Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Back at It
The gym, that is. BodyPump class just murdered me because (a) I haven't been to the actual gym (not counting my apartment gym) since before I got strep so...like three weeks ago...and (b) the instructor changed up the routine so we were doing all new combos. My arms hurt so much now that I almost couldn't drive home. This better be worth it!!
Monday, July 11, 2011
Sunday, July 10, 2011
I Love Texas
So hot yesterday that the paint on my door melted and dried last night after the sun went down, gluing the door to the door frame, trapping me inside my apartment. W.T.F.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
10 Minute Incredibly Easy Fish Tacos
Yield: 2 tacos (super easy to multiply the recipe though)
1 tilapia filet (I get these frozen and then thaw them in the sink under running water)
Cajun seasoning (Tony Chachere's is my fav!), about 1 1/2 tbsp
2 corn tortillas
1/2 c shredded cabbage
1/2 avocado, diced
2 tbsp salsa
1/4 lime
2 tbsp reduced fat sour cream
Preparation:
1. Spray skillet with non-stick cooking spray and preheat over medium-high heat.
2. Sprinkle tilapia filet with cajun seasoning on both sides until covered (I probably used one to one and a half tablespoons).
3. Cook tilapia for 3-4 minutes and then flip and cook for another 2-3 minutes until it flakes easily with a fork. Cut the filet in half.
4. Microwave the corn tortillas for 10-15 seconds until warmed and split the cabbage, salsa, sour cream, avocado, and fish between the two tortillas. Squeeze the lime over the two tacos and you're ready to go!
I didn't have the ingredients on hand tonight, but this would be amazing with this black bean soup. Both super easy!!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Monthly Weigh-In: June 2011
So this entry is a couple days late, but as you will see from the results of this month, this is a tough one to write. I thought about skipping it altogether, but here goes.
June's Goals:
Weight: -7.3
25 days drinking 8+ glasses of water
June's Progress:
Weight: -0 (OMG I know, right?!)
Days drinking 8+ glasses of water: I have no idea. I thought I could pull a report from Sparkpeople quickly, but it turns out I have to add it to a "Quick Track" goal. Anyway, I'll try again this month.
Days in Calorie Range: 14/30
Days Worked Out: 5/30
Days Not Tracked: 10/30 (Ugh! So bad!!)
Total YTD Progress:
Weight: -27.8
Days in Calorie Range: 91/150
Days Worked Out: 67/150
July's Goals:
Weight: -8.3
Track calories 29/31 days (already missed two)
So clearly I totally fell off the wagon this month. Yes, I went to Austin for a weekend. Then the next weekend/week I had strep throat. Then the next weekend I went to Houston to visit friends. Then I was in San Diego for business all week. I think this is a good example of what happens when I rely on takeout and eating out for the entire month. And then don't work out because I'm not here to go to the gym.
This month I'm going to visit Meaghan (!!!) in Baltimore and we're going to have a fabulous time. But I'm also going to track every single calorie I put in my mouth. That doesn't mean I'm going to eat lettuce and chicken the whole time (obviously), but it does mean I'm going to be more aware of what I'm eating while I'm on vacation.
That trip starts on July 20th, so I have 16 days to get myself back into gear. I'm very concerned about meeting my goal by my birthday but I do want to get as close as I can for sure, even if I don't *quite* make it. I went to the store yesterday to stock up on groceries so I'm not getting takeout and I feel really good about the next couple of weeks.
In other news, I'm also thinking about registering for an online class to start building credits in case I want to take the patent bar exam at some point -- basically I have to take 32 credit hours worth of science classes to be eligible to sit for it. I can take the classes at the community college here in Dallas, and it's ridiculously cheaper than the real college (like $140 versus ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS) so I figure I need to start and see if that's something I actually want to pursue. I have also been considering going to business school, not for a couple years, but if I do the patent bar I probably won't do my MBA, so I'd like to go ahead and rule out one or the other.
Alright, I'm off to the Rangers baseball game -- what could be more American? Happy 4th everyone!!
June's Goals:
Weight: -7.3
25 days drinking 8+ glasses of water
June's Progress:
Weight: -0 (OMG I know, right?!)
Days drinking 8+ glasses of water: I have no idea. I thought I could pull a report from Sparkpeople quickly, but it turns out I have to add it to a "Quick Track" goal. Anyway, I'll try again this month.
Days in Calorie Range: 14/30
Days Worked Out: 5/30
Days Not Tracked: 10/30 (Ugh! So bad!!)
Total YTD Progress:
Weight: -27.8
Days in Calorie Range: 91/150
Days Worked Out: 67/150
July's Goals:Weight: -8.3
Track calories 29/31 days (already missed two)
So clearly I totally fell off the wagon this month. Yes, I went to Austin for a weekend. Then the next weekend/week I had strep throat. Then the next weekend I went to Houston to visit friends. Then I was in San Diego for business all week. I think this is a good example of what happens when I rely on takeout and eating out for the entire month. And then don't work out because I'm not here to go to the gym.
This month I'm going to visit Meaghan (!!!) in Baltimore and we're going to have a fabulous time. But I'm also going to track every single calorie I put in my mouth. That doesn't mean I'm going to eat lettuce and chicken the whole time (obviously), but it does mean I'm going to be more aware of what I'm eating while I'm on vacation.
That trip starts on July 20th, so I have 16 days to get myself back into gear. I'm very concerned about meeting my goal by my birthday but I do want to get as close as I can for sure, even if I don't *quite* make it. I went to the store yesterday to stock up on groceries so I'm not getting takeout and I feel really good about the next couple of weeks.
In other news, I'm also thinking about registering for an online class to start building credits in case I want to take the patent bar exam at some point -- basically I have to take 32 credit hours worth of science classes to be eligible to sit for it. I can take the classes at the community college here in Dallas, and it's ridiculously cheaper than the real college (like $140 versus ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS) so I figure I need to start and see if that's something I actually want to pursue. I have also been considering going to business school, not for a couple years, but if I do the patent bar I probably won't do my MBA, so I'd like to go ahead and rule out one or the other.
Alright, I'm off to the Rangers baseball game -- what could be more American? Happy 4th everyone!!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Sippin' on Gin and ... Diet Tonic, with a Splash of Lime
Summer's here and there's nothing better than lounging by the pool or sitting on the patio enjoying a cold drink. Drinking is also a way to pack on some extra calories to your day without realizing it. I've come across so many different calorie counting sites that say the calorie count for each drink is different, so it's also hard to estimate exactly how much you're consuming when you're wasting away in Margaritaville. Below are the top five drinks that I tend to avoid (although I can't always say no to the margarita) and the five drinks that I like to order.
WORST (AND MOST DELICIOUS) DRINKS TO ORDER:
1. Long Island Iced Tea - 780 Calories
Serving Size: About 8oz
Ingredients: one part vodka, one part tequila, one part rum, one part gin, one part triple sec, 1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix, a splash of Coke (The liquor should equal two or three total shots.)
This one was a SHOCK - I had no idea that long islands were this many calories. And this is just for the normal 8oz size, I love the giant long islands at Houlihan's. Wow.
2. Margarita - 740 Calories
Serving Size: About 8oz
Ingredients: 4 ounces limeade/mix, 4 ounces tequila, 1/3 ounce triple sec
Oh margaritas. I love you, and the chips with salsa, queso, and guacamole that inevitably come along with you. Like I said, I still can't turn down a good margarita, but when I do order one, that's it - just one. If I want another drink I'll get a light beer. Some restaurants have started serving the "Skinny Margaritas" but they might as well be a shot of tequila with some lime juice - bleh.
3. Mai Tai - 350 Calories
Ingredients: 1 ounce light rum, 1/2 ounce dark rum, 1/2 ounce creme de almond, 1/2 ounce triple sec, sweet and sour mix, pineapple juice
I won't order a mai tai unless I'm on vacation, which isn't often, but since they are so delicious I thought I would post this calorie count anyway. I guess it's better than the margarita, but it's still a little bit over the top considering most people can suck these down like fruit punch.
4. Vodka or Gin Tonic - 200 Calories
Ingredients: 2 ounces gin/vodka, 5 ounces tonic water, one lime wedge
This one was also a bit of a shock - I thought this was a low calorie drink order! It certainly doesn't taste as delicious as the other drinks on this list. Order this one with a diet tonic mixer and you'll bring down the calorie count significantly (see below). NOTE: The same calorie count goes for a rum and coke, whiskey and coke, etc.
5. Beer - Between 160 to 200 Calories
Serving Size: 12oz
If you're ordering regular (not light) beer, you might as well order a hard liquor drink. You won't drink as much and you won't feel as bloated in the morning. A Sam Adams has 180 calories, Guinness has 176, and Blue Moon has 170 (saaaaaad, I love Blue Moon).
Honorable Mention:
White Russian - 425 Calories
Strawberry Daquiri - 220 Calories
Pina Colada - 650 Calories
BEST (AND MOST TOLERABLE) DRINKS TO ORDER:
1. Rum and Diet Coke - 65 Calories
Serving Size: 6oz
Ingredients: 1oz rum, 5oz Diet Coke
This one is a good standby, nothing too crazy about it, but it's light and refreshing, and very little chance that the bartender will mess up the order. Same calorie count goes for most liquors and a diet mixer - vodka and Sprite Zero being my other favorite.
2. Gin/Vodka and Diet Tonic - 110 Calories
Serving Size: 8oz
Ingredients: 1.5oz Gin, 6.5oz Diet Tonic
This one has a bitter taste, but I usually ask for a couple of lime wedges with it. Another thing you can do is order this drink with a splash of cranberry juice. It does up the calories a little, but only a little, and you'll love the taste. Sometimes saying, "I'll have a gin and diet tonic with a splash of cranberry juice and two lime wedges, please," you get a look from the bartender that's like, "This is not Starbucks, you can't order your drink one thousand different ways," but for the most part it's worked out well.
3. Mojito - 160 Calories
4. Cosmo - 150 Calories
5. Light Beer - Between 55 and 110 Calories
WORST (AND MOST DELICIOUS) DRINKS TO ORDER:
Serving Size: About 8oz
Ingredients: one part vodka, one part tequila, one part rum, one part gin, one part triple sec, 1 1/2 parts sweet and sour mix, a splash of Coke (The liquor should equal two or three total shots.)
This one was a SHOCK - I had no idea that long islands were this many calories. And this is just for the normal 8oz size, I love the giant long islands at Houlihan's. Wow.
Serving Size: About 8oz
Ingredients: 4 ounces limeade/mix, 4 ounces tequila, 1/3 ounce triple sec
Oh margaritas. I love you, and the chips with salsa, queso, and guacamole that inevitably come along with you. Like I said, I still can't turn down a good margarita, but when I do order one, that's it - just one. If I want another drink I'll get a light beer. Some restaurants have started serving the "Skinny Margaritas" but they might as well be a shot of tequila with some lime juice - bleh.
Ingredients: 1 ounce light rum, 1/2 ounce dark rum, 1/2 ounce creme de almond, 1/2 ounce triple sec, sweet and sour mix, pineapple juice
I won't order a mai tai unless I'm on vacation, which isn't often, but since they are so delicious I thought I would post this calorie count anyway. I guess it's better than the margarita, but it's still a little bit over the top considering most people can suck these down like fruit punch.
Ingredients: 2 ounces gin/vodka, 5 ounces tonic water, one lime wedge
This one was also a bit of a shock - I thought this was a low calorie drink order! It certainly doesn't taste as delicious as the other drinks on this list. Order this one with a diet tonic mixer and you'll bring down the calorie count significantly (see below). NOTE: The same calorie count goes for a rum and coke, whiskey and coke, etc.
Serving Size: 12oz
If you're ordering regular (not light) beer, you might as well order a hard liquor drink. You won't drink as much and you won't feel as bloated in the morning. A Sam Adams has 180 calories, Guinness has 176, and Blue Moon has 170 (saaaaaad, I love Blue Moon).
Honorable Mention:
White Russian - 425 Calories
Strawberry Daquiri - 220 Calories
Pina Colada - 650 Calories
BEST (AND MOST TOLERABLE) DRINKS TO ORDER:
Serving Size: 6oz
Ingredients: 1oz rum, 5oz Diet Coke
This one is a good standby, nothing too crazy about it, but it's light and refreshing, and very little chance that the bartender will mess up the order. Same calorie count goes for most liquors and a diet mixer - vodka and Sprite Zero being my other favorite.
Serving Size: 8oz
Ingredients: 1.5oz Gin, 6.5oz Diet Tonic
This one has a bitter taste, but I usually ask for a couple of lime wedges with it. Another thing you can do is order this drink with a splash of cranberry juice. It does up the calories a little, but only a little, and you'll love the taste. Sometimes saying, "I'll have a gin and diet tonic with a splash of cranberry juice and two lime wedges, please," you get a look from the bartender that's like, "This is not Starbucks, you can't order your drink one thousand different ways," but for the most part it's worked out well.
Ingredients: 2 to 3 ounces rum, 1 tsp. lime juice, 2 tsp. sugar, fresh mint leaves, club soda
LOVE mojitos, they're so refreshing, but I feel weird ordering it at a bar. If I'm sitting down at a restaurant, this is definitely my drink of choice, but if the bartender is going to have to dig out the muddler and mint leaves from God knows where, I'll pass.
Ingredients: 1 ounce vodka, 1/2 ounce triple sec, 1/2 ounce lime juice, 1/2 ounce cranberry juice
[Insert necessary reference to Carrie Bradshaw and the Sex in the City girls.] Ok, now that that's out of the way, this martini is actually not bad. The problem is, they go so fast because they're so small, and you end up ordering way more than you ever thought you would. I prefer having a bigger drink to sip on so I'll order less.
Serving Size: 12oz
Any light beer is going to put you out ahead of ordering regular beers and most cocktails. The lowest calorie beers are the ones with the calories in their names: Miller Genuine Draft 64, Budweiser Select 55, etc. But counting for taste as well, not just calories, I prefer a Miller Lite at 96 calories, Coors Light at 102 calories, or Bud Light Lime at 110 calories. (Seriously, Bud Light Lime is the perfect summer, sit-by-the-pool drink.)
Honorable Mention:
Whiskey Sour: 125 calories
Mimosa: 140 calories
Bloody Mary: 140 calories
All of these calorie counts were taken from different websites, and I took the average of the information that I found. Some sites, for example, said that margaritas are 300 calories, but the majority sided with the 700+ amounts. (Bummer, I know.)
All of these calorie counts were taken from different websites, and I took the average of the information that I found. Some sites, for example, said that margaritas are 300 calories, but the majority sided with the 700+ amounts. (Bummer, I know.)
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Mid-Month Status Report
I hadn't weighed myself all week because I've been catsitting for one of my mom's friends and she doesn't have a digital scale. I was a little concerned because I got takeout, ate out a LOT, and went to Austin this past weekend for a little mini-trip. I got on today, not sure what to expect, and I have lost two pounds!! It's a little bit short of my 7 pound goal for this month (I wish I was at 3 already) but considering the circumstances, I am very encouraged!
A lot of people at work have been secretly complimenting me, as in asking the people I'm closer to if I've lost weight. These are all men doing this, and I'm not sure why they think it's a big secret. Is it because they think I would assume if they say I've lost weight that I didn't look good before, or that I desperately needed to lose weight and they don't want to point that out? I appreciate that they don't want to hurt my feelings, but I love me some compliments!
Tonight is happy hour at Chuy's with the free nacho bar. If I can get a beer instead of a margarita I can cut 200 calories and then I will have nachos for dinner. And then go to BodyPump at 7:30. (I JUST got over being sore from the last one.) This weekend another friend is coming into town so I'll need to plan carefully for that as well.
A lot of people at work have been secretly complimenting me, as in asking the people I'm closer to if I've lost weight. These are all men doing this, and I'm not sure why they think it's a big secret. Is it because they think I would assume if they say I've lost weight that I didn't look good before, or that I desperately needed to lose weight and they don't want to point that out? I appreciate that they don't want to hurt my feelings, but I love me some compliments!
Tonight is happy hour at Chuy's with the free nacho bar. If I can get a beer instead of a margarita I can cut 200 calories and then I will have nachos for dinner. And then go to BodyPump at 7:30. (I JUST got over being sore from the last one.) This weekend another friend is coming into town so I'll need to plan carefully for that as well.
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