New Years Fresh Start

Let's talk about New Year’s resolutions for a minute. You guys know I’ve become a big believer in working out & eating healthy, but not all of us have the time to fit in good workouts every day or focus on great nutrition, especially around the holidays! 

What’s even better is that the Company I work with, just announced that my clients will have unlimited access to all of our fitness programs for an entire year with the All Access BOD Challenge Pack!  What?  This is incredible.  This means access to every single program we have including, any new and upcoming ones.

Well, I need to get back on track big time & I am looking for friends to join me so we can keep each other accountable. Let's make 2017 our year!

Who's with me? If you are interested in being part of a supportive and motivational fitness & nutrition group, please send me a message!

Start your NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS and NEW YEAR with new realistic goals and ways to achieve them! Are you in?

Week 2 Results

So after procrastinating all day Saturday about my work-out, I finally got off my butt and got in done.  I was sweating like there was no tomorrow, but I am so glad I got it in because I felt so much better after it was done.  

Sunday I did my Active Recovery and decorated the Christmas tree and my apartment.  My kids came over for dinner and we had a nice evening.

Monday Morning Weigh In -

I was not ready for this.  After a little cheating over the weekend I figured it wouldn't be good.  So my weight didn't change..I am still 200 lbs.  However, I am down another 3.75".  That is almost 8" lost in 2 weeks.

This is why I always say, "don't worry about what the scale says".  How do your clothes fit? Mine are definitely looser, even my yoga pants.  This is what we call a Non Scale Victory (NSV).  Your weight might not being changing, but you could definitely be losing inches.  This is why I not only take my weight prior to starting a program, but I take my measurements as well.  Because seriously, if I went off the scale alone, I would probably give up.

We have to remember that muscle weighs more than fat so, you could be building muscle as well as losing fat, but you won't see a weight difference.  It is so important to take your measurements because that is a true statement of loss!!!

I can't wait to see my 3 week results.

For more information on my workouts or healthy eating tips, please do not hesitate to contact me @ myweightlossjourneybegins@gmail.com.  You can also go to my contact page and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Fighting for it this round

So after months of just going through the motions, but not fighting to lose the weight I decided to go full stream ahead.  Through the Company I represent and am a Fitness Coach for, I bought their newest fitness program that is intense.  I am following the meal plan as well as the work out plan, and let me tell you it is kicking my butt!  After the first week, I lost 2½ pounds and 4 inches in total AND that was with having a cheat meal, a margarita and few cookies.  Think of how well I could have done without the cheat meal and alcohol. However, I have learned that if I don't, do at least a little cheat...I will go off the deep end and cheat BIG! I've been doing the monthly accountability groups and eating right, but this is the first time I have completely 100% committed to the program and I am definitely feeling and seeing the difference.

You have seen my before and after pictures (that is if you have been following my posts ;), but here is my most recent picture after losing 108 lbs!

Look I have a waist and yes that is a smile. 

If you would like more information about the program I am following or would be interested in trying it as well as be a part of our accountability group, send me an email at myweightlossjourneybegins@gmail.com

Chicken Pot Pie with Phyllo Topping

Total Time: 1 hr. 17 min.
Prep Time: 20 min.
Cooking Time: 57 min.
Yield: 6 servings, about 1 cup each

Ingredients:
6 tsp. olive oil, divided use
1 medium onion, chopped
2 medium carrots, chopped
4 oz. sliced mushrooms
2 Tbsp. whole wheat flour
1½ cups reduced fat (2%) milk
1 cup low-sodium organic chicken broth
½ tsp. sea salt (or Himalayan salt)
½ tsp. ground black pepper
1 tsp. finely chopped fresh thyme
¾ cup frozen green peas
¾ cup cubed cooked sweet potatoes
2¼ cups cubed cooked chicken breast (approx. 12 oz.)
6 sheets phyllo dough (each approx. 12 x 17-inches), thawed, covered in a
slightly damp towel

Preparation:
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Heat 2 tsp. oil in large nonstick skillet over medium heat.
3. Add onion and carrots; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 5 minutes, or until onion is translucent.
4. Add mushrooms; cook, stirring frequently, for 4 to 6 minutes, or until mushrooms are soft and most of the liquid has evaporated.
5. Add 1 tsp. oil; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute.
6. Add flour; cook, stirring frequently, for 1 to 2 minutes, or until flour and oil form a paste.
7. Slowly add milk, broth, salt, pepper, and thyme. Bring to a boil, stirring frequently. Reduce heat to medium-low.
8. Add peas, sweet potatoes, and chicken; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 minutes.
9. Place chicken mixture in a 2½-quart baking dish. Set aside.
10. Place phyllo on work surface. Keeping the original stack covered, remove one sheet at a time and quickly brush with remaining 3 tsp. oil. Cut oiled stack of phyllo into quarters. Place phyllo loosely on top of chicken mixture; covering evenly.
11. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until chicken mixture is bubbling and phyllo dough is golden brown.
12. Serve immediately.

If you have questions about the portions, please click here to post a nutrition question in our forums so our experts can help. Please include a link to the recipe.

Photographs by Anguel Dimov

Chocolate Pecan Pie Smoothie

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup ice
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped raw pecans
½ tsp. pure caramel extract

Preparation:
1. Place almond milk, ice, Shakeology, pecans, and extract in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 253
Total Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 336 mg
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 8 g
Sugars: 7 g
Protein: 19 g

P90X/X2 Portions
1 Single Serving Snack
1 Protein
½ Fat

P90X3 Portions
1½ Protein
1 Carb
1 Fat

Body Beast Portions
1 Protein Liquid
2 Balanced Liquid
1 Fat

Containers
1 Red
½ Yellow
½ Blue

Chocolate Pecan Pie Smoothie

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 smoothie

Ingredients:
1 cup unsweetened almond milk
1 cup ice
1 scoop Chocolate Shakeology
1 Tbsp. coarsely chopped raw pecans
½ tsp. pure caramel extract

Preparation:
1. Place almond milk, ice, Shakeology, pecans, and extract in blender; cover. Blend until smooth.

Nutritional Information (per serving):
Calories: 253
Total Fat: 10 g
Saturated Fat: 1 g
Cholesterol: 0 mg
Sodium: 336 mg
Carbohydrates: 20 g
Fiber: 8 g
Sugars: 7 g
Protein: 19 g

P90X/X2 Portions
1 Single Serving Snack
1 Protein
½ Fat

P90X3 Portions
1½ Protein
1 Carb
1 Fat

Body Beast Portions
1 Protein Liquid
2 Balanced Liquid
1 Fat

Containers
1 Red
½ Yellow
½ Blue

Chicken And Rice Casserole

Ingredients

- 1 cup of raw rice (185 grams) -
- 3 boneless and skinless chicken breasts.
- 1 package of dry onion soup mix

- 1 can of cream of mushroom soup

- 3/4 onion, roughly chopped
- 1 package of mushrooms, chopped (optional)
- 1 bundle of spinach, chopped (optional)
- 2 cups of water
- Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 320 F (160 C). Lightly grease a casserole and place your raw rice evenly on it. Slice the chicken and place it over the rice.

2. Add the chopped onion. If you're going to use the mushrooms and the spinach, now it's the time to add them too. It'll add some extra vitamins to the mixture! If you're not a fan of this combination, try other veggies instead. Just remember that when baking tomato or zucchini, you have to be careful because they add more liquids to the mix.

3. Mix the cream of mushroom soup, the dry soup mix and the 2 cups of water. Season to taste and pour the mixture over the rest of the ingredients.

4. Cook for 2 hours. Let it cool for 10-15 minutes before serving. 

So delicious.

By Carmen Martínez

Copyright 2016 Cooktop Cove