Sizzling Hot for Summer Challenge

Total loss for the challenge is 8 pounds. When I started, my digital scale said 188.6, but I couldn't get a photo of it, so I used my son's scale. It said 187. This morning, my digital scale said 179.6, so I thought "Woohoo! That should make it loss of 9lbs and the other scale should say 178. No dice. It also said 179. What the.......?
I'm thrilled that I've lost 8 pounds, though I personally will count it as 9. But for the challenge, the photo evidence is EIGHT. I figured out that if I hit save on the digital scale, I had time to get off, pick up the camera and get a photo of it. Grrrrr. Wish I'd have figured that out at the beginning! The body fat percentage said 37% with my first weigh in and I was pretty happy with that since it's the lowest it's been. Plus I've lost 3 inches over the challenge, so I consider it a success, though I know there are a couple of challengers who lost quite a bit more. Kudos to you gals! Not sure I'll have time to check in with everyone today. I have a chocolate party tonight and need to get ready. And another point, I made chocolate last night and did some sampling. I was a little surprised to be at an all time low this morning!!!! First time on the digital scale below 180.

My updated photo (I'm going to need to take these capris in, the hips are rather baggy. WOOT!)

Weigh in for SH4FC

I'm up a pound this week. Not really surprised. I've eaten pretty well and did quite a bit of strength stuff, but slacked off on the cardio. I don't think that one sleeve of Ritz was responsible for a whole pound. ;-)

One more week on the challenge. I'll make the most of it.

Wow, I missed my Blogiversary. I started this blog on May 8th, 2007, so I've been at it for 2 years. I started getting healthier a couple years before that, but my weight loss was very slow. Definitely established healthier habits, though and that's the most important part.

Oh, and for my CD giveaway, I'm obviously a novice. I should have specified that it was for U.S. residents only. APO and FPO addresses are OK for military who are overseas. Sorry about that. I just didn't think about it. :-(

Read some good articles on Bonnie's site.
Setting Realistic Weight Loss Goals quote "Unfortunately, research shows that unrealistic expectations boost the risk of dropping out of a weight loss program. And though at least one study has found that dieters may temporarily eat less if their expectations are too high, that under eating may be replaced by overeating at the very next temptation.
Overall, experts concur, unrealistic weight loss objectives are not productive, and can trigger failure. The best way to go: smaller, realistic goals, says Janet Polivy, PhD, a psychologist at the University of Toronto at Mississauga, Canada."

The Weigh to Better Health - quote "To retain the health benefits, keeping the weight off is most important. It's best to lose weight slowly - no more than 2 pounds a week - and make permanent lifestyle changes, including regular exercise and a healthy diet.".

Very good info in both articles. Be sure to go read the whole articles!

Weigh in for Sizzlin' challenge - 179

179 current weight, down 2 from last week, 8 for the whole challenge.

Recipe for a BBQ Challenge

I just LOVE Greek food. Lived in Greece on the island of Crete for 18mos when I was in the Air Force. All the research says that the Greek diet is VERY healthy. So if you are going to a BBQ, take some Greek fare!

Greek Chopped Salad
4 c romaine lettuce, chopped into small pieces
2 c cubed cucumbers
1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
4 ounces feta cheese, crumbled
1/4 c finely chopped red onion
18 pitted kalamata olives, sliced
1/4 c roasted red peppers, chopped
2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley
2 Tbsp drained capers
Combine above ingredients and sprinkle with
3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp dried oregano, crushed
Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Serve immediately.

Per serving: 210 calories, 8 g protein, 17 g carbohydrates, 12 g total fat, 17 mg cholesterol, 4 g dietary fiber, 759 mg sodium

Extra workout challenge - on Monday I did two 30 minute cardio sessions. Yesterday, I worked my butt off all day and made several trips up stairs moving my daughter out and moving her stuff into her apartment. Thankfully, she's staying close by for a while. :-D Still have some work to do around the house here, gathering things she needs, so I'll be checking in with everyone later on! Hope everyone had an awesome week!

Check in for SH4SC

Today's weight exactly the same as last week. 184 so still down just 3lbs for the challenge. Just got a bunch of new clothes in size 12. My 14s are all too big now. HOORAY!

Will be in Arkansas all weekend, no doubt being buried in comfort food. Not sure if I'll be able to get in any exercise, but am going to try. See you all next week. I probably won't be getting online at all over the next several days.

Check in for SH4SC - 184.8

Today's weight, 184.8 on my digital scale, 184 on the old scale I'm using for the challenge. So down 1 pound from last week, down 3 for the whole challenge.

New strength training is quite the challenge and I've got some screaming muscles! Guess that means it's hitting some I hadn't been working on, so it's all good. :-D

Check in - Sizzling Hot for Summer Challenge

Weight this morning is 185, so down 2 pounds from last week. It's been a rough one with not feeling well. My weight was up almost all week and started coming down yesterday. I couldn't eat much yesterday because of feeling nauseous. Will try to get back into the exercise schedule today.

Hope everyone else had a fabulous week!!

MizFit has a post about the scale. My thoughts were confirmed by this info I posted near the beginning of my blog.

Here's helpful info from Denise Austin:

Eat Right!

Master the Six Diet "Dos"

I can't wait for you to be the fit and fabulous person you want to be — and you will be! Now that you're creating a healthier you, you need to learn how to avoid common diet mistakes:

• Eat so that you're satisfied! Believe it or not, if you want to lose weight, it's important to eat! Skipping meals can leave you feeling weak and hungry, which leads straight to overeating. Eat when you need to, but make sure you limit yourself to nutritious, strength-building foods!

• Include a variety of foods! You've heard of diets that focus on one food, or that exclude whole categories of food from your life. Go for balance instead! Sweets, pasta, and breads have a place in your eating plan. The key is moderation! Make healthy foods the foundation of your meals.

• Quench your thirst! Water helps you burn calories, boosts your metabolism, and fills you up. How's that for multitasking? Bottoms up!

• Concentrate on your health! Diet pills, crash dieting, and products that promise instant results are never a good idea. A slow, steady, balanced weight-loss plan like mine is the most effective and the safest. You'll feel great, and you'll protect your health too!

• Teamwork helps! Staying motivated is key! Find an exercise buddy at your office, ask a friend or family member to help you stay on track, or take advantage of my amazing online community!

• Get moving! If you're already eating healthy, exercise can tone muscle and give you lots of energy. Even just a few minutes a day can make a huge difference. Give it a try!

Day 6 for SH4SC

Got back into good habits today. Did 30 minutes on the bike and 2 sets of 15 reps on weight lifting. I also got a new stability ball that looks like two balls side by side. Your back goes between the two. Feels very different! And it feels really good to do back stretches over it!

B-Frosted Mini Wheats
L-Tomato, mozzarella, olives, artichoke hearts salad, popchips, dark choc cov almonds
D-2 slices thin crust Papa Murphy's herb chicken Mediterranean pizza - the commercial got me! Skinny cow ice cream sandwich

Stomach is still feeling a little weird.

Had to go to occupational therapy for my wrist today. I have to do some hand stretches every hour, ice it twice a day for 20 minutes and use a little vibrator to massage it for 5 minutes twice a day, too. Hopefully it will help me get full mobility back after my surgery in Feb.

OH, OH, OH, I forgot to post the best news of the day! This morning, my hubby's boss called and said, "Would you be OK with delaying the trip to Korea for a couple weeks?" HOORAY! I'll be able to dance with hubby on the night of the showcase. I'm very, very happy. :-D He said he's 80% sure that he'll be here for the showcase.

Day 3 SH4SC

Still not feeling great. I wonder if I'm catching the cold the kids have had. Figured if it's getting close to TOM, I'd go to the anti-bloat menu. Was down another pound today, so I'm not complaining.

B-Rice Krispies w skim milk, 2 dried plums, 1/4c sunflower seeds
L-tomato n mozarrella salad again, deli turkey
D-Amy's Teriyaki bowl, skinny cow ice cream sandwich
Snack - dark chocolate, unsalted peanuts

Good weather news - we might be spared the blizzard this time. It looks like it will be taking a more northern route through Denver and southern Wyoming.

Day 2 of SHSC

I'm feeling weird today. Not sure what it is, (Edit later - yeah, I know what it is, I'm PMSing!) but didn't get up early enough to workout so tonight I will go do the stationary bike downstairs and then some weight-lifting. Didn't get anything done yesterday earlier. I was down a pound today according to my son's scale. I don't like it not showing decimals, though. I could have lost just .2lbs or as much as 1.8! :-P

I changed my plan for lunch when we went to Safeway. My kids were getting lunch at the deli and I saw a tomato, mozzarrella, olive and artichoke salad tossed with olive oil. YUMMMY! Not sure on the calorie count, but it's all healthy calories, so I won't worry about it. Also had to pop into the Vitamin Cottage to get some PopChips. Darn you, prior fat girl!!!! LOL They only had BBQ and Original flavor, no salt & vinegar. So I had a 130 calorie serving of those with my salad. They are pretty good!

Later edit: I did 30 minutes on the stationary bike and my weight-lifting routine of 2 sets of 15 reps. Have only had 2 meals and once snack so far since I stayed in bed until after noon. My bad! ;-)
B: Cream of wheat+2T pecans+1/2oz dark chocolate, 2 dried plums
L: Tomato, mozarrella, olive, artichoke salad, BBQ Popchips, 2 Lowfat Fig Newmans
Snack: yogurt, dk choc covered almonds, apple, clementine, herbal tea
I'm about ready to go to bed, so I probably won't eat anymore today. It's so cold! We didn't get too much snow last night, but may get 6-12 inches Friday night/Saturday morning.

New Challenge! Day 1 - 187

I'm joining the ladies at the Sizzling Hot for Summer challenge. I figured I could use some extra incentive to continue my good habits. My fancy scale did absolutely not like the camera. It reflected really weird and wouldn't show up on camera. Even tried it without the flash near the window. And every time I stepped on it, it said something different. It was weird. So I used my son's scale to get the photo and will use the same scale for the end shot.

I had to get up early for a doctor's app't, so my weight is higher than yesterday. Up 1.4 from yesterday to 187. :-P I stayed up way too late last night trying to get stuff together. Will post my 2 week menu when I get back from running errands.











2 Week Menu (mostly recipes and recommendations from the Flat Belly Diet - each meal or snack is 400 calories)
Day 1
B-Frosted Mini Wheats, banana
L-Turkey Wrap, Black Bean soup
D-Grilled chicken, red potatoes, green beans

Day 2
B-Cream of Wheat, pecans
L-Deli turkey, low-fat string cheese, grape tomatoes, olives
D-Amy's Organic Teriyaki Bowl

Day 3
B-Cherry Chocolate Waffle (best breakfast of ALL TIME!) ;-)
L-Strawberry Smoothie, dark chocolate
D-Garden burger, grape tomatoes, avocado

Day 4
B-Apple Cinnamon Waffle
L-Deli chicken, lf string chees, yogurt, macadamia nuts
D-Amy's Black Bean Enchilada

Day 5
B-Rice Krispies, 2 dried plums, 1/4c sunflower seeds
L-Smoothie, Dbl chocolate Vitatop
D-California veggie burger with avocado

Day 6
B-Cherry Chocolate waffle
L-Deli turkey, string cheese, grape tomatoes, olives
D-Grilled chicken, red potatoes, green beans

Day 7
B-Rice Krispies, almonds
L-Blueberry smoothie, raisins, pistachios
D-Kashi Southwest Chicken

Day 8
B-Cream of Wheat, walnuts
L-Deli wrap, green olives
D-Roasted Chicken, brown rice, steamed carrots

Day 9
B-Apple Cinnamon Waffle, walnuts
L-Peach smoothie, almonds
D-Kashi Mediterranean Pizza

Day 10
B-Frosted Mini Wheats, pistachios
L-Deli turkey, fat-free cheddar cheese, olives
D-Grilled chicken, red potatoes, steamed veggies

Day 11
B-Cherry Chocolate waffle
L-Strawberry smoothie
D-California veggie burger, avocado

Day 12
B-Slimfast High Protein Smoothie
L-Strawberry Fields Salad at Zio's
D-Kashi Chicken Pasta Pomodora

Day 13
B-Peanut Butter Toast, yogurt
L-Exotic turkey roll-ups
D-Grilled Chicken, steamed veggies, roasted red potatoes

Day 14
B-Tropical waffle
L-Spinach & black bean wrap
D-Lashi Black Bean Mango, pecans

My snacks are usually 2 Tbsps of some kind of nuts, fruit, and dark chocolate. Each snack is supposed to be 400 calories each, too. I usually eat 3 or 4 times a day. I strive for 4, but sometimes I just can't fit it in.