I am a HUGE stress eater.......when things start to get overwhelming- I reach for food. I have been really trying to be more aware of this. When I go into the kitchen I have been trying to ask myself if I am really hungry etc. Other times I cave in and throw myself a pity party.......which isn't good. I feel good though with the few times I have been able to remind myself that I am eating for the wrong reasons and walk right back out of the kitchen!
Weight loss this week: 2 pounds
I have been checked out on here for longer than I would have liked to be. Work and family/friend medical emergencies have consumed me this week. I am glad that Sunday is here and a fresh new start to the week is upon me!
I weighed in on Friday with a disappointing weight loss of -1 lb. I was really hoping to see a few more. I have discovered my downfall- working from a home office. Access to the refrigerator is WAY to easy....when I used to work in the office, myself and a fellow co-worker used to go walking 45 minutes a day. I miss a walking buddy. It's been so cold out (-30) that walking outside isn't even a thought. Does anyone else work from home? Do you have any tips to share?
Here's to a new week!
I just have to say I cried watching the Biggest Loser tonight!
I didn't want Daniel or Jerry to go home! Broke my heart!
But didn't Jerry look FANTASTIC at the end of the show!!!!!!
What did everything think?
Don't you hate when you have a fabulous week and then it all goes out the window over the weekend? UGH... that was me this weekend. We attended a get together on Saturday night and then had dinner plans with another couple on Sunday....I had the best intentions as I set out each day... but failed myself... I should start going out to dinner in my swim suit or something- that would for sure me a constant reminder that I need to be aware of what I am eating! :)
Back on the horse!
So I know we are not 'officially' starting our weigh in's until next week but I decided to still do mine this morning anyway. I am happy to report a weigh loss of.....(drum roll).... 4 pounds!!!
I was so excited! Before stepping on I felt positive I would see some sort of weight loss but didn't want to jinx myself to bad by talking about it-lol. I don't know about all of you but when I see a reduction on the scale I get a whole new vibe of energy throughout me to stay focused for the upcoming week!
This was the motivation I needed to continue on!
WEEKLY WRAP-UP: This week I have been sticking to about 1400 calories a day, worked out 30 -45 minutes 5 of the 7 days and I also stopped eating after 8 p.m. at night (this was HUGE)- any other night eaters out there?
How is everyone's week going?
(This was Hubbies's serving- bigger than what it should be)
Beef Strogonoff-Crock-Pot style
1 1/2lbs. lean beef stewing meat- trimmed of fat
1 onion chopped
1 clove of garlic, minced
1 tsp. salt
1.4 tsp. black pepper
1 lb. fresh mushrooms
10 ¾ oz can 98% fat-free cream of mushroom soup
1 cup water
1 cup fat-free sour cream
1. Combine all ingredients except sour cream in slow cooker
2. Cook on low 6 -8 hours
3. Stir in sour cream
4. Cook on high for a few minutes to heat sour cream
Makes 6 servings
Per serving: 240 calories, 7g of fat
We placed ours over no- yolk noodles. I used 3/4 cup of noodles- add on 120 calories
Everyday I tivo Oprah so that I can watch it at night. Oprah's starting out the new year by broadcasting a week long "Best Life" series that covers topics on how to improve your body, mind, and spirit in 2009. She started the week on Monday with an episode entitled "Falling Off the Wagon" where she confronted her own weight loss and spiritual challenges over the last two years.
Oprah confessed that her weight gain had nothing to do with lack of knowledge or information. Her problem was one of life balance. She neglected to take care of herself. She worked too much, focused all of her time on others and had little time to dedicate to herself. I wondered how many of us have felt the same way at times. I certainly have. Working full-time, going to school part-time, being a wife and a mother of 2 little boys- doesn't allow for much me time.
I guess why I loved Monday's show so much is because it showed that she too has failed at weight loss. A celebrity who has access to nutritionists, trainers and everything else- has weight problems just like me.
Oprah and Bob Greene are hosting an on-line web conference on Monday night- I hoping to sign up for it. Prior to the seminar Bob has asked that everyone answer the following questions:
1. What are you really hungry for?
2. Why are you overweight?
3. Why have you been unable to maintain weight loss in the past?
4. What in your life is not working?
5. Why do you want to lose weight?
And they aren't just supposed to be obvious, surface answers like…”I am overweight because I like to eat donuts while watching re-runs of the Oprah Winfrey show.”
I'll be working on the answers to my questions.......
Night Everyone!
So a few things about the DVD:
1. The DVD is divided up into 3 segments of workouts: Week 1 & 2; Week 3 & 4; Week 5 & 6
2. There are 3 different levels you can choose to workout on- Level 1 which is about 30 minutes and up to a level 3 which is 50 minutes. (Once your comfortable with level 1 then you move up to level 2 etc)
3. You can customize your own workout- you can select if you want to do the warm-up, just the cardio, what level etc.
4. You can choose to listen to the trainer talk or just watch the movements and listen to the music. (Music isn't anything special- so I recommend listening to the trainer)
This morning I only did the Level 1- Week 1 workout. This workout is with Bob but Jillian and Kim are in the DVD as well (must be on different levels). So far I thought it was really good. Bob gave options for low intensity and high intensity. This level did require weights.
I am not going to lie- I was sweating and a little out of breath during these 30 minutes. The moves are basic but they MAKE YOU WORK. So if you need the fancy choreographed workout DVD's this one wouldn't be for you. My level workout consisted of a 5 minute warm-up, 30 minute workout and then a 5 minute stretch/yoga. I am really looking forward to the other workouts on the DVD.
One thing I really liked about this DVD- is that some of the past contestants were featured doing the workout in the background. They all looked like me- sweating, tired and giving Bob the evil eye- lol! They were just 'normal' people doing the workout like all of us. **NOTE** I hate the workout DVD's where they all have matching outfits, no one breaks a sweat and they just sit and smile the entire time-lol**
My over all rating: 
**NOTE** I rented this DVD from our local library. Great way to check out workout DVDs before you purchase them!
In honor of the show starting tonight- I have decided to start a new DVD tomorrow morning:
When I am losing weight the hardest thing for me- is trying to figure out what to eat. Not so much what food is good and bad but the planning of it. I think that is why I loved Jenny Craig so much. I joined JC after the birth of my first son. I dropped 20 pounds in 4 weeks through JC. For me it was the ease of it- here is your food and a list of what to eat on what days- it required no thought. Now as I try to lose the baby weight from my second son, I find planning my meals so difficult. I feel like I don't have enough time to plan out the meals that I would like to eat especially on a tight budget.
My first goal for my weight loss- is to make out a monthly meal plan. Tonight I am taking the time to write everything out and post it on my refrigerator so i can see it front and center.
With that said I have decided to post a new budget friendly, healthy recipe on my blog every Thursday: "Thinning Down Thursday Recipes". Make sure to check them out! I will be posting the recipe as well as pictures each Thursday!
UPDATE on using my new Wii fit: WOW! I am surprised at how sore I was yesterday! Boxing left my shoulders, back and arms so sore! I think I boxed for a total of an hour on Sunday and later that night I ran using the Wii fit for a total of 15 minutes (did the game a few times) and did strength training for about 10 minutes. What I really love about the Wii is that it keeps my time on how long I have been on it.
Funny thing about the Wii fit- it provides motivational insults-lol! I was doing a balancing game- which I obviously wasn't good at- and the Wii's response: "Your score is not very good. Do you fall down when you walk?" Shocked at first at what it said and then I couldn't stop laughing. I am really happy with our Wii fit!
This is my new FAVORITE toy:
I just can't quite put my finger on why it's so hard this time around for me to want to lose the weight. Don't get me wrong I do want to lose the weight but the motivation to stick with it has been lacking....
This go around I am planning on counting my calories- 1300-1400 calories a day and working out 5 times a week. Sadly our gym membership expired a few days ago and with Hubbie laid off- we can't afford to renew it. So I am in search of creative ways to work out. For the most part we have a gym in our basement- a treadmill, weight machine, a step, trampoline and I own quite a few work out tapes- Core Secrets, Pilate's, Step Aerobics etc.. you get the idea. But I will miss my gym!
With that said- Monday marks the start date!
Well here we are at the start of 2009! A new fresh start! This blog is to help me track my journey to losing weight- so climb aboard for the ride- it should be an interesting one!
Here is a little info about my weight struggle:
I am a mother of 2 beautiful boys- one is 4 and the other is 1. My weight has been an issue my ENTIRE LIFE! Growing up I was that over weight girl who people would laugh at and who all the guys wanted to be friends with but not actually date. During my college years I decided to take the weight off- in a not so healthy way- and lost 60 lbs. I felt wonderful and looked fantastic! I was able to maintain this weight for 4 years- then my first son was born. It took me about a year to take that weight off. With my second son- the weight has not even budged but neither has my butt from the couch....
But I do really want to get in great shape again and feel like I used to! I hope you will join me on my journey!
Start Weight: 193 lbs. 
