Helloooo...Remember Me?

I know, I know....I've been a bad blogger. Since hurricane Sandy hit, I've been barely keeping it together. My sister-in-law and her family moved in with us since their apartment was destroyed. So that means we have 3 children under 3, 2 dogs (1 big and 1 small) and 4 adults living in the house. It's been crazy to say the least.

I totally fell off the wagon I was already only precariously holding onto before the Hurricane and holidays. My brother in law has a penchant for bringing home Entemanns cakes and Dunkin' Donuts. My sister in law cooks the way my husband likes- high calorie, high fat, high carb. I appreciate all the help- she cooks and cleans while I'm at work- but my health is definitely suffering.

Now that the holidays are over and we've rung in the new year I have 1 major resolution- to TRACK on My Fitness Pal. Track every day- whether I've eaten well or not. Just to get in the habit of tracking. So far I've done well. I just need to keep it up!

Once my extended family moves out I hope to start doing some home workouts from Mag Rack and Youtube. Right now there's just no room!

I hope you all had a fun and healthy holiday season! I'm going to try and blog at least 2x a week this year- so I'll be back soon!

October's Bakin' Friends

** Note ** This was supposed to be posted on Halloween. Due to Hurricane Sandy- I was unable to get into my office and retrieve my camera so I could post the pictures. I meant to post the text (since my pictures kind of stink anyway) but time kind of got away from me. I apologize to Erin and Steph!


It's time for this month's installment of  Bakin' Friends, a baking swap called Bakin' Friends hosted by Stephanie of Steph's Bite by Bite. Each monthfeatures a new "secret ingredient" and different participant match ups. 

This month's secret ingredient was pumpkin. Although I've often indulged in pumpkin treats, I've never actually cooked with it- so I was eager to try it. I made Pumpkin Toffee Cookies- which you can read about over at Erin's blog The Spiffy Cookie. 

I was a bit dopey this month and totally forgot to let Steph know that I was in for the swap. Duhr. Luckily- Erin forgot as well so we were able to be paired up. 

I was so excited to receive my pumpkin treat from her- and they certainly lived up to my excitement. 

Wait until you taste these Pumkin Oreo Truffles- they are so unbelievably decadent, moist, chocolate-y and delicious. I've long been a fan of the traditional oreo truffles- made with cream cheese, but I'm a convert!

I have to apologize for the lack of pictures. My camera is on the fritz- only taking 1 or 2 pictures for every 20 I snap. :-(  I need to work on getting it fixed- in the meantime I may go out and buy a point and shoot, since I'd like to have one anyhow for quick pics on the go. (Recommendations, anyone?)

I totally brought these to work and left them there to keep them away from my husband (who happens to be an Oreo Truffle FIEND!) Best. Idea. Ever. I brought them home on Friday with about 8 left and he ate them all. In about 5 minutes. 

Anyway, the secret to these babies is subbing canned pumpkin puree for the cream cheese. The result is super moist and super rich and, I like to believe, super HEALTHIER!! I mean, pumpkin is a vegetable. A veggie in a dessert?! Genius!

Do yourself a favor and try these ASAP!

Pumpkin Oreo Truffles (courtesy of Erin at the Spiffy Cookie)

1 package Oreo Cookies
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
1 tsp pumpkin pie spice
2 bars semi sweet baker's chocolate
Decorations/toppings (optional)

In a food processor, puree oreo cookies into fine crumbs. Add in pumpkin puree and pie spice and blend well. Shape into 1" balls and freeze on a lined cookie sheet for 15 minutes. Roll in melted chocolate using 2 forks and place back on baking sheet. Sprinkle with toppings if desired. 

Let me know what you think! 


Thanks for reading!

Damn You Sandy!!

Let's start from the last time I posted. I was feeling defeated because I gained weight. Well, i'm happy to day that I was down 2.6lbs at LAST weeks weigh in. I was really happy! I had upped my calories to 1700 a day after following the advice in this My Fitness Pal post: In Place of a Road Map. Read it- you won't be sorry! 

Since that weigh in, I've been WAY WAY WAY off track. Way. My weekend started off pretty well, I was tracking, watching my intake. When the threat of Hurricane Sandy became real, I drove off the road (metaphorically speaking.) I was in the house with Halloween candy. Ice cream. Chips. Nothing good came of that. I've eaten more chocolate since Monday than I have in the last 2 years. 

We were so VERY VERY lucky not to have gotten any damage from the storm. Everyone I know is alive and safe. Our home came out unscathed and we already have power back. I know many people whose homes were severely damaged or completely ruined, there are almost a million people without power here on Long Island. My prayers go out to all those who have lost so much. :-( If anyone in my area (Western Suffolk County, south shore) needs somewhere to shower, watch the news or charge electronics please contact me!

anyway, weigh in isn't until tomorrow morning, but I'm fully expecting to have gained back that 2.6 lbs. We shall see. 

I had a fully clothed, afternoon preview weigh in at the doctor today and (as expected) I was up. I'm curious to see how my nekkid morning weigh in will go.

More on my doctor appointment and what he suggests:

• Do mostly non-weight bearing exercise like the elliptical machine or swimming. This would be difficult as I don't belong to a gym, but I'm going to stick with low impact exercise- walking, C25K and continue with Zumba. 
• Follow the South Beach Diet. This one I am TOTALLY on board with. I even have the book already (some where :-/). His reasoning is sound- the medication I take daily makes it difficult for the body to process starches and thus makes it difficult to lose weight! I never knew this.
• Having my thyroid checked. I'd love to have something to blame my fatty fatness on, but I'm doubting anything will come of the tests. 

If anyone has any South Beach Friendly recipes, feel free to pass them along. 

I know I seem to jump around A TON on this blog, when I actually post, that is. I'm just trying to find my way and it isn't easy. Please have patience with me and continue to offer up your advice. 

Thanks for reading!

Feeling defeated

It's been another busy week (I REALLY need to start scheduling blog posts!) and we've come to another weigh in day. And thus, another failure.

I'm feeling very discouraged, annoyed, defeated, FAT. I don't know what went wrong this week. I stepped on the scale on Wednesday and I had lost the 0.8 I gained last week, so I expected to be even lower today. Instead I was UP from last week!! WTF?!?

I don't get it. I was at or under my calories each week day. I didn't go crazy last weekend. I did 2 C25k workouts and my Zumba class. I haven't had soda in 8 days. I've been drinking plenty of unsweetened iced tea and regular water to get my hydration.

The ONLY think I can think of- maybe my sodium intake was too high? I think I need to start watching that a bit more since my lunches often consist of canned soup or cold cuts. I'm also ovulating this week, so I guess that could have something to do with it.

I mean, I didn't eat the perfect foods all week. One night dinner was a happy meal (not the mighty one- the regular teeny tiny one) another night it was PB&J, last night was a wrap from Tropical Smoothie Cafe. BUT- all fit within my calories.

Maybe someone could take a look at my diary on MFP and give me some insight? I know many people say you should eat exercise calories, or increase calories to 15% less than BMR, but I'm not ready for that. I want to see quick results right now. I NEED to see results to feel like I'm doing something, to boost my willpower, to motivate me to keep at it.

As difficult as it is- I'm going to have to start logging weekend calories. :-/  We just do so much running around on the weekends and I don't have a smart phone to do it while I'm on the go.

So- insight? Advice? Please?!!?

In other news- like I mentioned above- I've completed days 1 & 2 of C25k Week 1. Day 1 was sooo much easier than I remember it being last time! Day 2 was still easier, but a little harder for me than day 1. I attribute it to being later at night- I was exhausted and ready to fall asleep when I dragged my butt out there. I also started to feel shin splints starting up. I'm going to persevere and do Day 3 tomorrow.

Since I know everyone likes pictures, I'm going to share a few of my cuties from last weekend when we went pumpkin picking. I love these girls, they truly make life a joy!

(Sorry for the horrible quality- my DSLR isn't working right so hubby used his iPhone camera)

Love.

Thanks for reading!! 

Weigh in defeat

Wow...I'm really slacking off here lately! I guess there really hasn't been all that much going on to write about :-D

The week in review:

Success:

• Tracked everything from Monday-Friday
• Zumba!!
• Cooked 3 nights and will cook again tomorrow night
• When I went to the diner for dinner with the kids and my mom- I was on my best behavior! I ordered off the diet menu- 5oz grilled chicken, steamed veggies and boiled potato
• I bought a bag of yummy sounding cookies (Pepperidge Farm Caramel Apple Pie Cookies) and ate one for dessert. I brought the rest of the bag to work and let my co-workers go at 'em.

Fails:

• I wanted to re-start the C25K program because I'm getting serious 5k envy! Unfortunately, I just didn't do it. It was a combination of crappy weather, being out of the house at night (for food shopping, zumba and a focus group), a stiff neck and shoulder and plain old "I don't feel like it" that kept me from getting out there. I'm hoping this week it will actually happen. 
• Tracking was non-existent last weekend. 
• Today's weigh in. I'm up 0.8 lbs. :-( 

I'm thinking the gain has to do with the lack of tracking last weekend, lack of walking and the lack of bathroom activity this week (sorry for the TMI- but you know you wait til after using the bathroom to weigh in!) 

Anyway, I'm going to try to get in more walking and the first week of C25k next week. I'm hoping to see a big loss at the next weigh in to make up for this week. We shall see!

Thanks for reading! 

2nd Weigh in and Visual Goals

I can't believe I haven't blogged in a week!! I feel like time flew by and I never had a time for anything- but really, I didn't even do much.

Last weekend was kind of rough. I didn't track anything, but I didn't go too crazy either. Even though I was diligent with tracking all week, I didn't get in much exercise. It didn't come as too much of a surprise when I weighed in this morning and had lost 1.8 lbs. I was hoping for at least 2, but I'll take it! I need to be more conscious of tracking everything tonight and tomorrow. Sunday is my day off!

I started Zumba this past Wednesday and it was a lot of fun!! I remember it being much easier to do before I had Hannah (and even easier before I had Brooke!) but I made it through the class fairly comfortably. I observed something interesting while I was there. The woman next to me in class was very pretty and had a perfect body (although, I'm fairly certain her boobs were fake :-D ). I sort of inwardly cringed when she stood next to me. I was already feeling self conscious and standing next to Malibu Barbie wasn't going to do much to help my self esteem. Surprisingly, when the music started and we all started to dance- this girl had NO rhythm!! It was comical really. Then, she needed to stop and rest after only a few minutes. She couldn't really do any of the steps and continually knocked into people. I give her major props because she was having fun and didn't seem at all embarrassed (not that she should have been- I just know I would've)! It just goes to show you though- skinny does not equal fit! Skinny does not equal coordination! It made me feel slightly better ;-)

I've started trying to visualize where I want to be weight wise. Every December the company I work for has a holiday party at a catering hall . The last 3 years have pretty much sucked in the way of wardrobe. 3 years ago I was 7 months pregnant with Brooke, the following year I was still fat after having her and last year I didn't even go (since I had Hannah only a few weeks earlier).

This year I'm determined to be able to wear something cute. I've already started looking and saving things to a board on Pinterest (Skinny Clothes) here are a few I've found so far:

ASOS

ASOS

BCBG from Blue Fly

Sue Wong at Blue Fly

How amazing is the back?!!

I realize that wearing any of these dresses is kind of a lofty goal- but I'm hoping to be able to do something LIKE them! Even if I need to wear a little jacket or something!

What do you think? Do you have a list of clothes you aspire to wear?

Thanks for reading!!

PS: Head on over to Danica's Daily  to enter the Yoplait Greek Yogurt Giveaway!! 

Week 1 is done! My weigh in

It wasn't a full week, but since I weighed in last Friday and then proceeded to stuff myself like a sausage all weekend, I figured I'd weigh in anyway and if it wasn't a loss- I'd know why.

If you're following me on MFP- you already know, I'm down 4.6 lbs!!!!!!!! So freakin' excited!!!!!!!! Seeing that number on the scale this morning definitely amps up the motivation to keep on keepin' on!

How did you do this week?

Thanks for reading!!