A question that I’ve gotten a lot is how am I eating out and still losing weight.  Now, real life often gets in the way.  I’ll be the first to admit that.  You’ll find that it’s Saturday, you’ve been running around all day, and its 7 pm and nobody ate.  (That is the exact thing that happened last Saturday to us!).  This is why I love Nutrisystem so much, because I know what the calorie count I’m shooting for.  (When you log your food, it tells you what the calories are.  Plus, I’ve asked for how many calories I should be having in a day.) Now, this Sunday, I’ve got a Girl Scout dinner with Madison.  Since I don’t know what we are eating, I am a little concerned.  However, by following a few rules I’ve set up for myself, I know it will be fine.

1.  Check the menu out before you go!  That makes eating out about 100 times less stressful.  When I walk into Jason’s Deli, I know what I am ordering.  When I walk into Chili’s I know what I’m ordering and how I’m ordering it.  (Hello, Margarita Chicken).

2.  Don’t be afraid to order special.  For example, that Margarita Chicken I mentioned — I get it without the Pico and without the beans.  My waiter has never cared that I am ordering it special either.

3.  Order water instead of soda.  The water will fill you up before you get your meal.

4.  Don’t starve yourself before you go.  If you don’t eat all day, you will make yourself sick, and you will overeat.  Why do that to yourself?

5.  Think portion control.  If you don’t like the restaurant’s lighter menu, you can order off the regular menu.  Just remember portion control when you do.  Instead of eating one ginormous sandwich, only eat half of it (or less).

6.  Make smart choices.  You know what foods are better for you.  A plain chicken breast is always going to be better for you than fried shrimp.  (Trust me, that just breaks my heart to even say out loud.)

7.  Say no to complimentary bread baskets and tortilla chips. Lots of calories and mindless eating involved with these!

8. Skip dessert.

9. Have your waiter remove your plate as soon as you are done.  Most people, myself included, will keep picking at their food if it is in front of them even if they are full.

10.  Don’t stress out about it.  Enjoy your dining experience.  Don’t ruin it for yourself because you are hung up on how many calories you just ate.

As for my own weight loss week, I’m down another 2 pounds. My total weight loss is 32 lbs in 13 weeks. I also had the best morning ever last week when one of the moms at Will’s school walked up to me. She first congratulated me and then told me I looked awesome after losing all the weight I have. Needless to say, that made my day.

THIS WEEKS WEIGHT LOSS: 2
TOTAL WEIGHT LOSS: 32

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Have you ever been in a tornado? Here’s a first person account how horrifying it is to live through one.  I don’t know if I would have had the presence of mind to record it myself.  The power is out so the visuals aren’t so hot, however, the audio is absolutely chilling.  I found this on YouTube, and from what I can tell, everybody got out of that store okay.  (though the rest of Joplin didn’t fare quite as well).

How do you think you would have reacted? (I have to admit that I am impressed how everybody was caring for one another. However, the frightened kids broke my heart!).

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I don’t ever watch American Idol. The show just really doesn’t do anything for me. However, this year I’ve tuned in on and off because I wanted to see the new judges. Bill is a huge Aerosmith fan, so we’ve read the band’s autobiography, and we’ve been to at least 5 concerts.

When Chris Medina came on last night and we heard his story, my heart broke. I, with the rest of America, was cheering him on as he sang. Here’s what we saw:

It’s okay. Go get some tissues. Steven Tyler didn’t need to say what he did to Chris Medina’s girlfriend, but he did. They all shook her hand. I’m mighty impressed. All the judges did something they didn’t have to do. I hope America saw that and learns to treat the handicapped like real people like the judges did.

Did you watch American Idol last night? What were your thoughts?

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Tonight’s Deadliest Catch show is the one I’ve dreaded all season.  We weren’t home tonight, and I was literally sick to my stomach about whether I should watch it tonight or not.  We all knew this was the show Phil Harris dies.  There was no more hoping he pulls through.  If you have  not seen the show yet, just know as soon as they start playing Johnny Cash, you need to get the tissues out.  The most heart wrenching part?  When Josh had to call Jake (who had went off to rehab since he dad seemed to be doing better) and tell him that their dad didn’t make it.  (My heart is breaking again just typing that).

I just have to say that Discovery handled this with class.  Honestly, they couldn’t have done it any better.  After The Catch was funny stories about Phil.  He wouldn’t have wanted an hour show about him with us crying the whole time (though when Sig got a little teary eyed at the end there I almost lost it again).

Josh and Jake — I hope you find a way to buy the rest of the boat.  Having met you last week (Josh), you are a class act and you boys only deserve the best that comes your way (and try not to beat the crap out of Jake next season).

I can only believe that Phil is looking down from Heaven in amazement with all the lives he’s touched.  I’m sure he never knew what an impact he’s made.

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Last week was a pretty good week.  My week started off with an email from a New York Times reporter wanted to interview regarding a post I wrote about Amazon’s frustration free packaging.  Once I picked myself up off the floor, I emailed him back and told him it was okay to call.  I had a great conversation with their technology reporter, and I went on my merry way.  Seriously, my  heart was beating about 400 miles an hour while this was going on.  I asked for him to let me know when it gets printed, and I thought that was the end of it.

On Thursday, I was super surprised to get a call from the New York Times again!  This time they wanted to send a photographer to my house to get pictures of me and my kids!  I ended up with 2 hours to get me and the kids ready and clean the house.  It went well, I think, and I hope to find out soon when the article will get printed.

I feel incredibly blessed right now even though my mom is teasing about when Oprah is going to be calling. 

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