Summer15 Update

I am sooooo close to being the lightest I have been in a long time. I am .2 pounds off my previous lightest weight of 158.5. I know I can do this!

So this puts me 9.3 pounds since January 1st, 3.9 pounds down since the start of Summer15 and 0.9 pounds down form last week. Rocking!

Some of the food choice changes I have been making are obviously working very well, as much as I grumble about them. I haven't done much exercise, and I have made some poor food choices this week, but overall I think I did really really good, and I guess it shows!

I have really started enjoying preparing some healthier meals ahead of time for work. My favourites are the breakfast grains from The Biggest Loser Simple Swaps: 100 Easy Changes to Start Living a Healthier Lifestyle and the Tabbouleh from The Low GI Handbook: The New Glucose Revolution Guide to the Long-Term Health Benefits of Low GI Eating (New Glucose Revolutions).

After having a week off from exercise due to illness I went super hardcore when I went back to the gym Tuesday (after having a long holiday weekend). I went a little too hard...not only did I raise my heart rate over the point where the treadmill could read it (it screamed at me 199%+) but I also damaged my knee. I should have known better. I really wrecked it back when I was 16 and doing parades with my Drum Corps. I was told since I refused surgery that it would always be sensitive and I would have to take care of it. And here I go jogging out super hard on a treadmill with about 50-60 extra pounds on me from when I originally hurt it (I was maybe a good 90 pounds soaking wet back when I was that age).

So yeah...duh...and hence the no further workouts for that week. I was in agony just walking up some stairs to get to work. Ugh.

I also sucked out at my goals. I had only 3 goals this weekend, and I didn't complete even one. But on the other side I did spend quite a few hours shopping with the other half to help him put together some nice new ensembles for work (more updates on that soon, just waiting for the official news). I'm telling you, men complain about shopping with women...but shopping with a picky man is no picnic either!

I also had a nice conversation with the other half about my education and am pleased he agreed to let me go back to taking two courses at once since I really only raid once a night now. There were of course some specifications:

1) No more costly extensions.

2) Course must be staggered so as not to have their finals close to one another.

3) Only one of the course may have both a final and a midtem, the complimentary course must be all assignments or assignments with a final only (so as to avoid overlapping of exams).

I am quite happy with this. I will be signing up for my next course (Computers and Management Information Systems) on Wednesday. It is an assignment only course. I can't wait! This will give me some brain breaks from the hideous Taxation course (which has to be completed my November - ugh).

Summer15 Week Six

Well that sort of worked out better. Odd considering the week I have had, but I'll take it as it comes.

Last week if you remember I posted I weighed in at 162.4. I am down 2.8 pounds!

I didn't go to the gym at all this week! This is so weird. I always seem to lose weight when I DON'T go to the gym? Is it just a coincidence?

My food choices were not always the greatest either. My son was out of town for the week and this left me the option of eating crappy dinners (which I did most nights). But I was really really good with my lunches, following the food list as best as possible. So maybe that is what helped.

Hopefully this week I can add in better dinners too. The other half wants to start improving his diet as well, so hopefully with us both feeling the urge to be better we can encourage one another.

I have started reading The Low GI Handbook: The New Glucose Revolution Guide to the Long-Term Health Benefits of Low GI Eating (New Glucose Revolutions) and it has some really great low GI recipes included, together with full weekly diet plans. This week alone I have already tried 2 of the recipes. I especially enjoyed the tabbouleh (pics to follow soon).

I am still interested to learn what everyone else does to stay on track with eating and avoid all the yummy temptations out there. So don't be shy! Leave a comment and let me know, because I am still having way too many weak craving moments.

Summer15 Week Two

So I am slightly heartbroken. I have gained 2.1 pounds from last week's 2.7 pound loss. On a positive note that means I am still 0.6 pounds into my 15 pound goal, but it still stinks.

I'm not exactly sure what happened. I have been doing great with my working out. I have gone to the gym every workday since receiving the free membership. I have done both the upper and lower training sessions and now know how to mix my weight training with cardio. I mean I know I ate badly here and there...but I always do...and I don't usually exercise...so I should have lost! The only thing I can hope for is that it's fat turning into muscle. Nothing else really makes sense to me.

This week I managed to do the following:

Thursday - Treadmill for a total of 32 minutes (5 min warm-up followed by 25 mins of 60 sec run and 90 sec walk ending with a 2 min cool-down)

Friday, Saturday, Sunday - Long weekend. Since the gym is located near my work (which is very far from my home) I do not have access to it on non-work days. Did some housework.

Monday - Elliptical Beginner Level 2 workout session for 30 mins, 2 min cool-down

Tuesday - Upper and abs followed by 15 mins on the treadmill

Wednesday - Lower and abs with trainer followed by 5 mins on the treadmill (before almost passing out)

Today the gym is closed for Canada day (/pouts) and tomorrow I am off so I won't see the gym until Monday again. Hopefully I can fit something in at home. It's one of my goals since I failed so miserably at doing so last weekend...

Goals for Week #3

- eat no more than ONE fast food take out dinner

- eat no more than ONE eat in restaurant dinner (NOT FAST FOOD)

- work out at least 4 days at the gym

- fit in at least one fitness program or 30 minute elliptical circuit at home over the weekend

- finish assignment #1 for Taxation course (not everything has to be about weight loss!)

- make at least one new meal from The Biggest Loser Simple Swaps: 100 Easy Changes to Start Living a Healthier Lifestyle (I'm eying trying out the spaghetti squash)

- cut down (or cut out) the coffee (no more than large on weekends and no more than medium on weekdays)

- drink more water or herbal tea (this should be easier with my newfound obsession with David's Tea

There...that should be a good start!  Here's to a new week!

Blah...

That's how I have felt lately. First off I have been working very hard to finish my English class this past week. I had my final exam last Saturday, and one final essay that had to be handed in this week (and I just finished it last night). Can I say how much I hate essays? Especially on novels I didn't enjoy? /cough "The Stone Angel /cough...

I'm back up again, but only .5 pounds, so I'm not going to beat myself up over it. I have been very happy with my food choices lately. Of course mostly it's because I have been feeling so cruddy I've really only wanted to eat simple things like raw fruits and vegetables. Smoothies have been a lifesaver! I am so glad I have a really great blender and a freezer full of frozen fruit (thanks to a really awesome sale on Europe's Best Frozen Fruit at Metro this week!)

I have been having a lot of digestion issues again, which is probably why I am enjoying the smoothies and raw food so much. So much easier to digest! I am feeling bloated and cranky and just plain yucky. I am going to see my doctor soon to check on things and make sure we are still pretty good. She also wants to give me a "thumbs up" before I start my new exercise program. I guess that's cool. I really wanted to start by now, but she will yell at me if I do. (She's a really great doctor...I adore her to pieces.)

So yeah...that's me in a nutshell this week. I am down to having only one course active (Taxation) which is MUCH better for my stress levels. Trying to do two and sometimes three at a time is just insane. Maybe by only having one on the go it will actually make me more productive on that one course.. We shall see...

Let's hope I get the all clear and can get back to normal next week! It will be great to Blog my progress under my new workout program!

Wednesday Weigh-in

I'm down! Not a lot, but I am down. So that's a step in the right direction at least.

I had a better week overall, but Friday night and Saturday did me in. Friday night my loving boyfriend of almost 4 years surprised me by taking me to our favourite restaurant, The Keg, for an early Valentine's Dinner. Diet or no diet, I'm not saying no to that one!

I ate way too much, but this doesn't happen often so I am not beating myself up over it. The menu was as follows:

1. Grilled flatbread topped with tomato sauce, sliced bocconcini cheese, fresh basil and a balsamic glaze. (We shared this.)

2. Escargot stuffed mushroom caps with garlic and herbs. (I ate four of the 6 and gave the other 2 to my escargot loving boyfriend.)

3. Roasted Red Pepper Sirloin - A grilled top sirloin with a roasted red pepper sauce and finished with goat cheese crumble. (I only ate half and saved the other half to take home and enjoy a second time.)

4. Billy Miner Pie - Mocha ice cream on a chocolate crust with hot fudge, caramel and almonds. (We split this between us.)

I also had 2 Keg sized glasses of Zinfandel.

I don't even want to know how many calories were involved there...

Saturday we had a late Christmas dinner with my brother, sister, mother, and company in St. Catharines. It was great to see everyone, and the food my brother and the couple he is staying with cooked for us was so good I just had to try everything! I have to remember to ask Missy for her turnip recipe.

Monday was a holiday, Family Day here in Canada, and I made the homemade turkey chili my family loves. I rarely have the time to make it as I leave it to simmer all day and it does not fit in our Crockpot, so my family gets super excited when I get a day off to make it. I hope to make a Weekend Warrior post about it once I find the time to upload the pictures from the camera.

On Monday I also restarted my EA 6 week challenge. I had missed a few workouts due to poor scheduling choices, and I wasn't finding it much of a challenge. This time I bumped it up to the medium intensity and picked better days for the workouts (I suck at working out on Fridays).

The first workout kicked my butt! I was breathing so hard I just kind of lied on the floor after the cool down. I even skipped my 5K elliptical run I usually do afterwards.

The second workout went much more smoothly as I expected the increase in intensity level. The reps required are much longer than on easy. I had to do two sets of push-ups! Man my arms chest and abs are killing me now! But I still managed to do a 20 minute weight loss #1 run on my elliptical (programs are built into the machine).

I am thinking about getting a treadmill, or maybe purchasing a new program more geared to strength training and increasing muscle, kind of like Chalean Extreme. Has anyone else tried this?

Overall I am still plugging along and trying to be upbeat. I have to keep reminding myself Rome wasn't built in a day, and I didn't get this overweight in one day either. It's going to take great inner strength and determination, but I know I can pull if off. I keep picturing myself in a nice bikini, something I really haven't worn since I was 16. This excites me and makes me push myself through those extra push-ups.


One day right?

What pushes you?

Blogging Breakdown

So...I haven't posted in a while...but it's not from a lack of trying!

I have installed the Window's Live Writer on each of my three most used computers (work desktop, home desktop, and netbook). I love Live Writer...usually...

For some reason, when I try to use it from work, it crashes out every time I try to publish the post or even publish a draft. I have now lost no less than three posts to this occurrence.

Unfortunately, when I am at home, I rarely have time to post from my desktop computer. The only time I really turn it on is to raid. Other than that I am usually cooking, cleaning, working out, doing homework, or something with my family. Oh yeah...and I get to sleep too...sometimes...

So I guess I will either have to give up on Live Writer, or start dragging my netbook with me wherever I go (which is what I am supposed to do with it anyhow).

Anyhow, a brief listing of things I was TRYING to post about:

* Last week's weigh-in put me at 161.5 lbs, earning me a "lost 5 pounds" badge


* I completed week 3 of the EA Active More Workouts challenge - half way there!

* I had a crazy busy weekend with family stuff and was unable to complete a "weekend warrior" project to share


* Tonight is my weigh-in and I'm nervous because I had a really bad eating and exercise week.


* I have a new trainer and program to help me get ready for the 5K!


Hopefully I will have more to post real soon!

Thanks for your continued reading and support!

Weekend Warrior

This week’s Weekend Warrior recipe is homemade honey peanut granola. I love this recipe, and I’ll tell you why. Most granola has horrible bits of dried fruit and/or raisins in it. I’m not really a big fan of those items. I like oats and nuts, and that’s pretty much it for me, so when I found this recipe I rejoiced!

Honey Peanut Granola

3 cups quick cooking oats

1/2 cup chopped (smushed in my case) raw peanuts

1/4 cup raw unsalted sunflower seeds

1/4 cup wheat germ

1/3 cup honey

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup vegetable oil (I use extra virgin olive oil)

2 tablespoons warm water

1/2 teaspoon sea salt (or regular salt if you prefer)

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

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1) Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking sheet (unless you are using a non-stick pan).

2) In a large bowl, combine oats, peanuts, sunflower seeds and wheat germ. If your peanuts are not chopped place in Ziploc bag and smush with rolling pin or other suck item. (Great for relieving stress!)

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3) In a separate bowl, combine honey, brown sugar, oil, water, salt, and vanilla. Stir well; then pour into the oat mixture, and stir. Spread out on a cookie sheet.

4) Bake for 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes. Remove from oven, and cool before serving.

Voila!

We like to keep ours in one of the large heavy duty Ziploc bags and just refill it every week or so. We use it in our yogurt or fruit parfait. It is so good it can even be eaten by itself as cereal or a crunchy munchy snack. And the best part? The boy loves to help make this so it’s great mommy-son bonding time. Just look at that happy child mixing away!

Estimated Nutritional Information
Servings Per Recipe: 6
Calories: 428
Total Fat: 18.2g
Sodium: 202mg
Total Carbs: 60.1g
Dietary Fiber: 5.7g
Protein: 9.4g

Weekend Warrior

I have such a busy work week schedule that I am usually only able to do the things I really enjoy on weekends. I am going to try to share these things in weekly posts that will be marked as "Weekend Warrior".

One of the things I really enjoy doing is cooking and baking. I work in downtown Toronto from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. and am therefore usually not home until around 7:00 p.m. (if the transit system behaves normally). Due to that fact, I rarely get to cook, or even help out with dinner during the week. This means that one weekends I usually go out of my way to make at least one special meal that my other half would never bother with.

This weekend I made a family favourite, healthy sloppy joes.

The basis of this recipe came from the following book:



I love this book! I love Dr. Joey. I did the five day cleanse listed in this book and lost over 5 pounds in the five days. It was really tough though.

But anyhow, the sloppy joes...

Health Sloppy Joes

*We always make a double so we have left overs for lunches and quick snacks, so feel free to half the recipe if you only want to make enough for one meal.

2 500 gram packages of lean ground turkey (can substitute chicken, beef or veggie ground)
1 28 ounce tin of crushed tomatoes
1 5.5 ounce tin of tomato paste (we use the one with garlic)
1 onion (we use a red onion for the antioxidant)
2tsp chili powder
1tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
4tbsp Worcestershire sauce
1tsp butter (or oil of choice for frying)

1) Peel and dice the onion and cook in a non-stick pan until lightly browned (using the butter or oil).

2) Add lean ground product of choice and fry together until cooked well.



3) Combine all other ingredients and simmer until heated throughout. (Can use whole grain flour to thicken if necessary but I never add it.)



4) Serve the mixture as you see fit. Common choices are on bread, buns, or I really like it on pitas with some shredded marble goat cheese and wrapped up like a burrito. It's also good enough to eat on it's own!



Enjoy!

***

Books Read for 2010 Updated here.