Stay the Course!

We've been deserted Britt but stay focused. I'm within about five pounds of my goal.

Is there anybody out there?

Hey everyone just seeing where everyone is at. Been doing Pilates/Yoga in the morning and absolutely loving it! still running but some days are just too freakin hot. (90 degrees at 8 in the morning, hello!) I have officially lost two pounds, but I am feeling great!

Yummy looking wrap recipe.

MEDITERRANEAN WRAP
Makes: 4 servings
Active time: 40 minutes | Total: 40 minutes
Cost per serving: under $2.50

This wrap is stuffed with chicken tenders and couscous with a hit of lemon and a healthy dose of fresh herbs. Save any leftovers to wrap up for an easy lunch. Serve with: Mixed green salad and a glass of crisp white wine.

1/2 cup water
1/3 cup couscous, preferably whole-wheat
1 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup lemon juice
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon salt, divided
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pound chicken tenders
1 medium tomato, chopped
1 cup chopped cucumber
4 10-inch spinach or sun-dried tomato wraps or tortillas

1. Bring water to a boil in a small saucepan. Stir in couscous and remove from the heat. Cover and let stand for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork. Set aside.
2. Meanwhile, combine parsley, mint, lemon juice, oil, garlic, 1/8 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl.
3. Toss chicken tenders in a medium bowl with 1 tablespoon of the parsley mixture and the remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt. Place the tenders in a large nonstick skillet and cook over medium heat until cooked though, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a clean cutting board. Cut into bite-size pieces when cool enough to handle.
4. Stir the remaining parsley mixture into the couscous along with tomato and cucumber.
5. To assemble wraps, spread about 3/4 cup of the couscous mixture onto each wrap. Divide the chicken among the wraps. Roll the wraps up like a burrito, tucking in the sides to hold the ingredients in. Serve cut in half.

Per serving: 479 calories; 17 g fat (3 g sat, 11 g mono); 67 mg cholesterol; 49 g carbohydrate; 0 g added sugars; 34 g protein; 5 g fiber; 653 mg sodium; 382 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (57% daily value), Folate & Vitamin A (40% dv), Iron (32% dv).

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes_menus/recipe_slideshows/quick_mediterranean_recipes?utm_source=YahooBlog_Wendy_EatYourMedsforDinner_050710

Six or Seven Pounds to Go!

Finally dropped down to my lowest weight in over 8 years. Almost where I want to be. Tonight I'm waiting to have a couple pieces of daddy's homemade bread- mmmmmmm!!!

Hey I am still here.

I too feel as if I have plateaued. Was running four times a week with my friend Sussannah, then doing Pilates. Then my life got crazy with school work and volunteering at the middle school. Hoping to start up again in the coming weeks with school finishing up! Let's get remotivated!

Found a smoothy recipe that's pretty good. All I had was grapefruit juice which makes a smoothy a little tart and even bitter, so a different juice would be better- like mango. Add banana, a flavored yogurt, blueberries or other fruit if you have it- I didn't but I used rasberrie yogurt, ice. Blend till ice is crushed. Add cinnamon and nutmeg- mmmm good.

WHERE IS EVERYONE! IT'S BEEN HARD FOR ME TO STICK WITH THE BLOG BECAUSE I'VE BEEN PLATEAUED FOR OVER A MONTH. BUT TODAY I HAD A .2# LOSS SO I POSTED THE SUCKER. LET'S GET REMOTIVATED!!!

Biggest Loser Finale Tonight!

Where is everybody and how is everybody doing? I've been stuck at the same weight FoReVeR but I feel a million times better than I did when we first started so I'm not complaining at all. Biggest Loser finale is tonight! I'm super excited!

Hey all. Still Keepin on in Florida!

So I am not sure if I have lost anymore weight because I keep forgetting to weight myself when I go to work. But according to my little measuring tape I have lost an inch off of my waist! so I am pretty excited about that. I just got to get the ice cream out of my house and I will be good!

I have become re-motivated

Hello all. Since doing the march of dimes walk, I have become re-motivated, and have started working out again in the morning. I even went for a jog today. I am beginning to be proud of my legs again! I even bought two pairs of shorts to show them off! Anyway haven't lost any weight thats why I haven't updated my counter. But I am feeling a lot better.

ALMOST AFTER PIX- 10 MORE POUNDS!

A little more off the legs, lots more off the stomach, some more off boobs, and please NO more off butt!

TIP OF THE DAY

We've maybe discussed this before but dad and I bought a weight scale and he weighs everything. Liv- you joked about Barb's 1" square meat portions. Well, that's a little bazaar, but realistically a serving of meat, depending on thickness of course, is probably only about 3 " by 3". So serving sizes are important and they're a lot smaller than most of us are used to eating. So my tip of the day is, if you have a scale, weigh your servings especially meat. OK, actually I have a few more tips. When you fill your plate, before you eat it, put a third of it back in the pan or wherever it came from. Serving size is a huge issue. Last week we had a couple of family meals and I was eating bigger portions than normal and "picking" at stuff. I put three pounds on like over one night. It's back off plus another pound so I got right back on my program and even cut my calories down a little to make up for a bad couple of days. Anyway, this morning I hit 128# which is 10 pounds from my goal. Also, I have to weigh every day, at least for now. Jenny says the same thing. It used to just discourage me if I gained, but this time it motivates me. Sooo... three tips- watch your portions by weighing or measuring them, be aware of how much food is on your plate, and weigh every day- at the same time by the way. Good luck everyone. Liva- one suggestion. You're in a good exercise routine and are obviously gaining muscle so maybe not losing like you would like. Here's a suggestion. Cut 300 calories a day by eating one less slice of bread and butter, one less treat- if you even allow treats, or just by putting a third of your food back after you've put it on your plate.

I Think I Birthed a Kid This Morning!

The scales finally moved. Course I think it's because I "birthed a kid" this morning. Sorry! I'm doing a Liv thing. But, yeah, down .8#. I'll take it.

Dinner Tonight

This is Liv's yummy salad and her pork/asparagus meal except I used chicken cause I didn't have pork. Pork would fit better I think, but this was a really good dinner. We had some of daddy's nice warm ciabatta bread with it. MMM good! When I noticed the shadow on this pix I was gonna take another one then realized I already ate the food. Silly me!

PLATEAU

Daddy and I have plateaued! Four days at Mike's feeding teenagers and too much of daddy's nummy bread- which he's making again today. Dad's stuck in the 270 range and me at 130- still down considerably and feeling good. We're off for a bike ride! Our club house got vandalized and is closed for four days. Thought this was a gated community. Weird!

Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops

These pork chops are yummy. And after many attempts, I can finally make a nice juuuicy pork chop. I always dried them out.

I usually get my pork chops at Costco...and they are GIGANTIC. We had bought a digital kitchen scale for Andrews pinewood derby car last month and I finally got smart and weighed those Costco pork chops. They are a little over double what a serving of meat should be. And because they were so gigantic I could never get them to cook properly. So I got smart, again, and cut the thickness in half. They cook beautifully and are the proper serving size. Duh, I can't believe it took me so long to figure this one out. Anywho, onto the recipe...
Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops

In blender add:
1 clove garlic minced (or in my world 2, 3 or 4 cloves)
1 tsp fresh rosemary
1 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 cup Balsamic vinegar
Blend ingredients.

With blender on low slowly drizzle in...
1/2 cup olive oil

Salt and pepper both sides of pork chops.

In a baking dish add chops in a single layer and pour the marinade on top. Flip the chops over a few times and coat them up good. You can now either cover and marinade them over night or cook immediately if you don't feel like waiting. Also, depending on how many chops you are making, you could reserve half of the marinade (before you dump it over the raw meat, obviously) and use it as a salad dressing.

To Cook:
Preheat broiler on the low setting
Take the chops out of the marinade and broil for 10-11 minutes. Then let the meat rest for 5 minutes and eat it up with your favorite veggie. YUM!

Pix

Okay, so I really haven't been losing any weigth lately but I sure as heck feel a ton better than I did 4 months ago. Timmy and I have been doing BodyPump, Spinning, and today our gym launched BodyFlow...absolutely fabulous! It's a combo of tai chi, yoga, and pilates. I feel really stretched out and relaxed after that class today. I decided to put up some pictures to stay motivated. I'm getting some muscle but I still have tons of fat so I just look bulky. Timmy says my butt has changed though...here's to hoping. It's just a big giant bubble if you ask me. And for the first time ever in my life, I have the tiniest little start of a hamstring muscle. Even when I was dancing I could never get shape in the back of my thigh, always just totally flat. Hopefully by summer I will have nice little froggy legs.





Tree pose and a wink.

Over 'n out.

PLUGGIN' AWAY

Daddy and I are plugging away- slow but sure. These family meals don't help. We had the Sieler crew over to swim and ended up making a big pot of spaghetti and of course Liva's salad. I ate more than I should have but was still down over 6 ounces from yesterday. I gotta stop weighing every day. Anyway, next week, I'm shooting to be under 130 and daddy's shooting to be under 270. Young Chris is looking really good. He said yesterday that he weighs about 264. For a boy that was over 300 that's exciting! And that's just getting his thyroid under control. It's getting warmer earlier so I gotta go for my run before it's too hot!

Liva's Nummy Salad

I tried a variation of Liva's salad. I didn't have sweetened nuts so used plain pecans and some garlic flavored goat cheese from our farmer's market.

REMOTIVATED

Back down to within a few ounces of 131. Dad bought a digital scales yesterday and it's pretty much right on with the one we've been using at our club house. Well, for me it's right on. It weighs your dad a little higher so he's just gonna start going by ours. Anyway, I feel really good this morning. I have a TIP. It's from a comment Alice made when we were talking about eating. She's 100 pounds dripping wet and has been for several years. Anyway, she said she hates to feel full- meaning that kinda stuffed feeling we all get when we eat too much and most of us eat too much. I was at a point where I ALWAYS had that stuffed feeling. It's like I had to maintain that full feeling. Well, I've been upping my portions a little every day and I'm noticing I'm not just feeling satisfied, I'm feeling full. I don't like the feeling and it's usually gone in the morning, but I think I'm gonna eat slower and pay attention to how full I am and QUIT eating when I'm satisfied and not wait until I'm full. If anyone noticed, at our bar-b-q Alice took very small portions. I filled my plate. True, it was with salads, but I was stuffed when I finally finished eating. Sunday I didn't eat anything until after church, which didn't get out until 4:00, and I was legitimately hungry when I got home. Too hungry because then I ate too much. So today I'm gonna eat a small breakfast and try and stay satisfied without having that overly full feeling. The secret is to feel SATISFIED, never hungry, but also never too FULL. Learn to FEEL the difference. Good luck. I'm hoping for the underside of 130 by next week. I've been thinking back on my life and I seem to lose and gain weight on a 7-8 year cycle. I'm hoping to break the cycle and make it a life long commitment. Somewhere I made a comment about having my weight off three years ago, but I was wrong. It's been SEVEN years. So it's time.

STUCK

I'm bouncing between 131 and 132 and it's irritating me. I so want to drop under the 130 mark. I'm running every day and it's easier than ever, and I'm lifting. I guess I can say I'm building muscle is why I'm not losing, but that's a cop out. Anyway, stay motivated everyone! Again- I love the new salad Liv. Maybe I'm eating too much salad. Or too much of daddy's breads.

Absolutely Nummy Salad

Warning, there is sugar in this salad. Gasp!!! But seriously, it's the best salad I've had in a long time, maybe ever. And strawberries are very filling so you could make a meal out of it.


Florence Bingham made a salad like this at our RS Birthday dinner the other night. This isn't her exact recipe but I found something close to it on the internet. Anyway...

Salad:
Mixed greens
Sliced strawberries
Mandarin Oranges
Candied Almonds - sliced, slivered, chopped, whatever

Dressing:
1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup shredded red onion
1/2 tsp dry mustard powder
1/4 tsp salt
Blend ingredients in blender
With blender on low slowly drizzle in 1/2 cup canola oil
Stir in 1 tsp poppy seeds

Florence said she had run out of apple cider vinegar so she used a pomegranate vinegar and her dressing was seriously amazing. Also she didn't have an onion so she just used a touch of onion powder (which is what I did, too). I love onion but with this dressing I actually prefer not so much onion flavor. Anyway, play with it. It's YUMMY!

I didn't have almonds either and was too tired to go to the store but if you can help it, don't leave out the almonds. You could use plain almonds or put a little sugar in a pan on med heat and when the sugar starts to turn brown toss in your almonds and coat them up good. Enjoy!

Katie

I am feeling GREAT! I'm down to 125 and today I jumped on the trampoline and even when I had the TV on it was on the Music Choice and I was up dancing to it! I also went outside and shot at my hoop for a while. At mutual we raced across the gym and our team won the first time. After mutual me and my dad played a 2 on 2 half court game with a couple boys (senior and sophmore). We didn't win but we played pretty well. I am just going to keep playing out front and especially work on my three point shot, I made a couple good ones.

HELP

Man, I fell asleep on my recumbant bike the other night. I just kept nodding off and couldn't keep going. I can't get out of bed in the morning, am too busy during the day, and by the time I put kids and Sam to bed I'm sooo exhausted. It makes for a very pathetic attempt at excercise! Any brilliant ideas out there? I am going to check my thryoid. Last time I felt this way, my Doc actually lowered my dose. He said my numbers were fine!! Maybe it's now too low. Anyhow, good job to all you losers out there. I'll get back on board and hopefully get feeling a bit more energized:)

I am now on the Hog Blog

Hey I love the music on this blog! I've started doing a light workout every morning. I have cut out all liquid calories by replacing all my beverages with water. Sometimes I have a half a cup of juice when I need something sweet. I gave up soda over a year ago so that helps too. I am excited and hope we can motivate each other. I don't have a scale at my house so I have to go to my work to way myself. Maybe I will break down and buy a scale. I have been around the same weight for years and am finding it hard to lose just a couple pounds, I honestly would be happy to just get more toned. Any way keep up the good work everyone. Katie and Adam would love to hear from you and hear how you are doing!

I ACTUALLY LOOK THINNER IN MY BEDROOM MIRROR. THESE ARE SIZE 4 PANTS THOUGH FROM MY SKINNIER DAYS.

March 2010- Halfway to Goal

I really do have other work out clothes.

NICE WEIGH-IN

Actually haven't cut back any what with Harlan, Carol, Ted, and Ina in the area. I have just tried to stay somewhat in my routine and not eat too much more than usual. I have had some red meat and a little sugar one day at a softball game in Tucson with everyone. But still have sorta kept track of calories. This morning I got a nice surprise and was down two pounds after being plateaued for a few weeks. I did lay around yesterday not feeling well- not the flu- just a weird feeling in my upper chest when I take a deep breath. I think it's related to my "Fiske neck" thing that started acting up the week I made Kelsey's prom dress (last week in MT). I was having major neck-back pain. I'm feeling much better today. Anyway, 8 more pounds to the low weight I hit about three years ago. Then I want to get under that by about 6 pounds so it's harder to balloon back up. Anyway, feeling good! Just hope I haven't ruined my heart to where it can't be repaired by all the crap eating I've done over the years and the yo-yo dieting. Where is everyone, by the way?

NEXT LEG

I'm starting to feel fat at my new weight so I guess it's time for the next leg. I kinda like plateauing at a weight for a few weeks and feeling full and satisfied with what I'm eating. Now it's time to cut back a little and drop the next 10 pounds. Then I may plateau again just knowing my body. Then that last 6 or so pounds will be more of an effort. May have to be happy with anything under 125. I just read a thing on menopausal women and the fact that to lose weight we have to cut our calories by about 200 more a day than when we were younger. I'm finding that's true. I'm also finding that it's ok. I'm just as satisfied with 1,200 calories of food now as I used to be at 1,500. I think, even thought I'm still running, biking, and lifting, I'm less active than when I was younger. You just slow down when you get older and don't need as much to eat. Mom was so funny when I was up there last month. She says she's never hungry and all she eats is a small peanut butter and jelly sandwich and maybe a couple of cookies a day. She is also forcing down a high calorie energy drink the doctor prescribed for her. That may be why she's not hungry. Anyway, I figure your body knows what it needs and when to stop stuffing it with food, if we would just listen to it. Good luck everyone! This summer here's to new bodies for all of us!

COME ON BABY YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I'M MISSING YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, I finally ate chocolate!

Still doing pretty good with the healthy eating. I did finally have a few treats...dark chocolate, a smore when we camped, and some chocolate cake for Emmie's birthday. I think I went about 5 weeks without much sugar so it wasn't a total loss of control when I finally indulged. I feel so much better, though, without the sugar, so I'm getting back on track this week. I seem to be maintaining my weight, but I am more toned.

COME ON PEOPLE- KEEP ME MOTIVATED! I'M ONLY SEEING DAD, LIVA, KATIE, AND I RECENTLY POSTING WEIGHT CHANGES. AND MIKE AND AMERS. GOOD JOB TO US ALL!

Feeling Goood!

This is Katie with great news! At the beginning of basketball, when I went to get my physical, I weighed myself at the doctor... I was 141. Yesterday I weighed myself right before taking a shower... 130!! It was a great feeling. I am also getting faster and I am definitaly getting thinner... I don't have to suck in all the time now... I will post pics later.

What kind of scale are you using Liv? Mine is so cheap I can only get a ballpark reading give or take 3 lbs.

A little bit at a time

For the first time in probably 8-9 years, I am officially back up on my feet for pushups in all my workouts! No more sissy girl pushups on the knees! Whooooot!! Oh yeah, and I can do the splits again. Timmy was pretty excited about that one. Okay I'll shut up now.

3 weeks under my belt!

It's been 3 weeks now of healthy eating. I posted a couple of pictures from our Jan 10 Group Power launch this past Saturday. I'm not really losing weight on the scale, but I feel so much better and my clothes are getting looser. I'm still not craving the sugar which I attribute to the fact that I am fueling my body with very nutrient dense foods~eating more fish, whole grains, nuts, beans, yogurt etc.

P.S.

You can check out their products at www.clifbar.com! Enjoy!

tip for today

Sam and I like to keep a big bottle of water in the fridge(nice and cold). That way when we open it up to grab a snack, it's right there in front of us. 90% of the time, your body is craving water not food! I'm sure everyone knows this, but thought a reminder might help some of you:0)
Also, Kels tried the Cliff Bars and Cliff lemon-lime drink just before her game on Sat. The girl played like a maniac!!! They were down like 8 points when her coach put her in, and she led them to a lead!!!! They led the rest of the game and WON!! Anyhow, my point is, the Cliff products are all organic(supposedly) and super hydrating. She said she felt really good for the game! Maybe check them out. I didn't see any stimulants in the ingredients, just good stuff. She has a friend who is a distance runner who swears by them for his races.

Katie

I'm eating better and I get in at least two hours of exercise a day because of basketball... All we do is run. I am taking my medicine and watching less TV. I even cut down on my portions. I think the thing I need to work on most is not skipping breakfast and lunch because that makes me want to pig out at dinner. I will hopefully see more persuasive results here soon. Otherwise I don't know what else I can do. :/

Getting back on track

Hey all!! I'm re-weighing tomorrow morning. Today's was too shocking!! It won't be much different, but at least it will give me a day to flush the junk food out of my system! I have a terrible sugar/sodium bloat going on. (To much family and good times this weekend!) So, I'm drinking lots of water today, getting a full 90 minute workout in and keeping all sugar and excess salt out for the day. Hopefully, I will show a little more accurate weight tomorrow morning. Anyhow, wishing everyone a successful week and don't forget to watch Biggest Loser!!!
My tip for this week: Stop eating 4hrs before bed and try to get at least 8hrs of sleep. I lose weight so much faster when I'm getting enough sleep. Yes Dad, this tip coming from the worlds worst night owl!!!

A JOE/JEN RECIPE

Katie and I had dinner with Joe's family last night before a night of games. They made the most delicious stir fry:

CHICKEN TENDERS SLOW COOKED IN WHITE WINE AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR WITH GREEN AND RED PEPPERS, ONE LARGE ONION, GREEN ONIONS- INCLUDING THE GREEN ENDS, A WHOLE GARLIC CUT- NOT PRESSED, AND NO SALT.

Yuuummmmmmyyyyyy!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'M REALLY PROUD OF YOUR DAD. HE'S VERY CONSISTENT IN HIS EATING. I HAVE BEEN TOO BUT FOR SOME REASON I'M EXPERIENCING THE SECOND WEEK SLUMP- WHATEVER THEY CALL IT ON BIGGEST LOSER. I DID LOSE ONE POUND. I'M THINKING I WENT A COUPLE OF DAYS ON TOO FEW CALORIES AND MY BODY WENT IN TO STARVATION MODE. ALSO HAVE BEEN LIFTING MORE SO MAY BE REBUILDING MUSCLE. ANYWAY, A POUND IS A POUND. COME TO THINK OF IT YOUR DAD ACTUALLY ATE PIZZA, BREAD STICKS, AND HOT WINGS AT THE PART YESTERDAY AND I DIDN'T HAVE EVEN ONE. ANOTHER THING- I'M NOT COUNTING OUNCES LIKE LIVA. I WAS ACTUALLY DOWN MORE LIKE 4 1/2 #'S THE FIRST WEEK AND 1 1/2 #'S THIS WEEK. SO CAN'T FEEL BAD ABOUT A POUND AND A HALF. GETTING DOWN TO MY OLD FAT WEIGHT.

Where is Everyone???

Where are your posts or updates? Let's motivate one another. I think everyone should give a weekly update on how things are progressing, that way we can cheer each other on, give suggestions, moral support etc. What do you say? :o)

I'm in!

Liv has given me the privilege of posting on this blog! I will post an official picture later but I figured me climbing in my "stretchy pants" pretty much shows everything anyway! I'm on week 2 of my healthier eating plan. No obvious sugars~cake, cookies, pie, candy etc. (anyone getting hungry)? No diet soda or any soda for that matter, and also no artificial sweeteners. I'm feeling great and am down 2 pounds!

Suzy's before picture.

This is about where I started this time. Here I'm down a few pounds from last year's start weight. I was gonna post our naked pix from our original fat weight but they are truly disgusting. This will do.

Harold's before pix- Nov 2009

This is daddy this last Thanksgiving. He is down a few pounds from last year when we did our first weight loss.

Fat Liva on a little bike

I did my first ever Spinning class on Tuesday. I almost died. Trying that fresh from holiday eating, anniversary eating, birthday/cupcake/cheesecake eating, and skipping the gym for the last two weeks...uuuuggghh! Yesterday I did a Body Pump class...exactly the same as Mike & Amy's Group Power from what I can tell. My legs are feeling it today. These were just free preview classes (I have one more freebie spinning class on Monday) but I think I'm going to sign up when they start their permanent schedule on the 12th!

I'm way more motivated this go around!

I'm posting some before pictures for my own motivation. Avert your eyes completely or at least try not to barf.

Diet Idea

I'm gonna try an idea I think was on Dr Oz the other day. I'm gonna create a 1,200 calorie menu for a day and eat the identical thing for one week. When done I may go another week or create a new menu. I'm gonna start with malto meal, a small amount of marg in my cereal, milk, banana for breakfast after my run. An early dinner around 4:00 of turkey burger, a vegie, and a green salad with only balsamic vinegar on it. Because I seem to think I need to eat at bedtime, I'm going back to what I was doing last year when I lost 14# and eat a bag of Kettle Corn which is 100 calories in a bag and come in different flavors. I think I'm finally motivated. Adam- are you with me?!