Wonderful Wednesday

I found a new favorite!!! YES!

Today's Meal was prepared by my friend Andy. I found the recipe and he was willing to try it. 

OMG...he made my day. It was the best comfort healthy meal I've ever had.

Tonight's meal

Turkey Meatloaf
Boiled New Potatoes
Steamed Green Beans
6 points. Approx. 350 calories. 

Per serving: Serving is 1/8 of the meatloaf, 1 cp of new potatoes and 2 cps of green beans (you can have many more cups of green beans without changing the calorie count) 

Recipes

Turkey Meatloaf :  Please go to the my recipes link provided. 

Boiled new potatoes with garlic, lemon and paprika.

Boil  8 cups of new potatoes for 20 minutes at medium heat. 

Add garlic powder and a little salt. 

Once boiled coat with paprika and lemon juice.

Steamed greens beans cut and cleanse green beans. 

Add water to steamer bring to boil and steam the 

green beans with garlic salt for 8-10 minutes. 

Enjoy!

Motivational Monday

Central Garden at the Getty Center Museum. November 9, 2014

Letting Go

Today as I got ready for work I took a long stare in the mirror. I noticed the changes in my face. I became present to my feelings and all of the fears and doubts I have about my journey. Then I stated today's affirmation: I let go of all fear and doubt and life become simple and easy for me.  

The positive affirmation allowed me to just be present to joy which completely set me up for what came next.

Today's News

I received the best e-mail ever. I received my lab results back. The day I have been waiting for is finally here. As of today I am no longer in the diabetes zone and I am med free! YES!!!

This is the most exciting news I have received in a long time. It fuels and motivates me to go for the ultimate goal. I am in love with myself and there is nothing wrong with me for doing so. I honor myself, my body and my health.  I no longer feel like I committing suicide by making poor health choices. I am free.

If you have a goal related to fitness, weight loss and health then I say: stay on target. Even if you stray a little...get right back to it. If you ever gave up ... get right back up. Get out there and put in some work for what you really want because it is never to late and baby steps count! 

Have a wonderful Monday and PLAY HARD!

Remain Coachable

The Journey and My Coach

For info. about future workshops and fitness classes
please e-mail: joinaftoday@gmail.com

I can be a renegade. I can be vocal about what I do not like but just as easy I can be understanding and above all coachable.

It is not often you find a trainer/coach who is dedicated, passionate and understanding. Anthony has been a key element in my transformation. He is passionate about fitness and understands how important it is to modify exercises for my fitness level. He also knows when it's time to push harder and make me do more. A prime example of this was when he pushed me to complete the spin workshop. I was trying to just participate in only the HIIT workshop because I did not enjoy the spin class I tried in the past. I tried to talk my way out of it by stating how hard, uncomfortable and painful it was the first time. 



He listened then simply stated, "it's not optional". Yes, I wanted to throw myself to the floor kick and scream and throw a CLASS A tantrum but (1) I'm grown and (2) he wasn't listening. **HAHA ** So I said, "fine, I will remain coachable and do it". This is because I trust his skills and know in the end he's on MY TEAM. He has not guided me wrong with ROAR and he is dedicated to his clients/students obtaining optimal results. He provides weekly workshops to make sure we remain informed and tries everything to keep us focused. I have lost 101 pounds to date - 60 of them while training/coaching with Anthony. So I listen and trust his guidance. 

Spinning Workshop with Anthony Freeman - Nov. 2, 2014

The result of the spinning workshop: 

It was not as bad the second time. It was not as painful. It was still uncomfortable but I chose to focus more on the elements I liked about the workshop and his coaching methods. Once it was over I committed to doing it twice a week. Today is day two of week one in spinning. I'm ready for another awesome fitness adventure! 


Here's to remaining open to change.

Wonderful Wednesday

The best type of meal is made with love and is in the low calorie range.

Today's meal:

Chicken-Spinach Enchiladas.
Spinach, white onion, yellow and red cherry tomatoes salad with cotija cilantro dressing.
For dessert a strawberry,  rasberry, red and purple grapes mix.

Portion: 2 enchiladas, 2 cups of salad and 1 tsp. of light house cotija cilantro dressing. 2 cups of the berry grape mix. Total meal: 6 points approx. 300 Calories

Enchilada Recipe serves 9

10oz. of chicken breast shredded. 

8-9 green tomatoes

8 cups of baby spinach (sliced in strips)

jalapenos

2 cups of chicken broth (from same boiled chicken)

1/2 medium white onion (diced)

5 oz. of Cacique Queso Ranchero 

18 corn tortillas

2 tbsp. of olive oil

garlic

white pepper

salt

olive oil spray

Green Tomato and Chili Sauce : Clean 8-9 green tomatoes and blend with 2 cups of chicken broth (used from boiling chicken breast) and 1-2 cups of water. Be sure you remove all fatty items with a strainer. Add garlic, white pepper, salt and fresh jalapenos to taste. Once blended bring to a boil. Continue to simmer for the right consistency. 

Add 2 tbs of olive oil to pan. add white 1/2 of the white onion to the pan and stir until the onion are clear. Add the shredded chicken and stir. Add 8 cups spinach and cover pan for a couple minutes. Add 1 cup of Green Tomato sauce to pan in order to avoid drying out the chicken and to add flavor to the enchilada filling.

Prepare baking pans with olive oil spray (super light) and add green sauce to avoid dry enchiladas. 

Heat the tortillas on the griddle and mash the cheese into small pieces for enchiladas filling. 

Once all of the tortillas are warmed start your prep station to dip the tortillas in the warm green sauce then add a tbsp (or two) of chicken, onion and spinach blend to the tortilla and roll. Place on baking pan until complete. Use any left over sauce to top over the enchiladas. 

Bake at 325 for 20 min.

The trick for this recipe is the sauce. The better the sauce the tastier the enchilada. It may take a few attempts but once you get it right. MMMM MMM MM.

The salads were just slice, dice and mix. 

Enjoy.

Motivational Monday.

I'm doing what I set out to do, and when life throws me a curve ball. I just catch it or try again. 

One of the stories I enjoyed while I was ill was that of Tim Bauer . He lost 200 pounds and he took it one pound at a time. Since reading his story I look at my weight loss in that form and its quite refreshing. I keep on telling myself I can loose one pound.

I'm also focused on staying motivated about good food choices. Chalene Johnson's 10 tips for tiny changes is a helpful reminder of what is important. This small list is easy to print and I put it on my board to keep me on track.  The way I see it every little bit helps.

My other great motivator is my ROAR class. I love the challenges he sets up. I may want to throw in the towel but it goes by fast and when I'm done I feel invincible.  It motivates me enough to want to go back to the next session.  

Here's to keeping it going. 

Because

...life sometimes throws you challenges.

Because...it cannot always run as planned.

Because...at the end of the day it is what you will do with what is given to you.

The Point?

I was up training and going strong and now I'm ill again with imposed bed rest. I do not get discouraged. I refuse to let my spirits down. Instead I remind myself about all of the good in my life. Family, Friends and Co-workers who are supportive; most of which provide love, understanding and empowerment.
I remind myself that this too shall pass because part of loosing weight is being able to improve my health. Instead I am grateful. I am grateful for every opportunity I am granted and look forward to feeling much better soon.

Because...life provides me with all I need when I need it.

Shop Talk - Workouts

In line with keeping others focused and reminding myself of the importance of empowerment. I share a past work-out. I accepted the burpee challenge this month and while I have been good with the other workouts I fell behind on the challenge calendar. I did not want to fall into the old guilt pattern or spend days stressing over make-up sessions. Instead I figured a great way to do it: circuit style!

Prep: I figured out how many I had to do of each and then broke it out by sets. Then I added some cardio drills including exercises I have a hard time with like jumping jacks and jump rope. I also planned on doing the modified version of the burpee. Then I just did it!

I questioned my madness 10 minutes in, hated life 30 minutes in but was energized an hour in. By the time I was done I felt proud, invincible and motivated.


Soon I will train again. Today I focus on cleansing my body and resting for future play hard moments.

Be

New Era

Pepe's Journey

I told Jose the only gift I wanted for my birthday was for him to work out with me on my birthday.  While I hoped he would enjoy it...I did not go into the situation expecting him to join. After two sessions he decided to join accelerate sycle studio with me. I'm elated.

He was the missing piece of my journey.  I am proud of his current choices and will do my best to encourage his journey.

Here's to keeping it going.