Tuesday, November 29, 2011

One step at a time...

Yesterday I went to the doctor for a physical...hadn't been since 2008...eeek!  All of my numbers were good, even the ones that were really bad before.  I decided not to rush myself and try to go to the gym for a partial class before my appointment.  I always try to fit too much into one day and usually end up burning myself out.

After the doctor I decided to go shopping.  I walked from store to store to lunch for a total of 1.3 miles...in my sandals, probably not the best idea, but I still got some activity in.  I used to think that exercise only counted if you were at the gym for hours and hours, but now I realize that every single extra step counts and they all add up over time.  I stopped at Chili's for lunch and had a small salad with a chicken breast and honey mustard dressing.  It was really good and filling, but not too filling.  After lunch I walked back to my car, did some grocery shopping, picked up my daughter, came home to work on my school and make dinner.  We don't have a very exciting life, but we definitely have a busy one...I can hardly imagine going back to work, but once I finish school, that is the plan.  I really love being home full time, maybe someday it will be my reality.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Tough Day...

I should have done my school assignments before Thanksgiving, but I was so busy with other stuff I didn't.  I am regretting it today since I have 3 assignments due and one of them I do not totally understand.  School has been hard and time very consuming.  I can hardly believe I am almost to the end.  I need to find the umph to finish strong as I have done well so far.

Today I woke up with a kink in my neck which has given me a good headache all day long.  I tried taking a break from school for a nap, but that didn't help.  Between the pain in my neck and head and frustrations over school, it has been a VERY eaty day.  I ate my dailies, the remainder of my weeklies and 28 more on top of that.  In the past I would never have eaten more pp than I had left, but lately, it has been a struggle.  I still track and account for everything I eat and drink, but I need to get back to being more strict with how many activity and extra pp I consume.

I will get to the gym this week and work off all of today's madness.  I will do my best to still have a loss by Saturday...I will also stick to my daily 33 and find a different way to release my frustrations.

Tomorrow is a new day...

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Weigh in...

Well...I was hoping to lose 2 pounds this week to make it to 80...Instead, I only lost 1.4.  I am happy with that loss, but bummed I didn't make it to 80.  Oh well...I will make it this week for sure!  This past week was super busy with my daughter's holiday play and feast, Thanksgiving, Black Thursday night, and Black Friday.  When I was out shopping on Friday I did have 4pp worth of popcorn at Target...it was hot, buttery, salty, and yummy!  I also had a banana and a Diet Pepsi.  For lunch I had a chicken salad at Baja Fresh with salsa in place of dressing...I had Diet Coke alongside.  I usually don't drink so much soda...I kind of go in spurts.  Even though I drank a ton of water yesterday, it probably didn't totally balance out all of the extra salt I consumed.

Tomorrow I have 3 assignments for school to complete.  It was nice not to think about school for a few days, but I know I will regret it tomorrow.  Monday I have an appointment with my doctor to find out the results of my blood work...I am super anxious.  I have not seen him in a few years, so I am way overdue...and my health should be drastically improved from the last time I was there!  Since I will be at the doctor's during spin, I am going to take Miami Mama on Tuesday, Zumba on Wednesday, walk on Thursday, and Zumba on Friday.

Best hopes for a great week for all!

Thankful...

Even though this post is a bit late, I decided to do it anyway...
I am thankful for so much this year...

  • My family of course...I have an awesome husband, 2 fabulous kids, and a great mom
  • My older brother calling me "skinny" and telling me I am "doing good" on Thanksgiving
  • A safe car and a full tank of gas
  • A house to live in that has hot water, electricity, and a full fridge 
  • Weight Watchers for giving me the guidance I need to lose weight
  • My 3 month tracker, WW app on my phone, and WW e-Tools
  • My Weight Watcher peeps who have supported me for the last 9 months...:)
  • Fitness Compound...Jehane (Zumba), Wendell (Spin), and Jenny (Miami Mama)
  • My body's willingness to cooperate when I push it hard physically
  • My husband's ability and willingness to work hard
  • My husband's job and health insurance
  • Only 6 more weeks of school until I earn my AA in Accounting
There are several other things I am thankful for, but I've gotta to stop somewhere.


Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Upside-down Green Bean Casserole...

Today started off with a 1/2 hour wait to get my blood taken, a person who was really good at doing it, and 75 minutes of spinning.  I felt so good after class, I am so glad I went.  Tomorrow there is a Zumba class so my daughter and I are going to go.  I LOVE taking classes at the gym, and when I don't go, I feel antsy like my body is really missing it.

After the gym, a complete breakfast, and a shower, my daughter and I headed to the scrapbook store to use their die cuts.  I feel so accomplished when I get stuff done, no matter how little or insignificant it is.  We went to El Pollo Loco for lunch.  It is my absolute favorite place to eat out, especially since I have been on Weight Watchers.  I had a Chicken Ceasar Salad without dressing and a Diet Coke for 6pp.  I love their Creamy Cilantro Dressing, but I rarely eat it since it has the same pp value as the entire salad...I do eat about 1/2 cup of house salsa in its place...LOVE...

Even after lunch and a 3pp stop at Golden Spoon, I still had 15pp left for dinner.  I planned to make grilled talapia, stuffing, and green bean casserole.  I defrosted the fish, pointed out the stuffing, and revamped the casserole...which would have made the entire casserole only 22pp.

Green Bean Casserole...what's in it...

  • 1 cup of skim milk...2pp
  • 1 can of cream of mushroom soup...7pp
  • 1 small package of french fried onions...12pp
  • 2 cans of green beans...0pp 
  • 1 tablespoon of cornstarch...1pp
How to make it...

  • Heat milk and soup over medium heat and stir until mixed well
  • Add cornstarch and stir to thicken mix
  • Add green beans and stir
  • Pour mixture into casserole dish and top with french fried onions
  • Bake at 375 for 20 minutes
When it was done, it looked delish, however when I was trying to take it out of the oven, the dish slid on the backing sheet and the whole thing flipped upside-down all over the oven door and bottom of the oven.  Since I didn't get to taste it, I am not sure of its flavor...I will have to try again and post results.  

I was so frustrated...after cleaning up my mess, I decided I had had enough of the kitchen and took orders for McDonald's.  We don't eat out very often, and very rarely more than once in one day...today was an exception for sure.  I decided to get creative with my pp since I couldn't see blowing 13 of the 15 on a McRib alone.  I opted for 1/2 McRib (7pp), 1/4 Medium Fries(3pp), 1/2 Cheeseburger(4pp), 1 Chicken Nugget (1pp), and a Diet Coke (0pp)...not the best choices I could have made, but I did enjoy everything I ate, counted everything...and even weighed my fries for accuracy.  Years ago I would have mindlessly eaten who knows how many fries and nuggets before I even got home and then had the entire McRib on top of that.  Making small changes over time add up.  I know I have come a long way, and I need to take a bit more time to step back and think about how much I really have accomplished in the past 9 months.

Tomorrow we are going to my brother's for Thanksgiving dinner.  My niece will be with us and stay the night...she is here from Missouri...I will be careful with my pp and plan my day in the morning to account for all of the madness.  I have already decided that for Thanksgiving dinner I am going to eat mashed potatoes and gravy, turkey, fruit salad, and free veggies...I will take my scale so I don't have to worry about guestimating, something I don't think I will ever be good at.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Craft Madness and some yum...

Molly and I were super productive during our crafting sessions this weekend.I am not sure why we did not take any pictures of our fellow crafters...I will be sure to next time!


These are Thanksgiving wreaths that we made for her teachers and a few friends...
 Molly colored the stamped images for her teachers' wreaths...she did such a great job!
 These are the make-and-takes Molly and I made...
We really did have a great time!  The ladies that run the crop are so nice, the people that come to crop are as well...everyone is friendly, willing to share ideas and supplies, and there to have a good time.

Yesterday I made my version of birrea and simple spanish rice.  Both of them turned out really good, not as good as my mother-in-law makes, but good enough for being healthier versions of hers.

Birrea...what's in it...

  • Super lean stew beef
  • 2 Cans of Chicken Broth
  • 1 Container of my mother-in-law's homemade chile sauce...I will post the recipe next time she comes.
  • Olive Oil
  • Salt & Pepper
Birrea...how to cook it...
  • In a large stock pot, heat oil
  • Trim all visible fat from beef...I use scissors to make it easier
  • Salt & Pepper each piece
  • Brown beef on all sides in olive oil
  • If there is still a lot of oil in the pan...you can discard it, but keep the browned bits from the bottom of the pan
  • Add chicken broth
  • Add chile sauce
  • Bring to a boil...then let simmer for a few hours
  • Mix a tablespoon or two of cornstarch with about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid
  • Add mixture to the pot and stir
  • Bring back to a boil...then let simmer for a few more hours
  • Once the meat is tender...shred with a fork and put back in pot...stir into sauce...done
Rice...what's in it...
  • Jasmine rice & Water...equal parts
  • Roma tomatoes
  • Jarred garlic
  • Chicken bullion powder
Rice...how to cook it...

** I have never been good at cooking rice, instant or regular, until I bought a rice cooker...I love it!!! **
  • Pre-cook rice in rice cooker...I used 1 1/2 cups of rice & 1 1/2 cups of water
  • In blender...add tomatoes (I used 5), garlic (1 1/2 tsps), and chicken bullion powder (1 tbs)
  • Blend until smooth consistency
  • Heat a frying pan with sides high enough to stir...medium~high
  • Add tomato mixture
  • Add rice
  • Stir until all of the tomato sauce is absorbed into the rice...done.
We ate ours with corn tortillas...so good!








Monday, November 21, 2011

Good friends, food, and fun...

Molly and I accomplished SO much this weekend!  We finished 7 Thanksgiving wreaths, she made some Christmas banners on her own, we made 2 make-n-takes, cut tons of paper with die cuts, and had a great time. Even I went to bed at 2am and got up at 7am this morning, I am not tired.  I feel refreshed, accomplished, and ready to take on the new week!

I used 17 of my weeklies yesterday, but I am glad I did.  It was nice to have a few chips and cookies, especially since I don't eat them very often.  I took my tracker when we went scrapbooking and left it out the whole day...everytime something went in my mouth I wrote it down.

Sunday...
Had a lazy day at home with the hubby and kids.  It rained all day so it was nice to be inside.  I worked on school, did laundry (and actually finished it), watched a few movies, and the kids played games and watched TV.  Even though I got a lot done, I didn't feel stress or pressure to do anything.  Yesterday was kind of an eaty day and I did burn through the rest of my weeklies, but that was ok.  This week I am going to attempt to use my dailies as suggested in the "Getting Started Guide".  So far I am good...6pp for breakfast & 3pp for snack...lunch should be 8pp, another snack for 4pp, and a 12pp dinner...we'll see how it goes...

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Weigh in...

Down .8 for a total of 78 pounds!  I am happy with my weight loss this week, all things considered.

Goals for the new week...
  • Walk Monday ~ Friday
  • Use my weeklies, but not my activity points.
  • Make good choices @ my daughter's Holiday Feast & Thanksgiving Day.
  • Get more sleep.
  • Not get trampled on Black Friday.
  • Lose 2 pounds by Saturday to get to 80!
I have a bit of school to finish this morning and then Molly (my daughter) and I are on our way back to crafting.  Last night was late, today will be as well.  Maybe tomorrow we will get to sleep in!?!

Friday, November 18, 2011

Week in review...

Eating...This week I did well and only ate 1 of my activity points...

Exercise...I did not exercise as much as I had planned because my son was sick and then today was his birthday...my daughter and I spent hours hanging streamers, ribbons, balloons, $ bills, iTunes cards, and gum from his bedroom ceiling...I was climbing up and down and stretching to reach the ceiling so that should count for something...

Sleep...Not good...I stayed up too late every night this week trying to get things done and then trying to wind down before I went to sleep after I finished school...

Dinner tonight was Panda Express at my son's request.  I weighed and pointed out everything, but we'll see what the scale says tomorrow...

Tonight I am off to scrapbook with my daughter and my friend...we will get home late, and get up early, so I am sure that won't help my weigh in.  I have decided that I am not going to avoid eating or doing things on Fridays just because Saturday is my weigh in day.  It will be what it will be and I will continue my efforts.  Sometimes the scale does not show one's efforts the week they were put forth...if this week is not good...next one will have to be!!!

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Caramelized, fall off the bone goodness...

This morning I awoke with intentions of going to a step/weight class until my son told me his stomach hurt.  I asked him if he wanted me to stay home, surprisingly he said yes.  He will be 15 tomorrow and even though he slept most of the day, it was nice to know he wanted me home just in case he needed me.  Granny was home, so even if I had left, he would not have been home alone.  Anyway...I was super bummed about missing my workout, because I feel so much better when I workout than when I don't.

I made the best of my morning and worked on hot gluing my daughter's Fall wreaths for school, picked up the house, and packed to go scrapbooking this weekend.  My daughter and I are going to go with a friend, and I know we will have a blast.

Yesterday I attempted my suegra's (mother-in-law's) recipe for chicken legs.  She is a fantastic cook and does not use recipes, so I did my best.  I let them marinade over night and cooked them tonight...they were sooo good...not quite as good as hers, but pretty darn close!

Ingredients...

  • Chicken legs with the skin removed
  • Fresh squeezed orange juice
  • Yellow mustard
  • Chicken bouillon
  • Salt
  • Seasoning Sauce
  • Soy Sauce
  • Brummel & Brown Yogurt Butter
Directions for marinade...
  • Once the skin is removed, cut several small slits in each leg
  • Salt each piece individually
  • Mix all of the ingredients in a bowl...except for the chicken
  • Dip each chicken leg in the mixture and then put in a ziploc bag
  • Once all of the legs are in, pour in the remaining mixture and refrigerate overnight, turning several times
Directions for cooking...
  • Heat a pan on med/high heat
  • Add butter, adjust temperature as needed to prevent burning
  • Add chicken legs and cover
  • Cook for approx 30 minutes until chicken is cooked through
  • Remove lid and brown, turning chicken frequently
The result should be caramelized, fall off the bone goodness. 

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Biggest Loser...

Last night I watched The Biggest Loser.  I used to watch it faithfully, but lately I have had less and less time to watch TV.  Last night I watched TV because I was not motivated to do school.  I decided I would do school on commercials, and even though it took me longer than usual to finish, I did.

Anyway...I actually don't think I have watched The Biggest Loser since I started Weight Watchers!  I remember when I used to watch it thinking..."I would be so awesome on that show...I would do whatever I was told and soak up everything like a sponge".  I also thought "if only I could be on that show, maybe I could lose weight."  I even filled out an application once.  The only thing that held me back was my family.  I never told them I wanted to audition for the show.  I know they would have really struggled while I was away if I had made it on the show.  

My thoughts while watching the show last night were much different.  I was thinking..."Wow, they are awesome, but hey...I am too"!  I have lost 77 pounds, and even though I have a long way to go, I know I will reach my goals!

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Chaos...

Today started off pretty good...a 30 minute walk outside the mall...in the fabulous coldness...and a new set of saute pans on sale for $ 10 from $45...

Then the chaos began... hours and hours of unexpected PTA business to take care of, laundry, cooking lunches for the week, and dinner for 6...next I have school to work on.

My daughter and I have been working on making holiday wreaths for her teachers.  The Halloween wreaths turned out so good that we decided to make them for Thanksgiving and Christmas too.  I will post pictures as soon as we finish.  My daughter has worked so hard coloring the stamped images, I just have to find the time to hot glue everything together...maybe later tonight...maybe tomorrow...

Monday, November 14, 2011

To McRib, or not to McRib...

Today was super busy!  It started with a 60 minute spin class...woo hoo!  Then I spent a bit of time at the grocery figuring PointsPlus on some new foods.  I did not find anything new and exciting.  The afternoon and evening consisted of hours of PTA Treasurer duties, a PTA meeting, doing laundry and picking up around the house.

Usually on PTA meeting nights I plan dinner ahead and we eat before we go.  Tonight I had so much to prepare for the meeting that I did not have time to think about dinner.  By the time we got home, it was almost 8pm.  My mom, kids, and I usually eat dinner around 5pm, so 8pm is super late!  My daughter decided on McDonald's, my husband wanted tacos, my mom had already eaten, and my son was off doing something for school.  I had 13pp left for the day, which is the exact number of pp of a McRib sandwich.  As we are driving to the golden arches, I am trying to quickly figure my options...A McRib...no fries, no drink...13pp or 4 mini tacos de pastor...12 points.  Although the colorful and juicy picture of the McRib was convincing, I decided it was too late and I was too tired for such a treat...I even asked the guy in the drive-thru how long they would have them to make sure I still had time...I have until the end of month, apparently.  My final choice...3 mini pastor tacos with only 1 tortilla each and onions and cilantro...6pp, 1/2 cup cottage cheese w/ strawberry preserves...3pp, and an ice cream cone from McDonald's...4pp.  Although I could have had the McRib for the same number of points, I think I made some better choices especially considering it was so late!

I got in my activity today, did not eat any of my activity points, and only ate one of my weeklies....tomorrow will start with a good walk to let my legs recover from today's spin class.

Sunday, November 13, 2011

Plan of attack temporarily derailed...

On Friday night I decided that I would not blow through all of my weeklies on Saturday and Sunday this week, but rather spread them out evenly throughout the week...that didn't quite happen...

Last night we were invited to watch a fight...I really do not understand why people would want to fight for a living and why so many others enjoy watching it!?!?  Oh well...we got to be with good friends and have a good time.  Our friend had baked up some pizzas, chicken wings, and put out Fritos and onion dip.  I brought my water bottle, grapes, carrots, and a Rotisserie chicken *yum* from Sam's Club...I ate some of what I brought and 7pp worth of Fritos and dip.  I was happy with my choices even though I did use some of my weeklies.  Thank you Sonja, and family, for a great night!

I have 16 weeklies left and plans to go to spin class tomorrow.  I have faith that I will still do well this week, even if my plan did derail momentarily!  I will not be defeated by a change in plans!

Today I have been working on school and reorganizing the shed with my husband.  He is amazing, and talented,  and built me some new shelves so I can access boxes easier.  I have a bit more school to do, then some crafting, then some dishes, then some laundry, then...

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Weigh ins to date...

Week   1 ~ 03/05/11...-7.4 ~ Total   -  7.4
Week   2 ~ 03/12/11...-3.8 ~ Total   -11.2
Week   3 ~ 03/19/11...-5.8 ~ Total   -17.0
Week   4 ~ 03/26/11...-0.0 ~ Total   -17.0
Week   5 ~ 04/02/11...-4.0 ~ Total   -21.0
Week   6 ~ 04/09/11...-2.8 ~ Total   -23.8
Week   7 ~ 04/16/11...-1.6 ~ Total   -25.4
Week   8 ~ 04/23/11... -3.2 ~ Total  -28.6
Week   9 ~ 04/30/11...-2.0 ~ Total   -30.6
Week 10 ~ 05/07/11...-1.6 ~ Total   -32.2
Week 11 ~ 05/14/11...-2.8 ~ Total   -35.0
Week 12 ~ 05/21/11...-2.6 ~ Total   -37.6
Week 13 ~ 05/28/11...-2.0 ~ Total   -39.6
Week 14 ~ 06/04/11...-2.0 ~ Total   -41.6
Week 15 ~ 06/11/11...-1.8 ~ Total   -43.4
Week 16 ~ 06/18/11...-4.0 ~ Total   -47.4
Week 17 ~ 06/25/11...-0.2 ~ Total   -47.6
Week 18 ~ 07/02/11...-2.0 ~ Total   -49.6
Week 19 ~ 07/09/11...-3.8 ~ Total   -53.4
Week 20 ~ 07/16/11...+0.4 ~ Total  -53.0
Week 21 ~ 07/23/11...-3.0 ~ Total   -56.0
Week 22 ~ 07/30/11...-1.0 ~ Total   -57.0
Week 23 ~ 08/06/11...+0.2 ~ Total  -56.8
Week 24 ~ 08/13/11...-2.4  ~ Total  -59.2
Week 25 ~ 08/20/11...-4.4 ~ Total   -63.6
Week 26 ~ 08/27/11...-0.0 ~ Total   -63.6
Week 27 ~ 09/03/11...+0.6 ~ Total  -63.0
Week 28 ~ 09/10/11...-3.2 ~ Total   -66.2
Week 29 ~ 09/17/11...-2.0 ~ Total   -68.2
Week 30 ~ 09/24/11...+0.8 ~ Total   -67.4
Week 31 ~ 10/01/11...-3.2 ~ Total   -70.6
Week 32 ~ 10/08/11...+0.8 ~ Total   -69.8
Week 33 ~ 10/15/11...-2.2 ~ Total   -72.0
Week 34 ~ 10/22/11...-1.2 ~ Total   -73.2
Week 35 ~ 10/29/11...-1.8 ~ Total   -75.0
Week 36 ~ 11/05/11...-1.6 ~ Total   -76.6
Week 37 ~ 11/12/11...-0.6 ~ Total   -77.2

I am so thankful I didn't gain this week.  Hopefully my new plan of attack will show a bigger loss next week!  I was not feeling well this morning so I didn't make it to the gym, but I should be there Monday.

Friday, November 11, 2011

New plan of attack...

I really have no idea what the scale is going to say tomorrow, but I don't think it is going to be good.  I am glad the week has finally come to an end.  It has been a rough couple of weeks, and I am ready for a fresh start.

Plan of attack for the new week...

  • Exercise...
    • Saturday ~ Something at the gym...Regular Zumba class is now kids only
    • Sunday ~ Rest
    • Monday ~ Spin
    • Tuesday ~ Walk
    • Wednesday ~ Rest ~ Helping in my daughter's class
    • Thursday ~ Something at the gym...Regular Zumba class is now kids only
    • Friday ~ Zumba
  • Eating...
    • Spread out my weeklies evenly 
    • Increase my water intake
    • Have a low point pre-workout meal, and another low point post-workout meal
    • Chew gum when I am tempted to eat while cooking a bazillion meals a day
The past few weeks as I have increased my exercise, my appetite has increased as well.  I have been eating the majority of my earned activity points, which I normally do not do.  Some days, even after burning through my regular PointsPlus and my activity PointsPlus, I have still been hungry.  I hope that spreading my weeklies out, rather than eating most of them over the weekend, I will be able to better manage my hunger and fuel my body in a more balanced and efficient manner.  We'll see...

Thursday, November 10, 2011

My cup runneth over...

I think I have finally come to the point of being overwhelmed and completely exhausted.  I have so many things on my to do list...adding myself to the list has added even more.  All my efforts of being a mom, a wife, a daughter, a full-time student, a volunteer, a PTA treasurer, a Weight Watcher, a gym rat, a...have wiped me out.

I have no idea what the scale is going to say this week.  Whatever the number may be, I will carry on and NOT give up!  I will get past feeling overwhelmed and exhausted, and I will get back to feeling proud and accomplished.  Only one day to go until weigh in.  My daughter and I are off to scrapbook tomorrow...should be a good, stress free day...
    

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Woo Hoo's & Struggles...

Woo Hoos...

  • I have lost 76.6 pounds...so far...
  • I am working on making more time for myself.
  • I donated all of my old clothes because they were all too BIG!
  • My wedding ring is loose and I had to switch it to the other hand...in time I will have to take it off altogether...and once I reach my goal weight I will have it sized.
  • I have survived and learned to love Zumba, Spin, and Miami Mama classes.
  • The more I work out, the stronger I feel.
  • Even on "eaty" days, I still track everything...even when I have to dip into my activity PointsPlus to account for it all.

Struggles...

  • Fitting in "me time".
  • Learning to say no when I already have far too many things to do.
  • Cooking too many different meals to accommodate everyone's schedules and tastes.
  • Getting through my last semester of school...it has been so steady, I am burnt out.
  • Helping my mom be a Weight Watcher without throwing off my own efforts.
  • My body is sore from working out so much.
  • The more I work out, the hungrier I feel...the past two weeks have been rough and I have eaten the majority of my hard earned activity PointsPlus.
There are many other woo hoo's and struggles, but these are the ones I have thought most about this week.  I love that Weight Watchers focuses on 1 week at a time...sometimes finally getting to the end of one week is just what I need to have the umph and desire to start the next one.




Monday, November 7, 2011

Code Red...

Today was my 5th or 6th spin class, and I am in love.  The 1st class I didn't think I was going to last for 5 minutes, but I made it to the end without stopping.  The 2nd class was definitely better than the 1st, but I was still unsure.  By the 3rd class I finally found the confidence I needed to enjoy myself and own my workout.  Our instructor is awesome, he is encouraging throughout the whole class, and when he shouts "Code Red", everyone gives him all they've got and pushes as hard as possible.  My best advice is to try something new at least three times.  The 1st time to get over the initial shock, the 2nd time to really think about it, and the 3rd time to decide yay or nay.

Same thing goes with food...although with some foods I can't even get past the first bite...cooking things differently or eating them cooked vs. raw and vice versa can make a huge difference.  There are some foods like quinoa and brown rice that I am still trying to convince my mouth I like.  Growing up I never liked sweet potatoes.  Recently I found individual sweet potatoes sealed in heavy plastic that can be cooked in the microwave.  They only take about 5-6 minutes and if cooked long enough, they come out soft and creamy.  I add a little Brummel and Brown yogurt butter, sea salt, and pepper...delish!  My 14 year old son will eat them that way now, but my 7 year old daughter is not quite there yet.  She loves "potato" anything...mashed potatoes, french fries, scalloped potatoes, baked potatoes, tator tots, etc...but is not excited about sweet potatoes...yet...


Sunday, November 6, 2011

Yum...

Yesterday while out shopping with my hubby and daughter, we stopped for lunch at McDonald's.  When I have a choice of where to eat out, I usually go to El Pollo Loco and have a 6pp salad with tons of house salsa instead of the creamy cilantro dressing, which I love, but not enough to waste precious pp on...the majority of the time anyway!  For lunch I had a McRib sandwich for 13pp, and enjoyed every bite of it...I also thoroughly enjoyed 3/4 of an order of medium fries for 8pp.  I don't eat out very often, but when I do, I really think about how many pp I want to use, and what exactly I want to use them on.  Some days a splurge is worth it, others not so much.    I didn't have to eat a salad when I really didn't want one, and I could eat something not as healthy without the taste of guilt because the Weight Watcher's program allows me that freedom of choice, within reason of course!

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Weigh in...

I love Saturday mornings...I know I have made it through the week, whether it has been good or bad, and I have a chance to see all my Weight Watcher peeps, and of course listen to the wisdom of our fabulous and fashionable leader, Dawn!  I go to the 7:30 meetings which means I get their by 7am.  I know it is early, but there is really no better way to start the day!  This morning I was down 1.6 pounds, for a total of 76.6. 

I am pleased with my weight loss, as there was a lot going on this past week!  It started off with a visit from my Suegra (mother-in-law) who came with her own tub of manteca (pork lard).  When she comes, she cooks, and cooks, and cooks some more.  She made beans, mole, birrea, tamales, and chicken legs.  We tried to make pupusas, but we need some more practice as they were not quite right.  My husband is from Mexico and we speak crazy Spanglish in our house, and sometimes our menus are all over the place.  Needless to say I burnt through my weeklies pretty fast, but I did TRACK and ACCOUNT for every bite!  I am probably the only Weight Watcher in history whose tracker contains an entry for a "bean lick".  After the madness of the weekend, I also survived all of the sweet temptations of Halloween, and managed 5 awesome workouts!

 


Thursday, November 3, 2011

Motivated to move...

This morning after dropping the kids off at school, I headed to the gym for a step-weight class.  Our regular Zumba instructor was the sub, and she is awesome no matter what class she is teaching!  In the afternoon I went back to the gym with my daughter for Zumba.  I am super tired, but I feel good about all of the physical activity I got in today.  Every move and good choice I make will bring me that much closer to my goal.  Only one more day until weigh in.  Tomorrow I will be helping in my daughter's class and I have some of my school to work on so hopefully today's workouts will be enough!

I take my lunch, and snacks, when I help at my daughter's school.  Tomorrow's menu will include carrot sticks, a banana, a peach or kiwi, and egg salad.  I love egg salad made with egg whites, yolks, and regular mayo, however that version is too pointy, so I have made a few changes...

Egg Salad...

  • 1 whole hard boiled egg & 1 hard boiled egg white (2pp)

or

  • 3 hard boiled egg whites with no yolk (1pp)
  • 1 tbs of light mayo (1pp)
  • 1 quick squirt of mustard (0pp)
  • Sea salt, pepper, and garlic salt or powder to taste (0pp)


I usually just mash my eggs with a fork, and then combine them with the rest of the ingredients.

How to eat...

  • As is
  • On crackers
  • On sandwich thins, I like the wheat minis
  • Or with soft and fluffy white bread

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Wind Resistance...

Yeeesh!  This morning I decided to go for a walk.  It was super windy last night, and even this morning, but I had no idea just how windy!  On the first half of my walk it seemed challenging because of the wind, but nothing compared to the second half...I felt like I was walking through the Sahara with all of the wind and dirt blowing in my face.  I toughed it out and walked a total of 4.6 miles in 88 minutes.  I felt so accomplished once I was done!  I love to walk outside because I can easily adjust my pace to the beat of my music,  I am so thankful the cooler weather is finally here.

I wish I had my camera, lunch was beautiful and delicious.  I cooked talapia with sea salt, pepper, garlic salt, and cooking spray on my pancake grill, which oddly enough I hardly use to cook pancakes.  I also made eggplant using egg beaters, bread crumbs, Italian seasoning, and a bit of olive oil.  I have tried to make it with cooking spray instead of oil, but it did not turn out well.  Along side of the fish and eggplant, I cut up 1/2 a peach and some kiwi.  It was really yummy and only came out to 6pp.  As the day went on, my throat started to hurt, I hope I am not getting sick.  Once I finish school I am off to bed early.

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

* 75 pounds down, only half a kazillion to go...

As of today, I have been a Weight Watcher for 248 days.  I have been thinking about starting a blog for the past few months, and I have finally made the time to do it!  I can hardly believe I have lost 75 pounds.  The journey has not been easy, but I must say I really LOVE the new Weight Watcher's PointsPlus program.  I do not feel like I am on a diet.  I do feel like I am making some really positive changes, getting stronger, and getting healthier.  When I stop and think about how many months I have been doing the program, I cannot believe how fast the time has gone, and how much my body has changed.  I track EVERYTHING I eat and all of my activity.  I have only missed 3 days of tracking since I started in February, and those missed days were intentional as I was in Las Vegas with my husband celebrating our 8th wedding anniversary.  Before we left I decided I was going to leave my tracker at home, make good choices, enjoy some yum, and walk as much as possible.  I managed to achieve all of those things and lose a pound to boot!

Yesterday started with a 60 minute spin class and ended with a hilly trick-or-treat walk and a few pieces of Halloween candy.  Today started with a step-weight class and ended with a donation of Halloween candy.  I took my daughter and a friend to a local dentist office to donate candy for the troops.  We wrote notes of appreciation and took a few photos.  My camera got lost at my daughter's Harvest Festival last week, so there will be photos on my blog, I am just not sure when.  I plan to share struggles, successes, recipes, and more.  Please note that all Weight Watcher PointsPlus values that may be posted on this blog are based on my calculations and may differ from actual values...Welcome to my journey...