In the Box All Week

I was in the box all week and totally stoked about it. I have good momentum on my food plan, now to get my Physical Activity back up. I am now vowing to sleep in my workout clothes. How many times have you heard, read or said that those who work out first thing in the morning are the most successful at weight loss, weight maintenance and an on going active life style? I know it is a few for me so I am going to put it to the test, the O'Dark Hundred, Freezing Cold, Morning Test people.

New, new new...

I love new things, new challenges, new opportunities, new anything. I got re-newed last night in my class. We had a great visitor in town from another program in another part of the state. His honesty and willingness to ask for help from the group was inspiring. I had a great chat with my counselor and we decided that I am going to keep rock'n my current program through the holidays and then switch to Healthy Solutions in two weeks. (That means at least 3 Shakes, 2 Entrees and 5 Servings of Fruits and Vegetables a day plus at least 2000 calories burned a week.).

So renewed, new food plan coming - it is looking good right now and for the new year.

Oh, and I was down .8 last night.

UGH!, Real Food and other stories

In an effort to stay focused on the box I stopped getting creative with my meal replacements the last few weeks. I did some fun stuff to get through Thanksgiving but I found I drank more shakes if I just mixed the Chocolate 500 with water and ice in a hand shaker and started chugging. That was working for a while but the last few weeks I have had days outside the box. Each day I have outside the box gets worse and worse and it becomes harder and harder to stop eating "real food". For some reason I just have not considered my meal replacements real food. This is probably not the best perspective since I feel best when I am in the box. So if you are new to the program - DO NOT GO OUT OF THE BOX - it is so hard to get back in, especially around the holidays, birthdays, weddings, parties, work - you know the stuff that happens ALL the TIME!

My weight is down which it probably would have been even more than where I started if I was not in the program so I will keep at it and keep letting you know how it goes. I am going to go call my counselor now.

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

A conversation in our Core Class last night led to this recipe. Our leader talked about blending a soup with an entree and someone else mentioned blending lemon juice in to the soup. It may be a little calorie dense for some but it was late at night and I needed to get in my prescription. This could easily be made with 1 packet of soup and more water. The result was filling, yummy and very fresh tasting.

Greek Lemon Chicken Soup

2 HMR 500 Chicken Soup
8 to 10 oz Hot Water
1/2 Teaspoon Powdered Chicken Broth (Caldo de Pollo is the bomb diggity)
1 Teaspoon Dried Oregano (Rub dried spices between your fingers to bring out the flavor)
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Teaspoon Dried Parsley
1 HMR Savory Chicken Entree
1 Lemon

Combine all spices and powdered broth with the packet of soup. Add the hot water while using a whisk to combine. Heat entree for 1 minute. Add soup to a blender, then add entree. Cut the lemon in half and add the juice to the blender. Use the "pulse" button on your blender to reach the desired consistency.

Mine was thick and hearty but not mushy.

Peppermint Mocha Frap

1 HMR 500 Chocolate Packets
6 Ice Cubes
6oz Cold Water
2 Tablespoons Sugar Free Peppermint Syrup
1 Teaspoon Instant Coffee Granules

Blend until Frosty and Smooth.

New Favorite Entree

Lasagna with a couple of tablespoons of Balsamic Vinegar and a couple of shakes of Garlic Salt.

Day 13 Shake of the Day

Vanilla Malted

2 HMR 500 Vanilla Packets
12 oz Cold Water
2 Tablespoons Malt Powder
2 Tablespoons Vanilla Sugar Free Fat Free Pudding Powder
8 Ice Cubes

Combine all ingredients until smooth.