Weigh-In #3 & Potluck!

(pictured : the Quinoa Black Bean Salad I made for work this weekend.  More on that later.)

I have failed at blogging since my weigh-in last week, but to be fair I've been crazy busy & havent had a day off work since!

Being more active, I have already noticed a huge difference in my everyday life.  I have more energy, stamina & I feel like I can go non-stop some days.  Before, I would go to work lethargic, come home tired & plop down in the recliner.  Usually after that the rest of my day would slip away watching TV or going out until super late & drinking.  The difference is ridiculous & I'm left wondering how I functioned before, in all honesty.

My groceries are already waning & without much extra $$ to spend for now, I've been worried I would stop & grab fast food or make something easy.  But guess what, I haven't!  Not to say I havent had the chance, but my resolve has been strong.  I got offered a piece of Domino's pizza by a co-worker & turned it down.  That.  Is.  Weird.

Speaking of work, we had a potluck over the weekend to celebrate the end of the fiscal year.  I decided to bring something different than the usual fare, that was vegan & healthy.  After some googling I decided on a Quinoa Black Bean Salad recipe I found HERE.  It turned out AWESOME!  It was spicy & limey (I am a lime juice junkie) & delicious.  I also made a fresh batch of Whole Wheat Pita Bread that was super yummy.  Judging by the empty container when I went home Sunday, my co-workers liked it too.

Alrighty, on to the weigh-in.  I've ate really well this past week & worked out every day but yesterday I think & I definitely saw the results!

Previous weight : 272 lbs

Current weight : 267.5 lbs

Loss of :  4.5 lbs

Total lost : 18.5 lbs.

I didnt quite believe the scale when I saw it & had a fit shortly thereafter.  I've definitely noticed small changes this week, as well.  The pants I wear for my work uniform are SO loose & I had to use a safety pin to keep the zipper up.  My roommate even told me last night that my jawline looks more defined.  Non-scale victories, FTW!!

Alrighty, I'm done with the novel for today.  I am going to try to make the best of my snow day(s) the Snowpocalyse of 2011 has gifted me.  It's time to stop cuddling with my cat, Marzipan.  Time to get up, get some semblance of a home work-out & clean up this pigsty I haven't had time to deal with for the last week.

Since I dont have any home workout DVD's to go along with, anyone have any tips of what to do?

xoxo

I should have brought headphones . . .

I didnt intend for today to be very eventful.

I set my alarm for 7 am, as I had to be at work by 8:30.  Ended up getting ready in record time, making breakfast to take with me & got to work early (which is a feat for me).  Work went by remarkably fast & before I knew it, it was break time & I got to nom one of the last bowls of my awesome vegan "chicken" noodle soup I made Sunday.  Then as soon as I went back it seemed like time for me to head home.

I've had a bag of whole grain quinoa sitting in my cabinet for, lets just say, a long time.  I've been slightly intimidated by it & kind of lost as to what to use it in.  But tonight, I made it!  I made up a small batch to have with my Mandarin Orange Gardein "chicken," with a salad on the side.  Definitely an awesome meal I'll want to repeat & not too hefty on the calories.

Hanging at home as i was finishing my dinner, my friend Mackenzie called & we decided to go to  Club Fitness  tonight & sign up for a membership.  Its something we'd talked about for a few weeks now, but we had delayed due to snow/meeting up at the right time/downright procrastination.  They have several locations within a few miles of my home, one across the street from where I work & have 24 hour access through the week at most of them.  Its super convenient & affordable to boot!

Ladies & Gentlemen, for the first time in my life, I joined a gym!

After an hour or so of awkwardness & paperwork we had our key cards & got to explore the place.  I am gym-retarded so I dont know what anything is called besides a treadmill, but we worked out for about an hour between 2 bike machines, the treadmill, a short stint on the elliptical & a bit of light weights.   According to the machines I burned at least 250 calories!

I am so stoked right now.  Im full of zest & energy & I'm super optimistic about this.  If my legs are still attached to my body tomorrow, I'm considering stopping by after work.  We'll see how I feel?

Time to end this & stop ignoring Mackenzie & the movie we're watching.  Thanks for reading & if you're one of the many people who have commented, messaged, texted or talked to me about my first post, words can't express how encouraged & loved you've all made me feel.

xoxo