By The Weigh

I wanted to wait and write this blog until after I had my first weigh ins at both Ton of Fun and TOPS. Yesterday was that day. 

I am not going to hide behind the number on the scale. I haven't for a long time. I realized that a number is just that...a number. It doesn't define me or who I am. However, it is a big deal in who I am and the person I want to to become. So, it is time to just set the person inside of me free. 

I started last year at TOPS with a weight of 199.75 and end the year with a weight of 205.75. I pretty much just stayed between 202 and 205 all year. Not going much beyond that range. It would be great if I was maintaining, but as we all know on a 5'3" woman, that weight is still termed "obese". Time to do something. 

Jan 4th was the mandatory weigh-in for Ton of Fun from Fleet Feet. I went in that day. I had on a great lightweight outfit. It was the morning. I just assumed that my weight would be withing the "normal" range that it had been at TOPS all the last year. I just about threw up when their scale read 208.4. What had happened?!? Well, THIS was NOT going to go on!! Not any more! This was NOT going to be the year I just let it all go. 

So, I became serious. Even with a snow storm that left us home bound for several days, I stuck to the plan. I couldn't go weigh in with TOPS or a second weigh in with TofF because of the snow so I stuck it out. We made a trek to Bloomington on Friday to do my second weigh in with TofF. I was nervous. Had I done OK? 

My first weigh in at TofF went well. I lost 3.6 lbs. I was happy with that but it was met with mixed emotions. I was 204.8. Good number, but a number I had seen a lot over the past year. I knew that number well. This is where the rubber met the road. Could I pull this off for the long term? Can I do this to make it worth it all? Just time will really tell. 

Because I do not live in Bloomington, I am going to weigh in on Tuesdays at TofF hopefully before going to TOPS. This is what I did last night. I was so nervous. It had just been a few days since my last weigh-in. I had one day where I was really off. I probably ate close to 3000 calories if I was really honest. I have done weight loss before but I have not really done it to this level. So, I took a deep breath, opened the doors to the store and stepped inside. 

I lost another 4.4 lbs for a total of 8 lbs lost in 10 days. The scales read 200.4. Yes...that number was one I haven't seen in a while. Now my worry is...is it too much to fast? Once again, only time will tell. However, I have been around weight loss and people losing weight for a long time. I think a lot of this is water weight. I'm also not too worried at this point. I have been doing most things correctly other than the one day slip. Sometimes the body just is ready to take on a new challenge. 

Now onto the TOPS weigh-in. The first weigh-in for TOPS is unique. It neither counts for you or against you. In the long run, it does matter, but for the year, it only can 'help' you if you gain and then lose it so to speak. They do not recognize what you lose between the last weight of the year before and the first weigh in of the year. So, I could have waited to do anything about my weight until after my first weigh in at TOPS. It would have really "helped" me to be at 208 and then lose the 8 lbs through TOPS. However, I chose to do what was best for me. I'm tired of manipulating the numbers and the system to try and win anything. So, I did what I did for the best of me. I weighed in at TOPS, on their scales, at 200 even. It showed a loss of 5.75 lbs from the last time I weighed at TOPS. 

Now it will be interesting to see what I will do next Tuesday. I won't be able to weigh in at TOPS do to another commitment. However, I will be going to weigh in at TofF. I know that my weight will not be coming off as fast, but I do hope to be below 200. I sure want to be in "onederland" and stay there...FOREVER!!

I do have an article of running clothes that I bought at a garage sale that was too small. I haven't tried it on in a long time. I need to try it on and see how it fits. My goal is to be able to wear it this summer. If it is appropriate, I will take a picture and post it. I also need to find some other "goal" clothes as well. 

WELCOME TO THE JOURNEY!!!

Chicken Tortilla Soup

So, part of joining the Ton of Fun Challenge, we get a newsletter with lots of great tips and ideas. One thing that was in this week's newsletter was a recipe for Chicken Tortilla Soup. Here is the original recipe.

Ingredients

• 2lbs. of boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" cubes
• 2 TBS. olive oil (good extra virgin olive oil)
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, minced or chopped
• 3 15-oz cans fire-roasted diced tomatoes (or regular diced tomatoes)
• 4-6 cups chicken broth (I prefer homemade, but store bought will work, just be sure to buy no sodium added or low sodium versions.  It's always better to add your own salt to the dish so you can control it.)
• 1 handful of cilantro, chopped
• 2 teaspoons of cumin
• 1 tablespoon of smoked paprika (regular paprika will work as well, smoked paprika just adds a nice complex flavor)
• 2 chipotle chiles, diced with some adobo sauce (if you need this recipe to be gluten free, omit this step and use 1-2 jalapeño peppers, diced instead)
• 1 pkg. of spinach or any type of leafy greens (Kale, chard, collard greens)
• Salt and pepper to taste

 

Optional toppings

• Avocado chunks (adds a healthy fat that will fill you up and keep you full)
• Crushed tortilla chips or fried corn tortillas (minimally add for a little crunch)
• Shredded cheese (Mexican blend, jalapeño jack, Monterrey, etc - again, just a little)
• Red Onions
• Green Onions
• Sour Cream (will help with the heat but adds calories and fat that you may decide you can do without)
• Radishes (adds a nice crunch to the soup and radishes have great anti-inflammatory benefits

 

Heat oil in a large stock pot over medium heat and saute the onion until it becomes translucent, then add the garlic and cook for a quick minute.  Add the chicken, salt and pepper and cook until the chicken is no longer pink.  Next, add the chipotle chiles (or jalapeños), cumin and smoked paprika and cook for 1-2 minutes. Then pour the tomatoes over the chicken mixture and continue to cook for another minute. Add the chicken stock and reduce the heat to low.  Cook for 20-30 minutes to let the flavors "marry".  Add the leafy greens and cilantro just before you are ready to serve and allow them to wilt. Serve immediately and top with additional toppings.  

 

I had decided that when I started this challenge that I was going to make every recipe that they offered. A "Get Out Of My Comfort Zone" Challenge in and of itself. I also was going to have my family try the recipes as well.

 

Today, we were on Day 2 of sub-zero temps and it was as good of day as any to attempt this dish. For those that don't know me, I am not a chef. I am not a baker. I can do these things but I don't enjoy it. However, like I said, "Get Out Of My Comfort Zone". Not only was I going to do this soup, I was going to go "all the way" and make my own broth. Why not? I had time.

 

First, I had to go shopping. My first choice was between fresh or already chopped. Do you know how much cheaper just one onion is vs fresh already cut up onion? Crazy!! So, my youngest and I went on a little shopping excursion around the veggie department. We were even surprised to find that fresh cilantro was in better shape than "fresh" cut-up cilantro. Next, picked up a whole chicken. Finally, we got the spices and the rest of the soup's ingredients.

 

I get home. Get my stock pot out. Put the chicken in with some water and spices. Set to boil. All is right with the world. Right?!? WRONG! I get researching how long to boil a chicken. Did you know that you need to take out the neck and the "innards" of the chicken BEFORE you boil it? RUN to the kitchen to remove all that. WHEW!!

 

So, I finish boiling the chicken and cutting it up. I strain the broth. How did I miss that "innard"? UGG! Oh well! Go to workout.

 

Came home. Started putting the soup together. We made some changes. We cut back on the "heat" of the dish. I was worried that the younger children wouldn't even touch it if it was too spicy. *sigh* I shouldn't even have bothered, but it is about making lifestyle changes. I bought kale instead of spinach.

 

So, we go to eat the soup. I cut up an avocado but I'm the only one who adds it. The younger two who are so used to processed foods have a hard time even thinking about taking a small portion of soup. However, I have to them at least try it. I even have cheese and sour cream. The oldest and hubby take it as well. Three bites and you can make something else. The youngest picks out every sliver of onion she can find. It's almost comical to watch her. Pre-teen son is so stiff you can just feel the tension coming off of him. "EAT IT!" "Do I have to?" (whiney voice) "Three bites. Yes." He takes bites that are as small as possible and most of it is cheese. UGG!! Really?!? I told him that every week I will be getting a new recipe and we will be trying them each week. He starts crying. OH FOR HEAVEN SAKES!!! It isn't worth it. They both go and make sandwiches.

 

Now, for the rest of our takes on the soup. The kale made the soup too bitter. We should have made it with spinach. I didn't add as much garlic as the recipe called for. Probably could have added more. I probably would add the chiles next time just for a little kick. Hubby added his own hot sauce.

 

On my one status, it was suggested to cook the chicken in a slow cooker. I might have to try that next time. "Also, a really easy way to make homemade chicken stock….Put a whole chicken (take out the insides! :) in a crock pot along with an onion, carrot and celery all roughly chopped (just adding flavor to the stock). Sprinkle some salt, pepper, garlic powder, cumin, coriander and paprika over the chicken. Add water to an inch below the top of the chicken (approximately 3-4 cups of water). Turn the crockpot on high and cook for 4 hours or low and cook for 8 hours. Once it is done, you will have cooked chicken and stock (just strain the liquid and use!)."  Good to remember!!

 

So, for easiness of recipe...I give it a 2 out of 5. But in all honesty, I made it harder than it could be. If I had bought pre-cut stuff and chicken breast, then it probably would have been 3 1/2 out of 5.

 

So, for taste of recipe...I give it 3 out of 5. Change the kale and add a little more spice. It would change there as well.

 

Here's to more where this comes from and next time...maybe the "processed" kids will take more of a liking to the recipe. :0)