Slim by the Summer #5 - When You Gotta Go!

I found an awesome linky to help me and anyone else who is interested in joining in. Just head on over to Raising Reagan to join in the fun! Each week there's a theme, I love themes! CLICK HERE! See previous weeks and my progress HERE.
 

So this week's theme is......

Great topic hu?! This is probably the one thing that keeps America fat! Hubby and I were just talking about the topic this weekend saying that we know a lot of families who would probably lose 10 pounds by not eating out so much. It's just so easy to just go out to eat isn't it?!

I'm huge on saving money! Each week on my main blog, The Mami Blog, I plan our weeks menu and I also do weekly match-ups for our local grocery store. I HATE PAYING RETAIL! Wether it's food, groceries, clothing, housewares, etc. Anywho, so if we do go out to eat, usually hubby's decision, I grab my coupon binder and give suggestions for places that I have a coupon for. But sometimes it is only for a FREE Appetizer or FREE Dessert (not the best coupons), lol But we do like to try new places and it's hard because you don't know how they cook their food and if it will fit into your "diet."


Here are some tips that I use when we eat out

1. Try not to!
2. Avoid fast food!
3. Don't do buffet
4. Ask for your food to be steamed
5. Drink water!
6. Share a plate
7. Avoid pasta dishes
8. No appitizer
9. Add a salad
10. Eat Fruit

That's it! 10 tips are pretty simple... When all else fails just try to make a good choice. Got any questions about any of the tips? Drink a full glass of water before you eat, that way you don't eat as much. Pasta dishes usually have tons of butter, which is delicious, but yeah, no! lol Add a salad to your meal and ask if you can get the dressing on the side so you can control how much you use. And instead of fries or chips, ask if you can have some fresh fruit instead!

It was my mom's birthday this past weekend and everyone got a soda or a mixed beverage... NOT ME! I got some nice cold WATER!

February 19 Stats:

Beginning Weight (January 2013): 186
Prepreganancy (2004): 135
Postpartum (3rd Baby, August 2012): 172
Goal Weight: 135
Last week: (Feb 5): 181.2
Current Weight: *Weigh in tomorrow*

40 Days of Water, Challenge Accepted

I attended a Mamavation Facebook Party today! and joined in a great challenge and cause! Usually during then lenten season, we give something up to better ouselves but usually really don't think how it's going to affect others. Well, this year we have the option to greatly improve someone elses life!

You can read more information about this non-profit and register HERE. The point of the challenge is to not just drink only water for 40 days (you will eat, of course), but to save the money you would have otherwise spent on drinks (happy hour!) and donate the money you saved to Blood : Water Mission!

Another great resource to check out is the 40 Days of Water Journal! You can download it and reflect. Each day is has a question or just something to think about.

I plan on doing an update every week or so. Even if you don't want to or cannot donate, drinking water for 40 days would do you a great amount of good!

Will you join me?!

Slim by the Summer #4 - Healthy Tuna

I found an awesome linky to help me and anyone else who is interested in joining in. Just head on over to Raising Reagan to join in the fun! Each week there's a theme, I love themes! CLICK HERE!
 

So this week's theme is......

HEALTHY RECIPES

 I love cooking. I have a menu plan that I post and link up every week on my main blog, The Mami Blog, if ya'll wanna check it out. That menu is for lunch and aren't always so healthy. I cook for my whole family and enough to have leftovers for lunch the next day for my mom (yes, we live with my mom). 

Tip: I always use a smaller plate to help serve myself a small portion!

So.... I wanted to share a family favorite with ya'll. We are Catholic and this week is the start of Lent (The period of 40 weekdays that in the Christian Church is devoted to fasting, abstinence, and penitence.) and that is one memory I have... Grandma slaving in the kitchen, making everyone "Albondigas!" They are simply, tuna patties! With an average of 75 calories, it beats a 500 calorie burger anyday, right!

There is so many add-ins that can make everyone different. But here is my recipe (not my grandmas)

Albondigas (tuna patties)

Ingredients: 
2 cans tuna
hand full of crushed crackers (or 1/2 cups bread crumbs)
1 egg
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes
1/8 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp salt
dash of old bay seasoning (or two)
Cooking spray or 1 tsp oil per pattie (2-4 at a time) 
Plate, covered with paper towels

Directions:
Heat pan. Mix all ingredients together. Add oil and then spoon some onto the pan and flatten with spatula. Fry 2-4 minutes, depending on it's thickness. Flip and continue cooking for an additional 1-2 minutes. Remove and place on top of paper towels to drain.
Serves 4-6 people

Serve as an open sandwhich, ontop of a salad, with pasta or like a burger!

Here are some photos I found via google to show you how you can mix it up. Next time you are in the mood for having a burger, try a tuna burger instead!

Tuna And Veggie

Asian Tuna Burgers

Mix it up with Salmon Patties

Source: simplyrecipes.com via Cinella on Pinterest

Tuna Bacon Cakes

 

February 11 Stats:

Beginning Weight (January 2013): 186
Prepreganancy (2004): 135
Postpartum (3rd Baby, August 2012): 172
Goal Weight: 135
Last week: (Feb 5): 181.2
Current Weight: 180.2! (-5.8lbs)
Vlog Update
 

Mid-week Update

Ugh... check out this POST on my main blog.... so yeah. I'm on my period and I just hate working out during that time. Last month hubby was like, just work out! I was like, "Yeah, NO!" I know a lot of women do and promote exercise during your cycle, I just don't feel comfortable... So. yeah, more housework for me. I also plan on going to Target today, and it's in a big shopping strip, so I wanna walk down to all the stores, probably a good mile, back and forth.

Hope ya'll have a great weekend. And come back Monday for weigh in!

Slim by the Summer #3 - Change

I found an awesome linky to help me and anyone else who is interested in joining in. Just head on over to Raising Reagan to join in the fun! Each week there's a theme, I love themes! CLICK HERE!
 

So this week's theme is......

One thing I NEED to CHANGE about my DIET?!

Personally, I have always hated the word DIET! It was a way to just tell myself, "You're not fat." I always just told myself I have to get healthy. And I have gotten healthy once time before. Yeah, there was high school, I woke up at 5am to exercise with Denise Austin for years! I didn't have to do it everyday. I just did it because it gave me confidence, which we all need in high school, and it helped me stay thin. The other time was when I was in my mid-20's and hubby and I wanted to have baby #2! We could not get pregnant and all the doctors kept saying I had to lose weight, and all I heard was, "YOU'RE FAT!" Which was probably true! After losing 20lbs, bam, we got pregnant! So, when I think DIET, I think FAT!

So, now that I'm trying to lose weight, I know I'm not like oober fat, but I don't feel "normal" either. I found this great article at MedicineNet.com about "Change your lifestyle, not just your Diet Plan" and it gives you questions about what you are doing now and what you should be doing, especially if you want to keep the weight off! It's not the best "survey" but it's great to give you an idea and help you think about what and why you want to lose weight. And, I know how and how I like to lose weight.....

If I'm challenged or have a goal, I can do it. 

I guess the one thing I have to change is CONFIDENCE. I have always thought and said that I look horid in work-out attire cus you can see my "tire." You know what I mean right? But watching the Super Bowl Half-Time Show last night and looking at Beyonce and her flaws made me think that achieving a curvy, sexy and fit bot is totally doable. Sure, she might have had 24-hour help and personal chef's, nutritionists, trainers and MORE, doesn't mean that every-day moms who have an innate ability to mother (not saying she's not motherly), magically refill dressers, cabinets and refrigerators can't do the same!

Photograph by: Getty Images, The Associated Press

AM I RIGHT?

January  28 Stats:
Beginning Weight (January 2013): 186
Prepreganancy (2004): 135
Postpartum (3rd Baby, August 2012): 172
Goal Weight: 135
Last week: (Jan 1/29): 181.2
Current Weight:181.2

Source: masikawa.tumblr.com via Avalon on Pinterest

Slim by the Summer #2 - It Works for Me

I found an awesome linky to help me and anyone else who is interested in joining in. Just head on over to Raising Reagan to join in the fun! Each week there's a theme, I love themes! CLICK HERE!
So this week's theme is FITNESS ROUTINES! I think this is a great one cus  you can see all the different things we're doing to help in our weight loss. 

I got a pretty good routine and have been doing it for the past few weeks and it works pretty good. I'm a stay-at-home mom and can't really do it at the same time everyday, but when i have some free time or make some free time, I do it.

MY FITNESS ROUTINE:
First thing in the morning I put on my pedometer. I use a cheap one that I got for free in the mail from Nature's Bounty. 

Then in the early afternoon I do the the BeFitin90 Workout for the day, you can check it out HERE. I'm on day 12!

Of course, then it's my chores and making lunch. By the time I'm done with that it's time to go pick up my oldest daughter from school.

Sometime between then and after dinner I get in some extra exercising from the Wii. I switch it up daily between Just Dance and Zumba. 
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EXTRA:
I have also been giving myself weekly challenges and I post updates on my Youtube Channel. You can check it out HERE. So be sure to check out my channel tomorrow to see how this week went and what my new challenge will be. Feel free to join me if you have a channel or not or make up your own challenge. I love challenges, they keep me motivated! Watch me work-out... I'm doing some of the BeFit exercises in the video I posted on my Channel. You can skip to the end....

Oh and since Jan 1st, I've been giving myself weekly challenges that has to do with weight loss or being healthy. I am vlogging about that. And you can see Resolution Update #5, where I talk about Slim by the Summer, HERE.

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And that is pretty much it! There are days in the BeFitin90 workout that is a rest-day and that's when I just do some random workouts or some dancing with the Wii again or take my girls to the park. I'm also a couponer and every Wednesday morning I go to our local grocery store (HEB) to scope out the deals for the week and such. The store isn't that big, but I do make it a goal to walk around the store, or go across the street to the city park to do some walking.


January  28 Stats:
Beginning Weight (January 2013): 186
Prepreganancy (2004): 135
Postpartum (3rd Baby, August 2012): 172
Goal Weight: 135
Last week: (Jan 1/22): 182.8
Current Weight:181.2 (Monday, but don't officially weigh in till Tuesday

Wooowhooo, down 4.8lbs for the year!

Up Late...

Random blog.... This week was pretty good and today I just wanted to share that we went to a local event to celebrate the birthday of a wildlife refuge and walked some of the trails. Spent a good three hours there. We even went up the observation towers and they had tiny steep steps. That was a good burn. Of course, I couldn't go too fast cus I was babywearing annaleah (my 6 mo old). Yeah, babywear! So the whole time I was walking it was like I was carrying an extra 20 pounds! Extra calorie burn!

Hope ya'll have a great Sunday and come back to see how much weight I've lost on Monday for weigh in!

WHERE IS YOUR FAV PLACE TO WALK?

Slim by the Summer *Newbie*

I found an awesome linky to help me and anyone else who is interested in joining in. Just head on over to Raising Reagan to join in the fun! Each week there's a theme, I love themes! CLICK HERE!

So this week's theme is Long Term Weight Loss Goals and Swim Suit Inspiration!

First I just want to say that hubby wants me in a two piece! OMG! I haven't been in a two piece since my junior year! I have a pic somewhere, I'm covering my mid section! lol

So I love the old style of swim suits that aren't actually two piece like these:

And I love the way these two look:

I think I could confidently pull these off! WHAT DO YOU THINK??? DO YOU LIKE THE OLD STYLE?

Weight Loss Goals.... I am not really losing weight, I just want to eat healthier which will probably cause weight loss. And the reason being is for the hopes of having a more smooth pregnancy for baby #4!

January  Stats:

Beginning Weight (January 2013): 186
Prepreganancy (2004): 135
Postpartum (August 2012): 172
Goal Weight: 135
Current Weight (Jan 1/22): 182.8

 CLICK HERE FOR WEEK 2!

Resolution Update Vlog

Feel free to subscribe to me on YouTube to get updates. I also do shopping hauls and other random videos on there.

Getting Over The Hump #3

Week 3 - Link up your health, fitness and diet blog posts! Write your blog name and the name of your post in the URL name. Please try to visit the other blogs participating.

1.

Gaining AND Losing

2.

FirstTimeMom - Accountability

3.

Kelly @ A Mother's Design

(Cannot add links: Registration/trial expired)

This is my first week joining in...  but it's the 3rd one of the year for FTM. Click the photo to join in this week!

I thought I would cover a different topic each week. One of my resolutions this year, obviously, like almost every other human being on the planet, is to lose weight. But I don't just want to lose weight I want get healthy, just like before to have a healthy, minimal complications, and most of all, a natural birth for baby #4 as much as possible without harming the baby. So, I found this hop and thought I'd join in and would also be a great way to document my journey!

I am also doing a few other challenges. I find that challenges motivate me, I like to win, so sue me! That's not my topic, I'm getting to it, lol. So I joined a weight loss group on Facebook and we're doing a challenge to see who can lose the most weight by the 21st! We had two weeks, so it started on the 7th, and I weight myself on Saturday and had lost 2lbs. Best part is that the prize is CASH! So motivational. Another challenge I'm doing to a weekly one, and I'm updating on my Youtube. I am doing a different weight loss/healthy challenge each week and if I fail, I have to re-do the challenge. Last week was no SODA! And this week I'm drinking lots of water! If you want to challenge me, let me know! I'm also doing another one, lol. Yeah, too much, but I like it. Sadly, this one ends on the 17th and it's to do 1,000 push-ups via ChallengeLoop.com, I was sick most of the weekend so I only did a few each day. They have a whole bunch of healthy challenges that I want to do! Here's an update!

Week 3 (for the sake of matching GOH): Water
Since it's one of my challenges... drinking more water this week. Right now, since I am getting rid of a code, water is not my best friend... I drank about 4 cups today. I want to start tomorrow and have 8 cups of water. Here's some info/facts about water...

Why drink more water?

• Drinking two 8-ounce glasses of water before breakfast, lunch, and dinner may help you lose weight and keep it off for at least a year.
• In addition, drinking more water may discourage you from guzzling soda and other calorie-laden beverages.
• After drinking approximately 17 ounces of water, the subjects' metabolic rates -- or the rate at which calories are burned -- increased by 30% for both men and women. 

What is your favorite "losing weight" drink? 

Wish me luck and hope ya'll have a great week!

Sources:
http://www.webmd.com/diet/news/20040105/drinking-water-may-speed-weight-loss
http://www.cnn.com/2010/HEALTH/08/23/drink.water.lose.weight/index.html

Go a head.... TEMPT ME!

Fudge, I didn't work out yesterday and guess what?! Eliada made me cute the 1lb reese's cup that I bought for Christmas, lol... I soooooo wanted to take a huge bit out of it! lol

WHY DO WE DO THIS....

to ourselves?????????

Each year we go on this diet craze and say we're going to lose weight but we don't or we gain it right back! Ugh, it's so annoying! 

Well, last year started out with lots to do but I was blessed with a pregnancy! So, I wasn't able to go through the Master Cleanse that I had gotten ready for! Really, we bought the lemons, Grade B Syrup and everything! 

Anywho, pregnancy went great and at my two week check up I was 3 lbs below my per-pregnancy weight! I was amazed and it felt sooo good! But now guess what?! 5 month later.... I'm 180! Not too bad, I gained and then lost a bit, but I'm 5 lbs away from my pre-pregnancy weight!

Lets get it started!