Hi y’all and happy Monday! So I thought that I’d start doing a fitness and meal planning update every Monday. I’ll talk about what I have planned and also any thoughts I have based on the previous week. It might be boring, so I apologize in advance, BUT talking about it is an important piece in holding myself accountable.
This is technically Week 3 of my new self challenge to get healthy BUT I didn’t do great last week. We did really great with our eating (see the update at the bottom of this post) BUT I only worked out Monday and Tuesday. I could blame it on a bunch of stuff, but I won’t. Bottom line is this week will be better!
Here are my exercise and meal plans for the week. A couple of notes:
- I’m OBVIOUSLY not a dietician, nutritionist, or personal trainer. As I said the other day, my goal isn’t perfection. It’s progress. It’s doing better every day. I’m not counting calories or weighing portions. I’m just eating better and trying harder.
- I am a boring breakfast gal. I eat the same things in rotation. Fruit, Hard Boiled Eggs, Lara Bars, Eggs with veggies, etc.
- I am really having a hard time drinking enough water. That’s one of my major goals this week. I snack on nuts, fruits, and veggies. I’m working HARD to up my fruits and veg, that’s something I’ve struggled with my entire life!
Monday
Workout- Body Sculpt at the YMCA
Lunch- quinoa, veggies, and steak
Dinner- Beef, Cabbage, and Tomato Soup
Tuesday
Workout- BBG Monday, Week Two
Lunch- Tuna Lettuce Wraps / Apple with Almond Butter
Dinner- Chicken and Black Bean Taco Salad with Zesty Avocado Cilantro Dressing
Wednesday
Workout- BBG Wednesday, Week Two
Lunch- Lemon Chicken and Veggies
Dinner- Pepper Steak and Brown Rice // Sauteed Brussels Sprouts with Pancetta
Thursday
Workout- Spin Class at YMCA
Lunch- Chicken Salad
Dinner- Cajun Shrimp in Foil
Friday
Workout- BBG Friday, Week 2. Sculpt class at the YMCA (either/or/both- not sure yet)
Lunch- leftovers
Dinner- Chicken Artichoke Pesto Naan Pizza
Saturday and Sunday are girls weekend days as J will be at the Army/Navy game with his brothers and dad. I will most likely just cook a big batch of chicken in the Instant Pot and eat it with salads, brown rice, quinoa, with pico de Gallo, etc. all weekend. I will most likely ride the bike for a half hour or so at the gym one day and take a family walk the next.
A few things I want to share from last week-
Body Measurement Chart – I printed this off and I’m updating it every month. I also took before photos in just a sports bra. Yeah, I was mortified and I immediately hid them in Dropbox, but I think it’s important.
I used to drink a LOT of espresso with whipped whole milk and sugar. I now have my one morning espresso with frothed 1% milk- I also have a substitute I’m slowly moving to, see below- and no sugar. I just sprinkle cinnamon on top. I also drink a big cup of ice water first thing. Sounds silly but it’s made a BIG difference.
Califa Farms Almond/ Coconut Milk– It’s my eventual goal to substitute this for dairy in my coffee (the only time I really drink milk). Shoutout to my friend Portia for recommending it. I’ve tried lots of others and this is the only one I can tolerate!
Yummy things I made last week-
Chicken Curry with Coconut Milk
Go-To Garlic n’ Herb Shredded Chicken
Rosemary Lemon Chicken Breasts
veggies roasted in olive oil, salt/pepper
My new substitute snack when I need the crunch-
I think that’s it! I’d love this weekly post to be a place you guys can share healthy recipes, tips, etc. So please join in in the comments!
Love to you all!
xoxo
S
Love this! Do your girls eat the same dinner each night with you?
They sure do!! They have to try it. And if they don’t like it they can have unlimited fruits or veggies. But when I make dinner that’s what there is for dinner, end of story!
I love your grace versus accountability post. I can use grace as an excuse to & I have to work hard at not doing that. I love working out & eating healthy. But I also love not so healthy snacks & it catches up to me.
Do you ever make protein balls for a snack? They are easy to make, a healthy choice & decent source of protein. I can type the recipe here if you would like one.
My daughters are older then yours & im glad I set a mostly healthy example because I’m happy to say they both make pretty healthy lifestyle choices & yours will too. 🙂
So stay on tour healthy path – you are worth it!!
YES! Making protein balls has been high on my list but I keep forgetting. I’d love a recipe!
I read where you should always drink at least 8 oz. of water in the morning before you drink coffee, tea, etc. The article said that you dehydrate while you sleep and if you hydrate first thing in the morning, you will feel better. I started doing this and it seems to work!
Thanks for the updates and love following your sweet family!
This makes sense. It really seems like it has helped!
I absolutely think you have nothing to be embarrassed about! Most of us can relate. But I do understand how hard it is to put yourself out there!
I am striving to workout 5-6 days a week.
3-4 at the YMCA (2 classes, 2 days on eliptical)
And then yoga wherever I can fit it in.
Some weeks I do 7 days, and some only 2 or three.
I go with the flow.
When I exercise less, I cut back my calorie intake a bit to balance things.
I am trying to drink more water. Especially water infused with fruit to make it a little less boring.
I gave up soda and juices.
I am trying to eat less carbs but not eliminate and more protein.
Less sugar but I don’t deprive completely.
And sleep! Sleep is key to keep things running smoothly. If I don’t get good sleep, chances are everything else falls apart. :p
Anyway, that is my healthy living plan right now and I am pushing myself to stick with it.
Looking forward to following the journey with you!
Your plan sounds SO similar to mine. Identical accidentally. How are you feeling? Progress?
lol I rarely look back at comments but did today for some reason. We have had a lot of craziness and colds the last week or so and I felt myself sliding again.
But I said no and am making Self Care my One Little Word for 2018. I am thinking of taking Ali’s class to go along with and use the monthly lessons to reinforce my goals!
Thanks for the inspiration. Will have to do something like this coming January 1 when insurance changes.
you can do it!
I just discovered frozen CauliPower Veggie Pizza at Kroger. Delicious and a healthier/lower calorie alternative when I’m craving pizza!
um YUM
Really odd question — what machine do you use to make your espresso drinks? Hunting for one for my husband for Christmas but everything seems the same or over the top expensive!
Keep on keepin’ on — I start BBG today so will be checking in to your posts for my own accountability!
we have a bialetti mokapot! we have three from our time in Italy!
That Califa almond /coconut milk is the best! I’m recovering from surgery for a couple more weeks and am not allowed to exercise, but trying to refocus the Food part. Thanks for sharing!
here’s to a smooth and easy recovery. sending you love!
Love your updates. Thanks for sharing with us. I’ve been trying to eat mostly “whole” food for the past 4-7 months and it does feel good. In fact when I eat junky food, I really don’t feel that great.
I menu plan every week but really just dinners. I eat something similar for breakfast every day and find it easier to basically eat the same lunch every day if I don’t have left overs. It’s usually either spinach or mixed greens, some meat (usually chicken), veggies (that I’ve cut up periodically during the week), grape tomatoes and sometimes other things to make it interesting – nuts, raisins or craisins, goat cheese, sun dried tomatoes, artichokes etc… I find it easier to have my own salad bar where everything is sort of pre-chopped in the fridge and I can just grab it than to have something I have to make for lunch. Could be easier for you??
Oh, and sometimes I make a big egg scramble – 2 eggs and and an egg white, ham, spinach, broccoli, a little shredded cheese – sometimes other veggies. It’s very yummy especially when I want something warm.
keep us updated! We’re rooting for you!
YES! We sound VERY similar!
love your post!!!
okay, so do you print out a grocery list and get everything for the week all at once?
I am struggling!!!
tara
I do. I meal plan for the entire week and make a big Aldi trip every Sunday. I might supplement with produce every now and then!
Steph! I’m ready to exercise again…Been inconsistent since leg vein scolotharpy (sp) and foot surgery right before thanksgiving. I was just thinking I needed to plan out my workouts until I can start Insanity again. I got a hydro flask for my birthday, it has helped my water intake. LOVE YOU TONS!!!
Love you more. You got this!!
My hubby and I just watched cowspiracy and what the health and so have been totally motivated to go whole foods plant based diet!! Quite a drastic change but we are really excited to see how it helps us physically and mentally. (we live in New Zealand so no idea how the numbers work out here but we figured it makes sense to us so we are running with it!!) Loved your insta story with the pasta and Cora today. Story of my life!!!
I need to add more vegetarian options to our meals! And Cora is a TRIP. Hahahah!
I just love you Steph. You are so real and honest and open. As someone who has struggled my whole life .. I am now 60 .. I so relate. Had a health scare a few years ago and I finally got my shi** together, hope you’re a faster learner than me ! One thing I love is Vanilla Greek Yogurt with frozen blueberries for breakfast. It’s fast, delish and seems to stay with me so not hungry. I’m a creature of habit, I have it everyday. Lunch I love to make a big plate of veggies, Wasa crackers and hummus, cut up fruit. Dinner is lean protein, veggies or salad, I’ve switched out white potatoes with sweet potatoes. And I bought a treadmill. And have used it for 2 years. Having it right in my own house and not having to go anywhere to get my simple workout in has been he key for me. No excuses, it’s right there. I’m not a jogger, but a fast walker and if I put the incline up and get the speed up I am burning about 400 calories in an hour. Keep in mind I’m 60, I’m sure you could do better than that. Watching shows on Netflix on my ipad with my headphones has been key for me to keep it up as honestly, I HATE exercise. I don’t count calories and I don’t really let the scale rule me anymore. If I go out to eat, I just try to be sensible and watch portion sizes. It’s more the treat of not cooking than what I order. I struggle with the water as well, just keep that water bottle in sight. At first I lost the pounds easy, now I seem to stay the same but lose inches and I’m probably down about 3 sizes. I’ll never be thin, and finally learning to accept that and set realistic goals that are attainable has been key to my success. I wish you luck in your efforts. Just dont’ give up, if you have a bad day, a bad week .. It’s a slippery slope and so easy to fall and give up. Keep charging and believe in yourself. This is your own battle and i’ve been reading about you and your little girls since you were scrapping in the early years with studio calico, so in some weird way, i think i know you and i know … you got this, i beleive in you !!!! You go girl !!!!!
You ROCK- you made my morning! You should be so proud of yourself- I am!
Thanks Stephanie. I am what most would call as a lurker, when really I’m pretty shy and don’t always have confidence to speak my mind in this cyber world. But to quote you, your post “hurt my heart” for I’ve been in your shoes and it’s so damaging to the soul. So thanks for the comment back. It meant alot ! Ox
Love this post and look forward to more! Your previous post on grace vs. accountability struck a chord with me. I’m guilty of the same behaviors. I have a 2 year old daughter and often tell myself “its ok, you’re tired, rest” when it comes time to put effort into exercise or other healthy habits.
I’ve tried the calorie counting and I’m always left hangry and throw in the towel after a week or two. I need to learn BALANCE. Its a work in progress.
Thank you for putting this out there and encouraging me!
I’m getting caught up on blog posts and am just reading this and part 1. First, not boring at all! I love these kinds of posts because they motivate and inspire me. I am RIGHT THERE with where you were. Mom to a 3 year old and 10 month old twins. I work full-time outside of the house and while I was exercising semi-regularly this summer, I did a Whole30 in October and it was so time-consuming that I let the exercise go completely. And then the holiday season came and I let that clean-eating go completely. I, also, am tired of my own excuses. So keep up these posts! I, for one, love to read them, even if I rarely comment! Oh, and have you tried Nutpods in your coffee? I was a whole milk and sugar girl, and struggled during the Whole 30 with different brands of almond milk, coconut milk, etc. until I found Nutpods. I don’t usually like hazelnut, but I settled on that one as my favorite. Off to check out your linked recipes! Thanks!!