Sunday Evening Post

Just a quick update. I have finally gotten into a good schedule for workouts. I am actually losing weight again. (Yeah for me:) Now I am trying to work out my eating habits. The last two weeks have gone pretty good. I am currently working on a plan to not overeat while sitting in Bend in the freezing cold It was 23 the other morning. Not exactly weather I want to go for a run in), not wanting to exercise in front of extended family during Thanksgiving. (Yes, we are going now even though we thought we weren't.) So, if anyone has some good ideas, I would love to hear them.
(And yes, I am going to start posting my weight loss (or gain for that matter), because it helps my motivation. If it annoys you don't read it ;)
-5

Anyone out there?

I know we started this blog with good intentions, but life was hectic over the summer and I think we all kind of gave up on it. Now that school is back in session, why don't we get things started again?

What are your goals for September?

Mine is to get back to eating healthier. I've been really junking out over the summer, and gained a couple of pounds back, so I'm looking to get back down to where I was and control my stress eating.

I'm looking forward to hearing your goals!

How is everyone doing?

I for one, am kind of on an emotional eating roller coaster lately. For some reason I have really been craving sugar, and have been pretty weak when it comes to things like Ice cream, peanut butter M&Ms and cookies.

I'm pretty much stuck at that 20 lb mark, and need to figure out how to get myself back on track and start losing again.

How are all of you? How is the summer going? Is there anything we can do to help each other refocus on our goals?

What goes In...... Grows on You

I have realized over the past couple of weeks that I now have no huge problems exercising. I do it. Yes, there are days when I don't feel like it, but most of the time I just do it.
My problem is what I eat. Last week I worked out 5 times for an hour each. I did not gain any weight, but I did not lose anything either. I ate whatever. That popcorn was just too good to pass up. So, in an effort to change my eating habits I have decided to post a recipe today. One of my favorites and only 350 calories a serving.

Chinese Chicken Salad
Serves 4 (!!!! lots of food for 4 servings!!!!)
Dressing
1/3 cp rice vinegar
1/4 cp hoisin sauce
2 T Canola oil
1 1/2 tsp low sodium soy sauce (i have used regular soy sauce)
1 T grated or minced fresh ginger
1/2 tsp sesame oil (the recipe calls for toasted sesame oil, but I don't have any)

Salad
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1/8 tsp salt
1/8 tsp pepper
1 tsp canola oil
1/2 heads green or napa cabbage (about 1 lb), cored and sliced thin
1 carrot, peeled and shredded
1/2 red bell pepper, stemmed, seeded, and cut into strips
1 cup bean sprouts (they spoil quickly, so I don't use them too often)
2 scallions, sliced thin (R doesn't like them so I don't use them either)
1 T minced fresh cilantr (don't use this one either, R doesn't like it either)
1 cup chow mein noodles (sometimes i use them sometimes i don't. depends on how i am feeling :)

Whisk the vinegar, hoisin sauce, canola oil, soy sauce, ginger, and sesame oil together and set aside.
Pat the chicken breasts dry with a paper towel and season with salt and pepper. Heat the canola oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just smoking. Carefully lay the chicken in the skillet and cook until well browned on the first side, 6 to 8 minutes. Flip the chicken, add 1/2 cup water and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cover and continue to cook until the thickest part of the breast is done about 5 - 7 minutes longer. Remove the chicken and let rest for 5 minutes. When it is cool enough to handle, shred into bite-sized pieces.
Assembly
Whisk the dressing to recombine. In a large bowl, toss the chicken, cabbage, carrot, red bell pepper, sprouts, scallions, and cilantro with the dressing. Divide the salad amoung four plates, sprinkle with the chow mein noodles, and serve.

So that is that. I always feel like I am getting a ton of food when I eat this recipe. And I feel like if I eat a little too much it will be ok. There is tons of protein in this one as well as 4g of fiber. Good stuff for feeling full and losing weight.
What is your favorite healthy recipe?

Update...

How is everyone doing? I know that we are all having our struggles with staying on track, but I know that we can all make progress.
As for me, I have not been doing great the last few weeks, meaning that I haven't been losing. On the bright side, I haven't really gained either. I have hit a plateau.
The nicer weather has made me want to be outside more. I have gotten burned out on the 30 day shred, mainly because of the time of day I was trying to exercise I think.
I'm not sure what I should do for my goals. Yes, I need to exercise, but nothing appeals to me right now. I am doing fairly okay at thinking about what I am eating, even though I have moments of eating against my better judgement. I just feel like I am in a rut as far as progress goes. Anyone want to help me get back on track?

Self Control

Since I got to speak on Easter, I did some extra studying of the atonement. I was once again struck with awe and wonder at the amazing sacrafice our savior made for us. As I studied and learned more about the unfathomable agony he endured, literally fighting against everything that Satan and the evil forces of darkness could throw at him. Feeling his desire to have it all go away when he asked to have the bitter cup removed, but in the end, knowing what was at stake for us, he ultimately said "thy will be done". He overcame his own mortal body and feelings of wanting to surrender for what needed to be done. And in a strange way I found myself thinking about my quest to shed these unwanted pounds, the blessings promised in the word of wisdom and in my own patriarchal blessing, to run and not be weary, walk and not faint that the destroying angel will pass me by. If the savior can endure to the end, I surely can find some self control with my diet and exercise. It will not be easy, but I CAN do this, and it IS worth it.

Three weeks...

It's been about three weeks since I posted last on this blog. I have also pretty much been stuck in the same three pound loop for the last three weeks as well. Could there be a correlation? Hmmmmm.
Counting calories is beginning to wear on me. I don't enjoy typing in the recipes to find out the calories, and I am not always sure of the exact serving size for some things. I am still keeping a food journal, and trying to keep track of the calories, it's just getting old. Still, I know that if I stop, I'll go right back to my old habits.
My latest goal is to exercise every weekday. D and I are doing the 30 day shred together every day. I started working on the 30 day shred last week, and he started in with me on Monday. So far we are keeping at it, even though we sometimes don't feel like exercising.
How are all of you doing with your goals?

Checking In

I'm finally checking in. When we went on vacation over spring break my goal was to eat better on the road. It seems like we always get the munchies when driving. So, I brought a book...I was the book on tape. And I also paid more attention to what I brought for snacks in the car. We did pretty good. And as far as eating out on the road I did so so...but I did exercise two of the days we were gone. So no weight loss that week, but at least I stayed the same. I actually did worse the week we got home than when we were gone. I think the trick to taking trips is really planning ahead foodwise. My goals for this week aren't changing much since I did so bad last week. I'm just keeping my journal and exercising 5 x's. The exercise is more of a mind game. I get busy and it's too easy to just say I'll do it tomorrow. I'm hoping there will come a point where it will no longer be a question as to whether or not I'm going to exercise, I'll just do it. Kind of like going to church...I don't ask myself every Sunday if I'm going to church, I just go, It's not a question. So, maybe that will be one of my goals this week with exercise, to stop asking myself IF I'm going to exercise everyday. The question is already answered, YES I am! Now just do it!

TIME TO FEAST

Well...Life has been sooo busy these last couple of weeks that..conference really slowed me down...I must say..I did open the door to the boy scouts!! and I did by a candy bar!! I mean..come on...I was a girl scout and so there for I always buy!! it's the "scout curse" I think?...Anyways..the candy bar was good!...sadly I ate it...But...lately I just really haven't been focusing on my weight....Like I haven't been "over eating" some times i even forget!! i just have been so busy I just...don't have time to count points calories or whatev...I find myself racing around the house cleaning cleaning cleaning...it NEVER stops...I just get soo burned out....after sick kids..house work. parents on there way...auto issues...+ more...I just needed to chill an watch conference I did a lot of thinking while watching...and I think I have figured out my NEW plan of action. The reason why I look at my weight and such an try to watch how an when I eat is not for the cute tops or tighter jeans! It's basically for me to feel better about myself. But..I learned that...my weight is not really my issue. It's a plus to be healthy but...it's not what's BUGGIN me...it's my testimony that needs to eat!..I need to be more involved in my scriptures..I need to FEAST on WORDS...I think that is my problem...I can really care less if I'm a 6 or 24 waist! Yes weight makes a big difference on energy an yada yada yee...but...I love to dress up...I love to do my hair an make up and get my toes done an etc. so... and i feel good about the way I look when i do it.(I have NEVER been a stick)...whats lacking for me is my spirit eating...I can honestly say...I do feel beautiful...my husband is very good at telling me...(that's a plus) he makes sure I go an get my toes/nails done with out an argument! He knows that when I'm out changing my hair style and getting a new top or shoes...is making me feel "sexy" ...I have all the support in a husband that makes me hit all the pointers in feeling beautiful. It's the the inside I need to work on...soo..that's my new goal...I'm gunna over load myself with the Gospel!!!..I'm not turnin bible crazy on everyone but...I think my spirit, attitude, patience, and love will show more...and that's more important that anything.

The Mind is Willing...

But the body is weak! For one of my goals this week, I had big plans for going to bed early, and getting up early. In Doctrine and Covenants 88:124 it says:

124. Cease to be idle; cease to be unclean; cease to find fault one with another; cease to sleep longer than is needful; retire to thy bed early, that ye may not be weary; arise early, that your bodies and your minds may be invigorated.

I am always weary, and I figured I could use an invigorated body AND and invigorated mind. However, all of my attempts failed. For whatever reason, we tended to stay up just as late as usual, except for a couple of nights that we managed to get to bed early. Those nights that we went to bed early, I still managed to sleep in, even though I woke up and strongly thought that I should get up and study the scriptures, which was the other reason I wanted to get up early.

So, I was a failure this week. Maybe because I didn't post that goal up here on the blog and make myself accountable to everyone!

So...this next week...that is my goal. Bed by 11 (usually we go at 12, and I know I should go earlier, but hey, baby steps okay?) except maybe on Friday night, which is our date time. Up at 6:30 (I know, Brandy is probably rolling her eyes, since she gets up way earlier than that to exercise). For me, this goal is harder than cutting the calories is. But even though it might not help me towards losing weight, I think it will help me find some balance in my life spiritually and emotionally, and those things can only help me physically right?

As far as other goals, I am still keeping a food journal and trying to watch what I eat, and I occasionally think about exercising, but really need to start in on that. I have been keeping the Ice Cream twice a week deal, but I was tempted to the dark side by skinny cow ice cream sandwiches because they are only 140 calories and really are pretty good. Sure, they aren't Tillamook, but they make a nice afternoon snack. Since we ran out, I think I am back on the straight and narrow now.

How are your goals coming?