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Weigh me Wednesday

Weigh Me Wednesday: I Digress

by mindy on March 30, 2011

So, now you have envisioned your goal, put your plan into action, incorporated exercise and you are staying motivated. Combine all of these and you are definitely set to reach your goal. I am a true believer that 98% is mental. If you are truly ready to lose weight, you can achieve this. Don’t let anybody get in your way and do it for the right reasons.

I have decided to end this series for now. I will do random check-ins to see how you are doing and let you know how I am. I haven’t decided yet if I want continue writing any recipes each week or not, so speak now or forever hold your peace. Do you want to continue having weekly recipes? Let me know your thoughts.

We must end on dessert! Rocky Road Brownies!

Ingredients:
1 package(s) regular brownies, dry mix, about 21 1/2 oz
1/4 cup(s) water
1/4 cup(s) unsweetened applesauce
4 large egg white(s)
1/4 cup(s) walnut halves, coarsely chopped
1/4 cup(s) mini chocolate chips, or 2 oz
8 medium marshmallow(s), chopped or 1 cup mini marshmallows

Directions:
Coat a 9- x 13-inch pan with cooking spray; set aside.

Prepare brownie mixture according to package directions for lower fat brownies using 1/4 cup water, applesauce and egg whites. Pour into prepared pan.

Sprinkle walnuts over top of brownies; bake according to package directions. Remove from oven about 5 minutes before the end of the baking time, and toss chocolate chips and marshmallows over top; cook 5 minutes more. Remove from oven and cool brownies on a wire rack. Cut into 24 pieces; serve.

My progress:

Length of Time: 54 weeks since baby was born; 9 weeks of maintenance
Pounds Lost: 55.2
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

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Weigh Me Wednesday

by mindy on March 23, 2011

So, now you have envisioned your goal, put your plan into action and incorporated exercise. Now, it is time to stick to your plans and stay motivated. It takes time to accomplish your goals, but you should notice results within the first week or two. For me, it is so hard to stay motivated when I don’t do well one week or if I fall off the wagon (because of vacation for example).

If you seem to have lost your motivation, re-evaluate your plan. Did you try to change too much too fast? It is hard to follow a diet plan if it is too strict. Don’t deprive yourself. Everything in moderation. Make sure you are exercising properly and enough. Do you know somebody that would like to lose weight or exercise more? The buddy system always seems to work well. Grab an exercise and/or diet partner and work together.

Let’s do a meatloaf recipe this week.

Ingredients:
1 lb lean ground beef or turkey meat
1 small onion, chopped
3/4 cup old fashioned oats, uncooked
8 ounces tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon hot pepper sauce
1 egg, slightly beaten
1/2 teaspoon basil
1/8 teaspoon thyme
salt and pepper

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350′. In large bowl mix together all the ingredients til well blended. Spray a loaf pan with pam. Place mixture in pan and press around to flatten it out. Bake in oven for 1 hour, or until no longer pink inside loaf.

My progress:

Length of Time: 53 weeks since baby was born; 6 weeks of maintenance
Pounds Lost: 55.2
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

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Weigh Me Wednesday

by mindy on March 16, 2011

So, now you have envisioned your goal and put your plan into action. Now it’s time to get your body moving. Incorporating exercise helps increase your metabolism and will not only help you lose weight but also make you feel great. Here are some easy ways to incorporate exercise:

-The best time to exercise is in the morning. Get up early, get your blood flowing.

-Take the stairs over the elevator.

-Park in the back of the parking lot furthest from the building.

-Walk or lift weights on your lunch break.

-Walk in place (or jog, march, etc… you get the idea) while you watch television at night.

-Clean your house or play with your kids more often.

What are some other ways that get you moving?

One of our favorite foods is Chinese. It doesn’t have to be “oh so bad” for you either and still taste “oh so good.” Try this Orange Chinese Chicken.

Ingredients:
2 tsp dark sesame oil
2 tsp orange zest, strips
1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, four 4-oz pieces
1/8 tsp table salt, or to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, or to taste
15 oz canned mandarin oranges in light syrup
1/2 cup(s) reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp orange zest, finely grated, or to taste
2 tsp cornstarch

Directions:
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-low heat. Add zest strips and cook, stirring, until fragrant and slightly cooked, about 1 to 2 minutes. Meanwhile, season both sides of chicken with salt and pepper. When zest is finished, increase heat to medium-high; add chicken to skillet and cook until golden, flipping once, about 2 minutes per side.

Drain oranges and reserve 1/4 cup liquid. Add oranges with reserved liquid to skillet and simmer 2 minutes. Whisk together broth, soy sauce, finely grated zest and cornstarch in a small bowl; add mixture to pan and simmer until sauce thickens and chicken is cooked through, about 3 minutes more. Yields 1 piece of chicken and about 1/4 cup of sauce per serving.

My progress:

Length of Time: 52 weeks since baby was born; 7 weeks of maintenance
Pounds Lost: 55.2
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Weigh Me Wednesday: Put Your Goal Into Action

by mindy on March 9, 2011

Last week, I wanted you to envision your goal. Now, it’s time to put your plan into action. Change your old behavior to a new behavior. Maybe you are a light night snacker and simply need to stop eating anything by 7 pm. Maybe you enjoy your sweets and need to cut back or maybe you like your second helpings but should stop with the first (definitely me!). Whatever the small behavior change is, it will help with your plan. Celebrate each success and over time these obstacles will not seem like big obstacles at all.

Since it was my son’s birthday yesterday, I’d love to give a wonderful Weight Watcher’s recipe for cake!

Ingredients:
1/3 c. plus 2 tsp. Matzo cake meal
2 tsp. potato starch
4 eggs
1/3 c. granulated sugar
1 oz. semisweet chocolate chips
2 oz. chopped almonds
2 tbsp. firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 tbsp. plus 1 tsp. butter, melted

Directions:
Arrange a sheet of wax paper over bottom and up sides of an 8 x 8 x 2 inch nonstick baking pan, letting excess paper hang over edges of pan. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

On sheet of wax paper sift together Matzo cake meal and potato starch; set aside. Using mixer on medium speed, in large mixing bowl beat eggs until frothy. Gradually add granulated sugar and beat on high speed until mixture is thick and lemon colored. Fold in cake meal mixture.

Transfer batter to prepared pan. Sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over batter. In small bowl combine almonds, brown sugar, and cinnamon, stirring to combine; stir in butter. Sprinkle evenly over chocolate chips.

Bake in middle of center oven rack for 10 to 12 minutes (until a toothpick, inserted in center, comes out dry). Let cake cool in pan for 5 minutes. Holding excess paper, transfer cake to wire rack and let cool completely. Transfer cake to work surface and cut into 8 equal pieces. Makes 8 servings.

My progress:

Length of Time: 51 weeks since baby was born; 6 weeks of maintenance
Pounds Lost: 55.2
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Weigh Me Wednesday: Envision Your Goal

by mindy on March 2, 2011

So, you saw my before and after shots I finally posted last week and I discussed how important portion control is when losing or maintaing your weight. This week, I want to discuss how important it is to make a commitment and stick with it. Make this commitment for yourself, but know that you should make it for your loved ones as well. You want to watch your children grow and you want to live a happy, healthy life, right? You can’t love others until you love yourself. Your commitment can be as little as marching in place while you watch television, get 10 minutes of walking done during the day, eat a nutritious breakfast everyday- the commitment list is never-ending. These small changes will make a huge difference in the long run.

I chose to discuss a fish recipe this week. I am Catholic, so with Lent on the horizon, it is time for fish on Fridays. My kids won’t eat fish unless it’s fried, so here’s a Fried Fish Sandwich recipe worth 5 points.

Ingredients:
- 1 spray olive oil cooking spray, or enough to coat pan and fish
- 1/2 cup Fiber One cereal, ground to a powder like consistency
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp paprika
- 1 /12 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1 1/4 pound cod fillet, (four 5 oz pieces)
- 1/4 cup Dijon mustard
- 4 medium sized mixed-grain hamburger rolls
- 8 pieces lettuce
- 4 slices onion
- 1 small tomato, sliced

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400ºF. Coat a large baking sheet with olive oil cooking spray.
Combine Fiber One crumbs, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, salt and pepper in a shallow dish. Coat both sides of each cod fillet with mustard and then turn fish in Fiber One crumbs mixture to coat. Arrange fillets on baking sheet and spray surface with cooking spray. Bake until fish is fork-tender and coating is golden brown, about 20 minutes.
Place fish on rolls and top each with 2 lettuce leaves and 1/4 of tomato and onion slices.

My progress:

Length of Time: 50 weeks since baby was born; 5 weeks of maintenance
Pounds Lost: 55.2
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Weigh Me Wednesday

by mindy on February 23, 2011

I finally did it. It was week 4 and I weighed in at Weight Watchers. Surprisingly, I was only up .2, but I am still down .2 from my goal. So, it was hard to know I didn’t lose, but I know I’m in maintenance and doing exactly what I am supposed to. So, how do you look beyond those New Year’s Resolutions and find what works for you to lose weight?

My number one pick is portion control. It is amazing to evaluate all that you are eating. Use a smaller plate so your portions aren’t as big. Drink a glass of water before you even eat. It doesn’t hurt to brush your teeth as well. Any cravings you have will stop after you brush your teeth. Next, stop when you are full. Listen to what your body is saying. It is amazing how much less you will eat when your brain becomes synched with your stomach. Lastly, don’t feel guilty if you don’t eat everything on your plate. This was my biggest problem. I was always taught to clean my plate by my parents. It’s not healthy if your stomach really is full.

Now is the time for the before and after photos. Duh da duuuhh. The first one on the left was May last year. My son was 2 months old, but I had began my diet journey. Don’t mind the 2nd one. I must’ve been concentrating hard, but I was almost at my goal. The third was a night out for my birthday. I was 2 lbs. away from my goal. Can you tell I am the one that typically takes pictures? I hardly have any of myself. :)

I love hearing about your weight loss journeys as well. I have to give a shout-out to Anjanette for doing so awesome losing so much weight and looking fabulous! You go, Girl! Go give her a thumbs up! Anybody else want to share their struggles and/or triumphs?

This week is a great recipes of Chinese Pineapple Chicken with Black Bean Sauce. It is 9 points and creates 4 servings.

Ingredients:
1 spray(s) cooking spray
4 medium scallion(s), chopped (green and white parts)
1 Tbsp ginger root, fresh, chopped
2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
1 pound(s) uncooked boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into 1-inch cubes
20 oz canned pineapple, packed in juice, use tidbits
1/4 cup(s) black bean sauce
2 cup(s) cooked brown rice, kept warm (regular or instant)

Directions:
Coat a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and set pan over medium-high heat. Add scallions, ginger and garlic; cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add chicken and cook until lightly browned on all sides, stirring often, about 5 minutes.

Add pineapple (with its juice) and black bean sauce to skillet; bring to a simmer. Simmer until chicken is cooked through, about 5 minutes more.

Divide rice among 4 shallow bowls and spoon chicken mixture over top. Yields about 1 cup of chicken and 1/2 cup of rice per serving.

My progress:

Length of Time: 47 weeks since baby was born; 4 weeks of maintenance
Pounds Lost: 55.2
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Weigh Me Wednesday

by mindy on February 16, 2011

The question I have been asking myself lately is, “How do I maintain my weight loss?” Somewhere around 95% of people that have lose weight, gain it back. That’s insane. For myself, this is the best solution:

-Do not be sedentary- I know that when my husband is gone on trips is when I lose my most weight (or don’t gain it). It’s because I am the only one running after 3 young kids. There’s not time to sit down!

-Watch portion sizes- For some reason, I am always prone to eating more when my husband is home. I always tell him, “Fat and happy.”

-Remember how great it feels to have the weight off- It feels awesome to have people telling me how great I look. It feels even better to fit into great clothes without feeling like I am squeezing a sausage into them.

Whatever your reason may be to maintain your weight, know that you can do it no matter what the statistics say.

Enjoy a treat you can share with your children this week:

Strawberry Banana Nut Parfait

My progress:

Length of Time: 46 weeks since baby was born
Pounds Lost: 55.4
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Weigh Me Wednesday

by mindy on February 9, 2011

I’ve been a bad girl. I would assume I am up about 2 pounds. So, it is back to the good ‘ol diet now. I have given myself until next week to do my first weigh in at Weight Watchers again. That will be half way through the 6 week mark and I have to weigh in 2 times during these 6 weeks. I can do it. I just need to get my self-discipline back!

Do you keep clothes that are bigger than the current size you are in? I still have clothes that are 2 sizes up, but I fear getting rid of them in case I may need them one day. What do you all do?

Did anyone give Curves a try last week? I haven’t had a second to breathe, so I admittedly have not, but I really need to. Zumba is on my list as well!!

With this cold weather, I am craving for a roast. What do you all think?

Herbed Rib Roast- 6 points

Ingredients

	4 pound(s) lean whole beef rib(s), trimmed of visible fat
	1 1/2 tsp table salt
	1/2 tsp black pepper
	2 clove(s) (medium) garlic clove(s), minced
	1/4 cup(s) Dijon mustard
	2 Tbsp reduced-calorie mayonnaise
	1 1/2 tsp horseradish sauce
	1/4 cup(s) parsley, chopped
	2 Tbsp thyme, fresh, chopped
	2 Tbsp dill, fresh, chopped

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. Season roast with salt and pepper.
In a small bowl, combine garlic, mustard, mayonnaise and horseradish. In another small bowl, combine parsley, thyme, dill and 1 tablespoon of mustard mixture.
Place meat, rib-bone down, in a roasting pan; coat top with remaining mustard mixture and cook meat until an instant-read thermometer inserted in center of roast registers 110°F. Coat roast with remaining mustard mixture and press herb mixture onto mustard with your hands.
Continue cooking roast until a thermometer inserted in center of meat registers 140°F for medium, or longer until desired degree of doneness. Cover loosely with foil and then let stand 20 to 30 minutes before carving into 12 thick slices. Yields 1 slice per serving.

My progress:

Length of Time: 45 weeks since baby was born
Pounds Lost: 55.4
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Weigh Me Wednesday

by mindy on February 2, 2011

Wow! Maintenance of weight can be the hardest part! I didn’t weigh in because I only have to weigh twice in 6 weeks. I did go a little wild with my eating though. I definitely got more relaxed, so I know I have put weight on. It hasn’t helped that my husband has been home so I haven’t had to do all of the work with my 3 kids myself. I had a girl’s night this weekend and treated myself to a margarita (my favorite)! I realized I hadn’t shown you what I looked like now (although I’m not sure I’ve done a before picture either which I will have to find one for next week). So, stay tuned for the before and afters!

On another note…Has anybody ever given Curves a try? I hear how wonderful it is and I know many friends that have had great success from it. You can get a free one week pass right now. I may have to give it a shot to see if it’s as great as I hear.

In honor of my wonderful margarita, here is a margarita pie recipe. Yum!

Margarita Pie- 6 points

Ingredients


	2 1/3 oz pretzel(s), miniature twists (about 2 cups)
	1 Tbsp sugar
	2 Tbsp light butter, at room temperature
	6 oz frozen limeade concentrate, slightly thawed
	4 cup(s) light vanilla ice cream
	1 1/2 oz tequila, about 3 tbsp
	1/2 fl oz orange-flavoured liqueur
	1 tsp lime zest

Directions

Preheat oven to 375°F. In a food processor or blender, process pretzels into crumbs; add sugar and pulse until combined. Add butter and mix well. With machine running, add 2 tablespoons of limeade concentrate; process until well-mixed.
Spoon mixture into an ungreased 9-inch pie plate. With back of a spoon, press mixture firmly into bottom and up sides of pan to form a pie shell. Bake until set, about 5 minutes; place in freezer for 10 minutes to cool.
Meanwhile, in a clean food processor or electric mixer, combine ice cream, remaining limeade concentrate, tequila and liqueur; process or mix until just blended. Spoon ice cream mixture into cooled pie shell and sprinkle with lime zest. Freeze for 2 hours before cutting into 8 pieces. Yields 1 slice per serving.

My progress:

Length of Time: 44 weeks since baby was born
Pounds Lost: 55.4
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Weigh Me Wednesday: Ba Da Bing, Ba Da Boom

by mindy on January 26, 2011

I say Ba Da Bing, Ba Da Boom because I have reached and exceed my goal!!! I lost an extra .4 lbs! I have lost 55.4 pounds since I had baby #3 (40.2 lbs. since I started Weight Watchers). I am super pumped. Clothes I wore my freshman year of college are big on me now! That was 12 years ago! I feel great.

So, the goal now is to maintain my weight (although if I continue to lose I am happy with that as well). Weight Watchers wants you to maintain your weight for 6 weeks and then you can become a lifetime member. Piece of cake, right? Right? I haven’t counted points in a ton of months (shhhh don’t tell them that), but they give back 6 points in order to maintain. I understand the thinking, but 6 points seems like a lot! Portion control and understanding when I am full has been the biggest help for myself. That is how I know I am getting enough. Has anybody else ever been here?

Here is this week’s recipe:

Shrimp Alfredo

Ingredients:

1 large onion, chopped
1 yellow pepper, cut into strips, then cut in half for bite-size pieces
1 lb shrimp (tail off), thawed and drained
3 smallish heads broccoli (approx 5″ diameter each), cut into bite-size pieces
Garlic powder, to taste
McCormick Montreal Steak Spice, to taste
1 jar Ragu Light Alfredo Sauce
1 pint grape tomatoes
12 oz box Ronzoni Garden Delight Rotini

Directions:

Fry onion in a heavy pot that has been sprayed with cooking spray.
Add pepper when onions begin to brown.
Add broccoli and cook until broccoli becomes softer. You may need to cover the pot to cook the broccoli.
Meanwhile, cook the pasta. It takes longer to make the sauce than the pasta, so don’t cook the pasta first.
Sprinkle with Montreal Steak Spice and garlic powder; continue cooking.
Add the shrimp. If the shrimp is uncooked, be sure that the shrimp cook to pink before adding the alfredo sauce.
When the shrimp are heated through, add the alfredo sauce and tomatoes. The tomatoes should be warm, but not cooked.
When the sauce is ready, add the pasta. Mix and serve with parmesan on top.

My progress:

Length of Time: 44 weeks since baby was born
Pounds Lost: 55.4
Pounds Left to Lose: NONE :)

So, how did you do this week? Follow my weight loss (or gain) journey with the past Weigh Me Wednesday posts and keep me updated on your progress!

{ Comments on this entry are closed }

Weigh Me Wednesday: Did I Reach My Goal?

January 19, 2011

So the results are in. Did I make my goal in time for my birthday? Drumroll please….. Unfortunately,…no. I am 0.8 away from this goal. That’s ok though. I am completely happy where I am at right now and within 1-2 weeks I should be at my goal. It is so nice hearing all of [...]

Weigh me Wednesday

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