Sunday, January 29, 2012

Celebrate your success!

I really believe of the keys to being successful at losing weight, being active and even maintaining weight is to celebrate the little things. No matter how small it may seem you have success celebrate it. The other important part is that we don't always have to celebrate big but sometimes it sure does feel great!


My awesome trophy!

Last night was the annual awards banquet for the Calumet Region Striders, Northwest Indiana's running club. Here is a link to the site (Calumet Region Striders). I currently am rated in the age group of females 25-29. To complete the season you have to run 10 races which they rank you based on other runners in the Gold Cup series of races. I got 2nd place. I am very proud I finished again and all the other accomplishments that came along with it. Although proud of my successes it only makes me want more... See photos of my night...



Myself and Amy (she got 1st and she ran most of the season with that little one in her tummy)

My awesome running coach Nikki. I hope I inspire and guide others the way she does me






Don't forget to celebrate your successes! 

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

100 Calorie Packs

I am not a huge fan of them. Many of them are not that satisfying. 3 points for that little bag. I am often left disappointed. Here is an idea for homemade 100 calorie "S'mores" package. This is also much cheaper.














Ingredients
1/4 cup Original Fiber One Cereal (They were on sale 2/$5 and I had a $1.00 off coupon)


The box states 1/2 cup 30g so I measured out 15g on my scale



1/2 Tbsp. Mini Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips (These were not on sale they were $2.39)


Measured to be exact



15 Mini Marshmallows (These were also on sale for $2.00)


Any Mini Marshmallows will do these were one sale






Combine all ingredients into small baggies and put away.

This is what it looks like all combined together


I made 6 individual bags and put them in my snack basket


Sunday, January 22, 2012

No excuses

There is an excuse for everything:
Not Enough Time
Sick
Tired
Lazy
Sore
Boring
Don't like it

I challenged myself twice this weekend. Friday and Saturday I stuck to my committed running schedule despite the weather conditions. Friday I had to come home shovel my driveway, then I ran 3 miles, and shoveled again. There will always be an excuse but what would happen if you stopped making them? I often keep the famous Jillian Michael's quote in the back of my mind... "If you don't puke, faint, or die keep going"

Friday, January 20, 2012

You have to start somewhere

Photo Courtesy of Chicagomarthon.com
I always tell people the first step is just walking through the door. When I talk to people about losing weight I often say you don't have to get it all right the first week. Take steps. The first step is always the commitment. Yesterday I made my big commitment for 2012 I signed up for the Chicago Marathon. Sometimes its scary at first. You may not even know what to expect. I have heard many times at weight watchers meetings that if you plan to fail, you fail the plan.

My next step is going to be raising the money it requires to run the race. If you are at all interested in helping Opportunity Enterprises or want more information on donating on behalf of me running Click Here!


The first step is really taking the first step... what will your first step be for committing to a new lifestyle for 2012?

Thursday, January 19, 2012

What did you have for dinner Wednesday?

Lets hope this continues to happen... (meaning me cooking a real dinner on Wednesdays)

Last nights recipe is courtesy of "Point-Less Meals" Click here beautiful version of the recipe and photos since I did take any pictures last night...

Autumn Pork and Apples
Serves 6 ( 6 points + )

6 boneless pork chops ( about 4 oz. each)
salt and pepper to taste
1 can ( 20 oz) no sugar added apple pie filling (I found at Walmart for $1.78)















1 box Stove Top stuffing (I used Pork instead of the original)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Place apple pie filling in a 13 x 9 baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle pork chops with salt and pepper and brown in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray. Place browned pork on top of apples. Mix contents of stuffing package with 2 c. boiling water. Stir until water is absorbed. Spoon stuffing over pork. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake an additional 10 minutes.
 
The only other thing I changed about this recipe was that I cooked at 375 for slightly longer and I did not cook the pork before I put in the oven. It was a pretty big hit at my house. This was really yummy. Also a comfort food with the stuffing. Easy, quick and even the boyfriend agreed he liked it.

Wednesday, January 18, 2012

Weight Loss Visual

So today will be short and sweet because I just want you to look at this picture and imagine it somewhere that you had to see it everyday.


Pounds Lost VS. Pounds to go

The thing I was thinking when I saw this is that you don't even have to do the entire amount you want to lose at one time. Put 10 or 20 into the Pounds to go at a time. Then go from there. Think how great it would feel to see the pounds lost jar go up and up.




Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Rules of Zombieland

Today's blog is off topic and just something to get you thinking as well as my thoughts...

There is a movie called Rules of Zombieland. It is on TV all the time. The movie is definitely not an Oscar winning movie but I rarely like those. If you haven't seen it Click Herefor synopsis... During the movie one of main characters "Columbus" goes over his 33 rules of Zombieland... Many of them could be applied to life and give you some of them really make you think... Check them out...

1.  Cardio (DO SOME, I promise it won't hurt... ok it might)

2. The Double Tap
3.Beware of Bathrooms
4.Wear Seat Belts (ALWAYS... be safe)
5.No Attachments
6.The “Skillet”
7. Travel Light
8. Get a Kick Ass Partner
9. With your Bare Hands
10. Don’t Swing Low
11. Use Your Foot
12. Bounty Paper Towels
13. Shake it Off
14. Always carry a change of underwear
15. Bowling Ball
16. Opportunity Knocks (You never know when be ready)
17. Don’t be a hero (later crossed out to be a hero)
18. Limber Up
19. Break it Up
20. It’s a marathon, not a sprint, unless it’s a sprint, then sprint
21. Avoid Strip Clubs
22. When in doubt Know your way out
23. Zipplock
24. Use your thumbs
25. Shoot First
26. A little sun screen never hurt anybody (Really it doesn't... wear it.)
27. Incoming!
28. Double-Knot your Shoes
29. The Buddy System
30. Pack your stain stick
31. Check the back seat
32. Enjoy the little things (My favorite one. I think we forget this one a lot)

If you click here this site give you some background info on the rules from the movie.

Sunday, January 15, 2012

Soup!

So the last two Sunday's I have spent them making yummy soup for my lunches... Here are the recipes

Soup #1---Minestrone Soup (Skinny Taste Original)
Ingredients
1/2 onion, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 celery stalk, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 (28 oz) can diced tomatoes
1 (15 oz) can white beans, drained, rinsed (cannellini or navy) I used Navy
3 cups fat free chicken broth (or vegetable broth for vegetarians)
1 oz chunk of good Parmesan cheese rind (I accidently bought Mozerella fat free) Reduced Point Value
1 fresh rosemary sprig (I used dried)
2 bay leaves
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil (I used dried)
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
salt and fresh pepper
1 medium zucchini, chopped
2 cups chopped fresh or frozen (defrosted) spinach (I used the fresh kind sold at Aldi)
2 cups cooked small pasta like ditalini or elbows (al dente) (I used whole wheat elbows)
extra parmesan cheese to top (extra pts)



Directions
Rinse and drain beans. Puree beans with 1 cup of the broth in a blender.
In a crock pot, combine broth, tomatoes, pureed beans, carrots, celery, onion, garlic, herbs, Parmesan cheese rind, salt and pepper. Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours.
Forty minutes before the soup is done cooking, add zucchini and spinach. Cover and cook 30 more minutes. Add cooked pasta( I didn't cook the pasta before I put in the crockpot I just put it in sooner), cook 10 minutes more. Remove bay leaves, rosemary sprig, parmesan rind and season to taste with salt and black pepper. Ladle soup into bowls and top with extra parmesan cheese. (I didin't add extra cheese to mine)



Soup #2 Italian Vegetable Soup (from the Weight Watchers Website)
Ingredients

2 cup(s) escarole, chopped
2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
1 cup(s) (chopped) uncooked onion(s), chopped
2 cup(s) fresh spinach, baby leaves
2 small uncooked zucchini, cubed
1 medium sweet red pepper(s), chopped
1 medium uncooked fennel bulb(s), thinly sliced
6 cup(s) vegetable broth
28 oz canned diced tomatoes, preferably fire-roasted
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
2 tsp thyme, fresh, fresh, finely chopped (I used dried)
1 tsp fresh oregano, finely chopped (I used dried)
3/4 tsp table salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1/4 cup(s) parsley, fresh, chopped
1/4 cup(s) basil, fresh, leaves (I used dried)

Directions
Put escarole, garlic, onions, spinach, zucchini, red pepper, fennel, vegetable broth, diced tomatoes, red pepper flakes, thyme and oregano into a large soup pot. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat. ( Cooked in my crockpot for five hours on low) Reduce heat to low, and simmer, partly covered, for about 10 minutes.


Stir in salt, black pepper, parsley and basil. Serve. Yields about 1 cup per serving.

What's your hard?

Losing Weight is hard...
Maintaining weight loss is hard...



Sometimes we have to put effort into it.

Today I went out to the Duneland State Park in Chesterton with my running partner Bryan. We did trail 9 plus one mile in the park...
I ran slow.
I walked quite a bit.
I LOVED the views.
I am fully determined to fight it and do better the next time.





I cannot let this defeat me. What is defeating you? Don't let it.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

New Recipe- Cherry Pork Chops

Here is a new recipe I found and tried... I made the recipe 3 servings so that there wouldn't be a lot left over.




Ingredients
3 Pork Chops (about 1 pound or so)
1 cup Reduced Sugar Cherry Pie Filling
1/4 tsp Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Chicken Bouillon

Brown the Pork Chops

Put all other ingredients in Crock Pot

After browning the pork chops put them in Crock pot over the mixture.


Cook on low for about 4 hours (I cooked on high for slighly less than 2)



Easy.
Tasted great
7 points plus values was the approximate point value.

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Congrats to my favorite baseball player!

Totally unrelated to anything really except...

I love baseball.


Barry Larkin has always been my favorite player. I grew up loving him. I love that he stayed true to my Reds and that he is a Cincinnati guy. He truly deserves this great honor.

Courtesy of Cincinnati Reds


Dreaming of spring training already! Do you like baseball? Who is your favorite player? Why?

Monday, January 9, 2012

25 little things for BIG weight loss... the next 5

Last Tuesday at my weight watchers meeting we discussed part of an article I found on the Weight Watchers website. Here is a Link (full article)to the full article. I am going to break them down into 5's over the next few days and give my thoughts... feel free to share your thoughts.  Here are the next 5...
11. Leave something on your plate at every meal
If you are satisfied leave it... I feel like this one is key. If you are not hungry you can leave something behind. I know this one is hard but if you really don't feel hungry don't finish something. In fact try to.
12. Get to know your portion sizes
We talk about this one a lot.. Don't you feel like this is the one that you have learned the most about from Weight Watchers? So just as the full article states... don't just estimate things — make sure. Ask how much is in a serving, read the fine print on labels, measure your food. And learn portion equivalents: One serving of pasta, for instance, should be around the size of a tennis ball.... your meat should fit in the palm of your had. Use a scale! It is key at home.

13. Don't give up dips
Find ways to to lighten them up. My favorite way is with Greek yogurt.






14. Make a healthy substitution
Just as the article suggest find little ways... bake don't fry. Use whole wheat pastas and brown rices.
Just like chicken tenders YUM





15. Bring lunch to work tomorrow
For me this is the key. I have to pack my lunch or I am lost. Think about the amount of decisions you can eliminate just by having your lunch already prepared. It will also save you a ton of money..

A yummy lunch I frequent... soup and sandwich
Come back tomorrow for the next 5 BIG TIPS!!

Sunday, January 8, 2012

25 Little Things for BIG weight loss... 5 more

Last Tuesday at my weight watchers meeting we discussed part of an article I found on the Weight Watchers website. Here is a Link (full article)to the full article. I am going to break them down into 5's over the next few days and give my thoughts... feel free to share your thoughts.  Here are the next 5...

6. Listen to your cravings

The article suggest substituting fruit for the craving for sweets and 94% Fat Free air popcorn instead of potato chips. I do agree with these suggestions although one other thing I would suggest is if you are truly craving something such as a hamburger from your favorite burger joint... HAVE IT! Count the points and move on! There is nothing wrong with occasionally having the food you love most.

Yummy broccoli and Cheese potato

7. Ease your way into produce

I am a huge lover of the produce section. However if you are not then start small just as the full article suggest. One of my favorite ways to enjoy vegetables is salad or finding new ways to flavor steamed vegetables. Over the weekend one of my members and I were discussing the green giant vegetables that have the cheese sauce already on them. I told her its even better when you pour it over a potato. See photo (photo is older and the Points plus values are not reflected correctly on the package)






8. Look for high-fat hints
Things like mayo and ranch are full of fat.
The article suggest that you look for key words that make food higher in fat such as: au gratin, parmigiana, tempura, Alfredo, creamy and carbonara, and enjoy them in moderation. A few other words I watch for are creamy, breaded, and fried. These typically mean that there will be a higher fat content.







9. Don't multi-task while you eat

We discussed this one in my Tuesday meeting as one of my most guilty ones personally. I am almost always doing something else while I am eating. The key is to not eat in front of your computer, workstation or even TV. Enjoy your food it probably taste really yummy.

10. Taste something new
One of my favorite pasta subs

I always suggest that you take as much advantage of this as possible. There are so many things out there we don't even really know about. Explore the produce and even meet sections of your grocery. Sometimes there are even recipes near the foods or on packages. Try each week to find a way to incorporate something you wouldn't normally enjoy. Don't let yourself get bored with eating the same foods all the time.

Thursday, January 5, 2012

25 little things for BIG weight loss

On Tuesday at my weight watchers meeting we discussed part of an article I found on the Weight Watchers website. Here is a Link (full article)to the full article. I am going to break them down into 5's over the next few days and give my thoughts... feel free to share your thoughts.  Here are the first 5:

1. Good things come in small packages:
The article suggest cutting up things like chocolate or cheese into smaller pieces so it feels as you are getting more than you actually are. Although I agree with this. I also think this also relates to weight loss itself. I know .5 pounds lost may not feel like a lot for 1 week but many of them over time .5 can really add up.

2. Get "water-wise"
Here they discuss the benefits of drinking water over caloric drinks. Also giving the idea of adding lemon or lime for some zest to the water. I also think it helps to use a water bottle you can refill and carry with you. If you have water bottle you enjoy drinking out of makes it all the more enticing. My favorites are made my the camelbak company. Here is a Link to their site... they sell these at Target also.

3. Herb it up
Adding spices to your food adds flavor not calories. I got a really nice spice rack from my grandmother for Christmas. I am very excited to see what kind of spices I can use to make my food even tastier without calories.

4. Slim down your soup
My favorite soup recipe is the weight watchers vegetable soup recipe (Click here for recipe). 0 Points Plus and really tasty. The best part of this recipe is you can add and remove vegetables as you have taste for them.

5. Doggie Bag that dinner
When a large meal arrives at your dinner table just remember you don't have to finish it. You could even ask the server to bring a box right away so you are not tempted to eat all of it. Also don't be afraid to ask the server questions about substitutions before ordering. My favorite? May I have double vegetables instead of the rice/potato? Saves points and is so satisfying.

The next 5 tips wil be posted tomorrow so stay tuned.

Monday, January 2, 2012

What you can eat for lunch when you have time...

Happy 2012!
I hope your first couple days have gone well. My Bengals made the playoffs so that was exciting and I got to spend most of the day yesterday just hanging around my house. Also since yesterday was New Years day my company was only open until 10am today so  I got to enjoy a nice short day. I was able to get some a workout done in between chores around my house. I was also able to get some grocery shopping accomplished. No big surprise all the "healthy" stuff appears to be on sale this week. One thing though that I really love about being home for lunch is being able to make things I normally wouldn't make for lunch. Today I opted for
4oz of Tilapia (3 points plus values)
 4oz of Quinoa topped with salsa (3 points plus values)
1 cup of broccoli (0 points plus values)

Here is a photo of my yummy lunch.
 



Its enjoyable to be able to make something so satisfying and actually be able to spend time enjoying my lunch. That is not something I am always able to do while I am at my full time job. What do you enjoy having when you really have time to make a satisfying lunch?