Walking...

From the rear cover of Clubman- May, 1951

You have to enjoy your work out, or lets face it, it just won't get put into your busy day!

Thats why I walk my dog every morning for 35 minutes! I love those walks... (except on those really cold mornings) and so does my dog Gadget. And as the weather starts to get better so does my mood and energy... Getting some healthy sun so my body will produce vitamin D (or is it K?) for the day. And the fresh air my lungs breathe in makes me feel alive. 

Not only that, but you are doing your dog a huge favor too. Just like us, if we sit around and do nothing we don't burn the calories we take in and we get fat! Its up to us to keep our dogs healthy too. I do admit to putting my dog on the treadmill once in a while... but that's only because its pouring rain and I have already had my turn on the treadmill. I will put Gadget on while I am doing my short yoga stretches after I am done with the treadmill. She loves it as long as I stay with her.

Anyway! 

Get out and walk today!

Whew!

Fed up at how her weight loss was going 

Rainey took serious aim at her target weight!

Weight loss update:

Things are looking up! I lost a pound since the 15th! Yeah, I know... it could be water! But at least my scale is going the OTHER way now! I have really been working it and keeping to 1200 calories with NO starch or sugar!

Sigh... Its so frustrating re-losing weight!

But I really think my workouts are making the difference! And I am feeling stronger and more toned! That, in its self, is worth this extra sweat and tears!


Other Stuff:
Grandbaby is due in two weeks but I think he will be here sooner! My daughter is ready to pop!

I'm so excited! I'm nesting too for some reason... Is that crazy? I'm cleaning and preparing the "gramma crib" and washing bottles (she is nursing I don't know why I am doing that). 

Anyway its any day!

OPPS!

Weight Loss Update:

Or perhaps I need to say weight gain update! Both Hubby and I have gained some weight back... So this is a good lesson to post. We have had in house company for two weeks and a couple of business trips and didn't pay attention to our weight loss goals!  We didn't focus on the fact that we are still on our weight loss voyage and neglected to be careful of our food choices and intake.

So the horrid news, I gained 6 pounds! When I got on the scales this morning I was shocked and panicked. I worked so hard for every ounce I have lost... Hubby won't tell me how much he has gained but he said it isn't pretty!

I'm not blaming company or trips, part of this weight loss voyage is learning how to balance good eating habits and exercise along with life's intrusions and excursions! Its like we took a wrong turn on our Voyage!

So... Monday we are back to focusing on our goals! And back on the direction of our Voyage!

Phase Plan: 8 weeks
* Use the NeuroReplete 6 caps per day, 2 morning 2 noon and 2 night. 
* Go back to my omegas.
* Walk 2 miles every morning, 6 days a week.
* Walk another 2 miles in the evening 3 days a week.
* Do Fluidity 2 times a week. Tuesday and Thursday.
* Do balance ball work out 2 times a week. Wed. and Friday.
* Stay on 1000 calories. Low carb high protein. No Starches or Sugar!
* Get a b-12 every 2 weeks.

* Listen to my weight loss meditation every night

* Stay focused!

Goal: 
* To lose 16 pounds by the time I start my hCG round 3 on March 20.
* And to lose 30 pounds total by May 3rd. 2009!

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!

What's for lunch?

Being on break from the 500 calories a day is such a treat. Mostly because I get more food choices. The rules are NO starches No sugar, and keep to 1200 calories while on break. Some call this part of the hCG Protocol "Phase 3".

Today was:

Chicken salad

1 Oatmeal/macadamia nut/raisin cookie (Baked with Truvia)

The meal was delicious, filling and healthy!

And under 350 calories!

Weight loss update:

I'm on a 8 week break from the hCG Protocol. I am using a modified version of the "Flat Belly Diet" till I can do another round of hCG at the end of March 09. I am maintaining a 3 pound weight from the last injection of hCG fairly easily.

New Food Photos:

The eight week break is a nice change from the limited food selection I am allowed on the strict very low calorie days while taking the hCG.

Here are my Shredded Sweet Potato Pancakes, 

browned in virgin coconut oil. (Has NO coconut taste)

They were delicious! 

Here is my Chicken Tortilla soup I made last night.

 It was just perfect for a dark stormy night like last night! 

Everyone loved it! 

I photographed the left overs today.

Keep checking back for new photos... 

My goal is to lose 10 pounds in 8 weeks. 

They tried, they just couldn't pull it off... What an intense game tho! 

Oh well...  onto Hockey! 

Go Cardinals!

Its Super Bowl Sunday in my home today... I am NOT a football fan but when its the team of your city, going to the Super Bowl, it gets your attention and you can't help get caught up in the excitement.  Hubby is a fan and has season tickets. So we are having a party!

Super Bowl Comments
Myspace Comments - Upload Photos

What I ate yesterday to total apx. 500 calories:

I eat 500ish calories plus a hCG injection= about 2500 calories

Breakfast: 1/2 ruby red grapefruit= 55 cal.

1 packet Truvia sweetener= 0

1 fresh strawberry= 15 cal.

Breakfast total: 70 calories

Lunch: Lemon Chicken spinach salad.

Spinach about 1 cup raw= 7 cal.

1/2 of 1/2 chicken breast (hubby and I split a half) 100 grams= 65 cal.

1 green onion= 10 Cal.

My homemade ginger dressing: 1 tab= 25 calories

Lunch total: 100 calories

Snack: The rest of my Strawberry serving= 20 cal.

1 packet of Truvia= 0 cal.

Snack total: 20 calories

Dinner: 100 grams Halibut= 215

2 melba rounds (used with the spices to coat the halibut)= 30 cal.

1/4 head steamed cabbage= 20 cal.

Total for dinner: 275

Evening Snack: 1/2 med. apple= 35 cal. (hubby has the other half)

Total Snack: 35 cal.

Total beverages for the day: 25 cal.

Beverages:

Water: 100 ounces= 0 calories

Hot Tea with a pack of Truvia= 0

Iced Tea with a pack of Truvia= 0

1 EmergenC vitamin packet raspberry = 25 cal.

Total calories eaten for the day: 515

Too good to be Tru?

Really Rainey's Truvia taste Test:

I was kind of in the dark about it... Since I already use Stevia when I am on the hCG Protocol and Agave Nectar when I can use more calories... I was skeptical of a NEW sweetener, especially one manufactured in part by Coke-cola Co. I never use asptertame or Sweet and Low or Splenda or any of that other fake sugar. But alas... Stevia does have a bitter after taste and so I don't use too much of it and tend to just use things un-sweetened, like my tea. I heard about Truvia on YouTube so I decided to do a taste test for myself when I saw "Melting momma" on YouTube try it straight on a fresh strawberry, something I would never try with a packet of straight Stevia.

I found Truvia at a local large grocery chain. And I heard Coke is putting it in a no calorie drink. And Pepsi Co. is making their own version of sweetner packets too called Purevia. I found it right along side the Truvia but I didn't buy it. I had a coupon for Truvia! Oh, and it wasn't too expensive either... like a package of Stevia from "Sweet Leaf" is almost $6.00, the Truvia was $3.99, then I had a 55 cents off coupon.

Since Stevia is an ALL NATURAL sweetener, no one can patented Stevia! 

 But they can patented the process and that is what makes me nervous about a product like this. Is it so over processed like sugar? Who knows at this point... all I know is that its safe for diabetics like my hubby and doesn't raise blood sugar.

Here it is... 

I opened the packed and it smelled WONDERFUL! 

I kid you not. 

And isn't it pretty? It looks just like sugar. 

Dipped my fresh strawberry in... Generously coating it just to make this a true taste test.

YUMMY!

Mmmmmmmm... oh my gosh...

It was incredible... almost sinful in fact!

So I had this for breakfast!

But is it too good to be Tru? 

I don't know... 

But for now I'm using it while on the hCG protocol until further notice!

*Slipping 5 packets into my purse and 5 into Hubby's brief case!*

Oh by the way... ONE packet goes a long way. I tried it in my iced tea and only used 1/2 a packet and it was sweet tea! 

Watch the newspaper ads for a 55 cents off coupon!

(this one is void)

I got this info From Reader's Digest - November 2008 

"Truvia, the much-hyped natural, no-calorie sweetener, is joining the array of sugar substitutes on supermarket shelves this fall. Here's the scoop on this and other options you stir into your coffee.

Type: Natural sweeteners. Truvia is a granular substance made from the stevia plant; agave syrup comes from the agave plant.

Details: Unlike natural sugar, Truvia has no calories, but some say the taste is too licorice-like. Agave has 20 calories per teaspoon but sweetens more effectively than sugar, so you use less.

Pros and Cons: They're an option for those who want to avoid artificial ingredients while watching their weight. Be aware that the body expects calories to follow sweetness, so (as with all sweeteners) you may keep craving more.

Type: Artificial sweeteners. Sucralose (Splenda), aspartame (Equal), and saccharin (Sweet'N Low) are made of various chemicals that simulate the sweetness of sugar.

Details: All are essentially calorie-free. Some people are concerned about possible associations with cancer. However, the National Cancer Institute says there's no clear evidence of a link.

Pros and Cons: They're generally considered safe for healthy people. But a_recent study shows diet soda drinkers tend to gain weight, not lose it. So if you have concerns about these sweeteners anyway, avoid them.

 

Type: Sugars. Sucrose and fructose are carbohydrates that come from the sugarcane plant as well as from fruits, maple syrup, and corn syrup.

Details: Keep your intake to under 40 grams (about 10 teaspoons) of sugar a day. That's about one can of Coke. Remember that any unburned amount will turn to fat, and consistently high amounts may lead to insulin resistance.

Pros and Cons: Anyone with health problems like obesity or prediabetes should cut down on sugar. Stick with whole fruits, and try to wean yourself off sweet junk foods."

Can't wait to hear your comments!

Weight loss update:

27 pounds gone since Oct 20th!

25 pounds... Bye Bye!

Weight Loss Update!

I have been busy with the baby shower event so I haven't been able to post for a while  but I was just so excited this morning when I got on the scale and saw that I have released 25 pounds since Oct 19th!

Other Stuff!

The Baby Shower is tomorrow! 

I'll post pix on my other blog!

The Project Table

New Recipe

Weight Loss update:

Gone! One more pound this morning.... I'm melting better than chocolate/coconut bark in the palm of your hand! Speaking of Coconut bark I made some and took pictures I'll post later.

I was posting with my friends from the hCG support group and everyone is loving the pictures and recipes I am posting. Thank you so much everyone! 

Today I am posting a meal for a special dinner or luncheon or just if you have time to cook. The whole meal is totally on protocol, so don't worry! I not only posted the recipe, but today I posted HOW to make them:

*Remember this isn't just a diet meal. Anyone can make it and enjoy it anytime. Its a healthy meal.

Chicken and Spinach Roulades for TWO 

~1 Organic or Farm raised Chicken breast 200g cut in two (or a regular chicken breast)

boneless skinless

~2 breadsticks or Melba rounds (I used the Melba today) Smashed to smithereens. (I used my mini food processor and added some paprika to it for color.)

~2 allotted portions of fresh  organic spinach (I used about 2 cups packed)

~2 teaspoons of Dijon Mustard

~Herbmare seasoning to taste

~Paprika to taste 

2 dashes Liquid Braggs

Preheat oven to 350

1) Cut chicken breast in half because each person is allowed 100g of protein.

 2) Between plastic wrap, pound each half gently till half its thickness.

3) Spread 1 teaspoon of Dijon Mustard over each chicken breast. (You can use regular mustard if you like but... I use the Dijon.) Then layer fresh spinach leaves on each half. You don't have to use all 2 cups... just a nice even layer.

4) Gently tuck and roll each half in the Melba crumb and spice mixture. Tucking in the sides and just kind of shaping them into little rolls.

5) Put in a shallow baking dish that has been coated with EV Coconut oil Sprinkle with more paprika. Bake 25 to 30 minutes (Don't over bake) till golden brown. ( Sorry...I doubled the recipe on you when you weren't looking. The other two go in the freezer for another night.)

6) During the last few minutes blanch (Quickly boil) the rest of the spinach, drop in the leaves... stir... count to 30 and remove them to a strainer, stir in liquid Braggs (or any seasoning) Plate and enjoy!

To all my forum friends and my blog followers, 

thank you for your kind comments and support. 

 Bon Appetite!

Weight loss update:

Its official! I shed 20 pounds of fat since October 19th. On this round alone I have lost 8 pounds in 11 days. I know its fat because my Doctor does a body composition test on me and it tells muscle, fat and water. At the end of the last round I actually gained 2 1/2 pounds of lean muscle! 

We are on the VLCD phase for 9 more days. But I might go a few more days longer to achieve my goal of 10 pounds more. Hubby might too, he hasn't decided yet. Then we will be on a 5 week break and back to 1200 calories and a modified South Beach or Atkins Diet. 

I have been so busy with planning my daughters baby shower and some family drama (on the phone constantly!) that I have been neglecting my work outs... I need to get back to my Fluidity! I felt good when I was doing that twice a week. I only missed this last week, so I am starting up again tomorrow. I still walk cause I promised my dog I would walk her everyday.

Stay tuned for a new picture and recipe coming soon.

Weight Loss update!

Here is another VLCD meal idea:

Chicken and spinach roll ups with baby cucumber spears and blackberries~YUM

No recipe needed. But I did spread on some mustard on the chicken breast before I put on the spinach and rolled them up. I used Mrs. Dash "table blend" on my baby cucumber spears. This quick and easy meal took me only minutes to make.

I hope everyone is having a happy New year

Weight Loss Update: 

I have lost another couple of pounds since I posted last. That brings my total since 12-24-08 to 7 pounds in 10 days! I am pretty happy about that. The hCG combined with the amino acids and the 2 mile walks a day and the Fluidity/10 minute spot work outs are a great combination for this steady weight coming off. And its coming off for good too! I feel awesome. I have plenty of energy for my walks and other things I might need to do during the day. I don't feel faint or weak. The 500 calories of food plus the apx. 2000 cal. that are burned by the hCG are keeping me healthy and in slight ketosis. The amino acids are helping with hunger issues between meals and keeping me happy and sleeping good at night. I am still getting at least 8 hours of sleep a night and 100 ounces of water per day along with my 5 cups of tea. I have hot tea in the morning and afternoon. The rest of the tea is iced and sweetened with Sweet and Slender. 

Here are the meals we had yesterday:

For lunch we had Shrimp & Spinach Salad:

Shrimp Sauté Spinach Salad

1 large handful of fresh Organic Baby Spinach

100g of salad size shrimp (I use pre-cooked from Costco)

1/2 ripe Roma tomato, seeded and sliced into strips

1/2 Tab. Organic coconut oil

Dressing:

Fresh grated ginger to taste (About 1/2 tea.)

4 Tab. apple cider vinegar

1 Tab. Braggs 

1 packet or less of stevia or I use Sweet and Slender.

1 drop of toasted sesame oil (A NO NO on the protocol but I use it anyway.)

That makes enough dressing for two servings.

Sauté the shrimp in the coconut oil (no it doesn't make it taste like a pina colada) very quickly just to heat them up. They are pre cooked so you don't want them to become rubber.

Place on top of your spinach and tomatoes, sprinkle with half the dressing and there you have it, a quick, tasty, and filling lunch.

DINNER

I guess I was in a seafood mood because for dinner I sautéed Halibut!

Pan Seared Herbed Halibut with steamed Napa cabbage and asparagus.

For TWO:

200g Halibut steak whole or cut in two. (I cook mine whole then cut it in half.)

1 Tab. Organic Coconut oil

2 Tab. Old bay Seafood Rub (Or any other kind of rub you like just watch for hidden sugar)

1 large Napa cabbage leaf

6 spears of asparagus 

Herbamare (Organic Seasoning) to taste or your favorite vegi seasoning...

{Careful with salt when you are trying to shed pounds}

Heat up a cast iron skillet over Med heat. Add and melt coconut oil... spread it around the pan. 

Season fish with rub and add to skillet. 

While skillet is heating place the cabbage leaves in your steamer with the asparagus.

Cook the vegi and the fish at the same time.

Place fish in skillet, carefully... cook 2 to 4 minutes per side depending on thickness of fish.

BON APPETITE!

Check back often for my progress! 

Thanks to my support team!

Chicken Spinach Soup:

Weight loss update:

I lost another pound this morning... that's a total of 4 pounds in 7 days! I had a little pizza mishap on Football Sunday. That set me back a little but I am fully recovered today and back to watching that scale slide the correct way.... DOWN!

Last night I made Chicken Spinach soup for dinner:

Chicken Spinach Soup for Two

4 cups low sodium  organic chicken broth

1  organic chicken breast half

1/2 organic onion diced

2 cups fresh organic baby spinach

Herbamare (Organic season salt) or salt and pepper to taste

Gently boil chicken in broth and onion, till chicken breast is done. About 10 minutes.

Take out chicken breast and shred chicken with fork. Add back to broth and onion with Herbamare (Season salt) and the 2 cups of spinach. Simmer for 5 minutes and serve with 1 breadstick if desired. 

*You don't have to be on a diet to make this heart healthy soup nor do you have to use all organic.

*Here is what the Herbamare looks like: You can purchase this at Sprouts or most health food stores.

What a VLCD (very low calorie diet) looks like:

For Dinner tonight I made "Right-on Protocol"

 Chili for Two. 

You can add a grissni (Bread stick) to that if desired. I'm not eating the bread sticks or melba toast this round. But Hubby is.

200g lean protein (I used Elk, you can use beef, veil or chicken)

1/2 yellow onion Chopped

1 TAB. Extra Virgin Coconut oil

1 can diced tomatoes (14oz)

2 or more cloves garlic

1/2 tea chipotle chili powder 

1/2 tea cumin

1/8th tea unsweetened cocoa powder

2 TAB chopped cilantro 

1 green onion (optional) for garnish

In heavy bottom sauce pan or skillet melt coconut oil, cook onion. Add garlic.

Then meat and all spices and brown slowly. I ground up the tomatoes just a tad, then add them to the meat. I taste then add more chili powder to taste. Cook for at least a 1/2 hour then add the cilantro and cook another 10 minutes. Add chopped green onion for garnish.

Bon appetite! 

  

Weight Loss update:

Both hubby and I are down 1 more pound this morning! Getting up in the morning is like Christmas for me! I can't wait to get on the scale! That puts my total for this round at 4 pounds dropped since Dec. 24th! I am still taking those amino acids and walking 2 miles every morning, plus Fluidity on Tuesday and Thursday. I added the 10 Minute Solution Pilates spot work out to tone my arms on my days off from Fluidity... Yeah, gotta get rid of the bat wings! I got that work out DVD at CostCo ($9.99). They had a bunch of different ones but I liked this one cause, first of all its 10 minutes and second it really hits the spot! So on my off days from Fluidity I am doing a 10 minute spot work out. Its only 10 minutes outta my day. I am feeling great, even tho I am only taking in 500 calories my body is still burning 2000 calories of FAT! I have great energy and mentally I am just elated. That, I'm sure has to do with the amino acids I am taking. They raise and keep steady my serotonin levels. I am getting 100 oz. of water daily and getting 8 hours sleep every night. Good sleep too. With the help of some Valerian sometimes. 

If you want to view part of the DVD click below. 

The stretch alone is worth the price of the DVD its awesome!

Click here to view the stretch at Amazon.com

Other Stuff:

Sunday is my "Day of Rest" and I don't do a workout, but I do take the dog for a walk. But its a leisurely walk holding hands with hubby, stopping and talking to the neighbors. 

Happy Sunday!

Back on the weight loss slide!

Weight Loss Update!

Weighed in this morning and I am down 3 pounds since Dec.24th. Yeah! Hubby is down 2 pounds! Whoo hoo!

I made some salsa to last us the week. We love it on our grilled chicken! I make up a batch and keep it in a mason jar in the fridge!                                                                                                                   

Weight loss update:

The first day of the VLCD (very low calorie diet) we did very well. Along with the amino acids, we had our tea and apple for breakfast. We did a 2 mile walk. (brrrrrr it was cold tho) For lunch we had left over grilled London Broil-100g and salad with my mustard and apple cider vinager dressing. No snack for me or hubby... We just weren't  hungry at all. Then for dinner we had grilled halibut and baby bok choy. That was it. I am going to go off protocol tonight and we will each have the last of the Harry and David pears we got as a gift, for dessert. Going to drink another 16 oz of water tonight, get in the hot tub for 20 minutes and then call it a night so we get out 8 hours sleep. I am excited to get on the scale tomorrow.