weightfighter

Well - I am sad to report that I have gained three pounds. Which, considering the week I had of eating out and so forth, is understandable. However, I am also coming up on that time of the month, so that could have some impact on it as well.

Good news - I have gotten back on my eating habits which has helped the last two days. I also started to fiddle with making “spinach” chips. I really wanted something crunchy, but did not want potato chips. I could not find a good recipe for spinach chips. It is still experimenting so as I finish and get a good outcome, I will let you all know.

I made theses two dishes for Christmas dinner at my parents. They are really easy and very good (a 5 and 8 year old at it). The first is an asparagus dish and the second is a carrot dish. Both recipes are from Cooking Light’s website (and I would recommend their magazine cause they have good recipes in there too).

1.) http://www.cookinglight.com/food/quick-healthy/5-ingredient-pantry-recipes-00400000047368/page7.html

2.)  http://find.myrecipes.com/recipes/recipefinder.dyn?action=displayRecipe&recipe_id=1932668

Well, I had a funny schedule this past week so I did not get a chance to post a blog until today. I had my monthly check up - I have lost 3 more pounds total for my official weight to be 226. It was not a bad month (I still lost), but it was not as good of a month as it had been. We believe there is a combination of reasons why because I did loose significant number of inches. First, I did managed to work out much more this month which most likely meant I put on more muscle (and muscle weighs more then fat). But secondly, I tended to eat up the higher spectrum of my diet order then the lower level. I was on average at calories of 1500 -1600 verses 1400 -1500. One of my problems is still my issues with empty calories - 200 or 300 calories from ice cream or what not.

As a result, my plan is to maintain calories between 1350 and 1450 each day (and adjusting for workouts). Also, I am going to try to keep my “empty” calories down to between 100 - 150 calories.

On another note - I have made an awesome recipe for pumpkin pie that is low in calories (it uses pumpkin pie tarts). The link for the recipe is below. The recipe serving size is for two tarts at 40 calories per two tarts.
—-  http://www.nutritiondata.com/facts/recipe/1277216/2

Over the last four or so weeks, while I was not bad, I felt as though I fell off of my good progress session. I slowed down on the weight loss significantly, had to stop taking the appetite suppressant, and could not exercise because when I did, I would get dizzy from my blood pressure. But - that seems to to be fixed.  Yay! While I am not taking the appetite suppressant, I have been able to get back into water aerobics (even though, there are slight issues with that that are being taken care of). I am also more in control of my eating then I was before. So, I am excited as I enter what I am now calling my second phase of diet.

In other information, I was looking for a recipe for low calorie squash soup and found an interesting site. The site, http://www.drgourmet.com/index.shtml , allows you to sign up for free and include/exclude different diet styles, methods, foods, etc.. Then the site provides a menu planner. While I do not plan on using each recipe, it is a good resource for different foods, recipes, options over all.

Happy Eating!

Well, tomorrow is my two month check up since starting this program, keep your fingers crossed. At my one month check up I was at 253, last weight check at the gym was 248… so we shall see.

While I have been away handling the family stuff, I have found some fairly decent websites. The website listed below has a wide variety of recipes that are supposed to be low calorie, but heart healthy. It organizes it through prep time. I have not had a chance to try them, but as I do, I will let you all know.

http://www.health.gov/dietaryguidelines/dga2005/healthieryou/html/recipes.html

I posted this in the challenge forum, but I know some of you all do not look at the forums so I thought I would post these two recipes here. I really liked them and they are not hard at all. The chicken recipe is excellent if you are looking for quick meals.

So I have reached one of my goals this week - I tried two recipes. One was a Grilled Orange Glazed chicken and one was a Frozen peach yogurt. The chicken recipe is 174 calories a serving (about 4 ounces) and can be found through this link (I left out the oil):
Grilled Orange Chicken Fingers - Eating Well

The second recipe was for frozen berry yogurt from Healthy Recipes, Healthy Eating, Healthy Cooking - Eating Well, but my husband does not eat raspberries so I substituted with peaches. Also, I substituted regular yogurt with greek yogurt and reduced the sugar from 1/3 cup to 1/4 cup. Because of the changes, I ran the recipe through a recipe analyzer on nutritiondata.com. The link below is for that recipe:
Nutrition Facts and Analysis for Frozen Peach Yogurt

Well today I was supposed to go to the amusement park, but it was raining so we pushed our adventure off until Wednesday. Instead, I made it to the water aerobics class (and go my butt kicked!). I did a mini weigh in, and only lost 1 pound. Considering how much I over did it last week, the one pound is good.

I stayed within my calorie count today and yesterday, so 2 days down, 5 to go of achieving one of my weekly goals. Also, I worked out today, so I just need to include two more workouts this week to meet one of my other goals.  I have found some low calorie recipes (including desserts). I am going to try them over the other next couple of days.

Well, yesterday was a big test. I, like almost EVERYONE, loves to have hamburgers and fries on the 4th (I am not a big hot dog fan). I managed to keep my 4th dinner (appetizer and all) below 700 calories. I made Turkey Burgers from ground turkey with chopped onions and Pampered Chef seasoning (which I love). Then made Baked Sweet Potato Fries (cooked in oven, not fryer), and sauteed veggie medley of Yellow Squash, Zucchini, Onions, Peppers, and Tomatoes. The appetizer was a plate of fresh raw veggies. I actually managed to keep my entire day at my daily calorie goal of 1400.

Yesterday I went to Carowinds with my sister and youngest niece. I did not eat horribly, but I also did not eat well. I did have around my calorie count. I did not have enough water. Today I woke up with headaches, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. I have fought these symptoms all day. In addition, I woke up too late to take my appetite suppressant, so I am starving along with the cravings. It is frustrating, but I also know it is a matter of getting back into a pattern. Getting back on that bike and that is what I am doing.

Here is a recipe I made for dinner:

Vegetable Sautee For Tonight’s Dinner

½ Tablespoon Olive Oil – 60 Cal

3 Crushed Garlic Cloves – 5 Cal

1 Large Zucchini – 52 Cal

2 Med-Large Yellow Squash – 104 Cal

½ Large Red Onion – 52 Cal

½ Cups Green Beans – 90 Cal

            Total: 363 For 4 Servings

            Calories/Serving (1 Cup) = 92