Week Two: I Had No Idea

My Weekly Update

This picture is how I felt all week – surrounded by food that I could use to avoid underlying issues while fighting to stay on track. I used to be able to eat nothing but healthy food and had no problem avoiding what I should not eat. Now for some reason – I have lost all of my will power. When I was a personal trainer, I used to tell my clients to just not eat what they are not supposed to – how hard is that? Well, I just found out. I had no idea what they meant when they would say, “you just don’t understand how hard it is for me.” I didn’t have even a quarter of the stress then that I do now and I see now what that can do to someone. I used to shop when I was stressed, now I eat. I just need to find the balance in my life and try not to be perfect at everything, because it is impossible. It was a rough week, between no sleep, a sick baby and a sick husband, and then getting sick myself, I broke down on the day it was 91 degrees and ate a lot of ice cream. Needless to say it made me feel worse. I am not giving up though. My husband will be the first to say that I am an “all or nothing” kind of person – if I can’t be 100% then I won’t do it at all. I really need to fix that otherwise it will be a huge struggle with myself, and I have found that I am my own worst enemy. I make excuses for myself and I will be the first to say, if you go looking for excuses – you’re going to find them. I saw one of my friends recently who is beyond gorgeous – tall, blond, very fit, and I found myself embarrassed that she had to be seen with me. That is the day I realized that it is me holding me back, not anyone else. Nobody can make you feel good about yourself, it has to come from within and I am hoping to find the person I love in me, and then I know the rest will fall into place.

Tip of the Week

Find yourself a food sponsor, someone you can call or talk to anytime when you might be having an issue. My husband has generously offered to be mine. Instead of eating when I am upset or stressed I will go to him or call him and talk it out or he will just be there for me until I can figure out what the real issue is instead of eating it away and feeling worse afterwards.

Exercise of the Week

T R I C E P D I P S

I was waving goodbye to one of my co-workers the other day and I realized that after I stopped waving my arm was still moving. I mean what is that? So this week I am promoting tricep dips to zap the goodbye flap!

Exercise Instructions:
Get a nice sturdy chair. Put your heels on the floor around shoulder width apart. Place your hands on the edge of the chair with your elbows straight. Keeping your body close to the chair, slowly dip down until your elbows are at the same height as your shoulders. Slowly push back up squeezing through the triceps. Do not lock the elbows out at the top of the exercise, and repeat.

Goals for the Week

1. Find 20 minutes a day to workout. Do something creative! You’ve seen those little old ladies that speed walk in the mall? Join ‘em!! I have a sinking feeling that right now they could kick my trash :)
2. We’ve already made over one meal a day last week – let’s challenge ourselves to keeping that up and also making good healthy snack choices – if you have great snack ideas that you like please post a comment at the end of this entry – I LOVE new ideas.
3. Do one thing for yourself this week. Take an hour by yourself, read a good book, get a mani/pedi – something that you can reward yourself with other than food.

Recipe Makeover of the Week

Chicken Caesar Wrap

I enjoy chicken caesar salads and wraps so much, and Red Robin’s Caesar’s Chicken Wrap was my favorite, but not good for me at all. Here is my version of the wrap.

What you will need:
Boneless skinless chicken breast (2 or 3)
Wheat tortillas
Mixed greens
Tomato diced
Shredded parmesan cheese
Kraft Free Classic Caesar

How Much Should I Eat?
4 oz of dices chicken
1 wheat tortilla
3 cups mixed greens
¼ cup diced tomato
2 Tbsp. shredded parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp. Kraft Free Classic Caesar

Boil the chicken breast in water with Mrs. Dash seasoning in the water, once cooked, let cool and then dice chicken. Put your mixed greens in a bowl along with your chicken and toss with the dressing. Place in center of the tortilla and place the parm cheese and tomato on top. Roll up and enjoy.

Not Full? I love throwing in some yummy veggies like cucumber, bean sprouts or onion or eating some fibrous veggies on the side like broccoli and cauliflower – it keeps you fuller longer and adds a minimal amount of calories.

The Comparison:

Red Robin Chicken Caesar Wrap (NOT including fries)

1243 calories, 60 grams of fat

Ladies in Weighting Chicken Caesar Wrap

390 calories, 5 grams of fat