A New Lease on the Year

Like ma told me this week, her years roll from school year to school year. So Happy New Years! And with that comes a good time to whip into action after a summer of laissez faire.  

I personally, always have this time period around Thanksgiving, where I watch the Family Stone and I think about the cute outfits and how I want to fit into similar looks in the upcoming year. Because being a little fashion obsessed is a hobby. And then I don't exactly spring into action to achieve this...... (I'll start at New Years!). This year I am starting now. 

Restarted Weight Watchers two weeks ago! I have to give a shout out to my recipe and walking buddy Brandi! After starting to mark up Brandi's cookbook with post its, and going through about 100, I decided to purchase the book, and did so on our walk home from work on Friday. So this weekend I made Garlic and Herb Roasted Cornish Hens, Roasted Fall Vegetables with Pears and Walnuts and Carrots and Bell Pepper Salad. Evidence first:

Like how I crossed the carrots for added effect? I'm kind of into the art of "plating" but REALLY am lacking in the skill. 

 I confess that Justin helped with the cornish game hens, because, like I knew what they meant by stuffing the seasoning under the skin (he told me how to do it, so in the end I DID actually do it myself).

Recipes as follows (don't tell WW that I am totally plagiarizing their book right now):

All three recipes were super tasty. My only recommendations are to only make enough of the roasted vegetables you can eat in one serving (not so good re-heated) and to add the chick peas to the salad (gives it more substance).

Also this weekend we watched this terrifying food documentary. I HIGHLY recommend it! As in, go watch it NOW. It is streaming on Netflix: Forks Over Knives.

I have always been annoyed with western medicine's "treat the symptom not the cause" mentality and this documentary really drives it home. At least watch it and give it some thought. If you don't have Netflix access, email me and I will give you our log in to watch it.

Shoot. Me. Now.

I have been jogging (more like a fast shuffle) 3+ times a week for the last 3 weeks, tracking EVERYTHING that I eat & today when I got on the scale it said I have GAINED 3.5 lbs.  I quit!

Testing out the "My Plate" method

Michelle Obama recently unveiled the replacement for the food pyramid. Basically it is this:

She is quoted as saying:

 "Parents don't have the time to measure out exactly three ounces of chicken or to look up how much rice or broccoli is in a serving. ... But we do have time to take a look at our kids' plates. ... And as long as they're eating proper portions, as long as half of their meal is fruits and vegetables alongside their lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, then we're good. It's as simple as that."

As of now if you were to replace the protein section with Sugars and fats and add

an extra cup for my soda that would look like my plate.

So here is the goal: I am going to test out the "My Plate" method for two weeks. 

If I lose weight and/or feel a difference in energy or overall health, I will vote for Obama.

If I don't I will see if Newt Gingrich still has staff openings. 

 I'll let you know how it goes! 

The Klutz gives it another go

Shortly before moving from St. George to Layton I slipped & re-broke the same ankle I broke right after I had Alex. This time I was super lucky & didn't have to wear the walking boot, just the 6 weeks of the ankle brace. Because of that my workingout has been sporadic at best. Couple that with Own Grandma's version of healthy cooking & boredom eating and you have a recipe for disaster. This week the weather is finally supposed to be nice enough that I'm going back to trainig for the marathon. I've also come to realize that a marathon probably isn't in the cards for me this year, so I've adjusted it to a half marathon. Here's to hoping I have more success this go around!

What do we think?

Healthy? Or headed for disaster?

Re-birth of the healthy me.....again

After I downed my favorite Cadbury Cream Egg this Easter season well no,

after I stepped on the scale after I ate my Cadbury Cream Egg I realized I needed a

re-birth. If I could start all over again I would pull all my sweet teeth out and put

vegetable teeth in. I have no power over my sweet teeth. They have taken over!!
So I thought Easter would be a perfect time to re-birth self control over sweets.

My first step was restraining the urge to buy my favorite chocolity treats on

discount after Easter is over. I accomplished that.

I am thinking I am going to go back to having a sweet day once a week.

I also want to start a food journal again.

The re-birth of the healthy me re-births again for the 100th time!!

p.s. anyone else want to start food journals again?

Hello!

Hello ladies,

Xsusha invited me to blog, and I have to admit it's addicting! I'm working with her in New York and am married (will be 5 years this Thursday), have two cats, one which takes after me and needs to shed some weight because her knees hurt, and am about to graduate, if I can finish my thesis.

I am using Weight Watchers online program, and I had lost 5 pounds out of the 30 I'm shooting for, but have gained 2 back. I feel like if I even look at a french fry, my week is kaput. I gain when I start dipping into my weekly points, so I suppose I'll have to get more active.

On that note, I'm on my second day jogging with my husband. Xsusha can tell you he's not the most supportive person and today we disagreed on how fast I should be able to move. I *want* to move faster, and I probably could step it up a little bit, but I don't want to get burned out and lose motivation to do it again the next day. I definitely don't want to have every step criticized. I do that to myself enough!

So, I vent my frustration on my blog, and it really seems to help me let it go. Stress keeps the weight from coming off, so any chance to let it go is good for me. I think my goal will be to get a new swimsuit once I hit the 10 pound loss. Blogging, goals, and sharing the journey with a supportive group who understands that it isn't as simple as eating less calories to make the weight disappear are what keeps me going.

Thank you Xsusha for the invite, and I look forward to the posts!

5 lbs

So since the marathon I have gained 5lbs!!

This sucks! I have been doing weight training 3x a week with some Cardio as well.

As my BFF Kelli says, "weight is 20% exercise and 80% what you eat." I am pretty sure she made that up but it makes complete sense to me. I want to sign up for another race like a half- marathon but I don't know for sure where we will be living so for now I want to focus on building some core muscles and eating better.

My favorite picture when I googled 5 lbs...

Who ate the cookies in the cookie jar?

Oh yeah. That was me. 

I am pretty much the most unmotivated I have ever been. I need to get it together but I really just can't. This winter is KILLING ME! It is still in the low 40's and cloudy and rainy and I am going to loose my freaking mind. No wait, I am loosing my mind!!! I need sunshine!!! RIGHT FREAKING NOW! I think next winter I am going to coordinate a vacation to somewhere sunny in Jan/Feb, because I will not survive another NY winter.

But in response to Dee Dee's post I too need a goal. Something to force...umm gently push?...me to work towards something. Obviously a weight loss goal is not working, I need something like an active goal. But I have given up running (sorry but I still hate it), I tired to find a walkathon in NYC to sign up for but I can't find one (surely this has to exist right?)

Also, I too must confess that I love cheesy pop music when I am out and about. Something about Beyonce and Alicia Keys really gets me going :)

Suggestions for activities? Suggestions for motivation?

I confess.....

I confess that when I am running or at the gym I love to listen to cheesy pop music. Any other time in my life I hear these songs I gag and immediately turn it off. But when I hear it mid-work out I feel it!! "Yeah Beyonce, I feel ya!", "It was just a dream Nelly, it was!" " I am your Angel Akon

Beyonce never gets by without a re-peat. Before I know I am going to be jazzer-sizing to these tunes!

Off the wagon & stuck on the shoulder...

Like the Dodo bird in the Lion Kings sings "count me out!"  Not only did I fall off the wagon last week, yesterday I managed to walk into the mens restroom at Smiths, roll down a hill into another car, and the real topper-slip on water on the kitchen floor and severely sprain my ankle.  Had I not already broken it 10 years ago, I would have last night.  Luckily because the bone on my ankle was already un-attached, all I did was tear it out of it's scar tissue.  I get to wear a lovely lace up ankle brace for the next 3-6 weeks & totally rest it for 3-5 days.  There goes my long workout day on Saturday. UGH!

Remember the 200lb man?

Remember the 200lb man from last year. I had a goal to lose 30 pounds by the time Ja and Scott's 1st wedding anniversary came around. I lost about 13. I need a new goal to work towards to. Something like a half Marathon or a 10k. Anyone have any ideas?

Off The Wagon

I was doing so well with my training up until Friday, March 18th.  What happened on the 18th you ask? Well, that was the day that Keef was offered a job in SLC.  They asked him to start on the 28th.  Normally not a big deal, he normally does travel for work but in the past he's had a work truck.  This time around, he had a nice pair of boots.  He will get a service truck, but first he has to go through orientation etc.  In the meantime, we had 10 days to figure out transportation, make living arrangements, get everything he needs for work and decide if moving 400 miles is the right thing for our blended family. 

My goal this week is to get in 4 walks/runs & keep my sanity while trying to pack up the fam.  Somewhere in there I have to find an apartment & a job while still working full time at Allconnect.  Wish me luck!

Funny clip

Not really a Kimmel fan, But I thought this was funny!

Thighs of steel

Okay so that is one way to get thighs of steel.

The other is to sit in a car for five hours after strenuous exercise.

Today is the first day that I can really walk normal.

I also unfortunately fell off the no sweets band wagon.

I need to hitch a ride back on ASAP!

I've been thinkin.....

First off:

WAY TO GO DEE DEE!!! 

Congratulations on the marathon! What a spectacular achievement! I knew you could do it!

Next:
I am thinking about going off of my anxiety/depression medication. I've been on it since 2002, but I would like to try and control it "naturally." I guess if it didn't work then I could always go back on, right?

Later in the day......
Going to make the plunge. Just cut all my pills into 4ths (I was already only taking half because my Dr. was nice enough to prescribe 20mg pills so I could actually take 10 and make the prescription last longer). Things to remember:
1) Continue healthy eating
2) Get a fitness routine into place.
3) After pay day on Friday I will head over to GNC and get the natural supplements. (Omega's and what not).

Even Day post!

Not much to say. Other than I need some exercise motivation! I have plateaued with the healthy eating and need to up the exercise. Basically, I do nothing now, so doing something, ANYTHING would be an improvement. So help me out gals!

Running for a cause

The LA Marathon is right around

the corner.

Other participants and I are attempting to raise money for

Aide Relief in Japan through the Red Cross.

My goal is to reach $400 by next Sunday.

Here is the link of where one could make donations.

Any amount small, smaller or even medium sized are MUCH appreciated!

Lots of love, Sushi and Sashimi to Japan and it's wonderful people.

.

I meant to post but.......

okay I actually have no excuse for not posting last week. But today I do! My healthy cells have been tricked by the flu virus!:

Attack!

Here's hoping my immune system hasn't completely shut down by the attack of my skin rash and this flu.

frustrated and zumba-ized

I was feeling a little down but also excited for my two week brake from work.

So after work I picked up Ha Jyn and we headed here:

Now my tummy is ACHING!!!!!!!

No more Chipotle for me!

Yesterday I met up with a friend and we went to Zumba class.

The room had mirrors on every wall, but I refused to watch myself Zumba.

I knew if I saw how dorky and out of place I looked I would be way to

embarrassed to continue. It was a good workout and a lot of fun.

I had plans to get up early this morning and work out,

but I failed. Tomorrow I am doing my last long

run before the race.

I have trained so poorly for the race I am considering just finishing it

a success. If I can keep down my banana this time it will be an even

bigger success!

The road to HELL...

Is paved with training to run 26.2 miles.  And that's all I have to say about that.

Lent... please be good to my abs!

This is what my abs feel like now.

I decided to semi-participate in lent for the first time this year.

I am giving up my gateway sweet, chocolate. In it's place I am going

to start doing the ab exercises that I always avoid.

With my running I have plateaued with my weight loss.

I can also feel that my muscle mass is on vacation.

So hopefully my muscle will come back to me soon!

I am hoping that more muscle will equal less muffin top.

I will look like this in no time!! (Ewww gag)

Salmon Recipe and Book Recommendation and lent

Here is the book I would recommend, I've used it for both my half marathons:

Marathoning for Mortals

And for lent I am giving up Ice Cream (I don't really celebrate lent, but I know that it means I have to give up something until Friday April 15th. Ice cream is my gateway drug. Once I have the ice cream I might as well have the brownie, and the gummie bears and whatever else I can get my hands on........

I also am going to do a little exercise DVD (3 or 4 times a week) in the mornings since I have no motivation to do anything after work. 

And finally.....the salmon recipe.

Rosemary Salmon:

Thaw your salmon if it is frozen (which, in my case it always is). I get it in the individually wrapped packets in bulk from Costco. So I take my wrapped salmon and run hot water over it for about 5-10 minutes. I have found that fish thaws surprisingly fast so be careful not to “cook” it in the package during the thaw. I guess the other option is to take it out of the freezer in the morning. But I can’t always remember things like that.

Preheat oven to 350.

Tear off a rectangle of aluminum foil. Set your fish in the middle. 

Spice mix:

-       I bought a “Sicilian” spice mix  from TJ Maxx

-        took it home dumped it into a bowl stirred in a whole lot of dried rosemary (purchased from the actual grocery store!), put it back in the jar and wa-la! I’ve got rosemary fish rub for the next 6 months for 7 bucks.

Put four or five good sized pinches of the rosemary rub on your fish. Wrap the foil up like so (Justin says that the wrapping technique is essential to keeping the juices in):

 

Pull both sides of the foil up like you are going carry it

 

Squeeze the two flaps together and then "roll" them down to the fish

Fold sides in after you "roll" down the top section of foil

Put in the oven with the folds facing up so it won't leak all over the oven.

Put it into the oven for 15 min.

Open it up, and use a spatula to transfer it to the plate. Nom! Nom! Nom!

BREAKING NEWS

We had a health fair at work today and I found out I'm Short, Fat & have low blood sugar. SHOCKING!
The good news is that I'm 35lbs lighter than last year at this time & because I probably also have mental health issues, I agreed to start training for the STG marathon with a co-worker.  If anyone has a couch to 26.2 in 6 months training book/suggestions I'll gladly take them.

Yikes!

Okay minus the crazy woman smile this is the me size I like.

135-140 fits good on my frame. That is a lot for other people,

but good for me. I will never/nor do I want to be a waif. I will always

have 'junk in the trunk' sort of speak.

Look I have a neck in this picture!

No muffin top or a front butt!

and I really miss that "if your awesome and you know it, clap

your hands" t shirt.

And just four short years later...

In fairness this was 3 days after giving birth to

Ha Jyn.

350- some odd days later...

Not much I can excuse this on.

On the bright side I have had no sweets since the 1st!

I am going to make it!!

Now off to bed. Hopefully I can pull myself

out of bed in time to go swimming with my 79

year old boyfriends before work tomorrow.

Celebrity Inspirations (Hey we all have them)

It's an even day so I am posting again. This time it is celebrity inspirations. My inspiration:
Kate Winslet. Simply glamorous, but also very normal.

Healthy dinners

So these are photos of the dinners that I have had during the week.

Steamed asparagus, mixed greens with feta and 5 tomatoes and rosemary seasoned salmon.

 Steamed broccoli, baked cauliflower seasoned with curry and paprika. A pork chop and salad.

 Salad, 5 tomatoes, 5 olives, sauteed zucchini, and rosemary salmon.

 This one didn't quite work. I was supposed to saute onions and mushrooms but I burnt them into a lovely gross charcoal sticks, maybe next week I will succeed with that. Salad and a hamburger with melted swiss cheese.

Holy SH**

I dare you Dee Dee to post your most unflattering photo!(Add it to the side bar for daily inspiration!) I actually have been working on a little something all week, but  I have to upload the photos to the big computer tomorrow so I can post it.

Yep. Here it is. The photo of doom:

Lets go through the items in this photo one by one.....

Faded dingy white shirt with Brigham Young on it-- Check

Cut off pants--check

Number pinned with delicacy, off center, over left boob--check

Sweaty face--check

Dazed and confused look--check

Old man passing me--check

Wedgie- check

50 extra lbs.--check

All the more reason to start this blog now!

 

PS: Justin saw me blogging this photo:

Justin: What are you blogging about?
Me: Nothing! This Catherine and I's blog and you aren't invited!
Justin: Why? Because I'm not a heavy set gal??
Very funny....

Equally as important to post a goal photo: One you really super like of yourself (but you can still request changes if you want)

 

Waist line- check

Simply stylish hair- check

Accessories- check

Somewhere around 135 lbs.- check

Secretly laughing at old man in background.- Check

Lookin' good!

New blog, new direction...

It's happened to everyone...

At one point in time we have all been called fat.

Some try to hide it while others provide no silver lining.

My Grandma being the latter of the two. If a women is overweight

a description will

always include, "Well she was a real heavyset gal......"

But hey, you gotta call it like you see it!

I would say the worst experience I have had being called fat

happened about four months after I got married.

I had just left my professor's office when I ran into my friend and fellow Psych major.

He said, "Congratulations!" I said, "Huh?" "no really congrats!!!" I said, "For what?!!"

He said, "I thought you were, but now I can totally tell

!" Still lost I said, "Huh?"

He replied, "That is so great I am so happy for you!"

At this point my mind was racing. I was thinking of things I could be

congratulated for. Did I win something? Did I get a scholarship?

His next comment tore down those hopes.

"No really you guys are going to be great at this, now is it a boy or a girl?"

My face dropped. "Umm neither, it is 5 lbs of new fat. If you want to name it

and give it a birthday present you c

an!"

He was so embarrassed as was I.

I never ever wore those pants again and

never ever let him forget about t

hat day.

The purpose of this blog is to keep committed and focused on

any goals we heavyset gals have. For me I will use this blog as a way of reporting and self-checking on my progress or lack there of. As of now I (Cat) will blog on odd days and Ha(Carly) will blog on even days.

My new goal is no sweets for the rest of March. Lately I have felt it

my personal obligation to eat anything chocolate within a ten mile radius of my

mouth. I need to be stopped! I can't limit my sweets either.

It would be the same as if a alcoholic was told, "Okay now just three drinks a week!"

Chances are that guy is going to be drunk and hurled over a trash can in no time.

So here's hoping to a sweet-less March!