It's been TWO months

Another month has gone by. I have recovered two size 16 jeans and my size 18 pants and XXL shirts are a little too big now. This month was hard. I had a few events that made me fall off the wagon but I was able to regroup and I'm finding my way back.

The weight loss has been good. I weighed 223.4 lbs on Dec 21; then 206.4 lbs on Jan 18. Today I weighed-in at 199.8 lbs.

Total weight loss since start: 23.6  lbs. 

Total weight loss this month: 6.6  lbs. 

I am happy with the weight coming down but less than seven pounds in a whole month is a little disappointing. It is still a long way to my final goal and most weightloss programs recommend to set mini goals to stay motivated. They also recommend to create a rewards system... so here's mine: 

1. Weigh under 200 lbs fully clothed
Reward: FITBIT  
2. Lose 10% of total weight.  
Reward: Everlast Wii Accessories  
3. Reach Overweight Status (BMI<30; <164 lbs.)  
Reward: The Flex Belt (or similar product)
4. Reach Normal-Weight Status (BMI<25; <136 lbs.) 
Reward: New Hair Do  
5. Achieve Desired Weight (115-125 lbs.)  
Reward: Shopping Spree 

How do you reward yourself?

Love Yourself!

Happy Valentine's Day



When I look in the mirror and the only one there is me
every freckle on my face is where it's supposed to be
and I know my creator didn't make no mistakes on me
my feet my thighs my lips my eyes i'm loving what I see.

Happy Losing! :)

Life Happens!

Missing my weekly weigh-in today and thinking of missing my Tuesday one just to make it all even. I am happy to report that I am barely under 200 lbs but a simple t-shirt puts me over so I am hoping to be oficially under 200 lbs (that is, fully clothed) by next Sunday (cross your fingers).

Anyhow... this week is looking pretty stressful, got three research papers to get off the ground and I will be spending a lot of time in my office. So, my weekly menu will be brought to me thanks to the frozen section.

Here's my menu
Everyday Breakfast: Cranberry-Maple Muffins
Monday
- Healthy Choice All Natural Asian Potstickers (360 cal)
Tuesday
- Amy's Black Bean Burrito (290 cal)
- Sun Chips Cheddar (210 cal)
Wednesday
- Lean Cuisine Vegetable Eggroll (320 cal)
Thursday
- Healthy Choice All Natural Portobella Marsala Pasta (250 cal)
- Tomato, Mixed Greens, and Balsamic Vinegar Salad (25 cal)

Friday-Sunday: I'll be making food at home.
Wish me luck on this crazy week!
Here's a peak of my office... oh boy!

Oolong Tea - Does it work?

I was cleaning my pantry and found a box of Oolong Tea that I had long forgotten I had. A good friend from Japan gave it me as a present a few months back and I had not tried it yet. Since I was out of Green Tea I gave it a try and I have to say that I am beginning to like it more than I like green tea and I don't even need to add sweetener.

I have been drinking it for a week now and I have to say that I am pretty happy with the results. I have lost almost double of what I usually lose in a week and it really controls my hunger. I have not done anything different but drink 2-4 cups of oolong tea a day so I have to assume that the tea is helping me out.

I wondered if there was any hard research on the effects of oolong tea on weight loss.
Here are the highlights:
- Oolong tea tells your body to burn fat for energy. (link)
- Oolong tea reduces belly fat and cholesterol. (link)
- Oolong tea raises metabolic levels. (link)

So... I don't know if it works but it's working for me so I'm going to continue drinking it and hopefully it will continue helping me lose weight. Anyone else drinking Oolong tea?

Weekly Menu

It's important to keep record of what I eat. As always, all recipes are from EatingWell.com
Happy losing ;)

When HUNGER attacks!

OMG! I was so hungry last night. Even though I ate pretty well during the day, I was pretty hungry in the evening. I usually try to have dinner by 6 pm and I make it a rule not to eat any solids after 7 pm. So if hunger attacks, I usually fill myself up with tea... but last night my tummy wasn't having it. I was day dreaming about chocolate cake and cherry garcia ice cream... I almost ate one of my cranberry-nut mini loaves which are supposed to be only for breakfast. Do not fear... I didn't cave in. I ended up eating 12 green olives (45 cal) and I think the sodium in it calmed my hunger. What do you do when hunger attacks?

Here are some good articles with ideas. Happy Losing!

30 Healthy Snacks
A Visual Guide to 15 Healthy Snacks 
Quick and Healthy Snack Recipes and Cooking Tips

One Week of Food

I won't have time to blog everyday this week. So here's the record of what I am eating. All recipes are from EatingWell.com (if I have made changes they should be somewhere in past posts) with the exception of the Almond Butter Balls which is a variation of Peanut Butter Balls (shared by a fellow comp member). I'll post the recipe with a picture over the weekend when I make them for the first time.

Happy losing ;)

Yummy Tuesday!

Back on the saddle.

I made an amazing Cranberry-Nut bread for breakfast. It was amazing! and super low-cal. Only 127 each (using Splenda instead of sugar). I divided the whole bread in 6 pieces (Tues-Sun). I had this with a cup of coffee and soy milk (47 cal). Total breakfast 174 cal.

I had a Three Musketeers bar mid-morning (260 cal) and I was in the mood for some more chocolate in the day and was happy to find Pure Organic Bars during my last trip to the grocery store. I had the Chocolate Brownie (180 cal) mid-afternoon. It was fantastic. Check out the nutritional info online and the other flavors... there is something for everyone.

For lunch, I had Fragrant Chickpea Stew (378 cal) and then for dinner I made one scrambled egg with 1/8 cup of fresh roasted garlic organic salsa (100 cal).

Total calories today: 1092
A low-cal day... I'll step it up tomorrow.

Happy losing! ;)