This week I lost 5 lbs! I am grateful but confused as I didn't exercise once this week. I have lost 27.5 lbs overall. I just 3.5 lbs shy of the halfway mark! I am following Sid's lead and for the first time ever telling my weight. For me this is the same as standing naked in front of you! But if I am going to be comfortable with my weight I want to stop treating it as the elephant in the room that no one talks about.
I am also hoping it will help me with my mental challenge. I have all my weight loss weigh in logs and I have noticed that right around this time I have stopped losing weight in the past. I am not really sure why and I don't want to have the same thing happen. I think part of the reason is that dedication starts to fail. It really isn't as much fun anymore to eat healthy all the time. I am starting to suffer from cravings for junk food. I have been battling a craving for Chinese food for 2 weeks now! I think I will wait until I break the 30 lb weight loss marker and then order a small meal.
Overall I am proud of myself and will continue to work as hard as I can to get totally healthy.
So since Sid jumped off the cliff I am running and leaping after her (thank you Sid for continuing to be an inspiration!)! I started this journey on 11/28 at 200 lbs. Today I weighed in at 173.5 lbs. My goal is to be 135-140 lbs by the end of this journey. My short term goal is to be at least 160 by June for the summer months.
I hope you all had good weeks in some way and I thank you all for coming along with us. It is very cathartic to be able to open my heart to you all each week!
Be healthy and happy everyone!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Pulled Chicken Barbecue Wrap
I saw this one and think it sounds fabulous! I am going to try is next week.
1 c diet cola
1 c ketchup
1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp hot pepper sauce, habanero-variety recommended
3 tbsp steak sauce
1 tsp dehydrated onion flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 lbs uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/8 tsp salt, or more
1/8 tsp black pepper, or more
4 medium whole wheat tortillas
1 c mixed greens
1. Preheat grill or broiler
2. Combine cola, worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, steak sauce, onion flakes and garlic powder in a heavy saucepan; gradually bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat slightly to obtain a gently simmer; simmer barbecue sauce until reduced by a quarter, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, start to prepare chicken. Season chicken with salt and pepper; grill or broil chicken until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove chicken from grill and pull apart into shredded bite-size pieces with 2 forks (so you don't burn your hands).
4. Combine chicken and barbecue sauce in a medium bowl; mix to evenly coat.
5. Divide chicken mixture among tortillas, spooning about 1 c of filling onto bottom half of each tortilla; top with mixed greens. Fold tortilla bottom over filling and then fold sides in toward center to enclose filling. Yields one wrap per serving.
Also mentioned for a change of pace, serve chicken mixture over mashed potatoes or rice.
For those following points:
6 points/serving
4 servings
1 c diet cola
1 c ketchup
1/4 c Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp hot pepper sauce, habanero-variety recommended
3 tbsp steak sauce
1 tsp dehydrated onion flakes
1 tsp garlic powder
1 1/2 lbs uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast
1/8 tsp salt, or more
1/8 tsp black pepper, or more
4 medium whole wheat tortillas
1 c mixed greens
1. Preheat grill or broiler
2. Combine cola, worcestershire sauce, hot pepper sauce, steak sauce, onion flakes and garlic powder in a heavy saucepan; gradually bring to a boil over medium heat. Reduce heat slightly to obtain a gently simmer; simmer barbecue sauce until reduced by a quarter, about 6-8 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, start to prepare chicken. Season chicken with salt and pepper; grill or broil chicken until cooked through, about 5-6 minutes per side. Remove chicken from grill and pull apart into shredded bite-size pieces with 2 forks (so you don't burn your hands).
4. Combine chicken and barbecue sauce in a medium bowl; mix to evenly coat.
5. Divide chicken mixture among tortillas, spooning about 1 c of filling onto bottom half of each tortilla; top with mixed greens. Fold tortilla bottom over filling and then fold sides in toward center to enclose filling. Yields one wrap per serving.
Also mentioned for a change of pace, serve chicken mixture over mashed potatoes or rice.
For those following points:
6 points/serving
4 servings
Saturday, January 23, 2010
My First Gain.. And It's Okay
This week was really a hard week in the whole package in my life. Just one of those weeks where nothing seems to go quite right. I posted about my daughter being sick (she just went back to school yesterday) and then I got sick. This led to a week of not really eating the way I should and no exercise. (Dogs were giving me the evil look)I felt like the good year blimp knowing that I was not doing what I was supposed to do. I was sure I had gained 5 lbs and was mad at myself for getting rid of all those bigger clothes last weekend.
Well guess what? All my clothes still fit and I only gained 2 lbs! That might sound like a contradiction to be glad you gained 2 lbs. I am not glad I gained but glad it was only 2 lbs and not more. Glad that my clothes still fit, glad that I CAN do this even when it is tough. It is unrealistic to expect that I will never have a gain for the rest of my life. This has almost rejuvenated me to jump back even harder than before and luckily I am starting to feel better. As is always the case I need to be a little nicer to myself.
I want to celebrate some of the positive things that happened this week. I went to the my endocrinologits (I have Hashimoto's, and underactive thyroid) and he was congratulated me on losing weight. My cholesterol is great. They want it to be under 200 and mine is 120! My blood pressure 135/77. That was a little higher than I would have liked but I had caffeine and sodium this week so not surprising. I also had several people at work notice that I am losing weight! Hmm.. could they have read last week's post? Hope so...:-)
So this week is dedicated to hitting it harder than ever and not losing control. I hope you all had a good week!
Curvy Girl
Well guess what? All my clothes still fit and I only gained 2 lbs! That might sound like a contradiction to be glad you gained 2 lbs. I am not glad I gained but glad it was only 2 lbs and not more. Glad that my clothes still fit, glad that I CAN do this even when it is tough. It is unrealistic to expect that I will never have a gain for the rest of my life. This has almost rejuvenated me to jump back even harder than before and luckily I am starting to feel better. As is always the case I need to be a little nicer to myself.
I want to celebrate some of the positive things that happened this week. I went to the my endocrinologits (I have Hashimoto's, and underactive thyroid) and he was congratulated me on losing weight. My cholesterol is great. They want it to be under 200 and mine is 120! My blood pressure 135/77. That was a little higher than I would have liked but I had caffeine and sodium this week so not surprising. I also had several people at work notice that I am losing weight! Hmm.. could they have read last week's post? Hope so...:-)
So this week is dedicated to hitting it harder than ever and not losing control. I hope you all had a good week!
Curvy Girl
Monday, January 18, 2010
Feed a Cold (and a recipe)
My daughter came home on Saturday saying she didn't feel good. I thought that it was from the sleepover the night before and didn't think anything of it. Then the fever started and the no eating. When she cut a shopping trip done early and passed on seeing "New Moon" (her fave movie!) one more time I knew she was sick.
I was tired but I had walked three dogs, shopped, seen a movie and was running with errands until 10pm. Seemed normal to me. I got up yesterday feeling very tired and achy. Much to my dogs dismay I passed on walking them in favor of laying around most of the day. I don't lay around.. it bores me. But I pulled my big furry blanket to the couch and lay there all day long. (all right.. I bathed the dogs but that was it)I was SOOOOOO hungry all day long but yet nothing was making me feel better. I ate a ton of stuff! They say feed a cold and let me tell you I did. I even broke my 2 month no caffeine rule and had some cola. It bothers me that this happened but as Sid has pointed out I don't think average people worry about stuff like this. As long as I don't do it all the time I will be okay. I am making good progress and I am allowed to indulge sometimes.. especially when I don't feel good.
The fever hit today but I will be back on track with eating and I WILL walk tonight. It won't be a race but something is better than nothing.
And now for the recipe! This sounds so scrumptious! I got if off the Weight Watchers website. If you make it let me know how it is. It is on my list of things to try!
Apple Braised Chicken
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 lb uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast (4 four oz pieces)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 large onion sliced
2 medium apples, firm, cored and sliced
1 c apple cider
1 c fat-free chicken broth
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp cornstarch
1. In a large, heavy bottomed skillet, warm oil over high heat. Toss chicken with flour in a medium bowl, patting off excess. Place chicken in skillet and brown well on both sides. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
2. Reduce stove temperature to low and add onion to skillet. Saute, stirring often, until onion is tender and lightly browned.
3. Stir in apples, cider, chicken broth, salt ginger and chicken. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer chicken, onions and apples to a serving dish.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the corn starch and 2-3 tablespoons of pan juices. Combine cornstarch mixture with remaining pan juices, whisking constantly. Simmer for one minute. Pour sauce over chicken and serve.
Yields 1 chicken breast and about 3/4 cup of apple-onion mix per person. (5 points)
Flavor Booster: Pears and chicken are an appealing combination. Substitute 2 ripe Bartlett or Comice pears, peeled, cored and diced for the apples, 1 cup sparking pear cider for the apple cider and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg for the ginger.
I was tired but I had walked three dogs, shopped, seen a movie and was running with errands until 10pm. Seemed normal to me. I got up yesterday feeling very tired and achy. Much to my dogs dismay I passed on walking them in favor of laying around most of the day. I don't lay around.. it bores me. But I pulled my big furry blanket to the couch and lay there all day long. (all right.. I bathed the dogs but that was it)I was SOOOOOO hungry all day long but yet nothing was making me feel better. I ate a ton of stuff! They say feed a cold and let me tell you I did. I even broke my 2 month no caffeine rule and had some cola. It bothers me that this happened but as Sid has pointed out I don't think average people worry about stuff like this. As long as I don't do it all the time I will be okay. I am making good progress and I am allowed to indulge sometimes.. especially when I don't feel good.
The fever hit today but I will be back on track with eating and I WILL walk tonight. It won't be a race but something is better than nothing.
And now for the recipe! This sounds so scrumptious! I got if off the Weight Watchers website. If you make it let me know how it is. It is on my list of things to try!
Apple Braised Chicken
2 tsp vegetable oil
1 lb uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast (4 four oz pieces)
2 tbsp all-purpose flour
1 large onion sliced
2 medium apples, firm, cored and sliced
1 c apple cider
1 c fat-free chicken broth
1/2 tsp table salt
1/2 tsp ground ginger
2 tsp cornstarch
1. In a large, heavy bottomed skillet, warm oil over high heat. Toss chicken with flour in a medium bowl, patting off excess. Place chicken in skillet and brown well on both sides. Remove chicken from pan and set aside.
2. Reduce stove temperature to low and add onion to skillet. Saute, stirring often, until onion is tender and lightly browned.
3. Stir in apples, cider, chicken broth, salt ginger and chicken. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer chicken, onions and apples to a serving dish.
4. In a small bowl, whisk together the corn starch and 2-3 tablespoons of pan juices. Combine cornstarch mixture with remaining pan juices, whisking constantly. Simmer for one minute. Pour sauce over chicken and serve.
Yields 1 chicken breast and about 3/4 cup of apple-onion mix per person. (5 points)
Flavor Booster: Pears and chicken are an appealing combination. Substitute 2 ripe Bartlett or Comice pears, peeled, cored and diced for the apples, 1 cup sparking pear cider for the apple cider and 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg for the ginger.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Today I Celebrate Me
What a week it has been! There has been STRESS all over the place and I was really feeling worried about the scales this week as I indulged in some extra healthy foods again.
Last night I had some alone time I so decided to clear the closet of bigger clothes that I need to get rid of. Boy was I surprised when half my closet wound up on the floor! Some of it was sad as there were things I had only worn once but that is tempered by the fact that I look better and I had saved some smaller clothes so I don't have to go buy a whole new wardrobe yet!
I lost 3 lbs this week! It was a success and thankfully I am not letting the stress trigger any binges. I am an emotional eater and stress usually would send me to chocolate and other lovely tasting things in large quantities. I grocery shopped after work last night before dinner and I was SOOOO hungry that everything in the store looked good and I wanted to eat it. So I made a deal with myself. I put it in my cart and if at the end before I checked out I still wanted it I would get it. Everything went back because it was just an impulse and not a true hunger.
I have basically gone down a whole size in clothes now. I lose faster on top than I do the bottom which is a frustration to me but there are so many things about my body I am liking better. My booty looks pretty perky right now. Nice waist is getting tinier and my hips are getting curvier in a good way. I have not been this thin since April of 2008! I do have fabulous cheekbones when I am at a good weight and I am starting to see signs of them. I feel just a little more confident than I did before and now at least I have clothes that I would feel good in if I go out.
I have run into the opposite of Sid in that people in my daily life haven't said really that they have noticed I have lost weight. Here's a tip for everyone.. NO ONE gets mad if you say they look like they have lost weight. Don't go overboard and say they look so much better now (cuz I looked like crap before?) but acknowledgement is a tool also.
I am eager to hear some of your stories, triggers and tips. You guys are really helping Sid and I just by knowing you read our blog. So keep following and sign up for automatic updates. Let us know if there is something that you want more of in the blog!
I will add a recipe later this week. Apple Braised Chicken!
Curvy Girl
Monday, January 11, 2010
Feeling Good Today!
I got up this morning feeling like I wanted to dress up a little. I have the GREAT pencil skirt that I have only worn twice because it was too tight and uncomfortable. I tried it on and it was too big. I added the belt it came with.. not enough holes to make it tight enough. I dug out my other skirt.. too big. I was doing the happy dance at 5am this morning! All I had was a wrap dress in the very back of the closet. It is too big but because it is a wrap dress I just wrapped it and tied it tighter.. accentuates my waist nicely! For the first time in years I am adding a picture of me full body. It isn't the best picture but a big step our for me and I feel so good today I am ready to share. I have a LONG way to go but have come a long way and even if I didn't lose another pound (which I will) I have succeeded!
Saturday, January 9, 2010
This Week Was Hard (and a recipe)
Usually I look forward to weigh in day each week. This week not so much.. I knew that it wasn't going to be as promising as previous. I lost half a pound this week. I believe there were a couple of reasons for that.
1. It only takes your body about 20 days to adjust to what you are currently doing and it won't have as much impact. I am very tight on time with being a single mom responsible for the house and 3 dogs. Walking the dog daily is my main form of exercise. Does anyone have some quick ways to add to my exercise routine that will give me a boost? I am adding Jillian Michaels on the Wii (she is a goddess!) but I find my calves hurt after all the running. I eat bananas every day but if you have other suggestions to help with this I would appreciate it.
2. Hi, my name is Curvy Girl and I am an emotional eater. This week was VERY stressful for me. There is a person missing at work who I had to pick up for, the snow because my car is a moving death trap in it and I drive 50 miles round trip every day for work and my daughter had some problems this week. I ate more than I should have and didn't track it all. I am proud that normally I would have bought a bag of chips and then wondered how I got to the bottom but this week I ate extra oyster crackers and sometimes didn't eat all my points for the day. Not eating enough can cause your body to hold onto what you have just in case of emergencies.
3. The weather had a major impact due to walking the dog. I have been pretty dedicated even with winter but it was majorly cold this week and we can't go as long as normal. I went one day and cut it short after I couldn't feel the skin under my eyes (yes I had on a scarf). The snow is a blessing and a curse. It makes the walk harder on me due to trudging through all the inches of snow but after falling and hurting my wrist I am nervous because I can't see the ice. I have slipped but not fallen 3 times since I hurt my wrist.
4. The last item is almost the most important to me. I have written about trying to be more positive and kind to my body and not passing on my issues to my daughter. This week it was really brought home to me that I have already done that in a way but I WILL reverse it. My daughter was rubbing my back and she told me "Good job mom! You're back feels smaller, only a little flab there.". I knew her intention was to compliment me on my success so far but she has no idea that the word flab is not nice. Why? Because I talk about my "flab", "fat", "disgusting stomach", and other not nice words. I wouldn't say these things to others in a million years or let her say them to others but I said them out loud to myself enough that she has accepted them as normal body words. This is how this cycles get started huh?
So this week was hard but I was talking to Sid and she reminded me that this is one week in many weeks to come. Puts it in perspective huh? (Sid you are so smart!) I tend to get bogged down in the race and loose focus on the journey but I am back on track and more determined than ever.
Sid and I are doing a photo shoot this summer when we get together face to face in our bathing suits. You guys have any other suggestions? We are trying to keep fun things out there to help with our motivation.
The recipe is a WW and delicious! I am trying to keep them simple because I hate taking too much time or having to buy a million ingredients. If you want more complex recipes let me know. I chose chocolate this week because really who can't use that sometimes? Enjoy and let me know how you like and send us your recipes!
Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge
1 2/3 c sugar
2/3 c fat free evaporated milk
2 tbsp reduced calorie margarine
2 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
14 large marshmallows
1. Coat an 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray
2. Stir together the sugar, evaporated milk, and margarine. Bring to a boil in a sauce pan, reduce heat to medium-low and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Stir in chocolate and marshmallows. Remove from heat and stir until smooth.
4. Pour into pan and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into 36 squares and serve. (Leave fudge in refrigerator or freezer for a firmer consistency)
1 point per square
1. It only takes your body about 20 days to adjust to what you are currently doing and it won't have as much impact. I am very tight on time with being a single mom responsible for the house and 3 dogs. Walking the dog daily is my main form of exercise. Does anyone have some quick ways to add to my exercise routine that will give me a boost? I am adding Jillian Michaels on the Wii (she is a goddess!) but I find my calves hurt after all the running. I eat bananas every day but if you have other suggestions to help with this I would appreciate it.
2. Hi, my name is Curvy Girl and I am an emotional eater. This week was VERY stressful for me. There is a person missing at work who I had to pick up for, the snow because my car is a moving death trap in it and I drive 50 miles round trip every day for work and my daughter had some problems this week. I ate more than I should have and didn't track it all. I am proud that normally I would have bought a bag of chips and then wondered how I got to the bottom but this week I ate extra oyster crackers and sometimes didn't eat all my points for the day. Not eating enough can cause your body to hold onto what you have just in case of emergencies.
3. The weather had a major impact due to walking the dog. I have been pretty dedicated even with winter but it was majorly cold this week and we can't go as long as normal. I went one day and cut it short after I couldn't feel the skin under my eyes (yes I had on a scarf). The snow is a blessing and a curse. It makes the walk harder on me due to trudging through all the inches of snow but after falling and hurting my wrist I am nervous because I can't see the ice. I have slipped but not fallen 3 times since I hurt my wrist.
4. The last item is almost the most important to me. I have written about trying to be more positive and kind to my body and not passing on my issues to my daughter. This week it was really brought home to me that I have already done that in a way but I WILL reverse it. My daughter was rubbing my back and she told me "Good job mom! You're back feels smaller, only a little flab there.". I knew her intention was to compliment me on my success so far but she has no idea that the word flab is not nice. Why? Because I talk about my "flab", "fat", "disgusting stomach", and other not nice words. I wouldn't say these things to others in a million years or let her say them to others but I said them out loud to myself enough that she has accepted them as normal body words. This is how this cycles get started huh?
So this week was hard but I was talking to Sid and she reminded me that this is one week in many weeks to come. Puts it in perspective huh? (Sid you are so smart!) I tend to get bogged down in the race and loose focus on the journey but I am back on track and more determined than ever.
Sid and I are doing a photo shoot this summer when we get together face to face in our bathing suits. You guys have any other suggestions? We are trying to keep fun things out there to help with our motivation.
The recipe is a WW and delicious! I am trying to keep them simple because I hate taking too much time or having to buy a million ingredients. If you want more complex recipes let me know. I chose chocolate this week because really who can't use that sometimes? Enjoy and let me know how you like and send us your recipes!
Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge
1 2/3 c sugar
2/3 c fat free evaporated milk
2 tbsp reduced calorie margarine
2 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
14 large marshmallows
1. Coat an 8x8 inch pan with cooking spray
2. Stir together the sugar, evaporated milk, and margarine. Bring to a boil in a sauce pan, reduce heat to medium-low and cook 3 minutes, stirring constantly.
3. Stir in chocolate and marshmallows. Remove from heat and stir until smooth.
4. Pour into pan and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. Cut into 36 squares and serve. (Leave fudge in refrigerator or freezer for a firmer consistency)
1 point per square
Saturday, January 2, 2010
My Going Away Present to 2009
I gave 2009 a present at the last minute..something I didn't need anymore. I left behind 20 lbs! That's 2 10 lb bags of potatoes to give you an idea... whoo! In 5 weeks I have lost 20 lbs, 4 inches on my waist, 3 inches on my hips, 6 inches on the girls and half an inch on my thighs. It doesn't sound like a lot of inches but what a difference I can feel already!
I didn't make a resolution this year because I already made one too myself when I started this and that is a life long resolution so there was no need to make it again. I left that to things like be the best mom I can be and be more open to new things.
I am very proud of myself and for the first time I don't feel embarrassed to say that. I have kept it up even when it is trying. Last weekend I fell of the healthy eating and got back on, then this week I fell and sprained my wrist quite badly but the same day I got out of urgent care I came home, put my brace on and took the dog for a 45 minute walk. (It was my left hand so I could hold her in my right) We are kind of on hold with the walking as the temps are negative with the windchills right now but I used one of my many dvd's yesterday. Today I think that I will try my new game for Wii from Jillian of The Biggest Loser.
I am feeling very optimistic about this and I hope you all are having the success you want. I also thank you for following this because writing this is a great tool for me to keep making my journey.
Happy 2010 everyone!
I didn't make a resolution this year because I already made one too myself when I started this and that is a life long resolution so there was no need to make it again. I left that to things like be the best mom I can be and be more open to new things.
I am very proud of myself and for the first time I don't feel embarrassed to say that. I have kept it up even when it is trying. Last weekend I fell of the healthy eating and got back on, then this week I fell and sprained my wrist quite badly but the same day I got out of urgent care I came home, put my brace on and took the dog for a 45 minute walk. (It was my left hand so I could hold her in my right) We are kind of on hold with the walking as the temps are negative with the windchills right now but I used one of my many dvd's yesterday. Today I think that I will try my new game for Wii from Jillian of The Biggest Loser.
I am feeling very optimistic about this and I hope you all are having the success you want. I also thank you for following this because writing this is a great tool for me to keep making my journey.
Happy 2010 everyone!
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