Small Victories

So I'm down 14 pounds and there are times when I'm disappointed that I can't see it more. Then, I had a few small victories over the weekend to show me that I AM making progress.

*My jeans that I bought a year ago that have gotten a little snug, buttoned with ease!

*I got on the treadmill this morning, and looked at myself in the mirror and thought "who is this person with the small thighs??" I can already see a difference in my thighs and bum.

*I do these things that my trainer calls "bird-dogs", I get on all fours, lift opposite leg/opposite arm then bring them in kind of like a crunch, plus it works my back. I went to do my left leg/right arm and my leg FLEW back behind me. It was so much lighter than it was a month ago!

I have a lot of things going on this week, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I can still eat healthy and continue to have small (and big) victories!

3 more down, almost there!

Yep, I've lost 3 more pounds!

It's amazing to me how great I feel. I really should have done all of this a long time ago, but I don't think I was ready, financially or mentally. I also have a very concrete goal in my sights this time and I think it's just the push I needed to get going. I'm going to be completely honest and say that a big part of why I wasn't working out or eating right was because we were living paycheck to paycheck for a year. Before that, we never really got our finances stabilized in order to have that extra monthly payment of a gym membership. I think Bobby's new schedule really pushed me to do something because I have every evening to myself. I can go out and take classes, I can join a volleyball league for the summer (which I'm still shocked that I did), I can cook healthy meals for myself.

Have I slipped and had a bad day/meal here and there? Sure! I'm not proud of it, but it has happened and I think that's normal for anyone who goes through this.

I don't know if I'll reach my first short-term goal by the 31st, but I'm SO close. Just the fact that I'm only 5 pounds away from that goal instead of still having the whole 19 pounds left to lose, is amazing. I've come a long way in just 2 months and I'm so proud of myself :)

Smart Meatballs

I've found several really yummy recipes this week and tried 2 of them. One of them is from my favorite magazine, Kraft Food & Family. There aren't always a lot of super healthy recipes but I found one! I LOVE spaghetti and meatballs! This recipe calls for a smarter version of meatballs and it is yummy!


Smart Spaghetti & Meatballs
Total time: 35 minutes
Prep time: 15 minutes
Servings: 6
1 lb extra lean ground beef
1 pkg (10 oz) frozen, chopped spinach, thawed, well drained (I ended up only using 1/4 of the package because it was still frozen, but it was plenty of spinach, I almost think a whole package would make it spinach meatballs and overpower the meat)
1/3 cup seasoned dry bread crumbs (I used Italian)
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 egg
1 cup Kraft 2% Milk Shredded Italian Three Cheese Blend (I took the healthy tip and used 2% Milk Shredd Mozzerella Cheese)
3 tbsp Kraft Grated Parmesan Cheese
1/2 lb whole wheat spaghetti, broken in half, uncooked
1 jar (24 oz) spaghetti sauce (Used Prego sauce with Meat and 1 small can of tomato paste to thicken)

*Heat oven to 375*
*Mix first 5 ingredients, 3/4 cup shredded cheese and 2 tbsp parmesan. Shape into meatballs and place in a 15x10x1 inch pan sprayed with cooking spray.
*Bake 15 minutes or until meatballs are done (160*)
*Meanwhile cook spaghetti as directed on package and heat spaghetti sauce in separate large saucepan (I did this for about 5 minutes on low heat)
*Drain spaghetti, place on platter. Stir meatballs into sauce (I let it sit about 5 more minutes). Spoon over spaghetti, sprinkle with remaining cheeses.


It was absolutely delish! Give it a shot!

Crazy Weekend and Challenges

First let me say that this weekend was actually really wonderful. It just entailed a lot of storms and warnings.

Bobby and I spent the whole day Saturday together being lazy, renting movies, taking naps (that was just me) and enjoying an old favorite meal. We haven't had a weekend-day to just be alone and hang out for a few weeks, so that was SO nice to have. Today we finally got to have lunch with Ryan and Eric then had dinner with my family at my parents' house. We used our storm shelter for the 3rd time since we moved in today. There were some scary storms and tornadoes that touched down all around us. Thankfully they just missed us and we just got a lot of rain.

This week is extremely busy and creates a challenge of making sure I get in all of my workouts. I already went to the gym this morning and had a great cardio workout. Tomorrow night is Bunco, with good food, so I'll just have to have a semi-filling snack here so I don't munch as much once I get there. Tuesday, Ryan and I are going to a Glee/Dancing With The Stars Finale party with food and drinks. Again, I'll have to eat a little before I go. Wednesday I'm going with some students to the Twins game, and I'll probably have to eat my lunch at Target Field. Thursday night is Zumba and Friday I'll be with my family at a show.

The most important thing is to schedule my workouts on mornings that I know I won't be out late the night before. I need to grab a healthy snack before I go out to a place that will have lots of delicious snacks (even if some of them are healthy). I just need to hold myself accountable for behaving well.

We'll be heading up north for one night over the 3-day weekend and I've already told my family that I'm making salmon for dinner. We grew up doing hot dogs and burgers over the fire, but not this year. My mom and I both try to cook healthy so I know she'll be able to help with veggies and healthy sides. I'm excited to go up to the cabin while I'm on this journey. It'll be different but wonderful.

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend and have a great week!

Finding Motivation

I'm pretty sure that anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE Zumba! I've actually thrown around the idea of becoming a certified Zumba instructor, however it's expensive and the next training in MN is full. The next opportunity that I've heard of isn't until October, so we'll see. About 2 months ago, I bought a Groupon to a place called Dancer's Studio. The Zumba instructor that I have at Shoreview Community Center (Renee) also teaches there, so I had to grab the amazing deal! Two weeks ago, Renee told all of us that her last day teaching will be June 10 because she's moving to Duluth for the Physical Therapy program. Of course I was so bummed because Renee is an amazing teacher!

Anyway, I hadn't used my Groupon because I had conflicts both nights she teaches, but those have ended. So last night I decided I wanted to get to Zumba tonight and start taking advantage of my 11 classes. I get home from work today and I have a horrible headache and I'm feeling weak because I have no appetite. But then I remember how good I feel when I'm doing Zumba so I force a small dinner down and I get over to St. Paul. I'm SO glad I did! The space there is so much bigger than SCC and I had so much room to move around and it was kind of dark so I could shake it up a little more without feeling self-conscious.

I'm still toying with the idea of getting certified and I have Renee to thank for that. I enjoy Zumba so much and I see how much fun she has teaching it. Maybe when I get closer to my goal, I'll feel more comfortable having every single person in a big room watching ME and what I'm shaking :)

2 more down, 8 more to go!

Yep, I'm down 2 more pounds! I have only 8 pounds left to my first short term goal and that is amazing! A month ago I had 19 pounds to my first short term goal, it's amazing how far (I feel) I've come in just a month!

No worries for those of you who are concerned I'm losing too much too fast: By the time I reach my first short term goal, I'll have been at this for a week shy of 2 months. I'm shooting for 8-10 pounds a month, which is the recommended 2-3 pounds per week.

I'm very excited about my lunch today: Tuna wrap on a whole wheat tortilla with baby spinach, reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese and mustard with 1/2 cup low fat cottage cheese. I did mix my tuna with mayo, which I know, I know, gross. However, I used the Reduced Fat Mayo with Olive Oil. It cuts the calories in half and actually tastes better. I used to saturate my tuna in mayo, but this time I just used 3 tbsp for a very large can of tuna. It was dryer than I'm used to, but I add mustard to the wrap and it makes a big difference.

And did I mention how BEAUTIFUL it is outside?? I already went to the gym this morning but I did it because I really wanted to get Nemo outside this afternoon. I haven't mastered running with him yet so we just take leisurely strolls.

Happy Spring!

Exercise Before Exercise?

When I used to work out with my mom at Shoreview Community Center, I would see people run/bike/roller blade to SCC, then go inside and do weights or another work out, then leave the same way they arrived. I thought they were nuts! Why would you work out BEFORE you workout?? Well.... I did that today :) I did an interval walk/run to the gym, did my strength training, and did a moderately paced walk back. It's only about 0.35 miles from my house so it's not far at all. Not to mention I got to enjoy the beautiful sun!

Something I've really been enjoying for dinner are the Morning Star Spicy Black Bean Burgers. I'll cook one of those up in a skillet and put it on a wheat bun with some mustard. Occasionally I'll have a slice of provolone cheese if I'm lacking in calcium for the day. Today I cooked up some mixed vegetables with a little olive oil, garlic and lemon juice. DELISH! I'm so glad I discovered frozen vegetables! I don't make them every night as my veggie serving and it makes it so much easier to keep them and not waste them.

Good day overall. Now I'm going to enjoy a Skinny Cow Chocolate Truffle Ice Cream Bar, yum!

Why Would I Workout Without Great Tunes?

Part of what I want to put on this blog is things that I have found helpful and things that motivate me.

Some of my favorite things for snacks right now are:

*Chobani Greek Yogurt in Raspberry and Blueberry

*Laughing Cow Light Garlic & Herb cheese wedges (35 calories in 1 wedge) with either a serving of Triscuts (6 crackers) or Multi-grain Wheat Thins (15 crackers)

*Skinny Cow single serving ice cream in Chocolate Fudge Brownie

*Orville Redenbacher's 100 Calorie Popcorn mini-bag

Now onto my most recent workout playlist:

*La Bamba-Wyclef Jean (from Zumba)

*Mambo Italiano-Wiseguy Orchestra (from Zumba)

*Give Me Everything-Pitbull

*Club Can't Handle Me-Flo Rida

*Que Te Pica-Notch (from Zumba)

*I Know You Want Me-Pitbull

*Blow-Kesha

*Party Rock Anthem-LMFAO

*Telephone-Lady Gaga & Beyonce

*I Gotta Feeling-Black Eyed Peas

*On The Floor-Jennifer Lopez

*Rock Ya Body-MVP w/Stagga Lee

*Yeah 3X-Chris Brown (yeah, I know, I know, but it's a great running song)

*Woohoo-Christina Augilera

*Evacuate the Dancefloor-Cascada

*Poker Face-Lady Gaga

*DJ Got Us Falling in Love-Usher

*Dynamite-Taio Cruz

*Fire Burning-Sean Kingston

*Not Myself Tonight-Christina Augilera

*Safety Dance-Glee Cast

*The Time (Dirty Bit)-Black Eyed Peas

*Thriller/Heads Will Roll-Glee Cast

*Born This Way-Lady Gaga

*Single Ladies-Beyonce

*Hey Mama-Black Eyed Peas

*All Night-Janet Jackson

*Yeah-Usher

*Tilt Ya Head Back-Nelly

*Bottle Pop-Pussycat Dolls

*Break Your Heart-Taio Cruz

*Price Tag-Jessie J

*In My Head-Jason Derulo

*The Way You Make Me Feel-Michael Jackson

*I Just Wanna Love You-Jay-Z

More food-type posts to come!

The Project is Back On!

Yes, "Project Slim Down For Baby" is back on! I slacked off quite a bit over the last 2 months and rediscovered my motivation to lose weight and eat better.

On March 17, one of my best friends, Millie, had a baby boy, Jack. On March 24, my brother and his girlfriend had my nephew, Xavier. I already have baby fever, but the pull has become even stronger since I've been spending time with these 2 adorable little guys. With Bobby and I working opposite schedules Monday-Friday, I decided to get back into the game and get serious.

On April 9, I joined Snap Fitness near my house. It's a 3 minute drive, which makes it perfect. A week later, I saw my new OB/GYN. We talked about my goals and how I want to lose some weight before I get pregnant. I have a short term goal and long term goal. I need to reach my short term goal before getting pregnant. After expressing my concerns about not fitting in all of my vegetables and fruits, she referred me to a nutritionist. I also met with a trainer last week who started me on a strength training plan, which is exactly what I need to start burning more calories during my day. Yesterday was the meeting with the nutritionist and it was SO helpful!

I've learned a lot in the last 3 weeks about fitness and diet. Now that I'm equipped with the right tools, I am totally confident that I can succeed in achieving my goals! I have already lost 9 pounds since I did my starting weigh-in on April 14! I'm doing this for myself and my unborn child. But I'm also doing this to inspire my friends who are the same way I used to be: not thinking I could do it, being afraid to ask for help, not knowing WHERE to get help.

For those of you who have been following this blog before, you know I'm all about being open and accountable. I plan to share my meals, recipes, weight loss and other useful information that I come across.

One website I have found to be HUGELY beneficial is www.myfitnesspal.com. I entered in my current weight, age, height, gender, goal weight, daily activity level and how many days a week I exercise. From there it gives me a guideline of how many calories I should take in per day. Right now it's telling me 1410, unless I work out and "earn" calories, but my nutritionist said to shoot for 1500 if possible. I can also choose what other elements I monitor. Right now, I'm keeping track of calories, fat, protein, calcium and fiber. Now, even though I can "earn" calories to eat by working out, I almost never (meaning never except once) eat all those calories back. What's the point of working out then? It's really cool for me to see the caloric deficit that I have from working out, and at the end of each day it tells me how long it would take me to get to my goal weight if I ate like that day, every day.

Here are some stats and goals:
Starting Weight: 229 lbs
Current Weight: 220 lbs (5/2/11)
Short Term Goals:
210 lbs by 5/31/11
200 lbs by 6/30/11
190 lbs by 7/31/11
Long Term Goal: 160 lbs

And, if I can achieve all of these goals, I'll be on the path to trying for a baby in no time!