Monthly Archives: October 2009

Halloween candy shocker!

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Okay, it’s Halloween and of course, I had to indulge in some candy. Was it worth it? Yes, I have to say it was…kind of. If nothing else, I had one heck of a sugar high for a couple of hours!

I had one of each of the following: a fun size Snickers bar (2 WW pts.), a Reese’s snack size peanut butter cup – that’s one cup (3 WW pts.), a fun size bag of peanut M&M’s, which had about 10 M&M’s in it (2 WW pts.) and a snack size Kit Kat bar, which was basically two pieces (2 WW pts.).

So really, was it worth it? Okay, not really. That was nine Weight Watchers point I wasted on four lousy pieces of candy. I can eat an entire dinner (or supper as I typically call it) for less than that. But, it was Halloween and I just to indulge.

Today, I received an e-mail from Hungry Girl (www.hungry-girl.com) that had calories, fat and WW points for some of the Halloween candy. Here are just a few of them (some are quite shocking!):

3 Musketeers Mini Bar – 24 calories, 0.7g fat (POINTS® value 1)

3 Musketeers Fun Size Bar – 63 – 70 calories, 2 – 2.25g fat (POINTS® value 1 – 2)

Almond Joy Snack Size Bar – 80 – 85 calories, 4.5g fat (POINTS® value 2)

Butterfinger Miniature – 45 calories, 1.75g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Butterfinger Fun Size Bar – 100 calories, 4g fat (POINTS® value 2)

Hershey’s Kiss, Milk Chocolate – 25 calories, 1.4g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Hershey’s Kiss, Pumpkin Spice or Candy Corn Flavor – 23 calories, 1.3g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Hershey’s Miniature Bar, Any Flavor – 42 calories, 2.5g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Snack Size Bar – 67 calories, 4g fat (POINTS® value 2)

Milky Way Mini – 40 calories, 1.5g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Milky Way Fun Size Snack Bar – 75 – 80 calories, 3g fat (POINTS® value 2)

Nestle Crunch Miniature – 30 calories, 1.5g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Nestle Crunch Fun Size Bar – 60 – 70 calories, 3 – 3.3g fat (POINTS® value 1 – 2)

Reese’s Miniature Peanut Butter Cup – 44 calories, 2.6g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Reese’s Snack Size Peanut Butter Cup – 90 – 110 calories, 5 – 6.5g fat (POINTS® value 2 – 3)

SHOCKER! Reese’s Peanut Butter Pumpkin – 170 calories, 10g fat (POINTS® value 4)

Snickers Miniature – 45 calories, 2g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Snickers Fun Size Bar – 80 calories, 4g fat (POINTS® value 2)

Twix Mini Caramel Cookie Bar – 50 calories, 2.6g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Twix Fun Size Peanut Butter Cookie or Caramel Cookie Bar – 80 calories, 4 – 5g fat (POINTS® value 2)

York Dark Chocolate Covered Peppermint Pattie Pumpkin – 60 calories, 1.25g fat (POINTS® value 1)

Clothing…ugh!

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When I was a larger gal, I used to love wearing sweatshirts because I could hide beneath them. Now that I am not as large, I am starting not to like sweatshirts. That is very strange to me.

This summer, I had a garage sale and got rid of a lot of my larger clothes…which I had tons of. Now, I actually don’t have that many clothes that actually fit because everything I did have was way too big. I have done a little shopping, but not enough. For once, I actually need clothes instead of want clothes…at least in my mind anyway. My husband would probably beg to differ!

For work, I have to wear dress clothes, which I love, by the way. I have enough to get me by, for now. But when it comes to the weekends or for casual wear, I really don’t have anything. Yes, I have a few sweatshirts, but I really don’t want to wear them. See, it’s kind of weird and I feel weird saying it, but now that I am actually starting to like what I look, I don’t want to "hide" beneath a sweatshirt anymore. Seriously, that is so weird. I never thought I wouldn’t want to wear a sweatshirt. Strange. Weird. 

I actually like to wear clothes that fit me the way they are supposed to and that make me look like I have lost weight. Isn’t that odd? Don’t get me wrong, it’s not that I like to wear tight clothing to show off my figure, because I don’t. I don’t like my body that much. YUCK! I have no intentions of ever of wearing skimpy clothing or for that matter, a two piece swimsuit. The thought of that sends shivers right up my spine! I just like to and want to wear clothing that shows that I have lost weight.

I have worked hard throughout this journey, which I have no intentions of ending at anytime, and I, as maybe conceited as it sounds, want people to notice. Is that really so bad? I hope not.

Tweaked logo

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After several comments about the title of my blog, I have decided to change my logo…slightly. (By the way, thanks to Nichole for my awesome looking graphic!) The title itself hasn’t changed, just the logo. 

As I have said in the past, the name "Fat Girl" isn’t meant to be derogatory. I have never meant to insult anyone or make them feel bad in anyway, shape or form. At a very low point in my life, I needed a username for something and at that time, "Fat Girl," was what I felt like. I had gained tons of weight, my self-esteem was nil and I just didn’t feel good. Since that time, the name has kind of stuck.

Plus, it kind of reminds me of Batman. You know the theme song, "Da na na na na na na na na BATMAN!" Well, take out the Batman and replace it with Fat Girl! See, it kind of makes me think that I am a superhero!

So, now you know. I am slowly starting to like my body again and look at myself in a different light, but I still have days where I still feel like a F-A-T girl. I hope it will change and I really think it will…someday. 

Personal trainer assessment

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So last night, I met with my new personal trainer, Kristy Loomis. She is a second-year student at ATC in the health and fitness program. I am her "practice client." It was awesome. I was excited about some things and a little disappointed in others.

One of the first things we did was do a body fat analysis, BMI (body mass index) and checked my weight. I was actually pleasantly surprised by all three. Earlier this year, I had a body fat analysis done and I was at about 40 or 45 percent. Not good…at all. In April, I did it again and it was closer to 35 percent. Better, but still not great. Last night, Kristy put in a target of 30 percent for body fat because we didn’t really know where I was at. After stepping on the scale, we found out my body fat was at 28.5 percent. Much, much better. I was happy with that, although I would like it to be less. She was okay with it. My BMI was at 23.4. I think your BMI should be 25 or under, so I guess I am okay with that number.

My weight was at 145 pounds, which I know was not quite accurate…at least according to the Weight Watcher scale, which this morning read 148 pounds. OMG! I was ecstatic, especially with everything that has been going on and not exactly eating the best. So, I’ll take the 148…it sure the heck beats the 190 pounds I was at nearly a year ago! 

After doing the assessment of the scale, we started doing some exercises. She was pleased with my form while doing squats and happy with my numbers while doing a front bridge (I held the pose for nearly one minute) and a reverse bridge (I held this pose for nearly three minutes). I totally think those may be the wrong terms for what I did, but close enough. the front bridge works your core and the reverse bridge works your glutes and thighs. I was so close to doing a pull up, but didn’t quite make it…even a second try didn’t result in doing on. I felt better about this when she disclosed to me that she isn’t able to do one either! 

We found out that I really need to work on my upper body strength…I tried to bench press, which resulted in only four and a half lifts of 65 pounds. Not great by any means. But Kristy was okay with this because now we definitely have something to work on. 

As for push ups….well….I did 20 of them!!!! Okay, they were "girl" push ups, but regardless, I DID IT! I seriously didn’t think I was going to be able to do one and I did 20….yes, that’s 20 push ups. For those who are physically fit, I know it’s nothing, but for me….it’s HUGE!

Overall, I think Kristy was pleased with my assessment. And I have to say I was, too! She is now going to take all my information and work out a program for me. We are meeting again next Wednesday for one more test. She might have my program ready for me then, but if not, it will be soon after. I can’t wait to get started. In the mean time, I think I might dust off the weight bench down in my basement and start doing some lifts! I might even add in some push ups now that I know I can do them!

I will keep you posted on my progress. Thanks for reading!

I’m back!

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Well, it seems that life is maybe starting to get back to normal…maybe. My father-in-law’s funeral was last Friday and my mother-in-law is now all settled in her new digs at the nursing home, where she will continue to receive rehab for her stroke. She is doing quite well and we, her family, are quite pleased.

Over the course of the last week, my eating hasn’t been the best, but it also hasn’t been the worst either. I don’t think I have gained, so I guess I am okay. I think. I guess I’ll find out how okay I am at my Wednesday Weight Watchers weigh-in. This weekend, I had the munchies…real bad. No matter what I ate, I couldn’t get full. I started out eating healthy, good-for-me foods, but by the end of each day, I said, "Screw it!" and ate whatever I wanted. Not a good attitude, I know, but after the last couple of weeks, I didn’t really care. Shame on me. Some of the foods I enjoyed (kind of, anyway) included a doughnut, a small bowl of ice cream (I actually measured out one cup and ate it out of the measuring cup), about a third of a bag of Spicy Sweet Chili Doritos, two small bags (like the kind you pack in a kids’ lunch) of plain Lays potato chips and a bunch of other crap. 

Although I wasn’t happy with what I ate, I still logged each and every morsel. And yes, each day, I went over my WW points. But, I still logged everything and for that, I am happy.

As for exercise, well…since I ran the 5K back in September, my exercise routine has been, oh, shall we say…nil. As in there hasn’t been any. None. Zilch. Zero. Unless, of course, you count the 800 times I have gone up and down the stairs to do laundry! Thank goodness my laundry room is in the basement!

BUT…and this is a big but…I am starting a new program tomorrow, Tuesday, that I am really excited about. Actually, I am more than excited…I am ecstatic, thrilled, elated. I get to have my first session with my new personal trainer tomorrow. She is a student at the tech school here in Alexandria. I am her "practice client." Each year, students in the health and fitness program at the tech school are paired up with practice clients and this year, I got the opportunity to be one of those clients. Yeah for me.

I met with her briefly last week so that she could give me the paperwork to fill out and then we set a time to meet tomorrow so that she can do an assessment on me. Kind of nervous about that. I may be able to run a 5k, but don’t ask me to do any push-ups! Yikes! I will keep you posted on how that turns out.

I am happy to be writing my blog again (it is so therapeutic for me) and hope you all continue to read it as I continue my journey to a healthier lifestyle!

Sadness

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I am just writing to inform all of you, my dear readers, that I won’t have any new posts for a little while. 

Yesterday, Sunday, October 18, my father-in-law passed away. Although we know he is at peace and in a better place, it still hurts. He was 85 years old. Rest in peace, Vic, I love you.

I will be back next week.

Thanks to all of you who take the time to read this blog. It means the world to me. 

Canned veggies?

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I eat a lot of veggies. Preferably fresh. However, I eat a bag of frozen green beans at least four times a week for lunch and I love frozen carrots, corn or mixed veggies, too. I love my green beans with a tablespoon of balsamic vinegar on them and a little sea salt, too. I can’t explain my love for frozen green beans! They are so good and good for you!

The other day, however, as I was walking by the canned vegetables, I got the hankering for canned carrots. Why? I am not sure because I truly am not a big fan of canned anything. Seriously, have you ever tried to eat canned asparagus? Mushy. Gross. Nasty with a big, fat "N!" But if I was forced to choose my favorite canned veggie, I would probably have to go with…you guessed it, green beans.

Tonight, I decided to try my can of carrots. After opening the can and dumping all the water out, I was surprised at how rubbery they looked. And I am not sure if it was my imagination or what, but I thought they had a peculiar odor to them. Not a foul, these-are-bad-carrots kind of smell, but just kind of funky, I guess. I cooked them on the stove instead of the microwave because I like to brown mine a little bit. In other words, cook them until they are starting to what I call lightly brown, while others may call it blackened or burnt. Weird, I know.

I spritzed them with a little I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter spray when they were done, let them cool a little bit and then dug in. The first few bites were okay, but not the best. Okay, they were horrible. Mushy. Tinny-tasting. Watery. Bland. Simply gross, to be completely honest. But somehow, I managed to finish them. Why? I am not sure. That was a waste of one WW point, that’s for sure. : )

I guess from now on, I will stick to my fresh or frozen veggies. Lesson learned. Tastebuds thankful.

Easy tasty treat

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Last week at my Weight Watchers meeting, one of the members talked about a tasty treat with apples. As you know, apples are plentiful right now. I actually eat two or three or sometimes, four apples a day…usually, the Honeycrisp variety. A co-worker I used to have would eat this variety of apple all the time and tell me they were the best…ever. I finally tried them and OMG, she was so right. They are the best.

Anyway, the WW member said she cuts an apple up, puts it on a piece of tinfoil, drizzles it with sugar-free maple syrup, sprinkles it with cinnamon and then puts it on the grill. She said it’s similar to making potato packets for the grill.

At lunch today, as I was staring at my box of Honeycrisp apples, I decided to try her suggestion..except in the oven. I took out a small casserole dish, sprayed it with Pam, put the slices of apple in it and drizzled the apple with an 1/8 cup sugar-free maple syrup. I have tried a variety of sugar-free syrups and found that my favorite – surprisingly – is the Great Value brand from Wal-Mart. It has a real good maple flavor and an almost buttery flavor. It’s just real good.

I let the apple bake for maybe 10 or 15 minutes in an 425º oven and then for about 5 or 10 minutes, I turned on the broiler. I also turned the apples over about half way through the first 10-15 minutes. When they were done, because I forgot to do it at the beginning, I sprinkled them with just a little bit of cinnamon.

Let me tell you, this was one tasty treat! And the best part, it was only one and a half WW points – one point for the apple and a half a point for the syrup. If you use 1/4 cup syrup, which you totally don’t need, then it is one full point for the syrup. The total for the treat would be two WW points, which still isn’t bad at all. 

Simple. Tasty. Easy. Gotta love it.

Have to share this deliciousness!

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I have often talked about what a great cook my husband is…or least I should talk about what a great chef he is. Seriously, he amazes me. The best part I love, is that he will take a recipe and try to make it healthier just for me. Well, I guess healthier is good for him, too. Anyway, there is this Greek pizza recipe that we just love. He has now found a way to make it – and it still tastes great – with the points value cut in half. The original recipe is almost 20 WW points for half of the pizza. The way he makes it now is only 10 points for half of the pizza. Craziness. Coolness.

Here is his recipe for Greek pizza:

One Martha White thin and crispy pizza crust mix. It comes in a bag. The recipe on the back of the package says to brush the dough with oil. He doesn’t. He sprays it with Pam. He doesn’t use any oil at all. He sprays the pizza pan with Pam (or any type of cooking spray) and also sprays the crust once he flattens it onto the pan. He brushes the flatten crust with garlic – the kind that comes in a jar. He doesn’t use a lot, just enough to give it some flavor. Maybe a small tablespoons worth. You can also just sprinkle the crust with a little bit of garlic salt if you don’t have the jarred garlic. Pre-bake the crust in a 475º oven for about 5-10 minutes. It will be slightly brown. After you take the crust out of the oven, then top it with the following ingredients. Bake again until the edge of the crust is browned, not burnt, but browned.

One bell pepper. Typically, he uses a green pepper, but you can probably use whatever color bell pepper you would like. He chops it up in little bite-sized pieces.

One-half of an onion. If the onion is small, then you may want to use all of it. He also uses a half of a large white onion, but you can just use however much onion you would like. Again, he chops it up in bite-sized pieces.

Tomatoes (roughly one cup or so). We most often use grape or cherry tomatoes and then cut them in half and put them flat side down on the pizza. Just use your judgement on how many tomatoes you want. If you really love ‘em, then use more.

Kalamata olives. These are the purple looking olives. They can be a bit expensive, but worth it. We use about 20-25 olives. Typically, we purchase them at the olive bar at our grocery store. Again, use your judgement on the amount. We like these type of olives, so we tend to use a lot. Just slice each olive in about three pieces.

Fat-free feta cheese. We typically use about four ounces. You can either buy the already crumbled kind or buy the brick and cut it into eight slices and then use four of them. It crumbles really well. 

That’s it. That’s all there is to it. Fairly simple and fairly healthy – or at least a lot healthier than regular pizza loaded with greasy pepperoni and fattening mozzarella cheese!

Oh and by the way, this pizza rocks with red wine – either a Syrah or a Zinfandel. NOT WHITE ZINFANDEL. Real Zinfandel. Red Zinfandel. Delicious.

Here is what it looks like:

Colorful, isn’t it?

Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

A celebration!

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Yesterday, October 8, was my one-year wedding anniversary! Al and I were married on October 8 of last year in California in a hot air balloon overlooking the vineyards of Sonoma County. We had a fantastic trip! Al and I have actually been together for almost seven years…he is my soul mate. It feels like we have been together for an eternity, but not in a bad way. It’s in a super-duper good way, the best way possible, actually.

At any rate, last night, after we visited my mom-in-law at the rehab facility she is at in Fargo (she had a stroke on September 11), we decided to go out to eat. Since I started my healthy eating/lifestyle change/journey, the one item I have avoided ordering in restaurants is pasta. I haven’t been to a pasta restaurant, as in Olive Garden, in forever. I don’t actually miss it that much.

We have pasta at home on a regular basis, but it is uber healthy. I order my pasta online at www.fibergourmet.com. It rocks. Check it out. A one-cup serving is only two points…half of the points of "normal" pasta. When making pasta at home, we always use a tomato-based sauce, instead of some fattening cheesy, alfredo-y, cream sauce. I just love pasta. I can have a pasta meal at home for under six WW points. Seriously. And it is good and filling and satisfying.

Well, last night, because it was our anniversary, we decided we would go to Olive Garden. Really, not such a bad choice…if you don’t order the never-ending pasta bowl, that is. But, of course, because we were splurging, we both ordered the never-ending pasta bowl.

It was AWESOME. I mean REALLY AWESOME. We ate the salad, the breadsticks, our pasta and of course, we had to have a glass of wine to toast our anniversary with. By the way, Al made the most romantic toast! God, I love that man.

Anyway, I just figured out my WW point total for what I ate, which consisted of one helping of salad, two breadsticks, one helping of penne pasta with five-cheese marinara sauce and about one-third helping of orecchiette pasta (these are kind of like an ear-shaped pasta) with the five-cheese marinara sauce. No dessert, can you believe it? My point total for my meal? It was thirty-three points – yes, 33 POINTS!!!! My total for the day turned out to be 46 points. 

But every single one of my 33 points for dinner was well worth it! It was a marvelous first anniversary!