Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 35

Today is going to be a difficult day for me to stay on the program.  I am working a convention, and will be subject to a banquet lunch and then I'm taking clients and prospects out to dinner and drinks. 

It had been in the back of my mind that even though I was entertaining tonight that I would still refrain from drinking alcohol.  But, this morning during breakfast, one of the folks came by to tell me about a great wine bar that we MUST visit tonight... Well, yeah, I could sit and just watch them drink wine, but, no, that is not happening!  

I will make good food choices for lunch and dinner, and I will limit myself to no more than 3 glasses of wine.  Fun in moderation, right?

DAY 35

Breakfast

1 Boiled Egg, 1 Boiled Egg White

1 Slice Whole Wheat Bread

1 c Skim Milk

Lunch

Open

Dinner

Open

Snack/Booze

2-3 Glasses Wine

Exercise

Well, it's going to be a difficult day food-wise, but it's an impossible day workout-wise.  There is just no way to fit that in today.  You know how much I hate skipping exercise, but sometimes it's just not feasible.  So, enjoy the day off!

How do you manage to eat right and exercise on busy days?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 34

DAY 34

Breakfast

2 Boiled Eggs

1 Slice Whole Wheat Bread

1 c Skim Milk

Lunch

Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Dinner

6 oz Chicken Breast, Grilled

Asparagus, Grilled

Exercise
55 Minutes Winsor Pilates Accelerated Body Sculpting

Trying something a little different today.  The only Pilates workout I've ever done is the 20 Minute Basic Workout.  I love the stretching and core strengthening of the basic workout, so I think I'll give the Accelerated Body Sculpting a try.  Still babying my knees, so this seems like a good no impact way to work my whole body. 

Buy Winsor Pilates:


What do you think of Pilates?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 33

DAY 33

Breakfast

½ c Kashi Go Lean Crunch, ½ c Skim Milk

Lunch

3 oz Roast Pork

½ Baked Whole Plantain

Spinach

Dinner

1 Boiled Egg, 1 Boiled Egg White

1 T Fat Free Greek Yogurt, Plain
Onions, chopped

2 Slices Whole Wheat Bread

Romaine Lettuce

Snack

Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Exercise

Abs:  20 Minutes Ab-Work

Arms:  40 Minutes Lifting with 10 lb Dumbbell Weights

My knees are continuing to act up, so I'm giving my legs the day off.  

Today, it's all about abs and arms.  Twenty minutes should be enough for you to get those abs burning!  And, yes, we're doing a full 40 minutes of arms today.  Take my word for it, you are not going to get toned and shapely arms by only doing a few minutes of 5 pound lifting during an exercise video.  That's good too!  But, today let's focus on making those guns as shapely and strong as they can be.

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 32

Happy Monday!  Good luck this week!

DAY 32

Breakfast

½ c Oatmeal, ½ c sugar-free Cashew Milk, 2 T Whey Protein Powder Vanilla Flavored

Lunch

Salad: Romaine, Spinach, Cabbage, Red & Yellow Bell Pepper, Mushrooms, Onions

Dinner

Roast Pork (4 oz) & Onions

Baked Whole Plantain, brushed lightly with Peanut Oil

Green Beans

Exercise

Walk 4 Miles with 5 lb Hand Weights/Dumbbells

The Antioxidizer Smoothie

They may be little, but berries bring on big beautifying benefits to your skin.  Berries are full of antioxidant compounds that neutralize damaging free radicals which lead to skin cell damage and premature skin aging.

Antioxidants are nutrients (vitamins and minerals) and enzymes (proteins inside your body) that can help to prevent and repair damage to your body's tissue. Antioxidants do this by slowing or preventing the effects of free radicals in the body.  When it comes to caring for your skin, antioxidants can help to protect your skin from the damaging effects of the sun.  Unlike sunscreens and moisturizers, antioxidants can protect your skin from the inside out by guarding your cells from damage.

Vitamins A, C and E and the mineral selenium are thought to be particularly helpful in skin care. In addition to helping fortify cells against free radicals, vitamins A and C also encourage cell and tissue growth, helping the body to repair itself. This is very helpful to the skin, which is constantly shedding and regrowing cells. For this reason, any antioxidants that protect cells and encourage cell growth could be helpful in an anti-aging regimen, as they may help fight fine lines and wrinkles [source: WebMD].

This smoothie contains 2 whole cups of colorful, antioxidant rich berries, as well as peaches, another fruit known for it's substantial antioxidant content. Berries and peaches are also loaded with hydrating water and are chock full of vitamins C and A, all of which are crucial for a healthy complexion.  And, if that's not enough, these colorful superfoods help the body manufacture collagen, which makes skin soft, smooth and youthful.

So, remember, getting a gorgeous, glowing complexion doesn't only mean slathering on the sunscreen or the latest pricey serum.  It also means paying attention to your diet.  By tossing nutrient rich fruits and veggies into your blender, you can nourish your skin from the inside out.

The Antioxidizer

6 oz Fat Free Greek Yogurt, Vanilla

½ c Raspberries, frozen

½ c Strawberries, frozen

½ c Blackberries, frozen

½ c Peaches, frozen

1 c Spinach, frozen

2 T Flax Seed, Ground

1 c POM Wonderful Pomegranate Juice

½ c Water

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.(18 g protein, 5 g fat, 12 g Fiber)

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 31

DAY 31

Breakfast

¾ Antioxidizer Smoothie *

Lunch

1 Boiled Egg

Dinner

4 oz Chicken, grilled

Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Red Bell Pepper, Mushrooms

1 T Olive Oil

Snack

¼ Antioxidizer Smoothie *

(* Recipe to follow)

Exericise

Yes, I took the day off from exercise yesterday.  Hadn't really planned on it.  I was fully intending all day to work out eventually. But, the day just kept getting on, it WAS Saturday and I had worked out for 29 days straight without even one day off... I told myself I deserved a day of rest.  It's funny because I felt guilty all day.  At 8 o'clock last night it went through my mind that I shouldn't have skipped it and that I should really go ahead and exercise after all.  But I didn't!

Today, however, we are right back to it.  I'm still liking Sundays With Jillian, so we'll stick with that video.  But, to make up for yesterdays laziness, I'll also add in some Pilates.  Then I am hitting the pool for the rest of the day, happy in the knowledge that I was good to my body and my skin this morning, and that I'm one day closer to the bikini body I'm working toward.

Windsor Pilates 20 Minute Workout

Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred: Level 1

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 30

Be sure you are drinking plenty of water.  Drinking water helps keep you flushed out; it keeps you from feeling hungry by filling you up; it's good for your organs and your skin; it helps keep the blood flowing and the brain functioning.  Drink at least 8 glasses a day, more if you are exercising regularly, and even more if you spend much time outside in the heat.  Especially as the temperatures begin to increase, make sure you are staying hydrated.  I like to keep a gallon of cold water in my 'fridge at all times, and I like to "flavor" it with lemon, ginger, etc.  Today's water contains:

1 Gallon Water

1/2 Lemon, sliced

2 T Fresh Ginger Root, shaved

6-8 drops Bitters

DAY 30

Breakfast

1 Egg and 1 Egg White, scrambled in PAM

Lunch

10 Shrimp

Field Greens

Dinner

4 oz Chicken, grilled

Sweet Potatoes & Onions, grilled with Peanut Oil

Grilled Caesar Salad

Snack

½ Grapefruit

Exercise

DAY OFF!!!  Much deserved... enjoy your Saturday!

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 29

Congratulations!  We've made it through 4 weeks!!  One solid month of taking control of our bodies and our health.  Great job!

It's Weigh In Day... And the results are in... Drum roll please...

-0 lb

Well, yep, you read that right.  Confessions of a dieting blogger -- I cried like a baby this morning.

I berated myself for just looking like a big ole' fool with this blog when I was obviously unable to shed even one measly pound.  

Then I dried my tears, told myself I was being a stupid big baby, pulled up my big girl panties and started planning the next week.  Yes, I am extremely disappointed.  I have been working so hard, and I even reduced my caloric intake this past week.  And yet, not even the slightest budge on the scales.

But, I know my program is working.  I have been wearing clothes I couldn't wear just a month ago, I'm firmer and more toned.  After the disappointing results last week, I started doing some research on that old adage, "Muscle weighs more than fat."  I've truly always thought that was just something people said to make themselves feel better when they weren't losing weight.  In reality, a pound is a pound, period.  But, a pound of muscle has much less mass than a pound of fat.  So, it is possible to be smaller, but weigh more.  Here is a great explanation along with some motivational advice about not getting bogged down worrying about numbers on a scale.  Good advice for me this morning.

One Pound Of Fat vs One Pound of Muscle- Bamboo Core Fitness

DAY 29

Breakfast

1 c Kashi Go Lean Crunch

½ c Greek Yogurt, Vanilla

Lunch

Salad: Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage, Carrots, Orange Bell Pepper

1 oz Salami/Italian Sandwich Mean

1 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Dinner

3 oz Chicken Meatloaf

Fresh Spinach & Pine Nuts sautéed in Olive Oil

Snack

¾ c Low Fat Cottage Cheese

Exercise

Today, let's try something a little different.  I've never really been a fan of video workouts, but they do have their uses.  I'm becoming a little bored with my abs and lifting workouts, and since I'm still avoiding running, these videos are allowing me to "mix it up" a bit.  Today is a combination of cardio and legs & butt.  So, here we go...

Cardio: 25 Minutes Cardio Kickboxing Workout




Legs & Butt: 30 Minutes Booty Boot Camp-Butt & Thigh Workout




What do you think of video workouts?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 28

DAY 28

Breakfast

1 Boiled Egg, 1 Boiled Egg White (yep, just peel it, half it and pop that little yellow ball out!)

1 Slice Whole Wheat Bread

1 c Skim Milk

Lunch

1 Slice Whole Wheat Bread

1 T Peanut Butter

1 Apple

Dinner

Salad: Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage, Carrots, Orange Bell Pepper

2 oz Salami/Italian Sandwich Meat

1 oz Mozzarella Cheese, shredded

Exercise

Warm Up: 5 Minutes JC Leg Cranks

Abs:  15 Minutes Ab-Work

Arms & Legs:  30 Minutes Lifting with 10 lb Dumbbell Weights

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 27

DAY 27

Breakfast

1 c Kashi Go Lean Crunch, ½ c Skim Milk

Lunch

1 Boiled Egg

1 T Light Mayo

Whole Wheat Tortilla Wrap

Dinner

Applebee’s Napa Chicken & Portobello (they claim is under 550 calories)

Exercise

I have a confession to make about running.  My knee has been acting up and I've actually been walking more than running on the last few walk/run days.  The warning sign for me is when my knee starts "popping" with each step while running.  I've tried running slower, running faster, jogging, sprinting, but nothing seems to make a difference.  Once it starts popping, it just keeps getting worse if I keep running.  And, I've learned from experience that if I push through with the popping, it will start to hurt so bad it's hard to even walk on it.  So, I've made the decision to stop running for a while to protect the knee.  I would rather try a different workout and still be able to workout the next day and the next... 

So, today I'm going to try something different for my cardio workout.  This is probably going to totally kick my ass, but I'm going to give it a try.

Banish Fat / Boost Metabolism with Jillian

What is your favorite cardio workout?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 26

I am going out tonight, so I'm allowing myself dinner and drinks in a restaurant.  The place I'm going serves peel & eat shrimp, and since shrimp is nearly free according to Weight Watchers, that is my dinner plan.  I'm also going to allow myself a couple of drinks tonight.  After the disappointing weight loss last week, I probably shouldn't indulge because I do think drinking slows metabolism, and as a result, slows weight loss.  But, sometimes a girl just has to do what a girl has to do.  There are 2 delicious and refreshing Grey Goose on the rocks in my immediate future, and I don't mind admitting that I am looking forward to them!  Cheers my friends!

DAY 26

Breakfast
1 c Kashi Go Lean Crunch, ½ c Skim Milk

Lunch
2-3 oz Carving Board Ham
Salad: Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Cabbage, Carrots & Celery

Dinner
10-12 Shrimp (Peel & Eat)
Field Greens

Snack/Booze
2 Vodka’s on ice


Exercise
Warm Up:  5 Minutes Burpees
Abs: 15 Minutes Ab-Work
Arms & Legs:  30 Minutes Lifting with 10 lb Dumbbell Weights
Cardio Finish: 10 Minutes Burpees



What are you thoughts on drinking booze while dieting?

Flat Belly Smoothie

Since I've been on this Six Week Challenge, I have been avoiding smoothies simply because I was trying to avoid sugar as much as possible, even fruit.  But, today I am craving a smoothie!  So, let's try this one that is loaded with ingredients to aid in weight loss and digestion.

Greek yogurt is high in calcium and protein, both shown to aid in weight loss.  Blueberries have been shown to help reduce belly fat specifically, and pineapple contains an enzyme that helps aid digestion and reduce bloating.  The spinach adds fiber, and along with the water, helps prevent constipation and helps clean you out.  Adding ground flax seed provides essential omega 3 fatty acids, protects the lining of the digestive track, and helps keep you feeling full and satisfied longer.

Flat Belly Smoothie

6 ounces vanilla nonfat Greek yogurt
1 cup frozen blueberries
1 cup frozen pineapple
1 cup spinach leaves
3/4 cup water
1 T flax seed, ground

Blend all ingredients in a blender until smooth.
(24 g Protein, 3 g Fat,  11 g Fiber)

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 25

Well, I made it through another weekend, and another festival event without cheating!  I will admit to breaking down and having ONE beer yesterday.  It was hot and I was hungry...I figured giving in to one beer was better than breaking down and eating festival food!  Other than that, I stayed on track and drank a LOT of water.

Here we go again, starting another week.  I have been missing smoothies, so I'm adding them back in to the meal plan.  Today, I'm making a Flat Belly Smoothie (*recipe to follow.)  I'll make a full recipe, but will only have 1/2 for breakfast and save the other half for a late night snack.  (TIP: put the left-over smoothie in the freezer and you'll have a frozen yogurt treat for a snack tonight.)

Good job and good luck this week!

DAY 25

Breakfast

½ Flat Belly Smoothie*

Lunch

Campbell’s Chicken Noodle Soup, small bowl

Dinner

2-3 oz Lean Thin Steak Strips

Orange Bell Pepper & Onions, sautéed in PAM

Romaine Lettuce and Spinach Leaves

Snack

½ Flat Belly Smoothie*

(* Recipe to follow)

Exercise

Walk/Run 4 Miles

Did you stay on track this weekend?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 24

DAY 24

Breakfast

1 Egg, 1 Egg White, scrambled w/PAM

½ c Oatmeal, ½ c sugar-free Cashew Milk

Lunch

2% Greek Yogurt

Dinner

4 oz Pork Tenderloin, Grilled

Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Cabbage, Red & Orange Bell Pepper

Snack

Grapefruit

Exercise

I'm liking Sunday's With Jillian.  It's a short workout, so it's good for a "day of rest."  But it's tough too, and it's a good total body exercise.  So, get your sweat on for 27 minutes or so, then get out and enjoy this lovely Sunday!

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 23

I dreamed I was eating chocolate!  They were Kisses or chocolate eggs or some kind of small individually wrapped dark chocolates, and I was unwrapping them and popping them in my mouth just as fast as my little fingers would work..."nom, nom, nom..."  They were SO good!  But, the really funny thing is that I woke up feeling guilty!  Thanks be to dreams for letting us experience the joys that we must deny ourselves in real life.

But, no chocolate today!

DAY 23

Breakfast

1 c Kashi Go Lean Crunch 

½ c Skim Milk

Lunch

2-3 oz Lean Thin Steak Strips

Romaine Lettuce, Spinach Leaves, Mushrooms

Dinner

4 oz Pork Tenderloin, Grilled

Broccoli, Yellow Squash, Onion and Carrots, marinated & sautéed in Italian Dressing

Snack

Edamame, small bowl

Exercise

Warm Up: 5 Minutes JC Leg Cranks

Abs: 15 Mintues Ab-Work

Arms & Legs: 30 Minutes Lifting with 10 lb Dumbbell Weights

Cardio Finish: 10 Minutes JC Leg Cranks

I almost left off the cardio finish today because I will be working in my yard the rest of the day.  I'm setting up my little backyard pool today!  So, I'll be hauling and pouring bags of sand, raking and smoothing the ground, etc.  Figured I would be getting a pretty good workout, so why not take it a little easier on the official workout?  Well, that's just not how we are rolling right now.  The workout every day is in addition to everything else you do all day.  Try to live an active lifestyle every day, before and/or after your daily workout.  Work in the yard, ride your bike, play with the pets or the kids...if a friend wants to take an evening stroll around the neighborhood, do it! even though you ran 4 miles that morning.  Move your body as much as possible.  It does your body, mind and soul good.

How are you moving your body today?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 22

Congratulations!  We've made it through 3 weeks!

It's Weigh In Day...And the results are in...Drum roll please...

-1 lb

Well, that was a bit of a let down.  I stepped on and off the scales several times, thinking it must be wrong.  I am pretty disappointed this morning, I was really expecting more loss.  I don't understand, but I won't get discouraged.  My body is changing, I know I've lost inches and I can see that I am firmer.  Yesterday I wore a pair of dress pants that I couldn't even get buttoned a month ago...and they fit comfortably!  So, I know I'm on the right track, I just don't know why the scales aren't reflecting that fact.  I guess I could quote the old adage that "muscle weighs more than fat."  Yeah, that's it...that's the ticket. We'll go with that one today.  I'm not getting down about it, but I need to do some thinking about the type of food I've been eating and decide if I should be doing something differently.  Stay tuned...

In the meantime, let's just keep doing what we're doing...

DAY 22

Breakfast

1 egg, 1 egg white – scrambled w/light PAM

½ c Oatmeal, ½ c sugar-free Cashew Milk

Lunch

Salad: Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage, Spinach Leaves, Red & Orange Bell Pepper, Carrots, Celery, Mushrooms

3 oz Carving Board Ham

Dressing: Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar

Snack

Apple

Dinner

Steak Wrap:

Thin, lean steak, quick fried in non-stick skillet w/Onions

1 T Light Mayo

Romaine Lettuce & Spinach Leaves

Whole Wheat Tortilla Wrap

3-4 Small Baby Golden Potatoes, Baked (no butter)

Snack

Greek Yogurt

Exercise

Walk/Run 4 Miles

How did your weigh-in go today?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 21

Almost three weeks are behind us now!  We are almost half way there!

You may have noticed that I've backed off the carbs a bit this week.  I had been trying to include one helping of a good healthy whole wheat carb with most meals, but I was actually starting to feel kind of sluggish, getting way too tired from my workouts.  And, I must admit that my energy has been better these last few days.  I think I will try increasing the protein and limit the whole wheat type carbs to one meal a day.

There are, of course, basic guidelines to what foods we should eat and what we should avoid.  A lot of it is common sense stuff we've been taught all our lives.  But, a lot of it is learning your own body. Different bodies function better on different foods.  Taking control of your food and your eating habits is the best way to figure out what your body needs.  Pay attention to how you feel after eating, look for patterns in energy, digestion and even how well, or poorly, you sleep.  What you eat, or don't eat, does affect every other part of your day.  Learn what fuel your body needs to function and perform at peak efficiency.

DAY 21

Breakfast

1 c Kashi Go-Lean Crunch

½ c Skim Milk

Lunch

2% Greek Yogurt

Dinner

12-15 med Shrimp, sautéed in Olive Oil

Broccoli

Sprinkle Parmesan Cheese

Snack

1 T Peanut Butter

½ c Sugar-Free Cashew Milk

Exercise
Warm Up: 5 Minutes Cardio ("Jillian's Cardio" - Alternate 20 each Jumping Jacks, Jumping Rope, Butt Kicks, Squat Punches)
Abs: 20 Minute Windsor Pilates Workout
Arms & Legs: 30 Minutes Lifting with 10 lb Dumbbell Weights
Cardio Finish: 5 Minutes Burpees



What are thoughts on Protein vs Carbs?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 20

Welcome to Day 20!  How are you doing?  I am happy to report that I am doing very well!  I'm not hungry, haven't really missed junk food, I'm getting used to not drinking and daily exercise is becoming a natural habit again.  Admittedly, I do have my moments... I was running at the park a few days ago, hot and tired and ready to quit, when the thought ran across my mind, "I wish I could just go back to eating cheese and drinking wine..."  But, I kept running and came home to healthy food and NO wine...or rum or bourbon or... yeah well.  Normal life, with moderation, will return in a few weeks.

But, today is not that day!  Today we continue the program.  Ready, Set, Go have a great day!

DAY 20

Breakfast

Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Lunch

Sweet Chicken Salad: 4 oz Grilled Chicken, chopped

2 T Fat Free Greek Yogurt, Vanilla

1 Apple, chopped

2 T Onion, chopped

Serve on Romaine Lettuce & Spinach Leaves

Dinner

4 oz Grilled Hamburger Patty

Roasted Cauliflower & Onion, lightly sprinkled w/Parmesan Cheese

Snack

1 c Sugar Free Cashew Milk

Exercise

Walk 4 Miles carrying 5 lb dumbbell weights

Six Weeks With Suzi - DAY 19

DAY 19

Breakfast

1 c Kashi Go Lean Crunch

½ c Skim Milk

Lunch

1 Boiled Egg

Chopped Celery, Carrots & Onions

1 T Light Mayo

Whole Wheat Tortilla Wrap

Dinner

4 oz Grilled Chicken

Romaine Lettuce, Spinach, Cabbage, Red Bell & Orange Pepper, Onions, Mushrooms

Dressing: Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar

Snack

Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Exercise

Warm Up: 5 Minutes JC Leg Cranks

Abs: 15 Minutes Ab-Work

Arms & Legs: 30 Minutes Lifting with 10 lb Dumbbell Weights

Cardio Finish: 10 Minutes JC Leg Cranks

Let's talk about JC Leg Cranks.  Like Burpees, they are a great combination cardio and strength exercise.  Combining squats and lunges with jumping squats and lunges, it's a great leg workout.
It's another tough one, but it really gets the heart-rate up and you will see results!

What do you think of JC Leg Cranks?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 18

Happy Monday morning!  Let's have a great week! 

DAY 18

Breakfast

1 Boiled Egg

Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Lunch

Asian Pork Stir Fry

Dinner

4 oz Grilled Chicken

Grilled Yellow Squash, Green Beans & Onions

Snack

1 c Sugar-Free Cashew Milk

Exercise

Walk/Run 3½ Miles

What's on your plate this week?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 17

I am tired today!  Not sure how many miles I walked yesterday...didn't even think of turning on Runkeeper or anything to measure my distance until over half way through the day.  But, suffice it to say, I walked a LOT!  And sweated a LOT!  It was a great day for a great cause!

I was good with my food.  The Survivor Brunch was unfortunately mostly pastries, but there was also some lovely fruit.  I had a large helping of mixed fruit and one half of a biscuit with sausage gravy...and half a slice of some yummy nut bread.  I figured, there were nuts, so that's some protein, right?

My only "cheats" yesterday were brought about by, yeah you guessed it...booze.  I was not going to indulge, but then my buddy Food showed up with some of his delicious Sea Grape Pyment (wine made with sea grapes and honey mead.)  It's one of my weaknesses!  I had 2 small glasses, a couple sips of cold beer, and one shot of peppermint schnapp's thanks to Shy & Woobie.
But that was all, then I came home and ate my bowl of chicken soup at 10 o'clock last night.

Back on track today:

DAY 17

Breakfast

1 egg, 2 egg whites – scrambled w/light PAM

½ c Oatmeal, ½ c sugar-free Cashew Milk

Lunch

Homemade Chicken Veggie Noodle Soup w/Whole Wheat Noodles

                                                 

Dinner

Asian Pork Stir Fry:  4 oz Lean Boneless Pork Chop, cut in strips

Onions, Celery, Red Bell Pepper, Mushrooms, Bean Sprouts, Snow Peas, Carrots, Water Chestnuts, and slivered almonds sautéed in Peanut Oil

½ c Brown Rice

Snack

Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Exercise
And, as much as I would love to skip it today, yes I am exercising. Today, let's work out with Jillian again...

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 16

Today I will be hanging out at the Relay 4 Life all day.  I'm planning to eat a light healthy breakfast early this morning.  Lunch is being left "OPEN" because there is a brunch for all cancer survivors and caregivers from 11-12.  I will make good choices!  And I'm actually skipping the morning workout because I plan to walk a few miles this afternoon!  Then, I'll be a good girl and come home tonight to eat leftover chicken soup (which turned out to be delicious, by the way!)

DAY 16

Breakfast

1 Boiled Egg

½ c Skim Milk

Lunch

OPEN (Relay 4 Life Survivor/Caregiver Brunch)

Dinner

Homemade Chicken Veggie Noodle Soup w/Whole Wheat Noodles

Exercise

Walking at Relay 4 Life all day

Get outside and move your body today!

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 15

Congratulations on making it through 2 weeks!

It's Weigh In Day... And the results are in... Drum roll please...

-2 lbs

Another week down, another 2 pounds gone!  I will admit that I was really hoping that I had shed another 3 or 4 pounds, and had a moment of disappointment this morning over the measly 2 pound loss.  But, I am not going to be down about any momentum in the right direction.  I know that I am eating right and working my body hard, and that I am getting healthier and stronger every day.  And, as I said last week, at 2-3 pounds per week, I will definitely meet my goal.  On a positive note, I am 1/3 of the way through the challenge, and I have now reached 1/3 of my goal.  Right on track!

So, here we go... starting another week.  I got this!

DAY 15

Breakfast

1 c Kashi Go Lean Crunch

½ c Skim Milk

Lunch

Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage, Onions, Celery, Cucumber, Orange Bell Pepper

Dressing: Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar

Small Can Tuna

Dinner

Homemade Chicken Veggie Noodle Soup w/Whole Wheat Noodles

Snack

1 T Peanut Butter

½ c Skim Milk

Exercise

Walk/Run 3½ Miles

How did you do in week 2?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 14

DAY 14

Breakfast

1 Boiled Egg

½ c Oatmeal, ½ c sugar-free Cashew Milk, 2 T Whey Protein Powder Vanilla Flavored

Lunch

4 oz Grilled Lean Boneless Pork Chop

½ c Quinoa, Eggplant, & Sundried Tomatoes

Dinner

4 oz Roasted Chicken

Onions, Orange Bell Pepper and Green Beans sautéed in olive oil

½ c Whole Wheat Pasta

Snack

Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Exercise

Warm Up: 5 Minutes Burpees

Abs: 15 Minutes Ab-Work

Arms & Legs: 30 Minutes Lifting with 10 lb Dumbbell Weights

Cardio Finish: 10 Minutes Burpees

I realize that I started posting that I was doing Burpees as part of my workout without any explanation of a Burpee.  If you aren't familiar with Burpees, you really should become so.  They are a fantastic over all exercise.  They're tough too.  I was doing Burpees one day last week and my husband walked in and said, "Wow, all your color just drained."  To which I replied, "Yeah, the real trick to Burpees is trying not to throw up before you finish!"  And, I was only half joking.  

But, don't be scared, Burpees are your friend!

What do you think of Burpees?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 13

Almost 2 weeks down!  

I am really missing fruit, and at this moment there are some beautiful pieces of fruit in my 'fridge, so today I am treating myself just a tiny bit.  There is nothing wrong with fruit, and Weight Watchers even assigns 0 points to most fruit so it's more or less a "free food."  The only reason I am going light on it at first is to avoid as much sugar as possible, even natural sweetness, in an effort to kick-start my metabolism.  But, today, that lovely honeydew has my name on it!  

DAY 13

Breakfast

1 c Kashi Go Lean Crunch

½ c Skim Milk

Snack

½ Grapefruit

Lunch

3 oz Roast Chicken

Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage, Onion, Orange Bell Pepper

Dressing: Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar

Whole Wheat Tortilla Wrap

Dinner

4 oz Grilled Lean Boneless Pork Chop

Grilled Eggplant and Onions, cooked with Olive Oil

½ c Quinoa

Snack

½ Asian Pear

1 c Honeydew Melon

Exercise

Walk/Run 3½ Miles

What is your favorite fruit?

Six Weeks With Suzi - Day 12

Are you drinking enough water?

Be sure you are drinking plenty of water everyday.  Water is truly a miracle substance.  It hydrates the blood, the organs and the skin, keeping you healthier.  If you are exercising regularly, especially, it is important to replace the important fluids lost to sweat.

Water also helps keep you feeling full!  

Try to drink at least 1/2 gallon of water every day.  A rule of thumb I've heard for years is to take your current weight, divide in half, and that is the number of ounces of water you should consume each day.  That's a great goal!  For me personally, that is a tad more than 1/2 gallon!  

 If you have trouble choking down that much plain water in a day, try infusing your water with flavor.

Some people even claim that infusing certain ingredients into your water can help with weight loss, detoxing, etc.  I don't know about any of that, but it certainly helps me enjoy drinking my quota of H2O each day.  

My favorite water is infused with Lemon Slices, Cucumber Slices and Fresh Ginger Root Slices.  Put all ingredients into large pitcher (I use a suntea jar) fill with water, chill and enjoy.

Yummy!

DAY 12

Breakfast

1 egg, 2 egg whites – scrambled w/light PAM

½ c Oatmeal, ½ c sugar-free Cashew Milk

Lunch

3 oz Roast Chicken

Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage, Onion, Orange Bell Pepper

Dressing: Olive Oil & Red Wine Vinegar

Whole Wheat Tortilla Wrap

Dinner

10-12 med Shrimp sautéed in Olive Oil

Broccoli

½ c Whole Wheat Pasta

Snack

Fat Free Greek Yogurt

Exercise

Warm Up: 5 Minutes JC Leg Cranks

Abs: 15 Minutes Ab-work

Arms & Legs: 30 Minutes Lifting with 10 lb Dumbbell Weights

Cardio Finish: 10 Minutes JC Leg Cranks

Are you drinking enough water?