Monthly Weight Loss Update

Well, August has been another month of maintenance. I still weigh less than I have in over 5 years but I still have a ways to go. It's definitely been a journey. 

September is PCOS Awareness Month and I'm no stranger to the struggles it can bring. I was diagnosed in 2011, although looking back the symptoms were evident even in my teens. Before my diagnosis I was unaware that there was a "real" problem. My symptoms were my "normal" and no one had ever told me different.  As a teen I was told things would eventually even out or that some things are just genetic. No to the first and yes to the second. While looking at me you would never guess the battles I face...this is true for most women with PCOS.

We get pretty good at wearing smiles. I generally pride myself in being open and honest but this is one area of my life that I've kept pretty quiet until recently.  In order for me to not deal with this alone and to offer support to others I've had to learn how to talk about it. One of the hardest things to talk about aside from our infertility struggles is that of my weight/weight loss.

PCOS...it makes it so much more difficult to lose the weight. My doctor sympathized and was pleased with my progress at my annual exam. She encouraged me to keep going...even though she knows I'm up against a lot. Unfortunately I have to work a lot harder than most at losing the weight thanks to the way my body breaks down the food I eat and produces insulin. This in turn causes various hormone imbalances that lead to weight gain and/or difficulty losing weight and in my case, infertility. There is always something out of whack.

However, I refuse to use that as an excuse. I know I need to amp up the exercise and continue adding more fruits and veggies to my diet...because when you hit a plateau, that means you are in need of a change.


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August held a lot of highs and lows. We made an offer that was accepted on a piece of property with a beautiful view. We'll be signing on the dotted line tomorrow and then we can really begin planning our forever home. This has been a wonderful distraction from the disappointment of yet another unsuccessful month of trying to conceive. From a health perspective, I'm waiting to hear from my doctor about our next step. I've also been checking with my insurance on what they offer in regards to a dietitian. I've found a local dietitian who has worked specifically with women with PCOS. I'm hoping something will work out. I feel like I'm at the point where I could really benefit from an expert's advice.

With all of that being said, I'm trying to make some changes this month. I'm not a huge snacker but I definitely did my fair share over this past month. I'm a stress eater and with work beginning again and some of the other things we've had going on...I've not always considered all that has made its way to my mouth.

Being at work has definitely helped with my snacking issue, but I also need to focus on snacks that work for me, not against me. One of my friends gave me a great suggestion for my sweet tooth. Chocolate milk is seriously one of my most favorite sweets. Milk, while good for you, can hold a ton of calories...and then when you add the chocolate...well, you might as well have just had dessert. She recommended I try dark chocolate almond milk. I've converted to almond milk and must say I really like it. I've used it in both my cereal and baking/cooking and don't notice a major difference and with the low calorie/high nutrition content, I feel good about my choice. Now back to the sweet stuff. The dark chocolate almond milk is A.MAZ.ING! It tastes delicious and for 100 calories I can enjoy a full glass without the guilt. (I've only tried the Silk brand...and I've not been endorsed to recommend it.)

I hope to have better news in my next weight loss post. I've got the reasons for motivation, I've just got to get my act back together. I've only got this one life. I need to live it right and care for the skin I'm in.

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What are some of your healthy, go-to snacks? I'm looking for grab and go...

Linking up with Home of Malones

Tasty Tuesday: Dinner and Dessert

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I debated back and forth about which recipe to share and I simply could not decide. I love both of these recipes and they've been people pleasers every time. I hope you'll enjoy them just as much.

Let's start with dinner...I can't get enough Chinese food but there are 3 major problems with that. 1. It's not cheap to frequently eat out. 2. We live so far from town that it's just not sensible or economical to drive out to town just because I've got a craving...and no one delivers out here. 3. The sodium and calorie count is through the roof!

Because of these things I've begun making some of my favorite take out at home. I've made this  recipe for Sesame Chicken several times and it always turns out well. I pair it with brown rice and veggies...yum! The original recipe can be found at Food.com.

Sesame Chicken

6 chicken breast, boneless, skinless and cubed
1/2tsp ground ginger
1/2c honey
1/2c low sodium soy sauce
2tbsp corn starch
1/4tsp red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic, minced
1tbsp toasted sesame seeds

On Medium heat a skillet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray. Cook the chicken for about 10 minutes or until the pieces are no longer pink.

In a medium bowl, mix together the honey, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and pepper flakes. Pour over the chicken and mix well.

In the same bowl, mix together the water and cornstarch. Stir into chicken mixture. Cook until the sauce begins to thicken. Turn down the heat and simmer for another 5-8 minutes. Remove from the heat and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds.

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While this dinner meal is super yummy, one can't help but get even more excited over dessert. I made these tasty treats for our Labor Day cookout and then again for a friend's birthday breakfast. Super easy and delish!

I originally found this recipe for these amazing Deep Dish Fruit Pizzas at Banner Boutique. I made a few tweaks and couldn't have been happier. Everyone loved them and the recipe was requested several times.


Deep Dish Fruit Pizza

1 package of pre-made sugar cookies (I used Pillsbury Ready to Bake)
1 pkg. (8oz) fat free cream cheese
1 container (8oz) of Lite Cool-Whip
2-3 cups of fruit, sliced (I used nectarines, strawberries, blueberries and kiwi)

Place one cookie in each cup of a 24 mini cupcake pan. Press down to form a shell. Bake according to package directions.

Allow to cool completely, remove and place onto your serving platter.

Whip together the cream cheese and whipped cream. Scoop into a gallon sized bag. Snip off a corner and pipe into the shells.

Place the fruit on top. Chill for about an hour (if you can wait that long) and serve.



Linking up with Green Fashionista...

Monthly Weight Loss with Pictures

I cannot believe the month of May is almost gone! I've entered into my last week of school and with that comes even longer days, less family time, mounds of paper work and overly rambunctious children. We'll have the student Field Day, First Grade Fun Day, the Spring Awards program, Fifth Grade Graduation parade...and I know I'm forgetting something(s). Now is also the time of year when people begin making comments about how teachers get the summer off, it must be nice not to work, etc. Trust me. It only looks that way on our contracts and, while I can only speak for myself and fellow co-workers, the summer is filled with prep work for the upcoming school year. Our work is never done and it always manages to come home with us to some degree. I'll stop there and save this soapbox for another time.

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For now, I'd like to share with you this month's progress. We've been dealing with a few things personally and in the midst of trying to find ways to make our dreams reality and finish up half started projects around the house, I've been trying to make some weight loss progress. Stress levels have been a little higher this month (which good things can be stressful too) and our mornings, days and nights have been filled with things that keep us busy. I've not been able to work out like I'd hoped but I've tried to maintain at least some type of activity almost every day.

I had also gotten down on myself over not meeting my 20lb goal. I was really struggling with the plateau that I had hit. I had to do something. I wanted to reach that goal!

I had gotten out of the habit of "honestly" tracking my food. I might put in a few things each day but I had stopped entering in everything I was eating. I am still amazed at how quickly I lost sight of healthy eating. My snacking had also become an issue. Instead of keeping healthy options on hand I went for quick, high calorie grabs. I refocused my attention to healthy choices. Here are some examples:

It all boils down to poor eating choices this month. These past two weeks I've really tried to get back on track.

To build some momentum, I've decided to throw in some mini goals for June. This could be a little tricky with some traveling that we have in our plans, but I'm determined.

In June I will...

1. Make SMART snacking choices

Satisfying-it fulfills the craving and tames the hints of hunger
Managable-it can easily go with me and/or doesn't require a lot of preparation
Appetizing-it tastes good (duh!)
Right size-caloric intake is worth the serving size/portion control
Thrifty-on sale or inexpensive

2.At least 30 minutes of exercise 5 days a week

3. Create a motivation collage. I had one of these in college and it really helped my motivation to see some of my goals and words of encouragement each day. I had mine hanging on the refrigerator.

Now that I've got my goals before me, it's time to take a look at the numbers from this past month. I've lost another inch in my waist (that's a total of 2 inches since I began tracking March)...and since December 2013...drum roll please...

 

I feel like I'm finally starting to see a difference, not just feel it.

 

While the numbers are always exciting, it is also important to identify some of the non-scale victories that I've also accomplished.

-I completed a 5k with my daughter (you can catch all of the fun here!)

-My bra size is smaller (don't tell my hubby)
-I need a belt for almost every pair of pants I wear
-A couple pairs of my pants literally fall off as I walk or climb the stairs. I've put those to rest, hoping to never go back to them.
-I'm fitting into clothes that I couldn't even wear pre-baby...some of which are now almost too big!

With this month's weight loss, I've reached my 20lbs goal...and this means I get to splurge on a goody! When I began this journey, I created a Weight Loss Goals board on Pinterest to keep me encouraged. I'm so excited about purchasing this water bottle. I would not typically spend this type of money on a water bottle, but that's what makes it special right? I really want to dive into a dozen donut holes, but a water bottle will be much more beneficial. Here is the water bottle I'll be enjoying in the very near future!

Tervis Whimsical Owl Water Bottle

If you struggle with your weight, you are not alone. I had to change a lot of my weight loss perceptions and set realistic goals. I've had to rely on my own inner strength, the encouragement of others and the power of my God to push through. I am almost to my 30lb weight loss goal. It can be done. I've had to look at it this way...I'm losing weight to get healthy, not skinny. As I become healthier I add quality to my life and that is more important than the size of pants I wear. Every pound counts. Every exercise minute matters. I am worth it!

 

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Five on Friday

It's hard to believe that earlier in the week we were celebrating a day of Spring like weather, only to have a down pour of ice and then snow the following day. I've given up on the weather. I just wake up each morning and say, "surprise me!" One thing that is consistent is the weekly Five on Friday. I enjoy linking up with Darci and others to share five of whatever my heart fancies.

[one]

I love to cook and bake and I do both on a regular basis. I make a menu every month and cook dinner almost every night. I currently have to watch my sodium intake and I am constantly looking for ways to make our meals healthier. A while back I began substituting apple sauce for oil in many of my recipes (primarily baking) and honestly, you can't tell the difference! Another item that I've recently fallen for is yogurt. Sure, I've eaten yogurt all of my life, but I've never really cooked with it. I've substituted it for both milk and sour cream in various recipes. I've begun keeping both vanilla and plain on hand. This is one recipe we really enjoyed...Greek Marinated Chicken.

[two]

This past week I finally registered for the HoosHeal 5k. I'm a bit anxious. I haven't done a 5k since well before I became pregnant in 2012. However, I am really encouraged to have a goal in front of me. To make things even better, a dear friend has graciously decided to do the race with me. Come April we'll be hitting the pavement to help fund research for various childhood cancers.

[three]

I have been a member of SparkPeople for a few years now. I love the support and encouragement that I find there. I completed my February Fitness Minutes challenge and have since signed up for the Blooming Beauties Challenge. We weigh in several times between March 1st and Labor Day. We are also provided with multiple mini-challenges that are not directly weight loss related.

[four]

15lbs down! I've officially made it! With each mini weight loss goal I've designated a "reward". I ordered my reward this week and I cannot wait for it to arrive. It looks like this, with the exception that the jewel bead is crystal and the initial is "G".

[five]

Here is a little sneak peek of G's Easter dress. I picked it up while I was out this weekend. I can't wait to celebrate her first Easter! We have so many traditions we want to share with her!



Needs vs Wants

It's a rain drenched day in the countryside and we're home on the mend. The meds I was given for my sinus infection seem to finally be kicking in...I can taste more of my food and breathe a little better. The best part is that most of the pressure in my sinuses has been relieved. Thank you Jesus! G is still a snotty mess, continuing to run a low grade fever. The doctor said it's just a cold and like all things, this too shall pass...we just have to wait it out. Poor baby.

I've been doing really well with my sodium intake and portion control. I can't wait to do my weekly weigh in on Monday (I've never looked forward to that haha). I've been learning an important, long awaited lesson over these last few weeks: need the food you eat. I know you're thinking, duh, we NEED food to live. Yes...but do you need to eat pasta multiple times a week? Do you have to submerge everything in a tasty cream sauce? Do candy and other sweet things have to be a staple in your home? No.

Needs vs Wants is a topic that I teach in my first grade classroom. It's funny because I've never really applied it to my eating habits but it totally goes! Do I need another helping or do I just want one? When I want something sweet, do I need a handful of Rolos? I'm learning to accept substitutes. Substituting seems so much better than completely denying myself. If I want something sweet, instead of a handful of Rolos, I opt for an apple and peanut butter. Every once in a while I'll indulge, but I'm proud to say these sweet treats are becoming the exception instead of the norm.

I'm learning what my body needs. This is not to say that I do not occasionally enjoy a white fudge Oreo or a delicious creamy Alfredo, but I'm learning and embracing the idea of giving my body more of what it needs instead of what it wants. (And I'm told in time my body will begin to actually want what it needs...yippee!) I'm expanding my nutrition horizons. This week I ventured into the world of kale. This resulted in a go to "healthified" version of one of my favorite soups, Sausage, Potato and Kale, a BBQ Chicken and Kale pizza and a Sausage and Kale breakfast casserole. Yum!

I'm also learning how to balance the things I eat and portion control. A lot of prayer has also gone into this. I continue to give this "getting healthy" part of my life to the Lord. I honestly feel like this submission has been one of the biggest reasons I've felt so successful over the last 3 weeks. When I get the urge to go against my discipline, I feel that gentle pull bringing me back to what I know I need to do instead of what I want to do. I also believe this is a major reason why I'm feeling more content when eating. Just three weeks ago I would not feel "full" if there was food left on my plate or extra left on the stove. I would just have to have an extra helping! Now I feel content after eating. If I'm hungry a little while later I have healthy snacks just in reach. God is good and evident in all things.

This healthy way of life has also challenged me in my cooking. I'm finding healthy alternatives to many things I use...primarily sodium. It's amazing how many low sodium/sodium free options there are! (Thank goodness!) Tonight I'm treating us to a tasty Balsamic London Broil. It's a new recipe so I'm hoping it turns out well. I'll probably pair it with some brown rice and green beans.

This next week, since my illness seems to be subsiding (fingers crossed) I'll be beginning the exercise component of my health goals. Woohoo!

P.S. I'm so proud of my bestest for making it to the gym this morning! You rock!