Weight Loss Wednesday AND Fantastic Food Friday

Weight Loss This Week:  1.6lbs again!  Since I didn't post, I'll report that last week I ended up somehow gaining 0.4.  I think it was because I started resistance training after not doing any lifting for months.

Total Weight Loss So Far:  9.6 lbs (Original weight-in:  163.4; Today's weigh-in:  153.8)  I'm officially the lowest I've weighed since having Bristol in April.  Yay!!

Eating Plan:  Weight Watchers Points Plus 

Exercise Plan:  Trying to fit some activity in everyday with at least 4 great cardio workouts of a half hour or more and 3 solid resistance training sessions, also half hour or more.

New Weight Loss or Diet Knowledge to Share:  The new WW points plus program takes into account how our bodies process what we eat.  It takes more energy to process protein and fiber, so these elements in a food make it fewer points, while it takes less energy to process carbs and fat, so those elements make a food more points.  Make sense?  Protein and fiber also make us feel fuller for a longer period of time.  Thus, I'm eating more protein-rich and fiber-rich foods than ever before!

This past week I really focused on the importance of drinking water throughout the day.  I bought these cups for Jaden and Sienna for Christmas (errr, I mean Santa did), but I'm using one each day for myself:

Recipes to Share:  A week and a half ago I found this incredible crock pot recipe magazine at the grocery store.  I love so many of the recipes and can't wait to incorporate them into my make-ahead meals:





So that you all won't feel left out, I thought I'd share four of the recipes that are currently making me drool:

Hearty Vegetable Beef Stew Now:  Nonstick cooking spray 2 lb beef chuck roast cut into cubes 12 oz tiny new potatoes, quartered 4 carrots cut into ½-in pieces 1 med onion cut into wedges 1 10.75 oz reduced fat condensed cream of mushroom soup 1 cup low sodium beef broth 1 teaspoon dried marjoram or dried thyme 2 cups frozen cut green beans Brown beef cubes in skillet coated w/ non-stick spray.  Drain fat.  Cool & place into a freezer bag.  Add remaining ingredients.  Freeze. Later: Take stew out of freezer 24-48 hours before cooking and thaw entire time in refrigerator. Cook in crock pot on low setting 8 hours. Makes 6 servings, each serving is 8 Weight Watchers Points Plus

Teriyaki Chicken Now:  3-3 ½ lb meaty chicken pieces (bone-in, skinned) ¼ cup reduced-sodium soy sauce ¼ cup dry sherry ¼ cup water 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 2 cloves garlic, minced Place all ingredients, uncooked, into a freezer bag.  Freeze. Later: 6 cups sliced bok choy or shredded Chinese cabbage 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds Take chicken out of freezer 24-48 hours before cooking and thaw entire time in refrigerator. Cook in crock pot on low setting 5-6 hours.  Add bok choy last 5 minutes.  Serve sprinkled with sesame seeds. Makes 6-8 servings, each is 6 Weight Watchers Points Plus

Mexican Meatball Stew Now:  2 14.5 oz cans Mexican style stewed tomatoes, undrained 24 oz frozen cooked Italian-style turkey meatballs 1 15 oz can black beans, rinsed & drained 1 14.5 oz can seasoned chicken broth w/ roasted garlic 10 oz frozen whole kernel corn Put all ingredients into freezer bag, mix & freeze. Later: Fresh oregano Take stew out of freezer 24-48 hours before cooking and thaw entire time in refrigerator. Cook in crock pot on low setting 6-7 hours. Garnish with fresh oregano to serve. Makes 8-10 servings, each serving is 8 Weight Watchers Points Plus

Sassy Pork Chops Now: 2 med peppers (red, green and / or yellow) 2 stalks celery thinly sliced ½ cup chopped onion 8 bone-in pork loin chops, ¾ inch thick ½ teaspoon garlic salt ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ¼ cup reduced-sodium chicken broth ¼ cup orange juice 1 tablespoons chipotle chile peppers in adobo sauce ½ teaspoon dried oregano Season chops with salt & pepper, brown on both sides.  Cool and put into freezer bag with remaining ingredients.  Freeze. Later: Take chops out of freezer 24-48 hours before cooking and thaw entire time in refrigerator. Cook in crock pot on low setting 6-7 hours.  Makes 8 servings, each serving is 5 Weight Watchers Points Plus

Don't say I never did anything for ya ;-)   haha!

Favorite {Diet} Food Finds:  A few of you have asked me about the protein shakes I'm drinking, so I took a few photos.  They are from Costco, although I included a photo of the nutrition information because I'm sure there is a comparable shake at your traditional grocer.




 

Last week I also learned about these fun new substitutes for bread:



I purchased the original and cinnamon flavors, but I have to admit I don't have many uses for them.  I suppose a cinnamon one would be great as the crust for a WW-friendly fruit pizza.  They are sort of like a diet version of an elephant ear.  Well that's what I told myself as I crunched on one anyway!  ha!

Goals This Week:  I'd like to lose 2.4 lbs by February 8th to put me at an even 12 lbs lost so far.  So half of that, 1.2 lbs would be a great loss this week!  I'd also like to get outside at least once to run, and lift 3 times.

Overall Goals:  To lose 24 more lbs or to fit into my size 4 jeans (whichever is first); to work out daily even for just 15 minutes; to increase my mileage for running