Weight Loss & Random Miscellany

I added a weight loss tracker, so I thought I'd give a bit more background on my plans for that.

Weight Loss Background:
Two years ago (Christmas, 2009), I was at my all time high of 180 pounds. I started really working out, tracking my eating, & paying more attention to what I ate. I lost 17 pounds, and was down to 163 by Christmas, 2010.

On January 1, 2011, my sister mentioned that she also wanted to lose weight, so we decided to email each other daily with our calories, workout, and weight. We've been doing it for close to 11 months, and it is SO helpful to have someone to talk to when things are challenging. I'm currently at about 145 at the moment. I would like to eventually get to 130, which is the weight I was at before I had kids. My plan is to be at 140 by January 1st, and then to lose the last 10 pounds (the hardest!) by next Christmas. My sister & I go to Las Vegas every summer together, so looking good in our bikini is always a great motivator. :-)

Working Out:
I was training for a 1/2 marathon, but broke a bone in my foot in May. It's been very hard to continue to work out, as I'm extremely limited in the type of workouts I can do. I was supposed to be healed & running again by now, but I'm definitely not. I get frustrated that I can't just use our treadmill at home or go for a quick run when I have a small window for a workout. I spent a ton of time learning to run and enjoy it, and it kills me that I'll be starting again when I eventually am healed. I MISS running. And, I never thought I would say that.

Eating:
My daily calorie goal is to be under 1500 calories. I find this much harder to achieve on the weekends, as I like to have a glass of wine or a mixed drink. As a result, I generally try to only have wine on the weekends, and keep the rest of the eating under control. I also focus on getting five servings (each) of fruit & vegetables.

Here's what a sample day looks like:

• Breakfast - coffee, fruit, and an egg on a bagel thin - 300 calories
• Snack - either a serving of trail mix, mixed nuts, or a homemade oatmeal/granola bar - 150
• Lunch - Leftovers. Tortellini with fresh tomatoes & 1 tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese - 300
• Snack - apple - 80
• Snack - Mini Luna bar - 80
• Dinner - Persian rice/meat dish & spinach salad - 520

Are you working on your health/fitness? What strategies are you currently using? Biggest challenges and successes?