Thursday 9/22

Fail, I know! I was at home all day with Nora yesterday and didn’t get an opportunity to post. I’m in a bit of a hurry now so here’s a brief run-down of yesterday and today…

Yesterday Gym:

TIME	EXERCISE	REPS	LBS	SETS
5M	TREADMILL	WALK
5M	TREADMILL	JOG
	PUSHUPS	10		3
	TWISTING BICEP CURLS	15	12.5	4
	SHOULDER PRESS	15	12.5	4
	SKULL CRUSHERS	15	20	4
5M	TREADMILL	JOG

Yesterday Food:

Breakfast: Mocha Protein Shake

Snack: Oatmeal w/ raisins & cinnamon

Lunch: Snacked-through w/ a few WW pita chips w/ baba gannouj and protein tofu

Snack: Whole grain chips & organic salsa

Dinner: 7sprouted grain tortilla w/ brown rice (w/ diced poblano and red bell pepper), organic tomato salsa and pineapple salsa and spice-roasted sweet potatoes, daikon & squash.. I’ll post recipes later J

Today:

Didn’t make it to the gym… I had absolutely no energy when I woke up this morning after getting crappy sleep the last 2 nights. I also had some things to do at the house since I’m leaving for Chicago tomorrow morning!

Food:

Breakfast: Mocha Protein Shake

Snack: Oatmeal w/ raisins & cinnamon

Lunch: 1 Leftover Manicotti & protein tofu

Snack: 1/4c Trail Mix

Dinner: TBD, probably a mushroom veggie burger.

Well our flight leaves at 7:30am for Chitown!!  I’m so excited J

I’ll continue to post as much as possible from the windy city! I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy Thursday!!!

Sprints! 9/20/11

Happy Tuesday!

I’m in a mood today… Not sure what kind of a mood but it’s tasting a little foul.

I wasn’t able to go to dance last night as Branden didn’t get home from work until almost 7:30 (dance was at 6:30). So, I cooked Manicotti instead. It wasn’t the best or worst food option, but it sure was tasty. It’s good for regular lean cooking, but not so much for my vegan-flirting new style of eating. Regardless, the recipe is below. A BIG slip-up last night was oatmeal lace cookies. My mom makes this in the cooler-weather time of year and they are the most delicious things on the planet… and completely addicting. I will absolutely not post the recipe (lol) but I will admit that I over-indulged.

SO after my cookie and manicotti dinner last night, I decided to amp-up my running this morning! This is what I did at the gym today:

TIME	EXERCISE	REPS	LBS	SETS
5 M WARMUP	TREADMILL	WALK	N/A	1
15 M INTERVAL	TREADMILL	2 MIN JOG / 1 MIN WALK	N/A	1
10 M INTERVAL	TREADMILL	1 MIN SPRINT / 1 MIN WALK	N/A	1
	BALL CRUNCHES	20	N/A	4
	6 INCH KILLERS	10	N/A	2

I felt really great stepping off of that treadmill! Sure, there were a couple of points during the sprint intervals that I thought I was going to vomit/die/both… and I actually extended one walking portion to 1 ½ minutes… and then made up for it with the next sprint by increasing the speed by .5 J

I’ve been noticing the reactions from people when they see me running, and I think it’s really funny! For instance, I was jogging on the street the other day when Nora and I were going to the park and a lady actually applauded me and said “good for you!”. Lol… and I’ve noticed people at the gym having kind of surprised looks on their faces when I start jogging/ sprinting on the treadmill (like this morning). I freakin love it! I’ve always refused to let the ‘fat bring me down’ (as opposed to the ‘man’?) and it always surprises the hell out of people to find that I don’t just sit on my ass and eat Little Debbies all day. I’m really happy that my body is starting to whittle down to the appropriate size and allowing me to do the exercise-type of things that I’ve always wanted!

Another great thing happened today… I tried a size 9 ring on my ring finger and it fit! I can honestly say that I don’t know that a size 9 has ever fit on my ring finger. Granted, it’s only 1 ring and it could very well just run big but damnit I was excited! I remember when I used to buy size 12 rings and would sometimes have issues with those! Every part of my body is changing and it’s awesome J Did I mention yesterday that I ordered a size 20 pair of jeans? Well, I did. Another first in a VERY long time! I’m not so sure that they’re going to fit right now but they sure as hell will very soon!

Food Today:

Breakfast:

Mocha Protein shake

Snack:

Oatmeal

Snack:

Banana and 4 chunks pineapple

Lunch:

Sandwich on 7sprouted grain bread w/ black bean spread, avocado and pineapple salsa

Snack:

¼ c fruit & nut trail mix

Snack:

Protein tofu

Dinner:

No clue – we’re taking Nora to see Yo! Gabba Gabba live at the Aranoff tonight!!

I know that I list pretty much the same thing for lunch everyday, so I thought that I would post a picture of what my lunch looks like all packed-up! (This is yesterday’s lunchJ)

Spinach & Leek Manicotti

1box Manicotti Shells

2tubs Fat Free Ricotta Cheese

2c Fat Free Mozzarella Cheese, separated

2c fresh baby spinach, chopped small

1c Leeks, chopped small

2tbs garlic, minced

½ tsp red pepper flake (optional)

S&P

1 jar Roasted Garlic Spaghetti Sauce

(could easily add fresh oregano/basil/herbs of your choice – I chose to highlight the garlicJ)

-          Boil manicotti per box directions, drain and rinse with cold water for immediate filling

-          While manicotti is boiling, mix ricotta, 1c mozzarella, spinach, leeks, garlic, s&p and red pepper flake (if using) in a large bowl

-          Spread ¼ jar of sauce on bottom of a glass baking dish

-          Fill manicotti shells w/ ricotta mixture and place in baking dish in a single layer

-          Cover with the rest of the sauce and remaining mozzarella cheese

-          Cover dish w/ foil and bake for 30 minutes

I just served this with some crusty whole grain bread and it was delicious!

Well, I suppose that’s about all I have for today. Hopefully I can get out of this funk soon! Ugh.. I need a pumpkin patch in my life – that will definitely cheer me up J

I hope everyone is having a happy and healthy Tuesday! Until tomorrow…

50lbs Down :)

Happy Monday!

So, I did a little blog spoil on Facebook this weekend (because I was so excited) so this may not be news to most, but I’ve officially lost 50 lbs!! It feels so amazing to put a solid number like ‘50’ behind me. J This 50 is coming from when I started this blog in March, before I actually posted my weight on the blog lol. I started the blog between 298 and 299 lbs… and as of yesterday morning, I am officially at 248 J Which also means that I lost 3lbs last week! An all-around good week J At the beginning, the thought of losing 50lbs seemed nearly impossible and incredibly daunting. I definitely learned that you have to make small goals and work on achieving them… if you walk into it saying “I’m going to lost 50 lbs in 6 months”, there’s a very good chance that you will be intimidated and get easily discouraged. After all of the ups and downs along my path so far, I think I’m at a good place and feel great about the decisions that I’ve made J

So I didn’t make it to the gym this morning… fail, I know. But we all know how terrible Monday mornings are for me! I’m going to try to go dance tonight, but I’m not so sure that I’ll be able to make it. I’m supposed to meet with a friend this evening and it all depends on what time I’ll be finished with that!

Brief recap of the weekend:

Saturday:

Breakfast: Mocha Protein Shake

Lunch: can’t remember? Lol

Dinner: Grilled veggies and rice (YUM!) – see below J

Saturday I participated in the Congenital Heart 5k, and then I went home and jogged Nora up to the park and back (with some play-time in between, obviously). In total, I walked 2 miles and jogged 2 miles! I was feeling PRETTY great! It’s funny how your brain evolves along with your body… before, I would have never in my life even considered jogging on the streets! I never wanted anyone to see me plus I was so afraid of the hills making it too difficult for me to do it… now I just say, well… I’ll do my best! I look at everything as a ‘work-in-progress’ as opposed to just ‘it is what it is’. It’s a really refreshing way to think, I must say!

Sunday:

Breakfast; Mocha Protein Shake, 1slice 7 sprouted grain bread w/ pineapple salsa

Lunch: Snacked my way through.. chips & salsa and pita chips & baba ganouj

Dinner: FABULOUS dinner party with the girls! Organic vegetable and barley soup with pear salad yummy pumpkin bread! I brought dessert, baked apples w/ butter pecan soy dream icecream and maybe a sugar free cupcake (brought by Emily J) It was really delicious and pretty healthy!

I was a little less active yesterday… I didn’t do any formal exercising but I did go grocery shopping, cooked and cleaned the house, so I wasn’t exactly stagnant.

Food Today:

Breakfast:

Mocha Protein Shake

Snack:

Oatmeal w/ craisins and cinnamon

Lunch:

Sandwich of 7-sprouted grain bread, black bean spread, avocado slices and pineapple salsa

Snack:

¼ cup Natural fruit & nut trailmix

Snack:

Protein Tofu

Dinner:

I haven’t a clue.

Grilled Veggies & Rice

2 Shanghai Bok Choy, quartered

2-3 small/medium tomatoes, cut into 1/8ths

1 red onion, thickly sliced

Brown rice, cook to specifications

½ red bell pepper, diced

EVOO

3tbs garlic

1tbs Balsamic Vinegar

-Combine Bok Choy, Tomatoes and Red onion in bowl. Gently toss w/ EVOO, 2tbs garlic and balsamic vinegar

-After rice is cooked, add red bell pepper and remaining garlic with a dash of EVOO and mix together. Cover the pot and leave on LOW heat while veggies are cooking

-Grill veggies, turning once, until you see a little char and they start to wilt

-Serve veggies over rice!

This is one of my favorite meals! There are few things I love more than a grilled onion J

Pineapple Salsa

2 large chunks pineapple, diced

½ mango, peeled and diced

¼ jicama, peeled and diced

2 green onions, diced

2tbs red bell pepper, minced

S &P to taste

Juice of 1 lime  (to taste, may be more or less)

Mix it all up and voila! Delicioso!

I must say, I’m feeling really great right now.  My initial goal at the beginning of this year was to lost 60 lbs by Christmas… at this rate, I think I may surpass my goal J

It’s amazing the feel the support from my family and peers. Last night, my friend Emily gave me a gift to celebrate my 50lb achievement.. it’s so amazing to me that my friends care that much! I just want to say thank you, from the deepest depths of my soul, for sticking by me through this endeavor! I still have quite a way to go, but I am fully confident in my ability to succeed. J

Thank you again – I’ll be in touch tomorrow J

Take a Walk :)

A late night hello to all! Unfortunately, technology issues have yet again delayed the posting of my MUCH anticipated blog! (much anticipated, right? Lol)
Anyway, today has been very off my regular routine, food-wise. Actually, let's start with last night... As I mentioned in yesterday's post, I went to Tribal Night at Leapin Lizard. It was awesome! There weren't many people there which meant that I was able to dance the entire time! I literally danced for almost 2 hours straight, only breaking briefly for water :-) I was sweating my ass off, my quads and shoulders/arms were burning and it felt amazing! I definitely have to give props to the drummers, I can only imagine how much their arms/hands were burning! When I finally got home at around 10, I jumped in the shower and went straight to bed so I had no dinner last night. Actually, I didn't have anything at all after work.
Well, after going to bed at around 11 and not eating last night, you can only imagine the lack of energy this morning! I was super sore when I woke up and knew that I wasn't going to have a very productive workout so I decided to just skip the gym and get some extra rest. As part of my make up for missing my workout this morning, I'll be doing a 5k fitness walk to benefit congenital heart disease research! I'm excited! Of course I'll be taking Nora with me and I think she'll enjoy a nice stroll through Eden Park :-) I'm not sure what the rest of my day shall hold after the walk so I'll have to update later... Probably the park if the weather's nice!
Food Today:
Breakfast:
Mocha protein shake

Snack:
Oatmeal w/ raisins & cinnamon

Snack:
Small WW pita chopped into points and dipped in light hummus

Lunch:
Veggie grilled cheese(incredibly unhealthy but it was tasty :-( ) and a tomato/basil/spinach salad

Snack:
Protein mousse

Dinner:
Red cabbage & leek pizza w/ vegan mozz cheese on homemade ww pizza crust
Delish!

I'm excited to weigh-in this weekend, I'm feeling pretty good! Even after my grilled cheese mistake today lol...
I'll try to post this weekend but, as usual, can't promise I'll have time! I hope everyone has a happy and healthy weekend! The weather's supposed to be nice... Get your ass outside and do something! ;-)

Picture Day!! 9/15

Hi there! I know what you’re thinking… I went on and on about needing to make time for my blog and then I didn’t post yesterday! Well, the fact is, I tried! I really did! For some reason, when I went to my blogger dashboard to make a new post, it would just say ‘error’ and I couldn’t do it! I was really bummed but at least it’s working today! AND it’s picture day!!! We missed pictures last month b/c I was in NYC but I quickly had my mom snap one this morning J I must say, not a HUGE difference since the July picture but I still see progress and I’m happy with it!

Yesterday recap:

I went to the gym and did the following:

TIME	EXERCISE	REPS	LBS	SETS
6:30 MIN	TREADMILL	WALK 5 / RUN 1:30		1
10 MIN	ELLIPTICAL	MED/FAST		1
	DUMBBELL SQUAT AND PRESS	15	10	4
	DEEP SQUAT PULSE	20	20	3
	LUNGES	10 EA SIDE	N/A	2
	6 INCH KILLERS	10	N/A	2
	BALL CRUNCHES	20	N/A	4

So, why only 1 interval of jogging, you ask? Well, I had every intention of doing my full 30min interval session and then… I couldn’t keep my pants up. I spent the entire 1 ½ minutes holding my pants up while I was jogging. Obviously, those will no longer be considered ‘running pants’. J I decided to then switch to the elliptical so I didn’t have to worry about showing the fellow gym-goers my goodies.. and I did an additional 10 minutes on there. I find that every time I get on the elliptical now, I’m immediately bored lol. Jogging keeps me focused b/c I’m always watching the clock for the next interval and I like to keep an eye on my pace and stuff… Maybe I just need to find a different program… or wear pants that fit so I don’t have this problem in the future!

Anyway, last night I went to my mom’s bellydance class. She’s teaching a begginner’s class so I’m just going for the exercise. Last night was just that! We did the same 3 moves for an hour which involved squatting almost the entire time! After the workout yesterday and dance last night, my quads are a-burnin today!

Food Yesterday (all organic veggies)

Breakfast: Mocha protein shake

Snack: Oatmeal w/ organic raisins and cinnamon

Snack: Whole Wheat pita w/ light hummus, sliced red bell pepper and sliced cucumber

Snack: Chips & salsa

Dinner: Vegan Mushroom & chickpea veggie burger w/ avocado and jicama slaw on flour-less sprouted grain bread

AND

Today! I went to the gym this morning and was running a bit late so I just did my 30 minute 90 second jog/60 second walk interval program with 1 quick 1-minute sprint at the end! It felt good J

Food Today: (all organic veggies)

Mocha Protein Shake

Snack:

Oatmeal w/ organic raisins and cinnamon

Snack:

Whole Wheat pita w/ light hummus and sliced red bell pepper

Lunch:

Avocado, tomato and lettuce on sprouted bread

Snack:

Protein Tofu (it’s growing on me J)

Dinner: (If I have time to eat)

Tofu Tacos

I had a really delicious mushroom veggie burger when I was in Florida so I decided to attempt to re-create it last night… not a total success but it was decent. I’ll post the recipe but I will say that the flavor and consistency is not where I would like it… but it was still good J

Vegan Mushroom Veggie Burger

1lb White Mushrooms, diced

½ Red Onion, diced

1 can Organic Chickpeas, drained, rinsed & mashed

2 tbs minced garlic

1tsp EVOO

1tbs Ground Flax Seed, dissolved in 2 tbs water

¼ c Whole Wheat bread crumbs

S&P

-Sautee mushrooms, onion, garlic and S&P in EVOO until liquid has evaporated, (about 10 minutes)

-Meanwhile, mash chickpeas in a large bowl w/ a potato masher

-Stir sautéed mix into chickpeas and let cool for about 10-15 minutes

-Add dissolved flax and breadcrumbs, stir to combine

-Form 4 patties and cook the same skillet as mushrooms before for about 2-3 minutes per side

-I served on sprouted bread w/ avocado and jicama slaw… not my favorite toppings for this burger, I think something a bit more simple would be better! Try it out and let me know J

Jicama Slaw

1 Medium Jicama, peeled and shredded

½ Small Cucumber, peeled and shredded

1/3 Small head Red Cabbage, shredded

1 Lime, zested and juiced

3 Small Oranges, juiced

Pinch Cayenne

1tbs Minced Jalapeno (optional)

½ tsp Chile Powder

Mix all in a big bowl! It’s yummy! I haven’t quite figured out the best application for it.. but it sure is tasty!

Tonight is Tribal Night at Leapin’ Lizard! I’m so excited! I love going to this because it’s always  a good time and a GREAT workout! I plan to shake it extra hard tonight J

PICTURE TIME!

Here’s the FIRST picture that I posted, from 4-15:

Here’s the last picture that I posted, from 7-15:

And here’s this morning! Again, not a huge difference, but every little bit counts J

Well, I suppose that’s all I have for today! I hope everyone has a great Thursday! Until tomorrow…