Week 3 Weigh In

It's week 3 and I'm starting to see results! Not quite enough yet for me to post any pictures, I'm pretty shy about that. Hopefully there will be some visible changes soon so you can also see my progress. Here are the stats for this week:

Week 1 Starting Weight: 175.8

Week 2 Weight: 172.8

Lost 3lbs!

Next Goal Weight: 170

Ultimate Goal: 125

Highest All-Time Weight: 188

Lowest All-Time Weight: 140

Week 3 Measurements:

Neck: 13.75   -0.25

Chest: 38   -1

Bust: 42   -1

Ribs: 35   +1

Waist: 38   -0

Hips: 40   -2

Gluts: 42.5   -1.5

R Arm: 12.5   -0.5

L Arm: 13   -0.5
R Thigh: 24   -0
L Thigh: 24   -0

R Calf: 15.5   0.5

L Calf: 15.5   -0.5

7.75 in. lost total! 

I'd say that's pretty good progress! I'd imagine the actual weight loss isn't as much because  of the weight training I've been doing. I'm looking forward to the upcoming weeks and my continuing progress!

Friday Firestarter #1

Thank God it's Friday! We all love the weekend, but I think we can all admit it's also the part of the week we can slack off the most. We've been bustin' our cute little butts all week, so don't we deserve a break? Maybe, but will that break be worth it when it slows down or even reverses our progress towards a more healthy lifestyle? 

Friday may just be the day of the week we need motivation to keep up the hard work the most. Each Friday, I'll be posting a new motivational image I've discovered on Pinterest or other sites to help give us all a boost. Don't give up now!

This particular image really speaks to me as I have thought numerous times that I'm almost halfway through my 20s and I'm still heavy. Aren't our 20s supposed to be the years we are in the best shape of our lives? Isn't this the time of a woman's life where she should feel young and sexy? These thoughts have often discouraged me into feeling like there was just no point in me getting fit now when that part of my life is almost over anyway. This pic helps me remember that it truly is never too late to be what I should have been. With some hard work and responsible, healthy eating I can still have those sexy 20s!

Happy Friday everyone and keep it up!

Delish' Dinners #1

Via skinnytaste.com

Delish' Dinners #1

Spaghetti with Sauteed Chicken and Grape Tomatoes

I found this recipe on Pinterest and added it to my Recipes to Try board, and am I ever glad I did!. This was fairly simple to make and didn't take too much time, though you will end up using a large pot and two frying pans so this could add to your dish washing load. I loved the blend of oregano and basil on the chicken and the mixed flavors of the garlic, tomato, and mushroom. This recipe does not call for mushroom, however I love them so I added a few to the garlic/tomato saute at the end.

Please note that this is not my recipe and I am only re-posting the original from skinnytaste.com with the modifications I made during my preparation.

Spaghetti with Sauteed Chicken and Grape Tomatoes
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes

Servings: 4 • Serving Size: 1 1/2 cups • Old Points: 5.5 pts • Points+: 9 pts
Calories: 329.7 • Fat: 6.8 g • Carb: 48.3 g • Fiber: 7.2 g • Protein: 25.0 g

Ingredients: 

• 2 skinless chicken breast halves, diced in 1 inch cubes
• cooking spray
• 1/2 tsp each of dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp Gourmet Garden Basil Herb Blend
• kosher salt and fresh pepper
• 8 oz spaghetti (high fiber or low carb) I used Ronzoni Smart Taste
  
• 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
• 1 1/2 cups mushrooms of your choice
• 6 cloves garlic, smashed and coarsely chopped
• 4 tsp extra virgin olive oil

Directions:
Bring a large pot of salted water to boil.

Season chicken generously with salt, pepper, oregano and basil. Heat a large skillet on high heat. When hot, spray with oil and add chicken. Cook about 3-4 minutes, until no longer pink. Remove chicken and set aside.

Add pasta to large pot and cook according to package directions. Reserve about 1/2 cup pasta water before draining.

While pasta cooks, add olive oil to skillet on high heat. Add garlic and sauté until golden brown (do not burn). Add tomatoes, mushrooms, salt and pepper and reduce heat to medium-low. Sauté about 4-5 minutes. When pasta is drained, add pasta to tomatoes and toss well. If pasta seems too dry, add some of the reserved pasta water. Add chicken and toss well. Serve and enjoy!

I personally didn't end up needing to use the reserved pasta water as I sauteed my tomato mixture and pasta for a couple minutes before adding the chicken on top.

I hope you enjoy this one as much as I did! Please feel free to leave comments on how your version turns out! Do you suggest adding anything?

Happy Healthy Eating!

First Weigh In!

First Weigh In!

This is the first weigh in of my lifestyle change. I've been exercising and eating right from a week before this, but didn't have the scale or the measuring tape. I was pleasantly surprised with my weight as I expected it to be in the 180s so already some good news!

Week 1 Starting Weight: 175.8
Next Goal Weight: 170
Ultimate Goal : 125
Highest All-time Weight: 188
Lowest All-time Weight: 140

Week 1 Starting Measurements: 

 Neck: 14in
Chest: 39
Bust: 43
Ribs: 34
Waist: 38
Hips: 42
Gluts: 44
R Arm: 13
L Arm 13.5
R Thigh: 24
L Thigh 24
R Calf: 16
L Calf: 16

So as you can see, I have a long way to go, but I already feel like I'm making good progress. Check back next Tuesday for the Week 2 weigh in! I also plan on posting progress pictures that day as well. Obviously there won't be much difference, but it will be good to have them around for when I do start seeing results.