Sunday, May 29, 2011

Stop Dieting..Start Living

This morning when I woke up I said to myself "I don't want to do anything today. I don't want to clean. I don't want to work out. I just want to RELAX with my boyfriend and our daughter"...

Now I realize that at this point in my life EXERCISE = RELAXATION.

We were out on the boardwalk by 8am and what started as a casual stroll turned into a 7 mile walk!! We walked 2.5 miles to the park and stopped to play with our princess:





Then we walked a little further to the Library (which was closed!) so we walked all the way back home..another 2.5 miles. Then walked another 1/2 mile to lunch at Johnny Rockets and another 1/2 mile back! And I enjoyed every minute of it!!! I have a Turbo Fire workout scheduled for later too!


I didn't even realize how far we walked until I got home and looked on Google maps!! lol The plan is to do it again tomorrow! I wish every weekend was a 3 day weekend!!

Today I really wanted a milkshake. SO GUESS WHAT I DID??! .. You better believe.. I had myself a milkshake! A kids one.. and I TRACKED IT! And since I knew the milkshake was going to be high in points, I skipped on the burger that I also wanted and got a grilled chicken sandwich (Sub side salad instead of fries) and I just ate the chicken out of the sandwich. Small changes make a world of difference! That's why WW isn't a DIET.. it's seriously just a new way of life. 


 

I was talking to my boyfriend's sister yesterday (who is also my friend.. she actually introduced me to my boyfriend!) but she was asking about my weight loss and she was so impressed that I had lost 56lbs and she told me that when I reach 100lbs gone, she is going to give me a bag of something weighing 100lbs and make me hold it and tell me that I will NEVER have to carry that weight around again!! 

You know my emotional butt - TEARS! lol But it's so serious...think about how much 100lbs is to lift!! & to think I have been carrying around that extra weight on my body for such a long time is hard to comprehend! 


*When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe.. then you will be successful!* 

Set your goals. Don't stop until you reach them. Then set some new goals.  Point. Blank. Period.

Love, 
Krystle

Saturday, May 28, 2011

BUST those excuses. BUSTED my plateau. BUST A MOVE! It's the weekend!

Gooooooooooooodmorning!!!! It is a glorious day! Aside from just being awake and breathing another day, I have awesome scale victories and non scale victories to share.

First of all I am BACK in ONEderland!! After a four week gain/plateau I have made it back and with a BANG. Last week at WI I was 200 exactly. This week I busted out with a 3.4lb loss!!! 196.6. HUH??! Yes. I can't believe it either. I can't wait to hit the 180's now!! I'm down a total of 56.6lbs!

My key chains from WW - 10% key chain with 50lb ring and 5K chain!  
My friend that I mentioned (<--read it there) went with me to my meeting today. I was so excited and I really have high hopes for her! I know she can do it and can't wait to see her transformation!

I finally made my "I Know I Can" .. that is actually more of a jar. As I mentioned before, I got the idea from Ah..Me So Hongry!'s blog and I just fell in love. Her's is way cuter and fancier than mine but it does the job!!

I guess it defeats the whole "CAN" idea since it's a jar but oh well!

It says "Look how far you've come! HW&D" 

HW&D = Hard work & dedication in case you were wondering!

And inside of this can/jar goes things that I CAN do or NSV's since I have lost over 50lbs! 

Including: 

I thought it was a super cute idea! I will continue to put new notes in my I Know I CAN and reflect on those things when I feel discouraged or just want to pat myself on the back. 

I was also going to start a piggy bank for myself with $10 for every week I stay On Plan but since I didn't completely track this week I wasn't going to reward myself.. However, since my workouts clearly paid off *see above!* then I might just have to give myself that $10! 

Today's WW meeting was about getting active and BUSTING those excuses!! Stephanie started the meeting with a gift bag saying "In THIS bag I have the secret to your weight loss success..you are all going to want what I have in here." Then she pulled out a bottle that said "Magic Pills" and she said "This pill will help you lose weight, fight diseases, improve your sex life, improve your sleep, and so on. Who wants this pill??" .. Obviously there is no such thing as a magic pill! The "secret" is to eat right, EXERCISE, and repeat! Any type of activity counts. So let's get up & get moving!!!!

Wishing everyone a very SAFE, HEALTHY, & HAPPY Memorial Day Weekend!!! Enjoy those BBQ's .. just be smart. Eat in moderation and stop when you are satisfied! Don't skip on the fruit salad and grilled chicken.. they are just as enjoyable as the cheeseburgers!


"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me."
(Lee Greenwood)..... ♥
 Love, 
Krystle
 

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Our Experience at Viking Cooking School - Awesome time - INCREDIBLE food!!

Oh. My. Goodness. Viking Cooking School tonight was so amazing!! The experience was so much fun and the food was INCREDIBLE. Okay so maybe I overindulged a tad bit...but shoot.. for the $300 we paid to take the class..I'm gonna eat that deliciousness!! haha

I'm going to post the recipes in a separate blog.. let me just tell you about the experience first!

So we got there and they had a cocktails waiting and bruschetta with roasted reds and mozzarella, which is one of my top fav foods of all time! Then we got in teams of 4 and the chef gives you pre-portioned trays with all the ingredients that you need for the given recipe and walks you through everything. You prep it all, cook it all, then sit down at a big table and GRUB! I seriously can't wait until we are able to go again!

You can look up a class near you here!

The menu

  • When we got there they had Antipasto with olives, roasted reds, fresh mozz & bruschetta put out to munch on along with some yummy cocktail 

  • Assorted seafood salad - bay scallops, shrimp, & squid in this lemony, zesty saucy thing. 
The seafood salad in the making

  • Linguine with clams / clam sauce 


  • Crab and spinach stuffed flounder with champagne saffron butter sauce (that sauce was to die for!!) Also stuffed in there was pine nuts and raisins. 

Before
After 
Before the butter went in

  • Arugula salad with onions, walnuts, bleu cheese, and anchovies with a balsamic vinaigrette (you can see me making the vinaigrette in the video I'll post below!)





 Let me tell you... every delectable bite that went into my mouth was like a little piece of Heaven on Earth!! 

Here was the final presentation although pictures don't do it justice..especially considering I am far from the food photographer that I wish I was!! 





The experience was a little pricey but it was a Christmas present from my honey that we were just using. It was well worth it and he would agree! The chef was amazing.. the people were awesome to talk to..just all around a great time. 

Here are some more pics of us: 

Chef KJB in the house!!

The best boyfriend in the whole wide world

Throwing down ;)

My honey learning how to correctly chop and onion

Grub time!


Oh that's another thing that was pretty neat. It wasn't just about following the recipes but it included technique..how to properly chop and dice vegetables, how to cook down the champagne, steam the clams, etc...

Here I am making the vinaigrette:








And another video of the whole class. The teacher is explaining mixing the safron with the sugar that went into the champagne butter sauce..




Okay so when I get a chance to look at the recipes and figure out the points, I'll be sure to post them!!

Have a great night,
Krystle!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

There Are No Flaws in HIS plan

Man.. if God doesn't have his master plan then I don't know what other truth there is to this life. His plan is AMAZING. His plan is PERFECT.

I have great news but I'm gonna save it .. first let me back track a bit.

Since everyone has noticed the drastic changes in my appearance, it seems like the phrase "You are such an inspiration" is on the tip of everyone's tongues. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around that!!

My outside reaction is always "Aww.. thank you for the compliment".. but my INSIDE reaction is HUH?! Are you talking to ME??! You know who I am right? Krystle Bailey..the fat girl with the pretty face..I AM AN INSPIRATION??!

*Snaps Back To Reality* 

Yes they are talking to me and I have worked DAMN hard to reach this point that people consider me an inspiration. It does feel amazing. Although I'm not sure that I will ever get used to it completely.


Here's my breaking news::

My very 1st friend ever from way way back in the day.. when we were just little tykes. Our moms used to work together and we hung out ALL THE TIME. She also has struggled with her weight for a very long time. We have gone our separate ways over the years but still stay in contact through FB.

Today she sent me a message that made me feel so good, so thankful, and made me realize (once again) that God's plan has NO FLAWS.

She had just finished reading my poem that I posted prior to this post "Dear Fat Me" and she said that it had her in tears because she felt that way every day but was too scared to ask for help and she was coming to me because she is ready to lose the weight and knows that not only can I relate to what she is going through, but I will help her FREE OF JUDGMENT. 

This made me feel so honored & thankful on so many levels:
  1. She knows I still have that love for her.. 20+ years later. 
  2. She trusts that I can give her the support she needs. 
  3. In case I haven't mentioned it before - GOD'S PLAN HAS NO FLAWS. I just started going back to Weight Watchers meetings last week  with the most awesome WW leader ever and it just so happens that she asked me this week to be of assistance. So guess what??! 
YUP - you guessed it!! 

She is going to WW with me this Saturday!!!  I'm so excited. I can't wait to see her transformation and have her along on this journey with me. I hope it will also rekindle an old friendship!

 I really feel as though I have found my niche in life. Ever since I started this journey, new opportunities, new ideas keep arising.

I set out to change my own life and never expected to change others' lives as well. What started as my own goal to better myself has turned into a new goal to help others better themselves too! I have ideas in the making that are going to change everyone and everything around me and I am ready to make those changes!!


I owe it all to God though. Another friend of mine commented on one of my FB statuses saying that she admired my outlook on life. My response? - "thank you.. although it has nothing to do with ME. Like I said.. GOD IS GREAT!! I wouldn't have the things and do the things that make me so happy if not for His blessings! :)"

 Have an absolutely incredible day!!


Love, 
Krystle

Monday, May 23, 2011

A Letter To The Fat ME! (A poem by yours truly!)

Writing poems is another pastime of mine..I have been really wanting to write a poem about my weight loss and boy oh boy I didn't realize how quickly emotions can flow when I got out a pencil! I wrote this seriously in 15 minutes because my feelings just poured out. Hope you enjoy!! Would love feedback!!


Dear Fat Me, 

I bet you never thought it'd be time for you to go.
But I'm here to tell you that this is so.
We've spent a lifetime here together,
and now our relationship must sever.
You have taught me many lessons over the years,
and have also made me cry many tears.
You have slowed me down,
held me back, and made me cry.
Your fat wings made it hard for me to FLY!
You have controlled me and blinded my vision.
Your control on my self confidence has led to many bad decisions.
You made me think having you around was okay
because I had a pretty face.
Today, I'm telling you that this is no longer the case.
They say, "Love Is Blind"
Isn't that the truth?
Yea I loved you...
Until I realized I could do better WITHOUT you!
You put me at risk for hypertension, stroke, and diabetes.
We would REALLY be fighting if I got one of these.
I'm blessed to say, you couldn't bring me that low.
Now before you think you can fight back,
I'm telling you this:
YOU GOT-TA-GO!
But I know your kind...
You're gonna try to fight.
Attack me with the munchies in the middle of the night.
See what YOU don't realize
is I have God with me at all hours.
OH...
and a little thing called WILLPOWER!
Me and my army?
HA!
Think again Ms. Fat Me.
Get to steppin' & don't look back!!
You are no longer my friend...
Don't let the door kick you in the rear end!!!

Summer 2009

This past weekend - May 2011


Love,
Krystle

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Short & Sweet summary of our trip & WW 5K!

Hola! Our little trip was AWESOME! I loved loved loved the time with my family! We went to visit some friends in Maryland, went through DC, stayed over night in VA, DID THE WEIGHT WATCHERS 5K!!, and spent this afternoon in Baltimore at the Inner Harbor. I couldn't have asked for a better weekend!!

Like I said before, I didn't end up running the 5K because of my stinkin ankle but the walk with the family was very enjoyable! We didn't rush to finish or care about our time so it took us about an hour. People of Weight Watchers are so motivating!! Everyone clapped for each other as we passed one another. :)


 My only criticism would be that next year they put a little more time and effort into the planning of the event. It was kinda bootleg lol But I'm thinking next year I will organize one closer to home if no one else does!! Here are some pics of our trip::
My honey, my daughter, and me in Georgetown 

Yours truly!


Me at the finish line!!

My family at the finish line of the 5K




Although I completely did not track my food!! Not regretting it though. I don't think I overdid it TOO TOO much but I definitely could have done better. I want to say that I wish food wasn't an experience for me but it SO is.. and I honestly think that it's part of living! I think enjoying the tastes of life is simply part of enjoying life to the fullest. Of course in moderation and I can honestly say that at no point this weekend did I stuff myself. I stopped when I was satisfied! Which after all is the point of WW - learning to enjoy food in moderation!

Our delicious shared entrees - Shrimp Caesar Salad & Paella 


Goals for the week:
  • Start the Turbo Fire calender tomorrow - complete the whole 90 days
  • Lose at least .1 so I can be officially back in ONEderland
  • Drink at least 100oz of water per day 
  • TRACK EVERYTHING 
Although on Thursday we are going to Viking Cooking School at Harrah's so I don't know.. I might have to do a round about on the tracking as far as that goes! I will save extra points that day for dinner and get in a little extra workout!!

 Short & sweet.. I'm exhausted!! Here's a to a great week ahead!!!

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Best WW Meeting Ever!!

Hey hey hey! Happy Saturday! I'm in the car on the way to VA for the WW 5K tomorrow. But of course I couldn't stay away from my blog so I'm on my boyfriend's laptop. Can I just tell you first how awesome I find technology to be? lol I'm on the laptop in the car on Route 95 with this little wireless thingy sitting next to me and the pictures I'm about to post, I took with my phone, sent it to me email, and it ends up on my blog. We take technology for granted! If you really think about it, it's pretty amazing!!

Anyway..let's get to the point...

I went to my first Weight Watchers meeting (this time around) this morning. I have been doing just online since September and decided to go back to meetings today (you can about that on my last blog here). So I was running super late. The meeting was at 7:30 and I didn't get there until 7:40 and still had to fill out paper work and what not so on the way there I decided that I would just get weighed quietly and leave so we could get on the road. UNTIL I SAW STEPHANIE. Oh. My. Goodness. What an amazing Weight Watchers leader!!!

I'll get back to Stephanie in a minute. Let me tell you about my weigh in. So just a little history - I (hit ONEderland a few weeks ago (Read it here) .. then I sprained my anlke and after a week of not working out and comfort eating due to my dumpiness I gaind 4lbs, which put me back in the 200's. It sucked. So I was determined to get it back off the following week..only lost 1.8...that was last week's WI..

SO THIS WEEK.. I decided I was going back to WW and would go with whatever their scale had to say except I wanted to weigh myself on my scale before I left just to see.. well that scale said 194!! Then I went to WW......200 even. *sigh* So I will be back in ONEderland OFFICIALLY by next week!! Guaranteed.

But it was still exciting to announce at my meeting that I have lost 53lbs on the online program!! I got my little rewards..




Everyone was pretty impressed and Stephanie gave me a hug..my emotional ass got watery eyed LMBO!

So.. Stephanie.. She is absolutely INCREDIBLE! I only was in the meeting for the last 15 minutes and I fell in love! She is so charismatic, full of energy, smiles, jokes, she bounces around the room.. omg I have been to a million WW meetings in the past and never with a leader like Stephanie. She will have me getting up at 6:30am every Sat to make it to the 7:30 meeting just because she is THAT awesome. She hugged me and welcomed me to the family. I am soooo happy I decided to go!!

Soo we're on the way to VA.. visiting some friends and doing the Walk-It day 5K tomorrow. Super excited! I'll post pictures and updates when I get home!

Have a great weekend!!

Friday, May 20, 2011

I Love to Inspire & I love To Be Inspired

Hey lovely people of weight loss!! :) How is everyone?

I was featured today for the first time on another blog and I am oh so excited about it!!



In her weekly "The Skinny Dip!"   The post on there is also my very first blog post.. you can read it here!

I got some new followers after that too - SHOUT OUT TO THEM! 
 I love networking! Especially with other people on this weight loss journey, which is one of the reasons I am starting going back to Weight Watchers meetings tomorrow morning. I have been doing WW online since September and have had great success but I think it's time to broaden my horizon a bit and reach out and make some new friends! *Real life friends..not that you guys aren't real but you know what I mean!!"..

Also, I think I broke my scale last week when I stomped on it out of frustration -_-

Anyway so that just added the icing on the cake (bad analogy, I know) for me to go back to meetings! Now that my daughter is a little bit older, it will be easier for me. Not to mention, I plan to apply to work for WW when I reach lifetime so I think I should be going to meetings! I made it half way to my goal with the online program, now it's time to expand for the 2nd half of my goal!

We're leaving for VA in the morning for the Weight Watchers Walk-It Day 5K! I'm super excited! Even though I was training to run it before I sprained my ankle and now that won't be happening. Still excited to get out and meet more people! Can you tell I am a people person??! lol

I love to inspire and I love to be inspired!

Lookey look!! These are my 14's fresh out of the dryer!.. look out 12's..momma's coming for you!! :)



Also, as you can see, I am working on giving the blog a face lift although I am not very "HTML savvy" so it's a work in progress, bare with me!!

I'll leave you with one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite women in the world!



Have a wonderful Friday!!

Thursday, May 19, 2011

Random Thoughts ;; Count your blessings!

A few random thoughts: 

  1. It's crazy to think how only six months ago I was saying "All I have to do is walk 30 minutes on the treadmill every day and I'll be good to go".. and now I start my days with crazy, all out, intense cardio training with Turbo Fire. I was talking to my girl Michelle today and she is doing Insanity. We decided that when we finish the program we are currently on, we'll swap Turbo Fire for INSANITY. Just the fact that I even had a conversation like that and actually meant what I said, is NUTS for me! I never in a million years would have thought I would be HERE - a fitness addict!!
  2. I'm starting the Turbo Fire calender on Monday and going through the whole 90 day challenge. I have been doing it whenever I want, just choosing random DVD's to do. I'm excited to see the results after the 90 days! And even more excited to see the results after 90 days of TF and 90 days of INSANITY. holla!! 
  3. Went to my mom's for dinner tonight even though she warned me that she wasn't cooking very healthy (Baked mac and cheese and kielbasa).. but I planned ahead, measured my portions, tracked my points, and patted myself on the back! Job well done! 
  4. I know I have said this a bazillion times before but just for the record -My God is AWESOME! My man is my ROCK! My family is EVERYTHING!  ..My heart explodes when I think of how blessed I truly am!
*At the end of Fire 45 on TF, Chalene says, "Know how blessed you are to be able to work this hard!".. So true!! I thank God every single day for my health and being physically ABLE to make this change!!*


Love & hugs, 
Krystle

Wednesday, May 18, 2011

I'm the greatest baseball player in the world! ;; New Challenge!

A little boy was overheard talking to himself as he strode through his backyard, baseball cap in place and toting a ball and bat. "I'm the greatest baseball player in the world." He said proudly. 

Then he tossed the ball in the air, swung and missed. Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the air and said to himself, "I'm the greatest baseball player ever!" He swung at the ball again, and again he missed. 

He paused a moment to examine the bat and ball carefully. Then once again he threw the ball into the air and said "I'm the greatest baseball player who ever lived." He swung the bat hard and again missed the ball. 

"WOW!" he exclaimed, "What a pitcher!!" 

-Author Unknown 


This story really made me smile but it also made me wonder -  at what point in our lives do we exchange that "I'm the greatest in the world" mentality for something less rewarding? I love the positive outlook of the kid in the story and after reading this, I plan to apply this outlook to my own life from here on out and I challenge you to do the same! We're not always going to be perfect and every human being on this planet has a few weaknesses but instead of focusing on what we can't do or what we're not that good at, let's put our focus into what we ARE good at and what we CAN do and run with it! 

I am making a new challenge for all of us, not only those of us on the weight loss journey, but everyone:: 

*When you have a negative thought about yourself whether it be your body image, your hair, your skin, your attitude, your grades, your physical ability, your mental capabilities...whatever it is - I challenge you to immediately counteract that thought with something POSITIVE. We're no longer going to dwell on the CAN'Ts in life, we're going to focus on the CANs.

  • I can't run a mile ----> I CAN walk 3 miles. 
  • I can't fit a medium shirt ----> I CAN fit the large that I never fit before
  • I can't break this plateau ----> I CAN keep working until it breaks. 
  • I can't cook that well ----> I CAN buy a cookbook and teach myself. 
  • I can't do a "man's push up" ----> I CAN do 50 "girls push ups"
You get the idea. 

But if one of those "can'ts" is something that can be changed with hard work and dedication then by all means - put in the work!! All good things come with a little time, energy, and effort. And when you have the "I can't do this" thought.. switch it up to "I CAN change this aspect of my life and I WILL!"



The story I mentioned above is from a book called "How to Stay Motivated During Difficult Times" by Andres Lara. I LOVE this book. It stays on my desk at all times. I got it during EOF (the summer before my freshman year in college) and every time I need a little inspiration, I dig up this book! 





On a personal note:: My daughter took her first steps today!! I am so beyond proud! She will be 11 months on Saturday. Here's a picture of her beautiful smiling face - BEWARE: Her smile is contagious!! 





Have a blessed day!! 

-Krystle

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Freedom is MINE!

Freedom is MINE and I KNOW how I FEEEL.. it's a new dawn, it's a new day, it's a new LIFE for ME and I'm feeling GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!  


**That wouldn't be the first time I started out a blog with lyrics from that song! I have to get on my JH soap box for a minute. I LOVE that woman.. you don't even know. I love her as a person, as a weight loss icon, as an artist, as a mother, just all around LOVE her. I am determined to meet her!! She is coming to Camden in July and I want to buy a meet and greet package sooo bad. It's pretty expensive though so unless I get lucky on one of these trips to the casino, then I won't be going! I work hard for the money! **


Anyway, hope everyone is doing wonderful!! I know I am! I just feel so absolutely ALIVE. I wake up in the morning full of life, energy, and pure happiness! I know none of this would be possible without the blessings from my God and I thank him a million times over. I also know a lot of it has to do with the fact that I blessed with an awesome family and home. But I ALSO know that it's because I have made such a huge change to my life by eating better and exercising! I get so much satisfaction out of cooking a healthy meal and being full off of one plate. The "satisfaction" that I used to get when I would eat a double cheeseburger, fries, and a large soda DOESN'T COMPARE!

To know that I am making conscious choices to better my health, my future, and my daughter's future gives me a natural high like no other feeling I have felt in my life!!!

I took a picture of myself after my Turbo Fire workout today (which was SO stinking FUN!!).. I was sweating so bad and so proud of it, I had to document it! Here it is:





I absolutely LOVE Turbo Fire..I love all the ones that I've done so far but today was exceptionally fun. The music gets me so pumped up.. "Boom I got your boyfriend, I got your man" [not that I believe in that song lol but it's a fun song to dance to!] I tried to find a video of Fire 45 to post and this is all I could come up with:




That video doesn't do the energy of the workout justice though! They need a new word for the kind of sweat you break doing TF!

In other news

Do you ever stop to notice the little changes that have occurred during your weight loss transformation? I have noticed muscles that I never knew I had before! Of course they are still covered in a layer of fat but I'm working on that! 

I have noticed little things like when I stretch, the strength in my legs! 

Even things like how much easier it is to hold my daughter since I have gained strength in my arms.. not that she is heavy but it is just like holding a glass of water because I have that much more muscle

Or how about how easy it is to sit up from a lying position? No arms needed to lift my body weight.. and I do these things without even thinking about it then after the action is done, I realize how my body has changed.

Getting out of the car, crawling around on the floor with my daughter, sitting in booths at restaurants, etc..<---all things that are easier since I have lost weight. 

I know I'm not the only one and I won't put it all out there because my mom and my boyfriend read my blog but I know I'm not the only one who has noticed a difference in the bedroom! 

It's amazing what weight loss can do for a person both inside and out! I feel like a whole new person that was just living inside the OLD ME waiting to burst out and enjoy life!! People say "You lose weight and gain life".. there is not a statement more true! I am more alive than I have ever been in my 23 years here on this earth and that's something that NO ONE can take from me! 

Hard work & dedication. Let's do it!!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Stuffed peppers, mashed cauliflower, and salad. YUM.

Hey lovely bloggers!! I just made the most slammin' dinner and I have to share with you all!

Stuffed peppers, mashed cauliflower with sour cream and cheese, and a salad - This entire plate was only 8 PointsPlus values!! And let me tell you.. I am stuffed!




So lately I have been obsessed with food photography (although clearly mine is not as wonderful looking as the websites that have had me drooling at my desk the last couple of weeks!) Anyway, I took a shot at it while I was cooking dinner tonight and since my friend Michelle asked me for the recipe, I figured I would write a blog about it! :)

I got this recipe for the stuffed peppers from my PointsPlus cookbook!

Ingredients: 
  • 1/2 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 cup cooked brown rice
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup frozen green peas, thawed
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 2 tbsp tomato paste
  • 3 Garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tsp minced fresh thyme 
  • 1 teaspoon minced fresh basil * I didn't have any basil so I used Italian seasoning instead*
  • 4 green, red, or yellow bell peppers, tops cut off and seeded
  • 1/2 cup tomato puree or tomato sauce 
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F 
  2. Mix together beef, rice, onion, peas, Parmesan, tomato paste, garlic, thyme, and basil in a large bowl. 

      3. Spoon mixture evenly into bell peppers. Stand peppers in shallow baking dish or casserole. Pour    tomato sauce over peppers,





         4. Add enough water to baking dish to come partway up sides of peppers. 
         




       5. Cover baking dish with foil and bake, basting peppers occasionally with tomato liquid, 30 minutes. Uncover and bake until peppers and rice are tender and filling is cooked through, about 20 minutes longer. Let stand 5 minutes before serving. 

*I added a slice of WW cheese to the top of each pepper because I am a cheese LOVER! 

Nutritional Info: (1 stuffed pepper) 
301 grams, 209 cal, 5 g total fat, 0 g trans fat, 34mg Chol, 124mg Sod, 26 g total carb, 7g total sugar, 5g fiber, 17g protein. PointsPlus: 5 (plus the slice of cheese that I added = 6) 

So then I made the mashed cauliflower. I just steamed that in my steamer for a half hour then added Adobo, pepper, 2 more slices of cheese (see above lol) and a dollop of Daisy (sour cream!) and mashed it all up! 

I used 1tbsp of FF Catalina dressing on my salad = 1 point 

I am soo stinkin FULL and it was only 8 points! I usually use a lot of points on dinner, which is a habit I have to get used to changing because soon my daily value will be cut back by 7!! 

Hope everyone had a wonderful Monday!!

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Don't Let The Scale Beat You Up...and don't beat up your scale.

A little bummed.

Last week when I wasn't working out because of my ankle, I SO EASILY gained 4lbs!! Granted I may have gone over my points a little bit but I didn't binge eat or anything! I was pretty upset about it but told myself, "You'll just lose it again this week.. it came on in a week, it's bound to come back off in a week"..

Who was I kidding??!!

I busted my butt this week trying to lose the 4lbs or somewhere close to it and what was the result, you ask??
1.8lbs. 

Yes, yes I know!  A loss is a loss and generally 1.8 would be a good loss for me. However, two weeks ago I was in ONEderland and now I'm not. For two weeks straight. -__-

My boyfriend said: "Don't go by the scale.. that's such a crappy way to keep score" and he's right! We shouldn't completely base our success on what that stupid scale says! (I hope I didn't break mine today after I stomped on it yelling at it to change hahahaha) But I am the queen of recognizing and sharing NSV's every day and that is really the measure of success. How do our clothes fit? How people notice our weight loss. The things we CAN do since we have lost the weight! How we feel all around!

So I took my measurements to ease my mind a little bit and in three weeks I lost  1.5" off my waist and 3" off my bust. 
I'll take it!

So I am shaking my mood and moving on with my day! Today is my SPA DAY!! I am so so excited. I have never had a professional massage (You'd never know my little sister just became certified in massage therapy..ahem..ahem...lol) .. I have a hot stone massage scheduled for 10:00 and I plan to get in a really GOOD workout at some point today.



Oh before I go.. I saw this blog a while ago and I am so upset that I can't find it to link it. (If you are reading this blog and I'm talking about yours, please let me know so I can link you!) .. anyway she made something called an "I know I CAN" and it basically was a really cute, decorated coffee can type of thing. Then every time she felt discouraged, she would make a little note to stick in or on the outside of her can and on the note it would say something that she CAN do since she had lost 50+ pounds. I thought it was a SUPER cute idea.. I am definitely making one for myself when I can make it to the craft store!

ADDENDUM:  Thank you The Evolution of Me for providing me with the link!! You can see the I know I CAN Here - "Ah..Me SO Hongry!" :)

I also saw something on the Weight Watchers FB, which was about rewarding yourself for small goals.  17 Wars to Reward Yourself (On a budget!)  This is super important. You can click that link for all the suggestions but the idea that I am using is to put $10 away in a piggy bank or a bank account for every week that I stay on plan and when I reach goal, reward myself with a new wardrobe!


So anyway.. the moral of the story is don't let the scale beat you up and don't beat up your scale, reward yourself for small victories, and don't use JUST the scale to determine your success!

We are on the road to success and just the fact that we made up our minds to make a change is a victory in and of itself!!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Bathing Suit Shopping!

SO exciting, I just bought my first new bathing suit in years!!! I have been saying I needed a new one for a while now but was so nervous/anxious about buying it so I kept putting it off since summer isn't quite here yet. But on Sunday I am spending the day at the spa (compliments of my honey!) so I wanted to get a bathing suit to wear in the jacuzzi. Since I got gift cards for mother's day, I decided to splurge.

So I picked out every one piece that Old Navy had on the racks - some I got in a Large and XL just in case.

Here was the lineup:






Not all of these got camera play.. lol just two.

The first one I tried on I really liked but it was black and black is so boring lol but I took a picture anyway. I was excited not only because it was a large but because I can't remember the last time I walked in a dressing room and actually FIT the first thing I tried on..

Here it is:




I know.. you can't see all those curves (I'll go with "curves" instead of "rolls") in regular clothes! But don't get it twisted.. I have a long way to go!!

P.s. I need a major tan!

Anyway so then I tried on the purple one and I fell in LOVE!!

Here's me, happy as a clam - this one is also a large!! 



The other two were not so flattering to say the least LOL.. anyway so this is the one I bought. I got a zebra print cover up thingy to go with it too.. here is the final product:





This is me in my bathing suit 2 summers ago!! :: (although now I realize how much my girls shrunk! haha)



I'm happy with it!! Now I just have to work on these thunder thighs so I can scrap the coverup!!

I also got this hat.. I've always wanted a big ol' beach hat but I'm gonna have to get a cover up that matches it..





Exciting day in the land of KJB! Sooo looking forward to my spa day on Sunday!! I have a hot stone massage scheduled and a date with the gym, the sauna, the jacuzzi, and a good book!!

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Just The Boost I Needed!!

All who have accomplished great things have had a great aim, have fixed their gaze on a goal which was high, one which sometimes seemed impossible.
-Orison Swett Marden



Hey hey!!

I have an awesome NSV to share! ..

So I have had this jacket since freshman year of college (5 years ago). This black jacket with 4 buttons. I bought it when I lost a lot of weight in high school in a size Large. Even back then it was a little snug on me and I had to really SUCK IT IN to button it but it was one of those jackets that you didn't have to button anyway... so I bought it to wear open. So as I progressively gained weight over the next several years (50+ pounds!), that jacket became a thing of the past because even while wearing it open, it nearly cut off the circulation in my upper arms. BUT I refused to get rid of it for some reason.... it stayed in my closet and even moved with me when I moved into different apartments throughout the years. 

So a couple months ago, after I had started this weight loss journey, I was looking for a light jacket and found it hiding behind all my other clothes in the closet and decided to try it on. I was so excited at that time that it fit my arms!! I wore it almost every day for a week.. maybe more LOL. But even though it fit my arms, it was still a jacket to be worn open otherwise I would not be able to breathe!

Eventually, it ended up back in the closet.

But.. today "it's a newwww dawn. It's a newww dayyyyy" (In my Jennifer Hudson voice!).. because TODAY.. I got out that jacket in a hurry to find something to wear since it was a little cooler out tonight... put it on with ease knowing it was going to go over my arms.. then I looked in the mirror.............

I was in shock to see how loose the jacket was on me and I said out loud to myself.."I think I might be able to button this!!" .......

So I started with the bottom button just messing around...


Second button.....

and BAM!! *see picture*





It was just the boost I needed to get me in the 
ZONE

We went to dinner and usually when we go to dinner I push the limit on my WW points but not today! I skipped on the bread even though I LOVE the bread from this place.. ordered soup and a half of shrimp salad sandwich and actually only ate half of the half because I was so full from the soup and I also skipped on the delicious potato salad that comes with the sandwich and offered it to my boyfriend to take home in his to go container.. Drank 40oz of water and stopped when I was full! I was so proud! 

Sometimes all we need is a little boost to keep us focused! I was feeling a little bummed since I am trying to start weaning my daughter from the breast and in turn am going to lose 7 daily points! But this little NSV of mine put me right back in my place. My eyes are on the prize baby!!!!

Have a blessed night!!

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

STUNNED by This NY Post article!!

I am completely and utterly STUNNED by this article!!!  "Jenny Craig is Top Heavy Hitter: Diet Showdown Reveals Which Plan is Best, Pound for Pound."   - Weight Watchers, the best weight loss plan on the face of the earth, came in THIRD after Slim Fast.. you have got to be kidding me!!!

First let me scream out my frustration: AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

Okay.. now let me first tell you what these people just said. They said .. and I quote... "Jenny Craig's prepackaged, dieting-for-dummies plan as the No. 1 way to drop those pesky pounds."

WHAT??!?!?!?!

Wait, there's more: "Weight Watchers is the most flexible, but the weight-loss results are never spectacular," Metcalf said." 


Excuse me but umm: 

I'd say that's pretty dag on SPECTACULAR!


Or how about my girl Nicole: 




Who also lost her weight on Weight Watchers. You can find her on facebook:



So then.. the article goes on to say that they tasted the Jenny Craig food and it doesn't even taste good. So let me understand this...a DIET plan that requires you to buy only their expensive food AND the food doesn't even taste GOOD is the "winning" diet??? 

Oh.. but if eating nasty, prepackaged food doesn't work for you.. don't worry!! The next leading diet you can just drink watered down shakes all day! YUM!!!

But.. and again, I quote:  "the Achilles heel of Slim-Fast is that after six months, people really start to drop out. Maybe they just can't look at another shake."


Man oh Man! This article bothered me to my soul!! After WW (coming in 3rd), came Atkin's and some Zone Diet that I never even heard of.

HOW THE HECK is glorious, wonderful, simple, delicious, satisfying, goal achieving, WEIGHT WATCHERS even included in this horrid list??! 

The only logical conclusions that I can come up with to bring myself some peace are:
  1. People are LAZY. Prepackaged meals is much easier than cooking anything and they are willing to forgo the taste for the simplicity. 
  2. People are stupid and can't figure out a more complex plan. The lady DID say it's "dieting-for-dummies". 
  3. Weight Watchers isn't a diet and shouldn't be in the same study as DIETS!  It's a lifestyle change and it's something that is DO-able for LIFE! Even though this stupid Consumer Reports lady says:: "The best diet is the one that you can stay on," Metcalf said, "because if you can't stick with it, then you won't lose weight, nor will you be able to keep off any weight you do manage to lose."  And apparently, eating prepackaged foods for the rest of your life is ideal. You know.. as long as SODIUM is part of your diet! Pre-packaged foods are packed with sodium! I.e. Jenny Craig's Chicken Stuffed Sandwich with 590mg of sodium. 
I am not upset that this article was written because everyone is entitled to freedom of press. What upsets me is that the "study", if that's what you want to call it, was done by Consumer Reports and PUBLISHED BY THE NY POST!!! They should be ashamed. I can't fully understand that the basis of the study even is. Who loses more fastest? Who sticks with their plan? I think this study was either half way done or very bias. So now people will see this post, not read into the details, and say to themselves - Oh Consumer Reports rates Jenny Craig as the best diet out there! .... this saddens me.

 *sigh* 

Okay that's enough ranting.

For the record I have tried a pre packaged meal plan.. Nutrisystem and as much as it may be EASY.. it sucks! Who wants to eat a frozen meal when others around them are eating pizza? ... On WW.. guess what? I can have a piece of pizza.. or two if I'd like!

Weight Watchers is the best. The truth. Point. Blank. Period. The end. But hey.. if you want to miss out on enjoying the tastes of life.. then go ahead and drink your shakes.. eat your frozen food.. leave the enjoying to the rest of us!!

-Krystle

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