Monday, March 25, 2013

Chicken and Black Bean Chili

Today's creation is chicken chili.

Started with dried black beans, added water, bay leaf, paprika, kosher salt, black pepper, and cumin.

Then I added 4 frozen chicken breasts, a diced red onion and 6 cloves of garlic. Brought it to a boil, then turned it off.

It'll sit for a few hours then I'll pull out the chicken and dice it up then put it back, then finish cooking it until the beans are tender.

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Third time's the charm... Right??

Signed back up for Weight Watchers this weekend. My weigh-in day is Monday, so I feel like I have the weekend to get re acclimated with the program.

I did the online program after having Conner in 2008. It worked really well and I was very excited. When I went back to work, the company I worked for didn't allow personal use of the computers and it was way before I had a smart phone. My interest faded as I couldn't track during the day and my momentum came to a screeching halt. I ended my membership and tried to employ what I had learned.

After my second child was born, I had gained a LOT of weight due to the bed rest I was on because of a difficult pregnancy. A very close friend and I joined WW again, but this time we went to the classes instead of doing the online program.

I don't enjoy group activities. I'm not a "joiner". But I love Amber and I wanted to have and give the support, so off we went to meetings. They were fun! I was pleasantly surprised! This was the year they introduced Points Plus, so we were both learning a new system. She had used the "Simply Filling" program before, and I had started when "Momentum" was the standard.

My husband saw the success we were having and he joined with us. He went to a different meeting than I did so we could alternate who stayed home with the kids. We even walked our first 5-K during this time. It was pretty cool. But, the excuses came easily and quickly and soon I wasn't going to meetings anymore. Once again I canceled my membership and went back to my old ways of eating.

I'm doing some job-hunting and needed a nice outfit for interviewing. When I went to the store, I discovered the need to buy size 20 pants, and shirts from the "Women's" section. I was so sad and disappointed with myself. I avoid social activities and even family gatherings because of my weight.

So. Here I am again. Facing this battle and addressing my need and want to be healthy, happy, and thin.

Wish me luck. I've got about 80 pounds to loose, and if I can manage the 2-pound weight loss per week that's recommended, it will take somewhere in the 40 week mark at the earliest before I see my goal, so we're looking at next January for a reasonable "best-case-scenario". I have to keep that in mind! I'll want it to instantly vanish, so I have to train my thinking into knowing and understanding that this will take a LONG TIME. This weight has been slowly added over 5 years. Fully understanding and coming to grips with a slow loss is key.

To put it in terms that I "get", I can't eat raw meat. I have no problem waiting for it to cook. I need to wait for this too. I can't have produce the day I plant a seed. I have no problem cultivating, carrying for, and nurturing the growth to get a healthy and fruitful crop. I need to learn to see my body in that same way.

Cook well my friends.