So, I've hit the point where I'm honestly just not sure what to write about anymore. I have been busier than ever and really haven't had the time to research/blog. I know that isn't an excuse but it is what it is!
On a better note...I have reached my first goal weight of 140 lbs!
To be honest, I'm pretty sure it's because I haven't really been drinking alcohol. It really does make a huge difference....the only week I didn't lose weight was the week where I drank that weekend.
Hopefully in the next week or so, I will get back on here more. I feel like I've started to develop a routine in the gym...which may not be the best thing. It really is good to switch up your workouts often!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Monday, January 30, 2012
January Recap
Since tomorrow is the last day of January, I figured I should recap how this month has been for me. I've stuck with my healthy lifestyle for 33 days now! And I've been working out for about 4 weeks (3x/week).
When I first weighed myself (on Jan 4 in workout clothes)...I weighed 146 lbs. Now, I am 141.5 lbs. First thing in the morning, without clothes on, I am around 138.6 lbs. But since I set my goals based on the 146, that is what I am counting. I am 1.5 lbs away from my first goal weight!!!
I also saw someone today who I haven't seen since the new year and she told me I looked really good and like I've lost weight. She really has no idea how happy that made me!!!
So far, I am really proud of myself. I am on my way to living a much healthier lifestyle. I haven't made that many drastic changes and I am extremely happy with where I am. I've also noticed that I haven't been having the afternoon crash lately. Between eating right and working out, I can definitely feel a difference in my energy level.
Goodbye January, Hello February!!!
When I first weighed myself (on Jan 4 in workout clothes)...I weighed 146 lbs. Now, I am 141.5 lbs. First thing in the morning, without clothes on, I am around 138.6 lbs. But since I set my goals based on the 146, that is what I am counting. I am 1.5 lbs away from my first goal weight!!!
I also saw someone today who I haven't seen since the new year and she told me I looked really good and like I've lost weight. She really has no idea how happy that made me!!!
So far, I am really proud of myself. I am on my way to living a much healthier lifestyle. I haven't made that many drastic changes and I am extremely happy with where I am. I've also noticed that I haven't been having the afternoon crash lately. Between eating right and working out, I can definitely feel a difference in my energy level.
Goodbye January, Hello February!!!
Awesome Cookie Recipe
About a month ago, I bought a box of instant oatmeal hoping to make shakes with them. Shortly after this, I realized we don't have a blender. So the box has been sitting there ever since. On Saturday, I decided to make oatmeal cookies!
I started with this recipe and then added dark chocolate. First thing I decided to do was double the batch....BIG MISTAKE. It seriously made like 10 dozen cookies. I actually have about 3 dozen still in cookie dough form in my fridge because I got sick of baking after 72 cookies....
My only addition: adding about 6 oz. of dark chocolate morsels
These cookies are seriously to die for! They are so moist and yummy! When I make them again, I think I will substitute some ingredients for healthy options from this list.
I started with this recipe and then added dark chocolate. First thing I decided to do was double the batch....BIG MISTAKE. It seriously made like 10 dozen cookies. I actually have about 3 dozen still in cookie dough form in my fridge because I got sick of baking after 72 cookies....
My only addition: adding about 6 oz. of dark chocolate morsels
These cookies are seriously to die for! They are so moist and yummy! When I make them again, I think I will substitute some ingredients for healthy options from this list.
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Butternut Squash Fries
Tonight, these butternut squash fries were a part of my dinner. I found the recipe here : http://www.canyoustayfordinner.com/2011/02/22/baked-butternut-squash-fries/
I bought the squash awhile ago and finally decided to make it. It was an extremely simple recipe, only three ingredients (butternut squash, canola oil, salt)
The two keys to it tasting good are : salt and ketchup! I may even go as far as saying ketchup is the only key. I tried them without ketchup and I was quite scared they weren't going to be good. But as soon as I used ketchup, they tasted just like fries!!!
They weren't very crispy, so next time I will use less canola oil. I don't think my squash was as big, so I think I used too much.
My only complaint is that they take 40 minutes in the oven, plus close to 20 minutes to prepare. I don't think they are something that I would have time to make during the week.
These are a GREAT alternative to french fries; I would definitely recommend them!
I bought the squash awhile ago and finally decided to make it. It was an extremely simple recipe, only three ingredients (butternut squash, canola oil, salt)
The two keys to it tasting good are : salt and ketchup! I may even go as far as saying ketchup is the only key. I tried them without ketchup and I was quite scared they weren't going to be good. But as soon as I used ketchup, they tasted just like fries!!!
They weren't very crispy, so next time I will use less canola oil. I don't think my squash was as big, so I think I used too much.
My only complaint is that they take 40 minutes in the oven, plus close to 20 minutes to prepare. I don't think they are something that I would have time to make during the week.
These are a GREAT alternative to french fries; I would definitely recommend them!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Don't forget to PUMP IRON!
Fact: Cardio burns more calories than strength training DURING.
Fact: Strength training burns more calories than cardio, AFTER the fact.
That means, if you complete 1 hour of strength training, you will burn 100 more calories in the 24 hours after working out than if you hadn't lifted. And as I'm sure many of you know, muscle burns more calories than fat.
Simply dieting and doing cardio will not help you reach the results you desire. Muscle helps your metabolism...so that means once you reach your goal weight, as long as you eat a reasonable diet, it will be much easier to maintain than if you didn't lift weights.
This whole revelation is making me re-think my "GOAL WEIGHT". Maybe I shouldn't put so much pressure on weighing 125. Realistically, the only person who sees my weight is me and my doctor. I'm going to contemplate this....maybe my first goal will be fitting into my jeans better...they feel so wonderfully snug today!
This week I started working out four times instead of three. I've actually really started to love going to the gym on my lunch break. During that one-hour, I don't have to think about work! It's been quite nice. Also, because I am not putting so much focus on cardio, I don't dread going. I was actually incredibly excited to go today....WHICH NEVER, EVER, EVER happens. But because I knew I only had to burn 250 calories during cardio and then I was free to lift, I was excited!
If you still have more questions on the benefits of strength training, try visiting this website : http://www.livestrong.com/article/382155-does-lifting-weights-burn-fat/
Fact: Strength training burns more calories than cardio, AFTER the fact.
That means, if you complete 1 hour of strength training, you will burn 100 more calories in the 24 hours after working out than if you hadn't lifted. And as I'm sure many of you know, muscle burns more calories than fat.
Simply dieting and doing cardio will not help you reach the results you desire. Muscle helps your metabolism...so that means once you reach your goal weight, as long as you eat a reasonable diet, it will be much easier to maintain than if you didn't lift weights.
This whole revelation is making me re-think my "GOAL WEIGHT". Maybe I shouldn't put so much pressure on weighing 125. Realistically, the only person who sees my weight is me and my doctor. I'm going to contemplate this....maybe my first goal will be fitting into my jeans better...they feel so wonderfully snug today!
This week I started working out four times instead of three. I've actually really started to love going to the gym on my lunch break. During that one-hour, I don't have to think about work! It's been quite nice. Also, because I am not putting so much focus on cardio, I don't dread going. I was actually incredibly excited to go today....WHICH NEVER, EVER, EVER happens. But because I knew I only had to burn 250 calories during cardio and then I was free to lift, I was excited!
If you still have more questions on the benefits of strength training, try visiting this website : http://www.livestrong.com/article/382155-does-lifting-weights-burn-fat/
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Future Me
I just found a GREAT way to make sure I keep my healthy lifestyle going. Well maybe not make sure I keep doing it, but a great way to get motivation to start up again if I fall off the bandwagon.
If you go to this website: http://www.futureme.org/ you can write a letter to yourself, in the future. You can set it up for any date...1 year, 5 years, 10 years, anything. I think it is a really great way to make sure you've done the things you've always wanted and possibly keep yourself in check.
If you always said you would go to Paris when you were 30...send yourself an e-mail for when you're 29. Sometimes we forget what things were once really important to us....who better to remind you than the person who found it the most important.
For now, I just wrote myself one for 2013...but who knows, maybe I'll write more! I really love this idea and I hope some of you write a letter to yourself as well.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Bad Weekend Habits
Am I the only one who finds it VERY easy to stray from a healthy diet on the weekends? Between friends wanting to meet up and watch sports, going out to dinner, and drinking, it's so hard to be good!! I try to make good choices, but it is very hard when there are so many yummy options on the menu.
In order to make up for my poor choices this weekend, I think I'm going to work-out an extra day this week. I really like working out on my lunch break. Even if I don't really feel like working out, I really like to get away from my desk. It is much easier to talk myself into going while I'm at work than if I had to wake up early or stay late.
In order to make up for my poor choices this weekend, I think I'm going to work-out an extra day this week. I really like working out on my lunch break. Even if I don't really feel like working out, I really like to get away from my desk. It is much easier to talk myself into going while I'm at work than if I had to wake up early or stay late.
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