Exercise Escapades

Hey, everyone! I kind of failed at working out this week. I think summer's going to be hard because I just want to do fun things and not worry about working out. I need to get better at that. Here's this week's workout schedule:

Monday: N/A

Tuesday: N/A

Wednesday: Mowing the Lawn - 1 hr. / Pulling Weeds - 1 hr.

Thursday: Housework / Deep Cleaning my Chest Freezer
Friday: Installing a Garage Door with my Dad

Recipe Report

Today's recipe is from my lovely mother. She made this over the weekend and I was hooked! It's fresh, homemade salsa. ¡Muy deliciosa! Here's how to make it:

5 Roma Tomatoes, Diced
1/2 Vidalia Onion, Diced
2 TBSP Garlic, Minced
Handful of Fresh Cilantro, Chopped
1 or 2 Limes, Squeezed
Salt and Pepper to Taste
(Hot sauce for a bit more spice - Optional)

It's so delicious and doesn't cost any points! I ate it with Tostitos Baked Scoops (3 points for 16 chips). It's a great snack or appetizer!

6 Days Until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Today's Weight:

268.6

Hello, blog world! Sorry I've been MIA for a bit. I've been at my parents', where we had no water for 2 days thanks to the water company breaking a valve. So, that was fun. But anyway, I'm happy to report that I lost 2.6 pounds this week! I didn't exercise Monday or Tuesday, and I felt guilty, but I still ate right and counted my points. I'm also excited that I only have 17.6 pounds to go until I'm halfway to my overall goal!!! It seems like it happened faster than I thought it would, and I'm super excited about that!! Here's this week's progress reports:

Total Weight Loss: 53.4 pounds

Only 88.6 to go!

Exercise Escapades

Hello, hello! Happy Friday!!! Today was the last day of summer school. I'm super excited! I did a bit better at exercising this week. I had to move a bunch of stuff from my classroom to the hallway and to my new classroom all day, so I worked up a good sweat. Here's this week's workout schedule:

Monday: Mowing - 1 hr. / Elliptical (home) - 10 min.

Tuesday: Treadmill (home) - 40 min.

Wednesday: Treadmill (home) - 30 min.

Thursday: Installing a mailbox / Moving a freezer chest
Friday: Moving classroom furniture

Recipe Report

Today's recipe is one from my Aunt Lu. She and my other relatives were in town last week, and she made this delicious tomato bisque. I modified it (only slightly) to be more Weight Watchers friendly. However, I'm confused about how the Recipe Builder Tool calculated the points. It would cost me almost 0 if I counted individual portions of each ingredient, but when I put it in the Recipe Builder, it's more. There's even a link that says "Why is this total higher than what my ingredients add up to?" but it's not really helpful. Anyway, here's the recipe:

Boil together:
8 cans fire roasted tomatoes
3/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 cup greek yogurt or skim milk
1 clove garlic, minced
2 cups carrots
1 onion, chopped
Handful of fresh basil

Boil until carrots are soft, put hot mixture into blender until desired texture is met, add a sprig of fresh basil for a garnish, and enjoy! The Recipe builder said a bowl of soup (2 1/2 cups) was 3 points. But I'm not sure since most of the ingredients are vegetables. I count it as 3 though, so I don't feel like I'm cheating.

6 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Today's Weight:

271.2

Well, everyone, my prediction came true; I gained this week. However, I only gained 1 pound, so I'm pretty happy it wasn't 5 like I had thought. I'm still mad at myself for not just saying no to bad choices and staying on track, but it's a new week! I'm back on track, not cheating, and counting everything. I know you have to let yourself have a bad day now and then, but you just have to get right back on it and stay on it. I know this week will be better. I even dragged myself off the couch yesterday after an internal struggle whether or not to workout, but knew it'd pay off for weigh-in. I hate working out, but it's a permanent part of my life now. It has to be. I'm going to take things one day at a time, and I know I can reach my goal. I'm not giving up like last time; I'm sticking with it for life!

Total Weight Loss: 50.8 pounds

Only 91.2 to go!

Pistachio Paradise

Oh, my god, guys. I made PISTACHIO BUTTER!!! It's so good!!! It was super easy to make, and only has 2 points per tablespoon (only 3 points for 2 TBSP). I was really craving it because I watched the movie Gamer today and the main kid asked for pistachio butter. Weird, I know, but whatever. I decided to get on Pinterest and find a good recipe. I found a wonderful, easy to follow recipe for homemade pistachio butter from a blog called Coffee & Quinoa. I used my Ninja blender (food processor attachment) first, but it wasn't quite doing the job. I switched to my small (3-cup) KitchenAid food processor my grandma bought me to finish it off. All I had to do was roast 2 cups of shelled pistachios for 8 minutes, throw them in the food processor for about 10 minutes (or until creamy), add 1 TBSP of honey, a pinch of salt, and a dash of ground cinnamon (not pictured). Then, I threw it back in the food processor for another 10 minutes. It came out perfectly and looked like creamy peanut butter but without the nasty peanut flavor. (As you've read before, peanuts are the bane of my existence, which is why I bought almond butter instead.) It's delicious on apple slices or on 45-calorie bread with sugar-free strawberry preserves. Mmm, mmm!!!

On another note, tomorrow is weigh-in, and I'm worried that I'm going to gain this week. I overate during the weekend, and I know it's going to catch up with me. I've been weighing every morning and, after the weekend, I had gained almost 5 pounds. I really don't understand that because I only went over my points by a little bit one day (with alcohol), then I ate fried food at the movies the next night, and then had a slice of banana bread the following night (after my points were gone). I don't see how 5 pounds comes on so quickly but takes forever to come back off. As of tonight, I'm only up about 3 pounds from last week, so hopefully it'll be even better in the morning. Oh, well. I had a blast this weekend, and I know you have to have "cheat" days and give in to some cravings and just live life and have fun, but I get so mad at myself during and after I "cheat" and don't know why I just don't say no to those bad choices. I'm back on track, though, so I'll just have to have more self-control when it comes to hanging out with friends and family over the weekend. Also, summer school is out as of Friday, so I'll be home way more often. I'm a bit worried since there's tons of tempting foods at my parents' house, and I won't be at my own house with all of my healthy alternatives for snacks. Maybe I'll have to pack a bag of my own food so that I stay on track. I'll just take it one day at a time.

Tomorrow is Weigh-In Wednesday!

Phenomenal Foods

Today's Phenomenal Food is:

Oranges!

Oranges are the greatest. They're juicy, sweet, and full of Vitamin C. According to the article 36 Super Foods that Burn Fat & Help You Lose Weight from Bembu.com, "Healthy Vitamin C levels will help to keep you functioning at optimal levels, but if you’re looking to burn fat you might be concerned about the sugar in oranges. There’s no getting around it, oranges do contain sugar, which has the potential to turn to fat if it’s not burned up. But the calorie count is low, and the fiber actually helps to regulate your blood glucose levels. In order for this to work out for you as a weight loss aid, eat it in moderation and to curb your sweet tooth when you’d otherwise be reaching for a candy bar or other sweet treat." So, oranges really are a super food when it comes to weight loss. (Just make sure you don't eat a whole bushel of them!)
Another article from The World's Healthiest Foods says, "Vitamin C is the primary water-soluble antioxidant in the body, disarming free radicals and preventing damage in the aqueous environment both inside and outside cells. Inside cells, a potential result of free radical damage to DNA is cancer. Especially in areas of the body where cellular turnover is especially rapid, such as the digestive system, preventing DNA mutations translates into preventing cancer. This is why a good intake of vitamin C is associated with a reduced risk of colon cancer." They have tons of other health benefits, too, so check out the full article here.

2 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Weekend Warrior

This weekend was full of fun things! Friday, I went on a motorcycle ride with my friend, Kevin, and my dad and then went out to some bars with Kevin that night. I had a little mishap on the bike before we all went out. I was heading down my super steep driveway and hit a spot of water that was really slick and had my front brake on, the tires slipped and the bike tipped over on my leg. I messed up my knee a bit and cracked the windshield, but other than that, everything else was okay. Saturday, I went to lunch with two of my best friends: Sosha and Amanda and then to the movies that night with other good friends (Tim, Justen, Amanda, and Bret) to see 22 Jump Street. Oh, my god! It was so funny!! However, I did give in and ordered dinner during the movie. (We went to AMC Fork and Dine.) I know I went over my points, but their food is so good I couldn't resist! Then, today is Father's Day, so both of my grandparents came over for lunch and we gave my dad his presents. All in all, it was a great weekend, but I hope I didn't screw up my 50-pound weight loss by overeating at the movies and drinking with Kevin. We'll see Wednesday, I guess.

3 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Shopping Shenanigans

Yesterday, I bought some new healthy things! At Target, they have these "Hi I'm Skinny Sticks" in two flavors: Sweet Onion and Sweet Potato. You can eat 34 sticks for 3 points! They're really yummy and a good, filling snack to throw in my desk drawer at work. The other thing I bought was Flatout Thin Crust Flatbreads. They're really good, too! You can have a whole flatbread for 4 points. They're perfect for making healthy homemade pizza!

Exercise Escapades

Sorry, everyone! I didn't get a chance to post my workout schedule Friday. It's been a busy, busy weekend! I didn't do so well working out every day, but when I did work out, I worked harder than normal. Here's this week's workout schedule:

Monday: Elliptical (home) - 10 min. / Treadmill (home) - 25 min.

Tuesday: None

Wednesday: Walk/Jog around Concordia - 35 min.

Thursday: Treadmill (gym) - 1 hr.
Friday: None

Recipe Report

Today's Recipe Report isn't really a recipe, but whatever. It's a sandwich. Sandwiches are easy and delicious and usually low in points if done right. Today's sandwich is my own take on a peanut butter and jelly. I'm not a fan of grape jelly or peanuts for that matter. . .at all. Actually, I HATE peanuts. No, no. . .I LOATHE them. So, anything with peanuts is not something I'd eat. Ever. Even if I was starving. Okay, maybe then, but that's the only circumstance. Sorry for the rant. Back on topic! Okay, so MY version of a PB&J is with almond butter and sugar-free strawberry preserves on Sarah Lee 45-calorie bread. Mmm, mmm! Delicious! I love almonds (and basically any other nut besides peanuts and cashews). Pistachios are my absolute favorite, but I haven't come across any pistachio butter yet. Anyway, the whole sandwich only costs me 6 points; the bread cost me 2 points, the strawberry preserves cost me 1 point, and the almond butter cost me 3 points (1 TBSP). All in all, it's a very filling meal that doesn't take up a lot of your points! I've made it almost every day for lunch or a snack when I'm really hungry. You should definitely try it! (Especially if you're not a peanut fan like this girl.)

6 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Today's Weight:

270.2

Happy Weigh-In Wednesday, everybody! I lost 3.6 pounds this week!! I officially met my most recent goal of 50 pounds (and then some)!!! I got a blue 50 lb. star, too! I'm super excited I'm finally here! The only thing I'm frustrated with is that I really haven't gone down any in pants size. At my heaviest, I was around a 20/22 depending on the clothes. (Probably more of a 22 since I was squeezing into some pants), and now I'm still at a 20. I just feel that after losing 50 pounds, I should be down a bit more, but 18s are still too small and some of my older 20s are tight, too. I'm just annoyed that some of my "skinny" clothes from college (2 years ago) are still too small when I weigh less now than I did then. Oh, well. Maybe I'm losing weight in other places. My shirts are baggier, but I feel like, by now, I should be swimming in them. I have been able to fit in some shirts that were too small for a long time, but not all of them yet. Hopefully I can wear them soon. I'm super excited to hit this milestone, though! Don't get me wrong! 50 pounds is a huge deal, and I know that, but it's just annoying when I don't see much of a difference in my clothes. I'll keep going though! My next goal weight is 251 pounds; that'll be the HALFWAY POINT of my weight loss journey! When I started in January, I had a whopping 142 pounds to lose to weigh 180 (almost the top of my 'healthy' weight bracket for my height) and after I hit 251, I'll have lost 71 pounds! Here's to the next goal!!!

Total Weight Loss: 51.8 pounds

Only 90.2 to go!

Family Funtime

Instead of Craft Tuesday today, I took the day off work and headed up to KC to see my family from Texas who were visiting this week. I was super excited to spend some time with them since I rarely get to see them. Today, we went to Jack Stack Barbecue for lunch, then the Sea Life Aquarium at Crown Center, then my cousin and I got pedicures, and then we all ate dinner at my grandparents' house for my grandpa's birthday. It was so much fun! I even managed to stay within my points for the day (even though it was super hard). There were tons of temptations today (onion rings and delicious food at the BBQ place and then dessert for my grandpa's birthday...all of which I said no to)! My grandpa also bought me a chest freezer, which I'd been looking for at Costco ($179), but he found one on Craigslist.com for $25! He's officially the Craigslist Ninja. I got back to my house around 10:00pm, so I'm too tired to work out. Oh, well. I walked a lot at the aquarium today, so hopefully tomorrow's weigh-in won't be too terrible. Wish me luck! Here are some photos of today's adventures! The last one of my grandpa is my favorite.

 

Tomorrow is Weigh-In Wednesday!

Phenomenal Foods

Today's Phenomenal Food is:

Tomatoes!

I love tomatoes any way you can make them! I love them when they're in salads, the base of a pasta sauce, or even ketchup! Tomatoes are delicious, not to mention nutritious! According to an article called "36 Super Foods That Burn Fat & Help You Lose Weight" from Bembu.com:

Is it a fruit? Is it a vegetable? Who cares? All you need to know is that it’s got a ton of good things for your body for the long term, and in the short term it works to help you lose weight and help keep it off. They’re low on the calorie meter, but they help to give you that full feeling, and contain fiber that keeps things moving.

Like any bona fide superfood tomatoes bring more to the table than just weight loss. The lycopene brings antioxidants that studies are showing to be potentially helpful with a myriad of diseases and conditions. Be sure to add tomatoes to your cart next time.

Tomatoes are also great because they cost you 0 points plus on Weight Watchers, so eat away! They are great any way you prepare them, so get creative!

2 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Weekend Warrior

Hey there, blog world! Well, I kind of failed staying completely within my points range this weekend. Between the wedding shower, bachelorette party, and my family reunion, goodies were everywhere. There was no escape. I didn't go crazy or anything, but I know I went over my points yesterday and today... Oh, well. Fresh start tomorrow and back on track! I had a blast this weekend, so it wasn't all bad. My whole family (even some aunts and cousins from Texas) came to my town today and got to see my house and have a delicious lunch with other family that we don't see too often. My grandparents brought my new table and chairs for my dining room today (since the old ones were rickety and broken). My grandpa also installed a TV antenna for me so I get local channels, and my dad mowed my lawn! It was a very productive day! All on only two and a half hours of sleep due to last night's shenanigans. I'm so ready for bed! Haha.
I also bought an elliptical this morning from a lady here in town and am actually excited to workout tomorrow to test it out! It's super lightweight and works great. I'm happy I have something other than my sketchy treadmill now. I can change it up!

3 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Bachelorette Blowout

Hello, everyone! Happy Saturday! Instead of going home to my parents' house for our weekly Costco run, I'm headed to Monroe City (and then Columbia, MO) for one of my good friend's wedding shower and bachelorette party. I'm so excited to see her! I just hope that I can stay on track with eating and drinking. Pictures to come!

4 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Exercise Escapades

Hello, hello! I finally got back on track with working out every weekday this week! I kind of failed last week, so I made sure I got my lazy butt off the couch and on the treadmill. Monday, I decided that after an hour of mowing the lawn, that counted, but every other day, I spent some time on the treadmill. I also snagged an awesome deal working only 3 nights a month from 5:00-9:00pm at the local gym here in town in exchange for a FREE membership. I can literally go in any time I want any month I "work" and can workout for free. I actually had my first night of "work" this Wednesday, and really enjoyed it! It's super easy: I check people in, sign up people for memberships, sell water, book tanning sessions, and clean. I can even work out if it's not terribly busy! It's a pretty sweet deal! Hopefully she'll need me to "work" every month! I've also found that reading my Kindle make the treadmill time fly by! I just finished The Maze Runner by James Dashner. Oh. My. God. It was SO GOOD! I already bought the next books in the series. Anyway, here's this week's boring workout schedule:

Monday: Mowing the Lawn - 1 hr.

Tuesday: Treadmill (home) - 30 min.

Wednesday: Treadmill (gym) - 20 min. / Cleaning the Gym - 30 min.

Thursday: Treadmill (home) - 30 min.
Friday: Treadmill (gym) - 30 min.

5 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Recipe Report

Today's Recipe Report is all about grilled cheese...no wait...pizza...no wait...BOTH! That's right! I had a craving for both a grilled cheese AND pizza, so I found a recipe that incorporated the deliciousness of both foods: Pizza Grilled Cheese. I, however, made it much healthier than the recipe on the site. Instead of regular bread, I used Sarah Lee's 45-Calorie Bread; instead of regular butter, I used I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light; instead of regular pizza sauce, I used a 0-point homemade sauce (diced tomatoes, minced garlic, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper all in the food processor then boiled); instead of tons of pepperoni, I used half a serving (7 slices); instead of regular mayonnaise, I used Miracle Whip Light; and instead of regular mozzarella slices, I used low-fat mozzarella slices. All in all, the whole sandwich cost me 7 points (bread=2 points, butter=1 point, sauce=0 points, pepperoni=2 points, miracle whip=1 point, mozzarella=1 point)! Not too bad for a delicious pizza/grilled cheese fix!

6 days until Weigh-In Wednesday!

Weigh-In Wednesday

Today's Weight:

273.8

Happy Weigh-In Wednesday, everyone! I lost 2 pounds this week! I'm so glad I finally lost after my weekend of moving to a new house. I didn't lose anything last Wednesday, so I'm super stoked that I lost 2 pounds this week. Maybe all the work I did moving boxes and furniture finally paid off. I'm super close to my next goal of losing 50 pounds, so hopefully this time next week, I'll get to post saying I did it!

Total Weight Loss: 48.2 pounds

Only 93.8 to go!