Monday, January 19, 2009

South Beach - Week Three



As we enter Week Three of the Blogger Butt Smackdown, I hope that all of you are beginning to reap the benefits of your effort. Do you have a bit more energy? Are your clothes starting to fit better? Do you FEEL like you look better?? Personally, I am pleased to answer a resounding "Yes!" to all three! Yay!


The first week was the most difficult for me. It wasn't because I was hungry, but because I was still trying to figure out how to follow my specific diet plan. Week two was easier - I didn't have to concentrate on it nearly as much. It's exciting to note that I will be able to add small amounts of fruit and whole grains to my diet this week. It's SO important that your food DOES NOT become boring. Mix it up! Add some spice:)


Speaking of spice, I'd like to share a recipe with you. Superbowl is fast approaching, and it's important to take diet-friendly food to those parties - you wouldn't want to UNDO all of your hard work. Would you?


The following dish has become a favorite in my home over the past two weeks. I usually double the batch, and prepare it a day ahead of time for optimal flavor.


BEEF & BEAN CHILI


1 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1 lb. lean ground beef

2 1/2 t. chili powder

1 t. ground cumin

1 sm. onion, thinly sliced

2 garlic cloves

1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes

1 (15 oz.) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

Garnish: chopped scallions, reduced-fat sour cream, or grated low-fat cheddar cheese


Heat oil in a large heavy-bottomed saucepan over med-high heat. Add beef, 1 t. of the chili powder, and cumin; saute until browned. Transfer beef to a bowl using a slotted spoon.


Add onion, garlic and remaining chili powder to the same saucepan; cook over med. heat, stirring occasionally, until softened. Add tomatoes with juice and beans; cover and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.


Uncover, add cooked beef, and cook an additional 5 minutes, until liquid thickens slightly. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Add garnish.


Next week I will post Superbowl Snack ideas that will help you keep the calories down. I'd also like to hear your ideas for "sticking with it" in a party environment.


I don't have an accurate weight loss count for you today....I will weigh at the gym this evening and report back. Last week was a big DUD for me in the exercise department. Due to NIGHTLY obligations, I did not make it to the gym even once:/ I'm sure my weight will reflect that....


Keep on fighting that Blogger Butt!!

UPDATE: I finally made it back to the gym tonight. YAY!!! Weight loss for Week 2...1.5 pounds. Total weight loss...4.5 pounds:) I'm tickled to DEATH with these results!!!

21 comments:

I Am Woody said...

I fell COMPLETELY off the diet wagon this weekend. Company means company food and no time for exercise. There was pizza involved. And cheese dip. And bacon. And hot fudge cake.

Today I feel like a big ole slug!!

littletoesandcheerios said...

I will post on it real soon. Not the best week. :(

littletoesandcheerios said...

Sounds like your doing very well! :)

littletoesandcheerios said...

Can't even get my smiley face right.

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

I have lost 4 lbs.That's a big deal for me with trying to get my thyroid situation under control! I'm still plugging at it even though I did drink the golden beverages with all the right foods! I even did good last night being out with the girls!

Unknown said...

That is so awesome and I am very proud of you. I am finding the longer I go, the easier it is. I will be posting about my weekly progress...maybe tonight...

3-6 " of white stuff "supposedly" coming my way...I am hopeful!!

Love you,

Marlene

Thanks for a great recipe...

Mental P Mama said...

I fell off my Sonoma Wagon. Splish. Splash. Not weighing myself this week. No way.

Busy Bee Suz said...

The chili sounds wonderful...especially on these colder nights.
Getting to the gym, must be a pain in the booty....Coach just got those "perfect pushup" thingys....my chest and armpits hurt. maybe I am doing it wrong?

Pleasing Procrasinator said...

Thanks for the recipe...sounds delicious.
I totally feel off the wagon this weekend. I knew I would meeting up with the Keeper in Indy.
Jumping back on tho, I need that swimwear body!

HalfAsstic.com said...

Well, it sounds to me like if you are feeling the difference in your clothes' fit and more energy and all that you probably HAVE lost some weight. How could you not have?
That is WONDERFUL! Keep it up!

Chesapeake Bay Woman said...

YOu go, girl. Good for you for even attempting to adhere to a diet for 3 weeks. You are a better person than I.

Signed,
Just woke up from a brownie-induced sugar coma, and sniffing around for red wine.

p.s. When are you going to post the BBQ recipe? Or is that Cool Breeze's specialty....I know someone in Mathews (not me) who makes exceptional BBQ too.

Bella Della said...

Does it count if I drank Slimfast with my birthday cake today? That evens out, right? :) I couldn't be rude, my coworkers brought it in for me.

Keetha said...

Last week when I weighed on Monday morning, I'd lost exactly one pound yea! This week, I've eaten well, haven't been (all that) hungry, more energy, exercised five days a week -- all just like last week. And gained exactly one pound.

I guess it was the hazelnut creme brulee Friday night and the coffee ice cream Saturday. The weekends get me every time.

Anonymous said...

YOU'LL MAKE IT.HANG IN THERE DEAR GIRL...ANN

Unknown said...

I just love, love, love a good chili : ). Thank you! I am glad you are feeling better and more perky : ). Very exciting.

Unknown said...

Oh dear, I could have sworn I posted a comment here earlier today.
Congratulations on your progress. I need to join a gym and make it a regular part of my schedule.

Well, better late than never...I lost two pounds this week. I cheated a bit when we took my SIL out for his farewell BBQ dinner. I had a tad bit ofr BBQ sauce (it was cooked in) and one big bite of mashed potatoes. But, that's the extent of my sins.

I'm optimistic that week three will be a good one for all of us on the diet wagon. I don't look forward to my trip to CA and all the amazing restaurants, and the temptations as i trapse around with family and friends. I will confess right now...there is a double-double from In-N-Out Burgers in my future...with fries because they slice them right there and they taste so dang good.

God forgive me now! :)

mom x 2 said...

You are doing sooo good!!! Are you bringing that chili to Superbowl? I'm soooo ready for that!

Doesn't everything on my alphabet meme look delicious :( By the way how about "A" for your letter?

Noe Noe Girl...A Queen of all Trades. said...

You go slim! Keep shedding those lbs!

Chere said...

Thanks for getting me started on my weight loss goal from 2008. Did I do it last year? NO! I signed up for Weight Watchers today. Yes, I weigh 184 lbs. at 5'4". I am posting this on line to help make me stick to it. Congrats on the 4.5 pound lost. Way to go. In a WW meeting that I attended years ago, they said look at it like this. One pound of butter, you have lost 18 sticks of butter, that makes it real. Good luck next week. Can't wait to post a loss.

Geri said...

Wow girl, you rock. 4.5 pounds in two weeks, that's great! Keep up the good work!

Anonymous said...

I am not doing too well with SB- Seems that I forgot about it!