Weeks ????

Where have you been, Chubby Cupcake?

I've been one busy Cupcake!  So much going on, so much to do!

Deathy ill new puppy (he's better now), cupcake orders to fill, projects to finish, wonderful art-filled weekend with friends, the Moulin Flu, sick kids, husband with staph infection, school parties, etsy orders, baby shower favors.....

What about your weight-loss journey?

It's been a bit of a rollercoaster.  Only a couple of bumps in the road, but bumps just the same.  I've decided to let myself have the bumps, but not get hung up on them.  Accept responsibility for them and move on.

At "Moulin Rouge" with Daniel

Me and my Maija ♥

So.......?

Well, here's where I'm at right now:

• trying to make better food choices
• drinking LOTS of water
• finally getting in some activity (at least 3 times a week)
• setting new goals

Hopefully, I'll have GOOD news to report next time!

♥Julie

Week Ten Results: + 0.2 pounds
Week Eleven Results: -0.6 pounds

Week Twelve Results: +1.2 pounds

Week Thirteen Results: -3.4 pounds 

Total Weight Loss: -24.2 POUNDS

WEEKS EIGHT & NINE!

Woo-hoo!! Good-bye to the first TWENTY POUNDS!!!

I wasn't sure it was going to happen, but it did!!  Now it's time to stay focused and keep on going!

Gems of the Week:

single-serve vegetables are ready in minutes in the microwave

I LLLOOOVVVEEE these!!

The Broccoli & Cheese Sauce is worth 1 POINT!

The Broccoli, Carrots & Italian Seasoning is 0 POINTS!

vegetables steamed to perfection

These tasty blends feature unique vegetables such as Parisian-style carrots and golden cauliflower in a low-fat olive oil or butter sauce. You cook them right in the bag!! SOOOO good!!

PoinstPlus Value: 0-2 POINTS

WEEK TEN is BUSY, BUSY, BUSY!!!  Can't get lazy when it comes to my weight-loss journey!  Have a GREAT week, y'all!

♥ Julie

Week Eight Results: -1.6 pounds

Week Nine Results: -2.2 pounds

Total Weight Loss: -21.6 POUNDS

WEEKS FIVE, SIX & SEVEN!

I've been slightly MIA when it comes to blogging the last few weeks.  We've been battling the cold/flu, working on school projects, cupcake orders, and to top it off... a brand spankin' new PUPPY!!

Sophie and the new baby, Bo

I can't say that I've been all that great with "goals" so far this year.  My art journal sits on the table with only one entry in it and my closet remains FULL of unworn clothes.  BUT... I have been making better choices with what I'm eating and I've been trying to move more (even if I can't get in regular exercise).  Finding little things (I like to call, "My Favorite Finds") have helped a lot!

MY FAVORITE FINDS:

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE Thomas' Bagel Thins and right now, the Cinnamon Raisin are my FAVS!

WW PointsPlus Value: 3 Points!!

Weight Watchers Cream Cheese Spread in single serving cups are SO convenient!  They are perfect with my Bagel Thins!

WW PointsPlus Value: 2 Points

Last, but not least, Torani Sugar Free Almond Roca Syrup.  My Mom & Dad got me hooked on this stuff when they were here last month!  I heat up some nonfat milk in my frother, add some syrup, and whip up some frothy goodness! Pour into my travel mug, add coffee, and ENJOY!!  Who needs Starbucks with this stuff around! (Don't tell Starbucks I said that!)

WW PointsPlus Value for my Almond Roca Latte: 2 Points

So, my "goals" for this week... I'm not going to stress about the things I don't get done.  I have decided to claim the things that I do accomplish as victories and move on from there!  One step at a time!

Here's to a week FULL of small victories!

♥ Julie

Week Five Results: +1 pound
Week Six Results: -2.4 pounds
Week Seven Results: -2.4 pounds

Total Weight Loss: -17.8 POUNDS

WEEK FOUR!

Boy, does it STINK to be sick when you're trying to stay on a weight loss program!  I've spent the better part of the last FIVE days battling the cold/flu!  It has kicked my butt!  I haven't been able to do ANYTHING!  The couch and I have become close friends.  One minute I'm starving and the next I can't stand the site (or smell) of food!  There was NO WAY I was going to be able to stick to any kind of program!  I decided it was more important to get well then worry about journaling or tracking Points.

I worried that this would be a road block to my progress, but I then convinced myself that this would be a "rest stop" instead!  So, even though I lost weight this week, I am still going to focus on my road to recovery and worry about the rest later.

Goals for this week:  GET WELL!!

♥ Julie

Week Four Results: -4.2 pounds

Total Weight Loss: - 14.0 POUNDS

WEEK THREE!

UGH! Sooooo close....!!

I came SO CLOSE to being able to cross off my first 10 pounds this week!  Unfortunately, I only lost .8 pounds, so I'll have to wait til next week to do it!

I did increase my activity this week by helping my dad demolish the sidewalk on the side of my house.

I was hoping to have worked more of that gut off but not so much.  I did get rid of a few tons of concrete and now I have a pretty new sidewalk!

With all of the "work" being done around the house, all of my other "to do" lists have gone untouched.  I hope to get to them soon.  For right now, I'm just going to concentrate on getting things straightened up and keeping up with my food journal!  Baby steps!!

♥ Julie

Week Three Results: -0.8 pounds
Total Weight Loss: -9.8 POUNDS

WeEk TwO!

Well, Week Two flew by!  We're in the middle of some home improvement projects (thanks to my Mom & Dad coming down to assist).  Once the dust settles, I'll find some time to sit down with my poor, EMPTY art journal.  This week I'll get rid of 10 pieces of clothing since I didn't get to it last week!

We've been using the Crock-Pot a lot this week.  Here's one of the recipes we tried:

Chili with Turkey & Beans

Ingredients:

1 pound ground turkey

2 cans (14 ounces) fire roasted diced tomatoes, undrained

2 cans (14 ounces) sodium-free kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 cans (14 ounces) sodium-free black beans, rinsed and drained

8 ounces tomato sauce

4 ounces mild green chilies, chopped

1 cup onion, chopped

1 cup shredded carrot

1 cup chopped celery

3 tablespoons chili powder

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

4 teaspoons ground cumin

1 teaspoon Tabasco sauce

1 teaspoon sea salt

1/2 cup amaretto (optional)

Directions:

Cook turkey and onion in medium skillet over medium-high heat, stirring to break up meat, until turkey is no longer pink.  Drain; place turkey mixture into the slow cooker.  Add remaining ingredients; mix well.  Cover; cook on High 7 hours.

Makes about 6 (1 1/4 cup) servings.

WW PointsPlus Points: 7

Week Two Results: -2.8

Total Weight Loss: -9.0

Week One!

Week One down and I'm feeling pretty good! It really does make a difference when you are NOT eating anything and everything in sight AND when you're NOT eating fast food 3-4 times a week!

I'm on the new Weight Watchers Points Plus program.  I've found that a lot of the things I used to eat on program are worth more points now.  I do get more points per day on the new program, but it's still hard to get used to.  One of the things I LOVE about the new program is that fruit is 0 POINTS!!!  That's AWESOME!!

So... Week One Results:

• Concentrated on my food intake and only eating when hungry
  (although I felt like I was ALWAYS hungry!).
• Didn't get a chance to do any more with my art journal.
• Complained less - smiled more!
• Weight Loss: 6.2 POUNDS!!!

Goals for Week Two:

• Keep up with my food "log".
• Make at least one entry in my art journal.
• Get rid of 5 pieces of clothing - time to get that closet cleaned out!

See ya next week!

xoxo,

Julie ♥

Livin' LARGE in 2010!

HaPpY 2011!!

The Chubby Cupcake is back and

livin' LARGE (literally)!

Me and my boys at Thanksgiving



I can't believe that it's been a YEAR since my last post!  Actually, looking at the number on the scale, I can TOTALLY believe it!  Yup, I've been livin' large.

Like most people, I started 2010 with good intentions (helping to pave that "road").  For many reasons and excuses, my plan never stuck.  The only thing that was of any benefit was that I was able to keep up with semi-regular activity - until late September.  When that stopped, the pounds really started to add up.  I spent most of that time kidding myself that "at least I've only gone up one size".  I'm pretty sure that what is now considered a size 14 is what used to be a size 16!  Those darn clothing manufacturers are only helping us with our delusions!  Anyway...

New year - new start!  It's time to give it another try.  This time, I hope to work on the inside as well as the outside.  The Chubby Cupcakes wants to be the best that she can be!

So, here's the damage... 197.4 pounds.

Goals for this week:

work on menu planning

drink more WATER

I've also started an art journal - to keep my creative juices flowing.

Best of luck to all of you who have begun a new journey in 2011.  Let me know how it goes.  I'll be rooting for ya!

Julie ♥