Lifestyle Challenge | Week 21 & 22 Update & SUCCESS!!

You guys... YOU GUYS... I DID IT!  I actually lost 50lbs by Christmas.  I know, I have been absent from the blog but I promise it isn't from lack of activity or because I have fallen off the wagon.  I have been working my little(ish) tail off and staying on plan and this past weekend, I was rewarded with that elusive FIFTY POUNDs lost mark.  OH MY GOODNESS... I was so shocked to see it that I stepped on the scale 3 times to make sure and then sat on the bed for a few minutes to let it sink in... I DID IT!

One of the questions that I get asked the most is How Did I Lose the Weight? 

To be honest, there is no special secret behind it.  I was challenged by one of my friends, Tracy, back in June, to lose 50lbs by Christmas... two pounds a week and we could easily get it done.  For some reason, that lit the fire and I strapped on my Fitbit (was a Charge HR then, now a Blaze) and started walking and watching what I was eating.  I also upped my water intake and tracked my calories.  It's been that basic formula the entire time... calories in vs. calories out.  I try to have a calorie deficit of 1000 per day which SHOULD equal the 2lbs a week... sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't but that's what I try for each day.  Clearly it's working and I will be staying with this plan until my body decides it's at it's natural weight... until it doesn't want to lose anymore and I am officially balanced and healthy!

WINS and CHALLENGES for the week:

I am actually going to stop posting this section as it's been 6-months (almost to the day) of this lifestyle journey and I don't necessarily have WINS or CHALLENGES anymore... just everyday living and that comes with both but unless it's something special to note, like Halloween, Christmas or some vacation, I don't think it's necessary to put them down on paper anymore.

HAPPY NOTE for the week:

It's SNOWED today... anyone who knows me knows that I love winter and snow and Christmas and ALL THINGS that relate to that!  YAY!  

While we are at it... can I just say that Tim Horton's has stepped up their holiday game as well...

WOOHOO!  Let's bring it on!

Lifestyle Challenge | Week 20 Update & Tackling Halloween

Whoops... guess I went a little AWOL there for a bit, eh?  I kept meaning to post an update but sometimes life gets in the way and you need to just take the time to do what you are loving.  Lately, for me, that is reading.  Yep, I feel like I have come full circle and am back into loving life with my nose in a book.

Here is the update for the past couple of weeks... As I said, I moved my weigh-in days to Sundays because of my rest day and I have been loving it.  Not wearing my Fitbit on Sunday's has been wonderful... I can read, watch tv, hang with the boys and not worry about how many steps I am getting.  This past Sunday, I weighed in and lost another 2lbs which brings my new weight loss total to 45.5lbs.  YEP... we are less than 5lbs away from my original 50lbs by Christmas challenge.  WOWSA!!!

WINS for the week:

1. Halloween - this may be a longer WIN but it was Halloween on Monday and as a mom with a young child, I ended up with a LOT of candy in my house.  In fact, there were multiple stops to drop of more and more candy that included full size bars (Crunchies... YUM) and pop and chips and OMG... so much candy.  However, I didn't have a single piece... at all!!  Instead, as each pillow case of candy was dropped off, I dumped it out, sorted it (literally) and moved on.  Instead of eating candy, I drank a cup of amazing Peppermint Tea (a new favourite), watched Halloween (a fave movie) and walked around the house.  It was a TOTAL WIN!!!
2. Cooking - Yep... I have been cooking more and more, including making hamburgers from scratch.  I love it... creating (or re-creating) recipes and finding new favourites for the family!

CHALLENGES for the week:

1. Halloween - while I was able to tackle Halloween like a beast, I still have to say that it was a challenge.  I could have given myself an allowance of candy that I was able to eat but I honestly didn't feel the need!

Here's hoping that I can get back into the regular groove of blogging and keeping my updates coming at you on the weekly basis!

Recipe | Black Bean & Salsa Chicken

Somedays, you get home from work and all you want is a nice warm dinner... especially in the fall weather.  This last week has been very rainy and cold and with the weight loss, I seem to be feeling the temperature change more than years past.  I know that makes sense but it's still crazy to go from never needed a jacket (even in the winter) to feeling like you're freezing in the early fall.

This week, I made a dish that I learned from my mom a couple of winters ago when we were in the middle of an ice storm and had no power... does anyone else remember moments like that?  We went to my parents house because our house was dark and cold and they, even though only 3km from our house, had power.  The dish is Black Bean & Salsa Chicken.

Ingredients:

Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts (I use 4)
1 - 650ml jar of Salsa (we use milk but you can pick your temperature)
1 large can of Black Beans
1 cup of Frozen Corn
6 servings of Rice (we use white rice because that's just what we have on hand)

Directions:

1. In a deep pan, brown chicken breasts.  I use a splash of olive oil to coat the pan but you can use whatever you prefer... just makes it easier to flip the chicken around
2. Once the chicken has been browned to your liking (I am always cooking it through because chicken freaks me out), add in the salsa, drained black beans and corn
3. Simmer over low heat for 30 mins minimum (I have done up to 2 hours and the longer you simmer, the more tender the chicken)
4. Prepare and cook rice as directed on package
5. Serve it up!!

One serving (1/2 cup rice, 1 chicken breast and the salsa/black beans/corn) is just shy of 500 calories.  Super tasty and very filling!!

Enjoy!

Lifestyle Challenge | Week 17 Update

Happy Monday... it's a dreary, warm day here and it's supposed to be 26 degrees (31 degrees with the humidity) tomorrow and I am NOT a happy camper.  My life has moved into full fall mode and the warm weather doesn't work... I can't believe that I am actually thinking about flipping the switch on the air conditioner for the day.  GRRRrrrr.

On to better things... I changed up my weigh-in day to Sunday (but will still continue posting updates on Monday) to coincide with my rest day.  It felt off taking Sunday as my rest day and then weighing in on Monday's.  Not that I cheat on my diet, it's just not something that interests me, but I was feeling guilty about not doing anything right before stepping on the scale.  So, yesterday was my first official Sunday weigh-in and I am happy to report that I lost another 3 pounds!  My new weight loss total is 41.5lbs!!  WHOOP WHOOP... start the happy dance!!

It's safe to now say that the week before I get my period is definitely a good weigh-in week.  Not sure if there will be any bounce back next week because of such a large drop but hey... I am enjoying it while I can!

WINS for the week:

1. StepBet - DONE!  I completed the Step Through September challenge and am an official winner.  We haven't heard what the official winners are yet but I will add that in once I find out!  Also, I have already joined a new StepBet that kicks off today... it's only the warm-up week but I am going to just keep on keeping on.  My new daily goal will be 13,283 and the stretch days are now 16,972.
2. Flying Solo - The boys went away for the weekend so once again, I was flying solo.  Didn't really have any challenges and even made myself a BBQ Chicken Caesar salad for dinner... who does that when they are alone?!
3. Jeans - I bought a pair of new jeans in size 34 and not only did I fall over from shock that they fit but they are comfortable ALL DAY LONG!  Seriously, so excited!!

CHALLENGES for the week:

1. Period Woes - Once again, I had a 'hungry' day and I know that I have mentioned it before, but it seems like I get one, once a month, right before I get my period... it sucks!  I handled it but I'm telling you... I was ready for dinner at about 3:30 on Saturday.

Lastly... while the boys were away, in Buffalo, I was able to get them to swing by Target and stock me up on some Luna bars that aren't available here in Canada.  WOOOoooo!  I am nicely stocked up for a while and excited to have some new flavours to throw into the mix.

I am still in shock that I have lost over 40 pounds and have less than 10 pounds to go until my initial "Lifestyle/Diet Challenge" goal.  Insane!!!

Recipe | Goulash

This past weekend was Thanksgiving but I don't do the cooking for that (WAHOO) but it was also the first weekend of fall that we had cold weather.  There was actually a frost warning on Sunday and Monday night... YAY!  When it's cold out, I get in the mood for all sorts of 'homey' meals... casseroles, chili, and anything hearty.  Gone are the days of BBQ and in are the days of crock pots.

Today I have a recipe for Goulash and I have been making it forever... mainly because it is so easy but also because it was something that my mom made when I was a kid and I have always loved.

One serving with garlic bread

Ingredients:
1-lb of Extra Lean Ground Beef (you can use Ground Turkey)
2 cans of Condensed Tomato Soup (I use Campbell's and each can is 284ml)
2 cups of cooked Macaroni Noodles
1 cup of Frozen Peas
1/4 chopped Red Onion
Garlic Salt*
Chili Powder*
Red Pepper Flakes*

Directions:

1. Fill pop with water and set to boil, add splash of oil and salt, add noodles once boiling
2. On high heat, brown Ground Beef and Onion in a deep skillet (*use spices to make the meat more tasty)
3. Once meat is browned, add in the 2 cans of Tomato Soup and the 1 cup of Frozen Peas and turn down to simmer.
4. When Macaroni Noodles have reached your desired level of tenderness, drain and add in 2 cooked cups to the mixture.
5. Stir and continue to simmer for another 10-15 minutes

This makes 4 servings and each one is 417 calories.  I like to serve it up with some toasted garlic bread... makes for a great meal for a cold night and also freezes nicely for meals on the run!

Enjoy!

Lifestyle Update | Week 15 & 16 Combined Update

Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian peeps.  I hope that you had a wonderful weekend and were able to spend some time with family and friends... and remember to think about all the things that you are thankful for!

First off, sorry for not posting last week, the week got away from me as I was dealing with a stomach bug and before I knew it, it was just easier to wait and post the two weeks together.  SOooo... For the last two weeks, I have lost a combined 3 lbs for a new weight loss total of 38.5 lbs.  Yep, I am now just 11.5 lbs away from my Christmas goal of 50 pounds total.

As I hit the 4 month mark of my lifestyle overhaul, I also took some pictures to show the differences in my body... it's really remarkable how the body works and I am loving the changes.  There is one week left in my StepBet and then I am hoping to add weights (arms) and ab work into the routine to start tightening things up!

I had already lost 13.5lbs in the first set of pictures!

WINS for the week(s):

1. StepBet - I don't know if this counts as a win but I'm still going strong with the steps so, to me, that makes it a win!
2. Thanksgiving Dinner (see picture below) - I decided that I wasn't going to worry about calories at dinner because it really makes it so hard when you aren't the one prepping the food.  Happy to say that I had a full plate of food, stopped eating when I was full, and didn't feel the least bit guilty.  #WIN

CHALLENGES for the week(s):

1. Being Sick - I mentioned it above but I had a bit of a stomach virus/bug this past week and even with that, I was able to stay on plan and still got my steps in... not easy when all you want to do is lay on the couch but if I could do it, I was going to get it done!

So, that's the story for the last couple of weeks!  Nothing too exciting or too challenging BUT, I foresee some temptations coming up with Halloween... hoping to breeze through as I have with most of the challenges thus far!

Bye-Bye to Plus Size

It's been a glorious thing... I finally got out of plus size tops.  I think I am technically in plus-size pants (size 16ish) but as for the upper half, I am now firmly into an XL.  As you all know, or at least you would if you have read all my posts, I am in the middle of a full-declutter.  My closet has been over-run with tops/sweaters/sweatshirts of all different sizes and it was finally time to go through, try everything on, and declutter anything that I either didn't like OR that was too big.

This all started with the change in the weather... this past weekend was actually 'chilly'.  I quickly realized that I needed to figure out the 'bottom' half of me because I have been living in yoga capri's for the last month or so.  Thankfully, I kept all the jeans that I wore on the way up to the size I started this journey at (20/22).  The only size I didn't have in my collection was an 18.. which would be the size I expect to need... however...

These babies are a size 16!!!

Fine, they are a little tight and I have a slight muffin top when I wear them BUT, they do up and really, that is all that matters.  I figure another 5-10lbs and these will fit perfectly!!

On to the tops...

WHAT?!  I have very few things left in my closet now but that's okay... I am going to wait until my size levels off... likely will be a large... and then I will start to replenish my wardrobe.  Thankfully, a lot of the items that still fit are more fall/winter anyways so that totally works!

So excited to actually be out of the plus-sized tops.  It was one of my goals and one that I am most happy about achieving because it means that I can now shop at all the stores and buy the 'normal' looking clothes.  Have you ever tried to buy clothed from the plus-size section?!  UGH!