My first budget breakdown!

What a day! The weather has been crazy. Snow on my way to work, sun when I got there, a swap between rain and sunshine all day, and finally hail after work. It is now 34 degrees out, yet it's supposed to be 82 Saturday. That's plain insane!

Work was crazy. I had to take lunch an hour late, orders were incorrect, and I was cold all day. I chose fixing my computer, and backing everything up over the gym tonight. Not the best decision, but I'm glad I fixed my computer.

My eating started off great! I had things planned out and I stayed satisfied well beyond lunch. They took a turn for the worse after I offered to make dinner for mom...she wanted a burger from the local restrauant. I treated her and had a burger too. Their menu is slim pickings for healthy fare unless you want a salad. I did pass up handcut french fries so I am proud of that!
The burger was delicious, but I could have easily made one similar at home for atleast half the points and half the cost.

Here is my burger budget breakdown:
1 Dove Burger: $5.50, 18 points VS 1 Homemade: $1.66, 8 points

• $1.00 for ground beef(4oz)


• $0.13 for whole wheat bun(1)


• $0.19 for 2% cheese slice(1)


• $0.19 for bacon slices(2)


• $0.15 for toppings

The restrauant burger after tax and tip was $6.90. I could make 4 healthy burgers for $6.64.
Not only is eating out expensive for the wallet, but also for your points budget. I could have made four burgers for what the one restrauant one cost after tax and tip! I would have saved 10 points by making my own burger.
I thought about this exact scenario Saturday after work. I was craving a burger and thought, "I'll get a Whopper Jr." My healthy habits clicked in my brain, and I opted for purchasing 2 Laura's Lean Beef premade patties for $2.45 and cooking them at home. Two Whopper Jrs would have cost me $2.96...plus I would have been tempted to order other junk.

Tomorrow is a new day! I will focus on meeting all of the healthy guidelines.

Day 2 in Week	Target	23
Food	Points	Count
1 Banana	-1	22
1tsp Canola Oil	-1	21
1 egg	-2	19
1 Thomas Light Multigrain Muffin	-1	18
3c Salad	0	18
1tbs Lite Italian	-1	17
3oz Chicken Breast	-2.5	14.5
1 Large Orange	-1	13.5
1 Bacon Cheeseburger from The Dove	-18	-4.5
Total:	27.5
Weekly Points Used: 4.5, Weekly Points Remaining: 30.5 in Week

Water: 72oz
Fruits & Veggies: 6 servings
Dairy: 1/2 serving
Oils: 1 tsp
Whole Grains: Check
Lean Protein: Check
Limit Sugar & Alcohol: Check
Vitamin: Check
Exercise: None :(

I woke up on time(early)!

Good morning!

I actually woke up at 7 this morning. I can make it to work fine if I sleep until 8, but I tend to feel rushed.
Even though I'm still yawning, I feel happy that I woke up early. I'm getting my morning computing out of the way, and I'll have plenty of time to make breakfast, lunch, and pack my gym bag. :)

Here I am preplanning my day:
Egg Muffin:4pts
10 oz Milk:2pts
Snack of 1c Grapes:1pt

Chicken, salad, and an orange for lunch
I have no idea for dinner yet...I normally wait to see what I'm in the mood for.

Have a good day!

My first day back in 2 weeks!

Today was my first day back to counting after a terrible Easter. It was a decent day considering I dove back in without pre-planning, and I woke up late.

Last Easter I gained 6.4 pounds! How did that happen? Well, my (then) boyfriend made me a huge gourmet basket, and I didn't bother employing self-control. Luckily I was in Philidelphia the next week for a convention, and managed to walk that gain off.
This Easter my dad spent the 4 days prior in the hospital. I admit to emotional eating those days. He made it home just as my (now) boyfriend brought me a giant candy filled basket his mom made me. I ate so much candy that I did exactly what I preach not to do: skipped weigh in...not one week, but two. I know I have gained.

I generally follow the rule that skipping your weigh in, from fear of a gain, is actually more detremental than seeing a gain. Gains stink, but they give you the motivation to try harder the next week. It is much easier to throw in the towel if you skip weigh ins, because you're no longer accountable.

In hindsight I wish I hadn't skipped my weigh in last week, but I can't go back. Today I started moving forward again. The week is still early. I will try to weigh in on Friday.

Below is my menu for the day. I don't think it turned out to be a bad day despite everything. I didn't get any oils, but I did meet the other guidelines. :) I am in the process of planning tomorrow's menu so I'll be prepared. Have a goodnight!

Day 1 in Week	Target	23
Food	Points	Count
2 Bananas	-2	21
1tbs Peanut Butter	-2	19
3/4c Cheerios	-1	18
1 Light String Cheese	-1	17
2oz Whole Wheat Penne	-3	14
1/2c Prego Sauce	-1	13
2c Salad	0	13
1tbs Lite Italian	-1	12
4oz Chicken Breast	-4	8
1/2c Cornbread Stuffing	-4	4
1/2c Mixed Veggies	0	4
3c Salad	0	4
1tbs Lite Italian	-1	3
10oz Milk	-2	1
1c Cut Strawberries	-1	0
Total:	23
Weekly Points Used: 0, Remaining: 35

Water: 64oz
Fruits & Veggies: 10 servings
Dairy: 2 servings
Oils: :(
Whole Grains: Check
Lean Protein: Check
Limit Sugar & Alcohol: Check
Vitamin: Check
Exercise: DOR

Hey!

Hey Everyone!

I just set this blog up while at work. I'm looking forward to sharing my weight loss journey here.

I will be making my first official content post later this evening. :)

-Tracy