Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Extreme Makeover: Me Edition ~ Guilty Pleasures {And Healthier Alternatives}


I am so happy to have joined in on Extreme Makeover: Me Edition, hosted by the lovely Amber at {aefilkins}. The support the ladies who participate in the group provide for one another is astounding, and knowing that I will be “reporting” my accomplishments and downfalls each week has really helped me stay accountable in my quest for healthy living.

For those unfamiliar with Extreme Makeover: Me Edition, here’s how it works:

Directions: Every week, you'll do a specific post on your blog in regards to Extreme Makeover--Me Edition.----Pretty much, just update us on your progress. How did your week go? Did you struggle? How were you successful? Do you have any great tips? {I think it's also important to celebrate even little successes}----Answer the specific question or topic that I pose each week.After you've finished your post, view that specific post {either view your blog & click on the title of that post, or go 'edit posts' and 'view'}. Grab the url and post it into Mr. Linky on
Amber’s blog. Simple as that!!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This week wasn’t a fabulous one... I actually gained a pound and a half instead of losing! I celebrated my 29th birthday on Sunday, and the whole weekend was a pigfest {which obviously explains the weight gain}. I’ve already lost half a pound, so at least I’m on the right track again!

My goals last week were to:

~ Add cardio back into my workout routine. {I’ve been focusing most of my attention on strength training and Pilates, and really need to get back on the elliptical machine.}
~ Do 5 sessions of Pilates.
~ Continue eating a salad at least once a day. {I have done this every day for almost two weeks and feel really good about it.}
~ Limit my random snacking ~ this really is my weight~loss downfall. I’m a horrible snacker.

And I pretty much failed with all of them. Nate and I did go on a 4.2 mile hike on Saturday, so I did get a little bit of cardio in, but I only did 3 Pilates sessions and had a ton of random snacks. {Nate made cookies. I couldn’t help myself.} I was successful with my salad eating though, and have actually started having a salad with lunch AND dinner every day, so I’m excited to see if that helps me achieve the results I want.

This week’s goals:

~ Reattempt to add more cardio to my routine. I am going to do three sessions of cardio in addition to another 4 mile hike we have planned for this Saturday.
~ Do 5~6 sessions of Pilates.
~ Lose 1.5 pounds {with the goal of losing three pounds by the end of the month}.
~ Increase my water intake. A few weeks ago, I was drinking as much as 48 oz of water at work {with the help of Crystal Light On the Go packets} ~ lately I’ve been slacking and am lucky if I’ve had half that a day.
~ Limit my snacking to healthy foods only. I found some great recipes for smoothies made with yogurt and whey protein powder over the weekend, and bought the supplies I need last night. If they’re any good, I’ll share the recipes later this week!
~ Limit myself to pasta once a week. Pasta is really my downfall, and Nate and I usually eat it 3+ times a week. Not good at all.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Amber’s question this week is to: Name your guilty pleasure{s}. Think of a healthier choice you could use as a substitute.

~ Poppyseed dressing. With its 150 calories and 13 grams of fat per serving, this dressing is equally delicious and horrible for you. And I love it. I do try to limit myself to it only once or twice a week, and always eat only half a serving when I do have it. Really, any dressing is a healthier alternative! My favorites are Wish~Bone’s Asian Silk Salad Spritzer and Newman’s Own Light Honey Mustard dressing.

~ Garlic bread. I love it. And could easily eat a whole loaf if left to my own devices. Instead of buying it at the store, Nate and I share three pieces of whole wheat bread topped with I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray and seasoning salt, broiled in the oven. It’s a good alternative, and when the three pieces are gone, they’re gone. No left~over loaf to tempt me.

~ Ben & Jerry’s mini Chocolate Fudge Brownie ice cream. Weight Watcher’s has a great alternative in the same flavor that’s only 140 calories and 1.5 grams of fat compared to Ben & Jerry’s 220 calories and 11 grams of fat. I haven’t tried Weight Watcher’s yet, but there are two servings of it waiting for me in my freezer!

~ Brownies, chocolate cake, cheesecake, etc. {Pretty much any delicious dessert.} Angel~food cake topped with strawberries is a fabulous alternative. So yummy that you don’t even need to top it with whipped cream!

I wish everyone good luck with their goals this week!

~ Heather

4 comments:

Xazmin said...

You gotta pig out on your birthday, right? You've already started losing the weight though, so that's awesome!

A 4 mile hike is awesome! I think that's like doing 6+ miles on the treadmill. Seriously, I think walking outside burns WAY more calories than treadmill walking.

Good luck on reaching your goals this week...I'm a horrible snacker myself!

But I know we can do it!

onegirliegirl said...

Don't worry about eating on your birthday. Hey you've got to celebrate, right?!

The weight is coming off quickly because it went on so quickly! You'll have a great week!! You've got a great plan!

xoxo ~Lisa

Connie said...

Birthday's....especially the 29th one, and all others after that....are special and you should celebrate!

Garlic bread! OH my how i Love garlic bread! Thanks for reminding me....

Have a great week!

Amber Filkins said...

I think you're doing awesome! I love your realistic goals. I think drinking more water is key, and challenging yourself with the workouts is great. Especially getting outside & hiking with the man--fresh air & company.

You'll do great this week! Can't wait til next week when you come back & knock it outta the park with all of your goals for the week.