Starting Weight & Measurements

Today was my official starting day. I started my food journal, got my measurements & weighed myself this morning. Here's where I'm currently at:

Weight: 171.0

Measurements:
Arm 13.25"
Chest 41.25"
Waist 34"
Abs 39"
Hip 43.75"
Thigh 26.5"
My current clothing size is 10/12

My weight loss goals are to lose about 30-40lbs. & shrink all my measurements to a size 6! I have NEVER been a size 6 in my life! I always hit size 8 & get comfortable! This time I want to reach my goal! I plan to achieve this goal by watching my calories (approx. 1500-1550/day for this week to see what happens) and adding at least 45 minutes of cardio everyday & 1 hour weight training 2-3 days/week.

My food for the day was as follows:
Breakfast - 260
- Homemade Egg Mcmuffin (1 extra large egg, 1 lite wheat english muffin, ketchup), 210 calories
- 2 clementines, 50 calories

Mid-morning snack - 80
Reduced fat string cheese, 80 calories

Lunch - 500
-1 bowl homemade Chicken & veggie soup, 345 calories
-Tortilla chips w/ fresh, chunky salsa, 150 calories

Afternoon Snack - 100
- Melba toast w/ Laughing Cow lite cheese spread, 100 calories

Dinner - 495
-Homemade French Onion Salisbury Steak, 395
-Side Salad w/ reduced fat dressing, 100 calories

Desert/Evening Snack -100?
- Part of a chocolate chip cookie (my freaking fiance made them today!)

Daily Total: 1535

So, minus the cookie, today was a total success! I've already planned tomorrow so that will be too!

Take- Out Junkie

Something that I know about myself is that I, like many, am a Take-Out Junkie. What this means is that the foods I love the most are high fat, super salty, stick to the gut foods like pizza, pasta, Chinese, subs, wings, etc...

What I've been working on is making tasty, healthy options of my favorite foods. I'll post them as I come up with them and/or re-make them for all to enjoy! First off, Vegetable Spring Rolls w/ dipping sauce! I made these on New Year's Eve & loved 'em!

1 Tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
4-5 garlic cloves, minced
1 inch fresh ginger, peeled & grated fine
3 scallions, thinly sliced
12 oz. bag broccoli slaw mix, cole slaw mix, or julienne cut vegetables
1/4 c. chicken stock
2 Tbsp. low sodium soy sauce
1 Tbsp. sugar (or sugar substitute)
4 Frozen Spring Roll wrappers (the one's I used were ultra thin, only 20 cals each!)

Heat the oil in a medium skillet over medium-high. Add the garlic & ginger about 30 seconds (do not brown). Add scallions & veggie mix for about 2 minutes. Add the broth, soy sauce & sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer for approx. 5-mins. Cool for at least 15-mins before use.

When cool, arrange wrapper in a diamond shape & place 1/4 veggie mixture into each wrapper. Fold corner closest to you over the filling to completely cover & brush lightly with water. Fold in each side & roll up. Repeat with the next 3.

Place the rolls on a cookie sheet, sprayed (top & bottom of each roll) & lined with parchment or foil, bake the spring rolls at 400 for about 5-minutes/side.

Dipping Sauce:
1/3 c. low sodium soy sauce
1/3 c. rice vinegar
1 Tbsp. honey
1-2 tsp. crushed red pepper flake
1-2 tsp. sesame or olive oil
-Mix together

Nutrition: Approx. 130 calories/1 spring roll & 1 Tbsp. sauce

ENJOY!

P.S. You could bump up the protein & make these a full meal by adding chicken or minced shrimp