Catching Up {Mexican Egg Mug Scrambler}

I've had every intention of updating several days ago, but man have I been busy... For three days straight I've been hectic busy. Landscaping. I've finally gained enough energy that the lawn just isn't sitting right with me. We didn't renew our contract with the lawn company two years ago and well it's a pathetic mess full of broad leaf weeds and bare dead spots. It actually makes me ill looking at it.

So we started sprucing it up, de-thatching and planting a couple of new trees. Well, while I was weed eating I nicked $400 worth of trees. YIKES! So then I spent the next afternoon building retainers around each tree, digging, leveling, pounding, back filling, mulching. Yes, I got a heck of a work out in. As if that wasn't enough, the next day I decided to put two new flower beds in on the shaded side of our house. It was just so blah, so I transplanted two Hostas out of full sun and into the shade. Then they just looked sad and the ground around them so blah. We had a dead spot where the fire pit wood had sit and killed the grass. And I loathe the area around the conditioner.

So we picked up some trim to hold back the rock, I purchased and planted two additional Hostas and two new Calla plants. Three trips and 15 bags of rock later I was done. Oh my goodness. If I never have to lift another back of rock again I'll be happy. By the time these three days ended my body was a wreck. I injured my right foot (pulled something?), head planted into the house and landed on my right wrist on the air conditioner pad bruising it bad, and had all around aching muscles. Hmmm, not so sure my calling is landscaping? LOL.

In the process I was so busy I did not eat right. :( As in I skipped my snacks and for the most part ate way too much sodium. In fact I gained weight and I was ticked especially after the amount of lifting and sweating I'd put in. The last two days I made it my job to chug water and try and rid myself of the excess sodium and it appears to have worked. This morning I'm down to a new low.

In the process of the last week I discovered a couple of things. We ate out at Arby's. Funny enough, my hubby is calorie counting along side me and he discovered that Arby's turkey sandwiches aren't as healthy as he thought. Duh! They feed you like 4 servings of meat in one sandwich. Anyways, I opted for a bacon turkey ranch wrap, sans ranch. And instead of my usual curly fries I got a side salad AND I only ate half the sandwich. :) That left me with half for the next day when I was too busy to stop and make lunch. I've also discovered Powerade Zero! I love it. I was doing the low calorie Gatorade, but I think I've found my replacement drink for after a hefty run.

And my latest adventure into new recipes.... I'm subscribed to Egg Beaters emails (I'm not sure why) and they had this easy and fast recipe. I love it. I get my protein, it's quicker than whipping out and heating up a pan and easier to clean up. LOVE!

I make a couple of modifications to the recipe. I used Egg Beaters Egg Whites and instead of Mexican cheese I opted to use Sargento's Reduced Fat Pepper Jack Cheese (1 slice torn in pieces). I also find it takes about 1 extra minute for it to cook thoroughly, but of course all microwaves differ. Then I pair it up with my favorite fruit and "poof," breakfast in a matter of minutes. And the best part? 3PP for the entire mug when you use whites. :D

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

Weigh In Day

 

Weigh in Day!!!!

4.17 = 253.6

4.24 = 251.8

-1.8 pounds

Total Loss to Date: 8.2 pounds

I'm glad it wasn't a gain and I kind of expected a lower number due to some unintentional added sodium this week... Not too shabby I suppose. And I'm that much closer to 10 pounds down and even closer to my 10% goal. WooHoo!

Sick of The Up & Down

I am so tired of the up & down weather pattern. It's freaking crazy. We went from fall to spring to a mild summer. But seriously...you shouldn't have to deal with 30* weather at night and 70*-80* weather during the day. It just isn't right.

Today is cold, windy and cloudy. Blech. But I still made it work. The hubs is still gimpy so after about 2 miles he took the kiddos home and I continued on and was able to start jogging. I couldn't get too far ahead of him, so he kinda slowed me down. ;)

After my run I was in a weird food spot. So I made a silly, yummy snack for 7PP. Fresh pineapple, a chocolate fiber brownie, unsalted dry roasted peanuts, and raspberry-peach water. 

Tonight I'm going to whip up some more Lemon-Lime Garlic Chicken and Roasted Broccoli. Nummy...well time to start preparing dinner!

A New Muscle?

While being sore from yesterday's fabulous jaunt, I decided that I MUST try it again today and see if I could top yesterday's time. Sadly it was too windy out there to top it. I was basically like a lost grocery sack blowing in the wind. But that's okay. I was only 30 seconds off yesterdays pace. Not too shabby for a gal my size.

Yesterday, 16:23 pace --- Today 16:51 pace. I'm debating if I'm going to just keeping trying to improve my time or if I want to increase my distance??? I like going four miles, but... {I don't know what the but is, so I guess we'll see. Maybe I'll just wing it?}

In other news, note to self: stop wearing undies while running, totally causes problems and adjusting in public is humiliating. {sorry for the visual} Just sayin'. ;) 

Changing subjects; Last night after showering I was about to reach down and dry off my calves. I flexed my calf while reaching and OH MY GOD... I have a freaking calf muscle. Seriously...me? Definition in my calves? What the? I was shocked. I don't think I've seen leg muscle definition since I was running track in high school. Yeah... I'll have to dig a photo or two out sometime. I was basically a well endowed stick with muscle. What the hell did I do to myself? LOL.

Anyways, it was very motivating to see that change. Sure I still have tons of extra fat to be burned and flabby skin from gaining so much weight and having two kids so close together, but just that little glimmer of what used to be keeps me going. It reminds me that I can do this, and more importantly I WANT to do this. Is there any changes in your body that you've noticed keeping you motivated?

Happy Friday all!

Bondi Bands...I'm In Love

As you may know by now, I have a small love affair for Bondi Bands. I can't help it. They are addictive, and each one I purchase means something to me. Be it motivation, cuteness, or stating a fact, you can't help but love them. Now, I not only love them for the adorable factor, but their functionality too. They are the only no slip, no drip product out there for runners, at least that I've found. But hey, once you've found something that works you sort of stop looking around. ;)

So I just placed another order for more bands! Shhhh, don't tell the hubby. But in my order I also received a free wrist band for ordering 3 headbands, perfect for holding an i.d. card, car key, or whatever else I don't have pockets for. I also ordered their new armband, so I'm hoping to give that a try with my iPhone so I don't have to shove it in my bra when I don't have pockets. LOL.

As for the bands....I've never had an issue with them moving. There are several ways to wear them; wide open, rolled, folded in half, or pulled down over your ears. And they keep the sweat out of my eyes!!!! Not to mention they are totally fabulous when making a statement.  Now, Bondi Bands also carry a line of wicking hats, pony tail hats, and piggy tail hats. Not to mention child sized bands and match your buddy bands for the fur baby owners.

There are just sooooo many options to choose from, it's hard to decide. Once I get my order I'll load some pics, but for now here are some other bands I'm eying. Have fun looking and deciding for yourself.

What's your favorite?

Felt Great

I got to get out on my own today. Nothing but me, my feet, and my music. After a mile into the walk I felt like jogging...so I did. I ran a block, walked a block. It felt amazing. A 16:23 average pace for a gal my size is quite the feat! Hope everyone is having a great week.

Weigh In Day

 

Weigh in Day!!!!

4.10 = 256.6

4.17 = 253.6 

-3.0 pounds

Total Loss to Date: 6.4 pounds

I'm totally digging this new plan. The food, the ability to still be human and make mistakes but know how to get back on track. I LOVE IT! Today was a great day at the meeting. I got my 5 pound sticker and totally made everyone drool after describing last night's dinner. Which coincidentally fit into today's topic of "How to put color on your plate."

We were discussing how to turn ordinary dishes into extraordinary dishes. The leader skipped the color green, but I spoke up about it anyway, because it wasn't the only color on my plate. Then I described the broccoli & cheese stuffed chicken and the salad I had next to it with spinach, romaine, strawberry, kiwi, and carrots. The leader actually said I made her drool for that meal. It made me feel good.

Then I got all sorts of "what time is dinner," "when can I come over," and even "when are you opening your own restaurant?" LOL. I think the funniest one, was this little old lady who asked if I cooked like that every night. I told her, that it is my goal and yes I am trying to do that.

It was great, and of course I gave a big shout out to skinnytaste.com and the leader was so happy I did, because she isn't allowed to bring it up because it isn't Weight Watchers endorsed, but it is WW inspired. And since I brought it up she was then allowed to talk about it. Yay! It was a great meeting.

When I got home I figured we'd squeeze in a walk...it didn't go as planned but that didn't stop me. The hubs is still gimped up from overdoing a run. He slowed me down, which is a total 180 from the normal. Then about a half mile in we discovered that Bubba was missing a shoe. So we had to double back and find it. Then the hubs decided he'd get his bike while we were at it so he could keep up. Then the grumpy boy started crying, I sent the hubs home to make lunch and I powered on. I didn't get my 4 miles, but 3 was sufficient for everything I endured. :/

Hope everyone else is having a great week!