Get Excited...The Journey Continues!

Well, vacation is over and it is now back to reality. School is starting back in a week and a half and I need to get back on track before the craziness begins. I am ready to get back on track and focus on my goal of hitting 100 pounds lost by December 15 which will make it 1 year into my lifestyle change. To lose the 46 pounds left, I really have to focus myself because I only have 5 months left! If I average 10 pounds a month like I was losing, I should make it but I really have to get back on track. I am looking forward to getting back on a schedule and eating healthier again.

Over the last few months I have continued my research on health foods and products. Thanks to a friend of mine, I came across a company called Isagenix. Isagenix specializes in health and vitality. I have spent many, many days researching this product to make sure it was something that I wanted to use. I have come across nothing but amazing things about this company and their products! Several health professionals and trainers I know use these products and endorse them. I was amazed at all of the health benefits their products help with and the testimonials from so many people who use these products on a regular basis. What I noticed over and over again was how much energy people have when using these products. One of the benefits of using these products is improved energy which helps with improved mood and weightloss! You certainly cannot go wrong with that!

After much deliberating and discussions with my husband, I decided to take the plunge and try Isagenix products out for the next month. I wanted to go with the 30 day cleanse first but decided to start with the Healthy Lifestyle Pak instead. It seemed to fit my lifestyle the best right now. I am looking forward to starting it tomorrow! I am going to update for the next 30 days on my progress using this product. I am really excited to see if it helps with my energy levels and my weightloss. It certainly is not going to be any type of "quick-fix" for my weightloss but I think it will help give me the extra energy boost to get an awesome workout at the gym and also help me control my appetite. A fellow blogger and trainer, Stephanie, has already started using Isagenix products and has seen lots of improvements so far! I enjoy following her journey using the Isagenix 30 day cleanse and I know you will too! I am going to highlight several of the products that I am going to use so you can learn more about each one of them.

So....here's to the next 5 months (and the rest of my life) full of ENERGY, healthy foods, an abundance of endorphins, sweat, tears, and hard work! I AM going to hit 100 pounds lost and I cannot WAIT!!! Thank you for cheering me on along the sidelines! I could not complete this journey each day without each one of you! I have the BEST cheering section in the world and I am SO thankful!

Just Dance...Workout!

Anyone played Just Dance 2 before? We brought it on vacation and it has turned into a family workout experience. We have had a blast dancing to the music and learning the crazy moves. The best thing about the Just Dance video game is that you are getting your heart rate up and exercising without even realizing it. You also get some great endorphins from workout out and laughing! I promise, laughter is part of the program. You can find Just Dance 1 or 2 at any local Wal-Mart or Target or you can find it at Amazon.com. I found that Amazon.com had better prices than the stores unless they run the game on sale which they do periodically. Check it out!

Just a few pictures from our family dance party at the beach.

Choices

Choices.
What does that word mean to you?
To me, it means everything.
It means how I live my day.
It determines whether I stay on my eating and fitness plan for the day or not.
It determines my daily success.
I make choices every day.
I make choices every minute.
What choices did you make today?

Coriander-Crusted Salmon

Are you looking for something light and easy to make during this hot weather? This recipe is your answer! It is SO good and I am not even a huge fish fan! Not only is this recipe easy and tasty but it is also good for your health since fish gives our bodies important nutrients like Omega-3s. Check out the facts about fish from the Mayo Clinic. Enjoy!

Coriander-Crusted Salmon
Servings: 4
Calories (for 1/4 of recipe): 410
Fat: 28g
Protein: 38g
Fiber: 0g


Ingredients:
3 tablespoons of ground coriander
1 teaspoon of salt
1 teaspoon ground pepper
4 fish filets of salmon (1 1/2 lb) *I used fresh Sockeye Salmon from Publix. You can find it behind the fish counter.*
2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions:
1. Preheat large saute pan on medium-high for 2-3 minutes. Combine coriander, salt, and pepper in a small bowl.

2. Coat both sides of fish with seasoning mixture.

3. Place olive oil in pan, then add fish. Cook 3-4 minutes on each side or until 145 degrees. Fish should be flake easily.



In addition, try adding some color to your plate. Remember my post about the importance of eating various colors of food? Various colors of food give you different nutrients and benefits. Check out my plate below:

Purple potatoes (sooo good!)
Green peas
Coriander-Crusted Salmon

July Giveaway!!

I am SO excited about this month's giveaway! Since I had a crazy June and didn't do a giveaway last month, I am doing 2, that's right 2 giveaways this month! :)

Now that I have my blog on Facebook, I am able to get comments from people who do not have a gmail or yahoo account that can't comment on here. SO...I will accept both places for the following questions:

To enter into the giveaway this month please do the following (either as a comment on this post or on Facebook under the The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly Weightloss Facebook page)
GIVEAWAY WILL CLOSE ON FRIDAY, JULY 22 at 5:00pm!

1. LIKE The Good, The Bad, The Ugly of Weightloss Facebook page.
2. Leave a comment tell me where you find inspiration to help you achieve your dreams. (This does not have to relate to weightloss, it can be for any dream that you have.)
3. For an extra chance in the drawing send a friend to my blog or Facebook page. Make sure they leave a comment that you sent them so I can keep track! For each person you send, you get an extra chance in the drawing.

Let's change the world one person at a time by promoting healthier lifestyles no matter what shape, size, age, etc. you are!

This is what you have a chance to win:
A sign with my all-time favorite verse from the Bible about TRANSFORMING and not conforming to the rest of the world. My friend Beth owns her own company called Peace, Love, and Paper Prayers. Amazing stuff! Make sure you check out her other artwork and LIKE her Facebook Page! She made me a large sign with this same verse that I keep above my treadmill. I cannot even describe to you how beautiful it is. The picture I took doesn't do it justice at all!



An AWESOME Bandz Bracelet with one of my favorite quotes: NOTHING is impossible if you BELIEVE! I wear one of these inspirational Bandz everyday. It gives me a reminder to never give up every time I look at it. :)

Blog is on Facebook!

I have been thinking for quite some time about creating a page on Facebook to go with my blog. I didn't know if I should have it both places and I didn't know if I had the time to devote to both. A few weeks ago, I found an awesome website called, Network Blogs, that connects everything from this blog to Facebook without me having to do a thing! How cool is that?! Once I figured out how to do that, I decide that it was time for this blog to hit Facebook. :) I know a lot of people who prefer to stay on Facebook and not venture into the blog world (which I completely understand because it is overwhelming) and I wanted them to be a part of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly of Weightloss too. I hope that we can get some good conversations going on Facebook and it continues to help change people's lives for the better. <---That is my ultimate goal and the reason why I chose to blog about my experiences. :)

Check out the Facebook page here and become a fan! I promise, you won't be sorry....there is a GIVEAWAY coming your way!! :)

Couch to 5K Program

Several people have asked me about how to get the Couch 2 5K program. There are several ways you can get a copy of this plan. The way I enjoy it is by using my iPhone and downloaded an app called 5K Runner. If you search Couch 2 5K programs in the app store, you will see there are tons of options. Choose one that fits you best. I really like the one I have because it gives me a visual while I am running, a motivational quote, rings a bell which I change from walking to running, and it is something that I have on the go all the time so I can access it at home or at the gym.

The other way you can find the plan is by going to Cool Runnings website. They have an outlined plan of the different days each week and the directions. With the computer version, you are on your own for knowing when to walk and when to run. It definitely is not bad because you time yourself 60 seconds run, 90 seconds walk off and on for 20 minutes. Not bad at all. :) You can also join the Couch 2 5K program on Facebook!

I would LOVE for some of you to do this with me if you are interested! It is a 90 day program so we will finish around the middle of October which is PERFECT for the Ray Tanner Home Run 5K! It will be nice and cool during October (I hope!) it it will be perfect weather to run. Let me know if you have questions or if you are interested in running/walking in the Ray Tanner Home Run 5K! Side Note: Please don't think I am running like a marathoner! I would say that I am a slow runner or a jogger. I still have a lot of weight to lose so I am not a fast runner by any means. I promise you that you can keep up with me if you decide to run with me in October! :)


Don't think you can run? Check this amazing video out again! I PROMISE anyone can do this!

July 12

The Good: I started the C25K running plan today and I couldn't be more excited! I feel like I am working towards a goal again. My ultimate goal of getting to my goal weight hasn't changed but I am in desperate need of a short term goal to get me rejuvenated again.

In other exciting news...Lexington Medical Center is having a contest for bloggers around the Midlands. They are looking for 8 bloggers to help them with a blog they are starting to help women in all areas of their lives. My friend Melanie let me know about the contest and I applied for it today. Fingers crossed...they will choose me and this blog! How cool would that be?! I love inspiring people and helping as many people as I can change their lives. I will keep you updated on whatever the end result is. Either way, it is an awesome opportunity! There are so many awesome blogs people have posted so make sure you check them out on Lexington Medical Center's Facebook page. :)

And....on another "good" note.....how incredible and amazing is our new Miss South Carolina, Bree Boyce!? She was on the Today show this morning talking about her journey to a healthier lifestyle. She gives me SO much inspiration and I love what she stands for. She is a true model to so many children, teens, and adults who are struggling with their weight. I am so proud to have her represent our great state!

The Bad: I did dive into a small bowl of ice cream today. :-/ I came home this afternoon after being in the awful heat and that seemed to be the only thing on my mind. I did chose the smallest bowl I had so it "appeared" to look like I had a full bowl of ice cream. SO even though I didn't make a great choice, I made a better choice than I normally would have.

The Ugly: I am so ready to see the number on the scale move down again! I am working on getting my will-power and determination back and it is slowly but surely coming back to me. I am ready to get back into my "routine" where I was living life and enjoying the new lifestyle changes I had made. I feel like I am heading back in the direction and I hope to get back to that comfortable routine soon!

D1W1 of C25K Completed!

I just finished day 1, week 1 of the Couch to 5K running program. So far, so good! I got a free app on my iphone that makes the program so easy to use! The app is called 5K Runner. The great thing about it is that you can visually see your progress during the run and you hear a voice that tells you when to run and when to walk. So far so good!

I also loved the quote that was displayed during my training which said, "The longest journey begins with a small step taken by a brave person.-Anonymous"

July 11

The Good: I had a FANTASTIC run today on the treadmill at my house. I was able to run almost a full mile and a half! Holy cow! I think back to last December and am amazed by how far I have come. I couldn't even run 30 seconds to 1 minute at a time. Now, I am running a full 15-20 minutes. I am starting the Couch Potato to 5K plan tomorrow to hopefully get me ready for the 5Ks I have this fall! I am DETERMINED to run one of them!!

I also made a delicious dinner tonight that was SO EASY! I made Spicy Chipotle Chicken in my Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker (honestly the best thing I own in the kitchen) with brown rice and green peas. With Shawn working odd schedules, it is difficult for me to find easy dinners that work for just me. This will definitely be one I make again! All I did with the chicken was put the chipotle rub on them, cooked them in the microwave in the baker for 8 minutes, then topped them with Fresh Market's Chipotle Salsa. DE-LI-CIOUS!

The Bad: I struggled this morning starting off the day right with my normal breakfast meal because we had left over Brugger's bagels at our house from Sunday School yesterday. I chose the "easy" way out this morning and grabbed one on my way out the door to my all-day meeting. Not a great way to start the day.

The Ugly: I did not write my food down today like I said I was going to. I have to make myself more accountable and get back on track. I think I am going to have to go on a no-sugar, no-sweet fast again like I did at first so I can detox my body from it. I can tell the whole "addition" to sweets feeling is back and I am ready to get over it again.

5Ks, Here I Come!

I am so excited I can hardly stand it! I just signed up for a 5K for this fall! I can't wait to start training for them and looking forward to an awesome time! I hope to sign up for some more but this was just a good start to get me going again. I told Shawn tonight at the gym that I really felt like I needed to sign up for another 5K because it gave me something to work towards. I got on Strictly Runnings website tonight and looked at all of the upcoming races! There are so many! I chose several to work for right now and will sign up for more soon! Check them out and join me if you would like!

Signed up for:
Ray Tanner's Home Run-October 15

Hoping to sign up for:
Dam Run-September 10
Stars of Life Night 5K-October 22 (Looks AWESOME!!)
ICRC Sleigh Bell Trot-November 22 (I have heard this is one of the best in Columbia and you get to see the Christmas Lights at Saluda Shoals!)

Getting Back on Track

I am getting back on track tomorrow and I cannot wait! First things first, I am going to start writing down what I eat again. This takes some extra time but it keeps me very accountable! I need to get back into my routine and I am looking forward to it! I am also going to make sure that I exercise at least 30 minutes a day 3 times this week and at least an hour workout 3 times this week. I will have my break on Sunday. I am really tired of looking at the same number on the scale! I am ready to see it go down again and I am looking forward to dropping another pants size before I go back to school shopping. :)

I went to the gym this afternoon and decided I was getting bored with my usual routine. I got on the elliptical and only did 30 minutes on it because I was finding myself bored and unchallenged. I jumped on the treadmill and started jogging which felt great! When I started this journey in December, I only had a treadmill at home to walk/run on which helped tremendously but then after 2-3 months I was bored with it. By that point, I joined Gold's Gym and fell in love with the elliptical. Now, after 3 months of that I am ready for something different. I wanted to jump on the stair climber but they were all taken when I got there. I hope to start working on my endurance on the stair climber to mix it up and challenge myself.

I have made a promise to myself to get back on track and stay committed this week, will you join me? I hope so! I hope everyone has a fantastic week ahead!

Motivation....where are you?!

I have definitely fallen into a slump on my journey. At first I was trying to be perfect with my weightloss journey and as I have gone through the past 6 1/2 months I have realized that no one is perfect and I certainly am not. I was on such a roll and I knew exactly what I was doing and the last 2 months I have not been able to get it together. It all started when school was ending in May and I was under tremendous stress of finishing report cards, permanent records, changing classrooms, dealing with being exhausted from the school year, etc. Ever since then, I have not been able to consistently get myself back into the rhythm I was in before.

There is honestly no secret about it because I know how many calories I need to take in and how many I need to burn every day to lose. I just haven't found the motivation again. What is worse is I was SO excited about this summer because I was going to have TONS of time to do 2 a days at the gym or spend that extra time at the gym that I don't get a chance to do during the school year. I had this great idea that I would have this awesome exercise routine that I would do each week and hopefully lose about 30 pounds this summer. Unfortunately, that has not happened. Sure, I have been going to the gym frequently but I have also missed a good bit. Sure, I have been eating well for the most part, but I have cheated a lot.

I am praying that I will get back into my rhythm again soon and maybe it will help when I get back into my job routine. I definitely work well with consistency so maybe that is what I am craving. I am not giving up though! I will start again tomorrow morning and eat my regular breakfast of scrambled egg whites, bacon, and greek yogurt but this time I will continue throughout the day staying on my eating plan and squeezing in a good workout tomorrow afternoon.

Anyone else lose motivation? I am ready to find it again! I look at these pictures and see how far I have already come from a year ago and they keep me pushing for my ultimate goal!

This year at the beach. (2011)


Last year at the beach. (2010)

Wordless Wednesday (Almost!)

I wanted to post a shout-out to my wonderful husband. He has been a constant support through this journey and has walked along side of me. I could not do this without him! I am so thankful to have him cheer me on every day!

All-Local Farmers Market

This morning I went to the All-Local Farmers Market on Whaley Street in downtown Columbia. It was so much fun! They had a great set up and an awesome group of vendors. I was fascinated by all of the different vendors that were there. There were so many things I wanted to buy but had to control my spending. :) This farmers market is open every Saturday and you can find out more about them by going to their Facebook page.



One of the best things I bought today was a pork rub called Divine Swine. At first, I was looking at the rub and thinking I certainly don't need another rub. I started talking to Ed, the owner, and he had a tray full of samples. Of course, I took him up on the offer of the sample and it was delicious. I still wasn't sure I needed to buy another rub so I walked around to the see what the other vendors had to offer. By the end of my walking round, I still could taste the delicious rub that I had eaten over 30 minutes ago. So...I decided to go back to get one. :) I couldn't wait to bring it home and make something with it so on my way home I went to Publix and bought a pack of porkchops and a Boston Butt Roast to make BBQ in the crockpot tomorrow for the 4th. I made some porkchops tonight and they were absolutely delicious! Be sure to check out the Divine Swine Facebook page and go by and get you a bottle of it next Saturday! I promise you...you will LOVE it!


I also got some amazing blueberries today on my way home from Berry Hill Farms in Red Bank. It is a pick-your-own blueberry farm. I had the best time picking blueberries for the first time and will DEFINITELY be going back for more! They were so good and perfectly sweet. The best part of it all was that a pound of blueberries is only $1.25 a pound!!! I was able to get about 7 pounds for just over $7.00! That is a far better price than the small carton of blueberries from the grocery store! They are also pesticide free which makes them even better! Go check them out! Their hours and directions are posted on their website. Be sure to "friend" them on Facebook too! I will be posting some blueberry recipes this week!

Farmers Market Pasta

I decided to make a yummy dish last night with some of the local produce I bought last weekend at the Lexington Farmers Market. I was needing to use some of it and some produce from our garden so I made a yummy, quick dish pasta. This dish literally takes under 10 minutes to make! Add more veggies if you want or change out with whatever you have. :) Enjoy!


Farmers Market Pasta
Servings: 4 (Serving size: 2 cups)
Calories: 419
Fat: 9.5g
Protein: 33.9g
Carb: 48.5g
Fiber: 3.4g

Ingredients:
8 oz uncooked whole-wheat bow-tie pasta
1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/4 in. strips
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup (1 inch) slices of asparagus
2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 tbsp chopped fresh basil
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (1 oz) crumbed goat cheese

Directions:
1. Cook pasta according to package instructions.
2. Boil chicken until done or cook in Pampered Chef Deep Covered Baker for 8 minutes.
3. While pasta is cooking, heat a large non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Spray skillet well with PAM cooking spray, add asparagus slices and chicken: saute for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and garlic to the pan: saute for about 1 minute.
4. Remove skillet from heat. Stir in pasta, basil, vinegar, and oil to chicken mixture in pan.
5. Top with goat cheese mixture.