Dearest people who read my blog, I feel so sad that it has taken me so long to write another blog. Work has been so busy and getting ready for the wedding has also started to pick up pace. Only 5 months to go til the big day!! Yikes!! I couldn't be more excited!
Since I've started blogging about my weight loss, many people, even those who don't read this, have asked me what I am eating to lose weight and also what I do at the gym to work out. There really isn't much of a science to what I do, and I truly believe anyone can do it if I can, so I am going to share with you a few of the main meals and snacks I munch on and if you'd like to steal my ideas, please, by all means, do so!
So what does Dani eat for breakfast? It depends on if it is a weekday or a weekend really. I am super lazy so asking me to make something like eggs on a weekday is simply out of the question. Monday through Friday I generally stick to eating 55 grams of Trader Joe's Maple and Brown Sugar Shredded Wheat. That is what their serving size is and it is enough to fill me up until snack time. Also, it is very tasty for those of us with a slight sweet tooth in the morning. A more recent habit I have developed is drinking coffee in the morning. It is only 7 calories for about 8-10 ounces with 1% milk, and I know its a not so great habit to develop, but what do you want from me? I don't smoke cigarettes any more, so this helps me get going in the morning sometimes like the cigarettes used to. Now on the weekends, I have some more time, so I will sometimes toast up either whole wheat bread from traders or one of their whole wheat English muffins and slather the serving size of fat free cream cheese on it along with some jelly for flavor. That will run you about 200 calories or more depending on how much you put on of the toppings. If I am feeling really adventurous in the morning I have been known to make a delicious breakfast that consists of eggs scrambled with peppers, onions, cheddar cheese and topped off with ketchup. Yes, ketchup. You may not like it on your eggs, but this kid does. It's the Jersey in me I guess.
For some pre-lunch snacks, I usually munch on things like bananas or apples on work days. Also I have tried the Trader Joe's Organic Yogurts, which are very tasty and all are under 200 calories a pop. Another yogurt that I have tried and liked for snack time is Danon's 60 Calorie yogurts and they also have tons of yummy flavors. If you like carbs like I do, some other snacks that I like are Trader Joe's Light Kettle Corn. They sell it personal size bags, which i LOVE, and its only 100 calories.
I have a pretty generic lunch that I have been eating for most of my "get heathly" slash "life change" phase. It consists of about 2-3 ounces of baby spinach and then some kind of other vegetable mixed with it. Usually carrots or cucumber and I try to have about 1 ounce of those in the salad. I also measure out my salad dressing to the serving size and put it in a little zip loc baggie which makes it easy to poke a hole in it later and put it on the salad. Two of my favorite salad dressings are Trader Joe's Goddess Dressing and also Trader Joe's Spicy Peanut Vinaigrette. They are both SOO tasty. In addition to the salad, which can be 100-200 calories, depending on which dressing I use, I try to have a little sweet thing with it like a Quaker 90 calorie chewy bar. Those are so yum.
For my pre-gym slash before dinner snack, I usually again will have an apple or a banana. If it is a weekend, I am very likely to go for the whole wheat pita and hummus. Trader Joe's has these great mini whole wheat pitas that are about 60 calories for two of them and they are perfect for a little snack. Also I love Trader's Spicy Hummus as well as their Jalapeno Cilantro Hummus. It's all so delicious. Have I mentioned how obsessed I am with Trader Joe's? Another snack that I will make is a whole wheat English muffin topped with Trader Joe's pizza sauce, 2% cheese, garlic powder, and some Parmesan cheese. The snack all together is 350 calories if you follow all serving sizes and it is DELISH!
Dinner usually varies depending on who is cooking... but some of my favorites have been making grilled chicken (about 4 ounces) with broccoli sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, also lean steak of any kind with mashed cauliflower (tasted JUST like potatoes). Jim and I both love pasta, so we do make whole wheat pasta with some lean ground turkey mixed in every now and again and I just love that as long as its loaded with garlic. I am a garlicholic.
Lots of people don't eat late night snacks, but I feel late night snacking is where I really shine. I can get really creative late at night and usually its when I am most hungry of all. One time I made 1% milk mixed up with some Midnight Moo (Trader Joe's version of chocolate syrup -- its fat free!) and I topped that off with some whipped cream and that will keep you at about 200 calories for a delicious treat. I have also made some tasty late night quesadillas which consist of Trader Joe's whole wheat tortilla, 2% cheeses, serving size of bbq sauce, and 2 ounces of chicken. You just throw that together and put it on the skillet and it is sooo yummy. Also, the most recent late night treat Jim and I have found are Jell-O's mousse treats. We have tried the Caramel Creme and it is to die for if you like caramel flavor.
Well, I hope that gives you a pretty good idea of what I have been eating lately. If you have any questions for me feel free to ask me. If you are wondering if I've had any alcohol lately, the answer is yes, but only on the weekends and only have had vodka tonics with lime and light beer so far. I think I may have my first mid week drink this week for Thanksgiving, but it's a holiday, so we'll allow it, right? Also I would like to update you all on my weight loss, not to brag, but to inspire you. So far this year I have lost 27 pounds. I started this year a depressed 163 pounds and this morning weighed in at 136 and couldn't be happier. I hope to reach my goal weight of 125 by the wedding so keep thinking good thoughts for me and I'll keep sending good vibes your way too!! But seriously guys, it is truly amazing what I have done for myself. All it took was a little push from some friends and family along with some self dedication and I was able to do this. Which means, and yes I will say it over and over again, if I can do it YOU CAN TOO.
Hope all of you have a Happy Thanksgiving 2009!!!
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