So at the end of Week 1 - Hubs & I began the week with $300 to last thru Feb. This $300 is supposed to be for Groceries, Take-Out, Restaurant Meals & yes, even the Vending Machine hit. And .... drumroll please ..... our totals for the week are:
Groceries: 22.23
Take-out: 12.49
Lunch Out: 4.00
Dinner: 10.00
Total: 48.72
Amount Left: 251.28
Now having a fairly stocked pantry & refrigerator did help keep that number fairly low. Getting our usual essentials will definitely increase our spending this week. For one, the milk is almost over & you know I need my Calcium fix. Plus, next weekend is Valentine's Day and I'm trying to plan a fun weekend for the Hubs & I - and you know, that's going to involve eating out!!
What's scary is that while $300 might be on the lower side of what we would usually spend in a month for the 2 of us that's what some families of 4-6 will survive on. If you haven't been following the news recently more Americans are on Food Stamps than ever before. The story isn't so different in our home country. Increased food prices are forcing millions of people even further under the poverty line. Being so far away from Home pretty much the only thing I can do right now is send a check in the right direction. So my pledge is this, whatever amount I can keep our spending below $300 for this month I shall send to the relevant relief organizations back home. I know it's just a drop in the pond but it is a start.
Some great organizations out there that you can donate to within & outside of the U.S. are:
World Food Programme
Food For Life Global
Feeding America
Midday Meal
and the best of all for those of us trying to lose weight and do something good at the same time:
Pound For Pound Challenge
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Back on the Horse
Errr.... or rather the Treadmill....
2.4 miles at an average speed of 4 to 5.5mph followed by 110 crunches.... A little sore but feeling extremely kicked! I promise not to bore you with the details of my workouts too much in the future but for the moment - I did it :)
Now if I can only avoid eating too much at dinner tonight today will be a success!!
2.4 miles at an average speed of 4 to 5.5mph followed by 110 crunches.... A little sore but feeling extremely kicked! I promise not to bore you with the details of my workouts too much in the future but for the moment - I did it :)
Now if I can only avoid eating too much at dinner tonight today will be a success!!
20 pounds thinner is 5 minutes or less!!
Isn't it amazing how a headline like this can grab your attention!!
Lose 20 pounds in One Week!
Drop 10 inches in One Month!
Miracle Abs - No Diet, No Exercise, No Stress!
The Miracle Pill - Eat Whatever You Want & Still Lose Weight.
Hopefully we all know that all these promises are nothing but pie-in-the-sky dreams. True weight loss can only happen when the Holy Trinity align - Diet, Exercise, and Mental Attitude. Without one of these elements most weight loss programmes fail even before they start. Most of my previous weight loss success (and yes, it did happen) was when I was eating relatively healthy, working out with a Trainer, was on a dance team, and woke up every morning thinking I could conquer the world. Maybe it was my sassy short hair, the blue nail polish I used to love wearing, the cool clothes and all my minis - I definitely had attitude and more to spare.
Several years and 20 pounds later I haven't been doing so well of late. Dieting is something I can mostly handle (except for the cakes & cookies) but Exercise and my Mental Attitude needs a shake-up. I've settled into my McMansion life in the suburbs and lost (a little bit) of my essence. I love the Hubs, adore the Dog and love my life but I do not love the Size 8 (sometimes bordering on Size 10) jeans in my closet. Something's gotta change. I need my ATTITUDE back.
First step - looking at a 20 pounds thinner me. I found this fabulous website called www.weightview.com - you upload a photo of yourself and they will work their magic and send it back to you 10-20-30 pounds thinner. The 20 pound lighter pic looks awesome and is now front and central on my refrigerator and pantry door. Some hip-hop music on the radio as I stride on the Treadmill and World, I GOT MY TUDE BACK!!
Lose 20 pounds in One Week!
Drop 10 inches in One Month!
Miracle Abs - No Diet, No Exercise, No Stress!
The Miracle Pill - Eat Whatever You Want & Still Lose Weight.
Hopefully we all know that all these promises are nothing but pie-in-the-sky dreams. True weight loss can only happen when the Holy Trinity align - Diet, Exercise, and Mental Attitude. Without one of these elements most weight loss programmes fail even before they start. Most of my previous weight loss success (and yes, it did happen) was when I was eating relatively healthy, working out with a Trainer, was on a dance team, and woke up every morning thinking I could conquer the world. Maybe it was my sassy short hair, the blue nail polish I used to love wearing, the cool clothes and all my minis - I definitely had attitude and more to spare.
Several years and 20 pounds later I haven't been doing so well of late. Dieting is something I can mostly handle (except for the cakes & cookies) but Exercise and my Mental Attitude needs a shake-up. I've settled into my McMansion life in the suburbs and lost (a little bit) of my essence. I love the Hubs, adore the Dog and love my life but I do not love the Size 8 (sometimes bordering on Size 10) jeans in my closet. Something's gotta change. I need my ATTITUDE back.
First step - looking at a 20 pounds thinner me. I found this fabulous website called www.weightview.com - you upload a photo of yourself and they will work their magic and send it back to you 10-20-30 pounds thinner. The 20 pound lighter pic looks awesome and is now front and central on my refrigerator and pantry door. Some hip-hop music on the radio as I stride on the Treadmill and World, I GOT MY TUDE BACK!!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Ummm..... Loss of Control
It happens to all of us... the black-outs, the forgetfulness, the compulsive lying to oneself and others. I guess it was my turn.
I had been trying to be good for the first few weeks of the year. With my New Year's Resolutions and plans to get healthy with my Food Diary in my purse and the Treadmill at ready I started the year with a bang. All systems go, healthy snack foods in the house, running shoes at the ready by the door.... and then life happened...
First it was the cold weather. By the time I got bundled up to take the Dog for a walk, walked her, came back & unbundled I was too tired, crabby & hungry to get on the Treadmill. My Trainer left the gym & because I hate the whole process of trying to find someone new (trust me, it's worse than dating ever was!) I've been avoiding the gym. Finally last week I actually went 3 days without writing down my food consumption in my diary. And then Superbowl Sunday hit.
I love being a good hostess. Love cooking for Hubs, love cooking for friends and especially love making desserts.... If you've read the title of this blog - Step Away From the Cookie.... you know where this is going....
I made Chocolate Cake & White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies. The first from scratch, the second was pre-made dough sold as part of a fundraising drive for my s-i-l's friend. Sunday over, the Cards lost (did I mention how much that sucked) and I had a ton of leftovers. I did take some in to friends at work but the rest of it sat on a plate in my oven. They were out of sight but not out of my thoughts. Every night I could hear their siren call as I put my dinner plate into the dishwasher. And every night, I succumbed. Loss of Control.
I am calling this my Sugar Crazed Week. Everyone's allowed to have at least one in their lifetime (or one each year if you're a chocoholic like me). I had my last piece of cake tonight. Or so I said before I had 2 more. Anyway, it's time to move on. I lost control but now am back on track. It helps that the cake is (almost) over. Maybe now I can move on with my life and let my jeans love me once more.
I can hear the Siren's call. Dang! I'd better get out of the kitchen before it's my undoing. Loss of Control - no more....
I had been trying to be good for the first few weeks of the year. With my New Year's Resolutions and plans to get healthy with my Food Diary in my purse and the Treadmill at ready I started the year with a bang. All systems go, healthy snack foods in the house, running shoes at the ready by the door.... and then life happened...
First it was the cold weather. By the time I got bundled up to take the Dog for a walk, walked her, came back & unbundled I was too tired, crabby & hungry to get on the Treadmill. My Trainer left the gym & because I hate the whole process of trying to find someone new (trust me, it's worse than dating ever was!) I've been avoiding the gym. Finally last week I actually went 3 days without writing down my food consumption in my diary. And then Superbowl Sunday hit.
I love being a good hostess. Love cooking for Hubs, love cooking for friends and especially love making desserts.... If you've read the title of this blog - Step Away From the Cookie.... you know where this is going....
I made Chocolate Cake & White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies. The first from scratch, the second was pre-made dough sold as part of a fundraising drive for my s-i-l's friend. Sunday over, the Cards lost (did I mention how much that sucked) and I had a ton of leftovers. I did take some in to friends at work but the rest of it sat on a plate in my oven. They were out of sight but not out of my thoughts. Every night I could hear their siren call as I put my dinner plate into the dishwasher. And every night, I succumbed. Loss of Control.
I am calling this my Sugar Crazed Week. Everyone's allowed to have at least one in their lifetime (or one each year if you're a chocoholic like me). I had my last piece of cake tonight. Or so I said before I had 2 more. Anyway, it's time to move on. I lost control but now am back on track. It helps that the cake is (almost) over. Maybe now I can move on with my life and let my jeans love me once more.
I can hear the Siren's call. Dang! I'd better get out of the kitchen before it's my undoing. Loss of Control - no more....
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Food Tracking 101
There are a couple of ongoing Budget Challenges that I’ve been following in January. Since February is a relatively short month I’ve decided to embrace the Food Challenge for this month. 28 days, $300 for groceries, take-out and restaurant eating for both the Hubs and I.
Given that Feb 1st was Superbowl Sunday and I hosted the viewing party since the Cards were playing I do start with a built-in advantage ~ enough dips and cheese to last almost the entire month if we’re good. I’m not gonna include it in my Feb spending though since it’s not an extravagantly large dollar amount. I’ve already started with pizzas on Sunday though and our share (plus the last minute milk, juice and water run) was approx. $20. The good news is between pantry staples and leftovers we should be set for the rest of the week.
With any Challenge there’s got to be a Reward of sort’s right. If we can stay within the $300 total the plan is to put the Savings towards the Health Budget and get both of us a Heart Rate Monitor. I know you can get basic ones for about $40 but I’m looking into the ones that track your calories burned. I’ll try posting my totals weekly and depending on how much we have saved at the end of the month will post my reviews for the HRMs once I have some narrowed down.
Ready, Set, FOOD…..
Given that Feb 1st was Superbowl Sunday and I hosted the viewing party since the Cards were playing I do start with a built-in advantage ~ enough dips and cheese to last almost the entire month if we’re good. I’m not gonna include it in my Feb spending though since it’s not an extravagantly large dollar amount. I’ve already started with pizzas on Sunday though and our share (plus the last minute milk, juice and water run) was approx. $20. The good news is between pantry staples and leftovers we should be set for the rest of the week.
With any Challenge there’s got to be a Reward of sort’s right. If we can stay within the $300 total the plan is to put the Savings towards the Health Budget and get both of us a Heart Rate Monitor. I know you can get basic ones for about $40 but I’m looking into the ones that track your calories burned. I’ll try posting my totals weekly and depending on how much we have saved at the end of the month will post my reviews for the HRMs once I have some narrowed down.
Ready, Set, FOOD…..
Monday, February 2, 2009
Goal Update
Financial:
1. I have set up my 401 (k) deductions to max out by (almost) my next-to-last paycheck of 2009. I could have averaged it out for all 24 checks (we get paid on a twice-monthly system) but figured I’d rather have 1-2 paycheck buffers in case of several scenarios that include my taking several weeks of unpaid vacation this Summer.
2. I have set up the Vanguard account for the Hubs & I with an initial deposit but we haven’t finished selecting which Mutual Funds we want to contribute towards. That should happen when Hubs is back in this weekend.
3. I’ve made the Refinance call. Now just waiting for the paperwork to finalize. I stuck with Wells Fargo for several reasons including Zero Closing Costs. Given that my mortgage amount is relatively small – its now in the 5 figures all the other banks I approached were adding on 1% over & above the going average rate. Talk about Zero Advantage Loans…
4. We’re getting the documents together for our Dallas home refinance. Hopefully we should be able to accomplish this by end Feb.
5. The Budget is an on-going task. While I have been fairly good about putting receipts into the envelope I haven’t figured out how to account for last month’s Utilities and Bills. And lets just say that this weekend there was a nasty incident between me and my card. MC insisted on purchasing way too much food for the Super Bowl party. I tried to fight it but lost. The result ~ a bunch of unhealthy food in the refrigerator. I plan on bringing it into work this week & making my coworkers eat some... Spread The Fat I say :)
Health:
6. I had my Health Exam last week and Dental exam by the end of Feb. Vision should be ok for now since I went for my eye Exam back in November. A little bit of a shock with the Health Exam was my Bone Density Test. In this you basically lie on a bed while a scanner passes over your body analyzing the density of your bones. While I am within ‘normal’ parameters for the moment the graph trend indicates that I’m likely to develop osteoporosis in my mid 60s if I do not take action. Luckily age is on my side so if I start stepping up my Calcium and Vitamin D intake I should be fine. Plus, the Doc suggested I do weight training and increase my Cardio to help build stronger bones. Great ~ just what I need ~ the Doc joining my exercise bandwagon!! I’ll post my Health check-up numbers if there are any surprises once I get the results.
7. I LOVE MULTI-VITAMINS!! Actually, not really but I have been taking them. I’m one of those people who HATE taking medicines of any kind (one of the reasons I intensely dislike getting sick) and Vitamins usually come in fairly large capsules. I recently switched to the Nature Made brand however and with smaller size tablets they’re a little easier pill to swallow…
Losing Weight:
8 thru 11 - I have to admit this is one area in which I’ve been slacking off a fair bit. I have been (mostly) keeping my Food Diary though updating on the weekends is hard since I tend to munch too much and then feel guilty about it and then munch some more and then forget what I’ve eaten since I occasionally ‘forget’ to bring the Diary home from work… it’s a vicious cycle!! I have been hydrating a lot – too often sometimes – and mostly getting 7 hours of sleep a night. The exercise on the other hand has been hard. Since my Trainer quit on me I haven’t looked for a new taskmaster as I thought I’d see if I could go it alone…. No such luck yet. Apparently I really need someone to kick my butt!! I have finally unearthed my workout DVDs though. So I plan to give it another week. If I haven’t done some form of exercise at least 3 times this week then I will try & find another ass-kicker…. The good news though ~ despite my exercising (or lack thereof) I’m down 1.8 pounds for the month. Just another 10 to go….
P.S. So all my bloodwork came back great to normal. Cholesterol levels are all within the Good to Excellent range, no diabetes risk, no Thyroid problems. So now it’s just me against the Scale….. Round One Begins *Ding!*
1. I have set up my 401 (k) deductions to max out by (almost) my next-to-last paycheck of 2009. I could have averaged it out for all 24 checks (we get paid on a twice-monthly system) but figured I’d rather have 1-2 paycheck buffers in case of several scenarios that include my taking several weeks of unpaid vacation this Summer.
2. I have set up the Vanguard account for the Hubs & I with an initial deposit but we haven’t finished selecting which Mutual Funds we want to contribute towards. That should happen when Hubs is back in this weekend.
3. I’ve made the Refinance call. Now just waiting for the paperwork to finalize. I stuck with Wells Fargo for several reasons including Zero Closing Costs. Given that my mortgage amount is relatively small – its now in the 5 figures all the other banks I approached were adding on 1% over & above the going average rate. Talk about Zero Advantage Loans…
4. We’re getting the documents together for our Dallas home refinance. Hopefully we should be able to accomplish this by end Feb.
5. The Budget is an on-going task. While I have been fairly good about putting receipts into the envelope I haven’t figured out how to account for last month’s Utilities and Bills. And lets just say that this weekend there was a nasty incident between me and my card. MC insisted on purchasing way too much food for the Super Bowl party. I tried to fight it but lost. The result ~ a bunch of unhealthy food in the refrigerator. I plan on bringing it into work this week & making my coworkers eat some... Spread The Fat I say :)
Health:
6. I had my Health Exam last week and Dental exam by the end of Feb. Vision should be ok for now since I went for my eye Exam back in November. A little bit of a shock with the Health Exam was my Bone Density Test. In this you basically lie on a bed while a scanner passes over your body analyzing the density of your bones. While I am within ‘normal’ parameters for the moment the graph trend indicates that I’m likely to develop osteoporosis in my mid 60s if I do not take action. Luckily age is on my side so if I start stepping up my Calcium and Vitamin D intake I should be fine. Plus, the Doc suggested I do weight training and increase my Cardio to help build stronger bones. Great ~ just what I need ~ the Doc joining my exercise bandwagon!! I’ll post my Health check-up numbers if there are any surprises once I get the results.
7. I LOVE MULTI-VITAMINS!! Actually, not really but I have been taking them. I’m one of those people who HATE taking medicines of any kind (one of the reasons I intensely dislike getting sick) and Vitamins usually come in fairly large capsules. I recently switched to the Nature Made brand however and with smaller size tablets they’re a little easier pill to swallow…
Losing Weight:
8 thru 11 - I have to admit this is one area in which I’ve been slacking off a fair bit. I have been (mostly) keeping my Food Diary though updating on the weekends is hard since I tend to munch too much and then feel guilty about it and then munch some more and then forget what I’ve eaten since I occasionally ‘forget’ to bring the Diary home from work… it’s a vicious cycle!! I have been hydrating a lot – too often sometimes – and mostly getting 7 hours of sleep a night. The exercise on the other hand has been hard. Since my Trainer quit on me I haven’t looked for a new taskmaster as I thought I’d see if I could go it alone…. No such luck yet. Apparently I really need someone to kick my butt!! I have finally unearthed my workout DVDs though. So I plan to give it another week. If I haven’t done some form of exercise at least 3 times this week then I will try & find another ass-kicker…. The good news though ~ despite my exercising (or lack thereof) I’m down 1.8 pounds for the month. Just another 10 to go….
P.S. So all my bloodwork came back great to normal. Cholesterol levels are all within the Good to Excellent range, no diabetes risk, no Thyroid problems. So now it’s just me against the Scale….. Round One Begins *Ding!*
Sunday, February 1, 2009
So Close...
Super Bowl 43... The first time the Arizona Cardinals made it to the Finals and unfortunately the first time they lost... For about 2 minutes when the score was 23-20 Cardinals Fans everywhere (and I definitely count myself as one of them) held their breath & dared to dream of the unthinkable... Unfortunately we couldn't follow through and the Steelers literally threw themselves into the annals of fame becoming the first team to win 6 Super Bowl victories....
Life is full of tales like this - victory snatched from the jaws of defeat.... almost there stories... so close but no dice... its up to us what we make of our own tales... do we accept whatever cards we're dealt and move on or do we decide to write our own destiny and change fate.... Cardinals fans everywhere will avow over the next few days that Sanantonio Holmes did not have both toes on the ground when he caught that pass... but the fact that he played his heart out going for the catch is still an inspiration...
We all need to look for our inspirations in both the ordinary and extraordinary... For me its in the wag of my dog's tail as she trots on ahead on our walks.... its the movie we saw at work Darius Goes West about a young guy who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.... its in reading a poem from the hubby that's written just for me and its in looking at how far the Cardinals came this post-season...
So close.....I'll be rooting for 44.... Go Red!!
Life is full of tales like this - victory snatched from the jaws of defeat.... almost there stories... so close but no dice... its up to us what we make of our own tales... do we accept whatever cards we're dealt and move on or do we decide to write our own destiny and change fate.... Cardinals fans everywhere will avow over the next few days that Sanantonio Holmes did not have both toes on the ground when he caught that pass... but the fact that he played his heart out going for the catch is still an inspiration...
We all need to look for our inspirations in both the ordinary and extraordinary... For me its in the wag of my dog's tail as she trots on ahead on our walks.... its the movie we saw at work Darius Goes West about a young guy who has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.... its in reading a poem from the hubby that's written just for me and its in looking at how far the Cardinals came this post-season...
So close.....I'll be rooting for 44.... Go Red!!
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