Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Week 3

Much better week this week! yayy! I lost what i had gained last week (2.2 pounds), and then i also lost 0.2 pound! Yes, even the tenths of a pound count! For a total of 2.4 pounds loss. Another huge thing, is that i lost weight during Thanksgiving week!!! I also got exercise on Thanksgiving day... that's never happened! And this is definitely something i want to do every holiday and incorporate more exercise into my daily life!

So the new Weight Watchers Points plus program rolled out, and i really like it so far! I think this is one of those times, when change can be a good thing! But, man some of the people in my group just weren't getting it. I didn't understand that, i thought the program is very easy to understand. I'm thankful to have you, my readers, who support me, the #fitblog community, and health / fitness community to support me along my weight loss and fitness/health achieving journey!

One of the things i'm excited about it that all FRUITS ARE ZERO POINTS!!!! I love me some fruits :) As a matter of fact, i'm eating some green grapes right now! yesssss.

I'll do another post later this week with more detail about my thoughts on the new program. I definitely believe that Weight Watchers is the program for me!

Sunday, November 28, 2010

Thanksgiving / 3 recipes!

Hello blogsphere,

Here are some awesome recipes from my grandma. I have to figure out the weight watchers points values at some point. But i thought i'd share them anyway. IF anyone wants to help me and figure out the point values-- feel free yay :)

Also, the Thanksgiving day/weekend went pretty well. I exercised 3 days, and even did my own version of a turkey trot. I walked for 3 miles over 1 hour. It was great. It was the first time i got exercise, and it was great. I was able to eat guilt-free, and i didn't go overboard, like i have in the past. It was wonderful. I love making good decisions, and feeling better about myself. I wish i could get over this cold soon, and get that pain in my lower right leg to stop hurting! yay! oh also 38.5 days until graduation!!! oh. my. word.

Recipe #1:
Pronto Taco Soup

1 pound lean ground beef
1 medium onion chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14 - 1/2 ounces each) of beef broth
1 can (14-1/2 ounces) diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 cups picante sauce
1 cup uncooked spiral or small shell pasta
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
Shredded cheddar cheese and tortilla chips

In a large saucepan, cook beef onion, & garlic until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the broth, tomatoes, picante sauce, pasta, green pepper, chili powder and parsley. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until pasta is tender. Garnish with cheese and tortilla chips. Yield: 8 servings (2 quarts)

recipe #2: Gina's Salsa

2 cans whole tomatoes in blender
Add one chopped onion
(4) Jalapenos -- remove the seeds to make not so spicy
Cilantro to taste
Minced garlic
Pulse blender 2 or 3 times.

ADD: 3 tablespoons vinegar
3 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon salt
1 whole juice of lime

Recipe #3: Ham & Cheese Quiche

2 red potatoes, cubed
1 tablespoon dried rosemary
1 cup cubed ham
1 (8 or 9-inch) premade pie shell in foil pain
1 cup shredded Colby & Monterey jack cheese blend (recommended: Kraft)
3 eggs
1 cup milk
1 teaspoon all-purpose seasoning (Recommended: McCormick)

Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.

Place potatoes and rosemary in a microwaveable dish. Cover with a damp paper towel & microwave for 2 minutes, until almost cooked through. *(Or boil potatoes on stove until almost cooked through).

Cover the bottom of the premade pie shell with potatoes, ham, and cheese. Place on a cookie sheet and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, and seasoning and pour into the pie shell.

Place quiche into preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until eggs have set.
6 servings

Bon Appetit!


Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Shrinking Jeans week 1

So, you know, if you read yesterday's post... that i didn't have the best of weeks. But that's okay, nothing to be ashamed about. We can't all have amazing weeks, can we?! The pity party is definitely over. Back on track, and eating foods that are good for me-- eating in moderation, and not depriving myself of those foods that i love.

So according to the Weight Watchers scale yesterday, i gained 2.2 pounds yikes! But that's okay... I did get my 150 minutes (or 2.5 hours of walking in) which is good. I just need to eat good foods for me, within my allowed points, and exercise... That is my plan for weight loss.

Thank you, again, to everyone who supported me yesterday and today for giving me words of encouragement and not giving up on me! I need the support now, more than ever... So thank you!

And what's real, is that the half-marathon i'm walking is in 3 months... oh my word. I've seriously got to get my ass in check. I'm starting to get nervous about it! oh yes.

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

Week 2

So let's be honest, this week was not the best, i was exhausted from school and clinicals. I had no energy to cook... i ate fast food, when i knew i should not have. I did not count and track points, when i should have. I did not grocery shop and i did not plan and search recipes, when i should have.

So i did a lot of things that i shouldn't have, you know ... one of those weeks when you have no energy for anything, and could really care less. Yes it was one of those weeks.

But enough with the pitty party self... time to get back on track. Walking 4 days a week for 300 minutes, for tracking like i know i need to and like i should ....

I'm sorry to my ho-ho-hoe's, for letting our team down and for letting myself down. I know i can do this and i know that i want to do this, i have to work hard... and some days i just don't want to do it!

This overweight, lazy, tired girl is not who i want to be, and not who i believe i am supposed to be.

Like Tara said, "do not let the gain deter you! In fact let it fuel the fire. #yougotthis"

#fitblog family, your twitter words of encouragement, were 110% needed today and greatly appreciated! Thank you again for your support!

Thursday, November 18, 2010

week 1

So if you didn't know i decided to go back to Weight Watchers, and it's been a great idea and much needed change! I'm able to eat fruits and pastas now, with moderation of course!

At the meeting this week, we talked about how to handle different stressors that come along during the holidays. We learned about how to handle situations, and how to speak with people who may think they're being kind and loving-- but they may say spiteful things when we're eating. It was good to learn. I KNOW that exercise is the #1 way to help control stress in my life! I just have to do it ... obvious, Brittany!

My 1st weigh-on Tuesday went great! I lost 3.4 pounds the first week!!! YAY!!! GO ME!

This 1st week went well for me-- i was quite surprised!!! I had gone out of town for the weekend to Pittsburgh, PA to celebrate the wedding of my sister and brother-in-law with my stepmom's family, since most of the family was not able to come to the wedding! It was sooo much fun! And i did sooo good/well (whatev.) with my eating! I was so proud of myself and quite surprised. I believe it was because i truely want to change my ways! Or maybe because what we ate at the Celebration was Pittsburgh-foods which i wasn't real sure about. But seriously, i did well because i wanted to, and i know that i need to change my habits/thoughts if i really want to change my lifestyle choices!

I'm participating in a challenge over at Shrinking Jeans , with some pretty amazing ladies! In the challenge, we are on a team of 8 or less, and the team that losses the most wins a prize! And there are other prizes to win along the way as well. You know i love a good prize and winning free things :) Check them out! Mel, Karena, Jen, Christy, Colleen, Mandy, Melissa, and myself! So far, I am convinced that being on a team for a challenge, is the best idea ever! We are here for each other, motivating each other along the way! I always did enjoy playing team sports (well most of the time-- i really enjoyed swimming, until i quit!).


A little bit of info before i state my goals: So last week at my 1st WW's meeting, our leader had us address a postcard to ourselves that we will get at someone point of the holidays. We had to write on the card 1 goal that we would like to achieve by the 1st meeting of the new year. I chose to reach my 5% weight loss by 1st meeting. For me, that would be 13 pounds! I've already lost 3.4 pounds, so i need to lose 9.6 pounds!

Goals:
-Weight goal: To lose 9.6 pounds, and reach my 5% lost goal too!
-Exercise: 300 minutes (I'm in walking training for my half-marathon i'm doing in February!!!) I'll be walking 4 days a week, Normally 3 miles on Mon, 3 miles on Wed, 3 miles on Thurs, and the long walks on Saturday ranging from 7 - 10 miles on Saturdays as it gets closer!!!) PLEASE DO NOT LET ME SLACK ON THIS!!!!!
-Accomplishing my weight loss with Weight Watchers-- enjoying cooking, eating healthy, and making better decisions for myself!

phewww. enough!

Monday, November 8, 2010

Thanksgiving Day foods + points

Oops... i forgot what i was really excited about. Here's the list of foods they provided us, with their points value! yay! To make planning food choices on Thanksgiving and Christmas THAT much easier :)

Turkey, baked without skin 3 oz = 3 pts
Turkey Friend 3.5 oz = 5 pts
Pork Roast 3 oz = 6 pts
Beef Roast 3 oz = 5 pts
Ham, baked glazed 4 oz = 6 pts
Rice Dressing 1 cup = 9 pts
Cornbread dressing 1 cup = 8 points
Gravy, brown or gibley 1 cup = 4 pts
Potato Salad 1/2 cup = 7 pts
Green Bean Casserole 1 cup = 5 pts
Candied Yams 1/2 cup = 4 pts
Baked Sweet Potato 7 oz = 3 pts
Mac & Cheese 1 cup = 9 pts
Mashed Potatoes 1/2 cup = 2 pts
Green beans-steamed 1 cup = 0 pts
Cole Slaw 1/2 cup = 4 pts
Cranberry Sauce 1/4 cup = 2 pts
Dinner Roll 2 oz = 3 pts
Fruit Salad 1 cup = 1 pt
Pumpkin Pie 1/8 pie = 9 pts
Apple pie 1/8 pie = 9 pts
Pecan Pie 1/2 pie = 12 pts
Fudge 1 in X 2 in 1 oz = 3 pts
Praline 2-1/2 inch diameter = 5 pts
Fruit Cake 2 oz = 4 pts
Fruit Salad 1 cup = o pts


ENJOY!

back to weight watchers.....

So back to weight watchers. I had been on the "ideal protein" diet for 6.5 months, and i'd lost about 33 pounds. But i decided that i needed the support, encouragement, resources, and to be able to eat normal, real foods without having a gain on the scale.

So back to weight watchers i went today. I knew that i probably had a gain, but i didn't think i had gained that much. Like almost 6 pounds of gain-ness in 12 days. That's ridiculous... hopefully my TOM is aboutt o start, or otherwise that's ridiculous. But like i tweeted earlier... that almost gallon of icecream & bag of airheads didn't do much help. Time to get serious.

The meeting was great, My leader i really think i'm gonna like her. Well until i move to Austin in February, and have to find another meeting and leader and get used to the new group there!

She had a table set up like thanksgiving, and we went to the table and took the pictures she made of correct portion sizes, and so we could see what our Thanksgiving would look like. We then guesstimated the points values, and then after everyone was done "picking out their dinner". She revealed the total points. I was pretty close, i was 8 points off. So we talked about ways to handle Thanksgiving. Since normally i won't get my grandmother's cooking who lives in Texas (where i'll be going for Thanksgiving) I'll eat more of her cooked foods, and less of foods that i can eat every other time of the year.

My thanksgiving dinner:

( ) = my points guess, { } = weight watchers given points

Fruit Salad, 1 Cup (0) {1}
Pumpkin pie, 1 slice (5) {9}
Pecan pie, 1/8slice --> fold a paper place into 1/8 and that's the slice of pecan pie & pumpkin pie (5) {12!!!!!}
Fudge, 1 in X 2 in. (7) {3}
Mashed potatoes, 1 Cup (6) {4}
Rice dressing, 1 Cup (6) {9}
Green bean casserole, 1 Cup (5) {5}
Turkey, 3 oz. (5) {5}
Roast, 3 oz. (4) {6}
Dinner roll, 1 (2 oz.) (4) {3}
Candied yams, 1/2 cup (6) {4}

My guessed points - 53 points
Weight watchers points - 61 points!!!

My total daily points 35 + 35 extra points for the week = 70 .. so i would be able to eat a few things for Breakfast! I'd hae to cut out some of those sweets and probably the candied yams. But i'm definitely keeping my grandma's mashed potatoes on there! No one makes them like hers.

Then she talked about how to prepare for the holidays.
Also, we filled out a postcard to mail to ourselves, for a goal to reach/something to achieve my 1st meeting of the new year.

My achievement shall be: Reach 5% weight loss (which would be 13 pounds lost). I totally think this goal is achieveable. That's like 2 pound loss over the 6 weeks (until the new year!!!)

Here's the recipe from the meeting for the week:

Crustless Pumpkin Pie
15 oz. canned pumpkin
12 oz. fat-free evaporated milk
1-1/2 cup egg beaters egg whites
3/4 cup sugar substitute (Splenda)
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla

--> Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a bowl & mix thoroughly. Place mixture in a 8X8 baking dish. Sprayed lightly with nonstick spray & bake for 45 minutes. It will remain a little soft like pie filling. Servce hot or cold. Store leftovers in fridge.

8 servings @ 2 pt each.

15 oz canned pumpkin = 2 pts
12 oz fatfree evaporated milk = 5 pts
1/2 cup eggbeaters egg whites = 4 pts
3/4 cup splenda = 8 pts!!!
2 tsp pumpkin spice = 0
1/2 tsp salt = 0
1 tsp vanilla extract = 0

19 / 8 servings = 2 pts/serving


Phewwww. I'm tired from today. Yowza. So excited for #wwchat starting soon. Make sure you follow myself (@gettinfitbritt) and Colleen (@tryn2bfit) for latest details on when we'll be launching the 1st chat!!! We're so excited!

peace, yo.


Sunday, November 7, 2010

weight watchers chat

I'm so excited to working with Colleen on this new adventure! Check out her post yesterday, about why Weight Watchers works!

Do you follow the Weight Watchers plan?

Even if you are not currently subscribed, but you still follow it, or are interested in following it then we have the perfect place for you to come and chat all about it!

Brittany and Colleen will be hosting a weekly Weight Watchers chat on Twitter to have one place where you can come and chat and get to know everyone who is following the plan! Brittany has been on Weight Watchers for 1 week and has lost 2 pounds doing it! Colleen has been on Weight Watchers for 8 months and has lost 71 pounds doing it! They are two friends trying to spread the word about this great program and reaching out to help people stay on track :)

Twitter chats are an easy fun way to interact with people all at the same time at once! We will be using the hashtag #wwchat . We will also be starting a chat (you can use www.tweetchat.com and enter the hashtag wwchat on Thursday evening starting December 2nd. Our chat will be from 8-9 eastern time (7-8 central time). We will be talking about different weight watchers topics and issues. Please email either of us during the week if you have any issues or topics, that you want to talk about on Thursday nights.

All week long we encourage you to tweet using this hashtag so that people can get to know you and learn from your ideas. If you have a blog we would love you to mention this chat on your blog and when you post something helpful to Weight Watchers followers use the hashtag so we can read all about it!
Stay tuned for more information and please send any ideas, questions or comments you have to us!


Brittany lessbrittmorelife@gmail.com www.pursuitoftherealme.blogspot.com (website soon coming: www.lessbrittmorelife.com )
Colleen tryn2bfit@gmail.com www.thefitbee.com

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Ideal Protein vs. Weight Watchers

So i've been on Ideal Protein for almost 6.5 months, i've lost 35 pounds and 23 inches. It's been really great, but for me to lose food i have to follow the plan EXACTLY. Having to do things EXACTLY PERFECT does not work out so well for me. At first i really like this plan, because i only had to cook/prepare one meal a day, per say. With preparing vegetables for 2 meals a day. I was still getting the protein i needed. And i couldn't have fruit :(

I've been on Weight Watchers several times. In 2006 was my most successful time, i lost 30 pounds and i felt great i was down to 208. Since then i've gained it all back and then 50 more pounds. But currently i've lost almost 35 pounds and i do feel great. I know that i have a ways t go. Statistically by BMI standards, i should weigh somewhere in between 130-155 for a "healthy" BMI. I know i have more to lose i don't know about losing 105 more pounds. I know i want to be below 200. I would think 150-175 would be okay. I just will have to see how i feel when i get near goal.

So the last few days i've given thought to going back to Weight Watchers. I really need the information from the meetings and accountability that i get from the meetings. I know there will be a lot more planning, recording of points/foods, and more time dedicated to shopping/meal planning. I'm also excited to see the new program that Weight Watchers is coming out with soon.


Thoughts / comments in regards to Weight Watchers? Do you participate in Weight Watchers? Do you like it? Any favorite Weight Watchers recipes that you want to share??

Monday, November 1, 2010

time to get to work

“It’s not whether you get knocked down, it’s whether you get up.”
-Vince Lombardi

So i've been off of my weight loss game for the last month for the most part. I was definitely stressed out with my sister's upcoming wedding. My sister's wedding was 16 days ago. It's time to get back to work. I know that is what i want to do, and need to do. I need to find the own motivation from myself, and then let's go from there. I know that i want to better myself, and help to better those that i love, and those around me. It's time to commit and really do something different. I know that i have issues with committing. It took me several days to figure out a new blog domain name, and a long time to sit with it and figure out if i was going to make the change. I know that making the change will be a great thing for me.

Clean Eats: 12/50
Resistance Training: 3/15
Cardio Training: 4/18
Weight Loss: 0/10

1: Blog Every Other Day (15 blogs) (3/15)
2: Drink more water! ( doing great with that!)
3: Have positive self-talk, and not talk myself down when i don't do my best or don't have a weight loss
(This is something that needs daily work, but it's in progress!)

XOXO.