Push Phase results and photos!

I lost only one pound due to terrible diet during most of the push phase. I actually gained weight and then lost it through calorie restriction during the last week of the push phase. I lost 1/2 inch in my waist, one inch in my belly and half an inch in my hips. I think I gained half an inch in each thigh (probably due to the lunges and squats with heavier weights - I went into beast mode and was squatting with 25 lbs on each side;). I'll update with specific measurements later.

Last week of Push Phase

Sooooo, I haven't written in quite awhile, because I've been completely swamped with work and traveling. I was out of town for 12 fo the last 25 days... I have tried to keep up with my workouts as best I can, and I've only actually skipped one of the strength workouts in the Push phase. My cardio, on the other hand, had fallen off quite a bit. I got back into town from an 8 day trip on Monday, and as of Tuesday, I'm back on track with workouts and diet. My diet was a complete bust during the 8 days I was out of town. A lot of it was due to alcohol consumption...

I will finish up the Push phase (the heavy weight phase) this week and will post my results Sunday night. I'm a little nervous since my diet has been bad for the past couple of weeks. Chalean did say that I'd be really hungry this month because of the heavier weights (I'm using my 20 and 25 lb. dumbbells!, and my 50 lb suitcase was much easier to maneuver than usual on my work trips!). We'll see if I can make up for it with super-healthy eating for the next few days;).

I'm REALLY SUPER-EXCITED to start the Lean phase of this program, because I think I've really gotten alot stronger this month (the excess food probably helped;), and I think I will be able to see the definition that I've added after I lose this little layer mush that I've put on.

Chalean Burn Phase Results

                 Before            Burn
Height:         5'5"
Weight:        127     ->     124      = 3 lb loss
Chest:            35     ->        35     = no change (this was a surprise... normally the first place I lose...)
bicep:            10     ->        10     = no change (but I can see more definition in my arms)
waist:            28     ->      27.5    = 1/2 inch loss (my goal is 25 inches)
Belly:            31     ->        30     = 1 inch loss! (measured at belly button)
Hips:             37     ->      36.5    = 1/2 inch loss
Thigh:           21.5   ->        20     = 1 inch total loss (measured at widest part of upper thigh)
Calf:             13.5   ->      13.5    = no change

Overall, I lost 3 pounds and 3 inches total. Im most excited about the inch lost in my tummy. I will provide more detail and burn phase photos later (I'm updating from my phone now).

Burn Phase Before and After photos:

1. Before Front
2. After front
3. Before back
4. After back

Creamy Chicken Chili Recipe - Yummy, Easy and Healthy!

I came up with a super-easy, healthy Creamy Chicken Chili Recipe tonight (the hubby is out of town for work, so I'm free to experiment:):

Ingredients:

1 - six ounce can of chunk chicken breast
1 - individual cup of Fage 2% plain greek yogurt (7 oz)
1 - can of chili ready diced tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped onion (I used white onion)
Optional - reduced fat shredded cheddar cheese

Cooking instructions:

1. spray a non-stick pan with olive oil and start cooking chopped onion over low heat
2. Open containers of chicken, tomatoes and greek yogurt and mix together. Then add them to the pan with the onion.
3. Simmer until onion is soft.
4. Serve and enjoy!
5. Optional - sprinkle with reduced fat cheese

Makes about 2 (large) servings

Nutritional Data per serving:

Calories:    232.5
Carbs:        20 grams
Fat:            3.5 grams
Protein:      31.5 grams

Beginning Chalean week 4!

I'm starting the 4th and final week of the 'Burn Phase' in Chalean Extreme today. I can't wait to take my measurements to see if I got any measurable results this weekend! I will post the measurements along with photos for this phase on Saturday. Once again, my diet was terrible over the weekend, but it was pretty decent during the week last week. I'll be very strict this week in anticipation of my Burn Phase results photos and measurements!

Found my next BeachBody program! Shaun T Groupon!!!

 $20 for Shaun T’s Rockin’ Body or Deluxe Rockin’ Body Seven-Workout Set ($59.85 List Price)
http://www.groupon.com/deals/gg-shaun-t-seven-workout-dvd-set?utm_campaign=UserReferral_dp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=uu7789253

Shirataki - a 0 Calorie pasta alternative!

I've mentioned zero calorie shirataki noodles several times in my posts (I eat them several times per week). While I wouldn't say that they're just as good as real pasta, they're the best substitute that I've found. They're definitely best when mixed with a lot of other ingredients. I've been using the Hungrygirl.com recipes for them after my sister told me about the website: http://www.hungry-girl.com/biteout/show/2157. HungryGirl.com describes them as "The World's Best Pasta Swap." My favorites are the chicken carbonara and the tuna noodle casserole. My husband really likes them too.  They're made from some sort of weird japanese yam root that smells like seafood, so you have to rinse them after opening.

I've had trouble finding them here locally (I haven't seen them at our Whole Foods). Anyway, the noodles are on sale on groupon today:

 $34 for 24 8-Ounce Packs of NoOodle Zero-Calorie, Gluten-Free Noodles ($79.94 List Price) http://www.groupon.com/deals/dc-bst-gg-nooodle-shirataki-0-calorie-noodle?sd=false&utm_campaign=UserReferral_dp&utm_medium=email&utm_source=uu7789253