R3 LM D16... Oh, Oh, Oh....It's Magic!

Down another pound this morning! That is 4 pounds in 4 days! Yesterday I raised my calories and did not workout since I take 2 days off. Just followed the carb rule and voila! Too cool :) Here is what I ate yesterday. I had a piece of a nut bar that I did not know the calorie count of. So I figure I would add another 50-75 cals for that, bringing it closer to 2000 cals.

Almond Oat Banana Walnut Pecan Choc Chip Muffins!

I tried out a new recipe and they are awesome! They are my new favorite muffin. Here is the recipe. If you try them, let me know what you think :)

1 cup almond flour (Honeyville grain blanched almond flour)

1/2 cup oats

1/2 cup no sugar added applesauce

2 mashed bananas

1 egg

2 Tbsp sugar free maple syrup

2 NuStevia packets

1/4 tsp baking soda

1 tsp vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

*1/4 cup pecans

*1/4 cup walnuts

*1/3 cup 70% cocao dark choc chips (whole foods 365 house label)

* are optional, but too good to leave out :)

Makes 8 muffins. Preheat oven to 350. I find using the paper muffin cups helpful. Mix all dry ingredients together in one bowl, and all the wet ingredients into another. Add dry to the wet and stir. Fold in pecans, walnuts and choc chips. Bake for 30-35 min until golden. Let them sit in the muffin tin for 20-30 minutes to cool.

My calculations for each of the 8 muffins with the optional items is: 214 calories, with 5.85 grams protein, and 12.75 effective carbs. (carbs minus the fiber content).

Without any of the optional items: 163.25 calories, 4.96 grams protein, and 11.2 effective carbs.

R3 LM D15....

Hello all! So I have been trying my new experiment doing the challenge with my friend. I have been doing all of the same stuff regarding type of food and workouts, but I have been very strict with keeping my carbs at 100 or less and keeping the protein at 80-110g. I can't believe how quickly carbs add up! BUT- I have lost 3 pounds in 3 days!! So cool. AND- I am eating a larger volume of food than before. Bulking it up with more veggies and fats. Keeps me full and happy! I am going to do this for awhile and see if I can get back to my original LIW even before I added back the exercise! I don't care about the number on the scale, it is just so cool to be able to control things so precisely by just observing the carb count!

R3 D12 LM...

Just when I am getting used to all of the beautiful weather..... there is snow in the forecast again!!! I have been busy working, and things have definitely been picking up. Everyone wants to lose before summer. I have been trying to think about what my new goals should be. I think I want to focus on nutrition. I am also joining Crossfit Draper to add to my workouts. It scares me a little.... but if I can do that, then I can do anything :) I have been reviewing my eating and am noticing some old patterns. I don't love veggies, I love sugar, and I hate cooking! In the past I went for whatever was easiest. When I come off the VLCD I am so good about cooking most meals and really upping the veggies. I always have some treats, but very limited. I am seeing that more and more I am going for easy protein (cottage cheese, protein shakes) small amounts of veggies and lots more treats. They are mostly all almond flour or sugar free, but still way too much. It scares me that I am reverting to old habits, even though they are much healthier. My friend and I have decided that for the next 2 weeks we are challenging each other to eat p3 style, keep carbs to under 100g per day, workout 5 days a week (3 crossfit), and no sugar/sugar free alcohols. We get one hour per week to have what we want, so make it good :) I am going to focus on preparation and veggies. This ought to be interesting, but fun :)

R3 D10 LM... goals and motivation!

Seems like I am only getting a post in every other day :) So, the no weigh ins is getting easier. There are so many times I am tempted to get on the scale, but I just think why? I feel great and am doing what I should. Not to mention, I have been so sore this week from workouts that I am sure the scale would tick me off :)

One thing I am noticing is that with out the scale I feel a little lost. I am someone is very goal oriented, and now that the "scale" is not my goal, I am not sure what to do with myself :) I realize that I need to set a goal for myself, but the key is that it cannot be weight related. There is a blog I have read for years and she some amazing insight. She talked about how eventually there has to be a bigger motivation than the number on the scale, or else we always end up falling off the wagon. That is so true. Because the number on the scale does not change your life. It is what you do with your new body that changes your life. She started martial arts and fell in love with it. After a while, she realized that she did not want to lose weight to see a number on the scale, but that if she were lighter and fitter she could dodge that kick to her head or take down her opponent faster. Now that is what I am talking about. Our fitness goals should help us be even better in our everyday lives. I also used to find myself thinking things like "I will do that when I am skinny...." We have this picture of how life would be if we are thin. Everything would be different right? Well, once you are "skinny" if you have not made the changes that you see in your "picture" then you are really right where you started. We have to start doing those things and living our lives the way we want NOW.

I had a little "A- HA" moment yesterday. Things had gotten stressful and we were driving past Olive Garden. I had that feeling of "wouldn't it be nice to just go in and eat my troubles away....", and then my mind instantly said "yeah right, that's all I need is to add feeling like crap and bloated and miserable. Then have to undo the damage afterwards....no thank-you!" It took a moment before I realized what had just happened. Even though the old pattern of eating for comfort came, my mind instantly rejected it and looked at it for what it was. It would not solve anything and in fact would make things worse. How cool is that? :)

So my challenge to you all is to set a "fitness" goal for yourself that can't be a number on the scale. One that makes a real difference in your life. Being able to play soccor with your kid without dying, fitting into only one seat on the airplane, running a 5k.... whatever you want. I am going to pick something this weekend and then will let you know!

R3 D8 LM...

Man, who knew having a job would mess up my blogging time :) I have been crazy busy between working and working out! I am so sore today, that getting up and out of a chair makes me want to cry! Yesterday the hubby came home from his road trip. It was really sunny so we went out and played volleyball for about an hour and a half until we were sweating our guts out. Then we sat in the hottub for a while. Next out to lunch and then to see the movie Date Night. It was pretty good, but not nearly as funny as I thought it would be. Our weather is completely nuts! By the time we were going to the movies, it was wind, severe rain, and thunder and lightening! 3 hours earlier and blue skies and sunshine. That's Utah for ya! Today I am going to work. It is supposed to be a weights day today, but I don't think I can do it :) I will have to do the treadmill instead and then try weights tomorrow if I can move :)

Pounds and Inches Away!!!! Info!

As you all know I got a new job with Pounds and Inches Away! It is located in Draper, Ut. We have finally gotten all of our new options available! Here they are:

1. Full 8 week HCG program. Includes starter kit, all literature and videos, and full support. Currently, this is our Spring special for $299!

2. Need to do more than one round? Try our FREE HCG program! $87 per month for 6 months! 2 Bottles of HCG for free within the 6 month period and all the client initiated support you need!

3. Support only! $87 for 4 weeks of support. You decide what help you need and when!

4. DIY HCG!! Already know what you are doing? Then just come on in and pick up your HCG! First time is $97, and then only $75 there after. This is the 2oz bottle and will last 30 days with .5cc's 3 times per day!

I think its pretty cool that we have all these options. That should cover just about any situation :) Feel free to stop in or give me a call!

** I forgot to mention that we also carry: grissini, all the flavors of stevia drops, stevia packets, food scales, bathroom scales, approved salad dressing, safe spice, HCG weight loss cure guide, yerba mate tea, and more!

Pounds and Inches Away
Bangerter Crossing
124 E 138000 South Unit B4
Draper, Ut 84020
877-993-DIET
801-571-3438

R3 D6 LM...

So I admit after the day of cheesecake, I did weigh yesterday morning and was up. My last weigh in last week was 149.4. After the cheesecake day I was 150.8. This morning after steak day I am 148.8! Not bad. The sun is still shining, and I wish I could just play in it today, but I have to work. Maybe I can figure out how to do my weights routine outside today..... ;)

R3 D5 LM...

Well I had a great time with my son yesterday. We shopped, went to the movies, out to Red Robin, bike riding around the lake, and then got cheesecake from Cheesecake factory and watched the Blindside! I had great food and way too much cheesecake :) I actually felt sick afterwards from having too much. I love their red velvet cheesecake :) I decided to do a steak day today with all of my treats yesterday. It was sunny and beautiful today and in the high seventies!! I worked all day and then went straight to dance class. Now, I am exhausted and am going to go sit in the hottub :)

R3 D4 LM...

Yesterday was so perfect. After work the hubby and I loaded up our bikes and went biking around the lake at Daybreak. It is master planned community with parks, lake, trails, etc. They have tons of model homes to go thru too. That is one of our favorite things to do together. They have ones that are like New York style lofts. So cool. Then we went to In and Out and ate outside. Next we played volleyball for about an hour. Perfect afternoon :) Today is supposed to be great weather again. The hubby had to go to Seattle this morning for work, so my son and I are planning a day out together. What a great weekend!

R3 D3 LM...

Yesterday was pretty busy so I did not get to check in :) I had a meeting a work and then went to visit a friend. We got some Cafe Rio for lunch and then I had Red Mango for the first time since last summer! I LOVE RED MANGO :) So good! Came home and got my weights workout in.

So, the not weighing things is weird. I have weighed everyday since last august. I am a perfectionist type and so the weighing always gave me immediate input as to how I was doing. Now I have several times a day that I feel great, but then several times that I swear I have gained weight and am huge :) Just goes to show that even after all of this progress, I still have issues! But like I said before, I eat pretty healthy all the time and I work out everyday. Realistically that is all I am willing to do without becoming a freak. So where I am, is going to have to be okay. I mean, I can tweak things here and there. Eat more or less if needed. But overall this is me :)

We are having warmer weather now, and the sun is already shining and the birds chirping. I love it. Today I have to work, and then I will most likely get the hubby to go walking or biking on the trail. Feels like it is going to be a good day :)

R3 Lifetime Maintenance Begins.....

So no weigh in today :) Today is the first day of the rest of my life :) And what do you know the sun is shining as well. I am so excited for this weeks forecast of sunshine and warmer temps! On the work front we are getting some new options and they are all being finalized so once I get all that info I will post all of the great stuff. Yesterdays workout was 1 on 1 volleyball with the hubby and this morning I will be headed off to dance class!

R3 P4 D21....

Today is the last day of P4! Time flies :) I am exactly the same this morning as the last 2 days. I have been between 149.0 and 149.8 for the last 12 days. Mostly at 149.4 like today. I am fine with that. Clothes and measurements are the same. So I guess this where the body wants to be :)

I decided that maybe it is time for me to put on my "big girl panties" and let go of my "pacifier", AKA "the scale" :) Lifetime maintenance should be me living my life, eating right and exercising, and doing the things I love. I have done 3 rounds and know what to do to maintain. Time to let go of the dreaded walk to the scale and allowing that to dictate how I feel about myself that day. I am going to try a month with once a week weigh ins. After that I will see how I am feeling, and decide how I want to proceed. One thing I have realized is that HCG becomes such a big part of your life, and that it can become a crutch like everything else in life. We sort of get stuck in an HCG loop. Almost a version of our previous yo-yo dieting, only slightly healthier :) Eventually, we need to take off the training wheels, and move on to new adventures. HCG has been such a blessing in my life, but it can't be the only thing in my life.

My goal is that "weight" becomes something in the background of my busy life, instead of the front and center focus. I want to finally get my personal trainer certification. I want to challenge myself with my new job and see where that takes me. I want to be a better mom, and enjoy my family. I want to play volleyball all day and dance all night! I want to travel. I want to learn..... the list is endless. HCG has given me the confidence I needed to go after my dreams, and that would be such a tragedy if I didn't.

So my advice is: let HCG help you find that person you used to be or want to become. The person who was confident, happy and excited about their life. The person that did not compare themselves to others around them. The person who was not afraid to fail and take risks. The person who loved themselves enough to take care of themselves. The person who was not so wrapped up in self defeating behavior that they had plenty of themselves to give to others. The person who dreamed big and loved even bigger. Then when you have found that person again......MOVE ON. Take back your life and make it into the life you have always wanted.

R3 P4 D20...

Same as yesterday. Even with stricter calories. Maybe that is just where it wants to be. I am working today and then it's a weight workout after work:)

Here is what I ate today:

cottage cheese w/ yougurt, berries, pecans and coconut flakes.

slice of ezekeil bread with cc and drizzle honey

cheeseburger, 1/2 choc shake

1/2 apple

1/2 apple

2 eggs + 2 whites, with sprinkle of bacon and cheddar

huge side of broccoli with ranch

1 slice ezekiel with cc and fruit spread

string cheese, 2 sf candies

Did weights workout tonight, and then American Idol :)

R3 P4 D19...

Up another .2! So that is +2.2 above my adjusted LIW. I was going to do a steak day today, but I have to work until 6 and then get over to dance class at 7pm. I think I will try to do a true steak day tomorrow just to see if there is any water to release. My guess is it won't do much, but at least then I will know. I was tracking and counting calories for awhile there and keeping it around 2000. That was when I my weight settled. Then I stopped counting and the weight went up a bit, but TOM arrived right at the same time. Hard to say. But now that TOM is gone it is staying up. So either I have some water or maybe I am taking in more than I think. I will track calories this week and see if that brings it back down a little. I do keep trying to increase my weights, so I also don't know if any muscle is being added as well ;)

Here is what I ate today:

protein shake with yogurt and berries
1 slice ezekiel bread with 1 tbsp pb and drizzle of honey

6oz broccoli, 2 tbsp ranch
1 cup cottage cheese, diced strawberries and melon

4 apricot halves
string cheese
pecan delight

2 eggs + 2 whites with sprinkle of bacon and cheddar
1 slice ezekeil bread with 1 tbsp cc

apple
jerky stick
1 sf coconut candy

Workout: 1 hour dance class.

R3 P4 D18...

Up +0.2 from yesterday. Still staying up a bit. I might trying doing a steak day on Monday just to see if there is any water hanging around that I need to get off. If that does nothing then I will just continue as normal. Clean eating and exercise :) Walked for about 4 miles with the hubby this morning. Hopefully we will play some vball a little later :)

Here is what I ate today:

nutball

2 eggs + 2 whites with sprinkle of bacon,cheddar and jalepeno.

ezekiel toast with pb and honey

strawberries and cantalope

string cheese, 2 dried apricot halves, trail mix, coco crack

cheeseburger, diet coke

strawberry shortcake with almond flour biscuit

protein shake, 2 sf candies

Got about 30 minutes of volleyball in before it got too dark :)

R3 P4 D17...

You guys are so awesome!! Thanks for the support :) Down -0.8 this morning! Maybe since TOM is leaving, some water will go with it. I am loving having the sun and warmer temps because that means I can play volleyball for my cardio in the back yard. My husband and I play almost everyday during the warmer months. Talk about a workout. 1 on 1 means you cover the whole court! Running, diving, digging, spiking! We usually play till we are drenched and then stand under the hose :) Today and tomorrow are supposed to be sunny around 70 degrees!!! I am going to dance class this morning, and then out to Miller Motorsports Park to see the Ferrari Challenge with my love. Happy Saturday!

Here is what I ate today:

2 eggs + 2 whites, sprinkle of bacon, cheddar and jalapeno

ezekiel toast with pb and honey

diced strawberry and cantalope

cottage cheese, fruit

broccoli/celery with ranch

almond flour biscuit

string cheese, 6 macadamia halves, 4 dried apricot halves

coco crack

cheeseburger, cantalope, 1/2 oreo shake

1 sf mini mint patty

Workout was dance class this morning!! Shake it baby! :)

R3 P4 D16....

Man I thought for sure I would be down today, but I am up instead! My original LIW was 144.4. After workouts started, I raised that to 147.2, since that was where it was staying. As of this morning I was 149.8. So thats 5.4 above original and 2.6 above my adjusted LIW. I did not get done with my weights workout last night until 9:30pm, so that could have something to do with it. Also, this TOM is strange. It was 3 weeks late, and I usually gain 3# right before I start and then lose while on TOM. This time I didn't gain before but am up during TOM. I am not sure what to think. I think I will wait until it is gone and then see if I want to try correcting. I took measurements, but they were the same. I also took pictures and compared them to the end of my round which was 37 days ago. I started my workouts 32 days ago. The ones on the left are from the end of last round, and the ones on the right are from this morning. Let me know what you think. Do you see a change for the worse? Don't worry, I can take it if you tell me I need to wake up and get my butt in gear correcting :)

© Jennifer Payne, West Jordan, Ut. "All Rights Reserved"

© Jennifer Payne, West Jordan, Ut. "All Rights Reserved"

"

© Jennifer Payne, West Jordan, Ut. "All Rights Reserved"

Here is what I ate today:

Nutball

1 egg + 3 whites with sprinkle of bacon and cheddar

2 slices ezekiel with cc and fruit spread

cheeseburger(no bun), 1/2 choc shake

cottage cheese, strawberries and cantalope

broccoli with ranch

almond flour biscuit

string cheese, 2 sf candies, 7 glazed almonds

Workout: 30 minutes 1 on 1 volleball, 30 minutes incline treadmill with 2 sprints.

R3 P4 D15...

Up this morning. Not sure why. TOM is here and played volleyball till late last night. Eating was good yesterday. I am so excited because we are supposed to have sunny skies for the next 3-4 days!!! I really needed that :)

Here is what I ate today:

2 eggs + 2 whites, sprinkle of bacon and cheddar

2 slices ezekiel bread with butter and honey

nutball, tea

cottage cheese, strawberries

broccoli, carrots, ranch

almond flour scone

string cheese, 7 almonds, 4 apricot halves

chicken, brussel sprouts

fruit salad

strawberry shortcake: almond flour biscuit, strawberries, cream

Worked all day, and then had family in town for dinner. Did not get to do my weights workout until 8:45pm!!

R3 P4 D14...

Just about the same as yesterday. Up .2 lbs. I am so happy the sun is out today :) I am working today and then hopefully I will get in a walk and will play volleyball tonight!!

Here is what I ate today:

protein shake, ezekiel toast with butter and honey

1/2 jerky, 1/2 string cheese, 4 dried apricot halves

cottage cheese with diced pears, broccoli with ranch

almond flour scone

1/2 jerky, 1/2 string cheese, 4 dried apricot halves

2 pieces coco crack

chicken, mushrooms, onions and cabbage

handful of trail mix, 2 sf candies

I did get in about a 30 min walk in the sunshine after work, and am going to play volleyball tonight :) My seventeen year old son is going to be the death of me. I don't know how much more I can take... :(

R3 P4 D13...

Down -1.0 from the high protein day :) Which is pretty good since it looks like TOM will arrive today. Finally! That is over 2 weeks late! Better late than never I guess :) I am really sick of the SNOW :( I need some warm weather soon. Today will be a weights workout. I worked yesterday and spent most of my day counseling our current clients. That was fun, and nice to get paid to talk HCG all day :)

Here is what I ate today:

Tea, nutball

protein shake, ezekiel english muffin with cc and fruit spread

1/2 jerky stick, cottage cheese with diced pears
broccoli with ranch, almond flour scone

string cheese, 1/2 jerky stick, 4 apricot halves

cheeseburger, cantalope, 1/2 oreo shake

2 sf candies

Did my weights workout today and got all my bills paid and errands run!

Homemade Chocolates!

I forgot in my post to include the recipe for these yummy legal treats! I got some mini muffin paper cups and put some nuts and raisins in the bottom of each one. Then take the cocoa crack and spoon over the top. Put in the fridge until hardened. Who needs See's Candies???

For those of you who forgot the cocoa crack recipe:

2 Tbsp coconut oil

2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa

1 packet NuStevia

5 drops english toffee stevia

* I add about 2 Tbsp unsweetened fine shredded coconut.

R3 P4 D12...

Well, after not weighing yesterday and eating almond flour treats all day, I gained .4 from the previous days weight. And that was the day I was up already, so that puts me at +2.2 above LIW this morning. I am going to do a high protein day today, because I don't think this weight is water and that the steak day will be effective. I think the protein day followed by clean eating will be more effective. I am proud of myself for not having one bite of sugar or Easter candy yesterday, but I still paid the price. The almond flour treats have a bit of agave, or some low sugar dark choc chips. I normally have 2 in a day. But yesterday I snacked on those all day to avoid the sugar. Unfortunately, I think that the little bit in them still added up, because I was tossing and turning all night with a massive headache, sweating, and trouble sleeping. Not fun. I think I need to concentrate on clean eating this week and maybe try not baking. Put more of a focus on veggies and limit the almond flour stuff to ONE a day :) My friend kept asking me, if I really did not want the candy. I really didn't. I just wanted more almond flour stuff :) I don't know if that is good or bad! Maybe I am just replacing one bad habit with another habit. A healthier one, but still :) Here is last years Easter compared to this years. And yes I am wearing that outfit again, but the hubby loves it and said it shows off all my progress with family in town :)

Here is what I ate today:

2 hard boiled eggs

tuna in cabbage leaves

string cheese

cheeseburger, lettuce, tomato

string cheese

30 minutes incline treadmill with 3 60 second sprints at the end :)

R3 P4 D11...

Happy Easter all! Hope you all had a wonderful time :) I did not weigh in this morning. I did not want that to affect my day if it was not what I wanted. My goal was to not have any sugar today. I am happy to report that I did not have one bite!! I brought almond flour choc chip scones, glazed nuts, breakfast bars, cocoa crack, and quiche with almond flour crust. Those with some fruit kebobs, and spinach strawberry salad, and I did not miss a thing :) Had a great time with family and friends!

R3 P4 D10...

Up +1.6 from yesterday, and +1.8 above LIW! Baking or TOM :) I keep getting cramps but then nothing. Body is really struggling to start. I ate good stuff yesterday, but between the nutball, almond flour breakfast bars, and glazed nuts, I guess I essentially ate nuts all day (not to mention the In-and-Out burger). I will eat good today :) I can't decide if I want to do a modified steak day today, or just eat clean.....

Here is what I ate today:

1 egg + 2 whites, cheddar and bacon

ezekiel english muffin, cc and fruit spread

string cheese, jerky

1/2 c cottage cheese

celery, carrots, and ranch

piece of breakfast bar

1/2 oz glazed nuts, 4 dried apricot halves

rr bacon burger and 1/2 oreo shake :)

I did really good all day, till the husband decided we were going car shopping. Wen ended up buying a new car, but did not get to eat till late and ended up at Red Robin :) Went to dance class this morning, but the instructor was gone for the holiday so I went to cardio kickboxing instead! Way fun, but way sore :)

Breakfast Bars and Glazed Nuts....... YUM!

Breakfast Bars:

Gluten Free Breakfast Bars
1 ¼ cup blanched almond flour
¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
¼ teaspoon baking soda

¼ cup grapeseed oil
¼ cup agave nectar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup shredded coconut
½ cup pumpkin seeds
½ cup sunflower seeds
¼ cup almond slivers
¼ cup raisins

1. In a small bowl, combine almond flour, salt and baking soda
2. In a large bowl, combine grapeseed oil, agave and vanilla
3. Stir dry ingredients into wet
4. Mix in coconut, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, almond slivers and raisins
5. Grease an 8x8 baking dish with grapeseed oil
6. Press the dough into the baking dish, wetting your hands with water to help pat the dough down evenly
7. Bake at 350° for 20 minutes
8. Serve
9. recipe printed from Elana's Pantry:http://www.elanaspantry.com/breakfast-bars/

** I don't use grapeseed oil. I always substitute butter in her recipes when it calls for grapeseed oil. In this recipe I used 2 TBSP butter and 2 TBSP coconut oil. I used chopped almonds, and added dark choc chips. I also used a pie dish because I could not find my 8X8 pan.

Glazed Nuts: I have been dying for these!

Now I can have them sugar free! :)

1 egg white

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 cup perrier

1/2 cup splenda or sweetner of choice

2 cups nuts

Preheat oven to 250 degrees.

Wisk egg white until frothy.

Add perrier and wisk until frothy again.

Add salt, cinnamon, sugar and nuts.

Stir until completely coated.

Pour out onto a nonstick cookie sheet,

so they are one layer thick.

Bake for 1 to 1.5 hours,

until liquid is absorbed,

and they are shiny and crispy.

Mine took an hour. Stir half way thru.

These are so good,

and the house smells good too!

You can double/quadruple this recipe.