Created by MyFitnessPal - Free Weight Loss Tools

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Not the model Weight Watcher this week!

Well, I must confess I ate terribly this week!  It wasn't because I felt bad from eating so well last week and still gaining 1.8 lbs... it was because of my aforementioned STATE FAIR trip.  And the lovely aftermath of that visit where I wanted more bad food and nothing could fill me up.  NOTHING!!!

Anyway, even though I ate so bad... I lost 2.8 lbs this week.  WHAT???  Ugh, I will never understand this body of mine.  It's definitely not because I just got over my lady time... I just cannot explain this week.  All I can say is... I never gave up.  I counted everything that went into my mouth - regardless of whether I was at 100 points FOR THE DAY!!!  To give you a perspective of how bad that was, for those non Weight Watcher members, I can have 39 points per day (yes that's a lot, I'm fat.  I get more for now).  I can also use 49 extra points a week... and even more if I exercise.

Oh speaking of the shiny object... I definitely met that goal this week!!

So as you can see, 100 points in a given day is Uh-maz-zing-ly bad.That ONE DAY used up all of my daily points, extra points AND some.  I tried to compensate for that for the next few days, but that only made me more hungry.  So I ate over my points on Tuesday and Wednesday too.  Was it all worth it?  HELL NO.  Only Sunday at the fair of course.  Thank god for walking all over hell and creation at the fair.

Anyway I digress...  but this totally brings me to a topic that one of you viewers asked me about.  Here's the request... straight from the Facebook's mouth (private message rather)...

One thing I'd be curious (in terms of topics to write on): given that this is often a "life long" challenge, how do you remain hopeful & not feel defeated? That is one thing I really struggle with...knowing that like an alcoholic, for example, it is something I will ALWAYS have to work at. Also, how do you overcome really bad days? In other words, how do you "get back on the saddle"? 

How do I remain hopeful?
Well I can't say that I always do... but what I can say is that it feels different this time.  Even  more so than when I went all gung-ho in '01 when I decided I had to do something.  I know that this is the last time, I know that I don't have another chance to do this and I WANT IT THAT BAD!  If you don't want it that bad, it's only going to be a temporary fix.

I have a lot of support in my journey... my husband has been fabulous (I think I've mentioned that before).  Sadly I think it's because he is/was disgusted with the way I look (by the way I've only told like one or two people I think he feels this way).  I don't blame him.  I find myself disgusting too.  My mom has been great and I've got a couple of great ladies at work that I lean on.

When I fall off the wagon, what gets me back on?
Well again, this week was tough.  The weight loss this week will help me tremendously... because if I would have gained today - I probably would have stopped at KFC for lunch like I wanted to for weeks now.  So I'm glad I didn't and came home and had a salad that would probably feed a family of 5.  Yeah, I said it... I'm not afraid to admit I'm a bulk eater!

But truthfully - like I said, it's different this time.  I'm so ready for this AND I feel like total and utter shit when I eat bad now.  So that helps.  However, I know that horrible feeling won't last if I keep doing what I did this week.  So - thank you Lord Jesus for giving me a break today!  So what gets me back on right now?  My 4 pairs of silver cropped jeans that I haven't worn for 2+ years because I no longer fit in them.  Do you know how expensive those friggin jeans are?  UGH, thank god I can wear them again.  Pretty soon they will only have cost me $2 a wear (not sure if you follow... but each time I wear something the cost of it goes down because I divide the price by the # of wears - I learned that from my Aunt).

Is food an addiction?
Hell yes, and anyone that would tell you different has never had a weight problem.  But you could probably bet they have some other addiction to get over.  I am very obsessive-compulsive when it comes to food.  If I stop at McDonalds even one day (when I'm in my OC mode) I cannot stop myself from stopping.  For example, in the winter I don't come home before I hit the gym for water aerobics (I'm back on that saddle again too - due to my need to meet my goals).  There is a stupid McDonalds on the way through the back roads and their friggin dollar menu gets me every time with that lovely McChicken sandwich.  So, I finally had to stop it and the only way to stop it was to take a different route.  I now come home before I hit the gym.  We'll see what this winter brings though... I'm guessing with the mode I am in - I can say no.  Or at a minimum count the points for that evil sandwich that gives me such bad heartburn anyway!

So is this a life-long challenge as you (my FB anonymous friend)... you bet your sweet ass it is.  We both know that though... anyone with a weight problem knows that and if they don't - they haven't been dieting long enough.

All of my challenges this past week came true and of course I could have done better handing them, but man I had fun at the fair.  That red-velvet funnel cake was da-bomb-diggity.  I hate red velvet anything, well I used to.  Good thing I only had a few pieces.  I did exercise some control at the fair and do believe that if I hadn't started eating healthy again I totally would have eaten a hell of a lot more.  My stomach would have been able to!

So what are my challenges this week?

  • Como Park tomorrow with my mom and niece -- but I think I got this one in the bag.
  • Mom coming to stay for most of the weekend - we will definitely make decent choices, but not all choices will be great I'm sure.
That's it I think... not to shabby for the week I'd say.

What are my goals???

Well let me tell you about a little toy Weight Watchers has now... (there's a catch - $5 monthly fee and you have to be an e-tools member) it's call ActiveLink.  It will track all of my movement/activity and show me how much activity (=activity points) I've had for the day.  There's an 8 day assessment and then it will set a 12 week goal for me to meet.  I couldn't be more excited.  It is like a body bug or whatever those things are... but WAY cheaper.  It only cost $39.95 and $5/month.

So my goal is still to get 3 days of exercise in and I'll get one in tonight with water aerobics.  The other two days will be more tough because I'm single for a weekend and will be playing with my mommy.

What I want to leave you with today is - always remember what it is you really want.  It's not really to be skinnier (although that is probably part of it).  It's probably to not feel winded when you walk  up your stairs in the house, to be able to just get up off the couch without having to hoist yourself up or rock your way out, it's to feel healthy, to be healthy and most important to feel good about yourself.


If you're reading this, please subscribe to my blog so I know that there's someone out there and that I'm not just talking to myself.  Leave a comment and let me know what topics you want me to write about... trust me when it comes to weight loss and methods of trying... I've done so many!!  We can help each other!!!

Lastly... always always always believe in yourself.  You can do anything that you really want to!!!

I can't wait until I'm healthfully ever after!


Monday, August 27, 2012

Stuffed Peppers My Way (the right way)


I've made stuffed peppers for years.  But the version I used to make was with green peppers and my husband wouldn't eat them because he thought they tasted metallic.  He was right, but it wasn't all the time.  I love to eat stuffed peppers so I needed to figure out a way to make him eat it. DUH... use red (sweet) or yellow peppers!

The picture you see above is what I whipped up last week because I have veggies I needed to use up.  Don't these look fabulous?  Want this recipe?  OK twist my arm!

Ingredients:
6 bell peppers
1 cup of summer squash
1 cup of zucchini
1-3 serrano peppers (some like it hot)
1 lb ground turkey
1 tbsp minced garlic (or less if you can't handle the truth)
1 tsp each of parsley, basil and oregano
1 cup chopped cherry tomatoes (I do a few quick pulses in the food processor... so much faster!!!)
2 servings of brown rice (cooked, I use instant)
1 tbsp of buttermilk ranch seasoning (I use Pensey's spices)

Spray a 9X13 inch pan with cooking spray and preheat that oven to 350.  Slice each bell pepper in half the long way and lay those in the 9x13 inch pan.

Puree the summer squash, zucchini and   serrano peppers (I use my favorite kitchen tool, my food processor).  Set aside.  In a pan cook the turkey, garlic, and spices together.  Drain and put the mixture back in the pan.  Add the puree and cook for 5 minutes.  Add the tomatoes and cook for another 5 minutes.  Add the brown rice, buttermilk ranch seasoning and mix together.

Fill each pepper with the mixture and cover with tin foil.  Place in the over for 30-35 minutes.  Enjoy!!!

The recipe above is 8 wwp+ for two halves.. but you could add some cheese and make it more points if cheese is what you desire!

Thursday, August 23, 2012

Such as life!!!

Well... as I thought would happen, it did.  I gained this week.  A fairly significant amount, but less than I had thought.  I thought last week was too good to be true.  I gained 1.8 lbs this week.

However, I can say it wasn't due to eating bad or not exercising.  I was within my points pretty much every day and didn't use HALF as much of my extra weekly points as I have been.  PLUS, I got plenty of exercise this week...

  • I had to clean my house... did you know that counts for exercise?  OMG it sure does, and I cleaned fast and hard for 1+ hours to get ready for company that was showing up that day for the weekend.
  • We went to a game fair and walked around for 2 hours... yeah it was slow walking, but it wasn't sitting on the couch and drinking beers with them (although I did do that too).
  • I got new kicks this weekend, so I went for two walks - thanks to my husband.  
    • It was my idea on Monday night, but then sat and talked with my husband and friend and by the time we were done chatting away it was almost 8 pm and I was too tired.  But my husband said he'd go with me - and so we went.  We walked probably a mile in total, for about 25-30 minutes.  So you can see I'm not a fast walker, but I did it.
    • Tuesday night my husband texted me, after he got done with golf, asking if I wanted to go for a walk.  I didn't get the text and by the time he got home I had finally sat down, after cooking all night and various other things, and had my pajamas on.  When he walked through the door he asked if I got his text and I said no.  He said I asked if you wanted to go for a walk... I said oh, sorry I didn't get it BUT I'll go change back into clothes and we can go... we walked for 48 minutes for a total of 2 miles.
So, I guess I should be pretty darn proud... I definitely met my goal and held up to the rest of the challenges this week.  So am I upset about my weight gain?  Absolutely not!!  I did very well this week and it will pay off next week at the scale... especially if I follow suit this week.

What are my challenges for the week?  Well... as always it's food related.  It's the great Minnesota get together time and I'm going!  What is that you may ask, it's the Minnesota State Fair time.  One of the biggest state fairs there is.  Millions and Millions of people make it out to the fair each and every year.  I go every year with my mother (and usually sister and husband if they can go).  What do we do there?  Eat lots and lots of crap food.  Will I do that this year?  Absolutely!  Will I regret it?  Absolutely not!  It's a once a year thing and I refuse to let my weight loss challenge affect that.  BUT, I will tell you this... I will make better choices than I normally would.  I will share everything I get with at least 1 if not 2-3 people (except my taco, which isn't bad anyway).  AND I will lose weight this week.  We probably walk 3-5 miles at the fair and our dogs are a barkin' when we leave.  So I'm not worried.

Goal:  gonna ride this one until I actually meet it consistently, I need to exercise 3x this coming week!!!

If you've read this far, leave me a comment and tell me what your challenges and goals are.  Maybe we could help each other out?!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.


Friday, August 17, 2012

Mission Partly Accomplished!!!

I did not get any "planned" exercise in this week but I am counting my photo shoot and prep as two days of exercise.  Wow is it a lot of work to prepare for and complete a photo shoot... but oh so worth it.  Most of the pictures turned out fantastic and it was hard to choose the best ones.

Anyway I digress... This week's 

Challenges:

  • Friday Night... didn't work out because I was getting my car loaded and working on "ideas" for the photo shoot. Oh and that medium pizza probably didn't help things... thank god I only ate 3/4 of it (still bad!!)
  • Saturday... didn't work out because I had the photo shoot (unloaded, loaded and re-unloaded my card) and was completely and utterly worn out after.  Every part of my body ached... so I had to have exercised right?!
  • Saturday Night... we went on a boat launch fishing excursion.  Dinner was fine, but was out of my "points" for the day after a dinner at DQ.  On the boat I snacked.  I was trying not to but who could pass up a spicy jalapeno meat stick (I had 2) and some cheese and crackers?  Not this girl!!!
  • Tuesday... sushi for lunch.  Hmm... that's shouldn't be bad right?!  However sushi really does add up... especially when what you like is tempura this and tempura that.  I did OK though.  I ordered one single roll instead of doing the buffet.

Wins:
  • Stopped myself from eating a whole medium pizza to myself.
  • Worked hard on the photo shoot.
  • Chose to have only 1 sushi roll at lunch vs. the buffet (that was TOUGH... I chanted out loud to my friends... be strong, be strong, be strong!!!).

End result... well I kind of cheated and weighed in a day early because I was afraid I wouldn't get that "good number" if I waited a day.  I knew I did well this week as far as how I felt (totally less bloated than the two weeks before).  But, I decided to weigh in on my actual weigh in day as well (which was the very next day) and I had lost even more.  I lost 7.2 lbs this week... my total is now 42.2 and I'm in the next 10#'s to loose.  I love it when I go down 10lbs because it makes me feel like I'm hitting milestones.

I've figured it out... I'm at 28% of my overall goal.  It's a hefty goal, but I know I'll be happy at that weight... I was 10 years ago.

This coming week's challenges...
We have company coming for the weekend and we're going to a game fair (hunting type fair) where there's crappy foods to choose from.  That should be my only challenge for me as far as keeping myself under control.

Goal:  gonna ride this one until I actually meet it consistently, I need to exercise 3x this coming week. 

If you've read this far, leave me a comment and tell me what your challenges and goals are.  Maybe we could help each other out!!!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.

Friday, August 10, 2012

I made my weekly goal!

Well making the exercise 3x this week goal was kind of easy... almost feel like I cheated.  We went on vacation TO GOLF... so being that we had a practice round on Friday (I haven't golfed in 3 - 4 years) and golfed both Monday and Tuesday I then made my goal.  Somewhat cheating... but not really, right?!  One of the three rounds of golf I actually golfed 18 holes so there's one thing you can be proud of me for!  I NEVER GOLF 18 HOLES, after 9 I'm usually done!

So, my challenges this week were:

  • VACATION FOOD... sad to announce this but my husband and I put down two pitchers of beer and a large pizza by ourselves.  Oh don't you think I'm a wimp and couldn't handle half... it was almost drink for drink and pizza for pizza.  Not my proudest moment.  Oh and after that, we proceeded to go to the bar and do a shot... brilliant, I know!
  • Making smarter choices... My husband got a juicy burger with bacon, cheese and fries.  I was sooo leaning towards that, but I didn't.   I chose a ground chicken burger with jalapenos and chunks of applewood smoked bacon.  What was my side you ask?  They offered fruit - so instead of fries or onion rings (which I can rarely pass up) I ordered the fruit... and had water to drink!
  • Getting back to it before weighing in.  We got back Tuesday night and I needed to weigh in Wednesday morning.  So Tuesday on our way home we wanted to keep going on the road so we stopped at McDonald's for lunch.  I ordered a BigMac and that's it.  When we got in the car, I then had some light chips that I brought along for the weekend.  I was left pretty satisfied...but not much food allowance left for the day since I had an egg/bacon/cheese croissant for breakfast that morning.  So for dinner I had corn on the cob (3) and 4 oz of new potatoes with spray butter, salt and pepper.


What was the verdict?  Well I lost 1 lb, pretty damn good I would say for being on vacation.  THANK GOD for golfing or I would have probably gained another 2.  End result though is that I'm still up from last week's weigh in.  So I better get to it this weekend.  Another tough road ahead... going away AGAIN.  (we travel a lot in the summer)

What's my goal this week... same thing.  I need to exercise 3x this week, and it won't be easy because there's no pre-planned golfing.  So wish me luck, I'm gonna need it!!!

Have a great week and I hope you meet your goals this week too!  Leave me a comment and tell me what your goals this week are!


I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Check In Time

Well... I did it.  So far I got one day of exercise in. Only two more to go.  My husband and I went golfing yesterday after work and that's what I'm chalking up to my exercise.  While we did rent a cart, I'm such a bad golfer that I got at least three swings in to my husband's one.  So there, it counts!

Today I will really need to make an effort to get in some type of exercise because I will be cooking some healthy foods up for our trip so that I can snack on good stuff versus bad, we want to go to a movie and I'll need to go to the grocery store to get the items I need for baking and cooking today.  One good thing is that I planned out our meals today so that I know I'm eating well AND I won't be tempted to go out to eat.  I'll be doing plenty of that Sunday - Tuesday on our mini vacation.

Well for now, I'm signing off.  Good luck with your challenges this week!

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.

Friday, August 3, 2012

Keep Your Chin Up

So this week didn't go so well.  It wasn't because I didn't eat well, because I ate reasonably well for being on a mini vacation with my family.  Plus I got a cold, so wasn't all that hungry (yep, I said it!) anyway.

I weighed in this week and gained 1.8 lbs.  Kind of a shock to me, but really it's all part of the game right?!  I did nothing wrong this past week to make a gain of that significance... but I think it's my lady time coming up so probably retaining water from that.  At least I hope it's that.

So on a daily basis, I go to Pinterest and pin a bunch of healthy recipes and exercise "stuff".  I do pin a lot of unhealthy things and other items of interest too of course.  On my "lets get healthy" board I have healthy and not so healthy recipes that I will be making healthier.  I do actually go to that board and make lots of those recipes (you will see a comment/date if I have made something), but what I haven't done is actually read the exercise posts.  So... my goal for this week is to read the board, pick at least one of the exercises and exercise three times within the next week.  Keep in mind this may be tough because I am going out of town Sunday - Tuesday... so I better get crackin' tonight.

Next week I'll post if I met my goal or not.  Have a great week and remember being healthy isn't just eating right... it's exercise too.

I can't wait until I'm Healthfully Ever After.