Okay, so this week has NOT been a good week in the dept of food. Or exercise. My last day of exercise was on Saturday morning, until tonight.
Not only that, but food...yeah, hasn't been very good either.
So today, of all days, even knowing that I'll be working out tonight...I went to the dark side and had chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. And pie. And Chinese food. And more pie. And....well, you get the picture. And I knew that when that weigh-in starts, if I do end up losing weight, it's by the sheer grace of God, as this week as been HORRIFIC with the general, healthy lifestyle.
So, what lesson did I learn today? To not eat 30 minutes before a workout. haha Felt like crap the whole entire workout. My heart was pounding miserably out of my chest. I was ready to die and give up. And was feeling overly nauseous and about ready to toss the cookies, chocolate, pie, and Chinese food out of my tummy. (Luckily that didn't happen.)
And once again I'm trying to attempt to get back on track. Worked out tonight. Working out tomorrow night. And generally praying that the Lord/Holy Spirit will help me to say no to the horrible cravings of constant food intake, to once again going back to what I was doing...especially since I felt so much better than what I do tonight!
So, lesson learned. When I fall, get right back up, and keep going. I may have to take it at a slower pace since I kinda let loose for a bit, but as soon as I know it, I'll be back on track, and ready for more. :)
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Last night's Dinner and a Movie Recipes :)
So, I thought I'd share the recipes Naomi, Michelle and I worked on last night. :)
Turkey Bacon & Green Onion Potato Skins
4 Idaho potatoes
1 T EVOO
salt and freshly ground black pepper (we skipped out on the salt in the mixture, due to salt in bacon/cheese)
6 strips turkey bacon
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream (we used fat free)
chicken stock, warm, as needed (we didn't have to use any)
2 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish if you like
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese (we used the fat-free version)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Scrub the potatoes of any excess dirt and prick them each several times w/ a fork. Place them on a baking sheet, drizzle EVOO and season w/ salt and pepper, tossing lightly to coat.
Bake in the oven until tender, about 45-60 min depending on the size of the potato. Remove the baked potatoes from the oven and let cool enough to handle.
While the potatoes are cooling, place a medium-size skillet over medium-high heat with 1 turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 T. Cook the turkey bacon until crispy golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess grease and cool. Chop up the cooled bacon and reserve in a medium-size mixing bowl.
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut each one in half lengthwise and scoop the insides out into the same mixing bowl as the bacon, leaving a thin layer of flesh still intact. Be sure not to pierce the skin of the potato.
Add the reduced-fat sour cream, scallions and about 1/2 cup of cheddar to the bowl and mash everything up (add a little bit of the chicken stock to the mash if it's too dry). Season the filling with salt and freshly ground black pepper and scoop the filling back into the hollowed out potato shells, dividing it evenly between all eight.
Place the potato skins back onto a baking sheet and sprinkle the cheese over each of them. Place them back into the oven to melt the cheese, 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle some more scallions over each one, if you like, and serve them up with your favorite salad alongside.
Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry
2 cups water
1 cup uncooked white rice (we used brown instead)
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (we used extra large, which worked out perfect...they still had their tails on, though. We also used chicken.)
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (we used less, as Naomi doesn't do spicy)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T sesame seeds
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 T sesame oil (just a warning...if you've never used it, it's quite...pungent)
1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
3 green onions, sliced
3 T teriyaki sauce
1/2 lb sugar snap peas (didn't use, 'cause couldn't find them, and don't really like them)
1/8 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 tsp salt
In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 min. (brown rice--abt. 40 min)
While rice is simmering, combine shrimp, ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, sesame seeds and black pepper in a large plastic food storage bag (you can add the cooked chicken now, to blend all flavors). Allow to marinate in the refrigerator.
Heat sesame oil in a large wok or skillet (we used a pot). Add red bell pepper and green onions; saute 3-4 minutes to soften slightly. Add teriyaki sauce. Add peas and shrimp with seasoning, saute 4 min or until shrimp are opaque.
Stir cornstarch into chicken broth and add to wok; cook, stirring until mixture boils. Sprinkle w/ salt (we didn't add the extra salt). Spoon shrimp mixture over rice.
Chocolate-Laced Kiwifruit with Orange Sauce
1/2 cup plan or vanilla yogurt (we used vanilla, as it'll be a sweeter taste)
1 T frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed (we used regular OJ)
4 large kiwifruit, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 T semisweet chocolate chips
1 tsp shortening
(for the chocolate sauce, we cheated and used Hershey's Dark Chocolate syrup as a substitute, rather than creating even more dirty dishes haha)
Mix yogurt and juice concentrate. Spoon 2 T yogurt mixture onto each of 4 dessert plates. Arrange 1 sliced kiwifruit on yogurt mixture on each plate.
Heat chocolate chips and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted. Drizzle chocolate over kiwifruit. (Quick tip: substitute chocolate-flavored syrup for the chocolate chips and shortening)
Turkey Bacon & Green Onion Potato Skins
4 Idaho potatoes
1 T EVOO
salt and freshly ground black pepper (we skipped out on the salt in the mixture, due to salt in bacon/cheese)
6 strips turkey bacon
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream (we used fat free)
chicken stock, warm, as needed (we didn't have to use any)
2 scallions, thinly sliced, plus more for garnish if you like
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese (we used the fat-free version)
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
Scrub the potatoes of any excess dirt and prick them each several times w/ a fork. Place them on a baking sheet, drizzle EVOO and season w/ salt and pepper, tossing lightly to coat.
Bake in the oven until tender, about 45-60 min depending on the size of the potato. Remove the baked potatoes from the oven and let cool enough to handle.
While the potatoes are cooling, place a medium-size skillet over medium-high heat with 1 turn of the pan of EVOO, about 1 T. Cook the turkey bacon until crispy golden brown and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer the cooked bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain off any excess grease and cool. Chop up the cooled bacon and reserve in a medium-size mixing bowl.
Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle, cut each one in half lengthwise and scoop the insides out into the same mixing bowl as the bacon, leaving a thin layer of flesh still intact. Be sure not to pierce the skin of the potato.
Add the reduced-fat sour cream, scallions and about 1/2 cup of cheddar to the bowl and mash everything up (add a little bit of the chicken stock to the mash if it's too dry). Season the filling with salt and freshly ground black pepper and scoop the filling back into the hollowed out potato shells, dividing it evenly between all eight.
Place the potato skins back onto a baking sheet and sprinkle the cheese over each of them. Place them back into the oven to melt the cheese, 1-2 minutes. Sprinkle some more scallions over each one, if you like, and serve them up with your favorite salad alongside.
Sesame Shrimp Stir-Fry
2 cups water
1 cup uncooked white rice (we used brown instead)
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined (we used extra large, which worked out perfect...they still had their tails on, though. We also used chicken.)
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (we used less, as Naomi doesn't do spicy)
1 clove garlic, minced
1 T sesame seeds
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 T sesame oil (just a warning...if you've never used it, it's quite...pungent)
1 red bell pepper, sliced into thin strips
3 green onions, sliced
3 T teriyaki sauce
1/2 lb sugar snap peas (didn't use, 'cause couldn't find them, and don't really like them)
1/8 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup chicken stock
1/4 tsp salt
In a medium saucepan, bring salted water to a boil. Add rice, reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 min. (brown rice--abt. 40 min)
While rice is simmering, combine shrimp, ginger, cayenne pepper, garlic, sesame seeds and black pepper in a large plastic food storage bag (you can add the cooked chicken now, to blend all flavors). Allow to marinate in the refrigerator.
Heat sesame oil in a large wok or skillet (we used a pot). Add red bell pepper and green onions; saute 3-4 minutes to soften slightly. Add teriyaki sauce. Add peas and shrimp with seasoning, saute 4 min or until shrimp are opaque.
Stir cornstarch into chicken broth and add to wok; cook, stirring until mixture boils. Sprinkle w/ salt (we didn't add the extra salt). Spoon shrimp mixture over rice.
Chocolate-Laced Kiwifruit with Orange Sauce
1/2 cup plan or vanilla yogurt (we used vanilla, as it'll be a sweeter taste)
1 T frozen orange juice concentrate, partially thawed (we used regular OJ)
4 large kiwifruit, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch slices
2 T semisweet chocolate chips
1 tsp shortening
(for the chocolate sauce, we cheated and used Hershey's Dark Chocolate syrup as a substitute, rather than creating even more dirty dishes haha)
Mix yogurt and juice concentrate. Spoon 2 T yogurt mixture onto each of 4 dessert plates. Arrange 1 sliced kiwifruit on yogurt mixture on each plate.
Heat chocolate chips and shortening over low heat, stirring constantly, until chocolate is melted. Drizzle chocolate over kiwifruit. (Quick tip: substitute chocolate-flavored syrup for the chocolate chips and shortening)
Thursday, April 14, 2011
Weight loss journey: Milestone 2, 3 & 4
Today was a good day at work. Got quite a bit accomplished, despite having staff out what seems like left and right this whole entire week. AND, it's a 3 day weekend for me! woohoo Thanks, work, for taking Battle of the Flowers off. You rock! :)
But I must admit...I came home, and SO did not want to workout. I lacked energy and the motivation to do it. So, I texted several of my accountability people, who then encouraged me (some way more than others lol).
And what did I do? Called NC to see if she'd come over and just help motivate/encourage me to workout, though she wasn't able to herself as her leg was hurting her. And thanks, NC, for pushing me!!
Did my workout. And pushed myself pretty hard. Discovered that I can do the modified plank (elbows and knees on floor) for a full 60 seconds, then some. :) hhhheeeeee
I then decided to push myself a little harder and see if I could attempt the medium plank (elbows on floor). Didn't do so well. But was able to do it WITHOUT MY BACK HURTING!!! Last time I tried them, couldn't do it as it was putting a lot of stress/strain in my back. So, that was cool!!!
And finally, I had realized that I really wasn't feeling the wall push-ups affecting the muscles too much (though they still did), so I attempted the girl push-ups. I was able to do them!!!!! I can only do about 5 at a time without resting, but hey, that's a start!!!!
So, all in all, hit 3 milestones today. And I celebrated. :) UBER EXCITED!!! haha
Can't wait to keep pushing myself. I think this was what I needed to help keep me motivated. I love these small, baby step goals. Every time I look at them, and accomplish one of them, it makes my heart happy, and it pushes me to press on for the prize...a life of healthiness. :)
Now, it's time to relax and enjoy my 3 day weekend. Tomorrow (Friday), NO workouts are planned. It is my complete rest day from all things work. :) Saturday morning, it's the evil day workout. I'm gettin' kinda excited about it! haha :)
Til next time! :) Oh, and in one week, I'm down 3 lbs! woohoo! Go God!!! :)
But I must admit...I came home, and SO did not want to workout. I lacked energy and the motivation to do it. So, I texted several of my accountability people, who then encouraged me (some way more than others lol).
And what did I do? Called NC to see if she'd come over and just help motivate/encourage me to workout, though she wasn't able to herself as her leg was hurting her. And thanks, NC, for pushing me!!
Did my workout. And pushed myself pretty hard. Discovered that I can do the modified plank (elbows and knees on floor) for a full 60 seconds, then some. :) hhhheeeeee
I then decided to push myself a little harder and see if I could attempt the medium plank (elbows on floor). Didn't do so well. But was able to do it WITHOUT MY BACK HURTING!!! Last time I tried them, couldn't do it as it was putting a lot of stress/strain in my back. So, that was cool!!!
And finally, I had realized that I really wasn't feeling the wall push-ups affecting the muscles too much (though they still did), so I attempted the girl push-ups. I was able to do them!!!!! I can only do about 5 at a time without resting, but hey, that's a start!!!!
So, all in all, hit 3 milestones today. And I celebrated. :) UBER EXCITED!!! haha
Can't wait to keep pushing myself. I think this was what I needed to help keep me motivated. I love these small, baby step goals. Every time I look at them, and accomplish one of them, it makes my heart happy, and it pushes me to press on for the prize...a life of healthiness. :)
Now, it's time to relax and enjoy my 3 day weekend. Tomorrow (Friday), NO workouts are planned. It is my complete rest day from all things work. :) Saturday morning, it's the evil day workout. I'm gettin' kinda excited about it! haha :)
Til next time! :) Oh, and in one week, I'm down 3 lbs! woohoo! Go God!!! :)
Monday, April 11, 2011
Weight loss journey: Milestone 1
Today, I hit a mile stone in the planks. :) They're still modified (on elbow and knees), but I held it STRAIGHT for 40 seconds WITHOUT FALLING!! woohoo!! Most definitely pushed myself!! And what a great feeling that has been!
Tried to do it on elbows, no knees, but my back started hurting. So, that will eventually be a new milestone to push towards. :) Right now, it's 60 seconds without falling. :)
Also, I did jumping jacks for 40 seconds straight without having to modify. My legs were killing me, but I did it! Yay!
I love that my workout buddies push me, as well as force me to keep going when I want to quit on my sets and not finish. :) Originally, this weight loss journey was started because I wanted to just "look good". Now, it's about showing myself that I can do things I never thought I could. To press through. As Cara said this season on The Biggest Loser, to stay in the fight, until the fight is over and finished, and the fat lady sings (courtesy of Justin haha).
So, I'm happy with my baby steps. I just want to keep reminding myself to press further, push harder, and to NEVER GIVE UP. As Lynn told me, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Phil 4:13 :)
Let's see what else this body can do!
Oh, and I calculated week 1 exercise:
6 days worked out
295 minutes total
3,737 calories burned. :)
Thursday, April 7, 2011
I've stopped keeping track of days....lol
Stupid soreness. There. MUCH better. So, day before yesterday, did 45 minutes of calisthenics (squats, planks, lunges, push-ups...), and OH DEAR GOD my body is sore. Places I haven't felt, in, like, 2 years.
Anywho....life.
It's been rough. My mood has been crappy. Feel angry quite a bit, actually, and don't quite know how to go about releasing it, so for now I just continue to workout, go walking, dance in my room. But I know that it's affecting me spiritually. Yes, God and I have talked about it. And I know it's okay to allow emotions. I'm just having a tough time remembering to not keep it in, and to release it. Which, some days are better than others. Yes, yes they are. But then days like yesterday just bring it aaaaalllllllll back again. I mean, I almost broke down and sobbed while my boss was on the phone with me. I was trying really, really hard not to cry. Mostly because I was just completely and utterly frustrated with the situation there, and just...yeah.
So, last night, after coming back from walking, I was digging around the tv networks for something to watch. And once again I'm watching the biggest loser. And I've joined The Biggest Loser League. A little scary. Keeping track of everything. It's hard. I hate food journals. With a passion. I just want to throw the notebook away. But then I inputted everything for my BMI...*sigh* Just got pissed off at myself...as I heard on the show last night..."I'm tired of being that fat person." Yes, I've accepted who I am, and how I've gotten this way, and why. But now, now I want healing. Now I want to be healthy, not for cosmetic reasons, but because I know that being healthy makes ME happy, gives me joy, and I love love LOVE when I push my body to the limits knowing that I'm having fun along the way.
So, I have workout buddy number 2 now. :) Little by little we are creating our biggest loser house. :) We are determined, and have agreed to push ourselves to what we can do. And I'm now accountable to these 2 amazingly awesome ladies. And...I'm praying that He surrounds me with encouragement, and with more workout buddies and friends to do this journey alongside me. As I know that for me, this is what I need the most. I'm the chick who likes to run a race with people lined up, who I know, cheering me on.
So...if you wanna join our biggest loser house, come on in. Even if you're not overweight, but just want to tone up, or start getting healthy and doing cardio. Come on in. You're more than welcome. :)
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