My After...

Happy for new healthy habits, and grateful to feel better... inside and out!

FINAL RESULTS!!!!!

You last 5 that remained in the challenge the entire 10 weeks did AWESOME!!!  Seriously, I am so impressed with your results...everyone lost some major pounds and inches.  Keep up the good work ladies!

I added 10 points for each percentage point of weight and inches lost.  I added 50 points to Amy's score for hitting her goal weight and maintaining that weight the past 5 weeks.

Here is how the money prizes will work:  1st place gets $140, 2nd place $95, and 3rd place $50...$40 was used for weekly prizes.

Man, this competition was close!!!  I doubled and triple checked the math, so let's cue the Olympic theme music and here are the results!!!

6.  Stephanie:  822.5,          3.33% lbs. lost,           3.72% inches lost
5.  Megan:  1,011.4,            5.26% lbs. lost,            2.58% inches lost
4.  Amy:  1,104.9,               4.48% lbs. lost,            5.61% inches lost
3.  Artesia:  1,122.4,          9.14% lbs. lost,            12.1% inches lost
2.  Emma:  1,150.5,            7.69% lbs. lost,            8.66% inches lost
1.  Katie:  1,176.5,              9.19% lbs. lost,            10.31% inches lost


Thank you all so much for participating in this challenge!  I would love to keep in touch on the blog to keep the support up, or do another challenge in the fall if anyone is interested!

Congrats to everyone for being AWESOME LOSERS!

Katie send me your address so I can send you a check...Artesia I'm hoping to see you at your going away party to give you yours...and Emma I will pay you when I get back to Greeley this week!

Woo Hoo!

Its crazy to think that we have been doing this challenge for 10 weeks now! It will be the weirdest thing to go through a day and not have to log my food hah Well I am so grateful that I did this challenge, it sure pushed me to get the lasts stubborn pounds off. GOOD job to you all! We pushed through even the greatest challenge of all... the no sugar challenge haha  I hope everyone has a great rest of summer and enjoys their body that you have worked for! Woo WOo!

Finish. Line.Crossed

First of all Yipeeee to all who hung in there, even by a thread...and completed the challenge, and a HUGE 

Thank you 

to Stephanie, for all your support, work, time and encouragement in making this a fun, interactive success!!! 


It feels so good to accomplish something that helps you feel on track and moving in the right direction!
I didn't lose a bunch, but was very surprised by my inches lost!  Shows what 60 minutes a day of dedication can do!! My after pic will have to be later in the weekend...I tend to not take pictures- avoid them like a plague!
I too, like Megan learned sooo much about myself-- most importantly I know where I want to be, and I know how to get there.  
It will be a life long pursuit, but I have the map.  
Trophies all around for hanging in there and finishing the race! 
I feel like we are all winners (even our families), as we are closer to living a life healthier happier life than we were 10 weeks ago. The little good choices we make do accumulate into big changes. Don't ever give up!
My total inches lost was over 13! Great accomplishment for me... I hope they are not really lost, but gone for good! (I won't be looking for them anytime soon!!)
Thanks to all of you for the support and kindness!  
Health and happiness for all.

Thanks everyone!!!

I am so glad that I survived this challenge!  The beginning was  such a struggle, but I'm glad I stuck it out.  As far as my after pic goes, I'm only down a couple pounds from my beginning photo. :(  So, I decided not to post one..sorry. 

It is amazing how much I've learned about myself and how I'm not the only one with these struggles.  It is hard living in a healthy, fit community and feeling like I will never fit in!  Now, I feel like I'm on my way! 

Thanks everyone for sticking it out and helping make this challenge fun and worth it!

Megan

So grateful for this challenge...

I know this is super cheesy but I know that I am not going to win the prize money for this challenge but I am already a winner!  Losing 15 lbs and a bunch of inches is huge in my book and way better than the money.  Today I wore a swimsuit all day and no big t shirt to cover everything up.  I am so thankful for the motivation this challenge provided me and to all of you ladies for the support!   

Feeling Great!

Whew I'm excited that I made it all 10 weeks! I'm really excited that I accomplished this goal. It always is a great feeling to do something hard and look back. I learned that I have great will power. This challenge came just at the right time for me.

Sunday I put on this black skirt that I have been waiting to try on until the end of the 10 weeks. I wasn't able to zip this baby up before and now it feels big. I loved it! Good work Ladies we all made some healthy changes!

ps yes my legs are blinding...that's what I get for living in Seattle. 

Week 9 Standings and Prize Winner

Sorry this post is so late!  I'm blogging from the road.  I was staying with my Grandma and had no Internet service this past week.

Week 9 Results:

1.  Emma:  888
2.  Katie:  882.5
3.  Amy:  855
4.  Artesia:  815
5.  Megan:  835
6.  Stephanie:  700

Week 9 Prize Winner!

MEGAN!!!

I wasn't able to do my video like usual...but the 5 of you were all in the drawing, Ethan picked a name and it was Megan.  So I will get you that Subway gift card when I get back to Colorado!

TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY OF THE CHALLENGE!!!
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!

No carbs past lunch...ugggh!

Zero Carb Food List

Great resource for dieting...FYI

Hope you all have a great weekend!!

In the home stretch...

Okay, pun totally intended there for the stretch!  I hope you all had a great fourth of July...I am disappointed in no Fireworks here on the coast.  But with friends in town, it was a fun day!  The last few weeks are here, and like others, I think it has gone by fast!! I appreciate all the support, and helps, tips etc.  I hope this next week will be a healthy one!!
Good luck girls...

The sickest I have ever been...

I am bummed to be sick for so many reasons... One of them is not tomorrow's weigh in.  

1 more week?!?!?!

Seriously?!
Where did the time go?  I wish my weight was falling off as fast as the time has gone!

This week has been great.  I feel like I'm in a little more control of myself!  It's taken almost 9 weeks to get here..but at least I'm here.

Congrats to us for making it to the end! 

Have a great last week and a half!

hey everybody...

HaPpY 4Th Of JULY!!! I cant believe we are already in july! It couldnt be more perfect this week to have fourth of july the day before our weigh in... haha Well I dont have much else to add... hope everyone has a great firework full week and endures to the end(of this challenge) ONLY one more week! We can do it!! GOODLUCK and God Bless!!

A Mind Game

Tomorrow I am leaving for a family reunion.  The last time I saw most of these family members was just a few days after the last challenge I did, right after losing 20 lbs.  Even though I was still above my pre-pregnancy weight I felt great!  I think because I was actively taking control of my weight and being healthier I just felt good.  I knew I would be seeing all of these people again this upcoming weekend, and pictured myself being another 20 lbs. lighter at the reunion.
Well darn, it's not going to happen.  I've lost about 8 lbs. this time around and not many inches at all.  Tonight I'm feeling disappointed in myself.  It is because I know I haven't given it my best effort this time around.
I have learned that when I am making healthy choices I feel good about myself...regardless of how much weight I still need to lose.

But as someone said before, the battle may be lost but the war is not over...I'm just going to keep tackling one pound at a time!  I'd totally be up for another challenge this fall if anyone is interested!

Happy 4th of July everyone!!!

Can I do it?

This week is full of parties and fun with it being the 4th of July. I'm in high hopes that I can have strong will power and avoid all the yummy looking foods that will be everywhere.  Hope everyone has a fun 4th of July.  We are all most there!!!

Week 8 results and Prize Winner

Week 8 Results and Prize Winner

Week 8 Results:

1.  Emma:  789
2.  Katie:  783.5
3.  Amy:  756
4.  Artesia:  741
5.  Megan:  736
6.  Stephanie:  680

So the number of people reporting to me is decreasing each week...but let me just say you ladies that are still going are going STRONG!!!  This week Emma, Katie, Amy, and Megan all had perfect weeks...Artesia almost!

We're on the home stretch!

Target Gift Card Winner:



Girl...you ought to go to VEGAS!  You are on a roll!

Just a little bit at a time...

I'm currently blogging from a hospital room!  My sweet little Quinn had a crazy allergic reaction today so they are keeping us overnight to keep an eye on him.  He's sleeping right now and doing so much better.  So thankful for modern medicine and hospitals!!!

Thanks for your blog posts this week.  I really liked Artesia's post about just tackling the weight 10 lbs. at a time...and Amy's post about how every healthy choice is a good choice.  I've struggled this week after being out of town for the weekend getting back on the healthy food/ exercise train.  I'm vowing to have a great 2 weeks coming up.  For me it is about planning...I am choosing right now to plan my exercise and meals and stick to my plan!

Let's finish strong ladies!  And let's hope they let us go home tomorrow!

Yes Please!!!!

This is the only pic I could get online.... but it is Blue Bunny NO SUGAR FAT FREE Carmel Toffee Crunch Ice cream!  AMAZING!  90 cal for 1/2 cup.

 

Emma and I have tried eating super healthy...and tonight we decided we needed to break down and have a treat...and we found this amazing stuff! It is soooooooo gooooooood!

 

Anyways...I can't believe it is already week 9!!!  Where did the time go?

 

I haven't been as strong this competition as last.  But I am hoping I am on the right track to getting back on the boat. 

 

Hope you all bust it out strong these last 2 weeks! Let's give it our all!!!

 

ahhhhh last minute post!

hello everybody! Hope all is good. Well this week went well i thought, Im officailly in Colorado living with my sister Megan... so thats been intereseting. hah just kidding im loving it besides the hot weather/sun resulting in sun burns. Its great to have her support behind me and its going to be awesome trying new workouts/foods with her! Hope you all are having a great summer so far and feeling more fit!

Recipe

Found this yummy soup recipe and its only 125 calories for 1 cup.

Hope everyone had a good week. I was excited to get the email for next week and that it said week 9!

Black Bean Soup
 1 T olive oil

4 large cloves garlic, roughly chopped

3/4 C diced carrots (about 2 med carrots)

3/4 C diced celery (about 2 ribs)

1 C diced onion (about 1 sm-med onion)

2 cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1 3.5oz can green chilies

2 cans low-sodium beef broth

1 t kosher salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1/2 t chili powder

1/4 t cumin

1/2 t dry oregano leaves

1 bay leaf

Optional Toppings: sour cream, tortilla chips, grated cheese, chopped cilantro, etc.

Place a large stock pot on the stove-top and set to medium-high heat.  When pan is warm, add olive oil.  Add carrots, celery, onion, and garlic and saute 4-5 minutes.

 

Add in the black beans, chilies, and beef broth. Stir to combine and then add the salt, pepper, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and bay leaf.

Simmer uncovered for about 20-25 minutes or until carrots are tender.

Remove from heat. Remove bay leaf from soup. 

Place soup in a blender. (You could use an immersion blender in place of this step) Place lid on blender, but remove the stopper in the lid to let heat escape. Place a paper towel over the hole to avoid splatters. 

Puree soup until completely smooth.  Optionally you could pulse until a semi-chunky soup is achieved. Squeeze in the juice from one lime and pulse to combine.

Ladle into bowls and top with desired toppings. Serve with extra lime wedges.  Makes about 8 C soup. Recipe from ourbestbites.com.

EVEN IF YOU CAN’T PHYSICALLY SEE THE RESULTS IN FRONT OF YOU, EVERY SINGLE EFFORT, EVERY GOOD CHOICE, IS CHANGING YOUR BODY FROM THE INSIDE.

CHANGES ON THE INSIDE THAT YOU CAN’T SEE ARE JUST AS IMPORTANT ON CHANGES ON THE OUTSIDE.

NEVER GIVE UP!!

Reminder :)

muscles anyone??

If any of you younger gals have advice on preventing muscle soreness, please share!! 
The strength training is reminding me of all the muscles I don't use often enough! 
Of course all the norms like stretching, adequate water consumption I know...and maybe I am just a wimp! 
I am going on fifty... (in 4 more years) :)

Maybe like SNL's Molly Shannon I will still be able to kick and stretch when I turn 50...if I keep up the work-outs! LOL.

I hope everyone is having a great week, and getting your work outs in.  I always feel better once I have completed a work out, especially if I didn't want to do it in the first place. I get more satisfaction out of it if I 'make' myself do something that I really don't wanna!

Random post

I think I may have mentioned that I lost the weight after my first 2 babies by doing weight watchers.  If any of you have been to a WW meeting it consists of a lot of senior citizens and a couple younger gals.  Today in Zumba I recognized one of the younger girls as someone that was in WW.  She had lost over 100 lbs!  Crazy!  I asked her how she did it and she said 10 lbs at a time. I left feeling totally motivated and hoping to say goodbye to another 10 by the end of this challenge.  

Week 7 Results Prize Winner

Current Results:

1.  Emma:  690

2.  Katie:  684.5

3.  Amy:  657

4.  Artesia:  645

5.  Megan:  637

6.  Stephanie:  603  

7.  Danielle:  531.5

Wow!  You ladies are awesome!!!  We had Emma, Katie, and Artesia all get perfect scores this week.

Prize Winner:

So last week's prize was for a movie pass.  Here are the ladies who were eligible because they completed the no sugar challenge!  Hats off to each of you!!!

Artesia

Katie

Emma

Amy

Megan

(sadly my name is not on this list...I made it 4 of the 7 days...and then it's a long story...boo for me).

I will get that in the mail to you!

Hopefully you can squeeze a movie in before your big move!!!

glad the challenge is changing!!

No sugar is no bueno....the farther along in the week however, the better my resolve to not give in.  I think the more times I had overcome the calls from the cupboard...or fridge, or freezer the more I stood to lose if I gave in.  So it has been a battle of wills against myself.
It has been a great couple of weeks having Megan here.  I am continuously amazed at the patience she has and the wonderful mother she is to my grand children...I just can't imagine that I was ever that patient!
I know she is ready to get back to her normal life and schedule...but I'm not ready!
So I think my real challenge will be the next few weeks as I send Megan and Emma to Colorado...and am faced to become responsible to me...not excited to be an empty nester...
Come midnight I may just eat some leftover cake from Emma's 17th birthday!!
Hope you all had a successful week!

Oooooooooooooooh!

Sugar Pie, Honey Buns (cookies, candies, cakes, ice cream, pizza...)
You know that I love you,
I can't help myself, 
I love you and nobody else....

Ahh....sometimes lyrics explain everything! Ha ha!
This week has been challenging and rewarding.   I have proved to myself that I can be strong and make it through! I had one night where I was ready to throw in my towel, but thanks to my sister and mom, I was able to pull through.  

Hope you are all having some success!

Have a great week!
Megan

Yay for tomorrow being Friday!

This no sugar week has been hard. I felt some major with drawls the first couple of days. But it did get easier as the week went on. Grapes were my saving grace. They were sweet enough to make me forget about the bag of chocolate chips in the pantry that was calling my name for just a handful. It was a great reminder that I can do hard things. 

ps I maybe having chocolate chips for breakfast tomorrow.

done with this week!

I know im not the only one ready for this challenge to be over! I just want cake or something so bad haha well nothing else much to say but i hope you all had a great week!

Oh Sugar!

Anyone else feel like this after NO sugar?!

Me after our tee-ball game tonight, it was a bit windy...and a bit of a long night!

I was proud of myself Monday...this was what I saw every time I opened the fridge:

Leftover homemade from scratch chocolate cake with homemade hot fudge and cream that I made for Clark for Father's Day.

I did not have even one bite...definitely harder when it's right in your face.  It's kind of empowering and has helped me feel in control this week doing this challenge.  Just hoping the scale budges on Friday!

Only one more day of this week...you can do it!

Week 6 Results and Prize Winner

Current Standings:

1.  Emma:  591

2.  Katie:  585.5

3.  Amy:  563

4.  Artesia:  542

5.  Megan:  541 

6.  Stephanie:  524  

7.  Danielle:  486.5

8.  Christina:  481.5

So congrats to Emma and Katie for having a perfect week again!  Also, huge congrats to Amy who reached her goal weight this week!!!  Awesome job, she will start getting maintenance points now each week.

If you didn't send me your points yet that's okay, I will update your score if I hear from you!

Weekly Prize Winner:

(No video this week, my trusty assistants were already in bed, but Clark was the photographer and will vouch that these were true and accurate results)

So here is this week's winner in pictures!

The girls that were eligible:

Oh, you like my sock bun...why thank you, I didn't have time to dry my hair before church this morning! 

 Mixing up the names...can you just feel the excitement!?

 Here goes...

Winner, winner, chicken dinner...who will it be?

 Oh shoot...it's me!

Guys, I really didn't rig this this.  I'm feeling a bit sheepish...but yay for frozen yogurt!   

2 days into the no sugar challenge...

Let's just say I need to be perfect the rest of the week.  

Enjoying Father's day with donuts and watching Call of the Wildman. And lots of snuggles.  

Thanks for the comments on my last post.  We will be moving shortly after the final weigh in.  Caralee, we both should incorporate some major house cleaning and purging into our personal challenges.   

Rollercoaster of emotions...

I would not call myself an emotional eater... but I have been on an emotional rollercoaster this week.  I was offered a new job and after much debate I decided to take it.  Taking it means moving our entire family across the country.  I put in my 3 week notice at my current job and now they are trying to match the offer.  So with all this chaos and confusion I worked out only twice and ate out every single day!!! On the plus side I tried to make healthy eating choices and get a good night sleep.  I am not sure where I will end this challenge but I am hoping there is less of me.  Pray for me and my family if you get a chance.  

Posting before midnight so I can pull together a respectable point tally this week!  

My daughter Clara at the fair last year!

Success in trying new things!

Well, I might not be finding success on the scale, but I was successful in finding some new produce! I will add pics later, because I can't figure out how to I on my phone. :(

Anyway! I am excited and nervous for this next week's challenge! I need to kick my sugar addiction soooooo bad!
Thanks Stephanie for keeping us goin and helping us really challenge ourselves!

Oops

Well, I missed the couple first days of the group challenge and my personal challenge this week, oh, and keeping track of my food, so I basically gave up this week.  And I saw the challenge for next week and wanted to throw in the towel even before it started.  I am going on vacation and want to enjoy our family foods and stuff without having to worry so much about what I am eating.  Then I had a slight epiphany...that kind of attitude has gotten me to where I am now...not entirely happy with my body.  I saw a quote on pinterest that says, If you want something you've never had, then you've got to do something you've never done.  So I'm feeling a little more optimistic just now as I read the quote.  Its true that I want to be different and I don't want to give up.  I want to be happier in my body and I know that can happen if I put forth more effort.  In the last seven years I think I have just been content with not being entirely satisfied with my effort, and that kind of stinks.  So I guess this week I am going to really work hard, especially on the no sugar challenge.  I will have to team up with my sister while on vacation to do some good eating and some exercise.  Ready Caralee?

SUMMMER!

Im so happy summer is finally here...! I actually enjoyed this weeks challenge, i realized i was getting waaayyy too much fruit and not enough vegetables hah So it was good to try some new foods, I tried apricots for the first time haha and yellow wax greenbeans and sunshine squash and yellow honeydew.... and i liked them all! I hope everyone has had a good week,  im curious as to what you all tried! were in for a scary adventure for next weeks challenge :/  no sugar... im excited!! alright hope ya'll have a awesome week!

Another week down

This week seemed to fly by. It was interesting keeping track of my fruits and veggie intake. I was doing better than I thought. I haven't had brussels sprouts in a while, so roasted some using a new recipe they turned out pretty well. It was a good challenge to be aware of how much I'm getting in a day or not. 

I don't know about everyone else but this next week of no sugar will be tough!! I was looking at labels this morning and realizing that I need to have a good game plan going into this next week. Good Luck to us all!

Bountiful Basket

Today I wanted to blog about the Bountiful Basket food co-op (in case there is someone reading that hasn't heard about it before).

Basically, you pay $15 to get a laundry basket full of fresh fruits and vegetables.  They are in several areas, so you can see if they have one near you.  Their website answers all questions about how it works, check it out here:  Bountiful Baskets

I started buying the Bountiful Baskets in January, and it has been awesome!  You never know what is going to be in the basket so it forces me to try new recipes and be a little more creative in the kitchen.  I know my boys have had more vegetables in their diet than ever before.  Also their bread offerings are amazing, $12 for 5 loaves...it has no additives (just a little organic honey).

This past week I got this:  fennel, romaine lettuce, 3 spaghetti squash, blueberries, strawberries, 6 lbs. grapes, 3 yellow bell peppers, 7 green peppers, 9 plums, 6 bananas, 6 tomatoes, and 7 green peppers.

I feel pretty good about the challenge this week...I realize I am getting the fruits and veggies I need pretty regularly thanks to big salads.  The challenge now is making sure my boys eat what they need.  I can definitely see how green smoothies would help.

The new produce I tried this week was fennel bulb and fennel stalk and fennel fronds.  I had never had it before.  It definitely has an unique licorice flavor that spices things up.  I was grilling a big pan of mixed veggies so I added the fennel bulb pieces and it smelled like pizza hut on our grill...it was weird...but good!

Anyone else discover something new?

Checking in

Hi Ladies -

I am checking in with you all!  This summer has to be the busiest summer that I think I've ever had!  I thought about dropping out of the competition, but have decided that by staying in I am staying accountable, even at a small level.

I saw this recipe and thought I would share it with you all!!  It looks at a delicious summer option!

Over the hump

Last week was a tough week but I stuck it out.  My points are low but I'm making progress and I wore a pair of pants yesterday that I haven't worn in 2 1/2 years now that was huge motivation!  I saw a post on Facebook that said even if you lose 1/2 a pound a week that is 26 pounds a year.  So if I keep this up for a year I'll be down 26 pounds and that is exciting to me. At this point in the game I know I won't have the highest points but I am meeting personal goals and that is a good place to start.

~ Christina

Week 5 Standings and Prize Winner

Current Standings:

1.  Emma:  492

2.  Katie:  486.5

3.  Amy:  474

4.  Artesia:  467

5.  Stephanie:  445.5  

6.  Megan:  445

8.  Danielle:  435.5

7.  Christina:  409.5

9.  Caralee:  362

10.  Liz:  329

Prize Winner for Week 5:

We had 6 ladies qualify for this week's drawing:

Here is our winner!

 Send me your address and I'll get that gift card in the mail for you!

Grad in the house!

This week went by so fast, I forgot to blog! Well its official...my last baby is graduated!  Congratulations to Emma for challenging all the norms and finishing super strong this year! She has everything to look forward to!!  Bittersweet.
Love having our Hopkin's crew here...for a couple weeks to visit. Grand babies are the best!!! Can't find my camera cord at the moment, so will post pictures later in the week.
It will be an interesting week for me, as I usually don't get all my veggies in! Hope everyone is have a great start to our half way point.

Throwing it in... almost

I was pretty much ready to write an email saying I was pulling out of the competition because of lack of motivation, and results, but then I logged onto this blog one more time just to check it out.  I don't think I will quit thanks to you ladies!  I guess I am having a hard time keeping track of the points which is causing discouragement.  I know the different things to work on- sleep, water, logging food etc., and I just forget to do them (okay I am actually blaming it on having my six kids home from school for the summer, I don't have a moment to think!).  But, I will keep on trucking even if my points don't total hardly anything at all. 

I have found when I don't eat a snack at night (or an entire bag of tortilla chips with salsa) I feel so much better when I wake up in the morning.  My body isn't starting the day all slogged down.  I have also really learned to enjoy my morning walk/run with a good friend most days, the other days with a few of my older kids.  When I don't get the walk in I feel a little off all day.  I also have learned to listen to my body more and can definately tell when I have over done it in the junk food category.  I know this challenge is good for me and these things I am learning will go forward with me, even if my weight doesn't drop suddenly or my clothes get too big all of the sudden. 

Thanks for the help ladies!

California here I come!!!

Ha, ha! I am visiting my family and fellow competitors, Amy and Emma! They have been doing great with the competition, eating healthy, exercising and losing stubborn pounds. I am excited and nervous! I hope they can keep me in check, cause In-N-Out is calling my name!
Well, hope everyone has a great week!!!!
Megan

Couple day break

I slacked :( between not feeling well and working 60 hours this week I let things slide a little.  I plan to go at it with all I have for next week starting tomorrow.  I even thought the group challenge would be a piece of cake until I ended up working late all week.  These are the things that this challenge is making me aware of though so I'm thankful to run into them during this point in the challenge.  I just need to have a backup plan for late evenings like letting myself know that my kids won't die if we have pb&j's for supper sometimes.  Here's to a better week next week!

Counting down now

Excited that we're to the point where we can start counting down! I'm feeling the same way as a lot of you ladies. This week was hard. Everyday was a I want chocolate day, thankfully the Hubbs helped me.  I didn't enjoy my works out like I usually do. So the Hubbs suggest I buy some new work out cloths. At first I resisted, I thought I'm perfectly happy with my tee-shirts from high school that have holes and are ultimately comfy. But I gave in and they arrive tomorrow. I'm really excited about it. Five more weeks to go. We can do this ladies!

Hanging on...

I appreciate reading that some of you are feeling the mid way struggle.  I am having a difficult time staying motivated to do everything.  I did some good running this week on the treadmill with some workouts I found on pinterest.  And I loved soccer this week.  If only I could play every day.  Does anyone have any great tips for staying motivated?  I have not lost the weight that I had set as a goal.  And that makes it more discouraging.

Keep it goin...

yippeee were half way through and ive been so grateful for the challenge! Megan (my sister whos also in the challenge) has come to visit us for a couple of weeks so I hope we can lean on eachother through the rest of the competition :) This upcoming weekly challenge is going to be really good for me i hope and i tried something new today, So instead of using mayonnaise in egg salad, I used plain greek yogurt and added spices and mustard and i totally loved it!OH and i found a funny saying haha Its not cellulite, it's my body's way of saying IM SEXY in brail. I hope everyone has a really great week and pushes through the tough  mid challenge feeling!

Back on the Bandwagon

I am hoping I am not the only one feeling the mid-challenge slump.  I know my personality well enough to know it is easier for me to keep on truckin than to stop and start again.  This is true for running and eating healthy.  If I have a plan and routine I am golden.  However, this week I had to travel for work and with that the routine of healthy eating and exercising flew out the window.  Even though I am home I find it hard to start again.  I have been walking for my exercise points and keeping track of my calorie intake but the motivation has been lost.  So in some sort of therapeutic way I am confessing this in hopes to turn things around by Friday for our weigh in.  

I will leave you with a picture of my little guy and his first bites of rice cereal {trust me this is way cuter than me eating chocolate.}  

 

Keeping On

So I'm going to be completely honest with all of you...my weight loss isn't going so great this time around.  At this point I've lost half of what I had lost by week 6 of the last challenge I did.  I think the slower pace of losing makes it harder to stay focused and motivated.  I'm determined though to keep losing, even if it takes a lot longer than I had originally planned and hoped for.

This week's challenge to stop eating at 8 PM has been good for me.  It is such a habit for me to have a snack at night after my kids are in bed...and usually it's not a healthy snack.  This week I've realized that I definitely don't need it.  I'm not hungry, it is just a habit, and I can break it.

So I'm just trying to keep going and focus on feeling better and being healthier even when the scale isn't moving.  So here are a few of my non-scale victories this week.  Tonight I ran a mile with my husband...I hate running...I haven't run since long before I was pregnant with my now 6 month old...so that was a victory, I'm glad to know I can run a mile without dying.  I also managed this week to distract my Zumba teacher and make her forget where she was at in the middle of the song!  We were dancing along and I thought it was time for a big arms waving over the head turn...well I turned about 8 counts to early...as soon as I realized I was the only one turning I tried to correct myself and ended up doing one of the most spastic dance moves of all times...apparently crazy enough to stop a very experienced Zumba instructor mid-dance. Now that takes some fitness skills right there!  Right?

Anyway, thanks for hanging in this challenge with me!  Keep on Ladies!

Week 4 Standings and Prize Winner!

Current Standings:

1.  Emma:  394

2.  Katie:  387.5

3.  Amy:  385

4.  Artesia:  371

5.  Stephanie:  357.5  

6.  Megan:  357

7.  Christina:  353

8.  Danielle:  342.5

9.  Caralee:  318

10.  Liz:  277

11.  Heather:  306.5

Congrats to Amy and Katie for a perfect week!

Week 4 Prize:

Thanks for all the great recipes you all posted on the blog...this week as I planned my menus I incorporated a few new recipes that I'm excited to try.  I'm also excited to try the healthy milkshake and banana ice cream (ice cream is my weakness)!!!

11 people were eligible for the prize this week...a movie ticket!

So here's our winner:

Mandarin Orange Chicken

Ingredients:
3 TBSP frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
3 TBSP lower-sodium soy sauce
1 TBSPfreshly minced garlic
1 TBSP hot sesame oil
1 tsp chili garlic sauce or chili paste
3/4 cup canned unsweetened mandarin oranges in juice
6 (4-ounce) trimmed boneless, skinless chicken breast

In a large zip lock bag or container, mix  juice, soy, garlic, oil and chili sauce.  Gently stir in the oranges and their juice.  Add the chicken.

Seal the bag and marinate in the refrigerator for 6 hours or over night, rotating once or twice.

Preheat the oven to 400degrees. Transfer chicken to glass baking or casserole dish.  Pour remaining marinade on top.  Cover dish with foil and bake 25-30 mins, or until chicken is no longer pink inside.

Makes 6 servings
183 Calories per serving


Served great over rice!

Raspberry Swirl Dessert

I subscribe to the 'Healthy Cooking'  edition of Taste Of Home...so when I first saw this recipe, it sounded so yummy for summer dessert!  I was excited. It was way more labor intensive than I had planned...I remember thinking...this would have to be amazing for me to ever want to make it again!! Well, I have made it 4 times now! Needless to say its worth the effort! It is a lovely dessert that you make ahead and freeze for guests...
If any of you are brave enough to try, I'd love some feedback!

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted
• 5 teaspoons sugar
• 2/3 cup graham cracker crumbs (I use the low fat version)
• FILLING:
• 3 eggs, separated
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, divided
• 1 cup sugar, divided
• 1/8 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1 package (8 ounces) reduced-fat cream cheese
• 1-1/2 cups reduced-fat whipped topping
• 1 package (10 ounces) frozen sweetened raspberries, thawed

Directions

• In a small bowl, combine the cracker crumbs, butter and sugar. Press into an 11-in. x 7-in. dish coated with cooking spray. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, for filling, in a small heavy saucepan, combine the egg yolks, 1/4 cup water, 1/2 cup sugar and salt. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches 160° or is thick enough to coat the back of a metal spoon. Cool quickly by placing pan in a bowl of ice water; stir for 2 minutes. Set aside.
• In a small heavy saucepan over low heat, combine the egg whites, cream of tartar and remaining water and sugar. With a portable mixer, beat on low speed until mixture reaches 160°. Transfer to a small bowl; beat on high until soft peaks form.
• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in egg yolk mixture. Fold in whipped topping, then egg white mixture. Drain raspberries, reserving 3 tablespoons juice. In a small bowl, crush half of berries with 1 tablespoon juice. Set remaining berries and juice aside.
• Spread a third of cream cheese mixture over crust; spoon half of crushed berry mixture over the top. Repeat layers. Cut through with a knife to swirl raspberries.
• Top with remaining cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle with reserved berries and drizzle with remaining juice. Cover and freeze for 5 hours or until firm. Remove from the freezer 15 minutes before cutting. Yield: 12 servings.

Nutritional Facts1 piece equals 217 calories, 9 g fat (5 g saturated fat), 71 mg cholesterol, 164 mg sodium, 32 g carbohydrate, 1 g fiber, 4 g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 2 starch, 1-1/2 fat.