The first week of the Christmas Challenge is coming to a close. I think I had a pretty good week. We'll see if the scale agrees with me tomorrow. I was a little bummed that I didn't get to workout today. I ended up staying a couple of hours longer at work today to give them a hand so there went my gym time. Although I would have liked to have gotten a workout in today I did exercise 5 days this week so it's not the end of the world.

Not only didn't I have the time to workout I didn't really have the time to stop and eat much. I was very low on points today. Next week's bonus (staying within a calorie range) will make sure that doesn't happen. I think this is going to be a challenge for me because I do fall short of my target fairly often. The foods I choose to eat fill me up and I'm never really sure if I am feeling full, should I still be eating more just to hit that target number.

Anyway, it'll be interesting to see how next week goes. I'm going with the minimum of 1,300 - 1,600 calories.

Here's how this week finished up:

Friday, November 9th

Breakfast:
31g Golden Graham cereal - 2 points
114g 2% cottage cheese w/ 1 cup blueberries - 3 points

Lunch:
none

Dinner:
Weight Watcher's Smart Ones Past Primavera - 5 points

Snack:
Weight Watcher's ice cream cup - 2 points
17g pistachio nuts - 2 points

Total points for the day = 14 Wayyyyyyyyyyyyyy too low!!!!

I weighed in this morning for the Christmas Challenge and I'm down another 3lbs, Woo Hoo!. I felt like it was a really good week and it showed. Going to keep up with the exercise and make this another good week.

I earned the maximum number of points in the Christmas Challenge this past week. Hopefully I can duplicate that this week. The biggest challenge will be to stay within the calorie range. I'm going to plan ahead each day better so I don't fall short.

With a little more planning it wasn't difficult to stay within the calorie range that I set for the Week 2 Challenge, between 1,300 & 1,600 calories. I have today's meals all plotted out so I'll be within the range. Here's how yesterday went:

Breakfast:
Weight Watcher's bagel w/ 1 wedge lite cheese spread - 3 points, 185 calories
114g 2% cottage cheese w/ 1 cup blueberries - 3 points, 203 calories
16oz. crystal lite iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Lunch:
veggie wrap - 1 point, 160 calories
17g pistachio nuts - 2 points, 85 calories
16oz. crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Dinner: (Went out)
Chicken Creole - 8 points, 383 calories (estimate)

Snack:
1 bag 94% fat free popcorn - 3 points, 210 calories
40g prunes - 1 point, 100 calories
16oz. crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories

Total for the day = 21 points, 1,386 calories


Workout:
25 minute walk
bike - 66 minutes, 958 calories burned, 19.6 miles

So far day two of the Bonus Challange is over and it hasn't been too hard to stay within the calorie range. I really wasn't that hungry last night but ate my grapes to keep me where I should be. I was a little worried with this challenge not only for falling short but by eating the minimum number of calories, 1,300, it would make me blow past my Weight Watcher's daily points target. But it's right in line. 22 points a day, which is where I should be right now, equates to about 1,400 calories. Here's how yesterday went:

Sunday, November 11th

Breakfast:
31g Golden Grahams cereal - 2 points, 120 calories
114g 2% cottage cheese w/ 1 cup blueberries - 3 points, 203 caloires
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories

Lunch:
1 cup Tortilla soup - 1 point, 180 calories
17g pistachio nuts - 2 points, 85 calories
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Dinner:
85g crab meat - 1 point, 70 calories
Weight Watcher's Smart Ones Three Cheese Pasta - 6 points, 320 calories
15g anchovies - 1 point, 25 calories
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Snack:
2 cups grapes - 2 points, 114 calories
Weight Watcher's muffin - 3 points, 190 calories
2 bottles crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 20 calories

Totals for the day = 21 points, 1,387 calories


Workout:
Bike - 62 minutes, 900 calories burned, 18.46 miles


Today's workout will give me more then the 3 hours needs for the exercise bonus points.

Great job on the weight loss this past week, WOOH HOO!!!

Also, wow what a bike ride, that's a huge amount of calories, CONGRATS!!

I love all those weight watcher meals, MMMMM I buy them a lot for lunch at work, keeps me in check and still fills me up!!

Hope you have another super day tomorrow.
Hugs
Kim

Hey Kim, everything is coming along smoothly. The Christmas Challenge got my exercise back to where it should be and my eating hasn't waivered. Those Weight Watcher's meals are pretty good and yes, surprisingly filling. Hope you have a great day too.

Monday, November 12th

Breakfast:
Weight Watcher's bagel w/ 1 wedge lite cheese spread - 3 points, 185 calories
114g 2% cottage cheese w/ 1 cup blueberries - 3 points, 203 calories
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Lunch:
peanut butter sandwich made w/ 2 slice light bread & 16g natural peanut butter - 3 points, 185 calories
17g pistachio nuts - 2 points, 85 calories
2 cups grapes - 2 points, 114 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Dinner:
1 cup Tortilla soup - 1 point, 180 calories
4oz. turkey cutlet - 2 points, 110 calories
artichoke hearts - 1 point, 25 calories
2 bottles crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 20 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Snack:
1 bag 94% fat free popcorn - 3 points, 210 calories
2 bottles crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 20 calories

Total for the day = 20 points, 1,392 calories


Workout:
Bike - 62 minutes, 903 calories burned, 18.41 miles

This workout puts me over the 3 hours needed for the Christmas Challenge. Everything else I do this week is just gravy.

Tuesday, November 13th

Breakfast:
Weight Watcher's bagel w/ 1 wedge light cheese spread - 3 points, 185 calories
114g 2% cottage cheese w/ 1 cup blueberries - 3 points, 203 calories

Lunch:
1 cup Tortilla soup - 1 point, 180 calories
17g pistachio nuts - 2 point, 85 calories
2 cups grapes - 2 points, 114 calories
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Dinner:
Weight Watcher's Smart Ones Fettucini Alfredo - 6 points, 300 calories
40g prunes - 1 point, 100 calories
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Snack:
1 bag 94% fat free popcorn - 3 points, 210 calories
2 bottles crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 20 calories

Totals for the day = 21 points, 1,447 calories


Workout:
Bike: 45 minutes, 645 calories burned, 13.2 miles

Wednesday, November 14th

Breakfast:
31g Golden Grahams - 2 points, 120 calories
114g 2% cottage cheese w/ 1 cup blueberries - 3 points, 203 calories

Lunch:
1 cup Tortilla soup - 1 point, 180 calories
17g pistachio nuts - 2 points, 85 calories
28g honey mustard pretzels - 2 points, 110 calories
2 bottles crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 20 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Dinner:
4oz. shrimp - 2 points, 90 calories
1 box Green Giant Baby Veggie Medley - 2 points, 120 calories
15g anchovies - 1 point, 25 calories
40g prunes - 2 points, 100 calories
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Snack:
Weight Watcher's ice cream cup - 2 points, 160 calories
2 cups grapes - 2 points, 114 calories
2 bottles crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 20 calories

Totals for the day = 20 points, 1,387 calories


Workout:
Bike - 60 minutes, 872 calories burned, 17.79 miles

Last day of the week before the weigh in for the Christmas Challenge. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be to stay within the calorie range that I set. I'm already plotting ahead what veggies I'll be eating next week to get those 3 cups a day in. Here's how yesterday went:

Thursday, November 15th

Breakfast:
Low sugar oatmeal - 2 points, 120 calories

Snack:
114g 2% cottage cheese w/ 1 cup blueberries - 3 points, 203 calories
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories

Lunch:
170g crab meat - 2 points, 140 calories
17g pistachio nuts - 2 points, 85 calories
28g honey mustard pretzels - 2 points, 110 calories
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Dinner:
15g anchovies - 1 point, 25 calories
1 cup Tortilla soup - 1 point, 180 calories
2 bottle crystal light - 0 points, 20 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Snack:
2 cups grapes - 2 points, 114 calories
1 bag 94% fat free popcorn - 3 points, 210 calories
2 bottles crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 20 calories

Totals for the day = 20 points, 1,387 calories

Weighed in this morning and I'm down another 2lbs for a total of 27 now!!!! I'm just about halfway there. I'm feeling really good about things. Not tempted by anything. Back in the exercise mode although I've been working out more at home then at the gym. I should be able to get to the gym at least a couple of times this week.

Been a little under the weather these past couple of days. Little cold, sore throat kind of thing. I still got my workouts in and plan of going for a walk while my daughter is at her riding lesson today.

Here's how yesterday looked:

Friday, November 16th

Breakfast:
low sugar oatmeal - 2 points, 120 calories
1 cup grapes - 1 point, 57 calories

Snack:
1 cup Tortilla soup - 1 point, 180 calories
1 bottle crystal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories

Lunch:
4oz. turkey cutlet - 2 points, 110 calories
17g pistachio nuts - 2 points, 85 calories
28g honey mustard pretzels - 2 points, 110 calories
1 bottle cyrstal light iced tea - 0 points, 10 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Dinner:
Weight Watcher's bagel w/ 1 wedge lite cheese spread - 3 points, 185 calories
Weight Watcher's smoothing w/ 1 cup strawberries - 2 points, 150 calories
2 bottles crystal light - 0 points, 20 calories
1 lifesaver - 0 points, 15 calories

Snack:
40g prunes - 1 points, 100 calories
Weight Watcher's muffin - 3 points, 190 calories
1 bottle crystal light - 0 points, 10 calories

Totals for the day = 19 points, 1,367 calories

Workout:
Bike: 75 minutes, 1,035 calories burned, 21.18 miles

Congrats on doing so well and getting to your half way mark. You will be there is no time with the way your going!! I'm also impressed with your variety of food, that's really good to see. Keep it up!!
Hope you have another blasting week coming up!
Kim

Thanks Kim, I'm staying focused even with the hoilday approaching. I already have it planned out in my head what I'll be eating on Thanksgiving which greatly reduces the urge to overinduldge. Hope you're having a great week too.

This is the start of the 3rd week of the Christmas Challenge. Right now I'm tied with 8 other people for 1st place. I've been getting those veggies in every day to make sure I get the bonus points. Here's how it's been going:

Saturday, November 17th

Weight Watcher's bagel w/ 1 wedge light cheese spread - 3 points
Weight Watcher's smoothie w/ 1 cup strawberries - 2 points
1 cup grapes - 1 point

Dinner:
6oz. tilapia - 4 points
2 1/4 cups spinach - 0 points
3/4 cup peas & mushrooms - 1 point

Snack:
Weight Watcher's muffin - 3 points
28g honey mustard pretzels - 2 points

Total for the day = 16 points


Workout:
30 minute walk

Sunday, November 18th

Breakfast:

Lunch:
1 cup Tortilla soup - 1 point
salad w/ 3 cups romaine lettuce - 0 points
17g pistachio nuts - 2 points

Dinner:
Weight Watcher's Smart Ones Pasta Primavera - 5 points
100g crab meat - 1 point
peas - 1 point
Weight Watcher's mini cake - 1 point

Snack:
2 cups grapes - 2 points
1 bag 94% fat free popcorn - 3 points

Total points for the day = 18