Reflections of 2011

It's the last day of December, ...wow!  Really, just wow.

This year has brought about many positive changes towards gaining better health and fitness:

• I joined Weight Watchers
• I re-joined BootCamp
• I joined Max'd Out Fitness
• I gave up Diet Soda
• I fell back in love with WATER
• I gave up Caffeine
• I RAN my 1st 5K Race
• I started Eating Clean

Fast Food, Diet Soda, and Sugar

I said goodbye to fast food and diet soda in 2011.  I tried to say goodbye to sugar but it managed to sweet-talk it's way into staying in my life.

I am proud of my attempts, ...from June until October I did not eat any foods with added sugar of any kind.  Yes, I actually went five whole months, incredible progress for me.

Then, on October 10th, while enjoying dinner with my handsome magician I indulged in one bite of Friday's Peanut Butter pie (honestly, I would have eaten the whole thing but was full).  Then, I said goodbye again for another two months before I found myself saying hello to my homemade Orange Sweet Pecan Roll on Christmas morning. 

That was just enough to get the addiction going again.  It's sad but true, ...the week between Christmas and New Year's I ate a small bite here and another bite there of Kenny's sweetened treats (strawberry yogurt ice-cream, pancakes with maple syrup and a chocolate ho-ho).  It should of stopped there but didn't.  Nutcracker Ball Cookies.  Yes, just three little words, but they have such a festive ring, don't they?

I made a batch on Wednesday evening and by Thursday evening, they were gone.  GONE!  Yes, I ate all 18 of those little nutty balls.  I continued to eat clean, so I wasn't hungry.  Yet, I couldn't stop eating them, all of them ...until they were gone.  Yes, they were tasty, but it was more than that.  I wasn't eating, I was "feeding" an addiction to sugar.  Oh, and did I mention that they are 3 pts. each?   Ugghh, I did the math, that's 54 (frick'en) pts.!!!  Geeze Louise!!!

So (again) I am reminded that I have an addiction to sugar.  As sweet as it is (and it always is) I know that the time has come again for me to say goodbye to sugar.

Cheers!!! (my glass of water is held high) ...Here's to a sweet year in 2012 without any sugar!!!

If I could only tweak my cookie into a turkey burger

I've been really good about avoiding sweet foods, ...until now.  I stumbled upon Glo's site and what did I see, ...right there looking back at me was her Nutcracker Ball Cookies.  Not sure what exactly, but something about this recipe called my name.

I made a batch (18 cookies to be exact) and can't stop eating them!  If only I could "tweak" the cookie and turn it into a turkey burger ...I'd be a happy, happy girl!!!

UPDATE:  The Recipe Builder at Weight Watchers calculates these little babies at 3 pts. per cookie, ..yeah, I think I'll have another one!

2nd UPDATE:  WARNING!!!  They are actually 54 pts. (well, that is if you eat the entire batch by yourself!)

Flash cook or freeze!

Quick and Easy Chicken Breasts

Smart "Tart" Snacking!

Granny Smith Apple slices w/1 tbl. Peanut Butter

Additional Information:

• Weight Watchers Points Plus = 3 pts.

Goal Setting

"SMART Goals"

 

"S - They should be SPECIFIC.

Make them detailed and unambiguous so that you know exactly what you are trying to achieve.

M – They should be MEASURABLE.

There needs to be a means in which you can measure progress and know that you have achieved your goal.

A – They should be ATTAINABLE.

A goal needs to be something that you know that you can achieve.  You definitely don’t want it to be too easy, but you also don’t want it to be out of your reach.

R – Goals need to be REALISTIC.

Make sure that you give yourself enough time to achieve the goal and that it suits your interests, needs, and abilities. 

T – Make sure a goal is bound by TIME.

Set deadlines & timelines for goals to help keep you on track & focused towards the finish line."  (ErinLea)

Lets' ...do it!!!

"The difference between who we want to be and who we are ...

is what we do!" (CoastGirl)

Merry Christmas

 

Original graphics by Betsy at Growlibear Graphics

Placed 2nd!

This is the last race of the year, ...7 5K's and a 1/2 Marathon since May 2011!

I am so excited I came in 2nd place (in my division) and was awarded my first trophy!!!

Noel 5K Race

 December 17, 2011

Pink & Black ...yes, Just Do It!!!

Pink & Black, ...my favorite "go to" colors!!!

Progress Photos

These were taken on 11-19-2011.
Weight:  156.4 lbs.

(Front View)

(Back View)

Lip Smacking Snacks

Sliced Braeburn Apple w/2 tbl. Almond Butter

Additional Information:

• Weight Watchers Points Plus = 5 pts.

Fresh to Frozen

Preparing my fresh veggies for the deep freezer.

These will be grilled, roasted or sauteed, ...

so quick and easy to just grab them and throw them into a recipe!

EC Cooler

Greek Yogurt Veggie Dip - Salsa Cilantro

This is sooooo good!

 

Additional Information:

• Weight Watchers Points Plus = 2 pts. per serving (2 tbl.)
• ECD = 1g sugar per serving (I know), however, it provides 200mg of Omega 3 per serving.

Whole Wheat Tortillas

Weight Watchers Points Plus = 1 pt.

Organic RiceMilk (Unsweetened)

Good Belly Probiotic Juice: Mango

Another year, fast approaching, ...

Weigh In: 12-13-2010

"You don't know where you’re going ...until you know where you've been."

Another year is fast approaching, ...and I'm so happy to be on my way!  It's important to look back at where you have been so that you will appreciate where you are.  When I weighed 185.6 lbs., I wasn't focused on how I looked or felt, ...honestly, I was just focused on food.  Mostly, fast food. 

Today, I am still focused on food, but in a different way.  I have learned that "food is fuel" and that it's more important to choose foods that will nourish your body not just tickle your tastebuds. 

Green Tropic Protein Shake

This is a little high in points (for Weight Watcher followers) but it really packs a punch in nutrition; it's filled with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant-rich fruits/veggies so it's worth it!  ; )

Ingredients:

1 cup - Rice Milk

2 scoops - Plant Protein Powder

1 tsp. - Orange Extract

8 oz. - Mango (Good Belly Juice)

1 cup - Baby Spinach

1 tbl. - Pina Colada Fish Oil (Barleans or The Vitamin Shoppe)

6 - ice cubes

Procedure:

Put all ingredients into a blender, whirl (blend until smooth) and Enjoy!!!

Substitutes:

• Use Almond or Soy milk instead of Rice milk.  (point value may change)
• Use Vanilla Protein Powder instead of Plant Protein Powder.  (point value may change)

Additional Information:

• Weight Watchers Points Plus = 8 pts.

This is how you remind me of who I am! : )

60:24 = 1 hour, 24 seconds Interval Training

5:03 = 5.03 miles

800 = 800 calories burned

Run 2 miles for 20 minutes

Walk/Run Intervals:  Walk 4mph / Run 8mph (1 minute each) for 40:24 minutes

Ham & Veggie Frittata

Ingredients:

1 cup - egg whites

2 - eggs (whole)

1/2 cup - pepper mix (red, yellow, orange)

1/2 cup onions (diced)

2 tbl. - cilantro

15 turns - lemon pepper seasoning (Trader Joe's)

1/2 cup - ham (diced)

Procedure:

1.) Mix all ingredients together, scoop into greased muffin tin. 

2.)  Bake at 350* for 45 minutes.

3.) Allow to cool, eat immediately or refrigerate.

Eat & Enjoy!

NOTE:  Makes 10 large or 12 medium muffins.

Rise and Shine

Egg white omelette w/sweet peppers.
Sides: blueberries, ezekial toast w/apple butter.

So yummy!

Grilled baja chicken w/grilled peaches, juice sweetened cranberries and cilantro. Sides: steamed broccoli, baked then mashed sweet potato.

Week 4 of 8 Week Challenge!

Today is Day 28 of my Max'd Out 8 Week Challenge!

Week 1 Rules: 
30 minutes of Cardio 3 x per week in addition to 40 minutes of Max'd Out.
64 ounces of water daily
No Fast Food
+
Week 2 Rules:
2 Veggies per day (frozen/raw - no butter, cream or sauce.)
+
Week 3 Rules:
Brown bag (2 snacks & 1 lunch) 3 days per week.  (Write down what you eat in your logbook and only eat what's "in the bag.")
+
Week 4 Rules:
30-40 minutes of Interval Training 1 x per week in addition to 40 minutes of Max'd Out.

Why does exercise make me gain weight?

You have started working out, but the number on the scale is going up instead of down. It could be that you are building muscle, which weighs more than fat, but it may also be that you are not burning off more calories than you consume. Diet and exercise should go hand in hand to promote weight loss. Discuss your weight concerns with a health-care provider and ask him for weight-loss strategies.

Muscle Vs. Fat

If you regularly perform strength-training workouts, such as lifting weights, your muscles are going to grow. The standard recommendation for strength-training is two sessions per week, but if you are doing more than this or lifting heavy weights, you could be contributing to your weight gain. However, even if the number on the scale goes up, your body will look more toned and fit, and you will improve your health. Muscle tissue weighs more than fatty tissue does, and keeping an eye on your body fat percentage, as well as your overall weight, is a better indicator of your fitness level than weight alone.

Credit: http://www.livestrong.com/article/379300-why-does-exercise-make-me-gain-weight/#ixzz1fWrnX0FY

Remember - the scale is just a tool!

Weight Watchers Meeting:

Today's "weigh in" showed a gain of 2.2 lbs., ...I handled it with grace.  Why?  Because I know that the scale doesn't define how I look or feel, it's just another "tool" for me to track my progress.

As I always do, I look back at my week to see what worked and what didn't.  This week was a really good week, ...I ate clean ALL WEEK long.  I increased the duration and the intensity of my work outs, and (drumroll) I was able to get into another (size 8) skinny jeans.

So, for me it was a very successful week, ...I am moving forward, step by step in the right direction.

Baked pork chops with granny smith apples and sweet vidalia onions.

 Sides: fresh steamed carrots and whole wheat couscous.

Gotta Have Gadgets!!!

Yo Baby!!!

Quick Fix Lunch!

Spice n things up, ...TJoe's Vegetarian Bowl!

On the Menu ...

Grilled chicken topped with fresh salsa, brown & wild rice, steamed green beans, ...yum, yum!!! : )

Week 3 of 8 Week Challenge!

Today is Day 21 of my Max'd Out 8 Week Challenge!

Week 1 Rules: 
30 minutes of Cardio 3 x per week in addition to 40 minutes of Max'd Out.
64 ounces of water daily
No Fast Food
+
Week 2 Rules:
2 Veggies per day (frozen/raw - no butter, cream or sauce.)
+
Week 3 Rules:
Brown bag (2 snacks & 1 lunch) 3 days per week.  (Write down what you eat in your logbook and only eat what's "in the bag.")

Weight Tracker

It's what's for lunch today!

(Just click on the photo above for a mouth-watering view ; )

Grilled chicken topped with grilled peppers, garlic, grilled peaches, avocado and cilantro. Sides: Grilled asparagus and Trader Joes Harvest Grains blend.

Week 2 of 8 Week Challenge!

Today is Day 7 of my Max'd Out 8 Week Challenge!

Week 1 Rules: 
30 minutes of Cardio 3 x per week in addition to 40 minutes of Max'd Out.
64 ounces of water daily
No Fast Food
+
Week 2 Rules:
2 Veggies per day (frozen/raw - no butter, cream or sauce.)

Hmmm, ...wondering if Lisa follows the EC diet? 

Saturday Weigh In

Just got home from my Weight Watchers meeting, ...I was down 1.8 lbs, my current weight is now 156.4 lbs.  Total weight lost since June is now 22.8 lbs. and 16 inches.

Karen (my fearless Weight Watchers Leader) talked to me about starting a career with Weight Watchers.  It's funny, I revealed to her that in the beginning I joked with my friends/family that one day when I reached goal that I would go to work for Weight Watchers.  I wasn't expecting the opportunity to arrive so soon, ...I'm still so unsure of my Lifetime Goal weight number.

The Weight Watchers chart shows 146 lbs. as the high range for members who are 5'4" (I'm actually 5"3 &1/4" but Weight Watchers rounds up so I now fall into the 5'4" category).  I like reaching for 146 lbs., loosing another 10 lbs. feels so achievable to me.

Okay, since, I have a few more weeks to make that happen, I'm going to research what working for Weight Watchers entails to help me decide if this is the direction I'm wanting to go when I reach my next weight loss goal.

Hummus, ...my new GO-to Snack food!

Now that I'm eating clean, I'm giving up my old favorite snacks and am seeking out new foods to try.  This week I have discovered that I like Hummus.  I bought a box of single servings at SAM's Club and really, really like it.  The brand is:  Sabra Classic Hummus.

I have been eating it with cucumbers and whole wheat pita chips, ...yum, YUM!!!

I have some cookbooks and magazines that feature hummus recipes, thinking next week I will be giving these a try as well!  ; )

Wall Sits, ...harder than it looks!

I'm so excited, ...I have a new record for the Wall Sit! 

13:06  (13 minutes - 6 seconds)

Although Jillian wasn't standing on my legs, they felt like someone was so I thought I'd share this photo of another proud moment of doing wall sits!

Simply Apple Protein Shake

Ingredients:

2/3 cup - Egg Whites

8 oz. - Simply Apple Juice

1 - banana

1 tbl. - bee pollen

2 tbl. - wheat germ

2 tbl. - golden flaxseed (ground)

12 ice cubes

Procedure:

Put all ingredients into a blender, whirl (blend until smooth) and Enjoy!!!

8 Week Challenge

Today is Day 1 of my Max'd Out 8 Week Challenge!

Week 1 Rules: 
30 minutes of Cardio 3 x per week in addition to 40 minutes of Max'd Out.
64 ounces of water daily
No Fast Food

I'll post updates on my progress, ...I am definately in the Game!

Oh, ...you know, I got this!!!

Change is GOOD!

I love the way my body is changing, it's incredible what eating healthy foods and exercise can do!  I weighed in today and I am down 1 lb., yay, ...total weight loss since June 18, 2011 is now 21 lbs. and 16 inches.

It is funny how now weighing in at 158 lbs. I am wearing size 8 jeans and before when I wore them I weighed 130 lbs.  It really proves that the scale is JUST a tool to measure progress and should not be used to define how you look and feel.  Let your clothes do that for you!  ; )

28 Days and still Counting!

I completed the 28 day Eat Clean Challenge on November 7th. I started my journey with the ECD weighing 164.8 and now I am at 158.2. Total weight loss during this period was 6.4 lbs.

It's great to loose weight, but even better to be putting my efforts on eating healthy foods instead of obsessing about the numbers on the scale. I am so happy to have discocvered the Eat Clean lifestyle. It's so easy to incorporate it into my Weight Watchers program, ...just love that!

And, a huge part of me loves that it provides a bit of comfort since it has similarities to the basic principals of Somersizing!  ; )

29 Years @ Zbox

Kenny and I attended the 25 Year Club Annual Dinner at Summit Hills County Club in Kentucky. 

It's fun to dress up and every year I look forward to buying something new for us to wear.  This year I decided on a little black/red dress and was so excited when I discovered that I am now in a size 8!!! 

Steel Cut Oatmeal

Organic Raw Honey

Plant Protein Powder

Ground Flaxseed with Mixed Berries

Bee Pollen

Cinnamon Apple Teff

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup teff
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1/2 granny smith apple (diced)
• 1/2 oz. natural walnuts & almonds (I used Emerald 100 calorie pack)
• 1 tbl. apple butter

Instructions

Cook teff in water for about 5 minutes, add vanilla, cinnamon and apples. Cook for an additional 10 minutes or until water is absorbed, remove from heat. Pour into serving bowl, top with walnuts, almonds and apple butter.

Eat & Enjoy! BetsC

Tips & Bonus Information

Weight Watchers Points Plus: 6 pts.

Yield: 1 serving
Preparation Time: 2 minutes
Cooking Time: 15 minutes

Coconut Oil Spread

Organic Chicken Broth

Teff

Goal Weight Changes

I changed my goal weight to 149 lbs., ...I'd love to throw that darn scale away, but since I'm using the one at Weight Watchers, that's not a real option! LoL

I have been working out 6 x per week and have lost an incredible amount of inches. This week, I am wearing size 10 jeans, and now they are beginning to feel loose. It feels great when those favorite pair of  "painted on" jeans become the "baggy" pair.  : )

From time to time you should reaccess your goals. What I've discovered is that for me it's more important to feel healthy and focus on my size and shape not the number on the scale.

So, now, one of my attainable goals is to fit into my favorite size 7 jeans comfortably through eating healthy and exercising rather than to put my focus on the number on the scale, ...because, after all, it is just a number on the scale. It's a great tool for measuring progress, but it does not define how I look and feel. ; )

2 weeks down, 2 to go!

Today is Day 14 of my November Challenge.

Wow, I am really loving this new way of eating.  Well, it really doesn't feel too new to me since it has many of the same principals as Somersizing, just not the same guidelines.

Thought I'd share, I have lost 5.4 lbs. in 2 weeks with eating clean.  What's even better is that I feel that I am learning and creating some great habits.  You really have to look at your eating as a lifestyle and not a diet in order to make lasting changes.

Oh, and since it had been over a month since I took my last measurements, I did today and I have now lost 16" and 20 lbs. since June.

Avoiding Self-Sabotage ...Fear of Success!

"Success does not come from perfection; it comes from consistently moving in the right direction, which eventually brings you to where you want to be, and that is something you don't need to fear." (Tosca Reno)

November Challenge

Today is Day 4 of my November Challenge!!!

So far, so good!  I am really focused on eating healhy and have been feeling very satisfied (and satiated) with my food choices.  I loved Somersizing and this program just makes me feel like I've gone home again.

I've been experimenting with adding some healthy extra's to my protein shakes, I'll post the recipes a little later.  ; )

Shared from SummerGirl

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the people who treat you right. Forget about the ones who don’t. Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands, and if it changes your life, let it." (Gwen)





November Challenge

Today is Day 1 of my November Challenge!!!

GOAL:  Each day, for the next 28 days, follow the Eat Clean Diet and ONLY eat healthy foods that nourish my body.

A-tisket, a-tasket, and a Tosca!!!

When working towards a weight loss goal, you should surround yourself with positive people and effective tools that will help and support you to reach your goal.  I am inspired by many things and one of them is magazines.  I discoverd that I love the Oxygen series magazines.

If you haven't picked one up yet, ...you simply must!  They are filled with inspiring stories, tips, tricks, food/recipes, ...just a wealth of great health information.

As I scoured the pages, Tosca was mentioned over and over, ...and eating clean.  At first, I just simply passed over it not really knowing what Tosca was then I became intrigued and had to learn more.  So glad I did, through my research I learned about Tosca Reno and her program called Eat Clean Diet.

I bought two of her latest books and can't put them down.  As a member of Weight Watchers, I follow the Points Plus program which promotes healthy eating by following the Good Health Guidelines (GHG).   And, with Tosca's plan, I love the principals behind ECD, they are very similar to the Somersize guidelines (without the combining and unlimited fats) and that just makes me feel cozy and right at home.

So, here I go, ...I'm taking Tosca's 28 day challenge to "eat clean" by following her ECD guidelines for the next twenty-eight days.

Kinda, ...Really???

Those two words packed a powerful punch for me this week, here's why ...

Karen (my Weight Watchers Leader - love her btw) was talking to us about the Weight Watchers Points Plus program and how to achieve success.

She said that if you "kinda" follow the program, you will kinda get results, but if you "really" follow the program you will REALLY get results.

I really, really want to be successful, ...and these two little words have helped me to stay on track and to choose healthy foods.   Thanks Karen!!!

Lean and Green

This week's challenge is to change things up by eating my biggest meal of the day at lunch and eating something light for dinner that is, ...lean and green!  (Thanks Scotty @ Applebees - great suggestion!)

Love, love, love going to Applebees!

Chipotle Lime Chicken - 13 pts.

Yummy grilled chicken breast topped with a chipotle lime salsa, served over rice and a side of fresh cole slaw drizzled with a delicious citrus vinaigrette.