Week...something...I have no idea.

I have no idea what week this is, I should probably figure that out. This week I am finally back on track, I could certainly be running more but this weather is so hard to run in. Not actually hard to run in, mainly I just don't want to leave my hot cup of coffee and warm blanket.
 
I am eating better. For breakfast I have two egg whites, which I actually like better than whole eggs. They are certainly tolerable considering they are an embryo...or chicken abortion. Ugh, I really hate eggs, they are getting easier to tolerate though.
 
I made squash soup for dinner a couple days ago and that has been supplying me with fuel for the last few days. It's actually pretty delicious. I just used some frozen chicken stock probably....3 large cartons worth if it was from a store. I added in garlic, celery, onions, and carrots that I sauteed in coconut oil until they sweat. I added in two large sweet potatoes skinned and sliced into cubes and one half of a large butternut squash. I let it all cook until they were soft and then blended it. I also added salt, pepper, pepper flakes, and a little cayenne. It's savory and a little spicy and pretty much perfect for autumn yummy foods.

I found this great little product called miracle noodles, they are zero calorie noodles so I made a marinara with tons of veggies and ground turkey. I added cottage cheese on top because although it still has dairy it makes it taste like lasagna and it is SUPER low in calories.

So apparently this entire blog is heading towards just talking about food, but since that is one of my loves in life I'm trying to find a new way to love food, same comfort food ideas, less calories, more nutrition. OH another delicious food recipe. Creamed cauliflower instead of mashed potato. I steam a head of cauliflower, then put it in the food processor with a little coconut butter (vegan butter alternative) and cottage cheese to give it a creamy consistency. I always add a scoop of garlic, because well...it's delicious. Salt and pepper, a little cayenne or chili powder and nutritional yeast which makes it kind of cheesy. (if you imagine that cheese is powdered, and healthy tasting)

OK enough about food, seriously this time. I took new before and during pictures and also compared to my best weight loss photo and I haven't gained in weight and currently I am also down another 5 pounds. It's not a ton, but it's not gain. It seems I'm overcoming my plateau, which would happen even faster if I would just get my butt on the treadmill, but currently I'm focusing 100% on the food I put in my body.

So here are my pictures for the week. Or actually what seems to be the first in several months. The one in the grey quarter length shirt is from July I believe which was 2 months into my journey and the white shirt is my first day which was May 31,2012. The picture in the grey t shirt was 5 days ago. I have lost another 5 lbs since that picture was taken but I don't see a difference. I still feel exactly the same as I did in the first picture and I actually don't believe I lost weight until I see the picture which is evidence that it really happened.

 

And my measurements for the week.

 

 

 MAY 31  OCTOBER 12, 2012           NOV 19, 2012

 

 NECK 16               Neck:15                      Neck:15

 

 BICEP:20              Bicep:18                       Bicep:16

 ARM 13                Arm:12                          Arm:10

 CHEST:48             Bust:42                          Bust:41

 

 WAIST: 45            Waist:39                       Waist:38

 STOMACH:52           Stomach:49                   Stomach:45

 HIPS:52              Hips:45                         Hips 43

THIGH:28                Thigh:27                          Thigh:25

 CALF: 18                  Calf:17                           Calf 16

Week 3 completed

This week is easier again. I have been consistently juicing two of my meals per day

. I have always hated ginger but lately ginger has become my best friend. Ginger and lemon are a delicious combo for any juice.

 I also found out that if I sandwich my spinach between two juicy fruits, it juices much easier. It has simply become a part of my daily routine.

We live on the hills of east medford, which means I have excellent walking terrain. I have been pushing myself to speed walk up all of the biggest hills in my neighborhood for no less than an hour everyday. I am surprised and pleased to say that it has become enjoyable and gradually less difficult.

The first day I decided to walk the hills I got to the top of our street and had to take a break(aka I heave-hoed the whole way).

 I don't have a problem walking but walking up hills with a fast pace along with a baby and dog make it much more difficult.

 I think I am going to try to add in zumba at some time of the day along with the walking. I have been walking an hour a day for three days and each day I have made my route a little longer.

 When we get home, Noah and I go in the back and cool off with the hose or sprinkler. It's been a fun thing for the two of us. Every time he sees Bernie walking next to the stroller he lets out a big giggle.

 I have been eating with the rules of "You can eat it if it comes from the ground, or has a mother" (with that said, I hate eggs, beef, pork, and I don't eat potatoes, avocado or mango (too much fat)) So I've been cooking with fish, chicken, veggies and fruit.

 I found that if I make a trip to the store about every two days or so it replenishes what I use for juicing and it's fun to find new food. Noah loves to help count the fruit and place them in the bags.

Overall, boring week for the blog, since I've been staying on track but uh good for me!

Also deliciousness to try:
Blueberry Ginger Lemonade

a little thing I made up last night with my juicer.

I juiced 5 lemons, 3 small nubs of ginger, and about a cup of blueberries.
Add the blueberries into the mix.
I used some raw sugar. I would tell you how much but I didn't measure..
Maybe 1/2 cup or so.

I lost 1 lb this week. Not much but something. I think part of it is that I've been walking so I'm gaining a bit of muscle. Also my non existent abs hurt.
I hope they decide to come through and not just hurt at some point.

Total weight loss 16 lbs.

Measurements. 

Beginning              Week Two                       Week 3

Neck

16                            15                         15

Bicep

20                            17                         16

Forearm

13                            11                         10

Chest

48                            44                         40

Waist

45                            39                         37

Gut

51                            49                         47

Hips

52                            50                         43

Thigh

28                            29                         24

Calf

17                            17                         16

Total Inches Lost so far : 42"

Boom!

Take that fat.

 and for now imagine how skinny I must look because I can't find my shirt. Must do laundry.

haha.

Ok, I don't look that different.

but imagine it.

Lifechange day 8

Dun dun dun dunnnnn! Week one of my lifechange is over. Man, cravings were so bad the first few days. It was all I could do to not just say "SCREW THIS! I'M GETTING ICE CREAM!" I am trying to think of this as an addiction, food is my substance and I need to learn to give food a new respect that I have never given it. I am trying to heal from the inside out. I have confronted my issues of overeating, secret eating, and eating out of boredom and for the last week I have done NONE of them. NONE! Whew that's a first.

 Food is supposed to be the fuel that runs my body, I have always indulged in the decadence of food, the very art that it is. I love cooking, baking and creating whatever I can with food. I didn't care how it was prepared as long as it was delicious and orgasmic to my tastebuds. I have a different point of view today, for the last week I have eaten 90% raw, 10% protein with two pieces of chicken out of the lean mean grill machine per day. I am considering going 100% raw.

I feel better than I have in months and that is no exaggeration! Even with finals and a 1 year old I still have more energy and am less stressed than usual. I truly have a dedication to this that I have never had and when I went to bed last night I didn't think "I am going to try to lose 80 lbs this year", I said "I'm GOING TO lose 80 lbs this year!"

I started with 86 pounds to lose and I am down to 73 lbs to lose. So far i'm kicking butt and taking names. Someone shake me if I lose the motivation that I have right now! I also lost a total of 15 inches.

Here's my embarassing inches. I would prefer that no one knew this information but I feel that to become healed from the inside out I need to do this and own up to what I have done to my own body and know that this is a starting point, it's not where I will be forever, and it's not where I am now.

Starting                As of June 6,2012
Neck
    16                      15
Bicep
    20                      18
Forearm
    13                      12
Chest
    48                      44
Waist
    45                      41

I am going to add one in here because it is the most important to me. I didn't take a starting measurement so it will be as of today.

GUT!                        51 (EMBARASSING!)

Hips 
   52                       47
Thigh
   28                       29
Calves
   17                       17

I'm sure i'll be back before the end of the week but I will add measurements again on June 13, 2012 which is my 2 week mark.

As suggested I added photos, thse are as of today, like three minutes ago. I would NEVVVVER wear this shirt, but I feel like a snug shirt is the best choice to show the progress. I'll take pictures in this shirt combo until it doesn't fit anymore (psh totally won't fit soon)

 Sorry for the lack of make up ya'll. Just fresh out of the shower

Wish me luck!