Healthy for the Holidays Challenge - 9/06 - 11/22

Low carb breakfast/brunch--eggs, any style. I make a crustless quiche that I make about once a week and have a slice warmed up every morning. It's my "convenience food" since I got tired of making omelets every day.

Ditch the potatoes, pasta, and bread. Take it easy with rice and quinoa, about 1/2 cup portions.

I take a meat-based entree to work along with a good-sized container of different cut-up raw veggies. I make a reasonable calorie dip from plain full-fat Greek yogurt and Uncle Dan's Ranch dip seasoning. (I got tired of salads--the finger food is more satisfying, I guess.) Dessert for dinner is usually half an apple, pear, orange, etc. (Carbs in fruit add up quick, hence the smaller portions.

When I get home after work (around midnight), I have Greek yogurt and berries. Sometimes I have calories left for some cheese. Occasionally, I save up calories and carbs for ice cream or dark chocolate.

I make my meat dishes pretty simple these days. One favorite thing is to find a good tasting dressing/marinade and use it to cook salmon or chicken. I've discovered beef "flap meat", and it's economical and easy to make--saute until brown, bake in the oven at 425 for about 12 minutes until no more than medium-rare, slice across the grain (it's kinda like London broil/flank steak). Good with a dash of barbeque sauce.

Good Evening everyone...
Is it too late to join this challenge? I would like to lose weight along with you all as well.
How do I join??



thanks

Good Evening everyone...
Is it too late to join this challenge? I would like to lose weight along with you all as well.
How do I join??



thanks

just by posting here you have joined! Post your current weight, then each tuesday post your new weight. Helen fills out the spreadsheet and posts that super awesome grid that lets us know how we are doing individually and as a group. Welcome mwashington04!

Helen, I didn't think it was possible, but the spreadsheet just keeps getting better. LOVE IT! The motivation worked b/c I was in the green this week. I'm gonna keep pushin' to get in the green again next week! THanks a ton!

Singer, is the greek yogurt lower in carbs? I usually don't buy it because its more expensive, but man did I fail on the low carb yesterday! My normal snacks would be a granola bar, carrots, yogurt, and a piece of fruit. By the time I entered that and my breakfast and lunch (eggs, fruit and a salad) I was already at like 170g carbs! I didn't eat yogurt for a long time because of the added sugars but I sort of stopped paying attention to that, perhaps this is my wake up call on that front

So I've gone back to my "manageable" workout schedule this week and what a relief this has been! I went to Target last night after work and (I know this will sound rediculous) but it was such a free feeling that I didn't have to rush home and work out. I had been so focused on feeling like I had to work out that I would only go straight home after work and right to working out so I could fit it in before dinner and whatever else. I was definately starting to get to the obsessive point with it. I also haven't been feeling starving and have been able to stay pretty much in my calorie goal so it looks like my body adjusted to that pretty quick. I guess the true test will be next weeks weigh in. Also, thanks everyobody for posting how much you work out. A lot of times it does seem like working out every day is the norm around here, its very reasurring the hear that's not the case for a lot of you.

Helen....Wonderful spreadsheet! I need lessons!

Singer...Wow! Good challenges this week. Just the awareness of how I can fit moving into my day--it doesn't just have to be at the gym and the carb awareness has been an eye opener for me. I am working on both!

Thanks!

My favorite exercises are the ones that take place outdoors too, yesterday I push mowed our big yard, love doing that now!!!

I have done pretty good on staying under 100 carbs so far. Today is pretty much blown I had no idea how many carbs were in some of my favorite snacks. Jello temptations 21 carbs WOW!

I am doin more walking this week and actually enjoying it, our fall weather is starting and its not so hot.

Great Challenges!

I'm super sucking on eating and exercising this week. I'm going to cook up a bunch of chicken tonight though and live off that this weekend. and sodium cleanse.. and exercise.. a lot.. lol. we'll see how it goes.

kelmax, I just joined, go to the first page and you will see the instructions. Good to have you!

Okay, can I state the obvious? Low carb is really hard! I don't know if this is just because I don't have the right kinds of snacks around or what but I have just failed at this every day. The best I can say so far is that on thursday I stayed under my carb goal for the day. I'm going grocery shopping today and I'm going to try and make an effort to get more low carb options to finish out the challenge week. Other than that, I feel like I've had a pretty good week!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

lol..yes that is obvious for me too unfortunately! I usually always stay under the recommended carb level MFP has set for me, but I still think it's too high...I honestly don't think I can ever stay under 100 grams, and I'm like you, not sure if I have the right kind of snacks around...snacks for me include fruits and sourdough pretzels, so there ya go on the carbs! I admire those like Rose who can go so low on the count. I have done the South Beach diet before which is carb restricted, seems like I ate a lot of meats and veggies...