Monday's Motivation

After having a terrible eating weekend.  I'm using something material for this week's motivation.

Clothes!!!  I hate clothes, well, I should say, I hate shopping for clothes for myself.  I'm not a fashionista, or even own anything fancy.  I've always been a jeans and tee kinda gal.  Hell, who I am I kidding, more like a sweats and tee gal.  Why do I need to get dressed up when most days I don't leave my house, and there is usually snot or something on me.  Gross, right?!

Anyway, this weekend my little sister cleaned out her wardrobe a bit, and let me have first dibs on the amazing clothes she has.  She has always dressed amazing, heels, make up, hair did, adorable clothes, she's like a model!  So with the opportunity of having some of her clothes, I jumped at the chance.  Granted, I can't fit in them YET, I still took out a few.  I am most excited about the jeans from Bebe.  I've never owned anything from there, and have only been in there with her.  Anywho, I'm going to put the jeans where I can see them, and when I have the urge to eat an M&M, or any crab that I know is going to hinder me from fitting in those jeans, I'm going to walk away!  I really, really want to fit in them, and you know, as well as I do, if we put our whole head and heart into something, we really can do it!

I hope you are ready to face this week.  Make good choice and find something to motivate you, find your strength!

Caramel Coffee

How many of you LOVE Dunkin Donuts Iced Latte?  I do!  It's my favorite!!  I don't make it to Dunkin very often because it's not close, luckily, but I crave their iced lattes.

While playing around I came up with a delicious iced coffee with 102 calories, saving you 18 calories if you get the 16 oz with skim.

All you need is:
Caramel (the kind you put on your ice cream)
Condensed Sweetened Milk
Your favorite 0 calorie coffee (which is most)

For the 102 cal version
1 tbs of Caramel
1 tbs Condensed Sweetened Milk
coffee to top

I let mine cool for a little bit before putting it over the ice, but you could do it either way.  
No sugar or sweeteners needed, it is already sweet with the combination of the two ingredients!  Of course if you want to have more caramel flavor, add more.

Enjoy! Hope you are having a fabulous week!

ProgressOH! Soup

For all you lovelies that are trying to lose weight, or maintain it, here's a 200 calorie lunch or dinner that is OH SO Tasty!!!

Have you tried the Progresso Light Soups?  There is an amazing variety, and I couldn't even tell the difference in taste between the regular and light.  I'm a stickler on taste, and honestly, these are AW-MAZING!

I eat salads most days of the week, but when it's cold outside, and have I no desire to eat another salad, I pull out a can of Progresso Light.  If you all don't know, I try to be a thrifty shopper, I watch sale ads, and use coupons as much as I possibly can.  I always watch for Progresso sales, because truthfully, it's my favorite soup in a can.  I can usually get 10 cans for $8, sometimes less,  depending on how many coupons I can get ahold of.

Be sure to check out the Progresso Website and become a fan on Facebook!  They have recipes, ideas, and so much yummyness!

Making healthy choices in the kitchen is the first step to any weight loss.  Here are a couple pictures of myself so far.  The first one is in October, and the second is from 2 weeks ago, (2 weeks after I started eating better.)  You can see the difference in my face.  I'm still working on my body, but I will say I've lost 10 pounds in January.

One lucky reader could win this cool prize pack.  I received one, and loved it!  Leave me a comment to let me know your favorite Progresso Light soup, and what you're doing to help lose weight in the new year!  I will randomly select one of you to receive the same thing I did!  US residents only, sorry my Canadian and overseas friends! :(

"Disclosure: The information, products and ProgressOh! gift packs were provided by Progresso through MyBlogSpark.

Monday Motivation

Good Monday Morning friends!!!  I hope everyone had a fabulous weekend!  I stayed home and played all weekend long, it was nice to just relax, well other than daily chores.

My question to you today is, what is motivating you this week?  Have you set a weekly goal?  I stepped on the scale today, and decided to work a little harder to lose the pound I gained from cheating this weekend.  I know better than to eat out of my ordinary box, but I get an urge and I can't refrain.  If I get it in my head I want fried rice, I have to eat it, which wouldn't be a problem if that was the only bad thing I ate all weekend, but of course I can't live without my pizza too.  I have to get it in my head that I can only cheat at one meal for the entire weekend, not every meal because it's the weekend.

I am so close to my goal, yet so far away.  I have a number in my head of what I want to weigh, but I also have a picture of what I want to look like.  With that in mind, does it matter what the scale says or being happy with how I look?

I so wish that on December 31st I would have had hubby take a picture of me and measure me, so that I could have seen how good/bad I've done this month.  I know weight is coming off, I just don't know where from.  I still have time to take the pictures and measure and see how much I progress in the next month, but I won't have something to look back at from this past month.

Here's a little picture I found to keep in mind.  I'm beginning to notice, are you?  Make today's workout count!  Get off your booty, and do something, ANYTHING!  Work a little harder and it will pay off!  YOU've got this!  Happy Monday All!! xoxo BJ

Java Mocha Oatmeal

Good Tasty Tuesday Morning my friends!  For all you folks out there trying to lose weight, love chocolate and coffee, I've got the recipe for you!!!  I found this recipe on fitness.com and adapted it just a bit!

What you'll need:
1/2 cup Oatmeal (not instant)
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup brewed coffee
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder  (very chocolaty, less if you don't want really chocolaty)
1 tsp sweetener
raspberries or fruit of choice

Boil water and coffee, add oatmeal and cook 4-5 mins
Let sit for 1-2 mins
Add Cocoa powder and sweetener
Top with favorite fruit and enjoy!

Only 207 calories with 1/2 raspberries!

Oldie but goodie, Valentine's Craft!!

For all of you out there that are starting to get your Valentines gifts, party ideas and recipes ready, I thought I'd share a craft I did 2 years ago that's super simple and teachers love it!!    If you'd like to see step by step check out my tutorial here!

Hope you have a Fabulous Friday!! xoxo BJ

Wordless Wednesday- Snow Fun