Monday, October 18, 2010

Monday TWITTER PAR_TAY!!!

Twitter party is just over an hour away. I wasn't going to even write a post today because I was a little frustrated this morning but things make more sense now. I'll explain.

I worked my butt off this week and really worked hard to eat better and just be more aware of what I ate and how much. It was a really good week in my eyes. I stepped on the scale this morning and was so disappointed that I saw the same number I saw last week (159 if anyone cares). I was bummed. So I thought "eh, its the twitter party day I will just skip my post this week. No biggie" I wasn't going to weigh in this week but I just wanted to see if the work I had been doing was enough.

Well fast forward to this afternoon when and unexpected visitor shows up. You know her, I am sure she is a regular at your house too. That made me realize that my weight may be her fault. ;) So now I don't feel so bad.

This week I plan on keeping with the program. Now that I am getting more comfortable w/ my kettlebell I want to start extending the workout because I am quickly falling in love with it. I have several meeting and stuff going on this week so I am not sure how I will get to the gym but I have the kettlebell and my treadmill to keep me moving at home.

I have a rough menu plan worked out for the week. I like to just kind of plan and then let they days fall how they may, but I at least have a stack of meals ideas ready for the week and lots of fruits and veggies to snack on. Oh and the water. It isn't my friend yet, but we are doing better.

Good luck to all the Finalist tonight, the stressful wait is almost over and the Move It and Lose it challenge is underway, so everyone should be busy bustin' their butts for it.

Monday, October 11, 2010

I'm BACK!! Monday

(You know you are addicted to twitter when you start to write #mv for you blog title. lol)

Anyway, maybe you are thinking "why I'm back?" Last week I said I was ready to RE-commit to Fit and this week I feel myself getting back into a good groove. It is so inspiring to me to see people like Jared and Leah saying "hey I need to get back to where I need to be." I have struggled for a few weeks to figure out how to balance being a work at home mom and getting to the gym. This week I have just decided that gym time HAS to be a priority and I WILL make it work.

To show my commitment I am also going to start weighing in every other week, and that starts today. I haven't weighed in for some time and I had a feeling I wasn't going to like what I saw but I did it anyway. I am at 159 (up 4 lbs from 155). I wasn't eating right, snacking too much and making bad choices along with not working out like I should. I EARNED that gain and now it is time to EARN my Loss.

Yesterday I did my first Kettlebell work out and WHOA was it great! I feel it in my back and inner thighs today, that is a GOOD feeling.I am not sure if Kettlebell workouts count as cardio but MAN Do they make you sweat. lol Today I got to the gym early (5:20 and did 25 min of cardio and 35 min of cardio weight training). I call it cardio weight training because I am already hot from my treadmill time and boy do I sweat more during my weight training time. Plus I really try to do the movements quickly (but safely don't get me wrong) I don't take breaks between sets and I try to keep my heart rate up.

I am getting back to menu planning and semi-journaling. I am not very good at either but I can see that I need to hold myself more accountable during the day. So I am making the effort.

Definitely working to get more water in during the day, and doing pretty good with that most days.

Congrats to all the sistas applying to the mv mom campaign. It is tough to sit (wait I hope you aren't just sitting around there is no time for that) and wait to see who will be a finalist and then the final 2 but you all deserve the spot and I can't wait to see how you do. And then get to watch the rest you all kick booty in the Move It and Lose It challenge. Congrats also to Amanda @beeacutie2. She is such a doll and so sweet always having positive things to say to everyone.

Monday, October 4, 2010

(Re)Commit 2 Fit Monday

It must be going around, lots of people losing their motivation for working out and staying fit. Thankfully we have each other to help remind us that it is ok but we need to get back to work and refocus. And that is what I am trying to do. I have had a few not so great weeks but now I am ready to get back at it. I am getting my eating back on track and making more effort to get some movement in my days. It is hard since I care of children other than my own in my house, but if I try hard I can find the time to do it. I just need to make myself.

I am in good company. Jared (from Subway) and are recommitting to their fitness goals too. Jared and Subway have started a new Commit to Fit Campaign to help others get on track with their fitness goals. Keep watching Lisa and Rachel_L blogs for great giveaways as part of the Commit to Fit campaign. And watch for the #commit2fit hashtag on twitter.

So this week my goals are:

1. Drink 60-70 oz of water a day.

2. Find healthy and fresh snacks when I get the munchies.

3. Try to get to the gym 3 days this week. And on the other days try to spend time on my treadmill or w/ a workout video.

Are you ready to commit to fit?? I hope so. :)

Congrats to Momma_oz for being Sista of the week. And good luck to all the moms applying to be the next 2 Mv Mom's. You all deserve it and I can't wait to follow your progress in the up coming weeks.

For those feeling the cool weather coming on here is a Great Vegetarian Chili I HIGHLY recommend. I made this the other day and it is yummy. Be warned it is pretty spicy so cut back on the chili powder and omit the cayenne if you don't like it too spicy.

Emeril's Vegetarian Chili

Ingredients

* 2 tablespoons canola oil
* 1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onions
* 1 cup chopped red bell peppers
* 2 tablespoons minced garlic
* 2 to 3 serrano peppers, stemmed, seeded, and minced, depending upon taste
* 1 medium zucchini, stem ends trimmed and cut into small dice
* 2 cups fresh corn kernels (about 3 ears)
* 1 1/2 pounds portobello mushrooms (about 5 large), stemmed, wiped clean and cubed
* 2 tablespoons chili powder
* 1 tablespooon ground cumin
* 1 1/4 teaspoons salt
* 1/4 teaspoon cayenne
* 4 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
* 3 cups cooked black beans, or canned beans, rinsed and drained
* 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
* 1 cup vegetable stock, or water
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
* Cooked brown rice, accompaniment
* Sour cream or strained plain yogurt, garnish
* Diced avocado, garnish
* Essence, recipe follows, garnish
* Chopped green onions, garnish

Directions

In a large, heavy pot, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the onions, bell peppers, garlic, and serrano peppers, and cook, stirring, until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the zucchini, corn, and mushrooms, and cook, stirring, until soft and the vegetables give off their liquid and start to brown around the edges, about 6 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, salt and cayenne, and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the tomatoes and stir well. Add the beans, tomato sauce, and vegetable stock, stir well, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 20 minutes.

Remove from the heat and stir in the cilantro. Adjust the seasoning, to taste.

To serve, place 1/4 cup of brown rice in the bottom of each bowl. Ladle the chili into the bowls over the rice. Top each serving with a dollop of sour cream and spoonful of avocado. Sprinkle with Essence and green onions and serve.