Progress Day 330

Well technically it's day 329, but tomorrow's Christmas Eve and well... aint nobody got time for that lol.  Anyways... wow day 330 already only 35 more days to the one year mark. #FIT

Day 330 (329)- Dec 23

187 lbs

31” waist

39” hips

23” thighs

12” upper arms

33” under bust

Pastaless Lasagna

Took veggie lasagna to a whole new level, by making even the pasta veggie.  Created a low carb lasagna by replacing the lasagna noodles with thin slices of squash and zucchini. Triple layered my gourds with ricotta cheese and "Beyond Beef" crumbles (sn: this was my first time using Beyond Beef, I prefer Morning Star brand). I baked in oven on 350 for 40 mins, after sprinkled a shredded multiple-cheese blend on top and baked on 425 for an additional 15 mins. Being that gourds hold a lot of water, you will need to drain pan you are baking in ever so often. I also left mine in oven even after I turned it off to try and dry out some more. Slice and enjoy. #FOODIE

Holiday dinner or nah?

It's the holiday season, yay! The holiday season is a great time for family, celebration, and observance, but don't let this festive time knock you off your game when it comes to your weight/body/fitness goals. I came back from the Thanksgiving week weighing in at 194lbs on that Monday, after I had gotten down to my lowest of 187 the week before. Now on my journey it hasn't been strange for me to fluctuate 2lbs between visits to the scale, but to gain 7lbs in one week I knew I had caught myself slipping. What can I say? I was indulging in that good ol Mac n cheese, stuffing, potato salad, greens, green bean casserole, cornbread, cheesecake, red velvet cake (wipes drool)... and enjoying veggie burgers with extra mayo, pickles, cheese, and fries (thank you Burger King!) while traveling up and down the road to my destinations. On top of all that, I only worked out one time that week. All that is said to let you know it is ok during this season to enjoy your family and friends and that good soul food (or Caribbean, Italian, what have you) as well! Just make sure you don't use that holiday dinner as an excuse to completely get off track. After my "slippage" I got back on track with my healthy eating and went hard in my gym and home workouts and I am glad to say that six days later I am six pounds lighter, weighing in today at 188. #FIT

West SIDE

I channeled my inner Ice Cube for this outfit. West coastin with the flannel, gold chain, and khakis. All I needed were the Chucks, but I was going to work anyway. #FRESH

Plaid flannel- Walmart

Khakis- Gallo

Chain- Inherited from my grandmother

**screwface and hand signs not included**

Tall Jockey

Not that I could ever be a jockey, because I think I've far exceeded the height limit, but I can still dress like one right?... Blazer, khakis, and riding boots #FRESH

Olive blazer- Goodwill ($5 shawty!)

Black top- Ross

Khakis- Gallo

Boots- Aerosoles (gifted)

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Who says you need to buy a new wardrobe every season? I'm cheap, you better wear that stuff all yet long. Here's how I took a summer maxi skirt and made it falling. #FRESH

Skirt- Ross

Sweater- Gallo

Fishnets- Lane Bryant

Combat boots- Shoe Show

Wood jewelry- Asian boutique in the mall

Oodles of Zoodles

This dish was inspired by Caroline Jhingory (carolinejhingory.com def check her out). I took my go to Vegetti to make zucchini noodles (so popular now there often fondly referred to as zoodles). I then boiled zoodles in vegetable broth and threw in some seasonings and now you have oodles of noodles (zoodles), top ramen, Cup o Soup, whatever name you prefer. *ahhh takes me back to them college days* #FOODIE

Salisbury "Steak"

Salisbury "Steak" and Mashed Cauliflower.  Made an easy gravy combining mushrooms, onions, vegetable stock and a little whole wheat flour, all smothered over Morning Star brand veggie burger. Instead of mashed potatoes I went for the highly popular cauliflower, pulverized in blender then seasoned in pot and added cheese. Tossed in a side of peas and carrots. #FOODIE

Safari

Feeling somewhat animalistic between my animal print earrings and animal print and Sahara/Lion King like golden orange hued leggings. #FRESH

Black long sleeved tee- Ross

Denim Jacket- Old Navy 

Leggings- Gallos

Mirror mirror on the wall

I should really invest in a big mirror in my place, because when I finally get in front of one... well I have a lil photoshoot. #FRESH

Black long sleeved tee- Ross

Denim Vest- H&M

Tribal Pants- Rainbow

Progress Day 300

So much life has been happening.  Missed my Day 270 update, her's Day 300.  I've actually only lost 2lbs over the last 60 days, but no worries here.  The scale may not have changed much, but I continue to see changes in how my clothes fit and how my muscles appear.  I've pretty much met my inches goals and my weight goal of 180 is only 9lbs away, I'm already in 2015 with my new goals shawty!!! #FIT

Day 300- November 24
189 lbs

30” waist

39.5” hips

23.5” thighs

12” upper arms

32.5” under bust

50 Pounds and Counting

I've been tap dancing on being 50lbs down for like the past 2 months.  However today was the first time I stepped on the scale and it read 180 something, thought that was epic enough to take a pic lol. 9lbs away from goal and happily packing on the muscle (using the 20lb free weights for arms). #FIT

Baked Veggetti

Oh Veggetti I've forgotten what life was without you!  Used my classes zoodles (zucchini noodles) to make baked "spaghetti".  Decided to switch it up and opted for a pesto sauce instead of a marinara.  Mixed in casserole pan with shredded Colby jack cheese, topped with breadcrumbs and more cheese. #FOODIE

(No) Tater Tots

Cauliflower is the savior of the low carb world.  I've seen it used in recipes to stand in place of potatoes, rice, pizza crust and even fried chicken!  I chose to go with one of the most popular routes, cauliflower tots.  I followed a simple recipe from Pinterest, basically you mash cauliflower in blender combine with some egg and a few breadcrumbs (for sticking power) and I tossed some cheese in mine as well.  You can easily fry these, but in trying to maintain healthiness I chose to bake.  In your face Sonic cheesy tots! #FOODIE

Meat & Potatoes

Fall's here, yay!!!  And with fall comes cooler weather, orange, red, and yellow leaves on the ground, and that wonderful brisk, crisp smell of autumn in the air.  Fall is a great time to start making that hardy, wholesome, comfort food.  This non low carb meal consists of a vegetarian meatloaf (recipe found here: http://www.livingwellspendingless.com/2011/01/28/stockpile-meals-vegetarian-meatloaf/, I did not follow recipe precisely, but did use it for inspiration i.e. I didn't use all the seasonings, opted for barbecue sauce over ketchup, and I def was not about to live in fridge and wait a whole day before I baked it) add one of my faves, the cheesy, delicious potatoes au gratin.  See above for meatloaf steps, for au gratin I sliced potatoes thinly (I left the peeling on), then boiled a roux (no flour in this one) of half & half, colby shredded cheese, and seasonings to include salt, pepper, no-salt seasoning, garlic powder, and parsley.  Layer potato slices in deep pan and pour roux in, put another layer of potatoes and repeat, top with shredded cheese and bake on 425 for about 45 mins, cover with breadcrumbs, then bake another 10-15 mins.  Remove from oven and let stand for 10-15 mins, dig in. #FOODIE 

Burger & Fries

What do you do when you want a burger & fries, but want to eat healthy... well semi-healthy?  You go for an alternative, my alternative... bunless grilled veggie burger, hotdog (Morning Star brand), and home made sweet potato fries. #FOODIE

Mozzarella cereal sticks

When you want mozzarella sticks, you improvise.  I know it's not too healthy, but instead of frying I baked, note to why I went with a cereal crust.  They didn't turn out looking the best, but they were still good despite the strawberry cereal coating lol.  Egg washed string cheese sticks and rolled in crushed off brand Special K.  I removed the strawberries first of course, and added in some salt, pepper, and garlic to cereal to take away some of the sweetness, baked on 400 for about 7 or 8 minutes. #FOODIE

Came out looking like this, but they actually tasted pretty good.

Day 240

Just ONE lb away from that 50lbs down mark... and just 11 away from my goal of 180. #FIT

Day 240- Sept 25

191 lbs

31” waist

40” hips

24” thighs

13” upper arms

33.5” under bust