Day 51

Pops and I were home on vacation. We packed so much into our short time at home.

Both of us kept up with our walking for exercise. Pops logged 4+ miles almost each day. I walked 2+ each day except for the day after I took a big spill off the treadmill.

Pops stayed on the diet plan as well. I did not. I tried to watch and be careful, but did go way over on calories at least 3 days while home.

It was hard because of eating out so often and having a big family picnic.

Pops lost 6 1/2 lbs in total while we were home. I stayed the same.

I loved walking our country road with my daughter's dog on the leash. There is such peace in our valley at the top of the mountain. I wish I could walk there everyday.

So here we are, back on the road as of last evening. And back to the diet plan for me and back to walking all different places.

Day 38

Day 3 in a row of low low calories and then walking off 200 calories, we are hungry. But not so hungry that we can't stand it. 

Tomorrow our calorie level will be increased slightly for the next 4 days. I am sure it will feel noticeable.

We spent many hours today fighting Chicago traffic. That distracted us from being hungry. We had to drive through it to get to our pickup then back through it after we picked up. 

Pops is looking good and his energy is really high. My energy is too. And I think that both of us are sleeping better. 

We talked tonight about this plan. We both want this to be our lifestyle forever. I have never ever felt that way about any diet before.

Here is Chicago as we were coming back out.

Day 37

Walked in Indiana today. There is a lot of flooding going on here.

Tonight's meal:

Cauliflower and grated cheese

Red beans and rice

407 calories

Day 36

Ugh! Back to low calories after 2 high calorie weeks is terrible. 

I believe I may die from starvation.

End of Week 5, Miles walked per state

Miles per state- walking

Arizona- Pops 14.5, 8 miles

Florida - Pops 2.12, Noni 1.37 

Illinois- Pops 9.25 Noni 6

Indiana- Pops 8.5, Noni 4.75

Iowa- Pops 12,  Noni 8

Michigan- Pops 3.16, Noni 2

Minnesota- Pops 6.25 Noni 2

Nebraska- Pops 2.3 miles, Noni 1

Ohio- Pops 1.75, Noni 1.5

Oklahoma- Pops 3.1, Noni 1

Pennsylvania- Pops 12.4,  Noni 10

Tennessee- Pops 3 miles, Noni 1

Utah- Pops 6,  Noni 2

Wisconsin- Pops 11.3  Noni 7.5

Day 34

Taco Salad

Day 35 Weigh Day

Yep that about sums up today. Pops was down a little. I was up a pound. This was our highest calorie week. Now it rotates backs down to a really low calorie level. 

I am not at all upset with the gain. I am excited to see how this continues to pan out.

And I missed two days of walking because of my chest cold.

Day 33

375 calorie Lunch

We each had 4 Oz of this chicken=125 calories.

Then I made a cole slaw using these ingredients plus stevia packets.

We had 5 crackers and an ounce of cheddar cheese and a zero calorie soda.

Day 32

Yes, we all will die. We have corruptable bodies that will perish. But what and how much you eat and how much you move can and will determine the quality of your life. 

We all can improve our health in some way.

I woke up during the night with a horrible head and chest cold. I took some meds but didn't get much sleep. 

We weren't offered any loads today and I am glad. I stayed in bed ALL DAY. 

So far Pops is ok. He walked alone today, 2 miles in Minnesota and 1 mile in Wisconsin.

Birthday Suit

Since it's Pops' birthday,

Day 31

Today is Pops' birthday. He is 65 years old. And he is looking pretty good, I think. I am so proud of him taking charge of his health and inspiring me to want to as well.

There was as time when I was very obsessive about every little bite I took and also about doing a specific amount of exercise every single day. Then I decided to just stop doing it. I don't know the reason or the exact time but I did it. I gave up on myself.

And for years have disliked the results of that choice.

Now I am starting to feel good.....and healthy. I like this plan and the foods and the activity. 

I sure hope we keep going with it.

We walked in Minnesota today at our favorite rest area. There is a walking trail and a lake (duh, there are 10,000 lakes in Minnesota) and we usually see deer here in the evenings, but none yet.

No birthday cake for Pops today, but maybe some jello and cool whip.

Here are some pictures from our walk.

Day 30

Wow, the calorie boost this week seems ridiculous. I am eating like 1200 each day and now burning 200-250 by walking, but the amount of food seems like heaps!

Here is our 515 calorie supper.

Day 29

It's Monday and we don't work until 4pm. So we got up and went to the pond behind us and fed the geese. 

Then we gathered our dirty laundry and went into the truckstop. As the clothes washed we went for  a mile walk. Then returned to put the clothes in the dryer. Then we walked another mile and a quarter. 

Now it's shower time. 

Week 5 diet pages

Day 28

Today is the day we weigh in after 4 weeks of dieting.

I lost the pound I gained last week plus 3 more. Woo hoo!

Pops gained a pound. He has walked 3+ miles each day and is eating exactly right, so I don't know why he gained, but I know it will be better next week.

We walked a gorgeous neighborhood this evening and we logged 3.5 miles.

Lunch was yummy today.

Day 27

Almost 4 weeks done now. It is going well. I just wish that my ankle swelling and leg pain would stop.

For lunch I made salad and added beets, olives and raisins, along with a foul packet of Tuna. It was very good.

We have found some very good calorie free dressings too.

Supper was a 4 oz pork loin cut and baked sweet potato and broccoli. I loved the color in that plate of food.

My stomach must be shrinking because I could eat only half the potato and half the broccoli.

Day 26

Today was spaghetti day!!

I love spaghetti.

I saved the beef from lunch to put in our sauce. I made the sauce by browning 3/4 lb of ground sirloin with green peppers, onions, and mushrooms. Then I added one can of diced stewed tomatoes and a small can of tomato sauce.

I cooked a small amount of whole wheat pasta and a spaghetti squash.

I gave us each 1/2 cup of pasta and 1/2 cup of spaghetti squash and then topped it with sauce.

It was great.

We walked in the state of Illinois.

Looking forward to the weekend.

Day 25

We were so busy today that we didn't even get a chance to stop and walk. Pops had a 45 day streak of walking, and I had 24 days. Oh well, sometimes those things happen.

We did stick to the food plan and water.

My feet are still swelling so big by the end of my driving day. I have never had this problem before. 

Our driver seat is different than any we've ever had. It is longer from front to back. I wonder if it isn't blocking proper circulation for me? 

I don't know.

Day 23

Today we walked in Pennsylvania just about 3 miles from my childhood home.

This picture is of our county courthouse.

During our walk Pops and I found 1 and 1/2 pennies.

Day 22

Cheat day didn't show up on Pops' weight. He lost a pound and a half.

I, on the other hand, gained a pound.

I know from past experience if I take an inch, I'll take a mile. I have to be rigidly strict.

We decided to have a little leeway yesterday, and I abused it.

Oh well, I am not a failure. And I refuse to treat myself like one. 

My nose is back to the grindstone today.

Day 24

Today was a gorgeous day. It was our first day with no rain and warm temps in about 6 days.

Supper was no meat, just vegetable stir fry with brown rice and mandarin oranges. It is good.

Vegetable stir fry

1 bag frozen broccoli stir fry

1 bag sugar snap pea stir fry

1 box fresh mushrooms slices

1 can mandarin orange sections in sugar free syrup

1 cup cooked brown rice

1 tablespoon poppy seeds

1 tablespoon spicy brown mustard

4 tablespoons grated parmasean cheese

In electric skillet on medium heat, cook first 3 ingredients until tender. Add remaining ingredients, except cheese and heat through. After putting on plates, sprinkle with grated cheese. 

Makes 2 large servings.