Wednesday Weigh-in.

So, as you know, I started WW last Monday.  Yesterday was my first weigh-in day and I was down 4 pounds - yippee!!!  I must say I did pretty darn good staying within my daily allotments of points! Also, I power walked 4x's last week for a total of 9 miles.  So, even though I went over my daily points on Friday and Saturday, I was able to pull from my stock pile of activity points. 

The thing that I like the most about WW is that you do have the freedom to eat what you normally would (to a certain extent) so long as you pay attention to the serving size and stay within your points.  The reason that I went over on Friday is because I indulged a bit during our Valentine's Day dinner at Ocean Prime and also had two cocktails. The reason that I went over on Saturday is because I drank some beers at the festival.  I am someone that would have a glass or two of wine most nights - so, I've decided that while I am dedicating 3 months to WW, I will not buy any wine to have at the house.  That way I am limiting my wine intake to the rare occassions we eat out, or, when I am at a friend's house, or at my mom's or in-law's house.  Another thing I've started doing is preparing my lunch from the night before and, also, making sure I have lots of fruits and veggies on hand to grab on my way out the door.  This has really helped me to stay focused and keep myself within the daily points.  I've also been switching up my breakfast and snack options so that I don't get sick of eating the same thing every day.  WW has a free app for the Iphone called WW Scanner - you use it to scan the bar code on products and it tells you the point value.  This app has been a vital part of my grocery shopping - although I am pretty sure that I look like a crazy person scanning things in the aisle.  But skinny thoughts make me not care!  As for exercise, I've been mixing it up by walking on the treadmill some days and then outside other days.  I prefer to walk outside, so I've been taking advantage of the nice weather we've been having.  I want to start going to Pure Barre again to tone up - but, I want to get this weight off first. 

As far as motivation goes - my mom said that if I lost 15 pounds by the end of March, she would take me on a $500 shopping spree - holla! Also, I got the new Victoria's Secrets catalog yesterday and there are some CUTE swimsuits that I want to buy for summer.  Also, the fact that my clothes feel a little looser thereby making me feel better in my clothes helps... A LOT!

Weekend via Pictures.

We had a great holiday weekend! Friday night we celebrated Valentine's Day at Ocean Prime - it was delish! We got the calamari appetizer and it was amazing - it had a sweet and spicy kick to it.  For dinner I got the 6 oz filet mignon with lump crab meet and a side of asparagus.  Justin got a NY strip and the black truffle mac and cheese.  I also got a glass of prosecco and a berry cocktail.  I knew that I was going to go over my daily WW points and have to pull from my activity points, but, I didn't go too crazy.  I wanted to get pictures of the food, but, the tables are really close and, honestly, I felt like a dork taking pictures.  But, I did manage to get this one of JWP and I (in the car and on our way home):

Saturday morning I got up and I was craving some SB.  There is a SB close to my house, so, I decided I would walk up there and get my fix.  I have 2 mile route that I do - so, I did that first and then trekked it up to SB and ordered my tall skinny vanilla latte (2 points!).  Enjoying my SB (notice the cat/dog fight that is about to happen) -

The Cortez fishing festival was this weekend, so JWP and I headed up there and had such a great time with amazing friends! I used a lot of my banked activity points for the beers that I consumed (whoops!) -

We then headed out to a local bar on the island and then hit up downtown for a bit.  JWP was all about giving his serious face all night -

Sunday we headed back to the festival to enjoy the food and look at the art.  We brought Bowden with us and my mom came with us too.  I didn't get any pictures because we were too busy keeping track of Bowden and a hold of our food. 

Sunday night I watched the season finale of Downtown Abbey - holy hell I wasn't expecting that ending! Also, I got in some quality snuggle time with Sophie -

All in all it was a fabulous weekend!



L-O-V-E.

Happy Valentine's Day friends! I hope everyone has a day full of love and laughter (and lots of good food)!  I want to dedicate this post to my husband, Justin. He is my rock, soul mate, and best friend! There's not a day that goes by that he doesn't make me laugh.  He is the most supportive person I know and he loves me for me.  I am so honored that he chose me and that I get to spend the rest of my life with him...love you, JWP!



Event stylin.

So, within the next 1.5 months I have 2 weddings and a very swanky luncheon to attend.  Therefore, I broke down and bought some new dresses...eek!  Ann Taylor Loft has some stinkin' cute dresses right now! I bought these 3:

I'm thinking Top One = swanky luncheon; Middle One = March wedding; Botton One = April wedding.

I have my eye on these as well .... maybe, a reward after I drop 15! (not all of them, of course):



It's Time.

So, I signed up for Weight Watchers this morning. I don't think it's any secret that I've been struggling with my weight and that I am so unhappy with my body right now. My "fat clothes" are tight and I am seeing a number on the scale that I never thought I would see! I'm breaking down and crying when I'm getting ready because NOTHING FITS, and, I just feel uncomfortable all day.  For the past week, I've been going back and forth about what I'm going to do to get this weight off- and, this morning I decided that I would give WW a try again. I was successful with it a couple of years ago (when I wanted to lose 10 pounds before going to Las Vegas) and I think it's what I need because it's not a crash diet. I've done HCG and prescription appetite suppressants, and, yes, the weight comes off, but it doesn't stay off. I started walking with my mom 2 weeks ago, we do a 2 mile walk twice a week. I'm hoping to get one more day in with her - but, I know that I need to be exercising 4-5 days a week to get this weight off. I have a treadmill and weights at home...so, really there is no excuse why I can't meet this goal.  I have a couple of events coming up at which I want to look my best - so, it's a start to a new week and the perfect day to start getting healthy!

My Life in Pictures.

Friday night sleeping - clearly Bowden had a tough week.

I took Bowden to the office with me for an hour on Saturday -this was the aftermath.

Justin and I got dressed up and headed out to a fundraising event - good times!

Sunday morning snuggling with Dad - love them both!

Superbowl snuggling with Grandma - Go Ravens!

Tory Burch happiness - wish I could wear these to work everyday!



And another one.

I took chicken out for dinner tonight and given Justin's disgruntled attitude when I told him we were having chicken, I knew I had to come up with something good! So, I visited one of my favorite food blogs, Eat Yourself Skinny, and perused Kelly's recipe section and found this recipe for Chicken Divan:

Here are your ingredients:

Recipe adapted from Gina's Skinny Recipes

1 1/2 lbs broccoli (3 large heads) chopped

3 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 Tbsp. light butter

2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

2 cloves garlic, crushed

2 Tbsp. shallots, minced (onions would work too)

4 Tbsp. flour

1 cup fat free chicken broth

1 cup fat free milk

1/4 cup white wine (or dry sherry)

6 oz. shredded reduced fat swiss cheese

1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/4 cup seasoned whole wheat breadcrumbs

Salt and pepper

Cooking spray

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Add the broccoli and blanch for about 3 minutes.  Rinse with cold water to stop the cooking.  Drain well and set aside.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.  Grease a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper.  Using a grill pan, saute chicken on medium-low heat on both sides until browned, and just about cooked through, about 5 minutes on each side.  Remove from heat and transfer chicken to a cutting board.  When cooled, slice chicken into bite sized pieces. 

Heat a medium skillet on medium heat.  Add the butter and oil until melted and then add garlic and shallots (or onions).  Sprinkle flour and whisk until smooth.  Stir in broth, milk and wine (or sherry) and bring to a boil.  Remove from heat and stir in half of the swiss cheese.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Arrange broccoli in a casserole dish and pour half of the sauce over the broccoli.  Arrange the chicken on top and cover with remaining sauce.  Sprinkle in remaining swiss cheese, grated parmesan cheese and top with bread crumbs.  Spray a little oil on top.  Bake 30 minutes, serve hot. 

I knew I had most of the ingredients on hand, so I decided I would whip this baby up ... and it was fabulous! So fabulous in fact, Justin said this is one of his favorites! Oh yeah, wife of the year right here, y'all!

I made the following changes:

1. I used frozen veggies;
2. I used both broccoli and cauliflower;
3.  I didn't add shallots or onion;
4. I used coconut oil instead of olive oil;
5. I used 1/4 cup heavy cream because I didn't have any milk;
6. I used an asiago/parmesan blend; and,
7. I used panko breadcrumbs

Let me know if you give it a try and if you make any changes!