exercise,

Weight Watchers Wednesday

5:29 PM Kelly 0 Comments

Weight Watchers Wednesday: Punch! Workout

I bought this workout when I was heading to my parents house for the weekend. I wanted to have a workout that I could do there since I didn't have a gym and you can never count on the weather in Syracuse, NY!

I bought this expecting to be disappointed... but yet I was quite pleased.

The set came with the DVD that has 3 complete workouts, weighted gloves and a WW 10 Week Exercise Tracker.

I am a big fan of the weighted gloves and could see myself incorporating those with other at home work outs that I do. The PUNCH! kit has 3 workouts. The beginner workout is shorter and incredibly basic. I started with that but knew early on that I would get bored and switched to Intermediate. I got a really good sweat doing this workout. The moves are repetitive so it easy to pick it up. They also give modifications for those who do not want to do full on jumping jacks, etc.

I mainly do the advanced version because the intensity is more on my level. I definitely get my heart rate up and the women demonstrating are tolerable. I have done many workouts where I can't stand the coach.

I would recommend this workout for sure. I think if I did it on a regular basis I would get bored. But sometimes you don't have time to get to the gym so have this workout handy.



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Motivational Monday

5:14 PM Kelly 0 Comments


I absolutely love this quote!! With the weight loss, I have quite so many times before. From now on, before giving up I need to think about the reasons I started.

My health and my future are too important to keep pushing this off!!

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salad dressing,

Suggestion Sunday: Bolthouse Yogurt Dressing

2:08 PM Kelly 0 Comments

Ever since I started Weight Watchers I have been trying to find good alternatives to put on vegetables. I had an olive oil phase, then I switched Oil and Vinegar. They were okay but eating salad still felt more like a chore. After that I tried the Walden Farms Calorie Free dressings, these did not do it for me at all. The flavor was just off.

My sister stumbled across the Bolthouse Yogurt Dressings in Salsa Ranch and I was beyond excited to try it. Our mom used to mix ranch with salsa and it was always delicious. This exceeded all expectations. The dressing does not taste low in calorie, at all. It is creamy and rich. I also had the Cesar Parmigiana dressing and that one is also amazing!! I totally recommend it!!

2 tbsp for 1 Points Plus.

Calories: 45, Fat: 3g, Carb: 3g, Fiber: 0g, Protein: 1g

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5K,

The Anti-Athlete Ran a 5K!!!

6:54 PM Kelly 1 Comments


I am absolutely proud of myself and still slightly in shock that I ran 3.1 miles! I have never been an athlete. I danced but was never that good at it. I played softball but was given "Most Spirited Player." Gym class was my least favorite class ever.

I remember having to run the mandatory mile
in gym class and I once intentionally tripped over a cone to get out of running the mile.

Pretty sure up until I ran the 5K my dads proudest moment was the pop fly I caught once during softball. To this day, I think I was shielding my eyes when the ball fell into my mitt! I am pretty sure I got the point across that I was very much a non-athlete.

My big sister Sara started running a few years ago. I got to go and support her when she ran her first 5K and I think her second. It was so very inspiring and I kept thinking, "I will never achieve something like this." Last year something clicked for me and I decided I wanted to work towards that accomplishment. I started doing Couch to 5K that my sister recommended for me.


At Sara's first 5K!!

If interested, check it out here: http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml

I started running and was so stoked when I was able to run 20 minutes and my confidence was so high! I even registered for my first 5K! Then a few days later I started having terrible
stomach pains and ended up having to get my gall bladder removed. After the surgery I couldn't exercise for 4 weeks. Once I recovered and could run again, any progress I had made was gone. I was beyond frustrated and gave up.


A couple of months ago I finally got back the ambition to give the 5K another shot. I started Couch to 5K again and slowly worked my way up to running the 3.1 miles. I registered for the run with my sister Sara. It kept me motivated and working out. The day of the 5K, my confidence still was low and I did not think I could do it. Having my sister by my side, I felt like I could do it. The run started out great. I felt good. Right before mile 2 there was a terrible hill. I had been training on a treadmill so I did not think I could do it. I ended up probably walking a minute.

I didn't think I was going to finish but I did!!!! My best time on the treadmill was 49 minutes.
When I turned the corner and saw the finish line and that I finish in under 45 minutes I took off. I crossed the finished like at 43:05!!!! One of the best feelings ever and will be doing it again May 12! Hopefully not walking that time!!


Crossing the finish line baby!!!



Sara and I after the run!

With my husband who came out to support me!

1 comments:

recipe,

Foodie Friday: Stuffed Peppers

9:05 PM Kelly 0 Comments

I can take no credit for cooking this recipe but all the credit for devouring it!! My sister's friend had my sister, husband an I all over for dinner. I said I would go if he could make a Weight Watchers recipe. I saved most of my points to have a glass of his delicious home brow. He made this Italian-Style Stuffed Peppers recipe from Weight Watchers and it was delicious.

The peppers had great flavor and the Italian sausage gave it a nice kick. I was pretty satisfied with this meal when it was paired with broccoli.

Ingredients

- 1/3 cup(s) uncooked white rice, seasoned with tomato and herb 1 1/2 cup(s) canned tomato juice, or vegetable juice
- 2 Tbsp grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 tsp table salt 1/4 tsp black pepper, freshly ground
- 6 small sweet red pepper(s)

- 7 serving(s) SHADY BROOK LEAN Italian Turkey Sausage (SWEET) (per 1-link serving) (COOKED)

Instructions

Use 1 full package of Turkey Sausage (Can use 1/2 Sweet/ 1/2 Hot, if preferred.) Remove sausage from casings. Spray a large non-stick skillet with cooking spray. Heat over Med. -High heat. Break up the turkey sausage and cook, stirring occasionally, until browned. Remove to a bowl to cool. Cook the rice according to the package directions, omitting the butter or the vegetable oil. Let cool about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, with a sharp knife, slice off the top inch of each bell pepper and remove and discard the seeds; set the peppers aside. Combine the cooked rice, cooked turkey sausage, 1⁄4 cup of the vegetable juice, the Parmesan, salt, and ground pepper in a medium bowl. Spoon the rice mixture evenly into the peppers. Place the peppers in a 3-quart saucepan; pour the remaining 1 1⁄/4 cups vegetable juice around the peppers and set the pan over medium-high heat. Bring the juice to a boil; reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the peppers are tender and the sausage is cooked through, abut 30 minutes. Serve the peppers with the sauce. Yields one pepper per serving.

One stuffed pepper is 7 points!!

Calories: 250, Fat: 8, Carbs, 35, Fiber 3, Protein 8

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coconut,

Weight Watchers Wednesday

4:31 PM Kelly 0 Comments


At the Weight Watchers meeting spots, there are many products available. I'm going to be honest and admit that these items are pricey but suck me in week after week. I like to stock up on WW products because they are the easiest and tastiest snacks to just grab and go.

The Toasted Coconut Dream is my latest obsession!!! It is delicious and full of flavor. I feel like I am eating a candy bar that I bought at the checkout line of the grocery store. It tastes like a Mounds bar! It is certainly a small bar but it is so tasty and absolutely satisfies my sweet tooth!!

Points- 2

Calories: 70, Fat 2, Carbs 15, Protein 1, Fiber 4


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Motivational Monday

7:14 PM Kelly 0 Comments



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breakfast,

Suggestion Sunday: Vitasandwich

7:02 PM Kelly 0 Comments


Sorry for the lack of blogs this week! I was traveling for work and it was certainly a struggle. Eating in hotels, fast food joints and such I had a tough time staying within my points BUT I did it!

A more detailed blog to come. Real quick I wanted to review a product that I was super impressed by. I am a big fan of the Vitatops and so when I was on the prowl for the VitaCakes (which I learned haven't been sold online yet) I stumbled across the VitaSandwich.


Sometimes I need a quick breakfast I can grab and bring to work. This was super easy, popped it in the microwave and it still tasted relatively fresh and delicious. The egg and cheese VitaSandwich absolutely kept me full until lunch time. Although the Vita products can be a bit pricey, I like to switch up my usual breakfast routine once in a while. I believe they have one with veggies in the egg as well.

PointsPlus- 3

Calories: 150, Fat: 2, Carbs: 23, Fiber 7, Proten: 14


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diet,

Suggestion Sunday: Fleur de Sel Caramel Organic Popcorn

4:45 PM Kelly 0 Comments


I love to snack and have an enormous sweet tooth. This product I am about to suggest definitely satisfies that sweet tooth.

I found this product at Fresh Market, a small organic grocery store but learned it is far more cost-effective to order online. You can buy this product at 479popcorn.com.

This caramel is deliciously salty and sweet. It is you average caramel corn, smooth and sweet but then with small sea salt flakes on it. Amazing and the serving size is a lot of bang for your buck! I devour this stuff. I bought several small bags for me and then I noticed my husband ate all but half a bag of it!

Nutrition Information:

3 Points Plus for 1 Cup (28 g)

Fat: 4, Fiber: 1, Carb: 18, Protein: 1

0 comments:

diet,

Total Transformation

7:05 PM Kelly 0 Comments

Although I am working towards a physical transformation, I think the first step is complete. That is the mental transformation.

It may not be complete but it is well underway. My sister Rachel had a job fair to attend in Virginia this weekend. It was a 6 hour trip one way and she didn't want to do the drive on her own. I agreed to go with her. It was only one night and pretty much one day but I still had to really plan. Whenever I get out of my routine, I have a hard time getting back into it.

I packed all of my favorite snacks so I knew I had healthy options and I also packed my workout clothes. I very easily could have slept in today but I didn't. When Rachel got up, I joined her for the Continental Breakfast. When I hear those 2 words I think waffles, pastries, etc. I was surprised by the healthy options at this breakfast. It was earlier than I normally eat but I had a hard boiled egg and some orange slices.

When Rachel left for her job fair I hit up the fitness center and did a great hour of cardio. The old Kelly, would have slept in, ate delicious whipped cream smothered waffles and watched TV.

I was running on the treadmill which was strategically placed 2 feet in front of a wall to wall mirror. I saw this person in the mirror I hardly recognized. Not because my weight loss is so drastic but my attitude and approach. I was red faced and dripping with sweat and running with all the confidence in the world. In the past, when I was just slightly out of my comfort zone I convinced myself it was hard and would stop. I used to claim I "didn't sweat!" How foolish do I feel now. I absolutely sweat but in the past I barely pushed myself.

When I finished my workout I was proud to look at the mirror and see this sweat soaked shirt. I hope this mental transformation can continue as I work my way towards the total transformation.

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healthy,

Foodie Friday!! Fresh Tomato Pizza

8:41 PM Kelly 0 Comments


Anyone who has ever been on a diet before admits that you need variety. Any other time I have done a diet, I eat the same meals over and over until I get sick of it and binge. Since I am new to cooking, any other time I was "watching what I eat" I was microwaving Lean Cuisines and Smart Ones. Not only did I get sick of them, they never filled me up. Not to mention that those meals are always packed with sodium and preservatives.
I am trying to cook recipes that not only I enjoy but that my husband and sister like as well. Every once in a while you just need some yummy pizza. This was a delicious and healthy alternative to curb the craving.
This was SO easy to make!! A serving size isn't huge so I paired it with just a nice salad with a little olive oil.
Fresh Tomato Pizza with Blue Cheese*

Ingredients:

1) A 10 ounce thin-crust Italian pizza crust (such as Boboli)

2) 4 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

3) 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced (I left this out)

4) 1/2 cup crumbled blue (next time I will do it with Gorgonzola instead)

5) 1/4 cup chopped oregano

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

2. Place pizza crust on an ungreased baking sheet or pizza pan; coat crust with cooking spray. Top with tomato and remaining ingredients. Bake at 425 for 8 minutes. Cut into wedges and serve immediately. Yield: 4 servings.

Nutrition Information

Points: 7

Calories: 279, Fat 10, Fiber 2, Protein 12, Carbohydrates 36

* This recipe came from an old Weight Watchers cookbook. I had to adapt the points to reflect current PointsPlus calculations. It is from the Weight Watchers 5 Ingredient, 15 Minute Cookbook.


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diet,

What's to Come?

5:29 PM Kelly 0 Comments

As my blog gets rolling, there will be several pieces you can expect each week from me.

Motivational Monday: I will share what keeps me motivated or success stories that inspire me. Everyone needs a motivational quote once in a while.

Weight Watchers Wednesday: Knowing that not everyone who follows my blog will be doing the Weight Watchers plan, I will only discuss particular WW specific reccomendations to this one day. Some of their products are only bought at the meeting spaces and these may come up.

Foodie Friday: Each Friday I will post a yummy recipe. I am still learning my way around the kitchen so there are certainly some mishaps. I will also keep recipes I love underneath the archived tab up top!

Suggestion Sunday: This is when I will suggest a food item or exercise that I cannot live without! I have certain staples that have made this process easy for me so far!

I cannot wait to start following other blogs and getting motivation and inspiration as well

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