I have been trying several new recipes using Medifast products as the base and am slowly building a repertoire that will help me with both cravings and with becoming more prepared to eat away form home without having to do major preparations.
I've now made fudge-like candy from the Cocoa Mix. You add sugar free syrup, so I tried it once with Raspberry and once with Caramel. Liked it both times. Today I made a new "bread" using the cream of chicken soup. This was very easy and made a "puff" that could be cut in two, toasted, and made into a sort of grilled cheese sandwich. Very satisfying.
Yesterday I made a no-bake brownie from Medifast Cocoa and Pudding. The recipe called for peanut butter, but I substituted PB2 (powdered peanut butter) and this worked out just fine. It also asked for Sugar free peanut butter syrup, but I can only find a few kinds around here, so I substituted Hazelnut. As I said, just fine!
So far I have Raspberry, Chocolate, Hazelnut, and Caramel syrups. They are the type you can get at coffee shops. Since I don't drink coffee I don't really know what else might be available out there.
So, anyway, these recipes are making things interesting.
I am slowly losing more pounds and only have a couple more to get to my 30 lb goal by Sept. 27.
On Wednesday, I got a new exercise routine. My intensity was increased again and the amount of weight I use in certain exercises was upped. I am noticing my endurance, at least at doing these routines, is improving. My Fitness Coach was watching me get my heart monitor ready the other day and said, "Nancy, you are really looking smaller!" She meant this in a good way :)
I tried a Zumba class at my regular gym and lasted 40 minutes. I had been excited to try it, but when I did, it seemed like same old, same old, to different music. It seemed to me to have very repetitive movements. even from song to song. I was able to follow even the fast movements pretty well, but it still seemed pretty boring. I think I'll try Jazzercise again since I like that music better than the Latin stuff. ( The Latin beat is great, but the songs are a bit "too much" lyric wise.) And I still want to try the BodyFlow class, which I assume has Yoga movements and music. Having these options for the future are encouraging since I will at some point have to add more exercise to keep losing.
On Friday, I did a puzzle cache after work and it ended up taking me to Stauffer's parking lot, where they were having a Lobster Fest. I got a steamed lobster to take home for dinner. ( I regretted not being able to have the baked potato, cole slaw and roll that usually goes along with it, but I was glad at last I had the option of getting the lobster alone.) Unfortunately, I was disappointed by the watery-ness and lake of meat on it. I guess I should either make my own or get it when I'm at a better restaurant.
So, I guess mentally I'm back in the game, although I am still working through challenges. It will be great when this gets to be second nature. We have Parent's Night this week so that will be another challenge.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
6 Week Progress
After fighting off the doldrums of a month on the program, I am back to a pretty much stable situation. Although I am still looking for ways to make things fit better into my "real" life, I am back to doing what I am supposed to, whenever I can. My "reward" this morning when I did my six week weigh in was a loss of 26 pounds total. People are beginning to notice a change, and I would say I am too. Today I wore a suit for picture day that I haven't worn for a while. It was nice to see a good fit.
I am still experimenting with recipes, for both Medifast foods and "real" food. The last few things I posted pictures of were Cinnamon Pudding cookies which I made from Medifast Vanilla Pudding, using a recipe similar to the shake cake. I also made a huge ( pie plate size) Baked Spinach and Mushroom Frittata which, although it was supposed to be one serving, was way too much for me. I had a quarter of it at lunch and then ate the rest of my protein and veggies later as dinner. This dish had 2 cups of Egg Beaters as a base. The next thing I tried as a rootbeer float! This was very easy to make with a Medifast Vanilla Shake, diet root beer in place of the water to mix and ice. Not a lot of "float" but it had a good, creamy rootbeer flavor. Also pictured on my blog is a crockpot vegetable dish called Crockpot Curry Cauliflower Soup. This soups was mostly canned tomatoes and cauliflower, with seasonings and was easy as could be since it was in the crockpot. I took it out when done and pureed it. Good flavor.
I am still looking for good recipes for my Medifast foods that I can make and take with me. As I look to the future and things that lie ahead, I know this will be a key for me. I have a 2 day weekend away coming up in less than a month and don't know if I'll have access to electricity, so I will have to take everything with me. I also have a four day conference at the end of next month where three meals and snacks will be provided and there will be some nights when we go "out on the town" ( D.C.) to eat and enjoy ourselves. I will have to figure out how to deal with four days in a row of this. And be unobtrusive about it.
But my next challenge is tomorrow when I have a four (or more) hour meeting in the morning. I'll have to take provisions plus be ready in case there is something I must handle the minute I get back to my building.
I have a few more Medifast recipes I can try and see how they will "travel."
I actually went to my regular gym on Saturday and took a class called BodyVive Light. It almost killed me! (laugh) It was only half an hour, but there were so few people in it that I was definitely noticeable and could not "cheat" on any moves. It was basically exercising to music and not in a fun way. I did about 20 minutes on the stationery bike and then decided to leave even though I had planned to stay for another class called BodyFlow. That one I may like, though, as it seems like it could be yoga set to music. I'll try again when I have free time.
I did some caching with my sister Laurie that afternoon since it was such a nice day. So I got a lot of activity in even though I sort of wimped out at the gym.
I have to pay more attention to my meal choices again as right now I have been so busy I just grab a baggies with 5 Medifast products in it and head off to work, sometimes without checking what I had packed in there together. My freezer is packed full of Lean and green meals right now so I also don't pay a lot of attention to that. I feel like I should do more here or I may flag in my commitment. But, for now at least, I am back on track with the program. I want to reach the 30 lbs lost stage at the end of my second month (8weeks) which will be up on September 29. With 4 pounds to go, I don't want to get overconfident about that!
Till next time....
I am still experimenting with recipes, for both Medifast foods and "real" food. The last few things I posted pictures of were Cinnamon Pudding cookies which I made from Medifast Vanilla Pudding, using a recipe similar to the shake cake. I also made a huge ( pie plate size) Baked Spinach and Mushroom Frittata which, although it was supposed to be one serving, was way too much for me. I had a quarter of it at lunch and then ate the rest of my protein and veggies later as dinner. This dish had 2 cups of Egg Beaters as a base. The next thing I tried as a rootbeer float! This was very easy to make with a Medifast Vanilla Shake, diet root beer in place of the water to mix and ice. Not a lot of "float" but it had a good, creamy rootbeer flavor. Also pictured on my blog is a crockpot vegetable dish called Crockpot Curry Cauliflower Soup. This soups was mostly canned tomatoes and cauliflower, with seasonings and was easy as could be since it was in the crockpot. I took it out when done and pureed it. Good flavor.
I am still looking for good recipes for my Medifast foods that I can make and take with me. As I look to the future and things that lie ahead, I know this will be a key for me. I have a 2 day weekend away coming up in less than a month and don't know if I'll have access to electricity, so I will have to take everything with me. I also have a four day conference at the end of next month where three meals and snacks will be provided and there will be some nights when we go "out on the town" ( D.C.) to eat and enjoy ourselves. I will have to figure out how to deal with four days in a row of this. And be unobtrusive about it.
But my next challenge is tomorrow when I have a four (or more) hour meeting in the morning. I'll have to take provisions plus be ready in case there is something I must handle the minute I get back to my building.
I have a few more Medifast recipes I can try and see how they will "travel."
I actually went to my regular gym on Saturday and took a class called BodyVive Light. It almost killed me! (laugh) It was only half an hour, but there were so few people in it that I was definitely noticeable and could not "cheat" on any moves. It was basically exercising to music and not in a fun way. I did about 20 minutes on the stationery bike and then decided to leave even though I had planned to stay for another class called BodyFlow. That one I may like, though, as it seems like it could be yoga set to music. I'll try again when I have free time.
I did some caching with my sister Laurie that afternoon since it was such a nice day. So I got a lot of activity in even though I sort of wimped out at the gym.
I have to pay more attention to my meal choices again as right now I have been so busy I just grab a baggies with 5 Medifast products in it and head off to work, sometimes without checking what I had packed in there together. My freezer is packed full of Lean and green meals right now so I also don't pay a lot of attention to that. I feel like I should do more here or I may flag in my commitment. But, for now at least, I am back on track with the program. I want to reach the 30 lbs lost stage at the end of my second month (8weeks) which will be up on September 29. With 4 pounds to go, I don't want to get overconfident about that!
Till next time....
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Labor Day
I had a rough weekend. It was Labor Day and I had four days off work. Moving into that unstructured time was difficult and added to that I have reached the point where research says most people give up on their diets. Even the excitement of losing 21 pounds in four weeks couldn't overcome the creeping frustration of the constant food preparation and having to always be "prepared." I went out for some errands on Friday and decided it was so nice out, I would do some nearby caches. This got me messed up on eating-- I stayed out too long and had to run home and quick make something. Over the weekend I also attended the Geocachers' Fear Factor 2 Event. This was a picnic, games, and socializing. I resisted my own treats, even though they looked really good. I did make some deviled eggs and could have one of those. I had to make several items to take with me so I would have what I needed and not be too tempted. I made some 97% FF ground beef and 99% FF ground turkey burgers that also had mushrooms and green peppers in them. Since they were very lean I could have two, without buns, of course. I also took a salad and dressing with me.
I did get off track mostly because I was feeling very deprived and that everything was such a lot of work. Even though I had brought my own food, I ended up eating a hot dog (without a bun). This isn;t my favorite, so it was an odd choice. Then my frustration just got stronger. Finally on Tuesday I returned to work, and to structure, and had an easier time than I thought I would getting back on track.
I went out for dinner that night at a mini-golf/ restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised to find I could have broasted chicken and a salad. I had forgotten my dressing, though. And, although this had a lot more calories and fat than I have been having, I didn't do too much damage. My weight held steady, and then after a day, I started losing again. I am only glad I didn't get way off track. So, not that it is any easier, I feel like I can do this again for a little while. I am hoping for another 10 pounds in this month. We'll see if I can do that!
I also tried a new food for me-- scallops. There is a picture on the blog. They tasted pretty good.
I did get off track mostly because I was feeling very deprived and that everything was such a lot of work. Even though I had brought my own food, I ended up eating a hot dog (without a bun). This isn;t my favorite, so it was an odd choice. Then my frustration just got stronger. Finally on Tuesday I returned to work, and to structure, and had an easier time than I thought I would getting back on track.
I went out for dinner that night at a mini-golf/ restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised to find I could have broasted chicken and a salad. I had forgotten my dressing, though. And, although this had a lot more calories and fat than I have been having, I didn't do too much damage. My weight held steady, and then after a day, I started losing again. I am only glad I didn't get way off track. So, not that it is any easier, I feel like I can do this again for a little while. I am hoping for another 10 pounds in this month. We'll see if I can do that!
I also tried a new food for me-- scallops. There is a picture on the blog. They tasted pretty good.
Friday, September 3, 2010
My Four Weeks Goal
Well, Wednesday was my four week "anniversary" of starting on Medifast. I got on the scale and my total weight loss was 21 lbs! So, I did really well. I am b raced for the fact that things will slow down now, but I am hoping for 10-12 lbs a month. This may be hard. I didn't get my vitals checked like I thought-- that isn't until October! So, I did take my own blood pressure and heart rate and I had really good news. Over several days, my heart rate was averaging 98-102 systolic and 56-65 diastolic. that would be like 100/60. My resting heart rate was in the mid to low 70s consistently. It had never been lowered that 79 and was usually in the 80's even with all the medication I am on. So, these are good things. In case you were wondering about how my meals average nutritionally, I can tell you what my Lose It reports say:Typical amounts would be about 100 grams of protein, about 80 g of carbs, and about 15 g of fats. This translates into 800-900 calories a day of input. When I go to the gym, I use about 230 calories. I have been careful about making sure I have sufficient calories on those days, as I don't want to lose energy. I HAVE noticed I am not as tired after work right now, even though this was a pretty busy week. I am not coming home and falling right to sleep like I did in the spring. But, that might be because I am not coming home until about 2 hours later. It takes a minimum of an hour and 15 minutes to do my routine, most of the time longer. I got a new routine on Wednesday with more strenuous stuff to do, so we'll see how that goes.
Even with all the good results, I am already "cracking" a little, though I have done a lot to keep things interesting for me. I am missing some of the things I enjoy eating and it is a lot of work to keep making the meals and making them satisfying. This applies to both the Medifast foods and my Lean and Green Meals. I really do enjoy the foods, but miss just being able to stop and pick up something on the way home or to purchase something that looks good at the grocery store. I have to think about every meal and have food on my mind all day-- as in "Is it time for me to eat again?"
I did make some things from the Medifast foods I like and that are portable. The Shake cakes that I make from the Shakes mixes are great. I adapted that recipe to the oatmeal and with a little tweaking I can also have these to tote around when I'm on the go. It is nice not have to make everything every time I have to eat. That was time consuming and inconvenient, so I am glad I am coming up with ways to make this work better. One thing I really like is what I call "pizza bread." I'll be making some tomorrow so I will try to remember to take a picture of it. It is made form the Medifast tomato soup. If you remember, I didn't like the flavor and consistency of this meal and was disappointed. Well, I found a recipe that I tweaked a bit and it is a Delicious, portable treat. The dry soup mix is mixed with several spices like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oregano and other "Italiany" tastes. A teaspoon of this and a 1/4 cup of water added makes a "batter" that you drop onto a baking sheet. They look like 3" round light red pancakes. I can eat these spicy treats (one meal is 6 rounds) with veggies or spread with a Laughing Cow cheese wedge. mmmm
I also made some chicken fingers with Medifast crackers as a breading. These were great! I am going to try some "sweet" rolls from the oatmeal also.
I have a challenge again this weekend with the Geocachers Fear Factor Live Picnic. I have already developed a plan for this day since the event runs from 9 AM to 6 PM and is about 25 miles from my house. I need to take a minimum of three meals with me and am planning for the most portables ones I can think of. I'll want to take at least one "extra" just in case. Also, I need to decide if I will eat a burger they provide or take my own "patties" to ensure I have extra lean beef. Luckily, since they are asking people to contribute, I can see what people are planning to bring. I will have to take my own dressing and maybe even my own salad. The other challenge for this event is that I will be making my S'mores Peanut Butter Bars and "Baby Ruth" Cookie Bars to take along to share. These may be pretty tempting so I foresee a bit of a problem. I am thinking of making deviled eggs also since they need them and it is something I can eat.
As always, I'll let you know how this goes.
Even with all the good results, I am already "cracking" a little, though I have done a lot to keep things interesting for me. I am missing some of the things I enjoy eating and it is a lot of work to keep making the meals and making them satisfying. This applies to both the Medifast foods and my Lean and Green Meals. I really do enjoy the foods, but miss just being able to stop and pick up something on the way home or to purchase something that looks good at the grocery store. I have to think about every meal and have food on my mind all day-- as in "Is it time for me to eat again?"
I did make some things from the Medifast foods I like and that are portable. The Shake cakes that I make from the Shakes mixes are great. I adapted that recipe to the oatmeal and with a little tweaking I can also have these to tote around when I'm on the go. It is nice not have to make everything every time I have to eat. That was time consuming and inconvenient, so I am glad I am coming up with ways to make this work better. One thing I really like is what I call "pizza bread." I'll be making some tomorrow so I will try to remember to take a picture of it. It is made form the Medifast tomato soup. If you remember, I didn't like the flavor and consistency of this meal and was disappointed. Well, I found a recipe that I tweaked a bit and it is a Delicious, portable treat. The dry soup mix is mixed with several spices like garlic powder, cayenne pepper, oregano and other "Italiany" tastes. A teaspoon of this and a 1/4 cup of water added makes a "batter" that you drop onto a baking sheet. They look like 3" round light red pancakes. I can eat these spicy treats (one meal is 6 rounds) with veggies or spread with a Laughing Cow cheese wedge. mmmm
I also made some chicken fingers with Medifast crackers as a breading. These were great! I am going to try some "sweet" rolls from the oatmeal also.
I have a challenge again this weekend with the Geocachers Fear Factor Live Picnic. I have already developed a plan for this day since the event runs from 9 AM to 6 PM and is about 25 miles from my house. I need to take a minimum of three meals with me and am planning for the most portables ones I can think of. I'll want to take at least one "extra" just in case. Also, I need to decide if I will eat a burger they provide or take my own "patties" to ensure I have extra lean beef. Luckily, since they are asking people to contribute, I can see what people are planning to bring. I will have to take my own dressing and maybe even my own salad. The other challenge for this event is that I will be making my S'mores Peanut Butter Bars and "Baby Ruth" Cookie Bars to take along to share. These may be pretty tempting so I foresee a bit of a problem. I am thinking of making deviled eggs also since they need them and it is something I can eat.
As always, I'll let you know how this goes.
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