A,B,C,D

So once again it's been a while since I have blogged, and its not that I haven't had ideas about topics or that I haven't had the time. Even at this point while I type I still am pondering what to write about. So I think I will do a little blurb about each thought. Enjoy!

A-The past couple weeks have been up and down for me. Last week I was really good at eating right, but had a lack of exercise awesomeness. This week I haven't been so hot on eating right but my exercising was good. I would really like for my motivation to match my food cravings. I was told when I started this journey that food and exercise are different battles, and the past couple weeks this has been very apparent and frustrating. I hope that by be admitting my struggle maybe it will clear my mind of the issue and they will blend more pleasantly this week.

B- I have been going to a Booty Bar Blast class at LVAC and I love it! It's a lovely mix of ballet, cardio, yoga, and revenge of 70's aerobics. The kind of aerobics that look silly, but burn. The one set back to this class is that it doesn't burn as many calories as the zumba/yoga combo that I was doing in the summer. So you have to supplement this class with a GOOD pre-work out, because this class makes you SOOOOO sore and tired after that I don't have the energy to do an after work out. This week I'm doing a Hot Hula class with my sister on Tuesday. This class is new for me and  there is a big chance I will look a fool, but it will be fun! So that will help jazz up the work outs this week.

C- Talking about results here. I have been seeing some, but not in the bigger numbers I was having a month ago. I feel like I have LET myself plateau. Losing 1-2 lbs, but nothing major. This week was better. I have passed the 25lbs milestone, which is great and I'm starting to see work pay off. Do I wish it was more, yes, (deep pause) but I have to accept that my up and down weeks, and the eating of the junk food has happened and that is why I'm plateauing. I'm not doing enough to burn off what I eat, so hence I'm not losing as much as I would like.  I need to accepted it and be happy for the weight I have lost but I CANNOT over reward myself like I have been doing.

D- I have been in a food rut, recycling the same meal over and over trying to make new and different. It didn't work well, so I searched pinterest high and low for some healthy and one not so healthy dinner ideas to spruce up my food. The "Skinny Greek Chicken" was by far one of the tastiest thing I have had in a long time. It was tangy and made the chicken not so dull. The tacos were also good. Tonight I'm having a good Sunday dinner, which isn't great for me, but sometimes a good Sunday dinner is what the belly calls for.  So if you want to check that out and you aren't following me on Pinterest, its Katielynn1204!

Anywho I think that I have told enough random things this about the past couple weeks.

Loves and Hugs-
Katie :D

Food Quirks...

Hello Blog, 
It has been awhile since I have written anything in a while and tonight seemed like a good night.  Growing up I was a picky eater and while I'm trying to be more adventurous in my food choices, I have moments when it kicks back in. Tonight is a keen example of that.
It's turkey taco night, and when my turkey meat was browned I added a new taco seasoning/sauce I found at the grocery store. It was chunky.... one of least favorite qualities about food. Big ole pieces of tomato's and onions staring at me, mocking me. Then I had a moment, and started to PICK them out (with a fork).  Pause.... Yes it was weird and strange, but then I realized it and HAD to turn this moment around.  I can't let picky food habits and cringing tales of under cooked onions ruin my dinner tonight or any night. My solution to this was blending it down, making it smooth (a much happier texture for my mouth). The tacos ended up being quite tasty, and I was glad was able to get past my initial reaction.  So then another question ended up bouncing around my head.

How do I get past my food quirks?

When I was young and we had family meals, if there was and ingredient I didn't like even if it was tiny I wouldn't finish my dinner. Example Cream of Chicken vs Cream of Mushroom. Now if I didn't know it was cream of mushroom I didn't care, but when I figured it out it was not a pretty sight. If the books that came out when I was teenager about hiding veggies in your kids food came out when I was kid, I would have been the target audience. In real world situations being a picky eater doesn't go over well, and no matter how old you get hiding things under your napkin doesn't work.

 I'm not sure I have an answer to my problem. While I have gotten better at eating things that I don't like, at least I'm trying them and giving them an adult shot. But when I saw this chunky sauce tonight I got that gross food feeling in my stomach. Maybe its a texture thing, memory thing, a food looking pretty thing? I'm sort of lost for an answer. I guess the best thing I can come up with is that this is journey and I'm not finished with it yet. Hopefully by the time I figure this healthy lifestyle thing out I will be able to eat chunky sauce.

Enough with the stories of my weird behavior. 
Love-
Katie

Perception and Reality

So before I go into my post I deleted my last post "Happy Saturday" for no good reason. I was looking at my posts and had two in draft form that I didn't feel like using, but clicked Saturday instead. BOO! I hope that the readers who read it found something interesting... moving on.
This morning was frustrating because I was trying to figure out a problem not related to working out. Then I went to the gym and saw the elliptical as my problem and beat it to ground. Back to reality, I still have said problem but feel a tad bit less stressed about it. Anywho in beating it to the ground I had a personal best in millage and calories burned. I went about 4 miles, and burned 542 calories. This got me thinking. Looking at myself 15lbs ago, I COULDN'T have done that. After the lackluster workouts I had last week it felt really good knowing that I had improved.
 My thoughts then went back to my weight and size before I started. I didn't see my size, or weight. I thought hey I'm getting chunky, then ate some more ice cream. I didn't see myself as size 18/17, but I was. Truth when I imagine a size 18, I see a very large person who can't walk well and has a multitude of fat folds, NOT ME. Which is really mean and I feel bad that my brain goes there, but it does. Taking a trip to reality town I was a fat kid who gained weight, and clothing size. Right now my perception has caught up with reality and they are slower merging to create a more mindful Katie. I can see that my body is changing, and I'm pleased with that. That I can work up a good sweat and feel ALIVE, not like I'm going to die. This merging of perception and reality has had an interesting affect on me, I feel like for the first time in a long while I can be FULLY accountable for my choices, all my choices.
I'm going to leave you with the thought of being accountable, because that alone has been the key to my recent weight loss.
Loves!
Katie 

Some good news!

Hello and Good Afternoon!

So I hope that everything is going well for everybody looking at my blog this fine day. Today one of my friends posted something about my blog in hers, ( I think,  if you read this let me know for sure Katy G) My friend wrote a post that was quite lovely, and put more positive spin on weight loss, and health. So In her blog she wrote this "And when you lose your first 10lbs, or your last 10lbs, or when you go down a size in your clothing: Celebrate what you accomplished. Have a cupcake! Whatever!!!"

So here is the mini celebration on my way to a healthy lifestyle... Drum Roll * I have lost 13lbs, and even though it doesn't sound like a huge achievement. I feel a bit skinnier, but mostly I feel better about myself. This has come as a result of me being a mindful eater and working out. This is a victory for me personally because I was very stubborn in the being trying to do things my way, and sometimes my way isn't the best. The biggest thing that has made a difference was figuring out ways to feel full, and not snack every second of the day. My not so secret method is a protein shake in the morning. Another big change, cutting out Coke! I love coke and during my last couple years in school I could down a couple cans a day. I haven't had a coke in two months! I haven't given up soda completely as you could tell by the coke zero, sprite zero and fresca cans in my recycling bin. The zero soda is helping fill the void. 

I think the best thing about this little victory is that I have found what works for me. Being MINDFUL of what goes in my body. I have been using a calorie counter which has helped be become far more informative about my past and newer eating habits. Eating what I want to eat, in moderation.  For example today I had Arby's. It was sooooooo good! Why I don't feel bad about it, I haven't had it in three months, and I don't plan on eating again anytime soon. So it was my little luxury for the day. Side note it was my blood sugar is low and I need to eat now meal.  Also I don't dislike working out, I quite like it once I get to the gym and start. Getting to the gym is the hardest part for me.

Anywho I feel like I have spilled my guts enough for one post! 

Katie :D

P.S. This picture of my little pup and me was so well loved on FB that I will post it here to brighten your day! 

             

Adventures in Cooking! :D

Hello!

So its been a few days since I last posted something neat, and decided tonight was the night! I was feeling creative today and decided to make my own granola bars. I searched for a recipe that I liked, and didn't find one so I  improvised! Right now they are sitting in my freezer, and the nutella is setting up. I have a picture of them, it's not the best picture because my food photography is rusty! When I made them I cut them into 28 pieces, which equals 121 calories per square. 

 

Now recipe time!
1/2 cup melted butter
1 cup agave ( or honey*)
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups dry oats
2 servings of mini honey teddy grahams (94 bears)
1 serving of chocolate frosted mini wheats (42 pieces)
3/4 cup nutella
* Honey will add more calories, as will regular flour.
Now the directions!
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grind/ blend/ crush the teddy grahams and mini wheat's. Mix the crushed grahams with the oats.  Next add the dry ingredients, then add the wet ingredients and mix until well combined!
Place mixture into sprayed or parchment lined 9x13 pan. Squish down until the mixture until the pan is full. Cook in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes.
Melt the nutella in the microwave for 30-50 seconds, around the time the bars come out of the oven. Pour the nutella on the bars right when they come out of the oven,  then stick them fridge to set. After they are cool, cut into squares/ bars and ENJOY!
One a side note I'm going to store mine in the fridge so that the chocolate doesn't melt in the Vegas heat! I hope that if you try them they come out just as tasty as my batch did!
Loves!
Katie :D

What's for dinner tonight!!

Hello!
I have been craving chicken fingers, because they are so good! The tv hasn't been helping my craving
because of the stupid mc'ds commercial!

(The post below this, I tried to be clever and stick the video right here but it didn't quite go as planed)

So this poses a problem when they are awful for you, so my solution to this make a better for you version. I found a blog that provided the recipe (Skinny Mommy Blog), which also provided the watermelon lime glazed chicken I had last night. It was really good! I am have to admit I pretty stoked to try them!! :D To justify making nuggets of chicken, I will toss them on salad with healthy things!

When it comes to my food cravings I have been struggling a bit, but to give myself from credit I have only given in twice. In my first week of health I made cake batter blondies that were fantastic. Not the best call, but man they were good. I also bought some pop chips the other day, which aren't horrible for you but not part of high protein diet. I have gotten better at the snacking and eating more carrots then a rabbit. LOL I think that is all that I want to tell you as of this moment. The laundry is calling and needs to be folded!
Loves-
Katie :D

Spicy Chicken McBites: Flavor Scribe (Full Version)

A new way to train :)

Hello!
So its been a few days since my last post and I wanted share some new thoughts. This blog is help to me be more healthy and to talk about the ups and downs. In past couple days I have had both. My weight loss hasn't been what I wanted it to be, so I needed to reevaluate my current method. With some help from someone with more experience, I figured out a better game plan. Even though I did look like a grumpy girl while being told this it did stick. The biggest thing it came down to was my food intake, and trying to find right balance. I'm working on being less picky so that I can stick to health lifestyle longer. So far  I have tried red and green peppers, broccoli, a variety of salad dressing. Non of the dressings were to my liking, but the veggies weren't bad.  My work out also needed some tweaking. By adding more variety, not being afraid of weight machines. LOL

My little radar buddy is telling too stop blogging and play with him! :) Thats him licking my face as of two minutes ago. He is now sitting on my legs eating a toy! Hope you all have a great weekend!
Loves-
Katie

It's grocery store time... (UGH!)

So this post is really a rant, its more a lack of my knowledge rearing its ugly head. Its that time of the week and we need to smiths.  Which I hope is having that sale they were having last week, with the vitamin water! Fingers crossed! Before I started this health thing I could make a list be in and out in no time. Now, I have been staring at the list for and hour and come up with THREE dinners, and I have four more to go, and my mind has gone blank. Being aware of what your eating is great, but when your not supposed to have anything but lean meats and veggies for seven days straight its hard to create excitement or creative food ideas. Another issue that plagues me at this moment, I really like yogurt but it contains mass amounts of SUGAR which is my enemy so now my breakfast just isn't as yummy. BOO!
So far I have come up with the following ideas 1) Watermelon Lime Chicken 2) Healthy Chicken bites 3) Turkey Tacos 4) Left overs 5) bbq pork sammies {4th of July idea}  6) Personal pizzas {as healthy as possible} I guess I only have 2 more left, so it is coming along!
Loves-
Katie 

Sweatin at the Old folks gym...

Hello again!

Two posts in one day, I know Its a bit crazy!

So my mom lives in a 50 or older community and I'm the odd woman out.  When I go the gym at the center I'm the youngest person there, and it has provided me with some insight. I work out harder when the person next to me is eighty years old and kicking my butt. The interesting thing about about working out there is that I always seem to do something stupid. The other day I was chilling by the pool, one the workers tried to kick me out. Being a tad bit confused by this I talked to the people at the front desk, they laughed at me but we did figure it out. The next day I go they front desk to sign in and we all get a good laugh about how young I look (my biggest pet peeve).  I do enjoy working out at the old folks gym, it has nice equipment, it's not very crowded, and the "old" folks are really nice. I put old in quotations because not every body is old, but I still stand out. On the flipside I also have a membership to LVAC, which is almost the complete opposite. The equipment is nice, but it's a different vibe. The thing I like the most about LVAC are the televisions. I know that sounds super lazy, but it's what works for me at the moment.  I also enjoy the classes at LVAC, it provides the social aspect that my life is lacking at the moment. 

I think the point of this blog for me was to help decide were I get the better work out, because lately they have been pretty sad. I'm not sure what the verdict is right now. When I come to one I will let you know asap!

Katie

Hello!

Hello Fellow Bloggers!
I quick introduction seems to be key when starting a blog, so here it goes.
My name is Katie, a twenty something trying to get on the healthy side of life after 10 plus years of bad eating habits. I'm starting this blog for a couple reasons which I will share with you now!

1. I NEED to be healthy and if sharing my ups and downs with the world will help, then I'm willing to try it.
2. I need a space to let my own thoughts rain free. There are a lot of approaches out there surrounding weight loss and being healthy. This is mine. I'm not 100% on if it works but I need to try it. 
3. I'm new to this. I have never gotten on the band wagon because I saw the struggles and didn't have the will power to go through it. It was easier to be the fat kid, eating what felt good over what was healthy. 
4. I need to be accountable for my actions, and aware of what is going into my body. Being aware is one the most difficult things for me.
5. I'm a SUGAR addict! I love the stuff, but I need to be more aware of it. 
6. My work outs aren't what they need to be, I need to push it.
7. I could go on, but I'm guessing that you the reader get the point. 

I hope that I have given you enough to stick with me for at least a couple posts.

Katie :D