I cheated...and checked the scale..and the measurements

Yea, I said it. I cheated! I got my new omron sensor scale for my business. I could not help but test it out on myself first. I am now down (Thanks to Herbalife) 5 pounds and 4.5 inches! Some of that came off the ever dreaded thighs! I am not having many cravings at all. I am doing my two shakes (smoothies) a day, my colorful meal, and my snacks. I have a lot of energy. I feel vibrant. I LOVE the way my clothes are fitting right now. No love handles over the sides of my jeans or work out clothing. Sports bra is becoming lose. My regular bras are fitting better again. I just feel GREAT!

I already starting booking wellness evaluations locally. I am also starting up a weight loss challenge. 20 participants, $35 registration fee, lots of prizes at the weekly meetings, and a $500 grand prize to the BIGGEST LOSER!!! This could get interesting! Herbalife also just released some new products! A pumpkin spice formula 1, coQ10, and a French Vanilla Formula one allergen free! What a great way to finish off the year and start 2011!

Hope everyone is having an amazing October and lets finish it out with a bang!


XOXO

Week #1 weigh in!

I am pretty proud here....granted last week I only worked out twice. But, here are the results

Week #1 weigh in- Down 3lbs (stupid clothes weigh 3 LMAO)....Down 2 inches 1in in bust and 1in in hips! Down 0.4% on the BMI scale. Body fat not moving YET but I did pick up speed and went a bit longer than my normal 3 miles...burned more calories in same time :-)

 

I have more energy, more stamina..and I really like the glow I get after my cardio work out. I have been doing (2) shakes a day, taking total control, and cell activator from Herbalife. 

I am currently setting up free wellness evaluations in the area of Tampa, FL and local surrounding areas!

Hope everyone is having a super fabulous week!

XOXO

SHAKE UP TAMPA IS LIVE!!

Hey lovelies! My website is now LIVE! SHAKE UP TAMPA all my Herbalife products are there, if you live in Tampa, give me a call for a free wellness evaluation (Over $75 value!) Or email me HERE

XOXO

Silk Soy Milk Coupons $1.00 off!

If you are anything like me, you love your soy milk, but not the cost! Right now Smart Source is offering 2 print out coupons per person (go to the link twice) and print off coupons for $1.00 off the purchase of ONE half gallon!

I use this milk in all my Herbalife shakes as does my grandmother!


PRINT SOY MILK COUPON

Jillian Michaels Vanilla Whey Protein Powder

$10 at Wal-mart, they had the triple chocolate or the vanilla cream. I got it because it is 100 calories, 15g protein, and 3g of fiber. Low in carbs as well! Has approx 14 servings (Mind you, I don't use a full scoop)

Open: Smells like play-doh! I'm a little turned off..stick my finger in it like a child..and lick..oh snap! It tastes like vanilla!

1st attempt: Mix in almost a full scoop with a glass of vanilla soy milk. (Not so keen on the water idea and too lazy to unpack the blender and make a smoothie..plus, I don't have any fruit!)

I mix it up, it was not gritty...anything that did not dissolve with my lame attempts of stirring..did melt in my mouth and taste really good. I downed the glass smoothly and was pretty content. I do presume that using a blender would have made it with no bumps along the way, and I bet it would be amazing in a smoothie.

All in all, I am a happy camper...we shall see if it really helps my appetite, today I had 2 snacks and 1 meal, and now this glass of soy milk with the whey protein. if I do one more snack tonight, I will be right on target! I am tempted to try the triple chocolate to help subdue some chocolate cravings :-)

So **** 4 out of 5 stars, the smell and mixing consistency could be better. PS..it does not smell once you blend it in your drink of choice. Cost is less than $1 per serving! 

Fried Pickles On The Fly!

So, I am notorious for starting a craving frenzy on facebook for fried pickles! This started last month, while I was in New Jersey. My beau took me to Cheeseburger In Paradise (Note- their burgers suck, but their fried pickles are amazeballs!). A few days later..I was on a high craving for fried pickles again. Like, a seriously moody..won't eat anything until I get this..type of craving. One thing led to another and girls from one of my favorite message boards, were going crazy for the craving. Some went out to eat that night as did I, and some said they were making them at home.

So here I am, home, in Tampa. Craving them. I have a jar of spears on the table....one thing leads to another and I am whipping up my own concoction in hopes of it being edible...(This is how all great cooks start out, right?)...I googled a few recipes, nothing seemed easy enough. So alas, I come up with my own. Nope I did not measure...so be fabulous like me and just wing it :-)

Prep- 3 small bowls, a fork, a frying pan
Ingredients: Pickles (Slices would work so much better, but beggars can't be choosers!) I had spears.
1 Egg, flour, breadcrumbs, paprika, garlic powder, hot sauce, and vanilla soy milk (yes, I went there)

1st bowl I put a cup of flour, some paprika and garlic powder...mixed it up...
2nd bowl whisk egg, milk (1/4 cup?), and tbsp or 2 of hot sauce..your choice
3rd bowl breadcrumbs, paprika, and garlic powder..mix it up

FIRST IMPORTANT RULE: DAB ALL JUICES OUT OF PICKLES BEFORE STARTING!!!!!

Next, go into each bowl....cover in bowl one, soak in bowl two, and bowl three turns into an art project and your fingers get glue like...you will survive. While you are doing this you should be heating your oil on the stove (I used vegetable, you can use olive, canola, peanut, etc) Once heated up and popping a little...place pickles in pan...turn after about 30-40 seconds if it 's a spear...4 times to get each angle..if it's slices you used, then turn them after about 45-60 seconds.

Once browned and crisp, take out, lay across paper towels to absorb the excess oil...service with your favorite dressing if you don't have some super fabulous horseradish sauce...I used ranch..thousand island is great too!

This is CHEAP, EASY, and somewhat not messy.... :-) ENJOY!!!!


ETA: My grandmother had NEVER had this before, and she tried them, her statement "Wow! These are interesting, I never would have thought....this would make an interesting appetizer for events!" :-)

Day Seven

So it's true. I have lost like 10-11lbs in this first week. I knew I would. It always starts off fast then becomes a slow process. Yes, I get it, this is day seven...where are 3, 4, 5, and 6? To be honest..they got busy, well I did. So I skipped out on writing, nothing interesting happened. I promise. I do have a recipe to load with a photo, but that would be when I find my cable cord. I had been taking photos on my cell, but it chose to act up.

In the meantime, I am doing well at making good choices. Thursday I had gone to my pastors house for dinner. Catfish, grits, cornbread, beans, coleslaw, and key lime pie...I had a little of each MINUS the grits and cornbread! I thought that was an accomplishment in itself. I've been cooking easy this week so besides the menu I want to load later (Misu Mandarin chicken and garlic green beans)..I have been doing simple fish and beans, fish and veggies, etc.

I have been rather tired and in some minor pain..most of the tired is from the allergy pills I am taking, I take them and I am knocked out for four hours at a time. I am hoping all that will change once I am back on a normal schedule with a job. I have an interview tomorrow! As well, I have been contemplating...returning to modeling early..and just going for a plus size model. I know I may get some scrutiny from the plus size crowd, but to be honest, plus size starts at like anything over a size 8. Not my choice....just the way the world likes to slam women around emotionally. Been talking to some photographers, tossing the idea around.

In the meantime, I have managed to unpack half my car....put nothing has been put away. One load of laundry has been done..but the evil sequin shirt took over that load and now EVERY PIECE OF CLOTHING has sequins to pick off...that devil shirt...is going in the garbage. So cute on the mannequin, so evil in the wash.

Sorry, this entry is so boring, promise to become more interesting as I liven myself up...like I said...allergies...pills...tired....blah....

Until next time..xoxoxo

Day Two

Today was a rather somber day. Woke up feeling like a truck rain me over. Made 2 eggs and 5 slices of turkey bacon for breakfast. Then took a migraine pill and went back to bed for four more hours. Woke up again, made some left over easy peasy chili. Then took my grandmother to the grocery store, we had to buy groceries for mom and sis.

After that, I unpacked some of the car...and hopped in the shower. It was time to surprise one of my best friends at church. Her squeal across the loft was priceless. The sermon was a nice easy one to comprehend. Then...things happened. I had been having a rough few weeks, with the stuff going on in the family.  Finances are crap, school hurt me last year after my injury, and well just everything seems stressful. Now, I may return to a new college, and still be able to help others. I can do all the paperwork now, and be enrolled in January. I am going to discuss this with family, as I have the references who can write my letters for me.

Oh, I did make some maple salmon for dinner, I had mine with a small salad. I did end up eating boneless wings at Applebee's later after church. I'm hoping I don't regret that too much later. I have a lot to write about, about the journey home...but I will do that later. Sweet dreams..it's nearly 2am..bleh.

Day One

So, day one is complete. (Yesterday). However, I was too tired to update the blog. Please forgive me? My day was slow, no real physical activity required. Just getting into the step of things.

I did not eat breakfast as I slept in until I had to go to the grocery store. So therefore, I had a nice hearty lunch of easy peasy chili (recipe in What's Cookin section). After that I had errands and things to do. I did have a small snack of low fat ham and a laughing cow cheese spread. Later my dinner consisted of a marinated turkey burger and a nice large spring salad with just a pinch of cheese and some vidalia onion dressing. I also had a few nibbles of the Sam's Club chicken. I think I consumed way more than 64oz of water. At least 8 cups of orange/passion fruit/jasmine tea. I did treat myself to my sweet tooth of 3 maraschino cherries. All in all I did not have too many hunger pains. I did however, wake up with a small headache. The body has cravings and when you take those away it can get a little attitude problem. All should be fine after today or tomorrow. Weird thing is...I weighed myself on Saturday evening and then again this morning..and it shows like a 10lb difference...in the right direction. I will not give it much merit as it was different times of day and I was wearing more the first day. Either way...as long as it goes DOWN and not UP..I don't care :-)

Easy Peasy Chili $1.23 per serving!

You can barely get a crappy hamburger off a value menu for this price! Here you get a satisfying, hearty, protein filled meal!

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes

SHOP AT ALDI AND GET THIS PRICE: $4.91 for 4 servings = $1.23 per serving

1lb ground turkey meat $2.49
(2) 8oz cans tomato sauce .25 each (.50)
(1) can light red kidney beans .55
(1) package of chili seasoning .35
(1) onion-5 onions to a bag .40 each (1.99 cost for whole bag)
1/4 cup happy farms shredded colby/jack cheese .62 (2.49 a bag)

Slice up or slap chop your onion. Brown the turkey. (DO NOT DRAIN)- Once browned, add in the onion and stir. Then add the seasoning and stir until all meat is covered.  Pour in kidney beans (DO NOT DRAIN), and the two cans of sauce. Stir, turn to a simmer for 15 minutes with lid on.

 Serves 4-scoop 1/4 cup cheese on top. Enjoy!

I find this is a great dinner and an even better left over for lunch the next day!

Diet Myth #1

Diet Myth 1: The best way to lose weight is to cut calories dramatically

If you reduce your portion sizes, you will lose weight. However, you need to do this gradually. Weight loss should be about 1 to 2 pound per week. To lose a pound per week, you need to create a calorie deficit of 500 calories a day. Please note diets that provide less than 800 calories a day can increase the risk of diseases related to poor energy and nutrient intakes.
Losing weight gradually is better for your health than fast weight loss. If you lose weight rapidly, you are likely to gain it back. Researchers from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommend a combination of a reduced calorie diet and increased physical activity as the best way to achieve a steady and healthy weight loss.

 

References 

 

• The Weight-control Information Network. Weight-loss and Nutrition Myths: http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/myths.htm
• National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. Key Recommendations From the Expert Panel on the Identification, Evaluation, and Treatment of Overweight and Obesity in Adults
• Calorie Counter (7 Biggest Diet Myths Debunked) 

The time has come...

Well the time has come. I hate stupid "I will start on the 1st of the month" comments. However, sometimes, that's how it works. This time however, it does not work that way. Tomorrow is fourth. Tomorrow is a Monday. I like Mondays...when it pertains to goals. I wish my calendar on the wall started on Monday. Either way, Sunday is an "off" day. Confused yet? :-)

Tomorrow I start the path again with the utensils I have, the knowledge I have gained, and the goals put in place. Tomorrow, I weigh in. (I also purposely loaded up on tons of carbs and crap to gain about 10lbs the past 2-3 weeks, as I know I will lose that alone in week one.) So, tomorrow is weigh in, tomorrow is grocery shopping day, and tomorrow is DAY ONE :-)

Granted, Pam is going to start on Nov 1st, BUT....Nov 1st is a MONDAY :-) So she can get away with it. I set up goals, I have a plan, and now to spring into action. I have put this off for nearly 4yrs now, and I am sick of it. I got ahead, like way ahead 2yrs ago...and even got myself partially on track a year ago..before my leg injury. Now...it's time. If I want to enjoy the things I want to do in life, the jobs I want to pursue, and the ambitions I have for myself...I need to be at least 40-50lbs smaller. I can do this. Everyone says blogging is a new way to hold yourself accountable. I agree. When I ran the research program over a year ago I ran a blog. It worked...then I chose to stop being accountable...and this is where I am now.

So a few things to keep motivated--We will have a Fit Fact as much as possibly, hopefully on a daily routine...but if life gets me busy....we shall understand, right? I will do a weekly weigh in with bmi check and body fat reduction calculation. As well...progress as I go into my certification programs.

If I inspire ONE person a MONTH...I will be happy :-) So here we go!