Starting Over

Considering most of my readers are friends, you more than likely know all of the dirty details of the past 6 months of my life.
Long story short - I got sick.  Really sick.  When I caught what I thought was a cold in mid-April during a trip to Sydney, Australia, I didn't think it was much of a big deal.  But five months of exhaustion, constant headaches, an inability to smell, taste, or breathe properly, feeling lethargic and depressed, and generally just being ill, will cause a girl to well, umm, gain weight.
Remember all of that amazing progress I made 1.5 years ago?  All of those inches I shed, and how happy I was?  It really hurts to wave goodbye to all of that progress, but not have the energy to do anything about it.  I slipped into a spell of self-loathing, which of course led me to chocolate, which then led to more self-loathing.  Shocking, I know.
Ultimately it came down to surgery.  At the end of August I underwent a full sinus surgery, including a 3-day hospital stay and 2 weeks of at-home recovery.  They found mushrooms in my sinus cavities.  And no, I am not joking.  No wonder I felt like crap for months!
Only now am I able to work out full-throttle, smell things, taste things, breathe the air around me!  I'm still recovering, though.  This morning the doctor gave me one more week of meds, one more week of steroids (I HATE STEROIDS), and one more week to really get well before we do another CT of my head.  I'm not healing as quickly as he'd hoped, although I'm staying incredibly optimistic that these meds will in fact kick this crud for good.
So, with all of that in mind, and beginning the 3-month countdown of my repatriation to Houston, I find myself starting over.  The new Weight Watchers Points Plus program is not awesome, if you want my honest opinion, but I know it will probably work.  They wouldn't have switched over to it had they doubted the plan, right?
This past week I tracked as best I could, stayed away from booze, and really kept myself motivated.  But those damn 40mg daily doses of steroids don't exactly aid in the weight loss process.  In fact, they do nothing other than add weight.  A 2.5lb gain this week was not what I expected to see on my scale, but alas I must deal with it.
So what's the plan going forward?  If I bite it, I write it!  Too much cheating goes on in my daily eating, and I refuse to do it any longer.  Every single bit of food that goes into my mouth is going to be documented in my Points Tracker.  Period.  End of discussion.
But the biggest change I am going to make defies the plan WW has set forth for me.  Apparently a person of my age and size (27, 141.5lbs) gets a daily points plus allowance of 29.  Well, that is simply ridiculous, especially when one considers fruits are now "free", or zero points.  I am sorry, but why on earth should I be consuming 29 points per day, when a person who weighs 220lbs should consume the same?  Which one of us do you suppose is going to lose weight?  Hmm?
Starting today, my new allowance is 26 points per day, with only two free servings of fruit.  If I consume more than two fruits, I have to track them as having points.
I'm going to give this new points plan two weeks and see how it goes.  With any luck, the weight will slide off like it used to, and Sarah will get her groove back!  I mean, really people, I miss my clothes!  I bought so many new, pretty things when I lost weight, and now I'm 10 stinkin' pounds heavier!  They don't even button up!

Chinese New Year - Sri Lanka Style

This past weekend was the Chinese New Year celebration, so Thursday and Friday were public holidays here in the Sling.  I took off to Sri Lanka for the long weekend with 5 friends (Kelly, Kristen, Alison, Kat and Chris) and we had an amazing time!

We landed around 2am on Thursday morning (after flying BUSINESS!) and hopped in a van - ahem, the rattiest stinkin' van to exist with only three real seats in the back and no a/c - to our hotel in Colombo to catch some z's before our 7:30am (much nicer) van pickup.  The first stop after Colombo (there's not much to see there other than weird - but way cool - hotels with private butlers who constantly ask to give you head massages, though you know the only person he wants to touch is Kristen) was the Pinawala Elephant Orphanage.  Baby elephants are the cutest freaking thing you ever saw.  Although I will say that when Kelly showed me the picture of the blind grandfather elephant with a hard on (I was off in wonderland and missed it) I nearly had a heart attack and got a whole new meaning of the word "elephantiasis".  Jesus I never want to see that again. After purchasing some paper products made from elephant dung, we were off to Kandy.

In Kandy we saw a pretty sweet cultural dance show, complete with men walking on hot coals just after rubbing fire all over their entire bodies (mouths included).  At this point we're basically one full day into the trip and already Kelly and I just want some western food - cheese and tomato sandwiches with french fries for dinner!

From Kandy we left for Unawatuna, stayed on the beach, and had a fabulous time.  Can't really complain - the views were spectacular, the people friendly and smiling, the food came out hot and the beers came out cold.  I've had just about enough rice and curry to last me a long time, to say the least.  It's the food of Sri Lanka and they are damn proud of it!  My goal is to replicate the curry we had at The Lucky Tuna restaurant on Unawatuna Beach.  It had quite a bit of coconut milk, but there was a sort of sweet and spicy zing to it - I kept tasting nutmeg.  So weird.  Be on the lookout for future attempted rice and curry blog posts (whether it's a success is a totally different story).

View of the ocean from Lucky Tuna Restaurant - Unawatuna, Sri Lanka

Ali and Kristen, enjoying some Coronas on the beach.

We took a day trip to Galle Fort as well, did quite a bit of shopping, ate...wait for it...rice and curry, drank some Sri Lankan tea, and watched the sunset.

Good times had by all!

And now, only because I promised...the results from last Tuesday's weigh-in.  Ugh, I just want to cry.  How much weight has Sarah gained?  Do I really have to say it?  135.5.  Dear God ONE THIRTY FIVE POINT FIVE!  It wasn't very long ago I was hanging out at 130 and feeling wonderful!  Now I just feel fat and sassy.
So, I've got some new rules and some new challenges:

1. Change weigh-in day to Friday for a pick-me-up, and so that I can use all of my extra points from the start and be a good girl for the rest of the week!
2. Start measuring inches lost in addition to pounds, every other week or so.
3. Remove all junk food from house!  NOW.
4. Post Smugglette pictures every other week or so, when measuring, so that all of you readers can keep up with my progress.  If putting pictures of myself in a bikini for all the world to see isn't motivation, I don't know what is!
5. No clothing purchases until goal has been achieved.  This is going to be the hardest part.  I am a shopping fanatic!

First round of Smugglettes:

So when am I supposed to reach this goal?  Giving myself plenty of time for ups and downs, I'm setting my 27th birthday, May 14, as goal day.  Bring it!

Greek Week!

No, this isn't the kind of Greek Week where all of your sorority sisters and fraternity brothers get together on the esplanade to see who's better.  It's the Greek Week where we cook healthy, delicious, Greek and Mediterranean-inspired meals...obviously!

I completely skipped weigh-in on Tuesday, because that whole "Sarah's getting back on track and being good" thing from a couple of weeks ago failed miserably.  Sure, I've been tracking.  But I've also been giving in to temptation, overindulging, and skipping the gym.  Why do I do this to myself?  Why do I eat so many scones at my friend's brunch that I feel like I'm going to vomit?  Literally.  I did that.  Yesterday.

I'm counting down the days until Brian and I leave for Houston, and I desperately want to reach my goal before then.  At this rate, if I don't shape up, those last few pounds aren't going to ship out.  So I'm planning ahead - further ahead than ever before!  I've got meals written down and grocery lists made to last me through Thanksgiving, and I'm absolutely stoked to share some of my new recipes with you!  I'll take some from Gina, some from Weight Watchers online, a few from random websites.  And one of these days, before it's all over, I promise to develop one of my own.

So what's a girl to do when she wants so badly to reach her goals, but her own obsessive cravings and lack of motivation gets her down?  Pointers?  Tips?  Inspiring words?  Anyone???

Hibernation Preparation

...That's what I'm calling the last three months.  My preparation for winter hibernation.  I've been filling my stomach with anything and everything, enjoying the Singaporean culinary arts, and my gym has been sending me "I Miss You" cards.  Ok, I lied about the gym...whatever.  I have enough food in my belly to keep me plenty full during the winter months, and that has got to change!  NOW!

Friends have recently joined Weight Watchers, and while I'm sitting a mere 3 pounds away from my goal of 127 (I somehow managed to maintain during my hibernation prep?!?), I figure it's about damn time to stop thinking and start doing.

You got it kids.  I'm back!  Official weigh-in happens tomorrow morning, and my scale is ready.  My squishy arms and legs and belly (and ass...ugh) are getting kicked into shape with some serious spin, body tone, pilates, and yoga exercises.  I'll keep you posted on my progress, the good eats, and what's new in the land of Singers.

New on the menu this week:
Raspberry Mustard Dressing
Salmon Croquettes
Quick Chicken Noodle Soup
Dijon Pork Chops

I'll let you know how they turn out :)

Another Countdown Begins!

My dad and brother have been in town for the past week and a half (they flew back to the US on Saturday morning)...so I haven't had much time to eat healthy or blog about it!
I feel like I lost quite a bit of muscle during their visit, and also like I put on about 80 pounds...the scale will reveal all in the morning.  I'm slightly nervous, not gonna lie.

But all's ok, because tomorrow starts a new week and a new goal!  Brian and I are going to Pulau Sibu with a group of friends the first weekend in November.  My close girlfriend told me Sunday that she wants to get her P90X routine into full spin so that she's uber close to her dream bod by the 3rd of September.  Sounds like an awesome goal to me!  And what better idea than to commit and finally reach my own goals alongside her?!

So there you have it.  The new countdown begins!  I want to have my goal body, my dream body, whatever weight that may be, by September 3rd.  I don't have far to go, and I know I can get there!  It's going to take a ton of hard work (like doubling the spin class schedule and really getting into this crunching pushuping thing!), and even more dedication.  But I know I can do this.  I know we all can do this!

Cross your fingers for tomorrow morning...the scale scares me.

And now, another 15 Minute Meal!

Way back when, I tried Gina's Thai Curry Sauce with some fish and rice, which was super yummy!  Well, lucky me I saved that delicious sauce (frozen in individual portions).
If you need something quick and easy on a busy week night, check this out!

Shrimp and Rice in Thai Coconut Curry Sauce - 6 Points

Adapted from Gina's WW Recipes

• 3 oz frozen, cooked shrimp (2 points)
• 1 serving Thai Coconut Curry Sauce (from Gina's recipe), thawed if frozen (2 points)
• 1/2 cup steamed rice (2 points)

Thaw shrimp by placing them in a collander under cold running water for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat the sauce in a saute pan over very low heat.  When the sauce is heated to your desired temperature and begins to thicken, stir in the thawed shrimp.  Cook the shrimp in the sauce, stirring often, until the shrimp are fully heated and cooked (approximately 2 to 3 minutes).  Be careful not to overcook the shrimp.
Serve over rice and enjoy!

Getting Back on the Horse

My favorite woman in the world recently commented.  She wants more Smuggling Budgies, and asked what's in store for us next.  Well, I have no idea.  May was a month full of travel, restaurants, and fun.  But it was also a month lacking routine, tracking, and motivation.  When you spend a weekend in Thailand, the following weekend celebrating your birthday, the weekend after that showing your boyfriend's family the sights (and eats) of Singapore, and the next week trekking Beijing and The Great Wall, it's a bit tough to stick with it!

So here I am, having fallen from my horse - I'm ready to get back on.  Weigh-in is tomorrow morning, and I have no idea what's in store!  The second to last weight was 135 (up 2lbs from pre-Phuket), but last week was 134.  Considering the events of the past three weeks, I'll take 134 any day!  I am fairly certain tomorrow morning's result will be in the 135 range - this past weekend was none other than a food-fest.

And although I got back on track today, counted every single thing I ate, and am ready to start this week, I'm struggling to find a new goal.  I am a girl of goals!  I want something to work for!
On the one hand, my dad and brother will be here in just over a month.  They're flying all the way from Houston and arrive in Singapore the evening of July 14th.  We leave for Bali, Indonesia on July 19th, so I'd say that's a pretty kickass motivator.  But somehow it just doesn't do the same thing as Phuket and a tiny bikini.

So what's next?  What should I work for?  How about working to reach the goal I've always had, but never reached?  Regardless of what the scale says tomorrow morning, I am ready to commit to this (again) and stay on track through June and the first half of July.  The week my family is here will be full of good eats, but that's ok.
If at that point I've reached my goal, I'll work on maintaining.  If not, I'll keep on trucking along!

It's your comments, your phone calls, your emails, and your love that keeps me inspired.  Please continue to send me updates, and send me your own progress so that I can brag about your successes.

Birthdays ROCK!

Just after writing the previous post, I made my way down to the mailbox area.  I figured it was my birthday and there was definitely going to be something special in there, right?!?!  Well there was.  There totally freaking was.  I call my friend Lynette my "fun new friend", even though we've known each other for a couple years.  It wasn't until she moved to Taipei that we started getting close, which is totally weird, but worked out well!  She moved back to Texas recently, and happened to send me the best unintentional birthday gift to ever exist!  I only say "unintentional" because I am fairly certain it hadn't occurred to her that this present would arrive on my birthday.  I was just lucky!  So there I am, staring at this package from my friend, wondering what the eff is inside!  Is it a book?  It kind of feels like a book...what the heck is this???

That's right, people.  My amazing and fantastic friend Lynette bought me STRAWBERRY CAKE MIX!  Strawberry Quick Cake here I come!!!  ...if only I could finish the lemon!  I'm considering pawning it off on Brian ;)
If you haven't got a clue what I'm referring to, you can check it out here.

On another note, I'm completely and utterly worried about weigh-in tomorrow morning.  My weekend was ridiculous, I ate everything in sight, not to mention drinking what feels like an entire swimming pool of booze.  Last night, standing (swaying?) over my kitchen table at 9pm I decided it was a grand idea to open the box of chocolates from a friend and eat a bite of each one to "sample the flavors".  Needless to say I invented a totally filling and healthy dinner that didn't lack in the flavor department.

Strawberry Balsamic Salad - 5.5 Points

• 1 1/2 cups baby spinach
• 1/2 cup arugula (rocket)
• 1 cup strawberries, sliced
• 1 1/2Tbsp red onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 Tbsp pecans, chopped
• 2 Tbsp Newman's Own Balsamic Vinaigrette (or similar)

Toss all ingredients together and serve!

So back to weigh-in...I'm preparing myself mentally for the scale.  I will take it like a pro, whatever it says.  I have done this to myself willingly, and it was worth every minute!  But now I must get myself back on track and set some new goals.
Now that the Smugglette is out of the way, I think it's time to find a new "something".  Any ideas???  We can count down to my next Bali trip (when my brother and dad arrive!!!), or maybe July 4th?  I want something good!  ...though I don't know if I'll ever top a trip to Thailand and a teensy bikini