Weigh-In 235.4 lb

Weight:  235.4 lb
Week Change:  -2 lb
Total Loss:  39.6 lb
Left to Lose:  60.4 lb

This is the third week of the Ready For Summer Challenge and The Fat Smash Diet.  I am more than thrilled with my 2 pound loss this week.  That makes a 16 pound loss in 3 weeks. Crazy!! Now all I have to do is NOT.GIVE.UP. That's the hardest part.

“Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” 

--Dale Carnegie

Hubs and I went for another bike ride on Saturday.  We biked for 1.5 hours and covered 10 miles. Yes, that's pretty slow, but I don't care.  I invited a bunch of people to go on the canal path for a walk/bike and then out to dinner after. I was shocked that 16 people showed up!  They all loved my bike :-) I still need to get a basket for her, but here's another photo of her...

I had a yummy salad at the restaurant on the canal.

And then we all decided to walk over about a half mile to this new frozen yogurt place.  It was amazing.  It's all self serve.  You get your bowl and pick out your flavor (or flavors).  The nutrition info is listed on each one!! And there were fat free, sugar free, and lactose free options.  Then there are two stations with every topping you can imagine Including fresh fruit which they chop every hour.

They charge by weight which I loved because I could control my portion size. You can put as little (or as much) as you want in there.  I got fat free cheesecake yogurt (120 cal per cup) and topped it with fresh mango, strawberries, raspberries and toasted wheat germ, flax seed, some graham cracker crumbles and a teeny bit of dark chocolate shavings and raw slivered almonds. So gooood!

We already have plans for another bike ride next Saturday.  And we will probably walk over and get frozen yogurt again :-) 

This week the Ready For Summer Mini Challenge was to visit all the challengers blogs.  I managed to do it! And was really impressed by so many of the posts.  I am constantly encouraged by February Fitness Project.  I love how she tracks her calories and fills us in on where she stands.  Her motivational pictures are great.  And she is so close to goal (well, compared to me) and yet she is dropping pounds.  Just goes to show that it IS possible. She also posts some great recipes.

Also Raeesa Getting Fit pushes me to keep going.  She has some great progress photos that show all this hard work is well worth it!

Seeing other people push through this crazy weight-loss thing reminds us all that we CAN do it. And we will!

These are my Ready For Summer Challenge Goals....with the necessary adjustments...

1. Weight Loss:  Lose 15 26.6 pounds and weigh 225 by June 2nd. 
2. NSV:  Fit into the pretty dresses hanging in my closet.
3. Exercise: Be active 4 hours 5 days each week.
4. Nutrition:  Stay within my PointsPlus allowance on the Fat Smash Diet Monday-Friday every day of the week.

Hard to believe that I am 10.6 pounds away from my June 2nd goal of weighing 225 pounds!  There are still 7 weeks left in the challenge so I know that I can accomplish this. I just have to keep on keepin' on!

Weigh-In: 237.4 lb

Weight:  237.4 lb

Week Loss:  -2 lb

Total Loss:  - 37.6 lb


Left to Lose: 62.4 lb


When I stood on the scale this morning I could not believe my eyes.  It was my second week of the Ready For Summer Challenge and the Fat Smash Diet.  After losing 12 pounds Week 1, I was not expecting much of a loss Week 2.  And then I got sick and spent the whole week on the couch.  I am not one of those people that loses weight when I'm sick.  It feels GOOD to eat when I have a sore throat.  Weird.  I did my best to stay on plan.

Instead of eating ice cream to make my throat feel nice, I made Banana Soft Serve.  I had read about it on 100 blogs but never tried it cuz...well...it sounded dumb.  I didn't think it would be good. And I was WRONG.  So good and the same consistency as ice cream!

You just cut up a banana and freeze it.  Put it in a food processor with some vanilla extract and cinnamon.  Run the food processor until it looks just like this!  



It really hit the spot.  Doesn't it look like ice cream??


 And I exercised when I felt up to it.  I have lost 14 pounds in the last two weeks!  I have a callus on my shoulder from all this patting myself on the back.  But I can't help it. I am so proud of me.

And also so tired. Losing weight is exhausting.  These last two weeks have been difficult because I have been working on getting a stockpile in my freezer of Fat Smash friendly foods.  After this week I should be good to go.  I have some tasty recipes coming your way.  This weekend I made  Stuffed Pepper Soup, Green Chicken Chili, and Spaghetti Squash Soup.  I froze all of it.  For dinners I am making Butternut Leek Soup and Hot and Sour Soup.  I also grilled up a bunch of chicken breast for quick meals.  I have really been digging on soup lately.  And I find that I lose a lot more when I eat soup.

I have also been throwing together stir fries.  My grocery store sells the stir fry veggies all cut up and in a big bag. So convenient and FAST.


The Ready For Summer Week 2 Mini Challenge was to spice up our workout and do something we haven't done before.  I was feeling better Saturday and went for a long bike ride.  There is a bike path on the canal and one section of it has all these shops and restaurants.  Hubs and I met another couple there and biked for 2.5 hours!!! Wow!! I love this couple.  They are a lot of fun.  The wife is about my size and it's nice to have friends who are eating healthy and trying to lose weight AND very close to the same fitness level and we are.  I couldn't believe how good I did.  I used to make Hubs stop every 15 minutes so I could rest and get a drink and BREATHE.  I didn't need to stop ONCE.  I was so nervous to go for the bike ride with other people because I was going to be embarrassed to stop and rest.  I had nothing to worry about.

I don't know if it's all due to my new physical prowess or the fact that I have a cruiser now.

And it's sooo much more comfortable.  It sits me up straight so I'm not all bent over.  And the seat is HUGE.  My butt did not hurt at all that whole time.  I do have post-traumatic butt pain though.  It hurts now!

I also think my stamina was improved by having a Camelbak Pack....ya know...one of those backpacks that is full of water with the straw that comes up next you your mouth so you can drink without having to stop your bike.  And it holds 70 ounces!! I shoved a ton of ice cubes in there too.  I felt a little silly on my blue cruiser while donning the Camelbak.  But a girl's gotta do......

After we had ridden for EVER we locked up our bikes and had lunch at a Greek restaurant on the canal.  I got a salad with grilled chicken and Skordalia dip.  Again, friends were there so no pictures of the food.  We already have plans for another bike ride Saturday. 

I just love eating healthy and being active!!! 

RFSC Week 1: Tempeh

This week's Ready For Summer Mini Challenge was to try something we have never tried before.  I chose Tempeh.

This is my first week of the Fat Smash Diet.  I am in Phase 1: Detox which is meat-free.  It's really hard to get protein into my meals.  I have tried and hated tofu (ick...YES it DOES have a taste).  I have heard of Tempeh and thought it was worth a try in my stir fry.

The good part is that is tasted really good.  However, when I read the nutrition label, I learned it has almost as many carbs as protein.  It also has a lot calories.  It did have a lot of fiber though.  When all was said and done, I liked it and I'm glad I tried it.

Tempeh Portabella Stir Fry (2 Servings, Fat Smash Phase 1)

1/2 package of Tempeh
1 T Mrs Dash Seasoning
1 Portabella Mushroom, chopped big
1 Broccoli Crown, separated into pieces
1 T fresh Ginger, grated
4 T Stir Fry Sauce
1 T Water
2 C Cooked Brown Rice

In a wok or frying pan, cook the Tempeh and Mrs Dash seasoning.  Crumble the Tempeh as it cooks until its nice and brown.  Add the mushroom, broccoli, ginger, stir fry sauce, and water.  Turn to coat.  Cook covered 4 minutes until broccoli is crisp-tender and bright green.  Serve over brown rice.

RFS Challenge START

Weight: 251.6 lb

I am done done done with this up and down crap.  I have been on one diet or another for the last 6 months and I weigh exactly what I did when I started. When I got on the scale this weekend and saw that DESPITE staying within my points and exercising like crazy I had GAINED 3 pounds, I just stood on the scale and cried. Cried my eyes out.

Then I promptly open my cupboards and shoved FiberOne bars in my mouth.


After lunch with my hubby I did feel better....not sure exactly why.


I need to get focused and this challenge is starting at JUST the RIGHT time!!!


In the past I have mentioned the Great Weight Loss of 2007.  I lost 50 pounds in about 6 months. I did it by sticking to the Fat Smash Diet.  I didn't want to do it again because, well, it's hard. And restrictive.  And WeightWatchers is much easier. 

But it's what I need right now.  The first phase is 9 days.  It's the Detox phase.  Even though there is no counting of any kind, it's mostly just fruits and veggies.  I found some great recipes and went grocery shopping. I was really proud that my cart was practically FULL by the time I was done with the PRODUCE section.

That's all just fruits and vegetables! 

I am serious this time. I mean business. I have the eye of the Tiger.


I am FOCUSED. I plan on being 225 pounds by the end of this challenge on June 2nd.  Please no comments about how that's not possible. If it's not then at least let me try and fail.  In 10 weeks I want to lose 26.6 pounds.  That's about 2.7 pounds down each week. Crazy. I can do it though. I know I can.  Cheer me on!!!

Ready For Summer Challenge

I'm not exactly a "Challenger"...I don't join online challenges. I enjoy hearing about how all the challengers are doing.  I love seeing their progress.  But I surely don't participate. I'm more of a *sit-on-the-bleachers-and-cheer* kind of girl.

So when Maren mentioned she was starting a Ready For Summer challenge, I was like, "Eh, cool."  But the more I heard about it the more I really wanted to do it. You set your own goals and participation in the weekly challenges is totally voluntary.  And check out that adorable button!!! I love it. (Honestly, that fun rainbow wave picture is really what made me HAVE to join.  So cute and cheerful!)

Here's how it works.  It's a 10 week challenge that runs from March 26th to June 2nd.  You pick a goal from each of these 4 categories.  You post each week about how you are doing on your goals and then POOF!  By June 2nd you are fit, feel great, and Ready For Summer!

These are my RFS goals.

1. Weight Loss:  Lose 15 pounds and weigh 225 by June 2nd. 
2. NSV:  Fit into the pretty dresses hanging in my closet.
3. Exercise: Be active 4 hours each week.
4. Nutrition:  Stay within my PointsPlus allowance Monday-Friday.

 I think this will be *super-fun* and *motivating* and it will feel especially good to welcome summer all pumped up and ready to go!  Please consider joining! Go visit the Ready For Summer blog to read all about it and see how *great* the challengers are.  Don't miss out!