Day 126 - WEIGH IN #9

It has been 4 and a half months since I began this journey, and although I am losing less weight weekly, I am still proud of my results and the lifestyle changes that accompany them.  Today I went for my weigh in and lost another 3.8 pounds.  Which puts me at 55 pounds lost...  In discussion with the Dr.  he informed me that I really lost 6 pounds of fat but am retaining water which makes my loss seem lower.... Hmmmmm this can only mean one thing, SALT INTAKE!  I know I have not been as strict as I should be over the last couple of visits which would explain my results.  Fact is, they are not as good as they can be.  Alright, time to go back to day one and along with the exercise remember that what I put into my mouth is vital to my success.

So much has changed since I began this road to a better self; my mood is better, I look and feel 100% better and now in addition to the family and friends who have been with me since day one,  I have someone special in my life who supports and aids me in this journey as well!  Couldn't ask for anything more!  On to day 127......... hip hip hooray!


Of course, some pictures for your viewing pleasure!!!

Chicken wings and roasted veggies.

Spinach and feta omelet and turkey bacon.  Yummy breakfast.

Steak, roasted veggies and mashed cauliflower....

Greek inspired chicken, grilled zucchini and mashed cauliflower....

Steak, mashed cauliflower roasted veggies.

Recent Picture of me and my nephew... Sept. 3rd, 2011

Sept 7th - day 117

Hello everyone....

I continue to follow this journey and am really trying to stay strict this week so that I may have better results for my next weigh in.  I find that my quality of life has improved so much since I began this journey almost 4 months ago.  I am happier than I have ever been.  I am most definitely healthier than ever and it is just getting better!  September marks the beginning of new things to come, my supply teaching kicks in again and I can't wait to be teaching in school again!  A new season begins as fall starts to creep in.  My challenge now is to keep going strong on this journey and try not to fall off the path..  With the amount of love and support that I have, I doubt that I will falter. On to day 118....... :)

Here are some pictures of meals that I have had recently...  I also threw in a picture of my first tattoo that I got on September 5th, just reminding me to love myself unconditionally.

Pork and Chicken shish kabob with turkey burger, bean  salad

and olives! It was really yummy!

Greek salad, oven roasted chicken wings and zucchini.

My new tattoo.... just a reminder to love myself always!

Day 111 - Sept. 1st

Today was my 8th weigh in,  It went probably as well as I expected.  I lost 2.8 pounds over the past 2 weeks and I can attribute that to less exercise and eating not as well as I should have been.  I only have myself to blame, but on the plus side, I have lost a total of 52 pounds!  This is an amazing fact and I am so thankful that I have found something that finally works!  I encourage anyone who is trying to make a healthy change in their life to make a stand and finally do something for themselves, its the best feeling ever.  I want to lose another 5 by my next weigh in and that will take focused eating and more physical activity.  I can do it though!!
As always, here are some pictures of some meals that I have had...

 Jerk Chicken and broccoli

 Chicken Souvlaki and veggies.  Yum Yum.

 Home made ground Pork Lettuce burgers.  :)

Steak, broccoli and mashed cauliflower!! Yum Yum.

Day 98 - August 19th Weigh In Number 7

49 pounds!!! I cannot believe that 49 pounds is where I am at right now.... I am so happy with my weigh in this week, especially considering that I was in NYC for a whole week and couldn't really control everything that I ate.  I stuck with the plan as much as possible and did a lot more exercise than regular these last two weeks, perhaps that is a big factor as to why the weight has decided to vamoooooosh!  Still have a long way to go, and I hear that it only gets harder to lose the weight the smaller you get sooooooo, its time to seriously start working out and beginning to build muscle... its the only way to ensure that I continue to burn the fat.  The support and encouragement of my friends and family continues to push me to continue... honestly without them, I could not do this!  xoxo.  Almost day 100, hip hip hooray!!

Pictures:

 Steak, broccoli and grilled veggies!! Delish.

Me on Sunday August 14... about 13 weeks after beginning this journey.  I don't really have any before pics, so the chronicling begins now!

Day 93 - August 14th

I cannot believe it has been already 3 months since I started this journey.  I was able to survive on my road trip to the USA and stick as close to my regimen as I possibly could.  During my trip, I brought a duffel bag full of goodies that I could eat so that part was easy.  But, dining out was more of a challenge, however I was able to find meals that I could eat and not feel too guilty.  It is easy to find meals in restaurants that are the healthier option, but controlling the sodium is the hardest part....  I have weighed myself at home and the scale shows no change.  So I didn't gain any weight on the trip which is what I was scared of!! This week I will be super strict to hopefully lose something before my weigh in on Friday, I know I can do it!
Here are some pictures of some of the meals that I had during my travels!!



Broccoli and chicken... it was on the low carb menu.... delish.

Steak Salad with asparagus.... sooooo good!!

Steak, zucchini and mashed cauliflower!  Yes, Ruby Tuesdays actually had mashed cauliflower as an option for a side.... it was soooooo good, that we went again the next night!

This time I had chicken, zucchini and mashed cauliflower....... yum.

Day 84 - Weigh In number 6

Time to switch gears.  Today's weigh in was just ok.  I lost 3 pounds (meh).  However, if we look at the big picture, I've lost 42 pounds... so that makes me feel much better!  I think I know why perhaps I didn't lose as much over these past two weeks: a) I didn't move my body enough and b) I wasn't as strict as I should be when it came to eating and drinking (way to many Coors lights)!   I now am seeing more and more the importance of including daily exercise into this lifestyle change.  As for the eating portion, I will be taking a road trip so the next week is going to be extremely difficult to stay on a focused diet, however when I get back, strict phase 1 just like the first week all over again, it must be done.  I don't think I could handle going to a weigh in and not losing any weight or putting weight on, that would be a tremendous blow.  Mentally though, I still feel amazing and nothing is better than that!  On to day 85 I go and off to NYC for a well deserved break!
Of course, here are some meal pics as usual.

<---- Sardines, Chicken and veggies.  I didn't eat the Sardines, I didn't like them BBQ'd/

Steak, broccoli and mashed cauliflower.  Yum Yum.

Day 76 - July 28

Hello everybody.... it is now day 76 and I cannot believe that I am still going strong.  I have come to the conclusion that the reason why this "diet" is finally working for me is because firstly I see the results.  That has got to be the biggest motivator by far.  The second reason is my friends and family that continue to walk this journey with me and only want to see me happiest... it truly is amazing.  Thirdly, all the extra things that has accompanied this life change is really helping me to stay on track; like writing this blog and going to my weigh ins every 2 weeks.  All of these elements combined is keeping me going!!  However, my will power is dwindling...... I love beer, always have, always will, this weekend that just passed, I did not do well at resisting the temptation to drink a cold one!  Granted I chose Coors light, which is probably one of the better choices, but I definitely drank too much of it... guess I'll have to work extra hard for the next weigh in!  Its the summer time BBQ's, patio night season and gathering of friends that makes it really hard to say no to a delicious beverage!  Feeling good is my motivator and I definitely feel GOOD!!  On to day 77...... with no beer! ;)
Of course, here are some recent meals....

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Extra Lean beef burgers on lettuce.  With the right seasonings, this is a really delicious meal!  

               

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Chicken Thighs broiled in the oven with steamed broccoli. I found a new spice, Jamaican  Curry, excellent on chicken.

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"breaded" chicken breast with broiled veggies.  I used the Dr.Poon approved bread to make bread crumbs, added some herbs and spices and voila, breaded chicken!  Really tasty.




Many people have asked my for recipes, however I have not taken the time to write down what I use in my foods, a lot of them comes from throwing a bunch of things together that I think will taste good and be flavorful.  I will make an effort to write down what I use and I will begin to post recipes for those that want to try them out!