Saturday Musings on the past week...

This past week has been a bit rough.

I wasn't feeling so well on Thursday and Friday. I had a night mare on Thursday that I woke up from and I could not shake it and then in the afternoon I started to feel like I was getting sick, headache, runny nose and cold. I could not get my body temp right. I am wondering if it has something to do with my body getting enough Vitamin D now. As I was diagnosed to have Vitamin D deficiency.
I also noticed this is Week 3 now since I am taking it and I started to have dreams again and remembering them. Which is sometimes really cool, sometimes not so much.
So Thursday was also the day my legs told me that they would appreciate it, if we were not to workout. So I did a rest day. I also was in bed by 8:30pm.

Friday I woke up feeling better but still not 100%, but I made myself go for a walk once it was warmer and that turned into my regular 5K walk and I beat my best time as well I got it done in 57minutes.
The rest of the day wen't well.  Well ok I am lying I got on the scale in the morning and was not happy as I was at 266.2 I still had lost half a lb from the previous week. But instead of eating my weight in chocolate I went for that walk.
Then last night we had family for Dinner and I was content and happy.

Today my husband got up at the crack of dawn and ran a 15K, yes he is a runner and is running his first half marathon next weekend and I am very proud of him, but I got woken up and could not get back to sleep. But I decided to stay in bed anyways. Well I was futzing around to late to go to the Combat class at the gym. So I decided to workout in our driveway and modify the workout my trainer gave me to fit the equipment I have here at the house. It was not easy.

Then after that I got to do what I love the most, is hanging out with my husband and run errands with no kids. It's my favorite thing. And I got a new pair of Cross Trainer Shoes, I didn't know Under Armour makes shoes, but I tried them on, they fit like a glove and came home with me. I did have to buy a size 9, cause the 8.5 were to small. But I got them.

Then for Dinner we were supposed to have Chicken Gyros, well I forgot to take the chicken out of the feezer, so we had Sirloin Tip Steak and I made a killer creamy mushroom sauce to go with it.Gluten Free and Dairy Free.

I hope this coming week will be a bit better. I am really happy with this Journey so far and in two week I get to Hug Jared Padalecki :D cause my wonderful husband got me a Photo Op for Valentine's Day. How awesome is that?

Here is to a better week.

Weekly Meal Plan #3

Friday:
Chili (recipe will be posted)

Saturday:
NEW!!! Chicken Gyros with home made Naan

Sunday:
Salmon and Veggies

Monday:
Spaghetti Squash

Tuesday:
Tacos on Lettuce

Wednesday:
Eggroll in a Bowl

Thursday:
Curry Stew

Fish Taco Bowl...

I found this Recipe and the whole family love it.

Ingredients:
4 tilapia filets
Pampered Chef southwest Seasoning
1 Cup frozen Corn
1 cup red bell pepper (diced)
1 can black beans
1 red onion
2tbsp Olive Oil
2 Avocados
2 Limes

heat one tbsp (I used less) of oil and season the fish with the Seasoning, then put in the pan, cook for 3mins, do not touch then flip and cook again for 3 minutes until fish is done. and nice and crisp.
Put all the fish on a plate and cover to keep warm then in the same pan sautee the onions, bell pepper and corn and let it caramelize. Let it cook for about 5-10mins, add the beans and cook till beans are heated thru.

Serve over rice (I didn't as I don't eat starches in the evening) and the put the fish on top, add half an avocado and slices of limes.
You can add some cilantro.

Enjoy!!

12 weeks ago...

I started this Journey with a guy named Gabriel from Holyfit.

He was recommended to me by a friend of mine who had an awesome tranformation.

When I signed up with Gabriel he said, the only thing I ask, is that you give me 12weeks.
So here we are 12 weeks later.

I started this journey on November 1st at 281lb. I was at my highest in August of 2015 at 285lb. So this morning I got on the scale and it told me that I weighed 255.2lb. I thought I was dreaming. that meant I had lost 26lb. since November. I also lost a total of 18" over all and 6" alone around my umbilicus. I dropped my body fat by 5% (it's still way to high, but hey)

So yes, I can only recommend this amazing man, he ignited the passion for health and fitness in me again and I am every greatful for it and I will keep training with him till I hit my goal of 180lb. and maybe go even farther.

Thank you Gabriel.

I also wanna thank my husband for his continued support and also for getting healhty with me. I also thank my kids for being my Cheer team, I love you very much.
And thank you to all of my family and friends that keep encouraging me.

Let's see what the next 12 weeks bring. <3

Keep lifting

Claudia

Weekly Mealplan...

Here what I am making this week :

Thursday:
Crockpot Chicken
Cause our week last week was a bit skewed I am repeating this meal.

Friday:
Vietnamese Vermicelli Bowl, 
Now I will use Zucchini noodles for myself.

Saturday:
Beef Stew

Sunday:
Creamy Lemon Chicken with Asparagus and Mushroom, served over Caulifower Rice

Monday:
Eggroll in a Bowl

Tuesday:
Lentil Soup

Wednesday:
Blackened Tilapia Taco Bowl
The linked recipe is the inspiration, I will def. Change a few things to fit better with my dietary needs.

Thursday:
Chicken Stir Fry

Peanutbutter Protein Pancakes

This makes Approx. 6 Pancakes, I ate them all for lunch yesterday.

Ingredients:
2 eggwhites or the equivalent of liquid eggwhites beaten stiff
2 tbsp PB2 prepared
1 scoop of Sun Warrior Vanilla Protein Powder ( love this protein, it's Vegan and it's low calorie and low sugar)
1/2 cup of Oatmeal grind to make flour
1/2 cup of fresh Blueberries

Beat the eggwhites to a stiff foam then add all the other ingredients and very gently mix and then cook like pancakes.

I use So Delicious cultured Coconut Milk Yogurt instead of butter and Syrup now. And it is really good.

Nutrition:
388 Calories, 6g fat, 45g Carbs, 10g sugar, 40g protein

The Scale is not always you best bet...

So I have been thinking a bit today... I know that is dangerous, but I have seen so many things online and I have been approached on Instagram a couple of times now to become a Beachbody Coach, or a rep for this or a rep for that.

I don't have any interest in that. I believe in my own success, because of my wonderful Trainer Gabriel from Holyfit in Austin. My great clean nutrition, which I believe is at least 80% of you success in your journey to a healthier you and of course the support of my friends and family.

Everybody is different, my metabolism is different from everybody else, so cookie cutter training and nutrition is not going to cut it. It took me just about 3 months to actually get to where I can drink 12 glasses of water a day. I eat between 1200-1500 calories a day, I try to hit my Macros, but I am still working on that. I don't eat complex carbs ( fruits, pasta, grains) after 3pm. I don't eat gluten or dairy. I kind of call myself a Carnivorous Vegan, yeah I know it's an Oxymoron, but it's pretty much what it is.
Also I work out a minimum of 5 days a week for at least 60mins. Actually this Monday I started to add 20mins of cardio after my workouts on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. My goal is to burn 500 minimum with each workout.

Just a little reminder, one lb. of fat has 3500 calories so if I wanna loose 2lb a week, I need to have a deficit of 7000calories each week. Which makes it 1000 calories a day. Sometimes I hit that sometimes I don't, but the scale is not my enemy anymore. Yes I am down 23lb. Since November 1st.  But that is not what I measure my success on. My bodyfat went from 41.6% down to 35.9%. I lost almost 18" all over (45cm) and 6" of those are around my Umbilicus (belly button) alone. I am also down TWO pant sizes and XL T-Shirts fit comfortably again.

So yes the pounds on the scale are dwindling, but it's not just that what makes my Journey.

So I really say take pictures, measure yourself and you be surprised...

And by the way a lb. of FAT weighs the same as a lb. of MUSCLE *WINK

Meal Plan for this week...

Thursday:
Eggroll in Bowl

Friday:
Chili recipe will be posted

Saturday:
Salad Bowl,
It's my daughter's Birthday Party and they are having cake and Pizza.

Sunday:
Curry Stew

Monday:
Foil Pack Pesto Salmon

Tuesday:
Spaghetti Squash and Turkey Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

Wednesday:
Crockpot Chicken, Veggies and Rice
I did not buy a whole chicken, I bought 4 Drumsticks and 2 Breasts, still on the bones.

An Open letter to the guy that gave me nasty looks at the gym today...

So I noticed before that some of the really buff guys give me these looks like "WTF are you doing at the gym?" I know the difference, cause I actually have talked to some of the "buff" guy and they are really nice and think it's great that I am back in the gym and lift and am not normally intimidated by them.
But some guys you know, cause I smile at everybody at the gym, even if I am pouring sweat, I have a smile, cause you know what? I makes me feel good and the person I smile at as well. But then there are these guys that don't smile back. They just give you that look. And I've gotten those looks even when I was a Trainer.

So this is a letter for the guy today that could not wait for me to be done with my Deadlifts...

Dear Buff Guy,

first off, I have been watching you the past couple of weeks, you and your girlfriend feeling entitled to just make yourself at home at the gym. You drop you bags whereever, using ab machines to keep you bag off the floor. Ever considered that other members might use those machines?
Also yeah I used the bar today to do my circuit and yes, it was only loaded with 20lb. (total of 65lb.) but that doesn't give you the right to huff and puff next to me, cause your girlfriend can't workout next to you. I may not look as buff and skinny as her, but you know what? I work just as hard and maybe even a little harder. I would love to see the two of you doing 15 Deadlifts, then 20 reverse lunges and 20 alternating Kettlebellswings. And do 4 sets of them. So yeah I am not going to rush thru my workout because you feel the need to give me nasty looks. Cause you know why? I am paying my membership dues just the same as you do. And thanks to the gym and coming 5 days a week for the past 2.5 months I am down 22lb.
So maybe be a bit more considerate, to members like me, cause I got a pretty thick skin, but other members might not and instead of scoffing at them give them a smile of encouragement. Cause it's mostly likely that they will quit the gym because of people like you.

Sincerely,
Me

Mustard Salmon with Caramelized Onions, Brussel Sprouts and Carrots...

This was a on the fly Recipe...


Ingredients for the Salmon serves 4:
1lb. of Salmon (I use Sockeye all Natural)
3 Tablespoons of Dijon Mustard
1 Tblsp of Olive Oil
and a dash of Pampered Chef Dill Mix ( you can add just plain Dill)

Preheat the oven to 350, line a baking sheet with foil, place the Salmon on it. In a small bowl mix, mustard, oil and seasoning and then slather over the fish. Put in the oven for 20mins.
Serve immediatly

Nurtition:
206 Calories, 12g Fat, 2g Sat. Fat, 0 Carbs, 24g Protein


Ingredients for Veggies:

1 bag of shredded Brussel Sprouts
3 med. Carrots, Peeled and julianned
1 Large Onion, cut into half slices
1 Glove of Carlic
1/2 tbsp Coconut Oil
Salt and Pepper to taste

Heat the Coconut Oil, and put the onions in and let them caramelize, then add the garlic let it cook for a minute then add the sprouts and the carrots and cook for about 10-15 mins until soft.  I put a lid on it to steam the veggies for 10mins with stirring over medium heat add salt and pepper to taste and serve.

Nutrition:
50 Calories,  1g fat, 9g Carbs, 3g Sugar, 2g Protein

Curried, chicken, garbanzo beans and Sweet Potato stew...

I like a good curry and I found this recipe on Pinterest, and the pictures just looked really delicous. And when I asked my family if they wanted curry my husband and daughter both said yes. So this is what happened, cause I didn't have all the ingredients and I do like Carrots in my curry.
Also I try not to eat potatoes, rice, pasta and fruits after 3pm, but this is an exception today.

Nutrition:
298 Calories, 9gr fat, 35gr Carbohydrates, 8gr fiber, 6 sugar, 20gr Protein

This makes about 5 servings:

Ingredients:
1 small yellow onion
1 tablespoon Olive oil
3 cloves garlic
2 Teaspoons of yellow curry powder you can always add more.
Salt, to taste
1 teaspoon ginger powder
2 Carrots peeled and cut into rounds
1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
1 can (15 oz) chickpeas
1 large sweet potato peeled and diced into 1" chuncks
1 can (15 oz) light coconut milk
10oz. of cooked Chicken Breast
brown rice, for serving

Instructions:
In a large skilled or wok heat the olive oil, and add the onion. Cook for a couple of minutes until the onion has a glazed look, then add the garlic, ginger and Curry Powder, cook for a couple of minutes this will develop the flavors. You can always add more spice later.
Now add all the other ingredients (except for the rice), I rinsed the coconut milk can with some water and added that to the pot as well, so that everything is covered. Then bring to a simmer and cook for at least 30 minutes, even better if you can let it simmer for 50minutes.

At the last minute you can add some parsley to it and serve it over rice.

Bon apetit

Egg Roll in a Bowl

I  adapted this recipe to my families needs.
This made 6 servings

Ingredients:

2 teaspoons of olive oil or coconut oil
1lb. of ground turkey
1 med. head of Cabbage thinly sliced
2 big carrots peeled and shredded or julianne, makes about 1 cup
1 medium onion finely diced
3 gloves of carlic finely diced
1 tea spoon powdered Ginger (you can use fresh)
1/4 cup of Bragg's Amino
3 Green Onions
Salt and Pepper

I served this to my family with brown rice fettuccine.

Instructions:

Brown the turkey in a wok style pan until fully cooked.
Turn down heat to medium and add the onion and oil. Cook onions until slightly brown.
In a bowl mix the Aminos, garlic and ginger and add to pan.
Immediately add the cabbage, stir frequently. I put a lid on the pan and steamed the cabbage. Then add the carrots and cook for a couple of minutes.
Turn off the heat and add green onions, season with salt and pepper to taste, stir and serve.

It smells and tastes exactly like the inside of an eggroll. Delicious.

Nutrition:

168 Calories,  3g Fat, 11 Carbs, 4g Sugar, 22g Protein

2016 Here we go...

Wow, what a start into the new year.

I am proud to say that since November 1st I am down 20lb. I managed to loose weight over the toughest part of the year. But with planning it all paid off and I am more determined than ever to keep going.

I also am toying with the idea of becoming NASM certified again as I do miss being a Trainer. I loved being a personal Trainer and helping others to achieve their goals. But first I must loose a little bit more weight and I would like to learn more from my Trainer Gabriel at Holy Fit in Austin.
He is amazing and I love his support and how he is always there for me. I do online training with him. I think he has spidey senses, cause he always knows when I need a pick me up message.

At the beginning of the year people always make resolutions, I am a bit weary about them since I never seem to be able to actually do them, so I made a list of things I would like to accomplish this year.

• Spend more time with my kids and husband
• Loose 80 more lb and fit into my size 10 clothes again
• Run and finish the Texas Ren Fair Mud Run
• I signed up for this, now I just need to train on climbing, running and crawling
• Save enough money to go to the Supernatural Convention in Vancouver in August

I think these are all very obtainable things, I don't want to set myself up for failure. I know I am doing the right things. I am eating cleaner and better then I ever have, I found my passion for working out again, my depression is manageable, it rears it's ugly head every so often (like today) but the good days out weigh the bad by miles. 

I am so blessed to have such an amazing support system, my family and friends are amazing. The anger I have towards myself, for letting myself become what I had become is lessening a lot. So this year I wanna make as positive as possible. I want to love myself again no matter what size I am, you know why? I am healthy. I may not be able to run 5K (yet) but I walk it under an hour. And I probably can out last some of the snobby meat heads at the gym easily, since I do 4 rounds of 15-20 reps with my weights. 

I think I am on the right path to find true happiness this year. 

Much love and light

Claudia