So Long, Farewell, Auf Weidersehen...

Goodbye - 70 pounds are gone forever!

I hit the 70 pound mark this morning and am inching closer to my first major milestone of 100 pounds. As each pound drops I feel like I am gaining a mile of self-confidence. I am no longer hiding behind people or furniture when meeting new people or chatting via video messaging and do not run when someone pulls out a camera.

I am refusing to purchase a new wardrobe until I am close to reaching my goal. I am trying out my domestic skills and am utilizing my sewing machine to take in certain clothes (work pants, etc.). Despite my middle school home economics sewing skills, I discovered the key to keeping my clothes staying up is a belt. I have never needed a belt before so this was something new to me. I thought I would have to get a pair of those rainbow-striped suspenders that old men wear but a belt works much better!
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What I Am Eating These Days

Breakfast

• 1/2 cup Southwest Egg Beaters
• Sprinkle of Kraft Fat-Free Shredded Cheese

Mid-Morning Snack

• Mini-Babybel Light Cheese Round OR
• Peanut Butter Protein Ball (mix 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter, 1/2 scoop Optimum Nutrition Vanilla Protein Powder, 1/2 teaspoon honey and roll into a ball of yummy goodness)

Lunch

• 1/2 chicken breast (4 ounces), shredded or cubed
• Sprinkle of Kraft Mozzarella Shredded Cheese
• 1 tablespoon Daisy Light Sour Cream
• 1 tablespoon Pace Salsa

Mid-Afternoon Snack

• Mini-Babybel Light Cheese Round OR
• Premier Nutrition Chocolate Protein Shake

Dinner

Dinner can vary for me. It depends on what I am cooking for the family or if I am even interested in food. I usually have one of the following:

• 3-ounces Solid White Albacore Tuna
• 1 tablespoon low-fat mayo

OR

• 4-ounces ground Jenny-O turkey breast
• 1/2 cup Classico Fire Roasted Tomato and Garlic Spaghetti Sauce

OR

• 4-ounces chicken breast
• 1 tablespoon barbeque sauce

I average about 750-800 calories a day with less than 30 grams of carbohydrates and I drink at least four-24 ounce bottles of water a day (for a minimum total of 96 ounces). I use Crystal Light to flavor it or else I would not get it in every day. My favorite flavors are Fruit Punch, Lemonade, and Grape.

I do have days when I have a few tortilla chips and pico de gallo or extra slices of cheese. I do not deprive myself if I get a hankering for something. I adjust my diet if I divulge in something extra so I do not end up adding calories in the day. I keep track of everything I eat (yes, even the stuff I sneak in) on http://www.fatsecret.com/ and http://www.myfitnesspal.com/ (both are FREE and are available as an App on your phone too). This helps validate my daily intake of calories, protein, fat, carbohydrates, etc. and holds me accountable for my choices.