slight update (that turned into a lot of talking)

i don't even want to think about posting my weight today.

i am fitting into my clothes just fine, i just feel sort of bloated or something. i know, it's not something you were looking forward to reading on monday morning. my apologies.

but seriously. the food i've been eating...
olive garden for dinner, leftovers for a late night snack, road trip food (junk food), and a few meals out. some fast food.
it's been a bad week for eating (she said while snacking on candy corn-- stupid food holidays).

but speaking of food holidays, i have some goals through this holiday season:

1. make tons of baked goods. then don't eat much. seriously not a problem for me, because to me, the best part is actually *making* them, not eating them. my office will love me.
2. get into a workout routine. even if it means one day i'll walk a lot while shopping.
3. stay busy. couch potato-ness is one of the best ways to gain weight over the holidays. if i stay busy, i'm always up and doing things instead of just sitting, which is also a way to lose weight.

also, speaking of working out, i'd thought of some reasons why i'm not working out, and besides having two jobs and finishing my master's, i can't think of a reason. and even with as "busy" as i am, i'm usually in bed before 10. sometimes closer to 9 (like last night). so, if i sleep at 9:30, 8 hours of sleep would mean i can get up, fully rested, at 5:30. so why do i wake up at 6:30? by the end of the day, i'm way too tired to go out to the grocery store, let alone go to the gym. so, why not wake up earlier? i'm not a fan of going to the gym early, although i've done that before, but we DO have a wii. so i could get back on my wii fit routine and do that in the mornings. it's a good start to the day, and i feel good when i do that.

there's some thoughts for you.

WHAT?! My Salad is Fattening?

Being on a very popular diet plan can really open your eyes to things that you thought were healthy.  Everyone knows that eating at home is the best way to control what goes in your mouth.  You control the ingredients, how they are prepared, and your portion size.  You don't have that same benefit in a restaurant.  So, you go out to eat and think, I'll just order a salad.  That's the healthy choice, right?  Not always.

I am in no way picking on one restaurant chain.  However, I wanted to show you guys just how bad a salad can really be.  I chose Chili's, as my husband and I were planning to eat there tonight.  Everyone I know has been raving about this Quesadilla Explosion Salad.  I wanted to try it out.  I went to their website to see if the nutritional information was available for their menu items. I have included the link here: Chili's so you can see for yourself.  The salad is listed on the bottom left of the first page.  Quesadilla Explosion Salad as served 1400 calories, 88 G of fat, 90 carbs, and 2370 MG of sodium!  On the top right of the first page, The House Salad with no dressing as served 100 calories, 3 G of fat, 17 carbs, 135 MG of sodium.  To say the least, I hit the floor when I read about both of these salads.  If you continue to the last page, you can see the nutritional information on their salad dressings.  It's heartbreaking, to say the least.

So how do you avoid eating the wrong thing when dining out?  Plan ahead.  Most restaurant chains have their nutritional information listed on their website.  I also recommend checking out The Daily Plate.  This website is a great resource tool for dieters.  It has nutritional information on a lot of restaurants and food in general.  If you do your homework before you go, you will have the confidence that you are ordering the healthiest choice for yourself.   Don't be afraid to ask questions about the portion size or nutritional information when you arrive at the restaurant.  Most servers I have encountered have to ask, but they will check for you.  If you still want a salad, bring your own dressing, and ask the server to hold the cheese and croutons.  It's little tricks like this that will allow you to enjoy dining out without the guilt!