Torturous Tuesday . . . Week One

It is Tuesday.

And that means I must start my new diet plan.

For reals. 

Or realz.

Whichever you prefer.  Although I think I am getting to old to use the spelling "realz." 

But that's just me.

Ever since the 6th grade, I have always felt a little . . . plump.  Between the 5th and 6th grades, I put on like 25 pounds.

My button-fly shorts have yet to forgive me.

They had to work hard to cover my expanse.

When I was in the 7th grade, I remember walking into the classroom and a boy started singing:

"1-800-94-Jenny!  Call 1-800-94-Jenny!"

Yes.  He was singing the phone number for Jenny Craig. 

Sadly, I remember calling it.  And quickly hanging up.

I kept putting on weight and reached my highest in the 8th grade.  One night, I had a sleepover with 6 of my bestest friends.  One of them got the genius idea for us to all weigh ourselves and stand in order of lightest to heaviest.

Guess who was the heaviest.

Guess who got laughed at when she got on the scale.

That moment triggered a weight loss "movement" in me and I dropped about 15 pounds by 9th grade, finally feeling comfortable with myself.

I was around this weight when I got married and I am just a couple of pounds over right now.

Here's the thing:  I know I am not overweight.  I am within a healthy weight range for myself.  But I would like to change some of my habits. 

The biggest habit I want to change:  Talking about weight and dieting around my girls.

I don't want them to start feeling like they are "chubby" or "fat" or worry about how they look in a mirror.

I want to set a healthier example for them.  I want to teach them how to make good choices.  I want exercise (groan)  to be a fun part of their routines.

And I would feel better if I dropped about 6 pounds.  (Which is still in my healthy weight range)

So.

Here is my mission.  And I choose to accept it.

For week 1:

1.  Actually follow the Weight Watchers plan.  Novel idea . . . is it not?

2.  Exercise for 30 minutes 3 times.

And, since I am on a low cholesterol diet, the doctor said no beef and no full-fat cheese/dairy.

My long-term goals are to get to a lower weight and maintain it, trim off my tummy chubs, eat a low-fat/low-cholesterol diet consistently, and help my family eat healthier and enjoy exercise.

The Lumberjack will take these changes the hardest.

I fear my main man loves him some Pepsi, ice cream, popcorn, candy bars and chips.

Tough break, Lumberjack.

Tough break.

Alright.  Here are some tips for this week:

1.  You all know how much I love me some creamer.

My friend, Ashlee shared with me this trick:  Thin out the creamer with fat-free half and half to cut down the fat.

Oooooh!  I like it!

2.  My friend Amanda makes these delicious cookies and I will now share the recipe with you.

You are so very welcome.

Chocolate Chip Meringue Recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 egg whites


• 1/2 cup white sugar


• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract


• 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder


• 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil or parchment paper, and set aside.


2. In large metal or glass bowl, beat the egg whites on high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar while continuing to beat until they hold stiff peaks. Mix in the vanilla and cocoa on low speed, then fold in chocolate chips by hand. Drop small mounds of the mixture onto the prepared baking sheets, spacing 1 inch apart.


3. Bake for 1 hour in the preheated oven. Turn off oven, and leave the cookies in the oven for 2 more hours, or until centers are dry. Remove from pan and store in an airtight container.

Nutritional Information

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 22 | Total Fat: 0.7g | Cholesterol: 0mg

 Amanda's tips:  I double the recipe and cook them for an hour then promptly take them out of the oven cool them for a short time then put the in some air tight container and leave the lid ajar a bit so the moisture can escape. Not too long or they lose that delicious gooey effect. good luck. Make sure that the bowl you use to mix the egg whites is very clean and has not oils/butter on it or they won't rise and cookies are weird then.

I made some this very week.  They taste great and give you a sweet fix.

POINTS value:  1 cookie=0 points, 2 cookies =1 point

Also, The Queen of the Brussels Sprouts is having a contest.  She is asking to be challenged to make your favorite recipe healtheir.  Click here to add a recipe that you would like her to lighten up.

So . . . here is where you come in!

Leave a comment or a link to your own blog post stating your goals.  We will "weigh" in every week by saying how many pounds we are up or down.  You don't have to enter in your real weight. 

I know I'm not!

Feel free to also share any tips, tricks, fun exercise ideas, healthy recipes, or snack ideas!

Thanks everyone and Happy Tuesday!