Christmas Challenge

shanhat81 · 10-08-2011, 08:07 PM

Okay ... I'm going to get my act together with the exercise this week. Another week with an under-0.5 loss.

I just may have passed the point where light exercise is enough.

TransformingMyself · 10-08-2011, 08:40 PM

Erin, Happy to hear that! You're welcome!

When I make it with alfredo sauce, I also make parmesan chicken (chicken breast dipped in egg mixture, dipped in panko breadcrumbs (or whole wheat bread crumbs, I make mine) and parmesan cheese mixture (I usually put 1/2 cup of panko and 1/8 cup parm), placed on a cookie sheet sprayed with Pam or olive oil (The Misto is awesome, it is a spray can you add olive oil to, and it sprays out), bake in the oven at 375 degrees for 28 mins (depending on how large or thick yours are it may need more time, just cut through thickest area). They are VERY good!

CloudySky, GREAT job. You will make your Christmas goal!

I know how you feel. When we visit family, they are also pushing food on us. They never give up! LOL That is a great way to think/do things. When you form a habit, you keep going, but when you break the cycle it is hard to get started again.

Jenjulia, my husband hated fish. So I didn't make it, nor did I care. I didn't really care for it growing up. Then one day, we went to Costco. They were handing out samples of chipotle tilapia, so my husband and I decided to try it. OMG it was so good. Went to look at the box and it was filled with sodium. That turned me off. So I decided to pick up Tilapia filets, and come up with my own recipe, and I love it so much. Now my husband eats fish. Never did I think he would EVER! LOL If you want the recipe, let me know (I posted the recipe under my response to Jojo).

Sounds like you had an awesome workout yesterday! GREAT job! Sorry to hear that about the pizza. Just keep pushing forward. All of us make mistakes, what matters is what you learn from them. If you want my pizza recipe let me know, it is really good.

Jojo, tilapia is a fish. Here is my recipe: Dip tilapia in 100% whole wheat flour, then dip in egg mixture (beat two eggs in a bowl), sprinkle a little chipotle powder, chili powder, cumin, garlic powder on both sides, dip into panko bread crumbs, place on a pan (warmed up with olive oil), and cook for about 16 mins (8 mins on each side), depending on the size of your filet, you may need more or less time. I am a huge Mexican food lover too! We make awesome chicken fajitas. I slice and cook onions and green peppers, place the onions and peppers in a bowl, then I cook chicken, after chicken is cooked, I slice up the chicken place the chicken, onions and green peppers, I season it with a mixture of chipotle powder, chili powder, cumin and garlic powder (I use more chipotle powder and chili powder than I do cumin and garlic powder), then I blend a couple tomatoes into a crushed tomato or sauce and add that to the fajita mixture. Warm up corn tortillas (in a pan with Pam, or I just bought a great Taco rack on Amazon, you bake them in the oven), top the taco with shredded baby spinach, tomatoes and guacamole (smash avocado, diced onion, diced tomato, chopped cilantro, squeeze of lime juice and pepper). I also make a corn salsa. If you want the recipe, let me know.

Sounds like you had a great workout this week.

98DaysOfSummer, The struggles of every day life. Fun huh? I am right there with you. There ALWAYS seems to be something going on every weekend. When all I want to do is relax and enjoy being home. Hopefully things slow down for you soon. Yes, then the holidays! Always something! LOL

Hope you have a good weekend!

momwannabe, everyones body is different, the people pulling larger numbers, have more weight to lose. As you get closer to goal, it takes longer. Hang in there girly, your hardwork WILL pay off.

As for me. I made it to onederland today! Weighed in at 199.6! Feels GREAT! Spending the next couple of days, getting everything ready for my upcoming trip. So nice to finally feel good about myself, and I will definitely enjoy my trip for once (past 10 years, I didn't). Hope everyone has a GREAT night/weekend!

Eruanna · 10-09-2011, 03:55 AM

Took my new running shoes for a run today

I didn't realise how worn my last pair had become, but after wearing a new pair - wow! Felt like running on clouds.

Haven' weighed myself for a couple of weeks due to being sick ... not quite brave enough to check yet, but planning on hitting the gym this week so will wait until Friday.

Erin27 · 10-10-2011, 06:23 AM

Gonna be a tough WI for me this week....not only has TOM showed for the first time in 2+ years (silly weaning from breastfeeding!) but I have a huge exam today for my certification....i ALWAYS bring M&Ms with me for these big exams (Started with the SATs and its carried me thru) and will be doing so again today.....hopefully i won't overdo it, but on the flip side, I"m not going to pay too much attention to it b/c I'd rather focus on the test and not focus on what's going into my mouth....hopefully next week there will be a good woosh! ;-)

khumphrey · 10-10-2011, 11:52 AM

Rough week last week and I have stalled at 202. My mom told me this morning that maybe I cheated more than I should of, I agree. No cheating for me this week. I will be in the 190's by next week I am so determined. Good Luck All!

momwannabe · 10-10-2011, 03:35 PM

Another 0.4 down, making my weight 161.5 pounds.

TransformingMyself · 10-10-2011, 05:17 PM

Hi everyone!

Eruanna, That is great! I am the same way, don't realize you really need something, until you buy it. Can't wait to hear status.

Erin, I hate TOM! LOL Good luck on your exam! Hope you get a wooshie next week!

khumphrey, You are so close. Yes, stay clean, and you will be there quick! Good luck!

momwannabe, congrats! You are doing great! Soon you will be in the 150's! So exciting! I can't wait to see the 150's.

As for me, I weighed in today at 198.8! Feels great! I can't wait to see the 180's. That will feel amazing!

Hope everyone has a GREAT night!

jenjulia · 10-10-2011, 10:36 PM

98Days: It's tough having kids and activities, I can relate to that. Sometimes I have my kids ride their scooters or bikes and I try to do jogging jags while they get exercise too. It's not easy but the kids think it's pretty fun! When I'm waiting for the kids to be done at activities, I've seen moms speedwalk outside, that sort of thing....maybe that would help? You're doing great though! Congrats on the 5 lbs!!!

Momwannabe: Also, some of us are just starting our journey, so we might lose more initially (water weight, etc...) and then it will slow down. Keep staying focused and the weight will come off. Slower is better like Erin said...you will keep it off rather than gain back.

Transforming: You look fabulous and ready for fun! I hope your trip is great!! We love Disney too at our house. I think I might have to try the Tillapia. My husband laughed at me because he's tried to get me to eat fish for 20 years! I eat shrimp and crab. Love 'em! Can you post your pizza recipe? You have lots of good recipes and I'd love it if you would share more of them!! The produce manager of our grocery store ordered some spaghetti squash and it should be here soon. I'm anxious to try it out!! Also...[i]WOO HOO!!!!![/I] Congrats on making it to Onderland! I'm super excited for you!!!!

Euranna: Glad that you had a great run! New shoes are soooo nice for the feet.

Erin: Good luck with the exams! I'm sure there will be a woosh next week. TOM is no fun with the scale, that's for sure!!

khumphrey: You CAN do it! Stay focused and it will become reality!! You are so close!

I was careful with the eating this weekend but had a couple glasses of wine last night. I worked out this morning. 10 min elliptical to warm up, 40 minutes weights, 15 minutes on the treadmill. Will hopefully be down on my "weigh-in Wednesday."

TransformingMyself · 10-11-2011, 07:45 AM

Jenjulia, Thank you so much.

If you decide to try the tilapia, let me know how you like it. Funny thing is, when I get low on it in the freezer, that is the top thing on my list. My husband is the same way, he will actually count them! Saying, honey we only have 3 left. Too funny and cute. Yes, I will share my recipes, I tried to make a point of doing that before. Did you happen to see my turkey chili recipe (I posted it somewhere before, if not, easy to post it here too)? Do you like ground turkey and/or chili? It is AWESOME!

Here is the pizza recipe:

I cook 1/2 lb of chicken breast, and season it with Costco's 21 organic herb and seasoning (or you can season it with garlic powder, pepper, onion powder, oregano, and basil (make sure the garlic powder and onion powder contain no sodium). After you cook the chicken slice or dice it.
I use Boboli 100% whole wheat pizza crust.
Then I spray olive oil on it, using my Misto (awesome gadget)
Then I use Dei Fratelli (Can of crushed tomatoes with basil and herbs, no salt added) for my sauce, I put a nice layer of it on (use to make my own until I found this).
I put baby spinach on top of the sauce (I cover the whole pizza with it, single layer), top it with green pepper, onion, mushrooms, cooked chicken, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese (you can add any toppings you like), bake in the oven at 450 degrees for 8 - 10 mins. It is a great, healthy alternative!

As for me, I go back to work today. Dreading it! LOL I am all packed and ready to go! I leave in 3 days, super excited. I hope everyone has a GREAT day.

jenjulia · 10-11-2011, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TransformingMyself

Here is the pizza recipe:

I cook 1/2 lb of chicken breast, and season it with Costco's 21 organic herb and seasoning (or you can season it with garlic powder, pepper, onion powder, oregano, and basil (make sure the garlic powder and onion powder contain no sodium). After you cook the chicken slice or dice it.
I use Boboli 100% whole wheat pizza crust.
Then I spray olive oil on it, using my Misto (awesome gadget)
Then I use Dei Fratelli (Can of crushed tomatoes with basil and herbs, no salt added) for my sauce, I put a nice layer of it on (use to make my own until I found this).
I put baby spinach on top of the sauce (I cover the whole pizza with it, single layer), top it with green pepper, onion, mushrooms, cooked chicken, and 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese (you can add any toppings you like), bake in the oven at 450 degrees for 8 - 10 mins. It is a great, healthy alternative!

Yum! That sounds awesome!! I buy a different brand of whole wheat pizza crust. It's awesome! I make the kids personal pizzas using those crusts too. I bought a misto a couple years ago. I agree! It's great!! I love the idea of using the crushed tomatoes instead of sauce though. I will try that. Your pizza sounds great! Don't laugh but we had chili last night...but with ground beef. I had one cup of it with a little bit of shredded cheese on top. It fills me up so much more than a lot of foods (I think it's all the beans!). Mine is really simple, can of kidney beans, "hot" chili beans, can of chili ready tomatoes and a lb of 96/4 ground beef browned with a chopped medium onion. Put in the crock pot in the morning on medium.

I didn't eat so great this morning. I made whole grain blueberry muffins for the kids for breakfast. I had been really good at not being tempted all week last week by sugary breakfasts but today, I had two muffins. I'll have to be more careful for lunch (salad) and dinner tonight!

Haven't exercised yet today. I'm lazy getting started but I saw a woman out running today who looked like she was about my size and I was so inspired! You ladies that jog/run are amazing!! Hope everyone's having a great Monday!!

ETA: The kids had a no school day yesterday and my days are mixed up!!! Have a great TUESDAY, lol! ;-)

CloudySky · 10-11-2011, 12:26 PM

Okay well I messed up yesterday and went to pizza buffet, BUT I did a couple things I am proud of: ate a big plate of salad first with vinaigrette instead of ranch, and drank water with lemon instead of Dr. Pepper! Usually if I eat salad at the buffet, I only eat a little pile next to my mound of pizza. This time I had a whole plate of salad and some fruit. It helps that this place has an excellent salad bar. Anyway, that is my confession for the weekend. I am still on my exercising wagon though, and determined not to fall off! Not to mention I've been sick, and still managed to slug my way through those one hour walks each morning. There is a light at the end of this tunnel!

TransformingMyself · 10-11-2011, 04:31 PM

Jenjulia, I just bought the Misto a few weeks ago. One of my favorite kitchen gadgets. Love it! For Christmas, I am buying all of my siblings one with a bottle of olive oil. LOL The chili fills you up because of the protein and fiber. So yes, the beans help with that.

Your recipe is nice and easy! Mine is too much work. haha! Just so you know, beef is double the calories than chicken/pork/turkey. I limit my beef to maybe once or twice a month. Things happen, don't beat yourself up over the muffins. Keep pushing forward. That is great motivation. I watch Biggest Loser, and it makes me do a second workout. Which I drag my husband to do as well.

Both of us are doing this together.

CloudySky, Good to hear that is all you did. Some people can get into some serious stuff there. I use too! LOL I avoid restaurants of any kind. If the food is healthy, it still has a lot of sodium. Which I keep very low. Great job on your workouts! Hope you feel better soon.

As for me, I just got home. Feels great!

What is everyone looking to have for dinner tonight? I am making.....chipotle tilapia, and a salad (baby spinach, romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and green pepper) with homemade balsamic dressing (2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 2 tablespoons olive oil, a pinch of chives (dry green onions), a pinch of oregano, a small pinch of thyme, and a teaspoon of minced garlic), mix all ingredients together and place in the fridge for 20 mins before adding it to the salad). The salad is for 2 people (my husband and I), and it is a nice size.

Hope everyone has a GREAT night!

CloudySky · 10-12-2011, 11:54 AM

My skin is breaking out like crazy. And I have banned myself from looking at the scale in between Fridays. I hope I'm doing okay! I noticed that stepping on it hoping to see a lower number becomes addictive, so I'm not allowing my whole mission to revolve around that number. I considered making myself go even longer than a week between weigh-ins... but I guess we need to see that number to keep us accountable for what we are doing all week long!

Erin27 · 10-12-2011, 12:41 PM

Cloudy-I totally understand about stepping on the scale daily becoming addictive! I, however, need that daily check in to stay accountable...it keeps me tracking, eating well, etc...when I skip days on the scale, it gets dangerous. I do keep Wednesday as my official WI day however. The rest of the weights don't count, just Wednesday
And, since it is Wed, I WI today and as expected from TOM, my exam & M&Ms, and going to the gym for the first time in a week yesterday, I'm up 2.5 to 231....not as bad as I had expected, but hopefully I'll get rewarded next week!

CloudySky · 10-12-2011, 01:30 PM

True Erin... if I gain this week, I may go back to letting myself be obsessed, LOL! Better to be addicted to the numbers than to not lose anything at all haha... we will see Friday.