Wow! It's been forever since my last post! I have some pretty good excuses though. First, I finally got a job! I am currently employed at Learning Express Toys. It's like a mom and pop educational toy store. It's super fun and makes me feel like a kid again. I think everyone should try to feel like a kid once in a while. It's a great starter job while I'm finishing my prerequisites for the nursing program. Life is going well. I feel so grateful to have a job in this poopy economy. As for the weight loss, its been going up and down. I guess I hit somewhat of a plateau. I have good days and bad days when it comes to food. I lost an additional two pounds since my last post, which puts me at 238 pounds. I am feeling good about getting going again and losing more, not only for my self image, but also for my health. I went to Gold's Gym yesterday and got a body assessment. They have this crazy computer program where they enter in all of your information, figure out your body fat percentage, and create two 3D images of your body: one of how your body looks now and one of your dream body. Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, I am in a high risk category for body fat. Not to mention my family has a history of heart disease, stroke and cancer. It was such an eye opener for me. Sometimes we don't realize just how healthy or unhealthy we really are. The assessment served as a huge motivator and I decided to join the gym! I highly recommend Gold's Gym to anyone looking for a fitness program. They are beautiful facilities and offer excellent prices. I was paying twice the amount I pay now at my old gym. Plus they offer spinning, aerobics and yoga classes, and they have a pool! I'm really excited to get my body moving and achieve my goals. With that scary assessment, I feel more motivated than ever. Not only is it embarrassing to take my shirt off on the beach, but my life is at risk. If that doesn't make the change, I don't know what will.
I'm also really excited for my sister Kristin, who is starting a fitness program as well. She lives in Austin, Texas and enrolled in a course called Strength and Beauty. It is a fitness program for women who want to get back in shape. It consists of personal training sessions and a personalized nutrition plan. After 30 days, each participant is given a new hair cut and style, and a spa treatment. What an amazing way to boost one's confidence and give them a great head start on achieving their long-term goals. I'm so proud of her. She raises three little boys so she truly deserves to have some time to focus on herself and kick some ass!
I haven't been to a Weight Watchers meeting in a while, but I am still tracking my food. The meetings get to be expensive. I finally realized that I was paying close to 50 dollars a month, just by going to meetings alone. I love having that support system and I eventually want to go back when I have a better paying job. The meetings were also nice because I felt like I was being held accountable. Now I'm on my own, but if I stay focused and fight through the junk food cravings, I know I can make it. I always remember that if other people have done it, I can do it too. That will be my new mantra. Sometimes it's helpful to make a list of the problems and conflicts in your life, separating the list into two categories: those you can change and those you can not change. Usually, the list of things you can change will be longer. Change is good.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Day 45
It's been a little while since my last post. But do not fear, I have not given up! I've just been caught up in other aspects of my life, like securing a job (to no avail, yet). I have lost an additional 2 pounds so that puts me currently at 241.5. I almost made my March goal of 240 pounds. Yeah I didn't nail it, but I still feel pretty damn good with 2 pounds loss a week. That gives me a total loss of 16.5 pounds! The last few weeks have been great. I finally got around to going grocery shopping and wanted to share some tips and ideas for what to look for in your everyday supermarket aisles. I'm going to do one aisle per post, and today's featured aisle is CEREAL! What better way to start your day then with some oatmeal or high-fiber oat bran flakes of wheat? (haha, jk) It can be tough to find something healthy and satisfying among all those different brands and processed junk food. I also have some other healthy breakfast ideas, thanks to my new favorite food: Greek yogurt.
I recently posted my exercise routine, and for the most part I've been keeping up with it, but I will admit that I skip it for two or three days here and there. Exercise is the only downfall for me right now, but I know I can step it up. I did find an awesome Jillian Michaels workout DVD called 30 Day Shred and it's great. I can't do the full workout yet, but I'm trying to do 2 more minutes of it a day. On day one I did 8 mins. On day 2 I did 10 mins, and so on. I think this is also another great way to incorporate exercise into your life. Like that 10, 10, 10 workout I discussed earlier, finding a good exercise DVD and doing a little at a time is a great way to build endurance. You can find tons of them on Netflix and Blockbuster online too! Just do like I did and try 5-10 minutes the first day and then increase your time by a couple minutes every day after that. Soon you will be able to do the whole thing with no problem.
I am back on the Weight Watchers program and have been doing great. The new Points Plus system is so easy to use (once you buy the calculator or download the app on your phone :)). The best part is that fruits and vegetables are 0 points. I've noticed that my intake of fruits and vegetables have significantly gone up, and it was not even conscious. I just started eating more. It's nice because when you feel like snacking at night time (my biggest danger time), and you've already reached your daily Points Target, you can eat an apple and some grapes for NOTHING! I know I've gone over this already but it's just so great. It's funny too because so many people are shocked that you can eat bananas and lose weight. I don't know why bananas are special (probably because of the sugar content), but people at my meetings are thrilled that they don't have to count bananas! What a bunch of monkeys!
I recently posted my exercise routine, and for the most part I've been keeping up with it, but I will admit that I skip it for two or three days here and there. Exercise is the only downfall for me right now, but I know I can step it up. I did find an awesome Jillian Michaels workout DVD called 30 Day Shred and it's great. I can't do the full workout yet, but I'm trying to do 2 more minutes of it a day. On day one I did 8 mins. On day 2 I did 10 mins, and so on. I think this is also another great way to incorporate exercise into your life. Like that 10, 10, 10 workout I discussed earlier, finding a good exercise DVD and doing a little at a time is a great way to build endurance. You can find tons of them on Netflix and Blockbuster online too! Just do like I did and try 5-10 minutes the first day and then increase your time by a couple minutes every day after that. Soon you will be able to do the whole thing with no problem.
I am back on the Weight Watchers program and have been doing great. The new Points Plus system is so easy to use (once you buy the calculator or download the app on your phone :)). The best part is that fruits and vegetables are 0 points. I've noticed that my intake of fruits and vegetables have significantly gone up, and it was not even conscious. I just started eating more. It's nice because when you feel like snacking at night time (my biggest danger time), and you've already reached your daily Points Target, you can eat an apple and some grapes for NOTHING! I know I've gone over this already but it's just so great. It's funny too because so many people are shocked that you can eat bananas and lose weight. I don't know why bananas are special (probably because of the sugar content), but people at my meetings are thrilled that they don't have to count bananas! What a bunch of monkeys!
GROCERY SHOPPING 101
When I'm grocery shopping, I really try to stay away from the center aisles (which I'm sure everyone has heard about). The outer edges of the supermarket is where all the healthy food is; the fresh produce, dairy, meat, poultry and eggs. But avoiding the center aisles is not 100% possible. I still love to eat Pop Chips and Cereal, so I'm going to discuss some of the best choices in those aisles. Today we are talking spoons and bowls.
CEREAL AISLE
Look for Oatmeal. Oatmeal is a powerhouse of nutrients and is SO good for you it's ridiculous. I'm not even going to get into it, just trust me. By now it should just be common knowledge anyway. Avoid the instant flavored oatmeals. They just have a bunch of added sugar and preservative crap that you don't need. Add your favorite sweetener and fresh fruit and spices at home, and save the calories. I recommend steel-cut oats because they are less processed than traditional quick or rolled oats. If you can't find them, go with rolled oats. Any kind is better than Fruit Loops.
There are numerous healthy cold cereal options as well. Look for something with fiber and protein, and less sugar. A lot of cold cereals are processed with tons of sugar and preservatives, so look for cereals with less ingredients. Whole wheat and high fiber cereals are very common in all supermarkets these days and most just have a hint of sweetness (usually from honey) for flavor. If you like your Frosted Flakes, buy whole wheat flakes and put some Splenda or Truvia on them at home. Same thing! Also, tons of cold cereals contain fruit lately. The fruit is just freeze-dried and it reconstitutes when you add milk. It's still fruit and it's still great for your body. Hot cereals like oatmeal and cream of wheat are the best options, and will keep you satisfied longer, but sometimes we all want to switch it up, and who doesn't love the nostalgic crunch of cold cereal and milk? If you can, look for organic too. This helps reduce some of the crud and chemical yuckiness. (Don't worry about it too much though, it gets pricey)
In my pantry I currently have the Quaker Oatmeal Squares Cereal. I have the Brown Sugar variety and they are great. Tons of fiber and protein per serving and just a hint of sweetness. Even Martha recommends them! Check out her healthy breakfast article in this month's issue of Whole Living magazine. I use organic 1% milk and sometimes I even add some of those 0 point crazy bananas!
GREEK YOGURT
Okay, so I've already discussed my addiction to Greek yogurt. I have now tried every brand and every flavor known to man and let me just say it is the best food item ever invented!!!! It's also extremely healthy, with twice the protein of traditional yogurt. Anyway my friend Kerry (who is also working out and eating healthy) gave me an awesome breakfast idea for that yummy, creamy, indulgent, amazing piece of heaven. Here's the recipe:
- 1 individual container vanilla Greek style yogurt (non-fat or 2%, try Chobani or Dannon)
- 1 sliced banana
- 1/8 cup raw almonds
- 1 tbsp honey
- sprinkle of cinnamon
Mix it all up in a bowl and you'll be full and smiling until lunch. 375 calories, 6 PointsPlus
Next time I will be discussing the cracker and chip aisles at your local grocery giant. Until then, keep being a loser!
Friday, March 18, 2011
Facing the Exercise Demon
Exercise is a word that brings many people joy and elation. For others, it's a word that brings fear and absolute horror. For me, it's usually the latter. But when you want to lose weight and learn to better your life, nutrition and exercise are the key. Not just nutrition, but nutrition and exercise. Many people think that weight loss just requires them to count calories and eat less, which does work. But what's the point if you're going to have all that loose skin? You're trying to become healthier, more attractive and happier. If you're already working so hard on your diet, why not go the extra mile (literally)?
Here is a true beginner's exercise regimen. It is simple and it works. I recently visited my sister and her family in Austin, Texas. Her husband, Scott, is a passionate fitness expert, life coach and truly inspirational figure. He runs a fitness bootcamp in Cedar Park, TX, and is full of great knowledge and information. Check out his website at fullforcefitness.net He recommended this regimen for people who want to start incorporating exercise into their lives. Going extreme and trying to run a mile a day in your first few weeks is UNREALISTIC, and will most likely lead to you giving up. Just like nutrition, exercise is something you need to ease into your life. This quick and easy workout is a perfect way to get a fitness routine ingrained in your daily schedule. We call it the 10, 10, 10. It consists of 10 pushups, followed by 10 squats, followed by 10 squat thrusts. Each day you increase the number by one, so on day two it would be 11, 11, 11, then 12, 12, 12, and so on. It combines cardio (from the squat thrusts) and strength-training and builds your endurance. Scott helped me so much to change my thinking when it comes to exercise. He told me that exercise is something you just need to DO. So many people tend to over-think it and then fail to deliver. Don't organize it. Don't write a routine in your journal. Don't analyze it. Just move your body! The results are well worth it.
Here is a true beginner's exercise regimen. It is simple and it works. I recently visited my sister and her family in Austin, Texas. Her husband, Scott, is a passionate fitness expert, life coach and truly inspirational figure. He runs a fitness bootcamp in Cedar Park, TX, and is full of great knowledge and information. Check out his website at fullforcefitness.net He recommended this regimen for people who want to start incorporating exercise into their lives. Going extreme and trying to run a mile a day in your first few weeks is UNREALISTIC, and will most likely lead to you giving up. Just like nutrition, exercise is something you need to ease into your life. This quick and easy workout is a perfect way to get a fitness routine ingrained in your daily schedule. We call it the 10, 10, 10. It consists of 10 pushups, followed by 10 squats, followed by 10 squat thrusts. Each day you increase the number by one, so on day two it would be 11, 11, 11, then 12, 12, 12, and so on. It combines cardio (from the squat thrusts) and strength-training and builds your endurance. Scott helped me so much to change my thinking when it comes to exercise. He told me that exercise is something you just need to DO. So many people tend to over-think it and then fail to deliver. Don't organize it. Don't write a routine in your journal. Don't analyze it. Just move your body! The results are well worth it.
10 pushups (modify by using your knees)
10 squats (without the dumbells)
10 squat thrusts
Each day add 1 more rep to each exercise. By the 25th day you will be able to do 35 reps each! It sounds scary, but by then your body will have slowly gained endurance, and you will soar through the reps. This workout routine is perfect for the total beginner. Its also low-impact which is great for people with injuries. Many times I've wanted to start exercising, but I'd overload myself the first few days and then give up. This routine is the perfect way to incorporate exercise into your life. It is a commitment that can lead you into the world of exercise and good health and establish a routine, not a set-up for failure.
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Oh, Martha!
Here is what the Martha Stewart Everyday Food Magazine looks like. You can find it at any bookstore and it is seriously fantastic! All the nutrition info is given for every recipe and the food is yummy. I've tested quite a few recipes so trust me. I never really gave Martha a chance in the past but now I'm seeing the light. The magazines are cute and tiny too, they even fit in your pocket! Hail MARTHA!
Keep on Truckin'
Hello all. It has been a couple days since my last post and I have plenty to share. The last couple of weeks have been both inspirational and a little trying. The trying part being my job hunting excursion, which has had no results. Not even one call back!! I was hoping getting a retail job wasn't as hard as everyone was saying but now I'm starting to believe it. Luckily, I didn't let it lead me to a binge (except for my birthday, when I went to Olive Garden with my parents and had the Tour of Italy and birthday cake, but days like this are fine and we all deserve a little cheat!:)) Besides that everything else has been peachy! Been sticking with the regimen and today I FINALLY attended my first Weight Watchers meeting. I am so excited to talk about the new Points Plus system and am truly motivated to stick with the program. I told you all before how successful I was with Weight Watchers a few years ago. At the time I lost 40 pounds. Unfortunately I stopped going to meetings and stopped tracking and gained it all back...and some. The program is so simple to use and really works! The best part is that you don't feel deprived. The leader at my meeting told me that the number one reason people do not stick with a weight loss program is because they feel deprived. Like I've said a million times, weight loss is not about eating rice cakes and carrot sticks. Weight loss is about finding a new way to live, not just a new way to eat and that notion always keeps me motivated.
The new Points Plus system is awesome. You get a higher points target than the old system and all fruits and most vegetables are now 0 points!! Freebies rock! The new program also emphasizes eating healthy foods more often. The old system told us that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie, but the new system is different. Like my awesome meeting leader said, a calorie of Crisco is not the same as a calorie of apple. So true. Points Plus teaches us to incorporate more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meats into our diets rather than eating McDonald's in moderation (The old program told you to eat whatever you want, just make sure to track it and stay within your points target). It all makes sense really, and I'm glad they finally turned that corner. If we really want to lose weight and change our lifestyle, we need to learn to incorporate healthy foods into our normal everyday routine. Fast food is not "normal" (contrary to your television). We aren't meant to eat all this processed crap. We are supposed to eat fresh produce, whole grains, lean meats and fruits. Our body craves it. The new program helps us to achieve this. I can't wait to share my first day with you tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates and fun info about Weight Watchers. (I will still be counting calories as well as points, like I stated before, so those of you who aren't on Weight Watchers won't be scratching your head. I want my blog to be relevant to everyone.)
On to the cooking. This past week has been full of culinary adventures. I made an amazingly fantastic Italian Beef Stew last Sunday, which I will discuss below with some pics. I found an awesome Carrot Raisin Breakfast Muffin recipe in a Martha Stewart cooking magazine (I really am turning into a housewife), and I made some really great homemade croutons using leftover cheese and garlic breadsticks. Recipes and photos below! This upcoming Sunday is my family birthday celebration dinner. On my actual birthday (March 1st) I went to Olive Garden with my parents and pigged out. This weekend will be a little more on the healthy side, with light family favorites and a low-fat chocolate cake with butter cream frosting (YES, it can be done). I can't wait to share how it goes with you.
Now for the weigh in. Last week I had a total weight loss of 10 pounds. This week I lost 2 more! I know, it's not a ton but it is certainly better than gaining a pound. Plus I figured a few indulgent birthday meals would probably slow it down a bit. Anywho I feel great and I'm not going to expect unrealistic things. Two pounds a week is fine with me. I'm just going to keep on truckin'. Even if you don't lose anything, cheat like a horny politician, or even gain a pound or two, DON'T GIVE UP!! There have been so many times where my weight loss has slowed or stopped and I just said "screw it" and gave up. I'm learning more and more that when you mess up or pig out, tomorrow is a new day and you just gotta get right back on board. KEEP ON TRUCKIN'!!
Here is my Breadstick Croutons recipe. I had some leftover Trader Joe's Cheese and Garlic Breadsticks that were a few days old. I was craving a savory salad topper and came up with this recipe. It's so cool to just randomly experiment with foods you have around the house. Sometimes you can come up with a real winner. Like these amazing croutons.
- 2 or 3 leftover breadsticks (or leftover french or sourdough bread)
- 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Preheat oven to 350*. Cut breadsticks in half length-wise and then cut into one inch cubes. Put breadstick pieces on a sheet pan and toss with the oil, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Make sure oil and seasonings are evenly distributed. Spread out the croutons in an even layer on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
Serving size: 1/2 cup = 100 calories, 3 pointsPlus.
These are my new favorite frozen snack/meal. You can find the big box at Costco and these babies are made with organic beans, rice and cheese and it's all wrapped up in a whole wheat tortilla. Only 310 calories per burrito. Rice and beans together make a complete protein, and who doesn't love organic food? (at least you think it's better for you!) Plus we could all take a break from meat for a couple meals.
The new Points Plus system is awesome. You get a higher points target than the old system and all fruits and most vegetables are now 0 points!! Freebies rock! The new program also emphasizes eating healthy foods more often. The old system told us that a calorie is a calorie is a calorie, but the new system is different. Like my awesome meeting leader said, a calorie of Crisco is not the same as a calorie of apple. So true. Points Plus teaches us to incorporate more whole grains, fruits, vegetables and lean meats into our diets rather than eating McDonald's in moderation (The old program told you to eat whatever you want, just make sure to track it and stay within your points target). It all makes sense really, and I'm glad they finally turned that corner. If we really want to lose weight and change our lifestyle, we need to learn to incorporate healthy foods into our normal everyday routine. Fast food is not "normal" (contrary to your television). We aren't meant to eat all this processed crap. We are supposed to eat fresh produce, whole grains, lean meats and fruits. Our body craves it. The new program helps us to achieve this. I can't wait to share my first day with you tomorrow. Stay tuned for updates and fun info about Weight Watchers. (I will still be counting calories as well as points, like I stated before, so those of you who aren't on Weight Watchers won't be scratching your head. I want my blog to be relevant to everyone.)
On to the cooking. This past week has been full of culinary adventures. I made an amazingly fantastic Italian Beef Stew last Sunday, which I will discuss below with some pics. I found an awesome Carrot Raisin Breakfast Muffin recipe in a Martha Stewart cooking magazine (I really am turning into a housewife), and I made some really great homemade croutons using leftover cheese and garlic breadsticks. Recipes and photos below! This upcoming Sunday is my family birthday celebration dinner. On my actual birthday (March 1st) I went to Olive Garden with my parents and pigged out. This weekend will be a little more on the healthy side, with light family favorites and a low-fat chocolate cake with butter cream frosting (YES, it can be done). I can't wait to share how it goes with you.
Now for the weigh in. Last week I had a total weight loss of 10 pounds. This week I lost 2 more! I know, it's not a ton but it is certainly better than gaining a pound. Plus I figured a few indulgent birthday meals would probably slow it down a bit. Anywho I feel great and I'm not going to expect unrealistic things. Two pounds a week is fine with me. I'm just going to keep on truckin'. Even if you don't lose anything, cheat like a horny politician, or even gain a pound or two, DON'T GIVE UP!! There have been so many times where my weight loss has slowed or stopped and I just said "screw it" and gave up. I'm learning more and more that when you mess up or pig out, tomorrow is a new day and you just gotta get right back on board. KEEP ON TRUCKIN'!!
- 2 or 3 leftover breadsticks (or leftover french or sourdough bread)
- 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp. Italian Seasoning
- pinch of red pepper flakes
- kosher salt
- black pepper
Preheat oven to 350*. Cut breadsticks in half length-wise and then cut into one inch cubes. Put breadstick pieces on a sheet pan and toss with the oil, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes. Make sure oil and seasonings are evenly distributed. Spread out the croutons in an even layer on the baking sheet and bake in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes or until crispy and golden brown.
Serving size: 1/2 cup = 100 calories, 3 pointsPlus.
BEST BREAKFAST MUFFINS EVER!!!
These muffins were perfect for my family. Grab them on the go for a delicious and healthy breakfast. The carrots, raisins, and oats pack in the fiber and nutrients, while the nutmeg and brown sugar provide the sweet satisfaction you'd expect from a muffin. Pair it with Greek yogurt (like I did above) and you have a well-balanced on the go breakfast.
- nonstick cooking spray
- 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup dark brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp coarse salt (such as kosher)
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1/2 cup raisins
- 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 large egg
- 1/3 cup skim milk
- 4 medium carrots, peeled and shredded
- 1 medium ripe banana, mashed
Preheat oven to 400*. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and salt until there are no lumps. Stir in oats and raisins. Add oil, egg, milk, carrots, and banana and stir until blended.
Fill each muffin cup with 1/4 cup batter. Bake until a toothpick inserted in center of a muffin comes out clean, about 23 to 25 minutes, Serve warm or at room temp. Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days or freeze!
NUTRITION (per muffin): 186 calories, 5 PointsPlus
This is the amazing beef stew we made last Sunday. The recipe comes from Cooking Light magazine, and I figured rather than provide the whole shebang here (because it's very long), I'll include a link that will take you directly to the recipe. This meal was so good. The stew is similar to traditional beef stew, but amped up with cremini mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, and Italian herbs. So hearty and only 350 calories a serving! No joke! Check it out here at http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dynaction=displayRecipe&recipe_id=50400000109598. I know, crazy URL. I'm sure there's a simpler way, but it works.
Hope you enjoy the recipes and ideas. I'm always cooking up a storm and can't wait to share more recipes. Until tomorrow, keep being a loser!
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Back on the Bandwagon.
Hello all. The last couple days have been trying for my diet. I went out with some friends and got caught up in the moment with pizza. The following day I went to my brother's restaurant with my mom and we had some not-so-figure-friendly appetizers. In the past, if something like this happened I would usually give up and say "screw it" but this time is different. This time I am not going to let the past affect my present. I may have indulged in a few extra calories but that's life. It only makes me stronger. I could have easily lied and pretended like I've been being good, but then I would feel like I was cheating and letting people down. Today was a new day and I did great! Lately I've been going out to eat a lot. It's hard to have a social life and avoid it. So far I've done pretty well and have found some awesome healthy choices. Today I went to Dickey's Barbecue Pit with my friend Kerry and as we stepped inside I was a little worried. I whipped out my iPhone and googled the restaurant's nutrition info. We are so lucky to have instant access to stuff like this these days. I put together an awesome meal. I had white meat pulled chicken on a bun with pickles, onion and barbecue sauce. Although there was potato salad, mac and cheese, and baked potato casserole staring me in the face, I chose a side of baked beans and a small side salad with dressing on the side. Who would have thought eating barbecue could be healthy!? I'm finding it easier and easier to eat out sensibly and actually enjoy the food. I think people assume that if they can't have a cheeseburger and fries they won't be satisfied. Not the case at all! I think with the obesity epidemic restaurants are really starting to catch on and offer some more healthy choices. Anyway, even though I had a few cheat meals, I still maintained my 10 pound weight loss which I'm stoked about. I guess my body was giving me a freebie, but I definitely won't test it again.
Last night I watched "I Used To Be Fat" on MTV. I have been hearing about the show for a while and finally got around to watching it. The show follows a young man or woman, usually just out of high school or in college, who are overweight and want to change their lifestyle. Last night's subject was Kelly, a high school graduate who had been struggling with her weight since her father died when she was a little girl. It was sad to see her struggle with those emotions, because I definitely know what it's like to eat your way through them. The show typically follows the subject through their entire weight loss journey. Kelly wanted to lose 50 pounds before she went off to college. She had 72 days to do it. She got fixed up with a life coach who kicked her butt with exercise and gave her some awesome nutritional help. Throughout her journey, Kelly began to open up and come out of her shell. She had a very hard time expressing her emotions and always kept her grief (from her father's untimely death) inside. Through working out and losing weight she became a happier person and learned to express herself. I think it is so awesome that exercise and weight loss can not only help you look great and feel confident, but can also help you become a happier person and learn to defeat your demons. Kelly was such a champ and after 72 days, she lost exactly 50 pounds. She had become an entirely new person and it was truly inspiring. I've been loving the recent weight loss shows on TV. I've also been religiously watching "Heavy" on the A&E channel. The show is very similar to "I Used to Be Fat" in that it follows an overweight or obese individual on their journey to a healthier life. I love how more and more shows like this are hitting the mainstream. We are in such a critical time when it comes to health and we could use all the information and inspiration we can get. I plan on reviewing "Heavy" this upcoming Monday so stay tuned.
See you guys soon!
P.S. I've had a few people asking me about my exercise routine and I have been meaning to post a video of a particular routine that I have been doing every day. I had previously recorded the video, but had some problems uploading it. It will be available soon and I already have an entire post draft dedicated to getting moving! Keep checking back.
Last night I watched "I Used To Be Fat" on MTV. I have been hearing about the show for a while and finally got around to watching it. The show follows a young man or woman, usually just out of high school or in college, who are overweight and want to change their lifestyle. Last night's subject was Kelly, a high school graduate who had been struggling with her weight since her father died when she was a little girl. It was sad to see her struggle with those emotions, because I definitely know what it's like to eat your way through them. The show typically follows the subject through their entire weight loss journey. Kelly wanted to lose 50 pounds before she went off to college. She had 72 days to do it. She got fixed up with a life coach who kicked her butt with exercise and gave her some awesome nutritional help. Throughout her journey, Kelly began to open up and come out of her shell. She had a very hard time expressing her emotions and always kept her grief (from her father's untimely death) inside. Through working out and losing weight she became a happier person and learned to express herself. I think it is so awesome that exercise and weight loss can not only help you look great and feel confident, but can also help you become a happier person and learn to defeat your demons. Kelly was such a champ and after 72 days, she lost exactly 50 pounds. She had become an entirely new person and it was truly inspiring. I've been loving the recent weight loss shows on TV. I've also been religiously watching "Heavy" on the A&E channel. The show is very similar to "I Used to Be Fat" in that it follows an overweight or obese individual on their journey to a healthier life. I love how more and more shows like this are hitting the mainstream. We are in such a critical time when it comes to health and we could use all the information and inspiration we can get. I plan on reviewing "Heavy" this upcoming Monday so stay tuned.
See you guys soon!
P.S. I've had a few people asking me about my exercise routine and I have been meaning to post a video of a particular routine that I have been doing every day. I had previously recorded the video, but had some problems uploading it. It will be available soon and I already have an entire post draft dedicated to getting moving! Keep checking back.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Snowed In
Reno has been a blizzard for the last few days. Today I took some photos of the aftermath. At least 3 feet of snow is covering my lawn and driveway. It's a great time to pull out the snow shovel and get some exercise! Today was a good and a bad day. I play drums in a band called Sleepy Sunshine and we had band practice today which was awesome. I put a pic of my band mates below. Playing drums has always been a passion of mine. It's cathartic as well as a workout! Banging and kicking for 45 minutes breaks a sweat! After band practice I settled down to dinner with my parents. My mom made a really good chicken and mozzarella ravioli with bechamel sauce. The bechamel sauce is made with butter and whole milk so it's a little rich, but I just used it sparingly. After dinner I got really depressed for no particular reason. I guess being unemployed and not in school gets to me after a while. I've been filling out applications left and right so fingers crossed! It will be so nice to have some purpose back in my life (besides the blog:)). I'm feeling much better now though. I could have easily pigged out and drowned my sorrow with carbs but I just lived it out. I think people have a hard time just living out their negative feelings sometimes. I've been in recovery for drug addiction and my counselor was always telling me to accept your feelings and sit with them, rather than try to escape from them with drugs, alcohol, food, sex, etc.(Name your poison) At first I thought that it would just be too hard, but have recently accepted that life isn't always on the up. It is a roller coaster and accepting that makes it a hell of a lot easier! I think this plays a huge part in weight loss and health. We all turn to something to fill that void sometimes. I always turned to food, until I discovered drugs, but now that I'm clean, I turn to food again. Staying on top of our emotions and letting ourselves feel them is the key. You don't always have to push them away, because if you keep doing that, you'll just keep getting what you always got. There is no true happiness in that. Anyway, I thought it would be nice to touch upon emotions because a lot of us are emotional eaters. I'm trying harder every day to be in sync with my feelings and know that they don't require an ice cream binge. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. See you guys tomorrow!
BREAKFAST
3 homemade low-fat pancakes (from Bisquick) 4 pts, 190 calories
1/4 cup pancake syrup, 2 pts, 100 calories
1 tbsp. whipped lite butter, 2 pts, 70 calories
BREAKFAST TOTAL: 7 pts, 360 calories
LUNCH
Turkey Polish Sausage (on a white bun with ketchup, mustard and relish), 11 pts, 570 calories
Diet Pepsi
LUNCH TOTAL: 11 pts, 560 calories
SNACK
Greek Strawberry Yogurt (my new obsession, see below) 3 pts, 160 calories
SNACK TOTAL: 3 pts, 160 calories
DINNER
1 cup Chicken and Cheese Ravioli, 5 pts, 230 calories
1/2 cup Bechamel Sauce, 3 pts, 140 calories
DINNER TOTAL: 8 pts, 380 calories
SNACK/DESSERT
Low Fat Ice Cream Sandwich, 6 pts, 320 calories
SNACK/DESSERT TOTAL: 6 pts, 320 calories
DAY TOTAL: 35 pts, 1789 calories
My only regret today was that I definitely skimped on fruits and veggies. I will increase my intake tomorrow.
View from my front porch. This photo doesn't even begin to depict the true amount of snow we got. This is after the street and driveway were plowed. We honestly got 3 or 4 feet total.
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