This is Some Biggest Loser Stuff!

BOOM SHAKA LACKA -4.5 POUNDS THIS WEEK!!! 19.5 TOTAL!!!!!!!!!  220.5!  I swear, this Whole 30 lifestyle is amazing.  I have like 2 or 3 days left - technically - but I'm going to keep this up.  How can I not?  I was talking to my friend who told me about this diet and I was saying how when this is over I want to have a Publix sub.  my mouth is watering just thinking of it - but she just said how it isn't worth it.  Has she had one?  No, seriously - she is right.  Why would I go through this whole month and then throw it away with empty calories?  I need to keep this up for a bit longer - it's the best thing I've done for myself. Ever.  I may not be as hard core with worrying about every drop of a possible grain of sugar - I'm just going to be mindful.  I don't need that Publix sub, and right now I don't even want it.  I've had it before, I know what it tastes like.  It's a freaking sandwich.  "Food doesn't taste as good as thin feels."  And let me tell ya - I'm loving the way I feel in my tankini :)  So, sorry, Publix sub - you will have to wait.  I still have 40 pounds of weight loss to go so I'm not considered "obese" and then I'm just "overweight."  Ugh.  I. Can. Do. This.   I AM doing this.  CLICK HERE TO READ AND FOLLOW WITH ME.  PLEASE, IF EVERYTHING ELSE YOU'VE TRIED DIDN'T WORK, DO THIS NOW.  START TOMORROW.  OR TODAY IF YOU HAVE HAD THE FOODS YOU CAN HAVE.  It is such a great jump start.  Remember - you will feel like crap at first... then feel great... then feel like crap again... and then amazing.  AND THIS IS WITH MINIMAL WORKOUT!  IE: running around my first grade classroom.  OH which reminds me - sorry for not posting last week (I had lost 2 pounds) but forgot to write on my blog.. becauuuuuuuuse I WAS TOO BUSY SETTING UP MY CLASSROOM!!!!!!!!!!  YES! I got a job!!!!  It is a long term sub job for a mommy on maternity leave and I'm scheduled until November 1.  YES YES YES! I have never been so thankful to have been rejected by so many jobs.  I knew I was holding out for the right thing to come along and this is certainly it.  I have the BEST team to work with and I'm learning so much!  I don't know how I could have gone into this teaching right away with all that is happening in the classroom.  Holy moly.  Anywho... I'm loving it.  I have some real cuties in there that just make me laugh.  So fun!

On today's menu I tried something new for dindin.

Shrimp Tacos

Now, you're thinking TACOS?! JENNIFER! I THOUGHT YOU COULDN'T HAVE GRAIN!!!! Oh oh oh let me tell you the magic of cauliflower - that is the most versatile vegetable on this planet.  I have made so many meals with it.  And it was so easy!  Here is the recipe for the tortillas. And oh yes, they hold like a soft shell taco and don't crumble apart which is what I was afraid of.  Here is the recipe for the shrimp - which obviously cut down and I didn't put in the sugar.  

So there you have it!  The last two weeks for ya!  My goal was to be down 20 pounds by next weekend when my seester comes to visit.  Only half a pound to go! Think I can do it in one week?  I know I can :)  Bon appetite!  Feel free to ask me any questions - I've had people I haven't talked to since high school message me... and others looking for guidance and tips.  Spread the love!!

"The difference between try and triumph is just a little umph!" - Marvin Phillips

13 Down!!!!

WOOOOO HOOOO!!!!!!!!!! I'M AT MY LOWEST WEIGHT IN AT LEAST TWO YEARS!!!!!!!!!!!! Lost 3 pounds this week!  13 total!!  9.5 in 2 weeks on the Whole9 lifestyle.  Annnnnnnnd perhaps the most exciting --  I FIT BACK IN MY TANKINI AGAIN!!!!!!!  My muffin top is down to a mini muffin -- so I'll take it!!  Felt darn good swimming in it today, too.  Swam a ton of laps.  Such a great day.

Down to 227! WOOT WOOT!

Let's rewind.  This week, not so great.  Man, my head was pounding for a good three days.  A few other people complained about headaches as well so I'm not sure if the carb flu came back... or if something was in the air.. or if it was "mother nature" visiting me this week.  Either way, the three days sucked.  Wasn't as bad as my first carb flu day -- but the headache was awful.  I rarely get headaches so it was bad.  And, I hate taking drugs so I just let it go.  I only went to the gym twice this week.  I was hoping to go more -- but I ended up coming home to work on a cover letter for a very important job that I had the opportunity to interview for.  Cross your fingers for me -- I'm still waiting to hear... but, I did feel very comfortable in the interview that I landed like a boss... which is a start!

I found a few good recipes, too...

Meet my savior -- "french fries."  These tasty little morsels are made from jicama!  I had purchased the root veggie a few days ago because, well, why not? I've never tried it.  When I was looking up recipes I came across french fries. OOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH let me tell you how AMAZING it was!  I had a bite of it raw -- crunchy and kind of like a radish but a tit bit sweeter.  When baked, it had the consistency of a french fry -- just what I needed!  Here is the recipe.  Try it.  I added a lil bit of garlic salt or powder as well. On my shopping trip today I picked up another one!  Can't wait to have more fries later this week!  Even mom liked it -- and she's quite picky when it comes to food.

Also on the menu this week....

"Chicken Alfredo."  I nearly followed the recipe -- I don't like onions, so I kept those out.  And instead of blending it all, I pounded the cashews to break them up a bit because I wanted some crunch... and put everything in a sautee pan to warm it up.  Boiled the (frozen) chicken breasts (instead of thighs), baked the spaghetti squash.  Put it all together and voila!  Delish.  Here is the recipe for this!

Starting week 3 on Whole9.  Can't wait to see what this brings!!!!!

 "You've got to say, I think that if I keep working at this and want it badly enough I can have it. It's called perseverance." -- Lee Iacocca

Week 1 on Whole9

Well, what a crazy week it has been!  I felt like crap at dinner of day 1 -- then the rest of the week I have felt just fine!  So fine, in fact, that I cheated and weighed myself (you aren't supposed to during the first month, but I couldn't help myself) AND I'M DOWN 6.5 POUNDS IN ONE WEEK!!!!!!! 10 POUNDS TOTAL! I'M AT 10% WEIGHT LOSS!!!!! The kicker? I DIDN'T GO TO THE GYM ONCE THIS WEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I took a few 10-14 minute walks at work for a break and swam a few days in the pool. That. Is. It!  I was so curious to see what simply changing my diet would do and I lost 6.5 pounds.  CRAZY!  Just by keeping some dairy, sugar and grains out.  Starting tomorrow I'm back to the gym.  Can't wait to see what I lose this week.  It makes me wonder if my body will plateau or if I'll gain with putting on muscle.  Either way, clothes are fitting better and I feel good.  Bought some new workout shorts today, too :)

So what did I eat?  Well, for breakfast every day I had my egg bake that I told you about last time.  Lunches were either salads or leftovers from dinner.  One night I had "fried rice" made out of cauliflower with a pork chop and sugar-free applesauce. Omg, amazeballs.

Cauliflower fried rice

Another night I made pancakes out of a very ripe banana and 2 eggs.  Throw some cinnamon on top and OH. MY. GOD.  Tasted just like a banana bread pancake.  Next time I will be add some nuts to it!  They were so incredibly moist and just delish.  I can't wait until my bananas are ripe enough where I can do this again. MMMMMMMM

banana pancakes

Last, but not least... my room is a disaster area.  I moved to Pennsylvania for a few years.. acquired new clothes.. moved back home and had no room for anything.  So, I have bags of clothes ranging from size 10-16.  I can not WAIT to get back into my old clothes again. I look at these suckers every day and I can't wait to rip into them and wear them... soon :) 

soooo many clothes

I put together my fat pic from 1998/2000... to losing I think 50 pounds? I'm not even sure.. but the pic next to it is prom 2001 - my junior year of high school.  And, I still have that dress.  I WILL get back into it.  Not sure where I'll wear it to... lol... but I just want to zip it up again.  

Thanks again to all my friends, family, and coworkers for supporting me and helping me through this.  Really, the week was not bad.  I've had some people question this "fad diet" and it isn't.  Those people have never been more than 100 pounds overweight.  They can eat what they want and not put on a pound.  I don't expect them to understand.  Am I scared that after these 30 days I may fall into a sammich at lunch every day routine? Yes, I am.  But, it takes 3 weeks to make a change.  This will be 4 :)  I plan to keep it up -- but of course I will be adding back in things like cheese every now and then.  This is changing my lifestyle.  This is a 30 days "cleanse" of sorts.. but will last so much longer.  I've been finding so many yummy recipes.  Friends have given me recipes for pizza that I can't wait to try. 

Just keep going. Everybody gets better if they keep at it.

Day 2... NO FLU!

Second day on Whole9 and I feel great!  Had a tiny headache during the day but it was no big deal.  For breakfast, I heated up a piece of my egg bake that I premade yesterday.  It was a variation of this.  I just cut up a bunch of veggies... cooked up some chorizo sausage and then put that on top.   Scrambled I think 10 eggs and poured it on top.  Baked it. Cooled it.  Put it in the fridge.  This will last me through the week!

Lunch was a big ole salad with a yellow pepper, broccoli, grape tomatoes, and strawberries.  Tossed it with my homemade greek dressing.

Dinner -- cut up half a zucchini and a few pieces of broccoli.  Sauteed it with some EVOO and garlic.  Added fresh basil and oregano a little later and a roma tomato.  Meanwhile, cooked up a burger on the stove.  Put the veggies on my plate -- added some pepper and red pepper flakes, and topped it with some Cholula hot sauce.  Put the burger on top with some dijon mustard and an avocado.  Filled me right on up!

Again, Whole9 is no grain.. no sugar.. no dairy and a few other no-nos.  Reading labels is key.  Check it out here and join me on the lifestyle change!

"Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past or a pioneer of the future."  Deepak Chopra

Carb Flu

I have started a new lifestyle.. and let me tell you.. this is TOUGH.  I'm not even through day one.  It is the Whole9 lifestyle change.  Basically no sugar, dairy or carbs. Me not eating cheese? Are you kidding?  Thank God we aren't in football season yet -- I gotta have my beer during the games. I kinda did this on a whim.  My friend Stephanie told me about how she's never felt better and dropped a ton of weight so far - along with her boyfriend.  She talked me into it last night so I looked up some recipes this morning and thought I'd give it a whirl.  She has struggled with up-and-down weight as I have so if she found something that worked, I may as well try something else.  Breakfast was a couple eggs, green and red pepper, and an avocado.  Yum!  Lunch was a salad with a DELICIOUS dressing I made that I found on Pinterest.  Follow my board here for Paleo/Whole9 recipes.  Dinner was spaghetti squash with homemade sauce and turkey sausage.

I premade breakfast for tomorrow - an egg bake with a bunch of veggies and chorizo sausage.  Had a bite to try and it was yummy.  A little nuke in the microwave in the AM and I'll be set.

As I was munching on my dinner, I started to crave bread... bad.  I started to get a headache.  I never get headaches!  I texted dear old Stephanie and she said that is what is called the carb flu and to get used to it for a week or two.  I should prepare to feel nauseous, tired, and crave for two weeks.  After that I should feel golden.  Let me tell you -- I wanted to cry.  I felt like a hormonal teenager getting my period for the first time AND going through crack withdraws.  Not even a whole day through and I was craving bread.  Crazy how our bodies work.  She told me to push through and it gets better.  Mom suggest we take a dip in the pool.  That did the trick.  I felt much better.  I feel better now.

As for the weight -- I lost 2.5 pounds the first week... then gained 1.5 pounds over the next two weeks.  My exercise has been going well and my muscles are a lil achy so I'm not worried about the weight gain.  I can tell a difference in my thighs - hallelujah!  And, I even bought some new shorts and dresses :)  I bought a dress a few weeks ago while I was on vacay that was too tight and I wore it last week! HOLLER!

Share your recipes with me and other blog visitors!  Cheers to our fitness!

"Listen closely: the only time it's too late to change yourself is when you're dead. Until then, you're simply making excuses or lying to yourself."

Making it Public... Again

I posted on social media today a picture of the scale -- my produce haul -- and me exercising.  I'd love to add it here right now but it won't let me email it to myself.  Hmm.. well, check my Facebook or Instagram.  Needless to say, my birthday is in 2 weeks. My 8th anniversary of my 21st birthday as I like to say.  Then it'll be the big 3-0 next year.  #bikiniby30 -- that's my new thing.  I probably still have one shoved in the back of my drawer that I wore once, maybe twice... in the privacy of my home... when I lost weight back in high school. It's blue and sparkly -- doesn't get much better than that!  I'd love to whip that sucker out again!

I was back looking at some old posts where I said I wanted an Olympic butt lol.  Mine is so boring!  I remember a few years ago I was getting a nice shape to it from using the elliptical.  That's my fav machine!  Yesterday I did 20 mins on the bike... 30 mins on the elliptical... 30 mins circuit training... and prob 30 minutes of swimming/jumping around the pool.  Not bad, not bad.

Today I made some fun recipes from Pinterest.  A cucumber salad that was so simple and tasty!  Cut it up real thin... put it in a bowl... few squirts of lemon juice and EVOO -- a few dashes of chili powder to your liking.  Cover it - shake it - yum yum yum!

I also made sweet potato chips.  Cut the sweet potato real thin. Preheat 425.. cook for 15-25 minutes (depending on how thin you cut them - the thinner the better.)  I put some salt and vinegar in a bag and when the chips were done, add them, give a lil shake, and BAM a tasty and mostly healthy snack.

I just premade my salad for work tomorrow so I'll just have to put it in my lunchbox and head out the door!  Have some yogurt and fruit to snack on. Trying to cut down on carbs like so many have suggested and I know.  I have been cutting down on sammiches for lunch and have been adding more salads.  Think I'll bring some soup, too.  Soup and a salad... then head to the gym after.  Homework is going on the back burner.  I'm pretty much caught up with all that - just have to finish writing my Prospectus (what on earth is that anyway??)

Now -- I know the sweet potato is a starch... but isn't that a good carb since it's a veggie?  If you have some great recipes, share them in the comments!

I hope to be updating this more often now... including my little thermometer which I had been neglecting.  (I HAD been down 12 pounds... Now at 2.5... but no looking back.  Only forward.)

Time to bring back an old quote since I love my food... and need to remember moderation is key.

"Food does not taste as good as thin feels." -- Unknown

You're Beautiful

Sometimes you just need to hear the words, "You look beautiful." to help get the crank going.  Just realized it's been about nine months since my last update. Gained a couple pounds back.. but still down 5.  Ugh.  But recent events in my life have made me want to care more about myself... again.

I got all dolled up and met some friends out for drinks and the guys kept telling me how beautiful I looked throughout the night.  (And the boys showed up at different times, so it wasn't a chain reaction, either.)  It really made me feel special... which is funny because I should have been thinking, "Are they on crack?"  but I didn't.  I took the compliments and just felt so happy and comfortable in myself for some odd reason.  I don't know -- maybe they just seemed to mean it and it wasn't just something they felt they had to say.  With that, and a slew of other events, it's made me realize that I am beautiful - inside and out.  I just know I'd feel more comfortable feeling it and seeing it on the outside for myself.  

I have been walking with friends around my neighborhood.. and hitting up the gym every now and then... and swimming some laps in my pool now that it's warming up :)  

So for any guys out there reading this -- if you see a girl, tell her how beautiful she looks (and mean it.)  You never know what it means to her.  

"Our greatest glory is not falling, but in rising every time we fall." - Confucius