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.")