Stair Steppin'

Today was a good day!  For breakfast I had the usual oatmeal bar (I'm waiting for my bananas to ripen so I can add that to my breakfast as well) and then for lunch I had a lean pocket, apple and yogurt. I was starving when I got home because I didn't eat an afternoon snack (too busy at work today) so while dinner was cooking I had some dried fruit. I got a tropical blend at Target the other day and they are delicious! Zach made us dinner tonight, which was a recipe from the 'Cook This, Not That' cookbook, Herb Crusted Fish (we used tilapia) with some Pasta Roni. It was delicious and a much healthier way to eat tilapia then having it parmesan crusted, like we usually to do.

After dinner settled, I looked up some work out videos online and did a combo of different ones I found.  I also did some crunches and leg lifts.  After my very random workout I was walking down the stairs and I realized that I had a very popular work out machine built into my house, the stairs!  So I decided to run up and down the stairs until I couldn't do it anymore!  My dog stared at me the entire time, like I was a crazy person, but it really was a great workout!  I just hope I didn't annoy the neighbors too much! While the stairs are a great work out, I am planning on going shopping this weekend to get a great work out video.  I have been looking up reviews online for good ones.  I have read many good things about all of Jillian Michaels' videos, so she will probably be the winner. I'll let you know what I choose!

Day 1, not so bad, Day 2, not so good!

Yesterday was day 1 and I would say it went well.  I had an oatmeal bar for breakfast, PB sandwich, apple, and carrot sticks for lunch and pulled pork and broccoli for dinner. Oh and a handful of almonds for an afternoon snack at work. After dinner we took Loki for a walk, much longer this time. I still need to figure out an exercise to do other then walking, but like I said before, it's better then nothing!


Now day 2, on the other hand, was not as good...  It started out well, oatmeal bar for breakfast and pulled pork, carrot sticks, and an apple for lunch.  Then dinner came around.  We went to meet our friends Katrina, Tate, their little guy Jace, Rachelle and Jon for dinner at Acapulco.  It was a going away thing for Katrina, Tate and Jace (They are moving tomorrow to South Carolina, so sad!!) At Acapulco I chowed down on a basket or 2 of chips and salsa and then had chicken tacos and refried beans. I had one proud moment tonight when I stayed away from the AMAZING cheese dip, that was a first for me! It was all worth it though to see Katrina and Jace one more time before they go. I'm going to miss them so much!! OK, OK I will stop being a sap...


Now I'm at home stuffed to the brim and sitting on my butt because I am way too full to do anything else.  Note for the future... PORTION CONTROL.  I will do better next time, I promise.


Tomorrow for lunch is a lean pocket, apple and yogurt.

First Dinner.

Tonight we struggled a bit as to what we should make for dinner.  This is always a struggle for us.  We spend over $100 at the grocery store and then when we go to make a meal, we feel like we have nothing!  I don't get how that works.  We have decided we need to plan out our meals before we go and shop accordingly.  

Today being the first day on the new diet healthy lifestyle, we didn't have a lot to choose from (we will have to go grocery shopping soon).  I looked through my 'Cook This, Not That' cookbook and came across a recipe for a buffalo chicken sandwich.  We have chicken, buns and Frank's Red Hot, so this was the winner. We had to tweak the recipe quite a bit for lack of ingredients, but it was very easy and turned out really yummy!

After dinner we took Loki for a walk, it was a short one because he kept lifting up his leg like it was hurting, so we headed home.  I figured it was better then nothing though! (Loki broke his leg 3 weeks ago and has just reached the point in his recovery where he can go on walks, so we are taking it easy).  I will get  better at the exercising part, I promise!  I just need to get creative and come up with some things to do!

After the walk, I made lunch for tomorrow: Peanut butter sandwich on light wheat bread, an apple and baby carrots.

Tomorrow will be the first full day, here we go!

Here is how we made the buffalo chicken sandwiches: 

• We grilled 2 chicken breasts, seasoned with garlic powder, onion salt and chili powder on our George Foreman Griller, along with some sliced yellow onions. 
• While that was grilling I put some margarine and garlic powder on 2 hamburger buns and put them in the oven to brown.  
• When the chicken was done we added some cheese, Frank's Red Hot, fat free ranch dressing and the grilled onions and put it on the toasted buns.

Getting Started

I have decided to create a blog, like many people these days, to document my weight loss. Well, more to keep me motivated and accountable... if I'm blogging about it, then I have to stick with it, right? I think so! 


I have decided that it is time for me to get healthy, and what better time then after the Holidays are over.  I'm a sucker for holiday cookies, candies, appetizers, you name it!  Well that time has past and its time to get rid of the holiday pudge (and all the pudge that was there before!) 


I started a new job as an annuity service specialist in March and moved into my own place with my boyfriend, Zach and dog, Loki in May. I also just purchased my first car in October.  I'm becoming a 'real' adult now and part of being an adult is taking care of yourself.  Since I got my job and moved out of my parents house I have not done much of any exercise.  I also have not been eating very healthy either. Bad combo. I am now at the heaviest I have ever been and I am not happy about it.  Half of my clothes in my closet don't fit, it's too depressing going shopping, and I don't ever feel good about myself.  I'm sick of it.  That's why I have decided it's time to quit whining and do something about it!  


I have followed other diet plans in the past, which have worked for losing weight, but haven't worked for keeping it off.  That's why I have decided this time I'm going to do it my way. I will incorporate things that I have learned from my past diet plans along with things I learn from reading other diet blogs and websites.  It's always interesting to find out how other people have lost all their weight and more importantly, how they kept it off! 


A few things I'm going to start with are:

• 1 Drink a LOT of water.
• Healthier snacks at work (nuts, carrot sticks, fruit).
• Smaller portions.  This one is very crucial for me, I know I won't be able to cut out all unhealthy foods, that is what makes most diets not stick with me.  The key will be if I eat something unhealthy, eat it in small portions!
• Get moving.  It's so hard to get myself to do anything after work (I don't get home until 6 pm), but that's going to change.  I'm going to make myself do something, even if it's just a walk with Loki.

I Few helpful sources are:

• www.fullplatediet.org This diet is all about eating a lot of fiber to keep you full.  They have a great book too that I have:

• www.jillianmichaels.com
• P90X (Zach has the DVDs and we are going to give them a try)
• http://www.diet-blog.com/
• 2 Cookbooks I have are great for low fat cooking and advice, Hungry Girl and Cook This, Not That

So here I go, wish me luck! (I may need it...)