Thursday, April 23, 2009

On the Wagon

I'm going to Kauai in less than a month. They say the air is so dewey sweet there you don't even have to lick the stamps. I don't care about that--I am just worried about getting harpooned.

I honestly thought I would have gotten skinny for this trip. I have been working for 10 years to afford this trip, and by working, I mean spending a ton of money on American Express to earn airline miles. We are going without the kids which means we will mostly be laying by the pool or beach, getting massaged, sleeping in, napping, eating out and more laying by the pool. Of course, I will be getting the spray-on tan before I go because everyone knows tan fat looks better than white fat.

But in the meantime, I am doing everything I can (starting today) to look a little better in my swimsuit. My personal formula for losing weight is working out everyday, more weightlifting (the only thing that changes my body) and less candy. I don't diet; I won't. The minute I tell myself I'm on a diet or restricting myself I am eating a bag of chocolate chips or hot dog buns out of desperation. So instead of dieting, I try to add more healthy things to my diet, like a lot more protein and less chocolate.


Enter Costco. I love these Yoplait smoothie mixes you can buy from Costco. They are in the frozen food section and they are so yummy. The packages have frozen berries and frozen yogurt chunks. I love smoothies but hate dealing with the fruit. This is easy, you dump it in, pour in milk and viola--a yummy smoothie. Sometimes I had protein powder to make it a meal. Even my kids will drink them and they don't drink milk or eat fruit 99% of the time--I know I'm in the running for mother of the year.


So any other great yummy low fat/low cal food I need to know about? Also, do you have any great tips for places to visit in Kauaii. I am generally not a sight-seer. I'm too lazy--I'd rather lay by the pool. But I'm up for suggestions.

21 comments:

LAURA said...

I'm a newer reader, you always make me laugh when I read your blog (in a good way!). I've started throwing in spinach into my smoothies after reading the hype of green smoothies, and seriously you can barely taste it.

Mandee said...

Thanks for the smoothie tip. With added protein, I'm sure it's better than the chips and salsa I feed my kids.

As for vacationing- I am the same. Give me the pool or a beach, and I am the happiest girl in the world.

Send me a postcard.

WHITE said...

Brooke, I am taking on one of those smoothies nightly...I found them about a month ago and I am in love! They are so yummy, and I can't get enough. Rowdy and I normally share them, but lately I wait for him to go to bed so I get the entire thing to myself! Is that horrible or what! I am hoping this new found greed will go away when I am not so pregnant.
I am glad someone else is enjoying them. Hope you have a wonderful time on your vacation!

Amy said...

Have you ever tried the swiss miss fudge cycles?? I hate chocolate and ice cream, but friend says they're delish! I'm with you.. don't diet. You are freakin' skinny anyways!

Kelly said...

Is Taco Bell on your low cal menu? If not, it should be. I find it to be rather satisfying. Why are you talking about anything to loose weight? You are already going to blow away. You look amazing!! I say eat what you want, while you are laying on the beach and before! That's my 2 cents.

p.s. I hate you that you are going to Hawaii. You and your whole family.

Ashley said...

I bought that smoothie mix today and it is soooo dang good. I split one with my kids who don't eat fruit and they also loved it. Hold on. . .

Ashley said...

I'm back. I want to know more about this protein powder you add. Does it have calories?

It is so hard to not eat chocolate all day long. My best diet trick is to be out of the house for as much of the day as possible, and to drink tons of the black acid. And I have learned to allow myself some treats every day (and to expect somedays of complete binging) in order to not throw in the towel when I inevitably partake.

I can't wait to hear about your Hawaii trip. My best sight recommendation is The Brick Oven Pizza.

brooke said...

Ashley,

the protein powder packs 100 calories but 29 grams of protein. I feel it is worth it since I'm a big believer in getting protein to rebuild your muscles--When I add the protein, I consider it a meal (like lunch) and then of course eat a couple oreos to wash it down. All things in moderation right?

Ashley said...

I believe in protein too but don't know if I can swallow (literally) 100 KCALs for a powder. Slimfast (and the copycat version made my Target) makes a delicious chocolate protein shake that's about 160 KCal. So in theory you could have your shake AND eat your smoothie too. Protein bars, on the other hand, are foul.

Jill said...

You're all kinds of cute, don't fret for a moment about being bathing suit ready for your trip. How wonderful to have an adult-only trip on the horizon!

Jen and her men said...

I feel your pain! We leave tomorrow...without my spray on tan. Yikes!

Pandy said...

Forget the "diet" and find a large woman at the pool to sit beside. It's easier and you can enjoy your Oreos.

jacey said...

There are some fun shops in Poipu. And don't worry about what you look like. You'll see all types of bodies there. Besides, you look great.

Ashley said...

I am the only one who will tell it like it is: the hotter you feel, the more you will enjoy your beach vacay. You're starting in a good place. Four weeks is enough time to get skinny. Go for it! You're not getting any younger. Besides, it's the perfect time to get skinny, go to Hawaii, come home and show off at the pool a couple times, then blow up for coat season.

(By get skinny, I mean get skinnier. You really do look great--but I understand there is a difference between looking great and rocking a tankini.)

Liz said...

I sure saw a lot of yucky bodies over there, so I felt right at home. I am always amazed at certain people who really think they can pull off a bikini.
You look great, so don't even stress it. Diets suck!

sheryl said...

Laura…yuck! …not that bad means not that good! I am excited to try the smoothie. I love Herbalife formula 1 nutrition
“protein” shakes…made into a smoothie. I think you can buy them online. I like the choc one made with milk and ice cubes. Then the vanilla and any frozen fruit is to die for. It is more like a milk shake than a smoothy. (obviously I am not currently using them). Kelly…Stan likes the taco bell diet as well. Eat anything you want and 30 min later it is out of your system.

Pandy has the right idea!

Aren’t you the one who is so thin you can’t get pants tight enough? ...Those were the days.

Go and enjoy. I think Ashley’s blog on Hawaii hit all the good spots. You should too and don't stick just by the pool!

Laura said...

a yummy snack for when you have a sweet tooth is, light harvest peach yop. yogurt and strawberries, it sounds like a "healthy" diet treat but it is really delicious!

Bonnie said...

Those smoothies sound great. I'm going to check into them. My 11 yr old son hates fruit and doesn't drink milk either so mayber this would work for him.

I hear you on the diet thing. I almost signed up for Weight watchers yesterday but decided I just can't do the points thing.. It just makes me think about food more. Even though I lost 37 lbs doing it before.

Either way, relax and enjoy your vacation. You don't have to look perfect to enjoy yourself :)

Linde said...

Hey, I just bought that smoothie package at Costco this week (when it was warm), but I haven't made it yet. Looking forward to it.

Good for you on not dieting...I agree--say the word diet and I eat everything that has chocolate and/or fat that is in my kitchen (just to make sure I won't starve while on my diet).

Good luck!!

Jaime said...

OK - I have a small list of healthy food/snacks that quick popped in my head. I can relate. I am still working off the last 13 lbs of prego chub. I prefer the 5-6 meals a day route so I never feel deprived. Here goes:

- snack on almonds or walnuts
- V8 low sodium
- jello and cool whip
- mini bag of microwave popcorn
- 40 cal. sugar-free fudge pops (soo good)
- hummus on veggies
- spinach,banana and OJ smoothies
- cottage cheese w/ fruit

OH man, is it not soo obvious I have done weight watchers? Love it!

Soo looking at your comments, I am the only one who took you seriously. I have feeling chubby, but can totally stand the pasty, whiteness - seems counter intuitive, I know. I'll keep thinking...

And, you have Costco - you got this in the bag! I adore the place and practically faint with glee when I get into that big, cement warehouse - ya, I get there maybe 4x a year - shameful, huh!

Ok, one last thing I have to go to bed. Hitting the weights is brilliant. I have had great success combining weights and improved diet. So nice that there are tons of healthy treats so you don't feel deprived. I could go on, but its almost midnight...

Anonymous said...

I want to jump on your bandwagon! Thanks for the inspiration!