T25 - Day 4

I had a busy day today, but it started out with a good healthy breakfast:

Quinoa Breakfast Bake:

Ingredients:
1 cup uncooked quinoa
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves (I didn't have any of these and it worked fine)
2 apples, peeled, diced (I actually ended up using 3 apples since mine were on the smaller side)
1/4 cup raisins
2 eggs
2 cups vanilla soy milk (can substitute regular milk, I used almond milk)
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup almonds, chopped

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 7-by-11-inch baking dish (an 8-by-8 works too).
2. In a small bowl, mix the uncooked quinoa with the spices. Pour into greased dish.
3. Sprinkle the apple and raisins on top of the quinoa.
4. In that same small bowl, beat the eggs. Whisk in the soy milk and maple syrup.
5. Pour the egg and milk mixture over the top of the fruit and quinoa. Lightly stir to partially submerge the fruit. Sprinkle the chopped almonds on top.
6. Bake for one hour or until the casserole is mostly set with only a small amount of liquid left.
7. Allow to cool, and then cover and refrigerate. In the morning, cut a square, microwave it on a plate, and enjoy alone or with a few dollops of Greek yogurt.

It actually wasn't too bad to eat. I still have a weird thing going on with Quinoa though. The texture gets me every time, even though it is fully cooked it still remains somewhat crunchy. I don't like that. I am hoping my palate adjusts and I can get over it because it is extremely healthy for you. I can eat this though, I will make due.

I had a lot of cravings today with my one friend describing the birthday cake she made her husband (caramel apple) and texted me a picture of it, wow it looked good. Then I was visiting with another friend and she shared all about her cruise vacation and of course the food and the desserts. Meanwhile my 2 year old was munching away on nacho corn chips and when he was done he needed me to clean him up, and the smell was intoxicating! I had instant cravings for chips and cakes and donuts and everything. Of course now that I have been clean eating for so long I can want it but when I indulge (which I haven't) I will feel so sick.

I didn't do myself any favors by not eating my afternoon snack. I ended up leaving it on my pony wall on the way out my door.
For supper I was actually proud of myself, I went to my sister in laws and she made a pork tenderloin with garlic mashed potatoes and carrots, and I brought a caesar salad. I tried to eat more salad although I know it isn't the healthiest type, and I had a small amount of the potatoes.

I just hate how my brain makes me feel like this is a diet, it isn't. It is a life change. I feel like if I have a couple tablespoons of potatoes then I will instantly gain back everything I have lost. Yes it is irrational and I acknowledge that but I can't help it. It makes it hard for me to enjoy a treat or a cheat night.

Tomorrow I babysit for a friend so she is treating us to pizza, I plan to make it with a salad and restrict how much I have. It works out that my cheat night ends up being on a Saturday now because in the T25 program I am required to weigh myself and measure myself every Saturday (or STATurday) so not eating bad on Friday will really help the numbers on the scale.

I am feeling super nervous and anxious about my weigh in tomorrow. I am worried that if I don't see a drop then I will get discouraged and want to quit. My friend said she notices changes. I have taken a before picture and she told me to take another one every month starting Feb 1st, then March 1st and so on... then I can do a collage comparison. Good idea, I just wish I could see what everyone else sees.
Regardless, I am focused and I am committed. I know that there is no way in heck I can continue to eat clean and exercise like this and remain my size so I will just keep on pushing through.

I completed Day 4 of my T25 and it was ALL abs tonight; 25 minutes of non-stop abs, it was painful. On top of that I had my AB challenge which will be ending on Wednesday.

AB Challenge Tonight...

• 110 crunches
• 48 leg raises
• 70 sec plank

I was SO SO proud of myself tonight though, as hard as the workout was I was actually able to do a side plank!! I have not been strong enough to do that until tonight. I was able to lift my butt off the floor and even do a side ab move (where you raise and lower your side hip to the floor). I am getting so much stronger.
For the 70 second plank tonight it wasn't nearly as hard as the 65sec last night (which seems weird I know!) but again another sign that I am getting stronger, which means building muscle, which means melting fat. I take measurements tomorrow and it has been 3 weeks since we took our initial measurements. I will definitely post the losses tomorrow (providing there is!)

Well I am off to make myself a protein shake and enjoy the rest of the Friday night with my husband!
Have a great night all.