Fell off the Wagon...but still losing

After a week of Jillian, with three workouts a day, I decided that was dumb.  She has in her program, Body Revolution, that after the first week, it's only one workout a day.  I think I'll get back on the wagon with that.  Let's see what it does to do one DVD a day, and then an extra activity like walking and more.

Taking my nephew to Disney next week, so that will surely let the pounds go - with all the walking!  Looking forward to being out and at my favorite place.

I've been doing well on food, as I am not eating the calories I was at Christmas.  No one is!  Ha!  But, I'm just not buying the bad stuff to keep, and if I do, it's only because of a guest or something, and I buy what I am able to ignore.  That's a very important tip!  I do have some sweets, but mostly dark chocolate - lower in fat, calories, and sugar, high in anti-oxidants, and delicious!  I also have the Weight Watchers yogurt bars in the frozen section.  They are good when you are craving something sweet.

So, starting again, and I plan to get 100 off this year.  I really want it.  Here I go!  Stay tuned...

Jillian is Kicking My Ass!

I'm not going to lie.  This is a rigourous, tough program.  It is exactly what I needed, but after being sedentary so long, the exercise is killing me.  Luckily, today is my one day off for the week.  Working out 3 times a day is quite a lot, but it is like Hell Week.  Jillian is pushing hard this week to get my metabolism back to a normal level.  I think it's really something.

I have weighed, but Wednesday is official weigh day.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Hope it stays or shows more of a loss.

Yesterday -
Yogurt, almonds, and cinnamon
Salmon
Celery with almond butter
Tilapia with spinach salad

Today:
Eggs, Lox, and Onions
Chef Salad
Yogurt with honey and pecans
Turkey patty with a salad

It's an easy-to-follow meal plan, and the exercise is easy.  Well, putting it in the dvd player is easy.  Doing it is a whole other story!  It was very hard on my third day yesterday.  I came up with a solution to the hardwood floors and my knees - knee pads!  Duh.

I have two things about eating: you must eat early in the day to jump start your energy, and you must eat all your alloted calories, or you'll be starving by nine.

Off to REST!

New Year's Resolutions

Do they ever work?  I've had a bad habit of not keeping them.  My number one goal is to lose weight, which is why I didn't start losing till last March.  On purpose.  I got through the "Resolution" time, all the ads for losing weight that they put on during the first of the year, and my own guilt for not starting.  You may say that's a bad strategy.

This is the first time I've lost this much weight (March to now) and kept it off.

I have wavered some days, but I'm losing without a resolution.  Don't worry about missing gym membership specials, just join when they put the specials on for "bathing suit" season, or start with just food in January, if you must start in January.  Why not start now?

Okay, maybe that's asking a lot during holiday season.  But, you can start with small changes.  I did that for two years before starting to lose.

1.  Cut out soda.  Don't do it cold turkey; do it over a week, weaning yourself off the caffeine gently,           cutting out those awful headaches.
2.  Drink water between drinks at a party or just before a meal.
3.  Get a scale.
4.  Decide where you are going to begin: starting exercise and food intake is difficult to do at the same time, and really sabotages your "live it," not "diet."  You will have these habits for a long time.
5.  Plan meals.  It helps.

That's where you can start, and forget about losing until you've done these things.  That's all.  No stressing about weight, just beginning with a few alterations.  It can be done.  

The Pumpkin Got Me

I was doing so well, and even blogged about Halloween yesterday, but pumpkin got me.  Since everyone in the world is now coming out with pumpkin spice everything - because of Starbuck's Pumpkin Spice Latte, I want it all.  I'm hooked.

Pumpkin marshmallows are disgusting.  Don't bother.
     "          waffles are yummy.
     "          ice cream is pretty good.

I have never had a Pumpkin Spice Latte.  I know.  I probably should be flogged.  Anyway, when I actually make it to the gym tomorrow to work all this off and more, I may get a small PSL, just to try it. :)

I plan on making homemade pumpkin butter, as I will have control of the ingredients, and I don't with the above.  I plan on making a lot of things pumpkin!  Pumpkin is very good for you.  It's the stuff you put with it that kills the calories for the day: sugar, whipped cream, butter, and more.  BUT, if you use stevia or even splenda, well, you cut out a lot of that, and the rest of the ingredients of things can be modified as well.

Check this link for benefits of pumpkin - there are a lot!  Also, for healthy, yummy pumpkin recipes.

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/pumpkin-recipes-packed-nutrition

I'll check in tomorrow...

Losing on Vacation!

I suppose it was the all of the increased activity, but I also watched, for the most part, how I ate.

The loss was one pound on a two-week vacation, and I love it.

I would have sworn I would have gained, as I couldn't control everything.  But more often, I said, "No, thank you," and I didn't feel bad about it.  I just would say no if offered a second helping or dessert.  That's not to say I didn't love my Grandfather's homemade peanut butter-chocolate pie, or Kendra's pumpkin cookies with cream cheese chips... they were worth it.

I broke my soda rule on one leg of the trip, but it tasted good at the time, and I drank ONLY water on the next leg, so I must have flushed all that out!  LOL  Anyway, I also ate vegetarian at one home, so Darlene's chili, jalapenos, green tomato relish, and spaghetti squash were excellent and helped.  I ate more on the first leg, but I was famished after the drive and was the most active I've been for a while.  Why?

This Floridian was not used to all the hills and stairs!  I haven't lived in a two-story house for 20 years, and it is flat here.  But, all that exercise helped me to be more active.  I was on-the-go every day, and there was never really a complete down day.

I've NEVER lost weight on a vacation.  Check off one more victory!

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

Getting Back On Track With Exercise

I have not followed the exercise plan that I set out for myself.  I get all excited, get stronger and on my way, and then I quit.  Now, to be sure, I have been working out like crazy with "forced exercise."  Gardening, painting, cutting trees, and cleaning have kept me somewhat active, at least on those days.  but, there were plenty of other days that I didn't exercise.

It happens.  I just need a plan.  Just get out there and do it.  Easier said than done.  However, I have tons of support, a husband who is trying to lose as well, and we must get back in the gym.  I plan on doing yoga today to get my muscles stretched back out before I tackle the gym tomorrow.  I'd like to start basketball again.

That was really taking the weight off.  Basketball burns more than 1,000 calories an hour, according to Live Strong.

For those of you that have fallen off the wagon of exercise, or if you haven't even started, do one thing today.  Walk 10 minutes.  Do some stretching.  Play with your kids. :)