Am I becoming a self-regulator? It's a piece of the puzzle!!!!

My boyfriend, Scott, is a self-regulator.  He's 145 lbs soaking wet & he stops eating when he's full.  Novel concept, eh?  Stopping when you're FULL instead of when the plate is EMPTY!??!??!!!  Yeah - that's what self-regulators do!  They listen to their bodies and STOP EATING WHEN THEY'RE FULL!!!!!!

Tonight Scott had to go to work & he grabbed the bag of chocolate chip cookies I made on Sunday off the counter.  I immediately had sadness!  I wanted cookies!  I asked him to leave one for me AND it is STILL ON THE COUNTER!!!!  The old Jenn would have pigged that thing RIGHT DOWN!  The New and Improved, Self-Regulating Jenn LEFT IT ALONE!!

Wow.  SO, I think I'm turning a corner!  I've been collecting small pieces of the weight-loss puzzle, and the closer I get to goal the closer I get to actually finishing my puzzle!  I just hope someone didn't steal a piece and hide it on me!  My family has a tendency of doing stuff like that.....

Here is what I learned tonight.  I don't have to eat something just because it is in front of me!  Really - I don't!!!!  I wasn't hungry.  I was done - so I decided that I'd put it in a zip-lock and have it tomorrow for an after lunch snack.  NICE, eh?  :)

I started in January with the goal of only drinking water.  I did allow myself 1 cup of coffee in the morning, but that's it!  I also committed to tracking every single thing that went into my mouth.  I did it!  February's goal was to visit my home meeting to get recognized for losing 50 lbs, which I did.  March's goal was to start going back to the gym.  I haven't been as dedicated about lifting weights as I wanted to be, but I've found a new love - ZUMBA!!!!  And I've got to a LOT of Zumba classes - so that SOOooo counts! :)

In my last post I decided I was going to be good at stretching in April.  I haven't done so good with this goal - and I'm not really sure why!  I've got Physical Therapy exercises I need to do every day - and I miss a lot of days.  That might explain why my damn shoulder & hip aren't healing, eh?  So, I'm going to modify my April goal to just doing my PT exercised until I'm BETTER!  Then I'll add stretching...

I really need to break this into baby steps.  I think that when people try to do it ALL at once they've successful for a short while, then it all falls apart.  Doing it ALL is exciting at first!  Then it just becomes a chore.  I've said this before, and I'll probably say it again - but the second 25 lbs I lost was done COMPLETELY with modifying how I ate.  AND BY TRACKING!!!!!  I didn't exercise at ALL!!!!  I was just mindful of what I ate and HOW MUCH I ate.

In speaking with people about their diets I hear this all the time.  "I actually eat really well."  I usually just end up staring at them with a blank look on my face remembering all the times I said the same thing!  OBVIOUSLY I didn't eat all that well to get my weight to 210.2!!!!!  I then want to shout "BS!" to them!  :)  (As someone that was under the misconception that I ate really well I think I have the license to do that!) Usually the person telling me that they actually eat very well looks kinda' chunky too!  Guess what - WE DON'T EAT AS WELL AS WE THINK WE DO!!!!!  We're a passel of hogs!!!!!

A Passel of Hogs

The reason I mention this is not to discourage you - quite the opposite.  It is meant to ENcourage you!  Look deep within yourself.  What small change can you make that will start you (or help you continue) on your weight loss journey?

I think the best place to start is to truly track what you eat WITHOUT MODIFYING YOUR DIET AT ALL for a week or two.  This will help you to see where (when?) your trouble is.  My trouble time is right when I get home to start dinner.  I am usually SO hungry - so I start snacking as I'm cooking.  What is my plan?  I chew gum while I cook!  Either that or I will drink a tall glass of water and eat a piece of fruit. It usually keeps me out of the snack cabinet!  (Usually..... sometimes I slip!!)

Once you see your trouble areas it's time to get control of your food.  I think you need to continue tracking, but THIS time you need to try to keep within a certain food budget.  If you're doing Weight Watchers you need to calculate points.  If you're doing something other plan you need to figure out how many calories you're allotted a day and TRACK IT!!!

Do you want to eat better, but don't know how??  Then you need to learn some simple recipes!  Weight Watchers puts out a lot of really great cookbooks.  Most of them list on the top if the recipe is easy, moderate or advanced.  Try some easy ones!  Also - feel free to ask your friend that is a gourmet cook for some help!  She (he??) would be honored!  I don't think you can lose weight effectively if you eat from a box!  You need to shop at the outside edges of the store (where the fresh foods live) and stay the hell AWAY from boxes foods!

As an Aside:  When mud season ends in Lincoln I'm going to have a small Weight Watchers cooking party at my house!  I'll have you bring the ingredients to a recipe you haven't cooked before.  You can choose one of the ones that I've posted, or bring a new one!  We'll all work together to create some delicious meals that you can bring home for later!  We'll also have plenty of WW food to eat while we're cooking!  Who wants an invite?!?!?!?

If you truly do eat really well (which I will VERY quickly ask you to prove to me), then you need to focus on exercise!!!!  There IS time in your busy schedule to exercise!  You just have to make it a priority!  And if you miss a day don't beat yourself up over it!  Just make sure you exercise the next day!  :)

So, What is it?  What are you afraid of?  Why have you started to lose weight so many times and FAILED?  Is it because you treated your weight loss like it was a 4 letter word???  (D-I-E-T)  Don't be afraid of changing something - THAT IS NOT A DIET!!!!  A lifestyle change is what you're going for.  A permanent change that you can LIVE with!!!  :)

Who's in????

Oatmeal-Buttermilk Pancakes

PointsPlus: 7 per pancake

Serves: 4

Ingredients:
1 1/4 c. fat-free buttermilk
1/2 c. uncooked oatmeal (instant or regular - doesn't matter!)
1/2 t. vanilla extract
1 t. canola oil
2 large egg whites
1 1/4 c. all purpose flour (you can substitute 1/2 for whole wheat flour to boost the fiber content)
2 T. unpacked brown sugar
1/2 t. baking soda
1/2 t. salt

1.  Combine buttermilk, oats & vanilla; let stand, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes.  Stir in oil and egg whites.

2.  In a large bowl, mix together flour, sugar, baking soda & salt.  Add oat mixture to flour mixture and stir until smooth.

3.  Spoon about 2/3 c. of batter onto a hot, nonstick griddle.  Flip pancakes when tops are covered with bubbles and edges start to curl up.

If desired you can add 1 t. of mini chocolate chips for 1 PointsPlus.  :)

Before & After - same shot, 1 year apart! (aka OWN YOUR NUMBERS!!!!)

 Wow - what a difference a year makes!  These shots were taken approximately a year apart!  Same guy, same shirt - SKINNY girl!  :)

I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am looking at these two pictures.  It gives me renewed vigor!  :)

I weighed in today.  I was 150.2.  So damn CLOSE to the 140s, but not quite there.  Grrrr......  NEXT WEEK!  :)  But guess what?!?!?!  I have now lost EXACTLY SIXTY POUNDS!!!!!  YEAH!!!!

I also got my cholesterol test results back.  In 2007, the last time I had a cholesterol test, my number was 199.  (Desirable is less than 200).  This year my number was 144!!!!!  I've dropped my cholesterol by 55 points just by modifying my diet & losing weight!  That was pretty exciting news too!

I am OWNING my numbers and I'm PROUD of them!!!  My next goal is to be in the 140s.  The next goal will be to get to my next 10% loss (138).  Then just three more pounds and I'll be at my goal of 135!!!!!

Listen to your body!!!

I am tired this morning.  VERY tired!  I've had a busy week, I've done 3 of the 4 Zumba classes I committed to doing this week, and I think I really need a rest day today.

When you push yourself hard it's a great feeling!  After my Zumba classes I feel so exhilarated!  Like I'm on top of the world!  Like I could seriously KICK some ASS!  :)  I felt that way last night.  I got home, ate some food, talked with Scott a little bit, read some Kindle & then I was just falling over asleep!  :)

I woke up this morning not feeling very rested.  My body hurts.  I crave stretching!  In fact - I'll stretch right now!

Damn - I wish I could do this!  :)

That felt GREAT!!!!!  My body was telling me to stretch!  Usually I'd ignore it because I've got something else to do - but I've decided to listen to my body.  It's trying to take care of me!

The reason I missed 1 of my 4 Zumba classes this week is in my Tuesday night class I pulled my hamstring a little bit.  Not enough to be hobbling around, but enough that it felt weak.  I didn't want to injure myself further so I decided that a night off would be better than pushing myself.  And I was right!  Last night I went and I felt completely fine!  :)

Your body doesn't want to feel bad.  It wants to feel GREAT!  Sometimes taking care of yourself involves getting a serious sweat going - but sometimes it involves a hot shower, a cup of tea & a rest on the sofa!  :)

I started out this year by making 1 change - that was to only drink water for meals (and of course just 1 coffee for breakfast).  My second change was adding exercise into my life.  My third change is this - stretch every day.  Right now I only stretch after I work out - and because I'm not working out every day I'm not stretching every day.

I've got a swiss ball in my bedroom.  It is so easy to hop on the ball and just S-T-R-E-T-C-H!!!!  It feels so GOOD!  Seriously - after I stretch myself out I wonder why I don't do it more often.  Well - here I am - shouting to the world (at least to my blog) - I AM A STRETCHER!!!!!  :)  I think my body will appreciate it.

Ok - off to face the real world......

Have a great day!

Do you REALLY want it on a silver platter???

So, I've had a few conversations regarding weight loss recently - and I keep hearing the same old shit.  Wanna' know what it is?  Well - here it is....  "I can't do it."  WTF are you talking about?!?!?!?!  Of COURSE you can do it!  You just don't WANT to do it - at least not right now.  You're too damn hung up on EXCUSES that you're not looking for REASONS to DO IT!!!!!  What, do you want it on a freaking silver platter????  You got FAT eating from the silver platter, remember?????  Now is the time to get SERIOUS!  NOW is the time to figure out how you CAN do it instead of making excuses as to why you CAN'T do it.....

My friend Paula posted this link the other day and I'm gonna' steal it.  You HAVE to watch it.  For real.  Right now - then come back to my blog.....

CHECK THIS LINK OUT RIGHT NOW!!!!!

So - now I want you to take a good look at your situation and answer these few simple questions:

First Question:  DO YOU WANT TO LOSE WEIGHT?  (Yes or No)

Second Question:  ARE YOU INTERESTED OR COMMITTED TO LOSING WEIGHT?  (Yes or No)

I assume if you are reading my blog the answers you just circled are YES!  (don't really write on your computer screen, ok?  Just do an air circle so you don't mark up your screen!)

Ok - now the THIRD Question: WHAT are you going to do about it?  Hmmm....????

Are you going to bitch and moan about how you can't?  How it's too hard?  How you don't have time?  blah blah blah????

Or are you going to make a PLAN!?!?!??!  Are you going to figure out how to OWN your weight loss?  Are you going to figure out a way to make it work for you?!?!?!?!?

Let me tell you something - We are ALL busy!  We ALL have excuses! 

Excuse:  I just had a baby (yeah - RIGHT!  My babies are now 6 & 7.  That excuse stopped flying when they were 1 & 2!!!) 

Excuse:  I don't have time.  (Do you watch TV at night?  Turn the damn thing off for ONE SHOW and go for a power walk!!!) 

Excuse:  I can't walk.  (SIT IN YOUR CHAIR AND FLAIR FOR 30 MINUTES - Trust me - you'll sweat!!!!)

Excuse:  I don't have the money for a gym membership.  SO FREAKIN' WHAT!!!!  Use your legs!  Dance!  Walk!  Jump Rope!!!!  JUST MOVE!!!!!

Excuse:  I can't exercise at all.  I have no arms or legs.  WATCH WHAT YOU EAT!!!!!

Excuse:  Insert Excuse Here  E-mail it to me.  I'll show you that your excuse isn't gonna' fly with me!  :)

You want to know the REASON you're overweight?  Same reason I was - I lost my motivation. I stopped caring.  I got lazy.  It was EASIER to eat crap than to seek out healthy choices!!!!

This LAST time I started on my weight loss journey I lost 25 lbs without moving a muscle.  I was a food NAZI!  I'm gonna' say this now - you can NOT eat out and expect to lose weight unless you are SOOOOooooo serious about it!  You've got to ask your waiter how your food is prepared.  You've got to ask your waiter to ask the chef if they can saute in broth instead of oil.  You've go to hold the drinks, dessert, massive loads of tortilla chips & bread.  (You can have SOME - but not as many as they bring you!  If you think this will be a problem ask them not to even bring them!)  I've even asked for several orders of steamed veggies as an appetizer (HOLD THE BUTTERY GLAZE!!!!).  That way my boys (and I!!) will snack on something healthy to take the edge off.  That way I'm not as hungry when my main course (usually SEVERAL servings) comes out.  Also - ask for a box with your meal.  Eyeball what your servings sizes should be and PACK THE REST AWAY IMMEDIATELY!!!!!!  You're less likely to eat all of the food on your plate that way!!!!

If you don't think you can do these things - PLAN and bring your own food EVERYWHERE!!!!!  When you cook dinner; cook extra!  Instant lunch!  If you have a free afternoon - cook a LOT and freeze it!  If you feel like you're going to have a crazy week go to the store and only buy healthy foods!  Save the junk for when you're not as busy - you'll be less likely to crack & snack!

Losing weight isn't easy.   Yes, it takes time out of your day.  And YES, it DOES get easier!!!!  Tracking is a habit now.  I don't feel right if I don't track.  I still slip up (51 PP on Monday - AIGH!), but I pick myself up, dust myself off, and keep on going (33 PP on Tuesday).

I hope I don't sound harsh.  And I'm certainly not trying to single anyone out.  People notice how much weight I've lost, ask me how I've done it and then say "I can't do it".  It makes me sad because I know that EVERYONE can do it!  Figure out ONE THING you can start with.  I started with my food - and I think that is a good way to start.  Then once I felt comfortable with that I added exercise.  YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!!


And please PLEASE - ask me for help!  If you need ideas, a shoulder to cry on or some pats on the back - just send me a message through Facebook or through this site!!!


And start making a list of the reasons WHY you want to lose weight!  :)


Enjoy the rest of your day!

Chipotle Chicken Salad

 

CHIPOTLE CHICKEN SALAD

Hands-On Prep: 15 Min
Cook: 12 Min
Serves: 4
PointsPlus: 4

Ingredients:
12 oz. cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into bite-sized chunks
1 t. chipotle chili powder
1/4 c. tomato salsa (whatever you have on hand!)
2 T. reduced-fat mayonaise
1 red onion, chopped

Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.  I served mine over salad greens with 1 oz. mozzarella cheese & balsamic vinaigrette glaze!  (This added 2 points to my lunch.)

Enchliadas Suizas

Hands-On Prep: 25 Min
Cook: 55 Min
Serves: 6 (2 enchiladas & 1/8 of sauce)
PointsPlus: 10

Ingredients:
1 lb cooked chicken, shredded
25 fresh tomatillos (about 2 1/2 lbs), husked, rinsed & quartered
1 jalapeno pepper, halved & seeded
2 t. sugar
1/4 t. salt
1/4 t. freshly ground pepper
1 onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
16 (6-inch) corn tortillas (I like La Tortilla Factory from Hannaford's - SO GOOD!)
3/4 c. shredded reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese
4 T. fat-free sour cream
1/3 c. fresh cilantro, chopped

1.  To prepare the chicken:  Place the chicken in a large deep skillet; add enough water to cover.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce the heat; simmer about 15 minutes.  Remove from the heat.  When cool enough to handle, shred the chicken.

2.  Preheat the oven to 350 F.  Spray a 9X13 inch baking dish with nonstick spray.  Put the tomatillos, jalapeno pepper, sugar, salt & black pepper in a food processor;  pulse until coarsely chopped.

3.  Spray a large nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over med8ium heat.  Add the onion and garlic; cook, stirring, until softened, about 5 minutes.  Remove from the heat and stir in the tomatillo mixture.

4.  Dip both sides of 1 tortilla in the tomatillo mixture.  Top with about 1/4 c. of the shredded chicken, 2 t. shredded cheese & 1/4 t. of sour cream.  Fold two opposite sides of the tortilla over.  Place, seam side down, in the baking dish.  Repeat.  Pour the remaining tomatillo mixture over the top.  Sprinkly with the remaining cheese and the cilantro.  (I ended up with 3 tortillas that wouldn't fit, so I just put them in a small baking dish.)

5.  Cover the dish tightly with foil.  Bake 20 minutes, then uncover and back until the edges just begin to brown and the cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.