tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-316370682024-03-07T01:00:37.967-08:00Wrestling KittiesWrestling KittiesWrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.comBlogger1113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-82645782661937985622015-11-10T12:45:00.000-08:002015-11-11T07:15:18.226-08:00What Happens When You Are No Longer Eating Your Emotions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb16DWkpK3GmBmmx_r_aewuoy211oMRG7FuUEsXWgYvZoD5HwM7MH4UxMCgslCjGqkuct_cyrhOiag3yW5I_u337_HI2FRsNLeH8OnSsEgMU9FQb2idOrs3ppP2-x8J4UDwhRqxw/s1600/stressed-is-desserts-spelled-backwards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb16DWkpK3GmBmmx_r_aewuoy211oMRG7FuUEsXWgYvZoD5HwM7MH4UxMCgslCjGqkuct_cyrhOiag3yW5I_u337_HI2FRsNLeH8OnSsEgMU9FQb2idOrs3ppP2-x8J4UDwhRqxw/s320/stressed-is-desserts-spelled-backwards.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So in January of this year I started my journey to not
only lose weight but to stop binging/emotional eating and cut my emotional ties
to food.<o:p></o:p></div>
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And while I am not exactly at the weight I thought I
would be at by this time, I am still down 33lbs and very proud of THAT
accomplishment!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Even more than the weight loss, I am proud of the fact
that I have not had a full on binge in <u><b>TEN months</b></u>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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WHAT?!<o:p></o:p></div>
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You guys. This is HUGE for me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have had some times where I have snacked a little more
in the evening than I should and overate, but it definitely doesn’t qualify as
a binge.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">Binge eating – When you frequently consume unusually
large amounts of food and feel unable to stop eating.</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">Emotional eating</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;"> - the practice of consuming large quantities of food -- usually "</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">comfort</span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px; line-height: 19.2px;">" or junk foods -- in response to feelings instead of hunger. </span></b></i></span></o:p></div>
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Any time now I think I may start a binge, I have stopped myself
very quickly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have learned to control my overeating, though it
happens and is <u>perfectly normal</u>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For me, binge eating was tied with my emotions that
ranged from happy to sad to stressed to bored to mad to overwhelmed to, well whatever. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am learning to NOT eat for comfort but to fuel my body. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am learning to not immediately turn to food when I am
stressed or happy or sad. Though it happens.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have started eating whole foods 80% of the time, which
allows me to eat healthy food but still have those indulgences. This also helps to avoid overeating and/or
binging on food because I no longer feel deprived with what I am eating.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I believe I have the healthiest relationship with food I
have <b><i>EVER</i></b> had.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So then, I ask myself regularly, why am I so miserable? Why am I unhappy? Why am I SO angry all the time?<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yesterday I was leaving home and said goodbye to my 4
year old. We said our normal, bye, have
a good day, love you’s and then he said:<o:p></o:p></div>
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H: <i>“Don’t come home angry today, ok mom!!”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>(Feeling like I got punched in the gut, though this little boy has no idea of his brutal honesty that I needed to hear) </b></div>
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Me: <i>“Ok buddy, I
won’t be angry today.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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H: <i>“You promise?!”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Me: sigh <i>“Yes, I promise…love you.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Ugh. Tears.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It has been something that I have kept thinking about for
the past few months.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am losing weight.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am getting a hold of my binge eating. <o:p></o:p></div>
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And yet I am ANGRY.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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EVERYTHING annoys or frustrates me.<o:p></o:p></div>
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WHY?!?!?!?!<o:p></o:p></div>
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The other day it came to me. Now of course, I am not a psychologist, so I could
be WAY off on this. But to me, it makes
sense.<o:p></o:p></div>
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For 20 years I have used binge eating as my emotional
release. When I get stressed I turn to
food. I would eat a large amount of food
quickly and just to feel this release. I would FEEL better after my binge, even
if my stomach hurt or feel guilty for eating all that food. BUT I was satisfied and whatever those
stresses I had before were temporarily gone and forgotten as I sat in a combination
of food bliss and regret.<o:p></o:p></div>
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To fully explain those feelings I got when I binged is
hard and may not make sense to someone who doesn’t have those ties. But it is a form of addiction and has similar
effects to your body. Am I comparing
myself to a heroin addict? Come on…of course not. BUT, foods high in fat, sugar and salt (the
ones I would normally binge on) are known to release and trigger those same
“feel-good” chemicals in the brain that certain drugs do. And then of course when the sugars and stuff
wear off, you come down and don’t feel good about yourself so you eat more to
feel better about yourself.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwIscInihvdlRNFBiso6_BGTmkG4nOdglRJ3jG9wgOKeoQbW1ey7aZxYIdXHj7Kx-4hvI9z24gh5sEVEbBEDtH-v2D4jhrv9P8113Yk7zDMoePq5zT2gQfOhmp4ZYh6xeLmNovQ/s1600/stress-image1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwIscInihvdlRNFBiso6_BGTmkG4nOdglRJ3jG9wgOKeoQbW1ey7aZxYIdXHj7Kx-4hvI9z24gh5sEVEbBEDtH-v2D4jhrv9P8113Yk7zDMoePq5zT2gQfOhmp4ZYh6xeLmNovQ/s1600/stress-image1.jpg" /></a></div>
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Even now, I think about binging nearly <b><i>EVERY</i></b> day. Even as I write this, I think with a sense of
comfort and happiness in eating a big plate of nachos and some cookies without care. While I know now I shouldn’t do it as I have
made so much progress, I still have a part of me that WANTS to do it. Every.
Single. Day. <o:p></o:p></div>
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When it comes to stress, some people write in a
journal. Some workout. Some talk to a professional. People have different ways of dealing with
stress. FOR nearly TWO decades MY way of
dealing with stress is food. And now
THAT is gone. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am no longer binging.
I have drastically reduced the amount of high sugar, fat, and salt I
consume. So when I am stressed I have no release. I am not saying food was a healthy release,
but I have yet to figure out a way to release my stresses in a HEALTHY way and
I think that is part of what is causing these feelings of unhappiness and
anger. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I have never dealt with my stress in a healthy way, but I
would temporarily ignore it with something that gave me enjoyment. Now, I am just not dealing with any of
it. I am holding it in until I literally
explode at whoever is around me….usually my husband or son. <o:p></o:p></div>
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As I am nearing the end of my first year journey to a healthier self, my new
goals along with continued weight loss, is to figure out how to handle my
stress and emotions in a healthy way.
That most likely will involve speaking to an actual professional which will
also help with my OCD, which is worse than ever….but that is an entirely
different post!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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But that is also part of the reason I am a beachbody
coach. It is giving me the opportunity
to find a more balanced and healthy lifestyle.
It is allowing me to connect with others and share my feelings and
listen to theirs. It is encouraging to
work on myself physically AND mentally and leave the emotional ties to food out of the picture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I still have a long way to go, but am getting closer.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So how do YOU deal with stress? Emotional eating?<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>How are you helping YOU?!?!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-78568195510362804372015-09-23T10:35:00.004-07:002015-09-23T10:35:39.693-07:00Pushing Through the Negative to Find the Positive in Myself<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So, my first round of the <a href="http://www.wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/08/21-day-fix-review-my-life-is-changing.html" target="_blank">21 Day Fix</a> I did AMAZING! I lost
something like 9lbs and 18 inches in just 3 weeks!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
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And while I have managed to keep it off, this second
round I have barely lost anything.
Between birthdays, our anniversary, and a head cold that will NOT go away….my
motivation has been lacking big time and I am falling back into some of my bad
habits.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A bad habit isn’t always physical….meaning binge
eating, not wanting to workout, eating junk as I watch TV.
Infact, my eating has stayed pretty consistent, a splurge here and
there. And I workout when I can and feel
up to it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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But bad habits are also mental.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Yep, I <i>am</i> mental! <o:p></o:p></div>
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See, it is more so the frame of mind I fall back into
that really brings me down and can be SO hard to get out of.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I get down on myself and focus on the negative.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>“How could you let yourself become 100lbs overweight?”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“You still have so far to go.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“You don’t have time for yourself, you have a family to
take care of. There isn’t time for you.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i>“You lost 30lbs and your smaller clothes still don’t fit,
you are never going to do this.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Those are just <i>a few</i> of the thoughts that run through my
head. Perhaps I am a bit dramatic.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But after <i><b>YEARS AND YEARS AND YEARS</b></i> of dealing with my weight and
thinking about weight. And food and binge eating. And what you <i>think</i> other people are thinking
about you….it wears on you. It is hard
to break that way of rationalizing when things don’t “go your way”.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I was being all pitiful and mentioning this to a dear friend
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(also my beachbody coach) </span>and she reminded me that I didn’t put this weight on all
at once and it is going to take time to get it all off. And that I can do this. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I agreed and cherish how much support she gives me, but
still stayed in this funk.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I read how well other people are doing in our challenge
group and for a minute got mad….not at them, but at ME. I kept thinking, <i>that could be you Jenn and
you didn’t give it your all.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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Then my mom said this week she wanted to help me become a
coach because I am doing so great and she wants to help so I can keep
going. I appreciated this <i><b>beyond words</b></i>,
but of course I was like…well I haven’t done so great the past few weeks. (turned it to a negative)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Then today. I was
listening to this coach meeting and she said “<i>You are more important than
giving up.</i>” <o:p></o:p></div>
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I think, after <u>a week</u> of people telling me over and over what I was
failing to hear and remember, I finally heard it <b><i>ALL</i></b> at one time.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It all resonated with me and sunk in. (I know, takes me a bit longer!!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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You guys, my biggest obstacle in losing weight isn’t the
amount of weight I need to lose or even if I can do it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is ME. <o:p></o:p></div>
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It is getting past these thoughts in my heading that are
stopping me from moving forward. These thoughts I have had for years and years.<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is remembering that <b>I. AM. IMPORTANT. </b><br />
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That this is going to take time. And be hard. And not always go my way and be frustrating BUT I can do this. And that I have SO MUCH support around me
right now if I just open up and accept it.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I CAN DO THIS.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I have to keep that in the back of my head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am worth it. <o:p></o:p></div>
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If I want to take care of my family and SHOW them how
amazing eating whole foods is for your body and the benefits of working out,
then I need to lead by example.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I need to get out of my head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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That may be my biggest challenge for me during this
journey. It is not easy. Some people may be able to set their mind to
something and just do it. And in some
ways I can.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But most of the time I am in my own head.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Questioning everything.<o:p></o:p><br />
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I realized early on this journey is far more than just losing weight. There is so much more that has brought on this weight then just sitting on the couch and eating. There are these mental blocks I need to push through. I need to change up the way I think and view things. I need to address WHY and HOW I got here and what is stopping me from moving forward. The answer always come back to me. I am stopping myself.<br />
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It is "funny" how that works, no?!</div>
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So today I am trying to refocus. To take away the negative and focus on the positive.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>“How could you let yourself become 100lbs overweight?” </strike> <i><b>It doesn’t matter <u>how</u> you got here, what
matters is that YOU want to change and you CAN change.</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>“You still have so far to go.” </strike> <b><i>But you are closer today than you were
yesterday!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>“You don’t have time for yourself, you have a family to
take care of. There isn’t time for you.” </strike> <b><i>If you want to take care of your family you
MUST take care of YOU first! There is <u>always</u> time for YOU!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<strike>“You lost 30lbs and your smaller clothes still don’t fit,
you are never going to do this.” </strike> <b><i>This
will come, but it is more about how you FEEL right now!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I must get out of my head if I want to succeed. <o:p></o:p></div>
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I am going to try to stay positive. <o:p></o:p></div>
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So, in an attempt to do this I have wrote down some of my thoughts and motivational quotes that I will repeat
when I start getting down and falling back into my “bad habits”....<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="color: blue;">Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must
but never EVER give up.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="color: magenta;">Focus on how far you have come and not how far you have
to go.</span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<i><span style="color: #674ea7;">When you feel like quitting, think about why you started.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><span style="color: #cc0000;">I want to be a before and after. </span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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(This is something I keep saying to myself. I want to have those before and after pictures that make people gasp....I want to show how much I have accomplished!)<br />
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<i><span style="color: #38761d;">Weight loss is not just a physical, but mental.</span></i></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #073763; font-style: italic;">Don’t stop trying just because you have a hit a wall. Progress is progress, no matter how
small. </span>(This sounds very Dr. Seuss like….this
pleases me)<i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="color: #b45f06;">This is a slow process.
Don’t make it slower by quitting.</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><span style="color: blue;"><b>I am WORTH this. I CAN do this. </b></span></i><br />
<i><span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span></i>
YES.<br />
<br />
I am worth it and YOU are worth. We can do this.<br />
<br />
<b>What are some things you tell yourself to keep going? </b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*I will becoming a beachbody coach in October. If you are interested in more information, please let me know. I want to help people just like they are helping me!! I want to do this together!</i></span></div>
</div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-73757404659776972032015-09-03T19:01:00.000-07:002015-09-06T05:55:40.882-07:00Meal Planning on the 21 Day FixI have been meal planning for a long time, especially meal planning on a budget. But I admit, I was slightly overwhelmed right before the 21 Day fix started.<br />
<br />
<i>How much food do I need? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>What meals should I eat? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>How will I divide these containers over the course of the day? </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Will I be hungry?</i><br />
<br />
So the Sunday before my first day of Round 1, I spent <b><i>THREE</i></b> hours in the kitchen prepping food. Seriously, who has three extra hours?!?! I was stressed….and I am a planner and LOVE to meal plan. And when it was all said and done, I didn’t use some of what I prepped as it was just TOO much.<br />
<br />
So the next week I simplified and over the past 5 weeks have come up with some easy tips on meal planning for the 21 Day Fix.<br />
<br />
It is crazy HOW simple this can be!! Though I think part of it is accepting this as a life style change and getting use to it!<br />
<br />
These are "tips" <i>(using that loosely, more like the things I do!)</i> that worked for <b><u>ME</u></b>. Everyone is different, but thought I would share in case one or more helped you!<br />
<br />
<b>1. SIMPLIFY! </b><br />
<br />
See above! Seriously, <b><u>do not</u></b> over plan meals. Especially if you are new to the program. Yes, the planner is saying don’t plan too much. I am a walking contradiction in SO many ways. I would, for the first week or two, keep your breakfasts and lunches simple. Maybe even the same with slight variations until you get use to the program, containers, how much you will eat, and proper portions.<br />
<br />
So I did hard-boiled eggs or steel cut oats in the morning, salads for lunch, and yogurt and fruit or cottage cheese and fruit or hummus and veggies for snacks. My dinners I explored a little bit, but still kept it simple…maybe only trying one or two new recipes a week. I also tried to incorporate "normal" food we always made before, just adjusted slightly. I also picked only two different fruits and veggies for the week and that is what you use. Unless you know you will use them, don't buy all the fruits and veggies. It is more to prep and may go to waste. Wait and see how the program works for YOU and then start adding more each week. But to start, <b><i>simplify</i></b>!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Pb9UoKK9TCwA-3eM2eCY-voiXht9mFpXifnMQf-4fQsP0S5r_lMq4aqde7Foww7Ce2plZhsEjxN0J7T08dw5HipiAcWJfHav9hhzmrxObO9AEwiTlTePARkb-7zGPd5C7XLwgw/s1600/6021-MMS-1441331114387-attachment1-20150705_130246.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Pb9UoKK9TCwA-3eM2eCY-voiXht9mFpXifnMQf-4fQsP0S5r_lMq4aqde7Foww7Ce2plZhsEjxN0J7T08dw5HipiAcWJfHav9hhzmrxObO9AEwiTlTePARkb-7zGPd5C7XLwgw/s320/6021-MMS-1441331114387-attachment1-20150705_130246.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Simple mushroom cap pizza!</div>
<br />
<b>2. Eggs are an EGG-cellent idea! </b><br />
<br />
These are my go-to food. <u>TWO eggs = ONE red container. </u>AWESOME. I <i>always</i> have hardboiled eggs to add to a salad or grab as a snack or breakfast. I also keep plenty of eggs to add to a meal or make as an meal! I have omelets at least once a week. And of course, being on a budget, eggs are fantastic. Go get those eggs!!<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HOaGf2DuwTjt1Ii5GFju-_FKY9JOAfvcEGwXA3QY1SbWckmOZn2g5uPfGxtnIQzOaQ7SkINeqzM-vsXfX7wgydItdi-TgOm_4uBhj828NfqnXkl0vA2tVzoCJ-WyYIhkJgN5jw/s1600/6019-MMS-1441331105987-attachment1-20150817_191834.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_HOaGf2DuwTjt1Ii5GFju-_FKY9JOAfvcEGwXA3QY1SbWckmOZn2g5uPfGxtnIQzOaQ7SkINeqzM-vsXfX7wgydItdi-TgOm_4uBhj828NfqnXkl0vA2tVzoCJ-WyYIhkJgN5jw/s320/6019-MMS-1441331105987-attachment1-20150817_191834.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spaghetti Squash "pasta" w/ poached egg</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hcLHubxJ9qBhfWD5Ia9sUcuW_vUM2_6ZSDRj0y0QMB4lqz_Gl-V8Pog0duQo5MUMNXG6ZCGccIjWWMkc7DKkwOXPZEQKzDuBNNE-U5CHJdWjDPkt-VyoSWIXtGBSOCzBX8SLog/s1600/6020-MMS-1441331110070-attachment1-20150808_181036.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6hcLHubxJ9qBhfWD5Ia9sUcuW_vUM2_6ZSDRj0y0QMB4lqz_Gl-V8Pog0duQo5MUMNXG6ZCGccIjWWMkc7DKkwOXPZEQKzDuBNNE-U5CHJdWjDPkt-VyoSWIXtGBSOCzBX8SLog/s320/6020-MMS-1441331110070-attachment1-20150808_181036.jpeg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Baked egg in mushroom cap</div>
<br />
<b>3. Take shortcuts when you can.</b><br />
<br />
Sometimes meal prep and cutting up all those veggies can be a lot. I try to take short cuts. I buy a rotisserie chicken on Monday and shred it all up and put it in a bag for the week. I add this to salads, omelets or make meals out of it. Again, very cost effective and saves so much time. My friend <i>just</i> introduced me to using steel cut oats, some water, yogurt and fruit and mixing it and putting in the fridge overnight for breakfast the next day*. Takes literally two minutes and DONE. Huge time saver, you know instead of cooking the oats and storing them and measuring the next day. As my son says...boring. I also buy baby carrots...I know, some are against them. But Henry and I eat them and it is SO much easier. For me sometimes spending a little more on individually priced items that save time is better. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>4. Plan Snacks. </b><br />
<br />
Now, I think when you eat whole/clean foods you get <i><b>more </b></i>food and feel more full. BUT, if you are a snacker (is that a word), like I am, then making sure you always have 21 day fix approved snacks is key. Cottage cheese, apples, grapes, yogurt with peanut butter to dip your apples in – yum, veggies and hummus are a few of my go-to snacks. I am actually going to start exploring new snack ideas for the second round to change it up a bit!! Just make sure you have options so if you DO get hungry, you are not gravitating towards the unhealthier snacks!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Just found this...21 Day Fix Buffalo Chicken Dip! Cant wait to try it!</i></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>INGREDIENTS</b></span></span></i></div>
<i style="background-color: white;"></i><br />
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><i style="line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1/2 red container Greek yogurt</span></span></i></i></div>
<i style="background-color: white;">
</i>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px; text-align: center;">
<i style="background-color: white;"><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1/2 red container shredded chicken</span></span></i></i></div>
<i style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1/2 blue container shredded cheese</span></span></i></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">1 green container veggies</span></span></i></div>
<div style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px; text-align: center;">
<i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tapatio, Franks Red Sauce or favorite hot sauce</span></span></i></div>
<b><div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span style="line-height: 20.5920009613037px;">DIRECTIONS</span></b></span></i></div>
</span></b><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20.5920009613037px;">*Preheat oven to 350</span></span></i></div>
</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20.5920009613037px;">* mix yogurt, chicken and 1/2 of cheese and hot sauce</span></span></i></div>
</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20.5920009613037px;">* scoop into oven safe bowl </span></span></i></div>
</span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20.5920009613037px;">*Bake for 15 minutes until heated all the way through</span></span></i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 20.5920009613037px;"><div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 20.5920009613037px;">1 red container, 1/2 blue container and 1 green container!</span></span></i></div>
</span></span></i><br />
<br />
<b>5. Write it down!</b><br />
<br />
Every night I plan my food for the<u><i> next day</i></u> and pack it and write it in my journal. Yep, no app for me, I hand write. I actually plan our dinners for the entire week on Friday, but lunches and stuff I go day by day, but <u>always one day ahead</u>. I can do this because I keep my lunches and breakfast simple and consistent. The dinners are the ones where there is more of a chance to have higher calories or the need for certain container amounts. So if I know what we are eating for dinner and how many containers I will need, I can adjust daily for my other food based on what we have and sounds good. But write it down! You will forget how much you had if you don’t. Plus, it is nice to go back for ideas!!<br />
<br />
<b>6. Have fun!</b><br />
<br />
Enjoy the cooking or prepping of food. For me, three hours was not enjoyable, but an hour or so is! Let your kids help and wash items or pack your lunches...my son loves putting items into the containers to measure out. I am embracing the food. Appreciating the preparation I put into getting my meals ready each week. I am now trying new foods and meals and exploring all the options out there!! I also am having fun with how I take my food to work (bento boxes are great - i use <a href="http://www.amazon.com/ChefLand-3-Compartment-Microwave-Container-Divided/dp/B00PY032QK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441480810&sr=8-1&keywords=chefland+3+compartment&pebp=1441480814754&perid=1R162SWG3MGG6CVR5TFR" target="_blank">these</a>), but that is just me :-) Remember, this is a lifestyle change,<b><i> NOT</i></b> a diet. So if you do not love it and embrace this or appreciate how this food fuels your body, it is going to be harder to stick with it. So have fun with it!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>And to help out, here are some of my favorite things to eat! </u></b><br />
<b><u>All simple, easy to prep, budget friendly and 21 Day Fix approved!</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02b5SwC48jcyu2JGB-gjiP6L9pDCnoL55DGTAB6gUCu-nDW9l-KdSWH_06jwkYERE0o_JYzYQlpAebEpG_D41yHApW22EqnwqiAtMikb5B7h-I0iIbfrhglrvxh18fIOIRecAvg/s1600/PicsArt_1441543865550.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj02b5SwC48jcyu2JGB-gjiP6L9pDCnoL55DGTAB6gUCu-nDW9l-KdSWH_06jwkYERE0o_JYzYQlpAebEpG_D41yHApW22EqnwqiAtMikb5B7h-I0iIbfrhglrvxh18fIOIRecAvg/s320/PicsArt_1441543865550.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shrimp kabobs</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Pita Pizzas/Mushroom Cap Pizzas<br />
Spinach, chicken, feta whole wheat quesadillas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Fajitas</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Omelets </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Grilled Chicken/Fish with veggies</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Spaghetti Squash with spinach, turkey bacon, feta, & poached egg </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(used <a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/christinebyrne/spaghetti-squash-with-bacon-spinach-and-goat-cheese#.mc8YQmv2E" target="_blank">THIS</a> method to cook the squash, but made my own recipe how I wanted)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mushroom caps with baked eggs inside - <a href="http://healthyrecipesblogs.com/2013/11/04/eggs-baked-in-portobello-mushrooms/" target="_blank">HERE</a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Anything IN a pita!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Taco bowls</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Greek nachos </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(baked whole wheat tortilla slices, feta, tomato, cucumber, lemon, and maybe so fresh herbs!)</i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Yogurt (1/2 R) with peanut butter (2 tsp) and apple slices (1P)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Chocolate, Peanut Butter Banana "ice cream"</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(blend a cut/frozen banana until creamy. Add a tsp cocoa powder and 1-2 tsp peanut butter)</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Salads!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpn8s739d1Y2IK2SIBljzqRV-rTJ13iZP3XFz663n38V3yw8jQRRTHymCn-qqpeh08uK8c6QllO_CW5n_bPKiuBQXqB9ibsjUS4Ws1v3YFqhrPI1lhzjUziOKf_HDjGKQ_g3p8Q/s1600/6018-MMS-1441330578440-attachment1-PicsArt_1441330533694.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlpn8s739d1Y2IK2SIBljzqRV-rTJ13iZP3XFz663n38V3yw8jQRRTHymCn-qqpeh08uK8c6QllO_CW5n_bPKiuBQXqB9ibsjUS4Ws1v3YFqhrPI1lhzjUziOKf_HDjGKQ_g3p8Q/s320/6018-MMS-1441330578440-attachment1-PicsArt_1441330533694.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: start;">And just because I have salads every day doesn’t mean they have to be boring. I have gotten great at making </span><i style="text-align: start;">AMAZING</i><span style="text-align: start;"> and different salads every day!! I cut up the lettuce and wash it the beginning of the week. Let it sit out and dry completely then bag it up so I have lettuce for the entire work week! I fill my salads full of veggies and make it a pretty large meal so I am not as hungry in the evenings! For me, evenings is when I am the hungriest so I try to curb that by eating a lot and more frequently the first half of the day!</span><br />
<span style="text-align: start;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>So what do you do for your meals? Any other tips to share?</b><br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>*Overnight steel cut oats - 1/2 yellow oats raw, 1/2 yellow water, 1 red yogurt....mix and top with fruit. Put in fridge covered for 4-6 hours or overnight.</i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-87596889321725499112015-08-28T08:00:00.000-07:002015-08-29T14:12:28.082-07:0021 Day Fix Review – My Life Is Changing<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Ok, perhaps not a review, but more my thoughts on the 21 day fix.<br />
<br />
<br />
I just
completed Round 1 of the 21 Day Fix and I must say the past 21 Days have been
truly life changing.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
I know,
that is a pretty powerful statement, but it is true. And keep in mind
this is coming from the girl who is a <i>[past]</i> <a href="http://wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-binge.html" target="_blank">binge eater</a>, loves food, <b><i>hates</i></b>
working out and has NEVER been able to stick with a diet.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
But of
course, this isn’t a diet.<u1:p></u1:p>
This truly is a lifestyle change. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
The past
few weeks have been emotional, busy and I have been <u>far</u> from perfect with the
program. Good thing the program is not seeking perfection.<u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>Did I
work out every day?</i></b><br />
Nope, but as many days as I could and <u>FAR</u> more than I
have in the last 5 years. (maybe missed 4)<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>Did I
ever “cheat” with my food? </i></b><br />
Yep, I may have had a couple bites of cake or
a few bites of cheese dip one day.<u1:p></u1:p>
But the majority of the time, I was spot on with my eating. And actually loved what I was eating! (pics below)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
But
honestly, none of that matters to me anymore...the "did I follow everything exactly". (Big change!) I am
not trying to feel guilty for my choices of working out or what I eat, because when I put the
guilt with food, <i><u>or any emotions for that matter</u></i>, then that is when I eat
poorly. I am doing the best I can and focusing on all my healthy choices.<u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
What
matters to me now is <b><u>HOW I FEEL</u></b>.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Plain and
simple. <o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
And
eating whole foods and working out regularly makes me feel <i><b>amazing</b></i>….and I
haven’t felt amazing in a long time in regards to my body.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
I have
waited a few days to write my recap because I wanted to see what I did after
the program was done. I didn’t want to
check in with the group that is still open. I didn’t want to plan. I didn't want accountability. I know it sounds weird or backwards, but I wanted to see what <i>I DID</i>, back in my “normal”
life. Would I go back to my old ways or would I stay with it naturally.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
As it turns out, I am naturally gravitating towards the healthy way of eating/living because it really does make me feel better.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Yes, I will admit, I haven’t worked out the past few days (and I notice it and am going back to it) and I have strayed from the meal plan a
couple times, but folks I am actually <i>craving</i> that lifestyle. I want my salads and containers of WHOLE
food and packing it for lunch EVERY day. I actually am still drinking
coffee with raw sugar….YEAH, the girl who bitched and complained and cried, literally, about giving up her creamer is still drinking black coffee with
raw sugar. <o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
Boom. Changed.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Yes, I
had a piece of pizza Tuesday, but I had a huge salad with it. AND, I didn’t have four
pieces of pizza like before. I am learning to incorporate this into my life and make the healthier choices. You know that "binge" mentality of not <strike>being able</strike> wanting to stop, being obsessed with eating as much as I
can and if I can't I get mad. Nope, I just wanted a taste. I enjoyed the food, but I wasn’t <u>obsessing</u> over
it like I have always done in the past. Same when I had a few bites of a
cake, that was enough. I didn’t need a
piece of cake and then another later that day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
To some
this may not seem like a success. But
for an emotional binge eating, overweight, food obsessed person….it is HUGE.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
This
program has done <i>far</i> more for me than I ever expected. I went into thinking,
I really hope this helps me get over this plateau and lose weight and is the <i><b>quick</b></i> fix I need. But
instead, I came out feeling like it truly changed my life.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It
changed how I feel. I have more energy. I <b><i>feel</i></b> healthier and not
weighed down by the processed foods.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It
changed my desire to workout. I still dread working out simply because
finding time to do it can be more of a challenge and is not ideal, but I <u>know</u> I
<i>can</i> workout now. I feel myself and see myself getting stronger. I
am doing moves I couldn’t do three weeks ago. When I go a day without
working out, I am excited ready to get back at it.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It
changed how I look at food. This may be the biggest. Right now
marks the healthiest relationship I have ever had with food.<br />
<br />
Yep, that is worth repeating.<br />
<br />
At 35, I have the healthiest relationship with food I have ever had.<br />
<br />
I respect
how the “right” foods can fuel my body and the wrong foods make me sluggish. I am looking at portions
differently. I am cutting those emotional ties that I have towards
food. I am learning (yes still learning) the difference between <b><i>my needs
vs my wants</i></b>. And I am learning how to control my desire for those wants.
Now, I am not giving up all those “wants", no, we like those things in moderation. But I am carefully choosing what I prefer to put in my body
instead of putting it <b><u>ALL</u></b> in. The 90/10* rule folks...well, it may be more like 80/20 for me, but I am working on it.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
Here is what I got to eat....still great food, but in the right amounts and HEALTHY/WHOLE foods.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU5gbmsWXNmJpJoSN2QqlmETFNBht7NF6x27Z3CJCaMF9rHutOsNqL2gm0pATzQPwPTTn5w4gQtzyt7Yh5iSSYWrsKZxlfncNasOlFNOD6TlhN9lkAirjSPU82BPGN53gi-2pCQ/s1600/ATT000012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibU5gbmsWXNmJpJoSN2QqlmETFNBht7NF6x27Z3CJCaMF9rHutOsNqL2gm0pATzQPwPTTn5w4gQtzyt7Yh5iSSYWrsKZxlfncNasOlFNOD6TlhN9lkAirjSPU82BPGN53gi-2pCQ/s320/ATT000012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnSDI1dS3WPse9WHgRvbQJB5H31OUt-GzXf8w3R9yYwqIGP-VY1oYHb5nbN7jMHyl6eTLFAdexJ63bBQayfWfq9JfmBcZNmrUmC-xK0TEauLFuenl46x3qLkXVIi7uG1QXfR0CQ/s1600/ATT00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglnSDI1dS3WPse9WHgRvbQJB5H31OUt-GzXf8w3R9yYwqIGP-VY1oYHb5nbN7jMHyl6eTLFAdexJ63bBQayfWfq9JfmBcZNmrUmC-xK0TEauLFuenl46x3qLkXVIi7uG1QXfR0CQ/s320/ATT00001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It
changed what I thought I was capable of doing.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It
changed what I <i><b>thought</b></i> was healthy and what I now realize <b><u><i>is</i></u></b> healthy. <o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It
changed my body and my mind.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
I am
seeing myself for <b><u>ME</u></b>. Something I have always struggled with.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>Was this
easy?</i></b> No.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p><br />
<br />
<b><i>Does the group help?</i></b> YES. They keep you accountable and are amazing!</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>Am I
still learning?</i></b> Of Course.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>Do I
still have a long way to go?</i></b> Duh….but focusing on the NOW.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>Does the
program make sense? </i></b>Yes.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>Can I
follow it and stick with it? </i></b>You bet.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><i>Can I do
this for me? </i></b> Absolutely!!<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
I am
currently down 9lbs and 18 inches (counting arms, chest, waist, hips, thighs
and calves) in the past three weeks.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBcVTnyQ3fhLZhNNrjRUEEUU36f0xz8dqCHR0zKV-Nsk-8ZPJHJbKJAM8PlpomCO9SQMHFplgmwHtbATzxcL11sQgBTuulJcr4-lcVuWAl81OTrMlrzoKyr9GSVyKK2n7cS8OaQ/s1600/PicsArt_1440421423942-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBcVTnyQ3fhLZhNNrjRUEEUU36f0xz8dqCHR0zKV-Nsk-8ZPJHJbKJAM8PlpomCO9SQMHFplgmwHtbATzxcL11sQgBTuulJcr4-lcVuWAl81OTrMlrzoKyr9GSVyKK2n7cS8OaQ/s320/PicsArt_1440421423942-1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
You
guys. That is 28lbs total since I started in January.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPhhgNtcR4xRMFPSjx-1dnsvGErYbG_iEQwNdUE_F6rdNPxI49wKbGE8sMjxZ-P1MoUTVvs5_GlzVFyFPTAAt7-t4Qwexfld_2KCOC4iXYtiWBndvTQJPoqB__dQjGWy-aXw24w/s1600/ATT000013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRPhhgNtcR4xRMFPSjx-1dnsvGErYbG_iEQwNdUE_F6rdNPxI49wKbGE8sMjxZ-P1MoUTVvs5_GlzVFyFPTAAt7-t4Qwexfld_2KCOC4iXYtiWBndvTQJPoqB__dQjGWy-aXw24w/s320/ATT000013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
(from January - August)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
So with
all that said, why do I say this is life changing? <o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
Because,
this is my life and it <i>needed </i>changed and this is the program that is finally helping with that.<br />
<br />
I am not just doing the 21 Day Fix to look great in
bikini or tone up a bit (which are still great reasons to try it!).<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
But for
<b><i>me</i></b> it is so much more.<br />
<br />
It is about my health now and as I get older.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It is
about my future.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It is
about how I feel.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It is
about no longer missing opportunities with my son because I am too embarrassed
with the way I look to go somewhere or do something with him. <i>(this one makes me cry all the time)</i><o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
It is about no longer worrying if I will be able to fit in a seat or something, because of my weight.<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It is
about no longer <i>not</i> going places with my h<u1:p></u1:p>usband because I am embarrassed
that <i><b>he</b></i> will be embarrassed (though that has never given me reason to think that, I still do because of my own insecurities).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It is
about me not getting so angry with myself about the way I look and feel that I
take it out on those around me.<o:p></o:p><u1:p></u1:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
It is
about not feeling guilty when I eat, especially in public, and instead learning to appreciate food and feel comfortable eating so i don't want to hide and binge.<u1:p></u1:p><br />
<br />
It is about so much more than just losing a few pounds.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
It is
about finally feeling<b><i> LIKE ME</i></b> and not this person “trapped” in this body.<br />
<br />
So would I recommend this program? YES. <br />
<br />
Is it tough? YES. But a good tough.<br />
<br />
Is it worth it? Without a doubt.<br />
<br />
Can <i>YOU</i> do this? YES!! If I can, you can!<br />
<br />
If you put in the work and time. Plan your meals. Workout. You will not only see results, but FEEL the results!!!<br />
<br />
I will be starting my second round in September!! The group dynamic is truly amazing...all about the accountability and probably the only way I got through this with the results I did!<br />
<br />
<br />
What are YOUR thoughts of the Fix? Has it changed YOUR life yet?<br />
<br />
.....<br />
<br />
Other posts on the 21 Day Fix from me <a href="http://wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/08/21-day-fix-week-1-complete.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> and <a href="http://wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/08/day-one-21-day-fix.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<i>I am at the point where in the next few months, I want to be a coach and continue my journey while also supporting those who are on a similar journey. I want to inspire those who are in a similar place and have tried everything to lose weight and continue to BE inspired as I move forward with my weight loss journey. I truly feel this is a program that can do that.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">*90/10 Rule - if you eat healthy and workout 90% of the time, it allows for that other 10% of the time to have that leeway and enjoy those times where you do not follow the healthy eating.</span></i><br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-15543727881293847172015-08-10T12:44:00.000-07:002015-08-10T12:44:19.917-07:0021 Day Fix – Week 1 Complete<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So I completed my first week of the 21 Day Fix and I
couldn’t be more <b><i>THRILLED</i></b> with the results and how I am feeling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
You guys.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This program is legit!
<b>IT. WORKS</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I have been trying some sort of diet on and off my entire
life. None work, or at least they only work
short term. And you already know of my
struggles the past four months not losing weight and being stuck at the same
spot. So going in I had this weird ying
and yang of positive and negative thinking. <i>(“Maybe this will actually
work!! Maybe like everything else, this
won’t work for me either.”)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And as someone who has struggled with weight issues <u>my
entire life</u> and has a hard time losing weight because I love food so much and
most diets restrict all foods, I wasn’t sure what sort of results I would see.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But this is NOT A DIET.
It is a lifestyle change. A
program to <b><i>reset </i></b>not only your body but the way you look and think about food.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I admit, going into it I was a bit overwhelmed. I meal plan, but I felt I needed to OVER
plan. I wasn’t sure how much food would
fit into the containers so I didn’t know how much to buy. Would I be hungry? Would I have time for this? And working out
EVERY DAY, seriously, I can barely workout ONE day.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But I needed to try.
I wanted to try.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Day one my biggest issue was my coffee. I believe I literally thought about my coffee
and creamer 85% of the day. Addicted much?!?!
I talked about this in my previous post <a href="http://www.wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/08/day-one-21-day-fix.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My husband’s insightful words, really stuck with me:
<b><i>“Stop thinking about the coffee and think about how much better you will feel
in a few weeks, let alone a few months.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I have repeated this to myself nearly every day. And it wasn’t just in reference to the coffee
it was in reference to everything. It
was about working out. It was about clean
eating. It was about taking care of
MYSELF.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b>I want this. Oh,
you have no idea <i>how bad</i> I want to succeed and get this extra weight off.</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So I just did it and did the best I could.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My fears were quickly put to rest by one simple
thing…..the facebook group I am involved in.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This is key. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They are going through the SAME THING. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They have days where they do not want to workout or their
bodies are so sore they can’t walk. They
have days where they eat that cheeseburger or scone instead of their containers
of food. They have days where they do
not want to prep One. More. Meal. <i>Holy shit...they are just like me and I am not the only one thinking these things!!! </i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
They also have days where they shine! They fit that workout in, even at 9:30 at
night. They follow their meal plan
exactly! They lose weight and/or feel
better! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
We encourage, motivate and inspire each other to keep
going. It is amazing. Even after only a week, you feel that comradery
and genuine support.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So instead of getting discouraged after day 1 <i>(no coffee
and a very hard workout)</i> and putting my DVD’s back on the shelf with all my
other dust collected DVD’s I only used for a short time…I <b>pushed through</b>. I felt like I needed to push through for
them…I didn’t want to be the ONLY one not doing the workout!! I mean, we all felt like shit after a hard
workout, why should I be the only one who didn’t.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I committed to 21 days.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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It is only 21 days.
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I can do this. <o:p></o:p></div>
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WE can do this.<o:p></o:p></div>
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One week in, you wouldn’t believe how much easier* things
have gotten!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I am getting through my workouts out with more
strength! I still modify almost all the
moves, but I am doing it and I feel stronger!
Even daily tasks around the house seem to come easier. Yes, I have been pretty much sore since last
Monday…but that shows I am working hard, right!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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I have energy! I
am drinking HALF the amount of coffee I was before I started and with only a
teaspoon of raw sugar. I drink one cup
in the morning and one after lunch. And
I still have FAR more energy than I have had in YEARS!<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am eating well and following the program! I haven’t been craving salts and sugars
nearly as much as I thought I would. I
think because I AM eating and eating a lot, I am not hungry. That processed sugar isn’t making me want
more food, I have natural sugars in my body that are keeping it energized and
sustained throughout the day.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I am losing weight and inches! This is no joke, <b><u>the first week I lost 6 lbs
and 10.5 inches.</u></b> Stop it. JUST STOP.
I didn’t believe it at first, even though I can feel the changes. I think that right there speaks for the
program. And I know this won’t continue
at this drastic of a pace, but still it happened and I hope to see some
continued results!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So that is WEEK ONE!!
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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Some may ask (because I have already asked myself the
same things): <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i>“Your only one week in, you are just trying to sell things,
that is why you are so enthusiastic about a program.” </i></b>(Nope. I am not a coach! And even if I was or become one, what I am “selling”
is the happiness and excitement that comes with making HUGE changes in your
life after decades of struggling to make those changes. This is someone who is very overweight and
finding something that is working and I am beyond thrilled.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i>“Ok, how can you really love this so much if you have
only done it for one week??”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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(Because I <b><i>FEEL</i></b> and <b><i>SEE </i></b>the difference!! If this is how I feel after ONE week, I can
only imagine how I will feel after three weeks or three months!!)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i>“You won’t feel like this in a couple more weeks, the
newness will wear off.”</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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(I think the hardest part is over. That first week. That isn’t at all to say this still isn’t
hard, because it <u>IS</u> and will be. But
from this point on every week will get a little better and I am seeing that
now! Even if I plateau again, I am working
out…the thing I have been dreading and avoiding since, well forever.) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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And believe, I know the excitement will wear off a bit
and I will want real pizza and not a pita pizza like I am having tonight. I know I will want that slice of cake or a hot
fudge sundae and not banana "ice cream". I know there will be days
I don’t work out.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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But that is the beauty of this…if I can maintain this for
at least 90% of the time and have 10% for those extra treats then it is still
great and I am still moving forward and being as healthy as I can be!! (90/10
philosophy <a href="http://holistichealthlibrary.com/the-90-10-philosophy/" target="_blank">HERE</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
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<o:p>Here are some things I ate this week!!</o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfYoconnuQtZqYkU0q31Cm-_3HV9MddHVNBeEpfZi_P2VI8gHkagGY4rEcHONxKzZ-Cbaul_TWEXYs3Imvb5Ygm23I4zlc1egVVBXEPCok77mGPYsOCtXujg-2nZ7Mr1refjBqw/s1600/ATT00001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFfYoconnuQtZqYkU0q31Cm-_3HV9MddHVNBeEpfZi_P2VI8gHkagGY4rEcHONxKzZ-Cbaul_TWEXYs3Imvb5Ygm23I4zlc1egVVBXEPCok77mGPYsOCtXujg-2nZ7Mr1refjBqw/s320/ATT00001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Look at this weekend lunch!!!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCzdednzmQRwwQ0d1fd66QdHXVGmw1drYQ6RY-96Nz9qcrw7hV-391hyphenhyphenni0DNDLCfOrND-v6YVAYDMxSr-dPO7u8NsuUI4KCECrcMEcmDVlZ8udaYI0A71JyYBUOs-PcjmP2H0A/s1600/ATT000014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPCzdednzmQRwwQ0d1fd66QdHXVGmw1drYQ6RY-96Nz9qcrw7hV-391hyphenhyphenni0DNDLCfOrND-v6YVAYDMxSr-dPO7u8NsuUI4KCECrcMEcmDVlZ8udaYI0A71JyYBUOs-PcjmP2H0A/s320/ATT000014.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Typical work lunch. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9RtyVGZyNakvj51PxZy4L9PIULewUzR0tCHakiIK2BhuLNHER3rQlc65NawYLpcFOxNMUDgwAkrdjyXBb9YMkqOBzZDRS5Zc7Yvr8f9HWyr07hLKoEA4gUZ7hq_suyxQiPFKbg/s1600/ATT000015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv9RtyVGZyNakvj51PxZy4L9PIULewUzR0tCHakiIK2BhuLNHER3rQlc65NawYLpcFOxNMUDgwAkrdjyXBb9YMkqOBzZDRS5Zc7Yvr8f9HWyr07hLKoEA4gUZ7hq_suyxQiPFKbg/s320/ATT000015.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Went out to eat and made the "right" choices! tasty! </div>
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Fajita night!! Limited the oils and had an amazing and filling meal!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDEm4VbFiWALsQkm81i-2unZ-aLvI14a6TI0tNy5mmJHALOr52cyoaJnzfntN23naRZT5bzim_s6ptcv1lEbCBuNquT8uqD5w7rSX_0PzJ90nXc2M4qyqtE7MK5a1nOEGj-kHAg/s1600/ATT000011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwDEm4VbFiWALsQkm81i-2unZ-aLvI14a6TI0tNy5mmJHALOr52cyoaJnzfntN23naRZT5bzim_s6ptcv1lEbCBuNquT8uqD5w7rSX_0PzJ90nXc2M4qyqtE7MK5a1nOEGj-kHAg/s320/ATT000011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Breakfast on the weekend done right!!! </div>
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Goat cheese omelet with sauteed spinach and mushrooms and turkey bacon...with a side of fruit!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_l2m0OM5Obp3-pePq779OQvtUy5mUYQ6bG6t-BfjuAvFL34w0CNaiLDqxJEpzv3VZ-GN1GZIWct0W2H29t2hXQEi-OSGAPf_W1JOyiQp-CT0Qg3yqbGNGBLbzdCsQ091SBm1cg/s1600/ATT000012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV_l2m0OM5Obp3-pePq779OQvtUy5mUYQ6bG6t-BfjuAvFL34w0CNaiLDqxJEpzv3VZ-GN1GZIWct0W2H29t2hXQEi-OSGAPf_W1JOyiQp-CT0Qg3yqbGNGBLbzdCsQ091SBm1cg/s320/ATT000012.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Dessert...YES PLEASE! </div>
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Banana "ice cream" with peanut butter, cocoa powder and mini chocolate chips!</div>
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Portabella mushrooms with an egg INSIDE! </div>
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Spinach and grilled chicken, pita and some hummus. Delicious.</div>
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I will post before and after pictures and my final
thoughts after the program is over in two weeks!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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*I say easier, but this is not easy. I am just getting better with every passing day.</div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-67271912157376540552015-08-04T13:16:00.001-07:002015-08-04T13:18:02.508-07:00Day One – The 21 Day Fix!!<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Yesterday I started the 21 day fix.
More about it <a href="http://www.daystofitness.com/21-day-fix-eating-plan/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<o:p></o:p></span><u1:p></u1:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">As you may have read previously, I have
been in a bit of a rut and my weight loss has stalled. So I thought this could be the kick start I
once again needed. I also have the encouragement of a <a href="http://www.twopretzels.com/2015/07/review-of-21-day-fix-my-first-round.html" target="_blank">dear friend</a> who is
the Beach Body coach and about 20 people in our group who are also doing
similar “fixes” for the next 21 days!! <u1:p></u1:p> So that coupled with
the continued support of family and other friends I thought, <b><u>I NEED TO DO THIS
FOR ME</u></b>!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b><i>Note: A support group is priceless.<u1:p></u1:p> I never use to think that, now I am all like…the
more the merrier! (Online of
course. <u>Never</u> in person. Can't take that social interaction.)</i></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Now I get I am ONE day into the program,
but still here are my initial impressions of what the 21 day fix is all
about. I wanted to write them down now
and then go back and see what I think after 21 days.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">The 21 Day fix is all about changing your
habits <i>(it takes 21 days to make new habits, so they say)</i> It is about clean eating, working out,
learning about proper portions, keeping your body properly fueled, and making a
lifestyle change.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Let me say while this program does say you
will lose weight and inches, and in many cases a large amount in a short period
of time, I would not consider this a diet. Or at the least a fad diet. This program could </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(and should)</span></span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> easily be
incorporated into your daily life when you are at the fitness level you wish to
be at. It is <b><i>VERY</i></b> well balanced between
food and exercise and is more of a kickstart to healthy living.</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here are some things I have noticed with
the program and one day in:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><u>It is a lot of food to eat<u1:p></u1:p>.</u></b> As a recovering </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(do I say recovering?!)</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> binge
eater, believe me when I say you will feel full!! You will also feel hungry and that is a GOOD
THING. Because of my weight, I am on the
high end of the diet (2100-2300 calories).
Folks. When I started my weight
loss journey in January I was limiting myself to 1350-1400 calories a day. I lost fast and then stalled. I wrote a post (<a href="http://www.wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/06/am-i-hurting-my-weight-loss-by-eating.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>) about possibly eating
too few calories so I bumped it up to around 1650 – 1750. My weight loss still stayed the same, never
changing. Now, I am eating 2100 – 2300 calories
a day?!?! Seriously. It feels like<i> so much food</i>…I am always eating
something, I swear. However, I don’t
feel overly stuffed after I eat but I feel hungry when it is time for my next
meal. My hanger seems to be under
control…no seriously, even without coffee I have been VERY pleasant the past
two days! <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">But how the hell am I supposed to lose
weight and inches eating more than I have since on this health kick?!?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Let me tell you. First, this is probably closer to what I
should be eating to lose a healthy amount of weight and to <b><i>KEEP </i></b>it off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Second, the foods I am eating are
whole/clean foods. A piece of pizza may
be 300-500 calories a slice and will not fill me up and I will be hungry after
eating my pizza. But do you know how
much food I can eat for 300-500 calories that is whole and how long that will
last and fuel my body?! A lot and a long
time. Granted, a piece of pizza and a
salad may not taste the same, but this program is teaching me how to eat better
and what clean eating can do to my body and how I feel. I am very much open to this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Third, I am working out every day (barf)
and that 30 minutes every day helps make my body strong, fueled, and metabolizing
which is what I need to lose weight.
Along with removing that fat!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b><u>It is a lot of prep<u1:p></u1:p> work. </u></b> And this is coming from the person who <i>loves</i>
to meal plan and prep. I don’t know how
many hours I was prepping food Sunday and I didn’t even pack my lunches for the
week, just did one day. However, I feel
the more I do this the easier it will become.
I am a creature of habit and like the same things for breakfast and
lunch, so as I continue I am certain my prep time will be more reasonable. But still, you must prep. You must plan. I don’t think you can properly do this if you
don’t. I know I couldn’t.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b><u>I MISS MY COFFEE!!!</u></b><u1:p></u1:p> Folks, this saddens me so much. You are allowed to have black coffee. I mean seriously. NO CREAM OR SUGAR?! What is the point. I bitched and moaned about it <b><i>ALL DAY</i></b> yesterday. I literally could only think about coffee and
wanting it. I am a baby. I tried a recipe that uses coconut oil and
vanilla extract and while it may be <strike>good</strike> OK on the weekend when I have time, it
does not work for me in my morning rush to get out the door as by the time I
got to it, it was cold and the oil was separating. <i>Barf again.</i>
But today I tried raw sugar. The
program says I can have a couple teaspoons a day, so I added it to a little
coffee and it was tolerable! I do miss
my cream…I actually miss milk in general on this plan. But I am hoping this will help to reduce how
much creamer I am using moving forward. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Yesterday my husband told me when I was whining about my coffee for the
100<sup>th</sup> time <i><b>“stop thinking about the coffee and start thinking about
how good you will feel in a few weeks, let alone a couple months.”</b></i> DAMN HIM AND
HIS INSIGHTFUL LOGIC!!!! He was correct.
I still miss my coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b><u>Not looking forward to working out every
day<u1:p></u1:p>. </u></b> I am very overweight…I
don’t like to use the other “O” word. I
don’t like to workout. Probably part of
the reason I got to where I am at. But
being so overweight, working out is painful…on top of already being painful. It is frustrating. I get down on myself saying <i>“how could you
let yourself get like this, you can’t even do a 30 minute workout”.</i> It seems like one more chore I need to do,
like folding laundry or clean the toilets when you have a 4 year old who pees
everywhere. Unpleasant, frustrating, and
something I dread to do and can’t wait for it to be over. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">This program has you working out SEVEN
days a week. Let me tell you, the first day KICKED MY ASS. I can barely walk today. I think I had to modify the modified
poses. I am not sure if every day is like
this, today is upper body so hopefully my legs can relax a bit! I also have piyo that I will be doing and
replacing at least one of the exercises that looks just way too much for me
this time around. But I am still moving
and that is something!! And it <i><b>will</b></i> get
easier. I have to <b><i>push </i></b>through. My goal is to take it <u>ONE DAY</u> at time. Don’t think about what is left, just focus on
today.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><u><b>The containers are teeny tiny when you get
them, but I believe they have Tardis technology</b>. </u><i>(Only dorks like me will get
this. Bigger on the inside for those who don’t.)</i> Seriously, they are itty bitty. That is all the avocado I can eat?! That is enough for one chip…wait, I can’t have
chips?! Or That pasta is like 4 bites! But I have this huge pasta bowl I need to
fill! <i>(Obviously, my portion size radar
is a bit off)</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">But it really is a good amount of food
when you eat clean. My salads at lunch
are huge! And you can double up on
containers if you need/want too. For example,
tonight I am having "healthier" fajitas so I saved two red to have extra chicken,
2 green for the peppers and salsa and 2 yellows so I can have 2 corn tortillas
and fat free refried beans, and a blue for a teeny tiny bit of avocado. YUM!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Here are My Goals for this first round of
the 21 Day Fix:<o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Focus and make time for MYSELF each day.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Workout every day and take it one day at a
time.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Don’t give up!<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><span style="color: #990000; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 11pt;">Lose weight and get past this plateau.<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in; text-align: center; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: #990000;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;"> </span></span><!--[endif]--></span></b><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><b><span style="color: #990000;">Acknowledge each <u>success</u> and don’t focus
or be hard on yourself for any “misses”.</span></b><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Here is Day 1 eating. Again, so much food! And in ALL the colors :-)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlOtqvyjcxoJjgNa8UCrliqGhX7cAhbxlrAdqAKb3-iPHMDPnVhr8WTJB3R1AbXJx79ZBrerToAHxWpl7r1LqEQM0XMq0z8ACPP07Qm-i4gchHkW2TSIjq31cseBZgqz0s1olvA/s1600/20150803_074436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdlOtqvyjcxoJjgNa8UCrliqGhX7cAhbxlrAdqAKb3-iPHMDPnVhr8WTJB3R1AbXJx79ZBrerToAHxWpl7r1LqEQM0XMq0z8ACPP07Qm-i4gchHkW2TSIjq31cseBZgqz0s1olvA/s320/20150803_074436.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"> Breakfast - Turkey bacon, spinach and egg "muffin" and 40 calorie toast. Half a banana not pictured </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i>(1 red, 1/2 red, 1/2 green, 1 yellow, 1 Purple)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8WkYRRl0u38FSInz6tsDKRhfaoUP1WXExKPIXerkVPZnzOrjEfxjV0GejQRYWR41mDsnRSZUvGyiwn1torBHbaLq8dccbxJ5K8rAHKcYrIIooQy0H0UmkZ10CVnKy2WPg9S5EQ/s1600/20150802_165624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn8WkYRRl0u38FSInz6tsDKRhfaoUP1WXExKPIXerkVPZnzOrjEfxjV0GejQRYWR41mDsnRSZUvGyiwn1torBHbaLq8dccbxJ5K8rAHKcYrIIooQy0H0UmkZ10CVnKy2WPg9S5EQ/s320/20150802_165624.jpg" width="180" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Snack 1 - Steel cut oats, strawberries and blueberries, a dash of cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon of agave </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(1 yellow, 1 purple, 1 tsp)</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-dFKTgSEu4VZy-dYjGRxlc8bYPuTegv5Y4nYH9niVpEdV9jDFh6yZRlG5uZVmwfbOoPE_XipTVytY7RJcRWoWzu20zIU6NK_NBz5o1NBUS_zHN_thYcOA20wqo8zVOexq80_TA/s1600/20150803_125841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ-dFKTgSEu4VZy-dYjGRxlc8bYPuTegv5Y4nYH9niVpEdV9jDFh6yZRlG5uZVmwfbOoPE_XipTVytY7RJcRWoWzu20zIU6NK_NBz5o1NBUS_zHN_thYcOA20wqo8zVOexq80_TA/s320/20150803_125841.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Lunch - Romaine lettuce with chicken, tomatoes and cucumber & dressing. Hummus and carrots </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(4 Green, 1 Red, 1 Blue, 1 Orange)</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSqNCAN6hdw1W0FXLjg4fY_lHHqeu32IMP1IQeXW9s3obguTjil-J2xY4WNiRieBVHIdf8eFcQmVNRhYNF2Vq-IW17dfAnbrUd6qGtPtEpWuc6uM_ZpIQnB_nbVDHsalaG7FOSA/s1600/20150803_161200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLSqNCAN6hdw1W0FXLjg4fY_lHHqeu32IMP1IQeXW9s3obguTjil-J2xY4WNiRieBVHIdf8eFcQmVNRhYNF2Vq-IW17dfAnbrUd6qGtPtEpWuc6uM_ZpIQnB_nbVDHsalaG7FOSA/s320/20150803_161200.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Snack 2 - Cottage cheese and pineapple </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(1 Red, 1 Purple)</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAvtjZf5g023Cout3Jhfd5nSy1qVMR9C9-Ixo3MGjoglBhsYbkjdy-YsDN0iWQGd3mie1esrQnNIekXHYBA5TLvWL31Sp2zI32INe9jK00SEGCID6vEe5TLY9raBKxOfRZNy28w/s1600/20150803_185829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGAvtjZf5g023Cout3Jhfd5nSy1qVMR9C9-Ixo3MGjoglBhsYbkjdy-YsDN0iWQGd3mie1esrQnNIekXHYBA5TLvWL31Sp2zI32INe9jK00SEGCID6vEe5TLY9raBKxOfRZNy28w/s320/20150803_185829.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> Dinner - Spanish quinoa, 21 Day Fix meatbals (OK, going to try an asian one next time), asparagus, leftover hummus from lunch </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">(1 1/2 Red, 1/2 yellow, 1 Green, 1 1/2 yellow)</span></i></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxk3nu4tfZcPLezKt3ErJDpEwOPSRhJX1g1JTN-AxY5ZLTtzAg4l3pLChU6ASiFH3UWRBz6P0GhMKwJQ0eWFISQn5uI1x0IkUIqdN8tgmhGivUSCLCqnyKplT78xWDzeACXaLZA/s1600/20150803_214945.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggxk3nu4tfZcPLezKt3ErJDpEwOPSRhJX1g1JTN-AxY5ZLTtzAg4l3pLChU6ASiFH3UWRBz6P0GhMKwJQ0eWFISQn5uI1x0IkUIqdN8tgmhGivUSCLCqnyKplT78xWDzeACXaLZA/s320/20150803_214945.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Dessert - 1 small apple, yogurt, 2 teaspoons peanut butter. THIS. IS. DELICIOUS!!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><i>(1 red, 1 Purple, 2 tsp)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">Seriously, I am on board with this plan 100%. I am sure in a couple weeks I will be craving
something sweet or want something I can’t have.
There will be days I just don’t want to work out (every day?!). I
probably will not want to prep one more meal for myself. And want that piece of pizza. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">But for now, I <b><i>want </i></b>to give this all I have. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>I NEED TO DO THIS FOR ME. </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">They ask you “what are your whys”. Meaning, WHY are you doing this? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">For me, my “why’s” could be because of my
son, my health, to wear skinny jeans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">But really, MY WHY is simple. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><b>Why am I doing this? For myself.
</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">I need to get healthy and do this for
ME. For so long I have put ME on the
back burner. It is time I put myself
first. My happiness, my health, my love
for my son, husband, and family and friends, my feelings, my skinny jeans. Whatever falls under that, I first and
foremost need to focus on me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">So that ends this all over the place, random start to the next 21 days!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">So have you done the 21 Day fix? Thoughts?
Please share!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 11pt;">And I will keep you updated over the next
three weeks!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<i><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: xx-small;">I am not a beach body coach, nor am I
getting compensated for anything I said or any products I am using. I am just really opinionated!!</span></i><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-90995998244651041682015-07-26T14:37:00.003-07:002015-07-26T16:24:41.177-07:00Meal Planning - It Is All About the PrepSo I have been having difficulty losing weight, even on a diet. I am getting some tests done just to see if it is hormonal or something, but I also am looking to refocus my diet and cut out even more sugars and carbs and work on portion control. <br />
<br />
To help with this I will be starting the <a href="http://www.beachbody.com/product/fitness_programs/21-day-fix-simple-fitness-eating.do?e=433000" target="_blank">21 Day Fix </a>in a week!! <i>Am I suppose to be excited about that?!?! </i> So I decided to prepare for that this week by getting back into the more strict lunches and meal prep (the last few weeks I haven't planned as much). I haven't received my 21 Day Fix yet, so not sure what my portions will be, but either way I planned a healthy and lower carb meals for *most* of the week, at least during the day!<br />
<br />
Meal prep in full force for breakfast and lunches for the week!! I need a bigger kitchen for sure...<br />
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Breakfast will be spinach and feta Egg Muffins for the week. Approximately 105 calories each.<br />
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Spray large muffin tin with Pam. Crack one egg in each and stir to break the yolk. Add 1/8-1/4 cup chopped fresh spinach and 1 tbsp feta to each egg. Add pepper to taste. Stir to combine. Bake at 350 for about 18 minutes or until set. I will probably eat with a piece of toast, Lovi'n fresh aldi bread, that is 70 calories a slice!! And of course coffee.<br />
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Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!! Breakfast DONE!<br />
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On to lunches. This week I have two different sets of lunches. <br />
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Three days I am having salad, hard boiled egg, 2 oz rotisserie chicken, cucumbers and yogurt ranch. Calories approximately 245 calories.<br />
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The other two days lunch will be buffalo chicken lettuce wraps. 4oz rotisserie chicken with franks red hot and celery mixed in. Four romaine leafs, cucumber and carrots with yogurt ranch dressing. Calories approximately 250 calories.<br />
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Snacks will be a heaping cup of strawberries and 1/4 cup almonds. (50 and 170 calories respectively)<br />
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<i> (Henry loves helping to put together my lunches!!)</i></div>
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So when it is all said and done I have lunches and breakfasts done for the week with extras leftover to eat during the week.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Bottom shelf is ALL mine!!</span></i></div>
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<i>What I bought for breakfast & lunches:</i><br />
<i>1 rotisserie chicken</i><br />
<i>1 large container strawberries </i><br />
<i>1 english cucumber</i><br />
<i>1-3 pack romaine lettuce </i><br />
<i>1 small bag of spinach </i><br />
<i>Eggs</i><br />
<i>Bolthouse Yogurt ranch dressing (already had)</i><br />
<i>Baby carrots </i><br />
<i>Celery (already had)</i><br />
<i>Almonds</i><br />
<i>Small container of feta</i><br />
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We have a bunch of stuff going on this week in the evenings. We have stuff with friends a couple evenings and family in town Friday - Sunday and a cookout with friends Saturday!! Meals in the evening will be a little heavier, but I feel I have balanced them well with my low carb, high protein and low calorie <b><i>days</i></b>!!<br />
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Dinners:<br />
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Sunday - Pasta casserole<br />
Monday - Pizza and Salad<br />
Tuesday - Fajitas<br />
Wednesday - Leftovers<br />
Thursday - Breakfast<br />
Friday - OUT - Family<br />
Saturday - Cookout<br />
Sunday - Grilled Chicken and Grilled Veggies<br />
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I also have 100 calorie fudge bars from aldi's fit & active line for some of those evenings I need a chocolate fix. YUM!!!<br />
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I forgot to track just my food expenses because we needed so many non-food items at the store. But I estimate about $100 was spent on food for the week (excluding the cookout food).<br />
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<b>What are YOU eating this week?!?!</b><br />
<br />Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-67485800544285793402015-07-05T09:04:00.001-07:002015-07-05T09:04:22.477-07:00Weekly Meal PlanningHere is a look at this weeks meals, prep from last weeks meals and more meal planning ideas!! If you missed my last post, check it out <a href="http://www.wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/06/eating-healthy-on-budget-long-post.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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This weeks groceries, $89. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> (sparklers and glow bracelets not included!)</i></span> Eating out one night (approx $40) plus about $10 at a different store. Total for the week $139.<br />
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A large portion of my groceries for the week also included 4th of July items. Cookies, snacks, and three sides for a cookout. Because I knew about half my budget this week would be for just this weekend, I planned my meals next week to be some of my lower cost items that I can stretch a dollar, as well as really utilizing pantry items!!<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;"><i>Tip: On the Meal List you keep for meal planning, note which ones are on the lower end of the budget and which one always provide leftovers. This helps to stretch your money and food.</i></span></b><br />
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<u><b>Meals for Friday - Thursday</b></u></div>
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<b>Friday</b> - Out (cookies and goldfish for fireworks)<br />
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<b>Saturday</b> - Cookout (Taking homemade pasta salad, corn and avocado salsa, watermelon, and "cheesecake" filled strawberries.<br />
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<b>Sunday</b> - Pasta with "burst" tomatoes and basil. Garlic knots & salad on the side.<br />
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<b><i>Lunch prep:</i></b> I will eat hard boiled eggs, almonds, lunchmeat, cheese cubes and yogurt for lunches. Will prep on Sunday.<br />
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<b>Monday </b>- Portabella Mushroom pizzas (Henry hot dog & mac and cheese) and salad<br />
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<b>Tuesday</b> - Stuffed baked potatoes (make extra for lunches for Terry)<br />
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<b>Wednesday</b> - Breakfast (veggie omelet)<br />
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<b>Thursday</b> - Grilled Cheese and Soup (most items from pantry - easy night)<br />
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The meals that I choose this week are <i>very</i> low cost. Again, I am utilizing my pantry to help from buying more at the store and by planning meals without meat, I have saved additional money.<br />
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<b><i><span style="color: red;">Tip: If you need to save money on food for the week, make it a meat free (or nearly meat free) week! Eggs or tuna in place are a great source of protein and a fraction of the cost.</span></i></b><br />
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Now, I am dieting and when on a diet it is not always good to turn to the more cost effect meals like potatoes and pasta. However, I make plain baked potatoes to eat instead of the stuffed ones and add my own toppings separately so I can control them. And the pasta just has roasted tomatoes with basil and a little olive oil. It is light and when you eat a small amount with a salad it works out greta!<br />
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I try to eat real foods, just try to find ways to incorporate them into my calorie count and daily life.<br />
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Example on meal prep.<br />
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This was last weeks meal prep. I got all my vegetables ready, I packaged and seasoned fajita mixture for dinner that night, prepped kabobs for later that week, and made soup for my lunches for the week. All done on Sunday by 11am!!<br />
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Ready to prep!!</div>
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Shrimp kabobs, prepped for one meal during the week.</div>
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Look at the Shrimp kabobs later in the week. </div>
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Had over a little bit of leftover rice pilaf from earlier in the week.</div>
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Henry wanted to help...though help turned to eating!!!</div>
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When you have extra, use it!! I had a bag of extra snacking green peppers in the fridge </div>
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that a cut up and used in the soup.</div>
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Soup for the lunches, done on sunday!</div>
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Rice for soup (if wanted) and burrito bowls. Done!</div>
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Fajitas...prepped and seasoned!</div>
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Example: Easy pantry meal one night </div>
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Used left over asparagus from earlier night and made an omelet. Toast, 2 slices 100 calories, asparagus 30 calories, 2 egg & 2 egg white omelet 182 calories = awesome and filing dinner 312 calories!! Cost, no idea because it is so low...a couple bucks, maybe?!</div>
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So what did you eat this week?! Did you try any meal planning? Please share!!</div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-11679434931864807052015-06-25T12:26:00.003-07:002015-07-03T08:13:45.643-07:00Eating Healthy on a Budget – A Long Post About Meal Planning<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Preface.</div>
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This is long, sorry about that. </div>
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This may not work for you, so share what works for you!!</div>
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These are just my tips, it is all about finding a way that works for you!</div>
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One of the hardest things for me when it comes to a diet
is planning healthy meals the family loves, while also not going over the
budget. I think we can agree, that
sometimes eating healthy can come at a price! But over the last 6 months I am learning that
this doesn’t necessarily have to be the case.
I have managed to find ways to incorporate a healthy diet for me and for
my family, while sticking to our budget.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Now I do have to say, many meals we eat separate things. My husband works crazy hours so we may not
always have dinner with him. And my son
is, lets say, a particular eater. He
does eat healthy, but the list of foods he likes is somewhat limited. And then there is me who wants to eat healthy
and try new alternatives.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I know some are thinking…<b><i>SO DO YOU MAKE THREE MEALS?!</i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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Uh, not exactly.<o:p></o:p></div>
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But I do prepare meals a little differently. If my husband will be home for dinner then I
make a meal we will all like and share. If he is not, he
eats what he wants <span style="font-size: x-small;">(usually leftovers or frozen meals because that is his
choice!)</span> and then I make something <u>easy</u> for Henry (mac & cheese
with broccoli, canned fruit, carrot sticks, chicken nuggets for example) and
then I may make myself something <u>easy</u> like an omelet or salad.
These are easy meals to make for dinner, but also keep all of us healthy
and happy!<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><i>Tip: Have a list of quick, easy and healthy meals to fit in your regular week.</i></b></span></div>
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We also budget to eat out maybe once a week. We like to eat out. Plain and simple. </div>
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So, with all that said, I have learned how to eat healthy
while staying on a budget. The major key, <b><i>for me</i></b>, to eating healthy is meal
planning. I have been meal planning for over year for our budget, but the last 6 months have found ways to incorporate my healthy eating into our meal plan!</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>Meal planning is KEY for me.</u></b><br />
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If I do not have a plan/idea of what I am eating for the week, I not
only go off my diet but I also overspend.
I mean, who wouldn’t want to order a pizza after a long day at work
instead of coming home to make dinner?!<br />
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I have had meals planned as little as one week and as much as
two months. For me, two weeks is ideal
as it fits into our pay period so I know exactly how much I have to work with after bills are paid, plus I
have NO idea what I will be in the mood for more than 2 weeks out and what will
be on sale.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Before you start meal planning you should <u><b><span style="color: red;">write down a list of your favorite meals</span></b></u> to
make for everyone in the family. They
could be healthy or not, elaborate or basic like grilled cheese and soup...but I keep a list for an easy reference. Otherwise I totally forget! Keep this list with your recipes and you can refer to it whenever you plan your meals.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I tried to get at least 20 meals on our list. We have about 40 on our list and your list will grow as you do this longer. I use this as my base list and refer to it
when meal planning. It doesn’t mean I
only use those recipes, but they are most of our “go-to” recipes! I then look online for things that sound good and try out new recipes every so often.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Next, <b><u><span style="color: red;">pick out a few meals for the week based on what you have time for</span></u></b>. I use a calendar and make sure to include
evenings my husband works and if we have anything going on so that I know what
type of meals to prepare. Do you have days it needs to be something quick, something that can be made the night before, a sit down dinner, ect...<br />
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I try to <u><b><span style="color: red;">pick
meals that use similar ingredients</span></b></u>, to help with the budget. For example, I may make chicken fajitas one
night and make extras for leftovers to have burrito bowls the next night. I will also plan quesadillas for Henry since
he doesn’t like burrito bowls and this uses any extra tortillas we may have. And to keep things healthy, we use brown rice
or even quinoa for the burrito bowls. Hey, how about we use the extra quinoa for an easy dinner with a poached egg on top and spinach. And if I plan on a weekend, I may even make breakfast burritos with the fajita leftovers. Or if you are using something that uses a half a bag of carrots, think of another way to utilize the carrots....another meal or that will be your vegetable snack for the week.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">Tip: Always leave at least one or two</span><u><span style="color: red;"> leftover nights</span></u><span style="color: blue;"> and
I always leave a night for an easy meal to help clean out your
pantry/refrigerator so food is not going to waste. Not every night needs to be a gourmet
meal!! </span><span style="color: blue;"> (I use to plan a new meal every
night and not only did it cost more, but we wasted food because we never ate
all the leftovers.)</span></i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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When meal planning I also <b><u><span style="color: red;">look at what I already
have</span></u></b>. I don’t know how many times I will
buy a can of black beans when I already have two in our pantry! When you use what you have in your pantry it can save money.<o:p></o:p></div>
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When meal planning, I also have to <b><u><span style="color: red;">figure out what other meals other than dinner we need to plan for</span></u></b>. Usually it is breakfast
and lunches for myself. I try to do the
same, or similar thing every day for the week. I am
boring like that! But at least I know my
calorie count and what I have to spend. I also figure out if I need to make extra of anything for lunches or leftover nights.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: blue;">Tip: </span><u><span style="color: red;">Don't over buy!!</span></u><span style="color: blue;"> Sometimes it is easy to buy all the fruits or vegetables or other perishable items that look good and throw half away at the end of the week...at least I know I have. I stick to one or two for the week so I know we will use them. This not only saves on the budget and waste, but then I don't feel obligated to eat everything.</span></i></b></div>
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So after I know what kind of week/s it will be, how much time and money we have, and what nights I more time to cook and what nights we will have "easy" meals or leftovers I tally it all up and incorporate the appropriate recipes for that week, <br />
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So what does ALL this long winded stuff mean for eating
healthy on a budget??<o:p></o:p></div>
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Basically, when you take an hour or two every couple weeks
and plan your meals, you can SAVE big time.
You also KNOW what you are going to eat, so there are no questions. And note, <b><u><span style="color: red;">there is no right or wrong way to meal plan</span></u></b>! <br />
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I usually put my final menu on a calendar and hang it up so we all know what we are eating that week. But many times I am scribbling stuff on post-it notes and pieces of paper and may change my mind throughout the week until I make my final meal plan the week before. It really is what works for you!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is an example of a two week menu and a week of
groceries <span style="font-size: x-small;">(we were out last week so things are a bit off this week).</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Monday</b> – Salad for Me, Noodles with tuna for Henry and
Terry. (yields extras)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Tuesday</b> – Easy Pantry Night (I had tomato soup and an english muffin then a bowl of cereal for a snack later)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>(J. Breakfast – Egg Muffin Sandwich 238 calories; J. lunch
– 2 cup salad with hard boiled egg. 2oz turkey lunch meat, 2 tbsp yogurt ranch,
½ cup Low fat cottage cheese & ½ cup pineapple – 353 calories, Snacks: 1
cup grapes, baked Cheetos = 182 calories)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Wednesday</b> – Frozen Ravioli (Vegetable and fruit on the
side for Henry – Small side of Ravioli with Salad for me) (yields extras)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>(J. Breakfast – Protein Bar and coffee = 280 calories
plus 50 calories for creamer, J Lunch = Egg Muffin with lean turkey, ½ cup
cottage cheese, baby carrots = 380 calories, Snacks = grapes 62 calories)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Thursday</b> – Grilled Chicken with a balsamic glaze, grilled
asparagus, Rice Pilaf (make extra box for Saturday) – extra chicken for lunch Friday. extra asparagus for omelets for dinner Friday.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>(J. Breakfast – Egg Muffin Sandwich 238 calories; J. lunch
– 2 cup salad with hard boiled egg. 2oz turkey lunch meat, 2 tbsp yogurt ranch,
½ cup Low fat cottage cheese & ½ cup pineapple – 353 calories, Snacks: 1
cup grapes = 62 calories)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Friday</b> – Easy night/leftovers - Omelets with asparagus (use leftovers from thursday)<o:p></o:p><br />
<i>(J. Breakfast – Egg Muffin Sandwich 238 calories; J. lunch – 2 cup salad with hard boiled egg. 2oz grilled chicken, 2 tbsp yogurt ranch, ½ cup Low fat cottage cheese, XXX calories, Snacks: 1 cup grapes = 62 calories)</i></div>
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<b>Saturday</b> – Shrimp Kabobs over rice (use leftover rice
from Thursday) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Sunday</b> – Chicken Fajitas (can use any extra shrimp as
well) <o:p></o:p></div>
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<i>Sunday Meal Prep – Breakfast burritos. Make a Turkey Kale
Soup for lunch and for the next week.
Prep lettuce for salads and lunches for the week</i>.</div>
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<b>Monday</b> – Burrito Bowls (Use extra chicken Fajita Mixture)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Tuesday</b> – Grilled Fish with Grilled Veggies (Make extra
veggies)<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Wednesday</b> – Easy Pantry Night<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Thursday</b> – “Chinese” Lettuce Cups - Couscous with extra
veggies from Tuesday and cabbage with a little soy sauce <o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Friday</b> – OUT<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Saturday</b> – Pasta Casserole<o:p></o:p></div>
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I think in the future I am going to start listing our
meals and grocery items on the blog to give you a better idea!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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So for me, I calculate how much my dinners will be
calorie wise. Then fill in my breakfast
and lunch. Whatever is leftover I use
for snacks.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Here is a breakdown of the cost:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm12dj8Qi65V0GgXVc5OaDz8ftDGL_HqIw9mReO4PQsmd8nfLmJNuYudXsAI9nQgWmvcLXUdE0xAC6fdB_1TEUp1nviU-7KLql4klutEfmV1HVKdW_KRm2aul_FRS3WwXl83emSw/s1600/PART_1435194235765_20150622_113448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm12dj8Qi65V0GgXVc5OaDz8ftDGL_HqIw9mReO4PQsmd8nfLmJNuYudXsAI9nQgWmvcLXUdE0xAC6fdB_1TEUp1nviU-7KLql4klutEfmV1HVKdW_KRm2aul_FRS3WwXl83emSw/s400/PART_1435194235765_20150622_113448.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i>(hard to really tell, but a lot of food there for $49!)</i></div>
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So for groceries for Monday – Friday. I spent $49 at Aldi’s. We also had been gone a week so didn’t have
much in our fridge at all so had to get a couple extra “restock” items like cat
food, milk, two dozen eggs, frozen pancakes, and even got batteries so spent
more than normal!! We then spent another
$6 on two HUGE <span style="font-size: x-small;">(I only eat half and save half)</span> chicken breasts at the butcher
and about $12 on Rice pilaf, asparagus and a few frozen meals for Terry’s
lunches at a different store. This gave us our meals for $67. Now, we did have
stuff in our pantry but that is why I try to keep a full pantry with the
basics.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Groceries for the reminder of my menu above it will
probably run me about $85 plus a night out of food (approx. $35-$40) which
means about $125 for the second week. That puts us at $192 for two weeks of meals and we are eating a good
variety of foods that are still <b><i>HEALTHY</i></b>!! Now granted, if I wanted something special as a meal or we splurge on something the budget goes up. And this does happen...sometimes the week is busy and we may eat out a few times. But by estimating how much we want to spend and planning ahead, we know
what or if any wiggle room we have in our budget! Next time we may only spend $150 for two weeks or maybe $300 for two weeks.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><b><i>**For the record, the <u>low-end </u>food budget for a month for
a family of 4 is $786, about $195 per week.
I know there are others who can do this and lower their monthly bill
more than mine, but we still like to eat and there are certain things we won’t
give up.</i></b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
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So here is how I do it:<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Shop at Multiple Stores & Don’t be afraid of
Aldi’s!!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
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I am probably the person who<i>
HATES</i> grocery shopping more than anyone else out there. BUT, I do love saving money so it is a give
and take thing! So I shop multiple
places. The best deals for meat is at
the butcher, hands down. The quality is
usually amazing and the cost is comparable and normally less than a big box
store.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Aldi’s. DO NOT BE AFRAID OF IT!! I know I was intimidated by the fact that I had
to bring a quarter for a cart (huh?!) and then my own bags (really?!) but they
do that to keep costs down, allowing for some of the lowest prices you will
find. AND, the food is good and good
quality. Their Fit & Active product
line is fantastic. They sell organic items,
including produce. Their produce is great! They even have a wide variety of gluten free. And many of their breads do not have High
Fructose Corn Syrup and half the cost at any other store!! Their seafood and
lunch meat are great and some of the BEST deals you will find on cheese. And almonds
are an amazing deal. Their canned fruits
and vegetables are a
HUGE money saver and where else can you find organic tomato paste for 25
cents! <o:p></o:p></div>
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About every 6-8 weeks I go to Aldi’s
to stock up on pantry items. Diced
tomatoes, canned vegetables, canned fruits, organic sauces, olive oil,
ect. This is about $50-$60. Then I go every week or two for
meal items. Shopping here has really
saved us a lot of money on the things we use regularly!! I then go to a regular store and pick up any remaining items I need that Aldi's doesn't have. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Veggies, Veggies, Veggies</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Summer is the best time for
veggies and I supplement a big part of my diet on vegetables that are on sale/in season. <o:p></o:p>I also make sure to have one or two fruits for the week (one week grapes, next apples, next bananas..ect…) but whatever it is I pick one or two and go with that for the week. </div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->“Filler Foods” </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Don’t forget about “filler”
foods. Cabbage, beans, brown rice. These foods are inexpensive, high in fiber,
and a GREAT addition to meals. I am
taking leftover vegetables from one of my meals and mixing it with a bunch of sautéed
cabbage and a little light soy sauce and adding it to some lettuce cups for a
meal for me. Sometimes I throw beans
on my salad for extra protein and fiber.
Brown rice is also a staple. Spaghetti
squash and cauliflower are also foods I am learning to use to supplement meals. All of these are extremely budget friendly.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHZlYVZfXO06FL6XWSkIgvvNfDKNJk2WFIbc6MyvcNtbp7lCF_3PA-kjNumpQyy6pvZXtD2dP_5G8-prihE_an2eqkGxlNGNK4Blk5F8KjK7fEr_5RbuJcy7CHN0Ys6AjmyRSVQ/s1600/ResizedImage_1420682994109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHZlYVZfXO06FL6XWSkIgvvNfDKNJk2WFIbc6MyvcNtbp7lCF_3PA-kjNumpQyy6pvZXtD2dP_5G8-prihE_an2eqkGxlNGNK4Blk5F8KjK7fEr_5RbuJcy7CHN0Ys6AjmyRSVQ/s320/ResizedImage_1420682994109.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Chinese stir-fry with cabbage"</i></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Prep as much as you can!!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
This may go more on the eating
healthy side, but I find when I prep as much of my food as I can ahead of time,
it makes eating that healthy food way easier!
I wash, let dry and then put all my shredded lettuce for salads in a
ziplock bag for the week and just grab as needed. Same with vegetables for the week. And if there is ANY cooking I can do for the
week on Sunday I do it. Make a soup for
the week, make rice for later that week. You normally eat all the food you have and spend less time during the week preparing meals.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Let someone else do the work when it comes to
coupons and saving money!</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
There are websites like <a href="http://www.freetastesgood.com/">www.freetastesgood.com</a> and coupon mom
that tell you what is on sale, what coupons to use, and how to save
money!! Many times this may be on
packaged food or home items <i>(got 3 clorox toilet bowl cleaners for .49 each!!)</i>
but you are saving money. I am by no
means an extreme couponer, but I do look for deals. And then if I save on home items, I can spend
a little more on healthy food at the store!<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKR_YQqpxRiiySuqOYFWMW7-X-r7R5Chyphenhyphen3w0Esqz5DFcCBTDr80ZOLtH-V4-H-lXXGL0PhtIH7Oqy-8XmfEkXZ46Ckwp4OqJUUF6ZUC_Ow0Ewe3OlCF8FJVWvnZ36ZsbtZV2m7w/s1600/PART_1435259719007_IMG_20150613_103334.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzKR_YQqpxRiiySuqOYFWMW7-X-r7R5Chyphenhyphen3w0Esqz5DFcCBTDr80ZOLtH-V4-H-lXXGL0PhtIH7Oqy-8XmfEkXZ46Ckwp4OqJUUF6ZUC_Ow0Ewe3OlCF8FJVWvnZ36ZsbtZV2m7w/s320/PART_1435259719007_IMG_20150613_103334.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Got all this for $25!)</span></div>
</div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Frozen and Canned Fruits and Vegetables </b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
There may be differing opinions
about canned food, but I use it and find it to be a GREAT value. Low sodium is always the way to go. But frozen vegetables are a HUGE savings and
packed full of nutrients. They are flash
frozen at their peak, so lose very little in regards to nutrients. I can get a bag of broccoli florets for $1.10. And if you want spinach to put in something,
frozen spinach is amazing! The amount of
fresh spinach you would have to add would cost you way more than the $1 box of
frozen spinach. I buy mine at Aldi's as I find the quality to be great with nothing added.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b>7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have “Go To” Easy and Healthy Meals in your
Pantry</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;">
We always have light and easy
items in our house. As I mentioned
above, having a pantry of basics is great.
There are lots of websites that talk about pantry items. We do go to bulk food stores to buy many of
these pantry items. It really is a great
savings on things you use all the time!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aNOqFP7h7i2lBO5jNDwjMDTX78XyP5mM1pOrauDKjp24jjrbEszMl5geEHe4SrxRjPZ4LITJapry2YfKhzg4DR7dXwXnrMuP4VBOuF0-jP59QZsdJIwBcuBf4joYhAoqNEWrDw/s1600/ResizedImage_1421980927653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6aNOqFP7h7i2lBO5jNDwjMDTX78XyP5mM1pOrauDKjp24jjrbEszMl5geEHe4SrxRjPZ4LITJapry2YfKhzg4DR7dXwXnrMuP4VBOuF0-jP59QZsdJIwBcuBf4joYhAoqNEWrDw/s320/ResizedImage_1421980927653.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>My go to meal on an "easy" night!</i></div>
<br />
<br />
You don't have to like to cook or make elaborate meals to meal plan. You also don't have to eat boxed foods or limit your fruits and vegetables to save money on food. It can seem intimidating at first, but really it is like a puzzle and you should <b><u><span style="color: red;">find ways to make it fun</span></u></b>!! When you start having fun with meal planning AND meal preparation, it doesn't seem so much like a chore and it is easier to stay in your budget. And if you do a lot of the prep work on one day when you have time, you do not need to worry about as much during the week when you are busy.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Phew. Ok, I should probably shut up now!!!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>But what did I miss on meal planning?! </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>Does it make sense? </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>Questions?! </b></span><br />
<span style="color: #351c75; font-size: large;"><b>What do <i>you</i> do to eat healthy on a budget?!</b></span><o:p></o:p></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-small;"><i>*Update - went to the store and left my list at home!! Not only did I spend about $30 more than I wanted, I forgot a couple things and spent more time in the store than I wanted!! Seriously, meal planning and organization is so important for me! :-)</i></span><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-44144398465909998722015-06-22T13:32:00.001-07:002015-06-22T13:32:19.711-07:00Incorporating a Diet on Vacation and Getting Back on Track When the Vacation is Over!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5E2uyUWCU0OmXBwz4TNtOZhMLx8kSeOyWzH9LaRFjyzbW2AHl1hHlXaS5x20-0VcgF6hmBGoud3a2S8EA6TOZbXCqvJMfEuR45mHQHeHpvOcUvxdB0imE-HJMTaBRnzwkGJEfQ/s1600/3e91949c80200ab3f37f9f0cfa316a1c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB5E2uyUWCU0OmXBwz4TNtOZhMLx8kSeOyWzH9LaRFjyzbW2AHl1hHlXaS5x20-0VcgF6hmBGoud3a2S8EA6TOZbXCqvJMfEuR45mHQHeHpvOcUvxdB0imE-HJMTaBRnzwkGJEfQ/s320/3e91949c80200ab3f37f9f0cfa316a1c.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(I feel this sums up me and my progress and how I am learning as I lose weight)</i></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
So this last weekend I was home for the week and of course I <b><i>"had"</i></b> to eat at all my favorite food places that I only eat at once a year. <br />
<br />
How can I pass up pizza at this <i>amazing</i> pizza shop that uses lots of fresh and local (Amish grown) ingredients?!<br />
<br />
Or Chinese at my favorite Chinese restaurant....that just so happens to be a buffet.<br />
<br />
After standing outside for 6 hours at the Fiesta tent sale, wings and a drink seemed like a must.<br />
<br />
No trip home is complete without cream chicken sandwiches and fried mushrooms served with a tall and crisp homemade rootbeer at the Rootbeer Stand!<br />
<br />
And can you really go to the Drive-In movie and not snack on nachos with cheese, popcorn and junior mints?! Ok, you probably can but it isn't as fun.<br />
<br />
And what is breakfast without an amazing creme stick from a local bakery!<br />
<br />
So I think you are getting my point. My trip home revolved around two things. My family and food.<br />
<br />
And when you are on a diet, it can be frustrating when you feel you cannot indulge in your favorite things.<br />
<br />
But I made a choice. I was going to let myself eat my favorite things, but take it easy.<br />
<br />
See, when I restrict myself, that is when I hurt myself the most because one of two things happens:<br />
<br />
1. I either binge eat, or<br />
2. I get very angry (hangry) that I don't get to eat the things I love.<br />
<br />
Yep, I am a bit of an extreme person, but I DO get angry when I want to eat something and don't get it. I wasn't going to go the entire trip and not eat some of the foods that make me happy. It is vacation and I wanted to enjoy myself. But I also did not want to avoid the foods and then go crazy and binge one day. <br />
<br />
<i><u>Moderation.</u></i><br />
<br />
That is the thing I am learning and this is something I am going to have to work on for the rest of my life. Ask any binge eater....this can be tough.<br />
<br />
So when we ate pizza, I had a salad to go with my dinner. <br />
<br />
A heavy Chinese buffet at lunch and a lighter dinner can balance out nicely.<br />
<br />
Eat a smaller amount or half of the foods you like so you get a taste without overindulging. So you only need half that small strawberry milkshake, not the whole thing.<br />
<br />
If you do splurge on, lets say a creme stick, don't do it every day. One day is enough.<br />
<br />
Drink lots of water!! Especially if you want to have beverages (like alcohol) in the evening....keep it simple during the day and are not drinking your calories.<br />
<br />
Make sure you still have healthy snacks and don't skip meals as you still need that fuel for your body and it will help from overeating later.<br />
<br />
And remove the guilt!!! If you are eating within the parameters you set up, then do it without the guilt. Enjoy as you shouldn't have those negative feelings associated with food...not healthy.<br />
<br />
These are things I tried to do last week. <br />
<br />
Was I perfect? Uh hell no. Who is? But I tried to be mindful of my diet without only focusing on what I ate. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrt8QPvH3DlY5pAOa9WgyLi_fvkZ8Y_rU2hAnLFd5lkrAeMQzVnYnIcDipZ7M2_FlkxFxh-4hgdDUq3avVxmmbbXQ4eS8DXK59kqcH4mGWIMKO_2H40mLkvTj-_Mj1rU4p2z9wg/s1600/9bbfaac40454ad87f8fc0772a22bb695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyrt8QPvH3DlY5pAOa9WgyLi_fvkZ8Y_rU2hAnLFd5lkrAeMQzVnYnIcDipZ7M2_FlkxFxh-4hgdDUq3avVxmmbbXQ4eS8DXK59kqcH4mGWIMKO_2H40mLkvTj-_Mj1rU4p2z9wg/s320/9bbfaac40454ad87f8fc0772a22bb695.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't want my love for food to make me unhappy. I don't want to be so focused on what I eat that I get angry. I want to enjoy, but enjoy in moderation. I want to focus on how I <i>feel </i>when I eat. ENJOY every bite, even if there are only a few bites. I don't need everything and all at once...a little bit here and there can make me <b><i>just as happy</i></b>. I want to focus on when I feel full and stop instead of feeling I need to power through that entire bag of popcorn.<br />
<br />
Since I started this leg of my diet, I have been trying to be more mindful of <i>how </i>food makes me feel. How I feel towards food. My food triggers and knowing how to stop myself.<br />
<br />
Vacation was no different. I wasn't going to throw everything I have learned the past 6 months out the window and eat everything in site, but I also wasn't going to not enjoy those foods I love. This is part of the learning process.<br />
<br />
I think overall I did well on vacation.<br />
<br />
And the weird thing is I am excited to get back to my healthier eating.<br />
<br />
<i><b>SAY WHAT?!?!</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkh-xFiU2HYQLggDQXlu03JPIDiIf67zPyqi8SU2apoMDwIrA2RlmBNuOcYCTdCjlHa7l8UMNA5Zv4h2w9tqIM8IBaPJbD5oSBo0GZcM8qkHVyXsHOchx2W8D8aLMT0MvzRTi39g/s1600/6a653e4f87748e6451c7ac42be4cc560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkh-xFiU2HYQLggDQXlu03JPIDiIf67zPyqi8SU2apoMDwIrA2RlmBNuOcYCTdCjlHa7l8UMNA5Zv4h2w9tqIM8IBaPJbD5oSBo0GZcM8qkHVyXsHOchx2W8D8aLMT0MvzRTi39g/s320/6a653e4f87748e6451c7ac42be4cc560.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<br />
Yep. I went to the store and bought my salad stuff and have been prepping my healthier foods for the week. Even though I am off work today, I picked right where I left off before vacation. 1650 calories a day. I had coffee and an egg and english muffin for breakfast. A delicious salad for lunch. And will have a nice dinner, all within my calories.<br />
<br />
I think when you start eliminating some of those foods and get in the habit of eating a certain way, it makes it easier to come back after you indulge. I treated myself last week and now back to my new lifestyle. Plain and simple. I have to make it that I have no other choice, this is just the way it is.<br />
<br />
THIS is my new lifestyle.<br />
<br />
And for the first time, I am OK with that.<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHokN-aUGTFTGsoaaRVMbqsOWdwgR9_zSf-M8HFS9N3bJvze8pIWAQuh9FhRkMBhOxlNka3raSsUbKcHTyj-JkndSrsRquFIkjSv80msfMcB_6mcVyc-5XdM1FvMz7BZh0jmNAQ/s1600/23ce1a66dfad2299ea4284671f8afdbc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXHokN-aUGTFTGsoaaRVMbqsOWdwgR9_zSf-M8HFS9N3bJvze8pIWAQuh9FhRkMBhOxlNka3raSsUbKcHTyj-JkndSrsRquFIkjSv80msfMcB_6mcVyc-5XdM1FvMz7BZh0jmNAQ/s320/23ce1a66dfad2299ea4284671f8afdbc.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<br />
I don't know if I have too many tips for getting back on track after a vacation other than just do it. <br />
<br />
Go to the store when you get home and get your healthy foods.<br />
<br />
Don't bring excess food from your vacation home...you splurged there but at home you are back on track. i.e. we don't need to bring back creme sticks from the bakery back home!!<br />
<br />
Plan healthy meals full of flavor that first week back or your favorite healthy meals to get you excited to eat!<br />
<br />
Make up your mind that this is just how it is. And the next vacation/special occasion you can splurge again, you just need to be healthier now.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir14g14C5OKQnjS6iFr4xPPzUNWWTxaO1mCtrd3IO4XhLdGmfdtFexNoNYaMcqn-2oT7I2Yp0IwaxSzcLZW8UdQQM7cRPme9FuI76rMHZGaxKmab3IG_4ioDU-ljnLQZ82NHF_0w/s1600/f68b6e53c1310e19093184e55194b1c3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir14g14C5OKQnjS6iFr4xPPzUNWWTxaO1mCtrd3IO4XhLdGmfdtFexNoNYaMcqn-2oT7I2Yp0IwaxSzcLZW8UdQQM7cRPme9FuI76rMHZGaxKmab3IG_4ioDU-ljnLQZ82NHF_0w/s320/f68b6e53c1310e19093184e55194b1c3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<span style="color: blue;"><b><i> So tell me, how do you handle eating on vacation?!?! How about getting back on track when vacation is over?!</i></b></span></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-90260182966842400542015-06-09T12:32:00.000-07:002015-06-09T12:32:29.939-07:00Am I Hurting My Weight Loss by Eating TOO FEW Calories?!?!<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">So,
I have mentioned the last couple months my weight loss has sorta plateaued. I would aim to eat 1300-1400 calories during
the week and 1400-1500. On the weekends
my calorie count really fluctuated higher and more like 1700-2000…because,
honestly I was <i>HUNGRY</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">During
the week I was tired and had no energy.
Many nights I would go to bed when Henry did because I was so tired.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">I
lost 24 pounds pretty quick, but as my weight loss stopped, I would get mad and
eat even fewer calories and then it seemed like one day a week I would eat
close to 2000. This is still less than
what I used to eat, especially when I had a binge. But still, to eat 1250 calories for 3 days
and then 2000 the next seemed to be causing issues and confusing my body more
than actually helping it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">I
started talking to friends and reading as much as I could about eating <b><i>TOO FEW</i></b>
calories and the effects.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">Everything
I read stated things like this…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>“When you diet aggressively
and make drastic cuts in your daily calorie intake, your body panics, signaling
starvation mode; this actually slows metabolism. The best way to diet
effectively is to cut 100 calories from what you normally would eat.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>“The truth is that cutting
calories below 1,050-1,200 per day is counterproductive, because you need
strong muscles to be able to exercise effectively.”<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>"When you eat too few
calories, you lose fat but also precious muscle, which is the worst thing you
could do because it slows your metabolism and makes it more difficult to
increase exercise intensity or duration,"<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;"><i>“It's
one of the most frustrating realities of dieting—if you cut out too many
calories, your metabolism thinks times are lean and puts the breaks on
fat-burning to conserve energy…”</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">Well
Damn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">Frustrating
is right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">You
eat too few calories and you don’t lose weight. Eat too many calories and gain
weight. Eat the wrong calories and you
don’t lose weight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;"><b>CAN
SOMEONE JUST TELL ME WHAT TO EAT AND HOW MUCH!!</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">No
wonder celebrities pay for personal chefs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">But
it explains a lot. It explains why I was
SO tired. Why I <i>always</i> felt hungry. Why on the weekends I would eat more, because
my body is telling me I <u>need</u> to eat more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">And
I am sure the back and forth of low low calories and then higher calories was
not helping and confusing my body more.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">So
last week I decided to follow the calorie count that EVERY calorie calculator
</span><span style="background: white;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">(even when I manual determine my calories based on good old fashioned math)</span></span><span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;"> told
me. For my height 5’11” and weight (a
lot!) and being 35 it was NO WHERE CLOSE to 1300 calories. Infact, that 1300 was closer to someone
looking to lose 2 lbs a week who weighs 160 pounds….you know, my GOAL weight.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;"><i>Sigh.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">For
me to lose approximately 2lbs a week (maybe a bit more), not working out, I am
looking at 1600-1700.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">So
this is where I am now, 1650 calories. Not even counting ANY exercise, which I will need
to adjust accordingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">It
hasn’t been quite a week, but I already <b><i>FEEL</i></b> better. I have more energy. I haven’t lost anything yet, but the fact I
am not tired and not thinking about food all the time is a good start. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">I
am going to try keeping my calories around here for a month and see what
happens. If I am still not losing weight
it is off to a nutritionist to see what they suggest.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="background: white; font-size: 11pt;">Some
other tips I have found that I will be using this month:</span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Eat lots of vegetables to
help you feel full.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Drink plenty of COLD water.
(cold water kickstarts your metabolism)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Stay busy -- you don't want
to eat just because you're bored.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Eat only from a plate, while
seated at a table. No grazing in front of the 'fridge. (Guilty!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Don't skip meals.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Eat every 3-4 hours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Workout!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Eat a healthy breakfast
within an hour of waking up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">My schedule will look
something like this: (approximately*) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">7-8 a.m.: Breakfast 250 [calories]<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">10 a.m.: Snack 200<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">1 p.m.: Lunch 350<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">3-4 p.m.: Snack 200<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">6-7 p.m.: Dinner 650<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">Avoid eating after 8:30<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I am trying to incorporate at
least 20-30 minutes of exercise into my schedule. It has been hard…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88C_dkkXfeJwiIHV2VVygn4vzGaLc1JW3EQdeBrj-d9J9-w1AgW6x7lwlSgTke-EtqTU5298edaUYO17gchgJcF2LS9NLzyOpG1fzea4yyb4r9y54r03PpC6hJ-7WqxDZRSWygA/s1600/IMG_20150608_193326.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj88C_dkkXfeJwiIHV2VVygn4vzGaLc1JW3EQdeBrj-d9J9-w1AgW6x7lwlSgTke-EtqTU5298edaUYO17gchgJcF2LS9NLzyOpG1fzea4yyb4r9y54r03PpC6hJ-7WqxDZRSWygA/s320/IMG_20150608_193326.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Trying to workout...about 15 minutes into it.</span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">…but I will keep trying!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I still like sweets, I <strike>like</strike>
love bread, and chips with any sorta dip cannot be in the house at all. But I
still want to eat those things I love and have no plans to give them up…. just eating
them in moderation. I have a near 4 year
old I have to cook for who is semi-picky and a husband who prefers hardy foods
so I am trying to find ways to make sure we all eat healthy without breaking
the bank and cooking separate meetings for all three of us. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I have learned a few tricks
the past 6 months on my diet like buy things like healthy Life bread (35
calories a slice), air popcorn or skinny pop for snacks, and if we eat a higher
calorie dinner like pasta or pizza I always include a very large salad.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">So I am trying this all
again. Just like my <a href="http://www.wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/01/inspiration.html" target="_blank">first post</a> on this journey where I
said I feel motivated and refreshed…that is me now. Again.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><span style="color: red;">"If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now." </span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;">I have come way too far in my
weight loss, <a href="http://www.wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-binge.html" target="_blank">my binge eating,</a> the way I look at food to let this little bump in
my journey stop me. I am really hoping
by increasing my calories to a more realistic calorie count, working out, and
eating every few hours my body will get the kick it needs to start losing
weight again!!! So this may take me a
little longer than I wanted, but what is important is that I get to where I
want to be…right?!?!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 11.0pt;"><i>*As I have mentioned before,
I adjust depending on what I am eating for dinner. I plan meals out at least weekly, but
normally bi-weekly or a month at a time.</i><o:p></o:p></span></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-15520418561803953782015-05-18T09:26:00.001-07:002015-05-18T09:26:28.124-07:00Frustration – An Open Vent…<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
So, yes I have been missing lately from the blog and most
of that is due to frustration. This is
an open vent, to which after I will move on and keep going. But sometimes <strike>we</strike> I just need to vent.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In all honesty, I haven’t felt as motivated and therefore
felt little inspiration to myself, let alone others. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Yep, falling back into my old mental blocks and ways.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am disappointed that I am not where I <i>thought</i> I would
be. To date I have lost 24lbs. This is good, but not where I wanted to be as
summer approaches. I thought I would be
at least 10 more pounds lighter.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I get frustrated that for me to lose a few pounds takes
so much work, when some people (like my husband!!!) can lose 30 lbs and are
still eating fast food and drinking pop and eating sweets, just slightly
smaller portions. I cut ALL of that out
of my diet and try to eat clean daily and eat a low calorie diet and it still
takes <i><b>forever</b></i> to lose weight. Yeah, I
have splurge days, BUT COME ON. One
splurge day where I still eat reasonable and under my daily allowance shouldn’t
mean I don’t lose anything all week. I
know everyone is different and I shouldn’t compare, but I am human and do.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am annoyed about our schedule and finding time to work
out to try to help with the weight loss.
Yeah, Henry and I take bike rides and stuff on occasion, but have you
ever taken a bike ride with a 3 ½ year old?
The exercise isn’t in biking, it is how well you can balance on your
bike going at a near walking speed.
Walks with him mean we stop every 5 feet to pick “beautiful yellow
flowers”. I already get up at 6am with
him and finally have me time after he is in bed around 9m. The last thing I want to do is spend the
30-40 minutes before I go to bed working out, nor do I want to wake up at
5:30!!! Are you kidding me. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I hate how my clothes are fitting incorrectly at the
moment. Some are a bit too big but the
size down is still too snug. So most of
the things I wear I just feel uncomfortable.
I just don’t feel good in anything I wear.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am tired of planning so many separate meals so that we
can all eat what we want to eat while I also stay on my diet. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I don’t like seeing any results in over a month, <b><u>period</u></b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I know I have to suck things up and keep going. I <i>WANT</i> to keep going. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I need to find time to workout, even if it means getting
up at 5:30am (barf).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I need to stick with this and think of it as a lifestyle
change and not a diet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I know that things have changed, even beside the
weight. I really don’t know the last
time I binged. There have been a few
times I have eaten a second portion of snack foods or more than I probably
should. But not a binge. Nothing close to that. That is huge for me, nearly 20 years of binge
eating regularly and I am learning to recognize, acknowledge it and control
it. So I know I am making improvements.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But lets be honest, the weight loss is what anyone who is
overweight wants to see. YES, I notice
the other things and that is great. But
for me, at my weight, I want to see the numbers go down. I want to put on the new capri pants I bought
in a size down to fit comfortably. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Starting today I am trying something new for the next couple
months. I am going to form a new
goal. Pilates 2-3 days a week and try to
walk or bike ride 2-3 days a week. I
will see over the next few months if that makes any difference in the weight
loss and my overall feeling.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><i>So let me ask, how do you incorporate a healthy lifestyle
into your daily life/your busy life?
What do you do when you get discouraged? </i></b><o:p></o:p></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-66503837660379276442015-04-21T19:45:00.001-07:002015-04-22T18:43:39.732-07:00Yes Body, I Am ListeningOne of (the many) issues I have had with food is listening to my body. <br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Am I hungry?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Am I full?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Are there things missing that my body needs?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I think this sorta goes hand in hand (or hand to mouth) with binge eating. Though binge eating has mental aspects to why I do it, I have also taught myself to ignore my body and what it really needs when it comes to food.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have been SO FULL and yet I have just kept eating.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have gone without eating and been so hungry I scream and cry and act a fool.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I have ignored those items my body needs for a craving of something that i don't need.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But now, I am trying really hard to LISTEN to my body. Know what it needs and what it doesn't need. I am <b>retraining</b> myself to stop and listen. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
For decades it has been about my desire for food, the love of food, the comfort of food, the taste of food, the way food makes me feel <i>well before</i> learning to respect food and make it one part of my life and not <i><b>MY</b></i> life.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I remember a few weeks into this journey, I started going to bed with this feeling that was new to me. I was satisfied by what I had eaten all day, but i also had this bit of hunger in me. For years I had gone to bed after eating a full meal and I was always stuffed, so stuffed I could feel it most of the night. But this new feeling actually felt great. So this is what it feels like to not feel stuffed. So this is what it is like to eat <i>ENOUGH</i> and no more. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Part of this journey is creating a new lifestyle. It is keeping my love of food but learning to respect and be aware of what I put in my body.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So what I am doing, exactly?</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>1. Don't Eat on Auto-Pilot (Also known as mindless eating.)</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am an emotional eater. I tend to go on autopilot when it comes to food. But now I have started counting out my snacks based on portion size. So instead of bring the bag of baked cheetos or almonds to the living room and going on auto pilot with the food and 30 minutes later realizing I ate 3 servings, I count everything out. Bring out my 34 pieces of cheetos in the living room and eat that portion. Then I wait at least a half an hour. Am I still hungry? Then I get more. But normally I have been satisfied with what I ate and I move on.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>2. Eat When I am Hungry</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
When counting calories I have had guilt when I go over. But I have had to learn that some days I am just hungrier than others, while other days I barely hit my calorie goal. Not sure why, but if I am hungry I now eat. BUT I now know the difference between real hunger, boredom, or eating because I think I <i>should</i> eat. In fact, I ask myself those questions to see why I am eating.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>3. Stop When I am Satisfied and Before I get Too Full</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Sometimes I actually <i>WANT</i> to eat more. Recently I really wanted food, it was one of my emotional/stressed days. I was eating my meal and noticed I was satisfied and starting to get full. I actually got angry with myself that I was getting FULL. <i>I WANTED TO KEEP EATING.</i> It was my comfort. What will happen if I just stop. What about the food I didn't eat, what will happen to it. I don't want to wait to eat the rest of the food later. I want it NOW.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I got mad all because I was full but wanted the rest of my meal. Logic goes out the door for those moments. In the past I would have kept going because it would comfort me and I would eat to the point of feeling sick. But I stopped. I told myself that I can eat the rest for lunch the next day and it would be amazing! Yeah, I sorta had to reason with myself like I reason with my 3 1/2 year old. I also told myself that if I was hungry later, really hungry I could have a snack. You want to know something, I didn't feel I needed the snack later. Now don't get me wrong, I <b><i>wanted</i></b> a snack because I was thinking about it...but I also knew I was fine. I wasn't feeling hungry. I then went to bed and felt good all because I stopped when I was satisfied.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>4. Enjoy What I am Eating (aka SLOW DOWN)</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Being a binge eater you tend to be a fast eater. Eat as much as you can in a short amount of time. With that, it takes your stomach and mind awhile to communicate to each other that you are infact DONE eating. When I am eating now I really try to slow down. Put my fork down in between bites. Taste the food and not rush. <i>This. Is. Hard</i>. and something I am still struggling with <u>every</u> day. But I am working on it. I had some cheesecake the other day and it took me 20 minutes to eat it. I intentionally slowed down. Anticipated and then enjoyed EACH and EVERY bite. Snacks, I eat one at a time instead of stuffing a handful in my mouth. Dinner I sit and eat slowly. I am respecting the food and savoring what I eat.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>5. Eat What Your Body Wants</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I still snack. I still eat some bites of chocolate every day (thank goodness for Hershey kisses!!) I still eat carbs. I still drink my lattes in moderation. But I am also eating lots of lean meats, fruits and vegetables. I am keeping my diet balanced, without giving up those things that make me happy. Moderation and balance and eating the things my body wants....just in WAY smaller portions and not all the time.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So this is where I am now. Learning to listen to my body!!! And on the eve of my 35th birthday, I am finding that now, more than ever, I need to stop and listen!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-10412000700820485882015-04-13T18:58:00.002-07:002015-04-13T18:58:51.004-07:00100 Days - Keep Going (Subtitle Motivation)<br />
I logged into My Fitness Pal on Sunday and was congratulated with logging in 100 days in a row. Surprisingly (or not so if you know me) I had mixed feelings about this.<br />
<br />
Part of me was excited as it meant I have been doing this diet for 100 days and have managed to, at least try, to stay with it for a 100 days. This is big for me!<br />
<br />
But then part of me was disappointed as I thought I would be at least 30 lbs down by this date, instead of 21. The past month has been tough, I haven't been as strict with my diet and I haven't been working out, so I felt disappointment for not being where I thought I <i>should be</i> and not working as hard as I know I can.<br />
<br />
And just when I was feeling bad I woke the next morning to see comments from my mom and friend that made me feel so happy and encouraged me to keep going and not think lightly of how far I have come and what I have done so far.<br />
<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>(encouraging!)</i></div>
<br />
I have to remember this weight has been put on over the last 10 years, it is going to take awhile and a lifestyle change to get it off.<br />
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And then I thought of what my sister told me when I started. I think of this <b><i>every</i></b> <b><i>time</i></b> I start to get down. <br />
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<br />
For me, this is what motivates me and keeps me going. People.<br />
<br />
As I have said before, I have always closed myself off from people in the past because my weight issues are embarrassing and I feel so vulnerable talking about it. But more than ever I have realized that I <i><b>need</b></i> these amazing people and they are truly on myside, and I know they need me too because we are all trying to become healthier and better ourselves. I feel so grateful to have SO much support, and I hope I am able to make others feel motivated as well.<br />
<br />
Yes, I have to do this on my own, but I don't have to <i>be</i> alone while I do it.<br />
<br />
Now, the hardest part for me is staying motivated. Those times when you try <b><i>so hard</i></b> and do not see any results, it is so frustrating and discouraging. Those are the times I turn to my friends/family as well as, the other things that <strike>motivate</strike> refocus me. Yes, I think that is the best term....refocus. Sometimes I just need to get out of my own head, step back and refocus.<br />
<br />
To help with this I created a Pinterest board of things that keep me going. It sounds silly and consists of things like quotes, outfits I want to wear, before and after weight loss photos...things that inspire me. But it works. Just like texting a friend at 9:30pm when I want to <a href="http://www.wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-binge.html" target="_blank">binge</a>, going on this board has also stopped me and allows me to refocus.<br />
<br />
I refocus on the clothes I so desperately want to wear some day and not have to pay $60 for a shirt that is so bulky and unflattering. And I want to wear boots with jeans or leggings like <b><i>ALL THE TIME!</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HR2qCFT-2RbHZ8kY4vVLS-mGPYMkCQ4Eo2T_wTruFr5osk0cAc2LT4selqQg0QWlGfYhiqJy29cCBa4CGN8n6YwaYCGudPDJA7T95lNTCDCMOmSkErpdwrWeD3U567G65SdHbA/s1600/a64c10d4b20154e760c7903078bf4fd5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-HR2qCFT-2RbHZ8kY4vVLS-mGPYMkCQ4Eo2T_wTruFr5osk0cAc2LT4selqQg0QWlGfYhiqJy29cCBa4CGN8n6YwaYCGudPDJA7T95lNTCDCMOmSkErpdwrWeD3U567G65SdHbA/s1600/a64c10d4b20154e760c7903078bf4fd5.jpg" height="320" width="231" /></a></div>
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(Ok, I will never wear this but I a girl can dream, right?!?!)</div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
I have never worn a little black dress, I want to so bad.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZaBGGnnm8UVt9KylA9ndSDXRlqCzeb6tpQ6nBgeyFW1nttLAgGUwR1z0TSRLNdpddto_RRXQJaMQRHZiI3elBbv73pKMa_tJm_vwDE4kt54DnO1GW5AAWJzcvIVh04pgbS2Ldg/s1600/5e9cf49772b11c4b4bebdd5c76a52bf8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZZaBGGnnm8UVt9KylA9ndSDXRlqCzeb6tpQ6nBgeyFW1nttLAgGUwR1z0TSRLNdpddto_RRXQJaMQRHZiI3elBbv73pKMa_tJm_vwDE4kt54DnO1GW5AAWJzcvIVh04pgbS2Ldg/s1600/5e9cf49772b11c4b4bebdd5c76a52bf8.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
YES.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5F3mEmzaEQv0Gz1drNCAqt_ehXB4LnXDPYYfmWU-NLgu7uJrEJisHm1FP7Qy9szH8bN73QwJnb78UD68mjwtwBXVpRp94ZD0jPuuqZeFbhZwwjeHVZ0QbFltXaNJlw8UYt0GeQ/s1600/1ad9b35d4b32a0cee21472d7a2d8ee5e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC5F3mEmzaEQv0Gz1drNCAqt_ehXB4LnXDPYYfmWU-NLgu7uJrEJisHm1FP7Qy9szH8bN73QwJnb78UD68mjwtwBXVpRp94ZD0jPuuqZeFbhZwwjeHVZ0QbFltXaNJlw8UYt0GeQ/s1600/1ad9b35d4b32a0cee21472d7a2d8ee5e.jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
We have a beach trip planned next year and I want to wear a swimsuit and go swimming with Henry and not think twice about.<br />
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<br />
I want to post my before and after and have people go WOW and feel motivated and encouraged by my transformation.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh9V7cydozCwgLv3Ra-stED1L02MrJBJLPVSuthtcqQn6av2yPGrD9zFR4m96d0kz_0m085qkTDksEWR_SPcx5QBcxtV8TBD3WEoYLRs5cjVfcIV5lbXS_yoAipEsvifWhRswqg/s1600/181a4080e7ceb1113f3e03fb27485f40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTh9V7cydozCwgLv3Ra-stED1L02MrJBJLPVSuthtcqQn6av2yPGrD9zFR4m96d0kz_0m085qkTDksEWR_SPcx5QBcxtV8TBD3WEoYLRs5cjVfcIV5lbXS_yoAipEsvifWhRswqg/s1600/181a4080e7ceb1113f3e03fb27485f40.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
this is me currently 20 lbs down...don't laugh :-/</div>
<br />
<br />
I want this little man, my biggest inspiration, to know as he gets older that he can do <b><i>ANYTHING</i></b> he sets his mind too. And even if it seems hard or impossible or takes a long long time, <u>he can do it</u>. And I can show him this because I DID IT.<br />
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<br />
So to all of you who are supporting me on this long journey I have to say <b><i>THANK YOU</i></b>. I can't even begin to tell you how much it means to me. The check-ins, the emails, the "likes" it all means so much.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>So what motivates YOU?!?! What/who are the things that keep you going? How do you stay motivated??</b></span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="color: blue;"><b>PLEASE SHARE!!</b></span><br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-25644719576221089492015-03-17T06:29:00.000-07:002015-12-29T19:29:07.276-08:00Stress and Routine <div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The two biggest issues I tend to have with staying on a
diet are stress and routines, or lack there of with the latter.
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Currently my stress level is at an all-time high and my
routine has been seriously lacking for the entire month of February due to my
son being sick a majority of the month.
Which also means most of the food we are buying is geared towards my
son, so hello crackers, bread, soup and extra calories.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I <b><i>need</i></b> routine to stay on my diet. When I don’t have the routine I don’t have
meals planned, I make last minute decisions on food, I go for easy or
convenient which is not always healthy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And add stress on top of that and I am done for. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I have always been an emotional eater, so between the
emotions caused by life and the emotions and lack of sleep caused from illness in our house,
I have not had the best few weeks in regards to my diet.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sunday night my 3 year old and I were once again having confrontation
after confrontation. Partly due to the
fact he is getting sick…<b>AGAIN</b>. And
partly caused by the fact he is 3 ½ and thinks he knows everything and can do
everything, no matter what I tell him. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
By bedtime I was almost at the breaking point. As I sat in the rocking chair and he laid in
the bed playing with the toys I told him to stop playing with a half a dozen
times and then crying because I took the toys away....my thoughts drifted between frustration and wanting food.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It was weird, like this natural reaction I don’t think I
ever noticed I did before…or maybe more accurately, never admitted I did
before. <i> “Nooooo, I am not a stress
eater!! I just like food.” </i>I call
bullshit now. But it was like this urge
growing inside of me. I needed something
comforting after having a rough day and that is what I thought about.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I sat in that chair trying to justify the calories and
then trying to talk myself out of eating <strike>everything</strike> anything when I went
downstairs. <i> “Oh Jenn, you can spare a
few calories”</i> (um, have you seen me…no I can’t). <i>“Jenn, you have come so far and haven’t lost
anything the past 2 weeks…DON’T DO IT.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
After he fell asleep I still carried this conversation on
with myself. <i> “DON’T GO IN THE
KITCHEN!! GO TO BED” “Just have a bowl of cereal or something small.”</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I gave in and went to the kitchen and just looked around. And then this feeling came over me and I grabbed some cheese and crackers
(260 calories). And I ate them. And I breathed this sigh of relief. It calmed
me. That feeling of eating relaxed
me and took away the anxiety that had been building up inside me. I then had a mini snack bag of dorritos
(150calories).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And then as quick as it made me feel better, I felt so
sad after.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I have been working so hard, that was 410 calories….almost
a 1/3 of what I have been allowing myself each day. In mere minutes (literally), the food was gone.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i>Sigh.</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Now, in the past that would have just been the appetizer. The start of a binge that could last an hour.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I did stop, unlike in the past. Progress?!<br />
<br />
But I still felt I needed food. In that moment of stress, exhaustion,
frustration, loneliness…I turned to food.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Obviously I have only been doing this diet for 3 months
and I am a work in progress and I am trying not to be too hard on myself. But it did hit me. Even though I KNOW and acknowledge now what I
am doing, I still went for it. I haven't decided yet if that is better or worse.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I haven’t lost any weight the past couple weeks. I haven’t gained. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I went to bed reaffirming that tomorrow is a new day and this is just a
small bump and I know now I CAN do this and I will get back on track. I have my food in the fridge again and not
just stomach bug kid food. I calculated
everything I would eat for the day and am sticking to it. I am feeling that hunger again and that is
good.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This is a journey, a long journey. I will not be “fixed” overnight and I accept
that. But I also know, that unlike
before, I am not going to get discouraged and fall back into my old
routines. I have already come too far to
go back. I won’t go back…I just have to
keep moving forward.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Hopefully in a week I can come back and tell you I am now
at 20lbs lost. That is my goal.<o:p></o:p></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-54958094316905930762015-02-24T10:42:00.000-08:002015-02-24T10:42:00.559-08:00Fifteen<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Last week I reached 15 pounds lost, and I have to say
this was huge for me for so many reasons.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
As I type this, I am officially at 18 pounds lost
(WOOHOO!!) but reaching 15 was my first big goal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For some, 15lbs may not seem that much or a small goal, especially
when I have over 100 I want to lose. But
honestly, <b><i>EVERY</i></b> pound seems big to me at the moment! I had decided that instead of setting large goals
that can take a while to achieve, I would set my goals in 15 lb increments. I
wanted something to work towards but that wouldn’t take me months and months to
achieve. I wanted to feel success in
these “smaller” goals and keep my motivation going. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Part of this weight loss thing is the mental aspect. Moving past what you have always done. Making <i><u>yourself</u></i> the priority. Keeping yourself going when all you really
want to do is eat those chicken wings with ranch dressing followed by a slice
of Edwards Chocolate Crème pie. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I usually always fail with the mental side of weight
loss. Whether it is the <a href="http://www.wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-binge.html" target="_blank">binge eating</a> or setting
unrealistic goals <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(I can lose 50 pounds in 3 months with this fad diet!)</i></span> or
feeling alone or being way too hard on myself, I always have found some <strike>excuse</strike>
reason for a diet failing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
But 15 pounds is now GONE and it feels GREAT!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Literally, I am feeling different. Feeling <i>better</i>. I have more energy, probably because I am
eating to keep my body fueled and not eating so much it actually slows me down
and feels heavy. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
My clothes are starting to feel different. One pair of work pants I have are nearly to
the point of too big!! Love that. And this other pair I would never wear
because they had been dried and shrunk a bit and were super snug in the legs
and I could barely button them. Well, I
put them on yesterday and BOOM, THEY FIT!
Like perfectly. And I am wearing
a shirt that is actually a little clingy to me…granted, I am still wearing something
over it, but baby steps, no?!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
15 pounds also got me past a number I didn’t want to be
at, just about the most I have ever weighed.
Breaking past that was a big deal.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
The fact that I lost the 15 pounds in 6 weeks was also a
great motivation. It was realistic. About 2.5 a week. Slow and steady. I also think: <i> “Hey, by the end of March I could be down 30
lbs and maybe by my birthday nearly 40lbs!!
I could get a few new clothing items!” </i>
Yep. Motivation. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In the scheme of things, the time it will
take to lose another 15lbs doesn’t seem like that far away. Totally doable. I mean, I know it will take me a year or more
to lose all the weight I want to lose, but these mini goals keep me going!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
It was also the first 15 pounds. Folks, do you know how long I have tried to
lose the first 15lbs?!?! I am not saying
that the next 15 or the next 15 after that will be easier, BUT making the
change and sticking with it are the first steps. Instead of watching the scale slowly move up,
I am now excited to watch it go down!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For me, this is becoming <i><b>a way of life</b></i>. For the foreseeable future I need to be aware of my eating habits. That doesn’t mean that I am totally OK with
this all the time or that this weekend I didn’t go over my caloric intake. But when I did, I was not hard on
myself. I did not feel guilty because
even though I did go over, I still kept things healthier than in the past. It isn’t an <b><i>“all or nothing”</i></b> mentality for me
right now. I am learning to <u>live</u> with my
love of food and learning healthy alternatives and notice when I am hungry and find
a healthy balance between it all. I have
always enjoyed healthy food and overall eaten healthy most of the time, but I
would either binge on crap food and/or eat way too much of even the healthier stuff. Healthy food still has calories, Jenn. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This weekend, I was hungry. Like <b><i>ALL. THE. TIME. HUNGRY</i></b>. Instead of denying myself and then just
eating until I feel sick…I had some little snacks here and there until I
felt satisfied. Ok, some cheese and
crackers. 30 minutes later…nope, still
hungry. How about an apple with peanut
butter. Ok. Getting there. Maybe 3 hersheys kisses will help that sweet
tooth. Yep. I am good now. I recognized what I wanted. I ate with care, knowing what I was putting
in my body and not just blindly eating until I was past the point of satisfied
and stuffed. That a plate of nachos isn't a snack. I am learning there are
days where I will be hungry and want more, and to my surprise there have been
days where I am not that hungry and have actually eaten less than my 1300 calorie
allowance. Yeah, I KNOW!!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I am learning to take myself out of situations that have
always provided me the opportunity to overeat.
Like after Henry goes to bed and I am downstairs watching TV. <i>Nope.</i>
Now I either go to bed or go upstairs and read and or watch something on
my computer. By removing myself I am
breaking that habit I have created over the years…sit on the couch in the evening
and mindlessly eat. I do miss it. The other day I wanted so bad to grab the chips and dip and sit and eat and watch TV. It will all take awhile. But that day, I said no and guess what, I was OK! I felt great the next morning. Huh. Maybe you don't <b><i>need</i></b> to overeat, Jenn....<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I allow myself sweets and snacks, but just in smaller and
calculated amounts unlike past diets where I removed everything that seemed to
be tasty. So, if I want that fudge bar
tonight or popcorn, what do I need to remove from my diet to have that? I calculate everything I am eating the night
before. At
the moment we have oreos, chips, tortilla chips, M&M’s ALL in the house. Just a few months ago I would have considered
that a challenge to eat all that <span style="font-size: x-small;">(you know, so it wasn’t in the house
anymore)</span>. Now, I am weighing out my
options on exactly <b><i>where</i></b> my calories go.
Three “knock off” oreos are 150 calories. Do I have 150 calories to spare? No, but I have 100 so 2 it is. Still get my oreos and still within my calories.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
For some this thinking is pretty easy. Basic.
Straight forward. But for someone
who mindlessly eats and has binged as much as I have the past 20 years, it
really is this "far-fetched" concept. I have always taken the <i>“eat until I am full
or that void I am feeling is filled with something else”</i> way of eating. Now I think of EVERYTHING I put into my
body. I am still thinking of food ALL
THE TIME, like I was before. But now it
is a more positive way of thinking instead of looking for comfort, or out of
boredom or stress.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And don’t get me wrong, it hasn’t all been easy so
far. I emailed my sister a few weeks ago
because for over a week I hadn’t lost and actually gained a pound. Of course my younger sister wrote me an
amazing email and helped me stay focus and kept me on track. She really is a smart cookie. <i>mmm, cookie.</i> And a week ago I was crying to Terry because
he was eating a big mac and filet of fish and fries <span style="font-size: xx-small;">(as a "special treat" yuck)</span> and has lost 30 lbs since
august and while I am <i><b>very</b></i> proud of him and didn’t for a minute want what he was
eating, it was the fact that I couldn’t have it that made me cry. I know, weirdo. <o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<i><b>Fifteen.</b></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Yep, this fifteen is FAR more than just the pounds as you
can tell by my long winded post. But
this is why I know this will work this time.
I am sharing to keep me going and accountable. I am sharing to get these feelings out in the
open, to say them and acknowledge them.
I am sharing these successes, because as illogical as they may seem to
some they are how I have always thought and I cannot do this if I do not
acknowledge WHY I overeat. I am sharing
so that when I have a hard day, I can look back at these posts and tell myself
to hang in there. To look at how far you
have come. To keep going because you are
worth it!! That even though today may be
hard, tomorrow will be better.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
On to the next 15!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-88351573715548403262015-02-20T12:31:00.000-08:002016-01-03T17:30:29.485-08:00Recipe of the Week – Stuffed Pepper Soup<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I must say, this may be my favorite soup right now. With cold weather here, a warm and comforting soup is <i><b>exactly</b></i> what I crave.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And this soup doesn’t disappoint.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I found this on one of my favorite new food sites,
Skinnytaste – <a href="http://www.skinnytaste.com/2011/12/stuffed-pepper-soup.html" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrnj45bJp1Havz09FQ7FKxIRQWuposeIublot6nxGjG7KPQedX4QaQA6RD8Snf64Wt6SAp4eZKrb_7aAjuVaZ6TKOedp7fjC0yXF1U0qAc_ADUMCrTujH99Ff07P5C2XP2VmfoQ/s1600/ResizedImage_1421980273604.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcrnj45bJp1Havz09FQ7FKxIRQWuposeIublot6nxGjG7KPQedX4QaQA6RD8Snf64Wt6SAp4eZKrb_7aAjuVaZ6TKOedp7fjC0yXF1U0qAc_ADUMCrTujH99Ff07P5C2XP2VmfoQ/s1600/ResizedImage_1421980273604.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
This fits into all my healthy food criteria. It is easy to make, budget friendly, healthy, tastes great, and I could go back for seconds without feeling guilty!! Winning all around.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
About 1 ½ - 1 1/3 cups of soup with ½ cup of rice is
about 261 – 275 calories. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(My recipe in my fitness pal calculated slightly
higher than the recipe on the website.)</span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><u>Stuffed Pepper Soup</u></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Servings: 6 • Size: about 1 1/2 cups soup, 1/2 cup rice •
Old Points: 5 • Points+: 7 pts <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Calories: 261 • Fat: 5 g • Carb: 37.5 g • Fiber: 5 g •
Protein: 17.6 g • Sugar: 6 g<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Sodium: 606 g
(without salt)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Ingredients:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3 cups cooked brown rice (omit for paleo diet)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 lb 95% lean ground beef (or ground turkey)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper (I use 1 whole pepper)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1/2 cup chopped red bell pepper (I use 1 whole pepper)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 cup finely diced onion<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3 cloves garlic, chopped<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 cans (14.5 oz each) cans petite diced tomatoes (i used oregano, basil garlic ones)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1 3/4 cups tomato sauce<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 cups reduced sodium, fat-free chicken broth<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1/2 tsp dried marjoram<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
salt and fresh pepper to taste<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Directions:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
In a large pot or dutch oven, brown ground meat on high
heat and season with salt. Drain fat if any, reduce heat to medium-low, then
add peppers, onions and garlic. Cook about 5 minutes on low heat.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Add tomatoes, tomato sauce, chicken broth, marjoram and
season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and simmer on low heat for 30
minutes. Serve about 1 1/3 cups of soup in each bowl and top with 1/2 cup
cooked brown rice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Makes about 9 1/2 cups.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Seriously. <b><i>SO
EASY.</i></b> For lunch I will even omit the
rice and add an extra half a cup of soup and it is still around 200 calories!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<b><span style="color: red; font-size: large;"><u>Some notes from when I make it:</u></span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I add more peppers than what it calls for. I add one whole green and one whole red
pepper. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I used lean ground turkey instead of beef.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
I added petite diced tomatoes with garlic, basil and oregano in it for added flavor.</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I also didn’t add the dried marjoram because, well I don’t
own any.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Some Sriracha in your soup for an extra kick is
AWESOME!! I didn’t add to the whole
thing, just my individual bowls of soup.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
I will say that for me, this makes a lot…but I am the
only one eating it. But if you are
feeding a family AND want leftovers, perhaps half or double it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
And if your family isn’t counting their calories, you may
want more rice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Seriously, I am making it this weekend for lunch and for
lunches for the next week. It really has
turned into my “go to” soup of choice.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
If you try it let me know what you think!! Did you change anything?!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></div>
Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-15000516098950141632015-02-18T16:12:00.001-08:002015-02-19T09:33:01.241-08:00Henry - This Age Is AwesomeHave I mentioned how awesome my little man is?<br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIFczRWyE8YgY8xCialSyCUIIFbM9OE36-g6ZNaDZShk7DoG0SrhNNZIjDQKO37LiELmJlmrvfY1CMW0Zgzp-26Sb7wb2PdlKYr6KnOFY3NEnZmhZZqi6BQ3pv-_VNS9RSvxgtw/s1600/ResizedImage_1424293532772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikIFczRWyE8YgY8xCialSyCUIIFbM9OE36-g6ZNaDZShk7DoG0SrhNNZIjDQKO37LiELmJlmrvfY1CMW0Zgzp-26Sb7wb2PdlKYr6KnOFY3NEnZmhZZqi6BQ3pv-_VNS9RSvxgtw/s1600/ResizedImage_1424293532772.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
Yes?<br />
<br />
Well you <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(and by you I mean my 3 readers)</i></span> are going to hear about him again!<br />
<br />
Henry is just a few weeks away from 3 ½ <span style="font-size: x-small;">(what, huh, when did this happen?!)</span> and boy o’ boy, is <b><i>this </i></b>an age.<br />
<br />
He is awesome and stubborn. Hilarious and dramatic. Self-sufficient and needy. Adventurous and independent. Goofy and moody. And he is full of all the emotions, good and bad.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-eKjEJcR-520jQnkH8uVWe3bprFAD7YdxnlTBXPZ-Mr3bMPrTBT4HuJAKYXumVAugb3xExvvY6d4anYPQyEAfeEwNnA_tcS0Kvrj1M3UJmlDme9pYMi9aJwIGUIlaiHhe4HfHw/s1600/ResizedImage_1424293383479.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY-eKjEJcR-520jQnkH8uVWe3bprFAD7YdxnlTBXPZ-Mr3bMPrTBT4HuJAKYXumVAugb3xExvvY6d4anYPQyEAfeEwNnA_tcS0Kvrj1M3UJmlDme9pYMi9aJwIGUIlaiHhe4HfHw/s1600/ResizedImage_1424293383479.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">the grumps</span></div>
<br />
He always wants to help, but of course on his own terms.<br />
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Loves chores</div>
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He has his own opinions and not afraid to share them and if you do not like his opinions, then LOOK OUT.<br />
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He knows how to make people laugh and is <i>hilarious</i> to be around. He actually wants to make jokes and make people smile. His faces are priceless and <b><i>always</i></b> with the laughter…well until he doesn’t want you laughing and then you get yelled at for laughing when 1.5 seconds ago we were all laughing.<br />
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The things he says. I try to write them down, but it is hard and I forget or I am laughing so hard I don’t think to remember them. Or I am too busy getting lawyered by my 3 year old to write them down.<br />
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<i>Me: Henry, are you tired?</i><br />
<i>H: No, I am just laying down to save my energy. </i><br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
<i>Me: Henry, go brush your teeth.</i><br />
<i>H: “UUUUUUUHHHHH. (dramatic turn) FINE MOM.</i><br />
<br />
...<br />
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<i>H: Mom, I am not bad today, I am just pretending to be bad.</i><br />
<br />
...<br />
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H: Mom stupid is not a nice word. I won’t say stupid anymore. We shouldn’t say stupid because it is bad. Like bitch is bad and stupid is bad.<br />
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OR:<br />
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<i>H: Mom, I am going to say stupid today. </i><br />
<i>Me: But that is not a nice word. </i><br />
<i>H: Yeah, but this is my conversation and I am choosing to say stupid. It is my choice.</i><br />
<i>Me: Well, then you have to deal with the consequences of using bad language.</i><br />
<i>H: That’s stupid.</i><br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
<i>Me: Henry, you are the best.</i><br />
<i>H: Yes I am.</i><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>(Humbleness has yet to be learned yet)</i></span><br />
<br />
...<br />
<br />
<i>H: Mom, can I have a cookie.</i><br />
<i>Me: No, after dinner.</i><br />
<i>H: How about I have a cookie now and then I will eat my dinner.</i><br />
<i>Me: No, that is not how it works.</i><br />
<i>H: That is how it works for me!</i><br />
<i>(and then if no cookie, commence dramatic tears)</i><br />
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...<br />
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<i>H: Ok, mom. This is your choice. You either play cars with me or play trucks with me. That is your choice. If you do not choose, you will go on yellow and then a time out.</i><br />
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...<br />
<br />
<i>H: Lily is my girlfriend and my best friend and I love her.</i><br />
<i>Me: Oh really. What exactly is a girlfriend?</i><br />
<i>H: someone you do things with and is your best friend and you love.</i><br />
(HOW DOES HE KNOW THIS?!?!)<br />
<br />
....<br />
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Terry and I were talking this week how cool he is. I mean, like <b>really</b> cool. And fun to be around. Well, most of the time unless he is hangry. You won’t like Henry when he is hangry!! HENRY SMASH.<br />
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We also said it is funny that T & I are so introverted, especially growing up, and our son is the opposite. He loves talking to people<span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Henry…stranger danger!!)</span>, he loves to be around “his kids” (friends) and he always wants to be outside and NEVER stops moving or climbing.<br />
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(he is standing on my legs)</div>
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Can't walk without jumping</div>
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You can't tell, but that leg never stops moving, even when he is laying down. </div>
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Oh and notice the destruction!</div>
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Seriously. <b><i> NEVER. STOPS. MOVING</i></b>. We say he has restless leg syndrome.<br />
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He is also the sweetest. I mean <i><b>the sweetest.</b></i> He will come up to me and just give me a kiss on the cheek or mouth “just because I love you”. He will come up and whisper “I love you mommy.” Or say “We are best friends”. He gives out the best and tightest hugs. “One more hug mom” “Always, my sweet boy.” And he always wants to snuggle. Honestly, I am not sure this kid leaves my lap or side, he always wants to be with me. I hope the sweetness never ends.<br />
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on my lap & cuddling</div>
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He also uses his manners (in between saying poop and fart) but I am impressed at how well he uses please and thank you and excuse me. Now if we can just work on the name calling and pushing/punching.<br />
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My son fits into no single mold, which I not only love but encourage. I just want him to be himself and happy with who he is and who he wants to be. <br />
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<br />
He loves to cook, bake, fight, jump, run, and wear my high heels. He loves princess and avengers. He picked out shoes (size 11!!) the other day that had spider-man on them and another pair with pink sequins and fur. He loves to “shake his booty” and wants to take dance class and karate. He loves technology and writing and doing anything adults do.<br />
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He loves finding recipes with me on pinterest</div>
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<br />
This age. <br />
<br />
This age really is<i> <b>SO MUCH FUN</b></i><b>.</b> Yes, there are some issues because he is more independent and thinking on his own and making more choices, but he is also so great to be around. So awesome!!<br />
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<br />Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-57760856601245192242015-01-30T20:17:00.000-08:002015-02-01T18:59:04.761-08:00The BingeTwenty eight days into my diet.<br />
<br />
Ten pounds lost.<br />
<br />
And all I want to do tonight is binge eat.<br />
<br />
I want to grab a handful of the M&M's sitting so conveniently on the counter and shove them in my mouth. I want to tear open the chips and salsa that tease me every time I open the cupboard door. I want to fill the largest soup bowl we have to the brim with cereal and enough milk to make it a challenge to put your spoon in for the first time for fear it may overflow. I want something chocolate then salty, alternating between the two. <br />
<br />
I know, it is hard to understand and it is even harder to explain why I want to do this. Probably disgusts many people out there. But I have been doing this for 20 years. For 20 years I have binged my way to my current weight. In college I would binge and purge, but I <u>soon</u> realized I hated throwing up...and more so I enjoyed food <b><i>way</i></b> too much to throw it back up. I love food. And I love how I feel while I eat it (just not after).<br />
<br />
So I would secretly just binge in moments of weakness. And it isn't all the time. I have gone months without doing it, many months. It all depends what is going on in my life, and honestly there has been so much stress the past few years that it isn't surprising that the 35 pounds I lost before Henry have come back on the last 3 years. I actually weighed more than I did the day I gave birth to him as I only gained about 20 pounds and lost that and then some immediately.<br />
<br />
Since high school and days of feeling lonely or stressed I found comfort in binge eating. I have turned to food to fill that void. And it isn't even like I plan it with myself, "Hey Jenn, lets binge eat tonight...say around 9pm??" It just takes over and like bad peer pressure I succumb to it for some relief. Some would find it laughable that I say food is like a drug to me. Just don't eat!!! You know, I wish it was laughable and some silly joke. But it isn't and it isn't that easy to let go of something you have been turning to for so long.<br />
<br />
For me, my drug is food. That initial satisfaction you feel when you eat without care, that instant gratification takes away from whatever it is you may be feeling that has made you have this insatiable appetite in the first place. This need to eat uncontrollably. You ignore all logic. Will power is non-existent. And like any drug, you give into it completely and only think about that moment. No consequences. You just enjoy every bite and have no other cares or concerns.<br />
<br />
But then like any drug, after you have consumed more calories than you care to count or acknowledge, you start to come down from that euphoria you felt. There is a pain in your stomach as it tries to digest all that food you just piled into yourself in a very short amount of time. <span style="font-size: x-small;"><i> (see you want to eat fast, so you can eat more..otherwise you start to feel full.)</i></span> The guilt starts to set in as you look around at the damage in the form of wrappers or dirty dishes that are around you. That feeling of loneliness or stress or whatever it was you had before is even more intense, but now coupled with a gross feeling and ashamed that you once again gave in to this urge for a temporary fix.<br />
<br />
Why do I binge? I am working on that and that post is not for today.<br />
<br />
Today I write. <br />
<br />
Today I share this urge I am currently having because I just can't pick up the phone at 10pm and have someone talk me down from eating a plate of nachos. <br />
<br />
Today I focus on how far I have come and try to ignore how far I still have to go. <br />
<br />
Today I desperately want to eat something, <i><b>anything</b></i> because my day sucked and I feel lonely and emotional and I just want to feel better.<br />
<br />
Today I cry at the fact that I not only <i>want</i> food in place of expressing my real feelings and emotions, but that I can't have all that food I so desperately want.<br />
<br />
Today I think of all the people who can pass up dessert and it doesn't make them angry inside and how I hope some day that can be me.<br />
<br />
Today.<br />
<br />
Today I write.<br />
<br />
Today it is now one hour before tomorrow and I know that at least for today, I am not giving in and that is one day closer to where I want to be. As much as I <b><u>really</u></b> want to eat, I also want to change. I <i>finally</i> want to change. Through my tears I am realizing that I need to change and I can't keep hiding my feelings in the depth of my stomach.<br />
<br />
Today I purge. Not the food, but my feelings. I am not closing off to others like I do so many times. I am putting this out there, even for no one else to read but for me to say. To finally admit out loud and not just be this voice in the back of my head that I ignore and stuff with more food.<br />
<br />
Today i will not binge. I will go to bed, only having indulged in 10 M&M's and a half of bowl of cereal...because they were in my allotted calorie count.<br />
<br />
Today is one day closer to where I want to be. <br />
<br />
Today I was strong enough.<br />
<br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><i>"If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now." </i></span></b><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-8304967010220869332015-01-21T18:33:00.001-08:002015-12-28T19:28:42.343-08:00Inspiration.<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<b><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">"If I
quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I
was desperately wishing to be where I am now." </span></b></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">So, it has been just over three weeks since I started this change
in my lifestyle. We can call it a diet, but it is <i><b>so much more</b></i> than that
to me. I have been struggling my whole
life with my weight. From growing up
bigger than most kids and having self-esteem issues in high school. To losing 80 pounds when I went to college but
still seeing myself and treating myself as “the fat girl”. To over the last 10 years slowly gaining all
the weight and then some back. To now
having a three year old and trying to find a balance between him, work, family, and home.....never putting myself first.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I have tried
my fair share of fad diets and they never work for me. Some I can’t stay on for more than a few
weeks because so much of your food is restricted. Others I lose weight, but then
when I start incorporating the foods I once loved I fall back into my old
habits and the weight comes back. And with each fad diet failure comes more frustration and disappointment before slipping back into my old habits to cope. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">The last few
years have been a blessing but also extremely rough. The stress has worn on me and been nothing but one excuse after another why I am not losing weight and putting myself as a priority.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">But when I thought back on 2014 as the year drew to a close, I thought about how many missed opportunities to be in a picture or do something fun I had lost out on because of my self-esteem and weight. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I thought of one time when my husband said “Hey, lets just go to the lake for the
day to let Henry play on the beach for the first time” and I refused to go and Henry was so sad. Why did I say
NO…because like hell I wanted to be seen in a swimsuit and people would see my body!! </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">And this isn’t the first time I haven’t done stuff because I am too
self-conscious about the way I look to go. I
won't take Henry swimming, or when we go to the park it is not when it is
hot because I wear jeans and cover up instead of shorts and a tank. I
pretty much hate going anywhere public, though I do move past that at times for
Henry. But I avoid pictures from the waist down as much as possible. I hate sitting in chairs in public because they are uncomfortable. I am just always thinking about the way I look instead of enjoying the moment. And perhaps some may think "you are just vain" but, when you are very overweight and go to the grocery store and hear a comment about your butt, you start to think </span><i style="color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">everyone</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> is thinking the same thing.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15.3333px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">But Henry is
older now. He is going to want to do more
things. I am going to want to take him
to do more things. Like go to the beach. Take him to swim class. Go on bike rides. Run outside. Go to amusement parks.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">And it isn’t
just because of him, it is because of me. I want to do all
those things for <b><i>ME</i></b>. I want to look in
the mirror and not focus on everything I think I need to cover up but look in the mirror and be happy in my own skin. I want to wear skinny jeans
and boots. I want to up and spend the
day at the lake or amusement park and not think twice about it or worry I won't fit in a ride.
I don’t want to cry over and over because of the way I look or
feel. I don't want to think everyone is saying I am fat or laughing behind my back. I don't want to feel aches and pains at the age of 35. I don't want to spend twice as much on plus sized clothes (seriously, annoying). </span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I want to be healthy. I want to change. I want to be <b><u>ME</u></b>. And I don’t want to keep saying this over and
over again. I want this part of my life to be over and start a new, healthier chapter.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I have had an unhealthy relationship with food for a long time. I have always "sneak eaten" and "binged eaten". I am an emotional binge eater. I get bored or stressed and I turn to food. Even when I am happy I turn to food. I enjoy it. I love cooking it. And I love eating it. I love eating too much. I sometimes just eat, a plate full of food because I feel I have to eat it. I eat past the point of comfort until it is almost painful. This is a whole other topic for another post, but I do use it as a crutch. Coping mechanism. Something to make me happy briefly. Always have. I need to stop now.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I actually
refused to write this post when I first started a few weeks ago. Mainly because, I feel I have written it
before and failed. <i>Many</i> times over. But something is different this time. I am not sure what it is, but I am
ready. Maybe it is Henry. Maybe it is the boot trend…seriously, I love
boots. Maybe it is that my body doesn’t
feel like I imagine the body of a near 35 year old should look or feel….I feel far
older. Maybe after the last few years I
have realized that I <b><i>AM</i></b> strong enough.
That life is <i><u>way</u></i> too short and that time is not slowing down for any of us. And
that if I want to make a difference in <b><i>my</i></b> life I need to do it now because the
world is not stopping for me to help me or do it for me. And every day I choose to live my life
the same way I have been living with no change, is another missed day of doing
something good for myself and actually making a change. </span><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">(my wise sister helped me to see this)</span><span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"> I need to take charge of my life before it gets to the point I no longer can. I need to make myself a priority.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in;">
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">This time I am
not looking for a quick fix. No fad diet, gluten free, carb free, meat free, only nut diets that are out there at the moment. Nor am I
denying myself of all the things I love.
It is a lifestyle change. </span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Moderation. Balance. Alternatives. </span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Clean eating and whole foods.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I know this is going to take a long time, perhaps a year or more. I am setting a lot of little goals to meet
along the way, along with the end result to just be comfortable with my
body. Accepting of my body. To look at food in a healthy way that is not only enjoyable but a fuel for my body.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I am not there yet, but I am well on my way.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">How do I know I am on my way?</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Because of this...</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><b style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">"If I quit now, I will soon be back to where I started. And when I started, I was desperately wishing to be where I am now." </span></b></span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><b style="color: black; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span></b></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">(Again, from my smart sister)</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">That is how I know I am truly ready to change. I am 9lbs lighter than I was January 1st. 9lbs may be a small chunk of my chunk I want to lose, but it is a start and I have desperately wanted to be where I am now. And I hope that in a month I will be another 9lbs lighter and maybe another after that. Again, time is not stopping, each day will pass and with each passing day I am <b><i>that</i></b> much closer. Stopping doesn't fix anything.</span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">So perhaps by my birthday in April I could be 25lbs lighter (my goal) and buy myself some new jeans for my birthday. In the scheme of things, that is not that far away. I am actually surprised I have been doing this for three weeks already! Again, I am focusing on perspective, slow and steady instead of an instant fix. </span><br />
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I am still keeping my enjoyment of cooking a food a part of my life, but if </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">you have
read some of my previous posts, I am looking for alternatives to some of my
favorite foods like Chinese (</span><a href="http://www.wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/01/healthy-recipes-spaghetti-squash-chinese_12.html" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">) and I am testing out cauliflower crust pizza
this past weekend and will post results soon! </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background: white; color: #444444; font-family: "Calibri",sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I am finding ways to have the foods I love without the extra calories.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">I am finding
balance between the things I like and weeding out the things I no longer need
to put in my body. And I am enjoying trying new foods and finding a new way of life that works for me and my life style.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">So bare with me. I am sure I am going to have rough days. Days I do not stick with it. Days I feel like I can't do it anymore. Days I am discourages. But I am also around so many supportive people, and an amazing and energetic son, that I feel inspired<b><i> every </i></b>day to do the best I can and keep going day by day.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">So tell me....what is your story.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;"><br /></span>Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-50283050978726592712015-01-14T10:01:00.002-08:002015-01-14T10:01:41.109-08:00It Really Is Pretty to Live in OhioJust when I am getting to the point when I question our decision to stay in Ohio because it is negative degrees outside and we get a flat tire because of the extreme cold and I have a 3 year old who can't go outside to release all that energy.....the universe gives a morning like this.<br />
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It may only be 3 degrees outside, but it is absolutely gorgeous. These last minute camera phone pictures <b><i>do not do it justice</i></b>, but believe me....it really is pretty to live in Ohio and experience all the seasons. Even the bitter cold ones!!!Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-55999950725091578212015-01-12T19:12:00.001-08:002015-01-12T19:12:34.829-08:00Healthy Recipes - Spaghetti Squash "Chinese"<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So last week I tried another new recipe. Well, I took a recipe and then modified it based on my likes and what I had in the house!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I have heard spaghetti squash is a great food and can be used "in place" of pasta and rice. So I decided to give it a shot and as I was craving Chinese I thought, hey lets make spaghetti squash Chinese!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Let me preface this by saying spaghetti squash "Chinese" is<u> <b><i>NOT </i></b></u>Chinese. It does not replace Chinese. It is a bunch of rarely used, cheap vegetables play'n like they are yummy Chinese. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">After making this, I am not going to give up my old Chinese food because this is "just <i>that </i>much better". </span><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>But</i></b>, as a healthy alternative that gives you the same flavors of Chinese food...this is a winner! Like a big winner...something I would make even if I wasn't dieting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So, back to the spaghetti squash. I had to be very open minded with this recipe as I am not a squash lover. The blandness and texture are just not pleasing to me. However, over the last 7 years I haven't been able to lose weight the way I wanted by eating the foods I was eating, so something must change. Enter...the squash!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Now, I think the reason the spaghetti squash is low in calories is because of how hard it is to get inside!!! This is when you need to be married to Wolverine. It took me <i>forever </i>to get into the raw squash and I swear I was going to cut my arm 15 times. I used the method of cutting the squash in half (with a guillotine perferably) and roasted inside part down with a little water in the pan for nearly an hour. Since that, a girl at work told me you can do this in the crockpot. Will be trying that for sure next time!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi09iImuVU73slUrDFGkzDgAUOCFpyOgGlEq5rC5C45meft4DMQvxDu1g3QQZh3ZVJQlDV2HZXV9cw-t41T_87811dLQJqSJt2hXzV-xm_Yght1HCIqlp4P5oEIci9WVJ6T1qpxw/s1600/ResizedImage_1420676398892.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi09iImuVU73slUrDFGkzDgAUOCFpyOgGlEq5rC5C45meft4DMQvxDu1g3QQZh3ZVJQlDV2HZXV9cw-t41T_87811dLQJqSJt2hXzV-xm_Yght1HCIqlp4P5oEIci9WVJ6T1qpxw/s1600/ResizedImage_1420676398892.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">So besides a whole spaghetti squash cooked and removed from the skin, I also cut up a half a head of cabbage, 4 celery stalks, 2 cups frozen broccoli (steamed), 2 oz of chicken and an egg (the last two ingredients for my individual portion).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I cooked the cabbage & celery in a tablespoon of EVOO for about 5 minutes until it is just slightly softened. I then added the spaghetti squash, broccoli and a couple tablespoons of low sodium soy sauce. I "stir-fried" this for awhile until everything was combined and heated through.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSCDbX0SRHFLvlCNThDajNanBtHY-ejkIZiq6SIOK0nAq28QBryhW64pMqMRI33L1_I4X3Q0bt2vf5myUOKKPunJvd6GGIaCNONpBuN8gAKWUp1tj62kL4D_jMgLemrEpsEQacg/s1600/ResizedImage_1420682992840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYSCDbX0SRHFLvlCNThDajNanBtHY-ejkIZiq6SIOK0nAq28QBryhW64pMqMRI33L1_I4X3Q0bt2vf5myUOKKPunJvd6GGIaCNONpBuN8gAKWUp1tj62kL4D_jMgLemrEpsEQacg/s1600/ResizedImage_1420682992840.jpg" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">I then added my shredded chicken and egg. I didn't make enough chicken for the entire recipe because, well, in case it sucked I didn't want to waste more food than I needed too!</span><br />
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<i>(Which came first, the chicken or the egg?!)</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Overall, my first attempt was good. It had any of the same flavors of chinese food. The cabbage and celery gave it some nice crunch to take away from the lack of consistency from the spaghetti squash. Plus, I got to eat a HUGE plate of food, which normally isn't the case when counting calories!! This recipe was 4 (large) servings and only 187 calories a serving for the spaghetti squash and cabbage mixture!! <i>(Must add on the chicken, egg, and extra soy sauce as well which was still only an extra 130 calories) </i>And I was seriously stuffed! You could probably do 6 servings to cut it down more, especially if you add brown rice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The next day I reheated left overs, added some brown rice, scrambled up some eggs, and added some sriracha! Oh my, this was tasty!! Felt and tasted like chinese. Loved it actually. And like I said, it doesn't replace traditional chinese food but it is all about finding balance, right?! This is a great balance.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Some things I would do differently next time:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Cook the squash in a crockpot so I do not cut my finger off cutting through</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Let the squash dry out a bit. Maybe spread it out on paper towel to remove excess moisture so it doesn't stick/clump together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Add more chicken and eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Add some more veggies like carrots and peas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Ingredients:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - 1 cooked spaghetti squash</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - 1/2 head shredded cabbage</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - 2 cups cooked broccoli</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - 4 stalks chopped celery</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Lite Soy Sauce</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Add-on Ingredients:</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Couple Eggs</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Shredded Chicken breast</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Extra Lite Soy Sauce</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Sriracha</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Brown rice</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"> - Extra veggies</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Calories (excluding the eggs and chicken) 187 per serving. 4 servings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Cost: For the basic ingredients it was not more than $10. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">Up Next I am going to try this with Quinoa!!</span>Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-55416509387066013682015-01-04T11:33:00.000-08:002015-01-08T13:36:25.860-08:00Healthy Recipes - Avocado, Chicken and White Bean Wrap!!<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">The first recipe I tried this weekend was an Avocado, Chicken and White Bean Wrap!!</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">I found a few recipes that mixed avocado and white beans together and as that seemed to meet my criteria of healthy, affordable, filling and tasty I thought I would give it a try!!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Now, a few of the recipes I tried had this cold and without chicken and instead a "coleslaw" mixture. Well, I didn't want to make a coleslaw mixture and I wanted something warm as it is cold where I live right now. I also had just cooked some plain chicken in the crockpot* the night before and thought that would be a perfect addition.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">I have made this a few times this weekend so some of the pictures were from different attempts. The final recipe is my favorite combination.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">First you take a half of a medium (ripe) avocado and a 1/4 cup of rinsed white beans (</span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Great Northern Beans</span></span><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">) and mash together with a fork in a bowl. Add a dash of salt. I wouldn't puree this as you still want some texture to this.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Next, spread this on a whole wheat flour tortilla or some healthy wrap. I used a whole wheat flour tortilla as that is what we have in the house. Some though can have close to 200 calories (eek!), so aim for one closer to 100. I may also try a flavored wrap next time for added taste! Once you spread that on, add about 1 oz of your shredded chicken.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i>(This was my first attempt where I used a 1/2 cup of white beans and 2oz of chicken. </i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i>Just too much for the tortilla and too much chicken.)</i></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Next, wrap that bad boy up burrito style. Do a quick spray of EVOO cooking spray on the side with the seem and place into a preheated (on medium low) pan. Spray the other side with the cooking spray once in the pan.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i>Crispy!!</i></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">This doesn't take long, so once it is at your desired crispiness, remove and enjoy!!</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">The thing I like about the avocado, bean & chicken combination is that I can eat this many different ways. I can have it like above with a bowl of soup for a warm and filling meal.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">I can do a cold wrap and throw in some lettuce, tomato, and/or roasted red peppers for a great work lunch.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">The avocado and bean "mash" is actually good enough on its own and would make for a fantastic dip! And I love dips, so I should know. Some pita chips and red/green peppers make for a great side to the dip.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">I would also add this to a salad in place of a dressing.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">It is filling and contains healthy fats and proteins.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">This is also quick and inexpensive.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">The whole thing took no longer than 10 minutes to make. And the price was as followed: .79 for a can of beans, $1.00 for the avocado, $1.89 for an 8 pack of of whole wheat tortillas, chicken was only a couple dollars. </span><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i style="font-size: x-small;">(We buy ours from the butcher and get a lot of it so do not know the exact price, but you are only using an ounce so if you don't have any you can use another meat or keep it meat-free!) </i><span style="font-size: x-small;">So very affordable!</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><b><u>Nutrition: 312 calories</u></b></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i>Lower your calories by getting a low calorie/low carb wrap. Or opt for one of the other non-wrap options above.</i></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Pam Cooking Spray - Olive Oil, 1 second spray: Calories: 7</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Chicken Breast-homemade - Boiled, 1 oz - Calories: </span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">35</span><br />
Walmart - White Beans (Canned), 1/4 cup - Calories: 50<br />
Ortega - Whole Wheat Tortilla, 1 tortilla - Calories: 120<br />
Fresh - Avocado - Hass, Medium, 1/2 of medium size - Calories: 100<br />
Salt - Salt, 0.4 gram (One dash) - Calories: 0<br />
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Hope you enjoy!! Let me know if you try and have any modifications or additions!!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Next up, something with spaghetti squash....out of my comfort zone, but interested!!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><i>*Boiled boneless skinless chicken breast - I add a chicken breast to a crockpot with water, salt and pepper and a bullion cube and cook on high for 4-5 hours or low for 6-8 hours. Then shred when warm....it falls apart and is a perfect addition for lunches</i>.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><i><br /></i></span></span></span></span>Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-78306559298843793332015-01-04T10:34:00.000-08:002015-01-04T11:35:21.470-08:00Losing Weight....AGAIN. Tasty & Healthy RecipesSo I believe this is my 6,942 attempt to lose weight.<br />
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There are many <strike>excuses</strike> reasons why I keep failing, but one thing it always seems to come back to is food.<br />
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<b><i>I. Love. Food.</i></b><br />
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There. I said it.<br />
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I love to cook it. I love to make <span style="font-size: x-small;">(and eat)</span> a lot of it. I love to share it with family and friends. I love to experiment with it.<br />
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I just love it.<br />
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So of course, whenever I do one of my diet attempts I cut out nearly all the foods I love. And then after a month or so, BOOM, I just give up.<br />
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So this time I didn't want that to happen as I <i><b>NEED</b></i> to lose weight. Plain and simple. No excuses.<br />
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But this time I decided to continue doing what I like in regards to food. Cooking. Experimenting. Trying new things! Just with a healthy twist.<br />
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So over the last few weeks I have been finding recipes that will be healthy, affordable (because girl be on a budget!), filling (because girl don't like to be hungry), and also packed with flavor! You know, food that doesn't make you think you are dieting and that you would eat any way.<br />
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I will continue to use My Fitness Pal to count my lower calorie diet and will also use this blog to track my progress and share my recipes. Some recipes may be successes and some may not, but I am excited to see try new things and lose weight along the way!!<br />
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So up first.....<a href="http://wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2015/01/tasty-healthy-recipes-avocado-chicken.html" target="_blank">Avocado, Chicken and White Bean Wrap</a>!!<br />
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<br />Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31637068.post-64490591431544923992015-01-01T20:39:00.000-08:002015-01-02T15:45:04.759-08:002015 - The Year of FocusSo, 2014 has come and gone. With that comes a lot of reflection on the year that has passed. I think about the way overdue changes of Terry's job and all the pros and cons that come. I think about the unexpected loss of a dear friend and how precious life can be. I think that is has been one year since Henry's last <a href="http://wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2013/12/febrile-seizures.html" target="_blank">seizure</a> and have hope for the coming years. I think about the struggles we have been dealing with and the frustrations and optimism ahead. I think about how quickly time is going and how I need to find ways sometimes to bottle it up and slow it down <span style="font-size: x-small;">(and cover the grey and remove the hairs on my face!)</span> I think about how much we have all changed in the last year, especially Henry, and all that this new year holds!<br />
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So with that said, 2015 is turning into the year of focus.<br />
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As I have been reflecting on the year as it came to a close and even now as I type, I realize the things I need require me to focus, or refocus my priorities.<br />
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Call them goals. Call them resolutions. Call them just getting older and learning that sometimes we need to stop and change the way we are doing things.<br />
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So here is my focus for 2015.<br />
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<strong><em>Focus on Marriage.</em></strong><br />
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After we had Henry our life revolved around Henry and his needs, as expected. Terry and I worked opposite schedules to make things work, which means we were solo parenting a lot and our focus was just on how to raise this kid and survive. Then around 2 years old, just when we were starting to get to a normal life, the seizures and medical issues started with Henry. Now Henry's health seems to be doing better and though Terry and my schedules don't always mesh, we both realize we need more time for US. It is so easy to take each other and your marriage for granted. I know I do. We went on two dates in December, the first ones in a loooong time. And to be honest, it had the awkwardness of first dates at times...except for the fact that we have been together for 14 years. So we are focusing on our marriage in 2015. Going on dates again. <em>Listening</em> to each other. Being a team. We are stronger together, for sure. And like most things in life, even if it isn't broken <i>(which it is not)</i> it still needs maintenance and to be taken care of to keep things strong!<br />
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<strong><em>Focus on Health.</em></strong><br />
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I think with all of <a href="http://wrestlingkitties.blogspot.com/2014/03/diagnosis.html" target="_blank">Henry's health issues</a> the beginning of last year, Terry and I have been putting ourselves on the back burner. So the focus is keeping Henry healthy and hopefully continue to be seizure free. And Terry and I need to take care of our health. (except for sickness, it has been a few years that either has been for annual visits!) My main focus is getting myself healthy. Going to a couple doctors appointments and losing weight.<br />
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<strong><em>Focus on Myself.</em></strong><br />
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This overlaps health in that I need to work on ME. Losing weight is the most important thing. I need to <i>like</i> myself again. Like the way I look and feel better about who I am. Along with that, finding time to step away from everything and do the things I like. The things that make me happy. I gladly put away things I enjoyed when Henry was born, but it is time to get those things back out, even if it is just on occasion and finding a new balance. I need to feel like ME again.<br />
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<strong><em>Focus on being less Focused.</em></strong><br />
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Um. HUH?! What do you mean, Jenn?! I have a problem of focusing too much on things. I am OCD (self-diagnosed, of course) and with that I tend to focus on things....a little <i>too</i> much. My intentions usually start out good, but they do consume me at times. A nice evening with Terry could turn into me worrying because of the fluctuating temperature in Henry's room. Or that Terry is crunching his chip too loud and I yell at him and then we just sit in silence. Or I am convinced we are sick because I heard a cough so I take Henry's temperature 70 times. Or just focusing on the negative instead of the positive. So I am making a big effort to only focus on what is important (like above) and not put my effort in focusing on things that do not matter or that I can not change.<br />
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So, these are the things I want to focus on with the New Year. And the truth is I am excited for this New Year!!!<br />
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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!<br />
<br />Wrestling Kittieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12215343504044584811noreply@blogger.com0