Real Realizations

I realized two things today and I would like to share them with you.

DISCLAIMER: I'm going to keep it PG but also keep it real. For I have no shame.

Realization #1: Phantom boobies. They do exist. I've seen them. Ladies and gentlemen, I have them. Where boobs once lay in all their fatty tissue splendor, I am now left with.... well.... a MUCH smaller version of what once was. I have literally "exercised them away". LET ME CLARIFY! This was not my goal or intention! None of my bra's fit. Not even Victoria with all her damn expensive secrets! BAH! Sometimes, late at night, in the dark, I think back fondly of what we once had and I miss them. They don't "pop" out to say hello as much as they used to anymore but I know they still love me. They're just a little more shy now. Reserved if you will! HAHAHA! I had to share. Forgive me.

Realization #2: I have the thighs of a Greek God. As in a manly, overly meaty and plump Greek God. No matter what I do, there they are. Shimmy shaking in the mirror and laughing back at me. Damn you thunders..... Damn you. I work my legs hard (I think anyways) and do cardio 5x a week. Perhaps I'm doing it wrong? Maybe it will just take longer? Maybe it's in my genes and I should embrace the jiggle? HA! If you know any tricks to leaning out thighs, PLEASE share. I feel like I'm running in circles sometimes. Maybe I need to spice things up a bit.

Okay, realizations and deep thoughts with Ildie on a Wednesday is officially over. I would also like to add that I don't hate my body. I'm just dealing with the changes that have been happening throughout my weight loss journey and sharing them with you. I'm sure more fun changes will follow. I hope the next change involves my incredible shrinking ass. Because that would be lovely. :)

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 9:00am.

• 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
• 1/4 wheat bran
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• dash pumpkin pie spice
• pinch salt
• Splenda
• (Microwaved and topped with 1 tbs ground flax, 2 tbs sugar free strawberry preserves and 1 tbs Better N' Peanut Butter.)

I contemplated life, mortality, our role in the universe and subatomic particles while enjoying breakfast. Nah, not really. I was just fantasizing about vacation again while drooling over the pictures of the rental house. Ahhhhh. Can't wait!

How was work today you ask? Well it was work! And I was there, working on a big pile of work. Yeah, that about sums it up.

LUNCH (meal #2) at 12:30pm.

Ann and I learned about sharing today. I gave her half of my fruit salad today and she gave me half of her roasted veggies and egg salad wrap. I think we managed to cover all of the food groups with this feast. Our combined powers EXPLODED into a perfectly nutritious meal. I was in love with this lunch.

The fruit salad had 1 small kiwi + 1/2 banana + 1/2 red pear + pineapple + mango.


Ann's egg salad wrap was made with 1 whole egg + 3 egg whites + fat free Miracle Whip + S&P and maybe some mustard. I think that was it right Ann? Stuffed inside a FlatOut wrap. I ate half along with roasted broccoli and cauliflower. YUM!!!


During our break, we invaded Macy's like it was our job. I was on a mission to find some "casual" t-shirts and/or tops for vacation. After trying on at least 8 tops, I left with just one $10 dollar red t-shirt. Not bad, not bad! I had fun just trying things on. Why? Because they ALL FIT that's why! They didn't look right on me though so I didn't get them. Just the fact that everything fit made me giddy though. Such a great feeling!

SNACK (meal #3) at 4:00.

I had a strawberry Dannon Greek yogurt sprinkled with Udi's original granola. I wanted to keep it light since lunch was heavier than usual. I forgot how much I like the strawberry Dannon. I wish they made peach or pineapple though. I bet they would be delicious!


After work it was time to party at the gym. Just think of it as a club. Without fun lights, cute boys, cocktails or pumping music. Other than that, it's almost exactly the same. You move, you sweat, you feel good and you go home happy. :)

WORKOUT!

Advance Chest Press (plate loaded)

40lb x 15

50lb x 15

50lb x 15

Lat Pulldown with V-bar (cable)

80lb x 10

70lb x 10

60lb x 15

Face Pull with rope grip (cable)

85lb x 15 (3 sets)

Seated Chest Press (plate loaded)

70lb x 15

60lb x 15

50lb x 15

Seated Row (cable)

40lb x 15

50lb x 15

60lb x 15

Dumbbell Fly

10lb (each hand) x 15

12.5lb (each hand) x 15

12.5lb (each hand) x 15

Treadmill

10 min, 3.2 speed, 10 incline, .55 miles

Elliptical Cross Trainer

20 min, intervals at levels 6 & 8, 1.8 miles

Total time at gym = 1:12

Max HR = 166

Average HR = 133

Total Calories Burned = 530

SNACK (meal #4) at 7:15.

I made a quick protein shake when I got home. Chocolate Peanut Butter whey protein + 1/2 cup unsweetened vanilla almond breeze + 1 cup water + 1 tbs sugar free chocolate Torani syrup + 1 tbs sugar free coconut Torani syrup + ice + cinnamon. I don't know what possessed me to mix all of these ingredients together but it worked. This was delicious!


After my sweet concoction, I cleaned my nasty self up and dove right into dinner. I was STAAAAAAAVING! Only one thing could cure my empty tummy woes. TACO SALAD!

DINNER (meal #5) at 9:30pm.

I followed the usual recipe. Per the usual, I made two batches, one with ground beef for Nick and one with Morning Star grounds for me.

• 1 serving Morning Star Grounds
• 1/4 cup butter beans
• 1/4 refried beans
• 1 tsp Taco Seasoning
• dash cayenne
• 1/2 small yellow onion
• splash water

I cooked this on medium low heat until everything was heated through. Not like I'm using real meat so it only takes a few moments. Just long enough for the onions to get nice and tender.

I also chopped up some fresh romaine, tomatoes & 1/2 of an avocado. Then I began to layer like a madwoman. Check out these sweet layering skills!

1. Romaine
2. Bean/meat mixture
3. 1/4 low fat shredded cheddar cheese
4. Tomato
5. Avocado
6. Salsa
7. Fat free sour cream
8. Fresh cracked black pepper
9. Red pepper flakes

I PRESENT TO YOU, TACO PERFECTION. No chips needed. ;)


I think we're about to watch Mad Men. The lovely Mr. Netflix visited today and Nick is itching to watch something.

Goodnight my lovelies. Enjoy the rest of your Wednesday. Tomorrow is already Thursday! Weeeeeeeeeee.....

XOXO
Ildie

I Heart Art...

Happy Saturday beautiful people! Today has been GLORIOUS so far. I woke up late! My lazy butt didn't roll out of bed until almost 9:00. I think I may have enjoyed just a tad bit too much vino last night. We had the best time playing games though. Naturally I lost EVERY SINGLE one. I SUCK at strategy games. I never plan ahead. I just wing it and have fun. :)

I opened all the windows in the house today to let some of that sweet scented Spring air in. The house was starting to feel "stale" and it was so lovely to air it out. Spring makes me giddy!

BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 9:30am.

It was hard to resist oatmeal this morning but I didn't want something that heavy right before a workout. Instead I opted for an egg white scramble (made with 4 egg whites), bananas, strawberries and a toasted Thomas's wheat bagel thin. I smeared a bit of Better N' Peanut Butter one one side and had the other with spray butter and cinnamon.


Enjoyed with creamy caffeine of course. This was a cup of vanilla biscotti flavored coffee out of the French Press with a splash of sugar free vanilla cream.


And then it was off to the gym. I was feeling super motivated today. Guilt from too much wine last perhaps? NAH! I was just craving a good workout!

WORKOUT!

Leg Extension (cable)
90lb x 15 (3 sets)
Seated Leg Curl (cable)
90lb x 15 (2 sets)
80lb x 15
Inner Thigh Machine (cable)
75lb x 20 (3 sets)
Outer Thigh Machine (cable)
85lb x 20 (3 sets)
Squats
bodyweight x 15 (3 sets)
Free Weight Squats
45lb x 15 (3 sets)
Stiff Leg Deadlifts (straight bar)
45lb x 15 (3 sets)
Plie Squats
bodyweight x 15 (3 sets)
Elliptical Cross Trainer
30 minutes, 2.68 miles, 2 min. intervals of levels 6-8
Quick Stretch Session

Total time of workout = 1:26
Max HR = 172
Average HR = 148
Total Calories Burned = 780

This just felt like such an amazing workout. I had SO much energy today. I looked like a deranged, red and sweaty HOT mess by the time I was done. Very attractive! Fitness is sexy though right? I don't know. I'm not convinced that applies to me!! I always look WILD when I'm done. HA!

SNACK (sort of meal #2) at 12:45pm.

Ann talked me into going back to her apartment after the gym. She tricked me with the promise of tasty smoothie. She also wanted to show me the progress of her "decorating" and "organizing" at her new place. I feel for it and followed her home. She added unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze, chocolate whey protein, spinach and mixed frozen berries into her Magic Bullet. Magic huh? I'm NOT convinced. My smoothie was full of spinach bits and berry chunks. Nice try Annie-Boo.I managed to down maybe half of it. I didn't have my camera with me so I have no photographic proof of this "chunky" concoction.

I hung out with Ann for maybe and hour and then hustled home. I was STARVING!

LUNCH (meal #3) at 2:30pm.

I started prepping lunch as soon as I walked into the house. I seasoned a pretty large chicken breast with pink salt, black pepper and key lime seasoning mix. I seared it in a pan (sprayed with Pam) until nice and golden. Maybe 15 minutes. ?? While the chicken was cooking, I made two salads for Nick and I.

• Spinach
• Romaine
• Carrots
• Sugar Snap Peas
• Tomato
• Garlic & Sea Salt Sunflower Seeds (from Kaia Foods)

I chopped the chicken up and split it between the two of us. I topped my salad with a bit of Spray Butter and a drizzle of spicy Thai Chili Sauce. It was delicious. I love a good salad!


After lunch I read some blogs and then decided to clean myself up. I still looked deranged from my earlier workout. No, I have NO photo of this either. Just take my word for it.

MINI DINNER (meal #4) at 6:00pm.

I had a quicky early dinner tonight. My salad from lunch had me pretty full and because of plans later, I was forced to eat dinner way earlier than usual. I improvised by having some fresh fruit and a sandwich. Nothing heavy of fussy. I quickly cut up some strawberries, 1/2 apple and a 1/2 banana. I topped it with lime juice and a bit of Splenda. DELICIOUS!


I also made a black bean burger, garlic hummus and pickle bagel thin sandwich. YUM!


And an iced coffee. It just sounded good!


We were invited to an art show at Art Bomb Tattoo shop tonight (from 7:00 - 11:00). Nick's good friend owns the shop and his best friend and brother work there as well. They have several art shows every year. It's such a clever idea. They offer select piercings and tattoos at a discount price and at the same time, they show off amazing art that can also be purchased. We always have the best time when we go. They usually offer snacks and beverages too, though I doubt I will partake in the snackage. UNLESS they happen to have something "healthy". I'm thinking NO on that one though. :)

There's also talks of going out after the show is over to continue the festivities. No location has been picked yet so I have no idea where the night may take us. Sometimes I sort of like it that way!

My camera is already in my purse to make SURE that I don't forget it! I'll share the fun pictures with you tomorrow.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT!

XOXO
Ildie

Lazy BUM!

HELOOOOOO there. I somehow managed to get ten (YES, 10!!) hours of sleep last night. Good grief it felt fantastic! I didn't wake up during the night either. A rare occurrence indeed! Now then, where did we leave off last night? Ahh, yes, my friends Birthday dinner. Let's recap shall we?

We arrived at Aladdin's Eatery right on time and promptly sat down to feast. I was FAMISHED! Seriously! I was completely and utterly starving by the time I opened the menu.


Drool and food fantasies ensued as soon as I started reading over my options. They have great choices for vegetarians and meat lovers and everything is delicious. It's why I love the place so much! I decided on the Ali Baba Pitza. (From their site: A fresh pita topped with pureed eggplant, sliced tomatoes, feta cheese, char-grilled slices of eggplant, slivered calamata olives all sprinkled with oregano.)


I also enjoyed two cups of green tea and a small side salad with their delicious almond nut dressing but I forgot to take a picture. I love their almond nut dressing!!! It's to DIE for!

After dinner I pulled out my LAME card and decided to call it a night. I was physically exhausted from my busy day! Everyone else moved the party to a friends house to enjoy some homemade cake. Sadly I didn't have the energy to join in the decadence. I passed out less than an hour after we got home and stayed in bed for 10 hours straight. I clearly needed it!
______________________________________________________
SUNDAY....

I woke up feeling refreshed and ready to go! The best part was that I had nothing to do and nowhere to go. GLORIOUS! A whole day ALL to myself! YAY! I loaded up the French Press with vanilla biscotti flavored coffee and enjoyed a cup while perusing blog land. So lovely!


BREAKFAST (meal #1) at 11:00am.

Breakfast was WAY later than usual today. I sort of lost track of time with all of the magnificent blogs I was catching up on. ;)

Here we have an egg white scramble made with 4 eggs (seasoned with S+P), a fruit salad (1/2 banana, 1/2 fuji apple, 1 kiwi, lime juice and Splenda), and a wheat bagel thin with Better N' Peanut Butter on one side and sugar free strawberry jam on the other. Perfection!


After breakfast I did some amazingly boring and unexciting things around the house. I made the bed, emptied the dishwasher, cleaned my makeup drawer and organized the medicine cabinet. WHOAH! FUN I KNOW! ;)

I then proceeded to do some SERIOUS vacation destination investigation (I like rhyming) online. Somehow I managed to get lost in my deeply focused research for nearly two hours. BUT, I do think we decided on a destination. I'm excited!

LUNCH (meal #2) at 4:00pm.

Once again, lunch was WAY later than usual because of my super late breakfast. I wasn't very hungry so I decided to make a small salad.

• Spinach
• Orange bell pepper
• Tomato
• Carrots
• Chick peas
• Morning Star Farms black bean burger
• Sea salt & garlic sunflower seeds
• Spray Butter
• Light honey mustard dressing

SNACK (meal #3) at 6:00pm.

I was craving yogurt like MAD so I made a delicious little treat with plain Yoplait Greek yogurt, a Fuji apple and a sprinkle of Udi's original granola.


OMG. This granola is amazing. Jam packed with raisins, banana chips, walnuts, cashews, almonds and pistachios. The flavor and texture is incredible. I'm seriously in love with this flavor. Though the Au Naturel variety is tasty, I like this one EVEN more. I gladly rate this one a 10 out of 10. NO! WAIT! 11 out of 10. Yeah, that sounds better! :)


After my snack attack, Nick and I dove head first into vacation planning again. We're driven damn it! We're DYING to pick a place already. We have officially decided on Ocracoke Island, NC. We've narrowed it down to 3 rental properties and plan to call them up (hopefully tomorrow) with some questions. Details to follow once we make it official. SOOOOOOO EXITED!

DINNER (meal #4) at 9:30pm.

Nick's brother Dan just showed up for another MANLY SESSION of Rally race watching. The two of them decided to have a classy dinner together. Breaded fish sandwiches, hot fries and Red Stripe beer. I don't get men sometimes!! HA! I, being the responsible (and lazy) one, decided to have cereal instead (without beer of course). :)

• Kashi 7 whole grain honey puffs
• Nature's Path Crunchy Maple Sunrise
• Unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 Banana
• Raisins

Easy peasy. I just didn't feel like cooking. I've been a LAZY BUM all day and I loved every single second of it. I didn't even get dressed until 10 minutes before Dan showed up. Classy I know! ;)

I think I'll go hibernate in my bedroom now. The boys are hootin, hollerin and getting all PUMPED UP over some crazy Subaru's going 100 mph on winding snow covered roads (that's like my worst nightmare by the way...). Again, I'm baffled at their excitement. I think I'll go watch some of the Travel Channel or HGTV instead. To each their own I guess. ;)

Be back tomorrow!
XOXO
Ildie

Quaker's girl

Why hello there. You're looking lovely this evening. Please, have a seat and let me entertain you for a bit. Let me woo you with my INCREDIBLE ability to ramble on uncontrollably about absolutely nothing. Let me captivate you with yummy eats and sassy snapshots of scrumptious food porn. Let me titillate you with my insanity.

BREAKFAST (meal #1)

The oatmeal I had this morning was almost identical to the bowl I had yesterday. ALMOST! Instead of using vanilla whey protein powder, I used fat free french vanilla pudding mix. IT WAS PERFECT! Sadly it didn't pack the same protein PUNCH but I didn't care. It was so SO good!

• 1/2 cup Irish oatmeal
• 1 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 heaping tbs of fat free french vanilla pudding mix
• dash pumpkin pie spice
• lots of cinnamon
• Splenda to taste

The flavor reminded me of my beloved pumpkin pudding, except it was hot a gooey. OMG! I LOVE... I LOVE!!!

I should be the new spokesperson for Quaker Oatmeal. Yeah... I think this would work. HA!


LUNCH (meal #2)

It couldn't have been more simple, healthy and delicious. I made a veggie wrap in a whole grain and flax FlatOut that was to die for. DIE! I stuffed it with English cucumbers, Roma tomatoes, baby spinach leaves, a wedge of light Laughing Cow Cheese and spicy hummus. Yeah, that's IT! Trust me, nothing else was necessary. It was ridiculous! I had additional cucumbers, tomatoes and a bit of baby carrots on the side.


The original plan was to have a kiwi and a blood orange with lunch as well but I got too full off the wrap.

On our break today we busted out of the office for some fresh air aromatherapy. The sun was out, the skies were clear and I was happy. Florescents suck the joy right out of you, I swear. Somehow we found ourselves driving to World Market. Damn it! I always spend money there. I had a stern talking to with myself about being good yet I still walked out with a new fork, spoon and kitchen timer. It's a shopping MIRACLE! I stood no chance. At least I spent less than $10. ;)

SNACK (meal #3)

A simple yogurt mess with a 4oz up of plain 0% Oikos Greek yogurt and a sliced up honey crisp. Blended with a TON of cinnamon of course. YUM!


Ann and I also shared two of the fruit leathers I received yesterday from Kaia foods. We tried the spiced apple and the vanilla pear.


We both thought that the spiced apple was tastier. The vanilla pear was much thinner and not as juicy and moist as the apple variety. In flavor both were simple and tasty without being too sweet. Not bad, not bad. I give the spiced apple an 8 out of 10 and the vanilla pear a 7 out of 10.


The stats are amazing by the way. Check it out.


After work it was time to sweat! Dreaded Friday morning weigh in is nearing. I must stay focused!

WORKOUT

Behind Neck Press Machine (plate loaded)
40lb x 15
40lb x 15
40lb x 15
Bicep Curls (barbell)
35lb x 15
35lb x 15
30lb x 15
Tricep Pulldown (cable)
80lb x 15
80lb x 15
70lb x 15
Arnold Press (dumbbell)
15lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
12.5lb x 15
Hammer Curls (dumbbell)
15lb x 15
15lb x 8
12.5 lb x 15
Tricep Pushdown Machine (plate loaded)
50lb x 15
60lb x 15
60lb x 15
Seated Military Press (barbell)
35lb x 15
30lb x 15
25lb x 15
Bicep Curls (barbell)
25lb x 15
25lb x 15
25lb x 15
Elliptical - Interval Training - 20 minutes
Resistance 6-8
1.68 miles
247 calories burned

My arms felt somewhat weak today. BAH! I also cut the cardio from 30 minutes to 20. It was getting super late and I was getting hungry! I flew home and immediately started prepping my cool and frosty treat.

SNACK (meal #4)

Protein shakes are really growing on me. I look forward to getting home after every workout and making one right away.

• 1 cup unsweetened vanilla Almond Breeze
• 1 scoop vanilla whey protein
• 1 packet splenda
• frozen peaches
• frozen strabwerries
• frozen blackberries

It's like a smooth and creamy milkshake that's actually good for you. I don't know why anyone in their right mind would ever complain about eating healthy and clean. Diets smiets! I love the stuff I eat (and drink)!!

Moving on, here is how my evening went.

Slam tasty shake...
Hug on Nick...
Pet kitty...
Bubble bath...
Pet kitty...
Pack gym bag...
Pack tomorrows eats...
Write out some of my blog...
Download photos for said blog...
Make SUPER new logo for Quaker Oats...
Pet kitty... (attention whore)

After I finished the above, I spent some time gazing into my fridge and cupboards for dinner inspiration. I really need to start planning ahead!

DINNER (meal #5)

After a few moments of deep brain stimulating and intense thinking I decided that I wanted egg salad.

• 3 boiled eggs (1 whole egg, 2 whites only)
• 2 tbs hummus
• 1 tbs fat free Miracle Whip
• 1 tsp spicy & sharp mustard
• salt & pepper to taste
• dash paprika

I mixed all of these things together and made two open face sandwiches on spinach covered Ezekiel buns. Oh it turned out so good. I haven't had egg salad in FOREVER!


I also had a bowl of fruit. I cut up a blood orange and 2 small kiwis. I topped the bowl with a wee bit of fat free whip and some Kaia cocoa mole sunflower seeds.


I LOVED the seeds. They were crunchy and delicious without being too sweet. It added so much flavor to the small fruit salad. I give these seeds a 10 out of 10. I would for sure buy this again!

I enjoyed this with my NEW fork. LOVE IT!


Alright folks. That's all she wrote. I'm tired and my bed needs me... Right now.... Have a great night! ;)

HUGS!!