This post is written as part of a journey inspired by the Heart and Stroke Foundation’s My Healthy Weight Action Plan, an online tool geared towards helping you live a healthier life. Feel free to get caught up on previous posts: Week 1, Week 2, Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7
Here are the stats to show my progress in my “Get Healthy Challenge”:
Start Weight: 190 pounds
End of Week 1: 185 pounds
End of Week 2: 183 pounds
End of Week 3: 182 pounds
End of Week 4: 179 pounds
End of Week 5: 179 pounds
End of Week 6: 176 pounds
End of Week 7: 176 pounds
Starting BMI: 28.9
End of Week 1 BMI: 28.1
End of Week 2 BMI: 27.8
End of Week 3 BMI: 27.7
End of Week 4 BMI: 27.2
End of Week 5 BMI: 27.2
End of Week 6 BMI: 26.8
End of Week 7 BMI: 26.8
My goal is to reach a normal BMI which would be 24.9 (the top of what is considered a “normal” BMI) at 164 pounds and from there, I plan to reassess.
Exercise Update
This week, we received a copy of Zumba Fitness Rush for Kinect (XBox 360) and wow am I ever excited! I will post more about this game another time, but let’s just say it sure is a good work out and a lot of fun! I also played DDR (Dance, Dance Revolution) a couple of times, but not at the same level of difficulty as last week. I’ve really been craving walking if that makes any sense. I’m going to have to somehow figure out how to fit this into my week this week. I love to walk!
Healthy Eating Update
Well, the convenience of my Keurig machine has set in. The combination of that and the lack of sleep this week made me crave coffee a little more than I am happy about. I have to say though, I also had my fair share of hot water which is great. I did discover a yummy evening “treat” that is good for my body! I made a hot protein powder drink. This drink is somewhat reminiscent of hot cocoa because it is basically hot water and chocolate flavoured protein powder. I am going to try this with a splash of almond milk and I suspect it will be an acceptable alternative to hot cocoa.
I snacked on lots of raw veggies this week: celery, carrots, broccoli and green beans. I found myself to be rather nibbly this week and as a result, I believe I ate more than I should have (calorie wise). I found myself to have lost a tiny bit of momentum this week and I’m not too sure the cause of this. Could it be that I was overtired and not feeling 110% myself so I my inner voice wasn’t as strong? Perhaps! I had better focus a bit better this coming week. I think I need to come up with some new things to say to myself as I find myself craving more food. What I am thankful for is that my cravings aren’t as “bad” as they used to be (most of the time). I’m craving eating instead of eating junk which is a good start.
Heart and Stroke “My Healthy Weight Action Plan” Update:
I am continuing to use the FREE online Heart and Stroke Foundation My Healthy Weight Action Plan Tool in order to track the food I am eating. This week, I wasn’t as good at using the Planning Tool and I found that I really missed it! There were a few days where I hadn’t planned anything in advance and my busy life got in the way. When it came time for preparing a meal, I found my head wasn’t on straight and I struggled with ideas. This week, I plan on brainstorming a list of meal and snack ideas so that I have them written down. I am also setting a goal to get my week planned using the Planning Tool before Sunday night.
The Goal Tool is a tool that I haven’t revisited since I originally set my goals. I should revisit this tool this week too. I plan on using the “To Do This Week” section in my daily tracking sheet to create some daily goals for myself. This might make my goals more tangible.
This Week’s Challenges:
- I was craving eating this week. I found myself to be hungry more and it was more difficult to stay healthy.
- Exercise. GAH – I struggle with this!
- Getting enough sleep.
This Week’s Smiles:
- I love the Zumba Xbox game that we got this week!
- I get giddy when thinking about all of the new recipes that I have to try out.
- Raw veggies! I ate a lot of them!
Goals for Next Week:
- Exercise! I am still not exercising as much as I would like to or as much as I should.
- Continue to find healthy recipes.
- Make some new recipes!
Last week, I found the yummiest breakfast recipe! I have renamed it Fruity Baked Oatmeal and it is the yummiest breakfast I think I’ve ever had. I made it with oats, almond milk, greek plain yogurt, fruit, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, maple syrup and eggs. When I ran out of this breakfast, I found myself missing it. It really tastes yummy AND it fills me up! I’ve made a new batch of this breakfast (it makes 8 servings) for this week and am super duper excited to eat breakfast!
Check out some more healthy recipes I’ve found:
Brussel Sprout and Broccoli Slaw
Individual Cookie Dough Oatmeal Cake (Breakfast)
Breakfast “Grab and Go” Cookies
Biggest Loser Oatmeal Pancakes
Sweet and Sour Roasted Chickpeas
Here are some healthy recipe websites and blogs that I referred to this week:
- www.heartandstroke.com
- www.busybuthealthy.com
- www.skinnytaste.com
- SnackGirl.com
- Eat Yourself Skinny
- Mairyln Smith: Healthy Cooking Seasoned with Laughter
Here are the Blog Hops if you are interested in checking them out:
- Canadian Coupon Mom
- Kat’s Confessions
- Little Miss Kate
- My Little Review Corner
- Pampered Patty
- Sober Julie
- Whispered Inspirations
- If I’ve forgotten to mention you, please let me know!
Are you trying to stay motivated in eating healthier and living a healthier lifestyle? What were your challenges and/or successes this week? Even if you are sticking to your usual routine, I’d love for you to take a moment to write me a comment. I am not kidding one little bit that the comments I receive truly do help me to keep motivated! Thank you so much for your support.
Opinions expressed belong to Multi-Testing Mommy and are NOT influenced in any way. See MTM’s Disclosure for more details.
Great work Amanda! Your challenges are common among all those trying to lose weight but you’re doing an amazing job of overcoming them! Stay focused! You can do it!
And PS. Love the hot cocoa idea! I never thought of that!
Oh my goodness! You are doing fabulously!!! Keep up the awesome work! You are amazing! XOXOXO
wow! you’re doing really well! that oatmeal looks delish too
Your breakfast is delicious looking! I think the kids would love it too.
that breakfast looks so yummy! it might even get me to eat breakfast which I never do! bad I know!
You are doing so good and almost at your goal weight girly! WOOT!!
That breakfast looks yummy, thinking about trying that some time this week. 🙂
You’re doing awesome. My week was tough too!
That drink sounds … interesting 🙂 I am sticking with my herbal tea!
Okay – so I actually love my workouts. Seriously. And when it means being on a treadmill at 4:30 am it means something is working for me.
I use motivating phrases. Maybe that will help?
My running one is “nothing hurts more than the pain of regret”
(that’s when I’m pushing it or out of breath – it’s obviously not a general statement cuz hello … i have given birth)
Also
“Get comfortable with being uncomfortable”
They work.
And when I’m at yoga. I literally repeat to myself “be present – this is exactly where you are supposed to be”
And I created one for you for Zumba and DDR.
“I cannot possibly look as ridiculous doing this as Laural would” 🙂
You’re welcome!
Keep up the good work, Amanda, not every week will be “perfect” but keeping up with some positives each week will help you stay on track — such as nibbling on lots of raw veggies when you felt nibbly!
That oatmeal looks delicious! I am so glad you are doing amazing! I’m not doing as much exercise as I’d like to either but, the way I see it, you’re still lapping everyone on the couch! Any moving! Keep it girl! You are awesome!
Gosh, I have to say I love how organized you are through out this. Look at your great results.
Your doing wonderful and I need to borrow some of your motivation
-SASS
http://twochildrenandamigraine.blogspot.com/2012/02/tasty-tuesday-spaghettini-with-roasted.html
Your doing so well!
SASS
http://www.talesofmommyhood.blogspot.com/2012/03/do-as-i-say-not-as-i-do.html
I think you are doing fantastic, you should be very proud of yourself! Slow and steady is better.
I also need to thank you for posting the heart and stroke app, what an amazing way to keep track for free!
I’m late getting my post up, but my daughter and I are going to help each other with our measurements this afternoon. Will let you know when it’s up 🙂
Adventures in Miscellany – SASS
http://adventuresinmiscellany.wordpress.com/2012/03/03/an-autistic-boy-and-his-dog/
ahhh sleep that is one i stuggle with too. Everything is just so busy these days between work, blogging, family etc that sleep always gets the short end of the stick
-SASS
Awesome work! It’s the challenging weeks that set the basis for a lifetime of great change.
I’ve been struggling with my sweet tooth this week, and I too need to work on that regular exercise. I’ve been slacking more than I would like!
Oops! Forgot to say that I was stopping by from SASS
You’re doing so amazing, Amanda! Keep up the great work. Your challenges are totally natural. I’m facing the virtually right a long with you.
I hope you enjoy Zumba! I have it for Wii and have created my own personal playlist. I love Cairphina, I Wanna Move, Dance Dance Dance, Zoka Zumba, Pause… just to name a few.
Thanks for also sharing the healthy recipes. Always looking for new meals to try!
(visiting from SASS)
oh my gosh wow!! look at those numbers! you’re doing amazing!!
I’ve really been working on ways that i like vegetables this week(ie kale chips, etc)…up next learning to exercise!
~SASS
Amazing results since you started this challenge – Congratulations! Way to go!!
SASS
http://www.littlecooltoys.com/blog/creative-play/
Awesome! The oatmeal dish sounds divine! That is the biggest trouble I have…eating. I am so used to running on coffee and eating once a day that it has taken some work to get onto a healthy eating routine. I love the xbox Zumba game! Kicks my butt every single time! We need to work out a good time to Zumba it up! 😉
That fruity baked oatmeal looks way yummy. I need to take a look at the HSF planning tool. I really need to plan out some healthy quick options ahead of time. I think this is my major downfall. I’m hungry, the kids mean I have no time to be in the kitchen, and I grab some really horrible snacking options just because it is quick and ready food.
Oh and that last comment should have said – SASS
NOvember 16-Let’s get healthy together -week 8. I am working through your posts rather quickly and I find them of immense help in being motivated. I made a protein shake last evening and so wasn’t craving all evening. It was a great help. I have exercised every day this week which makes me feel better. I am only weighing onee a week so hoping I am doing ok. I am planning on making your recipe for ‘Fruity Baked Oatmeal.’ Sounds healthy and delicious!-Elva Roberts