Choices, choices.... always so many choices!

     After a couple of months of taking a break from my Weight Watcher weigh ins, I am back to it. I never gave up the mindfulness of diet and exercise but I gave myself a a get out of jail free card to just maintain my weight.I've been back to 3 meetings and have lost a total of 5.6 lbs in those 2 1/2  weeks.Last week I challenged myself to workout for 6 out of the 7 days and I did just that! It wasn't too hard to do but there was some days I had to push myself. I am so glad I did.  This week my challenge is to get through the weekend without getting too "crazy" and stay on plan. I have just over 8 lbs to reach my goal now. I am so close! I am wearing a size of clothing that I never imagined I could or would ever fit in to again. I haven't gone on a shopping spree as of yet but I am so looking forward to that day when I do. I am holding out to really celebrate when I get there!  

     

     Every day we are faced with having to make choices. Sometimes there are easy choices and sometimes there are hard choices. Here are some of the choices I am talking about.

Work choices: 

We have very generous,kind people at work who love to share goodies with others. They bring donuts, bagels, cakes, baked goods, candy, and all kinds of stuff. Here is what it looks like quite often at work.

I am so thankful that I don't care now or ever cared for donuts. But trust me those chocolate covered pretzels on the left keep haunting me and when one box is gone, out comes another box of them. I have to say that the more I refuse these treats, the easier it is to walk away from them.
Here is how I come armed to work most days. 

I use a good chunk of fridge space at work to store all this but I need lots of variety. I make nice sandwiches filled with lots of extra veggies and many times I bring the fixings to make a really nice salad. I don't always eat all of this but if I'm hungry, I'm prepared with something good and healthy.

Out of town for the weekend choices:

I try to always be prepared when taking a trip out of town. I bring fruit, nuts, and yogurt for snacks.I never let myself get too hungry because this is when I will crack and make bad choices.I start off with a "good choice" breakfast and most likely I will carry on with the good choices the rest of the day. If I have a bad choice in the morning, it seems to carry on throughout the day.

Dining out choices: 

Yes, I  want to have something "good" but I still need to be mindful. There are so many "better" meal choices I can make along with the tons of bad choice options available to me. The bad choices are so appealing  but once I get the good choice in my stomach and feel satisfied, I am so glad for making that choice rather then feeling remorseful for making the bad choice. Sometimes the choice is just to stay home and make a meal rather then going out and be tempted to choose a less healthy choice.. Here are a couple of my easy throw together meals I have made for myself at home.

Salmon and salad dinner 

Chicken sausage, fresh vegetables and green salad with  drizzled  balsamic vinegar for my dressing.

The treat after every meal old habit:

I am one who wants a treat, sweet, or dessert after every meal. I have realized lately that I have been having hot tea after every meal. It really helps curb my sweet tooth especially with all the variety of teas I have been trying.   This has helped me alot and I believe it's becoming a "habit" now.....a good habit for once! I no longer eat the "treats" after every meal and I feel perfectly satisfied with my choice.

I love this tea and it's decaffinated!

That is all for now........ Please feel free to share any tips, thoughts or suggestions.

     Today's Saturday!  We always look forward to the weekend after a long work week. For months now we've been busy with following Christopher to his Cyclocross Races. Now we have time to do things for ourselves. What to do with our time? Today, Keith started out with a 7 mile run and then came home to go on a 4 mile walk with me. Yes, that counts as my exercise for the day. We stopped at Burroughs High School to watch Carissa compete in the All City Track meet. Her last season of track as a high school student is just beginning.
     I tried a new recipe this week. Christopher is always sending links to recipes that he thinks I will like. So I tried Crock Pot Picante Chicken and Black Bean Soup. Thanks to Skinnytaste.com for coming up with a healthy choice that tastes great!
http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/01/crock-pot-picante-chicken-and-black.html?m=1

The soup was easy to make. It was very tasty with a spicy kick since I added an extra can of black beans with jalapenos.

     Keith and I like to go out to lunch on the weekend. It's nice to get out but today I really wanted to make lunch at home because I know that I can control what I am eating much better. So here is what I made for lunch. We had asparagus stuffed chicken breasts with roasted veggies and cabbage salad. I use very little dressing on the salad, omit the won ton crunchies, and use no salt on the veggies. It was filling and delicious!

   My next challenges:

Baking:   I haven't baked anything since June with the exception of helping Carissa make chocolate chip cookies for a Cross Country event in December. I love baking and have held back for obvious reasons but have been thinking alot about it lately. I really miss it.! I have decided I want to bake again but want to do it in a more healthful way. In the past, I would have never wanted to make a "lighter" version or take away fat or sugar from any recipe. This is what made them good, right? "If I can't have the "Real" thing, then I'd rather not have it at all." Well, I am changing my tune on that. I am not looking to use imitation ingredients or nonfat versions. I want to use real ingredients that are better for me. So... I am up for this challenge. I have been studying healthy versions of recipes that I want to try.  Stay tuned for that to come.

Exercising:  With the cold weather we've had, I've reduced the amount and intensity of my exercise sessions. This week I am challenging myself to work out 6 out of 7 days. I believe that the amount of exercise I have done over this whole journey has been a HUGE part of my success. I love the way I feel while exercising and the effects it has on me afterwards. Sometimes it is hard to fit in my busy schedule but I realize the importance of it and will continue on! Until the next time........

Jan. 12, Madison, Wi  

   

The Beginning, the Middle......

   

AFTER- DEC. 2012

BEFORE- JULY E2011

June of 2012 I started a journey that I had no idea where it was going to take me. I knew I was overweight and unhappy with myself.  I wasn't always overweight. It happened slowly over a long period of years. I stopped exercising which I used to do so often, and stopped being mindful of my eating. I loved to bake and got a feeling of satisfaction watching others enjoy my baked goods. Raising 3 kids was not always easy but made it easy to let myself go. For whatever reason, I could not find the motivation to "get it together" to make positive changes in my life.  My son. Christopher, is a professional cyclist who has ultimate health and fitness always on his mind. When I go to the races, I am surrounded by athletes and spectators who seem to focus on taking care of themselves. Carissa, my daughter is involved in high school cross country and track. Again, runners, keeping fit.  I felt like I never fit in with these people...like I didn't belong. I was responsible for rubbing my bad habits off to my children. My daughter Caitlin, had a weight problem too. The family was headed down the same road that I was on. We all loved sweets, loved baking, and lacked good exercise habits. This was my doing. I felt responsible and it made me sad knowing that. It was time for a change, not just temporarily, but permanately. I wanted my husband and children to be proud of me. I wanted to make the change. It was time for all of us. 

     Caitlin, Krista (my sister in law) and I stepped into a Weight Watchers meeting on June 21st, 2012. I wasn't convinced that "it" was going to stick. After a few weeks of having successful weight loss weeks, I was asked by Sandy (my mother in law) if I was going to go all the way. That was it, I knew I was in it for the long haul, the challenge was on. By Thankgiving I was down 51 lbs and today Jan. 23rd, down 55 lbs. I have decided to go for another 11 lbs. to reach my goal. It has been a eye opening experience that I have fully enjoyed.  I am very proud of Caitlin who has lost 30 lbs and still working at it.  She has turned her life around, motivated in school and life in general. She's completely changed her way of eating not just to lose weight but also for the health benefit. This whole journey has brought us closer then we have ever been.  Carissa has become more focused and interested in making healthy changes too. Success breeds success. Here's the question that has come up often, lately. "So how did I do it? What did you eat?" 

Roasting veggies

So here's my answer:

My typical breakfast

My snack off the lunch truck.

     I eat mostly whole,natural,real food with less portions then before. I eat ALOT of fruit and vegetables. If I am hungry I have fruit and vegetables FIRST. I bulk up my sandwiches up with spinach, shredded carrots, red bell pepper, red onion, pickles. I prepare my breakfast and  lunch on my work days. I am always armed for success. I don't eat donuts, bagels, or junk food that is readily available at work. My dinner is mainly vegetables and protien, less carbs but complex carbs mostly. I only eat natural peanut butter or almond butter with no added sugar. I don't use added butter, sour cream, or fatty cheeses. I make better choices when eating out. I eat mindfully.I drink a ton of water and unsweetend tea.If I am not riding my bike, I walk, or work out on my elliptical trainer. I don't bake, I don't buy candy or junk food. I am not saying I haven't had any of it, I have, but I eat it out and in small amounts. I always get back to it. I never wait until "Monday". My go to snack has been Skinny Cow or Weight Watcher ice cream. I exercise alot. I have taken up bike riding and thoroughly enjoy it. It's work in process. It's not easy but the one thing I know for sure, this is life! For the rest of my life  I will be working on this and that's ok because I feel better then I have in YEARS.  

I plan on blogging my experiences. I want to share great recipes and hope to motivate others while they motivate me.

I think you will like this recipe: We all love homeade kettle corn here.

Kettle Corn -

It’s healthier than some of the kettle corn out there because it’s popped in canola oil and with less oil and sugar then other kettle corn recipes..  1 serving is 125 calories, 7 grams fat and 3 Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS. Wait until you taste this!!!  It’s sure to become a staple in your home. Have fun crunching!  Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients

¼ cup canola oil or vegetable oil (do not use olive oil for this recipe)

¼ cup white sugar

2 tablespoons water

⅔ cup unpopped white popcorn kernels, if possible, see shopping tip

½ teaspoon salt or to taste

Instructions

1. In a large, deep nonstick pan or pot add the oil, sugar, water, popcorn and mix together until all kernels are coated.  Shake to spread out over pan.  Cover and heat on medium-high heat.   Shake the pan often to keep the sugar from burning.  Once the popping has started, shake pan continuously until all kernels have slowed to once every 2-3 seconds, remove the pan from the heat and continue to shake until the popping has stopped.

2. Immediately pour into a large bowl so it doesn’t burn the popcorn.  Sprinkle with a little salt and serve warm.  It’s delicious at room temperature too!  Store any leftover kettle corn in a plastic bag or airtight container.

Serves 8 (about 2½ cups each serving)