I'm HAPPY to report...

A FOUR pound weight loss! Oh yeah! Today is weigh in day and my nemisis scale showed me down four pounds. I did the happy dance. A couple of times. But then it was cold and since you strip down to weigh, the happy dance had to end and snuggly clothes had to go back on.

I did NOT go to boot camp on Monday, STINK! I was having issues with my IPhone alarm. Anyone else? It didn't go off. My smarty pants sweet husband is convinced I turned it off in my sleep. Maybe. It's happened before. I did go this morning though and thought I was going to barf, so I'm pretty sure that means I worked out hard.

Have I mentioned how grateful I am for my boot camp instructor? It's our friend, Frank, and he does it for us for, wait for it, wait... FREE yes, you read that right, FREE. Can you believe that? He does it because he's nice like that but also because he's passionate about people being active and healthy. I wouldn't get up at dark thirty for a bunch of whiny girls, but HEY, he does and I benefit. He's AWESOME!

I have stayed super on target with my points. I have 2 flex points left after the Thanksgiving extravaganza and I haven't used them. I start over tomorrow, which is great because I'm sneaking out with my BFF for a cupcake. YAY for all things in moderation!

I did a show on Monday night and made a yummolicious brie. Here's the recipe. I only had a bite because I didn't know about points...I make no guarantees that it's low my fellow WW friends. All things in moderation, right? Also, I'm a Pampered Chef consultant and I'm not going through to edit the recipe to take out what products I'm supposed to use. If you don't have the ones listed, make something work. OR call me of course. ;)


Tangy Pepper-Pecan Brie

Ingredients:

1/2 cup pecan halves
1 jalapeño pepper, stemmed and seeded
1/4 cup apricot preserves
1 4-inch round (8 ounces) Brie cheese with rind, room temperature
1 loaf (16 ounces) French baguette
Vegetable oil

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Coarsely chop pecans using Chef's Knife. Chop jalapeño using Food Chopper. In Small Batter Bowl, combine jalapeño and preserves; mix well using Skinny Scraper.

2. Cut Brie in half horizontally using Utility Knife. Place one half of Brie, cut side up, onto center of Large Round Stone with Handles. Spread half of the apricot mixture evenly over bottom half of Brie using Small Spreader. Top with half of the pecans and remaining half of Brie, cut side up. Spread remaining apricot mixture over Brie; sprinkle with remaining pecans.

3. Using Bread Knife, cut baguette on a bias into twenty-four 1/4-inch-thick slices. Arrange baguette slices around Brie; spray with oil using Kitchen Spritzer. Bake 8-10 minutes or until baguette slices are golden brown and Brie begins to soften. Remove from oven; let stand 5 minutes before serving. Serve using Bamboo Spreader.

Yield: 12 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 230, Total Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Carbohydrate 38 g, Protein 6 g, Sodium 400 mg, Fiber 2 g

Cook's Tips: Wear plastic gloves when working with jalapeño peppers. The juice from the peppers can create a burning sensation on the skin.



For a simple garnish, slice a jalapeño pepper in half lengthwise using Petite Paring Knife. Brush cut surface with apricot jam. Place next to Brie before baking.

Post Thanksgiving and Pre Christmas

Isn't this the time of year where we all gain 5 pounds? Historically speaking this is true for me. YUCK! That's a lot of turkey & dressing. I'm planning to LOSE 5 instead.

I think I told you that I have 29 points per day + 49 extra to be used throughout the week or in one setting, if desired. If you exercise you earn extra activity points for that. If you want to lose the weight faster, you don't use your extra points. BUT they're there for you when you need a splurge or have a special occasion. You are supposed to be successful even if you use all 49 + your earned activity points. I would just like to lose faster so I'm trying to save those for something special or skip them all together. Okay, now you know how my points work.

So...Thanksgiving. We stayed at home this year and I cooked. I made grilled chicken, roasted butternut squash, mashed potatoes, dressing, rolls & pecan pie. We bought a chocolate pie at the request of the boys. Notice I didn't say anything green? I figured we eat a TON of fruits & veggies every single day, we could skip it to save room on this one meal. I had normal size portions - 2 1/2 oz. chicken, 1/2 cup potatoes, 1/2 cup dressing, 1/2 cup squash, a roll. I was STUFFED. I waited until the afternoon to have a slice of pie. I had dressing, potatoes & a roll for dinner. We had pumpkin donut for breakfast. YES, it was a feast. Total points tally? 69!!! HOLY COW! I didn't even pig out. I'm not saying I didn't have a good amount but go hog wild? No. That food BE BAD.

So, I used 47 of my extra 49 this week. BTW, my week in WW runs Thursday - Wednesday. I've earned 11 activity points since Thursday and I'll earn around 20 more before the new week begins. I have no intention of using those to swap for food though.

I have boot camp M/W/F this week. I'm planning on doing a little extra cardio on T/TH. I'll stick within my 29 points each day. I'll want to shove cookies in my face splurge on all the holiday treats but I'll make something small work within my points.

I need to check in daily to stay accountable. I would love it if you asked me how I'm doing.

I made this recipe this week and it was good. If you're counting points it's 3 per generous 1 cup serving.

Sausage & Lentil Soup

1/2 pound chicken sausage (I used habanero)
1 cup lentils
8 cups (2 cartons) organic chicken broth
3 carrots - chopped
1/2 onion - chopped
2 cloves garlic
1 can diced tomatoes (I used Rotel for kick)

Throw it all in a pot and simmer for at least 30 minutes. Good comfort food without a bunch of points. I think I'll toss some Kale in at the end next time. Just for an extra nutritional boost. You can serve it with cornbread and that would be delish. I didn't because of the point factor. Maybe I'll look that up...

This weekend, today, and this week

I had a great weekend! I stayed within my points each day and used some of my extra to have a little bit of cobbler last night. ahh... it was DELISH!

I made my friend, Frank Fournier, a cobbler a.k.a. humble pie and presented him with it this morning at boot camp. He welcomed me back, because he's cool like that. It's a guaranteed workout & accountability M/W/F every week. You can't beat that! I just never do it when I say I'm going to on my own. And someone that I love very much (name starts with C and ends with asey) always says we're gonna work out together but we never do. So I went this morning at 5:45 and got my sweat on. YAY for good friends!


My plan is to stay within my points (29) and use my extra (49 for the week) here or there for all the Thanksgiving madness.


Here's what I'm serving on Thanksgiving day, I'm sure it will take ALL of my 49 points but it will be worth it!


Turkey


this delicious caramelized onion & cornbread stuffing


this green bean casserole


Roasted butternut squash with purple onion


My Mom's macaroni & cheese


Rolls


this delicious chocolate pie (requested by my kids because it's so YUMMY)


this old fashioned Pecan Pie - it's tried & true!


And a little something new with these mini gingerbread cheesecakes because we had to have a fall flavor.


What are you making?

Ahh...

I followed WW yesterday. May I say? It's so much easier. Maybe easier isn't always the better thing but in this case, I think it just might be. I went to a certain movie premier and was able to have a girls night out and still stick with it. That was nice. I tried a place last night that I've never been to before, Cafe Eclectic, YUM! I love local places. Then we went to Muddy's for our crack cupcakes before the movie. Another local and another YUM. I used 7 of my 49 extra points for the week. Pretty awesome. How about you? What are you doing to stay on track? Especially BEFORE the holidays begin and add an aditional five pounds.

Extremes

I can't do it. I can't do extremes. They make me crazy. They make me want to binge. But I didn't. But I want to. I just want to lose 50 pounds by tomorrow. Can that happen? Well since I'd have to do massive drugs go to extremes to get there fast, I don't think so. That's why I'm reneging. Or renegotiating. Or re-designing my plan. I'm going back to Weight Watchers where I can have all things in moderation. Because I like crack bread & carbs & such. And I'm not an athlete who has wash board abs and needs to keep them that way. Honestly, I just want to be in single digit clothing for now. Sigh. I've said this before and then changed my mind and then been back here again. I have a problem sticking to a plan because I want instant gratification. You know... instantly. Every.single.time I'm doing well I see a picture of some super hot chick and then suddenly I want to change everything I'm doing and instantly look like that. I don't know why, crazy mabye? Maybe after I lose some excess weight I'll want to be extreme and get in better shape. But for today? I just want to feel proud of myself and extremes aren't doing that for me. I cried today because I wanted chocolate and that made me feel like a failure. Seriously? I CRIED? I hate crying so I try not to. Like ever. So I'm done with that. I'm signing up, AGAIN, for Weight Watchers. Meet ya right back here tomorrow. Hopefully, a nicer, non-crying person.

AND we're off!

The day has started. Well? I'm not sure but it's started. We've already had some quarreling around here this morning. Life with three boys certainly keeps me on my toes. I've had my coffee. I've had time in the Word. I'm tackling the day...here goes! Let me start with yesterday - it was awesome. YAY! I love successful days. I really had a moment last night where I wanted a big piece of chocolate cake but I remembered that I don't want a big gut to make unhealthy choices. Today's plan: Workout: It will be at 5:30 today. We planned this yesterday because Casey had an early morning and we knew we'd struggle with having enough time before work. We are planning ahead which helps with sticking to it. Eating: I'm going to try to front load from now on. I'm usually not hungry in the morning and end up skipping breakfast or not eating until 10 or 10:30. Can you guess the problem with that? I'm hungry late in the evening and almost always need a piece of fruit or a bar or a cheese stick. Last night I had the shakes so I know it's not head hunger. I did this program called Naturally Slim a few years ago and I got down to an ideal weight. The concept is that you skip breakfast and then eat two small meals only. You chew slowly. You stay away from sugar. It really worked great at first but then I got to where I was eating 1/2 a taco at a meal. I'm pretty sure I was on the verge of an eating disorder trying to see how little I could survive on. I just realized that it was a way to eat to be "skinny" but not to be healthy. That being said, if you're a NS friend and you're reading this, it's just not for me. The eating slowly part? Yes. Watching portions part? Yes. But I just took it too far. SO - I'm going to go eat breakfast now. Lunch - cilantro turkey burger w/ veggies Dinner - flank steak w/ veggies I have tons of great veggies to choose from and I will. I'll report back later to verify that I stayed on my eating & work out plan!

Monday so far...

Monday...that word conjures up a big sigh for me. Maybe because I'm always going to start or stop something on a Monday. Some new routine. Some diet. When I quit smoking. Quit drinking. Poor Monday, it gets a bad rap. BUT NOT THIS ONE!

I worked out this morning! Yay! It felt really good to have it done before my day started. Insanity fit test = a realization of my un-fitness. When I did bootcamp with Frank he had us do these exercises and we started at 20 seconds and then worked our way up to 1 minute. Thank goodness! He eased us into it and now I'm more fit for it. Yeah, that's not Insanity. But! I LIKE it. I might as well get my sweat on if I'm gonna exercise.

I had a Vega protein smoothie with added almond butter & strawberries for breakfast. I had green drink for my health. I had turkey lunch meat smeared with hummus, feta & veggies for lunch.

Confessions

I started this blog for accountability AND for a place to be gut level honest. What does a person struggling with their weight struggle with daily? What are the hang ups? What are the successes? I haven't done that. I went AWOL instead! So here goes...

I traveled to Atlanta and stayed on target with my eating while there but compromised the workout. I got home and just sort of fell apart.

So here's me being honest.

Yesterday I ate a 1/2 of a cinnamon roll for breakfast. 5 chicken nuggets and a small fry from Chick Fil A for lunch. A cookie at a Christmas event that I was working. 2 small cookies & coffee at my bff's house. 2 slices of pepperoni pizza for dinner. 2 brownie bites after that. OMG! It's ridiculous. I don't even want to know or add up the sugar/carbs/calories. Wednesday & Thursday I did great, Friday was my "flex" day so I had mexican & a cupcake as planned...and then I just BLEW it yesterday. And I knew I was. I'm ashamed to admit it on here.

I'm not going to lie. I probably won't jump back on the wagon today. We have church, quick lunch, a meeting & basketball practice for the youngest, and then a dessert event at church tonight. Somewhere in there, we're squeezing in dinner.

So how about you check on me on Monday? See if I've totally lost my mind jumped ship or if I've jumped back on course?

It's my plan to get back on track so that I feel good about Thanksgiving. I want to eat caramalized onion cornbread dressing, pecan pie, and mashed potatoes with freedom from guilt.

Mondays plan: Insanity workout, paleo eating.

I want to be a runner. It bugs me that I can't seem to stay on course and just do it. My friend/coach, Frank, told me once that I put too much emotion into it and just to be where I'm at. Where I'm at sucks is the beginning, over and over and over, so I'm unemotionally setting a goal to finish the 5k training. Not to mention, we do this fun event every year, the Warrior Dash, in the spring. Last year my Dad was able to beat me. He's 56. SERIOUSLY! Anyway, I'm finding that I can only run outside in the morning right now because it gets dark so early but that's when I do my other workout. SO, I'm gonna just suck it up and do it on the treadmill instead.

Ask me. Ask me if I'm working out and staying on track with my eating. I'll be embarrassed to tell you no so I'll do it.

I'm baaaaack!

Yep, I am. Not as in "I'm back on the wagon because I strayed so far" because I DIDN'T but as in "I'm back to my normal life and my house and my laptop."

I left for Atlanta on Friday and came back yesterday (Tuesday). I had such a great time! And it didn't involve food. Isn't that funny to say? Usually, when I travel some of the fun is all the different food and the eclectic city specific fare. My sister and I had a "date night" and we did go out for my favorite Atlanta veggie pizza and then ice cream but that was it. Oh wow. The ice cream. It was the best I've ever had ever ever in my life. Salted caramel and it was an explosion of flavor in my mouth. Anyway, that was my fun night. I think it helps that Ashley & Ben lead a healthy lifestyle so there just wasn't a bunch of tempting stuff laying around. Or I probably would have indulged.

The only thing I really compromised was the work out. I didn't take my DVDs and I didn't run/walk. Her babies (three under the age of four) wake up around 6:00 and my kids stay up until 9 or 10, especially on vacation. Could I have carved out time? YES, of course. Did I? No. I did run like crazy juggling six kids and all their needs.

I have NO GROCERIES in the house this morning. I'm making my menu and grocery list and hitting the stores today. We all have sore throats and snotty noses so I'll probably just walk 2 hilly miles today instead of a full sweat workout.

Whoa! Has it been 3 days?

It has! I'm traveling and am in Atlanta at my sister's house. I've been meaning to hop on here and I just haven't had a chance. I've done GREAT with my food stuff except for the car trip... I ate a couple of mini candy bars from a big halloween bag. I haven't exercised in two days but we've been going non stop. Literally. I think if I maintain while I'm here, that will be great.

Day 8 - current

You'll be glad to know (all one of you that reads this blog... Kara Krouse) that I recovered from my terrible case of the hangries. I was able to fall asleep with my full chili / larabar belly and have sweet, peaceful dreams. For about an hour and then we ended up with TWO, not one, children in our bed at one time or another. :/ Do they not remember the Growing Kids God's Way teaching from their infancy? NO SHARED BEDS. ahh... that's a story for another day.

I'm on track today, yay!

8:30 - green drink, I've included a couple of pictures for your viewing pleasure.

It's about 3 cups all smashed down with ice & lime juice

YUMMY YUMMY!


umm... no breakfast.

12:30 - chili - YES, I am the most boring person ever. I realize that I can just eat the same thing over and over again. Because I'm not really a "foodie" and I like whatever I like, or I don't eat it, and I like what's easy.

3:30 - 5 strawberries, 2 TBS almond butter

I'm not sure about dinner yet. I realize it's 4:00 and I need to figure it out though.

Exercise:

Power90 - DONE!

C25K - sigh. Not done yet.

Day 7 - Actual

9ish - Green drink with spinach & lime
9:30 - Power90
10:30 - vega protein smoothie w/ almond milk, almond butter & strawberries

mmm...after my smoothie I decided I wanted sweet potato hash for lunch. I make it with sweet potatoes, onions, garlic & cajun seasoning. The perfect blend of sweet, spicy & salty. I prepped the veggies and put them in a little coconut oil to sautee and then... I WALKED AWAY. And I got sidetracked doing school stuff with the boys and ordering checks. And here's what happened to my beautiful sweet potato:

I ate it anyway. Cuz I'm gross like that. And it was sorta still yummy.

Lunch: burned sweet potato hash, 2 egg whites with spinach

Dinner: OH.DEAR.HEAVENS. I didn't eat before a meeting and I totally regretted it. Then I went to Barnes & Noble with a friend and they were baking fresh cookies and it's all you could smell. But I didn't have one. However, there rose up in me such a case of the HANGRY that I almost decked the lady making them gave in. I drove about 100 miles an hour home where I ate chili instead. Warmed & ready for me because my husband was scared to talk to me before feeding me so sweet. Ahh... the world was made right again.

Then I had a larabar because 1 cup of chili just wasn't enough to quell the hangry monster inside of me. Now, she's really been slayed and I can go to bed without harming anyone.

What day am I on? Oh yeah! Day SEVEN

Here I am, day seven. It has not exactly been the start I thought it would be. I've missed workouts. I struggled A LOT after having my splurge meal & dessert. I just wanted more. BUT here's what I did right! I thought about what I was doing every bite, every workout, every day. YAY! That's a huge win. I DID exercise a bunch, just not every single time that I planned it.

So here's my plan for today:

Green drink - check

breakfast: smoothie (vega, unswt almond milk, cocoa, strawberries)- check

lunch: I have a couple of options but I think I'll probably have chili. I made it yesterday with beef, 12 fresh tomatoes blended up, and LOTS of yummy spices. Non processed food friendly. I *may* have scrambled eggs and sweet potato hash just because that sounds yummy today.

dinner: lentil soup (lentils, chicken sausage, veggies, broth)



Exercise -

Power90: cardio - Check