Italian Garlic Shrimp and Sauted Zucchini ~ Weigh-In Wednesday

Seven days in each week, 24 hours in each day. Every single day different from the other, but with one common taughtly-pulled thread running straight down the center: the thread of focus. "Stay focused," I say to myself each day. "Keep your eye on the prize." Wrapped in loving support and sincere encouragement by my family I am able to forge ahead with my commitment to reach my optimal health this year.

"Week Two" has been a good one. My headaches are gone. My energy is up. The fog I was in last week has lifted. My weight loss was 1.6 Lbs! And that, folks, was without exercise. Not bad. In fact it's downright amazing! Last week's 6.4 loss plus this week's 1.6 brings me to a total loss of 8 Lbs. My goal is to reach a total of ten Lbs lost by end of week three. I'll start walking in week three, so I'm hopeful that it will bring good results. Rain, rain GO AWAY! I want to walk EVERY DAY!

I hope you had a successful week, too. Any good walking tips?

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Flavorful Broccoli and Chicken in Dijon Mustard Sauce ~ Weigh-In Wednesday

Hello! And happy Wednesday to ya. It's been a very interesting week. I have to say I was pretty nervous about weighing in. Not because anything went wrong, or that I didn't follow this plan to the letter, but because I've been down this path so many times before. In the past nothing ever really felt right, nor worked. All week long I kept thinking "I really need want this to work"...and it did. I lost 6.4 pounds!! WOW! I'm so relieved. Planning ahead has continued to be the key to success each day. It's time consuming at first, but it's been worth it. The first three days, as I was warned, were the most difficult. Those were the days I felt a bit run down and hungry. I had a few headaches too. The rest of the week just got better and better each day. I was still a bit hungry, but less and less each day. Yesterday was the first day I wasn't hungry. That felt good! My energy level is back up, too. It was worth getting through the adjustment week.

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Roasted Cauliflower "Mashed Potatoes" ~ Weigh-in Wednesday

I made a big decision! I've decided to follow the path my doctor wants me to take and signed up for a specific weight-loss program. It's called Take Shape for Life, which includes the Medifast food program and a health coach. At first I was hesitant to sign up, but the more I meet with my health coach the more I want to do this. Not because I'm excited to be on a prescribed food plan (I'm not) but because I have a health coach in my life now. I've already seen her twice and I haven't even started the plan! That's pretty amazing to me. Mostly Dr. Jan (my health coach) is preparing me by answering all of my questions up front, helping me prep my food lists for the shopping I will need to do, ordering my Medifast meals with me, and sending me recipe ideas for my one "lean and green" meal I will cook each day. The "lean and green" meal will consist of one lean meat and a whole lot of veggies. Of course the program is much more involved than what I'm sharing today, but you get the gist of it. As time passes I'll share more with you. I'm getting excited. I officially begin the program on January 31st. I'll be ready. Is there anything you are preparing to take on?

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Easy Grilled Romaine ~ Weigh-in Wednesday

It's good to be here with you on Weigh-in Wednesday! Are you ready to glide into weeek 3?
So how was week 2? Mine pretty much went like this....I'll let the photo speak for itself.

Be sure to check out the recipe below. I know it might not sound very exciting....grilled lettuce, but REALLY it's so good. Grilling mellows the sometimes sharp flavor of romaine and adds a hint of smoky goodness. It's amazingly easy to make, and freakishly good!

Weigh-in Wednesday:
It turns out I didn't have just a sore throat last week. I had strep throat. One word - YUCK! Thankfullly I'm on the mend. Even though the healing process has taken much longer than I ever dreamed it would there has been plenty going on. I've lost 2 pounds. It's a good start, and not bad for a couple of weeks that made me feel like I'd had a setback almost right out of the gate. Oddly enough though as I write this I'm finding myself at a crossroads. Already!

Starting about 4 years ago I decided to "celebrate" each new year by scheduling my annual physical in January. Crazy, huh? I also have my mamogram, see my cardiologist, my endocrinologist, and of course my dentist. It's quite the way to ring in the new year. 2011 has been no different. I've had some of my appointments, with others still coming down the pike. Part of the outcome of this year's annual physical was having my trusted doctor TELLING me what to do about weight loss, rather than make suggestions. And I'm listening. Although I'll have to admit I'm struggling with what looks like the new game plan. I have more than 50 lbs to lose, so I'm being asked to join a very specific weight-loss program. Originally I didn't want to do that. I didn't want a "one size fits all" program in my life. Mainly because I worry about the transition period out of the program back into what I call "the real world". I was worried about this blog, too. How will drastic changes effect what I do here? Thankfully not all that much. In fact, it may allow me to get back on track with what I really love doing, which are the audio interviews. It's the heart of this blog, so that won't change. And I'll still be in the kitchen cooking my dinner meal every day. That meal, following some guidelines, will be up to me to figure out. Guess I can't drag my feet anymore can I? No more excuses. This program comes with a health coach, too, which may make all the differnce in the world. I meet with her on Friday. Wish me luck!

Pssst....I dare you to try this recipe for Grilled Romaine. Have you ever grilled Romaine before?

 For a printer-friendly, text-only version of the recipe below, click here

Grilled Romaine
inspired by Grilled Caesar Salad - Gourmet Magazine

What you'll need:
(Oil mixture is for 4 servings)

1 head of romaine lettuce cut lengthwise, one 1/2 head per serving

Olive Oil - 2 Tablespoons

Fresh garlic,  1 or 2 cloves pressed through a garlic press

Fresh Lemon Juice - 1 teaspoon

Freshly Ground Pepper and Kosher salt to taste

What You'll Do:

1. In a small bowl whisk together the olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt and pepper.

2. With a basting brush lightly coat all sides of each 1/2 head of lettuce.

3. Grill on medium to medium-high heat, each side for approx. 3-4 min., until charred and outer leaves are wilted.

4. Once romaine is on plate you can brush the oil mixture on top again - optional

5. Serve and enjoy!

Lentil and Kale Soup ~ Weigh-In Wednesday

Ta-dah! I'm ready to begin week 2 of a Healthy New Year! Only fifty-one more weeks to go!

I've decided to call these "review-of-the-week" posts "Weigh-In Wednesday"! On Wednesdays I'll be "weighing in" both literally and figuratively. My doctors and I will know the "numbers" but you, my friend, get to hear about everything else. Okay, to be fair, at some point I'll be sharing numbers in some way shape or form, but remember that's not the focus. Getting healthy is. Thanks for being here, and for all of your support.

It's been an interesting week, which is code for "it didn't go as planned." The good news is I did start to make some changes.

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