After stepping on the scale yesterday and seeing that number (which I am not going to share just yet), I knew I had to step up my game otherwise that number will just keep going up.
One thing lacking in my exercise routine? Strength training. I found this book through www.goodreads.com and ordered it off of Amazon.
I have some likes and dislikes about this book. First of all, I can’t be one of those people who eats six meals a day. I take an insulin shot with every meal, and the thought of adding 3 more shots in a day? No thanks.
But I did agree with the starchy vegetable theory, in that it only is useful to your body at breakfast and after a workout. I am going to add that one to my plan.
In one part of the book they have women’s excuses about why they can’t stick with this program. One woman said “eating the same foods is so boring. I’m sick of chicken and vegetables.” The authors answer?
Eating does not, and should not, equal entertainment. . .you need to enjoy fueling your body and how the healthy food makes you feel. Tune in to how great you feel when you’re eating those “boring” foods. The feeling you get by being in shape should outweigh how boring the food is.
What? Preparing food and eating food is one of the most enjoyable experiences most of us look forward to! So while I will be using their grocery list as a guideline, I am not going to stick to it 100 percent.
There are so many ways to lose weight: Weight Watchers, Paleo, Sugar busters . . . and who’s to say one is better than another. It finally dawned on me that I just need to keep it simple – move more, eat less. And add strength training!
Get ready to see lots of ideas with Chobani yogurt! The wonderful folks sent me a case of their new flavors – in 16 ounce containers!
The flavor I have been dying to try?
And I plan on trying to make super blueberry muffins using this yogurt and some of the Michigan blueberries I bought last weekend.
I did have the last of my plain Chobani in the fridge and made a strawberry and peaches. With 1/4 cup of granola, breakfast comes in at 315 calories, 3.5 fat, 55 carbs, 5.9 fiber and 17 protein.
Only one slight problem. I used the last of my insulin pen at breakfast, so before I could work out, I had to go to Walgreen’s to pick some up. This cut into my workout, so I only got 2 miles done.
I was going through my pantry and found a can of Bush’s chili beans. They had a recipe on the side of the can that sounded interesting. The only changes I made was that I left out the onion, and added one can of chili beans and one can of black beans.
Bush’s Chili Bean Chili
Makes Six, 1.5 cups servings: 286 calories, 11 fat, 29 carbs, 7.4 fiber and 21 protein.
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 ribs celery, chopped
2 cans (16 oz.) chili beans in sauce, undrained (I used one can of black beans one can of chili beans)
2 cups water (I used 2 cups chicken broth)
1 teaspoon chili powder (or to taste)
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or hot pepper sauce
DIRECTIONS:
In a large non-stick skillet, cook beef until lightly browned. Push to one side of pan. Add onion, garlic and celery. Cook until soft. Drain excess fat. Mix in remaining ingredients. Mix well, simmer 30 to 45 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
On the side I baked up some tortilla chips from Mission’s extra thin corn tortillas. Just 350 degrees for 10 minutes, makes the perfect dipper! Lunch comes in at 406 calories, 12 fat, 53 carbs, 10.4 fiber and 24 protein.
When I got home from work Tony was home and enjoying a cigar while the dog was wondering our yard. It’s been so nice without the mosquitos, but the flies are coming back, I think we’ll have to get another one of those fly catchers.
I decided to grill our steak – Bon Appetit had a recipe for Garlic Steak from a restaurant called St. Anselm in Brooklyn. This recipe is for 2 servings, believe it or not – 1.5 pound steak, or 14 ounces trimmed. I made this recipe 3 servings. And its not much of a recipe, but the parsley butter sauce is to die for.
Garlic Steak
(each serving: 480 calories, 28 fat, 0 carbs, 0 fiber and 53 protein)
- 1.5
ouncepound steak (I had a sirloin) - 1.5 tablespoons butter
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- chopped parsley
- coarse sea salt and pepper
Make sure your steak is at room temperature. Never go from the fridge to the grill. Season the steak liberally with salt and pepper. I cooked ours about 4 minutes per side for medium rare.
Melt the butter. Add the garlic and let it simmer while the steak cooks. At the last minute, add the chopped parsley and pour evenly over the two plates.
I know it’s kind of a shitty picture, but I liked how the smoke looked.
Yep, last time you’ll see starch on my dinner plate for the month of August!
Dinner comes in at 585 calories, 31 fat, 16 carbs, 1.4 fiber and 54 protein.
August Goals
- 100 miles
- Track my Food
- Read a book
Move for at least 100 miles in August, whether its walking, running, biking or swimming. I can no longer “eye ball” my food because when I do, over time my portion sizes just get bigger and bigger. So my food scale and www.fatsecret.com will be utilized this month.
And read a book. I seriously cannot remember the last time I read a book from cover to cover, and I used to be such an avid reader. Now I just read blogs! I have some suggestions on www.goodreads.com, but if you have a suggestion, I am all ears.
Lastly, whose with me to meet their August goals? I know some of you told me what your goals were in yesterdays post, but if you email me, or leave a comment to this post with your goal, I’ll check back in with you at the end of the month to see if you met that goal.
Everyone that met their goal will be eligible to win a wonderful prize pack from me – not sure what it will entail yet, but it will be good!
Alright, I have to get ready for work – make it a great day!
Stats for August 1:
- 1573 calories (includes cheese and crackers I had after dinner)
- 63 fat, 146 carbs, 18 fiber and 109 protein
- 2 mile run
- 98 miles left for the month
My August goal is to find a new job & get accepted into the CELTA program in Chicago so that I can get the ball rolling on marrying my baby & being employable outside of the USA.
Ominous for 100 miles in August. I’m going to do walking.
I would like to read 3 books, walk 100 miles and volunteer at least once this month 🙂
Hi Biz! I’m glad you liked the Bob Ross video. Isn’t it great?! Sure, go ahead and use it. I hope your readers like it too. ~ Marion
My goals for this month are to read 3 books and hit yoga 2+ times a week and not lose my sanity – I have 2 weddings (on the same day) a horse show I’m judging (the next day) a shower for a wedding I’m in. And another 3 day horse show I’m judging – I need yoga mat time!
I’ll join you on your hundred if you’d like a partner
After getting some pretty scary results from my wellness check up (let’s just say my cholesterol is higher than my moms…and I’m only 26!), I’m getting serious about getting healthy! You motivate me, so I know I can do it if you can!!
My August goals:
~ Move more 6 days a week, for at least 30 minutes a day (Sunday is my ‘down’ day)
~ Really watch AND track what I eat (fat, calories and salt intake included)
~ Stay on track! School starts August 15th for both the husband and I, so I am determined to make it!
~ Lose at least 5lbs.
And if I know you’ll follow up with me, I know I’ll have more determination to stick to my goals!
As far as books, I’m a Stephen King fantatic. Do you have an e-Reader? I have a Nook and LOVE it! Our county library has free e-books 🙂
I forgot to click the notify me of follow up comments button, so if you respond, can you respond to this comment (I’m going to check the box right now!)
That’s just it Julia, its been so long since I’ve read anything, I have no idea. In the past I’ve read John Irving books, and Stephen King books. 😀
If you like witch/vampire books I can’t recommned A Discovery of Witches enough. It is by a historian, so the book is like a look into the past as well as the uncanny. I enjoyed reading it so much.
What kind of books do you like to read? I read a lot, so maybe I can suggest something for you based on your tastes… let me know!
My sister is also a diabetic and she has lost weight and kept it off!!! She has an insulin pump? One stick in 3 days!!!!! It takes a little to get use to but well worth it. Good job I love your blog!!!
Thanks! 😀 Sadly because I control my diabetes, my insurance company doesn’t want to fork over the insulin pump – I do hope to get it one day!
Hi Lori! I also didn’t like that book much. It isn’t very motivational and to think of food like that just makes a person want to rebel/binge.
I put curry and a little brown sugar in my chili.
Dieting is always made more complex than it is by human mind and emotions. I like your simple approach– best wishes that you keep to it in heart and mind, too!
I have many books I want to recommend, but here’s a pretty new one: The Orphan Master’s Son. I couldn’t put it down. I finished reading it in several hours, though it did take me two nights.
Thanks for the book recommendation Sophia! 😀
I actually am a member at the gym that Rachel, the author of that book, and her husband own. I did a jeans challenge at the gym and for 8weeks I followed her food plan outlined in the book and worked out with an emphasis on strength training 3 times per week. I lost 2 jeans sizes in those 8 weeks. Not much weight was lost, maybe 3 or 4 pounds, but what a huge difference in my body! Especially my muffin top! She advocates for enjoying 4 splurges a week, and she doesn’t mean a small cookie; she means lasagna, wine, and dessert if you want. Sounds good to me!
Wow – that’s great – 2 jeans sizes! 😀
Good luck with your goals for this new month! It’s never too late to give yourself a kick start.
Strength training is awesome! I quit when I broke my foot back in March and am only just now restarting. Sad that I lost my progress. Can’t wait to see what you do with all of that yogurt!