May 12, 2015

Habit changes

Still sick here :(

The bronchitis is getting better, though, so I hope I'll be back to normal in a few days. Right now, the most frustrating part about being sick is that I can't hear very well (ears are clogged) and I can't smell or taste anything! Noah wanted to cook dinner last night, so I was helping him make turkey loaf. After adding some herbs and spices, he said, "That smells weird!" I couldn't smell anything at all, and I started wondering if the ground turkey had gone bad or something. I never realized how much I use my sense of smell! I think he just meant the Italian seasoning I'd used smelled weird.

I've been craving ice cream like crazy lately. I bought some popsicles because they were soothing on my throat (they're peach-flavored, but I can't taste them, unfortunately). Because I've been really focused on staying on track with Weight Watchers, I even bought something to try that I've avoided for a few years now:


Arctic Zero "ice cream". I'd heard of it several years ago, but it just didn't sound good. How good could it be, at 3 PointsPlus (150 calories) for an entire pint?! I've read mixed reviews from people who either love it or hate it. It's pretty expensive (I think it was $6 for the pint), so I just never tried it. But considering my cravings for ice cream lately, I figured it was worth a taste.

It's now been in my freezer for three days, because it would be a waste to eat until my cold is gone. I tried a tiny little spoonful, but I couldn't smell or taste it, so I figured I'd better wait until I'm healthy again so I can form an honest opinion. There are several different flavors, but I went with chocolate peanut butter--no surprise there ;) Anyone else have thoughts on the Arctic Zero?

Yesterday, I was replying to some emails, and I was looking for a post in my blog. I got caught up in reading a bunch of old posts, and it made me feel so nostalgic! Over the last year or two, I sort of got away from talking about my diet and weight, because I was getting quite a bit of unsolicited advice. My blog is really just a daily journal of my life, so it was off-putting to read opinions about my diet and weight. But looking back on those posts yesterday made me want to write more about it again. When I first started this blog, that was my full intention--to document my day to day life in maintenance after a large weight loss.

I made a goal to lose weight each week for the full eight weeks of Glenda's challenge (Glenda is my Weight Watchers Leader), so if I stick with it and see some progress, I may start doing my Wednesday Weigh-ins again. I got away from doing those because I was tired of not seeing any change in the scale (or seeing a gain) and then hearing what I was doing wrong. I already know what I need to change--I just have to stay consistent to do it! ;) Writing everything was one of the things that helped me to stick with it while I was losing weight, so maybe it will help to write more about it again.

Over the past few weeks, I've been working on getting back to the habits I formed when I was losing weight--things like drinking a quart of water first thing in the morning, and using brown rice instead of white rice, etc. I promised a blog post about it, listing all the habits/tips I formed, and I've been working on that. Hopefully I'll have that up this week. I never consciously made all those changes at once, but as I list them out, I realize that I really did make lots of small changes that added up in a big way. Eventually, it was just a lifestyle--I did it all without thinking. Over the past year, though, I got away from most of the habits that helped me to lose the weight, which is why I gained nearly 30 pounds back. Jerry mentioned a couple of days ago that he likes that we're getting back to all the old healthier habits again, because it makes him feel good, like we did when we were at goal.


Joey was supposed to go to his doggy daycare today, but we had some bad storms last night, and the weather wasn't great today. I decided to reschedule for Thursday this week, when the weather will be better. While he's there, it wouldn't be worth my time to drive all the way home, and then all the way back to pick him up, so I have to think of something to do while he spends four hours there. I was thinking I could go for a long walk at a park that's about 20 minutes away, but that still leaves a lot of time to kill.

I was feeling bad for not being very active with Joey all week, since I've been sick, so yesterday, I took him to my parents' house to play in the lake. He's been doing really well off-leash, so I took him down by the water and let him go. He had a blast exploring--he kept dunking his head totally underwater, like he was looking for something under there. He loves chasing rocks, too, so he was begging for me to constantly keep throwing rocks. I'm excited for him to play at doggy daycare on Thursday!


32 comments:

  1. Arctic Zero is the worst! I could not stand it. I liked Halo Top when I tried it (I found it at Whole Foods, pricey like Arctic Zero). Other good ice cream substitutions would be Skinny Cow or I have heard good things about blending/food-processing frozen bananas (haven't tried it myself, but I like them well enough in my smoothies.

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  2. Andrea GellenMay 12, 2015

    I second Jen - I did not like Arctic Zero when I tried it. And i'm not picky! I also second Jen that skinny cow products are pretty good. I like the 100 calorie klondike bars as well - they are the same ice cram and chocolate as a regular bar but smaller.

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  3. AnonymousMay 12, 2015

    I think I had the chocolate first and it was not good. Then, tried the vanilla maple. Much better. I added fruit or nuts or choc chips. Just got enough to handle the craving.

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  4. AnonymousMay 12, 2015

    Have you ever had Yasso frozen Greek Yogurt bars? I was using them as a "treat" after long runs. I think they run about 80-150 calories a bar. My favorite (so far) is the Peanut Butter Cup (peanut butter yogurt with chocolate coating). The salted caramel is ok too.

    ~Diana

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    Replies
    1. I've seen them, and they look good to me--but I am not a fan of yogurt, so I haven't been brave enough to give them a try. I didn't know they had a peanut butter cup one! Maybe it'll be worth a go ;)

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    2. AnonymousMay 13, 2015

      I don't think they taste much like yogurt - more lice an ice cream bar (which is probably why I like them!).

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    3. I'm not a yogurt person either but the Yasso bars are really good! Not yogurty at all...more like a kind of custard in popsicle form. The blueberry is my favorite, but I haven't tried Chocolate PB yet :)

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    4. These are good! I've tried the salted caramel and the mint chocolate chip, and they were great. My husband even likes them. Didn't care so much for the plain chocolate, though.

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  5. I just stick with Blue Bunny. They make some vanilla ice cream that's 90 calories for 1/2 cup. I eat a serving every night when I have it. Yummy.

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  6. Yay for Wednesday weigh-ins! It was very encouraging to me to see those each week no matter what the result. I told myself "if Katie's doing it, I should weigh in too" :)

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  7. AnonymousMay 12, 2015

    I really like to add toppings to arctic zero. I drizzle about a tablespoon of melted cookie butter or nutella on it and it's really good, but I don't normally eat it by itself. The only flavor I eat by itself it cookie dough, but it has double the calories. Still not terrible at 300 calories for the pint.

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  8. Did someone say cookie butter?! I tried it for the first time this week. Huge mistake. I'm afraid I now have a new addiction. That stuff is beyond delicious!!!

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    Replies
    1. Isn't it INSANELY good?! When I do buy it, I have to keep it in the Kitchen Safe, otherwise I'll eat the entire jar. ;)

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  9. My husband and I are finding that we need to refocus on our old {good} habits, as well. We've just been surviving these past few months since baby arrived. Thankfully my baby weight is gone, but my body is not like it use to be. Ready to get refocused here, too! Looking forward to your post!

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  10. AnonymousMay 13, 2015

    I totally get letting the good habits slip.. I have let that happen. for example, I didnt measure out my 1/2 cup of ice cream the other night, I just forgot(but maybe that is the pregnancy brain lol). Artic Zero, not a fan at all, but my mom likes it! I would perfer to eat a McDonalds cone or something...

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  11. I have 2 Questions that might be considered unsolicited advice. ;-)

    1) Are you still doing your self-imposed challenges? I always liked reading about your efforts to cut out added sugar for a month or use only your pantry instead of going shopping.

    2) Do you have a Chuck It! for Joey? My friend swears by it when she wants to play with her dog but isn't feeling as energetic as he is. Just a thought!
    http://www.amazon.com/Chuckit-Classic-Launcher-Colors-Vary/dp/B00006IX59/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1431519917&sr=1-1&keywords=ball+thrower+for+dogs

    Anyway, I hope you start feeling 100% soon.

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    Replies
    1. 1) Yes! I forgot to mention that, but the monthly challenges have always been super helpful to me, and I really like doing them. So I'll definitely do that, too. I'll have to come up with something for June :)
      2) I do have a Chuck It! I'm terrible at throwing his tennis ball very far, so the Chuck It! is perfect. Joey gets so excited when he sees me pull it out of the cupboard ;)

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  12. AnonymousMay 13, 2015

    I am madly in love with your dog.

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  13. Amanda K.May 13, 2015

    As soon as you start doing Wednesday Weigh-In's again, I think I will join you! I need to hold myself more accountable. And reading your blog daily will be a good reminder for me to keep myself in check :)

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  14. I tried this same flavor of Arctic Zero last week, and I didn't love it, but it did help with my sweet craving. If you go into it thinking it will taste like "real" ice cream, you will definitely be disappointed, but I didn't think it was too bad. It kind of tasted like a Wendy's Frosty with a little peanut butter thrown in. It has kind of a funky aftertaste at first, but the more I ate it, the more I liked it, haha.

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  15. AnonymousMay 13, 2015

    I didn't care for Arctic Zero at all. Definitely not worth the price. For my ice cream cravings, Skinny Cow or Weight Watchers bars are better.

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  16. I know you said you weren't looking for unsolicited advice, but can I give some? Please don't let Joey play with the rocks too much. I had a dog like that and she broke one of her teeth on a rock. Expensive lesson learned.

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    Replies
    1. How about, "I totally relate to your story about Joey chasing rocks. My dog used to play with rocks all the time! Unfortunately, she ended up breaking one of her teeth. Hopefully Joey has more self control than ______ did!" You would get your story heard, and not be telling someone who didn't ask for advice what to do. I realize I'm suggesting something for you to do, when you didn't ask either. I see the irony. :D Take the advice or leave it, no worries from me either way.

      For the record, my dog apparently used to chew rocks before we adopted her. She had to have a tooth removed at the shelter. I get the shivers just thinking about it!

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    2. Haha, I hope I didn't sound mean when I mentioned the unsolicited advice! I was really talking about the diet and weight advice--"You shouldn't eat grapes, because they have too much sugar" or "You need more vegetables" etc. I don't know a whole lot about dogs, so I've learned quite a bit from readers since getting Joey! He doesn't actually bite the rocks, he just likes to chase them. But that would definitely be an expensive lesson if he broke a tooth!

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    3. My girlfriend's dog would swallow the river rocks in her garden bed. I guess it's a lot like pica in humans.

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  17. I tried a couple of flavors of Arctic Zero and wasn't impressed. I knew it wouldn't taste like full-fledged ice cream (or yogurt), but it hardly had any taste (to me) and wasn't really worth it. That said, the cookies & cream flavor is the only one I'd try again.

    If you have a Trader Joe's, I just bought their Mini Mint Mouthfuls -- think Oreos with mint chip ice cream for filling. Each one is only 60 calories, so it's a great little treat after dinner.

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  18. There are so damned many weight loss experts. I don't understand how anyone thinks they can tell a person who has lost almost half their starting weight anything about HOW to do it. You know what to do. And we both know different things work for different people. I have done things along the way that I never shared on my blog, because I didn't want to hear from the "judgers."

    I was sure interested when I saw Arctic Zero, but never could find it available locally. From the comments, it doesn't sound like it's too good. Let us know what you think. LOVE your "little" Joey. He is one great dog!!!

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  19. AnonymousMay 13, 2015

    Well I feel entirely different about the unsolicited advice topic. I can't watch a person suffer week after week struggling to lose weight. If I have found good science to show that you should restrict something or add something I want to talk about it. It is very frustrating since I am someone who like to help people and a lot of ladies are actually offended at the suggestion of something from a reader. Please be open minded. There has been a lot of bad science in nutrition for decades and we should all realize it. Only then will we be able to help ourselves.

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  20. AnonymousMay 13, 2015

    I lost my sense of taste and smell after surgery in September...I can totally relate to your situation! You would think I would have lost a ton of weight by now, not being able to taste my food but, nope...I don't know why but I just keep right on eating :(

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  21. I'm so glad I read this and all the comments yesterday before going to the store; they had a bunch of flavors of the Arctic Zero, and I remembered reading all these comments about it being bad. Ended up getting the Haagen Dazs chocolate peanut butter ice cream--it did not disappoint!

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  22. Can anyone elaborate about what's so bad about the Arctic Zero? I've never tried it...what does it taste like?

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    Replies
    1. Stacey, I finally tried it and I actually liked it! To me, it tasted like a fat free fudgesicle (same texture, too). But apparently, I'm in the minority ;)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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