Mini Chocolate Chip Cookies- 1 point!

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you know that this is the BEST recipe I've had for WW chocolate chip cookies so far. Hope you enjoy!

Mini Chocolate-Chip Cookies Servings: 24 Preparation Time: 10 min Cooking Time: 20 min These adorable cookies will satisfy your chocolate cravings without blowing your goal for the day. Ingredients 2 tbsp butter, softened 2 tsp canola oil 1/2 cup(s) dark brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla extract 1/8 tsp table salt 1 large egg white(s) 3/4 cup(s) all-purpose flour 3 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips, about 1/2 cup 1/4 tsp baking soda Instructions Preheat oven to 375ºF. Cream together butter, oil and brown sugar. Add vanilla, salt and egg white, and mix together thoroughly. Mix together flour and baking soda. Add chocolate chips and stir to distribute evenly. Drop rounded half-teaspoons of dough onto a nonstick baking sheet. Bake cookies for 4 to 6 minutes, then cool on a wire rack. Yields 2 cookies per serving.

Yesterday

Hey followers,

So yesterday was pretty good. I really didn't want to go to the gym, but told myself I would go at 7:30 and I did. I figured I would be too tired to run very long, so I decided in my head that I would run for a half hour or so just so I could work up a sweat and go home.

So I get on the treadmill and an hour later I was still running. I did 6 miles yesterday! Definitely pretty proud of myself

So far the work out schedule has been like so:

Monday: Ran 3 miles
Tuesday: Nothing: bbq at Meg's house
Wednesday: 6 miles
Thursday: =today. Jess and I are going for a run and then doing some swimming, so hopefully get in some good AP's.


BTW, I kind of reinvented a better version of your typical parfait: Check it out..

1/4 cup of all bran buds (instead of granola)
1/2 cup of strawberry yogurt (I used 0 source)
1/4 cup cottage cheese
1/2 cup of chopped fruit (your choice)

Delish!

Slacking

So I won't lie. I have been slacking a little on the half marathon training. I'm looking forward to having Jen to run with when I get back to Victoria to keep us both on track.

Victoria tends to be a lot easier for running outside. But I think that this week, I'm going to stick to the treadmill so I can keep up the distance. I'm thinking that I'm going to plan out a different running route to do in Victoria every day for 5 days. I'm not sure if I should be doing some strength training or not, but if I can I'll fit it in on the weekends since I've got some programs that have been designed for me.

I know I need to get back on my PT certification stuff too. So I'm going to try and do a chapter a week before school starts, and after that 1/2 a chapter a week since it'll be more manageable that way. I'll probably have to start around exam time. But okay. Today, I'm going to write down what my week is going to be like. I have 6-7 weeks before the half marathon. So I'm going to have to whip my butt into shape.

Monday: 3miles
Tuesday: 5 miles
Wednesday: 3 miles
Thurdsay: Off to Jess'!
Friday: 8 miles
Saturday: Off to Meg's!
Sunday: Relax and maybe dinner out. :)

Weight loss and my dating life

One of the things I found about losing almost forty pounds, was an increase in attention from the opposite sex. It seemed as though all the people who were formally mean to me in high school or elementry school started to become nicer, compliment me, give me attention. I didn't really know how to feel about this. Sometimes I wondered if it was only because I lost weight, or if it was because I had become more secure in who I was.

Socially, growing up it was always difficult for me. My parents had divorced at a young age and I didn't really make friends easily. I was quite often an introvert and usually found myself reading and trying to stay in at recesses to help out the teacher so that I wouldn't have to face the kids in the school yard.

For awhile after I lost weight, I started to question all my new friendships and relationships. It was constantly going through my mind: "Would this person still like me if I was fat?" I don't know that I'm the only one, and I'd like to think I'm not. An example of this occurred the other day when a guy I went to elementry school added me to facebook and started chatting with me. He said something along the lines of "Wow, you actually got pretty." I was like "I was ugly before?" He then proceeded to ask me for my number and wanted me to come over to his house to "watch a movie."

This guy was one of those people who made my days in elementary school difficult. He didn't hesitate to call me names, say things behind my back, throw tennis balls at me, write mean things about me in class and then pass the notes around while everyone else laughed.

I realized then that a year ago at my heaviest, I wouldn't hesitatet to either meet up with him and show off the fabulous me and make him feel bad, or snap back with a nasty remark. Instead, when he asked me for my number, I simply said "I'm not sure that I want to waste my time with someone who spent most of elementry school trying to make kids who were different feel bad about themselves. So no thank you, I wouldn't like your number and please don't contact me again." It was short, sweet and after that I stopped talking to him.

I guess that made me realize how much this journey really has impacted me. I have gone from someone who has always been insecure, to someone who is confident, happy and ready to take over the world, and I wouldn't give that up for anything.

For anyone who is trying to lose weight, just remember that being thinner and healthier isn't the only benefit. If I had lost the weight overnight, I wouldn't have had to deal with this difficult but rewarding journey, and I won't hesitate to say that it was all worth it.

If you're feeling down, if you gained, if you feel ugly today, that doesn't have to be permanent. Give yourself a kick in the butt and get back at it. It's worth it.

Some of my FAVORITE snacks!

Blueberries

Apples and Cinnamon

Clementines

On my way to goal- Weigh in 1

Dealing with the setbacks of weight loss

Balsamic Chicken Cooking Video

Little tips that have helped me lose weight

Hey Guys,

I just figured I would share a few insights as to a few things that have helped me lose weight.

1) If you're going to have oatmeal, try steel cut oats. Your body has to work harder to break it down in your body and therefore burns more calories

2) If you're going to eat at night, avoid simple carbohydrates. Protein is best if you're going to have anything. Whether it be cottage cheese and yogurt, some lean chicken, eggs. If you have the urge for a midnight snack, try a fruity tea with two splenda. A good way to get a sugar fix with zero calories.

3) Try out a new exercise class to keep you from getting bored. Yoga? Spin class? Pilates? Swimming? The possibilities are endless.

4) Hanging out with friends: You don't always HAVE to go out for dinner. Try going for a walk instead.

5) When you go to a restuarant: Have the waiter pack half your dinner before hand, so you eat only half the portion at dinner. You'll not only cut half the calories, but you'll have left overs for the next day.

6) If you know you're going out, look at nutritional information if possible before hand to figure out the healthiest choices.

7) If you're on weightwatchers, subscribe to etools, which provides you with tens of thousands of healthy recipes and modifications to make your favorite snack lower in calories.

8) If you HAVE to have a frappuccino... Trya frappuccino light. The mocha light frappuccino is only three points!

9) Find someone who keeps you motivated.. Whether it be a friend or otherwise. My inspiration was watching youtube videos of people going through the same journy. Here are a few:

www.youtube.com/chubbytati

www.youtube.com/faintstarlite

www.youtube.com/trulyjess

www.youtube.com/antishay

www.youtube.com/elasticwaist

10) Remember that even if you have a bad week, you can always get back on track. Weightloss is about the journy, not the destination. It's never too late to change your eating habits.

Chilled Apple Dessert

1 box of graham crackers
3 cups unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp of cinnamon
1 cup low fat vanilla yogurt
1 1/2 cups of low fat whipped cream

Layer the bottom of dish with graham crackers
Mix apple sauce and yogurt and pour half over the first layer of crackers
Make another layer of crackers and use the other half of apple sauce mixture
Create a third layer of graham crackers
Top with low fat whipped cream
Sprinkle cinnamon on top.

Chill for 60 mins and serve cold.

Points Value: 4

Enjoy!

Balsamic Chicken

Hey guys,

As promised (but a little late) the new recipe I tried this week.

Balsamic Chicken and Mushrooms and let me tell you it was amazing!

Here's the recipe for any curious minds! This

Ingredients:

2 tsp vegetable oil
3tbsp of balsamic vinegar
2 tsp of dijon mustard
4 4oz chicken breast
2 cups of mushrooms
1 large garlic clove
1/3 cup of chicken broth

1) In a non stick skillet, heat 2 tbsp of oil
2) In a medium bowl mix 2 tbsp of vinegar, the mustard and garlic. Turn chicken to coat
3)Transfer chicken and marinade to skillet and cook for approximately 3 minutes on each side until the chicken is fully cooked. Transfer chicken to platter and keep warm.
4) Heat remaining oil in skillet, and sautee mushrooms in remaining broth
5) Add to chicken.

Enjoy with a side of veggies, potatoe or whatever tickles your fancy.

Points value: 3

Half Marathon Training...Starting.....NOW!

Hey guys,

So if you check out my account on 43things.com you'll notice that I have a goal to run a half marathon. So, as of today I've decided I'm going to start my training next week to be able to run the Victoria half marathon in October. Wish me luck!

If you want to check out the training program I'm doing go to: www.marathonrookie.com

It's got some great tips about how to train for 5k, 10k, half marathons, full marathons etc.

The nutritional information is also really important. If you're looking to run a half marathon, 65% of your diet should be intaking carbs, since your body needs that as an immediate fuel source.

It's also good to do some strength exercising for your joints such as your needs, ankles, hips...etc.

Foods that are key to a flat belly

If you're like me, you want those sexy abs that you see on the cover of Shape, Women's Health and any other fitness magazine.

First of all, it's important to know that one of the things that's going to help you get a flat stomach are water solluble foods, like fruit.

But here's a list of foods that will help you even more. Try to incorporate at least six of these per day to get on the fast track to those hot summer abs.

Almonds - (try throwing in ten almonds or so with your lunch. They're jam packed with good oils. However, it's important to make sure that they're not roasted. Good oils are highly unstable, and roasting almonds will take away the nutritional benefits that you'd generally get from them.

Beans

Spinach - (Try a spinach salad with some almonds, goat cheese, balsamic vinegar and oil, and your favorite veggies)

Dairy- (One of my little treats is strawberry yogurt with fat free cottage cheese. A great source of protein and calcium)

Instant oatmeal- (One of my favorites is the maple and brown sugar by Quaker-Weight Control. Add in some blueberries, or bananas or strawberry and you've got the breakfast of champions)

Eggs

Turkey

Peanut Butter ( I personally love taking a banana and putting some all natural peanut butter on it for a light snack)

Olive Oil

Whole Grains

Extra Protein Powder

Raspberries (These little suckers are full of fibre and antioxidants)

Chips a joy- 1 point cookies

Chippity Do Dah!
	There is a time and place for everything, people. And the time is NOW for chocolate chip cookies at the HG HQ!!! We've developed a recipe for extra-soft, chocolate-chip-packed cookies, each with a POINTS® value of 1*. Our doughy double C creation is actually more like a hybrid of cookies, soft snack bars, and muffins! And unlike some other cookie recipes that yield four dozen cookies and require several baking pans (who needs FOUR DOZEN cookies?!?), our recipe makes exactly eight chunky soft cookies for your chewing pleasure! What are you waiting for? Grab the chocolate chips and flour... STAT! Ingredients: 3/4 cup whole-wheat flour 1/2 cup Splenda No Calorie Sweetener (granulated) 6 tbsp. unsweetened applesauce 1/4 cup canned pure pumpkin 1/4 cup fat-free liquid egg substitute (like Egg Beaters) 2 1/2 tbsp. mini semi-sweet chocolate chips 2 tbsp. brown sugar, not packed 3/4 tsp. vanilla extract 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/8 tsp. salt Directions: Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a mixing bowl, combine all dry ingredients except for the chocolate chips (flour, Splenda, brown sugar, baking soda, and salt). Mix well. In a separate bowl, mix together all wet ingredients (applesauce, pumpkin, egg substitute, and vanilla extract). Add this mixture to the dry ingredients, and stir until completely blended. Then, fold in the chocolate chips. Spray a large baking pan with nonstick spray, and spoon batter into 8 evenly spaced circles. Place pan in the oven for about 10 minutes (until cookies appear done and feel firm). Remove pan from the oven and allow cookies to cool slightly. For best results, enjoy while the cookies are still warm and the chips are still melty! MAKES 8 SERVINGS
	Serving Size: 1 medium-sized cookie (about 1.5 oz.) Calories: 88 Fat: 1.5g Sodium: 93mg Carbs: 17g Fiber: 2g Sugars: 6g Protein: 3g POINTS® value 1*

Before and after photos

Hey everyone,

I figured I would put up a post of some of my before and after pictures. I look at myself forty pounds heavier and don't even recognize myself anymore!





167.8lbs 127.8lbs




158.8lbs 127.8lbs

Peanut Butter and Banana Oatmeal

Hey guys,

I guess this post is an introduction for you more than anything. My name's Diondra and I'm 20 years old. I started this blog as part of my goal on 43things.com because I want to help people lose weight just like I did.

You may wonder, why should I listen to this person? I don't know her?

Well I'll tell you a few things about me. About a year ago I started off unhappy at 167.8lbs. Today I am 127.8lbs on my way to a goal of 120. It's been a struggle to lose the weight and keep it off, but I want to let people know that it is possible and you *can* to it. The biggest thing is not letting small gains defeat you, and perservering through the really hard times (because trust me, there will be some)

So I guess this channel is more or less going to contain some of the things I eat, so I can give you some good ideas of great things to eat if you're in a rush. (Which as a university student, I don't really have much time to do anything, let alone cook)

So I'll start you off with this recipe. This is a recipe I tried from trulyjess' channel on youtube.

www.youtube.com/trulyjess

It's a great recipe that doesn't take too long to make at all. I make two servings the night before so all I have to do is put it in the micro wave for a minute. I kind of tweaked the recipe a little so I could use what I had available to me.

What you'll need:

1 cup of Quaker rolled oats
2 tbsp of all natural peanut butter (I use kraft)
1 large banana
1 and 1/2 cups of water (this is subjective depending on how thick you like your oatmeal)

Directions:

Follow directions on making oatmeal (over the stovetop) on the package of oats
After the oatmeal is done (and still hot) add in 2tbsp of all natural peanut butter and stir it in.
Put the banana in the microwave for thirty seconds (this will soften it so it's easier to stir into the oatmeal)
Add mashed banana.
Portion out the recipe into two servings, and it's ready to go in the morning.


As for some things you may want to look at check out:

www.hungrygirl.com for some low cal recipes and healthier options to your favorite food.

You can follow me on twitter at www.twitter.com/plaidpink

You can also subscribe to me on youtube at www.youtube.com/selfstricken

And again make sure to check out trulyjess' channel at www.youtube.com/trulyjess where she shares some amazing tips, tricks and insights into weightloss.

Enjoy this amazing recipe!