I have been almost perfectly on plan. I slipped a couple of times this week. First, I had too much green with my lean on Thursday night. I had green beans with some roasted chicken, and it was SO good, I had to get more. I know beans don’t have too many calories, but they were stir fried with garlic and olive oil, so that added in too many calories, I’m sure.  Second, I went to Carinos last night so I could have some really good salmon and a salad. The salmon turned out to have  a honey pecan crust, so I ordered a another salmon dish without sauce, and got a salad to go with it. They have a blue cheese wedge salad that is GREAT. But the catch is, it has apples and candied pecans on top, which I ate. That wasn’t too good, but I think it won’t hurt me too bad. I didn’t realize how sweet apples were! It’s been a long time. I do miss fruit, but at least it won’t be forever.

     I discovered if I take the orange shake mix, and put it in my smoothie maker with 2 cups of ice cubes and 1/2 cup of ice, and a splash of vanilla, it tastes kinda like an orange julius. I haven’t had one of those in YEARS. It’s really good.

     I also read that some people were sprinkling in cinnamon and butter buds in to their vanilla shake mix and making cinnamon bun shakes. I wrote Butter Buds on my next shopping list, so I’ll get some this week. That sounds like a must-try.

     Another thing I like to do is add in some instant coffee to the chocolate shake for a mocha. it’s not a Frappucino, but it’s still a nice change.

      My other favorite (you can tell I like orange) is to add a ‘to-go’ tube of orange Crystal Light to a vanilla shake, and a splash of vanilla. It tastes like a creamsicle. I really only like it with the 2 cups of ice cubes and splash of water, though. I’m just not crazy about it as a regular drink.

     I wish I had somewhere to put a smoothie maker at the salon. There isn’t anywhere that I could use one without disturbing the customers. I’d love to have these at work, and if the other girls realized how good this stuff could taste, they’d get off my back, lol!

A lean and green recipe! Serves two - I made it, and will bring my leftovers to work tomorrow. Mmmm.

10 ounces chicken breast tenders
2 cups diced tomatoes

2 cups diced zucchini
1 small can diced chilis 
2 TBSP chili powder
1 tsp cumin
hot sauce, to taste 
1/2 cup lowfat cheddar

     Sprayed a large, frying pan with non-stick spray and cooked the chicken breasts 5-7 minutes/side, or until lightly browned. Added zucchini,  tomatoes, chilis, and spices. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring frequently, and adding water as needed to prevent sticking.  The vegetables should slightly carmelize. Put on plate, and sprinkle with cheese and hot sauce. 

I made it through one month. I can’t believe I lost 21 pounds! That is so exciting to me, that I can’t even put it in to words. I never thought this would be possible. I had basically given up on diets and now look at me. I’m happy, I feel good, I have self confidence, and I just feel radiant!

     I had such a bad day Friday, and this weekend wasn’t the greatest either - I can only imagine what my first month would have been like if my 4th week was perfectly on plan like my first week. But that’s ok, because now I enter month TWO. And I’m going to repeat the loss from the first month!

Over 1,000,000 people have lost weight with Medifast

This was not a good day, and I’m just so upset about it. Friday is payday, and traditionally that has been the most difficult day to ever work at the salon, at least as far as food is concerned! I ate a doughnut. It has been so long since I’ve had one, and they bring back fond memories of being a kid, going to my grandmother’s house. We always stopped at KK on the way and get creme filled and lemon filled donuts.  When we were lucky, the donuts were hot off the belt and they melted in our mouths. I ate one, hoping to feel that great feeling I always have, but instead, I felt bloated, not so satisfied, and I had a greasy film on the roof of my mouth. No tender warm donuts - more like sugar and Crisco!

     Of course that led me down an evil path, and I ate something salty to counter effect - cheesy hashbrowns. Now those were good!! Eventually I gave in and had peanut butter crackers and a diet coke before I left work. It’s just been a bad day, and I’m sitting here hungry, wanting to eat leftovers that Joe and the kids had. I shouldn’t have done it.

1 Week of Medifast FREE!

I couldn’t wait for Monday, so I got on the scale, and I was 229 this morning!! Of course that only means 4 days for a one pound loss,  but I am now in the 220’s!

    This gave me extra motivation to pull through today. Sometimes I get tired of eating the same thing so often. I need to order some more varieties on my next Medifast order.  So far there have only been a few things I didn’t like. I also need to experiement more with recipes to make with my mixes. I found a great brownie recipe, but it takes 8 packs of medifast food to make a pan! If it doesn’t turn out, that is an expensive mistake. Not to mention almost 2 days food that I won’t have on hand.  Here’s the recipe - has anybody tried it?

Medifast brownies

4 packets of non fruit oatmeal
3 packets of chocolate shakes
1 package of chocolate pudding (or another choc shake)
3 T. canola oil
4 packages splenda
1 T of cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

     Mix all ingredients and then add water until it looks like brownie mix. Use a 9×13 cake pan, sprayed with non-stick spray on butter, and bake for 15 minutes at 350 degrees.  It makes 8 servings.

I should be THRILLED with 4 pounds, but at the same time it is disappointing. I bet the fajitas cost me. I would have liked to been able to say “Look at me, I lost 20 pounds in 3 weeks on Medifast!” And I would have liked to have seen the 220’s. I want them so bad I can taste it! Good thing fantasies don’t have calories!

  But I am happy to an extent. I’m 230 pounds, and just 3 weeks ago I was 248. My pants are looser, I can see it in my face, and I feel a lot better about myself, especially at work. I’m the biggest one there!

     When I break 20 pounds, I’m going to buy myself some sugar free drops to make some interesting shakes. That will definitely be soon! Maybe I’ll make Wednesday an honorary weigh day. :0

Over 1,000,000 people have lost weight with Medifast

I’m not having any problems at all staying on plan today, because I had an upset stomach all night. Eww, I had stomach pains and gas all night, and I think I had to go at least 4 times before I was settled. I just ached. I’ve learned my lesson, I hope!

     Tomorrow I weigh, and I really hope that the fajitas didn’t set me back. Supposedly you go in to ketosis with Medifast, but it doesn’t seem possible with 100 carbs a day. Maybe I should buy some sticks. Anyhow, that is how the fat loss is supposed to be so easy on this diet.

Ok, I’ll admit that an authentic Mexican restaurant was not the smartest place to test restaurants with. I had fajitas, hold the tortilla. I did have a couple of chips when Joe and Dylan went to wash their hands. Megan was at the gumball machine looking for the golden gumball and I just dove right in. I was so ashamed when they came back! I had extra pico and salsa on my fajitas, and I probably went over on veggies a little, but I’m more worried about the fat. They were just dripping.

      Alright, for the first time since I started Medifast, I’m not looking forward to weigh in day. I really hoped for a 6 pound weight loss so I could break 20 pounds!

Hmm. Nothing that means ‘pound’ rhymes with dollar. But I don’t know if I lost a pound or not, I’m holding out for my big weigh day. Fat ME, looks forward to weigh day!

     Today was rather ho-hum. Food can get boring now. I suppose that is smart though. I used to radiate around the dinner plate. I know Joe and the kids are missing restaurants. Maybe I should suggest we go. I’m strong enough to say no to the bad stuff.