Dr. Oz's Diet

So it's almost 2am. Came back from watching Valentine's Day a few hours ago and now I can't sleep. Hubby is snoring lightly next to me. Thought I'd use this time to update this week's events.

A few weeks back we watched Dr. Oz and he was talking about weight loss. He suggested eating 6 small meals throughout the day to jump start your metabolism. The smaller portions will also help curb over-eating. Seems doable. We went to Pathmark on Monday after our snowboarding trip and bought groceries for the whole week. Items in the diet include:
1. Yogurt
2. Whole wheat bagel with light cream cheese
3. Canned salmon
4. Apple
5. Salad greens with black pepper
6. Dark chocolate

We have been following this diet for 4 days straight, replacing items for variety. For example, instead of apples, we would have a banana or instead of salmon, we would have tuna, etc. It has been working pretty well. We eat every 2 hours and do not feel hungry or deprived. Only hard part is wanting more satisfied food for dinner instead of just salad greens. So we have been having a smaller portion of my mom's home cooking. I will continue the diet for as long as I can. I also plan to substitute the yogurt for a protein shake every now and then. I will report the progress here.

In nutrition class, my professor spoke about a diet consisting of fiber and how it helps your body eliminate waste. I have always felt bloated and irregular. I know I don't eat enough veggies and fruits so I went to Rite-Aid and bought single packets of Benefiber. You mix it with water and it actually taste great! Found a $2 off coupon online as well so I'm going to stock up. I also bought a bulk container of orange flavored Metamucil but it doesn't taste as good as Benefiber. I have been using it for 5 days straight now and believe it or not, I feel like my tummy has gotten flatter!

We have set up a trip to Mexico in June. Hope I can slim down in time for beach season!

Challenge of 2010

As of today, I am going to dedicate most of this blog to my journey to weight loss. I have been struggling to get motivated in the past few years - mainly because of my work and school obligations... I simply have no time and is too tired. I have come to realize that in order to be happy, you have to be happy with yourself first. The past few months really made me realize that I have been giving up on myself. Just because I'm married now, it doesn't mean I don't have to pay attention to the way I look. I feel like such a slob. I used to be ambitious and driven. What happened to that? As of today, I'm determined to go back to the old me.

At the beginning of the new year, I have made a decision to reconnect with old friends. Today I am finally getting together with a few of them. I'm very excited - I haven't seen them in over 6+ years. As I get older, I realized how important friends are and I regret not keeping in touch with those who were good to me. I hope after today I will be able to hang out with them more and pick up where we left off.

I woke up this morning wanting to work out some gunk. I popped in a P90X Polymetrics DVD - in my opinion the hardest of the whole series - and worked out for about 30 minutes. I couldn't finish the whole DVD because I was out of breath. It has been awhile since I was really active. This past weekend we went snowboarding in the Poconos and I realized how out of shape I really am. So I'm going to start this nice and slow until I build up enough endurance and strength. For now, I'm proud at that I initiated the work out this morning.

Julie and Julia

The Julie and Julia DVD has been sitting there on my desk for weeks... couldn't find the time or the energy to watch it. Thought it was going to be a boring movie about boring people. I was wrong. It was actually a very heart warming and inspirational film. It has motivated me to start this blog again.

Julie - in the movie, is a girl who hates her job, hates her new apt and hates where she lives. She has goals to become a writer but it never happened. The only thing going for her is her loving husband. She was looking for an "out", something to jump start her life. She has always loved cooking and looked up to Julia Child. So she gave herself a challenge... 365 days, 524 recipes from Julia Child's cookbook and blog it every step of the way. Over that one year period, she has learned a lot about herself, what makes her happy, what matters and found her life back.

I'm in the same situation. I have been a bit depressed lately due to my career, school, home life, and etc. I have decided I am also going to give myself a challenge and document it in this blog. Hopefully it will be something that can change me for the better and motivate me to do more with my life.

To be continued...

First day of the end

Today is the first day of the final semester! I am so excited. I'll be graduating at the end of May and then I can finally move on with my life to bigger and better plans. I'm at a point in my life where I need a change and to get out of this rut. It's going to be a tough road ahead for the next few months but I'm ready for the challenge! I'm prepared to step up my game!

Finals week!

The most dreaded time of the semester has loomed upon me. Next week I have 4 finals. Two on Monday and two on Thursday. If that isn't stressful enough, I still have to see patients! There are still some class requirements I have to meet. When will I find time to study? My head hurts and just can't remember anything anymore. I wonder if there are any remedies to better memory?

I can't wait till this week is over. We're going to Killington for a snowboarding weekend right after school on Friday. I really just need some R&R time.

Day 2 - Ocean City weekend

We decided to visit Baltimore on day 2 of our Ocean City trip. We purchased tickets to the National Aquarium and I also wanted to eat at Bo Brooks since we didn't get to the last time we went. When we got into the car, the GPS said our travel time is close to 3 hours! Meanwhile when directions back home, it said it was only going to take over an hour. We drove forever and finally got to Baltimore. We missed our 1pm entry to the aquarium and had to wait until 3:45pm to enter. The aquarium was nice. I love the Baltimore Inner Harbor. Bo Brooks was delicious! On our way back to Ocean City, we got lost and took 4 hours to get back. Boy, it was an exhausting long day but it was worth it. Hope to visit again soon.

Day 1 - Ocean City weekend

Right before school starts we decided to take a trip to Ocean City with Mike's family. Since we're taking my car with a built-in GPS, I didn't feel the need to print out directions. 3 hours into our drive we arrived at Cape May ferry terminal. Instead of directing us straight down I95S, the stupid GPS led us to this more expensive route going across the Delaware river. We just spent $46 to get on the ferry one way. I've never been on a ferry with my car, its an experience.

Bahamas / Florida cruise

Finally Friday is upon us! In two days I will be embarked on a cruise to the Bahamas and Florida with my husband. Its a much needed vacation. We've both been exhausted and cranky. I didn't get excited about the trip until today. Just too stressed out about everday life to really relax! Tonight we'll have the house all to ourselves. We'll do a nice BBQ dinner and then start packing.

Some of the things I'll be looking forward to on the trip:
-Rock climbing wall
-Pools and whirlpools
-Day spa
-Fitness center and classes (Yes spinning!)
-Gourmet restaurants
-Sun and beach
-Nightly entertainments
-Casino
-Shopping

I need to come back relaxed and tanned. I vow to do absolutely nothing on this trip but enjoy myself. I deserve it after the long school year and hard days at work!

Summer past times

Good thing the weekends have been nice enough to spend it outdoors. We started biking leisurely and as a form of exercise. We just completed a 23mile bike tour this past Sunday. Thought it would be a challenge but it ended up being very easy and had a really nice time with friends and family. I love the summer, the sun and the warm weather!

When sh!t hits the fan, it splatters

The old saying: "When it rains, it pours"
My new saying: "When sh!t hits the fan, it splatters"

My hubby's job called him early this morning to tell him he has the day off. I got home early from school at 9am and decided to spend a few hours with hubby before going to work. As I turned the corner going home with breakfast in hand, I see a traffic agent "aka the devil" standing next to my hubby's car pulling out a ticket from her handheld printer. I looked down the block and realized his was the only car there. Alternate side parking was in effect. My hubby should have been out of the house before 9am if he had to go to work but because they called him last minute and told him not to go in, he was screwed and forgot he had to move his car at 9am.

So not only did he lose a day's pay because of lack of work. Now its another $45.00 down the drain from the parking ticket.

When sh!t hits the fan, it splatters!

What does it take to be happy?

Maybe I need to find peace within myself to be happy?
Maybe I should be less angry and learn to let things go?
To be more appreciative of everything and everyone around me?
Be thankful for all that I've got no matter how little it is?
Be a better person first before expecting more from others?
Maybe I don't deserve to be happy?
Am I a bad person? Am I being punished?
Maybe I'm asking for too much? Expecting too much? Giving too little?
Maybe I need something to believe in?

Today, I will learn to relax. To think before I speak. To take a deep breath. To close my eyes and think of a happy place. My turn will come one day...

Sunday fun day

Went to Edgewater, NJ. They have the most amazing view of the city. We parked next to the water and just looked at the NYC skyline. I wouldn't mind moving to Edgewater. Its a beautiful neighborhood. Plus my favorite Japanese market place and food court is there!


My husband's favorite Creamyakis

Boom Boom Pow

I was being a hermit studying in bed this beautiful Saturday morning when I heard a boom. I immediately knew someone had a car accident outside. Normally I wouldn't really care or go out to look but then I remembered last night I parked my car outside on the street instead of in my carport. Since people tend to make U-turns on my block and there were a few times when idiots would accidentally hit the parked cars, I thought maybe my car was hit. So I threw on a sweatshirt and sweatpants, and went outside. My car was untouched, thank God, but I saw groups of people at the corner of the block. Turns out there were two cars involved in some sort of accident where one of the cars actually ran up on the curb into the front yard of someone's house! The car drove through a brick fence and plowed down a small tree. Fire engines, police cars and paramedics all started driving up. Reminder to self, never buy a corner property.

Diet blunders

I made these delish cupcakes tonight out of boredom. I really should keep myself more busy. I always end up making all this yummy food and not eating them. I have this passion for cooking and playing with recipes. Not good when I'm trying to diet.

15 day colon cleanse

I'm taking these colon cleanse pills for the first time today. Two in the morning, two in the evening. Its supposed to clean and speed up my sluggish digestive system. They also claim it can help you lose weight and flatten your stomach. I took two at 9am. 8 hours later still no sign of uh... any movements. What's surprising is that I didn't know a person is supposed to have 2-3 bowel movements a day. That's a hell lot of time being spent on the bowl!

What to expect while on the pills:

Today's breakfast

1 - Cream of wheat made with Silk soy milk and a hint of sugar

1 - Orange whipped yogurt

1 - Banana

Just realized the Cream of wheat has to be eaten while its hot or else it turns into Playdoh.