Lifestyle Challenge | Week 21 & 22 Update & SUCCESS!!

You guys... YOU GUYS... I DID IT!  I actually lost 50lbs by Christmas.  I know, I have been absent from the blog but I promise it isn't from lack of activity or because I have fallen off the wagon.  I have been working my little(ish) tail off and staying on plan and this past weekend, I was rewarded with that elusive FIFTY POUNDs lost mark.  OH MY GOODNESS... I was so shocked to see it that I stepped on the scale 3 times to make sure and then sat on the bed for a few minutes to let it sink in... I DID IT!

One of the questions that I get asked the most is How Did I Lose the Weight? 

To be honest, there is no special secret behind it.  I was challenged by one of my friends, Tracy, back in June, to lose 50lbs by Christmas... two pounds a week and we could easily get it done.  For some reason, that lit the fire and I strapped on my Fitbit (was a Charge HR then, now a Blaze) and started walking and watching what I was eating.  I also upped my water intake and tracked my calories.  It's been that basic formula the entire time... calories in vs. calories out.  I try to have a calorie deficit of 1000 per day which SHOULD equal the 2lbs a week... sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't but that's what I try for each day.  Clearly it's working and I will be staying with this plan until my body decides it's at it's natural weight... until it doesn't want to lose anymore and I am officially balanced and healthy!

WINS and CHALLENGES for the week:

I am actually going to stop posting this section as it's been 6-months (almost to the day) of this lifestyle journey and I don't necessarily have WINS or CHALLENGES anymore... just everyday living and that comes with both but unless it's something special to note, like Halloween, Christmas or some vacation, I don't think it's necessary to put them down on paper anymore.

HAPPY NOTE for the week:

It's SNOWED today... anyone who knows me knows that I love winter and snow and Christmas and ALL THINGS that relate to that!  YAY!  

While we are at it... can I just say that Tim Horton's has stepped up their holiday game as well...

WOOHOO!  Let's bring it on!

Recipe | Chicken, Peppers & Rice

Being on a diet means a lot of the same old foods... you get used to the routine and it is hard to find new recipes that work, not only for the calorie count, but also for the entire family to enjoy.  This past week, I saw a post on Pinterest that showed a picture of chicken with peppers, served over rice and I thought, 'Hey, that has to be low in calories... let's give it a go'.  So here is how I made an amazing 450 calorie dinner.

Chicken, Peppers & Rice

Ingredients

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1 each of red, yellow and orange peppers

1/2 lrg white onion

2 cups of brown Minute Rice

1 Tbsp minced garlic

1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce

1 tsp Soy Sauce

Medium dash of Mrs. Dash (original)

Red Pepper Flakes to taste (depends on your desired heat)

Salt to taste

Pepper to taste

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Directions

1. In a large pan, dice onion and saute in olive oil
2. Cut up chicken into small pieces and toss into pan
3. Add in minced garlic and cook until chicken is cooked through
4. Season mixture with Mrs. Dash, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, Worcestershire Sauce and Soy Sauce
5. Prepare rice as directed on box.  I use the max serving (6 people) 
6. Add peppers into the pan with chicken and onion and cook until the peppers are the desired tenderness (generally 10 - 15 mins)
7. Once cooked, add rice to pan and mix everything together
8. Let simmer for another 5 minutes and add any additional seasonings you feel it needs.  I sometimes add an extra dash of Worcestershire Sauce or some more red pepper flakes.
9. Serve it up

This makes 4 servings and each servings is approximately 450 calories (depending on how big your chicken chunks are and just how much seasoning you used!)

Super tasty and very easy to make... something the whole family will love!