A good start

It's been a good few days. I'm aiming to have a 500+ calorie deficit each day (meaning I burn 500 calories more than I eat, and I know this thanks to my BodyBugg). So far so good. Monday I had a 655 cal deficit and yesterday I had a 915 cal deficit. I even tried to go for a walk last night and I got half way down the driveway and realized that it was raining. Not wanting to ruin my shoes, my iPod or my Bodybugg; I went back inside. But I was proud of myself for making the effort to even put my shoes on and grab my iPod and walk out the door. I'm going for a walk this morning. I'm walking my daughter over to her grandmother's house. No, it's not far. I might get in a twenty minute walk, which is leagues away from my hour and a half walks of last fall...but I'm so out of shape I have to start small.

So as far as food goes I'm just trying to be normal and moderate. Moderation is a big issue with me. I can't have just one of anything. I've also been cooking at home, so I'm sure that's a HUGE help. Yesterday I made a mix version of Fettuccine Alfredo from McCormick. I wasn't a fan. Last week I made the Knorr version (using half cream and half milk) and it was way better. We LOVE Alfredo around here and knowing that we're upwards of a thousand calories when we eat it out, I'm trying to learn how to make it here at home so that we can save about half of those calories. The week before I made it from scratch; cream, milk, Parmesan cheese and butter...it was SO not good! So I am on a mission to try a new recipe or mix each week until we find one that we LOVE as much as eating out. I'd really love to find out how to make Carrabba's version of it. But for know the Knorr mix will be a staple in the cabinet because it was super fast and pretty good. Tonight we are having Venison steak on the grill with sweet potatoes and corn on the cob. Sigh. My mouth is watering just thinking about it. But that's the key right? If you're gonna shove calories in, they had better be worth it! Then tomorrow I am making Southwestern Steak Salads with the left over meat (avocado, black beans, grilled corn, pico...). If I can keep myself eating food that I look forward to here at home, then maybe the eating out crutch won't be so missed.

I'm also drinking a lot of Slim-Fast. No, I don't promote it, I don't think it's healthy or good for you. Its loaded with sugar and who knows what else. But, its a crutch. I am using it to deal with a massive caffeine addiction (I used chocolate and add instant coffee for an iced mocha flavor). I am also using it to shrink my appetite which is out of control. But for the same amount of calories you could have an egg sandwich on a wholegrain English Muffin with a slice of 2% cheese singles and a few strawberries. Way more healthy, way more food and for the same calorie price. Its by far a better choice...it just doesn't have caffeine. Maybe I should learn to drink black coffee. I love tea, but it takes me several glasses of tea to ward off that nasty headache. Sigh. So little by little I am cutting back on the caffeine because I'm too big of a wimp to endure the three day caffeine with drawls.

This morning I was down to 170.3lbs. SCORE! I love the first fast few pounds that come off thanks to water. I'm so close to being back in the 160's, and that, for some reason, is very motivating to me!

Ok gotta walk the little monster over to her grandma's and get busy trying to "settle in" to this new home that is still a frustrating disaster! Here's to another day of trudging along.