Day 29: Week 4 Check In: My Progress

Well, if I thought last week was rough....this week was a killer!  And then it dawned on me, every woman has her "weeks" and I checked myself in real time this morning and I'm back to where I started from.  Thank God for that!  I have had many dinner dates this week with friends I have missed so dearly.  Unfortunately, I haven't been such a good girl on making all the best choices of foods.  But, I went shopping last night for a restart boost (Stubborn Loser Plan from the Trim Healthy Membership) and I'm ready to make it happen this week.  But, here are my compare pictures on my progress.  I'm thankful that clothes are really starting to fit well (almost loose).  I've had a lot of swelling in my face this week.  I'm sure if it's due to allergies or a slight cold, but I'm taking benedryl and hope that helps.  Do you notice any swelling?

Feeling Puffy This Week

                                 

   

Now the real show:

Beginning February 1

Week 4 February 29

 

Beginning February 1

Week 4: February 29

Beginning February 1

Progress:  Week 4 February 2

Day 26: Sonic Was Calling My Name Today

Day 26:  Sonic Was Calling My Name Today

Today I was out and about fairly early.  I was meeting a friend for my weekly refashion clothing collection.  I don't do so well when I'm out and about.  I have to find a way to bring THM with me.  So, I told you I'd be honest about my journey.  Here's another day I hate to tell you about, but maybe you can relate?


Breakfast:
2 fried eggs

Snack:
1/2 cup blueberries

Lunch:
Boo!  I didn't even fight the urge today!  Ugh!  Sonic Cheeseburger, tots, and diet Cherry Limeade

Colorado White Chili

Dinner:
Got back on track, because you can start over every three hours.
Colorado White Chile (E)

I think if THM was making it, they would leave out the corn, but I'm a rebel this time and corned it up.  It was delicious and the whole family enjoyed it.  We will make this one again.

Day 25: Those *&%^^% Cupcakes!

Day 25:  Those *&%&^ Cupcakes!

I started off this day great....and then I got out of bed.  Ugh.  I made a couple eggs for breakfast and all was well as we headed off to church.  About 10 minutes before church was over, my husband said the magic words for eating out, "Do you have anything prepared for lunch today?"  I was really having a hankerin for Chinese food.  And guess what?  Our local Chinese Restaurant now has a buffet!!!!  I'd like to say I was strong and resisted the temptation on the Lord's Day, but I'd be lying.  Full on cookie monster style!  num, num, num!  Afterwards, it turns out, that there was a baby shower I needed to attend next door to the Chinese Restaurant.  I restrained as long as I could, but those &*^%& cupcakes were foreboding.  OMGoodness!  A little piece of heaven in a 2 inch circle!  Later that day, I accepted what I had done to myself and vowed dinner would be different....I can't remember what I had for dinner.  I'm sure it was healthy.  (Eyeroll)  Tomorrow is a new day:)

Day 22: Three Week Checkin: My Progress

 Day 22:  Three Week Check In:  My Progress

This has been a slow week in losing weight, but I do feel like clothes are fitting better...

3 Weeks in:  No, I do not have a mustache

Beginning of 100 Day Challenge

3 weeks in

Beginning of 100 Day Challenge

3 weeks in

Beginning of 100 Day Challenge

I haven't lost any pounds this week, but I have had running days.  This week has been very challenging and stressful, so I haven't been good about my eating.  I am thankful for some new friends that are also taking this journey.  They have been making some wonderful foods and I have been motivated to get busy on making them.  What kind of things?  Cheesecake, Banana Cake, and other goodness foods.  I got behind on blogging, but I'm going to try and back track on my posts.  Hold on!

Today's menu:
Breakfast:

• Peanut Butter Muffin In A Mug and Butta
• Yogi's Perfect Energy Tea

Lunch:

• Creamy Tomato Soup (S)
• Joseph's Pita with cheese topping (S)
• Spinach

Dinner:
I had to give in and get went for Mexican food tonight.  Ate way too many chips and salsa.

Day 19: A Healthy Day

Day 19: A Healthy Day

After eating my face out for Valentine's Day, I decided I better get back to a healthy diet.  I did have to work today, so I went into it prepared.  I had some Turkey Tortilla Soup frozen from Thanksgiving, so that's what was for lunch today.  It was very yummy, but so hard to eat without the corn chips.  Instead, I used a low carb tortilla and that was the perfect solution!  Because this particular soup had corn in it, I assume it was an E.

When I got home, I found this:

Naughty Apple Pie

My daughter had "been in the mood for Apple Pie" and brought this home after work.  Evil.  Pure Evil.  I might have salivated over the top of it before SHE ate a piece.  Sorry about that Britnee.  Hope you enjoyed your pie (eye roll).

Today's Menu:

Breakfast:

Hot Chocolate Ingredients

• Briana Thomas's 5 Ingredient Hot Chocolate

Snack:

• Zucchini Brownie

Lunch:

• Turkey Tortilla Soup

Snack:

Poop Cookies

• Poop Cookies- these are basically macoroons made with coconut oil and they help things move along quite nicely.  In the original THM book.

Dinner:

• Grilled Salmon

Day 21: Wednesday

2 fried eggs
cauliflower soup
cobb salad from Walmart
Peanut Butter shake

Day 20: Today Was Sub-erb!

Today in real time is a Monday and that is $.49 day at the Salvation Army.  My good friend, Jen, has the ability to go with me now to get my clothes for refashions, so today was our first day of doing that.  As usual, I found 3 bags worth of clothes that I could refashion or use outright and Jen found  a bag's worth.  We had a lot of fun doing it.  But, it ended up being an all day project, and therefore we were out at lunchtime and had to be back by 3.  So, the sub shop was in the parking lot-the sub shop it was!  I hadn't had a Mr. Goodcents sub in such a long time!  It was totally delicious!  But, believe it or not, the bread was almost too much.  And I was a good girl and didn't get chips, drink, or a cookie with mine.  THAT took self control!

Not a fancy menu today.  Sorry.  Just trying to keep up.

Day 18: Valentine's Day in Real Time

So, today is Valentine's Day in real time (I post 4 days ahead) and I have to be honest, I "let it go" today.  I mean, I've been so good lately and plan on starting a fuel cycle tomorrow, so I decided to give in to my cravings of naughty food, just a little.  I'm not mad at myself (except for the stomachache that I have from eating wrong foods and too much of them at that!).  I got in just in the nick of time to order from Trim Healthy Mama's store sale and have all the yummies headed my way at a fraction of their regular cost.  When they have a sale, they have a sale!  Other than that, I was lazy and slept a lot.  No exercise.  Grace has been extended once again.

So here it is:

Breakfast:
Running late for church and skipped:(

Lunch:
A Bacon Cheeseburger with Sweet Potato Fries dipped in Mayo-ugh!  I told you!

No snacks

Dinner:
Not too bad.  Steak and Lobster (Hubs gifted it along with roses)

Dessert:
Naughty cheesecake...ok, 2 pieces:(

That's it.  Tomorrow is a fresh day.  Fuel cycle here I come!

Day 17: Cracking Under Pressure

Alright.  Today just wasn't my best day.  I admit.  I was doing fine in the morning.  But then I went to get my hair done and showed up about 30 minutes early.  I texted my dear stylist and asked about coming in early, but she never texted me back, so I caved.  I cracked.  I went to Wendy's and got me a small Frosty.  It was SO good.  Even though I was naughty, I still am proud of myself, because this was the first real "cheat" I've had in quite some time.  So I have some days.  Big deal.  I had a Valentine's banquet that night that didn't help too much.  I had a decent meal of Pork slice and one piece fried chicken and green beans.  I skipped on the potatoes, but got a roll with butter.  And then, I cracked once again, for they had CHEESECAKE!  My kryptonite!  One piece, okay?  One piece.  Ugh.  Curse you, Valentine's Day!  No, really, I felt incredibly full, but it made for a nice splurge.  Honestly, I had one more day of naughties (which you'll hear about tomorrow) and then it's back on the health train.  I promise.

Day 16: Cooking and Baking and Schooling, O My!

One thing I have to admit about doing Trim Healthy Mama:  Preparation does take a lot of work!  I try so hard to "work ahead", but it always catches right back up to me.  However, I did get a lot accomplished in the kitchen today.  I tried a bunch of recipes I've been trying to get to and found more to add to my menu.  I've probably tested more than I am writing down, but these are what I remember having.  I'm hoping that the snacks I have made will come in handy in the car or for a quick grab at breakfast.  Can't say the taste of them have been my favorite, but they will do to provide when I otherwise would not eat anything.  I tried to do more Es because I find it hard to eat carbs and be satisfied.  I'm hoping quick snacks will help with that.

Apple Quinoa Muffin

Cooked up several pounds of sausage for the kids to have for quick breakfast.

Some of Treasures getting ready to put away

Chicken Crust Pizza

Breakfast:
2 Fried Egg

Lunch:
Chicken Salad with low carb tortilla

Snack:
2 squares of Dark chocolate

Dinner:
Chicken Crust Pizza pg 279

Dessert:
Low Carb Zucchini Brownie

Day 15: Week 2 Check In: My progress

Ok, Let's just get this over with.

Beginning of 100 Day Challenge

Two Weeks Down

Two Weeks Down

Beginning of 100 Day Challenge

beginning of 100 Day Challenge

Two Weeks Down

Good, now that that's over with, let's move on.  Things that I am proud of this week: I really didn't have any moments of eating actual sugar.  And guess what?  I didn't die.  Major success.  I also actually finished a menu and have stuck pretty close to following it (with some minor rearranging).  I also took food with me while I was cleaning.  That saved me from eating fast food and snacking on things that are naughty.  I also tried new foods and recipes to expand my palate. Some have been interesting.  More about that later.  I actually ate all the veggies in my frig before they went bad.  Major money saver.   I also added turmeric to my vitamin collection and extra B-12 energy and have noticed I do have a bit more energy.  So, all in all, good things. Good things.

I just didn't feel like I made a whole lot of progress this week.  I did go down one pound, which is good, but I don't feel overall that much really changed.   That is why (I'm embarrassed to say this out loud), but I finally put my hands on the P90X!  Yes, I am going to make it happen this week, buddy!  I dusted off the box (literally) and lined up my weights and now I'm ready to do this!  This is a PSA to my clients this week:  I may be a little sore when I come to clean your house.

YEP, IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!

My goals for this week is also to do a fuel cycle from Trim Healthy Mama.  That means I will be on a much more restricted plan of eating and will leave out some of the foods that I love so much (like cheese, among other things).  I will wait until after the Valentine's Banquet, though, because I can't be rude and skip good food:)  How are you doing?  Anyone with encouragement?

 Today's Menu:

Breakfast:

• Muffin In A Mug (S) pg 256

Lunch:

• Chicken Salad in a low carb tortilla wrap (S)

Snack:

• 2 blocks of Dark Chocolate
• 2 pieces of Bacon (S)

Stuffed Zucchini

Dinner:

• Stuffed Zucchini (S)

Snack:

• Few bites of a breakfast muffin (recipe will be shared soon)

Day 14: Big Girls Don't Cry

Back at it in the kitchen today because of a house cancelation again, so I decided to prep some more food.  I noticed the onions starting to, once again, start growing, so I decided to get them all chopped up and frozen.  (I do have one onion that I keep growing to use the "young onions" that grow quite rapidly.  Don't judge.  It just happened once and we went with it because the onion split into 4 bulbs)  They say Big Girls Don't Cry.  They're wrong:)

my growing onion:)

my growing onion:)

I also got a chance to make something that sounded yummy and would be quick and easy to grab and go in the mornings:  Chewy Chocolate Breakfast Cookies by Briana Thomas.  

 

The cookies

 She says right in the introduction that these cookies are not your typical dessert cookie.  I guess that is the case.  I have enjoyed Briana's recipes so far.  She does an awesome job of making yummy substitutes, but, this one was NOT on the top of my list.  Who knows, maybe after I take them for breakfast a few times, I'll change my mind, but right now I'm hanging up this recipe in the "let's not make this one again" file.

I-chee-wa-wa.

Breakfast:

• Muffin In A Mug (S) pg 256

Snack:

• 2 pieces of dark chocolate with Cranberry and Almond

Lunch:

• Leftover Butternut Squash (S)
• No protein. Naughty.

Snack:

• 1/2 Cup blueberries (FP)

Dinner:

• Ham Cups (Made them for grab and go breakfast, but they were so yummy, we ate them all tonight!)

Snack:

• Chewy Oatmeal Breakfast Cookie (2) (FP)

Day 13: It's Off To Work I Go!

Because of cancelations, I haven't worked a whole lot in the last week.  Today, it's back at it!  I got to see how this girl would do on staying away from fast food and planning for being out, and guess what?  I did it!

After work, I ran by the Health Food Store, Natural Grocers.  For me, it's like going to a candy store or book store.  I love just looking at all the things that can make you happy:)  Recently, I learned of the benefits of taking Tumeric.  I found it in two forms, pills and powder, at NG.  I bought both.  I've hope to see benefits from it.  I'm sure I will.

Squash Casserole, half eaten:)

Breakfast:

• Muffin In A Mug (S) pg. 256

Lunch:

• 4 Slices Summer Sausage and Colby Jack Cheese (S)
• Quest Bar (S)

Snack:

• 7 Rice Crackers (FP)
• Light Laughing Cow Swiss Wedge (FP)

Dinner:

• Steak
• Butternut Squash Casserole (S) (recipe below)
• Oven Roasted Parmesan Green Beans (FP)

No Dessert lately.  Just haven't gotten around to making them.

Butternut Squash Casserole:
Cook up your squash by halving it the long way, laying it flat, flesh side down on a cooking sprayed cookie sheet, and let it cook at 375 for an hour.  Once softened, remove seeds and stringy stuff in trash, cut the squash into 1 inch pieces, removing skin, and lay in a casserole dish.  Next layer a row of mozzarella cheese with pats of real butter and repeat this until all squash is used up (mine was only one layer thick this time).  Lastly, add Heavy cream to soak the bottom and absorb into the cheese layers.  Cook in oven at 375 for approximately 30 minutes or until cheese starts bubbling and browning.  Then the hard part:  Share with fellow family members.  I mean it!  You don't need a lot of this heavy S to feel satisfied and you need to save a little room for your protein:)

Day 12: Changing Taste Buds

I went to eat a Muffin in a Mug made with PBfit this morning.  The muffin was all made and looked delicious.  I bit into the muffin.  I thought it tasted fine, but something was a little off.  I thought for a minute and realized I forgot to put the Truvia in the mix.  This was really something considering when I first started Trim Healthy Mama, I made a "Bread in a Mug", which is essentially a muffin in a mug without the sweetener.  I seriously about puked it up!  My body could not stomach things without sugar.  We get so conditioned to having sugar in our diet, that things just don't taste good if it's not there.  I never thought that I, a sugar addict, would be able to get to a place that I hardly even realize the sugar is not in there!  In the Trim Healthy Mama world we call this a NSV, a Non-Scale Victory!  Yay for me!

The rest of the day was a blur. lol.  I worked on menus all day, mostly.  I had my grandson most of the day and I try to just focus on him when he's here.  So, everything else went to the wayside.  I did get 4 heads of cauliflower cooked up and made into faux tatoes and various other yummies for later meals.  Who can resist when cauliflower is down to $.99 from $6.97!  I would have bought more, but I had no room in my two refrigerators.j

Today's menu:
Breakfast:

• Butterfingers Protein Shake (S)

Snack:

• 000 Coconut Creme Yogurt with Truvia (E)

Lunch:

• Portabella Mushroom Cream Cheese Pizza with Canadian Bacon, Pizza Sauce, and Mozz Cheese (S) pg. 279

Snack:

• 1/2 cup blueberries(FP)

Dinner:

• Mexican Stuffed Peppers (Chicken) (E)

No Dessert.  Too tired and making grand baby memories:)

Day 11: Turning Over a New Leaf With New Foods

I was unable to make it to church this morning because my sweet grand baby was sick.  He spends Saturday night at our house and he was up coughing and crying every two hours:(  Needless to say, there wasn't a whole lot of progress going on in my THM kitchen.

However, once he went home, I was able to get out and shop for some missing ingredients that have stopped me from making some foods. I also had a chance to get to the Natural Grocer store to pick up some specialty items.  Surprisingly, I found more at the local HyVee grocery store tonight than I did at NG!  Something I have been looking everywhere for is "Maca Powder".  I found that and a "no sugar added" peanut butter that I have not been able to find since last year.  I also found "aminos" that THM calls for.  I also found turmeric is pill form and powder form at Natural Grocer.

 The football players might have been making goals on the field, but I feel I am the one who SCORED!

Rolo right on over here little gold heaven.

And look what I didn't buy (as torturous as it was):

My weakness. My Kryptonite.

Because of my night being messed up, my day was a little messed up on diet also, but I stayed true to some sort of plan;)

Breakfast:  

Kinda missed again.  

Lunch:  

Leftovers of Broccoli covered in Chicken Bacon Cream Sauce

Snack:  

Quest Bar Brownie (got these at HyVee also. Score!)

Dinner:

5 BBQ Spare Ribs

I snuck approximately 5 potato chips, but after all it is the Super Bowl.

Snack/Dessert:

3 squares of Dark Chocolate with Almonds and Cranberries

This is not how I would typically eat, but I pushed my way through.  I started getting hungry again, halfway through the Super Bowl, so I just went to bed.  And no, exercise did not happen.  Tomorrow I will be doing P90X.  I'm ready to make my body sore:)

Day 10: A Day of Prep...Again

Working on getting the menu together for this next week.  It takes a lot of work.  Ugh.  I should just use Darciesdishes.com because she gives you a fresh menu every week. With links and shopping lists!  For free!  Or Workingathomeschool.com for a full month at a time.  I just have to make it more complicated.  Cause I do that well:)  But, the good thing is, when I do, I'm more on top of it and can be a good girl.

Breakfast:

Muffin In A Mug with Cream Cheese

 Muffin In a Mug with Cream Cheese (S) pg. 256

I ate breakfast kinda late, so I skipped a snack today

Lunch:
Chicken Crusted Pizza (S)

Snack:
1/2 cup Blueberries (FP)

Dinner:
BBQ Pork Ribs (S)
Oven Roasted Parmesan Green Beans (S)

Chicken Crusted Pizza

Exercise:  I had my grand baby and he was sick.  No exercise today.