Water Aerobics... whew!

Tonight was the first night of the District sponsored water aerobics. A few weeks ago, when the email was sent out offering a free water aerobics class I was like Hells Yeah I'm in! A few years back, when I was living in Bolingbrook with the ex, I started taking water aerobics. It was about all I could do with my hurt back. My instructor was AMAZING! It was a step class and uber difficult. It really helped me start my weight loss journey. I remember when I had to order a new swimsuit after the first session (about 8 weeks). Everyone made a big deal about it. People, that suit was a size 22! I was celebrating fitting into a size 22 suit! OMG! I just ordered a new suit in a size 16! Woo-hoo! Now, here's to hoping it fits when it gets here. I wore a size 16 before gaining 15  17 pounds since October. Yup 17 big ones. Nothing of mine fits right. NOTHING! I'm tugging at everything! This is why I am getting back on the horse. I cannot let myself EVER get back to where I was. It was too much work to get here!

The water aerobics class wasn't very hard at all. When it was all done I was kind of disappointed. I really wanted it to me harder.  I remember my last one being so hard, but then this evening when I was showering it hit me: the last time I took a class like this I was almost 100 pounds heavier. IT WOULD HAVE BEEN HARDER! Nonetheless, I came home to put on some gym clothes and became really tired. It wasn't my muscles, it was just me. I forgot just how tiring physically being in the water is. Then I smelled the delicious aroma that enveloped my house and that was that, I was in for the evening. I made chicken gumbo in the crockpot.... YUM! So good! I will eat it for lunch for the rest of the week! I also decided that NO matter what my brain tells me, I have to get up and run in the morning. I was supposed to begin my Shamrock Shuffle training today and didn't, so tomorrow morning it will begin!

Right now I can hear Judy munching away on her dinner. I bought her new food. When I went to the store yesterday I couldn't recall what kind I bought last time so I just said eeny-meeny----wala! When I opened the bag a lil bit ago, no bueno, not the same food. Oh well.

I also have been noticing that Judy has matted knots on her chest fur. This makes me feel like a bad owner because she doesn't get brushed. I do try and brush her, but Judy is a maniac and won't allow it! INstead I had to cut the knots out. So, this crazy cat lets me cut the knots out, but not get near her with a brush. Go figure I would own a weird weird cat!

Here she is after licking up some of the cut off fur. Her tongue is even sticking out!

Have a great Wednesday all!

=)

Oatmeal. Yummy.

I haven't blogged all since Tuesday. I need to get better at this, make time Amanda, just do it!

I did get an excellent work out in yesterday. I was sweaty sweaty! I also made a decision about taking another spinning class. I won't be! I know I said I wouldn't let it defeat me, but after really sitting down and thinking long and hard about it, I just cannot do spin class and start running. My back just can't take it. Since I have already signed up for the Shamrock Shuffle on April 7th, I have decided to spend my time outside of the gym running. I will do an every other day type training routine. It will start after water aerobics on Tuesday.

Eating this week was FABULOUS thanks to  Hungry Girl to the Max. Inside this book are endless yummy recipes. I haven't been disappointed yet!

I din't take a picture of any of the dinners I cooked this week, but I did take a picture of the breakfast! I think it because I was not a breakfast person for so long! I'm still not, not really anyway. I do however, feel the difference in energy when I don't eat a hearty, healthy breakfast. The oatmeal recipes from Hungry Girl to the Max take a long time to make, but HOT DAMN, they are worth it! I'm going to have to get up a few minutes early just to make it, but I am actually excited to eat OATMEAL!

Here's the recipe for Banana Split Oatmeal
285 calories

Ingredients:
1/2 c old fashion oats
dash salt
1 cup unsweetened almond breeze
1 tbls sugar free strawberry jam preserves
1/2 banana 2 tbls fat free reddi wip
1 tsp semi sweet choc chips

Directions:
Combine oats and salt in nonstick pot. Add Almond Breeze and 1 c water.

Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Cook and stir until thick and creamy, 12-15 minutes.

Transfer to a medium bowl and let cool slightly to thicken. Stir in preserves. Top with bananas, reddi whip, and chocolate chips.

Enjoy!

It is so much better than it even looks!

When I first read the recipe, I was like WTF is Almond breeze? Well my friends, it's almond milk. I get mine in the health food section of the Kroger here in town. It was a little pricey. The book says you can substitute it with Vanilla Soymilk, but you will have to add calories for it. I personally added another tablespoon of jam because that's the kind of gal I am!

* Side note. Judy also loves oatmeal. She won't leave me alone when I eat this! It must smell delicious! 
*******************************
This is what I'm cooking this week!

***All recipes are courtesy of  Hungry Girl to the Max

Last year, about this time, is when I began running. I was inspired when I began reading a blog I found on Pintrest called "Runs for Cookies" The bloggers name is Katie. I have to tell you all that she is so inspirational. She has lost and kept off over 120 pounds. She was recently on the Today show after running a Ragnar Relay in Flordia. I am looking forward to seeing the documentary that she is taking part in. take a look at her blog if you are in need of some weight loss inspiration! Here's a link to Runs for Cookies. 

Have a good week everyone!

=)

Tuesday means Judy is cray cray!!!

Judy, my adorable cat, is absolutely crazy today! I think she has gotten used to me being home all day long and then all of a sudden I'm gone all day for two days straight! Poor little lady. I really need to get my Christmas tree down. She is tempted by the tree. I mean, it's beautiful! All those shiny orbs that she wants to murder! Who wouldn't be tempted?

She sitting in the hall staring at me right now. She looks evil.

So, my breakfast casserole was absolutely DELICIOUS! I mean it. I bet it would have tasted even better if I had eaten it straight out of the oven. Before I went to bed last night, I portioned the casserole into four tupperware containers so I could just grab it on my way out of the house. I heated it up this morning and ate it on my way to school. YUMmy!

I also made foil wrapped fajitas. I had two thawed chicken breast cut into strips and some onions and  bell peppers with spices wrapped in foil. Baked in the oven for 30 minutes. I either cut the strips too thick, or my foil was no good, but after 30 minutes I opened the pack and the chicken was not cooked. I warmed up a a skillet and sauteed the fajitas on the stove top. They were good. Nothing to write home about, but definitely a recipe I will make again. I used no tortillas or sour cream. It was a little blah. I will have to think of a way to jazz it up.

I also went to the gym today. My body is a little sore from my spinning massacre yesterday (especially my nether region) (o-:) hehe!

I did light cardio and light arm weights. I haven't worked out my arms in 4 months or so. I then finished off with 15 tough minutes on the elliptical. It wasn't a super tough workout, but not easy either. 

Here is Judy acting crazy in the bathroom sink. Cray cray cat!

     

She's adorable!

=)

Spinning!

Ugh.... spinning. For some effing crazy ass reason, I thought spinning was going to be easy... ok, maybe not easy, but not as hard as it was. Apparently I was smoking crack all day long at work today!

Ok, so I walk in and all the ladies (all at least 10 years or more older than me), were all "are you joining us today?" This is when I thought I might be in trouble. 
I go in the room and pick out a bike. Apparently these women have "bikes" they always use. Geeze Louise! I was told by Nancy, who was very nice to me, that I had chosen the nicest bike. I hope I didn't piss anyone off, but I do remember which bike it was!
The class starts... all these up/downs and stuff. I hung in there for about 25 minutes and then I started cramping up. I was getting dizzy. Boo! I really thought about hanging in there, but those bike seats are REALLY effing high in the air! I would make a loud thump if I hit the floor. I made the decision to get off the bike and take the long walk of shame out of the room.

I asked the other lady next to me what time the class ended and she said in THIRTY minutes! WHAT! An hour of spinning! Ok guys, I want you to know that I will not let this defeat me. I am going to get it done. Spinning is only two times a week, but I am going to go to both classes! I've got some pounds to drop!

After bailing out on spin class 30 minutes early, I sat in the parking lot in my car and recovered. I have to say that I was a little embarrassed that I had to leave class early, but I have to just get over it, ya know? I spoke with my mom about their doggy Muffin. She has some kind a disgusting abscess in her mouth. Poor baby. BUT  I DIGRESS!

I did as I planned yesterday; I drove to the grocery store and shopped. I bought everything on my list. Then I came home and made a really delicious dinner. I accidentally made Tuesday's dinner, so I will make Monday's dinner tomorrow. Seriously though, my dinner was really good and really filling, I love eggplant, and this meal was swimming in eggplant. I didn't take a picture, but below is the recipe. 

Here are some positive things that happened today:
I woke up!
I was blessed to go to my job!
Many smiling faces told me they missed me and were glad to be back in my class!
I went to the gym!
I tried something (spin class) I have never done before!
and most importantly---
I rocked a side pony while working out and shopping!

=)

Meal Planning

I know that to be successful on the diet I must meal plan. Meal planning takes a shit load of time, but I know I can do it. Because I have been sick this weekend, I have only left the house to get the fixins for Chicken noodle soup. I guess I will have to go to the store tomorrow after I go to the gym. This is how I plan to make this meal planning successful. I will make 3-4 meals a week and eat them for dinner and leftovers each day. I also plan to make a breakfast casserole or something like that for breakfast. OK, so here's what I am making this week.

Grocery List: 
pantry items- 
old fashion oatmeal
almond breeze
craisins
sugar free pancake syrup
penne pasta
sugar free strawberry jam
raw almonds
Chicken broth
instant brown rice

meats-
breakfast turkey sausage
frozen chicken breast
salmon

produce-
portabella mushrooms
bananas
bell pepper
zucchini x2
eggplant x2
cherry tomatoes
grapes
greek yogurt
cucumber
lemon
mint leaves

dairy- 
liquid egg substitute
reddi whip
feta cheese
cottage cheese

Frozen:
hash browns
onion


         
What I'm cookin' so far!

This will be breakfast for 4 days (T-F)

Breakfast Sunday 

Breakfast Saturday

Dinner Tuesday, lunch Wednesday

Dinner Monday, lunch Tuesday

Dinner Friday

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-salmon-i/Detail.aspx

Holy crap! that's a ton of food! I wish it wasn't so late so I could go grocery shopping. I will just have to do it after my work out tomorrow. If I didn't actually have to work tomorrow I would go now. I guess I should start getting ready for bed. Since I haven't gone to sleep before 2 am in 2 weeks, I might have to take some melatonin. Alright kiddos. Have a great day! To all my teacher friends, it's back to work we go!

=)

Amanda's Top Ten!

I had a great year, I really did. So many great things happened in my life. I am trying to be SUPER positive right now because I don't REALLY feel especially positive! So here goes the Top Ten of 2012.

10. Judy finding me. What can I say? I love the silly kitty! She is laying next to me right now looking adorable. She is a good little girl.

Not what Judy is looking like currently, but a great picture nonetheless. 

9. Going on my first vacation. I know some of you might think this is really weird, but 2012 was the first time I actually went on a vacation. I know! I went with my friends to Southern Illinois and basically just hung out, drank way too much wine, and geo-cached for the first time. It was amazing and I loved every stinking minute of it!

 8.  Dating. I dated a lot this year! Through all of these dates, I have really gotten to know myself and what I really want in a husband. I will not settle and am pretty happy with knowing that about myself. I pray (and hope you are praying for me) to find a great guy with whom I would love to have a future.                
                                       Oh, and one that loves Judy too. =)

7. Running. For some crazy reason I decided to take up running this year. It was challenging, but I'm glad that I did it! I learned so much about myself and how strong I really am.




6. Speaking of running... I ran a 5k this year! What?

Me finishing the 10k.

5. Speaking of running a 5k, I also ran a 10k this year too! It was hard, but I loved it. 

4. Being featured on The Center for Health and Nutrition's website as a success story. I love the people at the Center, they have helped me so much. It's such a positive place!

Here's the pic from the website

3. Facing Fears. I faced several fears this year. The first was kayaking. I was scared to do it because it might be too hard. I might fail. Well, I didn't and I had a blast! 

2. As my weightloss progressed, I saw more and more hanging disgusting skin on my body. More on my left arm than anywhere else on my body. In April I decided it was time to see a plastic surgeon to get the skin removed, and in June I did! I will still have to have more skin removed, but I am so happy with my decision. 

and the best thing that happened to me this year!

DRUM ROLL PLEASE!!!!!!

1. LOSING 100 POUNDS!!!!! Woo-hoo! It wasn't easy, but it wasn't so hard that you can't do it. It was life altering and a profound obstacle that I have overcome. 100 pounds off and more to come! (come on, you all knew that was going to be number one!)

Things to come to 2013:

• Running the Shamrock Shuffle
• Participating in a Warrior Dash
• Reaching my goal weight
• finding a great man
• earning my National Board Certificate
• going somewhere cool this summer
• running a half marathon
• paying off a major credit card
• saving money!
• growing my hair out
• getting organized
• eating better
• being a better friend
• being a better sibling
• after hitting goal weight, getting a photo shoot done
• buying new clothes!
• writing in my blog on a whole lot mre!
• and much much more!

=)