Weigh-In Wednesday: Week 20

WIW graphic for post
Weigh-In Wednesday Weekly Stats

Weight Watchers Week Number: 20

Lbs Lost this Week: + 2.6

Lbs Lost Total: – 12.2

WW Stars Earned this Week: None

Food of the Week

Vegetables of the Vine

I am excited to say I made an effort to increase the amount of vegetables I ate this week and have conquered my fear of how-to-cook-eggplant! I made this old Native American Recipe (I found it online, but am not sure where) called Baked Vegetables of the Vine and it was sooo good!

How to Make It (a.k.a Be Creative, I adapted this recipe to suite my tastes)

You Need:

(Takes about 15 minutes to prep)

2 onions, peeled and chopped (I left mine in rings)
2 gloves garlic, peeled and crushed (I buy mine that way in Olive Oil)
2 cucumbers, zucchini and/or yellow squash, washed and sliced (I used a little of each, cut into rings)
1 large eggplant, washed and sliced (I cut mine into rings)
2 green, yellow, red or orange bell peppers, washed, cored and cut (I used red and green and cut into rings as well)
2 fresh from the vine tomatoes, washed, cored and sliced (again, rings)
Olive or other oil of your choosing
Salt, to taste
Black pepper, to taste (I use fresh cracked peppercorns)
Oregano, to taste
Cumin, to taste
Sage, to taste
Dill, to taste
Garlic Powder, to taste

Instructions:

(Takes about 1 hour, 15 minutes to cook)

Heat oven to 350 degrees
Mix all dry spices (enough to lightly cover all the vegetables) in a large bowl and set aside
Pour some of the oil and crushed garlic in the bottom of a large (enough to hold your vegetables) baking pan or casserole dish
Spread oil and garlic to coat bottom of pan
Place all of the sliced onions on top of the garlic and oil, in one flat layer
Sprinkle onions with dry seasonings and a touch of oil
Repeat with each vegetable (except the tomato), ensuring each vegetable has it’s own layer
Season and oil between each layer
Cover and bake in the oven for 1 hour
After 1 hour, remove vegetables and add sliced tomatoes to the top layer
Return to oven uncovered and bake for 15 minutes more
Serve hot and enjoy!

Activity of the Week

I did not run Pretty Muddy Central Ohio. I did not think it would be a good idea considering I have not run since I hurt my ankle several weeks ago now. I need to get back on track with something, though.

Personal Weight Loss Goals (crossed off when reached)

I want to lose…

10 lbs
20 lbs
30 lbs
35 lbs
40 lbs
45 lbs
50 lbs
55 lbs
60 lbs
65 lbs
70 lbs

Personal Fitness Goals (crossed off when reached)

I will…

Run a 5K  Read all about it here.
Run a Quarter Marathon or 10K
Run a Mud/Obstacle Race
Run a Half Marathon
Start Strength Training (again)
Backpack (more)
Start Biking

Reflections

I’m pretty disappointed this week, to be honest. I worked hard at keeping track of what I ate and it was much healthier. We didn’t eat out and I actually went to the grocery store with a planned out menu and left $120 later to avoid mindless eating on the fly! I especially paid attention to portion sizes and increased the amount of vegetables I ate. I even felt like I lost weight. I was actually feeling great until I got on the scale.

Reader’s Recap

Nothing to share since last Wednesday. Lately I feel like I am in a blogging slump (not to mention running, eating and weight-loss slump), but I am hoping Blog School helps with that! I am working on my first assignment this week and am already loving all of the ladies I have met through the community group.

Photo Recap

Cherokee Chicken

On Monday I made Cherokee Chicken, which consisted of fresh chicken breasts, onions, green peppers and cranberries. I wasn’t sure about the combination of flavors, but it was also very good. My husband ate his with Butternut Squash risotto. I skipped the risotto and had a peach after dinner.

Question of the Week

What vegetable to you avoid cooking because you don’t know how?

Until the next mile marker,

Weigh-In Wednesday: Week 19

WIW graphic for post
Weigh-In Wednesday Weekly Stats

Weight Watchers Week Number: 19

Lbs Lost this Week: – 0.8

Lbs Lost Total: – 14.8

WW Stars Earned this Week: None

Food of the Week

thai soup and salad

I’ve been trying to incorporate more vegetables into my diet – I don’t know what that continues to be so hard because I actually like them. I ate out at Noodles this week (not the healthiest of choices), but I kept it light with the Asian Thai Curry Soup (yum!!!) and the cucumber and tomato fresh salad. It was really good and I felt good about the choices I made. The meal I had was 16 WW points (regular size soup) or you could order the smaller size soup and salad for 9 WW points. I like that the Weight Watchers Mobile App has restaurants in it so I can literally scroll through and know what I am eating before I order it, eliminating hesitation on what is healthier to order or not. I had a big salad at home that night for dinner with fresh tomatoes from the garden since lunchtime was heavier on points.

Activity of the Week

I took a couple of walks, but I have really struggled getting back into running ever since my 5K. I feel like I did after a marathon. Pretty Muddy Central Ohio is in two days, and I am not at all sure how I feel about that. A little worried for sure!

Personal Weight Loss Goals (crossed off when reached)

I want to lose…

10 lbs
20 lbs
30 lbs
35 lbs
40 lbs
45 lbs
50 lbs
55 lbs
60 lbs
65 lbs
70 lbs

Personal Fitness Goals (crossed off when reached)

I will…

Run a 5K  Read all about it here.
Run a Quarter Marathon or 10K
Run a Mud/Obstacle Race (Pretty Muddy Women’s Mud Run 5K; Columbus, Ohio September 14, 2013)
Run a Half Marathon
Start Strength Training (again)
Backpack (more)
Start Biking

Reflections

I need to get better at writing down my points again because I have not been doing that. Most days, I need to make a conscious effort to track my points.

Reader’s Recap

hive and honey products

Find out about Hive and Honey: What you Don’t and Should Know. I enjoy learning about alternative treatments and remedies. I didn’t know about all the things honey, pollen and propolis (okay, I didn’t even know what it was) could do until I learned about it from these products. Blog School starts next week, and I can’t wait!

Photo Recap

Mumford Live

What’s the next best birthday present besides actually seeing Mumford & Sons live? Listening to them live any time I want on their Red Rocks Live Album (the original Gentleman of the Road Tour, which they are on again now).

Question of the Week

How do you eat healthy when eating out? Share some of your tips.

Until the next mile marker,

Weigh-In Wednesday: Week 15

WIW graphic for post
Weigh-In Wednesday Weekly Stats

Weight Watchers Week Number: 15

Lbs Lost this Week: – 1.6

Lbs Lost Total: – 14.4

WW Stars Earned this Week: None

Food of the Week

Cliff bar and tea

I stayed pretty consistent, although I know I overate when we returned from our backpacking trip because I felt like I could not stop eating. I was so hungry, and I am convinced I lost all of my weight simply in sweat on that trip. The above served as a nice after dinner treat on our trip and consisted of a Coconut Chocolate Chip Cliff Bar and Coconut Chocolate Truffle Hot Tea. The total was 7 WW points and much needed after the energy I exerted during the day.

Activity of the Week

Zaleski sign

Um, only the hardest activity I have ever done. It was harder than any half or full I have done and rivals the difficulty of the Goofy Challenge, but in a different way. I backpacked Zaleski State Forest with about 30 lbs on my back and covered a distance of about 8.5 miles over the course of two days. It was hard, and I even managed to fall off a cliff. More to come later this week! (No, seriously, I’m really lucky I’m okay, being on blood thinners and everything).

Personal Weight Loss Goals (crossed off when reached)

I want to lose…

10 lbs
20 lbs
30 lbs
35 lbs
40 lbs
45 lbs
50 lbs
55 lbs
60 lbs
65 lbs
70 lbs

Personal Fitness Goals (crossed off when reached)

I will…

Run a 5K  Read all about it here.
Run a Quarter Marathon (Emerald City; Dublin, Ohio; August 25, 2013)
Run a Mud/Obstacle Race (Pretty Muddy Women’s Mud Run 5K; Columbus, Ohio September 14, 2013)
Run a Half Marathon
Start Strength Training (again)
Backpack more
Start Biking

Reflections

I’m satisfied with this week, even though I thought I should have lost more weight. I have missed the satisfaction that comes with completing a physical achievement I never thought I could or would – for me, that was backpacking. If I am going to continue backpacking (which I want to do), I need to get in much better shape and not only incorporate mileage into my workouts, but strength training as well. Goal set.

Until the next mile marker,

Weigh-In Wednesday: Week 14

WIW graphic for post
Weigh-In Wednesday Weekly Stats

Weight Watchers Week Number: 14

Lbs Lost this Week: – 3.2

Lbs Lost Total: – 12.8

WW Stars Earned this Week: None

Food of the Week

Sea Veggies SpicyI found these in the grocery store – spicy seaweed! They were really good and about 60 calories for the whole pack, which was small enough to put in my bag or purse.

Activity of the Week

I have not run since the 5K two weekends ago. I need to get back on that, but I feel so drained from it. That, and I am learning I will once again have to schedule time to work out and stick to it.

Personal Weight Loss Goals (crossed off when reached)

I want to lose…

10 lbs
20 lbs
30 lbs
35 lbs
40 lbs
45 lbs
50 lbs
55 lbs
60 lbs
65 lbs
70 lbs

Personal Fitness Goals (crossed off when reached)

I will…

Run a 5K  Read all about it here.
Run a Quarter Marathon (Emerald City; Dublin, Ohio; August 25, 2013)
Run a Mud/Obstacle Race (Pretty Muddy Women’s Mud Run 5K; Columbus, Ohio September 14, 2013)
Run a Half Marathon
Start Strength Training (again)
Start Biking

Reflections

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It is all about the food and what I put in my mouth. I did better with food choices this week and it shows in the loss.

Until the next mile marker,