Restaurant Addicts Diet: I Have To Get My Diet On Track

I have been so focused on eating in, that losing weight has taken a back seat.  When I do go out I feel like it's a big party and I over do.  When I cook in I'm so desperate to want to cook and eat what I planned that I add extra carbs or dessert to bribe myself into it.  I want to lose a few pounds before thanksgiving, and I need to start now.  I'm going to try bribing myself with money instead of meals out for the next 2 weeks.  My friends birthday party is in two weeks and we'll get to go out to lunch and dinner that day.  In the mean time, I am really going to try to count and record calories and complete my 5 hours of exercise this week.  Last week was tough, but the week before was really great.  Yesterday was a boozy Monday, and that is really dragging down my confidence.  It doesn't help that I started this experiment wanting to lose 2 pounds and have gained 2 instead.  Here is to the 11 day diet experiment. I hate it already!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: I Ate In 6 Days In a Row!

I made it 6 days straight without going out to dinner.  It was hard and there were tears, but I did it.  My reward was a wonderful dinner out last night at Brasserie Montmartre.  I had the pasta special and my husband had the paella and we both enjoyed them very much.  We got there just in time for the live music and I can't wait to go back.

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Day 40

I can't believe I've been making a concerted effort to eat at home for 40 days!  It's SO hard!  That said, it's been a very good learning experience for me. According to my Withings Scale App I haven't lost any weight yet, but I'm not discouraged.  I packed in a ton of fun on my party days and I haven't gained any weight so that's good.  I have added new recipes and cooking techniques, and the most important thing I've learned is that I can stick to a plan even when it's not fun.  Now that I'm confident I can survive going out to dinner only twice a week I need to concentrate on portion control.  I really think that's one of the reasons I haven't lost weight.  The other is boozy high fat weekends, but I'm only willing to cut back on so much of the good stuff. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: I Survived Eating In

I was in a full blown freak out about eating in last night, tantrum and everything.  I know that sounds totally ridiculous, but it's the truth.  In the end I persevered and ate what I had planned at home.  I weighed myself this morning and I am so glad I didn't go out.  Even with staying home I weighed more than I wanted, and was glad I at least could say I hadn't made it worse by going out.  I have plans to go out on Thursday night, and I can't wait! 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: I Hate Eating In!

I have had it with eating in!  It's SO much work, I feel like I'm not saving as much as I had hoped and I know I haven't lost any weight.  This will be my fourth day in a row eating in and I just can't take it anymore!  I hinted to my husband by saying I hate eating in, but do you think he suggested we go out? No, of course not!  He's happy to lay around at home while I make dinner and clean up.  And don't get me started on all the grocery shopping.  I feel better now that I've gotten that off my chest.  It's a gloomy Monday, and I'm just feeling grumpy. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: This Party Girl Cheats On Her Diet

I have a million excuses for why I haven't lost weight this week.  This was the week I was going to get myself together.  I only worked a few hours and I had every opportunity to succeed.  I did one thing right this week and that's exercise, I have completed 4 out of 5 hours that I assigned myself for the week and I still have 2 days to complete the last hour.  That's where my resolve and success ends.  I made frozen pizza for dinner with a side salad in a desperate attempt to cook in and after that it was party time.  Halloween party at work followed by Halloween happy hour with a friend.  And of course, I followed up happy hour with some snacking.  I did get to go to Spaghetti Factory which I'd been craving so that helps get that off my mind for next week.  I can justify anything!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Party Girls Are Not Good At Diets

Wow!  It feels like forever since my last post.  I was supposed to go out to a nice dinner Thursday night, but I had too much happy hour and ended up at the Taco Bell drive through.  Not my finest moment.  Friday I managed to follow through and make chili at home that would provide left overs for chili dogs Saturday.  So yummy!  Sunday is always a tough day to be good, but I think I did pretty well.  No brunch or mimosas, and I did make the roast I got at Trader Joes for dinner.  It's the precooked one you can microwave and it was a huge hit.  Now it's Monday, and I have to once again declare that this is the week I'm going to try to make some progress on the damn weight gain!!  It's a super busy week at work, so happy hour temptations will be my biggest issue.  Please give me enough self control to hold out until Friday!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Day 25

It's go out to dinner day!!!  I'm SO happy!  An unexpected bonus of this eating at home challenge is I am really appreciative each time we get to go out to a restaurant.  I've narrowed it down to three places and I have all day to think about it.  Last night was the first time I had to make dinner just for myself.  I really think if I hadn't already purchased my chicken breast I would have ordered take out of some kind.  Finally I gave in because making what I had seemed way easier than acquiring something else.  That's definitely progress for me, and it felt great.  I weighed myself this morning and I think I'm slowly losing the weight I gained over the weekend.  I really think one more week will give me a better idea of how things are going in the diet area.  I'm going to have to branch out with my chicken breast dinners, I had the same thing two days n a row and eventually I'll get sick of that.  Today I don't care though, because I get to go out!!!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Day 24

I can't wait to go out to dinner tomorrow!  That said, I stuck to the plan last night and made chicken and salmon from the cold deli.  I made mashed potatoes that I found in the freezer section at Trader Joes. It comes in small disks that you can easily portion out for one or more people and make quickly in the microwave, they were delicious.  While I was there I also got one of their pre-made dressing on the side salads that is perfect for two.  I have not lost any weight according to the scale this morning which pisses me off since making dinner at home feels like so much work! Shouldn't that count as exercise?  I suppose I'm exercising my self control muscles. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Day 23

I did it!  I made a totally new dish last nigh, and it worked out great.  The assemble at home enchiladas were easy and tasty.  Luckily the next two nights I've decided to go with a bare bones favorite that's super easy, chicken breast for me and salmon for my husband.  I'll stop at the Safeway cold deli on my way home from work and get enough for tonight and tomorrow, earn some fuel points and call it good.  This is in response to the diet portion of my goal.  I want to go out to dinner Thursday night, and wine tasting on Saturday so I need to make some headway in that area in the next two days. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Week Four

I can't believe I still have enthusiasm for this project!  It must be the challenge of saving money and the hope of losing weight while I do it.  So far I'm not sure how much progress I've made on either goal.  It seems like I must be saving money so that is great. I've become a bit obsessive about my stores loyalty programs and gas rewards points which adds some fun to it. I plan to use Mint at the End of October to compare to August and September and see how spending in both grocery and restaurant categories compares.  Losing weight is harder to judge because of what I'm doing on the weekends.  This is the first week that losing weight is going to become a focus.  The last three weeks I've just been focusing on not ordering take out or going to restaurants and adding wine to the list of consumables for the day.  Tonight I'm making chicken enchiladas for the first time.  I bought the sauce and pre cooked chicken at the store so I'm really just assembling dinner, which is the way I like it.  My goal is to eat in 5 days this week and exercise 4 times or at least 2 1/2 hours.  I've been to the store twice today and two stores yesterday, so this better be a kick ass week!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Mid Week Three

This is exhausting!  I really don't know how people work full time have kids and still make meals.  The grocery shopping is the hardest.  Thinking ahead and getting everything at once would be ideal, but I don't seem to be able to accomplish that.  I'm not ready to give up, I really do think I'm saving money.  Losing weight does not seem to be as easy.  I've had some pretty indulgent weekends lately, so it's hard to give it a fair assessment.  I'm still relying on a starchy side dish to encourage me to follow through with eating at home.  I love rice and pasta, but I need to keep portions in check.  I'm going to really try to use the weekend to get prepared ahead of time for next week.  Each time I don't call for delivery seems like a win so I just need to keep going.  I did make a reservation for Friday night today, so I have that to look forward to.  I can't wait!!

Restaurant Addicts Diet: End of Week Two

Tough week!  I didn't go out last night, but I did have Taco Del Mar delivered.  I just couldn't face cooking last night.  I can justify my decision any way I want, but the proof was on the scale this morning.  I'm sure it's just salt and water weight, but I still have to write that down for my Friday weight.  It fell within reason as far as price goes, but I still feel a little guilty.  Hopefully this will help me stay on track next week.  My goal is to eat in Sunday through Wednesday of next week.  I have a lady date to attend some Portland Fashion Week Events on Thursday, so that's a built in incentive to be good the rest of the time.  Happy Weekend!

Restaurant Addicts Diet Week 2

It started off rough, but I am back on track.  We stayed in last night (again) and had deli from Fred Meyer this time, so I spent even less than I had before.  I will admit that today is a struggle.  It's Thursday, and I'm ready to let loose for the weekend.  I was supposed to be off tomorrow, but we added a show so I have to go in.  Normally I would be annoyed, but this time it just may be the thing that saves me from myself.  It's First Thursday here in Portland and it's NOT raining!  This would normally be a trigger for me to indulge.  Especially since it could be the last time it's sunny here until Spring!  See, I could talk myself into it right now.  The saving graces are this; I have to work tomorrow, I already have my pj pants on, Fall TV is in full swing, and if I stay in tonight I get to have Spaghetti Factory for dinner tomorrow.  I love it there and since my husband is off pasta, it's a real treat to go there now.  Wish me luck!

Lazy Restaurant Addict

I got off to a bumpy start Sunday with week 2 of cooking in.  I caved in to delivery, I blame the rain.  Monday I planned ahead to have hot bar at Whole Foods with my friend for our weekly TV date.  Last night was a chance to make a bad decision, but I resisted.  It's always tempting to go out for dinner and drinks when I don't have to work the next day.  Luckily, I planned ahead and got chicken and salmon from the deli.  It is very helpful that the Fall TV season has begun so there are lots of new shows to stay home and watch.  I have to work tomorrow, so I'm hoping tonight will be an easy win.

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Day Five

I did it!!!!  I made it through day five without going out to dinner!  It was SO close though, I almost gave in to temptation last night.  The end of the week is always the hardest for me, and I even called our local pub to see what the soup was.  Thankfully it was not one of my 15 favorite soups or I really think I would have caved in.  That and the Fall TV season has started so my DVR was full of things I wanted to stay home and watch.  It was much easier to stay in because I had stocked the fridge ahead of time.  That seems to be the key to success, that and making plans to go out on the weekend.  I enjoyed the challenge so much that I have decided to try it again next week starting on Sunday.  I'm already thinking of things to make.  Have a great weekend! 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Day Four

This has been a long week!  Last night I had my weekly TV date with my friend and we always have hot bar from Whole Foods, so I knew I wouldn't have to cook.  It was nice not to have to think about what to make, but it still required a trip to the store.  My willpower is waning as the week goes on, that's for sure. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Day Three

I'm on a roll!  I made dinner last night with the things I got at Trader Joes on Sunday.  I even ate lunch at home.  This week I've been focusing on making dinner at home more than calories and diet.  However,  I did buy sensible things that I can track on my phone with the app My Fitness Pal. This is my favorite tracking tool ever!  I haven't lost any weight this week so far, but I haven't gained any either.  Making sure I have everything I need for dinner from the store seems to be half the battle.  I have stopped at the store to pick up a few things everyday this week.  Luckily I walk past a store on my way home from work, however, I hope I get better at planning ahead in the future. 

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Day Two

Monday is hard!  That said, I did pretty well.  I did not go out to dinner last night, but I did go to happy hour.  I hadn't thought of a rule for happy hour, but it seemed better than going out for a full dinner.  I shared an appetizer with two others and had two glasses of wine.  Then I went home and microwaved an Amy's frozen burrito.  Ok, one more glass of wine too.  I got to enjoy going out with my friends and still stick to the basic guidelines I set for the week.  This is tough, but so far so good.

Letter To The Today Show: Live Birth & Insemination? No Thanks!

Gross!!  Yesterday I had to see after birth with my breakfast and this morning you treated me to a turkey baster of sperm!  I do not want to see women in stirrups on TV.  I don't even get the point of this segment except to shock people.  Have you noticed we have an over population problem?  Maybe spend less time promoting breeding on your news program.  What's next?  The Duggars pooping out multiples in the studio?  I'll take my chances with GMA this morning thanks anyway.

Restaurant Addicts Diet: Day One

As you know I'm addicted to eating restaurant food.  It's costing me a fortune and increasing my waist size.  We spent the weekend at a resort, so by Sunday night I was ready to eat at home.  Well, at least as ready as I've ever been.  After we unpacked the car I went straight to Trader Joes and bought $88 worth of supplies.  This seemed like a lot to me, but truthfully that's about what we spend for one dinner at a sit down restaurant.  I chose to start with a pasta recipe that I like and am comfortable making.  It was not as hard to get off the couch and make it as I thought it would be.  The first day was a huge success in my opinion, so I'm feeling encouraged.  Here's to four more!

I'm Addicted To Restaurant Food

I admit it, I'm addicted to restaurant food.  It works directly against both my sensible goals of saving money and losing weight.  Unfortunately, the closer it gets to dinner time all I want is anything but what I have at home.  I not only love the food at restaurants, but the whole experience.  No shopping, prepping, cooking or clean up.  Plus I get to sit and have a face to face uninterrupted conversation with my husband.  We have a small apartment, and there isn't room for a dinner table so the formality of an actual table and chairs feels decadent.  Sometimes I just really need that bit of fun and escape mid week.  The worst part is I'll settle for takeout just so I don't have to face the whole dinner preparation situation.  I realize that I could save a ton of money and have a larger condo that does fit a table if I could just embrace fixing dinner at home.  Even assembling things purchased from the grocery store would be a huge improvement. 
This is why my husband and I have agreed next week to make dinner at home Sunday through Thursday.  (Well, who are we kidding I go out to dinner on Fridays.)   I'm already nervous, but how bad can it be?  I've thought of a million reasons why it won't work out, but I do love a challenge so lets see how it goes. 

Dear Today Show, Chris Brown, really?!

Dear Today Show,
Chris Brown, really?! Is your goal to lose all your female viewers?  How about the viewers that are against domestic abuse?  I hope it was worth it, because it's giving me a great opportunity to watch Alicia Keys on GMA.  Shame on you Today Show!!!

14 Days No Wine

In an attempt to impress my doctor at my annual physical I challenged myself to two weeks with no wine.  My vanity has prompted me to lose weight this year and I thought this would be a great start.  I can not believe how many fun invitations I had to turn down!  I do not have the will power to go out AND say no to wine.  The upside to turning down wine is that you also tend to cut out restaurant food which is excellent for my diet.  Luckily with all the sacrifice came results, thank goodness!  I am down 9 pounds since this time last year, which did impress my doctor.  In two weeks with no wine and minimal restaurant food I was able to lose 3.1 pounds.  This is a lot  for me!  I have no desire to become a teetotaler so my current goal is to drink wine and eat out only one time per week.  A girls gotta have fun, right?

Go Away Lance Armstrong

I am so sick of hearing Lance Armstrong talk!  Why can't he just go away?! He loves to hear himself talk SO much that he's willing to risk prosecution just to get on TV.  I know people think that Livestrong is a good organization, but cancer awareness?  I think we're plenty aware, lets look at prevention.  I don't think he gets that it's not just that he lied and cheated, it's that he was such a pompous asshole while doing it.   And while we're on the subject of lying and cheating at games, who does that?  Children, that's who!  Poor cry baby Lance just wanted to be as good as the other kids.  Leveling the playing field etc.  I give that one massive eye roll!!!!  I hope the next time I hear his name it's followed by the list of things he's being prosecuted for.