Peanut Butter: Final Rating, Day 14, Cappy

FINAL RATINGS
--EFFECTIVENESS: C
Did it work for weight loss? I only lost a pound, and that was when I weighed today.  Granted, I had a really difficult time emotionally the past couple of weeks, and therefore I didn't follow the diet or exercise as much as I should, so I can't put all the blame on the diet.
--EASE OF USE: A
Was the food easy to obtain and prepare and take to work and adapt to the everyday? Yep, I had no problems in that area at all.
--ENERGY LEVELS: B
Were energy levels high, or did it make us feel weak or tired? I didn't really experience any problems with this.  I didn't feel my energy levels were exceptionally high, but I wasn't feeling exceptionally weak or tired, either.
--HUNGER FULFILLMENT AND CRAVINGS:  D
Were hunger levels and cravings reasonable, or terrible? I don't know if I can really blame the diet itself for this, or just where I was at mentally the past two weeks.  I did experience some hunger and quite a bit of cravings, though.
--OVERALL :  C
How was it overall?  I give it a C because it just didn't do anything for me.
Would I do it again?  Probably not.  I'd rather go with something that gives me faster results.


I'm both excited and nervous to start the raw food diet tomorrow.  Wish us luck and the results I'm hoping for!


Cappy

PEANUT BUTTER: Final Ratings, Day 14, Cory

I did OK.  I decided to have a treat, and had a serving of Ben & Jerry's American Dream ice cream (a cup).  That's something like 550 cals, but I kept the rest of my eating very light all day, and I did my 45 minutes on the bike, so I think I'm fine on keeping overall calories at weight losing levels.

FINAL RATINGS

--EFFECTIVENESS: C

Did it work for weight loss? I think this was pretty slow, but I think that's probably about the fact that I'm getting closer to my goal, and it's a sensible sort of diet.

--EASE OF USE: A

Was the food easy to obtain and prepare and take to work and adapt to the everyday? Nothing exotic, and I don't mind cooking a simple dinner in the evening, so no problem.

--ENERGY LEVELS: C

Were energy levels high, or did it make us feel weak or tired? I had some trouble with feeling a little light-headed yesterday. But it's hard to blame the diet.  I mean, yesterday, I was out and about and didn't eat for hours when I shoulda had a snack.  Also, my sleep has been funky the last few weeks.  However, our first week of SUNSHINE actually had me peppier, for a few days.  Heck, I don't know.  I'm complex, man!  How can I know how much my diet had to do with the ups and downs?

--HUNGER FULFILLMENT AND CRAVINGS:  C

Were hunger levels and cravings reasonable, or terrible? I think my craving for a treat today was more about the fact that it's been six weeks since I had any kind of treat, than it was about this specific diet.  But I got sooooo tired of the Peanut Butter, that I only stuck to that part for one week instead of two. 

--OVERALL :  C

How was it overall?  I give it a C because of BORING.

Would I do it again?  NO.   I didn't realize how horribly bored I would get with it, and how fast.

NEXT UP!

We've decided on the Raw Foods Diet!

--Cory

Peanut Butter: Day 13, Cappy

Had a relaxing but productive day at home.  It rained all day, so I wasn't able to go for my walk, and decided to just make this a day of rest to help my sore muscles out a bit.  But I did do a lot of chores and cleaning, gave my two little doggies a bath, and read up on the raw foods diet, so I wasn't a total bum today.


The diet went well.  I fixed the best chicken veggie stir fry that I've ever made tonight for supper.  HOMG, just when I'm ready to give up cooking for the raw foods diet, I cook the most amazing dish I've made in forever.  Just my luck. ;D


Happymaker of the day:  sleeping late and relaxing all day.  Much needed me-time.


Cappy

PEANUT BUTTER: Day 13, Cory

I ate a little more than usual today (I had a small sandwich in-between meals), but I feel sure I still kept my intake at weight-loss level.

I went out with my sisters to Farmer's Market and to see a movie, and did a lot of walking around, and then came home and did my 45 minutes.  I think the extra walking made me hungrier than usual, hence the extra sandwich.

I'm trying to learn to pay attention to my body, and when I feel that hungry, it means I should eat!  Instead of something fattening, I had a simple sandwich on whole wheat.  So all is OK there.  I didn't have any snacks at the Market (which is filled with snacking opportunities) or the movie, and again, I just didn't even feel very tempted. 

I want to take care of me, and I'm gonna take care of me.  This is really feeling more like a sea change, than a diet.

We saw She's Out of My League, which was a cute movie.  Lots of laughs not just at the movie, but with silly comments with my sisters.

Wish you coulda been there, Cappy!  Hope you had a good day.

Peanut Butter: Day 12, Cappy

Same ol' same ol' today with the diet.  Did good, only ate two Girl Scout cookies.


I went for a 40 minute walk on my lunch break today, and I was going to walk again tonight after work but I decided to give my legs a break.  They were aching and sore today, and it got chilly outside tonight and I had an exhausting day at work, so I chose not to workout this evening.  


I see where Cory said she's both excited and nervous about starting the new diet next week.  I suppose I'm feeling a bit of both too, but I'm definitely more excited.  I need something to really make me feel a difference.  And I'm eager to find out if it really gives me as much energy and makes me feel as good as everything I've read has stated.


I also have had several people tell me in the past that apple cider vinegar is supposed to help boost your metabolism and make you feel better.  So, I bought some and finally started giving it a try today.  You're supposed to mix a teaspoon with a glass of water, or mix it in with a smoothie or something like that, or maybe mix it in with your salad dressing, etc.  But ingesting 1 tsp three times a day.  Well, I had no way of transporting it to work with me (I didn't want to be carrying this big glass bottle of it to work), so I only got in the one dose this morning and one when I got home tonight.  And this may be a completely psychological effect, but I did feel a noticeable increase in my energy level today, and I was in a pretty good and relaxed mood all day (and considering how hectic and insane my work day was, that was a definite accomplishment), so, I dunno?  Even if it's not really helping, I don't see how it could hurt.


Happymaker of the day:  Knowing all day that it was Friday and that I'm off work tomorrow.


Cappy

Peanut Butter: Day 11, Cappy

Did great on the diet today.  Except I'm really running out of veggies and fruit, so I'm having to make do and improvise even more.  Still have peanut butter, though, so not all is lost.


And I ate no Girl Scout cookies today! \o/  Of course, I was only at work for half a day, and I left the cookies in my office, but hey, that's progress.


I ended up walking for over an hour and a half this afternoon, and then doing my Wii workout for half an hour.  My body's really feeling it tonight.  I have a feeling tomorrow is going to be extra sore, but I keep telling myself to soldier through the next few weeks and maybe if I'm actually consistent with the walking it'll all start paying off.  Consistency is my biggest problem, and I plan on solving it this time around.


Happymaker of the day:  Working out the amount of time I had actually planned to workout today.


Cappy

PEANUT BUTTER: Day 11, Cory

Had lunch out, and I chose a grilled chicken sandwich with just light BBQ sauce and a piece of lettuce as condiments . . . and a salad with a small amount of Italian dressing.  So no problem there.

Was proud of myself for resisting chocolate that was offered at work, and pleased to find I wasn't even all that tempted.

Did my 45 of exercise, and will soon have my piece of fruit evening snack.

All good!!

I am really curious about how I will do on the "mostly" raw foods diet next week.  Must start thinking about that grocery list. 

--Cory

Peanut Butter: Day 10, Cappy

Diet went great again today.  I ate a foot long veggie delight sub for lunch, instead of just a six inch.  I was really hungry, so I opted to get the foot long and not get cheese--that way I'm not overdoing it on the calories and fat.  I'm running low on grocery items for this diet, so I'm having to improvise some until I go shopping for our next diet.


I was able to make it through today only eating two Girl Scout cookies.  I call that a huge win, considering how hungry I was right before lunch, and how bored I was this afternoon.


And I finally walked for a whole hour today!  My feet are now a bit sore, and that last lap around the block was slow-going, but I did it.  Go me!


Happymaker of the day:  A coworker passed her big exam and is now a licensed tech.  She worked her ass off for this and was so worried about it.  I'm proud of the little whippersnapper.


Cappy

PEANUT BUTTER: Day 10, Cory

Same old, same old!  Did fine on diet and exercise.  I have added, the last few nights, a piece of whole wheat bread with dinner.  I was getting too hungry in the evening without a bit of carb at dinner.

I have a lunch appt tomorrow, so I've got to have a strategy for that . . . I'll order sensibly and then adjust my dinner to take into account what I had for lunch, I guess.  Not sure where we're going for lunch, so I'll have to trust myself to make good choices.

Good practice for when Cappy and I get to our goals, and we take off the training wheels.

Cappy:  I responded to your Raw Foods question in the comment to your last post.  I am curious to try it, though I don't think I want to go 100% raw right off the bat.  See what you think - would love your thoughts on how you plan to approach it and such.

--Cory

Peanut Butter: Day 9, Cappy

Diet went great today!  Except we got our Girl Scout cookies in and I ate four.  But, I left the cookies at work, and I'm considering either giving them to my nephew when next I see him or just letting the vultures at work devour them.  I WILL NOT EAT ALL THREE BOXES, I REFUSE.


I was not able to go for my walk since it was raining at lunch and then when I got home from work.  So, I did my 30 minute Wii workout, and then I played tennis on my Wii for 30 minutes.  So, I'm fairly pleased with that.


Cory!  What do you think of doing the raw foods diet next?  I'm wanting something to kick start my weight loss, and I'm extremely curious to try that diet.  


Happymaker of the day:  Not eating all three boxes of Girl Scout cookies.


Cappy

PEANUT BUTTER: Day 9, Cory

Exercise, diet, same-old, same-old - except, since we had a really beautiful day, I did some walking at lunch time . . . probably about 25 minutes total, along with the usual exercise bike.

There are crocuses in my yard! Crocuses!

There may be life in me yet.

Cappy - greetings!  Glad to hear it is going better for you.  Let's just keep on truckin'.

--Cory

Peanut Butter: Day 8, Cappy

Things went much better for me today.  Did not have a problem with the diet at all.  I did startv to feel a little weak/low-blood-sugar-y this afternoon around 4:30, so I ate an apple, which seemed to help a lot.  I've adjusted the diet around a bit to suit me more, eating a little more here, a little less there, substituting other kinds of lean protein for the peanut butter sometimes.  But I do try to make sure I get a bit of protein at each meal--I've found I feel worse if I don't get at least a little portion of protein throughout the day.  I much prefer the slow, steady kind of energy boost I seem to get from it, as opposed to the quick boost I get from carbs that I end up crashing from later on.  


And I went for a 45 minute walk when I got home from work.  I was wanting to go for an hour, but my feet started hurting and I was worried about getting a blister, so I held back a bit.


Happymaker of the day:  Getting back into the diet and workout groove.


Cappy

PEANUT BUTTER: Day 8, Cory

No problema with the diet, or the exercise.  I did my 45 minutes on the increased resistance, this time in 2 sections instead of 4, so - progress!  I did 20 min, then 25 min.

I had some temptation from girl scout cookies - I bought some to help a friend's daughter, and I got them at work today.  So I decided to open them and put them out on a tray in our breakroom (a long way from my office), knowing they would be gone in no time.  That way, I didn't have to bring them home where they might have called my name.

Glad to have my Cappy back! 

Start thinking about next week, Cappy.  You are having more trouble with this than I am right now, so really think about what would work best for you.  I can adapt - or let you know if I am having trouble.

--Cory

Peanut Butter: Day 7, Cappy

I AM SO SORRY I'VE BEEN MIA!


It's been a bad few days for me, and I've not been on the computer much at all.  I was needing a break from everything, including being on the computer all the time.  I haven't been following the diet like I should, and I haven't been exercising.  There's been some emotional stuff happening, and then my niece and nephew spent the weekend here, so I just haven't been able to stay focused on the diet plan.


But, I'm ready to get back into the swing of things tomorrow, to move on and forward.  Hopefully, the emotional time bombs will stay far away from me for awhile, and I'll be able to focus more on what needs to have focus, ie, the betterment of my health and well-being.


I'm sorry for being such a poor partner-in-crime lately, Cory.  I hope you can find it in yourself to forgive me, and also to realize that you better feel special that I'm apologizing to you for something since that most likely will never happen again.


Cappy

PEANUT BUTTER: Day 7, Cory

Well, it's kinda early to post (about 7PM here), but I finished my dinner and my exercise, so here goes:

Good day!  Like I said, "Peanut Butter" is a misnomer for what I'm doing right now, as I ran out of PB yesterday and didn't replace it.  I followed the diet I outlined in my last post.  Oatmeal, small sandwich with yogurt, piece of fruit, stir-fry for dinner.  I didn't do the baby carrots today, because I'm not sure there are enough to last the week, and I need them more when I'm at work.

Lots o' exercise today, and I feel good!  Took a walk with the dog, something over a mile, I'd say, in the sunshine!  And then I did my 45 min, only I really increased the resistance on the bike.  Wow, did I feel it.  I had to stop and rest, and did 15 min, 10 min, 10 min, 10 min, to get to 45 . . . with a few minutes rest between each.  I hope to get to where I can get to 45 without stopping, but that will take awhile, for sure.

The skirt is now wearable - the one I've been using to judge weight loss, instead of a scale.  But still snugger than I like to wear one.  So  - not yet, but something to look forward to.

I like to have a goal.

I ask again today:  Where in the world is Cappy Capistrano?  (I hope you don't mind that I gave you a last name, Cap. :)  --Cory

PEANUT BUTTER: Day 6, Cory

Ate low cal, but ate off the diet today, since I was out of PB.  Had oatmeal for breakfast, some beef & veggie stirfry and yogurt for lunch, a pear for a snack, and some veggie stir fry with a big handful of almonds for protien, at dinner.

However, when I went to the store, I just stared at the PB, and knew I couldn't do another week of PB.  I mean, I really wanted some, but now, I've had some . . . so I bought lunch meat, and I have oatmeal to finish off, so I'm gonna do: Oatmeal for breakfast, small sandwich on whole wheat English muffin and yogurt for lunch, baby carrots for snack, veggies and protein for dinner, piece of fruit for dessert.

So anyhow, I am being frivolous and fickle, I know, and my evaluation of the PB diet won't be much of an evaluation, but I just am peanut buttered out for awhile.

Exercise:  No problem.  It was BEAUTIFUL today!  Up in the 40s, and super-sunny.  Took the dog for a walk of about a 1.5 miles, I'd say . . . and I did my 45 minutes on the exercise bike.  So anyhow, a good day over all.

But I have one question:  Where in the world is Cappy?  Did she get out and about this weekend as she planned to?  The suspense is killing me! :)

--Cory

PEANUT BUTTER: Day 5, Cory

Another sunny day - hooray!

Weird day, eating wise - had the usual breakfast, but I had lunch appt, where I had a grilled salmon salad with a light vinegarette dressing, and very lightly buttered piece of bread.  So I considered that my "dinner."

So I ate my lunch (tuna and yogurt) for dinner, which had no PB - so I had the PB also, on half a muffin, and then I splurged with a bit of low cal hot chocolate and finished off the little bit left in the PB jar.

Anyhow, I don't feel like I ate too much - but I had a couple extra tbs of PB than allotted and the cup of low cal hot chocolate (25 cals/cup).  On the other hand, the grilled salmon salad was lighter than my usual dinner.  I guess it balances out OK.

Did my exercise.  Need sleep! 

(Remember, Cappy:  Get out in the sunshine, tomorrow!  I wonder if you will regret asking me to nag you?  Nah, never happen. :) )

Peanut Butter: Day 4, Cappy

Eeeeep!  Almost forgot to post again!  Okay, this will be quick and dirty.


Diet went fine, except I drank some sweet tea this afternoon.  I'm a southern gal, it's pretty damn hard to resist the sweet tea sometimes.  But I only drank one glass, so it's all good.


I didn't exercise today.  I got so caught up in vid-making, and then my sister-in-law came over and we hung out for quite a while (and we haven't done that in probably almost a year, so it was pretty special circumstances), and before I knew it, it was 11:00pm and I hadn't even posted on the blog yet.  My days off are just way too short.


Cappy

Peanut Butter: Day 3, Cappy

Ate pretty much the same stuff as yesterday, and finally finished off the turkey that was left over from last week.  So tomorrow I'll probably have tuna as my protein for supper.  Or I might get creative and bake some chicken with some steamed veggies.


I drank too much coffee today, which means I used too much coffee creamer.  I use sugar free creamer, but that still has calories and still has some fat.  I could drink the coffee without creamer, but that would make me all sad!face, and lord knows we don't want that, so I guess I'll try to just cut back on my coffee consumption, in general.


I need some kind of exercise I can do while watching tv like Cory!  Surely it would inspire me to do more exercising than I've been doing lately.  It's the same old problem for me--I'm just not being consistent with it.  But tomorrow is a new day, so I can just make the decision to change all that tomorrow, right?


Happymaker of the day:  Laughing at work.  Maybe I'm slowly getting out of this funk.


Cappy 

Peanut Butter: Day 2, Cappy

Gah, I almost forgot to post tonight!  So this is gonna have to be a real quickie because I need to be in bed like 5 minutes ago....


Diet went well again today, and I only ate 2 of the chocolate chip cookies that were left over from yesterday, so I considered that pretty good, for me.


Was going to go for a walk after work, but it was so cold and windy I decided to skip it for tonight.  This weekend we're predicted to have gorgeous weather with temps in the sixties, so I will have NO EXCUSES then.  Hold me to it, Cory!


Happymaker:  Talking to my sister-in-law on the phone tonight.  It's the first time we've talked and giggled like that in quite some time, and I didn't realize until tonight just how much I had missed it.


Cappy