Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Weighing-In: Week 5

I'm sorry about the late posting this week, I was coming up on the end of the 30 day challenge with my sister-in-law and wanted to finish that out so I could post an update.

BEGINNING WEIGHT: 156.6 LBS
WEEK 1 WEIGHT: 157.6 LBS
WEEK 2 WEIGHT: 156.0 LBS
WEEK 3 WEIGHT: 153.6 LBS
WEEK 4 WEIGHT: 152.8 LBS
WEEK 5 WEIGHT: 152.6 LBS
GOAL WEIGHT: 144.0 LBS

BEGINNING WAIST: 39 IN
WEEK 1 WAIST: 39 IN
WEEK 2 WAIST: 38.5 IN
WEEK 3 WAIST: 38.25 IN
WEEK 4 WAIST: 37.5 IN
WEEK 5 WAIST: 37 IN
GOAL WAIST: 35 IN

MONDAY:

-45 jumping jacks, 45 burpees, 45 high knees

TUESDAY:

-45 bridges, 45 squats, 45 lunges

WEDNESDAY:

-REST day

THURSDAY:

-100 second planks, 50 triceps dips, 50 mountain climbers

FRIDAY:

-50 jumping jacks, 50 burpees, 50 high knees

SATURDAY:

-50 bridges, 50 squats, 50 lunges

SUNDAY:

-REST day

MONDAY:

-60 triceps dips, 60 jumping jacks, 60 mountain climbers

TUESDAY:

-60 high knees, 60 squats, 60 lunges

In 30 days, I lost 5 labs and shed 2 inches off my waist!! I also went and had my blood work done this week so I'm excited to get my results back; I can tell you my BP was 93/49!! That's amazing. I've always had good BP but it's been a while since it's been this low!

If you want to learn more about my sister-in-law and how she can help you, visit her page at: http://www.teambeachbody.com/briannaray88

Now, what to do since the 30 day challenge is over.... got any suggestions??

Monday, February 9, 2015

Weighing In: Week 4

I'm very excited after this week!! I continue to inch ever-closer to my end goals, so close!!

BEGINNING WEIGHT: 156.6 LBS
WEEK 1 WEIGHT: 157.6 LBS
WEEK 2 WEIGHT: 156.0 LBS
WEEK 3 WEIGHT: 153.6 LBS
WEEK 4 WEIGHT: 152.8 LBS
GOAL WEIGHT: 144.0 LBS

BEGINNING WAIST: 39 IN
WEEK 1 WAIST: 39 IN
WEEK 2 WAIST: 38.5 IN
WEEK 3 WAIST: 38.25 IN
WEEK 4 WAIST: 37.5 IN
GOAL WAIST: 35 IN

MONDAY:

-35 bridges, 35 squats, 35 lunges

TUESDAY:

-REST day

WEDNESDAY:

-80 second plank, 40 triceps dips, 40 mountain climbers

THURSDAY:

-40 jumping jacks, 40 burpees, 40 high knees

 
FRIDAY:

-40 bridges, 40 squats, 40 lunges

SATURDAY:

-REST day

SUNDAY:

-90 second plank, 45 triceps dips, 45 mountain climbers

Good week this week despite being given Red Velvet Oreo's, I don't know the last time I actually bought Oreo's, they just keep being given to me!!

I'm coming up on the end of my sister's challenge so I'll have to step-up my own exercise! Time to bust out the bike!!!
 

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Weighing in: Week 3

 
 

Well, I did much better with my nutrition last week and the results showed it!


I eliminated all the sweets from my house but my sweet neighbor dropped off my absolute weakness, OREOS, and of course I had to eat them. It's like my kryptonite honestly.

Aside from those sweets, I was almost perfect! Eggs and grapefruit for breakfast, cut out dinner rolls for dinner (bread--another weakness of mine) and I upped the water to where it needs to be.  I like to shoot for at least 100 oz of water since I've started exercising again and still nursing my little.

Ok, so these are huge improvements like the big name weight loss products offer, but as a health coach who studied exercise and nutrition throughout college I know those products can offer a lot of roller coaster results with weight. 

BEGINNING WEIGHT: 156.6 LBS
WEEK 1 WEIGHT: 157.6 LBS
WEEK 2 WEIGHT: 156.0 LBS
WEEK 3 WEIGHT: 153.6 LBS
GOAL WEIGHT: 144.0 LBS

BEGINNING WAIST: 39 IN
WEEK 1 WAIST: 39 IN
WEEK 2 WAIST: 38.5 IN
WEEK 3 WAIST: 38.25 IN
GOAL WAIST: 35 IN

MONDAY:

-REST day; I should have gone running but my little had to share me with another infant and just wanted some mom-time... I was happy to oblige.
TUESDAY:

-60 second plank, 25 triceps dips, 25 mountain climbers

WEDNESDAY:

-30 jumping jacks, 30 burpees, 30 high knees

THURSDAY:

-30 bridges, 30 squats, 30 lunges
To add a little bit of a challenge, when I do bridges, I put my little on my core and this is my view... I think it's pretty cute!
FRIDAY:

-REST day

SATURDAY:

-70 second plank, 30 triceps dips, 30 mountain climbers

SUNDAY:

-30 jumping jacks, 30 burpees, 30 high knees

I fell off on the weekend due to sickness in our house but I'm getting back on it now.  You'll fall off a few times but it's a matter of getting started again.
 

Tried and Tested: Crockpot Freezer Meals Part 2

If you missed the first part and first five recipes, do yourself a favor and click here to see it!
 

I promise I have more than just chicken crockpot meals but I can't help it, they are just too good!

General Tips for Crockpot Cooking:

1. If cooking frozen meals, don't put them into a warmed crockpot.  Doing so can actually cause some damage to your pot (don't ask me how I know this unless you brought some tissue and a shoulder for me to cry on).

 2. I find it best to thaw your meals before putting it in the pot.  Some of the bigger meals won't fit if frozen and then you don't have to worry about extra time if it's frozen.  This can be done in the fridge the night before or, if you are like me and can't rely on yourself to plan that far ahead sometimes, you can thaw the meal still in the bag in a sink of water (you'll be surprised how quickly it actually works).

3.  If you hate cleaning your crockpot, and you use it as often as I do, there are crockpot liners for your crockpot which makes cleaning up so much easier. I still haven't started using them but that's mainly because I keep forgetting them (shopping once a month makes it hard to remember).

4. I like to cook all my recipes on low if I can but if not, cut the time in half (usually 3-4 hours) and cook it on high.

In this post:
Hawaiian Chicken
Cilantro Lime Chicken
Teriyaki Chicken
Tex-Mex Chicken
Not Chicken Pot Pie

Hawaiian Chicken

-2 or 3 Chicken Breasts
-1/2 C. Sugar
-1/2 C. Vinegar
-1/2 C. Pineapple Juice (I do 1 C. Pineapple Juice for a bit more sweetness)
-3 Garlic Cloves Minced
-2 T. Soy Sauce (I do 3 T. to play off the pineapple juice more)
-1/2 Can Pineapple chunks (I usually get the large chunks and cut them in half so there are more in every bite!)

Cook on Low 6-7 Hours
Shred Chicken and serve over rice

Thoughts: So I'll be honest, not one of my absolute favorites but it's growing on me.  Others have really seemed to enjoy it, I just need more of a wow factor.  I also like to top it with crushed red pepper flakes to give it a pop of spice.

Cilantro Lime Chicken

-24 oz salsa
-Juice of 1 Lime
-1/4 C. fresh Cilantro
-1 Packet Taco Seasoning
-2 JalapeƱos (chopped)
-6 boneless chicken breasts

Cook on low 4-6 hours
Serve chicken with salsa mixture spooned over top or shred chicken and use as taco/burrito filling.

Thoughts: This one surprised me; I'm a bit of a Mexican fan--anything with Cumin in it is my friend. I prefer to just shred all the chicken and then I can use it in a burrito which is good or over rice which is delicious also!!

Teriyaki Chicken

-3 Chicken breasts, cubed (lazy-Sara leaves them whole and shreds them when they are done cooking)
-1 C. Teriyaki Sauce
-1 C. Water
-2/3 C. Brown Sugar
-3 Cloves Garlic Minced
-Dash of Ginger

Cook on low 4-6 hours
Serve over rice

Thoughts: I'm still trying to find a way to improve this one.  If you have an idea let me know!

Tex-Mex Chicken

-1 lb Chicken (2-3 breasts)
-16 oz salsa
-15 oz black beans (drained/rinsed)
-15 oz pinto beans (drained/rinsed)
-15 oz frozen corn (if you use canned, drain/rinse)
-1/4 C Fresh Cilantro
-1 Medium Onion
-14.5 oz Chicken Broth
-1 packet Taco Seasoning

Cook on low 6-8 hours, high 3-4 hours
Remove chicken and shred
Use over rice, burrito/enchilada filling, etc.

Thoughts: This one is delicious over rice but even better as a burrito! When I try this next, I'm going to roll them into burritos, put them in a pan and top with red enchilada sauce.

Not Chicken Pot Pie

-3 or 4 Chicken breasts
-2 cans cream of chicken
-4 or 5 medium potatoes peeled and diced (DO NOT FREEZE)
-2 C. Frozen peas and carrots
-Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook on low 6-8 hours
Shred chicken
Serve over or with biscuits

Thoughts: I made the mistake of freezing my potatoes in with the meal and they turned black basically ruining the whole meal. After trying it again I rather enjoyed it so don't make my mistake and freeze your potatoes.