Hot Bodz: South Beach Diet, Day 8

You know what? I think we're through the worst of this. It's been a week, the scale says I've lost close to 8 pounds, and I feel good. Yesterday, John and I got up and prepped for another week by making a broccoli, cheddar, canadian bacon and egg casserole. I spent my Saturday prepping 5 quarts of crock pot chili. We stocked up on veggies and protein at Fred Meyer...and everything feels like it's on autopilot. I went out for Happy Hour on Friday and wasn't tempted to drink AT ALL. In fact, I had steamed shrimp and asparagus for dinner - I must be possessed, right? Working out consistently has been more challenging, but we have a neighborhood jogging route and a slew of P90X DVDs on their way. And I know that these habits take time to build.

And that's about it. So I guess the moral of the story is: so far so good. Woo!

Pass it on

I just read these words on the blog of a local photographer, and it's uncanny how impeccable the timing is for me. How could I not share?


"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. 

It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. 

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented,

       and fabulous -

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small doesn't serve the world. 

There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people

Won't feel insecure around you. 

We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. 

It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone,

And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously

Give other people permission to do the same.

- Marianne Williamson

Guess where I got these?

St. Vinnie's is my new favorite hang out!

On my desk

I think he needs a mustache...

Thanx Lotz: 10.27.2011

I just read somewhere that it's Thankful Thursday. So, what am I thankful for today?

1. A full night's sleep. Mmmmm. This can make or break my day.

2. This cup of green tea - on fall days like these I just cannot get warm!

3. My husband, with his dashing good looks and quick wit he's certain to woo you into a lively conversation about cinema or his arch-nemesis: condiments.

4. My hot rollers? These guarantee a good hair day. Seriously.

5. Friends who continually pursue me, no matter how far away they live or how snarky I get.

6. The captivating sunrise that accompanied me on my bus ride this morning. The reason I'm a self-proclaimed morning person. Nothing humbles me quite like one of these.

7. Tomorrow is Friday, duh!

Hot Bodz: South Beach Diet, Day 3

Well, here we are. Three days in and I'm feeling OK.

John and I started South Beach on Monday. I spent Sunday afternoon prepping and packing lunches to make sure that we didn't have to think about it at all when we were at work. I know that I'll be more likely to succeed if I can let myself go on auto pilot through the roughest phase. So, on the menu this week:

Breakfast: Egg, Cheddar and Canadian Bacon Muffins - prep them all at the beginning of the week and you have an easy, grab and go breakfast!
Snacks: Reduced Fat String Cheese, 15 almonds
Lunch: Romaine with tuna, radishes, celery, mushrooms and a lemon/evoo vinaigrette
Dinner: This is where we feel like we can be a little creative, since John and I can support each other while we're in the kitchen. Last night we had THE best lettuce wrap turkey tacos. Tonight? I'm thinking pepper lime marinated chicken with some roasted veggies.
Dessert: This is the most important part of the day for me. If you've never had sugar free jello pudding with lite cool whip mixed in, today is the day. It's amazing and DOES NOT taste like diet food.

PS - This is fun to do with my husband...and he's the best accountability I've ever had.

Hot Bodz: South Beach Diet

Tomorrow the Portanova's (yes, both of us!) go on the South Beach Diet. I just spent the last two hours prepping food for the week: egg muffins for breakfast, fresh carrots, cucumbers, radishes --- any vegetable I could get my hand on to prep ahead of time. Our refrigerator looks like a garden. I know I have to invest time on the front end of the week to be successful. I don't know about you, but I have a bad case of the "I don't want to do ANYTHINGs" when I get home from work in the evening. The more I get done today, the better the shape we'll be in as the days pass.

This afternoon I'm inspired and ready to go. I'll let you know how we feel tomorrow!