Category Archives: Food101

Chef Blanding with the Pots: Black Bean Patties

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IMG_0913Now that I’ve found the perfect combination for my black bean patties, I decided to share my recipe. I hope it comes out good for you like it did for me.

Ingredients:

  • 1 can of black beans
  • 2 tsp of minced garlic
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 of a yellow onion (diced)
  • 1 cup of whole wheat flour
  • 6 tbsp of salsa
  • 1 tbsp of chili powder
  • Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

  1. Set oven to 375 and spray an 8×8 pan with cooking spray. .
  2. Puree black beans in a food processor (I used the Ninja Express Chop (about $20 give or take from Wally World). It takes only about 5 seconds. I usually do it twice just to make sure its the consistency I want so let’s say 10)
  3. Spoon beansĀ into a bowl, add salt/ pepper to taste, minced garlic, diced yellow onion, salsa, and chili powder and stir until well blended.
  4. Add egg and then cup of whole wheat flour.
  5. Form into patties (this recipe made 6 patties while a recipe I did before only made 4). It all depends on how big you want your patties.
  6. Place patties into pan. You should be able to get 4 patties into the pan, but if you made them big then you won’t.
  7. Place into oven and cook 10 minutes on each side.
  8. Bon Appetit!

Challenge: Can You Eat Healthy On A Budget of $40 for 2 Weeks

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IMG_7350I decided to do this challenge after seeing all these food stamp challenges. I also wanted to know if I could create a 2 week meal plan that would allow me to stick to a $40 budget to include 3 meals and snacks for 2 weeks. Of course, this would only work if I had a few staples already in the house. I also would have to pay attention even more to serving sizes and meal plan, meal plan, meal plan! This challenge is posted after I completed it to show what I spent.

What Did I Already Have?

Oatmeal – A container of oatmeal has 11 servings (depending on what size you buy) if you eat the serving size which is 1/2 cup of dry oats. I already had a container in my cupboard and had only eaten 3 servings during my 7 Day Challenge so that left me with 8 servings. Since I don’t want to eat the same thing every day for breakfast, I will probably alternate. With 8 servings to eat, I can eat oatmeal 4 times out the 1st week and 4 times out the second.

Grits- I saw two containers of grits in my cupboard during the start of the 7 Day Challenge and thought I was good to go for the week. Then I found out that one of the containers was practically empty and the other one was about to be. I had to buy a bag of grits a week before I started this challenge which allowed me to mark this off my grocery list.

Three Cheese Sharp Shredded Cheese- I’m not even sure what I originally bought this for, but I still had it in the fridge and it doesn’t expire until September of this year. I plan on using this in my Black Bean and Corn Quesadilla

Real Bacon Pieces (Low Sodium)- my Aunt told me about this quick easy breakfast which involves grits, real bacon pieces and cheese. Real bacon pieces is cheaper than turkey bacon so there is savings there. Besides, I only eat bacon in my grits anyway.

Kraft Light Sour Cream

Rice Pilaf (2 boxes)- I got this at Wal-Mart during the 7 Day Challenge, it was marked down to $1 a box.

Cereal

Popcorn

Turkey Patties- leftover from the 7 Day Challenge

Pancake Mix

Light Ranch dressing

Jelly

Taco Seasoning

Hash browns

Chips- I am trying not to eat chips, but since I have 5 bags of chips, in the event I get hungry at work, I’ll grab one

Staples: Eggs, mayo, sweet relish, light margarine, peanut butter

Grocery List

  • Farmers Market (First Visit)
  1. 4 Bananas- I like to eat bananas in my oatmeal. I only need 8 bananas to go with my 8 servings of oatmeal. Well, technically 4 because only half a banana is needed in oatmeal, but you get the picture. However, since I don’t like my bananas really ripe, I bought 4 from the Farmer’s Market and at the top of the 2nd of week, I bought another 4
  2. 4 Baked Potatoes – there’s something about having a potato with fish, whether its mashed or baked. Hopefully I can find 4 really good ones for a great price
  3. 1 zucchini
  4. 1 squash

Total Spent: $3.24

  • Farmers Market (Second Visit)

1. 4 Bananas

2. 2 Plum Tomatoes

Total Spent: $1.40

Total Spent at the Farmers Market: $4.64

Notes: I definitely could’ve gotten more squash and zucchini on my first visit considering the price at the Farmers Market, but once I slice these two veggies up, it spreads very well so only 2 are needed. Never again will I buy produce from a supermarket. I normally spend $4 on 4 microwave-ready potatoes. Here at the market, I didn’t even spend $4 on everything I got.

  • Wally World (Wal-Mart- First Visit)
  1. Bag of Salmon (I bought this during the 7 Day Challenge for only $3.25. This week, it was $3.97)
  2. 1 bag of broccoli florets
  3. 1 pack of English Muffins (12-count) (I could’ve gotten a 6-pack of whole wheat bagels for less, but I chose the English muffins because its lower in calories)

Total Spent: $7.69

  • Wally World (Second Visit)

1. Salad Mix

Total Spent: 1.48

Note: I couldn’t find the bag for .99 that was for 2 servings so I had to buy the 4 serving bag.

Total Spent at Wally World: $9.17

Save-A-Lot (I prefer Save-A-Lot over Aldi only because they give you bags, lol)

  1. 1 can of black beans
  2. 1 can of whole kernel corn
  3. 1 jar of Mild Salsa
  4. 1 pack of whole wheat tortillas (10 count)
  5. 1 package of Sandwich cheese
  6. Bacon bits (this is actually for my baked potato since I’m using real bacon pieces for my grits)
  7. Cream of Mushroom soup
  8. Crackers
  9. 1 can of spinach
  10. 1 can of green beans
  11. 1 can of collard greens
  12. Yogurt (4)
  13. Pinto Beans (2 cans)
  14. 1 loaf of whole wheat bread
  15. 2 packs of Tyson Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (3 breasts each)
  16. 1 pack of chicken drumsticks

Total Spent at Save-A-Lot: $25.79

What Did I Spend?

I spent a total of $39.60. While I intended to show copies of all my receipts, I accidentally threw away the receipts to the Farmers’ Market and to Wally World on my second visits.

Farmers Market (First Visit)
Save-A-Lot
Wally World (First Visit)

Meal Plan (Week One)

Sunday 06/07/2015

Breakfast: Oatmeal, 1 banana, 1 toasted English muffin with 1 tbsp of light butter

Lunch: 1 chicken drumstick, 1 serving of rice pilaf, 1/2 cup of spinach

Dinner: Moe’s Grill to support the Theta Eta Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho’s fundraiser (EEE-YIP!)

Monday 06/08/2015

Breakfast: 1 serving of grits, 1 tbsp of Real Bacon pieces, and 1 slice of sandwich cheese, andĀ 1 toasted English muffin with 1 tbsp of light butter

Snack: Yogurt

Lunch: 1 chicken drumstick, 1 serving of rice pilaf, 1/2 cup of spinach

Dinner: 4 oz of salmon, baked potato with butter, bacon bits and sour cream, 1 cup of broccoli florets

Tuesday 06/09/2015

Breakfast:Ā Oatmeal,Ā 1 banana, 1 toasted English muffin with 1/2 aĀ  tbsp of light butter

Snack: Yogurt

Lunch: 1 chicken drumstick, 1 serving of rice pilaf, 1/2 cup of spinach

Dinner: 4 oz of salmon, baked potato with butter, bacon bits and sour cream, 1 cup of broccoli florets

Wednesday 06/10/2015

Breakfast: 1 serving of grits, 1 tbsp of Real Bacon pieces, and 1 slice of sandwich cheeseĀ andĀ 1 toasted English muffin with 1 tbsp of light butter

Snack: Yogurt

Lunch: Shredded Chicken with brown rice, cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 cup of collard greens

Dinner:Ā 4 oz of salmon, baked potato, 1 cup of broccoli florets

Thursday 06/11/2015

Breakfast: Egg Muffin Sandwich ( 1 English Muffin with 1 egg, 1/2 tbsp of butter, and 1 tbsp of bacon bits)and 1 banana

Lunch: Shredded Chicken with brown rice, cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 cup of collard greens

Snack: Yogurt

Dinner: 4 oz of salmon, baked potato, 1 cup of broccoli florets

Friday 06/12/2015

Breakfast:Ā 1 serving of grits, 1 tbsp of Real Bacon pieces, and 1 slice of sandwich cheeseĀ andĀ 1 toasted English muffin with 1 tbsp of light butter

Snack: Yogurt

Lunch:Ā Shredded Chicken with brown rice, cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 cup of collard greens

Dinner: 1 broccoli and cheese baked potato and 4 Chicken Nuggets from Wendy’s

Saturday 06/13/2015

Snack: 1 banana

Breakfast: 1 serving ofĀ grits with butter, slice of cheese and 2 turkey patties and 1 English Muffin with butter

Lunch: Black Bean and Corn Quesadilla (Check out the recipe here!)

Dinner: Shredded Chicken with brown rice, cream of mushroom soup and 1 cup of California Style Vegetable Mix (leftover from the 7 Day Challenge)

_____________________________________

Meal Plan (Week Two)

Sunday 06/14/2015

Breakfast: Egg Muffin Sandwich ( 1 English Muffin with 1 egg, 1/2 tbsp of butter, and 1 tbsp of bacon bits)

Lunch: Black Bean and Corn Quesadilla

Dinner: 4 oz of boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 cup of cooked/sliced Ā zucchini+ squash mix, 1/2 cup of Ā pinto beans

Monday 06/15/2015

Breakfast:Ā Oatmeal and 1 banana, 1 toasted English muffin with 1 tbsp of light butter

Lunch: 4 oz of boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 cup of zucchini/ squash mix, 1/2 cup of pinto beans

Snack: Yogurt

Dinner: Black Bean and Corn Quesadilla

Tuesday 06/16/2015

Breakfast:2 Black Bean and Corn Burritos (I made burritos with the leftover mix versus quesadillas)

Lunch: 4 oz of boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 cup of zucchini/ squash mix, 1/2 cup of pinto beans

Snack: Crackers and Peanut Butter

Dinner: 1 drumstick, 1/2 cup of pinto beans, 1 serving of rice pilaf, 1/2 cup of green beans

Wednesday 06/17/2015

Breakfast:Ā Oatmeal and 1 banana, 1 toasted English muffin with 1 tbsp of light butter

Lunch:Ā Shredded Chicken with brown rice, cream of mushroom soup and 1/2 cup of collard greens (leftovers!)

Snack: Crackers and Peanut Butter

Dinner: 1 drumstick, 1/2 cup of pinto beans, 1 serving of rice pilaf

Thursday 06/18/2015

Breakfast: 2 sausage burritos and 2 hash browns from McDonalds’ (I was running late and had a cheat meal)

Lunch: 1 drumstick, 1 serving of rice pilaf, 1/2 cup of pinto beans

Dinner: Chicken Salad (1/4 of the salad mix with baked chicken, tomatoes, eggs, and light ranch dressing)

Friday 06/19/2015

Breakfast: 1 banana, 1 serving of grits, 1 tbsp of Real Bacon pieces, and 1 slice of sandwich cheese

Lunch: Chicken Salad (1/4 of the salad mix with baked chicken, tomatoes, eggs, and light ranch dressing)

Dinner: 1 drumstick, 1 serving of rice pilaf, 1/2 cup of pinto beans

Saturday 06/20/2015

Breakfast:Ā No breakfast this morning. I slept in

Lunch: Chicken Salad (1/4 of the salad mix with baked chicken, tomatoes, eggs, and light ranch dressing)

Dinner: My uncle treated me to a cheat meal at Ryan’s.

7 Day Challenge (Day Seven): Saturday, June 6, 2015

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IMG_7349Food, Food, Food

Breakfast

1 serving of grits, 2 turkey patties, slice of cheese and 1 banana

Calories: 425
Lunch

4 oz of boneless skinless chicken breast, 1/2 cup of carrots, 1/2 cup of collard greens

Calories: 160

Snack

6 oz of Lowfat Strawberry Banana Yogurt

Calories: 205

Dinner

1 chicken drumstick, 1 cup of California Style Vegetable Mix, 1/2 cup of whole kernel corn, 1/2 cup of Near East Wild Mushroom

Calories: 435

Total Calories: 1170

Exercise

30 minute walk on the treadmill at 3 miles per hour (I did various inclines every 5 minutes)

Water

1 gallon of water completed!

7 Day Challenge (Day Six): Friday, June 5, 2015

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IMG_7348Food, Food, Food

Breakfast

1 serving of Mom’s Best Oatmeal, 1 banana, 2 turkey patties

Calories: 400

Snack

6 oz cup of Yoplait Light Limited Edition Watermelon Yogurt

Calories: 90

Lunch

4 oz of boneless skinless chicken breast, 1 cup of zucchini/ squash mix and 1/2 cup of black eye peas

Calories: 208

Snack

6 oz cup of Lowfat Strawberry Banana yogurt with 1/2 cup of Post Honey Ohs cereal

Calories: 205

Dinner

Calories: 4 oz of pink salmon skin-on, 1/2 cup of whole kernel corn, 1 cup of California Vegetable Medley

Calories: 200

Exercise

2 laps around the Lake Pointe Business Park, completed in 34 minutes

Water

1 gallon- completed!

7 Day Challenge (Day Five): Thursday, June 6, 2015

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dayfiveOn My Soapbox

Well, since my oranges went bad, I didn’t have that as a snack. I also was busy at the beginning of the day so I didn’t even have a mid-morning snack. I really hope I’m not putting my body in starvation mode by sometimes not eating 1200 calories. I did it make it to almost 1500 today. It’s only because I got a salad from Wendy’s to go with dinner. I guess I’ll see on Sunday at weigh-in if these calories will affect the scale.

Food, Food, Food

Breakfast

1 serving of grits with 1 tbsp of light margarine, 2 turkey patties and 1 slice of cheese, 1 banana

Calories: 425

Lunch

4 oz of boneless skinless chicken breast, 1/2 cup of black eye peas, 1/2 cup of collard greens

Calories: 210

Snack

6 oz of Nonfat Banana Creme Pie Yogurt with 1/2 cup of Post Honey Ohs

Calories: 135

Dinner

1 chicken drumstick, 1/2 cup of black eye peas, 1/2 of collard greens

Half size Apple Pecan Chicken Salad with 2 tbsps of Pomegranate Vinaigrette dressing from Wendy’s

Calories: 690

Total Calories: 1460

Exercise: I was only able to do 1 lap around the business park before it started drizzling. I was talking on the phone during the walk so it took me 20 minutes for 1 lap versus the normal 15-17. I then did 10 minutes at home of freestyle dancing to The Pussycat Dolls and Christina Aguilera šŸ™‚Ā 

Water: 1 gallon completed!

7 Day Challenge (Day Four): Wednesday, June 3, 2015

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IMG_7346On My Soapbox

So to help me get closer to 1200 calories, when me and my temporary roommate went to Jack in the Box, I bought the Sourdough Grilled Chicken Club sandwich, didn’t eat the bread or the bacon (pork is considered as a red meat, which is against the challenge), but only ate the grilled chicken, lettuce, and tomato. I also once again finished all of my water, another gallon down!

Food, Food, Food

Breakfast

1 packet of Kiggins Instant Oatmeal- Raise & Spice with 1 tbsp of light margarine, 2 turkey patties, and 1 banana

Calories:400

Snack

6 oz of Nonfat Banana Creme Pie Yogurt with 1/2 cup of Post Honey Ohs cereal

Calories: 135

Lunch

4 oz of boneless skinless chicken breast, 1/2 cup of sliced carrots, and 1/2 cup of collard greens

Calories: 160

Snack

I planned on eating an orange as my snack, but my orange was rotten! Eewww!

Dinner

1 chicken drumstick, 1/2 cup of whole kernel corn, 1/2 cup ofĀ collard greens

Calories:260

Misc

Jack in the Box Sourdough Grilled Chicken Club

Calories: The sandwich is originally 540 calories but since I removed the bread and bacon, I’m not sure how many calories that is. So I basically dividedĀ the total calories in halfĀ and assumed that without the bread and bacon, it could be 270. It could be way less, but I really have no way of really knowing.

Exercise

I was only able to walk 1 mile at work before it started drizzling in 19 minutes. I went over my usual time by 2 minutes. I also spent 11 minutes freestyle dancing around my room.

Total Calories: 1223

7 Day Challenge (Day Three): Tuesday, June 2, 2015

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On My Soapbox

Well, according to MyFitnessPal, getting slightly over 1000 is good enough. I completed my entry for yesterday and it didn’t give me a message that I wasn’t eating enough calories.Ā I didn’t do that much better today. Only clocked in at 1012 calories.

Food, Food, Food

Breakfast

1 banana, 1 serving of grits with light margarine, 2 turkey patties and a slice of cheese

Calories: 455Ā 

Snack

6 oz cup of Nonfat Banana Creme Pie Yogurt with 1/2 cup of Post Honey Ohs

Calories: 135

Lunch

4 oz of boneless skinless chicken breast, 1/2 cup of sliced carrots, 1/2 cup of collard greens

Calories: 160

Snack

1 orange

Calories: 62

Dinner

4 oz of baked pink salmon, 1/2 cup of whole kernel corn, 1/2 cup of green beans

Calories: 190

Misc:

Total Calories: 1012 calories

Exercise

2 laps around the Lake Pointe Business Park, completed in 34 minutes

7 Day Challenge (Day Two): Monday, June 1, 2015

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On My Soapbox

So one of the things that is making me nervous during this challenge is the lack of calories I’m eating. While I’m eating 3 meals a day including a snack or two, my calories weren’t hitting 1200 with the things I planned to eat. I read an article on livestrong.com regarding the dangers of eating too few calories and this is one of the side effects along with malnutrition. Also, when you don’t give your body enough food, it sometimes hangs on to every calorie because it feels like it needs it. Eating too few calories can also cause the following according to the article on LiveStrong:

  • sluggish metabolism
  • slower fat burning process
  • dizziness
  • headaches
  • irritability (I’ve already feeling this due to the lack of bread, lol)

Food, Food, Food

Breakfast

1 packet of Kiggins Oatmeal- Original Flavor with 1 tbsp of Blue Bonnet Light Margarine

1 banana

2 Banquet Turkey Patties (I ate this with breakfast although I bought it to go with my grits so I could eat more calories)

Calories: 350

Lunch

4 oz of boneless skinless chicken breast

1/2 cup of collard greens

1/2 cup of Great Northern Beans

Calories: 210

Dinner

4 oz of Baked Pink Salmon Skin-On

1/2 cup of whole kernel corn

1/2 cup of green beans

Calories: 190

Snacks

1 orange

1 bag of Fritos Corn Chips (I only ate this because it was at my desk so I could increase my calorie count)

6 oz cup of Lowfat Banana Creme Pie Yogurt with 1/2 cup of Post Ohs cereal

Calories: 357

Total Calories: 1107

Exercise

2 laps around the Lake Pointe Business Park, completed in 34 minutes (this is about two miles), 100 jumping jacks

Water

Completed – 1 gallon!

7 Day Challenge (Day One): Sunday, May 31, 2015

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Starting Stats

IMG_7338

I’m still trying to figure out what could’ve happened to make me go to 206.6 this week. Last week, I weighed in at 205.8, so I gained .8 lbs somehow. I did eat a pint of Talenti Raspberry Cheesecake throughout the week, but I tried to stick to the 1/2 cup serving. It has loads of sugar (over 20g per serving) so this could be it. I also ate a lot of fried chicken because I bought a tray of fried chicken portions from Wally World. However, even with the gelato and fried chicken, I didn’t go over my total amount of allotted calories for the day. I’ve been told that things matter a whole lot more than calories when it comes to food. Sugar content, fat, all are important in addition to calories. I also walked 3-4 times out the week. Or it could be all the bad eating I did yesterday that showed up on the scale. Or maybe it is water weight, lol. I read an article on prevention.com which discusses 7 weird reasons you can be gaining weight. Here are the seven reasons:

  1. You’re depressed
  2. You’re taking the wrong Prescription Medication (some medications slow down metabolism)
  3. Digestive issues
  4. You’re missing certain nutrients
  5. You’re getting older
  6. You have plantar fasciitis- this is a musculoskeletal condition
  7. You have Cushing’s Syndrome- Ā a condition caused by prolonged exposure to cortisol

Food, Food, Food

Breakfast

1 serving of cooked grits with Ā½ tbsp. of Blue Bonnet Light Butter

2 Turkey Patties

1 slice of Sandwich Cheese (the easiest way to make cheese grits!)

Calories: 345

Lunch

4 oz. of Baked Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

Ā½ cup of Great Northern Beans

Ā½ cup ofĀ Collard Greens

Calories: 210

Dinner

4 oz of baked Pink Salmon fillet (Skin-On)

1/2 cup of cut green beans

Ā½ cup of whole kernel corn

Calories: 190

Snacks

1 large banana (I ate this right after my morning walk while I was fixing breakfast)

1 medium size orange (This was my bedtime snack lol)

Calories: 172

Misc

1 Peppermint – 20 cals

Exercise

Ā 2.5 mile walk at Cherry Park, completed in 56 minutes.

Water

Ā 1 Gallon (Completed!)

Total Calories for the Day: 937

My calories for the day are not good at all. It’s reported that women should eat at least 1200 calories a day. I would’ve hit this if I was able to eat bread. With breakfast, I normally would have 2 pieces of toast with butter, which would probably be an additional 190 calories. I also generally eat 8-12 ounces of baked chicken, but to save money so the chicken would stretch out for the week, I cut each piece of chicken in half after weighing it. This also took off 110 calories. I also could’ve had a baked potato with dinner, but I didn’t purchase this at the grocery store and I’ve already maxed out my grocery budget. Since I ate regularly throughout the day, I wasn’t hungry at all despite the number of calories I ate.

7 Day Challenge: How To Drink A Gallon of Water a Day

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FIS4KA9FZQ1G4SB.LARGEThere are a total of 128 ounces of water in each gallon. Yes, that is a lot and yes, you will have frequent trips to the bathroom. While this particular 7 Day Challenge only requires you to drink 6 or more bottles, I’m used to drinking a gallon of water from the original 7 Day Challenge I completed.Ā 

With Breakfast, drink 32 oz.

With Mid-Morning Snack, drink 16 oz.

With Lunch, drink 32 oz.

With Afternoon Snack, drink 16 oz.

With Dinner, drink 32 oz.

*If after dinner, there is still water in the jug, which does happen on occasion, just drink it before bed šŸ™‚Ā 

This plan can always be altered.Ā  For example, if you workout in the evening, you can drink 16 oz. after exercising, and then drink 16 oz. with dinner. This breakdown is just to give you a head start if you’re a beginner like I was last year.Ā 

7 Day Challenge: Ready, Set, Go!

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This is a picture of me probably at my heaviest.

This is a picture of me probably at my heaviest.

Weight Struggles

Welcome to my online diary for the next seven days. If youā€™re a regular on social media, youā€™ve probably seen posts regarding the 7 Day Challenge. Is it hard? Yes. I can say this because Iā€™ve completed the challenge before. I did it last year and lost 4.4 lbs. It is hard because you have to have willpower even when youā€™re in tempting situations. Imagine the temptation when you walk into an event with cake everywhere. IY YI YI!

The challenge worked for me, but here comes the sad part. I gained the weight back and then some. How did this happen? Well, several things caused this. For one, Iā€™m greedy when it comes to sweets. I like ice cream, cupcakes, Oreo pudding cakes, cake pops, etc. and I love dining out. Put all of that with lack of exercise and you got twenty extra pounds coming at cha!

In addition, Iā€™m an emotional eater. If Iā€™m happy, I feel like I need to celebrate in some type of way and I reward myself with food. If Iā€™m sad, I will literally try and eat the problem away. Once, I was upset over an issue with a friend so I went to Wally World, bought a pack of Pillsbury Chocolate Chip cookies, baked all 12 of ā€˜em and ate ā€˜em (these were the 12 BIG cookies). Yes, I ate all of the cookies, right out the oven. It was melt in my mouth chocolaty goodness. I remember sharing this story with my OBGYN and her face was like: *insert blank stare*.Ā 

Growing up, I only got on the scale a couple of times so I only remember a few of the weights Iā€™ve been. I remember being 100 lbs., 138 lbs., 145 lbs. (I was in high school when I was 145). Then, I went to college, my parents passed, I ate, ate, ate, ate and the next weight I ended up at was 233. I had a few friends helping me to try and lose the weight, but I was stubborn and didnā€™t want to put in any work. I did manage to lose 12 lbs. within 4 weeks (I lost 9 lbs. at the first weigh-in, which was after 2 weeks, and then 3 lbs. at the second weigh-in) only to give up and gain it back.

I am on the far right. This is me at 170 lbs.

I am on the far right. This is me at 170 lbs.

Then, one day, I had a wake-up call. I needed to get my life together. Ā I had just ended a relationship, had strayed away from the Lord, and I was fat. Yeah, Iā€™ll say it, I was fat. I knew there had to be an easy way to get the weight off versus doing all these hard, painful exercises. Therefore, I started walkingĀ  (I would walk 3 miles per hour on the treadmill, 3-4Ā  times out the week, did a couple of walks at Riverwalk, and walked two or more laps at Cherry Park). I counted my calories with the help of two apps, Fat Secret and MyFitnessPal, and eventually advanced from walking to the elliptical, which I would do for 30-35 minutes. I lost a total of 63 lbs., reaching a weight of 170. My goal weight was 150.

Then, those old habits started creeping back in. I went all the way back up to 202 lbs. after a fun trip to Orlando, Florida last June. I got my act together, started walking, did the 7 Day Challenge and got back down to 186 lbs. for a photo-shoot in September. I maintained that same weight until October and then after that, the holidays hit, and it was downhill all over again. Now, Iā€™m trying to lose the weight again.

The Plan

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At the end of each day starting on Sunday, I will be publishing a blog post of my meals for the day, calories per meal, and total calories for the day. I will also include the exercise I did along with any other tidbits.

The Goal

My goal for this challenge is to simply lose and not gain. Iā€™m using this challenge to jump start my weight loss. There is not a set number Iā€™m looking to lose at the end of this challenge. I simply need to lose. I will say that my goal is to lose 10 lbs. by June 27th for my sororā€™s wedding. Once that is complete, I will then head towards my ultimate goal of getting back to 170 and then to my stretch goal of 150.Ā 

The Disclaimer

In no way, shape or form, do I have the answers to weight loss. I also am not trying to be a fitness expert or nutritionist. Believe me. I do not have this desire.Ā  I simply am a woman who decided to put her struggles out there on the forefront to gain support and encouragement so I will be faithful on the challenge. I felt that if I had people watching, it would make me more determined to stick to the rules and not cheat, lol. Hopefully, it can encourage you to do the 7 Day Challenge as well if you need to lose a few pounds.

Foodie 101 Alert: 7 Awesome Waffle Iron Recipes

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So thanks to my reward points at work, I scored a new waffle iron. Mine is not circular, but square, but I’m certain I can do some of these recipes with it. I tried out the waffle iron for the first time this morning. My first two waffles weren’t picture worthy and although my last two were, I didn’t Instagram the moment. There will be more moments though that I’ll share. Here’s a video I found on YouTube regarding recipes specifically for the waffle iron. Enjoy!