"The" Dress

THIS IS MY GOAL.

This photo was taken in August 2010. I purchased this dress to wear at my 30th birthday. 

I weighed approximately 136 here. I still felt incredibly fat. But I was going through a bit of a mid life crisis at the time.... I won't get into it.

Anyway. This is my goal. This is what I want to look like again. My actual goal is to be 130 by Spring. I don't see that being a problem. My absolute goal? To be 125 by June 2013. That means I have 6 months to lose 17 lbs. I can do that. I have faith in me. I've stuck by this healthier living style since October and I don't see me giving up. Not when I've already lost 17 lbs since then. 

I tried on this dress pre-diet and my hips simply laughed at me. This dress couldn't be worn as anything except a legwarmer. 

I tried on this dress this morning, after my shower, and it almost fit. I was able to zip it most of the way up the back. I cannot even begin to tell you how amazing that makes me feel. 

Growing up as a fat kid I just kept piling on the pounds. After several failed weight loss attempts (Phen-phen, SlimFast, Weight Watchers, SlimQuick, etc) and an eventual bariatric surgery I became convinced that there was no "easy" way for me to lose weight. That I just couldn't do it on my own. I honestly wish that I had known it would be as easy as counting calories and moving more. Now I know that this journey is mine to take alone. With a little determination and perhaps some slight obsessiveness I can get back to a healthy me.

Will I ever look as youthful in this picture? Hell no. I was just turning 30. I was having the time of my life. Friends, parties, no-fucks-given, long bleach blonde hair....

But. I believe I can resemble that person again. I can look like her.... but a few years older. No problem. 

I GOT THIS.

Spinach & Tomato Frittata Muffins

Spinach & Tomato Frittata Muffins

INGREDIENTS:
7 eggs
3 Tbsp skim milk
1/2 cup shredded cheese (I used Mexican Four Cheese)
1 Tomato, diced
1 cup fresh spinach leaves, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat Oven to 350.
2. Grease a 12 cup muffin tin with cooking spray.
3. Whisk eggs and milk together until blended.
4. Add 1/2 of cheese, tomatoes and spinach. Mix to combine.
5. Pour into muffin cups evenly.
6. Top with remaining cheese.
7. Bake 20 minutes. They will be puffed up and will deflate once taken out of the oven to rest.
8. Remove with small rubber spatula onto plate. 

NUTRITION:

(Per Muffin)

Calories: 63

Fat: 4 

Carbs: 1

Protein: 5

Sugar: 0

Sodium: 75

96 Calorie Chocolate Chip Cookies...say whaaaa?!

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Makes: 34 cookies (at least that's what I got out of this batch)

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 cups oats
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
6 Tbsp "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Light"
1 1/4 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup hershey's milk chocolate chips






Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375.
2. Combine flour, oats, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
3. Beat together butter and brown sugar until creamy. 
4. Add egg, then vanilla and beat until combined.
5. Slowly add in flour mixture.
6. Add chocolate chips and stir.
7. Drop by rounded spoonful onto ungreased baking sheet (preferably with parchment paper).
8. Bake 8-10 minutes.
9. Cool on wire racks.

Nutrition:

Calories: 96

Carbs: 17

Fat: 3

Protein: 1

Sugar: 11

Iron: 3

Crockpot Baked Potato Soup

Crockpot Baked Potato Soup
Serves 8 

INGREDIENTS: 
1 bag frozen Ore Ida Roasted Potatoes (original) 
1/2 cup frozen chopped onions 
1 medium celery stalk, diced 
32 oz College Inn (low fat/50% sodium) Chicken Broth 
1 cup water 
3 Tbsp Flour 
1 cup skim milk 
8 oz shredded American or white chedder cheese 
1/4 cup real bacon pieces (Hormel) 
4 green onions, sliced 

DIRECTIONS: 
Place in crockpot: Potatoes, onions, celery, broth and water. 
Cook on low 6-8 hours. 

In small bowl mix flour into milk. Add to crockpot. 
Cook on high 30 mins. 

Stir in cheese until melted. 

Spoon into bowls and garnish with bacon and green onions. 

NUTRITION: 
Calories: 212 
Fat: 10 
Carbs: 21 
Protein: 8 
Sugar: 1