Tuesday, April 23, 2013

So Close!!! Stupid Scale...

You may have heard me squealing with delight yesterday as I hopped on the scale and it read 199.0. That's right, under the big 200!! I wanted proof of that milestone. I ran to the bedroom, grabbed my phone, ran back and got back on the scale to take the most beautiful scale picture ever (not really a lot out there for competition).

You also may have heard me screaming and hurling my scale out the window after it then read 202.0 no matter how many times I got off and back on, leaned backward, forward, breathed in or out! How is that possible? Apparently I am able to gain 3 pounds by breathing as I move the 20 feet to my bedroom...that's my super-power. What's yours?

Oh well, it was there briefly. It'll be there again soon. This time for good...well at least until it drops further below 199.0 :-)
I'm really not that obsessed with the number on the scale. It's just that getting below 200 would be such an accomplishment for me. Regardless, I feel great. My clothes are falling off of me. I have more energy. My hair and skin even look healthier. I swear!

I have noticed that since the cleanse portion of this challenge ended I've been hungrier at night. I'm fine during the day but want to snack at night. I'm doing my best to choose wisely or just go to bed! Usually I'll have a few nuts or raisins. Then water and bed. I'm not sure why I'm hungrier at night now or even if it truly is hunger. As women we deal with so many random hormonal fluctuations causing cravings (and mood swings and weight gain and anger and psychotic behaviors-lol). Maybe it's just that. It could also be that I've significantly increased my exercise...as in virtually non existent during the cleanse to almost daily.

I downloaded that Couch to 5K app a few weeks ago. Funny thing about that app is that it doesn't work unless you do what it tells you to do! So I actually started using it last week. Man, I hate that woman telling me "begin running now"...I feel like screaming "are you sure? I don't think I walked long enough.". Grrrrrrr!
But it's working. I've run before on treadmills and the elliptical. Running on the road is totally different. Especially on the hills around my house. Although at points on steep inclines I'm not sure what I'm doing could be called running! Good thing it's early enough that only the paperboy is out to see my seizure-like movements! It is getting easier. I don't love it yet. But it's getting easier.

I've got to say that my entire family is benefitting from our hard work/healthy lifestyle. Not that we weren't healthy before. But I'm really trying to switch out some of our not- so-wonderful food traditions with more nutritious, sneaky versions.

We eat pizza every Friday night. The kids expect it. We love pizza! During the cleanse, the kids ate it...we had something on the grill instead. Not the same. The smell of the pizza almost made me cry. But we made it through. This week we made our own pizzas. I bought whole wheat crusts from Wegmans. Next time I'll make my own as they weren't 100% whole wheat but they were very close to it. Anyway, they were great! The kids didn't even know the difference. And at least one of my 4 picks up on these "switches" pretty regularly.
(pic below)

I also tried baked kale chips. They were ok. My 6 year old liked them. I'll make them again...but I'm not totally sold on them. There's a fine line between burnt and not cooked enough to be crisp.
(pic below)

I made a crock pot full of chili last night. It was a great dinner and I'll eat it for lunch this week too. I significantly cut down in the sodium in this recipe by using a lie sodium chili packet and 1/2 of what I normally would. It was still REALLY good! So simple too:

-1.5 pounds of raw, extra lean ground beef (95%)
-2 large cans of petite diced tomatoes
-1 large can of kidney beans
-1 large onion, diced
-3 large peppers, diced
-1 packet of low sodium chili seasoning

Toss it all in the crock pot on high for 4 hours or low for 8.

WW points + = 2.5 per cup

YUMMMM!

Only 9 more days of the challenge. I'm starting to think of what route I want to take next...as far as this "experiment" goes. Right now I'm thinking I'll continue with the max phase for another few weeks then drop the supplements but follow the eating plan for a few more...then maybe go back to adding in some of my favorites that I miss. Like chocolate. We'll see...it's a plan still in the works. What are your thoughts? What would you like to see me do?







Thursday, April 18, 2013

Please God, let this work!

Last night was busy...very busy! My son had his adorable kindergarten musical and we went for ice cream after the show. Well they went for ice cream, I went for water! UGHHHH! It was tough but I resisted. Not even a lick of a spoon or swipe of a cherry...just a glass of ice water! Part of me really wanted to skip the trip entirely but that wouldn't have been fair. Nor would it have been realistic. I'll be faced with temptations again I'm sure...I can't run from them all. And it's only 2 more weeks, then I can plan for things like this as a treat. It's not like I'll never eat ice cream again!

I was exhausted, but after tucking the kids in for bed, I hauled my butt to the gym too (yay me!!). I asked some friends and fellow challengers to motivate me and hold me accountable for exercising regularly. I hadn't been. I'm sure my results in the challenge will be even better if I do and I really want the best results! So it was their texts and voices that I saw and heard as I glanced at my cozy bed, laced up my sneakers and headed to Planet Fitness instead. Thanks guys!

I needed to burn off some stress anyway. Yesterday was Day 10, the last day of the cleanse for myself and most of my family and friends that are joining me on this crazy ride. I was a bit worried, nervous, anxious...what ifs were running through my head all night.

What if this doesn't work? What if I haven't lost any inches? What if it's all in my head that I "feel" great? What if I regained the 7 lbs I noticed I lost when I peeked last week? Maybe it was all water. What if it doesn't work for any of the others? Will they hate me? They spent good money!!

Run on that elliptical...run on that elliptical...

Ok...it'll be alright. We're healthier if nothing else. We're on a good path. We're making good choices. It'll be fine. Now go to sleep.

So I did. And I woke up. And I weighed. And I measured. And it worked!!!

I'm down 7.5 pounds. I've lost 12 inches. 3.5 from my waist alone!!! How cool is that?!?! Belly fat---Be Gone with You!

14 more days to go...and these next 2 weeks are referred to as the "Burn Phase". Woohoooooo! Maybe I'll wear a pair of shorts this summer. It's been a good 10 years since that's happened, lol!

Results are in from most of my family and friends too. No one hates me. Everyone is thrilled!! It's a happy day!

I made a really easy and yummy crock pot dish the other day...here it is...

Chicken and Eggplant Marinara

-2 lbs b/s chicken
-1 medium to large eggplant, sliced
-1 medium onion, diced
-1 T minced garlic
-2 jars of sugar free spaghetti sauce ( I used Classico Tomato Basil

Place all items in the crock pot on low for 6-8 hours. Serve over pasta or spaghetti squash, my favorite!

I sprinkled some low fat mozzarella on my kids' plates and now that I'm not cleansing I could eat it that way as well!

WW points + = 4 per cup plus points for pasta or not...if you eat it over spaghetti squash! So yummmmy!!!

Enjoy!!

Here's a montage of pics that follow along with this post...














Monday, April 15, 2013

What exactly is the challenge?

One week ago yesterday (after much research and a frustrating plateau) I began the 24 Day Challenge. In that time I've seen increased energy, I feel generally healthier and happier. My pants are too big...seriously, I'm stepping on the hems today...I guess my butt and gut are shrinking. Either that or I'm getting shorter!! The scale reads a full 8 lbs lighter. And I'm guessing I'm losing inches too as a bunch of people have noticed that I look different! So what is the 24 Day Challenge?

Here is the basic idea...
Our intestines are coated with a layer of crud from the preservatives, additives and toxins in the foods we eat each day. This buildup prevents full absorption of the vitamins and nutrients that keep our body's systems, and metabolism functioning properly. The good stuff can't all get through...even when you are doing everything right!
The first 10 days of the challenge is an herbal cleanse. It's gentle, more like a detox...not at all like a "Quick! Where's the bathroom and a change of pants?" kind of cleanse, lol!
You eat real food: lean proteins, fruits and veggies, complex carbs, healthy fats. You drink a fiber drink 6 out of 10 of the days which is not tasty...not tasty at all, but not gross enough to make you give up either!
You take some vitamins and minerals. Omega 3 Fatty Acids for overall health, a branched-chain amino acid something or other that allows your body to maintain muscle while losing fat (this is AMAZING stuff), a probiotic to restore the good bacteria in your gut while getting rid of the crud. You feel better. You look better. You get ready for phase 2, days 11-24...the Burn Phase!! Bring it on!!

During the burn phase you continue taking catalyst and omegaplex and also add in a vitamin pack that's designed for your goals...appetite control, energy or overall health and weight management. These packs are filled with the ABCs of vitamins to help your systems work to their potential now that you've cleaned out that layer of yuck!

I mentioned in one of my first posts that I have a few friend's and family members doing the challenge with me. It's so helpful to have the added support! We're in it together...and all doing really well I might add!

I ran into some great friends this weekend at the local BMX track where my son races. A bunch of people noticed that I've lost weight. The only true weight I've lost since I last saw them in December (pre-Christmas cookie pounds) has been lost on the challenge. They wanted to know more. They want to do it too! So many of them are signing up for their own challenges with me as their coach. Yep, I signed on as a distributor. I may as well earn a discount on the products that I'm using as I will likely continue with some of them next month. Being a distributor gets me a decent discount...20%-40% depending on how many people I coach through challenges etc. Sounds good to me.

I'm confident at this point in my challenge...only a little over a week in...that this is legit. It's a healthy lifestyle. It's not a diet. I can still do the challenge alongside WW, which I love. I can use the challenge to break plateaus, restart healthiness, whatever...when I need it.

It's not a quick fix. It's not a magic pill. It's still hard work. But it's hard work that is paying off and keeping me on the right path. I've worked hard and done all the right things before only to see little to no results. I'm a firm believer that we have to keep our bodies guessing. It's clearly confused as it just melted 8 lbs in a week. I'll take it!

So what did I eat yesterday? Pictures at bottom (only way to do it from my phone )

Breakfast (after Spark, vitamins and the "delicious" fiber drink)...:
2 eggs, sautéed spinach and strawberries

Snack:
25 pistachios and some cucumber slices

Lunch:
1/2 a whole wheat pita filled with 3 oz chicken, 2 T hummus, spinach and tomato slices

Snack:
Apple and 2 T natural peanut butter

Dinner:
Big salad with mixed greens, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, avocado, 6 oz of NY strip, trimmed of fat, light balsamic vinaigrette dressing

Delicious Day!!! Check out the pictures!

WW points plus total...30! I dropped 2 points with my weight loss! 30 is perfect!!


I've compiled a ton of research. If anyone wants to know more, FB message me or send me an email. My email address is:

tarasnydermurphy@msn.com

My Advocare site for ordering is below. I haven't figured out how to set up bundles so you know what you need. It's best to contact me via Facebook or my email and I'll set you up.

www.advocare.com/130347920






Thursday, April 11, 2013

I peeked! I'm down! Woohoo...I'm an 8th grader again!! What?!?

I weigh in on Thursdays at WW. As promised, I'm still following WW. I mean, Weight Watchers rocks so why not? I've added a twist of the 24 Day Challenge to my WW Healthy Lifestyle Cocktail.

I was curious as to what would happen tonight. I'm eating within my points so I should be down. But I've been doing that faithfully for a while and some weeks I see results, some not so much and then my all time favorite...the weeks you do everything right and the scale says "Holy hell! Get off of me you gained 2.5 lbs! Switching anything up that you know works, even if slowly at times, can be a bit scary.

So on Monday morning when I weighed in, naked...first thing in the am...after going to the bathroom...I told you I weighed 210 lbs. This morning, after only 3 full days of the challenge, that beautiful scale said 202.8!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, you read that correctly! I'm down 7.2 lbs in 3 days!!! CRAZY!!!!

Now I know a ton about losing weight...pun completely intended...so I recognize that a portion of what I lost, possibly even 5 lbs., is likely water weight. But I lost 7.2 in 3 days!!! Even if I only lost 2.2 lbs of actual body fat, that's in just 3 days folks. 3 days. And who doesn't want to get rid of extra water weight anyway? I don't exactly enjoy feeling bloated!

But here's the really exciting thing. The super-duper-holy-cow, shout it from the rooftops thing!!! The last time I weighed 202 lbs was when I was in 8th grade!!!!!
Seriously! I remember. It was traumatic actually. And embarrassing. A classmate saw the nurse's record of my weight and blabbed it all around. So to be at that weight again, full well knowing that I'm going to quickly say goodbye to it...that's like sweet revenge to the teasing and the teasers!

Weight Watchers got me most of the way here. Maybe Advocare will get me further still. Either way, I'm doing it healthily and permanently. So far I am LOVING my WW Healthy Lifestyle Cocktail with a 24 Day Challenge Twist!!


Recipe for tonight...

Roasted Asparagus

-2 lbs of fresh asparagus, ends trimmed
-1 or 2 teaspoons of olive oil
-a sprinkling of sea salt

Preheat oven to 400. Toss the asparagus in the olive oil. Lay in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with a little sea salt. Bake for about 20-25 minutes in the oven. Enjoy! Sooooo good!!!





Wednesday, April 10, 2013

Day 2 of my Advocare vs. Weight Watcher's Experiment

Day 2 went off without a hitch. I tried my first shake (5 points + on WW) instead of making eggs as it was a CRAZY morning at the Murphy's. Ok, well every morning is kind of crazy at our house but I had no time to cook. The chocolate was delicious, seriously it was! But maybe I'm delusional from 2 days without leftover Easter smidgens.

I had some pistachios and some cucumber spears for a snack. I had about 2 cups of this homemade veggie soup for lunch (I added 4 oz of shredded rotisserie chicken to my bowl)...

Crockpot Veggie Soup
-2 boxes of low sodium, natural chicken broth (Swanson brand)
-1 large can of tomato sauce
-1 small can of petite diced tomatoes
-1 T minced garlic
-2 generous handfuls of fresh baby spinach
-2 small zucchinis, diced
-1 big handful of shredded cole slaw mix (cabbage and carrots...raw, no dressing!)
-1 celery stalk, diced
-1 medium onion, peeled and diced
-1 large carrot, peeled and diced
-1 cup of frozen, French style green beans...because they were lonely in the freezer!

Cook the above in a 7 quart crockpot , on low, for 4-6 hours. You could also cook it on the stove. Use whatever veggies you have and like! This is 0 points + on WW. Picture below...

To make it a more satisfying and complete meal I add diced or shredded chicken, fish, lean ground beef...basically whatever's leftover. I may also add brown rice, whole grain pasta or quinoa as a complex carb. Additional WW points accrue as you add to it :-)

My intention was to eat lunches from this soup all week. It was yummy...was...

Don't be a dope like me and forget to put in away in the fridge. I came home to some sort of nasty, veggie wine fermenting in my crockpot. That wine wouldn't pair well with ANYTHING! YUCK! I'll make round 2 soon.

I ate some celery and natural peanut butter for a snack. See, all normal food!

I had about 6 oz of rotisserie chicken, a big salad with light balsamic dressing and 1/2 a sweet potato for dinner. Nothing fancy but filling and yum!

I wasn't hungry for another snack so I don't have one. I don't know if it's the food I'm eating or the supplements I'm taking but I am rarely hungry!!

So if you add up my shake, my Spark drinks, snacks and meals...my WW points total for the day is :
30 points + on WW...if I ate my nighttime snack it could've been 32 which is my WW target. But I just wasn't hungry! And that's a good thing...a REALLY good thing!
WOAHHH! Hold the presses!! I forgot about my beloved fiber drink! That's 2 points! I'm at 32 WW points +. Victory! Lol!

So I'm eating clean. I'm counting points. I'm making good choices. I'm including some extra vitamins. I'm choking down the fiber drink. So far so good. Let's hope the scale and the measurements say the same on days 11 and 24!!




Monday, April 8, 2013

Get ready, Get set, GO!!

Holy Guacamole! I definitely spent the majority of yesterday grocery shopping, cutting veggies, and bagging up my goodies in preparation for this week. Check out my shopping cart at the local wholesale store...

Don't get me wrong, I have been eating very healthily on WW. But I wanted to have tons of variety so as to not get bored easily on the challenge. Apples and clementines are fine when mixed in there with pretzels and popcorn...but take away my processed snacks and I need to replace them with SOMETHING! Mangoes, strawberries, pistachios and almonds will hopefully keep me from biting people's heads off, lol!!
Now to figure out how I get my chocolate fix!!

Much of my preparation included bagging up my vitamins and supplements for the 1st phase of the challenge. So I have baggies labeled days 1-10 for both myself and my husband (Yay!!! I got him on board!!). This way we just work from one bag each day and don't need to think too much about it all.

I drank my Spark, a vitamin-laden dose of rocket fuel :-). It has the same caffeine as a cup of coffee but it makes you feel like you could take on the world!! My toothbrush was jet propelled today!

After showering and waking the kids I had my first fiber drink...YUMMMM (insert sarcastic grin here). Actually, it wasn't as bad as I thought it'd be. I drank it with a wide straw and got it down in two sucks. I just had to close my eyes at one point because I kept thinking that the bits of fiber looked an awful lot like the packages of dehydrated sea monkeys we had as kids, hahahahahaha! That was as close to a pet as we ever got :-)

I ate my breakfast, 2 eggs scrambled with 1/4 cup of whites and some chopped spinach. I did this in the car while driving to my carpool. I wouldn't recommend that though! I've been sipping on water all morning. I just ate some snap peas as a snack.

For lunch I'm having a salad of mixed greens and tuna (1 can) made with olive oil mayo (1 T) and some dill. I eat that pretty regularly on WW so it should be much different today.

For dinner, I'm making a chicken fajita bake recipe that someone had posted on Facebook. I adapted it to make it simpler for me. Here's the basic idea...

1.5 lbs of chicken, cut into strips
3 peppers, cut into strips (I'm using red, yellow and orange)
2 medium onions, sliced
1 can (15 oz) of petite diced tomatoes
1/2 packet of low sodium taco or fajita seasoning...or make your own seasoning
1/2 cup water

Preheat oven to 400. Spray a 13x9 baking dish with cooking spray. Place veggies and chicken in the pan. Toss with the seasonings and water. Bake for 20-25 minutes till chicken is cooked and veggies are cooked but still crunchy.


I'm eating this in a whole wheat tortilla. My husband will have his without because he's eating his complex carb at lunch today. Here's a picture from FB...not mine but of someone else who made it

I'm sure it'll be delicious! Other snacks for the day include strawberries, rotisserie chicken without the skin and some almonds.

My total WW points for the day: 31
My usual is 32 so not bad at all! And I'm on target with the 24 Day Challenge guidelines. Let's see how this all pans out!!

I took my measurements last night and weighed myself this morning. The following numbers and corresponding before pictures could prove frightening for some. If you have small children near your computer screen you may want to cover their eyes, lol!!

Day 1------
Weight: 210 lbs.
Dress Size: 16 (sometimes 16W, sometimes not)
Waist: 42.5 in.
Hips: 50 in. (AHHHHHHHH!!!!)
Neck: 14 in.
Thigh: 35.5 in.
Upper Arm: 15.5 in.
Calf: 17.5 in
Chest: 42.5 in. (please God, don't make me lose it all here, lol!)
Shoulders: 42.5 in.
Forearm: 11 in.


Trust me...I look much better in less form-fitting clothing!!! But for the experiment's sake I took pictures in my yoga pants and a tank top. I would never, NEVER, go anywhere in that outfit. Not yet at least. Maybe 23 days from now? We shall see...









Monday, April 1, 2013

Getting Excited and a Little Bit of YUMMMM (recipe included!)





Happy Easter Monday!  I ate a bit too much...especially of the chocolate-covered variety...and kielbasa...definitely a few too many points were spent on kielbasa.  But today is a brand new day.  Back to sensibility :-)

Started off my morning with an egg white scramble...here's to hoping my day continues as well :-)
I'm really getting excited to start this challenge.  My supplies are on their way and I begin a week today...Monday the 8th.  I'll still be counting points and following Weight Watchers...even weighing in and attending meetings.  But the 24 Day Challenge will be an extra boost (fingers crossed) to reach my goals.  I'll basically be eating the same way I normally do...fruits, veggies, lean proteins, complex carbs etc.  The biggest difference will be the addition of some key supplements.  I'll also need to dive in hard-core healthy.  I won't be eating pizza and wings even if I have the points for them.  It'll be tough  but I can do it.  It's only 24 days and if it works...WOOOHOOOO!!! 

Plus, my 24 Day Challenge Advisor offered a little bonus incentive, similar to the Biggest Loser.  There are a bunch of people beginning this challenge on April 8th.  I'm lucky that a few are friends and family who will support me :-).  The person who loses the most wins $250!  Bring it on baby!  I'm totally winning that prize, no others need apply!  Of course if you really want to try it along with us, we welcome the healthy competition and of course I'll support you too!  But I'll kick your butt as it (hopefully) gets smaller, lol!


I'm going to try to post a recipe every time I blog...I love to cook (read: I love to eat) and I'm pretty passionate about creating tasty, healthy recipes.  Today I am including my recipe for Oatmeal Muffins.  I make two different and equally delicious versions, Banana Oatmeal Muffins and Apple Pie Oatmeal Muffins.  Either recipe will run you approximately 1 Points+ each.  YUMMMM!!

Here They Are...


And here is the recipe...

Banana Oatmeal Muffins

Ingredients:
-6 medium very ripe bananas
-1.5 cups of skim milk  (or soy milk, rice milk, etc)
-3/4 cup of Splenda (optional)
-4.5 cups of Old Fashioned Oats (not quick oats)
-2 tsp. vanilla extract
-1.5 Tbls. baking powder
-3/4 cup of liquid egg whites

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Mix ingredients.  Let everything soak for about 10 minutes while you spray paper cupcake liners with coking spray.  Bake for approximately 15 minutes till tops are golden brown and slightly firm or springy to the touch. 

I used my ice cream scooper to divide these.  One level scoop filled each muffin liner about 2/3 full.  Total points of the batch = 38.  It typically makes 32-36 muffins for me at approximately 1 point each!.. 

These are seriously so delicious and filling.  I often eat 2 at breakfast with some tea or coffee or 1 with some eggs as something sweet.  They're so good as a snack too...and I don't feel guilty eating them!

To make the Apple Pie Muffins:

Simply omit the bananas and vanilla and replace them with 1.5 cups of unsweetened applesauce, 3 tsp of cinnamon and 1 medium apple, peeled and diced.


Seriously, TRY THESE!!!!  My whole family loves them!  And did you see how cute they all are (picture at top)?  How could I NOT make these all the time?

Later Alligators!