Edamame & Pear Crostini

Today was weigh in day...239.4  Looking good so far. Down 51 lbs with WeightWatchers and 62 since last July. When I sit here and think about it last year at this time I was tipping the scale at 301. WOW it really makes me think as to why did I let myself get like that. In high school i weighed around 200 and in college I was 225, but I was active, I played sports went to the gym in the mornings and was generally busy. I know you hear it all the time people get out of school and sit at a desk job, quit playing sports, find excuses to not go to the gym. Why sweat when I don't have to.

Last July after telling my wife for the 100th time that I'm going to go on a diet or I'm going to really try now, I finally did it. I remember the day that I decided. It was Sunday that I decided that Tuesday will be the day I start my new healthy lifestyle. I had tried to start a few months/weeks before but I did not have my mind right on this. So that Sunday I thought to myself I will start on Tuesday. The one thing I LOVE IS MONICALS PIZZA. It just so happens that Mondays are fresh pizza all you can eat night at our local monicals. I know I know don't deprive yourself BUT this is my last supper kinda thing. So that Monday we went to monicals for dinner with some friends and I had a Large Pepperoni pizza all to myself. I did good all day with the foods but this was it my last i don't give a shit meal so to say lol. Afterwards I never told anyone didn't mention that I was going to put 100% into this just kind of did it on my own and soon people started to notice me losing the weight.

Mixed emotions really, I am extremely happy for the weight loss and the overall feeling I have. Less back pain when I wake up in the morning to being able to actually run a few miles not without having to stop or crawl  back to the house. Its hard in the fact that you still see yourself as the big boned kid. The one that never got over the insecurity of being big. People say oh get over it, its not that hard. Mind you those are the same people that never dealt with being big. It does take some time to get used to, it takes time believe it or not to take compliments or to be able to share how you have done it. It is a emotional roller coaster, not meaning i physically show it but in my own mind (scary I know) I still feel like its not enough. If one week I gain 3 lbs and I worked my butt off kinda makes you think why try anymore, then there are times when you go in and you lose 4 lbs and think man I didn't do anything to deserve that result. I have learned to take it day by day and broke it down to meal by meal. Just because I mess up one meal does not meat I will mess up my next meal or write the whole day off. I try to better myself with the next one.

I have a GREAT support group (My wife Alison who I can not thank enough for helping me stick to my goals, my friend Melanie who started ww with me and is doing a fantastic job as well, and my Family, my Thursday morning WW group and an awesome WW Leader Beth)

a quote people say "Skinny never tasted so good" always makes me kinda of laugh and say in my head yea well skinny never had a birthday cake blizzard did they. :) ha but it is a great quote. Another that I have come to love is "You can't beat somebody that never gives up" 

until next weigh in Shawn T and I have a date for some more INSANITY.

Edamame & Pear Crostini

Servings: 30

Serving Size: 1 crostini

Calories: 62

Fat: 3.3 g

Carbs: 5.3 g

Fiber: 1.1 g

Protein: 2.9 g

Old Points: 1.3 pts

Points+: 2 pts

Ingredients

1 (16 oz) bag frozen shelled edamame

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, divided

1 cup chopped fresh mint

1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 (12 oz) baguette, thinly sliced

1-2 Bartlett pears, peeled and diced

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.  Cook adamame in salted boiling water for about 10 minutes.  Remove with a slotted spoon and place in ice water.  Drain and set aside 1/4 cup whole edamame, process the remainder in a food processor until coarsely chopped.  Combine mashed edamame with reserved whole edamame, 3 tablespoons olive oil, 1 cup mint, cheese, salt and pepper.

Place baguette slices on a baking sheet, brush lightly with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, and bake for 10 minutes.  Top each baguette slice with 1 tablespoon edamame mixture and 2 teaspoons of chopped pear.  Garnish with additional mint, if desired.  Enjoy!

sacrifice

So today when I woke up I was feeling lucky. Waking up at 5 am to workout can suck some days, but today I felt good. Walked in the bathroom and thought I would weigh myself. I started last Sunday on INSANITY and weighed in at 245. Today stepped on the scale and weighed in at 237... NICE haha this is first thing in the morning weign ins for me. First time under 240 in god knows how long!!!

For the past 10 days (9 workouts, 1 rest day) I have been doing INSANITY. The workouts I find challenging and kick my butt. I like the workouts in that the same day does not repeat its self. But man do they kick my buss. Heat beat starts off around 65-70 when I wake up and steadily stays around 150-160 during the workout. I can deffintley feel the workouts in my core, shoulders, legs and ass. Which is a good thing. I have had people ask me about the workouts. I tell them its what you put into it really. Sure you can do it and not be worn out afterwards but then whats the point. Give it what you can and you will see results. Sunday I have my 2nd fit test along with measurements. I can tell it in my legs for sure just not sure about the other body parts. I am not good at looking at myself and saying if its working or not.

workout is for real!

Well I am fast approaching my 1 year anniversary just alittle over 2 months left. Over the past year I have seen my weight drop and my energy go up! Clothing feels great to wear shirts are not longer tight thru the stomach and I do not have to stretch them out after I wash them, ok you got me after Alison washed them. I swore she shrunk everything before haha. 

My race weekend is a month away and I really havent been running all that much latley I need to pick it up. With doing Insanity in the morning at 5 am and softball after work I really have not had the time. I could go run after insanity but I am already dog tired after that. We will have to find out what to do!

Yes I started to do INSANITY... It is pretty damn nuts I will admit! But it is a hell of a workout. I have talked with people who have done it and stuck to it and the results are very nice! I can see how so many people get it and try it then quit it. But I refuse to quit! Below are my measurements and Fit test results from Day 1

Fit Test
Switch Kicks-64
Power Jacks-37
Power Knees-72
Power Jumps-23
Globe Jumps-6
Suicide Jumps-15
Push-Up Jacks-15
Low Plank Oblique-38

I just finished day 4 and love the workout just hate the pain sweat and tears haha. Well till next time... 

INSANITY

well well well look what we have here. I have been stuck on my weight loss for a couple of weeks so I decided to get drastic. I have heard some great stories about this workout. 60 days! JUST 60 DAYS TO TURN YOUR BODY AROUND.... Huh seems like fun right? I have been told its the most INSANE workouts you will ever do!

Doesn't that sound like FUN haha.. Well day 1 begins SUNDAY so we will see how that goes!