My life, version 2.

If you are not a fan yet or haven’t ever tried tofu, get on the bandwagon! It is so versatile - you can create silky smooth desserts or savory entrees. My favorites include breakfast scrambles with a southwest flair, super sweet smoothies that pack protein and yummy pasta sauces that resemble their creamy, more fattening counterparts.

So be brave - get out there and buy some. It is as easy as 1-2-3!

There I was at Publix - over Easter weekend - buying groceries for a pot luck at my sister’s house and I find myself in the wine aisle. Among the good stuff, I see Arbor Mist. I know, I know… its comparable to white zinfandel. But I was looking for something refreshing and it was just the cooler I craved for a warm Florida Spring day. And guess what - I confess, I loved it!

It was posed to me at dinner (by my mother) that I am obsessed with my wellness so I am pondering that as I post tonight. I do tend to have obsessive tendencies so I am considering the idea. What is an obsession anyway - a compulsive idea or behavior of which you can’t let go? One that consumes your life and causes you to forget everything else in favor of?

As I think about that in terms of my own behavior I am confident that my routine is not obsessive but focused. Focused on food, yes. Focused on workouts, yes. Focused on nutrition, yes. Focused on wellness in general.

I need to think about what I eat and what I do activity-wise often as it takes constant vigilance. It is so easy to let the small things add up each day to extra calories and wasted opportunities. In fact, it’s those small things that amounted to my 5 to 10 pounds a year gains!

SO… while I admit that I do talk about it a lot. I feel that is how I process it all and stay alert.

Okay - so last year I attended a one-day motivational conference. At it, all three speakers talked about how journaling changed their life. All year I thought about doing it but just never really got on board or found the time.

Now that I am approaching my eating regimen by carefully tracking my calories and protein, I decided to create a Weekly Health Diary in the form of an Excel spreadsheet so I could easily input the numbers and automatically calculate the totals without having to add them up manually. I also added an area that keeps track of my workout schedule and holds me accountable on paper whether I accomplished it for the day or not.

Two days down and going well so far.

Although I am not a big advocate of New Year’s resolutions, this year I have several. First, I have discovered that the “plateau” I am experiencing in my weight loss is most likely self inflicted! Apparently I am consuming way too many calories. These calories come from good healthy food, but simply too much of it. It comes in the form of evening snacking, large portions and second helpings. I read in Prevention’s Biggest Loser Weight Loss Planner that if you weigh 200 lbs, you are consuming 2300 calories each day to maintain that weight. 2800 if you are 250 lbs! That means I am eating more than 600 extra calories every day! The good news is that if I eliminate those from my diet, I will begin losing immediately and consistently take off one pound every three days according to my nutritionist. Now that is real incentive! So resolution number one: stick to 1700 calories a day.

Next, I just can’t get around it… I need to add in cardio to my weekly workout routine. Weight training is great but not a comprehensive fitness plan. M says I can do 30 minutes of intense cardio on the days I don’t come to the gym and then take a break on the weekends. So resolution number two: get up early and walk/run my 2-mile route Monday, Tuesday and Thursdays. That seems attainable. B dog needs it too.

Resolution numbers three and four are subsets of number one. They will help me achieve my calorie target by keeping me full and satisfied. Three: I need to eat ONLY good carbs (high fiber grains). This will mean eating out less, bring lunch or eating at home most days. And four: eat more veggies(!)… especially leafy green ones loaded with protein and calcium.

So that leaves my final resolution, number five: less talk more action.

Even though I made it through Thanksgiving pretty well (the new recipes were all good, btw), lately I haven’t been feeling my greatest. I have been at a weight loss “plateau” for quite a while and really need to step it up to keep moving in the right direction. I have along way to go afterall. This stall has caused me a bit of frustration. So, I haven’t been sticking to my cardio as well as I should.

That said, I have a plan to kick it up power walking in the mornings with my dog, B and reduce my overall calories at the same time. Hopefully, that will do it.

Well I have to say, I feel really good about life these days. I am actually keeping up with my mail, laundry and dishes. While that doesn’t seem like much to most, it is a huge step for me. I even washed the dogs’ bedding and collars! When I keep some semblance of order in these areas, I feel more pulled together in general. It helps me stick to my diet in fact. Weird!

My workouts with M are really paying off too. I don’t see it so much on the scale, but I feel and look thinner (down 37 lbs. now). In fact, I am receiving a lot of compliments from friends and family which is even more motivating. I love it when plan comes together.

Next obstacle - Thanksgiving. I know I will miss the turkey this year (my first vegan T-Day). I really love turkey breast. It would be so much easier if I didn’t have to be around it - out of sight, out of mind… but I can’t expect my family to skip their main course for me. At least there will be a bunch of sides that I like that will satisfy me and I will bring what I need to make sure I am covered. I saw an interesting recipe for Jewel Roasted Vegetables on Ellie Kreiger’s Healthy Appetite on the Food Network this week that I am considering trying.

So, I am taking each day of these next two months “one day a time” to avoid the typical weight gain to which many people fall victim.

OK. So things are out of my control. I am uncomfortable with that. I react poorly to the buildup of things that happen TO me. I wish I didn’t care. I have recently become aware that it affects my well being in many ways. First, I try and push through. When it keeps compounding I get stressed and avoid. Then I feel guilty that I do. Then I lack motivation… for exercise… for socializing - you get the idea. Then I eat. I am mindful that it is bad for me but I do it anyway. I don’t really understand why I choose this destructive path - even though I am now mindful of the cause. I hate confessing it because I feel stupid. But there it is.

Just finished watching Biggest Loser… I can’t believe they complain about a 4- or 5-lb. loss in one week’s time! I realize they workout all the time, but those are some kick@$$ results. I would take it, that’s for sure.

I really need to kick up my cardio outside of my Wed/Fri gym sessions. I confess that I have been a bit lazy this week - or shall I say preoccupied. But I am back to workout tomorrow and very committed. Now that our weather is improving there is absolutely no excuse.

And my next attempt at success includes a lighter, leaner meal plan. More salads and veggies, less enriched carbs. We’ll see what M says tomorrow.

Edamame hummus with homemade spicy pita chips (Elle Kreiger); Morning Glory vegan flaxseed muffins (modified-Cooking Light); Soy meatball soup (modified-Simple Everday Diabetic Meals); Black bean and sweet potato enchiladas (Vegan Planet) with fresh salsa; Fruit and Soy (Spiru-tein) smoothies. Comment this entry for recipes.