I hope those of you who celebrate had a great Thanksgiving! It was a wonderful Thanksgiving break for my family and I. We have much to be grateful for and are. The food was terrific and plentiful. I ate 500 calories extra for a total of 1500 extra calories over three days, which is what I had planned. I enjoyed two pieces of pumpkin pie and ate them slowly. I made an old fashioned recipe this year with whipping cream instead of condensed milk. I figure if you are going to indulge, make it worthwhile. I did and they were. Every last bite. Yum.
I know I have made enormous strides in my eating habits and healthy living over these past 18 months and it showed over Thanksgiving. I exercised hard (on T-day alone I rode 17 miles), plus I planned well eating HUGE green salads on Th, Fri. and Sat before our big family meals. I still have an enormous sweet tooth and doubt this will ever be totally gone, but, I can tell you that some of my once favorite foods were TOO sweet: like apple and pecan pie. No, thanks, at least not the ones I tried.
My daughters, DIL and I make downtown Minneapolis our destination on Black Friday and this year was no exception. We started it a number of years ago to avoid the craziness at the local malls and big box stores, plus it is a great way to support our local businesses. One of our very first stops was the Kitchen Window a locally owned cooking and kitchen outfitters. I tapped into my thriftiness (and coupons!) to purchase this little dandy:
It is a Cuisenaire food processor!
I have never owned one nor even used one, but
now that I am finding my inner cook, I was intrigued by all the options and flexibility
that this dandy little machine will bring to my kitchen. Yes, you read that
right: I am discovering my inner cook! As my journey has progressed I have
slowly become interested in cooking healthy and delicious foods. Over the past
two weeks I made split pea and butternut squash soups, omelets, and low fat muffins, just to name a few.
Like Sharon, I feel so relaxed while I am cooking, and I do not even mind
cleaning up afterwards. That Cuisenaire will make it a snap to chop and shred a
variety of ingredients for cooking and salads. Can’t wait to use it more!
Challenge updates:
Track my food intake daily: Yes. Done all 7 days. Stick to under 1500 calories on average a day:
Well, like I wrote above, I went over 1500 calories on three days, but
I am not worried at all. That was my "allowance" if you will. No
worries for me being on track again.
Exercise, rigorously, at least 8 hours per week:
I exercised 5/7 days for a total hours of 9. My biking mileage came in at 39 (which is astounding for late November in MN!) stair steps
altogether were 800, plus I walked about 11 miles. The stairs I normally climb (right photo) are now closed for the winter, so I am now climbing the set of 25 steps on the left. They are wider and will be cleaned of ice and snow throughout the winter making them a good choice for this part of my work out.
Weigh in: Will be on December 3.
Plan for eating for the big holidays:
Yes, done. Quite happy with how I did.
Continue
to learn about what works best for me in this journey to better health,
specifically losing and maintaining weight loss as we age and our
metabolism slows down: Yes. I am reading and learning more things about my body as I age.
Support and encourage other weight loss bloggers: Yes. I continue to do this.
All
of the above helps me to meet my target for the Christmas Dress
Challenge. I remain focused and moving forward.Only two more weeks to
the holiday party where I will wear this dress!
Overall: I am very happy with where I am in these two challenges. Looking forward to reading and catching up with all of my bloggy friends. Have a great start to your week!
TTFN and stay strong,
Michele