Sunday Treat!!

I made Jamie Eason's Chocolate Protein Bars, which tastes a lot like chocolate cake! And you have to have ice cream with chocolate cake so I made my own strawberry ice cream! I blended a bunch of ice cubes with unsweetened vanilla almond milk, some cut strawberries I froze and a little bit of xylitol. DELICIOUS!!

Cheat Meals

I've been asked if I allow myself to have any "cheat meals" but I think that only applies to "diets." I live a lifestyle of eating clean and being fit. I eat whatever I want but I choose to eat the right things. I don't eat fast food because I don't like the way I feel afterwards and I want to take care of my health. However, I went out to eat with my family and they ordered some interesting ice cream and I was curious of what it tasted like so I had a small bite. I don't feel guilty about it because I chose to eat it knowing that it's not clean. Occasionally, like on my pizza, I'll eat cheese, but it's not a regular item I eat because of the fat content. I don't feel like I'm holding myself back from enjoying foods because I still eat a variety of flavors and styles of food that satisfies my cravings.

(I won't mention my diet soda drinking again. That is still a work in progress.)

Attention Yo-Yo Dieters

From my experience and observations a big reason diets fail is because the dieter has the attitude, "I only have to suffer for a few weeks and after I'll eat a whole pizza." Having this attitude is setting yourself up to fail. You can eat clean and be happy, believe it or not you CAN be happy without donuts and junk food. If cutting all that stuff is too hard, start slow and take one thing out of your diet at a time. That's what I did. I started with sweets because I don't crave sweets so it was easy to stop eating those, then I took out Cheetos because I LOVED Cheetos and then fast food and then cereal. And now all I need to cut out is diet soda which is very difficult, so if you see me drinking a soda, don't follow my example. That's my big goal for 2013.
Remember, it's a lifestyle change and that does happen over night. Commit to eliminating one thing at a time from your diet and it'll be easier to succeed. After 12 weeks of clean eating you'll be surprised how much you love it and how good you feel!!

End of KB Challenge Results

The Kelsey Byers Challenged ended on December 24, 2012 and I had a great experience with very pleasant results! Over 12 weeks of eating clean and working hard in the gym. But it doesn't stop there. This is a lifestyle. I've noticed how much easier it has gotten to get my butt in the gym or to turn down a treat. I don't struggle anymore when food is in front of me. Every once in awhile I get a craving but I just eat my chicken and rice and the craving goes away. I have found plenty of healthy recipes that satisfy cravings, also. I can make a clean version of pretty much everything, and even non-clean eaters have enjoyed those recipes.
I'm grateful for the support I receive from everyone, family, friends and coworkers. It helps a lot to have them understand and to be apart of my success.

Now for the exciting stuff! Before and afters!

Before (9/17/12)
Weight: 130.
Widest area on tummy: 36in
Belly button: 32.5in.
Thighs: 24in.
Butt: 39.5in.
Arms: 11.5in.

NOW (12/24/12)
Weight: 123. -7 lbs
Widest area on tummy: 32.25 -3.75 in
Belly button: 30.25in -2.25 in
Thighs: 22in. -2 in
Butt: 37.5in. -2 in
Arms: 10.5in. -1 in

Chia Seeds

I bought a bunch of Chia Seeds at Winco awhile ago for a recipe and I wasn't sure what to do with them or why they were good for me, so I found this article that gives a list of health benefits. Check it out. I've been putting a teaspoon or two in my protein shakes. I also put them in my protein bars.

http://www.nuts.com/cookingbaking/chia-seeds/premium.html

Chocolate Spiked Oatmeal Cookies

I made these for a party on Friday and they were delicious and I had a few compliments on them. Try them out! I found the recipe on cleaneatingmag.com.

INGREDIENTS:
Olive oil cooking spray
1 1/4 cups quick-cook old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup whole-wheat pastry flour
2 tsp flaxseed meal
1 tsp cinnamon, ground
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup raw honey
1 large egg white
2 tsp unsalted almond butter
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/4 cup dark bittersweet chocolate chips (about 40 grams)

INSTRUCTIONS:
Preheat oven to 350°F and lightly spray 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.
In a large mixing bowl, combine oats, flour, flaxseed meal, cinnamon, baking powder and salt.
In a small mixing bowl, whisk together honey, egg white, almond butter and vanilla.
Add egg mixture to dry ingredients all at once and combine. Stir in chocolate chips.
Divide batter equally into 16 mounds (about 1 rounded tbsp in size) and arrange evenly spaced on prepared baking sheets. Using the back of a slightly dampened spoon, flatten each mound into 2 1/2-inch circles. Bake 9 to 10 minutes, until golden. Cool on sheets for an additional 10 minutes before transferring to racks to cool completely. Stored in an airtight container, cookies will keep fresh for 2 to 3 days.

Progress Photos

I've been wanting to do take progress photos for awhile and I finally got around to it. If you've noticed I haven't been posting my weight and inches lately. I've been been pretty upset since I have lost much week to week but I'm trying to give up my obsession with "the numbers." Numbers aren't everything and it's definitely not the only way to track progress. I found this quote on the Health & Fitness Personified Facebook page. (I recommend this page) "The scale can only give you a numerical reflection of your relationship with gravity. That's it. It cannot measure beauty, talent, purpose, life force, possibility, strength  or love. Be more not less." I try to read this everyday when I think about stepping on the scale. I want to be lean and fit and the only way to track that is by photos. So... here it goes, my photos my before's are from September 16, 2012 and my After's are from yesterday November 30, 2012! I haven't hit my goals yet but I'm pretty happy with my success so far!