In true Kristen Blogger form

Hello blog friends.  guess what?  This would be THE SECOND TIME I am writing this exact post.  I could blame it on blogger but lets be honest- I got click happy and accidentally erased the good stuff.  Anyway- lets get into it my friends!

SO- Week three was by far the toughest.  My wedding anniversary, Valentines Day- and how do people show love- through food.  SO my sweet hubby planned THE MOST amazing romantic evening.  I had to get dressed up and I didn't know where we were going.  We went downtown and walked around City Creek and Temple Square just to find out that Josh had made a surprise reservation at "The Roof".  It was GORGEOUS!  He had even called an had a HUGE flower bouquet waiting for me at the table.  Awwwwe- right?  I know.  Anyway- food wise I ate MAINLY salad, but then I had a couple of bites of meat and then about four bites of dessert.  It was SO yummy but I INSTANTLY regretted it.

The next night Sophia had won a free pizza at school and insisted that we order it THAT NIGHT.  So we did- and I partook in a slice and I paid for it almost immediately.  Its wasn't cute.  Then for Valentines Day, we made a lasagna with salad and bread.  I had just a bit of lasagna and while I didn't get SICK, I FELT it running its coarse which wasn't so fun.

So the moral of the story is- I keep saying that I am regretting the food choices but it isn't an emotional regret.  I don't feel bad that I chose something out of what I prefer to eat.  I am feeling bad on a serious physical level.  My body doesn't like it any longer and there is nothing I can do about it.  Again- I will reiterate  I am not dieting.  I am not eating less- I am just eating better.  I eat A TON- seriously.  HUGE salads, bowls of soup, smoothies- I wont feel bad about it either.  Im not weight watchers-ing, I'm not atkins-ing, I'm not south beach diet-ing, I am just choosing to eat what my body does well with.

So I thought that I would share two of my recipe wins from the week!  Lets start with dessert first because life should always begin with dessert!

Banana "ice cream"

2 really ripe bananas sliced between 1/4-1/2'' thick and frozen for 1 hour
1/2 tsp vanilla
any extras that you would want to add it- nuts, peanut butters or nutellas, frozen strawberries or other fruits
Blend in a food processor until smooth, creamy and the consistency of soft serve!
*I liked frozen mangoes and strawberries in mine, the kids went CRAZY for nutella and peanut butter\

Mushroom burgers
(you can buy these pre-made but they are pricey and this way you can choose exactly what goes into it)
4 cups of mushrooms finely diced
1 small onion finely diced
2 cans black beans drained, rinsed and rough mashed
1 egg (optional)
2 tsp cumin
fresh garlic mashed or pressed- it depends how much you like- I  did 2 cloves
salt and pepper to taste

Saute the mushrooms and onions together until nice and brown and yummy- add cumin to bloom flavor then add the garlic and keep mixing until you really smell it.  Take off the heat and let cool for a bit.  Preheat oven to 350.  Mix the mushroomy goodness with the beans.  If you find that the mixture just wont come together on its own- add 1 egg and that will help bind it.  Separate them into patties and placed on cookie sheet.  Bake for 20 minutes so the outside gets dry and crunchy and the inside stays nice and creamy.  You can freeze them after that or just pop them into the fridge to store.  Ours didnt make it to storage time since the kids went nuts for them.  (and they "hate" mushrooms) I topped mine with avocado slices and a small spoon of salsa, the kids liked straight up cheese and ketchup.  You can also add corn or anything else to this recipe- feel free to adapt to your liking.

So this week has been a super, duper emotional week.  And honestly the same old cravings came a knocking at my door- granola bars and cheeze its.  I ate tangerines till I almost puked and a dill pickle or veggies dipped in hummus were the answer to my salt cravings.  Once I got over the mental thing that food wasn't going to make me feel better- I seriously was good.  I lost 2 lbs this week but the biggest shock was that I am down over a whole pant size now.  My jeans that were WAY too tight to be cute are now too big and my belt is too big.  Josh had to punch two new holes in it for me!  And again- the best part is that I feel great.  I feel awesome.  I will show you a couple of pictures from out night out.  I can see my fave shape changing again- I don't know if you will but I will put them up.

I know it was a total 15 year old thing to do- taking a picture in the mirror inside the bathroom but it had to be done.  I NEVER get dressed up like this so I had to document it!

Whats working for YOU this week?  I know that treadmill is losing its happy place so me and the kids have been "exploring".  We put on our backpacks and go out looking for adventures and before you know it, we have walked 4 miles!  Whats your win this week?

Week two!

So here is a little shorter check in on operation- make body better.  I know not really what to call it so it continues to change.  If you have any suggestions- let me know!  Anyway- week two has come to a close.  How are things now??  Better than ever!  I feel A-MA-ZING.  Seriously.  I feel so good!  I have ENERGY!  I'm not exhausted and tired all the time.  I'm not having that 3 PM slump.  I don't know what else to say- I feel terrific!

Eating this week was kind of fun.  I tried some vegan recipes and REALLY liked it.  It was beans, green beans, peppers, onion in a really light vinaigrette  just to add a BIT of flavor.  YUM..  I also ate vegetarian chili and honestly- I didn't miss the meat AT ALL.  I also feel like I am tasting better.  Maybe its just psycho somatic.  I feel like I can taste the flavors of the veggies and fruits SO much better.  We have been LOVING smoothies at our house.  I have been playing around with different fruits and veggies with the kids and its motivating them to be more adventurous.  Uh, what else?  Soup, lots of hearty veggie soup.  Oh!  And I just pan seared some brussel sprouts and carrots and that was HEAVEN.   

I have been working out 6 days a week and again- I wouldn't go as far as to say I love it but I will say I'm having fun with it.  The kids and I have been playing Wii fit and that's been a blast.  We have just been trying to do more physical things.  We are putting on music and having dance parties too- and it helps chore time go faster and easier.

Over all- this is working AMAZING for me.  OH!  So, I tried a piece of fish this week.  I was shocked how different I felt afterward.  I could just tell that it was taking a while to work its way through.  I'm not turned off to fish- just think that its going to be a very sparing thing in my diet.  Honestly- it all comes down to listening to my body.  I know how hippie it sounds but if I feel good- I'm eating it.  If I don't- I don't   It makes it much easier in not feeling deprived.  I remember how many meals I used to eat and just be SICK afterward. And then I would have it again and feel SICK.  And again, and again.  Why????  Its so dumb.

I am about to get on my soapbox for a second- so bare with me or quit reading if you don't want to hear it.  This may sound totally granola for me to say- but I feel like I have made the commitment to be kind to my body.  I love myself and my family- so I want to be healthy to be here.  Its not about losing weight.  Its not about being a size 4.  Its about feeling good and treating my very capable body well.  This body created three children.  I should probably thank it better than with a box of cheez its.  Anyway- I'm stepping down now.  Oh, and I did lose 4 lbs this week- in case you care.  Anyway- come play with me!  This is seriously fun.  Hope you are all healthy and happy!

Week one update!

OK guys!  It's been one week.  I just thought that I would check in and let you know how things are going in the world of operation sexy back.  I ate nothing this week except for veggies, fruit, eggs, yogurt, nuts and beans.  Sounds so boring-huh?  Well let me tell you- it was not!  I ate so many delicious things this week and never even for a second was I hungry.  My attitude with food is that counting calories is not realistic for me to maintain forever.  I think that its helpful to establish what a portion is, but for me- I will get discouraged and frustrated and eventually give up.  SO- I have decided that I am choosing healthy options and eating until I am full, and eating when I am hungry.  If that means every two hours I'm eating- so be it.

I made a HUGE batch of veggie soup with so many vegetables and spices it was almost like a stew because it was so chunky!  I had carrots, celery, onion, garlic, mushrooms, cabbage, green beans, zucchini, tomatoes, peppers- I made mine spicy because I like it that way.  I stored it in a huge bowl and when I wanted something warm- I ate that.  I ate an entire avocado this week.  I ate tons of Carbmaster yogurt.  I ate fresh fruit, canned fruit, frozen fruit.  I ate a huge green salad.  I ate a veggie and bean salad with a yummy vinaigrette   SO many delicious options!  I filled my grocery cart full of healthy veggies and it was so much cheaper than all the processed stuff.  So there goes my excuse that eating healthy is expensive.  I never got bored either because there were always a ton of options.  Not to mention- it was so easy to throw an apple, a banana and a hand full of pecans in my purse while I was out running errands!  Talk about fast food!

I also worked out everyday but Saturday.  I hopped on my treadmill for a 30 minute weight loss programmed workout.  I have found that if I get up and change right into my workout gear- socks included, I am much more motivated to workout and get it out of the way so I can shower and really tackle everything I have to do in the day.  So there goes my excuse that I dont have time to work out.  I put my IPOD in and set it to the workout mix I created, shut the basement door and went to work.  Let me tell you- it was like a dance party for me on the treadmill.  I really decided everytime I laced up my shoes that this was going to be FUN.  So it was!  I was lip singing and dancing (with my arms) as I walked and cat walked to the music.  The first few days were more challenging but even after the first four days, I felt a difference in my body- I was getting stronger.  When you get that feeling- its easier to stay motivated.

I also have been doing a TON of stretching and yoga stuff.  I'm NOT strong enough to do a lot of the poses just yet but I have been figuring out how to adapt them.  I have found that my hamstrings are loosening up and consequently its easier for my back to deal.  ( I have a super bad back and have to have injections in my SI joints )  I still don't look forward to working out but I have decided not to hate it either.  Its fun time with me and my IPOD.  Not to mention- Duncan will open the basement door and start cheering me on!  "Looking good Mama!", "Keep it up Mom, your doing GREAT!", "Your doing awesome Mom!".  If that isn't motivation, I am not sure what is.  My kids are proud of me.

Speaking of my kids....they have seen all the fruits and veggies that I have been eating and they are excited about it too.  Sophia has discovered her love for brussel sprouts and cabbage.  Duncan loves all the fruit.  They are eating better because I am eating better.  Always a good move.  They get excited going to the market because I let them pick out fruits and veggies that they haven't had before.  I got a papaya, a mango and some kiwi and we had a fruit platter and dipped it in vanilla yogurt for dessert!  The kids ADORED that!

So, I know I am sounding pretty enthused but the truth of the matter is that I am.  I feel great.  Really great!  I have energy and I am having fun with this.  In those moments where I want to cave- I just remind myself that I can do anything for 90 days and I'm fine once again.  I am remembering that weight loss and getting healthy is much more to do with the mind than the muscles.  Have fun with it rather than making it a chore!  Go into it excited to try new things and you cant help but have fun.

Now you are probably wondering what the numbers on the scale say....I would be too.  Its honestly not the most important thing to me but.....I am down 6 lbs this week.  That's basically a pound a day.  Not too shabby.  The numbers aren't what is keeping me motivated though strangely enough.  It really is the way I feel.  I have energy and I feel....good.  I don't know how else to explain it- I just feel good.  I know everyday may not feel like this- but right now it does!  By the way- I am not saying that my way of eating and working out is for you or for everyone.  Everyone is different and motivation is personal to you.  I'm just letting you know what is working for me!  What is your biggest motivator in the quest for health?