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.