Weight Loss Help...with The Chunky Monkeys!
Lounge By TexasSugar Updated 28 Oct 2011 , 1:50pm by TexasSugar
Jan 13 weight - 151.2
Jan 20 weight - 149.2 Woo hoo!
So I lost 2lbs for the week. Right now I stand at 4.4 down, 22.2 to go.
I really wasn't expecting a full 2lb lost but am very excited about it. I guess Hank is paying off, even if I still don't like him much. 
I tried a few new recipes this week and thought I'd share them with y'all.
http://recipes.prevention.com/Recipe/oatmeal-buttermilk-and-berry-pancakes.aspx
This have a really nice light texture with a great taste. I can so see changing the blueberries to raisins or apples and exchanging cinamon for the lemon peel. I will definetly be making these again.
They are 130 calories a pancake, so I wouldn't eat the stack of 4 they show in the picture. I made mine smaller and had 3 mini pancakes for breakfast this morning so I figured the calories at 195. I paired it with a little sugar free syrup, an orange and a glass of milk.
http://www.mccormick.com/Recipes/Soups/Creamy-Butternut-Squash-Soup-with-Toasted-Pecans.aspx
This soup recipe is another I tried this week and liked as well. I left off the sour cream because I didn't have any and really didn't see the need to add it and the extra calories. The soup is already very creamy in taste and texture. I also didn't add the pecans, because I don't like crunchy bits in the middle of a creamy soup like that.
So how is everyone else doing so far this week?
Hey everyone. Geeez, gone for a few days and lots of posts to catch up on. Hope everyone is having a wonderful week! Congrats Tracy on the 2 lb loss. AWESOME!! You and Hank make a great team 
This past week was busy but it was a good one as far as keeping up with my calories and points. I did manage to lose almost 2 pounds which sort of surprised me because of my almost 7 pound loss last week. Soooo, I'm pretty happy. Tell ya what, I am amazed at how much better I feel after losing 8.5 lbs. It really does make a difference. I am soooo looking forward to feeling better and better with the upcoming losses that I know I will have.
Shelley - congrats on your pound loss. YAY, we are all doing GREAT!!
Millie - WELCOME to our group. I so look forward to hearing more from you. I think Tracy summed everything up pretty darned well. You can definitely do this if you have really decided that this is what you want to do. It takes a lot of will power and commitment and it's only as difficult as you allow it to be. Positive thinking and a love for oneself is without a doubt very important. We are all worth taking a half hour or so out of our busy schedule to dedicate to trying to be the best we can be. You can do this for sure!!!
Tracy - thanks for posting the links to those recipes. I just printed the pancake one. I used to get a sugar free syrup that I thought was really good and now I can't find it. Can't even think of the name of it but I would know it if I saw it on the shelf. What kind do you use?
Margie, woo hoo on the almost 2lbs. I'm like you, even though I didn't have the great number you had last week, I didn't expect a 2. I'm happy about it though.
I'll try to remember to look and see which syrup brand I got. I'm actually not a big syrup eater. More often than not I'll eat apple sauce on my pancakes. The one I got though isn't sickly sweet. Plus I didn't pour it on my pancakes and let it soak in. I dipped my pancakes in it, and in the end didn't even use half of a serving of it.
Oh was it you that asked about the 200 calorie portion Digiorno makes? I saw a coupon for them in the paper and found one at Walmart and tried it. I really liked it. I haven't had the SmartChoice/Lean Cuisine pizzas so I can't compare it to them. It had a thin crust that crisped up in the microwave, which I thought was good. Some of the bready items get tough to me in the micro. I had the cheese and tomato one. I'll definetly watch and see if Walmart starts carrying other flavors of them.
Tonight, unless I go over to my friends, I am going to try a Lemon Chicken Stirfry recipe. I cut everything up for it last night so I just have to dump it in the pan and cook it. Hopefully it is good. I tried a Turkey Meatloaf recipe last night but it didn't wow me. It wasn't bad, but could be better with some tweaking I think.
Of course with trying to cook better I have to also factor in servings/portions. I won't cook a full recipe if it serves 6-8 or I'd be eating the same thing for a while.
One thing that is really helping me right now is eating on smaller plates. I'd read it before and though, oh yeah I can see that, but then you reach in the cabinet and pull out a regular dinner plate. And of course then we start adding food to it, and before you know it your plate is full. Or you are careful and do put smaller portions on it and your food looks so small compared to the plate.
I'm using my salad plate, and when I put the correct portions of food on it visually I feel like I'm eating alot, but I know I'm eating less than I would on a larger plate. And less food on the plate means less calories. 
I'm also using my kitchen scale more and more, and have even broken out measuring cups and spoons for some things I would have normally just poured in to the bowl.
Using a smaller plate and weighing/measuring food are two things that take little effort to do, but really help out in a big way.
What other quick and easy changes does everyone else have that really add up in a postive way in the long run?
I am quite encouraged by the progress everyone is making! This is wonderful! Congrats to all.
I have made some major changes in the last week. I no longer buy any "white" bread. I have found the Healthy Life bread is 98% fat free and my husband will eat it. YAY! I threw away all the regular mayo, salad dressings, etc and have replaced with fat free everything. I have only 1 cup of hot tea in the morning. I am drinking only water during the day. I have 1 glass of iced tea sweetened with Splenda at nite. I am following my WW plan to the T. My husband has been forced to follow or he isn't going to eat!
I also eat dinner on a saucer not a regular sized dinner plate.
Big changes in my life in the last 10 days. I have finally had enough of my own excuses. Now I have to motivate myself to be more committed to the treadmill.
Shelley, be careful with the fat free dressing (and other fat free products). Some of them have more sugar than their non or low fat counterparts with just a few calories less. Stupid food companies!
Congrats on transforming your kitchen to a healthy food zone. It is so much easier to eat better when you do have healthy things around. And that way when you do want a snack you reach for the good for you stuff and don't have cookies calling your name for the cabinet.
We found a bread at Walmart that has 45 calories per slice and it is good bread. It comes in whole wheat and multi grain. I do miss white bread for some things though, like a grill cheese jsut tastes better on white bread to me. I won't say I will never eat white bread or white pasta again, but I try to pick the whole grain or multi grain ones more often than not.
And eating on the smaller plate really makes a difference huh? Now I just need to find some smaller bowls, I have some huge salad/soup bowls. I do have alot of plastic bowls and use those when I can, espeically since they are 1 or 2 cup sizes.
How is your knee doing?
Margie, the syrup I got is Maple Grove Farms and it is made with Splenda. (Here is a picture of the bottle: http://maplegrove.stores.yahoo.net/magrsufrsy.html )
I did make the Lemon Stir Fry Chicken and really liked it.
http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/lemon_chicken_stir_fry.html?utm_source=ArcaMax
I would say it took a little longer than it says to actually cook, but then maybe my pieces of chicken and carrots were cut thicker than theirs. I really enjoyed the veggies in it and the lemon was enough lemon taste with out being over powering.
Well it's lunch time here, gotta go figure out which left over I am eating this afternoon. I just passed on fast food even though I was really tempted. I know though if I got something bad I'd regret it later, so I'm being good.
Oh, thanks so much Tracy. That may very well be the one that I have used in the past and really liked. Ok, now on a witch hunt to find it. lol
Thanks so much for the link. Yes, I did ask about the Digiorno pizza. I finally found it the other day but haven't tried it yet. Glad to hear that you liked it. I have now tried the Lean Cuisine pepperoni pizza and that was really good. As for white bread, I agree, grilled cheese tastes best on white. I eat Whitewheat by Natures Own and we really like that. It has 100 calories for 2 slices as well as 5g of fiber. It works out great with the weightwatcher points because for 2 slices it's only 1 point. Can't be that.
Shelly - Wow, you are making a transformation... That's GREAT!! I still have some things that I wish I could just throw out or give away. I took all the brownie mixes, chocolate chips, etc out of the cabinet and put them into a bag and put away. Every time I opened the cabinet I would smell that chocolate.... I did good though. I fought the temptation and won. Grabbed a nice juicy sweet apple and was satisfied. I still have unopened potato chips that I purchased some time back. I hate throwing away money but I really would love to just toss them all in the trash. Don't need the temptation or that crap taking up space that I could use for healthier foods.
Ok, gals, we really are on a roll..... I'm actually looking forward to weigh ins. 
Margie, do you have any neighbors with kids or co-workers with kids? I'd send the upopened chips their way.
I have a few things in the house that aren't the best for me, but I am able to limit eating them to once a week or so and keeping with in the servings. Once they are gone I won't buy any more.
When there are things I do want that aren't the best for me, like potato chips, I buy the smaller packages of them. I love the prinkles 100 calorie ones. Once I finish the package I know that's it and I am fine. You give me a big bag of chips and I'll eat way more than I need to.
Early Spring cleaning the kitchen/pantries does sound like a good idea. I really need to box the cookie stuff (like Margie's chocolate chips) up and put them out of sight as well.
Margie, do you have any neighbors with kids or co-workers with kids? I'd send the upopened chips their way.
I have a few things in the house that aren't the best for me, but I am able to limit eating them to once a week or so and keeping with in the servings. Once they are gone I won't buy any more.
When there are things I do want that aren't the best for me, like potato chips, I buy the smaller packages of them. I love the prinkles 100 calorie ones. Once I finish the package I know that's it and I am fine. You give me a big bag of chips and I'll eat way more than I need to.
Early Spring cleaning the kitchen/pantries does sound like a good idea. I really need to box the cookie stuff (like Margie's chocolate chips) up and put them out of sight as well.
My knee is doing better but sometimes when I walk it feels like its rubbing bone on bone like it wants to pop. My husband says I need to have it checked. Could be fluid on the knee.
It doesn't pay to get old. Birthday this week and I am feeling it.
Oh well. Great tips ladies.
Happy Early Birthday! How are you going to celebrate it?
Tracy I'm the exact same way. If I have a small bag of chips, etc. I am perfectly satisfied when they are all gone. But give me a regular bag and I just keep on going....
Shelley - I have a knee problem also. The Dr termed it Chondromalacia Patellae. I went to physical therapy for a while and the symptoms subsided. However, when I over do it, the pain comes back and it can take months for the inflamation to go away. I've been trying to get back to some sort of routine on the treadmill but it's going really slowly. I'm only able to do a mile and can't go past 3mph. If I even attempt it, the pain starts. Matter of fact, I woke up yesterday and it was really bothering me. Sooo, does that mean I can't even do a mile now? It's really frustrating. The therapist said that she can hear and feel the bones grinding against each other when she moves my leg up and down at the knee. The Dr told me that when I can't take it anymore, he can inject something into the area (I guess cortisone) but I've been holding out cause I know that's gonna hurt like a son of a gun. Now, I also have a problem with pain in the rotary cuff area of my shoulder/arm. Whoa is me, I'm just falling apart.... But before I do, I'm gonna be fit and trim... lol
Margie and Shelley are there other things besides the treadmill that would be less strain on the knee? I know they say stuff doing in the water is easier on the joints, of course this time of year doesn't inspire swiming does it?
Margie if your knee is already bothering you I'd pass on the walking tonight or only do half a mile or a slower speed. If you have any hand weights you could play (doesn't that sound more fun?) with them instead of walking. It will help burn calories and work those muscles at the same time.
I woke up sore this morning but I'm blaming it on the 5lb weights I used yesterday. I have 3lb ones but I really feel the 'burn' or pain or what ever you want to call it when I use the 5lb ones.
I really need to do some ab stuff but I keep avoiding it for some reason. Sigh.
Good luck this weekend! How ya doing Katherine? Did you survive your busy week? How is everyone else doing?
Tonight I am chilling, maybe cleaning and then working out.
I didn't play with Hank last night. By the time I got home from class last night I was just wiped out. I ate then tried to read and couldn't keep my eyes opened.
Tomorrow I am baking a 'pink train cake with or with out a bear' for my friend's daughter. The party is Sunday afternoon, so I get to space it out some. It is better than having to go home and bake tonight and spend the morning finishing the cake before an afternoon party.
I hope everyone has a good evening and a great weekend!
Unfortunately I am so busy I could scream. 
I really haven't read many posts on anything that I frequent so am totally behind in my online life. *sigh*
Here are my stats for 2010, thus far:
Jan. 6 weight = 176.6 lbs (waist=38, pants=32)
Jan. 13 weight = 177.2 lbs (waist=37.5)
Jan. 20 weight = 175.2 lbs
I have been running, and started the P90X but am finding it hard to fit in that extra hour or more a night as my husband is doing it with me...
I will catch up soon, promise!
I start a spinning class this Saturday morning at local YMCA with husband. Burns 500 calories!
today for dessert had non fat yogurt with wheat germ and pureed pumpkin.
Margie, I bought it at Walmart.
Katherine, congrats on the 2lbs! Looks like we are all off to a great start!
Cpacakes, I'd say the spinning class sounds fun but it actually just wears me out thinking about it. Hope you had a great time in it.
I was off with my eating schedule this weekend and got off on the exercise as well. Yesterday was a long day and by the time I got home I was completely worn out and didn't play with Hank.
I did up the time and level Saturday night. I made it through 20 mins at Level 2, which ended up being 1.6 miles. So I'm getting better.
Good golly, Tracy, you really are doing great on that eliptical. I can't get over how quickly you were able to build up the stamina to go that far. Congrats!!!!OK, Walmart. I think that's about the only place I haven't checked out. I'll go there tomorrow. It's right by my dentist office which I have an appointment for in the morning.
Katherine, I've never been to a spinning class. Wow, it's wonderful to be able to burn that many calories. Awesome!! Ok, dumb question but Is it like a stationary bike but it goes faster?
This past week was a really good one for me. Still not much in the way of exercise but I did lose 3 more pounds. Makes it a total of a bit more than 11 pounds in the last 3 weeks. Sooooo, I'm pretty happy with that. I know it will slow now but that's ok, I'm going full steam ahead...... Got me three stars now on my Weightwatchers chart...... Yahooooooooooo
You are doing awesome Margie! Congrats on that 3lbs. I'm gonna have to work hard to catch up with you now.
I was talking to my friend the other night about the ellipitcal and he was like how long do you do it and I was like 11-13 mins depending. I was like I go for the mile. He said he always went by time, but for me I like distance. Like on the treadmill I like knowing I did 2 miles in so many mins that way the next day I could try for two miles in slightly less mins. I haven't gotten that way on the elliptical yet, as I just try to get through the mile no matter what.
Anyway, he told me there is a point where you stop feeling tired and feel like you can do it forever. That point must be sometime after 20 mins because I haven't felt that yet at all!
I went to Barns and Nobles yesterday and did pick up a book with serveral different work out plans in it. It has some yoga, plaities and other exercises in it. Not sure how much I will like it but we shall see.
Thanks Tracy. As for the elipticals, I don't believe that ours counts the mileage. I think it just goes by time. The treadmill does the mileage and the time. We've got a clunk going on with the eliptical right now and need to call the repair guy. Actually it's been there since we put it together. With our luck, it's something we did wrong when we put it together. 
We still haven't plugged in the Wii Fit. Really need to do that. I'm just kinda afraid of messing that darned knee up again. My son and daughter in law have the Wii Active and they absolutely love that. They say it's a real workout but it's a fun workout. I'd really like to build up to that one day soon. They have both lost quite a bit of weight as well.
Clunkings aren't good. I had thought about leaving that darn screw in mine when I dropped it down in the wheel part. I knew I could get another screw. But in the long run I figured I'd hear that thing rattle around.
I've done the orginal Wii Fit and while it was fun wasn't overly impressed with it. I think they have made improvements since then. Before you had to click on too many things between the 'work outs' that it drove me crazy.
I actually (when in the mood for it) enjoy the arm weight exercises I do and the stuff with the exercise step. I can do them while watching tv so it isn't boring. I like those more than I like Hank, but don't tell him that or he might get mean.
Good cause I'm a little scared of him and what he could do to me.
I find the same thing with the new Wii Fit Tracy! I hate all the clicking, drives me!! I've heard great things about EA Sports Active and Jill Michaels (Biggist Loser Lady)... They are both compatible with the balance board!
Off to do some P90X Yoga...
My Mom bought the Biggest Loser one, but hasn't used it since she doesn't know how to use the Wii. She has also bought a few work out DVDs that are still wrapped up and some weights that are sitting collecting dust. She had good intentions at least.
I did a whole bunch of exercises last night, went to bed early and still woke up tired. Sigh. I'm not sure if it is tired tired or just slow to wake this morning. We will see in an hour or so.
Tried a frozen breakfast bowl this morning and wasn't overly impressed with it. Maybe if I was more of a salsa eater it would be better with that added. Instead it was just dry tasting. But it was breakfast and only 240 calories, 19 grams or protien and 1/2 the fat of the regular ones. Think I'll stick with my oatmeal and fruit for now.
Good morning ladies, or atleast I hope it will be.
Morning everyone!!
I've never heard of a frozen breakfast bowl, but I'm with you in the not-a-salsa eater category!! I have made my own before and enjoyed that, but generally I avoid it! My husband could eat it by the bottle... lol!
I am very happy with my weight today! I was tempted to not weigh myself, but glad I did:
Jan. 1 weight = 181.8 lbs
Jan. 6 weight = 176.6 lbs (waist=38, pants=32)
Jan. 13 weight = 177.2 lbs (waist=37.5)
Jan. 20 weight = 175.2 lbs
Jan. 27 weight = 171.8 lbs
I guess something I'm doing is working, I need to make a cake for this weekend for my husbands 38th birthday, so will try to NOT eat too too much of that. I am eating very very well, and exercising often! I have 10 lbs gone since January 1, but unfortunately am still not at where I was in November... I'm working on that, and hope to KEEP it off this time.
Wow!! Katherine, you really are doing GREAT!! What a wonderful month you had. Keep it up and you will reach your goal weight before ya know it.
Hey, got a question, when you guys bake chicken, what do you use to keep it moist inside? I use boneless chicken breast and they tend to come out a bit dry. I'm starting to wonder if maybe I should buy the breasts with the skin on, bake it that way and then remove the skin once they are done? Or maybe just roll them in panko crumbs or bread crumbs? I've got to try something new.....
Ok, everyone have a wonderful day and let's keep thinking positive....
Jan 20 weight - 149.2
Jan 27 weight - 148.0
1.2 down since last week
5.6 down for the month
21 to go, (first goal anyway)
I would have liked to have lost another .4 to make that an even 6 but after eating two salty meals yesterday and waiting for Aunt Flo I'm happy with my weight. I am just a few points shy of where I was at the beginning of Dec, so I'm moving right along.
Katherine, awesome job with the 10lbs this month! You are obviously doing something right. Way to go!
The breakfast bowl I had was eggs, turkey bacon, potatos and cheese. I think maybe if it was something I had cooked it might have been better. I can handle a little salsa here and there, but it needed a lot. It was just very dry and had just enough cheesy to make it sticky.
Margie, breasts do tend to dry out more than the dark meat pieces. I'm not sure the skin would hold in moisture any more than with out.
I've baked chicken a few ways. One is probably the not healthy way though. Growing up we would do chicken pieces in cream of mushroom. cream of chicken and a little milk, salt and peppered then baked until cooked. The soups would make a gravy that is good on rice.
I've also baked it with a breading like you are you talking about (think shake and bake). And a friend of mine has given me a good recipe as well. You take plain yogurt and mix it with taco seasoning and spoon that over the chicken and bake. Then you top with a little cheese when it comes out of the oven.
Have you tried covering them in foil? Not sure if it would help or not, but it would keep some moisture in around them.
I think with baked chicken there is a fine line between done and over baked. Since we are all trained to make sure the chicken is cooked I think we tend to over bake it to make sure it is.
One of my favorite ways to cook chicken right now is to cut it in half so you have two thin pieces (cutlets). Then cook it in a skillet with a little olive oil. You can season it with anything you like, we like garlic powder and dill. You can also bread it if you want to, but it doesn't have to be. It cooks fast plus comes out tender and moist.
Way to go Tracy!!!! We are all doing so great!!!We are a force to be reckoned with......
Thanks for the suggestions on the chicken. I agree, I do overcook chicken. I know that is one of my problems but I do it time and time again. I'd love to learn how to get it just done. I too have a wonderful recipe for baked chicken with cream of chicken soup, sour cream and chipped beef and bacon. Oh Man is that stuff good. But like you said, not very healthy. I did find a few recipes on Sparkpeople that sound pretty good. I think I'll give them a try. If they are good, I'll let you guys know.
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