Muffintop Meltdown {v.9} What working for lap band surgeons taught me!

Progress! Points! & Lessons From My {former} Day Job

Progress Report:

Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 3 pounds!!

Total Weight Lost: 14 pounds

Inches Lost This Week: 2.5 inches!!

Total Inches Lost: 21.5 inches

Points Earned:

This Week: 85

Points Balance: 507!!! (First $250 earned!!!)

Before I became a stay-at-home mom, my day job was handling billing for several bariatric surgeons.  Specifically a few excellent specialists that perform lap band surgery.  Lap band surgery is a procedure that helps severely obese people to essentially utilize less of their stomach, therefore becoming full after very small portions of food are consumed.  It is portion control for those who have tried other methods and failed.  It was always fascinating to see the amazing transformations of people I'd see before and after having their surgeries.  

I met a couple of really great nutritionists that worked with the patients to help them adapt to a healthy eating routine both in preparation for surgery as well as after surgery. If you’re interested in learning more about nutrition, you might want to check out NutritionDegreeOnline.org. I thought I'd share a couple of tips that have always stuck with me in terms of losing weight and making right choices in eating:

1} If you aren't hungry enough to eat an apple, you probably aren't hungry at all.  This is so true!  There have been so many times that I have opened my fridge at home looking for something to snack on, but refused to eat any of the healthy options.  If you are an emotional or boredom snacker like I am, this is a good reminder to ask yourself if you are hungry enough to eat that apple!

2} Don't drink water/beverages during your meals.  There are several different views on this particular tip, but essentially a small sip of water is fine, but chugging fluids of any kind can actually interfere with digestion and raise insulin levels (which can cause more fat to be stored!).  Water should be your go to beverage between meals.

3} If you do nothing else, walk!!  Walking is actually the exercise of choice for the most successful weight-loss veterans.  You can do it anywhere, including in place in the privacy of your home.  Rain or shine, walking can get you moving toward your goal!

What little tips have you learned that have made a difference in meeting your weight loss goals?

This Week:

I'm proud of these choices:

I'm staying disciplined and not cheating on Medifast!  

I'm drinking tons of water again.

I'm down to 16oz of coffee a day or less!

I'd like to work more on:

Adding exercise again.  My body is not quite adjusted to regular NYC activity levels.  So, I'm still easing back into a workout routine. 

I totally cheated when:

I went out to dinner for one of my best friends Birthdays.  I did awesome in ordering a salad with dressing on the side.  But then I realized they gave it to me on the salad and the side, and I think it was more sweet than savory which is not good for my current meal plan!

How did you do this week?

Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?

Muffintop Meltdown V.1-V.8

This post is part of a blogger campaign by Bucks2Blog.  I was compensated.  The views and opinions expressed in this post are completely my own.

Disclosure Policy

Springing Forward!

March is here.  :)  I couldn't be happier.  I am not a cold weather person.  I prefer mild warm weather, doesn't matter if it is sunny or cloudy (although I love blue sky).  I love that the days are getting longer and Spring will arrive in a few weeks.  I think what I am most looking forward to is planting a few seeds again (2nd attempt at gardening, ha!)  And the overall brighter days that come with Spring.  I can't wait to see the trees budding again!

I'm not the only one looking forward to Springing forward…this month I asked my favorite lovelies what Spring holds for them (click on the picture to visit their blog!):

I heart Spring, and these ladies!  What are YOU looking forward to this Spring, lovely?

Unscripted: Any other night...

On any other night, I'd be sticking to my lists,
checking off items as I go,
being motivated and exhausting every last bit of energy.

But not tonight.
Today was very tiring.
I love my sweet little lady more than I could possibly put into words.
I don't love when she decides to disregard everything I say all day long.
Days like today wear on me.

I have no complaints really, I'm not upset.
Just worn out from saying too many "no's".
Too many time-outs.

I put a lot of energy into being a good mom,
being available, interruptible, and having lots of fun.
I guess it was just one of those trying toddler days.

Any other night, I'd be enthusiastic to share with you so many wonderful things going on here.
Just not this night.
I'm going to delay my post that I've waited all day to work on.

And I'm going to sit back and watch the Bachelor and then,
I'm going to muster up all the last bits of enthusiasm I can
to welcome my hard-working husband home from his job.

I'm going to give him the best hug I can, and plant a sweet kiss on his lips.
And then, I'm going to go to bed.

Have you met Gunner yet?

Carly over at Texas Love Birds welcomed her sweet little boy Gunner into the world, just a couple weeks ago.  Stop by and meet him (he is absolutely adorable!) 
Plus, I'm taking a little trip down memory lane over on her blog today!

"Pinning!" {wk.14} This is My Style:

Welcome to "Pinning!"!!!

First timer?  It's simple:

Follow & Link-back to your hosts: Courtney & Kimberly

and

 Link up your favorite pins post for the week

or

Participate in the theme of the week

This week's theme: This is MY Style

This week our theme is all about sharing your personal style through your pins.  I decided to link up several Polyvore sets that I have created, that I believe define my style.  I have never been one to fit in any one box, so you will see I love classic sophisticated, dressy casual as well as vintage glam.  

This outfit is inspired by where I am originally from!  The beautiful Pacific Northwest!

Jerry and I lived in Louisiana for a little over a year and it will always hold a special place in my heart.

Ahhhh San Diego.  My dream city.  Love it so much there.

I love vintage wedding dresses: ivory, lace, pearls and birdcages veils.

Love sparkles and my favorite color is blue.  Love eye-popping colors.

One of my favorite color crushes, turquoise and gold.

This is for the more professional events.  I like the simple black dress with dramatic shoes and jewelry.

And when I'm feeling most girly, I am willing to go all the way retro with vintage housewife attire.  

Betty Crocker, eat your heart out!  

THANK YOU for Linking up last week!  

Check out this week's Pinning-est on Kimberly's Blog.

Are you "Pinning"?  

Come on, everyone is doing it.  

Join us MONDAYS for weekly sharing of Pinterest finds.  

February 27th: This is My Style (Define your style!)

March:

Kicking off next week, LINK ANY PINS YOU'D LIKE! 

No theme required! 

Win the title of "Pinning-est" and your blog will be featured on the next post!

Restless Blog Hop & Some Randomness...

Hey Lovelies!  I just got back from a crazy wonderful three week adventure that was equal parts fun and exhausting!  We were in Texas visiting my sister & her family as she welcomed her newest baby girl into the fold.  I couldn't wait to get back and see my husband…and he was a quite a site for my sore eyes last night at our little reunion.  :)  Looking forward to catching up with you all and finding my groove again! 

I also want to take a minute to thank each of my awesome guests that contributed during my time away.  I couldn't have mentally survived and enjoyed myself without each of you!!  Thank you all so much!! 

I have many pictures to share over the next couple of days, but for now I just want to share my new haircut, and a few random facts, as well as welcome my new lovelies (that's you!)!

11 Random Questions (& Answers):

Favorite Food:  Seafood, and I am a total snob about it, it has to be from the Pacific Ocean to be good.

Favorite Nail Polish:  Ballet Slippers by Essie

Hidden Talent:  Intuition…if we lock eyes I can read a lot about what is going on in a person.

Hot Cocoa or Apple cider?  Hot Chocolate for sure, with a mountain of whipped cream on top!

Favorite Childhood Memory:  Snowmobiling or Camping with my family.

Who are the gifts from (Christmas)?  In our family the gifts are from each other via God's blessing.

If I could live anywhere:  San Diego, California

Favorite TV Show:  I am hooked on the Bachelor/Bachelorette.  In my defense that is the ONLY trashy show I watch.
How many books do I read a year:  I start probably 5-10 but only finish a handful!

What is your best quality?  I am an honest person.  I'm the friend you call when you want to be heard, understood and then receive truthful feedback.  Not the friend you want to call to join a pity party.

What is your biggest fear?  That I won't fulfill my purpose in the time I have left in my life.

P.S. I have to tell you, these ten questions were from a tag post that I received in DECEMBER, but life got busy and it got lost in the shuffle, but hey, better late than never.  (Thanks Amanda for tagging me!)

And now, moving onward, I want to give a big shout out to Christa at Young & Restless, for choosing me to co-host this week's Restless Blog Hop!!

WELCOME to the Restless BLOG HOP!

A blog hop is, its where you link up your blog, FB, twitter, etc and hop around to the other links, say hi, and find blogs you might like! (As well as be found).

Kind of like one big blogger meet and greet :)

RULES:
Follow your Host & Co-Host (Me!)
Grab this button and place it on your blog for the weekend!
Its smart to make a special post about the hop and talk about yourself or post something fun to draw people in :)

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Thank you so much for visiting, linking, following, etc!  Can't wait to meet you!  And let's get hopping!

Muffintop Meltdown {v.8}

Progress! Points! & The Skinny Fridge


Progress Report:

Weight Lost Since Last Weigh-in: 4 pounds!!

Total Weight Lost: 11 pounds

Inches Lost This Week: 5.5 inches!!

Total Inches Lost: 19 inches

Points Earned:

This Week: 85

Points Balance: 422!!!

I'm back in NYC! Woot!  I can't believe how quickly three weeks flew by!  It was sad saying good-bye, but it feels great to be back at home and getting back in my own routine.  I'm now 10 days into Medifast, and I am THRILLED with the results I have had so far.  I know I went off track early in my trip to Texas, so I am sure I gained a bit of weight before starting Medifast, so the fact that I am down 4 pounds despite that fact, is AWESOME!  And motivating! 

I never had an actual work out during my trip.  I had hopes to get on the treadmill, but the treadmill was moved to the garage so a playroom could be created, making it inconvenient and unnecessary.  I will say that for probably 85% of every day, I was on my feet!  I barely sat down friends.  Now I know the secret to losing baby weight…have more kids! LOL.  As I sit here typing this I am thirsty to exercise and will be doing Pilates just as soon as I finish sharing with you.

I am convinced that Medifast can and will get me to my goal weight and expediently as well!  When I did my weight loss projections based on the minimum weight loss expected, I will be in my most ideal shape by my 4 year anniversary in June!  I will blow past my goal weight before Zion's 2nd birthday!  Can you tell how excited I am?

Before I know it, I will be looking like this:

My sister has a fridge that is a great ego booster, I call it her "Skinny" fridge.  Every time I saw my reflection in it, I was thrilled with how a skinny/fit Courtney will look!

This Week:

I'm proud of these choices:

I'm staying disciplined and not cheating on Medifast!  

I'm drinking tons of water again.

I made it through my stressful travel day without breaking my Medifast.

I'd like to work more on:

Continuing to cut back on coffee, perhaps switching to only one 8oz cup of coffee + adding one 8oz cup of Green Tea instead of my 2nd cup of coffee.

I'm adding exercise back this week, and I am really hoping to not overdue it and since I have only been "functionally active" for the last three weeks. 

I totally cheated when:

I got home and this morning I had no Splenda or sugar substitutes, so I added a teeny bit of spicy cocoa and Agave nectar to my coffee eek!!

How did you do this week?

Want to catch up on my weight loss journey?

Muffintop Meltdown V.1-V.7

O.M.Y. {oh.my.yum} Featuring Jo from Holding Onto The Little Things

Hey friends, Jo from Holding onto the Little Things is here today sharing a delicious pumpkin recipe.  I know it isn't fall anymore, but this recipe is too good to keep to myself!  Enjoy and make sure to pop on over to visit her blog and say hey!

I am so excited to have finally found time to post my most favorite fall pumpkin recipe.  Maybe one of my favorite breakfast/dessert items..  We use fresh pumpkin and I believe that is what makes this recipe so delicious.. Well that, and maybe all the brown sugar.  I accidentally added too much cinnamon to my streusel, so in the final picture, the tops are darker than they should be.
The following makes a little more than 2 dozen..
















ingredients:
1 cup of softened butter (2 sticks)
2 2/3 cups of packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2 cups of pumpkin (a little extra is better)
1/2 cup of evaporated milk
3 tsp. of baking soda
1 tsp. of salt
4 tsp. of cinnamon (a little extra is better)
1 tsp. of powdered ginger
1/2 tsp. of ground cloves
3 1/3 cup of flour
streusel topping:
10 TB. of flour
12 1/2 TB sugar
10 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup of butter

You can adjust the spices to your liking.  I use extra cinnamon, because it is my favorite.  Adding a few drops of vanilla is also yummy as well!

You will need to preheat the oven to 375 degrees. You cream the butter and brown sugar.. add egg.. add pumpkin and evaporated milk.. add baking soda and spices.. then slowly add the flour.. Mix after each addition.  Do not over stir.

Pour into regular sized greased muffin pan. Fill the cups leaving a little less than 1 cm empty.  Cover with as much topping as you like.  I add at least a tablespoon to the top of each muffin before throwing in the oven. Cook a dozen at 20 minutes.  Makes 28; 30 if you don't eat the batter.. wink wink.