Any Day Now

Maybe I'm an optimist, or maybe I fit the definition of insane for once again thinking I'm really on track this time.  Either way, I do feel hopeful and what I would call motivated.  I have not lost any weight since last week, but I went out of town for a few days and didn't gain any.  I have set a goal for this Friday and I am going to do everything I can to achieve it.  So far I am having luck with the other non weight goals that I have been setting which is something.  Here's how last week shaped up with a 3 day vacation in the mix.

Recap:

• 10,000 steps 6 of 7 days: I exceeded 4 of 7 and was less than 1,000 away 2 of 7
• Plank 6 of 7: I made it 4 of 7
• Food log 5 of 7: I made it 4 of 7 but exceeded calories 3 of those 4 times
• Bike 3 days 30 minutes: Did it!!!  This was my real win for the week.

I felt that these goals were achievable, and that I will meet or exceed them this week.

 Goals for this week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days
• Log food 5 out of 7 days
• Plank 6 out of 7 days
• Bike 3 times for 30 minutes or more 

I went to the beach last weekend and had a really great time.  I don't feel like I busted either my calorie or money budgets which feels great!  I have a busy time at work coming up, and I am a little nervous about resisting the urge to treat myself to things just to make myself feel temporarily better.  I am going to pick out a nice restaurant that I would like to go to next time the occasion arises so that I don't burn an opportunity on mediocre. 
I still have not used my credit cards!  This is a huge win for us!  We went to the beach this weekend and it would have been so easy to use the vacation special event excuse.  The less I spend the more I think about what I'm spending.  I have had a few bumps along the way such as only bringing one bottle of wine this weekend and having to pay $3 more to purchase it at the beach.  Live and learn. 

The Goals Helped Let's Try It Again

I have a diet pattern that is rearing it's ugly head.  I tend to gain weight at the beginning which is SO unmotivating!  I had salty foods and an all day brunch celebration this weekend, and despite doing pretty well up until then, I am right back where I started last week.  I have no one to blame but myself so that sucks, but it does mean it's within my control to change.  Here's how the goals shaped up last week:

Recap:

• 10,000 steps 6 of 7 days: I made it 3 of 7 and far exceeded on those 3 days
• Plank 7 days: 6 of 7!  Not bad, I think that's my new goal.
• Food Log: 5 of 5!  
• Bike 3 days 30 min: One day 30 minutes

I was broke last week, and I still did not use my credit cards!  I wanted to so bad and I resisted!  I carefully set up my finances for the next 2 weeks until my next payday, and I am really hoping I can manage my money better than last time so I'm not counting change the day before payday.

Goals for this week:

• 10,000 steps 6 out of 7 days
• Log food 5 out of 7 days
• Plank 6 out of 7 days
• Bike 3 times for 30 minutes or more

Clearly Defined Goals

My weight is inching up way too fast for comfort.  I'm sure there's some water weight blah blah blah, but facts are facts and the fact is I am eating more than I'm burning.  I have decided to go back to listing my goals for the week.  I already have a plan for my budget this week so I really just need to stick to it and add these diet and exercise goals.

Goals for the Week of July 27th:

• Exceed 10,000 steps 6 of 7 days
• Bike 30 minutes 3 days 
• Plank 7 days tweet it as a motivator not to break the streak
• Food log 5 days 

I'm hoping this will help me kick start my weight loss, I would like to be down 3 pounds next week. I have several occasions coming up where I would like to look and feel my best. 

I have taken some steps to reduce our monthly overhead by lowering our cable package and trading in one dvr for a simple converter box.  My next mission is to find the least expensive checking account at Wells Fargo.  I seem to be paying $13 per month and I could have sworn I started with free checking, I wonder if they even have that anymore.  Then I would like to sign up for the public library.  I walk past one of the best libraries on my way to and from work.  I think they might have digital books I can read on my kindle and they have movies.  Here's to reducing my weight and my debt! 

Change Is Hard

This whole save money lose weight plan is quite difficult.  So far I haven't lost any weight, but I have been very tight with money.  Mostly because I don't have any left after putting as much as possible on my credit cards.  I have several motivating factors to succeed at both things right now which means I have to really step it up.  We have just purchased tickets for Hawaii and I don't want to feel fat or broke on vacation.  Ironically the stress of my goals makes me want to eat and spend money.
Today I rode my stationary bike for the first time in a very long time.  I plan to combine the steps I've been getting with some additional biking.  What I have been doing is great, but it clearly isn't enough so cross training seems like a good solution. 
Saving money is hard because I like to go out and do things and that costs money.  I have been making a concerted effort to go to less expensive places when I do go out and I have even been cooking at home this week.  One thing I have noticed is the less expensive things don't seem to be as diet friendly.  I need to work on portion control when I cook at home, and look for ways to eat less starch. 

Restaurant Addict: Taco Salad Tour of PDX

The hot weather makes me crave taco salad, and I spent last week sampling three great ones.  It all started and ended on the patio of Cha Taqueria & Bar .  I got the apple wood smoked chicken and it was amazing!  I think that's what really set this one apart from the others.  I also like how the fried shell was taco sized and served like a cornucopia so it wasn't a massive fried thing that you cant help eating.  At $10 it seemed like a great deal and it was so good I went back again 6 days later and got the exact same thing.
The next day I couldn't get taco salad off my mind so I went to Casa del Matador.  This one came in the more traditional large fried shell bowl.  I chose the chicken instead of the carnitas that was listed on the menu.  I'm not a huge fan of their sour cream so I had that on the side and used it sparingly.  This was the most expensive of the three at $10.50.  It was good and I would definitely have it again, but their hard shell Tacos Dorados are my favorite so I might just get that instead.
Day three of the taco salad tour was Chipotle.  I live very close and eat here often, but I usually get the bowl with barbacoa.  This time I got the salad and it was very good and at $6 it was the least expensive and probably the healthiest.  Since you select toppings as you go, I was a little more conscious of not adding sour cream and I don't like their guacamole so I skipped that also.  I only used a little of the dressing so I saved calories there too.  This was my second favorite of the three and I will definitely get it again.  I love summer!

Get Serious

I ate too much and I drank way too much this weekend, of course, I did have a great time.  Now that the holiday weekend is behind me it's time to get serious about this whole losing weight thing.  The big calorie tanker is wine, there I said it!  I do love to have as much wine as the evening (or afternoon) calls for without a thought to the liquid calories.  In addition I do love to eat a lot after my defenses are down.  Proof of this is sitting in my cupboards and freezer in the form of ill advised drunken snack purchases made over the weekend.  That reminds me I need to clean that out right away. 
No point dwelling on the past, time to move on.  How is the hard part.  My friend and often partner in crime is cutting back on her drinking so that will help me.  If I limit my wine to 2 days per week I could cut calories and spend less.  Take out is cheaper than eating at the restaurant and less temptation for wine and bread.  With the great weather comes more opportunities to get out and walk and I have been taking advantage of a lot of those.  I just need to stop acting like I'm on vacation.  I'm sure lots of people go out to dinner and still meet their goals.  I just need to keep working at being one of them.  My goal for this week is to log everything from Monday to Thursday in my food journal. 

Holiday Weekend On A Budget?

Lately I have been giving more thought to my financial diet than my calorie diet.  I don't think I have really changed my weight, but I wouldn't know for sure since I haven't weighed in for a few days.  It's super hot in Portland right now which luckily makes me crave salads and other lighter fare.  On the other hand, it makes for the perfect excuse to go out.  For example it's going to be almost 100 degrees today and all I can think about is going somewhere with industrial strength air conditioning and taco salad. 
 The other thing swaying me to the dark side is it's a holiday weekend that I have turned into a holiday week.  I love the fourth of July because in Portland it's Waterfront Blues Festival weekend.  This year we went for it and got passes with seating so we don't have to bring chairs and stake out a spot for the entire day.  With that comes a higher price tag and the question of how to maximize our fun and not spend more than necessary. 
I have been checking out all the restaurants within walking distance and have selected several at a lower price point.  We have also gone through the performance schedule to determine when we may be at home.  I'm really hoping that some initial planning will really pay off in the end.  However, my biggest goal is to have a great time and really enjoy myself.  We have already spent a fair amount for this experience and the weather looks perfect.  I want to relax and have fun, and with that comes managing expectations.  I have a tendency to get super excited and build things up too much.  With that said, I am very cautiously excited.