Off to an OK start...

So, a few days ago I posted that I was going to officially start losing weight again. This is how things have gone since then. Monday morning I ate oatmeal, 1 peice of toast, 1/4 c. skim milk and water for breakfast totaling 225 calories. Then for lunch I had a salad with turkey, tomato, green pepper, croutons and light Ranch dressing with 5 saltines. Then I shared an apple with the kids dipped in 1 tbsp. of peanut butter. Total calories for lunch=380. Doing good...until our power went out that afternoon and the healthy dinner I had planned to cook didn't happen. We ended up going out to a Mexican resturant. I shared Matt's meal with him and ate some chips and salsa/queso. I know I didn't stay under my 1200 calories that day, but I tried at least. I also push-mowed for about 1 1/2 hours and vacummed the house and did several loads of laundry.
On Tuesday, I ate a pkg. of mini-blueberry muffins for breakfast with Diet Dr. Pepper (total calories 160). We went to Chili's for lunch and I ordered the Guiltless Chicken and Veggie plate at 580 calories. I only ate about 3/4 of it though so I am only counting 400 of those calories. At 5:30 pm I went to the gym and did 2 aerobics classes (1 1/2 hours). Then I came home and fixed bacon, potatoes, eggs and biscuits for dinner. I had 1 egg, 2 bacon, 2 buscuits and 1 cup of potatoes, 1 tbsp. butter. and light cranberry juice (approx. 600 calories), so total calories for day somewhere around 1160. YAY!
Today, so far, I have had 2 peice of toast (90 cal) 1 tbsp. butter and 1 bacon for breakfast. (I'm guessing about 200 cal). For lunch I ate the left overs from yesterdays lunch (180 cal) and a small bowl of fruity-cheerios w/ skim milk (160 cal).
I am also doing 30 boy-push ups every day and 100 crunches. Some of you have asked how/what I am doing to lose this weight...so this is it.
I feel like one of the keys is Don't give up just because you messed up!!! Somedays, I will blow it. I will be too tempted and will give in...I already know this. But that doesn't mean I have to quit my whole weight loss plan. I just work extra hard the next week to make up for that mistake, maybe work out a little more. You have to allow yourself some "treats" occasionlly, just don't go overboard. Also, it is very easy to look up the calorie count for foods online. I like to use www.fitday.com. Another tip: Don't overlook the small stuff. This refers to the little bit of your child's brownie or the little handful of fries you ate from their happy meal. It also refers to the little bits of exercise you do throught the day. No mom/wife would argue....cleaning the house is WORK! and running after little kids is WORK. But, there are things you can do to make even those things more of a work-OUT. One of my favorites is to turn the radio up real loud (usually kids praise music or hip-hop) and DANCE! I'm talking BOOGIE till you sweat! It's a great work out, your kids will LOVE it and if your husband is anything like mine--he'll enjoy the show from the couch where he is laying! ha ha Also, get some weights in your hands (I use 5 lb.) and do lunges all around the house. You can have your kids follow behind you like a "train". Lunges are great for your hips and butt and legs, just be sure to keep your stride wide, so you don't let your knee on the leg that is in front go past your toe.
Also, here is a little list of some of my favorite low-cal snacks: Lowfat cheese-its (30 for 130 cal), Hunts sugar-free, fat-free chocolate pudding (60 cal), cinnamon applesauce (80 cal) and one of my favorites, Fun-Pops (20 cal).
I will keep you all posted on my progress and keep sharing more tips with you as I think of them. You guys keep me updated on your progress too, okay? It helps a LOT to know that some friends are doing it with you!
Ps. Thanks to my friend, Kandy, for teaching me everything that I know about health and fitness. You're the best girl!!