Going Without Breakfast

This has to be the worst thing to do...not eat breakfast. Today I have not been feeling so well, but after I dropped off Allison at school I realized that I was very hungry feeling, despite how icky my stomach was feeling. Well, the husband asked me to hit the grocery store after I dropped her off. We haven't gone in a while and stock was getting low. I bought so many snacks that were absolutely unnecessary. After I got home and rested for a bit I realized the errors of my way. I felt like the old me..buying anything and everything because it looked yummy.

Well, they weren't super bad snacks. I got chewy granola bars, so I'll just make sure to toss them into Ally's bag for lunch and snack at school. She likes them. I got donuts too. Gah! My husband will devour those. I'll tell him to take them to work with him.

So, lesson learned - if you are starving get something in your stomach before you browse those grocery aisles. You will more than likely pick up things because you are hungry, which isn't a good thing. If you have to run out the door without something then try grabbing an apple or a banana, something quick and easy to munch on before you step into the grocery store.

While I was standing in line I sparked up a conversation with the cashier because she mentioned that she was starving. I agreed with her and mentioned how I shouldn't be purchasing half of this. Her reply was "Imagine working here when you are hungry." Ouch...that must really suck. It got me thinking. I'm not sure a grocery store would be a good place for me to work, not someone that is trying to be healthy and lose weight.

I did get fruit and gluten free whole grain waffles from the health food section, so I didn't strike out hard, but some of it was still unnecessary purchases.

By the way, those waffles in the health food section are so yummy! If anyone needs a quick fix for the mornings. They have a touch of honey added to them, so you don't even need syrup on them. I like to toss blueberries or strawberries on top of them. They are delicioso! It's exactly what I had when I got home. It only came to a whopping 301 calories, which is great! That's exactly around where I short for in calories when I eat breakfast.

Quote of the day: "The most important things to do in the world are to get something to eat, something to drink, and somebody to love you." – Brendan Behan

I think it should be "The most important things to do in the world are to get something healthy to eat, something to drink, and somebody to love you." Like how I tossed in healthy? ;)

Breakfast of Champions

I mentioned a few days ago that I was going to make a dish that I have a lot for breakfast in the mornings. Well, this is it. I got this from the TurboFire workout program. In one of the books that come with the program it has recipes, quite a few recipes that I absolutely love. It's a very light dish, low on calories and has a great taste to it.

The recipe calls for:

1 whole egg plus 2 eggs whites
3 slices (2 oz.) ham (or turkey bacon or turkey sausage), cut in thin strips
1/2 bell pepper, chopped
1 oz. pepper jack cheese (or cheddar, mozzarella, or swiss), shredded
2 scallions chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Nonstick cooking spray

Scramble the eggs in a bowl. Add ham, bell pepper, scallions, and cheese. Add dash each of salt and pepper (if desired). Spritz microwaveable bowl with nonstick cooking spray and pour in egg mixture. Microwave on medium for about 3 minutes. This time can vary though. I had to cook mine for a little over 4.

You can serve 1 slice of whole wheat toast and 1/2 cup of cranberry juice with it as well.

Enjoy!

Nutritional information:

Calories: 395
Protein: 35 g
Carbs: 37 g
Total Fat: 12 g
Fiber: 3.5 g

Quote of the day: "He who cannot change the very fabric of his thought will never be able to change reality." – Anwar al-Sadat

Focused!

I am very focused today!

Also, I was really disappointed in something. I was reading through some of Chalene Johnson's books that came with Turbo Fire. After some calculating I was very low in caloric intake, and she says if it's too low that your body stores fat, especially with as much calories being burned during the Turbo Fire workout. So, I know this now. It could also explain why I wasn't losing that much over the course of the last 17 weeks.

Oh well, we live and learn, right? Life would be boring as hell if we were perfect at everything we did! If you are interested in this formula check out Chalene's products by clicking the link above and searching for Turbo Fire, Turbo Jam, and many of her other products there.

Today was my first day working with a new preschool class. I've worked the lunches for them before, so it isn't like I don't know the kids, but it's a new experience working so closely with the teacher and the other aide. I had fun! We had a little trouble with one of the kids, but nothing we all couldn't handle. The parents aren't too happy with the decision from the principal in regards to that student, but it's a private school for a reason - they definitely don't like to deal with bullying, which was happening.

I'm must run - typing this quickly. I am off to work, yet again!

Quote of the day: "I care not what others think of what I do, but I care very much about what I think of what I do! That is character." – Theodore Roosevelt

Good Intentions

I had good intentions this morning. I took a picture of the meal I made for breakfast. It's one of my favorite meals and gives me a good boost of energy before I workout. The problem was that when I went to upload the picture from my camera I realized my SD card was not in it. What a bummer, huh? So, my picture got lost, but don't fret. I will be making it again tomorrow, and I found my card to put back into my camera, so all is right in the world now.

For now, I should tell you that I am a bit sleepy. My husband had to go into work early today to do the snow. He was not quiet about going through the house and woke my daughter up - who is excited about going outside in the snow today. I am about to make some coffee to sip before I workout. It always gives me a little boost of energy just before, but I don't add much to it. Actually, I found that sugar free French Vanilla by Coffee-Mate seems to work well. All I add is two tablespoons, and before you say "OMG that's a lot of creamer!" My coffee mugs aren't small. They are the tall ones as I do loooove my coffee.

Also, I'm a little sore from yesterday's workout, but wow...was it intense, and I loved it!! I did the Fire 45 EZ class along with Abs 10 class. The Abs 10 class is killer! For ten minutes she really makes you work it hard! It's what I love about her though. She really packs power to the punch.

Today I will be doing the HIIT 20 and Sculpt 30 classes, so it's going to be intense cardio along with strength training (using bands). I need to purchase weights soon though. I am on week 17 of Turbo Fire. Monday will be week 18, which means I will only have 3 weeks before I incorporate ChaLean Extreme into my workout schedule. I can't wait for that!!

I'm off to workout now! You all should do the same and join me!!

Waiting On Shakeology

My hubby and I both had the day off today. I've been up early doing chores and errands. One was us hitting the grocery store with my grocery list of all healthy things. It wasn't too much stuff, which is funny. If this had been 4 months ago I would have had a lot more things in my cart, and it would have mostly been junk food or carbs. While I have skimped out on the unhealthy foods and turned to the healthier alternative I have not noticed much of a price change, which makes me a little sad. It doesn't mean I'll go back to the cheap carb lifestyle though. It just means I'm going to have to watch for sales on certain vegetables and fruits.

Today I tried out a shake. It wasn't Shakeology as I am still waiting for my order to arrive, but my sister had given me a single helping of her whey protein powder, so I tossed it into my new Ninja blender with strawberries and a banana. It turned out really good! By the way, the Ninja blender is awesome!! It took like a minute and a half to blend everything into a smooth consistency - ice included. My previous blender took like five plus minutes of stopping to stir then blending yet again.

I've, also, posted up a new photo today of my thirty pound weight loss. It might not be noticeable to some, but I can feel a difference, and as I compare my before and current photo I've noticed that I don't have as much baggage below the chin, which is awesome! Also, my arms look a little smaller to me. If you can't view the photo and are interested in the site, go ahead and join up. You won't be disappointed. Beachbody is a powerful site for losing weight, working out, and finding new and innovative ways to stay motivated.

If you have any questions about the site or need some help you can send me a message on there, Facebook, or Twitter. Whatever site is the easiest for you. At the top of my blog there are links to my accounts if you would like to contact me.

Love For Bicycling

I had forgotten how much fun it was to go for a bicycle ride. It brought back some childhood memories, and I tried to think why it was that I ever stopped.. I couldn't come up with a reason, except for afraid of being judged by people for enjoying a little perk such as that or afraid that people will say things to me as they pass by.

I've come to realize a couple of things. If people are going to judge you for enjoying something or make fun of you, they are not secure in their own lives to do what they want and not fall in with the rest of the crowd. The other thing I realize is that bike riding can be an adult sport just as much as a child sport.

Honestly, I've always been very self conscious of myself. I remember all the times I was made fun of when I was a kid for being chunky. I wasn't even fat, but it's those little things that stuck with me over the years and has made me very self conscious of what others think.

The other day I dropped off my daughter at school I was speaking to one of the woman I've become good friends with. She's very athletic. If she isn't at the gym, she's out for a run. It's no joke for her. She runs about ten miles each day. She's real healthy and skinny. We were discussing how healthy she is, and she informed me that her childhood she got made fun of a lot for being slightly overweight. It was in her late high school days she started to run. But, she told me something that made me think I shouldn't let people bother me. She said she's still self conscious, and even when she's out running now people will yell things out to her, call her fat and other things. She said it really bothers her, and she will go home and have to tell her husband just to get it off of her chest and not let it eat at her. That's when I realized that no matter what size you are that there is always going to be someone that ridicules you. It's how you handle it and continue on.

Be strong. That's my new motto.

Pound by Freaking Pound

Weight loss can be a slow process. I would know. I've been dieting for years and years...since I was like twelve. I hate the up and downs, and I just want to find something that will keep me healthy and on track. Well, I'm hoping I have found it. I wouldn't have guessed that I wouldn't miss taking meat out of my everyday diet, but it seems to have settled in a lot easier than dropping carbs.

Then I got to thinking about it, and I recall as a child I didn't care for eating meat too much. I'm still like that. It takes one gritty bite of beef or a bite of fat on chicken for me to get grossed out. It's like a few weeks ago, before I began this transformation, I had eaten a piece of fish at a local restaurant. Well, I was sitting there pulling fish bones from my mouth after like the third bite. I was so grossed out that I couldn't finish it, so I guess that's probably why it was such an easy process for me to give up eating any meat products.

On another note, I weighed myself this morning after my workout and found I had lost three pounds! I was so excited! If I keep this up I'll be at my goal weight in no time.

I've got to think Neal D. Barnard. His book has really transformed my eating habits.

Also, today is my 11th anniversary. I can't believe it. We have made a reservation at a fancy Mexican restaurant in town, which works great for me. I've found Mexican food is the easiest dishes to accommodate my new eating habits. I'm already looking forward to it.

Womanly Woes

You all get it and understand what I am talking about. I have been so good with what I have been eating for the last three weeks. I've been committed and focused on eating tons of beans, veggies, and grains. I completely cut meat from my menu.

That was until the monthly monster decided to rear its head up. My mom has been over the last couple of days, which isn't helping, but it's been all about pop, chips, and sweets. I'm doing my best to avoid the kitchen, but I just realized that each time I pass I grab a chip or a cookie to munch and crunch on. Sweets are my killer.

So, here I am confessing my woes to the net, which is playing a good part to keep me away from the kitchen.

Tomorrow's a new day.

Also, I got an awesome recipe from my Arabic sister-in-law that's beans and veggies. Look for my next post which will include the recipe for it.

The Jobless Opportunity

As a stay-at-home mother, one thing has become a problem... I have gained extra unneeded pounds that have become hard to shed. It started during my pregnancy I gained forty pounds while pregnant then I tacked on another thirty over the last six years.

I came to the realization that this is my own fault. At first, I would blame my job and losing it. I had myself believing that because I was no longer working that I had nothing better to do than eat, sleep, and watch television. It occurred to me that I was so very wrong. I had nobody to blame but myself. The excuses need to stop. I need to figure out why I do all of this emotional eating and get my life on track again. I used to be very healthy and work out all the time. Even now, I make excuses for knee injuries that happened from a car accident some ten years ago. Yes, my knees hurt all the time but, no, it doesn't mean I cannot workout. I have found that walking or using the elliptical trainer doesn't bother them as much. It's all about making sacrifices. I've also been told that I cannot receive knee surgery until I shed some weight.

I need and want to lose weight. I know in the long run it would be better for me and my family. So, I've begun a quest to do so. First though, I plan on reading some books to familiarize myself with losing weight. I'm not a doctor, so I can only take my doctor's advice. He has recommended The South Beach Diet, but I also own a couple of other diet books (that are collecting dust). I plan to read these and try each diet out, see which works best for me.

In my little weight loss adventure I decided to start a blog. I will link any information I run across in regards to dieting or if I find any information in the books I read I will give a little post on some quotes. It's not just for me to remember, but for others as well. I will, also, give updates on how I am feeling that day, whether it be from emotions or if it has to do with the diet I am following.