WEEK 24??

Greetings, my faithful few!!

I guess that I've been MIA for a few weeks. Between taxi/school bus driver, homework, 2 boys in football on separate teams, the dog, a few swaps to finish and the occasional "mom's day at the beach", I haven't had much of a chance to blog.

For the most part, I'm sticking with my workouts. I wish that I could say the same for my diet. I still lose a pound - then gain a pound, lose two - gain two, lose 1/2 - gain 1/2. I REALLY need to regain control and get back in the game!

I hope that you are all well and finding success!!

I'll be back soon!!

xoxo,

Julie

WEEK TWENTY

Mmmm... made some yummy stuff last week!
Here's one of the Weight Watchers recipes I tried:

Bacon, Tomato, and Cheddar Frittata

(Serves 4)

1 medium onion, chopped

3 large eggs

3 large egg whites

1 cup fat-free milk

1/8 teaspoon black pepper

4 slices Canadian bacon, chopped

1 large tomato, chopped

1 cup shredded fat-free cheddar

Chives (optional)

• Spray a 10-inch ovenproof nonstick skillet with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softened, 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl.
• Preheat broiler.
• Whisk the eggs, egg whites, milk, and pepper in a large bowl until blended. Stir in the onion bacon, tomato, and cheese.
• Wipe the skillet clean; spray with nonstick spray and set over medium heat. Add the egg mixture, reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, undisturbed, until the bottom of the frittata is firm, 8-10 minutes.
• Place the skillet under the broiler and broil 5 inches from the heat until the frittata is set in the center, 3 minutes. Garnish with chives, if using.

Per Serving (1/4 of fritatta): 198 Cal, 8g Fat, 3g Sat Fat, 0g Trans Fat, 178mg Chol, 711mg Sod, 9g Carb, 1g Fib, 22g Prot, 312mg Calc. POINTS value: 4.

I added 1 small red bell pepper (chopped) to the onion. That make it a bit more filling and added more flavor! I served it with whole wheat toast and a fruit salad.

By the way, for the fruit salad, I just chopped misc. fruit (1 apple, 1 orange, 1 banana, strawberries and grapes) and stirred in about 1 cup of fat-free vanilla yogurt. Then I sprinkled in about 2 tablespoons of shredded coconut. The coconut added SUCH yummy flavor! Give it a try!

Well, have a WONDERFUL week, y'all!

Week Twenty Results: -1.7 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -21.8 pounds
Determination Level: STILL HIGH

xoxo,
Julie

So Long Summer!

It's hard to believe that summer is over. I guess it's true that time flies when you're having fun!

Well, my 20-year reunion went well. It was great to see old friends and reconnect. There were a few people who still look the same but for the most part we've all aged a bit. There were quite a few people that I would never have recognized if I passed them on the street. Some said that I hadn't changed and some didn't recognize me at first. All in all, I felt pretty good being there even though I wasn't as thin as I would have liked to have been.

Our family camping trip went well too! Lots and lots of walking and hikes! My mom wore her Weight Watchers pedometer the whole time and we figure that we walked about 50 miles in 5 days. It felt great, but I have to admit that all of that activity (and just being outdoors) made me REALLY hungry. I ate more that I should have and that's probably why I gained but hey, I was on vacation!

Now that we're home and school is starting, I'm ready to get back on track! Early morning Wii Active workouts, mid-morning walks and meal planning for starters. I'm toying with the idea of taking a fitness kickboxing class - if I can convince a friend to join too, it's a go!

I brought home the new Weight Watchers cookbook, Comfort Classics. Can't wait to try the Bacon Tomato Cheddar Frittata, Skillet Macaroni and Cheese, Confetti Meatloaf with Cajun Barbecue Sauce and the Red Velvet Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting. I'll let you know how they turn out!

One of my NEW favorite finds: the Yoplait Delights Lemon Torte Parfaits!! So yummy and creamy that you almost forget that you're eating yogurt - only 100 calories per serving! They also come in Chocolate Raspberry, Triple Berry Creme and Creme Caramel. You've gotta try em!

Well, happy back to school y'all!! Catch ya later!



Week Nineteen Results: +2.6 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -20.1 pounds
Determination Level: HIGH


xoxo,
Julie

WEEK SIXTEEN

Well, we're gettin' ready for our trip north.

High School Reunion - Friday & Saturday

Brendan's 10th Birthday - Saturday

Camping - Sunday thru Friday

We'll also be celebrating our 14th wedding anniversary while we're at camp!!

Looking forward to catching up with old friends, spending time with family, long walks & hikes, maybe a little rock climbing and relaxing by the campfire.

I'll share pictures when we get back!

Week Sixteen Results: -1.5 pounds

Total Weight Loss: -22.7 pounds

Determination Level: STILL GOING

xoxo,

Julie

WINNER & WEEK FIFTEEN

And the winner is.....

Le Core Femme !!!

Congrats Tonya!! Thanks to everyone who
stopped by to help me celebrate!!

Well, let's get down to business!!
Yes, I was a little better at planning this week.
Dinners - I tried a couple of recipes that I'll share with ya later. Lunches are where I fell short!! I'm focused this week though!

As far as the exercise part goes, I'm happy to say that
I stuck with the 4 days of Wii Active and ended up
walking ALL SEVEN DAYS!! So far, we've maxed out
at 2 miles, but I know that we can do more (Sam is having some leg pain issues)! I'm actually starting to get "urges" to go out and exercise (above and beyond the daily stuff)!!

Sadly, I seem to be stuck at my current weight. I'm feeling great, so I'll take maintaining over a gain any day! I would like this "loser" thing to get rolling again though! All I can do is my best! NEVER GIVE UP!!

Week Fifteen Results: -0 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -21.2 pounds
Determination Level: NOT GIVING UP!

xoxo,
Julie

WEEKS 13 & 14

Confession time! I reached my first goal of 20 pounds
and then I got lazy! Don't get me wrong, I kept up with
my exercising, I just got lazy when it came to food. Maybe "lazy" isn't the right word for it - "comfortable" is more like it. I got too comfortable grabbing something to eat (Del Taco, chips, corn dog...) and then telling myself, "I'll make up for it at the next meal." That rarely
happened. I either wouldn't eat at all or I'd grab something again! What's with the self-sabotage??!!

My new focus... meal planning. If I want to continue to
see results, I need to get back to thinking ahead.
I'm going to try some new recipes (Weight Watchers and
Hungry Girl). I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm also adding to my workout. In addition to doing the
Wii Active at least 4 day this week, I plan to walk at least 5
days. It helps to have someone to walk with. My pal Sam and I walked a mile and a quarter today. We'll add a few more laps tomorrow!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!

Week Thirteen Results: +0.9 pounds
Week Fourteen Results: -1.1 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -21.2 pounds
Determination Level: BACK ON TRACK

xoxo,
Julie

GIVEAWAY!!

To celebrate the loss of my first 20 POUNDS,
I'm havin' a little giveaway!

Here's what you'll get:

• a mini-metal tray magnet - "When I say the word 'Exercise',..."
• a fun blue whisk so you can whip up something yummy
• vintage/retro recipe cards
• a retro-style recipe box to hold all of your favorite diet-friendly recipes
• cute pink polka dot tissues

To enter:
Post a comment here (between now and August 1).
Leave your email address so I can contact you if you win!

Thanks for stopping by!
xoxo,
Julie

WEEK 12 - CELEBRATE!!

To help me say good-bye, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, arrivederci, so long to my first 20 POUNDS, I'll be having a little giveaway.
Stay tuned next week for details!

Week Twelve Results: -2.0 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -21.0 pounds
Determination Level: FEELIN' GOOD

xoxo,
Julie

WEEKS 10 & 11

What is is about us girls? Why is it that we have
such a hard time seeing ourselves the way we
really are? I've spent the last two weeks complaining
that I was having a "fat week". Anytime someone would
comment (or compliment me) on my weight loss, I
would respond with a "I feel like a cow" or "I don't
feel like I've lost much". When I looked in the mirror
or at a picture of myself, I didn't see someone who
had lost almost 20 pounds, I only felt defeated.

Well silly girl, SNAP OUT OF IT!! I'm doing fine!!
I'm out of the 180's and only 1 pound from my first
20 pound goal! I'm right on track!! I can do this!
I'm looking good!!

Week Ten Results: -1.5 pounds
Week Eleven Results: -2.5 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -19.0 pounds
Determination Level: HIGH

xoxo,
Julie

WEEK NINE

Damn Dorritos and chocolate chip cookies!!
I worked out 4 days last week - I actually completed the sessions on the Wii Active!! I figured that was why I was eating more... it wasn't until Saturday that I realized that pounding down a half a bag of Dorritos, scarfing down a cheeseburger AND stuffing myself full of cookie dough and chocolate chip cookies was more than "being a little hungry from my workout". I was suffering from out-of-control, compulsive eating - due mostly to premature PMS.

The good thing about gaining is that even though I feel a bit guilty and defeated, I am more determined than ever to get back on track.

Well, I'm off to the store to buy lots of fruit and veg to prevent further compulsive eating!


Week Nine Results: +1.3 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -15.0 pounds
Determination Level: HIGHER

xoxo,
Julie

HELP!!!

HELP ME!!! I'VE STUFFED MYSELF FULL
OF CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH
AND CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES!!
SOMEBODY PLEASE PUT ME OUT
OF MY MISERY!! Ughhhhhh!

WEEK EIGHT

Well, it's official... school's out and summer has begun!
I can honestly say that I'm not completely dreading putting on a bathing suit!

Fun stuff...

...Sunday was the premier of the new season of True Blood on HBO. My fellow vamp-lovin' friend Sam came over and we had a little "party". I gave out vampire fangs for favors and planned a diet-friendly menu.

We started off with chips & salsa and
Hungry Girl's Freezy-Fresa Strawberry Margaritas.
I used Fresca instead of Diet Sprite. YUMMY!!

Then we had HG's Lean Bean Cheesy Enchiladas
and a big green salad!! Mmmm...

We finished off with Weight Watchers Raspberry Cream Tostadas. I used frozen mixed berries instead of raspberries. YUM-O!!

What a FUN evening!!
The show was great, the food was yummy
and the company was fantastic!!!

Week Eight Results: -2.0 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -16.3 pounds
Determination Level: REALLY HIGH

xoxo,
Julie

WEEK SEVEN

Boy did I dodge a bullet!!
I thought for sure that I was going to gain this week!!

#1. I didn't journal AT ALL.
#2. It was "that time of the month".
#3. NO planning.
#4. I was SO BUSY, that we ate out A LOT.
#5. I came pretty close to finishing an entire bag of

Chipotle Ranch/Zesty Taco Doritos all by myself!

I'll definitely have to be on my toes this week... don't want a delayed reaction!
Oh, and I'm in the market for a beach cruiser bike.

Why not get a little exercise on my way to Starbucks every morning, right?

Week Seven Results: -2.2 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -14.3 pounds
Determination Level: HIGH

xoxo,

Julie

WEEK SIX

Dontcha just hate playin' catch-up?! I know I do. I was doing it last week... trying to catch-up after eating my way through my birthday! On top of that, I had goodie bags to make, a baby shower to plan, swaps and orders to fill AND THEN, my baby boy comes home with a fever! His fever lasted 3 days only to be follow by hives that lasted another 3 days! I pretty much got NOTHING done last week! Don't even ask about trying that workout again!!

I will say that it was nice to be distracted from food. Even though I was stressed, I knew what kinds of food choices to make without having to really think about it. I guess there is something to be said about "practice makes perfect". I'm FAR from perfect, but I'm working HARD to become the "as close to perfect me" as I can be!

(I know! I know! I finally posted another picture of myself!)

Highlight of the week:

I was able to take a break from sick-kiddo duty and head out to Temecula and La Maison Rustique. It got to see the sweet Joy of The Vintage Rabbit and the lovely Sherry of Glamarella Junk (and all the other gals out there)!

All in all, even with all of it's up's and down's, week six wasn't so bad!

Week Six Results: -2.0 pounds

Total Weight Loss: -12.1 pounds

Determination Level: Still HIGH

xoxo,
Julie

WEEK FIVE

Well, week five was pretty much a BUST!!

I definitely celebrated my birthday (Thursday - Sunday)!!

Although I didn't stay on program, I did make better food choices than I normally would have. The thing that probably got me the most was the in-between meal snacking... in the car, by the pool, etc.

I was going to skip weigh-in this week, knowing that I had gained. I decided that in order to be true to myself and this process, I needed to face the music. The results of my extended celebration are listed below...

One of the things my husband got me for my birthday was EA Sports Active for Wii. I was SO excited - Wii Fit just wasn't cuttin' it!!

So, Friday morning I got up and got ready for my new workout. I selected the "easy" 20-minute circuit workout. Let me tell you, I don't think that I even made it halfway through. I seriously thought that I was going to die!! It didn't help that my youngest son, Brendan, sat there laughing at me the whole time!! When I could finally catch my breath, I crawled off the couch and turned off the Wii. By Friday evening, I could barely walk and I stayed in that condition ALL WEEKEND!! It's Tuesday morning, and my legs are STILL a bit sore!! MAN AM I OUT OF SHAPE!!!!! I'm not giving up though!! EA Active, I'm comin' for ya!!

Week Five Results: +1.3 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -10.1 pounds
Determination Level: HIGH

xoxo,

Julie

The Morning After!!

Yesterday, I "O.D.'d" on Cold Stone Ice Cream Cupcakes!!

Didn't do too bad otherwise, but still have major regret for eatting one of the cupcakes before going to bed!!
Well, it WAS my birthday after all!!

We're headed to Arizona for some post-birthday R&R.
Will probably eat way too much there!
Week 5 weigh-in will be a bit delayed until we get home.

Have a GREAT weekend y'all!!

xoxo,
Julie

WEEK FOUR

Well, I'll be turning 38 this week. I am happy that I have four weeks of this journey under my belt so far. For the most part, it hasn't been too bad. Self-sabotage has been the biggest hurdle. I really found myself letting my guard down and doing it "half-way" this weekend. I was too busy and too stressed to want to take the time to make smart decisions. I guess that happens to the best of us sometimes. Time to refocus this week. It won't be easy with all the birthday lunches with friends, Bible study potluck on Wednesday and 4-day weekend in Arizona - better get planning the meals that I have control over!!

Week Four Results: -1.3 pounds

Total Weight Loss: -11.4 pounds

Determination Level: HIGH

Have a GREAT week! Thanks for stoppin' by!

xoxo,

Julie

WEEK THREE

Happy belated Mother's Day to all you mommies!

Well, week three was a bit of an emotional roller coaster due largely in part to it being "my time of the month". Typically, I would eat my way through the week. This time I was able to control myself! Even with a box FULL of doughnuts in the kitchen, I was able to walk right past it and reach for my Fiber One cereal.

For breakfast on Mother's Day, Dave made me yummy EggBeater scrambled eggs with onions, peppers and low fat cheese - paired with my nonfat cappuccino, it was perfect.

Late into the week, I realized that I wasn't thinking about food every second of the day. I hate that about being on a diet! When you're not dieting, it seems like you hardly think about food - but when on a diet, it's ALL you think about!! Keeping busy and distracted helps!!

Well, this next weekend will be a real test. I'm headed to Mesa, AZ for the Bohemian Bliss Soiree. My goal is to enjoy myself AND to stay on program. I'll let your know how it goes!

Week Three Results: -4.4 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -10.1 pounds
Determination Level: STILL HIGH!

WEEK TWO

Well, week two wasn't as "great" as week one.

Reasons:
half-assed planning

too many BLT's (bites, licks & tastes)

making poor food choices even though I still had "POINTS"
PMS'ing

Goals for Week Three:

Plan, plan, plan!!

Avoid the BLT's

Start getting some exercise

Week Two Results: -1.1 pounds

Total Weight Loss: -5.7 pounds

Determination Level: HIGH!

xoxo,

Julie

Peruvian-Style Chicken Breasts

Here's a YUMMY chicken recipe from Weight Watchers.
You'll have to marinade the chicken, so make sure to plan ahead.
For me, the longer it marinades, the better!!

Makes 6 servings.

1/4 cup dry white wine
2 garlic cloves, peeled
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp olive oil
1 canned chipotle en adobo
2 tsp honey
2 tsp fresh thyme
2 tsp paprika
6 (8-ounce) bone-in chicken breasts, skinned
1/4 tsp salt

1. Combine the wine, garlic, soy sauce, lime juice, olive oil, chipotle, honey, thyme, and paprika in a blender; pulse on high speed until the mixture is smooth, about 2 minutes. Pour the marinade into a zip-close plastic bag; add the chicken. Squeeze out the air and seal bag; turn to coat the chicken. Refrigerate, turning the bag occasionally, 45 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 375 degrees; lightly spray a jelly-roll pan with nonstick spray.
3. Remove the chicken from the bag, discard the marinade, and arrange the chicken in the pan. Sprinkle chicken with salt, then roast, basting with the pan juices every 10 minutes, until cooked through, about 45 minutes. Remove chicken from the oven and brush with the pan juices.
   Per serving (1 breast): 194 Cal, 5g Fat, 1g Sat Fat, 92mg Chol, 312mg Sod, 1g Carb, 0g Fib, 34g Prot, 18mg Calc. POINTS: 4.
   
   Serve with some rice, black beans and a big salad and you've got a perfect meal!
   Delicioso!!

My First Week

Well, I made it through the first week. For the most part, it wasn't too bad. The biggest help was planning!! I had pretty much planned out my meals Monday - Friday.

I tried some great new recipes and I'll admit that it was good to get back into the kitchen and cook "real" food. I had gotten into the habit of using so many frozen foods that I wasn't really cooking very much. I definitely need to make sure to plan for the weekends too - even if that means a trip to the grocery store on Friday to stock up for the weekend.

Like I said, for the most part it wasn't so bad. Unfortunately, by Friday afternoon I noticed that I had gotten a bit grumpy. My friend asked if it was because I missed my favorite foods - could be. I think that as long as I have plenty of options stocked up here at home, I should be OK. I know that I don't have to deprive myself but I DO need to make better choices.

Three of my yummy choices this week:

Spicy Black Bean Burger - 2 points

The Skinny Cow Low Fat
Ice Cream Sandwiches - 2 points

TLC Pumpkin Pie Fruit & Grain Bar - 2 points

Stay tuned for one of the recipes I tried last week!

Week One Results: -4.6 pounds

xoxo,
Julie

The Journey Begins

I don't know how many times I've said it,

"I need to lose weight!".

I've also lost track of how many times I've said,

"I'm going on a diet!".

Well, add this to the list,

"I need to lose weight and
I'm going on a diet!".

I'm SO SICK of seeing pictures like this one!
I'll be 38 next month, I'm 198 pounds and I need to make a change! Instead of hiding from the camera, I've decided to use it to help keep me accountable to my weight loss journey. Even if no one else sees it, I'm going to journal my efforts here and hopefully see results.

My first two weeks, I'm going to work on changing my eatting habbits. I'll be following the Weight Watchers program. Week Three I will incorporate some exercise. I will "weigh-in" once a week and post a picture.

Well, here we go kids! Wish me luck!
Hope I'm a BIG loser!!

xoxo,
Julie