New class, Recommitment, Update

Last night after work I went straight to the gym to try out a class that I haven't been to yet. I got there a little early so I warmed up on the elliptical till the class got started. It was called butts and guts. I thought it was going to be more of a sit ups and squats class but it ended up being like a zumba class. The director was great but I just don't feel like I get much of a workout in that type of class.

During the 40 minute class I only burnt 239 calories.

 

 

So I think I will just stick with my own workouts.

 

This week has been really hard for me to get to the gym. I just haven't been as motivated as I normally am. So I looked for some tips to make sure I get back on track fast!

 

 

These tips are great. My favorite is "Don't let a bad week turn into a bad month". I think everyone is bound to have an off week every now and then. The most important thing is that you don't give up and go back to your old habits. Although I really haven't done that bad this week, I can see myself picking back up my bad habits that I have worked so hard to give up. Today is the day to recommit!!

 

Now to an update on my parents journey. Yesterday they reached the Grand Canyon.

I have spoke to them daily and it looks like they are having the time of their lives.

 

My dad is waiting to hear today if he made the cut to get to go hiking to the bottom and camping for then night.

 



 

My sweet momma is gonna stick with our comfy camper (someone has to watch the dog, right?). I don't blame her.

 

 



 

Day 220:

Breakfast: 1/2 grapefruit and green grapes

Snack: 25 almonds

Lunch: Stuffed Sweet Potato

Snack: spaghetti squash with low sugar marinara and fat free cottage cheese and fruit
Dinner: wendys chili

 

172 days no diet mountain dew

Next 5k Oct 12th or 19th

 

20 days till new goal weight: 6 pounds

48 days till new ultimate goal: the last 8 pounds.

190 days till 1st 10k

 

 

 

 

Stuffed Sweet Potato

I am so surprised that I am so obsessed with  sweet potatoes lately.  I remember growing up whenever we would have baked potatoes with dinner mom would always have a sweet potato and I would always gag at the thought of one. But now I can't seem to get enough of them

What you will need

Rotisserie chicken (white meat)

spinach

fat free cottage cheese

enchilada sauce

garlic salt

crushed red pepper

sweet potatoes

 

Start by baking your sweet potatoes for about 40 minutes on 375' or until soft.

 

While they are baking, shred your chicken (only white meat)

 

Once they are soft enough to cut. Cut down the middle. Warning they are going to be  hot. Like really hot so I let them cool for a few minutes.

 

I then scooped out the middle and put in large mixing bowl.

 

I was surprised how well they stayed together.

 

Once you have all your filling in a bowl, add you chicken, spinach, cottage cheese, seasonings, and enchilada sauce.

 

Then get to stuffin!

 

Once they are all stuffed (you will have some stuffing left over) put back in the oven for about 10 minutes. Then take out and add skim mozzarella cheese and let bake until the cheese is melted.

 

 

Let cool!

 

 oh baby, oh baby these were beyond delicious.

 



 

If you like sweet potatoes this is definitely a recipe to try. This will be fabulous for the holidays.

 

 

Now to the workout. With my gym membership I also get to attend all the classes. So this morning when my alarm went off I decided I wanted to try out a class tonight instead of my morning workout. So I will let you know how it goes tomorrow.

 

 

Day 220:

Breakfast: 2 eggs with sugar free syrup ,skim mozz cheese, spinach and fat free cottage cheese

Snack: 25 almonds

Lunch: Stuffed Sweet Potato and pumpkin cake
Snack: protein bar before workout
Dinner: Stuffed sweet potato ( I tell ya I love these things but I am only eating half each meal) spaghetti squash with marinara and fat free cottage cheese. An icy pop and a few pieces of candy :/ I couldn't resist. I had a major sweet tooth last night!!

171 days no diet mountain dew

Next 5k Oct 12th or 19th

21 days till new goal weight: 6 pounds

49 days till new ultimate goal: the last 8 pounds.

191 days till 1st 10k



 

 



Skinny Cheesy Pasta & A New Workout

Well it is officially my favorite time of the year, FALL.

There is just something about waking up to that cool crisp air that I love. Everything about fall just makes me think about how blessed I am.

Bring on the holidays!!

 

 

I have an awesome new recipe to share today. I know I always say this is my favorite new recipe but honestly this is my new favorite.

 

What you will need

Spaghetti squash

Ground chicken

1 whole fat free cream cheese

1/2 cup of fat free low sodium chicken broth

1/2 cup of fat free cottage cheese (you might add more, I don't really measure)

garlic salt

crushed red pepper

oregano

parsley

1 full can of rotel tomatoes (drained)

I pictured mozz cheese but didn't end up using it

\

 

Start by baking your spaghetti squash and ground chicken

 

Once the chicken is cooked add all ingredients.

 

Let cook on medium until thick and creamy.

Make sure you don't forget about your spaghetti squash (1 hour)

 

Then enjoy, sssso tasty!!

 

After I finished cooking dinner I was in a baking mood and made a pumpkin cake. I used the same ingredients as I did with the pumpkin muffins.

http://littlebluedress4change.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-lot-to-share-expecailly-low-calorie.html

 

My apartment was on pumpkin overload, I just bought all new pumpkin candles. I LOVE IT!

 

Now to this mornings workout.

It was quiet chilly this morning so I decided to pull out my sweats and of course I had to support my team. WAR EAGLE!!

 

This was a great workout and really worked my legs. I am really starting to see a difference when I do squats. Before I thought I was going to die but now I think it is time to add weights.

 

 

after I also did arm weights

 

I burnt 444 calories!

 

Make sure you check out tomorrow for my Stuffed Sweet Potato Skins

Day 219:

Breakfast: 2 eggs with sugar free syrup ,skim mozz cheese and fat free cottage cheese

Snack: 25 almonds and fruit
Lunch: Cheesy pasta and pumpkin cake
Snack: a banana and 2 turkey rolls
Dinner: Stuffed sweet potato,

170 days no diet mountain dew

Next 5k Oct 12th or 19th

22 days till new goal weight: 6 pounds

50 days till new ultimate goal: the last 8 pounds.

192 days till 1st 10k

Interview with Anna Stocker

Hope everyone had a safe and great weekend! My post is going to be somewhat different today.

 

I got the chance to interview Anna Stocker from Healthy Living Maintenance. She is a healthy living blogger like myself but she focuses on maintenance. Her blog gives great tips on how to maintain your weight loss along with great recipes.

Make sure you check out her blog, you will love it!!

 

 

http://healthylivingmaintenance.tumblr.com/

 

 

So here we go!!!!

 

1. What made you to decide to become a healthier version of yourself and how is it different from before?

 

I had finally come to the realization that I was NOT healthy. I was working at a fitness club, surrounded by all of these amazingly fit individuals. And then there was me; getting fast food all the time, never working out, etc. Working there, we had an option to get fitness tests done by the personal trainers - lets just say the day I had mine was the day I knew my life was going to be changed forever. I knew the second I stepped off that scale, I was going to start working on getting my life to my much healthier place. And the rest is history :)

2. What is your favorite go to meal and what are you favorite snacks?

Roasted veggies and grilled shrimp (salmon or tilapia works great, too!). Ok, there is no denying it... I am addicted to roasted veggies (year round) - Especially now with the abundance of fresh produce I can get from the Farmers Markets :) Zucchini, yellow squash, acorn squash, butternut squash, spaghetti squash, carrots, onions, sweet potato... I just love them all!

As far as snacks go.. 1) Greek Yogurt, 2) PB2 and sliced apples (or just pb2 on its own.. yum!), 3) Air popped popcorn (if you haven't invested in an air popper yet.. you should!), 4) Veggies & Hummus, 5) Frozen Yogurt (Menchies Frozen Yogurt is my all time favorite - they even have Low Carb/Low Sugar flavors!), 6) The Perfect SNAQUE products, 7) My Crust-less Pumpkin Pies

 

3. How do you keep your healthy lifestyle with parties, holidays, weddings and any get together with tempting treats?

Well, I'll bring up this one small thing... its called GLUTEN. I don't like Gluten and Gluten doesn't like me. It makes me sick, gives me headaches, causes excruciating stomach pains. In early 2012 I found out that I'm Gluten Intolerant and have since lived a completely Gluten-Free lifestyle. That being said most parties/weddings/get together have DELICIOUS looking treats (that sadly) that contain gluten... so I don't even risk it. Another big point I want to touch on is the fact that since changing my lifestyle, I rarely eat treats/sweets/all around "junk food". I lost my weight very slowly over the course of 3 years, so I learned to just live without that type of food. Now, that doesn't mean that I don't treat myself every so often. I think moderation is really important - and i'll admit that there are some days where i'll go get a giant bowl of froyo from menchies... #treatyoself.

4. How often do you exercise and what is your favorite?

I exercise 5-6 days a week - most of which is at home :) I wake up at 5:15 everyday before work and work out in my living room at home. I love Taebo and Insanity videos - there are so many options and I'm able to get a different (and fun!) workout in everyday! Our complex also has a small gym, which I'm seldom use to go on the treadmill (when my knee isn't bothering me, of course). I know morning workouts are not for everybody, but I absolutely LOVE them. I can get my workout done in the morning, it gets me energized and KEEPS me energized throughout the day, and I can focus on other things at night; like my Grad school homework, or cooking and relaxing with my Fiance! :)

5. What is typically in your grocery cart?

Lots of stuff :) I actually have a a "Grocery List" link on my blog that goes over each category! : http://healthylivingmaintenance.tumblr.com/grocerylist)

6. What is your best advice to someone who wants to change their lifestyle?

The most important thing to remember - Focus on your goals. You can always say “i’ll start my lifestyle change tomorrow"… but why not today?! Don’t you want to live a longer, healthy life and enjoy the time you have with the people that matter most to you? Focus on being the healthiest YOU possible. You’ll be shocked what eating healthier food choices or getting more active can do for your mind, body and spirit. Its amazing and you may even inspire yourself.

7. Everyone has to treat themselves every once in a while. What is your go to treat?

Oops, I should have looked through all the questions before answering. Well, as you can see above... FROZEN YOGURT. Nom. Menchies Frozen Yogurt has "Devils Food Cake" (its GF!) flavor that is low carb and low sugar, only 45 calories per serving. So... I get a GIANT bowl (seriously, giant) and put on a bunch of fun toppings like shredded coconut, cacao nibs and rainbow sprinkles. Sometimes i'll just get a container of it to go and mix in some PB2 when I get home. Its like a giant frozen reeses peanut butter in a bowl... need I say more?

8. How has changing your lifestyle changed your life?

 

 

I am ME now. I am who I've meant to be all along. I am happy, I am healthy, I love myself, I love my life and I appreciate everything I have. I worked hard to get to this place, but it was worth every step, every stride, every bead of sweat and every recipe fail. I've learned from it all and I'm exactly where I'm supposed to be.

9. Why did you decide to start a blog?

Last year, I started posting pictures of recipes I would make on my Facebook - those ended up getting lots of feedback and I would also get emails from various facebook friends asking about my workouts, health, lifestyle change and weight loss. I found myself sending the same emails with the same advice or tips numerous times a week... so why not start a blog?! I was also really inspired by Taralynn Mcnitt and her Undressed Skeleton page; she has been one of my biggest supporters and advocates to get my blog up and running.

On another note - I highly recommend anyone to start a blog ; even if one person looks at it or 10,000. Blogging is an amazing way to get your passions out for the world to see. I love my full time job as a Student Advisor in Higher Education (its what I went to school for), but I also have this passion of fitness, food and health... and blogging is an outlet for me to share my knowledge and experience with whoever wants to read it :)

10. Your getting married this year. How excited are you about your big day? Can you give us a little preview?

Getting married?! Why yes I am :) I am SO SO SOOOO excited! Plans are coming together perfectly and we are so excited for next May! Church is booked, reception site is booked, DJ booked, Photobooth booked, Dress bought, Bridesmaid Dresses bought, Rings bought, Gigis Cupcakes booked (and we're having some Gluten Free cupcakes, of course!). We also recently got our engagement photos taken, and i've included a few below. I'm basically obsessed with them....

 

I am so glad that Anna took the time to let me interview her. I loved learning about her healthy lifestyle and also some yummy recipes along the way. She is a real inspiration and I wish her nothing but the best on her BIG day!!

 

Thank you Anna and Congrats!

 

 

 

 

Day 217:

Breakfast: yogurt and coffee

Snack: grapes

Lunch: turkey Burger on lettuce with spaghetti squash with low sugar marinara and skim mozz cheese

Snack: grapes

Dinner: grilled chicken salad with no dressing (used a little A1)

 

Day 218:

Breakfast:  yogurt

Snack: skip

Lunch: small amount of meatloaf

Snack: grapes

Dinner: Cheesy pasta (recipe tomorrow) small zucchini pizzas and pumpkin cake (recipe tomorrow)

 

Day 219:

Breakfast: 2 eggs with sugar free syrup and skim mozz cheese

Snack: 25 almonds and 1 piece of dried banana

Lunch: Cheesy pasta

Snack: pumpkin cake

Dinner: spaghetti squash with low sugar marinara with skim mozz cheese and zucchini and cauliflower pizzas (icy pop)

 

 

169 days no diet mountain dew

Next 5k Oct 12th or 19th

15 days till new goal weight: (4 more pounds what what)

193 days till 1st 10k