Image and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPic

Blizzard, Date night, Elbows, & My New Year's Resolution

Thursday, December 31, 2009

     I don't think I've ever made a New Year's Resolution, besides the every-year-nonchalant-i-want-to-lose-weight-this-year one. This year, though, I've already lost weight and I already know I'm going to keep at it. So, I have a NEW New Year's Resolution: to stop saying negative things about myself. And hopefully to get to a point where I stop thinking them, too. I'm learning more and more that the relationship I have with myself is one of the most important. If I get to goal and I don't already love myself, nothing is going to change. I'll gain all the weight back and end up still being miserable. So I plan to work very hard this year on learning about myself, trusting myself, being honest with myself, and loving myself EXACTLY AS I AM. One thing that I plan on doing to help achieve this resolution is talking to a counselor. I've been trying to find one that I am comfortable with for a very long time, but I need to make a better effort, so I am going to. This will definitely be as hard - probably harder - than losing weight, but I'm up for the challenge. I'm ready to start living my life.

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

     Yesterday was my & my honey's 1 year 8 month anniversary ♥♥♥. We're celebrating tonight (hopefully, if the weather allows!) by going to see a movie and eat at our favorite restaurant :). I'm so excited!! I love you boo!

     Ooohhh, and I also wanted to tell you something else - I think my elbows are getting smaller! Last night I was laying in bed with my arms over my eyes, and I realized that I could reach further across and that my elbows are growing bones :O! Woooooooh!

Image and video hosting by TinyPic

     It's seriously a blizzard here right now. I took pictures, but they look pretty much the same as the last snow pictures I posted and you can't really tell how hard it's coming down. I live in Texas, so we don't always get a lot of snow in the winter (or in any of the other seasons, hmph). This winter, thought, is a different story. It seems like it's snowing every other day! And I don't mean a light flurry; it's full-on, windy, big-flaked, sticking to everything, inches-thick snow. This particular storm started sometime last night and it still going strong; apparently it's not supposed to stop until 6pm! I just hope we can still go on our date! Other than that, I LOVEEEEEEE it :).

     Have you made a New Year's Resolution this year? What are you planning to do to make sure & stick with it?
     I hope you ALL have a PERFECT New Year and I will talk to you in 2010 ;)!
xo,
Carissa

Is this getting annoyingly repetitive??

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

 .............................................

MENU:
B - Fiber One Honey Clusters cereal w/nonfat milk (read the review I did on it here)
L - Smart Ones Artisan Creations Chicken Marinara w/Mozzarella Cheese Grilled Flatbread (WOW - YUMMMMMY!)


S - apple
D - large baked potato w/a little butter, cheese, and bacon bits




STATS:
Calories goal: 1,200-1,550
Today: 1,195 (close!)


Carbs goal: 163-236
Today: 192

Fat goal: 32-56
Today: 32

Protein goal: 60-127
Today: 51
 .............................................


I know, I know. I need to get back to more personal posts every once in awhile! I will. Do you guys enjoy these daily nutrition reports?? If you have any suggestions, I'm always open to hearing them :)!

REVIEW: Fiber One Honesy Clusters Cereal

If you like Raisin Bran, you'd probably like Fiber One Honey Clusters cereal. It tastes alot like Raisin Bran, just without the raisins ;).


I LOVE it and it's such an easy & delicious way to get in fiber with 13g per serving!

The first few bowls I had didn't have very many honey clusters, but now that I'm getting to the bottom half of the box there are plenty! I like to eat it plain as a snack, or with nonfat milk as breakfast (sometimes lunch or dinner, heh!). Try it out! :)

N u t r i t i o n R e p o r t & a thank you :]

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

MENU:
B - breakfast burrito made with eggs, cheese, salsa, and a wheat tortilla
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

L - PB&J and yoplait strawberry and banana yogurt
D - brown rice with soy sauce & a vegetable egg roll (SO GOOD!)

Image and video hosting by TinyPic




STATS:
Calorie goal: 1,200 - 1,550
Today: 1,271

Carbs goal: 163 - 236
Today: 171 


Fat goal: 32 - 56
Today: 44 


Protein goal: 60 - 127
Today: 50
  
(woot woot! 3 out of 4 is pretty good! :])


dividers Pictures, Images and Photos

I just want to say thank you to everyone who has commented/emailed me and all of my followers... it means so much to me and you all are a big part of the reason I've made it to this point. So THANK YOU & I love you ALL!!

always,
Carissa

Stickk.com



This website is pretty cool! Basically, you pick your goals (they don't have to be weight loss or health related, it can be absolutely ANYTHING) and put a contract on yourself to meet your goals. The goal I picked is to lose weight (obviously) at a minimum rate of 1.1 lbs/wk for 55 weeks. You have the option of putting $$$$ at stake (I didn't). You have to report each week, and for each week that you don't meet your goal, you have to pay up. When you set up your account you can choose to have your off-week payments go to your choice of a charity or anti-charity (a group whose views you disagree with)... if that's not motivation, I don't know what is!

I hope this all makes sense.. I had to look around the website and get set up before I fully understood everything (then again, I'm kinda slow sometimes ;]). But check it out! My username there is kuhrisuh, so add me if you'd like a supporter!

Nutrition Report

Monday, December 28, 2009

MENU:
B - Smart Ones Stuffed Breakfast Sandwich (read the review I did on it here)
L - Healthy Choice Country Breaded Chicken meal
     (I would not recommend this.. I ate the mashed potatoes and chicken & that's it, and the chicken made me feel so nauseous and weird until I finally made myself eat something for supper.)
D - Fiber One cereal w/nonfat milk (1 cup of each)

      1 mini blueberry bagel w/1 tbs crunchy peanut butter
               ^what can i say, i love breakfast!! :)


 STATS:

Calorie goal: 1200-1550
Today: 1020


Carbs goal: 163-236
Today: 156


Fat goal: 32-56
Today: 26


Protein goal: 60-127
Today: 51

10 Most Ineffective Exercises

 This was really shocking to me - I used to do some of these exercises at the gym! Well, not anymore!!  I decided to post the entire article as it's all good information:

 ~~~~~
10 Most Ineffective Exercises
By Raphael Calzadilla, B.A., CPT, ACE
Glee Contributor
Updated: Sunday, April 9, 2006


"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." -Albert Einstein

What if you suddenly found out that every workout you’ve been doing for months and months was unsafe, inefficient and graphically illustrated in the imaginary encyclopedia of bone head exercises?

We tend to look at certain areas on our body with disgust and anxiety. We look for quick fixes and the magical exercise that will solve all of our problems. That’s why infomercials sell “5 minute exercise solutions,” and love to prey on our weak emotional states and lack of knowledge related to physiology. Let’s get to the point: There are exercises that just plain stink. They’re inefficient, have a high injury risk and provide practically zero benefit.

The following list of exercises may surprise you. Consider your surprised reaction a step in the right direction. Here’s my top 10 most ineffective exercises list: This is by no means an exhaustive list - there are a lot more.

1. Adductor Machine -- The adductor machine is the exercise unit that you sit in while placing the inner part of your legs against a pad. You then push the legs toward each other, with the goal of reducing your inner thighs. Maybe you perform 20, 30 or even more reps to affect the area. This exercise will not reduce your inner thighs. You’d need enough resistance to create an impact on the muscle, so more than 15 reps aren’t going to accomplish anything. More importantly, it’s not the best range or plane of motion (direction) to affect the inner thigh.

2. Abductor Machine -- The abductor machine is the opposite of the adductor. In this case, you sit in the machine and place the outer part of your legs against a pad. You then push your legs away from each other, in the hopes of reducing your outer thigh area. Pushing the legs outward accomplishes very little for the outer thigh. Again, the plane of motion is ineffective. You say you can feel this machine? I can also feel my chest muscles if I perform a dumbbell press very slowly with a pair of five pound dumbbells, but that doesn’t mean it’s accomplishing my goal. There’s more to the puzzle than just feeling it.

3. Standing or Bent Over Twist -- Ever see someone in the gym with a broomstick behind their head twisting endlessly from left to right? The person mistakenly assumes that twisting for hundreds of reps will shrink the waist and decrease the size of the oblique muscles (love handles). This movement inefficiently affects the spinal erectors and places stress on ligaments. It provides no slimming effect on the “love handles”.

4. Upright Rows -- In this exercise, one grasps a barbell with hands approximately four inches apart, with palms facing the body. Standing in an upright position, the bar is pulled all the way up to the neck. The objective is to strengthen the upper trapezius muscles (the muscles at the base of the neck).

Internationally known research scientist, Michael Colgan, refers to this as a “bone head exercise,” in his book, The New Power Program, and I totally agree. The exercise puts undue stress on the very sensitive rotator cuff muscles of the shoulder and can easily cause injury.

5. Side Bends -- Grasping dumbbells and bending side to side in the hopes that the oblique muscles (love handles) will shrink, may actually make the area larger if you use heavy enough dumbbells. Is that what you want? Toss this exercise out the window. The only thing that’s going to get those ‘love handles” smaller is reducing overall body fat through cardiovascular exercise, brisk weight training and last but not least, a calorie reduced diet.

6. Behind The Neck Lat Pulldowns for the Back -- Performing this cable pulldown movement puts unnecessary stress on the rotator cuff muscles of the shoulders. I can’t begin to count the number of people who’ve experienced injuries from this and any behind the neck movement.

7. Shoulder Press Behind Neck -- Not only is this an unstable position, but it can lead to inflammation, pain in the shoulder and major rotator cuff injuries. The shoulder joint is extremely complex and much like the knee joint, easily prone to injuries. Lifting an object over the head while it sits behind the neck isn’t even a functional (every day) movement.

8. Straight Legged Sit Ups -- Performing straight legged sit ups (knees locked and extended) puts a lot of stress on the lower spine, and the jerky type movement required to lift from the floor can result in injury. According to Wayne Westcott, PhD., Fitness Research Director at the South Shore YMCA in Boston, "in a routine where any abdominal exercise movement places stress on the back, the risks outweigh the potential benefits.”

9. Seated Rotation Machine --These machines are found in gyms and people use them in the hopes of shrinking the waist line. In fact, you’ll usually see people rotating left and right on these machines for hundreds of repetitions. It does not shrink the waist and can place a great deal of pressure upon the ligaments of the spine.

10. Cardiovascular Exercise: More than 60 Minutes -- I realize you want to lose the most amount of fat in the least amount of time. I can understand that, but if the body can only lose up to two pounds of fat per week before it begins destroying muscle, why are you working out as if you’re attempting to lose five pounds per week? I generally recommend working at a capacity of 70 to 80 percent of your target heart rate. If you’re performing cardio more than 60 minutes at this level of intensity, you’re on a collision course for muscle loss. If you think it’s not important, you may want to re-consider.

I’ve seen people lose well over 100 pounds and lose it very, very fast. They did everything possible to lose weight (fat and muscle), as opposed to losing only fat and sparing muscle. The result is a soft and flabby looking body. Yes, they lost the 100 pounds, but did it in the most inefficient manner possible. The key to your success is not searching for an exercise that will reduce a trouble spot. It’s finding the most efficient exercises that will strengthen the area. Then, the combination of reduced calories, cardiovascular exercise and consistency does the rest of the work.


Raphael Calzadilla has over 14 years of experience as a personal trainer and bodybuilder, earned his B.A. in Communications from Southern Connecticut State University; is certified with ACE, APEX and successfully completed the RTS1 program based on biomechanics.
~~~~~


(Here is the link to the actual article.)

REVIEW: Smart Ones Stuffed Breakfast Sandwich


This was definitely something different for breakfast. It was really good, except for the turkey bacon. If you like turkey bacon, though, I'd definitely recommend it. When I have a problem with one of the Smart Ones meals, it's usually because of the meat. I'm not exactly a vegetarian - but if you've been following my blog you know that I pretty much eat boneless chicken and that's it.

Anyway, I still like it. I just did my best to pick out the biggest chunks of meat. It also has eggs, cheese, and peppers.. yum! 




Overview:

PROS:
  • Lower calorie than similar breakfast sandwiches
  • Comes with 2 per box
  • 16g of protein
CONS:
  • Turkey meat
  • Not as filling as other breakfast options (but I still wasn't left hungry)

nutrition repizzort

Sunday, December 27, 2009

MENU:
B - Fiber One Honest Clusters cereal w/nonfat milk
L - Weight Watcher's Smart One's Pepperoni Pizza Minis
      a few pieces of cantaloupe and grapes
D - bean & cheese burrito on a wheat tortilla (made w/fat free refried beans) w/salsa
      1 serving of Baked Tostitos Scoops tortilla chips w/salsa



STATS:
Calorie goal: 1,200-1,550
Today: 1,221

Carbs goal: 163-236
Today: 205

Fat goal: 32-56
Today: 27

Protein goal: 60-127
Today: 56


So close to my protein goal! And going under on the fat isn't a particularly bad thing.. so I'll consider today a success! :)
xo, Carissa

Weigh Day


 current weight: 204 lbs
pounds lost this week: 4
pounds lost to date: 45

um, wow. totally unexpected, especially after a holiday. let me just say:
Dancing Carrot Pictures, Images and Photos
I'm sure once I start working out again the loss will slow down. Which will happen next week... I can't believe there is only one week left of Christmas break :(! For whatever reason this semester starts wayyyy earlier than it did last year. Oh wellllll, at least I'll get to use the gym sooner!

My wounds are pretty much all the way healed up :)! I'm having some really bad pain in the lower part of my chest.. I talked about it with the boo & my mom and we came to the conclusion that my body is trying to get used to not having a gallbladder, so I might not be completely pain free for another couple of weeks or so. So there's the update on that.

I had a REALLY great Christmas. I hope you did too!!
always,
Carissa 





PS - Yesterday Old Navy was having a sale on jeans ($15!!) so I went to try to find some as mine are getting a tiny bit too loose. Aaaannnndd... I fit into 16s!! :) I didn't end up buying any, but the fact that I fit into them was enough. I'm gettin' there!

A pic of some of the Christmas lights we saw! :)

Saturday, December 26, 2009


Merry Christmas!

Nutrition Report

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Sorry I missed yesterdays.. I was too sleepy to post I guess! I've decided to shorten this post to my daily menu and the stats of the 4 nutrients I focus on the most. Hopefully now it will be to-the-point and quicker for you to read & me to do! :)

MENU:
B - cheerios w/milk & bananas



L - salad
D - pb&j w/a couple of bites of green beans (they tasted weird)
      10 quakers mini rice cakes, the ranch flavor

I'm doing everything I can to not eat the leftover chips & queso from our dinner last night. I had some then (it fit into my calories) and DON'T NEED ANY NOW. It's not like if I don't eat any tonight, I wont ever be able to again, right? Just gotta keep repeating these things to myself.. !

STATS:
*Nutrition goals are calculated for when I'm working out 5-6 days/week. So I will be aiming for below these goals until I start again (I should be able to around Jan. 8th).
Calorie goal: 1,340-1,690
Today: 1,119

Carbs goal: 179-258
Today: 150

Fat goal: 35-62
Today: 46

Protein goal: 60-139
Today: 41


I'm planning on trying out a protein shake mix (what do you recommend?) since I never eat much meat.. and I'm working on getting my calories back up! This has been my 9th day in a row to stay within calories.. I don't know if I've done that since I started. WOOO! I'm gonna make it 10, and then 11, and then 100000000000000000000000000000000000000!! Haha.

Anywayyyy, love you all!
-Carissa

WOW.


Did you know?

According to this CNN article, which discusses the accuracy of the 'calories burned' counters on workout machines, "the number of calories the machine indicates that you have burned is not exact...More often than not, the machines will overestimate by as much as 30 percent, though an overestimation of 10 percent to 15 percent is more likely."

Check out the article for good ways to get a more accurate estimate :).

Better Yourself Tip

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

BYT #12: If the amount of weight you have to lose is
overwhelming you, try thinking of it in time rather than
pounds. "I am going to lose 1 year.".."One month down,
11 to go!" If you are eating less and moving more throughout
that year, then you will definitely see a difference when
you've reached your 12 month goal.

(This tip came via 3FC. Cheeeeecccck it out :])

nutrition report

Monday, December 21, 2009

MENU:
B - 1/2 mini blueberry bagel with 1 tbs peanut butter
       1 cup nonfat milk
       banana
L - Weight Watcher's Smart Ones Pepperoni Pizza
D - salad (2 cups lettuce, 2 tbs ranch dressing, 2 tbs bacon bits, .25 cup shredded cheese)
      WW Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream cup

STATS:
[went over, went under, goal met]
*Nutrition goals are calculated for when I'm working out 5-6 days/week. So I will be aiming for below these goals until I start again. (I should be able to around Jan. 8th)

*Calorie Goal: 1340-1690
TODAY: 1119

*Carbohydrates Goal: 179 - 258
TODAY: 143

*Fat Goal: 35 - 62
TODAY: 47

*Protein Goal: 60 - 139
TODAY: 47

*Calcium Goal: 100 - 150
TODAY: 65

*Fiber Goal: 25 - 35
TODAY: 18

*Iron Goal: 100 - 150
TODAY: 31

*Sodium Goal: 500 - 2,300
TODAY: 1682

*Cholesterol Goal: 0-250
TODAY: 55

*Potassium Goal: 2,000 - 3,500
TODAY: 1288

 -

Weigh Day


current weight: 208 lbs
pounds lost this week: 4
pounds lost to date: 41

I'm not sure that this weeks loss is completely legit because my diet has been anything BUT normal since my gallbladder was taken out. But I'm taking it. I need somethin to feel good about! :)

I'm feeling better each day and will be back to posting more interesting stuff soon! Till then I'm enjoying catching up on all of your blogs :). Have a wonderful day!

xo-



Bye bye gallbladder!

Saturday, December 19, 2009



Yesterday and today are running together for me.. I had my surgery yesterday morning but it feels like it was this morning! I think because I've been sleeping for the majority of both days. I'm still really sore, but they gave me some pain medicine that seems to be working pretty well. My mom and sisters brought me the cards & flowers and my love has been taking such good care of me :).

Yesterday all I ate were some saltine crackers with my medicine and water... today I had a little more:


B-1/2 mini blueberry bagel, 1/2 raspberry yogurt
L-crackers

D-Healthy Choice potatoes & veggies side (see pics below)


Mmm :). So good!! Especially for only 100 calories for the whole thing.

My boyfriend made a good point today.. it's only gonna get better from here. So I'm focusing on that. Thank you for all your kind words & prayers! Talk to yall soon :)

-Carissa

nutrition report

Thursday, December 17, 2009

We got pretty much all of our Christmas shopping done today! Tonight I'll be wrapping presents and getting ready for my surgery tomorrow... I have to be there at 8am. So here's a quick nutrition report for today. Sorry it's so short, but I still have a lot to do before bed. I'll talk to you guys soon!


MENU:
B-1/2 mini blueberry bagel
    1 tbs peanut butter
    1 banana
L-wrap (included 1 cup lettuce, 1/4 cup spinach leaves, 1/4 cup shredded cheese, 1.5 tbs ranch dressing, & 1.5 tbs bacon bits)
D-Smart Ones Three Cheese Ziti Marinara

STATS:
[went over, went under, goal met]

*Calorie Goal: 1340-1690
TODAY: 989

*Carbohydrates Goal: 179 - 258
TODAY: 116

*Fat Goal: 35 - 62
TODAY: 45

*Protein Goal: 60 - 139
TODAY: 38

nυтяιтιon яepoят

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

W e l l . . . my tummy is having another rough day. Plus the medicine they have me on today & tomorrow to get ready for surgery is making it worse. Just saying so you know why my calories are so low.. hopefully after all this is over I'll be meeting more of my daily goals. And who knows whats up with that cholesterol level.. also, I'll figure out a format for this post eventually! :)

MENU:
B-apple
L-Healthy Choice BBQ Chicken meal (read the review I did on it here)

D-breakfast burrito (contained 1 flour tortilla, 2 large eggs, 1/4 cup shredded cheese, and 1/4 cup salsa)

STATS:
*These target numbers are for when I'm working out 5 days a week, so I should technically be aiming for under these #s until I start working out again.

[went over, went under, goal met]

*Calorie Goal: 1340-1690
TODAY: 830

*Carbohydrates Goal: 179 - 258
TODAY: 112

*Fat Goal: 35 - 62
TODAY: 26

*Protein Goal: 60 - 139
TODAY: 40

*Calcium Goal: 100 - 150
TODAY: 34

*Fiber Goal: 25 - 35
TODAY: 14

*Iron Goal: 100 - 150
TODAY: 27

*Sodium Goal: 500 - 2,300
TODAY: 1,221

*Cholesterol Goal: 0-250
TODAY: 485

*Potassium Goal: 2,000 - 3,500
TODAY:1,487

 -

I may have a snack before bed if I get hungry.. if so it'll be a yogurt. I hope you've all had a good day!

Water Worlds & Super Earths

I just found this article and thought I'd share. Pretty interesting!!

This brings up a topic of debate: aliens. Or other life forms besides our own. Do you think they exist?

Personally, I think the "alien" that the media has portrayed over the years - big head, small eyes, green, etc - COULD be real, but it seems more likely that ETs look completely different than humans, as they would have to live somewhere where the climate is completely different. Ya know?


I will say that I'm one of those people who has to see it to believe it. But at the same time it's like, how is it possible that out of all the millions and billions of other planets and solar systems out there, we are the only one with life?

Just my thoughts :). So yeah - what do you think?




PS - I'm not trying to offend anyone or get into a hardcore debate about this, just wanted to share my opinion and see what all my wonderful followers think! :)

Healthy Choice BBQ Chicken Meal Review

I picked this up while I was grocery shopping yesterday. It looked good & I was really surprised that it has a full meal for so few calories.
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
You can either microwave it or put it in the oven. Usually I'm the microwaving queen, but for this I decided to try the oven. Here it is, frozen, just out of the box:
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
And here it is after 25 minutes at 350 degrees F:
 Image and video hosting by TinyPic
(of course I had already eaten some of the chicken, lol)
It came with chicken in bbq sauce and potatoes,:
Image and video hosting by TinyPic
yellow and white corn, and apples covered in caramel sauce with granola:
Image and video hosting by TinyPic

OMG - SO GOOD. The only thing I didn't really like were the apples, but not because they were gross, just because I don't really like that sort of thing. But I definitely give this a THUMBS UP for being easy, delicious, and not over priced (it cost the same as my usual Smart Ones - about $3).

I'm gonna see what other kinds they have when I go shopping next. Has anyone tried this or any other Healthy Choice full meals? Thoughts?


xoo!!!
Carissa

N u t r i t i o n R e p o r t ;

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

I wanna try this out: posting what I'm eating each day and whether or not I met my nutrient goals. And I'll try to post pictures as much as I can remember to.. I usually start eating and am halfway done before I remember, hah. Anyway, here's today's :):

MENU:
B - 1 cup cheerios
      1 cup nonfat milk
L - salad (included 1.5 cup lettuce, 2 tbs ranch dressing, 1/4 cup shredded cheese, and 1 tbs bacon bits)
S - banana
D - 1 mini blueberry bagel
      1 tbs chunky peanut butter
      25 green grapes
      1 strawberries & bananas yogurt


My stomach is killing me today, so I guess I just haven't really felt like eating much... at least not anything really heavy. I actually haven't even eaten the yogurt yet.. might if I get hungry before bed. But here are the stats:

[went over, went under, goal met]
*Calorie Goal: 1340-1690
TODAY: 1051

*Carbohydrates Goal: 179 - 258
TODAY: 153

*Fat Goal: 35 - 62
TODAY: 40

*Protein Goal: 60 - 139
TODAY: 45

*Calcium Goal: 100 - 150
TODAY: 116

*Fiber Goal: 25 - 35
TODAY: 13


*Iron Goal: 100 - 150
TODAY: 76

*Sodium Goal: 500 - 2,300
TODAY: 1384

*Cholesterol Goal: 0-250
TODAY: 50

*Potassium Goal: 2,000 - 3,500
TODAY: 2677

 -

I'm really glad that I didn't go over on anything. I hope you are all having a great week :)

~Carissa

Delish or Dull: Cajun-Spiced Mashed Sweet Potatoes

Monday, December 14, 2009

I was looking for a new and different recipe to try.. and I came across this. What do you think? Delish or dull?

·······································
Cajun-Spiced
Mashed Sweet Potatoes
Ingredients:
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into 2" pieces
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/3 cup milk
Cajun seasoning to taste
salt to taste

Directions:
1. Place the sweet potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring the potatoes to a boil over high heat. Reduce the heat and simmer about 20 to 30 minutes, until the potatoes are done. Check by piercing with a fork; there should be no resistance. Drain well.
2. Mash the sweet potatoes with a potato masher or fork, or use a food mill.
3. Add the lime juice and stir well. Add the milk and stir. Add Cajun seasoning and salt, to taste.

Makes four 1/2 cup servings.

Nutrition Info (per serving):
Calories » 171
Fat » 1 g
Sat Fat » 1 g
Carbs » 38 g
Protein » 3 g
Sodium » 91 mg
Fiber » 5 g
·······································

Source: http://www.foodfit.com/recipes/recipe.asp?rid=12

Weigh Day

Sunday, December 13, 2009

And the verdict is...

212 lbs.
I did actually get down to 207, but this weekend got the best of me and I overate for two days :/. It feels so crappy. I don't know WHY I keep doing this, but I have to figure out some way to STOP.

Anyway, that's -2 from last week, so overall I'm happy. Friday is my surgery so I obviously wont be able to post pictures, and I don't know when I'll have my next weigh in. From here I think we'll just have to play it by ear. Ugghh.

-Carissa

PHOTO FRIDAY!

Friday, December 11, 2009

Image and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPic
Image and video hosting by TinyPicImage and video hosting by TinyPic
*DON'T FORGET - WEIGH INS CHANGED
TO SUNDAY, SO CHECK BACK!*

I haven't worked out since before Thanksgiving and I think it shows. My tummy is constantly bloated but I took these pictures before I ate anything today so it's not too bad... I've come down with a cold but hopefully it'll be gone within the next few days... my surgery is on Friday and I wont be able to workout much for probably 2 weeks after that, so I'm bummed and just ready to get back into it.

I need your words of encouragement :(. I want to lose weight, but I want to be FIT once it's lost, ya know? Do you think that I'll be able to make up for lost time when I am finally able to start working out hard again??

Thanks for reading & always listening!! Love you all!!
-Carissa

CHRISTMAS BREAK FTW!!!!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Image and video hosting by TinyPic
Finals are OVER & it's Christmas break! I'm so happy! Christmas is my absolute favorite time of year!!! Look at our little tree! We still haven't put all the ornaments on yet, and I have no idea why the middle trand of lights wont work, but it still looks beautiful :]. Tomorrow's Photo Friday so make sure to check back for my updated pictures (ugh! I feel like I look BIGGER than in the last :/..)! xox!

Who watched the BL Season Finale last night?

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

I only ever watched the first episode of the season of Biggest Loser that just ended.. but I did catch the last 30 minutes of the finale.. and all I can say is, WOW. Wow wow wow. Everyone looked SO good! Most were unrecognizable. Nothing gets a girl motivated like the Biggest Loser does! You can check out the before/after pictures from all the contestants here :).

I bought Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred from walmart.com. I'll do a review on it once I start it. From what I've read & heard, it's a really good, hard workout. I'm glad I'll have it to use as my workout during winter break!

I hope you've all been staying healthy! Talk to you soon!

Good News & Not-So-Good News

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Welllll it's been awhile since my last weigh in, and today when I finally crawled out of bed I weighed @ 214. So that's the good news! I'm still chuggin along, just slowly... oh and I also decided to change my weigh day to Sunday. Hopefully that will help keep my on track over the weekends. I'll still do Photo Friday though, so no need to worry! ;)
The other news that isn't so good: I have to have my gallbladder taken out. On Thursday I have the consultation with the surgeon and I guess that's when we'll schedule the actual procedure. I've never had surgery or anything before so I'm nervous.. but I'm so happy that we caught it & it's getting taken care of. I can't wait to see what my tummy feels like afterwords! The nurse said it would feel TONS better. For now I'm just trying to eat better than I have been the past 2 weeks and rest. I don't know when I'll be able to get back to the gym 100% again, but I'll be ready!

I have 2 more finals to take this week and then I'm DONE for the semester. Woot woot! Unfortunately the tests are going to be really hard and I've got to study study STUDY. But I'll still be posting!

I love you all and thank you for the support!!
-Carissa


*Update*
After my appt with the surgeon yesterday, he wanted me to get another ultra sound of my gb. So I did that this morning, and was finally able to schedule the surgery. It will be on December 18th.. I wish it were sooner, but at least now I have a date. I hate not being able to workout as hard as I want to!

Better Yourself Tip

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

BYT #11: Pretzels, baked chips, and other snacks can be a healthy way to stay satisfied between meals. The problem is, they come in big bags, which can lead to eating more than one serving. To help, you can split up the entire bag into single servings and put them in zip lock bags. Then you'll have a perfectly portioned snack ready whenever you need it!

The First Snow!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Look what I woke up to this morning!!

 
 
 
 


It hasn't snowed this much here in a long time - and it's still coming down! I'm really excited! I probably wont be once I have to drive in it, but I love it right now! Ha ;).

I have NOT been eating well or exercising this week.. UGH. C'mon, Carissa, GET IT TOGETHER.


I have a paper to write and plenty of studying to do, so I'm gonna get on that.. I hope you are all having a wonderful weekend!

xo, Carissa