  The Biggest Loser is just a lot of drama and inspiration.  If those people can run on the treadmill I certainly could.

"No Excuses" is the theme for this season of The Biggest Loser.  One of my most common excuses is that the gym is too far away, too expensive, or too inconvenient.   I'm considering abolishing this way of thinking.  There is a wellness extension in Meadville (30 minutes away) that is offering a program through my insurance.  They do your blood-work 2 times, have you meet with nutritionists and trainers over 3 months.  If you average going to the gym 3x per week your insurance covers the membership for those three months.  Sounds like a pretty sweet deal to me!  I am SUPER cheap, so it might work as good motivation.  My sister-in-law told me about it and is going to do it.  She lives across the street & works as a nurse so we could probably go together occasionally.

"If you sit on the couch you won't work out" was the message that resonated with me from The Revolution.  It's definitely true for me, and I've made a habit of it.  When I get up in the morning I make breakfast and eat it while watching "The Daily Show" on the couch.  Once I sit there all comfy cozy I never want to get up.  I need to stop doing this.  I don't think Jon Stewart is my problem, I could probably watch at my computer desk and be fine. 

The Revolution also suggested that I lay out my workout clothes and put them on right when I wake up.  I will be more likely to get going.  If I put all these tidbits together, they are telling me I should wake up, get dressed, have breakfast and go to the gym first thing.  I think it's a great idea. 

I'm really lucky in that I work from home and can make my own schedule.  Most people trying to lose weight don't have this luxury and use it as their excuse.  The least I can do is validate their excuse by being successful! 

I haven't sat on the couch today and it's 1:20pm.  I've filled BrickLink orders, eaten a delicious omlet and took a 45 minute walk.  I feel awesome!

170.6

:-D  -1.4 pounds!  Nice!  I am pleased with that for this week.  I didn't exercise so I don't get to put any money aside.  But I didn't do nothing, I did do 20 squats a day and lifted some weights last night, but nothing longer than 5 minutes so it doesn't count.

Another week ahead, let's focus and stay on track!  Remember your goal Abbie: Stick to it!

Rose in Full Bloom

My new rose design is now available!  I am really excited about it and am going to phase out my old design.  This one is much more my own and a much sturdier design. 

Weigh-in is tomorrow and again I am a little nervous.  Working out has not happened this week at all--I just haven't made the time.  In addition, we've been celebrating EJ's Birthday all week so there has been a bigger variety of foods that I didn't have control over.  I have managed to stay within my points for the week so hopefully I will still see some improvement--fingers crossed!

While I haven't been working out I have been working on finishing unfinished projects.  I realized all these projects were what was cluttering my basement.  I'm getting through them one at a time and feel good about it.  A clean house makes for an uncluttered mind.  In the future I should limit myself to two projects at a time, but we all know that won't happen!  I'll try... Once I get all of these unfinished projects I want to get started on my sister-in-law's wedding quilt.

Tune in tomorrow for the weigh in!  I'm hoping to lose 1 pound!