Barbecue Chicken Flatbread Pizza

I enjoy cooking and making up recipes. Sometimes they're wins and sometimes not so much (but I don't like to talk about those). Last night I had a definite win. A delicious Barbecue Chicken and Veggie Pizza on homemade oregano and basil flatbread. Tastes like it should be soooo bad for you but instead is a healthy alternative to pizza when you have a yen for it.

Any toppings can be put on my flatbread, I just happened to have chicken on hand. :D Next time I'm thinking of doing my own version of Round Table's Maui Zaui Pizza.

Barbecue Chicken Flatbread Pizza
(2 servings pictured)

Ingredients

Crust:
1 egg (beaten)
2/3 cups nonfat milk
1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tbs Italian Seasoning
1 1/2 tsp basil
1 tsp oregano

Toppings:
1 boneless skinless chicken breast (cut up in bite sized pieces)
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 cup sliced zucchini
1 tbs chopped garlic
1/2 cup + 1 tbs of barbecue sauce
1/2 cup 2% Milk Reduced Fat Mozzarella Cheese
1/4 cup green onion and chives
1/4 cup chopped tomatoes

Directions
Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
2. Beat egg and milk together in large bowl
3. Add rest of ingredients and mix well
4. Pour into 9 x 13 glass baking dish (prepared with nonstick spray) and level batter
   
5. **Bake for 8 minutes

Toppings:

1. In a skillet sprayed with nonstick spray, cook chicken w/ 1 tbs of barbecue sauce and then set aside (about 5 minutes)
   
2. Using same skillet with more nonstick spray, saute garlic, mushrooms, and zucchini until tender (about 5 minutes) and then set aside
3. spread the rest of barbecue sauce onto baked flatbread
4. sprinkle sauce with the cheese, chicken, sauteed veggies, and then green onions w/ chives, and tomatoes
5. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes or until cheese is melted and pizza is hot (at 400 degrees)
   
6. Cut into 8 equal sections and enjoy
   

Nutritional Breakdown per Serving
Calories: 173
Carbohydrates: 25 grams
Fat: 2.5 grams
Protein: 12 grams

** if you just want the flatbread to go along as a side dish to a meal you'll want to bake it for 15 to 18 minutes or until completely done. For pizza, it only bakes half the time by itself because it bakes some more with the toppings.

(anyone who wants the nutritional breakdown for just the bread just let me know)

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 35 minutes on the Wii Fit doing Strength Training and Yoga -- burning 187 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 17 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - Cream of Wheat and sliced strawberries
Lunch - turkey sandwich, pretzels, and a pickle
Mid-Afternoon Snack - frozen banana, graham crackers, and peanut butter
Dinner - Barbecue Chicken Flatbread Pizza
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1488
total days = 23
total pounds lost = 9.7

Planning.

I attribute a lot of my success to planning. In the morning I sit down and figure out what I'm going to eat. I add it to my tracking sheet, see how it adds up and then move things around, add something, take something out, depending on what the numbers look like -- and then I stick to it. That way, there's no guess work. I know what I'm going to have and when. So even if I'm hungry I don't graze. I just quickly throw together the meal I planned for that time while chugging water.

This is why on weekends when I don't stay home really jack up my routine.

I can't plan for the day. I can't see my category numbers in the morning and play with my menu. I have to wing it. Make healthier choices. And hope that when I come home and plug in my numbers that it comes out close to what I've allotted myself. On the weekends, I feel like I'm a trapeze artist without a net under me.

So far I haven't plummeted (sticking with the trapeze analogy) and I've been lucky that there were healthy choices to choose when I haven't been home. Sometimes I just want to stay home where I'm in complete control but putting myself in lock down over food isn't really healthy, is it?

Healthy living is just that -- living. So, I chalk up my hands (back to the trapeze analogy), grab my swing, and swing away.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 41 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 345 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 16 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - slice of toast w/ peanut butter and sliced bananas
Lunch - turkey sandwich, pretzels, and a pickle
Mid-Afternoon Snack - sliced strawberries, Simply Gogurt, Pirate's Booty, graham crackers
Dinner - london broil, garlic mashed potatoes, and peas
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1379
total days = 22
total pounds lost = 9.7

So Hot.

Yesterday was so freaking hot. It got into the triple digits. I secretly reveled in the heat. I was miserable but sweating felt good -- like working out without having to get off the couch. I don't know. I'm sick I guess. However my infant, Mr. Grumpybutt, HATED it and he demonstrated his name for hours on end and 3 ft could've really cared less. He got to go swimming.

So I spent 4.5 hours at the pool yesterday with 3ft while the Husband and Grumpybutt sweltered in the house (did they have too? No. We have a crappy air conditioner which would've been better than nothing...but I digress.). I spent a few hours in the pool wrestling with the boy child and then the rest cowering in the shade. I SO DID NOT WANT TO LOOK LIKE ERIC STOLTZ FROM MASK AGAIN!!!!

Goal accomplished I barely got sun kissed. I think my sunscreen is total crap though because I kept reapplying it liberally to 3ft and he got a little pink. So, I gotta fix that.

Yesterday also tested my resolve. I took some healthy snacks to the pool for the boy and I and our neighbor friends came along. They had a really super delicious fruit dip to dip strawberries in so I had a little (they twisted my arm really). I really wanted more. The dip was made out of whipped cream cheese and marshmallow creme so you know it was super delicious. But I only had a little bit and didn't go for seconds when offered. Then they brought out homemade chili and gave me some. I only had about 1/2 a cup but it was super delicious and I wanted more, but also didn't.

I justified the tiny splurges with spending about 2+ hours in the pool swimming laps and wrestling with my kid and that burns a lot of calories. Plus, if not for the tiny splurges I might as well call it a diet instead of a healthier lifestyle, right? So I savored the treats and didn't overdo. Which is the key!

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - Swimming (2.5 hours). Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 15 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - eggs and a slice of toast
Lunch - Costco Chicken Caesar Salad (no croutons, no dressing, 1/2 cheese)
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, pretzels, strawberries w/ fruit dip, chili
Dinner - Mc Donalds Grilled Chicken Snack Wrap (w/ only 1/2 the tortilla) and Fruit 'N Yogurt Parfait
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1375
total days = 21
total pounds lost = 9.7

The Sunday After...

We went to a barbecue yesterday at my cousins house. Oh my god the food was good. Pita chips and this awesome tomato basil hummus, watermelon, hamburgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and then I brought angel food cake and sliced strawberries.

I. Ate. Too. Much.

I was hungry the food was good and I love barbecues. I rarely ever get them because we don't have a grill at home. So I figured it was a special day, hanging with family, with good food and I was going to eat. I don't regret it. It was really good.

And really it could've been worse. Sure, I could've done without the 1/2 of hot dog but it was a delicious hot dog and at least I forwent the bun on it. Go me!

So, it's Sunday, which means I climbed up on good ol' Bertha (I don't really call my scale that) and found out how much I lost this week.

*drum roll*

3.5 lbs!!!!!

I wonder what it would've been if I hadn't horked out yesterday? Nah, I don't care. It was worth it. I felt normal and not like I was dieting (because I'm not!) and I still made forward progress for the week. All in all I'd say last week was a WIN!

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 45 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 329 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 14 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - eggs, a slice of toast, and sliced strawberries
Lunch - hamburger w/ bun, 1/2 hot dog w/out bun, and corn on the cob
Mid-Afternoon Snack - pita chips and hummus, watermelon, and angel food cake w/ strawberries
Dinner - Jack in the Box Chicken Fajita Pita w/out cheese, salsa, and 1/2 the pita
Evening Snack - skipped (it was too late, I'd just worked out, and figured I'd had enough calories for the day)

total calories = 1474
total days = 20
total pounds lost = 9.7

Tracking Stuff.

I got a great e-mail from an old friend (as in I've known her since she was in 6th grade not that she's old, thank you very much) that really made me think. I love e-mails like that. She sent me some great tips and ideas about foods to try and exercises (it's all about strength training, baby). But she also expressed concern about how it's not all about tracking calories.

And I know I talk a lot about how many calories I have or have not eaten. But I also have ranges I track in other categories too.

I make sure that out of the calories I eat I get a certain amount of protein, fat (yes you're supposed to eat this too), and carbohydrates to keep a balanced diet of all the food groups. So while I'm tracking my calories I'm also making sure that I'm not overdoing it in another category and if I'm lacking in one I make sure I eat something that fills it. It also helps with each mini-meal I eat that I make sure I hit every food group. Then I know I'm hitting all the areas I also track and it helps keep me full until the next time I can eat.

I know I haven't drastically changed my diet. I've just come up with ways to make it healthier -- like inventing my own recipes for favorite foods so I know exactly how much of what I'm putting in my body. And while I occasionally make a boxed food item for my boys and eat it (I'm so not cooking two separate meals) I make sure to make it healthier where I can and then watch how much I eat of it.

The whole point of this lifestyle is that it's for life and to do that it has to be doable for me. If I'm forcing myself to eat foods I don't necessarily like because they're healthy then I'll feel like I'm "dieting" and then I'm going to sabotage myself. It's how I work. So I might eat things that aren't necessarily classified as healthy but as long as I'm not going over my range goals in the categories I track then I think I'm ahead of the game.

So far it's working for me.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 47 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 349 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 13 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - toast w/ peanut butter and sliced banana
Lunch - tuna salad, 2 dill pickle spears, and Ritz Reduced Fat Crackers
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, pretzels, and 1/2 a Skinny Cow ice cream cone
Dinner - Teriyaki Chicken, brown rice, and broccoli
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini Wheats

total calories = 1432
total days = 19
total pounds lost = 9.7

Reading the Box

I've found I need to stop just looking at the calories on labels and look at the portion size too. (And here you chime in with, "Duh!") Why I wasn't doing this before, I'm not sure. Take Pasta Roni (one of Mr. Picky Pants favorite side dishes) it has over 300 calories for any of the flavors per serving. So I haven't been making it. I happened to have checked out the portion and that's for a cup of noodles. A cup is a huge amount of food when coupled with a small cut of meat and a veggie. So something I thought was off limits -- thinking that a half cup was over 300 calories and ridiculously high -- I've found is not so bad.

Scalloped Potatoes vs. Potatoes Au Gratin. Just glancing at the box's calories Scalloped says it has a little less. Looking at the portion you get 3/4 cup of Au Gratin instead of the 1/2 cup Scalloped. I actually only eat a half cup of potatoes ever -- anything more is too much. If I'd have chosen the Au Gratin by actually READING the entire box label I could've had my 1/2 cup potatoes for significantly less calories than the 1/2 cup I ended up eating.

Portions on some foods are ridiculously high and why I've started not only reading calories but how much they consider a portion and then adjust accordingly to my needs. Don't ask why I wasn't doing this before. This shouldn't be such a mind boggling epiphany -- something so easy and that I should've been doing the whole time.

Well, I've learned my lesson.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 35 minutes on the Wii Fit doing Strength Training and Yoga -- burning 189 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 12 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - Cream of Wheat and sliced strawberries
Lunch - tuna salad, 2 dill pickle spears, and Ritz Reduced Fat Crackers
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, pretzels, and a frozen banana
Dinner - Teriyaki Chicken, brown rice, and broccoli
Evening Snack - 1 Skinny Cow Mint and Chocolate Ice Cream Cone

total calories = 1344
total days = 18
total pounds lost = 8.1

Forever? How Annoying.

I was talking with a friend yesterday about my healthy lifestyle process and philosophies and she brought up an interesting point. She'd said how she hadn't tracked how many calories she'd eaten but since this was a lifestyle change it shouldn't really matter. After all, she wasn't going to count calories for the rest of her life.

And that really made me stop and think.

I track everything. Every bite that goes into my mouth, every minute I exercise, how many calories I've burned, even how many days of having only water to drink. Am I going to be tracking this for the rest of my life? How annoying would that be. (Although, right now I secretly enjoy all the tracking and I'm a compulsive list maker and stat keeper anyway -- but I do see how it might be annoying.)

Then I came to this conclusion:

I need to learn portion control (which I've had an epiphany on with reading labels which we'll get into tomorrow) and how much exactly is a tablespoon or a 1/2 cup. Plus I think it's also important to see how much you can actually EAT without going over on calories so you don't starve yourself and fall into the "diet mentality" which is an automatic fail.

So I track everything right now as a learning tool. Plus while my main goals are to be healthy and keep up with my kids the side benefit is weight loss and I have a whole lot I want to lose (a WHOLE lot). So when I get down to my goal, I imagine, I'll stop counting calories and instinctively know how much of what I should be eating with an occasional I-can-live-with-it splurge and from time to time measure just to make sure my portions haven't been getting unconsciously bigger.

So, while my friend does have a point, I think it depends on what your goals are and how fast you want to achieve them. I'm focused on two pounds a week. So I naturally will watch every morsel I decide to put in my mouth and account for it, doing so without depriving myself of anything or going hungry. But if you only have a few pounds to lose or just want to feel good and have energy then I think the Nazi hold I have over my calories might be a little extreme. :D

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 42 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 339 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 11 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - slice of toast w/ peanut butter and sliced bananas
Lunch - tuna salad, 2 dill pickle spears, and Ritz Reduced Fat Crackers
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, pretzels, and a Simply Gogurt
Dinner - pork tenderloin, Scalloped potatoes, and peas
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1379
total days = 17
total pounds lost = 8.1

No Sweat.

Yeah right.

I swear strength training knocks me on my ass harder than doing aerobics any day. I did 35 minutes yesterday of Yoga and Strength Training. And while I broke a sweat and felt the burn, my muscles weren't sore.

Well that was yesterday.

Today, my muscles, especially my arms, are sore. I think I hear the mutterings of my planned demise but that could be the heat talking. But I'm glad I'm sore -- it means I did it right and that it will work. I especially love that my tummy muscles are tender because that's one of my main target areas (who am I kidding? My whole body is... but I digress).

So I will happily do my aerobics today and quiet down the rumblings of a muscle revolution. And hope I'm not as sore tomorrow when I do the Yoga and Strength Training routine again.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 35 minutes on the Wii Fit doing strength training and yoga -- burning 197 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 10 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - piece of toast w/ peanut butter and sliced banana
Lunch - pseudo fried chicken salad and a Gogurt Simple
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, pretzels, and sliced strawberries w/ angel food mini-cake
Dinner - london broil, chicken and garlic rice, and broccoli
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1374
total days = 16
total pounds lost = 6.2

Holy Jalepeno.

Holy Heatstroke Batman! It was muy caliente yesterday (and unless I start ordering food that's the extent of my Spanish. Well that, and donde esta un bano?). However, that didn't stop me. I thought ahead.

When Mr. Grumpybutt took his morning nap yesterday and 3ft was playing his Nintendo DS and no one was watching the television that wasn't even on, it was already getting warm. I normally workout after lunch during Mr. Grumpybutt's afternoon nap and get as much work done as I can during the morning nap. Yesterday, I flipped them and got my workout out of the way first thing.

The only drawback was that I kept feeling like I had to workout all afternoon and had to remind myself I'd already done it. Which, if that's the only drawback, sign me up for morning workouts instead of afternoon ones. :)

I'm also switching my routine up a little bit. For the past two weeks I've been doing cardio 6 days a week. I did this to jump start my new lifestyle. Well now I'm switching it up. I'm going to do cardio 4 days a week (M, W, F, Sat) and I'm going to do Yoga and Strength Training 2 days a week (T and Th) and still take Sundays off. Because not only do I want the weight to come off I want to tone up while I do so.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 43 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 336 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 9 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - Cream of Wheat and sliced strawberries
Lunch - tuna salad, Reduced fat Ritz crackers, dill pickle spear
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, pretzels, and a small frozen banana
Dinner - pseudo fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and corn
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats and angel food mini-cake

total calories = 1429
total days = 15
total pounds lost = 6.2

Could've Been Worse.

Since yesterday was Father's Day, I pretty much threw my routine out the window. I started off with a normal breakfast. Then the kids and I took Daddy to his favorite Mexican food restaurant for his special lunch.

I did NOT eat any chips and salsa -- a major coup for me -- and I scraped the excess cheese off the refried beans, but I did eat all my lunch otherwise. It's my favorite Mexican food restaurant too. :D The damage could've been much worse.

But does the indulgence stop there? Oh no. We went to Olive Garden with my parents to celebrate Father's Day with my dad. Now, I could've had the manicotti which is what I always get on top of the huge salad and tons of bread sticks and really could've owned the calories. However, I didn't. I got the soup and salad. And while I did eat a lot of salad. I didn't eat the olives, the cheese, or the croutons which made it a little healthier. I only had one bowl of soup. Which was actually good on my part because it was so delicious I wanted another one just for that reason alone. NOT because I was actually hungry. But my willpower persevered!

All in all, I'm actually quite proud of myself and how I did yesterday. It could've been close to 3000 calories but I stayed pretty close to my target goals. My calorie count is an estimate as I did without ingredients that are normally counted in.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - Sunday is my day off. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 8 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - scrambled eggs, toast, and sliced strawberries
Lunch - chicken taco, refried beans, and spanish rice.
Mid-Afternoon Snack - (was still full from lunch)
Dinner - Olive Garden soup and salad -- ate A LOT of salad, one bowl of soup, and three bread sticks
Evening Snack - (was still full from dinner)

total calories = around 1700
total days = 14
total pounds lost = 6.2

Did Anyway.

I really didn't want to work out yesterday (a shocker? right?). The weekend really throws off my schedule and even though I try to maintain it, I'm not always successful. Which meant that when I didn't get my exercise in around 1 like during the week it ended up being after 6:30. Which is earlier than it was previously but I really like it best around 1. I was tired. My back was bugging me. I didn't have the energy.

However...

I made myself do it. My husband was going to let me take yesterday off if I promised to workout today. But today is Father's Day and we've got plans and I figured there was a slim to none chance I'd have the time or the inclination to do it. So I (all by myself) got on the Wii Fit and did 43 minutes.

I felt great afterward especially because no one made me but myself.

Working out everyday has really paid off.

*drum roll*

I've lost 2.2 lbs this week!! HOORAY! I love to see the scale drop. I've had bacon, I've had pizza (okay only bites -- but still), I've had cake, I've had Doritos, and a twice baked potato.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 43 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 339 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 7 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - scrambled eggs, toast, and sliced strawberries
Lunch - Chicken Salad
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, 1 Angel Food Mini-Cakes, and pretzels
Dinner - London Broil, twice baked potato, and broccoli
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1290
total days = 13
total pounds lost = 6.2

Skeptical.

I was able to squeeze in my workout again in the afternoon while Mr. Grumpybutt was taking a nap. 3ft was even better about it yesterday, not harassing me til I was almost done about when was it his turn.

My favorite Wii Fit exercises are Expert Super Hula Hoop and Expert Rhythm Boxing. The Hula Hoop really kicks my butt as you've got to hula for 10 minutes -- 5 minutes to the right and 5 minutes to the left. I also kick it's butt too. I can do over 1300 rotations and I 4 star it every time. Rhythm Boxing is just fun. When isn't fun to pretend to beat something up? :D

I'm kind of skeptical, though. I sweat and my heart rate accelerates but I just don't see how something that's so much fun is really a workout. The proof is in the scale, I s'pose. If the poundage keeps dropping then I guess Wii Fit really is working out. :D

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 42 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 339 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 6 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - Cream of Wheat and sliced strawberries
Lunch - Tuna Salad, ritz crackers, and 2 pickles
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, 2 Angel Food Mini-Cakes, and pretzels
Dinner - Grilled Teriyaki Tilapia, brown rice, broccoli
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1341
total days = 12
total pounds lost = 4

Much Better!

It was so much better to do my workout yesterday afternoon. I put Mr. Grumpybutt down for a nap and then had a heart to heart with 3ft. I explained how I needed to use the Wii Fit but when I was done he could do it. He said, "No problem."

After every exercise he would try to say it was his turn and I'd tell him again when I was done with my entire workout he could have it. He did really good. And when I was done I let him have it. It was pretty cute watching him shake his butt on the balance board. His workout clothes were his boxers and only his boxers.

And it was nice after getting the kids to bed and watering my plant that I could just sit down and relax. So that's just what I did. I felt guilty for like 3 seconds until I remembered that I'd already done my workout.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 41 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 323 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 5 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - scrambled eggs, toast, and sliced strawberries
Mid-Morning Snack - (getting rid of this snack -- I never eat it anymore)
Lunch - Tuna Salad, ritz crackers, and 2 pickles
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich and part of a skinny cow ice cream cone
Dinner - Grilled Chicken, Pasta Boodle, and peas
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats and 1 Angel Food Mini-Cake

total calories = 1410
total pounds lost = 4

Switching It Up!

I'm going to have to do a readjustment to my schedule. I've been waiting til I get the kids in bed and asleep before I do the Wii Fit. It's just easier to do it without 3ft wanting to do it too. However, while a good idea in theory,it's not really working for me.

All I wanted to do last night was nothing. My husband forced me onto the Wii and I was so irritable that when I clearly hit the timing on "Parade" I got pissed when it didn't register. I did horribly and didn't get a single high score on anything. I powered through and when I wanted to quit and technically I could've, I pushed myself to do one more just out of orneriness.

By the time the kids are in bed I'm exhausted. More often than not I've been up since 5am and after chasing the children all day all I want to do when they're in bed is veg on the couch and zone on television. Which makes pulling out the Wii Fit an act of willpower more than anything else and 9 times out of 10 it's my husband making me do it.

So, let the battle begin. I'm going to start working out earlier. When I have energy, when I'm not so freaking exhausted, when I WANT to. 3ft is just going to have to understand he can't do the Wii until I'm done. Which ought to add a new level of 'fun' to my workout. But really, it has to be done.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 41 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 322 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 4 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - scrambled eggs, toast, and sliced strawberries
Mid-Morning Snack - (had an early lunch)
Lunch - leftovers: broiled chicken breast, pasta, green beans
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich and 4 Angel Food Mini-Cakes
Dinner - Taco Salad
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1438
total pounds lost = 4

Doesn't Feel Like "Dieting"...

Well, I suppose it's technically not dieting, more like healthier choices. I don't tell myself I can't have Nacho Cheese Doritos (which I have) it's all about portion control and balancing them out with healthier foods. It just amazes me how much I can eat and stay within my target goals. Which is why it doesn't feel like I should be losing weight -- but I am. Which makes me wonder why ever did it take me so long to get back on track!

Yesterday, I had a yen for something sweet. We have the standard sweet fare that comes with having a 5-year-old but I didn't want that. So I got in my kitchen and did some inventing and came up with Angel Food Mini-Cakes. Portion-sized cakes that I can keep track of exactly how much I've eaten instead of trying to section off and entire cake and keep track that way. They turned out really good. I ate 4 of them yesterday and still didn't go over target. They're not quite as fluffy as an entire cake would've been but they're still good.

Remember that vinaigrette I made? I marinated a couple chicken breasts in it all day yesterday and then threw it in the broiler. OMG, it turned out so good. I'm definitely going to have to do that again. I also tossed some penne rigate pasta with a little olive oil, garlic, and a bunch of herbs to go with the chicken.

I used to be about quantity. It didn't matter what it tasted like because I ate how much of whatever I wanted. Now I'm about quality. It's gotta be delicious to enjoy every bite because I only allow myself certain amounts. I really enjoy quality portion controlled eating but I do miss some things though -- like a good Chinese food buffet.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 42 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 316 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 3 of no soda.

Meals:
Breakfast - scrambled eggs and sliced strawberries
Mid-Morning Snack - (had an early lunch)
Lunch - Tuna Salad and 2 dill pickle spears, and some Ritz Reduced Fat Crackers
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich and 4 Angel Food Mini-Cakes
Dinner - Broiled Chicken Breast, Italian Herb and Garlic Penne Rigate, and green beans.
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1368

Wasn't Quick Enough!

When Mr. Grumpybutt is fussy, nothing puts him in a good mood like 'flying'. I lay on my back and lift him, horizontally, over my head. Then he soars around and when he hits turbulence he drops toward my chest (a fun way for me to lift 'weight').

Well Mr. G is teething, which means a lot of drool, which adds a whole new dimension to the whole 'flying' experience.

Usually, I'm quicker but yesterday, I was too slow. I saw the drool form and the devilish glint in his eye and I quickly started anti-drool maneuvers. He countered, and I ended up with a glob of baby drool in the face. Up my nose and across my lips (as I had the presence of mind to close my mouth). As I sputtered and set him down to wipe my face and blow my nose, I could hear his grumpyness's evil giggling and 3ft's hysterical laughter.

Normally lifting baby iron is a fun way to do some strength training. My mommy brain engages on his smiles and giggles and I don't notice the burn (he's like 17 pounds now). I also will lift him longer than I would normal hand weights because he's having so much fun. A face full of drool, unfortunately, makes it less fun for me

but

3ft is all about me doing it now. He's constantly bugging me to make Mr. Grumpybutt fly and as soon as I pick the baby up, 3ft starts chanting, "Drool. Drool. Drool."

As if Mr. Grumpybutt needs any encouragement!

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - 40 minutes on the Wii Fit -- burning 312 calories. Drank 12 glasses of water. Day 2 of no soda (I drank diet so it wasn't like I was adding calories or anything but water is so much better for you)

Meals:
Breakfast - 2 eggs w/ salsa and sliced strawberries
Mid-Morning Snack - (had an early lunch)
Lunch - Tuna Salad and 3 dill pickle spears
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, 4 Nacho cheese Doritos, and a Gogurt Simple
Dinner - Barbecue Broiled Pork Tenderloin, potatoes au gratin, and broccoli
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1351

Bacon, Angel Food Cake, Cheese Pizza... Oh My!

You read it right folks. Yesterday not only did I have a BLT for dinner, I also had Angel Food Cake w/ strawberries, and cheese pizza. On top of that I didn't surpass my target calories, carbs, fat, and protein.

How I did it:

I knew I was making the BLT's for dinner first thing in the morning so I planned my meals ahead to make sure I could enjoy my sandwich without going over on my goals.

I "invented" Strawberry Angel Food Cake Muffins. Basically Angel Food Cake in easily portioned muffins. They turned out pretty good -- even 3ft likes them and he doesn't like anything!

As for the cheese pizza, I confess I only had a bite. We went to Costco yesterday and while I had the Chicken Caesar Salad (minus the dressing, brought my own, the croutons, and most the cheese -- so it was about 250 calories instead of the whopping 650), 3ft had a slice of cheese pizza and gave me a bite. And that was enough to satisfy the pizza urge.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - I took 3ft swimming after dinner for an hour and half (I drowned myself in sunscreen before we went. No more fat face for me!). Drank 12 glasses of water.

Meals:
Breakfast - sliced strawberries and a Gogurt Simple
Mid-Morning Snack - 2 strawberry angel food cake muffins
Lunch - Costco Chicken Caesar Salad
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, 2 pickle spears, garlic stuffed olive, and 4 nacho cheese Doritos
Dinner - BLT!
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

total calories = 1437

It's Really Working!

As if I should've doubted.

I had a pivotal moment yesterday. I realized that only after a week of working out religiously and making healthy food choices that it's already working.

I live in an upstairs apartment. It used to be, after slowly climbing to the top of the stairs I'd be winded. Yesterday, I noticed after I'd jogged up and down the stairs twice in a row (to get things I'd forgotten) I wasn't winded. I didn't struggle to climb them -- I just jogged right up. It put a huge smile on my face.

My other shining moment yesterday: I spent the entire day with my parents, I went to McDonalds, Jack in the Box, and Applebees with them and I stayed within my caloric, carb, fat, and protein intake goals. I'm very proud of myself.

And (drum roll please) the moment we've all been waiting for. Did she hit her 2lb loss for the week? No. She didn't.

I lost 4 pounds! (booty shake) Bring it, Week Two!

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - Did 35 minutes of Wii Fit = 312 calories burned. Did a lot of trips up and down my stairs. Drank 12 glasses of water.

Meals:
Breakfast - Egg McMuffin (no cheese) and a Fruit & Yogurt Parfait (without granola)
Mid-Morning Snack - (had a late breakfast so skipped this snack)
Lunch - Jack in the Box Chicken Fajita Pita (no cheese)
Mid-Afternoon Snack - Tuna salad, 2 dill pickle spears, one garlic stuffed olive
Dinner - Peppercorn top sirloin, red potatoes, mixed vegetables
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats and a Gogurt Simple

On My Own!

So yesterday, to redeem myself, I worked out without any prompting or brute force from anyone.

To start my workout, I lifted some baby iron. I grabbed Mr. Grumpybutt and lifted him over my head and pumped him for I don't even know how many repetitions (I was too busy watching him smile, listening to him giggle, and dodging baby drool). Then I took 3ft outside before bath time and we played 2-square, tackle kickball, and catch for about a half hour. I totally owned him! (However if you hear him tell it, he owned me. The kid has delusions of grandeur I tell you.)

Then after I got 3ft and Mr. Grumpybutt in their beds, I pulled out the Wii Fit and got busy with more.

I tried the basic run which was pretty cool except for I didn't put on shoes. By the time I figured out what it entailed, I'd already started, and I didn't want to stop to put shoes on. So I did it barefoot. Sort of a bummer on my feet but oh well. I'm definitely going to do it again only with shoes next time.

--Previous Day Tracking --

Exercise - Did 30 minutes of Wii Fit = 297 calories burned. Played outside with 3ft for 30 minutes. I drank 12 glasses of water.

Meals:
Breakfast - bowl of Cream of Wheat
Mid-Morning Snack - (had a late breakfast so skipped this snack)
Lunch - Tuna salad, 2 dill pickle spears, Strawberry Gogurt Simple
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 1/2 turkey sandwich, pretzels, 2 garlic stuffed olives
Dinner - Lasagna Hamburger Helper and green beans
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

Back to Normal!

Hooray!

My face looks like MINE again aside from all the peeling skin. Gone are the movie impressions (although awesomely done) and now I'm working on my snake impression (Get it? Shedding skin like a snake?).

Thank goodness for my husband, even though I told him wasn't my favorite husband last night, for making me workout. I did NOT want to. I was tired. I even tried telling him I lost my leg in the war and to just call me "Stumpy". When that didn't work I tried to fake a coma. That didn't work either. He got out the Wii Fit, hooked it up, dragged my ass out of my chair, and made me do it with me bitching and moaning the whole time.

I felt great when I was done and was glad he'd made me do it. Even though I refused to 'fess up to it afterward. So if you see him don't tell him I think he's awesome for making me do it. It'll go to his head.

--Previous Day Tracking (to keep me honest)--

Exercise - Did 43 minutes of Wii Fit = 322 calories burned. I drank 12 glasses of water.

Meals:
Breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup nonfat milk
Mid-Morning Snack - (had a late breakfast so skipped this snack)
Lunch - Teriyaki chicken lettuce wrap with salad, pickle, and a garlic stuffed olive
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 2 Gogurt Simple and some Pirate's Booty
Dinner - herb crusted tilapia w/lemon, penne rigate pasta, and peas
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

I'm A Brawler!

Well, at least I look like I could totally throw down and hang tough. My swollen "Mask" face now looks like I rammed my left eye into someone's fist. Which is an improvement. So now I can walk around all tough and say, "You should've seen the other guy!" Instead of "Just call me Rocky." Which I did say a couple times yesterday (the second one) when 3ft and I were flying a kite and our neighbors would ask, "What the hell happened to your face?"

Since the swelling was going down by last night I figured what the hell and exercised. It couldn't make my face any worse than it was and I was hoping that sweating would help deflate my face faster. Alas, I don't think my plan worked, as my eye is still gangsta, but I at least got my 45 minutes in.

So, despite my glamorous Mask makeover, I had a fairly productive day yesterday!

--Previous Day Tracking (to keep me honest)--

Exercise - Did 45 minutes of Wii Fit = 347 calories burned. I drank 12 glasses of water.

Meals:
Breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs w/ salsa, 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries, 1/2 cup nonfat milk
Mid-Morning Snack - (had a late breakfast so skipped this snack)
Lunch - McDonalds Southwestern Grilled Chicken Salad w/ lime
Mid-Afternoon Snack - turkey lettuce wrap and berry Gogurt Simple
Dinner - teriyaki chicken breast, brown rice, broccoli
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

Derailed! Again! Kinda....

It is so ultimately frustrating to get back on track, be committed, and then have something else go wrong to derail my plans. Yesterday, my face swelled up like Eric Stoltz from Mask. I looked fine in the morning and by 4 pm yesterday afternoon I was doing my best Rocky impersonation (which was the name of Eric Stoltz's character in the movie). Although, I do kind of look like Rocky Balboa at the end of Rocky 1 after his face has been pummeled.

From what I can discern, my face is swollen because I got sunburned. I don't itch, I don't have hives, I'm not nauseous, nor dizzy. I can breathe fine and my throat isn't swollen. Nothing feels off. I don't even have a headache or any pain, just tight feeling skin which is expected when your face goes from normal to ginormous in the span of a few hours. So from all my research it appears to be a reaction to the sunburn and should go away when it heals. It's not serious as long as I don't show any of the above mentioned symptoms and there's not much they can do other than going to the doctor for a diuretic pill (which I'm currently without insurance and can't really afford) and using cold compresses on the swollen area. Which is how I'm keeping my left eye barely open.

So basically it seems to be just an inconvenience -- a sucky one at that!

So now to the derailment...kinda. I didn't workout last night. I wasn't sure what sweating would do to my swelling. I didn't really figure it could hurt it but my husband asked me not to just to be safe. I really think sweating might bring the swelling down but I don't really know. However, I did stay within my calorie range that I set for myself and ate small meals so while the exercise was a bust, the day wasn't a total washout.

So that's something at least!

--Previous Day Tracking (to keep me honest)--

No Exercise. I drank 12 glasses of water.

Meals:
Breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs w/ salsa and 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries
Mid-Morning Snack - strawberry Gogurt Simple
Lunch - broccoli, cheese, and turkey tortilla wrap and salad w/ yummy vinaigrette
Mid-Afternoon Snack - egg salad lettuce wrap and 2 dill pickle spears
Dinner - teriyaki chicken breast, brown rice, broccoli
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats and 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries

Making Realistic Goals.

I set, looking back, and unrealistic goal. Lose roughly 150lbs in 1 year.

I came close.

I lost 109lbs in 9 months and then just stayed there. I was diligent as I wanted to lose a person but I only came close -- I was starting to plateau and all that nonsense. Then I was surprised by the conception of my second son, Mr. Grumpybutt and completely gave into my pregnancy cravings. I felt I had earned it and I didn't have Gestational Diabetes like I did with 3ft so I lived my pregnancy up to the fullest. Which means I gained 35 of those pounds back.

I don't regret it. Okay, maybe a little.

So now I want to lose 100lbs. I'd like to see it come off in a year (in 9 months even as I've done that before) but the closer to your goal you get the harder it is to get it to come off. So I'm making smaller weekly goals. Something I can see working. Something I can reward myself for achieving. Something to celebrate each week or try harder again for the next week.

I can do anything for seven days. Anything.

So, I want to lose 2lbs this week.

To achieve this, I'm going to work out with my buddy, Wii Fit, for 45 - 50 minutes a day (this includes Yoga and Strength and Balance Training) and burn at least 312 calories during that time. I'm back to eating 6 small meals to help stay full and satisfied all day long so I don't get ravenous and binge eat.

And besides if I can keep up a 2lb a week loss, I WILL lose the 100lbs in a year!!! :D


--Previous Day Tracking (to keep me honest)--

I did 47 minutes of Wii Fit - burning a total of 354 calories. I drank 12 glasses of water.

Meals:
Breakfast - 2 scrambled eggs w/ salsa and 1/2 cups of sliced strawberries
Mid-Morning Snack - turkey roll (slice of turkey lunch meat rolled around cooked broccoli and melted cheese)
Lunch - tuna salad lettuce wrap and 2 dill pickle spears
Mid-Afternoon Snack - 2 garlic stuffed olives, 1/2 cup of sliced strawberries, and a strawberry Gogurt Simple
Dinner - large salad w/ tasty vinaigrette and 1/2 of an enchilada
Evening Snack - 1 cup of Frosted Mini-Wheats

Catching Up!

Really? Monthly? I haven't posted a blog since May 8th?

That is ridiculous. My summer resolution (hey, I'm a trailblazer. What can I say?) is to post on this freaking blog to keep me honest every freaking day. Okay, resolutions are supposed to be realistic. Let's shoot for 3x's a week but strive for everyday! Go team! RAH!

I broke out the Wii Fit, FINALLY, on Saturday. OMG I can't believe how much fun it was. I've done 30 minutes each day and have been having so much fun. They have a dance step workout (you know where you do footwork on and off a small step) that I absolutely LOVE! Not too mention the Hula Hoops, virtually headbutting soccer balls and trying to avoid the shoes (I get virtually whacked a LOT by the shoes), I really could go on and on.

I spent 5 hours at the pool yesterday with 3ft. I swam non-stop with the boy for 3 of those hours and then watched from the shade (as I'd turned a lovely shade of lobster red and couldn't move without crying -- I'd even applied sunscreen. Sheesh) for the last couple hours. Had tons of fun but discovered a HUGE problem. I just brought a huge canteen of water, I neglected to bring snacks. Needless to say when we left, both the boy and I were FAMISHED!

Where do you go when you're starving? Yes, you guessed it. McDonalds. Never had a BigMac with extra pickles, no cheese ever tasted better. So on top of having swam I hopped on the Wii Fit last night too. I knew I should've gotten a salad (which I normally get when I treat 3ft to McKid CrackDonalds) but when you're stomach is growling and you fear you might start eating your husband and your young, a pile of leaves just isn't going to cut it. *shrugs* C'est la vie.

So to make up for my less than stellar food choice yesterday, I'm going to have a big salad as my main dish for dinner with a small side of (almost good for you) enchiladas. To celebrate my salad decision, I decided to throw together my first ever vinaigrette.

It's ever so beautiful but even better -- it TASTES good! :D Next I'm going to try to make a strawberry vinaigrette to go on a spinach salad. I heart spinach salads! Tonight, I don't really have the fixings for any sort of fancy-ness for the salad which is why I jazzed it up with homemade dressing.


(see isn't it pretty? :D )

Ingredients

1/2 cup red wine vinegar
1/3 cup olive oil
1 tsp lemon juice
1/2 tsp coarse ground pepper
2 cloves garlic -- minced
1/2 tsp sugar
1/2 tsp salt

Directions

1.) Toss all the ingredients into a shakeable container
2.) Shake, shake, shake it baby.

(I have kitchen music playing so I did a little dance -- shook my booty while I shook my dressing.)

3.) Let it sit in the fridge for a couple hours before you use.