Back on the Wagon...

Since I've been struggling with incredible exhaustion and increased muscle pain, I haven't felt like I have had the energy to count every calorie... or even care where they came from.  BAD HABIT!!  It has caused me to stall out!

So this morning I'm back on the wagon!

My 400-caorie breakfast:

Bagel Egg Sandwich

1 100-calorie bagel....................... 100
1/4 cup egg substitute...................  70
2 slices Oscar Meyer turkey............. 70
2 slices of Sargento RF Provolone.... 100
6 baby spinach leaves....................  10
1 slice onion.................................   5
1 Tbsp Kraft Garlic Herb mayo......... 45

Large glass of water....................... FREE :)

That's it.  I was out of milk, so I just scrambled the egg substitute with a little garlic and layer all the above on top of the bagel.  So yummy and I'm stuffed!

FOR A 300-CALORIE BREAKFAST:  Reduce cheese and turkey to 1 slice and the may to 2 tsp.

I'm always up for great ideas for quick, filling, LOW CALORIE breakfast.  Post a comment if you have a good idea!

30 Days of Thanks: Day #14

I am thankful for the support and encouragement of friends that are along this weight loss journey with me.  Without them I would surely fail!  Thank you, ladies for who you are and for everything you do!

30 Days of Thanks: Day #13

I am thankful for one of the most beautiful ladies I have ever met.  My Grandma was such a beautiful lady, inside and out.  Though she went Home to be with our Heavenly Father 17 years ago today, I think of her often and know that she has made one of the biggest impacts on my life.  She encouraged and challenged me to grow in my faith and for that I'm eternally grateful.

Thank you, Grandma.  I miss you every day.  I love you.

30 Days of Thanks: Day #12

I'm thankful for my parents.  I am doubly thankful for the relationship that my girls have with them.  It is amazing that they have this bond- a true friendship- that spans the miles.  My girls would move into their house if allowed! (And I don't think my parents would mind too much, either!)

30 Days of Thanks: Day #11

I am grateful for Andy Wire, Mark A. Wire, Andrew Thompson, Granddaddy, Papa Buzz and Grandpa Seidel and the countless others that have served sacrificially so that Americans can live free. Thank you so much!

30 Days of Thanks: Day #10

Today I am thankful for the Seidel family accepting and welcoming me as family 9 years ago when I started dating Pete.

Low Calorie Comfort Food!

Here's what I made for dinner tonight...

Jacques’s Basic Leek and Potato Soup

Yield:  2 quarts 

Serves 8 (1 cup servings)

Ingredients:

·      2 Tablespoons olive, canola, or corn oil

·      4 cups sliced leeks, trimmed and rinsed (from 12 ounces untrimmed leeks)

·      1 ½ cups sliced onion, 1-inch pieces (about 6 ounces)

·      6 cups hot chicken stock, homemade, or low-sodium canned broth

·      4 cups peeled, diced potatoes, 2-inch chunks (about 1 ½ pounds)

·      Salt to taste, depending on the saltiness of broth

·      ½ Tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

Heat the oil in a saucepan, stir in the leek and onion pieces, and sauté for about 5 minutes over moderate heat, to soften.  Add the chicken stock and potato chunks, and season with salt to taste and the pepper.  Bring the soup to a boil over high heat, cover the pan, and adjust the heat to maintain a gentle boil.  Cook for about 20 minutes, until the potatoes are quite tender.

Mash, blend, or puree it to the desired consistency and adjust the seasonings.  Serve the soup right away, or set aside until serving time.  Garnish or vary the soup with additional ingredients such as sour cream, cheese, etc. (I put 2 Tbsp regular sour cream and 2 Tbsp shredded cheddar per serving... These are included in the calculations below.)

Amount Per Serving

   Calories            131.5

   Total Fat            3.6 g

   Saturated Fat            1.7 g

   Polyunsaturated Fat            0.8 g

   Monounsaturated Fat            2.5 g

   Cholesterol            7.3 mg

   Sodium            1,039.7 mg

  

   Potassium            761.2 mg

   Total Carbohydrate            22.4 g

   Dietary Fiber            2.9 g

   Sugars            3.1 g

   Protein            3.8 g

30 Days of Thanks: Day #9

I am in deep appreciation today for sunshine and the power it has to cheer me up to my very core.  It energizes me and beckons me to jump (ok... maybe not literally) out of bed and embrace the day.

Where I Started...

This was taken on September 25, 2010 at my birthday party.  I turned 30 the next day.  This year, more than any other, I evaluated who I was and what I wanted to be... what GOD wanted me to be.  I felt a strong calling to "start over" and get back down to the basics.  That included my health.

This spring, I tipped the scale weighing 227 pounds... weighing more than I EVER had before (even 9 months pregnant).  I was a size 20 jean and wearing XXL.  I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia in April.  I was depressed, tired and sore ALL THE TIME.  I knew something had to change before it was too late.

I had heard that after 30 it is harder to change your weight and your lifestyle habits.  It gets even harder after 40.  I knew I needed to embrace this year as a chance to change what I looked like and what I felt like.

In this picture I weighed 212 pounds.  Still way too much, but I had been working toward the goal to weigh less with roller coaster results.  I'm proud of what progress I had made this summer, but I wanted the results to be permanent.  I knew my LIFESTYLE had to change, not just my diet... and not just this year, but for all the years to come.

November Plan

Well, I've learned a LOT in the last month.  I realized that my sweet tooth and desire for comfort food start to flare up in some ugly ways.  Sticking to my calories is really hard with Halloween candy around!!  BUT the plan was working when I did stick with it.

SO... my plan for November. (And it, too, comes with a calorie-laden holiday...)

FOOD:  Well, controlling this aspect has been working, so I don't think I'm going to change that very much... with the exception of ADDING calories.  WHAT??!! I know you are thinking, "She must be crazy!"  Well, I am about to go a bit crazy... with 4 kids!  That's right, we are pregnant with our fourth.

That changes the plan quite a bit, huh?  I've been doing a LOT of research, though, and have learned that you can't really "eat for two".  That's where you see a lot of women gain 50-60 pounds and are baffled as to why it is so hard to get rid of that "baby weight".

Here is the plan that will work for me and my current predicament.  I will also post a plan to follow if you are NOT pregnant.  Don't let my hiccup deter you!  This journey is worth every effort you put into it.

Calories:

Non-pregnant goals...

Breakfast: 300 calories

Lunch: 400 calories

Snack: 150 calories

Dinner: 500 calories

Snack: 150 calories

TOTAL: 1,500 calories

Pregnant goals...

Breakfast: 400 calories

Lunch: 500 calories

Snack: 150 calories

Dinner: 600 calories

Snack: 150 calories

TOTAL: 1,800 calories
(That's right.  You should only add about 300 calories in the first trimester.  You are only feeding a baby the size of a pea to a pea pod.  It doesn't need an extra 1,000 calories!)

I will also get better about posting (and trying) new recipes that are working for me.  I think the hardest thing is getting stuck in a rut and then losing interest.  I have been gathering a lot of info and I can't wait to share it!

EXERCISE:  The other thing I've learned is that I NEED to add exercise.  Not only have I reached a point where weight loss is going to get a bit tougher without the added boost, but baby needs me to do it.  i need to get my blood flowing and my muscles toned so baby can be supported and thrive.  

You who are journeying with me... This is going to make all the difference!  Not only will we have more energy (you have to spend energy to gain it!), but we will keep the pounds falling off!  Just do something and you will see a difference!

Here's my weekly plan:

Sunday- a day of rest, a day with my family (I will only exercise if a WANT to)

Monday- Walk

Tuesday- Tae Bo (I love it, so I'm going to do it while I'm still able to)

Wednesday- Walk

Thursday- Yoga

Friday- Walk

Saturday- Something- whatever I feel like doing

SPIRITUAL:  I have gotten so much better about getting a break to just be in the presence of my Father.  Our church is diving into a ministry to encourage, equip and empower families to be households of Light.  What a blessing the ministry has been!  I plan to continue to open God's Word daily and seek to fill the spaces in my mind with His promises and plans.

Thank you for walking this journey with me!  I can't wait to see how God finds ways to encourage me and push me forward!