WW: Week 15

Well I did not follow WW plan this week Some of you may know I was knocked down pretty good with some sort of intestinal bug. I've been battling it since Tuesday and still don't feel 100% yet. Friday the stomach pains were so intense and I was struggling to stay hydrated so I went to urgent care as soon as they opened and was there for 3 hours. They took blood and urine and started an IV. I got 2 liters of IV fluids before the cramps started to settle some. The Dr. palpated on my abdomen and I about crawled off the table in pain! I'm still waiting to here if it is a parasite (said it can take 4-5 days for the culture to come back). I highly doubt it was viral because the Dr. said my blood work looked fine (I was so lethargic I didn't even think to ask what my WBCs were). 

I honestly don't suggest catching an intestinal bug if you want to lose weight!!!  ;)  I'm very close to my goal weight now and I think I am ready to start slowing down with WW and start trying to maintain healthy eating habits.

Week 15 Weight Loss: 3 pounds (even after 2L of fluid!)

Total Weight Loss: 27.5 pounds!

WW: Week 14

We tried a new recipe this week: Chicken Enchiladas

Sorry, I forgot to take a picture once it was cooked. They were actually very yummy (I was timid about the sauce) and had a nice "kick" to them! These are too spicy for those trying to cook for toddlers but a great meal for the adults! I definitely suggest serving it with light sour cream (seemed to help "cool" them down a tad). These were very satisfying and I could barely finish one enchilada (4 points). 

Served with 1/4 avocado slices, tortilla chips and pico de gallo!

Week 14 Weight Loss: 2.5 pounds!

Total Weight Loss: 24.5 pounds!!

WW: Week 13

Well....I seem to be "stuck" on the weight loss. I am still counting my points but am barely losing now. I guess everyone hits a plateau at some point. I will continue to keep eating healthy to lose the last 11 pounds. 

Last week I mentioned Buddy's Natural Chicken Sausage that even Reese gobbled up. Here is a picture of what it looks like. It comes in several seasoned flavors (last week we had Italian). You can find it in the meat section next to the chicken :)

Week 13 Weight Loss: 0.5 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 22 pounds!

WW: Week 12

Well I have to admit I slacked this week and basically "took a break" from being so strict with point counting. I had 2 or 3 days right at the beginning of the week where I didn't count points at all. By the end of the week I was back on track. 

Main Dish:

Tonight I made my very 1st Shepard's Pie, Lightened Up. You should all be proud of me b/c this recipe involves a lot of mushrooms and I NEVER cook with mushrooms! I didn't even know how to dice one up...ha! I have to warn you...it is A LOT of prep work. It would be much easier with a food chopper (which I don't have). This was not the easiest to make on the day Reese decides to skip a nap either.

It tasted great and was SUPER filling!! I almost couldn't finish it. Will definitely make this again!! 

Served with pressure cooked green beans.

Side Dish:

I made Low Fat Baked Onion Rings last night and they were VERY good! Onions don't count as points so these are only 2pts for half of this whole plate! They are actually probably worth less points than this even b/c I threw away quite a bit of left over batter and buttermilk. Very satisfying side dish :) 

I had to use "zesty" breadcrumbs b/c I was out of Italian, but personally we liked them "zesty"! I found breading them to be a challenge and think they will turn out better the next time. I did soak the onions for 2 hours in the buttermilk but it seems like that wasn't enough. Next time I will soak them longer and in a smaller dish. I used a big shallow casserole dish and the milk didn't really cover the onions well. I also found it hard to "dip" the onion into the breading...it wasn't sticking! I found that hand sprinkling the bread onto each onion worked better. Overall, they were yummy, filling and low fat! Served with  buffalo chicken on a whole wheat bun.

Week 12 Weight Loss: 0 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 21.5 pounds

WW: Week 11

I am behind on blog updates so this week post will be quick. I am at an awkward stage where none of my clothes fit but I don't want to buy too many new ones just yet since I still have more to loose. I have to give a big THANK YOU to my dear friend Shara for giving me a bunch of really nice clothes in my current size to help me during this transition!!!

Week 11 Weight Loss: 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 21.5 pounds!

WW: Week 10

I am already on week 10 of WW and back on track from our little weekend trip. I am really starting to notice the weight loss now. My clothes don't fit, I need a new belt, and best of all....I feel better about myself!!

No new recipes to post this week but we have a new favorite family snack that I'd like to share :)

Our grocery store (HEB) has Kim's Magic Pop (they actually pop them in the store). These are a very "airy" type rice cake and the best part is...they are ZERO points!!! Reese LOVES them! She ate two the other night and asked for a 3rd but I said 2 was enough ;)

New favorite peanut butter to spread on the Magic Pops!! The honey roasted flavor is amazing!! This is sold at the same location as the Magic Pops are. This peanut butter is 5 points per 1oz (approx. a big heaping tbsp). 

Week 10 Weight Loss: 3 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 19.5 pounds!

WW: Week 9

We went out of town this weekend for Andi's 1st Birthday Party and we were so happy Shara planned it on the weekend Cody was off! But sticking to healthy eating will out of town for 3 days can be challenging, especially when there are cupcakes, birthday cake, lemonade, candy, etc!! Since I was noticing a decrease in my milk supply this past week I decided to have a "diet-free" weekend and just have fun with our friends. I truly needed the break and enjoyed Mexican food twice (including my favorite- queso), donuts & kolaches for breakfast, two much needed margaritas, and yes...1 cupcake! I did gain some this week but I am at peace with that since I have done so well the past 8 weeks.

I was recently asked what I eat for lunch. Most days I eat a sandwhich or a panini (same as sandwhich but grilled in a panini press) or I eat turkey wraps! I also tend to eat my left over dinner recipes for lunch as well.

Lunch

Turkey Wraps: the following ingredients are needed 

(I really like the Chipolte flavor laughing cow cheese spread but I am out)

These tortillas are so yummy! 

We make breakfast tacos with them, enchiladas, quesadillas...you name it!

Spread desired flavor laughing cow cheese on 1 tortilla. Top with 2oz turkey, 1oz cheese, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo or even ranch dressing. Roll up into a wrap and cut in half!

These are super easy, quick, & healthy. You can fill them with anything you want :)

Week 9 Weight Gain: +0.5 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 16.5 pounds

WW: Week 8

Week 8 has not been my best week. I got off track right from the start of the week. I don't think I went over my weekly allowance of points but I sure did use them! We ate out several times this past week.

Main Course

Last night I experimented with another form of breading for my tilapia and it was really good. I normally coat my tilapia in crushed tortilla chips (which is really good but several more points for WW).

Breading for 2 servings of Tilapia: 

2/3 cup of Panko Japanese Style Bread Crumbs (which I found on the Oriental isle at the grocery)

3/4 tsp of Red Pepper flakes

1 tsp of garlic power (probably should double this b/c we couldn't taste it)

Mix all together in a bowl and dip wet fish fillets into breading and place on a foil lined baking sheet sprayed with cooking spray. Cook @ 400 for approx 20 min until breading golden brown.

I topped mine with my homemade salsa and Cody topped his with Sriracha sauce (we both really like our fillets). 

Side Dishes

Can I Say "YUM"! Garlic Cheddar Biscuits

No recipe tweaking needed! These are great as is! Warning: You will want more than one! These go great with chicken, pasta dishes, & Italian dishes. These reheat really well! Just microwave for 10sec.

And Can I Say "DOUBLE YUM"!!! Roasted Potatoes with Fresh Herbs

We can't seem to get enough garlic these days so we approx. doubled the minced garlic amount for this recipe. Reese even liked these! Portion: 1/2 potato, Served with: Filet Mignon & Green Beans (pressure cooked with sauted garlic and onion)

Milestone: I have hit my 10% target weight!

Week 8 Weight Loss: 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 17 pounds!

WW: Week 7

Main Course
New Favorite Recipe: Baked Chicken Parmesan

This recipe would be AMAZING with some minced garlic on each chicken breast as part of the breading. I also sprinkled Italian season on top of the cheese while it baked that last 5 minutes. Hint: watch the cooking time though because mine were almost overcooked.

Portion: 1 breast fillet 

Served with: Pressure cooked green beans with sauteed onion and garlic and a side salad

Breakfast/Dessert
Personally, I love Bosc pears (they are the only kind I buy). So I got excited when I found this recipe:
 Glazed Pear Muffins

Yes...I used left over birthday cupcake liners :)

I was informed they aren't very sweet so I added 1tbsp of Splenda with Fiber to the batter for a bit of extra sweetness. They were very good freshly warm for desert and just as good reheated for breakfast. However, they do not peel away from the liner very well. I only had 11 lines and it makes 12 servings so I used a silicon cupcake pan and put the last on straight into the silicon cupcake hole with a spray of PAM cooking spray. That single cupcake came out nice and clean. Next time I do this, I will just skip the liners and make them straight in the pan. Also, I only baked them 20 minutes when my toothpick came out of the centers nice and clean. These are easy to over cook. You can also do these with apples. Note: these did ferment fairly quickly.

Week 7 Weight Loss: 1.5 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 15 pounds!

WW: Week 6

This week didn't involve cupcakes, cake POPs, etc. However, my loving husband brought home 7 boxes of girl scout cookies he had ordered at work prior to me starting WW. I have managed to stay away from them thus far but I do love me some thin mints!! I'm hoping Cody puts a dent into them before I cave and start eating some.

Favorite Recipe Yet (I mentioned this one a few weeks ago): Roast Pork Dinner
We added green beans & a red bell pepper (you can have all the veggies you want on WW) and used Celery Seed (2tsp) instead of Fennel Seed. It has a big punch of flavor...Love this recipe!

Portion: 3oz Pork, 1/2c potatoes, 1/2 c veggies (although you can have as many veggies as you want)

Another Healthy Recipe: General Tso's Chicken

Very filling and a good copy to popular General Tso recipes (just not battered and fried). We added a lot of Sriracha Hot Chili Sauce to add some extra spice!

Milestones:

1. I have lost 5% of my weight

2. Last week I was officially pre-Reese weight (just forgot to blog it)

3. The pair of jeans that I couldn't squeeze into a month ago are now TOO BIG!

4. The even smaller pair of jeans I couldn't squeeze into two weeks ago now fit!

Week 6 Weight Loss: 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 13.5 pounds!

WW: Week 5

Well this past week of eating bad has finally caught up to me. I have had left over cupcakes in my house all week and lots of visitors...which leads to eating out. My goal this next week to stick to the plan like I had been.

Favorite New Recipes: Skinny Baked Jalapeño Poppers and Roast Pork Dinner

Week 5 Weight Loss: 1 pound

Total Weight Loss: 11.5 pounds!

WW: Week 4

Today marks one month of my weight loss journey. I was nervous with having family in town and Reese's party how I would do but over all I managed to follow my plan.

Week 4 Weight Loss: 2.5 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 10.5 pounds!

WW: Week 3

I have continued to stay on track with my points. It is getting easier and feels less and less like a diet. This is a lifestyle change. Most important thing I have learned...that I don't have to finish Reese's uneaten food! When Reese doesn't want/like something she always gave it to me to eat. Now I just say "lets throw it away" or "let's put it back in the fridge". 

Cody worked a BUNCH this week so I don't have any new recipes to post (although I have a bunch I want to try soon)!

Week 3 Weight Loss: 2.5 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 8 pounds!

My 2nd Week with WW

Week 2 has gone much smoother for me! Honestly, I don't feel like I am on a diet.
 I think I have gotten into a "groove" so to speak on planning menus and counting points. Some days I am actually struggling to eat all my points (which is highly required for nutritional guidelines). I have had NO decrease in my milk supply, which is what I was so worried about.

My goal now to start making sure I meet all my "Health Check Guidelines" each day, which includes 8 servings of water (I always meet this one!!), 3 servings of milk/dairy, 5-8 servings of fruits/veggies (this is where I lack!) and 2tsp of healthy oils a day (haven't even attempted this one!).

Cody & I have been trying a ton of new recipes!! It has actually been fun b/c it is forcing me to attempt new meals and get out the "food rut" that we were in. Last night we enjoy some yummy Dijon Roast Potatoes & Chicken with Balsamic Vinegar, Sweet Onions & Thyme.

Favorite New Recipe: Asian-Glazed Drumsticks

(served with 1/2c white rice and broccoli & cheese)

Cody's comment on these: "They don't even taste healthy!"

Haha!! I love you Cody ;)

Week 2 Weight Loss: 2 pounds

Total Weight Loss: 5.5 pounds!

I should add: I am officially back to pre-Emma weight now :)

My 1st Week with WW

Week 1:

I have to say that Weight Watchers is definitely an adjustment. Day 1 I was scared to eat anything b/c I didn't know how my points would add up throughout the day. I ended up meeting my 43 point daily quota but I quickly realized it was better to plan out each day's menu the night before. Creating menus the night before helped take the stress out of the next day b/c I just ate what I wrote down for the day. I think the 1st week is the  hardest b/c you have to calculate the points all your favorite foods are worth. Once I build up a selection of daily menus and points for favorite items it will be easier. 

On Thursday Cody & I decided to enjoy the day a bit and go to PF Changs. I figured out my points before I went so I knew exactly where I stood for the day. Water = 0 pts, 1 cup egg drop soup = 1 pt, 1 cup of General Tso's chicken and 1 cup of white rice = 23 pts! I didn't feel guilty about this though b/c I had not even touched my weekly allowance of 49 pts.

I have learned a lot in this past week. I can eat anything I want, I just have to watch portion sizes and count everything. I have learned that a lot of my pantry/fridge options aren't the best option available. For example, the wheat bread I like to eat was 3 points A SLICE! This doesn't mean it isn't a "healthy" bread but it does mean that it will take up more points than some other options. I quickly found another whole wheat bread that is 1 point per slice :) I have also switched from 1% milk to fat free milk (I can't tell the difference and it saves me 1 point per cup). We also tried eating turkey sausage for breakfast and it was very good! Even Cody & Reese liked it :)

As of yesterday I still had 37 of my weekly points available + my 43 daily points. We enjoyed the day by ordering pizza for lunch. Domino's Pizza: 1 slice of a medium thin crust pepperoni pizza & cheddar cheese (2 toppings) was 6 points. I did not come close to using all of my weekly points so I need to learn how to space them out throughout the week.

Week 1 Total Weight Loss: 3.5 pounds