Dropping pounds with inspiring pals *CLOSED GROUP*

Hey All--

I'm having a rough/busy/hectic work week...
I will do my best to catch up with everyone this week!

I did do 4 miles on the eliptical this morning... and I've felt great today, why can't I remember that feeling when I don't want to get out of bed every morning to go to the gym???

Happy Friday!

I am officially under 270 for the second time but this time I am afraid to log it for fear that it will go back up tomorrow. It has been two weeks to get bck to this. Granted we had a wedding right after the last time and then TOM and then a death and then my biopsy but still it took TWO WEEKS. I just don't want to jinx myself by logging it. What do you all think? My weigh in for here and my challenge is Sunday so should I wait til Sunday?

LOG IT!! If you don't, it's almost like you're expecting yourself to gain and then you will. It's all about the subconscious mind...

AND .... We've lost over 150lbs as a group so far! How crazy is that!

That is crazy... We are kind of awesome!

We are totally crazy, wicked-awesome! What a group!

I showed a gain this week, but I'm blaming my friend's scale for it! Actually, I had a rough week and ugly food diary, but I'm feeling a little saner despite being on vacation.

Hope everyone's having an awesome weekend!

Hia all so the 10 day pan came to an end and I weighed - I LOST 8 LB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I haven't had loss like that for a year! 6 stone 5lb off in total now or 89lb. I am so happy I can not express. Let's hope it continues - I will not be stopping, learnt loads of lessons e.g
1. Plan your meals at least the day before and STICK TO IT (as much as poss)
2. Last meal of the day doesn't need carbs!
3. 5 smaller meals are better and I get less hungry
4. Protein doesn't mean high cal.
5. Protein shakes are helpful to recovery after the gym.
I feel so well, so full of energy, a fab change for me

I got a plan from my beach body coach but it is so easy - you eat a 40% protein 40% Carbs (but good carbs) and 20% fat. A typica day for me would be:
Breakfast : Multigrain home made pancackes with fruit and creme fresh or yoghurt with fruit, or an omlette.
Snack 1 (11am) : 10 almonds and dried cranberies/ apple and almonds/ peanut butter and carrots or cucumber
Lunch : chicken salad (4 oz of chicken) - chicken and guacamole wholemeal wrap / ryebread and beef and salad
Snack 2 - Protein shake - 8oz of rice milk, yoghurt, 1 scoop protein (I buy unflavoured as it has no sucralose) and fruit - 1cup (I keep blueberries and raspberries in the freezer) blend
Dinner - pork (4 oz) and apple (bramley in microwave with a drop of water for 1 min) Brocolli/ chicken kebabs/ turkey burger etc. With veggies or salad (no carbs in this meal)

I have cooked pretty much everything myself, I plan my meals the night before or sooner if i can, and basically try to eat clean - ittle additions and nothing from a packet if I can help it! I feel so well I can not tell you, and 8 lb is testiment.

So proud of you! That's an amazing loss! I missed what you were doing for those 10 days though... insight? Maybe I'd like to try it! LOL!

Last week weigh in 267.2 this week weigh in 265.1

Last week 239.2 this week 237.4.

OOOOO and I have a lot of great crockpot recipes!!!!! I just can never remember to start them til it is too late. Not too many of them are low sodium however. So you might have to play with them if you are watching that. Is there any paticular kind of meat you prefer? Chicken, Beef, Pork? I can't wait til Wednesday now. oh BTW I am at 269.6 this week and Neuro when I put mine in you hadn't put yours in.

Hi everyone! My starting weight this week is 225! Kisses !

Don't know if I can do a clean eat but how is this for my version of clean. I will work to stay under my alloted numbers in all categories everyday. Of course I already blew it today and was over in several categories but I will do my best.

Monday NSV - got into some more closet pants. About to need to try on the smaller work pants too. Also, baked over the weekend but didn't keep any of it in my house (NONE). Ate a little piece off both, trimmings but then donated all the rest. BTW, I will be baking again next weekend for a church fair but all of it will be donated.

I am looking forward to some new crock pot recipes this Wednesday. I have an interest in non-watery ones especially. I don't have too many good ones, I prefer the pressure cooker myself, or the wok. 30 minute meals are my friend.

Hey everyone
I just wanted to check in and let you ladies know that I will be back soon. Right now I am working on packing and cleaning because I have to move in a week and so I dont have time to worry about what I am eating or the money to buy anything healthy...

So I will be back in November... and I am hopefully getting a treadmill so I can work out too...
This last friday we went to Morro Bay and scattered my mom and aunt's ashes... It was awesome and I got lots of exersice in that day playing in the ocean and walking on the beach with my puppy.

Sorry I have been gone for so long... Will be back soon

Hey everyone!
Just a quick check-in. Well, this week's challenge is already in the toilet for me!:embarassed: I'm usually pretty crunched for time so all my breakfasts and lunches are quick on-the-go things. I'm trying to eat better for dinner but I'm not always successful at that either. For the other part of the challenge, I don't even own a crock pot. I'd love to learn how to make meals in those though! That would probably be a good thing for me as long as it's scaled down for one person.

Monday NSV- People are actually, FINALLY, noticing I'm losing weight. (I mean, seriously, it's taken 38 lbs for people to notice I've lost weight?!?!) Anyway, in the past few days I've a had a couple people say that they're noticing that I'm getting smaller. Yay! :happy:

Hi everyone! I'm pleased to report that I've been logging while vacationing! (I didn't think I would...). No hope for the clean-eating challenge, I'm afraid.

I've finally got some photos up, if your curious/interested. Most of the pics are commented with more information about what you're seeing.
Frankfurt (so far): http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikkiecanuck/sets/72157627803688741/
Limburg: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nikkiecanuck/sets/72157627804163081/

Hope everyone's having a great week!

--

Recipe Wednesday! A two-fer slow-cooker style! Both freeze very well for future super-quick meals.

Crock pot white bean chicken chili

- 1 onion, diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
- 1 lb tomatillos, diced (fresh is best and worth the knife-time, but you can sub canned or salsa verde)
- 1 15oz can diced tomatoes
- 1 7oz can diced green chiles
- 2 15oz cans of white beans, drained and rinsed (great northern, navy, or cannellini)
- 1 tsp (or 1 cube) chicken bouillon
- 1/2 lb cooked chicken, diced
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1/2 tsp oregano
- salt & pepper to taste

Toss everything into the crock pot and cook for 6-7 hours on low or about 3 hours on high.
Sprinkle with cilantro and/or squeeze in a little lime juice.

Jambalaya

- 1lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1/2 lb of andouille or italian sausage, bite-sized pieces
- 1 med/large onion, diced
- 2 sweet peppers, diced (green, or other colors - whatever you like best)
- 4-6 celery stalks, sliced
- 1 28oz can diced tomatoes (or equivalent fresh)
- 1 cup chicken broth
- 1 6oz can tomato paste
- 1/2 tsp each black, red, white pepper (or to taste)
- salt to taste
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 lb of shrimp (uncooked is best, but coooked is ok too) peeled & deveined
- your favorite rice, cooked according to package directions

Everything should be in nice little chunks - maybe 1/2" or so.

In a skillet, brown the chicken bits and place in the crock, then do the same with the sausage.
Add all veggies to crock.
In a bowl, mix broth and tomato paste, then pour into crock.
Add spices and seasonings.
Mix it up a bit.
Cook on low about 8-9 hours or 4 hours on high (better on low, if you have the time)
Add the shrimp about 10 minutes before serving.
Serve over rice.