The First 43: My Life Now

It's time to work off all those holiday treats! After looking at a few monthly calendar type exercises online, and a little help from a fitness guru friend of mine, we came up with this calendar to get ourselves moving every single day in January. I am going to do this with some friends in the month of January. I thought I'd share the exercise calendar here. Each week, add in an additional set so it gets harder over the course of the month. Below the calendar you will find links to all the different exercises in case you need a refresher! If you want to make it a little tougher, add some weight to your sumo squats and lunges. Hope you all enjoyed your holidays and happy new year!   Here is how to do all the exercises: Sumo Squats: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nY-EQp1oAxs Crunches: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xyd_fa5zoEU Push – Ups (knee and regular) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7cPaJZoOng Bicycles: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqoD0Bdggto

  Make this! So good!  Even Jeff who doesn't usually like this type of meal, really loved it. We will definitely make it again. I made a few adaptations to the recipe based on what I had available to me at home but I have linked the original recipe below if you want to see what I left out and add some of those back in.  I am not a huge quinoa fan so I made it with Thai jasmine rice instead which was a great substitution. Ingredients: 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch pieces (I bought the little chicken fingers (fresh) and cut them up because it's a lot easier.)  Dash of salt and ground pepper 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 3 Tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce 2 Tbsp. white wine vinegar 2 Tbsp. honey 1 garlic clove, minced 1 tsp. cornstarch 4 stems of sliced green onions 2 tsp. sesame oil 1 tsp. sesame seeds Directions: Heat up a frying pan and put your cut up chicken breast in it to cook. About 6-8 minutes on medium/high depending on you

I love the holiday season.  So much joy and love and happiness. I am a sucker for Christmas music too.  Last year, the holidays almost gave me a full on nervous breakdown since I was deep into my weight loss journey and so close to my goal. This year, I've been trying to enjoy it more but you really don't quite grasp how many sweets there are for the taking, how much wine and other yummy alcoholic beverages are to be had and how many party appetizers end up in your stomach, until you are watching everything you eat.  Even though I've relaxed just a tiny bit, I still have to force myself to stop sometimes.  I've been trying to stick to logging in My Fitness Pal everyday (though, it's becoming more challenging now that I'm just maintaining) but I'm getting better and when I log days I skipped, I'm still within my limits which means I can manage my calories without the app now, it's really rewired my brain and taught me so much about how m

I've been slacking when it comes to posting this month.  I haven't really had much to report on or new recipes to share. Well, I have had recipes to share, I just haven't had time to post them but I promise I will in the coming weeks and I really want to pick this up again! This past Saturday we did the Ugly Sweater 5k Run at Downsview Park. Proceeds went to The Children’s Wish Foundation of Canada. Some of us found actual ugly Christmas sweaters, some of us did a little DIY (you'll notice Jeff and I match!) The run was great, we did some running and a little walking. It's not timed and it's just for fun. I didn't have my usual running strength/endurance this weekend and was a bit disappointed in both my energy levels and speed but when I woke up with a full blown cold on Sunday morning, it was very clear to me why I didn't have the energy just 24 hours earlier. Either way, I completed it and had fun with friends so, winning all around. I highly recomm

For the first time I can remember so, about the last 18 years, every time I went to the doctor I was told I was overweight. As a kid, my doctor never made me feel bad about it but those words always lingered. It got to the point as a teen that I avoided the scale, and my doctor, as much as humanly possible. I really just didn't want to face it and I didn't think I could change it.  Let's fast forward to yesterday. I had my annual appointment and I got weighed. The nurse and my doctor were floored.  I've lost 11 BMI points and about 60lbs since I started going to her. I started seeing this doctor about a year before I started trying to lose weight. When I was weighed I even mentioned that I thought it was 7lbs off... as in it put my weight at less than it is.  My doctor laughed at my honesty but really, if I don't lose 7lbs before this time next year, I don't want it to seem like I gained weight!! My doctor said to me "Well, I'm really happy to tell yo

Happy Thanksgiving!! I hope you've all had a wonderful thanksgiving and are yourselves in a delicious food coma. There is so much to be thankful for; family, friends, furbabies, food in our tummies and roofs over our heads.  Last thanksgiving was rough for me. Being on such a strict diet made me irritable and frustrated looking at all the delicious food.  This year, though I ate in moderation I definitely enjoyed the food coma a little more.  Here are some photos of some of the desserts and some links to their recipes. Our mom's requested these again this year and they were a big hit. Date squares! Here is the recipe, I cut the sugar and margarine in half for the crust/topping but otherwise use the recipe as is. http://www.thekitchenmagpie.com/date-squares Homemade cranberry sauce is maybe my favourite part of Thanksgiving.  This is how I make it: 2.5 cups cranberries 1 cup of water 1/2 cup of sugar I bring the water and sugar to a boil, add cranber

I took a stab at a new pasta sauce that I've been meaning to try for months. Luckily Pinterest kept it handy and top of mind for me. The original recipe I found was just a little bit too high in calories for my liking so, I made a few changes/substitutions and it tasted great. Ingredients: 140g package of Blue Menu (light) Goat Cheese 2 red peppers, roasted 1 cup 1% Milk 1/2 a white onion, chopped 2 garlic gloves, pressed 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil basil & thyme to taste salt & pepper to taste Directions: Preheat oven to 425*F. While it's heating, quarter your red peppers, take out the seeds and place them on a a piece of foil on a pan.  When oven is up to temperature, roast them for 10 minutes per side.  While the peppers are roasting, prep the onion and garlic until cooked.  When you turn the peppers, put a pan on the stove medium heat, and cook the onions and garlic.  Add cheese, milk, herbs, salt and pepper.  Simmer. Take the peppers out and let

  Hummus! mmmm!  I decided to give it a try, for the first time and it actually went quite well! I combined a few recipes and came up with one that worked out nicely. Ingredients: 1 540ml can of chickpeas (keep 3 tbsp of the water in the can) 1 tbsp of Extra Virgin Olive Oil 2 tsp of tahini OR sesame oil Juice of one lemon 1 garlic clove, pressed  Rinse the chickpeas and put them in a food processor (or blender if you don't have one)  Put in all the ingredients in with the chickpeas and turn it on.  Voila, you have hummus.  Tahini is preferred but, sesame oil will work if you don't have any (it's what I ended up using this time, since my grocery store was out of tahini)

I've decided to compile the questions I'm asked the most and answer them for you all here. Put it all down in one place! So here it goes... Do you still eat bread? Yup, I'm asked this one a lot. I do eat bread, I love bread. If the lifestyle change had me give up bread, I honestly would have never kept with it. My favourite bread is rye, can't get enough. Pasta too, love a nice big bowl of it! Who are we kidding, I love carbs. Do you still eat desserts?  I guess this is one I should expect. Sure do! Of course, all in moderation but ice cream is my favourite food. I guess I inherited that from my mom.  I've never given it up but, I have changed the kind of ice cream I buy. For example, the PC Chocolate Yogurt is 90 cals/half cup with lower fat content than the creamy Breyer's chocolate which comes in at 130 cals/half up. Do you feel healthier? I guess so? It's hard to say. I am most definitely healthier but it's not a dramatic change for me. It

    Banana S 'more!! This is in honour of iron chef this week.  The ingredient was marshmallows and I was trying to find something that was lower calorie or healthier th at still tas ted del icious. I decided to try out a banana s 'more. You can make them in the oven or on the BBQ, whichever you pr ef er.  In order to get everything me lted I had to leave them in the oven for 8 minutes at 400*F.  On the BBQ, I imagine it would take far less time but put them on the upper rack of you have one to avoid charring your banana. What you do: Peel a banana, place it on a piece of foil and slit it down the middle.  Take one marshmallow and cut into four slices, put inside the banana.  Add one tablespoon of semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Wrap up the banana into a foil tent.  Grill or bake! Overall, it's a pretty healthy dessert as the majority of the calories are actually coming from the banana, not the chocolate or the marshmallows. Total calories: 195 per banana s&

  I have been looking for a new marinade for chicken. I've seen a few recipes for different things so, I decided to combine a few and see how it turned out.  I'm pleased with the combination I came up with, highly recommend it.  We grilled our chicken on the BBQ after it marinated but I would think you could bake this in the oven too, no problem. Marinade: 1 tbsp Dijon Mustard 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil  2 tbsp of fresh basil, chopped 1 tbsp low sodium soy sauce or 1 tbsp low sodium teriyaki sauce, depends on which taste you prefer.  1 lime, both zest and juice Mix all of this up in a bowl.  Put your chicken in a zip lock bag and pour the marinade over it.  Put in the fridge for a minimum of 1 hour.  This marinade makes enough for 3 regular chicken breasts.  If you're making more, just make more marinade! 

It's time for me to get back on track.  It's been a summer of good times and a lot of relaxing. By some miracle, I haven't gained any weight but I'm been slacking on logging my food into My Fitness Pal and getting a proper amount of exercise.  I have continued to log into MFP everyday and I start to log but, I don't end up completing my diary for the day. I just hit 505 days on MFP and I've decided because I don't want to lose all my hard work, I'm going to actually start logging again. Every piece of food, every single day. So far, so good. Everyday logged since Monday. Getting back in the habit is half the battle. My exercise has been mediocre at best for July and August.  I was really busy with work and with social events every weekend, it didn't leave much time for exercise.  A new month, a new energy to get to the gym.  I've been 3 times this week and plan to go this weekend. I have to keep moving and even out my bumpy bits. I feel myse

I decided to try out a recipe from the website Skinny Mom tonight. It was really very very good.  I will definitely make it again. I left out the red pepper flakes, ginger and I used chicken broth instead because I didn't have beef broth at home. Didn't make any difference because it still tasted fantastic. I also used a little more beef than the recipe called for. The recipe can be found here, I followed the directions as she has it: http://www.skinnymom.com/2014/02/04/skinny-beef-and-broccoli-stir-fry/ ** New link. The original link has been removed. The new stir fry incorporates more vegetables. Calorie Count: 245 for the stir fry + whatever rice you like.

I've been getting tired of the store bought salsa so I decided to try it out myself. Sure, I got a little help from this premade salsa spice mix from Epicure ( http://www.epicureselections.com/en/products/food/mexican-party/1615/poco-picante-salsa-mix/ ) but, it was so easy! To try to help reduce sodium, I put two tomatoes in the food processor and diced them up! I added some raw red onion to the tomato and then a tablespoon of the epicure salsa mix and it makes two cups of salsa.  It tastes so fresh and unprocessed. As far as salsas go it's really low sodium.  The tomatoes, onions and mix work out to about 20 calories per 1/4 cup . Makes it a very low calorie, low sodium, healthy snack!

We went to Gatineau Park this weekend, took a walk around the Mackenzie King estate.  We enjoyed a nice long walk, weather was beautiful. We took some photos.  On the way back to the hotel I realized that a few years ago, we spent a day doing much of the same thing and sure enough, I have photos of us and me by the waterfall from 2008.  What a difference between then and now. Quite crazy how much of a difference there is.  Funny thing is, my sunglasses look almost the same but they are two totally different pairs!

This summer I haven't been on such a strict diet, well, compared to last summer. I have more calories to eat and I've allowed myself just a few treats.  Here are some of the treats I've been enjoying this summer. Of course, everything in moderation but, I am enjoying have treats every once in awhile. Cider! Growers Raspberry is a winner.   More cider!! This might be my favourite of summer and  worth each and every calorie.    Dufflet's Cupcakes! The best in the city in my opinion!  After biking 11km, I indulged in a "Danforth Dog" at a little food truck station at Harbour Front.  It was worth every calorie. Plus, I biked 11km back home. When is strawberry shortcake ever a bad idea? Delish cannoli at Mike's Pastry in Boston. Worth every calorie. mmmmm. Now... my #1 treat this summer. Roasted marshmallows and s'mores!!!!!  I just can't get enough. So good and well, I can really only enjoy it in the s

This is one of my favourite somecards. It's hilarious and so very true! Lately I've been having trouble finding the time and the motivation to hit the gym.  After going so hard and so strong for so long, I think I got a little burnt out by the intensity.  I admit I haven't been to the gym in a week.. maybe even two now?  I haven't been running either, but of course I'm not supposed to be. The majority of exercise is coming from doing lots of walking and I've started spending time biking again.  We decided to get our bikes tuned up this summer, make the investment to actually use the bikes we have that were collecting dust or being used by other family members. Jeff and I did a 20km bike ride mid last week. By the time the evening rolled around my legs just ached and ached but I must admit it is nice to get outside and get moving on something that allows wind to keep me cool and moves me faster than running.  In that workout I still burned over 600 cal

    Summer Salad Summer is the best time for fresh foods , and one of my favourites, corn on the cob, is so del ici ous right now.   I made this up after looking at a few different recipes and I wasn't entirely satisfied with any of them so, I did a little mix and match and came up with my own. Ingredients: 1 can chickpeas 1 pint/container of grape tomatoes 4 ears of corn, cooked 1 medium red pepper Juice of 1 lemon  1 tbsp of Oil (Extra Virgin Olive or Vegetable, whichever you prefer)  Fresh mint to taste (I used about 3 tbsp worth) Directions: Bring water to a boil and cook the corn. While it's cooking, chop up the red pepper and cut the grape tomatoes in half, put in a bowl. Take corn off, put in a bowl of cold water to cool.  Drain chickpeas and rinse, add to the mix.  Squeeze lemon juice from lemon, set aside. Cut the corn off the cob, add to the mix. Add chopped mint. Pour lemon juice and oil over the mixture and toss.  Let sit in the fr

I was reading Chatelaine magazine this week and came across what at first I thought was a joke, and then discovered was real - the treadmill desk! Yup, that's a desk with a treadmill attached.  I laughed a little and then thought to myself "This would actually be really useful!" More days than I can count, I am chained to my desk, a slave to my computer and phone. I think "I really wish I could get outside for a walk." Or I get a burst of energy around 3pm that I can't use which ultimately turns into some kind of sugar crash by 4pm. This would honestly solve my problem. I could walk and get my work done. Think about all the extra calories I would burn not to mention the added benefit of not sitting down all day, being sedentary and they do say you think better on your feet. I've never actually seen one and tried it out so it could be completely bogus but, I think the concept is intriguing. I think every office should have a station of these at the

  Skinnytaste Grilled Pesto Chicken and Tomato Kebabs! I've very late in posting about this but, last week we gave this recipe a shot. Since Jeff had some time, he took a stab at the recipe for these Pesto Kabobs. So very delicious! Definitely worth making.  The marinade is really nice and they grilled very well.  Definitely will be making these again!  I must say, I really love having a BBQ. We've barely cooked meat in the oven since we got ours in May. Calories: 127/kebab.    Her count was slightly higher. It must be a brand difference in things called for in the recipe  but either way, it's low calorie, tasty and filling! Here is the recipe: http://www.skinnytaste.com/2013/06/grilled-pesto-chicken-and-tomato-kebabs.html

It's time to set new goals! After 15 months of a diet and exercise overhaul, I decided to have a re-evaluation of my health and fitness done.  I was more than a little nervous about what was to come of it. I've worked so hard but it's quite possible that it just wasn't hard enough. Here are the results: I've lost 46 lbs of fat (yay) but I also lost 10 lbs of muscle (not so fabulous)  While my body needs a few more calories per day to survive, my metabolism hasn't changed significantly - even though I really exercised and worked my butt off the last year. I lost 11% of my body fat.  That's a lot but, it isn't quiet enough. I have to be honest, while I was feeling proud that I'd done what I'd done, I also felt slightly defeated at the same time. How was it that I hadn't done enough? I've worked so hard, probably the hardest I've worked on any single thing in my life and I'm still short of where I should be. The woman who d

I ran my very first 5k!! It was the Color Me Rad run which originally started in the US and they've started to bring it to different Canadian cities now too.  Proceeds went to Big Brothers, Big Sisters. I ran the whole thing, some parts slower than others, but I got through it! They colour bomb you every kilometer so you end up looking like a rainbow by the end.  It was a lot of fun, here are some photos from the run! It's just coloured corn starch so, after a good long shower, I am happy to report that I am now colour free!

  Peanut Butter Banana Breakfast Smoothie! Peanut butter was this weeks Iron Chef ingredient. It tastes like a Banana and Peanut Butter sandwich to be honest, just without the bread! I looked at a few recipes and here is how I made it: Ingredients: 1 banana 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt 1/2 cup 1% milk 1 tbsp of peanut butter 1 tsp honey 4 ice cubes Directions: Throw it all into the blender, set it to smoothie and voila, liquid breakfast. Calories: 327 per glass/serving I will say that this smoothie actually kept me full until lunch time, not all smoothies I make have quite that effect. I'll definitely make this again.  *Note: A couple recipes I looked at also included protein powder. If you're looking for a little extra you could definitely add that in.

I love me some Buffalo Chicken Dip, but even the skinny versions calories add up. The price of chicken these days also hurts.  I saw a few recipes online for Buffalo Cauliflower Dip and I thought I'd give it a shot.  I combined a few recipes to make my own so, here it is. It is really good, Jeff said he prefers the chicken version because it has chicken in it but he's been happily snacking on it. This is definitely a good, lighter, alternative. Ingredients: 1 head of cauliflower (grated by hand or in the food processor) 1 cup of Franks Red Hot (or whichever hot sauce you prefer) 1 cup of light sour cream 1/3 cup of light ranch dressing  125 grams of fat free cream cheese 1 tsp of white wine vinegar Directions: Heat up the grated cauliflower and hot sauce on stove top.  Once heated through, add cream cheese.  Once melted add sour cream, white wine vinegar and ranch dressing.  Heat until lightly simmering and let simmer for a few minutes.  Serve! Calories: 42 calor

When I first started taking this whole health and fitness thing seriously my brother would constantly remind me that I couldn't just keep doing cardio all the time, I needed to get some lifting in too. It didn't need to be heavy lifting but, enough to challenge me. Often times I find that women shy away from weight lifting and stick to lots and lots of cardio. In April, I was reminded just how important it is when I was working on toning my arms. Those results don't come from running or biking but from weight lifting. It also came from using my own body weight for resistance. It didn't make me bulk up, just toned. I know a lot of women are fearful of weight lifting because they think it will make them bigger. I can't say this has been the case for me at all.  Trust me, I was so concerned I was going to end up with bigger thighs! The other great thing is your body burns calories for longer after you work out when lifting weights (thanks for that tidbit Josh!) so

Brought to you by skinnytaste ! So Delicious! I decided to give it a try this weekend. Things I did differently because I used what I had were as follows: Butternut Squash soup instead of puree (no food processor at the cottage), dry sage instead of fresh, and I skipped the shallots and arugula. Even with all those changes, it tasted fantastic. Everyone loved it (everyone being my husband and parents) and I will definitely make more of it very soon. You can find the recipe at:  http://www.skinnytaste.com/2008/10/butternut-squash-risotto.html The way I prepared it came to 120 calories per 1/3 of a cup.

After holding steady for weeks with my weight loss, I seem to be back on track.  Another pound lost this week!  This means only 2 more pounds until my current goal of 58lbs lost.  I'm also counting down to the Color Me Rad run on June 22 - let's hope it doesn't rain! It also means I need to get another 5k in this week, maybe tonight. The ticker at the top of the page is broken if you look at that for updates. MyFitnessPal is having technical difficulties. I really want it to read my total weight loss! Here are some photos of me before and me now.  The first photo is December 2011 and April 2013 and the second photo is December 2011 and June 2013.