Healthy Living & Setting Goals

My weight hasn't always been an easy topic to talk about. In grade school I wasn't overweight, but I was an "athletic girl" and even throughout high school dancing on the very competitive Poms Squad, I was known for my powerful legs. Those legs did bring us a first place ribbon for an 'all-kick routine.'

1999

I have never aspired to be a skinny super model but I always wanted to be comfy in my own skin. 

In my early 20s this came pretty easy and living with my cousin that was my same size proved beneficial. We ate the same meals and did workouts together so ultimately we had helped each other (and gained an additional closet of clothes!)

2004

Soon my metabolism and laziness slowed down and I wasn't able to keep my weight so steady. I began to enjoy the bar scene lifestyle and eating out a bit too much. It's amazing how quickly those pounds can come on but they definitely don't come off that easy! 

2007

I realized that hardwork and watching what I ate was the only way I would get back to where I felt good in my skin again. I joined Weight Watchers a few times and considered trying South Beach or the 48 Hour Hollywood diet, but in the end never committed to either of those. I joined a gym or two and never went regularly. Weight Watchers proved extremely beneficial when I was focused and worked at it.  But I will again blame laziness and a busy schedule in not being able to really make it work for me.

2011

Weight is just a number provided by a scale, and regardless of it's accuracy, I am someone that tends to step on it regularly to see where I'm at. Sure this is a horrible habit, but I don't get mad when I'm up a bit, because I know, especially in females, weight can fluctuate a lot.

My main test is how my clothes fit; seeing the number on the scale go down is just a bonus. 

After traveling to Las Vegas in June (in which I had plenty of time to prep for the trip and didn't) and not being comfortable laying by the pool, I realized I really needed to do something before I was standing up in a wedding a few months later. Not only that, but even if I wasn't going to be in a million wedding photos, I still wanted to feel better in summer clothes and not embarrassed by my legs, butt and belly. 

I will 100% admit that I'm really good at planning things out on paper but my execution sucks. And I decided that needs to change.

2014

I decided to take small steps and set really small goals. You always feel better when you can cross off more things on a list. For instance instead of writing a note that says Clean House, to me I feel more accomplished to break down the cleaning areas of the house that need to be done - kitchen, toilets, sweeping, and cross it off when each is complete.

My list started with a good day on the scale and realizing I was in a new weight decade (WW friends, you know what this means). I made a simple vow to myself to never see that decade again! (unless I am pregnant) That goal was started on June 25 and I am still holding to it and getting closer to another decade. 

Peanut Butter Banana Muffins - no oil or butter added!

Besides just stepping on the scale and hoping for the best, my next small goals are to walk more (when I can't go for a run) and watch my portion sizes.

Sausage Run 2014

I have been really good at watching the junk that I take in and literally don't take in much at all anymore. I don't feel good after eating junky food, so I don't really crave it much anymore. However, I will overindulge in a portion size of something healthier and that can add up too if you aren't careful.

Simply Irresistible Catering - Take n Bake meals

This is something that I am going to work at for the rest of my life, but I am lucky that I am not too picky of an eater and can enjoy just about anything, so I shouldn't get stuck in a food rut. But I think that before the time I am 35, I want to run a half marathon and not finish last. That is a mighty goal, that I understand is very intimidating, but I think that I have plenty of time to get myself ready for this and really get going.

Greek Chicken Salad

"It takes 4 weeks for you to notice your body changing, 8 weeks for your friends and 12 weeks for the rest of the world. Give it 12 weeks. Don't Quit!"

I'm not sure who came up with that quote, but it has definitely come true for me. My mom complimented me, my bridal dress was big and needed to be taken in again and I felt comfortable at the wedding celebrating with everyone and not feeling like the "fat" bridesmaid there to ruin all the pictures. 

With the Bride - Aug, 2014

The best compliment came from my boyfriend when after not seeing me for a few days said "You look like you have lost a sh*t ton of weight!" Sure not the classiest sentence that can come out as a compliment, but no guy is perfect as we all know ladies. 
 

The lovely Bridesmaids enjoying the fire after the wedding!

All of these things tell me that what I am doing is working and getting to where I thought I never could be again weight and fitness-wise is definitely possible.  

Healthy Living Week 2

15 days  down, 31 to go!  A third of the way there......

Before I get into the details - I want to shoe this picture of the amazing Pairdd meal that I made last Thursday. Details on what Pairdd is and how the fabulous the meal was will come up later this week. 

Salmon w/ quinoa, kale, chickpea and craisin salad -- Pairdd

Week 2 was much harder than Week 1. I knew it was going to be more of a struggle, but I really didn't think it would be this hard. I think my body is finally realizing that I am depriving it of jelly beans, Starbursts, diet soda and other processed treats. And it's rebelling. I really have no want to eat the overly processed junk again because I know I will feel miserable after. It just tastes so good. My brain is craving it, not my body.

So it's a body over mind challenge for this week. I just have to treat food like fuel, which doesn't mean I'm going to eat cardboard, but does mean that I have to train myself that I don't need those extra snacks and treats.

I also had a setback with my back this past week. I went to the Dr. on Friday and was told that it's not a pinched nerve or anything with my spine but I did something to the soft tissue and need to take it really easy. No running, no back related workouts. So since Friday, I have been trying eat extremely well (two dates don't really help that cause) and do any workout I can do that doesn't hurt the back.

Situps are out as it's the bending action that really hurts it. So I have been working on toning my arms. That's about all I can do this week. I really hope the pain goes away and I can get back into it soon. I think I was using poor form and that's why my back got hurt. I plan to watch form videos on YouTube to make sure I am doing the workout right.

Not to mention, I tend to overdo things. When I jump into working out, I go all in and end up with very sore muscles for a week or so. It's a great feeling that makes me feel progress that I can't yet see.

So I have found that iced tea and Jamaican Lemonade are getting me through the afternoons at work.

Cafe de Arts

Salads are becoming my friend, like this Chicken Ceasar salad from Cafe de Arts. I used to eat the entire thing, but now I portion it out for myself and eat only half of it.

I am making wiser decisions when I am out with friends too. I might want the bacon cheeseburger and fries, but I can't have that if I want to lose the weight and be healthier.

So if I want to "indulge," I still choose something better for me and then I don't eat it all. I will take some home and let my friends try it - like these Reuben Egg Rolls from Bullwinkles - delicious but I didn't eat them all.

So here's to Week 3 and getting back into the swing of it and not letting my mind take over!

Healthy Living Week 1

Week one of healthy eating has come to a close and I briefly wanted to share with you how it's going.

SPECTACULAR

That's about the best word I can sum up to tell you how I'm feeling about things.

1) I haven't had a soda (minus two mixed drinks made with Dt. 7up instead of seltzer) and I think that is realy helping. I have replaced soda with seltzer, flavored water (like Crystal Light) and iced tea. 

2) I have been working out and it's paying off already. I checked out a few DVDs from the library and completed one of them so far. I also found a few workouts on Pinterest and did some squats, pushups, crunches and jumping jacks. I definitely want to increase the length I hold a plank for! That is an additional goal for the next few weeks.

3) I went running!!! It felt so amazing to get back at it after a forced hiatus due to Polar Vortex after Polar Vortex! But I ran up in Appleton and pushed out 2.36 miles without a lot of pain or wheezing. The time wasn't pretty but at least I did it right?

Then I ran on Monday here when it was 50 degrees out. I had to be really careful as there were puddles everywhere, but I made the best of it and had a blast. Again, not a great time but I did it.

Notice the left shoe is darker - soaked!

4) I made plenty of food on Sunday to get me through the week and I'll share two of those recipes now with you. Making food in advance is a great idea. I have a variety for the week and don't get so bored with my choices.

5) I realized that I don't need chips and dip while I am having a few drinks. Popcorn and veggies do the trick as well. They keep the hands busy in between trying to win at Kings Corners, trying to one-up each other with the best song with can find on YouTube, sing along horribly to said songs and enjoying a drink or two.

Looking forward to another week of feeling great, eating healthy, shedding pounds and toning up.

Taco Casserole - idea taken from my cousin using all her leftovers to make an easy dinner.

1 lb. Ground Turkey
1/2 medium onion, finely choppped
3 mini sweet peppers, chopped (or half a red/orange/green pepper)
1 packet Taco Seasoning - low sodium preferred
2/3 cup water
1 tsp. cumin
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1/2 cup salsa
1 can mexican corn, drained

1 cup uncooked quinoa, cooked to directions on package
3/4 cup cheese, divided
3 dashes of green chile sauce (or any of your favorite hot sauces)

In a large skillet, cook ground turkey over medium high heat until cooked thru. Drain off any grease. Add taco seasoning, cumin, chile sauce, water, onions and peppers and simmer until onions are soft (about 5 minutes)

In a large mixing bowl, add beans, salsa, mexican corn, quinoa and 1/4 cup cheese and mix together. Add the turkey meat mixture and cooked quinoa and stir together.

Transfer contents to a large casserole dish and sprinkle remaining cheese over the top. Cover and place in oven at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes or until cheese has melted and edges are bubbling.

Makes 6 servings.



Pasta with Asparagus, Cherry Tomatoes and Shrimp
adapted from here

Instead of Penne Pasta, I used Tofu Shirataki noodles. They have always made me curious and now I am a HUGE fan. They taste identical to regular pasta. You do need to rinse them and dry them very thoroughly and then cut them up. But for 20 calories and 3g of carbs per serving, you cannot go wrong!

I only had 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, so I chopped up a Roma and added it to the mix.

And I didn't have fresh basil, so I used Penzey's Pasta Sprinkle and some dried basil in the sauce.

After I finished the recipe and plated, I quickly pan grilled some shrimp with salt, pepper and garlic and placed them on top of the pasta dish.

Voila!

Makes 4 servings but you might need two bags of noodles if you are really into having them in the meal.

Healthy Living

This has been a long time coming but due to a recent push by my doctor, I have decided that I am finally taking the leap and putting myself and my health first. I'm not saying that I am ridiculously, but I am out of shape, have gotten a little too comfortable, and my food choices haven't been the best.

So I'm taking a stand and for the 46 days of Lent, I plan to really give it my all. What is that old saying.... you have to try something at least 10 times before saying you don't like it. Well I'm quadrupling that! I know there will be great results and some fails along the way, but I really hope that I can get my mindset trained on healthier habits and make working out a part of my daily life.

So how do I plan to start? I have been doing research for about a month and found resources that I will use and follow. Pinterest has been a major player in this. I have been pinning recipes and workouts nonstop. The workouts are things I can do at home or with a DVD (the library has an amazing selection), and the recipes are simple twists on my favorites. It's amazing how many calories can be cut by just swapping some ingredients.

Why am I waiting until Wednesday and not starting now? I did a 10 day trial run already this year and noticed some results. Then we had Polar Vortex #34978 and I just got a little bummed out and stressed. So I had a bad few days that counteracted the work. I think that was a good thing for me to see just how quickly I felt crummy after so many good days. So I picked a day that starts (for me) with a fast between meals, and will continue the healthy living at least until Easter Sunday. I really hope this is a lifestyle change for me.

By then, I think I will have some things really figured out and will have had the opportunity to realize what I can and cannot do in order to get myself to where I want to be. I have a goal weight in mind, but it's for me only. If I hit the goal, you guys will be told that I did it, but I don't feel there is a need to tell numbers. If I feel great and look great, isn't that really what matters? I don't need to be judged by my number.(I'll just judge myself with it until then LOL JK JK)

This doesn't mean that I am going to hole up in my house and not have any fun. This is a fun blog isn't it? I just have to make smarter choices and maybe not be quite so gluttonous when I go out. Downtown Waukesha has so many great restaurants with amazing homemade creations. There is no need to for me to special order, but maybe I just don't need to eat the full meal and have the second half of it later that day. Trust me Waukesha, there is no way that you are getting rid of me.

And once the weather warms up a bit more and I can tolerate being outside for longer than getting the mail, I will hopefully be frequenting the downtown area more. Even just for a nice stroll and if something catches my eye, I will just have to check it out in one of Waukesha's fabulous shops. :)

I am asking for support and I hope that some of you can use this for support in your world too. Maybe you don't need to lose weight or get in shape, but maybe you do need to put yourself first more. Or maybe one of my recipes will spur your creative juices and get you doing something you have always wanted too. Today is the first day of the rest of your life, so live for the future because you cannot relive the past.