Double Duty

Accumulation of 6 inches maybe out there. I heard the dogs shuffling at about 6 so I figured it was time to get up and do some shoveling while they were out there. I mean what else would you want to do at 6am? Dan helped me finish the last 1/4 of it which I was very grateful, I was pretty pooped by then. Here is a very unadmirable picture of my back yard taken through a grimy window.



Dan said I should have waited for him, but I figured why not get a double workout in today. Won't hurt right? well not until tomorrow at least.

Kids had a 2 hour delay and were bummed it wasn't cancelled. I think the school figured they have off Friday so they better try to get them in there.

Today I am doing end of year tax stuff for Dan's work. Yuck!!! Too much paper being shuffled and taxes being paid.

Food will look like this
B-pizza omelette again, coffee
S-Babybel cheese
L-Leftover Italian Bake and V8
S-greek yogurt, celery w/PB
D-spaghetti squash w/light alfredo sauce, chicken, spinach, peppers, onions, and salad
D-chocolate ricotta
96oz water
E-C210K W2D2

Log...Star date 1/11/11

I really tried to come up with something clever for a title but I was plum out of ideas. So Star Trek TNG was the best I could do.

Food yesterday
B-pizza omelette (1.5 eggs, turkey pepperoni, mozz, marinara) coffee
S-0% greek yogurt w/splenda, cinnamon, vanilla, SF syrup
L-2 cups chicken veggie soup, 2 slices deli ham
S-almonds, V8
D-italian bake, salad
D-Choco Ricotta Mousse, courtesy Ginas Skinny Recipes
96oz water
E-30 Day Shred L1D1

I had trouble remembering what I ate yesterday. Note to self log that same day.

Also for my weekly weigh in down 4 pounds did I mention that already? Go me!!!

Planning Pros

So you see my weekly menu in my previous post and may wonder why does she do that or how do I come up with my menus?

My menus come from meals we may have eaten before that got rave reviews. Meals must be pretty quick to make such as a whole chicken. You season the chicken, throw it in a Reynolds oven bag and let the oven do the rest. Lately I have been making lean and green meals, those not heavily carb laden. I try to make a list of those recipes we really enjoyed and then go off that. Those recipes may have come from various websites, cookbooks, foodie tv shows, or even something I made up in my head. Tonights taco salad came from the fact we like tacos. I didn't want the shell so I turned them into a salad. I browned the meat with black beans and onion, added cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper. Chopped up tomatoes and lettuce, shredded some cheese; put all ingredients on the table and let each person assemble their own. I also made guacamole as a side. A full meal was created in no time plus I made 2 lbs of ground beef so I froze the rest for a later meal.

Next the weekly menu. Planning is key in so many aspects:

A) It keeps me from eating out 90% of the time. I control what goes into my meal. Hello much healthier.

B) I spend less at the grocery store. After I make my menu I make my grocery list and tend not to deviate from the list while at the store. (Remember not to go on an empty stomach or bring your kids)

C) Weekday madness no more. I always know what is going to be made and if something needs to get defrosted I can take it out of the freezer that morning or day before depending on thaw time.

D) I sometimes bring coupons so I can go through my coupons real quick and grab those which may be needed.

E) It keeps me on my healthy eating plan. No unnecessary evils tempting me.

If I don't get to a meal on the plan I save it for the next week.

Give it a shot and let me know how it goes.

Menu Plan

Monday - Taco Salads (skip the chips) and guacamole

Tuesday - Italian Bake courtesy Taming the Diabeastie, with a green salad

Wednesday - Diet Coke Pulled Pork (no buns), Cole Slaw using Splenda

Thursday - Meatloaf w/ Mashed Cauli and Salad

Friday - Lean Steaks w/Creamed Spinach and Salad

Saturday - Spaghetti Squash w/ ground turkey, marinara and a green salad

Sunday - Leftover night

Sunday Recap

Food/Eating has been great while the portions may tend to exceed standard weight loss guidelines, I give myself a little wiggle room in the beginning so as not to feel hungry or deprived.

Exercise is always a little messy in the beginning as well. I did find a 10k running program to follow which for me is good so I have structure but it was the strength which was lacking. I wasn't prepared nor did I like any regimen I found on demand or from the SB book. So I have come to the conclusion I really like Jillian's method on her DVDs and will stick to the 30 Day Shred for now, finish that and go on to the other DVDs I have in her collection.

Yesterday was tough for me. The snow was falling, I was in my PJs, everyone was being lazy and all I could think about was what I could shove down my throat. Weekends are the worst for food failure. Keeping busy is key and being prepared. I had chili and SF jello for lunch, roasted chicken, broccoli, and salad for dinner. Go Me!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh and 4 Hershey Dk Kisses. 80 calories roughly not bad.

Today is chicken soup, chicken soup, and more chicken soup for my sick soul. Its a head cold nothing serious but this always makes me feel better. I make my own.

My Basic Chicken Soup
-leftover tub of stock from the freezer
-leftover chicken from last night
-cut up celery
-cut up carrot
-cut up onion
-seasonings (salt,pepper,bay leaf, maybe garlic, maybe poultry seasoning)

Saute veggies til tender then add seasonings, stock,and chicken. Heat through. Adjust Seasonings. Enjoy!

Eagles today at 430!

Three Things Thursday

Workout: Denise Austin's 20 minute Something or other

1. I really procrastinated on starting my workout this morning. Enter Denise Austin. I wanted to do strength and couldn't make up my mind what to do so I found this 20 minute video on demand. It was tougher than I imagined and I came to the conclusion she really annoys me. Back to my original plan finishing the 30 Day Shred.

2. I signed up for a 5K at Citizens Bank Park. Have my training program already to go and feel confident it will be a semi breeze. I also signed up to go with Dan to an informational meeting concerning this, Team in Training . Its a great cause and one I feel strongly about, ever since my Dad was diagnosed with CLL. Its hard not being able to physically help him to get better all I can offer is emotional support but this is the next best thing. Since I am healthy, I will run for him and all others affected by this cancer. Him and my mom are the strongest people I know and I will do what I can to make sure I am doing something positive to combat it.

3. The ham and bean soup was awesome last night. I love that soup. There are leftovers for lunch and you best believe I will be chowing down on that stuff.

Food today
B-mushroom and swiss omelette,coffee
S-none (procrastinated)
L-soup, v8, black bean brownie w/ smear of PB and cool whip
S-yogurt and almonds
D-chili, salad
D-sf jello
96oz of water

Use the Force Amity

So I am back with a vengeance...continuing my quest with South Beach. I am currently on Week1 of Phase 1 Day 3. Honestly, I feel great. I know the tools to achieve my goal which I started out on 4 years ago, I just have to use them again and be consistent. One of my favorite quotes,

"Success is more a function of consistent common sense than it is of genius. -Wang, An

Makes sense right?

I signed up for the Phillies 5k at the end of March and glad I did, thanks to my sister in law. I am on a 10k training program which is good for me because I have structure. I will follow the program MWF and Tu,TH,S will be crosstraining and strength. Sunday I am taking a day off.

Already completed the C25K, so this will just extend the lengths of my runs.

OK off to prep some food for the remainder of the week.

Food today - which isn't everyone always interested in what someone else is eating?
B-leftover frittata,v8,coffee
S-muenster cheese (2 slices)
L-leftover burger, and birds eye tuscan vegetables, maybe black bean brownie if I get them done
S-greek yogurt and almonds
D-ham n bean soup, salad
D-sf jello if needed
96 water
E-C210k W1D2