Week Two...Boo!! Food and Fitness Journal for Today

I can tell I've had a lot going on, it shows on the scale.  Last Thursday was girls night, Saturday night Graham and I went out to dinner with my sister and brother-in-law, and last night I went to a "Bachelor" finale party (Silly, I know, but fun!).  None of these outings were easy on the diet and needless to say, I haven't lost any additional weight.  Last night's Bachelor party was terrible on the diet, TERRIBLE!  Here's a sample of the menu: meatball subs on white buns(with cheese), buffalo chicken dip, chips and guac, brie stuffed puff pastry, salted caramel brownies, and of course, wine.  Umm yeaaaa, not low calorie but it was fun and the company was awesome.  Week two has me feeling a bit defeated and disappointed in myself.  I could have brought something healthy to eat to the party, eat/drink less Saturday night, and been more rigid with my journaling.  I was hoping for a miracle on the scale today.  Apparently, the good lord saves his miracles for slightly more important things than my swollen buttocks...bummer.  Today's a new day; I can either succumb to defeat or refocus.  I decided to refocus.  I'm trying to increase my workouts to offset how naughty I've been.  In exchange, I had to add a few extra calories because I need a more energy to keep up the intensity for "two a day" workouts.

Today's Food & Fitness Journal:

Breakfast: English Muffin with egg white and cheese-200 cal

Workout 1: 50 min Indoor Cycle class

Snack: Starbuck's Latte w/one pump white mocha non-fat/no whip-145 cal

Workout 2: Bootcamp Lite at noon

Lunch: Smoothie King Vanilla Lean 1 Protein Smoothie-273 cal

Snack: 1/2 Protein Bar-115 cal

Dinner: 5 oz Filet Mignon-290 cal
             Tomato, Fresh Basil, 1 1/2 oz Fresh Mozzarella cheese, leaf of romaine lettuce, 2    
              Tbsp balsamic lite-190 cal
              1/2 ear of corn on the cob w/ 1tsp EVOO-102 cal
              Total: 582 cal

8oz Sav Blanc: 190 cal

Total Calories: 1,505

          

Matters of the Heart

These are my parents (John & Jody)....aren't they cute??  I think so.  We had a bit of a scare this week.  My step father, John, was experiencing severe bouts of heart burn.  After a few days of suffering, he decided to see his family doctor who did an EKG and then referred him for a stress test in fear he was having a cardiac related episode.  After the stress test, he was sent to a cardiologist for a catheter procedure and possibly, a stint. 

The picture above was taken at the Burn one-year anniversary party last August.  As you can see, he's the picture of a healthy man.  He maintains a healthy body weight, has good blood pressure, and low cholesterol.  He possesses none of the risk factors typically associated with heart disease.  Unfortunately, the catheter procedure reveled two minor blocked arteries on the back side of his heart.  In these particular places, stints aren't effective.  The doctors released him this afternoon and plan to manage his genetic heart condition with medicine and...EXERCISE.  My step dad is a wonderful, wonderful man.  He's the glue and calming presence in my family and we wouldn't be the same without him.  So you can imagine the worry, concern, and shock, to find that he may have an issue with his ticker.

My mom and I have always struggled to maintain healthy body weight and have supported each other through our journeys.  Since I can remember, my mom exercised.  Jane Fonda VHS tapes when I was little, and in high school, we started exercising together.  TAE-BO & Denise Austin tapes, and long walks.  I don't think I'd be a personal trainer today if it wasn't for her.  On the other hand, my step dad has always had a lean body, a substantial sweet tooth, but extremely hard working without a care in the world about thick thighs or beer guts.  We never questioned it...why would we?  I've always wondered, if I were naturally thin would I love exercise as I do?  I'm not sure...it would definitely be difficult to motivate myself.  In some aspects I'm glad it's never been easy.  I learned early in life the benefits of exercise and have been chasing my physical apex ever since.  I still haven't got there but I enjoy the process.  This week has taught me how critical it is to watch out for our loved ones, big and small, thick and thin, and make sure EVERYONE raises their heart rate on a regular basis.  IT'S SO IMPORTANT.  My mom and I assumed that because John was a healthy weight and "active" i.e. lots of work around the house, lawn work, never a couch potato, that he would be great.  We can never assume.  Everyone needs to get up, get moving, and get their burn on....someway, somehow.

John is taking a little time to work into his new fitness plan but I'm thrilled to announce we have a new member at Burn.  Please help make him feel welcome.  Love you Dad!  So glad you're okay.           

Today's Food & Fitness Journal

Hi Everyone.  Not a banner day, I tweaked my neck/upper back and I've been in pain.  Unfortunately, I was unable to exercise and I hate missing a workout.  I have to remember I don't make any gains when I exercise injured...ugh.  Instead, I ate a little too much today.  Oops.

Breakfast: Egg white and cheese on an English muffin--200 cal

Snack: Starbucks Iced Latte w/1 pump white mocha (nf & nw)--145

Lunch: Smoothie King Lean 1 Vanilla protein smoothie--273

Snack: Spinach salad with mushrooms, cherry tomatoes, fresh grated parm, 1Tbsp spoon homemade low cal granola, 2 Tbsp Newman's Roasted Garlic Balsamic Lite--115

Dinner: Chicken Fajitas in Green Leaf Lettuce Cups--402
              Grilled Chicken Breast-142
              Red, Yellow, Orange peppers, mushrooms, onions grilled-25
              small amount guac w/veggie straws-158
              Fixin's: lettuce cups, corn salsa, pico, greek yogurt-77

2 Skinny Margs--246

Snack: 1/2 cup Pumpkin Fluff, 2 sliced strawberries, 1 tsp homemade granola-50

Total: 1,431

Hoping the neck will be back in business tomorrow so I can workout but we'll see.  Until tomorrow...good night.

Before Pics, Weigh-In, Food & Fitness Journal

Hi Everyone.  Today I'm sharing my before pictures.  Body weight and weight loss is a personal journey for everyone and relative to your own personal best.  I'm not sharing these photos to either brag or complain...I have weight to loose to look and feel my best, simple but difficult (if you know what I mean).  Taking photos in a bathing suit took me outside my comfort zone.  I would challenge everyone reading this who wants to shed a few pounds to try this exercise.  Have a loved one, friend, or personal trainer (me) take before photos.  Look at these photos find things you like as well as thigs you want to improve.  Every summer I put on a swim suit, and like a million other women,  pick myself apart.  It was interesting to look at my body from a different perspective, a photo not a mirror.  I was surprised to find a few things I can live with or maybe even like, and a few areas that need work.  I purposefully took pathetic no smiling, bad hair, no makeup photos (like you see on TV and in magazines).  I am looking forward to reaching my goals and taking the happy, hair & makeup done, hands in the air in victory photos.  Whoo hoo!!  Okay...breath...here we go:   

Front View:  I've always preferred this view.  If I had my way, no one would ever see the rear view at the pool or anywhere else for that matter.  I would either walk backwards at all times or never, ever be without full rear coverage.  One body part I genuinely like, my shoulders and arms.

Profile View:  This is where I start to see issues.  The extra side butt.  I don't love this part of my body.  I've come to terms with the J-Lo booty but it's the cellulite and the extra jiggly areas that I find frustrating.  I'm 5'2" so my legs have never been my favorite body part.  Unfortunately, I can't diet myself taller so oh well.  

Rear View: Ummm....this is my least favorite view.  I have been embarrassed of my rear end since high school and used to fixate on it.  Now, I make it a practice not to hate my body.  I don't love my butt however, I work hard and enjoy my life, friends, family, and food.  Even though I'd like to improve, I've had a lot of fun creating that cellulite.  Here's to improving.

Today's Food and Fitness Journal

Breakfast: English muffin with egg white and piece of cheese--200 cal

Run: 45 minute interval workout on treadmill followed by 5 sprints at 9.5 speed and walk for 5 min cool down

Snack: Starbucks Iced Latte w/one pump white mocha, nonfat, no whip--145 cal

Lunch: Smoothie King Lean 1 Vanilla Protein Smoothie--273 cal

Snack: Veggie Straws with onion dip and lifesaver--105 cal

Dinner: Seared Ahi Tuna Sliced and served as tacos in green leaf lettuce cups with chopped cilantro, jalapenos, jicama, napa cabbage, rice wine vinegar, low sodium soy sauce and siracha--235 cal
Cosmopolitan Martini w/ cranberry lite--154
Glass Sav Blanc--119

Dessert: 2 cups popcorn--130 cal

Total: 1,361

WARNING: Dieting May Cause Alcoholism & Hemorrhoids (Sunday Food Journal Too!)

Hi Everyone.  Hope you had a great weekend.  Mine was great but weekends prove to be challenging for the diet.  Instead of making weekends an all around "freebie", like I used to, I gave myself free meals Friday and Saturday dinner "within reason" and kept on track for breakfast and lunch.  Back on the wagon with 1,200-1,400 calories Sunday.  All in all, this weekend was still an improvement from weekends past.

A couple interesting developments during this process...apparently, when you make drastic caloric cuts one thing you do is eat less of everything, including fiber and greens.  This can lead to ah...(stop reading if you're afraid of hemorrhoids)...hemorrhoids.  Yuk!  Don't worry I won't go into detail but it's rather uncomfortable.  I'm adding more greens & fiber and hoping to keep the hemmies away.  Another development...which should have been obvious...a little alcohol goes a long way on an almost empty stomach.  I found myself surprisingly drunk Friday night after an evening of cocktails and conversation.  I knew things had gone too far when the hiccups set in.  Oops...and yet also exciting, I'm a cheap date again!  Whoo hoo.  I'll try for the moderation thing next weekend.

Graham and I tried a new restaurant this weekend in our pursuit of satisfying meals that are both health conscious and delicious.  We tried Seasons 52 and it was fabulous.  Their menu changes seasonally and showcases fresh ingredients as well as local foods, organics, and grass fed beef.  The best part is, ALL of the menu items are 475 calories or less.  They have no butter in the restaurant at all!  Some of my favorite items we tried...the spicy chicken chile relleno (330 cal), carmelized sea scallops with asparagus and tomato-mushroom pearl pasta (430 cal), and the mini desserts.  I have to admit I was skeptical about a dessert in a shot glass.  I didn't think it could possibly taste as good as a full size treat but actually, they were amazing!!  It's also shocking how many calories you can fit in a shot glass.  Key Lime Pie (250 cal) and Pecan Pie (320 cal) and they were both DELISH.  However, Seasons 52 is still in the business of selling tasty food so even with menu items under 475 calories, our meal was still around 1000 calories (without wine).  It was worth it but again, restaurant food is calorie suicide.  Dining out with multiple courses should be kept to a minimum...once a week or so.

Sunday Food Journal:

Breakfast: Strawberries with Pumpkin Fluff --46
                  1/2 Chicken Sausage Wrap from Starbucks--150
                  Starbucks Latte--145

Lunch: Shrimp Cocktail--165
            Veggie Sticks--65
             Onion dip--35

Dinner: Grilled Wild Salmon w/brown sugar rub--283
             Roasted Beets and Brussel Sprouts--65
             3/4 Cup Brown Rice & mushroom--112
             2 skinny Margaritas (Recipe Below...you're welcome.)

Snack: 1 Cup Popcorn--65 cal

Total Calories: 1,377

(I'm including this recipe because I've been honing the perfect skinny margarita and I think it's pretty close.  It's great if you like the taste of tequila and a margarita that's not overly sweet.)
Make sure you use pre-made Cuervo Lite Margaritas (not skinny girl, yuk) with the alcohol mixed in and a measurement jigger with ounces might be helpful.


Kelly's Skinny Marg on the Rocks:
3oz Cuervo Lite Margarita-68 cal
1/2 oz premium white tequila-34
1/4 oz Grand Marnier-19
1/4 oz Trop 50 Orange Juice
Fresh squeezed Lime Wedge
TOTAL: 123 calories

ENJOY!!

Today's Food and Fitness Journal

Well...I went a bit over today.  Oops.

Breakfast: English Muffin, Egg white, and piece of cheese-200 cal

Workout: 4 mile run

Snack: Starbucks Iced Latte w/one pump white mocha non-fat no whip-145

Lunch: Smoothie King Lean 1 protein smoothie- 273

Snack: 1/2 container FAGE Greek Yogurt mixed with 1/4 packet fiesta ranch mix-60
            Sugar snap peas-40

1/2 Diet Sunkist Lemonade-5 cal

Dinner: Spaghetti w/boca veggie meat sauce & a spinach salad with Balsamic-559 (yikes)
              Here's how this breaks down...psycho measuring required for this but interesting...
              Salad: 124 cal
                         1oz Spinach-7 cal (this is a nice amount of spinach too)
                         1 Tablespoon Almond Accents Oven Roasted-40 cal
                         1 Tablespoon fresh shaved parm-20 cal
                         7 Cherry Tomatoes-9 cal
                         1 mushroom chopped-3 cal
                         2 Tablespoon Lite Balsamic Dressing-45 cal 
       Spaghetti: 435 cal
                         2 oz Smart Taste Pasta-170 cal (This is a VERY small portion of pasta!!)
                         1/2 cup boca veggie meat mixed with Giada Savory Tom pasta sauce-75 cal
                         9 tsp Parmesan cheese (I thought the jar said 20 cal for 1 tablespoon...I LOVE
                         Kraft Parm.  In a sick, gross way.  So...I put three Tablespoons on my pasta.
                         After dinner checked again...oops, it was 2 teaspoons.  That sucks.
1 Glass Sav Blanc-119 cal  (oh yeah, I had wine with dinner too)

Total Calories: 1,401