Body Composition Challenge Round 2: The Holidays (Page 16)

1500ish meters tonight in swim. It's getting a tad easier every time. We have a super sprint triathlon on the 22nd. If I do well on that swim (200M, which I panicked on last time!), I'm signing up for the Xterra race.

Hope you have a lovely day!

I think you should sign up for the Xterra regardless!  

X2!

Isn't it a great feeling to feel progress!

Woot!

Okay.  Here goes:

Hi, my name is Laura and I'm a snack-a-holic.  I always want to be munching on something.

The good news is that I like vegetables, and while I'd munch on cookies and ice cream all day in the perfect world, I don't mind getting my share of the good-for-me stuff.  On the other hand, I'm getting bored with the vegetables that I get every day, day after day.

Right now I have: grape tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers (prefer red/orange but usually green due to cost), and sometimes celery. 

I'm looking for suggestions for new veggies to try.

I'll say this:  I do all my food prep on the weekend.  Meaning - I'll cut up and bag for individual feedings, so the veggies have to be able to last.  Also, I'd like veggies as low maintenance as possible ... I love the grape tomatoes because all they require is a quick wash and separation into 5 baggies, no cutting involved ... but I will take the time to prep something that's yummy.

Another caveat:  I don't dislike, but also am not a huge fan of raw carrots, broccoli or cauliflower.

So - anything else you can think of to add to the mix?

Building my 2012 body, just took this after today's weight-training.  I need to really need to take pictures and post them as well as log what I eat, it makes me more mindful.

Would you eat steamed carrots, broccoli and cauliflower?  I bought a huge bag of them frozen from Costco and put them in microwave for about 4 minutes.  Throw on some Mrs Dash seasoning for more flavor and without adding salt.

How about beets?  Roast some red and yellow ones on the weekend, they should last a few days, i think.

Laura, I am a big fan of zucchini and yellow squash with a bit of hummus....but I also do broccoli & cauliflower with that.  If you really can't handle hummus then you could dip them in a light italian or balsamic dressing just enough to add a touch of flavor.

Find ways to put them in the sandwich you make for lunch.....ie  I have gotten a fantastic sandwich at my local grocery store when I've been in a rush on a whole grain bread with a light spread (very light) of hummus, bean sprouts, julienned colorful peppers, some form of dark lettuce, some tomatoes......

I like Abbie's idea to steam some of the ones you are less fond of, that gets you no added calories whereas the other preparation will add some fat calories (but a healthy fat)

I love how strong you look! Very inspiring, Abbie. Makes me want to just take off outside for a run, lol! Totally motivating. Keep up the awesome work.

Laura: I make a sauce with roasted red bell peppers and garlic, with cilantro, onions, olive oil and lime. It's a rich sauce that I like to dip steamed veggies in. I also dip sweet potato fries in it. You can get a bag of frozen ones to make it easier. There's a brand called Alexia (I think!) that sells awesome chipotle season sweet potato fries. Awwwweesome. I also just bake some slices of the sweet potatoes I usually have in the kitchen.

I like making smoothies with frozen fruits, almond milk, and a couple tablespoons of peanut butter.

I'm not a big fan of nuts, but they're filling. This past weekend I got a bag each of dried apricots and almonds. I made a bunch of snack baggies of them mixed together for myself and my husband. Quick, easy, healthy.

Aww thank you!!!!!  Work in progress and posting pics really does keep me more motivated/honest.

Checking in. I am down 2 pounds!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can you tell I am excited. Need to keep my eye on the ball because that is just a drop in the bucket.

Wow!  Thanks for all the great suggestions, you guys!

I like the idea of steaming the veggies... carrots/caul/broc not being my favorite is mostly a matter of finding them too much to chew (it sounds weird, but my jaw gets sore).  And I like the taste of them cooked better.  

And that roasted red pepper sauce sounds great... though I've been trying to stay away from the dips.  I love 'em all ... but if I'm having 4-5 servings of veggies a day, I can't be enjoying hummus each time, unfortunately.

Robin:  GREAT JOB on being down two pounds!!! That's awesome.

Personally, I'm down 1.6 pounds from last week and only another 1.5 pounds away from being at the weight where I started this whole damn thing this summer.  Still feeling good, headed in the right direction.  I'm giving myself a cheat day tonight (going out to the city for dinner and drinks) and I have to say that I'm mildly anxious about it because I don't want to blow away all the hard work I've put in so far.

Good job on the loss! On your cheat tonight. Cheat in moderation! Do you munch on fruit, too. I have been wailing on apples during the week. I adore them and they take a while to eat so you fill up by the time you are done.

I'm down a pound this week, from last week.  I also have a body fat monitor, and according to that, I'm also down 0.3% body fat... so it looks like all my numbers are going in the right direction!  

I didn't have time to take pictures this morning, since I'd gotten up early to go cross country skiing after our snowstorm last night!  It was perfect weather for it!!!  Considering I only lost a pound, I doubt I look very different anyways.  I'll definitely take pics next week though.

WOW!  This would be my "after" picture...

"moderation"  Hmmm.  There's that word again ... I have a vague notion of what it means.... hee.  

I love fruit and could eat it all day long.  But - have been trying to switch from that to veggies.  Fewer calories, less sugar, and unfortunately some fruit messes with my digestive system (apples, pears especially, which makes me sad). I still probably have 2-3 servings a day... 

Thanks Laura. 

I'm 132 today.

Great Job!  Keep it up!