Losing on Vacation!

I'm on a 12 day trip to see all sorts of family, and I've actually lost a pound!  32 down now!  I really thought I would gain on this trip, but there's one element that it has that I am not keeping up at home: being really active.

Part of losing weight when you are over 300 pounds, (not anymore!) is moving.  Really moving.  I've been through North Carolina and Tennessee, which have one thing that Florida doesn't: hills, lots of them.  So, I've been climbing hills and stairs.  My legs and lower back are feeling it, but my stomach is smaller.  I'll take that in a heartbeat!

So, when I go home, I need to do an incline on the treadmill, walk outside for fresh air, and really stay busy.   I've got to get back to yoga, hobbies, getting the house together, and taking care of hubby while he's in his busy season.  I am sleeping better than I have in a very long time, and I know it is due to all the activity.  Got to stay busy.

After all, isn't that what life is all about?

Eating on Vacation

Vacation and food go together, unfortunately.  However, there are ways to combat this evil!

Make food for the car or whatever ride you are in.  I'm on a car trip, so my hubby made chicken salad for me.  A couple of bananas, and I was on my way.  I did have a Frappe, but I had to stay awake!  For dinner, I made sure to fill half my plate with salad, a small piece of meat, some potatoes and a corn muffin.  Gotta have cornbread in the south!  It was a good food day.

Today will be challenging as it is my first full day on vacation, and I'm not in control of everything, only what I put in my mouth.  I'll have a small breakfast, since we are going out to lunch.  I hope there is some yogurt in the fridge.  I'll pick up some if there isn't.  It's my go to breakfast.

Join me on my other blog, Veronica the Vagabond to see updates on my trip!

Low-Cal, Elegant Birthday Lunch

My future son-in-law made a delicious meal for my birthday over the weekend.  Kristina felt horrible about taking me to a buffet for Mother's Day, citing one of my past posts, too.  I explained to her that there were three events that weekend, and I should have chosen one of the events, preferably the one with her, to have my treats, and cut back on the other two events.  I hope she got it.

Anyway, I had small slices of skirt steak with chimichurri sauce, garlic smashed cauliflower, and a side of green salad.  We had the best chocolate mousse I ever had, and it was made out of avocado and dark chocolate as the main ingredients, and don't balk at the avocado.  You can't even taste it - it's a healthy thickening agent.  It was fantastic.  Overall, smaller portions of great food will leave you satisfied.  I loved it.

Now hubby is in the kitchen making an equally healthy meal. :)

Mousse recipe, from Giada De Laurentiis by way of Carlos Cabeleiro...

Ingredients
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, such as Ghirardelli
4 very ripe (8 ounce) avocados, peeled and pitted
1/2 cup agave
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/3 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon fine salt
Fresh raspberries, for garnish
Directions
Place the chocolate chips in a small bowl. Place over a small saucepan of barely simmering water. Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. Set aside to cool slightly.

Place the melted chocolate, avocados, agave, cocoa powder, almond milk, vanilla and salt in a food processor. Blend until smooth and creamy, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Spoon into glasses and refrigerate for at least 3 hours (can be prepared 1 day in advance). Garnish with fresh raspberries and serve.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-avocado-mousse-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

Motivation When the Scale is Stalled

You simply keep going.  I've tried to analyze it, get out of exercise, not eat (thinking I would lose more), and more... but the fact is that you have to do two things: exercise and eat plenty.  Yes, calories must be considered, but they are not the only factor.  Drinking water helps flush and cleanse your body and blah, blah, blah ... you've heard it all, right?  Well, it's unfortunately true.

You've got to rid yourself of processed foods as much as possible.  Eat fresh and you'll lose weight.  If my husband did not insist on meat, as he is a typical carnivore, then my grocery bill would be even lower.  I have saved money since eating healthier.  You wouldn't think so, but switching out berries for ice cream or tea for soda, with no sugar, can save money.  Ice cream is expensive and so is soda, pop, or coke - whatever you call it.

Where's the motivation?  Keeping busy with all of the above can give you the motivation to see it on the scale.  Losing over 30 pounds now did something for me.  I am more motivated.  Getting my body rid of toxic food has done it as well.  I still eat fried food every once in a while, but have cut it out for the most part.  I had a diet coke the other day.  It tasted gross.  When I can get rid of a bad habit, I do feel more motivation.

I can do stairs with more ease.  That alone is reason enough to keep going.  That, and I'm not dead yet.