Week of Perfect Eating

I have been maintaining my weight pretty well for awhile...my focus for the last 6 weeks or so has been adding strength, not losing weight. I have been doing great at that - my arm, leg, and abdominal muscles are definitely getting more definition (under all my loose skin and flab), I have muscles where I never did before at the top of my chest - those are pretty cool! - and the outside of my shoulders. I can feel a difference. However, I've been bouncing up and down the same 2-3 pounds for weeks. And that's ok.

But I'm ready to see the scale start moving down again. I want to see the 180's on the scale.

I decided to embark on a one week challenge for myself to get back to losing weight. I'm going to eat "perfectly" for one week. No food from a box (with the exception of my one treat - a 100 calorie, no sugar added Slim-a-Bear ice cream sandwich for dessert). The vast majority of my diet will be whole, REAL foods. Meat, fish, lots of veggies, fruits, legumes, a little dairy and whole grains. I will stay under 1200 calories per day and workout every single day with the exception of Friday, my rest day.

Most importantly, no white starch, no chips, cookies, cupcakes. It doesn't matter what tasty treat is in the break room, it's not for me.

I've written my menu out for the week and stocked up on a few things for Scott when he doesn't like what I'm having. If it's not on the list, unless I'm WAY under my calories for some reason (like if I end up super tight and can't get a meal down and supplement with an extra yogurt or something) it doesn't go in my mouth.

I did great yesterday:

Breakfast: veggie patty, whole grain waffle with no sugar added homemade strawberry preserves; snacks: grapefruit, fresh pickled radishes and cucumbers; lunch: black beans, chicken, avocado, lettuce, fresh jalapenos, salsa verde; dinner: leftover turkey breast and steamed carrots. Workout: 2 mile run/walk intervals.

I'm going to try to remember to take pics of all my food today. On the menu will be:

Breakfast: Greek yogurt, fresh strawberries, unsweetened coconut, sprinkle of lowfat granola.

Lunch: white tuna (no mayo), greens, carrots, sprouts, avocado, balsamic vinegar on whole wheat pita. (This will be at a fab local health food place, Juice & Java, with a friend.)

Dinner: Hot Italian turkey sausage, spaghetti squash, light ricotta, garlic, sprinkle of Parmesan.

Snacks: hard boiled egg, grapefruit broiled with a drizzle of honey, pickled radishes and cucumbers. Slim-a-Bear ice cream for dessert.

Workout: 2 mile walk.