It seems like I can bracket out a lot of my life into times when I am ‘on plan’ and times when I am ‘off plan.’ My plan of choice is generally Weight Watchers, running three times a week, and weights twice a week. I always see a great result with this plan and I can lose weight, build muscle, and feel awesome. I know I need to think about this as a lifestyle, more than a plan I can opt into or out of, because I frequently get derailed and gain 10 or 15 pounds before i rein it back in again. That’s where I am at now. I lost 15 pounds earlier this year and got back to goal weight, and I’ve gained that same 15 pounds back again already. It is frustrating, but I am in the process of fixing it and trying to make permanent changes to break the cycle. And while that 15 pounds is a constant battle, I am maintaining the loss of another 30 pounds that I disappeared 4 years ago and have never returned!
When I am working out a lot, I think more about my food being fuel for my body. I try to eat cleaner with less packaged items. I try to eat more protein and complex carbs, but less sugar and fat. Breakfast is a critical meal for me and I need the meal to be prepared quickly, but have the right nutritional balance to be filling and keep me energized all morning. Here is a picture of my new go-to breakfast meal:
This beauty takes 5 minutes total to create and uses only a few ingredients. I use 3 egg whites, 1/4 cup of low-fat cheese, 1/2 cup of frozen spinach, a splash of hot sauce, and half of a bell pepper. Here are the steps:
- Coat the inside of a mug with cooking spray.
- Put 3 egg whites in the mug.
- Add 1/4 cup low-fat cheese.
- Add some hot sauce to taste
- Add the frozen spinach.
- Stir.
- Microwave for 1 minute.
- Stir again.
- Microwave for 2 minutes.
- Empty the contents of the mug into the bell pepper half.
The whole process takes me about 5 minutes. It looks and tastes great! I believe this is 3 Weight Watchers points. I get the lowest number of points allowed to be assigned, so I need to make every point count. This really helps me. Try it!
I have done a week of P90X now and it is going very well so far. I am amazed that I can keep up with the video for the most part. So far, my favorite workout was definitely Plyometrics. I really liked the cardio! I had the most difficulty with YogaX because I just don’t have the flexibility. My least favorite was the Chest and Back workout because of the endless pushups and pullups. I am actually surprisingly strong in both of of those exercises, but enough is enough at some point! It went on forever. And THEN Ab RipperX after!
I am down 3 pounds for week 1, which is an outstanding start for me. I need 13 more to be in my maintenance zone again, but of course I’d be happy to lose a few more if I could. I think if I push myself, I can lose the weight in 3 months or less. I’ll keep you posted.
What’s your favorite fitness-fuel breakfast? I’d love some other suggestions!