Tag Archives: weight loss

Taco Tuesday

It’s Tuesday, and everyone loves tacos; especially my husband James. I mentioned on my last post I’m trying to find balance with food, and eat non processed at least five days a week, and relaxing within portions on my days off. It’s all about healthy eating, balance and mostly portion control. I’m an easy vegan, but pleasing someone else for dinner is not always as easy. He likes meat substitutes on the regular, so I made Vegan Tacos. Super easy and easy to count on my WW app. I’m probably the only person in the universe who doesn’t get excited for tacos, but these were extra tasty. Happy Taco Tuesday. These can be made healthier by omitting the vegan grounds and just having the black beans with more veggies. Cauliflower would be a delicious addition, I will try that on our next Taco Tuesday.

Ok, all you need is corn tortillas, pre-diced onions and peppers, chopped garlic, olive oil, vegan grounds, black beans, taco spice packet, microwave single serving brown rice and quinoa, two cans no salt diced tomatoes, vegan cheddar cheese, vegan sour cream, red enchilada sauce.

Really easy, sauté onions and peppers for five minutes in olive oil, add garlic, add vegan grounds and a can of diced tomatoes and continue to brown and stir. Add packet of taco spice and mix in no salt black beans and remove from heat.

Microwave two pre-packaged brown rice and quinoa servings, add to bowl with 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce and a can of diced tomatoes.

Super easy, layer tacos as you like them on corn tortillas. Rice, vegan grounds, avocado, Vegan cheese and vegan sour cream.

Maybe tacos are something wonderful. These are delicious and super easy. Make sure to portion and count them.

Happy Taco Tuesday

Rose

Focus on Fitness

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I’m always starting over, but that’s ok. I will continue to start over until I get it right. There is no failure, everything is a learning lesson. For me losing weight is not linear, it’s a zig zag line of ups and downs. Part of the problem is I’ve been focusing on the numbers and not so much on fitness. The scale isn’t the problem, it’s me. So how do I correct my past mistakes and get on the road to weight loss and fitness success like I was when I started this blog in 2013? Let’s start with health and wellness, and less emphasis on numbers.

I weighed in today at 175 lbs. That is 5 lbs up from what I was a few weeks ago, but here’s the deal. I did crazy things the day before weigh in to help me weigh less. I do not recommend doing anything that’s unhealthy to get a better number on weigh in day. You are not a number, repeat that firmly and loudly. You are not a number. 170 lbs probably was not my true weight anyway, since I fasted and cut water on Sundays. I have a hard time admitting I did such unhealthy steps just to get a better number on Monday when I stepped on the scale. Repeat this too, health is your number one priority. I weighed 170 lbs and I ended up with a kidney infection probably due to dehydration. It’s just not worth hurting yourself over. I had eating disorders when I was younger, and it’s quite obvious those old ghosts still haunt me. It’s ok, I’m haunting them back. Here’s a big boo to my ghosts of eating disorders past, and how I’m going to get it right finally.

I will weigh in once a week, it’s important to know where you are but not obsess with the number on the scale. It’s sounds contradictory, but for me I need to know where I stand. No more doing unhealthy steps the day before weigh in, Sunday’s with be healthy vegan food. No fasting, no water cutting, it’s business as usual. I will post in the following weeks my food plan, always vegan but always needing to portion control and stay accountable. What I put in my temple should be fuel not trash, of course within balance. I’ve discovered when my balance is off I tend to binge eat.

I asked Melissa from Melissa Bender Fitness to help me with personal workouts to get me started, and my workouts will be Monday-Friday and cardio daily. I’m going to focus on moving more and obsessing less. I’m going to find the joy I once had in exercising and quit procrastinating. It’s not that hard. My thanks to Melissa Bender Fitness for helping me on my new journey.

That’s it for now. Today I begin again in gratitude because I’m healthy enough to be able to begin again. Remember this, it’s really all you need to get started. My new emphasis will be wellness, fitness, strength, agility, flexibility and my mind and body connection. Weight loss will be the bonus. A quick mention for the volunteering I promised for Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary, I’m still planning to go. My husband James is doing a lot of traveling and as soon as that settles we will be volunteering together. He asked me to wait for him, so I’m giving him time to follow through with his appointments first.

Love and Light to you. Take care of your temple, nurture your body and soul. If something does not serve you do not do it. You are beautiful, but beauty on the inside is so much more sustainable. Let’s get healthy and well so we can tackle our goals and take on the world. That’s a beautiful thing.

Rose

WEIGH IN AND WELLNESS

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Happy first day of October. I hope everyone is getting some apple cider and enjoying the brand new season. I love Autumn, even though here it’s still very hot and humid. There’s lots of positivity and change coming my way, I feel it deep in my soul. I always say Change comes on slow and then runs you over. We will see in the following weeks and months where change will take us. For now I’m healing from my kidney infection and focusing back on my goals. Remember to always drink enough water even the day before weigh in. I thought it was a good idea to cut water and fast the day before my weigh in days. I dehydrated myself and it’s probably one of the reasons I got a kidney infection. Lesson learned, there are no short cuts to true weight loss, wellness, health and fitness.

I mentioned last time I posted I am staying on WW ( formally weight watchers). My diet has not been clean and even though I’m losing weight I do not feel well. I decided to clean up my act for 30 days. I’m always going to be vegan, but I don’t always eat whole food and plant based. I’m going to eat clean vegan for 30 days. Perfect, on Halloween I can enjoy my favorite vegan fun foods. I’m also cutting out my vegan mayo and vegan butters, replacing with Whole Foods like avocado, nut and seed butters. The goal is to feel better, so I can focus on fitness and wellness. I’m so happy and proud that vegan alternatives are so readily available, and I’m a fan; but for me I need to try to eat those items in moderation. I will be experimenting with cooking and recipes. A few of my vegan cookies from the bake sale are wfpb.

Late breakfast today. I had to help my hubby James get ready for his flight to D.C. I’m having toasted Ezekiel bread with pure nut butter and bananas.

If you are vegan I would love you to join me on this 30 day challenge. My weight is still 173 lbs. I didn’t make my goal to make it in the 160’s by the end of September, so my goal is now for the end of October. I can do this.

Love and Light for today I’m out!

Rose

I REJOINED WW ONLINE( after two week break)

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Before I get into my post I wanted to address Tropical Storm Imelda. We are in Houston and we are safe. I pray for all of those around me affected by another devastating storm. I’m so grateful to the rescuers, the businesses and churches opening their doors for shelter. Thinking about my friends at Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary. A big shout out to Mattress Mack. I would love to meet him someday. He always ways opens his door to those in need.

I was doing so well with my food, I was down 13 lbs since joining WW online. Two weeks ago I believed I could go it without WW so I let go of my membership. In that two weeks life happened, it always does. One comfort food meal turned into another and all of a sudden I was out of control. I could feel my fear of food and my eating disorder issues creep back into my psyche. It took a pasta and vegan key lime pie binge, and the sickness I felt after to send me back to WW online. I rejoined at 2 am.

I woke up with peace with food. I felt my support was there. I started tracking my day and I made healthy choices. I feel back in control despite the fact I went up 6 lbs in two weeks. Better to catch it now and begin the process of losing and getting fit before I gain even more weight. Healing in mind, body, and spirit and giving back. Those are my goals on this blog. I made a delicious tofu scramble with spinach and veggies, no oil. I split my whole grain Dave’s bagel with my husband. I ate, I’m satisfied and I have zero guilt. That’s worth every penny of my monthly WW fee if $19.99. Love and Light to all and stay safe if you are in Houston. Rose

My Fitness Challenge

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Today is my day one of fitness challenge to Halloween. My current weight is 170 lbs, down 23 lbs since last year. Yesterday I prepped by shopping. I bought Hemp Protein and a few very inexpensive workout shirts I found for $3.00 each. I just bought for comfort and my budget, and later when I feel like I’m advancing in my fitness challenge I will purchase better workout gear. Right now the goal is to just get moving. I also bought new running socks, but was so disappointed when they weren’t in my bag when I got home. I need new sneakers and now new socks too, but I will purchase those items at a later date.

It’s raining cats and dogs here in Houston, and I have to go into work. I will be doing a lot of my workouts after work so I can utilize the energy built up from waiting tables. The gym is in my building so I don’t have any excuses. Tonight I will do 60 minutes plus ten sun salutations, and legs up a walk before bed to help with circulation.

My body doesn’t feel like eating much today, so I listen to my body and drink a lot of water. That always happens to me after a day of eating too much. I could say I never binge but that would be a lie, when I eat pasta I always end up overeating and getting sick. Note to self, no pasta for a very long time. I will make a hemp protein drink to take to work for evening fuel.

If you are just starting a fitness journey I have simple advice for you. Start where you can if you are not familiar with fitness or it’s been a long time since you’ve worked out. If you can’t run, walk. If you can lift, do body weight exercises. If you cannot touch your toes, touch your knees. All you need to do is to begin, the rest will follow and you will progress. Soon you will be doing things you never dreamed of but for now just move. I follow Melissa Benderfitness for workouts, yoga and running tips. Here’s her link. Love and Light Rose http://www.benderfitness.com/

44 Day Challenge

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Did you know it’s 44 days until Halloween arrives? This really begins the Autumn/Holiday season for many. My hubby James and I always have our little tradition. We eat burgers ( now vegan) and carve pumpkins and drink cider, all watching scary movies. It’s a tradition we honored since our Pittsburgh days. This year we will not let that tradition slide by.

Today I’m starting a 44 day challenge. I’m going to try to show up here daily and share what I’m doing. I’m going to take it Day by day because I may change things up, but my plan is to focus on nutrition, fitness and goals. To show up daily despite my work schedule. I’ve lost 23 lbs but in my opinion I’ve been not working as hard as I can. I watched a video with Tao-Porchon Lynch and she really inspired me. So today begins my challenge. It’s 44 days until Halloween. Let’s do this!!

No cheat days until Halloween. No pasta. Only whole grain foods in moderation. A little dark chocolate is ok. I’m really going to try to not eat my goodies at our bake sale, just the vegan healthy cookies but in moderation. No refined junk of any kind. I’m going to eat clean vegan.

Daily Yoga Sun Salutations, and some other workouts. I’m using Melissa Bender Fitness, and my cardio will be walking, running etc. I plan to move 60 minutes a day plus ten sun salutations daily. Legs up a wall before bed. I don’t care if my workout before or after work, if I have time to sit and watch tv I have time to without. 1 hour plus ten sun salutations. Like that Pizza Guy on YouTube says, that’s the rules. Everybody knows the rules, everybody being me.

The other things I will be adding will be addressed in future posts. What I’m reading, writing, who I’m watching for inspiration. Fun classes I may take, plus tools for self development. Products I use to help me heal and make me feel well again. I’m not sick but my body can be my temple again. Lots of personal goals I’m going to tackle. No procrastination. Today is the day. As I type this we found out an old friend in Pittsburgh PA lost his battle with Lung Cancer. He was only 38. Life is short. Do what you dream of doing today. RIP Chris Pierce. Thank you for your kindness.

RIP Chris

FINDING MY MOMENTUM

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My favorite robe isn’t a real robe, but I decided to make it one. It sparks joy!!

Good Morning lovely people. It’s September 4th, can you believe it’s almost autumn? Here in Houston it will stay hot for some time, eventually cooling down in the 70’s and 60’s. That means I can do my cardio outside or at the gym. If you are stressed out there is nothing like moving your body to an upbeat playlist. This is my non-negotiable. I plan to exercise every single damn day, even if it’s after work. I love seeing the big birds when I’m out getting my move on. They really inspire me to take flight. Today is national wildlife day!!

I stalk birds.

I have three weight goals. My first weight goal is to get in the 160’s by the end of September. That should be easy if I focus on my willpower and fitness. My second weight loss goal is 159 lbs. That was my weight when we moved to Houston from Los Angeles. I’m currently 174 lbs, down 15 lbs since this time last year. I have to work on my consistency. Stress got in my way, I ate too much Nada Moo( vegan ice cream). I didn’t track, because I chose to overeat. Overeating is a choice, and I’m guilty of it.

Stepping on the scale is a reset for me. I’m back to counting points. I plan to eat more zero point foods, fruits, veggies, beans and tofu. Yesterday I stayed in ww blue point range, that means I stayed within my point balance. My third weight loss goal is around 140 lbs. I also really want to not just focus on the scale, but really focus on my fitness. I need to get strong, flexible and fast. It’s been way too long. I also want to try new activities, like kayaking this beautiful waterway where I live.

Nature and exercise is the cure to anxiety and stress.

Goals, sometimes I get so mad at myself when I think where I would be now if I didn’t slip up then. I don’t believe in looking too far back, but I need to realize my mistakes now so I don’t make them again. So when a few months goes by I can say I am in a better place then I was in early September. The key is to think about this before every bite I take. Why is it so hard to get back your willpower after a slip up? Have you struggled with this in your weight loss journey? I just have to regain my momentum beginning this week.

Well, it’s coffee time. Love and Light to all and Happy Wednesday. Let’s do this, one meal at a time.

Spanky, coffee and a Garden of Life Protein Bar.

Lots of water after I wake up, and fruit.

WEIGH IN WEIGHT GAIN

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I was reading Mantra Wellness Magazine, (photo from the pages of the magazine). I opened the magazine and this was the first page. It totally spoke to me. I messed up, again. I gained 3 of the 13 lbs I lost. Here I am, facing the music and starting over.

Weight loss is a series of ups and downs. You begin all gun go until a holiday or other food related event comes along. All of a sudden you stop tracking and you promise yourself just one bad day. Then there’s leftovers, so one cheat day becomes two. Soon you have lost your momentum. I’ve been there when I was successful in my weight loss the first time around, and I’m there now at the beginning of my second weight loss journey. The key is to catch it, to own your slip up and get back on that weight loss wagon. Get on the scale, face it and get moving. I gained three pounds. My weight is currently 174 lbs. I’m still down ten, and I’m catching this now before I gain the whole ten back. I’m making like a GPS, I’m yelling recalculating. Here’s how I’m going to get back at it and stop the gain cycle and continue on my wellness/weight loss/fitness journey part two.

The first thing is to access the damage, weigh yourself. You need to know where you are.It’s easy to be in denial. Better to cry over a few pounds now. I weighed myself and tracked my weight.

My next step is to track all my food, and as a ww member I’m going to try to be in blue dots. That means stay within my healthy range of points, period. I noticed my weight went up when I didn’t track. When I did track I went over my points. My day begins with 24 oz of water with lemon, and a banana and an apple or whatever fruit I have. I let my body digest it before my daily one cup of coffee. Then my breakfast. Lately I’m eating a garden of life plant based protein bar with my coffee. Hey, I’m on the run and it’s only 5 pts. I’m going to make oat and peanut butter protein balls too. If you are vegan I would love to know some fast and healthy breakfasts that are your favorites.

Being accountable here helps, so I plan to try to blog daily and try to get better sleep. I have two Siamese cats, and the minute our heads touch the pillow they decide it’s time to party. We have to get better sleep, that’s number one.

Move daily. Non negotiable. That’s my only fitness rule right now. I’ve been spotty with my fitness so I’m making this one goal to start. Move my body vigorously for 45 minutes to 1 hour daily. I will be more specific later, but that’s my rule. It could be running, walking fast, Melissa Bender Fitness workouts etc. I just have to move it for 45 minutes to 1 hour. I started this on Labor Day. Plus I’m going to also add sun salutations, stretching and legs up a wall pose for circulation.

Eat clean 80/20. The majority of my vegan diet must be Whole Foods plant based with processed vegan food only occasionally. Tracking every bite. I stopped this and I gained three pounds. It’s ok, I’m painfully human. I may try to not eat past 8 pm, but this may be difficult with my work schedule. I’m going to try. Time to revisit vegan meal prepping.

So this is my restart of my restart. We are still planning to go to Henry’s Home and Horse Sanctuary soon, definitely this month. Ive been asked by my husband James to go when he can go. I do plan to visit and volunteer regularly after our first visit. There’s a lot going on in our life but this is something I can’t wait to do. I’m also helping a friend with a bake sale for her dog that needs surgery. I will post more about that later. I’m baking vegan goodies!! I believe we are here to be of service to others. Sometimes stress gets in the way, I’m working on ways to destress naturally.

I’m off to get my daily exercise in. I want you to know the road to goal does have potholes, and an occasional thunderstorm or two that can throw you off track. The sun will shine again, just begin traveling your path as many times as need be. The destination will always be there. Love and Light. Rose

LOSING WEIGHT IS A PROCESS

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Losing weight is a process, in the beginning it’s easy but sticking it out takes extra willpower. Life gets sticky, and it gets in the way. It’s easy to fall of the wagon and stop the healthy patterns you’ve developed in the beginning of your weight loss journey. You will know when this happens, and when you realize it nip it in the bud.

This week was challenging to say the least. Nothing worth mentioning just adulting and all that comes with it. I didn’t track for days. I almost went for vegan whoppers at Burger King on nights when work was slow and stressful. Waitressing has bad days and bad weeks, it’s normal but when you go into work and stand around it makes you question things. In the end it’s is the way of working in a restaurant, good days and bad days. It always seems like bad days come when you are stressed. Time to reboot and recalculate, like a gps.

So today I recalculate, I’m trying to check my mood and mindset. I’m back to tracking. I’m planning for Monday and a better and more productive week. Writing my weekly goals on Sunday night. I’m going to try to stress less and be happy in the moments, even the mundane moments that drive me mad. No reason to slip up on my weight loss goals because of a bad week. It’s a marathon and not a sprint, this road to weight loss goals.

Love and Light

Rose

WHAT I EAT ( weight loss and vegan)

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Happy Tuesday to all. Here I am, day three of posting each and every day. This week I stayed the same, but I think I’m killing it in the weight loss game. I use the WW app to track what I eat, and as a vegan I try to be careful how much starchy foods I eat. I don’t limit them all together, I just keep all of my portions in check. It’s all about good nutrition and portion control for me.

Food, it’s something we have to learn to have a healthy relationship with, and I’m definitely starting to achieve balance. Monday’s are my vegan cheat day, on that day I eat vegan comfort foods like pasta or a veggie burger. Tuesday’s through Sunday I eat Whole Foods/plant based; basically cleaner vegan. I do limit my oils, salt and sugar but I do not eliminate them completely. I have really cut down though, my olive oil bottle lasts a very long time now. I always drink 16 oz of water when I wake up, and about 6 oz of coconut water. I immediately eat a banana as I wait for my coffee to brew. Breakfast is usually something quick, overnight oats or a vegan protein bar and coffee with silk soy creamer and a bit of raw sugar or blackstrap molasses. I’m a zombie until after a drink my java. My eating plan is pretty much 80/20. Mostly clean with a little wiggle room. It keeps me from over obsessing about food. I try to get around 60 grams of protein daily through plant based options.

Here are some photos of what I eat for breakfast and dinner. Vegan pancakes are a day off treat. I usually only eat twice a day on work days with my schedule. Lots of fresh fruits, greens, veggies, and some frozen as well. Pasta only on occasional Mondays. I make a lot of high protein bean soups, like split pea and lentil soups. I admit I eating vegan protein bars for breakfast when I feel rushed is not the healthiest but it works for me. Ezekiel bread, hummus, baked tofu with veggies, legumes, so many delicious and healthy vegan options. Here’s pics of some of my go to get healthy meals. I will post recipes soon. What are your staples? Happy Eating and losing weight!