Week 1 goal

I know I'm not a regular poster either but I usually check at least once a week. I'd like to officially inaugurate the first goal (start nice and slow). Lets pledge to drink at least 64 oz. of Water each day this week. I'm feeling dehydrated right now :D

If you dont read this post until Thursday (for example), then start your week then. I vote that Kathy posts the 2nd week goal and Lilla posts the 3rd week goal and Zel posts the 4th week goal and then we continue on that way. Also, we can post our progress throughout the week, even if its not satisfactory. We can find support in the hard days from others suggestions.

I find it best to grab my 32 oz. water bottle when I leave in the AM. Therefore I know I only have to down two of those. Also, I think i need to drink a little more water than you all because I am over 5'5" :D.

Congrats Lilla on Healthy snacks! Heres a tasty recipe that should have you feeling full and satisfied. I recommend if you're especially craving pasta.

Spaghetti with Feta and Sun-dried Tomatoes

Ingredients:
1 regular sized spaghetti squash
2 Tb. Olive Oil
2 cloves garlic
1/2 C. walnuts (hand crushed, just squeeze them into the dish)
1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper to your liking
2 oz. Crumbled feta
2 oz. sliced sun-dried tomatoes
(I think this is right, I eyeballed all of it)

Directions: Cut the squash in half. Scoop out the seeds/hairy bits (no recipes that i referenced told me to do this, but when I was cleaning it later I was thinking I should have done it earlier). Place cut side down on cookie sheet sprayed with oil. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-40mins. take out, scrape the squash out, forming spaghetti like tendrils and place in saute pan with already warmed olive oil and minced garlic. Add the rest of the spices and ingredients and combine. Heat till warmed through and serve. Yummm yumm. I have no idea how many this serves but I had plenty of leftovers for lunch and dinner the next day. I paired it with steamed asparagus.

Happy shrinking!

Hey there all-sorry I've been so awful about posting. Anyway, I like the weekly goals a lot too. My goal this week is to snack on veggies and hummus instead of junk food. I've been finding that if I buy veggies and cut them up right away instead of having to cut them up each time i need a snack, it's easier to make the healthy choice. I also went for a run today after having a particularly physical rehearsal that tired me out and showed me how out of shape i am. It was rough but it was such a nice day out that I couldn't come up with an excuse not to run. Anyway good luck everybody I miss and love you all.

I'm with you Megan Mae!!!!

Megan-I like the idea of mini ie weekly goals.I think there are many options we can explore-perhaps we could rotate choosing a weekly goal.Goals might include drinking at least 64 ounces of water everyday all week, or exercising a total of 2.5 hours during the the week,or counting calories 4 out of seven days-well I'm sure you all get the idea.I think it's a great idea-shall we give it a try? Love KD.. PS I will check out the calorie counting web site-yesterday I was at Wegmans thinking about picking up a dozen chicken wings to have for dinner with a salad-I happened to glance at the calorie stats listed-390 calories for 3 wings!!!!!!!!!!!! Yikes who knew!!!(no wings for this shrinker).

Lets geeet Physical, Physical

I dont know about you guys, but this whole thing seemed so much more daunting in the beginning because I figured I was doing it alone. Its great to know I have my fellow shrinkers now. I am still trying to figure out how to move to the 10 lb goal (i've been rewarding myself too much lately for my good habits that helped me shed 6 since January)and I wanted to share some of the things that I have been doing.

I found this great website that helps me count calories. I NEVER EVER EVERRRR thought I would be a calorie counter. But I had to do it for the study that I'm In, AND the key to weight loss is to burn calories. I had no idea how many calories were in some of the things I was eating until I started reallllly reading the labels and looking up figures. For example, I always thought a good healthy dose of olive oil could never hurt anybody, but one tablespoon actually has 120 calories (at least my extra virgin olive oil does). Even though it is heart healthy it should be used sparingly. Following recipes like the ones from cooking light have been eye opening...wait, I dont need to put an entire stick of butter in something for it to taste GREAT?! Newsflash :D. I actually have probably purchased something like 80% less butter than I usually would since January.

The point of this post is that this is what I have learned that has helped me loose some weight. I want to share a calorie counting website that I use that helps me keep track of my goals. It factors in exercize, helps you keep track of water intake, and has a tool where you can input recipes to calculate calories and nutritional info (helpful for me when I make up my own recipes). I would reccomend trying it for a few days..you dont have to calculate every day, but I have found that on the days i'm not actively calculating I eat way more calories than when I'm not.

The website is www.myfitnesspal.com. Its free and doesnt bug you once you sign up or dont visit it for a while.

I also wondered if you ladies would be up to setting mini goals for ourselves as a group, or personally on a weekly level. We've been doing this in my research group. Some of my goals have been to exercize in the AM, or to find a home workout routine that works for me, or to eat more vegetables, etc. Stating a goal and having someone hold you to it is so motivating. We could do that here! Let me know, no pressure. I'm just feeling particularly motivated right now because I'm seeing all the spring clothes in my closet that I don't quite fit into anymore and would love to wear them as soon as it gets warm out. I'm also going to Florida in one month. Soooo, now I feel like I have the tools at my disposal to buckle down. Who's with me! Love you all and happy shrinking :D

FLORIDA

Ugggggghhhhh I'm with you guys. It's been so much harder than I thought it would be to motivate myself into doing some exercise. BUT with a trip to Florida planned in less than a month I've found a new reason to get on that freakin treadmill. I've found that if I only let myself watch a certain show on netflix while I'm running. . .I run. hahahah

Anywho, here's the shrimp recipe Mom was referring to:

Coconut Spinach Shrimp Soup
(makes 9 and 1/2 cups)

1 Tbsp Wegmans Pure Olive Oil
1 pkg (16 oz) Food You Feel Good About Just Picked and Quickly Frozen Cut Leaf Spinach
1 can (13.5 oz) Choakoh Coconut Milk (International Foods)
1 carton (32 oz) Food You Feel Good About Thai Culinary Stock
1 pkg (16 oz) Food You Feel Good About Uncooked Peeled and Deveined Shrimp from Belize, thawed (36-40ct)
2 1/2 Tbsp Wegmans Soy Sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste

1. Add oil and spinach to stockpot on MEDIUM. Cook, stirring, 3-4 min to partially thaw spinach.

2. Add coconut milk and stock; bring to simmer on MED-HIGH.

3. Stir in shrimp. Cover and remove from heat. Let stand for about 5 min, until internal temp of shrimp reaches 130 degrees. Check by inserting thermometer halfway into thickest part of shrimp. Stir in soy sauce and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Each serving (1 cup) contains 170 cal, 1/2 cup veggies, 7g carc (2g fiber), 13g protein, 10g fat (5g sat. fat), 60 mg cholesterol, 580 mg sodium

We really enjoyed this one, and it was so easy that Mom and I played Wii the whole time she was making it : D

blah blah blah

Kathy, I'm feeling the same way! I did not want to be in the gym at all for the past few weeks. I kicked myself back into action by finding a workout that I can do at home. I'm still trying to find one that I really like but it has been fun seeing what's available though netflix. I'm enjoying a kickboxing one now.

I also decided to treat myself to some new running shoes. They're gray and neon pink and super fun. It makes me want to go and be active just looking at them!

I have been struggling with the exercise part very much, but the past few days have been sunny so I have hope!

I created this new recipe in a pinch when I had to make a really quick dinner. It was deeeeelish and really healthy so I wanted to share it.

Pesto Goat Cheese Orzo

1 1/3 Cooked Orzo
3 oz. Goat Cheese
2 Tbs. Pesto
1/2 c. chopped red and yellow peppers
1/2 c. hand crushed walnuts

Combine all ingredients over low heat. Sprinkle with parmesean cheese. Enjoyyyy! We paired the leftovers the next night with pork chops.

WINTER BLAHS

Am I the only one suffering from the mid-winter blahs or is everyone in the same boat?I am finding it almost impossible to get into the weight loss/exercise groove! Help, I need some motivation and looking in the mirror isn't enough!!! Hope that I am the only Shrinker feeling this way.Zel is going to post a soup recipe for me that is easy,quick, and yummy (right Zel?). BLOG SOON. LOVE KD