Weigh In - Week 60

I think I'm the champion weight maintainer of the summer. Either my body is at a comfy weight - one that it is loathe to give up, or I'm just not trying hard enough. Luckily, I'm not gaining. So, as usual, I'm happy with that.

I'm in Oregon this week and next, visiting my Mama's home. I am surrounded by amazing fresh organic food and lots of open roads on which to run, scamper, power walk and explore.  This morning I had a three-peach breakfast, followed by some whole grain toast slathered in home churned butter (a gift from a neighbor) and raw honey.  After washing it all down with a hot cup of coffee, I'm ready for a nap.  My daily run will have to wait until this evening.

Pounds lost this week: 0

Total pounds lost: 76

The "I Did It" List

got one last boot camp class in before leaving town for Oregon

ran 3 miles yesterday with sprint intervals

ate healthy meals even while traveling with children through airports

had my flight cancelled and didn't throw a shit-fit (baby steps, eh?)

Also, I want to direct your attention to my most recent article for Houzz.com.  Why?  Because it's a home tour of my boot camp instructor's home!  I hope this inspires you to start that boot camp or yoga class you've been meaning to take.  Check out her awesome workout spaces - who can resist all of that gorgeous color?  Not me, certainly.  To read the full article and see the rest of Mallory's amazing home, click HERE. 

Country Roads

I'm in Eastern Oregon for the next few weeks visiting my mother.  This morning, after coffee and cuddling with Charlie (who is almost 2!), I went for a run.  I took the country road from my Mama's house to the neighboring town of New Bridge.  Its a slow steady incline that meanders past farms, fields and burbling irrigation ditches.  The weather was cool - about 67 degrees.  After running on Monday morning in Dallas, where the temperature was already in the 90's, this morning's run seemed like a dream.

I jogged along for almost a mile and a half until I came to a sign that said "New Bridge - Congestion Ahead".  New Bridge is a town of about 30 and the "congestion ahead" notice made me giggle. God forbid two cars try and pass each other at the same time while navigating the gradual fork in the road. Congestion, indeed. This morning, there was no traffic - only chirping birds, grass fed cows chomping on clover and a distant four wheeler humming in the distance.

It's good to be out of the city for a spell.

Weigh In - Week 59

I was reading THIS post the other day from one of my favorite design blogs. It's basically about Mercury in retrograde, which I am always highly aware of.  Mercury goes into retrograde four times a year. Astrologically speaking, it really messes things up.  Cars inexplicably break down, you suddenly hate the new bedding you just bought, no one seems to be listening and your hair looks terrible no matter what expensive potion you rub into it.

Mercury went into retrograde on July 14th and will continue until August 8th.  Maybe this is why I've been under the weather, a bit groggy and unable to shed any weight. One of my work-out buddies and I were talking today about stress.  She and I both have special needs kids and the summer has not been without its freak-outs and stresses.  The body's reaction to stress is to slow metabolism and hang on to weight.  Once the stress blows over and the winds change, then body functions begin to recalibrate.  So whether its Mercury or stress, I'm going to be kind to myself and wait it out.

Pounds lost this week: 0

Total pounds lost: 76

The "I Did It" List

attended 3 boot camp classes

drank lots of water (from the tap)

hosted a brunch for my son's second birthday

ate red velvet cake balls at son's second birthday with no guilt

went swimming with my kids

had a beautiful date with my husband

Breville Juicer Review (Finally)

I promised a review of my juicer a million years ago and am FINALLY getting around to it.  Sorry if you've been waiting with bated breath.  (Probably not, eh?)

I bought the Breville BJE510XL Juicer, Ikon Juice Extractor (yest that's its real name) in October last year for 200 and something dollars via Amazon.com.  It was discounted from 289.99.  I previously owned the Jack Lalanne Juicer, which I killed in a matter of weeks by juicing every morning.  Luckily, I bought it at Bed, Bath and Beyond and they gave me a full refund.

What do I think of the Breville?  I think its fantastic.  Its got a workhorse motor that would juice a rock if I sent it down the shoot. (Don't try that, though... that would be stupid.)  I send whole apples and lemons through the shoot without a problem.  The juice is always clear of pulp, which is a big plus in my book.

I also notice that I get a larger volume of juice with the Breville than I ever did with the Lalanne using the same amount of produce.  More bang for my buck!  And the best part is that the Breville is far easier to clean than the Lalanne.  It comes apart easily and some of the parts are even dishwasher safe.

I've been using the juicer every week (and at some points every day) for three seasons and the motor shows no signs of slowing.  Every once in a while I have to finesse something through the shoot, but it always juices all my produce without issue.  I highly recommend this juicer and am thrilled that enjoys a spot on my counter top.

Right now, Macy's has my juicer on sale with 10% off and free shipping.  Its a fabulous deal.  So if you've been thinking about getting a juicer, this would be the perfect time!  Here is the link to the Macy's deal: http://www1.macys.com/shop/product/breville-bje510xl-juicer-ikon-juice-extractor?ID=369568&PseudoCat=se-xx-xx-xx.esn_results.

P.S.  Macy's did not pay me to write this review, nor did the Breville company.  But if they'd like to pay, I'm happy to take their money via check, direct deposit or Paypal. I have never been above bribery.

Public Service Announcement

A little video for you.
May I present... "A Bottle of Crazy".

Weigh In - Week 58

Do you guys remember the movie Romy and Michelle's High School Reunion?  One of the great films of 1997. Any way there is a scene where they're at a spin class trying to "get fit". 

Michelle:  Hey Romy.

Romy: Yeah Michelle?

Michelle: Remember when I had Mono?

Romy: Oh yeah, you were totally sick.

Michelle: It was like the best diet ever!

Romy: Oh totally.

Well, today I'm sick sick sick. I caught the dreaded Texas tummy big that everyone and their mother has had over the past few weeks. Jack had it, Walker had it, my friends and their kids have had it and now I have it.  I spent most of the night dealing with body functions I'd rather not talk about in this forum.  The upshot is that I have finally broken my 6 week weight loss stand off.

After 3 boot camp classes, a kick-ass 5K where I beat my personal record and a night of "viral evacuation", I'm down a pound. Will it come back?  Probably.  But don't be like that... just let me enjoy this moment.

Pounds lost this week: 1

Total pounds lost: 76

Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino as Romy and Michelle

The "I Did It" List

attended three boot camp classes

ran a 5K

juiced a little (but not enough)

made healthy meals for me and my family

and my husband, Jack, attended two yoga classes!

Too Hot To Handle 5K Wrap-Up

Today I ran the Too Hot to Handle 5K at White Rock Lake. Maybe it was because I was running with friends... or maybe it was the free 5-Hour Energy shooter that I was handed on the way in... whatever the reason, I had a marvelous time and ran a great race. I ran my personal best: 35 minutes and 53 seconds. 

Here I am with some wonderful women - from left to right: Jacki (who inspired me to start running in the first place), Karri (this was her first ever 5K and she ROCKED it out!), Lacey (midwife extraordinaire who has recently dropped 30 pounds and started running) and me!  We have 13 children between the four of us and have collectively dropped a total of 144 pounds in the past two years! Today, we were super women.

One of my favorite parts about the race is walking to the start line. Everyone is smiling and nodding and back patting in anticipation of the race. And you get to see a little bit of everybody. The seasoned runner who signs up for 5Ks just to stay loose, the first timer who is tapping everyone they can find on the shoulder to say, "This is my first race!" and the running groups that are all wearing the same shirts.  Big, little, fat, fit, old, young, kids, dogs - we're all here to run a few miles together. It's pretty great.

And my least favorite part of races: the porta-potties.  I hate, hate, hate waiting in line to hover over a hole and pee before I run. But you have to do it. Its like a rite of passage or something. Plus, who wants to hit mile two, realize they can't make it to the finish without peeing and dash off course to find a bush. No one.

So there you have it. 

The best and worst of my fourth 5K.

Raw Fudge Brownie with Mango Cashew Kreme

I got jiggy last night with my Vitamix blender and made a yummy raw dessert! Inspired by the Fudge Brownie recipe from Ani's 15-Day Fat Blast (page 161), I created the concoction below.  It's not a particularly pretty dessert, but boy is it good.

Raw Fudge Brownie

1 cup raw (unsoaked) walnuts 

1/4 cup Cacao Powder

pinch sea salt to taste

1/3 cup pitted dates

1/4 cup frozen blueberries (or other berry)

1/4 teaspoon maca powder to taste (optional)

I simply pulsed all of the above ingredients in my Vitamix, scraping down the sides as needed until it was all blended together. It makes a dense, moist ball of goodness. Then I split it into two bowls as is.

Ani Phyo is far more civilized than I am and here are her instructions: 

Combine walnuts, cacao powder, salt and maca in a food processor. Pulse into medium pieces. Use some of this mix to powder the bottom of a baking pan. Add dates and pulse to mix well (she doesn't include the frozen blueberries - that was my own bit of brilliance). Batter should stick together when squeezed into a ball. If it's too loose, add a few more sticky dates to help bind it together. If too sticky, add a few more crushed walnuts to firm it up.

Scoop brownie mix into the powdered baking pan and flatten it to 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick pressing lightly. Cut into squares. To serve place brownie in a dish and top with berries (or cashew mango kreme like I did!).

Cashew Mango Kreme

1 mango peeled and pitted

1 small apple (I used gala) cored and peeled

1/2 cup cashews

6 pitted dates

1-2 heaping Tablespoon of raw honey

1/4 - 1/2 cup almond milk for desired consistency

Blend all ingredients together until smooth and serve over Fudge Brownie. 

This is also great served as a fruit dip.

15-Day Fat Blast by Ani Phyo

I just picked up Ani Phyo's new book. I love her other raw cook books, which are filled with innovative raw meals that always leave me satisfied and happy. The Cherry Chocolate Malt that I posted about a few months ago was from her Raw Food Kitchen book.  So, naturally, I was interested in her newest publication.

I've only had a chance to leaf through it, but am very excited by the raw soup and smoothie recipes she's included. I don't know if I'm ready to do the 15-day program, but maybe I'll give it a try at the end of the summer. Do you have the book? Have you done the program? What did you think?

Weigh In - Week 57

After years and years of wearing the same nursing bras, I finally hauled my boobies to Nordstroms on my birthday for a bra fitting and purchase. I've been complaining of ill fitting underwear for a while now. Why didn't I go in sooner for replacement underwear? I'm not sure.

A lovely tiny woman led me into a fitting room and asked what size bra I was currently wearing. I didn't know, so we took it off and looked at the faded tag.  44E.  That sounded about right.  She looked at me, smiled and said, "What size do you think you are now?" I didn't know. "Probably a 40DD, maybe a 38 pretty pretty please." I said.

She came back with a few under wire bras. I haven't worn an under wire since Clinton was in office. I slipped the first one on and it fit like a glove. I looked at the tag: 36D. After some quiet joyful squealing and a little happy dance, I tried on ten more bras.  It was so nice to be wearing something that wasn't a binding uni-boob vice. I looked in the mirror and thought, "Hey. Not bad." I never ever ever think that when looking at myself in a dressing room mirror while trying on undergarments. My thoughts usually tend towards "Oh God why does it even matter what I wear under my shirt because it will never change the way I look or feel and just look at all the bulging bits and flaps and this is so embarrassing I'm just going to go home after stopping at the Starbucks for a grande caramel bomb Frappuccino".  To go from that to "Hey, not bad" is an enormous step in the right direction. My brain is finally starting to catch up with my body!

Pounds lost this week: 0

Pounds lost overall: 75

(still holding steady!)

The "I Did It" List

bought a bra (happy birthday to me)

did some clothes shopping as well and bought a skirt (gasp)

bought a new pair of cross trainers (happy birthday to me)

attended 2 boot camp classes

attended 3 yoga classes

juiced in 4 out of 7 mornings

went out to a vegetarian restaurant with my husband (happy birthday to me)

ordered a produce box from Bountiful Baskets

trained for my upcoming 5K this Sunday morning

went swimming with my kids twice

wore a bathing suit without cringing or covering my butt

felt loved

Thirty Four

Today is my birthday. In years past, my birthday morning usually began with sleeping in, then coffee followed by a parade of sweets and sugary treats. One year I ate an entire box of chocolate covered cherries and two years ago I ate half of a red velvet sheet cake by myself. I can't even imagine doing that now.  Okay. Who am I kidding... I can TOTALLY imagine eating half a sheet cake. But I'm a stronger person now.

This morning I broke with tradition and awoke when the house was still sleepy and dark. I dressed and left the house for a 6am yoga class. I've decided to add a once or twice weekly power yoga class to my 3-day-a-week boot camp routine. Its important to stay grounded and lose with all the strength training and running!

The class is taught by Christi Jiannino at Postiviely Fit Lake Highlands. Its T/TH from 6-7am.  This was my second class and I absolutely love it. A sunrise power yoga class was the perfect way to begin my thirty fourth year on Earth. Tonight, I've asked my husband to take me to a raw/vegan restaurant for dinner. And maybe I'll find my way to a little treat - but just a little one.

Oh...

And new birthday shoes!
I've been in need of some cross trainers and these little pink gems are perfect.

Weight Maintenance

Weight maintenance - its really important.  As you can see by my weekly weigh-ins, I've had many weeks when I didn't lose weight. Sure, I was bummed. Its always fun to step on the scale and tick off another pound. But as I get closer to my natural weight, I realize that I'll be in a weight maintenance period much longer than I ever was in a weight loss period.

I'm now nearing six weeks without a loss. But with all that I have going on I count this as a big success. I'm not gaining. I'm holding steady. My body has been through a big transition over the past year and sometimes it needs space to adjust to the new weight. Even if my weight loss slowed to a crawl and I only dropped a pound a month, I'd still make my goal weight in two years at the ripe old age of 35.  See what I mean? I'd still reach my goal. Weight loss is progress, but so is weight maintenance. Hold your ground, take stock of your situation, journal, notice, relax, enjoy, keep your eye on the prize and one day - maybe tomorrow, maybe next month - you'll see the pounds start moving again.

Weigh In - Week 56

Alright, I have a theory.  Fat cells are like sheep. They don't want to be separated from the group. But when one of them finally has the balls to step out and leave the herd, the others join in. Well, my fat cells are still in the "sheep phase" and I'm the dog running around them frantically yipping in hopes that I can divide the group.

The good news is that I'm maintaining my current weight loss. This is my fifth week with no loss, but I still feel good and fit into my new(ish) jeans. Also, today is the end of my single parenting stint. My adorable husband returns from the field tonight, ending a long string of work-related absences. And not a minute too soon. I had some tough news today (read about it HERE) and could use a shoulder to cry on. Jack has great shoulders.

Pounds lost this week: 0

Total pounds lost: 75

The "I Did It" List

showered twice (this is big)

attended three days of boot camp

ate lots of bad bad bad food and didn't gain any weight

juiced four out of seven mornings
finally went grocery shopping and filled my fridge with whole foods

attended 6 therapy sessions and 1 neurology appointment for Charlie without falling apart

bought a new shower caddy because I was tired of looking at rusty bath gunk