½ Cup Old Fashion Oats
1 tsp Ground Cinnamon
1.5 Scoops Vanilla Protein Powder
½ Cup Skim Milk
1 Banana
1 Packet Sugar Alternative
Summer is just around the corner. Try this “Apple Barbecue Sauce” for your next grilling venture.
Read More »
So is it wrong to watch the Food Network while working out? I can tell that I’m at the end of the challenge…I’m starting to dream about food. Sad, I know! After months of tracking every calorie, measuring and weighing and planning all my food, I’m ready for a break. I still plan to eat healthy but I’m looking forward to having an opportunity to relax a bit. I have to admit that I’ve found a new love of foods during the challenge. Fruits are especially appealing to me now. I can’t believe what a treat it is to have a banana or an apple. They’re so sweet! Yum! It shows me how easy it is to saturate my diet with sugar and salt, and lose that taste for natural foods. I’m looking forward to taking what I’ve learned and enjoying a happy, healthier and balanced future.
Read More »
Want to lose weight and keep it off? When researchers studied the habits of individuals who have lost 30 or more pounds and have successfully kept the weight off, here are the tried-and-true strategies and habits they uncovered.
Read More »
Spring has officially “sprung” in Wenatchee and I’m lovin’ it. It’s amazing how the change in weather can lift your spirits and re-energize you. It was amazing to leave the gym at 7:00pm last night and still have light outside. Yay! I’m also enjoying the opportunity to change up my workouts or just burn a few more calories. I love taking the kids to the park, and going for walks. We even dusted off the bikes and hit the trail. We’re in the final stretch of the challenge and it’s time to re-energize our workouts and have some fun.
Read More »
Who else is celebrating a birthday during the challenge? I celebrated mine this last weekend and had to make a few modifications to my normal traditions. My kids were especially disappointed that there wasn’t any cake this year. I wasn’t sure how much FUN it was going to be without having all the “normal” food, dessert and alcohol. I was so wrong. I didn’t really end up missing those things. We went out for a sensible dinner and even went out and burned a few calories dancing. I had lots of FUN minus the calories. I admit that in the moment it was tempting but it was great to know at the end of the night that I didn’t blow my whole diet. Thank you to my friends and family for making my birthday a special one. I realized how blessed I am by having so many wonderful people in my life. I realized that I don’t need “emotional comfort” from food to make me happy. It was a much better feeling to have my friends and family see how far I’ve come on my weight-loss journey. And I got to do a little clothes shopping for my birthday too…it felt awesome to be shopping and FITTING in smaller sizes!
Read More »
I love Tuesday nights, because it’s my kickboxing class. I was surprised to discover how much I enjoy kickboxing. Remember I’m the girl with the two left feet in class usually, but somehow I manage to survive and have fun in this class. I guess I can kick and punch just not dance or step on boxes. There is something really empowering about doing all the punching and kicking and blocking. It’s a great way to rid yourself of any aggression. Mary does a wonderful job of explaining the moves and makes it fun and easy. But by “easy” I don’t mean that you won’t feel it, you will definitely be sweating and burning lots of calories. It is an awesome full body cardio workout! The only problem is that the class is really full. Last week, I “literally” got kicked in the rear. So I’m holding out hope that more classes will pop-up on the schedule. (I loved Angela’s Wednesday night Turbo Kick too….please come back Angela!) If you’re like me and have a hard time finding your “rhythm” with your two left feet, maybe give kickboxing a try. Come join me in kicking and punching calories away!
Read More »
So I survived Valentine’s Day without a single piece of candy. YAY! I can’t say I wasn’t tempted though. (I even had a chocolate protein shake at the gym to try and curb some of the chocolate craving.) I looked at how many calories were in a small piece of chocolate candy and was amazed that it was 45 calories for a quarter size piece of candy. Ugh! My calories are too precious to me right now to waste them on candy. Wouldn’t it be great if calories came off as easily as they came on? You know…I just ate a cookie and BOOM a hundred calories would be gone. I wish! Instead what takes you mere minutes to eat, can take hours to burn. A nibble here and nibble there adds up quickly. I was reading Aron’s post on Calories vs. Cardio, http://www.goldsgym.com/healthy/newsletter/2009-10/calories-vs-cardio.php?ref_id=2374&ref_t=Z&originid=54711880, and about died. It’s amazing to look at things in that perspective. So instead of grabbing that candy, I think I’ll head back to the treadmill…
Read More »
For the most part we all love Ranch! But let’s face it, it’s not too healthy. Here’s a recipe that will fit into your healthy lifestyle!
4 containers of FAGE greek yogurt
Three large spoonfuls (heaping) of light or fat free sour cream
1 packet of hidden valley ranch seasoning
Mix all together and serve with Snap peas, celery, peppers for a tasty, low cal, nutritional snack…..6oz is only 95 calories!!!
I’m always looking for new, healthy recipes. I’m probably one of the pickiest eaters on the planet, so when I find something I actually like I’m really excited about it. If anyone has a recipe to share, I’d love to see it. I tried the Lentil & Chicken Sausage soup recipe from the Challenge playbook and thought it was great. I decided to try and make a favorite soup recipe a little healthier. So, I took Paula Deen’s Taco Soup recipe (you know, the southern gal from the Food Network) and changed a few things. It’s great because you can dump everything in a crockpot and at the end of the day you’ve got dinner. So here it is:
Read More »
