Outfits of the Week ~ July 25-29

I have something super exciting to share!  Well not super exciting as much as pride inducing.  Although there isn't usually anything fun about going to my annual doctor's appointment there was one shining moment.  I asked if they could tell me my weight from last year's appointment.  It was 171 and today I weigh: 

That's 37 pounds!  And at that point last year I'd already lost 10ish lbs for my sister's wedding!  I mean I am aware that I have lost a lot of weight but seeing it on paper like that is such an awesome feeling!

I also wanted to share this news/picture since we're talking about fashion in this post.  Joe had an interview for an assistant manager position today!  He got all spiffed up in a suit and wore his new Cole Hahn shoes, isn't he purty?!?

Now back to my clothes!  hehehe...

Monday - I had that event in Hammonton so I wanted to look cute but still be comfortable standing for a long time.  I always get lots of compliments on this sweater from The Limited so I figured that would work, the pants are also from The Limited and were just closest to the top of the file I'm guessing and those shoes are from Naturalizer and super comfortable.  I can wear them to work all day then shopping all evening.

Tuesday - Nothing fancy here but grabbed the navy blue pants from The Limited and put the rest together around it.  Beige cami from NY & Co, brown sweater from Old Navy, necklace from Ann Taylor Loft and nude shoes from Macy's.  The best part about taking my picture every morning is that it helps me see what works and what doesn't.  For example, I had the tank tucked in and the sweater buttoned originally but when I saw the picture on my camera I didn't like the proportions so I changed it up.

Wednesday - There isn't really anything to say about this, it just fell together.  Printed blouse from The Limited, brown cami and black pants from NY & Co and nude shoes from Macy's.

Thursday - Yes I did wear my nude patent leather peep toe pumps from Macy's three days in a row.  What can I say they go with everything!  Brown pants from The Limited, pink cami from NY & Co and pink cardigan from Old Navy.

Friday - this is another example of daily photos helping me out.  I was wearing a totally different outfit when I came downstairs this morning, purple 3/4 sleeve tunic with white skinny jeans and the same shoes.  But when I saw the picture I looked sort of squat and not nearly as lean as I planned so I ran upstairs and changed.  I didn't have a lot of time so I grabbed the first few things that jumped out at me.  Green & white striped shirt and silver moccasins from Old Navy, white cami and khaki pants from NY & Co.

sushi & pad thai & wine oh my!

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  It was finally Thursday!  Time for our double sushi date with Carol & Chris!  Yes, this does make my goal of 20 meals out a complete, and the possibility of my not eating out this weekend is slim but YAY for sushi being delicious!  20 total meals out.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: granola bar & orange = 259 calories

     Lunch: peach, 100 calorie snack, greek yogurt = 268 calories

     Dinner: chicken pad thai, lion king maki, white wine = 771 calories

     Snacks: cheddar rice cakes = 70 calories

     Totals: 2224 burned - 1368 eaten = -856 total burned, 19 days total.

3. Complete 1250 fitness minutes:  Our schedule for Thursday was pretty packed and I wasn't sure I was going to get a workout in.  I had an doctor's appointment at 3:45 which meant I needed to leave work early which meant I was going into work early which meant I didn't have time for a 6am run.  I was hoping to squeeze in a quick 3 miles between the doctor and dinner but I ended up being there for almost an hour and a half.  By the time I got home we only had about an hour before we had to leave for dinner and I was ready to blow it off because it would be too tight for a run & shower but Joe pushed me to do it and I'm do glad he did.  I was a little whiny because my calf and foot were sore from step the night before but I pushed through and even had a halfway decent finish time for an easy, short training run.  I really do need to get in the habit of pushing myself harder, I can run faster when I apply myself.  829 minutes total. 

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  I was bummed to see I still needed 2000 steps after our run.  I only added about 500 at dinner so when we got home it was time to wander the yard and sidewalk out front.  It didn't take too long which was helpful since I was absolutely exhausted and fell asleep within seconds of my head hitting the pillow (the benedryl I took for my heat rash probably helped as well though).  10672 steps.  23 days total.

5. At least 20 days with 30 minutes of house work:  I didn't do any major cleaning because I just wasn't home and awake for very long.  15 days total.

burrito or leftovers is tough choice

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  I didn't order in or go out again on Wednesday.  Although I had a few temptations.  I stopped at Genuardi's on the way to work to pick up a birthday cake for our VP & another of my coworkers; while I was there I saw these pre-made salads that look so fresh and delicious (sorry I almost took a picture but didn't).  They had about 300-400 calories depending on the ingredients and seriously I almost picked a couple up even though I had my lunch already packed in the car.  I know where I'm going the next time I need a quick meal!  Then Brittany & Shannon decided to go to Taco Bell at lunch time; it was all I could do not to have them grab me a burrito.  I even used the excuse that I didn't have enough meals left for the month; Brittany told me to borrow from August, lol.  19 total meals out.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: fruit smoothie = 183 calories

     Lunch: leftover turkey meatloaf w/broccoli & a piece of cake = 617 calories

     Dinner: leftover spaghetti with shrimp & broccoli = 327 calories

     Snacks: cheddar rice cakes = 70 calories

     Totals: 2422 burned - 1197 eaten = -1225 total burned, 18 days total.

3. Complete 1250 fitness minutes:  The weather was absolutely beautiful on Wednesday and I had hoped to do a lot of activity outside.  But somehow I ended up doing none, lol.  I didn't push Joe very hard to get out of bed for our 6am run and was bummed about it; he told me in the future to just get up and get ready he'll follow suit.  We quickly discussed running when he got home that night but decided against it since he was already working a 10 hour day.  Instead I met Christina & Joanne for step.  It was a great workout as always!  796 minutes total. 

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  My steps were super easy to get.  By the time I finished my class I was already over 10,000.  Then I met up across the street with Nicole & Joe as they were walking back from Rita's & the gym respectively.  12017 steps.  22 days total.

5. At least 20 days with 30 minutes of house work:  I unloaded & reloaded the dishwasher before going to the gym as well as bringing a bunch of junk upstairs and putting some clothes away.  15 days total.

Five for Friday ~ 7/29/11

1.  You covered the money shortage on the dinner bill without hesitation.

2.  You suggested riding our bikes to pick up chinese so I got the food I was craving & the exercise I needed.

3.  You brought my wallet to the doctor's office when I forgot it at home.

4.  You ran with me before dinner even though I gave you an out.

5. You kept mentioning about what a nice night we had with Carol & Chris on the way home.

July 2011

i'm so itchy

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  We are planning on meeting our friends for sushi on Thursday night to discuss all the fun things there are to do in Utah (3ish weeks until my trip!) so that will get me to 20 meals.  In a dream world that would mean I won't be eating out anymore this week but let's be real, I'll probably go over again this month.  Anyway, I managed to cook on Monday night keeping things safe for now.  Mmmmm turkey meatloaf stuffed with cheese...19 total meals out.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: fruit smoothie = 203 calories

     Lunch: cantaloupe, 100 calorie cookies, apple, peach & babybel light = 297 calories

     Dinner: turkey meatloaf, mozzarella cheese, broccoli & basil mashed potato = 533 calories

     Snacks: frosted mini wheats & 2oz pot roast = 171 calories

     Totals: 2342 burned - 1204 eaten = -1138 total burned, 17 days total.

3. Complete 1250 fitness minutes:  Joe and I actually managed to get our butts out of bed at 6am to go for a run!  We just did a quick 2 miles because it was pretty humid.  I had planned on doing C25K with Nicole but we somehow miscommunicated & ran out of time.  736 minutes total. 

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  I did a lot of walking on Tuesday.  By the time I got to work I was already up over 5000 steps because of our run!  Now, this may be TMI but maybe some of you have this same issue.  I have what I think is heat rash that I think I got from working out in this crazy hot/humid weather (which is why I've been trying to take it a little easy lately).  That's not a picture of me but that's basically what the skin looks like right under my boobs.  I googled it and it turns out it's pretty common for people that work out a lot in hot weather to get it.  So my first trek was to CVS to get this powder that my dad's girlfriend swears by.  They keep it behind the pharmacy counter...weird.

I came home, made dinner & watched a little tv.  I was waiting to hear from Nicole about going for a run (and apparently she was also waiting to hear from me).  Finally we got on the same page and she was looking to escape the house so we walked over to ShopRite.  There's a reason Joe does our grocery shopping, not just because it's his budgetary responsibility, I can not be trusted around snack food on sale.  I came home with two bags of popchips (salt & vinegar and sour cream & onion) and two bags of Quaker rice snacks (ranch and cheddar) but all of $7!  Why yes those are strawberry marshmallows behind everything.  I'm super excited to try s'mores with them.

Anyway, I ended up way over on steps by the time I went to bed.  12872 steps.  21 days total.

5. At least 20 days with 30 minutes of house work:  While I didn't do any crazy intense cleaning I did organize the pantry while dinner was cooking.  I also brought a bunch of shoes upstairs...  14 days total.

"please feel free to stop back for some water ice on your way out"

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  I knew there was a pretty good chance I'd be eating out on Monday night.  I had an event for work until 6pm that was out in Hammonton and since Kat works out that way we tossed around the idea of grabbing dinner afterward.  We decided to head over to the Maplewood, they really do have the best homemade spaghetti!  19 total meals out.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: fruit smoothie = 163 calories

     Lunch: granola bar, an orange & greek yogurt = 379 calories

     Dinner: salad, bread and shrimp & broccoli over pasta with garlic & oil = 507 calories

     Snacks: 2 crab bites = 106 calories

     Totals: 1964 burned - 1155 eaten = -809 total burned, 16 days total.

 3. Complete 1250 fitness minutes:  I knew getting a work out in was going to be tough because I wasn't going to get home until almost 8pm.  I was volunteering with the marketing department at the community opening of our new Hammonton Health Park location.  I was deemed water ice gestapo; because the facility is brand new we wanted to be sure that guests enjoyed their free treat outdoors.  I was in charge of politely reminding them to come back and visit the cart after their tour.

It was kind of neat to see all the little promotional items I buy in action.  The new building is absolutely beautiful and hopefully going to help the community stay healthy.  Too bad it didn't help me stay healthy though; I wasn't able to squeeze in a workout :-(  713 minutes total. 

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  I had hoped to get all of my steps in while wandering around the event but I guess even my best efforts at pacing weren't enough.  And of course it started raining on my way home so going for a run or walk was pretty much out of the question.  I decided it was ok to let one night go since I had 2 cheat days left for the month.  I just have to make sure to get them the rest of the week!  6175 steps.  20 days total.

5. At least 20 days with 30 minutes of house work:  Joe and I got home at about the same time but he hadn't had dinner yet.  Since some friends of ours were over at The Crab Trap's deck bar so we decided to meet them, good company & a quick dinner for Joe.  The only downside of this plan was that I didn't spend any time at home and awake all day so I didn't clean.  13 days total.

couch & tv...how I love thee

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  I spent the majority of Sunday at home by myself, after all the excitement on Friday & Saturday I really needed some down time.  Joe went to work so I was on my own for breakfast and lunch, it was easy to just eat whatever was around the house.  Dinner was a different story, I had been craving chinese all week so we decided to get some.  18 total meals out.

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: oatmeal w/almond milk, banana & brown sugar = 290 calories

     Lunch: turkey & swiss on a sandwich thin = 265 calories

     Dinner: chicken with broccoli, cheese wontons, sticky rice & an egg roll = 651 calories

     Snacks: cheddar popchips (my new favorite thing), mini baybel light, oatmeal cookie/blueberry ice cream sandwich = 288 calories

     Totals: 2114 burned - 1494 eaten = -620 total burned, 15 days total.

3. Complete 1250 fitness minutes:  I had hoped to go for a run when Joe got home from work but we got hit with an early evening thunderstorm and by the time it passed we were short on time for a work out and dinner.  So we decided to ride our bikes to pick up the chinese food, ingenious!  It only took about a half an hour as it's just under 6 miles round trip.  713 minutes total. 

I stopped to check out our eggplant on the way to get my bike.  So excited it's getting bigger!  Can't wait to make dinner out of you!  And I had to take a picture of Joe riding home carrying our dinner, the smiley face was staring at me the whole way home.

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  This was a hard day for steps!  I needed close to 6000 when Joe got home from work because I spent the majority of my day on the couch cleaning out the DVR; I watched Say Yes to the Dress: Bridesmaids for the first time...wow.  The bike ride got me close to 2000 then after dinner we wandered over to ShopRite but I was still 2000 short at 10pm and so ready for bed.  I used my laundry method to get another 1000 then marched in place while checking facebook.  Joe got tired of watching me march next to the bed so he suggested we wander around out back and look at the development of the plants, that did it!  10026 steps.  20 days total. 

5. At least 20 days with 30 minutes of house work:  I definitely made up for all those days without cleaning on Sunday.  Not only did a do 4 loads of laundry, vacuum downstairs, clean the living room & kitchen but I also:

washed & brushed the cats,

and cleaned the upstairs carpet.  This was the first time Joe saw the Spot Bot in action, he was entranced.    13 days total.

sometimes a girls gotta eat...

1. Eat out less then 20 meals:  So remember when I said to just wait for Saturday?  Yeah, so, I didn't eat any food at home on Saturday.  It started with pizza & salad at Tony's Baltimore Grill around 1am after leaving the bar, I'm not counting that as a meal out because really it's not like I can call it breakfast, it was more of a snack.  But then, I had breakfast out too...we went across the street for something quick before heading to the beach with Jack.  Then we stopped at Dairy Queen on the way home from the beach; not that it counts because it was just a snack too.  We rounded out the day by going to the Back Bay Ale House with a bunch of people for dinner.  17 total meals out.  Something tells me I'm not going to stay under 20 again this month...

2. At least 25 days with a 750+ calorie burn:

     Breakfast: egg white, pork roll, cheese & tomato on rye = 353 calories

     Lunch: 0 calories

     Dinner: chips & dips, chicken maryland with a side salad = 901 calories

     Snacks: 2 mixed drinks, antipasto salad, pizza, an apple & a root beer float = 1495 calories

     Totals: 2749 burned - 2028 eaten = +721 total burned, 15 days total.

I have to say I'm not proud of my totals but I'm also not freaking out.  I've read articles before that say sometimes you need to shock your system with a lot of calories to keep it burning.  And while I totally didn't plan to binge like this maybe it'll help in the long run.  It does remind me how far I've come though, I ate like this pretty regularly before, which would explain why I weighed 180+ lbs.

3. Complete 1250 fitness minutes:  I had hoped to get a run in on Saturday morning but it just didn't happen.  I was in no rush to get up early after having gone to bed at 2am and it was too hot to be running once the sun came up, I think we topped out around 98 with a heat index over well 100 degrees again on Saturday.  680 minutes total. 

We had Jack for the better part of the day because Nicole had a bridal shower to go to & Lou was at work.  We decided the best way to tire him out and beat the heat was to go to the beach.  Although it was pretty torturous getting down to the water (the sand was crazy hot, I heard someone say it was measured at close to 130 degrees) once we were down there it was really a nice day, there was a great breeze and the water was just cold enough to be refreshing.  We had tried a new spot, the north end of Ocean City, we had heard it was good for kids because when the tide is low there's a tidal pool and sand bar created.  The reviews were right, it was great for Jack and I was almost convinced to make it my go to spot until the flies came out.  All of a sudden we were literally being attacked by flies, they were everywhere!  We packed up and hightailed it to the car swatting the whole way.  When we got home and I got out of the shower I was shocked to see at least 5 bites just on my one foot!  I'm told this doesn't usually happen and must have had something to do with the wind changing but I'm not sure I'll risk it again.

4. Walk at least 10,000 steps for 25 days:  We had been pretty active all day so I wasn't super concerned about my steps.  I checked my fitbit around 11pm just to be sure I had gotten them and was surprised to see I still had almost 2000 steps until my goal!  I started to mope a little because we were hanging out at a bar and I really wasn't going to be able to get them done without looking like a crazy pacing person.  Then my night in shining armor, Joe, suggested we walk over to the casino.  Kat, Mark & Ryne joined us and while the boys hit the tables to do a little gambling Kat & I wandered all over the casino chatting and hoping we had enough time to get my steps before midnight.  I made it with about 7 minutes to go!  10856 steps.  19 days total. 

My charts are cracking me up from this weekend.  I'm usually all concentrated between 8am and 10pm but these are busy right before & after midnight!

5. At least 20 days with 30 minutes of house work:  Yet another day I wasn't home.  We got out of bed around 9am, had Jack from 10am-5pm, headed to Brigantine for dinner around 6pm and didn't get home until almost 2am Sunday morning.  Yeah, we didn't clean and the house was really starting to look messy.  12 days total.

You may be thinking, "wow, Lauren doesn't seem like a party animal but she sure spent a lot of time is Atlantic City this weekend."  You would be correct, Joe and I are definitely not big on going out and partying, in fact it's one of the things I love most about him, we're definitely homebodies.  We just don't see the point in spending a bunch of money when we can have more fun close to if not at home.  In fact I hadn't had much of anything planned for this weekend; going out on Friday night was a last minute thing because Bill had a friend in town from PA.  Saturday was definitely a bigger splurge but we try to not do it often, we probably won't make it out there again before the end of the summer. 

Anyway, while we were out on Friday night, Bill suggested we all take his parent's boat to the Back Bay Ale House & Deck at the Golden Nugget on Saturday.  Mark, Kat & I weren't super excited about going to the Deck after our big night out the day before but I just sort of crossed my fingers that dinner would take a long time and we wouldn't have time to go.  We set sail around 8pm hoping to see the sunset but it was too cloudy.

Even though the boys look miserable I swear we were all having a good time joking around on the ride over.

We were seated and ordering dinner by 9pm, they have "special" drinks served in mason jars for about $15 each and most everyone decided to get one.  We toasted to a fun night with good friends.

Shana and I split one to conserve calories although after looking at my total from the day I don't think 200 more would have made a huge difference, lol.

Dinner was ok.  I tried Shana's beloved Chicken Maryland (two chicken breasts topped with jumbo lump crab in a sweet cream butter sauce); it was good but I'm not sure I'd order every time I went there.

Unfortunately we finished dinner with enough time to get to the deck.  Don't get me wrong, we had a nice time but it was just a lot after the night before and the whole day on the beach.  Joe & Mark played bags (aka cornhole) and won a bunch of free drinks from their opponents so that cut down on our spend.  Around midnight we all met up on the dock and headed for home.  Kat was even nice enough to give Greg a ride.