30 Days of me- Day 4

My husband works graveyard and every other weekend, so most of my weeknights (after the gym and cooking dinner) look much like this:

Doggy and I finally getting to relax. I had a really crappy day, I went to my weightwatcher meeting and GAINED a whole freaking lb. Not a 1/2 lb or a few ounces, but a whole freaking pound!! I have no idea how that happened I have been eating my points and exercising my butt off. Its times like this that make me wonder if it worth it sometimes. I shouldn't be getting this discouraged in the beginning, but its not like I fell off the wagon last week, I just felt like that pound was totally undeserved. However, I still dragged my ass to the gym after my meeting and then did my weekly grocery shopping. I baked some lowfat red velvet cupcakes and that seemed to take up some of my time which was nice, but I am still very disappointed.

Oh well, new week right??

30 Days of Me- Day 3

A picture of the cast of your favorite TV show:

I told you I have a secret love affair with teeny-bopper shows!! I love them I am addicted to so many more like CSI, NCIS, Criminal Minds, Greek, Blue Bloods, way too much TV. Thank God for DVR or I would never leave the house lol.


Last night was a good gym night. I was a little disappointed being thrown off my routine, but I was able to work out harder after giving my muscles a break from the beating my personal trainer has written out. So I am off again today and this weekend to bust my butt and this Monday he will give us another weekly workout routine. My emotions waiver between being really excited at what I am doing and just tired of the hardwork. Thankfully I have the support of my loving husband who makes me not want to come home after skipping a workout for fear that he will lose more weight than me. HAHA!!

30 Days of Me- Day 2

This was taken almost 6 months ago with my mom and I at my Bridal Shower. She moved to AZ about 5 years ago and we still talk every day and I can tell her anything. I am actually preparing to go see her for a week in February for her birthday and mini vacation. I cant wait to be off work and relax, ahh dreams....

As for my journey, I cant believe January is almost over. This week has been kind rough for me, I think I drank all my spare my points on Saturday at the hockey game and then the day of my first personal trainer appointment I was so tired all I wanted to do was run to Jack n' the Box, and that I did! I took off 2 days already from the gym, which means I HAVE to go on Friday, my normal day off. Well hopefully it all pays off on Saturday.

30 Days of Me!

I've decided to go along with the crowd and join in on the 30 Day Photo thing. It looks like a ton of fun!! If you're not familiar, you just post a picture each day that goes along with a certain topic.1. A picture of yourself along with 15 Topics.
2. A picture of you and person you’ve been the closest with the longest
3. A picture of the cast of your favorite show
4. A picture of your night
5. A picture of your favorite memory
6. A picture of a person you’d love to trade places with for a day
7. A picture of most treasured item
8. A picture that makes you laugh
9. A picture of a person who has gotten you through the most
10. A picture of the person you do the craziest things with
11. A picture of something you hate
12. A picture of something you love
13. A picture of your favorite band or artist
14. A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without
15. A picture of something you want to do before you die
16. A picture of someone who inspires you
17. A picture of something that has made a huge impact on your life recently
18. A picture of your biggest insecurity
19. A picture of you when you were little
20. A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel
21. A picture of something you wish you could forget
22. A picture of something you wish you were better at
23. A picture of your favourite book
24. A picture of something you wish you could change
25. A picture of your day
26. A picture of something that means a lot to you
27. A picture of yourself and a family member
28. A picture of something your afraid of
29. A picture that can always make you smile
30. A picture of someone you missHopefully with this, you guys can get to know me a little better.

DAY 1

1. I am my mom's only child, but I have 3 step brothers
2. I am obsessed with the color pink
3. I have over 75 different MAC eyeshadows
4. I have been engaged twice
5. I just got married September 18, 2010
6. I haven't changed my last yet, because I have individuality issues.
7. I have control issues
8. I love cold french fries
9. I could put buffalo sauce on anything
10. I graduated high school early
11. My favorite thing on Saturdays is laying in bed and catching up on "smut" TV. Real Housewives, Jerseylicious, Greek, Hellcats, etc...
12. My current fear is being able to be financially stable enough to have a child
13. My mom is my best friend
14. I have a love/hate relationship with shoes
15. As much as I say my husband is spoiled, he deserves it all. He cooks, he cleans, he works all night and does everything around the house. So yes he deserves his motorcycle, but dont tell anyone....

Stylish Blogger Award

I was so excited to receive the Stylish Blogger Award from Tee of http://downsizediva-newme.blogspot.com/. It is a great blog and I feel honored to have her give it to me :) So here are the rules...
1. Post and link back to the person who awarded you this award
2. Share 7 things about yourself
3. Award 15 recently discovered great bloggers (or as many as you can)
4. Contact these bloggers and tell them they've won.

Seven Things About Me:
1. I have a German Shepherd, Cali- who is my husband and I's child for now

2. I am OCD about my closet-- it is in color order by sleeve length
3. I am the PICKIEST person on food ever-- I dont eat veggies and just started eating salad last year
4. As much as I complain about my job, I love what I do and am happy that I'm doing something I went to school for.
5. I have a secret addiction to teeny-bopper shows and basically anything on ABC Family
6. I love Valentine's Day more than Xmas because I love seeing all the PINK
7. I have a hard time processing real emotions and in turn make a joke out of everything--people say I am like a guy.

BLOGS!!!
- http://wolfpackchick10.blogspot.com/ -- Thinspiration
- http://dietchiconamission.blogspot.com/
- http://ariathel.blogspot.com/ -- Half of myself
- http://www.plumpnonfiction.blogspot.com/ -- Plump Non Fiction

Challenge

I have recently been inspired by dietchiconamission's blog and how far she has come running 5k's. So I have decided to follow the C25k.com, it seems to have great results with people and they even have a Facebook page. The Couch 2 5k is a nine week program whose idea is transforming couch potatoes into runners. I figure if this program works for me than it can definitely work for EVERYONE. I am not the type of person to run, I still curse the person who thought it would be fun to just run for the heck of it. If someone is not chasing me, wielding some kind of weapon, I really don't see the point in running. However, I really want to be fit and enjoy running and it is so great for your body, health, etc. So here I am; I joined their facebook page and printed out the program, I even went as far as buying the IPhone app, which is really geat because it allows you to play your music and has verbal cues to tell you when to run and walk.

Yesterday was the first day I started the program and while it was tough, it was definitely not unbearable. The first week consists of sarting off with a 5min walk and then walking for 90secs and running for 60secs and you do this for 30mins. I completed it and felt very proud of myself and my thighs are SO sore this am. I wanted to try again today, but I start our Physical Training program tomorrow and didnt want to be in pain while getting my butt whooped.

So more to come!!!

Weigh In Day- 238.8

I realized as I was updating my signature to say "good bye 240's" that last year this time I was saying goodbye 220's. Rather than feeling accomplished at losing 2.2bs I found myself beating myself up. It's hard sometimes when you realize how many times you have tried and failed. I feel really optimistic about this this time, but it is still in the back of my head that I am going to fail.

Anyways on a lighter note I lost another 2.2 that brings me to 238.8. Which is a great accomplishment, I just need to get over the disappointment each time I get on the scale. This is a great loss and I should be super excited, but part of me can't help, but think why not more? I got 52 activity points, I didnt touch my spare points why didn't I see a bigger loss? I know its not going to be an easy journey, but I don't understand why it is so hard sometimes. Part of me wonders if I wasnt working out would I lose the same? I have never worked out this hard in my life and had I weight loss just the same....

Happy mood time--- I am down 4.4lbs, which is great. My husband and I also start our 10wk personal trainer/nutrition class on tomorrow!! EEEKKK. I find that he is definitely more supportive and seems to want to follow the program for himself now and he is doing great, he says he is down 7lbs! I am so happy for him and also want to punch him in the face at the same time!! lol

Good Luck Everyone!!

Day 19- Emotions..

So I am finding this process easier and easier. When I was younger dieting was very difficult because my food groups consisted of burgers and fries and of course sweets. I actually eat salads now and when I am starving and would order buffalo wings and cheese sticks to start I order a salad and find myself satisfied.

I have been working out at the gym and I am really enjoying it. I racked up 39 activity points since Saturday!! This is amazing for me coming from someone who would lay in bed all weekend. I am actually excited to get on the scale on Saturday, I really want to cheat and jump on early and see how I am doing, but I dont want it to sway my emotions in either direction.

Speaking of cheating... I have really been craving pizza. So I am thinking of sharing a little bit with the husband so I dont go overboard later. I love the Points+ program because it allows you to a what you want and not feel like you are starving yourself.

Nothing is worth having if you are not fighting for it.

Bean Brownies?? :P

So I heard about these Bean Brownie things a few months ago when I was doing the South Beach Diet and since they have so much protein they were suggested as a good low carb dessert. However, I HATE HATE HATE beans. Did you ge that everyone I HATE beans, they make me want to gag, the smell, the look, the taste, everything. So there was no way in HELL I was going to try bean brownies. How dare someone even thinkng of adding beans to my heavenly, never done anything wrong to you brownies. So months later here I am making freaking bean brownies in attempts to satisfy my brownie craving in a hopefully a much healthier alternative.

I included the recipe below from Gina's website http://www.skinnytaste.com/

Black Bean Brownies
Servings: 20 servings • Serving Size: 1 brownie • Calories: 194 • Points: 2 ww points

• 1 can (15 oz.) black beans
• 1 box brownie mix

Open can of beans, drain and rinse well. Put beans back in the can and fill can with water. Put beans and water in blender until smooth. Mix pureed beans with brownie package mix. DO NOT add eggs or oil. Spray baking dish with Pam. Cook brownies according to package directions. Cool and serve.

Adding the bean puree to my brownies.

Brownie Mix in the pan and a picture of the mix I used

 So if you despise beans as much as I do I dont advise taking a big whiff of the mixutre inside the blender once you pull the lid off. YUCK. I also LOVE LOVE LOVE brownie mix to me eating the mix is more special then the actual baked brownie. However I was extremely nervous to taste the mix, but I did.... I could taste the beans!! I almost threw out the mix right then and there, but I trudged on. They actually look amazing and smelled even better coming out of the oven and the taste... they are heavenly they are much more dense and heavy, due to the lack of eggs but you can't tell the difference. I suggest you all try them!!

I am also on to make pumpkin butter today...

Day 14- 241 lbs

So I had my first weigh in after being on Weight Watchers again and I am down 2.2lbs!!! It felt really great and I hope to keep up the good work. I have been going to the gym now for 2 weeks and I find the strength growing in my arms and the weights getting a little easier, so now it's time to push myself a little harder.  However, I do truly feel old my hip is hurting from working out and I feel like an old lady hobbling around.

I got into a fight with the husband the other day, he has been trying to support me and is even counting points himself. However, only after a week of eating healthy he is OVER IT!! He tells me he is bored and the food is gross (everything we have made he said he likes). He needs to lose the weight more than I do and has astronmically high blood pressure, but he also thinks he is fine and doesnt seem to care. I know I cant make him, but I just want him to want it.

I heard a good piece of advice from someone in my meeting today, she had lost 50lbs and the leader asked how long she had been a Weight Watcher. Her response was something I will probably hold onto forever. She said that when you tell someone how much weight you lost, people's first question is "How long did it take?" she that time will always go by it doesnt matter how long it takes it will slowly come off who cares how much each time as long as you are losing. Of course it was much more eloquent coming out of her mouth, but she was right. Who cares if its 2.2 or .2.

Day 12

So far so good, I am finding it harder to get to the gym because I am so tired lately, maybe I need a multi vitamin to pick up some of the slack. Rest assured I still went to the gym and kicked my butt. Does anyone else find it harder to be on the treadmill than the elliptical? I tried to jog and got as far as 2 mins and wanted to die, lol. But I find it refreshing that I keep going regardless.

I also meant to mention I overheard this woman in my meeting last week talking about an amazing webite that list point values next to all her recipes and I went and checked it out this week and it is amazing! So I thought I would share the love with all of you. So please go check out http://www.skinnytaste.com/.

Great Page for Free Layouts!!

http://hotbliggityblog.com/backgrounds.php

Day 7- 243.2lbs

Ok so there it is world, the heaviest I have ever been. I went to my first Weight Watcher Meeting on the new diet today and boy was it packed. I cant really judge, there I was in the long line of people joining to start their new years resolution as well. It went well had a great time playing with all the PointsPlus items I bought the calculator and the Essential Member Kit (3 month Journal, Complete Food Companion, Dining Out Companion). I dont think I will use the journal or the calculator that much since I have the WW Iphone App., it also has all the foods and restaurants there as well, but sometimes you just need the tactile gratifiation of the books.
I also bought 3 WW Cookbooks (Annual Recipes for Success- 2008, 2009, 2010) online a week ago, 2 have just come in and I cant wait to try some new recipes. I am also much happier to have bread back in my life. I figured I didnt lose anything during the week I cut out carbs that I am just going to do it the WW way and at least I will feel more satisfied and less apt to fall off the wagon :)
Still loving the new gym and am really excited about this new program.


Toodles All

Bathroom Stalls

I was at a restaurant today and realize something while using the restroom. I want to get to a wait where I dont curse the creator of the bathroom stall doors that swing in. Do you guys know which ones I am talking about? The ones where you have to press yourself against against the wall or back by the toilet to open and close the door. Yes those are the ones, and I promise by the end of the year I will not hate the man (yes I am convinced it was a man) who created them.

Staring at a Crunch Bar

I really want to eat this Nestle Crunch Bar so bad right now. Someone help me!!!

DAY 5

I kinda missed the blog and I was only away for two day apparently this place is growing on me and I havent even done this for that long.

So Day 3 Hubby and I went and researched gyms in our area and we looked at both LifeStyle Rx and Livermore Valley Tennis Club. I really like Lifestyle Rx because they had a nutrition program with personal training included but it was kinda pricy at $1400 and this was in addition to the $161/month for two of us.
Livermore Valley Tennis Club this place was huge almost like a campus and had a ton of programs for little ones which I knew would be more our thing in a year or two. Granted LVTC didnt have the nutrition class, but they did have personal training so we decided that was ok and they have 3 pools and are cheaper at $155!!! So we signed up!!

As we were signing up one of the personal trainers was checking his book and happened to overhear me asking what the personal training costs were and he told us there was this great program called A NEW YOU. Its 10wk program where it is a 4-1 personal trainer, they go over nutrition and go through different exercises. So we signed up at a much better rate by the way-$325. So here is to a NEW ME and a NEW HUSBAND lol! Im scared, this guy is going to kick my ass. We start 1/24 wish me luck...


As for today- I am feeling a little bored with my meals. I am tired of turkey and salads and I am really craving carbs and sugar. I went and worked out on the elliptical today, did 2 miles in 30mins which I guess is a good start. I felt really good after and came home and Hubby cooked a fantastic meal. I just sometimes wish there was a whole magic pill type thing for weight....

Maple Bourbon Glazed Turkey Cutlets

I will try and post some recipes to hopefully inspire healthy cooking to the readers. Let me first start off by saying I am super picky and 2 my husband does all of the cooking as I have a great way of ruining everything I touch. I really should go on the Worlds Worst Cook Show on Food Network. Anyways in hopes of trying to keep my husband excited about dieting we have picked a few new recipes to try. Here is Day 1 of new recipes maybe I could turn this into some sort of Julie/Julia thing, lol.

1. Maple Glazed Turkey Cutlets
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon dried thyme
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 1/2 lbs turkey cutlets

Glaze 

1 cup maple syrup (lowfat)
2/3 cup bourbon
1 teaspoon pepper

The glaze was super sweet it needed something, maybe orange juice to cut through all the sweet or even chipotle for some heat. It was just too sweet and missing a note of something, but it wasnt going to keep me from eating my turkey...I love turkey cutlets

Freeze Dried Fruit??

I have always loved freeze dried strawberries (like the ones in Special K-Red Berries), I am a big texture person and love the crunchy. Well I started buying the strawberry packets rather than picking out the strawberries from the cereal box and upsetting my family. Well apparently I am not the only one who loves this stuff, because they have a ton of different freeze dried fruit in the grocery stores now. I just tried Apple from Sensible Foods and they are REALLY good! A big step up from apple chips which are chewy and remind me of something stale. I also bought a bag of the tropical blend which I will bring as a snack for work.

I also went researching online to see if I could find more "flavors" and was in shock out how many are made!! Apples, Cherries, Bananas, Strawberries, Raspberries (little too tart), Pineapple, Apricots, Mango, Peaches, Kiwi, Pears, and for you veggie fans they have just as many vegetable ones as they do fruit. I will be buying a bunch and will report back!

Websites I found:

Just Tomatoes, etc!

Today's Farm

Nuts Online

Day 2

So far I am still on a good wave, still ready and willing to kick this thing in the ass. Right now I am doing the Phase 1 of the South Beach Diet (no carbs, no sugars). However, I slightly modifed it due to the fat that I dont eat a big enoug variety of veggies I incorporated fruit. So I allow myself fruit and dairy, but no sugar or carbs at this point. I know this isnt the ideal plan, but for me I need to give them up cold turkey and then I can slowly incorporate the good ones back in, allowing me a few of my favorites here and there. After that I will be on the Weight Watcher Power Points. I have done the old point plan before, but it will be fun to learn anew program, plus I hear fruits are zero points and I couldnt be more excited about that!!

Day 1
Breakfast- 4 pieces of Center Cut Bacon, BabyBell Light Cheese, and a cup of grapes and glass of milk
Lunch- Deli Sliced Turkey with 100 calorie packet of cheese
Dinner- Buffalo Turkey Burgers and Salad
I KNOW, I KNOW I NEED MORE VEGGIES!! But the only type I eat is lettuce.... that is one of my problems with weight.

Day 2
Breakfast- Slept in...
Lunch- Leftover Turkey Burger with grapes
Dinner- Maple Bourban Glazed Turkey Cutlets with Ceaser Salad

New Years Resolutions?

What were all your new years resolutions?

Mine-
1. Lose weight. - I need to come up with a goal or mini goals. Especially finding ways to reward myself that dont include food, that is always my down fall.

2. Have more sex!!!- My husband works graveyard so we never get to see each other. So we need to find more time to working this in.

New Year, New Beginning, New Start...

Why hello to anyone reading this I guess I should start with a little bit about myself. I have never done the blogging thing or anytime of weight loss journey journal and have never been one to share my weight with anyone, not even my mother, but if I am going to keep myself motivated I need to put everything on the line. I have been overweight/fat for most of my life, for as long a I can remember I have been dieting. I remember counting calories in a notebook in 5th grade. I would always lose about 20lbs then stop and gain back 30. I did WW about 4 years ago lost, 40lbs and then stopped and gained back 60-70lbs over the last few years. I recently got married and went on the South Beach Diet a month before my wedding and lost 20lbs, we went to an all-inclusive resort for our honeymoon and this was bad news for my waistline. I always start off great and then find that I self sabotage myself by saying "OH I lost xxlbs, I can afford to eat 15 donuts!!" So here is to sticking to it!

So why now you ask? Well the hubby and I have decided that we want to start REALLY trying to have a child this year and I just want to lose some of this weight to help that process, as well as, making it easier during pregnancy. I know its is kind of backwards to lose it BEFORE having a kid, but I feel its best to get the practices in order and will help lose it when our bundle of joy arrives.

So here it is, here are the stats:
I am now 243lbs (eekk)
Height- 5' 8"
I wear a size 16 in jeans (uncomfortably, 18 comfortably)

Hopefully I'll have a few interesting things to say from time to time about my weight loss journey, trying to acclimate to being a wife, and trying to get knocked up :) so check back every once in awhile and see what I have to say or bitch about.