What I ate today, and more of your frequently asked questions

We’re just around the corner from the 1st of the month and you know what that means…a new Cottage of the Month to look forward to! It is purely delightful, I’m sure you’ll agree.

 

I’ve received nothing but love and support from you guys in my continuing weight loss journey, for which I am very grateful. I have also received a good measure of questions from you guys, many of the same questions actually. Everything from “What do you actually eat every day?” to “What the heck do you do with the apple cider vinegar?” I’m hoping this post will round up all your questions and curiosities.

 

Let’s begin with some of your Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Q: How many calories do you consume per day?

A: Because there are many varying factors in determining one’s caloric intake for weight loss, such as age, height, current weight, goal weight, activity level, etc, I advise you to calculate this on your own to find out what suits you best. There are some great sites out there, such as this site, and also this site I’ve found helpful too.

Q: What do you do with the apple cider vinegar, how much do you use, and how do you consume it?

A: ACV (apple cider vinegar) is some pretty nasty tasting strong stuff. I highly recommend taking it with something instead of drinking it straight. The recommended amount is 1 Tbsp, 3 times per day. I like to have it before each meal. I simply have a glass of cold water and mix in one tablespoon of ACV and one tablespoon of honey. Works for me. I’ve heard it can also be used as a salad dressing (I haven’t tried this personally) or it can be mixed into a glass of juice, which is how my mom prefers to have it.

Q: Do you lift weights?

A: Yes! I lift weights three to four times per week and I use 3 – 5 – and 10 lb weights. I want to tone, not bulk, so I do light weights with many repetitions. In the Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD, hand weights are required. And I also do machine-type weights at the gym I belong to. Same thing applies there too - light weights, numerous repetitions.

Q: Before and after pics?

A: As you may have read before, I’m waiting to reach my goal weight before I step in front of a camera. Truth is, when you’re feeling heavy, the last thing you want is photographic evidence, or reminders!

Q: Have you thought about starting a weight loss blog?

A: Heck no! Keeping up with my online store, this blog, and Cottage of the Month keeps me pretty occupied 24/7 thankyouverymuch.

 

My Food Diary:

 

I received tons of inquiries from folks about what I eat on a daily basis. Since I keep a daily food journal of everything I eat (which I highly recommend to anyone serious about losing weight) I pulled out three random days from my journal. Please keep in mind, in addition to my daily meals, I drink large quantities of water and tea, and also enjoy organic 70% dark chocolate (2 tiny postage stamp squares) every day. I have a major sweet tooth and this really helps cut my sugar cravings.

 

Day 1 

Breakfast: organic hot oatmeal w/ 2 Tbs ground flax seeds, 2 pcs turkey bacon (nitrate-free)

Snack: seedless cucumbers and peeled baby carrots

Lunch: 5 oz canned tuna in olive oil, spinach salad w/ low-fat shredded cheese, baco’s and balsamic vinaigrette

Snack: 2 Tbs hummus and 4 crackers

Dinner: 7 oz skinless, boneless chicken breast w/ 1/4 c. mustard for dipping, 2 c. steamed asparagus

 

Day 2

 

Breakfast: 1/2 c. egg beaters, low-fat shredded cheese, 2 pcs turkey bacon (nitrate free), whole wheat english muffin

Snack: 1 light laughing cow cheese wedge, 4 crackers, handful of strawberries

Lunch: huge spinach salad w/ shredded carrots, 1 Tbs raw pumpkin seeds, balsamic vinaigrette

Snack: cooked/peeled beets w/ 1 oz soft goat cheese

Dinner: 8 oz pan cooked cod, 2 c. steamed broccoli

 

Day 3

 

Breakfast: 1/2 c. scrambled eggs (egg beaters), 1 whole grain waffle w/ light drizzle of honey

Snack: 1/2 c. legumes, 1/4 c. chopped avocado, 1 c. cherry tomatoes

Lunch: turkey wrap (turkey breast, lettuce & tomato, whole wheat tortilla, 2 tsp light mayo, 1 Tbs low-fat shredded cheese)

Snack: 1 Tbs raw pumpkin seeds, 1 pear

Dinner: 7 oz grilled chicken cooked in 1 Tbs olive oil, 2 c. red peppers

 

 

Hey, may I get your opinions? I have something I’d like to ask YOU!

 

What is your favorite kind of sweetener?

 

I’ve been a long time Splenda user, but I have been wanting to get off that stuff and find something more natural, non-artificial. I tried using agave nectar for several weeks. That was before I started reading some pretty scary things about it and what it does to your body. Not good. I’ve also tried Stevia but didn’t find it too palatable. Then there’s honey, but I’m afraid of all that sugar, and sugar is on my no-no list. For example, I drink hot tea every morning and I HAVE to have it sweet. Do you have any tried and true sweetener recommendations that are natural, non-artificial?

 

Let’s begin then, shall we?

Wow, looks like a whole bunch of you want to hear what tips I have to share. Thank you for all your positive comments and emails, and phone calls too!

 

I have lost thirty-two lbs in the past six months. Not “quick” weight loss by any means, but that was never my intention. I didn’t gain all this weight overnight, and I certainly don’t want to loose it overnight either. Slow and steady is the plan. On average, I have lost 1 1/4 pounds every week. Over these past 6 months, I’ve gained a few times (never more than 1 pound), but it always self corrects the following week with a satisfactory loss, most likely due to water retention. I try to weigh myself once a week, but I won’t lie…sometimes I’ll weigh myself several times a week if the number wasn’t favorable due to water retention or whatever.

 

I have not yet reached my goal. I am looking to loose another twenty to thirty pounds. But more important than numbers, it’s really about how my body feels and fits in my clothing. I’ve dropped three sizes so far, and it’s like a whole new world when shopping for clothing. I keep reaching for my “old” size (old habits are hard to break at first), and I am discovering I can actually shop in new clothing departments that I couldn’t shop in before, which I find exhilarating.

 

As we all know, weight loss boils down to two things…eat right and exercise. Sounds easy enough, right! Than why is it so hard for so many of us to do? I think many of us give up too easily or get bored, I know I have in the past. I’m not sure why it’s so different for me this time around, but I feel like I can move mountains with my bare hands…I am that motivated. I also try not to compare myself to others. I might see someone with my “goal body” walking around and I try not to focus on what she has that I don’t, because that just causes envy and frustration. I remind myself that this is not a race. There will always be someone who is ahead of you, and that’s okay. Just go at your own pace. You WILL get there. 

 

What I eat, and don’t eat

I do…

eat breakfast every day. never skip meals. have three meals a day with a snack between each meal. pay strict attention to serving sizes. avoid taking seconds. write down everything I eat.

I do not…

drink anything but water or tea (8 glasses/day). no soda, no alcohol. no juice or fruit drinks.

I eat…

organic foods, green veggies, legumes, fruit, non-fat dairy, whole grain foods, lean protein.

I don’t eat…

starchy foods, fried foods, white foods (white potatoes, white rice, etc), processed foods or enriched foods.

I try my best to…

only eat when I’m hungry. stop eating as soon as I feel full. eat at the dining table, not in front of the television.

I avoid…

sugar. this is particularly difficult for me. I do indulge in one postage-stamp size square of dark chocolate. It must be organic, 70% cocoa or higher. Aside from obvious health benefits of dark chocolate, it greatly helps with cravings.

Every day I have…

8 ounces of non-fat greek yogurt. Traders Joes brand is my favorite. I mix in cinnamon and a handful of fresh berries. Greek yogurt is said to help loose belly fat, and my significantly flatter tummy is proof it works.

I proceed with caution with…

olive oil, avocado and nuts. all good fats, but best in moderation.

I snack on…

cucumbers, carrots, celery, and plain air-popped popcorn. I love crunchy foods.

Instead of…

ketchup I have mustard. I do baked or grilled chicken instead of fried. As much as I love pork bacon, Trader Joe’s carries turkey bacon with zero nitrates. I suggest cooking for 10 minutes in a dry skillet, NOT in the microwave (for best flavor).

I have learned to love…

apple cider vinegar, 3 x’s a day (helps with weight loss, among many other benefits). Ground flax seeds (sprinkled into oatmeal is best).  

 

Okay, time to get moving

The first two months, I was highly resistant to exercise, but then I quickly realized it was the only way I would ever achieve my goals. And once I began exercising, not only was I seeing more weight loss, but my body was quickly changing shape and tone. To ensure I achieve my goal, I continue to do some form of exercise every single day.

Cardio…

I purchased Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred DVD, and I did it every single day for 30 days. I noticed great results, especially in my arms and legs and booty. Then I bought another one of her DVD’s Banish Fat and Boost Metabolism. It’s a real butt-kicker, in a good way. I do this video 4 – 5 x’s a week. I also add in kickboxing, swimming and yoga on the off-days I’m not doing Jillian’s workout videos.

Walking…

I have a pedometer and I try to walk 10,000+ steps every day. You would be amazed at how many steps you walk just vacuuming your house or shopping at the grocery store.

Dancing…

I love to dance. I didn’t say I was great at it, but I love to move to music. I started taking Zumba classes (Latin inspired dancing). Sure, at the beginning I was at the back of the class and felt like everyone was watching me and my two left feet, but now I’m moving closer to the front of the class, understanding the moves and really having fun with it.

I joined a gym…

Best of all, I joined with my mom. We motivate each other, and we also laugh a lot. We workout together 3 – 4 x’s a week and I’m enjoying sharing this part of my journey with her.

I  bought…

Good athletic shoes. Nike Shox are my favorite. A yoga mat for floor work and stretching. A pedometer for counting my daily steps. Proper work-out clothing. Old t-shirts and grubby sweat pants just weren’t cutting it. I am still looking for a really good sports bra if anyone has any suggestions. I wear Champion brand, but I know there’s got to be a better brand out there.

 

If I could offer just one piece of motivation, I know this is what keeps me on track every day...I imagine I’m strapping a backpack onto my back. It’s empty, but then I picture placing a ten pound weight inside the backpack. Then picture adding a twenty pound weight inside that same backpack. I think about carrying around those ten and twenty pound weights on my back and how much strain I would feel on my body and my joints, my heart, and especially my knees. Then I picture myself doing all of my daily activities, but with all that extra weight on my back; walking, jogging, cleaning the house, shopping, sleeping, eating, even intimate moments. When I picture my weight as an actual object that I am voluntarily carrying around, I find it incredibly motivating to loose that weight.

 

Finally, I want to remind you that these are the things that have worked for me. I realize it may not be the perfect answer for everyone out there, as much as I might like it to be. I hope that you’ve found this helpful!

PS: Many of you asked to see before and after pictures. Since I’m not yet at my goal weight, the after pictures will have just to wait a bit longer, and actually this adds to my motivation!

Cottage8 Turns Three!

I just looked at the calendar today and realized it was nearly 3 years ago to the date that we moved into this house. 3 years. Really? It feels like yesterday and then it feels like 30 years, all at the same time. Know that feeling?

We put a bamboo roller shade up in our living room window, which remains there all summer long. The hot afternoon sun drives the heat straight in, and with no air conditioning in the house, this place heats up like a furnace in no time.

I’ve been super focused on working on the house this summer. I’ve been regularly combing my favorite antique stores for interesting finds for our home. I’m sorta hooked on the feeling of waking up in the morning and seeing something new in the house. It seriously makes me wanna kick the covers off the bed and run down the hallway barefoot, like a kid looking for Christmas.

 

 

A few days ago I found this rusty old tray caddy at a flea market. I love switching things out and trying new things. I especially like it when the look is really unexpected, rustic, and a bit quirky…

 

 

This tray caddy looks like it’s seen decades of outdoor exposure. A patina such as this simply cannot be replicated. Forgotten and re-found treasure…

 

 

The old rusty metal basket I recently purchased from Agoura Antique Mart, one of my favorite places to shop with some of the best dealers around…

 

 

I love these old piano player scrolls. I have dozens and dozens of them. I plan on listing a bunch of them on my website soon, but if you want to get your hands on them before then, I’m selling them at $10 a piece, with free shipping. Just email me with how many you want. 

 

 

Have you read Sibella Court’s Etcetera book yet? I pick it up and thumb through it every couple days for some good doses of inspiration…

 

 

Some good news! We just recently finished our Guest Bathroom, which I’m super excited to share with you. Only problem is, our bathroom is the size of a phone booth. You think I’m joking? My camera is wide angle challenged I guess you can say, because it’s impossible to shoot with my standard lens. If you have any recommendations for a Canon lens that can shoot indoors, in super tiny, tight spaces, I’m all ears.

I also finished our Guest Bedroom and our Media Room this summer, but I’m having the same camera issue with these small rooms…I need a lens that can take in the whole tiny space without feeling like I’m being pressed against the wall.

 

 

Besides being super focused on home decorating this summer, I’ve also been highly motivated to continue in my weight loss journey. I’ve lost another 12 lbs, making my total weight loss so far: 32 lbs. I must admit, I cringe when I hear people say “the weight just fell off”. Every single pound I have lost has taken work and incredible determination. Eating right, daily exercise and family/friend support have been instrumental, but there is so much more to it. I would love to share some of the things that have worked for me, if you are interested. The last thing I want is to turn this into is a weight loss blog…boring! (Nothing against weight loss blogs, but I know you come here primarily for home decor-related eye candy). So if you want to hear more, from time to time I’d love to share with you some honest to goodness tips and what’s made it work for me.

 

Lastly, I’ve been carrying around this list of lovely bloggers who I want to thank for sharing some link love on their blogs: BJ, Kristin, Stacy, Melaine, Grace, Mia & Jilly, and Patty. Thank you ladies!

Have a great weekend everyone, and Happy Friday!