11 inches!

Some of you may have read my previous post about my weight loss. 

Well folks, I weighed in, got measured, and did the BMI machine. 

Total lost, 11 inches.  Just upper body..11 inches.  Holy amazing.  I have lost 11 pounds, and 11 inches.  Of just fat, and NOT muscle. 

If you want any other info on this diet, and or live in Jacksonville, Florida, I can definitely give you the best referral and deal for Medifast! 

So excited:) 

Gulp. Diet Time.

So it is about that time.  The time to find a wedding dress.  The time to slim down.  The time to just get healthy for me.  Yep.  It is that time. 

I saw that some folks on the ship were drastically losing weight, and I had to ask how they did it. 

Turns out they started Medifast.  I decided, why not?  I'll give it a try.

I am so glad I did! 

All throughout my life, I have been thin.  Like athletic thin.  After I was diagnosed with two different diseases, the medications have made me gain about 25-30 pounds.  :(  Not the end of the world, but still disappointing.

I'll run.  I'll take spin.  I'll work out all the time, and never lose a pound.

So I started this diet, and it has been awesome!  I have lost over 10 pounds in 4 weeks!  I go to the center tomorrow to weigh in and get measured.  I can't wait to see how I am progressing.

Stay posted for more updates!!! 

Chocolate and Strawberry Smoothie

So..in all themes of eating healthier...I am trying to eat smoothies almost each day for breakfast.  They serve breakfast at work.  Bacon, fried this, rice..all things full of fat and a LOT of starch.  I just can't do it.  And for the sake of time, it is just easier to eat at work.  That way I don't battle traffic, etc etc.  And this way, I can drink my awesome smoothie while perusing a million emails. 

So, I bought a new Cuisinart blender thingy so I could make better smoothies.  Yes, I know, why not just use your blender?  Because most blenders just can't crush ice.  I have tried and tried and tried with my old traditional blender, and it failed each time.  Plus, the Cuisinart system has multiple travel cups with lids included, perfect for work!

Here is my latest smoothie that I made...omg it was good.  Full of all things healthy.  It has some odd consistency due to the flax seed, but I got over it. Especially because I need the Omega 3 fatty acids. 

Not only is this smoothie gluten free, but it is also dairy free for those who have food allergies!

• 1 cup of almond or coconut milk
• 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder (my stuff has 14g, got it at Whole Foods)
• 1/2 cup fresh strawberries
• 1/2  frozen banana (if you use fresh, it won't have the same smoothie consistency)
• 1 tsp flax seed (can get kind of grainy.  If you don't need or want more Omega 3, can omit)
• 1-2 tsp of cocoa powder
• 4 ice cubes

Excellent source of protein and Omega 3!

Arugula Salad

I found this amazing salad recipe on www.skinnytaste.com.  You can find the recipe here.

The recipe was super easy, and fresh.  I love a fresh salad, which is why I remember the two best salads I have had this year (Hotel Viking and Castle Hill).  Both of these restaurants ensure they have the freshest ingredients in everything they make.

Arugula Salad

I am definitely using the leftovers to make another fresh salad today.  I used freshly grated Parmesan cheese, because that is all I had in my fridge.  I really hope this go around on WW helps me lose weight.  You will see me post a lot of recipes from Gina's site because the food is amazing.

Low GI Diet

For the past few years, I have been battling a medical condition.  Little did I know, that this condition also messed with my weight, a lot.  I kept going to the doctor, and I finally figured out what was wrong.  My body does not process sugar and carbs properly, thus it stores it as fat.  Sucks right?  The solution was go on a Low GI diet, so my body not only stays fuller, longer, but so I eat the foods that are good for me.  I had no idea that many of the foods I ate were so bad for me.  Again, I say bad for me, because they aren't bad for everyone.  I went to a nutritionist to see if I was on the right track, and I was.  Sigh of relief.  My best results was when I did Seattle Sutton for 2 months.  I lost so much weight, I was not hungry, and I worked out all the time.  It was awesome.  Definitely worked for me.  Now, I am in the North East, with no Seattle Sutton in sight, so back to cooking and trying my hardest with this Low GI Diet.  The best part of the Seattle Sutton diet was that it was pre-packaged, amazing food.  I can't say enough good things about it, and no, they are not paying me for saying this. 

Many of the recipes I post on my blog are good for a Low GI diet.  I do eat a lot of "carbs", but they are good carbs.   You can look at this link to take a look at the foods that you should and shouldn't eat on a low GI diet.  It honestly takes a lot of planning at the grocery store, and in making my meal lists for the week.  I have realized that planning in advance helps me really stick to this.  This way I am not running out for fast food, etc.  I honestly don't even know where to get fast food in Newport, and that is a good thing. 

I hope to post more about the Low GI Diet as I post more recipes, and document more weight loss success.