Chicken Fried.

It’s FRIDAY!!! WOOHOO! I’m happy the weekend is finally here! This weekend I get to see Whitney and her crew and my family in Chattanooga. It should be a fun weekend. I don’t have too much going on tonight...we will just have to see.

I don’t really have too much today. I think I am just itching to for the weekend to “officially” start.

I will share what I thought about earlier though. Some people at work were going to City Café for lunch. If you don’t know, City Café is a Meat & Three kind of place. I love it. When I wasn’t dieting, my meal there consisted of a fried chicken breast (dunked in ranch of course), mashed potatoes & gravy, macaroni & cheese and fried green tomatoes. They also have rolls and cornbread. So, yah, not the healthiest meal ever. In the south there are a ton of these types of places with country cooking. Sometimes, it’s hard to get around. I have only been to City Café once in the past year probably and I went with EVERY intention of cheating...I don’t get it often. I was wondering earlier though how I would possibly survive if I had to go there with someone.

There is another place that my mom and I go to call Mr. Bill’s which is kind of similar. She loves their cornbread so we go sometimes. For some reason, it’s easier to eat there than City Café. When I go there, I get a smoked chicken breast, a baked potato and a double order of green beans. It’s usually pretty good...though they’ve recently done away with the baked potato at lunchtime. Anyway, places like that usually have either a smoked or grilled chicken breast. They almost always have green beans. The only problem with green beans is that if you are from the south, they are probably made with bacon grease. There is this place downtown and their green beans are LOADED with chunks of bacon. Trust me...you can tell...green beans don’t naturally taste like pork. I tend to choose them though and hope that it’s not that bad. Honestly, it sucks to eat at these places but you CAN make better choices. If they have a baked potato, corn on the cob, sliced tomatoes, tossed salad, or a fruit of some sort...that’s going to be better than piling your plate with nothing but fried food and starches. I know it’s tough...in fact they are probably some of the worst types of places to go to...but you can suffer through it if you need to. Gosh...I REALLY want some fried green tomatoes now. If you love them like I do...you could fry up some turkey bacon, then sauté thinly sliced green tomatoes in the same pan and then have a guilt free BLT...those things are pretty good.

As an aside, I looked up the points for the Double Down sandwich at KFC (for research purposes only of course) and it’s only 13 points. I mean I know it’s a lot but the Baconator is like 21 or something. In case you didn’t know, it’s the one that uses fried chicken as the bun and it has bacon and cheese and some sort of sauce in the middle. I might try it sometime...you know...just so I can be an efficient diet blogger. I’ll let you know what I think...I’m looking out for you.



Good luck out there.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. I might try to take some pictures but I wouldn’t get too excited considering my lack of picture taking these days.

“You know I like my chicken fried,
cold beer on a Friday night,
a pair of jeans that fit just right
and the radio up.” Chicken Fried-Zac Brown Band

FUN WITH PHOTO SHOP!

Today is going to be yet another day that I complain about food at work. I came in this morning and it smelled like pancakes and sausage...couldn’t have any. Someone told me they brought light syrup. Honestly, it was hard not to choke her. I realize that it was a very thoughtful gesture and so of course I was nice but sometimes I want to shake people and be like, “JUST BECAUSE THE SYRUP IS LIGHT DOES NOT MEAN I CAN NOW HAVE PANCAKES!!!” I of course did not say this... I just said...”Thanks anyway but if I’m going to participate in the BBQ LUNCH that they are ALSO having, I certainly can’t have any.” Thankfully, someone brought lettuce so I guess I can pile up some lettuce and put some chicken and a little BBQ sauce on top and it will be ok. I definitely have some diet rage going on today. I’m HAWNGRY and bitter and all my spare time today will be dedicated to exercise including but not limited to the elliptical, walking and softball.

In honor of my bad mood...I decided I wouldn’t say much but just post a few pictures that I Photo Shopped. These are always fun. I am definitely not an expert at manipulating pictures but I’m getting better and I have fun doing it.

I hope you enjoy.








There. I feel better now.

I hope you all have a great lunchtime, afternoon and evening.

One more thing...I just noticed I now have 20 followers! Welcome! YAY!

I’m gonna bust a move...

“Your best friend Harry has a brother Larry
In five days from now he's gonna marry
He's hopin you can make it there if you can
'Cause in the ceremony you'll be the best man
You say "neato"... check your libido
And roll to the church in your new tuxedo
The bride walks down just to start the wedding
And there's one more girl you won't be getting
So you start thinkin, then you start blinkin
A bride maid looks and thinks that you're winkin
She thinks you're kinda cute so she winks back
And now you're feelin really fine cus the girl is stacked
Reception's jumpin, bass is pumpin
Look at the girl and your heart starts thumpin
Says she wants to dance to a different groove
Now you know what to do g, bust a move.” Bust A Move-Young MC

“If You Drink, Don’t Drive, Do The Watermelon Crawl...”

For some reason, I haven’t gotten all my steps in the past few days and it is really annoying me. I like to get no less than 7700 steps a day and I am cutting it really short. It makes me feel lazy but what is funny is that Monday, I walked over 2 miles and yesterday I walked over a mile and played in a softball game and I still didn’t get enough steps either day! So, I know I’m not lazy but it still feels like I am. I am just going to have to push it today after work and the next few days. I can’t get in the habit of not getting enough steps or I won’t make it. I’m almost a quarter of the way through (to the million steps in 130 days in case you forgot) and I’m on track for now but I won’t be if I don’t...wait for it...get to steppin’.

Anyway, enough of that. Today...I am going to talk about DRANKIN’. Now, some of y’all may not drink and some of you are flat out opposed to it so I’m sorry if this doesn’t pertain to you. I am a believer that MOST things (illegal activities like drunk driving, crack smoking etc are excluded) are OK if done in moderation. If I only had 2 pieces of pizza instead of 8 when I ordered one...I wouldn’t have nearly the issues. I feel the same way about drinking. I mean listen...food is my vice. If you take that away and smoking is out and I don’t knit or anything like that and biting my nails can only go so far...I need something. SO I do like to wind down with a beer or a cocktail sometimes. Sue me. Because of Weight Watchers, I have to keep it to the bare minimum because alcohol is LOADED with sugar and fat.

So, if you didn’t know that alcohol isn’t just something that can get in the way of your judgment if you have too much, it’s also full of things that are bad for you.

Now that we all know that...I have a couple of suggestions.

1.) Much like the fact that abstinence is the only way to prevent pregnancy...NOT drinking is the only way to prevent weight gain from too much alcohol (not to mention embarrassing encounters with former preachers, being a little too honest with your friends and searching forever to get someone to drive you home just in case). Seriously people...don’t drink and drive...it’s bad news...I’m talking to myself too.

2.) If you’re like me, and sometimes adult beverages are a way to wind down (and not in that alcoholic kind of way) you can try having a screwdriver or a DIET soda and bourbon. One...ONE shot of liquor is two points. I usually spend 2 points on breakfast. It makes it hard to make room for those pesky well drinks. I definitely wouldn’t recommend getting anything that has the words daiquiri or martini or margarita. I know...I love margaritas too but I’m sorry...save it for cheat day. A little baby screwdriver is only 2 points so you get the juice and the shot...same with the Diet Coke and whatever dark liquor you want. But remember...they aren’t just 2 points a drink...they are 1 drink for 2 points, 2 drinks for 5, 2 drinks for 7 and so on. I still get quite a lot of points but for those of you out there that are pretty thin and you are dieting...it’s really hard to drink and eat...and I would never recommend choosing liquor over food. Not a good idea.

3.) If you are a beer drinker, the darker and fruitier the beer, the more points they are. I happen to like beer but I prefer the kinds that are lighter so that’s good for me. I think beers that are dark are usually gross...Guiness tastes like tar...so I am cool with light beers. You can try the Miller 64 and the Bud Select 55 (pictured below). These beers are 1 point a piece (the 55 is better because they are always 1 point a piece but the 64 is 2 for 3, 3 for 4 etc.)but if you are a real beer drinker...meh...they aren’t great...more like beer flavored water. If you want a GOOD tasting 2 point beer...I would recommend regular Bud Select...I think it’s only 99 calories.



The moral of the story is...if you are dieting...there is no question that drinking will not help but...if you don’t enjoy your life by eating and drinking things you want in MODERATION...it will be really hard to maintain it forever. Has it taken me a long time to lose weight the past few months? Yes, but I haven’t had it too bad and I’m good MOST of the time so I think it’s OK.

If you drink, please be careful and either save it for once a week...like on a Saturday or cheat day...or just have one glass of wine or beer a night and it shouldn’t affect your weight loss too much. I know it can be hard living in a drinking town with a football problem but you can do it!

If you never drink...kudos.

I kind of want a margarita now...lol...oh well...none for me tonight...I like food better!


Bye!

“Blame it on the goose
Got you feeling loose
Blame it on Patron
Got you in the zone
Blame it on the a a a a a alcohol
Blame it on the a a a a a alcohol
Blame it on the vodka
Blame it on the henny
Blame it on the blue top
Got you feeling dizzy
Blame it on the a a a a a alcohol
Blame it on the a a a a a a alcohol.” Alcohol-Jamie Foxx

Tuesday, I Get A Little Sideways...

This day has been a long one and I think it’s only because when I get off work...I’m not just going home...I gotta play softball tonight so I won’t be able to really relax until it’s time to go to bed. Also, I have stuff planned at all times every day this week and on into the weekend...busy, busy. Really I’m just stressed because I don’t see a lot of couch sitting and TV watching in my future. As you can see, my priorities are in order.

I have several random things.

One, my friend Whitney is MOVING BACK TO ALABAMA!!! I’m so excited. That is one of things on this weekend’s agenda is to visit with them and help them get settled in. I know that they have basically been wanting to move back since the moment they left but sometimes you gotta follow a job. That’s what they did but they have both found jobs here and they are coming down this weekend to stay so I hope that they are careful!

Two, I am going to Chattanooga this Sunday to visit my family so that’s always fun. I get to see my family...my new little cousin, my Grandma, Aunt Brenda & Aunt Allie (who has Alzheimer’s). Plus, I get to eat lunch at my Grandma’s house which has been a family tradition for years and years and since we moved to Alabama, we obviously don’t get to do that as much so I always enjoy that.

Three, even though I don’t get to see it live, Idol is on tonight which is exciting. It’s getting down to the wire. The best part about tonight is:



Shania Twain! I created that picture myself by the way (the idol symbol on top of the pic I mean). Anyway, while Shania may not be my favorite artist...she is DEFINITELY Jordan’s and I don’t think the word happy does his feelings for tonight justice. He couldn’t be more excited so because of that...I’m very excited for him. I feel as if none of the singers will do her songs justice (because for the most part the contestants suck)...I know he’ll be happy. I’ll definitely have to watch after the softball game.

I also included this pic below of BFF’s Shania & Jordan shopping one day...she LOVES hanging with Jordan on the weekends.



Fourth, some guy at just worked just asked if I was dieting. “Yes,” I replied. “What are you doing?” he asked. “Weight Watchers,” I said. “Oh, well is that working for you?” he asked. I mean...you know...this man sees me EVERY day. You’d think he could tell. I’m just saying...I’m not mad...mostly I just thought it was funny. I was like...yeah...it’s working for me pretty well.

Fifth and finally, I must counteract the above example of how you can lose 60 pounds and some people still don’t notice. This morning I went upstairs and one of the women there (who has recently lost 60 pounds in 4 months) pulled me aside and said, “I just wanted to tell you privately that you were my inspiration to lose weight. I saw how good you looked and wanted to feel that way too, so thank you.” I was SO TOUCHED. That is AMAZING to hear. I told her thank you so much for telling me that and that we can now inspire each other because it just keeps getting harder. It’s always nice to get those boosts. I’m lucky enough to have friends and family that will always support me but it’s always a special treat when someone that holds a more marginal place in your life says something like that.

Well, that’s pretty much it for today. I have a new casserole I want to try but I will wait until I actually make it before I tell you about it. I know I haven’t had very well rounded blogs lately. Maybe I can think of something knowledgeable or interesting to share with you tomorrow...maybe.

Have a great night!

The word inspiration reminded me of this song...lol...I’m not singing this about myself.

“You're the meaning in my life
you're the inspiration.
You bring feeling to my life
you're the inspiration.
Wanna have you near me
I wanna have you hear me sayin':
No one needs you more than I need you.” You’re The Inspiration-Chicago

Woot!

Well y’all...weigh in was good to me this week! I lost 2 pounds last week bringing my total loss to 61 pounds! I changed my picture (finally) and despite the fact that I think it outlines my large head, it’s a pretty decent one. I was looking at my weight tracker thing on Weight Watchers sight and I was at 50 pounds at the end of December so it took me 4 months to lose 10 pounds. That says to me that I need to have more weeks like the last one where I know I’m doing the right things. I don’t mean to say that to diminish the fact that I got to 60 because I’m very happy but I definitely am keeping that knowledge to use for the future.

For instance, as soon as I learned of my 2 pound loss...I proceeded to eat like I haven’t ever eaten before for 2 days. I don’t know if you all remember this or not but I used to only have ONE cheat day on the weekends...NOT TWO. My goal this Saturday is to be good. Even though it’s tempting to run and eat after the weigh in...I need to try to count all my points on Saturday’s and only cheat on Sundays. I know that this will be tough...Saturday’s are always the toughest days to count points but I know I will have better results if I only have one cheat day. All the food sure was good though. I think I remember telling you all that I felt like I was losing weight again...and I was right. I’m not feeling it so much right now though...I’m still recovering from the weekend.

Anyway, onward I suppose. I have to say I MISS those down 2 pound loss weigh ins...it felt good. This weekend was fun. The weather on Friday and Saturday was totally horrendous. There were tornados to the west, north & south of us and it rained like crazy. That ruined the Crawfish boil which I kind of felt bad about because of all the money that was invested. I did however get to enjoy the weekend with Jordan. We went to two poetry readings for the Slash Pine Poetry festival. I got to see a creative writing teacher I had in college and one of my mentors from grad school read...so that was fun. I also got to do a little karaoke Saturday night. It was overall a good weekend and the food included but was not limited to Jimmy Johns, BBQ, boneless wings, hamburgers, biscuits & gravy and other delicious and terrible things...yah...it was RIDICULOUS. I am surprised at my lack of picture taking these days but I didn’t really take any this weekend except for the “Down 60” pictures and one of me and Jordan so I posted those below.

I hope the rest of your Monday is grand!

THIS IS MY DREADED BEFORE PICTURE FIRST...YOU CAN COMPARE IT TO THE DOWN PICTURE AT THE TOP RIGHT OF THE BLOG AND THE ONE BELOW THIS ONE:







This was how I felt Saturday after I weighed:

“It was the perfect day
What I'd give if I could find a way to stay
Lost in this moment now
Ain't worried about tomorrow
When you're busy livin in a perfect day.” Perfect Day-Lady Antebellum

Today, my life is WITH [light] Ranch!

I realize that I shouldn’t be this excited about Light Ranch...but I am. I have another softball game tonight but before I go, I need to eat something so I’m not starving after the game and I don’t have time to go home SO I’m going to McAlister’s. I have recently discovered their “Choose Two” menu (which I may have already told you about) and you get to choose two from potatoes, sandwiches, salads & soups...you get half a serving and all the nutrition facts are on their site. The POINT is they have a grilled chicken salad that has chicken, bacon, cheese and light ranch AND I get a part of a baked potato. I’m pretty excited about it because their light ranch is actually pretty good.

Ok, now that I’ve officially gone overboard & fatted out over light ranch, I should probably move on. Honestly, there isn’t too much to move on to...I don’t have a whole lot going on and I don’t really have any new thoughts that I haven’t spoken or that pertain to weight loss in any way. This will probably be my last blog until Monday. I have a lot going on tomorrow and this weekend...so...I know...I’ll tell you my big weekend plans.

First, Jordan is coming down tomorrow. We are going to the Slash Pine Poetry Festival. If you aren’t a writer or poetry lover, you may not find this interesting. This festival is pretty cool though because it is over the course of a couple of days and they go to all of these different locations in town reading poems. Tomorrow night, the reading is at Kentuck and then on Saturday, there are some on campus, the Bama Theatre and Little Willie’s...just a bunch of cool little venues in Tuscaloosa. We won’t go to all of them BECAUSE there is ALSO a crawfish boil in Tuscaloosa this weekend and we may get to go to it for a little bit. This is the first year they are doing this in Tuscaloosa...there will be local bands, Clay Walker and lots of food and crafts.

Am I the biggest fan of Clay Walker? No. Though I did Google him today and aside from the hat, he’s SORT OF yummy looking.



Anyway, I just think that since Tuscaloosa is so small, and I along with most other people always complain that there is nothing to do here, that I should take up anything that Tuscaloosa has to offer. It’s not my ideal place as I am regularly hearing of things to do in Birmingham which is less than an hour away but I have to say that Tuscaloosa is constantly trying to add new shops and parks...and they are even building an amphitheatre so I have to give credit where credit is due. In addition to both of the festivals, Jordan’s little cousin Saylor Grace is having a birthday party on Saturday and I’m always game for those.

So-as you can see, it’s a packed weekend. Maybe I will take some pictures and post them on Monday.

I hope you all have a great weekend!

Before I go completely...I would like for you to keep my BFF’s Whitney & Xay in your thoughts & prayers! I am sending healthy thoughts!


“Thank you. That will be nice. Yes is being my answer. Easy question.” Aurelia-Love Actually

Working For The Weekend...Again.

I am rushing the crap out of this week. My spirit is already way into the weekend. Alas, it’s only Wednesday so I must be patient. Before I say too much, I have a few housekeeping things.

One, yesterday I mentioned my fave breakfast sandwich. While it would be delicious for breakfast, I would be much more likely to have it for lunch or dinner. Unfortunately, if I spent more than one or two points on breakfast...it would be hard to save for lunch or dinner or a snack. If you are counting points and thought the 5 points for breakfast seemed like a lot...it is...if you want a good one or two point breakfast...try the egg beaters and one piece of toast or a fiber bar...also very filling. I personally love breakfast for dinner so that’s why that sandwich is good.

Two, we had our first softball game last night...as I mentioned yesterday...we lost BUT I played catcher for two innings, made the ball back to the pitcher all but 2 or 3 times, AND I hit the ball. I didn’t technically get a hit because the ball only went about 15 feet so I got out at first but I made contact so...HOLLA!

Third, American Idol was boring last night. My dad LOVED Crystal...maybe he built it up too much because I didn’t think it was THAT awesome. I think she’s great (and the most talented) and probably my pick but honestly...it is starting to sound the same from her every week. Personally, I’m not real excited about any of them at this point. Glee was also great BUT the last few minutes got cut off and I, along with a few others, was totally disgusted...anyway...I can catch the last bit online later.

Fourth, this spring allergy thing is out of control. I woke up this morning feeling like a swarm of bees had dropped their pollen off in my throat. I think that explains at least some of my lethargy today...blech...I need a Benadryl and a two day nap.

Fifth, I think that’s it actually...I just do things in 5’s.

So, I don’t have much to say except that I really hope I lose that pound this week because I would love to share a new picture with you and I think 60 is a big landmark...literally big. Have you all ever seen on these weight loss shows where they make you run a race carrying weights that add up to the amount of weight that you’ve lost? I think it’d be pretty hard to run with 60 pounds of weights in my hands...so that kind of puts it into perspective. The good news is that even if I don’t lose the pound this week, I kind of feel like I’m on the downward slope again. It’s weird because I think my body sends me signals. It’s taken me 3 months to lose almost 10 pounds...that is a WAY slower progression than the first 50 but I am being good most of the time so I should be headed in the right direction now and I actually feel like my body is in weight loss mode again. It could be that I’m just hungry right now but hopefully, my feelings are right.

One other thing, I think I have talked about the show Parenthood before. It has Lauren Graham who I really like and it’s sort of like NBC’s version of Brothers & Sisters. While it isn’t quite on that level yet, it’s AWESOME. It’s funny, there are many tear jerker moments and it’s very relatable. I am really enjoying it. I think you can watch all of the episodes on hulu.com or nbc.com if you are interested. What’s even better is that I was just wondering yesterday if it would get a second season and Jordan saw online that it was being picked up!!! That’s great because I can’t stand when a show I like gets canceled right away.




OK-I think that was all. I am predicting that Siobhan or Aaron will get kicked off Idol tonight...I think that may be less of a prediction and more of a hope.

Have a good night!

“What if we stopped having a ball?
What if the paint chips from the wall?
What if there's always cups in the sink?
What if I'm not what you think I am?
What if I fall further than you?
What if you dream of somebody new?
What if I never let you win,
and
chase you with a rolling pin,
Well, what if I do?” Giving Up-Ingrid Michaelson