Gaining during a fabulous wedding weekend

Ok. So I was bad. Like REALLY bad this week. I gained 2.4 lbs this week- that tells you how bad I really was. So my best friend got married to my husband's best friend this weekend, so from Friday straight through yesterday evening, I ate a lot and drank more than I should. I threw my diet out the window, and it sure showed when I got on the scale this morning. eek!

The numbers this week:

So here is what did me in (besides the amazing tasting fresh food at the wedding location- rehearsal dinner, breakfast, dinner, late night snacks and booze, breakfast- all amazing tasting. Especially anything with potatoes- their cook must really know how to cook potatoes!)

 (Went to Olive Garden with the hubs- that was mistake #1)

(even though I got wheat pasta, the sauce, cheese and sausage couldn't save this horribly high point value meal)

 (Only 1 point plus energy drink- they brought in a bunch to our work to promote it. The Peach Mango isn't bad, the blackberry is icky though).

 (One of the nights I had Chinese food- the egg drop soup isn't too bad. However the Hunan chicken I had also didn't help my points for the day)

 (Then wine happened. Yes, this is a giant glass of Moscato wine in the cup holder of my craft room. It helped me get through the major project I had to finish by the weekend- for the wedding)

 (Thursday I went to the Amish Market in Newtown)

 (they had cool amount of potatoes, though I didn't pick any up because we wouldn't be home all weekend)

 (I did pick these puppies up- only 1 points plus for 2 pop cakes!)

 (Also picked up no sugar Apple Butter to put on the rice cakes. I believe it is 1 points plus for 3 tbsp or 3 servings)

 (I also picked up the sugar apple butter to see if you can taste the difference between the sugar and no sugar. The one with sugar is 1 points plus per 2 tbsp or 2 servings- so one serving less you can have for a 1pp.)

 (And this was my lunch- badddddd for you pulled pork sandwich, but healthy cauliflower- weird mix, I know)

(Also got a 6 points plus Gelati from Ritas- sugar free tangerine with slenderita custard)

 (Apple butter on rice cake!)

 (Sometime last week I tried this Smart Ones bag of sesame chicken. Was actually quite good and spicy)

And then things really start to take a turn for the bad eatting...
We started things off on Friday by having a quick bite to eat at Arby's, since we knew we'd be eatting heavy at the rehearsal dinner. That was a mistake, just like every meal this past week... Then I had this:

 (First helping at rehearsal dinner. Second helping was more pulled pork and potato salad, I know- shouldn't have gotten another serving, but I gave my chicken to the hubs- didn't notice the pork till after I put the chicken on the plate, and I really am not a huge "meat on the bone still" fan)

 (Orange dreamcicle martini)

 (Was the groom's birthday the day before the wedding, so there was more cake)

 (Heading to rehearsal dinner)

 (Favorite shoes- at rehearsal dinner)

 (Morning of wedding we had a big breakfast (not shown) and had Orange Juice- I haven't had OJ in forever, since I can't justify the points of OJ from concentrate- I hate pulp!)

 (My bridesmaid hair and makeup)

 (The wedding cake! They also had wonderful appetizers, a walnut/apple/cheese salad, and the main course of steak/green beans fresh from the farm and potato cake- it all tasted SO good!)

 (Hubs and I at the reception. We had more food and drinks at the after party after the reception- where I downed many carrots, grapes, crackers, cheese, and apricot tarts. If I would of stuck to the water, grapes and carrots, I would of been fine. lol)

 (And then, after having Arby's for lunch on Sunday, we ordered pizza and I had buffalo chicken pizza. My weight watchers teachers would be screaming in horror at my meals this past week).

 (Our new fridge, now filled with the basics and nothing really to make a full-on meal though)

So yeah, I gained weight and I ate horribly, but you know what. I don't care. That just means I need to get back on the bandwagon this week and make up for it. I had a great time this week and that's what really matters. As much as it sucks that I have to lose that, and it always is harder to lose than to gain (as I just demonstrated), sometimes you just gotta get over the number and have a flub week.

For dinner I had my favorite Italian Pesto on a 6 inch wheat sub from Wawa. Luckily I had the points. I also scored a free starburst- had a coupon for $1 off any starburst (was on the back of my gas reciept) and they were already on sale for $0.99! Woo! Free candy!
Well...turns out Starburst (one of my favs) is 1 points plus for every 1.76 starburst. So I could have 3.5 starburst for 2 points plus. *sigh*

Anyways, will try to get back on the wagon and do good this week. I let myself be bad for an entire week, and boy did I pay for it!
I hope everyone else is doing good in their losses. Happy weight loss!
-M

Staying even after reaching goal weight

Ok, so this past Tuesday I technically gained 0.2 lbs. Nothing to freat about, nothing to brag about. Just for the most part staying even- which is good, considering I still am under my goal weight, and I did have the most horribly epic day at Dorney Park (but horribly bad for you food), so I'll take a 0.2 lbs- the crab fries were worth it for that 0.2 lb gain.
As far as this week, trying to get back on the horse of weight loss, since I don't want to gain back lbs the week before my friend's wedding. I want to be as thin as I can for that event! (Can't believe its a week away! eeek!)
So the hubs and I have continued to keep getting our traditional Chipotle lunch on Saturday (last week and this week) and I still enjoy it every time.

 (standing in line at Chipotle)

On Sunday, friend brought some Oktoberfest Yuengling beer to gaming night- I only drank 1/2 a bottle, since I had to go to work later that night.

Hubs successfully made the most awesome tasting Pumpkin bread muffins. Only 4 points plus each.

Had a lunch date with the hubs to Jules Pizza on Wednesday- thin crust semi-healthier pizza. :D

As far as other things go, been trying some different frozen dinners, as the hubs picked me up odd ones I normally wouldn't pick up, like Tuna Noodle Linguini- had that tonight- ok...though I think my tummy would not agree that it was ok, as its doing backflips right now. ;(

I also got the Beck Higgins Project Life Cherry collection (sheet protectors and starter cherry collection of cards) from my mom, as a present for reaching my goal weight. Thanks mom! I can't wait to get started on Project Life-ing up!

Other than that, been a pretty boring week food wise, since I've been working every single day this week.
Hopefully this week of weight loss goes well!
Laters.
-M

Hitting my goal weight!

Ok. So this past Tuesday (my weigh in day) I officially hit my goal weight! Yay! I actually dropped 1.2 lbs below my goal on my weigh in. :D
So, I have lost 63.2 lbs since October of 2011. That is is roughly 6.32 lbs a month (10 months).  
So from now on, whatever I lose, is just for the heck of it. If I don't ever lose any more from here on out, I'm not going to cry, just as long as I don't gain any back.
This was surprising, considering I didn't eat well on last Thursday (our wedding anniversary- 8/23), but then again, I was good every other day.
Since I hit my goal, here is my official before and after. Since I don't have a lot of photos when I started, I tried to find a picture of me when I was at my heaviest- which def. was during our trip to Florida (hence why picture from July, when I didn't start WW till October). Anyways, here you go.

 And now for the rest of the week's stuff.

 (from our anniversary dinner at TexMex mexican restaurant).

 (hubs and I. Happy 4th wedding anniversary and 8th together anniversary!)

 (my FAVORITE wine of all time to celebrate the anniversary.)

(went hiking for a co-worker's bday here on Saturday).

 (minestrone soup by Progressive. Surprisingly good)

 (Went to Dorney with best bud Cat for her bachelorette celebration. This is me by the pirate setup... supposably looking thin, she says.)

 (we shall see if these crab fries made me gain weight this week... we shall see)

(or this margarita I had 2 days ago...hmmm)

On other news, my beloved hubs has decided to join me in Weight Watchers' teachings and give it a go, so he can lose his remaining 18 lbs he wants to lose. I plan on trying to lose 8.8 more lbs to be at an even 140 lbs, eventually. To be honest, I can't imagine myself below that, since that would be what I was in high school (I was 135 lbs in high school- and my boobs were half the size they are now. haha)

So, I'm super proud of my accomplishment, 63.2 lbs in 10 months. Who knows, maybe I'll hit the 75 lbs gone in a year. (not going to hold my breath, but I'll try it). Happy losses and cheers to a long journey that I'm super happy to have achieved. Now to keep it up and not gain it back...
Happy losses.
-M

My reviews of Lean Cuisine dinners

Ok, so it's been a while since I reviewed my favs (and least favorite) packaged dinners. This time I am reviewing Lean Cuisines and letting you know what I think of them all.
Now I have come to the conclusion that Lean Cuisine is slowly starting to win out over Smart Ones in my book of tasty "tv dinners." Since they started the Delicious Rewards program (you get points if you enter codes from inside the boxes to get free stuff) I've been buying them slightly more than Smart Ones and even snagged 2 free lunch boxes and a magazine subscription from it!
So Lean Cuisine has 4 major variations or collection: Culinary, Spa, Market, and Simple Favorites. I've tried a lot, but mostly from the Culinary or Simple Favorites collections.
I've been having a bunch lately, as they were on sale. I love trying new low weight watchers points plus dinners! Makes dinner at working night shift a little better. :D
Anyways, here we go.

Favorites:

Thai-style noodles with Chicken: I actually just tried this today and it was quite good. Smart Ones has a similar one, however recently their recipe seemed to change so I thought I'd give the Lean Cuisine version a try. Quite yummy I must say. Not too spicy, but a good flavor and good amount of vegetables to noodle/chicken ratio.

Beef Pot Roast: Now I adore the beef pot roast from Smart Ones because it is only 4 points plus. This one is just as good (and better because it has less onions- which I hate, and more sauce) however it is 5 points plus.

Chicken Makhani: I tried this for the first time a few days ago, and I enjoyed it a lot! (Thanks to my hubs for picking it up and forcing me to try something new). I'm not always a big India cuisine fan, but this was quite yummy! I loved the sauce flavor. (And I knocked off 30 sec. from the heat time, just in case, and I'm glad I did...any more would of baked the chicken too long).

Chicken with Basil Cream Sauce: ok, so this is my all-time FAVORITE Lean Cuisine ever. Not sure why, but it might have to do with the fact that it is a cream sauce and has tortellini (my fav). I love the flavor on this one, and it has an unusual but good mix of rare vegetables.

Chile Lime Chicken: another fav. It has a kick to it that most packaged dinners don't have, which I like.

Glazed Chicken: This one I get a lot. I like it AND it almost always is available at my local Bottom Dollar store- which makes a difference, so I don't have to go to the Giant all the time. I tend to mix it all up for a better overall sauce flavor, and I tend to knock off 1/2 minute to 1 minute (depending on home or work microwave) from the cook time, as the glaze tends to harden and then doesn't work or taste well.

Tortilla Crusted Fish: Another spicy one. And fish too! I'm not normally into fish, but one time I gave this a chance, and I'm glad I had (co-worker recommended this one). Once again, I tend to knock off 1/2 minute from cook time on this, so the fish's crust doesn't get rock hard.

Asian-Style Pot Stickers:  I really like this one- just the right kick- though I do tend to mix up the dipping sauce over my rice to make a great overall flavor. Love the pot stickers! The dipping sauce is a little sweet by itself, but mixed up, it's great!


Least Favorites:

Ranchero Braised Beef: Horrible. The beef was icky and the sweet potatoes...if you can call them that...ick!

Salsbury Steak with Mac & Cheese: eh. Not that good, in general.

Cheese Ravioli: Bland, boring, too small. You name it, this has it wrong with it.

Chicken Fettuccini: Bland, and boring. I had to put so much pepper on it to have any flavor and it still didn't fix this. The plain old fettuccini is the same situation!

Lasagna with Meat sauce: too small for the points. Crunchy on the edges- so very little not actually ruined, I was so hungry afterwards! ugh. Normal lasagna, same deal.


In Between:

Baked Chicken (with stuffing and mashed potatoes): It was alright. I'm not a huge stuffing fan though. Nothing to write home about.

Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes: It is a comfort food, but it isn't anything fabulous. But it is a good alternative if you really want mashed potatoes.

Cheese Pizza: So I do like these personal pizzas- the 4 cheese is my fav, followed by pepperoni...however, so not as filling as I hope for the points. ;(

Garlic Chicken Spring Rolls: These are great. Only downfall- you'll want to eat the entire box, not half (which is a serving- 3 rolls). ;( They have a great flavor to them, though I'm sure they'd taste best with some sort of dipping sauce.

Chicken Enchilada: It's not horrible, but not awesome either. Having to stop halfways through to 'spread' the sauce is a pain, and the timing on it is a little off- your enchilada gets crunchy if you don't COVER it in the sauce. However the sauce has a good kick, just a pain to deal with.

Mac & Cheese: It's a comfort food, however a kinda bland one. I pack on the pepper for this (or mix in some A1 sauce- long story short: I love mac & cheese with A1 sauce mixed in- started when I was a kid). Either mixed in makes it bearable. Sometimes you just want mac & cheese.

Swedish Meatballs: It's ok. That's really all I can say about it. I'll eat it, but nothing special.

Santa Fe-style rice and beans: Not bad. Similar to that of Smart One's version. I mix it all up, unlike some people, but I will eat it when I want a spicy rice and bean meal.

I'm sure there are a few I'm missing that I've tried, but that's them for the most part. I really adore their culinary collection of foods. Their spa collection isn't bad, I just haven't been able to find it at my local supermarkets a lot.
I hope that helps some of my weight-loss buddies out there. And if you don't use the Delicious rewards, send me your codes! NEVER throw out a Lean Cuisine box without putting the code into your rewards or mine! I've been known to go trash bin diving at work for co-workers who throw their boxes away without using the codes. lol
Anyways, Happy losses and *fingers crossed* for continued losses.
-M