Sunday, February 28, 2016

Exercise

My challenge this week is to find exercise you can do while recovering from the flu.  I found some great mat workouts that you use a chair or you lay on the floor. They didn't get my heart rate up but....I lost inches and feel sore when I am done.  Somebody told me that I have coughed enough that I should have a 6 pack... Don't worry I wanted to punch them!

Hope everybody has an awesome week.
I'm glad to read I wasn't he only one who didn't do well this week! We went out of town, and I forgot to get snacks while driving. So, of course we stopped and got gas station food...forgetting all about this weeks challenge.
Looks like this is one I need to try again! I can't believe it's almost over! Thanks to Stephanie for her amazing job and her awesome family!!! You make each week more exciting!

Hope everyone has a great last week!

2 Weeks too long

Well as luck would have it last week I did no sweets as my personal goal and this week it was the group challenge. Turns out it this week was the perfect week because I was presented with all sorts of opportunities to have it and passed it up saved me a lot of calories...This week I am doing it as a goal for the competition but I really want to keep this no sugar thing up:)

Friends Ruin Everything

This week we had some friends in town visiting us we love them but while they were here we didnt make smart decisions about food and ate out way too many times....oh well
This challenge is almost over. Crazy! At times it went slow and at times it went fast. Good luck everyone and hang in there.

Crock Pot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

I am trying SO hard to meal plan better and this is on the menu for tomorrow:

Crockpot Chicken Wild Rice Soup

Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked wild rice
1 pound chicken breasts
2 cups mirepoix (chopped celery, carrots, and onions)
6 cups chicken broth
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
½ cup butter
¾ cup flour
2 cups whole milk
a few tablespoons white wine (optional)
up to 2 cups additional milk or water

Instructions
1. Rinse the wild rice. Place the uncooked wild rice, raw chicken, mirepoix, chicken broth, and poultry seasoning in a crockpot. Cover and cook on low for 7­8 hours. The chicken should be cooked through and the rice should be soft. There will be extra liquid in the crockpot; do not drain.
2. Remove the chicken breasts from the crockpot and allow to cool slightly. Using two forks, shred the chicken. Return the shredded chicken to the crockpot.
3. When rice and chicken are done cooking, melt the butter in a saucepan. Add the flour and let the mixture bubble for 1 minute. Slowly whisk in the whole milk until a thick, creamy mixture forms. Stir in the wine.
4. Add this to the rice and chicken in the crockpot and stir

Source: http://pinchofyum.com/crockpot-chicken-wild-rice-soup

I ain't need no stinking sweets!!!!

I though that this week was going to be the hardest yet. It proved to be not to bad. There are 4 hours left in this week, but as of right now I still have one more cheat day in the bank!!! One last full week!!! Do Work!

Saturday, February 27, 2016

Pork Chop Recipe

Simple and delish.


Slow Cooker Honey Pork Chops and Apples
Source: 
Recipe type: Crockpot
Prep time:  
Cook time:  
Total time:  
Serves: 6
Ingredients
  • 3-4 lb of pork chops (boneless or bone in)
  • 2 large granny smith apples. sliced -- we did pink lady
  • ½ cup honey
  • 2 tbsp cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Place apple slices in bottom of the slow cooker.
  2. Drizzle ½ of the honey over apple slices.
  3. Place pork chops on top of apple slices.
  4. Sprinkle cinnamon over everything.
  5. Place remaining apple slices on top and drizzle the remaining honey over everything.
  6. Place lid on and cook on low for 6-8 hours, depending on how much pork is in it.
  7. Remove from slow cooker and serve with apples on top.

More

I stalled out with my weight loss and decided to try something that honestly scares me. I'm breastfeeding and have been tracking my calories....I had this feeling that maybe I was undereating. (I know it sounds crazy) So I upped my calorie intake. SCARES THE CRUD out of me. But so far, it has worked. I dropped a little more on the scale (that was before mexican night with some friends because one is moving). We shall see monday if it truly did the trick.

The Journey

I started this journey on fire, ready to tackle any and all things. But I truly have struggled in several ways.  And to top it all off, last week, I tried to get on line a few times to blog, and the internet wouldn't work. So I didn't get my blog post done. Blah!  But, even though I have hardly lost any pounds, I have lost some inches, and I am getting stronger. So, the journey has been rough, I am not nearly where I want to be, but I am going to celebrate what accomplishments I have done.  My heart is healthier, I have lost some inches, and above all- my kids are loving all the smoothies I am making. I am remembering eating and cooking doesn't need to consume me. I need to accept myself where I am, who I am, and just enjoy life.

Ditto

Can I just type Amen to what Stephanie wrote, that about sums up my week.  I would love this to be the last week because I lost about 5 lbs. from the stomach bug this week.  I know I will gain most of it back but I am trying hard not to and having no sweets has helped.  My exercise points will be slightly down but I tried to get them in, just not the way I normally would have; walking the dog had to count instead of TRX etc.  I have definitely found more motivation, especially before the bout of sickness.  I am eating better and trying new workouts and feeling better mind and body. Seeing results DOES help I will say.  Here's to sticking to the end.

I Don't need Sugar...

I am sweet enough!

The no sugar, sweets, treats, desserts challenge is always a tough one for me.  This week it was pretty easy...thanks to a wonderful bout of the stomach flu.  I didn't crave any food at all!  I was kind of wishing the final weigh-in was yesterday, the dehydration diet seemed to knock off a few pounds.  I did miss my exercise a lot!  Hoping to finish my final week stronger than this one!




Success

My evolving definition of success:
Doing things you don't necessarily want to do
Positive attitude even during setbacks
Proactive decisions rather than reactive ones
Joy in the journey

Friday, February 26, 2016

Embrace the Journey

I was watching extreme weight loss on tv while getting my workout in, the trainer was talking
about embracing the journey.  And it hit me (ding ding light bulb moment) that instead of just trying to get through a challenge and going back to the ways that lead to being unhealthy I should be embracing the journey and the way I feel now!  When we first started this challenge I had let my health slip and exercise had become harder drinking water had been harder now its so much easier to reach for that water.  So much easier to go for that walk, or to work in the yard.  It feels good to exercise!!  Its great to be able to  jump on that elliptical and be able to go for an hour.  I Cant wait to be able to hike and do things this summer and just feel better.    

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Workout progress

I had several goals for this challenge. One of them was to increase my workout endurance, another to increase my upper body strength. I decided that using the Insanity workouts could help with both of these.  Due to some nagging injuries I've dealt with for years (and a healthy dose of laziness), I haven't followed the workout schedule all that closely. In fact, I've mixed in a lot of 50 minute walks as my daily workouts.  You may remember that at the end of my first Insanity workout all I wanted to do was vomit.  Well, that hasn't changed all that much; but I do have good news to report. Tonight I did the Fit Test for the second time in this challenge and I averaged a 50% improvement in each category. Some categories were only a 25% increase, but others were over 75%!  

My weight and inch loss haven't been as dramatic as in prior challenges, but I'm still very encouraged  with my progress. We only have a couple more weeks to go. Stay strong and keep pushing...there's a big slice of chocolate cake waiting at the other side of the challenge!

Week 6 Results and Prize Winner

One remains at the top who has yet to miss a point!  Nice work James!  A lot of you had perfect scores last week!  Keep it up everyone!  If you didn't send me your scores yet, let me know ASAP and I'll add it to the totals.


1. James              564
2.  Weston           563
3.  Mary G.          561
4.  Clark              560
5.  Jenni F.          559
5.  Patty               559
6.  Jennifer J.       558
7.  Melanie          553
8.  Mary C.          549
9.  Ashley            548
10.  Steve            542
11.  Cindy           539
12.  Stephanie     532
13.  Megan          522
14.  Sarah            514
15.  LauriAnn     504
16.  Sam             496

Week 6 Prize Winner:
Apparently making videos once a week for the past several months has inspired my 7 year old, Ethan, to get in on the action.  Tonight's prize video is brought to you by him.  Let's see who won that $5 Subway gift card.


Sunday, February 21, 2016

I didn't blog last week and I almost let this week get away. It's been really hard to stay motivated these last two weeks. It looks like a lot of us are "struggling" in some way or another. I twisted my knee three weeks ago and haven't been able to get back to running. I know that weight loss is like 80% of what you eat but it's so much more motivating for me to eat well when I'm exercising, and when I say exercising I mean running. Running is the only thing I like to do constantly. Anyway, I've got to get my eating back in check. Here we go!!! I may not win anything this time around but I'm not going to throw in the towel (even though I've thought about it).

Sarah

Traveling

I had a very quick trip for a work conference this weekend that I thought was going to make me miss some sleep and exercise points.  Instead I was reminded that I could park my car a little farther from the airport, spend 50 minutes walking up and down the terminal while waiting to board, and sleep like a baby on the 3.5 hour flight...and here I am with another decent week.  I had another moral victory Friday night.  I knew I would be pinched for time to eat with all the traveling, and that my food choices would be poor (not that I necessarily mind a cheat day now and then), so I skipped breakfast, ate a fast food lunch and then had cheese crackers for dinner when I arrived at the hotel.  I still finished the day 140 calories below my calorie goal and didn't do any snacking.  That may not seem like much, but for me it was huge to make the decision that I didn't need to go get a bigger meal for dinner.  I could just eat a small amount to take the edge off, and wait for the morning for a better meal.

Every little bit helps! 

Just Keep Holding On

I feel the general vibe is that most are ready for this competition to be over!  Keep pushing!  Think about your first two weeks, everyone was so ready to go then...let's have a repeat of the beginning.

There have been some great success stories though so far!  I know a few that have killed their weight loss goals, others that feel stronger, some that are fitting into pants a size smaller!  My success story of the week was that I could do the mountain climbers with my feet in the straps at TRX, granted I had to take a break once in the set of 30...but when I started a few months ago I could only do 3.  Just keep on keepin' on!



My addictions...

Not only am I addicted to food...but caffeine is one of my huge addictions. I have it everyday! Have any of you ever struggled with cutting the habit?? I have tried cold turkey but it only lasts a few days and then I am convincing my self that I need it again! Help!!!

This week I had a few too many cheat weeks! So yesterday I made a giant vege tray to snack on this week! I am hoping it's going to help! Hope you all have a great week!

Recommitted

This challenged has been way harder for me mentally than I thought it would be.  I can "follow" all the rules and still keep too many bad habits.  I am like Sam and have found a better commitment to get through to the end.  The beginning was great, middle was rocky, so I'm hoping to end with a bang.  I found a great metabolic class on Saturday that kicked my butt which gave new life to my workouts; but working out has never been my issue....eating is, I LOVE FOOD!  Here's to enduring to the end. ;)

In or Out!! Dead or Alive!!

So I am not a quitter.. but I have been thinking about ending this challenge all week.  I have lost exercise points which is totally devastating for me....However, when you can't get out of bed I don't know how you can exercise!!  I have been struck by influenza B+ (the doctor added the + to be funny)  I guess if you don't eat you don't have to exercise....RIGHT!!!  I will have to see how many days I can't exercise.

The funniest part was when I looked at the tracking sheet and said...Crap I haven't done the group challenge...Healthy Snacking...Then I laughed...I'm not eating...NO SNACKING!! I hope everyone is laughing at me because I am MENTALLY ILL (when it comes to diet and exercise)!!

Abstinence

This week I found that abstaining from snacking was the only way I was able to comply with this week's challenge. It led me to eat meals at a more regular time. Glad its over

Mangos are healthy snacks

Eatin a mango readin a book, Ashley told me I needed to blog, bet ya can guess what I'm doing now that the blog done been writ!

Going Home

One of the biggest set backs for me in my dieting is going home to Vernal. My parents have sooooooooooo much food in their house...it is not good for a healthy snack challenge...

Nearly Forgot

For some reason, I thought I already blogged but apparently I was wrong. Glad I checked. I feel reinvigorated for these final 3 (ish) weeks. I had a hiccup in the middle of the challenge and it really threw me off but I will make these last 3 weeks the best yet. I doubt I will place but losing a few more pounds will be reward enough (that's what i'm telling myself anyway). So let's go rock the end of this challenge!

Saturday, February 20, 2016

What I've Discovered...

Menchies. Low calories and tastes good. Liking the angel food cake flavor at the moment. I tried most of the kinds and ended up liking the one with only 45 calories for 1/2 cup. 

Friday, February 19, 2016

What's the Hardest Part of Challenge For You?

The hardest thing for me is drinking 64 oz water.  Honestly, I feel like I can never be too far from a bathroom!  It's especially hard when I'm working (teaching school) because I can't just leave any ol' time.   I'm always so glad when I get down that last 8 oz of water and can stop drinking for the rest of the evening.  #firstworldproblems

struggling

Trying to keep motivated but struggling. The scale is just not moving like it should.  Need a new plan to lose this darn weight.  I know I need to plan my meals better.  I've heard meal prep is the key, but easier said then done! The goal for this weekend is to lay out a balanced meal plan and prep.  Somehow I will get my mojo back!!  Why do I gain so easy but it is soo hard to lose?? errg

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Drowning

I am still on the band wagon. Don't worry. BUT I feel like I'm drowning. Drowning in the little day to day activities, housework, homeschooling, wife-hood, mother-hood, church responsibilities, etc. I KNOW I'm not going to lose the weight I wanted to lose during these 8 weeks. BUT I also KNOW I'm not giving up. I just wish everything could just STOP so I could meal plan, prep, eat and clean up 3-5 times a day....and lose weight. Ha. Wish it was that easy!!

CrossFit

Last week I failed to blog about my new workout so I thought I would do it this week. I decided to find a CrossFit workout because it seems to be all the rage right now. I just googled "cross fit workout" and came up with lots of choices. A couple of things I learned:

1. "WOD" is the work out of the day 
2.  "Box" is what they call a local gym
3. "AMRAP" is as many reps/reps as possible
4.  "For time" means to do the workout as prescribed and record your time

The workout I did didn't look much different than some of the HIIT workouts I have done in the past and unfortunately I can't find the exact one to share, LOL.  What I liked most is that a lot (all?) of the WODs are meant to be about 20 min and I think that is great. A big impact in a small amount of time. I am actually considering doing some classes at a box but I am kind of chicken. Ha!

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Week 5 Results and Prize Winner

Another great week in the books!  Keep it up, the finish line is in sight!


1. James            470
1.  Jenni F.        470
1.  Weston         470
2.  Clark            467
2.  Patty             467
2.  Mary G.        467
3.  Jennifer J.     465
3.  Mary C.        465
4.  Melanie        460
4.  Ashley         460
5.  Elise             459
6.  Cindy           458
6.  Stephanie     458
7.  Katie            457
8.  Steve            455
9.  Sarah            438
10.  Megan        439
11.  LauriAnn    425
12.  Sam            402

Week 5 Prize Winner!  $10 Target gift card!

Guys, I'm strugglin'

I forgot to blog last week! For the first time in any of my challenges with Stephanie, I forgot to blog. I'm having a hard time finding motivation lately. I'm getting all my sleep points, but I am exhausted and low-energy. I go to the gym, do my workouts, but getting out of the house is a struggle. I can already tell I'm probably not going to get the group challenge points this week. Second day in a row I forgot about only healthy snacks until after I popped a piece of candy or goldfish crackers in my mouth. That probably means my mindless snacking is out of control...

The Evil Donut Bringer

I keep dropping the ball on the blog, but the rest of the challenge has been going well for me.  Last week I was sick, the kids were sick, and worst of all the husband was sick (man colds are real).  Despite having some days where I didn't feel great, I worked out 6 days and really focused on being aware of what I was eating and why I was eating it.

I listened to a podcast last week called Happier (or something) by Gretchen Rubin and her sister and they discussed "the evil donut bringer," or the person who is trying do something nice by bringing you and your office (or whatever have you) free food.  I have been trying to lay off the "free food" (which is usually not remotely calorie-free) and only eat things I genuinely want.  I was surprised by how much I felt obligated to eat things people bring, that I don't necessarily want, just because I feel bad about wasting things or hurting their feelings.  No more!  I have also vowed not to be "the evil donut bringer" and have tried to give people non-edible tokens rather than food.  This week I made a valentine for the people I visit teach that involved some chapstick.  Hopefully they don't eat that.

Sunday, February 14, 2016

Water Aerobics

This week truly has been a tough one! I am nowhere close to where I would like/ expected to be by this time in the challenge, but at least a little progress is still progress. I tried a new water aerobics class at the YMCA and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I will most definitely be adding it to my weekly routine. Here's to hoping this week will bring better results!

Loved this weeks challenge!

Oh man!! Lots of fun this week! I decided to try some Amazon Prime free workout videos! Ha ha
Not only did I sweat, but I had some awesome laughs and even had a workout that prayed before they got started! I guess praying before a workout can't hurt! ;)
So, I found that I am controlling my breakfast and lunch great. But then 3pm hits.  And I want carbs. And then dinner time is terrible!
What are you doing with your families to have healthier dinners? This is like my cheat meal and I know it shouldn't be!

New Class

This week for my new work out I chose to attend a new class at the gym. It was called RPM. I didn't know this was 'code' for a spinning class. I have done spinning before, but not for many many months. I was WASTED! I enjoyed the class. It is a 'Les Mills' class - thus the different name. It was a little bit different than spinning classes I've taken in the past, and I took my daughter with me. BONUS, she really liked it - so we will continue going! In other news, I completely fell off the wagon called 'avoiding sweets' this week....so I am going to FIND the wagon and GET BACK ON ASAP! I hope everyone has had a nice Valentine's Day!

A little time on the trails....

My new exercise this week was hitting the trails in the foothills around Boise. It was a hit! I loved it, baby Hunter loved it...it was great weather too. Yes the deer hat on hunter made everyone who met us on the trails smile. It was fun to change it up.