Beyond Recovery: Christin's journal of progress (comments welcome)

[pearlieq]

I hear you about the in-between-sizes blues! The 28's are too big, but the 26's don't fit yet, except on top! It's a crazy system we have, but it's only a matter of time until those 18's are yours!

Good job outsmarting yourself and getting your exercise in early!

Hope you're having a great almost-Friday!!!

 

[rcyannacci]

Thanks for the encouragement! I know I'm making progress, it's just this week I wanted things to speed up for my mid-May beach trip and probably set unrealistic expectations.

Amanda, if I had to get up at 6:00 for Curves, I might never make it. Definitely not a morning person! Is there someone else at Curves that goes at the same time that you could go with? It's always harder for me to let something go if I know someone is expecting me.


Thursday-
B- same
S- 2 sm carrot muffins
L- turkey sandwich
S- baby carrots and spinach dip
D- (out with friends before a show at a great Southern restaurant) veggie plate with green beans, mashed potatoes with gravy, and fried okra, plus 1 1/2 sweet potato biscuits. So good, but I need to make up for it today.
S- after the show, I got some and had a handful of nuts. It was too late to be eating, but at least I kept it under control, somewhat.

Swam laps for 40 minutes.

 

[pearlieq]

Oh my your dinner sounds awesome! We have one "kinda southern" restaurant out here, and even that's good. I can't imagine how great the real thing is. Rich, but great!

I totally agree with you about having a workout buddy. There are 3 of us that go to Curves together and it makes all the difference in the world. It's much harder to let down someone who's expecting you!

Hope you have a lovely Friday!!!

 

[rcyannacci]

B- same
L- (ate way too late at 3:00 and was starving) flour tortilla stuffed with fahita beef, black beans, rice, cheese, tomatoes and letture, plus some chips with queso.
D- (late again, 8:00) lettuce wraps (recipe from the Curves mag- very good) chopped chicken breast, mushrooms, red pepper, scallions sauteed with hoisin sauce and served in a piece of lettuce. Also, an ear of fresh corn w/ butter and salt.

Curves 40 minutes, 10 on abs and legs.

Saturday-
B- same, plus 3 cups of echinacea tea
(I'm feeling a cold coming on today- yuk!- but I went to Curves this morning for 30 minutes. Typically when I'm sick, I try to make myself feel better with food. HOpefully, I'll keep it under control.)
L- last of the left-over mac and cheese
D- take-out tortilla soup that DH got once he heard I was sick. Also had some rice and black beans from his dinner.

Curves 30 minutes (went before I starting feeling so bad)

 

[pearlieq]

MMM...those lettuce wraps sounds great too! Was that in one of the Diane magazines? Do you happen to remember which one?

Hope you're having a great Saturday. Thanks for the --we need it!

 

[rcyannacci]

Yes, it was in the Diane Winter 2005 issue- they were great! I might have some of the leftovers for lunch today.

 

[pearlieq]

Thanks! I'll have to check them out--sounds so good!

Hope you have a lovely Monday!

 

[septbride2002]

Dang it! I just threw that one away. You don't happen to have the recipe on hand do ya?

Girl you are doing awesome! I'm very proud of you!

~Amanda

 

[rcyannacci]

Here's the recipe. I'll post to the "eating healthy" forum too.

BBQ Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Serves 8

4 c. fresh shiitake mushrooms (wash, remove stems, and chop)
2-3 lbs chicken breasts or tenders (chopped into small pieces)
¼ c. vegetable or peanut oil (I used ½ this)
Coarse salt and pepper to taste
6 garlic cloves, chopped
1” ginger root, finely chopped or grated (I used 2 t ginger powder)
Zest of 2 oranges
1 red bell pepper, diced small
12-16 oz. water chestnuts, drained and chopped
6 scallions, chopped
1/3 c. hoisin sauce (in Asian aisle of grocery store)
1 large head of iceburg lettuce, core removed and head quartered

Preheat large skillet or wok to high. Add oil. Add chicken and sear by stir-frying a minute or two. Add mushrooms and cook another minute or 2. Add salt, pepper, garlic, and ginger, cooking a minute more. Add zest, bell pepper, water chestnuts, and scallions, continuing to stir-fry a minute more. Add hoisin sauce and toss to coat evenly.

Serve with lettuce, adding a few spoonfuls of chicken mixture to each lettuce wrap.

 

[rcyannacci]

Yikes! I think I contracted the plague! This cold is killing me! I had 2 class lectures today, and now my voice sounds like sandpaper.

I'm not really paying much attention to my eating. Brief summary- not eating a lot and not eating well. I did get some protein in today, however.

I'll be back soon.

 

[rcyannacci]

OK- I'm back. I think I have a sinus infection, but I'm trudging through, w/ an appointment tomorrow with the doc.

Thurs-
B- 1/2 an everything bagel with sm. amt of cream cheese
L- cup of tortilla soup and a small salad, ended with a sm. soft-serve cone (I love Jason's Deli! And that soup tasted so good!)
D- no idea. DH is working tonight, so it's up to me. I haven't eaten a whole lot today, so I need something substantial...I'll just have to look at the fridge. Groceries haven't been bought this week since I was sick, but maybe there is something I can whip up. Edit- I finally went and got take-out tortilla soup and salad from a place down the street. They included chips in the order and I ate too many with a queso sauce in the fridge.

Curves for 30 minutes, plus 5 for abs. I took it easy today. Sat was my last day exercising. I am actually really happy I made it back this soon. My colds always lead to a few days of asthma trouble, but it was minimal this time around. I think Curves has really strengthened my lungs! Big plus!

 

[rcyannacci]

Good news and bad news. I went to the doc, and yes, I have a sinus infection. But, she did give me antibiotics, so that's good. And, they checked my weight, and I've lost a total of 10 pounds since I was last there (3 months)! That's 3 more than my current tally (I think I started keeping track later).

Fri-
B- bagel lightly spread with cream cheese, and a few pieces from a mixed fruit bowl. Plus a cappicino, probably with whole milk since I forgot to ask for skim
L- small cobb salad w/ little bit of blue cheese dressing.

I have a party to go to where they are ording pizza! Not sure what to do, especially since I'm starving now. Might try to finish off the cut fruit before I go.
Edit- D- 2 pieces of pizza. When in Rome... (at least I steered clear of the one w/ pepperoni and limited my portion to 2 pieces.)

 

[pearlieq]

So sorry to hear about your sinus infection--no fun! Sending so you feel better soon!

I'm sure it's always nice to hear about a loss at the Dr's office. Congrats!

Have fun at the party tonight! I'm sure you'll find a way to work it out.

 

[rcyannacci]

Still sick...this is really dragging on.

Sat.
B- 2 pieces of toast with peanut butter and strawberries
L- an apple and handful of baked Doritos
S- a hotdog w/ mustard and relish
D- (out with friends at the Alamo Draft House, movie theatre where you can order beer and bar food) I was starving after not eating much all day, so DH and I split an order of focaccia bread, and then I had a sm. order of potato skins. I can't even think of a worse thing on the menu! I was just feeling bad, and was hoping, I guess, that this would make me feel better.

Curves 35 minutes, 5 min. abs. (got this in during the morning when I still felt OK)

 

[Lesli54]

Well, I finally caught up to the end! I think you are doing a great job with your food and exercise. Just beware of those bagels, they equal 4 slices of bread! I love them, but with that in mind, I have backed off so much that I can't remember when I last had one.

I saw in Pearlieq's journal that you mentioned you had a Lebanese background. My husband's family is from Lebanon and it is a real treat around here when we get some of that AWESOME food. I don't care for hummus though, but only tried once, maybe it varies? I love making fatyr and koosa. Can you send me your chicken stuffed with spinach recipe? You mentioned it a few times early in the journal and it sounds delicious.

Hope your dissertation work is going well, I know that is a huge work load on top of everything else. Sorry to hear about the sinus infection, but great job on the lost lbs. Keep up the GREAT work.

 

[rcyannacci]

Thanks for stopping by! (I pm'd you the recipe)

I know- bagels are the worst. Looking back through the week (and even today), I've been trying to use food to make myself feel better. Not working.

Although, finally, I think I'm feeling better (the antibiotics must have finally kicked in).

Sun-
B- 2 pieces whole wheat toast with peanut butter
L- Baja Fresh- cup of tortilla soup and side salad, plus some chips and queso. (What is this Mexican kick I've been on! I think I'm addicted to tortilla soup! At least it's a clear broth soup with lots of veggies. The thing I have to say no to is the chips.)
D- just went to the store and picked up some fresh green beans and mushrooms to saute together and some chicken breasts to grill (I must be feeling better if I'm ready to cook).

Exercise- took the dogs to the park for a 30 minute speed walk. I'll do some leg lifts tonight in front of the TV (Desperate Housewives! All new!)

 

[rcyannacci]

Woo Hoo. I'm at 210, and down one size! I went shopping yesterday, determined to find a pair of capris that fit for my upcoming trip to the beach. I went to Lane Bryant, and fit into an 18W perfectly! I paid too much for the capris ($40), but found a pair of jeans I liked for only $10! All of my other jeans were too loose.

Ok, Monday-
B- ww english muffin and peanut butter
L- cobb salad w/ balsamic dressing and a small gelatto (man, I'll be glad when the semester is over and my friends aren't dragging me to this cafe everyday. I don't need this daily temptation! It was just too much today!)
D- fried fish and peas (so far...DH is making dinner since he was off today)

Exercise- curves 40 minutes, abs and legs 10 minutes. (Feeling almost better from the sinus infection, and able to get through my 50 minutes without too much struggle).

 

[Lesli54]

Glad to hear that you are feeling better and wearing a new size!

That really gives me motivation, as I am only 7.5 lbs from 210 and would love to fit into the 18's by the time I leave for London.

Thanks for the recipe. The sauted green beans and mushrooms sound really good too. Have a great evening!

 

[rcyannacci]

Oh my gosh!!! London is my favorite place in the whole world! It's been 4 years since I've been and I'm dying to go back. I'm a theatre person, and London is tops for theatre.

The green beans and mushrooms is really easy and good. Cook the beans in boiling water for 5 minutes, then drain and cool with water and set aside. In a skillet, melt 2 T of butter (or olive oil), 2 T basil and then garlic powder, salt and pepper to tasts. Saute the spices a minute, then add chopped mushrooms. Once they release their water, add the beans and saute until all heated through.

 

[septbride2002]

Great Job! You are doing so awesome!

~Amanda