Monday Weigh-in 006

I'm back! It took me an entire weekend to reorganize my thoughts and to figure out a personal situation, but alas everything is back on track. I believe it takes a strong person to admit their faults and to want to change those faults. A lot of people walk around and think they don't need any improvements, which can be very liberating but it can also confine you to the status-quo. I believe that there is always room for improvement which is why I believe in weight-loss, healthy living, and overall improvement of body and mind. Eventually, I would like to share my journey to this point in my life but that will need some time to piece together and make comprehensive. 


While the weekend was very draining, I managed to come out on top. I ate as best I could considering the circumstances and took a personal day on Sunday to take care of my body. I don't drink very often but this past Saturday I partook in some festivities with some friends. It definitely took my mind off things and made me realize what was important. 


The results from a week of watching what I eat and exercising gave me this result: 

It's 3lbs. less than last week. I'm hoping I can maintain this for the next week or even lose 3 more pounds! 

I am currently working on running because I want another outlet. I was very proud of myself the other day. I ran for almost two minutes straight. I wanted to stop because I just feel really heavy trying to run and it was painful but I kept moving. On Thursday, my trainer, Dustin (this week), forced me to move my butt. I told him, "I can't" and he said, "It's all in your head." Boy, was he right! 


My ability to exercise is all in my head. When I think I can't, in reality, I can. I just need to keep reminding myself. I got this far and I'm so close to my first goal weight of 210. I would love to get out of the 210's and leave them behind. 


I gotta keep moving forward. 


Until next time, keep smiling. 

Monday Weigh-In 005

Down two more pounds! GOOD BYE!

Wow, I can't believe it's already week five. It's been five weeks since my first weigh-in and honestly, there hasn't been much movement on the scale. However, there has been some movement in my butt! I've been trying to be active at least five days out of the week. Today I didn't want to go to the gym. San Diego has been beautiful lately - the sun is out and the wind is blowing - it's the best of both worlds. I asked my coworker if she would like to join me on the Balboa Park trail and she agreed. I was excited because I've been thinking about the stairs we climbed and I've been wanting to try them again. Balboa Park isn't the safest place to be alone so it's really important to go in a group. Last Wednesday, I went with a group of my coworkers. Cathy had us running a little and let me tell you, I was struggling but I managed to run 1/4th of what we did. Now THAT'S an accomplishment! This time, Cathy and I just walked the hills with her brother. It was very relaxing and after they left - I went back to the stairs! I ended up burning 477 calories in an hour. 

The girls running ahead.

Rex trying to keep up with Yavana's son! 

Beautiful view of Balboa Park museums. 

Here, Cathy is warning us that the best is yet to come!

The infamous stairs! 

And up we go. These stairs are killer - they're almost NEVER ENDING!

Thank you California Conservation Corps! 

It's been really important for me to get out of the house and be active. I may be losing weight at a slower rate but I'm happy that I feel more motivated to go work out. I'm still logging my food and keeping track of my calorie intake. This has been CRUCIAL to my weight loss. If I miss a day, I feel like I've cheated on myself. While I understand the need to have a "cheat" day - I feel for me, it's more important to just have one "cheat" meal a week. It'll keep me sane but it will also keep my calories on track. 

Do you have a cheat day or a cheat meal? Share your cheat! 

Thanks to everyone who has been commenting and supporting. It's been amazing to talk to everyone. Keep in touch! 

Until next time, keep smiling! 

Kristen 

Monday Weigh-In 002

Let's start with my Monday weigh-in. It's not a big change but it's a change. I told my sister today that I am out of the 220's and that I was never going back. It's so encouraging to know that my hard work is paying off. It's not easy - in fact, this weekend was really difficult. I was off work on Friday and Monday due to my sister's graduation from Cal Poly Pomona. When I'm not at work I tend to fall out of my routine and I don't eat when I should and if I am eating, it's not always "on plan". I feel that I had a great weekend due in part to a wonderful hike I had on Saturday (post to come). I, for the most part, logged all my food. I've stopped making myself feel bad for eating the "wrong" thing because let's face it, we all have bad days - or moments. It's okay. Food happens. 


I'm really happy that restaurants are starting to provide nutrition information. It's really helpful for me to get an idea of how many calories I am consuming. Applebee's, IHOP, and Mimi's Cafe does a great job of providing "Light and Fit" menu items. Although, I take the calorie value as a rough "guessimate," it helps me figure out how many calories I will be able to have throughout the rest of my day. Sometimes I get stressed out when I go out to eat with my friends and family. For example, tonight my parents wanted to go to a neighborhood Mexican restaurant and I stared at the menu unsure of what to order. I settled with a shrimp salad with Caesar dressing on the side. I also ordered a bean tostada - although it wasn't the healthiest option, I knew I had the extra calories to consume. However, I've noticed that heavy food like the bean tostada tend to hurt my stomach now. Is it a sign? I'll go with "yes!"

Friday

Shirt: Target, L

Skirt: Forever 21+, 1X

Sandals: Target, 9

Accessories: Earrings, Clarie's; Bracelet: H&M; Glass Ring, Hawaiian Market Vendor

Friday Night

My little sister graduates! Congratulations Karina!

Jacket: Target, XL

Dress: Target, XXL

Belt: H&M, L

Monday

Shirt: Forever 21+, 1X

Belt: H&M, L

Jeans: Old Navy, 18

Sandals: Target, 9

What a busy weekend! I wish I found more time to work out (Sunday/Monday) but driving from San Diego to Pomona and back to San Diego takes a lot out of you. I just wanted to relax before going back to work tomorrow. 


Although it was a busy weekend, I had fun with my friends and family. I am so proud of my sister for graduating from college! Now she'll be home and we can find ways to help motivate one another. One thing she already helped me with is cleaning out my closet. It's also a few pounds lighter! Awesome! 


Until then, keep smiling! 


Kristen 

It Starts with Food

I'm not going to lie. This isn't my first blog. It probably won't be my last either. However, I'm hoping that writing in this blog satisfies a part of me that is yet to be satisfied. This blog is more or less about my health journey. I'm searching for a way to stay positive and motivated and hopefully writing about it and showing some pictures will help. If it doesn't help me, maybe it'll help someone else. I find that the blogging community is a great place to find the support of people who share the same interests or have experienced similar struggles. I hope that I can be that person for another. And so now, without further ado, here is my first entry. Here's to "new beginnings". 
For dinner tonight I made "Cauliflower Pizza," I originally discovered the recipe through a co-worker who found it on Lauren Conrad's website. The original recipe can be found at Eat. Drink. Smile. If you don't feel like clicking over, here's the recipe: 

Ingredients

• 1 cup cooked, riced cauliflower 

• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese 

• 1 egg, beaten  

• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 

• ½ teaspoon crushed garlic 

• ½ teaspoon garlic salt 

• olive oil (optional) 

• pizza sauce, shredded cheese and choice of your toppings*

Instructions
To "rice" the Cauliflower: Take 1 large head of fresh cauliflower, remove stems and leaves, and chop the florets into chunks. Add to food processor and pulse until it looks like grain. Do not over-do pulse or you will puree it. (If you don't have a food processor, you can grate the whole head with a cheese grater). Place the riced cauliflower into a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 8 minutes. There is no need to add water, as the natural moisture in the cauliflower is enough to cook itself. One large head should produce approximately 3 cups of riced cauliflower. The remainder can be used to make additional pizza crusts immediately, or can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. 

To Make the Pizza Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Spray a cookie sheet with non-stick cooking spray.
2. In a medium bowl, stir together 1 cup cauliflower, egg and mozzarella. Add oregano, crushed garlic and garlic salt, stir. Transfer to the cookie sheet, and using your hands, pat out into a 9" round. Optional: Brush olive oil over top of mixture to help with browning.
3. Bake at 450 degrees for 15 minutes.
4. Remove from oven.
5. To the crust, add sauce, toppings and cheese. Place under a broiler at high heat just until cheese is melted (approximately 3-4 minutes).

*Note: Toppings need to be precooked since you are only broiling for a few minutes.

I've made the pizza before so I knew what I was doing. However, I over processed the cauliflower which I think made the finished product a bit mushy. Here are some pictures from tonight's pizza making! 

Zucchinis, grilled eggplant, and garlic ready to go.

"Riced" cauliflower

The crust baking in the oven. In this moment I am hoping I used enough PAM so it doesn't stick...

Sautéing zucchini in a teaspoon of olive oil.

Look at the crust having a difficult time coming off the foil!!!

Getting ready for the cheese. This could have used more veggies. 

YUM! Mozzarella!!! Just 1/3 cup of it... 

Time to enjoy!

And there you have it, delicious cauliflower pizza that won't hurt your calorie intake and it's a hit with the carnivores in your family! Oh - I didn't mention it, huh? I'm kind of a vegetarian who tends to enjoy fish from time to time.... like you've never heard THAT one before! 

Until next time, keep smiling! 

Kristen