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End: George Foreman 90 Day Challenge

Today is our last official weigh-in day for the George Foreman 90 Day Challenge.  I'm a little sad to see our challenge come to an end.  I relied heavily on being made accountable each week.  Maybe I should continue on anyway.

Last week was a little tough to fit in healthy food and exercise.  You see a little thing called BlogHer was in town.    The week was all kinds of crazy.  There was lots of dining out, lots of work to be done (for the Cheap Sally Party) and lots of events to attend.  I managed to catch up with a few of the #knockoutthefat girls though so that was a highlight of course.  You can see a photo here from @momma_oz.

Here are this weeks weigh-in and measurement results:

• BMI: 24.6 (normal) 26.62

• Weight: 157.0 lbs 170.6 lbs

• Chest: 38.5" 39"

• Waist: 35.5" 40"

• Hips: 39.50" 41"

• Overall:  Down 13.6 lbs and 6.5" in 14 weeks.  That's almost a pound a week. I have to be happy with that.

(red denotes initial measurements and weight)

I'm going to end my final post with something completely unhealthy, but I feel like celebrating.  It's funny because I was asked after a previous recipe whether it was healthy or not, because the reader had never thought of what I had made as being healthy.  This is not just about providing healthy recipes.  I'm keeping it real here.  I like to have a treat every now and then.  I am not about to give up some of my favorite things.  For me, it's all about balance.  It's about primarily eating healthy 'meals', but splurging once in a while on something that I crave. 

Those who know me, know I have an issue with fire (I once had 3rd degree burns on my hand - it was a long and very painful recovery). Don't get me wrong, I love a fire pit, a fire place and grilling outdoors just like everyone else, but I will never go at it alone.  These are only lit if my husband is around.  So when he's not, I love to come up with a great alternative, which is just one reason why I'm loving my George Foreman grill so much.  I can use it, minus the flames and get great results.

Recipe: Grilled S'mores

These take 35 seconds to cook and you can fit 9 on the grill.

Want to know how to make them?  There's a few small tricks, so feel free to watch my video.

Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 days.

Week 13: George Foreman 90 Day Challenge

I'm hiding my head in shame.  I gained 1 pound.  I hate a set back.  It's my own fault ... although I'd like to blame it on the eating of bacon that went into the making of the video below.

Here are this weeks weigh-in and measurement results:

• BMI: 24.7 (normal) 26.62

• Weight: 157.6 lbs 170.6 lbs

• Chest: 38.5" 39"

• Waist: 36" 40"

• Hips: 39.50" 41"

• Overall:  Down 13 lbs and 6"

(red denotes initial measurements and weight)

My measurements stayed the same thankfully.  One the plus side, I did buy a cocktail dress in a size 8 for the first time in many, many years.  I was wearing a size 12 when I started this challenge, so I'm happy with that.  I have to find the positive in this, right!   Now to get that pesky pound back off again.

Instead of putting together a new recipe this week, I decided to put together a little video showing you the difference between frying and grilling bacon.  See I told you it was the testing of bacon that went into the making of this video that was my downfall this week. 

Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 days.

Week 12: George Foreman 90 Day Challenge

And so begins week 12 of the challenge.  The challenge to be fit and healthy.  The challenge to make it down to my ideal weight.  The challenge to cook healthier meals using my George Foreman Grill.  For some reason I had in my mind that I was around the 157 lbs mark last week.  I weighed myself this morning and thought, that's great, I've lost about a 1 lb, much better than last week.  Then I got on-line to work out all of my results and realized I lost more than I thought so I'm absolutely thrilled.

Here are this weeks weigh-in and measurement results:

• BMI: 24.5 (normal) 26.62

• Weight: 156.6 lbs 170.6 lbs

• Chest: 38.5" 39"

• Waist: 36" 40"

• Hips: 39.50" 41"

• Overall:  Down 14 lbs and 6"

(red denotes initial measurements and weight)

I'm thrilled that I lost 1.8 lbs last week and a 1/4" off my hips.

This weeks recipe:

Apple and Brie Quesadillas

One of my favorite appetizers to serve at parties is peach and brie quesadillas with a little honey drizzled over the top.  I decided to try out a new way to make these because I like to switch things up a bit sometimes.  Brie was on sale at Vons this week so I picked up a couple.

Ingredients:

• 2 Whole Wheat Tortillas
• 1 apple (peeled, cored and thinly sliced)
• Brie (thinly sliced)
• 3 tbs organic blue agave sweetener
• 2 tsp champagne vinegar
• Fresh mint (chopped) - fresh from my pot under my kitchen window.

Place one tortilla on the grill.  Cover the base with thinly sliced Brie, then top with a layer of thinly sliced apples.  Place the second tortilla over the top, close the George Foreman and grill for approximately 4-5 minutes on medium-high.

While the quesadilla is grilling combine the blue agave sweetener, champagne vinegar and mint in a bowl.

Serve the quesadillas warm with a little of the nectar mixture drizzled over the top.

 

Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 days.

Week 11: George Foreman 90 Day Challenge

I have nothing really to report this week.  I exercised around the same as normal, but have to admit to attending two birthday parties (aka yummy food) and a couple of nights of picking up take-out due to extremely busy summer days with the kids.  I guess that explains the .4 loss this week.

Here are this weeks weigh-in and measurement results:

• BMI: 24.8 (normal) 26.62

• Weight: 158.4 lbs 170.6 lbs

• Chest: 38.5" 39"

• Waist: 36" 40"

• Hips: 39.75" 41"

• Overall:  Down 12.2 lbs and 5.75"

(red denotes initial measurements and weight)

This weeks delicious breakfast recipe:

Grilled Banana and Nutella Sandwich

Ingredients:

Your favorite bread

• 1 Banana
• Nutella
• Butter
• Confectioners Sugar

Slice the banana into long strips.  Layer on top of nutella between two slices of buttered bread.  Grill on medium high for about 4 minutes.  Dust a little confectioners sugar over the top.

Enjoy!

Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 days.

Week 10: George Foreman 90 Day Challenge

Monday mornings are beginning to feel like the day I have to confess, wipe the slate clean and promise to do better.  I exercised ONCE last week.  I feel guilty.  I was busy.  I have every excuse under the sun and still I can see @bookieboo and @fitmomtraining shaking their heads and wagging their fingers at me. 

You see, my kids left on vacation last week with my husband, which meant getting them packed, cleaning the house and getting a dog sitter organized, and then I headed out to Utah for the EVO Conference (which was fabulous and I have some amazing photos and stories to share).

Look though, I really did work out, that's me in the background at an early morning yoga class ... which I ended up feeling nauseas and dizzy in, I think it was the combination of the early morning, the altitude, and that I had nothing in my stomach.

photograph by: www.trevorchristensen.com

And here's a sneak peek at a few other photos from the conference.

On Thursday a few of us gals went into town for lunch and enjoyed a delicious and healthy meal at Good Karma, it was just what we needed.  And there is me with our one and only Leah Segedie.  Of course, there is that dreaded caramel sundae I had for dessert one evening, but it sure was delicious.

I did try to watch what I ate though, I think I did a pretty great job too, well, if you don't count that McDonalds caramel sundae, or the obscenely fattening coffee scroll I enjoyed for breakfast one morning when I was feeling particularly queezy after that yoga session and was craving something delicious and sweet.  Isn't this what it's all about though, not missing out on the yummy things that you love, but instead enjoying them as an occasional treat and not an everyday staple in your diet.

Here are this weeks weigh-in and measurement results:

• BMI: 24.9 (normal) 26.62

• Weight: 158.8 lbs 170.6 lbs

• Chest: 38.5" 39"

• Waist: 36" 40"

• Hips: 39.75" 41"

• Overall:  Down 11.8 lbs and 5.75"

(red denotes initial measurements and weight)

I am beyond surprised that I lost weight this week, but so thankful that I did.

This weeks recipe:

Grilled Honey Pork with Risotto

Ingredients:

Grilled Pork

• Pork tenderloins
• 2 tbs honey
• 1 tbs soy sauce
• 1 tsp crushed garlic
• 1/2 tsp cracked pepper
• 1 tsp Everyday Seasoning

Risotto

• 1 cup risotto
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 onion (diced)
• 2 tbs butter
• 1 cup edamame (boiled and shelled)
• 1/4 cup capers
• Freshley cracked black pepper
• Grated parmesan cheese

We begin this recipe by making quick marinade for the pork.  Combine the honey, soy sauce, crushed garlic, pepper and Everyday Seasoning in a bowl.  Brush both sides of the pork with the marinade and lay in a shallow dish.  Pour remainder of the marinade over the top, cover and refrigerate for about 30 minutes. 

Moving on to the risotto.  Gently fry the onions in the butter for about 3 minutes.  Add the risotto and mix thoroughly for a couple of minutes.  [ see note 1 below ] Add one cup of water and continue stirring until the water has been absorbed.  [ see note 2 below ] Repeat this step for the next two cups of water.  Once all of the liquid has been absorbed add in the edamame and capers and gently combine.

Note 1.  This is the point you need to turn on your George Foreman grill so it can pre-heat ready to add your pork.

Note 2.  As soon as the light has come on the grill, beginning grilling the pork - this should occur sometime between the 2nd and 3rd cups of water being added to the risotto.  The pork will take 6-8 minutes to cook, you will see brown marks appearing on the pork.

Dish up your risotto and honey pork and top with grated parmesan cheese and freshly cracked pepper.

Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 days.

Week 9: George Foreman 90 Day Challenge

When I weighed in this morning I had lost very little.  To the point that normally this would disappoint me, and have me questionning myself and feeling a little defeated.  But instead I looked at the positive.  I reached a milestone.  For the first time in 5 years I was under 160lbs.   For me that is a far greater accomplishment than I could have even imagined was possible just months ago.  And another thing I realized, is that this time next week, my BMI will no longer be in the 'overweight' range.

Here are this weeks weigh-in and measurement results:

• BMI: 25.0 (overweight) 26.62

• Weight: 159.6 lbs 170.6 lbs

• Chest: 39" 39"

• Waist: 36" 40"

• Hips: 40" 41"

• Overall:  Down 11 lbs and 5"

(red denotes initial measurements and weight)

Normally I would give you a recipe of the week that I tried and loved, but seeing as it's the 4th of July today and there will be grilling and parties and celebrations going on, I wanted to give you a tip instead.

Don't feel like you need to miss out.  Just make some adjustments to what everyone else is eating to enjoy a healthier version.  But please, don't sit at a celebration and look at the food and think that you really shouldn't eat anything because you are 'dieting'.  This is about being healthier and making long term choices with what you eat.

Yesterday we celebrated an early 4th of July with friends.  We did hamburgers and sausages on the grill and I whipped up a few salads.  While my husband was outside grilling the burgers and sausages for the others, I popped a veggie burger on my George Foreman and instead of offering just one choice in hamburger buns, I offered two - regular whole wheat buns and whole wheat sandwich thins too.  We also love bacon on our burgers, and I wasn't about to miss out on that, so instead of frying them, I popped them on the George Foreman and they came out perfectly.  I will never fry bacon again. 

Another tip.  If you are the one entertaining visitors, leave condiments out on the table for those who want them to add them into their own salad.  I also made a leaner potato salad, by not adding items such as mayonnaise or sour cream.  You can view the salad recipes I made on my 4th of July Salads post.

Disclosure: I am one of 10 Brand Ambassadors in the George Foreman Knock out the Fat Weight Loss Challenge. I was sent a George Foreman Grill for my participation in this challenge and will be compensated for my time at the end of the 90 days.