Bring it on 2016!

Weekly Update: This week I am down 0.6lbs for a new total of 78.8lbs.   I'm really proud of myself because I gave myself an advance 'ok' to eat as I pleased on Christmas Day.  Why am I pleased? For a few reasons...

🔹 I didn't beat myself up for some of the food choices I made
🔹 I planed for it, and was able to move on after the fact
🔹 I ended up feeling lethargic and not so great after, a reminder that eating well makes me FEEL good

I also learned that next year I need to prepare a little better in terms of what I contribute. Our holidays have gotten much smaller which means less options, and as a vegetarian, I had even less options. They included: Cheesy Mashed Potatoes, Cheesy/Buttery Broccoli Casserole, Butternut Squash (but the amount for the whole family of 12 was what I could eat in on sitting), Rolls, Butter, Pretzels & Cheese, Bread Bowl & Cottage Cheese.

I wanted to start the blog with this photo because it represents two extremely happy and proud women. On the left was last Christmas, I was sitting right around 40 pounds lost and I felt on top of the world proud. This was the first 'normal' outfit I had worn since I got pregnant 2 years prior. Looking at the two photos, there is another 40 pounds difference - and I'm still just as proud and happy. Both of these represent parts of the 'middle' of my journey and I thought it was really important to share.

So two my earlier point, on my fitness and nutrition plan - I wanted to share these photos - leading up to the holidays I was starting to see my nutrition do a slippery slide after Thanksgiving (photo on the left - puffy and bloated, and up about 5 pound from where I've been maintaining the last 6 months).  I thought, I could wait until the New Year, but why?!  The photo on the right was taken two weeks later on Christmas morning after my workout.  I chose to dial my nutrition back in and it has made a huge impact on how I feel (and my ability to 'keep' my indulgent eating to the one day on Christmas.

I wanted to give a pull up update - close to 2 months in and still not nearing a real pull up - I do a combination of jumping up and using the assist band - but what I'm most proud of (despite the fact that I thought I'd be able to do one by now) is that I have not given up on myself or let feelings of frustration and self defeat get in the way.

This girl right here, she is DETERMINED.  This was taken mid workout and I am wiped, the video footage that captured this shows me huffing and puffing.   The workouts don't get easier, because the stronger I get the more I push myself - that's what makes this journey so much fun (once you get over the fact that you are working out, of course!)

So this week was sort of fun in a few ways because we had some freakishly warm weather - 60s on Christmas day and the days leading up to it. I LOVE warm weather, so you better believe me when I say I took advantage!

We had a fantastic Christmas morning - 7 of us total celebrated and enjoyed presents from Santa (my parents, sister, her fiance, my husband and I and of course my little 2 year old baby boy).

My favorite gift of all came from Santa (aka my parents) - I got this amazing bench for my workouts!   Who'd have thought 2 years ago that I'd be working out again?  Not me!   And here I am getting benches from Santa.

This blog wouldn't be complete without a photo of my family on Christmas Eve.  This little guy and his happiness is really at the forefront of everything I do.   I am proud to say that he insisted we leave Shakeology (which is what's in the milk glas) and water with chia seeds in it for Santa - he's clearly watching me day in and day out!

And it's a good thing, since I snagged some of Santa's "milk shake" and chia water after Ben was asleep!

Some more food news..

On Christmas Eve day, I had also given myself some flexibility, I didn't go overboard, and I made sure to start my day strong - I just ate a little more for breakfast than I typically do.  I love this particular option of putting veggies on the side instead of fruit or potatoes!

And my new favorite food recently has been this curry that I've been making. I've been mixing it with various 'extras' depending on the day - here it is with a veggie burger, rice and asparagus. 

I highly recommend the recipe: http://spryliving.com/recipes/crock-pot-butternut-squash-chickpea-coconut-curry/ 

My other favorite recipe I posted in my blog last week - but it's my butternut squash 'pizza crust' topped with any toppings of my choice. It's insanely easy and extremely tasty.  I prefer it over regular pizza!

Here is my proof! For Christmas Eve we got regular pizzas, I enjoyed my regular pizza instead - I did have half a piece of one of the pizzas and realized it wasn't even half as good as the butternut squash one I had made.

Here is another new favorite and it's So easy - scramble some eggs (uncooked), spray a few muffin tins - put half a muffin size worth of egg, top with chopped veggies and pour a little more egg on top.  Back at 350 for about 20 minutes and freeze or just eat!

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Contact: fitandbalancedmom@gmail.com