Ready for HBBC 2012

I am  excited for the start of  The Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge.  Next Monday Game on.

I  had a rough summer and fall . My mind and heart have not been in the weight loss and  exercise mode.  It is so hard to keep trucking along. I gave myself a few weeks off no tracking, no competing, no off limits foods, and no treadmill.  

It was a relief just to live and really that is what this whole  journey is about.  

Yes I did still consciously eat and even over ate some.  Yes I took a few walks and did some exercise.  I  did  wear my FITBIT everyday but 1 and I did weigh in weekly to see where I was at.   I am up a few pounds.  I  am not happy about it but I am happy that I  gave my mind the time it needed.  

There have been some work, family, and life things that needed more attention.  I am glad that I  navigated through that without a big crash and I know that I am better for all that this last 17 months have taught my.

I am glad that I stepped back and evaluated what  I want the next few months to look like.   I want to  really focus on  taking off another chunk of weight.  I am thinking another 50 by  May 1.

I know that no challenge or  boot camp will be the total answer but the community feel and  account ablity are something that I do like.    I am back and ready to get some miles and minutes  in over the holidays.

I am in round 3 of the Best Body Boot Camp and struggling.  I was not able to excersise for several day so I am behind and out of sync with the crowd but not giving up. I knew that in was going to be tough and I am getting my goals in and a couple of  light workouts in but now I am good to  go weeks 4-8 are mine.   I do love that this is such a well run  and supported  program so I am looking forward to round 4 already.

Confessions of a City Eater Foodie Pen Pal #4

I am  a little late with Foodie Pen Pal reveal day.  This is my 4th month participating.  I was matched with  Stephanie.  Her blog is  Confessions of a City Eater. 



I was very excited to be matched with Stephane I looked at some of the boxes she had sent in previous months and got to thinking I was  going to get some great new  foods to try.  Stephanie's note included a menu of ideas of each thing. Cuban flavors are not something that I have tried much.  So I was excited to spice up my chicken dishes this month with these seasonings. 

 

I remembered one of the chefs on Food Network Star a couple years ago using Sofrito in everything.  This little pouch was used on all kinds of things this month.  The Mojo marinade was great on  chicken breast that I grilled and had in salads.   Stephanie also included PicNik potatoes and  Crackermeal.  The  crackermeal I used with a little salt and pepper to bread a cubed steak.  It was really crispy and tasty.  

 

So from the right the innocent white bottle was filled with the YUMMIEST Granola.  I am not  kidding this stuff was so good.  The recipe is great it is just a few ingredients .  Stephanie has it exactly right "If you like those Nature Valley's Honey n' Oat granola bars then you will definitely like this simple granola recipe because the taste is spot on. "  I am not a big fan of  globs of stuff or  dried fruits and nuts in granola just give me the  great  flavors of oats and a little sweetness.  This bottle was meter out over yogurt for  a few breakfasts. I am made my own  batch and took it with me on a recent trip for  breakfasts  the recipe is perfection.  

The bag of plantain chips were a great,  yep all 3 servings were gone quickly.

 

The  Conchita Maria Cookie and Luker chocolate were a hit with the family.

 

I was sure that the hit item for me was going to be the six little tubs of Dulce de Leche.......They even came with a cute little shovel (I mean spoon)  that let you get every little bit out of the cup. 

 

 

About a week after I got my box Stephanie replied to my email thanking her for the goodies with the  simple question.

"IS ALL THE DULCE DE LECHE GONE??" 

 I had to reply YES I had just put down the shovel on the last little tub.  She said the  she had hidden it from her daughter so it would make it in the box and believe me, they were hidden in this house to make them last a whole week. 

 

I am so glad that I am getting to meet different people from across the country and taste the things that are in there kitchens.

 

It is so fun to see how different all the boxes are.  So if you want to join the fun just hop over to LeanGreenBean  and read through the rules and sign up.

Friend Making' Monday: Groceries

I found this link up an thought it was an interesting way to share things.

 If you’ve taken part in FMM then you know the rules. If you’re new, please take a moment to answer this week’s question on your own blog then add your link in the comments section here at: www.alltheweigh.com so we can all see your FMM questions and answers. Please invite your blog readers to add their links here too so everyone has to opportunity to be seen. The idea is to connect with other awesome bloggers so take a moment to post your own FMM post and comment on a couple of other posts.

Now it’s time for this week’s topic! In the Kitchen  
 1. How often do you cook at home? I really cook about 95% of my meals it is so much easier to control portions. I know that eating out has been one of my reasons for not doing as well as I had been on loosing weight.
 2. Do you eat more fresh produce, frozen or canned produce? FRESH or frozen I go for both I can not do canned other than mushrooms for pizza and spaghetti. 
3. What are a few unusual staples that can always be found in your kitchen?  Green olives, and cinnamon I never run out of these I usually have more than one bottle of each. 
4. Look in your fridge, then tell us about the healthiest thing in there. Tons of veggies--- I love veggies I have relish trays loaded with them cut and ready it eat. Omelet, salad, steamed veg that is my basic daily eats. 
5. Now share the most unhealthy thing in it.  Miracle whip I am trying to do tuna sandwhiches with yogurt but not there yet. 
6. Do you eat leftovers? Yes all the time usually a freeze stuff too. 
7. Do you use coupons at the supermarket?  I never use them. 
8. How often do you try new recipes? I try new recipes every couple of weeks. 
 9. Do you make grocery lists?  Do you stick to them? I do lists but lately I have been getting the same thing every week. I need to get better at menu planning and adding in variety. 
 10. If you could buy one food item that would magically be calorie-free, which item would you choose? Ice cream

July Foodie Pen Pals

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I am  excited that it is Foodie Pen Pal reveal day.  This is my third month  participating.  I was matched with  Renee.  Her blog is  Bendiful. 

It was a pretty warm day in the valley and when I opened the mailbox I could smell my foodie pen pal box...... Yummy Carmel Corn smell.   I had been craving popcorn so that was the first thing that I tried.

So now to the important stuff what else was in the box.

The  Blue Corn  Chips and Chile Verde Salsa hit the salty savory spot.  The  Green Salsa had a nice tanginess to go with the heat.  The Mojo bar and peanut butter cookies went to work to be afternoon "will this day never end treats."    Renee said she had planned to send homemade cookies but these lasted allot longer than a homemade treat would have. The  Dr. Stuarts Tea's wee a  great combo pak to  try out.  The  Water bottle is  really nice it has an ice pack core so it keeps cool with out diluting  and the bottom is a cup that holds a few ounces of snacks/or drink mix.   Finally a big bag of  Cocoa Goodness. I thought it was great to share a  breakfast with Renee I had  the Love Grown Granola with  Greek yogurt one morning then later in the day  read that she had the same thing for breakfast.  We are both also and is also participating in BestBodyBootCamp.  So the base of our workouts where similar that day too.   

 I sent my box off to  food blogger  Sara her blog My Imperfect Kitchen with lots of  recipes and mom of college age kids stories. Sara lives in LA  and has a pasion for cooking classes,  she blogs about some of the chef's she has met in the last year.  


So now I am sure you want to know how you can join in the fun.  Foodie Pen Pals is the creation and work of  RD2B  Lindsay.  It is easy and the rules are simple.  Sign up by the 5th. Contact your pen pals within 48 hours of getting your match.  Send you box out by the 15th.  Thank your sender when you receive the box.  Reveal your  loot on the last day of the month and link up to Lindsay's blog.

400 miles

Tonight I  completed my 400th mile on the treadmill. 

It is incredible to me that when I set out on this path that I could go for more than 20 min at 2.2 miles an hour with stopping to catch my breath every 5 min.  I bought the starter treadmill that had the  450 lb capacity that I needed and would go 4 miles an hour.   Yep I was sure that would be good for a year little did I know what this last year has held for me. 


I upgraded treadmills, bought 7 sizes of pants, have walked on treadmills in 5 states.  Take hikes in 3 states,  logged 2,523,890 steps with my fitbit and over 1,170 miles.  I am tracking my  walk across the nation.  I am following the quickest car  route from  the Golden Gate Bridge to the Wahsington monument.   I am a couple weeks from the Nebraska border.  You can see my  path so far on my walking across the USA page.

I am on week 2 of the couch to 5 K training program.  It is a new challenge but I am up for it.  I have never been a runner a few laps in high school.  So the thought of me running a 5 K is  pretty out of my normal box.  But that box was not working so it was time for a change.

I am so glad I am getting stronger and  fitter as the days go by.  I am still not hitting my calorie counts but it is a work in progress.  I have been moving alot more and just need to make some adjustments.  I am in size 18W pants comfortably now and my  waist is getting smaller. 

Boot Camp Round #2

I am excited to get started on the next 8 weeks of best body boot camp from Tina Reale. Today is all about shoulders. I am not sure how I will do, but the great thing about this boot camp is that there are a range of exercises to do depending on your fitness level and equipment. Last time I did lots of modified moves this time I am hoping to be able to split the moves. In the last round I set my 2 personal goals as 7 fruits or veggies a day, and logging all my food. These have become such a part of my life now that it does not seem to be a challenge. So for the first 2 weeks of this round I am going with flossing daily and a plank a day I was doing plank a day in June but then I just stopped this is a good way to get back to it. Flossing well I just do not like to do it but I really need to so may be 8 weeks will make is a habit.

Back on Track

Today was a good day ate right, excercised, and had a productive work day.  Now to just string a few of these together and I will be in on a roll.    I feel like my head is in the game today and that is a great feeling. I have spent some time on the blog adding pages and updating things it is looking better.  I know it will change overtime and this is still mainly for me at this point.  I want to remember what my feelings were and what I was willing to but out there to get this  done.   I also know how much I am inspired by other bloggers.  So maybe some day this will help someone make in on the track one more day.

Happiness is... a 101 in 1001 update

One of my 101 in 1001 is to make a list of 50 things that make me happy.  This is what makes me happy today and at this point in my life.

 I spent some time updating my list today at about the 1 year in mark.  I am doing well I really think I can get all of them done. There were a couple that needed to be modified in the timing but that was it.  I have some of the financial ones that I need to focus on in the coming year. But my health is still #1.  It costs money to wage this battle and I am in it to win it.  Not the I am going crazy spending just that is is the way it is for now.   I have some work to do on the  ones that  require introspection and writing.  Not my strong suit but something that will help on this  journey.

So I have 34 completed, 17 that I have made some progress on,  7 that are time dependant, and 40 that I need to work on (23 of which are things that will take  a couple of hours to complete).

Refocusing. . .

July 10th marks the 1 year point on this journey I have averaged 2 lbs per week with 110 lbs gone and I will be very close to 366 miles on the treadmill.
 This is the right way to do this.

I am in no way unhappy to be wearing size 18 and 20 pants.
I am only kicking myself for not sticking with the plan for the last 6 weeks I have been eating and moving but not following a plan.
I intended to take a couple weeks to focus on other things but I just kept skating along I am up about 5 lbs from my lowest.
I am ready to get back at it. The last week has been good work out wise. I have logged my food but the counts are not good so it is time to get back at it and get through another 50 lbs.

I  joined a lose a marathon challenge that ends in mid sept.   Jess  of Run with Jess is doing an great job of  keeping us going and the Facebook group is very active and supportive.

I am also excited that Best Body Bootcamp round #2 will be starting soon.  It is not too late to sign up. Tina did a great job in round #1 and I ended up not only $1000 richer but with a much better body.  I  had not done the interval training and strength training that this added in to my daily walks.  I really got alot out of it.  I can do way more that I thought I could.

June Foodie Penpals #2

Shannon from Colorado sent me a great package this month. I was looking for savory and spicy snacks and she delivered.   I  love  Boulder  Canyon Chips the Parmesan and Garlic were too yummy.  They went to work to share I knew they would not last long.  The  Spicy Vegetable Dip was awesome.  It had a nice blend of savory notes and a kick of habanero that made your tongue tingle.  I mixed it with  Greek yogurt and fat free sour cream.  Totally  yummy with  fresh snap peas, carrots and jicama.   The  drink mixes were good.  And the pepper jelly is on me list of things to try out this week may be a firecracker appetizer for the fourth.     The Milka Bar was a bit melted but it is in the freezer waiting for a  reward.  Justin's hazelnut peanut butter was  on my breakfast bagel the next morning such restraint to not have it that night.  It is a one pack at a time item in this home. 

I sent a box of treats to Sara in TX.   I had fun shopping for her and picked up lots of new to me things.  Cake Batter Goldfish, Almonds, Chocolate Covered Pomegranate, and Olives. The last 3 are all grown near my home and the Goldfish have been banned from my home too tempting.



And now it’s time for some details about Foodie Penpals.  In case you’re a new reader, here’s a reminder of what the program is all about:
-On the 5th of every month, you will receive your penpal pairing via email. It will be your responsibility to contact your penpal and get their mailing address and any other information you might need like allergies or dietary restrictions. -You will have until the 15th of the month to put your box of goodies in the mail. On the last day of the month, you will post about the goodies you received from your penpal!  -The boxes are to be filled with fun foodie things, local food items or even homemade treats! The spending limit is $15. The box must also include something written. This can be anything from a note explaining what’s in the box, to a fun recipe…use your imagination! -You are responsible for figuring out the best way to ship your items depending on their size and how fragile they are. (Don’t forget about flat rate boxes!) -Foodie Penpals is open to blog readers as well as bloggers. If you’re a reader and you get paired with a blogger, you are to write a short guest post for your penpal to post on their blog about what you received. If two readers are paired together, neither needs to worry about writing a post for that month.  -Foodie Penpals is open to US & Canadian residents.  Please note, Canadian Residents will be paired with other Canadians only. We’ve determined things might get too slow and backed up if we’re trying to send foods through customs across the border from US to Canada and vice versa.  If you’re interested in participating for July, please CLICK HERE to fill out the participation form and read the terms and conditions. You must submit your information by July 4th as pairings will be emailed on July 5th!

Going Nowhere!!!

I am just hanging out in the 290's. This 10 pounds has been tough. I dropped down to 287 for about 5 minutes then back to the 290's. I really needed a break from the workouts and diet. It is a lifestyle change but a really dramatic one. I went to my hometown for a week and saw a lot of family and friends so now they all know!!!!! That is a scary thing; not wanting to let them down but I know that is crazy insane and does not make any sense. It is all just pressure that I am heaping on myself. I need to get back on track. I have had a series of bad days and just need to make a break and get back on track. I have not hit 10,000 steps in more than a week. The treadmill is getting lonely. But tomorrow is a new day. I will conquer the 290's in June and leave them behind for good. I am very happy to be wearing 18W pants and some 2x shirts vs the 6x and size 30's of last year at this time. In May I did a great job for my 3 weeks of traveling back to back. I conquered hotel gyms, outside walks and kept a 25 day streak of at least 10,000 steps alive. It was the exhaustion that followed those weeks that lead to may nights on the couch and not the best eating pattern. I have logged 331miles on the treadmill and 1000 mile with the fitbit. That is amazing and something I am really proud of and 100 lbs is amazing too.

Foodie Pen Pals #1-better late than never

So I decided to jump into the Foodie Pen Pals Pool.  It is a gift box exchange where you send a  box of  goodies to one person and receive one from another.  Then you post a reveal post on the last day of the month and everyone hops from blog to blog.  I am really late in posting this. So I am better late than not posting at all. My first box was from a Twitter user in  OH @CarmicWords.   She sent great stuff.  the popcorn on the cob was a HIT!!! The honey was  great too as I had just emptied my bear and had it on my shopping list.

If you want to join the fun!!
Find out more from Lindsay.  She is the  awesome organizer of the swap that is getting  bigger every month.

Update 1/3 of 2012 gone

Over the last 10 months I have:
Lost 108 lbs
Walked 260 miles on the treadmill
Logged 1,891,320 steps and 836 miles with fitbit
Learned that I can do strength training
Found new friends to share this journey with
Completed TWLC2 with 58 pound loss and joined TWLC3 it ends in Oct
Completed best body boot camp. Yeah! And was one of the three winners
Used twitter for motivation and inspiration
Have a great gym in my garage

2012 progress:
Hit 100 lbs lost--2/14/2012
Hit 150 lbs lost---42 to go
Walk/Run 600 miles----150 down
Log 3 million steps with Fitbit--900,000 down
Nurture new friendships Join other online challenges--- finished TWLC2, finished best body boot camp, joined TWLC3
Participate in 6 5K races both virtual and in person-completed HBBC Resolution Run,twitterroadrace 1&2, TWLC3 May, and a Run for Sherry.

Take time to celebrate success--wrote and shared my story and pictures from TWLC2 on  That Wife 

3 weeks in the boot camp

WOW
I actually am liking strength training.
This has been just what I needed to get back on Tracker and kick it up a notch. I am really happy with the changes I am seeing already and week 4 is starting today.

I am learning to schedule fitness, just like I set up meetings and have started to view them as equally important. This is a giant mind shift. The last time I had scheduled workouts was in high school sports. (Yep, you do not get this big by exercising.)

Although I am using the modifications and having to make some replacements I am feeling the burn and getting a good sweat. The intervals and super sets are great and make me push myself more than I would without a plan. I know that I will be able to bang out these workouts as written in a few months. The program is really well done and give you a great set of building blocks for a novice like me.

The facebook group is a great source of motivation. I know I am struggling but it is good to see marathoners who have trouble with a move too. There are a variety of fitness levels and that makes it so much more energizing and fun.

Boot camp

I just signed up for another online challenge I need the extra motivation and it is more Strength training based which I need to focus on.

I am down 103lbs so plugging away just need to mix things up a bit.

100 pounds down

Wow I can not believe I am down 100 I had a great week. It is such a good feeling to be making such a big change and to really truly feel so much better. This week at work has been totally busy and stressful. But I know old me would not have made it through as successfully as new me. I still have such a long ways to go but I am back to the 200's and I know I will see the 100's. Tonight calgon is taking the day away instead of pizza hut and Hagen daz. I have 12,000 steps on my fitbit and had the thought that I should hit the mill just to earn the 15,000 step badge but my legs are sore and need the rest. It have been a long day and some blogging and an early bedtime are the right choices.

Sole F 80 Treadmill & Jan Review

I got a great Christmas present a Sole F80 treadmill. It is really nice. I am still walking but changing the incline and adding intervals has pumped up the intensity.
I have walked 50 miles so far this year.
Completed 2 virtual 5K's.
Lost 7 more lbs.


The mental game has been the biggest challenge this month. It is harder to stay on track somedays. Work has been more hectic and I know I have used that as an excuse. Trying to decide if a friendship is worth more time or if it is just time to let it go. I know this is weighing me down so I am adding this to my task list for this week.

2012- is going to be great

Over the last 6 months I have:
Lost 88 lbs
Walked 160 miles on the treadmill
Logged 952,255 steps and 430 mile with fitbit
Learned that I can do this
Found new friends to share this journey with
Joined the TWLC2 in October I have lost 40 lbs during this challenge that ends in mid April
Joined the HBBC holiday challenge that runs mid Nov to early Jan (final results next Sat)
Joined twitter for motivation and inspiration
Have a great gym in my garage

In the next year I will:
Hit 100 lbs lost
Hit 150 lbs lost
Walk/Run 600 miles
Log 3 million steps with fitbit
Nurture new friendships
Join other online challenges
Participate in 6 5K races both virtual and in person
Take time to celebrate success