Hello Again!

I have been neglecting a lot of things lately. My weight loss has been one of those. I have new motivation! My Brother in law got himself engaged yesterday. What a fun Christmas present!! There is no date set yet that I know of but if I have learned anything from my ups and downs it is that weight loss is not a last minute thing that you can do a week before a wedding. Therefore I am going to put a plan into action and see if I can't lose a few pounds before the big day!

Go Fish

While playing go fish with Coleton today, which he was cheating just like his dad does when playing games. It was his turn and asked for a gold fish I happened to have it and gave it to him he then says to the cards... "ha ha ha you are off the menu!" I love that little kid.

I've fallen and I can't get up.

Funny how when life throws curve balls it knocks you off your balance. I'm sure I wasn't completely balanced anyway. I wasn't firmly rooted in my place physically or mentally. I need to regroup and get going again. I think I will start again with little goals. I am feeling a little overwhelmed with everything that I have going on. I'm beginning to think that I jumped into the deep end of the pool and forgot how to swim. I should have rethought all the volunteering that I decided to do at my son's new school this year. So I am going to write down my goals on where I am and where I want to be. I am going to set dates and rewards. I think that will help. I will do it tonight and try and post them tomorrow. If I fail someone feel free to slap me upside the head or throw a water balloon at me.

Sometimes it would be easier to give up.

And that about says how I am feeling today. Yes I just want to give up and eat a LOT of chocolate and bread and crackers and chips. I want to..."Have the guts to just get really fat" {fried green tomatoes} and then after my little pity party I sigh and keep at it. My friend says that she is a work in progress. I LOVE IT! I am a work in progress.

Last week

The Family weigh in is on Sunday. I'm going to hit the food journal and exercise HARD this week. Yes I realize I should have been doing this all along and I have just not consistently. One way I think I am going to get some exercise in is riding my bike with the stroller down to the high school for Remington's football camp. Then the hour that he has camp I'm going to walk/run the track. Am I nuts?? My plans may change as the week goes on. Camp is at 9 am I think I'll be ok with the heat, but the up hills on the way home may just kill me.

Days like today!!

You know its days like today when I get on the scale and see a lower number that make me happy!!

Last week I was in the..200's

{don't judge me this is hard to put out there}

I can happily say that I am

NO LONGER!!

hip hip hurray!!

Its nice to know that watching what I eat
and exercising pays off slowly but it is!

I had given up on winning the family biggest loser contest.

I may still be in it!!

My 2 sister in laws think so.

Healthy options

I really have been trying to make healthier choices in the foods that I eat. Some days are better than others. I try to but wheat bread, bagels and tortillas. My kids complain so I occasionally buy white but I don't eat it. I have been counting calories and exercising but not consistently. Weight loss is an up hill battle. Very frustrating and not a lot of progress. One thing that I have discovered that I really like is hummus. It makes a really yummy sandwich spread. It is a lot healthier that mayo or miracle whip. My favorite one currently is the Sabra Spinach and Artichoke Hummus. It is delicious with crackers and even veggies! The only problem is its kind of pricey but isn't that how all healthy foods are?

Superman and Bananas

There is this ab move in the P90X work outs. You lay on your stomach and lift your arms and legs off the floor and "fly" like superman then he tells you banana and you flip over on your back and lift your legs off the floor and arms in the shape of a banana.
I AM NOT A FAN.
It works your core good and I am sore!

Sore again

Its day 2 and yes I am sore again. I did the "core" workout for P90X  yesterday and my core is not that sore maybe I did it wrong, but my legs and back are feeling it! I also took my measurements for arms, thighs, hips, and stomach. I weighed in again and now have a pretty good starting point. I think I need slightly heavier weights then I have been using. I'm thinking 5 pounds. Right now I have 2 pound ones. They are great for somethings but I'm a little stronger in other areas.

just a little something or not!

Its only 6 pm and I am 50 calories under my calories for the day goal. Should have passed up that cookie! I guess I won't be munching on anything tonight! Besides I cut myself off from eating after 8pm anyway. I can make it right??
So what do I do if I get hungry you ask?? WATER and then go to bed early. That way breakfast comes that much sooner.
Have a fantastic day!

Sore Muscles= hard work!

Remember how I keep saying "I'm starting again.", "I'm getting back on track.", "Tomorrow is the day."
Well guess what...
Yesterday was the day! I didn't have time to start p90x so I did my Jillian Michaels SHRED DVD instead and this morning I woke up with sore muscles! That is a good thing right? I weighed myself and I've gone up about a pound since I weighed myself last. I can do it, I can do it, I can do it!!

Salsa Verde Pork Chops with Lemon Rice

Are you ready for another yummy recipe?? OK here it is. I got part of the idea from a cooking blog and tweaked it a little. I hope you enjoy! Sorry no picture.

Pork Chops:
Season 5 boneless pork loin chops with salt and pepper and a touch of cumin then brown pork chops in a pan. Add about 1 cup of green salsa verde sauce. Let simmer for about 5-10 minutes and serve over lemon rice

Lemon Rice:
Squeeze the juice of one lemon into a measuring cup and then add enough water you will need to cook rice to feed 4-5 people. Cook the rice as you normally would. I added a touch of lemon zest too. I used instant brown rice so I could get dinner on the table faster.

I served this with strawberries for color and from start to finish I had dinner on in 15 minutes.

each serving has...
203 calories
31 g carbs
3 g fat
14 g protein

Back to the drawing board.

Time just slips away doesn't it! I was sitting at swimming lessons this morning and realized that our California trip is only 38 days away. If I work hard I think I can lose 15 pounds before we go. Not the 30 I was dreaming about but still 15 is 15. So here is my plan that I am putting into effect starting TODAY!

1-Count Calories and record daily!
2-Exercise DAILY!!
3-NO eating after 8 pm.!!
4- MORE water!!

number 3 will be a struggle for me. I am a muncher at night and I really need to change things.
I am still trying to decide if I am going to exercise on Sundays. It is a day of rest and I know your body needs a time to recuperate so I am leaning toward relaxing or maybe just doing the stretching DVD of P90X. Speaking of P90X I am starting today! I'm a little scared but I figure if I do that and maybe try to get a little run in every other day I can lose the 15 pounds I am shooting for.
I am loving My Fitness Pal!! It is a awesome FREE website that you can track your food and exercise. You can even enter you recipes and then add them to your food journal. It is amazing!! So there are my goals. Now I'm off to do a weigh in, measurements, and maybe a picture!
WISH ME LUCK!

Healthy Wrap

I made this wrap at my mom's house a week or so ago.

Tonight I was looking for something to make for dinner and 

happened to have all the ingredients needed for this.

PERFECT!

No cooking on a hot summer day and quite filling here is a picture and instructions

First off take a tortilla.

(I happened to have wheat ones so that is what I used.)

Then spread with about 1/2 to 1 TBSP of ranch dressing

add 4 slices of ham I used brown sugar ham

slice 1/4 of any apple (I had braeburn's on hand) into thin slices

squeeze a line of mustard down the center

shred some cheese and sprinkle on top.

Wrap up and enjoy!!

I think next time I may try putting some lettuce or spinach on it.

I hope you enjoy it!!

each wrap has about...

268 calories

31 g carbs

11 g fat

16 g protein

Where are you??

Have you wondered where I have gone to? Did you think I feel off the face of the earth? NOPE I'm still here. I hit a little block but here I am. I've had a head/chest cold. The kind full of mucus that makes life not so easy and working out HARD! I can hardly breathe. I haven't done much of anything for over a week. I'm ready for it to be over. I tried running on Monday but that was a joke. I was going to try again today while Remington was at track but between the band practicing on the track and the track club on the track and the fact that I can only breathe out of my mouth and need to blow my nose every 10 minutes, I opted to sit on the grass and watch my boys. I did however come home and mow the lawn. That was a chore it hadn't been done in 2 weeks.
I really want to get started on the P90X. I think tomorrow I will take measurements get them posted. I also will try and do a before photo. Sorry I won't be posing in my underwear like the program suggests. I know you are all heart broken about that! HA HA.

5k results!

Here are the stats to my race.
According to the results online there were...
876 runners.
Overall I came in 407 th
I finished in the top half.
In my age group 30-34 females there were ...
110 runners.
I came in 57 th
I was in the bottom half.
I finished in 38:13.06.
which is a 12:20 minute mile.
Overall I pretty proud of myself.

At first I thought I had finished in 40 minutes. I was a little bummed because that time was not much lower than the last 5k race I did. However that was the gun time. I was in the back of the pack and had a chip on my shoe so that when I crossed the starting line it started my chip time. I am going off of this and NOT the gun time. This feels more like a true time of how I ran. There were quite a few hills on this trail and the last one about did me in. I did see one girl throwing up. I guess I didn't push myself that hard. But I am VERY proud of myself and I can't wait to do another one. I am even thinking a 10k may be possible!!

p90x update

Well its taken me ALL week to be able to go through the information book. I guess this means that I will start on Monday after my 5k. I think I may post before and after pictures and maybe measurements. I'm still thinking on that one. So wish me luck on the 5k and the adventure of p90x!

weather

Could you all please pray for somewhat nice weather on Saturday??

I would really rather NOT run in the rain.

Ravioli

Here is a recipe for EASY ravioli! My recipe has you cook it in the oven but I put it in the crock pot and it turned out super yummy. Remington was raving about it! so here it is...

Easy Ravioli

2 cups canned pasta sauce (I used the Hunt's traditional)

1 can diced tomatoes ( I used the petite diced with garlic and olive oil)

1 cup beef broth

1 22-24 oz frozen bag of ravioli (I used the beef filled ones.)

1/4 cup Italian dressing

1 cup shredded mozzarella

here's what you do...

mix pasta sauce, tomatoes, beef broth, Italian dressing in a crock pot. Add the ravioli and stir until coated. cook on low for about 6 hours. about a hour before serving sprinkle the top with the mozzarella cheese and serve. This feeds about 6!

Each serving has...

350 calories, 42g carbs, 15g fat, 15g protein

I think next time I may omit the mozzarella cheese. and sprinkle each serving with a little Parmesan. I also served this with green beans because I didn't get to the store to get stuff for a salad! I hope you enjoy!

p90x

I have been wanting to try a program like p90x. I did a bootcamp with a neighbor a couple of years ago. She did a lot of the same things that this program entails and I lost about 10 pounds during the 8 weeks that I worked out with her and it was only twice a week and I didn't really change my eating habits. So I've been wanting to try this again.
Not that I want to be ripped like the infomercial shows but hey a little muscle definition never hurt anyone right? So I looked into a few programs and thought I am NEVER going to be able to afford this. Then as I was looking on KSL Classifieds I came across a couple of ads for p90x. So I got in touch with one of the sellers and boom I have it. Now I just have to get started and see how much I can lose in 90 days.
Now to decide whether I should start before my 5k on Saturday or after.
My little sister is engaged and getting married at the end of August so that is just one more reason for me to keep going on this weight loss.
I'll let you know what I decided. I haven't even had a chance to open my package and go through the information yet but it is on my growing to do list. One step at a time.

Healthy recipe

Honey Glazed Chicken Stir Fry

1 chicken breast

2 TBSP oil

3 TBSP honey

3 TBSP vinegar

3 TBSP OJ concentrate

3 TBSP soy sauce

1 1/2 tsp cornstarch

2 cups cooked rice

1/3 lb. broccoli cut in bite sized pieces

1 whole carrot cut in 1/4 in circles

1/2 yellow onion thinly sliced

1/6 red bell pepper sliced thin

1/3 green bell pepper sliced thin

Wash, chop or slice veggies. Cut chicken into 1/2 in pieces or smaller. Pour 1 TBSP oil in a frying pan, heat and add chicken. Cook and stir until chicken is no longer pink.

Set aside in a bowl. Add 1 TBSP oil to frying pan and add carrots. stir fry 1 minute. Add other veggies and stir fry 5-10 minutes until desired tenderness is reached. Put veggies in bowl with chicken.

Mix vinegar, honey, OJ, and soy sauce. add cornstarch and mix until smooth. Add to frying pan and cook over med head until thickened.

Return veggies and chicken to pan and heat with sauce. add in the peanuts and serve over rice.

This will serve about 4-5 and each serving has...

257 calories, 39g of carbs, 7g fat, & 11g protein.

Not bad for a dinner!

5k ramblings

For my memory I just want to record that the last 5k I did I finished in 41:19
I did not train very well for that one either.
I think I am feeling a little more prepared although I'm not sure I can beat my time.
I went running on the track at the high school tonight. I did a mile in 12:06.
HOORAY for me!! I am pretty proud of myself.
I hit the 2 mile mark at 25:46
By then Gage was ready to go and this is the 4th day in a row of running. I can feel my legs and feet needing a break. So I just did another quarter mile and was done in 30 minutes. I wanted to go farther. Next time. I got to get to that 3 mile mark. May 21st is coming up SOON!!

I saw this quote on another blog and had to use it. Its very true don't you think?

Please, don't be seduced by the

lies: fad diets, quick fixes, and pills,

but be motivated by the

truth: hard work, positive attitudes, and healthy choices will be the

ONLY

way to achieve lasting results. " - L2GH

I want.

Today I just want to throw all the work I've been doing out the window. I want a bag of chips and a huge bowl of ice cream. I want chocolate and and a big icy coke.
{SIGH}
I won't though.

Motivation

I have a hard getting motivated to do work outs. However once I get started I feel so good that I just don't want to stop. WHY??
Today I went out and mowed the lawn. I just about had myself talked into counting that as my exercise for the day. {I know lame.} However I then decided that since I was already dressed I may as well run to. My 5k is only about 2 weeks away and I am not sure that I am ready for it.
I was going to go run outside since Ryan was home today. My boys however threw little fits about wanting to go. My double stroller currently has a flat tire and so I couldn't take them. So I jumped on the treadmill.
Seeing how I keep telling myself that I'm not going to be ready I was quite surprised today when I ran for 12 minutes at a speed of 5.0! I did a mile in 13 minutes. Now if I can just get to 3 miles and then maybe 6 and then I will think of a 1/2 marathon. Not so sure that a full marathon appeals to me.
So...I just need to keep that motivation that I feel while I am working out and the feeling after I am done. That "I ROCK" feeling! I'm not sure how to do it. Maybe I just keep doing it and one day it won't be so hard to just do it!

Be Proud..

Be proud of me that...
I didn't eat any sausage that I cooked for my kids for breakfast this morning.
I didn't buy a bag of chips for me eat at Remington's track meet.
I bought the 1/2 fat ice cream and only ate the serving size as directed on the box.
I am trying a new meal tonight, it uses cauliflower as the sauce instead of Alfredo.
I lost 4 pounds!

Progress tracker

Did you notice my side right over there?

I signed up for a free weight loss site called "my fitness pal" Its terrific. You can track your food online and what exercise you do too. I'll weigh in every week and it will track my progress. So now you can all see if I'm gaining or losing. Here's to hoping that number goes down not up!
Tell me if you try it and like it!

Really only 25 days?

Did I really sign up for a 5k that is in 25 days? I'm not sure that I am going to be ready.
Good news is that we weighed in to start
"THE RASMUSSEN LOSERS"
So I am now a little more motivated. I did get my running in. Do you think its bad to run more than 3 times a week? Or should I mix it up? I would ultimately like to lose 30 pounds by the time our contest is up in 3 months. Its going to take some hard work and dedication. Which is hard with all this Easter candy around. Wish me luck!

RESULTS NOW!!

I want results right now.

I am impatient.

I tend to stay up late. Its something I should work on.

However working until midnight doesn't help.

So while I am up late after work I watch TV.

My favorite is to laugh at infomercials.

Sometimes however they suck me in and I find myself wanting to buy,

especially the weight loss ones.

I know why those weight loss infomercials are so enticing.

Most of them promise easy, no effort weight loss.

WEIGHT LOSS is NOT like that.

I want results now.

I wish I didn't have to put forth ten times more effort to lose the weight

than I put forth to gain it in the first place.

Its NOT easy

there is plenty of effort involved.

I sometimes wish that I can push a magic button

and be skinny.

That would make me happy

RIGHT?

Probably not

You appreciate the things you work for.

My Mom & Dad helped me learn that.

So I continue on my journey.

my hard work.

I RUN

I SWEAT

I journal my food

I drink LOTS of water

I MESS UP TOO!

I'm not going to see results right now

I know I will see them

hopefully sooner rather than later!!

5K

I signed up for another 5k!!
Check it out and feel free to join me :)
http://www.runningwithangels.com/
I really think it is for a good cause.
I have no ambition of winning just doing my best.
I really slacked last week with it being spring break.
Hopefully with the weather getting warmer I will get outside and back on track.

LOSER!!

Some of you may remember about a year ago I did a biggest loser contest with some of my cousins and friends. We sent money to a girl to hold onto and we went for about 8 weeks. My cousin and I ended up losing the same percentage of body weight and therefore decided to split the money in the pot. YEAH ME!! Well sad to say I never received my winnings. It kind of deflated my progress that I had made. I know its lame to say that I gave up because I never saw the monetary prize but I did. I should have kept going because I would be a lot farther ahead now. No I slacked for awhile and gained about 1/2 of the weight back that I had lost. WHY is gaining so much easier than losing?? Well we are planning a trip to CALIFORNIA this summer. We are going to be going with Ryan's family. Newport Beach!! A week on the beach sunny, warm, sandy AHHHH!! I can hardly wait. Well now The Rasmussen's have decided to do a biggest loser contest my brother in law came up with the idea to call it RASMUSSEN LOSERS!! I love it! So my goal is to lose 25 pounds really I would like to lose 30! The first weigh in is next Sunday. Yes we are starting on Easter. We are ending August 1st which is just a few days before we head out to CALI! If I happen to win this time I know I will see the prize mu-la! If not then I can always hunt down the holder of money! So wish me luck! I'm going to kick some trash!!

5k day 2

Day 2 of 5k training is DONE! Only 25 more training sessions to go! I've been searching for 5k races that I can participate in. I found a couple that interest me. May 21st my sisters birthday. June 11th my son's birthday. I think I may do both! Then I may try for the 10k in Spanish Fork at the end of the summer. I also found a triathlon that looks intriguing. Am I crazy?

HELP PLEASE!!

Today was kickboxing.

I haven't been in a while and my muscles felt it!

Tomorrow is more 5k training.

Can I do it?

I get bored on the treadmill.

I can't keep the same pace outside that I do on the treadmill.

What good songs should I have on my ipod?

I need good motivation!

Any and ALL suggestions would be welcome!

Healthy Dinner

Let me start by saying I wish I had taken a picture because it not only tasted good but was super yummy!!

I made super easy Chicken Tacos!!

This is not the first time that I have made it and I should make it more my boys devour it. Remington ate 4 tacos. Hello I am going to go broke when they are teenagers. Anyway that is for a different post. This is how you make them. I put 2 boneless skinless chicken breasts in a crock pot and then add about 1 cup of salsa. I use the stuff we can from the veggies out of our garden. Then cook on low for about 8 hours. Shred the meat and then eat in corn tortillas. Ryan and the boys like the tortillas fried I just heat them up. We top them with cheese (I opted out) shredded cabbage, avocado, & extra salsa. I also made a rice and beans mix that some of them put into their tacos I just ate it on the side. I ate 2 tacos and had about a cup of rice and the whole dinner calorie wise was 455!! I am stuffed and there are a ton of leftovers so hurray lunch for me and the boys tomorrow. Yummy goodness!

Calorie Counting

I'm back at it.

Calorie Counting.

It is a necessary evil!!

It did help me lose the first 20 pounds

that I have manged to gain 10 of it back.

I also mapped out a training schedule so I can be ready for a 5k.

The Utah Valley one is June 11th

which also happens to be my sons birthday.

I think I may shoot for that and we'll see how fast I can run it in.

So I'm back at it.

Calorie Counting. Exercising. Losing weight.

Water

I know water is good for me.

A good majority of my body is water.

I know I need to replenish it.

I really don't mind water at all.

I decided, as part of my get healthy lifestyle,

that I would start drinking more water.

I do this with help of Crystal Light.

I tell myself its juice.

I like the berry kind and there is a orange one that isn't so bad.

I water them down too

not 16.9 oz like the package suggests

I do 32 oz for every packet.

I could probably do more its still pretty flavorful.

The problem I have with drinking more water.

I spend more time in the bathroom.

I feel like I'm in there every 5 minutes.

Now I am noticing how dirty my bathroom actually is.

I guess since I'm there so much I ought to clean it.

April 1st

No I am not pulling a April Fools joke.

April 1st is

when I start training again.

I really want to do another 5k and

RUN

the whole thing.

I found this training program called

"couch to 5k"

The idea is to get you running 3 miles non stop in about 2 months.

It is finally getting warm outside and so here I am back again!

Wish me luck!

New Year. New ME!

This title is so cliche isn't it. However I am going to Hawaii in 41 days!! So I would like to lose a little more weight. We are also going to Cali in August. A week on the beach oh yeah! I also found the cutest swim suit that I want to fit into. Its super cute I am in love!! See it here Tell me what you think.
Today I started a 3 day diet that my sister in law introduced me to. She had a friend that lost 10 pounds in 3 days. I have no expectations to lose that much but a pound or 2 would be nice. Here is the menu...

3 Day Diet

Day One

Breakfast:
Black coffee or tea with Equal or Sweet & Low
1/2 grapefruit or juice
1 slice toast with 1 tablespoon peanut butter


Lunch:
1/2 cup of tuna
1 slice toast
Black coffee or tea with Equal or Sweet & Low


Dinner:
3 ounces of lean meat or chicken (any kind)
1 cup green beans
1 cup carrots
1 apple
1 cup regular vanilla ice cream

3 Day Diet

Day Two

Breakfast:
Black coffee or tea with Equal or Sweet & Low
1 egg
1/2 banana
1 slice toast


Lunch:
1 cup cottage cheese or tuna
8 regular saltine crackers


Dinner:
2 beef frankfurters
1 cup broccoli or cabbage
1/2 cup carrots
1/2 banana
1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream

3 Day Diet

Day Three

Breakfast:
Black coffee or tea with Equal or Sweet & Low
5 regular saltine crackers
1 oz. cheddar cheese
1 apple


Lunch:
1 boiled egg
1 slice toast
Black coffee or tea with Equal or Sweet & Low


Dinner:
1 cup tuna
1 cup carrots
1 cup cauliflower
1 cup melon
1/2 cup regular vanilla ice cream

Obviously I won't be drinking the coffee. I do have herbal tea that I am substituting. I'll let you know at the end of 3 days how it goes. This is perfect timing because my brother in law is getting married on Thursday. Really I should have started this yesterday.