170 Calorie Dinner

For dinner two nights ago, I made a super simple sausage and tomato scramble. Which for me, is fine dining. I never cook! Using a pan at all is a big deal for me. So, please pat me on the back :)

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I first chopped up 2 roma tomatoes from Trader Joe's (about 30 calories each) and threw them in a pan with a little bit of extra virgin olive oil. After about a minute and a half on med-high heat, I added a chopped Chicken Sweet Apple Sausage from Trader Joe's. I LOVE these! You get 5 for $3.99 and they're only 100 calories each. They're preservative free, have no fillers, nitrates or nitrites and are pork-free. Plus, they're fully cooked, so they heat easily! I'm obsessed. :)

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Here is the finished product!

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170 calories of delicious and healthy!

Wake Up Call - I'm In Danger

Holy moly, it's been forever! And I can assure you, I didn't finish that 30 Day Shred I posted about last time. I'm going to be real here: I have no workout willpower. I have no follow through when it comes to diet or exercise. There are so many great bloggers out there saying, "Just do it, just do it. You can do it, I did it!" I read them and think, "Yeah, I'll work out today!" But then, I'm tired. Or I have a headache. Or I want to watch Sherlock.  Are we in the same boat here?

Last weekend, I had an epiphany. Actually, it was more of a wake-up call. I went to the gynecologist and after our annual intimate moment, she had a very frank conversation with me. VERY FRANK.

The thing is, as an overweight person, no one tells you you're overweight. You know it and everyone knows you know it, so no one (besides maybe the occasional douchebag) feels the need to tell you. Even doctors. So, when your gynecologist takes off her gloves and says, "We need to talk," your heart drops into your stomach. And when she says, "You are wildly overweight and are at highly increased risk for at least a dozen conditions," you wish you were invisible.

She talked, I made excuses, she called on my excuses, I cried. I left feeling like shit. But something she had said kept popping up in my head. "Think of all the negative energy you expend on yourself everyday. Getting dressed, taking a shower, walking up the stairs, eating food you know is bad for you. Imagine not having that. For the rest of your life. You're young and if you make these lifestyle changes in the next year or two, they will stick with you forever."

So, after I texted my best friend and cried in my car, I went home, changed, and went to the gym. I spent 35 minutes on the elliptical, did some thigh work, and crunches. Later that day, I went to Disneyland and logged over 10,000 more steps on my fitbit. And at the end of the day, I felt great about myself.

The next day was tougher - I was sore and I made some bad food choices. But I journaled about it at the end of the day and made a pledge to do better the next day. And for the two days since then, I've made good food choices and gone to the gym - getting in at least 2 miles and 30 minutes of cardio each time.

Rationally, I can see that they key is to change my lifestyle, not just go on a diet. To incorporate activity and healthy eating into my everyday life in such a way that it just becomes "eating" not "healthy eating." And I'm working on it for now. But I'm not one of those "Just get off the couch!" bloggers. Because I know it's not that easy for everyone. For me, being overweight is rooted in lots of emotional issues and so far, the only thing that's really gotten through to me is the real danger of significant health issues. I hope you find what gets through to you - I can refer you to my gynecologist if you want some tough love.

30 Day Shred: Begin!

Okay, Day 1 of 30 Day Shred was yesterday, 6/27. I've done Jillian's videos now and then, but I've never committed to everyday. She's tough! Plus, I haven't done much activity in the past few weeks. :/ 

The way the video is set up is really easy to follow and all the moves are beginner appropriate. What makes it tough is the speed and the NO RESTING! But as she says in the video, you don't get to rest in a 20 minute workout!

To get started, you just need some hand weights. I use 5 lbs weights until my arms are about to fall off, then I switch to 3 lbs. You can use a yoga mat if you want, but I'm working out on carpet, so I don't bother. 

You start with a 2 minute warm up, then you go into her 3-2-1 interval system
- 3 minutes of strength exercises
- 2 minutes of cardio exercises
- 1 minute of abs
There are 3 rounds of this (at which point you are dying), then a short cool down.

My sister, Larissa, and I are doing this workout together to keep the accountability. Also, we're both going on a cruise in August, so this is necessary! Since the workouts are so short, we've added a 30 minute walk or jog (depending on whether her puppy joins us) after.

For only $7.96 on Amazon (free shipping over $25 or with Prime), it's a steal!

I've recently heard Jillian Michaels say that she thinks her new system, Ripped in 30, is a better, more comprehensive option. I've yet to try it, but I'm going to buy it soon (it's only $9.65 on Amazon) and I'll let you know what I think. I'm expecting that 30 Day Shred will be more of a beginner (but, still tough, amazing) workout, where as Ripped in 30 will be more advanced.

I'll leave you with this Jillian-ism to motivate you! :)

{via Jillian's google+}

Bloglovin!

As you may know, Google Reader is going to be kaput very, very soon. As an alternative, why not use Bloglovin? I think they're a great resource for reading your favorite blogs. Follow my blog with Bloglovin!

Bombshell Spell

Yesterday, my bestie messaged me and said "hey, do you want to make a bombshell spell with me? it's supposed to speed up my metabolism!" I replied "what the heck is that?" "Why, it's a mix of pineapple juice, lime juice, apple cider vinegar, and agave." "Sure!"

 

Haha, normally, I don't do these cleanses/toxin purging/juice fasts/anything that seems vaguely crazy. But I have been reading about the health benefits of apple cider vinegar lately (heart health, lowering blood sugar levels, feeling fuller). So, with some science behind this, I thought I'd give it a shot.

 

The recipe is super simple, you may even have some of this stuff around (I had the juice and the agave). I used bottled lime juice instead of real limes - for cost and convenience purposes. If you want to use real limes, the recipe calls for the juice of 1/4 lime. Also, you could use straight pineapple juice, or straight apple. But I like this combo. Lastly, you can substitue honey for agave, but I already had agave on hand, so I used that.

 

{only 3 WWP points!}

 

I had my first glass this morning and it was delicious. I'm not using it as a meal replacement, so I can't tell you if I feel satisfied by only the juice. However, over the course of the week, we'll see how my metabolism and energy levels are affected. :)

 

 

Let me know if you try it!

Remember Why You're Here

Woohoo! As I write this, I am crazy sore all over. Darn that Jillian Michaels and her 30 Day Shred DVD! I did the 40 minute workout last night and by minute 25, I was ready to give up. But, that's why I love Jillian. Right when I'm about to lay down and rest, she says, "Don't phone it in! Remember why you're doing this. When it gets tough, remember that." So, I did. And while, I made some modifications (because that woman is crazy), I finished the workout and then ate a healthy dinner (AmyLu chicken burger patty, 1/2 cup of Thai jasmine rice, green beans, and strawberries).

 

And as I was crawling into bed, my whole body aching, I said OUTLOUD the reasons I'm doing this. I started off a little shaky, laying in the dark, talking to myself. But, a few reasons in, my voice got stronger and by the end, I was almost yelling.

 

And, when I woke up, I was ready to face the day, feeling strong and empowered.

 

Which leads to my week two weigh in....

 

I lost 2.4 pounds!

 

Next week, my goal is 3 :)

 

 

A Small Win, But A Win!

I ordered a turkey burger for lunch today. Just the burger, not the combo. But when it came with the fries, I made a decision. Only eat 1/4 of the fries and leave the rest. It's so hard for me to not clean my plate, and french fries are one of those foods we eat mindlessly, even when we're full. But I did it! Here's my finished plate! :) Yay for NSVs!