It's been a while since I last posted an entry and I've much to relay to you now. Lately it seems that many around me -family, friends, and my friends' family have been plundered with calamity upon calamity. There must be something in the air and I just pray that a gust of health storms their way soon! It's times like these that lead you to appreciate and focus on the positive things surrounding oneself. So, rather than continue to dwell on my own misfortunes (largely that of the mountain of visceral fat trapped waist-side!) I decided to take action. Instead of doing my occasional 3-day wheat-free stint, I upped the ante and went wheat-free for 5 1/2 days. I also worked out at Curves 5 times last week. Each time I eliminate wheat from my diet, I am amazed at how easy it is, and it continues to get easier each time I do it. Furthermore, I was able to dig away more of my weight after a lengthy plateau. On Tuesday I weighed in at 143.13 lbs, on Wednesday - 142.25 lbs, Thursday - 141.5 lbs, Friday - 141.25 lbs, and Saturday 140.5 lbs. Today I weighed in and maintained the 140.5 lbs.
After my last entry I tried a new recipe for Red Cabbage Slaw which involved making candied pecans as a topping. It was delicious and plentiful - we had leftovers for days!
Did you all watch the Oscars this year? We went to Carla and Steve's to watch it again with Melissa, Glen, Desi and Lori. Before we left the house, Kristen asked me if Bridget Jones would be at the Oscars. I told her I didn't think she would be because I couldn't recall her starring in any recent films. But she was! I had John call the house to tell Kristen as we saw her walk the red carpet. I was pleased however, that she was long in bed before Bridget (aka Renee Zellwegger) drunkenly staggered to the podium (an altogether different type of calamity befallen on her) to announce a winner (which she was not coherent enough to do and thus rescued by Queen Latifah!). Perhaps she had too much to drink, too little to eat to sop it up with, or perhaps she was dizzily suffering a migraine? Which reminds me of something Carla brought to my attention the other day - when was the last time I had a migraine? The answer is - I can't remember! We discussed the possibility that my healthier eating habits and combined exercise may indeed have another perk that remained dormant as my focus lay on other matters. I used to have migraines on a weekly or biweekly basis and now I realize that aside from a perma headache I had when I began the Colin Firth Diet Club I don't think I've had a migraine or headache for that matter, in the past 5 months!
Another unexpected thing that has resulted from the Colin Firth Diet Club is that John has lost about as much weight as I have! He started out at about 170 lbs and a few nights ago came downstairs and asked me if our scale was accurate because he just weighed himself at 155 lbs. That's what I started out at, and it came so much easier for him! My initial reaction was "Oh, the unfairness of it all, how it vexes me, so!" Yes, I personified Mrs. Bennett for a moment but quickly got over my vexation to applaud John for his support of me and his own overhaul of convictions. It's been nearly two months now since he's drank a Diet Coke or any soda! Kudos to you Johnny!
Just as I love delving into a good movie (preferably starring Colin Firth of course!), I also love to delve into a good book. And when I can combine the two into one - even better! Two books have done this for me, the first was "To Nottinghill With Love...Actually" by Ali McNamara, and I recently finished reading Mia March's "The Meryl Streep Movie Club". Upon reading March's book, I envisioned it as it's own movie and casted the roles accordingly. I felt Colin Firth would be suited to Griffin given his experience with raising two daughter's in "A Summer in Genoa" and his genuine 'nice guy'ness. Meryl Streep herself would be a dead ringer for Lolly. Let me just say that I am dire agony awaiting the release of March's next book....called....."Finding Colin Firth"!!!!!! I believe it will be released this July!
Last week was one of culinary delights! On Monday I made Use 'Em Up Torta, a recipe I ripped out of a Today's Parent magazine years ago. It is very aptly named and one the reasons I chose to make this was that I had some spaghetti sauce in the fridge. The ingredients consist of brown rice, broccoli, spaghetti sauce, cheese and eggs. Easy peasy!
When I told John I was making scallops for dinner he voiced his refusal to eat them. I was told to make them on Wednesday night when he wouldn't be home for dinner. So, I acquiesced and moved the meal from Tuesday's plan to Wednesday. Unfortunately for him, he found someone else to take his place at a work related dinner (forgetting the intended meal at home) and bam - karma baby! And he ate them indeed as an attempt to be a good role model for his scallop-fearing children.
The following night instead of our traditional pizza night (remember I was going wheat-free) I made Orange Teriyaki Chicken. As we sat down to consume the meal, Jacob, out of the blue, told me I was the best Mommy ever! To which I raised a skeptical eyebrow and asked, "Really? Even though I made you eat scallops and kale last night?". He said yes, that he knows it's because I love him and don't want him to get sick and that I want him to live for a long, long time! Those words just melted this momma's heart! He's got it! He might not like everything about it, but he's got the message! Of course this is the same kid who I discovered in the school office this morning being punished for hiding a girls' boots in the boys washroom!!
On Thursday, to celebrate my good friend Steve's 45th (or being that he's a Leap Year baby - 11.25th) birthday, I tagged along with him and Carla for lunch at Stoney's and gorged on my favourite butternut squash and pear soup and spinach salad loaded with goodness! I had to give up on the wheat-free for the weekend as I needed to make Steve's birthday cake which of course was made with flour. We went out to dinner to celebrate again with Steve, Carla, Melissa, Glen, April and Brian. Those Milners sure know how to celebrate a birthday!
As for my blood pressure - well, this I think can be best summed up as Acute/Chronic White-Coat Syndrome. You see, my day of reckoning is fast approaching. My next appointment with the Diabetic Nurse is on March 19th which means I need to get my blood tested next week. I will bring a photo of when my blood pressure was normal a few weeks ago and just hope that the changes I've made, if not enough to satisfy her in the long run, will be enough to buy me some extra time and allow me to continue what is left of my 30's medication free!
I had hoped to reach my next goal by now, but I am so close!! Half a pound to go!! I'm confident that St. Trinians will be mine when next we meet! Till then, Colin, "You must allow me to tell you how ardently I admire and love you."
Ooohhhh fingers crossed for your appointment - good for you for 'kicking it up' on the exercise and breaking thru the weight-plateau! Keep it up babe :)
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