Back to the gym I go!

It was a long, fun, unstructured, lazy at times, summer. While Shanna's been rocking her weight loss, I've been slowly creeping up on the scale...BOO! I can't be too upset about it; when I don't put in the effort, I can't expect magical results! As a result I was up a total of 10 pounds, YIKES! 3 weeks ago I started focusing on what I was eating again, then two weeks ago I added back in my gym time. I can't believe how much better I feel already. Plus, I'm down 5 of those pesky pounds! 

My muscles keep having to remind my brain that I my body knows what it's doing, & to stop questioning whether or not I can do the work! I really missed working out though, even if I have been super sore!

So, who's with me? Anyone else ready to recommit?  My body is sore, but I'm still going to drag my shrinking butt to the gym!

Yum!

What do you get when you add Garden noodles to a can of V8 juice?  Delicious macaroni and tomato soup!  It is one of my favorite and quick lunches.  I love the Ronzoni spaghetti noodles that have tons of fiber...they taste, seriously, just like normal noodles.  No cardboard-y taste!  This week Ronzoni noodles are on sale for 0.49 a box at Smith's so I decided to try the garden delight noodles, ad matched it at Walmart and loaded up.  

I just microwave my noodles in water with salt for about 8-10 minutes in a pyrex measuring cup bowl.  Dump out remaining water, then add can of v8 juice and some pepper.  Microwave for another minute.  Then YUM!

What are your go to fast yummy lunches???

What the crap is up with me?

I have been in a massive funk the last two months.  Not just in getting fit, it seems like in everything.  I'm still working out and trying to eat well, but then I cave into cravings and blow my progress.  I've been super grouchy and feel like I'm trying to give my best to everyone around me except for my family and myself.  I'm sick of it!  So today's post is how to get out of a crappy funk!

#1. You have to recognize that you are in a funk...and figure out what's causing it.

#2. Let go of whatever is causing you stress.  I've realized that a) I've been trying to do things all on my own...again!  When I forget to ask Heavenly Father for help and guidance, I tend to wear myself out really quickly, and eventually fall flat on my face.  And b) I've reached a weight that I haven't been for a really long time, and although I still have a ways to go, I'm comfortable, but also a little scared to keep going.

#3.If I tell myself negative things my body with react and hold on to my stress.

#4. If I have a bad day with my eating I don't need to carry that disappointment on to the next day. And I have to move forward or else I fall back!

#5.   I need to stop stressing about how far I have to go and just keep going.  When I stop looking forward and backward, and just focus on what I'm doing now to make a difference, I progress much easier.

I really hope this helps someone out there because it really helps me to write down how I'm feeling when I struggle...it seems like I can get through the struggles a heck of a lot faster and move on with my goals.

Super simple eating tips

Since I have some yummy food to share today, tip #2 is going to be about eating.To lose weight, you need fewer calories. Period.  Create a deficit from your current calorie intake and you'll see pounds come off. You can either eat less, exercise more, or a combo of both.  If you don't know how many calories you eat right now, try tracking it by either writing it all down, or using a website to look up food and track it.  We really like myfitnesspal.   You can track your food and exercise and it tracks your weight and measurements for you.  Plus, then you can be friends with Shanna and I on there...who wouldn't want that???  A quick thing you can do to get started is cut a daily snack, or cut dinner by half the size as a start.  

 A huge thing I've found that works for me is that I HAVE TO EAT BREAKFAST. I feel so much better and lose better.  This is one of my biggest challenges and I still have to remind myself to do it sometimes.  I don't eat a huge meal, usually a handful of almonds or a protein shake. We work out at 9:30 every morning so if I eat too much I feel sick...but if I don't eat at all I seem to hold on to weight & I eat later at night....my other major challenge.  Pick a reasonable time that works for you to stop eating food at night.  Eating at night was probably the first thing I really cut down on doing, and noticed immediate results.  (If you eat breakfast & lunch you won't have the craving to eat at night nearly as strong.)  Night time munching is one of the fastest ways to pick up and hold onto weight.  

 Okay, on to this pizza.  So good!  I love pizza!  My kids love it too.  Some of you may just want to lose weight on your journey...my goal is to be healthier all around.  I want to feel good and look good.  Not by cutting out everything I enjoy eating, but tweaking things here and there and using moderation on foods that aren't great.  (I'm a health nut wanna be...basically!  I like being healthy but still eat junk sometimes too!)

This pizza has a greek pita crust.  I get them at Costco.  They are the Papa Pita brand.  Then I make my pizza sauce, but you could use marinara or store bought sauce.  The sauce is just a can of tomato paste and a can of tomato sauce mixed together with a little bit of water.  Add some dashes of italian seasoning, garlic powder & onion powder to taste.  A titch of sugar and salt and pepper.  Then add veggies you like.  I have green peppers and zucchini...so good on pizza and in eggs.  It gives a slight sweetness. Then top with a little bit of cheese. I have 1/6 of a cup of pizza blend cheese on there, but you could use just mozzarella.  Bake at @425 for 8-10 minutes.  The best part is my kids love making their own.  I don't have to make dough and they are really good. Plus the toppings are endless. (This version has 280 calories, 7 grams of fat, 14 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber.)

This smoothie is my secret weapon.  I do not like spinach.  Neither do my kids, but you can't even tell it's in this smoothie.  First off, throw about a cup of spinach in your blender. Add water to cover your spinach.  Add half to a whole drink mix packet (to taste).  I like to use the Hawiian Punch orange one. It gives it a great citrusy flavor.  Blend it up well so it's liquified.

 Then throw in 1-2 cups of frozen berries.  (Depending on how many you are serving you may want to add more water.) Blend and you're done. (A whole blender full has 95 calories, 0 fat, 3 grams protein and 5 g fiber.)

 I love this lunch, but more importantly my kids love it too.  Usually I can't even sit down to eat before they've all drunk their smoothies.
 I hope you'll give these a try.  Let me know what you think!

***Disclaimer*** I know there are ways to make this healthier, but my goal is to eat healthy, not cut out everything I enjoy out of my diet.  If you get too extreme it will be really hard to continue...I want this to be a lifetime lifestyle change, not just a diet!

A few keys that have worked for me

I've been asked several times what I'm doing to lose weight, and I usually just say, "Exercising and eating better."  That's true, but there are a few keys that when I'm doing them I consistently lose weight and feel really good.  I think for the next week I'm going to try to do a post a day on some of those things.  Now don't think you need to try to add all these things into your life in one day.  Just pick one thing and start doing that for an entire week, then add another thing for a whole week...and so on.  Otherwise, if you're anything like me, it's too much to change all at once and you won't do any of them.

The first thing on my list is drinking water.  I know this may sound stupid, but it makes such a difference.  When I'm focused on getting in my water I'm way more aware of what and how much I'm eating.  So, how much to drink???  I've always heard 8 eight ounce glasses of water a day, but that doesn't factor in weight or amount of activity.  This is a website where you can answer a few questions and it will let you know how much you really need to drink.  With my size and exercise I'm supposed to drink 102-127 ounces.  Now believe me, I don't get that in every day, but I usually get between 64 and 100 ounces.

I really like adding the juice of a whole fresh lemon to my water and a packet of Great Value Vitamin Enhanced Kiwi Strawberry. It's a natural flavor instead of like candy flavoring. I know some of you don't like artificial sweeteners, but don't freak out...I have 1 pack a day mixed in with 32 oz and it makes my water taste really good!

Check back tomorrow for this yummy recipe.

What else weighs 35 pounds?

It's that time again...Shanna and I have both reached our 35 pound goal...HOORAY! We are pretty excited!  So I thought I'd list a few things that weigh 35 pounds:

1- 140 sticks of butter...GROSS!  That equals the 35 packages of butter up above.
2- Seven 5 pound bags of potatoes.
3- About 6 gallons of gas.
4- My nearly 3 year old son.
5- A mid-sized microwave.
6- Seven 6 packs of soda.


I'm pretty proud of us; we've had our ups and downs this last month, but overall we're making progress!
What else weighs 35 pounds???

Happy Thanksgiving Week!

These past  5 Months that I have really been focusing on my fitness have been a huge blessing in many ways, so to celebrate Thanksgiving, I would love to give you my gratitude for health countdown! 

25. I have my favorite gym partner Erin to go with me!
24. My skin is getting smoother from all of the water I drink. Or maybe I am getting old.
23. I get to do planks, which I love!
22. I have not touched chocolate in 5 months. Huge accomplishment!
21. I have learned how to not get tangled in some of the weight machines. Darn my size 10 feet!
20. Speaking of feet, I am thankful that I have more reasons to buy cute workout shoes.
19. I get to see people dancing on the elliptical some days and other funny things at the gym.
18. I get to get over my germ-a-phobia by laying on sweaty gym mats for crunches etc.
17.Which reminds me that I am thankful I have good friends to go with me to boot camp. We can all laugh at how funny we are. We are doing way awesome though.
16. I am slowly getting more energy. My kids appreciate that.
15. I feel like I am looking better in my clothes.
14. I get to buy new clothes!
13. I notice more the way food makes me feel, good or bad. Appetizers late at night will ALWAYS make me feel bad in the morning. Yet I still do that sometimes.
12. I am down 35 pounds!
11. I am trying to be a better example for my family.
10. Exercise makes me feel good. I need it, and I miss it when I miss days.
9. Jess and my kids have been very supportive and tell me how awesome I am doing. That makes me feel good!
8. My legs are starting to get a little "shapely" as my grandma would put it.
7. I am feeling strong from weights. I really like weights. Way more than I thought I would.
6. I am proving to myself how strong I am. Physically, and mentally.
5. I know that my Heavenly Father is really helping me.
4. My kids say I am nicer. Poor kids.
3. My hair doesn't look like it is on the verge of falling out.
2. I can run in little increments. I love to run.

and my #1 reason I am thankful for my health this year is....

I am feeling more like myself. I am happier, more confident, and excited about life!

I can't wait to see what the next year brings.

Thank You for all of your support and Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Befores and Durings

All right, it's that time of the month again...time for our progress pictures!  I'm kind of excited to post these because I think we've both made great progress. The first picture was taken August 5th, the second on September 5th, and the last pictures were taken today.  So, there is a 2 month gap between the last two.  Shanna lost 12 pounds, totalling 32 pounds in 4 months.

 I've lost 9 pounds since the last pictures totalling 32 pounds in 4 months.

 Don't ask me why my eyes were closed in the first one???

I'm super proud of our progress!  How are you doing???

Get started

I really believe this.  I've got 10 more pounds to reach my halfway mark, of 42.5 pounds, on my fitness journey.  I'd really like to do this by the end of December.  I'm super excited and kind of nervous.  I know that sounds weird, but I tend to be a self saboteur.  I reach certain goals, then start freaking myself out, over thinking things, then backsliding quite a ways.  I have done a lot better in the last 4 months, but still...it's a little nerve wracking.  Ultimately though, no matter what goal you're trying to reach, the ONLY way to make progress is just to get started.  Now 3 1/2 months later I can see the progress I've made and I'm SOOOOOO glad I got started when I did.  So, if your reading this thinking, "Man, I wish I could get started,"...well, duh, just start!  Even if you just watch what you eat for one meal, that's starting...or go for a walk, or write down what you ate that day....just start!  I promise in a month you'll be glad you did! ;)

Keeping it REAL...no really!

Pinterest is an awesome website...but when it comes to realistic workout pictures and poses it's full of crap!  Take this pretty girl with a big smile, makeup and manicured nails.  Then take us:

Shanna was watching me do weights and came up with the idea of taking pictures of us keeping it real.  Apparently my idiocy is really funny to her!

But then I came upon this little gem of her!

 I was trying so hard to focus and not notice that she was snapping pictures of me...but I couldn't stop laughing.  This really is pretty realistic though, we usually have a pretty good time together.

 So focused. 

 Oh the pain!

 Counting and trying not to cry & laugh at the same time. Stupid arm press machine.

 So if you are worried that if you go to the gym you won't look like one of the millions of pictures you've seen of a model working out in skimpy clothes, pretty hair and flawless makeup...don't worry you're not alone!  We sweat hard and make lots of idiotic faces...but we are also reaching our goals!

Reaching goals puts me on a high!

Okay guys, I am super excited.  Drum roll please......I am 2 pounds away from reaching my 30 pound mark, and I'm going to reach it this week....I can feel it!

I came across this idea today and I love it!  It said: A healthy lifestyle is not something you turn on or off depending on your current outlook. Love it! Totally true.  

Also, this article had some simple ideas for getting moving.  What are some ways that you get your cardio in every day?

What are your fitness, or other, goals for this week?  

P.S. If we're not already friends on myfitnesspal come find us...I'm mrserinjohnson and Shanna is shanse.

Yummy lunch idea

Yum!  This has become my new favorite lunch.  The best part is that it only takes 13 minutes to make.  I love large baking potatoes, they are so yummy and super filling.  Cook the potato in the microwave for 5 minutes, then flip it over and cook for another 5 minutes.  While that's cooking get the broccoli ready.  I have a steamer that goes in the microwave, so I fill it with a half a cup of broccoli and then throw it in for 3 minutes after the potato is done.  Peel the skin off the cooked potato, then add 4 Tbsp dollops of fat free sour cream, then throw on the broccoli.  I like to use salt, pepper, and garlic powder on top.  Then you can cut up a Tbsp of butter and put it on the very top.  It will melt and make the whole potato nice and creamy.  The whole lunch is only 349 calories and 12 grams of fat!  If you want to eliminate the butter that cuts it down to 247 calories, no fat and still super creamy.  So yummy!  Seriously give it a try.

He can kiss my {soon to be tiny} hiney!!!

From October 2012 until now, I've been learning so much, not just about fitness...it's been the year of self discovery and it also seems like about life in general.  I was kind of thrown into the self discovery process, and I'm so glad I was!  I thought I'd write about a few of the things that I've learned.  Satan is sneaky!  This is quite obvious...but I'll tell you why I say that.  No matter what your dealing with or struggling with in your life...if you look at the root of what it is your struggling with there's usually a pattern.  We all have weaknesses...and they are usually most evident and hardest to control when we're alone. {Obviously he knows we are weaker without support, or even just too embarrassed to do whatever we do with someone else around us.} Then, after we succumb to temptation, we feel like crap and let him beat us up! For me it's eating junk.  I discovered that I really love to have my little snack when all my kids and husband are asleep.  I got to have some much needed alone time and I'd use my little crutch of food to give me comfort from an exhausting day.  Think about what it is that your struggling with and see if you can see any sort of pattern to your temptation. 

The next thing I realized is that Satan wants us to continue to deal with these struggles on our own because by ourselves we are weak.  He can torture us and make us feel like crap...so of course he doesn't want us to talk about it and work through our problems!  I've been recognizing his handy work in my life in many areas, but specifically with getting fit, I've found having Shanna as a workout buddy and someone I can complain too and talk about what I'm struggling with has been a huge help.  I also have a pretty awesome husband who is always willing to help me work through things.  But most importantly my biggest supporter and greatest strength comes from my Heavenly Father.  If I'm having a rough day I can ask Him for help and believe me, help always comes!

I really love this saying and this picture.  It's exactly how I feel right now.  Weight loss and getting fit can be really embarrassing.  It's embarrassing to me that I let myself get out of control and forget to take care of my body.  That I could eat an entire bag of__________{insert choice junk food here}in one sitting!  That I love clothes and looking cute and that I was squeezing myself into my too tight stuff.  But I've learned how to overcome being embarrassed...do you want to know the secret?  Taking action, no matter how small, makes you feel empowered so you can make your new ending!  I feel strong and beautiful and amazing.  Even though there are still temptations and guilt..and a long way to go to get to my goals, I know that with my Heavenly Father I have the strength to knock Satan on his butt and he can just kiss mine as I'm jogging past him!

Speaking of jogging...I've started doing the couch to 5k and I'm sore this morning!  But this has been my mantra all week!

I'm pretty proud of myself!  I've always wanted to be a "runner," with all the coolness that comes from it....those of you who are runners and are fit, you may not know that those of us who are not, think you are cool and secretly wish we could do it too!  Plus.....drum roll please...I AM A THIRD OF THE WAY TO MY GOAL!  I'VE LOST 25 POUNDS!!!!!  And I'm just getting started.  It's really exciting to be feeling so strong.  

So anyways, I hope this helps someone in some tiny way.  Seriously look at what's holding you back and see if Satan has any part in it.  The good new is that if he is...you can be stronger than him!!!

Are you fast, cheap, easy and fake?

After a kind of crappy...delicious...eating weekend, I saw this picture this morning and had a case of the guilt trip!  Curses!!!  Oh well, back to the gym and my normal routine today.

Exactly one month later pictures

All righty then...last month we posted our first pictures and we've decided to take monthly pictures of ourselves to show our progress on this journey...I gotta say that I'm a little surprised by our progress.  I think Shanna has lost 10 pounds since the first pictures, totalling 20!  Look how awesome she is doing!!!

 I've lost 7 pounds.  Totalling at 23 pounds.

Can't wait to see what next months results will be!!!

Cycle

Thought I'd post this today.  I love it, and it's sooooo true!

Erin's Super yummy Quinoa salad!

As I've said before, I'm not following some strict diet, I'm making lifestyle changes.  I've looked at my eating habits and am trying to make better, healthier choices.  One of the major things I found is that I wasn't getting enough protein in at each meal.  That is probably one of the biggest changes I've made.  The only problem with upping your protein is that it can make you be a little...shall we say....backed up.  So to counteract that I've obviously had to make sure I'm getting enough fiber.  Hehehe!!!  {I really am a 12 year old stuck in a 29 year old body...I'm soooo mature!}  Anywho, this salad is great for having tons of protein and being packed full of fiber too!  Plus, I've totally been craving it lately, BONUS!  It's fresh, filling and really yummy.  Here are the ingredients:

Quinoa - 2 cups dry

Chicken Broth, 99% fat free - 14 oz can

Black beans - 14 oz can

Mango - 1 cup-ish, 2 mangos

Cilantro - 1/2 cup

Green Onion - 6 medium

Dressing: 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil - 3 Tbsp

Fresh Lime Juice - 2 Tbsp

Red wine vinegar - 4 Tbsp

Directions:  First cook the quinoa.  Follow the directions on the package.  I cook mine in the chicken broth and make up the difference with water.  While that is cooking, cut up all the other ingredients.  I like small chunks of the veggies, and bigger chunks of mango.  Mix the ingredients for the dressing together, and once the quinoa has cooled, mix it all together. Then just salt and pepper to taste.  So yummy!  It takes about 30 minutes to make this salad and I break it down into 4 large servings.

Broken down into 4 large servings it has 562 calories, 17 grams of fat, 19 grams of protein, & 15 grams of fiber.

 To drink I made lemon water {out of bottled lemon juice} with some mint sprigs.  It's pretty refreshing, but not on my list of favorite drinks.  Today I added fresh lemon juice {much better flavor than the bottled stuff} to a single packet of fruit punch crystal light & 32 oz of water and it made it taste a lot better.  I am trying lemon juice to see if it will help me flush out some water weight I am holding on to, we will see!

Isn't that a pretty lunch?  Shanna and I thought so!

Yes I am Competitive!

I am competitive. Very Competitive. Lets just say that I am not very happy that Erin is losing so fast, and I am on the slow track. I am trying out different calorie amounts and trying to figure out what will make me lose faster. I was doing around 1300-1400 calories and losing very slow. My sisters told me to up my calories to 1900. I am trying that for a couple of weeks to see if that helps. Meanwhile, Erin is doing awesome, and it is making me CRAZY!!!  In all seriousness though, I am happy that Erin and I are on this journey together, and that we CAN have a little friendly competition and laugh about it! I know that in the long run, my body will respond and the weight will start falling off. In the mean time, I need to have patience. I really am super proud of Erin too! Way to go!!! Now then...anyone want to play a game that I can win at??!

What does success look like?

Seriously so true!  I've made the decision to get healthy and I am making big changes...not dieting, changing my habits; not occasionally exercising, doing it daily...but I still can get so frustrated when I'm not making steady progress.  This was a good reminder that success will come, after plateaus and back sliding...but I'm in it for the long haul, so I have to be able to see the big picture!  What do you like to do to refocus your efforts???  I like to do an extra long workout...that tends to solve my munching problems because I really hate to workout hard, then blow all my efforts on food.


I am pretty proud of myself today...I went 10 miles on the treadmill and bike.  Kicking off the week with a bang.  Feeling good!!!

Huge milestone

Alright, I am super excited because I hit my 20 pound mark today!!!  I was getting pretty frustrated because I was working out hard, and eating a lot better and not eating at night at all and I just wasn't seeing the results I wanted.  I have been feeling so much better, and I can see a difference in my body, but still not showing on the scales.  That's when I knew I had to track my food better.  Stupid food!  I hate that I have to write down everything I put into my mouth, but apparently that's the only way this is going to work for me.  So anywho, today is a big day....20 pounds down.

Here's my list of 20 things that weigh 20 pounds:


1. A puppy
2. A 1 year old 
3. KitchenAid Mixer
4. Car Tire
5. Medium sized bag of dog food
6. Two bags of sugar
7. My purse packed full of everything for my kiddos
8. 2 gallons of milk
9. 80 sticks of butter  {Seriously gross!!!}
10. 4 large Rainbow Trout
11. A big bag of ice
12. A propane tank
13. Karaoke machine
14. Thanksgiving turkey
15. Dining chair
16. A pug dog
17. 2 medium bowling balls

18. 2 cats or one really large one!
19. A Racoon
20. All the fat I just lost!!!


That's pretty gross and awesome all in one!  So here's to being 20 pounds lighter and being diligent about writing all my stupid food down!!!