Happy New Year!

Last year was all about losing weight... this year I'd like to focus on exercise... I can't seem to make it a habit! I'm quite sporadic with it unfortunately. And I'm very good at counting my calories to ensure weightloss or weight maintainance, however; I don't always pick the BEST choices for my body. I am constantly trying to save enough calories for my treats at the end of the night, which I know I'll still do, but I'd like to also make sure I've got my fill of fruits and veggies, whole grains, etc. More fresh foods, less frozen meals.

I want to do this for my health, but I must admit I have a vain reason for it as well: I'm engaged! And we'd like to do a destination wedding down South (preferrably Jamaica) in May 2012. That's one year and four months away. And I'd like to rock a sexy bathing suit, whether it's a one piece or two!

What else are my goals for 2011? In addition to planning the wedding.... I'd like to find a permanent full-time job. I've been working hard at this the past couple of years, but I'd like to step it up a few more notches... start making contacts, sending out e-mails, etc. And become even better at saving money. I'm pretty strict with my budget and saving, but I still do spend more frivilously that I could. THIS will be the year of finding free or extremely inexpensive things to do in my spare time. With the stable job and saved money, Brian and I would like to buy a house. Big plans for us over the next little while!

Christmas was so magical. I'm such a big fan. All the lights, the hustle and bustle. Finding the perfect gifts for friends and family. Spending time with friends and family. The delicious food. And this year was all the more special with that wonderful ring wrapped and waiting under the tree for me. Brian knows what a cheeseball I am, what Christmas excitement and anticipation means to me. So he had the ring wrapped many times - in the ring box, in a small box wrapped, in a medium box wrapped, in a larger box wrapped.... took me a while to open it. And it was a great surprise! We've known for a while that we both wanted to spend the rest of our lives with one another - he's my other half! But making it official feels perfect to me - I'm Brian's fiance, soon to be his wife. I couldn't be happier.

I've been basking in the parties, the celebrations for both the holidays and our engagement. I promised myself this year that I'd let myself truly enjoy all the foods I wanted to. Now it's time to burn all that excess food off! And like most everyone, that healthy lifestyle started up again on Jan. 1st.

Meals for Jan. 1st -

Lunch - 1/3 of a Dellissio flatbread mushroom medley pizza, Sugar free jello mousse, Banana, 1 cup of red cherries, 4 cups of water. (565)

Snack - Mini bag of popcorn, Caramel granola bar, Diet coke (240)

Dinner - 2 mini chicken pot pies, 1 garlic & dill pickle, 2 cups of water (380)

Snack - Mini bag of ketchup chips, 2 Lindor chocolates, 2 cups of water (310)

Total - 1495 calories, 3 fruits, 2 veggies, 8 cups of water, 15 grams of fiber

It was January 1st so everything was a bit jumbled from sleeping in late and whatnot. Need to work on adding in more fiber and eating at least 1500 calories.


Meals for Jan. 2nd -

Breakfast - 3/4 cup of froot loops cereal, 1 cup of skim milk (200)

Lunch - Smokin' Stampede quesadilla (with corn in it), Banana, Silhouette Satisfaction blueberry, blackberry & muesli yogurt, Diet coke, 4 cups of water (480)

Snack - 100 calorie bag of popcorn , Apple, 2 cups of water (180)

Dinner - 3 oz. of cooked chicken, chopped green, red, yellow & orange peppers, chopped red onion, cooked in 1/2 tsp. of canola oil. 1 cup of minute rice, Sweet and sour sauce. 2 cups of water (525)

Snack - Mini bag of plain chips , 2 Lindor chocolates, 2 cups of water (320)

Total - 1705 calories, 3 fruits, 3 veggies, 11 cups of water, 21 grams of fiber.

Much better today. Still need to get my fiber up to 25 grams minimum though.

Happy New Year Everyone! It feels good to be back :)