The 100 Day 15

It's been a tough few days. For some reason, this past weekend put a big damper on my efforts to stay on the plan. Work lunch plans with co-workers also threw me off yesterday (Monday) as well. Today was better, but I still went over my 100 Sugar Calories. I will put in a 100% effort tomorrow!

BREAKFAST 1 cup Daisy brand 2% fat cottage cheese and ¼ cup chopped pecans. Also had coffee with half & half.

SNACK 10 raw almonds and 1 string cheese stick

LUNCH 1 packet tuna mixed with celery, lime juice, and 2 TBSP mayo and topped over romaine lettuce.

SNACK 5 cucumber slices with cream cheese

DINNER Mini beef slider (no bun), 2 crackers (24 sugar calories) with leftover sausage dip (cream cheese, red peppers, sausage) from our cookout on Sunday evening, 1/2 cup baked beans (116 sugar calories), and 2 tomato slices.

The 100 Day 14

I went over my Sugar Calories again today. This always seems to happen when I estimate how many are in something I am about to eat. But my total weight loss after 2 weeks on The 100 Diet is 6 pounds. I'M HAPPY!

BREAKFAST Skinny muffin (recipe on Day 3) with 1 TBSP chopped walnuts and coffee with half & half.

SNACK 1 serving deli ham

LUNCH Chicken salad with mayo on lettuce with 2 tomato slices and 4 Town House crackers (32 Sugar Calories)

SNACK 10 cocoa almonds (? Sugar Calories) and 4 Hershey Nuggets (80 Sugar Calories)

DINNER 1 grilled chicken sausage link and 1 cup steamed broccoli

The 100 Day 13

I'm feeling better today. The scale now shows I have lost 6 lbs in total. Not bad for 13 days! It makes me realize that if I did not have those few setback days, I might be further along. But overall, I'm happy with the progress!

BREAKFAST 1 egg plus 1 serving egg beaters (whites only), ¼ cup shredded Mexican cheese, 2 TBSP salsa and coffee with half & half.

SNACK ¼ cup chopped pecans and 1 string cheese

LUNCH 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 3 oz grilled chicken slices, ½ cup chopped cucumbers, ¼ cup feta cheese, and salad dressing mixture of 2 TBSP red wine vinegar, 1 TBSP olive oil, and 1 tsp Dijon mustard.

SNACK 5 cocoa almonds

DINNER 2 TBSP almond butter and 1 hamburger patty topped with 2 slices of cheddar cheese

The 100 Day 12

I stayed home with the boys the past 2 days. On Day 1, I fell off the wagon. No big deal; I just told myself I would get back on track on Day 2. Then, I went over my Sugar Calories on Day 2. I am frustrated because the scale hasn't budged in about 4-5 days now. I need to work harder and not cheat! Lesson learned from Day 2: Check labels before eating foods even if I think the Sugar Calories will be low.

BREAKFAST Skinny muffin (recipe on Day 3) with 1 TBSP chopped walnuts and coffee with half & half.

SNACK 1 serving deli ham and ¼ cup shredded pizza cheese (I was making the boys mini pizzas for lunch.)

LUNCH 2 cups chopped romaine lettuce, 3 oz grilled chicken slices, 5 cherry tomatoes sliced in half, ¼ cup Parmesan cheese, and 2 TBSP Caesar Salad Dressing

SNACK ¼ cup cocoa almonds (I was sad to learn they had 36 Sugar Calories in total!)

DINNER 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce, 3 oz chopped rotisserie chicken, ¼ cup salsa, 1 serving low sodium Fritos (72 Sugar Calories), and 1 serving 100 calorie Wholly Guacamole (20 Sugar Calories -- It's guacamole; I cannot believe there was that many in the package!).

Daily total: 128 Sugar Calories :(

The 100 Day 11

BREAKFAST Skinny muffin (recipe on Day 3) and coffee with half & half.

SNACK 1 string cheese stick

LUNCH 2 slices ultra thin crust pizza (store bought Mama Mary's) with pepperoni, bell peppers, and onion. (80 Sugar Calories)

SNACK 2 TBSP peanut butter (20 Sugar Calories)

DINNER 3 oz grilled chicken sauteed with caesar salad dressing and 1 TBSP olive oil. Tossed with 1 cup steamed broccoli, 5 cherry tomatoes sliced in half, and 2 TBSP parmesan cheese.

The 100 Day 10

BREAKFAST 2 scrambled eggs, ¼ cup each chopped zucchini & red pepper and ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Coffee with half and half.

SNACK ¼ cup pecans

LUNCH 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce topped with 1 packet tuna, ½ cup red bell pepper, ¼ cup chopped celery, 2 TBSP mayo, and juice squeezed from a lemon. 1 serving multi-grain toasted chip wheat thins (76 Sugar Calories)

SNACK 2 TBSP almond butter

DINNER HUGE MILESTONE! My family went to a hot air balloon and food festival this evening. It was typical fair food (YUM!) with funnel cakes, corn on the cob, corn dogs, mini donuts, kettle corn, bbq ribs, fried cheesecake, gyros, stromboli's, etc. I managed to resist ALL of it and found a food truck with various grilled chicken options. I had the Brayden chicken sandwich (NO BUN) topped with swiss cheese, bacon, mushrooms, and bell peppers & onions. And water, just water. I wanted a lemon skake-up soooo bad. I'm super proud of myself for resisting all of this deliciousness this evening!

The 100 Day 9

BREAKFAST Skinny muffin (recipe on Day 3) and coffee with half & half.

SNACK ¼ cup sunflower seeds

LUNCH 2 cups romaine lettuce topped with 3 oz grilled chicken, ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese, 8 olives, red bell pepper, red onion, shredded carrots (not listed in the book, but I'm positive they have sugar!), celery, and Avocado Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

SNACK 1 cup cookies & cream ice cream from Hershey's (bad, I know!) And probably way over the 100 Sugar Calories that are allowed per day, but it was SO hot outside today and I was shopping all by myself (alone with NO kids!) and I enjoyed every single taste of it!

DINNER 3 oz beef roast, carrots, and spinach. 2 glasses of red wine.

The 100 Day 8

BREAKFAST 2 scrambled eggs, ¼ cup each chopped zucchini & red pepper and ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Coffee with half and half.

SNACK ¼ cup pecans and 1 string cheese stick

LUNCH 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce, 3 oz chopped chicken breast mixed with ¼ cup each chopped green onions, celery, and red pepper. Topped with 2 TBSP bleu cheese crumbles and 2 TBSP Marzetti Blue Cheese Italian Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

SNACK 2 TBSP almond butter

DINNER 5 small sized meatballs tossed with bell peppers, onions, and marinara sauce. I also slipped and had a few M&M cookies.

The 100 Day 7

Today was pretty good until dinner! I was extra hungry tonight!

BREAKFAST Skinny muffin (Recipe on Day 3). Coffee with half & half.

SNACK ¼ cup sunflower seeds

LUNCH 2 cups shredded romaine lettuce topped with 1 packet tuna, ½ cup red bell pepper, and ¼ cup chopped green onions, 2 TBSP mayo, juice squeezed from a lime

SNACK 3 celery boats with 365 brand cream cheese (no crap in the ingredients!)

DINNER 1 salmon burger patty (no bun) and 1 cup sauteed spinach topped with 8 cherry tomatoes and garlic. Also had a few sweet potato tater tots and a serving of Wheat Thins.

Daily total: 100 Sugar Calories

The 100 Day 6

I managed to fall off my 100 Diet plan last weekend. It was $1 ice cream cone day at our local shop, and my family all wanted ice cream. I allowed myself one small cone, and it turned into an entire weekend of me allowing myself small bites of carbs/sugar. Then, on Monday at work, we had a lunch meeting. I came unprepared and sandwiches were brought in. I had the tuna salad and only ate 1/2 the sandwich, but it was enough bread to make me also crave the cookie that came in my boxed lunch. I've learned 2 things during these past 3 days: 1) I am still an "all-or-nothing" type of dieter and 2) One small carb/sugar treat early in the day causes such a huge addiction/craving that it stays with me throughout the day. I'm not beating myself up, but I'm starting on the plan again today! I have lost 4 lbs, so that's a plus.

I will post yesterday's plan.

BREAKFAST 2 scrambled eggs, ¼ cup each chopped zucchini, onion, & red pepper, and ¼ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Coffee with half and half.

SNACK 8-10 broccoli florets dipped in stadium mustard and 1 oz almonds

LUNCH 1 cup shredded romaine lettuce, 3 oz chopped chicken breast mixed with ¼ cup chopped green onions, juice from ½ a lime, and 2 TBSP mayo

SNACK ¼ cup pecans

DINNER 2 slices ultra thin crust pizza (store bought Mama Mary's) with pepperoni, bell peppers, and onion.

Daily total: 80 Sugar Calories

The 100 Day 5

Day 5 - Feeling totally exhausted this morning. Went to bed too late, and I didn't sleep well last night. My feet and ankles were hurting. I'm really hoping for relief soon.

BREAKFAST Skinny Muffin again (for recipe see Day 3). I also had coffee with half and half.

SNACK 1 string cheese

LUNCH 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce, ¼ cup chopped tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped cucumbers, 2 TBSP bleu cheese crumbles, 1 chopped hard boiled egg, 2 slices crumbled bacon, and topped with 2 TBSP Marzetti Blue Cheese Italian Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

SNACK 2 slices deli turkey meat, 1 slice American cheese, 1 oz almonds

DINNER Panera to help my friend Holly with her baby registry. I had the Greek Salad. I checked the menu ahead of time, and it was one of the items with the lowest Sugar Calories (60). Romaine lettuce, vine-ripened tomatoes, feta cheese, peperoncini, red onions, Kalamata olives, pepper & Greek dressing. Also had a cappuccino because I was tired.

The 100 Day 4

BREAKFAST Skinny Muffin again (for recipe see Day 3). I also had coffee with half and half.

SNACK ¼ cup walnuts

LUNCH 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce, 1 sliced chicken strip with coconut, 2 slices crumbled bacon, ¼ cup chopped cucumbers, 1 TBSP grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 TBSP Caesar Salad Dressing

SNACK 1 string cheese stick and 1 hard boiled egg

DINNER I was so tired tonight after Physical Therapy that I didn't cook. I ate a slice of American cheese, 2 oz almonds, 1 packet of tuna mixed w/ 1 TBSP mayo and stuffed in a romaine lettuce leaf.

The 100 Day 3

Day 3 - Dinner was slightly off today, but I'm fairly certain that I stayed within my 100 Sugar Calories for the day.

BREAKFAST I tried the Skinny Muffin recipe in the book. The first few bites were just OK, but then as I kept eating it, the flavor kept getting better & better. The recipe is below. I also had coffee with half and half.

¼ cup ground flax seed

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp coconut oil

(I used Ziggy Marley's Coco'Mon Orange Almond flavored: http://www.amazon.com/Ziggy-Marleys-CocoMon-Coconut-Organic/dp/B0096MVH32)

1 egg

1 packet Truvia

Microwave in a coffee mug for 50 seconds.

SNACK ¼ cup walnuts and ½ cup Daisy brand cottage cheese (the only brand I can find that doesn't add carrageenan to it. Yuk)

LUNCH 1 cup chopped romaine lettuce, ¼ cup chopped tomatoes, ¼ cup chopped cucumbers, 2 TBSP bleu cheese crumbles, 1 chopped hard boiled egg, 2 slices crumbled bacon, and topped with 2 TBSP Marzetti Blue Cheese Italian Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

SNACK 1 string cheese stick

DINNER 3 chicken strips with coconut (not sure how coconut falls within this diet, but I was starving at dinner time). 1 piece of Indiana sweet corn that I brought back from my trip home -- I couldn't resist. The book said sweet corn is 56 Sugar Calories. Also had 7 of my favorite cocoa Somersaults again (sunflower seed clusters)

The 100 Day 2

Today was slightly harder than yesterday. I was much hungrier, but somehow I managed to stay mostly on track.

BREAKFAST 2 scrambled eggs with ½ cup sautéed spinach, ¼ cup red bell pepper, and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Coffee with half and half.

SNACK ¼ cup walnuts

LUNCH 1 packet tuna mixed with 2 TBSP lite Hellman's mayo and lemon juice. Stuffed into 2 lettuce leaves. 2 TBSP peanut butter eaten on a spoon.

SNACK 2 slices deli turkey meat and 1 slice American cheese

DINNER 2 slices bacon, 3 oz chicken strips, ½ cup steamed zucchini with butter, and 7 mini cocoa Somersaults (sunflower seed clusters)

Momentum

(This is actually Monday July 8th meals published Tuesday morning...)

During the last year, I have found that when I gain some momentum with a few pounds lost, it doesn't last very long. The top reasons are usually due to my tendency to be an "all-or-nothing" dieter – followed by a cheat item that turns into me falling completely off the wagon, OR...weekends with social obligations, OR... most recently sickness. Nothing like a bad case of strep throat to derail my best intentions. But, I'm determined now more than ever to make my diet last!

In thinking about my successes and failures with weight loss in the past, I’ve figured out what works and doesn’t work for me. The thrill of a new diet to try along with blogging and/or tracking my food intake works very well for me. Therefore, I have decided to follow The 100 diet for the next 4 weeks. While I have found in the past it is hard to restrict certain foods from my diet (in this case, sugar and carbs), I’m excited for the newness this plan provides. During the 4th of July holiday while visiting my parents, my Mom had this book. I was intrigued, so I bought a copy for myself. Basically, you count Sugar Calories and eat proteins, veggies, and fats in moderation.

So for today, I’m on Day 1 with a planned grocery store visit to keep me on track. Here are my meals & snacks:

BREAKFAST 2 scrambled eggs with ½ cup sautéed spinach, ¼ cup red bell pepper, and ½ cup shredded cheddar cheese. Coffee with half and half.

SNACK 1 string cheese stick

LUNCH 2 cups celery & broccoli tossed with 3 oz grilled chicken, 1 TBSP parmesan cheese, and 2 TBSP Caesar dressing

SNACK 2 slices deli turkey meat and 1 slice American cheese

DINNER 3 oz strip steak, 8 cherry tomatoes sliced in half, 3 chopped scallions, and 1/2 cup steamed zucchini with butter. 2 glasses red wine.