Recipe Review and Plateau Busted!

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Woo Hoo...finally busted through that plateau after way too long gaining and losing the same three pounds. Now I am .2 lbs from breaking into the 160's.

I'm experimenting with some new Clean Eating recipes in an attempt to change up my meal plan. Yesterday evening's attempt was Roasted Chicken and Portobell Foccaccia (May/June Issue page 36) and Lemon Garlic White Beans (Nov/Dec Issue page 80).


Coming out of the oven with the melted cheese...


with tomatoes and fresh sliced basil on top.

Review: We had a hard time finding whole wheat foccaccia so we ended up using the regular kind. I only ate half the bread to cut back on the calories. I used grilled chicken from the night before so it cut down on the cooking time. I made it on the stove instead of the oven (chicken and mushroom part) which sped up the process. The kids liked it but thought I should cut back on the basil. The beans were good, but they also advised cutting back on the lemon. Overall I thought it was filling, had lots of veggies and I enjoy the taste of fresh basil so I was okay with that.

I'm using left over beans today for lunch. I'm mixing them with sliced celery and albacore tuna and serving it over chopped romaine for a nice salad.

Tonight's adventure....a new kind of Clean Eating Salmon Patty, a side salad, Pomegranate Green Tea Lemonade, and Lava Cakes. I'm budgeting my calories so I can enjoy a Clean Eating version of the chocolate molten cake for dessert! Plus it's my shift & Lift class which is usually good for over a 600 calorie burn.

What's helping me make progress? Serious accountability. I'm using my shared tracker button each night to get a full report of my weight, calories, and workout to print and put in a notebook for my trainer. After my way too erratic month last time when I saw my trainer over the weekend for my monthly check in he said enough of that. We put my workouts on the calendar and I promised to track everything and print complete reports.

So who is your buddy? Who are you being accountable to? Do you want a repeat of September or do you need to change some things up to make October a more successful month for you?

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

RUNNINGPFUHL 9/29/2010 12:40PM

WOO HOOO!!! Great job!! Great work on being accountable!!! I need to get refocused for October, especially since I can run again! :D October has got to get serious for me! And school is in full swing so it's time to get fueling and running! Races are coming up! :D Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSIEWHITE1109 9/28/2010 9:03PM

Hooray for you!!!!!!!!! Congrats on breaking through the plateau, and the food looks AWESOME! I agree though, a little too much basil. Report Inappropriate Comment

BIGBADMOMMABEAR 9/28/2010 12:20PM

Yummy! Can I come for supper! lol! I think I need to work on accountability too. I like the idea of printing off the report, even if it only makes me accountable to me! I'm going to try that! Report Inappropriate Comment

TRIPLE_EMME 9/28/2010 12:16PM

Another great blog entry! So... I'm planning on some BIG changes for October -- shaking some things up, priorotizing, making winning game plans for the weeks and weekends. I do not have an accountability buddy. I'm thinking that perhaps we can have an accountability buddy match-up through the Twilight challenge team? What do you think? Report Inappropriate Comment

Planning new food this week

Monday, September 27, 2010

Well yesterday was the first day of my track everything I eat for my trainer month long goal. I decided not only would I track, but I would try new food and plan better meals. It really exposes you to have to turn in a food journal to someone to review.

So I looked through six issues of my Clean Eating magazine and planned some new meals for the family this week. It helped also that the night before I cleaned out my pantry and organized it from top to bottom. I'm working on the fridge and freezer today and tomorrow.

Late yesterday afternoon I attended the Dallas Spark team picnic, then headed off to nirvana - or close to it for me - Central Market. It's like a grocery store on Disney land steroids. Very exotic, fresh, and inspiring. So what new things did I leave with?



I bought crepes and this morning I made breakfast with them. The crepes are 90 calories each. I sprayed a nonstick skillet with pam and sauteed a sliced medium banana, 1 T of dark sweet cherry preserves, and cinnamon until warmed through. I put that in the middle of a warm crepe, rolled it burrito style and had it with coffee/creamer. All totaled less than 300 calories.

So what else are we trying this week?
1. roasted chicken and portabello mushrooms on whole wheat foccacia
2. Steak Tacos with Avocado Cream Sauce
3. Salmon Patties and Green Tea Pomegranate Lemonade
4. Turkey Salad
5. Molten Lava Cakes
6. Baked Salmon with Black Bean Salsa and corn saute
7. Turkey Jack Burgers with Mango Shakes
8. Sweet Potato and Cinnamon Brownies

yes those all came out of the Clean Eating magazines! A few more pics to share...


From the Dallas Sparkers Picnic

Me and SP_Coach_Nancy at the picnic

Woo Hoo - I won a free SP tshirt!

And finally - yes my pantry is organized!

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRIPLE_EMME 9/28/2010 11:24AM

You are amazing! I love how organized you are. Report Inappropriate Comment

MKPRINCESS007 9/27/2010 4:28PM

Your pantry looks great! :) I, too, am jealous! So awesome that you won a shirt at the Dallas picnic.......I can't believe that cake (!) with the Spark.......um, hey is that a cake? What kind? It is gorgeous, but kind of frightening! As always you are such an inspiration....love the fact that you find all this healthy food at the market and ACTUALLY cook it! :) Report Inappropriate Comment

ALLEY2300 9/27/2010 3:33PM

Those sound so yummy!! Report Inappropriate Comment

MAMACHEF76 9/27/2010 3:16PM

Those crepes sound amazing!!!! YUM!!!! I totally have pantry jealousy!!! :D Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIE_2B_LESS 9/27/2010 3:07PM

on your organization! And... I'm totally jealous that you got to go to a Spark Event and meet Spark Nancy! Looks like a fun time! Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSIEWHITE1109 9/27/2010 3:00PM

Great blog! I wish I had your stamina for reading all those cooking magazines and trying new recipes! But...I'll be happy to let you cook for me, as an alternative approach!! Report Inappropriate Comment

KCLARK1355 9/27/2010 1:56PM

Totally awsome pantry! I love organization - it makes it easier to stay on track. I painted the inside of mine a dark sky blue last year with white shelves as inspiration to keep it tidy and it actually works for me. I've got to try out planning meals for the entire week - can't seem to plan past 2 or 3 days. Your crepe sounds delish! Report Inappropriate Comment

CSULLIVAN83 9/27/2010 1:45PM

on planning! The crepe looks and sounds SO good!! So does your menu for the week. I wish I had time to cook more. I am making Sparks Confetti Chicken Recipe tonight. It is crock pot recipe so this morning it just threw everything in the pot and turned it on low. Hope your meals turn out to be awesome!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Trainer Update

Saturday, September 25, 2010

I saw Mr. Squat Police today for my monthlly checkup/checkin. Mitchell is a great guy and I give him way too much grief. He should have a tshirt that says...shut up! You pay me to do this!

So check off my list - 8th month in a row that I have made some kind of progress with him.

Several months ago he moved to a new gym that is about 35--40 mins away. And I remember posting a blog and asking for advice on whether or not to drive the distance to see him. Everyone said go. You're seeing results so go no matter what the drive. I went and I continue to be thankful for that advice to this day.

so the closer I get to my goal, the harder it is but here is the progress from a chaotic last month...1.8 lbs lost, 1/2 inch lost on my hips, and my percent bodyfat was down as well. Of the 1.8 lbs lost 1.5 of it was bodyfat. Last month I lost muscle weight which was not good. So I did a better job of managing that.

The lecture from Mr. Squat Police - it is not okay to workout 15 days in a row without taking a break. I print off my SP calendar so he can see my fitness minutes and my calorie tracking. No wonder my knees hurt. I just got used to taking things one day at a time and didn't plan well overall last month. Stern lecture later about why my knees hurt...here are my two goals for october:

1. Follow the fitness schedule he gave me with a mandatory two days off a week.
2. Track all of my food so that at the end of the day I can hit the report button.

That way he can see what I'm eating. Right now he can only the the parts that I track which is rarely everything all day long.

I left from there to go to a 3 year old's brithday party at a bounce house place. Man was I ever glad that I had lost weight. My 15 year old and I went on all the bounce rides except the one that said you couldn't be over six years old. My BFF went on a lot of them with me. We had a total blast and after the two of us went down the large slide more of the adults followed suit. I couldn't have handled all that jumping, bouncing, climbing, sliding, and general goofiness 85 lbs ago. I probably would have been afraid to do anything at all. What a total release and good feeling that was today.

So tomorrow - Day 1 of tracking every morsel until I see him again on October 21st. Two days off a week even if it means I have to miss one of my favorite classes.

The best thing I did today - took my calendar to my trainer and asked him to plan my next thirty days so I could do it right and not worry about it. Now to be obedient and take his advice.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

TRIPLE_EMME 9/28/2010 11:27AM

I'm so glad that you are still working with your trainer -- and happy with the results that you are seeing. Report Inappropriate Comment

YASMINSHORTER 9/26/2010 2:24PM

Good for you!!!!!! Well done in doing so well last month too! Im glad your trainer gave you a telling off for 15 days straight exercise ;-) naughty naughty! lol! Your next 21 days will be amazing I'm sure! Have fun with it! Report Inappropriate Comment

CSULLIVAN83 9/26/2010 1:06PM

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KAITLYNSNAMMY 9/25/2010 10:20PM

Adventures with the Squat Police.....great title for your book. :) You will do it....be obedient that is. And Yippee! for the bounce rides! What fun for you and your BFF! I can surely relate to your before feelings because I still have them. They are a work in progress for now. :) Report Inappropriate Comment

LIZZYP609 9/25/2010 9:12PM

Great Job Lady!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Feeding my mind again....

Thursday, September 23, 2010

I spent two plus hours in the car today driving to a client's office. I had the good fortune to listent to two CD's from the four CD set that my BFF gave me recently. It's called Challenge to Succeed by Jim Rohn.

It was truly an inspirational commute. Instead of mindlessly singing songs, or running through to do lists and daydreams, I spent the time actively engaged thinking about the process of making my life better. Part of that process is being honest with yourself and facing things head on. Taking responsibility for your actions and doing the little things each day that you know you should do.

I believe that with all of my heart. When I finally took ownership of my health and weight two years ago it was a frightening thing. I had hidden from cameras, mirrors, and reality. It wasn't until four different people at my company asked me to join the Biggest Loser contest that I really took a look at myself. Daily choices since then have lead to an 85lb weight loss and the best physical condition I've been in for 13 years.

I had the chance today to show SP to the woman who was training me. She shared that she wants to lose 85 lbs and it was nice to be able to sit there and say that I had done that and here's how... Hopefully she will be on SP this weekend setting up her page.

So honestly...self... get serious. I've gone about three days without logging any food and not doing a good job planning my meals. I think I'm too high on carbs and a little low on protein. So going to get back on track tomorrow with tracking and planning. I know the routine works, so I need to work the routine and quit slacking.

I read a quote this morning.... It is inevitable that life will be full of challenges...failure however is optional. I believe that was the wording, but I didn't write it down. So when you read this realize that you have the choice to succeed at this healthy lifestyle journey. Look in the mirror and be honest with yourself. What should you be doing that you aren't? Are you taking the easy way out and making excuses? Are you going to settle for failure, possibly one of many repeated failures at the same endeavor?

It made me think about a poster I saw not too long ago that had a row of the same image of a man with an umbrella...repeated over and over. It said if you do the same thing over and over, why do expect a different result? If what you're doing isn't working, then what do you need to change to make it work?

Do it now. Be truthful, sincere, and make some goals to get to where you want to be. No one is holding you back but you. I know that was true in my life.

Let me know what you are going to do to win.

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VIAFREE 9/24/2010 6:40AM

You have some great points that helped me to realize just how much I really need to start my ST and stay committed to a routine. I'm starting today! I keep a purse size calorie book and a paper food journal ( the one I'm using now came from a Windows 7 template) with me at all times, so I can write down and logged my calories and dont have to be at the puter for that. Have a good weekend and lets log those cals,cut down the carbs and up the protein! I'm joining you! Report Inappropriate Comment

MESEATURTLE 9/24/2010 12:19AM

awesome blog!!!!Good way to set my mind in the right direction first thing in the morning!!! Report Inappropriate Comment

CSULLIVAN83 9/23/2010 10:41PM

for being you!! This was an awesome piece!! Report Inappropriate Comment

Mind Building

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

I'm having a light bulb moment with regards to what I put into my brain and how I exercise it and what the longterm impact of that is.

I started a twitter account a couple of weeks ago because I have to learn how to use it for my company. So everyday I've been researching positive quotes and motivational sayings because I want my tweet to be something that puts a good thought out there and not just some random gossip.

I also started running a team here on spark people so I've been reasearching almost everyday for a tip of the day, a new strength exercise to try, new recipe, something that will help someone on my team.

You've heard the old saying garbage in, garbage out? Well I feel that I'm investing in putting good things in an I'm getting good things out. I feel mentally stronger, more equipped, and better able to handle my journey. Now the challenge of course will come when I say all of this and then have a stress moment later today or tomorrow. How will I handle it? LOL

I'm facing a month for the first time in 13 here on spark people I think where I might end the month without a weightloss. Right now I understand that my body is going through adjustments, that I'm getting stronger and healthier, that sometimes you don't lose etc. etc. So I'll be seeing my trainer this Sunday for my monthly check in and hopefully he will tell me something good about a better bodyfat percentage, or some improvement in my measurements, but even if he didn't I will still be okay.

I realize this is a lifestyle and I'll get to my number when I get to my number. If it's not in October like I had hoped so what. Twenty years from now when I'm facing aging in a much healtheir form will it matter that it took 16 months, or 20 months? No, it will just matter that I kept going, and got there, and then stayed there. That I didn't give up, give in, or quit.

I found a new person to follow on Twitter today and I'll be making her recipe for breakfast brownies.

www.fitnessandspice.com/2010/09/brea
kfast-brownies/ Brownies and coffee for breakfast - how awesome is that?

Take some time to add strength training for your mind. It's worth the investment. Two books that I keep by my desk: 212 degress the extra degree by Sam Parker and mac Anderson Success Defining Moments from the pubilsher of Success Magazine. I'd also recommend picking up a copy of Success Magazine next time you're at a bookstore. It motivates me every month.

Follow me on twitter...michelenecleary

  

  Member Comments About This Blog Post:

VIAFREE 9/24/2010 6:43AM

You are such a positive person, and it shows in everything you do. I like that. Thanks for the ideas. Report Inappropriate Comment

CSULLIVAN83 9/23/2010 7:27PM

BLOG!! Try to change your routine for a week and see if it shakes things up. Your right about your body adjusting too. That could be why you haven't seen any change, although you make have body fat and measurement changes when you see your trainer. Report Inappropriate Comment

MISSION_MOMMA 9/22/2010 5:38PM

I like your thinking! That's for sharing what is in your head. Report Inappropriate Comment

SUSIEWHITE1109 9/22/2010 1:49PM

Good blog! I agree. I don't have the 212 book, and would like to read it! Bueno, Susanator Report Inappropriate Comment

LESLIE_2B_LESS 9/22/2010 1:45PM

Great recipe for the Breakfast Brownies! I love the challenges you have for us starting Thursday - those are really great ones. I really like the idea of cleaning out my frig & pantry. They are actually a bit bare right now according to my kids (don't have a lot of junk food in them!) - but I'm going to take some time out this coming week to clean it out and organize and go grocery shopping for new stuff. I also love looking at new recipes - so that will be fun and will help with my grocery list also! I love your attitude about the weight loss - and yes #'s are just #'s and sometimes we focus on those too much! ~Leslie Report Inappropriate Comment