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

1 year since... plus before and after pictures!

That's right! It has been a little bit over 1 year since I decided to start losing weight and start this blog!

I'm proud to say that, one year later, I have lost (and kept off) nearly 20 POUNDS! It has been hard work with many ups and downs (I got down to 177 at one point, but am unfortunately up (pound wise) in the past few weeks), but I never get tired of hearing "You look skinny!".  I've gone down 2 jeans sizes and am now wearing a size 8 in American Eagle.  I haven't bought a new dress since then, but I can imagine I have probably gone down a dress size as well.

The hardest part for me has been not eating the foods I love on such a regular basis.  If you know me, you know that I could eat Chipotle at least once a week, and could go to Starbucks or Caribou every other day.  I've had to cut back a bunch on both of those, and even went a good part of the summer without going to Chipotle, just so I could ensure that I would fit into my bridesmaid's dress for my cousin's wedding. I've found it easy to exercise regularly, and it will only get easier now that Fall is coming, and I will be able to walk outside.

BUT, I'm only halfway-ish to my goal! I set a new goal for myself to lose 50 pounds in 2 years.  This would put me right around 150, which still isn't my "healthy weight", but is a heckuva lot closer.  SO, I started Weight Watchers this past Sunday (when I started writing this blog... it has taken me a few days to put it together).  I have had success with WW in the past, and this time paid for 4 months, so hopefully I will see some results! I'm also starting P90X this week.  I may not follow it as religiously as I should due to a lack of time, but it will be a nice change from my usual elliptical/treadmill routine.

Life is getting crazy too.  I'm in my final semester of true academic work, and my courses this semester are difficult and not the most interesting, although I'm really liking the brain injury stuff we are currently learning.  Tomorrow (Friday), we pick our clinical sites, where we will be for 8ish months starting in January.  I already know that I will be in Rock Hill, SC for my first one, working at HealthSouth Rock Hill, and staying with a campus ministry at Winthrop University.  I am so excited to live in an amazing Christian community for 10 weeks, and be reunited with some amazing friends that I met in college and didn't get to spend an extended amount of time with.  I'm hoping the following clinic will be in Charleston, SC, and then my third one either in Atlanta or Washington DC.  We'll see how it plays out, and I'll keep you guys updated!

Last, here's some before and after pictures... me last year at my White Coat ceremony, and me earlier this week.  What a change!

Original weight: 202.2 lbs.
Sunday's weight: 182.8 lbs.
Today's weight (5 days into Weight Watchers): 180.2 lbs.

-Austin

PS. Since I'm not exactly trying to lose the "12 Pounds of Christmas" anymore, I need a new name for my blog! I'm definitely open to suggestions!

New Recipe!

One of my favorite restaurants in Columbus is Figlio. It specializes in pizza and pasta, and happens to be owned by the parents of one of my friends from College of Charleston.  Their pastas are all really yummy, and I decided to make a pasta based on some of their pastas for my dinner tonight. It ended up being SUPER easy, and SUPER yummy. The magic ingredient is the feta-do not leave it out!

Penne with Tomato Alfredo Sauce with Chicken and Feta

Serves 2 (with smaller servings)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups penne (I use the small cook-in-3-minutes kind)
1/4 cup light alfredo sauce
1/4 cup tomato sauce (I use Bertoli olive oil and garlic)
2 handfuls of fresh spinach
1/8 cup crumbled feta cheese (although you can add more if you want... like I said, it is the magic ingredient!)

Directions:
Bring water to boil to cook pasta, adding a bit of salt.  Cook pasta according to directions. Before draining, add in spinach, and let wilt in hot pasta water for 2 minutes. Drain and return to pot. Stir in alfredo sauce, tomato sauce, and feta cheese.

SO easy, right?? And it was delicious! Bon Appetit!
-Austin

Big Update!!

Hey everyone!! Sorry I haven't written in this in sooooooooo long. I've been hearing about my lack of writing from some of my readers, but really, I haven't had much to write about. Until now...

I'VE LOST 20 POUNDS!!!!!!!

That's right! 20 pounds since last September! I can't believe it either!  I had plateaued at 188 as of last week... then started this new healthy eating study that Emory is doing, where I record everything I eat.  I've been better about measuring out serving sizes, and been really good about keeping my intake to 1500 calories a day. And voila, I dropped 6 pounds in a week!  And haven't gained any of it back!

The other cool thing about this study is I'm getting paid to do it... $70 total.  And I've decided that I'm going to take the money that I am making and put it towards getting back on Weight Watchers.  I did WW back in high school and in college, and had a lot of success with it. I just really like how everything is worth points... food, exercise, etc. So, hopefully that will work! I'm really proud of myself for coming up with the idea, and I'm really excited about starting it once this study is done.

So, instead of a recipe (because the only recipes I've really been making lately are banana chocolate chip muffins, which aren't healthy, and fish tacos, which are pretty straightforward), I've decided to list some of my current healthy food obsessions:

Lean Cuisine Spinach, Artichoke, and Chicken Paninis
Lean Cuisine Baja Quesadillas
Fiber One Caramel Delight
Archer Farms Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti Granola (not super healthy, but its got a lot of whole grains!)
Snackwell's Chocolate Fudge Brownie Bites (taste just like fudge rounds)
Jello Sugar-Free Chocolate Mousse Indulgence

I highly suggest you check all those out! They are all super good!

Last, I'll leave you with some current inspiration for my weight loss... I was really into this season's Biggest Loser. One of my friends, during the finale, said to me "Austin, we are going to be Olivia and Hannah" (two sisters who were finalists)... and that is what is keeping me focused right now.  The fact that someone else is in this with me, and that it IS possible to lose weight!!

Love always,
Austin