The Monthly Report

I don't know what's up with me lately.  I'm tired all the time.  I'm not exercising like I should.  I'm constantly hungry.  And I'm allowing myself way too many indulgences when it comes to food.  

As you can see from my stats, not a lot has changed since I hit my anniversary back at the beginning of September.  My weekly weigh in graph is doing some serious seesawing.  

Maybe it's being constantly told I don't need to lose any more weight.  Maybe it's that I've actually reached my size goal that I set for myself when I started (I said I'd be satisfied if I got to a size 12 or 14). I really don't know.  I do know that I'm just a few pounds away from being able to say I'm just overweight and not obese.  Will that be my stopping point? Is it time to stop focusing on losing and really start working on toning and maintaining?  I'm really not sure.

The Mid Month Report

I've been seriously slacking, in a couple of ways, lately.

As evidenced by the title of today's blog, it's already the middle of the month and I'm just updating.  Yes, I've been busy but that's no excuse.  I need to get back to at least weekly post. 

Another way I've been slacking??? I've allowed myself a few too many splurge days and it's obviously working against me if the 2.2 lb loss for the month of September is any evidence.  Yes, I've accomplished a lot and I have less to loss so it will come off slower but that's not good.  I'm not quite at goal, so I really need to tighten up.

By the way, if you look at my weigh in for the month, you may notice some pretty drastic changes. I really doubt I've lost 15 inches but I recently invested in a wrap n stay measuring tape, so I probably got a more accurate reading than I had previously.

Before I go, I'll share a few NSVs.

My office is going business casual starting tomorrow.  Instead of having to invest in a whole new work wardrobe, I was able to acquire a new to me wardrobe (12s & 14s) from my bestie who's also lost a bunch of weight.  I love hand me downs!

My birthday was last weekend and I was able to share it with friends on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  Friday was dinner at Seasons 52, so even though I splurged on the awesome cake my coworker made for me; I, along with everyone dining with me, was able to make healthy dinner choices.  

If you check out this month's pic, you'll see that I got pretty dolled up for my birthday.  After dinner, we went to catch a band that I like and had to walk about a couple of blocks downtown from our parking spot. First let me share that walking two full city blocks each way in 5" heels was definitely felt in my calves the next day.  But the NSV?? As we're walking to the venue, we go by another club and....entire group of men standing outside stopped talking to watch me walk by.  Granted I was 6'5" in my heels and they'd probably never seen a real live amazon, but that's never happened to me before.  

There are only a few weeks till my next monthly weigh in and I have the challenge of a weekend at my granny's to get through but hopefully I can do better in October than I did in September.

The Anniversary Report

It’s taken me a little longer than usual to post my monthly report but this month I got to spend the holiday weekend with my family and I enjoyed every minute of it, so my post had to wait a few days.

On September 1, 2011, I saved my own life.  I’d already made the decision to make changes that would lead to a healthier, longer life but on that Thursday last year I took the first steps on my journey.  On that day I stepped on the scale and weighed 384.4 lbs.  That will be the last time that I ever see a number that big. 

On that day in September, I did something simple, I started counting calories.  I was downright militant when it came to logging everything.  Everything that went into my mouth was logged.  To make sure that I knew exactly what those calories were, I weighed and measured anything that I made myself (and still do today) and didn’t go to any restaurant that didn’t have their nutritional information available. 

I quickly learned that we as Americans have no real sense of what a single serving is.  I learned that smaller portions can be satisfying.  I learned not to eat just for the sake of eating.  I learned that it really isn’t that hard to eat better if you just pay attention.  I know I’m oversimplifying but for me there really was no secret formula.  It really was a better diet and exercise.  I hate not being able to divulge some big secret when people ask how I’ve been successful in my weight loss. 

On September 1, 2012, I stepped on the scale and weighed 231.2 lbs.  In one year, I’ve lost 153.2 lbs.  I’m down 158.8 from my high weight of 390 back in June of 2011.  I haven’t gotten on the scale since getting home from my brothers’ house so that number may be a bit higher but I don’t indulge like I did over the weekend very often so I know I will see that number again.  I still don’t know what my goal weight is but I do have a size goal.  This weekend, I bought a pair of size 12 khakis from Eddie Bauer.  When I can do that in any store, maybe I’ll switch to maintenance calories. 

I’ve always taken the BMI weight ranges with a grain of salt.  I’m a 6’ tall woman with a large frame.  At 390 lbs, I wore a size 26.  At 231, I’m wearing 12s.  I’ve never looked like I weigh as much as I do (a good and a bad thing).  According to the BMI ranges, the highest weight that I can be and be healthy is 184 lbs.  So in order to just barely be healthy, I would need to lose 50 more lbs.  To me that seems unreasonable.  I think I may just be happy with being overweight which is just 10 lbs away.

Recently, a lot of people have told me that I don’t need to lose anymore weight; that I look good the way I am.  I truly appreciate the sentiment and I know it’s probably more psychological than anything else but I think I have a ways to go.  Maybe not, cause nobody knows what I look like naked but me.  I’m not expecting a six pack but I would like to get to the point that everything doesn’t jiggle (I have a LOT of toning to do).  I’m a lot closer today than I ever have been and one day soon I’ll get there.

The Monthly Report

In one month's time, I'll be celebrating the one year anniversary of the day I started living a healthy(er) life; the day I began working on the new me.  I may just be getting the hang of this.  

I celebrated a major milestone this week.  With my weigh in on Monday (238.8), I said goodbye to the 240s and crossed over the 150 lbs lost mark.  I've said this before.  I can't believe the progress I've made and this is my life.

I want to share a few of NSVs ( Non Scale Victories) from the last couple of weeks. 

1) Today, I bought a size LARGE tshirt.  Walmart has these inexpensive tees that I love cause the sleeves are short and I don't have to worry about them fitting my batwings.  I've noticed that the shirts that I have were a bit roomy through the middle (see this month's pic), so today when I ran by Wally World, I decided to try on a large for kicks and giggles and it fit.  I tried on a large dress that was on the clearance rack too.  It fit but when it comes to dresses other things come into play when it's time to make a purchase decision.  Namely the fact that I'm 6' tall and unless I wanted to show the world my business every time I took a breath, the large just wasn't going to work.

2) Yesterday at work we had a potluck/surprise baby shower.  Yes, I overate but I went prepared with my measuring cups and I made conscious decisions about everything that I ate.  My lunch was a whole lot of calories and like I said, I measured my food.  I don't even want to imagine what everybody else ate.  It helps that while preparing for the event, I took the stairs several times between the first and second floors.  It was almost instinctive to walk toward the staircase instead of the elevators.  My weigh in for today is actually 1 lb up from Monday but I think that's solely because of water retention from my sodium intake yesterday.

3) Monday, I was laying on my bed and realized I could feel my hip bones.  Do you know how many layers I had to get rid of to be able to do that?

4) Sunday, I went to see a movie and had to run to the restroom.  As I walked past the mirrors, placed directly under some of the brightest, most unforgiving, fluorescent lights ever, I actually had a little moment of vanity.  I noticed just how thin my face has gotten.  Now I'm not saying I haven't noticed before but under all that bright light, I think I really saw the new me for the first time.

5) Last weekend, while I supposed to be helping my friend Terri clean out her closet, I ended up scavenging a bit and walked away with some new to me shorts and capris, IN A SIZE 12!  I actually wore the capris to work today (again, see this month's pic, ignore the cell phone in my pocket).  When I first started losing weight, I'd set a size goal rather than a weight goal for myself.  I said if I could eventually get down to a size 12, I'd be satisfied.  Now, I know right now I'm not going to be able to walk into every store and buy a size 12 but I'm almost there.  When I get there, we'll see if that's where I decide to stay.

The Monthly Report

Just a quick check in.  The stats for the month are posted.  The good news?  I'm still losing....10 more lbs and 10 more inches.  The bad news?  I lost 2 more inches off my boobs.  :(  I'm so sad to see them go.  Go ahead laugh.  It's ok.  I've decided that once I've maintained my weight loss for at least a year and won the lottery cause that's probably the only way I'll be able to afford it), I'm going to have my batwings clipped and my boobs elevated. 

Thank You Kristin

Back in September, when I started on my weight loss journey, exercise and I were definitely not friends but I knew my diet alone wouldn’t be enough to get where I wanted to be.  We still don’t get along too well but at least we can coexist.

 My friend Kristin invited me come work out with her and the other “Fit Chicks” at the fitness class that she taught.  At 390 lbs, I knew there was no way I’d be able to manage, so Kristin, who was already teaching a pretty intense mixed cardio and strength class started coming to the gym an hour early every Sunday for a lower impact 1 on 1 class with me.  Her goal for me then was to be able to do the “regular” class by the end of October.  

By the Halloween class, I was able to make it through the workout with a few modifications.  After that, I continued with the 1 on 1 session but started staying and participating in more of the group class.  I don’t remember exactly when I graduated to only doing the regular class but I’ve been working out with the rest of the Fit Chicks for a while now.

Today was the last Fit Chicks in Jacksonville.  Kristin’s moving to Tuscaloosa where I’m sure she’ll whip some Bama butts into shape.  But before she leaves, she treated us to a 2 hour workout that I’m sure we’ll all be feeling for the rest of the week.  Back in September, a 2 hour workout would have been something that I wouldn’t even think about much less attempt.  I not only finished the class, I finished strong. 

 

So now I just want to say Thank You, Kristin. From the beginning you’ve been one of my biggest cheerleaders and I really don’t know where I would be now without all the love and support you’ve given me since I started on this path.  I’ll miss you and I love you.  Good Luck in Tuscaloosa and ROLL TIDE!

The difference a year makes.

One year ago today, I went to the doctor for my annual check up.  I went already anxious because I had serious suspicions that I might have diabetes.  So my anxiety level wasn't help at all when I stepped on the scale and saw that I weighed 390 lbs.  It really wasn't much more than the 375 that I thought I weighed, but for some reason that extra 15 lbs made all the difference.  For a few days, I waited for my blood work to come back, ready to start living life as a diabetic.  Fortunately, my results came back negative but I was worried enough, scared enough to finally make the decision to make some major life changes.

Today, I'm an entirely new person, physically and mentally.  Today, I stepped on a scale and saw this:

249.5.  I'd hoped for 250 but resigned myself to 251 or 252.  You can't even begin to imagine how it felt to have to slide that bottom weight over to 200.  I was so overwhelmed that I actually cried. In the last year, I've lost 140.5 lbs.  Sometimes it's hard for me to believe what I've managed to accomplished.

I don't know how to be this "skinny" person.  I remember shopping at plus size stores in 8th grade.  In my entire adult life, I've never been this small.  It's practically ingrained in me to walk straight to the plus size section when I walk into a store.  I walk past a mirror and can't help but look and look again because it's still so hard to believe that this is actually me. 

Sometimes, I have to stop myself from focusing on what I see as the negatives; the fact that I have a LOT of loose skin that I may have to eventually have to have removed, that I still have more to lose, that my boobs have basically disappeared. I have to keep reminding myself that I've come so far and should be extremely proud of myself. 

The last month for me has been a major challenge.  I started a new job and my body is struggling to find balance with my new schedule.  I work, I come home and that's it.  I seem to have totally and completely lost my exercise mojo.  I've still managed to lose even with all the pot lucks, birthday cakes and afternoon ice cream breaks at the office, but I really need to refocus and get back to exercising, cause eventually I'm going to have one too many slices of cake.

But for now, it's time to focus on the positive.  12 months, 140.5 lbs and over 75 inches lost.  That definitely brings a smile to my face.

A Fit Chick & A Chihuahua

It's amazing what stress can do.  Last week I started a new job. Between stressing about learning to do something totally and completely new and trying to figure out how to make my last unemployment check stretch until I get my first "employment" check, my brain and I guess my body were on overload.  I actually managed to lose over 8 lbs last week.  Craziness!!!  With this loss, I now weigh 261 lbs.  Just one little lb away from having lost a 1/3 of my original body weight.

A couple of weeks ago, I was talking to my friend Kristin about how much weight I'd lost.  At the time I was right around 119 down.  I jokingly told her, "I've almost lost you" and an idea was formed, a twist on the then and now pic.  I decided we needed to take pictures when my loss equaled her weight.  With the crazy stressing last week, I kinda shot past the mark and we had to call in a stunt dog, ie. Beuno (thanks Deb).

Holding them up for the few minutes it took to take pictures was a bit of a strain (no offense Kristin but Bueno just pushed it over the top).  It's hard to imagine that I used to walk around everyday carrying that much weight.

The Next Challenge

For the last seven months, I've been unemployed.  And even though not having a job really sucks, there was a silver lining, at least in terms of my weight loss journey.  I had plenty of time to cook healthy meals and I could work out whenever I wanted. 

Tomorrow, I start a new job.  Not just with a new company but doing something I've never done before, so I'll definitely have lots to learn.  I'll also have to learn to live a healthy life while working full time again.  Finding time to exercise, packing healthy filling lunches, getting up early enough to make a good breakfast that will get me going.  It's gonna take some getting used to.  I'm up for the challenge.

The Friday Report

So typically, now would be the time that I reported in on my weekly weigh in, but lately I've found that I've been spending way too much time with my scale obsessing about every minor fluctuation. 

Today I decided to get back to how I started.  Once a week I'll pay a visit to the scale and see how things are going instead of it being a daily obsession.  

Last Monday, I started a 12 week challenge on My Fitness Pal.  I think for the duration of the challenge, I'll stick with it's Monday weigh ins.  So no weigh in today. 

As for the challenge, I had a very successful first week.  I was able to burn over 3600 calories, I averaged over 12 glasses of water a day and I lost 6.6 lbs ending up the biggest loser (lbs) for the week.  I signed up to lose 36.8 lbs by July 2nd.  My own personal goal is to achieve that loss by June 21st.  Why June 21st?  That will be the one year anniversary of my epiphany.  That was the day that I went to the doctor, saw 390 when I got on the scale and realized that I had to make some major changes in my life.

When I'm successful, I'll have lost 150 lbs.  Here's hoping the rest of the challenge is as successful as the first week. 

The Friday Report

Since beginning on this journey, I've been involved in a couple of challenges but so far they've all been individual ones.  This week,  I started the "Thin in my Skin" 12 week challenge on myfitnesspal.  This will be the first time that I'm "competing" against others to lose weight.  The prize? We'll all be healthier after 12 weeks and a few of us will be able to claim bragging rights.  I'm going to do my best to be one of the people bragging.

In addition to the weight loss goal, our moderator is issuing weekly challenges, such as drinking our water and burning a certain number of calories.  This week, I'm off to a good start.  Everyday this week, I've had at least 9 glasses of water and so far I've burned 1805 calories doing 194 minutes of exercise.  I plan to get to at least 2500 before Monday's check in.

And my Friday weigh in?  273.6.  I'm approaching another big milestone and I'm hoping to get there by the end of the month.  When I reach 265, that's just 8.6 little pounds away, I'll be able to say I've lost 125 lbs.  That's a whole person or a 2 year old riding a 2 month old horse or 25 yappy Chihuahuas or an Irish Setter chasing 5 housecats or....... you get the idea. 

The Monthly Report

Plus? I lost weight in March.  Minus?  It's the least that I've lost since I started.

Am I seeing the beginning of a plateau or am I just slacking?  I've been doing a Lent Challenge, trying (unsuccessfully for the last few weeks) to eat 1200 calories a day but I've stayed under my regular 1500 a day (I'm mentally blocking last Saturday).  I'm exercising at least 3 times a week.  For April, I need to get back to at least 30 minutes of activity at least 5 days a week.  We'll see how it goes. 

Bonus?  The month ended on a really high note.  In 2010, Hubbard House, the domestic violence shelter here in Jacksonville, had it's inaugural awareness walk.  I'm a long time volunteer and was eager to participate.  But actually doing the walk was not an option for me.  I was the answer lady that day, working the information booth. 

Flash forward to last Saturday, the 3rd Annual Hubbard House Awareness Walk.  I not only planned on walking, I formed a team with the lovely ladies that I work out with at Fit Chicks (and Zach!). 

I worked check in so I was unable to do the first lap of the 3.5 mile walk but I was able to do the finish the second 1.75 mile lap with a few of my teammates in under 30 minutes. And???? I ran. Yes, I said I actually ran. Just a little ways and just to catch up to my teammates as I saw them passing by the starting line but hey, you have to start somewhere.

Did anyone notice just how coordinated I was?  LOL.  I even made a bracelet to match.  Hey I knew there would be pictures taken.

The Friday Report

On September 1st, I became a new person.  I became a person that cared about herself enough to try to be healthy.  I become a person with the will to achieve healthy.  I became a person who took responsibility and control when it came to my own health and nutrition.

When I stepped on the scale September 1st, I weighed 384.4.  Not my highest weight but I'd lost 5.6 lbs since the end of June without putting any real effort into it.  Today, 28 weeks and a day later, I stepped on the scale for my official weekly weigh in.   284.4.  Exactly 100 lbs in 197 days.  That averages out to just about 1/2 a pound a day.

I know pride isnt's always a good thing but today I'm ok with saying I'm proud of myself.  It's been challenging.  There have been sacrifices.  It's required a lot of determination and will power where before I just didn't have it. But the reward is I'm well on my way to being a much healthier person.

On My Plate - Mustard Chicken

Growing up one of my favorite meals was my mom's baked pork chops.  She'd brown them on the stove and then bake them covered in the simplest sauce, cream of chicken soup with a little mustard added.  So good. 

Today I decided to try that awesome mustard sauce on some chicken.  I added a few of my own touches and ended up with a great dinner.  Along with the chicken, I had Oven Brown Rice made from a recipe I found on www.allrecipes.com, cabbage and cornbread.  A filling comfort meal for under 500 calories.

Mustard Chicken

Servings: 6  Calories: 163  Carbs: 6  Fat: 3 

Protein: 36 Sodium: 336 Fiber: 1

1 1/2 lbs boneless skinless chicken breast

4 oz fresh mushrooms, sliced

2 oz onion, sliced thin

1 can Campbell's 98% Fat Free Cream of Chicken Soup

1/2 cup reduced sodium chicken broth

4 tsp yellow mustard

1/2 tsp black pepper

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Dice the chicken into bite sized pieces. 

Toss the chicken with the onions, mushrooms and black pepper in a baking dish.

Mix the soup, broth and mustard and pour over the chicken.

Cover with foil and bake for 1 hour.

The mustard taste isn't really strong, it's just there to add a little something to the flavor of the sauce without being overpowering.  If you really like mustard, feel free to add more.

As for the Oven Brown Rice, I made a few modifications to the recipe and it turned out to be the best brown rice I've ever had.  I used all reduced sodium chicken broth, garlic powder and eliminated the seasoned salt.  I also baked it covered with foil for about an hour.  I uncovered it and baked it for another 15 minutes or so to get rid of the last of the moisture.  Next time, I may replace some of the broth with water to bring down the sodium content.

Grocery List

For a while now, I'm been promising to post a grocery list.  Sorry it took so long but I finally did it.

This list in no way encompasses all the foods that are out there that can work in a low calorie lifestyle.  These are just the things that I use. The things that I've found work for me. 

I've added a new page on my blog, so the list will be available at all times.

The Weigh In

Just got done doing my measurments for the month.  Be sure to check it out on my Weigh In page.

No wonder my pants are falling off.  :)  I lost another 1/2" from my waist and 1 1/2" from my hips.

Along with the major milestone of losing 100 lbs, which translates to almost 26% of my original weight, I've managed to lose 65 inches. 

I've also posted my monthly pic.  It was taken right before my niece's "Rock Star" birthday party last saturday (I decided to be a 70s rock star).  What's awesome about it is I was able to go home and borrow a skirt from my mom's closet (that's her in the pic with me) to wear.

The Monthly Report

Usually I don't post my monthly report until I've taken new measurements and a new pic but I'm so excited about my weigh in this morning that I can't wait.

I just got off the scale and started crying. 

289.6

I can now officially say that I have lost 100 lbs.

When I made the decision to change my lifestyle, I never would have imagined the progress I've made so far.  I can't even begin to describe all the ways that I've changed in the last six months.  It's not just my weight.  It's my whole attitude regarding food; what I expect of myself; how I look at myself and so many other things.

I still have a long way to go to get to healthy but I've made tremendous progress on my journey.  And today I can say I'm truly proud of myself.

The Friday Report (on Sunday)

I've been missing in action for the last couple of weeks but I've stayed on track and hit a couple of major milestones. 

As I mentioned in one of my post last month, I was issued a challenge; under 300 by Valentine's Day.  On February 14th, after a rather vigourous Fit Chicks workout, I stepped onto the scale at the gym and it read.......297!!!!!

My reward?  A pedicure courtesy of lead Fit Chick Kristin and a manicure from my Aunt Peaches.  Thanks to both of them for believing that I could do it.  I can't wait to be pampered.

I can't remember the last time I weighed less than 300 lbs.  Even now, it's hard to wrap my head around what I've accomplished since September 1st.

With my Valentine's weigh in, I crossed the 90 lbs loss threshold.  Friday's weigh in (295.6) moved me even closer to an ever bigger milestone.  I'm just 5.6 lbs away from being able to say I've lost 100 lbs.  My own personal goal is to reach that milestone by the end of February (March 1st will mark six months on this journey).  I don't know that I even believed that I could do it, but over the next 10 days, I'm going to do everything I can to make it happen.

I was finally brave enough to take another step along this weigh loss journey: taking the dreaded sports bra pic.  As you can see, it's pretty much impossible to hide anything in yoga pants (an XL by the way) and a sports bra.  As an aside, anyone know where I can buy tall yoga pants.  It looks like I'm trying to cross a stream in these.  LOL.

I've found that losing as much weight as I have in such a short time frame has lead to quite a bit of jiggle in my arms and thighs.  See my batwings in the far right pic???  Along with my cardio workouts, it's time to work in some strength training so I can tighten some things up.  :)

 Now on to the next Fit Chick Challenge - 275 by Easter.

The Monthly Report

After months of counting on mainly my nutrition for weight loss, I finally got my butt in motion.  In the month of January, I didn't work out every day but I worked out more days than I didn't. 

Over the holidays I bought Just Dance 3 for the Wii and it has become my new best friend.  I don't mind sweating until my shirt is soaked through because I'm having so much fun doing it.

Between JD3, Fit Chicks (I go every Sunday) and a couple of miscellaneous activities, I managed to log 1065 minutes of exercise in 16 days and burn 9123 calories. 

I have a pretty good handle on counting my calories and I've found an activity that I can stick with for exercise.  My next goal is to try to elimate as many processed foods as I can so that I can decrease my sodium intake.  Case in point, this weekend when I make my own black bean burgers, I''ll be starting with dry beans instead of canned.  Keep your fingers crossed that they turn out ok. 

Be sure to check out my Weigh In page to see this month's stats.

The Friday Report

Setting goals is an awesome motivator.

When I first started, I didn't set a number goal for myself.  I just wanted to work on getting healthy.  As time progressed and the pounds dropped off, I decided to set an end of the year goal for myself.  325 lbs by January 1.  When I reached 325 before the end of the year, I decided to challenge myself and see if I could manage to make it to 320. 

When I posted my new year's weigh in info, I was proud to say that I weighed 319.8 lbs and had been able to lose over 70 lbs since June.

The next goal wasn't one of my own making.  I was challenged to lose 20 more pounds and say goodbye to the 300s by Valentine's Day.

I'm happy to report that I'm 4 lbs closer to saying goodbye to 300.  Today I weighed in at 305.2 lbs.  That's just 0.2 lbs shy of 85 lbs loss.  And just 5.3 lbs away from the 200s. 

Up till recently, my exercise mojo has been in hiding but working toward meeting my goal has seriously kicked it into gear. I'm not working out everyday but I sure am moving a lot more than I was before.

Now I just have to figure out what my next goal will be.

The Friday Report

After last week's gain, I was bound and determined to have a good week. I'm continuing to do really well with my nutrition but getting moving and active has been my challenge.

Friday I spent some quality time with the Wii. (Just Dance 3 has definitely become my favorite game.)

Saturday I went bowling with some friends.

Sunday I worked out with my other Fit Chicks and did a bit more Just Dancing.

Monday through Wednesday were a complete wash cause a cold decided to sideline me.

Thursday was a repeat of Sunday although not quite as intense since I was still trying to shake my cold.

  

And that leads us to Friday. Yesterday morning I stepped on the scale, then stepped off and did a happy dance. 8 lbs. I actually lost 8 lbs last week. Yes, some of it was probably water weight from the high sodium and low water of the previous week but who cares. I lost 8 freaking lbs. Woohoo!!!!

  

I am anxiously awaiting accepting my bribe of a pedicure when I say goodbye to the 300s by Valentine's Day. I'm only 9.3 lbs away (I weighed in at 309.2). I'm already anticipating sinking into the massage chair at the nail salon. That pedicure will be mine!

The Friday Report

I'm frustrated and a little confused.

Since my weigh in last friday, I've worked out four times (more than I've ever done in a week) and come in at least 200 under my calorie goal three times (I never went over) but I had my biggest gain since I started losing weight.  I know 2.2 lbs isn't that much to stress over.  Our weight fluctuates for all kinds of reasons but I thought for sure this would be a good week.  I did eat out quite a bit this week.  Although my fat and calorie numbers stayed under control, my sodium numbers were consistently high.  Guess it's time to start paying attention to more than just my calorie intake.

Ok, I'm done with my pity party.  On to next week.

BTW:  I'll try to post a grocery list this weekend.

On My Plate - Pork Tostadas

Last night for dinner, I was with a few friends and we decided to make tacos for dinner.  To accomodate me, they used ground turkey instead of ground beef and I bought a few low calorie accompaniments to finish out my meal.  I came home with extra thin corn tortillas, fat free cheese, fat free sour cream and refried beans.  Today for lunch, I decided to see what I could throw together.

Earlier in the week, I bought a pack of thinly sliced boneless pork chops and had a few left over, so I thought pork tacos.  Well after burning two sets of "taco shells", lunch morphed into tostadas cause I somehow managed to not burn the tortillas when I baked them flat. 

Except for the fact that the meat was a little salty cause I overseasoned (less fajita seasoning next time), they were really good so I decided to share.

4 oz boneless center cut pork chops, cut into about a 1/2" dice        

1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

1 teaspoon fajita seasoning

1 cup water

2 Mission Extra Thin Corn Tortillas

1/2 cup Old El Paso Traditional Refried Beans

1/2 cup shredded lettuce

1/4 cup Kraft Fat Free Cheddar

2 tablespoons fat free sour cream

3 tablespoons salsa

Cooking spray

1.  Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

2.  Boil the pork, garlic, seasoning and water over low heat.  After 10 minutes, turn the heat up to medium to reduce the mixture, about 2-3 minutes.  Drain the liquid left in the bottom of the pot. 

3.  Meanwhile, spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray and lay the tortillas on the pan, giving them a quick spray of cooking spray as well.  Baking tortillas this thin are tricky (see above).  Once you put them in the oven, watch them.  Bake about 5 minutes or until golden and crispy, turning about halfway through.

4.  Heat the refried beans.  A quick two minutes in the microwave with a couple tablespoons of water will give you nice spreadable beans. 

5.  Layer your ingredients: tortillas, beans, pork, lettuce, cheese, sour cream, salsa.

Calories for this decadent, filling mexican meal?  Only 420.

This method would work with boneless skinless chicken breast as well and you'd save around 40 calories.

Sidenote:  I've previously said that I don't like fat free cheese and I typically don't.  It doesn't melt well and can have a funky aftertaste when heated but as a topping for tacos or tostadas, fat free cheese works fine.

The Friday Report

I just wanted you all to know that I'm susceptible to bribery.

After I hit the 70 lb mark at the end of the year, a very good friend offered to treat me to a pedicure if I was able to leave the 300s by Valentine's Day.  That would mean 21 lbs in a little over six weeks.  My first reaction was doubt but she was quick to point out that I would have to lose less than 4 lbs a week and I've managed to lose 6 or 7 in a week before.

Considering that every season is flip flop season in Florida, a pedicure comes in handy anytime of year.  I'm taking her offer very seriously and kicked off this six week challenge with a 5 lb weight loss.  (Just to be clear, that's 75 lbs that I've lost so far!!!!)  Oh yeah, I've got this.  :)  I can't wait for the pampering to begin.

By the way, I'm working on a shopping list to share with everyone.  These are general items such as fresh veggies and lean meats and specifics like Butter Buds Sprinkles and Better Crocker 80 calorie per serving instant mashed potatoes that have worked for me as I've learned to be a healthier cook.

The Monthly Report

Happy New Year!!!

As 2012 begins, I look back on 2011 with mixed emotions.  There were quite a few lows but there were some major highs as well.  The main one being me taking control of my health. 

BEFORE - 390 LBS

At the end of June, I weighed in at 390 lbs.  For two months, I concentrated on applying for the Biggest Loser but on September 1st, everything changed.  I began my journey to a healthy me.

Four months after beginning my nutrition overhaul, I weigh just under 320 lbs.  I still can't believe it and this is the body I live in, but I've actually lost 70 lbs over the last six months.  Along with those 70 lbs went 52.5 inches since September 1st.

AFTER 319.8 LBS

I've tried to lose weight before with some success but I've always gained it all back plus some.  I always seem to lose the will to try.  This time it's different, this time my will is fortified by the support I've received from the countless friends that have taken the time to follow along with my progress and send me words of encouragement.  By being accountable to not just myself but all of you, I will continue to be successful on my quest to being a happy, healthy Tamara.

Quite a few people have asked what I'm doing to get the weight off.  To this point, my success has been mainly taking control of my nutrition.  I still need to take control of the evil that is exercise. 

I maintain a 1600 calorie a day diet with the majority of the food I eat low fat as well as low calorie.  I drink mostly water with the occasional diet soda and I recently stumbled onto V8 Diet Splash.  Nothing I eat is fried, baked or grilled is the way to go.  I've all but eliminated fat from cooking by becoming a no-calorie cooking spray junkie.  I weigh or measure pretty much everything.  I eat 3 meals a day and snacks so that my metabolism is always working. 

But I think the thing that has made the biggest impact is I changed the way that I look at food. I understand that I don't have to have a whole pizza to satisfy a craving.  I understand that I can still have sweets as long as it's a reasonable portion.  I understand that there's a lot of "regular" food out there that fits into a healthy lifestyle.  I understand that by depriving myself of the things that I love to eat, I'm setting myself up for future failure, so I have to figure out ways to work them into the way that I eat now.

I still have a long journey ahead of me but I'm made some major strides along the path.