Turning the switch

The truth hurts.  The truth is in 6 months I gained back almost half the weight I lost 2 years ago.  Sure.  I had a lot of stuff going on and maybe that’s a good enough excuse but the fact remains.

I’m not happy about it.

And I could just keep on doing what I’ve been doing and gain it ALL back 6 months from now but I’m not going to let that happen.

Really if you asked me what it was about going to a nutritionist that worked for me is that it’s sort of like counseling + nutritional advice.  We talked about what happened to me in the past 6 months.

I lost my father.

I almost lost my job.

I lost my dog.

All those losses equaled huge gains on the scale.

I told M today that it was like I turned off a switch in September.  I was feeling so unbalanced it was just easier to shut that part of my life off.  My workouts were done halfheartedly and I ate whatever I felt like eating.  I’m going to be honest here.  I’m not sure that I’m 100% back in the mindset I need to be in but I’m really going to make an effort in the next few weeks.  There are all sorts of sayings about how long it takes to break a habit.   And the conclusion of that article is…you basically have to keep working on it for the rest of your life.

Depressing – but if I’ve learned nothing these past few months it’s that it’s absolutely true.

The new game plan? Get back to the old one.

1) Portion size.  I don’t eat things that are terribly bad – I’ve just been eating too much of them.  More salads.  Half of what I eat out goes home or goes back to the kitchen.

2) Moderation.  I’m going back to the drinking wine mostly when I go out or on weekends.  I’m going to do the 1 drink 1 water or Diet Coke rule.

3) Put away the Metrocard.  It’s 25 degrees today.  I walked from M’s to the office and I didn’t die.  I need to walk to and from work more.

4) Exercise.  I’m committing to doing something 4 days a week.  Jen and I already have plans to do this run.  While in Cancun I did C25K – week 3 and I did it easily.  I have to stop babying myself and just work out already.   To mix it up I’m going to try for yoga at home + the stairs and the gym or Zumba 2x a week.   All the extra walking is just icing. 

5) I probably should have used another word besides icing.

So that’s that.  Look for more healthy recipes here, new ways that I find to exercise, and just basically getting back to the old (new) me.

What I ate – A Photo Essay

I originally named this post “Weight Loss Sabotage” but that didn’t seem fair – considering my whole food philosophy is to eat what you want – but in moderation.

It’s just that moderation and me – we don’t seem to be communicating lately.

I’m not sure how to get my healthy mindset back.  I know that I feel better when I exercise – that I feel better when I eat better.  i know that I won’t have to deprive myself entirely if I just…basically…MOVE.

SO.

Tomorrow I am facing the music.  I don’t want to see the number I know I’ll see on the scale at M’s tomorrow but I’m going to go anyway.  I’m crossing my fingers that the worst of the winter weather is behind us and that I can actually do more exercise outside than inside.   I’m putting away my Metrocard and walking more.  First up – a walk to chorus tonight.

I’m renewing my gym membership next week and trying Zumba in NJ. 

But first I’m going to go back to Ben. :)

And that’s that.  I have an ugly dress I need to fit into.  I don’t want to have to alter it – and I don’t have time or want to spend money on a new one.

With all that said….look what I made for the Super Bowl.   It was fun to make all this food for a “crowd”.  Dave and the kids seemed to really enjoy it – which makes me happy.

Sidenote – I feel like I’m doing everything half assed these days – as these photos will show.  I need to start taking better – and more complete – pictures.   I tried to fix them with Photoshop but…it’s not really working.

Probably because the shutter is broken on my point and shoot and I muss up the lens with smudges from my fingers anytime I try to take a picture.  Could be the biggest problem of all.  What’s the point of showing you half of what I’ve done???  It’s like me showing you an empty plate and telling you how good whatever I ate was.

Blue Corn Nachos.  This recipe is simple.  Brown 1 package ground turkey with an onion and a drizzle of olive oil.  Add 1 package of taco seasoning – I used a low sodium version.  Add 1 can of black beans – rinsed and drained. 

 

Top with shredded extra sharp cheddar and throw into the oven (at about 375) until cheese is melted.  Garnish with chopped scallions.  Serve with sour cream, salsa and….Jen’s guacamole. Everyone loves hot pretzels.  I served these with yellow or honey mustard.  I wimped out and did the frozen version. 

Mora helped to set the “table”. I made Giada’s Balsamic Wings…. And Baked Buffalo Wings.  These could have stayed in the oven for 5 more minutes I think. 

And chocolate chip cookies for dessert – Toll House recipe – with double the brown sugar as Dave was out of white. 

And then I fell asleep during the game and Dave had to tell me who won.

The end.

Moment of truth tomorrow people.  I hope I’m ready to finally make a change.  I hope a nice long walk today will help get me motivated.

There’s bread in the oven (will be making a sandwich to take with me for dinner).  It smells divine in here.  Lunch tomorrow will be tuna on homemade bread.

I’m really looking forward to it!

Super Bowl Sunday

Football is not really my thing.  My dad was a Giants fan and I halfheartedly watched them through the years.  I used to work in a bar/restaurant and participated in a football pool or two. With Dave having gone to Penn State I have watched more football in the past year than I have in my lifetime I think.

And he doesn’t even watch that much football.

He, however, has watched more reality TV in the past year than he had in his lifetime.  Poor guy.

One thing I do enjoy is the Super Bowl.   Yeah I like the commercials and I like the idea of people getting together to watch a game. Still - it can’t be denied.

I’m a huge fan of the food.

This Sunday I’ll be making the following:

Nachos.

My recipe is pretty simple – and I’ll let you know step by step on Sunday but I usually make them with black beans and turkey.  Yum.

Giada’s Balsamic Wings.

I’ve also been asked to make buffalo wings.  I’m planning on half and half.  I’ve never made buffalo wings before though so…we’ll see how that goes.  Can’t be too hard can it?   Anyone have a tried and true recipe?  Let me know!

We’re also having hot pretzels.

The first and only time I made homemade hot pretzels the pot overflowed and my father talked about the mess I made of his stove for days after.  In his honor I should just go and buy a box of these.

Maybe I should quit while I’m ahead.

And now – I’m starving!!

Happy Friday everyone!  What are you doing/making for the Super Bowl?? 

What is it about….

reality shows?   I’ve got a problem.  I watch way too many.  This morning I made Dave watch Restaurant Impossible which basically showed a restaurant and an episode of Hoarders combined.

It’s getting bad out there.

I have learned a valuable lesson in the past week or so.

Chipotle peppers are hot.

This shouldn’t be a surprise I know but Bobby Flay always talks about them just being smoky.   I’ve used them twice – once in making enchiladas and last night making chili and they really pack quite a punch.

  Red wine cooled it down quite nicely. My chili recipe was pretty basic.  I browned some turkey with onion and garlic, added 1 red bell pepper, 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained) a can of diced tomatoes with chili peppers, 2 chipotle peppers (diced), a cup of frozen corn, some chili powder and cumin, S&P a few tablespoons of tomato paste and a whole lotta water.

And once again a meal I made caused my boyfriend to pass out cold at like 8:30.

This morning I made egg sandwiches.  And coffee for Dave.I am going to go to the gym today at lunchtime.  It’s time people. 

I’m also embarking on a little task I promised to do for Carrie’s wedding.  I’m addressing all her invitation envelopes – taking breaks so as not to get a cramp in my hand. :)

I’ll be back at some point tomorrow.  Tonight is trivia. I need to redeem myself.  We haven’t won in a while. :(  I also need to just get a chicken sandwich and stop trying to eat super healthy while I am there.   I always end up disappointed when I do that.

Over the weekend I’ll be making some Super Bowl food for Sunday and will post some pics and recipes.  Pretty standard but also pretty yummy.

I honestly don’t care who wins the game though.  I really like cheddar cheese so maybe I should root for Wisconsin.

C is for….

Chorus.  I am going back tonight.  The horrific dress I have to wear will not look good if I keep eating like it’s going out of style.   I know.  I just tried it on.  I couldn’t complete the zip up process without outside assistance.

It would be better if I lost 5 lbs.  Better still if I lost 10.  Awesome if I lost 20.

I’m going for something between 5-10.  I have 2 months before our first performance (at Avery Fisher Hall – I’m EXCITED).  Cross your fingers ladies and gents that I can get it done.

It’s integral to my mental health as well.  I’m feeling very sloth like.  I’m full of good intentions – not quite there with the follow up.

C is also for – Chicken.

We are going to have snacks at chorus tonight – as we traditionally do on the first day back.  So I did what I used to do back in the day. 

You know.  Those days where I weighed 25 lbs less than I do now.

So I made myself a sammich.  Just half like I used to eat in the olden days.

C is for – Confessions.

I bake for the first day of chorus – again - traditionally.  Everyone raves about the things I make – be it brownies or pound cake (I usually take things that are easy to transport).    Today C is also for cookies – which I baked.

Sugar cookies. With royal icing.And colored sprinkles.And Betty Crocker.

I feel so much better now that I’ve come clean.