New Dietary Obsessions

Caution: Health/Weight-Loss Post Ahead.
(If you don't want to hear about foods that help you lose weight, stop reading now.)

I've been eating nuts or nut butter (in controlled amounts) every day. 

Citrus fruits help burn fat. Red grapefruits are so satisfying and juicy! 

I added beans. All kinds, but especially black beans. I read an article that beans burn fat AND that you only absorb ~50% of the calories since they are high in fiber. They also add delicious texture and yummy-ness to so much stuff!!! 

I've added even more high fiber fruits and veggies. Especially celery, cantaloupe, spinach, apples, and blueberries. 

Several physician-sanctioned diets include the 90/10 rule, which means that no more than 10% of daily calories should come from meat/dairy/oils. I have not adopted this rule in the traditional sense but did apply it to dairy/oils. I have cut down my dairy significantly. And it seems to be working.

We'll see how it goes. I'm home sick with a nasty cold that seems to have evolved into an ear infection. I haven't worked out in 3 days, I feel like a slug. I'm HOPING to not gain weight. My plan is to weigh in on Friday, December 7th.

Also, stay tuned...I'm thinking of moving my final goal lower. AGAIN. But I'm not officially changing it yet.


Pounds lost: 67
Pounds to original goal: 3
Pounds to final goal: 13

What I'm Thankful For...

Thanksgiving Day, 2012. 

So much that I am grateful for this year. It's been a year of changes and transition for me.                                                    

And it's a day of reflection. To appreciate all I have. (I feel like I don't do this enough.)
Everyday frustrations make it easy to miss the big picture.
And my big picture is KICK.ASS.

1. I am thankful for my family. I am lucky to have parents who are still in love and supportive of each other. I am thrilled to watch my little brother become a grown man---it's amazing sometimes how far he has come. And I am so, so, so, lucky to still have my sweet Grampy. Alzheimer's has taken a lot from him--but I am blessed that he still recognizes me and still has his same happy-go-lucky personality. He is a hit at the nursing home. I know that he may not always know who I am. So every day is a gift.
And, on a lighter note, I am thankful to have an extended family that I can have fun with--not everyone chooses to spend time with their family, but I love mine!!!
'
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2. I have AMAZING friends. 

I really believe that most people have not been lucky enough to have the type of friends that I have. It's so wonderful to have a network of people that I can turn to in both happiness and times of trouble. My friends have supported me through EVERYTHING this year. They honestly bring me so much joy.

3. I am thankful for my job. 

This has not been the easiest year. Lots of changes at work. More stress. But I still LOVE what I do. Every (or nearly every) single day! These kids are the light of my life.

4. I am thankful for Brian. 


I feel like we have both grown so much this year. It was not the easiest time for us about a year ago. But sometimes I think you need to take some time apart to come back together stronger. We are not perfect...but there is nobody else I see myself growing and moving forward with...and I think whenever ANYONE is lucky enough to have someone they love in their life--it's not something you take for granted.

5. I am BLESSED to have changed my life this year. 

I am thankful that on December 25, 2011 I made a choice. I decided to tackle my greatest demon. My biggest fear, challenge, hope, dream...you name it. 

Christmas 2011

And I'm also thankful that when I got on the scale this morning it said...

I am thankful to be 67 lbs. lighter than I was last Thanksgiving!!! Here's to the next year ahead! Hopefully full of more growth, hope, happiness and GRATITUDE than this one!! 

I KNOW THAT I AM LUCKY. I KNOW THAT I HAVE LOTS TO BE THANKFUL FOR. 

Happy Thanksgiving!!! (I'm cheating today.) 

Belated Halloween Fun & BINGE

On an awesome note: Lynne and Paul had a belated Halloween party!

Brian didn't want to be bacon. 

I didn't want to be a ghost OR a ghostbuster.

So...

The egg and the ghostbuster went together!!! 

Had a great time. Just Dance competitions, Rachael did her sexy dance, Adam dressed as Paul circa 1999 complete with giant leather jacket, Captain Obvious was labeling everything, and lots of yummy things to eat!

Which brings me to my next point...

I LOST CONTROL.

I saved 600-700 calories for Lynne's house. I knew I'd want to eat. I walked 5 miles yesterday. Ready to conquer the party and make good choices...

Here is what I ate: (I AM GOING TO BE HONEST EVEN THOUGH ITS EMBARRASSING)

-Veggies and Dip (lots)
-Cheese (lots)
-Brownie
-Marshmellow bar thing
-Cookie
-Kielbasa

I must have eaten like 1500 calories!!!! I went over by almost 1000 calories---basically, I fucked up.


I'm trying not to be hard on myself.

I'm going to work out today, just get back on the horse.

And HOPE that I did enough in this two week period to make up for what I might have UNDONE last night.

Ugh. We'll see.


BUT I HAD A GREAT TIME!!! :)

Shirataki it to me.

DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK:

SHIRATAKI NOODLES!!!

Available at: Dave's, Asian markets

Two varieties: made with Tofu (the ones I tried--40 calories for the WHOLE package!), made from Asian Yams (no calories--haven't tried these yet)

I made Asian stir-fry on Thursday with bean sprouts, garlic and mushrooms (soy sauce too!) with chicken and these noodles...DELICIOUS!!! 300 calories for the entire skillet full!

Today I did these with chicken broth and bean sprouts as a soup!


AMAZING! LOW CAL! You get super full, get a noodle fix.


One tip: Rinse well and pan roast (cook dry in a skillet) for a couple minutes before adding them to your dish.

ENJOY!!!




YOU'RE WELCOME.