Just so you know...

I've got some changes coming to normal run of the mill menu postings that I have been doing!

I am going to keep the "planned" menu as part of the blog but I am also going to start including a new menu shot each week. We can call that "What really happened." :)
You see, I can plan with the best of intentions but its a different story to carry out the food and exercise and that my friend is where the results come from: carrying our your plan!
This week I am keeping better record of what I eat, making changes to the menu plan, and will also include what exercise I followed through as well as what the calorie count was for each day(mostly :) )
If there is anything else that you want to see/know, let me know and I can try to get it on the blog!!!

As you all know, I love comments so write away!

Next weeks plan:

I've got a case of the Monday's....

And its already Tuesday!

I called out ill to work Monday (I was just lethargic and not @ 100% so best to rest and leave the next day for my best performance, riiiiiiiiiiiight?) After resting extra long with my puppy in bed, I managed to get myself to KOSAMA to rock the bags for kickboxing (LOVE IT) and kill it on the elliptical for an hour after that!

It definitely got the week started off right; both with eating and exercise, Monday set a good tone for the week. I have a pre-scheduled girl day/night out on Saturday so I KNOW I need to get as much face time with my sweat towel as possible to necessitate the over indulging that will be my entire day (whelp, not my breakfast :) )
Here is what has happened for me and what is to come:

Things to note:

• Where are your salads?
• Eat the same thing every day?

                    I set forth a new year challenge to eat a salad for 90 days, in which I failed. I made it through February 26th then I completely forgot. There were some days where I gave myself the benefit of the doubt on what constitutes a salad but never the less, that's a long time!
                    No, I try not to eat the same thing every day. I would like as much variety as the next guy but as of right now, I am doing a self challenge to buy as little groceries as possible. As a food hoarder bargain shopper, I have enough food to last a while so I want to clean cupboards from the near expiration dated food as well as make room for the ice that I bag in the summer to necessitate all the shastas we drink out of cooler. Nothing chaps my hide than paying for ice!

Short Blip of a Menu

HI readers! I just wanted to post a quick menu that I have had and will have the rest of this week! I was in Chiago, had a day off work BUT I set a goal of at least doing my menu's each week so here goes:

As you can also tell that I am seem to have a VERY different workout plan this week fro a week ago. I am easing myself back into it and will get back on the downward slide again next week. All about moderation and what feels good for ME!

I will come back Sunday with next weeks menu and some pictures from a fun filled weekend in Chicago!

Twas the night before...

Christmas

THE FINAL WEIGH IN!!!

I swear to you all, it's just as exciting to me, if not more than Christmas eve in my house tonight! I've actually been quite anxious all day. I know there really isn't much else I can do from now until my morning meeting with the scale but it has been on my mind all day :)

I am a slightly competitive person so this type of competition really motivates me, not to mention the stack of Jackson's I want to be to make it rain with in Chi-town next weekend. I am also slightly frugal so money motivates me a bit as well.

Tomorrow not only is weigh in day, ending with our final announcement party, but sandwiched in there I am participating in the St. Patty's Day Fun Run 5K with my seester, and gal pals Joey and Kelli! I.CANNOT.WAIT! In my anal tendencies to plan, and for those with a need to know, here is my day tomorrow:

7:15: First Weigh In (she has to work 8-3)
8:10-9:10 Kardio Flex with seester, a couple friends and a new comer from out of town to try KDT!
9:30: Weigh Ins
12: Girls to arrive for pre-5K pictures and cocktails?
1-3ihs?: Fun Run 5K (Did I mention this is a drinking 5K between bars? FUN!)
3-5: Get ready for announcement party
6: Party @ Felix & Oscar's party room (hey it was free to book, the food/big ass beers are cheap, and they had a groupon!)

What a fun filled day to celebrate the end of a LONG 10 week challenge that helped me get so much closer to my goal!!

That being said: breakfasts, lunches, & snacks are already packed for next to week to make sure I can sleep my hangover away all day Sunday stay on track to my next goal: another 15lbs lost!!!

Here is my menu for next week. FYI, it may seem like we eat a lot of the same dinners but if for some reason it doesn't work out this week, I will move it to the following week. If you cared to know :)

Songs of A Saturday

Good morning those that I automatically send an email to when this is published my faithful followers!

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and all things are rainbows and flowers in here in the heartland!

This morning, I had my 5th check in with the lovely folks @ KOSAMA Downtown to gage where my hardwork, sweat, and time has gotten me! I have been doing KDT for a total of 34 weeks so far. That being said these are my stats:

• Down 31 lbs.
• Down 11.5% body fat
• Down 33.75 inches
• 10 inches off waist
• 1.5 inches off arms
• 7 inches off hips
• 3.75 inches off legs

I am very happy with those numbers! I've put a lot of effort into them and deserve them! Now onto next session and new goal: lose 15 more lbs! Ia m hoping that this comes before the end of the next 8 weeks but ultimately that is my next mini goal!

I am going to stick with the 2 sessions a day @ KDT when it is a cardio based workout (Plyometrics, kickboxing, kardio flex, circuit, etc) but will only do once a day when its more of a kettlebell based workout (upper and lower body). Exercising that much might seem extreme or obsessive to some but to me it's the only way that I am getting change out of my body. You know what they say: In order to see change, you have to change what you've been doing! That I am! That I am!

This week is the last week also of the 2012 Biggest Loser challenge that I am facilitating! I am glad to see it end. 10 weeks was too long, in my opinion, and the motivation seems to wean off after 8 weeks or so! Oh well, live & learn!

On the new weight loss challenge, it looks like I won the first week weigh in! Down 6.6lbs from last Friday night to yesterday morning(morning vs. night has something to do with it but...still!) 11 more weeks to go on this one! Money is a BIG motivator for me!

This weeks menu is using as much as we can from the pantry and freezer. Side note, I failed my 90 day challenge of 1 salad per day on Feb26th. It totally escaped when I was in grilled cheese and macaroni cheese heaven @ Americana's Bombshell Brunch. TO.DIE.FOR!!!

2 weeks to go!

2 weeks until final weigh in for a group weight loss challenge that has lasted 10 weeks!

There has been ups and downs but overall down so thats a good thing!

I just paid into another monetary challenge (this incentive works best for me I've found) and its from 2/24/12 - 5/18/12 so will keep me in check right up to swimsuit (vomit) time!

Here is what is hopefully going to shed some LBS this week!. Competition is strong!

I am stepping up the work outs this week as well! My gym is hosting a cardio mainly week so that will but I am going to also do an extra hour @ home while trying to keep my eating on the lighter side so only time will tell!

My plan is post an entry this week as well in regards to my top 5 tools that have helped me the most in losing this last 75lbs. Stay tuned!

New Week, New Plan!

Sometimes it is hard to stay motivated when it seems like the end of your journey is so far away! I KNOW THE FEELING!!

I was telling a pal earlier today that it's definately not easy stay on track, and we all will stumble. The KEY to success, in my opinion, is being able to start right back towards your goal with the next meal, day, chance to workout, etc.

Staying focused will allow your obtain your goals!!!

Without further ado, this week for my PLAN to meet my GOALS!!!

If you FAIL to PLAN then PLAN to FAIL!

Weekly Menu & Workout Plan

Super Sunday? No, no no... SOUPER Sunday!

I'm BAAAAACK!!!
I've decided to give it another go on the blogging front and made a list told myself I had until January 31st to get the blog re-designed and up and running! Off to an early start and without further a do....

The blog now will be for healthy recipes that I have made and I will also post my weekly menu plans.

My personal mantra is:  If you have a plan yet fail to plan, then plan to fail!

Some think I plan way too much, others don't seem to notice. I will be the first to admit that I like a good plan. There is nothing wrong with knowing what is coming down the pipe. I once heard/read/made up that people make so many decisions (marge, small, unnoticeable, etc) throughout the day that when they get home from work/school, their brain is over worked and make worse decisions for themselves!

Have no fear, your PLAN is here! All kidding aside, I am a FAN of a PLAN!!!

Winter is cold in Iowa so a good soup really fills the body with warmth and good feelings without expending a lot of calories, if done correctly.

I found this first soup in a recent issue of Hy-Vee's Seasons issue.
See exact recipe here.

My version:

Chicken, Veggies, & Bean Soup

Serves: 9 2-cup servings

What I had:

• 3 c. chopped cabbage
• 1 (14.5 oz) can Hy-Vee diced tomatoes, undrained
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 1 c. chopped carrots
• 1 c. chopped celery
• 1/2 c. diced jalapenos
• 1/2 c. chili beans
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp  black pepper
• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
• 6 c. chicken broth (made w/ Bouillon cubes)
• 2 c. chopped zucchini

What I did:
In a 4-or-5-quart slow-cooker, combine cabbage, tomatoes, onion, carrots, celery, peppers, chili beans, bay leaves, thyme, salt and black pepper. Place chicken breasts in the mix of vegetables. Pour in broth.
Cover and cook on HIGH for 5 hours or LOW for 8 to 9 hours.
Remove chicken; shred chicken and put back in.  Add in zucchini.
Cover and cook on HIGH heat for 20 to 30 minutes or until zucchini is tender. Remove bay leaves.

May or may not have ate with 2 piece of garlic toast! YUMMO!!!

Nutrition information per serving calculated through my BodyBugg calorie counter:

Calories: 225
Protein: 34.1g
Carbs: 9.4g
Fat: 4.8g

Review
Overall, both the husband and I liked this soup. The original recipe called for barley but I wasn't sure if I could freeze the leftover with the grain in it so I left it out. I had originally planned to make whole wheat penne to put in right when we were going to eat but I got so hungry on the elliptical I pretty much drank the boiling liquid as soon as I could! I'm sure it would be a good addition as well as bring on more staying power.

You could pair easily with a side salad instead of the garlicky toast points we had but why would you :)