NEW ATTITUDE!!

Okay seriously! How many weeks since I posted last?? PATHETIC! I just got swamped with 3 weekends in a row of guests in town and then I was a choreographer in our ward roadshow which meant my free-time was totally gobbled and between that and rotating sick in my family I have been totally off the map. I also have been on a crazy chub train - I'M SO MAD!! In just a few weeks my recent progress was totally buried in a heap of baked goods and superfluous snacks. I've been scared to weigh myself since I stepped on a few weeks ago and saw a 157 staring back at me - so bummed I seriously wanted to run away and pretend it wasn't happening. Of course, I have continued working out, that's not my problem as we have previously discussed. For me, it's about diet, that's what wrecks my scene and leaves me feeling really uncomfortable in my clothes, it's just so hard for me!! Not that it's harder for me than anyone else, it just feels like it is (boooh-hoooo). Since I moved to Fountain Valley one year ago I've gained 10 pounds! It totally bums me out to see the pictures from one year ago at this time. But I'm not going to wither in the sadness of my less attractive reflection!!

So that brings us to today - I woke up feeling pretty good, new energy, ready to make a change. I know it's going to be hard, but I'm going to weigh and measure tomorrow and start a new program of keeping my portions small, my snacks smart, nothing unaccounted for. I was so happy to hear from a number of you that felt deserted when I dropped off the blogosphere planet into space. Amy, Farrah, Natasha, Megan, Julia - I'm HERE FOR YOU AGAIN!! Let's get back on the train together.

These are my goals this week:

1. Go to the gym at least one hour this week (I usually do home workouts but working out at the gym I get a better workout FOR SURE)
2. Must have low calorie desserts until Friday - and then only if I've been good all week I can have a scoop of legit ice-cream.
3. Track my eating each day (this is so hard for me right now because I cannot have a computer open if Afton is awake, it's just impossible, so have to track when she naps, which is my workout, shower, get ready and eat lunch time!)

Where are you at ladies? How are you doing? Jules, sounds like your job has you frustrated and the stress it making you eat. Natasha sounds like you're totally making progress and looking really hot....at least that's the word on the street. Farrah, sounds like you went on a little bender after the infomercial thing fizzed out then got crazy sick...what's the status? I would love your feedback ladies - believe me, I can't do this alone!

week six - need a fix

Ladies-

First of all - sorry for the one post in two weeks situation - family here last weekend and this, so I'm doing what I can with the little time I have. Second...........SERIOUSLY!!?? Why is this getting so tough all the sudden? I'm having a hard time tracking my food which means I'm not aware of where I'm at come afternoon and I'm just making the wrong choices. I read this article that was really discouraging in Readers Digest (picture to the right is where I read magazines....picture a toilet for where Justin reads magazines). Here's a snippet of the major points......
http://www.rd.com/health/how-to-limit-your-carbs-and-lose-weight/
There was much more than this and too much of it hit home for me. When this guy was going off about how sweet things, and "easy to digest carbs" were the enemy, I felt like he was telling me I had an ugly baby. How can you say those things about my true love...POTATO'S! Not to mention your unkind words about rice, and one of my super essentials, BREAD! You guys know how I get down with a lovely loaf of gorgeous white artisan bread. Trying to imagine living my life without these loves is really putting me into a discouraged funk. HELP! I need new energy - I need some pep talking, get out of the pantry and back into your favorite pants help. Anyone have any ideas?? I did find a recipe that is really good and has super low calories so that's something, although, it's sweet. To me, sugar is almost a synonym for happiness. All things smiling and lovely and full of joy, that stuff and sugar just can't exist without one another in my world. Maybe I'm revealing my true problem here, but do you feel me people? I'm off the motivation box and asking for someone else to get up on there and tell me how to get out of my funk.

Here's that recipe lovies-

Whole Wheat Blueberry Banana Bran Muffins

1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour (I subbed 1/4 for ground flax)
1 cup Bran Cereal (I used wheat bran)
1/4 cup buttermilk (add more if needed)
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (about 3)
2 eggs
1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

(I added about a Tablespoon of molasses to make it nice and dark)

Preheat oven to 350°F. Spray 9 X 5-inch loaf pan with Cooking Spray or a muffin pan.

In large bowl, stir together flour, cereal, sugar and baking soda.

In another bowl whisk together banana, eggs and oil. Using wooden spoon, stir banana mixture into flour mixture. Do not over mix. Stir in blueberries. Spoon into prepared loaf pan or muffin pan.

Bake in centre of oven for 50 to 55 minutes for a loaf and 20 min for muffins or until tester inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool in pan for 10 minutes.

So for tips this week - I need your comments. The only ones I've been successful with are workout stuff, I can tell I'm stronger but I'm still stuck at

151

and I feel like I'm putting muscle under fat because I'm doing a lot of weight training mixed in with my cardio. What do you think party people? I would love your comments and feedback because my Mommy comes to town today and I'm worried about the food fest that will likely accompany that visit.

Give me your best cheer team!

4 weeks in - feeling thin??

Hey hot babes!

Sorry for the tardy post - I had some craziness going on this weekend.....let me elaborate. I had a dream fantasy going on this weekend. Our superstar weight loss club member Stacy came down from Portland and stole me from my day to day to have a girls weekend of luxury! Seriously one of the most generous birthday gifts ever known! We stayed a this unbelievable hotel in Del Mar. And after a workout (we are committed people!) We had an unbelievable day with delicious/healthy food (minus a few bites of Cory's chocolate chocoloate doughnut - just keep those things away from me!) and a full body massage at this INCREDIBLE spa called "Bergamont" plus a super luxy pedicure. It was a dream day.

I'm still losing even though the week started with me and Afton sick. My weight this week was straight up -

151

It's a little frustrating that I'm not losing faster, but I only have 5 lbs or so to loose verses last year when I had more like 25 to loose. I got a little lazy about my food tracking this week and that for sure hurts my progress. The more on top of food tracking I am, the better I do with my eating. Whether you're on Weight Watchers or not - tracking your food makes a huge difference just in terms of being aware of what and how much you eat.

Tips-

Farrah had some really interesting stuff to share with us that she found. Check it out - there's a lot of helpful information in here, all compliments of our amazing and endlessly motivated Farrah!!:

• This is why you're fat- Article on Breakfasts: http://www.gourmetfury.com/2011/01/wendys-arbys-mark-bittman-quits-bon-appetit-ad-campaign-bite-me/
  And Melody Fury's food blog video- attack on Kraft! Evil! Evil! Evil! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UA7mvlL4hOI&feature=player_embedded#
• Booty Moves for me & Whoolia:
  For the pilates loving hip-hop in us all
  http://www.self.com/fitness/blogs/freshfitnesstips/2011/02/your-best-butt-move-booty-barr.html
• This made me think of a few things Amy has said and a few others have mentioned in their comments.
  http://www.self.com/health/blogs/healthyself/2010/08/the-pleasure-diet-mindful-eati.html
  I believe finding activities and foods we enjoy that are also healthy for us and focusing on what we can give ourselves and recognizing those things as treats/rewards/hobbies vs punishing ourselves for what we can't have/do/eat is a much healthier, positive mindset that can take us the distance to reaching our goals and enjoying ourselves along the way!

I want to share a really delicious recipe with you girls that is actually really low cal - only about 2 1/2 WW points per slice. It's kind of a pain to make, but in my opinion worth it to have a totally decadent tasting rich, chocolaty dessert without loads of guilt.

Cheryll May Chocolate Pie

(my mom uses a normal pie crust, but for calorie purposes - I use the following)

Graham Cracker Crust -

Ingredients -
1 1/2 C ground low-fat graham cracker crumbs
1/4 C white sugar (recipe calls for 1/3 so I go 1/4 and also use one packet of Splenda)
4 Tbs butter (recipe calls for 6, but I find 4 is sufficient)
1/2 tsp cinnamon

Mix graham cracker crumbs sugar, melted butter and cinnamon until well blended - press into 8 or 9 inch pie plate.

Bake at 375 for 7-8 minutes - let cool.

Mommy's Pie -

Ingredients -
3 egg whites
3 T corn starch
3 C skim milk
1 C cocoa
3/4 C sugar
1 T vanilla

Whip egg whites with a mixer till they are white and foamy but not stiff. Set aside. In a large mixing bowl whip together 1 C milk, 1 C cocoa and 3 T corn starch till it looks sort of like thick cake batter.
On the stove in a thick bottomed pot, mix 2 C milk with the sugar and stir constantly on fairly high heat until mixture boils and bubbles up to the top of the pot. Remove from the stove, fold in the chocolate mixture. Place back on stove under medium heat stirring constantly for longer than you think is necessary - till mixture boils, then time the boiling for 2 minutes. Be sure you stir constantly and keep the stove from getting too hot or it will burn your pudding at the bottom of the pot. After the 2 minutes remove from the stove then remix the egg whites till they look like meringe, but not quite that stiff. Then place a cup of the pudding mixture into the egg whites and mix with a mixer or whisk. Next put the egg/pudding mixture into the pot with the rest of the pudding. On very low heat stir for 2 minutes. Add the vanilla very last - mix it all in and pour into pie shell. Takes about 2-3 hours to set up. Serve with cool-whip lite and you have a super low calorie delicious treat. (and LOTS of dishes to wash - sorry, told you it was a pain).

Okay, one more recipe that we eat all the time - it's not crazy low cal, but it's super reasonable because it's ground turkey instead of beef. I serve with a basic coleslaw recipe that I use skim milk and substitute some of the sugar with splenda. Also- put it on a mulitgrain sandwich thin. These things are amazing- they have zero points value on WW because they have so much fiber and so few calories.

Tyler's Ultimate Sloppy Joe's

Ingredients

• Extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large onion, diced
• 1 1/2 pounds lean ground turkey
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups ketchup
• 1/4 cup yellow mustard
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 12 parker house rolls
• Homemade Bread and Butter Pickles, recipe follows

Directions

Set a heavy-based pot over medium-high heat and add a 3-count of olive oil. Add onions and saute for 2 to 3 minutes until translucent. Add ground turkey, season well with salt and pepper and brown well all over, breaking it up with a wooden spoon - about 7 to 10 minutes. Add ketchup, mustard, cayenne, brown sugar and tomato paste. Reduce heat and simmer for 10 to 12 minutes. Finish with a splash of red wine vinegar and season it once more before serving on parker rolls


That's all I got for right now. I'm so excited to hear how you girls are doing. Anyone struggling out there? Remember you can always re-start your program tomorrow - just get back on track. Tell us your triumphs and tragedies as you challenge yourself to look and feel better in 2011~ !! I will be looking forward to your comments ladies!

week 3 weak me!

Me trying to work-out but Afton keeps tugging at my leg so I had to open the lap-top to give her a distraction.....and she figured out how to use Photo Booth. It's a nice picture of the below mentioned "Fat-Zone"


Girls-

First off let me say, this is TOTALLY working. Thank you times 2 million for your comments, your insightful goals and tips and for making me feel accountable to someone every time I open the pantry for a bad snack, many of those times I've thought of you and closed it. The way I know it's working is the fact that I am looking better, and I have scientific proof!

Starting Weight 156______Now Weight - 152.00
Starting Waist 31________Now Waist - 29.5
Starting F.Z.* 37________Now F.Z. - 35.5
Starting Hips 40________Now Hips - 38.5
Starting Neck 14________Now Neck - 13
Starting Chest 38_______Now Chest - 38

(*Fat Zone - the fatty area below my waist that includes unloved love handles)

That's right party people, I'm totally losing inches, but my weight loss this week was pretty much weak sauce. However, I know for sure that's because if you can't choose from awesome excuses like...."dude, I had VERTIGO" 0r "seriously? It was my BIRTHDAY" you can always choose...."ever heard of a PERIOD, well they wreck your dieting scene and make it so you don't loose any inches in your chest okay!". Yep, that's the one I'm sticking with this week, it does make it difficult for sure and I was most definitely not at my generous 29 point mark as designated by my pals at Weight Watchers every day this week, but on most days I was. (side note, when I did finally dare to enter my food from Melting Pot night and Disneyland night last week - I was at 60 and 56 points - not a good look). So it's been a struggle but I'm totally fighting the good fight and continue to do my morning workouts and try to make the right choices in terms of what I put in my mouth.

I'm sorry for not getting this post to until today, or rather, tonight, but Afton came down with some crazy madness yesterday and she's had a raging fever, diarrhea and of course now I'm in the sick house again, so it's been difficult to get some computer time. But I have LOVED all the good advice coming my way this week. Speaking of......let me spread some love!

Tips -

1. (Caroline) I am one who does not generally have a problem when it comes to getting active. Food is my difficulty in the battle to like how I look. But I have found that having a variety of options for how you get your workout in helps. The one I'm most stoked on and for sure get the majority of my exercise from right now is called "My Fitness Coach". It's for the WII although there may be versions for other consoles. I learned about it from my amazing Mom in law who's lost loads of weight using it and my sister in law Kristin uses it to keep her amazing figure in check. What I love about it is that it's a different workout every single time, you even learn a new exercise each day. It's also nice that you can work out in different environments and choose from a variety of lame music options as well as instruct the "coach" how you are feeling throughout so she can adjust your workout accordingly. There are bi-monthly "fitness evaluations" that help you set goals etc. It has amazing reviews on Amazon and everyone I know who has it loves it. Here's the link to buy if you're interested. http://www.amazon.com/My-Fitness-Coach-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B001H0RZX2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1296445372&sr=8-1


2. (Caroline) I've found it's sometimes helpful to put a pack of gum and mints as well as some fruit leather in the snack basket of my pantry, that way I have a better option than the granola bars and chocolate that are always hanging around there.


3. (Stacy) Stace found this website that has all sorts of really good recipes and tips on where to buy and what to buy to stay healthy and not be hungry. http://www.hungry-girl.com/
I thought these oatmeal parfait's looked and sounded epic, I will be making one tomorrow, but since I hate the word "parfait" I'm going to call it an oatmeal .....super stacker! http://click.hungry-girl.com/girl/6i1udthDj6xn9cDcec9Do8inf19D1wm9Dyn0re/1/29183


4. (Farrah) I know those of you who know Farrah are thinking..."how did that skinny girl get invited to this blog?!" but she had to put on weight (rather unsuccessfully) for an infomercial and I invited here because I knew she would have all sorts of great feedback. She's kind of a work-out-aholic. Speaking of - check out Farrah's daily routine - it's kind of intense but works for sure - all of the below is from Farrah in her hilarious own words..........
"O yeah-
And THIS is my daily morning routine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfNEcSV-9fE
No joke.
That is the Urban Rebounder.
Are you embarased yet?"

Here are some articles I really liked that you may want to re-post!
Recipes that are delicious AND healthy!: http://www.self.com/fooddiet/blogs/eatlikeme/2011/01/simple-flavorful-italian-weddi.html
Breaking the chain of emotional eating- some GREAT solutions that help put focus back on a well-balanced life: http://www.self.com/fooddiet/2011/02/how-to-prevent-a-binge-slideshow#slide=1
heart,
- http://www.self.com/fitness/workouts/2011/02/six-pack-abs-slideshow#slide=1



I'm going a little easy on my goals this week because I feel TERRIBLE right now but I'm going to at the very least stick to my 29 points and try and move as much as possible. Hopefully this bug will be over quickly and my baby love won't be up every 3 hours tonight so we can have a happy tomorrow.

How are you guys doing? Keep up the amazing comments and suggestions - and make sure to check out the comments because there are so many great ideas to be found in them. Love you all, big or small!

WEEK 2 - how did you do???

IT'S MY BIRTHDAY - NOW FEED ME!!


Well Ladies....I had a little bit of a rough one. I started out well, but I'm one of those annoying people who feels very entitled when it's my birthday. I want EVERYONE to know (yep that's right stranger in the elevator at the Mall, you know it's my birthday) and I can get down with some VIP treatment. So Kristin in her infinite kindness made me an AMAZING chocolate, chocolate cake from scratch....I ate some, not as much as I wanted to, but more than I needed to. And when Susie was sweet enough to gather together our Momma crew to go to dinner on my birthday at "The Melting Pot" I wasn't going to say no....or not eat melty cheese and chocolate (two side notes here, 1. don't waste your money or calories on that place and 2. if I tried to enter that meal into my weight watchers food tracker I think the system would explode). AND.....Justin got us reservations to the super swanky "Blue Bayou" - the restaurant in Pirates of the Caribbean! I've never eaten there! And it's so good and yummy! Plus did I mention how it's my birthday??

All of this leads to my weight this week....

152.6

I'm UP!! But I'm focusing on the positive, it's just one pound and I'm feeling totally better and working out loads so even though I'm up I actually feel more trim and healthier than last week. I didn't take my measurements because of my mad and crying baby and I'm kind of scared to so I think I will take those every two weeks.

I do have some great stuff to share with you all starting with this DELICIOUS recipe for pumpkin buttermilk waffles that is honestly super yum and believe it or not it's a weight watchers recipe! Let me know what you think-

1 C - all purpose flour
2 tsp - baking powder
1/2 tsp - baking soda
1/8 tsp - salt
3/4 tsp - ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp - ground nutmeg
1 large egg lightly beaten
1/4 C - dark brown sugar packed (I used a tiny bit more than that)
1 Tbsp - vegetable oil (I used butter, it's just one extra point)
1/2 C - canned pumpkin
1 1/4 C - buttermilk

Mix dry together than wet then mix them all together - put on your griddle in about 1/4 cup portions and it's about 5 points for two of them. I use light maple syrup and brumble and brown butter (made from yogurt, really low cal) and a little powdered sugar, it was super delicious to me and Justin! Let me know if you like it!

This one I made last weekend and was so pleased with it - I combined two recipes into one, but we thought it worked out great.

First - instead of a traditional pie crust we did a hash-brown pie crust

Preheat oven to 450. Use a little more than 3 cups frozen hash-browns, defrosted. I Just took frozen ones and used the defrost method with my microwave, worked great. They need to be really dry to work so if yours are wet press them in paper towels. The Paula Deen recipe says to use 1/4 cup butter but I used just half that and it worked great. Toss the hash-browns with the melted butter than press that mixture into the bottom and sides of the pie dish to form a crust. Make sure not to leave any holes. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and starting to crisp. Sprinkle some salt and pepper on the crust when it comes out, if you want.

For the Quiche -

2 eggs
2 egg whites
1 1/3 C - lowfat milk (recipe says use 1%, I used mostly skim but did 1/2 cup Afton's whole milk)
1/2 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
2/3 C - shredded cheese of your choice
3/4 C - turkey bacon chopped

Whisk eggs, and add all the ingredients (if you want you can put part of the cheese on last for a different effect). Pour into pie shell and bake at 350 for about 30 minutes until it's light golden brown on top and puffed. Add any vegetables you like such as grilled onions or asparagus, just put those in first then pour egg mixture on top.

So good for breakfast or lunch!

A few tips for this week!!

1. (Caroline) If you have a favorite show you must watch at night (if you don't email me and I'll recommend a few) I learned a cute trick from Tad and Lisa. Years ago I was at their house one night and Lisa was like...."Tad, it's 8:00, time for marching). They got up from the couch and marched for the next 35 minutes.

2. (Natasha) Remember that it takes three weeks to get used to a new routine. If you fall off the wagon, just pick yourself up and try again. Even small changes will make a difference and will make you feel better physically and mentally. -Habitually Chic Blog

3. (Stacy) Stace signed up for WW, and got registered for the San Diego marathon (even though she lives in Portland, she's hardcore!) and she did the smartest move of all - she bought a T.V. for her treadmill/work-out room so she can watch rad shows while she runs and get's even hotter!

3. (Amy) Amy is listing her goals for the week in our comments then reporting on how she did with them the next week - I LOVE this idea. You are welcome to try this as well.

My goal this week is to get my eating BACK ON TRACK! Goodbye birthday cake, hello snap peas and grapes. I also want to do a little more high impact exercise at least a few times this week. How did you guys do? Next week I think I'll be making some serious progress - why don't we all do that next week? LOVE YOU ALL!

p.s. - I am going to try and get your workout mixes out this week - just wait till you hear this mix, you will loose calories just listening to it!!

1st week of the new NEW YEAR!!

2011 START OVER THE NEW YEAR WEIGHT LOSS SUPER CREW!!

Okay so seriously, we need to come up with a shorter name for our group....any suggestions?

Just one week (not even) into our new New Year and I already have heard back from many of you with all sorts of awesome tips that I can't wait to try out and share. I hope you guys are cool with my blog idea, I just decided this would be easier so you could always have a reference for past posts that have recipes etc. that you might want to look up in the future. It's not public it can only be viewed by the group so share as much or little as you would like. I'm putting it all out there!

So first - let me just tell you all where I started January 10th........

Weight - 156
Waist - 31
Fat Zone - 37
Hips - 40

In case you don't know (and you wouldn't because I made it up) the "Fat Zone" is the area under my waist/belly button where all my flab likes to gather.

I'm trying to get to 145 or around that, might be more like 142. As long as I'm looking slammin hot in all the jeans that don't fit me right now, I'm happy.

It's been 5 days and a pretty LAME week to be totally honest. After never-ending illness between Justin, Afton and myself...I ended up totally wrecked, unable to move my head without the room spinning and so nauseated it was awful! The doctor told me I had Vertigo! Inner ear infection from this non-stop sick and lack of sleep, rest, etc. So exercise was pretty much out of the question, but being so low on energy made it a little easier to follow my lower calorie plan and it worked! This morning I was down to 151.4 already! I don't really feel that much thinner, probably because I haven't had my normal workout situation going but I'm excited to see that even without exercise I can loose weight by tracking my calories.

Here are a few tips for this week:

1. (Caroline) I've found that drinking herbal tea can help me conquer food cravings in between meals - I have loads of yummy flavors and I sweeten them with Splenda so it's almost like a dessert. In fact on days I've eaten too much I just have tea for dessert because I MUST have something sweet after dinner.
   
2. (Caroline) I found last year that Weight Watchers online works for me - I love it because it just simplifies tracking your food and figuring out what you can take in to stay at a deficit. There are all sorts of good ideas and recipes on there as well which of course I will be sharing! It's $45 for 3 months right now, but do this any way you like. I just found this to be helpful. Here's the link if any of you want to try it. http://www.weightwatchers.com/index.aspx
3. (Natasha) Start the day off with a high protein breakfast (i.e. egg white omelet, skip cereal and granola) it will set the tone for your metabolism and you will burn calories all day long!
4. (Amy) - Morning Smoothies! As far as recipes go, I make this http://clevercook.blogspot.com/2010/10/healthy-breakfast-smoothie-1.html or this one http://clevercook.blogspot.com/2011/01/healthy-breakfast-smoothie-2.html
   first thing in the morning. I've been doing it since October and I can really feel the difference in my body. It gives me all my servings of fruit and 2 servings of vegetables, which makes it easier for me to eat all my other vegetables throughout the day. My sister makes this for herself and her 18 month old and he loves it.

Here's a picture of me at my very largest - I mean obviously I had just moments before this had a baby, but dude I was ENORMO! There are no tricks to this picture, I was a wide load with sausage fingers! When Afton was born I was well over 200 lbs!

It's hard to tell, but this picture was taken last Spring when I had lost my baby weight and was looking crazy good. If I tried to put that shirt on today it would be a disaster! So that's where I'm trying to get back to



Okay ladies - WHERE YOU AT?? If you dare to share let us know where you're starting and where you want to be - of course you don't have to share, but I am putting it out there so you rad people can help hold me accountable. If you want to let us know your starting point comment below on this post with that and anything else you want to share. Next weeks post should be more fun since I hopefully won't be in bed most the week. Keep on killing it girls!!