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Friday, January 31, 2014

Facetime Friday. Recipes, and More

Happy Friday everyone!  I am a little sore today, but I have had a good day overall.  Last night my awesome sister brought us over Weight Watcher friendly chicken enchiladas and 1 point+ chocolate chip cookies.  Both were DELICIOUS!

Click here for the cookie recipe.  And here is her recipe for the enchiladas:

Today I decided that I still needed to get some kind of activity in even though I can't hardly stand up or walk.  So I searched for some seated workouts.  It was actually kinda fun and some of the moves gave me a burn!!  Here is the one I did today:


And I had been forgetting about posting a video on Friday, so here is my vlog post (excuse the messy hair and loopy pain med ramblings)

And here is our verse and word for the week:
I LOVE this definition of determination.  No matter what!!!!  Even with foot surgery, even with a slip-up, even with...........

1 cup cooked oatmeal - 4 points+
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar - 1 point+
1/8 cup sugar free syrup - 0 points+
banana - 0 points+
black coffee - 0 points+



Lean Cuisine Steak Tips Portobello and broccoli - 4 points+
Yoplait Light White Chocolate Strawberry Yogurt - 2 points+
Fiber One Lemon Bar - 2 points+
Water


8 strawberries - 0 points+
Weight Watchers Sweet Hazelnut Latte smoothie made with Silk Light Soymilk - 3 points+
Hot Green Teat - 0 points+

Subway Double Chopped Chicken Salad, loaded with veggies, provolone cheese, and red wine vinegar - 5 points+
Subway Loaded Potato Soup - 6 points+


Nature Valley Protein Bar - 5 points+
2 cuties - 0 points+

Total for today: 35 out of 46 points


That is it for today!  Sending you all love and healthy wishes!

Keep Losing,
Kari







Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Wowzer Wednesday - Meet Alyson!


Ready for another AMAZING story?  Meet Alyson!!

My name is Alyson, I am 31 years old, and I live in Las Vegas, Nevada. My passion for figure equality comes from my own life long struggles with weight. I do not remember a time when I was not the biggest kid in my class. I quickly developed a distain for my own reflection. I always hated my body and I punished it in many ways.

I had always told myself I was I was strong enough to be big. I was strong enough to not let the stares, comments, and almost needing to purchase an extra airplane seat make me feel bad. I put on my happy face everyday. Deep down I knew I was lying to myself. I was not happy. I was miserable. I realized I was depressed and stuck - but then I had the realization that I didn't have to settle for this being my life.

I signed up for Weight Watchers and proceeded to lose 125 pounds over the next year and a half. My entire life changed. Forever. I have kept my weight off for 6 years now.

The biggest challenges have come from being in a new body. One that did not end up like a super model. I had to learn who the new face in the mirror was. I did not know her, I had never seen her before. My problems were not solved at the end of my weight lose journey. No one told me I would actually have a whole new set of problems fall in my lap.

I still struggle with weight issues. I am still a food addict. I still see a fat girl in the mirror. However, I am also a runner and I enjoy cooking and eating healthy. I work everyday to repair the mental damage that simply became apart of my everyday thought process. I am not perfect. No one is. I have stretch marks. Everyone does. My thighs touch. So do the thighs of most people. I created New Figure Forward as a place to be deeply honest about my body and my struggles at all of my weights. I created my blog to be a place where women (and men) could come together and empower each other with honesty. www.newfigureforward.blogspot.com

 

Alyson is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/NewFigureForward.  I LOVE her story, don't you.  And let me tell you, her blog and Facebook page are AWESOME!  She always encourages and inspires.  I think what I love the most is how real she is.  Nothing is fake or sugar-coated.  She tells it like it is and I appreciate that.  Thank you Alyson for sharing your story with us.  I hope someday when I visit Vegas I can meet you!

1 cup cooked oats - 4 points+
2 tsp canola oil - 2 points+
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar - 1 point+
1/8 cup sugar free syrup - 0 points+
banana - 0 points+
black coffee

Nature Valley protein bar - 5 points+
Raspberry Cheesecake Yoplait Light - 2 points+
Cucumbers - 0 points+
Grande skinny vanilla latte - 3 points+
Water

I wasn't hungry so I skipped this snack today!
SURPRISE: We went out AGAIN because hubby wanted pizza.  
Salad w/ broccoli, cauliflower, cucumber, egg, cheese, sunflower seeds, and ff Catalina - 7 points+
Veggie Pizza (I only ate half) - 8 points+
Water

2 cups air popped popcorn - 2 points+
1 tbsp Blue Bonnet Light - 1 point+
1 Sargento sharp cheddar cheese sticks - 3 points+
Fiber One trail mix bar - 3 points+

Total for today - 40 out of 46 points

Tomorrow is my surgery and I a nervous.  I stocked up on easy, healthy foods for the boys ad hubby to make for me.  I will try to post tomorrow evening and let you all know how it went.

Sending love and healthy wishes!

Keep Losing,
Kari







Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Transformation Tuesday


Typically on Transformation Tuesday I share a comparison picture with all of you.  I really don't have any new pictures to share this week.  SO, I asked for all of my Facebook "likers" to share some of their's.  If you don't see my Facebook page, I recommend at least popping over there and checking out some of the awesome transformations!!  You can get to my page by clicking here.

I am so proud of all of you who shared today!!!!!!

Our word for the week is DETERMINATION!. I found this quote this morning and LOVED it:
How many times have we attempted something and FAILED, or at least felt like we failed?  I know I have and not just with weight loss.  I love that this quote says failure will NEVER overtake me!  I know that this time around it is different.  I am DETERMINED not only to reach my weight loss goals, but to get and stay healthy!  I deserve it, I am worth it, and so are you!  Don't let the fear of failure hold you back.  It is only truly failure when you don't get back up and try again.  

And our verse for the week is:
I LOVE this verse.  I also love focusing on one verse per week as it really gives me time to reflect on what the words mean to me.  Think about feeling stressed.  How does it feel to be stressed?  If you are like me you tend to worry about everyone else's problems and stress to.  It can be overwhelming.  BUT, God tells us (everyone of us) to cast those anxieties, stresses, and worries onto Him because He cares for us.  What a burden He carries to take away ALL the anxieties, what love He has to be willing to do it.  But the hard part is our willingness to do it.  We tend to want to be in control and if we let Him take our worries away, we lose a little bit of control.  This is something I am really working on.  I tend to worry a lot, and when I can't think about what I am worried about, I worry I am forgetting something.  

1 cup cooked oats - 4 points+
1 tsp canola oil - 1 point+
1 1/2 tbsp brown sugar - 1 point+
1/8 cup sugar free syrup - 0 points+
banana - 0 points+
black coffee - 0 points+

Wendy's 1/2 size baja salad (no dressing) - 7 points+
Tortilla strips - 2 points+
Water

6 sliced strawberries - 0 points+
6 oz Dannon Light and Fit Vanilla Greek Yogurt - 2 points+
Hot green tea - 0 points+

This is not what we had planned for dinner, but both kids "forgot" they had after school activities and I was craving pancakes! It was soooooo yummy and I was so full!
4 pancakes - 9 points+
2 tbsp mini chocolate chips - 2 points+
1/2 cup sugar free syrup - 1 point+
2 eggs - 4 points+
1/2 cup turkey sausage crumbles - 1 point+
1/4 cup fat free cheese - 1 point+
1 cup spinach - 0 points+
1 tsp olive oil - 1 point+

2 cuties - 0 points+
Fiber One Cinnamon Coffee Cake - 2 points+
2 Sargento Reduced Fat Cheddar Sticks - 3 points+

Total 42 points+ out of 46 available

I tried out my new oil dispenser I showed you on my post yesterday!  It is awesome! One little squeeze and it measures out a tsp of oil.  I am going to LOVE using this to help me get my healthy oils in everyday.

That is it for today!  Watch tomorrow for an amazing Wowzer Wednesday story.  Sending you all love and healthy wishes!

Keep Losing,
Kari









Monday, January 27, 2014

Monday Menu Share, Food Find, Recipe, and MORE

First off, let me apologize in advance for the length of this post!  I have SO much I want to share today.  I decided to unplug from social media for the weekend and it was very nice and relaxing.  I did miss checking in with everyone though!  In the honor of being 100% transparent and honest, I admit that my weekend was not the best eating wise.  I treated myself a few too many times.  I was probably within my points, but I really didn't even track at all. :( I have such a mental addiction to my Thursday weigh-ins.  I knew I didn't get to weigh in this week due to y foot surgery and I let that affect my plan.  NO MORE!  Today, I am right back on it 100%.  So what can you learn from my mistake, if you fall down and mess up, get right back up and keep going!

I have decided to go back to tracking points for awhile with this surgery.  I am going to have to rely on my kids and hubby to prepare my food and I think it would be easier to count points for a couple weeks.

I did make some very yummy vegetable beef soup on Saturday.  Here is the recipe:

Ingredients:

  • 16 oz of sirloin (or other lean meat) trimmed into soup sized pieces
  • 8 cups fat free beef broth
  • 1 package of frozen mixed veggies (I used the Pictsweet vegetable soup mix 28 oz) You could also use fresh veggies if desired!
  • 1 tbsp Italian seasoning
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 28 oz canned diced tomatoes
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp seasoned salt
  • 7 oz. whole wheat pasta, cooked (I used elbow macaroni, or you could omit this)
  • salt, to taste
  • black pepper, to taste 
Directions:
  • In a large pot, heat up 2 tsp of the olive oil on medium-high heat.  Add steak and cook until browned.  Remove steak with a slotted spoon.
  • Add remaining oil.  Reduce heat to medium-low.  Ad veggies.  Cook while stirring for about 5 minutes.
  • Add remaining ingredients and the cooked steak.  Bring to a boil.  Cover, reduce heat and simmer for 1-2 hours.  The longer the better!  Add additional salt and pepper to taste if desired.
  • ENJOY!!
This recipe makes about 10 servings of 1 cup each.  The entire recipe is Simply Filling or one serving is 4 points+.
Yesterday, I also tried one of the new Smart Ones soups.  These are with the frozen meals at the grocery store.  I had the loaded potato version.  It was 4 points+.  It was good, but it would not keep me full if that is all I ate.  So if you add in a yogurt and a fruit or veggie it would make a convenient lunch in a pinch!
Usually, I try to reward myself for every 25 pounds that I lose. (NON FOOD REWARD).  So for reaching my 100 pound loss, I ordered these two things off of Amazon:
The first one has two containers that can be used for oil or vinegar.  You can press a button and it will measure it out for you!! LOVE this idea for getting my healthy oils in every day! Now I don't have to keep searching for my measuring spoons.  The second one is a topper you put on your salad dressing container that will portion it out for you!  I haven't tried them yet, but I am excited to see how they work.  
This week's menu will only have the meals for the next three days.  I am having foot surgery Thursday and my hubby and kids will be in charge after that.  I plan on buying some convenient, healthy foods for them to make for me!

Monday: Out to Bob Evans
Tuesday: Spaghetti, Garlic Bread, Salad
Wednesday: Turkey Smoked Sausage, Mac and Cheese for kids, Roasted Potatoes, Green Beans

And here is our verse for the week:
This verse is so relevant to me this week.  As I am facing a surgery and the fears of not being active and relying on others for my food.  I know I have to cast ALL those cares on HIM!

And our word for the week:
Even though I had a rougher weekend than I would have liked, I am determined to succeed!  Not much will stop me.  Even when I make a mistake, I am determined to get right back up and keep on keeping on!

I also thought I would start adding what I am eating each day to my blog.  Let me know if this is helpful or too much info!
Nature Valley Protein Bar - 5 points+
Banana - 0 points+
Black Coffee - 0 points+

Leftover Vegetable Beef Soup - 4 points+
Yoplait Light Key Lime Pie Yogurt - 2 points+
Water

Pineapple - 0 points+
Special K Pastry Crisp - 3 points+
Hot Green Tea - 0 points+

Bob Evans
Salad without cheese or croutons - 0 points+
Light Ranch Dressing - 3 points+
Cup of Potato Soup - 5 points+
1 slice of banana nut bread - 5 points+

Apple - 0 points+
Starbucks Grande Skinny Hazelnut Latte - 3 points+
2 pieces Sargento Reduced Fat Cheddar - 3 points+

Total Points for today - 33 out of 46

That is it for today!  Sorry again for my lengthiness.  Sending you all love and healthy wishes.

Keep Losing,
Kari