Another busy day on tap here at casa java! I got some more great sleep. I’ll do a more informative post on the 5HTP hopefully this week. Think it is doing me some good! Today was a run day. One thing about my job in transcription is that there is sometimes medical information given that I find applicable to my daily life! One doctor was treating a patient for a stress fracture caused by treadmill running. The doctor said that treadmill running can cause a stress fracture in your foot bones because your stride never changes and the repetitive motion can cause the fracture. So, a good reason for intervals or changing up the speed on the hamster wheel! So that’s what I did today. I did 4 miles (on my taper plan this week) in 44 minutes with speed intervals during miles 3 and 4. It really felt great! It went by so fast only doing 4 miles instead of 6 (did I really say ‘only’???). Even John commented that I got back early from the gym. 😀
I was ready for waffles! This will be the last of the protein waffles this week as there isn’t enough cottage cheese to make any more.
Doesn’t today look much better than yesterday?
It’s amazing what a little sun does for mood!
Lunch was a BBQ chicken pizza made on a Joseph’s pita bread. I used BBQ sauce, cooked chicken breast and a little mozzarella and popped it in the toaster oven:
Served with an unpictured kiwi. Yum!
John is sitting on a jury this week, so I have been entertaining myself during breaks from work. Tried to get Pixie involved in picture taking with me:
She wasn’t all that interested….. 10 pics later and I finally captured a decent one:
So regarding the cruise/vacation eating plan. We are getting into New Orleans on Saturday late afternoon, and our boat leaves on Monday after lunch. I will say that all bets are off for the short time in New Orleans. The food there is fabulous and we are going to take advantage of that. There will be pictures of beignets, chargrilled oysters, probably some pralines. It’s really hard to go wrong there.
The cruise itself is another matter. One thing about cruise lines is that there is always food available. 24 hours a day. Did you know this ship has a complimentary sushi bar? 😯 Not to mention complimentary room service. Some people rave about ship food, but I found it to be a little institutional, if you know what I mean. Not that it is bad at all, though. They are cooking for 2000 people, so that is some bulk cooking! It’s not really gourmet food. It’s probably better than most people are used to, and there is plenty of it. The sit down dining room meal portions were actually ‘normal’ size portions, and I think that is due to the fact that they have to feed so many people and it isn’t cost effective to serve portions that won’t get eaten. More restaurants should take note of that…..
Our ship (Carnival) also has an a la carte area to eat on the Lido deck, and that is where we ate the majority of our meals last cruise and what we plan to do on this one. We are very informal and getting dressed up for meals with a server bringing food is not high on our list. I would rather get a casual meal and sit on the deck and look out over the water. There are actually plenty of healthy choices available if I choose to make them. I am going to try and eat what I would normally eat during the day, and a couple special dinners. Plus the chocolate buffet 😀 . Gotta partake in that. There will be plenty of exercise to be had on the ship. There is a workout room, or the outside track to run on (which is my choice).
The only variable here is the port of call places. We are stopping in Cozumel and Progreso. I don’t know what type of food is available there, and I certainly want to sample local cuisine.
The bottom line is that this cruise is not about the food. It’s about relaxing and enjoying time with my hubby. I am going to indulge some, but not overdo it. Yes, there may be some weight gain, but I am very okay with that.
So, let’s see how well I actually stick to that plan, shall we??
Dinner tonight was an omelet stuffed with a Laughing Cow wedge. Why have I not tried this before? It was sooo good!
That’s the last of the strawberries this week!
I am off to my rental house to do the last few things like hang closet doors and replace some baseboard. 2 open houses this week.
Question: When you vacation do you eat whatever or try to have a plan?
Hi Lori,
Yes, cruises do present a challenge if you are trying to be reasonably careful about what you eat. It sounds like you have the right mindset though. When I have cruised in the past, I was able to maintain my weight by being active during the day, not snacking after dinner, focusing on at least getting enough fruits and vegetables and not going tooooooo crazy in the dessert department. That being said, I viewed it as a vacation and therefore enjoyed the food. After all, it’s not as if you’ll be having this lifestyle forever. Have a great trip!
.-= Carrie´s last blog ..Rainy Day Pizza =-.
All your food looks so good!
On vacation food plans–guess it depends on the location. New Orleans would definitely be worth a splurge. Mmmmmmm. Beignets and chicory cafe au lait . . . crawfish etoufee . . . . shrimp po boys . . . . .
.-= G.G.´s last blog ..Where Does the Time Go? =-.
I discovered the Laughing Cow omelets recently as well. Delicious!
I try to have a plan when on vacation and small deviations. I love virgin Caesars, but they are so full of sodium that I rarely have them…they are something I love on vacation. Now that I am no longer eating gluten I will have to plan carefully for any future vacations.
Enjoy the food and enjoy the vacation! If you swim, run and walk I think you will do minimal damage.
.-= Kimberley´s last blog ..Back to Work Tomorrow and My Appointment =-.
I’m sick of the snow!!!
When I cruise all bets are off. I’m such a clean eater all year, put my hubs through MY schedule so on vacation all bets are off. I can’t wait for chocolate souffle!!
.-= April´s last blog ..Help me pick a flavor! =-.
I had a plan when we went to Maui…of course, it kinda went out the window once we discovered coconut gelato, lol! But hey, we were eating something that is not available here, like you will be doing in NO. And I think your eating habits have changed enough that you aren’t going to go hog wild on the ship…chocolate buffet excepted!
I just realized that you and Pixie have the same hair color! Cute redheads!
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..The Body Fat Solution Review and Giveaway! =-.
Going to try the laughing cow omelet tomorrow!! Enjoy the cruise don’t make it all about the food, either eating or not eating. …….HUM is that even possible?? well try and have fun!!
.-= Karla´s last blog ..Post #32 =-.
I’d like to live in that victorian house that keeps popping up in your photos…what a beautiful neighborhood you live in.
I’m definitely a sun-girl myself also. I love the rain and cold, but nothing brightens the mood like some sun! We enjoyed some today, but expecting a snow/ice storm by this weekend.
That’s a really good question. I have not been on vacation yet since starting this journey. I would like to think I would eat what I like, but in moderation and definitely by portion control.
.-= Foodie Girl´s last blog ..Coupon Recap =-.
It sounds like a great plan, Lori! I definitely plan indulgences on vacation. It’s usually “eat sensible and fairly light for two meals of the day” and then splurge on the third. So if it’s a special breakfast, it will be a sensible afternoon snack and a healthy dinner or if it’s an indulgent dinner, the early meals are light and healthy. And I always, always start the day with an apple while I’m away from home, no matter what. This is non-negotiable. When I’m away from my juicer, the mighty apples is a wonderful stand it. I love to have desert on vacation, but only if I want it and not just to have it. If you know what I mean. It is vacation, after all.
.-= Andra´s last blog ..The Lies We Tell Ourselves =-.
You cruise sounds like its going to be so awesome!
On vacation I try to loosen up a little, but mainly only for one meal a day (usually dinner)!
.-= Marisa (Loser for Life)´s last blog ..A Craving Carboholic =-.
On vacation – I do try to stay loose and roll with things, but I always try to have a plan. At least, I try to keep a plan in place though I don’t always do well with that!
.-= Destination:Athlete´s last blog ..you were all correct. =-.
Your cat is too cute! On vacation I usually pick a couple of meals that I KNOW I am going to splurge on, and try to stay on top of things the rest of the time. I love to run and workout in new places, so I try to fit that in too!
.-= Madeline- Greens and Jeans´s last blog ..finding my groove =-.
I am new to your blog and first let me applaud you for losing that weight without any gimmicks or chemicals or drugs.
By the way, I noticed that you like laughing cow “La Vache qui Rit” as we used to call it and I have a soup recipe -super easy and delicious, that was given to me it uses zucchini and laughing cow wedges.
Cheers
Joumana
I always have a plan but after a few cocktails I end up forgetting what the plan was.
I hope you have a great time on the cruise. I can’t wait to hear all about it.
The one and only cruise I ever went on was just this past summer and I actually lost a pound! However, I was very active around the ship (seriously, my husband and I were like the life of the party – it was so weird) partaking in just about everything they offered so we walked a LOT from place to place. I bet you have an AMAZING time!!!
.-= 266´s last blog ..No Swimming Upstream Allowed =-.
Congrats on that great treadmill workout! I never stay at one speed when I do the treadmill.. always going up & down! Makes it “interesting”. 🙂
Your cruise sounds so exciting!!! I am like you in that I am not big for the formal sit down type of stuff… your other plan sounds better to me!
On vacation, I always make a plan. I don’t eat like crazy but pick when I do & don’t enjoy. Usually it is a warm place with a bathing suit involved so….
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..If You Say "I Can’t", READ THIS NOW! =-.
Great to know about the Treadmill. I thought that would be as easy as it can get on feet and legs.
I love those waffles. Blueberries? Oh my heart be still!
You and Pixie are beautiful.
.-= Joanne´s last blog ..A Cook Book Review: Dollars to Donuts =-.
Treadmill running defintiely causes a whole new list of pain for me – I can totally understand a stress fracture from it!
Eating well in New Orleans will be tough, but really, do you WANT to eat healthy there?? 😛 I’ve only done resort trips, where food is only available between certain hours. That’s always been a problem for me because I’m snacker, so I was going into meals way too hungry, and eating way too much. But with that said, fresh fruit was always my go-to. Does your ship have a gym? That will help a lot! Remember to take all the bathing suit pictures on the first day though 😛
.-= Susan´s last blog ..The Great Balancing Act =-.
I always incorporate tons of walking into my vacation so I can eat whatever. I actually lost a couple of pounds on my cruise even though I ate a ton. The group I was with actually laughed at me because one night I was having trouble deciding between two entrees so for the rest of the cruise our waitress would bring me the two dinners she thought I’d like the most! You can call me Miss Piggy btw.
.-= Ang´s last blog ..Bacon cupcakes rock! =-.
Yum BBQ Chicken pizza is my favorite!!
I’m so jealous you’re going on a cruise. I’ve never been and I want that to be my next vacation!
.-= Ash @ Good Taste. Healthy Me´s last blog ..5am Wake-Up Call =-.
I always have good intentions when going on vacation and it is hard but I have learned over the years and I think I do a lot better than I used to – even though there is still room for improvement. But hey, it’s vacation – you’re supposed to enjoy yourself!
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Happy Birthday Mom! =-.
I’ve heard cruise food is really tempting, good luck!
.-= Robin´s last blog ..Dumbfood =-.
I say enjoy your trip! I have had a hard time w/ vacations in the past. They’ve always thrown me off of my diet. But once you’ve established a life change, it probably won’t phase you!
.-= Alissa´s last blog ..The Weekly 5- New and Old =-.
During past vacations I’ve always gone with a plan. The plan hasn’t always been successful. I’m about 50/50 on sticking with vacation plans. My cruise thoughts sound much like yours. I’m going to do my best to be sensible, however I’m also going to enjoy some indulgences. I also plan on getting in some exercise everyday. We are also on Carnival…on the Freedom out of Ft. Lauderdale. 24 days and counting….
.-= Barb´s last blog ..Busy and Bunco =-.
Mmmmm…NOLA food! So good!
I try to be reasonable on vacations. I’ve never been on a cruise, but I have stayed at an island all-inclusive-type place before. I find that I don’t have a problem because I’m so active on that kind of vacation AND I love, love, love tropical fruits, so breakfast tends to be just fruit and yogurt, which starts the day off well.
.-= Jane´s last blog ..Reminders Are Good =-.
A friend of mine was almost disappointed when she went on her first cruise and learned that there were lots of fresh fruit and veggie options, not to mention plenty of healthy(-ish) entree options. It worked out well, though, because she was able to stay on plan while at sea and then splurge on shore.
I do a combination of healthy and splurge-y during vacations. My vacations tend to be pretty active, so I haven’t noticed significant weight gains.
It would be a CRIME to go to New Orleans and bypass the beignets and pralines. This time of year, you might also find King Cake!
Mmm, now I want King Cake. Or a praline. Or both. 🙂
.-= cammy@tippytoediet´s last blog ..Product Review: Habit Changer =-.
Some how I ended up in yesterdays comments at first lol. I’m so excited for you about your cruise. I loved the picture of Pixie yawning but kept hoping her breath doesn’t smell like my Samma’s, ewwwwww lol. Can’t wait to see all your vacation pictures too.
.-= Dawn´s last blog ..My mom =-.
PS: Just realized I forgot to say.. thx for the kitty pics! 🙂
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..If You Say "I Can’t", READ THIS NOW! =-.
Yay sunshine! We got some sun here too and it made all the difference.
.-= Elaine´s last blog ..Perfect 10 Update =-.
Oooo, vacation! Sounds like a good one you’ve got planned, and a good plan to boot.
We usually stay pretty active on vacation these days, given the need to entertain the kids. And diabetes does not go on vacation, so that keeps me reined in pretty well, although I do plan some small indulgences so I don’t feel deprived and binge on stuff that won’t spike me yet has calories (such as nuts). Our next one will be Kauai, so lots of opportunity to be active. I haven’t been since diagnosis; the only thing I think I’ll miss are the fruity rum drinks. Wonder if they have sugar-free mai tai mix over there?
.-= Pubsgal´s last blog ..Weekly Update, 1/27/10 =-.
Most of the times we go on vacation to Italy and I love Italian food and not the pizza’s but all the other stuff. I don’t have a food plan. We usually travel around the country and stay in bed and breakfasts so most of the time we eat breakfast, get a sandwich around lunchtime and go out for dinner. I don’t eat in between except for an occasional icecream. Usually I lose some weight because I eat less than when I’m at home.
.-= Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Wednesday January 27th 2010 =-.