Tuesday, Jan 5th, 2010

So - I'm not sure if I will get to the gym today.  I'm babysitting my niece, Celia, for a few hours this morning.  I might have time before I need to go get the kids for karate.  I dunno.

I ate overnight, which is something I really, really need to work on.  I think I should prepare for this, instead of pretend like it's not going to happen tonight.  If I have melon or berries ready in the front of the fridge, I can grab those instead of grabbing processed carbs.  I also have to bank a few hundred calories to account for those that I take in overnight.

Yesterday's food: 
BREAKFAST:
Egg-white fritata, with cheese - 300 Calories
Coffee (cream and splenda) -100 Calories
LUNCH:
Thai - 500 Calories
SNACK:
Cheerios - 100 Calories
Carrots - 40 Calories
DINNER:
Turkey chili (day #2, and YUM!), with 1/2 oz Parmesan:  400 Calories
OVERNIGHT:
Chips, 1/2 Italian sausage, 7 mini-cookies, 1/2 PB&J = 800 Calories

Now, if I had taken 5mg of Valium and slept through the night I'd be a drug addict eventually I'd avoid the calories.  Instead, if I had a WHOLE CANTALOUPE I'd save about 600 calories and be on my mark.  So, instead of ignoring the truth of my overnight eating, I think I need to PLAN FOR IT.  If there are carrots, berries and melon in the front of the fridge, I think I would go for that first.  We'll try that tonight!

Today's Plan:
BREAKFAST:
Cinnamon, Raisin Toast: 150 Calories
Coffee with cream: 100 calories
LUNCH:
Turkey Chili (no cheese), 1 slice whole wheat bread: 400 Calories
SNACK:
Carrots, lots of carrots: 60 Calories
DINNER:
Chicken and Pesto: 300 Cal
Pasta: 100 Cal
OVERNIGHT:
Carrots: 100 Calories
Leftover pecan Brownie: 200 Cal

EDIT: No Gym, I was babysitting pretty much until it was time to go get my girls.

One of the great things about going through this process is that it's ok if I get a little bit selfish.  I am not shopping for what everybody else wants. I am shopping for what I NEED.  I can get the food that is best for me, and the family can adapt very easily to it.  I make good food.  Nobody is suffering.  I assure you, I am feeding my kids more than a handful of dry quinoa each night.  : )  But, I need to give myself permission to deny THEM the things that will give them fleeting and insignificant food-pleasure.  I need to treat myself (and ultimately THEM) better than that.  I need to do what's most important for me - that will be what is most important for my family in the long run.

One another note - my wife has been having difficulty getting up at 5 AM (go figure).  She prefers working out before work, but she also likes being one of the first people in the office in the morning (which is her most productive time).  So she was already waking up early to get a head start to work.  Working out after work is generally a drag for her.  Today, she did it pretty easily.  She got up HOURS BEFORE DAWN and got to the gym, had a nice workout, and still got to work at her normal time.  I am so proud and impressed!