What are you having this mid morning?

I am having some yummy berries and yogurt

Monday Funday?

Ok people, so this was so me today!!

I had it all planned, my 3 meals for the day. Then I got busy, started getting a little hungry and right in front of me donuts.

Help! How do you avoid temptation. What are your motivations?

Super Easy Turkey Chili

Great for a high carb day

Package of ground turkey breast

chopped onion

can of fire roasted diced tomatos

1 Tablespoon of tomato paste

small can of dices green chilis

can of kidney beans

can of great northern

can of black beans

can of gorbanzo beans

chili powder

cumin

salt

pepper

garlic powder

Directions:

Brown onions in pam or teaspoon of olive oil. Add turkey meat brown and season with garlic pepper cumin and chili powder then drain excess grease. Add meat and all other ingredients to crock pot. Blend well. Season with light salt cumin and chili powder to taste. Crock pot on low 4hrs. Sprinkle with low fat mexican blend cheese. This is mmm mmm yummy in my tummy as type out this blog.

ALL GONE!!!

Hydration Calculator

How much water are you drinking?

Check out this Hydration Calculator to see how much you should actually be drinking.

I am learning through my weight loss journey how important water is as part of my success. I will have to say getting up 5x a night is no bueno, but I know that just means I am flushing out the toxins I don't need.

Here are just a few fun facts:

• Initial weight loss is largely due to loss of water, and you need to drink an adequate amount of water in order to avoid dehydration.
• The process of burning calories requires an adequate supply of water in order to function efficiently; dehydration slows down the fat-burning process.
• Burning calories creates toxins (think of the exhaust coming out of your car), and water plays a vital role in flushing them out of your body.
• Dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume; a reduction in blood volume causes a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your muscles; and a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your muscles can make you feel tired.
• Water helps maintain muscle tone by assisting muscles in their ability to contract, and it lubricates your joints. Proper hydration can help reduce muscle and joint soreness when exercising.
• A healthy (weight loss) diet includes a good amount of fiber. But while fiber is normally helpful to your digestive system, without adequate fluids it can cause constipation instead of helping to eliminate it.
• Drinking water with a meal may make you feel full sooner and therefore satisfied eating less. Note, however, that drinking water alone may not have this effect. In order to feel satiated (not hungry), our bodies need bulk, calories and nutrients. 

Get drinking friends, and I don't mean alcohol... :-)

Nature Box

Yummy snack alternatives. Our box just arrived Friday and almost all the snacks are gone.

Tofu Veggie Stirfry

Whats for dinner tonight? I will say this is our first pass at tofu and it was a little bland but the stirfry is delightful.

1 bag asian stir fry veggies

1 small container of tofu

light classic stirfry sauce

Lightly coat pan with pam or olive oil. brown chopped tofu. Add veggies until cooked. Drain excess liquid. Add stirfry sauce, lightly coat. Option add sesame seads and serve over brown rice. 

Seriously just My 2 Cents

Ok friends, so I have said several times I like things that taste good. I am new to the protein game so this is just my basic first pass as I try out new brands. I have been using Cyto Sport from Costco, it is about $30+ for a 6lb bag. I recently sent for a sample of the Vemma Bod-e Chris Powell protein shake for $38 for a lot less amount. I was so excited since I had read the reviews online regarding Vemma, how delicious it was etc. I added a banana like I normally do and after a few sips here is where my shake went!!!

That's right, down the drain!!!

I know Cyto is not the best product out there, but in regards to just taste it is pretty simple for me!

Yummy Homeade Fruit Parfait

This super easy, super quick recipe is great for a mid-day snack. If you are on a low carb cyle day swap out the fruit and granola for almonds or any of your favorite nuts.

(protein) 1 cup non fat Greek yogurt
(carb) 1/4 cup low fat granola
(carb) small handfull of mixed berries
(flavoring) 1 packet of stevia

Mix in stevia with yogurt. Mix in berries and granola and enjoy!

Who are the players in your weight loss journey?

I am starting to understanding the importance of surrounding myself with the right folks as I partake on this journey, or at least identifying who the players are. After reading Choose to Lose I can say I can clearly see who those players are in my life, can you?

• The Teammate -will jump right in with you and change their lifestyle right along with you

• The Fan - isn't ready to make any personal changes, however they will whole heartedly cheer you on

• The Coach - understands what you are going through and will give you advice and tips along the way

• The Pusher - offers you comfort food out of love and concerned and will be offended if you turn them down

• The Competitor - Beware of this person, no seriously! Jealous and competitive and will try and one up you. May even start their own journey and won't invite you to join. They may also try and test your will

• The Saboteur - Your weight loss journey is a inconvenience for them. They will bring restricted food into your place of business or home. And they may even try and distract you when it comes time for your exercise or meal time, and may nag you to lighten up

**Info from Choose to Loose**

The Pusher!!!!

 

Devil Donuts

So I am weak today was not properly planned and had a devil donut during orientation. I feel pretty crappy now about myself but had to blog cause I said I would document the good and the bad. So its just a donut you say well for this sugar addict it could be my demise and I hate I was weak minded. :-( 

Weekly weigh in 9/7/13

Ok peeps I am a lot peeved. I only came down a pound this week and I am a lot frustrated. I know I didn't follow the carb cycle 100% but dang I never really fell off the wagon. Well time to regroup and not over think it my family can see changes so I trust it is working. -1 is better than +1. 

Flabby Arms?

I know I got them. I have limited mobility but I can work on my arms. Who want's to take this fitness challenge with me? After the 30 days I will post a before after shot, we will decide if it really works. And yes I will be doing girl push ups due to my achilles!

Wondering if I will look like the girl in the pic after my 30 days he-he.

I start now!!! Give me a thumbs up if your with me!

No Boring Protein Shakes Here Please!!

For me it is allllll about the taste. If it doesn't taste good I will probably not go for it. So when I started introducing protein to my diet, I started off with Special K. So delicious and soooo full of sugar. I knew I needed to find a healthier alternative and here is what I found. Let me share with you a yummy balanced breakfast option, or high carb day option shake. It is deeelightful!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Protein Shake

4 Ice Cubes
10 ounces of water
(carb) 1 Banana
(protein) 1 scoop of Chocolate Protein
(fat) 1 hearty tablespoon of low fat/natural Peanut Butter

Seeing Positive Results w/Chris

I am someone who needs easy, not just easy but super easy. I may have found it with Chris Powell from the show Extreme Weight Loss.

I purchased his book on eBay and I must say, so far so good. With a torn achilles (so no exercise) I have lost 10 pounds over the last two weeks. Carb cycling seems to pretty easy if you are planned out. Alternating every other day with a high carb and low carb seems less restrictive then other cycles such as South Beach.

From someone who has gone from a cheat day every day to a cheat day on Saturdays I haven't done too bad.

Examples of a High Carb Meal:
(Carb) 1/2 Cup Brown Rice
(Protein) Grilled Talapia seasoned with Lemon Pepper
(Veggie)  Steamed Brocolli
(Flavor) 2 tbsp of Hummus for dipping

Examples of Low Carb Meal
Turkey Lettuce Wraps
(Protein) Lean Ground Turkey
(Veggie) Portobello Mushroom
(Veggie) Sauted onions and bell peppers
(Veggie) Large Leaf Lettuce
(Fat) Lowfat Mozerrella Cheese

Can you imagine eating like this 5x's a day?

Pick up his book at www.ebay.com 

Inbox me successful plans that have worked for you.

Starting my day off right!

I have exchanged eggs for egg whites and my taste buds didn't protest much at all!! I can eat this on my low or high carb days. (For more info on carb cycling inbox me or continue to watch the post as I reveal more and more info.) This delightful omelet covers my carb, protien, and a little fat the three items you should be using every morning based on Chris Powell's book.

Craig's Yummy Egg White Omlete

(Protein) Egg Whites - enough to cover bottom of the skillet, he says he doesn't measure :-)
(Protein) 2 slices of turkey bacon
(Fat) Sprinkle of reduced fat cheddar cheese
(Veggie) Chopped onion as desired
(Veggie) Mushrooms as desired
(Veggie) Spinich
(Carb) Strawberries

Directions:

Spray bottom of frying pan with Pam and saute veggies and turkey backon. Once to desired firmness pour in egg whites. Once cooked on the bottom, flip and sprinkle with cheese. Add to plate with strawberries. Super easy and quick! No need to add salt to this dish, the turkey bacon is salty enough. Add black pepper to give it a little pop.

Ty's 5min Prep Chicken Soup

Ingredients:

2 Chicken Breast (Frozen or thawed)
2 Cans low sodium chicken broth
2 Chicken Bouillons (personal taste)
1 bag frozen veggies carrots, broccoli, and cauliflower (can use fresh)
1 can Garbanzo beans
Chopped Onion
Garlic Powder to taste
Pepper to taste
Cooked brown rice (optional)

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. If thawed chicken cook for 4 to 5 hours, if frozen cook for 7-8 hours. Once chicken is cooked remove from slow cooker and shred with a fork. Add back into the cooker. Can add cooked brown rice after cooking is complete.

Most recent pic the hubby and I in Pagosa Springs

Entry One

I am starting this blog at 274 pounds. I would like to share this journey with anyone who finds it useful. I am a real woman just trying to create a new me. A better healthier me!!! My family needs me and I need me. I hope you enjoy this journey with me. I will share tips, recipes, and just anything I think will be useful to those in the weight loss struggle.