Faded pictures on the wall, it's like they talking to me

Wow, I am on a roll. 3 good days in a row!

I ate all of my planned meals. I did eat 3 cookies that weren't planned, but hey, I've been doing so good. I deserved a treat.

Ramp It Up was my workout. One more week on Ramp It Up and then it's on to Burn It Up. Oy vey, I am not looking forward to that.

NSV's
1. I went to Wal-Mart yesterday to pick up some groceries. I hadn't eaten lunch yet. In the check out line, the Reese's PB eggs were calling out to me. So were the million other treats that are stocked in the end lanes. I contemplated buying one for a bit, but didn't give in. I kept on snapping my gum, paid for my purchases and was on my way. That's a big deal for me because I'm a sucker for anything chocolate. I'm a sucker for anything CANDY!
2. There is this blouse that I scored on my day of awesomeness at Old Navy about a month ago. Well, I hadn't worn it because it was a bit snug in the tummy area and the buttons looked like they were going to pop off. Guess what I'm wearing today? Yes! The same blouse that didn't fit me a month ago, fits me nicely now! Woo hoo!! All that working out is paying off!

I'd put myself first and make the rules as I go

Wednesday was a perfect day. I know there is no such thing as perfect, but seriously, Wednesday was.

My eating was 100% on plan. I ate everything I had planned to eat and nothing else.

I got my workout in. Ramp It Up once again. It is definitely getting easier and easier.

And I cooked last night! I made the awesomeness that is Gina's Lighter Eggplant Parmesan.
Ok, ok, I know mine looks like a hot mess and looks nothing like Gina's but that's only because I don't know how to serve a lasagna correctly. But trust me...this stuff is a very big AWESOME. The boyfriend gave it a 10 and his parents ate it all up (and they had an extra serving!). I love Gina's! All the recipes I've tried from there have been huge successes. Check out her site (if you haven't already)!

Amanda at Becoming a Butterfly, why can't I leave you comments? (I hope you're reading this)

And another one gone and another one gone

Tuesday was a much better day!

My eating was a bit better. I was only 60% on plan, so that's a bad eating day. But if you ask me, it wasn't too bad.

I got in my Slim in 6 workout. Woo hoo! I love this stuff. My body feels more tight and toned each day that I do this. It's probably all in my head but I'd do anything for a pick-me-up. I am really trying to get in an AM workout but can't seem to get to bed at a decent hour to wake up early. I'm going to keep trying though.

I stood up late last night watching Zombieland and waiting for the boyfriend to get home from playing soccer. I am dead on my feet.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz...

Four walls won't hold me tonight

I had a great weekend.

But I'm really sleepy today.

My eating was all over the place. I didn't eat too much, but the some of the things I ate could have been better.

My workouts also could have been better. I took Friday off. Saturday and Sunday I only managed half of Ramp It Up each day. Whatever, at least I got something in.

This week I had a one-pound loss. Hooray! it's not much, but it's a loss. I know if I want to see more gone, I'm going to have to start REALLY cracking down on things.

********
My cat is crazy. Me and the boyfriend bought him one of these:

The one we bought isn't as fancy as this one

He is TERRIFIED of it. I tried to lay him on it so he can familiarize himself with it but I got clawed and he ran like crazy. Then the boyfriend tried and he got clawed. He is seriously spooked by it. Is this normal? Or is my cat a wimp?

Awaiting the hour of reprisal

It's Friday. I got to wake up another day. My little family is doing great. I have my job and food in my belly. I feel awesome!

Thursday = 50% good eating day (which equals a bad day!) Oh well, I had the most amazing brownies so I'm not that upset.

Workout - Ramp it Up - Damn you squats and doggy lifts!! (thanks Lynn!)

I cooked dinner last night so I was too beat to get in any time on the elliptical. But I am satisfied with the workout I got in so, again, I'm not too upset.


Recipe
The awesomest Veggie casserole EVER!

Tomato Vegetable Casserole (courtesy of Food Network)

1 medium potato, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 medium yam, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
2 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch pieces
5 tablespoons olive oil
1 red onion, thinly sliced into rings
2 small or 1 large zucchini, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick pieces
Salt and pepper
2 large ripe tomatoes, cut crosswise into 1/4-inch thick slices
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 tablespoons dried Italian-style bread crumbs
Fresh basil sprigs, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Toss the potato, yam, bell pepper, carrots, and 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a 13 by 9 by 2-inch baking dish to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss until coated. Spread vegetables evenly over the bottom of the pan.

Arrange the onion slices evenly over the vegetable mixture. Arrange the zucchini over the onion. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons of oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Arrange the tomato slices over the zucchini.

Stir the Parmesan and bread crumbs in a small bowl to blend. Sprinkle the Parmesan bread crumbs over the vegetables in the baking dish. Drizzle with the last tablespoon of olive oil.

Bake uncovered until the vegetables are tender, and the topping is golden brown, about 40 minutes. Garnish with fresh basil sprigs, if desired.

Makes 6 servings

I only used 3 tablespoons of olive oil instead of 5 and it came out great! I also used one slice of bread for bread crumbs (toss in food processor with Italian seasonings and voila! Italian style bread crumbs). I misread how much of the breadcrumbs I needed so that's why there's half a cup instead of 2 tablespoons (oops!). Also, I omitted the Parmesan cheese and basil. And I used a sweet potato instead of a yam (but they're the same thing, right?)

It came out super yummy and super flavorful. Seriously. The boyfriend isn't a big veggie fan but he said it was really good. And his parents gobbled up their serving. I figured out the nutritional info using Calorie King:

Calories: 185, Fat 8 (this may seem high, but it's a good fat), Protein 3, Fiber 5. Weight Watcher Points: 4

(these are approximations. I did count high, though.)

Have a great weekend everybody!

Tell it to me slowly

Wednesday was a 72% good eating day. That's a bad eating day in my book.

There is some good news though.

I did HIIT on the elliptical for 15 minutes. I could only do 15 because I started Ramp It Up. I seriously got my a** handed to me doing that workout and didn't have much energy or strength to get in a full half hour on the elli. Wow, I forgot how tough Ramp It Up is. My limbs felt like falling off of me and running away. Okay, okay, I'm exaggerating. But my legs and arms did in fact feel the burn.

Oh..

Do you know what leg lifts are? Or are they called butt lifts?
You can do them with a bent leg like this:

Or with a straight leg like this:
Well, whatever they're called and however you do them, I hate them with a fiery passion. I cringe when Debbie Siebers says "Okay, now onto the floor on all fours...(or something like that)" because I know soon, my butt cheeks will be on fire.

I just don't like them.

But I do them anyway because after 6 weeks, my butt will look sweet. And all that pain and suffering I went through will be TOTALLY worth it.

=)

I wake up every evening with a big smile on my face

I ate too much and I hated it.

I went on a bit of a donut binge yesterday. And I'm really paying for it this morning. I won't be doing that again.

My workout consisted of Slim in 6: Start It Up. I am done with the first workout. The regime is supposed to be as follows: six days of working out, 1 day of rest. The first workout is Start It Up. Do this for a couple of days just until you get comfortable with it. I did it for the first six days just to build up my strength a bit. The next workout is Ramp It Up; do this workout for about a week to a week and a half, just until you are comfortable. I'll probably do this for two weeks. The last and final workout is Burn It Up; do this workout for the remainder of the six weeks. That will be three weeks for me. And then I am done with Slim in 6 and I'll have the hot body that I've always wanted.

Not really. I'll probably start the 30 day shred workout and next, probably a kickboxing DVD (thanks for the idea Natalia!) I'll be on the look out for some more workout ideas. I cannot wait until it starts to get warmer and then I can take my workout outside! I am really looking forward to the spring!

Through the storm we reach the shore

Monday was my first 100% good eating day in a while! Hooray for good eating days!

I cooked dinner last night to give my boyfriend's mom a break. Plus, her cooking has been pretty blah lately. So, I was way too tired to get in my elliptical workout. But I did do Slim in 6. Today is my 6Th and last day on the first level of Slim in 6! Tomorrow, I start Ramp It Up and let me tell you, I am not looking forward to it.

RECIPE
I found this recipe in an issue of Cooking Light (October 2009). Now, you know I only try the things with inexpensive ingredients and easy ones. This recipe was cheap and super easy!

Where have all my capers gone?

Chicken with Lemon-Caper Sauce
4 (6 ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons capers, drained
3 tablespoons minced flat-leaf parsley

1. Place chicken between 2 sheets of plastic wrap; pound to an even thickness using a meat mallet or small heavy skillet. Sprinkle chicken evenly with salt and pepper. Place flour in a shallow dish; dredge chicken in flour.

2. Melt butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. Add chicken to pan; cook 3 minutes. Turn chicken over. Add broth, juice, and capers; reduce heat to medium, and simmer 3 minutes basting chicken occasionally with sauce. Sprinkle with parsley; cook 1 minute. Remove chicken from pan; keep warm.

3. Bring sauce to a boil; cook 2 minutes or until thick. Serve over chicken.

Yield 4 servings (serving size: 1 breast half and 1 tablespoon of sauce)
Nutritional Info

Seriously, this recipe was super easy and super yummy. The chicken came out very moist and flavorful. The only thing I would do different is once I've cooked one side of the chicken, I would turn it over and cook for 3 minutes, then add the liquids and capers. I followed the recipe and added the liquids right after turning over and the chicken did not cook all the way through so I had to cook it separately from the sauce for a bit. I also used dried parsley instead of fresh. It still came out awesome!

And pretend that none of us see the fall

Friday - SI6 Start it Up (day off from the elliptical)

Saturday - Me and the boyfriend decided to take a day off from working out.

Sunday - Back to the grind SI6 Start It Up and 30 min HIIT on the elli

My eating has just been ok. I can't give you percentages because I can't think straight right now. I am STARVING. I'm just waiting for the boyfriend to finish up his sweat session so we can pick something up. Don't worry, we'll be splitting it so it won't be too bad.

I hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and is ready to tackle another Monday morning.

By the by, GO COLTS!

Can't help but think of yesterday

Thursday was a 62% bad eating day. So it's going to have to go under the Bad Eating Day file. sigh, I'm beginning to see it really isn't worth working out and then messing it up by eating crap food. I'll see just how much it sucks when I weigh in on Monday.

My workouts have been great though. I did my beloved Slim in 6 and then HIIT on the elliptical for 30. That elliptical is seriously killing me. But I do feel great afterwards, drenched in my sweat. It's starting to feel really good to workout. I'm hoping I'm at the point where I don't have to think twice about it anymore. That it has become just one more of my daily rituals. Only time will tell.

This weekend is going to be a challenge only because weekends always are. I know my eating will be on plan (since I don't have money to be eating out), but I have to see if I can get my workouts in. Weekend days are lazy days and NO ONE likes to work out on lazy days.

Today seems like a good day to burn a bridge or two

I had a good run while it lasted.

On Wednesday, my eating was about 70% on plan. That constitutes as one bad day of eating. Somebody brought in some cookies to work and this was me for the rest of the day:

Coookies!

So as punishment, I decided to do a double workout. I went ahead and did the 30 minutes of HIIT on the elliptical machine. But first, I indulged in this doozy of a workout:
It's a love/hate relationship between me and Debbie. I love this workout because the results that I get from doing it are amazing, but I hate it because it gets pretty hard in the second and third levels. Oh well, I just have to suck it up.

I was wondering, Do you think it matters in what order you do your workouts? In respects to cardio and strength training? I like to do the strength training before the cardio, because the strength exercises make me stronger, thus making the cardio part more bearable. But to get maximum results, which one should go first? Or does it not matter at all?

Cardio before Strengh or Strength before Cardio?