The 8th pound of Christmas!! No recipe yet though :(

Hello again!! I was just reminded by my lovely friend Krista that I stink at updating this, and because I'm trying to procrastinate doing my homework, I decided to update!

So, as you can see, I've lost another pound... well, really, its 1.4 pounds! And recently, its been a bit more! I finally am sure that I'm not gonna add a ton of weight when I tend to binge eat, and that this weight loss is for real! I'm really gonna have to hit the gym hard though, and really watch what I'm eating, if I want to lose the 4 lbs I have left before Christmas!

Because... one of my favorite holidays is coming up! The most gluttonous holiday of all, Thanksgiving! My Thanksgiving morning this year will start off with a 5k run on the beach (usually I do the 1 mile, but hey, why not step it up?), then coming home and lounging around watching the Macy's Day Parade, and then going and laying out by the pool before dinner. A tough life, right? Dinner will include lots of turkey skin (my favorite part), turkey, Brittany's and my famous mashed potatoes, noodles, green beans, spaghetti squash, Betsy's famous cinnamon rolls, and everything covered in gravy. Go big or go home! Then I'll have to really work it all off during finals week, which is ok, because I'm buying myself a new pair of running shoes next week with my tax refund checks! Thanks, US government!

You guys should also know that, in the process of becoming a brand new person, I dyed my hair BROWN! I've NEVER had brown hair, but I decided to do it... I guess my hair is naturally brown (who knew? i was always out in the sun so it was always lightened). And these past few days have been the first days I've finally been used to it! I had been feeling like I was wearing a wig, that it wasn't me... but I think it makes me look a lot older and prettier :) its always good to do something crazy!

Ok, well, I'm deciding its time for bed. Get to sleep in an hour tomorrow, too! Hurray!

Current weight: 194.2 lbs.
Weight loss to date: 8.4 lbs.

Goodnight everyone!
-Austin

New Update... Not so happy...

I am the worst blogger ever. I am so so so so so so sorry that I haven't been updating this on time. Recently, we've started having class from 8-5 (with a 1 hour break for lunch) on Wednesdays, so by the time I would get around to updating this, I'm just exhausted and usually forget about it.  However, Wednesdays are also Storm Chasers nights on TLC (I think? Discovery maybe?), and if you know anything about me, you know I'm a complete weather nerd, and so I need to stay up until at least 10 to watch that.

So, this is not such a happy entry, as the title says. Hopped on the scale tonight, and it says I've only lost 4 pounds total.  Now, this is a bit of a shock to me, because the past few days I've been down to like 193.8, or at the highest 196, so 198 was pretty shocking to see. I'm pretty sure it was because I had Chipotle tonight, and because I haven't had time to work out the past 2 days. But NO EXCUSES! I cannot keep "treating myself" to unhealthy food after I've had a tough/long day, or saying I don't have time to exercise (well today, I really haven't had time... I've had 5 free minutes all day, seriously). But I need to be stricter with myself, because really, you only get out of it what you put into it, and thats why  I need to up my effort.

However, I'm posting some recipes tonight mainly because A) I have lost this weight, and this is just post-yummyness weight that is in my stomach right now, and B) Because people are begging me for recipes.  So tonight, I'm gonna post this Turkey and Artichoke Stuffed Shells recipe that one of my favorite people in the world, Laura Roxberry Euler, shared with me (and she got it from Giada, so its gotta be good!).  Laura was the Honors College Advisor at College of Charleston, and she was such a great mentor to me during my time there.  She also has a blog in which she shares recipes and news about her adorable son Stafford, which you can find here: www.storybookreality.blogspot.com. So here's the link to the recipe, hope its ok if I share it with everyone, Laura! http://storybookreality.blogspot.com/2010/10/super-stuffed-shells.html

Sorry, too lazy to copy-paste everything, plus, it gets her views on her blog!

I promise, y'all, I am going to step up my effort and lose this weight! I don't want to let you guys down!

Weight tonight: 198.4
Total weight loss to date: 4.2 lbs (BUT IT HAS BEEN MORE AT TIMES!)

-Austin

                                                                           

 

Quick update... the 7th pound of Christmas!!!

I'm so sorry I haven't updated this recently. A huge physiology test has been taking up all of my time, and I had it today and did well, but I am EXHAUSTED. A well deserved long weekend is upon me, and I am greatly looking forward to spending it with my family, friends, and dogs :)

So, here's a quick update on the weight loss. I thought I hadn't lost any this week, but I hopped on the scale tonight and sure enough, I'm another pound lighter! This is crazy!

Current weight: 195.6
Weight loss to date (4 weeks): 7.0 POUNDS!

I owe you guys like a billion recipes.  In 2 weeks, when midterms are over and I have time in my life again, I'll do a bunch of cooking one week and give you guys some new stuff. I'm really really sorry I haven't been keeping up with it!

Well, I hope all of you guys have a great weekend.  And I want you all to know that, even once I lose all 12 pounds, I'm not stopping until I'm happy with how I look.  Especially now that its coming off faster than I planned! Not a bad thing, but I have to be sure I keep it off!

-Austin

Drumroll please!!!!! On the 4th, 5th, and 6th days of Christmas!

Yeah, you heard it! I've lost 6 pounds! Not sure if tonight's weight is a fluke, but I'll take it!  Its really weird too... I ate really really unhealthy today... Starbucks pumpkin latte (non-fat, but with whipped cream) and a low-fat raspberry muffin for breakfast, and 2 pieces of pizza for lunch (with a Weight Watchers meal for dinner... ok, I was good at that part), AND didn't work out, and lost another 2 pounds today!

This whole weight loss thing is becoming slightly addictive.  The more weight I lose and the better I look (more later) and the better my clothes fit, the more weight I want to lose! I'm not gonna take it to an unhealthy level (don't worry, I like food too much to do that), but it really is driving me to lose more!

So, I went retail therapy shopping today after having a rough day, and was able to fit into a size 10 dress, and a medium dress at another store! Granted, they were stretchy, but the last time I wore a size 10 in dresses was back in high school! So, this weight loss is really working! I can't wait to see people from back home and back in Charleston so they can see how great I'm starting to look!

I'll come up with recipes/tips/stuff this weekend, I promise!  And believe me, I have a guilty conscience about everything, so if I don't, just yell at me!  Also, I want to hear how your weight loss is going! If you know me personally, shoot me an email! I want to be there for you and help you out!

Current weight: 196.4 lbs.
Weight loss to date: 6.2 lbs.

Have a lovely Thursday, and weekend (because I probably won't update tomorrow... have to be studying for my physiology test next week!)
-Austin

Update

Well, I don't have much to update. I'm sorry I haven't updated much these past few days, but I've been enjoying my days without studying :) No tests until next Wednesday, so I have a few days where I don't have to hit the books. Its been nice being able to watch tv and sleep in.  Its also been nice being able to work out again, because I've been missing it.  There's nothing like a good workout to make me feel confident about myself.  Plus, its fun to be able to see the results already!

I am frustrated, though, that the weight isn't coming off quicker.  I know I set the "one pound a week" goal, but I just remember doing Weight Watchers when I was in high school and the weight just coming off like 2 pounds in a week.  I for sure hit the plateau doing that, so hopefully by slowing down the weight loss, and allowing myself to splurge every now in then (I would die without Chipotle), I will be able to avoid the dreaded "plateau" that often comes with weight loss.

Current weight: 198.4 lbs.
Weight loss to date: 4.2 lbs.

Good luck this week, all those who are doing this with me! We can do this!
-Austin

For the 2nd and 3rd pounds of Christmas, I am giving to you....

WOOHOO! 2 more pounds down! As I am writing this, I am having a few bites of celebratory Graeter's peach ice cream. If you live in Atlanta or in Ohio, you need to try this stuff, because it is like gold running down your throat. But only a few bites, because its pretty bad for you! How did I end up losing weight when I worked there?!

Anyways, so, I need to give you some things today because I lost 2 more pounds this week!  And I promised recipes! So, here we go!

For the 2nd pound of Christmas, I am giving to you...
CREAMY CHEESE TOMATO PASTA SAUCE
Ok, so this one is pretty simple.  I take some plain tomato sauce... I have recently been using Pomi Strained Tomato sauce.  Put as much as you would like in a saucepan (I think I use about 1/2 cup per cup of pasta?). Add a bit of salt and pepper.  Then, I take a clove of garlic (peeled of course), chop it in half, and put it in there.  I heat this up, stirring occasionally.  Once it is hot, I remove the garlic and throw it away.  Then, I add either a tablespoon of cream cheese, or for more flavor, a Laughing Cow Garlic and Herb wedge.  This usually adds a bit of creaminess, for only 35 calories.  YUM!

And, for the 3rd pound of Christmas, I am giving to you...
A couple of simple, very few calories dessert ideas!

The first one is just to freeze some zero fat Cool Whip... It ends up tasting a lot like ice cream, and is nice and silky as it melts on your tongue!

The second one is 10 calorie Jello with a dollop of zero fat Cool Whip on top... When I did Weight Watchers waaay back when, this is what I ate a lot.  It ends up being like 30 calories, and is the perfect after-lunch dessert!

Current weight: 199.0 lbs.
Weight loss to date: 3.6 lbs.

Hope you enjoy these! Please let me know if you have any questions, I will be happy to answer them! And hopefully I'll have the taco recipe perfected by next week!
-Austin

Excuses

I've always been one for making excuses... "I am too tired" or, my most commonly used one, "I'm too busy"... with losing weight, excuses have to go out the window.  You can't make excuses and expect to lose weight.  There is no "too tired" or "too busy"... its a constant effort every day.  When I am "too tired" to workout, I think of the final goal and of how skinny and how much healthier I will be.  When I am "too busy" and just want to go get carry-out to eat, I think about how bad it is for both me and my wallet, and I am driven to cook or get something healthy.  Both "too tired" and "too busy" are things I am experiencing all the time in PT school, but I am learning that you have to perservere and be above these excuses in order to see results, both in the classroom (grades) and on the scale (weight loss).

Current weight: 199.6 lbs.
Weight loss to date: 3.0 lbs.

Have a wonderful Tuesday! I will because not only do I get to wear my white coat for the first time (I'm so official!), but I'm also going to the Columbus Blue Jackets vs. Atlanta Thrashers preseason hockey game with a friend :) LETS GO JACKETS! I'm so excited to rep Columbus in Atlanta!
-Austin