I’m still here – letting Meagan kick my butt at the wee hours of the morning, only to trudge back home to quickly devour espresso. Sticking to calorie counting can be difficult, but yesterday I was going particularly well and was very proud of myself. Unfortunately, my husband decided to do something really sweet…literally.

He came home with donuts last night, proud he had thought to quench my sweet tooth before the craving hit. Unfortunately, that meant I got to stare at a bag of Shipley’s donuts all night…and come home starving from my workout this morning to once again see those Shipley’s donuts. Fortunately, the outcome of the Battle of the Donuts is Ashleigh: 1, Food: 0.

7/11/2010: Food Log
Pre-Cardio: Protein Shake, Banana (200 calories)
Breakfast: 3 egg whites, 2 turkey bacon, wheat toast, skim latte (275 calories)
Snack: FiberOne Bar, Lowfat cheese (210 calories)
Dinner: Turkey Spaghetti and Wheat Pasta (450 calories)
Dessert: Skinny Cow Ice Cream (150 calories)
Total Calories: 1285

Exercise: 45 minutes on the elliptical – my ankle seems to FINALLY be healing a bit!

7/12/2010: Food Log
Pre-Cardio: FiberOne Cereal with skim milk, Banana (190 calories)
Snack: FiberOne Bar, Peanuts (200 calories)
Lunch: 1/2 turkey sandwich on wheat, yogurt (230 calories)
Snack: Rice cake with 1 tsp peanut butter (200 calories)
Dinner: Breaded Chicken Patty, mashed potatoes (400 calories)
Snack: Peanuts (75 calories)
Dessert: Skinny Cow Ice Cream (150 calories)
Total Calories: 1295

Exercise: 35 minutes on stationary bike

I can’t tell you how many times I have made a goal and forgot about it a day later. It’s tough sticking to something like a diet or breaking bad habits. You tell yourself, “No sweets today!”, as you pick up a doughnut and plan out your week for changing your diet habits. As your licking your fingers of the last of the sugar you realized that you mindlessly devoured an entire doughnut and while planning out your new healthy life. Have you done this? I’ve done this! Staying focused and staying motivated can be a challenging at times.

While I am training for my big audition I am also watching my diet. If I don’t plan my meals for the day, I most likely will goof up and eat something I am not supposed to. Although I am working hard in the gym that doesn’t mean I no longer have to worry about what I eat. It’s even more important than before.

I have learned that as long as I plan and have what I need, I do well. When I wake up I remind myself that I have a plan for that day and I must follow it. I have a picture in my head of my goal and I do my best to focus on it. But sometimes I lose focus quite easily when there is sugar around. I can say no to bread. I can turn down a soda or a cocktail. But put me in the vicinity of a cookie and the fight is on. Doesn’t it seem like everytime you watch what your eating is when temptation shows up? Like the pizza and cupcakes that arrive at your workplace, or the doughnuts in the morning when you arrive. Since I have started watching what I eat it seems more junk food has been around me wherever I go! Luckily I have a great support system around me of friends and family. I don’t want to let myself down, and I don’t want to let them down. As long as I keep to my plan and stay focused on my goal, I get through my day. I have my plan, I have my goal, and I am not losing focus!

Weekends are tough to stay on track with eating, so I’ll skip my weekend log and move on to this week; Saturday night’s dinner at Chuy’s put me over the top on calories and sodium. So, I climb back on the wagon and continue my quest. Food won this past weekend, but, occasional indulgences are necessary for maintaining sanity.

6/28/2010: Food Log
Pre-Weights: FiberOne cereal (1/2 cup) with skim milk (100 calories)
Breakfast: 3 egg whites, 2% kraft cheese, 2 turkey bacon and wheat toast (240 calories)
Snack: Protein Shake (110 calories)
Lunch: Tortilla with Turkey Sausage, yogurt (370 calories)
Dinner: Chicken patty, black beans (300 calories)
Total Calories: 1120

Exercise: 45 minutes resistance training with Meagan, 38 minutes on the elliptical

6/29/2010: Food Log
Pre-Weights: FiberOne cereal (1/2 cup) with skim milk (100 calories)
Breakfast: 3 egg whites, 2 turkey bacon and black beans (260 calories)
Lunch: Turkey Sausage, yogurt (250 calories)
Snack: Americano, shortbread cookies (180 calories)
Dinner: Chicken sandwich on bun (600 calories)
Total Calories: 1390

Exercise: 45 minutes resistance training with Meagan

6/30/2010: Food Log
Breakfast: 3 egg whites and black beans (175 calories)
Snack: Protein Shake (110 calories)
Lunch: Chicken/pasta Lean Cuisine dish, FiberOne bar (380 calories)
Snack: FiberOne bar….quite an obsession! (140 calories)
Dinner: Mini turkey sausage with Salt Lick BBQ (delish!), Instant mashed potatoes (not so delish!) (450 calories)
Total Calories: 1255

Exercise: whoops….got busy and forgot to do my cardio!