T25 - Day 8

Just a quick blog update today as nothing much is new. Although I did notice that I had a new appreciation for oatmeal this morning *gasp!* that's right. I guess my taste buds are changing and requiring less sweets in my diet. I actually sat down to a bowl of oatmeal with only a couple teaspoons of brown sugar in it, I felt great about that!

For our workout tonight we did the Total Body workout for the T25 again, I have a love/hate thing going on with that one. It is so hard, and I sweat buckets when I do it but I feel so great after doing it.
After that we did our AB challenge of course which tonight was:

• 130 crunches
• 52 leg raises
• 80 second plank

I tried to barrel through the crunches as fast as I could, I was feeling that achy burn in my abs constantly basically from count 40 all the way up to the 130 mark. It was so painful and I needed to take a pause at 70 crunches. Also I wasn't able to do the plank fully tonight. I am not sure if doing the total body workout had anything to do with that or not, probably as in the workout I do a lot of plank holds and push ups and stuff so I really worked my shoulders and arms. I had to take a few breaks during the plank move tonight and that last 10 second push was a screaming burning pain for me!

I am noticing so much weight loss now and I have just started week 2. I have a surge of excitement. Like I am actually believing that this time the weight will stay off. I am enjoying clean eating and trying out new recipes and it helps to motivate me to actually physically see my body changing.

When I look down I don't see a huge stomach anymore, it is slimming up and I am melting that fat away, when I flex I can feel a nice 6 pack starting to be created underneath. I still can't picture how I will look when the transformation is complete but I am getting a better idea.

I was wearing a t-shirt today that used to fit me, how do I say this... snugly? but not tight. I put it on and it fit but it showed my body shape if that makes sense. Well I am SWIMMING in it! Like literally it is huge on me now.

I also tried on my old pair of lululemon pants, which are not a comfort fit pant so they are tighter. I fit those again too! So curious to weigh in on Saturday but even if it isn't a huge loss the fact that my clothes are getting baggy is enough proof for me.

Of course it kind of sucks as I am at the point where my clothes are starting to sag on me but I don't want to go out and buy new stuff yet since my body will just keep changing. My bra ($90) that I just bought a few months ago is now getting smaller too. I had it on the loosest setting when I first bought it since it used to dig into my rib cage, well now I have moved it up a notch. I lost a whole inch off my chest, and trust me for a chesty person that is like the lottery to me (almost).

Tonight I experimented with a new recipe again. This is what I made:

"Cheesy Cauliflower Pancakes"

Ingredients:

•1 head cauliflower (or a 16 oz bag of frozen cauliflower)
•2 large eggs
•½-3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I love cheese, so use closer to ¾ cup)
•¼ cup diced green onions
•½-1 cup bread crumbs (I usually need closer to 1 cup)
•½ tsp cayenne pepper (more of less to taste)
•salt (I skipped this, less salt in my diet the better)
•olive oil
•light sour cream (optional) (I actually used tzatziki sauce instead, as it is healthier and it tasted great!!)

Instructions:
1.Cut cauliflower into florets and cook in boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes
2.Drain and mash the cauliflower while it is still warm
3.Stir cheese, eggs, green onions, bread crumbs, cayenne & salt to taste
4.Coat the bottom of a skillet with olive oil over medium-high heat
5.Form the cauliflower mixture into patties about 3 inches across
6.Cook until golden brown & set, about 3 minutes per side
7.Enjoy with your sauce choice!

I made this with home made chicken strips which I will quickly share what I did there.

What you need:

• 3 chicken breasts, cut into strips
• bread crumbs (or grinded up oatmeal if you don't have any) seasoned with salt/pepper and I used Mrs. Dash as well
• 1 egg

Instructions:

• take your chicken strips and dip them in the egg mixture
• coat them in the bread crumbs (I find rolling them around easier)
• put in a frying pan with a bit of oil and pan fry on medium until golden brown and crispy

Voila! A healthy and deliciously nutritious meal, my family prefers this home made chicken strips to store bought and certainly over fast food which honestly we don't even eat anymore. I can't remember the last time my family had a greasy burger. It makes me feel so good as a mom & wife to be looking out for my families nutrition. My husband even said to me tonight "I love all the clean eating food you are making, I am definitely not suffering for you switching the entire family over! I love everything you've made so far" clean eating doesn't have to be gross.

I am going to be experimenting with some fish tomorrow so hopefully that turns out, then Thursday I am making chicken chili for myself and my dear friend. I feel the more prepared I am the less chance I will fail. :)

Alright! Shake time, then bed! Let me know if you try any of these recipes what you think. So far we love them all and I am pleasantly surprised.

~Ciao