Well 2 weeks in..how are you doing? I'm down 4.5 lbs :) got to love the beginning of a diet. I know from here on out it's going to be pretty slow, but it helps to have the encouragement of those first few pounds gone. My workout is going fairly well though I still struggle with some of the core exercises.

One that is particularly hard is what my trainer calls the Modified V Sit-up. I hold a 15lb weight and struggle to get to 25 reps. I can feel it not only in my core but my shoulders/arms as well. I made a little video to explain it best, but please be kind seeing it was 5:30 in the morning ;)

Anybody else feeling a little tight in the jeans area??? I told myself, back in October, that I was going to be careful over the holidays, but that declaration added up to 12.4 lbs, yikes. So here I am with the rest of the nation back in the "diet" saddle. I actually am not depressed about it because for the first time I can look back and say that I thoroughly enjoyed myself. To me it was worth it. I had fun with my children making sweet treats, fun pit stops to DQ for mother/child talks and family parities full of food. I created memories and I can't complain about that.

But with that comes the struggle to get back down to goal. So here's my challenge...12.4 lbs in 12 weeks starting today. Totally doable just a little over 1 lb a week.  Anybody want to join me??? I'll post the recipes I'm using and some exercise tips that I am learning from my personal trainer. Oh did I mention I have one. Yeah birthday present to me back in November that I'm just starting to really utilize. Since my theme of the year is to simplify I'm quiting Curves and just working out at Gold's Gym. I don't need both, but I figured since I did my weight training at Curves I should learn what I need to be doing at Gold's. It will be nice to only have to go to one place. It will not only save me money, but gas and time as well ;) Can't complain about that!!

With my tips will come struggles and complaints so feel free to vent as well. We can do it together :) So here's to a new year and a new us, lol!!

Wow I can't believe I have missed 2 Fit Fridays, yikes. Well we won't count this one as missed only a day late, lol. I have been doing really well maintaining the last two weeks. Maintaining is the key word here. I haven't lost anymore, but not gaining is awesome. Especially with the amount of candy corns I have eaten. I am absolutely in love with those little buggers and look forward to this season for that reason alone. Call me crazy, i know.

Playing around on the net the other day I found this...Candy Corn Cheesecake Mousse talk about yummy!

Just looking at it makes me gain wait, lol. In order to ease the guilt I came up with a better solution.

I used 2 SF-FF Jell-o Cheesecake pudding as directed on the box with FF milk. I separated into two bowls and added orange and yellow food coloring. I poured the orange in first and then let it set up for a few and then added the yellow. I finished with lite cool whip for the top. The kids loved it and I couldn't get enough. Of course, I love anything jell-o pudding!

My one weakness is out in full force and I'm a little nervous that I'm going to go overboard. Every year at this time I look forward to the one thing that makes this months so fantastic...Candy Corn. Call me crazy, but I love them!! Now luckily, Weight Watchers has the lovely points value system which allows me to indulge in my craving. Nineteen of these little gems are only 4 points, which i know is a lot, but if I can keep myself in check I will do fine. For the last couple of days I have counted out my 19 and then snacked on them throughout the day. So far so good :)

Another thing that I love is pumpkin. It is so very good for you and I'm always on the lookout for recipes to make with it. Skinny Taste is just what the doctor ordered for those that love good low fat recipes. They even put the points values for every recipe...perfect!! I was over the moon when I saw these:

Skinny Pumpkin Cupcakes

It was the perfect combination of pumpkin, candy corns, and cream cheese! So yummy and they definitely helped my with my 2 lbs weight loss this week, wahoo!

The one thing that has changed my world as of late is this little bundle of joy!

Being only 1 point for every 2 ounces = a whole lot of turkey! I usually just cut 6 ounces for 3 points, slice it up, sprinkle some salt, add some veggies and I'm ready to go. Or on other days I will cut smaller portions and have a great sandwich or use it for snacking. Either way it has really helped me get through this week.

This week, rocked! I have done really well and have lost 1.5 :) So excited about that!! I know my weight loss will be slow seeing as I'm almost to my goal. I'll be happy with anything in the negative column.

I have been so busy this week filling orders and trying to prepare Maddie's birthday party. I'm sure that helped keep my mind off of the bad stuff. I guess that could have gone either way, too, since I am well known for stress eating. But, here's to keeping it positive and diving into week two :)

Fit Friday

I have been such a slacker lately, but I really want to get back to my Fit Friday posts. I recently made a new discovery while at Weight Watchers the other day. Yes I had a little too much fun this summer and have a bit of weight to lose. 10 lbs to be exact, yikes! When did that happen :(

Anyway, I'm back to the grind and back to Weight Watchers. Now on to my discovery. I wish I could take the credit, but nope it belongs to somebody else, but I am absolutely in love with it. It is a recipe for a 2 point cake. It is quick, it is easy, and it is delicious!! All you do is take one box of Angel food cake mix (off brand is best) and one box of any other flavor of cake mix. I have been using German Chocolate, but my friends have all tried other flavors ie lemon, strawberry, vanilla and say they're just as good. Mix the cakes together...dry, and pour the mixture into a container. This mix will last you awhile so make sure it shuts tight.

Now to make the cake you get a mug and spray it with Pam and then take 1/3 cup of the dry mix and 2 tbsp of water and mix them together right in the mug. Place the mug in the microwave and cook for 1 minute, done. That's all.

I usually put a little cool whip on top and if it's Sunday (my extra points day) I will add a 1/2 cup ice cream, yum!!