Started out cleaning the litter box and he jumped right in and used it again.......I guess we were both happy that it got cleaned...LOL

I plan to stay busy all day...I've been doing a lot of sitting around and I think it is bothering a hip...more moving around today to see if that helps.

coffee

Blueberry yogurt

pear

Small biscuit

chicken

gravy

mixed vegetables

chips

jelly beans

Planning on keeping busy around here today..........Pulling out some books to start reading too..

coffee

Maple and brown sugar  instant cream of wheat packet

Wondering when it is the best time to get the tomato and pepper plants started in the house.......we had a frost last night and it's MAY........maybe I need to look into some indoor gardening......probably not this year though. 

EDIT   Spoke to soon...I found a very reasonably priced indoor greenhouse at Amazon...so I will be doing some year around indoor gardening....and it sounds like fun to me right now.

Stayed super busy yesterday,....so never did post ....but I did comment on everyones posts.

BREAKFAST

coffee = 0 pts and 2 cals

coffee = second cup from D's new coffee maker = 0 pts and 2 cals

1 halo =  0 pts 40 cals

1 plum = 0 pts 30 cals

LUNCH

Boiled egg = 2 pts and 72 cals

corn relish ( amish) =2 pts 40 cals

Croissant ( neighbor sent it over) = 9 pts and 231 cals

Butter = 3 pts and 57 cals

Potato salad ( I made it and added as many vegetables as potatoes but figuring it as if it was all potatoes) = 22 pts and 715 cals

DINNER

Baked banana chips (Bare Brand) 7pts and 140 cals

GoGo Squeeze blueberry yogurt = 4 pts and 90 cals

Traditional Medicinals Ginger tea = 0 pts and 0 cals

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1,411 cals

It has been a coincidence that in the last few days...both sons and my best friend have all been talking about weight loss and changes in their diets and other habits.........oldest son is just eating less and mainly eating eggs and hoagie type sandwiches....and has lost over 20 pounds, my youngest son is and has been eating mostly organic, and recently started walking with a 16 pound backpack on his acreage....and then drops the backpack and runs the same track which contains hills and valleys...and he does this a few times a day....both say they are feeling good.  My best friend has stopped the fast food...and is literally just buying similar convenience foods at the store....and has lost 10 pounds......and she is thrilled about it and is feeling good.  All are doing something different...and all of them found their way to what they want........proof that there is no ONE WAY to weight loss....and I love that.

EDIT.....Today and possibly longer I want to be more descriptive in the brands I'm using......we are eating a lot of fresh/frozen/boxed and canned.......the pantry needs to be rotated regularly and so keeping up with that does add some/or a lot...of processed foods.  It makes it easier for me to see what brands of shelf stable foods work the best calories wise. 

Slept really well....and it's foggy out...we needed the rain last night so that is helpful.  Doing some organizing in the bedroom today....and possibly the master bath too if there is time.  Starting with paperwork though...will be a full day.

In the eating groove again...i don't think the mess up a couple of days ago actually hurt anything...I feel great and woke up craving some healthy things so will hopefully stick with that thought today.

Breakfast

2 scrambled eggs = 4 pts and 144 cals

4 mini red and orange peppers...( sauted and added to the eggs) = 0 pts and 30 cals

1 plum = 0 pts and 30 cals

1 cup of black coffee = 0 pts and 2 cals

Lunch

Chicken tenders, cucumbers, rolls and butter

Not hungry for dinner but did have my treat.....Protein really does help me stay full.

Rained all night and continues today...we need it so it's a good thing........I LOVE rain!

Just house cleaning today and it's a good day for that.  Nothing else going on around here today....but the dust bunnies have a head start on me so I need to go take care of them.

Breakfast

coffee = 0 pts and 2 cals

banana = 0 pts and 105 cals

plum = 0 pts and 30 cals

3 Thomas mini croissant's  = 7 pts and 180 cals

------Breakfast = 7 pts and 317 calories

When I set up my new way of eating.....it was super easy......for several days...then yesterday i bent the rules and went back to old habits for a couple of hours.....I can see that I have to be stronger with myself and stick to my plan.........

I need to

1.Eat 3 meals a day plus my evening treat at 7PM (the treat can be sweet or savory/salty depending on my mood)

2.  My main meal will be at lunchtime and it will contain my protein, and largest servings, points and calories and will be the one that I rely on to be where most of my nutrition comes from for the day.

3.  Even if I am not hungry for dinner...I need to eat something appropriate....NOT SOMTHING THAT WILL TRIGGER A BINGE

4. I need to wait unti 7PM to have my evening treat...........

I need to follow these self made rules because I know myself and I know what will trigger out of control eating...........everything was fine YESTERDAY until I decided to have the can of  no sugar added fruit cocktail...then I had potato salad and then I had the treat early and it all ended up in a chocolate and chips  food fit..apparently about 2,500 calories worth...That is a lot of calories for me EVER...and I really didn't feel great afterwards.......I can do better..I was in the groove for days until I decided to tempt fate..........I can't be doing that.....back to what really works today!

LUNCH= chicken and potato casserole = 9 pts,and 290 calories

cucumber slices = 0 pts and 4 cals

-----------------------------------------Lunch = 294 cals

DINNER= More of the chicken potato casserole.....13 points and 435 calories ......was hungry today so dinner was welcome....will be saving the rest of my calories for my 7 PM treat

Luckily I've had a lot better control of food today......and was positive I did not want to recreate yesterdays fiasco.

7PM TREAT

ginger tea = 0 pts and 0 cals

sf pudding = 4 pts and 120 cals

Total cals for the day = 1,166

EDIT.....I'm probably more aware right now than I have ever been that  what sets off my eating ( bingeing).....may very well not be what sets off others.  I have read and still own a lot of diet books...and so often they were basically no help.....I always wondered why....but I see now that what drives my overeating may be totally different than what drives others overeating.  The diet industry is an enormous money maker....for programs to books to foods and pills.........it is in their best interests that we  fall prey to what they are selling.......but I know now for myself.....My answers are within me........I know when i'm hungriest, I know what starts a binge,I know that evenings are hardest to control, I know what foods make me wanting more and what foods don't.  I've learned what foods have a lot of empty calories that leave me wanting more.......It's MY JOB to figure it all out and to watch for the things that I react negatively too.

Beautiful sunny day today........Neighbors went back home!!!!!

Breakfast was banana and  coffee

Lunch will be a  hot dog,, no bun, ...beans, corn relish , chips  and 3 mini croissants

Todays plan is to skip dinner again because lunch is enough to hold me until my evening treat time and it is high cal and high points.

Ended up switching things a little...potato salad....The no sugar added  fruit cocktail and sf pudding for dinner and then chocolate and chips for treat....not the best way to do this.

I can see that I need to follow my original plan of a light breakfast, main meal will be the larger one and then a light dinner and evening dessert.......changing that wasn't so easy...so  eliminating a meal isn't as good....so will have something lighter if I'm not very hungry.

I believe I have found my answer and I'm so happy about it.  I'm excited to get up every morning and put it into action for another day......bottom line....earning my treat for the day ( to be awarded) at 7PM ( my  most difficult time of the day)....has had a powerful effect on me.......eating is now a game.

We have some new neighbors.........we are each on 4 acres.....so we are not too close together.......BUT.......These people like LOUD MUSIC ♬......and BEER.......Thank goodness they only come up here for weekends...( they live down state)....But their partying goes on late into the night......when do they ever sleep?????  They get up early too........I bet their downstate neighbors are happy to see them leaving there every weekend..........But it is downright loud here all weekend....and I only mention this because......They have invited us to come and party with them...NO THANK YOU!!!!!  And I have still been able to stick with this new way of eating through this.........our houses are a couple hundred feet apart....but boy do they have a awesome sound system...UGH...Did I mention the loud raucus laughter in the middle of the night?

EDIT....Did I mention that the woman cackles???????? LOUDLY.. a LOT....and oh yeah...their dogs came over to our place this morning and made our dogs bark.........!  They asked a couple of days ago how we kept our 4 dogs so quiet....LOL.....it's called training and not wanting to upset the neighbors!  Maybe we will just have to let ours bark today to let them know that they need to keep their dogs on their 4 acres!!! 

All of the other DDers here have work problems...we just got a neighbor problem...LOL.....these people just moved in a couple of weeks ago or so.......apparently escaping the city...and coming to the country means you can do anything..........I think they have some lessons in manners coming...LOL

EDIT....Oh yeah...the logging trucks have arrived........Michigan is apparently selling off the trees from the state land around here again this year.......and it knocks out our internet because the roads are sand and all of our internet here goes under the road.........BUT still don't want to go back to the city......we will survive....ok...got my gripes off my chest.......and will carry on!

Anyway...I'm happy regardless..........

Breakfast

coffee = 0 pts and 2 cals

2 clementines = 0 pts and 160 cals

banana = 0 pts and 105 cals

Lunch

Lunch was large on purpose.....I'm noticing that I'm liking a light or no breakfast...a larger filling protein heavy lunch and either light or no dinner.....I doubt that I will ever give up my 7pm treat...LOL

Hot dog on a whole wheat bun with mustard and catsup = 11 points and 329 cals

2 cups potato salad ( I made it )and it includes a large amt of fresh vegetables aside from the potato =715 but would be a bit lower because it's different than regular potato salad but counting it like this anyway

scant 1/2 cup beans = 4 points and 134 cals...also counting this a touch high

Today I plan to skip dinner to try that out....but will go on to the 7 PM treat which will be SF pudding "wink" at 2 points and 60 cals

Looks like a nice day out today....good one for a drive........I have a Walmart grocery pickup at 10....so will be out of here by 9....I'm loving the plan....homemade especially for my eating quirks.......It's one that is especialy made for me and fits together like a puzzle....very much like a game that I love playing........Tossing out all of the eating/food rules....and making up my own game is making it all effortless.....I'm just sorry that it took me so long to figure that out.......The last few  pounds will be tough but I'm up for it now.....and probably for the first time ever...I am NOT saying to myself that I want to do something different...when it fits...it fits.

Breakfast

coffee = 0 points

Lunch

Celery = 0pts and 3 cals

Shaved beef = 8 pts and 300 cals

spanish rice = 14 pts and 480 calories

Dinner

yogurt = 4 pts and 60 cals

Banana = 0 pts and a05 cals

7PM treat

1 serving apple pie = 19 pts and 420 cals.....we are eating up the rest of this tonight so evening treats won't be quite so delish...but that's OKAY!!

Todays cals 1,400 even

Riding off into the sky...in search of some fresh produce!

Pretty good Walmart Pickup....only 1 dented can and 1 package of some very leaky chicken ( shudder).......

I LOVED YESTERDAY!!!!

No treats all day until I earned them ......and waiting until 7P.M. to indulge........

Broke the old rule that I always rebelled against about NOT rewarding yourself with food.

I wish I had never heard anyone ever say that!

Yesterday was actually fun...........a balancing act of Weight Watchers Points, calorie counting and the reward for doing a good job at 7 P.M.......( my usual binge eating time)....it was all under control....and FUN!  I believe that I just turned dieting into a game......a game I loved playing.

Looking forward to playing it again today....I do believe that this is something I could do indefinitely.

Breakfast

coffee = 0 points and 2 cals

2 clementines =0 pts and 160 cals

Lunch

chicken salad again...this is possibly the best diet meal that sticks with me for hours and I will probably rely on it a lot = 8 points and 404 cals

Organic applesauce = 0 pts and 50 cals

Dinner

Carrot Ginger soup = 4 pts and 130 cals

7 PM treat

cup of tea = 0 pts and 2 cals

1 serving apple pie = 19 pts and 420 cals

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Total cals for the day = 1,154

Made the decision to go full out on the Weight  Watchers this morning..........Probably shouldn't have waited so long...( finding out I had 2 identical subscriptions at the same time was a bit of a shock and a wake up call.....possibly an epihany)  WW works and it was how I lost a lot of weight over the years......I need to pay attention to that and accept that it really is a lifestyle and not something to be done and over with.  It was a lot nicer doing that at meetings....but online will have to do and I need to take it as seriously as the meetings.  Choosing the green plan to start.

Breakfast

coffee 2 cals and 0 points

2 clementines 0 points and 160 cals

Lunch

A whole can of Swanson chicken breast drained, 8 ounces = 3 points and 242 calories

Mixed with 1/4th cup light mayo = 5 pts and 140 cals

and 1/8 th cup sweet pickle relish = 2 pts and 40 cals

DINNER

1/2 cup pasta salad = 5 pts and 180 calories

4 cups lettuce = 0 points and 32 calories

7 P.M. reward treat = 1 serving of apple pie =19 points and 420 cals

Hot tea = 0 pts and 0 cals

Todays calories = 1,216

Edit

I think I will also apply some things that people have TRIED to teach me over the years...one of which  is to slow down eating...put the fork down, chew the food at least 30 times per bite, savor it, and most importantly....if I've had enough...give myself the permission to throw away the rest!!!!!!  

I am going to refrain from telling it exactly like it HAS been......( basically the exact opposite of above)......and start focusing on what I am doing right instead of what I have been doing wrong.

2nd EDIT

I learned something to day....from my very first weight loss experience....we were told to never reward ourselves with food.  We should reward ourselves with something non food like a movie, nail polish, an item of clothing etc.  I took that to heart and never ever rewarded my self with food.....I actually ate all of the sweets or salty treats all day any day..........and often fell off the wagon and took my time getting back on......I figured if they were in the house...I would never be able to resist them...so why try.  Today...while following WW......I ate in a way that will allow me to have a treat tonight...all day I have been planning it...I EARNED  it.......what a novel concept for me...instead of having a treat for lunch and another for breakfast and then lose it and eat a bunch more in the evening.........I had a day where I can truly say that I earned my evening treat.......so for me.....rewarding myself with food works!!!  It kind of makes me mad that I bought into the no food rewards all these years.........and in doing a food reward will actually make my reward earned.  Instead of junk all day....I will earn...or not earn...an evening treat which is my toughest time of day anyway.  I feel kind of cheated by that advise...that was regularly given at WW meetings.........

I will have the treat I earned at 7 P.M. because that is always when I seem to lose control and pig out on junk.