Day 32: The Paunch

I have been M.I.A. this past week, and not to worry, I didn't lock myself in a closet with a mile-high cheesecake. (Don't think it didn't cross my mind, but restraint is a new friend that I am getting acquainted with.) As you know I am going with a theme of change right now, and the newest change has been with career! I recently accepted an offer with Jan Marini Skin Research as a Sales Consultant (if you are an Esthetician, we need to talk) and I am excited about the change. So I will be getting adjusted to that in the meantime and if my posts are more scarce for a while, just bare with me.
Meanwhile, I have been WORKING IT OUT at the gym everyday doing an hour of cardio and training. And I really have noticed a difference in my clothes thus far (I will post pics at some point!) but there is one meandering visitor that is wearing out her welcome. Who is this rude guest? The Paunch. If you have read previous posts then you are vaguely aware of The Paunch. It is the lingering reminder of the Cookie-Carnival and French-Fry-Fest that I enjoyed during my nine month Gestation period. And now it has congregated like the Southern Baptist Convention on what used to be my abdomen, and true to what the Southern Bap's like to sing, It shall not be moved. So it's time to pull out the big guns. The D-word. That's right, Diet. After speaking with a trainer tonight, he suggested that I do not eat carbs after lunch in order to speed up the departure of The Paunch. So, chicken and broccoli (along with irrational mood swings and raging rants), here I come.

Day 25: Freak-a-Leak

Who's that girl out on that flo'? It's Mandi! It's Mandi! She's Flossin', she's Bossin', she's lovin that Weight-Lossin'!

This was my theme song tonight as I BLEW IT UP on the Elyptical machine for 60 minutes!! (Who am I!?) I was one with the machine as I glided like a swift gazelle running through the Sahara (excuse the drama- I am still high on endorphins). And just to show out in front of myself, I walked my tight glutes over to the weight machine and started working my arms. Don't act like you're not impressed. Is it possible that this Campaign for Change is bringing on (gulp) Discipline?

Let's start this movement together! If you are attempting your own goal of change, then email me and share! mrrinks@yahoo.com

Day 24: Does This Life Make My Butt Look Big?

So while on this journey to self-improvement and evaluation, I am learning some interesting things about myself. Like for example, how I am addicted (like, 12 step program addicted) to Diet Coke, and how if I don't have chips with my sandwich I feel like I have suffered more than Nelson Mandela. I think it's safe to say that discipline and long suffering aren't my strong points. So, along with becoming the next Jackie Joyner I am going to have to make some lifestyle changes as well- like avoiding the evil Subway restaurant and their delicious cookies that flaunt their chocolate chips just when I am about to pay and make my quick get-a-way. I will have to make do with Chic-fil-A wraps from here out, which I will chase with my large Diet Coke since there is no way in hell that I am giving that up. I have to find my kicks where I can get 'em.
In other news, I have decided to give up Dairy for Lent. So "Don't Have a Cow" has just taken on a whole new meaning for me.

Day 22: Run, Mandi, Ruuuunnnn!!

Tonight's run was... not like the 3rd dimension of Hell. And that, my friends, is what I call progress. I decided not to wear my Ipod and really be one with my body in all it's glory on the treadmill. As it turns out, all my glory rests in what the Urban Dictionary defines as the Badunkadunk. So the entire time, instead of pretending that I was a in a PussyCat Doll video singing while climbing scaffolding in a midriff, I was focused on the surprising weight that gravity held on my backside. So, do I face my tush head on (so to speak) and deal with the reality? Hell no. Instead I turned my attention to "The Bachelor 9.0- On the Wings of Love" and shut out all further thoughts of oneness with my body. Reality TV is so much better than reality. The good news is I did let my JLo-ish backside hinder my progress, and jiggled my way through the run- which is 60 seconds on/90 seconds off intervals for 20 minutes at this point. Runner's World, here I come!

Many of you lusted after my posting of Food Porn and want the recipes, so here they are...

Portobello Mushroom Burger a.k.a. The Britney Spears:
2 Large Portobello Mushrooms
1 small yellow onion
1/2 Avocado (optional)
1/4 cup Basalmic Vinegar
2 tablespoons Olive Oil
1 tsp Dried Basil
1 tsp Dried Oregano
1 tbsp Minced garlic

Wash and de-stem mushroom and place on aluminum foil in small pan with smooth side up. Combine Vinegar, Oil, Basil, Oregano, and Garlic in a small bowl. Pour mixture over mushroom caps and let sit at room temp for 15 minutes. In a small skillet, add sliced onions with 1 tsp of Olive Oil to sautee. Then place mushroom caps in the oven to BROIL for about 5 minutes and remove. Toast a wheat hamburger bun in the toaster and slice the avocado. Place mushroom on bun topped with onions and avocados... and prepare to have your mind blown. Hit me baby One more time!

Taco Soup a la Jenny From the Block:
1 lb Ground Turkey or Ground Chuck
2 cans of Black beans (drained)
2 cans of Hunts Tomatoes (not drained)
2 cans of Mexican of Shoepeg corn (not drained)
1 can Rotel tomatoes
1 Taco Seasoning Packet
1 Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning Packet
1 large white Onion

Brown meat in a skillet and drain. Set aside. Chop onions and sautee in skillet until browned. In a large pot combine ALL ingredients and put on medium heat. Let heat for about 10 minutes or until soup is bubbling.
Prepare by layering tortilla chips at the bottom of the bowl, then layer soup on top, with shredded cheese, sour cream, and a sliced Avocado if you wish (which I do).

Enjoy!

Day 21: Food Porn

It is for these reasons alone that I could never be anorexic. This is what I did this weekend... Feast your eyes.

Taco Soup:
I call this one Jenny From the Block, because it's got some kick and it's mostly fat free.



Portobello Mushroom Burger with Sauteed Onion and Avocado on a Wheat Bun:
I shall call it Britney Spears, because although it looks naughty, it's surprisingly good for you.



If you want recipes, I will be more than happy to share, you can email me at mrrinks@yahoo.com.

P.S.

Does it count as a Valentine's Day gift if you actually threaten your significant other to "bring you some damn chocolates or don't expect to get back into the house"?

Yeah, I didn't think so.

Day 19: Burn Baby Burn

So I have been doing my challenge now for almost 3 weeks and it has been filled with ups and downs. Ups: Working out a minimum of 4 days a week. Downs: The Pizza, ranch dressing, and fried chicken fingers.
I thought by this point in my metamorphasis to become a world class runner, I would actually like it a tinge more. Wrong. I honestly cannot understand how and why anyone would like to run, unless it's running to a birthday cake or from a lion. Some say that running gives them a "high", in which the closest I have come to this is when I got dizzy and thought about passing out when I forgot my water. I am realizing that becoming a Runner is more than just a physical goal, it's mental. And if anybody is mental, it's me; but I gotta tell ya, this is more taxing than I originally anticipated. Next immediate challenge? A mental makeover. Because I am finding that the real reward here is not in becoming a runner, but rather to actually like to run. And maybe to lay off the Pizza and Ranch Dressing.

Weight loss this week: 0.5lbs (hey, it's something)

P.S- if you want to join in with you own challenge, let me know!