Wednesday

Check out this article

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704464704575208082569868428.html?mod=yhoofront

Tuesday

Shame on Shame

Jennie's comment the other day spurred a thought in my little head.  I hope and try to create a feeling of togetherness and understanding no matter what stage in the journey you are on.  Someone just starting may think that Molly (random name) several years into the journey has it made.  The look from someone's place to Molly's place may look so out of reach that it is beyond trying.  But, Molly's journey ahead of her, to her, looks endless as well.  That common feeling can bind us and help to motivate or it can put a wedge in between - we choose which. 
So, to those that have a hundred pounds I do not look down on you.  Believe me I am busy downing on myself.  I hope I can say something that can motivate you and your success helps motivate me.  I feel so strongly about losing the shame factor in this journey.  People are only "better" if you give them that title.  If you struggle ask someone you look up to in that area.  Push yourself beyond the fear and you will learn and gain power!

Monday

Consequently

A few weeks ago we sat down our kids for a little family meeting - we try to do this weekly.  I told them I wanted to take all that they have learned about good and bad and right and wrong and throw it out the window.  I told them that what really matters are the consequences and if they are desirable or not.  This was spurred by a discussion on lying.  There isn't a clear cut line on that one.  While it is lying to tell someone on the phone that mom is in the tub when she is not really home,  the positive consequences of that choice to "lie" outweighs the negative ones.  Does that make sense?  As we continued to talk we thought about a dozen or so choices, mostly negative choices, and their consequences.  "You could choose to take drugs or cheat on the test, but you cannot choose the consequences and the chances are high that they would not be positive".

I wanted to take the conversation a little further.  I set out five different flavors of Dippin' Dots.  I let one kid pick one that he wanted to taste.  He did, I asked him if it was good - if he was happy with his choice.  I then pointed out that a consequence of his choice was that he got to taste that particular flavor.  That was a consequence - a  positive one.  Also, that he missed out on four other flavors.  I asked him what he thought about that consequence, after a minute he could see that there was power in being able to make a choice - a great consequence.  Also, that enjoying what he chose was... enjoyable.  He really wasn't thinking about what he was missing.

I think this concept directly relates to eating well.  Get the good and bad out of your thinking.  The cycle of good happy and bad sad creates an emotional cycle that begs for weight to pack on.  The consequence of eating a double cheeseburger has its negative consequences for sure but once in a while there is a time when a positive will outweigh them.  Careful, there is a thin line here.  You might be fooled into thinking "you are having a bad day and a double cheese will make it all better".  That takes some more thinking.  Only you can really make that choice and deal with its consequences both good and bad.  

Saturday

School Lunch

Check out this clip from Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution and then pack your kids lunch at least a few times a week.  Watch all of the Food Revolution episodes on Hulu.

Friday

Day 30!!!

This 30 day challenge has taught me a lot.  I started at 134.2 and ended at 134.4.  My average weight is 134.2.  I thought that was very interesting.  There are a few lessons to take away.  First, I ate what I wanted.  I did not starve myself or even deprive myself.  I watched it and made judgments on what, when and how I ate but it was all worth it.  I wished that I could have dropped a few pounds but I didn't.  I have two choices now.  I can either go strict for a while and hope that I can break through the plateau or I can be happy where I am at.  I never want my self worth to come from numbers so I will choose to be happy.

Last night was my hubby's last night of a class he has been taking and we celebrated with a late movie.  We saw Date Night , the perfect choice for the mood I was in.  I was feeling a little emotional (see yesterday's log for an understanding)  not getting the popcorn (I was practically raised on popcorn - really it is true) but, I made it to the previews and I was fine.  I have to say the guy's laughter behind us was half the fun.  I did have a bite of my husbands carnitas taco we picked up on the way home.  BTW, so unfair.  His meal calories are at least half of my day's worth.  Arrrg!          

My advice from this experience would be to really sit back, evaluate your life.  What really is possible and feasible?  Don't set expectations too high.  Don't continually beat yourself up day after day.  I hated it that a 135 sent panic through my body and a 132 would send a craving for a Big Mac.  I don't have to settle for those emotions - they can change.  If I can get on the scale once a week (or not) and just have it be a check-in and nothing more - how could that be bad?  No matter what the scale says, it's happy when I am happy and that is the true battle.  Feeling your best at your best.

I will continue to add a day here and there about what is going on but, I will stick with motivating, encouraging and hopefully educating.  If there are any recipes you want or questions, you can comment (anonymous if you like) or email me by clicking on my profile.  Cheers everyone!

PS
Today I am giving myself a day off from exercise - just a little treat for enduring a long marathon:D 

Thursday

Day 29

Today's weight 134.2

Breakfast - two pieces of fiber bread toast with peanut butter and honey
It was only in the last year that I added the peanut butter. I would prefer just the honey but the fat and protein in the peanut butter helps to break down the sugars slower.  When we eat any kind of sugar whether from a starch (rice, four), vegetable, fruit or from anything sweet (or not, anything processed has a lot of sugar as well) our body panics a little with the rush of sugar and sends out insulin which kind of neutralizes the sugar.  Any leftover insulin wants its sugar and will send all kinds of cravings through your head.  Things like fat and fiber help the body to not panic and the sugars get broken down slower.
292 calories

Lunch - broccoli salad, almond crackers and a slice of ham
287 calories

Snack - A handful of Craisins and a Chex turtle bar -holy yum! Why did I not know about these things?
260 calories

Dinner - bbq beef sandwich and more broccoli salad
545 calories

A whole lot of craziness- some Dots, some Twizzler pull-n-pills (yikie spikie the calories!!!), some cotton candy and some cream cheese frosting.  My son had to decorate a cake in the shape of Colorado and decorate it with candy wha wha whaaaaaaaaaa.  I also downed some chips to counteract the sweet.  The good news is that I have no desire to eat much of anything for a while.  
603 calories

By my estimates on myfitnesspal.com I still have a couple of hundred calories before I break even but I am pretty much calling today a wash.  I haven't inhaled candy like that in a while and since I don't feel so well I will not be repeating it anytime soon.

Wednesday

Day 28

Today's weight 135.4 - ouch!

See what I mean about salt, especially late at night.  Oh well, it was worth it.

Breakfast - from scratch blueberry waffles (my dad bought me a huge amount of fresh blueberries when they were on sale last fall and we froze them) with brown sugar syrup 
427 calories another ouch!

Lunch - Albacore tuna with mayo, almond crackers and broccoli salad
362 calories

Snack - maple syrup cookies and a few tootsie rolls
174 calories

Dinner - caribbean chicken with rice
516 calories

dessert - chex turtle bar, a caffeine free Dr Pepper and a bubble bath ahhh!

Today I burned 531 more calories than I ate.   

Day 27

Today's weight 133.4

Last night I ended up having a good size handful of Lays lightly salted chips.  They were so good and hit the spot.  I was craving salt big time and could have eaten the whole bag - oh how I wanted to.  But, I have learned the fulfillment of the craving is really a dangling carrot.  Rarely do I feel satisfied.  Usually my brain is busy busy and downing a bag of chips only directs my brain to other matters - a yucky tummy or a whole lot of guilt, which does help the busy brain.  My youngest son used to come to me when he was hurt.  Those hurts that just take a few minutes and they are gone but to him, and to me, those minutes would last a lifetime.  Once I said "run in a circle and it will help".  He did and it did!  He is a big seven years old and it doesn't work as well now for him but last night I tried it for myself just for kicks.  Surprisingly it worked.  Run around a table or just in a big circle for 1 or 2 minutes and your brain will reboot and BING, the craving is gone.  Try it!

Breakfast - Silk Chocolate strawberry soy shake with protein powder (yeah! I remembered)
254 calories   

Lunch - chicken vegetable soup, two bread sticks, a sugar cookies and 1/2 a brownie.
515 calories

Snack - activia light yogurt
70 calories

Dinner - spaghetti with meat sauce, mixed veggies and some garlic bread
736 calories

Dessert - after the kids were in bed my husband and I snuck (hum? not a real word  guess) out to the park and enjoyed the nice weather and a good heart to heart.  It was heaven.  It was even better with some 7-11 nachos and a diet coke:)

I still managed to burn 250 calories more than I ate.

Monday

Day 26

Today's weight 133.8

See, eating out makes such a difference for me.  My calories were higher yesterday than both Friday and Saturday and my weight is less today than those days:/

Breakfast - my Silk Chocolate strawberry shake
215 calories

Lunch -  homemade salad and a fresh cooked tortilla
362 calories

Snack - a caffeine free diet Dr Pepper (caffeine would have been helpful) and two Lorna Doone shortbread cookies
70 calories

Dinner - Chicken cordon Bleu, a baked potato with fat free cottage cheese and frozen peas
622 calories

Dessert - no bake cookies
263 calories

I ended the day burning 600 calories more than I ate. 

Sunday

Day 25

Today's weight 134.4

Breakfast - blender pancakes again
358 calories

Lunch - Taco bake, some trail mix and one bite of a Toblerone bar
751 calories

Dinner - Chocolate chip cookies and a handful of chips
850 calories

Tonight we went on a walk which put me about even on my calories.  I burned and I ate!  Who says you can't pig out a little?

Saturday

Day 24

Today's weight 133.6

Breakfast - the rest of my turkey burger and an Activia light
214 calories

Lunch - a hodgepodge of trail mix, ice cream, a bite of granola bar a couple of forks of Ramen, a clementine and some Hawaiian BBQ takeout I feel like the Hungry Caterpillar:/
670 calories ???

Dinner - Cheeseburger, fruit salad and lays salt and pepper chips.
622 calories

Treat - kettle corn
175 calories

I came in burning about 400 calories more than I ate. Or, because of the many question marks I could be about even on the day - not too bad.

You know I have a special place in my heart for brownies. This is probably the most I have ever been tempted to cheat. Will you make me brownies sweetie? That would be a deal maker. Love you honey! XOXO

Friday

Day 23

Today's weight 133 then 134...what the?

Breakfast - 3 blender pancakes and about 1/4 cup brown sugar syrup
392 calories

Lunch - restaurant 1/2 chef salad with 2 tbsp of ranch
470 calories

Dinner - 3/4 of a Turkey burger, mashed potatoes and a handful of sweet potato fries
741ish calories

Today was a nice day.  My hubby had the day off and although there was nothing big planned it was just nice to have a change in schedule.  I ate out for lunch and dinner which called for a little more planning as well as calories but date night was the best!  Don't think we are too crazy J&R;D

Thursday

Day 22

Today's weight 132.4

22 is my hubby's lucky number.  He started the day off bringing me breakfast in bed!  What a man he is.  He is my lucky guy and maybe he will have to get lucky later on;D (see what the gift of food can do - very powerful food is)

Make sure you take the poll question on the right.  I am going to be having quite a few of them.  It is anonymous.

Breakfast - two large, delicious, perfectly cooked crepes (around here they are called roll up pancakes) with powdered sugar and a clementine.
317 calories

Lunch - Taco bake and a Coke Zero (headache)
564 calories

Snack - trailmix
110 calories

Dinner - hubby was gone and so a bag of kettle corn hit the spot
425 calories

I have about 250 calories left but it is late and that is the way it will stay.

Wednesday

Day 21

Today's weight 132.6  - finally some movement!

Breakfast - whole wheat toast with peanut butter and honey
282 calories

Lunch - 1 1/2 Carnitas tacos (pork, pico, guacamole on a small corn tortilla
366 calories

Dinner - chicken salad croissant with fruit and veggies
559 calories

Dessert - 2 brownies
391 calories (probably high)

Busy day.  I didn't have time to snack which always helps.  I ended down 517 calories for the day.  (I burned 517 more calories than I ate) 

Tuesday

Day 20

Today's weight 133.6

Something must be up.  Anybody want to analyze?  Last night I had two nightmares.  I think that is what happened the previous night:(

I dreamed there was this guy that we knew was not a great person but we kept letting him come around thinking he wasn't so bad.  He ended up killing one of our kids or something and we were so mad at ourselves for not being smart.  Then he tried to drown me.  I felt that part so vividly.  Scary!  What is the deal with me?

I am having a little panic with my numbers and this posting thing I got going here.  Just thinking about what I will post today makes me want to eat a whole chocolate cake.  I am very surprised by this.  I thought I would want to eat better knowing that the whole world would be able to see it - especially because I am still not at my usual numbers.  If only two pounds would go away then I would only be two pounds away from a goal that I thought was unattainable.  (believe me, I know how rediculous this sounds - isn't it how it goes though?)  Never good enough can be changed two ways either you get good enough or you change its definition.  I pretty much maintain under 135 and that is 15 pound less than my initial goal and 5 below my dream goal.  Hallelujah girl, give yourself a standing ovation and go finish the laundry!

Breakfast - Silk chocolate soy shake with frozen strawberries (darn forgot the protein powder)
215 calories

As you can see I am a fewer calories in the morning more at night.  Others find they do better if they eat more in the morning and at lunch and then taper off throughout the rest of the day.  I recommend this but I just can't make it happen for me.  I could skip breakfast all together and not skip a beat.
I am putting the goal of changing this in the back of my mind and hope to someday say "hey, I should try eating more earlier and less later".  It is amazing how ingenious I feel when back burner items move to the front.

Lunch - Salad with romaine, feta, tomato, ham, banana peppers, ranch and a fresh cooked tortilla
322 calories

Dinner - Bisquick Taco bake and a side salad
522 calories

Dessert - a peanut butter bar, a chocolate chip cookie and a can of Fresca
264 calories

I would say , with all the cheating included, today was right on target.  I finished negative 500 calories for the day.

Monday

Day 19

Today's weight 134.6

Do you ever wake up with tears in your eyes?  I must have had some sad dreams last night.  At first I don't understand what emotion I am feeling.  I take a minute and ponder, I go through several scenarios in my head and today's answer was "I feel like watching a sad movie". 
Here, take a look here to get the idea and catch a few laughs.  Women are crazy sometimes:D  We will have to see how the day goes. 

Everybody Loves Raymond 420 Alone Time  full episode






Breakfast -  Silk Chocolate and strawberry soy shake with 1/3 scoop of protein powder. 
254 calories

Lunch  - 6 Fujisan California rolls
260 calories

Snack - 90 calorie fiber bar

Dinner - Chicken Carbonara
550 calories

Dessert - diet Caffeine free Dr Pepper and a handful of raw almonds
35 calories

Sunday

Day 18

Today's weight 134.4

Breakfast and lunch - once a month my husband and I choose to fast for two meals and then donate the money we would have spent on those meals to those who need it.  There are many health benefits to doing this as well as gaining respect for nourishment rather than just eating.  I am grateful for the chance to give to others as well.

Dinner - slow cooker pork roast, potatoes and carrots. A dinner roll 4 diet soda cupcakes with rainbow chip frosting.
1084 calories

Dessert - 1 oatmeal chocolate chip cookie at a scout meeting
114 calories

I am pretty sure hogging down all your calories in one sitting cancels out the health benefits of fasting but at least the donation part:/

Day 17

Today weight 135

Breakfast - Raisin Bran and milk
245 calories

So basically the rest of the day went like this -

Oatmeal scotchies and 7-11 nachos.  I came in under on my calories - meaning I burned more calories than I ate.   For me, I burn 1500 to 1800 calories without exercising.  In addition, I get to eat all the calories that I exercise.  I try to come in around 1300 plus my exercise calories to lose things like that cheesecake from the other night.  To find out the calories you need to eat and all that kind of info go to MyFitnessPal.com and join.  You will only need a email, a user name and a password.  I have never received any junk mail by joining (my hubby has his tricks for knowing).  

Friday

Day 16

Today's weight 133.8

 Still not having the hungries but tonight I have a hot date so I am sure some make up calories are comin' :D

Breakfast - 2 pieces of whole wheat fiber bread with peanut butter and honey
292 calories

Lunch - salad with romaine lettuce, tomatoes, banana peppers, peas, ham, feta cheese and fat free ranch dressing along with some Sun chips  - yum
301 calories
 
Snack - 90 calorie chocolate fiber bar

Dinner - Cheesecake factory Cuban sandwich (I shared at least 1/3 with Monte) with a side salad
689 calories

Dessert - 1/2 a piece of turtle cheesecake and 1/2 of a Mexican hot chocolate and about 4 bites of brownie
630 calories

This is the reason why we have stayed away from the Cheesecake Factory but every once in a while - YUM!  I still managed to stay 150 calories below my break even point for the day. 

Thursday

Day 15

Today's weight 134.0

This morning I made whole wheat blender pancakes and the kids couldn't get enough.  Make the brown sugar syrup to go with and YUM!
I thought I would post the link for the recipe calorie and nutrient calculator one more time.  It is such a help.  Remember, if you are only going for exact you will drive yourself crazy.  Just do your best.  

Breakfast - 2 1/2 blender pancakes with about 2 TBSP brown sugar syrup
325 calories

Lunch - McDonald's Hamburger happy meal with apples and a diet coke and 3 chicken nuggets (I just threw up a little in my mouth.  The nuggets tasted like plastic to me, why move on to two and three...who knows?)  If I had skipped them my lunch would be 285 calories:/
428 calories

Dinner - from scratch sloppy joes, and fruit and nut wheatberry salad (soooo yum! recipe below)
506 calories

Dessert - Jello sugar free mousse cup
60 calories

Again I am low on my calories.  I love this cycle when I hit it (for me everything cycles).  I am just so satisfied the thought of more is unappealing.  I had to force my dessert.  Learn your cycles and know that they come and go so enjoy the good ones and tread through the harder ones. 

Fruit, Nut, and Wheat Berry Salad
by: Karen Petersen
    * 1 orange
    * 2 cups cooked wheat berries
    * 1/2 cup toasted pecans, coarsely chopped
    * 1/3 cup dried cranberries
    * 1 large apple, cored and diced
Dressing:
    * 3 Tbsp vinegar
    * 1 Tbsp honey
    * 1/4 tsp black pepper
    * 3 Tbsp vegetable oil
    * 1/4 tsp salt
Finely grate the zest from the orange into a large serving bowl. Juice the orange into a small separate bowl and toss in the cranberries. Let the mixture sit at room temperature for 20 minutes. Mix the wheat berries, diced apple, and pecan halves in with the orange zest. Drain the cranberries, reserving the juice, and toss them in to the wheat berry mixture. Mix the reserved orange juice, vinegar, oil, honey, salt and pepper. Pour over the salad and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least an hour to blend flavors.

Basic Cooked Wheat Berries:
    * 2/3 cup wheat
    * 4 cups water
    * 1 tsp salt
Place in 4-6 quart slow cooker. Turn on high and cook for 3-4 hours or until the wheat is chewy. You could cook it overnight on low. The wheat can be refrigerated for 3 days or up to 2 months in the freezer.

Wednesday

Day 14

Today's weight 133.8

This challenge has been harder than I thought.  I have never scrutinized myself so much and it is making me eat worse instead of better.  Maybe this is why diets don't work.  But, today I feel great.  I was able to sleep in today for the first time in ages.  AAhhh!  The kids are off for spring break and I have loved the break from the chaos of school work and packing lunches and reading minutes and volunteering.  On that note, the other day my sweetie took the kids to the store for a few things.  He let them each pick out a fruit for their very own.  One chose a Fuji apple (had to be Fuji), one a pineapple and the other a cantaloupe.  The other kid was home with me.  They have been going crazy on this kind of stuff this week.  I have been buying all natural fruit leather and dried fruit instead of fruit snacks,  all natural chips and crackers, just better choices.  Even my littlest sugar addict has loved it.  We have had plenty of sugar snacks (as you well know) but at least some good foods are getting in there as well.   

Breakfast - 2 pieces of fiber wheat bread with peanut butter and honey
292 calories

Lunch - my Silk chocolate shake with frozen berries
252 calories

Snack - 1 large pear
96 calories

Dinner - Caribbean chicken with rice
493 calories


I am way under today but I feel good and have no desire to eat so I am sticking with it. 

Tuesday

Day 13

Today's weight 134.4

I guess the whole miracle theory is shot to...just kidding.  I was expecting this sort of nonsense.  I hate it but expected it.  I guess today is really the new day...right?

Breakfast - My chocolate Silk soy shake with 1/2 banana instead of berries.
264 calories

Lunch - out for Indian food.  I estimated at 660 calories

Snack - went to the movies (How to Train Your Dragon - loved it!) and skipped the popcorn but overindulged on Skittles along with a Coke Zero.
guessing 425 calories Holy freak Skittles are a killer.

Dinner - tinfoil dinner (lean ground beef, potatoes, carrots), ketchup and about a tsp onion soup mix
380 calories

I am saying I broke even today even though I have about 100 calories to my break even point.  I had a great day and that is all that really matters!

Monday

Day 12

Today's weight 133.4

Today is a new day right?  When you fall off the wagon you get right back on as quickly as possible.  I knew the "morning after" was coming so I planned a light dinner for today.   My weight was a surprise.  I drank a lot of extra water yesterday and that may have helped.  I may have not done as bad as I thought.  Or, prayers really do get answered and it is an Easter miracle.
I exercised but not at full capacity.  I think the initials P.M.S. are butting into my day with flu like symptoms.    

Breakfast - 1 cup raisin bran with 1/2 cup milk
245 calories

Lunch - 2.5oz ham, 1 activia light yogurt, baby carrots, some leftover yams and a handful of jelly beans
423 calories

Snack - 1 banana

Dinner - teriyaki salmon, risotto rice, mixed veggies
472 calories

Dessert - 1 1/2 Nabisco Pinwheels warmed in the microwave mmmm
180 calories

snack- oil popped popcorn with mild cheddar cheese and two servings of Godiva pearls (still the same package)
350 calories

I ended the day at 350 calories below my break even point.  Not bad.

Sunday

Day 11

Today's weight 133.6

Before I even start logging I am worried about the day.  The morning after Easter last year was the first time I had gained weight since my "awakening".  I want to enjoy myself, but I know it will come from a weak place rather than a place of control - I can just feel it already.  Sometimes a good exercise meditation can help but that probably won't happen today.   
I am grateful for the day though and will find other means of pleasure where I can.  Easter is one of my favorite holidays.  Happy Easter everybody!

So, today I basically ate Ham, 2 rolls, prime rib, mashed potatoes, some salad with dressing, fruit, some trifle and Easter candy.  Because I basically just snacked I didn't log but I know I am probably over.   We will see the damage tomorrow.    

Day 10

Weight 133.8

Breakfast - Silk chocolate blackberry smoothie with protein poweder
252 calories

Lunch - small yogurt and 1/2 slice pizza
263 calories

Snack - 1 mini Laughytaffy, 3 salt water taffys and 1/2 a small candy bar
97 calories

Dinner - ham, candied yams, roll, roasted asparagus
768 calories

Dessert - angel food cake, strawberries with sugar and lite cool whip, plus a plethora of snacks I estimated
503 Calories



.

Friday

Day 9

Today's weight 134.2

Breakfast - 1 1/2 cups Raisin Bran and 3/4 cup of milk (I actually measured)
368 calories

Lunch  - salad with Romain mix, vine ripe tomato, about 1/2 oz mild cheddar, 1 slice Tyson ham, a few banana pepper rings and 2 TBSP fat free ranch along with a serving of Sunchips and a can of Coke Zero (This is an experiment.  Friday afternoons I am dead tired and I want to see if caffeine really effects me.)
287 Calories

Snack - 1 chocolate 90 calorie Fiber Bar, 1 Butterfinger egg and 3 tootsie rolls - blast you Easter egg hunts
202 Calories

Dinner - Cafe Rio pork salad hold the guaq, chips and less than half the dressing.  A bite of the kids pizza and about 4 Godiva pearls
800 calories roughly

I cut into my break even calories by 42 calories.

The experiment was inconclusive.  I was really busy and didn't have time to be tired:/

Thursday

Day 8

Today's weight 134

I see a pattern here that I know I need to work on.  Since I have lost weight, I get a little frustrated at people that think I starve myself or, more likely, deprive myself of delicious foods in order to stay thin.  I have gotten used to that almost sympathetic, half, pity smile that is really more about what is going on inside of the other person's head than about me.  The old me would have maybe given that same look.  However, now I hate it.  Yes, I spend more time "worrying" about what I eat and how I move my body, but I think of that time as a privilege not a burden.   This is my health and if I take it for granted then shame on me when it goes away.
Anyway, the pattern.  When I get this way I tend to eat more or eat poorly in a kind of sticking out my tongue to these kind of people.  Being out here naked and vulnerable I see myself doing the same thing.  I want to prove that I can eat more than just a salad and I think over the past week I have demonstrated that too well.  Two weeks back from vacation and I am in a little panic over the 134.  Isn't that crazy?  About this time I see two distinct paths in front of me.  One says "cut back, add veggies, plan ahead, no sugar" and the other says "don't panic, it takes time".  In another week if the same numbers still exist I doubt what ever path I have taken and not until I take that deep breath and take back my confidence does the scale start to tip in my direction. 

Breakfast: fruit smoothie (Silk unsweetened organic soy milk, banana, strawberries, frozen peaches and cherries, frozen OJ, some honey and vanilla)
I put in 300 calories

Lunch - 10 SunChips, 1/2 cup fat free cottage cheese, 1 orange, 5 mini carrots, 1 slice lunch ham
286 calories (I will need a afternoon snack for sure - too little calories) 

snack - 1 1/2 servings of Jelly Bellys - not the best snack but I was out and about and it was too late for a filling snack
210 calories

Dinner -  Homemade lasagna (love the Barilla lasagna noodles - no boil), salad, Wishbone ranch spray dressing (for 10 more calories I could have had Hidden Valley fat free:()  
585 calories

Dessert - 1 cup sugar free Swiss Miss hot cocoa.  Plus another serving of Jelly Bellys.
200 calories

Still came in under my break even by 63 calories - yee haw and a bag of jelly beans (oops, already ate one)!