Day #101 & #102: Weigh In & N-O spells...

Hey Kids!

One of the greatest things about this journey is how much you truly learn about yourself. Sure, you are bound (and supposed to) learn what triggers you to binge and why you became overweight in the first place, but there are SO many other lessons learned along the way as well. I've read many blogs by people who have learned on this journey that their relationship with food was based out of things like: having a poor relationship with a parent/spouse that they felt rejected by so they over ate because food would never reject them and it was a source of comfort, while others learn that they are unbelievably stronger than they ever thought they were and don't have to be victims for the rest of their lives.

Well, I think I'm learning such a lesson myself (one of many): I have a VERY hard time saying "no" in certain social situations.

Now, I'm not talking about saying no to drugs/alcohol/ or anything that I am truly against- believe me, no problem there! But I have learned lately that I have a hard time turning down social invitations. . .

For example, every Sunday evening I go to a meeting/service around 6pm that lasts until 8:30 that my most tight group of friends is at as well, well unfailingly there are always a few people that mention as we are all leaving the building: "Hey, anyone want to grab something to eat and hang out?" And I swear to you, even if I'm not super hungry, I'm tired and I know I've gotta get up at 5:00am the next morning, I will go. And when I try to answer the question as to WHY I do that- I don't come up with very many good answers.

Not being able to say "no" has been the cause of some of the food choice issues I had the last two weeks and I think these are the 2 factors that feed into the bad decisions:
1) I obviously enjoy hanging out with my friends, and if the whole group is heading to dinner, then I'll head to dinner to hang out with them. I sometimes consider the happiness of my friends over the results that I know their happiness will have on my weightloss.
2) In my conviction to "never deprive myself" on this journey I sometimes say YES too often. I set out on this journey wanting to be realistic with my life and how I think things will work in the long term- knowing that never having a cookie or piece of pizza again just wasn't realistic for me. But somewhere along the line I began thinking that conviction meant that I HAD to say yes to everything or I was depriving myself. Um...HELLO!??

I need to find my inner- "no." And not just to say "no" for the sake of saying it, but I shouldn't be afraid to say it either. Ahhh... I'm gonna test drive my inner "no" out this week and see how it goes :)

Weigh-In Time!
Last Weeks Weight: 314
This Weeks Weight: 311

Making for a... 3lb LOSS!

I made it to the gym this week 4x's (my goal is 5) and ate decently. I'm happy with the 3lbs...only 6lbs away from my April end goal of 305!

So now I'm interested to know... Do you all have a hard time saying NO?

Peace, love, and a happy Monday to you all!

Pangalengan Bandung

Pangalengan merupakan kota kecil lebih kurang 45 km dari Bandung ke arah selatan yg berhawa sejuk serta kaya dengan keindahan alam. Pangalengan kondang penghasil beragam sayuran hijau yg di kirim ke berapa kota di Indonesia. Pangalengan kondang juga sebagai daerah pertanian, peternakan dan perkebunan teh serta kina yg dikelola oleh PTPN serta daerah penghasil Susu Sapi. Di lokasi ini amat banyak industri-industri yg memproduksi Susu Sapi jadi beberapa produk makanan seperti permen susu atau kerap dimaksud caramel, kerupuk susu, dodol susu, tahu susu, serta noga susu.

Perjalanan Anda menuju Pangalengan dapat jadi pengalaman yg sungguh menggembirakan dikarenakan dapat disajikan banyak pesona wisata salah satunya wisata perkebunan, danau, rimba dan petualangan rafting. Seluruhnya sesuai utk melewatkan kemelut serta berikan kesegaran kembali pikiran Anda. Pangalengan jadi di antara area ekowisata yg lagi tengah di kembangkan Pemerintah Kabupaten Bandung utk jadi daerah arah wisata andalan lewat program sadar wisata. Pangalengan kondang berhawa dingin serta penghasil susu. Ditempat ini terdapat banyak object wisata yg menarik seperti pemandangan kebun teh, rimba pinus, serta kebun sayur yg jadi panorama khas di ketinggian 1. 000-1. 400 mtr. diatas permukaan laut ini.

Pangalengan miliki sejuta pesona alam yg Indah. Disini Anda mampu menemukannya banyak object wisata seperti Situ Cileunca, Malabar, Pemandian air panas Cibolang, perkebunan teh, serta banyak lagi object wisata yang lain. Menjelajahi alam di Pangalengan dapat Anda jalankan dalam satu daerah yg benar-benar berdekatan, sama sama terpadu, serta terjalin pada wisata petualangan alam dengan atraksi menarik seperti outbound, paintball, flying fox, serta kesibukan yang lain. Jadi, Anda gak butuh buang waktu, tenaga, juga budget dapat lebih bersahabat.

Terdapat banyak kesibukan wisata yg mampu Anda jalankan sepanjang di Pangalengan. Kalau di Ciwidey ada Situ Patengan jadi di Pangalengan lantas ada Situ Cileunca, tidak hanya itu juga ada Perkebunan Teh Malabar, wisata petik strobery, pemandian air panas alami, serta rafting tentu. Jangan sampai terlewat juga nikmati budaya Sunda setempat di Desa Lamajang. Desa Lamajang kondang dengan budaya rutinitas Kampung Cikondang. Disini Anda mampu nikmati seni budaya serta ada homestay sembari nikmati kuliner dari hasil pertanian serta peternakan warga desa.

Berapa rumah rutinitas Sunda berusia beberapa ratus th. masihlah tegak berdiri di desa ini. Di Pangalengan ada lebih kurang lima rumah rutinitas Sunda yg umurnya sekitar lebih 300 th.. Rumah rutinitas di Cikondang sekarang banyak diminati wisatawan yg tertarik pada wisata peristiwa. Di Cikalong juga ada satu rumah rutinitas yg tiap tiap Muharam tetap jadi tuan rumah penyelenggaraan upacara rutinitas “Kukud Taun”. Dirumah rutinitas Kabuyutan ada satu alat yg bernama goong renteng yg didapati tinggal dua serta cuma ada di lokasi Pangalengan.

Desa Lamajang juga di kenal miliki wisata alam arung jeram Sungai Cilaki yg menduduki urutan ke dua paling menarik di Jawa Barat sehabis Sungai Citarik di Sukabumi. Pengarungannya meniti jarak 5 km sepanjang lebih kurang 1, 5 jam. Tiap tiap th. di bln. September diselenggarakan acara ritual menyongsong musim hujan tiba dengan memotong kambing juga sebagai bentuk sukur terhadap Tuhan. Jalan menuju area ritual masihlah bersifat jalan setapak selama 800 mtr. jadi tdk dapat di lewati kendaraan dikarenakan. Jalanan menuju area Kampung Cadas Gantung rusak selama satu km. jadi Anda mesti bersabar serta mencermati model kendaraan yg dimanfaatkan.

Day #99 & #100: How bout a round of applause!!?

Um HOLY COW...

Can you believe that today officially marks the 100th day of 2010?!?

I believe that today is a great day to evaluate how we are really doing on this journey. It seems like not more than a month ago many of us were so excited for the new year to start because we had BIG plans for 2010. I know I did- I set out at the beginning of this year saying...this would be the year that I save my life. And you know what the absolute best thing in the world is- I have stuck to my word.

How many times have we all tried to lose weight previously and failed? For me, it was probably only 2 or 3 but still, I am overwhelmed to the point of tears about just how proud I am of myself for still being here 100 days later, going strong. In fact, I just got back from a killer workout.

I know that it's not typically acceptable to say that "you are proud of yourself" or to pat yourself on the back all of the time, but in this case- I am giving myself a standing and screaming ovation because I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP and I am fighting like hell for my life- the life I deserve.

Sure, there have been moments in the last 100 days that I could have made better decisions in and I'm not saying that they don't matter- because they do; they were learning experiences that I'm using to help make me stronger, healthier, and more aware. To tell you the truth, I don't think there could be a single person who sets out to change something in their lives that in a 100 days time span they wouldn't do a single thing they weren't supremely happy about.

All that to say: If you are still here with me, still fighting, still eating healthy, working out, and giving this your BEST go- then WHOOOOO HOOOOOOOOO! This has NOT been like other times, WE are 100 days in, and we can do 100 more!

On a similar note- I'm guessing like me, part of you might be freaking out inside and be thinking: "Holy crap, we are 100 days in? I have barely done anything- I have a long ways to go if I want to hit my goal by December 31st 2010." Then be encouraged because we aren't even half way there yet and we've got 265 more days to go, to become better, and to make sure that we don't enter the year 2011 with the same freaking goals that we had for 2010.

What a fantastic feeling it is to be able to say that I haven't given up on this, that I don't have to lose my battle with obesity, and that living the life I dreamed of is possible...and it is happening.

Here's to an even better 265- together! :)

A Victorious Week!

Wondering why I'm cheesing & sweating like the happiest girl in the world in this pic? 

Because last Friday I ran my first consecutive mile EVER. And when I say ever, I actually mean ever! In elementary school I was the kid the P.E. teacher hated because I would rally up a group of students who wouldn't mind walking the whole thing with me and clocking a time of a 21 minute mile. 

Throughout my entire adult life I had just resolved that running a mile was something I would just never be able to do. Proving that lie wrong was an AMAZING feeling. And not only did I prove it wrong but I did one better, I actually ran about 1.5 miles without stopping! Running a mile has been a fitness goal of mine ever since I began this weight loss journey 3 years ago & to finally have achieved it feels amazing. 

That being said, my celebrating time is slightly shorter-lived than I'd like it to be as that 1.5 miles needs to turn into 3.1 miles by Saturday! EEEEEeeeeeeekkkkkk! Yep, this Saturday is the big day- my very first 5K race. 

I'm trying not to sike myself up too much about it but truth be told, I by no means feel like I have this "in the bag" or that I could run it with my eyes closed. Nope, I'm gonna need God's strength for every step of this race & although I'd like a little more time to train (I only have 3 training days left), I've learned that God is pretty reliable. 

I know I should probably say that my only goal for the 5K is to finish but I'd be lying- I believe there's more in me than that. My overall goal is to finish in 37 minutes or less. My I'm-afraid-to-say-this-out-loud-cuz-I'm-not-sure-how-it-will-happen-goal is to run the whole race continuously. 

In the end, my identity or worth is not tied to this race or being a runner or anything outside of who I am in Christ. I know that even if for some reason I'm not able to even finish (which I don't see how that could happen as even if one of my legs fell off I still plan on picking it up and dragging it across that finish line) I still have reason to celebrate because of what has been accomplished even while I've been training (things I never thought possible). 

So, my plan for Saturday: GO, GIVE IT MY ALL & HAVE FUN! 

Weight Loss Progress: 

Last week was not only a huge week with me accomplishing one of my long time fitness goals but also because...

I'm officially in my goal weight range!!! 

After 3+ years of being on this journey, it feels surreal to say that. I weighed in this week at 155lbs and my goal weight range is between 150-155lbs so I've still got 5 more to go but it's just crazy to think that I'm THIS close to my goal. Ahhhhh! Wow. 

I definitely don't think the gravity of all that's happening is really hitting me. More on that another time. 

Recent EATS: 

I'm not sure what has come over me but I have been bitten by the cooking bug. I have been cooking up a storm & not because I feel like I have to now that I'm married or because of pressure from the healthy/eating blog world (which is no bueno) but because I WANT to. 

Huh. Who'da thunk that would ever happen to me!? 

Maybe it's a phase but I have truly been enjoying trying out new recipes and experimenting with new foods- some have turned out great and others not so much...for example: 

Tiff's Skinny Snickers Peanut Butter & Banana Ice Cream! 

Ingredients: 
2 servings (1 cup= 1 Serving) 

1 banana (frozen and chopped into pieces) 
1 mini snickers bar
1 cup ice 
3 tablespoons PB2 (if you haven't tried this stuff it's AMAZZZING) 
1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk 
*you can add a packet of Splenda or some vanilla for extra sweetness if you prefer- I did! 

Mix all ingredients together in a food processor *except for the snickers) until smooth, crumble the mini snickers on top (or any other miniature candy of choice) & put in the freezer so it can harden! We were impatient so we only left ours in for 5 minutes and it had more of a smoothie consistency but if you left it in for 30 minutes it should get much harder. 

This was DELICIOUS!!!! And while there is no mistaking that it's not ice cream it honestly was so creamy & delicious that it totally hit the spot! And the whole desert was only 150 calories! Whoo hoo! 

However, not all of my culinary creations from last week were as successful: 

I'm always trying to find a way to add more veggies in my diet which isn't the easiest thing for me as I didn't grow up eating veggies so I don't really like the taste of many of them & I can be funny about the texture of things so I would say almost all of my veggie cooking attempts have been flops. 

Edemame was no exception. 

I found a recipe for parmesan edamame and thought it looked like a pretty safe bet. Well...first of all, I didn't realize until right before hubby and I were getting ready to take a bite that we weren't supposed to eat the outside of the pod...yea. 

The overall taste was okay but the breadcrumbs really started to gross me out for some reason so I ended up letting D finish the rest of mine. 

I'm still not quite ready to give up on edemame yet though- or cooking veggies in general- anyone have any good veggie recipes to share? This girl needs all the help she can get! 

Alright, I think that's enough for one day- unless you hear from me before Saturday's race- say a little prayer for me! I will be posting a post-race update asap for sure :) 

Day #97 & #98: A BIG Oops!

Hi friends!



As you know, it is one of my April goals to learn how to eat out in a way that is healthy and controlled, so when a friend and I decided to meet at Olive Garden for dinner yesterday, I made sure to do a few things that have helped me eat healthy when eating out in the past...



- I chose a restaurant where I know there would be healthy alternatives.

- I decided what I wanted to eat before ever stepping foot into the restaurant or looking at the menu.

- I ordered water.



These 3 steps are HUGE ways to at least ensure some success when eating out. So how did I end up doing? Well, here's what I had...



I ordered the soup, salad, and breadsticks with approx 4 servings of salad (w/dressing on the side)

2 bowls of Zuppa Tuscana (which happens to be the BEST soup ever!!!)and 2 and 1/2 breadsticks (I couldn't resist!)

Well, I left the restaurant feeling pretty good about my choices. I mean, when I first sat down at the table I almost decided to change my original decision to get the soup/salad to getting a pasta dish, but I stayed true and I didn't get a diet coke, which is good thing.



BUT one thing I didn't do before going out yesterday which I should have done was check the nutrition facts of the meal. While not all restaurants make nutritional information available, a LOT of them do and regardless, you can usually find a ballpark figure for calories at the very least. Well, I WISH I had looked up the calorie count of my meal before having eaten it because it would have saved me about 1,775 calories!!?!?! Ummm...wtf?? Yea.



2 servings of Zuppa Tuscana= 340 cals (NOT bad at all!)

2.5 breadsticks= 375 (to be expected)



and then I saw the calorie count for the so called "healthiest of foods" the salad...4 servings= 1,050!!!



O-U-C-H!!!!



In the end, I'm not beating myself up about it- I had good intentions and I really was in control, just not educated.



The next time I hit up the good ol' OG I'll adjust my meal to something like this:



2 servings of salad (minus the croutons and cheese) with dressing on the side, 2 servings of my fav soup, and 1 breadstick. That right there is already saving almost 800 cals!

In fact, check out this link out to see an article that Hungry Girl just posted about the best appetizer, meal, and dessert choices at OG!



Ah well, you and live and you learn right? But I can't lie, it does stink when you have the best of intentions and find out that you consumed a bunch of calories completely on accident!



Has anyone ever done this before?



Either way, I'm pretty sure I worked those breadsticks off though- I probably had the sweatiest workout of my life! I did 30 mins on the elliptical (ummmm heck yes!) followed by 30 minutes on the upright bike! Check me out... :P

Alright ya'll- catch ya on the flip side!