New Name, New Theme, New Challenge!

Hey everyone! Sorry I haven't updated this in 34972034792 days (it feels like that!)... Here's where I am right now:

Starting weight: 202.2
Current weight: 158.2
Total weight loss: 44 lbs!

That's right! I've lost 44 pounds! My eventual goal is a total of 62 pounds... to be down to 140 pounds. So, I still have a ways to go! This is a long journey, but I'm doing this right. I'm going to stay this way for life, and not let myself get back to where I've been.

Currently, I'm back in Charleston, SC, which, next to Hilliard, feels like home. Its so awesome being here again and getting to see all of my friends. I'm not in love with the clinical I'm in right now, but I'm definitely learning a lot, and it has made me so much more sure of my desire to work with stroke patients/elderly people. Which, I guess, is good!

So, the blog name change... I've decided to, at least temporarily, go with the name "Healthy and Happy". When I first started to try to lose weight, I did it because I was starting to show what I thought were symptoms of type 2 diabetes. I had also told myself that, if I ever got over 200 lbs, that was when I was going to start losing. So, there I was... and here I am now!  I think I am in pretty good shape (although I need to be in even better shape), and I've got a direction in my life... I know what I want to do, the people I want to work with, and how I want to live my life.  If I can live it HAPPY and HEALTHY, there isn't much more I can ask for!

I saw this challenge on Pinterest (LOVE that website... so many good recipes, good motivation, good workouts) about posting a picture a day about being healthy. So, I decided I'll try it! My biggest problems are 1) I hopefully will have time for this! I may be doing several pictures in a day to catch up for days I miss during the week! and 2) I haven't figured out how to send pictures from my iPhone to my computer easily. So, these first few pictures will be taken from my computer and posted on here! I'll figure it out eventually! I've always wanted to do one of these photo challenges, and so here we go! And this will keep me honest with my quest!

Day 1: Before Picture... ok, so I didnt take this picture yesterday, but I'll take one today! Sorry it doesnt look so awesome, I already showered for the night :)

 Day 2: Breakfast. Today's breakfast was a cup of Fiber One Caramel Delight and 1.25 cups of coffee... I spilled my coffee partway through my second cup and that kind of ruined it for me :(

This is gonna be fun!!! Feel free to join in if you want!  And thanks in advance for your support!
-Austin

This time last year...

This time last year, I was in the middle of my "12 Pounds of Christmas" goal, which, for those of you who just started reading recently, was that beginning around the middle of September, I was trying to lose 12 pounds by Christmas. And I wasn't able to do it. Looking back, I say "Gosh, 12 pounds seems so easy, how were you not able to do it?". I realize now that those 4 months were vital in changing my habits... once those were changed, the rest of the weight started coming off easier.

Last time I posted, nearly 2 months ago, I was at 182.8 lbs, and was beginning Weight Watchers.  Now, 2 months into it, I am at 169.6 lbs!!! 13 pounds in 2 months, and no end in sight!  I never thought I would get back down to the 160s. I've had a couple of big moments in the past few weeks that have kept me encouraged.  The first was when I saw this huge dog, and out of curiosity asked how big it was... 175 lbs. And I was able to say "I weigh less than that dog!" for the first time in a very long time!  Then, a few weeks ago I completed my first one-mile straight run.  And last night, I ran 2 miles straight! Ran for 23 minutes! I could have never done that when I weight 202 pounds. Here I am, now, thinking about doing a half marathon next December.  The possibilities are endless, and I am absolutely loving challenging myself each day to achieve more and more.

And because I haven't been posting regularly, guess I owe you guys an all-star recipe.  This is one that I've made twice now, and it is absolutely amazing.  I know a lot of you may have seen it on my Facebook, but I love it so much that I will post it again :) Ladies and Gentlemen, Crockpot Taco Chicken Chili, courtesy of skinnytaste.com!  Check her website out for all sorts of healthy recipes. I absolutely love it!



Crock Pot Chicken Taco Chili
 Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 10 • Size: 1 1/4 cups • Old Points: 3 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 203.7 • Fat: 1.4 g • Carb: 33.3 g • Fiber: 10.0 g  • Protein: 16.9 g

Ingredients:

• 1 onion, chopped
• 1 16-oz can black beans
• 1 16-oz can kidney beans
• 1 8-oz can tomato sauce
• 10 oz package frozen corn kernels
• 2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes w/chilies
• 1 packet taco seasoning
• 1 tbsp cumin
• 1 tbsp chili powder
  
• 24 oz (3-4) boneless skinless chicken breasts
• chili peppers, chopped (optional)
  
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:
Combine beans, onion, chili peppers, corn, tomato sauce, cumin, chili powder and taco seasoning in a slow cooker. Place chicken on top and cover. Cook on low for 10 hours or on high for 6 hours. Half hour before serving, remove chicken and shred. Return chicken to slow cooker and stir in. Top with fresh cilantro. Also try it with low fat cheese and sour cream (extra points).
Give it a try! I promise it won't let you down!

Hope you all have a great week, and thanks for your continued support. Every single comment keeps me going :)
-Austin