Be(ef) Extraordinary

Wow.  Day 60 of Insanity.  Truth be told, I never thought I would get this far.  I am the QUEEN of declaring something, starting out strong and then just giving up.  For a variety of reasons:

• I am tired
• it takes too much time
• its too hard

What helped me was that I declared 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. the Insanity hour.  I didn’t have to worry about getting up early, or fitting it in at lunch.  Tony would watch his shows that I don’t like while I worked out so it was a win-win.

I’ve tried the Inspirational Diet back in 2012 – that didn’t last too long.  I did South Beach for a while in 2009 – I missed my beloved bread to stick with that one too long.  I tried Paleo for a while too, but that took so much planning – and while I have some flack that my Paleo breakfast casserole isn’t strict Paleo – it still gets about 100 hits a day!

So why I stuck with Insanity, I have no idea, but I did!

So in those 60 days I lost exactly 10 pounds!  June 1:

August 1:

Measurements:

           Day 1:                                                           Day 60:

• Thigh: 24.5                                                   23.5
• Hip: 40.5                                                       39.0
• Waist: 38.0                                                   37.0
• Chest: 39.0                                                  38.0
• Bicep: 14.0                                                   12!!!

Two inches off my bicep people!  A total of 6.5 inches all over my body in just 60 days.  I’ve also gone from a tight size 14 to a comfortable 11-12.

Thanks for cheering me on these last 60 days – knowing that I needed to be accountable to you was a huge motivator – and Tony always telling me to kick Shaun T’s ass before the workouts.

So what now?  Well, after I do the Fit Test and the last workout of the 60 days, my plan is to just start over.  I know in the beginning I wasn’t able to do 100% of the workouts, so while the next month will be only 40 minute workouts, they will be more intense because I can give it 110% – and kick Tanya’s ass – she kinda irks me.  Kim, are you with me on that one?!

My meal plan is going to be changed up too – this is the perfect week for it because my boss that I make lunch for is going to be on vacation next week.  I actually think I am going to stop cooking for people other than my SIL.  It takes a lot of time and effort and I need to spend that time on me. 

I used to cook every Friday at my office, but then if I skipped a week people were like “why don’t you cook anymore?”  It got to be expected but I don’t think they realize how much time it takes to do shit like that.  I’ll probably go back to Souper Friday’s in the fall because that’s easy.  And you know what?  I don’t feel guilty about it at all – its my life and I can do what I want.

When I got home from work yesterday Tony greeted me with a glass of wine – I enjoy my Friday night wine after not having it all week.  Kyle stopped by to say hello.  But now we have a new friend – Mo the Chipmunk!  I set out food for Kyle but Mo found it first – he went to town until Kyle kicked him to the curb!

And when Tony went to get our sandwiches from Jimmy John’s for dinner, Kyle came right to the window I was sitting at.

And when I called her name, she looked right at me!

Neither of us were particularly hungry last night – we could have split one sandwich because we both only ate half, but of course, I had to have the cherry peppers – so good!  As I went out front to take my picture – guess who wanted some?!

Breakfast was more pancakes – shocking!  And lunch was a ham and cheese panini with veggies and fruit:

Stats for the Day:

• 1702 calories (including wine), 44 fat, 165 carbs, 12 fiber and 53 protein
• 39% of calories from carbs, 24% from fat and 37% from protein
• no exercise – rest day!

So here’s what my menu looks like for next week – pretty normal food – each day is around 2100 calories and has LOTS of protein – some days 200 grams!  And each day has a minimum of 25 grams of fiber too.  Lots of snacks too, which I am not used to, but will have to eat if I want to get to 2100 calories.

I am so excited to tell you guys that I have been invited to an event in October sponsored by the Beef Checkoff and Beef It’s What’s For Dinner. 

Living Well 2013 – Join us for an exclusive two-day experience with leading food and health experts to explore the latest in family nutrition and culinary education that can help you celebrate simple, strong & better living.

They sent me a box of goodies – two workout shirts, an apron, a meat thermometer – I loves me some loot!  Thanks Karli!

We’ll also be going to the Chopping Block at the Merchandise Mart for cooking demonstrations – how cool is that?!  And I get a room at a fancy hotel – The Wit in Chicago – check out the roof top bar!  And all my expenses are taken care of – sweet!

I’ll give you more info as the event comes closer – I am just thankful for the opportunity to go to such an event – turns out I like beef too!

Some of my favorite beef recipes:

• Chicago style Roast Beef – not only great the first time around but makes awesome cheezy beef sandwiches with the leftovers
• No Fail Meatloaf – Tony loves meatloaf!  (excuse the 2008 photography!)
• Pasta Bolognese – a rich meaty red sauce – so good!
• Best Beef Stew – it has cinnamon in the spice mixture – an unexpected but delicious addition to this stew

Alright, my chores aren’t going to get done while I am on the computer, so I’ll sign off.  We are going out to dinner with some of Tony’s oldest friends – he was their best man in their wedding!  Looking forward to a date night out.

Enjoy your weekend – see you Monday!