Shaping Up

Lack of activity destroys the good condition of every human being, while movement and methodical physical exercise save it and preserve it. ~Plato



I had a few days off work and used them to try a few new classes at the gym, I tried Tai Chi, Yoga and a class called Get Fit. I really enjoyed the Yoga Class and the Get Fit class was good as well, but the Tai Chi class was too slow and tedious for me. I didn't want to be rude so I stuck it out but couldn't wait for it to be over. The Yoga poses were challenging and the stretching felt good. The Get Fit class entailed aerobics, light weights and abdominal work on a floor mat. I found it a nice combination and a good workout.
 
My favorite exercise is Zumba. A friend said it felt as good as dancing at a Night Club without the jerks and the drunks, I agree.
 
I haven't lost any weight for the last 2 weeks and I feel discouraged. I keep trying to concentrate on my non-scale victories, like a smaller waist measurement and better endurance for activity, but the scale still haunts me.

Non-Scale Victory

Thought for the day:

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack in will. - Vince Lombardi


Yesterday was weigh in day, the scale didn't budge. I could get upset about this but I won't because I worked out hard last week, and noted a non-scale victory. My waistline is 1" smaller than when I measured a month ago and my hips are 1/2" smaller. Whoopee!  The physical activity is paying off even though it wasn't reflected by the scale.

Today I went shopping and though I only bought two pairs of new athletic shoes, I couldn't resist trying on a few things one size smaller. The stuff I tried on in the smaller size fit, though slightly snug in the derriere, my biggest trouble spot. I passed them up this time because I just can't justify getting a smaller size to only wear for a few weeks. It's getting close spring and I hope I'll be at least another size smaller next fall..

It does feel good knowing I can go down a size this spring.

Here is a great soup recipe:

 Zippy Cheese Soup

6 cups of Fat Free Reduced Sodium Chicken Broth
2 16 oz packages of  frozen California Medley Vegetables (Broccoli, Cauliflower, Carrots, Red Bell Pepper)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 tsp minced garlic
1 can of Rotel (or diced tomatoes with chiles)
10 oz of 2% (reduced fat) Velveeta
Cooking spray


Spray a 4-5 quart saucepan or Dutch oven with cooking spray and saute the onion and garlic until soft and transparent. Add the chicken broth and bring to a boil, add the frozen veggies and Rotel.  Cook until veggies are tender and hot.. slowly add the Velveeta cheese. Enjoy...


Serving size 1 Cup = 2 Points Plus

 
Also makes a great Baked Potato topper.

Back in the Game

Thought for the day:

"No matter who you are, no matter what you do, you absolutely, positively do have the power to change." -Bill Phillips




Yesterday was my weigh in day and I'm happy to report a loss of 4.6 pounds. My entire right hand, arm and shoulder are all sore from patting myself on the back. I've had some recent set backs and I've really been in a rut, so last weeks weight loss success makes me feel like I am really back in the game.
 
 
My plan now is to keep up the good work. I'm sticking with the Weight Watchers program  and I'm getting regular exercise again. That seems to be the winning combination.
 
 
This week I intend to try a few new recipes and since the weather is supposed to be pleasant, I'm going to get a daily outdoor walk in on my lunch breaks. I've really been missing being out in the fresh air.

Let's Make it Happen

Thought for the day:

There are three types of people in this world: those who make things happen, those who watch things happen and those who wonder what happened. We all have a choice. You can decide which type of person you want to be. I have always chosen to be in the first group. - Mary Kay Ash.




I've had the winter doldrums for the past few weeks, the cold weather, ice, snow and lack of sunshine have had me feeling like hibernating and eating junk food. Finally, I feel as though the dark cloud is lifting and this week I'm in the mood to get back on the waggon and do what I need to to get the pounds off.

A friend told me about an article in the Wall Street Journal about people who are "super-tasters" and I think I just might be one. Some people just get a whole lot of flavor and enjoyment out of food, more than the average person and its great, awesome even. Now for the down side, there may be another phenom according to the WSJ some of us also have enzymes in our digestive systems that make them super efficient in absorbing nutrients including calories and fat.

Now, I've determined that I am probably not only a "super-taster", but I also have one of those exceptionally efficient digestive systems which combined with the effects of menopause makes the pounds stick to my butt like they have been applied with Gorilla Glue!

I have found a new Zumba class that I like, I've also learned a new phrase in this class. On one routine the instructor said to "Drop it like its hot!", I'm thinking drop what? I wasn't holding anything. Then I see the whole class squat down while gyrating their hips and determined this must be "Dropping it like it's hot!". Gee! I'm not just working out I'm also expanding my vocabulary.

I've also decided that I like using an elliptical, just started this week but It feels like it works all of my bodies major muscle groups. Can't wait to see the effects...

Happy New Year!

Thought for the Day:

Rich, fatty foods are like destiny: they too, shape our ends. ~Author Unknown



The New Year is here and full of promise.

My resolution is simply to take better care of myself.

Last Saturday was the first time in 3 weeks I've weighed in and while I had gained 10 pounds over the holidays, I was just certain I had gained more, but thankful that I hadn't.

Eating rich holiday foods and lack of exercise has been like like "Miracle Grow", for my butt. Clothes that were getting loose aren't anymore.

I'm slowly climbing back up on that waggon. Maybe I need to be pushing it.

My first Zumba class of the new year kicked my butt, I hadn't been in 3 weeks and once again stuff I didn't know I had started to hurt. I'll admit though, it did feel good to get back to being active. Hope I can quickly work off that big 10 gain.

Now, if I can just keep motivated...

Back to Losses

Thought for the day:

“Craziness is doing the same thing and expecting a different result.”



-Tom DeMarco
Last week I lost 3 pounds on Points Plus. I hope that means the "Plateau" is over.
 
Something mentally happens to me when my weight loss plateaus; I get depressed and want to eat and then I gain. It's insanity!
 
Why do I turn to food for comfort? I could just take a hot shower, read a good book or take a walk. Yet time after time I turn to rich, fattening food. This is a pattern that I desperately need to brake.
 
I've thought about it and I plan to start by eating a piece of fruit instead of a pastry when I feel down. If that doesn't do it I'll get up and move around, maybe take a walk, the cold weather has slowed my desire for physical activity but I'll force myself, even if it means cleaning the house, hey, it's movement!
 
I really do want to get this fat off my ass and doing what I've done in the past only got me where I am today.

Points Plus A New Begining

Thought for the day:

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going." –Jim Ryun


Just got through my first Points Plus Day. It wasn't bad, just different; it is probably good to have to look up the points on food again. I'd been working the Momentum plan for so long I was pretty sure of myself with calculating food points, now I have to look up the points on every thing. Hope it helps me break this plateau I've been on for WEEKS!

It was kind of nice having 0 Point fruit as well as most vegetables being 0 points; but it's going to be really difficult eating fewer carbohydrates.

Going Forward

Thought for the day:

When friends tell you how awesome you look, drop the "I still have more to go" crap. You worked hard and you deserve the compliment! ~Jillian Michaels


 
I went out to give my Visa a little more exercise today, scored a few more Christmas gifts and ran into a former coworker whom I haven't seen since way before my weight loss. I don't think she recognized me at first, but complemented me profusely when she realized I was someone she knew. The complements felt really good and gave me that little lift I needed to take my but out in the yard and get the fall clean up of the flower beds accomplished, and take a 30 minute walk. The weather was great for a walk,  sunny, a slight breeze and just a little crisp. I must have earned at least 8 activity points today; gotta work off the Thanksgiving weight gain and get back to being a "Big Loser".
 
The crisp weather did make think of one of my favorite cool weather drinks, Jacked-Up Cider. So To keep it program friendly I substituted a package of Alpine Sugar-Free spiced Cider mix for the apple cider and saved a whole lot of calories.
 
Jacked-Up Cider
 
1 Packet of Sugar-Free Alpine Spiced Cider
3/4 cup of boiling water
1 jigger of Jack Daniels Whiskey
1 cinnamon stick and 1 apple slice for garnish
 
Stir the packet of cider mix into the whiskey and add hot water and stir until dissolved then then garnish with the apple slice and cinnamon stick if desired.
 
Serves 1
 
Weight Watchers Points-2

Turkey Tired

Thought for the day:

“Man needs difficulties. They are necessary for health.”
-Carl Gustav Jung



After Thanksgiving and Black Friday, I will admit to being completely pooped out. I didn't feel like getting out of bed this morning let alone going to my Weight Watchers meeting or Zumba class; I went anyway and I'm glad that I did. I was feeling rather sluggish after the rich food and after the Zumba class I feel much better and more energized.

On Thanksgiving I indulged in all of the traditional foods made the traditional way, with extra butter.

On Black Friday I was up early, dragging my butt out of bed at 2:30 AM to give my Visa a workout. Now I can get out of bed before the butt-crack of dawn to go Christmas Shopping and grab those first "Bargains"; why I can't manage to drag my fat ass out of of bed at 5:00 AM to exercise?

So Begins the "Holiday Season".

Weigh in wasn't as painful as I thought it would be, I gained 1.2 pounds. I'm THANKFUL that I didn't gain more.

Here is a recipe for a Pumpkin Smoothie to go with sandwiches made from leftover turkey.


Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Ingredients

1 cup of lite Vanilla soy milk
1/2 cup of canned pure pumpkin
1/4 cup of fat free Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons of Torani Sugar Free Vanilla Syrup
1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. of brown sugar
2 tsp. of Splenda
1 Tbsp. of fat free Reddi-whip
5-8 ice cubes or 1 cup of crushed ice
1/2 sheet of low fat graham crackers, crushed

Directions

Place all ingredients except Reddi-whip in a blender. Blend at high speed until thoroughly blended. Pour into a tall glass and top with the Reddi-whip and a sprinkle of cinnamon if desired.

Serves 1

Weight Watchers Points-3

Gains not losses

Thought for the day:

I have gained and lost the same ten pounds so many times over and over again my cellulite must have déjà vu. ~Jane Wagner


Its been three weeks since I've posted, I just felt so depressed over things beyond my control that I couldn't bring myself to get on line and post. I've done what I usually do when depressed; cook and eat, I gained 5 pounds, now I feel like a Yo-Yo.

I have came up with some great new recipes to share.

I don't want to beat myself up about it. Been there done that. I just want to get back on track and in control.

Here is the plan.

Track every thing that crosses my lips.
Walk or perform some kind of exercise daily.
Drink at least 6 glasses of water a day.
Measure and weigh my food and stay within my points allowance.

This plan does work when I actually stick with it. It has helped me lose in excess of 40 pounds and I was getting pretty close to having 50 pounds off. I have simply gotten off track, off the Waggon and out of control again.

Overeating and eating the wrong things is what has happened. Why it happened? I've been having more than my share of "Poor Baby" moments; I'm an emotional eater and my emotions have been in an upheaval over stuff that I can do nothing about, but keep my reactions professional.

Thankfully this weeks end has brought wonderful news that I think will change the atmosphere where I work from one that has felt quite hostile back to the usually pleasant work environment that it once was. Granted no work place is perfect and mine has always had its ups and downs, but the past 9 months have been rather extenuating. I'm looking forward to better days ahead and I believe this change in the work place paradigm will be positive for everyone concerned. last Friday my coworkers and I were almost giddy in anticipation of the changes to come.


Shrimp and Grits



Weight watchers points per serving: 8

Servings: 4
Preparation Time: 30 min

Cooking Time: 15 min

A Southern Classic. This tastes like a little bit of heaven on a fork.

Ingredients

1/2 cup(s) onion(s), Chopped

1/2 cup(s) bell pepper(s), Red and green chopped

1 tsp olive oil

8 slice(s) uncooked turkey bacon, cut in half

1/2 cup(s) uncooked corn grits

1 cup(s) fat-free half-and-half

1 cup(s) water

1/4 tsp table salt

1/8 tsp black pepper, dash or to taste

3 oz Kraft Deluxe 1/2 the fat made with 2% milk cheese, about 4 slices

1 pound(s) shrimp, extra jumbo shrimp peeled and deveined about 16  pieces
Instructions

Spray a non-stick skillet with cooking spray. wrap the shrimp with bacon and secure with a toothpick. Place the shrimp in the skillet and cook over medium heat until the shrimp is pink and the bacon is crispy, or cook on a George Forman Grill at 425 degrees for about 5 minutes. Remove the shrimp from skillet and set aside. Add olive oil and vegetables to the skillet and cook until the onions are soft and transparent, about 5 minutes. Return the shrimp to the skillet and heat through. Meanwhile bring the water and half and half to a low boil in a saucepan over medium heat and add salt and grits. Cook for about 3 minutes or until the grits are soft and the liquid is absorbed. Tear the cheese into small pieces and stir into the grits until melted. Place grits in a shallow serving dish and top with the shrimp and vegetables, Or plate up with 1/4 of the grits on each plate and top with 1/4 of the shrimp.


Better Banana Bread



Weight watchers points per serving: 2
Servings: 10

Preparation Time: 15 min

Cooking Time: 55 to 60 min

Level of Difficulty: Easy

Yes you can have a big fat slice of Banana Bread and still get into your skinny jeans. What could be better?

Ingredients

3 large banana(s), very ripe mashed, about 1 1/2 cups

1 cup(s) whole wheat flour

1/2 cup(s) all-purpose flour

3/4 cup(s) SPLENDA® SPLENDA No Calorie Sweetener

1/4 cup(s) unpacked light brown sugar

2 Tbsp Promise Light Buttery Soft Margarine

1/2 cup(s) unsweetened applesauce

2 1/2 tsp baking powder

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/4 tsp ground nutmeg

1/2 tsp table salt

1/4 cup(s) Egg Beaters Refrigerated Egg Whites

1/4 cup(s) Egg Beaters Egg Beaters

1 spray(s) cooking spray


Instructions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9"x5" loaf pan with cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the white and wheat flours, baking powder, salt Splenda and cinnamon. Mix well. In a medium mixing bowl combine the mashed banana, apple sauce, egg whites and egg beaters, margarine, vanilla and brown sugar. Whisk together until thoroughly mixed. Add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients and stir until blended. Pour into a 9"x5" loaf pan and bake in the oven for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely and cut into 10 slices about 3/4" thick.

Back on the Waggon

 Thought for the day:

 “Thinking will not overcome fear but action will.” -W. Clement Stone


I fell off the waggon last week and totally spiraled out of control. It was just a Poor Baby week. I was entirely stressed out at work, needing serious attitude adjustment, tired of being in control, and really wanting to EAT.


Saturday was weigh in day and I didn't go to my meeting or to Zumba. I woke up with a splitting headache and felt crappy, probably from the bottle of wine I drank the night before. Go figure!


Today, I'm tired of wallowing in self pitty and back on track and in control. I've started back up my lunch hour walks now that it's not so hot in the middle of the day. It does help to blow off some work place stress and the activity points are healthier than a food fest.

I will track every day.
I will drink my 6-8 glasses of water daily.
I will walk during lunch break.
I will go to bed early enough to get at least 6-7 hours of sleep.
I will go to Zumba.

And damn it! I will have a good week!

At least I didn't gain anymore weight last week.

Spinning Out Of Control

Thought for the day:

"Being out of control is one of the worst feelings in the world, sometimes even worse than pain.  It is its own kind of pain."  ~Terri Guillemets

Since last weekend I have been spinning out of control; I have just felt so hungry that everthing looks delicious.

I've been in the mood to cook and eat. It could have really been bad if didn't have whole grain flour and splenda in the cabinet. At least what I've been baking is no more than 3 points a serving.

Last Saturday was weigh in day and it didn't go well, I gained 2 pounds, not what I want to happen.

As hard as I've been working to get this fat off and I gain. So discouraging!

I'm craving Poor Baby comfort, like baked Mac-n-cheese. 

Help!!!

Slow and Steady

Thought for the day:

I'm an idealist. I don't know where I'm going, but I'm on my way.



-Carl Sandburg

Last week had a few challenges, Doughnuts, Pizza and Junk Food. We had guests at work last week so the company provided a luncheon complete with Pizza, Salad and cookies, two out of three are trigger foods for me and it was really a trial to only eat one slice of Veggie Pizza and I stayed as far from the cookies as possible and tried to fill up on salad.


Saturday was weigh in day and I lost 0.2 pounds, after all the temptations guess I'm lucky I didn't gain.


I did finally get a couple of recipes worked out and I'm quite pleased with the results.


Southern cooking doesn't have to be fattening, this is a slimmed down version of a home-style classic.




 Chicken "Fried" Steak

Ingredients


1/2 cup(s) whole wheat flour

1/3 cup(s) Egg Beaters Refrigerated Egg Whites

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/4 tsp table salt

1 spray(s) cooking spray

12 oz Flat Iron Steak, raw, cut into 4 portions and pounded to about 1/3" thick

1 tsp hot pepper sauce

3/4 tsp paprika

1/2 cup(s) Progresso® Bread crumbs Panko crispy bread crumbs - plain

1 cup(s) General Mills Fiber One, crushed to a bread-crumb like consistency



Instructions


Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top, set aside. Place the flour in a shallow dish, add the salt and pepper and stir to mix; combine the Panko, Fiber -One crumbles and paprika in another shallow dish. In a shallow bowl whisk the hot sauce into the egg-whites. Dredge the steak pieces in the flour then dip them into the egg white mixture and dredge in the Panko/Fiber-One crumbs and place on the wire rack. Spray generously with the cooking spray and bake in the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until crispy.
Serves 4
Weight Watchers Points-6


Sausage Gravy



Ingredients

2 item(s) Jimmy Dean Fully cooked turkey sausage patties

1 cup(s) fat-free chicken broth

1/2 cup(s) Land O Lakes Fat-free Gourmet Half & Half

1/2 cup(s) fat-free skim milk

1 Tbsp light butter

1/4 tsp table salt, or to taste

1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste

2 Tbsp Argo Corn Starch


Instructions


In a nonstick skillet, heat sausage patties, breaking up into small pieces. Remove from the skillet and set aside . Place the butter in the skillet and heat over low heat until melted, whisk in the chicken broth, milk and 1/4 cup of the half and half. dissolve the cornstarch in the other 1/4 cup of half and half and whisk into the liquid in the skillet, cook until thickened, add sausage crumbles.


Serves 4
Weight Watchers Points: 2

I'm Not A Health Nut

Thought for the day:


"The best six doctors anywhere

And no one can deny it
Are sunshine, water, rest, and air
Exercise and diet.
These six will gladly you attend
If only you are willing
Your mind they'll ease
Your will they'll mend
And charge you not a shilling."


~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990
 
 
When I declined a doughnut at work last week a coworker accused me of being a "Health Nut". I had to laugh out loud, because I can't think of anything further from the truth. I've committed myself to attaining a healthy weight and changing my lifestyle to achieve and I hope, maintain that goal.  
 
 
Not exactly the stuff of which "Health Nuts" are made, at least I don't think so. I know for a fact that I will, one day, eat a doughnut. I'll do it when I have planned for it and decided that a doughnut is really where I want to use my points. I think that having treats that aren't necessarily healthy is not going to kill anyone, but for me would impede my progress toward a healthy Body Mass Index. I also know doughnuts are one of my trigger foods and I would certainly not stop with just one.
 
 
Yesterday was weigh in day and  I'm proud to say I lost 3.4 lbs. YEA! ME!
 
 
I haven't really done anything different the past two weeks, those stubborn pounds have just been coming off, maybe my fat cells have just gotten tired of fighting so hard to stay on my butt. Anyway, the losses of last couple of weeks feel really good and have made up for that plateau I was so frustrated about.
 
 
This weekend, I'm not reviewing the past week, I'm just enjoying the results.
 
 
Here is a recipe for what I think is a pretty good swap for a "McDonald's Sausage and Egg Burrito".


 
Breakfast Burrito



Ingredients

1/4 cup Egg Beaters
1 Fully cooked turkey sausage link

1/8 cup shredded fat-free cheddar cheese

1 Mission® Carb balance whole wheat tortillas - fajita size

1/8 cup salsa

cooking spray


Instructions

Spray a microwave safe bowl or cup with cooking spray , add the eggbeaters and microwave for 1-1.5 minutes or until done. while the eggbeaters are cooking cut the sausage link into 1/4" slices. when the eggbeaters are cooked, remove from the microwave and heat the sausage for .5-1 min or until hot, remove and place the tortilla in the microwave and heat 5-10 seconds and remove. place the eggbeaters on the tortilla, breaking them up, add the sausage, cheese and salsa and roll up to contain the filling. Enjoy.

I often eat this during my commute to work.

Comfort Food

Thought for the day:

"Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it's always your choice."


-Wayne Dyer



Today was tough, I was HUNGRY all day! It was really a challenge to stay on program, I was also feeling nostalgic; for comfort food.


I don't know why, maybe it's the cooler weather, or the falling leaves, whatever; I just want the kind of yummy stuff I ate as a kid. I want a hot dog, a bowl of alphabet soup, celery sticks, apple slices and a cupcake.


Hey! That was one of my favorite Grade School lunches. The hot dog was wrapped in a slice of white bread that had been spread with mustard, then it was baked until the bread was crisp and toasty. The celery sticks  were spread with either peanut butter or "Cheese Whiz" and we all ways got a couple of oatmeal cookies or a cupcake for dessert.


Thanks to Hebrew National 97% fat free all beef hot dogs, Healthy Life bread, Campbell's, and Laughing Cow products this meal is do-able for about 7 points, even with the cupcake.


Here is how it happens and the Grand kids like it too.


Campbell's Vegetarian Vegetable soup prepared has only 90 calories per cup and with only 0.5 gm of fat and 2 gm of fiber it amounts to 1 Weight Watchers point.


Hebrew National 97% fat free all beef hot dogs have 40 calories and one gm of fat per hot dog and are 1 Weight Watchers point. Microwave for 1 minute.

Healthy Life White bread has 40 calories, 1 fat gm and 5 gm of fiber and is not quite a point.
Spread yellow mustard on one side of the bread and wrap it around the hot dog securing with a toothpick. Spray with butter flavored cooking spray and bake at 350 degrees in a toaster oven for about 5-7 minutes or until toasted.
 
 
Laughing Cow Lite cheese wedges are 35 calories and 1 gm of fat for 1 Weight Watchers point.
Just spread a wedge of the cheese on one rib of celery and cut into 2 inch long pieces.
 
 
Slice up an apple. 1 Weight Watchers point.
 
 
 
Surprise Cupcakes
 
1 box of Jiffy Yellow cake mix
 
1/2 cup of unsweetened applesauce
 
1/2 tsp. baking powder
 
1 egg white
 
1/2 cup of water
 
1/4 cup of sugar free jelly or jam any flavor
 
1cup of Cool Whip Free
 
1 container sugar free Jello Vanilla pudding
 
Pre-heat over to 350 degrees. Spray a 12 cup muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray or line with paper cupcake liners.
 
In a large mixing bowl combine the cake mix and baking powder. Add the applesauce, egg-white and water, then stir until blended. Evenly distribute the cake mixture among the cups. Bake in the oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool.
 
Place the jelly/jam in the bottom corner of a plastic bag. Snip the corner off with scissors. You will use this to pipe the jelly/jam into the cupcakes. (A pastry bag fitted with a 1/4" tip could also be used)
 
Use a knife to poke a small hole in the center of each cupcake. Use the plastic bag to squeeze the jelly/jam evenly into the holes you made in the cupcakes.
 
Fold the pudding into the Cool Whip and use this to frost the cupcakes.
 
Makes 12 cupcakes
Each cupcake counts as 2 Weight Watchers points
 
 
These are so yummy! For variety you could also use sugar free/fat free pudding as filling.

I Think I Can

Thought for the day:


"If you think you can do a thing or think you can't do a thing, you're right."



-Henry Ford
 
 
Another busy week, I didn't know whether I was coming or going last week. My mind and body needed rest so badly that I stayed off the computer all weekend.
 
 
Saturday was my weigh in day and I lost this time, 3.2 pounds, YAY! ME!
 
The weekend I worked on cleaning out closets and playing with recipes. Having grown up on southern style food, many of my favorites are laden with fat and high on calories so it's important to me to find swaps so I can get the flavor without the fat. It isn't easy, as butter and bacon fat makes just about everything taste better and are major players in southern cuisine. There are three recipes I particularly want to get lightened up. The first is my Lemon Bars which are getting close to the way I want them to taste, getting the right crust is the tricky part. The other two are Shrimp and Grits and Chicken Fried Steaks with Sausage Gravy and I'm in no way close to getting a good tasting light version.


The week in review:


What I did right:



a. Ate Breakfast daily.


b. Kept a diary of every bite that crossed my lips.


c. Drank extra water due to the heat and my increase in activity.


d. Exercised 4 days last week.



What I can do better-


a. Get enough sleep. I still struggle with this.


b. Manage to exercise 6 days this week.


c. Work out some new recipes to help prevent boredom.


d. Take a 30 minute walk at least 3 days of the week.

Plateau

Thought for the day:

"A desire presupposes the possibility of action to achieve it; action presupposes a goal which is worth achieving."

~Ayn Rand


I think I've reached a plateau, no weight loss this week. Despite staying on point and additional exercise I didn't drop a single ounce. Argg!



This was a holiday weekend, Labor Day, the unofficial end of Summer. So I labored; I pulled binder vines out of one of my flower beds, then removed the plants I want to save and transplanted them to an empty bed for the winter. I want to treat the area with some ground clear to kill the roots out. It will be barren for a while but I can start fresh in the spring with no binder vine. The stuff spreads like Kudzu.



So I've had plenty of physical activity this weekend.



Since it was Labor Day, I did fix a sort of festive meal this evening. I grilled some pork loin sauteed green beans with onion garlic and walnuts and made a mock potato salad using fat free Mayo, low fat sour cream, rice vinegar, mustard and ranch dressing mix for the dressing and steamed cauliflower, egg whites, chopped dill pickle, chopped celery and chopped chives for the part to be dressed and I'm not missing the potatoes at all. This was accompanied by a very simple little tomato, basil and mozzarella salad dressed with a drizzle of Balsamic vinegar reduction. I also made some Lemon bars, that were tasty, but could use some work. I'm thinking a little freshly grated ginger root would up the flavor factor and give these bars that little something that they need.



Mock Southern Style Potato Salad

Ingredients


4 cup(s) cauliflower, roughly chopped

6 item(s) egg white(s), boiled, chilled and chopped

1/2 cup(s) Hidden Valley Fat Free Original Ranch

1 cup(s) Kraft Fat-Free Mayonnaise Dressing

1/8 cup(s) fat-free sour cream

2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar

3 Tbsp Dijon mustard

1/4 cup(s) chives, chopped

1/2 item(s) Boar's Head Whole Kosher dill pickle, large chopped (about 2 Tbsp.)

1 cup(s) red onion(s), chopped

3/4 cup(s) celery, chopped

1/8 cup(s) Martha White Spud Flakes Instant Mashed Potatoes Mix

1/4 tsp table salt

10 cup(s) water

1 tsp paprika


Instructions

Place cauliflower, salt and water in a microwave safe dish, cover and steam in the microwave oven at 100% power for 8-10 minutes or until tender, drain and cool completely .

Place 1 cup of the cauliflower with the mashed potato flakes,mayonnaise, sour cream, Ranch salad dressing, rice wine vinegar and Dijon mustard in a blender jar and puree.

In a large bowl toss the remaining cauliflower with the onion, celery, dill pickle, chives,and egg whites.

Gently fold the contents of the blender jar into the ingredients in the bowl, sprinkle with the paprika and chill.



Servings: 10

Weight Watches Points: 1
 
 
 
I'll share the Lemon Bar recipe when I tweak it up a bit.


 
 What I did right:



a. Ate Breakfast daily.

b. Kept a diary of every bite that crossed my lips.

c. Drank extra water due to the heat and my increase in activity.

d. Exercised 5 days last week.



What I can do better-


a. Get enough sleep. I still struggle with this.

b. Manage to exercise 6 days this week.

c. Work out some new recipes to help prevent boredom.

d. Take a 30 minute walk at least 3 days of the week.

New Jeans

Thought for the day:


"Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time."

~Thomas A. Edison
 
 
I wore a new pair of jeans to work today, in a smaller size, I was looking great and feeling better. I think I looked better in jeans than I have in at least 10 years, maybe more. I'm still glowing from the complements my co-workers showered me with.
 
 It may just be my imagination, but I think a man at the grocery store was hitting on me. I'm really not sure, because I was just trying to get groceries, it's been a long time since I've attracted a man's attention and I was not flirting, but still, he was pretty friendly.
 
Not that I'm interested, but it is nice to think someone of the opposite sex noticed that I looked good.
 
I am so going shopping for a 2nd pair of those jeans!
 
This week I have been so hungry, I've used every activity point I earned about half of my flex points. I'm gonna have to either work out like crazy this weekend or keep to the lowest of points on my food choices.
 
This is a holiday weekend too.
 
Tomorrow is my weigh in day and I hope I lost. I have been working out daily and walked for half an hour on my lunch break today. Hope that was enough to make a pound budge.
 
Whatever happens with the scale, it's still been a good week.

What a Drag

Thought for the day:


"Clogged with yesterday's excess, the body drags the mind down with it." ~Horace


Perhaps it's the rainy weather, but I have felt so tired today that it was all I could do to get to exercise class. My butt was really draging and had I been going on my own, I might have diched it. Thank goodness I was meeting a buddy. It's so easy to wimp out on exercise when I'm on my own.


After class I had a lot more energy.


Having friends to work out with, not only makes it more fun, it also keeps me motivated.


I went home and tried the Belly dance DVD, and it made my belly is sore. I was trying to master the "Belly Roll", since I have a belly roll I thoulght it would be easy, NOT!


I am going to give it another try.


 I've always wanted to be able to move with the grace of a dancer and be able to glide through a room instead of stumble.


Maybe if I can learn to dance I can learn to move with a little grace. I do think my posture is improving and while I don't quite feel graceful, I don't feel quite as clumsy either.

Centered

Thought for the day:

"You have a very powerful mind that can make anything happen as long as you keep yourself centered. " -Dr. Wayne W. Dyer



I've had another ridiculously busy week, but I was able to stay centered and on point. Again, planning turns out to be the winning strategy.


This week my weigh in was much better than last week's, I lost 2.6 pounds, ridding myself of the one I had gained last week and putting me 1.6 pound ahead of the game.


I had a little personal goal to get to 50 pounds off by Labor Day, but with 8 pounds standing in the way I think I'll resolve that goal to having my first 50 off by the Autumn equinox. I can't say that I'm not disappointed but since I started this challenge on the first day of spring I guess getting to that halfway point by the first day of Autumn is more realistic. I may have been rushing things.


This challenge is not the "Biggest Loser".


What really is most important is not how fast that first 50 comes off, but that it gets off. I've made a lot of progress toward my ultimate weight loss goal, 42 pounds is nothing to sneeze at.


When I think about how far I've come, and number of lifestyle changes I've made, it kind of even astounds me. I really never thought I could get over my exercise allergy, let alone actually enjoy a work out. My first experience with physical activity was when I forced myself to take a walk, then I forced myself to start trying different exercise DVDs. Now, thanks to my friend Barb, suggesting I join her at a  Zumba class; I have a physical activity that I actually look forward to.


I'm still trying different exercise DVDs to have some kind of activity on the days I don't go to Zumba, and I think that may keep things fresh for me. And I like the stretching involved with Yoga and the toning I get from Pilates. This week's DVD is Belly dancing, I'll let you know how it goes. I'll also walk more when the weather cools off.


Overall, I think the week went pretty well.


What I did right:


a. Ate Breakfast daily.

b. Kept a diary of every bite that crossed my lips.

c. Drank extra water due to the heat and my increase in activity.

d. Exercised 5 days last week.

e. Tried a recipe for brownies made with black beans and with only 53 calories. It was a total bust. Yuck! Maybe I can tweak it to taste good, the texture was moist and fuggy.

What I can do better-

a. Get enough sleep. I still struggle with this.

b. Manage to exercise 6 days this week.

c. Work out some new recipes to help prevent boredom.

d. Make some time for meditation. I'm still struggling with this one too.