Oooh.. I like this!!

Okay, had a tuna sandwich for lunch. So far so good ... craving a little but not too bad. I just keep picturing myself in that dress and, like Dana suggested, looking forward to my cheat day.
Besides, for snack today I get to eat an artichoke and those are my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE thing in the world! It's honestly like a treat for me... can't wait!

Ok... so how do you eat your artichoke?? I mean, I've only had it as a dip!

Are you serious? Man, are you missing out!
I just boil the artichoke(s) until the leaves are tender (if you pull on one and it comes right off, it's done). Some people like to add salt to the water... either way is fine but if you're dieting, probably skip that part.

So to eat it, you just take the leaf and scrape the little "meaty" part between your teeth. You can dip it in just about anything that sounds good I guess. I normally like mayo, my mom always liked melted butter. Anway (again) you have to watch yourself on the condiments cuz both are diet "no no's". I just limit myself to 1 tbsp of mayo. After you've eaten most of the leaves, you'll get to the really thin ones. Just peel those off and you'll discover some fuzz. Gently cut the fuzz off and, WHALA (sp?), you have the artichoke heart! THE BEST PART of the whole thing! My kids don't like it so when we have these for dinner on rare occasion, I GET ALL THE HEARTS!!! I swear it's better than sex! Okay, not really but it sure is yummy!

HAHHA!! Ok girl I am so going out to pick up some artichokes tomorrow!!! Sounds great... better than sex eh?! lol!! Oh where is Josh now!!

oh i looove artichokes! But for me, I jut buy the vinegary ones in a jar and get em nice and hot. Add a lil salt and mmm MMM!

I didnt have an artichoke until I was forty years old. Or asparagus until I was 35! (Mom cooks great, but with four kids it was probably a luxury)

I still hate spinach though. Except raw. blech.

Okay I ate exactly what I had planned for today and felt great. I had a couple of tough cravings but I never felt hungry... this is a good diet plan.
Got my weight training in late today- did upper body.
Tomorrow is just cardio.
Off to bed, I'm exhausted.

Better than sex, huh? Ok, my question is why the heck have I never eaten artichokes? And why did nobody ever tell me they were that good before? Holding out me, I guess!

I looovvvve artichoke hearts, they are pretty damn good... Your doing amazing, as always, and I always love reading your journal, cuz it makes me want to work harder, keep it up

Way to go Paula!! I am so proud of you! Keep up with that diet/schedule girl!! We can beat this!! the weight will not win!!

You're doing great!!! Keep it up you're going to look wonderful in your dress, you're beautiful!!!!!

Good job Sista! Way to stick to your plan. You are going to rock that dress. Keep going, you can do it!!!!

Paula, just put the cheeto down and walk away from the kitchen!... man today is hard! I just keep thinking, "Do you want the (insert food here) or do you want to look good in your dress?" Had to get out of the kitchen and come post.

Hang in there! Take an appetite suppressant, drink some water. Walk away from the kitchen!! I am in a studio, and everything is in one room, there's no escaping the fridge. haha. I've been taking some green tea fat metabolizers, they help with cravings sometimes. Good luck! Stay strong.

I know you're not teaching today, so have you thought of taking up knitting or something to "busy" your hands with so you might suppress the munchie urge?? I know that helps me a lot!!