I almost have hit my two week goal . . .

Because I am down almost 4 lbs! Remember last week when I made a goal to lose 5 lbs in 2 weeks? Well I am 1 lb away from hitting my goal! Yeah! I am telling you working on the treadmill on an incline really works! Yesterday I was walking for 10 minutes on an incline of 5, 10 minutes on a 10 incline and another 10 on a 15 incline. Yeah that was WAY hard! But it seems to be working so Yeah ME! I am going to go to the body sculpting class tonight and I am really excited!!! Maybe I can double my weight loss goal to 10 lbs by the 8th!

xoxo
Tonya

Can 10k steps banish the chub?

Image courtesy http://reginanuzzo.com/?tag=walking

I just went online to Amazon.com and bought a pedometer for James and I. I've been thinking about an idea I heard about a long time ago which says that you should try to get 10,000 steps in each day. According to The Walking Site, the average person gets only 1,000-3,000 a day in. Yikes!

It is estimated that 10,000 steps is roughly 5 miles per day. That's a lot of walking! Let's face it, to go from 1,000 or so to 10,000 is a bit of a stretch. But, going from 1,000 to 3,000 in a week and increasing it by 1,000 each week to build up to 10,000 is totally doable. So who's with me?

First, if you don't have a pedometer yet, get one. Here is an article about how to buy pedometers and some of the best out there. The one I bought is the Omron HJ-112 Pedometer and I got it for $30 each with free shipping from Amazon.com. I ordered mine today and hopefully it will be here so I can get started next week. 

I am throwing down a challenge here on the Chubby Girls Diary. Do you think you can get to 10k steps? How much weight do you think you'd lose doing it? Want to win a free prize for getting healthy? Here are the details:

10k steps to banish the chub will begin on July 12 - two weeks from today. If you'd like to get in on the challenge, leave a comment along with your e-mail address on the blog between now and then. The criteria for the contest is simple - if you make it to 10k steps (and take a picture of your pedometer to prove it) before the end of August, you will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 gift card to Amazon.com. 

We will also be tracking your weight loss percentage, so the more weight you lose, the better chance you have to win. The winner of the weight loss challenge will win the new cookbook "Weight Watchers In 20 Minutes". Even if you're not doing Weight Watchers, they have excellent recipes that are really good!

Tonya and I will posting updates about the contest but we'd love to hear your stories so be sure to leave comments. Once you sign up for the program, I will e-mail you the specifics along with a form to e-mail back that will list your current weight. If you're feeling brave, I highly recommend putting your weight on the blog. It's embarrassing I know, believe me. But there's something cathartic about admitting it to everyone. It's tough to do but take responsibility is a great place to start changing your lifestyle. 

We will publish a list of the competitors with some basic stats (weight if you're feeling especially brave). We also want a picture of you to put on the post so we can see the progress.

Are you ready to see if you can make it to 10k steps in a single day? At the end of the day there are no losers in this contest if you can get up to 10k steps in one day. You will be healthier, happier and will have accomplished something that most people don't do on a daily basis. 

Tell your friends about the contest, the more the merrier! It's completely free and its going to be a blast!

10 years ago . . .

I weighed 100 lbs less. Yes, you read that right. I have gained at last 100 lbs since I graduated. Sad, but disgustingly true. Alex brought this picture back from our shed as an inspiration for my weight loss, and I think it is doing the trick. Damn I was one hot skinny bitch!


So here is to the next 10 years. Let's hope it does not bring another 100 lbs but it will take it away!

Skinny Summer Refreshment

Summertime and fruity drinks go together like a dessert bar and a fat girl. James and I found the most delicious drink at Coldstone of all places and no, it doesn't have ice cream in it. Its a dreamy blend of orange juice, pineapple, lemon juice, sugar and ice. Blended together its the perfect way to relax by the pool with a good book. It's healthy and oh-so good.

Here is the nitty gritty on the nutrition:

Calories – 122.3; Total fat – 0; Sodium – 7.3 mg; Potassium – 289.9 mg; Carbohydrates – 31.6 g; Fiber – 1.2 g; Sugar – 25.6 g; Vitamin C – 99.8%

Citrus Dream Smoothie

Makes 3 servings

1 cup calcium enriched orange juice

1 cup canned pineapple chunks

2 Tbsp. sugar

1 Tbsp. lemon juice

2 cups ice

Combine the orange juice and the pineapple in the blender and mix until the pineapple is smooth. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend until smooth.

2 weeks later . . .

Tonya here. To say I have been a slacker the past 2 weeks would be a complete understatement. I got on the scale for the first time in those two week as well and I am happy to say I have maintained that 248 lb mark. No weight loss is bummer, but I am happy I didn't gain any. I set a new goal to lose 5 lbs in 2 weeks. So by July 8th I need to be down to 243! I can do it!

I have been to the gym MAYBE 3 times in the past two weeks and I felt awful. UGGG. I went yesterday and today I am feeling great. I don't know why it is so hard for me to get to the gym, especially since I feel so good after! Paige and I are getting to head there right now! See you all tomorrow!

xoxo
Tonya

P.S. I am so proud of you PA! Love you girl!

Feeling renewed and poll results

I talked with my good friend PA last night and she was telling me how she was feeling inspired from reading the blog and made an appointment with a trainer. I am so excited! I am looking forward to getting back on track with my trainer and getting over these icky allergies. It's been a long week of eating badly, feeling snotty and coughing. I miss going to the gym. James has been sick too and I know he's really missed the gym too. Did I just say that out loud?

PA and I have been friends for years. She and I are like kindred spirits and get along great. We are talking about going on a cruise next spring and we both decided we have to get some weight off before we go!

I was telling her how my goal weight is 200 and she asked me "don't you want to shoot for 199 to be in the 100s?" At first I said no, the goal is 200 - no more, no less. But then I thought about it and realized that although its basically the same weight, its the idea you are in the 100s. So my new goal is 199. Anyone want to join the 199 club? Sounds like the dollar store, huh?

PA is going to be doing some guest blogging about her struggles on here and we are excited to have her.

Big thanks to everyone who voted in the poll this week, which was "What is your favorite diet snack". The overwhelming winner at 45 percent was low-fat ice cream with fruit and veggies coming in second with 27 percent. New poll will be up today, any suggestions for it in the future?

Skinny Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

No, your eyes aren't deceiving you - I was finally successful in taking a full fat recipe and making some modifications to make it a little healthier! Yay! 

It's Father's Day and nothing says I love dad like cake. James wanted brownies for his dessert today but I felt the urge to bake. I found this gorgeous cake on a new blog and modified it slightly to come up with these fantastic cupcakes!

You know how I love the Greek yogurt but I was a little worried about using it in this recipe. When these cupcakes came out, they smelled heavenly! The icing is literally the icing on the cake because it just adds to the lemony goodness of the cake. It's pretty amazing. The consensus at the Father's Day dinner tonight was that these little gems were a hit, not just for the taste but for the guilt free factor as well.

Skinny Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes

(Adapted from Lemon Poppy Seed Cake)

Batter

1 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1 stick butter, softened

2-3 lemons, juiced and zested
2 ¾ cups granulated sugar

1 ½ tsp. lemon extract
6 large eggs
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/3 cup poppy seeds

1/3 cup raw sugar

Lemon Syrup

¼ cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
¼ cup granulated sugar

Lemon Cream Cheese Icing

½ brick cream cheese

1-2 TBSP. milk

½ - ¾ cup powdered sugar

1 lemon, juiced and zested

Mix the ingredients for the Lemon syrup; set aside for 10-15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift together the white flour, baking soda, and salt. In a food processor or blender, combine the sugar and the zest from the lemons and blend until combined.

Cream the butter in the large bowl of a standing electric mixer on moderate speed until creamy. Add the applesauce and sugar and mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, and mix until they are completely combined. Add in the extract and the yogurt. Be sure to scrape down the bowl to make sure everything gets mixed properly. Slowly add in the sifted mixture in and then the wheat flour. After completely combined, add the poppy seeds until mixed, but be careful not to over mix.

Line a cupcake pan with cupcake wrappers and fill them ¾ of the way full with the batter. Sprinkle the raw sugar liberally on the top before baking for 10-12 minutes – until a toothpick comes clean.

When they come out of the oven, use the toothpick and poke lots of holes in the top of the cupcakes. Liberally brush the lemon syrup over the top, using all of it and allow the cupcakes to cool completely.

Mix the cream cheese until is fluffy and mostly free of lumps. Add the lemon juice, powdered sugar and zest and mix until combined and smooth. Use the milk to thin the frosting to the desired consistency. (Depending on how sweet you like it, you might want to add more powdered sugar).
 I did a calorie comparison and I was surprised how much of a difference adding applesauce in place of the butter made. This doesn't take into account the icing though, so be aware of that.

The first chart is for the amended recipe and the second is for the original recipe. As you can see, not only is it lower in calories but has half the fat as the original recipe! 

	Nutrition Facts User Entered Recipe   24 Servings Amount Per Serving   Calories 201.6   Total Fat 5.3 g       Saturated Fat 2.9 g       Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3 g       Monounsaturated Fat 1.5 g   Cholesterol 63.3 mg   Sodium 46.6 mg   Potassium 28.9 mg   Total Carbohydrate 35.4 g       Dietary Fiber 1.2 g       Sugars 23.8 g   Protein 4.3 g   Vitamin A 4.0 %   Vitamin B-12 3.1 %   Vitamin B-6 1.2 %   Vitamin C 0.1 %   Vitamin D 2.3 %   Vitamin E 1.1 %   Calcium 2.0 %   Copper 0.7 %   Folate 5.1 %   Iron 3.1 %   Magnesium 1.0 %   Manganese 3.0 %   Niacin 2.4 %   Pantothenic Acid     2.5 %   Phosphorus     4.3 %   Riboflavin 7.5 %   Selenium 9.6 %   Thiamin 5.0 %   Zinc 1.3 % *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Nutrition Facts User Entered Recipe   24 Servings Amount Per Serving   Calories 236.4   Total Fat 9.1 g       Saturated Fat 5.3 g       Polyunsaturated Fat 0.5 g       Monounsaturated Fat 2.5 g   Cholesterol 73.4 mg   Sodium 73.8 mg   Potassium 34.6 mg   Total Carbohydrate 35.3 g       Dietary Fiber 0.4 g       Sugars 23.3 g   Protein 4.1 g   Vitamin A 6.3 %   Vitamin B-12 3.2 %   Vitamin B-6 1.3 %   Vitamin C 0.0 %   Vitamin D 2.9 %   Vitamin E 1.4 %   Calcium 2.2 %   Copper 1.2 %   Folate 8.7 %   Iron 5.1 %   Magnesium 1.4 %   Manganese 5.5 %   Niacin 4.7 %   Pantothenic Acid     2.8 %   Phosphorus     5.3 %   Riboflavin 9.8 %   Selenium 13.4 %   Thiamin 9.1 %   Zinc 1.7 % *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.