It was back to dieting on Tuesday.  I’ve been fairly good this week, but I definitely have to admit that I haven’t been as active as I’d like to be.  In my defense, I had a pretty stressful week at work – I had to plan a large sponsored lunch on Wednesday, and FSU’s head coach was speaking at one of my luncheons on Friday.  I did manage to fit in some exercise on Wednesday – I tried Jillian’s 6 day 6-pack.  It was pretty difficult, and I’m still feeling a little sore today.  I’m planning on going for a run tomorrow morning, so hopefully I can make up for my slack this week.  I’ll be weighing myself on Sunday.

I was planning on rewarding myself with a trip to the salon this weekend, but seeing that I didn’t do as well this week as I should have, I’ll save the prize for next weekend.

Here’s to another diet filled fun-filled weekend!

Although I had originally planned to stay away from drinking for these first two weeks, that proved to be quite impossible when the weekend finally rolled around.  Not only was is my co-workers birthday on Friday (we went out to lunch…everyone had a cocktail except for me), but I’m not a huge fan of cooking on the weekend either.  Friday night my bf and I went out for sushi and hot saki, and Saturday evening my girlfriend and I went to a wine and food tasting.  Needless to say, my original plan of not drinking became almost laughable.

Although I wasn’t quite as careful about what I drank this weekend, I was a little more cautious about what I ate.  I admittedly stopped counting calories by Saturday morning, but I was aware of my portions.

I weighed myself on Saturday and I’ve lost 3 pounds so far. – yay!  Then again, if you can’t loose weight by eating less, exercising and writing about your progress then the whole dieting process should seriously be re-evaluated.

Since today is Valentines Day, I will keep to my diet by not eating any chocolate, candy or sweets (like the delicious heart-shaped brownie that my awful loving coworker left on my desk for me this morning).  This could be a lot more difficult than I thought…

Okay, so she’s not really a bitch.  In fact, I love her and her unforgiving awesomeness, but it’s because of her that I can hardly walk this morning.  Last night, I did the 30-Day Shred for the first time in months.  I always forget how tough it is…and how easily I can become sore from a 20-minute circuit training exercise.   My calves, thighs, shoulders, back and biceps are all killing me, and I expect it to be worse tomorrow.

Although I had originally planned to to the 6 Week 6-Pack video tonight, I think I’ll try the yoga instead.  The workout is very intense, especially for a beginner like moi, but it will still allow me to stretch out those achy muscles.

I only ate 1,005 calories yesterday – I’ve been logging my food on www.caloriecount.about.com.  It’s a fabulous FREE site that helps you keep track of everything you put in your body (it will even grade you based on the food you choose), as well as keeping track of your water intake, calories burned based on your height and weight, and even has recipes and blogs from people doing the same thing I am.

Is there anything wrong with getting on my office floor and doing some light stretching?  Cause that’s exactly what I’m about to do.

Today: Jillian Michael’s Yoga
Tomorrow: Jillian Michael’s 6 Week 6-Pack

Let’s get something straight right from the start – I. Hate. Exercise.  I know people that will say that, then 5 minutes later their “checking in” to L.A. Fitness on their Facebook page.  I am not one of those people.  I say I hate exercise because I really do.  I don’t like to sweat, or be out of breath for long periods of time, or be uncomfortable by the unbearably heavy weights I have to lift.  However, I think Jillian Michael’s said it best: “To lose weight, you need to start being COMFORTABLE with being UNCOMFORTABLE.”  That was a really powerful message to me.  Nothing about losing weight or getting into shape is easy, especially those first 30 days or so. I started thinking about it, and there’s really several reasons why this had become so important to me.

1. Simply, I want to look better in a bikini.
2. I don’t have any excuse not to work out – I have plenty of extra time because I don’t have kids. No kids = no excuse!
3. I watch far too much TV, which means far too much sitting around.
4. 50% of my job requires me to sit in an office chair. All. Day. Long.
5. Jennifer Aniston is almost twice my age and looks better naked than I do. Exhibit A:

We have a love/hate relationship.

So I guess my first challenge is going to be learning to accept that getting a great body doesn’t come easily.  It’s something you have to be willing to work for.  It’s something you have to be willing to keep up.

I’m changing the direction of my numnums blog (for the time being) to log my progress, and to hold myself accountable. I’m counting on the fact that, by stating my goals publicly, I’m far more likely to stick to them.

Start Weight: 125
Goal Weight: 110
Today’s Activity: Jillian Michael’s 30-Day Shred, Day 1
Tomorrow’s Activity: Jillian Michael’s 6 week 6-pack

This week, Brian decided to bring over his girl Ashley – and I couldn’t have been happier to have her over.  We ate, we drank, and we even came across some not-so-classy TV by accident (hah!), but all in all one of the best things about the night was our food.  Brian made an amazing salad, and we had our very own mini Thanksgiving dinner!  It was a feast and utterly delicious.  Here’s some photos I took throughout the night and when the table was finally set – complete with a Rotisserie Chicken (to save money and time), stuffing, crescent rolls, the salad, and a green bean casserole.  I don’t know how we’re going to top this one, but I can’t wait to try!

My man helping with the dishes – both boys were in the kitchen while the women sipped on our delicious Arnold Palmer’s (with Sweet Tea Vodka, of course!)

Brian, prepping the salads… 

Final result!

http://www.self.com/fooddiet/blogs/healthybites/2009/10/recipe-roundup-dessert.html

Salmon Steaks with a Creamy Butter Lemon Sauce
with Green Beans and Rice

Grilled Spicy Chicken with Bernaise Sauce,
Zucchini and Onions

Jumbalaya with Hot Rolls

2 Large Fish Filets (Tilapia and Grouper work best)
12 Large Shrimp, Peeled and Deveined (or 6 shrimp per person)
1/4 Cup Alfredo Sauce
2 tbsp Oil
Blackening Seasoning:
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp red pepper
2 tsp Cajun seasoning (Tony Chachere’s works great!)
1 tsp Paprika

1. Mix all dry ingredients. Coat the fish and shrimp in blackening seasoning. In a large pan, heat 2 tbsp of oil.
2. Once pan is heated, place tilapia on outer edges of pan. Do not cover. Cook on both sides for around 3-4 minutes a side, depending on the thickness of the fish.
3. Once fish is almost done on the second side, add all shrimp to the middle of the pan. Saute for 1 minute on each side until pink.
4. Plate tilapia and shrimp with shrimp on top of fish. Pour warm alfredo sauce on top.
5. Serve hot with vegetables and a starch.

Sorry about the half-eaten dish!  I forgot to take a picture before I started gobbling it up!  Yes, it’s that good!

I can’t even come close to describing the sheer awesomeness of this dish.  If you have never had it before, well, shame on you!  It is one of the best chicken dishes there is (in my humble opinion, haha), and a must-have for all you spicy dish lovers out there.  After months and MONTHS of going to the same Indian restaurant for this dish, I finally got fed up with it and decided to make it myself.  Well, that proved to be easier said than done – a typical butter chicken recipe uses something like 12-15 spices (most of which I did not have), fresh ginger, rice wine, rice vinegar, and loads of other ingredients that I just did not want to purchase for only one meal. 

Fortunately for me, lil old Tallahassee came though because we actually have an Indian grocery store not to far from where I live!  It’s called “India Bazzar” and it’s located on Apalachee Parkway by Gold’s Gym.  While I was shopping around, I saw that they had all kinds of different indian foods, as well as my “secret” ingredient – the spices for butter chicken!  This was truly a life (and WALLET) saver for me, and tasted almost EXACTLY like the kind we have in the restaurant.  See for yourself why I can’t stop raving about this delicious meal and try it tonight!

1 Box “Shan” Butter Chicken Mix
2 small tomatoes
3 tbsp lemon juice
1/2 cup cream
1/2 cup milk (I used skim)
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp fresh ginger
Cooked Basmati Rice
Frozen Naan (bought at the Indian grocery store)

1. Begin by cutting the chicken into bite size pieces. Marinade chicken in a plastic bag with 2 tbsp lemon juice, ginger, and 1 1/2 cups of water. Stick in refrigerator to marinade for 30 minutes.
2. While marinating, dice tomatoes and stick into a pan along with 1/2 cup of water (or the amount the butter chicken calls for). Boil water and tomatoes until tender. Remove from pot and transfer to a sieve to remove the skins. Set tomato paste aside.
3. Pre-heat oven for Naan.
4. Remove chicken from refrigerator. Turn large pan on med-high heat – place chicken in pan and stir fry until chicken is almost fully cooked (about 5 minutes). Add milk and tomato mixture. Cover pan for 15 minutes.
5. Put Naan in oven for 2 minutes. Add cream to chicken and stir. Serve hot on top of rice and place Naan on the side with butter. NOTE: To increase the spiciness of this dish, feel free to add red pepper to taste, but be careful as it is already a bit spicy!