Day 10

I really wish I would have photographed last nights dinner, it was amazing. In fact, it was so good that I didn’t want to waste time getting my camera and just dove into eating! LOL! I have two red bell peppers from my organic basket and made stuffed peppers for dinner. I diced up chicken, red onion, garlic and cooked it on the stove top until done. Then added some organic marinara sauce, sliced up olives, black beans and golden raisins and lots of seasonings. Dumped all of that into the red peppers and baked for 15 minutes. So yummy!! I love cooking with whatever I have in my house at the time and seeing what happens!

My husband and I walked up to the store yesterday also and picked up a turkey for dinner on Sunday. It was a great idea until carrying the damn thing home got a little heavy. LOL!

Watched Biggest Loser last night. I have been a fan ever since the first season aired. Loved the guy that came on at the end and had lost 400 lbs. That was amazing! I also liked how he talked about Bob saying that you don’t need a gym membership to lose weight. Walking is free. Amen.

I gave up my gym membership years ago and thankful I did. I have become more creative with my workouts and get to enjoy the outdoors whenever I want….it’s free. My mom also gave me her treadmill when she no longer wanted it, so I have a nice rainy day back up. I always tell people that do not have gym memberships to maybe invest in at least one good piece of equipment to have at home….or watch garage sales!! Last summer I started swimming laps when it was too hot to go out and walk anymore. Wow, what a difference I saw in my upper body! Perfect for all of the tank tops I wore all summer long.

Anyway, it’s Wednesday and we are that much closer to the weekend! Hoping this storm that is coming our way moves out quickly and brings us back our sunshine quickly as well.

Day 10 – March 31, 2010
Weight – 151.8
Calories – WAY TO MANY TO COUNT! OUCH!!
Exercise – 30 Minutes Walking
Alcohol – Four draft Bud Lights

Day 9

I swear, I eat better and workout and all of a sudden I feel lighter and two feet taller. LOL! It’s amazing how your body loves you back when you love your body.

Yesterday was a very good day, both on the program and just everyday life stuff. The weather outside was amazing; however we have another cold front and storm coming through later this week. My husband has also cheered up a little, it helped yesterday when our friends out in the sand called and said don’t come out we’re going home early. So, now he has no reason to go and has already started figuring out projects to do at home this week.

I went ahead and ordered another basket of fruits/veggies from Bountiful Baskets for Saturday. This pick up site is RIGHT by my house, so I’m planning an early morning walk and then swing by and pick up my goodies on the way back home. This one is not 100% organic, but $10 less and the kids wanted to see what all was in it. I still can’t beat all of the goodness for only $15. Even one of my co-workers is trying it out this week.

I had read awhile back somewhere about slicing up cucumber and putting a couple slices in your ice water. Well, I had three from my basket last week and decided to try it out last night….wow, talk about refreshing! I brought some into work with me today to also use in my water. It’s like drinking a glass of Spring. LOL!

Day 9 – March 30, 2010
Weight – 152.0
Calories – 1,310
Exercise – 30 Minutes Walking/35 Minutes Walking
Alcohol – None

Day 8

All in all – A pretty good weekend!

Sunday my husband and I started the day out by walking up to the grocery store to pick up some meat for dinner. My legs were so sore from the bike ride on Saturday that sleeping in over the treadmill was much more enjoyable. However walking to the store was a great way to get 45 minutes in and get something actually done. I was dying to make THIS for dinner and had everything but the meat. Let me tell you….so so good!! Even my son was diggin’ on this last night!! I probably ate a little too much, but so worth every calorie!! We roasted the organic asparagus we got on Saturday to have with it skipping rice and beans, so we did stay on the health side.

My husband had planned on doing one more dune trip with friends this Tuesday – Sunday, but we have a crazy cold front coming in later this week and for him to go just by himself is a little expensive…and then to spend two days with bad wind down there…he decided to skip it. He would have also come home on Sunday and then left Wednesday – Sunday for NASCAR, so I really wanted him to stay home. However, he spent most…no all of Sunday pouting and really brining down the whole weekend. I really want him to stay home, but not if he’s going to be cranky all week now. Hopefully we get REALLY crappy weather and he knows staying home was worth it. LOL! I did promise him that we would go out one night just the two of us to our favorite pizza place and I would have a couple of light beers with him….the things I do for love. LOL!

Since NASCAR was rained out we went to the Art Festival on Sunday after lunch, but again I should have just left my husband at home. It wasn’t much fun and I think my daughter and I only really looked at four vendors. At least we had the opportunity to enjoy the amazing weather for a few hours.

I am really excited about my weight loss for the week. Made up for the vacation week before plus a little. I know this week losing 2 lbs. will be more on the normal side, but I really look forward to mixing up my workouts and having some fun with them. Now that I have my new iPod and Nike + maybe tonight I’ll run a 5k on my treadmill! I am actually excited about working out tonight! I love when I feel like that.

Day 7 – March 28, 2010
Weight – 151.6
Calories – 1,210
Exercise – 45 Minute Walk
Alcohol – None

Day 8 – March 29, 2010
Weight – 152.2
Calories – 1,195
Exercise – 30 Minutes Walking/35 Minutes Run-Walk Treadmill
Alcohol – None

what a saturday

I swear it has been quite the day.

First we learned that the veggie that we didn't know what it was is Fennel and should be fun to cook up later this week.

I cooked up a Morning Star Spicy Black Bean Burger for lunch and placed it on some spinach and sliced up one of the organic grape tomatoes I got to day along with a fried up left over yam that I had. Later my son and I sliced up a Kiwi that we bought last night and had that along with some organic strawberries (from today) and OMG it was so yummy!! They were some of the best strawberries I have had!! Even my son enjoyed them...and really the boy likes nothing. Even this Kiwi thing has thrown me off, but one of his favorite teachers served it up the other day and he's now in love with them.

Anyway, so after lunch we headed over to the Apple store and amazingly I only waited about 10 minutes and they went ahead and exchanged my iPod Touch and my Nike + Sensor. Hopefully I just had a dud and this will take care of it. I plan on trying it out tomorrow on the treadmill.

After my son and I went on a 60 minute bike ride (not including a Luna Bar break). I can't believe I have a 10 year-old who doesn't care if people see him with his mom....mind you, my bike is PINK! LOL! The weather was just amazing outside today and well worth the pain I am sure to feel tomorrow.

Looking forward to some NASCAR tomorrow!! Time to go finish cleaning a few things and then enjoy a book!

Day 6 - Organic Goodness

I had a hard time telling myself to get out from under the goose down, put on your workout gear and tennis shoes, grab the puppies and get outside this morning! But I did!! I really forgot how much I love being outside as the sun is coming up, the air is cool, hot air balloons in the distance....amazingly relaxing! I got a good 35 minutes in and made it home in time to whip up some egg whites and spinach for breakfast and then it was off to the co-op to pick up our goodies!

I was surprised at how many people where there, but the organic only basket line was much shorter than the other line. The kids came with me to help put the two baskets of fruits and veggies into our bags and then we were home in no time. I couldn't believe how much we got for only $25!! AND it's 100% organic!! We got lettuce, 3 cucumbers, 4 mangos, a bag of yams (my favorite!!), 8 bananas, strawberries, 8 apples, asparagus, grape tomatoes, 2 red peppers and some celery looking thing that I'm not sure what it is? LOL! All in all, can't wait to eat all of that goodness!! Even my sceptical husband was amazed by all of that goodness.

Today I have an "appointment" at the Apple Store for them to look at my stupid iPod Touch. What the *#&@ is an "appointment generation Touch just for the Nike + since it wouldn't work with my 1st generation one (my daughter now owns). The Nike + sensor keeps dying way too early than it should. Some times the fitness lady's voice comes on like it should, some times it doesn't (maybe she's on break or something...I don't know) and there are days the battery sucks dry in MINUTES when it's just playing music (no wireless or anything else on). I just hate going to the Apple store even with an "...ugh. This is now my second trip and really enough already let me exchange it for a new one. This has been such a cluster. I bought the 2ndappointment I still end up waiting 30 minutes or more...guess they hope I'll shop and buy something else while waiting. The bummer part about getting a new iPod is loading everything back on. Well, wish me luck!

Back to cleaning! Happy Saturday!!

Day 6 – March 27, 2010
Weight – 152.4
Calories – 1,250
Exercise – 35 Minutes Walking and 60 Minute Bike Ride
Alcohol – None

Day 5

Another positive day yesterday. Our boss was nice enough to watch the phones for us and we got to walk in the most amazing spring weather! What a way to break up the work day and refresh for the afternoon. I also broke out my DVD exercise ball workout and did 30 minutes of that when I got home. After I grabbed my new Shape magazine and sat out by the pool relaxing for awhile before throwing dinner into the oven. I love this time of the year.

One of our new clothing vendors has a workout line called Alo and I am loving their bamboo apparel!! My rep has sent me a few items to look at and I know I will be ordering a few more in the future. It has a nice longer length and moves really nice. I look forward to putting it to the workout test and see how it does.

Tomorrow I will be up with the dogs in the morning walking. Figure if I am up by 6am (should be easy since husband will be up going to work), get a good hour walk in, then pick up our fruit/veggie basket at 8am and then home to clean myself up for the day.

I am also planning a day of spring cleaning. Start at one end of the house and work my way to the other end. Maybe a break here or there to sit out by the pool with a new book I just received from a co-worker. I also am thinking about breaking out a Yoga DVD that a friend gave me way back when. I took some Yoga classes and really enjoyed them, but it comes down to paying for them…if I can do it at home and save the money that I’ll do that.

Sunday, no plans yet and I am okay with that. I’m sure it will involve laundry and maybe a little more cleaning.

I hope everyone has a beautiful and relaxing weekend!

Day 5 – March 26, 2010
Weight – 153.2
Calories – 1,250
Exercise – 30 Minutes Walking
Alcohol – None

Day 4

No lunch time walk yesterday since the gal who answers our phones was out sick (as again today) and I had to help with phones. Hoping we can talk the boss into 30 minutes of phone baby sitting today for us as the weather is suppose to be 80 degrees today!

My husband and I did get 55 minutes in yesterday after I got home from work. We had planned on going up to the Jr. High and do some running, but didn’t think about the fact that Track and Field is going on right now. We still had a great walk, but I need to figure out a small snack to have before going out. I have been finding myself really sluggish at the end of our walks the last couple of days. Tonight I am planning on breaking out the exercise ball, resistant bands and the workout DVD that goes with it. I have been bad about strength training lately and it has really started to show. After last summer my arms were looking hot with all of the swimming I was doing. Time to tone those babies up!!

For dinner last night we cooked up another recipe from the Biggest Loser Family Cookbook, Grilled Chicken Parmesan. My husband bought the best organic marinara sauce! Another two thumbs up from the family.

Thankful that today is Thursday and the work week is coming to an end. I plan on getting back into my early morning weekend walks with the dogs. I love being out when the sun is just starting to come up and I have two Cavaliers who also enjoy it. However, I have been really bad this winter and skipped most all my morning walks. Just something about the cold this year did not appeal to me. I love spring mornings, coming home from a walk and sitting out on the back patio by the pool enjoying a hot cup of coffee. What a perfect way to start off a weekend day!

Well, here is to a happy Thursday!

Day 4 – March 25, 2010
Weight – 154.0
Calories – 1,205
Exercise – 30 Minute Walk/30 Minute DVD Workout
Alcohol – Nope

my first award!!

I was given this very pretty award from Happy Texans. Thank you so much! I love Kelly’s blog and find her to be very motivating!!

* Thank and link to the person that gave you the award.
* Pass this award on to 15 (I could only come up with 10...sorry) fantastic bloggers you’ve recently discovered.
* Contact said Blogs and let them know they’ve won.
* State 7 things about yourself.

Here are the 15 fantastic bloggers I have recently discovered:

1. http://www.embracingbalance.com/
2. http://escapefromobesity.blogspot.com/
3. http://www.myjourneytofit.com/
4. http://letthemeatlettuce.blogspot.com/
5. http://danasafattymcbutterpants.blogspot.com/
6. http://fatbutchanging.blogspot.com/
7. http://www.skinnytaste.com/
8. http://tiffskinnyjeans.blogspot.com/
9. http://calialexandra.wordpress.com/
10. http://judydownunderadventure.blogspot.com/
    
    Seven things about ME:
    
    1. I was born in Germany. Only lived there for a few years while my father was in the Navy.
    2. I hated my red hair until my 20’s…that’s when I found the effects it had on men…not boys.
    3. I use to be a scrapbook artist and have been on QVC and DIY.
    4. I have four tattoos and really would like another one.
    5. My husband and I met on New Years Eve and were engaged 30 days after. We are going on 16 years!
    6. I love going to the sand dunes in our RV. We have a golf cart and very cool sand rail that we take out. It is the best family time ever!
    7. I worry all the time about what others think of me. I know, I am very insecure and hate it.

Day 3

Another great day! Yesterday was a huge difference in how I felt over Monday. I woke up bright eyed and ready to start the day and felt great all through the day. My co-worker and I got in a good 30 minute walk and were very thankful that the rain had stopped right before we left. Then in the evening my husband and I did another 45 minutes. He has plans tonight to take me over to the Jr. High School and run laps at the track and then do bleachers….ugh!! I’m 40 and my body really doesn’t like to move that way anymore. LOL!

For dinner last night my husband had picked out a Szechuan Beef and Broccoli recipe out of the Biggest Loser Family cookbook. He even went shopping for me! I really love when he gets on the program with me. Anyway, the dish was really easy to cook and I pulled out some of the meat before putting the Szechuan sauce on it since I knew my 10 year-old wouldn’t like it being so spicy. The dish was a total hit!

I was in bed again last night at 8:30 pm just dead tired. I start my mornings during the week at 5am and the last few nights I have slept straight through to my alarm clock going off. Wow, I have been waking up feeling good.

Here is what I did eat yesterday. I try to stretch out my calories during the whole day otherwise I really feel my blood sugar and energy level drop throughout the day.

• Breakfast – 3 egg whites scrambled with spinach and topped with salsa.
• Snack – Luna Bar.
• Lunch – Vegetarian Tuna (beans & Carrots) on spinach.
• Snack – Strawberries and sliced up banana.
• Snack – Quaker Mini Rice Cakes
• Dinner – Szechuan Beef and Broccoli with Whole grain rice.
• Snack – Microwave apple with cinnamon and a few walnuts.

Really excited about Saturday getting here and picking up my fruit/veggie basket to see what all we get. I forgot to tell the kids about it last night, but I know they’ll be going through it asking, “What’s this one mom?” “What’s that one mom?”

So, one of my biggest day to day struggles lately has been finding happiness in the everyday. Ever see the movie “Groundhog Day”? I feel like that is my life. I get up, go to work, go home, workout, make dinner, watch TV, and go to bed. That is my Monday – Friday. A few years ago I left the scrapbook business where I worked as a designer and instructor. I loved it, but it dried me up creatively and I have absolutely no joy for it anymore. I have tried to work on a few things, but I just don’t feel it anymore. I wanted to accomplish things this year, maybe learn something new but I have yet to venture out to try anything. This has all been mentally hard on me. I’m tired of feeling tired. I have thought of going out to a craft/hobby store over the weekend to see if I could find something to thrill me. Oh well, we will see what happens.

Day 3 – March 24, 2010
Weight – 155.8
Calories – 1,205
Exercise – 55 Minutes Walking
Alcohol – None and no diet soda

Day 2

Yesterday was a really good and positive day. It’s amazing when you abuse your body for several days by eating like crap and not working out just how bad you can feel. I was in this crazy funk all day until about 7pm, and then listened to my body and went to bed before 9pm. Boy do I feel better day!

I know my calories were a little low yesterday, but it seemed like I was eating all day long. Breakfast was a Luna bar since I woke up slow and didn’t give myself enough time to cook something up. Morning snack, Quaker mini rice cakes. Lunch, my veggie tuna on spinach and diet soda (something that I normally NEVER drink). Afternoon snack, a cup of strawberries and one sliced up banana. Dinner a turkey burger with Laughing Cow Cheese and salsa and roasted cauliflower. Then final snack, a microwaved apple with cinnamon and walnuts.

For exercise my co-worker and I got 30 minutes in walking at lunch, and then my husband and I did 45 minutes after work. I would have like to do some running, but I had a thumping headache when I had gotten home. I do plan on getting in some good abs workouts in this week since bathing suit season is right around the corner.

I have a co-worker/friend that lives in San Diego (she is also pushing me to do the 3-Day Walk with her in November) who has really done well with going more organic and less processed. She has been telling me about co-ops for getting my fruits and veggies, and I realized that I have one just SECONDS from my house at the park down the street. I had always wondered what was going on down there! LOL! I found the website yesterday and the price is pretty good. For 100% organic fruit/veggie basket it was only $25. There is one coming up with weekend, so I am thinking about putting my order in later today. I like the idea of maybe getting a fruit or veggie that I have never used and coming up with ways to cook it up. I know my kids would really dig that. I will make sure to blog on Saturday of all of the good stuff that we get!

Day 2 – March 23, 2010
Weight – 157.6
Calories – 1,213
Exercise – 1 hour 15 minutes/walking
Alcohol – ZERO and no diet soda!

21 Day Challenge - Day 1

Back from vacation and up a little over six pounds. Not shocked, so just moving forward. We had an amazing family trip out in the sand dunes and it was all well worth it. LOL!! Leaving it at that.
Today – I was really inspired by this blog and her “21 Day Challenge” and thought why not have my own 21 Day Challenge! Now if you do read her blog you’ll see she just found she’s pregnant…I’m skipping that part. LOL!

Here is what I would like to accomplish during these 21 days (03/22/10 – 04/11/10):

• No alcohol
• More organic eating
• Exercise 5-6 days per week
• Less processed food
• Track daily on my iPod Touch my calorie intake

For some crazy reason having a goal like this kind of gets me excited. The weather has also been warming up nicely and I so look forward to wearing less clothing. This does remind me that summer will be here quickly and I better get my butt moving if I want to fit into any of my bathing suits! So, here is to my 21 Day Challenge!! Woo-Hoo!!

I will fill in my daily sats at the beginning of the following day.

Day 1 – March 22, 2010
Weight – 159.6
Calories – 1,152
Exercise – 1 hour 15 min Walking
Alcohol – None, but 1 diet soda

monday

This weekend went downhill pretty quickly, and you know what? I didn’t fight it. The weather was amazing and I had a perfect weekend!

Come Monday the 22nd, back on the program and back on hard! One thing I do want to do when I get back from vacation is head over to the Apple store. At Christmas I purchased a new iPod Touch (replacing my 1st generation one) because I really wanted the Nike +. Since I purchased it I had it back in due to the battery just sucks dry in minutes. No rhyme or reason why, just some times it does and some times it doesn’t. Also my Nike + has never worked correctly. Some times the voice comes on, and some times it doesn’t. I have also had two of the sensors that go into your shoes die on me already! Does anyone else have these issues?!? I love tracking my distance and time and this really frustrates me.

Anyway, my back has seemed to heal pretty nicely. That will teach me for climbing out of the Laz-boy the wrong way. LOL! I plan on taking my tennis shoes with me on vacation in hopes of getting some walking in. I am so looking forward to this trip!! My son will be turning 10 on St. Patrick’s Day….huge party day planned! I even have my finger nails painted green; we tend to take St. Patty’s Day pretty serious! LOL!

I was proud of myself for even getting onto the scale this morning. Not shocked about the weight gain, but not happy either. Vacation this week. Back to the program next Monday. It’s all good.

moving the wrong direction

This week has not been the most positive week when it comes to diet and exercise. My lower back and left leg have still been painful, but it is slowly getting better. I did get out and walk with my co-workers both yesterday and today at lunch. Eating, yea that really sucks right now. Monday night was pizza and beer. Tuesday night was Outback with my co-worker. Wednesday was happy hour and then pasta and beer at home. This morning one of my reps came in with Starbucks coffee and scones (I ate two of the damn things).

I think I have this mentality that I am going on vacation next week so really why even bother this week?

I do know better though. So, I screwed up. It happens. What matters are the choices I make now. I walked today. Have eaten great the rest of today. Planning a healthy dinner for tonight. Move on.

I have stayed off the scale, so I don’t depress myself. LOL!

The rain seems to be gone and looking forward to a beautiful weekend. I will get outside as much as possible and keep chugging forward.

40 and feeling it

Yesterday I forgot, still not sure how I could forget, to share my stupidity from Sunday evening. I was relaxing on my husbands Lazy-Boy watching some TV along with my two puppies. They were sound asleep and being the good doggie mommy that I am I didn’t want to disturb them by putting the foot part of the Lazy-Boy down and planned to just swing over the right side of the chair to get out, as I have done many a times. However, this time as I swung my left leg over to hop out I pulled something. Shooting pain along my lower back and straight down my left leg. I swear. Turning 40 was not what I thought it was going to be. I hardly slept Sunday night was surprised to still be in so much pain Monday morning. Driving to work was almost unbearable. Even sitting at my desk was painful. I knew there was no working out last night and made the wrong (but still right….I was with my wonderful husband) to go out for dinner. Dinner being pizza and beer (light beer!). Then it was home on the couch with my husband trying to rub out my back for me.

I was happy to have slept well last night and the pain today is not as bad. It mostly hurts to bend over and moving around is just a tick painful still. Not sure if I will be able to get in any exercise tonight or not, and my co-worker who is flying in today did want to go out for dinner…ugh. I promise to be good though!!

Yesterday I did enjoy my first Luna Bar! OMG, these are so good. I have to say that I am a real snob when it comes to any type of bar/protein bar. I absolutely cannot stand that vitamin taste that so many of them have. I love that the Luna bars are 70% organic and actually have a great flavor taste to them! I try not to use bars of any type as a main staple in my daily diet, but they are nice to have around for being on the go. Two thumbs up Luna!!

monday weigh in

I am happy starting the week out 3.6 pounds less than last week! I had hoped to be a little bit more active over the weekend, but all in all it was a good positive weekend. Normally when I take a couple of weeks off of the program I can drop 3-5 lbs. easily the first week of being good again. I hope to see two more pounds off next Monday!

Yesterday my daughter and I ventured out into the rain (tired of this rain!!) and went over to Trader Joe’s to pick up a few things. TJ is about 6 or 7 miles from our house, but in a direction that I totally never go so driving to TJ is a real treat for me. When we first arrive and I head over to grab my favorite hummus we notice three TJ employees quickly pulling ALL of the meat out of the cooler and chucking it into shopping carts. I’m thinking maybe the cooler broke and they don’t want the meat to go bad. Until I notice a strange smell and realize they are having a small electrical fire behind the meat section of the cooler. All I can think is, “crap they better not close the store down before I check out!!” LOL! Lucky for us we moved through the store pretty quickly and by the time we were checking out two fire trucks showed up and they were out of the store as quickly as they had shown up. I guess the TJ employees had it well handled, thank goodness.

A couple challenges before me this week, but I’m not too worried. I am damned and determined to fit into my shorts next week on vacation, so I have good motivation to keep me going!

Now I will be completely honest regarding the actual vacation next weekend. I WILL be drinking beer and eating not all that great. I’m sorry, but it’s vacation. I do plan on brining my walking shoes and hopefully getting some exercise in. One of the guys going with us is always up early walking. Normally I am the fast walker with my group at work, but this man kicks my ass walking. I know I can burn some serious calories hitting the pavement with him.

lazy weekend

Friday night is normally our Wal-Mart night, but this week I decided to take off work a few minutes early and get home to enjoy a nice walk. The weather was going to get crappy AGAIN over the weekend, so thought I better get out while I could. The husband was even nice enough to walk with me!

I also decided to whip up a nice dinner for the family and made veggie lasagna. This crazy dish will get even my son to eat veggies! I love adding what ever I have in my fridge, toss it together, bake and then dinner is served! Nothing like ending the day with the family together around the table. 99% of the time when we eat at the table it is a healthy dinner. Being married to a man who enjoys eating healthy makes it really easy. We are not a fast food family, thank goodness, in fact I don't think I could tell you the last time we had McDonald's (or any fast food) for dinner...or lunch.

Saturday I woke slow and just couldn't seem to find my energy all day. I spent most of it in the lazy-boy watching Tom Hank movies all day. The puppies enjoyed this idea and pretty much laid across my lap making it even more difficult for me to try and do anything else. I did go pull the treadmill out, looked at it, and then when back in the the great room to watch TV.

Today thought, turning it around...slowly. I woke up with a 9.5 headache, but thank goodness it started to wear off enough for me to get 45 minutes done on the treadmill. Good note....NO BEER this weekend! I am so proud of myself! My eating has been top notch and heading out to Trader Joe's here in a little while to pick up a few things for the week.

A little worried about this week. I have an out of town co-worker/friend coming in for a few days. She did want to go out walking after work on Tuesday, but also wanted to do dinner. I hate being away from home when I'm trying to stick to the program. I hate not knowing how they are preparing my meal. I know I have control issues. LOL! Wednesday is also happy hour/going away party for a co-worker. Mexican food and beer. UGH. I plan on staying positive, ordering water and think about what is going into my mouth. The weather this week should be good though and I can at least get in my lunch walks.

Okay, enough thinking ahead to this week and time to enjoy today! Happy Sunday!!

Starting Week Weight – 154.2
Target Weight – 139
Current Week Weight – 150.4
This Weeks Loss/Gain -

evil treadmill

Treadmills really are evil. I came to this conclusion at 4:50 am this morning. They are evil, horrible, dangerous things! I knew last night when I jumped into bed that I didn’t push the treadmill back far enough into the corner. Sure enough I climbed out of bed this morning and ran my whole right foot right into the damn thing. I dropped to the floor seeing stars and profanity flowing from my mouth. My poor husband jumped out of bed from a dead sleep thinking I broke a hip or was having a hearth attack. It took me a few minutes before I could even find the strength the get up and crawl back into bed. I swear. You would have thought it was Monday morning, not Friday morning. Wearing socks to work today, just socks, hurts to badly to put any shoes on. LOL!

I would have to say yesterday was a B+ day. I got in a 30 minute walk at lunch and then another 45 minutes walking with my husband after work. Ate great until I started cooking dinner and then a little too much snacking on the mini chocolate rice cakes and almond butter. Normally I am good by just making a serving size plate so I know how much I am eating, but not yesterday. Naughty, naughty Kate.

Back to dinner. This is one of my family’s favorite meals and so easy to make! Almond Crusted Chicken Fingers. They taste just like fried chicken but, only better!

From EatingWell: August/September 2005, The EatingWell Healthy in a Hurry Cookbook (2006)
Makes 4 servings Active Time: 20 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes


Ingredients
• Canola oil cooking spray
• 1/2 cup sliced almonds
• 1/4 cup whole-wheat flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 4 large egg whites
• 1 pound chicken tenders

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 475°F. Line a baking sheet with foil. Set a wire rack on the baking sheet and coat it with cooking spray.
2. Place almonds, flour, paprika, garlic powder, dry mustard, salt and pepper in a food processor; process until the almonds are finely chopped and the paprika is mixed throughout, about 1 minute. With the motor running, drizzle in oil; process until combined. Transfer the mixture to a shallow dish.
3. Whisk egg whites in a second shallow dish. Add chicken tenders and turn to coat. Transfer each tender to the almond mixture; turn to coat evenly. (Discard any remaining egg white and almond mixture.) Place the tenders on the prepared rack and coat with cooking spray; turn and spray the other side.
4. Bake the chicken fingers until golden brown, crispy and no longer pink in the center, 20 to 25 minutes.

Nutrition
Per serving : 174 Calories; 4 g Fat; 1 g Sat; 2 g Mono; 66 mg Cholesterol; 4 g Carbohydrates; 27 g Protein; 1 g Fiber; 254 mg Sodium; 76 mg Potassium

I am hoping that my foot is feeling well enough to hop on the treadmill today after work. My husband and I also talked about going out for a 6-7 mile walk tomorrow morning. Looking forward to the weekend. My goal right now is just to stay healthy and keep working out before going on vacation during spring break. Really need to fit into my shorts that week!! Also thinking about hitting the farmers market and Trader Joe’s to do some shopping. I have been a little lazy with my lunches at work the last two weeks and have been eating a lot of Amy’s soups and I’m not crazy about all of that sodium. Maybe I can come up with some new fresh ideas. I have been eating lots of veggie salads, but need to pump them up a little bit I think.

Have a healthy weekend!

new recipe and an a+ day

One thing I really like to do is cook healthy for my family. I do have a 9 year-old that is a little on the picky side, so some times it’s a challenge coming up with something that we can all enjoy together.

A couple of weeks ago I ordered the Biggest Losers Family Cookbook with hopes of finding some fun new dinner ideas. Normally I am an online freak printing out all kinds of interesting sounding recipes and using my family as guinea pigs. Anyways, I finally got around to trying one recipe from the book that we all thought sounded pretty good. It was a Blue Cheese Buffalo Chicken Meatloaf. The recipe was very easy to put together (which I really like) and simple ingredients (another plus). I threw it all together as soon as I got home from work, wrote out instructions for my 13 year-old daughter as to when to heat up the oven and when to toss in and then I hit the treadmill for a good 30+ minutes.

As I set the table for dinner I did realize that stupid me forgot to put the buffalo wing sauce into the meatloaf….I swear. However, in the long run this worked out just fine since my son is not a fan of spicy food. Everyone just poured on what they wanted. The recipe was pretty good, although I still feel like it was missing a little something.

I would have to say yesterday was an A+ day for me regarding my calorie in take and my treadmill workout AND walked 30 minutes during my lunch break. Pretty much a perfect day!

I have a new favorite evening dessert! I slice up an apple, place in a bowl with a small amount of water. Microwave for 3 minutes. Place on a plate, sprinkle with cinnamon, small amount of brown sugar and a few crushed up walnut pieces. Oh, heck…it’s like hot apple pie!!

Once I get myself back into the swing of things I always feel so much better. Right now by biggest struggle is trying to figure out HOW to maintain my weight once I get down to where I want to be. I have been reading lots of blogs on women trying to lose large amounts of weight and the struggles they face. I understand that and can relate to that, I have several co-workers and friends fighting that fight now. My question is how the heck do you maintain once you do lose that weight? This is a fight that I have with myself and I’m sure I cannot be the only one out there wondering the same thing.

Until I reach my goal and figure how to stay there for awhile I plan on just chugging along. What else can I do?

The husband promised to go out walking/running with me today after work. I talked to him last night about wanting to run a 5K and he agreed to help me, but I have to quit crying when we do run. LOL! I’ll try, but not sure if I can promise that….just being honest. ;)

Starting Week Weight – 154.2
Target Weight – 139
Current Week Weight – 152.8
This Weeks Loss/Gain -

a new foot forward

So, most of my battle comes from that fact that I am either an all or nothing type of person. I am 110% into my diet, workout…the whole low calorie enchilada or 110% into binge eating, drinking beer, no workout…the whole enchilada with two servings of chips! I start off well and then say Super Bowl Sunday hits, well just this one day I’ll be bad and have some fun. However the next weekend is the Daytona 500/Valentine’s Day and it’s okay to be bad then too…heck might as well be bad from the one to the other right? That’s how my brain works.

I have a wonderful family, so really there’s no stress there. They are supportive all though it would be nice if my husband would walk with me more.

Work…lots of stress there. I have been completely unhappy lately and it sure as hell isn’t the best time to be looking for a new job. Because of this I normally go home tired and not wanting to do much of anything. My co-worker and I both are feeling the same pain have been trying to get out for 30 minutes everyday and get a good walk in. We have had a lot of weather permitting type of days lately, but are starting to get back into the swing of things.

Why do I want to lose the weight?

I turned 40 last year and I am not ready to lose my youth. Since losing the weight and working out I feel better than I have in my 30’s. I have discovered that I love being outside! So, it’s more of an inside/outside feeling that I love. I want to feel great and look great! LOL!

My fitness goal?

I would love to become a runner. Right now I am 155% not a runner. It’s pretty sad when I do try to run. You would think I smoked three packs of cigarettes a day (I don’t smoke at all!). I dream of running a 5K and actually running, not walking. My husband has tried to help, but I am always full of excuses when it comes to running. I just don’t enjoy it, but I keep thinking of I really try maybe one day I would love it.

Living a healthy lifestyle goal?

I really want to give up as much meat and processed food as possible. More organic food it my diet would also be good. Normally I am not much of a meat lover, so that’s pretty easy. I love veggie burgers and lucky for me my husband and family don’t mind my veggie meals either. Processed foods I have really been trying to cut out. I don’t drink soda, so that’s good. Anyway, this is newer to me and I have just started doing some reading on it all.

Anyway, I am starting March off on a new foot (although I do have a vacation coming up with month…that could be bad). Getting back into tracking everything that I put into my mouth and the calories. I find this helps keep my honest and accountable! Will focus on the positive of working out and eating healthy!!

Starting Week Weight – 154.2
Target Weight – 139
Current Week Weight –
This Weeks Loss/Gain -

a new month and a fresh start

This is not a new journey for me. I have been working hard for awhile now, but still finding challenges along the way. I have found that by journaling, using my iTouch "Lose It!" app and by writing on my blog it has helped me be honest and work hard. However I have found it hard to write about my weight loss on my family blog and decided to create a new site just for this! I want to be honest and write about anything and everything that I feel like I can't say on my other blog.

I plan on tracking my daily calories, recipes, ups and down....all of it right here! I also am sharing other blogs that really inspire me and help keep me on track.

Welcome to my crazy world! Glad you stopped by. :)